Good news: Zhang Shan had transmigrated to another world, and he even brought a Super Rebate System along for the ride. Bad news: The damn thing was broken. Before him lay endless, sprawling mountains. The village he was stuck in was so small and insignificant it didn’t even have a name. Every night, Zhang Shan […]

Again? As the notification chimed in his mind, a shooting star streaked across the starry canvas above, trailing a blazing tail of heavenly fire before plummeting toward the earth. BOOM! A deafening crash echoed through the mountains. Relying on his years of experience as a hunter, Zhang Shan instantly pinpointed the impact site: just two

Zhang Shan knew he was about to infuriate Nan Gong Yao if he kept pushing, so he pivoted quickly. “Lele, be good now. Think about it—if all else fails, you can learn some skills and come back to rescue me, right? By then, you’ll be just as powerful as the Fairy, flying through the skies

Zhang Shan gnashed his teeth, the phantom sensation of death still lingering in his nerves. Rebirth through the Ninefold Nirvana Pill felt as though every bone had been pulverized and reassembled, his soul torn apart by an agony that nearly drove him mad. She actually came all the way back just to kill me? But

Zhang Xian stood atop the mountain peak, gazing at the setting sun in the distance. The wisps of white hair at his temples remained unchanged from years ago, and his face bore no trace of aging. Youthful beauty and silver hair—mere moments in time. The once-mighty Bawang Escort Agency had long since changed hands. The

Zhang Xian chuckled. This old man spoke with remarkable directness. “Your insight is truly keen, Daoist Master.” Zhang Xian set down his teacup. “I have indeed touched the threshold of cultivation, yet I remain forever unable to cross it.” The old Daoist, Xuanwei, spoke slowly. “Duke of Zhen Guo, you saw just now—my inept disciple

Across from him, two out of the three people were openly looking down on him, and even Li Miaoyin’s attitude was rather cold. But for Zhang Xian, these were mere trifles. Back in the day, when he was about to marry the Princess of Daliang, several civil officials in the Grand Hall nearly banged their

Xuanwei was currently immersed in the joy of finally seeing Sister Miaoyin’s injuries healing, completely oblivious to his disciple’s contorted expression. Li Miaoyin, however, noticed Yu Yun’s unusual demeanor. She simply assumed he was overwhelmed by Zhang Xian’s extravagance and gently beckoned him over. “It’s getting late. Duke Zhen Guo, why don’t you stay at

In the days that followed, Zhang Xian remained at the Taoist temple. Aside from seeking guidance from Xuanwei and Li Miaoyin, he spent all his time practicing the Classic of Nurturing Golden Cores with Azure Wood. Finally, on the evening of the ninth day, a vortex the size of an egg yolk formed in his

Xuanwei seemed quite pleased by Zhang Xian’s astonishment. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he reached up to stroke his smooth chin. “Thanks to the Duke of the Nation, my cultivation has made a breakthrough, so I’ve naturally regained the appearance of my youth. “Hehe, now that you’ve seen this

The male cultivator, whom Lin Yinyin called Senior Brother Song, took a few sips of water, as if he had finally made up his mind. “Yinyin,” he said earnestly, “I’ve already excavated the core containing the spirit ore. You take it and refine it.” “Ah? How could I possibly accept this?” Lin Yinyin exclaimed, her

“Young lady, please wait!” said the honest-looking cultivator. “Is the hairpin on your head for sale?” Huh? Lin Yinyin immediately became alert. The hairpin on her head had been bought a few years ago at a large marketplace for ten low-grade Spirit Stones. Its only function was to occasionally emit a chill, with no practical

Shuiyun City. Zhang Xian effortlessly made his way back to his new residence—a cultivation estate that had cost him a full 800 mid-grade Spirit Stones. Privacy. Seclusion. These were exactly what he sought. Though the spiritual energy here couldn’t compare to that of a sect or an immortal mountain, living within the city offered unparalleled

As the two exited Yueyang Tower, Lin Yinyin asked, “Senior Brother Zhang, what are you planning to buy for your sister this time?” “I haven’t decided yet, but her cultivation level is similar to yours. Whatever you like, she’ll surely love it too.” Hmph! Lin Yinyin secretly rejoiced. This “Senior” might genuinely be interested in

Lin Yinyin was overwhelmed by Zhang Xian’s relentless generosity. At first, she was so excited that her legs wouldn’t stop trembling; later, she even started feeling numb. Staring at the densely packed treasures in her storage pouch, she felt a wave of dizziness. She was now fully equipped with mid-grade magical artifacts, along with Foundation

Lin Yinyin waited for a week, but Zhang Xian didn’t step out of his room even once. “Senior is in seclusion.” Lin Yinyin quickly adjusted her mindset. If she couldn’t figure it out, she simply stopped trying. Besides, with the Zhou Tian Protective Formation safeguarding Shuiyun City, she had no reason to worry about Senior

hapter 17: Unprecedented and Unparalleled, Stirring the Heavens and Earth What Lin Yinyin didn’t know was that just as she had finished her Foundation Establishment Tribulation, Zhang Xian was already preparing for his own. He had chosen the Small World of the Great Liang Kingdom as the place to undergo his trial. When he reappeared

After slightly stabilizing his cultivation, Zhang Xian successfully advanced to the seventh stage of the Classic of Nurturing Golden Cores with Azure Wood. He then spent ten mid-grade Spirit Stones on travel expenses to return to the Main World. The technique of cultivating a False Core allowed him to absorb spiritual energy, but it couldn’t

Behind Zhao Jia stood none other than his grandfather, the Patriarch of the Zhao family—Zhao Chengyue. The visitor was tall and imposing, with snow-white hair and beard, yet his features bore the unlined, stern countenance of a young man. He was a renowned Golden Core cultivator in Shuiyun City. “Grandfather, why have you come?” Zhao

Lin Yinyin ultimately decided to reveal everything about Zhao Chengyue, including their entire plan. Zhang Xian listened silently, lost in thought. He had anticipated being targeted, but never imagined it would happen so soon. Having spent some time in the cultivation world, he knew that every cultivation city in the Southern Region was protected by

Zhao Jia’s face was the color of ash, his entire body trembling uncontrollably. Elder Song, an expert at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, was just… dead? He and Elder Song were at the third and eighth levels of Foundation Establishment, respectively. They had assumed that capturing Zhang Xian and Lin Yinyin—both merely at the

Despite his long-standing fame, it took Zhao Chengyue some time to calm the roiling blood in his chest after vomiting it up. Eventually, both sides began a new round of combat. However, after the smoke cleared, despair finally dawned upon the patriarch. This time, he had been cautious. He hadn’t been directly injured by the

Upon hearing Zhang Xian’s request, Yun Qi let out a bitter laugh. “Fellow Daoist Zhang, it is not that I, Yun, am making excuses. Such heavenly treasures—forget my Cloud Raiment Pavilion, even if you were to search the entire Southern Region, one might not appear in a hundred years. And even if one did, the

Two years passed in a flash. During this time, Zhang Xian returned to the Great Liang Kingdom once. Li Miaoyin had successfully weathered two heavenly tribulations, officially stepping into the Foundation Establishment stage. Zhang Xian promptly sent a batch of supplies and magical treasures as congratulatory gifts. Xuanwei cultivated to the peak of Qi Refining,

The next day, Zhang Xian woke up refreshed and early, arriving on the deck to watch the morning mist gradually pierced by the clouds. A surge of heroic spirit welled up in his chest. This is truly the life of cultivation! From afar, he saw Yun Qi sitting cross-legged at the bow of the ship,

【Ding! Discovered 20-point Daughter of Destiny: Li Fuxi】 ? Zhang Xian was startled. He had discovered another one already? His divine sense swept over the area. With the isolation array’s enhancement, everyone on the second floor appeared as hazy gray figures, making it impossible to even distinguish their gender. But suddenly, above one figure’s head,

The auction continued. When the second round of magic tools was being auctioned, Zhang Xian even saw items he had previously sold to the Cloud Raiment Pavilion. One fetched six thousand mid-grade spirit stones, and another defensive magic tool sold for a high price of twelve thousand! What absolute profiteers! Zhang Xian slapped his thigh.

