Unnamed Territory, Chapter Ninety-Eight: Neither Fish Nor Fowl

Before long, it was time to set off. Naturally, the leader was Shangguan Liming, the young master of the Shangguan family. Although many present cultivated at higher levels than him, within the Shangguan estate, everyone still had to obey his orders.

The group headed toward the Taiyin Extreme Corpse Sect’s location, without any Nascent Soul cultivators accompanying them for protection.

However, after they departed, several late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators from the Shangguan family flickered out of sight. They still needed to maintain secret defenses; after all, everyone knew the danger of attracting too much attention.

Zhou Xuanhong did not fly alongside Shangguan Liming; he preferred to stay hidden in the shadows, trailing at the rear of the group.

Yet Shangguan Yixin, that spirited girl, approached him curiously, eyeing the Lei Kong disc beneath Zhou Xuanhong’s feet. “What kind of magic treasure is that? It’s so ugly. I’d rather just use my own body to fly elegantly!”

Zhou Xuanhong waved his hand dismissively. “Stay over there. Don’t stand next to me. When it’s time for the selection, you need to catch your opponent off guard. Understand?”

“Humph!”

Shangguan Yixin scoffed disdainfully, her pride evident. “It’s your honor to travel with me. With my talent and looks, all the extraordinary geniuses would be falling over themselves for me, and you even look down on me! What’s wrong? Are you really afraid of this test with your supposedly great formation skills?”

Zhou Xuanhong felt as if he had returned to the day of the Shaping Sect’s arena contest, when Bai Youxuan also clung to him—though Bai’s reasons were to improve her cunning, while this girl was merely bored.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m scared. I’m thin-skinned, unlike some people who get beaten multiple times but still laugh it off. Their thick skin must have been forged in the furnace.”

If anyone else had mocked him like this, Shangguan Yixin would have kicked them. But with Zhou Xuanhong, she had no temper, only pouted and waved her small but strong fists.

“Just wait and see. This time, I’ll teach that pair of scoundrels a lesson. How dare they bully me like that? If I don’t reclaim the honor, I’ll write my name backwards!”

Zhou Xuanhong teased from the side, “Alright, alright, I know you’re formidable. Miss Shangguan Yixin, hurry up and move to the front. Without your strength to bear the burden, your brother will be alone and overwhelmed!”

“Hmph!”

Shangguan Yixin gave a coquettish huff and flew toward the front among a group of Golden Core cultivators. Halfway there, she suddenly hesitated and turned back.

“What did you just call me?”

“Shangguan Yixin!”

Having dealt with that troublemaker, a Golden Core Grandmaster soon approached Zhou Xuanhong and clasped his fist in greeting.

“You seem unfamiliar here, friend. I am You Long, a guest attendant of the Shangguan family. May I ask your name?”

Zhou Xuanhong clasped his fist politely. “Zhuge Jiangniao, also a guest attendant. Pleased to meet you!”

You Long chuckled and transmitted his voice telepathically. “You must have just arrived. Quite capable, handling Shangguan Yixin so easily on your first day. Impressive!”

Zhou Xuanhong replied, “What handling? We’re friends. May I ask if you have any guidance for me?”

You Long waved dismissively. “Nothing in particular—just making friends. Although your cultivation is only at the first Golden Core level, I believe you have the ability to pass the selection. If we meet in the Great World, I hope you’ll look out for me.”

Zhou Xuanhong nodded. “Naturally, we are fellow guest attendants—fate has brought us together.”

Sensing Zhou Xuanhong’s disinterest in chatting, You Long did not press further or explain how he was so confident about the trial. Instead, he politely took his leave.

Shortly after You Long left, a female cultivator with an eighth-level Golden Core appeared—not approaching Zhou Xuanhong, but rather Li Li.

“Li, I didn’t expect you to participate in this trial. With your strength, I suppose even if we fought, I wouldn’t be your match.”

This cultivator, named Qi Yun, was a devotee of the Shangguan family. A few months ago, she and Li Li had jointly carried out an assassination mission. She held considerable affection for Li Li, unaware that Li Li was merely a puppet, with Zhou Xuanhong as the true manipulator.

Li Li responded coldly with a curt “Hmm,” remaining silent thereafter, projecting an aura of impenetrable reserve.

Yet Qi Yun’s admiration only deepened. She seemed to favor Li Li’s attitude and moved closer again.

Zhou Xuanhong was speechless. The cultivation world was vast, filled with all sorts, but human nature remained constant—what one cannot have always seems best. He understood Qi Yun’s thoughts perfectly, but Li Li’s demeanor could not be changed; after all, Li Li was the embodiment of a cold, aloof sword cultivator.

“Li, you truly are a pure internal sword cultivator, unparalleled in strength. If we both enter the Great World, why not team up? You handle the killing moves; I’ll be your support and control.”

