Chapter Sixty-Six: Frightening Away the Night Rain

This was provocation—blatant provocation. How could Night Rain possibly endure it? If Ge Qian had been at the Foundation Establishment stage, he might have barely qualified, but he was merely at the Qi Gathering stage. Was he out of his mind, simply courting death?

No matter what, if she didn’t kill him today, the rage in her heart would never be soothed. Night Rain’s fury boiled over, and she snarled viciously, “So you refuse my offer and choose the hard way instead? Then die!”

She began to form a spell seal to cast her magic.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator’s attack was not something Ge Qian could withstand. Yet he raised his hand and said, “Wait. There is a late Core Formation cultivator behind me. If you kill me, you will bear his wrath. The head of your Ye Family is merely at mid Core Formation. If you enrage him, your entire family will be doomed. Are you sure you want to do this?”

Ge Qian’s face was full of arrogance, his head held high and chest out, completely unconcerned. She didn’t know his true strength, so he took the opportunity to boast and frighten Night Rain.

Sure enough, Night Rain did not strike. Her gaze flickered uncertainly, and her heart trembled. If what Ge Qian said was true, she indeed could not act recklessly. The Ye Family could not yet withstand the fury of a late Core Formation cultivator. At that level, cultivators acted with arrogance, killing as easily as slaughtering dogs. But to simply give up—how could she accept that?

Ge Qian’s talent seemed unremarkable, but his strength was formidable. It was entirely possible that a Core Formation cultivator backed him. With a sly glint in her eye, Night Rain said, “Even if you have a late Core Formation cultivator behind you, that’s not your own strength. You’re just a fox borrowing a tiger’s might, trying to scare others. But unfortunately for you, you’ve run into clever Night Rain. Just my luck. As long as I kill you cleanly, no one will ever know. Now die!”

Ge Qian showed no fear. He laughed heartily, his voice echoing to the heavens. With a flourish of his hand, he revealed three black orbs, each one crackling with purple lightning.

He said coldly, “Does Senior Night recognize these? If you’re not afraid of death, come at me.”

Night Rain was shocked. She knew exactly what they were: Violet Doom Yin Thunder. A single one could kill a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. These thunder orbs were infamous, a nightmare for Foundation Establishment cultivators. To think Ge Qian had three! Clearly, his claims weren’t empty; he truly did have a Core Formation backer.

She calculated silently. With one orb, she could risk her life and probably kill him, though she’d be gravely injured. With two, her life would be in grave danger. With three, she’d be doomed. It simply wasn’t worth it, especially since he had a Core Formation cultivator behind him.

Night Rain felt as if she’d swallowed a fly. She’d wanted Ge Qian to deal with Bai Ruyu and shatter Ye Feng’s Dao Heart, forcing him to choose his path anew.

Now she had gained nothing and suffered a humiliating rebuff. Her eyes were murderous, but she hesitated to strike.

Ge Qian knew she was ruthless and decisive, but the Violet Doom Yin Thunder had cowed her for the moment. He said, “Why aren’t you making a move? Are you afraid? If you lack the courage, then get out of my way.”

A gleam flashed in his eyes as he waved the Violet Doom Yin Thunder and shouted, “Leave!”

Night Rain instantly summoned her flying sword, transforming into a streak of light that vanished into the horizon. She left behind only a final threat: “Ge Qian, remember this! I hope you hold on to those thunder orbs forever, but one day, you’ll crawl at my feet like a dog, licking my toes! Hahaha!”

Ge Qian let out a long breath, cold sweat pouring down his back. “That was close. Without the thunder orbs, I’d have died here today. Clearly, strength is everything. Night Rain, once I reach Foundation Establishment, if you try to kill me again, you’ll never return.”

He calmed himself and flew off on his sword.

Upon returning to the Heavenly Star Sect, he found the place lively. Disciples on expeditions or missions were returning in droves. Some were exceptionally talented and powerful, ready to seize their chance in the upcoming tournament; others had encountered fortuitous opportunities and prepared to amaze all with their skills.

Ge Qian did not return to the herb garden but headed straight for Fiery Wave Peak. Outside the peak, he found a secluded grove, cast a message talisman, and sat cross-legged to meditate.

Half an hour later, a fiery figure appeared in the sky, descending in a spiral on her sword to land before Ge Qian. Her laughter was like silver bells as she said, “Junior Brother Ge, I knew you wouldn’t miss this tournament. How goes the refinement of the Fire Python Talisman?”

Ge Qian rose to greet her. Yingxue was dressed in fiery red, her skin like snow, her eyes lively and mischievous, her lips curved in a smile. Her entire demeanor had changed, exuding a unique charm.

Ge Qian nodded and said, “Senior Sister, your cultivation has improved again—you’re sure to place in the top three. I’ve refined two Fire Python Talismans, each as powerful as a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s strike. How about we each take one? I guarantee you’ll give your opponent a real surprise.”

Yingxue toyed with a strand of hair and replied, “Junior Brother, you’re truly skillful—I was right about you. But the tournament is just among our fellow disciples, not a life-and-death struggle. The Fire Python Talisman is too valuable to waste; this is just a chance to test our skills and relies on personal cultivation, not borrowed power. You should save the talisman for the Lesser Arena, where it will be of real use. It could save your life at a critical moment. I don’t have anything to give you, so take the talisman as a safeguard. Besides, as long as you come back safely, you can always make more, can’t you?”

As she finished, her cheeks flushed, and she smiled at Ge Qian.

Ge Qian felt warmth in his heart. He did indeed need the Fire Python Talisman more. Not to mention Elder Cui’s watchful eye, the Lesser Arena itself was fraught with peril. Gratefully, he said, “Thank you, Senior Sister. When I return from the arena, I’ll repay you with several more talismans. I have a top-grade magical weapon, the Flame Lance, which will perfectly suit your fire spiritual root—let it display its true power.”

With that, Ge Qian took the Flame Lance from his storage pouch and handed it to Yingxue.

Yingxue caressed the lance, channeling her spiritual power into it. Instantly, a wave of fire erupted from the weapon, its might at its peak, swirling around her like a fish in water.

She was delighted—this weapon seemed tailor-made for her. As the disciple of a master of artifact refinement, she could tell that the Flame Lance was originally a top-grade spiritual artifact that had fallen to the level of a top-grade magical weapon for some reason. If her master reforged it, its former glory might yet be restored.

Clearly, she had found a treasure. Elated, she said, “Junior Brother, you’re so generous, giving away such a treasure. Since it’s your heartfelt gift, I’ll accept it—otherwise, if word got out, it would hurt your reputation. Still, thank you.”

Ge Qian didn’t mind. He took out a jade slip and said, “Senior Sister, this jade slip records the Fire Drill spell, which pairs perfectly with the Flame Lance and greatly increases its power. Take it as well.”

He saw how skillfully Yingxue wielded the lance—far superior to Qiantang. If Qiantang had possessed her talent and used the Fire Drill, Ge Qian would not have won so easily.