Chapter 26: Clash Amid the Beast Tide Part 1

The myriad beasts roared, thundering forward like an avalanche.

Sword qi erupted like a rain of shooting stars, crashing down headlong onto the demon creatures blocking the path.

Yan Zhichuan had charged ahead at first, swinging her Medicine God Cauldron to clear the way. Once Zhan Yujie caught up, she happily shrank back behind her senior sister, casually hammering a demon creature that sneaked in from the side.

“Three Xuanmen cultivators are coming over.” The hunched figure of the Black-Robed Apothecary stirred her Medicine Pot, her face grave. She still believed they should leave this area—clashing head-on with Xuanmen cultivators wasn’t wise.

“Do you think they’ve got much strength left after carving through that horde?” Liu Lizhu dismissed the concern. Forget Golden Core Stage cultivators; even Nascent Soul Stage ones wouldn’t fare well in a beast tide.

The Black-Robed Apothecary pressed her lips tight and said no more.

She was a rare apothecary among demon cultivators, lacking any real combat prowess and relying on Liu Lizhu for protection. If a fight broke out, Liu Lizhu might escape, but she probably wouldn’t be so lucky. Yet leaving on her own wasn’t an option either—danger lurked ahead as well.

“Isn’t that Fellow Daoist Liu from Chongxu Sect?” Jiang Cizhu gripped her Azure Bamboo Staff, green light swirling around it. With a surge of spiritual power, countless verdant rays scattered like falling bamboo leaves, splattering blood across the demon creatures they touched. Her eyes were sharp; she quickly spotted Liu Lizhu ahead, along with an unfamiliar cultivator.

“That Medicine Pot reeks.” Yan Zhichuan wrinkled her nose and called out to Jiang Cizhu.

“Hm? Could they be fighting the demon creatures too, and we’re just caught in the mess?” Jiang Cizhu wondered aloud.

“She’s a demon cultivator.” Yan Zhichuan shot Jiang Cizhu a look, thinking she wasn’t too bright. She stated Liu Lizhu’s identity plainly, but Jiang Cizhu’s face only showed shock and disbelief. Good thing I didn’t name names back at the Three Ways River, she thought. Without solid proof from our own sect, no one would’ve believed it anyway.

Zhan Yujie wasted no words. She carved through the horde, her endless sword light flowing like an unending river, aimed straight at the foul-smelling Medicine Pot.

How could Liu Lizhu let her succeed? She flung out a burst of sword light and surged her aura, stepping directly into the Golden Core Third Layer. She sighed as if in regret: “Fellow Daoist Zhan.”

Zhan Yujie’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Before entering the Three Ways River Sword Duel, Liu Lizhu had been at the Golden Core Second Layer like her. But now she’d advanced another step. Had she broken through in the Three Ways River? Or had it all been a facade before?

“I’ve always wanted a chance to spar with you. How about now?” Liu Lizhu smiled faintly, unleashing her pale sword light.

Chongxu Sect and Nine Abyss Sect were on good terms, but she hadn’t crossed paths with Zhan Yujie often. Still, she knew plenty about her—after all, she’d once been her junior sister’s betrothed.

Zhan Yujie was aloof by nature. In her eyes, any dual cultivation path with Liu Yanqing was doomed. Not just her—Liu Yanqing thought the same. Liu Yanqing had once planned to end the engagement early since there were no feelings involved, freeing them both.

But she’d hinted at another path for Liu Yanqing.

Competition in Chongxu Sect was fierce. With Liu Yanqing’s talent, how many resources could she claim? How long could she hold true disciple status?

Zhan Yujie never visited, yet she’d sent cultivation supplies to Liu Yanqing year after year without fail.

Without those, Liu Yanqing’s progress would’ve fallen even further behind, right?

People were selfish.

Maybe it started with guilt or reluctance, but over time, to shed that emotional weight, she’d reshape her memories bit by bit, casting herself as the victim.

