Chapter 328

Inner Sect.

One of the three Starlight Leap Arrays, the Central Tower.

"Just do it this way."

Du Ruoheng left a mental imprint with his spiritual sense, then returned the contract jade slip to the black-robed Condensation disciple before him.

"Yes."

The black-robed Condensation disciple took the contract jade slip and turned away immediately.

The Starlight Leap Array, as the primary means for most Xiang Jianzong cultivators to leave the Central Continent and enter the starry void, requires multiple inspections daily.

A major inspection is conducted once a month, and a full maintenance once a year.

The sheer number of tasks involved is appalling, ranking among the most troublesome matters the Sect Master handles each year—but compared to the recent events piled upon him, it's hardly anything.

Watching the black-robed Condensation disciple depart, Du Ruoheng's rigid posture relaxed slightly; he turned and sat down in the seat of honor, resting one hand on his forehead and exhaling softly.

"Huh~"

Normally, Hehuan Laozu resides on Gaoshan and rarely appears.

For the vast majority of Xiang Jianzong disciples, the two Laozu, though always present, are so ethereal and distant they're little different from "totems."

Even he, despite having cultivated to Condensation and assuming the position of Xiang Jianzong Master, initially knew the two Laozu only through teachers' tales, sect records, or mythic legends.

Only recently, when the Ancestor Master emerged from seclusion, did he have the good fortune to speak a few words with him.

To put it plainly, he had always understood the two Ancestors' importance to the Xiang Jianzong, but the precise nature of that importance remained hazy.

Yet now, with both Laozu truly absent, all sorts of matters erupted at once…

Aah~

"Ding! You have a new appointment!"

A crisp voice suddenly rang out, cutting straight through Du Ruoheng's thoughts.

He pulled out his phone and saw that the previously scheduled time had arrived.

It was time to go to the next place.

"…"

In truth, Condensation cultivators have no need for such reminders.

He sighed, pushed himself up using the armrest, and walked out.

A few steps to the door, he couldn't help but sigh again.

I hope the two Ancestors return soon…

…

…

Xiang Jianzong Outer Sect, Zhang Yunlu's courtyard.

In the courtyard stood a low table, upon which rested several luminous jade slips, several crystal cards, and a crystal card reader.

Chi Jiuyu lay sprawled on the table, intently watching the light projection from the crystal card reader—the "Qianyuan Alchemy Secret Record."

This was recommended to her recently by Ji Yue.

To reach Soul Transformation, one must purge all yin essence, solidify form and substance, and attain pure yang—this carries great risk, especially for one with her exceptionally deep Nascent Soul foundation.

According to Xiang Jianzong standards, after selection, those who meet the criteria for Soul Transformation may be dispatched to the starry void to guard one or several life-bearing planets.

After all, in the starry void, Soul Transformation cultivators are already considered "planet-busting" combatants.

Chi Jiuyu studied it with extreme care, occasionally pausing to cross-reference with the content in the nearby jade slips.

The sky was clear and bright, not a single cloud in sight.

Bright sunlight fell upon her, revealing a grotesque scar along her left jawline—like a burn from lightning and fire, about two fingers wide, flesh turned outward, scabs still not fully faded.

The scar extended downward, vanishing beneath her collar.

This was the wound left by the three strikes of the Silutang's Lightning-Fire Whips; besides this one, two more scars marred her back, though currently hidden by her clothing.

The Silutang's Lightning-Fire Whips were specially crafted artifacts, designed solely to punish disciples who violated the Xiang Jianzong's laws.

Thus, though her internal injuries have mostly healed, these three scars can only recover slowly.

Squeak~!

A soft sound—the courtyard gate opened, and a figure stepped in.

It was Zhang Yunlu.

She held a small white porcelain box, closed the gate behind her, and sat down beside Chi Jiuyu.

"Ye Shijie, let me apply your medicine."

Medicine?

Chi Jiuyu glanced at the white porcelain box in Zhang Yunlu's hand, then said solemnly:

"Little Yunlu, you've probably been tricked."

She sat up slightly, accidentally jostling the wound, making her grimace in pain.

"Those Silutang whips are specially made—how could their scars vanish so easily?"

With Master gone, as Ye Shijie, she had to pass on some experience to little Yunlu, lest she fall for some scam!

"By the way, how much did this medicine cost?"

"No spirit coins." Zhang Yunlu shook her head slightly. "It was sent by Lin Xuanxuan after hearing about your situation—she once participated in a research project with her master on 'Lightning-Fire Punishment Energy.'"

