This is not how immortals cultivate

Chapter 333 Brother, wait a moment, let me first have a three-hundred-round battle with my sister-in-law.

When Xiang Yuan first picked up the Zhenshui Iron Sword, he was reluctant to part with it. It had been pampered and treated like a divine object by the Hundred Rivers Alliance. What kind of person was Xiang Yuan to even try to lay a finger on its hilt?

Do you even know what it means to admire from afar but not to touch? Take your dirty hands off!

Upon seeing the Golden Wheel of Merit, he was delighted and submitted, willing to serve as a soldier before Xiang Yuan and be at his command.

Upon seeing the True Martial Emperor again, Jian Sheng felt that he had reached his peak, and being able to be held in the True Martial Emperor's hands was the greatest honor for him.

Since he is the True Martial Emperor, he can have as many soldiers as he wants, so the Iron Sword that Suppresses Water is not needed. The dog next to the soldier is more appropriate.

No problem. Zhenshui Iron Sword said that being the Emperor's dog is the greatest honor, unlike some dogs that run around without knowing who their master is.

The divine creature truly possesses a spirit; it desperately wants to improve!
Therefore, when he encountered the Grandmaster of the Hundred Rivers Alliance again, the Water-Suppressing Iron Sword ignored the previous agreement.

Let's not talk about incantations anymore. They're just vows of eternal love, not to be taken seriously. The Zhenshui Iron Sword would rather rot in the True Martial Emperor's warehouse and gather dust than be held in the palm of the hands of the Hundred Rivers Alliance's grandmasters.

It is a divine sword used by the True Martial Emperor. How dare you mortals touch it? Giving you a glimpse of it would be an act of great mercy!
The water-suppressing iron sword resounded joyfully, its eyes fixed on Xiang Yuan, ignoring the incantations uttered by Qu Kuan.

Qu Kuan tried several times, but all ended in failure. His eyes were lifeless, his face was ashen, and he muttered that it was impossible.

Not only him, but also Shui Xianghui beside him, and the aggressive disciples of the Hundred Rivers Alliance on the three ships, all had their faith crumble and were questioning their lives.

The Water-Suppressing Iron Sword can exist without the Hundred Rivers Alliance, but the Hundred Rivers Alliance cannot exist without the Water-Suppressing Iron Sword. Without this item, the strategic significance of the Hundred Rivers Alliance in Southern Jin would plummet, and relying solely on two Tongyou stage Grandmasters would not be enough to uphold its reputation as a top-tier alliance.

This is a recipe for disaster!
"You must have tampered with the water-suppressing iron sword!"

Qu Kuan's eyes sharpened, and he gave himself a reason to convince himself, regaining the moral high ground.

He took out his magical weapon, the Water-Splitting Halberd, and stared into the distance with murderous intent. The halberd was entirely silver-white, with a cold light flashing at its tip. The water rippled around it, capable of stirring up towering waves.

Shui Xianghui realized what was happening and took out a magical artifact. The scroll slowly unfolded, revealing undulating mountains and winding rivers, lifelike and seemingly encompassing an entire world.

"Fate is something that must be fought for. Whether you are destined to be together or not, you will eventually have to go through with it. I wholeheartedly agree."

The Zhenshui Iron Sword was too large to be used against people. Xiang Yuan never used it against enemies without transforming. He put away the Zhenshui Iron Sword and slowly drew the Jinglan Blade.

He stood with his sword in hand, facing two Grandmasters at the Tongyou stage, giving them a provocative look without showing the slightest fear.

The Hundred Rivers Alliance said they were here to invite distinguished guests to dinner, and he, as a guest, couldn't just turn hostile. But if the Hundred Rivers Alliance made the first move and overturned the table, he would have no choice but to beat the two grandmasters to their knees.

The one who acts first is immoral, while the one who acts second is in the right.

Qu Kuan didn't take the juniors in the Nascent Soul stage seriously, confident that Xiang Yuan's master was right beside him. Shui Xianghui thought so too. With a wave of her hand, she projected the mountains and rivers in the magic scroll onto the sky above the Yangtze River. She then used a field card to pull herself and Xiang Yuan into the picture.

Qu Kuan spread his senses but did not notice the ambush. Apart from Li Jingwu, there seemed to be no other grandmasters around.

How could it not be!

Your ability to conceal your presence is quite good. Keep hiding if you can, and watch how my husband and I deal with your disciple.

Qu Kuan sneered, his figure fading as he walked into the painting with his head held high. He planned to first seize the Zhenshui Iron Sword, and then use the half-dead Xiang Yuan as bait to lure out the hidden master.

