Chapter 97: Sword Sovereign

High above the Central Continent, there were countless blade-like, biting gale winds and raging, violent thunder; the materials of the vast majority of starships could not withstand them.

On top of that, the laws of the Central Continent were strict, and the built-in jump functions of starships simply could not be used.

So at this point, the Star-Sky Jump Grand Array came into use.

Through the grand array, a cultivator's starship could easily cross the gale winds and thunder, heading out into the starry sky.

Information about the Star-Sky Jump Grand Array surfaced in Zhang Yunlu's mind.

When she was in class at school, the teacher had once briefly mentioned it; she had found it rather interesting at the time, so she had made a special trip to the library to look it up.

But then again… Chi Jiuyu was indeed Chi Jiuyu — she actually owned a starship as well.

Because of the emergence of coating technology and various new technologies, the manufacturing cost of starships was much lower than that of flying magic artifacts from the ancient era.

But even so, a thing like a starship was still not something an ordinary cultivator could afford.

The three of them entered the mountain gate.

After walking forward for a stretch, they saw several disciples wearing the Xiang Jianzong's outer-sect uniforms checking tickets at the ticket checkpoint.

The line was very long; some people were constantly taking photos with their phones, clearly tourists from out of town.

Should they go buy tickets and line up first?

The moment that thought crossed Zhang Yunlu's mind, she had already been pulled by Chi Jiuyu toward the side.

"Come, let's go this way."

A Xiang Jianzong disciple returning to the sect naturally did not need to line up.

The two arrived before an arched, gray metal passage; Chi Jiuyu took out the purple jade token representing her identity and inserted it into a slot.

Beep!

【Identity Authentication Successful】

【Hello, welcome back to the sect!】

Amid the cold mechanical voice, Chi Jiuyu once again pulled her into the gray metal passage.

"Actually it's just a bit of a hassle entering from the ground; if you choose to enter by sword-flight, you can just go straight in — the formation will automatically identify your identity."

"Later I'll take you to handle the sect-entry procedures." Saying this, Chi Jiuyu turned to look at Zhang Yunlu. "Right, after you join the Xiang Jianzong, you can find some people to form a small team to go on missions together, but on my end I still suggest you just find a fairly reliable small team to join."

"Mm?"

"How about you just join my 'Future Sect Leader Alliance' team."

That's your real goal, isn't it!

Future Sect Leader Alliance…

"You want to be sect leader?"

"Eh, you saw right through me." Chi Jiuyu said in a 'surprised' tone.

Zhang Yunlu: "…"

It would be strange if she couldn't see through that.

The two walked out of the passage at this point, arriving at the foot of a mountain, which was also the place for handling new disciple entry procedures.

No matter who you were or how high your cultivation, you had to register here first and handle the entry procedures.

"How about it — you support me now, and once I become sect leader in the future, I'll make you the Hall Master of the Sword-Wielding Hall!"

"You haven't even drawn the first stroke of the character and you're already sketching the whole pie." Xu Xing appeared beside the two of them. "Besides, the sect leader doesn't have that much power either — to directly appoint the Hall Master of the Sword-Wielding Hall."

Being exposed, Chi Jiuyu did not feel embarrassed.

"Anyway, once Little Yunlu grows up, with that principle she comprehended, it'd be a waste if she didn't become the Hall Master of the Sword-Wielding Hall!"

"Alright, I'll join." Zhang Yunlu said.

It wasn't for the sake of becoming Hall Master of the Sword-Wielding Hall.

Rather, she had already decided to work hard in Chi Jiuyu's direction, and staying by her side was naturally the best option.

"Mm! Good eye — from today on, you're the second-in-command of our 'Future Sect Leader Alliance'." Chi Jiuyu gave a thumbs-up.

So basically your team is just you alone, huh.

Xu Xing gave a slight shake of his head.

"Let's go, first come with me to see Ye Shijie."

Chi Jiuyu paused, then turned around, in a solemn and earnest tone: "Martial Uncle, you go ahead first; I still need to take Little Yunlu to handle the sect-entry procedures."

"That won't be necessary — I've already arranged for someone."

Mm? Just then a streak of sword-light fell from the sky, landing in front of the few people.

As the sword-light vanished, an immortal-feeling, Dao-boned elder wearing a purple-gold long robe, with an ethereal and transcendent air, appeared before them.

