Chapter Sixty-One: The Winds Gather

Chapter Sixty-One

The Supreme Virtue Sword, its path is distant, its way profound.

This sword follows the principle of the Taiji, harnessing the subtle truth that "when things reach their extreme, they reverse." Xiao Ying's White Moon Dharma Manifestation originally drew its power from the Nether Moon, which devours the Yin Moon's radiance—moonlight born from darkness.

Li Jingxun's sword countered this, coming forth in harmony with the heavens, shaping a sword of shadow from pure light.

The sword, ancient and unadorned, pierced directly into Xiao Ying's manifestation, wounding her grievously.

With a muffled groan, Xiao Ying dared not linger and retreated at once. A string of crimson droplets scattered as the witch swiftly employed her Lotus Step technique to escape—a life-saving method given to her by Ji Feichen.

Her delicate feet tapped lightly, two lotuses blossomed beneath her, carrying her far away.

"Lotus Step?" Li Jingxun laughed, pointing with her sword again. "Break!" Instantly, the two glowing white lotuses wilted. Xiao Ying staggered, and Li Jingxun pursued her once more.

Li Jingxun was a Daoist Sect elite whom even Ji Feichen regarded with caution. Her methods were unfathomable; Xiao Ying stood no chance.

Ji Feichen watched from afar, thinking, "When I fought her, it took three hundred exchanges to determine victory. Yet you went after her alone?" Still, Xiao Ying was useful to him, so Ji Feichen stepped forward and rescued her.

Li Jingxun intended to kill Xiao Ying, but Ji Feichen unleashed a wave of Nether River water in midair. Sensing Ji Feichen's formidable power, the female cultivator summoned the Wheel of the Elephant from her Jade Tome.

"Hold the elephant, and the world comes. None are harmed, all are at peace." The divine wheel spun, blocking Ji Feichen's Nether River light. The two exchanged a palm strike across the air.

Demonic water and Daoist virtue clashed, creating turbulent waves that forced everyone nearby to scramble for safety.

One strike and both retreated.

Ji Feichen seized Xiao Ying and departed. Li Jingxun withdrew decisively, returning to the crowd. Five pages of her Jade Tome flew forth, wrapping herself and the Daoist sect members in five layers of protective arts.

Zhou Yan'er wanted to pursue, but Li Jingxun stopped her. "Don't go. You can't beat him. Focus on saving people. And while you're at it, find me a cannon." Li Jingxun's expression grew thoughtful. "The cannons crafted by the Imperial Court's cultivators must hide some mystery."

Finally, Li Jingxun looked toward Ji Feichen in the distance. "As for him, he still conceals strength—likely no less than Senior Brother Jingxuan." She hid her hand in her sleeve, secretly using her Harmonious Qi to heal the wounds left by demonic water.

"This girl still has hidden power," Ji Feichen realized after their exchange, recognizing her extraordinary means. Her Daoist foundation was solid, only a step away from transcending mortality. Among all Daoist Sect disciples, her cultivation was likely the highest.

"Her appearance is ordinary, but who would expect such depth beneath?"

Ji Feichen brought Xiao Ying back to their base, along with several White Vein female cultivators.

The women, unsettled, quickly thanked Ji Feichen.

"No rush. Keep watch over the base. Don't let them rescue anyone—"

Boom—

Suddenly, a swathe of Divine Thunder erupted at the perimeter.

Azure lightning flashed, akin to Qin Wu's thunder techniques.

Ji Feichen squinted, discerning who had acted.

Next, a golden banner unfurled in midair, sweeping up eight hundred soldiers.

Golden clouds churned in the sky. A white-robed youth appeared, tossing all the mortals to Li Jingxun's side. "Catch!" Then, he vanished.

"Senior brother, saving lives is paramount! Avoid battle!" Li Jingxun called to the sky. Qin Wu scattered a sheet of Azure Sky Thunder, merging with his peers and returning to Golden Turtle City. Before leaving, he called to Zheng Qiong, "Zheng Qiong, tomorrow when the Spiritual Egg emerges, let us duel again!"

Zheng Qiong descended, his face dark, and went straight to the base, questioning everyone, "What happened?"

Ji Feichen remained calm, shaking his head. "I just rescued several White Vein sisters, so I don't know." He absolved himself cleanly, though he understood well. Last night, Tu Shan had arrived secretly, transforming two bone trees in the base with formless divine thunder. Earlier, during the chaos, Tu Shan detonated the bone trees, rescuing the mortals.

