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Within the Taixu Realm (a spatial world), the sun and moon shine together.

This place has become a true world of wonders, and it already possesses the spiritual energy of the cultivation world, which has become Suning's greatest asset.

Su Ning stood atop a green peak, gazing at the figure cultivating in the distance.

Now that he has completely taken over Wu Chou's body, he is surrounded by pitch-black Xuan Yin demonic energy. Every palm strike he makes carries a bone-chilling coldness, freezing all the grass and trees within a ten-zhang radius into ice sculptures.

"The seventh level of the Xuan Yin Scripture is complete!" Zhang Tie exhaled as he finished his practice, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes.

After sixty years of arduous cultivation within the Taixu Realm (six years outside), he finally cultivated this demonic art to the peak of the late Core Formation stage.

"Junior brother, congratulations." Su Ning arrived gracefully, handing over a pot of spirit wine. "With your current strength, you are already among the top Core Formation cultivators in the Great Jin Dynasty."

Zhang Tie took the wine jug and took a big gulp, wiping his mouth: "Thanks to Senior Brother's little world. Six years outside is equivalent to sixty years here, saving me most of the trouble!"

The two sat atop the mountain, overlooking the mountains and rivers of the Taixu Realm.

Since absorbing the Void Heaven Palace space, this small world has expanded to a radius of millions of miles, with mountains and rivers, and even nurtured some low-level spiritual herbs.

In particular, the spiritual herbs in the Crimson Forbidden Land and the Void Heaven Palace space grow very well, which is why Su Ning has no shortage of cultivation resources.

The most amazing thing is the illusory sun and moon in the sky, which move along a specific trajectory, creating the alternation of day and night.

"Senior brother, you didn't return to the Taixu Realm just to watch me cultivate, did you?" Zhang Tie suddenly asked.

Su Ning remained silent for a moment, then took out a jade slip: "This is a map of the distribution of power in the Great Jin Dynasty that I have compiled over the past six months. Although the Taiyi Sect is strong, it is not suitable for you. In addition, the six sects of the Demonic Path are not to be underestimated. Among them, the Yinluo Sect specializes in Yin attribute techniques, which are most compatible with your 'Xuanyin Scripture'."

Zhang Tie took the jade slip and scanned it with his divine sense, immediately understanding: "Senior brother wants me... to join the Yinluo Sect?"

“That’s right.” Su Ning nodded. “The Taiyi Sect is the leader of the righteous path, and you will be constrained here if you cultivate demonic arts. As for the Yinluo Sect…”

He paused, then said, "That's where you can truly shine."

"Okay! Senior brother, I understand."

"The major sects of cultivation all have their own set of screening systems. This time, the Yinluo Sect should not have any resistance or will to resist. In the event of any conflict, they should always take the interests of themselves and the sect as the starting point."

"Senior brother, are you worried?"

"Of course! Now that we've entered the world of cultivation, we must prioritize our own interests."

A mountain breeze swept by, and the two fell silent for a moment.

Zhang Tie understood Suning's considerations...

His body originally belonged to the young master of Jiyin Island, and he cultivated demonic techniques, so his appearance at Taiyi Sect was indeed dangerous.

not to mention……

"Senior brother, are you worried that Xuan Tianzi will discover my possessed body?" Zhang Tie grinned, revealing Wu Chou's signature sinister smile. "This old guy's gaze towards you is all wrong."

Su Ning remained noncommittal, but then took out another piece of black bone: "This is the 'Mysterious Yin Scripture Bone' obtained by the Void Heaven Palace, which can explain the origin of your main cultivation technique. Take this to the Yin Luo Sect and say that you obtained it from the cave of an ancient cultivator in the outer sea. They should not suspect anything."

Zhang Tie fiddled with the bone, then suddenly asked, "What are your plans after I'm gone, Senior Brother?"

“Continue to cultivate in Taiyi Sect, forming the Nascent Soul and Nascent Soul…” Su Ning looked into the distance, “The grudges with Master Jin Kui must be settled, the mysteries of the Star Origin Scripture must be thoroughly understood… and the enmity with the Twin Saints of the Star Palace must be avenged sooner or later.”

