The black flame was as black as ink, like a great furnace that could refine everything. The remaining rules on Bao 'er's body were all refined in it. Bao' er's palm struck forward without any fancy moves. The Flower Plucking Hand whistled through the air. The power of the Dao was so shocking that even the Great Elder, who was hosting the competition, changed his expression.
Tears of panic appeared in Zhu Sheng's eyes. It was as if she was suppressed by a Sovereign Master and could not move. She had no choice but to call for help. The atmosphere was extremely suffocating.
However, no one stopped her. Yun Rou and the other elders did not intervene.
When the Dao of Emperor came, the Flower Plucking Hand's violent energy hit her face. Zhu Sheng closed her eyes tightly. Her neck shrunk subconsciously, and her body and spirit were tense.
Buzz!
The Dao power of this palm finally dissipated. Bao 'er dispersed Dili. There was no need for them to continue fighting because the outcome was already decided.
Ah, she was scared to tears. Junior Sister's tear-stained face was really pitiful.
A gentle palm patted Zhu Sheng's little head. For some reason, Bao 'er stood in front of her and smiled at Zhu Sheng.
Zhu Sheng's tense spirit relaxed. The power that crushed her spirit disappeared. She suddenly reached out and grabbed Bao 'er's chest.
However, this palm did not carry any Dili.
Even so, Bao 'er would not give her any chance to touch her. The jade hand on Zhu Sheng's head gently pressed down. A body fell like a meteor. With a buzz, it smashed into the ground of the training hall and shook up a layer of smoke.
Ouch, it hurts.
Zhu Sheng fell and squatted. She got up and patted her butt. She looked up at Bao 'er angrily. She looked very unconvinced and said, "Your power is one level higher than mine. It's unfair."
Bao 'er shook her head and said, "Okay, you have to stand at attention. You have to admit that you lost. I only used half of my strength. I took care of you very well."
"You …" Zhu Sheng pouted and looked like she was about to cry. "You don't have to humiliate me like this."
Half?
Half of your strength is comparable to a Sovereign Master. Who are you trying to scare?
Believe it or not.
Bao 'er looked at the Great Elder. "Don't just stand there. Get to work."
Oh, the first seat of the Hundred Spirits Clan, Yun Bao 'er.
The Great Elder announced the result of the competition.
Hahaha, Senior Sister, you are too powerful.
You gave us all a fright just now. We thought we were going to capsize.
Senior Sister Zhu Sheng is also very powerful.
With two Thearch weapons in hand, he had to give Senior Sister Zhu Sheng some face.
Many mischievous junior sisters rushed into the training hall and surrounded Bao 'er and Zhu Sheng, chattering non-stop. Bao' er was indeed worthy of being the Island Master's beloved daughter. Her position as the chief disciple was extremely stable.
Li Lefeng also went up to congratulate him. The power that Bao had displayed was extremely shocking. Just now, Bao's aura was almost on par with a Dao Proving Monarch. This battle had given Li Lefeng great confidence. Perhaps the Hundred Spirits Lineage could really snatch the Dream Branch from Ba Dao.
The elders looked at the atmosphere in the training ground and revealed gratified smiles. The outcome of the battle between Bao'er and Zhu Sheng was within their expectations.
But the course of the battle was beyond everyone's expectations. The Island Master had bestowed upon Zhu Sheng two magic tools to protect her. Even so, she had still been defeated. Bao 'er's talent was far too terrifying. Perhaps this year's Meng Zhi really might descend upon Hundred Spirits Island.
But it was only a possibility. Phoenix Flower, the leader of the nine lineages, and Bi Lan, the second-ranked island, were all above Zhu Sheng in terms of strength. Bao'er's chances of snatching the Dream Branch were slim.
Even if there was only a one percent chance, with Bao'er around, the Hundred Spirits Lineage would have the qualifications to compete.
Twenty years had passed, and the child had grown up. Bao'er was thirty-two years old this year and would be considered an old lady in an ordinary family.
However, in the cultivation world, especially in front of the Dao of Emperors, a mere twenty years was like the blink of an eye.
If that woman was still alive and had witnessed Bao'er's growth, she would be so happy.
The figures in the training hall gradually dispersed. Today's battle had shocked the elders and disciples of the Hundred Spirits Lineage. Although there were some twists and turns, it did not affect Bao'er's victory.
Mother.
