"Is that…?" Wei Wuyin's heart sped up slightly. Coming from the east was a tall womanly figure with a buxom and voluptuous physique, accompanied by light-violet skin and long violet hair. Each strand of her hair was like velvety silk. Wei Wuyin couldn't be more familiar with this woman, having touched and squeezed almost every inch of her exquisite skin.
"Da Shan?" She was a hybrid demon of the Myriad Monarch Sect that was born from a Violet Mountain Demon that had gained a soul, then gained human form and the ability to reproduce. To which it used fully with a human that possessed a unique titan bloodline.
After recognizing this figure, he couldn't help but feel startled. When they arrived via the teleportation formation, he hadn't seen her. Also, a few months ago, she had informed him that she didn't have any intention of participating in the Grand Spirit Trials.
'Wait. She only said that before the Grand Spirit Trials was established; she didn't wish to participate in the Monarch Spirit Trials.' His memory was swiftly reminded of the timeline of their interaction. Considering her fierce competitive spirit, it was entirely possible she had decided to test her mettle against the other elites of the starfield.
Thinking this, he smiled lightly with a touch of warmth.
She seemed to have not noticed him, so he was about to approach her, but his steps were halted. He realized that her aura was somewhat off. He frowned slightly, turning towards a direction with a sharp movement. His frown became deeper. In the end, he didn't approach.
Just as he decided this, he felt a gaze on him, causing him to turn his head once more towards Da Shan to notice her golden irises staring at him. Her gorgeous countenance was flushed with shock. But this was momentary as she wore a dark expression and turned away, finding a relatively isolated corner and quietly closing her eyes in meditation.
Wei Wuyin wasn't put off by this, but couldn't help but sigh softly. Just as this sigh left his lips, a dark light sped into existence from afar. In mere moments, it arrived at his side.
Su Mei's stable posture and quiet gaze was fixed on his figure, already standing slightly behind Wei Wuyin like a subordinate. She was clearly expressing her stance in regards to this event. She wasn't here to participate for a challenge, merely here for Wei Wuyin. Not for his protection, but to enact his will. That being said, a faint blazing spirit was hidden within those black depths of her pupils.
"Lord Wei," she announced herself.
Wei Wuyin acknowledged her with a nod.
Zuhei had already arrived, but his stance was different. He sat quietly in a similar manner as Da Shan and others, meditating to maximize his mental state. While Su Mei didn't wish to actively participate, as someone who comprehended Battle and Slaughter Intent, how could Zuhei's state of mind be the same? He clearly intended to fight to his fullest, even if it was against Wei Wuyin.
In truth, Wei Wuyin admired this part of Zuhei. It was why he decided to make him his claws, his fangs, and his soldier. A good general understood how to use his subordinates, but a great subordinate fashioned his own subordinates. He wasn't one that enjoyed indulging in continuous battle unless necessary, and Zuhei could handle all his insignificant issues.
Even Ying, his shadow, had his specific purpose. So did Su Mei. Each had their own purpose, personality, and goal in life.
"Wei Wuyin!" A soft, warm, and serene voice sounded. Wei Wuyin turned and noticed Qing Qiumu walking towards him with a smile and bright eyes. Pure elation was clearly reflected in those emerald eyes of hers, including her cultivation base that had clearly been elevated by a phase. The ambient mana surrounding her stirred slightly, a sigh of a Sky Ruler.
As she walked forward, Wei Wuyin's Celestial Eyes noticed the mana within the short grass and nearby trees seemed to be gathering around her in subservience and reverence. It was nearly the same as his own Zenith Origin State's mama reaction, but it was far, far too little, being limited to only mana that had been affected by the greenery and wood energies.
He waved with a bright smile.
"Thank y-" The moment she got close enough, her first words were about to be thanks, but she halted herself midway. She recalled their recent interaction, her smile growing even more brilliant.
The saying of her mother rang true: "In a true relationship, the most unnatural thing to say is 'thank you'." It seems her words were true.
Therefore, she changed her words and stated proudly, "I've ascended to the Second Phase!"
Wei Wuyin pouted slightly, looking her up and down with a hand to his chin. This caused Qing Qiumu to freeze, wondering if his products that helped her strengthen her foundation had side-effects she was unaware of. That expression of his was quite worrying.
In the end, Wei Wuyin released an exaggerated and dejected sigh. This sigh seemed to contain untold woes. Even Su Mei frowned, unable to ascertain why he would do such a thing. Her pure, deep eyes traced Qing Qiumu.
