Chapter 457: Dog Brothers

After replying to Mu Yong with a single line.

The steward no longer paid him any attention and began his usual spiel of gratitude toward the sect's nurturing and the holy virtue of Ancestor Ancestor Xuan Qi.

In his heart, though, he was quietly shaking his head.

Sprout-rank disciples were the sect's property—'new sprouts' that needed careful tending.

Apart from having a portion of their cultivation drawn off each day by the Xuanxiang Heavenly Mechanism, they didn't need to pay the sect any extra fees.

The drawback was that they had no autonomy whatsoever and had to obey every arrangement the sect issued.

That was also why plenty of Sprout-rank disciples, even after saving up enough spiritual power to buy their own freedom, still kept their Sprout-rank identity.

But once they became Leaf-rank disciples, they'd enjoy a certain degree of autonomy.

When the sect issued tasks, it also had to take a Leaf-rank disciple's own wishes into account and attach appropriate rewards.

Of course, the price for that… Leaf-rank disciples had to hand over each month resources equal to one-twentieth of their total cultivation as fees for spiritual energy circulation, sect maintenance, and the like.

After all, the sect gave you techniques, gave you chances to earn resources—shouldn't you repay the sect?

If you don't have enough resources, then pay with flesh and blood, cultivation, even your divine soul.

Don't think the sect is exploiting you.

This is to spur you on, to push you into becoming a more useful immortal cultivator.

If you don't believe it, go out and ask—across the entire Xuanxiang Realm, among every righteous or demonic sect, which one offers such generous conditions?

And so he droned on at length.

"Gratitude for Ancestor Ancestor Xuan Qi's holy virtue!" the steward declared loudly.

All the Sprout-rank disciples, Mu Yong included, channeled their spiritual power and shouted in unison: "Gratitude for Ancestor Ancestor Xuan Qi's holy virtue!"

Their voices surged like a great tide, magnificent and imposing.

Seeing this, the steward nodded in satisfaction, flicked his sleeve, turned, and left.

Sprout-rank disciples' benefits were excellent.

But ever since those brazen Soul Transformation cultivators had appeared recently—

To avoid being sent off to 'contribute' to the sect, many Sprout-rank disciples had been racking their brains trying to shed their 'sect property' status and become Leaf-rank disciples.

If you won't go and he won't go, are we supposed to let the Immortal Sovereigns, Immortal Monarchs, Nascent Soul elders, and this old man go face those Soul Transformation cultivators?!

Hmph!

Absolutely no spirit of dedication at all!

Emm…

Still, just keep feeding new sprouts in like this isn't a solution either.

This batch of new sprouts only numbers so many, and a portion of them have already been signed to spiritual contracts by those few outer-gate elders and can't be touched…

Looks like I'll have to discuss it with those bastards, convince the elders to recruit another batch of new sprouts as soon as possible.

Otherwise when there aren't enough Sprout-rank disciples to use, I'll get dragged off to be cannon fodder myself…

Cough, cough!

Although leaving the sect isn't bad either, staying within the sect is ultimately a broader horizon, after all!

Muttering to himself, the steward strode off.

He quickly vanished from the sight of the many Sprout-rank disciples.

'Damn it!'

The paper in Mu Yong's hand recording this mission's data was crumpled viciously in his grip.

'This situation is definitely serious!'

He'd assumed it was just some Soul Transformation cultivators causing trouble—dangerous, sure, but with the Return-to-Void Immortal Sovereigns around, it would surely be quelled soon.

But now…

The sect's stewards weren't even approving Sprout-rank disciples' promotions.

This was uncontracted new sprouts turning into exploitable workhorses—something everyone would be happy to see!

From this, it was clear those suddenly appearing Soul Transformation cultivators were no simple matter.

Crap!

His thoughts churned, his expression growing uglier by the moment.

But just as he turned to leave, pondering his next move, a figure suddenly appeared before him.

He looked up and saw a young man with a face like polished jade, smiling without warmth as he stared at him.

"Junior Brother Mu, impressive indeed—to have saved up enough spiritual power to promote to Leaf-rank so quickly. Truly remarkable…"

As he spoke, several more figures closed in around him.

The newcomer was named Cheng Miao, a Sprout-rank disciple who'd entered the sect alongside him.

He had a few petty tricks, so among the Sprout-rank disciples he'd pulled together a little clique and extorted 'protection fees' from the others through threats and intimidation.

Many Sprout-rank disciples didn't understand the sect rules and hadn't learned any techniques or martial arts; seeing Cheng Miao's clique had numbers on their side, they obediently paid up.

He'd never bothered Mu Yong before, so Mu Yong couldn't be bothered with him either.

"Get lost!"

Right now Mu Yong's head was full of those suddenly appearing Soul Transformation cultivators, and he was even less willing to tangle with them.

Cheng Miao, who'd been yelled at by Mu Yong, froze for a beat; once he caught himself, his entire face flushed scarlet.

"You—!"

