《My Nascent Soul Ran Away Again》 Chapter 1 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation up till the 9021st year of my transmigration, everything has been going fine. today is a special day, so ive decided to form a nascent soul to commemorate it. this marks my 3,000th attempt to break through to the nascent soul stage. as expected though, my nascent soul escaped again. in the bamboo house, a young man in white put away his cultivation journal and looked at the sky outside the window calmly. lu xuan was a transmigrator. the chief of xiaoling peak was the most senior person in the entire dao evolution sect. after cultivating for more than 9,000 years, his cultivation had already reachedexceptional golden core stage. lu xuan was supposed to be a cultivation genius. at the age of six, he was chosen by the dao evolution sect leader and joined the sect to cultivate. at the age of nine, he refined his body, and at the age of twelve, he refined his qi. as the youngest qi-refining stage disciple in history, he broke the dao evolution sects record. in the next three years, he would advance by a major stage. breaking through was as easy as eating and drinking for him. until he was 21 years old. on that day, he experienced the four stages of body forging, qi refining, foundation building, and core formation. lu xuan, who was now in the golden core stage, took a bath and changed his clothes, burned some incense, and played the zither. under the gratified gazes of the group of masters and elders as well as the admiring gazes of his junior brothers and sisters, he walked into the seclusion cave abode used to break through to the nascent soul stage. everything went smoothly. the golden core rushed into the middle palace and returned to the fetus. the mana circulated and the divine sense condensed. the nascent soul was planted on the lotus platform. lu xuan smiled, thinking that he was indeed a genius. in the next moment, with a pop, it was as if a ripe melon had fallen. the nascent soul that had just formed cut off its connection with the lotus throne. it slowly rose up and flew out of his body, passing through the cave abode under the shocked gazes of the group of onlookers, his nascent soul smiled and flew away like a buddha sitting on a lotus, disappearing into the horizon. even the old cultivators who had lived for thousands of years had never seen such a scene. lu xuans master exploded on the spot. when he saw his good disciples nascent soul flying away, he suspected that the darn baldy of the buddhist sect was behind this. he raised his dao sword and wanted to settle the score with the bald donkeys. he was stopped by a group of martial masters and elders, and only after much persuasion did they manage to persuade him to calm down. that night, the dao evolution sect held an emergency meeting and made ample preparations for lu xuans second attempt to break through to the nascent soul stage. array formation sealing, spiritual treasure suppression, mighty figure protection, altar opening however, it was useless. under everyones watchful eyes, lu xuans nascent soul clasped his hands and turned into three streams of clear air. ignoring the seal of the spiritual treasure array, he flew straight up. lu xuan felt numb. the masters and elders were also dumbfounded. this was the first time they had heard of a nascent soul fleeing, and he had run away more than once! lu xuans master was dumbfounded. this time, his disciples nascent soul was clearly using taoist methods. he couldnt possibly go and tear down the ancestral hall of their ancestors, could he? just like that, every three years, lu xuan would attempt to break through to the nascent soul stage. so far, he had already formed well, it should be said that he had released 3,000 nascent souls. once every three years, without a break. of course, over the years, his nascent soul did not remain unchanged. my nascent soul is escaping faster and faster lu xuan looked up at the sky. in the sky outside the window, a pitch-black crack appeared, tearing the sky apart. it was extremely deep. since many years ago, his nascent soul had been able to create such a phenomenon in the sky. at first, the cultivation world was in a state of panic. this phenomenon caused quite a stir in the entire archean eon world. many of the immortal sects thought that it was a sign of the invasion of the otherworldly demons. they prepared their troops and horses in fear, but nothing happened after waiting for a long time. later on, it was a common sight. when cultivators came to pay their respects, the dao evolution sect disciples in charge of welcoming them would point at the crack in the sky and gossip. they said that this was a phenomenon unique to their sect and was called the heavenly abyss. it only appeared once every three years and could not be seen anywhere else. so many years have passed in the blink of an eye lu xuan stretched his back and walked into the courtyard with the wine gourd in his hand. he then lay down on the rattan chair. under normal circumstances, golden core cultivators could not live that long, but his situation was unique. every archean eon cultivator had a life wheel in their body. every year, the life wheel would grow by one more circle, just like the growth rings of a tree. only by becoming a true immortal and ascending to the upper realm could one achieve immortality. unlike ordinary cultivators, every time lu xuan formed his nascent soul and his nascent soul escaped, the life wheel in his body would reset. indeed, the life wheel in his body would be reset to the state it had been in three years ago. in this process, not only would his biological age change, but his mentality would also become younger. in the words of lu xuans master, who had ascended to the immortal world and became a saint ancestor, this was called cutting off the mortal worlds qi, leaving no traces of time on the spiritual altar. it was a stage that many mighty figures could only dream of when they were in the late stages of comprehending the dao. of course, his master emphasized that all mighty figures had nascent souls. therefore, even though he had become the dao evolution sects uncle grandmaster, lu xuan did not have the slightest bit of lethargy. resetting ones lifespan, longevity, and the escape of a nascent soul are not all bad things. lu xuan has a good attitude. besides, maybe he will succeed next time. old master lu, who was already over 9,000 years old, took a sip of wine. his body swayed along with the recliner as he hummed a song. uncle grandmaster! uncle grandmaster! a call came from outside the courtyard. it was old but full of energy. shortly, an old man with white hair and beard appeared in front of lu xuan. lu xuan slowly sat up from the recliner, wiped the wine from the corner of his mouth, and looked at the sect leader who was dressed in a wide-sleeved robe. an hua, whats the matter? i just came out of my seclusion and remembered that today is the day that you will form your nascent soul, uncle grandmaster the sect master, whose name was an hua and whose daoist name was qing yangzi, rubbed his hands and said expectantly, um, uncle grandmaster, have you broken through? if outsiders heard the white-haired old man calling the handsome young man uncle grandmaster, they would definitely be shocked. lu xuan looked at the grand-disciples expectant eyes and pointed at the black crack in the sky. justthe usual. he had formed his nascent soul in 9,000 years, just like before. as expected qing yangzi revealed an expression that said, i knew this would happen. his old face was full and gratified. why are you smiling so happily? lu xuan looked suspicious. cough, cough qing yangzi coughed dryly. i made a bet with junior brother feng yangzi on whether or not you can successfully form your nascent soul this time. we bet on a painting maestros calligraphy treasure well, ive won. do you have that little confidence in me? lu xuan said faintly. junior brother feng yangzi is quite confident in you qing yangzi muttered. he felt that there would definitely be some changes after 3,000 times of forming your nascent soul. fortunately, your performance proved to be consistent veins throbbed on lu xuans forehead as he tried to convince himself that an hua was a thousand-year-old adult, so he couldnt beat him up anymore there should be something else other than the bet. lu xuan took a deep breath and walked into the bamboo house. come in and talk. uncle grandmaster, your eyes are like torches. qing yangzi chuckled and blinked his eyes like a child. he then followed the grandmaster into the house. although he was the ancestor of the dao evolution sect, lu xuans life had always been simple. there were bamboo tables, bamboo beds, bamboo chairs alongside a futon, an incense burner, and the statue of the ancestor. there was also a calligraphy painting hanging on the wall. the brush strokes and ink marks were vigorous, giving life to how the characters danced. the words nascent soul formation were written on it. this was written by lu xuan after he had a mental breakdown after failing to form his nascent soul and drowning his sorrows in alcohol. although his nascent soul still eluded him after he sobered up, he had to admit that this was indeed an amazing piece of work. every time a dao evolution sect disciple prepared to break through to the nascent soul stage, qing yangzi would borrow this calligraphy from his grandmaster uncle. after showing it to the disciples, it could greatly increase the success rate of forming the nascent soul. every time the sect masters grand-disciple came to give him good news, lu xuans mood would be very complicated. tell me, why are you looking for me? lu xuan gestured for qing yangzi to sit down in front of him and poured him a cup of tea. qing yangzi took it with both hands and said, the southern seas heavenly water temple sent us a message saying that a dead city appeared out of thin air in the coastal area. the aura is strange and ominous. the dead city appeared on a stormy night. after that night, all living beings within a hundred kilometers were found dead. the disciples that the heavenly water temple sent to the city were also lost. a dead city? lu xuan pondered for a moment. did the heavenly water temple ask us to send someone to take a look? exactly. qing yangzi nodded. since 10,000 years ago, the heavenly water temple was a sect under the dao evolution sect. when a subordinate sect encountered a crisis that they could not resolve, they naturally had to ask for help from the upper sect. however, this was not to say that the dao evolution sect was lacking in talent. if lu xuan wasnt included, their overall strength would only be slightly stronger than the heavenly water temple. more than 8,000 years ago, lu xuans master ascended to the immortal world. the dao evolution sects mighty figures could not withstand the power of time and passed away one by one. among the new disciples, there were fewer and fewer who could achieve great things. currently, the person with the highest cultivation level in the dao evolution sect was sect master qing yangzi he was only a void refining stage cultivator. how could one judge a sects foundation? it simply depended on the cultivation level of their sect leader and how high they ranked within the sect. generally speaking, the supreme leader was the one with the highest stage, and they were all new sects. sects with deep foundations all had some head elder, grand elder, and the like protecting them. if the young ones were beaten up, the old ones would stand up and support them. the number one sect in the world that had produced true immortals in the past had declined to such a state. one could not help but sigh at the rise and fall of the cycle of reincarnation and the impermanence of the heavenly dao. what are your plans regarding this? lu xuan asked. if the subordinate sects ask for help, we cant sit idly by. qing yangzi blinked. however, there are many matters in the sect. junior brother feng yangzi and i cant get away. the elders also have their own missions are you trying to saythat i should go over and take a look? lu xuan pointed at himself. yes, yes. qing yangzi nodded vigorously. lu xuan suddenly stood up and walked away. im not going. just go once. uncle grandmaster, you havent left the mountain for almost a thousand years. every time i go down the mountain, i encounter a bunch of troublesome things. what if i die? uncle grandmaster, dont you know your own strength at all? every time, the ones who die are the ancestors of other families shut up! also, dont hug my thigh. how old are you already i wont let go until you agree! this is a pair of pants worth 20,000 spirit stones! Chapter 2 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in front of the mountain gate of the dao evolution sect. im leaving. lu xuan was dressed in white and stood with his hands behind his back. he couldnt resist the pestering of the sect leaders grand-disciple. furthermore, qing yangzi gave lu xuan a condition that he could not refuse. from the information sent by the heavenly water temple, that dead city was very likely an ancient remnant land that had existed for an extremely long time. the laws of heaven and earth that were displayed were somewhat different from those in the archean eon world. lu xuan felt that if he entered this city, he might be able to comprehend some things that would help him form his nascent soul. thus, the golden core stage ancestor, who had been cooped up at home for almost a thousand years, finally decided to go down the mountain for a stroll. farewell, uncle grandmaster qing yangzi held his hands together, looking like an immortal, his sleeves fluttering in the wind. beside him stood an old man who also bowed respectfully. it was qing yangzis junior brother, feng yangzi. lu xuan nodded slightly. there were four people in qing yangzis generation. they used the characters ming, yue, qing, and feng as their dao names. two hundred years ago, ming yangzi and yue yangzi passed away. the only people in the sect who knew about the existence of lu xuan were qing and feng. lu xuan remembered that yue yangzi should be the descendant of one of his junior sisters. his master had ascended to become an immortal while his senior brothers had fallen outside, and his junior brothers had passed away in meditation over the long years. in the end, even his junior sisters descendant was sent away by lu xuan. uncle grandmaster, have you brought everything? qing yangzi asked. lu xuan raised his hand and showed his green jade ring. its all in here. i dont know how long until ill be back from this trip. keep that nascent soul formation painting. if a disciple breaks through, you can use it, he said. also, in the drawer in my room, theres a calligraphy scroll. there are seven flashes of sword qi stored in it. if you encounter an enemy you cant defeat, open the scroll and send me a message. yes. qing yangzi was relieved when he heard this. after giving his instructions, lu xuan raised his hand. he tossed out a green bamboo leaf, which turned into a light boat and floated in the air. lets go! the white-robed, black-haired young ancestor stepped on the bamboo leaf and fled as a stream of light. qing and feng didnt leave immediately. they watched lu xuan leave. three days later in an inn in xiaoshui city, lu xuan woke up in the morning and opened the window to enjoy the morning sun. on the table by the window was a copy of the cultivation daily dated that day. lu xuan didnt read the newspapers much because he often read the obituaries of his old friends, which made him feel bad. the founder of the cultivation daily was one of them. the idea of creating a daily newspaper dedicated to cultivators was something that lu xuan had unintentionally mentioned back then. he did not expect that person to really make it happen. in the last few thousand years, obituaries related to old friends disappeared. it was probably because the frequency of lu xuan leaving the mountain had decreased over the years, and he had fewer and fewer new friends. soon, all the old friends he knew had passed away. even mahayana stage cultivators only had a lifespan of 5,000 years. some with special bloodlines, such as the spiritual turtle ancient wood, could live for a few more years. however, compared to lu xuan, who was always young, they would eventually grow old. the cultivation daily was published by sancai academy. it only published news and not editorials, and the contents of the daily newspaper covered a wide range. the old ancestor of the dao evolution sect, who had retired many years ago, did not care about the affairs of the world and only read the gossip. for example, the wife of a certain sect leader was abducted by a disciple, or a certain sect leader finally changed his mind after mastering his divine technique. for example, a certain big shot had endured humiliation for many years and wanted to take revenge on his cousin after taking charge of a sect, but in his excitement, he mistakenly issued a killing order he was amused by the strangeness of the world and flipped through the serious content but did not see any news related to the strange ancient city. the archean eon world was so big, and countless ghosts and monsters appeared every day. sancai academy was a newspaper agency, not an intelligence agency. the heavenly water temple was located in a remote area, so it was normal for the cultivation daily not to report the appearance of the dead city. in xiaoshui city. the teleportation array is about to open. fellow daoists who have paid up with spirit stones, please line up in an orderly manner at the entrance of the teleportation array, a cultivator in armor held a spear and shouted to maintain order. his voice contained some magical power. the cultivators below the stage were bustling with activity, and lu xuan was among them. he wanted to use the teleportation array to head to the heavenly water temple territory. it wasnt that he couldnt fly over directly, but he was really tired of riding a flying sword and a flying magic treasure. only newbies would be passionate about flying on swords and treat their own swords as if they were their lovers. for an old-time cultivator like lu xuan who had been riding a sword for 9,000 years, he would only feel as though it was nothing special at all. in other words, he was sick of it. thinking of this, he suddenly realized that he had not used a sword for a long time. with this in mind, he took out his sword from his magic weapon storage and held it in his arms. lu xuans sword had a scabbard and was decorated with spiritual jade. it felt very warm. the slender sword was pressed against his heart and trembled slightly, like a resentful woman who had been abandoned by a scumbag. it conveyed a faint aura of resentment. hey, hey, dont be so weird the corner of lu xuans mouth twitched. he pressed down on the sword that was rubbing against his chest and communicated with the sword spirit through the spirit technique. alright, alright, alright. i wont let you stay alone this timeactually, ive been in seclusion for nearly a hundred years. i just came out and immediately came to see you. a real man would lie without a draft. what is it? why did the golden core have to undergo a hundred years of seclusion? no, how does a sword spirit like you know so much? dont interfere in human affairs. just as he was coaxing his sword spirit, lu xuan slowed down his pace and saw someone jump his queue. he was a little dissatisfied. he reached out and pressed his hand on the mans shoulder, pulling him back. when the queue jumper turned around, he saw a burly man with a muscular body and a fierce face. the burly man snorted, his tiger-like eyes filled with malice. little brat, you intentionally before he could finish the second half of his sentence, he swallowed it down because, at that moment, he sensed the aura from the other partys body. g-golden core? furthermore, he was in the exceptional golden core stage. if you have any objections, just say it. its not like i dont want to listen. the burly man, who was only on the foundation building stage, suddenly whispered and forcefully changed his words. his face was purple from holding it in. line up at the back. lu xuan pointed. yes, sir! the weak foundation building cultivator did not hesitate and ran to the end of the line, obediently queuing up. the surrounding cultivators also felt lu xuans aura and took half a step back. generally speaking, only foundation building and golden core stage cultivators would use the teleportation formation. when body forging and qi refining cultivators first entered the cultivation world, they didnt have many spirit stones on them, so they often couldnt afford the cost of the teleportation array. after reaching the nascent soul stage, cultivators would begin to cultivate for a long time, and the number of times they went down the mountain would be greatly reduced. at the same time, cultivators of this stage were particular about extravagance. they would go out in their private carriages and fly in the sky. as the saying went, nascent soul stage cultivators were rare, but golden core stage cultivators were a dime a plenty. the golden core was a very subtle stage. after a cultivator formed their golden core, the magic power in their body would undergo a qualitative leap, and their combat strength would be greatly enhanced. although cultivators of this stage were inferior, they were more than sufficient. therefore, no one dared to look down on lu xuan when he was out. he stood there because others were afraid of him. hey, pal, please wait. after getting off the teleportation array not far from the city, lu xuan heard someone calling him from behind. he turned around and saw a black-robed elder standing there. the old mans clothes had a cauldron pattern printed on them. his beard and hair were all white, and he exuded a somewhat sage-like aura. is there something you need from me? lu xuan said. i was near the teleportation array just now and was preparing to hand over a new batch of disciples to my sect elders. seeing that you have extraordinary talent, i intend to leave this inheritance to you. the old man went straight to the point, radiating an experts aura. lu xuan sensed it. whoa, a nascent soul stage cultivator! thank you for your kindness, but i already have a master, so its not convenient for me to take someone else as my master again. lu xuan waved his hand and found a random reason to refuse. he had encountered this kind of thing many times before. he would just be walking on the road, and someone would want to give him an opportunity. there were people who wanted to take him in as a disciple, impart their strength to him, and recruit him as their son-in-law some wanted to gift dharma treasures, spiritual herbs, and dao companions there was even once when a demonic cultivator was being chased and happened to bump into lu xuan. the fiendish cultivator was heavily injured. he probably wanted to drag a passerby into the drama to block the next blow, so he stuffed the treasure that he had risked his life to snatch into lu xuans arms. in the end, he died before he could finish speaking. lu xuan had many inexplicable inheritances that came from this. are you trying to scare me? in the current large sects, who would wear such white clothes? the old man had a look of disbelief on his face. i reckon that your sect isnt famous either. let me tell you, our pill cauldron sect has a divine transformation stage expert guarding it. you mustnt waste your talent lu xuan was speechless. so, it was a powerful soul transformation sect. he suddenly remembered that his clothes were a popular style among the dao evolution sect disciples 9,000 years ago. the fashion in the cultivation world was always changing. the sect leader in the portrait of the founder was wearing a gray robe. at that time, everyones clothes were more conservative. the color of their clothes was darker and they advocated black. when lu xuan was apprenticed to a master, it was popular to wear white clothes and ride a long sword. with their immortal qi, they fluttered around and resembled fairies stepping on white silk. nowadays, the geniuses of the sects all liked to wear green. those from rich families would raise white exotic beasts, and bare feet were popular. as expected of a nascent soul stage expert, his observation skills were sharp and detailed. fashion was a circle, and one never knew when it would come a full circle. lu xuan still missed the era of trampling on white silk. if i dont go with you, will you keep pestering me? lu xuan muttered to himself for a moment. i cant just watch as unpolished jade like you is buried. even if i have to tie you up, i will bind you and bring you back to the sect. the nascent soul cultivator snorted with a firm attitude. the negotiation was fruitless. lu xuan sighed. may i ask which direction your sect is in? with one hand behind his back, the old man raised his hand and pointed with a proud expression. our pill cauldron sect is 80,000 kilometers northwest of here! thats quite close. lu xuan thought about it. the elder of the pill cauldron sect didnt understand his hesitance. before he could ask, he heard a clear reply. in that case, ill send you off, old man. before the elder could react, a pair of white hands grabbed his arm. a faint light flowed through his fingers as a mysterious power sealed the pill cauldron sect elders cultivation, making him immobile. in the next moment, lu xuan lifted the elder up and spun him like a windmill. lets go! lu xuan loosened his grip and threw the terrified old man out. the dignified cultivator had no power to resist. he screamed as he flew into the sky, turned into a stream of light, and disappeared. Chapter 3 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation its been a long time since ive thrown someone like this. lu xuan looked in the direction where the elder flew off. the latter would probably have to fly for a while more. he hoped that it wouldnt hit the cultivators who were riding their swords. xiaoshui citys array could teleport far away, and he was already close to the agreed location. not far away was a large river. the current was rapid and surging. lu xuan threw out a spirit ship and lay on it as it floated down the river. after drifting for over a hundred kilometers, he arrived near a small town. it was located at the border of the heavenly water temple and was also where they had agreed to meet. not too early, not too late. the time is just right. lu xuan calculated the time and stood guard on the road that they had to take to enter the town. shortly, a small white dot flew over from the horizon and quickly landed. it was a female cultivator. pfft- with a sudden brake, the sword tip tore through the air and the flying sword stopped in front of lu xuan. this female priestess wore a daoist robe and had a voluptuous figure. she had a pair of delicate boots and jumped down before the flying sword could stop. the first thing she said when she saw lu xuan was why is he only a golden core cultivator? the female priestess in front of him was only seventeen or eighteen years old. while she was still young, her clothes were a little small and her bosom was bulging. at this moment, she was scrutinizing lu xuan. no bare feet. lu xuans dark eyes darkened. the golden core expert had caught the main point in detail. ahem, i mean, im not an ordinary golden core cultivator. im in the peak golden core stage. lu xuan blinked and looked away. exceptional golden core stage is still a golden core stage. one of the grandmasters of the heavenly water temple is already in the nascent soul stage, but after entering that dead city, he hasnt come out yet. the female taoist priestess was extremely beautiful. when she mentioned this matter, she frowned slightly. the heavenly water temple? lu xuan noticed the other partys description. i am the current wayfarer of the dushi sword house, cheng lingzhu, she said. she placed one hand behind her back and a jade token appeared in her other hand. she showed it to lu xuan. hiss- lu xuan gasped. immediately, he was filled with respect. dushi sword house was one of the top immortal sects in the archean eon world. it was also the oldest and most mysterious immortal sect in the archean eon world. no one knew where the immortal sect was. there was a rumor in the cultivation world that unless the dushi sword house was willing to take the initiative to show itself, even a true immortal would not be able to find its headquarters. the world did not know much about the dushi sword house. they only knew that the disciples in the house were all women. the successor of the next temple master was known as the human world wayfarer. in human terms, she was a saintess. however, lu xuan knew something different. although it was called a sword house, the cultivators of the dushi sword house were not cultivators in the common sense. the disciples of this immortal sect acted abnormally and never avoided calamity. they would participate in major events, wade in muddy waters, and push through danger. it could be said that trouble would happen wherever they went. there was naturally a reason why such a sect that caused trouble everywhere did not make enemies from all sides and was instead respected. disciples of the dushi sword house were very good at fighting. when lu xuan traveled the world of martial arts, he had once taken a saintess of the dushi sword house as his teacher. the other partys name was cheng hongtan. this happened more than 8,000 years ago. at that time, his personal master and dao evolution sects sect leader had just ascended. back then, lu xuan had only cultivated for a hundred years and was quite weak. however, in order to find the real method of forming the nascent soul, he chose to go down the mountain and wander around. then, he met the saintess of the dushi sword house. as for the reason why he wanted to be her disciple it was neither because the saintess of that generation was peerless and beautiful, nor was it because fairy chengs legs were long, her waist thin, and her feet exquisite and small. it wasnt even because she wore white silk and he felt very comfortable when he hugged her to sleep it was because the dao evolution sects ancestor had left behind a letter that recorded that the dushi sword houses immortal scripture that was part of its inheritance had great achievements in the nascent soul stage. the dao evolution sects cultivation scripture was called the true dao evolution technique. it was compiled by the founder after he had gathered the strengths of each sect. this cultivation manual was all-encompassing. it was the strongest immortal scripture in the entire archean eon world. his body-tempering cultivation technique was the first true scripture of the buddha reincarnation sect. his qi refining stage was obtained from the first dao canon of the dao sect. his golden core cultivation technique was also a fusion of the quintessence of the archean eon worlds number one inner pill immortal sect and number one outer pill immortal sect only the nascent soul manual was compiled by the founder himself. the reason was very simple. when the ancestor stole the immortal sutra, he did not beat the saintess of the dushi sword house. the dao evolution sect was a thief. the so-called dao evolution sect was actuallythe pirate sect. the dao evolution sects ancestral master rose from the ashes and became a perfected immortal as a mortal. he relied on his ability to act like a newbie. in that era, all the great immortal sects were strictly guarded against their own cultivation of immortal scriptures. the founding master had worshiped dozens of ancient sects and secretly learned the immortal scriptures and true techniques of each sect. he was ordered to be killed by the righteous dao, the devil dao, and hundreds of immortal sects. such treatment had never been seen before. lu xuan flipped through the dao evolution sects records and sighed at how ruthless his ancestor was. the rules for entering a sect were strict. one had to check their soul to see if they were spies. back then, in order to secretly learn from him, the ancestral master stored every technique he learned in his secret treasure. at the same time, he risked his life to cleanse and reconstruct his soul, cutting off his previous experiences. not to mention outsiders, even he himself did not know that he had stolen a master before. the first step to lying to others was to lie to yourself. using this method to repeatedly clear dungeons, the danger they experienced was naturally more than ten times that of ordinary people. however, the ancestor had great luck. not only did he not die, but he even forcefully established the dao evolution sect, suppressing the various immortal sects until they could not raise their heads. later on, he even ascended to become an immortal, and no one in the world dared to underestimate him. only the saintess of the dushi sword house who had beaten him up before he attained dao was still thinking about this matter before he ascended. when lu xuan flipped through the patriarchs handwritten letter, he thought to himself that if the founding patriarch was half as handsome as him and thought of a way to seduce the saintess, perhaps his grand-disciple would not have to worry about forming the nascent soul now. the daoist scriptures of the dushi sword house were not open to outsiders. only the true disciples of the sect could cultivate, but they did not open their doors to accept disciples like other immortal sects. lu xuan was very motivated back then. in order to seek the method to form the nascent soul, he had to imitate his ancestors. it was not unacceptable for him to suffer a little and acknowledge another master. he was greedy for the other partys true immortal cultivation technique. he was honest. the saintess of the world-crossing sword school never accepted disciples outside. however, lu xuan still became cheng hongtans disciple as a man. one could imagine the difficulties, twists and turns, and coincidences in this. however, what happened later was beyond his expectations. the motivated lu xuan had indeed taken advantage of him, but the consequences of taking advantage of him were not right. the saintess of the dushi sword house had feelings for him. her master became his wife, and her disciple became his husband. as time passed, her filial piety changed the process could be written into a novel of a million words. as for why it was only a million words. first, the female lead was not long. the second wasin the end, the two of them broke up. it wasnt a betrayal, nor was it about their stand. neither of them did anything wrong, but in the end well, lu xuan didnt really want to reminisce about this. he had only experienced this once in his life. the beginning wasnt bad, the middle was beautiful, and the ending was terrible. in the end, she returned to the secret realm of the dushi sword house. lu xuan never saw her again. at that time, cheng hongtan had already entered the crossing calamity stage. lu xuan thought that she must have ascended. coincidentally, the person he knew and the saintess of the dushi sword house in front of him both shared the surname cheng. because of this, the memories that lu xuan had put aside for a long time gradually surfaced in his mind. this experience allowed lu xuan to learn the inheritance of the dushi sword house, and then learn more about this immortal sect. for example, the dushi sword house only had two types of cultivation methods. one was a killing technique, and the other was a killing technique disguised as a defensive technique. lu xuanxin thought to himself, what is this about killing to prove dao? therefore, the name of the dushi sword house was only related to the sect by the word sword. however, at this moment, lu xuan was still puzzled. in his impression, the cultivators of the dushi sword house only left the mountain when they achieved the mahayana stage. why was this saintess in front of him experiencing the mortal world when she was only in the golden core stage? i thought the dao evolution sect would at least send a soul formation cultivator over. cheng lingzhu shook her head and interrupted lu xuans thoughts. however, this was understandable. the dao evolution sects talents were dwindling. after so many years, there was not even a single mahayana stage cultivator. cheng lingzhu sighed in her heart and felt sorry for the dao evolution sect. the dao evolution sect leader, qing yangzi, was a void refining stage cultivator. while this stage was not considered weak, compared to back thenit was not worth mentioning. in the archean eon worlds cultivation system, above the void refining stage was body integration, and above that was the mahayana stage. the mahayana stage was also called the transcendence stage. it was a special state for mahayana stage cultivators. at the peak of the dao evolution sect, there were several transcending stage cultivators in the sect, and they were only a step away from becoming true immortals. lu xuan was speechless. for some reason, the junior sister in front of him clearly looked a few years younger than the 21-year-old him. however, when she spoke, she gave off the feeling that she was an old woman with a lot of experience. lu xuan sighed. as expected, it was popular in the cultivation world to be young and mature at the same time. the saintess was young and wise, just like an old mother. there werent many young people like him who were true to their appearance. your talent is impressive. its a waste for you to stay in the dao evolution sect. i can write you a recommendation letter cheng lingzhu pondered for a moment. lu xuan thought to himself, what is this about persuading me to betray the sect and lead a revolution? he rejected the other party on the spot. cheng lingzhu didnt insist. she tossed out her flying vessel and prepared to leave. after boarding the flying vessel, she turned around and found that lu xuan had also followed her. i havent completed the mission the dao evolution sect gave me, so i cant just go back like this. lu xuan was reasonable. in fact, he was worried that the other party would die in that dead city. since she was the saintess of the dushi sword house, she was also, in a way, one of his generation of grand-disciples. the dead city was strange. if she dared to enter the dungeon alone, she must have a trump card. however, lu xuan felt that as an elder, since he had met a descendant, he should take care of her. cheng lingzhu tacitly agreed with him, and the two of them boarded the flying magic vessel together. they set a direction and flew toward the dead city. both man and woman sat on the flying vessel. lu xuan stood at the bow of the ship, facing the wind. his white robes fluttered in the wind, looking rather carefree. behind him, cheng lingzhu looked at lu xuans back and frowned. it was clearly the first time they had met, so why did the other party seem so familiar? Chapter 4 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation near the coast, the air was moist and warm. although it was early autumn, the plants by the sea were still lush. the magic flying vessel was very stable. lu xuan turned around and suddenly said, fellow daoist cheng, i heard that the saintesses of your sect only enter the mortal world after the mahayana stage. why did you leave the mountain so early? in his impression, the cultivation method of the dushi sword house was very unique. at a certain period of the peak of the mahayana stage, one would enter an extraordinary state, and ones cultivation would be greatly weakened, falling to the golden core stage. at this time, they would need to go down the mountain and experience the mortal world. only after enlightenment could they enter the transcendence stage. only saintesses would have such a strange state, and it seemed to be related to some kind of physique. when the ancestor stole the immortal scripture, it happened that the saintess had just finished her enlightenment and was at her peak. the first battle to consolidate her stage was to beat up the dao evolution sects ancestral master. lu xuan had the means to identify the saintess in front of him. her age and cultivation were the same as the identity token. it was impossible for her to be fake. unless she was like him, a nascent soul cultivator who could run away, the person standing in front of him was a genuine golden core cultivator. fellow daoist lu, you sure are very knowledgeable. a hint of surprise flashed through cheng lingzhus eyes. she pondered for a moment and explained, thousands of years ago, our dushi sword house cooperated with the pure dreamland and developed a special secret technique. the saintess of the sect left the mountain at the golden core stage and preserved her insights. when the mortal tribulation arrived, she would reenact the dream. when she woke up, she would enter the tribulation realm, which would be better for her cultivation than before. i see. lu xuan understood. the method of cultivation had been progressing and developing. compared to the previous mahayana stage when he had left the mountain to experience, this dream tribulation method was much more advanced. for example, if one left the mountain when they were young and their minds were not mature, after living for more than a thousand years, they would be able to gain a lot of enlightenment by revisiting their experiences. at the same time, because it was a dream, he could make up for his regrets in the dream and make his cultivation more complete. a cultivator who can think of such a method might have some regrets in his heart lu xuan thought. on the spirit vessel, cheng lingzhu reminded him, fellow daoist lu, the city of death is located in front of us. when cultivators enter a radius of 50 kilometers, they will feel an obvious sense of discomfort. the two of them had already entered the area affected by the aura of the city of death. lu xuan looked at the ground. the plants did not seem to have changed. they were still green and lush. however, the feeling it gave him was very different from before. he circulated a spell, and a dim light flashed in his eyes. everything below the flying vessel became clear. the seemingly round leaves had many tiny sharp teeth growing out of the edges, and they were pressed together in uneven layers. the originally smooth and straight branches became twisted and curved in a spiral shape, and they were filled with bloody tumor-like stem nodes. under the shadow, purple-black veins wound around the bottom of the leaves. around these veins, there were thorns tearing the surface of the leaves, crawling out ferociously and biting into everything around them. lu xuan knew that the plants along the coast shouldnt have such a shape. in the distance, the outline of the city of death was gradually becoming clearer. cheng lingzhu frowned, and her daoist robe glowed slightly to resist the discomfort around her. however, lu xuan did not feel anything. it was as if the aura from the city of death had lost its effect on him. cheng lingzhu glanced at him and saw that he was as calm as ever. it was unknown if he was holding on or if he had a secret treasure on him. the closer they got to the the moon was dark and the wind was strong. two ghost dao cultivators rode a human skin magic treasure and flew in the night. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu hid their auras and followed behind them. as a nascent soul cultivator, when you descend upon a mortal country, you have to disguise yourself and secretly capture people and steal their treasures. