Chapter 36: Crisis

Page 1 of 3

Looking at the scattered Silver-beaked Chickens in the valley ahead, each one was enormous—far larger than the one she had just slain. Their silvery beaks glinted coldly, and Ji Jiuxuan felt a sudden wave of trepidation. If that massive beak struck her, it would not only hurt—it might incapacitate her entirely.

“Junior Sister, go on! Senior Sister will stand guard for you.” Meng Jiao produced a formation disk in her hand. Before Ji Jiuxuan could protest, Meng Jiao infused it with spiritual energy, causing it to radiate dazzling light. Meng Jiao tossed the disk toward the valley; within its visible range, every Iron-beaked Chicken was enveloped in the luminous glow, trapped and unable to leave their designated area.

The Iron-beaked Chickens tried to peck through the confinement array, but to no avail. Their sharp eyes locked onto Ji Jiuxuan, clearly regarding her as an enemy.

“All right, Junior Sister. You’ve just slain one—let’s try two this time!” For reasons unknown, Meng Jiao seemed slightly excited, and before Ji Jiuxuan could speak, two Iron-beaked Chickens were released.

Ji Jiuxuan took a deep breath—this pitfall of a senior sister. She stepped forward, sword in hand, moving toward the charging Iron-beaked Chickens, her gaze resolute, ready to face death.

After all, it was just killing chickens! She could do it!

With her previous experience, Ji Jiuxuan wielded her sword with ease, no longer worrying whether the meat would be burnt or ruined. The residual fear from her past life lingered faintly; she wished the Iron-beaked Chickens would simply vanish. Yet, upon reflection, she realized such fear should not be retained—it had to be overcome. The path of cultivation demanded conquering every obstacle.

With a leap, Ji Jiuxuan landed deftly atop one of the Iron-beaked Chickens. The beast became visibly enraged, jumping and bucking, but unable to throw her off. The other Iron-beaked Chicken, seeing this, pecked directly at her position.

Gripping the feathers, Ji Jiuxuan executed her Shadowstep technique to new heights, managing to stay atop the chicken’s back. As the other chicken pecked off a large patch of feathers, the one she stood on retaliated, pecking furiously at its companion. Their cries were loud and angry, and the two chickens began to fight each other.

Meng Jiao watched from the sidelines, amused at how her junior sister’s attempt to slay the Iron-beaked Chickens had devolved into infighting among them.

Suddenly, the chicken beneath Ji Jiuxuan’s feet had its neck pierced by its rival. Seizing the moment, Ji Jiuxuan broke through its defense with a precise sword strike, leaping up to impale it.

Standing nearby and gazing at the two large, plump chickens, Ji Jiuxuan finally let out a breath of relief. Such enormous creatures left her somewhat at a loss, but she was much calmer than at the outset—far more composed.

“Junior Sister, pay attention—three of them are coming now.” Seeing her still staring at the chickens on the ground, Meng Jiao hurriedly reminded her.

Page 2 of 3

Three! Ji Jiuxuan looked up to find three chickens charging from different directions, their ferocious demeanor making it seem as though they wished to devour her alive.

She quickly raised her sword to meet them, calling out to Meng Jiao, “Senior Sister! Wait a moment before you release more—let me catch my breath!”

Though her fear had diminished, these huge creatures were truly exhausting to kill.

“We can’t stop! The formation disk has a time limit. If you don’t finish within the allotted time, the array will end and all the Iron-beaked Chickens will escape—you won’t be able to handle them then.” Although Meng Jiao could manage, she had brought her junior sister here for training; if she intervened, it would defeat the purpose.

Yes! She was quite clever.

This way, the training would be more effective, and her junior sister should be pleased.

Ji Jiuxuan was completely unaware she had been set up again by her senior sister. She could only grit her teeth and continue slaying Iron-beaked Chickens. The three enormous birds surrounded her, their size obscuring her figure from outside view.

