Chapter 201
Chapter 201: Three Battles
Wang Jie remained in his respectful bow, yet lifted his eyes quietly to observe Realm Lord Bai.
It was his first time seeing the lord of the White Domain.
Realm Lord Bai appeared as an elegant, scholarly-looking middle-aged man. In every gentle movement, he exuded a warm, reserved aura, yet his eyes were sharp, profound, and wise. Standing there, he seemed out of harmony with his surroundings.
This was the presence of a Star Refining Realm cultivator.
Yet, he felt entirely different from Great Elder Xing Xue.
Realm Lord Bai had clearly entered the Star Refining Realm only recently, while Great Elder Xing Xue had dwelled there for a long time, leaving barely any trace of his power visible.
But a Star Refining expert was still a Star Refining expert—his presence alone suppressed everyone in the vicinity.
Qi Xue Yin bowed gracefully, saying respectfully, “Junior greets Realm Lord Bai.”
Realm Lord Bai, Jun Qian, regarded Qi Xue Yin and smiled warmly: “I once had the honor to visit your Galaxy Combat Equipment Company. Back then, your second brother was still small enough for me to carry. But you, lass—this is the first time we’ve met.”
Qi Xue Yin replied with a gentle smile: “My second brother often speaks of you as well, Realm Lord Bai. He said Senior is refined and scholarly, less like a cultivator and more like a respected teacher.”
“Hahahaha!” Realm Lord Bai laughed heartily, “That little rascal is too mischievous. I’ll teach him a good lesson next time we meet.”
Qi Xue Yin merely smiled in response without saying anything further.
Realm Lord Bai’s gaze swept past the people standing behind Qi Xue Yin, “Three realms, three battles—little lass, did you come prepared to embarrass your Uncle Jun?”
Qi Xue Yin’s eyes sparkled brightly as she replied, “Junior especially sought you out to witness the power of your Black White Heaven Refining Travel Scripture and Great Domain Canon firsthand. Back in First Star Cloud, Senior Sister Wan Yin made quite a name for herself. Such a talent as Senior Sister Wan Yin—Black White Heaven still has five more like her. This junior simply wants to broaden her horizons.”
Realm Lord Bai laughed helplessly, “You clever little lass. Fine, let’s change the venue.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding world twisted abruptly. An indescribable sensation enveloped everyone, swiftly lifting them into the sky.
Wang Jie felt as though he had suddenly been separated from the universe itself. It was an unfamiliar sensation, as if he had come much closer to Realm Lord Bai. He could even faintly hear the Realm Lord’s heartbeat.
Looking around, the stars and cosmos blurred past, rapidly moving away from Zhi Learning Valley.
This was the strength of the Star Refining Realm.
In mere moments, they traversed an unknowable distance.
When Wang Jie next looked, he saw an imposing mountain gate upheld by countless stars, a magnificent construction established directly within the void of space. Strange and powerful beasts encircled the structure, while heavenly stairs ascended toward distant Sect-Encircling Corridors. Colorful spiritual lights flowed, vivid and breathtakingly beautiful.
Beyond the majestic palace stretched a vast black-and-white division of space, radiating a powerful, oppressive aura.
This was the Black White Heaven Sect.
After so long in Fourth Star Cloud, Wang Jie had finally glimpsed the sect that had sheltered him.
The sect was enormous, so vast it required billions of stars to fill its expanse.
From afar, countless buildings hovered, interwoven together. Before Wang Jie knew it, they had arrived on a broad plaza where many disciples of Black White Heaven were sparring and exchanging pointers.
Upon Realm Lord Bai’s arrival, the disciples bowed respectfully and withdrew from the plaza. Yet they didn’t leave, standing instead at the edges, faces eager with excitement, eagerly calling others over to watch.
Si Shang He glanced curiously at Realm Lord Bai, clearly surprised they’d been brought here.
Galaxy Combat Equipment Company had obviously prepared extensively—weren’t they afraid of a more humiliating loss here?
Wang Jie also wondered why they’d come here specifically.
The plaza had a viewing platform, where everyone settled down to watch.
Realm Lord Bai turned to Qi Xue Yin, saying warmly, “Little lass, your people may step forward now. When Black White Heaven accepts a challenge, it is done openly and honorably. No matter what preparations you’ve made, we can accept victory as well as defeat.”
