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Chapter Seventy-Nine: Pure and Killing
writer:无罪      update:2022-07-21 15:26
  This academian was only a realm five, and in the world of cultivators, there was a great distance between him and Fang Xiumu. If this was a normal time, even if it was an ordinary realm seven grandmaster, they likely would not stop to waste words with a person like him.

  But at this time, Fang Xiumu was in a wondrous state, and right now, he first had to go with his own feelings. So he stopped, and even turned around to look at this academian who was so shocked and confused. He said, “Everyone in the world, including Yuanwu and that person felt that I have so much more cultivation talent than my brother, but the truth is not so.”


  This academian suppressed the shock and terror he felt. He looked at Fang Xiumu who seemed to give off a gem like light and was even more confused. Everyone in the world knew Fang Xiumu’s cultivation talent. Back then, that person had made a trip to the Fang establishment, and thought that Fang Xiumu would achieve greater things than Fang Xiang and the others.

  Fang Xiumu had not fought for many years in Changling, and almost had no records of fighting other people. But most cultivators, after seeing him, would be won over. So even though he stayed in seclusion these years to cultivate, his fame had grown.

  Fang Xiumu was the most talented cultivator in his generations of cultivators. This was something that everyone recognized. Yet now, he was saying such things. Had Yuanwu and *that person been wrong?*

  “My older brother appears not as good as me because he did everything, but I only needed to consider the problem of cultivation. So in the past many years, he did many things, while I was just a fanatic about cultivation.”


  Fang Xiumu thought of many past memories. He felt slightly sad. “The part that I am not as good as my brother is that I do not understand him well enough, but he understands me better than myself.”


  “I cultivate the Pure Nature Scripture, and cultivated a pure and natural state of mind. In my seclusion, I raised a pond of fish because I wanted to see the joy of the carp in that limited clear world. Before the Deer Mountain Conference, I had a chance for a breakthrough. But my brother told me, I still lacked something.”


  “I left Changling and went to the sea, and stayed there for a long time. I kept on feeling that I was missing something. Today, when I heard of my brother’s death, I understood what I was lacking.”


  “Pureness, inaction, being void of desire, while it suits my cultivation state of mind, when the fish jumps the dragon gate, they need a spirit to fight to the death. I did not fight or kill, how can I jump out of the water, leave that limited world, and have the mind of a carp wanting to become a dragon?”


  “I lacked this killing intent. My brother understood me too well. He used his own death to give me such an opportunity.”


  Hearing Fang Xiumu’s words, this academian started to understand, but he did not resist asking, “Then why did you decide to stay here and do heavy labor every day?”


  “Since I cannot be too pure, then let me see another world. The world of ordinary people may have something that I lack. My mind, in the past years of cultivation, became a pond of still water. Luckily, this cruel official did well, his orders displeased me more and more, and finally aroused my killing intent.” Fang Xiumu looked at the academian said, “Also, while this place is not near Changling, it is not too far.”


  The academian was silent. In the rumors, this cultivation fanatic had gone to the sea, leaving behind this mortal world, going to distant lands, but in reality, he stayed in this world, and had not gone far away.

  His cultivation was too low, and he could not guess at Fang Xiumu’s present cultivation level. But looking at the glowing light Fang Xiumu gave off, he knew that when Fang Xiumu left this time, he would be a dragon charging out of the abyss. For the Qin Dynasty, they would have another powerful and terrifying enemy.

  “You…… Where are you going to go?”


  The whereabouts of such a person was very important to the Qin Dynasty. So even knowing that his question could anger the other and cause his deed, looking at Fang Xiumu who had turned around, this academian still took a deep breath and asked.

  Fang Xiumu’s expression was unperturbed. He did not stop walking and just said, “This place is more close to Yin Mountain, and right now, what is the meaning in me going back to Changling, who can I kill?”


  This academian could not speak.

  When Fang Xiumu’s figure disappeared from his sight, his body felt even colder. He started to think that Fang Xiumu used his question to express his attitude and told the whole world. He said, what was the meaning in returning to Changling, who could he kill? But with Fang Xiumu’s present cultivation, who in Changling could he not kill?

