Grandpa, times have changed.

There was silence for a while.

"You only know after you've compared them."

Although his sharp-tongued younger sister said that Chi Jiuyu had made great progress in the past few years, Zhao Ruoming also believed that his progress in the past few years was quite good.

How can you draw conclusions so easily without actually comparing the two?
Seeing his firm attitude, Ye Zhiwei could only offer one final reminder: "Then... be careful."

Don't let him get beaten up and cry again.

She kept those words to herself.

"Don't worry," Zhao Ruoming said, much more nonchalantly. "Even if I lose to her, I won't act like I did before."

Today, he can calmly face the embarrassing situation he was in back then.

"Then I'll go first, and I won't bother you any longer."

He had asked his younger sister to relay the message about the 'competition,' so Chi Jiuyu must have made some preparations as well.

He was eliminated before he even had a chance to fight in the last Immortal Sect Competition.

This time, I must make up for the regrets of that year.

A glint of fighting spirit flashed in Zhao Ruoming's eyes.

"Okay, take care, Ruoming."

Ye Zhiwei stood there, watching Zhao Ruoming leave.

Only after his figure completely disappeared from sight did he turn his gaze back to what was in front of him.

Flowers bloomed in profusion, and tender new buds covered the branches of the trees.

She closed her eyes and quietly appreciated the omnipresent 'spring sunshine' atmosphere of this place.

After a long while, a gentle breeze suddenly blew by.

Suddenly, it seemed as if I glimpsed the first breeze of early spring, which brought flowers to withered trees and turned dead ground into lush vegetation wherever it went.

At that moment, Ye Zhiwei raised her hand, and faint sword threads swirled around her five fingers, gradually becoming tinged with the springtime atmosphere of the place, adding a touch of emerald green, full of vitality.

Gradually, the emerald green became brighter and brighter, eventually transforming into a dazzling golden-red color.

The originally gentle and mellow spring sunshine has become intense, like a wildfire spreading across the plains, violent and unpredictable.

Until it reached its limit, the intense artistic conception began to fade, and the originally brilliant golden-red color began to turn into a desolate gray-yellow.

The color faded until it was no longer visible, like a frozen lake covered by ice and snow, a vast expanse of white as far as the eye could see.

The sword cultivators around, who were also comprehending the meaning of the changing seasons, also noticed it and looked up, all feeling a little surprised.

Ok?
It actually worked?!
Ye Zhiwei also opened her eyes at this moment, a hint of satisfaction flashing in them.

"The sword guides the changing seasons, its edge sculpts all forms..."

Over the past five years, she has frequently visited the Four Seasons Garden to experience its artistic conception, and has finally mastered the basics of the "Four Seasons Flowing Sword Manual".

He raised his hand and looked at the four-colored sword threads that swirled between his five fingers.

When she first arrived at the Sword Sect, Chi Jiuyu saw that she was too preoccupied and not suitable for the "Four Seasons Flowing Sword Scripture," so he vouched for her and let her learn the "Heavenly Net Sword Manual."

Although Ye Zhiwei didn't say it at the time, she still wanted to prove something.

pity……

Just as Sister Jiu Yu said, it's not suitable for me.

There was some disappointment, of course.

But more than anything, it felt like a sense of relief.

Just like Zhao Ruoming was able to calmly face his past predicament.

Now, after experiencing the trials and tribulations of the Sword Hall and Li Ke, she can face everything with composure.

"You're truly amazing, Sister Jiuyu." Ye Zhiwei's voice was soft, but it came from the bottom of her heart.

Now she is twenty-three years old and has reached the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm. Moreover, her foundation is solid, and she will soon be able to achieve the Nascent Soul perfection.

But the transformation into a deity...

Even if everything goes smoothly, it will still take at least another year.

And Sister Jiu Yu, who advanced to the Nascent Soul stage at the age of twenty-two...

The more you cultivate yourself, the further you go, the more you feel the pressure she brings.

Sometimes you have to admit that the title she often mentions, "the number one genius in all the heavens and myriad realms," is truly well-deserved.

……

……

evening.

Sword Sect Inner Sect.

At the exit of Shengji Cave, Zhao Ruoming walked along the bluestone path into the distance, his face blank and his expression dazed.

Two swords...

He was defeated in just two sword strikes.

Although I had anticipated this outcome, the defeat was still too easy...

It was still something he couldn't accept.

I even feel like all my efforts over the past five years have been a joke.

Not far behind him, Chi Jiuyu was talking to a handsome young man.

"My junior sister has made great progress over the years."

"Hehe! Of course, senior brother, you don't even know who we are!" Chi Jiuyu said without any modesty.

This young man was none other than Cheng Ding, the master of the Shengji Sword.

After five years, he has finally recovered from his injuries and will soon set off to return to the front lines of the starry sky.

"The number one genius in all the heavens and myriad realms." Cheng Ding was very respectful.

"Yes Yes!"

Damn!

