Everything Depends on Yourself

Never fought before?

Yanyun didn’t press further, shifting her gaze back to the water-mirror projection as her mind raced with deductions.

Chu Xingchen’s strength went without saying, but the fact that he had mastered the Karmic Nascent Soul alone proved he possessed the caliber of a core disciple.

Moreover, Chu Xingchen had once clashed with Daoist Yuyang and, according to her master, had even gained the upper hand.

If he couldn’t win, then his opponent couldn’t possibly be an inner disciple of the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect.

As for Xu Jin, a core disciple of the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect, he was currently locked in a fierce battle with Daoist Yuyang.

And since her master had personally accompanied Chu Xingchen, it meant his true strength far surpassed Chu Xingchen’s. This battle likely involved high-stakes negotiations, which was why her master—not Senior Bai—was the optimal choice.

Considering the current situation, even if the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect lost this battle, they might not necessarily concede on the Luoyue matter.

After all, the rise and fall of a single core disciple couldn’t shake a true behemoth.

Two core disciples, however, might force the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect to make some concessions for the future, as a major sect’s greatest fear was a generational gap in talent.

The fact that the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect had agreed to host this so-called grand assembly was already a concession to the Tianyan Sect.

Otherwise, they could’ve simply turned a blind eye and pretended nothing had happened.

For a major sect, making decisions based on long-term foresight was the only correct path—not recklessly relying on present strength.

Fortune was a wheel that never stopped turning.

The Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect was no longer the unrivaled number one sect in the cultivation world, as it had been in its heyday.

A sect that had endured for millennia understood the value of preparing for rainy days.

If they wanted the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect to make further concessions, the only way was to raise the stakes.

Thus, Chu Xingchen’s sparring partner was obvious—at the very least, an elder of the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect.

More likely, he would face the sect’s leader himself: Li Moze.

And Li Moze, eager to gauge Chu Xingchen’s true capabilities, probably wouldn’t refuse a challenge from a junior.

Yanyun watched Daoist Yuyang, who seemed to be gradually losing ground in the water-mirror projection, and sighed inwardly.

Those who cultivated the Karmic Nascent Soul were often arrogant. Her master might’ve placed too much faith in fate.

Being entangled in heavenly karma didn’t guarantee victory.

Even the ancient records spoke of a True Dragon blessed by destiny who had still met its end.

The higher a cultivator’s realm, the vaster the gap between levels—far beyond mere differences in spiritual power.

Losing was only natural. Li Moze had once been a figure of terrifying renown; a victory would’ve been the real surprise.

She just hoped the defeat wouldn’t be too humiliating.

But given that Chu Xingchen had returned long before the battle concluded, it probably hadn’t gone well.

Yanyun realized that for their goals to be achieved, she’d have to deliver an outstanding performance next.

Chu Xingchen, originally meant to be their hidden trump card, had been completely exposed. His impact would now be greatly diminished.

No matter. Relying on oneself was always the safest bet.

Chu Xingchen, however, wasn’t paying attention to Yanyun. His focus was on Li Moze, who had taken his seat not far away.

He furrowed his brows, clutching his chest as spiritual energy faintly rippled around him—as if healing from severe injuries.

The benefits he’d painstakingly negotiated couldn’t be lost to carelessness now that the deed was done.

Though Li Moze, as the leader of one of the Eighteen Immortal Sects, would never go back on his word once given, caution never hurt.

Noticing the spiritual fluctuations beside her, Yanyun glanced at Chu Xingchen’s convincingly wounded demeanor and softly suggested,

"If you’re injured, you should rest. Leave the rest to me."

Chu Xingchen gave her a strange look but saw only sincerity in her expression.

"I can hold on. If it gets too much, I won’t force myself. You focus on preparing by watching their match."

Yanyun nodded lightly. A single suggestion was enough to show concern; if he chose to stay, that was his decision.

On the battlefield, Xu Jin had seized the advantage.

Daoist Yuyang, who had begun with aggressive attacks, was now forced into defense.

Yanyun frowned. She could tell that many of Xu Jin’s techniques carried the aura of the Unity Realm.

Xu Jin might’ve already stepped into the Unity Realm ahead of schedule.

This was terrible news. If true, her chances of defeating Xu Jin weren’t high either.

Chu Xingchen, too, saw the writing on the wall and sighed softly.

"Daoist Yuyang is going to lose."

In the water-mirror projection, the spirit treasure Daoist Yuyang had transformed into lightning was now clutched in his hand—not for offense, but defense.

Xu Jin darted forward, each strike carrying overwhelming force, driving Daoist Yuyang back relentlessly.

It was clear Daoist Yuyang knew the situation. If this continued, defeat was inevitable.

And he refused to lose to Xu Jin, whom he considered unworthy.

Rather than a slow, humiliating defeat, he’d gamble everything on one desperate strike.

The next moment, instead of retreating from Xu Jin’s terrifying sword slash, Daoist Yuyang charged forward. The wooden spirit sword he’d used to defend himself now ignored the incoming attack entirely.

"Divine Art—Heavenly Tower!"

Daoist Yuyang roared, disregarding the devastating sword aimed at him. The spiritual energy around him surged into a blinding violet light as his wooden spirit sword lost its form, twisting into a jagged bolt of lightning aimed at Xu Jin.

He shouted again, "All Paths Are Mine!"

The true power of Divine Arts lay not in enhancing spells or techniques, but in empowering the self—though this was always a last resort, a strike that risked everything.

Xu Jin’s gaze remained calm. He made the same choice, ignoring the terrifying lightning descending upon him as his sword transformed into a radiant beam, slashing downward.

The collision of their attacks created an aftermath so violent that the water-mirror projection could no longer capture their figures.

All that remained visible was a dazzling explosion of multicolored light.

The formation arrays surrounding the battlefield couldn’t withstand the residual force either. Hundreds of runic circuits shattered, with more crumbling by the second.

Several members of the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect rushed to reinforce the arrays.

Fortunately, the clash didn’t last long.

The glowing arrays dimmed as the storm of energy subsided.

Everyone knew this top-tier duel had reached its conclusion.

But Daoist Yuyang’s final, desperate strike had turned the tide, making the outcome uncertain once more.

Had Xu Jin anticipated this? Could he withstand it?

Even Yanyun couldn’t say for sure who had won.

The lingering spiritual turbulence still obscured the water-mirror projection.

Then, a surge of energy dispersed the haze.

In the crater below, only Xu Jin stood tall, blood dripping from his right arm.

Daoist Yuyang, his left shoulder pierced by Xu Jin’s sword, had already been teleported back to the Taidao Sect’s seating.

Yanyun’s expression darkened as she stared at Xu Jin in the arena, because she understood one thing all too clearly.

What awaited him was a battle he could not afford to lose.

Chu Xingchen sighed softly and murmured, "What a pity... If Xu Jin hadn't reached the Unity stage, Daoist Yuyang might not have lost."

Yanyun remained silent, only resolving inwardly that Elder Bai's extra training sessions would have to be doubled.