  At the moment, Zheng Xiu and several other people.

  So his meaning was, starting now, he would become Zheng Xiu and Yuanwu’s enemy, and he was going to kill Zheng Xiu and Yuanwu. He told the people of the world he was going to Yin Mountain, and at the same time, he told many grandmasters who wanted to go that the Ba Mountain Sword Field’s enemies would have to fight him.

  While he had always cultivated and did not fight, how many of the world’s grandmasters had the confidence to win against him?

  **

  Fang Xiumu silently moved with the waves. The river was broad and his mind, open. He finally understood why Ye Celeng, with talent and so many years of deliberate suppression, had such achievements in cultivation.

  Because the cultivation of some people was fanatical, and people like her fought for their lives with each step in cultivation.

  If he had kept on cultivating quietly in that little courtyard, he may have had an astounding lifespan, but in the end, he would have no joy or sorrow, not being disturbed by anything in the outside world. In the end, he would become a wooden person without any emotions.

  But people were born with emotions, and many things they could not cut away. If he cut away all this, what marks would this person leave behind? Then what was the use in living?

  As he advanced, there were layers of clear light coming off his body, like on a morning, as the sun started to rise, the ripples of light coming off the water.

  These layers of clean light had been accumulated over his many years of cultivation. They were coming out of his body, slowly taking form into a sword in front of him, and becoming his lifebond sword.

  This sword sank underneath his feet and slowly revealed his killing intent.

  The river waters parted. His sword was like a fast ship breaking through the waves, and going against the current.

  **

  When Fang Xiumu’s lifebond sword took form, and going towards Yin Mountain, Fu Su, who had been unconscious in the formation for a long time, was gradually waking up.

  He sensed that the wounds in his body were turning for the better due to a medicine power in his body. Then he saw Qing Yaoyin who was closest to him.

  Volume 3 79 - Sea of Sword Corpses

  The night was as quiet as water. Gradually, the sun started to appear on the horizon.

  All of Changling was silent. Mo Shoucheng, sitting on the rattan chair with a thin blanket, seemed to be asleep. But when footsteps sounded behind him, he slowly opened his eyes.

  The stern general who had left with his orders appeared behind him with an ugly expression. He bowed and said in a cold voice, “Bai Shanshui fled, and Shen Xuan captured that unknown cultivator alive.”


  Mo Shoucheng stilled slightly. Surprise appeared in his yellowed eyes as he said to himself, “Still managed to get away?”


  The stern general took a deep breath, and nodded, controlling his emotions. He said, “Bureau Chief Huang sent a message. The Min Mountain Sword Trials have finished. The winner is Xue Wangxu’s student Ding Ning.”


  Mo Shoucheng stilled again.

  The stern general said nothing else and left after a bow.

  Mo Shoucheng bowed his head and thought for a moment. The morning breeze brushed past his root-like hair. He had an emotional expression.

  While the identity of that nameless but powerful young cultivator was worth being researched, he knew that the empress had made such major moves last night for the Lonely Mountain Sword Hoard. She wanted to keep Bai Shanshui but now had this nameless youth instead…… While he had not seen with his own eyes, he could imagine what could have caused such a situation.

  Not alone, but in pairs, that wineshop youth won the Min Mountain Sword Trials. The empress, thus far undefeated before, was delivered two defeats in one night.

  Thinking back to the perfect coldness of that sword essence, and how Bai Shanshui and that wineshop youth had won, this old city guardian sighed again. He lamented the empress’ defeat during the night. It was coldness losing to burning emotion.

  **

  In Min Mountain, the sun was also starting to rise. Yet, as the sky slowly lit up, the tallest mountain peak that appeared to stab a hole in the sky started to fade from the sight of everyone outside the mountain.

  At the tallest precipice of the peak, Baili Suxue stood silently like an even colder precipice.

  Jin Liuli watched Baili Suxue who was looking coldly in the direction of Changling. She finally could not help but speak.

  “What happened?”


