Chapter 469: Everyone Wants to Defect

The Supreme Dao Sect's old schemer—whoever believes him is an idiot!

Chi Jiuyu's mind was as clear as a mirror.

Sword cultivators, all of them, are just brute fools!

Seeing the long sword slashing toward him, feeling the chilling edge that made his soul tremble, the man couldn't help but curse inwardly.

This sword is strong, but not unmanageable—the outcome is still uncertain.

But if I truly engage Chi Jiuyu, and nearby competitors arrive, my position will turn dire.

In the span of shifting thoughts, he had already decided—and not even an instant had passed in the outside world.

Go!

Don't engage head-on!

Just as the chilling edge sliced through his protective wind-thunder barrier, his pre-planned backup was activated.

As a competent cautious cultivator, how could one not leave a backup before deciding?

Huh~

Ripples spread through the void, accompanied by a faint, drifting wisp of blue smoke, and his entire body transformed into a bead the size of a thumb, its surface etched with intricate golden patterns.

And yet, he vanished entirely, abruptly!

Zeng!

The chilling edge shot off into the distance, and the long sword wreathed in white radiance effortlessly split the bead open, the cut smooth as a mirror.

The golden patterns glowing on the bead's surface dimmed instantly, as if completely inert.

"That coward runs fast!" Chi Jiuyu gritted her teeth.

She whipped her long sword!

Boom!

The sky-covering dust froze for an instant, then was crushed down by the surging sword wind.

These Supreme Dao Sect old schemers are truly disgusting!

She glanced at the real-time map in the upper-right corner—the red dot that had been near her had suddenly jumped to another location.

But most of the red dots around her were still rushing toward this spot—they clearly intended to strike while the iron was hot!

Staying here any longer, my position will likely turn bad…

No!

I must do something!

Her thoughts flashed—her palm's long sword hummed, and Chi Jiuyu merged with the swordlight, becoming a streak of rainbow radiance as she shot toward the Supreme Dao Sect competitor who had tried to ambush her.

For now, the only option is to buy time and stir up chaos!

And the best way is to keep chasing that Supreme Dao Sect old schemer!

Seeing I'm still targeting him, those behind me will surely think of waiting to reap the benefits—they won't rush to act.

With so many heading in one direction, someone will inevitably strike first!

Once they start clashing among themselves, that's my best chance to escape this predicament!

Of course, this method carries great risk.

The simplest: I'm no match for that Supreme Dao Sect old schemer, and after a fight, I get eliminated…

Then I'll accept it!

…

…

Far away, beside a winding stream through a deep forest.

Clear water occasionally revealed one or two fish, each a thumb's length; fallen leaves scattered along the bank.

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the canopy, creating a pleasant scene.

Soon, as the void trembled, a figure silently materialized from nothingness, face blurred.

It was the Supreme Dao Sect competitor who had tried to ambush Chi Jiuyu.

Looking at the surroundings, he exhaled softly.

"Huh…"

If I hadn't prepared several backups in advance, I'd have been in serious trouble.

Too bad she didn't agree to cooperate.

Sword cultivators are just sword cultivators.

Otherwise, I could've used the excuse of teaming up with her to fight, then betrayed her once others arrived.

Maybe I could've gained a point…

Hmm…

Though doing so is a bit unethical.

But I covered my face, didn't I?

Besides, the plan didn't even succeed anyway.

"Time to go."

The real-time coordinates are still visible—staying here carries considerable risk.

Yet, before he could move,

A flicker in his peripheral vision showed a red dot on the real-time map hurtling toward him.

"Chi Jiuyu!"

Fuck!

This guy is like a stubborn plaster that won't come off!

Seeing the dense cluster of red dots trailing behind Chi Jiuyu, he felt a chill run up his scalp.

Lure the disaster eastward?

Destroy everything together?

Without hesitation, he activated his backup plan once more!

Huh~

Just as before, ripples spread across the void; his entire body vanished in a swirl of blue smoke, leaving only a pearl covered in golden patterns falling from the air.

It landed among fallen leaves, its surface patterns dimming.

Puff!

After a soft sound, it dispersed into fine dust and vanished among the leaves.

……

……

At the highest point of the Xuanxiang Realm, where the Xuanxiang Celestial Track resides.

By this round, no one would be foolish enough to stay outside the safe zone; the realm's incarnations naturally need not move.

Master Mei Zu drifted closer to Bie Xuening:

"Your second disciple was just eliminated, and your first disciple seems about to be eliminated too."

But Bie Xuening merely glanced at her calmly, then said softly: "It's time."

The fact that both of them have held out this long is already impressive.

Little Yunlu wasted many years in the past, so her foundation is weak; now she's barely keeping up with the average level.

Scoring five points in this grand competition is already quite good.

