Luck taken away? It doesn't matter, I quietly become a god

"The Divine Wind Archery Technique?"

Jiuxiao's eyes flashed: "Well done, then let me experience the power of the Divine Wind Arrow Technique taught by Prince Shenfeng."

With a single step, Jiu Xiao unleashed his sword, which moved with his will, and thrust it forward!

In an instant, a fierce wind arose on the mountaintop, transforming into thousands upon thousands of swords that slashed and killed the fire phoenix that was flying amidst the flames.

The wind rustled softly.

The phoenix cries out.

In the battle between wind and fire, it was as if thousands of war drums were beating, and amidst the flying sand and stones, even the mountain cliffs were carved with marks.

After an unknown amount of time, when the firelight faded and the wind subsided, only a mess remained on the mountaintop.

Rong Shu, slightly out of breath, swallowed two Spirit Gathering Pills in silence.

On the other side, Jiuxiao remained calm.

only……

Rong Shu's gaze shifted downwards, landing on the branch in Jiu Xiao's hand. All the branches and leaves had been burned away, leaving only a bare trunk, from which one could vaguely see the color of charcoal.

"Again!" Rong Shu put away the Fire Feather Bow and drew the Free and Easy Sword.

The morning sun pierced through the thin clouds and fell on the sword, refracting a colorful, iridescent sheen.

As that shimmering, glassy color rose high into the sky, the sword energy soared straight into the heavens, like the Milky Way within reach.

Jiuxiao narrowed her eyes, took another step forward, and swung her sword toward the sky.

The surging sword energy spread out in layers, like the Milky Way falling from the heavens, clearing away all the clouds and mist.

Boom——

The entire mountain peak seemed to be on the verge of collapse.

Those walking at the foot of the mountain, upon suddenly witnessing such a commotion, couldn't help but tense up.

……

A gust of wind blew by and extinguished the second incense stick.

With a flick of his finger, Jiuyin lit the third incense stick and continued to watch the battle unfold on the mountaintop with his arms crossed.

From the Four Symbols Blade to the Fire Feather Bow, and then to the Carefree Sword...

From talismans to formations, and then to poisons...

From magic to combat techniques, and then to supernatural powers...

Rong Shu spared no effort in his search to find that one 'flaw' in the Nine Heavens.

"What else... what else is possible..."

"A mental attack? A spiritual attack? A mental attack... Yes! I haven't used a mental attack yet!" Rong Shu, with a try-it-out mentality, mobilized his mental sense.

She didn't know if she could succeed.

Jiuxiao's cultivation level is higher than hers, and his knowledge and experience are richer... so he won't necessarily be affected.

Even the slightest chance is worth a try!

“Rong Shu, you have studied a wide variety of things. This is both your strength and your weakness.” At this moment, Jiu Xiao’s voice came softly.

"There are three thousand great paths, but they all lead to the same destination. They are all just competing for that one narrow ladder to heaven."

“If you were given enough time, perhaps you could achieve great success in every field after thousands of years. But right now, you can’t do that. The more you learn, the more weaknesses and flaws you will have…” Jiuxiao shook his head and sighed.

She is rejecting Rong Shu's past path, and she is questioning Rong Shu's future path.

This was not a simple contest of skills, but a profound inquiry into the truth.

Will it be to waver in one's principles, or to stick to one's own beliefs?

"Chief of the Nine Heavens."

Bathed in the firelight, the girl in red raised her head again, her eyes as resolute as ever. She spoke softly, "The path I have walked is not as far as yours, but every step I have taken has been steady, peaceful, and without regret!"

"It was true in the past, it is true now, and it will be true in the future."

A golden light suddenly shone in the girl's eyes, a light so intense it could make one's heart burn.

Unexpectedly, Jiuxiao met his gaze.

A strange feeling quietly passed through my heart, and a fog appeared before my eyes.

Jiu Xiao frowned subconsciously, just about to break free from the illusion 'before her eyes', when suddenly, several hoarse roars seemed to echo behind her:

'Nine Heavens...run! Run fast...'

'Boss, don't worry about us... run!'

Jiuxiao's figure suddenly froze.

In that instant, Rong Shu, who was using the [Divine Guidance] technique, keenly seized the moment when Jiu Xiao was distracted, and the Fire Feather Bow in his hand split in two.

"Wind Spirit! Fire Spirit! Little Blue Flame!"

