Chapter 937: Wait for Me!

On a desolate hilltop, six figures fell in sequence, their faces marked by the relief of barely surviving.

"Finally out."

An Xian landed on the ground, then her legs buckled, and she collapsed with a thud.

A mighty Jiang-level cultivator, reduced to such a pitiful state—unthinkable if one had seen her in the mortal world.

An Xian gazed eastward, seeing nothing but an endless desert, like some uninhabited region in the western reaches of Daya.

Sparse vegetation, everything gray and yellow.

Even the distant, rolling mountains were barren, devoid of any sign of life.

Yet despite this, An Xian refused to look back!

She did not wish to see the strange stone pillars behind her.

"I know everyone is excited, but this is not the time to relax!" Meng Zhixuan spoke, assuming the role of leader. "The Sand River Children can burrow underground."

"We're still too close to the Stone Pillar Forest. We must keep moving east."

As one of the two team leaders, Meng Zhixuan indeed had the authority to say such things.

Yet several Yu Fu devotees turned their gazes toward Jiang Ruyi.

Meng Zhixuan also looked at the cold, aloof woman; even during their desperate flight, Jiang Ruyi showed no sign of disarray.

She remained composed and graceful, gently smoothing her long hair, every motion calm and elegant.

"Jiang shimei?" Meng Zhixuan's tone softened, gently reminding her.

Though he disliked her, he concealed it.

"Let us part ways here," Jiang Ruyi said softly.

These words left everyone stunned.

"What?" Meng Zhixuan was equally shocked. "Jiang shimei, what are you saying?"

Jiang Ruyi finally looked at Meng Zhixuan: "You've repeatedly ordered me around under the guise of being my senior—truly disheartening."

Meng Zhixuan's heart sank—he sensed trouble.

Earlier, when they fled the Stone Pillar Forest, though she had seized command of a squad, she had cooperated fully afterward.

But now—

Meng Zhixuan's face turned serious: "Shimei, the situation was dire. I acted only to save everyone's lives."

"So when giving orders, my tone may have been—"

Jiang Ruyi cut him off: "I'm higher in realm and wield a divine weapon—I do bear greater responsibility, and I've willingly helped the team through hardship."

"But it was I who charged ahead, I who held the rear, I who saved my senior sister's life."

"Each time, you dismissed all of it with a few words, constantly reminding everyone you're the leader, the decision-maker, taking all the credit for yourself."

Jiang Ruyi looked at Meng Zhixuan's shifting expression and said coolly: "Truly disheartening."

Meng Zhixuan feigned displeasure: "How can you think that way? You've disappointed me deeply. We're all trying to escape danger—"

Again, Jiang Ruyi interrupted him.

She stood with hands behind her back, her gaze sweeping over Meng Zhixuan and the man and woman behind him: "You may thank me now."

Meng Zhixuan's face froze.

The young woman's eyes turned icy, her aura fully unleashed.

Beside her, An Xian's heart jolted; she subtly shifted her stance to stand just behind and to Jiang Ruyi's right.

To Jiang Ruyi's left stood the middle-aged man who had come to report earlier—Song Yu.

Jiang Ruyi looked at the three before her: "We are all Yu Fu devotees. I may be your shimei, but I am not your subordinate, nor do I owe you anything."

"On the contrary, I am your savior."

"Now, you may thank me."

Each word made the two behind Meng Zhixuan flush with shame.

Jiang Ruyi was stronger and wielded a divine blade; they were comrades bound by life and death—she should bear greater responsibility.

This idea had always been what Meng Zhixuan drilled into them.

Wasn't it?

Whether right or wrong, it was never an excuse for the protected to take comfort.

"Jiang shimei, thank you for saving my life!" Yu Fu disciple Zhu Yuan clasped her hands together immediately.

"Deeply grateful," Zhang Zhenghu said, his face flushed but his voice sincere.

"Enough, shimei," Meng Zhixuan said at once. "I never meant to take your credit!"

"My methods were wrong—I was too hasty. Let's leave this place first, find somewhere safe, and talk properly."

With their lives at stake, Meng Zhixuan had no choice but to yield.

The danger of the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm far exceeded his expectations.

Jiang Ruyi was a blade he must hold—should he fail to control her, he must at least keep her by his side!

Make full use of what you have!

Jiang Ruyi suddenly smiled—but her exquisite face was hidden behind her veil: "I saw how Chu Tianyun died."

Meng Zhixuan's heart tightened: "It was an accident—no one wanted that to happen!"

"Huu!"

Eight golden jade talismans suddenly erupted from Jiang Ruyi's body.

Meng Zhixuan instinctively stepped back.

But the golden jade talismans circled past Song Yu and An Xian behind her, not touching them.

