In less than an hour, the top true disciples had already surged eighty li deep into the first layer of the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds! Liu Xuan, Fang Yan, and Luo Lingkong proceeded to absolutely decimate the Fire Beasts within. The observing disciples gasped in utter disbelief; the normally formidable Fire Beasts were being cut down like paper. In a single day, Fang Yan eradicated over thirty thousand Fire Beasts! Luo Lingkong, even more! Every top true disciple averaged thirty thousand beasts each, killing them so rapidly the Fire Abyss couldn't even manifest new ones! The very Will of the Fire Abyss had to intervene, projecting its voice: 'Too many Fire Beasts consumed! The first layer of the Fire Abyss will not generate new Fire Beasts for three days!' The disciples were dumbfounded. 'Is this the true power of our inner sect?' they muttered. Even with their cultivation realms suppressed, they were demonstrating absolute dominance! 'What a pity,' Fang Yan sighed, 'we broke the record, but the Will of the Fire Abyss didn't grant any spiritual fire purification.' Many shared his confusion. Why no baptism? Liu Xuan’s slender, graceful legs swayed as she flashed a captivating smile. 'No matter. It's time to challenge the Trial Guardian Fire Beast.' Luo Lingkong simply nodded, drawing his sword and mounting it. 'I'll lead the way!' With a whoosh, he transformed into a streak of lightning, rocketing toward the Trial Guardian Fire Beast's lair!
Meanwhile, at the second layer's entrance, the Trial Guardian Fire Beast scowled, its massive head twitching. 'I swear, these people. Seriously, where's the common decency?' Though the true disciples had suppressed their cultivation, they still possessed the profound heritage of the Profound Sovereign realm, with most on the cusp of the Profound Venerate realm! How could they even be compared to Ji Fuyao, who had breezed through? 'And they want a spiritual fire baptism? Dream on.'
Moments later, Luo Lingkong arrived, gliding gracefully on his sword. He looked down at the behemoth, declaring calmly, 'My sword is drawn.' The Trial Guardian Fire Beast, a mountain of spiritual fire with eyes like bronze gongs, slowly stirred. 'Go ahead,' it rumbled.
Hiss! A blinding arc of sword qi erupted, tearing through the air. The Trial Guardian Fire Beast roared, rearing its massive body and swiping a claw at Luo Lingkong. But it was too late. The sword qi cleaved through its form, splitting it cleanly in two! Obliterated in a single strike!
Luo Lingkong's lips curved into a faint smile. 'Too weak.' He stepped directly into the second layer.
Boom! The Trial Guardian Fire Beast's immense form, drawing on the Fire Abyss's will, swiftly re-condensed. Just as it finished, Liu Xuan, ethereal in a white gown, descended upon a cascade of sparkling flowers. Her slender hand moved before the beast could even speak, unleashing a burst of ethereal energy.
'What the actual hell...' The Trial Guardian Fire Beast barely registered the thought before an invisible force constricted its body, dissolving it into a flurry of spirit fire petals. It tried to resist, but it was futile. Death. Liu Xuan smiled, stepping over the beast's dissipating form as she entered the second layer.
Dozens of breaths later, the Trial Guardian Fire Beast coalesced once more. It was furious. 'What the actual hell is this?!' It snorted flames from its nostrils, ready to transmit a desperate plea to the Sect Master to intervene.
But then, another male figure hurtled towards it. It was Fang Yan, the Body Refinement Peak disciple! Bare-chested, a dazzling golden aura rippled across his skin. With every thunderous step, ordinary Fire Beasts in his path shattered. He stopped before the Guardian, clenched his fists, and a chorus of cracks, pops, and booms echoed from his joints. With a confident smirk, he unleashed a single punch.
BOOM! The Trial Guardian Fire Beast dissolved into a burst of firelight. Fang Yan, his expression unruffled, strode into the second layer.
High above, the Trial Guardian Fire Beast re-formed, its voice laced with pure venom. 'I curse your ancestors! Who the hell did I piss off? Are you all using me for practice?!'