Qi Xue Yin praised sincerely: “My father once said Realm Lord Bai was generous and broad-minded. Truly, I admire you.” She then glanced meaningfully behind her.
A short young man stepped forward and leaped lightly into the plaza, bowing respectfully toward the platform: “Gui Jian seeks your instruction.”
Realm Lord Bai calmly clasped his hands behind his back, calling out, “Shen Zhao, face him.”
From beyond the plaza, a young man emerged, gripping a long black blade. He stepped onto the dueling platform before Gui Jian, saying confidently, “Shen Zhao of Black White Heaven seeks your guidance.”
Wang Jie stood quietly behind a group of disciples, observing from the viewing platform. He overheard disciples around him whispering, all from the Three Paths:
“Shen Zhao? He’s actually at the sect.”
“I heard he’s considered our sect’s strongest Star Breaking Realm cultivator, and he’s won merits on the Star Cloud battlefield.”
“Strongest might be exaggerated. Didn’t you hear about the Devour Star conflict? Someone at Star Breaking Realm defeated many top experts in a row—even defeated Zhi Family’s Wandering Star Realm.”
“That sort of rumor—do you believe it?”
“Of course not.”
Su Le stood quietly by Wang Jie’s side, murmuring softly, “Master should’ve fought instead. Aside from Wandering Star Realm cultivators, I don’t believe anyone could defeat Master.”
Wang Jie humbly replied, “There’s always someone stronger. First Star Cloud seems much stronger than our Fourth Star Cloud.”
Su Le didn’t respond; it was the truth, after all.
She once believed Senior Sister Wan Yin invincible among her peers, whether in battle or alchemy. Yet even she had lost.
“Begin,” Realm Lord Bai declared.
With those words, the duel officially started.
Without hesitation, Shen Zhao charged forward, raising his blade toward Gui Jian. On the battlefield, only bravery could keep one alive—the timid ones who hid in the back often perished.
Moreover, Gui Jian clearly specialized in archery. Shen Zhao’s best chance lay in closing the distance.
Gui Jian glanced up, calmly raising a hand. Without anyone seeing clearly how, an arrow suddenly appeared, swiftly darting toward Shen Zhao. Shen Zhao swung his blade down, but with a resounding clang, overwhelming force knocked him back, nearly wrenching his weapon from his hand.
This sudden scene shocked everyone.
Wang Jie’s eyelids twitched—Eight Cloud Arrow.
In the distance, Qi Xue Yin glanced briefly at Wang Jie, confirming his suspicion. Indeed, it was Eight Cloud Arrow. Gui Jian had trained briefly with Armor One Sect and mastered one of their eighteen ultimate techniques. Although not as remarkable as Yun Lai, who had fully controlled all Eight Cloud Arrows within ten seals, Gui Jian’s mastery was still extraordinary.
On Blue Star, Yun Lai had destroyed an entire city with a single arrow. Only Bai Yuan, wielding Armor One Divine Sword, had ever suppressed Eight Cloud Arrow.
Wang Jie had relied purely on overwhelming power, making the true might of Eight Cloud Arrow difficult to perceive. But as one of Armor One Sect’s eighteen ultimate techniques, its strength was unquestionable.
Armor Eight Steps, another of the eighteen ultimate techniques, had allowed Wang Jie to remain unmatched thus far.
Shen Zhao stared in shock at Gui Jian before stubbornly charging forward again.
Wang Jie sighed inwardly—[Shen Zhao has already lost.]
He’d struggled to barely fend off the first arrow. How would he survive the ones that followed? Wang Jie knew Eight Cloud Arrow’s true strength lay not in its initial shot, but in its precise control afterward.
The Eight Cloud Arrow could also defend.
It was far more than just archery.
Sure enough, as Gui Jian’s second and third arrows shot out, Shen Zhao could not even draw close. Each arrow deflected slowed his charge, forcing him to unleash his star force.
The moment Shen Zhao’s dense star force emerged, the air around the square turned heavy.
This was gravity.
Shen Zhao cultivated the gravity star force, making his blade strikes especially weighty—a perfect match for him.
As the star force manifested, he felt the pressure ease considerably. He believed it would overpower the threat of the arrows.
Realm Lord Bai sighed with emotion: “It’s actually the Eight Cloud Arrow. Young lady, to master Armor One Sect’s secret art must have cost you dearly.”