Then, her gains became rightful compensation.

She could accept them with a clear conscience.

“Senior Sister, watch out!” Yan Zhichuan cried in alarm. They weren’t at full strength after fighting through the horde, and this sudden jump to Third Layer made Liu Lizhu a real threat. She glanced at the stunned Jiang Cizhu. “Fellow Daoist Jiang, what are you standing around for?”

Jiang Cizhu frowned, puzzled. “Isn’t it just a spar?”

“Oh come on, who spars in the middle of this?!” Yan Zhichuan stomped her foot. She urged Jiang Cizhu forward while swinging her Medicine God Cauldron toward the Black-Robed Apothecary.

“A medical cultivator?” The Black-Robed Apothecary easily caught the medicinal scent on Yan Zhichuan. Though she carried a sword, the apothecary was certain she was another weakling like herself, useless in a fight. She couldn’t help Liu Lizhu, but capturing this one? She had a shot—she was Golden Core Second Layer, after all.

The Black-Robed Apothecary released a Diamond Flying Wheel. With a pinch of her fingers, silver rain filled the sky, whirling with electric light.

Yan Zhichuan’s heart skipped, but she didn’t retreat. She swallowed a Forget-Sorrow Pill and charged at the Black-Robed Apothecary.

Silver light rained down, clinking harmlessly off Yan Zhichuan.

The Black-Robed Apothecary puzzled over it, assuming some defensive treasure.

If so, she couldn’t break it. Glancing at the fierce clash with Liu Lizhu, she furrowed her brow and chose to evade. Black smoke billowed from her body, blending her almost seamlessly into the thick fog. This was the Formless Shadow Evasion Technique.

Yan Zhichuan’s eyes couldn’t pierce the apothecary’s true form.

But the Heavenly Dao System’s alert blared.

A massive red dot glared piercingly.

The spinning Medicine God Cauldron blazed like a burning sun, trailing flames. Yan Zhichuan feigned a smash at the smoky ground, but with a thought, she requested the Sword of Nine Abyss from the Heavenly Dao System.

Nameless Plainness unsheathed in a flash.

Kun Spin unleashed at thunderous speed.

Zhan Yujie’s prowess was matched perfectly by the system’s copy.

The Black-Robed Apothecary hiding in the black fog never expected Yan Zhichuan to wield a sword. Escape was impossible. A series of rending cracks echoed, followed by a wail as her headless body tumbled from the mist.

Yan Zhichuan exhaled in relief, wiping sweat from her brow. She turned to deal with the foul Medicine Pot. The demon creatures had a huge gap torn in their ranks, but the lingering medicinal scent would draw them back together. If they took out Liu Lizhu first, they might use it to harvest points from the horde. But what if some unlucky cultivator was trapped inside, barely alive?

After a moment’s thought, Yan Zhichuan smashed the Medicine Pot.

Though she quietly pocketed a small vial first.

Once Yan Zhichuan finished, Zhan Yujie and Jiang Cizhu returned.

Yan Zhichuan spotted blood on Zhan Yujie’s sleeve and tensed with concern. “Senior Sister, you’re hurt?”

Zhan Yujie shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

Seeing her senior sister’s pale face, Yan Zhichuan ignored the denial and pulled out a lump of “pill crust” for her to take.

It was Blood Coagulation Pill she’d learned on Medicine Peak—for wounds.

She glanced at Jiang Cizhu and handed her a high-grade Blood Coagulation Pill.

Jiang Cizhu hurried to thank her. “Many thanks, Fellow Daoist.”

But eyeing the “medicine” Zhan Yujie swallowed—scraped from the cauldron—she inwardly wondered.

Her own sect mate eats cauldron crust, while she gives me premium pills. Nine Abyss Sect folks are too kindhearted.

Yan Zhichuan looked around. “Where’s the other one?”

Zhan Yujie frowned slightly. “She escaped.”

