C16 Ning Bailian's Scorching Sun Sword

"Your master really spoils you, doesn't she? She even gave you the Blood Essence Jade Plate!"

Yaen Tianjiao watched as Ling Xiangxue shattered the Jade Plate, her mouth slightly agape with a mix of surprise and amusement.

"But what good is the Blood Essence Jade Plate? Killing you will take mere minutes, and she won't make it here in time to save you!"

With those words, Yaen Tianjiao formed mystical seals with her hands and flicked her fingers towards the heavens, conjuring five ethereal snake shadows.

"To think you two youngsters would force me to take you seriously. I should have ended you sooner to avoid any further complications!"

"Five Pythons Devour the Sky!"

No sooner had Yaen Tianjiao's declaration ended than the five snake shadows lunged ferociously at Lu Chen and Ling Xiangxue.

But in that critical moment, a sword shot through the distant forest at breakneck speed, its passage ripping through the air, cleaving everything in its path.

As the snake shadows neared Lu Chen and Ling Xiangxue, the sword arrived just in time.

A blinding white light carved a fearsome arc through the sky, colliding with the snake shadows.

This brilliant white light seemed to be the bane of the snake shadows, as they dissipated instantly upon contact.

"A spirit weapon, no less! The low-grade earth-rank Scorching Sun Sword!"

Yaen Tianjiao's gaze hardened at the sight of the sword. She had been right; Ning Bailian wasn't with Ling Xiangxue, but her spirit weapon certainly was!

A spirit weapon?

Lu Chen was taken aback. Extending his soul's perception, he confirmed the truth. He hadn't expected the sword to be Ling Xiangxue's master's spirit weapon!

"Yaen Tianjiao, to think you'd stoop to such tactics against my disciple. Did you really think I, Ning Bailian, would be so easily bullied?"

The sword, having thwarted Yaen Tianjiao's attack, hovered midair as a cool female voice emanated from it, strikingly similar to Ling Xiangxue's. Indeed, they were master and disciple through and through!

"Giggle, Sister Ning, aren't you worried that Tianjiao might steal your Natal Spirit Weapon right here?"

Yaen Tianjiao gazed at the Burning Sun Sword, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"You think your Spirit Force incarnation at the Soul Controlling Stage is enough to challenge me? That's laughably inadequate!"

A soft hum emanated from the Burning Sun Sword as Ning Bailian's voice, icy and laced with a sliver of murderous intent, filled the air.

"Giggle, we'll see about that~"

"Venomous Serpent Embrace!"

Yaen Tianjiao's laughter was light, her hand over her mouth, but in a flash, her palm strike was already hurtling toward her opponent.

"Hmph!"

"Blinding Sunburst!"

The Burning Sun Sword responded with its own battle cry and surged forward.

"Boom!"

In an instant, the sword and its wielder collided with Yaen Tianjiao, who, at that moment, flung a black bead into the air. It burst open, releasing a cloud of black smoke that billowed toward Ling Xiangxue!

"No, this is bad! It's toxic!"

Lu Chen's alarm was palpable as he saw the smoke. Golden threads burst from his hands, attempting to halt its advance.

But the moment the golden threads met the black smoke, they were utterly consumed. They delayed the smoke only briefly before it continued its relentless pursuit of Ling Xiangxue!

Ling Xiangxue was already spent, evasion impossible.

'It's over!'

Despair flickered in Lu Chen's eyes as he gathered his Spirit Force, ready to throw himself in front of her.

"Squeak squeak!"

Just then, Xiaohei, who had been nestled in Lu Chen's clothes, sprang into action at the sight of the black smoke, as if spotting a delectable treat.

As the smoke neared Ling Xiangxue, Xiaohei was already there, mouth wide open, inhaling the black cloud voraciously.

In a heartbeat, the black smoke was completely devoured by Xiaohei, leaving nothing behind.

"Hiccup~"

Content with its feast, Xiaohei let out a satisfied burp and darted back into the safety of Lu Chen's clothes.

"What? Impossible! How could it dare to swallow the Dragon Devouring Poison?!"

Yaen Tianjiao's voice cracked in disbelief, her composure shattered by the sight.

"Yaen Tianjiao, to think you'd stoop to using Dragon Devouring Poison on my disciple. Today, I vow to annihilate your spirit body!"

The Scorching Sun Sword trembled fiercely before charging forward once more.

