Chapter 407: The Daughter of a True Immortal

Just as Jiang Yujiu rode the seven-colored rosy clouds down toward the ground, little did she know that the so-called unknown top-tipper had already arrived at a maple grove on a tall mountain, casting a distant glance in her direction.

"The cultivators of today really do have much more peaceful mindsets."

By comparison, the cultivators of the primordial era who had received his small gifts were considerably more 'full of grievance and hatred.'

He withdrew his gaze and looked once more toward the depths of the starry sky.

On the fourth planet of Yuyao, Gu Wangjun—who had the 'Ring Grandpa' helping him—was obediently attending school.

During the day he cultivated the Basic Qi-Drawing Method and practiced the sword arts from the Yin-Eroding Life-Severing Sword Scripture; after school he would go home and ask Leng Rou about talisman-making.

Of course, every time Leng Rou answered his questions she would certainly mock him a little—after all, his talent for the sword was truly average.

This guy, even after missing the chance to receive the Xiang Jianzong's transmission, still put on a breezy, composed look.

What a pig with a green onion stuck up its snout, pretending to be an elephant!

Every time he thought about it, he got rather angry.

Under such circumstances, Gu Wangjun finally couldn't help but start trading barbs with her, and the filter from their first meeting shattered all over the ground.

But overall, this 'Ring Grandpa' named Leng Rou, apart from having a foul mouth, was still quite dutiful.

Moreover, although Gu Wangjun's sword talent was average, he had quite a gift for talisman-making.

With Leng Rou's guidance, after some more time he should be able to craft basic talismans with no killing power, such as cleaning talismans, heating talismans, and the like.

The talisman paper needed to draw basic talismans was quite cheap; spiritual ink was more expensive, but as long as the success rate of talisman-making was above ten percent, there was still a certain profit to be made.

Apart from that, there was nothing else.

Things like showing off and slapping faces simply did not exist—after all, even the biggest boss in his mind, the Planet Guardian You Hao, had now fallen from grace and would soon be escorted back to the Xiang Jianzong for trial.

As for picking up bargains at the black market or visiting the cave dwellings and ruins of predecessors, that was even more impossible.

An ordinary student—how could he possibly come into contact with the so-called 'black market'?

And the fourth planet of Yuyao, being a habitable planet whose ecosystem had only recently been modified, had no predecessor cave-heavens waiting for him to explore either…

So apart from the fact that his cultivation progress was a bit faster than before, and that he had learned a sword scripture and a method of talisman-making, his life was actually no different from before.

In fact, because there was more to learn every day, these past two days he had been exhausted like a dog.

Moreover, the sword arts in the Yin-Eroding Life-Severing Sword Scripture were too difficult; after two days there had been zero progress, which made him not even want to touch a sword now!

At this point, Gu Wangjun, who had once fantasized that he was the protagonist of a 'trash-tier' story, finally faced reality.

Sword cultivation is good, but it's not my wish—better to settle down and make talismans.

Could it be that he himself… was the protagonist of a 'slice-of-life' story?

That was perfectly normal—after all, who hasn't fantasized that they were actually the protagonist? As long as one wasn't as 'steadfast' as Jiu Yu, generally speaking there was no impact.

Then he swept his gaze over the other two lucky ones.

No difference at all—both were also obediently attending school, and one of them had even made a small profit by collecting 'Xiang Jianzong snowflakes.'

"…"

Quite skilled at seizing opportunities.

"Still quite a bit behind Yunlu and Xiao Fan," Xu Xing commented.

Even compared to Jiang Yujiu, they were still far behind—after all, she was an inner disciple of the Xian Sect, a charm cultivator at Perfect Nascent Soul.

"Perhaps things will be different later, who knows." Xu Xing smiled, and his figure vanished.

How things stand for now cannot represent what comes after.

……

……

Ancestral Master's Cave-Heaven.

