Chapter 443: Is It Right for the Ancestor to Beat the Disciple?

It was merely a faint sound, yet now it drowned out the terrifying roar of the exploding furnace, as if ten thousand furnaces detonated inside her skull!

Senior Yuanjun and… Senior Elder Lingzu?

Just as she was bewildered, the flame wave from the exploded furnace suddenly collapsed inward.

Almost the instant she sensed the anomaly in the explosion's flame, the crimson fire that had blanketed sky and earth, steeped in withered death, vanished entirely.

Only a minuscule red glow remained, quietly suspended at the tip of a slender, white finger, like a spring onion's root, radiating boundless heat that sent shivers down the spine.

And at that moment, the clear, beautiful woman with white gauze over her eyes was watching her.

Her unhidden aura was merely Soul Transformation early stage, equal to her own, yet it made Ye Zhiwei's hair stand on end and her scalp go numb.

Ancestor?!

It's just a Xian Sect competition—why is this insane?!

No wonder Chi Jiuyu ran off so fast.

Ye Zhiwei cursed inwardly.

As a prodigy of Jishi Valley, she wasn't unfamiliar with the Ancestors' appearances—but who would've thought that for a mere Xian Sect competition, the Ancestors would descend in person?!

In an instant, she made her decision!

She immediately activated the thread of true fire hidden in the void, tied to her spirit, preparing to trigger the pre-set pill array to create an escape opportunity.

As for counterattacking?

Are you kidding?!

She couldn't even beat the fifty- or sixty-year-old competitors—this is a Xian Sect Ancestor!

Yet the expected activation of the pill array never occurred; the thread of true fire, concealed in the void by special means, had somehow extinguished.

"Would you like to take the pill? I can wait until you're ready," said Yuanjun, the tiny red glow resting on her fingertip, calm as still water.

The "Damage-Free Pill Intake Method" is one of the most common and useful combat techniques among pill cultivators today.

As the saying goes: to draw the essence of heaven and earth, to melt the vitality of all things.

With sufficient mastery of pill arts, one can even use one's own body as the furnace, refining the myriad phenomena of the cosmos, breathing in harmony with heaven and earth's yin and yang, creating boundless transformation.

Of course, all that was far beyond Ye Zhiwei.

At most, she could use the true fire from the Jishi Pill Scripture to transform medicinal power for her own use without damaging her foundation.

So… should she detonate the power of the Twelve-Star Pills she'd swallowed earlier?

The Twelve-Star Pills were twelve potency-enhancing pills she'd crafted according to her own physique; when combined, they produced an astonishing effect.

But the thought lasted only an instant before she rejected it.

"Go!"

She hurled the remaining furnaces—already on the verge of explosion—toward the two.

Boom!

Boom-rumble!

Blinding, searing light instantly swallowed everything; the entire desolate, lonely desert trembled at that moment.

Wind-Riding Divine Travel Pill!

Qi-Controlling Divine Travel Talisman!

Divine Mechanism Gen-3 Speed Module!

…

Who says pill cultivators can only use pills?!

Ye Zhiwei deployed nearly every escape technique she had; her figure shot forth like a streak of light, far outpacing the spreading flame wave.

Had she not realized space was sealed, she would've unhesitatingly used the Great Teleportation Talisman!

"That disciple of the Sword Lord runs decisively," said Yuanjun coolly. "Aren't you acting? Leaving her to handle this?"

Though that disciple of the Sword Lord fled decisively, Elder Lingzu could easily stop her if she wished.

"If she's interested, let her go," said Ning Ruo, equally calm.

She didn't stop her because someone had already pursued Chi Jiuyu.

The two stood at the very center of the furnace explosion, surrounded by boundless searing flame waves capable of melting iron and gold—yet they suffered not the slightest effect.

"Then I'll act on this one."

"Mm."

Their exchange lasted only the briefest instant; seeing Ning Ruo give a slight nod, Yuanjun stepped forward immediately.

Hss~!

The roaring flame waves, which had illuminated half the sky and continued spreading outward, instantly reversed and collapsed inward.

Again, only the briefest instant passed—and the sky's firelight vanished entirely.

With one step down, Ye Zhiwei's speed plummeted abruptly.

Strangely, her aura still glowed as brightly as before; the Qi-Controlling Divine Travel Talisman and the Divine Mechanism Gen-3 Speed Module were still fully active—but her speed kept slowing…

In just a few steps, Yuanjun reached Ye Zhiwei's vicinity.

…

…

Meanwhile, a thread of sword light raced forward, arriving at the edge of the safe zone.

Inside the sword light was Chi Jiuyu, looking shaken.

That nearly scared the fish out of me!

The pursuers were Elder Lingzu and Yuanjun!

