Chapter 522: Only Believes What One Wishes to Believe

Obsessive people believe only what they want to believe.

Even if evidence is laid before her, she will only think it's something you fabricated.

Yin Zhihe is exactly like this now.

Even after seeing the "Mu Ling Yang Wu Jing," she merely paused for a moment, then:

"The selfless, holy 'Tai' Ancestor transformed into the starry sky to benefit all beings, yet you humans, like maggots, parasitize the stars—ungrateful, and now fabricating heretical arts to slander."

"I hate it! Why was my former self a member of this vile, selfish human race!"

"Why! I am not from the Cang race!"

She screamed wildly, tears streaming down her face, her demeanor like that of a madwoman.

Even though she knew struggling only tightened the bindings, she kept struggling anyway.

"Thief! Maggot!"

"Hahaha! You vile, immortal old bastards, perverting the Dao, blind to the true path—you will surely face the retribution you deserve!"

By the end, her voice was hoarse and broken, echoing endlessly through the void.

"Enough." Xu Xing shook his head slightly, gazing farther away. "Comrade, since she came from Jishi Valley, I leave her to you."

What use is it to reverse her beliefs if she remains this way?

"Mm."

A flicker of flame slipped silently forward, engulfing Yin Zhihe entirely, shrinking her into an infinitesimal point.

Her curses ceased abruptly.

Then, the flame flicker vanished into the abyss, disappearing without a trace.

The only fate awaiting her is "Complete Soul Annihilation."

"It seems future disciple selections must place greater emphasis on 'character.'" Xiang Yuanjun sighed.

"Mm." Xu Xing watched the causal calamity net gradually contract and vanish. "Just inform the sect masters afterward."

Coincidentally, the Xiang Jianzong's special recruitment examination is coming soon.

Mentioning it now, and deciding the exact arrangements…

That's for the sect masters to consider.

"By the way, where have you traveled recently?" Xu Xing asked casually.

"Still within the sect—I haven't returned in a long time, so I needed to stay awhile and take a proper look, but I'll be leaving soon."

Here, Xiang Yuanjun's lips curled into a faint smile.

"Shall my next stop be the Xiang Jianzong?"

"If you come, I welcome you gladly."

"I fear the Sword Sovereign won't welcome you."

"… " Xu Xing sighed helplessly. "Sister won't."

"Heh."

Xiang Yuanjun's gaze passed over Xu Xing, looking behind him.

Though the void was empty, she felt a gaze fixed upon her.

"I'm leaving."

"Mm."

With those words, Xiang Yuanjun's figure vanished without a trace.

Xu Xing looked toward the distance, his thoughts turning to Xuan's earlier words.

The first one to attain the Dao was… Gu?

Everything Xuan showed, everything Gu showed—never once had he considered this possibility.

The next moment, Xu Xing's figure also vanished into thin air.

…

…

Southern Star Region, Fu Ling Star System, Gui Ling Thirty-Seventh Planetary System.

Seventh planet.

On the scarred surface, Chi Jiuyu absorbed the medicinal power and slowly opened his eyes.

"Huh~"

As he exhaled a wisp of stale air, a figure stood before him.

Hunched, long beard hanging down.

Covered in pale yellow fur, clad in a red robe embroidered with gold, drooping ears—overall resembling a fusion of cat and rabbit.

Yet now he looked utterly disheveled, even his cane broken and splintered.

It was the alien Xuan Realm cultivator, Chang Yao.

Sensing Chi Jiuyu's meditation complete, he hurried forward with a forced smile.

"Immortal Envoy, have you finished your meditation?"

Chi Jiuyu gave him a strange look:

"You're putting on quite the act."

"Immortal Envoy, you jest—this old man truly isn't a match for that beast!" Chang Yao grimaced.

But not so easily that he was instantly obliterated.

"… "

Whatever, he was too lazy to expose him.

Avoiding misfortune and seeking good fortune is the instinct of every living being; this fellow has no blood tie to her, so asking him to risk his life for her is truly too much…

Too much to ask of a cat!

The blue-gold longsword: "…"

Has the Master truly evolved?

She couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment.

Actually, she loved the feeling of pointing out the Master's mistakes and helping her solve problems.

Only then would she feel like a useful, powerful sword!

Chi Jiuyu didn't overthink it; he rose from the ground and gazed at the distant devastation…

Sss~

This incident must also be written up as a mission report.

Thinking this, his gaze shifted to Changyao:

"You help me…"

"My lord, speak! I would die a thousand deaths for you!" Changyao said solemnly.

"Never mind, I'll write it myself."

The last one was just a half-hearted excuse; this one is a mission summary report—don't do it that way again.

Anyway, there's still time before returning; I can write it slowly aboard the starship.

Changyao wanted to say more, but remembering what had just happened, he held his tongue.

More action invites more mistakes; better not make unnecessary moves.

"By the way, did my senior brothers leave?"

"I'm not sure. When I woke from my coma, I saw only you, my lord."