Moments later, several more figures appeared. The beast watched in horror as a queue of true disciples formed behind them, all eager to challenge it. These disciples didn't even bother with greetings, attacking instantly. Trial Guardian Fire Beast: Annihilated! Annihilated! Annihilated! It was blown apart repeatedly, sometimes before it could even fully condense!
The Trial Guardian Fire Beast was on the verge of tears. Its mind utterly broke. A cascade of question marks filled its thoughts. What the actual hell is happening?! Finally, it simply fled, abandoning the second layer's entrance. 'I don't want to guard this broken entrance anymore. Whoever wants to guard it can!'
The observing disciples were stunned. The Trial Guardian Fire Beast actually ran away?
When the Sect Master and the other Peak Masters heard, they all broke into laughter. Such a thing had truly never happened before. Even with their cultivation suppressed to the Profound Emperor realm, top true disciples like Fang Yan, Luo Lingkong, and Liu Xuan could still instantly kill the Trial Guardian Fire Beast! It seemed the Inner Sect Trial was already decided.
Fang Yan loudly declared, 'I wonder if Junior Sister Fuyao can even break my defense?' Luo Lingkong, ever aloof, replied, 'My sword, once drawn, is invincible! First place in the Inner Sect Trial belongs to me, and no one else!' Liu Xuan offered a charming smile. 'It's been a long time since I've made a move. I'm quite looking forward to this.'
The Sect Master felt a surge of confidence. He quickly sent a spiritual message to Lu Xuan, updating him on the events in the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds. Upon hearing the news, Lu Xuan chuckled, practically splitting his sides. That Trial Guardian Fire Beast was truly miserable.
Later, at dinnertime, Lu Xuan recounted the day's events to Ji Fuyao. Ji Fuyao stifled a giggle, covering her lips with a slender hand. 'The Trial Guardian Fire Beast has the power of an initial-stage Profound Sovereign. For those disciples to suppress their realms and still one-shot it... it shows just how formidable our true disciples are.'
Lu Xuan simply shrugged, a lazy smirk playing on his lips. 'Still, my disciple is stronger.'
Ji Fuyao's cheeks dusted pink, and she offered a soft, knowing smile. Her Master was teasing her again. She'd grown accustomed to it. In fact, she rather enjoyed his playful banter; it filled her with a warmth she'd never known. In her past life, she'd never experienced such pure, genuine affection. Now, Azure Mystery Peak felt like home, a sanctuary that had cleared her heart and calmed her spirit. Her dedication to cultivation remained, but the frantic urgency of her past self had vanished. This tranquil state of mind, one she had desperately chased throughout her previous existence, had, to her surprise, blossomed here at Azure Mystery Peak.
Her starry eyes sparkled as she looked at Lu Xuan, a radiant smile gracing her face. Her Master felt more mysterious with each passing day. 'There's so much I need to learn from Master,' she mused inwardly.
Lu Xuan simply smiled. What grand pronouncements is my disciple concocting in her head now? That particular expression of Fuyao's was all too familiar. Ai, this girl!
That night, within her cave dwelling, Ji Fuyao activated countless seals and restrictions, mysterious spiritual runes coalescing into intricate patterns. She produced her Fuyao Token, activating an ancient secret art to contact her Imperial Dragon Guards.
'Wang Man, Qing Yan,' she spoke into the void, 'have you managed to gather information on the other two loyalist factions?'
A gruff voice resonated back. 'Empress, we've established contact with one of them. The other is too far from the Blackflame Mountain Range, and we're still awaiting their response.' It was Dragon Guard Commander Wang Man.
Ji Fuyao nodded. 'Continue.'
'The faction we've connected with is the Ye Family of Qingcheng!' Wang Man reported. 'For three millennia, they've been the undisputed rulers of Qingcheng, though they've always maintained a low profile. We've tested their loyalty, and they are absolutely devoted to Your Majesty! Furthermore, we've informed the Ye Family's Old Ancestor of your reincarnation and return! They are already preparing to welcome your arrival!'
