Zhi Xuan stood tall in the middle of the Falling Star Secret Realm, his feet planted on the sandy, volcanic ground. He was the calmest figure among those who had just teleported.

  The other cultivators, with higher Organ Transformation realms, momentarily staggered, their faces showing discomfort from the brutal Law of Space. However, Zhi Xuan, with his newly reincarnated Zenith foundation, stood firm like an ancient pillar.

  His enhanced Divine Sense spread out like an ice wave. He scanned the area, ignoring low-grade Spiritual Beasts, his focus solely on the cultivators who were his main competitors.

  The youth from the Flying Sword Sect, whose face was still flushed with shame, appeared about a hundred meters from him. The youth immediately channeled essence to stabilize himself, his eyes radiating fear mixed with vengeance when he saw Zhi Xuan. However, the youth quickly averted his gaze, too afraid to face the Black-Haired Devil again.

  Suddenly, Zhi Xuan’s eyes narrowed. On the left side of the rock ruins, a strong and aggressive aura emerged. The essence was hot, dense, and exuded a pressure like molten metal—the aura of a cultivator who forged her power through combat and aggression.

  A girl stepped out from the shadow of the ruins, wearing a striking crimson robe, embroidered with the Fire Phoenix emblem. Her hair was tied up high, her eyes were sharp, and her aura was the Organ Transformation Cultivation Realm.

  She was Feng Yi, the Fire Phoenix Maiden of the Fire Phoenix Sect.

  Feng Yi stood arrogantly, radiating her Organ Transformation realm pressure without compromise. She scanned every cultivator around her with a challenging gaze, seeking worthy opponents. Her sharp eyes swept the crowd, pausing momentarily at the strong Organ Transformation auras, before finally landing on Zhi Xuan.

  Seeing Zhi Xuan's worn robe, and the realm she sensed was only Blood Transformation Zenith, Feng Yi should have immediately dismissed him. However, she suddenly flinched.

  "You!" Feng Yi exclaimed, her voice sharp, cutting the awkward silence post-teleportation. She stepped forward, her hand grasping a Fire Sword that emitted a strong spiritual flame. "Herald of Devil! Zhi Xuan!"

  Feng Yi's gaze, which had been filled with arrogance, was now filled with cold shock. She remembered Zhi Xuan as a Blood Transformation Eclipse phase cultivator, whom she had met at Dun's family's Ten Thousand Weapons Gate. He was a target she had wanted to challenge.

  Feng Yi had predicted that Zhi Xuan would be able to break through to Zenith before the selection. However, the aura Zhi Xuan emitted now was not just Zenith; it was a Zenith far denser than she had imagined. That density was almost equivalent to her early-phase Organ Transformation realm aura.

  "You reached Zenith," Feng Yi hissed, channeling slightly more of her essence, attempting to oppress Zhi Xuan. "Not an ordinary Zenith. You... you condensed your Blood essence until it reached the substance of Organ Transformation?"

  Zhi Xuan remained calm. Feng Yi's oppressive fire aura did not affect his Black Jade essence at all. He merely stared coldly at the Fire Phoenix Maiden. He remembered Feng Yi; her arrogance and aggressive essence were typical of a battle sect.

  "You are too late to give me a realm taunt, Miss. Fire. Bird," Zhi Xuan replied flatly, emphasizing each word. He nodded slowly and scrutinized Feng Yi's face for a moment. "You, too... not bad, from Zenith phase up to Organ Transformation."

  Instantly, Feng Yi's beautiful face turned crimson, not from embarrassment, but from surging anger. The spiritual fire aura around her erupted like a burst of magma, turning the surrounding volcanic sand into red glass fragments.

  "You! You dare call me 'Miss Fire Bird'? And you dare belittle my realm advancement?" Feng Yi roared, her voice filled with burning fury.

  Her hand clutching the Fire Sword trembled. "I broke through with a pure fire foundation! Not with the pathetic method you used to steal fortune from that filthy Arena!"

  The words made some of the surrounding cultivators hold their breath. They knew Feng Yi's reputation; direct, arrogant, and easily enraged. This confrontation between the majestic Fire Phoenix Maiden and the cold-blooded Herald of Devil drew attention.

  Zhi Xuan, seemingly unaffected by the burst of flames, let out a long, cold sigh, allowing a thin mist to emerge from his breath. "Method is a tool. Result is truth. You waste too much emotional essence. If you want to challenge, wait until the Formation opens. Do not waste my time with bird chirping."

