Outside the mist-shrouded Immortal Mountain Gate, the simple yet elegant plaque bearing the three characters “Xuang Guang Sect” hung high, emanating a warm, spiritual glow.
Yet today, this aura of the immortal realm was shattered by an invisible oppressive force.
A sleek, dark black immortal boat silently docked on the ancient bluestone path outside the gate.
It did not float arrogantly in the air, but rather obeyed certain unspoken “rules.”
Still, the faint Dragon Might radiating from the boat made the mountain gate disciples guarding the entrance tremble, their faces paling.
The cabin door opened, and several figures stepped out with measured grace.
Leading them was Qin Qingyue, clad in a flowing dark official robe that outlined her graceful yet commanding figure.
Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, loosely tied up with a Dragon-shaped Jade Hairpin.
Her crimson eyes swept over the mountain gate with a casual, scrutinizing gaze, while the dragon tail lazily swayed behind her.
Beside her stood Jiang Huai, dressed in a plain blue robe, his expression calm and aura restrained.
So this was the sect that set the stage for Qin Qingyue? They truly did possess the aura of immortals.
Behind them, Zhuxin wore crimson armor, her beauty unmatched; Su Yingman was draped in a scarlet silk dress, her figure swaying as she surveyed the scenery of the Xuang Guang Sect, a smirk playing on her lips as if amused by the unfolding spectacle.
Zhuxin was deliberately pushed forward by Qin Qingyue, and she looked a bit nervous, her small hands clutching the edge of her clothes tightly, her delicate face tense.
Thinking of the purpose of this visit made her uneasy.
Back at the Blazing Sun Sect, she had never been treated with such importance.
“Auntie, with my cultivation, going out is only going to embarrass the Nine Heavens Palace…” Zhuxin grimaced, quietly whispering to Qin Qingyue.
“A Master Sister must carry herself like one!” Qin Qingyue was unfazed, smiling as she patted Zhuxin firmly on the waist.
This group did not release any oppressive aura; just by standing there, they had already made the Xuang Guang Sect Master and elders, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, feel as if their hearts had fallen into a deep valley.
“Unknown to the East Sea Dragon Lord’s esteemed arrival, please forgive our poor hospitality!” The Xuang Guang Sect Master, a lean middle-aged woman, forced a warm smile and hurried forward.
“No need for formalities, Sect Master.” Qin Qingyue’s lips curved in a half-smile, ambiguous and sharp.
“I was idle and thought to visit. I heard your sect is producing many promising young talents with profound Dao techniques. I have brought along a few mediocre disciples to pay respects and exchange techniques, so they may understand that there are always greater beings beyond, and not to be narrow-minded.”
Her clear voice echoed distinctly throughout the mountain gate, inside and out.
The Sect Master inwardly groaned—this was no ordinary visit of respect but a blatant robbery in disguise.
Who didn’t know Qin Qingyue’s temper?
But since the situation was beyond her control, she had to grit her teeth and reply:
“Dragon Lord flatters us. Our disciples are crude and unrefined. To receive guidance from a senior disciple of the Nine Heavens Palace is their fortune. But the exchange of sword and saber is without mercy.”
“Eh!” Qin Qingyue interrupted, a flash of light flickering at her fingertips, and suddenly a dragon scale jade pendant burning with black flames appeared out of thin air.
The intense and pure Dragon Might instantly attracted every gaze.
“Just a playful game. Surely no one would take it seriously? A small wager to keep things interesting.” She pointed at Zhuxin.
“If this mediocre junior loses,” she continued, “we make a good-natured bond.”
“This Dragon Might Heart-guarding Pendant shall belong to your sect.”
The Xuang Guang Sect Master’s pupils contracted sharply.
The Longyan Heart-guarding Pendant contained an extraordinarily pure protective Dragon Might, capable of withstanding a full-force strike from a Grand Ascension stage expert.
For Qin Qingyue to wager so lavishly, her intent was surely significant.
Alarm bells rang in the Sect Master’s mind, but she dared not refuse and could only laugh nervously, “The Dragon Lord’s generosity is deeply appreciated. We shall accept your terms.”
She had no choice but to invite Qin Qingyue and her group into the sect’s internal training grounds, sending for reinforcements while engaging Qin Qingyue in conversation.
Zhuxin grew even more nervous.
She now represented the Master Senior Sister of the Nine Heavens Palace.
Back in the Blazing Sun Sect, even her own mother wouldn’t have allowed her, the young sect leader, to compete personally.
“Qingyi, you should teach the Master Sister a few moves. Remember to stop at the right time.”
The named disciple, Li Qingyi, floated gracefully forward and landed in the center of the field.
She was strikingly beautiful, ethereal in demeanor, with cultivation already at the early Golden Core stage.
Although inwardly nervous, she mustered her full spirit to uphold the sect’s dignity.
“Li Qingyi of Xuang Guang Sect, I humbly ask for Master Sister’s guidance.”
Zhuxin took a deep breath and glanced at Qin Qingyue, receiving an encouraging look before launching herself into the arena.
“Nine Heavens Palace’s Zhuxin, at your service.”
The battle erupted instantly. Zhuxin’s Triple Core cultivation was not weak; her red flame spiritual energy surged fiercely, and her attacks were sharp and relentless.