Master Mei Zu was no longer dressed as before, but had changed into a very loose, casual goose-yellow nightgown, extremely plain and elegant.

But the ten thousand charms revealed in her rippling eyes had not diminished in the slightest; she reclined lazily on a soft couch, and at her collar the exquisite collarbones showed a porcelain whiteness like the cold moon.

She yawned languidly, then said with a light laugh: "Daoist brother, you're back."

"Mm."

Xu Xing gave her a strange look and sat down on a rosewood chair.

"Yesterday I was dressed up on purpose. Usually it's just me alone, so of course I dress however's comfortable." Master Mei Zu explained on her own initiative, then asked curiously, "Is the Sword Sovereign not like this in private?"

"Well… if you're curious, you can go ask Ye Shijie yourself."

"She'd never tell me." She waved her hand. "I always used to think she was really aloof and cold."

The Spirit Net really is a wonderful thing—otherwise the Sword Sovereign wouldn't have exposed her true self so quickly.

Xu Xing neither agreed nor disagreed; he had already heard this many times.

At the very beginning Ye Shijie really was putting it on, but after going through some things later on, she genuinely came to dislike talking much.

"Alright, alright, it's getting late—come, let's continue our 'dual cultivation.'" Master Mei Zu sat up.

Dual cultivation…

Xu Xing couldn't be bothered to say more: "If there's still no progress in these two days, I'll have to head back first to prepare the matters of the 'Xian Sect Grand Competition.'"

In truth he also had a premonition that in such a short time it would be hard to gain anything.

"The Xian Sect Grand Competition… I recall that in the last one, the Xiang Jianzong took first place overall."

Mainly because the Sword Sovereign kept showing off her disciple in the group chat during that period.

"Mm, the Hehuan Sect was last place." Xu Xing reminded her.

"Mm, mm—both our sects are first!" Master Mei Zu said without a care.

"…"

With such an Ancestral Master, no wonder the Hehuan Sect's contestants are all salted fish.

"These disciples and grand-disciples of mine simply aren't cut out for magical combat, so I won't force it."

Charm cultivators, and the gradually declining Joy cultivators, need no explanation. As for Celestial cultivators, although they have an advantage over ordinary cultivators, that is only when compared to ordinary cultivators.

Those who can participate in the Xian Sect Grand Competition are all the cream of the young generation — the very finest handful of people in the Xuan Realm.

The advantage of Celestial cultivators really isn't that great.

As for those who have truly comprehended the 'True Self' inheritance, in the Joy Union Sect's young generation there are only two.

One of them ran into Chi Jiuyu and lost; the other ran into a Dao Child of the Supreme Dao Sect, and so also lost.

"Still, Yin Xue was quite displeased, and specifically came back, taking all the previous competitors along for special training. This time the Joy Union Sect's ranking should be a bit higher."

"Yin Xue, huh… that's not surprising."

Apart from a tiny bit of OCD, Ji Yin Xue herself has an extremely competitive temperament. She has always regarded Xu Qianning as her sworn rival — pity she never won.

Or rather, in her generation, whether Cave-Truth or Tongxuan, there wasn't a single one who didn't lose to Xu Qianning.

"By the way, how is Qianning doing now?" Since the conversation had reached this point, Master Mei Zu asked casually.

She wasn't very familiar with Xu Xing's other disciples, but this Xu Qianning was an exception.

No choice — whose own disciple kept causing trouble for others?

Back and forth like this, even strangers would become familiar.

"Almost there. She'll be back in a while."

"That fast?" Master Mei Zu was somewhat surprised. "How certain are you?"

"Hard to predict, but I imagine it's still just a sliver of immortal fortune."

Countless cultivators press forward one after another, cultivating day and night, scheming in a thousand ways — all for the sake of this one sliver of immortal fortune.

"Hopefully she can succeed…"

At this point, Master Mei Zu could only offer this one blessing.

Afterwards, the two once again began attempting to figure out a method to dissolve 'Dao Wang'.

