Chapter 95: The Challenge of Revitalizing the Cultivation World (95% complete)
At the foot of Kunpeng Mountain, people come and go. Cultivators gather in small groups to discuss cultivation methods, while mortals, protected by the mountain gate, hurry along.
In a private room on the second floor of Quanjulou, Su Xiaoyao sat by the window, her gaze passing through the carved wooden window to the distant mountains.
The mountains are majestic, and the beautiful scenery is exactly the same as it was five years ago, but stepping into this place again, my state of mind is completely different.
The rising steam from the teacup blurred her vision. She took a small sip and put the cup down, the bottom of the cup striking the wooden table with a crisp sound that broke the silence of the room.
“The little octopus said that one of the two groups of cultivators it saw was from the Xuan Tian Sword Sect, and it recognized their moves.” She stroked the rim of the cup back and forth.
The little octopus, by a twist of fate, broke through its genetic lock after being cleansed of its demonic energy by Granny Guiyi. Originally intended to be released back into the wild, it stubbornly insisted on staying because of the abundant spiritual energy of the academy. Now, it has become the academy's guardian beast, running errands for the phoenix cubs all day long.
It adapted well, quickly accepted the change in identity, and was very open with its knowledge of several outstanding alumni, including Su Xiaoyao.
After carefully recalling the details, the little guy added one more.
"Those cultivators carried a large number of spirit talismans, and their grades were not low, so I dared not make a move rashly."
It's not unusual for cultivators to carry talismans, but the fact that the little octopus specifically emphasized it shows just how many talismans this group had prepared.
Upon hearing this, Shen Suqi narrowed her eyes dangerously: "My intuition tells me that this matter is inextricably linked to the Holy Prayer Palace."
Su Xiaoyao agreed with her guess: "That's normal. They're in the same boat. They've already offended the Dao Ancestor with their previous actions. After their conspiracy was exposed, they had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue with the original plan to help Canmeng ascend to the Upper Realm. That way, they can at least get the protection of an immortal."
"Besides, if they want to back down now," Helian Yi sneered, "they'll have to see if the person behind them agrees."
Shen Suqi counted the talismans in her hand repeatedly, her tone calm: "Do you think the Holy Prayer Palace will respond to my challenge?"
Three days ago, she issued a challenge to Fang Hong, the master of the Holy Prayer Palace, ostensibly asking the Xuan Tian Sword Sect to be the witness, and the agreed location was Kunpeng Mountain.
“Fang Hong wouldn’t dare refuse. If he were to back down, it would mean the entire Holy Prayer Palace is afraid of you. The Holy Prayer Palace would lose face, and the people below would tear him apart.” Su Xiaoyao’s tone was certain. Her gaze fell on the talisman in her hand, and she pouted, “Is this the painted skin your junior gave you?”
"Hmm." Shen Suqi raised her chin slightly. "She took the initiative to make a deal with me. In exchange, I used the Painted Skin technique to paint a Saint-grade talisman for her, and I also gave her ten Super-grade ones."
"A sacred-grade talisman? A thunder and fire talisman?"
"As per her request, it's related to restraint and not very offensive," Shen Suqi replied.
“My abilities are still unstable. That Saint-grade Thunderfire Talisman was obtained through the tribulation of lightning, while the Painted Skin can help me steadily improve my grade by one level. This deal is worthwhile.”
Su Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow: "Your junior sister is quite generous. If it were anyone else, they would definitely save such a good thing for later when their strength is more stable."
Shen Suqi smiled, her eyes filled with admiration: "Her goal is very clear: to become Teacher Langdu's most valued disciple and the leader of the talisman cultivation class. Now she has already won first place in the entrance examination. This deal is a win-win for both her and me."
The conversation turned to the entrance examination for new students, and after chatting for a while, the group suddenly fell silent.
