Chapter 9: Double Promotion

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Song Junyu did not linger long in the sect leader’s courtyard. Feeling her legs could move again, she quickly followed a small path downward.

Using herbal medicine to heal wounds—that was the way of ordinary mortals. For the sect leader to think of using it was remarkable indeed.

She had heard some stories about this sect leader from Liu Gu. He was once the least favored disciple of the previous sect leader, but suddenly shone brilliantly during the last sect competition, becoming famous throughout the cultivation world.

It was also because of him that the Fairy Baoluo, who was supposed to ascend to the position of sect leader of Zhen Tian Sect, was left behind with a heavy heart.

Thinking of this, Song Junyu’s mood lightened considerably.

An enemy’s opponent was an ally.

At least, this sect leader currently had no intention to harm her, so she need not overthink.

Her immediate priority was to find a place to cultivate quickly. After her battle with Yang Wen, she felt her absorption of spiritual power had accelerated. With the surging spiritual energy she now possessed, it would only take some time to break through!

Following the route in her memory... this time she would quietly take refuge with the ancestor sect for a while to avoid further disturbances.

She was completely unaware that her furtive figure was being observed from the clouds by two people—both familiar faces.

“Little girl, this time you actually came here to seek refuge,” Ji Rong said reluctantly, though a trace of a smile appeared in his eyes.

Beside him was the sect leader Gu Sanshi, cloaked in a long robe and cape, smiling lightly, “Tell me, why did you refuse to let me investigate her before, but now you entrust her to me?”

Ji Rong exhaled deeply, dropping his sarcastic tone as his expression grew cold. “The sect is divided among four masters; it’s no longer what it used to be. I only trust you, Sanshi.”

“The key point is that I’ve overcome a mental barrier.”

Gu Sanshi was greatly pleased and turned to congratulate him: “The mental threshold has held you back for so long; breaking through now is a tremendous blessing!”

Ji Rong sighed heavily: “My lifespan is barely a hundred years. Now that I’ve broken through mentally, whether my cultivation can truly advance is uncertain. At best, I’ll need several years of seclusion.”

“Since the old sect leader’s passing, the burden on your shoulders is heavy, and you need helpers. This girl is a good child; she might be of help to you in the future.”

“There is only one thing I want you to remember: no matter how extraordinary her cultivation method is, you must do your utmost to protect her.”

His words were grave. Gu Sanshi did not respond immediately, but after a while, the man’s voice was firm: “Master, I will never allow anyone to destroy Zhen Tian Sect. As for the little girl, I will protect her with all my might.”

“May I soon see you ascend the path to the pinnacle.”

...

Unaware of their conversation, Song Junyu was enveloped in dense spiritual energy, feeling immensely joyful.

When she first met the ancestor, he had given her a seemingly ordinary cultivation manual. As her cultivation increased, she discovered the book held hidden depths, recording many accumulated insights that could prevent cultivators from going astray.

Experience was the best teacher. She repeatedly reviewed the details of her battle with Yang Wen, her eyes blazing with fiery determination.

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Only with great strength could one have a voice. Now, she was utterly certain of this truth.

Whoosh—

A sharp sound, as leaves in the courtyard were swept up by the wind, their edges cutting through the air with piercing force, scattering in all directions.

The next moment, the leaves were gently carried down like spring rain, swaying as they fell to the ground.

Inside the room, Song Junyu’s eyes snapped open, filled with excitement.

Third level!

Just as she was about to set off, a sudden, intense pain coursed through her body. Her once-strong meridians abruptly shattered from within, blood gushing forth. But soon, countless black serpentine forces emerged from her dantian, climbing upward to quickly repair the fractured meridians.

This reconstruction was even more painful than before. Song Junyu bit her lip silently, staring fixedly at the stone platform before her.

Last time, when this happened, she thought of the past blood refinement and pearl tempering. This time, for some reason, Zhang Tian came to mind.

Life must be lived with joy to be complete.

Her half-life had been full of chaos; the road ahead would surely be a hundred times thornier. Could she truly find joy?

As her thoughts drifted, the thick blackness began to engulf her eyes, threatening to swallow her completely—

“Clang!”

A golden light, like a sword piercing the void, struck deep within her consciousness, instantly clearing her spiritual altar.

No, if this continued, she might be consumed entirely by hatred!

She was not afraid of being overwhelmed by hatred, but she did not want the spirit of Liu Gu to see her transformed into a murderous madwoman.

Liu Gu was the last glimmer of light in her heart.

She would never allow it to be defiled.

Even if she became a demon, it must be by her own will, controlled by her own consciousness!

In an instant, golden light blazed. When all settled, only the slender figure sitting at the courtyard’s center shone with vitality.

Could this be the mental elevation described in the ancestor’s book?

This time, she had advanced two levels at once, reaching the fourth layer of Qi Refining!

Though her state was still unstable, it was only a matter of time.

The brief joy fading, Song Junyu began to plan. The healing pills the ancestor had given her last time were almost gone; she couldn’t rely entirely on others. She had to find a way to get more.

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Moreover, the mysterious power of this sect required her to rebuild her meridians each time she advanced spiritually, so the medicine needed to be potent.

However, the medicine hall required disciples to be registered, and she was currently off the records—a ghost presence. The ancestor had never mentioned this...

Perhaps she could steal some?

Just as Song Junyu made up her mind to jump out of the courtyard, she glanced aside and saw a nondescript storage pouch nearby. On it was a talisman paper with several large, crooked characters: “I am leaving, this is for you!”

Immediately, she recalled a piece of calligraphy she had glimpsed in the ancestor’s room, which seemed to match this handwriting.

It appeared to be a message left by the ancestor for her?

But the first half of the sentence implied he was leaving Zhen Tian Sect?

At this thought, Song Junyu pursed her lips, feeling a twinge of unease.

Although she had not spent long with the ancestor, his kindness was unforgettable. She had wanted to show him her progress, but now that he was leaving, she would have to wait until his return.

With this in mind, Song Junyu found a twig in the corner and hesitated before scribbling a few words on the paper, placing it on the stone platform of the table. Only then did she cradle the storage pouch and leap out of the courtyard.

“Alright, Ancestor.” Four neat characters remained on the talisman paper.

A laugh suddenly drifted on the wind, and as it faded completely, even the paper on the stone platform vanished without a trace.

...

Baoluo Peak.

“Do you realize that if you had returned any later, Shu’er would have been in mortal danger!”

Inside a courtyard, two men faced each other across the space.

Yun Xu’s face was angry, full of accusation.

The figure in blue slightly bowed his head and replied after a moment: “This time it was my fault, but senior brother, Shu’er showed no sign of illness yesterday. I’d like to ask how you’ve been caring for her?”

“You!”

“Senior brother, third brother... stop arguing.”

A weak voice interrupted their quarrel.