Chapter 425: Defense Breached!
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Before long, they reached the foot of the Illusory Mountain.
Of course, the Master's wife and Guo Ce were also present. Without Senior Su's words, they wouldn't dare to go—nor could they.
"This is the place."
Each person held a flying sword, hovering high in the heavens as they gazed upon the mist-shrouded Illusionary Mountain in the distance.
Su Cheng gazed at the breathtaking scenery and couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"It is quite a fine place, rather beautiful."
"So Mu Chan arranged for people to build a residence here for the Master?"
Su Cheng shook his head. He had no inclination to settle down anywhere permanently. Since it was such a beautiful place, visiting from time to time would suffice.
If one gazed upon beauty constantly, it would lose its charm.
Moreover, if it belonged solely to him, the scenery would lose its meaning.
Having traversed countless worlds, the only thing he truly craved was companionship—the kind of unwavering loyalty embodied by Gu Ai.
Whether from numbness or long-settled resignation, he no longer pursued power or excitement.
But if Xiao Ai said it, it would be cowardice.
He became hesitant, timid, afraid of losing what he had.
"No need. The beauty lies in my absence."
"If I were to dwell here, I fear all beasts would flee at the slightest whisper of my presence. Then this place would surely become a barren mountain once more."
"How could that be?" Dongfang Jue clearly understood, his eyes brimming with heartache.
Her master was a coward who feared loneliness.
Yet it was precisely this coward who commanded countless mighty beings to bow in reverence.
"So Lingxian Mountain used to be as beautiful as this place?"
Su Muchan asked curiously, though Jue'er was deeply concerned for her master.
"What nonsense! Lingxian Mountain has always been beautiful!"
Lingxian Mountain was nothing more than a barren peak, devoid of living creatures. Even before Ye Qinghan became a disciple, few hunters ventured there.
The dilapidated hut was left behind by an old hunter who had moved away. Su Cheng, seeking to carve out a domain and earn his keep, founded a sect there, thus establishing Lingxian Hall.
The original owner was similar in that regard, but being a fellow disciple of Cheng Liang with late Nascent Soul cultivation, though not as strong as his junior brother Cheng Liang, it was sufficient to establish a sect.
Though he was despised for killing his master, the original owner later took on his only disciple, Chu Youwei.
But Su Cheng was different then. He had nothing—no cultivation base, no resources.
He couldn't attract disciples to begin with, and now word had spread about him begging for scraps. He might as well just drift through life, waiting to find his anchor point before leaving.
But as luck would have it, Ye Qinghan came to seek him as a master…
This desolate mountain gradually came alive with people, growing increasingly crowded. Now renamed Lingxian Mountain, he became its master.
"Jue'er, as promised, this Phantom Mountain Half-Immortal is yours to handle."
"Understood, Master. Rest assured."
Only to see General Dongfang Jue stride forward alone and shout.
"Phantom Mountain brat! Come out immediately!"
"Or else, this old lady will level your mountain to the ground!"
To anyone else, it sounded like empty bravado. Yet to the three captives, it suddenly seemed plausible.
Though they'd never witnessed this female general in action, her strength was clearly formidable!
After all, Senior Su seemed to place great trust in her disciple!
"Squeaky little brat~ Daring to spout such nonsense! I thought you might have some real skill, but it turns out you're just a young girl!"
"Girl, leave this place at once, and I may spare your life~"
Dongfang Jue had always hated being discriminated against based on her gender!
It happened in the military camp, and now, in this cultivation world, it was happening again!
"Have you considered the consequences of underestimating a woman?"
"If she didn't even look like a woman, heh~"
The man across from him appeared masculine at first glance, yet carried an air of effeminate beauty. His voice held a distinctly feminine quality. Truth be told, this type of man disgusted Dongfang Jue the most!
"What the hell are you laughing at?"
"I don't look like it—you do!"
As he spoke, Dongfang Jue reached out into the void, and the Godslayer Spear instantly returned to its place!
How dare he verbally attack her!
Dongfang Jue unleashed her full fury, stomping her foot on the ground. Gazing at the barrier enveloping Huanshan, she merely clenched her silver teeth.
"Break."
The command fell like a delicate whisper, and Dongfang Jue vanished!
In an instant, the earth shook and mountains trembled, followed by a deafening roar!
This requires a bit of talent, but also relentless effort.
But that was all in the past, long gone and forgotten.
If you were to ask Dongfang Jue today how one could become as strong as her, she would only say…
"Life in Lingxian Hall isn't as comfortable as outside. The pressure is immense. If you're even a second too slow with your chopsticks, those two senior sisters would starve you to death."
"I never thought I was anything special. I just muddled through, grateful for any food I could get."
With a swift swing of her spear, Dongfang Jue transformed completely. That Golden Pupil technique she'd secretly mastered—its origins unknown—was now fully hers!
Su Cheng had thought he'd misperceived it last time, but now he knew he hadn't!
Her pupils were tinged gold—her divine sense had awakened!
Su Cheng felt certain sending the three treasures to the mansion for training had been the right choice. To survive, one must keep improving.
It had been tough, but now he realized it had all been worthwhile!
Golden light shimmered in her eyes, paired with that haughty, arrogant expression. The Human Emperor Empress, a figure worthy of applause, had emerged!
Dongfang Jue, blood-red divine weapon in hand, floated mid-air, observing the utterly dumbfounded effeminate figure below. Her utter disdain for the world was now perfectly accentuated!
"Within the Lingxian Hall, Jue'er is the third disciple. But once outside the Lingxian Hall…"
"Do me a favor and call me the Prince of the North!"
"You're nothing but an insect, yet you dare steal my master's belongings. Hand them over now, and I'll grant you a swift end. Dither, and I'll make you wish for death!"
As if struck at his core, Dongfang Jue was already seething with rage!
Teasing from her own sisters was one thing, but this slimy man dared to mock her!
If it were any other day, she might have let it slide. But today, in front of her master? This was bound to leave a stain on her master's esteem!
If she didn't finish this guy off today, her hatred would never be appeased!
"Bold words indeed. First break this grand formation, then we'll talk…"
The Phantom Mountain Half-Immortal had assumed this natural barrier would grant him peace of mind, but he had clearly underestimated Dongfang Jue!
As her words faded, a sound like shattering glass echoed through the air. A visible crack began to spread across the sky…
"Holy shit, you…"
"Damn, it didn't shatter…"
Dongfang Jue seemed thoroughly displeased with this outcome. She curled her lip in disdain before glancing guiltily at her master…
The demonic powerhouse, Guo Ce, and his master's wife behind her were all stunned, especially that demonic powerhouse!
Guo Ce and his master's wife could only tell that the spear strike was incredibly powerful, but they couldn't discern the true strength behind it!
But the demonic powerhouse could see it! He could see it… yet he still couldn't quite believe it!
Guo Ce glanced at the demonic elder, who stood frozen in place, and asked curiously, "Bro, why're you gaping like that? Did you spot something?"
"Damn it, keep your voice down! I thought that Immortal Lady Mu Chan was already peerless under heaven, but this third disciple is even more brutal!"
"That spear strike—if not for this formation absorbing most of its energy—would have flattened the entire Phantom Mountain!"
After hearing this, Guo Ce and his master's wife both wore expressions bordering on disbelief…
"Two more strikes like that, and this grand formation won't hold! That must be at least Great Perfection realm strength, right?"
It was a case of seeing only the tip of the iceberg, but one couldn't blame this demonic powerhouse—after all, he'd never encountered a Great Perfection cultivator before.
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