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu communicated telepathically. thinking of their injuries, it was easy to deduce that there was another force chasing after them, so the two of them did not dare to make a big fuss. these two peoples auras are superficial and their mana is impure. they arent disciples of a large sect. cheng lingzhu said. lu xuan looked at the backs of the two weak nascent soul cultivators and nodded in agreement. there were still differences in combat strength between cultivators of the same realm. due to the influence of the cultivation technique, the quality of the magic power of a top-notch immortal sect disciple could be said to be worlds apart from that of an itinerant cultivator. this was not counting the assistance of cultivation resources such as heavenly and earthly treasures and rare medicines. otherwise, the dao evolution sects founder would not have racked his brains to secretly learn from the various large sects. after the time for an incense stick to burn. the human skin magic treasure slowed down and landed near a cliff. two men in black jumped down from the magic weapon. one of them was carrying chu han, the prince of dong ping, who had already been knocked unconscious. the other person looked around vigilantly. after confirming that no one was following him, he took out a token. there was a cave in front of the cliff. there was a formation inside that sealed off the aura. the nascent soul cultivators used their tokens to open it and enter one after another. after a while. the air distorted slightly as lu xuan and cheng lingzhu appeared. the entrance of the cave was gray, as if it was covered with a layer of fog. this was the array shield here. lu xuan extended his hand and pointed. a clear light lit up from his fingertip and the shield melted quietly. lets go. lu xuan waved his hand. cheng lingzhu nodded and followed him into the cave. the cave was narrow and could only accommodate one person. he walked another ten miles and suddenly saw the light. the exit of the cave was located in a huge valley. at the center of the valley was a black circular altar. the altar was more than a thousand feet in diameter, and there were many black-robed men standing around it. there were thousands of them, and all of them had cultivation. twelve temples were piled up on the altar, all built with human heads, with a square altar in the center. three men in black stood in front of the altar, facing the crowd of men in black. the two on the left and right were the nascent soul ghost cultivators who had kidnapped chu han tonight. the person standing in the middle seemed to be the leader of this group. the ancestral sorcerer bone slab has been gathered. tonight is the time for my witchcraft ghost sect to rise! the leaders voice was deep and his mana was deep. he was a late-nascent soul cultivator. he held a bone plate in his hand, which seemed to be made of several pieces of broken bones. the wugui sects sect master respectfully placed the bone plate in the center of the altar. then, the three nascent soul cultivators took out daggers and cut their wrists without hesitation. fresh blood flowed down and sprinkled on the square altar, soaking the black bone plate and flowing down the groove of the altar. the surface of the circular altar was also engraved with blood grooves, outlining fine patterns. these were the array runes on the altar. blood flowed out and filled the grooves of the array patterns. only when the blood patterns connected the twelve temples to the central altar did the three black-robed men stop. their faces were pale. what they put in was not ordinary blood, but the blood essence of cultivators. it contained the origin, and even nascent soul realm cultivators could not withstand it. however, their faces were filled with fanaticism. the grandmaster of the witch ghost sect knelt on the ground and chanted a strange prayer. the others also knelt down and followed the sect master of the witch ghost sect, making obscure and awkward sacrificial sounds. the blood on the altar squirmed, and wisps of blood qi were emitted from the twelve temples. they flowed into the square altar, and the black bone plate wrapped in blood floated up. a strong wind suddenly blew inside the sacrificial altar. the grandmaster of the witchcraft ghost sect shouted in a low voice. streams of blood and qi emerged from the disciples below and surged towards the black bone plate. the bone plate of the ancestral magus shone, and a faint consciousness was born from the bone plate, gradually growing stronger. as soon as this consciousness appeared, an extremely desolate aura spread out. it was as if some existence had crossed a long time and came from the ancient times. the blood qi of thousands of wugui sect disciples gathered into a blood mist giant. its body was huge, as if it could support the heavens and the earth. the sect master of the witch ghost sect could not help but tremble. a fanatical expression appeared on his face, mixed with uncontrollable joy. quick, quick, bring that mortal prince up! a figure was thrown in front of the altar. it was chu han, the crown prince of dong ping. chu han had already woken up. when he opened his eyes, he saw the scene of such a barbaric sacrifice. he was instantly scared out of his wits. this was different from the immortal cultivation he had imagined! what happened to cultivating ones heart and mind and being at ease? chu han closed his eyes in despair, ready to accept the arrival of death. who knew that the blood mist giant did not even look at him. it stretched out its huge palm and grabbed the sect master of the witchcraft ghost sect in its hand. ancestral magus, ancestral magus! the sect master of the witchcraft ghost sect realized that something was wrong and hurriedly shouted, trying to communicate with the blood mist giant. unfortunately, such a move was useless. the existence known as the ancestor of sorcery threw the sect master of the witch ghost sect into his mouth as if he was eating candy. how could the flesh and blood of an ordinary mortal be comparable to that of a nascent soul cultivator? the remaining two wugui sect cultivators turned pale with fright. they urged their magic power and were about to fly away when the blood mist giant reached out and grabbed them. it did the same thing and swallowed the two of them. after the three nascent soul stage cultivators entered his stomach, the blood mist giants body became more solid. he stepped forward and opened his mouth to roar. the bodies of thousands of wugui sect cultivators exploded and turned into a blood mist. strands of blood qi gathered and surged towards the giant. however, this vitality was still too little. the blood mist giant desperately needed more blood food. he looked into the distance, where there was a big city. he sensed the abundant flesh and blood power in it and was about to step forward. however, two figures stood in front of him. lu xuans taoist sword hung at his waist, and he stood there with his legs apart. cheng lingzhu followed beside him, her aura a little weak. she had been forcefully dragged over by lu xuan. the cooldown of the ancestral masters spirit descent was still not over, so cheng lingzhu felt that they should retreat first. however, lu xuan said that he could win. this confused cheng lingzhu. in the city of death, lu xuan said he could fight. in yanshui city, lu xuan also said that he could fight. now that he had encountered the powerful existence sacrificed by the witch ghost sect, lu xuan could still say that he could fight. what kind of secret treasure was he carrying? why did it seem like it could not be used up? wasnt this man a little too persistent? lu xuan calmly raised his hand, gesturing for cheng lingzhu to hide behind him. however, he was very emotional in his heart. many years ago, when he was with his master, he was the one who hugged cheng hongtans thigh. the current him had already grown into a towering tree that could shelter him from the wind and rain. , the darker the sky became. when they were within ten kilometers of the city of death, the sky was already covered by dark clouds. it was pitch-black like ink, looking extremely dark. patter. a soft sound rang out. rain fell from the sky. cheng lingzhu extended her hand, and a drop of rain fell from her fingertips, but this raindrop was black. the raindrops emitted a decaying aura as they fell on the ground. they squirmed like living creatures and drilled into the ground. rumble! thunder rumbled in the sky. cheng lingzhu looked up and saw a black bolt of lightning. a downpour was coming. cheng lingzhu raised her hand and was about to catch another drop of rain, but after a few breaths, her palm was dry as usual. she turned around and saw lu xuan holding an umbrella behind her. it was a very beautiful oil-paper umbrella that the two of them could share. if one person was willing to snuggle in the other persons arms, the umbrella was just enough to cover both of them. theres something wrong with this rain. cheng lingzhu retracted her hand. not far away was the city. the city walls were pitch-black and thick. they were three hundred meters tall, looming cold and silent. do you still want to go inside? she looked up at lu xuan. lu xuan held the umbrella and looked at the city of death. he said the words that his master hated the most, well, were already here. cheng lingzhu took a few deep breaths, her chest heaving up and down. dont stray too far away from me after we enter. the people of the heavenly water temple opened this gate? standing in front of the city of death, lu xuan looked at the huge chains on the city gate, his dark eyes slightly darkening. there were a total of nine chains, and they looked like black dragons coiling around each other. however, now, seven of the nine chains had been broken. the originally closed city gate also opened a gap, allowing several people to pass through. cheng lingzhu didnt think that this was a good thing. just standing in front of the city of death made her feel heavy pressure. the opened city gate was like an evil beast in the dark night, quietly lying dormant, choosing its prey. no. she shook her head. i asked the disciples of the heavenly water temple. when this city of death appeared, its gate was like this. before coming to the city of death, cheng lingzhu had gone to the heavenly water temple. as the successor of the dushi sword house, the elders and disciples of the heavenly water temple dared not hide anything from her. lu xuan nodded. he thought so too. with the strength of the cultivators of the heavenly water temple, they shouldnt have been able to break the chains. the disciples of the heavenly water temple said that it rained heavily the night the city of death appeared. lu xuan stretched out his hand and pressed it on the city gate. a cold and smooth feeling came from his palm as if he were touching the body of a giant snake. there were many fine patterns carved on the city gate. the carvings were light but very clear to the touch. the wall of the city of death was hundreds of meters tall, and the city gate was also extremely tall. at a height of a hundred meters from the ground, the city gate had been deformed. there were messy claw marks deeply imprinted on it. lu xuan could imagine what kind of scene must have happened. on the same stormy night, something escaped from the city of death. it wriggled its body, twisting and struggling to get out of the city. the chains were broken, and the city gate was torn and deformed, leaving its traces on it. lu xuan exhaled slowly, and his breath turned into a foot-long white mist that was like a sharp sword aura. how many days has it been since the city of death appeared? cheng lingzhu thought for a moment. 33 days. lu xuan nodded slightly and did not say anything. behind him was the black rain, and in front of him was the decaying city of death. he put away the umbrella and walked into the city. inside the city of death, it was also pitch black. the surroundings were deathly silent, and cheng lingzhus heartbeat quickened. with her eyesight, she could only see things within 30 meters. the architectural style of the city of death was completely different from that of the archean eon world. the houses were densely packed, narrow, and low. lu xuan paused and walked towards the nearest house. just as he was about to open the door, a fair hand reached out and blocked his way. cheng lingzhu said, follow behind me, and dont act rashly. this city of death is even stranger than i imagined lu xuan had no choice but to give up. he turned to the side and made a gesture to indicate for her to go ahead. in lu xuans memories, when he went into dungeons in the past, there were often big shots that brought him along. he did not expect that after so many years, there would still be a golden core big shot with a secret treasure who was willing to take him. cheng lingzhu took a step forward, and just as she was about to open the door, she turned around and instructed, after enteringremember to be careful. there might be danger inside. even cheng lingzhu felt that this advice was unnecessary. after she finished speaking, she immediately pursed her lips. she had only known lu xuan for less than an hour, so it was not an exaggeration to call him a stranger. as the saintess of the dushi sword school, it was obvious that she was getting too close to be saying such words to someone she had just met. she was not his master. cheng lingzhu shook her head slightly. she didnt know why either. for some reason, she felt a sense of familiarity when she saw lu xuan. just like when they first met, she expressed without hesitation that she was willing to introduce him to other sects. she was clearly not someone who liked to meddle in other peoples business. Chapter 5 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation as a cultivator, cheng lingzhus intuition was sharp. she knew very well that she had never encountered such a situation before. on the other side, lu xuan clicked his tongue in wonder. he thought to himself that the saintess of the dushi sword school had become so human after not having interacted with her for thousands of years. when he first met her master, cheng hongtan, she had been as cold as a block of ice and refused to say anything. of course, it might be because the saintesses at that time were all in the mahayana stage. although his strength was only comparable to that of a golden core cultivator, he was still a mighty figure after all. it was normal for him to be arrogant. cheng lingzhu didnt know what lu xuan was thinking about. she suppressed the distracting thoughts in her mind and stretched out a slender white hand. there was a vortex of mana circulating at the tip of her finger as she pushed open the door. an ancient aura flowed out of it. dust fell from the door frame as the two of them walked in. the house was huge, reminiscent of the mansions of wealthy families in the mortal world. however, there was only one house, and the rooms inside were separated by walls. there was nothing special about the furniture in the room. however, in the middle of the room, there were two figures kneeling. these two statues looked like they were made of stone, and they both had their backs to the door. cheng lingzhu subconsciously held her breath and swept her spiritual sense over them, only to discover that they were two dead objects without any signs of life. she glanced at lu xuan, who raised his hand and pointed ahead. cheng lingzhu looked in the direction he was pointing. there was a shrine placed against the wall, and the cloth covering it was covered in dust. if it wasnt for the fact that no one had cleaned this altar, it would probably have been no different from the decorations of ordinary peoples homes. is thisa buddha statue? cheng lingzhu furrowed her brows as she looked at what was being offered at the altar. it was carved on black stone, wearing a kasaya with a bun on his head. he sat on a lotus platform, and his face was full of compassion. lu xuan nodded. the two of them looked at each other and took a few steps forward. they arrived in front of the two kneeling stone statues and sized them up. the two stone statues, a man and a woman, looked like a couple. the carvings were very detailed. the edges and stitches of the clothes, the wrinkles and eyelashes on the face, and even the rough calluses on the hands were all clearly visible. if it had been done by hand, the person who carved the statue must have had a cultivation base. otherwise, it would have taken too much time and energy to outline these details. apart from the exquisite carving, what was even more eye-catching was the expressions of the two stone statues. they were extremely pious and reverent and even contained a sense of emptiness and perfection. cheng lingzhu subconsciously looked at the altar and felt that the couples faces had become compassionate. lu xuan raised his hand and circulated his dharmic powers. the buddha statue in the shrine flew out and landed in his hand. cheng lingzhu was shocked when she saw lu xuan suddenly take the buddha statue. she wanted to stop him, but he was too late. fortunately, nothing happened in the main hall after he took the black stone buddha statue. cheng lingzhu heaved a sigh of relief. however, she saw him turn the buddha statue over and raise his eyebrows. clearly, he had discovered something. her gaze fell on the buddha statue and she noticed that there was a face carved on the back of the statue. this face was completely different from the one in front of him. it had a green face and fangs, and it appeared to be almost lunatic. its smile was ferocious, and one could only vaguely see the shape of a buddha. its opened mouth was like a demon that wanted to swallow all living beings alive. cheng lingzhu narrowed her eyes. she looked at the stone statue at the side and touched it with her hand. she felt a rough touch. it is indeed made of stone. lu xuan nodded and placed a hand on the shoulder of the stone statue beside him. with a crack, he broke off one of the statues arms. the inside was also made of stone, and the texture was the same as the surface. lu xuan patted it twice, and sandstone fell. lets go to the other houses and take a look, he said. cheng lingzhu didnt say anything. she merely nodded and followed behind him. she should be the one leading the exploration, but she had a natural trust in lu xuan. in this city of death, she subconsciously chose to believe him. after a while, the two of them came out of a house. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu had already explored more than ten houses nearby. the layout inside was the same as the first house. there were evil buddha statues standing in the shrines and mortal stone statues knelt in front of the evil buddhas. what should we do now? cheng lingzhu asked as she looked at the pitch-black street. the darkness of the city of death was shrouded by a mysterious power. with cheng lingzhus cultivation, she could only see things within 30 meters. lu xuan pondered for a moment, then stretched out his hand and pointed in the air, drawing a square with his mana. i took a look just now. the layout of this city is actually in a radiating shape. diagonal lines intersected, determining the center point, and then many straight lines passed through this point. the houses in the city are all built on these lines, arranged in a straight line. there is a circular area in the middle, which is the core area of the city, lu xuan explained. he had already seen the layout of the city of death after visiting more than ten households. you can see things in the distance? cheng lingzhu asked. our dao evolution sect was also a large sect back then, so we still have quite a number of trump cards, lu xuan replied. these words could not be considered a lie. after all, the dao evolution sects greatest trump card was lu xuan himself. unlike cheng lingzhu, the darkness of the city of death couldnt block lu xuans vision. standing on the empty street, he could see clearly what was at the center of the city. it was an extremely tall, black buddhist hall. in a short while, cheng lingzhus face paled slightly as she stood at the foot of the steps. her breathing quickened. the city of death gave her a bad feeling. it was even more so after they entered the city. the closer they got to the temple hall, the stronger the decaying aura became. the invisible pressure from the city of death also became heavier. no cultivator would like such an environment. cheng lingzhus daoist robe glowed, and strange dao patterns lit up as if it was resisting some kind of power. lu xuan noticed the change in cheng lingzhus expression and wondered if the saintess of the dushi sword school was too weak. when lu xuan first met cheng hongtan, this mahayana stage expert with golden core strength had let lu xuan see what it meant to be a crazy killer. if cheng lingzhu knew what he was thinking, she would definitely have cried for him. she was a young girl at the golden core stage, so how could she compare her psychological quality with a mahayana stage cultivator who had lived for a thousand years? lu xuan stretched out his hand and snapped his fingers. in the darkness, specks of starlight appeared and fell on cheng lingzhu. cheng lingzhu immediately felt that the decaying spiritual energy in the surroundings was isolated, and even the oppressive feeling disappeared. she thanked lu xuan, thinking that he had used the secret treasure from the dao evolution sect to help her resist the influence of the city of death. Chapter 6 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation with the support of lu xuans secret technique, cheng lingzhu calmed down. the temple hall was extremely high. the stone steps in front of the hall were dark and the corners were worn out. it looked like it had been through a lot of hardships. cheng lingzhu took out a weapon from her magic storage. it was wrapped in black silk and looked like a long sword. lu xuan found it familiar, but he didnt think too much about it. he just assumed that this was an artifact cheng lingzhu had brought from the sect. watch my back, cheng lingzhu said to lu xuan as she stepped on the steps. her waist was slender and called out to be held, and her curves were generous. her daoist robe seemed to be a little tight, outlining cheng lingzhus figure. from the back, she looked alluring. lu xuan suddenly remembered that cheng hongtan had said something similar to him many years ago. the only difference was that her master was barely attractive while cheng lingzhu had a great figure. his expression was slightly dazed as he nodded. i wont disappoint you, fellow daoist. thus, cheng lingzhu turned her back to lu xuan. with one in front of the other, they ascended the temple hall. du, du, du as she approached the door, cheng lingzhu heard the knocking of a wooden fish. this sound was very rhythmic, or rather, very mechanical. the interval, strength, and sound of each knock were exactly the same. the two of them arrived at the front of the hall. the door was open. in the empty hall, there were four figures kneeling with their backs facing the door. from the side, one could see that the four of them were holding chinese traditional paper cuttings in their hands. they were using it to knock on the wooden fish, and the sound it made reverberated throughout the entire hall. cheng lingzhu noticed that these four figures wore the uniform of the heavenly water temple cultivators. three of them were dressed in disciple robes, and the other wore an elders uniform. they had their backs facing lu xuan and the other man. du, du, du in the next moment, the sound of knocking on the wooden fish stopped. the four figures turned their heads at the same time and looked at the two of them like marionettes. their eyes were empty and lifeless, unlike a living persons. their faces were filled with compassion, which resembled the clay sculptures in the temple. du, du, du the sound of the wooden fish rang out once again, but the four figures did not turn around. the frequency of hitting the wooden fish became faster and faster, and their four pairs of eyes were fixed on lu xuan and cheng lingzhu. cheng lingzhu held her breath. in front of the four of them, in the deepest part of the hall, where the buddha statue should be worshipped, there was an extremely huge black shadow. the knocking of the wooden fish became more and more urgent and gradually became sharp, as if it had turned into a tangible awl that wanted to tear their minds apart. the four people from the heavenly water temple looked at lu xuan and cheng lingzhu, their expressions constantly changing. the compassion faded, but a strange smile hung on their faces. the corners of their mouths opened, and their flesh began to crack. their smiles almost reached their ears. this appearance was extremely similar to the face behind the black stone buddha. cheng lingzhu frowned and gripped her sword. a dazzling bloody light that covered the sky and the earth burst out from the scabbard. the black silk that was wrapped around the long sword was torn off inch by inch. the long sword was unsheathed, glimmering brightly like blood and appearing resplendent like the rosy clouds. cheng lingzhu took a step forward, her black hair dancing in the wind. the moment she drew her sword, her hairpin shattered inch by inch, no longer able to bind her. the aura from her body rose rapidly, and her eyes turned red. the intelligence in her eyes disappeared and was replaced by coldness and indifference. lu xuans pupils shrank. it wasnt because he was surprised by the changes in cheng lingzhus body, but because he recognized the sword she was using. this resplendent bloody sword was clearly cheng hongtans natal dharmic weapon. judging from the aura that was released after it was unsheathed, he was definitely not mistaken. butshouldnt she have ascended to the upper realm long ago? natal dharmic weapons were very different from ordinary dharmic treasures. from the day they stepped on the path of dao, they were nurtured by cultivators and could be considered a part of the cultivators body. if he ascended, he would definitely bring his natal dharmic weapon with him to kill enemies and protect his dao. lu xuans heart sank. in the main hall, cheng lingzhu had already slashed out with her sword. the dushi sword house cultivated the way of killing. the four heavenly water temple people had long been possessed, so she would not hold back. the sword was as red as a rainbow, dazzling as if the blood of a phoenix was flowing through it. it was very shocking. the blood-red sword light carried a murderous sword will and crushed the four heavenly water temple people. then, without losing its momentum, it slashed at the black shadow in the depths of the hall. cheng lingzhu saw the true appearance of the black shadow. it was not that the sword light was too dazzling and reflected everything in the hall. instead, the other party had taken the initiative to show his appearance. a monstrous demonic flame was burning on its body. a huge monster with a green face and fangs, a bulbous head, and a pair of eyes burning with green-black flames was sitting on the lotus platform. this wasan evil buddha. this evil buddha was huge. just by sitting, he was as tall as the hundred-meter hall. twelve chains extended from the lotus throne and bound the evil buddha, making it unable to take even half a step away. however, the pitch-black demonic flames enveloped the surroundings and surged out, still swallowing cheng lingzhus sword light and dissolving her attack. cheng lingzhu raised her head, her eyes glowing red. instead of retreating, she took a step forward and raised her sword. at this moment, the aura on her body rose again, and a phenomenon appeared around her, spreading out like a painting. as mountains and rivers collapsed, people were plunged into misery, resulting in heaps of corpses and seas of blood. it was crazy and terrifying. cheng lingzhu stood on top of that mountain of madness and the sea of horrors. beneath her feet was a stretch of bloody bones. the phenomenon dyed the world scarlet. however, the cultivator in the painting was not stained with blood. even the red light in her eyes had receded. her eyes were cold, and she looked like a banished immortal. a blood-red light wheel spread out like a bright moon on the sea. the crimson blood moon slowly rose and appeared behind her. at this moment, cheng lingzhus aura had reached its peak. she raised her hand, and the various phenomena collapsed and turned into a point. accompanied by the sword aura, they stabbed forward! it was like a hot knife cutting through butter and like pouring hot oil into the snow. the sword split the pitch-black demonic flames, and it scattered to both sides. the sword momentum was sharp and went straight into the heart of the evil buddha. boom! demonic flames exploded and scattered in the sky. a huge wound appeared on the chest of the evil buddha. the sword pierced through from the front to the back. in the evil buddhas eye sockets, the green-black flame flickered like a candle in the wind, almost extinguished. the phenomenon in the hall dissipated, and the crimson moon was destroyed. cheng lingzhu fell from the sky and supported herself with her sword. a pair of clear eyes stared fixedly at the evil buddha not far away. however, the result disappointed her. after a few breaths, the green-black flame stabilized and lit up again. she sighed in her heart. the gap between her and the evil buddha was still too great. even if the evil buddha was trapped by the lotus throne and sealed in the city of death for who knew how many years, her cultivation level would have been greatly reduced. the strength he had preserved was still terrifying. she had a trump card. the ancestral saintess spirit subjugation technique was the strongest attack she could unleash at the moment. however, the power of this secret technique was limited by the strength of the caster. the power of golden core cultivators was still a little weak when it came to attacking. Chapter 7 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in the main hall, the evil buddha didnt die and laughed heartily. the earth shook, and many auras of living beings suddenly appeared in the city of death. lu xuan raised his eyebrows and turned around. he saw the scene in the city of death. the evil buddha hall was located at the center of the city and was built extremely tall. standing at the entrance of the hall, one could overlook the entire city. at this moment, all the houses in the city had their doors wide open. one figure after another walked out from within, swaying. they were all commoners in the city. however, they all had crazed smiles on their faces, and their expressions were no different from the evil buddha in the hall. lu xuan noticed that some of them were missing arms. they were the stone statues that he had broken before. the evil buddha laughed maniacally as if mocking him. in this city of death, he was the only ruler. if he wanted to turn someone into stone, that person would be stone. if he wanted to turn a stone statue into a person, that stone statue would be enlightened to become a human. this was a change at the level of laws. the so-called law was already close to the dao. his control over the city of death had long permeated every corner. lu xuan shook his head and faced the evil buddha. its just a bluff. being restricted by others means that you arent free. if you really have great powers, why dont you come down from that lotus throne? if you really are the ruler of this city, why are you trapped here whilst the one who escaped is existing elsewhere? the evil buddha stopped laughing after hearing this. instead, he clenched his fists and became angry. cheng lingzhu tugged at the corner of lu xuans shirt, her face filled with worry. by this point, he shouldnt have angered this demon. she also saw what circumstance the evil buddha was in. he seemed arrogant and arrogant, but in fact, his hands and feet were tied. his body was locked by the lotus platform, and his power could not be transmitted out of the hall. when the evil buddha was laughing, cheng lingzhu sent a voice transmission to lu xuan, telling him to leave quickly. as long as he was outside the main hall, the evil buddha could not directly attack the two of them. the only power he could use was the stone statue in the city of death. she was at the tail end of her rope, and the evil buddha had so many small fries under him. it would not be easy to deal with them. nevertheless, with lu xuans exceptional golden core strength, it shouldnt be a problem for him to take her out of the city. cheng lingzhu planned to set up an altar to send a message to the dushi sword house after she left the city. she would order them to blow up the entire city of death. the plan was pretty good, but the first step went wrong. lu xuan did not leave. cheng lingzhu was anxious and angry, but she wasnt worried about her own life. when the saintess descended the mountain, she naturally had more than one backup plan. other than the ancestral masters spirit subjugation technique, cheng lingzhu had also brought many other magic artifacts with her. from group attacks to single target attacks, they were all focused on killing. however, this was the first time she had used the ancestral masters secret technique. she did not expect the consumption to be so great. there was not even a drop of magic power left in her body. it was not even enough to activate the magic artifact. butthis didnt mean that cheng lingzhu couldnt leave. there were always things in the world that surpassed ordinary magic artifacts. she still had a trump card in her hand, which was the traveling token of the dushi sword house. with just a thought, even if she was hundreds of millions of kilometers away, even if there were layers of formations and mighty figures blocking her, she could still return to the sect. the city of death was strange, but it couldnt trap cheng lingzhu. this was the foundation of a top-notch immortal sect. it was difficult for saintesses and saints to die outside. cheng lingzhu didnt want to use the token because once she chose to use the traveling token, it meant that her journey in the mortal world was over. she had just left the mountain and had to use the token to escape when she carried out her first mission there had never been such a saintess in the history of the dushi sword house. if she fled now, not only would it affect her dao path, but it would also be very embarrassing when she returned to the sect. moreover, if she left now, lu xuan would definitely die if he stayed to fight the evil buddha. cheng lingzhu didnt think he had a way of dealing with the evil buddha. they were both in the golden core stage. even if lu xuan had the means of the ancestral masters spirit subjugation, how strong could he be? after all, their ancestral master had never beaten his ancestral master back then. it would definitely be the same after he became an immortal. furthermore, cheng lingzhu had heard that in the past few thousand years, the connection between the dao evolution sects founding ancestor and the sect seemed to have been severed. when the ceremony was held, the founding ancestor did not appear. he couldnt even use the ancestral masters spirit descent method. her logical guess was that the dao evolution sect founder might have gone to steal teachings somewhere again. this time, his memories were deleted too cleanly, and he had forgotten about the dao evolution sect. neither did cheng lingzhu want lu xuan to die, nor did she want her journey in the mortal world to end so soon. she could only think of a way to persuade him. lusenior brother lu. cheng lingzhu tugged at lu xuans sleeve with one hand and sniffed, trying her best to look pitiful. welets go. the book said that a weak girl could arouse a mans desire to protect her. cheng lingzhu decided to give it a try. no. senior brother, as long as theres life, theres hope. we cant beat this fellow now cheng lingzhu shook his sleeve. yes, i can. cheng lingzhu huffed angrily, her chest heaving up and down. this guys head was probably made of immortal gold. it was so rigid no, it was said that immortal gold could develop intelligence after being placed for a long time. how could he not even understand the principle of seeking benefits and avoiding harm?! to think that she had even wronged herself and called him senior brother a few times cheng lingzhu felt that she had suffered a loss. lu xuan looked at her strangely. how did the disciples of the dushi sword house become so cowardly? cheng lingzhu was speechless. why am i being looked down upon? are you very familiar with our dushi sword house? lu xuan, a proper disciple of the dushi sword house, shook his head in disdain. it was only during the battle just now that cheng lingzhu had revealed the murderous aura of the dushi sword house. he recalled the days when he had become her disciple. cheng hongtan had been a true lunatic. she would go wherever there was danger, so much so that lu xuan suspected that she wanted to murder her husband. during the time he was with her, lu xuan had taken all the risks he could take in his life. he had survived purely because of his pale face and his tough life, as well as gods mercy. the man and the woman stood in the hall, chatting casually. the evil buddha was not satisfied. as the ruler of this place, the two of them were ignoring him. this made the evil buddha furious. the demonic flames in his eyes flared. a huge greenish-black palm pressed down. this wasnt a physical attack, but a power of laws that enveloped the two of them. lu xuan looked at the evil buddha and frowned. however, he heard a cry of surprise coming from beside him. this voiceseemed slightly immature. he turned his head and saw that cheng lingzhus figure had actually started to shrink! her originally bulging clothes became flat, and her figure shrunk. she actually turned from a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl to an eleven or twelve-year-old child. the daoist robe she was wearing was a magic artifact that could adjust its size on its own. however, her figure changed too quickly and she could not keep up with it for a moment. lu xuan looked at the loli in the loose daoist robe and found her very cute. he subconsciously reached out and pinched her face. cheng lingzhus body stiffened. she glared at him, and her little face quickly turned red. lu xuan coughed twice and revealed an awkward but polite smile. he didnt mean to take advantage of her, but when it came to cheng lingzhu, he definitely felt different. however, after lu xuan pinched her, cheng lingzhus condition froze, and her age no longer changed. the evil buddha used a method that involved the laws of time. lu xuan said to him, i know a trick or two as well. therefore, he pinched cheng lingzhus face and broke the evil buddhas secret technique. as for himself, he was also undergoing changes. it was just that he went from 21 to 24, then 23, 22, and then back to 21, and so on. because he wanted to test the other partys methods, lu xuan deliberately did not resist. Chapter 8 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation its a little exquisite, but not too strong. lu xuan sensed for a moment. at this moment, the living beings in the city of death had already gathered near the hall under the control of the evil buddha. the sea of people was densely packed, and there were hundreds of thousands of them surrounding the entire evil buddha hall. lu xuan released the sword at his waist and leaned it against the ground. the sheathed sword hit the ground. ripples of magic power lit up and spread from under his feet. on that day, a huge pillar of light descended from the coast, covering a radius of a hundred kilometers. cheng lingzhu had a dream. she dreamed that she had become very, very strong, even stronger than the evil buddha in the city of death. the powerful cheng lingzhu was undergoing her tribulation. the nine heavens divine thunder condensed by the dao law carried the mighty power of heaven and earth as it struck down. however, it was shattered by the phoenix blood sword in her hand as easily as chopping vegetables. this made her feel so good that she temporarily forgot the sorrow in her heart. as for why she was unhappy, cheng lingzhu didnt know. she only felt that she seemed to have quarreled with someone before transcending the tribulation. in a fit of anger, she ran off to transcend the tribulation. dreams were always vague, and the logic and motives in dreams were difficult to figure out. fortunately, anger did not affect her tribulation. because she was so strong, the tribulation could no longer stop her. the only imperfection was that, for some reason, although she had a pair of slender legs while transcending the tribulation, her anterior torso was poorly endowed and ordinary, as if it had shrunk without any ripples. cheng lingzhu looked down and frowned. she formed a hand seal and was about to enlarge her chest when the divine lightning in the sky dissipated and the inner demon tribulation suddenly arrived. lu xuans figure appeared in the clouds. beside him, the sounds of women giggling could be heard, and many beauties surrounded him. there was the white silk fairy, the black silk demoness, the bare-footed demoness, the great empress in luxurious clothes, the cool kun dao, the nun in red cheng lingzhus fists turned hard. like beautiful flowers ranging from young to mature, there were many types of belles, many of which were voluptuous and proud, far better than her poorly endowed self. the man stood among the roses, hugging them from left to right and smiling widely. it seemed that this was the scene after she ascended. lu xuan had obtained a large windfall of beauties, and she had turned jealous. cheng lingzhu gritted her teeth and warned herself in her heart that everything she saw was fake. it was all caused by her inner demons and could not be true then, she saw a demoness gently push lu xuan down and undo his robe. then, she smiled provocatively at her and was about to ride him. cheng lingzhu couldnt take it anymore. she gripped the phoenix blood sword with both hands and slashed out. the sword cut through the illusion in front of her, but it also cut through her own dao path. ah! cheng lingzhu suddenly woke up. cold sweat seeped from her forehead. she panted heavily and touched her chest. after confirming that she was still alive and her assets had not shrunk, she heaved a sigh of relief. this dream was very strange. she had only known lu xuan for half a day, yet she had such a strange dream. cheng lingzhu felt that it was ridiculous. however, the dream just now was so real, and the sense of immersion was strong, making her dazed. beside her was the phoenix blood sword. it was the same as the one in her dream, but its aura was much weaker. uhdo you want some tea? lu xuan was brewing tea when he saw cheng lingzhu suddenly wake up. he winked at her. cheng lingzhu looked around and found herself in a forest. beneath her was a large bed made of vines. it was very clean, and it was likely that some kind of wood-type spell had been used to make the plants grow. the vines felt smooth and elastic. lu xuan had cleared out an empty space, built a fire, and was brewing tea. cheng lingzhu remained silent. it was probably because of that dream. when she saw lu xuan again, her emotions suddenly became complicated. lu xuan didnt say anything else and just handed the tea over. he was not in a good mood either. after killing the evil buddha, cheng lingzhu fainted from overdrawing her strength, but she was fine. therefore, he found a place and waited for her to wake up. while she was unconscious, lu xuan took a look at the phoenix blood sword. it was the sword that his master had used back then. natal dharmic weapons were different from other dharmic treasures. ascending to the upper realm without a natal dharmic weapon was even rarer than modern people going out without a cell phone. moreover, the artifact spirit within the phoenix blood sword was silent and could not be awakened. with lu xuans knowledge, he could guess that something must have gone wrong when his master transcended the tribulation. however, lu xuan was also puzzled. with cheng hongtans astonishing talent back then, it would not have been difficult for her to transcend the tribulation and become an immortal. even if she really failed, she should have left a backup plan. he shook his head and collected his thoughts. there were still things to do now, so he would think about them later. cheng lingzhu had already regained her composure. lu xuan handed her a teacup. how do you feel now? thank you, senior brother lu. cheng lingzhu held the teacup with both hands and sipped. i feel much better. ive already taken care of that evil buddha and the surrounding pollution problems. since thats done, i brought you out, lu xuan said. hearing this, cheng lingzhu thought for a moment. how did you get rid of that evil buddha? lu xuan took a sip of tea. my hack is bigger than yours. cheng lingzhu was speechless. she understood what lu xuan meant. the other party probably wanted to say that the artifact he brought was more powerful. but this matter is slightly more complicated than we imagined. lu xuan took out something from his storage ring and handed it to cheng lingzhu. it was a palm-sized lotus platform that seemed to be made of green jade. it looked very exquisite. is thisthe lotus throne under the evil buddha? cheng lingzhu recognized this item. not bad. lu xuan nodded. after killing the evil buddha, i learned some different information through this lotus throne. cheng lingzhu listened quietly. this evil buddha was originally a great demon from an extremely ancient era. he should have been very powerful back then, so powerful that even the mighty figure who suppressed him could not kill him. he could only seal it in the city of death and use the power of time to weaken its power in an attempt to completely obliterate it. lu xuan deliberated for a moment. as for the people in the city, they were originally left behind by the almighty to guard the devil. however, the existence that suppressed the devil did not expect that the monster trapped on the lotus platform would one day become a doctor after being sick for a long time. it comprehended a high-level buddhist dharma and found a way to escape. relying on his long lifespan, this devil killed generations of guardians and his power seeped into the city, secretly pushing for changes in the city of death. in the end, he actually changed history. in a flash, the devil became a true buddha, and the people who were originally guarding the devil became believers of the evil buddha. escape method? cheng lingzhu pondered upon hearing this. isnt this monster trapped on the lotus platform and cant even walk out of the hall? in fact, the evil buddha has already escaped from the city of death. it happened 33 days ago, on the night that the city of death was born. lu xuan opened his mouth and took out the black-faced buddha statue from the commoners homes in the city of death. butthe ones who escaped from the city of death were both evil and benevolent buddhas. the black-faced buddha statue in his hand had two faces. one of them was compassionate while the other was ferocious and terrifying. lu xuan held the black buddha statue with both hands and twisted his wrist. with a crack, the buddha statue shattered. a thumb-sized buddha statue fell out of the black buddha statue. Chapter 9 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation this is the triple lifetime body technique of the buddhist sect. lu xuan pointed at the stone buddha fragments on the ground. the seal on this lotus throne is very strong. even the demon couldnt break it when he was at his peak. but after sitting on the lotus throne for many years, he found a way to escape. lu xuan pinched the hideous buddha face. he divided himself into three parts. his past body, which was also his former demonic body, stayed in the city of death to be imprisoned. his present body and his future body escaped. although the three bodies were actually one, each had its own consciousness and could barely be considered different individuals. that was why the evil buddha was so angry when lu xuan questioned him in the evil buddha hall. after all, he was the one in prison, while the other two bodies enjoyed themselves carefreely. cheng lingzhu frowned. since thats the case, wouldnt the otherworldly demons in monk robes have already begun to bring disaster to the commoners? 