Chapter 189: I Want to Challenge! (Fifth Update)

Watching Jiang Die disappear once more into the array.

The smile on Jiang Yuan's face gradually faded.

He stared blankly at the array.

The complete annihilation of the Jiang family in the Second Heaven caused a major uproar among the Jiang family in the Third Heaven.

All of this could be attributed to Jiang Die's unwise decision.

Before the actual battle had even begun, Jiang Die had taken action against Lu Ye, which some in the Jiang family had opposed.

However, Jiang Die's stance was unyielding, and her overwhelming strength secured her position as the top of the Celestial Ranking—the strongest in the Second Heaven.

Under her forceful push, the plan proceeded.

The Jiang family in the Third Heaven harbored resentment but had no choice but to suppress it.

If Jiang Die had won, there would have been nothing to say.

The problem was, she lost.

The Jiang family in the Second Heaven was completely wiped out, meaning many descendants perished at Lu Ye's hands.

So, who was responsible for this?

The answer was obvious—Jiang Die.

Yet, because Jiang Die and Lu Ye fought so fiercely, even enduring the dark golden heavenly tribulation, the resentment was stifled once more.

Now, after two and a half months, Jiang Die was still recovering from her injuries.

Discontent began to rise again.

Aren't you supposed to be a peerless genius?

Why is it taking so long to recover from your injuries?

The resentment grew.

This was why Jiang Yuan came to confront Jiang Die.

But once again, Jiang Die pushed him away.

Jiang Yuan had no choice but to return and continue placating the Jiang family.

Another half-month passed.

Jiang Die still showed no sign of emerging.

For cultivators, seclusion lasting ten days, half a month, or even months or years was perfectly normal.

But wasn't this a time of instability?

Out of both duty and reason, Jiang Die should have made an appearance to calm the family's emotions.

So Jiang Yuan came again.

"What now?" Jiang Die frowned as she spoke.

"Today, the Void Pavilion is holding a lecture on the Dao. Many disciples from our clan have gone to listen, and there is a strong call for you to give a lecture as well. What do you think?"

"My secret technique hasn’t been mastered yet!" Jiang Yuan hurriedly interjected.

"That’s just a lecture—it won’t take too much of your time. Half an hour will suffice."

Jiang Die’s brows furrowed with irritation.

"Ever since ascending, why can’t I even cultivate in peace?"

Jiang Yuan...

He hadn’t had time to cultivate properly either. Outside, the Jiang family members were seething with resentment.

If this world had an Evil Sword Immortal, their collective grievances could probably resurrect ten of them.

"Perhaps... you should just give one lecture..."

"I won’t go. I’ll dictate the lecture to you now, and you can deliver it on my behalf. That’ll save time!" Jiang Die declared.

"Uh... is that appropriate?"

"What’s inappropriate about it? I’ll speak, you listen!"

"What should I lecture on?"

"On the Minor Void Technique!"

The Major Void Technique and Minor Void Technique were the Jiang family’s signature divine arts. Hearing Jiang Die’s choice, Jiang Yuan’s expression brightened.

"Good, then you speak, and I’ll relay it later."

"The void is formless yet tangible. It is built upon points and connected by lines..."

Jiang Die spoke rapidly, as if truly pressed for cultivation time.

Her words flowed effortlessly.

To Jiang Yuan, every sentence was a gem of wisdom.

Only someone with profound understanding of the Minor Void Technique could articulate such insights. He even gained new realizations himself.

In just a quarter of an hour, Jiang Die finished.

"Enough, don’t bother me anymore!"

"Fine, fine..."

Jiang Die’s display was indeed awe-inspiring.

Jiang Yuan finally felt reassured. With this, he now had something substantial to present.

Jiang Die truly was a prodigy.

As expected, the lecture—even delivered secondhand by Jiang Yuan—was met with resounding applause.

"Incredible! Since when has Jiang Yuan gained such deep insight into the Minor Void Technique? Every word was a pearl of wisdom, as if embodying the true Dao. Absolutely marvelous!"

"It seems this old fellow has been hiding quite deeply. No, I can't hold back anymore—I'm itching to spar with him."

"Listening to a sermon is never as satisfying as actual combat. A real fight is the true test. Later, I'll also have a go with him!"

As the last word fell.

Thunderous applause erupted on the scene.

Countless members of the Jiang clan cheered for Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan, in turn, smiled and waved his hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down.

"How did you find my lecture?" Jiang Yuan asked with a smile.

"Brilliant!"

"Excellent!"

"Superb!"

"Hahaha..."

Jiang Yuan first laughed heartily, then revealed the truth.

"To be honest, the insights into the Minor Void Technique were not my own. I merely relayed the words of another."

"What? Elder Jiang Yuan was only repeating someone else's words?"

"Who was it? Just hearing a retelling immersed me in the Dao. If I heard it directly, wouldn’t I achieve enlightenment on the spot?"

"Our Jiang clan truly has hidden dragons and crouching tigers!"

"Elder, who was it?"

Jiang Yuan stroked his beard with a smile.

"This person is actually someone you all know—Jiang Die, who recently ascended from the Second Heaven!"

The lively atmosphere suddenly froze.

The expressions of the crowd gradually turned cold.

The complete annihilation of the Jiang clan in the Second Heaven was inextricably linked to this Jiang Die.

"She has such profound understanding? Could it be that Elder deliberately attributed this ability to Jiang Die? From her ascension until now, she hasn’t even shown her face, yet she’s consumed endless resources. It’s hard for us to believe she possesses such capability."

"Exactly, I don’t believe it either. I heard she was the First Heavenly God Realm in the Second Heaven. Now that she’s advanced to the Heavenly Fate Realm, I’d like to test whether she’s truly the First Heavenly Fate Realm. Can she come out and face us in battle?"

"Right, fight us. If she defeats us and earns our respect, we’ll have nothing to say. But now, she won’t even show her face—how can we accept this?"

In the end, the matter was suppressed.

Some marveled at Jiang Die’s extraordinary talent, while others remained utterly unconvinced.

More than twenty days passed.

Jiang Yuan arrived outside Jiang Die’s cultivation chamber for the third time.

"Jiang Die, Jiang Die, it's truly not that this old man wishes to disturb you, but the Patriarch has issued an order. The clan's genius competition is now underway, and the Patriarch isn’t asking you to participate, but rather to evaluate the competing disciples in front of all clan members. Naturally, everyone will be convinced then."

Jiang Die...

It seemed there was indeed no way to avoid it.

Though Jiang Die had lost many of her techniques, she estimated she was still somewhat stronger than the average Fate Realm cultivator.

So it didn’t matter.

Then she would go out and take a look!

Jiang Die finally appeared before the Jiang Clan for the first time.

Dressed in a black gown, her features exquisitely beautiful, her skin snow-white, she carried an aura of authority without anger.

She was indeed quite stunning.

Jiang Die greeted each of the elders in turn.

Just as she found her seat and prepared to offer her evaluations, solidifying her reputation as a learned and insightful figure—

A loud shout erupted.

"Honored elders, this disciple requests to challenge Jiang Die! I beg the elders to grant permission!"