Chapter 296

Chapter 296: Void God Physique, Starry Saintess

Zi Qingyan, despite being well-taught by her sect’s experts, lacked practical experience. Jiang Chen patiently explained, helping her integrate into this world more quickly.

After all, when she ventures out in the future, she’d need to avoid falling victim to cunning schemes. Although few could outmaneuver Zi Qingyan’s innate Dao Body, it was better to be prepared.

Her Dao Body made her attuned to the smallest disturbances in her surroundings, like a radar that detected even the faintest ripples. Only beings of significantly higher cultivation levels could evade her perception.

“Of course,” Jiang Chen teased, “if you find it troublesome, you could simply reveal your cultivation level. No one here would dare make a move against you.”

Zi Qingyan, having stepped into the Saint Realm, was undeniably a top-tier combatant. In this environment, few would have the courage to challenge her.

She shook her head, a rare smile gracing her lips. “No, since I aim to understand the mortal world, I should experience all of it—including its challenges.”

Her smile, radiant as blooming flowers, momentarily stunned Jiang Chen. “You should smile more often,” he said softly, mesmerized by its brilliance.

Zi Qingyan chuckled faintly, though her second smile was a bit stiff and deliberate, lacking the natural charm of the first. Jiang Chen, however, didn’t comment, pleased that she was showing signs of change.

As they continued their journey, they encountered opportunities: mystical techniques, divine weapons, and even ancient herbs. Yet, neither was interested. Such treasures held little appeal for individuals of their caliber.

Time passed. Two months went by in the blink of an eye.During this period, the two rarely took action, but the incessant ambushes left a trail of deaths in their wake.

Their calm demeanor in the face of any challenge further fueled their growing infamy. Gradually, they became taboo figures on Eternal Mountain.

“Have you heard about those two killing demons? A few days ago, several Great Master teamed up to take them down, but they were obliterated in the blink of an eye!” one person whispered in awe.

“Great Master’s are nothing compared to what they’ve faced!” another interjected. “You’re behind on the news.”

“What do you mean? Did they kill someone even stronger?”

“Just a few hours ago, a Saint perished trying to approach them!”

“A Saint? Dead in an instant?”

“Exactly! Who are these two? Their strength is terrifying. And judging by their vitality, they seem quite young!”

In this desolate wilderness, discussions among bystanders intensified as the identities of Jiang Chen and Zi Qingyan became a heated topic of speculation.

“I don’t know their true identities, but they must be significant!”

“Too bad they’re in disguise; we can’t confirm their real backgrounds.”

“Did you hear? One of the people they killed was an elder of the Yin-Yang Holy Land. That elder was reportedly the descendant of a Great Saint from the Holy Land, and now that Great Saint is personally coming to seek revenge!”

“A Great Saint coming? Those two are doomed!”

“Why do I feel like it’s the Great Saint who’s doomed?”

“Taking down the small fry and bringing out the big guns—this feels oddly familiar.”

“Right? I think so too!”

As the crowd murmured, the fame of the two “killing gods” spread far and wide across the region surrounding Eternal Mountain. Especially after the Saint from the Yin-Yang Holy Land fell, rumors of a Great Saint taking action caused a massive stir.

Many were thrilled at the prospect of the Great Saint exposing the identities of these two mysterious figures. People wanted to know who Jiang Chen and Zi Qingyan truly were to possess such terrifying power—effortlessly killing Saints.

Unbeknownst to them, Jiang Chen and Zi Qingyan were already aware that their actions might attract attention, but they paid it no mind. In their current state, they could dominate any opposition.

After two months of climbing, they had nearly reached the summit of Eternal Mountain, a place rarely treaded by others due to its prohibitive restrictions. Only those at the Saint Realm could step foot there without using special methods.

As they ascended, the number of living beings they encountered dwindled. Where there had once been a dozen ambushes a day, now days passed without seeing another soul.

Suddenly, a tremendous ripple of power erupted. The void trembled as countless restrictions activated, cascading waves of dazzling light across the mountain. The majestic Eternal Mountain quaked as though it might collapse under the strain.

The oppressive aura of this power was suffocating, yet Zi Qingyan’s eyes glowed with a violet radiance.

A formless law enveloped her and Jiang Chen, forming a protective barrier that shielded them from the devastating energy and disrupted the restrictions attempting to separate them.

“It seems there’s a battle ahead,” Jiang Chen observed, his gaze piercing through the radiant waves to glimpse figures in the distance, their auras vast and overwhelming.

“Let’s take a look,” Zi Qingyan replied, calm and composed.

The summit was not far. Without haste, they advanced steadily, arriving in less than half an hour.

The summit was expansive, more akin to a sprawling plain than a traditional mountain peak, several times larger than the plains of the outside world.

The view was unparalleled—an infinite starry sky above and the vast expanse of the Nine Heavens Realm below, its five major regions spread out like a map.

The sounds of explosions echoed incessantly. Terrifying waves of energy swept across the plain like tidal surges, held back only by the formidable formations protecting the summit. Without them, the summit would have been razed to the ground.

In the midst of this chaotic sea of divine power, four figures were locked in combat: two Great Saints, one Saint King, and one Saint.

The Saint was a breathtakingly beautiful woman with a lithe and graceful figure. She moved through the void with the ease of a fish in water, seemingly unrestrained by the intense battle.

“Void God Physique?” Jiang Chen murmured in slight astonishment.

The woman possessed the Void God Physique, the unique constitution of the Starry Palace’s Saintess. According to the original story, she wouldn’t appear until much later, already at the Saint King realm. Yet here she was, decades earlier, still at the Saint Realm.

He recalled that the Starry Palace frequently sent disciples to Eternal Mountain in search of opportunities, including the inheritance of the Eternal Emperor.

However, the current events deviated from the original timeline. In the original story, the Starry Saintess encountered Du Guyun during another sequence of events, not on Eternal Mountain.

Her repeated confrontations with other factions, particularly the Gu family, were well-documented, though those conflicts had since ceased with the Gu family’s destruction.

“Yin-Yang Holy Land?” Jiang Chen muttered, analyzing the techniques of both sides.

The Starry Palace’s methods were characterized by their command of starry power, making them easy to identify. The other side wielded the Yin-Yang Dao, reminiscent of Yan Ruyu’s techniques, leaving no doubt they were from the Yin-Yang Holy Land.

Despite her Void God Physique, the Starry Saintess struggled under the pressure of her opponent’s superior cultivation.

“Should we save her?” Zi Qingyan asked, her tone unperturbed as she glanced at Jiang Chen.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Jiang Chen nodded. “Yes. The Starry Palace is a respectable faction with considerable heritage, including a powerful constitution. If we can establish a good relationship, it would be beneficial.”

The arrival of Jiang Chen and Zi Qingyan did not go unnoticed. Both sides turned their attention to the newcomers, with one of the Great Saints from the Yin-Yang Holy Land shouting, “We are people of the Yin-Yang Holy Land! These two criminals attacked us—do not involve yourselves!”

Zi Qingyan’s expression remained serene as her violet eyes shimmered, ready to act.