93: Chapter 93 The Shock of the Heavenly Evolution Sect!

He calmly shook his head at Xu Linger and gave a weak smile. "Don't worry, Senior Sister, it wasn't a forbidden technique. It was just a secret method that consumes a vast amount of spiritual energy. I'll be fine after resting for a while."

He didn't explain further, and although Xu Linger still had her doubts,

seeing him say this, she could only suppress her worries in her heart.

She simply held him more steadily.

On the flying boat, the rest of the Tianyan Sect Disciples were still immersed in a state of immense shock and lingering fear.

The way they looked at Chu Xiao was filled with complexity.

There was fanatical admiration and deep awe.

But mostly, there was fear.

Once Senior Brother Chu made a move, he was simply a god of slaughter.

Killing Nascent Soul Cultivators like slaughtering dogs, and reaping Soul Transformation Cultivators like cutting grass.

He even slaughtered all the Jiuyou Sect Disciples without even blinking an eye.

The flying boat streaked through the clouds as Elder Ling Yun personally took the helm, his expression solemn to the extreme.

He didn't take the conventional route, instead choosing one that was more remote and circuitous,

but also safer and more concealed.

He knew very well that by killing the Holy Sect envoy, the heavens had truly been pierced through.

"Chu Xiao."

Elder Ling Yun's voice was low and raspy.

"Elder."

Chu Xiao looked up at him.

Elder Ling Yun looked at him with an incredibly complex gaze, filled with relief and praise, but mostly gravity.

He set up a sound-isolating barrier, cutting off the other Disciples.

Only then did he say in a heavy voice, "Do you know how much trouble you've caused today?"

"I know."

Chu Xiao answered calmly.

"No, you don't."

Elder Ling Yun shook his head, a trace of bitterness appearing on his face. "Gui Cang was an Outer Sect Deacon of the Holy Sect. Although he was just an insignificant small fry, he represented the face of the Holy Sect."

"By killing him, it's equivalent to slapping the Holy Sect in the face in public."

"The Holy Sect might not mobilize its forces for a mere Outer Sect Deacon, but they will never allow their prestige to be provoked."

"They will definitely send people to investigate. Once they find out that Gui Cang died by your hand..."

He didn't continue, but the implication was self-evident.

"And the Jiuyou Sect..."

Elder Ling Yun continued, "That old bastard Xing Tu has gone mad. Once he returns to his Sect, he will surely retaliate at any cost. Although we aren't afraid of him, the days ahead will not be peaceful."

He gave Chu Xiao a deep look, his tone becoming incredibly serious. "Therefore, after returning to the Sect, you must absolutely not step outside the mountain gates!"

"The Sect will exhaust all its resources to aid your cultivation. Until you break through to Soul Transformation and possess the power to truly protect yourself, you must not go out!"

"I understand."

Chu Xiao nodded.

He was well aware that what Elder Ling Yun said was the truth.

Currently, he seemed to be basking in infinite glory, but in reality, he was standing on the edge of a precipice.

His only way out

was to raise his strength as quickly as possible to a height where he could contend with everything.

Seeing that Chu Xiao had taken it to heart, Elder Ling Yun's expression softened slightly.

He sighed and patted Chu Xiao on the shoulder.

This time, he didn't pull back his hand in awe as he had before.

"You don't need to worry too much. If the sky falls, the Sect will hold it up for you. You are the Qilin child of our Tianyan Sect, a talent unseen in ten thousand years; the Sect will ensure your safety no matter what."

After saying that, he removed the barrier and turned back to the bow of the ship, continuing to focus on piloting the flying boat.

As the barrier dissipated, Xu Linger's worried gaze immediately turned toward him.

"Junior Brother, what did the Elder say to you?"

"Nothing much, just told me to Cultivate well after returning to the Sect."

Chu Xiao smiled, then leaned more of his body weight onto Xu Linger. "Senior Sister, I'm a bit tired. I want to sleep for a while."

Seeing his weak state, Xu Linger felt heartbroken and hurriedly said, "Then go to sleep quickly. Lean on me."

However, Chu Xiao shook his head, his gaze falling on her legs pressed together, and said softly, "I want to... sleep with my head on your lap, Senior Sister."

"Ah?"

Xu Linger's beautiful face instantly turned bright red.

The blush spread from her cheeks all the way down to her fair neck.

Her heart raced like a panicked deer, and for a moment, she didn't know what to do.

This... this was too intimate.

But when she saw Chu Xiao's expectant gaze,

she couldn't bring herself to say no.

