How did a demonic witch become the leader of the righteous path?

Chapter 75 The Unfathomable Celestial Master Lingxiao (4,000 words)

As Yu Zhao pondered these matters, she noticed that the Nascent Soul cultivator from the Dayan royal family had gotten up and was walking towards them.

So Yu Zhao gathered his thoughts and looked over with some wariness.

At this moment, True Person Chixia also noticed the other party. She removed the isolation array around the mother and her two daughters and got up to meet them.

The other party is a Nascent Soul cultivator, so she has to give them face.

Upon reaching the other party, True Person Chixia clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Junior Chixia greets Senior Si."

In fact, True Person Chixia did not know this Nascent Soul cultivator at all. She only knew that the other party was an old prince, who was older than her mother in terms of seniority. Therefore, True Person Chixia's attitude could be described as respectful.

Firstly, it was out of respect for the powerful Nascent Soul cultivator, and secondly, it was out of consideration for the fact that the other party was a true elder.

This Nascent Soul cultivator was quite familiar with True Person Chixia, who was very famous in the cultivation world, partly due to her having an older sister whose talent was unparalleled throughout history.

After all, her sister is recognized as the number one cultivator in the cultivation world today, apart from the Great Ancestor of the Great Yan Dynasty, and may even be more talented than the Great Ancestor of the Great Yan Dynasty.

Therefore, he didn't give other Nascent Soul cultivators a second glance, but he was very kind to True Person Chixia, and even returned their greetings. "Young friend Chixia, you must have seen the current situation. I would like to have a talk with you."

"What would you like to talk about, senior?"

The Crimson Cloud Immortal remained respectful, though she knew perfectly well what the other party wanted to talk about, but she pretended not to understand.

You can't rush into a sale; you have to let the other party take the initiative first.

As Master Chixia finished speaking, the powerful figure surnamed Si raised his hand and set up an isolation array around the two of them, clearly not wanting others to hear their conversation.

He then continued, "Young friend, you probably don't know what happened on the third floor of the Desolate Tower. In fact, even I am not sure whether what I saw on the third floor was an illusion or something else."

He paused for a moment, then looked into the eyes of True Immortal Chixia and said, word by word, "I met Celestial Master Lingxiao on the third level."

After saying that, he stared intently at True Person Chixia, trying to discern something from the other's face.

But True Immortal Chixia remained calm and said indifferently, "Senior must have misjudged. My sister has been missing for too long. She must have gone to the outer heavens to seek opportunities. She could not possibly appear in the Desolate Tower."

"Whether it's the Celestial Master Lingxiao or an illusion, what's certain is that, young friend Chixia, we are now trapped in the Desolate Tower."

The third level of trials is too difficult; the only way to overcome it is through an alliance.

"How does Senior intend to form an alliance?" True Person Chixia was somewhat confused about what the other party meant. If the third level was really as Qingxuan said, there was some kind of power that suppressed the cultivator's realm, forcing the cultivator to fight against ancient geniuses of the same realm with only the Foundation Establishment stage cultivation.

That's really too hard to win.

Forming an alliance with her won't help.

Chixia also lacked the confidence to defeat an ancient prodigy of the same realm.

This isn't about whether the foundation of the Way is stable or not; it's about the difference in the methods.

The term "ancient prodigies" refers to cultivators from ten thousand years ago.

The practices of that time were completely different from those of today.

The laws of ten thousand years ago are called the old laws, while the laws of today are called the new laws. Whether the new laws are more powerful or the old laws are more effective is a topic of ongoing debate in the cultivation world.

However, Master Chixia believed that the old method was stronger. Not to mention anything else, according to the records, ten thousand years ago, the Mahayana stage was everywhere in this world.

Nowadays, let alone the Mahayana stage, even the Nascent Soul stage can be called a Venerable. Those above the Nascent Soul stage either leave this world or hide somewhere, rarely appearing in the world.

This is enough to prove that the new method is inferior to the old method, and she is also practicing the new method. How can she fight against ancient geniuses of the same realm?

Upon hearing the question from True Immortal Chixia, the powerful figure surnamed Si immediately revealed his thoughts without hesitation: "If you want to compete with the ancient prodigies, you need other prodigies as well. Your two daughters are prodigies."

The princes and princesses I brought are the same; I want the four of them to try out the third level.

"If they can get through, I have a secret method that can also get us through, bypassing the trials of the Desolate Tower and directly entering the fourth level."

"No!"

Without a second thought, Master Chixia refused outright, "I disagree with this. I cannot let my daughter take such a risk, and I have no interest in the opportunities presented by this desolate tower."

The words of the Crimson Cloud Immortal made the powerful man surnamed Si's gaze turn cold, but his tone was still kind: "Young friend, it seems that you still do not understand the situation. Now it is not a question of whether we can obtain the opportunity, but that if we do not complete the test, none of us will be able to get out and we will all be trapped here to die."

"I'd rather die trapped here than let my daughter take such a risk." This was Master Chixia's extremely decisive reply.

