Chapter 126: The Strongest Female Disciple

Soon, Song Ye arrived before the execution platform in the East Market.

Four Immortal Masters still sat upon the platform, using their combined powers to operate a formidable defensive formation.

It was currently the Hour of the Snake, with a full hour remaining before noon. None of the six Immortal Venerables, including Lu Yixian, nor any of the fifty Immortal Masters could be seen around the execution platform.

However, at the far end of Huaiye Street, which connected to the East Market, quite a number of rogue cultivators had already gathered, having come specifically to watch the spectacle. Several nearby sects had also sent people to join the excitement. Among them, Song Ye soon noticed a familiar figure: Duan Ling, a ninth-generation disciple of the Moon Embracing Sect.

Come to think of it, Song Ye had not seen Duan Ling in Yan City for nearly three years. Zhang Zixuan, who had once loved coming to Yan City, was absent today. She was probably too occupied with her cultivation to come and join the festivities.

Duan Ling had changed greatly over the past three years. His long hair was tied high, and he wore a white robe. His head was tilted slightly upward, his left hand clasped behind his back, and his right hand raised before his chest. He had assumed the bearing of an Immortal Master, seemingly afraid that others might not know he had become one.

Song Ye examined Duan Ling’s current cultivation level.

Duan Ling: Ninth Level of the Profound Connection Realm.

Song Ye clearly remembered that three years ago, Duan Ling had been only at the Second Level of the Profound Connection Realm. Now he had reached the Ninth Level—a considerable improvement indeed.

But from here on, breaking through to the Void Spirit Realm would not be so simple.

The threshold for the Immortal Master examination was the Seventh Level of the Profound Connection Realm. With Duan Ling’s current cultivation, it was entirely possible that he had already obtained his Immortal Master credential.

“Brother Song!”

Duan Ling seemed to have noticed Song Ye as well and called out first.

Song Ye walked over with a smile. “Brother Duan, it has been three years since we last met. You seem like an entirely different person.”

“You jest, Brother Song. This Immortal Master feels that I am no different from before.” Duan Ling smiled faintly.

He had already begun referring to himself as “this Immortal Master.” It was obvious that he had obtained his credential; the only thing missing was having the words “I am an Immortal Master” carved into his forehead.

“Oh? Do you mean that this Immortal Master’s clothes are different from before? This Immortal Master’s robe was actually a gift from my master.” Duan Ling suddenly shook out the brand-new white robe he was wearing. “At the beginning of the year, Senior Brother Zhou Nongshan, Senior Sister Chen Huaiyin, and I all registered for the Immortal Master examination. In the end, I alone lived up to my master’s expectations and obtained the credential. Overjoyed, my master gave me this Immortal Master’s robe.”

Duan Ling had made his meaning so clear that Song Ye naturally had to give him face. He therefore pretended to be astonished.

“You became an Immortal Master at such a young age?”

Duan Ling nodded. “Brother Song, there is no need to be so surprised. It is merely the natural result of this Immortal Master’s years of diligent cultivation.”

“If Senior Brother Zhou Nongshan had worked as hard as I did, he might have obtained his credential by now as well. Then again, perhaps his talent was insufficient. One cannot blame him for that.”

Even as he spoke, he had taken the opportunity to drag his senior brother out and trample him once more.

Five years ago, Duan Ling had been the same age as Song Ye. Five years later, he was only twenty-seven. Becoming an Immortal Master at twenty-seven could indeed be considered youthful and promising.

As a player, Song Ye had not aged in this world, so his physical age remained twenty-two.

“Brother Song, you have made considerable progress over the past three years as well. Senior Brother Zhou Nongshan told me that you have now become a squad leader at the prefectural government office.” Duan Ling continued, “A squad leader is no different from an ordinary constable. We are all merely earning enough to get by.” Song Ye smiled. “Come, let me treat Immortal Master Duan to a bowl of noodles. Consider it a celebration of your officially becoming an Immortal Master of the sect.”

However, when they looked around, not a single noodle shop on Huaiye Street was open.