The tactics were simple and flawless.

This is a complete stomp, we've got this game in the bag!
Qu Kuan, holding the Water-Splitting Halberd, stepped into the world of mountains and rivers. He saw Shui Xianghui with her longsword in hand, still confronting Xiang Yuan. He frowned and transmitted his voice, saying, "Madam, I will guard the gate of this realm. You fight this fiend. Go easy on him. He is more useful alive than dead."

Shui Xianghui understood Qu Kuan's meaning, nodded slightly, and then said, "This boy is somewhat strange. Even within my magic treasure array, he can still merge with heaven and earth. I wonder what kind of magic he has learned."

The magic array diagram was something Shui Xianghui used for cultivating both her life and spirit; only she could merge with the world within it. Even her husband, Qu Kuan, needed her permission to achieve the same. Suddenly, a young man appeared, merging with her as if they were old friends, leaving Shui Xianghui quite puzzled.

To prevent any misunderstanding from Qu Kuan, let me explain in advance.

Upon hearing this, Qu Kuan felt even more drowsy.

First it was the water-suppressing iron sword, then it was his own wife's magic weapon. What kind of evil magic did this pretty boy practice to be able to deceive one magic weapon after another?
If you can't solve the problem, then solve the person with the problem. Qu Kuan telepathically told his wife to finish the battle quickly, lest the magic treasure array diagram be tricked away by the pretty boy.

"Hey, you over there, can you hurry up? I'm waiting to go back for dinner!"

"act recklessly!"

Shui Xianghui took a step forward, her body merging into the array of heaven and earth. In an instant, the sky, the earth, the mountains and rivers, every corner carried the will of Shui Xianghui's primordial spirit.

The heavens and earth roared, the mountains and rivers trembled, and an invisible shockwave swept down, killing the primordial spirit and imprisoning the physical body.

Xiang Yuan felt a sudden dizziness, as if he had been struck hard on the back of the head. A fragrant aroma filled his nostrils, and layers of killing intent penetrated his primordial spirit. His vision went black, and he even had difficulty breathing.

boom!
Xiang Yuan shook his head slightly, circulating his true energy within his body, breaking free from the illusion, and escaping the shackles of pressure exerted by heaven and earth.

"There's something..."

Xiang Yuan nodded secretly. He had underestimated the grandmaster-level old woman because Shui Xianghui hadn't spoken before. Only after entering the array did he realize that taking people and things was not as simple as it seemed on the surface, and there was also the enhancement effect of the location advantage.

Within the array, Shui Xianghui received a buff from the mountains and rivers, greatly increasing her strength. However, her opponents received a negative buff from the suppression of heaven and earth. With this shift in power, a Grandmaster of the same level in the Tongyou stage was at a disadvantage and might actually be captured alive by Shui Xianghui.

With Qu Kuan providing backup, the couple worked together and were able to gain the upper hand against three Grandmasters at the Tongyou stage.

"Brother over there, please wait and see. I'll have a three-hundred-round battle with my sister-in-law first."

Xiang Yuan took a deep breath and, without relying on the broken demonic energy to break the formation, walked towards Shui Xianghui with his sword in hand. As the master of the great power, he followed the natural way, and with each step he took, his figure grew three points taller.

Nine steps later, mountains surged forth, their power overwhelming heaven and earth, leaving Shui Xianghui with nowhere to hide. It was as if the magic array had changed hands, startling Shui Xianghui so much that her expression changed drastically.

Her husband was right; if they didn't act quickly, the magic array diagram for her dual cultivation of body and soul would be stolen by that pretty boy.

Shui Xianghui shouted, her eyes flashing with white light. Her voluptuous body vanished from its original spot, instantly teleporting to Xiang Yuan's side. Her longsword cleaved through the sky, creating countless sword shadows that then suddenly merged into one.

The vast sword light roared down like the might of heaven and earth, slowly pressing down. Although its momentum was slow, it left people nowhere to hide, forcing them to confront heaven and earth head-on.

Xiang Yuan observed the sword from afar, and also saw how Shui Xianghui controlled the magic weapon array. He gained some understanding of the general principles of the universe. He thought to himself that his sister-in-law was righteous and that older sisters of this age knew how to care for others.

It is impolite not to reciprocate, and he also has his own way of thinking, hoping that his sister-in-law can accept it.

The blade in Xiang Yuan's hand gleamed, its silvery light shimmering, its unparalleled sharpness sweeping across the white ribbon as it slowly and deliberately confronted the sword of heaven and earth.