  "Bird chirping?!" Feng Yi's anger peaked. She prepared to shoot forward, her fire energy gathering at her feet, ready to explode herself towards Zhi Xuan.

  However, before Feng Yi could move, a clean voice, accompanied by a gentle Law of Wind, broke the tension.

  "Ah, Junior Sister Feng Yi. You are always too quick to anger. Did we not promise to maintain our Dao tranquility in the face of this grand test?"

  From behind the large rock ruins, where Feng Yi had just emerged, stepped Fei Sheng. The youth wore a robe as striking as Feng Yi's—a silver-green embroidered robe that radiated the aura of the Law of Wind.

  He smiled faintly, fanning himself with his elegant jade fan, even though the Falling Star Secret Realm needed no cooling at all.

  Zhi Xuan narrowed his eyes. He scanned Fei Sheng, who was now in the Consciousness Transformation realm. Fei Sheng and Feng Yi's auras, although contrasting, had a familiar resonance—the same quality of purity and pride, as if they were forged under the same sect roof.

  "Fei Sheng! Senior Brother, move aside! Let me punish this insolent person who dares to belittle my Phoenix Fire!" Feng Yi hissed, her eyes still fixed on Zhi Xuan.

  Fei Sheng chuckled softly, a light and charming laugh, and stepped between the two of them. He turned to Zhi Xuan, giving a respectful nod.

  "Forgive my Junior Sister's impoliteness, Brother Zhi Xuan," Fei Sheng said, his voice calm. He then pointed to his silver-green embroidered robe and Feng Yi's crimson robe. "We both come from the Wind Fire Sect in the Southern Central District. I am Fei Sheng, and this is my Junior Sister, Feng Yi. We are traveling companions who have decided to leave the Sect and pursue a higher Dao at the Thousand Heavens Sect."

  Zhi Xuan merely nodded slightly, allowing the information to sink in. Wind Fire Sect. A major sect in the central part of the Southern Continent, famous for their duality of Wind and Fire cultivation.

  "Wind Fire Sect," Zhi Xuan replied flatly. He then looked at Feng Yi, who was now staring at him with murderous intent. "No wonder. Too much fire and no restraint. Needs polishing. Fire is volatile."

  "You—" Feng Yi was about to explode again, but Fei Sheng quickly placed his jade fan in front of her face.

  "Shh! Brother Zhi Xuan is only joking, Junior Sister," Fei Sheng whispered, an amused laugh audible behind the fan. However, his eyes, as clear as jade crystal, looked at Zhi Xuan with understanding. He understood that Zhi Xuan's words were cold Dao analysis, not mortal mockery.

  "No, he is not joking! He called my fire volatile!" Feng Yi roared, trying to push away Fei Sheng's jade fan, but Fei Sheng easily dodged.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  "True. Fire is Yang energy, it is volatile. Unless you condense your foundation to become Fire Yin—like frozen red jade. Is that not so, Brother Zhi Xuan?" Fei Sheng teased, glancing at Zhi Xuan with a mischievous smile.

  Zhi Xuan did not reply. He merely let out a thin, cold sigh. Fei Sheng, although friendly, was deliberately provoking Feng Yi in front of him.

  "That is true, brother Fei Sheng," Zhi Xuan said, his voice flat. "Not interested in noisy fire."

  The words finally silenced Feng Yi. She knew Zhi Xuan was insulting her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her fire energy. However, her head was held high, her sharp eyes staring straight at Zhi Xuan.

  "Fine, Herald of Devil. I admit your newly forged foundation is worthy of my test," Feng Yi said, her voice now cold again, her arrogance returning. "But I will not fight here. The Heavenly Selection is paramount. You will be my first prey after I collect enough points!"

  Zhi Xuan remained indifferent. "You are free to try."

  Fei Sheng smiled contentedly. He removed his fan, and his aura returned to calmness. He then looked seriously toward the ruins in the distance, where the first Test Formation would soon be announced.

  "Falling Star Secret Realm," Fei Sheng murmured, ignoring the tension between Zhi Xuan and Feng Yi. "It is rumored to be filled with Organ Transformation Spiritual Beasts. Our first goal is to find high-grade Beasts and collect essence crystals. Brother Zhi Xuan, I believe you already have a plan."

  "Senior Brother, do not tell me you want this crazy person to join us?"