He actually knew—he had heard with his own ears how the Zhenjun of Fu Ling was taken away by that terrifying Master of the Seven Emotions Sword, said to be seeking a great figure named Li Yuangeng.

But he'd rather die than say it. After all, the Zhenjun of Fu Ling was his direct superior!

"Bah, you don't need to fear—after what happened, he might not even stay as guardian of the Fu Ling Star System anymore…" Chi Jiuyu said carelessly.

But when he turned back, he found Changyao staring at the ground, looking utterly cowed, as if he hadn't heard a word.

"Alright, alright, I won't say more."

Though this fellow does overact a bit, he's been respectful all along—no need to say things that would make him uncomfortable.

I, Hehuan Laozu, have slain hundreds of millions of alien races, slaughtered many planets, and exterminated several alien civilizations.

But I've always been reasonable, okay?

Hearing this, Changyao exhaled in relief and bowed again.

"Thank you, my lord."

Nodding, Chi Jiuyu turned her gaze to the sky.

Looking out, not a single wisp of cloud could be seen—utterly clear.

"How many are still alive in this star system?"

Even in her prime, her divine sense couldn't have scanned the entire star system, let alone now, in her depleted state.

Changyao paused: "My lord, wait a moment."

Then, he directly extended his divine sense to sweep across the entire star system.

After carefully confirming twice, he respectfully said:

"Less than one-tenth."

"Less than one-tenth…"

Since Seventh Senior Brother acted, he certainly didn't kill the wrong ones.

That means, in such a short time, nine-tenths of the alien races were infected by the scales of the Dao-Bing phantom beast.

This infection efficiency is far more extreme than that of a biological weapon core.

Her thoughts flashed like lightning.

"Enough! My mission ends here. Go back on your own."

Chi Jiuyu withdrew her gaze:

"No matter what you originally intended, it seems you won't be able to accomplish it now."

As she spoke, swordlight surged around her, forming a radiant beam that fully enveloped her.

Boom!

A streak of swordlight shot into the high sky and vanished.

"Humbly see off my lord."

Though she was already far away, Changyao still bowed deeply.

After a long while, he straightened up and looked toward the nearby ruins that had once been Wang Cheng.

What a sudden disaster…

A moment's greed led to this situation—no telling whether that vile beast, if it could know, would regret it…

'Master…'

He kept turning those two words over in his mind.

To his former self, the Zhenjun of Fu Ling was the highest being he could conceive.

Or rather, though he knew there were stronger beings above the Zhenjun of Fu Ling, he had no clear concept of them.

But after today's events…

And also, what Chi Jiuyu just said—that the Zhenjun of Fu Ling might be replaced…

I don't know whether it's true or not.

Sigh~

If it's true, perhaps this could be an opportunity to increase my influence within the Council.

But if it's fake…

Acting rashly could easily bring disaster upon myself.

Given just how he behaved, and the things that Seven Emotions Sword Master said, this Fu Ling Zhenjun isn't exactly a magnanimous person.

"Let's wait and observe…"

In any case, though I was tricked into coming to the Thirty-Seventh Planet System of Guiling and getting involved in something I shouldn't have,

in a way, it's turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

…

…

Outside the Thirty-Seventh Planet System of Guiling, Star Route, Transit Space Station

A blade of light suddenly appeared, halting outside the space station.

As the blade of light dissipated, a figure emerged.

It was Chi Jiuyu.

After retrieving her identity jade tablet and verifying her identity, the device blocking her path floated forward to guide her.

As ripples like water spread out, she entered the interior of the space station's array.

Temperature, humidity, oxygen concentration, and all other environmental factors became identical to those of the most habitable planet.

Soon, flying across the vast platform, Chi Jiuyu followed the guiding device to where her starship was docked.

Beep!

The device stopped beside her, its screen lighting up.

【Repair Cost This Time: 158746.5 Spirit Coins】

Chi Jiuyu quickly scanned the invoice.

Repair of the leap drive's spirit energy circuitry, plus repainting the hull, plus armor repair…

Totaling…

'158746.53'

She hadn't even calculated it yet when a string of numbers was spiritually transmitted into her mind.

"Yu Yu~ Master!"

Chi Jiuyu blinked. My sentient sword is a bit too impressive…

"Good job! You're almost catching up to me!"

She praised her sentient sword first, then stored it in the Moonshadow Secret Realm, and turned a grim face toward the device before her.

They only rounded down by 0.03 Spirit Coins—what a stingy bastard!

After mentally grumbling:

"I need to claim reimbursement!"

She's currently on a mission, so of course she claims it through the sect's account—fifteen thousand Spirit Coins! She's just a poor fisher, not some fairy like Xiao Zhao!

By the way, to facilitate sect members on external missions who need to claim expenses anytime,

the Xiang Jianzong—or rather, the Qidaxian Sect—long ago perfected its online services.

Within any star region under the Qidaxian Sect's jurisdiction, reimbursement procedures can be handled directly.

Of course, audits will still be conducted later.

If you falsely claim expenses, you'll be forced to repay them and penalized with contribution points! (End of Chapter)