Witnessing this, Qing Qiumu felt as if something was wrong and was about to ask when Wei Wuyin said with a slight stomp: "At this rate, everyone I know is going to surpass me in cultivation." As Wei Wuyin lamented on this, he couldn't help but release another sigh. Regardless if it was Su Mei, Da Shan, or the various Blessed he had met, excluding Long Chen, they were all quicker than him in cultivation progression. Even Qing Qiumu was at his level, all while being younger than him.
This caused Qing Qiumu to start. Realizing what he meant, her unease turned into a warm and gleeful laugh that could soothe the hearts of many. But that laugh was like a needle to his heart. Others might not be able to tell, but she was gloating at her success.
"Okay, okay. Little Miss Genius, congratulations." His words were said with a slight defeated tone but anyone could tell he truly meant it, revealing a smile of genius happiness. This pleased Qing Qiumu as she puffed out her ample chest and said, "If you need tips on your cultivation, don't hesitate to ask!"
Wei Wuyin bitterly smiled. "We're still at the same cultivation level, you know."
"Ack…right…" Qing Qiumu softly said in embarrassment. While she was younger than Wei Wuyin, technically being ahead of him in terms of speed, it wasn't a perfect representation of their strengths. After all, Wei Wuyin could defeat three Gold Starred Beasts into submission. This was a feat she, who was a wood cultivator, couldn't do even if she tried her hardest.
At this moment, another figure arrived. His eyes were somewhat murky, and his expression was indifferent and emanated a calm. But this was disturbed as he set foot in the area of the tournament, scouring the field, and noticing Wei Wuyin and Qing Qiumu joking and chatting with extreme familiarity. A ravenous fire burned fiercely within his heart and he clenched his fists.
Feeling a hostile gaze, Wei Wuyin turned to see this figure. It was Long Chen. His cultivation base had risen as well, entering the Sky Ruler Phase. Furthermore, the ambient mana around him was exceptionally orderly and calm, resonating with his every breath and movement. His eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed these features were very similar to his Zenith Origin State mana control.
'This has to be a unique trait of the Imperial Heaven Qi Method. According to the records, it gives the Astral Soul an extreme degree of control, like a true Monarch, in terms of energies and mana.'
Wei Wuyin recalled the information he had read about it. He knew that the Imperial Heaven Qi Method was extremely special, in a way that was extremely overbearing and mysterious. After all, it could not be cultivated unless someone who cultivated it to a certain level passed it on.
This meant that the requirements for it were likely very strict and harsh, perhaps even requiring a unique treasure or item that predecessors had to refine.
Regardless of its limits of entry, it was definitely a method that was extraordinary beyond belief and worth cultivating. This was why he intended to have someone within the Ascendants cultivate this method.
As he was lost in thought, Qing Qiumu turned and noticed Long Chen. She froze for a moment, the thoughts in her mind were unknown but her eyes flickered with brilliance. Sighing softly in her heart, she said: "I'm going to check on Long Chen." While she said this, her tone contained something odd about it.
Even Wei Wuyin and Su Mei noticed this. Wei Wuyin realized why and smiled, "Alright. We'll talk later."
Turning her head back to him, she smiled a smile so gorgeously brilliant that Wei Wuyin felt his heart race for a moment, and she flew off towards Long Chen.
Su Mei waited for her to be out of earshot before saying, "Shall I kill him?"
Wei Wuyin didn't respond immediately. He turned away from Long Chen and focused on a man in the corner garbed in white robes. A flash of light flitted through his silver eyes before he shook his head, "That is Da Shan's battle. Not ours to interfere in."
Su Mei nodded.
That man felt as if a shadowy gloom had been casted over his body, lifting his gaze to search about as his instincts flared and soon calmed down. An overwhelming sensation of imminent crisis flashed within the depths of heart.
Wei Wuyin ignored that man's reaction. Su Mei's words weren't towards Long Chen, clearly knowing Wei Wuyin's own opinion towards Long Chen, but directed at that man in pristine white robes.
At this time, the final character of note in Wei Wuyin's book arrived. Zuhei's eyes opened, and she directed it at this figure for a moment before going silent.
He carried a spear with him. A nine-colored dot was placed elegantly between his brow, and he emitted an aura of extreme confidence. It was the Blessed of the Elemental Heaven Pavilion!
The battle to determine the victor was about to begin!