"Regarding that shortcut method from before, what does Dao Brother plan to name it?"

"It isn't perfected yet, so I haven't really thought about it… Do you have any suggestions?" "How about calling it the 'Self-Severing Transcendence Method'?"

"Transcendence Method… you've been thinking about this for a while already?"

"Mm-hmm~"

…………

In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.

That day, two special guests arrived at the Xiang Jianzong, so important that even Sect Master Du Ruoheng came out personally to receive them.

"Brother Du, long time no see. How have you been lately?"

In a grand hall used for receiving outside guests, a Daoist in a Daoist robe, with crane-white hair and a child-like face, holding a horsetail whisk in his hand, wore a faint smile.

On his deep-blue Daoist crown hung a yin-yang jade pendant; as the hem of his robe fluttered lightly, faint cloud-patterned embroidery could be glimpsed.

An immortal bearing and Daoist bones — an extraordinary air.

!

It was none other than the Supreme Dao Sect Master — Cheng Junming.

Long time no see, my *!

Putting on such a respectable front.

Du Ruoheng muttered inwardly, but since others were present, he restrained himself considerably and did not lose his composure.

"All is well. It's been a long time, Brother Cheng — your cultivation has grown ever more profound."

As he spoke, his peripheral vision caught the young woman beside him, whose skin was like congealed fat and whose bright eyes were lovely.

She wore a blue-grey Daoist robe, expressionless, with features as if painted, and eyes like a secluded spring.

Zhao Ruohan, the newly advanced Dao Child of the Supreme Dao Sect.

Twenty-five years old, early Soul Transformation, daughter of Grandmaster Seeing Hong Zun.

The daughter of a True Immortal was naturally extraordinary — born with all manner of strange phenomena and innate divine abilities.

However, to avoid her innate gifts being too strong and affecting her Dao path, all her special traits had been sealed away by Grandmaster Seeing Hong Zun when she was young.

This cultivation was honestly, solidly cultivated!

Have to say, Grandmaster Seeing Hong Zun really is vigorous in old age…

Cough, cough!

The disciple speaks rashly — please do not take offense, Grandmaster!

In any case, this Dao Child is one of the Xiang Jianzong's greatest opponents in this Xian Sect Grand Competition!

At the Spirit Transformation Stage, she has unsealed a portion of her innate divine abilities!

"May I ask who this is…"

Although he had long since inquired and found out clearly, Du Ruoheng still put on an act and asked.

Cheng Junming secretly despised Du Ruoheng's behavior in his heart, but likewise put on an act. With a flick of his horsetail whisk: "This is my Supreme Dao Sect's newly advanced Dao Child, Zhao Ruohan."

A Dao Child is essentially the future Sect Master's successor — though there is more than one.

"Greetings, Sect Master." Zhao Ruohan rose and offered a salute.

Although she was the daughter of a True Immortal, she was still young, and the person before her was the Sect Master of a Xian Sect — naturally she could not neglect propriety.

"No need for such ceremony, Dao Child." Du Ruoheng said quickly.

After Zhao Ruohan had resumed her seat, he cleared his throat lightly: "The various Grandmasters have already decided that the grouping of competitors for this Xian Sect Grand Competition will follow the same format as in previous years."

As the first and second place of the previous Xian Sect Grand Competition.

According to the rules, this edition of the Xian Sect Grand Competition is to be organized by the Xiang Jianzong and the Supreme Dao Sect.

However, this time is rather special — the specific format and rules will still have to wait until the Grandmasters on that side have deliberated.

But first, we can confirm the participants for the Xian Sect Grand Competition—there are a few who can be directly admitted without going through selection.

"This is the initial roster of our Xiang Jianzong's competitors."

Du Ruoheng handed Cheng Junming a jade tablet the size of a page, its surface inscribed in golden characters with the names of these competitors.

Zhao Ruohan, who had been sitting motionless like a log, finally moved, her gaze turning to the jade tablet.