The auction concluded, leaving some disheartened and others worried. Zhang Xian brought Lin Yinyin back to the Cloud Raiment Pavilion courtyard. Once they entered, Lin Yinyin eagerly threw herself onto the soft couch, rolled around twice, then looked up, smiling. “Big Brother, you were so cool today! That person competing with you for the Immortal

The night was deep and quiet. Zhang Xian sat alone in the east wing room. Yinyin was wonderful, but cultivation was the proper path. Zhang Xian withdrew several stalks of Ascension Grass from his system space. Their bodies glowed with a crystalline blue light as he neatly arranged them on the table. Staring at the

The next day, Zhang Xian found himself bored and idle. Lin Yinyin was still in seclusion, intently refining her precious magical artifact. “If only I could get my hands on more rare treasures like the Immortal Ascension Grass,” Zhang Xian mused. He contacted Yun Qi and mentioned that he had another batch of high-grade magical

Zhang Xian hummed a little tune as he returned to the Cloud Raiment Pavilion’s annex. From afar, he could already hear silvery laughter ringing out from the courtyard. Pushing the door open, he saw Lin Yinyin playing and frolicking with Yun Zhen’er. The little loli had new crimson jade pendants tied to her twin ponytails.

“Since the Fairy said I was heading in the wrong direction, do you have any other advice?” Zhang Xian asked. Yun Wanqing spoke slowly. “Over these years, while running around for my daughter, I’ve only gained some immature insights. Fellow Daoist, are you aware of the method of ‘Bing Jie’ for re-cultivation?” “‘Bing Jie’… it’s

Until nightfall descended, Zhang Xian remained in the Cloud Raiment Pavilion’s courtyard annex. Yun Qi wore a peculiar expression. “Fellow Daoist Zhang, what major business did you discuss with my aunt? She hasn’t spoken to anyone for so long—many years, in fact.” Lin Yinyin, who was playing a spirit drum, hummed laughingly, “Brother, chatting with

The next day. A handsome young man arrived riding a sword, landing in front of the courtyard. Zhang Xian and Lin Yinyin were leaning back-to-back, each holding a Yunmiao Sect tome in their hands. The young man stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting. “I am the Peak Master of Wuwang Peak, Wangya. You

The flying sword cleaved through the sky with a sharp whistle, the wind whipping their robes into a frenzy against their bodies. Lin Yinyin felt a surge of excitement. In the past, flying boats had always been shielded by protective barriers, insulating passengers from the elements. But this? This was riding the wind in the

Upon hearing Chen Tiexin’s words, Lin Yinyin immediately pulled a long face. Having grown up this big, she had never lived in such a shabby house before. It was truly miserable. Zhang Xian, on the other hand, didn’t mind. It didn’t matter if Spirit Sword Peak was poor; he was rich. “There’s no need to

As the crushing weight of Li Fuxi’s divine sense finally dissipated, the stagnant air in the courtyard began to flow freely once more. Chen Tiexin retracted her soundproofing array, her brow furrowed in thought. “Strange. Usually, at this hour, Master would be nurturing her lifebound flying sword. Why did her divine sense descend so suddenly

Zhang Xian was also staring at Li Fuxi. He was indeed learning the sword. As a martial arts grandmaster, he could tell at a glance that Li Fuxi’s swordsmanship was extraordinary, and he committed her every move and stance to memory. Finally, it came to the practice session. Li Fuxi stood with her hands behind

Liu Qingxuan’s lecture left Zhang Xian utterly captivated and he benefited greatly. After evening class ended, Zhang Xian—unusually for him—went up to ask questions. Liu Qingxuan didn’t show the slightest impatience, despite him not being from her peak; instead, she patiently helped him resolve some cultivation confusions. Liu Qingxuan took out a tender green seedling

Facing the crowd’s doubts, Zhang Xian replied, “You don’t believe me? That Green Spirit Vine is currently planted behind my house. You can all go and see for yourselves.” “Absolutely impossible! You probably just transplanted a mature vine!” Another white-robed cultivator from Green Wood Peak also shook his head repeatedly. “Junior Brother Zhang, don’t say

It wasn’t until she noticed the strange looks from the disciples below that Liu Qingxuan realized something was amiss. Her pretty face flushed red instantly, the color spreading all the way to her ears. Flustered, she tried to return the gifts, but Zhang Xian gently stopped her. “Supervisor Liu, don’t overthink this. It’s purely an

“I will be away for a period of time, ranging from two months to half a year,” Li Fuxi continued. Upon hearing that her master was leaving, Lin Yinyin’s eyes lit up. Great! It had been so long since she had been intimate with her brother. As if reading her thoughts, Li Fuxi glanced at

Ten thousand miles away—within the Cloud Raiment Pavilion’s blessed realm. Yun Wanqing’s emotions took a long time to settle down—she owed an enormous favor this time! When she received the two Immortal Ascension Pills initially, she was already shocked enough. Then, hearing that Zhang Xian wanted to give one more directly to her, she felt

After class, Zhang Xian remained behind as usual, walking slowly toward Liu Qingxuan, who was organizing her teaching materials. “Supervisor Liu,” he slightly cupped his hands, his voice gentle. “Regarding the Azure Emperor’s Rejuvenation Art, this disciple has some questions I’d like to ask for guidance.” Liu Qingxuan was slightly taken aback but then began

Upon hearing Wangya mention the Cloud Raiment Pavilion, Liu Huaigu glared at him irritably. “Wangya ah… you have potential succession prospects for becoming Sect Leader someday… don’t end up breaking your cultivation progress in the Nine Revolutions Jade Condensation Art right before achieving it…” Wangya felt greatly embarrassed. “Teacher… what nonsense are you talking about?

Night fell, and it was time for the evening lecture at Green Wood Peak. A familiar figure stepped through the doorway as light and shadow flickered at the entrance. It was Zhang Xian, arriving right on time for class. “Damn! How is he fine?” “That doesn’t make sense!” “Did Peak Master Wangya protect him?” The

Lu Renbing was carried away by the combined efforts of several fellow disciples. Peak Master Liu Huaigu watched them disappear into the distance before finally withdrawing his gaze. He turned to look at Zhang Xian, a meaningful glint of amusement flashing in his eyes. “Worthy nephew,” he said, stroking his beard. “The night scenery is

Moonlight flowed like water as the two arrived by the spirit spring. Zhang Xian took a bottle of spirit liquid from his robe and handed it to Lin Yinyin, saying, “Here, this is for you.” “What is this?” “Green Spirit Jade Liquid. Just one drop into the spirit spring can enhance its effects by thirty

Yun Qi’s gaze fell upon Lin Yinyin, his pupils contracting slightly. The last time they met, he sensed her Spirit Root had broken through to a top-grade Water Spirit Root. Now, seeing her again felt completely different. She stood there seemingly surrounded by intangible water mist. With each breath, spiritual energy converged into her meridians

After calmly accepting the magic sword and the maintenance package voucher, Zhenhai’s eyes became clear. The three of them sat down and brewed tea. “Boss—oh no, Junior Brother, what do you want to know about Master? Her bust size or her hobbies?” “Senior Brother, you’ve misunderstood. I want to know about Master’s past experiences, to

Liu Qingxuan recognized both items instantly, and her heartbeat quickened slightly. “Zhang Xian, these are…” Zhang Xian’s tone was sincere. “Supervisor Liu, I actually want to ask for your help regarding these two things!” Liu Qingxuan was slightly taken aback. “Help?” “This Marrow Cleansing remnant fruit—we tried to cultivate and repair it before, but failed!”

