Chapter 373

"Once this 'net' is completed, it won't only be usable for ascension." Ning Ruo looked at Xu Xing. "It might also be applicable to star-domain defense."

Star-domain defense?

It's not meant to guard against other alien races in the starry void—those star-dwelling aliens aren't worth fearing.

The real trouble is the biological weapons created by the Cang Clan, and those Dao-artifacts-turned-phantom beasts rivaling the Union of Dao—those are the greatest problems facing the starry void today.

"Applying it to star-domain defense… that would require many modifications, and it's fundamentally different from the current Battle Net system. Implementing it would take considerable time."

A pure Divine Path system, aside from the Emperor-level positions and the two Supreme Star Lords of Yin and Yang, directly suppresses the cultivator's own cultivation progress—more loss than gain.

Of course, modifying it isn't impossible, but that would steer it in a direction entirely different from 'ascension.'

As always, completing all of this will take a great deal of time.

"We still need to focus first on the 'Ascension Reception Divine Net.'"

"Mm." Ning Ruo gave a slight nod.

She was merely speculating.

With a casual wave of her hand, the 'stars' representing each Emperor-level Divine Position, suspended throughout the lab, returned to hover beside the golden sphere, resuming their orbit.

The two spent more time discussing the specific details.

"Alright then, I'll leave the rest to you."

"Xu Dage, I'm the one who proposed the 'Ascension Project.' You should be saying that to me."

Xu Xing paused, then smiled: "It's all much the same."

"Then I'll take my leave."

"Wait." Ning Ruo pulled out a storage ring. "I saw Jiu Yu come along too—could you please deliver this to her?"

"Hm?"

"Some Xuanzhu fruits and a few newly cultivated spirit fish—consider them gifts for the Sword Sovereign and her two disciples."

"Then I'll thank you on behalf of my senior sister."

Xu Xing accepted the storage ring with a slight nod, then, without warning, his figure vanished.

Gazing at the spot where he had stood, Ning Ruo let out a quiet sigh.

She turned around and continued watching the 'Divine Path Information Vessel.'

The two had just discussed the upcoming Xian Sect Grand Competition; according to the timeline, it's not far off.

Once the 'Divine Net' is successfully established, we can use the Grand Competition to conduct the first round of testing among the most talented disciples of each Gedaxian Sect…

It's a pity that among Ling Yin Fang's younger generation, there isn't anyone particularly outstanding.

…

…

Outside the Ling Yin Fang.

A small mountain, unremarkable and not towering, nestled within a vast mountain range.

Two figures walked one behind the other through a forest of snow-sang trees.

Leading the way, Chi Jiu Yu held several exquisitely selected, exceptionally translucent snow-sang leaves.

The worry on her face had completely vanished.

After all, she was an optimist; though her uncle's task had troubled her, after talking with Sister Ning, she had come to terms with it.

This kind of thing must be resolved by Xiao Yunlu herself!

Ning Wan Zhu followed behind Chi Jiu Yu, maintaining a steady distance.

Watching her back, an unexpected thought surfaced in her mind.

'If… Yuan hadn't left, our child would probably be about as old as Sister Jiu Yu now?'

'Maybe not as extraordinary as Sister Jiu Yu, but with Yuan's talent, they'd surely be exceptional…'

A flicker of undefined emotion passed through her eyes; Ning Wan Zhu smiled, suppressing her scattered thoughts, and looked at the snow-sang leaf in her hand.

Fifty years have rushed by—has Yuan succeeded in returning home?

"Ye Shijie?"

The voice ahead interrupted her thoughts.

Ning Wan Zhu looked forward and saw Xu Xing standing before Chi Jiu Yu, as if he had appeared out of nowhere.

"It seems your mood has improved." Xu Xing said.

Chi Jiu Yu scratched her head: "It was just a bit of hesitation…"

"But I owe it all to Sister Ning!" she added.

"Mm."

Xu Xing said no more, turning instead to Ning Wan Zhu.

"Thank you."

"You're too kind," Ning Wan Zhu said solemnly.

"I once fell outside the Tai Xuan Realm, and on my way back, I encountered a world where Yuan once stayed." Xu Xing said directly.

On this matter, this old acquaintance of his should have the right to know.

Encountered a world where Yuan once… stayed?

Ning Wan Zhu froze, her heart suddenly in chaos; she opened her mouth several times, unsure how to ask.

"Did he… leave anything behind in that world?"

"This."

Thin strands of pale golden energy gathered, forming a jade book before her.

"It records everything he did while staying in that world."

"…" Ning Wan Zhu reached out and took the jade book. "Thank you."

Chi Jiuyu wore a look of bewilderment, glancing from Ning Wan Zhu holding the jade book to Xu Xing beside her.

Great, now I can't hear again.

Being high in realm isn't…

Forget it. This happens too often—she's already used to it.

Being high in realm really is impressive.