Chatting with my senior brother is so enjoyable, unlike my senior sister, who always seems to dampen my spirits after just a few words!
Suddenly, she seemed to remember something.

"By the way, Master asked me to borrow a supernatural power called 'Sword of the Ultimate' from you, Senior Brother."

Cheng Ding paused: "The Sword of the Ultimate?"

Chi Jiuyu took out her phone, checked the group chat, and then confirmed:

"Yes! That's it!"

It's the 'Sword of the Ultimate', if I remember correctly!
"..." Cheng Ding remained silent for two seconds.
My master sent Junior Sister Jiu Yu to 'take' the Ultimate Sword, not to 'learn' it.

Moreover, since his master already knows the 'Extreme Sword,' there's no need for her to come to him to 'get' it if he's just teaching it to his junior sister.

and so……

"I see."

He opened his hand, and a perfectly regular hexagonal crystal appeared in his palm.

It was crystal clear, with fine wisps of light running through it, vaguely converging into the shape of a sword three feet and three inches long, whose exact form was indistinct.

Is this the 'Sword of Ultimate Power'?
Chi Jiuyu took it and was about to examine it carefully.

"With this sword..."

A soft, murmuring voice reached my ears.

Ok? !

Chi Jiuyu's heart tightened, and he quickly looked around. The whispers that had been ringing in his ears disappeared.

"Don't worry," Cheng Ding's voice rang out at the right time.

“This…” Chi Jiuyu was somewhat confused.

Cheng Ding, however, did not intend to explain too much:
"This is normal."

After all, he didn't know why his senior brother had allowed his junior sister Jiu Yu to come into contact with the 'Sword of the Extreme' at this time, and explaining too much would only make things worse.

"You're about to participate in the Immortal Sect Grand Competition. I suggest you ask your senior uncle or master before deciding whether or not to learn this 'Extreme Sword'."

Chi Jiuyu scratched his head.

Is it dangerous to learn this 'Ultimate Sword Technique'?

"Danger... well, there is some, but the main problem is that it's just too difficult."

Too difficult?!

Chi Jiuyu never expected such an answer.

“If you start learning now, it could very well affect your performance in the Immortal Sect Competition.”

Could anything be more difficult than Master's 'Moldy Sword'?

emm...

"I understand, don't worry, senior brother."

Listen to advice and you'll eat your fill; Old Ancestor Jiu Yu always listened to advice.

"Alright, I won't keep you any longer. You should go back now." Cheng Ding began to shoo him away. "I hope to hear news of your victory in the Immortal Sect Competition soon."

"Brother Bao! Don't worry!" After five years of hard work, and thanks to the existence of the ascension mission, he quickly made up for the 'accumulation' gap that he lacked compared to those Nascent Soul sword cultivators in their forties and fifties.

Her Highness the Nine Fishermen is no longer the same as before!
……

……

Shortly after.

As the sun sets in the west, the distant afterglow of the setting sun paints the sky with rainbows, and sword-like arcs of light appear to intertwine and flow.

After carrying the Extreme Sword, Chi Jiuyu climbed the mountain steps and stood in front of the hall.

Looking into the distance, she suddenly decided to say a few words that matched her current mood and were also sophisticated enough to show off.

However, after racking my brains for a long time...

never mind!

She, the Nine Fishermen Ancestor, has no need for such empty formalities!

Just as he turned to enter the hall, a person walked towards him.

"Sister?"

Indeed, the person who arrived was Zhang Yunlu.

She glanced at the hexagonal crystals floating around her.

"Your competition with Sister Ruohan ended so quickly?"

When Sister Ruohan's brother came to see her today, she was still working hard on talisman orders.

Although Sister Ruohan did mention it to her, she had completely forgotten about it.

Ruohan's brother waited quite a while before his senior sister finished the order.

"Is it fast? It's alright!" Chi Jiuyu said dismissively.

Brother Dog is only on par with Little Zhao; he can handle it with one move of the Four Symbols Annihilation Sword Wheel and one move of the Spirit Cloud Dao Sword.

She didn't even use the 'Sword of Annihilation' or the two sword techniques she had learned during her ascension missions over the years.

It's not that Ancestor Jiuyu is bragging, but looking at the entire Tai Xuan Realm at the early stage of Nascent Soul, there are no more than a hundred people who can withstand two of her swords, and even fewer than ten who can fight her head-on and not be at a disadvantage for a short period of time!

"But Dog seemed to be really stunned by my beating; he was still swaying as he left."

Although there was a certain gap between the two back then, it wasn't a significant one.

But now, Chi Jiuyu defeated him with an absolute crushing force using only two sword strikes.

How could Zhao Ruoming not be affected?

"Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore."

Chi Jiuyu didn't take it too seriously.

Over the years, many people have challenged her, not to mention Zhao Ruohan and Ye Zhiwei, the three of them often spar and compete.

Besides her, there were other geniuses from other immortal sects, and even Chen Yuanlin, who had risen again and joined the Holy Emperor Abyss sect, had competed with her several times.

