The reason Zhu Ju was so focused on the Five Elements Sword Technique was because it shared similarities with the giant palm and the Five Peaks True Form Force he had seen in the Qi Blood World.

If he could integrate his own knowledge into it, the Five Elements Sword Technique would be extraordinarily powerful in his hands.

And with the Five-Pointed Flying Sword...

He wouldn’t fear fighting even a Four Acupoints Innate, or even an expert at the Breaking Five Acupoints realm, as long as they didn’t possess any particularly powerful techniques.

SWISH!

Five specks of light danced around the courtyard.

At times they formed a single line, at others they moved in chaotic patterns, easily piercing through wooden stakes and mountain rocks wherever they passed.

The Five Elements!

Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.

Metal was sharp, with the sword formula Celestial Escape Sword Ring; Wood represented eternal life, with Thousand Vines Bind Dragon; Water was profound mystery, with Dragon’s Roar of the Vast Sea; Fire incinerated the heavens, with Flowing Fire Melting Gold; and Earth supported all things, with Earth Dragon Flipping Over.

When the Five Elements combined, they created even more variations.

Zhu Ju manipulated the Flying Sword, his True Qi suddenly surging. Five beams of divine light appeared in his Sea of Consciousness, and the Sword Formulas changed accordingly.

Burning Forest and Boiling Sea!

BANG!

The five beams of Sword Light scattered in all directions.

"Still not working."

Zhu Ju shook his head.

"What’s missing?"

"A child swinging a great hammer—you just don’t have the strength," a raspy voice sounded.

"If you had the Cultivation of Breaking Five Acupoints, you could have forced that last move through with sheer Barbaric Power."

"Hmph..." Zhu Ju frowned, turning his head to look at the figure standing on the wall, his expression one of displeasure.

"Who are you?"

"Don’t you know that the courtyards of Inner Sect Disciples are private? Outsiders are not allowed to enter without permission."

"I did notify you. You’re the one who didn’t respond." The newcomer pointed to a messenger pigeon resting on a branch and said,

"Besides..."

"I’m your elder. Some rules don’t apply to me."

’Elder?’

"Celestial Sword Disciple Guu Yi, an Inner Sect Disciple of the previous generation." The man, with his graying hair and stooped figure, floated down lightly from the wall.

"And also Qu Hongxiao’s master."

"Elder Guu." Zhu Ju stood up.

"I’ve heard much about you."

Guu Yi of the Celestial Sword was, in a way, a legendary figure.

As an Inner Sect Disciple, he had cultivated to the Nine Acupoints Perfect Realm and, refusing to admit defeat, had even attempted to break through to the Dao Foundation Realm at the advanced age of over ninety.

Without having taken a Foundation Establishment Pill.

At over ninety, no one believed he could succeed, so naturally, the Sect would not sponsor him with a Foundation Establishment Pill.

As expected.

He failed.

But he didn’t die on the spot, and his injuries weren’t even considered too severe, which showed that his foundation was exceptionally solid.

If he’d had a Foundation Establishment Pill, he might have successfully broken through.

However, at his age, there was clearly no second chance. His injuries became a chronic ailment, and he gradually became a cripple within the Celestial Sword Lineage.

"To be able to evolve the ordinary Five Elements Sword Technique to this extent, your achievements in the Sword Dao are nothing short of astonishing," Guu Yi began.

"But unless you can comprehend the realm of ’Sword Light Division,’ you’ve reached the limit of what your techniques can do."

"Only by increasing your Cultivation and obtaining better Magical Artifacts can you improve your combat strength."

"I am enlightened," Zhu Ju said, clasping his hands.

"Is there a reason for your visit, Elder?"

"Yes." Guu Yi clasped his hands behind his back and paced closer.

"I’ve taken more than a dozen apprentices in my life. Some died, some were crippled. Now, only one girl remains by my side."

"Here!"

He tossed over a Qiankun Bag.

"The things you wanted."

THUMP...

Zhu Ju caught it and opened it, a look of delight spreading across his face.

It was filled with Artifact Refining Materials, and among them was a Spirit Jade Bell Embryo, exactly what he needed.

"Elder, how many Spirit Stones?"

"Don’t worry about the Spirit Stones." Guu Yi shook his head.

"My disciple likes you."

"..." Zhu Ju sighed.

"Elder, I’m afraid there’s been some misunderstanding."

"Don’t be so quick to deny it." Guu Yi covered his mouth with a light cough and spoke slowly,

"Miss Qu is simple-minded and has been bullied by others since she was a child. If I hadn’t protected her, she wouldn’t have made it this far. But these old bones of mine don’t have many years left. I truly worry about what will become of her after I’m gone."