This infuriated the powerful man surnamed Si. Such stubborn people were the most troublesome. If it weren't for his fear of her family background and her sister, he would have forced her to obey his orders.

Suppressing his inner rage, the powerful man surnamed Si continued to persuade him with reason and emotion: "Young friend, you want to be trapped here to die, but have you asked your beloved daughter? Do you also want her to be trapped here and die with you?"

His words caused a change in the expression of True Man Chixia. Seeing this, the powerful man surnamed Si pressed on and continued to persuade him, "Now we have nowhere to retreat, we can only take a gamble. If we take a gamble, we may live, but if we just sit here, we will definitely die."

"If there were any other way, I would never have let the princes and princesses take such a risk. I truly have no other choice. We have all underestimated the Fallen Demon Valley and the Desolate Tower."

He wasn't exaggerating; he had indeed underestimated the power of the Desolate Tower.

Although he knew the origin of the Desolate Tower was mysterious before he came, he felt that no matter how mysterious it was, it was still an inanimate object. With his Nascent Soul cultivation, he was sure he could find a way to survive.

Little did he expect that his Nascent Soul cultivation was far from sufficient; the third level of the trial alone nearly caused his demise.

The Desolate Tower forcibly suppressed his cultivation level to the Foundation Establishment stage with a power he could not comprehend, which was beyond his power even on the third level.

This is utterly a fatal blow.

After saying this, the powerful figure surnamed Si immediately removed the isolation array, turned around and left. He had said everything he needed to say to the Si siblings, and now it was up to Chixia to decide what to do.

If they still disagree, then he will have no choice but to use his status as a Nascent Soul cultivator to force them to carry out his plan.

Although doing this will offend people and cause a lot of trouble after you get out, that's something for after you get out.

If we can't even get out, what future is there?

Upon returning, the powerful man surnamed Si continued to exercise and heal his injuries, but the injuries only worsened, and he eventually coughed up a mouthful of blood.

His breathing became increasingly weak.

What was originally a minor injury would have healed in a few days for someone at the Nascent Soul stage.

But now even his Dao foundation has cracked, and he is very confused, not understanding why his injuries have worsened.

If that mysterious, bearded powerhouse were here, he would surely smirk and look at the other person as if they were an idiot.

How many lives does a mere Nascent Soul cultivator have to risk scheming against a powerful figure destined for tribulation?

Unfortunately, there were no experts of the level of Big Beard in the Desolate Tower at this time, so they could not see how terrifying Yu Zhao was, and the powerful expert surnamed Si could not figure out why his injuries had worsened.

Leaving that aside for now, on the other hand, after parting ways with the powerful figure surnamed Si, True Person Chixia returned to Yu Zhao and Shen Yunshu's side. Seeing the worried look on her face, Yu Zhao guessed that the old man must have said something to her adoptive mother that made things difficult for her.

So Yu Zhao asked directly, "Mother, what did that senior say to you?"

"Zhao'er, am I, your mother, useless?"

"What makes you say that?" Yu Zhao looked bewildered.

Next, True Immortal Chixia relayed what the powerful figure surnamed Si had said to Yu Zhao. After listening, Yu Zhao frowned slightly, realizing that she had no choice but to go to the third level.

"Mother, don't worry. Since the third level of the test is a battle between people of the same realm, I will go and try it."

She was confident that even ancient geniuses were no match for her, as they were both at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Besides, even if he didn't want to go, he had to go. That Nascent Soul expert was clearly forced into a corner, and there wouldn't be any room for negotiation next.

The other party is the most powerful here, and their words are law.

A Nascent Soul cultivator driven to the brink of madness is capable of anything; it's better to agree while the other party still has some sense.

True Person Chixia naturally understood this principle as well. At this moment, she felt both angry and ashamed. She was angry at the domineering nature of the powerful figure surnamed Si, and ashamed that she couldn't even protect her daughter. She secretly made up her mind that if she could leave alive this time, she would definitely cultivate diligently and reach the Nascent Soul stage to wash away today's shame—no, the Nascent Soul stage wasn't enough! Once I reached the Mahayana stage, I would definitely go to the palace and make the royal family experience today's shame as well!

"Zhao'er, Shu'er, I swear to you, this is the last time. I will never let you be so helpless again!"

"Daughters believe in their mothers," the two women reassured each other in unison.

As for what they are really thinking, only they themselves know the truth.

In short, the matter was settled. After a while, the powerful figure surnamed Si stabilized his injuries and stood up. His voice resounded throughout the area, "Fellow Daoists of the Foundation Establishment Realm, I need you to enter the third level. You don't need to worry. The test of the third level is to fight against illusions that are also at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Even if you lose, there will be no danger to your life."

All Foundation Establishment cultivators:

Are you trying to fool us?

Where did everyone who went in before you go? Why were only a few of you the ones who made it out in the end?

Of course, everyone only dared to mutter these words in their hearts. Everyone knew in their hearts that this was not a discussion, but coercion.

If you don't obey, you'll die right now.

Therefore, the Foundation Establishment cultivators could only reluctantly head towards the entrance to the third level.

