Chapter 281

Elder… Master Uncle, are you some kind of riddler?

Zhang Yunlu said nothing.

"For this Outer Realm training, Sister, do you have any leads?"

One was a Creation Foundation Establishment, the other the top young genius of their generation—naturally, they passed the selection with ease.

"Leads?" Chi Jiuyu scooped up a slice of fish with his chopsticks, "Right now we don't know anything—how could there be leads? But I bought some books online, and by then it'll definitely be fine!"

Those books sold incredibly well—a full set of twenty-five volumes!

The cases described in them perfectly cover every possible accident a cultivator might encounter in an unfamiliar environment, along with corresponding solutions.

After all, though she was a peerless genius, this was still a foreign world beyond the world!

Even the starry sky couldn't compare!

Better listen to Master Uncle and prepare properly.

"Don't worry, Sister's got your back when the time comes!"

Chi Jiuyu, confident and smug, shoved the cooked fish slice into his mouth, chewed quickly, and swallowed.

"By the way, how's your brother? Is he joining this training?"

"My brother probably won't join," Zhang Yunlu shook her head slightly.

Among the Soul Transformation body cultivators of Long Xiang Qing Tian Sect, there are several extremely formidable ones; though I hate to admit it, my brother is definitely far behind them.

As they talked and ate, most of the time Chi Jiuyu spoke while Zhang Yunlu listened.

After a while, Chi Jiuyu ordered more dishes.

"By the way, your cultivation progress is pretty fast—you've already reached the later stage."

Later-stage Foundation Establishment—that was Zhang Yunlu's current realm.

"Thanks to that previous mission," Zhang Yunlu said calmly.

That mission to eradicate the alien race pushed her "Principle of Peril" to its extreme, which is why she made such rapid progress.

Chi Jiuyu nodded and said, "But Xiao Fan progressed even faster than you—last time I saw him at Ling Yin Fang, he was almost at Golden Core."

"Tsk tsk! But given his appearance, his recent experiences must've been even worse than yours back in Xuanjian City."

Xiao Fan?

Zhang Yunlu's mind conjured the figure with eyes like glazed glass, and the scene where his head was nearly severed yet fully regenerated…

To be honest, many things from that trial still confuse her to this day.

…………

Three more days passed.

Outside Gate of Xiang Jianzong, Ascension Hall.

For the Construction Team of the Miscellaneous Affairs Office, erecting the main framework and even building the Ascension Hall itself wasn't hard—the time-consuming part was installing all the seals and arrays inside the hall…

That's why the Ascension Hall was only just now finally completed.

Meanwhile, the Ascension Platform's central core from Ling Yin Fang had been delivered and was currently being installed.

At the top of the Ascension Hall.

Du Ruoheng, the Xiang Jianzong's Sect Master, stood beside Xu Xing and handed him a list.

"Ancestor, this is the list of cultivators selected by each sect to participate in this training."

Xu Xing took it and glanced over casually.

He found, besides the familiar names from the Xiang Jianzong, several familiar names from Taishang Dao Sect as well.

One was Han Yun, the other Yang Lin.

They were the two who had participated in his trial in Xuanjian City—one skilled in paper-cutting into living forms, the other in turning beans into soldiers, both with exceptional magical arts.

Of course, their level, by Xian Sect standards, didn't reach the very top tier.

But considering Taishang Dao Sect's… atmosphere…

They were probably pushed out because of the last trial.

But the other three Nascent Soul cultivators were no ordinary lot—they were nearly on par with Jiuyu!

They were also participants in the last Xian Sect Grand Competition.

Du Ruoheng added, "For this training, Huanhuan Sect has the most participants, while Taishang Dao Sect has the fewest."

As expected.

"Then let's finalize it," Xu Xing returned the list to the Sect Master. "Have the materials on this training world been distributed?"

"Ancestor, rest assured—I sent the relevant materials to all trainees two days ago."

Speaking of this, Du Ruoheng felt a bit exasperated.

Qin Wei, that low-quality brute, distributed the materials three days ago.

Cheng Junming, that old bastard, distributed them five days ago!

Fuck!

"How's the Ascender doing?"

"He… is still in Xuanjian City. He bought an apartment and applied to become a teacher at Xuanjian City No. 1 Middle School—he doesn't seem to plan on leaving anytime soon."

Moreover, he's very active on the Spirit Net—every day, besides teaching his students, he's glued to the Spirit Net.

At first he focused on topics about "body cultivators," then searched for information on Taishang Dao Sect; recently, he's been browsing all sorts of random things.

"No need to monitor him closely anymore—give him some personal space."

Li Ming's current behavior perfectly matches that of an "ancient person" adjusting to today's information-overloaded modern era.

"Understood." Du Ruoheng replied.

After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Ancestor, will the time for all sect disciples to enter the Outer Realm for training be synchronized?"

"Hmm, I already informed the other Xian Sects of the world's coordinates; they will all send their disciples in together tomorrow."

After all, this is the first time conducting such an extraterrestrial trial, so it is safer for a True Immortal to handle it personally.

Du Ruoheng nodded: "By the way, Grandmaster, the Taishang Dao Sect wishes to cooperate with our Xiang Jianzong, using our Dao-Union-level sword cultivators' sword qi to refine their methods—what do you think? Should we agree?"