It is worth mentioning that Chen Yuanlin was the only opponent who put pressure on her and took three major sword moves to defeat.

That guy is really strong!
Dog brother...

I'd say I'd barely make it into the top five.

"I'm going to see my master first!"

"Ah."

The two then parted ways.

Zhang Yunlu descended the mountain and left, while Chi Jiuyu walked briskly into the Sword Master's Hall.

"Master! Master! I've retrieved the 'Sword of Ultimate Power.' My senior brother asked me to ask for your opinion: should I start learning it now, or later?"

She started yelling even before we arrived.

Upon entering the training ground, they saw Bie Xuening sitting upright in the center as usual, along with...

"Uncle Master?"

My martial uncle is here too.
She first gave a proper bow:
"Disciple greets Master and Uncle-Master."

Then he became very lax.

“Master, what exactly is this ‘Sword of the Ultimate’? I asked my senior brother, but he was being very mysterious and wouldn’t tell me.”

Bie Xuening did not answer, but looked to her side.

"The third supreme sword technique of the Sword Sect."

Xu Xing raised his hand and drew the perfectly regular hexagonal crystal that was surrounding Chi Jiuyu into his hand.

The law has no fixed form, let alone a supreme sword technique like the 'Sword of Ultimate Power'.

The essence of this crystal is a wisp of sword intent, sculpted with the power of a true immortal to manifest its power.

"The third supreme sword technique..." Chi Jiuyu was taken aback, and subconsciously said, "Doesn't the Sword Sect only have two supreme inheritances, the 'Slaying Sword Manual' and the 'Great Void Sword Manual'?"

"It's a sword technique, not a true inheritance," Xu Xing explained.

More strictly speaking, this can only be considered an unfinished supreme sword technique.

"Then why haven't I seen this 'Sword of the Ultimate' in the Hall of Inheritance?"

"It's too difficult and too easy for sword cultivators to become addicted, so it was eliminated."

For a true swordsman with a heart for the sword, seeing the 'Sword of the Ultimate' is like a starving gourmand seeing the finest delicacy in the world.
Especially for those sword cultivators with high talent, they will feel that the 'Sword of the Ultimate' encompasses all sword paths, all-encompassing and pointing directly to the pinnacle of swordsmanship.

How could they possibly be willing to give up?
'Just as my senior brother said.'

Chi Jiuyu muttered to himself.

But soon, she raised her head again.

"Should I learn it now, or wait until after the Immortal Sect Grand Competition?"

"what ever."

"what?"

"You can learn whenever you want."

Xu Xing returned the crystal in his hand.

After taking it back, Chi Jiuyu couldn't help but scratch his head.

"Uncle-Master, you trust us that much!"

Isn't it said to be very difficult and easy for sword cultivators to become addicted?
"Didn't you call yourself the number one genius in all the heavens and myriad realms?" Xu Xing said. "Coincidentally, he also thought he was the number one genius in all the heavens and myriad realms back then."

Is that so arrogant?!
“But he does deserve that title,” Xu Xing added.

Ok? !

Chi Jiuyu's expression immediately turned serious.

"I see!"

She glanced at Xu Xing, then at Bie Xuening, and secretly made up her mind.

Sooner or later, she will earn the recognition of her master and uncle!

"Then Master, Uncle-Master, this disciple will take his leave now."

"Hmm," Bie Xuening said calmly.

With a solemn expression, Chi Jiuyu turned and left, carrying the crystal that recorded the 'Sword of the Ultimate'.

After she completely left the Sword Master's Hall.

"So, have you found anything?" Bie Xuening asked.

"No."

Xu Xing sighed and looked in a certain direction.

Qingxu.

Just over a month ago, Gu secretly appeared in Qingxu, wanting to get closer to the real world.

Of course, Gu was eventually discovered by their prior arrangements and was injured once again.

Despite knowing the risks, they still insisted on appearing, forcing everyone to conduct another investigation of Qingxu and gather information about 'Tai'.

Not long ago, Yuanjun mentioned that Xu Xing's third disciple had once stopped the severely injured 'Tai' Yi Sha with his Dongzhen body, which is why Xu Xing and Bie Xuening asked Chi Jiuyu to retrieve the sword intent crystal of the 'Extreme Sword' from Cheng Ding.

On the one hand, Chi Jiuyu's performance over the years has indeed made him worthy of this sword strike.

After all, the first thing this guy thought of after learning the 'Sword of Annihilation' was to turn the 'Sword of Annihilation' into his own sword.

On the other hand...

The idea is to use the sword intent crystal of the 'Sword of Ultimate' to see if we can obtain some information related to 'Tai' through this medium.

However, they still came up empty-handed.

"But it's always good to pay more attention to Qingxu."

"Ah."

Bie Xuening nodded slightly and said no more.

Regardless of Gu's motives, all they wanted to do was stop Him. (End of Chapter)