"Hmph, with my Natal Spirit Weapon at hand, why would I bother clashing with you?"

"You'd better start looking for a Left and Right Attendant for your aloof little disciple. All the Twelve Young Masters have their Saintess' support. A chilly demeanor won't help, no matter how pretty she is!"

"When the time comes, we'll see how your White Lotus Palace stacks up against my Heavenly Tears Palace!"

With a cold laugh, Yaen Tianjiao spun around, seized Wu Meixin's toes with a light tap, and vanished in a series of blinks!

"This..."

Lu Chen, standing to the side, was utterly dumbfounded. In his past life, he wasn't familiar with the Immortal Indicating Monkey; it was an ancient Spirit Beast he had never encountered, and all he knew of it was from myths.

Yet, he had heard of the Dragon Devouring Poison, a lethal toxin said to be incurable below the Spirit Origin Stage. Unless one was a master with a detached soul, the poison would rapidly corrode the body and even taint the soul.

But Xiaohei had just gobbled it up so carelessly!

"You sure have a strong stomach!"

Lu Chen gave a wry smile as he gazed at Xiaohei, who was sound asleep in his arms, and spoke with a touch of resignation.

"Your Spirit Beast is certainly extraordinary!"

Just then, Ning Bailian's voice emerged from the Scorching Sun Sword.

Lu Chen smiled, turning his attention to Ling Xiangxue.

Now, Ling Xiangxue's complexion was much better, seemingly after Ning Bailian had administered some Pill.

"Xue'er, you've faced grave dangers and reaped considerable rewards during this trial. You're on the cusp of the Spirit Transforming Stage. It's time to return with me for your breakthrough!"

Ning Bailian's voice was cool, but the underlying care was unmistakable.

"Mm."

Ling Xiangxue nodded gently, then, as if reaching a decision, she suddenly looked up at Lu Chen with determination.

"In one year, War God Mountain will choose its Holy Maiden, and I'm in need of attendants for my left and right. Would you be willing to serve as my left attendant?"

"Xue'er!"

The voice of Ning Bailian, stern with a hint of anger, emanated from within the Scorching Sun Sword.

"Master, isn't it up to the Saintess to choose her own guard? Besides, I trust him!"

For the first time in over a decade, Ling Xiangxue was defying her master's command!

While speaking, Ling Xiangxue removed a Jade Plate engraved with the character 'Zuo' from her waist and extended it toward Lu Chen.

"Hmm?"

Lu Chen was taken aback. He hadn't anticipated such trust from Ling Xiangxue, especially since Yaen Tianjiao had indicated the significance of a Saintess's attendants.

"Alright!"

Accepting the Jade Plate with a nod, Lu Chen felt its warmth and smoothness, along with the subtle scent of the young woman.

"Fine, I won't question your decision. Just don't come to regret it later!"

With a soft hum, the Scorching Sun Sword released a surge of Spirit Force that enveloped Ling Xiangxue.

"A year from now, I'll be waiting for you atop War God Mountain!"

Ling Xiangxue's voice echoed, though she was nowhere to be seen.

"Alright! But you haven't even asked my name yet!"

"Once you've secured the Saintess for me, there will be plenty of time to learn it!"

Lu Chen gave a slight nod, but just then, Ning Bailian's soulful voice pierced his ears.

"Are you aware that the other Saintesses' attendants are at least Grade Five in the Spirit Transforming Stage? If you wish to avoid harming him, return the Jade Plate to War God Mountain within six months!"

"And how do you know I'm not fit to be her attendant?"

Lu Chen laughed lightly, his Spirit Emperor Stage force bearing down on Ning Bailian with overwhelming power.

Meanwhile, Ning Bailian uttered a soft grunt from within the Scorching Sun Sword that was speeding away with Ling Xiangxue.

Ling Xiangxue looked on, puzzled, as Ning Bailian spoke in a voice tinged with alarm.

"Impossible, his soul..."

At that moment, Lu Chen gazed at the spot where Ling Xiangxue had vanished, inexplicably aware of the unique unspoken bond between them.

Originally, if he had the chance to flee, so did she, yet neither chose to escape.

Now, she could withhold the Jade Plate, and he could just as easily decline it.

"Wait for me. In one year, I'll head to War God Mountain and ensure you become the Holy Maiden!"

Lu Chen's chuckle was light, his eyes gleaming with intensity as he peered beyond the Roaring Forest.

"It's about time I returned and showed them the true meaning of genius!"