"Um..."

Xu Linger responded with a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

She shifted her body slightly so he could lie down more comfortably.

Chu Xiao got his wish and rested his head on those soft and elastic legs.

A faint, youthful fragrance of a young woman lingered at the tip of his nose.

It allowed his nerves, which had been tense all day, to find a moment of relaxation.

He closed his eyes, and before falling completely into a deep sleep,

he subconsciously reached out and grabbed Xu Linger's soft hand resting by her side.

Xu Linger's body stiffened abruptly. She wanted to pull her hand back, but he held it tightly.

His palm was burning hot!

She struggled a bit but couldn't break free, and her heart beat even faster.

She peeked around and saw that the other Disciples were tactfully staying far away and weren't looking in their direction.

Only then did she breathe a small sigh of relief.

She looked down at Chu Xiao, who was already fast asleep with his head on her lap.

Looking at his peaceful sleeping face, the shyness and panic in her heart

were gradually replaced by an inexplicable warmth and sweetness.

She stopped struggling and let him hold her hand.

Her other hand gently stroked his hair.

The flying boat traveled through the sea of clouds for a whole day and night.

When Chu Xiao opened his eyes again, the spiritual energy in his body had recovered by seventy or eighty percent, and his spirit was much better.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he met Xu Linger's bloodshot

but still bright and beautiful eyes.

"Senior Sister, you didn't sleep all night?"

Chu Xiao sat up and asked with some heartache.

"I'm fine."

Xu Linger hurriedly shook her head, but the hand he had held all night was pulled back instantly as if it had been struck by lightning.

Her cheeks were once again stained with a rosy blush.

He had used her lap as a pillow all night and held her hand all night.

Halfway through, this bad Junior Brother was still restless in his sleep, his hand constantly scratching her palm.

It made her feel as if her whole body was being roasted over a fire.

She was both ashamed and angry, yet she couldn't bear to wake him up.

Chu Xiao savored the lingering warm sensation in his hand, and seeing his Senior Sister's bashful look, he was in a great mood.

And although Xu Linger was so ashamed she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into,

recalling the intimacy of the night, she didn't feel any aversion in her heart.

Instead, there was a tiny bit of secret joy.

Just then, the flying boat jolted violently and slowly began to descend.

"We've reached the Sect!"

A Disciple shouted in surprise.

Everyone stood up and looked out through the portholes. The familiar mountain-protecting array and the continuous mountain range of the Tianyan Sect had already appeared in their field of vision.

The flying boat landed smoothly on the plaza of the main peak.

Elder Ling Yun put away the flying boat, his face still serious as he said to everyone, "Return to your respective Immortal Caves to rest. No one is to discuss today's events privately. Everything will be decided by the Sect Master."

"Yes, Elder!"

The Disciples responded in unison and then scattered like birds and beasts.

But the way everyone looked at Chu Xiao

was with an unprecedented level of awe.

"Linger, you should also go back and rest first,"

Elder Ling Yun said to Xu Linger.

"Yes."

Xu Linger nodded, but before leaving, she still gave Chu Xiao an uneasy look and whispered, "Junior Brother, then you..."

"Chu Xiao, come with me."

Elder Ling Yun didn't give her a chance to ask more, directly saying, "This matter must be reported to the Sect Master immediately. Let his Excellency personally decide!"

...

Tianyan Sect Main Peak, Sect Master's Great Hall.

Elder Ling Yun led Chu Xiao and stepped once again into this place that represented the highest power of the Sect.

The hall was still empty and majestic.

Immense pillars supported the dome, and light filtered through the high windows, casting spots of light and shadow.

The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood

as well as a trace of Dao charm that calmed the mind.

But Elder Ling Yun was currently ill at ease, with fine beads of sweat even breaking out on his forehead.

With every step he took, he felt the floor beneath his feet was bone-chillingly cold.

At the end of the hall, atop the high jade steps,

a figure sat quietly on the Sect Master's throne.

It was none other than the Sect Master of the Tianyan Sect, Yuan Xianyu.

"Ling Yun, together with True Disciple Chu Xiao, pays respects to the Sect Master."

Elder Ling Yun bowed in greeting!

"Speak."

Yuan Xianyu spoke, her voice cold and clear like the ice and snow on a mountaintop, revealing no hint of emotion.

Elder Ling Yun took a deep breath and reported everything that had happened in Tianyuan City in detail.

From Gu Yan disguising as a Golden Core to take the stage, to Chu Xiao slaying a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

From the Holy Sect Envoy Gui Cang's greed and treachery, to Chu Xiao's bold counterattack and public execution of him.