Evening, at the Alchemy Hall of Pill Cauldron Peak. The vast Alchemy Hall was as noisy as a vegetable market, with several cultivators gathered around each alchemy furnace. “Those bastards from the Lingxu Sect! They actually refined an Earth-grade pill!” “They must have gotten incredibly lucky!” “I refuse to accept this! Our Pill Cauldron Peak

Their trip to Divine Mist Peak left both men feeling rather defeated. It took several days for them to recover before Zhang Xian received another message from Zhenhai: “There’s an evening class at Heavenly Puppet Peak tonight; I won’t be going myself. Someone will receive you there.” Under the moonlight, following the directions led him

The day was clear. Zhang Xian was meticulously carving the joints of a puppet when the communication jade token at his waist suddenly vibrated. “Come to the evening lecture hall immediately.” It was a message from Li Fuxi. Has Master returned? Zhang Xian put down the unfinished puppet and hurried to the evening lecture hall.

Looking at the system notification showing increased Favorability points, Zhang Xian knew he had already secured victory in this round. Looking upon Li Fuxi’s furious expression, Zhang Xian merely found it somewhat amusing. Hah! A woman saying one thing and meaning another. Her mouth refuses, yet her Favorability is quite honest indeed. He showed absolutely

Elder Wangya personally welcomed Yun Wanqing into the main hall and invited her to take the seat of honor. Inside the hall, not only was Elder Wangya present to accompany her, but several other elders, including Liu Huaigu, the head of Green Wood Peak, were also there, demonstrating the Yunmiao Sect’s high regard. Listening to

“I’d like to see what requires deactivating our protective mountain array,” Li Fuxi said calmly. Yun Wanqing smiled without answering and gracefully raised her hand. A massive flying vessel abruptly materialized above Spirit Sword Peak. Its hull was ink-black; its bow was carved with overlapping mountain ranges, while cloud patterns flowed along its stern. The

Zhang Xian looked at her resolute expression and continued, “If you don’t accept it, I won’t do any more business with your Cloud Raiment Pavilion in the future.” Yun Wanqing shook her head. “No, Fellow Daoist. I absolutely will not accept it. Don’t try to provoke me like this.” Zhang Xian suddenly smiled. “Then I’ll

Seeing the sorrow etched on her disciple’s face, Li Fuxi sighed helplessly. “You must focus on your cultivation. At the very least, achieve some success in forming your Golden Core. Then, this Master will no longer forbid you from… dual cultivating with him. By then, it would count as a minor accomplishment in the Nine

Several more days passed in this manner. Zhang Xian was in his thatched hut, wholly absorbed in studying the art of puppetry. His desk was piled high with various precious materials. Frowning, he calculated, “One piece of Heavenly Puppet Wood, five pieces of Profound Iron Essence, Spirit Pattern Jade, and Clear Lotus Silk…” As he

Early that morning, the moment Zhang Xian received the message from Zhiyin, he rushed over without delay. Upon his arrival at Heavenly Puppet Peak, he found Zhiyin already waiting for him at the summit. She led him into a pocket dimension where a massive flying vessel rested in silence. Small puppets scurried across its surface,

After Zhang Xian finished speaking, Li Miaoyin and Xuanwei, who were standing nearby, wore expressions of mild displeasure. “Hah,” Yu Yun let out a self-mocking laugh. “I’m already a dying man. I’m not afraid of you.” “Wanting to die isn’t that easy,” Zhang Xian countered. He walked to Yu Yun’s bedside. With a series of

As soon as Zhang Xian returned to the flying vessel, he eagerly began studying his new puppet bodies. The ten puppets were identical to his own disguised form. Their craftsmanship was so high that they were indistinguishable from real people. Powered by high-grade spirit stones, these puppets were formidable; by embedding five stones of the

The announcement that Liu Qingxuan, the supervising officer of Green Wood Peak, would embark on an external mission with Zhang Xian spread through the Yunmiao Sect like wildfire. “What? Supervisor Liu is going out alone with Zhang Xian?” “Does a minor dispute really require a supervising officer’s personal attention? This reeks of a back-alley deal.”

Li Fuxi rested for a short while before she found herself unable to resist the remaining crystal ice cakes. They were sweet and refreshing; she truly adored them. After finishing the treats, she settled cross-legged upon a meditation cushion in the quiet room to begin her cultivation. However, she soon discovered that tranquility eluded her.

Inside the hot spring room, Li Fuxi soaked in the misty waters, her entire body submerged in a state of deep relaxation. Through the hazy steam, her snow-white skin took on a faint pink hue, and her long hair cascaded like a dark waterfall, floating gently on the water’s surface. The sounds of conversation and

As soon as Zhang Xian finished speaking, the great hall fell into a heavy, suffocating silence. Usually, such matters were resolved on the spot. The Muling Sect had already adopted a very humble stance. Even if Zhang Xian had killed the man right then and there, no one would have objected. However, taking the prisoner

Seeing Zhang Xian safe and sound, Liu Qingxuan was so moved that tears fell, while a faint, almost imperceptible curve lifted the corner of Li Fuxi’s mouth. Lu Qing was furious. “You’re still not dead?” Zhang Xian grinned. “Sect Leader Lu, I helped you sever your worldly ties just now. You really should thank me.”

Once Li Fuxi was safely aboard the flying vessel, Zhang Xian finally let his guard down. The cost of the battle hit him instantly; blood seeped from his nose and mouth, and his head throbbed with a white-hot, excruciating pain. He had been running on pure willpower while facing Jian Chen. Using the Void Breaking

Morning light pierced through the clouds as Zhang Xian pushed open the cabin door. Liu Qingxuan was still in a deep, heavy slumber. Not far from the entrance, a maidservant stood silently, having remained unmoving throughout the entire night. “How is Master doing?” Zhang Xian asked. “The True One is well,” the maidservant replied. Her

Liu Qingxuan reported the incident to the sect, and the news ignited a wave of fury throughout the Yunmiao Sect. Word spread quickly that a group of powerful elders was already en route to provide reinforcements. In the days that followed, Zhang Xian devoted himself to Liu Qingxuan’s recovery. Despite his focus, he made sure

Early the next morning, a low rumble echoed across the horizon as two massive flying ships tore through the clouds. The vessels were enormous, their hulls intricately carved with blue cloud patterns and the character “Miao” engraved boldly upon their prows. Leader Wangya stood at the bow of the lead ship with his hands behind

Liu Qingxuan felt a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance upon hearing her father’s blunt assessment. “Father, you didn’t come all this way just to tell me that, did you?” Liu Huaigu shook his head in silence. He had originally intended to nudge Zhang Xian and his daughter closer together, hoping their relationship would progress naturally,

Liu Qingxuan offered a radiant smile. “Once I’ve fully recovered, I’m confident I’ll break through to the late Golden Core stage in short order.” Zhang Xian reached into his storage pouch, producing a jade bottle filled with a shimmering liquid. “This is Dragon’s Saliva Jade Liquid. Open a hot spring pool in the back mountain

Zhang Xian was momentarily startled by Su Ling’s sudden appearance. He had heard that the Master of Heavenly Puppet Peak was elusive and unpredictable, but the rumors had not done her justice. “Elder Su,” he began, setting down his teacup while adopting a probing tone. “Does your divine sense cover the entirety of the Yunmiao

“Of course, wanting to be reborn is actually quite simple,” Su Ling continued. “What?” Zhang Xian asked, leaning forward. “You transform yourself into a puppet.” “The flesh is weak, ascend through machinery?” Zhang Xian blurted out. “The flesh is weak, ascend through machinery,” Su Ling repeated the phrase silently, as if tasting it. “A concise

A pale white vortex hung silently in the depths of the abandoned mine shaft, its edges swirling with faint glimmers of Five Elements spiritual light. At first glance, it appeared utterly ordinary. In the eyes of the gathered experts, the entrance looked no different from any common portal to a minor realm. Generally, the paler

Zhang Xian stared at the communication jade slip in his hand, his knuckles turning white. “Average mortal lifespan is less than forty years; lives are being drained.” These words pierced his mind like jagged knives. He thought of his wife in the Great Liang Kingdom, his foster father in the mountain village, and all those

Zhiyin led Zhang Xian and Li Fuxi into the tent situated on the lower platform. As they crossed the threshold, the space within abruptly expanded. It was a spatial pocket. The interior of the seemingly ordinary tent spanned over a hundred zhang. More than a hundred seats were arranged in a circular formation, surrounding a

