354: apologize

[Name: Chen Xuan]

[Race: Human Race]

[cultivation base: Void Refining Realm Level 2]

[Sect Reputation Points: 46,500 points]

[Items: block card x14, integration realm trial card x0, instant kill card x4, teleportation talisman x8, Formation: Samsara Heavenly Dao Eye, High-level Formation Immunity, Advanced Realm Upgrade Card, Mount: Bai Ze]

[Sect Rank: Rank One]

With only fourteen block cards and four instant kill cards remaining, and not a single integration realm trial card left, Chen Xuan's consumption during this period had truly outpaced his gains.

As he reviewed his recent actions, his gaze fell heavily upon the Yao Race still struggling below.

He felt the primary reason was the sheer number of major events occurring in succession. With his own Realm being too low, it felt as though he had stepped onto this grand stage far too early.

However, it was hard to say whether this was a good or bad thing.

Had he chosen a different path, remaining hidden in the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven to develop for thirty years before stepping into this world, the outcome might have been better—or perhaps much worse.

After all, without his intervention, the Rain God Continent would have certainly fallen to the Yao Race, and the neighboring Flame Continent would not have escaped the fires of war. Even worse, the iron hooves of the Yao Race might have trampled directly into the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven.

By then, his cultivation base might have been significantly higher than it was today, but his surroundings would likely have been besieged on all sides.

Moreover... most importantly, those two girls, Shu Shichan and Yun Xuanxuan, certainly wouldn't have lived until today.

Thinking of it this way, Chen Xuan did not regret revealing himself so early. At least for now, his reputation points were still climbing frantically. Who knew what level they would reach in another two or three days?

With his thoughts settled, Chen Xuan looked up, his gaze directed straight toward the vast Demon Race Continent across from him.

While drinking and chatting with Qin Tianxing at the Sect previously, the latter had mentioned that the grievances between the Human Race and the Yao Race were long-standing, dating back thousands or even tens of thousands of years. Through tens of millennia of conflict, the Human Race had always maintained a slight advantage.

The most memorable clash between the two sides occurred five hundred years ago!

Two Human Race Heavenly Venerables joined forces and charged straight into the heart of the Demon Race Continent, the Heavenly Demon Mountain, eventually returning in triumph with the heads of two Demon Venerables.

That heroic feat of taking the enemy general's head from amidst a vast army had once set the blood of countless Cultivators in the Nine Provinces boiling. Even a young man like Qin Tianxing would be filled with yearning and admiration every time he spoke of it. Chen Xuan, thinking of it now, couldn't help but sigh in praise; such grace was truly and utterly elegant.

After a moment of contemplation, his white robes fluttered as he rode the wind, speeding directly toward the Demon Race Continent... Elsewhere in the sky, Li Pingan and Yun Xuanxuan led the way side by side, with Zhao Jingchen and Lin Xiuqin following closely behind. The four of them rode the wind, speeding together toward the northern territories.

On the battlefield below, Golden Starfalls crashed down one after another, and Demon Race Cultivators perished in succession. Such a tragic scene caused the traveling companions to feel a surge of emotion.

Lin Xiuqin and Zhao Jingchen exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with mixed emotions. A month ago, they were still young elites of the Tianque Sect, one of the Three Great Sects, enjoying unrivaled glory among their peers. But after this battle, the two truly realized that the path of cultivation never lacked Geniuses.

When a cataclysmic disaster strikes, being 'young' or having a 'promising future' are all like flowers in a mirror or the moon in water. Only a solid cultivation base and Realm can serve as a foundation for survival.

Just like this war sweeping across the Rain God Continent—below the Void Refining Realm, all were like ants, unable to withstand a single blow.

As the group flew through the air and passed over the Five Elders Gate, Li Pingan's figure suddenly paused, halting his forward momentum.

“Senior Brother, what's wrong?” Yun Xuanxuan turned her head curiously and asked in confusion.

Zhao Jingchen and Lin Xiuqin also cast searching glances.

Li Pingan raised a hand and scratched his head. “It's nothing, I just caught a glimpse of two familiar faces.”

Zhao Jingchen's gaze swept over the tragic scene within the Five Elders Gate below, where corpses littered the ground and everything was in shambles. He asked cautiously, “Could it be that among the remains below are old acquaintances of Young Master Li?”

“Not exactly old acquaintances.”

