Chapter 114: Child of Heaven's Favor

Ying Xue exhaled deeply and said, “Ge Qian, is this all your strength? It’s overwhelming—I can hardly believe my eyes. I still remember the first time we met, I was whipping you, and now, in just a few years, you’ve grown so powerful. When you have time, you must teach me a thing or two.”

Ge Qian replied, “It’s just luck, nothing extraordinary. If you’re willing to abandon your current cultivation method, I could teach you the Six Paths Sword Technique.”

“The Six Paths Sword Technique? No, thanks. It’s not for me. Nine out of ten people who practice it end up deranged,” Ying Xue shook her head.

Ge Qian said, “Two big fish are coming this way. I’m prepared to adapt as needed.”

The others nodded in agreement, and they all slowly took flight.

From afar came a pair of golden youth and jade maiden. The young man was strikingly handsome, with a face as smooth as jade that was charming from every angle, exuding refined elegance. He was at the late foundation establishment stage, having reached near perfection in his cultivation.

The young woman possessed a beauty that could bring ruin to a nation. Her crimson lips were so sensuous they took one’s breath away, stirring a fierce desire to bite them. Her figure was graceful, clad in a flowing pale red dress that fluttered with the wind. Occasionally, her snow-white legs were glimpsed beneath. She too was at the late foundation establishment stage, almost perfected.

She strode confidently atop a giant eagle some twenty zhang in length. The eagle exuded a powerful aura, at the peak of the second rank. Yet, no trace of demonic energy could be felt from it; its eyes occasionally flickered with red light, revealing it to be a puppet beast, flying at incredible speed.

A puppet beast is a construct forged from various materials through secret techniques into puppet humans or beasts, animated by spirit stones. They have no will of their own and fearlessly face death, making them excellent assistants in combat and magical duels.

Due to their expensive production costs and high consumption of spirit stones, only disciples from major sects can afford to use them.

With a single flap of its wings, the giant eagle flew ten zhang forward. The young man stood on a small boat, three zhang long, inscribed with runes and equipped with a sail. With a slight shake, it surged ten zhang ahead, following closely.

This boat, called the Flying Spirit Boat, was crafted from the life feather of a third-rank flying spirit eagle, granting it extraordinary speed.

The boat and eagle flew side by side. The young woman seemed quite annoyed by the man’s presence and impatiently said, “Ren Guyue, stop following me like a shadow. You’re the fastest updater at the ‘Tide Listening Pavilion,’ and it’s really irritating. Don’t think just because you’re a little handsome and a disciple under He Changqi, I’ll like you. Dream on. You’re not my type. I admire heroes who shake the heavens and earth, regardless of their background. You’re just a greenhouse flower—too tender to withstand the storms.”

Her words were brutally harsh, nearly causing Ren Guyue to lose control, trembling all over. Fortunately, he forced himself to suppress the anger.

He gave an awkward smile and said, “Sister Huixian, you can’t say that. I’ve wracked my brain and can’t think of anyone more suitable for you than me. I am the last disciple of the patriarch of the Benevolent Sect; you are the granddaughter of the patriarch of the Heavenly Skill Holy Sect. We are a perfect match, created by heaven and earth. Others don’t even deserve to tie my shoes, let alone match you.”

“Stop being so self-indulgent. I don’t like you, and that’s final,” Qian Huixian said flatly, leaving no room for argument.

Ren Guyue, in a huff, said, “I know you like Fo Yaxin. Didn’t he dominate the Young Talents Competition? Don’t forget, I was second. You weren’t there when we fought; he only won by luck. Besides, he is a disciple of the Hongfa Temple, studying Buddhism and will eventually sever all desires to become a monk. Sister Huixian, you should stop longing for him.”

Qian Huixian’s temper flared. Coldly, she replied, “Ren Guyue, listen carefully. The one I like, even if he’s a monk, I’ll make him renounce. Even if he’s a demon, I’ll turn him into a bodhisattva. Don’t worry your head about it! Hmph!”

Ren Guyue shrank his neck in fright and changed the subject. “Sister Huixian, if you want to experience the mortal world, you don’t have to come to this remote, impoverished Zhao Kingdom. Our Benevolent Nation is vast, rich in resources, and its spiritual energy is many times stronger than here. If you want to explore the world, you should come to my country. Why go so far?”

“Didn’t I just say you’re a greenhouse flower and you don’t admit it? Now your childishness is showing. Didn’t your master tell you that in ancient times, Xuanwu Continent had only one country—the Zhao Kingdom? After some unknown catastrophe, Zhao split and the Heavenly Star Sect declined. Though fallen, as a pinnacle existence in ancient times, the cultivation techniques and treasures left here are extremely precious. That’s why I came—to train in the historically rich Zhao Kingdom. Got it, greenhouse flower?” Qian Huixian laughed.

Ren Guyue was temporarily speechless but still unwilling to concede. “A hero doesn’t dwell on past glories. Time passes and triumphs become dust. Currently, the number one sect on Xuanwu Continent is still our Benevolent Sect.”

“I’m not interested in arguing with you. Our paths differ, so don’t follow me. There’s someone interesting ahead—someone whose divine sense is even stronger than mine. Let’s go check them out. By the way, don’t follow me beyond this mountain. After crossing the sea lies the Red Scorch Desert. Your master is badly injured from fighting the Red Scorch monster; you won’t fare well there. Ha ha ha.” Qian Huixian urged her giant eagle onward.

With a powerful flap of its wings, it surged forward, breaking through the air.

Ren Guyue’s heart skipped a beat. His master had warned him to avoid the Red Scorch Desert, but fate seemed to have other plans. Perhaps Sister Huixian was testing his courage, and he couldn’t let her belittle him.

With that thought, he shook the sail and accelerated, transforming into a streak of light, chasing after her.

Ge Qian had heard their entire conversation clearly, and he was struck with surprise. The first disciple of the Benevolent Sect’s patriarch and the granddaughter of the Heavenly Skill Holy Sect’s leader—both heavenly prodigies. Yet, he couldn’t be intimidated. Whoever could be used, he would use.

After all, this was Zhao Kingdom. Seeing their arrogance, he felt a surge of irritation. They had come to his turf—now there would be some fun.

Qian Huixian deliberately circled halfway around to block Ge Qian and his companions. At the same time, Ren Guyue piloted his boat beside the giant eagle.

Ge Qian smiled slightly and said, “May I ask why you two friends are blocking our path?”

Bai Ruyu and Ying Xue flanked Ye Feng and Ye Yu, ready to face a formidable enemy.

Both Qian Huixian and Ren Guyue radiated a powerful aura, imposing and oppressive, far beyond the ordinary cultivators they had encountered earlier.

Qian Huixian smiled coquettishly, a siren who could ruin lives, and said, “Nothing much. We’re also wandering cultivators, specializing in bodyguard work. Where are you headed? Do you need to hire us?”

“We’re going to the Red Scorch Desert to gather medicinal herbs. Hiring you might be possible, but how do you charge?” Ge Qian hesitated.

“The price is negotiable—one hundred spirit stones per day. That’s quite cheap, isn’t it?” Qian Huixian said.

In the Nation of Bo Yun, wherever she went, major sects would immediately offer spirit stones and treasures worth tens of thousands. To her, a hundred spirit stones a day was already very low.

Ge Qian’s expression turned grave. “Friend, are you joking? Is this business or robbery? We work hard and risk our lives, only to earn just over a hundred spirit stones, and one of our comrades is injured and needs treatment. Two spirit stones a day is acceptable; otherwise, no deal. We still have to travel. Please step aside.”