But Li Qingyi, as a top disciple of a supreme sect, wielded a more profound technique.
Her Flowing Light Immortal Sword was extraordinary, its sword intent like a rainbow, sometimes dissolving into light, sometimes forming arrays, gradually suppressing Zhuxin into a defensive stance.
Outside the arena, Zhuxin’s expression tightened, palms sweating in anxiety.
Su Yingman, on the other hand, maintained her usual smiling expression, as if watching an entertaining play.
Jiang Huai’s gaze remained calm and focused, analyzing every detail of the battle.
After dozens of rounds, Li Qingyi suddenly commanded sharply, her sword transforming into ten thousand streams of flowing light, forming an intricate sword formation that completely shattered Zhuxin’s protective spiritual flames.
The aftershock of the sword intent staggered Zhuxin backward.
Zhuxin faltered, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.
Her internal spiritual energy violently trembled from the fierce blow, her organs seeming to shift out of place.
Defeat was imminent.
Many Xuang Guang Sect disciples outside the arena showed expressions of relief and even some disdain.
A Master Senior Sister of the Nine Heavens Palace? That’s all there is to it.
Zhuxin’s heart tightened painfully, nearly crying out.
Jiang Huai remained composed, his gaze sharpening.
Yet just as everyone thought the outcome was settled, Zhuxin abruptly wiped the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand.
The nervous tension on her face instantly transformed into a fierce and unprecedented fighting spirit.
She could not lose.
She represented not just herself, but the entire honor of the celestial official behind her.
Having just escaped the suffocating Blazing Sun Sect, she refused to disgrace her new home with such a pitiful display.
A clear, resolute howl—neither dragon roar nor human—burst from Zhuxin’s throat.
Her once scattered red flame spiritual energy surged explosively, more violent than before, faintly carrying a ruthless willingness to burn her very essence.
The blazing flames wrapped around her like a war god reborn from fire.
“Hmm?” A true note of surprise and admiration flashed in Qin Qingyue’s crimson eyes.
“Yaor!” Zhuxin’s voice rang out in shock and heartbreak.
“The will and fighting spirit of your daughter are far stronger than before.” Qin Qingyue couldn’t help but praise.
With the Yin Yang Constitution, she thought this scene was a perfect training opportunity.
Zhuxin completely ignored the stabbing pain within her body, forcing her potential to its limit.
She abandoned all restraint in technique; her attacks became frenzied and brutal.
Each strike carried the desperation of exchanging injury for injury, life for life.
“Madwoman…” Li Qingyi’s expression changed. She hadn’t expected such tenacity or such ferocity.
She tried to dispel the assault with her exquisite sword techniques, but Zhuxin ignored defense entirely, attacking relentlessly.
The scorching flames wildly battered her sword formation and protective spiritual aura.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
Explosions rang out continuously in the arena, fire and sword light wildly intertwining, clashing, and vanishing.
Zhuxin’s crimson armor cracked, her hair was sliced by sword qi, and her arms and cheeks were marked with fresh wounds.
Yet the fire in her eyes only blazed brighter.
Every injury seemed to unlock a deeper layer of her potential.
Li Qingyi was thrown into chaos by this reckless fighting style, sweat on her brow, her spiritual energy rapidly depleting.
A strand of her hair was singed by flames, and her sleeve burned through, leaving her disheveled.
Finally, after a crude head-on collision, both figures were blasted backward, crashing heavily at the edge of the arena.
Zhuxin struggled to rise but suddenly spat a mouthful of blood.
Her body weakened, she dropped to one knee, barely supporting herself with trembling arms, her spiritual energy nearly exhausted and her injuries severe.
On the other side, Li Qingyi barely stood but was pale as paper, her sword hand trembling and her aura disordered—clearly suffering from serious internal injuries, unable to continue fighting.
A heavy silence fell over the entire arena.
Qin Qingyue looked at the stubborn girl refusing to fall, her eyes filled with greater admiration.
Zhuxin’s heartguard, already rushing forward, supported her trembling disciple, quickly channeling pure fire spiritual energy to heal her, eyes brimming with both pain and pride.
The Xuang Guang Sect Master regarded the situation as favorable—a draw preserved their face—and forced herself to remain composed.
“Indeed, the Dragon Lord’s disciples are hidden dragons and crouching tigers, truly impressive.”
Is it finally over?
“The juniors have finished sparring, but their enthusiasm is just beginning,” Qin Qingyue’s voice rose, tinged with playful coldness.
“I would like to wager another round with your sect. Sect Master, do you dare accept?”
The Sect Master’s throat went dry; she forced a smile. “May I ask what the Palace Master wishes to wager?”
Qin Qingyue’s red lips curled into a chilling, captivating smile as she spoke slowly and clearly, each word striking everyone’s heart:
“How about the top-tier Ling Mai and its affiliated Blessed Land that I recently purchased at the Auction for an astronomical price?”
“If I lose, I will take your life.”
The Sect Master’s face instantly drained of all color.
Qin Qingyue’s gaze shifted to Jiang Huai.
Jiang Huai stepped forward slowly, the long sword at his waist humming softly, the aura of a profound sword intent entwining around it.
He first gave a composed, elegant bow to the Sect Master, the elders, and the surrounding disciples—flawless and impeccable.
“The Saint Son of the Nine Heavens Palace, Jiang Huai.”