Chapter 9: The Life-and-Death Writ!

The moment Chu Tianxiong spoke, Ji Yaoyue was rendered speechless. Behind her, Liu Ruyan’s heart skipped a beat. The Sect Master was clearly protecting Lu Jin!

“But Sect Master, this boy was a cripple three years ago. To have such cultivation now, he must have practiced demonic arts in that cave. Otherwise, he could never have reached such a level!”

“Our Ten Thousand Swords Sect has never tolerated the demonic path. This boy… he cannot be allowed to remain!”

Hearing this, Chu Tianxiong’s brow furrowed. “Peak Master Ji, are you teaching me how to do my job?”

His voice was calm, yet it carried an untouchable majesty. Ji Yaoyue froze again. Chu Tianxiong was the Sect Master, a ninth-grade Jindan powerhouse: he was not someone a Peak Master could afford to offend.

“This subordinate would not dare.”

Chu Tianxiong remained expressionless as he turned to Lu Jin. “Disappearing for three years only to return with such dominance… it is indeed suspicious.”

He reached out a hand. A strand of spiritual power drilled into Lu Jin’s body, snaking through him like a dragon. Lu Jin instantly withdrew all his aura; the Heaven Burial Coffin vanished without a trace. With Empress Qinglian overseeing the interior of the coffin, it was impossible for Chu Tianxiong to detect it.

However, when that strand of Qi encountered the Emperor Tyrant Glazed Bone and the Endless Dantian, Chu Tianxiong’s expression shifted drastically. Although he could not probe the exact depth of these wonders, he knew that Lu Jin’s fortune was beyond staggering.

He quickly suppressed his shock, replacing it with a faint smile and a nod. “Good. Very good.”

He looked up and scanned the surroundings, his voice ringing out clearly. “I have personally inspected Lu Jin’s aura. The spiritual power in his body is majestic and pure; there is not a single trace of demonic influence. If anyone uses that as an excuse to slaughter a genius of my Ten Thousand Swords Sect again, they will answer to me!”

The crowd’s expressions changed instantly. They understood that Chu Tianxiong was determined to protect him. Indeed, the strength Lu Jin displayed was incredible. He had almost killed the Saintess Liu Ruyan. He was a genius among geniuses.

Liu Ruyan’s eyes flared with an uncontrollable rage. But with the Sect Master present, not even her Shifu could sway the outcome. She would have to find another time to eliminate him.

The secrets on this boy are not simple. You must find an opportunity to take him down. Master Fox’s voice echoed in her mind.

Master Fox, I certainly will! She tightened her fists, forcing her resentment deep down.

Chu Tianxiong reached out and patted Lu Jin’s shoulder. “With her Shifu here today, your revenge is impossible. You cannot defeat Ji Yaoyue.”

Lu Jin frowned. Chu Tianxiong’s attitude toward him was unexpected. However, the Sect Master was right: his spiritual power was severely depleted. If he tried to force a fight against Ji Yaoyue now, he would have no chance of winning. In that sense, Chu Tianxiong had saved him twice now. This was a significant debt of gratitude.

Chu Tianxiong continued, “How about this: in one month, the Blood Moon Holy Land will select disciples at the Eight-Division Blood Dragon Altar. According to our sect rules, three days before that selection, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect will hold its own internal trials. You can have your duel then. Settle your grudges and pay back your debts. At that time, none of the sect leaders will interfere. What do you say?”

The crowd was stunned. No one expected the Sect Master to make such a proposal. It was clear he was giving Lu Jin a chance, while also giving Liu Ruyan a way out for now. Both were martial geniuses; although a month was short, it held infinite possibilities. Who would survive was anyone’s guess.

Lu Jin nodded slowly. “Sect Master!”

“If I remember correctly, any disciple can issue a challenge during those trials. Furthermore, if both parties agree, they can sign a Life-and-Death Writ?”

The crowd immediately understood Lu Jin’s intent. He wanted a fight to the death with Liu Ruyan!

Chu Tianxiong’s expression was as still as a deep well. He nodded. “Correct. Those who enter the Blood Moon Holy Land must be the most outstanding of cultivators. If one cannot even survive a duel, what kind of genius are they?”

Lu Jin’s gaze turned freezing as he looked at Liu Ruyan. “Then, today I shall issue a Life-and-Death Writ! Liu Ruyan, Saintess of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect… do you dare to fight me!”

Everyone looked at Liu Ruyan. It was clear that although Lu Jin was still in the Spirit Pearl Realm, his combat power had already rivaled her own. No one knew how much he would grow in a month. But by then, he would surely be even more terrifying.

Liu Ruyan ground her teeth and looked at Ji Yaoyue. Her Shifu did not speak immediately. Lu Jin had been able to hold his ground against her briefly; that proved he had unknown secrets. Not knowing the opponent’s depth was the greatest danger.

Suddenly, Master Fox’s voice rang in Liu Ruyan’s mind again. Agree to it!

Within ten days, you will have the chance to strike at the second grade of the Jindan Realm. By then, you will be qualified to practice the second layer of the Great Plundering Immortal Art. Once that is complete, you will be able to fight even fourth-grade Jindans! Killing him then will be as easy as stepping on an ant!

Liu Ruyan nodded inwardly and looked at Lu Jin. Her voice was cold. “Fine! I accept!”

Ji Yaoyue’s expression shifted. “Ruyan, are you certain you want to enter the Life-and-Death arena with him?”

“Do not worry, Shifu. My breakthrough to the second grade of Jindan is imminent. Once I break through, my power will skyrocket. For a mere Spirit Pearl brat to try and kill me? Impossible!”

Ji Yaoyue nodded. “In that case… I will do everything in my power to help you break through!”

“Thank you, Shifu!”

Ji Yaoyue looked at Chu Tianxiong. “Sect Master, since this is settled, I shall take my leave!” She then led Liu Ruyan away.

Lu Jin watched them leave. Though he was unwilling to let her go, he suppressed his emotions for now. He had only been awake for a few days, yet his cultivation had progressed this far. He was full of anticipation for the battle twenty days from now.

“Lu Jin, follow me,” Chu Tianxiong said calmly. He grabbed Lu Jin’s arm, and both vanished from the spot.

Back on Saintess Peak, the crowd was left in a state of shock.

“I didn’t think Lu Jin would return this strong after three years!”

“The Sect Master himself protected him. If he actually defeats the Saintess, his future will be limitless!”

“Kill the Saintess? Heh. She is the one Senior Brother Yang Dianfeng loves. Word has it Elder Chi Yue has already pre-selected her for the Holy Land. If Lu Jin dares to kill her, he’s slapping the face of the Blood Moon Holy Land!”

“How did Senior Brother Lu Jin survive these three years after being framed? I actually want to see him grow stronger…”

While the disciples gossiped, Elder Luo Jiu and the others looked even more troubled. They had completely offended Lu Jin today. If Lu Jin truly killed the Saintess in that duel, their own ends would likely be miserable.

As they worried, they received a transmission. “Peak Master Ji is calling for us? Everyone, follow me!”

NOTES

Life-and-Death Writ: A formal challenge where the parties agree that the loser’s death carries no repercussions.