Shadowstep paired with the Fierce Fire Sword Technique—her sword now wrapped in flames and sword light—forced the Iron-beaked Chickens into retreat after retreat.

The stench of burnt feathers wafted through the air, and Ji Jiuxuan’s spiritual energy circulated ever faster, the sword enveloped in searing flames.

Meng Jiao kept a close eye on Ji Jiuxuan’s progress. When the cold sword light flashed, her eyes brightened. With such swordsmanship, her junior sister would surely be renowned in time.

She was still young; she must be well protected.

The three Iron-beaked Chickens fell. Ji Jiuxuan, after circulating her spiritual energy once, spoke to Meng Jiao, “Senior Sister, let’s continue!”

Meng Jiao sensed that Ji Jiuxuan had handled three and chose not to increase the number.

The sun gave way to moonlight.

Ji Jiuxuan stood panting, gathering the mountain of Iron-beaked Chickens into her storage pouch.

“All right, let’s find a place to rest,” Meng Jiao said, approaching as Ji Jiuxuan finished tidying up.

Traveling through the forest at night was less safe; even for cultivators, vision was not an issue, but the dangers increased after dark.

A rustling sound came, and Ji Jiuxuan stood still, looking to Meng Jiao. “Senior Sister, did you hear something?”

The sound resembled that of a reptile swiftly moving through trees and grass—it was impossible to ignore.

Meng Jiao extended her spiritual sense, and upon perceiving the situation, her expression grew grave.

She crouched down and turned to Ji Jiuxuan. “Junior Sister, climb onto my back. I’ll carry you.”

Page 3 of 3

Ji Jiuxuan was momentarily stunned but did not object. Seeing the seriousness in Meng Jiao’s expression, she knew the situation must be dire.

Without wasting time, she rubbed her senior sister’s neck and climbed onto her back.

Meng Jiao stood, still uneasy, and took out a magical robe, wrapping Ji Jiuxuan tightly and securing her in place.

“Junior Sister, don’t be afraid—I’ve tied you securely,” Meng Jiao comforted softly, a giant sword appearing in her hand, its golden light shimmering.

“Yes, I know. Xiao Jiu isn’t afraid.” Ji Jiuxuan rubbed her shoulder, replying obediently.

“Good.” After a pause, Meng Jiao instructed, “No matter what happens next, don’t be afraid. This robe has protective properties—it can ward off any harm.”

“Senior Sister, are we in trouble?”

As she spoke, several millennial giant pythons appeared before them, each dozens of meters long, their eyes glowing red, spiritual energy surging, and their ferocity intimidating.

Ji Jiuxuan’s vision had been exceptional since arriving in this world, and now she saw a figure near the giant pythons throw something toward them, then swiftly depart.

“Senior Sister, be careful!” Yu Heng! Why was he so persistent, haunting them like a shadow?

Meng Jiao leapt aside with Ji Jiuxuan, but the giant snakes were already in pursuit, attacking them directly. The ground shook, rocks flew, spiritual energy swept toward them with sand and stones.

Meng Jiao’s giant sword met the assault head-on, its golden light blocking the barrage.

Only then did Ji Jiuxuan see clearly what Yu Heng had thrown—a snake egg wrapped in Snake Spirit Grass.

The egg was smashed forcefully, the Snake Spirit Grass dispersing its aura, filling the entire area and clinging to Ji Jiuxuan and Meng Jiao.

Meng Jiao’s current cultivation was at the mid Golden Core stage, yet the four giant snakes before them were all ninth-tier spirit beasts, and one was close to evolving into a beast king.

If it were only one, she could have handled it easily, but now there were four, working seamlessly together.

A golden formation emanated from her giant sword, rushing toward the giant snakes. Though it held them for a moment, the formation was broken in an instant.

“You vermin dare enter our territory to steal our offspring, even audaciously destroy them. You deserve to die!” The giant snake ahead suddenly spoke, its voice icy and treating them as mere objects.