Chapter 409

"Well... you could say that." Xu Xing did not deny it. "If there's too little, Sister won't agree."

According to standard group divisions, Chi Jiuyu would undoubtedly take first place.

But if placed in the Soul Transformation group... he would gain little advantage.

Even with certain compensations for younger competitors, he is still far too young.

A sixty-year-old Xian Sect Soul Transformation cultivator, competing in the Xian Sect Grand Tournament without any restrictions, could defeat Chi Jiuyu single-handedly and turn him into a dead fish.

"Fine, fine—I have no objections."

After all, her relationship with the Sword Sovereign is so close; it might as well be a gift from elder to junior.

Not to mention, the 'Dawn-Carved Blood Jade' the Dao Brother previously gave to his sect's juniors is worth more than all the rewards of this Xian Sect Grand Tournament combined.

"I will have Xiao Qingjun arrange this. Let the sect masters discuss it among themselves."

Of this surplus resource allocation, exactly how much each sect must contribute...

Such matters are minor side events; they need not be handled personally.

The Ancestral Master merely needs to cover the bottom line and decide the broad direction.

The true management of every detail within a sect—even across the Central Continent or the Star Regions—falls upon the sect masters.

Thus, aside from the Cang Clan matter, which is unknown to those below the Dao Union realm, holding the position of sect master at a lower realm truly risks death from overwork.

"As for the Sword Sovereign and the other Dao friends, you must speak to them yourself."

"Naturally."

Though not a major matter, it still needs to be mentioned.

Just as he was about to rise and leave, Xu Xing seemed to remember something.

"I heard the offspring of Dao Hong Zun participated in the last Xian Sect Grand Tournament?"

Master Mei Zu thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, that's true. He even faced off against the Sword Sovereign's disciple."

He was a young cultivator seeking to prove himself, but ultimately used his primordial divine ability.

Even so, he still did not win.

"Dao Hong Zun truly remains vigorous in his old age."

The Xian Sect Grand Tournament permits only Xian Sect cultivators under sixty years old—meaning Dao Hong Zun's offspring is still very young...

Isn't that precisely what it means to remain vigorous in old age?

"Hmm... Dao Brother, shouldn't you also leave behind some offspring? I could help, you know." Master Mei Zu smiled sweetly.

Huh?!

What kind of tiger-and-wolf words are these? And how did the topic jump so abruptly?

"Don't joke around," Xu Xing said helplessly.

He dares not even harbor a single extra attachment, let alone offspring or descendants.

Dao Hong Zun's current abundance of romantic partners and descendants stems directly from his past connection with 'Heaven.'

Part of the reason is that, as the one once closest to the Immortal, these attachments and karmic ties were deliberately left by him for 'Heaven'—to reassure it, and in exchange, to use them as leverage to shield humanity from the malice of the Ancient and Primordial.

In the end, it was the most helpless of helpless situations...

Yet Dao Hong Zun himself seems to genuinely enjoy it...

Hmm...

In short, as long as the Cang Clan endures, people like us should avoid accumulating too many root-level attachments.

The war of species survival and extinction knows no right or wrong, no moral limits.

Any tactic, no matter how despicable, is justified if it increases the chance of victory by even a fraction.

Humanity once acted thus—and now the Cang Clan will only be even more extreme...

Hence, among the entire leadership group, aside from Dao Hong Zun, everyone else is single.

"Alright, alright, I understand. Then let's wait until everything is over."

Ever since hearing that phrase, "Why should I choose?" she realized Dao Brother is not nearly as straightforward as he appears...

Compared to the Sword Sovereign, Dao Brother is the one who hides the deepest.

"..."

What does "until everything is over" mean?

Xu Xing deliberately ignored that remark and stood up: "Time is about up."

"If nothing goes awry, we'll meet again after the Xian Sect Grand Tournament."

Although 'Dao Wang' has made some progress, there is still no true resolution—so he must continue seeking Master Mei Zu's aid.

"Mm-hmm, Dao Brother, take care. I'll wear something even prettier next time."

"..."

Never mind.

Without sound or sign, Xu Xing's figure vanished as if it had never been.

Master Mei Zu lazily rolled over, pulled out her phone, checked the group chat, found no one had spoken, and put it away again.

Then she rose from the soft couch and walked toward a quiet chamber she routinely used for meditation.

…………

Within the Xiang Jianzong's inner compound, Chi Jiuyu's cave dwelling.

On a large, bright screen, the most popular current game was playing; two people sat before it, each gripping a controller.

Lights and shadows flashed in chaotic interplay, reaching a level dizzying to ordinary eyes.

