Chapter 947

"Xu Xunchaishi recently defeated the people from the Xinhuo Divine Temple, giving our Great Xia a much-needed vent for our grievances."

"Now that I see him, he truly is a young prodigy—I hadn’t even graduated from university at your age."

Chen Jun, president of the Black Soul Guild, replied with a warm smile.

On the other side, Zhou Hao, leader of the Gale Legion, merely nodded coldly, showing no intention to respond at all.

Xu Jingming paid it no mind.

Those who have broken through to the Mid-Ninth Stage often have peculiar temperaments.

"Your speed is indeed impressive, but what’s the situation with Director Su?"

Xue Jian glanced curiously at Su Qingli, who was carried on Xu Jingming’s back.

With his spiritual power, he could easily sense that Su Qingli’s aura was dangerously weak.

"It’s the Sect of Heavenly Fate."

Xu Jingming replied gravely, "We encountered three Ninth-Stage cultivators from the Sect of Heavenly Fate. Director Su was struck by their Vengeful Blood Spike."

"Vengeful Blood Spike?"

Xue Jian’s expression darkened; his already icy aura instantly brimmed with murderous intent:

"Those scum actually followed us in—and dared to attack you? "

"Don’t let me cross paths with them, or I’ll crush them to dust!"

He let out a cold snort, then turned to Xu Jingming:

"Treating a Vengeful Blood Spike is complicated—I don’t have a cure on me right now."

"Director Su is severely injured. You should travel with us from now on—it’ll be safer for everyone."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jun showed no reaction, his smile unchanged.

But Zhou Hao frowned slightly—though he said nothing to object.

"No."

Xu Jingming shook his head. "I can still handle our current situation."

Xue Jian’s group aimed to reach the next level as quickly as possible.

His goal was to slay as many ferocious beasts as he could.

This level teemed with beasts—he expected to stay here a long time.

Their objectives didn’t align; traveling together would be impractical.

Besides, Zhou Hao had already revealed his displeasure—he wouldn’t shamelessly force himself upon them.

"Still able to handle it?"

Xue Jian frowned, but ultimately said nothing.

A faint glow flashed from his space ring—he tossed over a small porcelain vial:

"Ninth-Rank Holy Spring Pill, SSS-grade healing resource."

"It won’t match the Blood Healing Holy Pill that can completely cure the Vengeful Blood Spike, but it should help your teacher regain some strength."

"Thank you, Lord Xue Jian!"

Xu Jingming’s eyes lit up; he accepted the vial without pretense.

Though he carried healing pills himself, they were only SS-grade—useless for Su Qingli.

This SSS-grade healing pill would indeed offer significant aid.

Seeing this, Xue Jian nodded in satisfaction.

He despised those who feigned reluctance—your teacher is critically wounded.

If you hesitated to accept the pill, that’s when I’d truly be displeased.

"Stay safe. We’ll take our leave now."

"If we spot any trace of the Sect of Heavenly Fate along the way, we’ll deal with them."

Xue Jian didn’t linger. After speaking, he and the other two shot away swiftly.

"Ninth-Rank Holy Spring Pill—Xue Jian is generous indeed."

Eva, the twin-tailed little girl, materialized in a hologram atop Xu Jingming’s shoulder, swinging her glistening little feet.

"Among Great Xia’s many councilors, Lord Xue Jian is certainly one of the most respected."

Su Qingli murmured, "I’ll need to find a chance to repay this favor."

Great Xia had many Ninth-Stage councilors—over forty in total.

Most had their own families or factions.

Ordinary councilors were fine—their factions served their own interests.

But those whose strength had hit a ceiling spent most of their time securing benefits for their clans.

They were nowhere near as generous as lone wolves like Xue Jian.

"True. We’ll need to repay Lord Xue Jian’s favor someday."

"Let’s go. Find a place to rest, and test the Holy Spring Pill’s effects."

Xu Jingming stored the pill in his space ring, then swiftly flew off, still carrying Su Qingli on his back.

"I recall Xu Jingming was just newly entered into the Eighth Stage—how come his aura just now was already Mid-Eighth Stage?"

On the other side,

Xue Jian’s trio sped through the treetops; Chen Jun, president of the Black Soul Guild, asked in confusion.

"It’s definitely Mid-Eighth Stage—I sensed it too," Xue Jian nodded.

"Hmph, no wonder he’s the top prodigy of Blue Planet—he broke another minor stage in under a month."

Chen Jun muttered in awe; beside him, Zhou Hao remained indifferent, saying coolly:

"His talent is indeed monstrous, but his character has serious flaws."

"Where did the Sect of Heavenly Fate get three Ninth-Stage cultivators? Besides, Ling Shuang wasn’t there."

"How could they possibly escape if three Ninth-Stage cultivators from the Sect of Heavenly Fate surrounded them?"

"You mean he was lying just now?" Chen Jun asked.

"Of course."

Zhou Hao spoke with certainty. "He’s probably fabricating this to draw our attention."

"If it were me, I wouldn’t have invited him into our group—much less given him a pill."

Xue Jian, Chen Jun, and Zhou Hao had all once been S-Rank Mid-Ninth Stage cultivators and got along well.

But Xue Jian broke through to Upper-Ninth Stage first, so he spoke more freely.

"Xu Jingming isn’t that kind of person. He has no reason to lie about something like this."

Xue Jian frowned, denying it outright.

"Is that so? Then forget that. But his joining the Xinhuo Divine Temple and becoming a core member—"

"And gaining the Aurora-Level access—that’s not fake, is it?"

Zhou Hao’s expression darkened. "Grand Councilor Zhou issued a notice allowing us to join the Xinhuo Divine Temple, but becoming one of only two core Aurora-Level members? That’s going too far."

"If Great Xia ever clashes with the Xinhuo Divine Temple, who knows which side he’ll take?"

Since Xu Jingming’s certification as Aurora-Level, this issue had sparked heated debate among Great Xia’s cultivators who entered the Xinhuo World.

Some saw it as a point of pride—Great Xia’s prodigies remained brilliant even in the Xinhuo World.

Others disapproved, viewing Xu Jingming’s actions as tantamount to betrayal.

Zhou Hao’s views aligned with the latter.

That’s why he held a consistently negative opinion of Xu Jingming.

"Xu Jingming’s case is for the Grand Councilor to decide. You don’t need to worry about it."

"I still say—whether in character, virtue, or talent, I have great faith in him."

Xue Jian’s voice rang firm, instantly silencing Zhou Hao.

What could he do? Xue Jian was stronger.

And knowing Xue Jian as he did, if he kept pushing, he’d likely get beaten up...

Moreover, given his many years of understanding the Blood Sword, if he kept talking like this, he might get beaten up...