33 daysit hasnt been long. if there was really a disaster, it wouldnt have erupted so quickly. lu xuan thought of the cultivation daily. nothing has happened so far. im confident that i can capture him before the disaster strikes. hearing this, cheng lingzhus heart calmed down a little. in addition, after this is over, i have some things i want to ask you, fellow daoist cheng. lu xuan finished the tea in his cup and said gently, dont worry, it wont involve the secrets of your sect. its just about an old friendplease dont refuse, fellow daoist. cheng lingzhu thought for a moment. senior brother, just ask away. i will tell you everything i know. of course, if you have any questions, you can ask me, especially when it comes to the cultivation of the golden core stage. i know quite a lot about that aspect. lu xuan was very confident. cheng lingzhu didnt have much to ask about cultivation. however, just as she got up, her palm touched the edge of the bed. she pressed the bedboard a few times and felt that it was very elastic. lu xuan noticed cheng lingzhus actions and thought that she wanted to learn how to weave vines. who knew that cheng lingzhu would say, wellwhy a double bed? lu xuan was speechless saintess chengs focus was very strange. in fact, ever since she woke up, lu xuan felt that there was something wrong with the saintess in front of him. but the key was he could really answer this question. normal cultivators would not develop such a spell technique that could accelerate the growth of vines and plants and make them grow into furniture on their own. a normal cultivator would not make a bed for their companion to lie on after they fainted. the problem could be solved with a wooden board, a cloud, and a flying carpet, but he had to use his magic power to stimulate the growth of plants and weave a bed that was more than enough for two people to rest on. it was strange indeed. lu xuan had to admit that he had only come up with this technique after his filial piety hardened. the purpose was naturally when he was in the wilderness with his master, it was more convenient to improve the relationship between master and disciple. today, when cheng lingzhu was unconscious, he had conveniently cast a spell to weave a bed. it could only be said thathe only did so out of habit after having done so too many times. of course, he definitely couldnt tell this to saintess cheng. lu xuan explained, the bed is bigger. its more convenient to lie down and watch the stars. its more comfortable to sit up as well. cheng lingzhu looked up at the sky. it was noon, and the trees were mottled with sunlight. looking at her expression, lu xuan smiled without saying a word. for someone like saintess cheng who had never experienced it before, of course, she would not know that sometimes, the stars were in ones eyes. an hour later, cheng lingzhu, who was meditating on the double bed, opened her eyes. the fatigue in her eyes disappeared, and her eyes were bright and lively like a lake in autumn. the ancestral masters spirit subjugation was a forbidden immortal dao technique. in essence, they used their special identities as saintesses and saints to communicate with the sects altar and draw a wisp of true spiritual power over to strengthen themselves, thereby achieving a leap in combat strength. there were two basic requirements for using this forbidden technique. firstly, there were people above them, so they couldnt be used unless they were from a top-notch immortal sect. second, they had to be saints or saintesses who had been recognized by the sects ceremony and would be in charge of the sect in the future to be qualified to use this power. after using this secret technique, the casters magic power, physical strength, and spiritual power would all be exhausted and they would need time to recover. other than that, there was no cost or side effects. in fact, when one was in a lower realm, they could see the mysteries of the immortal path, which would be beneficial for their future cultivation. this was the disciple of a top-notch immortal sect. other than the advantage of cultivation resources, they would benefit from more cheats than others. lu xuan was envious. the dao evolution sect had produced more than one perfect immortal, but they had never passed down such a spirit-subjugating technique. there was a historical gap in the archean eon world with the establishment of the dao evolution sect as the node. the history before the dao evolution sect was established was called the ancient era, and after it was established, it was called the modern era. only the disciples of the immortal sects who had existed since ancient times and had passed the knowledge down to this day could use this secret technique. the history of the ancient times was unclear, and many books were lost. even among these immortal sects, there were not many records of that era. logically speaking, the dao evolution sects ancestor rose to prominence at the end of the ancient era and personally started the modern era. no matter what, the dao evolution sect should be considered half an ancient immortal sect. however, the forbidden ancestral spirit subjugation technique was not passed down in the sect. lu xuan speculated. it might have something to do with the ancestor secretly learning from the hundred schools of thought. he would cut a volume here and steal a volume there, resulting in too many sources of the true dao evolution technique. if a disciple were to use the ancestral masters forbidden technique they might even pull the ancestors of other families out from the big card pool. senior brother lu, what should we do next? cheng lingzhus eyes were clear, and she had already recovered to her peak condition. of course, im going to find the other two lives of the evil buddha. when lu xuan did things, he always had a beginning and an end. where can we find one? cheng lingzhu was a little confused. lu xuan rubbed his temples. in fact, he was a little regretful. he had attacked too quickly in the city of death and killed the evil buddha with a single strike. the entire city of death was destroyed in one move. the evil buddha died too cleanly, not even leaving a trace of his aura. if he had left behind a bit of his demonic body, things would be easier to resolve. however, its not like i dont have any ideas. lu xuan thought for a moment. if this demon wants to recover his strength, there are only two ways. one is to use the heavenly demon technique to slaughter living beings and absorb their blood essence and originthe possibility of that isnt very high. he had read the cultivation daily these few days but didnt read about any demons causing trouble. after all, demons werent stupid. if they carried out a large-scale massacre, it would cause too much of a commotion. it was easy for them to be targeted by the mighty figures of archean eon world. after being sealed in the city of death for a long time, the heavenly demons strength had been greatly reduced. it had not been easy for him to escape, so he would not take such a risk. the second way is probably to use the buddhist dharma that he comprehended. lu xuan thought of the controlled people in the city of death and the cultivators of the heavenly water temple in the evil buddha hall who were knocking wooden fish like puppets. this method of infiltration and bewitchment was subtle and much more low-key than the first method. Chapter 10 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation cheng lingzhus eyes lit up. in other words, we should go to some mortal places where commoners live together, are relatively remote and backward, and are easy to bewitch and cultivate their faith. lu xuan looked at her in surprise. the saintess of this years dushi sword school was very smart to react so quickly. noticing lu xuans gaze, cheng lingzhu straightened her back and raised her chin proudly. the commoners gathered together and had a dense population, which was beneficial to developing believers and collecting the power of faith. there were many obscene temples in remote and backward areas. this was because the cultivation civilization was not developed. whenever evil spirits used some methods to summon the wind and rain, they were regarded as immortals. the commoners were ignorant and easy to fool. lu xuan hadnt left the mountain for a long time and wasnt familiar with the coastal areas, but cheng lingzhu had made preparations. she took out the map from her magic storage and spread it open. the two of them filtered according to the conditions and locked onto the target in the time it took to brew a cup of tea. dongping was a nearby mortal country, about 80,000 kilometers away from the city of death. the spiritual energy in the archean eon world was not evenly distributed. the spiritual energy in the country of dongping was delicate. although there were cultivators in the country, their stages were very low. after confirming the direction, lu xuan threw the lotus throne up and made a hand seal. the green lotus platform expanded in the wind and soon became a flying magic artifact that could accommodate the two of them. lu xuan took the lead and sat down. cheng lingzhu followed him and lifted the hem of her robe. without hesitation, she sat down beside him. a green light streaked across the sky as the two of them headed southwest. sitting on the lotus throne, they flew steadily and quickly. at this moment, cheng lingzhu suddenly noticed a green light being released from under the lotus throne, enveloping her body. the green light was so dazzling that it was eye-catching. cheng lingzhu quietly shifted her position. the green light followed suit. cheng lingzhu stood up. the green light went as high as her head. cheng lingzhu ran to the end of the lotus platform. the green light followed her. lu xuan noticed her actions and said, this is the protective azure light of the lotus throne. if two people ride this magic artifact together, the lotus throne will automatically protect the weaker one. cheng lingzhu was speechless. she swore in her heart that after this matter, she would definitely cultivate well. otherwise, even magic artifacts would bully her. flying was boring. lu xuan recalled what happened in the evil buddha hall and asked, fellow daoist cheng, how did you form the phenomenon of the massacre blood wheel? the massacre blood wheel he was referring to was the blood moon that had formed behind cheng lingzhu when she had performed the ancestral spirit subjugation technique. the massacre blood wheel was a top-notch phenomenon. after it was formed, it had an extremely high enhancement to the killing technique. the conditions for condensing it were also extremely harsh. as far as lu xuan knew, there were a few requirements: first, he had to kill enough. secondly, the quality of the victims had to be good enough. mortals and wild beasts were not suitable. they had to be cultivators and spirit beasts. third, killing karma had to be done personally, primitive and simple. the more direct it was, the better. poison, curses, array sacrifices, or causing natural disasters would only calculate karma. they would not be able to condense the massacre blood wheel even if they worked in vain. fourth, the killing intent had to be pure enough. only cultivators who truly walked the path of killing and slaughtered without any distracting thoughts could fulfill this requirement. finally, it depended on ones luck. under the premise of meeting the above four conditions, one would have the chance to form the massacre blood wheel if they were lucky enough. lu xuan did not like to kill. even though this kind of phenomenon was very powerful in enhancing his combat power, he had never tried to condense it. lu xuan did not believe that someone could really refine such a phenomenon that only existed in legends. it wasnt until he met cheng hongtan and became her disciple that he realized that his master had one. regarding this matter, cheng hongtan was very honest. killing countless enemies, the phenomenon formed. from the beginning of the path of cultivation, all the way to the mahayana stage, the initial intention had not changed for thousands of years. it was important to maintain a pure heart. his master was very calm about this. it was a battle of the great dao. it was normal for people to die. how could there be no deaths in cultivation? this was equivalent to a hundred people fighting in a ring. in the eyes of ordinary cultivators, the competition of the great dao was a battle of resistance and alliance. they were cautious and covetous, colluding with each other and backstabbing each other. they schemed all day long and were very cunning. in the eyes of the disciples of the dushi sword house, the struggle of the great path referred to the fact that he had killed the remaining 99 by himself while his mind remained innocent and pure. cheng hongtan had once warned lu xuan that the path of cultivation should never cultivate ones strength and not ones heart. the disciples of their sect must have a pure killing heart. lu xuan felt that this sentence was very reasonable, but he also felt that something was wrong. the saintesses of the dushi sword school would only go down the mountain to experience the tribulation at the mahayana stage, but this did not mean that they would stay in the sect until then. the archean eon world was a vast realm that was shaped like a chickens egg and surrounded by chaos. at the edge of the eggshell, there were many small bubbles attached to it. this was a small realm that was connected to the archean eon world. as a top-notch immortal sect, the dushi sword house naturally had a lot of small worlds, which were enough for its disciples to train and cultivate. in addition, if a special mystic realm appeared in the archean eon world, the various immortal sects would send their elites into it. it was not for the sake of fighting for opportunities but for the sake of determining who was better. this involved a battle for luck, and there was a metaphysical factor. if not for this, cheng hongtan would not have been able to condense the massacre blood wheel. however, this phenomenon was very strange for cheng lingzhu. how old was she? even if she started killing in the womb, she wouldnt be able to kill enough. moreover, judging from cheng lingzhus personality lu xuan didnt think she was a qualified disciple of the dushi sword school. hearing lu xuans question, cheng lingzhu was clearly stunned. the massacre blood wheel? i was born with it. lu xuan was shocked. you massacred the ancient immortal dynasty in your previous life, right? he had only heard that those with meritorious deeds and ideal bodies were born with them. how could she have inherited such karma? from this, it could be seen that there were still many exceptions in the world. lu xuan thought of his 3,000 nascent souls that escaped and suddenly understood. the massacre blood wheel is innate. the previous sea of blood phenomenon was born from this sword. cheng lingzhu picked up the phoenix blood sword. im the one this sword acknowledges. in the entire sect, im the only one who can unleash its power. cheng lingzhu found it strange that the sword spirit was still able to recognize its master despite being silent. with the killing blood wheel and the phoenix blood sword recognizing her as its master, her master told her very clearly that she was born with the great dao of killing. however, cheng lingzhu didnt really want to stomach this. she didnt like to kill people, and she wasnt as brave as her fellow sisters. most of the time, she was a coward. especially after the incident in the city of death, the saintess of the dushi sword house was a little unconfident. lu xuan was just about to ask about the phoenix blood swords previous owner when cheng lingzhu looked down at the flying magic artifact and exclaimed. he looked down and saw a large city below the clouds. the world was filled with voices and the buddhas light shone brightly. Chapter 11 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in wangjiang tower along the yan river in dongping. ridiculous, this is simply absurd! ever since the founding of our country, such a ridiculous thing has never happened. i think imperial father in heaven room 1, the young man in embroidered clothes slammed the table and gritted his teeth. beside him, a white-haired old mans eyes narrowed as he interrupted the young man, your highness, watch your words. chu han, the crown prince of dongping, took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. he said in a deep voice, thank you for your reminder, old bo. chu han respected this old man. this old man was called bo tian, a real aura refining cultivator. he was not even 80 years old this year, but he had already reached the qi refining stage! bo tian came from chu hans mothers family. with such a qi refining expert following him, chu han could secure his position as the crown prince. elder bo, chu han said in a low voice, a month ago, after that evil monk from the evil cloud temple entered the palace, my imperial father seemed to have changed into a completely different person. he began to build buddhist temples in the country, spreading buddhist teachings, and even wanted to establish the evil cloud temple as the national religion. its midsummer now, and the flood season is about to arrive. many parts of the country need to strengthen the dams, but imperial father used this funding to build the buddhist ascension temple chu han stood by the window and looked at the tall temple in the distance. the temple was magnificent and occupied many fertile fields and residences of the commoners. the walls outside were pasted with gold foil, blazing with golden light. the gold foil was exposed, but no one had any thoughts about it. there were imperial guards guarding the temple with a post every ten steps. the defense was tight, day and night. the buddhist ascension temple was a major project of the state of dongping. the emperor had allocated funds from the national treasury to build this temple in order to hold the buddha ascension ceremony for the living buddha of the evil cloud temple. to be able to build such a building in a month, one could imagine how much manpower and material resources were expended. that evil monks methods are truly brilliant. that day, he entered the palace to meet the saint and fought with the old marshal. he actually killed the old marshal and then saved him on the spot. bo tian sighed. as a qi refining cultivator, he was also present on the day of the battle. the strongest person in dongping, the current preceptor, could not even take a single move from the evil monk. one had to know that the old marshal was a foundation building expert who had cultivated for nearly 200 years. in terms of the cultivation realm, no one in the entire country of dongping could surpass him. with bo tians knowledge, he guessed that the evil monk could use such a terrifying method. it was very likely that the other party was a legendary golden core expert! of course, this speculation was even more despairing. if the evil monk was really a golden core cultivator, then the entire dongping would be powerless to resist. in this regard, old bo, who had lived for more than 70 years and had rich life experience, suggested that he should vote. it was already very rare for a mortal martial empire like the country of dongping to have an early-stage foundation establishment cultivator guarding it. this time, a golden core big shot came. destroying dongping was as easy as flipping his hand. he could not beat them, so he might as well pledge allegiance in advance and become their dog. bo tian calculated that as a qi refining cultivator, he was naturally different from ordinary people. if he ran over and barked, perhaps the senior monk would be happy and reward him with a few bones. chu han did not want to be a dog. he had seen with his own eyes the faces of those commoners who believed in the evil cloud temple. each of them had a fanatical expression and was as wooden as puppets. they only knew how to burn incense and kowtow at home every day. some people did not even have time to eat and could starve themselves to death. once this evil cult spread throughout the country, dongping would be completely destroyed in a few years. your highness, bo tian interrupted chu hans thoughts. he said in a low voice, the buddha ascension ceremony is about to begin. the yan river was a large river within the borders of dongping. it flowed from north to south, and the water flow was very stable, so water transportation was developed. the coastal cities relied on the grand canal to develop, and the most famous one was yanshui city. a month ago, the emperor of dongping ordered the construction of the buddhist ascension temple in yanshui. when the temple was completed, the living buddha from the evil cloud temple would hold the buddha ascension ceremony, and all the people in the city would have to participate. chu han stood atop wangjiang tower and looked at the scene in the distance silently. the ceremony had yet to begin, but a large number of commoners had already gathered around the evil cloud temple, shoulder to shoulder, their faces carrying a kind of pilgrimage piety. among them, there were many people who dragged their families and waited near the evil cloud temple before dawn, just to be the first to see that so-called living buddha. thump, thump, thump the dull bell rang nine times in a row. the crowd slowly parted and prostrated themselves. the guards of honor opened the way, and the guards with swords lined up on both sides. a canopy appeared in chu hans field of vision. the emperor of dongping had arrived. bo tian said, your highness, we should go down too. chu han sighed. as the crown prince of dongping, even if he was extremely reluctant to do so, he had to follow the emperor and participate in this ceremony. shortly after that, the emperor of dongping, chu li, met his son in front of the buddhist ascension temple. he snorted coldly. he knew that chu han was deliberately neglecting him, but the buddha ascension ceremony was more important. he had no time to punish this unfilial son at this time. chu li stood in front of the commoners, and behind him was a group of nobles, ministers, princes, and princesses. everyone held their breaths and looked solemn. after the time for one incense stick to burn, the living buddha had yet to appear, but chu li did not look impatient at all. at this moment, a golden light suddenly appeared on the rivers surface in the distance. everyone looked up and saw that the river had stopped flowing as if time had stopped. in the next moment, the entire river actually began to flow backward! a dazzling golden carriage appeared in everyones sight. there were 48 monks under the carriage, all dressed in bright yellow robes. there was a lotus platform on the carriage, and an old white-browed monk was sitting on it. he wore a kasaya and looked solemn. the monks carried the huge carriage and went upstream from the lower reaches of the yan river. the monks walked on the waves, but their clothes were not wet, as if they were walking on flat ground. on the shore, chu li and the other nobles and ministers were stunned. they had never seen such a scene in their lives. to the people of dongping, this was a miracle. the yellow-robed monks carried the carriage ashore. the white-browed old monk put his palms together. i rushed here and delayed some time. i hope everyone wont blame me. although he didnt make a mockery of himself as a poor monk, no one present felt that it was inappropriate. even crown prince chu han was immersed in the scene of the river flowing backward and rushing forward. he didnt come back to his senses for a long time. in the crowd, someone shouted living buddha, and it was as if a pot had exploded, and the mountains and seas responded. commoners, merchants, officials, and even the royal family knelt down and shouted the name of the living buddha. many peoples expressions were almost fanatical. the white-browed old monk sat on the lotus throne and floated in the air. he put his palms together and smiled. today, i at this moment, a voice came from above the clouds. i said, stop. Chapter 12 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation while the voice was not loud, it was very clear and entered everyones ears. the people kneeling on the ground glanced at each other and looked up at the sky. a large golden hand reached out from the clouds and slapped down. the old monks expression changed. before he could react, the giant hand smashed him, and he fell headfirst into the river. everything happened in the span of a few breaths. bo tian widened his eyes. chu hans mouth gaped wide. the chanting of living buddha stopped abruptly. there was dead silence. the emperor of dongping, chu li, was trembling. he could not believe his eyes. the l-living buddhafell into the river? gulp, gulp, gulp bubbles suddenly appeared on the surface of the river. at first, there were only one or two, but soon, more and more bubbles appeared on the river. in just a few seconds, the entire river seemed to be boiling. the flow of the yan river, which had always been stable, went berserk. the waves of the river surged into the sky, rolling violently, and the sound was like thunder. chu li was so frightened that his face turned pale, and his legs went weak. fortunately, he was kneeling, so he did not make a fool of himself. who dares to stop me from attaining dao? the surface of the river exploded, and a golden figure broke through the torrential river water and appeared in front of everyone. however, compared to before, the old monks temperament was very different. with raised eyebrows, his eyes looked like lightning. his voice was like a bell, and his face was filled with anger. the old monk took a step forward. he pointed at the sky and then at the ground with one finger. with his body as the center, an invisible ripple spread out. specks of golden light lit up from the surrounding commoners and were absorbed into the old monks body. this was the power of faith. the old monk had been teaching for more than a month and had already charmed many believers. om the old monk chanted mantras with a solemn expression. the kasaya on his body shone like a buddhist light that illuminated all things. strong power of faith gathered, and huge waves rose in the yan river. the old monk stood on the river, stepping on the void with his sleeves fluttering. with the help of the power of the mountains and rivers, he struck out a palm at the sky! the giant palm formed by the power of faith collided with the giant magic hand from before. boom! the huge waves of the yan river exploded, and the water splashed. the officials of dongping, the royal family, and the nobles who stood at the forefront became the first line of defense against the water, so they were all shot in the face. countless fresh fish and crabs fell from the sky. a tortoise the size of a palm flew over and hit chu lis forehead. the emperor grunted as his body flipped over and he fell backward. a large group of eunuchs, guards, and the princess hurriedly stood up and rushed forward, surrounding him. as the crown prince, chu han was too engrossed in watching the battle to notice his fathers condition. by the time he reacted, he realized that he could no longer squeeze in. it was fine if he couldnt enter. anyway, he wasnt a doctor and couldnt help. chu han was about to check on the situation with the commoners when he kicked something and found a tortoise lying beside his feet. it was the size of a tortoises palm, but its back was not the greenish-gray color commonly seen on tortoises. instead, it emitted a jade-like luster. a piece of bone was embedded in the carapace. it was dark in color and was about the size of half a palm. chu han let out a soft sound of surprise. he felt that this tortoise was a little strange, so he picked it up and stuffed it into his arms. the old monk also fell with the emperor. the large hand of mana slapped down. with just a casual slap, the old monks body fell from the sky like a bird with broken wings. above the clouds, lu xuan reached out and grabbed the old monks body. he waved his hand, and six streams of light flew out from his sleeve. cheng lingzhu focused her eyes and saw that there were six stone monuments of different shapes, all containing spiritual light. the six stone monuments lit up, and solid magic chains appeared. they linked together and turned into a cage, sealing the air around the old monk. lu xuan formed a hand seal and the mana in his body poured out. the six stone monuments condensed an invisible force as if they were trying to forcefully pull something out from the depths of the void. he had killed the demons past body in the city of death and captured the demons present body by the yan river. now, he was going to use a secret technique to extradite the demons future body to the present world. suddenly, a formless and enormous existence descended from the heavens and earth. although its entry was loud, it was invisible. however, such an existence was forcefully torn apart and dragged into the magic cage formed by the six stone monuments. the cage shook and shone like a millstone. in just a moment, the demons past and future bodies were obliterated. the people of dongping did not sense the arrival of the demons future body. they only felt the sky turn dark for a moment, and then a shower of light fell. this was formed by the shower of light after the mana cage dissipated. with the death of the demon, the eyes of the people of dongping regained clarity, and this shower of light had the effect of calming their spirits. in yanshui, dongping, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu sat opposite each other at the noodle stall. alrighty, here are your noodles! the lady boss of the noodle stall was a mature beauty. she had a curvy figure and was charming. she served the noodles to the two of them with a smile. lu xuan took a closer look. wow, what a big bowl! the noodles were served. lu xuan picked it up with his chopsticks and was about to dig in. when he looked up, he realized that cheng lingzhu hadnt touched her chopsticks and was looking at him with a complicated expression. in reality, cheng lingzhus emotions were even more complicated than her expression. before she left the mountain, her master told her that the disciples of the dushi sword house were the best in the world. she just had to go all out in the world of mortals. no matter what happened, her master would take care of her. cheng lingzhu wasnt a condescending person, but as a disciple of a top-notch immortal sect, she was still very confident. in the end, in the city of death, she did not fight the evil buddha. it was lu xuan who had saved her. in yanshui, it was lu xuan who had taken action and completely eliminated the evil buddha. this was like confidently saying that she would go for the gold before the game started, but in the end, she was carried away by a low-key passing teammate. cheng lingzhu felt like she was in a daze. lu xuan was the one who suggested coming out to eat noodles, so she followed him without thinking. when ones cultivation reached the golden core stage, they no longer needed mortal food. however, eating was a habit that lu xuan had always maintained. cheng lingzhu looked at lu xuan, then slowly picked up her chopsticks and started eating. when one experienced the mortal world and traveled, happiness, anger, sadness, and happiness were part of cultivation. everything she had experienced and witnessed had imperceptibly deepened her understanding of the mortal world and her understanding of cultivation. it was not necessarily a bad thing to take a blow. cheng lingzhu suddenly understood. after eating, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu got up and left, walking on the streets of yanshui. there were two major events: the white-browed demon monk being punished by the heavens and the old emperor being knocked out by a tortoise. yanshui was in an upheaval. the imperial army stationed in yanshui began to clean the streets. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu went to a nearby teahouse and ordered two cups of tea. in the quiet room, lu xuan said, fellow daoist cheng, i would like to ask if your sect has a senior named dark stain? Chapter 13 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation dark stain was cheng hongtans saintess title, similar to a daoist name. for example, the sect leader of the dao evolution sect, qing yangzis real name was an hua. everyone in the outside world called him by his daoist name, but lu xuan would only call him an hua in the sect. the older the cultivator was, the more so this was the case. however, the dushi sword house was different from ordinary sects. disciples of the dushi sword house used their real names outside, but they had to address one another by their names in the sect, especially the sect leader and the saintess. their real names could not be mentioned and would not even be recorded in the books. hearing lu xuans words, cheng lingzhu thought about it carefully and shook her head. no, i havent. lu xuan was stunned. how could there be none? a cultivator at the transcendence stage shouldnt be anonymous no matter which sect he was in, right? is there anyone named cheng hongtan? lu xuan changed his question. the elders and disciples of our sect do not address each other by their real names. as for this personive never heard of such a name before. cheng lingzhu shook her head. lu xuan frowned, feeling that something was wrong. he used his magic to condense cheng hongtans appearance. cheng lingzhu said that she had never seen her portrait in the dushi sword house. in that case, who was the saintess from 8,000 to 9,000 years ago? cheng lingzhu told him that nearly 9,000 years ago, there was indeed a saintess named jingchen in the sect. she was an old senior, but she was only an ordinary mahayana cultivator. she later inherited the position of sect leader and passed away several thousand years ago. she was completely different from the cheng hongtan he was asking about. lu xuan reached out and rubbed his forehead. this matter was very strange. it was as if cheng hongtan had intentionally erased all traces of her existence. as for the origin of the phoenix blood sword, cheng lingzhu said that her master had only told her that this sword was a supreme artifact passed down from the sect. no one knew who its previous owner was. lu xuan sighed. he had originally wanted to ask cheng lingzhu to clear up his doubts, but he hadnt expected that after asking, he would be even more confused. in the bright jade tower in yanshui city, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu stayed in the hotel. they had two rooms, and the doors were facing each other. the evil buddha had been executed, but the white-browed demon monk had caused quite a stir. even though dongping was a mortal land, it would inevitably attract the attention of cultivators. it was fine for ordinary cultivators. after coming here and realizing that there was no opportunity, they would leave on their own. if a heretic practitioner came, he would probably take some lives before leaving, based on their habit of not leaving empty-handed. the two of them waited in yanshui city for three days. during this time, a few cultivators from nearby sects came. they shook their heads after seeing the battle fluctuations in yan river. they knew that there were no opportunities here, so they left one after another. on the afternoon of the third day, there were two uninvited guests in the bright jade tower. lu xuan stood on the second floor, leaning against the stairs and looking down. there were two young men in the hall. they were more than 200 years old. one was in the early nascent soul stage, and the other was in the middle nascent soul stage. they said that they were passing by and saw that it was already late, so they came to stay in the hotel. lu xuan did not believe it. these two cultivators emitted a sinister baleful aura. they were most likely ghost cultivators. the most important thing was that both of them were injured to varying degrees. their qi and blood were unstable, and their magic was sluggish. even though their auras and injuries were well concealed, they could not escape lu xuans eyes. what were the two injured ghost dao cultivators doing in yanshui city? lu xuans eyes darkened. it was night. in earth room 1 of wangjiang tower, chu han, the crown prince of dongping, was lying on the table. there was a tortoise lying on the table, looking at him. the oil lamp at the side was bright, shining on the tortoises back and also illuminating chu hans face. the shell of the soft-shelled tortoise was warm and smooth like jade. half of the broken bone was embedded in it, and strange patterns spread out and were engraved on it. chu han was originally staying in sky room 1. however, because his father had been knocked unconscious by the tortoise, the wangjiang tower had been requisitioned. the emperor and his concubines lived on the first floor of the heaven wing. chu han had no choice but to move to the earth wing. according to the rules of dongping, since the emperor was unconscious, the prince was in charge of the country. at this time, chu han had a lot of power. it had been three days, but chu li still hadnt woken up. many of the officials thoughts were stirred. the emperor had not woken up yet, and the imperial armys orders were in the hands of the empress and the crown princes mother. now that the crown prince was an adult, he had a qi refining expert by his side. it was said that a qi refining eunuch who was in charge of protecting chu li was also on the crown princes side in private what he should do at this time was already clear! chu han had no intention of fighting for the throne. three days ago, he saw the demon monk fighting with an unknown existence by the yan river. the power that could reverse the flow of rivers and change the color of the world had been deeply engraved in chu hans mind. no matter how high and powerful a mortal emperor was, he was still a mortal. he wanted to cultivate! there were qi refining and foundation building cultivators in dongping, so they naturally had some cultivation methods. chu han had come into contact with it when he was very young, but the reality was harsh. chu han had no talent for cultivation, and he had yet to cross the threshold of body forging. in fact, body forging could not even be considered a proper cultivation system. the concept of this stage was similar to the mortal worlds innate gurus, seeing a god is good luck, and so on. there was no mana in his body, and he could not control objects or kill people from afar. chu han lived in the palace and didnt usually exercise. he didnt even like women. this made his already wee amount of exercise even worse. but now, everything will change. the young man looked at the mysterious tortoise on the table and his mood became surging. there were novels circulating in the secular world. after the good-for-nothing youth had a fortuitous encounter, he embarked on the path of becoming immortal and rose from then on. chu han was usually busy with government affairs and did not read many novels. now that he thought about it, perhaps it was adapted from real events. however, after staring at the tortoise for a long time, chu han did not gain any insight. he looked at the bone embedded in the tortoise carapace and then at his palm, wondering if he had to drip blood to activate it. right at this moment, a light creak sounded. the window of the first room quietly opened, and two ghostly figures floated into the room. chu han was shocked. he thought that an assassin was coming. just as he was about to shout, one of them cast a spell to seal his voice. the other man in black looked at the table. he has it! he stretched out his hand and grabbed the strange tortoise. chu hans eyes widened. they were here to snatch his prospects! he tried his best to resist, but his limbs were restrained by a strange force and he couldnt move. bring him along. this kid has mortal dragon energy within him. we can sacrifice him to the ancestral magus! the person holding the tortoise said. thus, the other person carried chu han on his shoulder, and the two mysterious people left the place one after another. on the rooftop of wangjiang tower, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu sat side by side on the roof, watching the two men in black. these two mysterious guests were the nascent soul cultivators who had appeared at the bright moon hotel this afternoon. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu looked at each other, then cast a spell and quietly followed behind them. Chapter 14 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation the moon was dim and the wind was strong. two ghost dao cultivators rode a magic human skin and flew in the night. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu hid their auras and followed behind them. as a nascent soul cultivator, when you descend upon a mortal country, you have to disguise yourself and secretly capture people and steal their artifacts. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu communicated telepathically. thinking of their injuries, it was easy to deduce that there was another force chasing after them, so the two of them did not dare to make a big fuss. these two peoples auras are superficial and their mana is impure. they arent disciples of a large sect, cheng lingzhu said. lu xuan looked at the backs of the two weak nascent soul cultivators and nodded in agreement. there were still differences in combat strength between cultivators of the same stage. due to the influence of the cultivation technique, the quality of the magic power of a top-notch immortal sect disciple could be said to be worlds apart from that of an itinerant cultivator. this was not counting the assistance of cultivation resources such as heavenly and earthly artifacts and rare medicines. otherwise, the dao evolution sect founder would not have racked his brains to secretly learn from the various large sects. after a few minutes, the magic human skin slowed down and landed near a cliff. two men in black jumped down from the magic human skin. one of them was carrying chu han, the prince of dongping, who had already been knocked unconscious. the other person looked around vigilantly. after confirming that no one was following him, he took out a token. there was a cave in front of the cliff. there was a formation inside that sealed off the aura. the nascent soul cultivators used their tokens to open it and entered one after another. after a while, the air distorted slightly as lu xuan and cheng lingzhu appeared. the entrance of the cave was gray as if it was covered with a layer of fog. this was the array shield here. lu xuan extended his hand and pointed. a clear light lit up from his fingertip and the shield melted away quietly. lets go. lu xuan waved his hand. cheng lingzhu nodded and followed him into the cave. the cave was narrow and could only accommodate one person. after walking another ten miles, they suddenly saw a light. the exit of the cave was located in a huge valley. at the center of the valley was a black circular altar. the altar was more than a thousand feet in diameter, and there were many black-robed men standing around it. there were thousands of them, and all of them were cultivators. twelve temples were piled up on the large altar, all built with human heads, with a square platform in the center. three men in black stood in front of the altar, facing the crowd of people in black. the two on the left and right were the nascent soul ghost cultivators who had kidnapped chu han that night. the person standing in the middle seemed to be the leader of this group. the ancestral mage bone slab has been assembled. tonight is the time for our ghost mage sect to rise! the leaders voice was deep and his mana ran deep. he was a late-stage nascent soul cultivator. he held a bone plate in his hand, which seemed to be made of several pieces of broken bones. the ghost mage sect leader respectfully placed the bone plate in the center of the altar. then, the three nascent soul cultivators took out daggers and slit their wrists without hesitation. fresh blood flowed down and sprinkled on the square altar, soaking the black bone plate and flowing down the grooves of the altar. the surface of the circular altar was also engraved with blood grooves, outlining fine patterns. these were the array runes on the altar. blood flowed out and filled the grooves of the array patterns. only when the blood patterns connected the twelve temples to the central altar did the three black-robed men stop. their faces were pale. what they put in was not ordinary blood but the blood essence of cultivators. it contained the origin, and even nascent soul realm cultivators could not withstand it. however, their faces were filled with fanaticism. the ghost mage sect leader knelt on the ground and chanted a strange prayer. the others also knelt down and followed the sect leader, making obscure and awkward sacrificial sounds. the blood on the altar squirmed, and wisps of blood qi were emitted from the twelve temples. they flowed into the square platform, and the black bone plate shrouded in blood floated up. a strong wind suddenly blew inside the sacrificial altar. the ghost mage sect leader shouted in a low voice. streams of blood and qi emerged from the disciples below and surged towards the black bone plate. the bone plate of the ancestral magus shone, and a faint consciousness was born from the bone plate, gradually growing stronger. as soon as this consciousness appeared, an extremely desolate aura spread out. it seemed like an existence that had traversed from ancient times. the blood qi of thousands of ghost mage sect disciples gathered into a blood mist giant. its body was huge as if it could support the heavens and the earth. the sect leader of the ghost mage sect could not help but tremble. a fanatical expression appeared on his face, mixed with uncontrollable joy. quick, quick, bring that mortal prince up! a figure was thrown in front of the altar. it was chu han, the crown prince of dongping. chu han had already woken up. when he opened his eyes, he witnessed the scene of such a barbaric sacrifice. he was instantly scared out of his wits. this was different from the immortal cultivation he had imagined! what happened to cultivating ones heart and mind and being at ease? chu han closed his eyes in despair, ready to accept his impending death. who knew that the blood mist giant did not even look at him? it stretched out its huge palm and grabbed the sect leader of the ghost mage sect in its hand. ancestral magus, ancestral magus! the sect leader of the ghost mage sect realized that something was wrong and hurriedly shouted, trying to communicate with the blood mist giant. unfortunately, such a move was useless. the existence known as the ancestral magus threw the ghost mage sect leader into his mouth as if he were eating candy. how could the flesh and blood of an ordinary mortal be comparable to that of a nascent soul cultivator? the remaining two ghost mage sect cultivators turned pale with fright. they urged their magic power and were about to fly away when the blood mist giant reached out and grabbed them. it did the same thing and swallowed the two of them. after the three nascent soul stage cultivators entered his stomach, the blood mist giants body became more solid. he stepped forward and opened his mouth to roar. the bodies of thousands of ghost mage sect cultivators exploded and turned into a blood mist. strands of blood qi gathered and surged towards the giant. however, this was still insufficient to satiate it. the blood mist giant desperately needed more blood. he looked into the distance where there was a big city. he sensed the abundant flesh and blood in it and was about to step forward. however, two figures stood in front of him. lu xuans daoist sword hung at his waist as he stood there with his legs apart. cheng lingzhu followed beside him, her aura a little weak. he had forcefully dragged her over. the cooldown of the ancestral