…

Meanwhile, on Mount Leyu—

Luo Yunshuang saw that it had already reached the Hour of the Snake.

She and her senior sister, Qi Xinyue, had long since agreed to meet today at the Hour of the Snake in a mountain temple five miles from Yan City. Yet Luo Yunshuang had to remain here and protect their master while she meditated, leaving her unable to get away.

Judging by their master’s condition, she would certainly finish regulating her breathing before noon. In other words, their master could personally go to Yan City and rescue Senior Sister He.

Still, Luo Yunshuang had to inform her senior sister in time that their master had returned, lest Qi Xinyue lead people to rescue their second senior sister on her own and fall into danger.

Thus, she instructed Bai Ruoling to make the trip to the mountain temple and meet with their senior sister.

…

At that moment, Qi Xinyue and Zhang Qiuyu were waiting inside the mountain temple for Luo Yunshuang.

During this period, Qi Xinyue had constantly been searching for their fourth sister, but she could not find her no matter what she tried. Their fourth sister seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth.

Their third sister, Lu Xian—the strongest among the seven of them—was unwilling to lend a hand. Qi Xinyue felt that the four of them alone would have little hope of rescuing their second sister, He Yixin. Moreover, the Brahma Abyss Sect was now controlled by Luo Ziyin, so no one within the sect dared to offer assistance.

However, Qi Xinyue had invited three other great sects of the demonic path to come to their aid. All three had once received favors from their master, Qin Xuanxi, and it was only because of that past kindness that they were willing to intervene.

Unfortunately, those three great demonic sects seemed unwilling to offend Luo Ziyin either. The people they had sent were all rather weak, and they were still on the road.

Under such circumstances, Qi Xinyue was not particularly confident that she could rescue her second sister.

Just then, a gigantic white python slithered into the temple. In the next moment, it transformed into human form before Qi Xinyue.

“Senior Sister!”

Bai Ruoling threw herself at Qi Xinyue.

Qi Xinyue pushed her away. “Bai Ruoling, stop fooling around. This is serious. Where is Luo Yunshuang?”

“Senior Sister Yunshuang is protecting Master at her side.” Bai Ruoling smiled.

“What nonsense are you talking about? Master has already—”

Qi Xinyue’s voice abruptly cut off. She understood that her junior sister Ruoling would never joke about their master’s life or death.

“Senior Sister!” Bai Ruoling suddenly became solemn. “Master is still alive. She has returned.”

For a moment, Qi Xinyue and Zhang Qiuyu were so overwhelmed with excitement that they could hardly speak.

“Take me to Master at once!” Qi Xinyue cried out excitedly.

Before going to see their master, however, Qi Xinyue summoned three thunder pigeons capable of delivering messages. She sent word to the demonic reinforcements still on the road, telling them to turn back and that she would visit them personally to express her gratitude in the future.

After all, now that their master had returned, there was no longer any need for the expendable forces of those three great demonic sects. There was no reason to owe them another tremendous favor.

…

More than half an hour later, in Yan City—

Less than a quarter of an hour remained before noon.

The six Immortal Venerables from the Immortal Edict Sect, the Divine Moon Palace, and the Tyrant's Gate, along with fifty Immortal Masters, had all arrived before the execution platform.

Yet the impostor Profound Abyss Demon Venerable had still not appeared.

Lu Yixian wondered whether someone among them had leaked the news. Perhaps the impostor had learned that his identity was exposed and no longer dared to come.

But what of that demoness’s other disciples? Were they afraid to come as well?

Seeing that the time was nearly upon them, Lu Yixian shouted, “Prepare for the execution!”

At that very moment, a crimson figure crashed down upon the execution platform.

The newcomer had short white hair and a sheathed saber hanging at her waist. Scarlet flames coiled around her entire body.

She was Qin Xuanxi’s strongest female disciple—Lu Xian.

Lu Xian had previously refused Qi Xinyue’s request to join in rescuing He Yixin. In the end, however, she could not let go of the years of fellowship between them. She had come after all.

Yet when she looked around, she froze.

Where were her senior sisters? Why was she the only one who had come to raid the execution platform?