The Ancient Battlefield was the site of the great war between immortals and demons tens of thousands of years ago.
That battle lasted for months, claiming the lives of countless prodigious cultivators. In the end, it resulted in a pyrrhic victory, leaving a wasteland devoid of life for thousands of miles.
Even after millennia, the ruins remained fraught with peril:
Mindless demonic spirits, skeletal remnants driven by instinct, and countless spectral beasts…
Yet danger was not the only thing hidden within. There were also boundless opportunities.
With a bit of luck, one might uncover spiritual artifacts untouched by the taint of death—some even holding legendary treasures capable of shaking the entire cultivation world.
Now, the Ancient Battlefield had become a realm of its own. As long as one avoided the inner regions, it served as the perfect training ground for disciples of various sects.
Outside the battlefield stretched a desolate wilderness, where fierce winds swept across rolling sands, dotted only by sparse patches of greenery.
The nine great sects of the cultivation world had all gathered here.
Every cultivator stood in silent anticipation, waiting for the arrival of the final sect.
Just as impatience began to stir among some disciples, the Taiqing Sect’s Jade Extreme Flying Vessel finally arrived.
From a hundred meters away, Ning Menglan had already adjusted his expression, his stern and solemn demeanor melting into the warmth and joy of reuniting with old friends.
Stepping off the vessel, he clasped his hands in greeting toward the other sect leaders with a smile.
"It’s been a while. All of you look as distinguished as ever."
Sect Leader Qin Meng of the Zhiqin Sect chuckled lightly.
"You flatter us, Sect Leader Ning. We’ve been so burdened by sect affairs that our hair is turning white. How could we compare to your radiant spirit?"
As she spoke, her gaze flickered briefly over the figures behind Ning Menglan. When she caught sight of Jiang Ze, a trace of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly masked it and continued smoothly.
"Though, it’s only natural."
"After all, the Taiqing Sect now boasts two disciples who reached Nascent Soul within a century—both accompanied by heavenly phenomena during their breakthroughs…"
"If the Zhiqin Sect had such fortune, I might rejoice enough to shed a hundred years from my age."
Before her words faded, another sect leader nearby chimed in heartily.
"Sect Leader Qin speaks the truth."
"To achieve such cultivation and heavenly favor at just over a hundred years old—in a few centuries, the cultivation world may witness the rise of new young prodigies."
The Wuji Sect’s leader also nodded with a smile.
"Exactly, exactly!"
"The younger generation truly inspires awe!"
For a moment, the air was filled with the "sincere" praises of the nine sect leaders.
Ning Menglan listened to their remarks, each sentence laden with mentions of Nascent Soul breakthroughs and heavenly phenomena, yet his smile remained dignified and amiable.
He turned slightly and beckoned behind him, his tone carrying a hint of authority.
"Qingchuan, come greet the sect leaders."
Chu Qingchuan stepped forward swiftly, standing beside Ning Menglan and bowing respectfully.
"Qingchuan pays his respects to the esteemed sect leaders."
Seeing that only Chu Qingchuan had stepped forward, the sect leaders continued their praises without missing a beat.
"Truly a peerless young talent!"
"Not only is his cultivation profound, but his bearing is also exceptional. Sect Leader Ning is truly blessed to have such a direct disciple."
Yet even as they lauded Chu Qingchuan, their eyes repeatedly strayed toward the figure hidden behind him, surrounded so tightly by Taiqing Sect elders—including even the revered Young Master Moze—that only a glimpse of light blue robes embroidered with night lotus patterns could be seen.
It seemed that not only Ning Menglan but the entire upper echelon of the Taiqing Sect regarded Xu Wanci as even more important than Chu Qingchuan himself.
Was it solely because of the heavenly phenomena during her breakthrough?
Surely there was more to it.
The corners of Sect Leader Qin Meng’s lips curled into a smile—charming yet dangerous, her lazy gaze glinting with something unreadable.
Ning Menglan might be able to hide her for now, but could he shield her forever?
The Ancient Battlefield would open in a few hours. By then, they would all see this treasured disciple of the Taiqing Sect.
With that thought, she resumed her effusive praise of Chu Qingchuan.
Chu Qingchuan remained composed under the flattery of these mighty figures, neither arrogant nor obsequious, his demeanor respectful yet poised.
Watching his bearing, the sect leaders couldn’t help but feel a pang of genuine envy.
What kind of divine luck had Ning Menglan stumbled upon to find a disciple like Chu Qingchuan—blessed with both extraordinary fortune and unparalleled talent?