  “Changling shook. Starfire fell.”


  Baili Suxue raised his head and said with slight disdain, “Only the Lonely Mountain Sword Hoard could have caused Zheng Xiu to act like this.”


  Jin Liuli’s expression immediately turned slightly cold. She was silent for a moment before she narrowed her eyes and said, “The emperor is already realm eight. If Zheng Xiu receives the Lonely Mountain Sword Hoard, we will face the problems that Ba Mountain Sword Field once did.”


  Baili Suxue shook his head and sneered. “Today is not like the past. It is not so easy. In the past, Zheng Xiu and Yuanwu had to work together to defeat their greatest enemy. Now, their greatest enemy is each other. People like them love themselves the most in the world. Their feelings towards others are not as strong as towards themselves. They mostly just had a connection of self-interest. Do not believe that the two were one and extremely close. The Qin has two ministers, thirteen marquises, and those two bureau chiefs. They could be said to have numerous experts. But during the Deer Mountain Conference and tonight, how many were present and participated? Donghu, Yuezhi, Eastern Qiang. While they call themselves subordinate countries and appear harmonious, why do we need to station three armies and three marquises there? When have the areas beyond the east of the Liao River, and behind the Yin Mountains ever been at peace?”


  After a pause, Baili Suxue looked at Jin Liuli who was deep in thought. He continued, “Does Yuanwu dare to put less realm sevens around the Chu and Qi borders?”


  Jin Liuli frowned as she thought and nodded.

  “In the past, Yuanwu and Zheng Xiu feared their life and death would be in someone else’s hands. They spared no cost. Is not the Deer Mountain Conference’s glory Yuanwu’s individual glory? If not for Yuanwu as realm eight, would the Qin have gained any benefit at the Deer Mountain Conference?”


  Baili Suxue said with great disdain, “This great drama appeared lively and glorious, but if one thinks carefully, is this glorious as in the past when Ba Mountain Sword Field was in a league of their own? In the past, regardless of how many people like Bai Shanshui came, who dared to enter Changling?”


  Jin Liuli’s brows slowly relaxed.

  At this time, Baili Suxue added coldly. “Even if Zheng Xiu comprehended the Lonely Mountain Sword Hoard, she may not, but so what?”


  Jin Liuli looked up in shock. Baili Suxue’s previous words were not hard to understand but she found this hard to understand.

  “The Min Mountain Sword Sect does not have just you, also Ding Ning,” Baili Suxue glanced at her and then said with slight displeasure.

  Jin Liuli stilled slightly. She immediately understood her master’s meaning. She felt no fear or anxiousness, nodding and saying, “Yes.”


  The conversation between the present master of Min Mountain Sword Sect and the next master finished now. Jin Liuli turned around, but as she moved, she turned and said to Baili Suxue, “Master, you really think that person’s heir is nonsense?”


  This was a question the two of them had clearly discussed before. Baili Suxue’s eyebrows rose and a frosty expression appeared. He said, “I saw that person’s death with my own eyes. Would there be a problem? The Nine Death Silkworm is so profound. Even if one teaches it hand by hand, a person may not be able to comprehend and cultivate it. How can someone learn it without a teacher, and cultivate the Nine Death Silkworm to such a level?”


  Jin Liuli sensed the great displeasure from Baili Suxue, and bowed slightly in apology.

  Baili Suxue’s expression calmed, and he said softly in disdain, “There are no ghosts in the world. People will only have ghosts if there are ghosts in their mind. Zheng Xiu and Yuanwu did so many things. It is normal for them to fear certain things happening.”


  Jin Liuli did not speak more. The last doubts disappeared after her master’s confident words. Her steps sped up as she left.

  The sunlight suddenly appeared, the golden color painting the mountains and edging her in gold.

  Baili Suxue did not look back and looked up into the golden light. He gazed at Changling and laughed scornfully. “You are said to be undefeated, but only because the strongest person was always by your side before, and the opponents you encountered later were not qualified or strong enough. Even the person who is most unlikely to be defeated was defeated, who will be undefeatable”


  **

  The calm Wei River flashed with light under the sunlight.

