Chapter 88

Stepping out the door, Lu Yuling stood in the courtyard, her white robe fluttering in the breeze. The afterglow of the sunset cast upon her, making her even more dazzling and captivating. Even Zhuge Xiang was momentarily stunned, but he quickly regained his composure and smiled mischievously, "What do you want to tell me in private? You're not trying to say you have a crush on me, are you?"

Turning her head, Lu Yuling's eyes sparkled with an indescribable light, and she smiled brightly, "I thought I had hidden it well, but I didn't expect you to figure it out. That saves me the trouble of saying it myself."

"That's great. Where do you want us to start? With a kiss?" Zhuge Xiang took a big step forward, standing in front of Lu Yuling, leaning in close to her face, as if about to kiss her.

A hint of panic flashed in her eyes, and Lu Yuling took a step back, her fair cheeks tinged with a light blush. She said seriously, "Alright, let's stop joking around. I called you out here to talk about the Inner Sect Selection."

"Inner Sect Selection?" Zhuge Xiang looked at Lu Yuling in surprise. "Isn't it true that to become an Inner Sect Core Disciple, one only needs to reach the Sky-Cleaving Realm? What's this selection about?"

"If you're still alive and stay in the sect, Dugu Jue will definitely find out and won't let you off. If I'm not mistaken, you'll probably be hiding in the Endless Mountains, right?" Lu Yuling's bright eyes fixed on Zhuge Xiang as she continued, "The Inner Sect Selection, which takes place every five years, is just over a year and two months away. All Pulse-Through Realm disciples can sign up. Once you pass the assessment, even if you haven't reached the Sky-Cleaving Realm, you can be promoted to an Inner Sect Core Disciple. At that point, your status will rise, and even Dugu Jue will have to be more cautious if he wants to deal with you."

"A year and two months? Sky-Cleaving Realm? I'm only at the second level of the Body-Refining Realm. Do you think I can reach the Pulse-Through Realm in just over a year?" Zhuge Xiang asked.

"I've said what I needed to say. The choice is yours. I hope to see you at the Inner Sect Selection." Lu Yuling smiled faintly, left this message, and without saying goodbye to Huanying and the others, she left Zhuge Xiang's courtyard.

"A year and two months? Inner Sect Selection?" Zhuge Xiang's eyes sparkled. Indeed, this news from Lu Yuling was very timely for him.

Becoming an Inner Sect Core Disciple, even if it means breaking the sect's rules, Dugu Jue killing him would likely not result in punishment from the sect, as he is just an Outer Sect Disciple. However, if he also becomes an Inner Sect Core Disciple, things would be different. In the spotlight, he could showcase his strength, gain the sect's attention, and significantly increase his safety. A year and two months? Reaching the Pulse-Through Realm? Zhuge Xiang was quite confident in himself. Lu Yuling's hope to meet him at the Inner Sect Selection showed that she was also very confident.

Zhuge Xiang alone received 108 spirit stones. After distributing the other magical weapons and demon wolf hearts among Zhang Kuang and the others, everyone left his room. During this time, Zhuge Xiang called Niu Geng to help him refine toxins overnight, as much as possible and as potent as possible.

Seeing that it was getting late, Zhuge Xiang gave the formula for his Bursting Arrow to Master Lao Tie, the same as the Wolf Tooth Arrow formula. Master Lao Tie promised to provide him with 100 Bursting Arrows each month and urged him to work through the night, as he would be leaving early the next morning.

Back at his residence, Zhuge Xiang asked the Moon Swallowing Divine Dog to set up a six-layer Illusionary Realm. He believed that Dugu Jue would soon find out he was back, and given his character, it was very likely he would attack at night. Unfortunately, the Moon Swallowing Divine Dog told Zhuge Xiang that setting up a six-layer Illusionary Realm required a Spirit Gathering Array to absorb enough spiritual energy, which would take at least three days.

Reluctantly, Zhuge Xiang had it use 36 spirit stones to set up a small illusionary array. It wasn't meant to kill Dugu Jue, but at least to hold him off. Besides, Dugu Jue was an Inner Sect Core Disciple, and if he died, the sect would certainly investigate thoroughly.

At night, the lights in Niu Geng's courtyard were bright. Various dead poisonous creatures were piled up like a small mountain. Even though they were dead, the toxic fumes in the air still made people feel nauseous. The Divine Wood Cauldron, made of an unknown wood, remained unscathed in the flames. Niu Geng threw various highly toxic creatures into it in specific proportions to refine a potent mixed toxin.

"Still refining toxins so late?" Suddenly, a soft female voice sounded. Niu Geng looked up to see Zi Xiang's frail figure, which looked even more beautiful under the moonlight, making Niu Geng's eyes widen.

He smiled awkwardly and scratched his head, "Zhuge Xiang is leaving the sect tomorrow, and it seems he'll be gone for a long time. I want to help him refine as much toxin as possible tonight."

