Chapter 71: To Fish for the Cang Clan

Mourn for Senior Sister.

Future Master of the Sword Sect: “Senior Sister, are you alright?”

After sending a message expressing her concern for Senior Sister, Chi Jiuyu sighed contentedly, exited the chat interface, sat up, and stretched.

Ding dong!

Another message arrived; she thought it was Senior Sister replying.

But when she checked the avatar, she realized it wasn’t Senior Sister—it was Master.

Hmm…

After hesitating for two seconds, she still tapped in.

My Most Revered Master: “When does the third trial begin?”

Future Master of the Sword Sect: “You know about it too? /Little Duck Shocked”

Immediately after sending it, she realized she’d asked a stupid question—Master was online, and both her Uncle and she were here; Master must be closely watching.

Future Master of the Sword Sect retracted a message.

Future Master of the Sword Sect: “Actually, I don’t know the exact time, but Uncle said it won’t be long now.”

My Most Revered Master: “Good.”

My Most Revered Master: “So are you ready? /Smile”

Future Master of the Sword Sect: “Ready for what? /Little Duck Confused”

My Most Revered Master: “Do you think pretending ignorance will help? /Smile”

“…”

Chi Jiuyu shivered, quietly exited the chat app, and put away her phone.

What nonsense is Master talking about? So scary.

“Now you’re afraid?” Xu Xing stepped out of the study, holding a sheet of paper. “Then why did you provoke Senior Sister before?”

“You don’t understand, Uncle.” Chi Jiuyu turned, knelt on the sofa, and hugged the backrest with both arms. “How could I let fear stop me?”

Let fear stop me?

“Isn’t that not how you use that phrase?”

“Oh come on, it’s close enough.” She glanced at what Xu Xing held. “What’s that?”

“I suddenly realized large events require local notification, so I looked up the format and drafted an application.”

Huh? “Uncle, are you bored out of your mind?” Chi Jiuyu blurted.

Xu Xing offered a polite, composed smile. “Jiuyu, would you like to experience a thirty-second round trip through the starry sky?”

Thirty seconds? In that short time, could I even survive?

Chi Jiuyu slid off the sofa, stepped aside, stood straight, and bowed a perfect ninety-degree bow, her voice loud and clear.

“Uncle, I’m sorry!”

This girl really knows how to bend and flex.

Xu Xing shook his head slightly. “I’ll let it slide this time.”

“Hehe!” Chi Jiuyu straightened up instantly, grinning. “By the way, Uncle, why did you even write this application?”

Who could stop you from doing what you want? “Rules are set. Why should I break them without cause?”

In most cases, Xu Xing still preferred to uphold the rules of this world.

“Besides, if everyone broke them, the Sword Sect’s rules would lose all meaning.”

Moreover, this event won’t be small—consider it giving the city mayor some time to prepare.

“Oh oh.” Chi Jiuyu nodded, half-understanding.

“Alright, next, you have a task.” The paper in Xu Xing’s hand glowed with spiritual light and floated before her. “Go deliver this.”

“Huh?” Chi Jiuyu blinked. “But Uncle, couldn’t you just drop it directly on the Chief of the Law Hall’s desk?”

Why make me run errands? “To get you out and about, so you won’t get bored and go provoking Senior Sister again.”

“I wouldn’t do that.” She still took the floating paper.

She was almost back at the sect—she wouldn’t add fuel to the fire. “But Uncle, I’m famous. What if someone recognizes me?”

They might even block me on the road for autographs.

Ahh~ Such is the burden of a genius.

“Since the Huanhuan Sect’s charm cultivator incident, has anyone recognized you?” Xu Xing said coolly. “Just go.”

Holy shit!

So that’s why.

No wonder every time she encountered Huanhuan Sect idiots trying to lure her in, they acted like they didn’t see her.

The problem was with Uncle all along!

…………

Shortly after Chi Jiuyu rode away on her broken tricycle.

Inside the secret realm.

The changes had stopped.

The raging tornadoes vanished.

The once-flat Tongxuan Grassland was gone; in its place, towering cliffs like blades carved by a sword pierced the heavens, as if ready to tear the sky apart.

But most striking was the vast canyon, stretching across the entire secret realm with no visible end, and the sword peak at its center, bound in chains.

Boom!

A dark red lightning bolt split the sky, illuminating the canyon floor, accompanied by a rustling sound.

Dozens upon dozens of grotesque, terrifying silver creatures emerged—so numerous they made one’s scalp tingle at a glance.

Their arms were long and straight, gleaming with cold light, like twin sharp swords.

They lay motionless at the canyon’s bottom, occasionally twitching slightly, emitting faint sounds, as if waiting for a signal to awaken.

Upon closer inspection, one could see their lower bodies were buried in the soil—or rather, grown from it.

“So this is it. Brother, you intend to use this secret realm as the venue for your third trial.”

A voice suddenly echoed within the realm.

On one of the chains stood a man, appearing without warning.

Zzz~ The crimson moon, as if stimulated, blazed brighter, its light rippling outward in dense, tangible waves.

Where the ripples passed, even mountains impervious to Chi Jiuyu’s attacks silently turned to dust and vanished.

“I was invited by Brother, not intruding intentionally.”

Huo pointed a finger—the terrifying vibrations ceased. The world seemed rewound: the mountain peaks reduced to dust slowly regrew, piece by piece.

“Brother, if you don’t appear soon, your sword will strike me.”

As he spoke, Xu Xing appeared beside him.

The crimson moon in the sky finally calmed.

“Brother, your sword qi is quite temperamental,” Huo chuckled.

“Let’s begin,” Xu Xing said coolly. “I’d like to see what tricks that old thing has to deal with you.”

“Indeed. I’m curious too.”

Huo gazed down at the vast canyon slicing through the entire realm.

As his gaze swept over them, the grotesque silver creatures changed—their sword-like arms tinged with an eerie purple, their blades adorned with intricate patterns.

Even the entire secret realm now carried an indescribable aura.

After finishing, Huo sighed. “I merely did it casually, yet it’s added complications to your trial. But that old thing’s urgency suggests something’s amiss.”

He was an apex being of the Cang Clan. Though his current power was limited, he remained formidable—subtle disguise was necessary.

“What’s the reason?” Xu Xing’s expression didn’t change. “Lure him out. Test him.”

Please collect, please follow! (End of chapter)