Chapter 250: Hidden Assassination

"Sect Master Xu, what brings you to see me?"

After a brief chat, Ling Xiao Zhenjun turned his head to ask the matter at hand.

It turned out that this seemingly not‑very‑old old man was actually the sect master of the Fu Hai Sect.

Unlike the San Yang Sect, where Chi Xuan Zhenjun himself serves as sect master, in the Fu Hai Sect Ling Xiao Zhenjun, having taken too long to reach the Nascent Soul stage and being of too high seniority, had long stepped down from the sect‑master seat and taken the position of Supreme Elder.

However, Sect Master Xu is now also advanced in years, nearing the lifespan limit of a Golden Core cultivator.

"It's about the San Yang Sect's Chi Xuan Zhenjun," Sect Master Xu said. "Lately he seems to have gone mad, seeking a final struggle—or perhaps some other purpose. He even left the San Yang Sect's mountain gate and attacked several of our Fu Hai Sect's territories…"

"Oh, so he didn't play the turtle and stay within his sect?" Ling Xiao Zhenjun said, somewhat surprised.

Chi Xuan Zhenjun's strength is inferior to his; if they were to clash, his life could be at risk.

Only by staying inside the San Yang Sect and relying on its protective sect array can safety be guaranteed.

In the past dozen years, since Chi Xuan Zhenjun was severely wounded by him once, he has not gone out again.

Now that he has emerged again, he must have a different purpose.

"It seems he wants to send a signal, lure me out, and face me head‑on in battle," Ling Xiao Zhenjun quickly guessed his intent.

Sect Master Xu shared the same speculation, saying gravely, "Could this person have some plot?"

Ling Xiao Zhenjun smiled, "There must be a scheme; otherwise he wouldn't have the nerve. Yet, before absolute power, all conspiracies are futile. If he possessed absolute strength, he'd simply strike directly—no need to waste effort luring me out. He certainly wouldn't wait until the Fu Hai Sect is driven to a dead end before daring a final gamble."

Sect Master Xu said with some worry, "That may be so, but I think caution is still wise. The San Yang Sect is already like a grasshopper after autumn—won't last many days. In a short while we can completely capture all of San Yang Sect's subordinate cities, and then we can lay siege directly to its mountain gate."

"Little Xu, do you know why, despite your excellent spiritual root, opportunities, and comprehension, you cannot achieve the Nascent Soul, even falling behind those who were once far weaker than you?"

Ling Xiao Zhenjun said earnestly, "It's precisely because you're overly steady. You seek absolute certainty in everything, daring no risk, thinking missing a chance or lagging a bit is harmless. Yet over years, decades, centuries, you fall far behind others."

"We cultivators may not be reckless or impulsive, but when the moment calls for action, we must act! We cultivators, why shy away from a battle?"

"If Chi Xuan Zhenjun truly has a trump card, or his strength has surged, that would be a boon for me!"

"I haven't truly taken action in many years; I missed the last appearance of the Sky‑soaring Venerable's cave relic. So I look forward to a duel with Chi Xuan Zhenjun."

"If he can match me strike for strike, I might gain unexpected rewards—perhaps the chance to enter the Nascent Soul Middle Stage lies within!"

"Combat is dangerous, yet sometimes it is the best opportunity for breakthrough!"

Seeing his own Supreme Elder looking enthusiastic, eyes shining, Sect Master Xu realized his persuasion was futile.

The Supreme Elder's mind was set; he would certainly test his mettle against Chi Xuan Zhenjun's forces.

Nevertheless, that remark does hold merit.

He was once a celebrated Heavenly Prodigy of the Eastern Extremity State; during the Foundation Establishment Realm, he ranked among the top ten foundation cultivators in the Five‑Elements Emperor's assessment. Of the contemporaries of equal fame, those who survived accidents mostly became Nascent Soul True Lords.

Because he was overly steady, he indeed lost some aggressive drive and missed many opportunities.

After later becoming sect master of the Fu Hai Sect, his responsibilities multiplied, and achieving the Golden Core became utterly hopeless.

……

Xuanjia City.

It is, within Fu Hai Sect's territory, the largest and most prosperous immortal city besides the sect's base on Deer Horn Island.

