9: Chapter 9 Reuniting with an Old Friend

Within the Kunlun Sect, sword light flowed.

Lu Jinghan brandished the Jinghan Sword in the air, his Sword Qi carrying a profound power of time.

Wherever it passed, space was silently sliced, creating fine cracks.

Only when the last wisp of Sword Intent dissipated into the air did he slowly sheathe his sword.

"This first move, Late Twilight, I've finally reached the entry level."

Lu Jinghan whispered to himself, a wry smile crossing his lips.

"As expected of a Divine Ability from an immortal technique; it's truly mysterious and unpredictable. If used against an enemy, an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator would likely not last a single exchange."

He looked into the distance, where the towering Trial Tower stood silently amidst the mist, like a silent guardian.

"Revered Master once said the Trial Tower can help a Cultivator hone combat skills and condense Divine Abilities. For me right now, it is indeed the best place to Cultivate."

Lu Jinghan's gaze narrowed slightly as he turned his eyes toward the horizon.

"However, with only two months left until the Great Family Ranking Battle, I must set out."

In his past life at this time, he was only at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment. During a journey for experience, he happened upon an expert of the Undergoing Tribulation realm who was heavily injured and near death.

That mighty being, unwilling to let his Legacy end, passed on his lifelong foundation and Dao techniques, helping him Breakthrough to Early Golden Core in one go and gifting him a flying Magic Treasure, allowing him to reach the capital of the Zhouwu Dynasty.

That was Lu Jinghan's first Opportunity in his past life, as well as the starting point of his turning point on the path of Dao.

Having experienced Rebirth in this life, he did not follow his previous path but instead entered Kunlun directly, naturally missing that Undergoing Tribulation expert.

Yet, because of this, he obtained an even greater Opportunity.

Now, Lu Jinghan's cultivation has reached Golden Core Perfection, far surpassing the same period in his past life, but the journey to the capital of the Zhouwu Dynasty is still long.

Fortunately, he knew that a large-scale teleportation Formation was set up in Tianfeng City, and he could arrive with only three transfers.

After everything was prepared, Lu Jinghan came to the Kunlun Hall, intending to report his trip to his Revered Master, Jiang Changge.

However, the hall was empty, and his Revered Master was nowhere to be seen.

So, he used his spiritual power to condense a Jade Slip and hung it in a prominent place within the hall; his Revered Master would naturally know his whereabouts upon returning.

Before long, Lu Jinghan's figure appeared in Tianfeng City.

The streets were bustling, buildings stood tall, and everything was as noisy and familiar as in his memories.

After paying the Spirit Stones required for the teleportation, the light of the Formation gradually rose, and his figure vanished into the glow.

Seven days later.

Outside the teleportation Formation in the capital of the Zhouwu Dynasty, Lu Jinghan stepped out.

Looking at the bustling long streets and the continuous majestic palaces before him, a distant trance appeared in his eyes.

This place and these scenes were still familiar, yet they seemed separated by the dust of a lifetime.

Afterward, Lu Jinghan walked toward a street, his heart full of expectation.

In the capital of the Zhouwu Dynasty, seven great families were situated, including the Qin Family and the Su Family.

At this moment, many Cultivators were gathered on the Qin Family's plaza for trials.

They were all Cultivators who wanted to join the Qin Family.

Only during this period was it the best time and Opportunity to join the major families.

In the center of the plaza, an Early Golden Core Cultivator was competing with a Qin Family descendant; as long as they defeated the opponent and passed the Heart-Nature test, they could join the Qin Family.

After a bout of fighting, the Early Golden Core Loose Cultivator was drenched in sweat, the light on the long saber in his hand flickering.

Opposite him, a young man wearing a moon-white brocade robe embroidered with cloud patterns from the Qin Family stood with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent, not even having taken out a Magical Artifact.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, excuse me!"