They didn't even pretend anymore—could I possibly beat them?!

It is said that those who recognize the times are heroes; she, Chi Jiuyu, considers herself one!

Back in Xuanjian City, I fought a fellow-level senior aunt—and I couldn't even block a single sword strike!

Even if Elder Lingzu and Xiang Yuanjun aren't as strong as that senior aunt, they're certainly not someone like me, a mere youngster, to dare bump into!

So, the instant she saw them, she decisively ran away!

Of course, as a righteous sword cultivator, she still notified Xiao Ye before fleeing.

I wonder if she can survive this ordeal…

Sigh~

Clever Yu has fled; slow-witted Xiao Ye naturally has no choice but to stay and take the front line.

The world is full of prodigies, but not everyone has my peerless perceptiveness!

What can I do? After all, I'm the Sword Sovereign's personal first disciple, the Elder Lingzu's favorite nephew, the youngest Soul Transformation in history, and the number one prodigy across all realms!

Hmm…

Perhaps I can add one more: from my same-level…

No!

Successfully escaping from the attacks of Elder Lingzu and Xiang Yuanjun!

As she drew closer to the safety zone, her tension eased, and she began to daydream.

【Warning! You will be attacked by a same-level pursuer!】

The Tai Xuan Immortal Net popped up another warning.

"Idiotic system! I'm almost there!" Chi Jiuyu grumbled.

She had reached the edge of the safety zone—just two seconds away.

From where Xiang Yuanjun and Elder Lingzu appeared to here was nearly a thousand li, yet she crossed it in less than ten seconds.

And this was even with space sealed and her Tai Xu Sword Dash suppressed.

The Tai Xuan Realm is an interstellar cultivation era; any cultivator above Golden Core who doesn't know at least one method to break space and teleport is outdated!

Soon, as the sword light was about to cross the boundary and enter the safety zone—

The sword light suddenly veered off, shooting toward the other side.

Huh?!

"What the hell are you doing?!" Chi Jiuyu stared blankly and immediately demanded an answer from her soul-bound sword.

Hummm~

The emerald-gold longsword sent her a thought.

"I'd like to ask you what you're doing!"

I'm just a sword! In sword-light transformation, the control is yours, isn't it?!

"..."

What the hell is going on?!

Just as both woman and sword were baffled, the sword light slowed and descended.

Looking around, she saw thousands of exotic flowers blooming in rivalry, ten thousand auspicious grasses evergreen, branches drooping with spirit fruits amid colorful auroras.

A grove of purple-gold bamboo, its fruits fragrant, its scent pleasing.

In this dreamlike scene, resembling a paradise, stood a woman clad in a crimson long gown, breathtakingly elegant, every gesture radiating irresistible charm.

She was now smiling faintly at her.

But the three glaring blood-red characters hovering above her head made Chi Jiuyu's heart shiver.

"Elder…?"

"Guess."

⊙﹏⊙∥?

The scenery here was abnormal for the Xuanxiang Realm, and she and her soul-bound sword had come here against their will.

Combined with the earlier appearance of Xiang Yuanjun and Elder Lingzu, this woman must be another elder of the same rank!

Among the Founders of the Qidaxian Sect, most have known appearances, but one sect's Founder remains utterly mysterious…

In conclusion!

"Chi Jiuyu bows before… Master Mei Zu!"

"You guessed right," Master Mei Zu smiled sweetly. "Too bad there's no reward."

"I don't want a reward—just let me go!"

"No."

Good, good!

This disciple of the Sword Sovereign is indeed interesting.

"..." After two seconds of silence, Chi Jiuyu's mind raced, "Considering I'm the senior aunt's favorite nephew, can't you at least spare me?"

The senior aunt visited the Hehuan Sect just recently.

If you say they're not connected, she'd die before believing it!

Add in the earlier appearances of Elder Lingzu and Xiang Yuanjun…

There's only one truth!

"Hmm… you've given me quite a dilemma," Master Mei Zu seemed genuinely troubled, then looked at her again. "Still no. After all, your master often bullies me."

Her master often bullies Master Mei Zu?

Very likely!

After all, her master really is quite temperamental.

「……」

There's no choice!

「Please, Elder, take action! 」

Since we can't avoid it, then fight!

「How about this: if you can last three seconds, this attack is over. 」 Master Mei Zu smiled faintly, a thread of red light flickering at her fingertip.

「Really? 」

「Of course it's true. 」

「Then come on! 」

Just three seconds? She, the mighty Nine Fish Old Ancestor, the number one prodigy of all heavens and myriad worlds, could she not even hold out for three seconds?!

Hum~!

Amidst a clear, ringing sword cry, Chi Jiuyu struck first!