The twin blades, imbued with the power of wind and fire, shimmer with a unique, ethereal blue light, a hallmark of the Earth Core Meteor Lotus Fire, with each swing and movement.

Rong Shu's spiritual power was drained in an instant, and all of it was poured into his twin swords.

Behind her, the phantom of Acala appeared, majestic and imposing, radiating golden light.

This was her last cut!

Flames shot into the sky, illuminating the world and the path to heaven beneath the girl's feet.

"—This strike, Chief of Nine Heavens, please take it!" The girl's firm and clear voice rang out!

A blazing golden beam of light slashed down from the sky.

In an instant, the sound of the wind around them disappeared, leaving only the brilliant crimson flames as far as the eye could see.

……

When the wind and waves subsided and all was quiet, that blazing red sun left behind a scorched wasteland.

Rong Shu's eyes were fixed on the person opposite him—

Jiuxiao remained calm, but in the next second, with a slight twitch of her fingertips, the seemingly intact branch turned into ashes.

Her hands were empty.

Rong Shu raised his twin swords, ready to press his attack in one fell swoop—

Suddenly, Jiu Xiao raised his hand and pointed to the three incense sticks: "The three incense sticks have burned out, you have passed the test."

As soon as he finished speaking, Rong Shu suddenly came to his senses and turned to look at where the three incense sticks had been inserted. Only three burnt-out incense sticks remained.

"It...it passed?" Rong Shu's eyes sparkled.

"Yes, you have passed the assessment."

Jiu Xiao brushed the dust off his palms, a rare gentleness appearing in his eyes:

"Come down the mountain."

"Your companions are waiting for you."

"The sixty-year period of your new life is over. You should think of a suitable Taoist name for yourself. It will be an important identifier for you when you travel outside as a student of Jixia Academy."

At the foot of the mountain, a figure was pacing back and forth, occasionally looking up at the mountaintop.

"Very well." Rong Shu bowed respectfully, "Thank you for your guidance, Chief Instructor of Jiuxiao!"

After bidding farewell to Jiuxiao and Jiuyin, Rong Shu descended the mountain with cheerful steps.

"Little Duan, have you been waiting long? I'm here..."

After the person left, Jiuyin walked towards Jiuxiao with steady steps: "Although the young tiger is small and its claws and teeth are not yet sharp, it does not lack the indomitable spirit of a young man."

"Truly, new talents emerge in every generation..."

If Rong Shu were still here, he would probably be quite surprised—

At this moment, "Nine Yin" no longer possessed her usual gloomy and innocent temperament; her eyes revealed a complex and unfathomable expression.

"Nine Yin" slightly curled his lips: "I didn't expect you to lose to a junior. Do you have any thoughts to share?"

Jiuxiao stared intently at the person beside him, as if confirming something, and then nodded: "Yes, I lost."

"That's really strange, you actually admitted defeat..."

"Why not? Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. I'm not so bad at losing."

"Really? But back then, someone was so unwilling to accept defeat that after his cultivation broke through, he immediately went to the True Martial Alliance and challenged hundreds of halls... He almost ruined their martial arts tournament."

"Didn't you make a move back then? Of the six of us, you were the one who caused the most trouble."

"Really? You're mistaken."

"Should I call Qingxiao out for a confrontation?"

"No way, I don't want to listen to that nagging guy nagging..."

"..."

The sounds of a gentle breeze and a bright moon drifted on the wind, echoing through the mountain peaks and valleys:

"Zhongzhou is the Zhongzhou of young people."

Under the same blue sky, cheers echoed from the vibrant Cuckoo Garden.

"The future belongs to the young people."

Beautiful mountains, beautiful water, sunshine, and the clear voice of a young boy weaving through the woods startling a flock of egrets flying eastward.

"...Hurry up, if you're late they'll all be finished with their assessments..."

"I know, I know, I just had a big battle and I'm injured so I can't fly fast. Little Duan, can't you be a little more understanding of an injured person?"

"Little Duanzi, what kind of Taoist name do you think I should choose?"

"It's simple, just take a Taoist name like 'Immoral' or 'Beast,' they'll suit you perfectly!"

"Get lost! You want a beating, don't you?"

"..."

The sounds of laughter gradually faded into the distance.

The spring colors covering the mountains and the colorful clouds filling the sky cannot compare to the carefree and picturesque eyes of a young man.