Once the Divine Art: Eight Golden Jade Talismans reached Jiang rank, the user could control them freely.

Meng Zhixuan immediately understood Jiang Ruyi's meaning, furious: "The situation was desperate! The Sand River Children appeared suddenly!"

"How can you suspect me of such malice?"

"We're comrades bound by life and death—I would never deliberately push Chu brother out!"

Jiang Ruyi spoke softly: "Instinctive actions reveal true nature."

Meng Zhixuan:!!!

He never imagined the quiet, reserved Jiang Ruyi could wield words so sharply!

One sentence nearly nailed him to the pillar of guilt!

Even the man and woman behind Meng Zhixuan now looked uneasy.

Before great danger, some rifts must be set aside.

Some things must be buried deep.

Besides, Meng Zhixuan's explanation was plausible—he had genuinely grieved after the crisis, not feigned.

Yet Jiang Ruyi seemed unmoved.

Jiang Ruyi locked eyes with Meng Zhixuan: "Leave."

"To be your teammate—someone who schemes for power, selfish and self-serving—"

Meng Zhixuan cut in: "This is nonsense! How dare you slander me?"

Jiang Ruyi acted as if she hadn't heard, adding: "I find it repulsive."

Meng Zhixuan roared, hand flying to his sword hilt: "Insolent!"

Jiang Ruyi showed no fear, still gazing coldly at him.

In her beautiful eyes, a faint hint of killing intent glimmered: "I won't kill you because we're both Yu Fu devotees, both here to fulfill Yu Fu's orders."

"Leave. This is my final warning."

Jiang Ruyi seemed impulsive—but this was a carefully considered decision.

Like everyone else, Jiang Ruyi carried a touch of arrogance.

That arrogance came from the mortal world.

In Daya, everyone present had been a great cultivator, revered by all.

Their power was simply too great—arrogance was inevitable.

But in the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm, these so-called Jiang-level masters had been brutally humbled.

Jiang Ruyi quickly realized that passivity wouldn't do.

Alone, she could never find Lu Ran.

She might die before even seeing the sea.

Jiang Ruyi completely changed her mindset: she needed allies.

The Yu Fu disciples here had never known each other before—they traveled together only because of one bond: devotion to Yu Fu.

So Jiang Ruyi could not strike Meng Zhixuan.

She was calm, her thoughts clear—she wanted everyone to see her full identification with the identity of "Yu Fu devotee."

This wasn't just a calming assurance to the Yu Fu disciples present.

It was a recruitment notice.

"Meng shixiong, Jiang shimei, we—" Zhu Yuan stepped forward, trying to mediate.

Jiang Ruyi looked at her: "Zhu Yuan shijie may leave with him—I won't stop you."

"But be careful. Next time danger strikes, do you think your Meng shixiong will push you out?"

"Click!" The sword drew from its scabbard.

"Jiang Ruyi!" Meng Zhixuan's face darkened, his voice thunderous. "You've insulted me repeatedly! I've spared you because you're young—"

I have endured humiliation for the sake of the bigger picture, thinking of everyone's lives—and above all, I prioritize Lord Yu Fu's mission!

Don't be ungrateful and push people too far!

Jiang Ruyi still had her hands behind her back, coldly watching Meng Zhixuan, and said softly:

"Leave."

"Hummm!!" The Liangye Sword at Jiang Ruyi's waist trembled violently, as if ready to leap from its sheath at any moment.

Whether it was Jiang Ruyi's realm or the divine weapon beside her, both were immense threats.

Yet Jiang Ruyi possessed another ability even more terrifying!

Over the past many days, everyone had witnessed Jiang Ruyi's formidable martial skill firsthand!

Due to the unique nature of the Yu Fu sect's divine arts, every disciple who joins this sect follows one of two growth paths.

You can become a "mage," outputting damage from afar.

Or you can become a close-combat martial artist.

And Jiang Ruyi—

this seemingly frail, tall, slender woman—was in truth a genuine sword master!

Her close-combat skill was absurdly strong!

No one could imagine how such a young woman could possess such martial prowess.

She certainly had talent.

But she must have trained under a master!

Clearly, Lu Ran had specially hired the sword master Cheng Li to tutor his fiancée, meticulously elevating her close-combat strength to an astonishing level!

Master Cheng Li was one of the original Battle Sheep!

He was among the generation that followed Lord Xianyang and forged heaven and earth—do you think his power was a joke?

"You—" Meng Zhixuan was about to speak again.

Jiang Ruyi's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and suddenly she stepped forward, drawing her sword.

Without warning!

Meng Zhixuan's pupils shrank violently!

He leapt backward instantly, activating his Golden Jade Eight Talismans.