"Therefore..."

"I need to find someone who can continue to look after her when I’m gone."

"Elder," Zhu Ju said with understanding.

"I am not suitable."

"You are!" Guu Yi’s expression darkened.

"Miss Qu has never had an emotional change because of a man. You are the first."

"Junior!"

"I may be old now, but I was once at Nine Acupoints Perfection. I’ve accumulated a considerable fortune over the years. If you agree to marry Miss Qu and take care of her for the rest of your life, not only will you not have to pay Spirit Stones for these items, but my entire inheritance will be yours after I die."

"What do you say?"

He straightened his stooped back, a smile appearing on his wrinkled face as he awaited a satisfactory answer.

The inheritance of a Nine Acupoints Innate who had accumulated wealth for over a hundred years—no one could remain unmoved, and Zhu Ju was naturally no exception.

"Elder..."

Zhu Ju sighed softly, glanced reluctantly at the Qiankun Bag in his hand, but ultimately tossed it back.

"I’m sorry!"

"I truly cannot do this."

"You..." Guu Yi’s face changed drastically.

"Junior, you will regret this!"

He turned as if to leave.

"Wait!"

"Regretting it so soon?"

"That Spirit Jade Bell Embryo... Elder, are you willing to sell it? The price is negotiable."

"Not for sale!"

Guu Yi roared and vanished in a flash.

"If you’re not selling, you’re not selling. Why shout so loudly?" Watching the man’s figure disappear, Zhu Ju sighed helplessly.

"What a shame."

SWISH!

With a flick of his Sword Formulas, the Five-Pointed Flying Sword soared into the air once again.

This time.

The Sword Technique seemed to have undergone a subtle change.

Burning Forest and Boiling Sea!

The Sword Light intertwined in the air, outlining the form of Burning Forest and Boiling Sea. The vast Sword Intent and powerful Sword Qi condensed without dissipating, its might more than double what it was before.

’Breaking Two Acupoints?’

If anyone were here to witness this scene, they would never believe Zhu Ju was merely a Breaking Two Acupoints Innate. They might even think he was at Breaking Four Acupoints, or even Breaking Five Acupoints.

The reason for this was that he was currently borrowing the power of an Outer Pill.

The Outer Pill!

The Inner Core he obtained from Situ Kongli had already been refined into an Outer Pill by Zhu Ju, allowing him to borrow the ’Magical Power’ contained within it, which was roughly equivalent to that of a Breaking Five Acupoints cultivator.

Although it wasn’t as powerful as the Inner Cores of legend, it still allowed his strength to advance by leaps and bounds in a short time, putting him on par with a true Middle-Stage Innate Qi Refiner.

Of course.

Once the ’Magical Power’ stored in the Outer Pill was depleted, it would need to be nurtured and replenished. It couldn’t recover as quickly as a real Middle-Stage Innate Qi Refiner, so its power was not sustainable.

SHHHH...

The Sword Light fell.

It descended as a Sword Rain of ten thousand blades, like an inverted mountain peak, its might shaking the heavens.

Burial Sword Peak!

SWISH!

Zhu Ju raised his hand and recalled the Five-Pointed Flying Sword.

’With the support of the Outer Pill, I can even use Sword Dao Killing Moves that were previously impossible for me.’

’It’s just that...’

’Sword Light Division is truly a High-Tier Method. Even with my strong Divine Soul Power, without a Cultivation level of at least Breaking Five Acupoints, it’s completely out of the question.’

In fact.

Forget Breaking Five Acupoints; just being able to comprehend Sword Light Division in the Innate Realm made one a once-in-a-century Sword Dao prodigy.

Even many Dao Foundation Cultivators, unless they specialized in the Sword Control Method, had not mastered the technique of Sword Light Division.

「A few days later.」

Qu Hongxiao, her hair a mess, came to visit.

"Junior Sister Qu."

Zhu Ju was a little surprised.

"Is something wrong?"

"Mhm." Qu Hongxiao, face taut, nodded emphatically. She took an item from her Qiankun Bag and handed it over.

"S... Senior Brother, this is for you."

The Spirit Jade Bell Embryo.

Zhu Ju raised his eyebrows.

"Junior Sister, where did you get this? Does your master know?"

"I... I just picked it up on the road. It has nothing to do with my master." Qu Hongxiao’s eyes darted around.

"Senior Brother happened to need it, so I brought it to you."

"This item is too precious." The excuse was rather absurd. Zhu Ju sighed and waved his hand.

"I can’t accept it."

"Take it!" Qu Hongxiao forcefully shoved the Spirit Jade Bell Embryo into his hands, saying with a nonchalant expression,

"I found it anyway."

