Chapter Seventy-Six: Time Waits for No One

Outside the exit of the Shiyan Secret Realm, representatives from countless factions had already gathered, their numbers far exceeding those who had assembled before the secret realm had opened. Everyone knew that Xu Zhe possessed a magical artifact. How could someone who had only awakened a few dozen days ago possibly own such a treasure? What intrigued many even more was that Xu Zhe possessed the power to suppress and kill a Nascent Soul-level cultivator.

Previously, he had slain Foundation Establishment cultivators while still at the Qi Refinement stage, and then killed Gold Core experts while at Foundation Establishment. Most were merely astonished but not truly alarmed. Yet now, he remained at the Foundation Establishment level—though he seemed to have surpassed it, not quite at the Gold Core stage—and could effortlessly subdue a Nascent Soul practitioner. This made the heavyweights of various factions restless.

Between Nascent Soul and all stages below lies a great divide. To advance from Gold Core to Nascent Soul, one must endure a heavenly tribulation, surviving the baptism of lightning and emerging with vastly increased power. While there are occasionally monstrous talents who, at the peak of Gold Core, can defeat a beginner Nascent Soul, this is rare and usually involves the strongest Gold Core against the weakest Nascent Soul. The gap is large, but not insurmountable. However, for a body cultivator whose strength sits between Foundation Establishment and Gold Core to kill a Nascent Soul, it was simply beyond comprehension.

Countless cultivators had flocked to witness the spectacle, crowding the open space outside the secret realm’s exit until it was packed solid, with barely room to breathe.

“Xu the prodigy has got himself into serious trouble this time. He’s stirred up a hornet’s nest,” someone sighed.

“If you ask me, it’s that group from Fate Dao who set him up. If it weren’t for those recording images, things wouldn’t be this bad.”

“Have there been few people ruined by Fate Dao over the years?”

“I hear Yaoci has sent several Deity Transformation level experts.”

“No way, even Deity Transformation stage has been alerted?”

“Not just Yaoci! All major factions have dispatched their Deity Transformation powerhouses.”

“The Li Group has sent plenty too. Probably to settle accounts with Xu, since he killed Li Xunhuang.”

“Xu obviously carries great secrets—whether it’s that artifact or his ability to kill Nascent Soul experts. Any faction would covet such things.”

“But I just saw on the spirit web that Chu the Martial God is on his way, slaughtering the Cold Crow Army and Azure Cavalry as he goes.”

“Damn, that ruthless? Is Chu declaring he’ll protect Xu at all costs?”

“My god, if Chu really comes, the Deity Transformation experts from the factions will be no match. Wouldn’t even greater powers be drawn in?”

“Isn’t there a Four Continents Council rule that those above the Union stage can’t cross continents lightly? Severe cases are treated as invasions. Surely Chu isn’t actually coming?”

“Who can say…”

Many whispered in discussion, their voices low, but as their numbers grew, the hubbub became a massive marketplace, a cacophony of human voices.

...

On a distant mountain peak—

Xu Zhe had completely concealed his presence, silently standing in the shadows, overlooking everything below.

Out-of-body stage, Deity Transformation stage—many experts capable of threatening him were present.

He pondered for a moment, then took out the Myriad Phenomena Jade Disc, found Chu Xiaotong’s interface, and pressed the communication request.

But after waiting a long time, Chu Xiaotong still did not answer.

“Is that woman still killing people? Doesn’t she worry about accumulating too much murderous intent and making her future path harder?” Xu Zhe frowned and shook his head, then found Qu Hongxiu’s interface and sent a communication request.

Qu Hongxiu answered instantly.

“Hey, Uncle Xu, don’t come out—wait, the secret realm’s about to close, remember, as soon as you’re teleported out, run straight to me! I’m with your friend Ji Dali and the others, right at…” Qu Hongxiu poured out a barrage of anxious words as soon as the call connected.

Background noise of lively chatter surrounded her, clearly indicating she was waiting near the secret realm exit.