"Huh?"

Lin Xuanxuan…

Oh, right—her little admirer from Jishigu.

Emm…

That's somewhat believable, after all, Renjishigu is specifically dedicated to researching this field!

"Really didn't spend any money?" Chi Jiuyu asked again, still uneasy.

I'm your senior sister—how could it be proper for you, my junior, to spend money?

"No." Zhang Yunlu's expression was calm.

She hadn't spent any spirit coins—only exchanged a few Tongxuan herbs.

After all, the value of this ointment isn't low.

"Fine, fine, then let's try here first." Chi Jiuyu pointed to the scar visible on her jaw.

Zhang Yunlu nodded gently, then opened the white porcelain box in her hand.

Inside the translucent porcelain was a glossy, transparent black ointment, with no scent.

"It's black." Chi Jiuyu muttered.

Zhang Yunlu took a pre-prepared cotton swab, dipped it lightly in the ointment, and carefully applied it to the grotesque wound.

"Senior sister, are you working so hard because of Master?"

"Where did you get that idea!"

As the ointment touched the grotesque scar, it felt cool at first, but soon brought a tingling, numbing sensation that made Chi Jiuyu want to scratch—but she held back.

"We've always been this hardworking, okay!"

"By the way, if Ye Shijie achieves Soul Transformation this year, won't you break the record for 'youngest Spirit Transformation Realm'?"

"..."

Chi Jiuyu didn't gloat as usual; instead, she fell silent for a moment, staring at the Qianyuan Lian Shen Mi Lu before her.

"It's meaningless."

Zhang Yunlu's motion of applying the ointment paused, but quickly resumed as normal—yet the atmosphere suddenly grew heavy.

So it was like this.

Master couldn't return for now, and she was very worried.

But Ye Shijie was different—she was the one Master found and raised, even though she always provoked Master and made him angry.

For Ye Shijie, Master was the closest person in the entire world.

That day, she received three lashes at Silutang—her clothes melted and stuck to her flesh—and yet she never made a single sound...

In the silence, Zhang Yunlu finished applying the ointment.

"There, Ye Shijie." She resealed the ointment box, "The treated area will sting a bit later, but don't scratch it—it'll recover soon."

"Mm."

Her voice was nasal, and Chi Jiuyu still kept her head turned aside.

"Ye Shijie?"

"I'm fine!"

Shu!

Everything on the table was swept away; the swordlight streaked into the sky like a rainbow.

"I'll return these to the Chuanfa Tower first!"

The voice echoed from afar—the swordlight had already headed toward the Chuanfa Tower.

Zhang Yunlu froze, watching the direction the swordlight vanished, and sighed.

…………Before they knew it, months had passed.

After much effort, the Xiang Jianzong—or rather, the political situation of the Central Continent—had finally stabilized.

Morning, another rare fine day.

Inner Sect of the Xiang Jianzong.

In a remote corner, a simple courtyard surrounded by a bamboo fence.

In the courtyard stood two newly woven bamboo chairs, a wooden table, several stools, and beside the chairs sat a half-finished bamboo basket.

On the other side was freshly turned soil, as if something had been planted there.

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows.

Not long after, the closed door opened, and out stepped a slightly hunched figure.

His hair was white, his eyes cloudy, his skin wrinkled and withered—he looked like an ordinary old man.

Facing the sunlight, he squinted, then walked to the table and sat on the bamboo chair.

!. du

He casually picked up the nearby basket and resumed weaving.

But he hadn't woven much.

"Elder."

A tall, rugged-faced middle-aged man appeared outside the courtyard—it was Jing Hai.

In his left hand he held a yellow puppy; in his right, a rooster and a hen.

"Ah, little Hai." The old man set down the basket, wiped his hands, and stood up. "Come in."

With permission granted, Jing Hai stepped into the courtyard and placed the puppy and two chickens on the ground.

The puppy cowered on the ground, trembling and whimpering softly.

The rooster, however, showed no fear at all—strutting forward proudly, as if inspecting his territory.

Finally, it leapt onto the fence and crowed into the morning sun.

"Gok! Gok-gok!"

The old man smiled: "Thank you, little Hai."

"Senior, you're too kind," Jing Hai said with great respect.

After all, the old man before him was one of the thirteen True Immortals of his master's generation.

