Jiang Zaiyue remained in the shadows, only his eyes visible, resembling a masked man.
He glanced at the upright figure of Bai Qi:
"Compared to Senior Brother Kou, it’s like heaven and earth. What elegance Senior Brother Kou possesses, like a flawless jade, even the most ignorant villagers recognize its value.
As for this one, he might be called ’promising material,’ but he’s far from being a Daoist."
Chunyu Cultivator turned his head and retorted:
"Bai Qilang mastered the Nanming Li Fire and cut off Zhao Pijiang’s divine intent, how many geniuses have these two feats stopped in the Red County Divine Land?"
Jiang Zaiyue stroked his chin, as if appraising a treasure, and after a few more glances:
"Tsk tsk, so young, cultivating both Dao and martial arts. What, trying to emulate the King of Support? With an impure heart for swords, how could he become a Daoist?"
Chunyu Cultivator was speechless; he had long known Bai Qilang was cultivating Dao, but hadn’t taken it seriously.
In the Dao Skill Fourth Realm, the first three steps are relatively easy; with sufficient resources, one can progress smoothly.
But becoming a Ghost Immortal is truly difficult.
Even though the Dragon Court oversees myriad spiritual energies and has the authority for allocation, it cannot produce a large number of true Ghost Immortals!
Many Purple Register Daoist Officials in Prefecture Cities barely pass through the small thunder tribulation of the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, with their divine souls’ yin nature not eradicated, only considered as "half-step Ghost Immortals."
They lack the abilities to dissolve their bodies and wander freely in the mountains and forests.
"The paths of Dao and martial arts are not easily simultaneously pursued; sooner or later, he’ll realize the difficulty and focus solely on swordsmanship."
Chunyu Cultivator lightly coughed twice, defending:
"Moreover, this one has cultivated for only two and a half years, yet he’s already in the Third Cultivation, Third Realm.
This courage and progress outshine even my disciple Zhaoyang."
Jiang Zaiyue remained unconvinced, continuing to believe that someone like Senior Brother Kou was rare and unlikely to appear again.
He single-handedly elevated the Meridian Sword Sect to the second position within the Upper Sect, second only to the Five Directions Emperor Palace.
"So grown yet still squabbling."
Mo Tian Sheng showed impatience, frowning and reprimanding, making the two junior brothers fall silent.
This Mo Senior Brother didn’t ascend to true transmission quickly, almost receiving gifts with Jiang Zaiyue, who entered later.
But after Kou Qiuyue’s death, when the Sword Sect was in crisis, it was Mo Tian Sheng who took on the responsibility, breaking through the Divine Passage Barrier in turbulent times, stabilizing the situation.
After the Sect Leader went into seclusion, it was also Mo Senior Brother who handled affairs, leading disciples to recuperate and restore vitality.
Thus, in terms of prestige and influence, he nearly equaled the Sect Leader, without a doubt.
"Observe the shape of the sword, listen to the sound of the sword! A single hearing, a thousand understandings, comprehension in heart and soul..."
Mo Tian Sheng’s eyes sparkled, as if he had found a treasure, deeply moved:
"The Sword Sect will prosper for another three hundred years!"
Did I misjudge?
Jiang Zaiyue’s expression changed subtly; being chosen by Mo Senior Brother, this person must indeed meet the Daoist criteria.
He couldn’t help stepping forward, his tone changing dramatically:
"Senior Brother, I happen to lack a successor.
This kid seems pleasing to me and has a destiny with me; why not let him join this junior’s sect..."
Chunyu Cultivator couldn’t resist mocking:
"Look at Senior Brother’s former arrogance and present humility, it’s laughable!"
Jiang Zaiyue pretended not to hear, silently noting the day he would secretly strike at other formidable enemies again, continuing to use the No-Life Sword’s name.
"Junior Brother Jiang, this child... is no ordinary being, but a Qilin’Er.
I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle him,"
Mo Tian Sheng shook his head, lightly stroking his beard:
"It’s better I personally nurture him."
Jiang Zaiyue’s eyes twitched, the shadow of a masked figure flickering; taking a Daoist as a disciple was akin to becoming the Supreme Emperor of the Sword Sect.
In the future, when the position of Sect Leader was passed down, he would still have to be called "Master."
How dignified, how glorious, how comfortable!
Even when lying in the coffin, he’d wear a smile!
Thinking of this, Jiang Zaiyue wouldn’t give up, intending to make another attempt, but unexpectedly Mo Tian Sheng suddenly said:
"Junior Brother Chunyu, are you aware that on the way here, your Junior Brother Jiang struck the Elder of the Great Sun Prefecture from behind, under your name, claiming to test that Mansion Master’s Pure Yang Undying Golden Body."
Chunyu Cultivator’s heart trembled fiercely; damn it, the Master of the Great Sun Prefecture was no pushover, reportedly very protective and vengeful, even having fought over women with the King of Support.
That Princess Consort used to be the childhood sweetheart of the Mansion Master of the Great Sun Prefecture, and because of this matter, Dragon Court Daoist Officials dared not step into the Cangyun Prefecture.