That woman—the one who had blasted him to pieces a hundred years ago! That nightmare that had jolted him awake from countless fever dreams! She hadn’t aged a day in the past century. Zhang Xian’s breath hitched, his chest tightening. Li Fuxi noticed her disciple’s unusual state. She glanced sideways at him and, seeing him

For the remainder of the meeting, Zhang Xian couldn’t focus on a single word. His mind was entirely consumed by two chilling phrases: “Xingxiu” and “the missing hundred years.” Only when the gathering dissolved and cultivators began to rise did he snap back to reality. He followed the crowd onto the Yunmiao Sect’s flagship. He

Yun Wanqing shook her head with a bitter smile. “It is also possible the person is already dead, yet their soul lingers on. However, if it hasn’t dissipated in two hundred years, some powerful external force must be sustaining it.” “Actually,” her voice dropped to a soft whisper as she stared at her reflection in

Zhiyin’s fingertips shimmered with spiritual light as a small figure leaped from her palm. It assembled into a “Little Zhiyin” only waist-high, featuring lively eyes and delicate brows—a perfect miniature of the puppet girl. “Give me the item,” Little Zhiyin said in a childish voice, extending a tiny hand. Zhang Xian couldn’t help but chuckle

“Found it!” Zhiyin declared suddenly. “The source is in the secret chamber of the imperial palace.” With a swift motion, she formed a series of hand seals. A flash of light erupted beneath their feet, and they were instantly teleported into a dim, subterranean palace. Yu Yun staggered as she landed, looking around in a

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Zhang Xian returned to the prince’s mansion. The group had been waiting for him in the main hall for some time. “You’re back?” Li Fuxi was the first to rise, her eyes scanning him from head to toe. Only after confirming he was unscathed did she let out

The temperature in the room plummeted instantly. Fine ice crystals condensed across the walls, shimmering with a dreamlike, ethereal glow. “What is this…” Li Fuxi stood frozen, her breath hitching in her throat. The water-blue longsword traced a graceful arc through the air, flying toward her of its own accord. It nuzzled her arm affectionately,

Zhang Xian removed his outer robe and stepped into the pool. The warm water immediately enveloped him, its temperature perfect. The spiritual spring, harmonized by Li Fuxi’s power, felt like a gentle spring breeze tenderly nourishing every inch of his meridians. He sighed contentedly and leaned against the green jade at the pool’s edge. “Master’s

Zhang Xian returned to Spirit Sword Peak at a leisurely pace. As he dismounted from his flying sword, he happened upon Zhenhai and Chen Tiexin walking toward him. “Junior Brother, you’ve arrived at the perfect time!” Chen Tiexin said, rubbing her hands together as she approached. “The second batch of puppets from Supervisor Xingxiu is

“Fine, it’s Earth-grade tea,” Zhang Xian confessed. He pulled two brocade boxes from his storage pouch and handed them over. “It enhances one’s comprehension.” Li Fuxi held the boxes, hesitating for a moment. “Don’t want them?” Zhang Xian teased, reaching out as if to take them back. “Then I’ll give these to Supervisor Liu Qingxuan

Time flew by like a fleeting white colt; in the blink of an eye, half a year had passed. During these six months, the three of them had hardly set foot off the flying boat. Supported by a steady supply of Golden Core Nurturing Pills, both Lin Yinyin and Zhang Xian had reached the peak

The fourth bolt of heavenly lightning had barely faded when the tribulation clouds surged downward, nearly grinding against the peak of Qiongxiao. Within the churning violet mists, thousands of electric serpents writhed in a frantic dance, filling the air with a bone-chilling crackle. Lin Yinyin fumbled with her storage pouch, pulling out a handful of

“Brother!” Lin Yinyin lunged forward, throwing herself into Zhang Xian’s arms and rubbing her cheek against his chest with clingy abandon. “I missed you so much.” She looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with a bold, predatory heat. “Once I stabilize my realm, we can finally—” Zhang Xian chuckled, ruffling her hair to stifle

The next day, Zhang Xian was matched against Contestant Jia-29, an Earth Spiritual Root cultivator named Wang. Known for his stubbornness, Wang didn’t waste a heartbeat. The moment the match began, he summoned a massive earthen shield, creating a flawless, impenetrable fortress of stone. “Junior Brother Wang’s defense is absolute!” someone roared from the crowd.

Zhang Xian managed to endure for another several minutes, playing the part of a cornered animal to perfection. He burned a Wind Talisman to retreat to the very edge of the arena, letting out a heavy, staged sigh. “Forget it.” To the spectators, that sigh was the white flag of surrender. The crowd beneath the

The following evening, Lin Yinyin quietly escorted Song Fei from the mountain gate. They boarded Zhang Xian’s flying vessel, which hovered discreetly a hundred miles outside the sect’s borders. As she stepped onto the deck, the Senior Sister of Cloud Breaking Peak couldn’t mask her astonishment. “So this is a flying vessel,” she murmured, her

The final streak of sword light dissolved into nothingness over the Heavenly Palace Peak arena. “Winner of Group Wu: Li Fuxi!” As the referee’s voice rang out, a wave of awe swept through the spectator stands. Standing on the periphery of the crowd, Zhang Xian watched from afar as his master, Li Fuxi, sheathed her

For the past half-month, they hadn’t set foot off the flying boat. Mornings were for cultivating techniques. Afternoons were spent dissecting sword arts. Evenings were dedicated to quiet meditation and insight. And at night came the highlight of the day—soaking in the hot springs, the ultimate solace for a weary body. The half-month flew by,

Wang Yue took a deep, steadying breath, and the longsword in her grip erupted with blinding crimson light. Thirty agonizing minutes later. Wang Yue sheathed her sword and leaped back, her beautiful face flushed with varying shades of rage as she glared at Zhang Xian. There he stood, perfectly intact behind his fortress of puppets,

The main square of Heavenly Palace Peak had transformed into a churning sea of steel. Beneath the vast canopy of the sky, the massive bluestone arena gleamed like a chessboard of white jade, surrounded by a roaring human tide. High above, the viewing platform shimmered with spiritual light. Several high-ranking elders sat in solemn attendance,

Nangong Yao was a veteran. She hadn’t survived to the late Golden Core stage by being stubborn. After the initial shock of the puppets’ brute strength wore off, she immediately steadied her mind. She stopped trying to batter down the iron walls and instead shifted her focus. She would bypass the constructs and strike directly

Whoosh! A brief, stunned silence blanketed the venue, thick and heavy, before shattering into a deafening roar of exclamations. “The Sect Master?! It’s actually the Yunmiao Sect’s revered Sect Master!” “Heavens! To lay eyes on the Sect Master’s true visage in this lifetime… I can die without regrets!” “I heard she has been at the

The battle on the stage had reached a fever pitch, but the scales of victory were undeniably tipping toward Nangong Yao. Zhang Xian’s performance was nothing short of miraculous. He single-handedly manipulated two Golden Core-level puppets—one of metal, one of water—while weaving through Nangong Yao’s relentless assault. However, the strain was showing. The spiritual barrier

It wasn’t until the dust finally settled that the disciples responsible for medical rescue snapped out of their stupor. Panic-stricken, they rushed onto the stage, carefully scraping up the unconscious, blood-soaked Nangong Yao before hurrying away to treat her. In the stands, a deathly silence hung in the air, thick and suffocating. It was eventually

Then, Lin Yinyin did the unthinkable. She suddenly raised her head, her gaze piercing and defiant. “Then tell me, Sect Master—why have you failed to reach the Nascent Soul stage?!” The question tore open the Sect Master’s oldest, deepest wound. Taking a deep breath, Lin Yinyin tightly wrapped her arms around Zhang Xian’s arm, pressing

In a secluded chamber atop Heavenly Palace Peak, Nangong Yao lay collapsed on a meditation cushion. Her once-radiant face was now deathly pale, the color of ash. Her breath came in shallow, ragged gasps, each inhalation straining her shattered foundation. The temperature in the chamber plummeted without warning. Space rippled, and Sect Master Xing Jie