"Agreed, but the terms must be carefully considered."

This is a mutually beneficial cooperation.

"I understand."

Regarding Dao-Union-level matters, though I am the Sect Lord, handling them is still troublesome.

But now that the Grandmaster has spoken, there is no problem.

"Also, Master Lin's rotation term is nearly up—should we follow the original procedure for the arrangements?"

"Mm." Xu Xing nodded.

"By the way, a large number of biological weapons have suddenly appeared in the southern star region; I plan to dispatch three Tongxuan sword cultivators from the Sword-Bearing Hall to eradicate them. What do you think, Grandmaster?"

"Agreed. This matter must be handled swiftly—do not delay." After a pause, Xu Xing added, "Send two from the Sword-Bearing Hall; replace the third with Yan Ming." "Your disciple obeys."

Master Yan really is unlucky—he just finished mining and now has to go to the stars as a laborer...

Du Ruoheng sighed inwardly but did not stop, continuing to speak:

"Reporting to Grandmaster, this year the eastern star region produced..., the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall consumed..., the Dan Ding Office consumed..., the Jishi Valley trade consumed..., the Shenji Lianbao Pavilion trade consumed..."

For a moment.

The hall was filled only with Du Ruoheng's questions and Xu Xing's approvals or rejections.

Many long-delayed issues, involving Dao-Union-level matters, complicated and difficult to resolve, were all settled now.

Including but not limited to the Xiang Jianzong's expenditures, cooperation with the Gedaxian Sects, defense of the star battlefield frontlines, and even some extremely peculiar ones...

For example, two Tongxuan alchemists from the Inner Sect Dan Ding Office, due to a disagreement in alchemy, agreed to settle it with a fight in the stars.

Two Dao-Union sword cultivators from the Sword-Bearing Hall quarreled over romantic rivalry, and so on...

Since these were personal grudges, even Du Ruoheng could not interfere—but their realms were too high to ignore.

!.

When all questions received answers,

the time had already reached nightfall.

The silver moon hung high, stars scattered across the sky.

Streams of starlight and moonlight were drawn downward—those were the Qi Condensation cultivators practicing their refinement methods.

Du Ruoheng, under the moonlight, stepped lightly away from the Feisheng Hall.

The ease on his face could not be hidden.

Meanwhile, inside the hall,

Xu Xing stood above, gazing at the central Feisheng Platform's core, hovering three feet above the ground.

After a while, he took out his phone and opened the Gangbazi group.

Xiang Jianzong: "Friend, I'd like to borrow something from you @Ba Zun"

Ba Zun: "Brother, please say it."

Xiang Jianzong: "Borrow the Zhiguo Arena from the Long Xiang Qing Tian Sect."

Dan Zu: "?"

Qi Zun: "?"

Seeing Hong Zun: "?"

Ba Zun: "Alright, Brother, I've already sent it to you."

Dan Zu: "Tsk tsk! No wonder he's a body cultivator—his speed is unmatched."

Dan Zu: "But speaking of which, Brother, why do you need the Zhiguo Arena?"

Xiang Jianzong: "Some young disciples in the sect are quarreling—I'll use the Zhiguo Arena to settle it."

After sending this message,

a flash of light appeared before Xu Xing's eyes—a palm-sized, exquisitely crafted arena.

Its appearance resembled the one he had seen in Xuanjian City, but its rank was far superior.

Xiang Jianzong: "Thank you, friend."

Ba Zun: "Brother, you're too polite."

Xiang Jianzong: "After resolving the young disciples' matter, I'll return it."

Ba Zun: "It's just an arena—I'm giving it to you, Brother!"

Xiang Jianzong: "No need for that—just borrowing it is enough."

Dan Zu: "Translate 'The Xiang Jianzong disciples don't deserve this' / side-eye smile"

Dan Zu: "/Sword-riding"

Dan Zu: "/Body cultivator's refined speech"

Dan Zu: "/Refuse"

Three simple emojis—said nothing, yet said everything.

Qi Zun: "Friend, you're brilliant!"

Seeing Hong Zun: "/Thumbs up"

Dan Zu: "You flatter me, you flatter me"

The Tyrant: 「……」

The Tyrant: 「(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻」

Xu Xing chuckled silently, shook his head, exited the messaging app, and put away his phone.

Then he reached out and seized the small arena before him.

If this arena still can't solve the problem… then send them all to mine. Good chance to keep that rebellious disciple company.

But given their conflicts, this Stop-War Arena should be sufficient.

With these thoughts in mind, Xu Xing walked out.

Outside the Ascension Hall, he looked up at the starry sky.

The stars and moon were perfect, the sky clear for ten thousand li, a cool evening breeze brushing in from afar.

Being sect leader really isn't easy.

I wonder what the Xiang Jianzong will look like after Jiu Yu becomes sect leader…

Hm?

Why did I just assume she could become sect leader?

Xu Xing lowered his gaze and continued walking forward.

Yet before he had taken a few steps, he suddenly felt a pang of heartache, halted abruptly, and looked up at the sky again.

The starry night was silent, like a frozen painting, with no sign of anomaly.

With his current cultivation level, he wouldn't have such a sudden premonition without cause—something was definitely about to happen!

After a long while, Xu Xing finally lowered his head again, his brows tightly furrowed.

Is it Gu?

Or Xuan? (End of Chapter)