Chapter 84: Three at the Peak of Qi Refining!-From Servant to Saint: The Path to Enlightenment(The mountains rise high beneath a small, distant moon.)

But all this had nothing to do with Xu Shengnan; she had no time to spare for such concerns. She hurried back to her room, shut the doors and windows behind her, and collapsed to the floor, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

“Ha… ha…”

Amid her labored breathing, she tore open her collar, revealing the skin of her upper body. On her smooth, jade-like shoulder, a fresh sword wound ran deep and bloody.

After catching her breath for a moment, Xu Shengnan pushed herself upright. She gazed at the ghastly wound on her shoulder, her eyes filled with unwillingness.

“To think someone in the late stage of Qi Refining could possess such strength… If he reaches perfection, or even breaks through to Foundation Establishment, just how much stronger will he become?”

Hesitation flickered in her eyes at the thought, but she gritted her teeth and drew a jade bottle from her bosom.

The bottle was a deep green, exquisitely crafted. As she uncorked it, a strange fragrance wafted out. Xu Shengnan tipped the bottle, and a bright yellow, jade-like pill rolled into her palm. She threw back her head and swallowed it in one gulp.

A gurgling sound followed as she steadied herself and circulated her spiritual power. Her left shoulder’s sword wound instantly glowed red-hot. Amidst the fiery light, the sword energy dissipated, and new flesh sprouted rapidly, mending the terrible wound that had nearly pierced her shoulder blade. In the blink of an eye, her flawless shoulder was unmarred, not a trace of injury left.

After taking the elixir, Xu Shengnan waited a little longer before returning to the deck of the grand ship, where she was admitted to see a young cultivator.

The young man was strikingly handsome, clad in a scarlet Daoist robe that blazed like fire and drew every eye. Xu Shengnan stood before him, posture respectful yet tinged with coldness.

“Elder Brother.”

The young cultivator smiled at her greeting. “I already know what happened. With such strength, it’s no wonder you all weren’t his match. Let him be for now. Once the friends from the Lingbo Sect arrive, I’ll deal with him myself.”

“Yes!” Though Xu Shengnan had her doubts, she dared not voice them and answered respectfully.

He regarded his younger sister with a gentle smile. “How badly were you hurt?”

Without a word, Xu Shengnan slipped off her garment, baring her shoulder.

“Hmm!” He nodded upon seeing her perfect, unblemished skin. “Only a single strike to wound you so—this man is indeed a formidable foe. Who would have thought the Jade Immortal Sect harbored such an individual?”

Xu Shengnan dressed herself again. “His swordsmanship is as heavy as a thousand mountains, incredibly sharp, and his spiritual power is exceptionally pure. He is truly formidable.”

“Hmph, so what if he’s formidable?” The young man’s smile turned cold. “Once our Patriarch wipes out the Jade Immortal Sect’s Foundation Establishment cultivators, we’ll make our move. With three of us at Qi Refining Perfection, how could a mere late-stage cultivator resist?”

Xu Shengnan nodded, a hint of hesitation in her gaze. She looked up at him. “Elder Brother, some of our sect’s disciples have grown resentful after being so mistreated by Zhou Shun. If we continue to force them…”

He gave her a sidelong glance. “Always the compassionate one, aren’t you? Can’t help but plead for them already?”

Xu Shengnan shook her head, defending herself. “Of course not. I just think that our sect’s disciples are our future strength. If too many die at Zhou Shun’s hand…”

He smiled coldly, eyes hard. “Shengnan, this is the way of immortals—do you really think those early and mid-stage Qi Refining disciples are being forced by the sect? In truth, they’re all eager to gain merit. Don’t you understand?”

Within the Kui Shui Sect, it was an established rule: anyone who killed a disciple of the Jade Immortal Sect would be rewarded. So everyone scrambled to hunt down lone disciples of the enemy sect. After all, this was the Kui Shui Sea—their own territory.

Xu Shengnan was silent for a long moment, then nodded. “I understand, Elder Brother.”

“Good, that’s what I like to hear. By the way, there have been more frequent disturbances among the black-scaled fish in our waters lately. I suspect the Fish King is about to emerge.”

Clad in his fiery red robe, the strikingly handsome Xu Jingyang brightened at the prospect, swiftly moving on to the main topic.

His gaze sharpened. “The spirit fish are born because of the Shuiyue Sect. The Fish King must be connected to another hidden realm of Shuiyue. Zhou Shun is skilled at fishing; if you can’t handle it, talk to him.”

Suddenly, his body tensed, and he spun around, transforming into a streak of crimson light that shot toward a large ship.

“Xu Jingyang greets his fellow Daoist. May I ask your name?”

The youth who appeared was cold and aloof, his demeanor as icy and proud as the winter north.

“Zhao Ruoxu, personal disciple of Lingbo Sect.”

“So it is Daoist Zhao!” Xu Jingyang bowed, his words respectful yet composed.

Beside Zhao Ruoxu stood a woman in a bright red palace dress, her beauty dazzling. Unlike Zhao’s cold reserve, she sized up Xu Jingyang with a coquettish smile.

“So you are the renowned Xu Jingyang. I’ve long heard of the true disciple of Kui Shui Sect. Meeting you today, the rumors do you justice.”

Xu Jingyang smiled modestly, then responded with humility. “You flatter me. With such beauty, you must be Chen Hongyu, the Lingbo Sect’s cherished disciple?”

Chen Hongyu returned a graceful smile. “You may simply call me Yuniang.”

“Sister Chen is truly approachable,” Xu Jingyang replied. His gaze swept around. “Are only the two of you here this time?”

Zhao Ruoxu gave no reply, his expression frosty. Chen Hongyu laughed softly. “Are the two of us at Qi Refining Perfection not enough? Or does Daoist Xu intend to claim this place for himself?”

“Of course not. I am hardly worthy of monopolizing such a place,” Xu Jingyang replied, shaking his head. “But with the Fish King about to emerge, and with Green Lotus Island designated by the Vast Ocean Immortal Sect as Zhou Shun’s domain, he holds the advantage. If we hope to seize the Shuiyue Sect’s secret realm, there will surely be fierce competition. As strong as you are, two hands cannot beat four…”

“Hmph!” Zhao Ruoxu snorted coldly, cutting him off. “No matter how many ants there are, they’re not worth worrying about.”

He paused, then continued, “Besides, there’s no proof this secret realm even exists.”

Chen Hongyu smiled radiantly. “Don’t mind my senior brother. The Shuiyue Sect was once a Foundation Establishment sect—how could they have only one secret realm? Besides, the Kui Shui Sea is saturated with yin energy; the emergence of a secret realm is inevitable.”

She went on, “Daoist Xu, with Foundation Establishment cultivators refraining from action, the three of us working together will not fail. If you agree, when the secret realm appears, our share of the cultivation resources will be forty percent. What do you say?”

“Agreed!” Xu Jingyang replied at once, laughing heartily. “Let’s hope our efforts bear fruit. With the secret realm of the Shuiyue Sect, we’ll have nothing to fear when it comes to Foundation Establishment supplies.”

His tone turned cold as he pointed toward Green Lotus Island. “But before that, Daoist friends, would you lend me a hand in eliminating Zhou Shun of the Jade Immortal Sect from the island?”

No sooner had he spoken than a northern wind swept by, drawing the attention of Zhao Ruoxu and Chen Hongyu.

Xu Jingyang noticed as well. Turning, he saw in the distance a fishing boat approaching.