Chapter 298

He lay quietly on the ground, seemingly nothing more than an ordinary pebble with no unusual traits.

"Don't you wish to ascend?" Chen Yan's voice rang out.

The old Taoist withdrew his gaze and turned again toward the distant place where Buddhist light shone brilliantly and sword qi was stern and sharp.

It was that great monk and that Void Return realm sword cultivator clearing away demonic creatures and eerie spirits.

"I lost that qualification long ago—haven't you seen everything I've done these past years?"

All that he had "done" in the past had sealed his eligibility forever.

If merely slaying demons and exorcising evils were enough to ascend, why go through all this? Wouldn't a merit list for battlefield achievements suffice?

Merit and conduct don't refer only to the present.

Unfortunately, these two were blinded by their inner desires and couldn't see this truth.

Chen Yan paused: "Then you…"

If that's so, why come to the Impure Realm at all?

"Just to meet Cheng Yu."

"Cheng Yu?"

"The one who, long ago, traveled with me to the Supreme Tai Xuan Realm and survived to this day—he is also the 'Demon Sovereign' you all know."

Huh?!

The Demon Sovereign had also been to the Supreme Tai Xuan Realm?!

"To be honest, the name 'Tai Xuan Tian' was coined by us out of our admiration for the Supreme Tai Xuan Realm."

So that's how it was!

So the name 'Tai Xuan Tian' originated like this.

"When you went there, you were so… then was he also…?"

"No, his extraordinary abilities were not taught by our master—he had other encounters. I don't know the details."

At this, the old Taoist suddenly sighed deeply.

"He used to often call me a hypocrite—now I realize he wasn't wrong."

Thus, Chen Yan listened as the old Taoist recounted the past of the Three Realms, walking farther and farther away.

Behind them, the small pebble still lay motionless, until over half an hour had passed after the two had gone.

Huh~

A light breeze brushed past, causing the pebble to roll slightly.

It rolled downward along the slope, and just as it was about to roll away entirely…

A large hand appeared from nowhere, gripping it with perfect precision and lifting it up.

"Your concealment technique is truly profound—it has truly opened my eyes."

It was the old Taoist, with Chen Yan standing beside him.

They had returned without notice and now stood silently, gazing at the pebble in his hand.

"…"

The pebble remained utterly still.

"Young friend, won't you reveal yourself?" the old Taoist said again.

"…"

"Fine, it seems it's just an ordinary stone." The old Taoist sighed. "I love mixing powdered stone with tea—today, I'll use you."

"????"

Mix powdered stone with tea?

Can't you come up with a more reasonable excuse?

Even Chen Yan beside him raised an eyebrow.

Yet the old Taoist pulled out a jade vial, aimed the pebble at its mouth, and pinched it between two fingers, ready to crush it.

Crack!

A crisp sound.

"Senior, wait!"

This time, he could no longer pretend—he smiled slightly and tossed the pebble outward.

Before it hit the ground, the pebble expanded rapidly, and within streams of pure light, transformed into a young man with flowing sleeves and exquisite features.

Jin Dan completion.

Of course, that was just a disguise.

Nascent Soul mid-stage.

Still not the truth.

Nascent Soul completion!

Still not enough.

Soul Transformation early stage?

No, still wrong!

His true realm was Soul Transformation completion!

And not just any Soul Transformation completion—he possessed an extraordinarily solid foundation!

From that transformation technique just now, his spiritual powers were clearly no ordinary matter.

Soul Transformation cultivators are naturally adaptable and their abilities boundless, but almost no one wields them with such ease and mastery as he does.

"…"

The old Taoist and Chen Yan were both speechless. Why are you going through so many disguises? Who are you trying to fool?

Aside from those few Reversal Void elders, who in this Impure Realm could outwit you?

"I am Zhao Yueqing, bowing before the two elders." Zhao Yueqing? He held his waist with one hand while bowing respectfully.

"Young friend, weren't you being hunted by the demonic creatures here, hence resorting to such measures?" asked the old Taoist.

"No one is chasing me—I'm merely contemplating a divine technique."

Contemplating… a divine technique?

Who ever contemplates a divine technique like this?

At this moment, Zhao Yueqing?'s heart was filled with despair.

He had assumed that after Master Xiao Yu fought the Demon Sovereign, and the Demon Sovereign fled wounded, this Impure Realm would no longer hold great danger.

But out of nowhere, two Reversal Void cultivators had appeared!

He had set up warning measures in advance, but against Reversal Void cultivators, they were nearly useless.

Logically speaking, although cultivators in this world generally have weak foundations, that doesn't mean a Soul Transformation cultivator can defeat a Reversal Void one!

A Nascent Soul cultivator might bully a weaker Soul Transformation cultivator, but no matter how powerful a Soul Transformation cultivator is, they can't match a Reversal Void one.

Reversal Void cultivators, even in the Xuan Realm, are called "Great Cultivators."

They are worlds apart from lower realms.

"Young friend, you must have heard everything we just said," the old Taoist smiled again.

"..."

Damn it!

I just wanted to find a place to lie low and wait out this training mission—how the hell did two Reversal Void cultivators show up here?

And they just happened to start chatting about those secret matters right near me!

Fuck!

"Actually, when I contemplate a divine technique, I seal off my five senses. Unless subjected to strong external stimuli, I cannot perceive the outside world," Zhao Yueqing? said solemnly.