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Ji Feichen had no desire to slaughter mortals, so he tacitly allowed Tu Shan's actions.

Ji Feichen had revealed his demonic water in this battle, making him one of the top Black Vein disciples. Zheng Qiong and Yan Yue exchanged a few words with him. At that moment, Luo Qingyi quietly approached Zheng Qiong. "Senior brother, I checked—someone dug up the bone trees last night and replaced them with two thunder trees."

Luo Qingyi's father was an elder of the Green Vein; she was born into the Demon Sect, unlike Ji Feichen who entered from outside. Her interests were tied to the Demon Sect's fortunes. Raised amidst magic, she needed no memory erasures, and her special status let her access the core of the Yin Nether Sect's power. She could manage Green Vein affairs on equal footing with Zheng Qiong.

Her words carried weight. Zheng Qiong was startled. "Someone broke the formation in the Bone Sea?" The two exchanged a glance and quickly left Ji Feichen behind.

Ji Feichen welcomed the quiet, chatting with the White Vein women before returning to the Black Vein quarters.

He saw He Wenka nervously healing with his peers and thought, "Luo Qingyi may act poorly, but she's certainly not stupid. When she finds out He Wenka dug up the bone trees trying to regain his memory, he'll be cleared out by Zheng Qiong and the others. He won't survive this."

While pondering, Ling Feng stepped forward respectfully. "Senior brother Ji."

Ji Feichen looked at Ling Feng; not only him, but several nearby peers cast curious glances his way. Having refined Nine Nether Demonic Water, he automatically became a core disciple in the Yin Nether Sect, treated differently than before.

In total, only six core disciples had come for this event. Each had mastered the sect's core arts, reaching the level of "Ten Thousand True Waters Refine Dragon Pearl."

One disciple per vein and one from the sect leader's line—Black Vein's was Ling Feng. However, Zheng Qiong had just arrived, and the six wisely let him lead.

Now, with Ji Feichen added, Black Vein's prestige soared.

Ji Feichen walked with Ling Feng. "Is there something you need?"

"Master sent word. Tomorrow's treasure hunt depends entirely on you." Ling Feng had been nervous about Ji Feichen's abilities, especially since their masters did not get along. Only after Black Pool Elder sent a message did he relax.

Ji Feichen was mildly amused. "Black Pool uncle truly thinks highly of me. Tomorrow, our five veins are just supporting—Zheng Qiong is the main contender. Since uncle can involve the sect leader's line, why bother with me? Besides, your power matches mine; Black Vein should remain under your command."

Ling Feng shook his head. "Tomorrow, I and the other four veins will set up the Nine Nether Formation, so we can't leave to seize the treasure. We'll have to hold off the Green Vein. Senior brother, you needn't kill in the formation—just secretly snatch the Spiritual Egg."

Ji Feichen considered this. He had switched to the path of the Qi Practitioner, so he had no interest in purification or massacre. He cared little for killing Daoist sect cultivators. He had planned to put in minimal effort anyway.

Ling Feng's words sparked an idea. Ji Feichen nodded. "Very well, tomorrow I'll look for a chance to steal the Spiritual Egg. As for Zheng Qiong, you handle the communication."

With that, Ji Feichen went to prepare. As he lay on his bed, he saw a Heavenly Amulet placed atop it.

"This kid really has skill, sneaking into Black Vein without anyone noticing?"

Ji Feichen activated the amulet, contacting Tu Shan on the other end. "How did you escape Nine Hegemon Mountain?"

"Finished my training, wanted to see the world. Fought Qin Wu to test myself against a Holy Land successor." Tu Shan munched an apple, swaying atop a tree branch, his fox tail flicking behind him.

He was now in the forest a hundred miles from Golden Turtle City.

"You rescued those mortals—aren't you joining the Daoist sect?"

"I'm not one of them. Just earning a favor—why bother serving them? Tomorrow, I want to contend for the Spiritual Egg myself!"

"You too?" came a surprised voice from the amulet. Tu Shan asked in return, "What, you want it as well?"

Ji Feichen explained his situation. Tu Shan finished his apple, tossing the core away. "Fine, tomorrow I'll grab it and give it to you! Wait—"

Suddenly, Tu Shan changed his mind. "Actually, since you'll just give it to your uncle, why not let me take it, then negotiate with him for a reward?"

Ji Feichen's eyes lit up: That makes sense—if he worked hard to get it, he'd have to use all his tricks in front of Qin Wu and expose his cards. Why not join forces with Tu Shan, seize the Egg, and let Tu Shan handle the negotiations?