Upon hearing the word "revenge," a fierce glint flashed in Zhang Tie's eyes: "Extreme Yin Island, Star Palace... I remember these scores! Once I've established myself in the Yin Luo Sect, I'll definitely return to the Chaotic Star Sea!"

"Haha, perhaps we don't even need to lift a finger! My report has already attracted the attention of the Taiyi Sect, and they will definitely expand into the Chaotic Star Sea next."

……

Three days later, on the outskirts of the "Black Fiend Mountains" in the northern border of the Great Jin Dynasty.

A gray-robed cultivator in the Foundation Establishment stage flew slowly on a beam of light; it was none other than Su Ning in disguise.

Behind him followed a man in black robes, his face sinister, radiating a powerful aura of a late-stage Core Formation cultivator.

"Junior brother, we're about to enter the territory of the Yinluo Sect," Su Ning transmitted his voice. "According to the plan, you'll join us as a rogue cultivator, and I'll drop you off here and then return."

"Senior brother, take care." Zhang Tie nodded almost imperceptibly.

"Take care! I believe our legend will soon be known throughout the Great Jin."

"Most definitely."

Just as the two were about to speed up, a golden light suddenly descended from the sky and blocked their path.

A white-robed cultivator appeared in the golden light, with the Taiyi Sect emblem embroidered on his chest. He was actually a mid-stage Core Formation Inspector!

"Wait a moment, you two!" the white-robed cultivator said coldly. "This is the territory of the Yinluo Sect; righteous cultivators are not allowed to enter without permission. Fellow Daoist..."

He looked at Zhang Tie and asked, "Why is there demonic energy emanating from you?"

Su Ning's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm: "Reporting to the Immortal Master of the Upper Sect, my companion accidentally entered an ancient cultivator's cave many years ago and was poisoned by a Yin poison that he could not get rid of. Hearing that there is a 'Mysterious Yin Grass' in Black Fiend Mountain that can cure the poison, he came here to find it."

The white-robed cultivator looked at Zhang Tie suspiciously, then suddenly took out a bronze mirror and looked at him.

As the mirror light swept across, the Xuan Yin Demonic Qi within Zhang Tie's body was instantly exposed!

"Demonic cultivator!" the white-robed cultivator shouted, a small golden sword flying out from his sleeve. "How dare you dare to trespass on the territory of my Taiyi Sect..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Tie suddenly sprang to his feet!
He made a hand seal, and seven streams of black energy shot out like venomous snakes, instantly binding the golden sword.

Even more terrifying was the presence of specks of blue light mixed within the black mist—the very Xuan Yin Demon Fire obtained from the Extreme Yin Island!
With a "sizzle," the high-quality golden sword was corroded and lost all its luster.

The white-robed cultivator was shocked and hurriedly summoned his protective magic treasure.

Just as tensions were about to rise, a gray-white light suddenly entered the battle, and with a gentle swipe, both the golden sword and the black mist were frozen in mid-air!
"The power of the starry sky?!" The white-robed cultivator stared at Su Ning in astonishment. "You are..."

Su Ning removed her disguise, revealing her true self: "You know too much."

As he spoke, he directly used the God-Slaying Spear, devouring the essence, blood, dantian, and soul of the meddlesome white-robed cultivator.

And they directly absorbed his corpse into the Void Realm, turning it into fertilizer...

"That was close." After the inspector had completely disappeared, Zhang Tie breathed a sigh of relief. "We almost ruined everything."

Su Ning shook his head: "The Taiyi Sect is extremely wary of demonic cultivators, so you need to be extra careful from now on."

He took out a blood-red talisman and handed it to Zhang Tie, saying, "This is a 'Starry Sky Transmission Talisman,' which allows communication within a range of ten thousand miles. If you encounter a life-or-death crisis, crush it, and I will arrive as soon as possible."

Zhang Tie nodded solemnly and put the talisman into his personal storage bag.

The two traveled another hundred miles until they saw a black mountain peak that pierced the clouds—the Yinluo Sect's main altar, "Yinluo Mountain," before they stopped.