Yu Zhao and Shen Yunshu lagged behind, accompanied by Zhang Yanqiu and his fellow disciples.

No one was talking to each other; the atmosphere was extremely dull.

Soon, the group passed through the barrier and entered the third level.

The scene before me became very strange the instant I passed through the barrier.

Yu Zhao found herself on a mountain peak, surrounded by clouds and mist, with cranes flying overhead. Standing in front of her was a girl in green, who looked about 70% like Yu Zhao.

Upon seeing this person, Yu Zhao guessed that she must be the Celestial Master Lingxiao.

She instinctively clasped her hands in a respectful greeting and said, "Junior Yu Zhao greets Senior."

"Senior? Haha!" The girl laughed heartily upon hearing this, her face flushed, and her bright eyes sized up Yu Zhao. "Someone actually calls me senior? Fellow Daoist, are you this polite to everyone?"

She was very interested in the person who suddenly appeared in front of her and looked very much like her.

"Are you conscious?"

Yu Zhao was surprised. She originally thought it was just a projection created by the desolate tower, but the other party didn't seem to be like that. Instead, it seemed like a real person with independent consciousness.

"Consciousness? What do you mean by that? Fellow Daoist, why does this seem a bit strange to you?"

The girl looked completely bewildered, unable to understand what this strange person was saying.

But this is not important.

"Fellow Daoist, I can sense your strength. It's fate that we've met. How about we spar?"

Yu Zhao:

'

'

Is this Lingxiao Celestial Master so combative?

"A friendly spar is fine, but shall we stop here when we've made our point?"

"That's natural."

The girl simply felt that this strange fellow Daoist who called himself Yu Zhao was very powerful, and she was itching to fight him. She knew that among her peers in the sect, no one was her match.

Having finally met a powerful opponent of the same level, she naturally wanted to test her skills, but since they had no past grudges or present conflicts, she naturally wouldn't go for the kill.

"Fellow Daoist, be careful."

As she finished speaking, the girl formed a hand seal with one hand, and at the same time, her lips parted slightly: "Heaven is clear and earth is at peace, all things follow their natural course, divine thunder from the nine heavens, obey my command, descend!"

Good heavens, he unleashed a lightning spell right off the bat!

Yu Zhao was slightly startled, but her hands moved quickly, forming hand seals in response. "Heaven is clear and earth is at peace, all things follow their natural course, Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, obey my command, descend!"

Two bolts of lightning fell from the sky, intertwining and swirling in the air. Yu Zhao summoned purple lightning, while Lingxiao Celestial Master summoned golden lightning.

In an instant, dark clouds filled the sky, and a purple and a gold lightning bolt seemed to split the sky in two. The two colors of lightning gathered more and more, vying for supremacy.

The scene was quite breathtaking and beautiful.

Even the young Lingxiao Celestial Master was astonished, "How do you know thunder magic?"

Yu Zhao offered no explanation, maintaining the lightning while asking, "Shall we continue?"

"What's the point of comparing? You're simply a prodigy."

The girl knew her own limitations; if the fight continued, it would be a matter of life and death. So she immediately dispelled her magic, and Yu Zhao followed suit.

The sky returned to normal.

The two women then sat side by side, staring blankly at the clouds in the sky, neither of them speaking for a moment.

Just then, a gentle breeze blew by, scattering three unidentified leaves. Lingxiao Celestial Master looked at the leaves that had fallen in front of her, did some quick calculations with her fingers, and her face immediately showed confusion, just like Yu Zhao in her previous life when she encountered a math problem she couldn't solve.

Yu Zhao looked at the other person with great interest. Suddenly, she keenly sensed that the aura of the person beside her had changed, becoming broad and profound, like mountains or the starry sky.

Yu Zhao knew that the Celestial Master Lingxiao was not the same one as before. At this moment, Celestial Master Lingxiao turned to look at Yu Zhao, and after looking her up and down, she smiled slightly: "Interesting. I didn't expect that such a genius as you could emerge in the Dharma-ending Age. In that case, I will give you an opportunity."

As he spoke, Celestial Master Lingxiao flicked his finger, and a beam of light surged into Yu Zhao's brow. Before Yu Zhao could react, the other party stood up, pointed one finger to the sky, and cursed, "You cowardly bastard, how dare you scheme against me! Get lost!"

With a single sound, mountains collapsed, the starry sky reversed, and space shattered.

Yu Zhao felt a blur before her eyes, and the scene before her changed instantly. She was now standing in a space almost identical to the second level of the Desolate Tower, with Shen Yunshu standing beside her.

At this moment, Yu Zhao's heart was in turmoil. She thought of what the mysterious bearded senior had told her before, that cultivators would leave behind "afterimages" at every time period during their cultivation, and that powerful beings could use these "afterimages" to attack from the opposite direction of time.

She suspected that the Celestial Master Lingxiao she had just seen was a "residual image" of him from a certain point in time.

To her horror, this person was able to travel through time and space to attack.

Who said that Celestial Master Lingxiao was at the Nascent Soul stage? You call that Nascent Soul?