Time slipped away unnoticed. By the time news reached Zhang Xian that Nangong Yao had fled the sect without permission—her injuries still unhealed—a full month had passed. “Ruthless. She is certainly ruthless—especially to herself,” Zhang Xian mused, a flicker of regret crossing his eyes. Escaping with a damaged foundation while still heavily injured was a

Time slipped away. The summons for the Southern Region’s Demon Sweeping Assembly arrived right on schedule. “It’s finally beginning.” Zhang Xian stood on the prow of the spirit vessel. Unfortunately, limited by the False Core technique, his cultivation realm hadn’t budged; he remained stuck at the third level. However, sitting on a mountain of spiritual

Li Fuxi fled in utter disarray. She retreated to her quarters and immediately buried herself under the quilt. Feeling the weight of the twenty-plus priceless Nascent Formation Pills in her storage ring, and recalling her own foolish words and actions just moments ago, the heat on her face refused to fade. She mentally beat her

Half a month later, the colossal spirit vessel pierced the cloud sea, descending amidst a low, resonant hum. Through the porthole, a city of indescribable scale unfolded before their eyes. The Southern Capital! The imperial heart of the Great Xia Dynasty and the undisputed core of the Southern Region. Towering walls sliced through the clouds,

Yang Poxiao’s status, reputation, and cultivation had already crowned him the undisputed king of the new generation. Yet, he still couldn’t pry open the door to her heart. The manuscript of The Return of the Condor Heroes, which he had painstakingly copied by hand, had indeed earned him a mountain of spirit stones in royalties.

Hu Yanqing’s words finally put Yang Poxiao at ease. Although the Spirit Ruins Sword Sect was a top-tier power in the Southern Region, it paled in comparison to the monolithic influence of the Central Continent. Standing before him was a Senior Brother who, by his own strength alone, could likely contend with the Grand Elders

“Me?” Zhang Xian turned back, his brows furrowed in genuine surprise. “Elder Wang Ya’s heartache is legendary within the sect,” Zhiyin explained, her voice steady and clinical. “Yun Wanqing, the Pavilion Lord of Cloud Raiment Pavilion, is the woman he has adored his entire life. But after she married another, Wang Ya completely sealed his

Penglai Immortal Island, the Eastern Coast. Three women stood atop a jagged reef, silhouetted against the vast expanse. Each possessed a unique allure, their beauty peerless and transcendent. One of them was Su Ling. At the head of the group stood a woman with hair like drifting snow, yet her face was as delicate and

Zhang Xian’s gaze drifted across the VIP section, settling on a figure who radiated a quiet, dangerous authority. The young man looked humble enough, conversing naturally with Yun Wanqing’s father, Yun He. His robes were unremarkable, but the aura leaking from him was as deep as an abyss and vast as the sea. Even from

“Nonsense!” Hu Yanzhi barked, wishing he could physically kick the intruder out of the hall. The mere presence of this country bumpkin made him feel as though the prestige of the entire banquet had been dragged through the gutter. “Who do you think you are? A mere peasant dares to covet Pavilion Lord Yun?” Yun

For the first time, the gentle, refined mask on Hu Yanqing’s face shattered. He surged to his feet, his voice booming through the hall. “Utter nonsense! The Creation Immortal Pill is the ultimate secret of Penglai Immortal Island—a guardian treasure of their lineage! How could a junior like you possibly possess it?” He had exposed

Yun Wanqing spoke slowly, her voice heavy with exhaustion. “Over these years, the pressure from all sides—even from within my own family—has been suffocating. Agreeing to this marriage was merely a tactic, a way to retreat in order to advance. I would never surrender myself to a wastrel like Hu Yanzhi.” She sighed softly. “My

Zhang Xian dropped his joking demeanor, his expression turning grave. “Isn’t this exactly the outcome you wanted? It solidifies our relationship and sends a crystal-clear signal to every force watching from the shadows.” He stood up and gestured toward the inner chamber. “Alright. Go rest in the bedroom.” Rest… in the bedroom? Yun Wanqing tensed

Hu Yanzhi stepped onto the martial stage, conspicuously lacking his signature folding fan. He simply wasn’t in the mood for theatrics today. Though he wore a mask of cold composure, a cauldron of humiliation and fury seethed just beneath the surface, smoldering in his narrowed eyes. He glared at Zhang Xian, who had ascended the

Gulp! Hu Yanzhi swallowed the pill without a second’s hesitation. “Arghhh!!!” An agonized roar ripped from his throat. Blood vessels across his body bulged violently, and a terrifying aura far surpassing the sixth level of the Golden Core exploded like a volcanic eruption. The oppressive weight of a level nine Golden Core powerhouse swept across

Hu Yanzhi couldn’t even scream. His vocal cords had fused in the heat. The agony wasn’t merely physical; it was a spiritual flaying, his soul seared as if pressed against a red-hot iron. His body remained paralyzed, a statue of torment. On the sidelines, the Old Steward from the Baoqing Workshop turned the color of

“Master.” Zhang Xian didn’t waste time with arguments. He simply flicked his wrist. With a soft chime of displaced air, the low table between them was instantly buried under a mountain of porcelain vials, jade jars, and stacks of talismans shimmering with volatile spiritual light. “Take them. Top-tier medicines for healing trauma and consolidating vitality,”

“Li Fuxi?” A cold, cruel smile tugged at the corner of Yang Poxiao’s mouth. “A mere seventh-stage Golden Core is no match for me. Breaking her will be trivial.” He paused, his eyes glinting with icy malice. “Besides, her relationship with that Zhang Xian seems… rather ambiguous. It’s perfect. I have old debts to settle

The pill slid down her throat. Instantly, a surge of energy—far more potent and ferocious than before—detonated from Li Fuxi’s core. She had forced the secret technique to its absolute limit, burning her very life force for fuel. Her twin swords buzzed with a manic frequency. Her eyes transformed, one becoming a shard of pure,

Hu Yanqing’s face was a mask of perfectly measured remorse and concern. “On the martial stage, steel has no mercy,” he announced smoothly, his voice projecting clearly across the silent arena. “It is inevitable that control slips in the heat of battle.” He gestured magnanimously toward the fallen woman. “However, now that Junior Brother Yang

“Ha!” Zhang Xian let out a sound that was half-laugh, half-growl, exasperated beyond measure by her breathless, carefree giggling. “You foolish woman,” he hissed, his voice trembling with suppressed rage. “You’re injured this badly—how can you still laugh? Did the shockwave scramble your brains?!” Li Fuxi seemed deaf to his roaring. Her blood-stained hand trembled

The next day, the Martial Arts Plaza was a cauldron of noise, the fervor far eclipsing the previous day. Every gaze was locked onto the massive central arena. Today’s main event was the undisputed highlight: Yunmiao Sect’s Zhang Xian versus Guiyuan Sect’s Yang Poxiao. This was no longer a simple grudge match; it was a

“Gah—!” Yang Poxiao barely managed to raise his heavy Spirit Treasure sword in a desperate guard, pushing his protective aura to the absolute limit, before a terrifying shockwave hammered him backward. He tumbled through the air and slammed into the arena floor. As the dust settled, he scrambled up—hair singed, robes tattered, and dignity utterly

“Die!” Yang Poxiao transformed into a meteor, trailing a comet tail of pitch-black flame. His fist tore through the air, ripping a vacuum in space with an ear-piercing shriek. Crash! The layers of Earth-Grade defensive talismans Zhang Xian had hastily deployed shattered instantly, fragile as wet paper. The speed was overwhelming. Without hesitation, Zhang Xian

What was that? A life-substitution technique? Zhang Xian’s pupils contracted sharply. He instantly recognized the item for what it was: a high-grade secret treasure imbued with the laws of spatial teleportation. The moment the puppet activated, Yang Poxiao’s true body had likely been whisked away to a designated safe house. Zhang Xian sighed inwardly. As