"That's enough for now." Zhang Tie took a deep breath. "Take care, senior brother."

Su Ning patted him on the shoulder: "Remember! In the Yinluo Sect, survival is the top priority."

Zhang Tie grinned, revealing Wu Chou's signature sinister expression: "Understood."

Seeing his brother's complete transformation, Su Ning felt both gratified and somewhat wistful.

On the path of cultivation, sometimes you have to deceive even yourself, let alone others.
Watching Zhang Tie ride his escape light towards Yinluo Mountain, Su Ning stood there for a long time.

He only turned and left after the dark figure disappeared into the billowing demonic energy at the mountain gate.

……

At the foot of Yinluo Mountain, Zhang Tie is facing the test of joining the sect.

Three Core Formation cultivators from the Yinluo Sect blocked his path, demanding that he demonstrate his strength.

"Want to join my Yinluo Sect? You'll have to pass three tests first!" the leading red-robed cultivator sneered. "The first test: survive ten of my moves!"

Without saying a word, Zhang Tie immediately unleashed the Profound Yin Demonic Fire.

The blue flames transformed into a grotesque face and lunged at the red-robed cultivator, who scrambled to dodge in terror: "Mysterious Yin Demonic Fire?! Isn't this the long-lost..."

The second challenge was to break through the "Hundred Ghost Cave," where Zhang Tie, with his late-stage Core Formation cultivation, forcefully broke through the Yin spirits within. The third challenge was even simpler, requiring only an hour's immersion in the "Yin Sha Pool," which was like a bath for him, as he cultivated the "Mysterious Yin Scripture."

When Zhang Tie completed all the tests unscathed, an elder of the Yinluo Sect at the Nascent Soul stage personally appeared and asked, "Boy, who is your master?"

"Zhang Tie, a rogue cultivator from overseas, obtained his cultivation technique from an ancient cultivator's legacy." Zhang Tie said, following Su Ning's instructions, while simultaneously revealing the bone containing the "Mysterious Yin Scripture."

The elder's expression changed drastically upon seeing the bones: "This is a priceless treasure that my Yinluo Sect lost six hundred years ago!"

He grabbed Zhang Tie's wrist, "Come with me to see the sect leader!"

Zhang Tie offered no resistance, allowing the other party to carry him to the mountaintop.

On the way, he glanced back in the direction of Taiyi Sect, silently thinking, "Senior brother, I won't let you down..."

Meanwhile, Suning, thousands of miles away, also felt something and paused to look back.

The God-Slaying Spear trembled slightly in the storage bag, as if sensing its owner's emotional fluctuations.

"Those who walk different paths can still make plans together." Su Ning murmured to himself, then turned and disappeared into the horizon as a streak of light.

Upon returning to Taiyi Sect, Su Ning immediately went into seclusion.

In the quiet room, he took out the Star Ruins Secret Realm map left by Jin Kui, his gaze falling on the red area marked "Forbidden".

"It's time to uncover Master's true secrets..."

Outside the window, the sun and moon continued to rise and fall as usual at Taiyi Gate.

No one knew that two cultivators from the Chaotic Star Sea were quietly changing the balance of power between the righteous and demonic paths in the Great Jin Dynasty.

……

Inside the cave on Qingming Peak, Su Ning sat cross-legged in the center of the Seven Star Gathering Spirit Array, with three magical treasures floating in front of him: the dark red God-Slaying Spear, the Great Wilderness Seal with flowing golden light, and the Thousand Illusion Mask that changed like water ripples.

With only three months left until the Taiyi Sect Grand Competition, he must squeeze out every last bit of his potential.

"First is the God-Slaying Spear..." Su Ning gathered a wisp of Yuan Magnetic Divine Light at his fingertips and gently touched the blood patterns on the spear.

The gun body suddenly trembled violently, and gray-white magnetic patterns appeared on its dark red surface.

This is a remarkable fusion he discovered over the past six months...