After a long while, the flickering lights and shadows on the screen finally ceased.

Zhao Ruohan stared blankly at the screen, her eyes vacant; beside her, Chi Jiuyu casually tossed his controller aside and stretched lazily.

Clearly, the outcome was decided.

She hadn't even had time to avenge her brother, who'd been beaten like a dog, before losing to Chi Jiuyu…

Zhao Ruohan's expression darkened.

"Here, you lost—now you can tell me, right?" Chi Jiuyu asked curiously.

Of course, the two wouldn't play a game for no reason.

Actually, Chi Jiuyu was curious about that Zhao something's divine art from the last Xian Sect competition.

The sister who got beaten like a dog said that if she won just once, she'd tell her—so this match happened.

"You're the Master's daughter—you can't go back on your word!"

As someone who'd cheated and thrown tantrums in front of her master more times than she could count…

Cough! Cough!

But the sister who got beaten like a dog probably still had some integrity—she wouldn't renege.

Sure enough, Zhao Ruohan clenched her fists; though filled with unbearable resentment, she had no choice.

"It's a primordial divine art—Qianyuan Bumie Yu Qing Xuan Guang—the divine art we were born with."

A regular cultivator, if merely brushed by Qianyuan Bumie Yu Qing Xuan Guang, would have their magic power instantly scattered and their soul shaken.

If fully unleashed at the Soul Transformation realm, it could even achieve endless, inexhaustible renewal.

Even among Soul Transformation cultivators, it remains one of the most top-tier divine arts.

"Born with a divine art?!" Chi Jiuyu couldn't help exclaiming.

And it's a top-tier divine art, no less!

Holy shit!

Is this even realistic?!

She still only knows a few top-tier divine arts herself.

"Because primordial divine arts are too powerful and might interfere with our Dao path, Father sealed them for us—they only gradually unseal once we reach a certain realm."

Primordial divine arts are too powerful…

Is this even human speech?!

Born with a top-tier divine art—this is just…

Hey~!

But if you think about it, even the primordial divine arts of Immortal descendants couldn't touch me…

The ultimate boss is definitely my Jiuyu Hehuan Laozu!

"So, setting aside Immortal bloodline aside, we're actually on the same starting line."

"Pfft." Chi Jiuyu sneered. "You can just 'set aside' that?" Last time at the Xian Sect competition, that guy still cried while using his divine art.

Advantage is advantage—just like I never deny my peerless talent, supreme wisdom, and invincible Dao heart!

Of course, my master's guidance did play a tiny bit of a role.

"..." Seeing her say that, Zhao Ruohan pressed her lips together. "Mother said so."

Soul Transformation at twenty-two—and her foundation is still so solid…

"You really are stronger than us." She spoke sincerely.

As the top-ranked Nascent Soul cultivator in the last Xian Sect competition, Chi Jiuyu's cultivation journey had been thoroughly studied by the other Liudaxian Sects.

No special bloodline, no unique physique—yet she comprehended the Dao at Qi Condensation eighth layer, and before even establishing her Foundation, she was sent to a chaotic alien planet for trial by combat.

During her Foundation Establishment, she assassinated thirty-two suppressed alien kings and destroyed twenty-seven biological weapon cores.

In the Golden Core Stage, she quelled thirty-four alien uprisings; in the Nascent Soul Stage, she carried out seventy-six alien cleansing missions.

She cultivates the Xiang Jianzong's supreme legacy, the "Slaying Annihilation Sword Scripture" and the "Grand Void Sword Scripture," and at twenty-two became the youngest Soul Transformation cultivator in history—the future Sect Master of the Xiang Jianzong.

!

Even with her Immortal bloodline, her dazzling record made it pale in comparison.

And recently, two more rumors had surfaced.

Chi Jiuyu is the personal disciple of the Sword Sovereign, and she is also the Xiang Jianzong's most beloved junior.

The former has been confirmed, but the latter remains doubtful.

After all, the Xiang Jianzong, the most renowned among the Xian Sect's Hehuan Laozu, has always been known for his benevolence and ruthless decisiveness—many have received his favors.

But today, it could finally be confirmed…

Zhao Ruohan thought to herself, glancing again at the Xiang Jianzong's Token hanging at her waist.

Her legendary exploits make her unmatched among the current generation—young or old—and thus, most Xian Sect disciples perceive Chi Jiuyu as a "cold, young powerhouse."

But now it seemed she was indeed young—yet utterly lacking in coldness.

"So you, a peerless prodigy, should constantly hone yourself and challenge your limits," Zhao Ruohan said seriously.

Tsk.