"We’re friends, don’t... don’t be so... what’s the word?"

She couldn’t think of the word. Her face flushed bright red, and after putting the item down, she turned and hurried away.

"Junior Sister!"

Zhu Ju stood frozen on the spot, holding the item. It was a long while before he slowly came back to his senses.

...

「Celestial Sword Peak.」

Guu Yi leaned against a large tree, his gaze distant.

’My girl, that Zhu fellow may not be a scoundrel, but he’s no good man for you.’

’Is it worth it?’

*

*

*

「Magic World.」

「Yidu.」

He hadn’t been here in a while, and the city had grown even more desolate. It was practically...

Lifeless!

An intangible Stern Slaughter Intent filled the entire city. Collapsed houses and messy ruins were everywhere.

Zhu Ju’s figure appeared on a rooftop. His gaze swept over the surroundings before he flicked a finger to activate a Magic spell.

Profound Light Technique!

Instantly.

His Divine Soul communed with the Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy.

Chaos!

An unknown number of people were using spells similar to the Profound Light Technique to spy on Yidu City, causing the Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy to become a chaotic mess.

There were also Magic spells obscuring perception, making it feel like a scrambled signal. Many areas were blurry and indistinct.

At most, he could only make out the general situation.

SCREECH!

Zhu Ju shook his shoulders, and a goshawk shot into the sky. After circling for a moment, it flew toward the city center.

Soul Control Technique!

Divine Soul Eagle Transformation!

With the combination of the Profound Light Technique and the Soul Control Technique, the situation in the city gradually became clearer.

’The Situ Family is still at a disadvantage.’

Shaking his head, Zhu Ju mused,

’Since Situ Kongli was so confident in inviting me to watch the battle, she must have an ace up her sleeve.’

’A family with a legacy of over two hundred years...’

’I hope they don’t disappoint.’

BANG!

Before he finished his thought, a massive explosion came from the direction of South City, followed by the spreading sounds of battle.

"KILL!"

"CHARGE!"

Several hundred people clad in Soft Armor darted through the streets and alleys, rushing toward a garrison established in the city by the General’s Mansion.

Before they even got close.

All sorts of Magic spells were unleashed ahead of them.

Earth Dragon Flipping Over!

Arrow Fire!

Poisonous Water!

...

Most were physical attacks initiated by Magic; spells like those involving ghosts or Soul Suppressing were rare.

This was normal.

Both sides had Evil Soldiers, and when gathered, their Evil Qi was so dense that Vengeful Spirits and Fierce Ghosts couldn’t even get close.

Only physical attacks could cause damage.

BOOM!

The two forces collided, kicking up waves of Powerful Qi. Amidst the chaos of men and horses being thrown about, screams and war cries rang out incessantly.

"Hmm..."

Zhu Ju narrowed his eyes.

’The Tang father and daughter?’

In the midst of the chaos, two familiar figures came into view: Tang Qing and Tang Yan.

The father and daughter had long since become mortal enemies. Tang Qing had sided with the General’s Mansion, while Tang Yan was with the City Lord’s Mansion. The moment they saw each other, they started fighting, each move aimed to kill.

You couldn’t tell they were father and daughter at all; they looked more like sworn enemies.

BANG!

The ground trembled.

Zhu Ju’s eyes flickered as he turned his gaze toward the city center.

RUMBLE...

As the ground shook, a colossal, sky-piercing tree slowly rose from the earth, its countless branches lashing forward.

BANG!

BANG! BANG!

The branches wielded immense power. When a body of flesh and blood touched them, it would instantly explode. Even armored men could not withstand the force.

A Great Mage!

Divine Soul Manifestation!

This Great Mage’s strength was clearly superior to Yuanye’s; the colossal tree showed no signs of being an illusion.

’Is this Situ Kongli’s trump card?’

Zhu Ju was lost in thought when he saw a gigantic furnace appear in the sky above the General’s Mansion’s forces.

Fierce Flames raged within the furnace.

It tipped downward.

Golden beans, one by one, rolled onto the ground.

Amidst rising puffs of white smoke, the golden beans transformed into Soldiers.

Fully armored Soldiers.

Scattering Beans into Soldiers!

The Celestial Craft Furnace!

Zhu Ju’s eyes filled with amazement.

The Yanshi’s Celestial Craft Furnace was similar to Xing Suanzi’s Jile Spirit House, except one could create Celestial Soldiers, and the other could refine Papermen.

Their power was also worlds apart.

"Go!"

Following a flick of a finger from the Yanshi in the rear, thousands of ’Celestial Soldiers descending from heaven’ charged toward the colossal tree, brandishing sabers, spears, swords, and halberds.

The great Magic war was about to erupt.