Chapter 414: The Toothless Nine Yu and the Broken-Legged Little Zhao

"Of course it's not real." Xu Xing said helplessly.

"I thought so too." Ning Ruo said with a light laugh, "But I had to ask before I could set my mind at ease."

She did not conceal her own thoughts, remaining as candid as always.

"…" Xu Xing was silent for a moment, "How is the stability after the juniors connect to this Tai Xuan Immortal Net? Will it still suppress cultivation progress like the Divine Dao system does?"

At present, the main audience for this Tai Xuan Immortal Net is still those juniors.

So issues like compatibility and stability are actually more important.

"Mm, I've considered this issue as well."

Ning Ruo reached out and removed the Profound Image Realm suspended in midair; the string-like threads withdrew from it, slowly retracting, and finally vanished completely into the void.

"Because what I drew on was the Divine Dao system you, Xu Dage, brought back from that world, the first thing I solved was the problem of 'Divine Positions' suppressing cultivation progress."

"I've also had the Sect Master find people to test compatibility and stability — from Qi Refining to Cave-True, there are no problems anymore."

"And to deal with various possible accidents in the Chaotic Sea, I also installed a function in the Tai Xuan Immortal Net that allows applying for higher-grade energy."

"But the grade of energy that can be applied for is still closely tied to the user's own realm — at most two realms above the cultivator themselves. Any higher, and the overload would cause the user's own cultivation progress to be suppressed."

"Still, the preset upper limit for energy grade only goes up to 'Sub-grade Immortal Power,' one grade above Cave-True."

"Anything higher and the current Tai Xuan Immortal Net simply can't bear it."

In the Divine Dao system, a 'Divine Position' can grant an individual authority and power far beyond their own, but the user's cultivation progress will be suppressed as a result.

Although Ning Ruo had solved this problem, she had not solved it completely — once the energy level used is too high, the drawback will manifest again.

Compared with a True Immortal acting personally, the Tai Xuan Immortal Net is still a bit crude in terms of power usage.

"Power two realms above the user…" Xu Xing reached into the void before him and 'caught' a thread, "This much is already enough."

Originally, this function was a 'safety net' mechanism for Ascension Envoys, meant to prevent force-majeure-level accidents.

"If it's improved more in the future, it might be able to replace the Spirit Net."

"Replace the Spirit Net…" Ning Ruo blinked and joked, "That would mean going against the Supreme Clarity Dao Sect and even more people, you know."

"Daoist Hong Zun and Xiang Yuanjun wouldn't be that narrow-minded."

"True."

The Spirit Net originated with the Supreme Clarity Dao Sect, but by now it has long since extended far beyond it, forming a deeply entrenched, immensely vast system.

The Qidaxian Sect, the Orthodox Alliance, and other forces great and small are all involved.

To replace and supplant it would touch the interests of goodness knows how many people.

But compared to a True Immortal's will, all this seems trivial.

"Still, talking about this is premature."

The current Tai Xuan Immortal Net is still imperfect, has no universal applicability at all, and is even less suited for widespread adoption.

"Fair enough, we'll discuss this later." Xu Xing released the thread materialized from the Tai Xuan Immortal Net in his hand, "I understand the general structure now. Once I'm back at the Xiang Jianzong, I'll build out a framework for a node."

Since the Tai Xuan Immortal Net was created by Ning Ruo, the core naturally remained at Ling Yin Fang.

"I'll hand the materials related to the Tai Xuan Immortal Net to the Sect Master later and let them discuss it among themselves." Ning Ruo said, "As for the other Daoists, I'll have to trouble Xu Dage to give them a word."

"It's only right."

After a pause, Xu Xing took out his phone, preparing to give a brief mention first.

Xiang Jianzong: "Fellow Daoists, the Tai Xuan Immortal Net has been completed"

Overlord Sovereign: "/thumbs up"

Hong Sovereign: "Dao Brother, you're at Ling Yin Fang right now, aren't you /smile"

Hong Sovereign: "Clearly this kind of thing could be confirmed without going over /smile"

Hong Sovereign: "/little yellow duck summoning grand array"

"…"

Xu Xing was a little speechless.

Xiang Jianzong: "/nauseating"

Xiang Jianzong: "Daoist Hong Sovereign, you are, after all, an Ancestral Master of the Xian Sect, an old man with double-digit Dao companions and a brood of children — please be a little more mature"

Xiang Jianzong: "/picks nose"

Hong Sovereign: "Triggered /smile"

Alchemy Ancestor: "/cracking sunflower seeds"

Artifact Sovereign: "/eating melon"

Overlord Sovereign: "/fly rubbing hands"

Alchemy Ancestor: "The internet is truly terrifying — even Dao Brother has been infected this fast, all his class gone /shrug"

Artifact Sovereign: "Why couldn't it be his true nature being revealed /side-eye smile"

Overlord Sovereign: "I know this one — some people put on masks, some took them off"

Overlord Sovereign: "/sigh"

The group chat was as absurd as ever, without the slightest bearing of so-called Immortals.

Xiang Jianzong: "On to business — the specific details of the Immortal Net and the method for building nodes, I'll notify each of you individually later"

Xiang Jianzong: "And Hong Sovereign, my friend, you'll be the last one"

Hong Sovereign: "/smile"

Overlord Sovereign: "Right, wasn't Dao Brother going to pick a world for his trial? What kind of world did he end up choosing"

Xiang Jianzong: "It's been deeply influenced by Xuan, and the situation inside is quite complicated — can't be explained in a word or two, I'll explain it all together later"

Master Mei Zu: "The Xian Sect Grand Competition is coming again so soon, this concubine is feeling a bit melancholy"

Master Mei Zu: "/feeling duck pressure"

Hm?

