The Trial Guardian Fire Beast snorted with a dry chuckle. The Sect Master had already issued a direct command: under no circumstances was it to lay a paw on Ji Fuyao. Otherwise, why would it bother with such useless chatter? It would have swatted her into oblivion ages ago!
Ji Fuyao's voice remained calm, almost dismissive. "I'm making my move."
The Guardian's enormous head twitched, a lazy rumble escaping its throat. "Oh, go right ahead." It clearly saw her as no threat.
Then, Ji Fuyao unleashed the Heaven-Burning Art!
A deafening roar ripped through the air! The spirit fire energy within several miles instantly surged, the very fabric of this space twisting into a vortex. Torrential spiritual flames churned and coalesced, forming a terrifying force that felt capable of incinerating the heavens and boiling the seas.
A colossal palm print, wreathed in roaring fire, slammed down directly onto the Trial Guardian Fire Beast!
The Guardian's eyes snapped open, a sudden clarity replacing its smug indifference. It roared in outrage, a furious, disbelieving cry. "No... What in the actual hell is this cultivation technique?!"
The Trial Guardian Fire Beast bellowed, desperately trying to draw upon the power of the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds, conjuring an indestructible shield of spirit fire.
But it was utterly useless! Utterly, tragically useless!
CRACK!
CRACK!
Not only did the supposedly unbreakable spirit fire shield shatter like glass, but the Guardian's massive body itself disintegrated into countless fragments of elemental energy.
A one-hit kill!
The surrounding disciples gaped, frozen to the spot. A profound silence fell over the world. Ji Fuyao had actually annihilated the Trial Guardian Fire Beast in a single blow! They knew that even their combined strength might not have been enough to accomplish such a feat. The cultivation technique Ji Fuyao had unleashed was simply too terrifying!
Many disciples were still dazed, their minds reeling.
But Ji Fuyao's form had already vanished from the first layer of the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds.
BOOM!
In the second layer of the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds, Ji Fuyao's breathing grew ragged. The intensity of the spirit fire here was indeed many times greater than the first layer. She immediately sat down cross-legged, her fiery-red gown dancing in the spirit fire gales. Her slender hands wove complex spirit seals as she pulled out a pile of high-grade spirit stones, preparing to break through to the Profound Sovereign realm.
Violent spiritual energy swirled around her, gradually forming a massive storm.
Days later.
Ji Fuyao slowly opened her eyes, an awe-inspiring Profound Sovereign aura radiating from her. With a thought, the surrounding spirit fire retreated like an obedient tide.
Profound Sovereign!
Ji Fuyao sighed inwardly, a mix of awe and disbelief. She hadn't expected to enter the Grand Dao Sect less than a month ago and now already step into the Profound Sovereign realm. If she were to name the one who helped her most, it would undoubtedly be Lu Xuan! The Heaven-Tier Dao Foundation Pill and the 6-star Emperor-tier Heaven-Burning Art were a gift of rebirth to her!
Ji Fuyao calculated the time; the Inner Sect Trial was just three days away. This journey had been incredibly fruitful!
Next, she would continue to comprehend the Path of Spirit Fire.
Meanwhile, the Grand Dao Sect was already caught in a whirlwind of commotion. The news of Ji Fuyao's one-hit kill against the first layer's Trial Guardian Fire Beast had spread like wildfire throughout the entire sect! This event was simply too astonishing, too outrageous! She was merely a newly initiated disciple!
It was well known that for thousands of years, not a single Profound Emperor disciple had ever managed to slay a Trial Guardian Fire Beast.
On the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds leaderboard, all the Profound Emperor records had been completely rewritten by Ji Fuyao.
Profound Emperor Rankings: Ji Fuyao! (Entered the second layer of the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds!)
Profound Emperor Rankings: Ji Fuyao! (One-hit kill on the first layer's Trial Guardian Fire Beast!)
Profound Emperor Rankings...
Ji Fuyao's achievements within the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds were utterly dazzling!
The Sect Master and the elders were once again stunned. They knew precisely how strong the first layer's Trial Guardian Fire Beast was. For Ji Fuyao to kill it in a single strike was an absolutely heaven-defying feat for someone in the Profound Emperor realm!