Qi Yun knew Li Li and Zhou Xuanhong were a pair, but she brazenly tried to steal Li Li away, clearly underestimating Zhou Xuanhong—merely a first-level Golden Core cultivator, after all.

Li Li shook her head firmly. “Your strength is insufficient. Teaming with you will only hold me back. My sword path is straightforward; any restraint dulls my blade. Besides, you’re a woman—you would only slow my strike speed.”

Her words were blunt and rude, not only decisively rejecting Qi Yun but also offending her. After the last remark, Zhou Xuanhong sensed many female cultivators nearby casting hostile glances.

He paid no mind. There was no point wasting time on them; best if they didn’t bother him at all.

Qi Yun’s enthusiasm quickly faded. She gave a cold laugh—this was the first time she had been so harshly dismissed, especially by a man of lower cultivation. Her mastery of dual wood and earth elemental arts made her an excellent support, but to be shut out so completely left her seething. She vented her frustration on Zhou Xuanhong.

“So you mean I’m weaker than him? He’s only a first-level Golden Core, yet he won’t hold you back, and I will?”

Li Li sat cross-legged on a sword light, silent, as if the previous words were all she intended to say for the coming days—sparing with speech.

Zhou Xuanhong remained silent. There were plenty of shallow, vain women like this. Hadn’t he noticed that even Shangguan Liming and Shangguan Yixin treated him respectfully? Even You Long had shown courtesy, with no trace of contempt. Was that not enough evidence?

Seeing no response from Zhou Xuanhong or Li Li, Qi Yun snorted coldly, her face hardening as she flew ahead. Soon, she allied with another Golden Core Grandmaster.

She occasionally glanced back at Zhou Xuanhong and Li Li trailing behind. It seemed to say, “I want to see just how formidable you two really are!”

Along the way, they encountered many Golden Core cultivators from other major factions, all heading in the same direction: the Taiyin Extreme Corpse Sect. Yet none could match the numbers of the Shangguan family, whose influence in the Nameless Zone was considerable.

As they neared the sect, more cultivators appeared. Noticing Zhou Xuanhong’s solitary first-level Golden Core cultivation, many showed keen interest but dared not ridicule openly due to the overwhelming presence and backing of the Shangguan family.

Zhou Xuanhong flew at the rear, not to conceal himself but to discreetly probe with his divine sense, checking the teleportation array that Li Li had secretly set up during a previous mission—ensuring it was neither damaged nor discovered.

This journey to the Taiyin Extreme Corpse Sect was bound to expose their identities. After all, the sect housed formidable Void Spirit Realm experts, and Zhou Xuanhong’s abilities were not yet sufficient to disguise himself before such power.

Thus, preparing an escape route was essential—just as he had discussed with Shangguan Ba earlier: at the slightest hint of danger, retreat swiftly.

Entrusting one’s life to others was folly. Zhou Xuanhong preferred to grasp his own fate tightly, allowing him to feel assured. Even if betrayed or faced with unforeseen circumstances, he could safely withdraw.

The Taiyin Extreme Corpse Sect was located near the left-hand area of the Nameless Zone, amidst endless mountain ranges. Towering, magnificent palaces stood proudly on the peaks, while above, a grim, gray light curtain shrouded the mountains.

Before the ranges lay a plain, eternal springtime, where wild grass flourished and flowers filled the air with fragrance. Beneath this sea of blossoms lay countless skulls, nourishing the thriving vegetation.

On the prairie, cultivators flew on swords, hovered in the air, rode beasts, or walked across the grass. They were divided mainly into two factions: the righteous sects led by magic cultivators and the demonic sects led by the heretical path.

Each faction further split into individual sects, scattered throughout the area. No lone cultivators were present—only prominent major forces of the Nameless Zone.

The arrival of the Shangguan family drew attention. Their numbers were the largest, and their presence undeniably impressive.

At the forefront were Shangguan Liming and Shangguan Yixin, both strikingly handsome and beautiful, unmatched in appearance. The remaining fifty-two wore matching white and blue robes embroidered with the character "Shangguan" on the chest. Each exuded powerful auras, their smiles mingling seriousness with ease, solemnity with grace.

In this regard, Shangguan Ba had given them strict instructions: people might lose, but their bearing must remain impeccable, fully embodying the refined yet fierce temperament of the Shangguan family.

Yet two among them stood out awkwardly. Li Li, wearing a bamboo hat that concealed much, emitted a fierce sword intent devoid of refinement—only sharpness capable of cutting through anything.

As for Zhou Xuanhong, he was the most incongruous. At least Li Li was a sword cultivator with partial ties to the Shangguan family. Zhou Xuanhong, however, cultivated no sword arts and was only a first-level Golden Core.

His small, black, round flying disc was not exactly ugly, but it certainly could not be called aesthetically pleasing.

Regarding temperament, Zhou Xuanhong’s plain face and calm expression gave off a somewhat unsettling vibe—like someone scheming to snatch another’s possessions. A single glance from him felt as if he were calculating how to seize what belonged to others.