Nameless Territory, Chapter Ninety-Five: Grievances

As Zhou Xuanhong delved into the jade slip of array formation comprehension, time slowly slipped away—half a month had flown by in the blink of an eye.

Shangguan Yixin, having awakened, advanced once more in cultivation and soon departed to study at the Taiyin Ji Corpse Sect.

In the Nameless Region, the Taiyin Ji Corpse Sect was the undisputed overlord. This was because they forbade any cultivator who had broken through to the Void Spirit realm to remain there, as such individuals posed a threat to their dominion. Even the mighty Shangguan family’s strongest cultivators only reached the pinnacle Nascent Soul stage.

However, to guard against future retaliations from Void Spirit experts who ventured out, the Taiyin Ji Corpse Sect offered cultivation assistance before these individuals fully matured, even allowing them to train within the sect. Such bonds reduced future threats.

Shangguan Yixin’s successive breakthroughs and cultivation growth sparked great curiosity among many disciples of the Shangguan family, who became eager to try Zhou Xuanhong’s arrays, as they seemed capable of boosting cultivation.

They were clever enough to see that although Shangguan Yixin appeared battered, she had not truly sustained multiple severe injuries. This contrast stirred their interest.

Yet, Zhou Xuanhong and Li Li were only guest disciples, lacking Shangguan Yixin’s status. They had to lower their posture and gathered in small groups outside the hill, seeking an audience.

Zhou Xuanhong ignored them outright; after all, they were just opportunists from whom he could gain nothing. There was no need to waste time.

Still, these were the mainline disciples of the Shangguan family, and he couldn’t afford to offend them. Though he was not afraid of their retaliation, the constant annoyance was tiresome.

“Fellow cultivators, I am currently in a critical phase of array comprehension. Please do not disturb me. I am aware of your purpose in coming, but I regret I have no ability to assist you at present. Once I break through to a fourth-grade array master, given my relationship with the Shangguan family, I can customize third-grade arrays of any rank for you at a favorable price.”

This message was left by Zhou Xuanhong in the array formation, triggered automatically by any spiritual sense that approached, to deter waves of visitors.

This was the true survival way of the cultivation world—not like some naive protagonists in biographies who act arrogantly toward others, provoking retaliation that festers in their hearts. Even some major figures of the Shangguan family might harbor grudges; without a halo, these protagonists would never understand their mistakes—truly laughable.

After setting the restriction, occasional visiting cultivators left discreetly, bowing politely before departing to show goodwill.

This was the cultivation world, not a place for posturing. Few who reached the Golden Core stage were fools; all were intelligent and could see the family’s stance toward Zhou Xuanhong clearly. Forcibly disturbing now would only lead to being suppressed by the array, with no backing from the Shangguan family.

Time flew by, and Zhou Xuanhong fully secluded himself. The array ran freely; any cultivator who trespassed would face danger.

As the opening of the Great Hao Golden Immortal Sect’s grand world drew near, many great powers began their preparations, gradually selecting candidates to enter it and significantly enhancing their cultivation.

In the Nameless Region, the Taiyin Ji Corpse Sect remained indifferent to this matter.

Soon, with Zhou Xuanhong wholly absorbed in researching the fourth-grade array, only one year remained before the small world’s opening. A graceful figure arrived in Yuandong City, her expression grim and eyes burning with anger.

Upon seeing Shangguan Yixin’s state, many cultivators avoided her like a plague, fearful of becoming targets for her vented fury.

Shangguan Yixin approached outside the hill, about to activate the array, which had already automatically opened a passage.

“What's wrong? You seem wronged,” Zhou Xuanhong remarked.

Shangguan Yixin stubbornly replied, “Wronged? I’m usually the one doing the bullying, never the victim!”

Zhou Xuanhong shook his head. “You’ve been wronged. If you treated me like before, you wouldn’t have this expression, with tears welling in your eyes. Come, tell me what happened.”

Overcome by Zhou Xuanhong’s comforting tone, tears streamed down Shangguan Yixin’s face as she buried herself on the stone table, sobbing. This resilient physical cultivator now wept like a wilting flower, stirring pity.

After a while, she wiped her tears, feeling embarrassed, and glanced at Zhou Xuanhong, who smiled gently. Her cheeks flushed crimson with awkwardness.

“What kind of grievance makes even a strong woman like you cry? I’m curious now.”

Shangguan Yixin snorted, “What use is it to tell you? You’re only a first-stage Golden Core cultivator. How could you possibly seek revenge for me?”

Zhou Xuanhong sipped his tea. “Why would I take revenge? I’m just tired of array research and want to hear something interesting.”

“You!” Shangguan Yixin was momentarily speechless. She had assumed Zhou Xuanhong’s powerful array skills meant he cared enough to avenge her.

