Chapter 471

Because he possessed the primordial divine ability Qianyuan Immortal Jade Qing Xuan Guang, Zhao Ruoming's injury recovery rate was far faster than that of other cultivators.

The moment his injuries were healed, he immediately began searching for Chi Jiuyu.

After all, this was the second-to-last round; each competitor was stronger than the last, and if he didn't act now, he'd truly lose any chance to reclaim his honor!

Fortunately, upon learning that Lin Changsheng had clashed with Wu Zhongfeng, he guessed Chi Jiuyu would surely go to watch.

The truth proved exactly as he had expected.

Although, in some ways, he was still a bit late…

But he had made it in time!

"Dog brother?" Chi Jiuyu turned his head to look.

"Chi Jiuyu! Dare you compete with me again!" The words he had held back for so long finally spilled out.

Zhao Ruoming felt the accumulated gloom in his heart vanish, and even his magic power flowed more smoothly.

Yet, just as he eagerly prepared to challenge Chi Jiuyu once more to reclaim his honor…

"Go play somewhere else!" Chi Jiuyu merely tossed off these words casually.

Then he merged with his swordlight and continued rushing toward the direction of the sword aura trace he sensed.

Go… play somewhere else?

As Zhao Ruoming stood frozen, the swordlight vanished completely from his sight.

"…"

Had he just been ignored?!

This…

This Chi Jiuyu…

Why…

After a long while, Zhao Ruoming finally snapped back to his senses, suppressed the churning emotions in his heart, and his gaze grew even more resolute.

No!

He must follow!

The Qing Xuan Guang flared again, ready to pursue.

Huh~!

A thread of true fire ignited in the void, interwoven with green and red; though impossibly thin, its terrifying heat made the Qing Xuan Guang sizzle and hiss, forcing it to halt abruptly.

Huh?!

Zhao Ruoming's entire body of Qing Xuan Guang trembled, and his form retreated backward along the sea surface as if sliding.

Only after putting sufficient distance between them did his eyes ignite with swirling Yin-Yang fish patterns, and he shouted sharply.

"Who?!"

Huh huh~!

The interwoven green and red true fire coalesced into the tall, slender silhouette of a human form.

As the firelight slowly faded, a woman appeared upon the sea surface—tall ponytail bound, masked, eyes one green and one red—

Ye Zhiwei!

Zhao Ruoming's guarded expression froze; this was something he had never anticipated!

How could this sudden figure be Ye Zhiwei's older sister?!

Before he could speak, Ye Zhiwei spoke first: "Fight."

She slowly raised her right hand, and a cluster of green flame rose, dancing continuously in her palm.

Uh…

Why start fighting right away?

If among all competitors he least wanted to fight anyone, it was Ye Zhiwei.

After all, she was Zhiwei's older sister…

"Can we not fight?"

"... Do you think the Grand Competition is child's play?"

After a slight shake of her head, Ye Zhiwei wasted no more words; she flicked her finger, and the green flame roared forth, transforming into a vast dragon charging toward Zhao Ruoming.

Roar!

Scales and claws clearly visible, every detail rendered, though formed of flame, it carried an ancient, sacred aura, lifelike and vivid.

Simulated Fire Art!

It was a battle technique she had specially developed for this competition, combining creation art with her own cultivated fire art.

In her vision, this technique would eventually allow her to simulate all methods of the world from the flame in her palm, without losing the true essence of fire art.

Similar in nature to the Self- Supreme Transmission of the Joyful Union Sect, yet fundamentally distinct in many ways.

Zing!

Beneath the dragon, a crimson blade of sharpness, infused with searing fire intent, slashed through the warped void.

It was modeled after Chi Jiuyu's sword aura, learned during their time together!

Ye Zhiwei's eyes reflected the crimson blade.

She had stolen some of her techniques, and since she regarded him as "older sister," emotionally and logically, she had to help him fend off this nuisance.

Unfortunately, during the Five Senses Xiancheng, the technique she unleashed involved the Four Symbols transformation—her current Simulated Fire Art could not replicate it.

Otherwise, she'd have had one more hidden card.

As for when Chi Jiuyu started regarding her as "older sister"…

Didn't she tacitly accept it back then, outside the safe zone?

……

……

Just like that, Chi Jiuyu continued to hunt down that contestant from the Supreme Dao Sect.

Locked on by sword intent, it shouldn't take long before a direct battle erupted.

Ye Zhiwei, meanwhile, had engaged Zhao Ruohan.

However, perhaps because he still had reservations about Ye Zhiwei being Zhiwei's elder sister, Zhao Ruohan's strikes were somewhat restrained.

And the result of doing so was that he nearly got burned to a crisp.

After suffering two small setbacks, he stopped hesitating and began fighting with full force!

But even after unleashing his innate divine ability, Qianyuan Immortal Yu Qing Xuan Guang, he could only match Ye Zhiwei's Imitation Fire Art evenly, unable to gain the slightest advantage.

