"I refuse to believe it!" Shen Ao possesses perseverance and determination, having cultivated to this point, he naturally wonât easily give up.
The five of them proceeded together, passing through layers of gray mist.
A moment later, they all paused and became cautious.
In front of them, a young man in dark fighting attire was approaching.
This manâs appearance was unremarkable, someone who would go unnoticed in a crowd, but Shen Ao and his companions dared not be careless.
After all, cultivators like Jin Tingfeng and Xin Ziqi, who have yet to reach the Perfection of the Dao Foundation, are rare in Tianyuan. Most peopleâs cultivation is above the Spirit Platform and cannot be underestimated.
Among them, Shen Ao, Lu Ziyun, and the third male cultivator present all heightened their senses and guarded themselves.
Unexpectedly, Jin Tingfeng and Xin Ziqi were both stunned.
On Xin Ziqiâs originally frosty face, a trace of joy suddenly appeared, and she took large strides forward to greet the person.
"Red Hero, why are you here?" Xin Ziqi said loudly, her voice carrying a hint of excitement.
"Fairy Xin, long time no see," Lou Yi replied with a smile.
"Red Hero!" Jin Tingfeng also called out loudly, nodding to each other with Lou Yi.
"Who is this person?" Seeing Xin Ziqiâs obvious change in expression, a deep sense of crisis emerged in Shen Aoâs heart, and he hurriedly asked Jin Tingfeng beside him.
"He is a loose cultivator from Zhao Kingdom, without any sect, but in the war between the Corpse-Driving Sect and Cyan Wolf Ridge, he killed countless members of the Demon Clan, including monsters with bloodlines at the Perfection Level." Jin Tingfengâs first sentence made Shen Ao and his companions unimpressed,
but the next sentence moved them, "In addition, he defeated Yu Shaofei from the Thunder Shock Sect in a fair duel, a master at the Third Level of the Spirit Platform."
"Thunder Shock Sect cultivator at the Third Level of the Spirit Platform?" Shen Ao said, somewhat unsure and suspicious.
Although he doesnât know specifically who Yu Shaofei is, the name of the Thunder Shock Sect has been famous for a long time.
The Thunder Shock Sect is renowned in the Central Continentâs heartland and has historically produced Nascent Soul True Monarchs.
Currently, there are five Golden Core Masters overseeing the sect, its strength surpasses even the combined power of the Northern Domainâs four sects.
"Yes," Jin Tingfeng nodded.
Looking at this fellow disciple from a different faction, whose face had become uncertain, he even felt a bit pleased.
"The Thunder Shock Sect may be a major sect, but its disciples arenât necessarily all formidable.
Iâve seen quite a few mediocre individuals from these prominent sects." Another female cultivator from Qingluan Palace, Lu Ziyun, suddenly spoke, reigniting Shen Aoâs confidence.
"Red Hero, why did you come to Tianyuan... I heard the Corpse-Driving Sect is in a bad situation now, being targeted by many, so donât expose your ties with them," Xin Ziqi was glad to see Lou Yi but didnât forget to warn him of danger.
"... I understand, thank you for the reminder, Fairy Xin."
For a moment, they didnât know how to converse further, falling into a brief silence.
Speaking of which, though Lou Yi and Xin Ziqi have known each other for quite some time, they havenât engaged in much close conversation.
More often, they were on the battlefield killing enemies together.
"Red Hero, Tianyuan is very dangerous, why not join us?" Xin Ziqi invited after a while.
"Where are you headed?"
"I heard there will be a great opportunity appearing in Fangsu District, and our sectâs Master asked us to check it out," Xin Ziqi said, "Not only us, but many cultivators from other sects will be trying their luck there."
"A great opportunity?" Lou Yi thought to himself.
Since heâs headed for Fangsu District anyways, joining them would be fine, and he could catch up with friends.
With this in mind, he nodded with a smile.
Seeing Lou Yi agree, a stunning smile appeared on Xin Ziqiâs face.
Like a snow plum blossoming on a cliff, dazzlingly bright, leaving everyone around her stunned.
"Fairy Xin, wonât you introduce this gentleman?" Watching Lou Yi chat happily with Xin Ziqi, Shen Ao felt jealousy burning within, his smile forced.
"Fellow Daoist Liu is a cultivator from Zhao Kingdom, following the path of body cultivation, nicknamed âRed Hero.â
He has repeatedly repelled the Demon Clan, saving countless people from disasters," Xin Ziqi spoke with a hint of pride she hadnât even realized.
