Chapter 536 - 59: Change of Direction

Chapter 536: Chapter 59: Change of Direction

In a desolate, ruined campsite,

Corpses were strewn haphazardly across the ground, blood soaking into the soil. Severed limbs and mangled remains were scattered about, and the air was thick with the heavy stench of blood.

Not far off, the ground was pockmarked with craters of varying depths and scarred by monstrous fissures, as if the very earth had been torn asunder by some terrifying power.

Evidently, a brutal battle had recently taken place here, the embers of war still drifting on the wind.

At the center of this battlefield, a young woman in a black dress knelt on one knee. She suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.

After a moment of regulating her breath, the color slowly returned to her once-pale face.

A black-robed figure flashed into existence behind her—it was an old woman.

She hurriedly helped the young woman up, her tone a mixture of concern and reproach:

"You should not have put yourself in danger! I could have handled this. There was no need for you to go this far!"

The young woman in the black dress waved her hand dismissively.

She remained silent for a moment, waiting until her breathing steadied before speaking slowly:

"Say no more."

Her voice was soft, yet it carried an unquestionable resolve:

"If I always hide in the back, never experiencing enough combat and slaughter, how could I possibly have the confidence and strength to compete with others for the true title of Saintess?"

"You must understand, in the battle for the position of Saintess, one can only rely on their own power."

"Besides... that person is hiding a great secret. If you had attacked, he likely would have used his final trump card. Mutual destruction would have served no one."

As she spoke, the young woman’s eyes grew profound.

Recalling the figure she had just fought, an unusual glint flashed in her eyes.

"To think that such a remote place could produce a prodigy like this. In my opinion, that Shen Chong is likely not far behind the Daoist of the Yuqing Sect!"

"I’ve heard he also has a younger brother, Shen Changchuan, who is known as the number one of the younger generation in the Tian Nan Domain’s Immortal Cultivation Realm. For a mere Shen Clan from such a remote region to produce two peerless prodigies at the same time... it’s truly astonishing."

"My Saintess, are you not overestimating that boy? True, he might have been lucky enough to acquire some hidden techniques, but how can someone from a mere backwater Small Domain possibly compare to experts from a Great Domain like us?"

Hearing this, the old woman’s tone was resentful, laced with a hint of disdain.

"Three hundred years ago, the Tian Nan Domain, watched over by the Xiangshan Sect, was a pearl of the southern part of the Southern Great Domain’s Immortal Cultivation Realm. Back then, it was considered one of the top-tier Immortal Cultivation Realms in the entire Southern Great Domain."

"But the great war three hundred years ago shattered this Small Domain’s earth veins... The Immortal Cultivation Realm here has declined to the point that one must even travel elsewhere to seek opportunities to break through to the Divine Travel Realm."

"How can a True Dragon emerge from a shallow pond?"

"In my opinion, that Shen Chong must have used some other means to win against you by a half-move, My Saintess."

"Rumor has it that not long after he advanced to the Soul Emergence Realm, he caused a huge scene in the Shen Family’s Tian Nan City, relying on techniques from the remnant soul of some old monster who hadn’t properly died."

"Perhaps that boy is nothing more than a cultivation vessel being raised by that undying old monster, who’s just waiting for the right day to perform Possession and be reborn."

The old woman hailed from the Celestial Demon Sect,

which occupied the entire Western Celestial Domain and was a colossal entity on the same Top Level as the Yuqing Immortal Sect.

As a Guardian from such a noble and top-tier hegemonic power,

she was naturally filled with disdain for so-called geniuses from such remote, backwater areas.

The young woman in the black dress glanced at the Guardian protecting her from behind.

She shook her head slightly but said nothing more.

Never underestimating an opponent had always been her creed.

It was the very foundation that had allowed her to come this far.

She knew well that in a place like the Celestial Demon Sect, there were many who pretended to be harmless only to devour the strong.

Still, she didn’t refute the old woman’s words.

There was no point in such an argument.

After a moment, the old woman spoke again, a hint of worry in her voice:

"My Saintess, Shen Chong has annihilated nearly the entire Zhou Family. I fear the object we were pursuing is now lost without a trace. What should we do now?"

The young woman’s gaze hardened as she said coolly:

"The Zhou Family mobilized such immense power, only to have their operation completely thwarted by Shen Chong. The two sides will likely now fight to the death."

"But their struggle has little to do with us..."

"Forget it. Let’s put this matter to rest for now."

"That Shen Chong is, ultimately, a huge problem. It’s impossible to know the extent of his trump cards, and the future is uncertain. It’s better to focus our energy on the other target."

There was a sigh in the young woman’s voice.

Her objectives for this trip were originally more than just this,

but Shen Chong’s strength was considerable, and there was no telling what kind of power the undying remnant soul behind him could unleash.

When an enemy’s full strength was unknown, it was best to retreat.

But upon hearing this,

the old woman hesitated:

"Is my Saintess’s other target the matter of the Xiangshan Sect’s Mountain Gate ruins?"

"According to our inside source, those people have already made their move. They’ve found the entrance and are still working on it."

"But many different parties have gathered there now, and some of the geniuses from the Small Domains have seen the world. If your identity as Saintess were to be exposed, I fear it would be dangerous..."

The old woman’s voice was filled with worry.

After all, the Celestial Demon Sect and the Yuqing Sect were mortal enemies. If the Saintess’s identity was exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

And so, the old woman couldn’t help but try to persuade her:

"Since Shen Chong and Shen Changchuan are brothers, perhaps Shen Changchuan also benefited from some of Shen Chong’s opportunities, which is why they both rose to prominence at the same time."

"My Saintess, why don’t I go and personally capture that little brat Shen Changchuan and interrogate him for information?"

"Compared to the target over there that has too many eyes on it, the targets here—Shen Chong and the Zhou Family—are at least less conspicuous. We wouldn’t have to worry as much about being exposed..."

In the old woman’s view,

the Xiangshan Sect’s Mountain Gate ruins were currently a gathering point for geniuses from countless factions.

The interests of these various powers were intertwined,

and there might even be some Guardians hidden in the shadows.

If the Saintess’s identity were to be exposed,

it would be a disaster.

In contrast,

the conflict between Shen Chong and the Zhou Family was far more clandestine.

Even if their identities were discovered,

the repercussions wouldn’t be too severe, as long as they escaped in time.

It was easy to see which of the two options was the safer bet.

"There’s no need."

"This plot here, while also a significant opportunity for me,"

"my most important target is still the Xiangshan Sect Ruins!"

"The Enlightenment Stone within is something I must obtain on this journey!"

"Only by obtaining that item can I be ninety percent certain of securing the position of Saintess!"

The young woman in the black dress gazed into the distance, a resolute light flashing in her eyes.