Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Returning to the Sect

At the sixth level of the Qi Refining Stage, Zhao Chun had no chance of hiding from an Essence Condensation–stage grand cultivator. In the clash moments ago, both sides had been wholly absorbed, with no attention to spare.

Now Chi Song was dead. Qiu Silhouette turned back to deal with the eyes that had been watching.

Zhao Chun didn’t dare gamble on luck. She stepped out from concealment, cupped her hands, and said, “Zhao Chun, Inner Sect disciple of the Ling Zhen Sect, greets Elder Qiu.”

Qiu Silhouette lowered her gaze. Something complicated flickered in her eyes.

“So it’s you.”

Her hand rested on her sword hilt. The killing intent that rose from her wasn’t loud—but it was razor-sharp.

Zhao Chun kept her voice steady. “Congratulations, Elder Qiu. You’ve claimed the treasure and added to the sect’s strength.”

“You’re quick-witted,” Qiu Silhouette said.

Her fingers still lingered on the hilt. “You’re under Elder Li. You must have heard he’s broken through to the late Essence Condensation Stage. This ‘strength’ you speak of may not be added to me…”

Zhao Chun’s eyes flickered. She understood instantly: there was friction between Qiu Silhouette and Li Shu. She chose her next words with care.

“Since ancient times, cultivators have fought over treasures. The capable take them. Elder Qiu killed him—so you’re surely on the verge of advancing to the late stage yourself. You only need a little more time.”

“And you won the treasure with your own hands. Its ownership and distribution should be yours to decide.”

“This is how the world works. Strength is law.”

Qiu Silhouette’s hand slid from the hilt to her waist. She studied Zhao Chun for a long moment before saying, with faint meaning, “Elder Li has a fine disciple. Clear-headed. Silver-tongued.”

Only then did Zhao Chun loosen her breath. The danger had passed.

Qiu Silhouette asked, “Why are you here? This place is far from the sect. There’s little human presence, no spirit herbs, and no Demon Beasts. It isn’t a training ground.”

“It began with the Windflame Sect ruins…” Zhao Chun explained how she and Meng Han had explored the ruins, been caught when the mountain collapsed, and swept away. She said only that she’d ended up in a small realm, been rescued by Qi Yun Rong of the Changhui Sect, and then—when returning to the Heng Yun world—fallen here by accident.

As for the strange murals in the Heaven Pit, she kept them to herself.

Qiu Silhouette knew about the ruins’ collapse. Many cultivators had been buried within. But she’d never heard of the mountain connecting to a small realm. When Zhao Chun finished, Qiu Silhouette frowned.

“The ruins are destroyed. Most claims can’t be verified now. From what you describe, it may truly have been a Small World that drifted for countless years. But if its spiritual qi is exhausted, there’s no need to recover it.”

A land without qi could not produce people with spirit roots. In the Heng Yun world, such a place was worthless.

“I’ve obtained the treasure. I must return to the sect at once,” Qiu Silhouette said. “If you have nothing else to do, I’ll bring you along.”

The Purple Luo Jade Branch had thrown the Southern Domain into upheaval. Late Essence Condensation cultivators were watching like hawks. Even after dealing with Chi Song’s corpse, there was still a chance someone would discover what had happened. The priority now was to get back to the sect. With Daoist Tu Sheng—a Profound Division–stage cultivator—holding the fort, lesser threats wouldn’t dare offend them lightly.

Zhao Chun bowed. “Thank you, Elder.”

In the next instant, her body went weightless. She rose as if lifted by a gentle current and slipped into the folds of Qiu Silhouette’s sleeve. Darkness wrapped around her. Her feet felt as though they were stepping on cloud—soft, buoyant, unreal.

Universe-in-the-Sleeve. A secret art. Astonishing.

Qiu Silhouette’s eyes flashed. With a cold laugh, she soared toward the sect.

—

The Ling Zhen Sect, Farwatch Water Pavilion.

Zheng Chen Qing sat in the main hall with a dark expression, his fists clenched tight on his knees.

A disciple pushed the door open and slipped inside, voice low. “Du Fan Zhi has issued a notice to the Inner Sect. In three months, he’ll host a tournament—and he sent an invitation for Senior Brother, saying you must attend.” He offered a meticulously sealed letter, anger carefully restrained.