In an instant, his figure shot through the space between the two men and women behind him.

Zhang Zhenghu and Zhu Yuan were no fools—they knew how to dodge—but Meng Zhixuan's Golden Jade Eight Talismans still brushed against them.

"Whoosh!!"

A strong wind swept past, lifting Jiang Ruyi's long skirt.

She had taken only one step forward, then stopped, her gaze sweeping over the two who had dodged aside.

Zhang Zhenghu's face was grim; Zhu Yuan rubbed her bruised forearm where the Golden Jade Talisman had struck, eyes lowered.

The answer had been confirmed once again.

In the simplest, most direct way possible.

Meng Zhixuan's face turned ashen!

He stared fixedly at the white-robed woman standing still—even though the divine weapon had only been half-drawn before slipping back into its sheath.

Behind Jiang Ruyi, Song Yu stepped forward.

Tall and slender, his face chiseled like a blade, his eyes cold and deep.

His voice was chilling: "Jiang Shimei is merciful. Out of respect for fellow sect members, she only told you to leave.

If you persist, I'll act for her."

Jiang Ruyi raised her eyebrows slightly—almost imperceptibly.

She dared to make these moves because she had confidence.

Whether in personal strength, personal influence, or the care and kindness she'd shown her team over the past twenty-plus days—

Jiang Ruyi was certain her teammate Song Yu would stand by her.

But she hadn't expected Song Yu to react so strongly!

So… was this a loyalty oath?

Funny thing: Song Yu was at Jiang Jing's Third Stage, same as Meng Zhixuan—the highest combat strength in the ten-member team, after Jiang Ruyi.

Previously, under Meng Zhixuan's deliberate flattery and overtures, Song Yu had once been Jiang Ruyi's team leader.

But as the days of flight passed, in this world where strength ruled, Song Yu smoothly assumed the "position."

He became one of Jiang Ruyi's top subordinates, obeying her commands without question.

"Good! Good! Good!" Meng Zhixuan gritted his teeth in rage. "Jiang Ruyi is power-hungry, and Song Yu and you are all in cahoots!

I'll report everything truthfully to Lord Yu Fu!"

Song Yu's face turned icy. He shot forward instantly, drawing his blade.

Meng Zhixuan's heart lurched—he hastily retreated backward.

After so many days together, Meng Zhixuan had learned enough: this man was truly ruthless!

He would kill without hesitation!

"Ding~ Ding~ Ding!"

A rapid series of crisp sounds rang out.

Golden Jade Eight Talismans versus Golden Jade Eight Talismans!

As for Thunder Shackles Talisman, Explosion Flame Talisman, Frost Talisman, Flowing Sand Talisman—

Useless.

They were all taught by the same master—who could truly harm whom?

"Ding!"

Song Yu's blade slashed straight at Meng Zhixuan.

Meng Zhixuan blocked with his sword, shouting angrily: "Are you insane? You dare attack a fellow sect member?!"

His angry shout turned into a cry of terror.

Because the Liangye Sword shot through the air at blinding speed, emitting a terrifying rush of wind.

The intimidation of this divine weapon was immense!

Countless demons had died beneath this blade in the Stone Pillar Forest!

Meng Zhixuan panicked. Song Yu's eyes turned cold. His blade swung hard, slicing straight into the man's shoulder.

"Ssshh"

The Yu Fu sect had no techniques to enhance physical strength; Song Yu's blade was merely an ordinary weapon.

So the blade only left a shallow scratch on the opponent's water-armor.

But after swinging his right hand, Song Yu followed with a left roundhouse kick!

"Snap!"

Meng Zhixuan bent at the waist, and with a flurry of Golden Jade Eight Talismans, was flung backward.

Song Yu's own Golden Jade Eight Talismans instantly returned to their positions.

"Song Shixiong." Jiang Ruyi spoke suddenly.

Song Yu, about to advance, froze instantly.

Under his piercing gaze, Meng Zhixuan dared not pause a moment—he used the momentum of the kick to flee away hastily.

Jiang Ruyi reached out and caught the returning Liangye Sword, watching coldly as Meng Zhixuan vanished into the distance.

Long moments passed. Her gaze swept over those around her.

Some lowered their eyes; others smiled in greeting.

Jiang Ruyi knew: from this moment on, these four were her core.

Ideals could be adjusted slowly; hearts could be won over gradually.

Not a big problem.

"Heh." Jiang Ruyi exhaled, lifting her gaze to the sea of clouds above.

I wonder how Lu Ran is faring.

I must prepare for the worst.

I truly need to build a team—find him, so I can help him survive better in this cruel world.

Lu Ran,

Wait for me.

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(End of Chapter)