She was dissatisfied with herself—couldn’t trap Liu Lizhu even with Jiang Cizhu’s help.

Liu Lizhu hadn’t exposed herself to others. If she linked up with Chongxu Sect people, there’d be no proof to take her down.

“Oh,” Yan Zhichuan said, then asked, “So what now?”

“Head to the Three Ways River bank.” After a pause, Zhan Yujie turned to Jiang Cizhu. “And you, Fellow Daoist Jiang?”

“I’ll travel with you.” Jiang Cizhu jumped in quickly. All Xuanmen allies, better together for safety.

Alone in the Three Ways River, she might lose her way. Forget finding her sect mates—survival would be iffy.

I’m just too unlucky.

Neither Zhan Yujie nor Yan Zhichuan minded an extra companion.

Zhan Yujie wasn’t talkative, so Yan Zhichuan, bored, chatted with Jiang Cizhu about the “Cihang Studio” from the novels.

“Fake.”

“Nonsense.”

“Rumors. I’ll report it.”

…

By the end, Jiang Cizhu felt numb. Staring at Yan Zhichuan, she muttered, “Fellow Daoist Yan really reads everything.”

“Yes!” Yan Zhichuan nodded vigorously, missing the gritted teeth. She sighed. “I read day and night.”

Zhan Yujie, leading the way, glanced back with a complex look.

If I remember right, she said she practiced sword without rest before.

Yan Zhichuan caught the gaze but didn’t get it. She just flashed a brilliant smile.

Zhan Yujie turned away expressionlessly.

Jiang Cizhu praised Yan Zhichuan. “To reach Golden Core like that, Fellow Daoist has exceptional talent.”

Yan Zhichuan beamed smugly. “My master said I’m a child of the Heavenly Dao—different from others. Enlightenment comes in a flash; even in dreams, I cultivate.”

Jiang Cizhu’s eyes widened. “Really?”

I’ve toiled dawn to dusk, through heat and cold, rain or shine… and I’m about even with her.

Fellow Daoist Yan was both medical cultivator and sword cultivator.

That Sword of Nine Abyss matched Zhan Yujie’s perfectly—even the sword intent was identical.

The same technique varied slightly by one’s Dao heart and will.

But theirs—

Jiang Cizhu watched Zhan Yujie stride ahead.

She hadn’t relaxed despite the demon creatures thinning. Any threat, and she’d shield Yan Zhichuan first.

Jiang Cizhu dazed for a moment, dimly understanding.

“Fellow Daoist Zhan is a great senior sister,” she said.

Yan Zhichuan blinked. “Yeah, I guess.”

In the Chaos Wasteland.

The medicinal scent had faded from the wind, but the severed limbs and gore from the demon creatures reeked of blood, drawing more.

Zhan Yujie chopped them like vegetables.

Yan Zhichuan tested her Demon Explosion Pills.

Foundation Establishment and Golden Core First Layer went down in one blast. Second Layer, if prepared, wouldn’t die instantly.

So against higher realms, they were just like scraping skin.

“No higher-grade ones?” Yan Zhichuan muttered.

The Heavenly Dao System was merciless: You’re Golden Core yourself. What you refine matches your level. Think it’ll blow up a Cave Heaven for you?

Yan Zhichuan: See? Sword Dao’s better!

In the novels, sword cultivators killed one every ten steps, leaving no trace for a thousand miles.

Any sword cultivator who couldn’t cross realms was trash.

“People ahead.” Zhan Yujie’s words barely fell when sword light flashed, booming into a mound of rubble like a grave hill.

In the space amid the shattered stones hid a person, cradling a corpse.

They wore pale blue-white robes, but the medicine gourd at their waist was shattered, only a red cord left.

She knelt on the ground, raising a hand to shield her eyes, but drew no weapon to resist.

Zhan Yujie glanced at her, eyes falling on the corpse wreathed in demonic qi. She frowned. “Fallen to the demonic path?”