A white crane landed on the windowsill with a letter in its beak. Passersby downstairs were used to this and no one knew that this seemingly ordinary letter was about to stir up a storm in the entire Lingzhou.
"Yours." Su Xiaoyao gestured with her eyes.
Shen Suqi took down the letter, opened it, raised her eyebrows slightly, read ten lines at a glance, and then flicked the letter.
"So many words, what do they say?" Shui Fan asked curiously, peeking out.
Shen Suqi handed out the letter for everyone to read, while shaking his head and summarizing succinctly: "You dare to be such a brat, you don't know the immensity of heaven and earth, you are arrogant and conceited, you will surely get burned playing with fire."
"Woman, you're playing with fire," Su Xiaoyao said, still in the mood to joke.
Shen Suqi slammed her hand on the table and stood up.
"Friends, the five-year period has come to an end!"
*
Enveloped in mist and clouds, the mountaintop's vegetation seems imbued with a spiritual essence, as if nourished by a divine aura. White cranes soar high, their wings gently brushing against the drifting clouds, adding to the ethereal and otherworldly charm.
Su Xiaoyao stood quietly with her hands behind her back, gazing at the distant horizon, her expression thoughtful.
"All that glitters on the outside is rotten inside," Jiang Yun scoffed.
"How can you talk like that?" Su Xiaoyao suddenly turned her head and glared at him. "How can you describe my future residence like that?"
Jiang Yun: "...?"
"Last time I came, I was so focused on the competition that I didn't have a chance to appreciate the scenery of Kunpeng Mountain. It truly lives up to its reputation as the number one sect, a place of outstanding natural beauty." Su Xiaoyao took a deep breath of spiritual energy, almost intoxicated by it, and her speech became more refined. "Look! My future disciples are diligently cultivating, truly deserving of the title 'a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery'!"
"What do you mean?" Helian Yi glanced at her sideways.
"The succession of the Nine Sects is a foregone conclusion." Su Xiaoyao's eyes were full of cunning. "It is indeed difficult for an outsider like me to rise to power, but if I can get the strong support of the Palace Master of the Holy Prayer Palace and the Helian Family Head..."
She looked over there longingly.
Shen Suqi immediately replied, "It is my duty."
The two then looked in the same direction in unison.
Helian Yi, whose gaze was fixed on him: "..."
"The advantages outweigh the disadvantages," Jiang Yun said calmly.
If Su Xiaoyao were to rise to power, it would be difficult for her to gain benefits from the Xuantian Sword Sect, but she is never stingy with those who help her.
“It’s not that easy.” Helian Yi sighed. “The Xuantian Sword Sect has no ancestral rules to bind it, and it is not as weak as the Liuyun Sect. The change of power will inevitably attract countless backlashes.”
Su Xiaoyao sensed the softening in his tone and smiled, "It's all up to human effort."
Seeing her posture, Helian Yi understood that even without his intervention, she would definitely act recklessly. And Su Xiaoyao had never failed to accomplish what she set her mind to. Since that was the case, he might as well go with the flow and lend her a hand; he could use this opportunity to unite the three clans and extract some benefits from the Nine Sects.
"Are you sure you want to discuss this here?" Xiao Tingyuan asked quietly.
Following his gaze, Fang Hong, the Palace Master of the Holy Prayer Palace, had a gloomy face, while the other sect masters all had unfriendly expressions.
"Heh." Su Xiaoyao didn't care at all. "It's just something I said to them so they can go on their way in peace without worrying about the sect being left unattended."
Fang Hong roared, "You brat..."
"How dare you?"
"I don't know..."
"The sky is high and the earth is deep?"
"You!" His eyes widened, his years of self-cultivation and composure vanished, and he pointed directly at Su Xiaoyao, about to unleash a furious curse.
"Stop." Shen Suqi stepped forward, blocking Su Xiaoyao's path, and stretched out her right palm to block Fang Hong. "They are challenging the Xuantian Sword Sect. What does it have to do with you? Your opponent is me."