  A white figure slowly rose from under the water, and was washed to the roots of the willow trees by the shore by the gentle waves. The figure was gradually tangled up by the seagrasses and willow roots as though it would absorb nutrients from them and merge into one.

  The heat of the sunlight caused the white figure to move slightly.

  Bai Shanshui woke up.

  She saw her situation. Through the corner of her eyes, she could even see the merchant ships and Qin metal armored ships in the distance.

  Her cultivation was high, but she still felt weak right now. Her body was terrifyingly empty of vital energy. Her skin was as pale as a floating corpse.

  Yet, she did not move at all. She lay on the waters and looked up at the sky through the roots.

  The sky was still that sky. But many things had changed.

  Li Yunrui originally should have killed her, but rescued her in the end. Even more importantly, she knew Li Yunrui would not die.

  If he died, it would be good.

  But Changling had the terrifying Great Floating Water Prison for cultivators. Li Yunrui had landed in the hands of Great Floating Water Prison’s master, Shen Xuan.

  Last night, she had won against Zheng Xiu. She had successfully fled Changling with the Lonely Mountain Sword Hoard and made sure she could survive.

  And yet, unlike Baili Suxue, she felt no joy.

  Translator Ramblings: We get more backstory. It’s a biased viewpoint but everyone in the story is biased.

  Volume 5 79 - Spin Silk

  Spring arrived.

  The Qin Dynasty stopped deliberately concealing the movements of its army. In reality, the war between the Qin Dynasty and the Chu Dynasty had started already.

  “You will not convince people to not have Zhao Mo lead.”


  In the Chu imperial palace, Consort Zhao Xiang sat and looked at Lin Zhujiu in front of her. She said, “I understand the rear is more important than the front line. But he is a talent most suitable for leading the army. The power of millions in the army, the power of the country cannot be handed into the hands of other people, much less let you lead.”


  Lin Zhujiu did not look like back when he was in prison. He wore indigo robes now and was clean and refreshing.

  “Of course we will not lead the army.” He looked at Consort Zhao Xiang and smiled slightly. “Because you will lead the army.”


  Consort Zhao Xiang stilled and then frowned. “Let me lead, and have Zhao Mo stabilize the rear. But before the Gold Flame Dagger Army returns, based on your plan, there will be many defeats. The military spirit will not be stable and there will be more chaos.”


  Lin Zhujiu said, “Regardless of the process, as long as you make a major victory by leading personally in a decisive battle, you will have unrivaled authority.”


  Consort Zhao Xiang considered and said, “If so, then how about we do it more thoroughly.”


  Lin Zhujiu looked curiously at her. “I do not understand what more thoroughly means.”


  Consort Zhao Xiang said, “If it is very likely for some defeats, then have the people who oppose us appear in those battles.”


  Lin Zhujiu stilled and then sighed. “It is undeniable that women are more decisive than men in doing things.”


  “Do not let me lead, have me stay in the rear to help her kill, why?”


  In a tent in a military camp of the Chu Dynasty, a general in black armor sneered. “Even if I agree and am reassured, will other people be assured?”


  This general who was tall and thin, with good looking brows, was Zhao Mo, publicly recognized in the Chu Dynasty for being the best at fighting and leading armies. His family name was Zhao, but he was born in Yuanyang Commandery of the Chu Dynasty, and he had no relation to Consort Zhao Xiang.

  In many years, he had been the source of confidence for many top generals in the Chu Dynasty. From a certain point of view, Consort Zhao Xiang needed his agreement for her orders. Now, he was clearly unwilling.

  But when facing his confidants and sneering, he sensed a familiar presence come close. He was shocked, and he put away his smile. He stood and bowed to the person who lifted the tent flap, saying, “Teacher.”


  This was a very old man whose hair was white.

  Seeing this old person appear, the high ranking generals in the tent were shocked speechless.

  The main reason Zhao Mo quickly entered the top ranks of the capital was because he was the best disciple of the Chu military’s “Military God” Li Fu.