Now, according to reports from disciples in the second layer of the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds, Ji Fuyao had already broken through to the initial stage of the Profound Sovereign realm! Her cultivation speed was simply too terrifying! Such unparalleled talent could absolutely not be wasted under Lu Xuan's care!
Instantly, the Sect Master and the various Peak Masters felt a surge of protectiveness, lavishing praise upon Ji Fuyao. "Heaven blesses our Grand Dao Sect! Such a dazzling, monstrous talent, our sect must protect her until she fully rises!"
"She truly is the genius who resonated with the Grand Dao Bell!"
"The Inner Sect Trial is in three days. Fuyao will finally be able to leave Lu Xuan's side."
However, regarding the Inner Sect Trial three days later, the Sect Master harbored no worries at all. Ji Fuyao's achievements in the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds were heavily influenced by the terrain advantage—her fire-attribute constitution and cultivation technique allowed her to harness the power of spirit fire. If she were to leave the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds, her combat prowess would significantly decrease. So, the Sect Master was practically counting down the days until the Inner Sect Trial.
Just three days! Ji Fuyao would finally depart Azure Mystery Peak!
At the same time, Ji Fuyao's reputation among the disciples had soared, now shining like the midday sun. Her current growth rate had already far surpassed her peers! Ji Fuyao's mastery of strength now utterly crushed most inner sect disciples and was beginning to rival even true disciples. Indeed, even ordinary true disciples likely wouldn't be her match!
The disciples who had joined the sect with her wore bitter expressions, feeling utterly out of reach. "Ji Fuyao's talent is too powerful! Even under a useless master like Lu Xuan, she can still be this amazing."
"The Inner Sect Trial in three days? That's going to be Ji Fuyao's stage, alongside the true disciples!"
In fact, it wasn't just the newly initiated disciples; even inner sect disciples and true disciples felt a surge of pressure. All the spirit peaks of the Grand Dao Sect were already in an uproar. Without even needing pressure from their Peak Masters, a cultivation frenzy had swept through the Grand Dao Sect! These inner sect prodigies and true disciple geniuses possessed their own pride and stubborn resolve! How could they allow a newly initiated junior sister to break all the Profound Emperor records? Where would they put their faces, these senior brothers and sisters?
Some top-tier true disciples were even preparing to emerge from their seclusion! Upon hearing of Ji Fuyao's achievements in the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds, their eyes blazed, and terrifying battle intent radiated from their forms. They were all peerless prodigies, filled with unyielding pride. How could they be outshone by a fresh junior sister like Ji Fuyao?
"Ji Fuyao? Interesting."
"This is the first genius of her caliber to appear in decades!"
"Junior Sister Fuyao, I eagerly await your performance in the Inner Sect Trial!"
The Grand Dao Sect was once again in an uproar. Tides of emotion surged within countless disciples. It was clear just how intense the competition would be at the Inner Sect Trial three days from now, with so many top-tier true disciples emerging from seclusion!
Meanwhile, on Azure Mystery Peak, Lu Xuan remained blissfully unaware of all the commotion. He only knew that Ji Fuyao had broken through to the Profound Sovereign realm! His own cultivation had directly advanced to Late-stage Profound Sovereign! In addition, Ji Fuyao's mastery of spirit fire had also greatly improved. Lu Xuan's Path of Spirit Fire was rapidly approaching Perfected Mastery!
Ding! Synchronizing host's senior disciple Ji Fuyao's cultivation!
Ding! Synchronizing host's senior disciple Ji Fuyao's spirit fire comprehension!
The System's voice was simply delightful.
A day later.
A figure in a fiery-red gown gracefully descended onto Azure Mystery Peak. Ji Fuyao's star-like eyes shimmered; her robes could not conceal her perfect, graceful form. Her long, slender legs moved with purpose as she slowly approached the humble straw hut.
Lu Xuan was lounging in his armchair, soaking up the sun.
"Disciple, the Inner Sect Trial is still two days away. Why are you back early?"