masters spirit subjugation was still not over, so cheng lingzhu felt that they should retreat first. however, lu xuan insisted that he could win. this confused cheng lingzhu. in the city of death, lu xuan had said he could fight. in yanshui, he had also said the same thing. now that he was encountering the powerful existence sacrificed by the ghost mage sect, lu xuan could still say that he could fight. what kind of secret artifact was he carrying? why did it seem like it could not run out? wasnt this man a little too persistent? lu xuan calmly raised his hand, gesturing for cheng lingzhu to hide behind him. however, he was very emotional in his heart. many years ago, when he was with his master, he was the one who had hugged cheng hongtans thigh. the current him had already grown into a towering tree that could shelter her from the wind and rain. Chapter 15 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation the ghost mage sect used the ancient sacrificial method to try to recreate the ancestral magus and recreate the ancient sorcery path lu xuan looked at the ancestral magus in front of him. he had already seen through the essence of this blood mist giant. the mage ancestor had long fallen in ancient times, and even true sorcery could not be passed down. for example, the ghost mage sect only had a superficial knowledge of sorcery and the art of controlling ghosts. instead of resurrecting the mage ancestors from the past, the ghost mage sect used the sacrificial method and the ancestral mage bone plate to nurture a new ancestral magus. the ancestral magus possessed intelligence the moment he was born, and a complete mage dao would be born in his body. although it had just been born, it already had endless potential. there were no cultivation shackles in this kind of living being. as long as it kept devouring the blood of living beings, it could grow into a true ancestral magus. the only thing that puzzled him was that the ghost mage sect was only a nascent soul sect, yet it could actually create such a huge scheme. was this reasonable? lu xuan analyzed calmly, and what responded to him was a punch from the new ancestral magus. the fist condensed from blood qi crashed down on lu xuans head. the newly born ancestral magus already possessed terrifying power. boom! as the punch landed, the ground cracked open. a huge crack spread out, and the mountain was torn in half like paper. fortunately, lu xuan was fine. that was because the ancestral magus had missed. lu xuans body did not move, but there was a faint layer of golden light emitting from his body. [golden core secret technique: triple lifetime buddha and demon body]. it was written by lu xuan the day before yesterday. after suppressing and obliterating the third body of the heavenly demon in the city of death, he created this technique. this was a time-based escape technique. lu xuans body did not exist at this point in time when the ancestral magus attack landed, so the attack missed. lu xuan pondered. this escape technique still needed to be developed. for example, he could try to stay still and let the enemys attack land on other time nodes. as an escape technique, it was very reasonable for it to be able to dodge skills. he tested the newly developed golden core secret technique. on the other side, ancestral magus attack missed, and another palm pressed down. this time, lu xuan did not dodge. he raised his hand and caught the mountain-sized bloody palm. his palm glowed and he turned his wrist slightly. it was as if an invisible hand had grabbed the ancestral magus finger and twisted it forcefully! the ancestral magus had just been born and had yet to take shape. he was still in a state of blood mist. with a twist of this invisible hand, his entire finger exploded! lu xuan jumped into the air. at this moment, the sky was as bright as day. the light came too suddenly. outside the battlefield, cheng lingzhu raised a fair hand to shield her eyes. in the blazing light, she saw a huge ancient city appear in the void. the ancient city was squarish and covered the sky. there was a chaotic mist around it. it revealed a corner of itself from the void and then invaded this world domineeringly. it was as if it was cast from immortal gold and emitted a golden light. the city gate was tall, and the city walls were thick and mottled. there were many traces of magic artifacts left on them. some were shaped like swords and sabers, some were shaped like axes and other weather-beaten weapons, to name a few. there were also murals of ferocious beasts, sacred trees, immortals, buddhas, demons, and devils engraved on them. the various images were vivid and lifelike. buddhistmandala? cheng lingzhu looked up at the sky. the first thing she thought of was this item. the great impermanent temple of the western buddhist sect had a huge mandala. it was not only the dojo where the lord buddha and bodhisattva lived but also where a terrifying magic artifact was. it was said to be able to suppress all things and even freeze time and space. however, the aura of the ancient xianjin city that appeared in front of him was completely different from that of the buddhist mandala. cheng lingzhu was a little uncertain. the ancient xianjin appeared and pressed down from the sky. the newborn ancestral magus instinctively felt threatened. he roared at the sky, raised his head, raised his arms, and lifted them up to the sky. at this moment, the ancestral magus two arms formed an arc like a bulls horn, resisting the suppression from the ancient city. ancient mage runes appeared on his arm, and the power of ancient sorcery that was born in his body was mobilized. ancient sorcery would conquer the heavens! this is not your era. the ancient xianjin suppressed him. lu xuan leaped up and stood on the city wall. he stepped down. bang! with the first kick, the ancestral magus arms were broken and his head was pressed down! bang! with the second kick, the ancestral magus body collapsed like a mountain. his legs bent and he staggered to his knees! bang! with the third kick, the ancestral magus spine broke and his body exploded! lu xuan killed the ancestral magus with three kicks. divine light circulated in the ancient xianjin and refined the ancestral magus true blood. on the wall, a lifelike figure appeared. lu xuan wanted to see how powerful a true ancestral magus would be. however, if the new ancestral magus wanted to grow, he would have to swallow a huge amount of living beings blood qi, and he was completely unwilling to communicate with him. then, he could not be left alive. they were done. lu xuan exhaled slowly. cheng lingzhus previous judgment was indeed wrong. this ancient xianjin wasnt a divine ability or magic artifact of the buddhist sect. insteadit was lu xuans golden core. the golden core of a normal cultivator didnt look like this. however, ordinary cultivators would not have been stuck in the golden core stage for 9,000 years. according to the records in the founders letter, there were cultivators who only cultivated a single stage in ancient times. for example, after the ninth level of qi, they would continue to cultivate to the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth levels there was a similar method for golden core. after his nascent soul escaped a few times, lu xuan began to work on this. between increasing the number of golden cores and increasing the quality of the golden cores, he chose the latter. the process was rather difficult, but as a genius who would advance to a major stage every three years, he had found a path that was suitable for himself. it could be considered a little achievement. lu xuan was humble. the dust settled. he descended from the sky. cheng lingzhu was in a daze, feeling a little traumatized. lu xuan waved his hand in front of her. cheng lingzhu came back to her senses. youare you really a golden core cultivator? cheng lingzhu looked suspicious. how could there be such a powerful golden core? it didnt make sense to cheat, right? this is what a golden core is like. lu xuan was very honest. he paused. moreover, if i say that i am an old mahayana guru who has lived for thousands of years, would you believe me? i definitely didnt believe it in the beginning, but now cheng lingzhu was very suspicious. dont think too much. im indeed a golden core, the genuine kind, lu xuan said. a senior in the sect left behind a piece of true immortals remains before he ascended to the upper world. i used itafter this trip is over, i still have to go back and regenerate. he casually made up an excuse. as a great senior, he still paid great attention to protecting the dao hearts of his juniors. after all, he was only in his twenties, but he already had such powerful strength. if others knew, they would definitely feel inferior and their dao path might even be affected. lu xuan thought about it and encouraged, fellow daoist cheng, you have a wonderful talent. if you cultivate well, you will definitely become a magnate in the futureperhaps in the future, when someone writes about the path of the saintess of the dushi sword house, they will mention my name. senior brother lu, you flatter me cheng lingzhu was a little embarrassed to receive praise so suddenly, and her face flushed slightly. little girls were easy to fool. lu xuan nodded in satisfaction and walked to the other side of the valley. chu han, the crown prince of dongping, was still lying in a corner, unconscious. Chapter 16 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation chu han was very lucky. he was thrown onto the altar as a sacrifice. because he was too weak, the ancestral magus had neglected him. after the ancestral magus devoured the three nascent soul cultivators of the ghost mage sect, the shackles on chu hans body were automatically dispelled. under the life-and-death crisis, he burst out with the potential of his life. he actually took advantage of the chaos to run down from the altar and hide in a corner at the edge of the valley. however, because he was too agitated and his body was weak, chu han fainted. when lu xuan was suppressing the ancestral magus, he noticed chu hans presence and cast a spell to protect him from the aftershocks of the battle. youre awake. chu han opened his eyes and saw lu xuan smiling. he shivered and subconsciously touched his crotch. it was said that the young eunuchs who had just entered the palace had fainted. the first thing they heard when they woke up was, are you awake? it was very successful. thank goodness, it was still there. chu han heaved a sigh of relief. although he didnt use it often, he couldnt really live without it. he looked at his surroundings and thought about the scene before he fainted. chu han knew that he had been saved. thank you for saving my life, immortal master. he struggled to get up from the ground and was about to kowtow to lu xuan to thank him. lu xuan stretched out his hand and gently lifted him up. crown prince, you are blessed by the heavens. i did it in passing. theres no need to thank me. lu xuan didnt like to kneel to others, and he didnt like others to kneel to him either. such a demonhow terrifying. chu han wiped the sweat off his forehead, his heart still trembling. how can immortal cultivation be like this? not to mention the immortals in the stories, even the emperor of dongping would refine pills, preach scriptures, meditate, or visit fellow daoists every day. he was very carefree every day. however, now that he saw it, there was no trace of immortal energy at all. this is what cultivation is like. lu xuan smiled. mortals still have laws and restrictions, but immortals dont. hmmit was said that many, many years ago, when the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was so abundant that one could become an immortal just by lying down, the cultivators were very harmonious. chu hans expression became complicated. why? do you want to cultivate? lu xuan read his mind. before tonight, i thought that cultivation was free and unfettered, carefree and eternal, but i didnt expect chu han shook his head. then, do you still want to cultivate now? lu xuan asked. immortal master, do you want to take me as a disciple?! chu hans eyes lit up, and his heart was filled with excitement. his dream of flying in the wind had been shattered at first. however, after acknowledging reality, he realized that the power of immortals was also something that people yearned for. only strength could save one from being bullied. uhcalm down first. lu xuan gestured for chu han to come over and reached out to touch his wrist. he pondered for a moment and said, your aptitude is reallywhat a shocking difference. in lu xuans opinion, his highness had a weak constitution, no talent, a weak divine soul, blocked spirit meridians, and a dim immortal foundation it was as if his father died, his mother lost power, and he was framed for peeking at the imperial consort bathing and was reduced to a prisoner and sent to the border he could be the main character of a traditional fantasy drama. chu han opened his mouth wide as if he could stuff a thick cucumber into it. after a long time, he asked, immortal master, do you have a solution? yes lu xuan thought for a moment. if i can obtain some precious medicine, i might have a chance to open the path of cultivation for you. there were rare medicines in the world. no matter how useless a person was, as long as they ate one, they could immediately reconstruct their dao bones and become a genius. this was not a legend because lu xuan had eaten it a few times. however, this was too difficult to find. moreover, after eating it, he did not feel that it had any effect. perhaps it was because lu xuan himself was a peerless genius. if chu han could come across one one day, he would be able to embark on the path of cultivation. however, with chu hans conditions, the possibility of obtaining this precious medicine was even lower than the probability of lu xuan becoming a nascent soul cultivator. chu han fell silent. he roughly understood what the other party meant. in other words, he was destined to have no fate with cultivation in this life. lu xuan patted his shoulder. youll be the emperor of dongping in the future. you have to be responsible for the people. train your body well. thank you for your guidance, immortal master. after a moment of silence, chu han let out a long sigh. he took a step back and bowed seriously. the immortal master was right. chu han accepted reality. since he did not have the fate to cultivate, he would work hard to be a diligent and loving monarch. lu xuan nodded. the crown prince had a good temperament. he was very accurate in judging people and he felt that he would become a fair emperor. when he patted chu hans shoulder, lu xuan used his mana to sort things out for chu han. although he had no hope of cultivating, there was no problem when it came to maintaining ones body. cheng lingzhu stood at the side, quietly watching the scene before her, deep in thought. by the way, i sensed a living creatures aura on the altar just now. lu xuan pointed to the other side of the altar. your highness, why dont you go and take a look? this thingis fated to meet you. chu han cupped his hands in thanks and ran towards the altar. this prince of dongping has a good temperament. he is aware of himself and isnt blinded by temptation, cheng lingzhu said. lu xuan agreed. indeed. this is something that we cultivators should learn. the two of them were chatting when they suddenly saw a light spot flying over from the horizon. soon, two figures appeared in front of lu xuan and cheng lingzhu. a young couple dressed in scholarly robes stepped on flying magic artifacts that looked like rulers. the two of them jumped down from the rulers and bowed to lu xuan and cheng lingzhu. greetings, fellow daoists. im zhang xun (liang xia) of sancai academy. greetings, fellow daoist. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu returned the greeting. the man named zhang xun said, we are disciples of the sancai academy. we are here to capture the two elders of the ghost mage sect, life and death. however, it seems that he looked at the traces of battle around him and hesitated. lu xuan smiled and continued, thats right. weve already taken care of it. the two people from sancai academy were like the fbi in the movies, always one step late. after the heroes and villains were done fighting, the fbi came out to clean up the battlefield and capture the low-level baddies that were still alive. when zhang xun heard this, he immediately cupped his hands. thank you for your help, fellow daoist. im not the only one. lu xuan introduced cheng lingzhu to the two of them, and this is fellow daoist cheng. may i know where your master is? how should i address you? everyone had just met, and zhang xun had not had the time to ask about lu xuans sect. im lu xuan from the dao evolution sect, lu xuan introduced himself. so, youre the senior brother of the dao evolution sect. zhang xun smiled. the relationship between sancai academy and the dao evolution sect was very good. a few years ago, during the dao evolution sects anniversary celebration, he followed his master to the dao evolution sect to deliver congratulatory gifts and witnessed the dao evolution sects heavenly abyss wonder. cheng lingzhu cupped her hands. cheng lingzhu from dushi sword house. zhang xuns movements froze when he heard this, and he subconsciously took half a step back. Chapter 17 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation cheng lingzhu was speechless. were you serious when you took half a step back? cough, cough the female disciple named liang xia realized that something was wrong. she coughed twice and stepped forward. erm, fellow daoists, please excuse me. my senior brother, hehis kidneys arent too healthy, and he had spent a lot of energy chasing the ghost mage sects elder for the past few days. as she spoke, she turned around and pinched zhang xuns waist. yes, its like this. ive been a little tired recently. zhang xun cooperated and nodded vigorously. as a genius of the sancai academy, going out concerned the sects reputation. he definitely couldnt admit that he was a little frightened just now. every thousand years, the dushi sword house would send a disciple down the mountain to train. it was said that if one met a disciple of the dushi sword house, they would be beaten up. this was what his master had told him. his master was a famous scholar in the archean eon class. before he became famous, he was often beaten up, so he wouldnt lie. zhang xun looked at lu xuan beside cheng lingzhu with sympathy in his eyes. lu xuan looked at zhang xun and liang xia, and his first reaction was, how did you know your senior brother has poor kidneys? looking at their actions and eye contact, he immediately understood that the two of them were a pair of dao companions. after a few exchanges, lu xuan roughly understood the ins and outs of the matter of the ghost mage sect. zhang xun and liang xia, the two geniuses of sancai academy, had gone down from the mountain to train. when they passed a certain place, they discovered that a heretic practitioner had caused trouble and destroyed a family of cultivators. it was a foundation building clan, and there wasnt even a golden core cultivator in the clan. the evil cultivators went on a killing spree here, cutting off the heads of all the clansmen. he probably had a twisted mentality. before he left, he even chopped off the heads of the children in the family and hung two strings of the heads at the door like lanterns. zhang xun and liang xia went berserk. the righteous students of sancai academy couldnt just sit by and do nothing. the two of them followed the traces and found the culprit: the two elders of the ghost mage sect, life and death. sancai academy had just fallen from the ranks of top immortal sects thousands of years ago, but it was also a first-rate sect with elders at the mahayana stage. it was very reasonable for a peak golden core genius from a former top-notch immortal sect or a current first-rate sect to beat up a nascent soul elder from a non-ranked sect. this was the difference between half a catty of gold and eight taels of scrap iron. however, the two ghost mage sect elders also had their own methods. they escaped from zhang xun and liang xia, but the couple pursued them relentlessly until they reached the ghost mage sects encampment. before coming here, zhang xun and the other two did not know that the ghost mage sect wanted to create another ancestral magus. they thought that killing people as sacrifices was a crime the evil cultivators committed. as it was more troublesome to explain, lu xuan did not mention that he had killed the ancestral magus. he only said that he and cheng lingzhu had arrived in time before the ghost mage sect could resurrect the ancestral magus. after a fierce battle, the person who created the crisis was dealt with. as they were talking, chu han ran back from the altar with a tortoise in his arms. the tortoise had been infected by the power of the ancestral mage bone plate and had developed some spirituality, so it looked extraordinary. lu xuan reached out to take it, took a look, and frowned. cheng ling was a little curious. she tiptoed and poked her head out to take a look. the bone plate on the tortoises back was embedded by someone. lu xuan looked at the dent in the shell. and it was deliberately worn out. it hasnt been more than ten days. as soon as he said that, everyone present was stunned. the ancestral mage bone slab contained spirituality. once one obtained a fragment, they would be able to sense the location of the other fragments. previously, they had exchanged information and confirmed that the ghost mage sect had gone to dongping under the guidance of the bone fragment. however, lu xuans discovery told them that this tortoise had been deliberately thrown into the river to lure the people from the ghost mage sect. in other words, someone was behind the incident with the ancestral magus, using the ghost mage sect to set up a trap. perhaps even the ghost mage sect did not know that they were being used. it made sense. a mere nascent soul sect actually wanted to revive an existence like the ancestral magus. if no one was secretly pushing it, it would be too whimsical. fellow daoist lu, is that true? zhang xuns expression turned serious. the nature of the matter had changed. if someone was manipulating this matter from behind the scenes, then after the ghost mage sect incident, there would definitely be other conspiracies that had to be investigated clearly. i have some experience in appraising artifacts, lu xuan said. in the past, in order to find the method to form the nascent soul, he had dug immortal graves and robbed emperor tombs. he had seen too many real things and developed a keen eyesight. since thats the case, well report to the elders of the academy and ask them to investigate this matter. liang xias expression was grave. the revival of the ancestral magus was not a small matter. such an existence had endless potential, and its upper limit was even more terrifying. once he was allowed to grow, it would definitely be a great calamity for the archean eon world. fortunately, fellow daoist lu and fellow daoist cheng stopped him before he could be revived. liang xia felt lucky. lu xuan nodded and took out a few pieces of broken bones from his sleeve, handing them to the two. this was a fragment of the ancestral mage bone plate. after using it once, the true spirit within it had disappeared and become an ordinary object. however, if they handed it over to sancai academy, it might help them find the person behind the scenes. as for the tortoise, it was useless. lu xuan gave it to chu han. although it was a tortoise, it still had spirituality. if it was placed in the palace, it could protect the house. dongping. im here to bid farewell to you two immortal masters. in front of the wangjiang tower, chu han bowed. before dawn, lu xuan and the others returned to dongping. for chu han, what happened tonight was too exciting. study hard, train your body, and work hard to be a good king. lu xuan patted his shoulder. i wont let you down! chu han bowed again. he watched as the crown prince of dongping entered the wangjiang tower. there were four people left in the arena: lu xuan and cheng lingzhu, zhang xun and liang xia. the two geniuses from sancai academy did not leave immediately. zhang xun cupped his hands. fellow daoists, recently, the secluded domain of heaven and earth has appeared in the north. i heard that all the immortal sects are sending their geniuses to participate in the grand event. the appearance of the secluded domain of heaven and earth had caused a huge commotion. he did not plan to hide it from the two of them. based on the practice of the dushi sword house disciples, they would definitely attend such a big event. zhang xun took the initiative to invite the two of them to go together at this time, also with the intention of closing the good karma. only then did lu xuan remember that there was such a big event. he had read about it in the newspaper two days ago. what do you think, fellow daoist cheng? lu xuan looked at cheng lingzhu. cheng lingzhu nodded. well go together. the matter of the city of death had already been resolved, but the doubts in lu xuans heart had yet to be answered. he did not want to return to the dao evolution sect for the time being. cheng lingzhu had come down the mountain to gain experience. she would kill enemies and enter secret realms whenever she encountered them. the more major events and storms she experienced, the better. although the exploration of the city of death was entrusted by the heavenly water temple, there was no need for him to go back and tell the heavenly water temple cultivators that the crisis had been resolved. after all, in the evil buddha palace, cheng lingzhus sword had slashed down, and the heavenly water temple cultivators corpse had not even remained. it was impossible to bring his bones back even if they wanted to. during the few days at bright jade tower, lu xuan had already sent a message to the heavenly water temple and explained this matter to them. Chapter 18 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation the next day, on the flying magic artifact, cheng lingzhu stuck her head out and looked at zhang xun and liang xia. senior brother lu, senior brother zhang and senior sister liang seem to share an extraordinary relationship. shes a dao partner, so of course shes extraordinary, lu xuan replied. how did you know? cheng lingzhu was shocked. you can tell by their actions and eyes, although these two people are quite restrained. lu xuan explained, youll understand when you have a dao partner in the future. senior brother, what do you think a dao partner is? cheng lingzhu asked. lu xuan pondered for a moment. this sort of question reflected ones education level. a cultured person would say, once youve seen the best, the rest is not worthwhile looking. people who understood philosophy would say, you pass through a wheat field and pick your favorite ear of wheat. it may not be the plumpest or the tallest, but once you get it, you dont want to pick any other ears of wheat. based on lu xuans personal experience, he and cheng hongtan were probably in the beginning, it was because he was greedy for other peoples cultivation techniques. later on, he was lustful. then, he fell in love with cheng hongtan and changed a lot for her. for example, he originally liked black silk, but because cheng hongtan often wore white silk, after a long time yes, lu xuans xp had also changed. however, he definitely could not say such things. it would damage the image of the great senior. thus, lu xuan straightened his expression and replied very officially, the so-called dao partners are partners on the path of dao. they support each other, rely on each other, and reach the other shore together. cheng lingzhu believed him. she thought about it and asked, well, do you have a dao partner? there was once, but later he shook his head and stopped talking. when lu xuan and cheng hongtan broke up, both of them were a little impulsive. the reason was that cheng hongtans cultivation speed was too fast. after dating lu xuan, her dao heart was complete and she entered the transcendence stage. in less than two years, she would passively welcome the heavenly tribulation. although she had been trying her best to suppress her cultivation, a genius was still a genius. furthermore, cheng hongtan was a peerless genius. some people painstakingly sought immortality but couldnt get it. some people didnt want to become immortals, but the heavens insisted on pulling them up. lu xuans original plan was to let cheng hongtan wait in the immortal realm. one day, he would find the method to form his nascent soul and ascend to the upper realm to look for her. cheng hongtan disagreed. she knew lu xuans condition too well. a nascent soul leaving the body had never happened in the history of the archean eon world. when lu xuan formed his nascent soul, cheng hongtan protected him. she realized that he had not only lost his nascent soul but his entire nascent soul stage. it involved some changes in the dao law. even cheng hongtan, who had already completed her tribulation, couldnt understand it. she could not bring anyone with her when she ascended to the upper realm. the gate to the immortal realm was unique. other than those who had passed the heavenly tribulation and obtained recognition, the others could only see a door to the immortal realm and could not touch it. cultivators below the nascent soul stage were not even qualified to see the gate of the immortal realm. without a nascent soul, they could not receive the signal from the immortal realm. therefore, lu xuan was obsessed with forming his nascent soul. if he could see it, but he couldnt touch it, there might be a solution. but he couldnt even see it there was really no other way. after transcending, cultivators could choose not to ascend and stay in the archean eon world. transcending and ascending was called becoming a true immortal. on the other hand, someone who transcended and did not ascend was called a red dust immortal. compared to true immortals, although a red dust immortal was strong, their lifespan was limited. they only had 5,000 years, which was equivalent to a mahayana stage cultivator. lu xuan felt that something was wrong. he had already transcended the tribulation to become immortal but still couldnt live for a long time. his lifespan was still limited. cheng hongtan felt that lu xuans doubts were very strange. since the beginning of history, cultivation had been like this. once one ascended, they would be called a true immortal, and someone who did not ascend was a red dust immortal. this was the common understanding among all cultivators. hadnt it always been like this? lu xuan felt that cultivation shouldnt be like this. he said that cheng hongtan did not want to become a true immortal but wanted to stay behind to become a red dust immortal. of course, lu xuan did not agree. every three years, his lifespan would reset. in other words, he was immortal. as for cheng hongtan, she had stayed in the archean eon world for him. one day, her lifespan would run out. lu xuan firmly opposed the theory of longevity. so, the two of them started arguing. one said, can you look further ahead and wait in the upper realm first? ill be there soon the other said, dont try to fool me. if i cant ascend no matter what, wont i have to live as a widow in the immortal realm? in short, after the quarrel, cheng hongtan left. the heavenly tribulation could no longer be suppressed. during the tribulation, celestial lightning would descend, and she was afraid that it would affect lu xuan. after the quarrel, lu xuan also regretted not settling the matter and hurting his wifes heart. now that she thought about it, cheng hongtan had foresight. it had been almost 9,000 years, but he was still a golden core. of course, if he had to choose again, lu xuan would still not agree to cheng hongtan staying in the archean eon world. however, this time, he would not argue with her again. three days later, the flying chariot began to slow down and descend. were here. lu xuan lifted the curtain and looked at the scene below. based on cheng lingzhus insistent request, lu xuan put away the green jade lotus. considering the long distance, he decided to switch to a flying chariot. this was a magic artifact shaped like a chariot with space inside. it didnt look big from the outside but was actually quite spacious. the normal ones were about the size of a caravan, and the big ones could fit a palace. the flying chariot slowly landed in front of a mountain gate, and lu xuan and cheng lingzhu walked out. there was a plaque hanging at the entrance of the mountain that said golden blade sect. it hinted at a mortal martial arts sect. the golden blade sect was indeed not a big force. this sect used to be a branch of the northern plains deity transformation sect [five elements of war sect]. metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. saber, spear, sword, halberd, and rod. later on, the five branches split up and established their own sects, all of which were nascent soul sects. a month ago, a secluded domain of heaven and earth appeared in the territory of the golden blade sect. the phenomenon was filled with divine light, and its momentum was terrifying. the golden blade sect leader was scared out of his wits. there was a saying that went, a man is innocent, but an artifact brings sin. if a small secret realm or a small blessed land appeared, the golden blade sect could still occupy it. however, the commotion caused by the birth of this mystic realm was so huge that it did not seem like an opportunity that a nascent soul sect could swallow. the golden blade sect leader personally reported this matter to the upper sect. after hearing this, the upper sect did not dare to accept this big job and continued to report. the news spread layer by layer, and on the same night, it reached the top-tier sect of the northern plains, the divine weapon pavilion. the divine weapon pavilion sent an elder down to thank the golden blade sect for their loyalty. they handed over the right to guard and maintain the mystic realm to the golden blade sect. they also provided them with resources and high-tier cultivation techniques. looking at the rewards from the sect, the golden blade sect leader felt that he could lead the golden blade art of war sect in the future. Chapter 19 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation both the large and the small immortal sects in the archean eon world were divided into levels. the highest-level sect was naturally a top-notch immortal sect with cultivators at the transcendence stage. below them were the first-rate sects with cultivators of the mahayana stage. then there were the second-rate sects and third-rate sects, which corresponded to the body integration stage and the void refining stage respectively. below third-rate sects, there were soul transformation sects, nascent soul sects, and golden core sects. this was a polite term, and they were generally referred to as unranked sects. the soul transformation cultivators were not considered to be in the top tier, and that was how they were viewed by the true major sects. it was worth mentioning that the tribulation belonged to the complete state of the mahayana stage, and there was no realm barrier in between. a peak mahayana stage cultivator could become a transcendence stage cultivator after a moment of enlightenment. therefore, although there was a difference in status between a top-notch immortal sect and a first-rate sect with a peak mahayana cultivator, it was not that big. throughout the history of modern times, it was quite common for large sects to fluctuate between top-notch immortal sects and first-rate sects. there were only two exceptions. first, the dushi sword house had never fallen from the position of a top-notch immortal sect. the second was the dao evolution sect. after it fell from its position as a top-notch immortal sect, it did not rise again as a negative example of all the sects in the world, the dao evolution sects status was awkward and special. the awkward part was that in less than 10,000 years, its status had rapidly fallen from a top-tier immortal sect to a third-rate sect. the speed of its decline was shocking. what was special was that although the dao evolution sect was a third-rate sect, it enjoyed the treatment of a top-notch immortal sect. every time the top sects of the archean eon world held a meeting, they would call the dao evolution sect along. every time qing yangzi came back from a meeting, he would complain to lu xuan. in a meeting, the one sitting on the left would be in the transcendence stage while the one on the right would be in the mahayana stage. as a void refining martial artist, he sat in the middle of a group of big shots like a husky mixed with a pack of wolves. qing yangzi didnt know what a husky was either. he had heard about it from his grandmaster when he was young. the meeting was one thing, but the most painful thing was that he had to go on stage to give a speech. the mahayana cultivators were all very polite and didnt get distracted. there were more than ten mahayana cultivators in the room, all of them smiling as they stared at a weak spatial tempering stage cultivator like him. qing yangzi felt numb. there was naturally a reason for the dao evolution sect to have such special treatment. firstly, the dao evolution sect ancestor had ended the chaotic times and personally started the modern era. it could be said that he had great merit and his status was extraordinary. although he had offended many people before he attained dao, there were not many sects that could survive from the ancient era to the modern era, let alone the dao evolution sects enemies. therefore, a considerable number of sects gave the dao evolution sect face. even if the latter was now a third-rate sect, they were still willing to leave a place for it in the ranks of the top sects. after all, cultivation was about metaphysics. with the dao evolution sects long heritage and deep foundation, what if it took off again one day? many times, the cultivation world had its own ways of the world. of course, there were also many sects that coveted the dao evolution sects inheritance. 3,000 years ago, a mighty figure had secretly tried to probe. that day, blood rained down the dao evolution sects mountain gate. a huge beasts palm smashed down from the sky, and the wrist was cut off. it was easily chopped off from the body of the mahayana cultivator. from then on, all the sects became amiable. many times, fighting and killing were more useful. some people suspected that the dao evolution sect had a secret perfect immortal artifact to protect the sect. there were also people who suspected that it was a sect that was on good terms with the dao evolution sect that acted and slashed out for the latter. there were also people who said that there was a mighty figure who had yet to pass away in the dao evolution sect and was overseeing the sect. in short, there were many different opinions and discussions. in front of the mountain gate, lu xuan and the others saw the reception staff of the golden blade sects station. however, the leader was not the golden blade sect master but a young man. the other party was wearing the uniform of a core disciple from the divine weapon pavilion. he was tall and straight, and his face was full of smiles. from afar, everyone could feel a sense ofjoy. this young disciples surname was gao, and his name was gao le. he was the direct disciple of the divine weapon pavilions punishment hall master, elder gao, and also elder gaos adopted son. even though his name literally contained the character joy, ever since he had this disciple, elder gao could not be happy because his disciple was usually unruly and always caused trouble for him. gao le felt wronged. he suspected that he was cursed. when he was on duty in the beast park, the male golden-eyed manticore went crazy against the male green-spotted snake-faced tortoise. in the end, he failed to win and got injured. when he was on duty at the spirit herbs garden, the spirit gathering lamp that had been reinforced last month fell and smashed an immortal flower. that was the birthday gift that the pavilion master had prepared for the his wife. when he went to the sutra depository on duty, a senior sister wanted to do something bad to him. gao le retreated in a panic and knocked down a bookshelf. he did not expect to cause a chain reaction. rows of bookshelves collapsed, burying his junior brothers and sisters who were engaged in a library battle. the situation was very awkward. more than half of elder gaos year-end bonus was taken away to fill the hole for his lousy disciple. it could only be said that elder gao treated him well and had not severed his master-disciple relationship with this traitorous disciple until now. because gao le had caused too much trouble, his master beat his disciple up quite often. this time, elder gao accepted the order and was in charge of the mystic realm. he brought gao le out. he also had the intention of personally watching over him so that he wouldnt cause too much trouble. gao le was indeed quite happy now because up until today, his master had not beaten him for three days! what a great improvement! gao le looked up at the sky and felt like the sun was smiling at him. greetings, fellow daoists. gao le took a step forward with a smile that came from the bottom of his heart. greetings, fellow daoist gao. everyone cupped their hands in return. fortunately, all the geniuses have come. our sect is honored. gao le imitated the etiquette of mortals and was very enthusiastic. brother gao, you are too kind. zhang xun smiled. i wonder if the golden blade sects teleportation array is ready. i heard that the secluded domain of heaven and earth will open today. if we are late, our master will scold us. of course, its ready. gao le waved his hand. fellow daoists, this way, please. the teleportation array was prepared three days ago. ive personally tested it many times and i guarantee that it will satisfy everyone. if he wanted to go to the secluded domain of heaven and earth, he didnt have to use the teleportation array of the golden blade sect. many geniuses took the carriage and went to the secluded domain of heaven and earth. however, lu xuan and the others had rushed over from the territory of the ghost mage sect. the journey was quite far, and they happened to pass by the golden blade sect. it was reasonable for him to pay a visit and borrow the array formation. just as they were talking, a blazing white light streaked across the sky, and a figure landed in front of everyone. the newcomer was tall, with white eyebrows and white hair. he had a mighty appearance and a pair of fierce eyes. he was wearing the uniform of an elder of the divine weapon pavilion. he stood there like a mountain. this tall old mans surname was gao. it was gao les master. Chapter 20 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation elder gao held a pair of spiritual jade balls in his hands to cultivate his body. he exuded the aura of a cultivator at the peak of the body integration stage. greetings, senior gao, the four of them bowed and spoke in unison. lu xuan learned a thing or two from the dao evolution sects ancestral master and joined them to act like a newbie. elder gao didnt act arrogantly in front of the paragon from the outer sect and also cupped his hands in return. after exchanging a few pleasantries, he looked at his disciple. hows the preparation of the teleportation array coming along? because he was worried about his disciple, elder gao specially ran over to take a look at the situation of the teleportation array. dont worry, master. gao le was full of confidence as he led the group into the depths of the golden blade sect. shortly, a square platform appeared in front of them. the style of this teleportation platform was different from the common teleportation arrays. it was made of black stone and was surrounded by array patterns. lu xuan took a look and raised his eyebrows. how did the golden blade school get such an old antique? lu xuan recognized that the method used to carve the array on the platform was an ancient technique that was rarely used by sects nowadays. he did not know where it was dug out from. the four of them ascended the platform. gao le stood below with a faint smile on his face. looking at his disciples appearance, elder gao nodded slightly. the golden blade sects teleportation platform was a very important hub. nothing had gone wrong in the past few days, and several batches of people had been sent over. it seemed that his disciple was very serious this time. on the other side, gao le confidently activated the teleportation formation. a gentle light lit up and enveloped the high platform. a few breaths later, lu xuan and the others they were still standing in the spot. gao le was speechless. the smile on his face froze. the four people on the stage looked at the ground and then at senior brother gao. elder gao, who was holding the spirit jade ball, narrowed his eyes. gao le was a little confused. this wasnt right. an ominous premonition arose in his heart. he hurriedly activated the teleportation array again. it was the same as earlier. there was only a light, but there was no change on the stage. what happened? elder gao looked at gao le and stopped what he was doing. replying to master. gao le blinked. the teleportation array mightperhapsprobablyits temporarily out of order. kacha. elder gao crushed the ball made of arctic jade. is this what you meant by no problem? elder gaos face darkened. gao les expression was subtle. this accidentits inevitable. how impudent! the secret realm is about to open. youre saying this is an accident?! elder gao glared at him. the sect gave you such an important task, and this is what you did?! even i, a martial artist, can tell that theres something wrong with this teleportation array. where did you buy it from?! i dug it out from the golden blade sects storeroomit looked like it could still be used, so i didnt spend any money, gao le said honestly. when elder gao heard this, he almost fainted. he remembered that because of his disciples bad luck, he often lost money, so the latter developed a good habit of being thrifty. when it came to spending money, he would plan carefully. every month, the sect would have a gathering for disciples to sell artifacts. gao le would start haggling from the west end of the market, and he would be able to reach the east end of the market in one go. if he wasnt worried about being implicated by his luck, qian tang would have