Qi Xue Yin smiled warmly: “Not at all. My Galaxy Combat Equipment Company supplies Armor One Sect exclusively, so we’re practically family. If Black White Heaven is interested, your excellent disciples could temporarily transfer to our company. I’ll arrange for them to compete for a place in Armor One Sect. Though the openings are limited, I’m confident your sect’s geniuses can seize one.”
Si Shang He’s eyes brightened: “Truly?”
Qi Xue Yin nodded reassuringly: “Of course.”
If this came true, it would indeed be great news for Black White Heaven. Joining Armor One Sect meant a completely different cultivation environment and a broader horizon.
Until now, only Six Dao Wanderer had been loaned out from Black White Heaven and achieved fame in First Star Cloud, placing him far above other disciples. If they could produce more such disciples…
Thinking about this, Si Shang He no longer cared about the outcome of the ongoing battle. His mind was already on the future.
Wang Jie glanced at Qi Xue Yin, realizing that this girl had matured greatly since their time on Blue Star. Clearly, she was getting increasingly involved with Galaxy Combat Equipment Company. [I wonder how that little fatty Qi Five is doing.]
Suddenly, Shen Zhao roared loudly, unleashing all his star force. A vast blade glow erupted from his sword, sweeping downward—but he failed to notice the arrows he’d previously dodged had circled back behind him.
“Senior Brother Shen, watch out!” someone shouted urgently from afar.
It was already too late.
Shen Zhao’s blade crashed down but was intercepted by two arrows, while another arrow pierced his shoulder, causing him to drop the sword helplessly.
The sword landed lightly on the ground.
Blood dripped steadily.
Pale-faced, Shen Zhao sighed weakly: “I have lost.”
Gui Jian’s expression remained calm and respectful: “Thank you for the match.”
Only after they left the platform did the crowd realize that Gui Jian hadn’t moved even half a step during the entire fight. The gap was far too great.
The disciples of Black White Heaven fell silent.
Realm Lord Bai paid little attention, turning instead to the second match in Full Star Realm, announcing: “Qing Po, step forward.”
Si Shang He asked in surprise: “Qing Po? She has returned?”
Realm Lord Bai nodded quietly.
Qi Xue Yin became curious: “Is this disciple special somehow?”
Realm Lord Bai chuckled softly: “Nothing too unusual. She simply belongs to the Zhi family.”
Qi Xue Yin’s eyes widened in surprise: “The Zhi family? No wonder.” She laughed softly: “How interesting, the Fixed Star Zhi family.”
Behind them, another young woman stepped forth, ascending the platform nearly at the same moment as Zhi Qing Po.
“Mu Lan, please advise.”
“Zhi Qing Po, please advise.”
The battle began at that instant. Zhi Qing Po immediately unleashed twelve bronze scrolls, the Spring-Autumn Hand technique.
Mu Lan raised her arm, drew her blade, holding the sword in her right hand and its sheath in the left. She shifted sideways into a peculiar stance.
Si Shang He commented knowingly: “The Guillotine—Galaxy Combat Equipment Company’s combat technique, or rather, your Qi family’s technique.”
Qi Xue Yin nodded gracefully: “Mu Lan is a distant relative of my Qi family. Her talent is exceptional, so she’s permitted to cultivate this skill.”
“If I recall correctly, the Guillotine requires cultivating two different star forces simultaneously?”
“Indeed.”
The twelve bronze scrolls surged toward Mu Lan. She swung her sword and sheath, continuously deflecting the scrolls. Although the scrolls surrounded her, none could reach her body.
Her sword and sheath moved flawlessly, impenetrably tight. Then, Zhi Qing Po struck out with her palm, releasing an icy white current of extreme coldness—a strange star force known as Eternal Freeze.
Mu Lan simultaneously lifted both sword and sheath. Brilliant rays of light surged up her body, gathering above her head into a structure resembling a fortress.
“Earth Fortress, forming defensive properties from star force. Another of your Qi family’s techniques,” Si Shang He remarked again. “You seem to favor this girl.”
Standing at the back, Wang Jie’s eyes widened. He saw two distinct flows of energy within Mu Lan’s body. According to Elder Si Shang He, these were two separate star forces. It was the first time he’d ever seen someone cultivating two star forces at once.
At that exact moment, the void above the dueling platform trembled.
The Earth Fortress shattered.
Wang Jie’s eyes narrowed sharply: [Fixed Star technique.]
“Fixed Star technique,” Mo Wan Yin couldn’t help but whisper aloud.