Heavenly phenomena hadn’t been seen in the cultivation world for centuries.
Yet the Taiqing Sect had produced two in one generation!
Truly befitting the title of the cultivation world’s foremost sect—not only rich in heritage but also favored by destiny itself.
The Wuji Sect’s leader nodded approvingly at Chu Qingchuan.
"The future of the Taiqing Sect rests on the shoulders of a rising star like you."
The moment his words fell, a blade’s energy—silent yet violent—slashed down between them.
That familiar technique, that temperament of striking without warning—
Sure enough, in the next instant, Ji Wang materialized before the crowd, his Cloudrend Blade shimmering with a faint red glow, poised for another strike.
His eyes locked onto Chu Qingchuan, his aura eerily calm, like the eye of a storm.
His voice was measured, almost leisurely, yet it sent chills down every spine.
"The future number one of the cultivation world?"
"The future pillar of the Taiqing Sect?"
"Chu Qingchuan."
The title of "number one" in the Taiqing Sect—no, in the entire cultivation world—belonged to only one person.
Chu Qingchuan had no idea what was happening. Before he could even respond, the blade was already upon him.
He barely managed to evade with a desperate roll, but the strike still grazed him, shattering his seventh-grade defensive robe instantly.
Realizing who his attacker was, he hurriedly explained,
"Senior, these are merely words of praise from the elders! Please don’t take them seriously!"
"Words of praise?" Ji Wang’s blade moved as if guided by thought, giving Chu Qingchuan no time to recover before striking again.
"You seemed quite pleased with them."
The other sect leaders had already sidestepped the moment the blade energy descended, leaving ample "dueling" space for Ji Wang and Chu Qingchuan.
Noting that the Cloudrend Venerable had suppressed his cultivation to the early Nascent Soul stage, they saw no need to intervene.
This was a perfect opportunity to gauge Chu Qingchuan’s true strength.
Only the Wuji Sect’s leader and Ning Menglan wore expressions of concern—the former worried about the repercussions of his sect’s elder harming another’s disciple, the latter anxious not only for Chu Qingchuan but also for Xu Wanci, hidden among the crowd.
If Ji Wang had flown into such a rage over someone calling Chu Qingchuan "number one," what would he do if he learned Xu Wanci’s true identity?
Would he despise her—or love her for another’s sake?
Either way, for Xu Wanci, it would only be a burden.
As he had expected, the moment Ji Wang made his move, the elders of the Taiqing Sect instinctively shielded Xu Wanci behind them.
Ji Wang's mastery of the Extreme Cloud Blade Technique was such that even a Transcendent Realm cultivator would suffer severe injuries if struck, let alone Chu Qingchuan.
In just three breaths, Chu Qingchuan was already exhausted, on the verge of collapsing from severe wounds.
At that moment, the Taiqing Sect's head elder raised a hand, forcibly separating the two with a surge of spiritual energy.
Before he could speak, the sect leader of the Wuji Sect rushed forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Ji Wang, his voice trembling with emotion:
"Elder Ji, if you continue, the Wuji Sect and the Taiqing Sect will become enemies!"
"I have served as the Wuji Sect's leader for 137 years, toiling day and night without complaint, enduring hardship after hardship. Even if I have no great achievements, I have at least put in the effort..."
Before he could finish, Ji Wang coldly sheathed his blade.
He had only intended to teach Chu Qingchuan a lesson, not to kill him—otherwise, the latter wouldn't have survived even a single strike.
Seeing this, the Wuji Sect leader's mournful expression instantly smoothed over. He turned to Ning Menglan with a warm, ingratiating smile:
"Sect Leader Ning, please forgive this unsightly display. Elder Ji has always enjoyed mentoring younger disciples..."
His gaze then shifted to Chu Qingchuan, who was still regulating his spiritual energy, and he feigned concern:
"Qingchuan, are you alright?"
Chu Qingchuan rose to his feet, his face composed despite the fury raging within him:
"Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader Chen. I am unharmed."
The Wuji Sect leader was well-practiced in handling such messes. With practiced ease, he retrieved an eighth-grade Wuji Pill from his sleeve and, suppressing his reluctance, handed it to Chu Qingchuan:
"This is a small gift from me. Please don’t refuse it, Qingchuan."
Ning Menglan coughed lightly and interjected:
"Though an eighth-grade Wuji Pill is rare, it’s nothing extraordinary for Sect Leader Chen. Qingchuan, there’s no need to stand on ceremony."
"Just accept it."
