Duan Changjian watched Yuyi's retreating figure and sighed deeply. He knew that Yuyi's character was like that proud sword edge—unbending, willing to break rather than bend. In this cultivation world, such a character was both an advantage and a disadvantage.
"Yuyi," Duan Changjian quickened his pace to catch up, "think about it again. This position of Regional Elder is an opportunity for you."
Yuyi stopped and turned to look at Duan Changjian, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "Duan Changjian, you and I have known each other for many years, you should know my character. I, Yuyi, never act based on others' expressions, and I certainly won't cater to those hypocrites for so-called reputation and benefit."
Duan Changjian smiled bitterly: "I know your character, but you should understand that in this cultivation world, fighting alone is ultimately difficult to sustain for long. The opening of sect ultimate techniques is immingent, and this is an opportunity for reshuffling. If you can learn the ultimate techniques of various sects, it would greatly benefit your cultivation."
"I cultivate by relying on myself." Yuyi's voice was calm yet firm, "As for those sect ultimate techniques, I don't care for them."
Duan Changjian fell silent for a moment, then said in a low voice: "Is it because of Lingxiao?"
Yuyi didn't answer, but the coldness in his eyes said it all. He turned and left, his figure quickly disappearing into the night.
Duan Changjian gazed in the direction Yuyi had left, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He knew that the conflict between Yuyi and Lingxiao could no longer be reconciled. And this opening of sect ultimate techniques would inevitably trigger a great reshuffling of the cultivation world.
At Tianyin Pavilion, inside a secluded secret chamber.
Xueji sat in the main seat, with over a hundred Tianyin Pavilion experts kneeling before her. Candlelight flickered, casting shifting shadows on everyone's faces.
"Everyone," Xueji's voice was cold and majestic, "I have summoned you today to transmit the Tianyin General Formula."
As soon as these words were spoken, the people kneeling on the ground immediately stirred with agitation. The Tianyin General Formula was Tianyin Pavilion's supreme technique, historically only cultivated by the Pavilion Master and a few core disciples. Now Xueji was actually going to transmit it to so many people—this was unprecedented.
Xueji raised her hand to signal everyone to quiet down, and continued: "This transmission is divided into three stages. The first stage transmits the foundation chapter; the second stage selects outstanding individuals to transmit the advanced chapter; the third stage selects the most excellent from among the advanced to transmit the complete Tianyin General Formula."
She paused, her gaze sweeping across everyone: "Remember, the Tianyin General Formula has immense power, but it is also extremely dangerous. During cultivation, if one's will is not firm, it is easy to fall into qi deviation. You must be cautious."
Everyone responded in unison, their voices echoing in the secret chamber.
Xueji stood up and walked to the stone platform in the center of the secret chamber. On the platform lay a jade slip, emitting a faint spiritual light. She waved her hand, and the jade slip flew into the air, transforming into countless light points that scattered before everyone.
"This is the foundation chapter of the Tianyin General Formula. Comprehend it with care."
Everyone quickly concentrated their minds and began to comprehend the light points scattered in the air. The secret chamber immediately fell silent, with only the subtle sound of candle flames burning.
In the Tianjian Domain, the bloodshed continued.
Le'er and Xuying were like two ghosts, wandering throughout the Tianjian Domain. Wherever they passed, corpses littered the ground and rivers of blood flowed. Those volunteers sent by the Nitian Alliance were nothing more than prey to enhance killing qi in their eyes.
Half a month passed.
Le'er stood atop an abandoned city, gazing at the mountain of corpses beneath her feet, her eyes showing not the slightest fluctuation. The killing qi had already broken through the ten million mark, and that frenzied sense of power nearly made her drunk with it.
Xuying flew from afar, laning beside Le'er, saying indifferently: "Enough."
Le'er turned her head, a cruel smile curving her lips: "Enough? No, far from it." She waved her hand, and a blood-red sword qi swept out, cutting several cultivators trying to flee into two pieces, "I want to see just how far this killing qi can reach."
Xuying fell silent. She knew that Le'er had fallen into an inescapable madness. This madness stemmed not only from the temptation of killing qi but also from the obsession deep in her heart.
At Tianyin Pavilion, in a secluded courtyard.
Xueji and mingji stood side by side, gazing at the bright moon in the sky. The night breeze gently blew, bringing waves of floral fragrance.
"mingji," Xueji's voice carried an almost imperceptible tremor, "this mission is extremely dangerous. You... are you really going?"
mingji turned to look at Xueji, her eyes full of tenderness: "Xi'er, you know that for you, I am willing to do anything."
Xueji's eyes reddened. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the emotions in her heart: "This mission requires you to join the Youming Sect after rebirth, get close to Yuyi, and implement the revenge plan Yuyi is a man of deep schemes and formidable sword techniques. You... must be careful."
mingji gently held Xueji's hand, speaking softly: "Don't worry, I will be careful. When I complete the mission, I will return to accompany you."
Xueji leaned against mingji's shoulder, saying softly: "I will wait for you."
The two stood there quietly, letting the moonlight wash over them. The night breeze gently blew, flowers filled the air with fragrance, as if at this moment, time had stood still.
However, they both knew clearly that this was merely the calm before the storm. The reshuffling of the cultivation world was about to begin, and they would all be swept into this tempest.
mingji took a deep breath, turned to look at Xueji, a flash of determingation in her eyes: "I should go."
Xueji nodded, took out a jade pendant from her bosom, and handed it to mingji: "This is something I carry with me. Keep it. If you encounter danger, you can crush the jade pendant, and I will come immediately."
mingji accepted the jade pendant and carefully placed it in her bosom. She looked deeply at Xueji, then turned and transformed into a stream of light, flying toward the distance.
Xueji watched mingji's retreating figure, a complex look flashing in her eyes. She knew what this mission meant for mingji. But she also knew this was a path that must be taken.
The cultivation world never had true peace. And this reshuffling had only just begun.
The night deepened, and the moonlight was like water. In Tianyin Pavilion's courtyard, Xueji stood alone, gazing at the bright moon in the sky, a flash of determingation in her eyes.
No matter what the path ahead, she would walk it. Because this was the destiny of a cultivator, and also Xueji's choice.