Pay-to-Win Cultivation: I Get 10,000x Returns

Chapter 269: The Road to Verifying a Heaven-Grade Technique Is Long and Arduous

Feeling the increasingly harmonious and powerful Five Elements Spiritual Power within his body, Zhang Xian was immensely satisfied.

Once I find two more supreme treasures to elevate my remaining roots, I’ll have a full set of Heavenly Spirit Roots. Won’t I just ascend on the spot?

His confidence swelling to bursting point, he boldly challenged Li Fuxi to a spar.

Li Fuxi, a sword cultivator with a clear heart and proud spirit, naturally did not refuse.

The two began their duel in the spacious sword chamber.

Sword light crisscrossed like lightning. The density and resilience of the [Yunmiao Sword Scripture] clashed against the sharpness and domination of the [Heavenly Palace Azure Cloud Sword].

Both wielding dual swords, their moves, intent, and even fighting styles seemed carved from the same mold. Their synchronization was astonishing.

The more Li Fuxi fought, the more shocked she became—but joy occupied even more of her heart.

She remembered when Zhang Xian first became her disciple. He was just a small Foundation Establishment cultivator then. Now, his mastery of the sword rivaled her own.

Li Fuxi didn’t know Zhang Xian was cheating with the [Disciple of High Talent Halo]; she only felt a deep spiritual connection with him and was doubly moved.

They battled fiercely for half a day, both thoroughly exhilarated.

However, Zhang Xian secretly circulated the [Green Emperor Longevity Art]. The recovery provided by the Wood-element power gave him the edge in stamina.

Finally, sensing Li Fuxi was fading, he spotted an opening. A formless ripple of water silently coiled up, instantly binding her wrists.

Simultaneously, he stepped forward, wrapping a strong arm around her waist and pulling his exhausted master—soft and fragrant like warm jade—into his embrace.

“Master,” he laughed triumphantly, “I accept your concession. You lose.”

Li Fuxi was drenched in fragrant sweat, her breath coming in short gasps. Held tightly against his chest, feeling his strong heartbeat and scorching body heat, her face flushed crimson.

“Huff! I am completely no match for you now,” she whispered, her eyes shimmering.

“Master just pities her disciple and didn’t go all out,” Zhang Xian laughed. “Come on. After a big battle, let’s go to the hot spring room to rest properly.”

Hearing “hot spring room,” Li Fuxi’s mind flashed to certain images. Her flush deepened, and she struggled weakly.

“No! I… I have no strength left! I can’t indulge your mischief!”

Zhang Xian ignored her protests, scooping her up in a princess carry and marching toward the hot spring.

“Master, don’t be afraid,” he said with a serious face. “This disciple still has strength left. It is perfect for giving Master a massage to unblock her meridians.”

Li Fuxi was mortified. Her body limp, she buried her burning face in his shoulder, letting him carry her into the steamy, jade-scented room.

The warm water enveloped them. Zhang Xian skillfully removed her sweat-dampened outer robe.

His expression was solemn, as if performing a sacred ritual. “Disciple is about to begin. Master, please do not move.”

Li Fuxi panicked. “You… untie my hands first!”

“Yes, Master.” Zhang Xian nodded readily. His gaze landed on her discarded robe. “Master, where did you put those fox ears?”

“In… in the hidden pocket of the sleeve,” she answered subconsciously.

Zhang Xian reached in, retrieved the fluffy accessory, and clipped it into her hair.

Looking at his master’s cool, peerlessly beautiful face adorned with the charming ears—her ponytail loose, cheeks flushed—he smiled.

“Master is indeed adorable.”

“A-adorable?” Li Fuxi’s heart pounded like a war drum. She didn’t dare meet his eyes. “The ears are on… why don’t you untie me?”

Zhang Xian suddenly tightened his arms, pulling her soft body closer. He lowered his head, whispering into her ear.

“Master, how is your cultivation of the [Twelve Turns Jade Condensation Sutra] going?”

Li Fuxi trembled at the heat of his breath. “E-extremely well. I’ve already recovered to my former realm.”

“Is that so?” His voice dropped lower. “But this disciple still needs to personally verify… whether the drawback of the technique being destroyed upon loss of virginity has truly been resolved.”

Li Fuxi gasped. “You… how can you be like this? Didn’t we verify it last time?”

“That was half a year ago! I must be rigorous. The road to verifying a Heaven-grade technique is long and arduous. We cannot afford any mistakes!”

“You… Mmm!”

Before she could finish, Zhang Xian sealed her lips. Her eyes went wide, then slowly fluttered shut. Her long lashes trembled, and she finally melted in his embrace, allowing him to proceed with his “meticulous verification.”

The scene shifts to the Western Border of the Central Continent.

The Heavenly Abyss Alliance was plunged into oppression and turmoil.

The elite team sent to investigate the source of [Hatred] had been wiped out. Only four survived: Councilor Shen, Xia Chengyan, Lin Xiaozhu, and Long Zhi. This crushing defeat sowed panic throughout the alliance.

Rumors spread like wildfire: the failure was due to a Southern Region spy infiltrating the team and betraying them at a critical moment.

Although there was no concrete evidence, the result was indisputable. All support forces from the Southern Region—including the Great Xia Dynasty and the Yunmiao Sect—had been placed under house arrest.

Within the core circle, disputes raged.

Several influential Councilors, led by Councilor Sun, formally confronted Chairman Lin Jianyuan. They lambasted him for poor leadership and the massive losses incurred.

What overwhelmed Lin Jianyuan most was that even his own niece, Lin Xiaozhu, and his beloved disciple, Xia Chengyan, had sided with Councilor Sun, questioning his decisions.

In a secluded courtyard in Tian Yuan City, sealed by restrictive formations, the atmosphere was grim.

Here, Han Yichen, Great General of the Xia Dynasty, along with Head Seat Zhao of the Yunmiao Sect’s Cloud Breaking Peak and his disciple Zhou Yun, were detained.

Head Seat Zhao’s face was dark. He glared at the guards outside.

“Damn it! I came a thousand miles to help, and these bastards treat us like thieves! I won’t stay in this shithole any longer!”

His disciple, Zhou Yun, nursed a shoulder injury from the battle. “Master, please calm down. They are only asking us to lay low temporarily. They haven’t officially turned on us.”

A steward from the Cloud Raiment Pavilion snapped, “What’s the difference? They confiscated all our healing pills and supplies for ‘inspection’! This is clearly a lack of trust!”

Someone glanced sideways at Han Yichen and sneered.

“That Xia Chengyan is no good. The moment he returned, he claimed that Elder Zhang Xian ambushed and severely injured him!”