Are you trying to flatter me into overextending?

Chi Jiuyu's formidable Dao heart remained utterly unruffled.

Challenge myself?

Should I run into the Soul Transformation division and become everyone's punching bag—or stay in the Nascent Soul division, crush the Nascent Soul juniors, and claim the top prize?

The difference is obvious.

She, Jiuyu Hehuan Laozu, is indeed a peerless prodigy—but not an idiot.

"There are plenty of opportunities to challenge myself."

She frequently duels with the Immortal Sword (Yue Ling)—isn't that challenge enough?

But if you miss the reward for first place in the Nascent Soul group, you won't get another chance.

She still dreamed of one day becoming a Rich Fisherman.

"First place reward?" Zhao Ruohan frowned.

You don't need such an absurd excuse to brush me off.

Who doesn't know that Chi Jiuyu is the Sword Sovereign's personal disciple?

That Xuan Zhu fruit tree outside, the nascent Heaven, the Xiang Jianzong Token hanging at your waist, the top-tier Secret Realm Pearl around your neck…

Which one isn't priceless? You tell me you're doing this for the first-place reward?

Chi Jiuyu looked at her expression of utter confusion and sighed inwardly.

'The Rich Fairy doesn't understand the hardships of the poor Fisherman.'

Though her master never withheld cultivation resources—she could use as much as she wanted—it ended there.

To earn extra pocket money, she had to work for it herself.

As for casually tossing out four hundred thousand spirit coins like garbage…

That kind of behavior was already half a step into the 'Rich Realm' she aspired to.

"You really won't enter the Soul Transformation group?"

This little Zhao, who's still two and a half years away from Soul Transformation, is remarkably persistent.

"Never mind whether I'm willing—I have no say anyway. Group assignments aren't decided by me."

"I can help you communicate," Zhao Ruohan said seriously.

"…"

Damn rich heir.

Chi Jiuyu cursed silently.

"My master won't agree." Though she was often scolded by him, she knew well—he would never let her suffer a loss.

The Sword Sovereign…

That really is a problem.

Though she is the daughter of the Grand Sovereign, she has no reason to meet the Sword Sovereign, let alone sway his will.

Still, the Sword Sovereign probably wants Chi Jiuyu to gain experience in the Xian Sect Grand Competition.

"Please take me…"

Before she could finish, Chi Jiuyu's surprised voice cut in.

"Uncle? You're back!"

Uncle?

Chi Jiuyu's uncle—that would be…

She leapt to her feet and turned—only to see a figure watching her.

In a daze, she seemed to see in his eyes countless worlds of sword Dao arising and perishing, an endless river of sword Dao spanning all time, revealing the true meaning of all Dao.

"…"

This child's imagination is wild—apparently not normal either.

"Disciple Zhao Ruohan, pays respects to the Xiang Jianzong," she bowed deeply and solemnly.

This was her father's closest friend, one of the founders of the Xiang Jianzong.

"No need for such formalities. I've been friends with your father for years, and I knew your mother well."

Zhao Ruohan straightened up and began speaking without pause:

"Forgive me, Xiang Jianzong, but I came here today to find Chi Jiuyu because she humiliated my brother in the last Xian Sect Grand Competition, beat him into tears—so I've come for revenge."

Before Xu Xing even asked a question, she spilled everything like beans from a sack.

Indeed—this child isn't normal either.

Xu Xing understood at once, then glanced at the other one, who was no less abnormal.

Chi Jiuyu made exaggerated facial expressions, as if conveying a message through her eyes…

"What was the result?" Xu Xing didn't bother to respond to her.

"I lost…"

Even if it was a game, losing was still losing.

"But I wish to challenge her again in the Xian Sect Grand Competition—could she be allowed to join the Soul Transformation group?" Zhao Ruohan hurriedly added, fearing Chi Jiuyu would find another excuse, "I'll personally convert the first-place reward from the Nascent Soul group into her share."

Huh?

Chi Jiuyu froze upon hearing this.

If you're willing to do this, just tell me directly!

Group assignments aren't set in stone!

If I get the Nascent Soul group's first-place reward, maybe I can win even more in the Soul Transformation group!

"Uncle, I think it's fine. I need more setbacks to temper myself," Chi Jiuyu said solemnly, her small face serious.

Indeed, she'd already blocked any excuse she might have made—she couldn't appear weak before the Xiang Jianzong.

This was called "moral blackmail."

Zhao Ruohan silently praised her own cleverness.

Watching their utterly different thoughts, Xu Xing was half-amused, half-exasperated.

This one really is obsessed with money. (End of chapter)