Elsewhere, contestants had also begun fighting one another, but every clash had bogged down into a stalemate from the very start.

This situation was hardly surprising.

The contestants who had lasted until now all had something to them—Lin Changsheng's Void-Locking Sword Art, Chi Jiuyu's Four Symbols Annihilation, Zhao Ruohan's Spirit-Plant Puppets, and Ye Zhiwei's Imitation Fire Art…

All were trump cards that had been deeply hidden, rarely revealed before.

In this manner, another three hours passed.

It was time again for the precise coordinates to be displayed.

That Supreme Dao Sect contestant, seeing that he truly couldn't shake off Chi Jiuyu, finally stopped fleeing and instead led him into a remote stretch of wasteland.

Activating the various contingencies he had set up beforehand, he waited quietly on the spot, ready to settle things with Chi Jiuyu once and for all!

Occupying every geographical advantage, and having cultivated at the Soul Transformation realm several years longer than Chi Jiuyu…

This battle should give him a ninety-three percent chance of victory!

Though it was still a bit low, this was the most favorable condition he could manufacture at present!

…………

Just as the contestants were gradually engaging one another, each revealing their trump cards in life-and-death struggles.

Under the joint will of several Return-to-Void cultivators, the righteous and demonic factions of the Xuanxiang Realm quickly gathered all the pathfinder consumables they had planned.

From Soul Transformation at the top down to mortals at the bottom, totaling a million.

Moreover, the second batch of pathfinder consumables was already being prepared.

At the highest point of the Tianling Sect.

Amid the dense clouds of spiritual energy, aside from several Return-to-Void cultivators, there were now also a few Soul Transformation cultivators present.

They stood neatly in a row, holding a spirit jade tray above their heads with both hands, their expressions reverent.

Within the jade trays rested wondrous objects such as seven-colored luminous pearls, five-hued jade vases, and dual-qi treasure bottles.

If anyone could see past the exterior, they would see the dense swarms of human figures gathered within.

From ordinary people who had never entered the Dao, to Qi Refining cultivators, to the usually lofty Nascent Soul cultivators—all were now contained within a single vessel.

"Reporting to the Immortal Lord: one hundred thousand mortals of excellent aptitude, five thousand Qi Refining consumables…"

The Soul Transformation cultivator holding the jade tray reported respectfully the number of people contained within the vessels, along with their cultivation realms.

At the head of the gathering, seated upon a cloud platform beside Xuan Xing, stood a man clad in a crimson Daoist robe.

The gazes cast his way from time to time by the Return-to-Void cultivators below made his scalp prickle.

What on earth is that damned old ghost Xuan Xing trying to do?!

But he failed to notice that whenever those Return-to-Void cultivators looked at him and stirred thoughts within their minds, their expressions would shift, as if they had discovered something unbelievable.

Yet all of their various reactions were taken in completely by Xuan Xing.

It seems that Mu Yong's peculiarity has an effect on the other Return-to-Void cultivators as well.

That old ghost Xuan Xing isn't just targeting me alone…

He felt a slight measure of consolation in his heart.

But soon after, something felt off again.

Clearly, he himself was Xuan Xing's foremost direct disciple!

Damn that old ghost Xuan Xing!

emm…

In a certain sense, this could be considered a worthy inheritance.

Very soon—in fact, not even a minute.

The Soul Transformation cultivator below holding the spirit jade tray finished reporting the number of pathfinder consumables and their realms.

Yet he still stood reverently in place, not daring to make the slightest movement.

"Very good." Xuan Xing nodded slightly. "This matter has been handled well."

"It is our duty!" the Soul Transformation cultivators said in unison.

Xuan Xing, however, did not look at them again. Instead, he swept his gaze across the Return-to-Void cultivators on either side and said with a light laugh:

"Fellow Daoists, let us set out now."

All the Return-to-Void cultivators, because of what had just occurred when they looked at Mu Yong, now wore exceptionally unsightly expressions.

In the end, it was the Return-to-Void cultivator Xuan Xing had previously saved who rose first: "We shall obey your instructions, Daoist brother."

"Good!" Xuan Xing nodded slightly.

Then, with a sweep of his wide sleeves, the Soul Transformation cultivators in the field, along with the Bai Yu tray they held high above their heads, and Mu Yong at his side, all vanished.

"Hmph!"

The Return-to-Void cultivator from the Tianji Palace snorted coldly and likewise vanished; the remaining Return-to-Void cultivators, seeing this, followed as well.

Yet the Return-to-Void cultivator in the purple palace skirt, her curves enchantingly alluring, before departing, raised her hand and flicked a wisp of purple light downward.

……

……

Mu Yong felt his vision blur, as if countless scenes shifted before him.

After an unknown length of time, when his vision cleared again, what lay before him was a vast, lonely void, utterly lifeless.

In the distance were nine constantly rotating bronze celestial globes, their six interwoven orbital rings manifesting infinite information.

