She is Jianxiu

Through a series of fortuitous events, she once acquired a Heaven and Earth Furnace, which could refine all things in the world and transform them into incomparably pure spiritual energy. However, such refining was extremely costly, and ordinary things simply could not sustain it. Not only would it be immoral and immoral in the long run, but it would also be extremely easy to expose herself. Therefore, Zhao Chun used this object very few times.

The strange, thread-like objects within the array plate held by the Hun De disciple were actually no different from the spiritual energy transformed from the Heaven and Earth Furnace. However, because the quantity far exceeded what Zhao Chun had obtained before, she was so surprised to see them.

As for the Heaven and Earth Furnace, more than one was produced when it was forged. Zhao Chun has acquired several over the years. Naturally, a major sect like the Hun De Array Sect would not be unaware of this.

What's truly alarming is the origin of this massive amount of spiritual energy.

The rift before Zhao Chun could be considered the last major rift. Once this one was repaired, the remaining smaller rifts could be left for the young disciples to hone their skills and cultivate. In the five years since the four rifts were repaired, there were no fewer than fifteen or sixteen rifts of this size. Above these, there were also huge rifts controlled by Void Realm demons, as well as hundreds of smaller rifts.

These rifts in the heavens and earth have now been mostly repaired, which shows how much spiritual energy has been used for them.

The sheer number of these items is beyond the reach of the Hun De facto alone; a deeper examination of the matter reveals that Tai Yuan's involvement was undoubtedly also crucial.

"The Heaven and Earth Furnace refines heaven and earth. This thing acts against the natural order and defies common sense. In the past, it was thought to be an object from outer space, intended to disrupt the very source of this world, which is why it was strictly guarded by those above. But now it seems that the various supernatural powers of this Heaven and Earth Furnace are actually detrimental to the actions of the world. Could the root of this calamity be buried from within...?"

Zhao Chun thought about it again and her mind became even more serious. Considering that she still had one of these items, she became even more wary and secretly warned herself not to use it lightly, lest it be exposed again.

Lu Yue stood aside, noticing Zhao Chun's unwell expression, but he couldn't connect it to the Heaven and Earth Furnace. He only thought that it was a demon spying on him, which was why the other party was acting this way. Thinking of this, he put on a smile again, stepped forward, and said, "Sword Lord, you have great courage. We should be ashamed of ourselves."

She was exceptionally good at reading people's expressions and expressions. Ordinary cultivators could see through seven-tenths of each other's thoughts with just one glance. Relying on her supernatural powers, even if it wasn't a time for a battle, she could still discern which faction the other party belonged to and whether they were righteous or evil simply by observing them regularly.

Zhao Chun, however, was somewhere between being able to see through things and not being able to see through them. He could make Lü Yue think he understood three-tenths of what was there, but how much more was there beyond that three-tenths was hard for Lü Yue to say.

Upon hearing Lü Yue's flattery, Zhao Chun slightly turned her body, raised an eyebrow and smiled, as if letting out a long sigh of relief. She shook her head and said, "I didn't realize it was such a powerful demon. A mere brute's courage almost cost him his life."

Lu Yue's heart stirred slightly. He wondered why the demon had retreated at the last minute. Since Zhao Chun was closest to him, he wanted to ask her a few more questions. Unfortunately, she had no interest in this and gave him a perfunctory answer before directly using her sword energy to drive away from the place.

Seeing that she was unusually melancholy, Lü Yue secretly noted it down. He vaguely sensed a hint of something, but couldn't quite grasp it, which made him feel quite anxious.

Zhao Chun soared into the clouds, traveling unimpeded. She frequently saw disciples from various sects forming groups, hunting down demons and monsters in their hurried movements. Occasionally, fellow cultivators of the same rank would pass by, and upon seeing this figure moving with dazzling sword light and swift momentum, they dared not approach, quickly making way for her. They were filled with doubt, wondering which senior had passed through this area.

Not long after, a glint of sword light, like a star, suddenly leaped into the giant city.

Meanwhile, in a heavily guarded hall in Zhongjian City, Yan Xiaoning stood with his hands behind his back. After a moment, he turned around, looked at the person below the steps, and frowned, saying, "You are not a disciple of Zhenqiyuan or Bufeishan Halls. At this critical time, even if you can command troops according to the sect rules, you cannot hold the position of general. Moreover, the area outside the pass is not yet settled, yet you want to conquer the East Sea first. I cannot allow this!"

The man below knew she wouldn't budge, and after his chest heaved slightly, he gritted his teeth and said, "Why not? In terms of seniority and strength, how many disciples from these two halls are superior to me? It's just that the sect suppresses the aristocratic families, which is why they won't allow us to stand out!"

It should be known that within the six halls of Zhaoyan, only Zhenqiyuan and Bufeishan truly control the military. The former has been held by the sect leader's lineage for generations, while the latter is now under Qingzheng's control. However, in any case, neither has ever fallen into the hands of a powerful family. As for Yan Xiaoning, who comes from a powerful family, if he had not severed ties with the Yan clan long ago, he would never have been able to sit in the position of the chief elder today.

Since Wang Feng's death and the downfall of the Changwu Wang clan, Yan Chouxing has been able to experience firsthand how terrifying and unsettling the prelude to the collapse of a mountain is.

Who can stop it?