asked gao le to take care of the accounts long ago. but was this a place to save money? elder gaos anger was cold. he thought to himself, our sect doesnt lack these spirit stones. if you really want to save money, you might as well stop causing damage in the sect. the money i pay out every year is more than enough to build dozens of teleportation arrays. elder gao took a deep breath and decided to hang his useless disciple up later and beat him up for three days. he turned to lu xuan and the others. rebels sure are ineffective. ill contact the mystic realm now and ask them to open half a day later. if you dont mind, im willing to drive the magic chariot and give you a ride. theres no need to go through so much trouble. at this moment, lu xuan stood up. he looked at the teleportation array and pondered for a moment. i can fix it. cheng lingzhu was speechless, and so were zhang xun, liang xia, and elder gao. there was a difference between the ancient formation path and the current formation path. this teleportation array looked like an old thing. how did this guy know how to repair artifacts? elder gao probed, may i ask who you are, my young friend? lu xuan from the dao evolution sect. elder gaos face immediately revealed a smile when he heard the name of the dao evolution sect. the relationship between the dao evolution sect and the divine weapon pavilion was very good. he did not expect to meet a disciple from the dao evolution sect here. lu xuan didnt say anything else. he took out a strange-looking carving knife from his magic storage and walked to the front of the high platform. he spun it twice and began to carve. in less than ten minutes, lu xuan stopped and looked at his results. he nodded in satisfaction. alright. the core of the teleportation array was a type of spiritual yin-yang jade. by separating the spiritual jade with dao patterns carved on it and placing it in different locations, one could anchor the coordinates. the spiritual yin-yang jade of this teleportation array was not damaged, and the other supplementary materials could also be used. it was just that the array patterns around the array were worn out. lu xuan casually added a few more to restore the teleportation function of the array. although he hadnt done this kind of work for many years, he was still very skilled. the restoration speed was quick. everyone looked at each other, but lu xuan was the first to ascend the platform. seeing this, cheng lingzhu also followed. senior brother lu, how do you even know this? cheng lingzhu was curious. in the past, i needed to cultivate and study arrays for a period of time, lu xuan said humbly. just like how he was proficient in the identification of cultural relics, he only knew about seven or eight. in the past, in order to pursue the method of forming the nascent soul, lu xuan had robbed the tombs of many mighty figures. most of them used ancient formations. lu xuan was mainly looking for notes related to cultivation, as well as some mantras. he was not very interested in the magic artifacts inside. he left behind opportunities for future generations. other than some fun things, he did not touch the other dharmic weapons or dao artifacts. sometimes, when he saw that the other partys tomb was devoid of anything, lu xuan would even put two artifacts inside. however, this kind of behavior might make the latecomers puzzled. how could there be a certain witchs cool silk stockings in the tomb of a legendary buddhist monk who had a clean background, perfect morality, and did not get close to women? lu xuan did not have any fetishes. the cool silk stockings were stolen from the tomb of another demoness. after coming out of the tomb, he naturally had to restore the array to its original state. lu xuan would also help to fix some loopholes, fix bugs, and improve the system. it could be said that he was the conscience of the tomb-raiding world. it was precisely because of this that after thousands of years, he had not found a way to form his nascent soul, but his understanding of the dao of formations had advanced by leaps and bounds. as a gentle white light lit up, the four figures disappeared from the teleportation platform. gao le let out a long sigh of relief. although the process was very complicated, the result was still good. just as he was about to say something flirtatious, when he turned around, he saw his master rolling up his sleeves and staring at him with an unfriendly expression. gao le looked at his master. then, he looked at the tilted tree that looked very suitable for hanging people. he cursed in his heart. he would not be able to escape todays beating. Chapter 21 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation a gentle white light illuminated the place. lu xuan and the other three appeared. the other end of the teleportation array was set up at the edge of a small forest. on the west side of the small forest was a large lake. it was quite vast and the surface of the lake was very calm. the divine weapon pavilion occupied this secluded domain of heaven and earth, but they did not develop it on their own. instead, they charged a fee. cultivators could only enter after paying spirit stones. the artifacts obtained in the secret realm would be split 50-50 with the divine weapon pavilion. if there were inheritances or precious artifacts that could not be shared, the sect that the genius who obtained the inheritance belonged to would negotiate with the divine weapon pavilion to conduct a transaction. in front of the lake, there was a special place for registration. on it was the sign of the secret mystical realm. half a month ago, a mighty figure of the divine weapon pavilion dug out a tablet from the entrance of the mystical realm. there were words written on it, and this mystical realm was the land of inheritance left behind by a senior named huan zhen. the location was right below the lake. however, the divine weapon pavilion didnt know who senior huan zhen was. judging from the age of the mystical realms formation, it should belong to the ancient era. the illusion lake was huge, so huge that one couldnt see the end of it. only the teleportation array had a registration point. the geniuses of the various sects who came to participate in the trial in the mystical realm were all prominent figures, so they naturally wouldnt evade fares. at the same time, considering that commoner players were also part of the gaming experience of the pay-to-win players, the divine weapon pavilion would not stop any secret practitioners from sneaking into the secret mystical realm from remote corners. this was called 50 great dao, leaving one out to give the rogue cultivators a chance. fellow daoists, are you interested in buying death substitution talismans? each person is limited to one, the cultivator in charge of registration asked. normal death substitution talismans could only block fatal damage once. if they met someone with a huge difference in strength, they would be killed repeatedly after resurrection. this place was guarded by a mighty figure from the divine weapon pavilion. those who died after purchasing the death substitution talisman for the secret realm could be directly fished out by the mighty figure to prevent them from being killed. in the true sense of the word, they would have an extra life. zhang xun and liang xia both bought it. this thing was as expensive as the entrance fare to the secret mystical realm, but their expenses to enter the realm were all covered by the sect. cheng lingzhu didnt buy it. as a disciple of the dushi sword house, she should be able to clear the stage with her life. if she didnt even have the confidence to suppress heavens favored, she might as well just end her worldly training and return to the sect to dream. of course, lu xuan didnt buy it either. he had no use for it. many cultivators had already gathered around the lake. they were all participants in the mystical realm trial. in the past few hundred years, it had become popular for large sects to wear green robes. lu xuan looked around and saw that all the heavens favored were green but in different tones. beside them, tall exotic beasts neighed, all of which were quite handsome. exotic beasts needed to awaken their intelligence, and their cultivation was usually slower than humans. however, some with powerful bloodlines lived longer than humans. some mutated beasts that were raised well could support their masters in their old age. of course, it was not suitable for lu xuan. dong, dong, dong the bell rang from the side of the illusion lake. on the surface of the lake, a strange light shone, as if some kind of intense change was happening. the elites of the various sects knew that this was a sign that the secret mystical realm was about to open. they scattered and found a position by the lake. when the light on the surface of the lake calmed down, the bell rang again. the spatial passageway had already stabilized and they could enter. the secret mystical realm had a cultivation limit. only those below the nascent soul stage could enter. this meant that golden core cultivators were given preferential treatment. this was the consensus of the archean eon worlds mighty figures. golden core was the most suitable stage to receive the inheritance. however, when the bell rang, no one moved. cultivators of our generation are brave and fierce. it is difficult to achieve the great dao if we are cowardly! a gray-robed elders eyes gleamed as he kicked his disciple down. this senior is an influential figure from the powerful divination sect, the pavilion of heavenly secrets. he should have divined some things just now the first to enter the mystical realm might be able to obtain the blessing of the realms luck! a cultivator narrowed his eyes and recognized this person. i heard that the cultivators of the pavilion of heavenly secrets dont often interact with others, and the experts of the sect are in seclusion all year round. brother, youre quite knowledgeable to be able to actually recognize this person, a cultivator at the side asked in surprise. im lu renjia from the hundred knowledge sect. our hundred knowledge sects main focus is to be well-informed and know everything senior brother, if you want to fight with someone, you can contact me if you need an explanation. the first order on the 15th of every month will get 20% off. so, youre a professional. sorry for being disrespectful with the pavilion of heavenly secrets cultivators leading the way, the rest of the geniuses began to jump down one by one. like dumplings, their figures disappeared into the light. of course, there were also cultivators who pondered that the opportunity definitely had nothing to do with the order of entry. they might as well let others explore the path first and enter last. lu xuan didnt mind. since he was already here, he definitely had to go down and take a look. he turned his head and saw zhang xun and liang xia from sancai academy flirting with each other. liang xia closed her eyes and opened her arms. zhang xun hugged her from behind. one said, im going to jump, and the other said, if you jump, ill jump too. lu xuan thought to himself, what, is this the titanic? he turned around and pointed at cheng lingzhu. this was how dao partners were. the two of them looked at each other and took a step forward at the same time, jumping into the light. inside the secret mystical realm. senior huan zhen was very powerful when he was alive. lu xuan descended from the sky and sensed the surrounding laws of heaven and earth. he was a little surprised. the secret mystical realm was left behind by an almighty gu after he passed away. the laws of heaven and earth in the mystical realm evolved from the dao law in his body. in lu xuans eyes, the power of the laws of heaven and earth in the true illusion secret realm was even stronger than many higher beings tombs. he was very experienced in this aspect. right at this moment, a cry of surprise entered his ears. lu xuan looked up and saw cheng lingzhu falling from the sky. he stretched out his arm and caught her horizontally. after turning her around half a circle, he placed her vertically on the ground. thank thank you, senior brother lu. cheng lingzhus face was pale as she steadied her breathing. she did not expect to fall from the sky after crossing the lake. more importantly, flying was forbidden here! cheng lingzhu, who had instinctively wanted to use her qi to lighten her body, realized that she couldnt stop her body from falling, and her hands and feet flailed in a mess. is this your first time entering the mystical realm? lu xuan asked. cheng lingzhu nodded vigorously. many mystical realms have a no-fly zone. its a test for the cultivator. if the cultivator is unlucky, the teleportation point will directly open in the no-fly zone i forgot to remind you, lu xuan said. because he had entered too many secret realms, lu xuan thought that [beware of the no-fly zone] was common knowledge and everyone should know about it. therefore, he subconsciously ignored it. now that he thought about it, there should be many people who had encountered the same situation as cheng lingzhu. with the physique of a golden core cultivator, there was no need to worry about falling from the sky. however, if he touched the ground with his face, he would definitely be in a sorry state. the two of them were now in an empty forest. the surroundings were filled with lush ancient trees that towered into the sky, brimming with vitality. at this moment, a commotion suddenly came from the small forest in the distance. Chapter 22 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation boom, boom, boom the sounds of intense battle could be heard. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu rushed to the scene to take a look. it turned out that there were two giant snakesone red and one green; one thick and one thinfighting among themselves. the two snakes were huge, and one of them was more than a meter in diameter. when they communicated and cooperated, they caused a huge commotion. judging from the aura emanating from their bodies, one of them was relatively weak while the others cultivation had reached the level of a qi refining cultivator. this was already a proper demonic beast. the two snakes got carried away. suddenly, the ground shook. the trees fell down as a huge figure emerged from the forest and appeared in front of the snake. it was a huge brown bear. the snakes were alert. they raised their bodies and faced the brown bear. they lifted their heads high and hissed their forked tongues as if they were warning him. demonic beasts that had yet to form their golden cores could not be called great demons, but they already had a certain level of intelligence. the brown bear had come here to ruin its plans. demonic beasts devoured each other to increase their strength. how could it care about the other partys threat? at this crucial moment, it would naturally take advantage of the snakes weakness to take its life. this was called coming prepared. the brown bear let out an angry roar and pounced forward. the snake was entangled by its mate and could not react in time. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu watched the show from outside the battle ring. the aftermath of the battle stirred up a strong wind. trees exploded and soil flew everywhere. the snake opened its mouth and spat out a pitch-black flame. the brown bears fur emitted a faint golden light, blocking the high temperature. this was the bloodline power of the demon beasts. however, both parties in the battle were not in high stages, so they could not use it too many times. cheng lingzhu stood on the tree trunk and looked at the two snakes that were still entangled together. she asked, senior brother lu, is this considered a dao partnership? just as lu xuan was about to answer, he saw the thick snakes body shrink and twist, squeezing the other half of its body into a few pieces, and the pieces of its lover fell to the ground. lu xuan was silent for a moment. obviously not. after personally killing the mate he liked, the snake was no longer bound. its combat strength immediately soared, and it counterattacked the brown bear. the brown bear was not afraid at all. its strength was already a little stronger than the snake, and it had the upper hand. there was naturally no reason for it to lose. after a few minutes, the snake fell to the ground, dying. the brown bear was covered in wounds, swaying and roaring towards the sky. just as it raised its head, it noticed lu xuan and cheng lingzhu standing on the tree. perhaps it had been sealed in the secret mystical realm for too long, but the brown bear had never seen a terrifying upright ape. his first reaction was to raise his bear paw, then howl and pounce. with a squelch, a flower of blood bloomed. cheng lingzhu flicked her fingers and shot out a sword energy, beheading the brown bear. this snake isnt dead yet. lu xuan could sense the life force within the snake. as soon as it approached, the dying snake suddenly raised its head and opened its mouth to vomit. lu xuans eyes narrowed, and the snakes divine soul suddenly shattered. the head that had just been raised drooped down weakly. now, it was dead. are the beasts in the secret mystical realm that malicious to humans? lu xuan was puzzled. he was a dignified golden core big shot. if he emitted his aura, the demon beasts would definitely be able to sense it. a little qi refining demon that was seriously injured and on the verge of death did not bow down when he saw a core formation demon approaching. instead, he took the initiative to attack. this went against the instincts of demonic beasts. could senior huan zhen be a mighty figure of the ancient demon race and is hostile to the human race? cheng lingzhu guessed. its possible. lu xuan nodded. he didnt have any ill feelings towards the demons. the current situation in the archean eon realm was different from the ancient times. the relationship between humans and demons was relatively harmonious. moreover, there were many good-looking demonesses. all of them had thin waists, long legs, perky buttocks, and a natural charm. every frown and smile of theirs was very seductive. lu xuan had a deep impression of this because cheng hongtan had often dragged him to check them out in the past. lu xuan asked his master to be more serious, and cheng hongtan replied righteously, master, i like to look at beautiful women. if i dont look at beautiful women, do i look at men? lu xuan felt that what she said made sense, so he followed her and watched. just as he was thinking about his master, cheng lingzhu suddenly exclaimed. lu xuan turned his head and was stunned by the scene in front of him. an earthen yellow stream of air rose from the brown bears headless corpse and floated toward cheng lingzhu. cheng lingzhu extended her hand and touched it lightly. the strange energy flowed through her white fingertips and into her body. cheng lingzhu sensed for a moment before raising her hand. a strange light lit up on her hand. the white hand disappeared and was replaced by a bear paw. it was as if she was wearing a glove. because cheng lingzhu was pretty, she looked very cute when she waved her bear paw. however, this bear paw was clearly not only cute. cheng lingzhu lightly waved her hand to the side, and three golden lights lit up. like sword rays, all the trees within ten meters were cut in half as easily as tofu. its very powerful. lu xuan was slightly surprised. the brown bear just now didnt show such a special ability. it was not just the brown bear. on the other side, a green cyclone also appeared on the snakes corpse. lu xuan touched it with his hand, and the vortex merged into his body. a moment later, he raised his hand and gestured to cheng lingzhu. densely packed green scales appeared on the back of his hand. the green scales were very sturdy and could withstand the full-force attack of a qi refining cultivator. after killing the demon beast, you can absorb the cyclone and directly obtain the power of the demon beast. lu xuans eyes darkened. senior huan zhen is really generous. he looked at the scales on the back of his hand, then at cheng lingzhus bear claws. yes, he had heard about it. senior brother lu, the power of this demon beast is a little strange. its better not to absorb it, cheng lingzhu said. she made a hand seal and opened her mouth to spit out a stream of air to drive this force away. as a disciple of a top-notch immortal sect, cheng lingzhu possessed a secret technique. otherwise, she wouldnt have taken the initiative to touch the vortex. not bad. lu xuan nodded in agreement. after all, he wasnt a ferry-con, so he didnt have such a need. the use of external objects, such as medicinal pills and heavenly artifacts, was not taboo in cultivation as long as he didnt rely too much on them. after all, strictly speaking, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was an essential external object for cultivation. the cultivation techniques and handwritten notes left behind by predecessors were also external objects that could affect ones thoughts and soul. overly rejecting external objects would completely isolate oneself from the outside world, walking into the wrong path and cutting off ones own path. however, in this mystical realm, the energy that could be absorbed after killing a demon beast was clearly not within the range of normal external objects. lu xuan could sense that there was some sort of dao contained within the vortex, but it did not seem complete. absorbing such an unknown thing into his body would bring hidden dangers to his cultivation. of course, lu xuan was not afraid. he could even refine existences at the level of the ancestral magus. with just a thought, he could obliterate the green cyclone. Chapter 23 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation inside the secret mystical realm. hu, hu a black-robed cultivator knelt on one knee and panted heavily. he was dressed in simple clothes and had injuries on his body. he held a long sword in his hand. however, at this moment, the sword was already broken. beside this cultivator was the corpse of a green wolf. clearly, a fierce battle had just taken place. the black-robed cultivators name was fang huan. he was a foundation building cultivator. he had heard that a secluded domain of heaven and earth had appeared in the golden blade sects territory, so he had come to look for opportunities. the divine weapon pavilion didnt restrict the entry of rogue cultivators, and there were many cultivators like fang huan who snuck in. however, his luck was not good. as soon as he entered the secret mystical realm, he encountered a green wolf that was as strong as a foundation building cultivator. he paid a huge price to kill this demon beast. damn it, those disciples from the great sects can enjoy rich cultivation resources without leaving their homes, but we rogue cultivators have to fight to the death here. fang huan gritted his teeth and took out a pill from his bosom. he swallowed it painfully, and his face regained some color. he could be considered to be slightly talented. he had once signed up to participate in the entrance examination of a large sect, but he had failed. he was also unwilling to go to a small sect, so he simply became a rogue cultivator and lived a carefree life. just as he swallowed the healing pill, a strong wind suddenly came from behind him. fang huan rolled on the ground. with a bang, the ground where he had been standing exploded, and a spear was nailed to the ground. half-kneeling on the ground, fang huan raised his head, his eyes cold. the great spear thrust from behind with great force. if it werent for his keen senses and quick reflexes, which allowed him to dodge the attack almost instinctively, fang huan would have been dead. the attacker was also dressed as a rogue cultivator, but unlike fang huan, he was in good shape. he raised his hand, and the great spear flew back into the palm of the ambusher. when rogue cultivators met, they were naturally green with envy. the disciples of the major sects had terrifying strength and possessed all kinds of secret techniques and magic treasures. they had to stay far away. however, a heavily injured lone cultivator was an excellent prey. fang huans heart sank. im doomed, he thought to himself. suddenly, a wisp of green smoke rose from the wolfs corpse and entered his nose. fang huans expression changed slightly, and his body trembled. he shrank his shoulders, lowered his head, and gradually bent his spine. the assailant slowly approached with his spear in hand. just as he was about to strike, fang huan suddenly raised his head! his palms turned into wolf claws, and a fierce light flashed in his eyes. he shot up and pounced toward the other party! the long spear stabbed at him, but it was easily blocked by the wolfs claws. fang huan was like a human-shaped demon. he threw his enemy to the ground and was about to rip his chest open! after half a minute, the prey stopped struggling and its vitality dissipated. fang huan slowly rose to his feet and looked at his palm. under the setting sun, the sharp edge of the wolfs claws reflected a sharp light in his eyes. in the deepest part of his eyes, there was a flame called ambition burning fiercely. living in the mountains, no one will come poking around standing on the tree, lu xuan looked at the setting sun with his hands behind his back. after all, the elderly would be in a good mood when they went to the mystical realm to recuperate and watch the sunset. the secret mystical realm was not a complete world. the sun here was formed by the will of the secret realm. although it couldnt compare to the sun condensed by the will of the heavenly dao in archean eon world, the sunset in the secret mystical realm was quite beautiful. as someone who was obsessed with aesthetics, lu xuan liked everything that looked good. he had taken in a few disciples before. regardless of whether they were male or female, all of them had outstanding talent and stunning looks. as a highly respected and low-key senior, lu xuan had always been fair. with his looks, it was not too much to ask his disciples to be extremely handsome and devastatingly beautiful. this was called measuring others by oneself. if you have ordinary talent, please go elsewhere. if you have an ordinary appearance, dont enter my door. after all, lu xuan was a genius himself. even if he was asked to teach a good-for-nothing, he would not do so. unfortunately, she already has a master lu xuan lowered his head and looked at cheng lingzhu, feeling a little regretful. the girls talent and beauty were in line with his standards, but the rules of the dushi sword house were strict, and they did not allow their disciples to go to other schools to become masters. lu xuan thought to himself, im just teaching you some skills, not kidnapping your disciple. you really dont trust me by being so cautious. after taking care of the snake and the brown bear, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu walked towards the center of the mystical realm. the closer they were to the core area of the mystical realm, the stronger the demon beasts were. after a cultivator entered the core area of the mystical realm, the location they were teleported to was completely random. in other words, some cultivators might be thrown into the big demons nest to fight the boss at the beginning of the game. according to lu xuans personal experience, in a mystical realm that only golden core cultivators were allowed to enter, the demon beasts in the core area had to be at least nascent soul stage, and there was more than one. otherwise, how could it be called a mystical realm trial? when a mighty figure found a successor, they also had requirements. the two of them did not deliberately pass through quickly. they killed the demon beasts and sang along the way. now, they had already entered the area where there were foundation building demon beasts. however, neither of them chose to absorb the demonic energy vortex. cheng lingzhu didnt need it, and lu xuan didnt think much of the dao laws contained within. as the sky darkened, the two of them stopped moving forward and rested in an empty space in the forest. when ones cultivation reached the golden core stage, objectively speaking, they did not need much sleep. however, for cultivators, sleep was still very important. walking, sitting, and lying were all part of cultivation. sleeping on time was in line with the great dao of heaven and earth and the common sense of nature. long-term persistence would be greatly beneficial to cultivation. he had to do what he had to do at the right time. as the sun set in the west, cheng lingzhu had already set up a bonfire. the evening breeze gently brushed against the treetops, and the forest gradually quieted down, giving off a feeling of peace. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu werent the only ones in the vicinity. not far away, there was a fox family. this was a nest of spirit foxes, a family of three, to be exact. the fox parents brought along a little fox. the little fox was not yet weaned. when it was tired of playing, it went into its mothers arms and began to drink milk. father fox saw this from the side and also laid in mother foxs arms, cuddling. lu xuan sighed. its so fun to learn from my son and daughter-in-law beside the bonfire, lu xuan chatted with cheng lingzhu as he roasted the meat. the fox family was also nearby. lu xuan deliberately fanned in that direction to let the fragrance spread over and use the roasted meat to seduce them. the little fox was obviously tempted. it ran towards lu xuan a few times but its mother brought it back. however, father and mother fox seemed to be very tempted. they stuck their tongues out and wagged their big tails behind them. they relied on their strong willpower to prevent themselves from being seduced by the hateful humans. lu xuan looked at them with interest. he tore off a few pieces of meat and threw them over, smiling at them. in the end, the fox family could not resist the temptation. mother fox took a few steps forward and took the roasted meat back. father fox, on the other hand, disappeared. after a while, he came out from the depths of the forest with an object in his mouth and placed it three meters away from lu xuan. then, he used the tip of his nose to push the thing forward, as if to signal. lu xuan smiled slightly, thinking that he had encountered something to repay his kindness today. he focused his gaze. the fox brought over a finger bone. Chapter 24 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation lu xuan was speechless. your way of repaying kindness is a little unique. he raised his hand and the finger bone flew over. it was a little finger. it was dark in color and extremely brittle. it could be crushed with a little force and looked ordinary. however, lu xuan narrowed his eyes. senior brother lu, whats wrong? cheng lingzhu leaned over and poked her head out. this bone is quite old, lu xuan said. as a nameless monument in the tomb-raiding world, lu xuan had seen many bones. bones of different ages and cultivation levels would show different states. can you take us there to take a look? lu xuan held the finger bone and gestured to father fox. in exchange, he took out a large piece of roasted meat and placed it on the ground. he pointed at the bones and then at the roasted meat. the fox family was different from the big snakes and brown bears they met during the day. they didnt have any cultivation, so they werent demons. they didnt have any hostility towards lu xuan and the other man. although they could not communicate with words, lu xuan felt that the other party could understand what he meant. father fox hesitated for a moment, then walked deeper into the forest. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu looked at each other and followed. father fox jumped into the forest, his movements agile and fast. the two of them followed closely behind him and finally stopped in front of a big tree. the spiritual fox scratched the ground with its claws, meaning that it was there. thank you, cheng lingzhu bent down and said to father fox. father fox wagged his big tail, indicating that his task was completed. then, he turned around and left. clang, clang, clang the sound of metal colliding could be heard. cheng lingzhu turned around and saw lu xuan take out a few metal rods from his storage ring and connect them to a long golden shovel. this was a strange-lookingdharmic artifact. the moment he took this magic artifact, his temperament suddenly changed. focus, seriousness, solemnity he also had an eager expression on his face as though he was facing a challenge. before cheng lingzhu could figure out what was going on, lu xuan had smashed down with his shovel and uprooted the towering tree. a half-meter-deep pit appeared under the tree. he moved the shovel as if it were flying, and soil flew everywhere. in the blink of an eye, lu xuan cleared out a large area. with a soft sound, the golden shovel hit something. lu xuan picked up a lump of mud with his shovel. with a shake of his wrist, the soil fell off. a skull appeared in front of them. cheng lingzhu narrowed her eyes. in the next moment, another arm bone was thrown out. then, it was the shoulder blade, the spine, and the femurs lu xuans perception was accurate. every time he threw a bone, it would land in the correct position on the human body. when he had gathered all the bones, a complete skeleton had been pieced together on the ground. this is askeleton of a female human cultivator. lu xuan placed the finger bone properly. there were some differences in the bones of male and female cultivators, and there were also some subtle differences between humans and demons. the demon race here referred to demons in a narrow sense. they were born in human form and were not demon beasts that had transformed. lu xuan had a rough idea of the differences in the skeletal structure of the various races. senior brother lu, thisthis seniors strength when he was alive should have been very strong. cheng lingzhu didnt find any clothes or tokens. these things had probably been naturally decomposed. however, this skeleton was mostly intact, which was enough to prove its strength. not bad. lu xuan nodded. moreover, there are no scars left behind from the battle on her body. it seems that she passed away naturally this made lu xuan feel strange. as an expert, it was fine if he did not prepare a tomb before he died. however, if he found a hole in the ground and lay down, he would die this was too casual. other than lu xuan and cheng lingzhu, the other cultivators in the mystical realm also discovered the existence of the skeleton. theres more than one set of bones scattered all over the mystical realm! theyre all human females, and their skeletons have different degrees of integrity. this might be the ruins of a sect! some cultivators met in the mystical realm and exchanged information. more and more information was unearthed. some people speculated that this mystical realm was a place where an ancient sect was sacrificed. for some reason, all the cultivators of the sect chose to pass away and the entire sect was buried here. this news made all the cultivators in the mystical realm go crazy. the higher beings of the divine weapon pavilion had already appraised this mystical realm. the grade of this mystical realm was extremely high, and new clues had been discovered. if a great sect was really buried here, then the opportunities hidden in this mystical realm would be unimaginable! a cultivation manual, an immortal scripture, a dao artifact, a martial monarch realm weapon, and even a complete sects orthodoxy not to mention rogue cultivators, even the disciples of top-notch immortal sects couldnt sit still. any one of these items would make even the higher beings jealous. the dao artifact immortal scripture was not a common item. even in a top-notch immortal sect, there was only one cultivation manual. the dao artifact was a sect artifact that could not be used easily. whoever obtained the opportunity in the mystical realm would be able to reach the heavens in a single step! on the seventh day after the opening of the secret mystical realm, in the dense forest. woo- a rogue cultivator, whose clothes were stained with blood, roared into the sky. his face was dark green, and his eyes were deep. his pupils were vertical, like the eyes of a snake. two wolf fangs protruded from his mouth, and his skin was covered in fine scales. he stood there like a demon. the rogue cultivator had just gone through a fierce battle. a corpse lay at his feet. this corpse also had some inhuman characteristics. after killing the enemy, the rogue cultivator did not leave immediately. instead, he waited quietly beside the corpse. after several dozen breaths, two whirlpools emerged from the corpses and floated in the air. a smile appeared on the rogue cultivators face. he stretched out his hand and was about to touch the two whirlpools when the air behind him rippled like water. space distorted, and a thin figure holding an immortal gold dagger appeared soundlessly. the dagger fell like a steel knife cutting tofu. the rogue cultivators head was separated from his body and fell to the ground. its so unpleasant to hear. its like a wolf howling. the thin figure curled his lips. he was a kid of eleven or twelve years old. he was short and had a round face, making people assume he was weak. following the death of the rogue cultivator, a whirlpool also appeared above his corpse. however, the chubby-faced kid did not absorb the demonic power. instead, he took out a special magic artifact that looked like an hourglass and put away the cyclones. after a while, three figures appeared. the person in the lead was in his twenties. his eyes were calm and he had a handsome appearance. he wore a magic artifact immortal robe and had an extraordinary aura. to the left of this young man was a young man in green. he looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, with slightly dark skin and a thin figure. on the right side of the young man was a buddhist priestess. she was about 34 or 35 years old. her figure was graceful and plump, and she had a mature charm. Chapter 25 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation senior brother yue. the kid took a step forward and handed the hourglass magic artifact to the young man. thank you, junior brother nangong. the young man who was addressed as senior brother yue nodded and cupped his hands in greeting. these four people were all disciples of major sects. senior brother yue, who was in the lead, was yue tianya, he was the holy son of the top immortal sect in the northern plains, the ten thousand dao immortal palace. the child with the cherub face was called nangong xuan. he came from the top immortal sect of the eastern barren territory, the longevity palace. this immortal sect had a mysterious background and the inheritance of the immortal scriptures was quite extraordinary. it was said that those who cultivated successfully could control the mysteries of time and space. the remaining two were the skinny youth named hong yu, who came from the array dao first-rate sect, the immortal slaying mountain. priestess fengyuns dharma name was yuanzhao. she came from the holy land of buddhism, the seven dust temple, which was also a first-rate sect. these four people were all prodigies of great sects. among their fellow disciples, there were also other genius disciples who entered the mystical realm and listened to their orders. the four of them joined hands and formed a huge force. junior brother hong, how is the situation with the casual cultivators? yue tianya said. upon hearing this, hong yu took out a large roll of animal skin from his storage artifact and unfolded it. when he saw the contents of the animalskin, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. senior martial brother yue, your predictions are as divine as a god. those rogue cultivators have indeed started to kill each other. there were many light spots on this animalskin scroll. a few light spots were in groups of two or three, while most of them were scattered throughout the mystical realm. hong yu came from the immortal slaying mountain and had an array dao secret artifact with him. although this artifact did not have any killing power, it could illuminate the world and mark the approximate location of the cultivators in the mystical realm. there was only one official registration point in the secret mystical realm, but as long as one jumped into the illusion lake when the mystical realm opened, they could enter the mystical realm. the divine weapon pavilion didnt stop this kind of behavior. competing with casual cultivators was part of the heavens favored trial. because of this, after the mystical realm opened, a large number of casual cultivators poured into the true illusion mystical realm in an attempt to find opportunities. it was already the seventh day of the mystical realm trial. compared to the first day, the light spots on the animalskin scroll were less than a third of what they were when the mystical realm first opened. most of the people who disappeared here were casual cultivators without sects. the remaining were cultivators from small sects who had sneaked in. junior brothers and sisters of the sects in communication, please continue to spread the news about the demons origin qi. you must let more people know the benefits of absorbing this origin qi, yue tianya said. the so-called demons origin qi was naturally the demonic energy whirlpool left behind after the demons were killed in the secret mystical realm. in the past few days, the secret mystical realm had been able to stir up such a bloody storm because of this holy son yue. dont worry, holy son yue. since weve promised you, well naturally do our best to help you, priestess yuanzhao said. alright. yue tianya nodded heavily. i always keep my word. after this is done, the demons origin qi will belong to me, and we will share the inheritance of the mystical realm. as for the other artifacts, divine pills, and sacred medicines, i wont take a single cent of them. as for the other things i promised you, no matter what the outcome is, i will deliver them to you as promised. senior brother, you are very righteous. hong yu cupped his hands in a righteous manner. as core disciples of a major sect, yue tianya was able to make the three of them listen to him and do things according to his instructions. of course, he gave them benefits. hong yu admired a female disciple of the ten thousand dao immortal palace, and that person happened to be yue tianyas junior sister from the same sect. therefore, yue tianya promised that after this matter was over, he would be the matchmaker for hong yu and propose marriage to his junior sister on his behalf. im the only one from the hall of longevity who entered the secret mystical realm. if senior brother yue has someone he wants to kill, you can give it to me, nangong xuan said. yue tianyas promise to nangong xuan was a half remnant seal that he had obtained from an ancient remnant land. there were 12 statues in the hall of longevity, and they were the venerables who ruled the 12 months of the year according to the doctrine. at the same time, it was also the origin of the hall of longevity. however, 4,000 years ago, the person who symbolized the authority of the winter moon suddenly lost contact with the hall of longevity. no matter how they opened the altar to offer sacrifices, they could not get a response from this person. yue tianya didnt know what had happened in the hall of longevity, but he was very knowledgeable. he could feel the traces of the power of the hall of longevity on the broken seal. thus, he used this as a reward in exchange for nangong xuans service. although junior brother nangong had a bad temper, he was very serious. yue tianya held the animalskin scroll and watched as the light spots on it disappeared one by one. he shook his head gently. as the holy son of the ten thousand dao immortal palace, yue tianyas perception of the heaven and earth dao laws far exceeded that of cultivators of the same age. after killing the first demon, he keenly sensed that behind the demon whirlpool, there was an unformed great dao! at that moment, yue tianya was ecstatic. from then on, he knew what the true opportunities in this mystical realm were. the legacy of the ten thousand dao immortal palace was extremely ancient. at the beginning of the establishment of the sect, the founding master had left behind the maxim of at least 3,000 great daos. a disciple of the ten thousand dao immortal palace on the path of cultivation had to continuously forge ahead and open up new paths. however, there were different levels of innovation. it was easy to create spells and improve combat techniques. and how difficult was it to open up a brand new great dao? even if one counted from the beginning of the establishment of the sect, there were not many who could start from scratch and reach this step alone. and now, an excellent opportunity was placed in front of yue tianya. a brand new great dao that had yet to take shape! yue tianya knew clearly in his heart that with his talent and talent, opening up a great dao was as difficult as ascending to the heavens. however, following the footsteps of the predecessors and completely forming an incomplete great dao, the difficulty was reduced many times. if he could do this, ascending to the upper world and becoming a true immortal would be within his grasp! however, after experiencing the initial excitement, yue tianya did not act immediately. this unformed great dao was split into many fragments and hidden in the bodies of the demons in the secret mystical realm. every time he killed a demon, his understanding of that great dao would deepen. with yue tianyas strength alone, wanting to gather all the nomological fragments was really somewhat difficult. moreover, the ten thousand dao immortal palace had enemies as well. even if the opposing sect did not know what yue tianya was trying to do, they would definitely stop him after seeing him wantonly killing the demons. thus, he prepared a method for cultivating poison. he was related to hong yu and the other two and was trustworthy. thus, he used them to release the news of the demons origin qi and the possibility of a great sects inheritance being buried in the mystical realm. the disciples of the major sects looked down on the demons origin qi. outsiders only thought that yue tianya was deliberately letting the casual cultivators fight and kill each other in order to obtain the inheritance of the mystical realm. however, they did not know that he was waiting for the gullible to fall. after the casual cultivators fought among themselves and killed one another, he would harvest them. regarding this, yue tianya did not have too much of a psychological burden. even if he didnt spread the news or add fuel to the fire, there would still be poison spreaders among the casual cultivators. this was because the benefits of absorbing demonic energy were immense to rogue cultivators. the disciples of the major sects were all elites. with the quality of their magic power, their own aptitude, and the support of various magic artifacts and combat skills, their combat strength was even stronger than that of casual cultivators who absorbed demonic qi. they cared about their dao path and were wary of external objects that could turn them into demons. however, they had no choice. if others absorbed demonic energy, their combat strength would increase dramatically. if he did not absorb demonic energy, he would be killed. even those casual cultivators who didnt want to absorb demonic energy before had to take the initiative to kill the demons. they couldnt even stop. if others fused one, he would fuse two. if others fused three, he would fuse four. the competition became more vicious and intense. yue tianya did not know how to describe this phenomenon. he rolled up the animal skin and prepared to put away this magic artifact. because of this action, the animal skin rolled up, and the small dots of light on the map were squeezed together, looking very pitiful. why dont we call it an inner scroll? yue tianya thought to himself. Chapter 26 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation the heavens favored set up a trap, and the rogue cultivators were involved. in such an environment, there were still people who chose to lie down and relax. inside the secret mystical realm, lu xuan crossed his arms and leaned against a big tree. its been quite peaceful recently. not far from him, cheng lingzhu slashed out a sword qi and killed a golden core demon. while the outside world was in turmoil, their lives were very dull. during the day, they would travel and kill demons to temper themselves. at night, when they slept, they would exchange their cultivation experiences by the bonfire. it could be said that it was quite routine. it had been fifteen days since they entered the secret mystical realm. