Deathmatch for the Top Six — Slovenly Trulyear vs. Ninefate Trulyear

Inside the Brightmoon Waterworld painting, Ji Ning and the other eleven were secluded in meditation. At the imperial plaza, however, the names of the twelve finalists were on everyone’s lips: Xiamang Zishan, Cangwu Jiu, Ji Ning, Slovenly Trulyear, Shaoyin Xuan, Woodboy Trulyear, Blackstone Trulyear, Ninefate Trulyear, White Dragon Trulyear, Qianyuan Trulyear, Returning to Origin Trulyear, and Golden Crow Trulyear.

“The top twelve are set.”

“The South Sea has Woodboy Trulyear.”

“The North Sea has Golden Crow Trulyear as well!”

“My Quchang Commandery has White Dragon Trulyear.”

“You’re nothing. Our Anchang Commandery has two—Ji Ning and Slovenly Trulyear!”

In total, only twelve competitors had emerged from the thirty-six hundred commanderies of the entire Grand Xia. Anchang Commandery alone had two, and both were from the Black-White College!

Elder Wufeng was grinning from ear to ear. Holding his gourd of wine, he took a leisurely sip now and then, occasionally sending a divine sense message. “Oh, the Beastlord Sectmaster? Haha, yes, I’m Wufeng. That’s right, Ji Ning and little Slovenly are both disciples of my Black-White College. As for our Yu Wei, well, if she hadn’t been poisoned, she’d have been in the top ninety-six as well. Who knows, she might have even made the top twelve! What’s that? You want to arrange an exchange between your disciples and mine? You want to come over and study the ‘Black-White Diagram’? Fine, no problem! Our disciples can also go to your Beastlord Sect and take a look at the ‘Ten Thousand Beasts Illustration’!”

“The Xiangtian clan? You want to send some of your disciples to my Black-White College? Well, you see… our Black-White College is rather small, tucked inside Anchang City. We can’t take too many disciples! That’s why our admissions standards are so strict. What’s that? The Xiangtian clan is sending an envoy delegation to the Black-White College? Fine! We’ll certainly receive them well.”

Many people were approaching Elder Wufeng.

The great powers of the Grand Xia—clans like the Xiangtian and sects like the Beastlord Sect—had all learned from their Celestial Immortal patriarchs that Slovenly Trulyear was a disciple of the Black Tortoise Emperor. And now Ji Ning was blindingly brilliant as well.

“A small sect getting one peerless monster is just luck. But the Black-White College popped out two of them! Out of the entire dynasty, there are only twelve. And one of them is the Black Tortoise Emperor’s disciple. This Black-White College… it has to be one of the gathering points of fate and fortune in our Grand Xia!”

“It must be a nexus of fortune.”

Many great powers inferred this.

Fortune, Qi, was invisible and untouchable—but some places had more of it than others. Even the site of the Grand Xia capital had been chosen by a mighty figure for its concentrated fortune, and a grand formation had been laid to stabilize that entire major world.

“We must send our younger disciples there! In this place of fortune, perhaps they too will be blessed.”

“Mm. We should also visit the Black-White College more often to study the Black-White Diagram.”

…

In the main hall of the Heavenly Edict Palace, an hour had passed.

The Grand Xia Emperor sat upon his lofty throne. With a flick of his hand, a scroll appeared before him—that Pure Yang treasure, the Brightmoon Waterworld. As the scroll unfurled, twelve streams of light flew out from within, landing on the ground to reveal Ji Ning, Slovenly Trulyear, and the other ten.

“We pay our respects, Your Imperial Majesty,” the twelve said in unison, kneeling.

“Mm.” The Grand Xia Emperor nodded in satisfaction. He could faintly sense that all twelve had made at least some minor progress after three days of secluded meditation. A few had likely improved considerably.

“The Immortal Fortunes Assembly has reached a critical juncture. From among you twelve, three will ultimately be selected, and from those three, one shall be chosen as my master’s disciple,” the Emperor announced. “Let the first match of the fourth round begin. It shall be Slovenly Trulyear of the Black-White College against Ninefate Trulyear, the wandering cultivator. The rest of you may rest and observe, preparing for your own upcoming battles.”

Ji Ning, Xiamang Zishan, and the others were all taken aback.

Slovenly Trulyear against Ninefate Trulyear?

Ninefate Trulyear was terrifyingly strong—she had never once used her full strength. And Slovenly Trulyear was also highly praised by the Celestial Immortals. Xiamang Zishan and the rest had all heard the Celestial Immortals warn them repeatedly to be careful of Slovenly Trulyear. It seemed as though Slovenly Trulyear might be the strongest of them all.

With the Celestial Immortals’ admonitions weighing on their minds, every single one of them was extremely cautious around Slovenly Trulyear.

Slovenly versus Ninefate?

So soon?

Slovenly Trulyear and Ninefate Trulyear exchanged a glance from across the hall, then both walked toward the sealing formation outside the main hall.

…

Within the main hall of the Heavenly Edict Palace, nine Pure Yang True Immortals began to argue.

“Xiamang, have you lost your mind?” Redpole True Lord frowned. “This is only the fourth round, meant to determine the top six. Why are you making Ninefate Trulyear and Slovenly Trulyear fight each other? Ninefate Trulyear has already comprehended five complete Daos. Her divine abilities and techniques are also incredibly powerful. She’s undoubtedly one of the top contenders—possibly even first. And Slovenly Trulyear is the Black Tortoise Emperor’s disciple, also a top contender. Both could aim for first place. To make them face each other now means one of them must be eliminated!”

“Indeed, it is far too early. These two are not suited to fight so soon,” Mahasthamaprapta said slowly.

