Hearing Sect Master Xiao’s words, Xu Zimei shook her head slightly.
She responded, "Would you believe me if I said I was completely confident?"
"I don’t believe it. No one dares to have such strong confidence," Sect Master Xiao shook his head and said.
"You know about the opening of the Sect’s Life-and-Death Cave, right?"
"Just found out," Xu Zimei nodded.
"Go and try your luck," Sect Master Xiao said.
"I’m not particularly interested in that place," Xu Zimei replied.
"That’s not my intention; it’s what the ancestor wishes," Sect Master Xiao replied.
Hearing Sect Master Xiao’s words, Xu Zimei was slightly stunned.
It seemed that the ancestors were still quite concerned about her, the Saint Heir.
Xu Zimei even felt that the Life-and-Death Cave had been opened specifically for her.
She nodded slightly and said, "I will go."
Afterward, Sect Master Xiao asked about a few more matters and, confirming that Xu Zimei had no issues, let her leave.
Just as she walked out of Heaven Origin Peak, a cold voice suddenly called out to Xu Zimei from behind.
"Wait," Meng Chenxue said as she approached, walking on air from behind.
"What’s the matter?" Xu Zimei turned around to look at the other party and asked with curiosity.
Their interactions had not been many; since Meng Chenxue had been defeated by a single blow from Xu Zimei, they hadn’t seen each other again.
"Fight me," Meng Chenxue suddenly said.
"It’s meaningless," Xu Zimei replied.
"Why should I fight you?"
"I want to see just how big the gap between us is now," Meng Chenxue said.
Xu Zimei shook her head slightly.
Before she could reply, Meng Chenxue had already charged at her with a longsword in hand.
The longsword split into dozens of afterimages, the blade and Sword Qi fierce.
Although the momentum wasn’t very strong, the edge of the Sword Qi was evident, shattering the surrounding space.
Xu Zimei clasped her hands together, and with a sweep of her arms, eradicated all the sword shadows within them.
Before Meng Chenxue could launch another attack, Xu Zimei was already weary of this tedious fight.
She struck Meng Chenxue’s abdomen with a heavy blow from her right hand.
The other’s body uncontrollably flew backward.
"You still aspire to contend for destiny?" Xu Zimei asked.
After tumbling to the ground, Meng Chenxue struggled to stand.
Wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth, she replied, "Even though the sect only cultivates one Saint Heir, who doesn’t long for destiny?
If one has the strength, naturally, they would want to try."
Her complexion was somewhat subdued, the defeat having come too quickly.
Despite having practiced diligently during this time, it was unfortunate she couldn’t withstand even a single move.
"You’re a monster," Meng Chenxue said.
"Among our peers, I’ve never encountered anyone as strong as you."
"Do you know why you lost?" Xu Zimei smiled and said.
"Why?" Meng Chenxue furrowed her brows slightly, looking at Xu Zimei.
"You’re like a canary raised in captivity, always following around the Sect Master.
That’s not the path a strong person should take. Even if your realm has risen, your heart is still far from ready.
To put it simply, you don’t have the heart of a warrior."
Xu Zimei said, "And since you’ve always been taught by the Sect Master, but even the Sect Master is no match for me, how could you possibly fight?"
After finishing her words, Xu Zimei didn’t concern herself with the contemplative Meng Chenxue.
She left Heaven Origin Peak, walking on air, and found Lin Ruhu waiting for her below.
"Brother Zimo, what did the Sect Master want with you?" Lin Ruhu curiously asked as Xu Zimei returned.
"He wants me to go to the Life-and-Death Cave," Xu Zimei said.
"Then it’s probably the old ancestors of the Sect who want to meet you. I’ll come with you," Lin Ruhu said.
"Very well, let’s go take a look," Xu Zimei nodded.
The Life-and-Death Cave is located deep behind the True Martial Holy Sect’s back mountain.
Usually, this area is a forbidden land, where entry is not allowed.
However, ever since the Life-and-Death Cave was opened, the core disciples of the various Great Elders have also been allowed inside.
Even though it was already deep autumn, not far from the cold winter,
this back mountain seemed to be enveloped in a mysterious power. Here, it was eternally spring, lush and green, with trees growing densely across the hills and plains.
It was like a deep green ocean.
Following the small path on the back mountain, they continued forward.
A Heavenly River stretched across from the north, its water crystal clear to the bottom, flowing magnificently.
Many aquatic Monster Beasts lived in this river.
There were circling giant pythons, millennia-old turtles basking on huge river rocks in the sun,
and fish-headed Monster Beasts wielding steel forks wandering about.
In short, the creatures in this river made their homes here, becoming a part of the Heavenly River.
It is said that the Heavenly River was an ancient river captured by the True Martial Great Emperor.
The water is very precious and special.
As Xu Zimei passed by, the millennia-old turtle gave him a lazy glance and then paid no further heed.
Xu Zimei crossed the Heavenly River, and directly in front, a narrow canyon appeared.
The canyon was like a sliver of sky.
Its passageway was so narrow that it allowed only one person to proceed.
"Have you ever been into the Life-and-Death Cave?" Xu Zimei asked Lin Ruhu.
"No, my grandfather said I’m still far from ready," Lin Ruhu replied.
"He told me to train more."
The two entered the sliver of sky and, within the narrow passage, walked for about five minutes.
The view broadened ahead, and crowds of people appeared around them.
Upon seeing Xu Zimei emerge, the previously somewhat noisy surroundings suddenly fell silent.
"The Saint Heir has returned," someone said with an uncomfortable expression.
"Returning at such a critical moment, it’s quite a coincidence," a disciple said coldly.
"However, he may not necessarily be able to pass through the Life-and-Death Cave."
"Saint Heir," the people around still reluctantly greeted him.
After all, they were all proud and privileged members of the Sect, and it was naturally uncomfortable to have someone rank above them.
"Why hasn’t anyone gone in?" Xu Zimei asked with a smile.
The Life-and-Death Cave was located at the heart of the sliver of sky within the canyon. It resembled an upside-down bowl,
oval in shape, with slippery slopes all around.
In front, there were two pitch-black cave entrances.
One entrance was marked with the word "Life," and from the outside, it reflected scenes within.
Flowers blossoming, greenery sprouting, everything was growing vigorously.
The other entrance bore the word "Death," inside which was sheer stillness. Whether it was flowers or trees, all were heading towards the end of life,
beginning to wither, decay, and eventually turning into decomposed deadwood, dissipating into the air.
"We’ve all been sent out," Xiang Qianheng said somewhat awkwardly.
Looking at Xu Zimei’s puzzled expression,
Sword Twenty-One, who originally wore a cold expression, softened a bit and said, "Inside, relying on sheer strength is useless. Only by truly understanding the mysteries of the Life-and-Death Cave can one enter."
"The Saint Heir is unparalleled, why not try entering?" Some people said with a laugh.
"Yeah, the Saint Heir is so powerful, surely he won’t be sent out," others chimed in.
Watching these people heap praises on him, Xu Zimei smiled.