Chapter 59: Second Senior Sister

Ye Jiuyao climbed upward toward the top of the Profound Tower, his steps burdened and heavy, inwardly praying that he would not encounter any more bizarre people. In this manner, he ascended three more levels.

Again, Ye Jiuyao saw someone, but sensing something off about the man’s expression, he hurried past, not needing to guess—this must be Forty-Three. Along the way, whenever he encountered anyone inside, Ye Jiuyao merely glanced at them and quickly continued upward. Each was either a fool or a useless wretch.

The things they busied themselves with were all the kind of moves that could kill with a single strike—of course, moves that harm the enemy but injure oneself even more. Before the opponent was even slain, they would already have sent themselves to the afterlife. Naturally, Ye Jiuyao had no intention of approaching to ask, “Shall we walk together?”

Thus, Ye Jiuyao’s speed up the tower was astonishing. The more people he saw, the more he wondered if he had chosen the wrong sect. Each individual was stranger than the last, some seemingly afflicted with madness.

It was only after ascending more than a hundred levels that Ye Jiuyao finally encountered a normal person. This man was named Xuan San, ranked third in strength among the disciples of the Profound Sect.

“A new junior brother?” The middle-aged man, in the midst of cultivation, looked at Ye Jiuyao as he approached, speaking in a gentle tone.

“Yes, Ye Jiuyao.”

“Take a seat. Since you are my junior, I shall teach you a bit about cultivation.”

Ye Jiuyao’s expression turned odd at this; why were people in the Profound Sect so eager to instruct others? But he could not refuse Xuan San’s kindness, so he nodded.

“Little brother, try to use your strongest elemental technique. I’ll point out your weaknesses,” Xuan San said with an air of pride, though his eyes shone with genuine sincerity, free of pretense.

“So I… may begin?” Ye Jiuyao tested, and Xuan San nodded earnestly, as if his eyes said, “Go ahead.”

“Can I try my staff technique?”

“It’s fine. I am skilled enough—don’t worry. Besides, this tower has special defenses, so you needn't be concerned.”

Ye Jiuyao drew a deep breath, and with a thought, a golden staff seemed to cross through the void, suddenly appearing in his hand.

“Senior brother, be careful!” Ye Jiuyao gripped the staff, still mindful enough to give a warning.

Xuan San’s expression flickered, but in an instant, he recovered and replied, “Don’t worry.”

“Stellar Staff Technique!” The power of myriad stars gathered. Behind Ye Jiuyao, celestial bodies seemed to swirl, each star radiating a terrifying destructive force, falling in an instant.

“Could he be the reincarnation of a mighty one? His attack is astonishingly fierce!” This thought flashed through Xuan San’s mind, but his hands pressed forward, unleashing a formidable aura.

“Star-Plucking Hand!”

Suddenly, behind Xuan San, an enormous hand seemed to stretch across the void, carrying boundless destructive power, capable of snatching stars with a single grasp.

“Excellent!” Ye Jiuyao recognized the terror of such an elemental technique, shouted boldly, and swung his staff with even greater speed and strength, explosions sounding along the staff’s shaft.

A deafening blast echoed.

Both men retreated rapidly, their feet scraping the ground before coming to a sudden halt. Their eyes met, each showing the smile of one who has finally found a worthy opponent.

“Good!”

“Senior brother, you’re not bad either!”

“Hahaha…”

They both looked at each other and broke into hearty laughter, the kind that only true men share, filling the tower with their camaraderie.

“Brother, you should seek out Second Sister. I think you have a delicate appearance—if you speak sweetly, you might win her favor…” Xuan San said to Ye Jiuyao.

“Second Sister?” Ye Jiuyao asked in confusion.

“Your Second Sister is a legendary figure. Even the master of a seventh-grade sect will avoid her. Last time, because of something involving the sect master, she flew into a rage. Rumor has it, she wounded the sect master and severed an arm…” Xuan San whispered cautiously to Ye Jiuyao, piquing Ye Jiuyao’s curiosity as he looked upward.

“Go ahead. First Brother hasn’t returned yet; you’ll understand someday,” Xuan San encouraged Ye Jiuyao, though he paid it little mind. A woman who could make a seventh-grade sect wary—he had to see for himself.

Thus, Ye Jiuyao bade Xuan San farewell and continued upward. But as he stepped onto the first stair, he immediately felt a pressure, like a massive stone pressing down on him.

“Senior brother…”

“Second Sister must have set up a gravity field. She dislikes being disturbed by anyone other than First Brother. So, brother, you’ll have to fend for yourself…”

Hearing Ye Jiuyao’s call, Xuan San suddenly remembered and replied.

“So it’s true… Just when I thought things were normal, it’s only a little normal…” Ye Jiuyao felt deeply frustrated. He had hoped Xuan San would prove reliable, but he too turned out otherwise, and at the crucial moment, unreliable indeed.

Yet when Ye Jiuyao tried to retreat, he found he could not escape. Thus, he could only grit his teeth and press onward.

The higher he climbed, the heavier the pressure became. If at first it was merely a stone, then later it was as if a mountain weighed upon him. At last, he came face to face with the legendary Second Sister.

Ye Jiuyao finally managed a smile, but Second Sister did not seem friendly. Her gaze was cold, her beautiful eyes shooting a frosty glint as she spoke with indifference.

“A newcomer?”

“What?!” Ye Jiuyao was a bit taken aback by her question. Every senior brother and sister had called him “Junior Brother,” yet Second Sister called him a newcomer. It sounded more like a menial than a disciple.

“Second Sister, I am junior brother Ye Jiuyao.”

Though he held the sect master’s token, he did not intend to reveal it so soon. Everything seemed so strange, and he was not about to take charge just yet.

Especially after seeing all the odd personalities in the Profound Tower, and the cultivation techniques that could easily end one’s life, he was deeply uneasy, fearful that under his stewardship, this ancient sect might vanish into history.

“Newcomer, I’m in a bad mood. Will you spar with me?”

Ye Jiuyao was speechless. Was Second Sister hard of hearing? He dared not say so, recalling Xuan San’s advice.

“Sister, I’ve heard that when women often frown and don’t smile, they may be doomed to misfortune. But I feel that you maintain a regal aura, like a goddess descended from the heavens…”

Second Sister’s eyes flickered with surprise. Her icy face suddenly revealed a hint of a smile, which Ye Jiuyao noticed and continued:

“Moreover, the tower’s ancient elegance and your red robes flowing, three thousand strands of hair cascading like a waterfall, you resemble the beauty of a legend…”

Second Sister smiled, scolding, “Clever tongue, but endearing. Come often in the future.”

Ye Jiuyao had just managed a smile when a fragrant breeze swept past, and he was instantly expelled from the Profound Tower.

“Such terrifying power! Beauty and dread in equal measure!” Ye Jiuyao sighed inwardly, then stepped back into the tower once more.

Unbeknownst to him, inside the tower, Second Sister’s expression once again turned icy after expelling him, and she muttered softly to herself.