Xuanqing Heavenly Sect, Martial Void Arena.
Xu Jin landed steadily in the competition arena, his gaze fixed on Yan Yun, whose posture was exceptionally spirited.
Compared to Yan Yun, who seemed perpetually prepared for arduous battles, Xu Jin had appeared rather lax during this period.
He cultivated when it was time to cultivate, rested when it was time to rest, and occasionally discussed Tianyan Sect affairs with his master and a group of elders during his leisure moments.
Although Chu Xingchen had used illusion arts, the techniques between life and death were naturally all genuine skills that could not be disparaged.
It was said that Chu Xingchen's methods were also formidable, and he too was at the Fusion Realm.
No one could have imagined that Tianyan Sect could conceal such a sharp sword, and now it was time for that blade to reveal its ferocious edge.
So Xu Jin naturally understood that this sparring match had lost its original significance, and taking it too seriously would be pointless.
He would simply treat it as a casual exchange to go through the motions. Tianyan Sect knew the inside story and naturally wouldn't be too serious, probably just letting him win after a random exchange.
After all, Tianyan Sect had already gained some substance, so they should give some face as well.
However...
Xu Jin looked at Yan Yun before him, whose posture remained exceptionally spirited, feeling that she didn't look like someone just going through the motions.
Why did it seem like she was ready to fight to the death?
Or perhaps Tianyan Sect had always enjoyed putting on such performances?
Regardless, Xu Jin still cupped his hands slightly and spoke in a gentle tone:
"Please, instruct me."
Yan Yun nodded slightly, decisively drawing her Spirit Treasure sword, and spoke solemnly: "Please, instruct me."
The start was determined by the bell.
Although it was highly likely just a formality, Xuanqing Heavenly Sect still had people stationed on both sides of the grand formation, ready to maintain it in advance. After all, the previous core disciple competition had indeed been eye-opening, and precautions were necessary.
Xu Jin silently summoned his Spirit Treasure, standing somewhat casually in the center, awaiting the bell.
As far as he knew, even if he won this match, Chu Xingchen wouldn't participate in the subsequent sparring.
He felt somewhat regretful that he couldn't witness Chu Xingchen's presence.
He heard that Chu Xingchen had recently developed a good relationship with Yuyang Daozi and seemed to have become friends.
Chu Xingchen's temperament was said to be somewhat flighty, but his character seemed fairly straightforward.
Yuyang Daozi was also compatible with him, but regrettably, they had become friends this time around.
Next time they wanted to make friends, it would likely be extremely difficult.
This competition would be the final conclusion. At this moment, his master should be discussing the final confirmation matters with Tianyan Sect's Sect Master Lu Xuan.
Such carefree encounters would likely be impossible in the future. Making friends also required fate.
Countless people passed each other by in the world, and those with talent and cultivation equal to one's own were exceedingly rare.
In this world, aside from spouses, friends also needed to be matched—equal status and strength would create common topics, and things that everyone wanted to do together.
Pure drinking buddies were of no use.
But let it be.
In the next moment, the bell within the arena resounded.
Xu Jin's expression instantly became focused, for Yan Yun ahead had already arrived in the blink of an eye. Terrifying might spread forth, and the stars around her body flashed into existence in an instant.
The sword in her hand transformed into an extremely white rainbow light, striking toward him.
Xu Jin was absolutely certain... Yan Yun was approaching this sparring match with the attitude of a life-or-death battle.
He reacted quickly, and his spiritual power was also rapidly mobilized.
However, in such top-level confrontations, even a slight underestimation of the enemy would come at a price.
Especially against Yan Yun, who had trained under Bai Xuanling for so long.
BOOM!
Xu Jin's figure flew backward rapidly. The surrounding power carrying the force of stars crazily eroded toward him, while his divine sense and gaze continued to lock onto Yan Yun.
Excellent... Yan Yun was absolutely giving her all in the truest sense.
Yan Yun's figure pressed down from above, the might in her hand not diminishing in the slightest, as if stars were crashing down from the void.
The surrounding spiritual power began to stagnate somewhat under this terrifying pressure.