  This old person was Li Fu, who had retired for many years.

  To their shock, this old man was not wearing ordinary clothing, but heavy armor.

  “Teacher, if you lead the army, this student will be convinced.”


  “I will not lead the front lines, I will stay behind at the rear and help you kill people.”


  “Why?”


  Hearing the unexpected answer, Zhao Mo suddenly looked up in confusion at his student.

  Li Fu grinned at him, as rough as when he used to be in the army. “Why why?”


  Zhao Mo hesitated slightly and then straightened, not concealing anything. “This disciple is worried.”


  “Not about victory and defeat on the battlefield …… the people of the Ba Mountain Sword Field were once the best people in the world at war,” he said, looking at Li Fu’s eyes and not waiting for the other to speak. “But the Chu right now, whose Chu is it?”


  Li Fu looked at his best student and slowly his smile faded. He reprimanded simply, “Stupid!”


  Zhao Mo stilled.

  The generals in the tent stilled.

  “Even you know her relationship to the Ba Mountain Sword Field, and in a certain way, counts as someone from Ba Mountain Sword Field, did the previous emperor not know?” Li Fu looked at Zhao Mo like he was an idiot. His voice was chilly. “Even now, you do not understand. The previous emperor passed the throne to Li Lingjun, was it because he believed Li Lingjun or Consort Zhao Xiang?”


  Zhao Mo shook and could not speak.

  “Since the previous emperor had no worries giving the Chu to her, what do you have to worry about?”


  Li Fu sneered and said, “No woman in the world could seduce the previous emperor. What could reassure the previous emperor is only true love.”


  “The previous emperor loved her, and she also loved the previous emperor. Only the truest feelings in the world could make the previous emperor put her in that kind of position. And not her birth, her cultivation, her power.”


  Li Fu narrowed his eyes, looking at Zhao Mo and said slowly, “She would pay more for the previous emperor and this dynasty than you, so you do …… not have to worry.”


  “There was only ever forcing good women to be prostitutes, not forcing people to lead and fight!”


  “I only know to admire fishes and flowers, shop in the streets and alleys, being idle is my greatest ability.”


  “I want to see Consort Zhao Xiang!”


  “Demon Consort …… you dare treat me like this!”


  In a courtyard surrounded by soldiers, shouts came, and gradually turned to shrill screams.

  A fat middle-aged man in brocades was surrounded by a dozen flying swords, his white face covered in marks and wounds as he screamed.

  “Stop shouting.”


  A cool voice sounded in the hall.

  The fat middle-aged man suddenly stopped. His eyes widened and he looked with joy at Zhao Mo who appeared in front of him. “Zhao Mo, it is good you came, help me ……”


  “I will not help you.”


  Zhao Mo shook his head and interrupted. “You are not the only one going to the borders. Many people in the capital like you will also go.”


  “What does this mean?”


  The fat middle-aged man was stunned. He realized, and was furious, shouting, “Zhao Mo, you bow to the dress of the Demon Consort Zhao.”


  Zhao Mo turned and ignored him.

  The fat middle-aged man was more furious and cursed. “Zhao Mo, your mother is a servant, the demon consort’s mother is a prostitute from a brothel, no wonder you are together.”


  “Kill him,” Zhao Mo said.

  At his words, a high ranking general next to him turned around.

  With a soft hiss, a mark appeared on the neck of the fat middle-aged man. The man stopped making sounds. He reached up, wanting to touch his neck, but he had lost all his power and could not touch at all.

  “How can you …… you dare to kill me……”


  The fat middle-aged man stared at Zhao Mo with wide eyes. His throat gurgled and his head fell down.

  “The more harsh the starting measures, the more the public is convinced. But as the example being made of to others, you are not self-aware.”


  Zhao Mo did not turn around, just looked at the general next to him and said softly, “Just kill anyone who makes unusual movements.”


  Volume 2 79 - Cutting Wings

  This chapter has been brought to you by me, and larkspur.

  “Then if I ignore this and fight at full power, would you just stand by and let me die of poison?”


