Chapter 149 Enlightenment and Breakthrough

After Dongfang Ba was critically wounded and left at death's door, the senior figures of both clans rushed to the Ancient God-Communicating Relic, their expressions a mix of shock and uncertainty.

Many of the younger disciples cast fearful and wary glances toward Xu Xuan, finding it hard to imagine what kind of horrific fate would have awaited them if that terrifying blow had landed on their own bodies.

Most of the disciples from both clans had suffered varying degrees of injury in the previous exchange of fiery explosions. Lin Hui was in the most miserable state; his entire right arm had been blown off. Pale-faced, he leaned against the rock wall, his expression filled with sorrow and grief. As he gazed at the handsome youth standing at the center of everyone's attention, a mixture of jealousy and hatred welled up in his heart, alongside a profound sense of decadence and powerlessness.

By now, how could he still fail to understand that Xu Xuan's true strength was simply beyond anything he could compare with? After this battle, the opponent was destined to become a legendary figure among the younger generation of Yellow Dragon City. Only the young lord-level figures of the two major families could rival him. In comparison, his own status and strength were utterly insignificant.

"Haha, Dongfang Wei, the contest for this Ancient God-Communicating Relic hadn't exceeded the one-day time limit yet, and you openly intervened in a clash between the younger generation. Considering your eagerness to save your son, I'll let this matter pass for now, but the duel... must still continue!"

Zhang Tianlun's face was flushed with radiance, a brilliant smile plastered across his face as he stared fixedly at the Head of the Dongfang Family.

The duel had to continue?

The senior figures of both clans exchanged glances, while the numerous disciples wore strange expressions.

Xu Xuan secretly found it amusing. It was obvious that Zhang Tianlun was trying to force Dongfang Wei to admit defeat.

If the competition were to continue, let alone Dongfang Ba, the rest of the remaining elite disciples would probably be killed off entirely.

The disciples of the Dongfang family turned pale, their expressions fearful and deeply tense. The situation was crystal clear now; the Dongfang family had no chance of a comeback.

Dongfang Wei's expression was gloomy. Dongfang Ba, lying before him, was barely clinging to life thanks to timely emergency treatment. With his single remaining eye, Dongfang Ba stared coldly at Xu Xuan, filled with intense hostility and hatred, wishing he could drink his blood and eat his flesh.

"Today's contest ends right here. This Ancient God-Communicating Relic will be temporarily handed over to your Zhang family for a period of time."

Dongfang Wei's tone sounded strained, and his expression was extremely unwilling, yet he had no choice but to concede defeat.

Before long, all the Dongfang family disciples within the Ancient God-Communicating Relic withdrew entirely, returning to the dragon-headed flying ship hovering obliquely above the water curtain waterfall. Dongfang Ba was also carried back.

Soon, only the Zhang family disciples and senior elders remained in the relic. Watching the Dongfang family's dragon-headed flying ship retreat far into the distance, everyone except Lin Hui was overjoyed, celebrating their victory.

"In today's battle, you youngsters have brought glory to the Zhang family, exhaled a breath of long-suppressed anger, and won this Ancient God-Communicating Relic. Once we return to the family, everyone will be heavily rewarded..."

Zhang Tianlun looked around at the crowd and laughed heartily.

The young disciples within the clan were all ecstatic and excited, breaking into cheers.

Xu Xuan merely smiled faintly while sitting cross-legged to regulate his breathing. Zhang Yuhan and Xu Huilan tended to him together, and after swallowing a few spiritual pills, he could clearly feel his injuries recovering.

In stark contrast, Lin Hui felt utterly lost and depressed. His arm had been blown off, and although someone was taking care of him, his cousin Yuhan—whom he regarded as a goddess—only came over to offer a brief word of comfort before placing her entire heart and soul on that fellow Xu Xuan. It was truly infuriating and deeply unjust.

"Xu Xuan, this time you've made a monumental contribution to the family, turning the tide in a moment of crisis and inspiring us all. Moreover, your performance today has made the family's higher-ups look at you in a completely new light. In the future, my Zhang family will definitely focus on cultivating you and your sister. Feel free to bring up any requests you might have."