“Little Qu, stop for a second and listen to me. I’m fine. Right now, you need to return to Southern Sky Continent immediately, and tell your master to do the same—don’t let yourselves be used. I’m no longer in the secret realm, I’m perfectly safe,” Xu Zhe interrupted calmly.

Qu Hongxiu was stunned. “Uncle Xu, when did you… cough, it’s inconvenient to talk here, I… Hey, are you people crazy, eavesdropping on me!”

She began cursing loudly, full of fiery spirit: “You shameless lot, eavesdropping on a young girl!”

Faintly, other voices could be heard calling for Xu Zhe to come out and talk, but all were rebuffed by Qu Hongxiu’s tirade.

She then hung up and sent a text message:

“Uncle Xu, don’t worry about implicating us. Master is already on the way. When you come out, find me directly outside the secret realm; they won’t dare kill me.”

“…”

Xu Zhe sighed.

Qu Hongxiu didn’t believe him, thinking he was lying just to avoid burdening them!

He considered replying, but just then the Myriad Phenomena Jade Disc vibrated—a communication request from Chu Xiaotong.

Xu Zhe answered immediately.

“Xu Zhe, listen, the situation is complicated, you—” Chu Xiaotong, like Qu Hongxiu, launched straight into a torrent of words.

Having learned from experience, Xu Zhe interrupted, “Shut up and listen to me first.”

“???”

Chu Xiaotong’s words abruptly stalled, as if stuck.

But Xu Zhe could sense a cold anger brewing on the other end, ready to burst through the spirit web and clobber him.

Xu Zhe stood his ground, unyielding and resolute: “Ah, mighty and domineering Tong, you are forever my god!”

“Xu Zhe, are you insane? How can you joke at a time like this? Do you have any idea how many people want to kill you?” Chu Xiaotong’s furious voice rang out.

Xu Zhe replied calmly, “I know, but rest assured, I’ve already left the secret realm. Old Zhu gave me a teleportation array location. I made it out safely.”

“Stop wasting time—if you’re out, you’re still in Eastern Qian Continent. Tell me your location, I’ll pick you up,” Chu Xiaotong insisted.

“No need to pick me up, I’m near the secret realm. Yes, there are many people here, but I’ve already surrounded them,” Xu Zhe laughed.

“???” Silence again on the other end.

Xu Zhe continued, “Don’t worry, I won’t make a move. I suspect someone deliberately sent the Cold Crow Army and Azure Cavalry for you to kill, trying to spark chaos in Southern Sky Continent. So wherever you are, you need to turn around and head back to the border immediately.”

“I know they did it on purpose, but it doesn’t matter. I can handle it,” Chu Xiaotong replied coolly.

“No need,” Xu Zhe shook his head.

Whether Chu Xiaotong could handle it was one thing; the cost to do so was another. To him, it was unnecessary, especially since it wasn’t a life-or-death situation.

“I’m serious. Whether it’s self-preservation or masking my identity, I have all the means I need. They can’t touch me. So go back now, grab Qu Hongxiu, and I’ll come find you in Southern Sky Continent soon,” Xu Zhe said calmly.

Chu Xiaotong was silent for a moment.

She still understood Xu Zhe, knew he was telling the truth and was confident. Though she couldn’t understand how someone not even at Gold Core level could be so assured, the more she knew him, the more she realized she couldn’t change his mind.

“I’ll go back, but you need to promise me—don’t die before I do,” she finally said, her tone gentle.

“Rest assured, I absolutely won’t die,” Xu Zhe replied with a smile.

After a pause, he added, “By the way, my strength is a bit lacking at the moment. If you’re bored, help me find some rare treasures—like the Primordial Water Spirit Vein, Primordial Gold Spirit Vein, or Primordial Fire Spirit Vein, or anything comparable.”

“Scram!”

Chu Xiaotong swore and hung up.

“Tsk, this woman… I wonder who’ll have the misfortune to marry her one day,” Xu Zhe raised an eyebrow, muttered, and put away the jade disc.

His gaze returned to the dense throng below.

“Out-of-body stage, Deity Transformation stage… Alas, time waits for no one. I must hurry and advance my cultivation.”

Xu Zhe whispered to himself, then turned and departed.

...

[First update]