  Xie Changsheng shouted at Geng Ren, his face still black, “If I die of poison, whose head will this be on?”


  “The Seven Leaf Powder will only only throw the body into chaos, not kill. If you really ignore the Seven Leaf Powder and forcibly use your vital energy, you can experience the pain that terminally ill people feel.”


  Geng Ren was not angry at all and laughed in amusement. “That kind of pain is not one you can tolerate with a moment of courage. Also, you were the one to stir the poison’s effects. If you are killed by someone else’s sword in the trial, it cannot be counted on my head.”


  Xie Changsheng said angrily, “Killed only because of the poison’s effects. The poison counts on your head!”


  Geng Ren smiled slightly and said, “I only heed to the orders of my sect. If you want to blame, then you can only blame the Min Mountain Sword Sect. I am not the strongest of the Min Mountain Sword Sect, if the sky falls, it is not my turn to support it.”


  Xie Changsheng could not speak.

  The strongest of Min Mountain Sword Sect was naturally the sect master. But among all the rumors of the world, the master of Min Mountain Sword Sect was one who liked calm and rarely left the mountain, but he was an extremely petty-minded, protective, and vindictive person.

  Soft chewing sounds were heard.

  Xie Changsheng turned in shock and saw Ding Ning had picked up his bowl and started to eat. Just like how Ding Ning usually ate in Falling Parasol, he felt that Ding Ning was having a good time eating.

  Geng Ren looked at Ding Ning with the same gentle smile, but his eyes showed a hint of admiration.

  To the members of the Min Mountain Sword Sect, the Min Mountain Sword Trials was a major event. Every sect member would naturally be paying attention to the progression of the trials.

  He admired all of Ding Ning’s previous exploits. But even so, with his status in the Min Mountain Sword Sect, he could not go over the trials and give Ding Ning the qualifications to enter Min Mountain Sword Sect to study.

  Sometimes, the rules were the rules. When there were no rules, there was no order.

  Looking at Ding Ning eating, Xie Changsheng could not muster his anger, but he was still discontent. He turned back to Geng Ren and said, “Even if this is extremely special, and everyone can only use seventy percent of their power, but the more powerful use their seventy, and the less powerful their seventy …… then would not those with stronger cultivation still have their advantage over those weaker? What is the meaning in weakening everyone equally?”


  “What, do you want to even take away other people’s natural advantages in cultivation?” Geng Ren seemed to find Xie Changsheng interesting and laughed again. “If that is so, then what is the use in those people working diligently? Nobody will have to work to form vital energy, and fight with vital energy.”


  Xie Changsheng stilled and was unable to argue back.

  Geng Ren looked meaningfully at him and continued. “Also, seventy percent, but is every person able to be so precise in their control? Fighting after taking this is akin to ordinary people walking on the edge of the cliff blindfolded. The closer to the edge, the more benefits there are, but if you go a line over, you will fall off the cliff and die. Some people, out of caution, will take fewer steps and stay away from the edge. Then they will only be able to use fifty or sixty percent of their power. Those braver will take a few more steps, and be closer to the edge. Maybe they will surpass sixty percent. As to seventy percent …… that is too difficult for you.”


  Xie Changsheng’s expression grew uglier but Zhang Yi grew more respectful as he listened. Hearing this, he bowed to Geng Ren and said, “Teacher’s explanation is very detailed and we have benefited greatly. Thank you.”


  Geng Ren bowed slightly in greeting. If he had not said it himself, no one would have connected him to the terrifying “person chef” of legend.

  He Zhaoxi picked up his bowl again. His appetite was large to start with. After learning that it was not akin to normal poisons, once again, the food became delicious in his eyes. But he still felt a thread of wariness so he put down the bowl and asked respectfully, “Teacher, is there any degree of poisoning for this?”


  “Actually, as long as you eat half a bowl, it is the same no matter how much you eat. To be on the safe side, I have to watch each of you eat one bowl with my own eyes. The poison is extremely interesting, it is fine no matter how much you eat. In any case, it is not a fatal poison. After a few days, the poison will naturally wear off without a trace.” Geng Ren explained patiently.