Zhang Tianlun walked over to Xu Xuan's side, smilingly patted his shoulder, offered a few words of comfort, and finally said to his daughter, "Yuhan, make sure you take good care of him."

"Father, rest assured..."

Sensing her father's knowing and meaningful gaze, Zhang Yuhan's cheeks flushed slightly as she lowered her head and replied in a soft voice.

With her intelligence and wisdom, she naturally understood the underlying motives behind her father's words. A peerless talent like Xu Xuan was a rare sight across the entire Yellow Dragon City, so it was only natural to rope him in. But Xu Xuan was ultimately an outsider who might one day leave Yellow Dragon City; the best way to secure him was to turn him completely into one of their own...

Xu Xuan concentrated on healing his injuries, and within just a day or two, he had recovered seven or eight-tenths. During this period, Zhang Yuhan took meticulous care of him, acting with intimate familiarity and casting aside the aloof reserve of a young mistress.

This, falling into the eyes of the other Zhang family disciples, naturally provoked immense envy—especially for Lin Hui, whose inner jealousy flickered and burned repeatedly.

By now, anyone with clear eyes could see the unusual "care" the young mistress bestowed upon Xu Xuan.

This nameless kid from a small village sect had now risen like a comet, winning the favor and affection of Yellow Dragon's premier beauty. Who could help but feel envious and jealous?

Taking advantage of a moment when Zhang Yuhan was absent, Xu Huilan crept up to Xu Xuan's ear and whispered with dissatisfaction, "Brother, you couldn't have actually fallen for the Zhang family's background and beauty, could you?"

Hearing this, Xu Xuan almost choked with exasperation. What kind of logic was that? How could anyone accuse him of falling for someone else's family background and beauty?

Although he wouldn't admit to having a special fondness for Zhang Yuhan, such affection was something almost any young man would feel upon meeting a beauty of her caliber.

After all, the appreciation of beauty is universal.

"Hmph, if you're merely trying to latch onto an influential force like the Zhang family, I won't forgive you!" Xu Huilan said with a pout, before her bright eyes revealed a hint of forbearance. "Huilan thinks Miss Zhang is quite nice, but I like Sister Yuqin much better. If you do that, she'll be very heartbroken..."

"Alright, I know what I'm doing and I have my own plans regarding these matters."

With a calm expression, Xu Xuan slowly stood up.

He had stayed in the Qiongyu Flying Pavilion for the past few days to recuperate, but he still couldn't let go of the Ancient God-Communicating Relic.

Just as he prepared to fly over, Zhang Yuhan's soft and sweet voice sounded from behind him: "Brother Xuan, you're injured. Let me fly you over."

Zhang Yuhan flicked her fair hand, projecting a vibrant and nimble azure silk ribbon that grew rapidly in the wind, overflowing with colorful light. It quickly carried the two of them toward the location of the Ancient God-Communicating Relic.

This type of ribbon-shaped flight artifact did not have a fixed form, floating somewhat unsteadily beneath their feet. As the two advanced, their bodies swayed slightly, inevitably leading to some light brushes of skin against skin.

When Xu Xuan landed on the ancient relic behind the water curtain, a trace of refined, intoxicating fragrance still lingered around his nose. The face of Zhang Yuhan, who accompanied him closely, was as flawless as snow-white jade with a lingering rosy warmth, yet she spoke with casual ease and maintained an elegant, graceful demeanor.

Ever since their victory in the duel that day, this relic had been heavily guarded by the Zhang family, who were preparing to set up a powerful defensive array here. Xu Huilan was naturally given an important role, becoming the chief formation master tasked with setting up this defensive array.

Just like last time, Xu Xuan stepped before the footprint relic, placing both feet within it and fixing his gaze on the majestic, broken scar on the opposite dark rock cliff.

The spiritual intent within the Ancient God-Communicating Relic was still present, but due to the comprehension attempts made by other Zhang family disciples, the divine majesty contained within the relic had somewhat diminished.

