Chapter 74: The Fugitive Ancestor and the Guardian Sword Ancestor

Foundation Establishment Comprehensive Service Center, Room Nine for Cultivation via the Collection Method.

The anomalous phenomenon in the sky did not affect the third step of the Collection Method; Zhang Yunlu sat cross-legged in the center, her long hair lifted by the heat.

Golden-red light shimmered beneath her pale skin, making her appear from afar like the legendary Golden Body.

Zhang Yunlu, immersed in the final stage of the Collection Method, was among the very few who had not yet noticed the sky’s anomaly.

She exhaled—a wave of scorching heat surged, raising the temperature of the entire cultivation chamber.

Slowly opening her eyes, a vast violet radiance flashed and vanished.

High risk, high reward.

Upon completing the final stage of the Collection Method, she harnessed the purest strand of violet qi from the ferocious Yang Sun Essence to elevate the Purple Bastion Observing Qi Method to perfect completion.

To cultivate a technique during the most dangerous stage of the Collection Method.

If others learned of her actions, they would surely call her a “madwoman.”

【The Third Trial Is About to Begin】

【Location: Moonshadow Secret Realm】

Golden characters appeared before her, then slowly faded away.

“Congratulations. You have completed the third stage of the Collection Method.”

The staff member approached with a smile, holding out an ice-blue elixir—the Cold Marrow Pill.

Like the previous Yang Sun Pill, it was meant to neutralize the side effects of the Collection Method.

“Would you like me to feed it to you?”

“No need.”

Zhang Yunlu reached out, took the Cold Marrow Pill, swallowed it whole; a chilling coolness spread through her body, and the burning pain in every part of her began to fade.

“What is your decision regarding my previous proposal?”

That is, joining the Sword Sect.

Even among Immortal Sect disciples, most are merely external-material Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“Given your current condition, if you choose to join the Sword Sect, after passing the entrance trial, the sect will provide you with a Divine Essence for Foundation Establishment.”

Divine Essence…

She seemed to have no shortage of it.

Zhang Yunlu looked up at the sky: “Could we wait until after the third trial?”

Third trial? The staff member froze.

You’re at Qi Refining Ninth Layer and made it to the third trial?!

Online, people had already analyzed the rules of the second trial.

Even if opponents grow stronger, high-rank cultivators still hold the advantage.

“Of course. Wishing you great success in the third trial.”

Zhang Yunlu lowered her head and murmured, “Thank you.”

…………

Chi Jiuyu pedaled her tricycle like the wind.

The neighborhood security guard, seeing it was her, raised the barrier from afar—he had grown accustomed to this human-powered tricycle coming and going these past days.

“Thanks!”

As her voice reached his ears, the tricycle had already sped into the compound.

Rich people’s hobbies are so strange—they actually enjoy pedaling tricycles.

He walked into the guard booth, placed his phone on the desk, where the screen showed a slender woman in a white shirt, short skirt, black fishnet stockings, and gold-rimmed glasses.

The background was precisely the secret realm now hovering above Xuanjian City.

Clearly, this was a Hehuan Sect seducer cashing in on the trend.

He’d happened to see her during an outing recently, so…

Oh well, security work is boring—you’ve got to find some entertainment!

At this moment, Chi Jiuyu had arrived at the villa.

After stowing her tricycle, she used the array’s core to open a passage.

She opened the door, kicked off her shoes at the entrance, and ran inside barefoot.

“Auntie! Auntie!”

“Stop shouting,” Xu Xing sat on the sofa. “Someone might think you’re summoning a spirit.”

“I’ve delivered the item, but honestly, Auntie, you moved too fast,” Chi Jiuyu leapt onto the high-backed sofa to Xu Xing’s right and plopped down. “I’d barely just delivered it when you’d already conjured the secret realm.”

“And guess who I met on the way?” “Who?” Xu Xing played along.

“Little Yunlu—the one I gave advice to! She’s already reached the third stage of the Collection Method!”

“Progress is indeed impressive,” Xu Xing nodded slightly.

“By the way, Auntie, you’ve already summoned the secret realm—when are you planning to start?”

“Tomorrow.”

Huh?!

So when you said “not long,” you meant tomorrow? Tomorrow already? That means we’re returning to the sect right away! (⊙o⊙)!

In that moment, she felt a death star shining above her head—a tiny yellow duck waving a whip…

Sss~ Chi Jiuyu shook her head vigorously, as if to fling out all the chaotic thoughts.

She calmed herself: “Auntie, do I have anything to do tomorrow?”

“No.”

If this were merely a simple trial, Xu Xing wouldn’t mind letting Chi Jiuyu go in and torment the trial participants.

But now there were other plans—he couldn’t allow it.

Someone like her, truly worthy of the title “Heavenly Prodigy,” would be targeted immediately.

“Oh…”

Chi Jiuyu looked disappointed.

After all, the trial seemed kind of fun.

“After this trial ends, we return to the sect. Think about how you’ll handle your senior sister.”

“…”

Here it comes again!

My dead memories are attacking me again—the death star is flashing!

She steadied herself and said seriously: “Actually, Auntie, while I was out delivering your item, I also brought you a gift.”

“A gift?”

What trick is this one planning? Chi Jiuyu jumped off the sofa, walked up to Xu Xing, and with mysterious hands, pulled something from behind her back.

“This one!”

A small yellow duck keychain with an angry expression; when shaken slightly, its face instantly changed to a pout.

Xu Xing’s expression turned peculiar: “You’re trying to bribe me with this?”

“How can you call it bribery? You upgraded my sword, so I’m just giving you a return gift.”

Xu Xing looked at her; she blinked.

“Fine. Since that’s how you see it, I’ll accept it.”

“Then what about Master…”

“Didn’t you just say it was a return gift?”

“It’s just a return gift, Auntie, don’t overthink it,” Chi Jiuyu grinned. “Then I’ll head to my room!”

“Go ahead.”

She dashed upstairs and slammed her bedroom door shut with a bang.

Probably… off to argue online again?

“What scheme is she cooking up?”

Should I calculate it? Xu Xing dismissed the thought—understanding all matters through such means would be dreadfully dull.

He took a photo with his phone, preparing to send it to his senior sister.

But when he opened the messaging app and saw his senior sister’s avatar, he suddenly understood.

Fugitive Ancestor: “Senior Sister, your little disciple gave me a gift.”

Fugitive Ancestor: “/image”

Fugitive Ancestor: “And I think she’s got another one ready.”

The reply came quickly.

Guardian Sword Ancestor: “Looks nice. But I can take the gift and then whip her.”

Of course, escape was impossible.

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(End of Chapter)