As the elders and disciples dispersed, Bao'er shouted towards the majestic hall above. Her eager eyes scanned carefully as if she wanted to catch the figure she had been hoping for.
But in the end, she did not see Yun Rou.
Bao'er's fingers gradually tightened. The training hall was empty, and she was the only one left. She stood there and waited for a long time, but she did not receive a response from Yun Rou. With disappointment in her heart, she lowered her head and left.
Although she had won the battle, she was not happy.
This feeling was too unbearable.
Little girl, Mother also hopes that you can live a stable and happy life, but your birth is destined to be unstable. Don't blame Mother for being heartless. I only hope that one day, when even I can't protect you, our little princess of the Hundred Spirits Lineage will be able to take charge and protect herself.
Am I right?
Little Han.
Yun Rou silently muttered a name. She stood in a corner of the hall where Bao'er could not see and silently watched her back. Her heart ached, but she had to endure it. This was also cruel to her. She did not want the tragedy from twenty years ago to repeat itself on Bao'er.
Hence, Bao'er had to be strong enough. She had to be stronger than Dendi back then.
…
One month later!
In the North Border of the East Continent.
An incomparably grand event swept through the North Border and spread to the entire East Continent until the news reached every overlord's faction.
The Nine Branches of the Phoenix Flower Sect, the Nine Islands Martial Arts Symposium, established a Goddess who would inherit the Nine Branches' supreme Thearch artifact, the Dream Branch.
After the news spread, the North Border was in an uproar, and the Five Territories were shocked.
The Phoenix Flower Sect was very influential. Their disciples were all over the Three Thousand Small Worlds. Even among the overlords of the East Continent, many of them were from the Phoenix Flower Sect.
Now, the Nine Branches of the Phoenix Flower Sect had established a Goddess who would inherit the Dream Branch. This was equivalent to announcing that the Goddess that was about to be born in the East Continent would become the future leader of the Phoenix Flower Sect.
With the Phoenix Flower Goddess's command, the Nine Islands had to obey. With the Nine Islands' immense power, not just in the North Domain, even in the entire Divine Wilderness, the Phoenix Flower Goddess would become an extremely influential figure. No one would dare to underestimate her, including the Sunset Battle God and Great Qin's Empress Ling Xuan.
On this day!
The Nine Branches Martial Arts Symposium began. The location was set to be the first of the Nine Islands, the Phoenix Flower Mountain.
The Phoenix Flower Dao Peak was the supreme ancestral ground of the nine branches. The Island Master of each branch had walked out from this place, and then established a new orthodoxy to take in disciples. For thousands of years, most of the northern territory was governed by the nine branches, and they were extremely powerful.
Now, the Nine Branches had established a Goddess to inherit the Dream Branch. The overlords of the Five Territories naturally had to send people to observe the ceremony to show their respect.
At this moment, the Phoenix Flower Mountain was filled with people. The atmosphere of the mountain was very lively. No matter which branch the Phoenix Flower Sect was, they were all women. Usually, men were not allowed to go up the mountain. Therefore, many overlords came to take advantage of this grand event. Even if the scenery was not good, the Nine Branches' Fairies were gathered here. It was a beautiful scene that could not be missed.
Especially when the Third Island Lord, Yun Rou, would come personally.
Yun Rou's name was very famous in the East Continent. In terms of prestige and cultivation, she was not as good as the Empress of the East Continent, Han Lingxuan. However, in terms of temperament and beauty, the Lords of the Five Territories had to admit that they would fall in love with her.
No one could remain unmoved when they saw Yun Rou. It was a pity that they could only look at her from afar. They were not fated to be with her. From then on, they hoped to meet her in their dreams. It was not an exaggeration to say that Yun Rou was the dream lover of the Lords of the Five Territories.
On the Phoenix Flower Mountain, a group of goddesses with outstanding temperaments descended from the sky and landed on the mountain. Although there were beautiful goddesses everywhere on the mountain, and it was too much for the eyes to take in, this group of women still immediately became the center of attention when they landed. Everyone's gazes landed on the extremely tall and mature woman.
They're here.
A white-haired old woman with a red glow on her face walked towards the group of Fairies with a walking stick. This person was the Great Elder of the Phoenix Flower Sect. Her cultivation was the Great Emperor of True Self. She was very senior and was the most respected elder of the Nine Branches.
Greetings, Grand Uncle-Master.