Merely glancing at them from afar, he felt the myriad forms of life, each image transforming into boundless data, surging wildly into his mind.

Xuanxiang Celestial Tracks?!

Mu Yong's heart jolted; he quickly averted his gaze, yet still felt his head swollen and throbbing, as if filled with several massive blocks of lead.

Even his thoughts had slowed immeasurably!

His Current Realm was not even enough to face the Xuanxiang Celestial Tracks directly…

'What is Xuan Xing the old ghost trying to accomplish by bringing so many Return-to-Void cultivators—and me—here?'

A thousand heavy hammers pounded inside his mind, yet Mu Yong still struggled to ponder Xuan Xing's purpose.

'Disciple…' A gentle voice sounded beside his ear.

It felt like a cool stream washing away the leaden dross from his spiritual platform; his entire body was cleansed, and all discomfort vanished.

He lifted his head, gazing at Xuan Xing beside him: 'Master, what is this…?'

'The great transformation about to engulf the world stems from beings far beyond our imagination, lurking behind the Soul Transformation cultivators from beyond the heavens,' Xuan Xing said softly. 'To preserve our world in the coming upheaval, we must harness the power of the Celestial Tracks forged by our Master.'

Beings behind the Soul Transformation cultivators from beyond the heavens?

Harness the power of the Celestial Tracks?

Mu Yong's mind brimmed with confusion, yet he blurted out: 'For our world! I offer to you, Master, the cultivation scripture I have comprehended—the Mu Ling Yang Wu Hua Cang Zhen Jing!'

…

Xuan Xing's eyes flickered slightly; sensing the signs of his cultivation base draining again, he cursed inwardly once more.

Damn that Xuan Qi old ghost—why won't he offer it to me voluntarily?!

'You are the one our Master chose. Though I am his direct disciple, I lack the fortune.'

As soon as he spoke, the draining cultivation stabilized once more.

Damn that Xuan Qi old ghost! x2

This time, Mu Yong was cursing too.

Chosen?

Doesn't that mean he's going to possess me?!

'What should I do?'

Now, he was certain his so-called 'reincarnation' was nothing but a false memory fabricated by Xuan Qi the old ghost.

'The million materials gathered here are all for your pathfinding—how you arrange them is entirely up to you.'

Since everyone knows the consequence of forcibly breaching the Celestial Tracks is being refined by them, only a fool would risk it.

Xuan Qi the old ghost values Mu Yong, doesn't he?

Perfect—I'll help push him forward.

The best outcome would be me using Mu Yong to fully seize control of the Xuanxiang Celestial Tracks, to confront those beings behind the Soul Transformation cultivators from beyond the heavens.

At worst, if Mu Yong is refined by the Celestial Tracks, I've removed an unpredictable variable—no loss.

If he truly could wield the Celestial Tracks while still at Qi Refining stage…

Impossible!

At this thought, his mind halted; he turned to look at Mu Yong with solemn gravity:

'After all… our Master chose you…'

With a sweep of his sleeve, the Soul Transformation cultivators holding the spirit-jade trays appeared before him, bewildered.

Xuan Xing gestured, drawing forth the luminous pearl, jade vase, and the Two-Qi Jade Vial, placing them before Mu Yong.

'Go. I will also lend you my aid.'

Mu Yong: '…'

Even now, many things still eluded him.

But he clearly understood his situation—no matter how unwilling he felt, he had no choice but to follow Xuan Xing's instructions.

He reached out and gathered the items containing the million materials, then took a deep breath.

He looked toward the distant Xuanxiang Celestial Tracks—and indeed, he was no longer affected by them.

He stepped forward; though nothing lay beneath his feet, he walked as if on solid ground.

Thus, Mu Yong, clutching the luminous pearl and jade vase, took step after step toward the distant Celestial Tracks.

Yet after only a few steps, his resentment grew heavier and heavier.

Damn it!

I'm going to die anyway!

'F*** this thing!'

With that long-suppressed curse spoken aloud, Mu Yong felt a surge of relief—and without hesitation, strode boldly toward the Xuanxiang Celestial Tracks.

As for Xuan Xing, he was stunned by this sudden outburst.

At that moment, the other Return-to-Void cultivators also heard Mu Yong's curse and glanced at him with strange expressions.

Sensing those odd stares, Xuan Xing's temper flared—but the signs of his cultivation draining forced him to suppress his anger.

He immediately pointed at one Soul Transformation cultivator: 'You! Follow him. Do exactly what he does!'

The Soul Transformation cultivator he pointed at was utterly bewildered.

But looking at Xuan Xing, they dared not harbor even a trace of resentment, and turned to follow Mu Yong.

"Cough! Cough!" The Tianji Palace's Fan Xu finally spoke. "Brother Dao, you ought to explain to us now."

Yet at this moment, they were unaware.

At the location of the nine Six-Stage Bronze Hun Tian Yi, the Immortals were watching them. (End of Chapter)