"Greetings, Martial Ancestor." The elder bowed in salute.

Seeing this person, a hint of displeasure immediately appeared in Chi Jiuyu's eyes.

Xu Xing gave a slight nod: "I need to go see Ye Shijie first; I'll leave this side to you."

"Please rest assured, Martial Ancestor."

"Let's go, Jiuyu."

"Wait a moment, Martial Uncle, I still—" Chi Jiuyu only managed to leave half a sentence before she vanished along with Xu Xing.

After the two left, the immortal-feeling, Dao-boned elder smiled, looking very gentle.

Emm…

Or rather, it should be said as kindly.

"Follow me."

"Yes."

Zhang Yunlu hurriedly followed.

The two of them walked up the mountain path, one ahead of the other.

"Let me introduce myself. I'm Du Ruoheng."

Du Ruoheng…? That name sounds familiar…

I remember now!

Du Ruoheng — isn't that the name of the current Xiang Jianzong's Sect Master!

"Junior…"

"Ah, don't rush to address me like that." Du Ruoheng raised a hand to stop her, then took out a phone. "Do you usually go online?"

"Mm, I do."

"Then let's add each other as friends first."

"Okay…"

Zhang Yunlu took out her phone and added the Xiang Jianzong's Sect Master as a friend, only to see that his online name was — 'Xiang Jianzong's True Sect Master'! Zhang Yunlu's expression turned complicated.

Seeing her expression, Du Ruoheng's heart also grew a little complicated.

After quite a while, Du Ruoheng finally spoke, breaking the silence.

"Don't feel too pressured. The purpose of my trip this time is to meet the Ancestral Master."

As the Xiang Jianzong's Sect Master, with the Ancestor returning to the Sect, he naturally had to come welcome her and confirm the situation.

And along the way, take a look at the junior this Ancestral Master had brought back.

Mainly to see whether she might become the next Junior Martial Uncle.

Judging by what he'd seen so far, it seemed all right.

…………

The Xiang Jianzong's Inner Gate — that was the continent floating above the Outer Gate.

The very center looked much like the Outer Gate: ranges of mountains hidden within mist formed by spiritual energy, and these mountain ranges were the core region of the Inner Gate.

Several auras, nearly as eternal as the primordial ages, illuminated a region of hundreds of millions of miles; among them, one aura appeared especially powerful, even surpassing the sum of the rest.

A majestic, blazing will hung high in the heavens, piercing through past and present, sweeping across the nine skies.

Most of the cultivators still within the Sect at the Dao Merging realm and above resided here.

The two tallest mountains stood side by side; their peaks had been sliced off mid-air, replaced by a grand palace.

Every Xiang Jianzong disciple knew that was the residence of the Xiang Jianzong and the Sword Sovereign.

However, the Xiang Jianzong had long not returned to the Sect, so his residence had remained sealed.

Before the Sword Sovereign's great hall, two figures appeared out of thin air; there were no guards or sentries around them — after all, that would be meaningless.

"Let's go." Xu Xing walked into the hall.

Chi Jiuyu's expression was calm as she followed behind Xu Xing.

She was now a proper Yu.

The great hall was utterly quiet, brightly lit.

Tap! Tap! The two sets of footsteps echoed through the great hall.

Soon, the two arrived at a spacious, bright martial arena; around them stood stone pillars burning with firelight, and on the innermost wall was an enormous character: 'Sword.'

A single person sat at the center of the arena.

She wore a moon-white plain robe, draped in a layer of a light gauze of a dark cyan hue patterned with bamboo; her jet-black long hair cascaded down like a waterfall, gathered up with an elegant jade hairpin.

Her brows and eyes were like a painting, her gaze clear; beneath her straight nose bridge, her lips were of a pale, elegant color, unadorned with rouge or powder, appearing all the more aloof and refined.

The Sword Sovereign — Bie Xuening!

Seeing Xu Xing, a faint ripple rose in her clear eyes.

Xu Xing also prepared to step forward.

However, before either Xu Xing or the Sword Sovereign could speak, Chi Jiuyu stepped forward, her expression calm.

"Master, I have already brought Martial Uncle back, so this disciple will take her leave first."

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There will be another chapter in a bit.

Everyone should also pay more attention to keeping warm — catching a cold really is miserable. (End of this chapter)