This time, undisturbed by anyone else, Xu Xuan quietly comprehended. A scorching, majestic momentum gradually emanated from his body, making it quite uncomfortable for the nearby family disciples to bear. Zhang Yuhan also felt somewhat restless and unsettled, but when her eyes brushed against the youthful figure standing so close to her, her heart fluttered like a startled deer, her pretty face flushing crimson—though perhaps this was largely due to the influence of that overwhelming momentum.

Xu Xuan concentrated on his comprehension, the momentum around him undergoing continuous refinement and transformation, growing increasingly profound and powerful.

Through this process, his mental state climbed step by step.

When a certain threshold was reached, Xu Xuan suddenly stopped. The divine light in his eyes, upon the briefest contact, gave off a scorching, burning pressure.

"It seems the help this Ancient God-Communicating Relic can offer me has reached its absolute limit."

There was neither surprise nor joy on Xu Xuan's face, making his thoughts inscrutable.

However, his current realm had reached the peak of the ninth layer of Qi Refining, even faintly touching upon the threshold of the Spirit Refining stage.

"Hahaha... As long as you keep up your cultivation, you'll be able to break through to the Spirit Refining stage in at most a year. That speed is slightly faster than in your past life."

The remnant soul of his past life laughed heartily.

Xu Xuan also felt a trace of pride, but realizing that his current achievements were built upon the foundation and insights of his past life—coupled with various bizarre fortuitous encounters—he quickly restrained his arrogance. Although ancient body cultivation was incomparably arduous, his past life had practiced both immortality and martial arts simultaneously, even mastering most cultivation methods. That heaven-defying capability was beyond imagination.

Over the next few days, Xu Xuan quietly cultivated inside the Ancient God-Communicating Relic, and the vital energy within his body suddenly broke through a barrier, reaching the eighth layer of Qi Refining.

The eighth layer of Qi Refining!

Such progress greatly boosted Xu Xuan's confidence. With just two more breakthroughs, he would be able to ascend to the Spirit Refining stage, at which point he hoped to practice the true core teachings left behind for him by his past life.

After advancing to the eighth layer of Qi Refining, Xu Xuan began assisting his sister in setting up the defensive array.

One evening, on the other side of the relic's waterfall, a strange man slowly flew over carrying a sword on his back, arousing the vigilance of the Zhang family disciples.

"Who goes there? How dare you trespass into the Zhang family's forbidden territory!"

Zhang Feng led several family disciples forward to block his path.

"The Zhang family?" A cold smile appeared on the man's stern face. "When I last entered this place, nobody had claimed it yet."

The man's cultivation was roughly around the seventh or eighth layer of Qi Refining, yet facing a Spirit Refining immortal master, his tone and attitude were unexpectedly tough and domineering.

"Young Lord, let me capture him."

A disciple at the ninth layer of Qi Refining by his side leaped toward the sword-cultivating man, his sleeves sweeping out a dazzling wave of blue ice that shrouded downward from above.

"Hmph!"

The sword-cultivating man didn't even move; a startling sword-shaped cold glare erupted from his eyes. The attacking family disciple suddenly felt his entire body turn icy cold and rigid. His mind shook with extreme terror, the magical light in his hands dissipated, and his body trembled violently.

Zhang Feng was greatly shocked. This person had suppressed the attacker using merely an aura of sword intent—it was simply unimaginable.

"Stop!"

A youthful figure leapt over from behind, landing gently between the two sides. A scorching, heart-scorching momentum instantly dispersed the sword-cultivating man's icy sword intent.

"It's you... Xu Xuan!"

The sword-cultivating man's expression finally shifted as he stared fixedly at the youth, suddenly recognizing his identity.

"Heh, Nie Han, I didn't expect us to meet here."

A trace of pleasant surprise also appeared on Xu Xuan's face.

Zhang Feng and the others were secretly astonished. This mysterious sword cultivator with such astonishing strength turned out to be an acquaintance of Xu Xuan.