As an unparalleled genius who attained enlightenment at Qi Condensation eighth layer, the absolute champion of the Xian Sect's Grand Competition among Nascent Soul cultivators, the youngest Spirit Transformation Realm cultivator in human history, and the personal disciple of the Xiang Jianzong…

The reason she maintained such an optimistic and strong mindset was precisely because she had grown up in an environment of constant setbacks!

Sigh~

This is the trouble of being too outstanding.

She always meets senior cultivators like her master's juniors and Sister Ning.

"Kwa!"

The sudden sound made Ning Wan Zhu glance at her.

But she found the girl had produced a folding fan from nowhere and was gazing at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, posing as if "a master suffers solitude."

"?"

"Ignore her. She's having another episode."

"…" That was Sister Jiuyu's words…

It was understandable.

Ning Wan Zhu adjusted her mindset: "Venerable Xiang Jianzong, I've always wanted to ask you something."

"Ask."

"Have you… ever thought about seeking the path back to your homeland?"

As the one who had accompanied him longest, she had always seen his obsession with this matter.

"It seems Yuan didn't tell you much about my conversations with him."

"After all, it's your privacy."

Yuan was the Venerable Xiang Jianzong's fellow townsman, so it was natural to ask.

But she was a junior; asking about such matters through Yuan would be presumptuous.

"I have thought about it, but not yet the right time," Xu Xing said.

As expected…

Not a single word, not a single line, not a single detail is missing!

"Thank you, Venerable."

"Yuan's cultivation years are too short, so he doesn't understand many things. If he knew everything, he would have chosen to stay as well."

"Mm…"

"Then let me ask a somewhat impertinent question. You may choose to answer or not," Xu Xing suddenly said.

Ning Wan Zhu paused but said nothing, waiting for Xu Xing's question.

"Did he say he would come back?"

Without the slightest hesitation: "Yes."

At this, Xu Xing asked no more and tapped Chi Jiuyu on the back of the head.

"Let's go."

"Master Shu, you hit my head again!"

To protect her extraordinary wisdom from further damage, Chi Jiuyu loudly rebuked her master's improper behavior.

Hu~!

A gentle breeze blew, and the two vanished.

"…"

Ning Wan Zhu fell silent for a while, hugged the jade book, turned, and descended the mountain path.

The lush snow mulberry trees on both sides rustled with a "sha-sha" sound of leaves rubbing together; since she hadn't reached the summit, the descent didn't take long.

Few travelers passed on the mountain's lower path. Ning Wan Zhu sat on an empty bench by the roadside.

She stared at the surface of the jade book for several seconds, then finally opened it.

On the smooth jade pages flowed lines of text radiating golden light.

The moment the light entered her eyes, she felt a sudden dizziness—as if she saw a familiar man with purple eyes standing atop the mountain.

…………

Xiang Jianzong, Inner Sect.

Before the Sword Master's Hall.

Chi Jiuyu held the storage ring Xu Xing had just given her, glancing around.

Great, so he really did come back.

Master really is something—he told me to follow along, but I was useless; when the Elder Lingzu met Master Shu, I wasn't even beside them...

Your most loyal disciple, though exceptionally capable, still has limits.

As she mentally grumbled, she extended a thread of spiritual sense into the storage ring.

Master Shu said this was a gift from the Elder Lingzu to Master, her, and Little Yunlu.

Some Xuanzhu fruits, a few spirit fish…

The Elder Lingzu is still so generous.

Last time I sold the phoenix feather, I happened to see someone seeking to buy Xuanzhu Fruit—the price was ridiculously high!

And these fish…

Since feeding them to the master is just a living death, better to give them a quick end myself!

As she thought this, Chi Jiuyu walked into the main hall.

This time, she successfully found the master at his usual meditation spot, along with Xiao Yunlu.

There, in Bie Xuening's usual seat, Zhang Yunlu sat not far ahead, seemingly asking about some cultivation questions.

"Master!"

Bie Xuening glanced at her coolly:

"Mm."

Chi Jiuyu paid no mind and sauntered over to sit near Zhang Yunlu.

"My aunt left right after dropping me off."

"I know."

"The Elder Lingzu also gave us some gifts."

Saying this, Chi Jiuyu took out part of the Xuanzhu Fruit from her storage ring, then pulled out a water tank filled with spirit fish.

Bie Xuening merely glanced at them.

"I don't need them. You two divide them."

"Got it!"

Knew it would be like this.

Just as Chi Jiuyu picked up the Xuanzhu Fruit to put it away again, Bie Xuening looked at Zhang Yunlu.

"Since your sister's back, I have something to tell you."

"Please go ahead."

"Your aunt went to Qingxu and found your parents' remains."

The cold voice echoed through the empty cultivation ground; Zhang Yunlu's expression grew dazed.

Chi Jiuyu froze.

Wait, Master—can't you at least ease into something like this? Don't just blurt it out like that!

"Contact your elder brother. Have him come to Xiang Jianzong."

Bie Xuening pulled out a storage ring and handed it over; Zhang Yunlu took it, still dazed.

"…Alright."

"Back then, your parents went searching for…"

Her voice remained as flat as ever, just like when she told Chi Jiuyu the true cause of her parents' deaths. (End of chapter)