The Loose Cultivator gritted his teeth and shouted low, his body suddenly charging forward as a layer of red flame condensed on the blade, turning into three fire arcs attacking the upper, middle, and lower paths.

This move, Three Suns Opening the Way, was a killing move he had practiced for many years; an ordinary Early Golden Core Cultivator would find it extremely difficult to take.

The Qin Family Disciple, Qin Muchuan, only slightly raised his eyes.

At the moment the blade light and flame shadows were about to hit him, he casually flicked his right sleeve.

No surging spiritual power was seen, yet a crisp sound like tearing silk suddenly rang out in the air.

The three fire arcs, as if hitting an invisible barrier, instantly scattered into a sky full of fireflies.

Simultaneously, an overwhelming invisible force struck the Loose Cultivator's chest.

"Pfft—!"

The Loose Cultivator's face turned pale as he staggered back more than ten steps, the long saber slipping from his hand and hitting the ground with a "clang."

He barely managed to stand steady, a metallic sweetness in his throat; he had been given internal injuries by the shock.

"Good match."

Qin Muchuan's voice was calm and rippleless, as if he had just dusted off a speck of dust from his sleeve. He hadn't even moved his feet.

Low whispers broke out around the plaza.

"The Qin Family's Formless Force is indeed powerful; it leaves no trace and exerts power in an instant."

"I heard this Qin Muchuan is only at the Early Golden Core stage? To have such power with a casual wave..."

"After all, he is a descendant of one of the seven great families in the capital; how can a Loose Cultivator compare to their foundation?"

Lu Jinghan had now followed the crowd to the edge of the Qin Family plaza, not attracting anyone's attention.

Standing in the shadow of an old locust tree, his gaze turned toward Qin Muchuan.

"Xiao Chuan, we meet again!" Lu Jinghan thought to himself.

In his past life, he hadn't met Qin Muchuan so early; seeing him again now, waves of emotion rose in his heart.

The Qin Family deacon presiding over the trial nodded slightly and said loudly, "The challenger has been defeated. Next."

"I'll do it!"

Lu Jinghan walked in front of Qin Muchuan with a smile.

—

At the same time, Jiang Changge's figure also appeared in the capital of the Zhouwu Dynasty.

He had arrived here as early as seven days ago. After experiencing the sights of the capital, he planned to stay for a while.

After all, the Great Family Ranking Battle was about to be held here, jointly hosted by the three major Imperial Dynasties. The major families would gather, and many Sect forces would come to watch.

He could wait here quietly; perhaps a fated person would arrive.

When Lu Jinghan arrived in the capital of the Zhouwu Dynasty, Jiang Changge also immediately sensed his aura.

He had originally thought about finding his eldest Disciple first, but suddenly the System's notification sounded in his mind.

[Ding! A fated person has been detected. Host, please go and take them as a Disciple.]

Jiang Changge, who was about to head to the Qin Family, stopped in his tracks, feeling delighted that he had finally waited long enough.

[Name: Lin Yanzhou]

[Age: Ten years old]

[Physique: Mortal Physique (Ordinary human)]

[Talent/Aptitude: None]

[Heart-Nature: Excellent]

[...]

"Hmm?"

Jiang Changge's gaze fell on the System panel, and he was slightly taken aback.

"System, are you sure about this? An ordinary person with no Cultivation Aptitude?"

Looking at Lin Yanzhou's information on the System panel, Jiang Changge fell into thought.

[One hundred percent certain!]

"In that case, I shall take you and change your fate against the heavens!"

Jiang Changge stared at Lin Yanzhou's panel and thought to himself.

Although it's common sense that one cannot Cultivate without talent or Aptitude, he could simply ignore that.

After all, he had a cheat!

Subsequently, Jiang Changge followed the location provided by the System, his figure flashing as he arrived outside the South City Gate.

Outside the South City Gate, there was a cluster of scattered houses.

In an open space, four or five youths were laughing and chatting.

"Let me show you the Qi Wave Palm I learned recently; it's definitely better than yours!"