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu were both cultivators, so they were very fast. even if they didnt deliberately rush, they had already entered the core area of the mystical realm. there was naturally a reason why they could be so relaxed. the two of them were not casual cultivators and had no need for demonic energy. they were also not like the elites of other sects who tried to find the inheritance in the mystic realm. the most important reason for the disciples of the dushi sword house to go down the mountain to train was to participate in all kinds of big events and experience the world of mortals. the other opportunities they encountered along the way were secondary. lu xuan was looking forward to the inheritance of the secret mystical realm. the mighty figure who opened this secluded domain of heaven and earth was very powerful and should have left some cultivation notes behind. he wanted to comprehend the other partys understanding of the nascent soul formation. however, lu xuan was not in a hurry. based on old master lus experience of cultivating for more than 9,000 years, cultivation was about metaphysics. it was not about people looking for opportunities, but opportunities looking for people. every time he went out, he would encounter good things. lu xuan was very confident about this. how do you feel? after cheng lingzhu killed the demon, lu xuan walked up to her. thank you for your guidance, senior brother lu. cheng lingzhu bowed with a serious expression and thanked him. in the past few days, lu xuan would exchange cultivation experiences with her every night before she went to bed. although they were exchanging experiences, in reality, cheng lingzhu felt as if lu xuan was constantly attacking her. the young senior martial brother lus cultivation experience in the golden core realm was simply beyond cheng lingzhus imagination. in the golden core realm, no matter how difficult the problem was, it would become easy in lu xuans hands. every time she listened to his explanation, cheng lingzhu would feel enlightened. what shocked her even more was that apart from cultivation, he was even able to provide guidance on her cultivation techniques. didnt they say that they wouldnt teach the immortal scriptures and cultivation techniques to outsiders?! who was the true disciple of the dushi sword house? cheng lingzhu was dumbfounded. she had originally planned to ask, but when she thought of lu xuans various performances along the way cheng lingzhu also felt that this kind of thing had happened to him before. it also seemedlike it wasnt that ridiculous. all in all, under lu xuans guidance these few days, she felt that her comprehension of cultivation had gone up another level. lu xuan nodded slightly and acknowledged the bow. as an orthodox disciple of the dushi sword house, it was very meaningful for a senior to give pointers to a junior. cheng lingzhu was very talented, but unfortunately, she couldnt be his disciple lu xuan felt a little regretful. the sun was about to set, and the sky was getting dark. just as the two of them were about to set up camp and spend the night there, the ground suddenly shook. lu xuan raised his head and looked towards the east. in the night, a pillar of light that reached the sky lit up. it was golden and incomparably dazzling. this pillar of light was extremely huge, with a diameter of more than 16 kilometers. strange dao patterns lit up on it. the major opportunity in the secret mystical realm was about to appear. in the core area of the mythical realm, a cave abode of a mighty figure has appeared! there are nascent soul demons guarding the cave abode. five of the seven demons have been killed! the disciples of the immortal slaying mountain are preparing to break the formation! the array has been dismantled. the saintess of the heavenly sword sect and the holy son of the ten thousand dao immortal palace are working together to knock on the door! sancai academys cultivation daily will continue to provide updates! hiss is the progress so fast? lu xuan held a beast skin scroll in his hand. he was slightly surprised when he saw the contents of it. the beast skin scroll was about the size of a newspaper. the two sancai academy disciples had given it to him before he entered the secret mystical realm. this thing was essentially a type of magic communication artifact produced by the cultivation daily, but it could only be used in the secret mystical realm. in this mystic realm trial, the people from the cultivation daily had also entered the secret mystical realm. cultivators who possessed this special magic communication artifact could receive all kinds of news provided by the cultivation daily. even if they did not leave the house, they could still know all the major events in the mystical realm. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu were at the edge of the core area of the mystical realm when the cave abode of the immortal appeared. they were still far away from the pillar of light. when the two of them arrived, the sky was already completely dark. in the core area of the secret mystical realm, the corpses of the seven nascent soul demon fell to the ground and formed a circle. in the center was a huge immortal cave abode. it was simple and unadorned, and it seemed to emit immortal divine light. it was extremely extraordinary. boom! several streaks of light flew out and bombarded the entrance of the cave abode. the immortal cave abode trembled, and the sealed door slowly opened. an ancient aura spread out. however, it looked ordinary inside, devoid of any danger. where are the disciples of the ten thousand dao immortal palace?! yue tianya said in a clear voice. as soon as he finished speaking, ten figures flew out from the crowd. they were all dressed in the uniform of the ten thousand dao immortal palace disciples. pathfinder! with yue tianyas order, a disciple immediately came forward and said before entering the cave abode, respected holy sons decree. sword qi suddenly bloomed in the cave. with a squelch, the disciples head was cut off, and a large amount of blood splattered. a layer of seven-colored magic light shone and enveloped his body, turning him into a ball of light fog. in the sky, a fishing line dropped down, hooked the ball of light fog, and pulled it into the sky. this was a mighty figure from the divine weapon pavilion. before entering the mystical realm, the disciples of the major sects all carried death substitution talismans with them. once it was triggered, it would be taken away by the mighty figures of the mystical fishing realm to avoid death. ten steps into the cave abode, there is a sword dao killing formation! a disciple immediately recorded. next! yue tianya continued. therefore, the disciples who were good at movement techniques rushed into the cave abode. relying on their speed and agility that far surpassed others, they barely passed the test of the first sword qi killing formation, but were killed by the second lightning killing formation in the area. the death substitution talisman took effect and the disciple was fished out. the remaining disciples of the ten thousand dao immortal palace opened up a path for them and explored the killing array near the entrance of the cave abode. then, the immortal slaying mountain cultivators stepped forward to dismantle it. after this wave ended, other disciples entered the cave abode and tested out the killing array hidden in the cave abode. the disciples of the top sects already had a lot of experience in exploring secret realms. the killing formations in the cave abodes of mighty figures were often designed with various triggering conditions. for example, they could only be triggered by those above the golden core realm, or by humans entering. some even had gender requirements. in such a place, they could only use their lives to test out the information one by one. Chapter 27 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in the core area in front of the immortal cave in the secret mystical realm, yue tianya cupped his hands and smiled. thank you, fellow daoist ling. in front of him, a tall woman with a veil on her face spoke, fellow daoist yue, you contributed the most, so i dont dare to take credit. this woman was called ling yufei, and she was the saintess of the northern plains top immortal sect, the heavenly sword sect. as the two of them chatted, their attitudes were gentle and polite, and they had the demeanor of a disciple of a large sect. however, when they turned around, a hint of undetectable killing intent flashed across their eyes. previously, when both sides knocked on the door, it had been a cooperative relationship. disciples from both sides even stood up and explored the place without hiding anything. however, now, when it was time to truly fight for opportunities, they had to fight and kill each other. other than yue tianya and ling yufei, the other cultivators present also became wary of each other. some of them formed alliances in advance and began to move closer to their allies. the two of them looked at each other and said at the same time, fellow daoist, please. in the next moment, all the cultivators activated their escape techniques and rushed into the cave abode like flowing lights. clang! a sword chimed. ling yufei stabbed out with his sword. the sword light flew out and went straight for yue tianyas face. yue tianya was not afraid at all. he raised his hand and pointed. a pale golden light wheel appeared and blocked in front of him, melting the sword light. at this moment, the sounds of killing shook the sky. in the beginning, the cultivators could still restrain each other. in the core area of the cave abode, a large hall opened. at the back of the hall, there was a large table. there were three items on the table. on the right was a jade book. on the left was an immortal robe. in the middle, there was a small sapling that was half the height of a person with strands of chaotic mist lingering around it. this wasthe sapling of the world tree. when they saw these three items, all the cultivators lost their composure. needless to say, the jade book on the right was a cultivation immortal scripture. the immortal robe on the left was a dao artifact. in a top-notch immortal sect, it was a sect treasure. to the disciples of the major sects, this immortal robe was much more precious than the jade book. after all, each sect had a cultivation manual. as a prodigy of the sect, he naturally had the qualifications to come into contact with immortal scriptures of the same level. however, dao artifacts were different. even in top-notch immortal sects, there was only one of them. how strong would the defensive power of a dao immortal garment be? all the cultivators present had the same thought: who can break my defense when im wearing this?! of course, with their current stage, they were naturally unable to activate this level of magic artifact. however, just because they couldnt use it now didnt mean that they couldnt use it in the future. the most important thing was to get it first. as for the remaining world tree, it was even more amazing. when this tree grew, it could open up a world. moreover, it was different from these secret realms. wherever there was a world tree, the laws of heaven and earth would automatically complete themselves. as the world tree grew, the entire world would continue to expand. the upper limit of the world tree was very high. if it was planted in a secret realm, the secret realm would become a small world. if it was planted in a small world, the small world would expand and improve. theoretically speaking, if the tree was planted in the archean eon world, it could even support a vast world like the archean eon world when it grew. however, no cultivator chose to plant the world tree. firstly, it was too rare. according to records, in the long history of the archean eon world, the real world tree had only appeared three times. the closest one was related to the dao evolution sects founding master. he snuck into the ancient demon clans sacred city and stole the sapling of the world tree. he destroyed the ancient demon clans luck and ended the ancient era with his own hands. even now, the orthodox demon sect, the sky demon sect, was still unwilling to establish diplomatic relations with the dao evolution sect. in history, the three seniors who had obtained the world tree had all fused the world tree into their bodies. in the end, without exception, they all became perfect immortals. a great opportunity was right in front of him. all the cultivators who entered the cave abode went crazy. magic artifacts moved peoples hearts. yue tianya gritted his teeth. he definitely could not give up this world tree. even if he had promised them before, he had to renegotiate with his allies and sign another contract. fellow daoist yue, this immortal robe is obviously not suitable for men. how about giving it to me? ling yufei spoke in a gentle voice, but the attack of her hand suddenly became fierce and ruthless. what are you joking about? immortal clothing can change its size and appearance. yue tianya struck out with another palm and dispelled ling yufeis killing move. even if i cant change my appearance and have to wear womens clothes, ill accept it! while the battle was going on, two figures appeared at the entrance of the hall. lu xuan looked at the lively scene in the hall and clicked his tongue in wonder. whoa, its better to come at the right time than to come early hey, hey, hey. before he could finish speaking, a figure was sent flying and smashed over. lu xuan stretched out his hand and turned to dissipate the impact. he placed the man on the ground. it was zhang xun, a disciple of sancai academy. thankthank you, brother lu. zhang xuns face was flushed red, and two streams of blood flowed down his nose. what happened? lu xuan patted him on the shoulder and channeled his magic power. zhang xun said weakly, i met the demoness of the spirit charm sect. i cant take it anymore young man, dont be blinded by women, lu xuan said earnestly. as they were talking, a group of people entered from outside the hall. the leader was zhang xuns dao partner, liang xia, followed by the disciples of the sancai academy. after asking about the cause and effect, liang xia knew that someone was trying to seduce her man. her fists hardened at that moment. she pulled zhang xun along and led the people of sancai academy into the battlefield. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu, who had been watching the show at the entrance, immediately attracted a lot of attention. soon, someone recognized cheng lingzhu. she is the saintess of the dushi sword house! as soon as he said this, the hall fell silent for a moment. yue tianya and ling yufei, who were fighting, stopped at the same time and looked over. deal with her first! ling yufei made a prompt decision. alright. yue tianya said, theres no need to talk about morality when dealing with the heir of the dushi sword house. lets attack together! lu xuan was speechless. do you people have some prejudice against our dushi sword house? other than yue tianya and ling yufei, the nun called yuan zhao also came forward and attacked lu xuan. lu xuan didnt move. instead, he asked cheng lingzhu, do you need my help? thank you for your kindness, senior brother lu. cheng lingzhu untied the phoenix blood sword from her waist and said with a serious expression, there are only two top-tier immortal sects holy sons and saintesses, and a first-rate sect i can still deal with them. there was no need to talk about morality when dealing with the saintess of the dushi sword house. even if the cultivators of the other sects did not join hands, the heir of the dushi sword house would still choose to fight them all alone. Chapter 28 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation inside the cave abode of a powerful being in the secret mystical realm, the three of them joined forces and charged toward cheng lingzhu. buzz! in the hall, the air was distorted. yue tianya took a step forward and took the lead. he raised his hand and threw a small cauldron at cheng lingzhu. this small cauldron was about the size of half a fist. it was a greenish bronze, square, and simple in design. there were fine patterns engraved on it. after being thrown out by yue tianya, the small bronze cauldron swelled with the wind and became half the height of a person. this bronze cauldron was yue tianyas natal magic treasure. it had been nurtured by him for many years. its divinity was restrained, and it could pierce through mountains with one strike. the immortals cave abode in the secret mystical realm was not an ordinary thing, so it was naturally not afraid of being destroyed. yue tianyas first move was a heavy blow. clang! at the same time, ling yufei, the saintess of the sky sword mountain, raised her sword and moved lightly, stabbing out from another direction. behind cheng lingzhu, sister yuanzhao of the seven dust temple was reciting buddhist scriptures and muttering. a layer of golden light lit up and separated from her body. the golden light condensed behind her and gradually took shape. it was actually about to transform into the dharma statue of a bodhisattva. facing enemies from three sides, cheng lingzhu didnt show the slightest fear. instead of retreating, she advanced. as the dushi immortal scripture circulated, her eyes were dyed with a faint red light. cheng lingzhu raised her hand, and a faint red vortex appeared at her fingertips. the bronze cauldron pressed down, but she held it with one hand. cheng lingzhus body sank slightly, and her other hand grabbed the phoenix blood sword at her waist! clang! the phoenix blood sword collided with ling yufeis dao sword. cheng lingzhus body swayed while ling yufei groaned and staggered backward. boom! a vortex exploded in cheng lingzhus palm, sending the bronze cauldron flying. yue tianya formed a hand seal and stabilized his natal magic weapon before taking three steps forward! dao runes spread out, and behind him, a picture scroll spread out. in the scroll, a celestial palace appeared. it was magnificent, surrounded by clouds and mist, and shone with golden light. many immortals gathered in front of the celestial palace to worship. grand sacrificial gongs sounded, and divine rainbows spread out. auspicious qi radiated, and the atmosphere was joyous. top-notch phenomenon: [ten thousand immortals come to court]. with yue tianya as the center, all the cultivators who were enveloped by this phenomenon felt their mana become sluggish and difficult. the cultivators with lower realms could not help but want to submit and kneel down to the lord of the immortal palace in the phenomenon. the red light in cheng lingzhus eyes intensified. she gripped the phoenix blood sword with both hands and slashed at yue tianya! the sword radiance was as bright as the rosy clouds. under her feet, a strange phenomenon of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood was born. above the sea, a blood moon slowly rose! the original scene of immortals qi fluttering and immortals coming to pay their respects was instantly destroyed. the immortals looked crazy as they killed each other. blood stained the immortal palace. the mountains and seas turned into wild mountains and terrifying seas, sweeping and destroying the entire painting. the phenomenon shattered, and yue tianya spat out blood with a wail. his divine soul was injured, and his aura immediately withered. all of this happened in a flash. the collision between domains was extremely risky, and the victor was determined in an instant. on the other side, the saintess of the sky sword mountain, ling yufei, had finished regulating her breathing. she formed a seal with her hand and chanted a strange tone. with ling yufei as the center, the wrists of all the sword cultivators within a radius of 30 meters sank. at this moment, they realized that they seemed to have been deprived of their ability to use swords. they were unable to perform any sword techniques, and the dao sword in their hand lost its reaction. they were like mortals, unable to slash out sword qi and sword light. they could only resort to simple hacking and stabbing. this was the sword force sealing technique of the sky sword mountain. when ling yufei used this technique, he deprived the other cultivators in the domain of the right to use their swords. om a grand buddhist proclamation sounded as sister yuanzhao of the seven dust temple recited the mantra. behind her, an eight-armed and three-headed bodhisattva dharma had already taken shape. yuanzhaos eyes shone brightly, and her face was solemn. carrying the bodhisattva dharma, she charged at cheng lingzhu like a chariot. cheng lingzhus beautiful eyes narrowed as she sheathed her sword and clenched her fists. who said that the cultivators of the dushi sword house had to use swords? the eight-armed bodhisattva was tall and radiated a dazzling golden light. each hand formed a different seal and pressed down on cheng lingzhu. cheng lingzhu leaped into the air, and a scarlet-golden fist mark appeared on her fair fist as she punched at the eight-armed bodhisattva! boom! the eight-armed bodhisattva dharma exploded, and the fist print struck yuan zhaos chest, sending her flying. hiss! not far away, lu xuan, who was watching the battle, took in a breath of cold air at the golden core stage. he thought to himself that this little girl was actually so fierce when she fought that she even made the headlights of the chariot slant. as expected of the successor of the dushi sword house, although she usually looked cowardly, she became brave when she fought. good, very promising! in fact, as the saintess of the dushi sword house, cheng lingzhu was very powerful. however, on this journey with lu xuan, the enemies they encountered were more and more excessive. she did not have the chance to attack, so she had no choice but to lie down and be carried away by lu xuan. todays battle revealed cheng lingzhus true strength. on this side, cheng lingzhu was fighting three by herself. not only was she not at a disadvantage, but she had also severely injured two of the heavens favoreds. her aura was like a rainbow, and her sharpness was unparalleled. for a time, a large area was empty around cheng lingzhu. some of the cultivators who were fighting didnt dare to fight near her, fearing that the saintess of the dushi sword house would be so happy that she would kill them. alrightso strong. in a corner of the immortal cave, nangong xuan, the holy son of the longevity palace, was shocked by cheng lingzhus massacre. yue tianya didnt assign him any tasks, so when the three of them surrounded cheng lingzhu, nangong xuan didnt make a move to assassinate her. now that he thought about it, even if he participated, his outcome would not be any better than yue tianyas. nangong xuan pondered. he had entered the secret mystical realm because he had a deal with yue tianya and wanted to use the battles between the heavens favoreds to train himself. however, the target of the assassination was not easy to choose. t was too weak to be useful as a tempering tool. he was very strong. for someone like cheng lingzhu, even if he went up and was beaten up, it would be useless. as the holy son of a top-notch immortal sect, nangong xuan had high standards. at this moment, he caught a glimpse of a tall figure from the corner of his eye. what was the name of the young cultivator who came with cheng lingzhu? nangong xuan recalled that the other partys name was lu xuan. he was from the dao evolution sect, a disciple of a third-rate sect. however, he seemed to be very talented. he was only in his twenties, but he had already reached the exceptional gold core realm. he was a little older than him and also a small stage higher than him. cheng lingzhu must have been protecting him since he was able to reach the core area of the secret mystical realm. although the dao evolution sect was a third-rate sect, their disciples also used proper immortal scriptures, so the quality of their dharmic powers was not as bad as casual cultivators nangong xuan pondered for a moment. he looked at lu xuans leisurely back and narrowed his eyes. he had already decided on his target. senior brother lu, accept my challenge! Chapter 29 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation a dim light flashed, and an immortal gold dagger appeared in nangong xuans hand. the saint of a top-notch immortal sect held his breath and circulated the longevity immortal scripture. his body moved slightly and disappeared into space. the large cultivation volume of the hall of holding years, the scripture of holding years, contained the mysteries of time and space. nangong xuan was only in the golden core realm and his realm was low. his understanding of the immortal scripture was still shallow, so he could only hide his body in space to assassinate. legend had it that those who reached the pinnacle of this path could escape into the river of time, kill people in the timeline, and live forever in the fragments of history. this was already related to karma. nangong xuan wasnt that powerful. therefore, the saint of longevity temple was very cautious when facing senior brother lu, who was one minor realm higher than him. he was highly focused as he walked through the space. behind lu xuan, the air distorted slightly and nangong xuans figure quietly appeared. just like the rogue cultivator he assassinated. nangong xuan raised the immortal gold dagger in his hand. the young dao evolution sect cultivator was caught off guard. he crossed his arms in front of his chest and watched the women fight. nangong xuan was a little disappointed. he thought that lu xuan would have reacted, but he had always overestimated him. since that was the case- senior brother lu, be eliminated! he hoped that he would not leave any psychological trauma on senior brother lu. nangong xuans eyes darkened. he was about to stab down with his immortal gold dagger. at this moment, lu xuans body didnt move, but his head suddenly turned 180 degrees, and he looked straight into nangong xuans eyes. this action was so sudden and strange. nangong xuans wrist trembled and the immortal gold dagger almost fell to the ground. in the next moment, he saw the other partys neck suddenly lengthen by several meters, sticking out like a snake with a human head. there was a strange smile on his face, and then he slammed into him! ah! nangong xuan screamed in fear. his body exploded and turned into a ball of light mist. a fishing line fell from the sky and caught him. youngsters dont care about martial arts. they come to deceive and ambush me. im an old man over 9,000 years old. this is not good, lu xuan commented objectively. after killing nangong xuan the holy son, he withdrew his divine power and his body returned to normal. this was called a rubber head mallet, and lu xuan had copied it from one piece at the last minute. when nangong xuan approached, he had already noticed him. while nangong xuan was mentally preparing himself, lu xuan was secretly preparing his ultimate move, thinking about how to educate this little boy. now, it seemed that the effect was very obvious. to the attacker, this move was too much of a loss. it could be said to have additional mental damage. before he left, lu xuan saw the terrified expression on the other partys face. this little boy probably didnt want to sneak up on others from behind anymore. no, it wasnt a little boy. when the death substitution talisman took effect, he saw through the other partys true identity. it was actually a little girl. lu xuan advised the little girl to take care of herself and reflect on herself. she should not sneak attack from behind. harmony was the most important thing in the cultivation world. outside the secret mystical realm, an old man was fishing. he tightened and loosened the bamboo fishing rod in his hand, and a figure was lifted up. the little girls hair was disheveled and her body was trembling. her eyes were filled with fear. whose disciple is this? the old man said. half a month had passed since the opening of the secret mystical realm, and many disciples had already been eliminated. especially after the opening of the immortal cave, the geniuses of various sects gathered together and the battle became more intense. especially when everyone had death substitution talismans, both sides would kill immediately. although the death substitution talisman could block life, the user had to experience the feeling and pain of death. the old guard of the divine weapon pavilion lowered his head and looked at the little girl who was sitting on the ground, hugging her knees and trembling. he knew that she had suffered a great shock. as soon as he said this, a group of people immediately surrounded him. they were all elders of various sects, wanting to see if their disciples had been eliminated. however, when they saw that it was a small girl in her teens, they all shook their heads. fellow daoists, please make way. in the crowd, an old woman in embroidered clothes stepped forward and stretched out her hand to touch the little girls glabella. she circulated her magic power to calm her emotions. the old woman cupped her hands. this is the first time that the saintess of the longevity hall, nangong xuan, has entered the secret mystical realm alone. hearing her masters introduction, nangong xuan blushed. as the first saintess to be eliminated, nangong xuan felt very embarrassed to be surrounded by so many seniors. all she wanted to do now was to find a spatial rift and crawl into it. inside the immortal cave in the secret mystical realm, cheng lingzhu used a phenomenon to injure yue tianyas soul. with the strength of her physical body, she knocked sister yuanzhao aside with a punch. finally, she sent the heavenly sword sects saintess, ling yufei, flying with a slash. it was a bit of an exaggeration to say that he was cutting melons and vegetables, but to say that he was unstoppable was undeniable. in this mystical realm trial, cheng lingzhu had gone all out and made a name for herself. very powerful. as expected of the saintess of the dushi sword house. lu xuan gave her a thumbs-up. hehe, thank you for your praise, senior brother lu. cheng lingzhus face blushed slightly after being praised. even though she wanted to be humble, she could not hide the happiness in her eyes. she had gone one against three, and the other party had two holy sons and saintesses of the same level. such a record was enough to be proud of. of course, cheng lingzhu wasnt wrong. today, she was able to win this battle so easily because lu xuans targeted guidance in the past half a month had played a big role. if she were to say something that offended her master, she felt that even her own master was not as good as lu xuan. the master leads the way, but the cultivation depends on the individual. lu xuan said seriously, with your talent, your future achievements are limitless, fellow daoist cheng. senior brother lu, you are a true genius, cheng lingzhu said. these words came from the bottom of her heart although lu xuan did not seem like a genius in some aspects. for example, it had been nearly a month since the two of them met. a month ago, senior brother lu was already in the exceptional golden core stage. a month later, senior brother lu was still in the golden elixir stage. if it were any other genius, they would definitely have broken through to the nascent soul stage. lu xuan was still in the golden core stage. however, cheng lingzhu felt that senior brother lu must have been deliberately suppressing his cultivation. geniuses always had different thoughts from others. cheng lingzhu was very envious of this. the dushi sword house also had methods to suppress ones cultivation and consolidate ones realm. however, she felt that her talent might not be enough. no matter how hard she tried, she could not suppress her cultivation realm. she could not compare to senior brother lu at all. the two of them were busy boasting to each other. yue tianya had already consumed a healing sacred medicine and recovered the injuries of his divine soul. yuan zhao and ling yufei also stood up again. lu xuan didnt let cheng lingzhu finish him off. the disciples of the major sects all had death substitution talismans on them, so they were saved after one last attack. if he didnt kill them, he could beat them up a few more times after they recovered to hone himself. this was what cheng hongtan had taught him back then. Chapter 30 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation cheng lingzhu raised her sword and walked towards yue tianya and the other two. yuan zhao did not hesitate. she used her escape technique and turned around to run. yue tianya and ling yufei looked at each other, their eyes solemn and complicated. the two knew that they couldnt beat him and learned from fate that they should escape. however, due to the reputation of the heirs of top-notch immortal sects, they ended up fleeing at the sight of the wind. after all, in the eyes of outsiders, the battle just now did not seem to have any waves. it was more like both sides were testing each other, and each had hidden trump cards. however, yue tianya and ling yufei, who had personally experienced it, knew that cheng lingzhus performance just now was ridiculously strong. even if the two of them joined forces, there was no chance of victory. lu xuan stood at the side, waiting to see yue tianya and ling yufei get beaten up. at this moment, a shout came from the depths of the hall, the array in front of the table has been broken! yue tianya and ling feiyu were shocked. without any hesitation, they turned into a stream of light and fled into the depths of the hall. there were three treasures in the cave abode: immortal clothes, scriptures, and the world tree. if any of these were to spread to the outside world, even the top immortal sects would be jealous. these three treasures were all protected by the defensive array formation and could not be taken away directly. during the time when everyone was fighting, the geniuses from the immortal slaying mountain used all their knowledge to dismantle the array formation. it was just as he had expected. since it was a land of inheritance, the array on the table was not too difficult to design. although it took quite a lot of effort, the disciples of the immortal slaying mountain still managed to crack the formation. in the depths of the hall, a disciple from a major sect flew out excitedly, wanting to seize the world tree. the world tree is mine! just now, the situation was chaotic, but he had been observing the movements of the immortal slaying mountain. as soon as the formation was broken, the cultivator used his escape technique and arrived at the table as fast as he could. he stretched out his hand and grabbed at the world tree. the moment he was about to touch the world tree, something strange happened! five colored flames suddenly burned on his body. light circulated and spread throughout his body. in an instant, the cultivator died in front of the world tree. he didnt even have time to scream. this flame was extremely strange. the cultivators body, clothes, and magic artifacts were all turned into nothingness. it was as if they had disappeared into the spatial rift, leaving no trace behind. its the dao law fire this mystic realm trial was indeed not that simple! hong yu stood in front of the three treasures, his eyes shining with golden light. as the first person to break the array formation, hong yu did not act rashly because he was certain that there would be trials and dangers behind the defensive array formation. just as he had expected, after breaking the array formation, formless dao law flames suddenly appeared around the three treasures and enveloped them. this kind of fire could not be seen with the naked eye. it could only be observed with special eye techniques. once an ordinary cultivator came into contact with this flame, they would be incinerated and decomposed into the most basic laws of heaven and earth. therefore, that disciple died without even leaving a cigarette behind. only cultivators above the mahayana stage could resist and control the dao fire law. those below the mahayana level would die if they touched it. however, those who could enter this mystical realm did not even have a nascent soul, let alone a mahayana cultivator. how could they collect the dao fire law? however, hong yu did not give up immediately. he had already come this far and experienced so many dangers and difficulties. no one could give up and leave when faced with a treasure right in front of them. hong yu felt that there was definitely a chance for this matter to turn around. that senior had set up a test to select a successor. naturally, he had his own plans and considerations. but what was the problem? hong yu frowned as he recalled the details of their journey. while he was thinking, a cultivator nearby exclaimed, the death substitution talisman is ineffective! hong yu looked in the direction of the voice. a disciples head had been cut off, and his corpse lay on the ground. he didnt turn into a mist of light and get fished away by a mighty figure like the previous few dead people. my senior brother clearly bought a death substitution talisman. whats going on?! several cultivators walked forward with magic treasures in their hands and surrounded the corpse behind them. one of them found a death substitution talisman in the corpse. a disciple of the divine weapon pavilion stepped forward and spoke resolutely, impossible, my divine weapon pavilions magic artifacts will never fail! it wasnt just here. cultivators in other places in the cave also discovered this problem. the death substitution talisman is ineffective! everyone, be careful! an elderly cultivator leading the group transmitted a message to his fellow disciples. as long as senior sister dies, ill be masters only disciple and have a chance to become a core disciple of the sect! a cold light flashed in the eyes of a female cultivator. its better if it doesnt work. today, ill settle the karma in the secret mystical realm! there were also cultivators who roared into the sky and chased after their enemies. the death substitution talismans failure made the battlefield even more chaotic. theres something wrong with this cave abode. in the deepest part of the cave abode, hong yu felt that something was wrong. he gritted his teeth and took one last look at the three supreme treasures before leading the disciples of the immortal slaying mountain to retreat. it should be said that other than working overtime in their own base camp, technicians were given preferential treatment wherever they went. previously, when the disciples of the immortal slaughter mountain broke the formation, all the cultivators deliberately avoided that place during the battle. now that the cultivators of the immortal slaying mountain were preparing to leave, there were no enemies to stop them. it wasnt just the forces of the immortal slaughter mountain that wanted to retreat. some of their disciples had suffered heavy losses and were also planning to give up their opportunities and leave this place. when a group of cultivators carried the splattering dharma light and flying sword qi, endured the screams and roars, and passed through the chaotic battlefield with difficulty, they finally saw the exit of the cave abode. a tall figure suddenly appeared there. you want to leave? can you? the figures voice was hoarse as he sneered and blocked the entrance of the cave. the newcomer was extremely tall. he was more than three meters tall, and his body was as wide as a door. his entire body was covered by a layer of black cloth, revealing only a pair of eyes. it was a pair of golden eyes. the pupils were vertical, and they were burning like two suns. the legacy of the immortals cave is mine, and the treasures your disciples are holding are also mine! the person blocking the way spoke in a domineering tone. he took a step forward, and an invisible aura spread out. the disciple at the front grunted and staggered backward with a pale face. nascent soul perfect. hong yus expression instantly turned extremely ugly. how is that possible how could there be a nascent soul cultivator among the trial-takers?! you so-called disciples of great sects dont know what the true great dao is! the person blocking the way roared into the sky and tore off his black robe. a muscular and thick body appeared in front of everyone. his muscles bulged as if they contained explosive power. the surface of this body was covered with a layer of fine green scales. it was extremely hard and emitted a faint luster. green scales extended from his torso to his limbs, and even his fingers were covered in scales. this made his hands not look like human hands, but more like a pair of dragon claws. upon seeing this, hong yus pupils constricted. he knew how this guy was born. Chapter 31 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation the muscular man was fang huan. before he entered the secret mystical realm, he was a late-stage foundation establishment rogue cultivator. after killing a green wolf demonic beast, he unexpectedly embarked on the path of absorbing demonic energy whirlpools to strengthen himself. however, fang huan was cautious. before he became strong enough, he had been quietly developing. wearing a black robe to hide the traces of demonization. killing low-level demon beasts and absorbing the energy whirlpools day and night. he would stay away from the disciples of the major sects and attack lone rogue cultivators who had turned into demons. he would only kill those who were weaker than him. after absorbing the demonic energy whirlpool, he could control his demonic transformation and allow his body to develop in a perfect direction. the evolution path of the demonic energy whirlpool was completely different from normal cultivation. the cultivation speed of archean eon world cultivators was very slow. talent, cultivation techniques, resources, enlightenment all kinds of conditions were indispensable. however, in the secret mystical realm, it was as easy as eating and drinking to increase ones strength by absorbing the demonic energy whirlpools. as long as he continued to devour demonic qi, he could exchange it for a real increase in his realm. the more demonic energy he absorbed, the more fang huan understood. he was secretly shocked. he knew that he had discovered an extremely powerful path of evolution. this made him even more cautious. finally, fang huans growth was successful. in just half a month, he became a peak nascent soul cultivator. fang huan knew that. in the entire secret mystical realm, there was no one with a higher cultivation level than him. after reaching the peak nascent soul stage, fang huan stopped absorbing the demonic energy vortex because after reaching this realm, no matter how many demon beasts he devoured, he would not be able to increase his cultivation. the cave abode of a mighty figure had appeared, and the sky was filled with strange phenomena. fang huan sensed something and went to this place. when he saw the corpses of the seven nascent soul demons outside the cave, he was very angry. this was clearly an opportunity that belonged to him! fang huan had already guessed the secret of the mystical realm. the expert who left this mystic realm behind must be a mighty demon! although the artifacts in the cave abode were powerful, the true inheritance of the great dao was outside the cave abode! cultivators could only become the strongest in the mystical realm by absorbing the demonic energy whirlpool. in the end, he would rely on his powerful strength to seize the magic artifact that the senior demon left behind! this senior demon must have been an ordinary rogue cultivator like him back then, but he rose up from the ashes and finally became a goliath. they deliberately left the real inheritance outside the cave abode and placed it on the demon that the disciples of the big sects looked down on so that they could find a casual cultivator to become their heir! and he, fang huan, was the chosen one! fang huans heart surged with pride. as the strongest expert in the mystical realm, who could stop him?! the seven demons guarding the cave abode had seven streams of demonic energy on their bodies. as long as he fused the seven streams of origin qi, he would be able to achieve perfection. now that the seven demons had been killed, the demonic energy from their bodies naturally fell into the hands