CHAPTER 65.1: IF WE’RE ALL IN QI REFINEMENT, DOESN’T TURNING QI INTO A SWORD MAKE SENSE?

Flower Burial Fairy was a terrifying elite from the Celestial God era. Even in the Divine Court’s prime, her name still carried weight. Yet, what made her truly unforgettable was the tangled knot of love and hate she bore for the Celestial God. Gossips and scandals had their place even among top-tier experts.

Gripping his sword, Qi Yuan stepped forward. “Little Bride, stay back!”

This time, he chose to face Flower Burial Fairy alone. Truth be told, this was the first time he’d fought a truly intelligent being in the game.

Eyes flashing red, Flower Burial Fairy said, “Your talent is fine, but aren’t all your achievements basically scraps left behind by the Celestial God?”

Far off, Pupil and the other Divine realm experts watched in silence. Some agreed with her words, others simply thought she bore a grievance. Having always admired the Celestial God, Flower Burial Fairy had fought alongside him through countless campaigns. However, the empress’ seat went to the Wedding Garment Empress instead of her.

The ever proud Flower Burial Fairy even bowed her head, willing to become his concubine. Yet, the Celestial God still refused. Her feelings toward the couple were complicated, to say the least.

Now, a new Garment Division Master had emerged, married to the new Wedding Garment Empress. He clearly owed his sudden rise to the Celestial God, who had deliberately left the Garment Tomb Zone filled with treasures—perhaps even ones capable of enhancing a person’s innate talent.

Toward the new Wedding Garment Empress—the daughter of Celestial God and that woman—Flower Burial Fairy felt only disdain. Besides, she never cared about the Garment Division. Hence, even though Dragon Judge had defeated Pupil and the others, she still stepped forward.

“Talent isn’t everything! Have you lived through the West Sea conflict? Have you fought three Divine realm cultivators at once? Without war, you’ll always be a fledgling hawk, unable to defeat the alien demons!" Her roar split the air. “Let me show you what it means to be one of the ten generals of the Divine Court!”

In the Divine Court, only the Celestial God and the four Divine Masters stood above her. She’d lived through tens of thousands of battles, crawled out of a sea of blood, and stood atop mountains of corpses.

When she struck, it was a storm of merciless blades. Her image filled Qi Yuan’s field of vision. Flower Burial Fairy used her strongest divine technique: the Endless Sea of Blossoms. Petals filled the sky, and a hundred Flower Burial Fairies danced among them, each one launching a different killing move.

Unless one's martial skill far surpassed hers, one could never tell them apart, making it a perfect trap for novices.

However, Qi Yuan simply raised his sword.

After grinding through tens of thousands of monsters in three forbidden zones, his combat experience far surpassed that of most Divine Radiance Sect disciples and even some elders.

Of course, one’d argue those monsters he farmed were mindless beasts, and couldn’t be compared to Flower Burial Fairy. They weren’t in the same league at all. However, his eyes saw what others couldn’t.

He thrust a single, ferocious strike, locking instantly onto her true body. The sword pierced and Flower Burial Fairy’s gaze flickered in shock. Unable to dodge in time, she lashed out with her palm.

Psst!

Steel met flesh.

Alas, it should've been the sword’s victory, yet her lips curled into a sly smile. “You’re still green.”

Her force traveled up the blade like lightning, drilling into Qi Yuan’s chest. Even with boosted defenses, he staggered from the impact.

Though his face turned pale, he looked at her bloodied palm, and said calmly, “You’re right.”

Far off, the watching Divine realm experts stirred.

“He actually wounded Flower Burial Fairy?” “We underestimated him, he’s no ordinary prodigy!” “Even I couldn’t always discern the true body in Endless Sea of Blossoms. Just how did he...?” “But he’s still young. He let her deceive him.” “A shame. Three hundred years is far too short...” Feather said softly, his expression unreadable.

The Garment Divine Master’s rise had been meteoric. Having mastered five elements in mere days, he was regarded as a talent unseen before and unlikely ever again. If he were given more time, the possibilities would be terrifying.

Everyone focused on the battle.

Just then, Qi Yuan closed his eyes. All of his skills had been honed through grinding monsters. This was enough for most foes, but not for the alien demons. Still, he was never truly alone.

He whispered toward Flower Burial Fairy, “Thank you. Once more.”

Within his mind, a memory of one of the mighty experts stirred. They were of the burly man who’d once wasted youth in idleness, only to awaken to the sword in middle age. The memories were particularly useful for Qi Yuan, who also used the sword.

He forgot his own techniques, letting the man’s experiences flow through him. Thus, he became the swordsman who’d slain an evil flood dragon in the East Sea after seven days of battle. The man wielded a sword that opened the gates of Earth's End and cut down a demon.

Sword in hand, Qi Yuan drew upon the aura of that swordsman. It brewed like thunderclouds, gathering, surging to produce a formidable sword aura.

Qi Yuan's eyes snapped open. “Qing Pingzi, fight alongside me!”

In that instant, sword intent pierced the heavens. Clouds split and a blinding edge flashing into the world.

Flower Burial Fairy sneered, her lips curling as if to say, Pathetic dog. That’s all?

***

Back in the Five Elements Forbidden Zone...

A coffin lid groaned open.

The burly man who sat inside was pale, yet his eyes shone as they gazed toward Yinyang Forbidden Zone. “Not bad, boy. You’ve got a third of my style in you. Pity your looks and bearing don’t match mine. You lack the seasoning of years and still need more cultivation of spirit.”

He absentmindedly spat out of the coffin.