Chapter 413 - 404: The Road to Venerable is Paved with Bones

Chapter 413: Chapter 404: The Road to Venerable is Paved with Bones

"Xuanxian, here, you eat this. You need to eat more so you can grow tall and strong."

Inside the small, simple yet clean stone house, Qi Xuanxian sat with his mother and younger sister, eating a fairly lavish meal.

As his mother spoke, her chopsticks moved, dividing four eggs under his sister’s eager gaze.

His sister was already ten years old, but she looked as thin as a little monkey—withered and dark-skinned, and much shorter than other children her age.

In contrast, Qi Xuanxian, though only two years older, was tall and well-built with a ruddy complexion.

At that very moment, as his mother divided the eggs, his sister’s breathing grew heavy.

The first egg, unsurprisingly, was placed in Qi Xuanxian’s wooden bowl.

The second egg, also unsurprisingly, was placed in Qi Xuanxian’s wooden bowl.

HUFF... HUFF... A light appeared in his sister’s eyes.

’She must think she’s next, that she’ll finally get to eat a delicious egg.’

At the thought, her mouth watered, and she quickly took a bite of her dark, rock-hard, grass-filled flatbread.

The third egg, unexpectedly, was not placed in his sister’s bowl, nor in his mother’s. Instead, she put it into Qi Xuanxian’s bowl as well.

In that instant, Qi Xuanxian saw the light in his sister’s eyes dim, though she still clung to a sliver of hope.

"Xiaohua, your brother is a growing boy. Let’s give them to him first, alright?" his mother said, turning to her with a beaming smile.

But Qi Xuanxian knew that if his sister refused, his mother would erupt in a thunderous rage.

And if he refused, his mother would still erupt in a thunderous rage and punish his sister regardless.

"I..."

His sister let out a dry croak, and the light in her eyes was extinguished in an instant.

Seeing this, Qi Xuanxian said nothing. He simply waited in silence.

In a flash, the only sound in the bare little stone house was the wind whistling through.

As the only male in the family, Qi Xuanxian had to ensure he had ample strength.

That day, the delicious eggs were tinged with an overpowering bitterness.

Bitter.

So bitter.

Incredibly bitter.

But Qi Xuanxian silently swallowed the eggs, as if trying to force down all his suffering along with them, not saying a word.

"Brother, I’m not hungry. I’m already full," his sister said, snapping back to her senses. She even patted her small belly to reassure him.

At that moment, the desire to rise above everyone else took root in Qi Xuanxian’s mind, sprouting and growing with a fiery intensity he had never felt before.

「 」

"Do you really have to take the prefectural exam this year?"

By the lake at the academy, a delicate-looking young woman whispered.

She gazed at Qi Xuanxian, her face filled with reluctance, hoping he would hold back, wait another three years, and not take the risk.

"Changyin, I must grow stronger. I will catch up to everyone, surpass everyone, and even... earn my place in your Ji Royal Mansion."

"I will prove to the world that you weren’t wrong about me."

"And that I am absolutely not some good-for-nothing!"

"I will establish our own marquisate, our own royal mansion, and let you shine with dazzling radiance!"

Qi Xuanxian’s gaze was resolute. He was full of vigor, his white robes shining with a brilliance that could rival the sun and moon.

Through his hard work, he had already ensured his mother and sister were living comfortable lives.

Next, he had to continue to grow, to become a Tier Three Great Cultivator, and then formally visit the Ji Royal Mansion to ask for the hand of his beloved, Changyin.

He was so full of vigor, with an air of peerless confidence.

But he failed to notice the sorrow in the young woman’s eyes.

From that point on, he charged forward, advancing triumphantly.

Starting with the prefectural exam, he went on to become a Civil Minister, then a general, and finally entered the imperial court.

During this time, his humble origins made his fame thunder across the Great Xuan Dynasty, drawing the attention of every domain. He became an idol for countless disciples from poor families!

One must understand that as time marched on, the class system within the Great Xuan Dynasty had become incredibly rigid.

Golden gates were for golden gates, bamboo doors for bamboo doors.

If someone from a "bamboo door" so much as dared to look at someone from a "golden gate," they would face severe punishment.

In the Eight Domains, many people were fortunate.

They were born with exceptionally privileged conditions.

