Clouds billowed in all directions, ancient cities stood in ranks.
The dry spiritual energy and the lush ancient pines formed a stark contrast.
Each ancient tree, winding and twisting, rose tall between heaven and earth, adding an ancient charm to this broken world of the ancient city.
Like Gray Dragons, the trees’ ancient aura was profound, becoming a place for every cultivator to seek enlightenment in their leisure time.
Such places were plentiful, therefore, not giving rise to conflicts.
Zhou Yan traveled through the void, bringing Xu Yingxia with him.
In terms of speed, Zhou Yan’s current strength allowed him to leave Earth in the blink of an eye and appear within the Star Domain—such was the marvel of the Void Sword Body.
Zhou Yan, taking Xu Yingxia along through the void, once again astonished the already impressive female cultivator.
However, by staying by Zhou Yan’s side and witnessing much, she gradually came to terms with it.
After obtaining the coordinates and the direction of the entrance, Zhou Yan directly traversed heaven and earth with Soul Power, and in an instant, appeared in an Ancient Land.
Arriving here suddenly, Xu Yingxia also startled, first frozen in surprise, but when she regained her senses and saw some handsome male and female cultivators sitting under ancient pines ahead, her face immediately became uneasy.
After all, the Pure Yang Sect was just a minor sect, otherwise it wouldn’t have faced covetous eyes for the sect’s Supreme Treasure, the Pure Yang Ancient Cauldron.
Exactly because of this, suddenly coming to the Great Sects’ land of Tao discussion made Xu Yingxia feel somewhat apprehensive.
Apart from the fact that her own background and strength couldn’t match other cultivators, it was also because this place had her enemies and suitors from the Great Sects.
Xu Yingxia spoke up, feeling anxious in her heart, not wanting to face those she’d rather not.
"Hm? What do you want to say? Speak, have no concerns."
"This place belongs to those Great Sects, and I’m not yet qualified to enter. Moreover, because of the Pure Yang Ancient Cauldron being coveted, my appearance here could lead to trouble if recognized."
Xu Yingxia said with some worry.
Then she reflected for a moment and added, "I personally don’t mind, but if my presence brings continuous trouble to you, Senior, I would feel quite uneasy."
Zhou Yan instantly understood Xu Yingxia’s meaning.
Xu Yingxia wasn’t actually worried about the troubles; on the contrary, she hoped those troubles would come to her. However, because of her own strength and the uncertainty whether Zhou Yan would lend her aid or not, she felt even more nervous.
Of course, she couldn’t gauge whether bringing about a series of troubles would cause Zhou Yan to become irritated with her.
Such thoughts, Zhou Yan already knew without guessing, let alone the fact that he possessed the Nine Orifice Exquisite Heart, which meant that these cultivators held no secrets from him, should he choose to uncover them.
Therefore, Zhou Yan gave Xu Yingxia a meaningful look that caused her heart to lurch, realizing her small trickeries too were laid bare.
Xu Yingxia felt somewhat embarrassed, but she faced the situation openly and awaited Zhou Yan’s response.
After all, previously Zhou Yan said if he complained of too little trouble, whether he actually felt that way would depend on how Zhou Yan faced the current situation.
"I know what you’re thinking, and I want to tell you this is not much of an issue. Just go ahead. Whatever you want to do, just do it. I’ll back you up."
Zhou Yan said with a smile.
"Senior, is that true? No matter what this junior does, will senior support me?"
Xu Yingxia asked excitedly.
Zhou Yan nodded and said, "As long as it doesn’t violate principles or deliberately commit evil, the rest is up to you. This place is but a minor cultivation ground with a shallow foundation, there’s no need to take it to heart."
Zhou Yan spoke indifferently.
He didn’t hide his voice.
Or rather, when Xu Yingxia and Zhou Yan spoke, they didn’t conceal anything. Their voices weren’t loud, but other cultivators could hear them.
"A minor cultivation ground with a shallow foundation? There’s no need to take it to heart? What an arrogant claim!"
Suddenly, a red-clothed woman flew out through the air, descending beneath an ancient tree, standing loftily as if she looked down upon Zhou Yan and Xu Yingxia from a superior position, her face filled with a sarcastic sneer.
From Zhou Yan’s ordinary attire to Xu Yingxia, the direct disciple of the Pure Yang Sect, the red-clothed woman didn’t take them seriously at all, she held them in complete contempt.
As a core disciple of the ’Yuxu Sword Sect,’ she had utter disdain for small sects like the Pure Yang Sect.
Not to mention, this disciple of the Pure Yang Sect had no qualification to be here at all!
What she could not bear even more was that this disciple of the Pure Yang Sect had brought a young person from a mundane city here—it was utterly rebellious and deserved punishment!
"So what if I am arrogant? Nowadays, ’debating the Dao’ is nothing more than discussing how to bully other cultivators and fish for fame anyway! Hmph, I know you look down on the Pure Yang Sect, wanting to seize the Pure Yang Ancient Cauldron, but no matter what, you’ll have to get past me first!"
Empowered by Zhou Yan’s support, Xu Yingxia also hardened her stance, knowing that this was an opportunity. Even if it meant offending Zhou Yan, she had to seize this chance to make a name for her sect.
Therefore, she immediately flew out, directly challenging the gathered heroes.
Such actions by Xu Yingxia earned Zhou Yan’s great admiration. Regardless, such a woman was quite responsible, savvy in leveraging situations, mindful of her sect’s interests, and exceedingly loyal to her sect. For original chapters go to novel[f]ire.net
These were all rare virtues.
However, Zhou Yan did not like being used. Despite having given Xu Yingxia the promise to act freely, he was still not fond of ’borrowing a tiger’s fierceness.’
Nevertheless, since he was supposed to spread the Dao in this cultivation world sooner or later, it wasn’t a bad choice to let Xu Yingxia step forward at this moment.
"Just you? Xu Yingxia? If I, Fang Yunyin, am not mistaken, you’re just at the initial realm of Qi Refining and Divinity Transformation, not yet having strengthened your soul, right? Yet you dare to challenge the proud and mighty? Who gave you such courage? That ant from the Mortal World behind you?"
The red-clothed woman Fang Yunyin scoffed coldly.
"I’m here today to challenge all of you on behalf of the senior, passing down his teachings! Hmph, whether I’m formidable or not, we’ll see the truth through combat! All the talk is less significant than a fart!"
Xu Yingxia retorted coldly, her words a bit rough, but spoken with great bravado.
This statement suddenly made the atmosphere at the scene heat up, drawing the immediate attention of many cultivators.
"How insolent! You dare to come forth and challenge with your meager achievements? This is an insult and a blasphemy to the many talents and heroes present! I won’t bully you, just one move will make you retreat!"
The red-clothed woman’s face darkened, her voice growing even colder, as she declared.
After speaking, her soul power surged forth, and a Red Rhombus appeared in her hand, transforming into twin red orbs of light that lifted her body up, standing amidst the void.
Then, her figure swiftly moved away, arriving at the side of a huge ancient tree ahead where there was a Void platform, specially made for cultivators to practice, battle, and compete.
The red-clothed woman Fang Yunyin called out coldly.