The Monk...

A rainbow soared into the sky, and azure light descended from the horizon.

The auras of the two combatants surged relentlessly, clearly intending to settle the outcome with this single strike.

The crowd turned their gazes toward them, eagerly anticipating who would emerge victorious—Li Yingling, with her superior cultivation and foundation, or Li Xingtian, who grew fiercer with each battle.

Yet, amid the expectant stares, Yanyun suddenly rose to her feet, channeling her spiritual energy toward the barrier surrounding the martial arena.

Wang Lin swiftly followed her gaze and realized that even before the clash, the sheer pressure radiating from the two had already made the barrier tremble. If they truly collided… the barrier wouldn’t hold for more than a moment.

At first, he was stunned. The barriers of the Tianyan Sect’s martial arenas were designed to withstand the power of Divine Transformation cultivators—not the watered-down standards of rogue cultivators, but the true might of the Tianyan Sect’s elites.

Though the arena at Closed Peak had fallen into disrepair over the years, lacking the regular maintenance of other venues, its defenses had undoubtedly weakened. Yet for two Nascent Soul cultivators to threaten its collapse…

It was nothing short of unbelievable.

But Wang Lin quickly snapped out of his daze and stood to assist.

His Nascent Soul cultivation might be insignificant in Yanyun’s eyes, but Wang Lin understood one principle well:

In the presence of superiors, even if it’s just for show, you must appear diligent.

Idle wandering is still better than standing around uselessly.

As Wang Lin lent his support, his team members swiftly followed suit.

Chu Xingchen glanced at the proactive Wang Lin squad and extended his own hand, reinforcing the barrier.

Chen Baiqing observed the scene calmly, raising a hand to stop the equally perceptive Yun Li from joining.

Their situation differed from Wang Lin’s group.

Their own sect was small, with members countable on one hand, and competition was minimal—save for the senior sister’s occasional worry that her second brother might surpass her, diminishing her authority.

Wang Lin’s faction, however, was different. Within the Tianyan Sect, they were somewhat overlooked.

By not acting, they could at least highlight Wang Lin’s team’s efforts.

Cui Hao, ever the shrewd one, didn’t need prompting. A smile lingered on his face as if he were already envisioning his second brother’s victory—and the windfall it would bring him.

Soon, the two unstoppable forces collided.

The barrier, already on the verge of shattering, held firm under the combined efforts of Chu Xingchen and Yanyun.

A blinding radiance erupted, spiritual energy ricocheting violently within the confines of the arena, casting a near-pure white glow over Closed Peak.

Yanyun’s expression remained serene, but the force transmitted through her spiritual energy made one thing clear—the sheer magnitude of their clash was staggering.

Is this the power of heaven’s chosen, born in times of calamity?

Their brilliance rivals even mine.

Chu Xingchen withdrew his spiritual energy and let out a faint sigh.

Cui Hao, quick as ever, seized the moment. If his master sighed, perhaps it was because his second brother had won—and now he’d have to pay up. He eagerly pressed:

"Did Second Brother win?"

"Foolish Cui Hao, do you truly underestimate your senior sister so much?!"

The blinding light faded rapidly, revealing Li Yingling breathing heavily, her robes slightly torn. The spiritual sword in her hand had transformed into a radiant azure blade, its power surging like tidal waves along its length.

Her eyes burned with sharp intent, sword energy churning endlessly. An indomitable aura surrounded her, fierce and unyielding.

Cui Hao stared in shock—he had never seen his senior sister like this before.

Normally, she carried herself with dignified authority, yet her care for them often felt like that of an elder sister next door.

But now…

(Note: If you can’t find the book by title, try searching the author—it might have been renamed!)

Only now did Cui Hao truly grasp it—this "elder sister" was a genuine, heaven-defying genius.

Li Xingtian slowly pushed himself up, a bloody gash marring his left shoulder. He looked at his senior sister, a trace of resignation in his eyes as he clasped his hands in acknowledgment:

"Senior Sister wins."

Though it had been a close match—had the battlefield not been confined to this small arena, the outcome might have differed—a loss was still a loss.

Unlike him, his senior sister had no prior experience at the Nascent Soul stage. He’d already held an advantage.

Li Xingtian was never one to make excuses. His senior sister’s talent… was simply awe-inspiring.

Li Yingling sheathed her sword and placed a hand on her dejected junior brother’s shoulder, a smile gracing her lips:

"Well fought. I underestimated you before—this was the toughest fight I’ve had in a long time."

Li Xingtian grinned in return:

"Next time, Senior Sister won’t be so sure of victory, will she?"

Li Yingling arched a brow, wagging a finger playfully:

"Foolish junior brother, I’ll always have you in the palm of my hand."

Yanyun observed the harmonious exchange before speaking calmly:

"Next time you spar, do it at True Martial Peak. The barriers there are sturdier, and the disciples could learn a thing or two from you."

Chu Xingchen smiled faintly.

Wang Lin shot a grateful look at Chen Baiqing, who merely shook his head and resumed brewing tea.

Without a word, Chu Xingchen turned and walked away.

---

Central Continent, Western Flatlands

"Monk, when I said I wanted to die, I was just venting about my stress—not asking you to actually kill me!" Donggua hissed through gritted teeth, glaring at the bald figure ahead.

"If you and that damned Watermelon want to die so badly, don’t drag me into it! I can arrange a dignified, proper death for you!"

Regret and fury warred in Donggua’s mind.

She deeply regretted ever mentioning to this damned monk that the clues lay with the Tianyan Sect—with Cui Hao.

Her rage stemmed from the fact that the monk, whether out of stupidity or malice, had taken her words at face value: "You had this lead all along? Let’s go investigate!"

And just like that, they’d embarked on this suicide mission.

Under normal circumstances, Donggua would’ve ignored the monk’s death wish.

But the higher-ups had issued an unequivocal order: she was to accompany him.

Going meant a high chance of death. Not going meant certain death—and an unforgettable one at that.

Her only option now was to convince this brain-dead monk to abandon his idiotic quest.

Seeing Wukong remain impassive, she pressed on:

"Monk! Even if you insist on investigating, shouldn’t we have a plan? Cui Hao knows me! That means whoever we’re after already knows who I am. Charging in recklessly is just suicide."

Wukong replied evenly: "I’m from the Buddhist Sect—one of the Eighteen Immortal Sects. And I’m a chosen disciple."

"…?" Donggua blinked. "But I’m not."

Wukong nodded sagely:

"Exactly. So it’s you who’ll die, not me."

Donggua inhaled sharply.

This monk… truly lived up to his title.

(Note: If you can’t find the book by title, try searching the author—it might have been renamed!)