Yun Rou bowed. Although she was the Island Lord of the Third Territory and their cultivations were the same, she was still very respectful to the old woman.
The girl is becoming more and more beautiful and dignified … Aiya, come and take a look at our little princess Bao 'er.
After the Great Elder praised Yun Rou, she immediately noticed Yun Bao 'er behind her. She immediately smiled and raised her walking stick and opened her arms. She looked very benevolent, like a grandmother of an ordinary family.
"Grandmaster Grandma, Bao 'er greets Grandma."
Bao 'er knelt in front of the old woman. In the Hundred Spirits Sect, Zhu Sheng, Li Lefeng, and many other Elders also knelt.
"Dispense with the formalities, dispense with the formalities. Bao 'er, let Grandma take a look."
The Great Elder stretched out her wrinkled hand. Her palm with black spots and calluses caressed Bao 'er's soft cheeks. That slightly rough feeling was very special. It was very intimate and warm.
"You're so tall. You're almost as tall as your mother Yun Rou. Bao 'er, Grandma thinks very highly of you. You have to work hard."
The old woman's lowered eyelids were filled with love. She looked at Bao 'er and even felt a wave of heartache.
This child's fate was too rough.
"Grandma, you only have Senior Sister in your eyes. You might not even remember Zhu Sheng."
Zhu Sheng stood at the side and said jealously.
"Oh, Yun Rou's little disciple, right? What's her name again?"
The Great Elder seemed to be a little hard of hearing. Her head moved slightly closer to a middle-aged woman beside her.
Zhu Sheng.
The middle-aged woman blushed with shame.
"Oh, Zhu Sheng, Zhu Sheng."
The Great Elder repeated her name twice.
"Grandmaster Grandma, this is my disciple, Lefeng."
The Hundred Spirits Sect's First Elder pulled Li Lefeng and pushed him forward. "Hurry up and say something to Grandma."
Grandma Fenghua was the disciple of the first generation ancestor of the Phoenix Sect. In terms of seniority, she was one generation higher than the current Phoenix Sect's Island Lord. It was rare for the people of the nine branches to see her, let alone say a few words to her.
"Hello, Grandma."
Li Lefeng smiled and said. His simple words made the Hundred Spirits Sect's First Elder roll her eyes. Couldn't he say something else?
He only had a chance to say one sentence.
However, Grandma Fenghua ignored this sentence. She pulled Bao 'er's hand again. "Let's go. Sit with your mother next to Grandma. Grandma still has a set of emperor techniques to teach you."
"Ahem … Grandmaster Grandma, Junior Sister Bao 'er has a martial arts competition today. She can't sit with you."
The middle-aged woman was the First Disciple of the current Phoenix Sect's Island Lord. She was from the same generation as Yun Rou.
Grandma Fenghua looked disappointed. She reluctantly let go of Bao 'er's hand and glared at the middle-aged woman. Then she said to Yun Rou, "Let's sit. The other children are here."
She added that Bao 'er could go to her palace to eat immortal peaches after the competition. Then she walked toward the chairman with Yun Rou.
"Ah, Grandma Fenghua … I'm jealous of Bao 'er."
The middle-aged woman shook her head with a smile.
"Senior Sister, are you going to participate in the martial arts competition?"
Bao 'er asked. Her words tugged at the hearts of all the members of the Hundred Spirits Lineage. They all knew that her opponent's cultivation was at the pinnacle of the Doctrine Proving Realm, and she was only a step away from the Great Emperor of True Self. If Chief Phoenix Flower were to participate in the battle, then there would be no need for the competition to continue.
"Bao 'er, are you scared?"
The middle-aged woman smiled.
Of course, she was scared.
Bao 'er pretended to shiver, which made Phoenix Sect's First Disciple laugh. "Don't worry. If Senior Sister and Senior Sister don't participate, your Second Senior Sister and Third Senior Sister will participate in my place. I … have no fate with Mengzhi."
Then the middle-aged woman turned around and walked toward the chairman. She was younger than Yun Rou. Even though she was a disciple of the Phoenix Sect's Island Lord and was of the same generation as Bao 'er, how could she participate in the competition?
That would be unfair.
Phew!
Bao 'er, Zhu Sheng, and Li Lefeng all let out a sigh of relief. They watched Phoenix Sect's First Disciple walk away. Only then did they feel the pressure in their hearts disappear.