The power of primordial magnetic energy greatly enhances the God-Slaying Spear's ability to penetrate defenses. As primordial magnetic divine light is continuously injected, a miniature vortex gradually forms at the tip of the spear, distorting the surrounding air.

Su Ning suddenly thrust out with his spear, without using any spiritual power, and with just the force of the spear, he left a smooth, round hole the size of a bowl in the stone wall three zhang away...

This is pure spatial rupture!
"The Primal Magnetic God-Slaying Spear is complete!" Su Ning stroked the spear with satisfaction.

The power of this spear was enough to pierce through the protective aura of an ordinary early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

Next is the Great Wilderness Seal.

This method was obtained from the "Great Wilderness Manual," which originally only had the power to suppress and imprison.

However, after practicing the Star Origin Scripture, Su Ning discovered that the two were actually complementary.

He formed hand seals, and the Great Wilderness Seal rose into the air, its surface gradually transforming into a star pattern.

At the same time, seven illusory stars suddenly appeared on the top of the secret chamber, shining brightly alongside the golden seal.

"Desolate Star Territory!"

With a low shout, seven stars simultaneously shot down beams of light, transforming a space of ten zhang in radius into an absolute domain.

Within this range, Suning can manipulate the direction of gravity at will, and even briefly stop the flow of time.

Although it can only be maintained for ten breaths, it is enough to turn the tide of battle in a life-or-death duel.

Finally, there's the Thousand Illusion Mask.

This ancient treasure, obtained from the Crimson Forbidden Land, has become Suning's greatest defensive artifact.

Su Ning pressed it to his face, and with a thought, his entire being split into nine, each clone possessing the same aura, expression, and even spiritual energy fluctuations.

“The myriad phenomena of the universe…” Nine Su Nings spoke at the same time, their voices overlapping like echoes, “Indeed, even the divine sense of a peak Nascent Soul cultivator would find it difficult to distinguish the real from the fake.”

After preparing the magical artifact, Su Ning took out the jade slip of "Taiyi True Explanation" and immersed his divine sense into it.

In the past six months, he has cultivated the Taiyi Sect's signature technique to the sixth level, giving rise to two great supernatural abilities: "Taiyi Protective Qi" and "Star Sword Finger".

But what interested him most was the forbidden secret technique recorded at the end...

"Starfall Soul Burning Technique" allows one to gain combat power exceeding one major realm in a short period of time at the cost of burning one's lifespan.

This is an incomplete version of "Rebirth from the Ashes" that Jin Kui comprehended before his death. Although it is imperfect, it is perfect as a trump card to save his life.

"It's time to head to the Star Ruins Secret Realm."

Su Ning stood up and waved his hand gently, causing the space in front of him to ripple like water, revealing the training ground in the Taixu Realm behind him.

This is Suning's most powerful trump card and its biggest weakness...

The Star Ruins Secret Realm can simulate battles between high-level cultivators.

In the secret realm, Suning began an intense training regimen.

He will recall the formidable enemy from his memory...

The Supreme Yin Ancestor, the Twin Saints of the Star Palace, and even the Mysterious Bone Master and the Golden King...

Everything was simulated using illusion arrays, and they fought life-or-death battles with it every day.

In the first few days, he was repeatedly "killed" in battle, but he quickly found ways to deal with various attack patterns.

On the thirtieth day, Su Ning was finally able to withstand a hundred moves without being defeated under the Netherworld Sacred Flame of Xuan Gu Shangren;
On the sixtieth day, he was able to pierce through the Profound Yin Demonic Qi of the Extreme Yin Ancestor with the Yuan Magnetic God-Slaying Spear.
By the ninetieth day, he had even found a weakness in the most difficult combination of the Star Palace Twin Saints...

Using the Great Wilderness Seal to immobilize Wen Qing, the God-Slaying Spear launched a full-scale attack on Ling Xiaotian, defeating him one by one.

On this day, Su Ning was adjusting his breathing when the restrictions on his cave dwelling were triggered.

The newcomer was Liu Qing, the little girl who had now stabilized her pseudo-core realm, her face beaming with excitement: "Uncle-Master Su! I just heard from the Hall of Affairs that the rewards for this competition are much more generous than in previous years!"

