Zhan Wuji
Time flew by, and ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
During this period, Zhang Lingxiao not only completed the planting of his medicinal field, but also cultivated the Heavenly Fiend Sword to the Major Achievement stage. He was now only a step away from the Perfection Realm. Once he reached that level, he would be able to begin cultivating the second form of the Nine Nether Sword Art—Sky Thunder One Sword.
At the same time, he successfully advanced the Nine Nether Star Stepping Steps, the movement technique of the Nine Nether Demon Emperor, to the Minor Achievement stage.
However, he still made no progress with the Nine Nether Body Tempering Art or the innate rune technique of the Six-Armed Giant Ape.
The Nine Nether Body Tempering Art was divided into nine layers, each requiring extremely rare Heavenly and Earthly Treasures. With his current resources, Zhang Lingxiao simply didn't have the conditions to begin cultivating it. He decided to wait until he entered Qingyun Mountain, where he could complete sect missions and exchange contribution points for the necessary materials.
As for the innate rune technique left behind by the Six-Armed Giant Ape, Zhang Lingxiao was completely clueless.
Thinking about it, he couldn't help but raise his middle finger toward the horizon where Six Arms had disappeared.
"This guy left me such a powerful ability but didn't explain how to cultivate it… how infuriating."
On a brighter note, over these ten days, the Snow Moon Butterfly Cocoon had grown noticeably plumper. Its metamorphosis seemed imminent.
---
On this day, the sky had just begun to brighten.
Outside Qingyun Town stood around a dozen spirited young men and women. All of them were members of the Zhang family—handsome and elegant, full of youthful vigor.
Leading the group were Zhang Lingxiao, Zhang Yuyang, and Zhang Yuyang's Dao companion, Zhang Li. The others were outstanding juniors from the Zhang family.
Zhang Yuyang and Zhang Li were already disciples of Qingyun Mountain, with Zhang Yuyang holding the status of an Inner Sect disciple.
As for Zhang Lingxiao and the rest, they were heading to participate in this year's entrance selection.
Admittedly, the situation was a little awkward.
Most of the younger generation present were exactly sixteen years old, having just stepped onto the martial path. Their cultivation ranged from the First to the Third Heaven of the Qiwu Realm.
Zhang Lingxiao, however, was already eighteen and had reached the Peak of the Fourth Heaven of the Lingwu Realm. Compared to the others, he stood out as an "older" new disciple.
According to Zhang Yuyang, in Qingyun Mountain, those who reached the Middle Stage of the Lingwu Realm were typically considered Core Disciples.
That made Zhang Lingxiao's situation—participating in the entrance selection at such a level—extremely rare. It was something that might only happen once in a century.
"There are still five days before the recruitment begins," Zhang Yuyang said casually. "We don't need to rush. Even if we take our time, it'll only take four days to get there."
Zhang Lingxiao nodded.
Qingyun Mountain, true to its name, was built atop a mountain. Traveling on foot was more practical than riding horses. Fortunately, as Martial Artists, their speed was far beyond that of ordinary people, and fatigue was hardly an issue.
Although Qingyun Mountain was located in a relatively remote part of Tianhuo Country, its strength ranked among the top-tier sects. It was one of the most powerful first-class sects in the region.
Along the way, they encountered many other young cultivators heading toward Qingyun Mountain for the selection, as well as disciples returning from missions.
"Young Masters and Young Misses ahead, please wait!"
A clear, energetic voice suddenly rang out from behind them.
The group turned around and saw a chubby young man approaching—not on foot, nor on horseback, but standing atop a floating Xuan leaf.
"Is that a flying spiritual artifact?" Zhang Lingxiao murmured in surprise.
On the Nine Heavens Continent, only experts of the Tianwu Realm could fly freely through the skies. However, powerful Artifact Refiners had created flying spiritual artifacts to compensate—among them, the Xuan leaf, shaped like a giant lotus leaf, was the most common.
Of course, such artifacts consumed a tremendous amount of Spiritual Qi. Without sufficient reserves or Spirit Stones, most cultivators couldn't sustain long-distance travel.
Zhang Lingxiao, however, with his vast Spiritual Qi and robust meridians, was an exception.
The chubby youth soon caught up, hopped off the Xuan leaf, and casually stored it away.
He cupped his fists with a grin.
"My name is Zhan Wuji. You're all heading to Qingyun Mountain too, right? How about we travel together?"
Zhang Yuyang glanced at Zhang Lingxiao, who gave a slight nod.
"Sure."
Just like that, their group gained a new companion.
Zhan Wuji had a bold name—and an even bolder personality. He was a complete chatterbox.
Through conversation, Zhang Lingxiao learned that Wuji was also eighteen and a loose cultivator, much like himself. However, his cultivation was slightly lower—only at the Second Heaven of the Lingwu Realm.
Even so, that level at his age was impressive. Zhang Yuyang himself had only reached the same level at twenty-two.
---
Boom!
A thunderous explosion echoed from the distance ahead.
The sheer intensity of the sound made it clear—a fierce battle was underway.
Many cultivators traveling along the road began gathering toward the source of the commotion, eager to watch.
"Oh? A duel?" Zhang Li said excitedly, clinging to Zhang Yuyang's arm like a delicate bird. The two had been inseparable the entire journey, their affection obvious to all—much to Zhan Wuji's silent envy.
Zhang Lingxiao wasn't particularly interested in spectating for entertainment.
However, such a large disturbance indicated a high-level battle. Observing it could help him refine his own combat experience.
"Let's take a look," he said calmly.
"But keep your distance. Getting caught in the crossfire wouldn't be worth it."
Everyone agreed.
Zhan Wuji, ever eager, was the first to rush ahead.
---
When they arrived, they found a large crowd already gathered.
At the center stood a man and a woman locked in combat.
The man wielded a long staff etched with mysterious patterns—black at both ends, with a silver shaft in the middle. The Spiritual Qi fluctuations it emitted clearly marked it as a Profound Rank Spiritual Artifact.
The woman, on the other hand, held a slender sword of pale violet hue—both blade and hilt shimmering with a faint purple light. It too was a Profound Rank artifact.
"Sun Hao, you unfaithful scoundrel!" the woman shouted angrily.
"You found another woman behind my back—and even brought her here to face me? Have you no shame?!"
Only then did Zhang Lingxiao notice—
Behind the man stood another woman, dressed in a red gown, her figure graceful and her appearance captivating.
The moment Zhang Lingxiao saw her, his pupils shrank slightly.
He could sense it clearly—
An aura… one that felt extremely familiar.
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