Didn't you say you didn't care about the final ranking?

Master Mei Zu: "If the Joyful Sect isn't last anymore, won't the Ji Shi Valley and the Divine Mechanism Treasure Forge be embarrassed this year?"

Master Mei Zu: "/sigh"

Ancestor Dan: "?"

Master Qi: "?"

You're the Joyful Sect's acknowledged last place—how dare you say that?

Ancestor Dan was more cautious and guessed one possible explanation.

Ancestor Dan: "Your disciple returned and took them for special training."

Master Qi: "No wonder you're so confident."

Ji Yin Xue is no ordinary child.

Just then…

Master Jian: "Your daughter ran to the Xiang Jianzong and broke my disciple's front teeth @Hong Zun"

Did Nine Fish's front teeth get broken?

Hmm… logically, that shouldn't be the case—she ascended earlier, so she should be slightly stronger than Hong Zun's daughter in combat.

But battle isn't just about paper-level cultivation differences…

Xiang Yuanjun: "?"

Hong Zun: "What?"

Master Jian: "What should we do about this? /sharpening blade"

Hong Zun: "What do you mean, what should we do?"

Hong Zun: "It's just kids fooling around—bumps and bruises are normal."

Hong Zun: "How can they grow without setbacks? Your reaction is excessive, Master Jian."

Hong Zun: "/sipping tea"

It was clear Hong Zun was still quite pleased.

Hong Zun: "Besides, isn't your disciple the youngest Soul Transformation ever?"

!

Hong Zun: "Clearly the result of rushing cultivation—some hardship will do him good."

Master Jian: "That does make sense."

Xiang Yuanjun: "?!"

Master Mei Zu: "Did you eat something weird today?!"

Ancestor Jian: "…"

Ba Zun: "Hard to imagine these words were typed by Master Jian /complicated emotions"

Ancestor Dan: "Hacked account?"

Ning Ruo didn't send a message, but was watching the group chat—upon seeing this, she looked up at Xu Xing.

"This matter probably isn't that simple, is it?"

Given Sister's temperament…

"Of course."

After thinking for a moment, Xu Xing asked a question in the group.

Ancestor Jian: "Sister, how badly is Hong Zun's daughter injured?"

Master Jian: "Nothing serious—just had one leg broken by Nine Fish."

Xiang Yuanjun: "…"

As expected—this is Sister's (Master Jian's) style.

Xu Xing calmly put away his phone, stood up, and ignored the group's following reactions.

"Then I'll be off."

"Alright, Xu Dage, take care." Ning Ruo handed back the Xuanxiang Realm to Xu Xing.

After taking it, Xu Xing gave a slight nod, and his entire figure vanished instantly.

The spacious room was now left with only Ning Ruo, feeling extremely empty.

"…"

After a long while, Ning Ruo let out a soft breath.

As she rose, she pulled on the white lab coat beside her and gazed outward.

There, her disciple Ning Wanyin lay on a reclining chair, basking in the sun, deeply engrossed in her game.

"…"

Good—there were still a few experiments; perfect for her to assist with.

…

…

On the other side, inside the Inner Sect of the Xiang Jianzong.

On the green stone path outside Chi Jiuyu's cave, a figure dragged her broken leg, limping slowly toward the cave.

Her entire body was bruised and swollen, her original appearance completely unrecognizable.

Yet one could still vaguely discern that she had been very beautiful before the injury.

Without warning, a figure appeared beside the path, entering her field of vision.

Hm?

Due to the swelling on her face, she could barely open her eyes, and it took a long while before she recognized who stood before her.

"Greetings, Elder Xiang Jianzong," Zhao Ruohan struggled to bow.

He said nothing, yet a voice echoed—formed by divine intent vibrating the air.

"You don't need to bow like that," Xu Xing's eyebrow twitched.

He looked at Zhao Ruohan's face, swollen into a pig's head, and her completely necrotic right leg.

External form damaged, internal injuries severe!

That bastard Chi Jiuyu really didn't hold back at all.

"I'll heal you first."

Though that old fool Hong Zun had been bothering him lately, his daughter was innocent, and after all, she was injured on Xiang Jianzong grounds.

"No need, Elder. This battle has granted me much—I wish to keep these wounds to reflect upon them," Zhao Ruohan said seriously.

Compared to Chi Jiuyu, she still fell short.

She must remember this profound lesson!

"Earlier, Elder Sword also offered to heal me, but I refused."

"..."

This is suffering needlessly.

These younglings these days are utterly inscrutable.

Emmm...

I wonder if her brother, who got beaten into a dog, is just as strange...

"You're going to find Jiuyu?"

These younglings today are producing talents left and right; he grew ever more eager for the coming Xian Sect Grand Competition.

"Yes, Elder. I've come to know her through battle—we agreed to exchange cultivation insights."

"..."

That dead fish probably has ill intentions.

"You're in no condition to move. Let me take you there."

With a sweep of his sleeve, before Zhao Ruohan could react, he transported her directly into Chi Jiuyu's cave dwelling. (Chapter End)