"Oh, same body cultivation lineage, we should definitely have a good exchange," Shen Aoâs eyes brightened.
"Iâm just a wandering practitioner, what Iâve learned isnât worth mentioning, nothing worth exchanging," Lou Yi saw through Shen Aoâs intentions and was too lazy to respond, outright refusing.
On the ensuing journey, Xin Ziqi naturally gravitated towards Lou Yi, chatting softly.
They discussed Cultivation Techniques, wonders and rumors in the Cultivation Realm, before moving on to more personal topics.
This made Xin Ziqi and Lou Yi feel much more familiar, their conversations less forced, more like longtime friends.
"The Corpse-Driving Sect is now filled with peril, not only Cyan Wolf Ridge but also offended Taiyi Sect, it seems hard to weather this calamity," their chat eventually returned to the major crisis facing the Corpse-Driving Sect in eight years.
Due to Taiyi Sectâs malicious exposure, all forces in the Northern Domain knew of it, Corpse-Driving Sectâs Golden Core would barely survive eight more years.
After eight years, without Golden Core guardians, the Corpse-Driving Sectâs vast assets, treasures, and resources would be like an exposed piece of meat, inviting countless predators.
"Human effort matters, one shouldnât easily give up.
There are many rare items in Tianyuan, perhaps a solution can be found within eight years," Lou Yi said.
"Fellow Daoist Liu, since you arenât a member of the Corpse-Driving Sect, why involve yourself?"
"Though not a member, I am from Zhao Kingdom, what difference is there between Zhao Kingdom and the Corpse-Driving Sect?"
"In that case, if things become untenable, Fellow Daoist Liu might consider coming to our Qingluan Palace..." Xin Ziqi dared to suggest.
Before Lou Yi could reply, the ever-watchful Shen Ao couldnât stand it any longer.
Having already considered Xin Ziqi his own, he naturally couldnât bear Lou Yi, a wandering practitioner, to interfere.
"Fellow Daoist Liu, Iâve recently hit a bottleneck, how about exchanging techniques on body cultivation?" Shen Ao made another invitation.
The exchange of body cultivation techniques usually means direct combat.
âDefeating him honorably might change Fairy Xinâs view; no one likes a loser.â Shen Ao thought confidently.
However, Lou Yi had no interest in engaging in such childish contests.
He outright refused, "Iâve recently made great progress, no need for exchanges."
Jin Tingfeng, Lu Ziyun, and True Blood Sectâs third body cultivator exchanged bewildered glances, sensing an odd feeling.
Someone as straightforward as Lou Yi is rare in the Cultivation Realm.
Seeing his invitation rejected, Shen Ao sneered, "Fellow Daoist Liu, are you afraid?"
"If you say so, then yes," Lou Yiâs reply left Shen Aoâs words stuck in his throat.
He felt dissatisfied.
Seeing Lou Yi unwilling to take the bait, Shen Aoâs eyes turned, thinking of another way.
Pretending to inadvertently move forward, his body suddenly collided forcefully with Lou Yi!
Since Lou Yi wouldnât agree, then taking action directly was needed.
Defeating him would surely diminish Fairy Xinâs fondness for him.
Unexpectedly, Lou Yi had long anticipated Shen Aoâs actions, subtly dodging to the side, causing Shen Aoâs planned attack to miss.
Shen Ao hurriedly stabilized himself, but due to great inertia, despite halting, he still planted a deep pit in the ground, producing a loud âbang.â
"Haha, a mistake," Shen Ao felt his face burning under the crowdâs gaze.
However, seeing Lou Yi moving away from Xin Ziqi, he still felt content.
Taking action worked, after all, the opponent fled.
Now, he could walk alongside Xin Ziqi and chat extensively.
Immediately, Shen Ao said, "Fairy Xin..."
To his surprise, Xin Ziqi didnât even glance at him, stepped away from him, and again gravitated close to Lou Yi several dozen meters away.
This left Shen Aoâs expression suddenly stiff, feeling like a clown.
"Sorry, Red Hero.
My senior brother, his Cultivation Technique is rather special, his temperament isnât very stable." Jin Tingfengâs Divine Sense transmission was apologizing to Lou Yi.
"Understandable, all True Blood Sect cultivators belong to the Ultra Hero lineage."
"Ultra Hero, what does it mean?
Is it referring to a peculiar bloodline?" Jin Tingfeng was puzzled, having never heard of such a term.
...