Seeing every Sprout-rank disciple present turn to look, Cheng Miao, unable to save face, immediately raised his hand high, spiritual power weaving between his fingers.

But Mu Yong didn't back down at all: "You f**king piece of s**t! You trying to assault sect property?!"

That single line made Cheng Miao's motion freeze—the hand he'd raised high didn't dare come down.

"**Tch! Damn it***! Don't dare to fight me and yet you put on an act here! ***...!"

Already in a foul mood, Mu Yong seized on Cheng Miao and started cursing him out, a steady stream of 'fragrant bird-talk' pouring out without pause, stunning everyone around them.

Some disciples who had been forced to pay protection fees felt secretly gleeful in their hearts.

"Shut up—!"

"Shut your **! You motherf— took the new sprouts' spiritual power, maliciously embezzled sect assets! Did you report it to Zhanglutang? Did you pay the fine!"

This kind of matter belonged to the 'could manage it, could leave it alone' category; what it feared most was being dragged out into the open.

Cheng Miao panicked completely.

He had only meant to give this guy a show of force, but the fellow had stubbornly gone off and 'blew up' at him directly.

Zhanglutang — that was a place that swallowed people whole without spitting out the bones!

"I'll make you shut up!"

Panic-stricken, he reached out toward Mu Yong, intending to clamp a hand over his mouth.

However, just as his hand was about to touch Mu Yong.

Whooosh~!

Surging black-green mist appeared without warning; at first it was only a fist-sized clump, but in an instant it blotted out the sky and filled all four directions.

Hee-hee!

A ghost face with gaudy makeup giggled within the mist, then in an instant shifted to a sobbing, mournful wail that made the hairs on one's heart stand on end.

Faintly visible was a four-cornered lantern radiating green light, within which seemed to lurk mountains of corpses and seas of blood…

But all these strange phenomena lasted only a few minutes.

In another blink, the black-green mist that had just filled all four directions vanished completely, taking with it Cheng Miao and the members of his little clique.

Only Mu Yong remained standing where he was, brows tightly furrowed.

As that black-green mist dispersed, a soft laugh drifted through his mind.

"Little fellow, once the mission is done, come to my Zhanglutang."

……

……

Elsewhere.

With the third safe-zone update, the contestants' usable area shrank once again.

Already holding six points, Lin Changsheng — the strongest in the Soul Transformation bracket — found another body cultivator.

Even though there was an age gap between them, and the Scales of Time had weakened his strength somewhat, and he had also suffered 'mental attacks'.

It did not affect the battle much; he defeated the opponent without expending much state, and his points rose by one more.

However, the body cultivator's 'mental attack' was truly formidable; after the fight, Lin Changsheng stayed where he was and cursed up a storm for half an hour…

At first it was aimed at just one person, then gradually escalated to the whole group…

Ahem!

In any case, from then on Lin Changsheng's points reached seven, leading second place by two.

And so, to leave no regrets.

He took stock of his current supplies, confirmed that even if he were half-dead he could recover quickly, and then chose to charge out beyond the safe zone.

He simply couldn't accept it without trying.

Moreover, there were rumors that the pursuers outside the safe zone were at a level one could handle with ease — at most getting a slightly dirty hem.

Then, full of anticipation, he ran into Ba Zun…

One could only say the scene was extremely brutal.

One must know that when it came to 'damaging the outer appearance without harming the inside', Ba Zun was truly a grandmaster-level figure.

The highest point of the Mysterious Manifest Realm.

"This really is…"

Between the nine six-tiered bronze armillary spheres, Xu Xing, who had witnessed this scene, broke into a rueful laugh.

Who said grandmasters had no temper?

Grandmasters could be awfully petty!

"Setting aside the first punch as a test, the rest was pure beating." Xiang Yuanjun also shook his head slightly.

Of course, with Daoist Ba Zun's methods.

He guaranteed that the subsequent several hundred punches would not harm the inside in the slightest — all 'flesh wounds' — and would not affect the upcoming grand competition at all.

"But it's already the third round, and there are still quite a few juniors going out to try." Xu Xing's gaze drifted elsewhere.

Besides Lin Changsheng, there were also some others who had left the safe zone to probe.

It was almost the 'final circle' already, yet so many people were still being this reckless.

"All credit goes to Jiu Yu." Ning Ruo said with a light laugh.

That rumor of 'handle with ease, hem slightly dirty' had spread only because she was too proud to lose face.

As for those who had already left the safe zone and knew exactly who the so-called 'pursuers' were… they were even less likely to step forward and clear things up.

Better for everyone to share the misfortune than to suffer it alone.

Moreover, this was a supreme opportunity personally bestowed by the grandmaster; if their words caused others to miss such an opportunity, how regrettable that would be!

Just as the three were talking, a voice suddenly came from behind them.

"Junior brother."

Xu Xing paused and turned to look.

The arrivals were none other than Bie Xuening and Master Mei Zu.

"Senior sister." Xu Xing replied.