of these disciples. fang huans face, which was covered in green scales, gradually darkened as he looked at hong yu and the others. his bright golden pupils flickered with unconcealed killing intent. on his forehead, there were two obvious protruding bones that were about to break out of the skin. if it was a snake demon, it would be a sign of a dragon transformation. roar! fang huan, who was guarding the entrance of the hall, let out a roar. the sound waves of mana spread out, forming ripples in the air. within a radius of 90 meters, the bodies of the disciples below the golden core stage exploded and turned into a bloody mist. unless they had defensive magic artifacts, they wouldnt even be able to withstand fang huans roar. hong yu, the golden core cultivator, was also not feeling well. blood flowed from the corner of hong yus mouth, and his face was pale. his heart was in turmoil. he knew about yue tianyas plan to raise the king of poison. however, now, it seemed that this king of poison could no longer be suppressed! the difference in quality of the magic in the body of a disciple of a major sect compared to a rogue cultivator was like clouds and mud. even a nascent soul cultivator would find it difficult to deal with a golden core disciple. however, the situation of the rogue cultivator in front of him was completely different. after absorbing so much demonic energy, fang huans body had already begun to change. even the magic in his body had been converted into special demonic power. fang huan could no longer be treated as an ordinary wandering cultivator! he was a true nascent soul demon! the disciples of immortal slaying mountain were not good at direct combat. without any prior training, they were no match for this demon. hong yus mind raced, and in an instant, he understood everything. he shouted in a hurry, everyone, leave quickly! lets go find senior brother yue. he has already absorbed the origin qi of seven nascent soul demons. he can definitely fight against this beast! after saying that, hong yu took out a magic artifact and placed it on his head before taking the lead to run into the depths of the cave abode. the disciples of the major sects were all smart. the surviving cultivators immediately understood hong yus meaning and activated their escape techniques to follow behind him. fang huan wanted to kill him, but after hearing hongs words, he changed his mind. he had come here for the inheritance of the immortals. now that he knew who had the origin qi of the seven nascent soul demons, he naturally needed someone to lead him. as for whether there would be a trap fang huan didnt care, because peak nascent soul cultivators didnt need to worry about such things. the disciples of the major sects ran very quickly. many of them did not hesitate to burn their lifespan, afraid that they would lead the way too slowly and that the demons behind them would be dissatisfied. fang huan turned into a black gust of wind and chased after the disciples. along the way, he crushed all the cultivators he met into meat paste. in a short while, the immortal slaying mountain disciples, who had managed to escape with great difficulty, returned to the main hall. they even brought back a big demon. fang huans golden pupils darkened as he looked at the scene in the hall. before he could identify who senior brother yue who came from a major sect was, his gaze was attracted by the things on the table. even though he was a rogue cultivator, he could recognize what the three artifacts were. without hesitation, fang huan reached out and grabbed the sapling. hong yu revealed a look of delight. he knew how powerful the dao fire was. this fiendish demon actually took the initiative to reach out and touch it. that was really really the smile on hong yus face froze. he saw fang huan pick up the sapling of the world tree as easily as though he was picking up an ordinary wooden stick. thisthis wasnt right, was it? hong yus eyes widened as he subconsciously activated his sight technique. the flames of the dao fire surrounding the table automatically avoided fang huans body, allowing him to take the sapling of the world tree. the key to avoiding the dao fire lies in the demonic energy whirlpool! this is the work of that mighty demon! hong yu blurted out. the owner of the mystical realm had refined the dao fire. only cultivators who had absorbed demonic qi could avoid the dao fire on their own! the key to opening the inheritance lay within the demon that everyone looked down on. this was simply, simply after understanding everything, hong yu felt that the senior was unreasonable. fellow daoist ling! yue tianyas reaction was extremely fast. with a fierce shout, he threw the bronze cauldron out. go and get the inheritance. the immortal robe is yours, and the world tree is mine! inside the bronze cauldron, there were seven streams of demons origin qi. understood! ling yufei took the cauldron, and the two of them once again worked together. yue tianya rushed towards the demonized fang huan while she picked up the bronze cauldron and rushed towards the table! Chapter 32 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation outside the battlefield, cheng lingzhu looked at the scene in the depths of the hall and tugged at lu xuans sleeve. senior brother lu, what should we do? lu xuan pondered for a moment. no hurry, lets take a look. hearing lu xuans words, cheng lingzhu quieted down and watched the battle with him. after all, yue tianya was the holy son of a top-notch immortal sect. he came from a rich family. before he rushed toward fang huan, he took out a pill and threw it into his mouth. this pill allowed cultivators to increase their strength in a short period of time. it could last for two hours and would cause them to fall into a state of weakness for three days after using it. the advantage was that it would not leave behind any side effects or internal injuries. yue tianya was now at the peak of the golden core stage. after consuming this medicine, his combat strength entered the advanced stage of the nascent soul. the nascent soul here referred to the nascent soul cultivators of top-notch immortal sects. this pill was extremely effective, so it was naturally expensive to make. only a core disciple from a large sect like yue tianya had the financial resources to carry one with him. although fang huan was a peak nascent soul cultivator, he was still a rogue cultivator. while the quality of his magic had improved, it had only been half a month since he had obtained this cultivation. he had not been able to adapt well, and his combat style was primitive and simple. yue tianya executed all kinds of wonderful techniques of the ten thousand dao immortal palace and used the kite technique. he pulled while controlling, and the light of the spell shot out in all directions in the hall. fang huans attacks were hindered everywhere, and for a moment, the two parties were tied. however, yue tianya was well aware of this. it seemed that they were evenly matched, but in fact, he was forcefully holding on. the cultivation that was boosted by the pill could only be maintained for two hours. when the medicinal effect wore off, he would definitely lose. on the other side, ling yufei absorbed the seven traces of origin qi and fused them into his body. his body suddenly revealed some characteristics that only demons had. looking at the immortal robe that was so close to him, ling yufei gritted his teeth and activated his sight technique to tentatively stretch out his hand. as hong yu had said, the dao fire had a spirit. it retreated to the sides, and ling yufei safely obtained the immortal robe. she heaved a sigh of relief and a smile appeared on her face. no matter what, this immortal robe was hers now. just as ling yufei was about to reach out and take the jade book down, the immortal robe in her hand changed. the immortal robe turned into a stream of light and flowed like water. like a living thing, it flowed along ling yufeis palm and enveloped her entire body. ling yufei subconsciously wanted to shake off the immortal robe, but it was too late. in a flash, an extremely gorgeous red phoenix robe covered her body. the immortal robe automatically adjusted its size and fitted her perfectly. it outlined saintess lings proud figure. ling yufeis eyes were tightly shut, and a light shone between her eyebrows. when she opened her eyes again, the aura around her suddenly changed. this saintess from a top-tier immortal sect in northern plains, the holy land of sword path, the heavenly sword sect, had the sharp aura of a sword cultivator but it disappeared. what replaced it was a domineering and authoritative aura. ling yufei looked at the people fighting in the hall and raised her hand. an invisible force descended and instantly covered every corner of the cave abode, imprisoning all the cultivators. a substantial pressure spread out from her body. just the aura from her body made everyone unable to move. for a time, all the fighting in the cave abode stopped, and the hall fell silent. yue tianya, who was fighting, was also affected, and his body was suspended in the air. he happened to be facing the direction of the counter and he asked, fellow daoist ling, whats going on?! ling yufei ignored him and reached out to grab fang huan. fang huans body flew over involuntarily. an ominous premonition rose in fang huans heart. he roared, his muscular muscles bulging and his demonic energy surging as he desperately resisted. his entire body was glowing, and his demonic power surged. his dazzling golden eyes were like the eternal sun. the aura of a nascent soul demon spread out to resist the pull of ling yufei. however, it didnt have any effect. the other party merely raised his hand and pressed down on fang huan. ling yufei extended a finger and tapped fang huans forehead. a stream of light flashed, and the latters pupils dilated as he lowered his head weakly. this hong yu gulped. he was the closest to the counter and felt it the most clearly. this king of poison that was raised in the secret mystical realmwas already dead. just now, that person had reached out and melted fang huans soul, killing him instantly. thats right, hong yu called him that person and not ling yufei. even a blind man could feel that something had possessed ling yufeis body and replaced the saintess of the sky sword mountain. this unforeseen event was too shocking. the cultivators present were as silent as cicadas in winter. for a moment, no one dared to speak. the being controlling ling yufeis body reached out and caressed fang huans corpse. what a perfect body she muttered to herself in an obscure tone. clearly, she was not using the common language of the archean eon world. however, everyone present could clearly understand what she meant. this was the embodiment of the power of a mighty figure. even though the language was different, it could still accurately express the meaning. sometimes, even language was not needed. a feather, a sword aura, a footprint, or even a lost piece of history could become a carrier and tool for transmitting information. if he had been able to obtain such a body back then ling yufeis eyes were filled with gentleness and intoxication. a slender white hand gently stroked the scales on fang huans chest as if she were looking at her lover. we have entered your abode by mistake and have disturbed you. we hope that you will forgive us. nearby, nun yuanzhao of sevendust temple gritted her teeth. i wonder what wish you have, senior. please instruct us. we will do our best to fulfill it. accidentally entered? hearing this, ling yufei revealed a playful smile. if i didnt set up an opportunity as bait, why would you have been willing to come? as soon as he said this, the expressions of the disciples in the hall changed. senior, what do you mean?! yuan zhao said in a deep voice. not only do i want to resurrect him, but i also want to use you so-called geniuses as great medicine to refine a true dragon body! ling yufei raised her voice slightly. she faced the crowd and waved her sleeves. i am the sect leader of the spirit illusion heavenly sect, otherwise known as huan zhen! spirit illusion heavenly sect when the cultivators heard this, they frowned and pondered. even though they were disciples of great sects and had vast knowledge and knew many secrets, no one had ever heard of this sect. of course, you dont know about the spirit illusion heaven sect. immortal huan zhen chuckled. this is because i personally refined the entire sect back in ancient times and formed this secret mystical realm! when hong yu heard this, he was shocked. he thought of the female cultivator skeletons that they found in the secret mystical realm. immortal huan zhen glanced at him as if she could read his mind. thats right. those corpses are all my disciples and grand-disciples without their flesh, blood, and magic power, how could they support the evolution of the demons in the mystical realm? Chapter 33 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation immortal huan zhen spoke with a faint smile. this made hong yu, who was the closest, shiver. crazy! this woman has gone crazy! almost all the cultivators had the same thought. as the leader of a sect, she killed everyone in the sect and used their flesh and magic to nurture the demons in the mystical realm the mystical realm has been established for so many years and has undergone countless evolutions before i completed this path of dragon transformation for him. immortal huan zhen narrowed her eyes and looked at everyone in the hall. youre very lucky to be able to become the flesh and blood medicine to refine the dragons body and complete the last step for my husbands dao! as soon as she finished speaking, the hall shook and the entire cave abode underwent a drastic change. the pillars moved, and the ground shattered. under everyones feet, there were only stone bricks that were about 30 centimetres square large. the walls of the hall seemed to have disappeared. the surroundings were pitch-black as if they were in the void. immortal huan zhen clapped her hands and starlight lit up around her. in an instant, the sky was filled with stars. they were extremely bright and the stars flickered like a dream. starlight sprinkled down from the sky and transformed into chains that bound hundreds of cultivators in the hall. their bodies floated up and surrounded immortal huan zhen and the corpse. immortal huan zhen spat out seven wisps of origin qi and fused them into fang huans corpse. the demonic devils body rapidly changed. its body shrunk a little and was no longer so huge. its skeleton was also more uniform. the scales on the surface of his skin gradually disappeared, and two protruding bones on his forehead broke through the skin and turned into pitch-black dragon horns. his aura was restrained, but it made people feel he was even more powerful. right at this moment, yue tianya opened his mouth and shouted, senior, we are all disciples of a great sect, and there are experts behind us. if we die here, our master will definitely not let this matter go easily! a disciple of a great sect?! immortal huan zhen seemed to be provoked by these words, and her voice suddenly became sharp. a disciple of a great sect? are you even worthy? what famous sect? they were all useless people who lived in vain! my husband was so talented back then, but because he didnt have enough talent, it was difficult for him to enter the heavenly sect. the so-called celestial venerables are all blind! she was agitated and hysterical. her beautiful face twisted. why are you born with extraordinary talent? why is my husband born with a congenital deficiency, unable to go down the immortal path, and be forever separated from me?! the heavens are unfair. i went against the heavens and was born with a deficiency, so i used you guys to make up for it! ridiculous, nonsense! yue tianyas body could not move, but he still berated sternly, you lunatic, you call yourself a senior in vain. you defy the heavens and are destined to die! not to mention you, even your dead husband should enter the netherworld and never reincarnate! the eyes of the cultivators beside yue tianya were filled with shock. the situation was already so bad, yet holy son yue still dared to stick close to his face and taunt him?! was he crazy too? yue tianyas face was cold. when i return to the sect, i will definitely invite the ancestral artifact to raze this mystical realm of yours to the ground. even your dead husband will be razed to the ground impudent! immortal huan zhen was furious and raised her hand to pulverize yue tianyas body. she smiled coldly. a mere illusion. such a coward dares to spout such nonsense. all the cultivators were speechless. only then did they realize that holy son yue had already run away. it was only an illusion that was left behind to speak out for justice. the holy sons and saintesses of top-notch immortal sects had special artifacts that could be activated with a thought. once used, immortals and buddhas could not stop them. for example, the red dust teleport token that cheng lingzhu had. when the world changed just now, yue tianya activated his artifact and fled. before he left, the moment his mana was released, holy son yue had left behind an illusion specifically for him to leave some harsh words. lu xuan stood in the corner and gave him a thumbs-up. as expected of the holy son of a great sect. since he couldnt defeat others, he ran away, leaving only curses. since the holy son yue had already run away, he still had to think of a way to say a few words. in the moment of life and death, he didnt forget to act tough. only his mouth proved resilient. lu xuans words in his heart were deadly. he hoped that this holy son yues ruthless words would come true. for example, lu xuan seemed to have heard yue tianya arguing with ling yufei outside the main hall. he said that he was willing to wear womens clothes. senior, our people have already left the mystical realm to inform the elders in the sect. yuan zhao spoke at the right time, with your strength alone, i believe you are not willing to contend with many immortal sects, right? immortal sects? immortal huan zhen sneered, you dont even have a true immortal and you dare to call yourself an immortal sect? she turned around and looked at the elites of the major sects. her eyes were cold and determined. for my husbands sake, i joined the immortal path. for my husbands sake, i personally buried the entire sect. for my husbands sake, i even dared to give up my true immortal status. do you think im afraid of your sects? as soon as these words were said, it set off a storm in the hearts of all the cultivators. abandoning the true immortal rank didnt that mean that the owner of the secret mystical realm standing in front of themwas actually a red dust immortal?! at this point, the whole story of the secret mystical realm was clear. the existence of this secret mystical realm was a complete conspiracy. this was not a novel. the story probably happened a long time ago. the owners were a genius girl from the ancient immortal sect, the spirit illusion heavenly sect, and a nameless rogue cultivator. the genius girl was naturally immortal huan zhen, and her husband was a person with limited but extreme talent. because of his congenital deficiency, he was unable to join a large sect and could only cultivate alone. thanks to a coincidence, the two met and fell in love. alas, this was not a novel, and the ending was realistic. immortal huan zhen was extremely talented and powerful, but the nameless lone cultivator was born with a weakness and couldnt follow the immortal path, so they were separated by life and death. a dead person could not be revived, especially if he was a low-level cultivator. their soul was fragile and easily destroyed, and it was difficult to preserve it. even if the life wheel was not complete, the body that was formed was just an empty shell because there was no divine soul. to a stronger person, it was much simpler. as long as the soul was still alive, even if it was in the form of a soul, it could still continue to live. immortal huan zhens husband didnt meet this condition, so she found another way. this rogue cultivator was an extremely talented person. he had once created a special technique when he was alive. according to his plan, he would feed the demons with his own blood essence and use a secret technique to stimulate the demonic energy. demons devoured each other to strengthen their demonic powers, allowing them to continuously make mistakes and evolve. finally, he took back the demonic energy that was nurtured by his blood essence and let the cultivator absorb it back into his body. this was a technique that relied on the outer dao to cultivate on ones own behalf. it was equivalent to relying on demons to cultivate, which could make up for the shortcomings of ones innate constitution. a cultivators blood essence was the dao seed, and the final demonic energy whirlpool formed was the dao fruit. after consuming the dao fruit, one could realize the great dao. Chapter 34 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in this process, he needed to borrow the body of a demon, so he was stained with traces of demonization. however, this wasnt a technique that allowed a heavenly demon to transform. it was a path that allowed living beings to continuously evolve and reach their limits. just as immortal huan zhen said, this was a path to becoming a dragon. a dragon didnt necessarily refer to a specific species but was a name for a powerful creature. demons that had reached the end of their bloodline evolution could be called true dragons. immortal huan zhen collected the nameless cultivators blood essence and sealed it in a special magic treasure. many years later, she became the head of a sect and a cultivator at the transcendence stage. she gave up the chance to become a true immortal and used the divine power of the red dust immortal to seal and refine the entire sect, turning it into the secret mystical realm. she killed her own disciples and grand-disciples, using their flesh and blood to nourish the mystical realm, and using her husbands blood essence to nurture demons. however, this process did not go smoothly. a red dust immortals lifespan was limited. in order to live longer, she refined herself into an artifact spirit and fused with the immortal robe. the soul of an artifact spirit was different from a living creature. if a person turned into an artifact spirit, not only would they have to pay a huge price, but even their own thoughts would change. nevertheless, immortal huan zhen didnt care. she controlled this mystical realm and replayed the world again and again, allowing the demons to evolve. new species kept appearing, and she finally succeeded. however, she was still lacking the final step of the dragon transformation path. this path began with the blood essence of the human race, and it needed to be nourished with the blood essence of the human race. therefore, she opened the secret mystical realm and waited for the arrival of the prodigies. before entering the mystical realm, the mighty figures of the divine weapon pavilion used their divine powers to probe the mystical realm. however, no one could have imagined that this was a mystical realm left behind by immortal huan zhen who was in the form of an artifact spirit, and even the higher beings had misjudged her. theres still one last step. immortal huan zhen looked at the body in front of her and her gaze fell on the pair of dragon horns. the dragon horn was a flaw. a truly perfect dragons body would return to its original state and become a seemingly ordinary body again. immortal huan zhen believed so. at that time, the remnant soul of her husband, which was hidden in his blood essence, would recondense and revive in this dragons body. over a hundred geniuses were sealed here. immortal huan zhen clapped her hands, and the star chains lit up. she was about to refine the elites of the various sects and turn them into resources for her dragons body. a sigh came from the darkness. lu xuan stretched out his hand and grabbed the chain on his body with his white palm. he pulled the star chain away like he was pulling a soft noodle. lu xuan had mixed feelings about immortal huan zhens story. the main reason was that it reminded him of her and cheng hongtan. the sense of immersion in the story was rather strong. of course, although he was touched, he still had to stop it when it was time to do so. the people in this room were all prodigies of great sects. they had been selected from all kinds of geniuses. there were even true disciples of the great sects who could control the sect in the future. if they really died here, the future of the cultivation world would be affected. seeing lu xuans actions, all the cultivators present were stunned. everyone was confined, so how come he could move freely?! hong yu watched as lu xuan walked past him, and his brain went blank. it wasnt could it be that this person was like senior brother yue, who had long run away and left an illusion here to act like a fool? hong yu wanted to cry, but no tears came out. he thought to himself, can you guys stop tormenting immortal huan zhen? everyone still wants to take a few more breaths. cheng lingzhu was bound by the star chains, but she didnt use the dushi sword house token to escape because lu xuan told her not to be afraid. in the past, cheng lingzhu would have been terrified of facing a red dust immortal but now the paragon of the dao evolution sect, the true genius of the archean eon world , and the omnipotent senior brother lu xuan was standing beside her. what was there to be afraid of? with him around, the sky would not collapse. lu xuan walked in front of immortal huan zhen. immortal huan zhens body tensed up as she stared at lu xuan. agolden core cultivator. immortal huan zhen was sure that the young man in front of her was a real golden core cultivator. how did he escape from the chains? immortal huan zhen couldnt understand. she couldnt even understand how he could have gotten so close to her. as an immortal, even if she was just a remnant soul that lived in the state of an artifact spirit, she would still have a part of immortal huan zhen with her. the pressure from a red dust immortal was definitely not something a golden core cultivator could withstand. still, the other party was standing right in front of her, just a step away. lu xuan reached out and grabbed the sword at his waist. he thought about it but still didnt pull it out. your storyits quite pitiful. lu xuan sighed. but what you did was wrong. immortal huan zhen didnt speak. she just stared at lu xuan without moving. i have a few questions to ask you. lu xuan circulated his spell, and a strange dao rhythm suddenly appeared in his voice as if he was using some kind of secret technique. the spirit illusion heavenly sect invested resources in you and nurtured you. no, immortal huan zhen subconsciously replied. your master took you in as a disciple and imparted you with mantras. he gave you the authority to manage a sect and rule a region. no. your senior and junior sisters from the same sect took up their own cultivation time as elders to share your worldly affairs. did they do anything wrong to you? no. your disciples treat their master like a parent and are very respectful to you. have they ever let you down? no immortal huan zhens voice gradually lowered. then, what did they do wrong? lu xuan asked. ii no, thatsthats immortal huan zhen struggled. they didnt do anything wrong. the only thing they did wrong was meeting you. lu xuans voice gradually became stern. the sect treated you well. you destroyed the foundation of the spirit illusion heavenly sect for your own selfish desires. your master loved you very much. you were unfilial by cutting off the sects inheritance! your fellow disciples supported and loved you, but you killed and refined them to operate the mystical realm. your disciples regarded you as their role model and are proud of you, but you cut off their flesh and blood to feed the demons. with every word lu xuan said, immortal huan zhens body trembled. she held her head, her expression painful and complicated as if she was experiencing some kind of intense struggle. you killed everyone in the sect for your dao partner, but did you ever think that the rest had their own lovers?! lu xuan shouted. no, its not like that! immortal huan zhen suddenly raised her head, her eyes red and hysterical, i did it for him. for him, i you did it for yourself, lu xuan said calmly. he lowered his head slightly and looked at immortal huan zhen. when a person dies, it is like a lamp being extinguished. the soul cannot be returned. no matter how talented an ordinary cultivator is, it is impossible for them to have a divine soul that remains in their blood essence. immortal huan zhen, you should know this better than anyone else. you insist on resurrecting your husband, but in your heart, you already know that even if something was born from that body, it would definitely not be that person. lu xuan looked at her and said slowly, you are deceiving yourself. what you want to resurrect is only the longing in your heart, the young man who lives in your memories. immortal huan zhens body froze. she stared at lu xuan in a daze. her expression was dull as if her soul had been sucked away. she sat on the ground in a daze. Chapter 35 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation what lu xuan asked was not an ordinary question. he was using the confucian sects method of questioning ones heart, called three reflections. three here referred to many, which was different from the secular meaning. when using this technique, the confucian sect cultivators would place a mirror in front of them and ask themselves questions to reflect and dissect themselves. today, lu xuan used it on immortal huan zhen. with his cultivation base, even immortal huan zhens dao heart would be shattered by his repeated questions. immortal huan zhens expression was blank as lu xuan patted her shoulder lightly. a shadow left ling yufeis body; it was immortal huan zhens true spirit. ashes to ashes, dust to dust. lu xuan sighed. its time for you to be freed from your obsession. he stretched out his hand and pointed at immortal huan zhens forehead. a clear light illuminated and immortal huan zhens true spirit and dragons body started to dissipate. lu xuan nodded slightly and circulated his spell. the surrounding space changed and returned to the original appearance of the hall. the star chains on the cultivators also disappeared on their own. however, this was not the only change. immortal huan zhens consciousness dissipated, but the true spirit phantom turned into specks of starlight. starlight spread out, turning the hall into a sea of light, enveloping everyone. lu xuan looked at the scene before him and did not stop it. this was the purest mental power that immortal huan zhen had left behind after her consciousness disappeared. when mighty figures passed away, their bodies would often turn into dao laws and nourish the world. in ancient times, the bodies of many mighty figures would turn into mountains and rivers after they died, forming a secluded domain of heaven and earth, or even a world. immortal huan zhen didnt have a body, but her soul was very strong. after her true spirit dissipated, she left behind this spiritual essence. lu xuan took two sips and smacked his lips. he felt that it didnt taste bad. immortal huan zhens true spirit had already dissipated, leaving behind only the purest mental energy that could be absorbed and refined by ordinary cultivators. if the pure energy from a red dust immortals soul was released to the outside world, it would probably cause a huge commotion. even the immortal sects would fight for it. however, lu xuan did not choose to take this sea of light. this was an opportunity shared by all the cultivators in the hall. he would not go so far as to steal it away. moreover, it was not very useful to him. the two sips he had taken earlier were to ensure that there were no hidden cards within it. this was a habit that lu xuan had developed over the years. just like when he was weak in the past, there were big shots that brought him into the mystical realm. when they encountered good things, they would give them to lu xuan. it could be said that everyone who saw them would get a share. it was the same for him now that he had grown up. therefore, lu xuan had always been generous. as a great senior, when he met polite juniors in secret realms, ruins, and other places, he would choose to guide them like the big shots he met in the past. this was called passing on the torch. the cultivators were enveloped by the sea of spirit and fell into a deep sleep. their bodies began to absorb this pure spiritual energy on their own. cultivation was not against the use of external objects, as long as one did not rely on them. moreover, the mental energy of the red dust immortal after she passed away was a good thing. taking advantage of the fact that the disciples were unconscious, lu xuan found the sapling of the world tree and took the immortal robe off ling yufei. the saintess of sky sword mountain was lucky. after immortal huan zhen controlled her, she didnt kill her soul. she didnt know if immortal huan zhen was going to refine her into a precious medicine or use her as a container for her soul so that she could be with her dao partner. lu xuan wandered around the hall, looking at this cultivator and then at that disciple. then, he came to a conclusion. in terms of talent and looks, this group of people combined was inferior to cheng lingzhu alone. unfortunately, the dushi sword house did not allow outsiders to take in disciples. lu xuan felt regretful. immortal hong chens soul power was pure and nourishing, but there was a limit to how much a cultivator could absorb. in less than a minute, even saintess ling yufei, who had the highest realm, had been fed to the point that she was overflowing. lu xuan nodded slightly. at this moment, the entire sea of spiritual light changed. a huge whirlpool suddenly formed on the calm sea surface. a large amount of seawater surged and was swallowed by the whirlpool. lu xuan looked at the center of the whirlpool. it was actually cheng lingzhu. he was speechless. in just a moment, she absorbed the entire sea of light, and not a single bit was wasted. lu xuan was stunned. after the other disciples absorbed a small portion of the energy, they were satiated. how could this little girl drink so much? although her cultivation didnt seem high, she did not really consume a small amount. the mental energy of the deceased immortal hong zhen was only beneficial to cultivators and was not harmful. lu xuan knew this very well. however, he still reached out and tapped cheng lingzhus forehead to confirm her condition. everything was normal. lu xuan was puzzled but relieved. because cheng lingzhu had absorbed too much energy, she couldnt digest it for a while, so she hadnt woken up yet. the other disciples in the hall had already woken up. however, at this moment, the hall was silent, even quieter than before. the disciples of the major sects stood where they were and looked at lu xuan who was not far away. even though the restraints on their bodies had been removed, no one moved a single step. lu xuan blinked. he knew that this group of people had just escaped death. what happened today was too much of a shock to them, and their spirits were a little affected. lu xuan thought that the young people in the cultivation world were not mentally strong. didnt he just kill a red dust immortal? was it that shocking? dont look down on golden core cultivators! everyone looked at lu xuan. hong yu, who was closest to him, took a deep breath and stepped forward. your great kindness stop. lu xuan stopped him. hey, im a proper golden core cultivator, but i have a secret artifact with me just in case. well everyone looked at each other. for a moment, they did not know if they should believe him. there were many things that took a lot of effort to explain. therefore, lu xuan did not say much and walked to the front of the table. after killing the demons, they naturally had to discuss the distribution of the artifacts. he stretched out his hand and extinguished the dao fire on it. he held the sapling of the world tree and said, i contributed the most in this mystical realm trial. theres no problem with this tree being mine, right? lu xuan was not a pretentious person. he had always been humble and was not hypocritical. he should have taken it himself, so he didnt have to be shy and refuse. instead, he should have said it openly. theres no problem, all the disciples said in unison. according to their understanding, the cultivators were naturally the strongest. they would think that it was only right and proper for their senior brother to take the entire cave abode away, let alone a sapling of the world tree. in the eyes of the disciples of the major sects, there was no such thing as first come, first served when it came to the search for opportunities. cultivation emphasized the principle of treasure belonging to the virtuous. the virtue here referred to martial virtue. the disciples of the major sects all believed that the treasure was found, but it could not be considered to have an owner. only by winning and occupying it could it be considered his own. if it was lost or snatched away on the way, it was naturally fated. everyone was very realistic. Chapter 36 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation moreover, just now, this ex this senior brother had used the dao hearts curse to break through the defenses of a red dust immortal and save everyones lives. it was only right for them to repay his kindness. lu xuan picked up the immortal robe in his hand and said, this immortal robe is useless to me. when this fellow daoist wakes up, everyone will take turns to fight and determine the first place in this mystical realm trial. he pointed at cheng lingzhu, who had yet to wake up. the latter was the fellow daoist that lu xuan had mentioned, and she was currently shrouded in a ball of mist. senior brother lu, you are fair and we admire you, but theres no need for another battle. ling yufei took a step forward and said righteously, in the chaotic battle just now, everyone witnessed fellow daoist chengs strength. the first place in this mystical realm trial has long been determined. fellow daoist ling is right. theres no need to fight one-on-one. we have no objections! fellow daoist chengs strength is obvious to all. it can be said that she deserves to be the first in this trial. theres no need for a one-on-one. dao artifacts are like floating clouds to me. cultivators of our generation should prioritize our own strength and not rely on external objects i voluntarily withdraw from the competition! me too. the group of disciples behind him nodded their heads vigorously and expressed their agreement. what kind of joke was this? even the combined efforts of two holy sons and saintesses of top-tier immortal sects and a successor of a first-rate sect couldnt defeat cheng lingzhu. if not for the fact that the array in the depths of the hall was broken, ling yufei and yue tianya would have taken the opportunity to escape. these two people would probably be killed and eliminated from the secret mystical realm. the disciples of the major sects werent stupid. they had a good understanding of their own standards. they didnt know if the death substitution talisman had been repaired yet. with their strength, they would probably be beheaded with a sword. alright then. lu xuan nodded. since no one had any objections, lu xuan agreed. he also felt that the standards of these disciples were a little lacking. if they fought cheng lingzhu one-on-one now, they might not be very good and they wouldnt be able to hone themselves. lu xuan was a reasonable person. it was just like how he didnt kill immortal huan zhen with one strike and used the three reflections technique to make her understand her mistake. he studied at sancai academy, thus he was cultured and understood reason. killing without teaching is called abuse, teaching without killing is called indulgence. these were the words written in the book by the sage. it meant that before killing someone, he had to let the other party know where they had gone wrong. if the other party refused to repent, he would kill them and record the matter so that others could know what the deceased had done wrong. there was also a similar saying: a gentleman is considerate but not inferior; a villain is inferior but not inferior. it meant that a gentleman did not like to fight and could not fight with others for a week, but a villain was not like that. therefore, in order to cultivate ones character, a gentleman should beat a villain up until he could not get up for a week. there were many things in the world that could be solved with a single sword. however, it was precisely because he had the strength to pull out this sword that lu xuan was very reasonable. as for this cultivation manual lu xuan stood in front of the desk and picked up the immortal jade scripture. there were ancient words carved on it. lu xuan recognized that this was the name of the immortal scripture: illusion scripture. he smiled. those who see it will have a share. everyone will share it equally. as soon as these words were said, everyone present became excited. senior brother lu, you are righteous! we will never forget you! senior brother, i am extremely grateful for your kindness. i am willing to give you the artifacts i found in the cave! senior brother, you are so bold that you make people admire you. if you dont mind my willowy appearance, i am willing to marry you the spirit charm sect witch had better not come and trick me, alright? you audacious witch, you actually harmed my senior brother lu. hey, im here to learn your demonic techniques. today, ill squeeze you to my hearts content! the hall was bustling with activity. lu xuan had a smile on his face. after a while, he said, where are the fellow daoists from sancai academy? senior brother lu, over here. zhang xun and liang xia stepped out with smiles on their faces, followed by the disciples of sancai academy. come and help me copy this scripture. fellow daoists who are skilled in painting and calligraphy, come and copy it as well, lu xuan said. yes, sir! the disciples of the sancai academy responded. several cultivators who had finished writing stepped forward to help. the original version of the immortal scripture contained special spiritual power. before understanding it, cultivators could not use their magic to record it and could only copy it sentence by sentence. the reason was easy to understand. before the great seniors ascended or passed away, they were determined to leave behind their inheritances. when they carved their painstaking efforts word by word into the jade book, they were naturally serious and solemn. it was a sacred matter that concerned orthodoxy. if a cultivator came up to take a jade storage, he could casually make a copy of the cultivation manual and throw it into his magic storage. there was no sense of ceremony. the process of copying was a formality to accept the inheritance. no one wanted their lifes work to be treated casually by others. lu xuan didnt copy the book with them. he set up a table at the side, took out a small notebook, and sat behind the table. everyone, lets register first. lu xuans expression was friendly. the disciples didnt understand why, but on second thought, it was probably because if the dharma was not taught, the dao couldnt be passed on to humans. senior brother lu imparted the cultivation technique to everyone, so of course, he had to remember the names. therefore, they stepped forward one by one and reported their names. as disciples of major sects, everyone was familiar with each other and no one used fake names. after everyones names were memorized, lu xuan smiled. alright, everyone, cultivate well. in the future, i will bring the successor of the dushi sword house to visit your sect and test the cultivation results of my junior brothers and sisters. yes, there were a few rogue cultivators among them, so there was no need to test them. pay a visit? after hearing his words, the disciples of the major sects were dumbfounded. hong yu, who was the closest to lu xuan, was excited and reacted the fastest. he grabbed senior brother lus hand. senior brother, im an array dao cultivator, so i cant fight. can i just give up on this inheritance? array dao is good. there is a future in learning array dao. lu xuan pulled his hand out and patted his shoulder. he said earnestly, this large book is related to illusions. it just so happens to be combined with your array dao dont worry, the cultivation world values harmony, and sparring is naturally limited. hong yu went back with a long face. at this moment, some disciples had already finished copying the entire illusion scripture. as a cultivator, the strength of his body was naturally different from that of ordinary people. the speed at which they copied and carved was something that ordinary people couldnt even spot with their naked eyes. moreover, they couldnt make any mistakes. cultivators who copied books were all famous geniuses. they would not do something that would harm others and not benefit themselves, such as secretly copying and altering the content and then deliberately giving it to others to learn. moreover, lu xuan was supervising the content. there were no mistakes in the content, not even in the words. lu xuan picked up the original book and nodded after flipping through it. at this time, everyone had already finished copying the immortal scriptures. everyone present had a copy. lu xuan stood behind the counter and looked at the disciples below. today, he would stand at the altar and give a speech. Chapter 37 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation two hours later, lu xuan said as he picked up the spiritual artifact flask and announced the end of the class, alright, students, todays class is over. below the podium were hundreds of golden core cultivators, all sitting on futons with their eyes closed as if they were meditating. after a few minutes, a cultivator suddenly opened his eyes and slapped his thigh. eh! i succeeded! there were also cultivators who suddenly stood up and raised their arms as they shouted, hahahaha, i understand, i understand! so, that was the casei see! some people even jumped up from the futon and tore their clothes, crying and laughing. what is real, what is illusion, what is immortal cultivation?! who am i, and what am i? fake, fake, all of you are fake! i even i am fake! true and false, false and true. who can obtain great