"My master, Duan Chenzhou, has now broken through the shackles of a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster and is right here in Anning!"
"If you try to kill me, this day next year will be the anniversary of your deaths!"
Ji Xiu retreated with his blade, positioning himself beside the Jade-Horned Spirit Deer. His brows furrowed, and his voice was cold and resonant.
At the same time, he gave Qingtuan—who stood there motionless, a dazed look on her face—a strange glance.
’This Clam Maiden from the Water Mansion...’
’Is she brain-damaged or something?’
’Who would choose death when they could live a perfectly good life!’
’I was just trying to win a bit of your lady’s favor, see if I could draw some blood to help me achieve my Ultimate Leap. We’ve never even met, and you’re already talking about living and dying together.’
’I’ve only just started to make some headway. I haven’t had my fill of living yet, so who’d want to die with you?’
Even if she was a walking treasure trove, he wouldn’t dare get involved with a girl like that. She was a complete liability who did nothing but stir up trouble!
However...
’...if she hadn’t caused a scene, how else could I have created an opportunity to connect with the Dragon Maiden I spotted with Qi Observation?’
’The Clam Maiden should have a hard Treasure Shell, similar to human skin. She probably won’t be killed by a single blow, right?’
Ji Xiu mused to himself, feeling no guilt whatsoever about fabricating the "Qi Cultivation Grandmaster" status for Duan Chenzhou.
’Master, you can kill Qi Cultivation Grandmasters even while at the Power Barrier...’
’I’m just adding a bit more weight to your reputation. It’s a sign of your disciple’s faith in you!’
’I believe in you! You can definitely do it!’
He declared with utter conviction in his heart.
Meanwhile, Feng Zhengming and the Huang Family’s old servant watched Ji Xiu withdraw. They frowned, about to give chase.
But when they heard the name "Duan Chenzhou," they froze, both of them stunned.
Duan Chenzhou...
...has broken through to become a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster!?
The two were still reeling, wondering if this news was true.
But two figures who had previously disembarked from a boat and blended into a crowd of laborers and mortals both jolted at the words.
Qin Zhuo, the first and personally taught disciple of Chen He, Sect Leader of the Celestial Blade School from Jiangyin Prefecture, looked up, his eyes narrowing.
"Sword Mountain and Fire Sea Stance... My master, Duan Chenzhou!"
"Is that my junior brother?"
Qin Zhuo, who had been planning to enter the county, abruptly slapped the hilt of his blade. In that instant, an incomparably fierce Overlord’s Unrivaled Blade Stance erupted from within the crowd, overflowing with Gang Qi!
「Meanwhile.」
Ye Ningzhi, from the Embroidery Lineage of Jiangyin Prefecture and a disciple under Prefecture Official Ye Luan, suddenly gripped the rapier hidden in her sleeve, her willow-like brows shooting up.
"That Huang the Seventh still has such a foul mouth! It makes me want to teach him a lesson myself!"
"But..."
Seeing Ji Xiu all alone, maneuvering against various factions and finally having to retreat while invoking Duan Chenzhou’s name, a look of admiration appeared in Ye Ningzhi’s eyes.
"This kid’s got some style!"
"It’s just that your Cultivation is a bit weak. Beating you now would be a dishonorable victory, and it wouldn’t help my master win back any face from the dozens of times she’s lost to Duan Chenzhou. There’s no glory in it."
"I’ve already broken through to Mercury Blood Silver Marrow, and my Skin Refining Fire is nearly perfected. I’ll give you some more time to grow."
"Before that happens..."
"...your big sister here will settle this for you!"
In an instant, Ye Ningzhi stepped forward with her sword, wanting to join the fray, but...
...Fan Nansong, the Flying Immortal Temple Master, had just walked out of the ship’s cabin. He took one look, saw Ji Xiu using his Divine Soul Perception to make a clean escape, and especially noted that he was cultivating the Ten Thousand Laws Dao Seal Visualization Map... and he was utterly astounded.
’The Ten Thousand Laws Dao Seal Visualization Map, the primary foundation of the Ten Thousand Laws!?’
’The foundational Dao Foundation for the Three Classics, Four Scriptures, and Ten Great Heavenly Skills!’ He drew a sharp breath.
’A legacy like this... it can’t be wrong!’
’He must be that Ancestral Master from my lineage, without a doubt!’
And seeing his venerable Ancestral Master being ganged up on...
...the Flying Immortal Temple Master, though feeling this Ancestral Master didn’t quite match the image he’d had in mind, was standing beside the young master Di Yuan, who was watching the spectacle from the nearby Post House. He couldn’t help but roar in fury. His Divine Soul pulsed, seizing control of the entire pier.
"All of you, stop right there, by order of Lord Tao!"
"I’d like to see who dares to make trouble for my Ancestral Master Ji!"