After Sheng Jun Chapter 52 (Part 2)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 52 Unable to Endure Any Longer (part 2)
Below, Zhu Yan and Zhu Xu diligently recorded the match results.
Behind them stood the examinees who hadn't yet competed. One of them stood beside Zhu Yan, looking up at the main seats where the two "Divine Lords" were pulling and tugging at each other, seemingly discussing something.
"Divine Messenger." The examinee was puzzled. "What are the Divine Lords doing?"
Zhu Yan looked up. "......" Oh, they're being affectionate.
He maintained a serious expression. "They're communicating through divine consciousness. Every move you make is under the Divine Lords' observation. Don't act improperly."
The person quickly straightened up. "I see!" Communication between gods was indeed extraordinary.
The examination continued until the Hour of the Xu. (TL: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
After the first round, about twenty to thirty percent were eliminated, while the rest would continue to the second and third rounds. The eliminated were escorted out of Kunlun by Zhu Yan, while those who advanced would stay in the mountains for the night.
Jiang Xingzhi rose from his seat, about to leave, when a voice called out, "Divine Lord, please wait!"
He turned to see an Out-of-Body cultivator step forward from the crowd—from the surrounding people's expressions, most recognized this person. Zhu Xu timely opened his notebook and moved close to Jiang Xingzhi to show him the person's information. "One of the highest-cultivated rogue cultivators of our time, Luo Chu."
Zhong Ming asked in a deep voice, "What is it?"
Luo Chu cupped his hands. "I mean no disrespect to the Divine Lords, but we came here today drawn by your reputation. We should verify the Divine Lords' abilities so we can follow with peace of mind in the future!"
Zhong Ming frowned, but before he could speak, he heard Jiang Xingzhi say, "Very well. How do you propose to verify this?"
Luo Chu said, "Please battle with me. Of course, I'm merely at Out-of-Body stage, while the Divine Lords have achieved godhood, so naturally you cannot use magic artifacts or assistance."
This condition sounded quite unbalanced, but Jiang Xingzhi nodded indifferently. "Very well."
Zhong Ming pulled him aside. "Let me do it."
"It's a matter of one or two moves. Xuan Jun needn't compete." Jiang Xingzhi finished speaking and looked at Luo Chu. "Let's begin directly."
Everyone around scattered, making space for the two.
Luo Chu's expression was grave as he held his life-bound magical artifact and pulled out several high-level talismans and protective artifacts. While he prepared thoroughly, Jiang Xingzhi remained leisurely and relaxed, still "pulling and tugging" with Zhong Ming.
"Divine Lord." Luo Chu reminded him. "I'm about to begin."
"You first."
Boom! The aura of Out-of-Body stage erupted fully, attacking with full force from the start. Enhanced by magical artifacts and talisman arrays, he even elevated his attack power to the edge of Split Soul stage—such energy would be difficult even for Split Soul cultivators to receive easily, let alone facing it empty-handed with no preparation.
The spectators couldn't help but break into a cold sweat for the "Xue Jun."
They thought: Truly worthy of the most unrestrained rogue cultivator Luo Chu—this display was like he'd come to Kunlun to cause trouble!
The next moment, they saw the "Xue Jun," who was still talking with "Xuan Jun," casually wave his hand, sending out a stream of cold spiritual power to meet the attack—seemingly silent and far from matching Luo Chu's earth-shaking momentum. But when the two forces collided, the overwhelming spiritual power dissolved like melting ice and snow, evaporating into nothing.
Thud...! Luo Chu's full-force attack was like hitting cotton clouds. He stumbled forward several steps and stopped in place. After a few breaths, he looked bewildered at his hands, then at Jiang Xingzhi ahead.
The surrounding people hadn't reacted either, following his gaze to look at the latter. "Divine Lord?"
Jiang Xingzhi said lightly, "It's over."
"......"
The field suddenly fell silent.
Everyone's spines instantly turned cold: human nature inherently fears the unknown and the powerful.
Luo Chu took a moment to react, then dropped to his knees and cupped his hands. "This humble one was presumptuous and has offended the Divine Lord!"
He paused, his expression troubled. "It's just that the outside world has been unsettled recently, and many cultivators are urgently seeking a stable and reliable sanctuary. We've long heard of Kunlun's reputation but never seen its true face. This time, I also came to test on behalf of fellow cultivators."