As Zhang Xian vanished behind the door, Yun He and Yun Qi stood outside the villa, exchanging bewildered glances in the cooling evening air. “Where do we go now?” Yun Qi clutched his newly acquired Spirit Sword against his chest, confusion etched on his face. Yun He stroked his beard, looking equally awkward. “Uh, well…

Zhang Xian stood by the bedside, his gaze tracing the haggard lines of Li Fuxi’s face. Even in her weakened state, her beauty remained, though it was now cast in a pale, fragile light. “Master,” he asked, his voice low and laced with concern. “How are you feeling?” Li Fuxi kept her head bowed, refusing

The moment they stepped into the privacy of the courtyard, Lin Yinyin could no longer contain herself. She squared her shoulders and deepened her voice, mimicking Zhang Xian’s earlier baritone. “Li Fuxi, be my woman.” She dropped the act instantly, her face twisting into a playful grimace. “Brother, you’re so smooth. It’s honestly disgusting.” She

Zhang Xian felt a surge of warmth at Li Fuxi’s genuine concern. It was a stark contrast to the transactional nature of the cultivation world. Lin Yinyin, who had been nursing a slight grudge over his abrupt departure earlier, suddenly paused. She sensed the shift in his presence—an unusually harmonious, complete aura that hadn’t been

High upon the observation platform, Emperor Xia Xuanyin frowned, his gaze fixed on the arena below. He leaned slightly toward the Spirit Ruins Sword Sect elder beside him. “Fellow Daoist Long Zhi appears to be suppressing her realm, does she not?” The elder bowed low. “Your Majesty has keen eyes. She has already reached the

Li Fuxi, eyes burning with fury, unleashed a slash of Ice Glaze Sword Qi with everything she had. Boom! The strike slammed into the translucent dome, but instead of shattering, the barrier merely rippled like a disturbed pond, emitting a dull, thunderous thud. “What?!” Li Fuxi staggered back from the recoil, her stunning face etched

“That towering puppet,” Zhiyin began, her brow furrowed as she scanned the residual spiritual signatures. “The core fluctuations match the Zhiyin II model I lost in the Demon Nest years ago. They have a master puppeteer—someone capable of gutting my designs and refitting them into those monstrosities.” Xia Xuanyin surveyed the ruined arena, his expression

The shadowy figure watched the two exchange a silent, knowing look, his hood rippling with a sharp, predatory breath. “Discussed your funeral arrangements? Then die!” He blurred into motion, a jagged streak of darkness aimed straight for Long Zhi’s throat. Zhang Xian didn’t hesitate. With a flick of his wrist and a surge of mental

The black light was a blur of lethal precision. The moment the proposal left Zhang Xian’s lips, the beam transfixed him. His body didn’t just fall; it split down the center with a sharp, metallic crack. BOOM! Instead of a spray of blood, a shower of brass gears, enchanted springs, and jagged alloy shards rained

The valley had been scoured into a literal sea of lightning. Long Zhi stood at the eye of the storm, her aura churning and boiling as it underwent a final, divine metamorphosis. With a sudden, explosive surge of vitality, the transition was complete. A Nascent Soul was born. The moment the tribulation clouds began to

“Daoist Long,” the puppet Zhang Xian spoke, its voice mechanical yet polite. “If you are not pressed for time, could you wait here a moment? My main body has a matter to discuss with you in person.” Long Zhi assumed he was concerned about his main body being ambushed by the Nascent Soul shadow while

After sending word that he was safe, Zhang Xian began to plot his next move. His cultivation progress remained the highest priority. While his arsenal of tricks was vast—enough to preserve his life in a pinch—he was still far from capable of killing a Nascent Soul expert in a head-on collision. To truly stand his

For three days, the only souls Zhang Xian saw were the silent disciples delivering spirit fruits and pitchers of sweet spring water. He reclined on a lounge chair in the center of his courtyard, watching the interplay of azure light filtering down through the ocean depths above. The rhythmic hum of the currents outside the

A flicker of approval crossed Su Yunmiao’s eyes. “Correct,” she said, her nod slight. “A cultivator’s personal inner demons are ultimately constrained by their own consciousness. They are born of the self, and thus limited by the self. But this [Entity of Desire] exists on a tier far surpassing the cultivation realms of the Southern

Su Yunmiao’s avatar let out a sigh that seemed to carry the dust of a thousand years. She pointed toward the withered old man sitting at the eye of the formation. His hair was white as crane feathers, his face youthful yet marred by the gray pallor of decay. “That is Qin Mian, Supreme Elder

Su Yunmiao’s revelation hung in the air, heavy and intoxicating. Zhang Xian processed the implications for a moment before curiosity overwhelmed his caution. “Dare I ask, Esteemed Elder,” he ventured, his voice respectful but probing, “what realm have you actually reached?” A mysterious, almost playful smile curved Su Yunmiao’s lips. “My realm? That is not

Lin Yinyin nodded beside him, her small face etched with worry. “Yes, Brother. Even if you’re blessed with nine lives, you should think about me and Master. She’s been so distracted these past few days she couldn’t even meditate. She even ran into the Sect Master and got scolded for it.” “What? That old woman

Zhang Xian effortlessly recited the user manual for the [United Heart Winged Pendant]. Li Fuxi gazed down at the exquisite jade carving in her palm, her heart flooding with a warmth she hadn’t felt in centuries. As expected. Zhang Xian cares about me the most. Her lips quirked up in a rare, genuine smile. [Ding!

Zhang Xian stepped into the hallway, only to spot a head popping out from the room next door. Lin Yinyin was eavesdropping. Seeing Zhang Xian storm out with a face full of unreleased frustration, she froze for a split second. Then, a look of pure, malicious glee lit up her features. “Hehe! Suffer!” She stuck

Xia Xuanyin shook his head, a look of helpless exhaustion on his face as the echoes of Han Yichen’s tirade faded. “Enough,” the Emperor said, his voice weary. “The cultivators of the Baoqing Workshop who chose to remain are still citizens of our Southern Region. We cannot blame the weak for fleeing. Besides, news from

When Emperor Xia Xuanyin had received Su Yunmiao’s transmission yesterday, specifically instructing him to “look after” Zhang Xian, he had assumed the Supreme Elder meant he should protect a promising junior from the harsh realities of war. Now, standing amidst a literal mountain of treasure that dwarfed the imperial treasury, he understood the true meaning.

Five days later, Cloud Raiment City broke the horizon. First impressions were everything, and Cloud Raiment City screamed “Opulence.” It was a city built not for defense or spirituality, but for commerce. Massive stone walls were emblazoned with the “Cloud” insignia, inlaid with gold that glittered blindingly under the sun. Unlike other cultivator strongholds, this

The private banquet was warm and lively, filled with the clinking of porcelain cups and easy laughter. Old Pavilion Master Yun He was glowing, his face flushed with spirit wine. The more he looked at Zhang Xian, his prospective son-in-law, the more satisfied he became. Zhang Xian, a veteran of social drinking, matched the old

Cloud Raiment City, outside the Main Estate. Zhang Xian stepped through the courtyard gate, his gaze sweeping over the industrial panorama of the city. Below him stretched endless rows of workshops and alchemy halls, their chimneys belching smoke and spiritual residue into the sky. The rumble of massive furnaces formed a constant, low-frequency thrum, while

Zhang Xian hit the ground ready to kill. Before his boots even found purchase on the stone, the azure spiritual sword in his hand hissed from its sheath. He slashed outward, summoning a heavy, abyss-like curtain of water to shield his descent. Boom—! A violent shockwave detonated against the water barrier. Borrowing the force of

My name was Chen Liu. It was a name as common as the dirt in the mountain hollow where I was born. My village was a barren, isolated place where you could see the end of your life from the moment you took your first breath. My parents were mortals. I had three older sisters

One day, I was ambushed by a kid named Zhang Xian. The injuries were severe. The sheer agony of the wounds cleared the fog in my mind for a single, terrifying moment. I looked down at my hands, stained with blood and sin. I looked inside myself at the churning, turbid qi. And I realized