As for that rebellious disciple…

Though I've been strict with her normally, her talent, comprehension, and realm accumulation have no flaws whatsoever.

She's simply too young compared to the other competitors, so her depth is insufficient.

I never said so before because I feared she'd become too conceited.

"So, your disciple, you're actually quite satisfied with their performance, aren't you?" Master Mei Zu pressed on.

But Bie Xuening didn't answer, not even glancing at her.

"Soul Transformation…"

Xu Xing was also watching Chi Jiuyu chase after the Zhishixian Sect contestant, nodding slightly.

His decision in that critical moment was correct; though he's usually reckless, his mind works fast.

Still, his chances of escaping this predicament remain slim.

His foundation is still lacking.

Xu Xing didn't use any predictive abilities—after all, that would be completely meaningless.

Leaving some suspense is far more interesting.

This is merely his analysis based on the current situation.

'Let's see.'

The Soul Transformation realm is actually quite unique.

But ordinary cultivators, even ordinary members of the Xian Sect, needn't worry about such details—when the time comes, they simply break through.

Wasting years serves no purpose.

But among the Xian Sect disciples, the most core group is different.

For them, cultivation truly begins at this stage; each minor breakthrough must wait until pressure can no longer be compressed, only then can the possibility of merging with the Dao be maximized!

Thus, the time spent is extremely long.

After all, the next realm—Return to Void.

That is a level even in the Tai Xuan Realm called a "Great Cultivator," a being capable of standing alone.

In the Tai Xuan Realm, where true immortals dwell and hundreds of millions of humans populate the Central Continent and the stars, there are only three million Return to Void cultivators.

Those who merge with the Dao number less than one hundred thousand…

Speaking of which…

That youngling from the Orthodox Alliance was too greedy and reckless, leaving him now stuck—neither high nor low.

Even if he wishes to make up for it, it won't be accomplished overnight.

…………

Tianling Sect.

The District of the Inherited Dao Seed.

Spiritual peaks shrouded in mist, with intersecting rainbow bridges visible; noble phoenixes circled, dropping crimson auroras from their tail feathers.

On the steep and majestic spiritual peaks, divine light supports jade pavilions, grand and imposing.

Thick second-grade spiritual energy condensed into mist; auspicious grass stayed evergreen, rare flowers exuded fragrance; spirit trees with trunks carved like jade hung with several crimson red fruits.

Inside, a bronze crane incense burner exhaled blue smoke; twelve carved sandalwood screens filtered the heavenly light into fine golden flakes.

A man clad in crimson Dao robes sat cross-legged atop a dais formed from first-grade spiritual energy, breathing in and out; golden-red qi swirled like dragons at his nostrils, golden light faintly visible in his throat.

After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes; gold and red flickered briefly in his clear black-and-white gaze.

It was Mu Yong, the reborn identified by Xuan Xing and taken as a disciple!

"Qi Condensation Third Layer…"

Feeling the golden-red spiritual power flowing steadily within him, he couldn't help but feel helpless.

Previously, I was too worn out from constant travel to have peaceful days for cultivation, so my progress naturally couldn't accelerate.

Thus, even with my past-life experience, I was only at Qi Condensation Third Layer.

'If things continue like this, when will I ever gain the power to control my own fate?'

Thinking of this, I clenched my fists, but soon relaxed them again.

If your realm isn't sufficient, it simply isn't sufficient—no words can change that.

I just can't understand why that old devil Xuan Xing would take me as a disciple… after all, according to later records, given his nature, he should have erased me outright!

Could it be that some special reason prevents him from acting against me?

Or perhaps he still wants to extract more from me?

emm…

The former is unlikely.

That old devil Xuan Xing is a Return to Void elder—he could dispose of a mere Qi Condensation cultivator as easily as snapping a finger.

So… is it the latter?

But he's already read my memories—what else could he possibly covet from me now?

Mu Yong frowned, pondering for a long time, yet ultimately found no answer.

'Sigh~'

With a light sigh, Mu Yong rose from the Dao platform formed from First-Rank Spirit Energy, then walked across the velvet carpet woven from Spirit Silkworm silk and refined gold thread.

Arriving beside the cinnabar fruit tree, seemingly carved from jade, he reached out and plucked a crimson fruit.

He then continued forward, reaching the window.

The view here was exceptional—just one glance revealed all structures except the Ancestral Master's cave dwelling.

Crack!

He took a light bite of the crimson fruit in his hand.

The thin skin broke open, releasing sweet flesh saturated with potent Spirit Energy and a medicinal force that fortified the roots and strengthened the source, permeating his five viscera and six bowels.

As a Return to Void disciple, all his provisions matched those of a true Heavenly Spirit Sect inheritance seed, even exceeding them in specification.