"I've sold all my equipment, and the demon wolf hearts have been exchanged for spirit stones and contribution points at the sect. I have nothing to do now. How about I help you? After all, Zhuge Xiang saved my life," Zi Xiang suggested after some thought.

"That would be a great help," Niu Geng said. Given that Zi Xiang was also skilled in toxins, he was very happy to have her help. Under the moonlight, the Fluorescent Jade emitted a soft glow, and the young man and woman worked together to refine various terrifying toxins.

Huff... Puff... Hiss...

On the other side, on Green Willow Peak, in Zhang Kuang's courtyard, his spear danced like a dragon, and sweat poured down his face. Zhang Kuang, who considered Zhuge Xiang his rival, could feel his growth was incredibly fast. Initially, there was a five-level gap between them at the Qi-Nourishing Realm, but now, he was almost caught up. Moreover, Zhuge Xiang had comprehended the Arrow Intent, far surpassing him. The fact that he was so far behind was hard for Zhang Kuang to accept. If Zhuge Xiang could comprehend the Arrow Intent, why couldn't he comprehend the Spear Intent?

"What! That Zhuge Xiang is back? Impossible!" On the other side, despite the involvement of a Soul Transformation Realm disciple, Dugu Jue still had people keeping an eye on Niu Geng and his group. Hearing that Zhuge Xiang was alive and back, Dugu Jue suddenly stood up, exclaiming in shock.

With his Sky-Cleaving Realm cultivation, he had shown no mercy. A mere Body-Refining Realm disciple should have been killed instantly. How could he be alive? Dugu Jue found it hard to believe.

"Does that guy have some kind of divine defensive artifact?" His eyes flickered, and Dugu Jue's heart raced. The more he thought about it, the more he itched to find out.

Indeed, the Soul Transformation Realm disciple had only mentioned that Niu Geng and his group had some connection with him, but not Zhuge Xiang. Moreover, at the time, he had almost killed Zhuge Xiang, and the Soul Transformation Realm disciple had not held him accountable.

"Alright, I know. You can go now," he waved the informant away and stood up, changing into a night outfit and heading directly to Green Bamboo Peak.

What kind of treasure could allow a Body-Refining Realm disciple to withstand a full-strength attack from a Sky-Cleaving Realm cultivator? Also, Zhuge Xiang was the one Dugu Ming had targeted, and Dugu Ming's death was highly suspicious. No matter what, he couldn't let Zhuge Xiang live.

Standing by the window, bathed in moonlight, Zhuge Xiang watched Dugu Jue, dressed in night attire, wandering around the courtyard, and asked the Moon Swallowing Divine Dog in a low voice, "How long can your array hold him?"

"If we use the gathered spiritual energy, it can only confuse him for half an hour. But if we use the spirit stones' own spiritual energy, it can hold him for at least three days. As long as the spiritual energy isn't exhausted, he won't be able to escape," the Moon Swallowing Divine Dog, perched on the windowsill, replied.

"It's not worth wasting spiritual energy on him. Unseal the illusionary array after half an hour. I believe he will know when to back off. I'll deal with him when I return from my training," Zhuge Xiang shook his head, said this, and turned back to his bed, sitting cross-legged.

Although meditating for cultivation experience was far less effective than killing monsters, wasting time was still wasting time. Even a small gain was a gain. He had to reach the Pulse-Through Realm within a year.

After half an hour, the illusionary array was unsealed, and Dugu Jue, panting and somewhat frightened, glanced at Zhuge Xiang's house and indeed backed off.

The next morning, Zhuge Xiang picked up the Wolf Tooth Arrows and Bursting Arrows from Master Lao Tie, prepared everything he needed, and returned to Green Bamboo Peak. He received a large jar of mixed toxin that Niu Geng had spent the entire night refining.

Seeing Niu Geng's exhausted appearance, Zhuge Xiang felt a bit guilty, but looking at Zi Xiang beside him, he frowned slightly. Although Niu Geng wasn't stupid, he was too honest. He instinctively didn't feel at ease with Zi Xiang and Niu Geng's interaction.

"Niu Geng, be careful with Zi Xiang," Zhuge Xiang warned him after a few casual words, watching Zi Xiang leave.

Looking at Zhuge Xiang in surprise, Niu Geng shook his head, "I think Miss Zi Xiang is a good person. She spent the whole night helping you refine toxins. Otherwise, I couldn't have refined so much in one night."

Looking at the large jar of mixed toxin in his hand, Zhuge Xiang said, "In any case, just be cautious. It's better to be safe than sorry."

After saying this, Zhuge Xiang left the sect. The Moon Swallowing Divine Dog, still hidden, perched on his shoulder. Niu Geng wasn't stupid, and he believed Niu Geng would be cautious after his warning.