No one can stop him! He believes his talent is no less than Chi Cangfeng's, so why should he always be second to anyone else? If his noble family background is going to hinder him, what's the harm in giving it up?

Yan Xiaoning glanced at him and could easily read the resentment in her younger brother's heart. She sighed inwardly, feeling that the sect leader's powerful hand, which had once again stirred up the winds and clouds, had silently reached into the sect. And yet, in this pond where carp were leaping about, a true dragon gate had appeared. Who could resist breaking free from these old shackles and forging their true self?
She had already taken a step forward, and followers flocked to her. Today there is you, tomorrow there will be him. What blood ties, what fate or destiny, can compare to this path of the Great Dao?

Yan Xiaoning smiled inwardly, but his eyebrows drooped down, and he said in a cold voice, "Don't think I don't know that you're upset because Chi Zangfeng is about to lead his troops out of the pass, and you're determined to compete with him. That's why you've come to me today."

"So what!"

Having his thoughts exposed, Yan Chouxing felt no shame whatsoever. He straightened his posture and said, "In this age of great calamity, those who do not strive will fall behind. Cultivation is about striving against others and against the heavens. Am I wrong?"

That's quite true.

Just as Yan Xiaoning was about to speak, a slightly deep voice came from outside. Looking up, a dazzling sword light suddenly rushed in and revealed its form. The newcomer slowly opened its sleeves and strode towards him.

She was not surprised, but simply lowered her head and sighed softly, shaking her head as she said, "My younger brother's words are a joke, and I'm sorry you had to see them."

Zhao Chun entered the hall, her gaze shifting slightly as she saw Yan Chouxing standing there with furrowed brows, clearly still dissatisfied. She didn't inquire further, but simply smiled at Yan Xiaoning and raised her hand, saying, "I dare to reply to the great master Qingzheng, the last great rift has been repaired. However, before sending troops beyond the pass, I have something to discuss with Elder Yan."

Seeing her serious expression, Yan Xiaoning immediately composed himself, first nodding in agreement with Zhao Chun, then looking at his younger brother and saying in a deep voice, "Put your matter aside for now. We'll discuss other matters after I return to the sect. You may leave now."

Yan Chouxing glanced at the two people in the hall, and for a moment he had nothing to say. He could only bow and leave, and hurriedly left the hall.

As he prepared to depart, a slight stirring within him was a touch of envy. He realized that despite his years of vying with Chi Cangfeng, he was still far inferior to Zhao Chun. Centuries ago, who would have imagined that such a powerful and promising talent would emerge at the selection ceremony?
After dismissing her younger brother, Yan Xiaoning waved her sleeve, temporarily separating the hall from the outside world. She invited Zhao Chun to sit down, and then found a seat herself. After hearing what the other had said, her face showed surprise, and she couldn't help but ask, "The demons outside the pass have not yet been quelled. Do you really intend to lead your troops into the East Sea first?"

According to her original plan, once the demons within the pass were pacified, she could defend Dingxian City, drive out the demons outside the pass, and force the strange people to retreat into the sea. Therefore, the matter of the East Sea had been postponed until after the reclaiming of the territory outside the pass. Little did she expect that Zhao Chun would now propose that Yan Xiaoning take charge of all affairs outside the pass, while she would go far away to the heart of the East Sea.

Although this plan coincided with that of his younger brother Yan Chouxing, Yan Xiaoning did not believe that the two were thinking the same thing.

Yan Chouxing was impatient for quick success and believed that while the army was conquering beyond the Great Wall, he would have a great opportunity to go to the East Sea. As the commander, Zhao Chun's heart was clearly not in the pursuit of merit.

She smiled faintly and readily accepted the words, then explained the reason, saying, "Thinking about it carefully, things have gone too smoothly and too fast these past few years. Apart from establishing the city gate, there have been many things we did in accordance with Taiyuan. The city gate had only been established for a short time when Hunde came out with the method of mending the sky. Could it really be that it came at the right time? I think not."

"In the end, there are still various forces rooted in the southern lands. Once the city gates are built, it will be difficult to retreat. However, the situation is different on the East Sea. Taiyuan made preparations in advance and took over this place first. They have been managing it for more than a hundred years, and it is no exaggeration to say that it is an impregnable fortress. Moreover, they do not want the aliens to go north. It would be easy to cause trouble at sea and disrupt this matter. Therefore, if we want to open up the sea route, we need to take a risky military action."

As Zhao Chun said, the unpredictable events of the past few years have been hidden in the shadows. Yan Xiaoning was not entirely unaware of them, but if he ventured deep into the East China Sea before the area outside the pass was pacified, he would be truly isolated and helpless if he fell into danger.

She intended to use this to persuade Zhao Chun, but he had already made up his mind. He laughed and said, "Elder Yan, there's no need to worry. In such a vast place as the East Sea, which connects the north and the south, is there really no place for me, Zhao Chun, to stand?"

Yan Xiaoning was taken aback upon hearing this. His mind raced, and he immediately knew what Zhao Chun was referring to. He thought to himself, "If that region is willing to lend a hand, it could indeed throw the East Sea into chaos. However, Zhao Chun wanted to expel the aliens into the East Sea from the very beginning. Could it be that she had already planned this all along?"

He added that Zhao Chun would be taking a group of disciples with her on her journey to the East Sea, and whether he could impress her depended on whether his younger brother was capable enough. (End of Chapter)