Chapter 97

High above the Central Continent, countless razor-sharp Gangfeng and violent, raging thunderstorms render the material of most starships incapable of withstanding them.

Moreover, the Central Continent’s legal restrictions render the starship’s built-in jump function completely unusable.

Thus, the Star Jump Array must be used at this time.

Through the array, cultivators’ starships can effortlessly cross the Gangfeng and thunderstorms to reach the starry void.

Zhang Yunlu’s mind surfaced data regarding the Star Jump Array.

During school lessons, her teacher had briefly mentioned it once; she found it interesting and specifically checked the library for details.

But… Chi Jiuyu was no ordinary Chi Jiuyu—he actually owned a starship.

Due to advances in coating technology and various emerging technologies, the cost of manufacturing starships had dropped dramatically compared to ancient flying magical artifacts.

Yet even so, starships remained beyond the means of ordinary cultivators.

The three entered the mountain gate.

After walking a short distance, they saw several disciples dressed in the Outer Sect uniform of the Sword Sect checking tickets at the entrance.

The queue was long; some held phones, constantly taking photos—clearly tourists from afar.

Should we go buy tickets and wait in line?

The moment Zhang Yunlu thought this, she was already being pulled aside by Chi Jiuyu.

“Come, let’s go this way.”

Sword Sect disciples returning home naturally don’t wait in line.

The two arrived before an arched, gray metal corridor; Chi Jiuyu pulled out a purple jade tablet representing her identity and inserted it into a slot.

Beep!

【Identity verification successful】

【Welcome back to the sect!】

In the cold mechanical voice, Chi Jiuyu pulled her into the gray metal corridor.

“It’s only inconvenient to enter from the ground—if you choose to ride your sword in, you can just walk right through; the array automatically recognizes your identity.”

“I’ll take you to complete your sect enrollment later.” Chi Jiuyu turned to look at Zhang Yunlu. “By the way, after you join the Sword Sect, you can gather people to form a small team for missions—but I still recommend you join an established, reliable team.”

“Hm?”

“Why don’t you join my ‘Future Sect Master Alliance’ team?”

That’s your real goal, isn’t it!

Future Sect Master Alliance…

“You want to be sect master?”

“Hey, you figured that out already?” Chi Jiuyu feigned surprise.

Zhang Yunlu: “...”

It’d be strange if you didn’t notice.

The two exited the corridor and reached the foot of a mountain—the very place where new disciples register for enrollment.

Whoever you are, no matter your cultivation base, you must first register here and complete enrollment procedures.

“How about it? Support me now, and when I become sect master, I’ll make you head of the Sword-Bearing Hall!”

"You haven't even drawn the first stroke of the eight-character inscription yet, and you're already making promises," Xu Xing appeared beside them. "Besides, the sect master doesn't have that much authority to directly appoint the head of the Sword-Bearing Hall."

Chi Jiuyu felt no embarrassment at being exposed.

“Once little Yunlu grows up, with the principle she’s cultivated, it’d be a waste if she didn’t become head of the Sword-Bearing Hall!”

“Fine, I’ll join.” Zhang Yunlu said.

It wasn’t for the position of Sword-Bearing Hall head.

She had already decided to strive toward Chi Jiuyu’s direction—being by her side was naturally best.

“Excellent! Good eye. From today on, you’re my ‘Future Sect Master Alliance’s’ number two.” Chi Jiuyu gave a thumbs-up.

So your team’s just you, then?

Xu Xing shook his head slightly.

“Come, let’s go meet my senior sister first.”

Chi Jiuyu paused, then turned around with a serious, earnest tone: “Senior Uncle, you go ahead—I still need to take little Yunlu to complete her enrollment.”

“No need. I’ve already arranged someone.”

Hm? A blade of light descended from the sky, landing before them.

As the blade of light vanished, an elderly man appeared before them—ethereal and transcendent, clad in purple-gold robes, his aura light and otherworldly.

“I pay my respects to my Ancestor.” The elder bowed deeply.

Seeing this man, Chi Jiuyu’s eyes immediately flickered with annoyance.

Xu Xing nodded slightly: “I must go meet my senior sister first—I leave this to you.”

“Ancestor, rest assured.”

“Come, Jiuyu.”

“Wait, Senior Uncle, I still—” Chi Jiuyu barely finished half her sentence before she and Xu Xing vanished.

After they left, the ethereal elder smiled, appearing gentle.

Hmm…

Better to say kind.

“Follow me.”

“Yes.”

Zhang Yunlu hurried to catch up.

The two walked up the mountain path, one behind the other.

“Let me introduce myself—I’m Du Ruoheng.”

Du Ruoheng…? That name sounds familiar…

I remember!

Du Ruoheng—wasn’t that the current Sword Sect sect master’s name!

“Your humble disciple…”

“Ah, don’t rush to say that.” Du Ruoheng waved his hand to stop her, then pulled out a phone. “Do you go online often?”

“Yes, I go online.”

“Then add me as a friend.”

“Okay…”

Zhang Yunlu pulled out her phone and added the Sword Sect sect master as a friend—only to see his username: “True Sect Master of the Sword Sect.” Zhang Yunlu’s expression grew complicated.

Du Ruoheng, seeing her expression, felt equally complicated.

After a long silence, Du Ruoheng finally spoke.

“Don’t feel too pressured—I’m here only to meet my Ancestor.”

As sect master, he naturally had to welcome the Ancestor’s return and confirm the situation.

He also wanted to take a look at the young disciple the Ancestor brought back.

Mostly, he wanted to see if she might become the next junior uncle.

So far, things seemed fine.

…………

The Sword Sect’s Inner Sect—the land floating above the Outer Sect.

The center resembled the Outer Sect: mountains hidden within mist formed by spiritual energy, these mountains forming the Inner Sect’s core region.

Several near-eternal auras illuminated millions of miles, one of them especially powerful—surpassing the combined strength of all others.

A magnificent, radiant will hung high in the heavens, piercing through past and present, purifying the nine heavens.

Most cultivators who had achieved Dao Union or higher resided here.

The two tallest mountains stood side by side, their peaks abruptly sheared off, replaced by a grand palace.

Every Sword Sect disciple knew: that was the residence of the Sword Ancestor and the Sword Sovereign.

But the Sword Ancestor had long been absent, so his residence remained sealed.

Before the Sword Sovereign’s palace, two figures appeared out of thin air—no guards or sentries surrounded them, for such measures would be meaningless.

“Come.” Xu Xing stepped into the palace.

Chi Jiuyu walked calmly behind him.

She was now properly quiet.

The palace was utterly silent, brightly lit.

Tap! Tap! Their footsteps echoed through the hall.

Soon, they reached a spacious, well-lit training ground, surrounded by stone pillars burning with flame; on the far wall, a massive character “ Jian ” loomed.

At the center of the training ground sat one person.

She wore a plain moon-white robe, draped with a light, black-bamboo-patterned gauze shawl; her long black hair cascaded like a waterfall, bound by a simple jade hairpin.

Her brows and eyes were painted as if by artistry, her gaze clear; beneath her straight nose, her lips were pale and natural, unadorned, exuding serene detachment.

The Sword Sovereign—Bie Xuening!

Seeing Xu Xing, her clear eyes rippled slightly.

Xu Xing prepared to step forward.

However, before Xu Xing and the Sword Sovereign could speak, Chi Jiu Yu stepped forward, his expression calm.

“Master, I’ve brought back your disciple and uncle. I’ll take my leave now.”

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There’s another chapter coming soon.

Everyone should also pay attention to staying warm—catching a cold is truly unpleasant. (End of chapter)