“Do you think I don’t know how formidable Ninefate Trulyear is?” The Grand Xia Emperor shook his head. “Xiamang has his difficulties,” Immortal Lu Dongbin interjected. “At this stage, I have eight favorites among these twelve. But six must be eliminated, so no matter how we pair them, at least two of my eight will be eliminated.”

The Emperor nodded. “Yes. At this point, my seven favorites among the twelve are my own clan’s Xiamang Zishan, Ji Ning, Golden Crow Trulyear, Woodboy Trulyear, Blackstone Trulyear, Slovenly Trulyear, and Ninefate Trulyear. No matter how I pair them, two of these seven must fight each other. After some thought… Slovenly Trulyear is the Black Tortoise Emperor’s disciple, so my master would not take him. And Ninefate Trulyear is the only woman among the seven. So I didn’t overthink it—I simply matched Slovenly Trulyear against Ninefate Trulyear. Whoever wins stays.”

“That’s rather straightforward of you.”

“Pitting Ninefate Trulyear and Slovenly Trulyear against each other just because she’s a woman?” The Pure Yang True Immortals all chuckled.

Ji Ning, Yu Wei, and Yuchi Xiyue stood behind King Yan, watching the sealing formation outside the main hall from afar. Within the formation stood two figures—the slovenly, pudgy youth and a similarly disheveled young girl.

“These two are both such slobs. They make quite the pair,” Yuchi Xiyue murmured.

“But they’re both incredibly strong,” Yu Wei praised.

“Indeed. That Ninefate Trulyear is wearing those silver gloves. I’ve never been able to figure out her true strength. I’ve fought her before, but she never used a single magic treasure that time,” Ji Ning said, staring intently. “And my senior apprentice-brother is also unfathomable. This match is hard to call.”

Everyone watched the battle outside. Even the Pure Yang True Immortals paid close attention.

Slovenly Trulyear? The Black Tortoise Emperor’s disciple.

Ninefate Trulyear? One of the two earliest discovered to have comprehended five complete Daos, and she possessed a body as tough as a magic treasure.

“They’re starting.” Yuchi Xiyue stared closely.

Ji Ning’s pupils suddenly contracted. “Finally showing her hand. Ninefate Trulyear… truly terrifying.” Ninefate Trulyear had never gone all-out before. When she had fought Ji Ning, she had mainly tangled and redirected. But now, against Slovenly Trulyear, she immediately launched a frenzied assault!

Ninefate Trulyear—wearing her gloves—turned her six hands into the deadliest weapons imaginable!

Killing!

At times, she was as sharp as a blade.

At other times, she was as gentle as flowing water, encircling her target.

Ninefate Trulyear surrounded Slovenly Trulyear, launching a storm of attacks. Both had activated their divine abilities, transforming into three-headed, six-armed giants.

“What Grand Dao is this?” Ji Ning frowned. Ninefate Trulyear’s attacks were strange, carrying a stifling, suffocating sensation. Her opposing attack styles shifted unpredictably. “It doesn’t seem like a famous one. At least, I’ve never seen this Grand Dao before.”

…

“The Grand Dao of Life and Death! This little girl certainly has ambition. The Grand Dao of Life and Death… among all the Daos, it is one of the most supreme, and exceedingly difficult. Yet she dared walk this path.” Immortal Lu Dongbin shook his head with a sigh. “If she reaches a certain level on this path, transcending the tribulation to become a Celestial Immortal will be somewhat easier for her.”

Daos like the Grand Dao of the Taiji, the Dao of the Sword, or the Dao of the Saber were all Daos of operation and technique.

But the Grand Dao of Life and Death contained boundless mysteries of life and death, as well as the techniques for transitioning between the two.

It was a Grand Dao that combined immense profundity with practical application. It was extremely difficult to cultivate—even more difficult than the Dao of the Sword or the Dao of the Saber.

“Interesting.”

“This little girl is indeed formidable.”

…

Ninefate Trulyear attacked madly. Sometimes, she was ferocious, as if the God of Death itself was beckoning. Other times, she was gentle, like a mother’s caress. The cycle of life and death allowed her to suppress Slovenly Trulyear for a time.

But…

Slovenly Trulyear was truly steady. While employing the Black Tortoise grand divine ability, he simultaneously utilized his own Grand Dao of the Taiji!

For a time, Slovenly Trulyear was like a smooth, spinning turtle shell—impenetrable in defense. The Black Tortoise’s great divine ability was naturally adept at defense, and the Grand Dao of the Taiji was even more so.

“Damn it!” Ninefate Trulyear roared in rage, attacking even more wildly.

Slovenly Trulyear, however, remained calm. His six arms formed a massive wheel-like barrier, blocking every attack.

“Shk!”

Like a venomous snake striking.

Slovenly Trulyear, who had seemed to be purely on the defensive—as impenetrable as a turtle shell—suddenly and abruptly thrust out one hand! His hand formed a snake-shaped strike, stabbing outward viciously. It hit Ninefate Trulyear right in a gap in her frenzied assault, piercing through her shoulder joint, tearing it apart, and sending an arm flying through the air.

“Riiip!” After that strike, Slovenly Trulyear erupted with sudden ferocity, like a volcano that had been suppressed for too long. All six of his arms were like venomous snakes, savage and cruel.

His defense had been flawless.

Now, his attacks were even more vicious.

“Good! I was afraid you’d just hide in your shell forever!” Ninefate Trulyear was not frightened but delighted. If he had truly kept up that defense, he might have exhausted her divine power, and she would have lost far too unfairly. She immediately clashed with him head-on, even as her severed arm rapidly regrew.

Both of them truly had the strength to contend for first place.