"Besides, Black Pool uncle won't live long. His legacy will just be swallowed by our master or grandmaster. Why not let him be generous and give me some of it?"

Two schemers quickly devised a host of cunning plans.

After their discussion, Tu Shan headed straight for Golden Turtle City. Having saved the soldiers, and with ties to the Daoist Sect, he slipped easily into their ranks.

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At this moment, Li Jingxun was in her inn, studying the cannon Zhou Yan'er had brought back.

This cannon was crafted entirely as a magical artifact. Inside its barrel, a formation diagram was inscribed. As long as spiritual power flowed through it, the cannon could unleash its might, firing Samadhi True Flames.

"Samadhi True Flames comprise stone fire, sky fire, and wood fire. Mixing these three can harm cultivators. Is this the Imperial Court's method for dealing with immortals?" Li Jingxun stroked the diagram, and suddenly found a hidden compartment beneath the control panel.

As she prepared to open it, the cannon detonated with a thunderous boom.

"As expected, a Blood Sea trick!" Li Jingxun's eyes flashed, white light enveloping her body. Fire and white light collided, blowing the room apart.

Fortunately, her room was private, so no one else was harmed. But the commotion immediately drew attention.

Tu Shan and the Daoist disciples hurried over to ask after her. Li Jingxun waved them off. "I'm fine, thank you all for your concern. I was just examining the Imperial Court's Divine Fire Cannon—it seems to hide further secrets."

She avoided the topic, turning instead to another matter. "But this Fire God Cannon isn't strong enough to threaten cultivators. Its power is too weak. The Yin Nether Sect clearly held back. That means..."

"That means the Demon Sect, full from idleness, is spreading weapons of mass destruction among mortals again?" Qin Wu rubbed his forehead. "Those bastards, always scheming for disaster."

Qin Wu vaguely recalled elders mentioning that a hundred years ago, demon cultivators disguised themselves as alchemists to offer divine medicine to the Imperial Court. It was said a single bottle could wipe out armies.

Made from uniquely poisonous pills, a drop in water could trigger plague. The Demon Sect tempted the Imperial Court to use plague against foes. Had the Daoist sect not discovered it early, tens of thousands would have died.

Tu Shan's eyes flickered. He too had noticed clues in the cannon, then greeted Li Jingxun. "Sister Jingxun, how is your cultivation with that technique?"

He referred to the Three Corpses method obtained from Elder Peng.

"Not bad. And you?"

"Not much progress—it's hard to practice." Tu Shan pulled up a stool, sitting beside Li Jingxun. "This Three Corpses method doesn't suit me."

Li Jingxun looked at the youth, his fluffy fox ears drooping atop his head. The female cultivator found it amusing, but recalled another matter and thanked Tu Shan. "Thank you for helping out earlier, or those mortals would surely have died."

"I was just passing by," Tu Shan feigned innocence. "I heard there was treasure here, so came to try my luck. When I saw the Demon Sect capturing mortals, I helped out. Tomorrow, I won't join forces with you. Just so we're clear—I'm not here to help."

Tu Shan, being a unique cultivator, already faced resistance among the Daoist sect. Hearing his words, some were about to retort.

Qin Wu, however, nodded. "That's fine, as long as you don't help the Demon Sect. The Spiritual Egg isn't much use to us—just as long as the Demon Sect doesn't get it. Since you have ties to the Daoist Sect, let Sister Li host you."

Tu Shan smoothly mingled with the Daoist sect, and that night used the Heavenly Amulet to contact Ji Feichen again.

"Tomorrow, pay attention—word is the successor of Taiyuan Palace is nearby."

"Not worried," Ji Feichen replied calmly. "According to my sources, the Blood Sea successor is also here."

If the successor of Supreme Palace is included, then all four Holy Lands are present!

"I've inherited the Holy Land of the Monster Clan. Now I can compete with the four Holy Land successors and see how my Heavenly Demon Dao measures up."

"Zheng Qiong and I have both refined Nether River Dao Fruit. Add the enigmatic Tu Shan and the four Holy Land successors. If nothing unexpected happens, this contest will be between the seven of us."

Ji Feichen and Tu Shan harbored their own ambitions. In the past, there were only four Holy Land successors. Now, seven equally matched contenders stood ready. It was an age of great strife. As cold winds swept outside, the fox spirit and the young man could not restrain their boiling blood, eagerly awaiting the birth of the treasure.

In this flourishing age of cultivation, would they secure their place? Tomorrow would mark the opening battle.

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