Ji Fuyao tilted her elegant neck slightly. "I encountered a bottleneck, and two days wasn't enough, so I returned first."
Lu Xuan replied casually, "The Path of Spirit Fire, I presume?" He had already sensed that Ji Fuyao's spirit fire mastery had stagnated. She was at Great Accomplishment in the Path of Spirit Fire, and there was still a long way to go to reach Perfected Mastery! At this level, true enlightenment was essential! If she couldn't comprehend it, she would certainly be stuck.
Ji Fuyao offered a radiant smile. "Master, let's not talk about that for now. I'll make you something to eat."
Lu Xuan nodded.
Ji Fuyao began meticulously preparing the ingredients. Returning to Azure Mystery Peak this time, she felt something different. A sense of warmth, of belonging. Even she, with the mental fortitude of an Empress reborn for two lifetimes, found herself surprised by these feelings. Seeing her Master again, her heart surprisingly relaxed. She stopped thinking about cultivation, about avenging the Fuyao Dynasty; her mind emptied.
She was now absolutely certain that Lu Xuan was a supreme powerhouse. An Great Emperor realm powerhouse, beyond a doubt! Thinking this, Ji Fuyao glanced towards the window. Lu Xuan was leisurely stretched out in his armchair, appearing utterly detached from the mundane world. To think, the Grand Dao Sect hadn't discovered this for so many years. This only served as further proof of Lu Xuan's immense power!
At that moment, Lu Xuan slowly got up and peered into the straw hut. He watched Ji Fuyao, meticulously tossing meat cubes into the wok, then precisely adding seasonings, controlling the spirit fire with unbelievable accuracy. A stir-fry!
Lu Xuan chuckled, a wry smile on his face. "Disciple, when it comes to cooking, there's no need to be so rigid. Just... be more natural." He felt that Ji Fuyao cooked like a robot, a bit stiff. Perhaps she hadn't cooked enough. She needed more practice!
But Ji Fuyao froze. "Be more natural?"
A lightning bolt of insight flashed through her mind. She always paid close attention to Lu Xuan's words, believing they were never aimless, always secretly guiding her. And now, Lu Xuan was undoubtedly guiding her again!
WHOOSH!
Ji Fuyao suddenly comprehended. To transition from Great Accomplishment to Perfected Mastery in the Path of Spirit Fire, one must grasp "naturalness." What was naturalness? To control at will, to move with the heart, to act as one wished! The Path of Spirit Fire should be a fusion of human and fire, not human controlling fire. She knew exactly where her problem lay. She needed to feel the spirit fire with her heart, to activate it, rather than deliberately control it.
With this thought, Ji Fuyao's slender hands gently danced, and the aura of the spirit fire in her grasp abruptly transformed. It looked somewhat chaotic at first glance, but it was steadily aligning with the "Path of Naturalness." An incredibly profound aura surged from her body, and she instantly fell into enlightenment!
Witnessing this, Lu Xuan was utterly dumbfounded. "Huh? Ji Fuyao suddenly went into enlightenment again! So sudden."
Ding! Host's senior disciple Ji Fuyao's comprehension of the Path of Spirit Fire is increasing!
Synchronizing!
The System's voice chimed. Lu Xuan's lips curled into a slight smile, and he settled back into his armchair. Ah, such talent! To achieve enlightenment just from cooking! Feeling the Path of Spirit Fire constantly improving within him, Lu Xuan felt utterly delighted.
A short while later, the aura around Ji Fuyao subtly paused. Her enlightenment ended. And at that exact moment, the stir-fry finished cooking.
Ji Fuyao carried the dishes out and placed them on the stone table, her eyes sparkling with divine light. "Master, thank you for your guidance just now."
"Huh?" Lu Xuan blinked.
Ji Fuyao smiled brilliantly. "Master, if not for your guidance just now, I wouldn't have achieved enlightenment." She now knew the direction to Perfected Mastery of the Path of Spirit Fire. The path was clear; the rest was just a matter of time!
Lu Xuan frowned slightly. Had he just given guidance?
Sigh, forget it, he wasn't going to overthink it. Talk less, look powerful.
Lu Xuan nodded noncommittally. "Eat."