86 Untimely enemy.

Zhi Rui sat in meditation on top of her bed. The cave was dark without a single ray of light. Zhi Tui took two deep breath and started thinking.

When she took over the body, there was already a core. refining an illusion type of core, Zhi Rui entered level one and maxed out her physical capability.

On the ritual to improve her talent;The remnants of powerful cultivators were used together with a demonic conscious spirit. Using her blood and body in the mix. A completely new core formed. With an extreme affinity to the rare and mysterious ethereal element.But in turn, the affinity with any other elements was reduced to nothing.

Her path of cultivation became narrow.

From what Zhi Rui came to know, the conditions for ascendance is simple yet terrifyingly difficult. Simple; you only need complete attainment in one of the aspects of life. Difficult; complete mastery can only be reached with your own talent and mind.

The common way to ascend is to level up your cultivation to the max then use a pill or object from the venerable level refine it into your soul, evolving it to the venerable level, even like this is extremely hard to ascend.

But Zhi Rui doesn't have a soul. Her only option is the alternatives; Cultivate her body or master the ethereal element.

Zhi Rui scratched her head in frustration, For abody cultivator to use their bodies to transcend is extremely rare and done only in desperate situations.

And the ethereal element is too uncommon and mysterious. There are some cultivation methods and techniques. but not a way to master it. It's said that the ethereal element cannot be mastered.

Zhi Rui thought again about Bianca, she probably had the answers she needs. but Bianca is old and has a lot of experience as a level six. Without mentioning the ancient knowledge she acquired from the church of lust. For her to mess with a technique scroll or cultivation manual is easy. Zhi Rui can't risk it.

Suddenly an idea popped onto Zhi Rui's head.

What if she learned how to create? how to build a cultivation method from scratch? how to create a technique, how formation works. Using all that, creating her own cultivation method isn't impossible.

There's only half a year before the geniuses arrive. There's no time to create or learn cultivation methods for the ethereal element, The only way to content with them is through her physical body. And few tricks she learned with spirits. She already got an accidental headstart, because of the ritual. it reformed her core from zero, but the body remained the same state as when she turned level one for the first time. When she broke through again. her body's strength was redoubled. Now she's one level ahead.With this alone, she can safely fight people a level above.If she focuses on her body cultivation, even if she can't get to their level, she can still fight to take over the sect. And with the little understanding, she already has of the ethereal.

in spirits, she can fight them off.

'It's perfect." Zhi Rui thought. 'I can cultivate the body and content with the enemy while studying the methods of the immaterial.'

Zhi Rui decided that when she got out to buy the resources for everybody's cultivation. she'd find a body cultivation method for herself and good technique.

Concluded, Zhi Rui started to explore her own abilities, starting with the formation used on the pagoda for the inheritance. Zhi Rui's eyes shined brightly.

----

Zhun Xuying and Xun lee walked towards the gates of the sec. the cheerful Xun Lee shone a bright smile to every person who looked her way. Zhun XUying remained aloof and slightly smiled at the people to greet her. sending their mind reeling from her elegance.

Her white robe with a sword hanging on the waist coupled with holding her hands behind her back. her overall posture exuded seriousness.

In a bright orange robe, Xun Lee looked in a daze as Zhun Xuying smiled from time to time.

"Why daze around? you'll fight another beast of your level today. shouldn't you be thinking of a way to fight?" Zhyn Xuying said.

"How can I do that!? every time I do it. it's a different kind of beast, so it doesn't matter." Xun Lee sighed.

Zhun Xuying shook her head."Wrong, fighting isn't only about knowing the enemy's weakness, it's about discovering it. Enemies can come in various forms, from anywhere with a variety of reasons. You'll rarely known you enemy's way of the fight beforehand. so you must learn how to prepare not against a specific enemy. But a kind of enemy."

Xun Lee sighed. "How can I understand that!?"

Suddenly she heard a chuckle and saw in a dazeZhun XUying giggling.

"Elder sister Zhun XUying is really beautiful." Xun Lee muttered.

As she opened her mouth six-figures passed by them.

Xunhue, stopped and stared at Zhun Xuying. Completely ignoring Xun lee.

"Senior sister, how's the job?" Zhun XUying asked with a smile.

"There's no need for senior anymore, you're a level above mine and we work in the same division now," Xunhue spoke softly with a warm smile.

"I could never do that elder sister. I might become strong, but this world dos not live by savagery anymore and seniority must be kept." Zhi Rui answered sternly.

Xunhue sighed as if it was problematic she smiled at Zhi Rui " It's alright to be like this, but remember this world is in fact ruled by strength, repsect is good but you have to know when and to whom give it."

Xun Lee noted a firm enunciation when she said 'whom'.

"And our commander, how is she?" Asked Xunhue suddenly.

A complex expression came up Zhun Xuying and she spoke softly. "It's been five days, she asked for food and some materials but nothing more."

wih a sigh Xunhue spoke "Well, she is our commander. Let's just do our jobs" With a self-dep laugh she went away.

"Pft HAHAH, oh, is she really trying to woo into her side!?"

Zhun XUying merely turned away. "She's thinking on taking over the commander position. She already punished two hundred outer disciples, some petty things she let go, and the heavy stuff she punished heavily. She looks away when some peasant disciple committed a petty crime. But always make sure that she was seen letting it go. And whenever something that everybody happens she would punish it publicly." Zhun Xuying sighed.

"If she weren't so full of herself, she could actually become someone useful with that basic awareness."

As they walked away Xun Lee frowned.

"Bu~~t it's true that she's gaining a lot of influence. By helping the majority and using the minority as stepping stone She can build relations and sow gratittude."

Zhun Xuyin looked at the curious face of Xun Lee and laughed out loud.

"HaHa, gratitude!? If that's so then Zhi Rui couldn't be more relieved. Gratitude is only useful for feeling guilty of not returning the favor after all."

Xun Lee's eyes scrunched "Elder sister is too cynical."

Zhun Xuying shrugged and they reached the gate. As they went to register their outing. The clerk looked at them strangely.

"You're not gonna watch it?"

"What What!?" Xun Lee asked hastily.

the clerk laughed "So you didn't know. Well, some big shots from of the stronger branches will arrive today, I heard from an elder that a venerable is leading them.

Zhun Xuying who was listening with indifference until now immediately frowned. She canceled the trip, she held Xun Lee's hand and walked back. her face contorted with worry. Now that she thought about it. Xunhue normally talks to her more, trying to gain her over but today she came and went as if in a hurry.

'it must be happening now.' She immediately ran to Zhi Rui's cave.