Heavenly Blade Style: Sky Unification!
This blade possesses a tranquil and far-reaching power, as vast as the sky, and with its overwhelming force, it leaves the enemy nowhere to hide, leaving them no choice but to obediently offer their necks for slaughter.

Previously, Xiang Yuan lacked a proper understanding of the overall situation and could only unleash the full power of his sword. Now, having attained enlightenment and followed the natural order, the power of the sky surged, increasing more than tenfold.

With a single strike, the vast sword light was severed in half, its sharp edge disappearing into the void and tearing a corner of the array's sky, causing the dark clouds to churn and linger for a long time.

Shui Xianghui's face turned pale. The excruciating pain that felt like her primordial spirit was being torn apart made her dizzy and lightheaded. She hurriedly sent a telepathic message to Qu Kuan: "This boy is not a Nascent Soul cultivator. He is a Grandmaster of the Profound Realm, just like you and me. Come to our aid immediately. This diagram cannot trap him."

Shui Xianghui flicked her hand. The magic array diagram was something she used for cultivating both her life and health, so she dared not let Xiang Yuan stay any longer and prepared to send him away.

Inviting a god is easy, but sending him away is difficult. Xiang Yuan naturally merged into this world and refused to leave. He grinned and said, "No rush. After three hundred rounds of fighting, I will leave. At that time, my sister-in-law will not be able to stay even if she wants to."

A fleeting glimmer of light, a lone star chasing the moon.

Ding!
Shui Xianghui's vision blurred for a moment, and she could no longer sense Xiang Yuan's figure. A strong sense of crisis came over her, and she raised her longsword to block in front of her.

The sword light split the water, intertwining and overlapping, like the endless flow of a rushing river.

A white light swept across, cutting everything in its path and creating ripples. The lone star was invincible, instantly severing all obstacles in its path.

As the swords clashed, the longsword in Shui Xianghui's hand cracked and shattered amidst a mournful cry, and with the terrifying force, it exploded into fragments.

This longsword is also a magical artifact, but it is not something that Shui Xianghui used for cultivating both her life and body. It may be a relic left by a senior member of the Hundred Rivers Alliance, or it may be that Shui Xianghui and Qu Kuan found it by the roadside when the opportunity arose.

Even Shui Xianghui's own refined magical array couldn't withstand Xiang Yuan's Daoist natural power, let alone a longsword obtained through almsgiving. It shattered on the spot upon contact. Another terrifying force surged into her arms, coursing through Shui Xianghui's limbs and bones, causing her muscles and bones to crack and burst, and blood mist to spread, turning her into a blood-soaked figure.

Swish!
The blade's momentum continued, cleaving the bloodied man in two at the waist.

"lady!"

Qu Kuan was horrified. His speed was far inferior to Xiang Yuan's. He watched helplessly as Shui Xianghui was split in two by Xiang Yuan. Enraged, his eyes turned bloodshot. He raised the Water Splitting Halberd and thrust it straight down at Xiang Yuan with the force of splitting rivers and seas.

His body merged with heaven and earth, the Water-Splitting Halberd twisting and turning light and shadow, like a hundred-foot-long dragon soaring through the sky, treading on waves with boundless power. The blade's light was eerie, seemingly slow yet swift, blooming like pear blossoms on an iron tree, with the power to encompass all things, sealing off all variables.

Heavenly Blade Style 1: Thunder Shakes the Nine Heavens!
Nine sword lights overlapped, causing ripples in the array space. The power reached its peak with the ninth sword, tearing apart the array space, severely injuring Shui Xianghui's primordial spirit, and also forcing the illusory dragon back to its original form, forcing Qu Kuan to confront the sword head-on.

Qu Kuan was caught in a dense web of blades, with sword light flashing before his eyes. Each blade was faster than the last, and the momentum of the blades was like thunder. He could not even lock onto them with his primordial spirit, let alone use his physical body to control the Water Splitting Halberd to block them.

Faced with the might of Heaven, and with thunder tearing everything apart, he couldn't help but feel fear. His momentum weakened, and he became even more unable to resist.

Swish!
Xiang Yuan swept his sword, and Qu Kuan fell to the ground in pieces, his physical body and primordial spirit severed, leaving him severely injured on the spot.

Shui Xianghui's body was contorted, her face pale as she looked at Xiang Yuan, who was approaching with a knife. She secretly hated the despicable and shameless Li family of Shangyuan. If they had said that the Zhenshui Iron Sword was in the hands of their predecessor, they wouldn't have suffered such a disaster today.