  Zhi Xuan ignored Feng Yi's sharp question. He had scanned Fei Sheng, and although the youth radiated an aura of pure Dao, he also sensed a sharp calculation behind it.

  A Consciousness Transformation cultivator willing to mentor a stubborn Organ Transformation like Feng Yi must have a deep plan.

  "My plan is simple," Zhi Xuan replied, his voice flat. "Collect points, avoid unnecessary crowds, and keep the essence stable."

  Fei Sheng nodded, fanning himself with an elegant gesture. "Precisely. This secret realm, although created by the Thousand Heavens Sect, the presence of Consciousness Transformation like myself, and late-phase Organ Transformation, will trigger older spiritual beasts."

  Feng Yi snorted. "Senior Brother, you are selling yourself short. We are the two strongest cultivators here. And why are you so obsessed with this 'Herald of Devil'? He is a filthy killer, not a Dao companion!"

  Fei Sheng smiled softly, a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Junior Sister, the Dao knows neither purity nor filth. The Dao only knows power and will. Look at Brother Zhi Xuan's foundation. Zenith achieved through self-destruction. That is a will that even we do not possess. I am only interested in potential."

  He then turned back to Zhi Xuan, his gaze full of cold respect. "Brother Zhi Xuan, we will not look for low-grade beasts, we will only look for Azure King-level beasts. If we cooperate, we can save time and filter the Beasts we need."

  Zhi Xuan listened to Fei Sheng's offer with cold silence. The proposal was logical, based on sharp calculation. Fei Sheng, a Consciousness Transformation cultivator, projected a clean aura of authority, while Zhi Xuan, a Zenith equivalent to Organ Transformation, exuded an aura of pure ruthlessness. Their cooperation would form a very efficient shield and spear.

  "Cooperation," Zhi Xuan repeated, his voice flat. He showed no enthusiasm. "What do you offer, and what do you expect from a 'filthy killer'?"

  Feng Yi snorted beside Fei Sheng, her sharp eyes radiating palpable disapproval. "Senior Brother, he is not even polite!"

  Fei Sheng, without losing his elegant smile, ignored his junior sister. He closed his jade fan with a quiet click, his movement graceful.

  "What I offer is efficiency, Brother Zhi Xuan," Fei Sheng explained. "I am capable of projecting the Law of Wind to envelop us, reducing the detection of Spiritual Beasts. Junior Sister Feng Yi, with her Phoenix Fire, is the perfect area destruction weapon."

  He pointed to Zhi Xuan. "And you... will be the perfect lure and suppressor to attract and stabilize high-level Spiritual Beasts. We divide the essence crystals evenly. Time is essence, not spiritual stone."

  Zhi Xuan narrowed his eyes. The offer was fair and advantageous. Fei Sheng did not underestimate his strength; rather, he assessed his unacknowledged potential power in this realm.

  "And what do you expect from me in return?" Zhi Xuan asked, his tone demanding transparency. "I will not work for a hidden agenda."

  Fei Sheng chuckled softly, a light and cultured laugh. "Of course. My hope is simple, Brother Zhi Xuan. I wish to observe. Your Dao, an interesting deviation from the standard cultivation path of the Thousand Heavens Sect. I want to see how you carve your path among the high-realm powers."

  "Cultured nonsense, Senior Brother!" Feng Yi exclaimed, this time she really could not hold back. "You are just curious about his filthy aura! Do not trick him with beautiful words!"

  Zhi Xuan shifted his gaze to Feng Yi, then back to Fei Sheng. He admired Feng Yi's honesty, even if wrapped in arrogance. However, he did not care about Fei Sheng's agenda. He only cared about efficiency.

  "Very well," Zhi Xuan finally replied, his voice as cold as stone. "Cooperation. As long as you do not impede my path, or try unnecessary probing."

  Fei Sheng smiled widely. It was a sincere smile, reflecting the delight of a scholar who had just found a rare subject of study.

  "Of course, your boundary is my boundary. Let us proceed, Brother Zhi Xuan. We must filter out the pebbles in this Secret Realm before they cloud our eyes."

  Fei Sheng turned to Feng Yi, whose face was still pouting. "Junior Sister, do not frown. We have acquired the perfect hunter."

  Feng Yi snorted once more, but she did not object. She flipped her Fire Sword, and her aggressive Organ Transformation realm divine sense spread out, shrouded in a soul fire aura. Although she disliked it, she respected her Senior Brother's command.