Xu Jin's expression also rapidly turned extremely cold, and the Spirit Treasure sword in his hand was drawn without the slightest weakness to meet her attack.
Since she wanted to be serious, he would now see the true worth of Tianyan Sect's nominal core!
Xuanqing Heavenly Sect, Conference Hall.
Lu Xuan still hadn't gone to watch Yan Yun's competition today. The one responsible for watching was Bai Xuanling. As the saying went, each had their own duties.
Unless necessary, Lu Xuan wouldn't bring Bai Xuanling to negotiations. Moreover, the situation had now stabilized, with only a few consensus issues remaining.
Although Lu Xuan felt some joy in his heart, his face remained calm, maintaining the bearing of a top-tier celestial sect's sect master without any lapse.
Aside from two Tianyan Sect elders accompanying the discussion, Chu Xingchen and Xie Lingyu were also seated here.
Li Moze of Xuanqing Heavenly Sect sat in the high position, his expression calm and unruffled.
Today, Luo Yue, who should have been one of the main characters, had not appeared until now, and she sat calmly on a separate side.
Within the entire great hall, there were three factions.
Only Luo Yue, a single spirit demon, formed her own faction.
Behind her, there was no one.
Luo Yue's brows were slightly lowered. She had thought about many, many things. Hundreds of years ago, she had imagined she could sit here, discussing how her spirit demon homeland could be truly established.
Behind her, there were countless spirit demons hoping for this scene, and Luo Yue could tell them that the promise she had made, she had fulfilled.
It was because of her choice, because of her sacrifice.
But unfortunately, it was none of those.
The reason she could sit here was because someone had stepped forward.
Perhaps through interest exchanges, perhaps through various reasons.
But the fact was that someone had stood up on her behalf.
Luo Yue had never participated in the discussion process and conversations, nor in the specific implementation methods. She was merely fortunate enough to attend the final judgment.
Yet Luo Yue still had to be grateful, because... she had no other choice.
Just as the area behind Luo Yue was completely silent.
This was the final opportunity to speak. Even if the one speaking wasn't Luo Yue, she would seize this opportunity.
Li Moze's gaze turned toward that weak spirit demon. This feeble aura probably hadn't even reached the Foundation Establishment Realm.
This great hall hadn't seen such frail beings enter for a long time.
Xuanqing Heavenly Sect's concession was natural, but Tianyan Sect also needed to make concessions for this.
After all, as top-tier sects, face was naturally given to each other.
The plan was basically completed in discussion.
Li Moze opened his mouth to ask: "You are called Luo Yue?"
Luo Yue raised her gaze. Facing the Great Vehicle Realm's Li Moze, she didn't retreat in the slightest, nodding calmly in reply: "That is correct."
Li Moze nodded gently and spoke indifferently:
"Your matter was discussed with me earlier by Sect Master Lu. Xuanqing Heavenly Sect naturally takes this seriously."
"Since it is a promise from Xuanqing Heavenly Sect, no matter how much time passes, as long as Xuanqing Heavenly Sect still has the ability, we will naturally honor the agreement."
"For this, I also thoroughly checked the sect's records and found the historical archives. Luo Yue's name is indeed preserved in history."
"However, the sect has no records regarding you. If you were a backup left by Xuanqing Heavenly Sect, your records should be clear and explicit, not something the entire sect knows nothing about."
"Perhaps this matter was confidential back then. Xuanqing Heavenly Sect did suffer heavy losses in that war against rebellion, and there were some gaps in records."
"But after all, there are no records and no documentation. Words alone cannot be accepted by anyone."
"We can't have just anyone coming to Xuanqing Heavenly Sect with history books to claim agreements. So this matter, Xuanqing Heavenly Sect cannot accept, nor can we accept it."
Luo Yue's expression couldn't hide some dejection. Along this journey, she had naturally come to understand what kind of colossal entity Xuanqing Heavenly Sect was now.
If they wouldn't accept, what could she do?
She was now merely lingering on, barely surviving.
A spirit demon so weak she couldn't even lift a spear to fight again.
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