Chapter 100 The Female-Dominant Cultivation World (Twenty-One)

Qiu Runyu leapt down from the demonic beast. As she walked closer, her features became increasingly clear.

With a youthful face and white hair, her appearance was ancient and unadorned. Holding a walking stick, her hemp robe fluttered in the wind as she walked. Compared to the Nascent Soul cultivators present, she emanated even more of an imposing aura.

“This person is called Qiu Runyu, the Sect Leader of Li Gate, Elder Daoist Qiu. Hm? What is she doing here?”

The little black bird nestled in Liu Changning’s arms, eyes half-closed, with a fleeting look of surprise.

It transmitted a message mentally, explaining: “This Sect Leader of Li Gate is already fifty thousand years old. Her cultivation has been stuck at the late stage of Tribulation Transcendence for a full twenty thousand years. Now she only has twenty years of lifespan left. As early as a hundred years ago, this Sect Leader rarely appeared at the major alliances in the spirit realm. Today, however…”

Pei Ziyuan’s heart suddenly filled with an ominous premonition. Feeling the gentle comfort of the cool hands on his body, he gradually relaxed.

A look of gravity flashed across the bird’s face: “Elder Daoist Qiu has been seeking a breakthrough opportunity all these years, especially in the recent century. The disciples of Li Gate lack talent, and most of the elders only have Nascent Soul cultivation. If Elder Daoist Qiu cannot break through to the Tribulation Transcendence stage and extend her lifespan, I’m afraid Li Gate will fade out of the top ten sects in the future. Therefore, in recent years she has been coming and going, rarely managing worldly affairs, focusing solely on seeking a method for breakthrough.”

Pei Ziyuan looked up, about to continue speaking, when he met Liu Changning’s deep gaze. Their eyes met, her gaze profound and obscure.

After a while, she smiled at him casually, saying softly: “Don’t worry, Elder. You must remember this time, no matter what happens later, you absolutely must not condense into a solid form or reveal your true body.”

After repeatedly emphasizing this, seeing the little black bird nod slowly, Liu Changning finally felt relieved and looked back towards the front.

The elders of the ten major sects at the forefront had already finished exchanging greetings with Qiu Runyu.

“May I ask if Sect Leader Qiu has any instructions for coming here in person?” Tianjing asked again.

Today had been full of twists and turns. Now with the sky gloomy, Elder Daoist Qiu’s appearance once again interrupted the disciple recruitment ceremony at the trial grounds.

Tianjing had just suppressed a bout of anger and was in no mood for roundabout pleasantries, so she asked her doubts directly. It seemed that Qiu Runyu, who had not concerned herself with worldly affairs in the cultivation world for years, must have a reason for suddenly appearing now.

As soon as these words fell, everyone’s ears perked up.

Qiu Runyu chuckled softly, her expression gentle. Her keen and bright eyes passed over the ten Nascent Soul stage elders surrounding her, looking directly at Liu Changning not far away.

After a moment’s contemplation, she raised her voice and said: “Young friend is truly skilled at concealment, nearly playing with the Nascent Soul elders of our ten major righteous sects in the palm of your hand under the guise of a demon race.”

As soon as these words were spoken, all eyes turned once again to Liu Changning, who had nearly cleared her name just moments ago.

She folded her arms across her chest, raising an eyebrow to withstand the deliberately intensified pressure Qiu Runyu placed on her. After staring at her for a moment, she asked calmly: “What does Elder mean by this?”

Qiu Runyu neither confirmed nor denied, withdrawing her gaze. The long silver hair at her temples danced in the wind, giving her a celestial and righteous appearance.

“What is all this that’s happening today? Sect Leader Qiu’s baseless accusations are inappropriate. I’m afraid you’ve listened to someone’s one-sided words.”

Juqu frowned. Although her words were not harsh, her expression was already displeased.

After all, this female cultivator called Liu Changning had been vouched for personally by the Sect Master of their Hermit Immortal Palace. Now Qiu Runyu had come uninvited, and without preamble accused Liu Cangyu of being from the demon race.

This was clearly slapping their ancestors in the face. If she stood idly by now, it would be allowing others to slander their sect.

Juqu was in an extremely bad mood, and her voice involuntarily turned a few degrees colder as she spoke: “Sect Leader Qiu may not be aware, but regarding the matter you speak of, our Sect Master has already come forward to clarify. Our ancestor was present that night and has proven this woman’s innocence. All the fellow Daoists present can testify. I’m afraid you’ve been deceived about the true situation by Fellow Daoist Mu.”

“Fellow Daoist Ju… words once spoken are like water spilled. You should listen to the end before coming out to defend.” Mu Yun pushed through the crowd, walking to the front, cackling with laughter.

She rubbed her withered hands together, lifting her eyelids to reveal a fierce glint: “The Sect Master of Hermit Immortal Palace did indeed appear earlier and vouched for this woman, but what does that prove?”

Mu Yun pointed at Liu Changning, who stood calmly not far away, hatred flashing in her narrow, small eyes.

She turned her head to smile ambiguously at Juqu and the others, saying: “The Hermit Immortal Palace’s Sect Master, Elder Pei, only condensed into a virtual form earlier. Her face couldn’t even be seen clearly. Most importantly, even if that person earlier was truly Elder Pei, so what? This old Daoist recently discovered a very interesting matter concerning the connection between the previous Sect Master of Hermit Immortal Palace and the Emotion Demon clan.”

“Mu Yun! You!” Juqu raised her head, looking at Mu Yun with harsh words and a severe expression. “Baseless accusations, talking nonsense, you really dare to say it!”

As she finished speaking, she drew the soft sword at her waist, looking as if she was about to fight Mu Yun to the death.

However, Qiu Runyu waved her sleeve, and a beam of white light casually dissolved Juqu’s attack.

“Fellow Daoist Ju, please calm down. Whatever the matter is, you should listen to the full story before acting. It’s not too late to make a move then.”

Sect Leader Qiu’s face was full of smiles, seemingly kind, but the smile did not reach her eyes now. The pressure of a Tribulation Transcendence cultivator firmly pinned Juqu in place.