Xiao Qingluan was in high spirits after obtaining her peerless weapon.
Chen Ye, who had acquired the Great Perfection level of the Phoenix Sword Technique and Phoenix Sword Intent, was also extremely satisfied. The two of them returned to Jade Bamboo Peak with smiles on their faces.
As soon as they arrived, Xiao Qingluan said, "Senior Brother, I just obtained this sword and am not yet familiar with it. I'm going to go practice."
Chen Ye couldn't help but sigh. She truly was a reincarnated empress. So self-motivated!
He smiled. "Go on then, but don't overdo it."
"Yes, Senior Brother."
Xiao Qingluan looked at Chen Ye, feeling a slight pang of guilt.
My senior brother has treated me so well, even helping me obtain this peerless weapon. But soon, I will have to compete against him and use him as a stepping stone to obtain resources. That seems a bit unfair.
I wonder what form the Yin-Yang Celestial Ruler's Comparison will take? Will I have to defeat my senior brother in a real battle? Xiao Qingluan muttered to herself.
Some things would only be revealed when the Comparison began.
She pushed the thoughts aside and went to practice her swordplay, familiarizing herself with her new peerless weapon. She even gave the newly acquired sword a name...
The Blood Phoenix Sword!
Its blade was as red as blood and contained the spirit of the phoenix. This sword was indeed the most suitable weapon for her Phoenix Holy Body.
After practicing the Phoenix Sword Technique for a while, Xiao Qingluan gradually grew accustomed to the sword and smiled with satisfaction. "Although it is not as good as the Phoenix Cauldron from my past life, at my current stage, this sword is more than enough."
Meanwhile, Chen Ye also planned to test out the Phoenix Sword Technique he had just acquired.
He didn't use it within the Azure Cloud Sect.
Instead, his figure flashed and vanished in a streak of light.
A moment later, he appeared on a small mountain a hundred miles away from the sect. This was the first time he had used his Divine Sea realm cultivation to travel at full speed. The velocity was so incredible that he couldn't help but marvel at it.
After scanning the area and seeing no one around, Chen Ye formed a sword with his fingers. Spiritual power gathered at his fingertips as he activated the Phoenix Sword Technique.
Instantly, flames surged to the heavens. Boundless sword energy condensed into a blood-red phoenix!
The phoenix slammed into a nearby mountain.
With a deafening BOOM, the entire mountain was annihilated, vanishing into nothingness!
Only the remnants of devastating sword energy and a terrifying sword intent remained at the scene.
Chen Ye's eyes widened. Such a massive mountain, obliterated by a single sword strike? The power of this technique was immense! He couldn't help but sigh in amazement.
It was worthy of being called a Supreme Art!
Satisfied, he departed.
Not long after he left, other cultivators were drawn to the disturbance. Looking at the lingering sword energy, they gasped in unison.
"Such terrifying sword intent!!"
"Sword Intent... that's a level of martial arts comprehension only a Transcendent can master! Could it be that a Transcendent master made a move here?!"
"Heavens, why would a Transcendent suddenly take action in the middle of nowhere?"
These cultivators were baffled. But regardless of the reason, the presence of a Transcendent was a monumental event.
The news spread like wildfire, causing an uproar throughout the southern region where the Azure Cloud Sect was located. Many forces began to secretly investigate.
Unbeknownst to them, the "Transcendent" they were searching for was Chen Ye, who was now returning to Jade Bamboo Peak to wash vegetables and prepare dinner.
But before the meal was ready, a crimson streak of light descended from the sky.
The visitor had long, fiery red hair... It was the Master of Skyfire Peak!
He landed on Jade Bamboo Peak, looked around, and said calmly, "Is Shen Ziling here?"
Chen Ye came out to greet him. "Master is resting in her cave. If Senior Uncle Skyfire needs to see her, I can go call her."
"No need. I'm not looking for her. She's probably snoring away right now," the Crimson Sun Peak!" Peak Master snorted. He was well aware of Shen Ziling's eccentric character.