“Forget it if you won’t tell. Once I get stronger, I’ll settle this myself and make those two look foolish!”

Zhou Xuanhong placed three circular array plates on the stone table and smiled. “Tell me what happened. These three fourth-grade arrays are yours, perfectly suited to you.”

Shangguan Yixin was startled and immediately examined them with her spiritual sense, sensing profound subtlety—a rule’s aura more intricate and terrifying than the highest third-grade arrays outside.

Instinctively reaching to take them, Zhou Xuanhong withdrew them first, sipping tea. “Go on.”

Tempted by the arrays, Shangguan Yixin reluctantly recounted her recent troubles.

On her way to the Taiyin Ji Corpse Sect, she encountered two cultivators from the Kungu Sect: Su Ruoyu and her partner Ye Haoxuan, with cultivation at seventh and fifth Golden Core stages respectively. Although Ye Haoxuan’s cultivation was lower, he was skilled in body, technique, and soul, both with remarkable attainments.

Given Shangguan Yixin’s temperament, conflict swiftly arose. Su Ruoyu and Ye Haoxuan were unyielding, especially since this was outside Yuandong City. Su Ruoyu held high rank in the Kungu Sect, even above Yin Qimeng, and her partner was a core disciple of the Senluo Ghost Gate in the Left-Hand Region, naturally looking down on Shangguan Yixin.

This sparked a fierce battle. Shangguan Yixin and Su Ruoyu initially fought one-on-one, with Shangguan Yixin holding the advantage. Yet, Ye Haoxuan covertly launched a soul-based sneak attack, tipping the scales toward Su Ruoyu.

After some time, Su Ruoyu wished to cease fighting, but Shangguan Yixin’s stubbornness prevailed. As a physical cultivator, she had no tricks but endurance, managing to turn the tide. However, Ye Haoxuan struck again from the shadows, causing her to falter at a crucial moment and suffer severe wounds from Su Ruoyu.

The two then fled, unwilling to deal a fatal blow to a lady of the Shangguan family.

Unexpectedly, they met again at the Taiyin Ji Corpse Sect, and a second battle broke out—this time a two-against-one fight.

Though Shangguan Yixin’s cultivation was eighth Golden Core, higher than both, Ye Haoxuan was a prodigy of a great sect who could easily defeat her alone. The outcome was foregone.

Shangguan Yixin was naturally resentful of the unfair match. After some recuperation, she fought Ye Haoxuan alone, but the result was predictable.

More importantly, Shangguan Yixin had few friends within the Taiyin Ji Corpse Sect. Most disciples supported Ye Haoxuan and Su Ruoyu, and with her losses, she was targeted further, compounding her misery.

That wasn’t all. During her months there, Su Ruoyu’s strength inexplicably soared. When Shangguan Yixin was about to leave, Su Ruoyu challenged her again, wielding a rare soul treasure. She defeated Shangguan Yixin decisively, forcing her to leave in disgrace, shattering her mindset.

Imagine a proud heiress, the most gifted disciple in her family, losing thrice to one woman—last time by fair means. How could she not be unsettled?

Hearing this, Zhou Xuanhong laughed heartily, teasing, “Isn’t it obvious they’re bullying you for being brainless? Your weakness as a physical cultivator lies in your soul. Yet you keep challenging blindly. If you don’t lose, who will? That Ye Haoxuan fellow is ruthless—he shouldn’t be in the Left-Hand Region but comes here to show off.”

Shangguan Yixin clenched her fists. “Hmph! I’m not afraid of him. Once I get some defensive soul treasures from my father and combine them with your arrays, I’ll defeat him.”

Zhou Xuanhong shook his head. “Don’t count on it. Senluo Ghost Gate far outmatches the Shangguan family. Whatever you have, they have means to counter. Enough about that. Tell me about Xiaona. What have you learned these months?”

Shangguan Yixin replied, “I have few friends at Taiyin Ji Corpse Sect, but a close sister, Bai Youxuan—the sect’s second true heir—knows quite a bit about Zhu Xiaona. She said Xiaona might have been possessed by an ancient monster. Many at Taiyin Ji Corps speculate this but dare not speak openly.”

Zhou Xuanhong squinted. “Bai Youxuan? She probably doesn’t have it easy there, right?”

Shangguan Yixin gave him a strange look. “You haven’t taken a fancy to Sister Bai again, have you? I’m warning you, don’t even think about her, or I won’t give you these arrays!”

Zhou Xuanhong sighed. “Could you not think so badly of me? Do you think a genius array master operates with his lower half? I have my reasons for asking. Just answer.”

“Hmph, fine, I’ll trust you this once. Sister Bai doesn’t have it easy, similar to me. Her protector is in seclusion, and other disciples shun her—mostly out of jealousy and hatred. Especially the men—unable to win their own beloved, they slander others. Such people are truly disgusting!”