Chapter 23: Saintess Xuanji, The Alchemy Challenge

The sun tilted toward the west, yet the Danxia Palace remained bathed in a myriad of radiant colors, as if the entire sacred ground were submerged in a sea of brilliant clouds. Within the hall, a woman clad in vermilion robes stood still, the flowing light behind her outlining a figure of immaculate grace.

She was Xuanji, the direct successor and Saintess of the Danxia Sacred Ground.

The Holy Master of Danxia sat upon her dais, her gaze steady and imbued with unquestionable majesty. She looked down at this future successor and spoke slowly, her voice echoing like a celestial tone from afar: "Xuanji, this time, I want you to personally travel to the 'Xia State,' the new power in the Eastern Continent, and have a meeting with that man, Jiang Cheng."

Xuanji raised her eyes abruptly, her exquisite and peerless face remaining indifferent. "The Xia State... is that the 'state' that rose to power through the 'Lingxiao Treaty' and detained the elite disciples of the eight great sacred grounds? It is rumored to be a fledgling power; how could it possibly compare to our Danxia Sacred Ground?"

The Holy Master sighed softly, her voice revealing a profound gravity that brooked no argument. "If it were merely a common 'small power,' why would I need to send you personally? The Linglong Sacred Ground and several other sacred grounds previously joined forces to besiege him, only to be deterred by his Great Emperor-level pressure. Now, rumors suggest that Jiang Cheng may possess secrets related to the Great Emperor’s inheritance, enough to rewrite the landscape of the entire Chenguang Realm."

Xuanji frowned slightly, a cold sneer of disbelief spilling from her lips. "A Great Emperor’s inheritance? I fear that is nothing more than hearsay. If that pressure truly originated from Jiang Cheng, would he really be content sitting in that so-called 'Xia State,' mingling with commoners?"

"Xuanji!" the Holy Master’s voice suddenly deepened, the glowing light in the hall shifting as if in response to her pressure. "This matter is not without foundation. Moreover, the Danxia Sacred Ground did not participate in the previous siege, so now is the perfect opportunity to extend a gesture of goodwill and avoid being caught in a passive position later."

Xuanji bit her lower lip, ultimately choosing not to retort, though the haughty expression on her face grew more pronounced. "Master, I understand. But it is rumored that Jiang Cheng has a penchant for 'Saintesses,' especially having taken Su Ruoxi of the Linglong Sacred Ground into his chambers—and even using top-tier medicinal pills, which even the Holy Master would covet, as a betrothal gift. A man like that... I hold in contempt."

The Holy Master remained noncommittal to this, her expression softening slightly yet losing none of its solemnity. "Since ancient times, those who possess a Great Emperor’s inheritance have mostly held heaven-defying fortune and excellent destiny. Since this man has already intimidated the various sacred grounds, it shows he is no mere 'lecherous wastrel.' Furthermore, for the sake of Danxia’s future, you may choose an appropriate way to approach him. If the opportunity arises—" She paused, her gaze fixed on Xuanji. "Beauty is not necessarily an ineffective bargaining chip."

A flash of disgust crossed Xuanji’s eyes as she clenched her fists. "Since Master has commanded it, I shall do my best. But I will not be like that Su Ruoxi..." She stopped, seemingly feeling she had said too much, and flicked her sleeve with an icy expression.

The Holy Master did not force the issue; instead, she revealed a faint smile. "How you proceed is for you to decide. Just accomplish the most critical tasks: evaluate the strength of Jiang Cheng and the Xia State, uncover clues about the Great Emperor’s inheritance, and even seek an opportunity to form an alliance. If you can befriend him, that is best; if he is truly as reckless as the rumors suggest, you must keep a path of retreat."

Xuanji said no more, only taking a deep breath before bowing. "I shall obey the Holy Master’s command."

"Remember, bring only one maidservant and travel light. Do not draw too much attention, so as not to alert other factions," the Holy Master advised, adding one final instruction, "If the situation changes, you need not force yourself—prioritize your own safety above all."

Xuanji rose and left the Danxia Palace. As she departed, the churning glow behind her stood in sharp contrast to the solitary pride of her plain robes.

Had anyone seen her expression, they would have perceived the defiance and unyielding spirit hidden beneath her tightly pressed lips.

