At the critical moment, a man in a dark blue robe flashed in front of Ji Sui’an.
The long sword in his hand transformed into a silver streak, slicing through the sky and directly shattering Xuan Xiao’s Sword Qi.
The disciples looked over in surprise and found that the newcomer was none other than Ji Qingya, the Peak Master of Misty Peak and the senior brother of Sword Venerable Xuanxiao.
Ji Qingya had never gotten along well with Xuan Xiao. After their master, the previous sect leader, ascended, the relationship between the two could be described as utterly incompatible.
Although the disciples were unaware of the details behind their deteriorating relationship, they knew that whenever these two were together, not a single civil word could be exchanged.
Instead of getting angry, Xuan Xiao laughed coldly, flashing into the air. His voice was vast and imposing, “It seems that after your seclusion, you have indeed made some progress. However, you are still far too weak.”
Ji Qingya’s voice turned cold, “Xuan Xiao, even if a disciple has committed a mistake, they should be punished by the Discipline Hall. As a Peak Master, you have no authority to deal with a Direct Disciple.”
Xuan Xiao looked at him, his eyes and brows filled with coldness, “Ji Qingya, what business is it of yours?”
Ji Sui’an looked at Ji Qingya with some surprise, never expecting that he would help her again.
In her previous life, when she was bullied by outer sect disciples, it was Ji Qingya who happened to pass by and reprimanded them, adding a new sect rule that made her life slightly more bearable.
“I’ll interfere if I want to. Do I need to ask for your permission?” Ji Qingya snorted coldly.
As he spoke, he subtly glanced at the young man on the high platform who was lazily propping his head up, watching the scene. Just moments ago, he had been sleeping soundly when his junior uncle kicked him off the recliner and ordered him to come down and help.
He turned back to look at the young girl beside him, “Little disciple, do you still insist on using the Soul-Viewing Jade for the Soul Testing?”
Snapping back to reality, Ji Sui’an only needed a moment of thought before speaking calmly and confidently, “This disciple is certain!”
She looked up at Xuan Xiao in the air, “This disciple’s Sword Heart is pure and clear, as bright as the sun and moon. As a Sword Cultivator, the sword in my hand would never allow me to suffer such humiliation.”
“Well said, little disciple!” Ji Qingya chuckled lightly, “I remember it’s Third Senior Brother who guards the Soul-Viewing Jade. With Junior Uncle present, obtaining the Soul-Viewing Jade is just a matter of his word.”
Ji Yun’er bit her lip tightly, her nails digging into her palms. No, she absolutely could not undergo Soul Testing with the Soul-Viewing Jade!
“How dare you!” Ji Xunzhou roared coldly, “Throughout history, only disciples who have committed grave crimes have used the Soul-Viewing Jade. If word gets out, what if others misunderstand Yun’er? Moreover, Junior Uncle is busy with countless affairs every day. How can we disturb him with such trivial matters!”
“Huh?” Ji Qingya looked incredulous, “Ji Xunzhou, are you out of your mind? At a time like this, you’re worried about such insignificant details? Besides, isn’t this girl your daughter?”
Ji Xunzhou sneered, “If she truly absorbed Yun’er’s Cultivation Base, I will consider her no daughter of mine!”
Ji Sui’an was stunned for only a moment before lowering her eyes.
Xuan Xiao also said, “Trivial matters? Don’t forget, there is only one Soul-Viewing Jade in the world, and those with unstable Divine Souls are easily affected by it, which is detrimental to their cultivation path.”
Ji Qingya mocked, “Why don’t you just say outright that your little disciple’s Divine Soul is so fragile that she can’t even withstand the Soul Testing with the Soul-Viewing Jade?”
What kind of cultivator can’t even endure a simple Soul Testing? Even a mortal’s Divine Soul isn’t that fragile.
As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, Xie Qingchen slowly stood up, breaking the eerie silence.
"I think this junior disciple makes a good point. It's merely using the Soul-Viewing Jade for a soul test—I permit it."
Xuan Xiao and Ji Xunzhou still wanted to say something, but meeting Xie Qingchen's indifferent gaze, they swallowed their words.
Xuan Xiao swept a glance over the two of them. "Any objections?"
The two lowered their heads, speaking through gritted teeth, "Yes, Junior Uncle."