Although failing the training mission won't necessarily kill you, it's safest to just hide until it ends—I absolutely don't want to test the rules!

Seal off your five senses?

"Do you think your excuse is plausible?"

"My divine technique is unusual—I often suffer various side effects during cultivation…" The old Taoist stared at Zhao Yueqing?, but saw nothing but pure sincerity—and sheer desperation—in his eyes!

Is he lying so well he's convinced himself?

"But young friend, you've learned too much," the old Taoist suddenly grew grim.

He hadn't intended to trouble him.

But encountering such a cautious young man was rare—he decided to give him a good scare.

Zhao Yueqing?: "..."

I didn't want to hear any of this—it's your own fault for talking!

More than ten minutes later.

Watching the two distant figures fade away, Zhao Yueqing? let out a long breath.

!. Read

So they were just scaring him?

The old Taoist merely let the body cultivator learn a bit about the Xuan Realm, then let him go.

Sigh~

The whims of high-level cultivators are truly frustrating.

Hmm...

I still need to go to the Mortal Realm—the Mortal Realm has scarce spiritual energy.

The Impure Realm being safe... was just my illusion.

Zhao Yueqing?'s figure shifted instantly, transforming into a faint, nearly invisible streak of clear light that vanished into the distance.

Only when he reached a secluded spot did he reappear.

He looked around, then used various divine techniques to probe the surroundings, confirming no one was nearby, before pointing two fingers toward his third eye.

Without a sound, his appearance began to change.

His waist narrowed, his figure slimmed, his chest swelled and lifted, silken hair cascaded down to his waist, his once-bony hands became slender and Bai Xi, and his facial features softened into exquisite delicacy.

In an instant, he became she.

"Cough, cough." She cleared her throat. "I am Zhao Yueqing..."

Her voice was soft, melodic, alluring—making one instantly feel the urge to protect her.

Perfect, perfect!

The previous identity was exposed—now I'll use this "beauty" form to travel the Mortal Realm.

She pulled out a veil to cover her face and donned a wide-brimmed hat.

It would be better if she were even plainer—this form still drew too much attention.

But there was no choice—this technique came from a Celestial of the Joyful Sect, and only two flawless forms existed!

All other forms had some flaw or another.

Charm cultivators are unique—they rely on external forms to illuminate their true selves, mastering all Dao through their "true self."

Joy cultivators merge with myriad forms, planting golden lotuses in fire to contemplate the Great Dao.

Moreover, with this marvelous art of celestial transformation…

"Pity, those who comprehend its essence are few."

Zhao Yueqing lightly shook her head, her body dissolving into clear light as she departed once more.

This time, she ascended straight upward.

…………

On the other side, the old Taoist looked up as that extremely subtle clear light departed.

Perhaps recalling what had just occurred, a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

"After all these years, I've never seen such a cautious little fellow."

Chen Yan also watched the clear light recede, frowning slightly.

"Is he male or female?"

Just a moment ago he was in a male form, now he has become a female form…

And whether it was the previous male form or this current female form, the qi signature was utterly seamless, showing not the slightest trace of change.

"Unclear," the old Taoist shook his head. "The supreme arts of the Tai Xuan Realm are unfathomably mysterious—how could I possibly see through them all?"

"No need to pay it further attention. Just remember the words of that young friend you just met—when you reach the supreme Tai Xuan Realm, you won't be utterly bewildered."

Chen Yan nodded lightly.

Then, Buddhist light and sword light ignited on the horizon; before they even drew near, their voices floated softly over.

"Why don't you two disciples go to subdue demons and eradicate evil?"

The old Taoist chuckled in reply: "Master, didn't you just say all beings are equal?"

In an instant, the sword light and the brilliant Buddhist light arrived before them.

……

……

Tai Xuan Tian, the Ascension Sacred Ground.

Just as before, Xu Xing's sword-intent spiritual form remained in its original position.

"To learn about the Tai Xuan Realm in advance—quite thoughtful."

The old Taoist's every action had been fully observed by him.

After the incident at the Valley Gate, this old Taoist who had once visited the Tai Xuan Realm seemed to have understood many things.

Now he was even paving the way for Chen Yan.

But then again…

It was destined to be useless effort.

For ascenders, merely passing through the Immortal Washing Pool grants a basic understanding of the Tai Xuan Realm.

The information contained within is far more detailed than hearing it from others.

"Let's see what happens next."

After all, he is one who once earned the recognition of that Daoist friend in the starry void—if his future conduct proves adequate, granting him an opportunity to ascend is no great matter.

"As for Jingcheng…"

Chi Chi Chi Jiuyu is now also in Jingcheng; he might come into conflict with the 'Demon Sovereign' who Suffered Heavy injury.

Although, for now, there's no sign of such a trend.

But Chi Chi Chi Jiuyu's way of thinking is often peculiar—how events unfold later is truly hard to predict.

Lastly, there is Zhao Yueqing of the Tai Shang Dao Sect.

For the sake of 'caution,' she even cultivated the Celestial Transformation art of the Hehuan Sect…

Practitioners of the Self-Preservation Path truly spare no effort for the sake of 'caution.'

emm…

You don't even need to think—Hong Zun's friend must be wearing a very unpleasant expression right now. (End of Chapter)