Because the magic array diagram for cultivating both life and body was broken and was in imminent danger, Shui Xianghui's primordial spirit was in excruciating pain and she had little power to resist. She forced a smile and said respectfully, "Senior, my husband and I had no ill intentions. Our words just now were due to being misled by the Li family of Shangyuan, and we did not mean to offend you."

I still prefer your rebellious self from just now, please revert to your old self!
Xiang Yuan narrowed his eyes, long sword in hand, and cleaved Shui Xianghui's spirit.

With effortless ease, the blade shook heaven and earth, crushing the array space along its path.

In Shui Xianghui's eyes, this blade was like the Milky Way flowing backwards, interspersed with the light of stars. Anything that blocked it would be broken. Even in her prime, she would have had difficulty resisting it, let alone now that she was seriously injured and crippled.

I'm dying!

"Madam, leave immediately!"

A beam of blue light rose from below, defying the heavens with the force of a dragon, its roaring sound waves stirring up huge waves of clouds, charging towards the blade with a death-defying spirit.

Xiang Yuan frowned slightly, reduced the force of his blade by a third, abandoned Shui Xianghui, and severed the dragon's head with a single strike.

As the sword light dissipated, the magic weapon array diagram was almost torn in two. Qu Kuan, leaning on his water-splitting halberd, stood in front of Shui Xianghui, took a step forward, but was unable to fly and staggered to the ground, where he was caught in Shui Xianghui's arms.

Xiangyuan: (一`一)
The sense of déjà vu was so strong that it reminded him of the scene where he and Chan'er fought against Jinse.

The difference is that this time he became Jinse.

The Hundred Rivers Alliance has a terrible reputation and is often known for bullying others. During the battle at Sword Heart Sect, the cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage of the Hundred Rivers Alliance behaved particularly badly, which made Xiang Yuan feel extremely negatively towards the sect.

However, it must be said that Qu Kuan and Shui Xianghui are a loving couple with a good relationship, which softened Xiang Yuan's heart and made him hesitant to make the cut.

"Very well, I came here to suppress the waters, not to engage in fighting. Considering the deep affection between you two, and that this matter is settled today, you may leave..."

Xiang Yuan couldn't finish his sentence. Qu Kuan and Shui Xianghui gazed at each other deeply, as if they were bound by a shared fate, and didn't listen to what he was saying at all.

Xiang Yuan was inexplicably smeared with dog food (a Chinese slang term for public displays of affection), and in a fit of rage, he drew his knife and slashed again.

Who are you trying to impress with this show?!

……

The river surged, the sky was overcast, and three large ships and a pleasure boat faced each other across the river. A scroll-like formation floated in the middle, and everyone craned their necks, waiting for the battle to end.

They couldn't see what was happening inside the array, and said it didn't matter whether they saw it or not. A junior in the Nascent Soul stage fighting against two seniors in the Profound Realm was a foregone conclusion.

The key lies in whether there are still ambushes nearby, and when the master of the junior cultivator in the Nascent Soul stage is prepared to appear.

"Master, why haven't the people from Qingyun Sect arrived yet?"

Li Ziqing looked around and said in confusion, "If we don't show ourselves soon, Xiang Wentian will definitely be captured by the Hundred Rivers Alliance, and the Zhenshui Iron Sword will also be taken back by the Hundred Rivers Alliance. This is different from what you said, Master!"

Li Jingwu stroked his long beard, feeling puzzled but remaining calm on the surface. He said unhurriedly, "Zisu, explain the reasoning behind this to Ziqing and tell her what the Qingyun Sect's master meant by this action."

Oh, how would I know that!

Faced with his junior sister's questioning and inquiring gaze, Li Zisu smiled and said, "Junior sister, the reason is actually very simple. This situation is like a tiger carrying a bamboo in its mouth, breaking the bamboo pole and entering the room."

"I don't understand."

Li Ziqing was already confused, and upon hearing this, she became even more bewildered.

Li Zisu smiled mysteriously and began to explain: "On the surface, it is the tiger that is strong, but in reality, the bamboo pole itself is reasonable. If it were replaced with a wooden stick, it is hard to say whether it could get in. If it were replaced with an iron rod, the house would probably have to collapse to get in. If the house is indestructible, the tiger would definitely lose a few teeth."

"Well said. Zisu's chess skills have improved, and he has become more and more adept at controlling the changes in the game situation. He already has some of my style."

Li Jingwu nodded in agreement: "Ziqing, learn more from your senior brother. You're almost thirty, no longer a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl. You should be more mature like your senior brother."