"What's happening in the outside world?" Jiang Xingzhi asked him.
"Doesn't the Divine Lord know? The Human and Demon Realms are at war. The lands east of Jiuzhou have fallen into chaos, and rogue cultivators dare not travel alone."
The Demon Realm...
Jiang Xingzhi remembered the recent chaos and realized it had indeed escalated.
But that made sense—this time it was their Human Realm that produced an idiot who did something dishonorable, stirring up the peaceful Demon Realm until the sky collapsed. How could Su You possibly swallow such an insult?
"Tell your fellow cultivators that all who wish may seek refuge in our Kunlun." Jiang Xingzhi turned around, his wide sleeves drawing an arc in the air. He stood with his back to them at the foot of the long mountain steps, his figure tall and sacred.
"After all, the gods love all people."
...
Leaving behind a crowd of examinees, Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming ascended the long steps, returning to the mountain peak with considerable presence.
After the Hour of the Xu, evening brought the time of demons.
The crimson sunset was sinking into the mountains, leaving only a line of magnificent brilliant gold at the horizon—half dark purple night sky, half golden-red sunset glow.
Jiang Xingzhi now stood alone on the observation platform. Zhong Ming had returned to the house to fetch a teapot and brew tea—saying he had worked hard using spiritual power and needed to rest and recover.
Just a little romantic gesture from someone in love. Jiang Xingzhi saw through it and happily agreed.
After Zhong Ming returned to the house, Jiang Xingzhi looked at the horizon and thought again about the Demon Realm situation. The war between the two realms recorded a thousand years later was probably referring to this very conflict.
His mind stirred, and he pulled out a communication stone from his storage bag.
This communication stone had been given to him by Su You when he helped activate the protective formation. He hadn't contacted anyone since leaving the Demon Realm. He channeled some spiritual power through it, and the stone immediately flashed with dark red light. After a few moments, Su You's voice came through.
"Oh? Xingzhi actually initiated contact with this lord—how rare indeed."
"Cough, I've been a bit busy these past few days."
"Mm." Su You didn't mind, his lazy tone unchanged, completely unlike someone busy warring with the Human Realm. "What's the matter?"
"I heard the Demon Realm and Human Realm are fighting?"
"Heh." A cold laugh. "Shouldn't we be fighting?"
Jiang Xingzhi touched his nose. "Yes, yes, you should..."
A matter-of-fact voice came from the other side, then after a pause: "You stay out of this matter."
Jiang Xingzhi said, "I was just asking about the situation."
Su You: "The situation is as it is. You've helped this lord before, so if we become enemies, it would be awkward for this lord too."
As they spoke, the house door creaked open. From the nearby courtyard, Zhong Ming walked out carrying tea implements, just catching a familiar tone saying "this lord."
His gaze immediately crossed the courtyard to the observation platform, then he set down the tea implements and walked over.
—Apart from "Xu Jian," he could at most tolerate one more "lord"—"Bai Mu." All other "lords" should get lost!
Jiang Xingzhi had just finished his communication with Su You when he turned to see Zhong Ming had already walked up to him in a few steps, looking down at him. "Deng Deng, who were you talking to?"
The last ray of sunset from the distant mountains happened to fall on half of Zhong Ming's profile, making his handsome features appear even more profound.
His dark eyes were full of jealousy and possessiveness. Jiang Xingzhi felt his heart heat up under that gaze and immediately thought with frustration: Why just look? Why not take this opportunity for some forceful domination and demanding kisses?!
But Zhong Ming couldn't hear his thoughts.
At this moment, "Xu Jian" and "Bai Mu" had united, working together against the external threat of another "lord."
Jiang Xingzhi waited for a long time without getting what he wanted, so he took a deep breath. "Why should I tell you?"
Zhong Ming was unhappy. "Why won't you tell me?"
Jiang Xingzhi deliberately said, "What relationship do we have that you're asking so much?"
What relationship! Zhong Ming's jaw tightened: After driving him completely crazy with seduction, Jiang Xingzhi was actually asking him what relationship they had?
He could endure no longer. Hooking his arm around the man's waist, he pulled him roughly into his embrace, pressing their foreheads together. "What relationship do you think? I'm a candidate for your immortal lover—why can't I ask!"
Zhong Ming's chest heaved with anger.
He couldn't care about anything else anymore—he was going to develop "Bai Mu's" romantic storyline first!