Chen Ye's mouth twitched slightly, but he didn't deny it. "If you are not here to see my Master, then what brings you here, Senior Uncle?"
"I came to find Xiao Qingluan."
Chen Ye immediately became alert. Could it be that this guy is still trying to poach my junior sister?
"Don't worry, I won't take her by force. I'm just here to give her something," the Crimson Sun Peak!" Peak Master said, waving his sleeve.
Suddenly, a pile of spirit fruits appeared out of thin air on the ground. Each one was as red as blood, emitting waves of searing heat.
"These are Fire Spirit Fruits. For a cultivator with a fire-attribute constitution, they have the effect of strengthening one's foundation and replenishing essence. They will be of great benefit to Xiao Qingluan."
"This gift is too valuable," Chen Ye said.
"These things are everywhere in the medicinal gardens of my Skyfire Peak," the Peak Master stated calmly.
The corner of Chen Ye's mouth twitched again.
Damn.
Everywhere?!
Are you people on Crimson Sun Peak!" Peak that rich?
He then looked at his own bare, desolate Jade Bamboo Peak... Chen Ye felt like crying but had no tears. Jade Bamboo Peak truly was the end of the line.
"I know Xiao Qingluan wants to stay on Jade Bamboo Peak because of you, her senior brother. That is her choice, and I respect it. However, the Phoenix Holy Body is of monumental importance. If cultivated properly, it will have an extraordinary impact on the future of our entire Azure Cloud Sect. I cannot stand by and watch her waste her talent due to a lack of resources. You should accept these Fire Spirit Fruits on her behalf."
The Crimson Sun Peak!" Peak Master spoke with conviction. He had grown up in the Azure Cloud Sect; it was his home. He would do anything that benefited the sect. Although Xiao Qingluan was not his disciple, he was willing to invest in her potential.
Chen Ye saw this and couldn't help but sigh. The Lord of Crimson Sun Peak!" Peak was such a good person.
Looking at the spirit fruits on the ground, Chen Ye took a deep breath. "Then, on behalf of my junior sister, thank you, Senior Uncle ."
"No need. Just urge her to cultivate diligently."
"Absolutely."
The Crimson Sun Peak!" Peak Master's figure flashed and disappeared.
A soft chuckle sounded from behind Chen Ye. Shen Ziling, who was supposed to be sleeping in her cave, had appeared behind him at some point.
She looked at the Fire Spirit Fruits on the ground with shining, silver eyes. "Hehe, that old fireball is quite generous. A single one of these can be traded for several hundred Spirit Stones. That's enough for a whole gourd of 'Ten-Mile Fragrance' wine!"
Seeing this, Chen Ye quickly gathered the spirit fruits. "Master, these were given to my junior sister by Senior Uncle Skyfire. You can't take them!"
"Ye'er, don't be difficult. There are so many here. We can just take a few quietly. Xiao Qingluan would never know. We can trade them for wine, fifty-fifty," Shen Ziling wheedled.
Chen Ye swallowed. He hadn't had a good drink in a while.
But this was a matter of principle.
He shook his head firmly. "No!"
"Ye'er, how bold of you to disobey your Master?" Shen Ziling glared.
Chen Ye guarded the fruits tightly. "Master, how could these mere Fire Spirit Fruits be worthy of your attention? You want a drink? Forget 'Ten-Mile Fragrance.' How about I find you a jar of 'Hundred-Mile Fragrance' in the future?"
"Oh? You said it."
Shen Ziling touched her chin and relented. In truth, she had no real interest in the fruits; she was just teasing Chen Ye.
She glanced towards the grove not far away, a faint smile playing on her lips, then stretched lazily. "Forget it. I'm going back to sleep."
She vanished in a flash.
In the grove, Xiao Qingluan had witnessed everything. Seeing Chen Ye try his best to protect the Fire Spirit Fruits for her, a wave of emotion washed over her.
For my sake, Senior Brother would even disobey Master...
He's really... too good to me. It's making me want to cry.
And this woman, Shen Ziling... Not only is she a terrible person, she's a terrible master! She'd even steal from her own disciple!