Fang Hong's lips curled into a cold smile: "Five years ago, you managed to escape by luck. Today, I will show you no mercy."
He flipped his hand from his sleeve, and a burst of spiritual energy rushed towards Shen Suqi. Shen Suqi dodged it, slightly surprised.
Early stage of fusion?
Five years ago, Fang Hong was only at the Nascent Soul stage. It seems he used some method to forcibly improve his cultivation.
A thoughtful look flashed in her eyes, then she suddenly smiled: "Times have changed. Now you should call me the Pure, Bright, Void, and Steadfast Daoist Lord."
"What Qingjingming..."
Fang Hong was about to make a disdainful remark when a gust of wind grazed his face before he could finish speaking.
Shen Suxi discovered his weakness with a single probing attack; he possessed the strength of the Integration Stage, but his combat experience was clearly inferior to hers.
The others stepped back and made way, not intending to get involved in their fight.
With ancestral precepts in place and a challenge letter agreed upon by both parties, this competition is protected by the laws of heaven and earth, so even if they wanted to intervene, they could not.
Fang Hong had clearly made ample preparations, continuously scattering talismans from his storage space without any regard for the cost.
Shen Suqi's pressure increased significantly. Her reserves of high-level spirit talismans were not as large as Fang Hong's, making it more difficult to deal with. However, her disadvantage only lasted until she used the Saint-grade Thunderfire Talisman.
She moved nimbly, dodging the oncoming attacks, and suddenly a light gold talisman appeared out of thin air at her fingertips, with faint purple lightning-like patterns flashing on the talisman.
The talisman began to burn from one end, and at the same time, a ball of purple-gold lightning exploded, spreading out from her center and enveloping the two of them. In an instant, the world changed color.
Lightning crackled and sparks flew everywhere around the blinding light curtain, forming an insurmountable barrier.
The crowd of onlookers erupted in uproar and hurriedly retreated.
Su Xiaoyao glanced at the future disciples who were standing there dumbfounded and shouted, "Retreat to the opposite hilltop! This is the range barrier of a Saint-grade Thunderfire Talisman created by the number one talisman cultivator of our time!"
At the center of the talisman array, Shen Suqi faintly heard shouts and unconsciously curled the corners of her lips.
Hey, that's so embarrassing, the number one talisman master of our time... Friend, shout it out louder!
Her thoughts drifted for only a moment before she refocused her attention on Fang Hong.
Fang Hong spat out a mouthful of blood, a flash of light appeared on his body, and the hidden defensive talisman slowly dissipated.
It was no secret that Shen Suqi had drawn a Saint-grade Thunderfire Talisman; he had prepared in advance, but he hadn't expected to underestimate its power.
His heart was bleeding; that was a Saint-grade defensive talisman! He hadn't expected it to only withstand one attack from the Thunderfire Talisman!
For two thousand years, no one in the Holy Prayer Palace has produced a talisman cultivator of the Saint-grade level. Every talisman used is one less available.
But the thought that if they lost the duel, the entire Holy Prayer Palace would have to be handed over to someone else made it all worthwhile.
No matter how talented Shen Suqi is, how many Saint-grade spirit talismans can she produce?
He gritted his teeth and glared at Shen Suqi with resentment.
Both of them harbored resentment, and within the lightning and fire barrier, flashes of light constantly illuminated the talismans.
The cultivators standing on the distant mountaintop held their breath, while the disciples with lower cultivation levels hid behind their senior brothers and sisters, only daring to peek through the gaps.
"Who do you want to win?" a young disciple asked in a low voice.
A brief silence fell over the area.
Someone murmured, "Everyone knows about what happened at the Lingzhou Grand Gathering five years ago, yet our sect and the Holy Prayer Palace are still on good terms..."
Before the words were finished, a loud bang suddenly erupted within the thunder and fire barrier, and the blinding light made everyone instinctively close their eyes.
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