Ji Fuyao's graceful neck tilted slightly, divine light glinting in her eyes. 'Excellent work.'
Then, the voice of the other Dragon Guard Commander, Qing Yan, chimed in. 'Empress, when will you grace the Blackflame Mountain Range with your presence?'
'In a few days,' Ji Fuyao replied. Tomorrow was the Inner Sect Trial. Once it concluded, she planned to accept a sect mission, which would provide the perfect pretext for her journey to the Blackflame Mountain Range.
Both Qing Yan and Wang Man were overcome with emotion. 'To see Your Majesty again so soon...' Their voices trembled with three millennia of anticipation, a steadfast vigil that had finally reached its culmination.
'Good. I will contact you when the time is right,' Ji Fuyao concluded.
'Your wish is our command!' the two commanders chorused, their voices filled with fervent loyalty.
The very next day, the Grand Dao Sect's Inner Sect Trial commenced, igniting a fervent buzz throughout the entire sect, from the Sect Master to the newest disciples! Ethereal dao patterns shimmered across countless spirit peaks, weaving across the sky like a celestial tapestry. Above, auspicious spirit beasts glided gracefully, their majestic wings unfurling, releasing melodic cries as divine splendor washed over everything. Elders and disciples alike ascended into the air, streaking across the heavens like brilliant rainbows.
In the grand arena below, disciples from various peaks had already gathered, their excited chatter filling the air. 'Who do you think will take first place? Senior Brother Fang Yan, or Senior Brother Luo Lingkong?'
'Senior Sister Liu Xuan is incredibly powerful too!'
'What about Junior Sister Ji Fuyao? If she could even break into the top thirty, that would be astounding!'
Just then, a figure in grey robes descended, radiating an oppressive aura of pure blood qi. Faint golden light shimmered across his skin, and with every step, the powerful resonance of his internal world echoed forth. A disciple gasped, 'It's Body Refinement Peak's Senior Brother Fang Yan!' Fang Yan, renowned throughout the Grand Dao Sect as utterly indestructible to anyone below the Profound Venerate realm!
The next moment, Zheng! Innumerable sword cries pierced the void as hundreds of figures, like shooting stars, hurtled towards the arena. They were the disciples of Sword Peak, all elegantly soaring on their blades, their otherworldly grace causing many female disciples' hearts to flutter. Leading them was the prodigious sword cultivation genius, Luo Lingkong! He offered a faint smile, radiating a calm charisma that warmed those around him. 'Everyone, long time no see!'
'Senior Brother Luo Lingkong!' many responded enthusiastically.
Moments later, Ethereal Peak's Liu Xuan descended, treading upon a cascade of sparkling flower petals. She moved with the grace of a celestial being, making many male disciples' eyes light up with admiration.
Soon after, the Sect Master and the various Peak Masters arrived. The Sect Master scanned the crowd. 'Where's Lu Xuan? Still not here?'
The Pill Peak Master chuckled dismissively. 'He's useless at everything he tries...'
Much later, a wisp of cloud drifted gently from the distant peaks, carrying Ji Fuyao and Lu Xuan. Ji Fuyao, resplendent in a fiery red gown, her exquisite face framed by dark hair, displayed a perfectly graceful silhouette that caused many disciples' hearts to stir. Lu Xuan, meanwhile, stood with his usual indolent posture in simple white robes, offering a lazy smile to the elders and disciples below. 'Everyone, long time no see.'
Silence. No one responded. The scene became acutely awkward.
The Sect Master's face twitched. 'Lu Xuan! Hurry up! Everyone's waiting for you!'
'Alright,' Lu Xuan replied nonchalantly.
Soon, Lu Xuan and Ji Fuyao landed in the arena. All eyes fell on Ji Fuyao, and a collective gasp of shock rippled through the crowd. In just a few days, Ji Fuyao had broken through again? She was now a mid-stage Profound Sovereign!
How many pills has Lu Xuan force-fed Fuyao? the Sect Master fumed internally, his expression tightening. He's just artificially boosting her cultivation, ruining her Dao foundation! Ai...