Li Pingan's gaze fell upon two discarded heads on the Sect's plaza below, and he explained flatly, “We just happened to go to the ten thousand demon blood quenching pool together before.”

Lin Xiuqin looked down at the once-prosperous Five Elders Gate, now reduced to ruins, and couldn't help but sigh softly. “I truly didn't expect that even one of the Three Great Sects, the Five Elders Gate, would end up in such a state.”

After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the four finally found the traces of Crimson Sun Elder and the others in the northern sky, who were busy collecting monster cores.

Crimson Sun Elder was the first to notice the movement in the sky. He looked up and saw four figures approaching, his gaze instantly locking onto Yun Xuanxuan.

Raging flames instantly gathered in his palm. Amidst the rolling heat waves, his sleeves fluttered loudly as his figure flashed toward the four like an arrow from a bow, his tone icy:

“I didn't expect a member of the Yao Race to be hiding among you!”

As his voice fell, Li Pingan reacted extremely quickly, moving to shield Yun Xuanxuan firmly behind him, facing Crimson Sun Elder's sharp edge with a grave expression.

“Idiot!”

Seeing the flames in Crimson Sun Elder's palm about to strike with chilling power, a white light suddenly tore through the void. In Master Qing Xuan's hand, the White Jade Brush drew rapidly through the air. Spiritual Qi surged from the tip, and several runes containing majestic spiritual power instantly took shape, blocking Crimson Sun Elder's attack like a rampart. The collision of spiritual powers sent out layers of shockwaves.

He shouted angrily, “What Yao Race? This young lady is Senior Chen's Personal Disciple!”

At the same time, Chu Haotian endured his unhealed injuries and flew forward, a faint smile on his face. “Quite the courage, daring to attack Senior Chen's esteemed disciple?”

Hearing this, the others also flew over one after another, surrounding them to watch the situation unfold.

Crimson Sun Elder never expected such a turn of events. On second thought, he understood—if she weren't Senior Chen's disciple, how could a Soul Emergence stage Yao Race member travel unharmed under the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Might?

His face immediately turned red with embarrassment. He had always admired Senior Chen, who had single-handedly turned the tide of the Rain God Continent's crisis, from the bottom of his heart. Now, he had actually mistaken his disciple for a Yao Race enemy and nearly caused a major blunder.

Thinking of this, Crimson Sun Elder quickly cupped his hands to apologize to Yun Xuanxuan, his tone sincere: “Just now, this old man was blind and mistook you for the Yao Race. I have offended you and hope you can be magnanimous.”

Yun Xuanxuan bit her lower lip slightly, shook her head slowly, and said softly, “My current identity is indeed that of a Yao. Senior isn't exactly wrong.”

“That is quite inappropriate for you to say, young lady!” Master Qing Xuan quickly stepped forward to help, his face covered in a broad smile:

“Since you are Senior Chen's Personal Disciple, you are already a pillar of our Human Race's Righteous Path to the core. How can you still be considered Yao Race? Besides, you are kind-hearted, and I have heard of your deeds. At the very least, no one present could have done what you did; it truly makes one feel ashamed of their own inferiority.”

“It's only certain reckless fools who act without distinguishing right from wrong who would offend you like this.”

“Master Qing Xuan, since when is it your turn to tell me how to do things?”

Just as Master Qing Xuan finished speaking, Chu Haotian's sarcastic and biting voice rang out at the perfect moment. He turned his head toward Crimson Sun Elder, seemingly seeking agreement, “Right, Crimson Sun Elder?”

Crimson Sun Elder was already full of frustration, and being provoked by Chu Haotian's barbed words, his face flushed even redder.

Chu Haotian's ability to be sarcastic was truly disgusting.

Suppressing his anger, Crimson Sun Elder looked at Chu Haotian. “Haotian, I heard you were quite impressive in this great battle. When you were attacking the Yao Race at the Demon Suppressing Tower earlier, you even fought two alone. How heroic.”

“After we return to our Sects, why don't you and I spar a bit? I hope Senior Chu won't be stingy with his guidance and will teach this old man a thing or two?”

Chu Haotian was shrewd and saw through Crimson Sun Elder's thoughts at a glance—this brute clearly wanted to use the excuse of a spar to take advantage of his unhealed injuries from the battle to get even and humiliate him.

He sneered, “There's still a huge mess to deal with after the war. Who has the spare time to guide you? Come back and talk about sparring once you've broken through to the Integration Realm.”