Finally, to Chu Xiao's sword slaughtering dozens of Jiuyou Sect Disciples,

completely cementing a blood feud.

His mouth was dry and his heart pounded as he spoke.

With every event he recounted, he felt the temperature in the hall drop by another degree.

He thought that upon hearing of such a world-shaking disaster, even if the Sect Master didn't fly into a thunderous rage,

she would at least show some reaction.

However, after he finished speaking, the hall fell into a long, dead silence.

Yuan Xianyu, atop the jade steps, showed no reaction.

She remained in the same posture!

This made Elder Ling Yun even more uneasy than a thunderous rage.

He peeked upward and found that the Sect Master's gaze wasn't on him at all.

Instead, it passed over him and landed on Chu Xiao behind him.

Chu Xiao calmly met her gaze.

He had already made up his mind that after returning, he would immediately enter secluded meditation.

He would switch his cultivation to that Heaven Rank Top-Grade 'Supreme Emotion-Forgetfulness Dao Scripture' and, with the help of that complete Soul Transformation insight, break through the shackles of the Golden Core in one go and step into the Nascent Soul realm!

After a long time, Elder Ling Yun finally couldn't bear the pressure and spoke up, bracing himself. "Sect Master, Chu Xiao... although his actions were ruthless, he was forced into it. Especially concerning the Jiuyou Sect, Xing Tu has already sworn a blood oath. I'm afraid... I'm afraid a war between our two Sects is inevitable..."

"Jiuyou Sect?"

Yuan Xianyu finally withdrew her gaze, her tone carrying a hint of faint sarcasm. "Just a bunch of trash who Cultivate Demonic Techniques and cut off their own futures; they are not worth worrying about."

She paused, her voice still flat. "Xing Tu won't dare to start a war."

This absolute confidence left Elder Ling Yun stunned.

He opened his mouth, a bold guess welling up in his heart that made his whole body tremble with excitement. "Sect Master... could it be that your, your cultivation... has already broken through to the Soul Transformation realm?!"

Facing Elder Ling Yun's speculation, Yuan Xianyu was noncommittal.

She only gave a faint nod.

"That's wonderful! Heaven blesses my Tianyan Sect!"

Elder Ling Yun's old face turned red with excitement.

Chu Xiao lowered his eyes, hiding the strange look in them.

Breakthrough?

Elder Ling Yun was excited for a moment, then remembered that even more serious problem.

[part:deepseek-chat]

The joy on his face faded, replaced by gravity: 'Sect Master, the Jiuyou Sect is nothing to worry about, but... but what about the Holy Sect! Chu Xiao killed a Holy Sect envoy! This... this is a calamity that could wipe out our entire Sect!'

'This matter, I have my own considerations.'

Yuan Xianyu's voice remained cool and clear: 'Lingyun, you may withdraw for now. Guard outside, and do not allow anyone to approach the main hall.'

'This...'

Elder Lingyun hesitated, casting a worried glance at Chu Xiao.

'Withdraw.'

Yuan Xianyu's voice held no trace of emotion, yet carried an indisputable authority.

Elder Lingyun's heart tightened. Not daring to say another word, he could only bow and take his leave.

He left the main hall, looking back every few steps.

Inside the hall, only Chu Xiao and Yuan Xianyu remained.

That invisible pressure became palpable at this moment.

It enveloped Chu Xiao as if it were a tangible force.

'Killing a Holy Sect envoy, according to the Holy Sect's rules, warrants the extermination of one's entire clan.'

Yuan Xianyu's voice echoed leisurely through the great hall.

'Are you aware of your crime?'

'This Disciple is aware,'

Chu Xiao raised his head, meeting her gaze as he answered calmly.

'Aware, yet you still dared to do it.'

A trace of curiosity entered Yuan Xianyu's tone. 'Why?'

'Because he deserved to die.'

Chu Xiao's reply was simple and direct. 'He wanted to kill me and seize my treasures, so I killed him. It was only natural.'

'Heh...'

Yuan Xianyu suddenly let out a soft laugh. The sound was like ice beads falling onto a jade plate, crisp and pleasing to the ear.

'What a fitting 'only natural'. I find myself somewhat admiring you.'

She rose slowly from her throne, descending the jade steps one step at a time.

As she drew nearer, that unique, subtle fragrance grew clearer.

Only then did Chu Xiao realize how remarkably tall her figure was!

She stopped three paces in front of Chu Xiao.