It was the only one among the fourteen prefectures of the Red County Divine Land without an established Government Office.
It’s also referred to by Jianghu people as "Carefree City" and "Lawless Realm."
"Right, the reason why one of the three great assassins, ’Soul Extinguisher,’ suddenly targeted you last time was because Junior Brother Jiang used your name and killed their big brother, ’Zu Ling.’
Mo Tian Sheng recounted the messy situation without a change in his expression.
"Senior Brother, according to the sect rules, sparring with swords among fellow disciples isn’t considered disrespectful, right?"
Chunyu Cultivator asked Mo Tian Sheng, his face ashen.
"Sparring among fellow disciples is within the rules, it’s not a problem."
Mo Tian Sheng responded crisply.
"Good!"
Without another word, Chunyu Cultivator transformed into a sword and slashed at Jiang Zaiyue, who was preparing to flee!
"Senior Brother Mo, you betrayed me..."
Jiang Zaiyue gritted his teeth, lamenting that despite calling each other brothers, their friendship was deep.
Unexpectedly, for the sake of a sapling at the level of a Daoist, their friendship crumbled like a small boat overturned by waves at sea.
"Don’t blame me, Junior Brother Jiang. Even if I can’t become the Sect Leader, cultivating a disciple who can is still a great achievement.
Though we are like brothers, the teachings surpass even a first wife, and they cannot be shared."
Mo Tian Sheng stroked his beard, his eyebrows twitching, clearly in a good mood.
He sat nearby, gazing at Bai Qilang, who was meditating with closed eyes, his mind seemingly drifting back to the day when Kou Qiuyue entered the sect.
"The Longevity Lamp burned for seven days before extinguishing... Senior Brother, if your spirit watches, reveal yourself to me, tell me why you fell into the Turbid Tide, why you forced the Sect Leader to kill you!"
...
...
In the Blessed Land Meditation Hall of the Celestial Water General’s Mansion, a single lamp flickered like a bean.
Zhao Pijiang pressed his hand to his chest, lifted the ornate copper goblet filled with True Blood of Spirits and Monsters, and drank it all down.
Whatever exotic beast it came from, it was enough to make this Divine Power Giant’s face flush red, his body hot, with faint roaring noises erupting from within.
He exhaled lightly, giving up his training, his five fingers clenched gently, and the powerful force exploded like a thunderstorm, shattering the mysterious void.
This was a top-tier technique that only a Divine Power Giant could possess.
"To dare strike at Yuan Qing, you’re truly courting death, treating this General like a sick kitten!"
Zhao Pijiang stood up, took a step, and his robust body seemed to squeeze through the void, vanishing in an instant.
About half an hour later, he appeared at Immortal Maiden Peak, hands behind his back, coldly eyeing the bruised and battered Elder Ao.
Upon learning the cause, his eyes gradually took on a cold glint, and the violent aura containing great destruction and slaughter frightened the mountains and forests, causing all beasts to flee in terror, and the demons to escape.
"The Dragon Sword descended the mountain? Good! I’ve long wanted to have a match with Mo Tian Sheng. Yan Xin didn’t show up, so this person is the top sword cultivator in Celestial Water Prefecture.
In Simurgh Platform’s Spring and Autumn Sword Ratings, he’s ranked in the top ten..."
Zhao Pijiang didn’t even spare a glance at the fellow Divine Power holder, Elder Ao, before tearing through the void once more, aiming to kill his way to Yihai Prefecture.
There’s a hierarchy even within the Divine Power Secret Realm.
If the Physical Body Secret Realm emphasizes "training,"
Then the essence of the Divine Power Secret Realm lies in "change."
Elder Ao, who is half-buried in the ground and has no hope of further breakthrough in this life, barely touched the levels of three and four transformations.
Compared to the soaring Zhao Pijiang, who has long comprehended "ten transformations" and beyond,
The two are naturally incomparable.
...
...
In the boundless void, countless chaotic currents of primal energy surged like an endless, headless, and tailless dark river.
Zhao Pijiang moved with his body technique like a dragon soaring and a tiger leaping, with each flicker shrugging off mountain-like heaviness, razor-sharp golden edges, and even large masses of primal energy that corroded and dissolved his flesh.
A Cultivation Grandmaster at the Four Realms would find themselves nine times dead if they ventured recklessly into it.
Only a Divine Power Giant could traverse thousands of miles with ease.
Suddenly.
Zhao Pijiang halted, his flowing robes suddenly stopping.
Because in front of him, a roaring, continuous Sword Qi River suddenly surged up, blocking this Grand General’s path.
"Yan Xin, you finally couldn’t sit still?"
Zhao Pijiang’s expression was grave; this Sword Qi River was incredibly dangerous, likely belonging to that Sword Sect Leader, with the absolute cultivation level of twelve transformations of divine power.
"Using Yihai Prefecture and Nu Yun River as the boundary, soldiers may cross, but generals and marshals... must not proceed."
The vast void resonated with this line, sinking into the heart with an eerie darkness.
"Please return."