Because this city once housed a Nascent Soul sect that possessed a Fifth‑Grade Refining Artifact lineage, and it is rumored that a Fifth‑Grade Xuanjia Armor was forged here, causing a sensation.

Later the sect vanished from history, yet Xuanjia City's customs persisted; many refining‑artifact sects now reside under the Fu Hai Sect, the most elite of which have reached Fourth‑Grade craftsmanship!

With sufficient materials, a Fourth‑Grade Spirit Treasure can be fully forged.

Thus the Fu Hai Sect regards Xuanjia City as crucial, comparable to Blood Crystal Island's importance to the San Yang Sect. Xuanjia City lies a thousand li away.

Chi Xuan Zhenjun and Xiao Zhangqing stood suspended in the air, gazing from afar at the magnificent giant city ahead.

"Without surprise, Ling Xiao Zhenjun must be inside the city,"

Chi Xuan Zhenjun said.

In recent days he has assaulted several key Fu Hai Sect strongholds, leaving clues that his next target is Xuanjia City.

Meanwhile, the Fu Hai Sect's Ling Xiao Zhenjun made no secret, openly declaring that he would personally garrison Xuanjia City, daring Chi Xuan Zhenjun to come if he does not fear death.

"I will lure him out; Fang Elder, remember to act according to the plan," Chi Xuan Zhenjun instructed seriously.

Xiao Zhangqing nodded.

Then Chi Xuan Zhenjun transformed into a rainbow of light, swiftly approaching Xuanjia City.

But without entering the city—still a hundred li away—he unleashed a divine technique, sweeping a colossal staff like a sky‑supporting pillar, instantly shattering a large section of Xuanjia City's walls.

In an instant, the wall collapsed without a flaw!

Even though the Fourth‑Grade City Guard Array was quickly activated, many defending cultivators were reduced to ash by the strike.

When the two sects clash, it is like this: innocence matters not; as long as the opposing camp blocks the way, there is no discussion—kill if you must.

Buzz! Another massive staff slammed down immediately.

At that moment.

A gigantic flaming palm spanned the space to Xuanjia City's outskirts, seized the massive pillar, then squeezed it hard.

Crack—crack—

The pillar fragmented inch by inch, turning into raging spirit‑energy shards.

"Chi Xuan, such audacity—knowing I guard Xuanjia City, you still dare to come to your death?"

Clad in a blue robe, Ling Xiao Zhenjun stepped across the air.

It seemed like a leisurely stroll, yet each step spanned dozens of li.

In the blink of an eye he arrived outside Xuanjia City.

Chi Xuan Zhenjun snorted coldly, made no further moves or harsh words, and immediately employed a Nascent Soul‑level Dunnan, turning and retreating.

"I want to see what trick you're playing today,"

Ling Xiao Zhenjun let out a light laugh.

He knew the opponent had surely set ambushes behind him, yet as the saying goes, great skill breeds boldness; he was nearly the top First‑Rank practitioner of the Nascent Soul Initial Stage in the Eastern Extremity State, confident that any of Chi Xuan Zhenjun's schemes could be handled.

The two Nascent Soul cultivators, one chasing and one fleeing, could no longer be described as merely slipping light; it was as if they were traversing space, like instant teleportation.

In no time at all, they had already arrived a thousand li away.

At that moment, Chi Xuan Zhenjun, who had been fleeing, suddenly turned back, wielding a divine whip blazing with fierce flames, and snapped it sharply toward Ling Xiao Zhenjun, who was pursuing from behind! That snap carried a force even more terrifying than the palm Ling Xiao Zhenjun had unleashed in Xuanjia City moments earlier; its overwhelming destructive power and dreadful fire made the very space unstable, cracking apart.

"Three Flame Whip? What a spiritual treasure; the Three Yang Sect's coffers are indeed deep."

"Unfortunately, you, Chi Xuan, your cultivation is still too shallow!"

Ling Xiao Zhenjun's expression grew slightly solemn; with a wave of his hand, wind rose and clouds surged, and a frost giant dragon suddenly formed, charging toward the Three Flame Whip that had been snapped.

~ (After New Year's Day, the flu spiked to over 39 °C; today the temperature finally dropped a bit.) (End of chapter)