  Zhi Xuan nodded once, a brief gesture that ended the negotiation. He did not waste spiritual energy on maintaining social interaction. For Zhi Xuan, the existence of Feng Yi, with her arrogance masking her honesty, and Fei Sheng, with his intellect shrouded in amiability, was merely part of the combat machine he had just agreed to operate.

  Fei Sheng, without waiting for a longer answer, stepped forward gracefully. His jade fan opened again, and a gentle yet strong Law of Wind began to whizz around him. The wind did not flow wildly; instead, it formed a semi-transparent shield, not only enveloping him and Feng Yi, but also reaching out to Zhi Xuan.

  "Let us move, Brother Zhi Xuan. High-level Spiritual Beasts tend to be in the heart of the destruction," Fei Sheng whispered. The Law of Wind he radiated dampened their footsteps and deflected the wildly spreading Divine Sense of other cultivators.

  Feng Yi snorted softly, but the Fire Sword in her hand immediately emitted a stable blue-red flame—a sign that she had focused her essence. She walked on Fei Sheng's right side, her sharp eyes scanning every shadow and volcanic rock crevice, ready to unleash her Phoenix Fire at any moment.

  Zhi Xuan took his position on Fei Sheng's left side. His Zenith-tempered body did not require excessive essence channeling to move. He stepped silently on the volcanic gravel. Beneath the layer of Fei Sheng's Law of Wind, his Zenith Black Jade aura felt like a hidden, cold ice vortex, a perfect contrast to Feng Yi's Phoenix Fire.

  They moved quickly across the expanse of ruins, passing other cultivators who were still busy scanning for low-level Spiritual Beasts or arguing about the rough teleportation formation. Those cultivators, sensing a glimpse of the controlled Wind and Fire fluctuations, immediately stepped aside respectfully.

  In just a few hundred breaths, Zhi Xuan raised his hand and waved it to summon his Divine Cauldron, the cauldron whizzed faintly and spun above his palm.

  "There are two Azure Kings ahead, only equivalent to Organ Transformation," Zhi Xuan said calmly, he sharpened his divine sense and nodded slowly, stepping forward out of the Law of Wind formation circle.

  Zhi Xuan stepped forward, out of the gentle yet effective Law of Wind circle belonging to Fei Sheng. His body, shrouded in a slightly torn black robe, blended perfectly with the dark volcanic landscape. The silence he carried felt heavier than the noise of other cultivators.

  In his left palm, the Heavenly Trifold Reincarnation Cauldron spun with a low, barely audible hum. The Heaven Grade Artifact, although shrunk into a jade bead, radiated an ancient, spiritual scent resonance, drawing the attention and tranquility of the Spiritual Beasts.

  "Two Azure Kings," Fei Sheng repeated, he closed his jade fan with a quiet click. His smile disappeared, replaced by cold focus. "Interesting. Spiritual Beasts of that level will be a perfect opponent for a warm-up. Junior Sister Feng Yi, did you hear that? Your prize."

  Feng Yi, ready for battle on the right side, snorted with excitement. Her sharp eyes radiated blue flames. Her arrogance reignited, but this time, it was an arrogance driven by the desire to fight.

  "Azure King," Feng Yi hissed, channeling her fire essence into the Fire Sword. The flame on the blade grew larger, turning into a pure spiritual blaze that emitted air-splitting heat. "Senior Brother, I only need one. The rest, let this Herald of Devil take it."

  Fei Sheng chuckled softly, a calculated laugh. "Do not rush, Junior Sister. We need efficiency. Brother Zhi Xuan, the plan?"

  Zhi Xuan ignored Feng Yi's excitement. He turned to Fei Sheng, his gaze cold and focused. "They are in a rock crevice, facing each other. A Fire Beast and an Earth Beast. I will lure the Fire Beast. Feng Yi, you attack the Earth Beast. That will separate them. Fei Sheng, you are in charge of restraint and separation, your Law of Wind will prevent them from reuniting."

  The plan was simple, ruthless, and straight to the point. It utilized the contrast of elements and Fei Sheng's realm advantage. Feng Yi, full of spirit, nodded in agreement.

  "Good plan. I will be happy to lure with my Phoenix Fire," Feng Yi replied, her eyes alight.

  Fei Sheng nodded respectfully, liking the militaristic efficiency of the plan. "Effective. Let us move."