But… he was utterly lacking the 'Xuan Xiang Script'!

Moreover, Xuan Xing forbade him from absorbing the cultivation of other sect disciples.

It seemed he wanted Mu Yong to cultivate step by step, without relying on external forces…

Step by step cultivation?!

At this thought, Mu Yong suddenly froze—he had just remembered something.

How could he have forgotten? That old devil Xuan Xing was the direct senior disciple of Xuan Qi!

Xuan Qi was the one who had transformed into the Heavenly Track, the original source of the 'Heavenly Track Spirit Absorption System'!

And in his past life, he had awakened the 'Pastoral Spirit, Nourish Myself, Transform to Azure True Scripture,' and only after confronting the truth of the Heavenly Track did he achieve 'rebirth.'

Instantly, a chilling suspicion struck him—

Perhaps his so-called 'rebirth' was entirely orchestrated by Xuan Qi, who had become the Heavenly Track, and all memories of his 'past life' were merely fabrications by him.

Although the 'Hao Ran Yan Yao Nourish Myself Xuan Gong' is a Return to Void technique, it was not beyond Xuan Qi's ability to deduce, given his nature of harvesting all life.

And his true purpose was to make me cultivate step by step.

Then, when the time was ripe, seize my body outright!

Yes!

It must be this way!

I must possess something Xuan Qi covets!

This perfectly explains why Xuan Xing didn't kill me, but instead took me as a disciple!

Fake!

All of it is fake!

Puff!

Mu Yong's expression shifted between dark and light; crimson juice dripped from his hand onto the ground.

'The Pastoral Spirit, Nourish Myself, Transform to Azure True Scripture…'

He kept recalling the contents of this scripture.

Boom!

The Spirit Energy within his body surged violently, then began flowing in reverse.

The scorching Spirit Energy churned through his meridians, as if transforming into an entirely new form of Spirit Energy, sending waves of excruciating pain through his body.

'Cough! Cough!'

Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth; Mu Yong's eyes were filled with shock.

As soon as he thought of it, the technique altered itself, attempting to replace his 'Yan Yao Spirit Energy' with 'Hua Cang Spirit Energy.'

…

…

At the highest point of the Heavenly Spirit Sect.

Xuan Xiang, the Return to Void elder, was observing Lin Changsheng and Wu Zhongfeng.

The female cultivator, clad in a purple palace gown with a seductive figure, her eyes shimmering, kept her gaze fixed on Lin Changsheng.

She had never seen such a powerful Soul Transformation cultivator!

As a dog…

Even if one must serve as a dog, one ought to choose such a master with boundless potential…

The two Return-to-Void cultivators of Canglan Jiangong also looked at Lin Changsheng, pondering in their hearts.

As fellow sword cultivators, they saw far more.

It was no exaggeration to say that though the sword intent was still immature, the ambition behind it far surpassed their own comprehension.

Movement merges with formlessness; freedom needs no dependence.

Riding upon things, the heart wanders free — as if a single sword could pierce through the secrets of heaven.

It also carried a trace of the Grand Void's vastness and boundlessness, the supreme formless intent — impossible to fathom, impossible to grasp.

Compared to it, the accumulated sword Dao heritage of Canglan Jiangong through the ages wasn't even fit to hold his shoes!

Perhaps only the half a sword move he had comprehended not long ago, by borrowing a fleeting glimpse of the Sword Dao Long River seen in a dazed thought, could be compared to it.

Supreme!

Supreme sword Dao heritage!

The two men's hearts surged with emotion, even feeling a touch of anxiety.

Would he be willing to take them on as 'sword slaves'?

The Return-to-Void cultivator of Blazing Hell Mo Sect, meanwhile, was looking at an alchemist from Jishi Valley, gazing at that fire art that scorched and illuminated the Great Thousand, also lost in thought.

Yuan Xing: "..."

These people — none of them are thinking of defecting, are they?

They haven't even formally met the existence behind those heaven-sent Soul Transformation cultivators yet!

Besides, it's not as if there's no way — the Heavenly Orbit transformed from Master still exists.

Since the Mysterious Forms Heavenly Orbit can distort the origin of spacetime and send that Mu Yong back, then by borrowing the power of the Heavenly Orbit, there might still be a slim chance of victory.

Master's peerless talent — to this very day he still looked up to him with boundless admiration.

"Fellow Daoists..."

He prepared to invite these few Return-to-Void cultivators together, to go see the current state of the Mysterious Forms Heavenly Orbit.

But he had only spoken half a sentence when his heart suddenly jolted — the omen of further loss of cultivation within his body.

His gaze swept across.

He discovered Mu Yong had left himself half-dead.

Damn!

That damned old ghost Yuan Qi! (End of Chapter)