Chapter 58: The Dual Cultivation Ceremony

The following morning, the major guilds received a dispatch from the Holy See of Light. It contained a magical projection capturing the duel between Zhang Xiao and Wikrus. Upon witnessing the combat, the leadership of these professional guilds felt a sense of foreboding. Although Wikrus was not widely famous, he was a key talent nurtured by the Warrior Guild, possessing strength on the verge of reaching a Level 7 Berserker.

Every professional guild was aware of this, yet the mysterious Easterner, Zhang Xiao, had soundly defeated him—and it appeared he hadn't even unleashed his full power. This realization weighed heavily on the guilds. The intent of the Holy See of Light was clear: they demanded that all guilds monitor Zhang Xiao’s movements and, once spotted, immediately notify the local branch master to execute him, ensuring this "Eastern devil" was nipped in the bud.

Faced with this demand, the guild masters merely offered lip service. After all, when it came down to it, the grudge was primarily between Zhang Xiao, the Holy See, and the Warrior Guild; there was no reason for the others to exhaust themselves for no reward.

Meanwhile, inside the Xuantian Cave Abode, Zhang Xiao clutched a letter detailing the current domestic developments and shifts in the situation. The most jarring news was that the Maoshan Sect and the Ten Thousand Demon Sect had joined forces to retrieve the Tai’e Divine Sword and presented it to the First Emperor. The Tai’e was an imperial blade; while it might not hold the same legendary status as the ancient Xuanyuan Sword, it was known as the supreme divine sword of antiquity.

As the only one capable of wielding the blade, the First Emperor immediately initiated the first Heaven-Sacrifice Ceremony since the transformation of China. The Maoshan and Ten Thousand Demon Sects split the merits generated from the ceremony, inciting immense jealousy among the other seven major sects.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiao’s brows twitched. The Tai’e Divine Sword! Back when he was at the Sword-Washing Pool, he had used a Heaven-Thunder Pearl imbued with celestial might to draw the sword out from its depths. At the time, Kong Xuan and Wan Mozi had been discussing how to divide the merits. Zhang Xiao hadn't understood then, but now it was clear—so that was how it played out.

"Damn it," Zhang Xiao cursed inwardly. "I was the one who lured the Tai’e out; even if they split it, I should have had a share!"

Zhang Xiao was no longer the novice he once was. Through the library of the Xuantian Cave Abode, he had learned that merit was a universal panacea. Whether refining weapons, concocting pills, or cultivating, merit could serve as an invaluable aid. He possessed 2,800 points of merit, but he dared not squander them. He knew well how hard they were to earn—saving 100,000 lives had only granted him 800. He was saving them for when his Seventh Transformation of the Xuantian Art reached the fifth stage, where his current methods would no longer suffice.

Thinking of the benefits he had missed, Zhang Xiao cursed the two old fossils, Wan Mozi and Kong Xuan. The amount of merit must have been staggering to make the other seven sects so envious; no doubt, the Maoshan and Ten Thousand Demon Sects would use this windfall to cultivate a large number of masters.

Unable to change the situation, he continued reading. The rest of the news was trivial—reports of new masters emerging here and there—and he soon lost interest. Just as he was about to set the letter aside to begin his secluded meditation, a headline caught his eye.

Zhang Yifan, the Sect Master of Kunlun, had announced to the world that he would hold a grand dual-cultivation ceremony at the peak of Mount Kunlun in one month. Zhang Xiao couldn't help but scoff. Dual cultivation with an equal after reaching the Nascent Soul stage provided great benefits, but for a sect leader like Zhang Yifan, this felt rushed. One month was hardly enough time for other sects to even prepare gifts. Curious about who the future mistress of Kunlun might be, he looked closer.

Lan Fang!

The name struck him like a bolt of lightning. His mind went blank, and he stood frozen, stunned. "Bastard... how could it be like this?"

Regaining his senses, Zhang Xiao’s eyes turned bloodshot. He hurled the letter aside, and a violent, murderous aura erupted from his body, shredding the surrounding vegetation and jade platforms.

"Young Master! Ah!" Sensing the disturbance, Ziyan hurried out from the Xuantian Command Talisman, but before she could even grasp the situation, she was blown away by the intensity of Zhang Xiao’s murderous intent.

Her cry of alarm snapped Zhang Xiao back to reality. Seeing Ziyan lying on the ground, her spirit form flickering and near dissipation, his heart turned cold. He immediately suppressed his aura. He rushed to her side, cursing his own recklessness. Without a second thought, he retrieved a jade box from his bone ring.

Breaking the seal, he revealed a fruit that resembled a human infant. He had originally harvested seven from the Soul-Suppressing Tree, having already used one and given another to Wang Ben. He had five left, which he intended to save until he reached the Spirit-Refining stage, but the current situation left him no choice. He took one out and sliced it, letting the drops of juice—each containing pure spiritual power—drip into Ziyan’s fading spirit form.

As her form stabilized, Zhang Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. Although she called him "Young Master," he viewed her as a younger sister. If anything happened to her because of his outburst, he would never forgive himself. Seeing the fruit’s miraculous effect, he used his Pure Yang Fire to refine the rest of the fruit into liquid and merged it into her spirit.

"Young Master... don't leave Ziyan..." she murmured. Her words warmed his heart but also filled him with regret. If he hadn't possessed such a treasure, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

As Ziyan awoke, she saw Zhang Xiao staring at her. Blushing, she asked, "Young Master? What happened? I felt like... I..."

"I accidentally hurt you. You terrified me," Zhang Xiao said quickly. "Remember, if I ever lose control again, contact me through our mental link; never manifest physically. If I hadn't had the Soul-Suppressing Fruit, you would have been scattered to the winds."

"The Soul-Suppressing Fruit?" Ziyan’s expression changed. "Young Master, how could you use that on me? What will you do when you reach the Spirit-Refining stage?"

Zhang Xiao laughed. "I'll manage. I've only just entered the Nascent Soul stage; I'm a long way from the next step. Besides, I have four left. Your safety is what matters."

Ziyan felt a mix of sweetness and sorrow at his words, feelings she couldn't fully express. Sensing she was still uneasy, Zhang Xiao checked her with his spiritual sense, confirming she was fully restored.

"Young Master, what was that earlier?" she asked.

Zhang Xiao’s smile stiffened. Having regained his composure, he picked up the letter. "It’s nothing. I just got a little agitated."

Ziyan understood he didn't want to talk about it. Once she returned to the talisman, Zhang Xiao sat in the cold, silent room for an entire day. He couldn't tell if this was a conspiracy or a voluntary union, but he knew one thing: he had to go to Kunlun.

He used the teleportation array to reach the Hong Sect. Shangguan Tianheng, though surprised by the sudden visit, came out to greet him.

"Tianheng, I need a favor," Zhang Xiao said, skipping the pleasantries. "I need all the information you have on Kunlun, specifically regarding Zhang Yifan’s upcoming dual-cultivation ceremony. The more detailed, the better."

Shangguan Tianheng was shocked. "What are you planning to do?"

Zhang Xiao revealed a cold, sharp smile. "Nothing much. I’m just going to crash the wedding."