She counted on her fingers as if they were her most treasured possessions: "The top ten will receive one 'Nascent Soul Pill,' the top five will receive an extra bottle of 'Taiyi Spiritual Essence,' and the top spot..."

Liu Qing lowered his voice, "You will receive a drop of 'Taiyi Divine Water,' which is said to increase the probability of forming a Nascent Soul by 20%!"

A glint of light flashed in Su Ning's eyes.

Taiyi Divine Water, this is exactly what he needs!

He had already collected enough resources for Nascent Soul formation in the Chaotic Star Sea, but with the addition of this drop of divine water, the success rate would exceed 70%.

"Also," Liu Qing handed over a jade slip, "this contains information on the currently known Core Formation stage experts. Xiao Jinghong of the Battle Hall, Bai Ziyue of the Sword Pavilion, and Zhou Zhiruo of the Pill Cauldron Peak are generally considered to be the top three favorites in this competition."

Su Ning scanned the jade slip with his divine sense, focusing on the three people's unique skills:
Xiao Jinghong, a disciple of the War Hall's chief disciple, Fentian Shangren, cultivated the "Nine Heavens Thunder Tribulation Sword." He once used his Core Formation cultivation to summon heavenly thunder and cleaved through the protective aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator with a single sword strike.

Bai Ziyue was born with the "Formless Sword Body". His natal flying sword is formless and intangible, making it impossible to defend against. It is said that "when the sword is drawn, blood will be drawn".
Zhou Zhiruo, a genius of Dan Ding Peak, appears to be an expert in alchemy, but in reality, she has refined the alchemical fire into the "Seven Absolute Heaven-Burning Flame," which burns anything that touches it.

“Interesting.” Su Ning’s lips curled up slightly. “Junior Nephew Liu, deliver three challenge letters for me.”

"A...a challenge?" Liu Qing's eyes widened.

“Not bad.” Su Ning’s eyes gleamed with fighting spirit. “Write to Xiao Jinghong, Bai Ziyue, and Zhou Zhiruo, and tell them that Su Ning of Qingming Peak wants to learn from their skills before the competition.”

Liu Qing's face turned pale with fright: "Uncle-Master, please reconsider! These three are all at the Great Perfection of Core Formation, and they even have Nascent Soul cultivators as their backers..."

Su Ning smiled without saying a word, but took out a recording stone and handed it to her: "Take a look at this first."

In the image projected by the image-recording stone, Su Ning is engaged in a fierce battle with a simulated Xuan Gu Shangren in the Star Ruins Secret Realm.

The Yuan Magnetic God-Slaying Spear was like a dragon emerging from the sea. It broke through the defense of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator with just three strikes, and the final "Desolate Star Domain" attack suppressed the opponent so much that he could not move.

"This...this is a Nascent Soul cultivator?!" Liu Qing stammered.

"Mid-stage Nascent Soul," Su Ning said casually. "So, feel free to send the challenge. I know what I'm doing."

Three days later, explosive news spread throughout the Taiyi Sect...

Su Ning, a newly recruited disciple of Qingming Peak, actually defeated Zhao Wuji, the twelfth-ranked Core Formation cultivator of the Battle Hall, with three shots on the "Sword Testing Platform"!
Even more astonishingly, the entire process took only ten breaths. Zhao Wuji's prized "Mysterious Turtle Shield" was as fragile as paper in front of the Yuan Magnetic God-Slaying Spear.

"I heard that Su Ning's spear strikes are like a dragon, and Senior Brother Zhao didn't even have the power to fight back!"

"Master Fentian crushed the armrest of his chair on the spot. It is said that Xiao Jinghong has already emerged from seclusion ahead of schedule..."

"Things aren't peaceful at Sword Pavilion either. Bai Ziyue personally went to see the Sword Testing Platform and took a picture there..."

Amid the public outcry, Suning remained silent and did not emerge from its offices.

He is waiting for a real opponent to respond while continuing to refine his tactical system.