Zhang Xian sat alone in the quiet room, struggling to calm his racing mind. He focused entirely on regulating his breathing, guiding the medicinal power of the pills through his battered meridians. The energy surged like a river, repairing the internal ravages caused by forcibly activating the [Shadow Flame]. He attempted to cycle his own

Ten days later, above the Southern Capital. An ancient flying vessel pierced the cloud layer, drifting slowly toward the city. At the bow stood a young man in dark martial robes. He possessed sharp features, eyes bright as starlight, and stood with his hands clasped behind his back—Xia Chengyan, the Crown Prince. He spread his

Xia Xuanyin shot his son a sidelong glance. “Oh? And how would you know?” Xia Chengyan flashed a smug grin. “Isn’t it obvious? Look at him. You can’t call someone a Heaven’s Chosen if he doesn’t have the women to prove it. It’s practically the standard loadout for a protagonist.” As the words left his

Li Fuxi fell silent. She raised her left hand, spiritual light dancing at her fingertips as she sketched rapidly in the empty air. Water vapor condensed, coalescing into a pristine mirror hovering before them. Ripples cleared to reveal a face—a man with honest, rugged features and a steadfast set to his jaw. Even in the

By the afternoon of the third day, Xia Chengyan found himself wandering past the hallway again. He stared at the barrier ripples still sealing the door, his expression blank. He was beginning to question reality. Three days. Straight. This… this is just inhuman. Just as his worldview was about to be shattered and rebuilt from

One day later. The entrance to the desolate Minor World. Dozens of colossal spirit vessels hovered in the void, their hulls gleaming under the starlight. A suffocating, murderous aura saturated the space between them, heavy enough to crush the lungs of a mortal. Xia Xuanyin stood at the prow of the flagship, his imperial robes

Zhang Xian caught the jade pendant from the miniature Zhiyin hovering before him. The jade felt warm and smooth against his palm, sending a stream of refreshing coolness up his arm and into his inner palace, settling his mind instantly. He inwardly gave a thumbs up. Having a professional support carry the team is just

A suffocating mixture of grief, outrage, and murderous intent hung heavy in the air. Then— SCREEECH! A grating, metallic cackle tore through the silence of the dead capital, sounding like iron scraping against bone. Everyone looked up sharply. In mid-air, a phantom figure coalesced, shrouded entirely in voluminous black robes. His face was hidden behind

As Daoist Qianji spoke, several more formidable puppets stepped out of the void to flank him. His laughter grated against the stone ruins, filled with arrogant pride. “I am a legion,” he declared, spreading his arms. “I control a thousand puppets and enact ten thousand techniques. One man is enough to crush an entire Sect.

Seizing a fleeting gap in Wangchuan’s defense, Li Fuxi struck. Her spirit sword dissolved into a streak of biting frost, aiming straight for his heart. But Wang Pan’s support arrived in the blink of an eye; a heavy, earthen-yellow barrier of light instantly condensed before Wangchuan to intercept the blow. The spirit sword slammed into

Yun Wanqing snapped out of her daze, the last glimmer of hope in her eyes finally extinguished. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the Red Feather Fan, her voice trembling but resolute. “We’re going too!” Daoist Wangya nodded grimly. The two of them followed closely, stepping into the closing spatial rift. Space warped and

“Hahaha!” Zhang Xian threw his head back and laughed, shouting at the ashen-faced Daoist Qianji. “Old ghoul! You traded a half-wrecked puppet for over a dozen of my Earth-Grade Thunder Talismans. You made a killing on that exchange! Pure profit!” Beneath his mask, Daoist Qianji’s mouth twitched uncontrollably. These weren’t simple wood and metal constructs.

“Trying to run?” A cold light erupted in Li Fuxi’s eyes. A blade of condensed sword qi tore through the void, striking with pinpoint accuracy at the invisible threads connecting Daoist Qianji to the Wangchuan puppet. SNAP. A crisp sound echoed, like a lute string breaking under tension. Daoist Qianji’s figure swayed slightly. He shot

It was over. The demons had fallen, the Nest had crumbled, and the sun was shining once again. Yet, a strange, lingering unease gnawed at Zhang Xian’s heart. It had gone too smoothly. So smoothly, in fact, that it felt wrong. The Black Venerable had been slain by the Lingxu Sword Sect. Daoist Qianji had

Lin Xiaozhu continued her explanation, her voice steady and analytical. “Uncle once broke it down for me. The Seven Emotions Evil Thoughts aren’t tangible entities in the traditional sense. They are more like the physical manifestation of a rule, or a concept. The demons we slaughtered before? They were merely empty shells, biological hosts parasitized

The following day, inside the sword chamber of the flying vessel, faint arcs of lightning flickered in the air. Zhang Xian slowly withdrew his energy. The Five Elements Spiritual Light swirling around him receded like a retreating tide, sinking back into his body. He turned his gaze inward, focusing on his Dantian. Above his perfectly

“The Spirit Ruins Sword Sect’s secret realm is completely isolated from the outside world. Communication is nearly impossible. The distress signal we received came from a Law Enforcement Elder stationed in Yujing City. He detected an abnormal seal locking down the realm’s entrance and sent the message in a moment of desperate urgency. By the

Silence descended upon the peak once more, heavy and suffocating. The young man didn’t seem surprised by Zhang Xian’s sudden appearance. He slowly shifted his gaze, locking eyes with him. ” You flashed the Yunmiao Sect’s highest distress signal right in front of my face. Did you think I wouldn’t recognize it?” Zhang Xian sat

“Eldest Senior Brother, why don’t we come up with a secret code?” “A code? What for?” “You know… something Master won’t notice. Like, every morning during lessons, you can say that thing you said yesterday: ‘You cultivated diligently yesterday, didn’t slack off, right?’” “And then?” “Stupid! Of the three of us, your Spiritual Sense is

What baffled Wang Chuan most was the sword itself. The blade managed to channel five contradictory elemental attributes simultaneously, a feat that completely overturned his understanding of cultivation theory. Furthermore, the spiritual pressure radiating from the weapon, combined with the absurdly sturdy protective barrier around Zhang Xian, suggested a grade of artifact far beyond ordinary

The sky above Spirit Sword Peak warped and twisted. When Wang Chuan released the unbridled pressure of a fifth-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, the mountain itself groaned under the weight. The air solidified instantly, crushing down on every inch of space like a physical hammer. Zhang Xian and Li Fuxi exchanged a glance. Both saw the

The second explosion was exponentially more violent than the first. A blinding sphere of white light devoured the peak, obliterating sound and vision alike. Wang Chuan’s protective spiritual light held for a fraction of a second before shattering like glass. “Gah—!” A massive fountain of blood erupted from his mouth. Wang Chuan was blasted backward,

My name is Song Beichuan. The Black Stone Sect? It was a speck of dust, a tiny sect no bigger than a palm. My parents were insignificant disciples within it. I didn’t even have time to learn their faces before they died. I heard a passing evil cultivator slaughtered them in passing, like crushing two

Every now and then, I would return to the Yunmiao Sect. I had to put on the mask, playing the role of the dignified, benevolent Head Seat. I took three personal disciples. The eldest was a slab of beef—honest, simple, loyal to a fault. A perfect prop. Having a student like that cemented my reputation

However, the trajectory of events began to drift from my carefully laid script. Xuan Zhou’s identity had aroused suspicion among the cultivators of the Southern Region. More troublesome was Xuan Zhou himself; he was beginning to waver. He had failed repeatedly to refine the Life Essence. For hundreds of years, he only dared to watch

The smoke of war finally lifted, and peace returned to the Southern Region. The world was still reeling from the shock of the demonic resurgence when an even more explosive piece of news shattered their composure. An arrogant, mid-stage Nascent Soul demon had fallen at the hands of two Golden Core cultivators. Li Fuxi appeared

Night fell. Inside the upgraded and renovated hot spring chamber, mist swirled in thick, lazy ribbons. The walls, paved with warm jade, emitted a soft, hazy glow. Zhang Xian had been soaking in the warm spirit spring for some time. He leaned against the pool wall, eyes closed, resting his mind. He wore only a

[System Upgrade Successful.] [Ding! Unlocked: High-Grade Spirit Treasures, Top-Grade Spirit Treasures.] [Ding! Unlocked: Heaven-Rank Exotic Treasures, Heaven-Rank Techniques.] [Ding! Unlocked Currency: Top-Grade Spirit Stones.] [Ding! Critical Update: System Return Multiplier increased to 1,000x.] [Loading Module: “Daughter of Destiny Query”. Host can now view the current status and location of all bound Daughters of Destiny.] [Loading

Ma Kun watched this display, his expression souring as if he had just swallowed a fly. “Alright, enough. Stop dawdling. Everyone’s time is precious. Let’s move.” No one argued. One by one, they summoned their Dharma Treasures. Ouyang Chen stepped onto a flying sword shimmering with azure light. The sisters, Lu Shu and Lu Yao,

The brilliance of the teleportation light faded, depositing Lin Xuanwei and Lu Yao into a suffocating darkness. It was pitch-black, the kind of absolute void where one couldn’t even see their own hand in front of their face. The air was heavy, damp, and bitingly cold, carrying the musty stench of ancient, decaying earth. “Ah!”