  They had to eat, and eating more was fine. The braised pork and the vegetables were delicious, and it had been made personally by a legendary cultivator like Geng Ren. Everyone was reassured and started to eat.

  “It is really fine to eat more of this Seven Leaf Powder?”


  A moment later, Xie Changsheng suddenly changed his expression and shouted out loud, “Why does my stomach feel pain?”


  Hearing his shout, everyone else immediately grew nervous. Geng Ren only glanced at him with an unchanging expression. “You did not eat for a day and night, and you ate four bowls in one go. Of course your stomach hurts from overeating.”


  Xie Changsheng immediately froze.

  Nangong Caishu and the others wanted to laugh, but could not.

  “There is enough time. When the following trial begins, you should be fine.” Zhang Yi looked solemnly at Xie Changsheng and comforted him.

  “Elder, do we have to wait for the other students who are able to reach this place before starting?”


  Ding Ning suddenly spoke up and interrupted. “It probably is not so simple?”


  “Hm?” Geng Ren made a sound of surprise and looked over. He saw Ding looking calmly at the areas divided by the sword marks. His eyebrows rose slightly and he asked, “Why do you feel it is not so simple?”


  “When I first saw the setup here, I thought that what will occur will be one-on-one matches for promotion. But after Elder,” Ding Ning turned back to look at him, “since Elder said that Min Mountain Sword Sect only needs people who can truly kill and not sword dancers, and Elder said that a cultivator will experience many battles. Those battles will not be one-on-one fair battles with boths sides well-rested, but rather ambushes, pursuits or fighting or being chased for a long time on the battlefield, even after injury. To be as close to those situations as possible, just restraining vital energy is not enough.”


  Pausing, Ding Ning continued. “Since someone like Elder was dispatched to use so much effort to make food and add poison, it will not just be for appearance. So I feel what is next will not be as simple …… maybe it will make us truly tired and even injured.”


  Geng Ren’s appearance was mediocre, and his expressions after appearing were also mediocre. But when he heard Ding Ning’s words, his expression grew solemn and shone with a strange light.

  “Your deduction is correct, because the person in charge of the trials is also a genius. Geniuses frequently pursue perfection and the extreme.” He looked gravely at Ding Ning and nodded, saying, “Those that attend the trials and are able to reach this step are geniuses one in a thousand, yet the more accomplished a genius is, the fewer the defeats or hard battles they previously had. Many people may have not even endured any serious injury. For a cultivator, injuries are important experiences. Many people would feel great terror when they think about enduring dozens of bleeding wounds and still having to fight. If they truly end up with a situation with a sword in their stomach, I fear they will not be able to even fight at all, much less seek life in death.”


  “Most young people understand the so-called courage is important, but they do not understand what is true courage because they had never encountered a situation like this.” Looking at Xie Changsheng and the others who had paled, Geng Ren added. All along, his expression remained somber.

  Because he had a different look on Ding Ning due to this talent and the other even won some of his respect, he hoped that Ding Ning could win in the end, just like Jin Liuli had. So his words right now were not idle chatter, but truly teaching something like a teacher passing on experience.

  Zhang Yi could sense this so he had a solemn expression and prepared to bow in thanks.

  But Xie Changsheng did not accept such goodwill. He shouted with a cold expression, “Who thought of such a freakish idea? Are you going to stab us in the stomach?”


  “How many sword stabs you receive will depend on you.”


  Geng Ren was still not angry. He admired Xie Changsheng’s straightforwardness. He turned to look to the side after speaking to Xie Changsheng.

  This mountain valley had originally been a vast flat clearing, but at this time, an enormous green shadow was slowly appearing through the air.

  An enormous palace appeared out of thin air into a corner of this valley.

  The mountain valley they had previously passed also had a green palace, but that had just been a shadow. Yet, all of them were sure that what appeared now was tangible.

  Other than the color and the realistic reflection, this green palace had a smell, and strange sounds within that formations could not mimic.

  Translator Ramblings: Xie Changsheng is the comedic relief.