…………

Besides Ye Zhiwei and Chi Jiuyu, who wanted to test the so-called 「pursuers, 」 there were naturally others who did the same.

In a continuous mountain range beyond a Blood Fruit Field under the jurisdiction of Tianling Sect.

Blood qi surged like a pillar of war smoke, overwhelming the heavens; its flow roared like the Great River rushing forward, booming and shaking, raising terrifying heat waves that scorched all directions.

Boom!

The mountain range trembled!

A towering man, nearly three meters tall, his muscular frame twisted like coiled dragons, eyes filled with bloodshot veins, was flung backward and slammed into the mountainside.

Like a meteor striking earth, visible warping shockwaves shattered several great mountains; everything around was flattened, leaving a bottomless, deep pit in the ground!

In an instant, the mountain range became a canyon!

Above the blood-drenched sky, a young man in black robes and black hair stepped through the air.

Each step was calm and unhurried; not a trace of blood qi rose around him.

Under the terrifying blood qi that stained the heavens, he ought to have been utterly inconspicuous.

Yet as he advanced with the bearing of a dragon and tiger, his overwhelming, tyrannical aura blazed boundlessly, pushing aside all things, leaving no room in the cosmos — each step seemed to shake the entire world.

Tyrant Lord!

「Again! 」

A roar echoed from the bottomless canyon!

In an instant, crimson blood qi erupted from within, scorching the surrounding ground into cracks, warping the air.

Boom!

Like a red meteor flying upward.

Within the scorching blood qi stood the massive man, his eyes blood-red; his already exaggerated frame had swollen another circle, his five fingers spread wide enough to crush the Tyrant Lord in his grasp.

His name was Qiu Zheng, fifty-seven years old, one of the strongest among this year's Xian Sect Grand Competition.

Though still only at the early stage of Soul Transformation, he had deliberately suppressed his power — his combat strength utterly crushed Chi Jiuyu, the Xiao Zhao siblings, and newcomers like Ye Zhiwei.

「Blood qi fills the body, judgment lost. 」 the Tyrant Lord commented.

In simple terms, he'd lost his head.

But fortunately, he still retained a sliver of reason, knowing not to use 「spiritual attacks. 」

「One punch left. 」

With a quiet word, the Tyrant Lord clenched his five fingers.

A fist imprint, utterly fierce and overwhelmingly powerful, slowly ignited.

……

……

Meanwhile.

Outside a 【Petal City】 of Canglan Jiangong.

Cen Qingqing, of Ling Yin Fang, a contemporary of Longxiang Qingtianzong's Qiu Zheng, gazed at the cold, sword-wielding figure before her.

A pure yet violent killing intent pressed upon her heart, making her soul feel frozen in place.

Sword Lord Elder?!

Are you serious? The pursuer is our Ancestor?!

This is just a Xian Sect Grand Competition!

Cen Qingqing deeply regretted why she had dared to test the pursuer's strength.

Why not just kill the 【Petal City】's mayor and run?

「Are you ready? 」

The cold voice made her shiver.

「Y-yes, ready! 」

The Sword Lord Elder said that if she could endure one sword strike, this attack would be over.

With so many trump cards prepared, she should be able to… withstand… evade it, right?

The sword intent grew stronger; her confidence dwindled further.

「Watch out. 」

The moment the voice reached her ear, a blade formed of moonlight traced a graceful arc — a streak of Bai Mang burst before her, carrying a chilling, lethal intent.

Her thoughts seemed to freeze at that instant!

……

……

On the other side, outside a 【Washing Sword City】 of the Canglan Jiangong.

Xu Xing held a crimson longsword formed from a single thread of Moon Shadow's sword intent.

As for why it was Moon Shadow…

After all, sword cultivators must respect their life-sword—how could they casually use another sword?

Even though Sister's Moon Feather usually cowers before her, she's very firm on this point.

Setting aside this small detour.

Before Xu Xing stood a cultivator who had perfected the Huanhuan Sect's "Self" Supreme Legacy—the very one defeated by Zhao Ruoming in the last tournament.

Gulp~

He nervously swallowed his saliva.

Looking at those three glaring blood-red characters, Yan Mu felt his hand… no!

His entire body was shaking.

Just now, when he realized something was wrong and tried to flee, he was immediately pulled back by a single thread of sword qi.

Sword… Master Jianzu?!

What the hell!

This is just a Xian Sect grand competition!

Why did even the legendary Master Jianzu show up?

"Take one of my swords, and this attack will be considered settled, how about it?" Xu Xing smiled.

Take a sword strike from the Master Jianzu?

How do these characters form a sentence?

Do I have a choice but to agree?

Yan Mu wanted to cry.

Even if all those chasing him were Ancestors, the one he'd run into was surely the "jackpot," right? (End of Chapter)