Hearing his master’s words, Chu Qingchuan no longer hesitated. He bowed respectfully to Sect Leader Chen, pill in hand:
"My gratitude, Sect Leader Chen."
As he bowed, his gaze remained fixed on the marks left by the battle on the ground, his eyes burning with suppressed humiliation.
One day, he would stand at a greater height—and crush Ji Wang beneath his feet to repay today’s disgrace.
After the spectacle concluded, the sect leaders exchanged a few more polite words before leading their disciples back to their designated areas.
Several hours later.
Only half an hour remained before the opening of the Ancient Battlefield.
Most of the accompanying elders had dispersed to survey the outer perimeter, checking whether the boundaries of the Ancient Battlefield had shifted from their previous markings.
Ning Menglan stroked his beard and turned to Chu Qingchuan beside him:
"Given your fortune, you will surely gain something from this journey into the Ancient Battlefield."
"But remember—your life comes before all else."
Chu Qingchuan nodded solemnly:
"This disciple will remember."
Sensing the abundant spiritual energy radiating from Chu Qingchuan, Ning Menglan sighed:
"Once inside, keep an eye on Wanci."
"The power of defensive artifacts weakens significantly within the Ancient Battlefield, and her sword heart is reckless to the point of self-destruction..."
His expression grew helpless:
"Look after her, will you?"
Chu Qingchuan stiffened slightly at his master’s words.
He knew Xu Wanci’s importance to the Taiqing Sect, and that his master had always treated her well.
But now, he suddenly realized—Ning Menglan’s care wasn’t solely due to the karma she carried.
It was genuine concern.
At some point, his master had begun treating Xu Wanci even better than he treated him.
And Qiu Ning too...
A subtle emotion stirred in his chest.
Once, both Qiu Ning and his master had reserved such attention for him alone.
But now...
Suppressing his thoughts, Chu Qingchuan forced a lighthearted smile:
"Junior Sister Xu has helped me many times. Even without your instruction, I would naturally ensure her safety."
"Besides, given her... connection to the Immortal Venerable, she must already know much about the Ancient Battlefield. She likely has her own means of protection."
He chuckled. "Who knows? Perhaps I’ll be the one relying on her guidance."
The moment the words "Immortal Venerable" left Chu Qingchuan’s lips, Ning Menglan immediately swept the surroundings with his divine sense, ensuring no one was eavesdropping. Then he stepped closer and gripped his disciple’s shoulder:
"Qingchuan, be careful with your words."
Though Xu Wanci’s ties to the Immortal Venerable would inevitably be discovered by other sects, the later that happened, the better.
Especially here, outside the Ancient Battlefield, where Ji Wang—the fanatically devoted Extreme Cloud Venerable—lurked.
A thousand meters away, Ji Wang caught the whispered words carried by the wind. His pupils constricted, and the air around him turned frigid.
A connection to the Immortal Venerable...
In the cultivation world, only one person was revered with that title.
His right hand clenched around the hilt of his blade, knuckles whitening.
Xu Wanci?
That Taiqing Sect disciple—barely at the Nascent Soul stage—whom the elders shielded so fiercely?
A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator a century ago at best...
Linked to the Immortal Venerable?
What a joke!
At most, she might have been glanced at by the Immortal Venerable once. How could she compare to him, who had received personal guidance?
He recalled:
That Core Formation cultivator who exploited the Immortal Venerable’s name had been stripped of his cultivation and thrown into the Endless Sea.
The artisan who branded his artifacts with the Immortal Venerable’s title had been sent to the Demon Labor Camp, where he’d toiled for a decade.
And now...
Ji Wang’s tongue traced the edge of his canine, his eyes gleaming with predatory intensity.
This Xu Wanci, who dared use the Immortal Venerable’s name to gain favor with the Taiqing Sect...
Would not be spared either.
His figure vanished in an instant.
Xu Wanci remained expressionless under the countless divine senses probing her.
Long before arriving at the Ancient Battlefield, she had known she would become the focal point of attention the moment she appeared.
Hiding was useless.
The only option was to face it—to prepare as thoroughly as possible beforehand.
Once inside the Ancient Battlefield, she had a sixty percent chance of convincing everyone of her ties to the Immortal Venerable.
From the moment the lie began, there had been no turning back.
To survive, she had no choice but to weave that lie into an unshakable truth in everyone’s minds.
Just then, she sensed a gaze—bold and unrestrained—fixated on her.
She looked up, and before her eyes could focus, a flash of crimson flickered at the edge of her vision.
Her heart stuttered.
Ji Wang?
His target... was her.
Did he know about her connection to the Immortal Venerable?