Since I am not Han Li, I naturally do not need to hide my talents all the time, and I must demonstrate my value if I want to obtain the resources of Taiyi Sect.

According to Liu Qing's latest intelligence, Xiao Jinghong's "Nine Heavens Thunder Tribulation Sword" has been cultivated to the level of "Nine Thunders Return to One"; Bai Ziyue has even comprehended the sword intent of "Formless and Selfless" in the Sword Pavilion Forbidden Area; even Zhou Zhiruo, who seems to be the weakest, has just refined a batch of "Seven-Turn Golden Pills", and the power of the pill fire has greatly increased.

“Not enough…” In the secret chamber, Su Ning stared at the magnetic vortex at the tip of the Godslayer Spear. “I still need a finishing move.”

Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck him, and he took out the Star Core Sword Pill.

This golden beast's natal magic weapon contains seven stellar sword energies; if it could be combined with the Primordial Magnetic God-Slaying Spear...

Just do it.

Su Ning placed the sword pellet at the tip of the spear and slowly infused it with the spiritual power of the Star Origin Scripture.

At first, the two repelled each other, but under the harmonization of the primordial magnetic divine light, they gradually merged.

Seven days later, a tiny, rice-grain-sized speck of starlight appeared at the tip of the spear. It seemed faint, but it contained terrifying energy.

"Let's call this shot 'Starfall'," Su Ning said, looking at his masterpiece with satisfaction.

Driven by the power of primordial magnetism, the God-Slaying Spear is activated, with the Star Core Sword Qi as its sharp edge, and finally supplemented by the spatial confinement of the Great Wilderness Technique...

With the three skills combined, one can defeat enemies of higher ranks!
……

While Su Ning was in seclusion, Xuan Tianzi was having a private conversation with Fentian Shangren in the meditation room of the sect leader at the top of Taiyi Peak.

“This child’s progress is too abnormal.” Venerable Burning Heaven said with a gloomy face, “My disciple Xiao Jinghong is already at the peak of the Core Formation stage, and he even feels pressure.”

Xuan Tianzi stared at Su Ning's image in the water mirror, his gaze complex: "Senior Brother Jin Kui's 'Star Origin Scripture,' coupled with the Yuan Magnetic Divine Light, and that mysterious and deadly spear... this boy's opportunities are indeed astonishing."

"Sect Leader, should we..." Venerable Burning Heaven made a downward cutting gesture.

"Foolish!" Xuan Tianzi rebuked sharply, "The sect competition is imminent, how many eyes are watching? Moreover..."

His tone suddenly turned cold, "Old Ancestor Bai seems to be quite interested in this boy."

"What? Why would Elder Bai pay attention to such a minor character?" Venerable Burning Heaven was immediately silenced.

"Who can say for sure!" The will of the Nascent Soul Ancestor is not something they can defy.

"However..." Xuan Tianzi changed the subject, "If he is 'accidentally' seriously injured in the competition, then he can't blame anyone else. I heard that Jinghong has recently been studying the 'Thunder Tribulation Annihilation Sword'?"

Master Fentian was taken aback at first, then smiled knowingly: "Don't worry, Senior Brother Sect Leader, Jinghong knows what she's doing."

The two tacitly ended their conversation.

As if sensing something, Su Ning in the water mirror suddenly looked up, as if he could see through the void and see the spy.

This single glance sent a chill down the spines of both Nascent Soul cultivators!
"This boy... is definitely not simple," Xuan Tianzi murmured.

At the same time, Su Ning, inside the secret chamber of Qingming Peak, withdrew his gaze, a cold smile appearing on his lips.

He had long suspected someone was spying on him, and that glance he gave just now was deliberately tinged with the murderous aura of the God-Slaying Spear, serving as a small warning.

"Seven days left..." Su Ning looked at the competition schedule hanging on the wall, "Let Taiyi Sect see what a true... genius is!"

The God-Slaying Spear seemed to sense its master's fighting spirit and emitted a low hum.

The starlight at the tip of the gun flickered, like a supernova about to explode.

Next, the name Suning will surely shake the cultivation world of the Great Jin Dynasty.

...(End of chapter)