Zheng Chen Qing glanced at him and gave a soft laugh. “Why are you so worked up? It isn’t the first time.”

He relaxed his hand and traced a finger along the tabletop. “Ever since Elder Li broke through to the late Essence Condensation Stage and took charge of the Hundred Sects Assembly, he’s been befriending disciples everywhere, hosting banquets without end.”

“This tournament is the same. He’s borrowing his mentor’s name.”

“When the time comes, we’ll go see what new tricks they’re playing.”

Du Fan Zhi’s actions reflected Li Shu’s intent, too—recruiting talent, gathering allies, gradually swallowing the influence other elders held within the sect.

Wu Yun Zhang and Ge Xing Chao were only early Essence Condensation. Li Shu hardly considered them threats. Qiu Silhouette had once been able to contend with him, but now even she was being pressed down.

And at this crucial moment, Sect Master Daoist Tu Sheng had gone back into seclusion, ignoring sect affairs. If not for that, Li Shu wouldn’t dare be so brazen.

Zheng Chen Qing’s mood was sour—until a vast pressure suddenly swept across the sky. He sprang to his feet, joy flashing across his face, and hurried outside.

“Senior Sister is back.”

Qiu Silhouette drifted down and flicked her sleeve. Zhao Chun dropped lightly into view.

Zheng Chen Qing recognized her at once. She belonged to Li Shu’s line. Doubt gathered in his eyes.

“We met along the way,” Qiu Silhouette said evenly. “I gave her a lift.”

Her tone revealed nothing—neither warmth nor chill.

Zhao Chun, newly aware that the hostility between the two sides hadn’t formed overnight, felt the awkwardness bite sharper. She excused herself and returned to her quarters.

After she left, Zheng Chen Qing stepped closer and asked in a low voice, “Senior Sister—did you succeed?”

Qiu Silhouette nodded and strode back into the hall, head high, steps brisk. Her good mood was unmistakable.

Once news of the Purple Luo Jade Branch spread through the Southern Domain, Qiu Silhouette had set out at once, intent on claiming it. Li Shu had refused to fall behind and searched as well.

Now the treasure was in their hands. Its uses were endless. The knot in Zheng Chen Qing’s chest loosened at last.

Inside, he told Qiu Silhouette about the tournament Du Fan Zhi had arranged.

“Let him,” she said, calm and dismissive. “When I come out of seclusion this time, everything will resolve itself.”

After an all-out battle with Chi Song and the acquisition of a rare treasure, her conditions were ideal. The bottleneck that had plagued her for so long had finally begun to loosen. She had decided to enter seclusion and break through to the late Essence Condensation Stage.

Zheng Chen Qing understood at once. His spirits lifted, and the gloom in his eyes cleared.

The struggle between the factions was about to crest—pushed toward its peak by Du Fan Zhi’s tournament.

Zhao Chun knew a little of the conflict and could only sigh. Yet the news stirred a different thought in her heart: opportunity.

The Hundred Sects Assembly was a martial gathering for Foundation Establishment and Essence Condensation cultivators, set by the Ling Zhen Sect. Each Inner Sect elder could bring five late Qi Refining disciples to observe.

This year, however, Li Shu was in charge. Things had changed. Through Du Fan Zhi, he announced a tournament: twenty spots, open to the best regardless of background. As long as one ranked in the top twenty, even a late Qi Refining disciple could go to the Hundred Sects Assembly.

But there was a catch—the competitors were restricted to Qi Refining Inner Sect disciples under an elder. Among the four elders, only Qiu Silhouette had taken no disciples. Who this rule harmed was obvious at a glance.

The sect felt storm-laden these days. Yet after several days, Qiu Silhouette made no response. In the end, Zheng Chen Qing spoke publicly: Elder Qiu was in seclusion, and he would attend the tournament in her stead.

Whatever the Inner Sect argued about, Zhao Chun didn’t care. What mattered was healing, then bringing Fire-Forging Furnace Art to the entry level. With that secret technique—and her fully mastered Swift-Stride Sword Method—she could fight even late Qi Refining disciples head-on.