No.
The naked malice and disgust in his eyes made her lashes tremble faintly.
His expression told her everything—he had already branded her a fraud, a liar exploiting the Immortal Venerable’s name.
He probably didn’t know much, but what he did know was enough to be fatal.
Fatal to her.
Watching the Swiftcloud Blade arrive before her in an instant, Xu Wanci forced herself to stay calm.
There was no way she could evade this strike—dodging or retreating would be useless.
Right now, she had dozens of defensive artifacts on her, perhaps enough to withstand a single strike from a Transcendent Realm cultivator…
A single strike was all the time she needed.
Her spiritual sense was sharp enough to detect that the blade’s trajectory wasn’t aimed at a fatal point.
Ji Wang didn’t want to kill her, and she still had her defensive artifacts—
That was enough.
With that thought, she neither dodged nor panicked. There wasn’t a trace of fear in her eyes—only confusion as she stared at Ji Wang, who looked as if he wanted to skin her alive.
Ji Wang had never seen eyes like this before.
Clear and transparent, devoid of any fear of death or terror toward him. She simply watched him with a puzzled gaze, as if she didn’t care that she might lose her head in the next moment.
His blade hesitated for an instant.
Then, the combined spiritual energy of three Transcendent Realm elders and two Mahayana cultivators surged toward him, altering the path of his Swiftcloud Blade.
The blade, which had never failed to draw blood before, only severed a few strands of Xu Wanci’s hair before embedding itself deep into the ground.
In the next breath, three Taiqing Sect elders stood protectively in front of Xu Wanci. Nearby, Jiang Ze’s face was pale, his arm trembling slightly—that last strike had drained him of all his spiritual energy.
"What is the meaning of this, Swiftcloud Sovereign? Attacking a disciple of our Taiqing Sect?" Ning Menglan’s voice was thick with undisguised fury. With a sweep of his sleeve, the full authority of the Taiqing Sect’s leader radiated from him.
"Does the Wuji Sect truly wish to make an enemy of us?"
Ji Wang wiped the blood from the corner of his lips, his expression cold. Yet, his mind involuntarily replayed Xu Wanci’s gaze.
His grip tightened around the Swiftcloud Blade. He already had his answer.
Was it with that very look that she had deceived all these people in the Taiqing Sect?
How amusing.
Back when he had attacked Chu Qingchuan, only one Taiqing Sect elder had intervened.
Now, with just a single strike, so many had rushed to her defense.
It seemed they truly believed every word Xu Wanci said.
The corner of his lips curled into a dangerous smirk.
"I merely wished to test this disciple who claims ties to the Immortal Venerable."
When he spoke the words "Immortal Venerable," his voice trembled with barely restrained reverence.
At that moment, the dozens of spiritual senses observing the scene failed to conceal themselves, radiating outward conspicuously.
After a brief pause, those senses intensified, some even splitting off to summon acquaintances—ostensibly to check for nearby dangers.
Gu Yunqi paid no attention to the surrounding spectators. Her face was stormy as she raised her right hand, dozens of high-level formations floating above her palm. Her voice was laced with fury.
"A disciple of the Taiqing Sect is not for outsiders to judge!"
"Dare to lay a hand on Xu Wanci?" The formations in her palm flared brightly. "You must have a death wish!"
Ji Wang yanked his Swiftcloud Blade from the ground, his tone dripping with scorn.
"It seems the Taiqing Sect has no shortage of blind fools."
"I may have nothing to do with the Taiqing Sect, but I am connected to the Immortal Venerable."
His gaze locked onto Xu Wanci, malice seeping into his eyes.
"What? Did you all truly believe that a mere Nascent Soul disciple could have any meaningful ties to the Immortal Venerable?"
"Meeting him once would already be the height of fortune."
He took slow, deliberate steps forward, his voice lilting mockingly.
"Xu Wanci, have you ever heard the Immortal Venerable’s voice? Seen the hem of his robes? Received his guidance?"
"With nothing to your name, how dare you—"
Before he could finish, Xu Wanci’s still-confused gaze met his.
She blinked slowly, as if finally realizing something. A faint light flickered in her eyes as she murmured, so softly it was almost inaudible:
"So he did guide you."
He had never mentioned it to her.
But that was good.
At least someone in the cultivation world still remembered him.
Ji Wang’s fair complexion flushed crimson at her reaction—as if she had never heard of this before. Even the red mole at the corner of his eye darkened ominously.
She didn’t know?
How dare she not know!
A cold laugh escaped him as a furious red aura swirled around him.
