Cultivating Disciples to Breakthrough

Following the first exchange, the two continued to clash with each other above the barren frozen wasteland, Xuan Hao taking the opportunity to test his strength, while Xuan Gui skillfully responded to each of his attacks.

Through this, it became obvious to Xuan Hao that even though his strength was comparable to the Middle Stage of the Dao Seed Realm like Xuan Gui, he was still inexperienced when it came to fighting someone at that level. Resulting in him falling into a rather disadvantages state after some time.

Although not to the degree where he was losing, it was still enough for Xuan Gui to take the lead in the battle.

Then again, this wouldn't last for long, as his experience and understanding of his own strength continued to grow as the battle dragged on. Not to mention, if he really ended up being pushed into a corner, he could always use the Dao of Space to escape or use the true spatial collapse to either kill or severely injure her.

For now, he was more than satisfied with the current state of things, as it was useful for him in understanding his own strength and how to properly use it. Especially considering the fact that Xuan Gui didn't seem to have any hostile intentions towards him during their exchange so far.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

In the end, the battle between the two continued well into the next day, as Xuan Hao finally reached a state where he could fully utilize his strength. Allowing him to regain the upper hand in the battle, while at the same time forcing Xuan Gui into using everything at her disposal to fight back against him.

Showing him that she had indeed been holding back against him when they had first clashed with each other.

The reason why she had decided to do so was still a mystery, but Xuan Hao had a feeling that it should be for a similar reason as to why he didn't use any of his stronger killing moves when he had been suppressed by her, she also wanted to take the opportunity to refine her own strength through combat… And meeting someone similar to her, who didn't show any killing intent towards her even though she was a demonic cultivator, she should have been more than happy to go along with the flow of things and take the opportunity to refine her strength.

Of course, this was just his thoughts on the situation, and he couldn't be certain if this was really the case, or she had some other reason for not actively trying to kill him during their fight.

Even then, Xuan Hao still decided to go along with his thoughts on the current situation and restrained his own strength a bit while fighting with her to both continue refining his own strength, while also giving her a chance to refine her strength as well.

After all, though she was a demonic cultivator, she could be considered a peaceful person contrary to what her rather menacing title might indicate. Especially when the reason for this title was the massacre, she caused back in the Blue Sea Empire and had nothing to do with her actions after she escaped to the Frozen Wastelands.

Well… That wasn't entirely true, as she had visited the Blue Sea Empire every now and then over the years to attack the imperial family of the Blue Sea Empire. Never involving any outsiders in her obvious grudge against the imperial family of the Blue Sea Empire…

"Enough! I don't think there is any reason for us to continue this battle any longer. Not to mention, it might draw the attention of a Demon King or Celestial Immortal if our battle continues to expand in scale." As their battle dragged on for another day with no winner in sight, Xuan Gui suddenly came to a stop as she loudly declared the end of the battle.

"Understandable, wouldn't want to draw the attention of someone like that." Nodding his head in response as he also came to a stop, Xuan Hao could not help curiously turning to look at Xuan Gui who looked like she was about to leave. "Although, I'm quite curious as to why you decided to fight me. After all, it's clear that you don't have any intention of killing me."

"Hm… I don't have any specific reason, but if I had to mention one, it would be the fact that you are not from the Blue Sea Empire. Given my past history with them, I know that they won't tolerate a new power like the Star Shattering Sect you are from to emerge within their territory.

So, with that in mind, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Even if you want to avoid fighting with the Blue Sea Empire, they will still try to destroy your sect the moment it grows too strong. Especially considering that you are already close to the Celestial Immortal Realm." Thinking about what to say for a short moment before saying this, Xuan Gui smiled happily at him. Possibly already seeing how he and his sect would clash with the Blue Sea Empire in the future and cause damage to them.

"This… I guess we can be considered friends…"

"Hehe~ Indeed! We are friends in the future when fighting the Blue Sea Empire!"

Not knowing what to say after seeing her complete change in attitude when talking about attacking the Blue Sea Empire, Xuan Hao could only smile wryly to himself.

Although she didn't hide her attempt to try and turn him into an enemy of the Blue Sea Empire, she wasn't wrong that his sect would inevitably fall out with the Blue Sea Empire.

However, the reason was a bit different from what she said, as the Star Shattering Sect could already be considered enemies with the Blue Sea Empire due to the fact that Pei Yang had been absorbed into the sect.

No need for the sect to grow large enough to pose a threat to the Blue Sea Empire before it decided to attack them, just the existence of Pei Yang being part of the sect getting revealed would be enough to draw the ire of the Blue Sea Empire…

"Now that I think about it… You should be the current person in charge of this part of Frozen Wasteland. Right?"

"Hm? Yes, I am the person who was put in charge of ensuring the stability of this region."

"And we can be considered friends in our struggle against the Blue Sea Empire…"

"Y-yes…?" Not knowing where Xuan Hao was going with his line of questioning, Xuan Gui, who was about to leave, couldn't help tilting her head in confusion as she looked at him.

"Great, then it wouldn't be difficult for you to make sure that no demonic cultivators at the later stages of the True Demon Realm or above gets anywhere near the territory of my sect. Ah! You shouldn't stop the weaker ones from going, as its still useful for the training of the younger members of my sect."

"Huh? You…"

"Ohhh… I see that you are more than happy with this idea. After all, with my sect growing stronger and not having to deal with any problems from the side of the Frozen Wasteland, it would surely become a big headache for the Blue Sea Empire in the future."

"That… Indeed is true, but it would be difficult for me to interfere with the plans of-"

"So, you can do it! That's great! Don't worry too much, the territory of my Star Shattering Sect is miniscule compared to the Frozen Wasteland. Even if no strong demonic cultivators are placed there, it shouldn't interfere with the larger plans of the Demon King of the Frozen Wasteland."

"…"

Not knowing what to say as Xuan Hao continued talking, Xuan Gui could not help feeling convinced by what he said. After all, the larger plans wouldn't be affected by a small sect like the Star Shattering Sect and their territory not being overwhelmed.

Even more so when she thought about how the recent invasion by the weaker demonic cultivators below the True Demon Realm wasn't really a true invasion, but just the first step in a large plan against the core powers in the central part of the continent.

"Fine… I will do it! Take this communication talisman and I will contact you in case someone I can't stop shows up." Shaking her head in defeat as she said this, Xuan Gui threw out a communication talisman to Xuan Hao before turning around to leave.

"Hehe~ Great! See you in the future, Xuan Gui." Putting away the communication talisman, Xuan Hao smiled happily as he similarly turned around and took his leave.

Not only did he manage to refine his strength and get a clear understanding of how strong he was, but he also managed to gain a rather powerful friend that helped prevent any too strong demonic cultivators from attacking the Star Shattering Sect during the current assault by the demonic cultivators on any territory surrounding their territory.