Lu Yao finally led Lin Xuanwei to a halt before a heavy stone gate. It was sealed tight, but her eyes immediately locked onto the carvings on the adjacent wall—the embryonic texture of a Taiji symbol. Her lips curved into a triumphant smile. She had found it. This was the specific marking that denoted the

Time crawled by in the suffocating silence of the storage room. Fear hung heavy in the air, thick enough to taste. After about a quarter of an hour, the sound of hurried, chaotic footsteps echoed from the corridor outside. Lin Xuanwei and Lu Yao shot to their feet instantly, weapons drawn, knuckles white. The footsteps

The group returned to the half-open stone door, the air around it heavy with a bone-chilling cold. Ouyang Chen shot a meaningful glance at Zheng Tong. Zheng Tong nodded, forming complex hand seals. Two paper talismans fluttered into the air, transforming into small figures that carefully pushed against the heavy stone slab. Swish! A beam

Not long after, a sharp streak of light tore through the air, solidifying at the entrance of the meditation chamber. As the brilliance faded, it revealed a middle-aged Daoist nun with a stern, hawk-like visage. It was Elder Chen of the Guiyuan Sect’s Enforcement Hall. “Greetings, Elder Chen!” Ouyang Chen and the others bowed deeply,

Only now did Elder Chen realize, far too late, just what Lin Xuanwei intended to do. Immense, suffocating terror shattered her mental defenses. “No! Don’t Soul Search me! Spare me, I beg you!” she shrieked, her voice cracking. “What do you want to know? I can tell you! I’ll tell you everything!” Lin Xuanwei’s gaze

The Guiyuan Sect stood as one of the two titans of the Central Continent. Although they held long-standing grievances against the Heavenly Abyss Alliance—the two factions were like fire and water—the apocalyptic disaster of [Hatred] sweeping across the world forced their hands. They had no choice but to temporarily shelve their enmity and form a

This time, the pain was different. It felt as if billions of burning ice needles were savagely piercing every inch of her flesh, burrowing into every single thought that flickered through her mind. The agony surpassed the limits of the physical body, drilling directly into the origin of her soul, threatening to tear her very

A flicker of surprise passed through Hu Yanqing’s eyes as he casually took the jade slip. He hadn’t held much hope. After all, what true treasures could possibly be found in a long-abandoned cave dwelling? However, the moment his Divine Sense probed the jade slip, his eyes erupted with a brilliance he couldn’t conceal. Recorded

Song Zhang watched as Lu Yao summoned a pristine white spiritual cloud, carrying the three new disciples as they drifted toward the distant peaks. Waves of emotion rippled through his heart. He had entered the Sect centuries ago, and for just as long, he had harbored a secret admiration for his beautiful Little Junior Sister.

Lu Yao shook her head. “Although Junior Sister Yu has a formidable reputation, she is colder than ice and keeps to herself. I have only seen her from a distance a few times; we have never exchanged a word.” She paused, a sudden thought striking her. “However… I am quite close with a Senior Sister

The leader of this joint mission was Baoyuan Zhenren, the Eldest Senior Brother of Guizang Palace. He appeared to be a middle-aged man with a square, rigid face. His presence was suffocating, radiating the crushing Spirit Pressure of a Second Stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Originally, he was the personal disciple of the previous Guizang Palace

“Junior Sister.” Song Zhang stopped in his tracks, his brow furrowed in concern. “We seem to have strayed too far off course. We are already at the very edge of the sensing range. If we go any further, I’m afraid…” Hearing this, Lu Yao halted. She turned around, bestowing a smile upon Song Zhang that

Baoyuan Zhenren tracked the trajectory of the charging “Elder Chen.” She was coming from the exact direction where Song Zhang and Lu Yao’s signals had vanished. Baoyuan’s heart skipped a beat. A chill shot up from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. It’s over. Song Zhang and the others are

Deep within the Ashen Wild Forest. Facing Long Zhi’s icy, bone-piercing gaze, Zhang Xian realized that words were useless. The corruption of [Hatred] ran too deep; her reason was gone. He stopped hesitating. If words wouldn’t work, he would use thunderous means to beat her into submission. Zhang Xian struck first. With a flick of

“Huh? The [Purple Empyrean Dragon Roar Mantra] can be utilized like that?” A flash of surprise flickered in Zhang Xian’s eyes. Long Zhi’s talent was truly astonishing. To think she could refine a thunder technique to such an exquisite degree, even weaving in the profound mysteries of spatial escape arts. But he had come prepared.

“Here. Spirit Stones, technique manuals, pills.” Zhang Xian shoved the pile of items toward Long Zhi in one go. Then, he handed her a spirit sword that flowed with vibrant violet light. “And this. A High Grade Spirit Treasure. I noticed your Thunder Spiritual Root is exceptionally pure, making this blade the most compatible match

Yesterday, when Baoyuan Zhenren and Elder Chen first crossed paths, Baoyuan had held back. But seeing that Elder Chen refused to make the first move, his patience eventually snapped, and he launched an attack. The result was unexpected. Elder Chen didn’t engage him head-on at all; instead, she turned and fled. Baoyuan gave chase, only

Zhang Xian cursed inwardly. What a blockhead. But on the surface, his expression remained ferocious. “Hmph! Pray you never fall into this seat’s hands in the future!” He threw down this harsh threat, his figure flickering as he turned into a blur, speeding desperately toward the depths of the forest. Chase me. Keep your distance,

Zhang Xian accepted the jade box and swept his Divine Sense over its contents. These jade talismans had traversed thousands of mountains and rivers to reach him; most of the messages were already several months old. It seems the plan to establish the [Myriad Spirits Rosy Cloud Formation] network across the Central Continent needs to

Before Zhang Xian could even open his mouth, Xia Chengyan leaned in, dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Bro, don’t worry about Sister-in-law. She’s still holding down the front lines, and Little Zhu is sticking to her like glue. Those blind idiots trying to simp for her? They can’t even get within ten meters!”

The game ended, and Lin Jianyuan waved a hand to dismiss the board. Attendants moved in silently, replacing the Go set with plates of exquisite spirit fruits and a pot of fragrant spirit wine. The four of them sat around the stone table, the atmosphere relaxing into a comfortable harmony. Lin Jianyuan was truly a

Xia Chengyan paused, chewing on his lip, but eventually shook his head. “Bro, the situation in the Central Continent is a mess. It’s nothing like the Southern Region. You’ve got the two giants—the Heavenly Abyss Alliance and the Guiyuan Sect—fighting a shadow war. Beneath them, countless smaller factions are constantly stabbing each other in the

“Bro!” Xia Chengyan grabbed a spirit fruit from a passing puppet tray and took a loud, crunchy bite. “Seriously, how many Spirit Stones did this boat cost you?” Zhang Xian leaned against the railing, looking thoughtful. “I can’t remember the exact number. Somewhere around ten million, I think.” “Ten million?” Xia Chengyan whistled, clicking his