Quickly, she locked onto her target!

Chi Jiuyu was clearly listed in the second row—the row for Golden Core cultivators.

Her breath caught; she clenched her fist and couldn't help exclaiming, "Aren't you Soul Transformation already? Why are you still in the Golden Core row?"

A Soul Transformation cultivator like Chi Jiuyu… going into the Golden Core group…

To play with babies?

"The grouping of competitors considers both realm and age," Du Ruoheng explained with a smile. "Our junior aunt attained Soul Transformation at twenty-two, and she's only twenty-three now—when all factors are weighed, she should be placed in the Golden Core division."

Catching Cheng Junming's frozen expression out of the corner of his eye, Du Ruoheng couldn't help a quiet surge of satisfaction.

Let's be honest—our junior aunt really brought honor to the Xiang Jianzong!

Too bad her personality is a bit… abstract. If she were just a little more normal, she could've taken over as Xiang Jianzong's sect leader without issue…

"This doesn't seem right," Cheng Junming frowned. "She's already Soul Transformation—putting her in the Golden Core group is unfair."

What's even the point of competing? Just hand the first place to Chi Jiuyu right now!

"This has always been the way groupings are made. How is it unfair?"

Even though our junior aunt keeps eyeing the sect leader position I haven't even warmed up in yet, I still have to fight for it.

"Is it fair to make our twenty-three-year-old junior aunt fight against juniors who are twenty-five, thirty, forty, or even nearing sixty?"

I won't agree!

Even the Sword Sovereign Ancestor wouldn't agree—and neither would the Sword Patriarch Ancestor!

We're claiming the moral high ground!

"The Xian Sect Grand Competition exists so the younger generation can understand their own limits and gain cultivation experience. Putting a Soul Transformation cultivator into the Golden Core group won't achieve that purpose…"

"She's trained the same number of years—why not? Besides, our junior aunt once defeated multiple Soul Transformation cultivators while still in Golden Core. There's not much difference between Golden Core and Soul Transformation."

Can that even be compared?!

Those alien Soul Transformation cultivators are as weak as dogs—try defeating even one of the Soul Transformation cultivators in the Xian Sect Grand Competition!

The two argued endlessly.

Zhao Ruohan stared at Chi Jiuyu's name on the jade tablet for a long while, then suddenly stood up.

Du Ruoheng and Cheng Junming fell silent, both turning to look at her.

Zhao Ruohan pressed her lips together: "I'd like to go for a walk."

The two exchanged glances, then Du Ruoheng finally said, "The Dao Heir may go wherever she pleases."

Having received permission, Zhao Ruohan immediately walked out.

As she stepped outside the hall, a light barrier rose, completely sealing off all sounds from within.

With no one else around, the two sect leaders could finally speak freely!

Yet Zhao Ruohan paid no attention to any of it—she took out her phone and headed toward a certain location.

Golden Core group…

Someone like Chi Jiuyu, an unparalleled prodigy, surely has an unshakable Dao heart—how could she possibly want to enter the Golden Core group to bully those cultivators?

She immediately sent a message to her twin brother.

Quietly Cultivating Little Zhao: "Brother, I've arrived at the Xiang Jianzong."

Quietly Cultivating Little Zhao: "I'm going to meet Chi Jiuyu right now—the one who beat you into a dog last time."

Quietly Cultivating Little Zhao: "I'll avenge you."

Brother: "Who the hell got beaten into a dog? I lost by a hair's breadth—do you understand 'narrow defeat'?!"

Brother: "/voice"

Brother: "/voice"

Zhao Ruohan didn't care—she didn't even open the voice messages. After all, her brother always talked tough but had a soft heart.

Mother said that after he got thrashed into a dog by Chi Jiuyu during the last Xian Sect Grand Competition, he hid in a corner and cried by himself.

Quietly Cultivating Little Zhao: "Don't worry, I understand."

Brother: "/voice" (End of Chapter)