Some possessed powerful bloodlines, some had astonishing talent, some had rare physiques, others had the backing of powerful clans, and still others were simply favored by the heavens... Their lives were destined to be extraordinary from the very start.

But Qi Xuanxian was different. A destitute child from a family that couldn’t even be considered a "bamboo door," he had, through his own efforts, leaped into the realm of a young Great Saint. Who wasn’t astounded?

According to rumor, even the Dao-Attainment Artifact of the Vast Sea Venerable Emperor had taken notice of him!

「 」

"Xuanxian. Qi Xuanxian. That truly is a fine name."

The Great Sun Dragon Lady wore a faint smile and gave Qi Xuanxian a small nod, her attitude exceptionally gentle and friendly.

Afterward, she stretched lazily, looking utterly languid and relaxed.

Her slender waist could be encircled in a single grasp, and her figure was tall, elegant, and almost perfect.

Her languor in that moment held a unique kind of beauty.

In that instant, Qi Xuanxian knew that he had earned the approval of this legendary figure, the Great Sun Dragon Lady.

"...Xuanxian, you need to be more proactive. Don’t keep Changyin waiting. Go to the Ji Royal Mansion and propose. If any problems arise, I’ll take care of them for you!"

"...Aiya, why are you so rigid? What’s the point of just being engaged? Hurry up and send the betrothal gifts, marry Changyin!"

..."’You won’t go to the Ji Royal Mansion until you become a Saint?’ I think you’ve been completely fooled by that old man, Elder Ji. Come with me, I’ll help you settle the score!"

"...Haha, today is your wedding day. You’d better perform well."

"...It’s alright, just put your heart into it. Your foundation wasn’t properly established when you were young. If you want to advance further in the Soul Dao, you’ll have to absorb as much fortune as you can during your Saint Ascension Tribulation to make up for it. It will be incredibly difficult, though!"

One thing after another.

The Great Sun Dragon Lady seemed to treat him as her own disciple, nurturing him with great care.

This was true for both how he should conduct himself and his path of cultivation.

He knew that the Great Sun Dragon Lady saw in him a reflection of her father, the Vast Sea Venerable Emperor.

But no matter the reason, he was eternally grateful to the Great Sun Dragon Lady.

He willingly obeyed her commands, journeying to the far corners of the world at her behest.

The memories of the past flashed by in less than an instant.

At this very moment, Qi Xuanxian stared intently at the sharp Celestial Sword in Jiuming’s hand.

The Celestial Sword vibrated, its runes shining brilliantly. Its light was like countless comets streaking across the sky, and the ripples of power it radiated, layer upon layer, inspired terror and made one tremble.

But his thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Suddenly, a sharp light flared in his eyes. He understood everything.

’It was all the White Tiger Demon Lord, orchestrating this evil from behind the scenes!’

In that critical moment, he abandoned his plan to use the treasured mirror to counterattack Jiuming.

Instead, he angled the mirror above his head to shine upon the void, turning its power back on himself.

The mirror’s light was blinding, its iridescent glow dazzling. Then, runes filled the sky, like an endless shower of pure white petals, slowly drifting down.

BOOM—

A massive, thunderous explosion rang out.

He turned into a rain of light that scattered on the wind, ceasing to exist in this world.

In response, the White Tiger Demon Lord let out a muffled grunt, his divine soul thrown into turmoil and his body damaged.

Even the White Tiger Demon Lord could never have imagined that Qi Xuanxian would be so clever, so fiercely resolute.

"Qi Xuanxian actually died just like that?!" Jiuming raised an eyebrow, utterly baffled.

Aside from the Seventh Prince, who threw back his head and wailed in grief,

everyone else was also greatly astonished, unable to understand why Qi Xuanxian hadn’t tried to take Jiuming down with him at the very end.

Even if he couldn’t trade his life for Jiuming’s, he should have at least been able to inflict a heavy wound.

But in the end, he hadn’t!

"Qi. Xuan. Xian..."

Fang Yang repeated the name silently in his mind as all the information he had on the man flowed through it.

It had to be said, Qi Xuanxian was truly a respectable opponent.

’And now, the only ones on the field who know the truth of Qi Xuanxian’s fall are probably myself and the White Tiger Demon Lord.’

His gaze then shifted, locking onto the White Tiger Demon Lord. Killing intent began to rise from him, as vast and deep as the sea.

’The backstabber must die!’