Others might not have known what this was, but to Yue Xi, it was perfectly clear.
This was the Holy Beast Lake, a place she frequented after becoming the Saintess.
She used to appear there with near-perfect regularity.
Xuanwu thought she was simply going there to keep it company, but in reality, the main reason she went was because she knew someone else would be there.
So after that person left, she rarely sat there anymore.
Back then, she always knew someone was behind her. She turned around once, but that person retreated.
So, after that, she never turned back again.
’In his eyes, he must have mostly seen my back.’
Xuanwu saw it too and asked curiously, "Old Qi, isn’t that you? How did you end up in a Celestial Tribulation?"
Yue Xi shook her head. But what was she feeling?
It was a hard feeling to describe.
’To think my back would appear there as a vision.’
She had never imagined it.
When Jiang Zuo saw this vision, he smiled. "So, his sword never changed from beginning to end. What changed in the last life was his Dao.
I didn’t expect to see this vision in this life as well."
That’s right. In his previous life, Jiang Zuo had seen this same vision—a vision from Jian Shisan.
During the Celestial Tribulation, after the image of Yue Xi’s back appeared, a sword materialized not far behind her. The sword stood fixed behind the silhouetted girl.
As if it were protecting her.
At this moment, Jian Shisan reached out. His hand seemed to pass through the illusion until it grasped the sword.
Then, he pulled the sword out of the vision. The instant he drew the blade, an aura erupted from Jian Shisan, a power that completely surpassed that of a Tier Seven Daoist.
It was the power of a Tier Eight Inquiry.
He then strode forward to stand before the silhouette, as if he could shield her from anything.
As long as she was there, as long as he was alive, he could stand before her and wield his strongest sword.
With that, the vision began to fade, and Jian Shisan swung his sword.
The strike was boundless and vast, rivaling the splendor of the Celestial Tribulation itself.
The next moment, the two forces collided with a deafening BOOM.
Then, everyone watched in shock as the Celestial Tribulation Sword shattered, layer by layer, while Jian Shisan remained standing there, unwavering in the slightest.
Everyone was stunned.
No one had ever imagined that Jian Shisan would shatter the Celestial Tribulation Sword so dominantly.
Jian Shisan gripped his sword, looked up at the heavens, and slowly asked, "Is there more?"
In that instant, everyone felt that Jian Shisan’s dominance was simply explosive.
Watching Jian Shisan, Yue Xi couldn’t help but smile and say unconsciously, "If only he were this assertive with me."
At that moment, Xuanwu said, "Fifth Brother, what are you thinking? You want him to bully you? If he tries anything, I’ll blow him up.
And are you stupid? You’re actually smiling."
"You’re the silly one, little sister. You’re just a kid who doesn’t understand. You’re still just a child of a few years."
Xuanwu protested, "Nonsense! I’m several hundred years old! I’m your older sister!"
Yue Xi retorted, "That’s by human calculations. According to the Xuanwu Race’s method, you’re only a few years old, little sister."
"Old Qi, you’re talking nonsense again! I’ve seen others about my age, and they’re already adults," Xuanwu argued defensively.
With a faint smile, Yue Xi said, "That’s right. The Xuanwu Race calculates age by intelligence. You really are just a few years old, little sister. The others matured long ago."
"...Nonsense! I’m going to bite you to death!"
***
The Celestial Tribulation began to subside. Jian Shisan’s ordeal was over.
He had successfully passed the Tier Eight Inquiry Celestial Tribulation.
At this moment, everyone knew that the Cultivation Realm had a new Tier Eight Inquiry expert.
Even veteran Tier Eight Inquiry masters would have to be cautious when facing Jian Shisan.
Because he was truly that stunning.
Below the Holy Land, the man in Silver Armor was also stunned.
’So dominant, so truly powerful. The Martial King back then was probably only on this level, right?
But unfortunately, he’s completely different from the Martial King.
Still, with him around, things might be much better.
But it’s been so long... why haven’t I heard of any chaos breaking out over there?’
Silver Armor didn’t quite understand.
As far as he knew, it should have been about time, yet no real news had arrived—only trivial, insignificant reports.
It couldn’t be considered a calamity at all.
No one understood Silver Armor’s confusion. The others were mainly puzzled by Jian Shisan; they had no idea what was going on with him.
How had he suddenly become so strong?
Especially Zi Feng. He stared at Chi Xue Child in astonishment, unable to comprehend when his junior brother’s insight had become so profound.
Then, Zi Feng asked Chi Xue Child, "Tell me, what was all that just now?"
Chi Xue Child: "...Wait a moment."
Zi Feng: "???"
Then he saw Chi Xue Child take out his phone and type a message: "@Po Xiao, Fellow Daoist Po Xiao, what was up with Jian Shisan just now?
Could you explain it to us?"
Zi Feng: "..."
’So that’s how it is,’ he thought. ’No wonder my junior brother suddenly seemed so knowledgeable; he had outside help.’ Still, he was genuinely curious.
Meanwhile, the group chat was already in an uproar.
Blade Master Hai Bian: "[Manually expressing shock] Too strong, too terrifying! I never thought Senior Jian Shisan was so dominant, so powerful."
Liu Yiyi: "Wow, so cool! But who was that person from behind? I feel like she must be someone very important to Senior Jian Shisan. Am I smelling the foul stench of love in the air?"
Fairy Mo Yan: "What are you all talking about?"
Liuyue Xue: "Senior Jian Shisan shattered the Celestial Tribulation with a single sword strike and then, in a show of dominance, asked the heavens if there was more to come.
My senior and junior sisters, and even the seniors of my sect, are all dumbfounded."
System Message: Xiao Xiaomo has uploaded a video.
Xiao Xiaomo: "Based on the descriptions, I simulated the scene. Take a look, you’ll basically get the picture."
Fairy Mo Yan: "Fairy Xiaomo, you’re a Great Power! As expected, those of us with ’Mo’ in our names are all extraordinary people."
Xiao Xiaomo: "..."
She didn’t even know what to say to Mo Yan. Was that a compliment or an insult?
By now, the tribulation phenomenon had also vanished, leaving behind only the image of Jian Shisan’s back.
An unforgettable silhouette.
Jiang Zuo saw Chi Xue Child’s question, thought for a moment, and then replied.
Po Xiao: "It’s a manifestation of his Dao. Jian Shisan is a Sword Cultivator, so his Dao is, for all intents and purposes, his sword.
But you’ve all misunderstood one thing: you don’t understand what his sword truly is.
His sword is not in his hand, but in his heart, in his Dao, in his memories.
Of course, the most important thing is the very existence of the sword itself.
To put it simply, the girl in the silhouette is his sword.
As long as she exists, Jian Shisan can cut down anything.
His sword will never break.
To put it even more simply: he loves his sword."
After sending the message, Jiang Zuo added another: "Spread this around."
Then Jiang Zuo looked up at the sky and muttered, "This is all I can do to help you two. But getting me to call Jian Shisan ’uncle-in-law’ is impossible."
After that, Jiang Zuo headed straight back.