Three days after stepping out from the Danxia mountain gates, Xuanji and her maidservant descended upon the peak of a cliff outside Lingxiao City.

Interestingly, the party they traveled with was actually a spirit ship belonging to the Xia State.

The Xia State might not yet have spread its influence across the Eastern Continent, but the overwhelming pressure of its peerless experts and the transport firm established by the Xia State in "cooperation" with the eight great sacred grounds meant that the sacred grounds' top-tier spirit ships were now traversing every city in the Eastern Continent, offering services to all cultivators and mortals alike, provided they could pay.

Looking down at the new city at the foot of the mountain, Xuanji saw streets intersecting, businesses flourishing, and crowds moving along the city walls—a scene of bustling activity.

However, the city was filled with a mix of cultivators and mortals in various attire, far from the monotony of typical sect or aristocratic cities.

"So this is the Xia State..."

Xuanji’s eyes were complex, and she mused to herself, "Unexpectedly, in such a short time, Lingxiao City has taken on a completely new look. They truly have some capability."

She lightly touched her sword and turned to look at her accompanying maidservant—a woman with delicate features named Jinse. In the Danxia Sacred Ground, she was merely a common disciple who usually remained unnoticed, yet she was quite skilled in the art of spiritual disguise.

"Jinse, we are traveling light this time. All other guards are remaining at the rear outpost. No need to speak; you understand the situation here."

"Yes, Saintess."

Xuanji frowned slightly as she looked toward the city gate.

It was bustling yet orderly, with both mortals and all manner of cultivators among the crowd.

She sneered, unimpressed by the so-called "equality for all" of the Xia State.

"Remember," she whispered, "from now on, you are the 'Danxia Saintess,' and I am 'Jinse,' acting as your maidservant. Since we need to investigate the truth of this place and avoid suspicion from Jiang Cheng and his cohorts, you must play your part well."

Jinse was slightly startled, then respectfully replied, "I will do my best to emulate the demeanor of the Saintess, but this..."

Xuanji waved her hand. "Do not worry. I have no interest in dealing with him directly. Let us first see what methods this Xia State employs and what they are truly capable of."

Xuanji actually did not want to tell her maidservant that the Holy Master had hinted that Jiang Cheng was quite fond of "Saintesses." If, by any chance... then it would be fitting for her maidservant to marry Jiang Cheng. At worst, the Danxia Sacred Ground could simply grant Jinse the status of a Saintess at that time.

With that, she flicked her sleeve, and the two figures flashed away, descending the cliff and darting toward the city gate.

Upon entering Lingxiao City, they saw the words "Xia State · Lingxiao City" inscribed on the walls. The guards were a mix of mortals and cultivators, all clad in uniform black armor and wearing standardized swords, appearing highly disciplined.

The two provided false identities for registration and entered the city openly.

Xuanji hid her opulence, changing into simple attire that made her look like a modest yet refined maidservant.

Jinse, conversely, donned the robes befitting a Danxia Saintess, appearing quite dignified and poised.

While bowing her head and acting the part of a maid, Xuanji secretly observed her surroundings.

Inside the city, Xuanji saw a dazzling array of alchemy shops and spirit material merchants on the main street, and a plan immediately crossed her mind: "Since they possess a peerless inheritance, why not test their foundation with alchemy?"

She whispered to Jinse, "Under the name of the Xia State’s leading alchemist, find a public venue and propose an alchemy contest against the best alchemist in the Xia State. Say that this Saintess wishes to evaluate the level of alchemy in the Xia State, and if they can surpass the Danxia Sacred Ground, then they truly have some merit."

Jinse was stunned, knowing these were the words of the true "Saintess," and immediately nodded in agreement. Xuanji retreated half a step, following quietly as if she were merely a stoic maidservant.

Before long, the two revealed their identities at a temporarily constructed "Alchemy Arena" within the city.

Many Xia State cultivators, hearing that someone claiming to be a "Xia State Alchemist" had come to challenge them, were immediately stirred and flocked to watch.

Under the gaze of the crowd, "Saintess" Jinse coldly and proudly declared, "The Xia State is famous across the Eastern Continent for its peerless inheritance. Today, we wish to witness the alchemy prowess of the Xia State. Since the Xia State has dared to challenge the eight great sacred grounds, surely you will not refuse a fair and open alchemy competition."