The process of forming a team went very smoothly. After a brief conversation, Ji Zidian, despite her persistent dislike for the Divination Sect, ultimately decided to inconvenience herself to "pull Junior Sister Jiang Ling'er out of the deep pit of the Divination Sect." She formed a team with Wang Xiu and Jiang Ling'er, and together they set off for Maple City.
Maple City was more than five hundred miles away from the Sanqing Immortal Sect. Even flying on a sword at the speed of a Foundation Establishment Stage disciple, it would take the better part of an hour to arrive. As for Jiang Ling'er, with her Cultivation Level at the Eighth Heaven of Qi Refinement, it would take her at least half a day to fly there.
Exiting the Task Hall, Wang Xiu summoned the high-grade Magical Treasure, the Black Tortoise Mirror. Jiang Ling'er's eyes lit up, and she was about to ask to climb onto the mirror and ride with her Senior Brother.
However, at that very moment, Ji Zidian's voice rang out. "Junior Sister Ling'er, get on my sword. I'm faster!"
Jiang Ling'er was speechless.
Wang Xiu laughed. "Ling'er, hurry up and thank Senior Sister Ji."
Although Ji Zidian was the same age as Wang Xiu, only fifteen, her Cultivation Level had already reached the Sixth Heaven of the Foundation Establishment Realm. Even among True Disciples, her talent for cultivation was absolutely top-notch. Moreover, the Thunder Sect's sword-flying secret technique was renowned for being as swift as lightning. Among all thirty-six branches, very few could compare. Even if Wang Xiu went all out, in terms of sword-flight speed, he couldn't guarantee victory against her.
"Thank you, Senior Sister Ji," Jiang Ling'er said, though she couldn't muster a joyous expression.
Sob... I could have been hugging Senior Brother's waist for a good half hour, but this woman had to stick her nose in and ruin it. This woman from the Thunder Sect is such a buzzkill.
SWOOSH.
The purple sword light and the green mirror light cut through the sky in tandem, offering a panoramic view of the beautiful peaks of the Sanqing mountains. The layered clouds and overlapping peaks were a breathtaking sight.
It had to be said that Ji Zidian lived up to her reputation as the most brilliant and stunning female True Disciple of the Thunder Sect. Her sword flight was incredibly fast, even while carrying Jiang Ling'er. Even with Wang Xiu pushing the Black Tortoise Mirror to its limits, he could only just keep pace with her.
Of course, this was also related to him only revealing a Cultivation Level of Foundation Establishment First Heaven. If he were to reveal his true cultivation of 'Foundation Establishment Fifth Heaven', surpassing her a few times over would likely not be difficult. After all, Wang Xiu's Black Tortoise Mirror carried only one person, while Ji Zidian's sword had to bear the pressure of two girls, which obviously consumed more energy.
On the other hand, the speed Wang Xiu displayed couldn't help but astonish Ji Zidian. A mere Foundation Establishment First Heaven disciple could use such a swift flight technique. No, he didn't even have a flying sword. What he was riding... was a turtle shell! Following right behind her, the image of a turtle chasing lightning was just too striking.
What a pity he joined the wrong sect, Ji Zidian couldn't help but sigh to herself. If this guy had joined the Thunder Sect, he might have become a prodigy of his generation.
More than half an hour later, Ji Zidian and Wang Xiu descended into a small city. The streets were lined with numerous maple trees, their leaves swaying beautifully in the gentle breeze. It was said that every autumn, the nearby mountains and streets would be set ablaze with fiery red leaves, an absolutely stunning sight.
"Celestial Heart, to your sheath!" Ji Zidian formed a sword seal with her hand, and the Celestial Heart Sword, a top-grade Magic Artifact, immediately returned to the scabbard on her back.
"Wang Xiu," Ji Zidian said, "are you two going to Landlord He's home to perform the rite first, or will you come with me up the mountain to slay the ghost?"
"Perform the rite!"
"Slay the Malicious Ghost!"
Jiang Ling'er's and Wang Xiu's voices rang out at almost the exact same time.
An awkward expression appeared on Jiang Ling'er's face.
Whine... My plan to have some private time with Senior Brother is ruined again.
Wang Xiu chuckled. "Of course, we'll follow Senior Sister Ji to slay the Malicious Ghost. If we stick together, we can watch each other's backs."
"Besides," Wang Xiu gave Ji Zidian a meaningful look and smiled, "the Thunder Sect's thunder spells are magnificent and majestic, known as the bane of Evil Demons. My junior sister here is very eager to witness them for herself!"