Those deep, profound eyes gazed at him quietly.

'The Holy Sect's wrath is something the Tianyan Sect cannot bear. However, I can point you to a path of survival.'

'I am all ears.'

'With your talent, you can be considered a once-in-ten-millennium find. I can personally step forward and recommend you to join the Holy Sect.'

Yuan Xianyu said slowly, 'Once you become a Core Disciple of the Holy Sect, a mere deceased Outer Sect steward will no longer amount to anything.'

'This would not only resolve the calamity of extermination for both you and me, but for you, it would be a heaven-reaching Opportunity of immense magnitude.'

Silence fell once more within the great hall.

Chu Xiao fell silent.

Join the Holy Sect?

He had no doubt that, given the talent he had displayed, the Holy Sect would gladly accept him.

But then what?

They would covet the secrets on his person, just like Holy Sect Envoy Gui Cang had.

Once on their turf, he would truly become a fish on the chopping block, completely at their mercy.

This was a fatal trap wrapped in honey.

He slowly raised his head, looking into Yuan Xianyu's eyes as he said, 'Thank you for your great favor, Sect Master.'

'However, this Disciple was born a member of the Tianyan Sect, and will die a ghost of the Tianyan Sect.'

'Now that the Sect faces a great calamity because of me, how could this Disciple, for the sake of personal gain, abandon the Sect and seek to survive alone?'

'If the Holy Sect truly intends to unleash its thunderous wrath, this Disciple is willing to bear the full responsibility alone, and will not implicate the Sect in the slightest!'

His words were resolute and forceful, ringing with conviction.

Yuan Xianyu was taken aback.

She looked at the young man before her, looked into his eyes.

She had imagined various possible reactions from Chu Xiao.

Ecstatic joy, hesitation, or attempts to bargain.

She had never anticipated that he would refuse.

And refuse so decisively!

After a long while, the surprise in her eyes gradually transformed into appreciation.

'Heh... hehehehe...'

She laughed again, this time with a touch more warmth than before. 'Good, very good! My Tianyan Sect has finally produced a Disciple with backbone!'

'Do you know what you are refusing?'

'This Disciple knows,'

Chu Xiao said, 'but this Disciple knows even better what roots are.'

'Well said, roots!' Yuan Xianyu gave him a deep look. 'Since you are unwilling to go, then I will shield you from the matter of the Holy Sect.'

Her tone remained placid, but the words she spoke carried the weight of a mountain.

Chu Xiao felt a stir in his heart and bowed respectfully. 'Thank you, Sect Master.'

'No need for thanks. Protecting you is protecting the future of the Tianyan Sect.'

Yuan Xianyu turned and walked back up the jade steps. 'Your actions today, though reckless, have also established immense prestige for our Sect. You shall be rewarded.'

With a wave of her delicate hand, a jet-black token engraved with ancient patterns flew to hover before Chu Xiao.

'From this day forth, you are the Chief True Disciple of my Tianyan Sect. Your status is second only to myself and the various Elders.'

'This is the key to the Sect's treasure vault. With this token, you may enter and choose any three treasures you wish.'

Chief True Disciple! Free pick from the treasure vault!

Either of these was an immense reward.

Chu Xiao took the token. It felt cool to the touch and still carried a faint trace of her aura.

He walked out of the Sect Master's main hall, the great doors slowly closing behind him.

Elder Lingyun, guarding outside the hall, was pacing like an ant on a hot griddle.

The moment he saw Chu Xiao emerge, he rushed forward in great strides.

His face was etched with anxiety.

'Chu Xiao, the Sect Master... what did she say? Did she punish you?'

He looked Chu Xiao up and down, only relaxing slightly upon seeing him unharmed.

Looking at this Elder who had worried himself sick over him, a thread of warmth flowed through Chu Xiao's heart.

He opened his hand, presenting the jet-black token to Elder Lingyun.

'The Sect Master has appointed me Chief True Disciple and bestowed this treasure vault token, allowing me to choose any three treasures.'

Elder Lingyun's eyes instantly widened to their limits.

He grabbed Chu Xiao's wrist, scrutinizing the token carefully.

Sensing the unique imprint of the Sect Master's magic power upon it, the worry on his face finally vanished.

'Chief True Disciple! Free pick from the vault! Hahaha! Good! Excellent!'

His aged face flushed red with excitement!

This reward was no longer merely a reward.

It represented the Sect Master's stance!

The Sect intended to protect Chu Xiao at all costs!

It intended to spare no effort in nurturing this once-in-ten-millennium Qilin!