Because he had long been stationed in the starry sky, Jing Hai had seen him several times during battles on the starry front.

"We have been remiss in our hospitality; you must forgive us."

Originally, they had planned to arrange a welcoming ceremony, but Min had refused, arriving silently at the Xiang Jianzong and building only a small courtyard in this remote place.

"This is my duty to bear—why trouble yourselves?" Min shook his head slightly.

This was precisely what they ought to shoulder.

Since the Dao Brother and the Sword Lord were both absent, he naturally bore full responsibility.

"Then we are truly indebted to you, Senior."

"No need to mention it—it's not difficult."

Hun Tian Yi has been worn down over the years, and half of it was taken by Xuan previously, so guarding it is quite easy.

Jing Hai glanced at the somewhat empty courtyard: "I'll send you some poultry and livestock later."

This was the only thing Min Senior liked—he must fulfill it as best he could.

"Hmm, then I'm in your debt," Min replied without further refusal, and immediately invited, "Sit for a while."

"Thank you, Senior."

Jing Hai did not refuse, sitting down on another bamboo chair—he still had something to give.

He pulled out a mobile phone and handed it over.

"Senior, this is a communication device of this era; several other Senior Immortals from the Qitaxian Sect also use this to communicate."

Min had been about to pick up the unfinished bamboo basket and continue weaving, but at these words, he paused.

Several Dao friends communicate through this device…

Looking at the small, thin, square box Jing Hai offered, he finally reached out and took it, tracing his finger across its smooth screen.

The screen immediately lit up with light.

Jing Hai rose and stepped beside him, beginning to teach him how to use it.

For a True Immortal, this was not hard to understand, yet Min listened quietly.

One taught, the other listened.

Connect to the Spirit Net, register an account…

For this occasion, Jing Hai had specifically studied it, so though he rarely used a mobile phone normally, he now moved with great familiarity.

Suddenly!

Min lifted his head to look ahead; Jing Hai did the same, but a moment later.

Dawn light spilled across the earth; spiritual radiance flowed through the sky.

Sword cultivators walked through empty space, inhaling and exhaling the pure, ethereal qi of the void.

A sharp sword hovered in midair; to enhance its edge, it drew rolling purple qi to refine its body.

Others who cultivated the Elixir Dao waved their hands to pluck a few ounces of dawn light and guide it into their furnaces.

Morning harvest of pure ethereal qi, evening refining of twilight radiance.

For the Xiang Jianzong, this scene was utterly ordinary.

Yet amid the morning glow and dawn light, a thread of purest yang qi rose, strikingly different.

When scattered, it was light and ethereal; when gathered, heavy and profound—vague yet pure.

It transformed freely, its applications boundless!

It possessed the wonder of gathering and dispersing at will, and the power to shake heaven and earth, move mountains, and drain seas.

Outer Gate.

On the grape arbor, a swing swayed; Zhang Yunlu looked up at the horizon.

Through gaps in the vine leaves, the Inner Gate continent flickered in and out; from beneath the floating continent, seven divine auroras flowed downward, like seven Tianhe rivers hanging from high clouds.

On the Divine Aurora List, names flickered.

Some fell, others rose.

But now, a name that had long held the top spot, never changing, slowly faded, replaced by a new name.

In a daze, she seemed to see a figure raising an eyebrow at her.

"Ye Shijie…"

An ancient small courtyard amid bamboo groves.

The spirited woman gazed at the paper window; a sliver of dawn light had already pierced through, falling to the ground, matching the haze in her eyes.

Beside her, Li Ke also looked up at the paper window.

"Rarely so serious—you did well."

"You couldn't match her back then," Ji Yue sighed.

Li Ke's Soul Transformation was already among the fastest, but compared to her now…

"I couldn't," Li Ke smiled, then sighed, "Not just me—since ancient times, who could match her?"

"Still, Master and Senior Uncle will be pleased when they hear."

"They will."

The morning light was hazy; Li Ke smiled softly.

This time, they really gave that dead fish a big shock.

In the remote courtyard.

Min stared for a while, then suddenly looked at Jing Hai.

"A disciple of the Sword Sovereign?" Though phrased as a question, the tone was certain.

"Yes, Elder."

"Very good."

"Hmm."

Jing Hai gazed at the horizon, a faint smile appearing on his face.

That year, Chi Jiuyu was twenty-two and ascended to Soul Transformation.

He was also the youngest Soul Transformation in the history of the Xuan Realm! (End of chapter)