Junior sister? Ji Zidian was taken aback for a moment before snapping back to reality.
I almost forgot. The main reason I teamed up with them was to show off my strength and poach that girl, Jiang Ling'er. Originally, I planned to have a heart-to-heart with her during the flight and let her know just how powerful the Thunder Sect is. But when I saw Wang Xiu riding on a turtle shell and still managing to keep up with me, my competitive spirit was ignited. I completely forgot my objective and just focused on racing him.
Ahem. Since she had promised Wang Xiu she would play along with his scheme, she still had to do her part.
Ji Zidian coughed lightly, lifted her chin, and said haughtily, "I'm not just bragging, but the spells of the Thunder Sect are unparalleled in this world. Never mind the Sanqing Immortal Sect, even across the entire Immortal Alliance of the Divine Province, no other sect can compare!"
[Ding!]
[Alert! Detecting extravagant boasting, triggering a critical hit and reaching the System's high threshold. Congratulations to the Host for receiving: Mana +27, Mana Quality +27.]
[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining: Complete Experience Card for the Taiyi Thunder Control True Canon!]
What? Jiang Yourong thought. Are all Thunder Sect disciples this arrogant nowadays? Back in my youth, the Thunder Sect of the Sanqing Immortal Sect was indeed domineering and known as the bane of Evil Demons. But even at their peak, they would never have dared to make such an outrageous claim of being 'unparalleled in this world' or that 'no other sect in the entire Immortal Alliance could compare'! If they had actually said that, countless old monsters from the 360 other branches of the Sanqing Immortal Sect alone would have shown up at their door to challenge them!
Moreover, after the seal on Demon Sea Island was damaged, an army of a hundred thousand from the Demon Race ambushed the Sanqing Immortal Sect. As the bane of Evil Demons, the Thunder Sect was a primary target. Half of their sect's mountain was destroyed, their casualties were heavy, and many of their inheritances were lost. It was a devastating blow to their strength. And now this girl dares to boast that the Thunder Sect is unparalleled? I don't know if she's confident or just delusional.
While Jiang Yourong was filled with skepticism and Jiang Ling'er was pouting in annoyance at Ji Zidian, Wang Xiu was absolutely ecstatic.
Worthy of the Thunder Sect's princess. She doesn't boast often, but when she does, it's a critical hit!
Looking at the proud, purple-haired young woman, Wang Xiu exclaimed with sincere admiration, "Executing heaven's will, vanquishing demons, and purging evil! The style of the Thunder Sect is truly something one yearns for! I only regret that I grew up in the Divination Sect and have already become one with it."
"Otherwise," he declared passionately, "if I could just join the Thunder Sect to study the Thunder Technique, I would be willing to pay any price, even my life!"
Hmph. You've got good taste! You recognize the might of my Thunder Sect! Ji Zidian proudly wrinkled her small, delicate nose.
At that moment, she suddenly remembered something her senior sister, Xiao Qingyu, had once said. Other than his annoying identity as a member of the Divination Sect, this guy was actually quite likable. Indeed.
Thinking of this, Ji Zidian turned her head away slightly. "If you really want to study the Thunder Technique, you don't necessarily have to join the Thunder Sect."
"To prevent the tragedy of our inheritances being severed, like what happened eight hundred years ago, from ever happening again, the Sect Leader has declared a policy of 'teaching without discrimination.'"
"The inheritances of the thirty-six branches of our sect are all backed up in the Scripture Pavilion on Dragon Head Peak. True Disciples can borrow the manuals from any peak, so long as they pay the required Spirit Stones and Sect Contribution Points. Our Thunder Sect's techniques are also recorded there. You're free to go borrow and practice them yourself."
Wang Xiu paused for a moment, then shook his head with a sigh. "That's easier said than done!"
"Although every peak's inheritance is recorded in the Scripture Pavilion, the ultimate secrets of the Thunder Sect are profound and unfathomable. Practicing them is also extremely dangerous. One small mistake could lead to self-immolation by lightning. Without the guidance of a master proficient in this path, how could anyone possibly learn the Thunder Technique on their own?"
That was a fair point.
Ji Zidian wrinkled her little nose and blurted out, "What's so hard about that? If you want to learn the Thunder Technique, I'll teach you!"
Silence.
The atmosphere suddenly became a bit delicate.
As the reality of her words sank in, Ji Zidian's lip twitched, and she had the urge to palm her own face.
What on earth did I just say?!