The sky would not fall!

The massive boulder in Elder Lingyun's heart crashed to the ground, and his entire being felt lighter.

Inside the great hall, Yuan Xianyu still stood quietly upon the jade steps.

Her gaze seemed to pierce through the hall doors, watching the two receding figures.

The iceberg-like expression on her face thawed by an imperceptible degree.

'Born a member of the Tianyan Sect, die a ghost of the Tianyan Sect... You have backbone. A pity, but also too naive...'

She murmured softly to herself, then her eyes turned cold.

'However, my Disciple is not someone others can bully.'

She looked in the direction of the Jiuyou Sect, a cold, mocking smile curling at the corner of her lips. 'Qin Chaotian, you should be grateful my mood is still tolerable today...'

'Otherwise, the Jiuyou Sect would already be stricken from the records.'

As her words fell, her figure flickered.

And she vanished from the great hall.

The Holy Sect was certainly a major trouble, but before that,

She had to make that barking mad dog learn to shut its mouth.

...

Elder Lingyun led Chu Xiao all the way back to the Immortal Cave area.

And at this moment, the entire Tianyan Sect had erupted into chaos.

As the Disciples who participated in the grand competition returned, one earth-shattering piece of news after another

stirred up a tempestuous storm.

'Have you heard? In this True Disciple Grand Competition, our Tianyan Sect's Senior Brother Chu Xiao took first place!'

'First place? How is that possible! I heard that Jiuyou Sect's Gu Yan had broken through to the Nascent Soul realm! No matter how strong Senior Brother Chu is, he's only Golden Core!'

'What Golden Core! The Senior Brothers who witnessed it firsthand said that on the arena, in front of tens of thousands of Cultivators, Senior Brother Chu Xiao punched through Gu Yan's saber aura with one fist and crushed his skull with one stomp!'

'A Nascent Soul Immortal Master was like paper in front of him!'

'Hiss—! Really? You're not exaggerating, are you?'

'Exaggerating? That's nothing!'

A Disciple who had just returned from Tianyuan City, his face still flushed with unsubsided excitement, declared, 'Do you know what happened next? The Holy Sect envoy took a fancy to Senior Brother Chu's talent and tried to forcibly take him away!'

'And then... and then Senior Brother Chu cut him down with a single sword!'

'What?!'

As soon as these words were spoken, all the Disciples who heard them stood frozen in place as if struck by lightning.

Stunned on the spot.

Cut... cut down a Holy Sect envoy?

That was a Soul Transformation great power! A lofty representative of the Holy Sect!

'You... you're insane! How dare you spout such nonsense? Do you want your Cultivation crippled and be expelled from the Sect?'

Someone harshly rebuked, though his own face was deathly pale.

'Nonsense? I saw it with my own eyes!'

The Disciple roared excitedly, 'Senior Brother Chu transformed into a giant dozens of zhang tall, punching the envoy down from the sky with one blow! The final sword strike even split the entire Fighting Arena in half!'

'That Soul Transformation envoy was utterly annihilated, not even ashes remained!'

'Not only that! After killing the envoy, Senior Brother Chu turned and with two more sword strokes, slaughtered the several dozen remaining Jiuyou Sect Disciples! Not a single one was left!'

'What he says is true!'

Another returning Disciple stepped forward. 'That scene, you didn't see it. It was a river of blood, a veritable hell on earth! Senior Brother Chu at that moment was like a god of slaughter!'

One eyewitness after another described everything that had happened in Tianyuan City in tones of worship.

Scattered discussions rapidly coalesced into a storm, sweeping through every corner of the Tianyan Sect.

Outer Sect, inner Sect, True Disciples...

Every Disciple was left dizzy and mentally paralyzed by these shocking, terrifying tales.

At first, ninety-nine percent of people didn't believe it, considering it pure fantasy.

But as the news spread wider and the details grew richer, they had no choice but to believe.

Within the Sect, several Elder peaks were also thrown into disarray.

A group of Elders, usually possessing an air of immortal grace and Daoist demeanor,

now gathered together like headless flies, chattering noisily, their faces flushed red.

'Preposterous! Utterly preposterous! How did Lingyun handle things? How could it have come to this!'

'Slaying a Holy Sect envoy? In my five hundred years of life, I've never heard of anything so outrageous! It's over now, the sky is going to fall!'

'That Chu Xiao is a madman! Having provoked such a Sect-exterminating calamity, he must be handed over to appease the Holy Sect's wrath!'

One Elder, gripped by fear and shock, proposed the most direct solution.