Ji Sui'an breathed a sigh of relief. She also intended to test Ji Yun'er.
In her previous life, she had also suggested using the Soul-Viewing Jade for a soul test, but Xuan Xiao had rejected it. Now, with the opportunity right before her, she wanted to confirm whether Ji Yun'er was truly an Evil Cultivator or a Demonic Cultivator.
With Xie Qingchen's approval, there was no need for the consent of the two disciples present. The Soul-Viewing Jade was brought to the arena by a disciple of the enshrined elder.
The enshrined elder didn't even glance at the others around, bowing to the young man on the high platform. "Junior Uncle, the Soul-Viewing Jade has been brought."
Xuan Xiao waved his hand, and the enshrined elder immediately withdrew, never once looking at Ji Xunzhou, the sect leader, or Xuan Xiao, the number one Sword Cultivator in the Central Plains.
Ji Yun'er stared at the fist-sized Soul-Viewing Jade before her, her palms trembling slightly.
As her senior brothers offered words of comfort one after another, a flicker of impatience flashed in her eyes.
Seeing Ji Yun'er unresponsive, Luo Zhuyuan and the others thought she was too severely injured and softened their voices even more to console her.
Ji Yun'er paid no heed. She stared fixedly at Ji Sui'an. No, her current bloodline was still too fragile, unable to conceal the anomalies emitted by the Soul-Viewing Jade. She had to stop Ji Sui'an from undergoing the soul test.
"Senior Sister, your cultivation has regressed. If you use the Soul-Viewing Jade now, you might harm yourself."
She took two delicate steps forward. "Master, how could Senior Sister possibly be an Evil Cultivator? Why not let it go today? Senior Sister is injured and needs rest."
"No!" Xuan Xiao, who usually indulged her, was uncharacteristically firm.
After speaking, he felt his tone was too harsh and softened it slightly. "Yun'er, I know you have a kind heart, but such a threat must be resolved today."
Ji Qingya rolled his eyes and turned to say, "Junior disciple, the Soul-Viewing Jade is right in front of you. Bite your fingertip and press it on."
Ji Sui'an hesitated no longer. She decisively stepped forward, bit her fingertip, and pressed it against the Soul-Viewing Jade.
The moment her blood touched the jade, a brilliant light instantly enveloped Ji Sui'an.
In the blink of an eye, a pure, water-blue halo shimmered behind her, dazzling and radiant.
As she had said, her Sword Heart was clear and pure.
Ji Qingya widened his eyes slightly. Such a pure Divine Soul—how could she possibly be an Evil Cultivator?
The rumors were instantly dispelled.
Ji Sui'an regained her composure and took two steps back. "Sword Venerable, have you seen it? Am I an Evil Cultivator or not?"
Xuan Xiao snorted coldly, unusually silent.
"Hey, that junior disciple, it's your turn now." Ji Qingya addressed the lowered head of Ji Yun'er.
Ji Sui'an slowly curved her lips. "Junior Sister, I've already finished my test. Why aren't you hurrying up? Could it be that you have something to hide?"
Luo Zhuyuan angrily retorted, "What are you saying, Senior Sister?"
"What I'm saying, she knows perfectly well." Ji Sui'an's words were already forcing her hand.
Ji Yun'er lifted her pale face, her fingertips trembling slightly. Under Ji Sui'an's intense gaze, she forced herself to steady her nerves.
She bit her fingertip and pressed it against the Soul-Viewing Jade.
Crimson blood flowed into the jade. Ji Sui'an watched intently, and the surrounding disciples held their breath, their eyes fixed on the scene.
After a moment, a somewhat dim tricolored light emerged behind Ji Yun'er.
Ji Yun'er suddenly let out a sigh of relief. She steadied herself and spoke softly, "Senior Sister, did you see?"
Ji Sui'an lowered her gaze. Since Ji Yun'er was not an Evil Cultivator, she would have to find another angle to investigate.
Ji Yun'er stared at Ji Sui'an, who did not answer her, and a flash of hatred crossed her eyes. Damn Ji Sui'an! If she hadn't insisted on the Soul Testing, she wouldn't have had to overdraw her system's ability to conceal her own Bloodline.
Ji Qingya stroked his beard and spoke with a smile, "Little girl, you've earned the right to choose your own main peak. Let me ask you this: Are you willing to become my disciple?"