Bie Xuening nodded slightly, cast a faint glance at Xiang Yuanjun and Ning Ruo, then walked over.

Master Mei Zu followed her step by step.

Yet she said nothing, only smiled at Xu Xing with deep implication.

Xu Xing: "..."

Just as the two arrived, several more figures gradually emerged from the void—

It was Ba Zun, Hong Zun, Dan Zu, and others.

The end is near; the incarnations of all Immortals have gathered on the Xuanxiang Celestial Track.

Their qi signatures were vastly different, each unique; they lowered their eyes to gaze upon the entire Xuanxiang Realm, observing every competitor.

Mm.

The sect leaders of the Gedaxian Sect and the chairman of the Righteous Alliance, watching from outside, also saw this profoundly dignified scene.

The Ancestors truly possess peerless elegance!

………

Canglan Jiangong.

The sky was clear, the sea vast; blue waves churned.

Fine ripples shattered into countless silver flakes against the rocks.

Beneath the surface swam only fish the size of palms, yet far below, vast and small gray-white bones piled up, appearing terrifying.

This was an abandoned 【Nourishing Sword Sea】; Canglan Jiangong used special methods to fuse humans, fish, and sea beasts into one.

After cultivating such half-human, half-beast entities to a certain stage, they harnessed human spirits and the vast blood qi of sea beasts to mass-nourish sword embryos.

But because the spiritual vein here dispersed during the last large-scale nourishment, it was abandoned.

And because this place was extremely remote, few ever came.

Yet now, two figures stood facing each other above the sea.

One's expression was grim—Chi Jiuyu, spurred by the rankings, had been roaming everywhere searching for other competitors.

But where could one find them so easily?

After wandering for a long time, she nearly suffered an ambush in one of Canglan Jiangong's Washing Sword Cities…

Of course, she narrowly escaped thanks to her Tongming Sword Heart's warning and her own rich combat experience.

Opposite Chi Jiuyu, Yan Mu's expression carried a hint of awkwardness.

He'd tried to ambush her—and got caught…

How could he not be embarrassed!

"Ahem!" Yan Mu cleared his throat, then said seriously, "We don't need to fight to the death. What about cooperating?"

He had recognized Chi Jiuyu.

She had defeated Zhao Ruoming in the last Xian Sect Grand Competition—the personal disciple of the Sword Master Ancestor.

He himself had lost to Zhao Ruoming in the last competition.

Though after Soul Transformation, things might not be the same…

"I won't cooperate with some old schemer like you!"

Chi Jiuyu refused outright; her green-gold long sword shimmered with radiant light, emitting a chorus of sword howls.

She had nearly been ambushed by this guy.

And on top of that, he was from the Hehuan Sect.

Her aunt had just gone to seek out Master Mei Zu; as her master's most loyal senior disciple!

And earlier, outside the safe zone, Master Mei Zu…

In short, whether for her master or for herself, she must kill him today!

Yan Mu was somewhat helpless.

His ideal opponent was Zhao Ruoming, but Chi Jiuyu clearly wouldn't let him go…

Then fight!

Hss—

He took a deep breath, stared intently at Chi Jiuyu across from him, and his qi surged.

"I humbly request your guidance."

His Wugou Primordial Spirit trembled; in his palm, threads of Qianyuan Immortal Jade Qing Xuan Guang ignited.

Suddenly!

Wum—

A pure, extreme killing intent spread through the void; a blindingly white, flawless sword light, capable of overturning the entire sea, roared toward him.

The violent edge pierced his Wugou Primordial Spirit with needle-like stings!

Yan Mu's heart tightened; he dared not slacken for a moment.

"Stabilize!"

The Qing Xuan Guang in his palm blazed brighter; he pressed downward, through the void, toward the violent, pure sword light!

Boom!

Boom—boom—

The blinding light nearly drowned everything; the entire sea seemed split open, towering waves blotting out sky and sun, and nearby uninhabited islets appeared ready to capsize beneath the furious, monstrous surges!

"Try another one of my swords!"

Amidst the roaring, trembling air of ten thousand hectares, Chi Jiuyu moved like a dragon through the sea.

As his five fingers closed, the Four Symbols swirled, and in a millionth of a breath, an infinite void of utter annihilation emerged, striking straight at Yan Mu.

Your trump card should be used the moment you meet.

Those who slowly probe are idiots!

Fuck!

Is that even a sword?!

Yan Mu roared inwardly, his five fingers clenching lightly as the void trembled; faint five-colored qi spiraled around his palm, with a single point of Qianyuan Yuqing Immortal Light harmonizing at its center.

Mind governs the five qi; Immortal Light harmonizes them.

A fist imprint shaped like a five-colored light wheel clashed directly against Chi Jiuyu's "Shattered Four Symbols."

"Huh? Is that Brother Dog's primordial spiritual ability?" came a voice tinged with surprise. "So it's you, Brother Dog."

She beat Brother Dog into a dog, and Brother Dog beat him into a dog—doesn't that make him Brother Dog? (End of Chapter)