Chapter 16: Overcoming Hardships Together

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All changes were captured in Song Junyu’s eyes. Though she was already accustomed to such things, a faint bitterness still spread quietly within her heart.

Since Liugu, being abandoned and despised had long become a reality, hadn’t it? Why bother hoping for more?

Well, if he could help a little on the upcoming path, that was enough to satisfy her. The remaining journey didn’t really need anyone’s company—

In the next moment, a grayish figure suddenly dashed into Song Junyu’s astonished gaze.

Wang Xinglong gritted his teeth and looked up, his right hand seemingly clutching a round object in the pouch at his waist.

“Liu Yu, hide for a bit! I have a treasure that can suppress it somewhat!”

“Hurry, hurry! This thing is extremely powerful!”

Song Junyu’s expression was complex, but she quickly reacted and stepped back several paces. Yet her palm pressed down on a tightly condensed golden thunder, poised and ready to strike.

Wang Xinglong wasted no time and pulled out a red bead, murmuring incantations. Suddenly, the red fireball expanded, its shape shifting as if something inside was about to burst forth—

In an instant, a torrent of red molten flow poured down, scorching the green bamboo python!

“Damn! Burn to death, you cursed beast!”

A searing heat radiated through the air. Wang Xinglong’s cheeks flushed red as he turned around and said, “Liu Yu, I’m pretty reliable, right?”

Seeing his expression seeking praise, Song Junyu’s eyes revealed a faint smile as she softly replied, “Hmm.”

Just then, sudden “da da” footsteps echoed nearby.

Song Junyu’s eyes changed sharply. She stared at the dissipating airflow and abruptly raised her hand to launch an attack: “Break!”

A huge body writhed wildly, followed by a flurry of green attacks flying everywhere. The python’s right eye was already a bloody mess!

“Still alive?!”

Wang Xinglong screamed, and seeing the green energy surge toward him, he quickly dodged left and right.

In the next moment, he witnessed a scene that commanded his utmost respect.

Song Junyu’s hair ribbon was shattered by the airflow, her black hair swirling around. Her fist was wrapped in a warm golden light crackling with electricity.

Raising her hand, lifting her arm, delivering the punch—all happened in the blink of an eye.

The bamboo python’s vital spot was brutally smashed down into a crater! A sharp, pained roar came from its massive head. Song Junyu’s eyes darkened with ruthlessness as she struck again. This time, her fists were faster and denser, even producing afterimages.

With her final punch raised, the black mist swirling in her eyes surged to its peak—

“Explode!”

The surging energy scattered, unleashing terrifying pressure and weight.

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Wang Xinglong’s mouth opened wide into an O shape. After a long moment, he regained his senses and hurried toward the slender figure.

Her hair was disheveled, dressed in gray hemp clothes. The back of her half-lowered hand was scratched by scales. When she cast her gaze downward, her pale face carried an imposing aura that was somewhat intimidating.

“Are you alright...?”

Song Junyu slightly gathered her spirit, kicked the snake’s head, then turned her head: “No harm done. But this bamboo python looks like a juvenile.”

“It probably doesn’t have even half a step into Foundation Establishment strength.”

She wasn’t sensing this by some special ability, but simply because she had exerted her full strength. Even fighting at Qi Refining stage eight, she was certain a half-step Foundation Establishment opponent would be impossible to withstand.

As she spoke, the giant beast’s body crumbled into fine powder, scattering in the air.

Shortly after, two jade pendants fell. They were smooth and moist to the touch, with a bluish tint. Song Junyu caught the pendants and handed one to Wang Xinglong.

“Eh? A spirit-formed fake beast?!” Wang Xinglong exclaimed in heartbreak.

Then he explained, “Such spirit-formed fake beasts can only be created by those with great power. They transform spirit into body to assist in combat. But what are these pendants?”

Song Junyu quietly withdrew her gaze, offering no comment. After all, she was no match for this fellow’s erudition.

This was a big problem—only Nuwa’s intervention could fix it.

After clearing the bamboo python, the remaining journey became smoother. As they climbed the steps, ghostly images gradually appeared on the walls on both sides.

First, a rough-looking brute wielding an axe appeared, swinging wildly. Soon the image transformed into a sword, and within a few breaths, changed through several types of weapons. The next moment, it seemed to glance toward Song Junyu. Was it just an illusion, or was the phantom blinking?

The brute was quickly knocked aside, replaced by an old man holding a hammer. As he moved, various shaped objects were forged before him. Then, a mirror-like object was brought forward.

Wang Xinglong noticed this strange scene and asked, “What is this?”

Song Junyu felt a subtle strangeness within but couldn’t place its source. After a moment’s thought, she said, “The sect... origin story?”

“Oh... the Zhen Tian Sect really is comprehensive—lumberjacks, blacksmiths... Hey? Liu Yu, look, it changed again!”

The phantom shifted again, becoming a huge furnace swirling with auspicious clouds. As the furnace rumbled, one by one, round beads rolled out.

Finally, a smiling old man suddenly appeared, tossing out a spirit paper.

On it, wavering faintly, were three barely legible characters: “Wait for me... yo!”

Song Junyu: “...”

At the horizon.

“Little girl, wait for me, yo! Isn’t that annoying?”

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At Juewu Peak, a single punch shattered the spirit painting jade slip, reducing the spirit drawing infused by the Xiangdan Peak master into fragments.

“This act is rather impolite!” the Xiangdan Peak master tugged his beard, arguing passionately.

At the rear, the beautiful woman, Shen Xiyue, master of Yangliu Peak, had endured long enough. Finally, she flicked a ray of spiritual light and snatched the jade slip away.

“Several peak masters gathering behind the jade slip to do such ridiculous things—how do you think the girl will view you all?”

The master of Refining Tools Peak muttered softly, “Isn’t this just a desperate measure because the Ask Heaven Path can’t hold her?”

“Hmph. Look closely at her identity token—whose work is that?”

Prompted by her, they suddenly noticed a small, subtle pattern carved on the token. That pattern was unique to Sect Leader Gu San.

“Is this girl granted free passage by the sect leader?”

Shen Xiyue let out a snort with a trace of appreciation in her eyes, then nodded toward Song Junyu on the jade slip: “This little girl is surely no ordinary person. Looking at her skills alone, one can foresee her future accomplishments.”

“Rather than forcibly detaining her, it’s better to teach her. Perhaps we’ll witness a true rising genius.”

At this, she curved her lips slightly and smiled, snapping her fingers lightly.

“Little girl, since they’ve all given you gifts, I won’t be left behind.”

“I shall give you a road strewn with blossoms.”

Below, on the Ask Heaven Path.

In the final several miles, flowers and plants suddenly sprouted wildly along the stone walls on both sides, as if entering a carefully crafted garden.

Song Junyu looked on in surprise, eventually noticing butterflies fluttering about.

The butterflies circled and danced, seemingly guiding her forward. Seeing she followed, they all flew toward a white glowing source.

Following them, Song Junyu stepped forward, and the world changed.

Sensing something, she suddenly looked up to the distant horizon where clouds rolled and curled. Someone concealed behind them was smiling warmly.

Pulling back her thoughts, a familiar voice came.

“...Is that you?”