"The fact that the Immortal Venerable personally guided me is common knowledge in the cultivation world."
"You, who know nothing, still dare to swindle others using his name?"
His scarlet robes billowed despite the absence of wind.
"I will tear you apart—piece by piece."
The Wuji Sect’s leader, sensing the commotion, rushed over and—ignoring Ji Wang’s murderous expression—skillfully wrapped an arm around his waist.
"Elder Ji, calm down! Please, calm down!!"
"If you act recklessly, the Wuji and Taiqing Sects will become sworn enemies!"
"I’ve been Sect Leader for 137 years—rising early, working late, toiling tirelessly without complaint. Even if I’ve achieved nothing, I’ve at least put in the effort—"
Ji Wang began prying the Sect Leader’s fingers off, one by one. Halfway through, the Sect Leader’s wails grew louder.
"Ever since becoming Sect Leader, I haven’t eaten well, slept well—constantly fearing the Wuji Sect’s decline under my watch!"
"I wake before the roosters, sleep after the dogs, buried under paperwork day and night—"
Ji Wang’s eyebrow twitched. Through gritted teeth, he bit out:
"Let. Go."
"I’ve suffered! I’ve struggled! If the Wuji Sect turns against the Taiqing Sect, how will I face—"
"I won’t attack."
The Sect Leader’s sobbing paused.
"Really?"
Ji Wang’s glare burned into Xu Wanci’s retreating figure as he hissed:
"Really."
For now, he wouldn’t act.
While the Wuji Sect Leader had been pacifying Ji Wang, the Taiqing Sect’s First and Second Elders had already escorted Xu Wanci away.
The Ancient Battlefield was about to open—they had no time to waste here.
Once Xu Wanci entered the battlefield, they would settle accounts with Ji Wang later.
By the time Xu Wanci returned to the Taiqing Sect’s encampment, Jiang Qiuning rushed over, her face pale.
"Wanci, you—"
Ignoring the countless eyes on her, Xu Wanci smiled gently at her.
"I’m fine."
"I’m… truly fine."
She really was… happy.
Just then, the empty plains before them rippled like water. A desolate, bone-strewn landscape appeared beyond the shimmering veil.
The Ancient Battlefield was opening.
Ning Menglan turned to address the Taiqing Sect disciples, his voice grave.
"If you encounter mortal danger, crush the teleportation talisman on you. It will immediately eject you from the battlefield."
"Remember, while soul crystals are important, your lives are even more so."
Forty-nine disciples of the Taiqing Sect bowed in unison:
"We heed the Sect Leader's guidance!"
In the next moment, faint green light shimmered around every disciple entering the ancient battlefield, and they vanished in an instant.
Disciples from each sect were always teleported together upon entering the ancient battlefield.
Xu Wanci knew the dangers lurking within. Fighting through the dizziness, she kept her eyes open the entire time.
The moment her feet touched the ground, her peripheral vision caught a shadowy figure hovering beside a fellow Taiqing Sect disciple.
Without hesitation, she drew her spirit sword and, before anyone could react, pierced the shadow's forehead in a single strike.
The shadow dissolved into ashes, and a dim gray soul crystal clinked onto the ground.
Chu Qingchuan slowly closed his right hand, retracting the Thousand Extinction Flame.
The rescued disciple finally snapped out of his daze, casting a fearful glance at the soul crystal on the ground.
Freshly teleported, he had been too disoriented to react.
Trembling, he bowed to Xu Wanci.
"Thank you, Senior Sister Xu, for saving my life."
Chu Qingchuan stepped forward, his voice stern.
"The ancient battlefield is fraught with peril. All juniors must remain vigilant at all times."
Xu Wanci gazed ahead at the desolate scene—swirling yellow sands and scattered bones—before slowly blinking.
"First to third-tier wraiths: a single strike will vanquish them."
"Fourth-tier wraiths: weak point at the tail. Fifth-tier: the forehead. Sixth-tier: the core demonic crystal at their center."
"Seventh-tier wraiths: three inches below the right eye socket."
The Taiqing Sect disciples exchanged surprised glances at her words.
They knew the weaknesses of first to sixth-tier wraiths, but seventh-tier wraiths were rare in the outer regions, and few cultivators knew their vulnerabilities.
How did Xu Wanci know?
And with such precision?
Just then, a disciple tentatively asked,
"What about eighth-tier wraiths?"
Eighth-tier wraiths, unheard of in the outer regions—where was their weakness?
Xu Wanci walked forward, her voice soft but clear.
"Seven inches below the back of the skull."