Bah, what nonsense is this old geezer spouting!

Li Ziqing was dissatisfied and frowned as he continued, "Master and Senior Brother's reasoning is always incomprehensible. All I know is that the reason why Qingyun Sect did not come must be because they were prepared in advance. The man surnamed Xiang may possess a great treasure, not the Zhenshui Iron Sword, but another magic weapon in the Tongyou stage. The two grandmasters of Baichuan Alliance cannot do anything to him."

"Pfft!"

Li Jingwu couldn't help but burst into laughter, and Li Zisu also couldn't help but chuckle.

The two stood on the high ground of intelligence, pointing and gesturing, making Li Ziqing blush with embarrassment. She stammered and couldn't speak, then stomped her foot hard, making the cruise ship shudder.

"Zisu, continue."

"Junior sister, you should be more careful! The skills of a Grandmaster in the Tongyou stage are incredibly high. Even if the Left Envoy possesses extraordinary treasures, he might be able to defeat one, but could he possibly defeat two?"

Li Zisu was deeply worried, as if without his and his master's supervision, his junior sister would give birth to a child in a muddle next year. He said earnestly, "Moreover, the Left Envoy has been captured by the Hundred Rivers Alliance's Grandmaster's magic treasure array diagram and is in dire straits. Even if his master had brought a great treasure with him, he would still be in grave danger at this moment."

Li Jingwu smiled and nodded: "A great teacher produces great students. Zisu is absolutely right. Ziqing, just watch closely. The two grandmasters of the Hundred Rivers Alliance have already laid out their bait, waiting for the Qingyun Sect to take the bait. If the Qingyun Sect refuses to take the bait, Qu Kuan will definitely bring out the Left Envoy and invite the Qingyun Sect's grandmasters to have a match to determine the ownership of the Zhenshui Iron Sword."

"But……"

Li Ziqing didn't understand any of this, and only spoke about reality: "I remember that the one surnamed Xiang entered the formation diagram on his own initiative. He was so calm. If there is no way to break the situation, wouldn't it be very stupid to be courting death?"

That's a good question; I haven't figured it out either. x2
"Pretending! Bluffing!"

"Outrageous! Overestimating your abilities!"

Li Jingwu and Li Zisu exchanged a glance. Seeing their mentor/disciple so certain, they both nodded in satisfaction, secretly thinking that they had guessed correctly.

"But, but..."

Li Ziqing opened his mouth and whispered, "Master, senior brother, I've been secretly observing this guy surnamed Xiang these past few days, and I feel that his situation is somewhat different from the information you've gathered. At least in my opinion, he is by no means a reckless and arrogant person."

Upon hearing this, Li Jingwu was shocked, and Li Zisu hurriedly said, "Junior sister, stop immediately and don't think about it anymore. With your ignorance, you will surely be deceived by that Xiang man and might even be taken to the Southern Frontier to be used as a furnace!"

Li Ziqing: (▔～▔;)
Let's get this straight: how stupid do you two think I am?

As Li Ziqing was feeling inferior, the array diagram suspended high in the sky slowly retracted, and three figures emerged from it.

Contrary to everyone's expectations, Xiang Yuan was not captured by Qu Kuan, and the Hundred Rivers Alliance did not achieve a great victory, successfully holding Xiang Yuan hostage.

All three looked disheveled. Qu Kuan had blood at the corner of his mouth and a gloomy face; Shui Xianghui's clothes were in disarray and her hair was disheveled; Xiang Yuan was covered in dust and dirt, holding his belt, and his brows were furrowed with shame.

"..."xN
What were you three doing in there? xN
Li Ziqing's mouth formed an "O" shape. After regaining her senses, she shook her head repeatedly, trying to dispel her improper and whimsical thoughts.

If you don’t understand, just ask.

"Master, senior brother, I can't believe what happened inside the array diagram."

I've thought of something, but I can't tell you! x2
Li Zisu scratched his head repeatedly. Seeing Li Jingwu looking at him in silence, he turned to the side, unwilling to share his guesses.

That's outrageous. It's more likely that Xiang Yuan and the other two are putting on an act.

"Senior brother, say something!"

"There's nothing to say. Junior sister, remember to stay away from people with the surname Xiang, otherwise today's Senior Shui could be tomorrow's you."

"..."

Hey, you two have such dirty thoughts. Why can't the Hundred Rivers Alliance and the Azure Cloud Sect reconcile and plan to join forces to scheme against other sect masters?

(End of this chapter)