freedom and great peace? doubts for a lifetime! comprehension for a lifetime! its taken a long time to master the art a pillar of lightning shot into the sky, and the world was connected again! fellow daoists, im going to become an immortal! on the podium, lu xuan took a sip of tea and nodded in satisfaction. it seemed that the students were all very energetic. the spirit illusion scripture was a genuine scripture inherited from immortals that involved the dao of true illusion and was of an extremely high grade. it was normal to lose control in class after learning it. this meant that lu xuan had taught them well, and the disciples had the ability to comprehend and study seriously. after a while, the hall finally regained its peace. thank you for your teachings, senior brother! ling yufei was the first to stand up. she bowed with a serious expression. behind her, a group of cultivators stood up and bowed respectfully. thank you, master lu, for imparting your cultivation! they didnt address lu xuan as senior brother but as master lu. they already treated lu xuan as their master. at this moment, all the cultivators in the hall were convinced by lu xuan. in two hours, he would not be able to finish the entire cultivation manual. therefore, lu xuan only talked about the first chapter. however, after they heard it, they felt like they were cultivators who had been immersed in this path for hundreds of years. their foundation was extremely solid. some of the disciples even had an illusion in their hearts. the spirit illusion scripture was the foundation of their cultivation. he had studied it for many years just like a wife. those who were learning cultivation techniques in the sect were the concubines and had just been brought into the residence. the disciples of the sancai academy looked at lu xuan, their eyes shining. as the saying went, outsiders watched the show while insiders watched the door. in the eyes of the disciples of sancai academy, the foundation of senior brother lus lecture was far better than many teachers in the academy. outside the secret mystical realm. its been more than two hours. has the divine weapon pavilion not found a solution yet?! an old man stood with a cane in his hand, his face filled with undisguised anger. senior ji, calm down, calm down were also thinking of a way in front of him, elder gao of the divine weapon pavilion smiled apologetically, sweat seeping out of his forehead. even though he was the head of the disciplinary hall of the divine weapon pavilion and a cultivator at the peak of the body forging stage, he didnt dare to offend this senior in front of him. my disciple is still inside. if anything happens to her, i will definitely demand an explanation from your divine weapon pavilion! the old man supported himself with his cane and a cold light appeared in his eyes. dont worry, saintess ling will be fine. i promise after much persuasion, elder gao finally sent the old man away. he wiped the cold sweat off his forehead with his sleeve. he was really hard to please. this old man was none other than the supreme elder of sky sword mountain, the master of saintess ling yufei, a grand mahayana stage cultivator, the old sword immortal who suppressed northern plains for 3,000 years with a single sword strike, ji lingchen. the difference between a first-rate sect and a top-tier immortal sect was not even mentioned. the divine weapon pavilion couldnt afford to offend a transcendence stage cultivator. no matter how hot-tempered elder gao was, he had lower himself in front of the other party. after the incident in the secret mystical realm, the news quickly spread to the headquarters of the various large sects. those who could enter the secret mystical realm were all core disciples of large sects, including holy sons and saintesses. now that something had happened in the mystical realm, they would definitely come to the divine weapon pavilion to demand an explanation. the divine weapon pavilion wanted to defend itself, but reality did not allow it. according to the rules of the cultivation world, when a major sect conducted a mystical realm trial, they had to ensure their safety before they could open it. it was a fact that the divine weapon pavilion had gone through the process, but it was also true that they had not detected the danger inside. it was inevitable that they would make a mistake. the higher-ups were currently discussing a solution. elder gao was responsible for receiving visitors from the various sects. the general solution was to only answer without arguing and apologize crazily. at this moment, sparks were about to fly out of his mouth. it was not easy for him to send the old immortal away. after elder gao wiped his sweat, another old woman slowly walked over with a solemn expression. at a glance, this old lady was at the mahayana stage. the old man was numb. why didnt he usually see so many high-ranking people come out?! in the meeting tent, more than ten cultivators gathered around the long table with solemn expressions. fellow daoist fang, is there really no solution to the matter of the secret mystical realm? a middle-aged man wearing the uniform of a divine weapon pavilion elder asked. sitting in front of him was a white-browed elder. hearing the other partys question, the old man smiled bitterly. the core disciples of my immortal slaying mountain are also in the mystical realm. if i really have a way, why would i hide it from you? he pointed at the magic sandbox on the table. ten thousand daos immortal palaces holy son yue has already said that the one who laid down the scheme was a red dust immortal, and hes even proficient in the dao of true illusion. if we join forces, we can break through this mystical realm, but if it collapses, the disciples of the various families will also be doomed. now that our people are in the hands of that immortal huan zhen, we have to be careful. before entering the mystical realm, all the disciples bought death substitution talismans, right? can those be used? someone suggested. its difficult. an elder of the divine weapon pavilion shook his head. he was the one who had fished at the illusion lake earlier. that holy son yue said that in the mystical realm, all the death substitution talismans prepared by our sect have lost their effectiveness. they should have been affected by the power from immortal huan zhens body. unless he could kill immortal immortal huan zhen the moment the mystical realm was destroyed and break her power, there was no way he could have saved the disciples of the various clans. then, can we go to the western desert and ask the buddhist sect for help? i hear they have a secret art that can suppress space-time. perhaps they can hold the mystical realm in place against red dust immortals pressure, someone said. the western desert is remote and isolated and has very little contact with us. which one of you has a relationship with those monks? the middle-aged elder asked. everyone shook their heads. cultivation sects were also divided into regions. the northern plains sects rarely interacted with the western deserts buddhist sect. the only sect that could be considered to have connections with all the sects in the archean eon world was the dushi sword house. this referred to the fact that all the top-notch immortal sects were beaten up by the dushi sword house. Chapter 38 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation if you have the ability to contact the buddhist sect, why dont you ask the hall of longevity? dont they also claim to control time and space right, i heard that the saintess of the hall of longevity is here, an elder said. yes, she came. she was the first core disciple from a top-notch immortal sect to be eliminated and probably felt embarrassed, so her sect took her away, someone replied. sigh. all the cultivators present sighed. just as the elders felt that their hopes were slim and bleak. ive got an update! a disciple of the divine weapon pavilion rushed in excitedly. what is it? the middle-aged cultivator frowned. all the senior brothers and sisters have come out. everyone is safe and sound. they even brought out the treasures from the mystical realm! the disciple reported loudly, his voice filled with joy. the elders looked at each other. the accident in the secret mystical realm is the responsibility of my divine weapon pavilion. i am deeply ashamed of my dereliction of duty on a very high platform, elder gao was giving a closing speech. the main content was an apology. as the person in charge of the trial in the secret mystical realm, this task naturally fell on his head. however, what made elder gao slightly gratified was that the sect was reasonable. they knew that this matter was not his fault, so they did not deduct his year-end bonus. however, elder gao thought that even if he didnt deduct the money, he would have to pay out his year-end bonus to fill in the hole for his lousy disciple. he suddenly felt even more depressed. as an apology, the divine weapon pavilion will refund three times the spirit stones that the disciples have paid. our sect wont take a single cent of what we get from this mystical realm trial. in addition, all competitors can customize a dharmic weapon corresponding to their current realm in our hall of artifacts the eyes of the disciples of the major sects lit up when they heard this. it should be said that the compensation plan that the divine weapon pavilion gave this time was quite sincere. it was mainly reflected in the distribution of the rewards from the mystical realm trial. after lu xuan finished his speech, he didnt let everyone leave immediately. instead, he let the disciples collect the treasures from the cave abode. lu xuan did not take any of these items. he already had the world tree, the original copy of the spirit illusion scripture, and the immortal robe. as for the other spirit stones and magic artifacts, they were useless to lu xuan. it was better to leave them for other cultivators to help him with their cultivation. as a result, this group of disciples made a fortune. the divine weapon pavilion had taken half of the original profits, so it could be said that they had gained a lot. inside the divine weapon pavilions headquarters, a petite female disciple from the divine weapon pavilions money hall led the way for lu xuan. senior brother lu, please come in. thank you, junior sister. lu xuan nodded, still holding cheng lingzhu in his arms. in the morning, elder gao represented the divine weapon pavilion and apologized to the various sects. after that, the divine weapon pavilion held a banquet and invited all the elders and disciples to attend. lu xuan joined them. firstly, he heard that after the banquet, there would be an exhibition of dharmic weapons and stone-gambling activities. secondly, cheng lingzhu still hadnt woken up, so he had to find a place to settle down. lu xuan found the little girls condition strange. her mind was stable and her body was normal. she was in a deep sleep and could not be shaken awake. under the lead of the divine weapon pavilion disciples, lu xuan arrived at an independent courtyard. he pushed the door open. the room was decorated elegantly. the bedding was clean, and the bed and chairs were spotless. this was the guest room at the divine weapon pavilion, specially prepared for female cultivators. as a first-rate sect and a weaponsmithing sect, the divine weapon pavilion was naturally rich. all the guest rooms had their own courtyards with a small garden filled with spiritual herbs and flowers. after the junior sister took her leave, lu xuan placed cheng lingzhu on the bed and covered her with a blanket before leaving the room. he stood at the door and looked up at the sky. after looking at it for a while, he sat on the steps at the door and took out the wine gourd from his magic storage. a breeze suddenly blew behind him. a head stretched out from lu xuans shoulder and slowly turned around. lu xuan turned his head and looked at the old face. he reached out his hand and slowly and firmly pushed it to the side. ah chen, youre no longer that graceful and beautiful young man from back then. its very scary for an old man to do such a thing. lu xuan rolled his eyes. i havent seen you for many years and i miss you. the old man with the walking stick was not angry at all. he chuckled and sat on the ground without wiping the steps. he reached out to lu xuan and blinked. give me two mouthfuls. dont put your mouth to the gourd. lu xuan handed the gourd to him. i know, i know. the old man took the gourd, unscrewed the lid, raised it above his head, raised his neck, and poured it into his mouth. this wine is older than you. i only have this pot. leave some for me. i know, i know gulp, gulp, gulp this is a magic artifact. its not really as big as a gourd if anyone else saw this scene in the courtyard, their jaws would have dropped in shock. ji lingchen, the old sword immortal who had awed the northern plains for 3,000 years, was actually sitting next to a young man. their conversation seemed as though they were old friends. that was indeed the case. the two of them had known each other for more than 4,000 years. back then, ji lingchen was still very young. back then, lu xuan was as young as he was now. the general story was that the two young people met each other, and then with a pot of wine and a sword, they roamed the world and cut off all the injustice in the world. the two of them killed enemies together, drank together, went to demonic sects to plunder ill-gotten gains together, and went to the righteous sects to expose the hypocrisy and darkness together. during that period, lu xuan had really been happy. once, after the two of them finished drinking, lu xuan slammed the table and said, were like sherlock holmes and watson, shuk and beta, and batman and robin ji lingchen had never heard of this before. he asked lu xuan who this batman was, and lu xuan explained it to him. after listening to him, ji lingchen said, then, i must be batman. the main focus was to eliminate violence and appease the good, help the poor, and uphold justice. in the mortal world of killing, his name was widespread for thousands of kilometers. lu xuan thought about the other partys background of being born in a certain countrys orphanage in the yan land of northern plains and growing up alone. after that, he nodded in agreement. however, despite the teasing, ji lingchen had indeed done a good job of practicing the chivalrous path in his heart. back then, northern plains was very chaotic with all sorts of demonic forces occupying it. however, now, the northern plains had become a forbidden ground to the demon sects. even the most arrogant demon would feel a chill down his spine when he heard the name of that old sword immortal. 3,000 years ago, ji lingchen stepped into the mahayana stage. he relied on the long sword in his hand to kill his way through the world. he suppressed the entire northern plains with his own strength. putting down the wine gourd, ji lingchen let out a long sigh, his expression somewhat sentimental. whats wrong? lu xuan frowned. i dont have much time left, ji lingchen suddenly said. he thought for a moment. ten years, at most. what happened? lu xuan was shocked. according to the lifespan of a mahayana stage cultivator, ji lingchen should still have nearly 1,000 years left. ji lingchen remained calm. because im about to become a true immortal. bang! lu xuan was expressionless as he punched the old man to the ground. Chapter 39 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation ji lingchen sat up shakily from the ground and laughed out loud. lu xuan raised his middle finger to express his disdain. this old fellow was terrible. he deliberately said it to provoke him. this reminded lu xuan of his own life experience. he had become the dao evolution sect leader, and his master had become a true immortal. after he fell in love with cheng hongtan, his wife also ascended. when he went out to travel, he could not help but take in good-looking and talented people as his disciples. with four disciples and two ascendants, the drop rate was ridiculously high. now, ji lingchen was about to become a true immortal. is there something wrong with the world whereby everyone around me is a big shot and im the only golden core? when ordinary people looked at lu xuans life experiences, they would easily have the illusion that it was enough to become immortal. in fact, there were only four cultivators who had ascended in the archean eon world in the past 10,000 years. yes, they were all related to lu xuan. the timeline was pushed forward. other than these four people, the last person who ascended had undergone the immortal ascension tribulation 80,000 years ago. some people analyzed that the archean eon world would usher in a period of vigorous development. there would be an explosion of geniuses, and a world of great competition was coming. ji lingchen finished his wine and returned the gourd to lu xuan. lu xuan shook his head. its for you. really? ji lingchens face immediately revealed a look of surprise. i carved this gourd when we met back then after you ascend to the upper realm, you can have a memento, lu xuan said. then, i wont stand on ceremony with you. ji lingchen put the gourd away like it was a precious treasure, his face blossoming like an old chrysanthemum. how confident are you about this immortal ascension tribulation? lu xuan asked. ji lingchen pondered for a moment. its hard to say. i just suddenly had a feeling that its time to become an immortal. lu xuan was relieved. he understood ji lingchen very well. when the other party said that, it meant that things were settled. it made sense. it had been 3,000 years since ji lingchen reached the mahayana stage. after accumulating for such a long time, with his talent and comprehension, he should also proceed to the immortal ascension tribulation. in my impression, you have quite a lot of enemies. lu xuan suddenly thought of this. there are indeed quite a lot. ji lingchen did not deny it. back then, when he wiped out the demonic path forces in the northern plains, he had offended many people. even though ji lingchen killed most of the devils, there were still demonic magnates who fled the northern plains, hiding their identities and waiting for an opportunity to take revenge. the immortal ascension tribulation was extremely dangerous. if outsiders were involved, they would also have to endure the heavenly tribulation along with them. however, the destruction of a daoist orthodoxy was an irreconcilable matter. with the mindset of a normal demonic cultivator, even if it was a one-for-one exchange, they would still think of a way to interfere with ji lingchens tribulation and make him die. on the day of the tribulation, i will hold an immortal ascension ceremony. the venue will be outside the heavenly sword sect. ji lingchens gaze was sharp. i want to force those devils to show themselves and personally settle the karma before they reach the immortal world. lu xuan had heard ji lingchen mention his background before. he was originally the son of a wealthy merchant from a certain martial arts dynasty. however, when he was four years old, because of a piece of spiritual jade passed down in the family, the ji family attracted the covetous eyes of the evil cultivators. the entire family was brutally exterminated, and the family property was also divided by bad relatives colluding with the government. ji lingchen, who was lucky enough to escape, had no choice but to end up in the orphanage. in the end, he was lucky enough to embark on the path of cultivation. it was precisely because of this that he abhorred evil from a young age and wished he could kill all the evil people in the world. alright. lu xuan nodded. ill attend the ceremony on that day. ill do the killing. ji lingchen said, just help me block a few people. he whispered a few names into lu xuans ear. when lu xuan heard this, his expression turned strange. you there are quite a lot of bad romances. dont you plan to deal with them before ascending? no matter which one i marry, i wont be able to account for the remaining few ji lingchen lowered his head and rubbed his face. therefore, i decided not to marry any of them. they couldnt fight their way to sky sword mountain anyway. lu xuan was speechless. he thought to herself, someone like you would be scolded even if you were to put it in a harem novel. outsiders did not know that the reason why ji lingchen, who was a rogue cultivator, chose to join sky sword mountain was because he had a love debt to run away from. even without the male lead of the harem, she still contracted the disease from him. lu xuan shook his head and patted his shoulder. she has a more explosive temper than the others. why do you like this type of person? stop scolding me, stop scolding me ji lingchens face was full of tears as he shook lu xuans arm. alright, ill help you. lu xuan sighed. ji lingchen was already very old, so naturally, his unlucky love interest was also very old. lu xuan imagined the scene that day. in the sky, there would be an old man fighting against the heavenly tribulation, and on the ground, there was a young man fighting against a few old ladies with crutches. the old man would be struck by lightning, and a few old ladies would cry their eyes out what was this? after talking about ji lingchen, it was lu xuans turn. after lu xuan agreed to stop the old lady, ji lingchen felt much more relaxed. he moved closer to lu xuan and pointed at the room. whats up with her? lu xuan looked at the gossipy ji lingchen. just friends. really? ji lingchen looked doubtful. have i ever lied to you? lu xuan glanced at him. it seems so. ji lingchen believed him. he thought about it and said, i also heard from my disciple that you took good care of this little girl in the secret mystical realm after all, she is the successor of the dushi sword house. as a senior, it is reasonable for me to take care of her. even though he didnt take in any disciples, lu xuan had always treated cheng lingzhu as his own. moreover, i suspect that my master im talking about cheng hongtan. when she ascended back then, something unexpected might have happened to her. lu xuan frowned when he mentioned this. well looking at his expression, ji lingchen wanted to say something, but he did not know what to say. forget it. i might as well hope that i can form my nascent soul instead of hoping that you can comfort me. lu xuan sighed. if you had this ability, you wouldnt be in such debt now. he punched ji lingchen. lets go. let me be alone for a while and think about something. alright then. ji lingchen patted his butt and stretched his body. before he left, he asked lu xuan, about the secret mystical realm lu xuan waved his hand. help me cover it up. its too troublesome to explain. alright. ji lingchen nodded and disappeared. although he had lived for a long time, lu xuan rarely used a disguise and did not even hide his appearance. because of this, an old friend came to visit the divine weapon pavilion. the reason was simple. for most immortal people, changing their identities was because they were afraid that their secrets would be discovered and they would be persecuted. however, to lu xuan, his strength had reached a level where he didnt need to hide the secret of immortality. it was better to say that with lu xuans strength, immortality would only make the enemy afraid. Chapter 40 translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation at the same time, lu xuans way of doing things played an important role in keeping a low profile throughout his long life. he had encountered many major incidents before, but he would usually choose to nip the crisis in the bud before it escalated. for example, although the ancestral magus of the ghost mage sect had already appeared, lu xuan killed him before he could even cause a stir. therefore, lu xuan rarely appeared in events that could leave his name in history. killing immortal huan zhen in the secret mystical realm had attracted the attention of many. however, lu xuan did not want to waste his breath explaining, so he handed the task to ji lingchen. with this old mans current status, a large number of people would believe him even if he lied. after sorting out his thoughts, lu xuan walked to the door. cheng lingzhu was still unconscious. he felt a little uneasy. after thinking for a moment, he pushed open the door and walked into the house. in the guest room, cheng lingzhu lay on the bed, her eyes closed and her brows furrowed. a painful expression appeared on her delicate face as if she was having a nightmare. lu xuan stood by the bed and frowned. he knew very well that a golden core cultivators soul would never be able to absorb the spiritual energy left behind by a red dust immortal. however, cheng lingzhu had done it. lu xuan stretched out his hand and pressed his finger on her forehead. he circulated his mana and the pained expression on cheng lingzhus face eased a little. lu xuan could clearly feel that the other partys divine soul was undergoing some kind of shocking transformation. however, this transformation put a lot of pressure on cheng lingzhu. this is strange. lu xuan shook his head. in the end, he was still worried and formed a spell. a speck of light lit up between his brows, transforming into a translucent little person that jumped onto cheng lingzhus smooth forehead. the center of cheng lingzhus brows lit up, and the tiny figure dissipated, slowly merging into the light. the best way to find out what had happened to cheng lingzhu was to enter her spiritual world. this kind of action was suspected of prying into other peoples secrets and was not very polite. however, it was urgent and he could only do this at this time. cheng lingzhu had yet to wake up. if something happened to her after she absorbed immortal huang zhens mental energy, things would be troublesome. whose disciple is this? how can he be so brave? in a dense forest, cheng lingzhu leaned against a large tree and looked at the figure in the forest with surprise in her eyes. no, her name was no longer cheng lingzhu. she was now cheng hongtan. as for why it was cheng hongtan, cheng lingzhu didnt know the reason either. she only remembered that she was injured and that her head was in pain. the cultivation of a golden core was still too weak cheng lingzhu thought to herself. she lowered her head and could see her toes. instinctively, she felt that this matter did not make sense, but she could not remember what was wrong. he was wearing a bright red daoist robe, and there was a huge wine gourd hanging at his waist. it was very valiant and domineering. cheng lingzhu raised her head, and the mottled sunlight shone through the shadows of the trees. she took off the wine gourd at her waist and raised her head to take a sip. her pretty face was immediately tinged with a thin layer of wine red, and her exquisite facial features became even more beautiful, making her look particularly alluring. the figure in the forest put away his sword and walked towards her. it was lu xuan. cheng lingzhu looked at lu xuan. he was as handsome as usual, but today, he looked even more attractive. she nodded and patted his shoulder like a drunk senior. you brat, youre very good! the world spun, and the forest gradually blurred. soon, the scene changed. cheng lingzhu opened her eyes and realized that she was lying on the bed. her head was heavy and her body was wrapped in a blanket. she felt very cold. am i sick? she thought to herself. senior, the medicine is here. lu xuans gentle and familiar voice rang out. cheng lingzhu glanced at the figure and shook her head in a daze. im a mahayana cultivator. what medicine do i need to drink? after saying this, she suddenly remembered that it was the hateful process of extraordinary that was taking effect. previously, he was still in the golden core stage, but now, he had already fallen to a state that was even worse than a mortal. however, as a dignified mahayana senior, she still maintained her pride. cheng lingzhu turned her head to the side and pursed her lips. that person sat by the bed, neither anxious nor angry. he only advised her gently and did not leave. cheng lingzhu stole a glance at him and saw that he was holding a bowl and gently stirring the soup with a spoon. his fingers were slender and fair, and he looked very beautiful. cheng lingzhu, who was muddled by the fever, thought in a daze that if such a beautiful hand could feed medicine, she could try it herself. the world spun and the scene blurred again. this time, they were by a large lake. the night was as cold as water, the lake was quiet, and the moonlight shone down. the scene was beautiful. cheng lingzhu was dressed in a plain daoist robe and looked like a fairy from the moon palace. she sat on a large rock and looked at lu xuan. ive already violated the sects rules by teaching you the immortal scripture of the dushi sword house. theres no need for us to be master and disciple. remember, you cant teach this immortal scripture to anyone else so, it was i who taught him. no wonder he could even guide me on the problems of my cultivation technique cheng lingzhus thoughts ran wild. the scene shattered like a mirror and changed again. this time, the two figures appeared in front of a fork in an underground cave. the cave was pitch-black, and the walls were filled with ancient scriptures and symbols. cheng lingzhu lay on her back and said weakly, hey, look at the mark beside you. this is the eleventh time we have passed by. we are going to be trapped in this place shut up. the man carried her on his back, gritted his teeth, and groped on the rock wall. his voice was firm and decisive. you cant fail in your heart refinement, and i cant die! it was the first time he had spoken to her so sternly, and he seemed a little angry. however, cheng lingzhu felt very at ease as she lay on her back. the scene kept changing. countless fragments appeared in her memory and pieced together. here, ill give you the wine to drink what, you actually think that i, your master, drank it before?! im your master. youyou have to respect me in the future. youre not allowed to be rude to me the dushi sword house i dont really want to go back. i havent completed my mortal world experience yet let me ask you. you approached me just for that cultivation method or do you still have some other thoughts hey, im your master. theres a difference between master and disciple. you cant mess things up. you cant have any bad intentions. youre not allowed to die, lu xuan! youre not allowed to abandon me i wont allow you to die! isnt it just a nascent soul leaving the body? if you cant become a true immortal, ill stay here with you for the rest of my life. i dont want to ascend! im not leaving! id rather be a red dust immortal the memory fragments collided and reassembled. the sealed and forgotten past slowly surfaced in his mind. after a long time, in the guest room, cheng lingzhu slowly opened her eyes. she remembered everything. Chapter 41 - Chapter 41: Reborn Nine Thousand Years Too Late chapter 41: reborn nine thousand years too late translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation within the courtyard. lu xuan was leaning against a pillar near the entrance. his eyes fixed on the firmly closed door, his heart a tangle of emotions. how did everything come to this? he reached up, massaging his temples [bad news: masters tribulation was a failure.] [good news: she survived the failed tribulation, and it was i who found her.] [bad news: after her reincarnation, im uncertain if shell recognize me.] in a moment of desperation, lu xuan had ventured into cheng lingzhus spiritual realm. it was similar to how cheng lingzhu, now cheng hongtan, had recalled her previous life. in that spiritual realm, lu xuan revisited his own emotional odyssey. the instant their souls connected, lu xuan saw the truth. my beloved was by my side all this time! upon realizing cheng lingzhus true identity, lu xuan was overwhelmed with excitement. he even felt a sudden impulse to formally apologize to the heavens, whom he had scorned for millennia. but as he regained his composure, worry crept in. past and present, soul reincarnation, the awakening of memories these all revolved around the existential question: who am i? cheng hongtan was not a usurper of bodies. lu xuan knew from her tales of the dushi sword house that she had reincarnated as cheng lingzhu through a unique secret method. yet, she had lived as cheng lingzhu for so long. the so-called bond of a past life seemed too distant. as a person of two lives, would she acknowledge him as her husband? lu xuan felt a surge of unease. his gaze returned to the guest room door, firmly shut, with no hint of opening. lu xuan sighed, lifting his eyes to the sky. it was a cloudy day, cool yet somber. inside the guest room. cheng lingzhu sat on the edge of the bed. why did things turn out like this?! her mind was a whirlwind of confusion [bad news: i failed my tribulation.] [good news: despite the failure, i had a backup plan. after reincarnation, i encountered lu xuan.] [bad news: there was a mistake in the timing of my reincarnation. when i awoke, it was already nearly nine thousand years later.] according to the typical thrilling narrative, things would go like this [a mighty figure, heartbroken, fails the tribulation, only to be reborn nine thousand years later! watch how she, in this life, turns the tables, controls the elements, and ascends the path of immortality!] after mentally reciting these melodramatic lines she had read in a story. cheng lingzhu suddenly felt a surge of heroic spirit. excellent, reborn today, i shall dominate the era and overpower all formidable foes as she stood up, she picked up the phoenix blood sword beside her. in the world of cultivation, it was said, the first sword of ascension, first cuts through ones desires how is that even possible! cheng lingzhu tossed the phoenix blood sword aside, flopped onto the bed, and buried her face in the pillow. cutting through the desires, indeed cheng lingzhus cheeks were burning. she liked him so much, just seeing him probably made her heart race and her limbs go weak. how could she even lift a sword? sorry, ive let down those ancestors capable of cutting through their desires. leaning against the wall, hugging her knees, with the phoenix blood sword beside her, she muttered to herself, ive truly been reborn it felt like waking from a long dream. a dream both lonely and desolate. thankfully, upon awakening, he was still by her side. the only thing that worried cheng lingzhu was she had reincarnated too late. the dushi sword house was different from other sects in the archean eon. normal sects would widely open their doors, recruit disciples, select elites, and through rigorous competition and scrutiny, choose the next successors, the saints or the saintesses of the sect. but the dushi sword house did not operate in that manner. it was by no means a secluded sect. it had its grounds in the archean eon, though its main temple was located in a hidden space that was hard to find. every year, elders and disciples would descend the mountain, traveling far and wide. upon encountering those with suitable roots and temperament, they would ask if they wished to join and become a member of the dushi sword house. in this process, many legends about the dushi sword house were left behind. this method of dispatching individuals to seek fortuitous opportunities for disciple recruitment was decidedly archaic, a practice only ancient sects would employ. contemporary sects typically send disciples to disseminate flyers far and wide, touting the virtues of their own sects. they then invite a multitude of applicants to undergo tests within an array. those who succeed would be welcomed as disciples. this initiative was first introduced by the founder of the dao evolution sect, but now, only those with scant knowledge would consider registering with the dao evolution sect. in the dushi sword house, disciples were personally recruited by their masters, but the saintess was an exception. the saintess of the dushi sword house emerged from the saint fruit of the ancestral tree. this saint fruit bore once every three thousand years, with a margin of error of a hundred years. in urgent situations, secret techniques could be employed to accelerate its growth. the infant born from this saint fruit would become the sects saintess. only upon reaching maturity could she assume control of the dushi sword house. this was precisely why the saintesses of the dushi sword house inherently lacked a certain humanity and needed to proactively immerse themselves in the secular world to compensate for this deficiency. indeed, lu xuan had once spoken of something akin to an inch of gold being the holy fruit of the sacred tree, she naturally possessed traits distinct from ordinary humans. with this thought, the girl hugged her knees, her cheeks tinting with a slight blush. being a long-married couple, she should not be blushing. yet, after her memories awakened, she noticed a shift in her mindset. rebirth, she mused, was undoubtedly a blessing cheng lingzhu quickly shook her head, realigning her thoughts back on track. she was a prodigy. even failing the tribulation did not lead to immediate death. however, she ultimately did not undergo the crucial transformation from human to immortal during the heavenly tribulation. at that time, cheng hongtan was gravely injured. thankfully, she had prepared a contingency plan before attempting the tribulation. before reincarnating, she placed her handwritten notes into the sutra depository, outlining a method to re-experience the mortal world through a dream technique. due to time constraints, cheng hongtan could not complete this task, leaving it for future generations to fulfill. simultaneously, she wielded her formidable divine powers to obliterate all traces of her existence within the sect. she enlisted the aid of her most trusted elder to help fabricate a segment of dushi sword houses history, effectively erasing cheng hongtan from existence. this was a prerequisite of the reincarnation technique. at her half-step true immortal level, reincarnation entailed karmic implications, necessitating the removal of certain traces of her prior existence. finally, cheng hongtan employed a secret method to entrust her waning soul to the progenitor tree. having just ascended as the master of the dushi sword house, and with the new saintess yet to emerge, she had to invoke the progenitor tree to produce a saint fruit and nurture the next saintess. she would then, with her memories intact, repeat the process and achieve reincarnation. after all, she was barely over a thousand years old, with nearly four thousand years of life remaining, and her divine soul was robust. this method of rebirth, not contravening the heavenly dao, essentially involved using the progenitor tree for healing. it was entirely feasible. however, the outcome far exceeded cheng hongtans expectations. though she had indeed been reborn, it was nine thousand years too late.. Chapter 42 - Chapter 42: Fellow Daoist Lu, Let’s Get to Know Each Other Again chapter 42: fellow daoist lu, lets get to know each other again translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation its been nine thousand years; he must have experienced so much cheng lingzhu held her blanket, a bit worried in her heart. could he have forgotten about me? after all, so much time had passed. their separation after an argument seemed like a breakup. after absorbing the spiritual energy of a red dust immortal, cheng lingzhus memories from her past life awakened. in those fragmented memories, during the process of becoming cheng hongtan, she felt the soul aura of lu xuan. that meant he had entered her soul world and now knew her true identity. cheng lingzhu looked at the closed door of her room, feeling inexplicably anxious about meeting him soon. in the guest room, there was a dressing table. cheng lingzhu sat in front of the mirror, looking at her reflection. cultivation was the best beauty treatment; even without makeup, the girl was incomparably beautiful. being beautiful is of no use, though. cheng lingzhu thought to herself that she was also beautiful in her previous life, but still ended up in the hands of a treacherous disciple. now, reborn, she was uncertain how to face him. sigh cheng lingzhu looked at her reflection in the mirror, sighed softly, and her expression was filled with distress. her youthful beauty was radiant. although her looks were not inferior to her previous life, her temperament was completely different. after a long while, as if having made up her mind, she walked towards the door. outside the guest room. lu xuan hesitated for a long time but finally approached the door. cheng lingzhu or rather, cheng hongtan, must have already awoken by now. regardless of her thoughts, he should at least seek clarity. lu xuan was not one to shy away from challenges; he was determined to take this step forward. just like when he confessed to cheng hongtan, it was he who had taken the initiative. otherwise, with the reserved nature of his master, piercing through that barrier would have taken an eternity. lu xuan extended his hand, about to push open the door. with a creak, the door opened. cheng lingzhu had opened it herself. lu xuans outstretched hand froze for a moment, before quickly withdrawing back into his sleeve. he was preparing to probe with a few words, but cheng lingzhu stepped out directly. she greeted lu xuan with a bow, her expression calm: greetings, daoist lu. lu xuans heart skipped a beat. cheng lingzhu would call him senior brother lu. cheng hongtan would call him xuaner or husband, and in certain situations, use other special titles. but now, referring to him as daoist lu this title was too polite, too distant. lu xuan felt as if something had pierced through his heart. it was agonizing. unexpectedly to lu xuan, cheng lingzhu bowed again before earnestly saying: senior brother lu, i am cheng lingzhu of the dushi sword house. may we get acquainted again? lu xuan was stunned. before him, the girls lips curled into a bright smile, her eyes reflecting his image. before opening the door, cheng lingzhu had also pondered for a long time. how she should face lu xuan. she recalled their past experiences together. when she was with lu xuan in the past, she was the more dominant one. looking back now, the bearing of a mahayana stage cultivator had brought many obstacles to her romantic life especially after the end of her mortal transformation phase. wanting to act coquettishly, but realizing it was inappropriate for a senior like her to throw herself into her disciples arms, she abruptly stopped herself. wanting to say i love you, but feeling it frivolous for a millennia-old mahayana cultivator to talk of love, she held back her words. wanting to sleep together with her disciple, but burdened by the demeanor of a master, she was too embarrassed to speak. fortunately, lu xuan could understand her. he would wrap her in his embrace, voice his affections freely, and draw her into his chamber, playfully suggesting that his cultivation had hit a snag and sought her guidance. a tinge of guilt shadowed cheng hongtans thoughts. love, a journey meant for two, had found her lagging behind, burdened by her own reticence. cheng hongtans efforts were ceaseless, a struggle between millennia-old habits and a love that had blossomed only recently. change is a relentless tide, not a sudden shift. yet, to cheng hongtan, her newfound love held immeasurable weight. for her and lu xuan, the chasm of age was but a superficial divide. it was the depths of their lived experiences, the variances in their souls journeys, that truly set them apart. she fondly reminisced about her mortal transformation phase. it wasnt just her cultivation that underwent a metamorphosis; her entire perspective on life shifted, revealing new horizons. now, upon awakening, when cheng lingzhu sifted through the remnants of her past life, a realization dawned upon her C her heart no longer beat to the same rhythm as before. freed from the weight of worldly attachments that had settled upon her soul through the centuries, she felt a newfound agility in her thoughts, a vivacity untouched by times weary hand. before the mirror, she made a vow. in this second chance at life, she would shed the mantle of cheng hongtan and embrace the essence of cheng lingzhu. the mantle of a venerated senior was a weary load to bear. cheng lingzhus path was clear now. she yearned to leap into lu xuans arms without a care, to declare her love without restraint, to lead him to her room with a promise of a night where only love would be their pursuit, not the arduous path of cultivation. nine thousand years ago, she lamented meeting lu xuan too late in life. this time, she desired a fresh chapter of romance with him. observing cheng lingzhu before him, her features sculpted with delicate grace, lu xuan was momentarily lost in a whirlpool of memories. he remembered the day, years ago, when their paths first crossed. taking a measured step back, he introduced himself anew: i am lu xuan, honored to meet you, daoist cheng. our reunion today must be a thread spun from our past lives tapestry, cheng lingzhu replied with a solemn grace. to encounter daoist cheng today is a serendipity spanning lifetimes, lu xuan responded, his voice laced with earnestness. a gentle smile played on cheng lingzhus lips as she extended her hand towards him. without hesitation, lu xuan clasped her delicate, porcelain-like hand, their fingers interlocking in a silent promise. just as cheng lingzhu had expressed, a rekindling of acquaintance was her wish. lu xuan now understood the depth of her intentions. then lets embark anew, he thought. on our first meeting, wouldnt you grace me with a gift? cheng lingzhu teased, her eyes twinkling, as she tilted her face up, inching closer to lu xuan. she rose on her toes, their faces a breath apart. but lu xuan, out of the romantic dance for nearly nine thousand years and having forgotten the art of courtship, was slow on the uptake. pondering, he offered: would the immortals robe from the secret mystical realm suffice? its someone elses attire, id rather not wear it, cheng lingzhu playfully pouted. all she wished for was a simple kiss from lu xuan. then, i shall unravel the fabric and craft a sword tassel for you. lets adorn it on the phoenix blood sword, and ill ponder over another gift, lu xuan suggested. that will do, cheng lingzhu agreed, nodding thoughtfully. she harbored no blame towards lu xuan; it was her prolonged absence that had rendered him so reserved. so be it. this time, she would be the one to kindle the flame of their love.. Chapter 43 - Chapter 43: Two Types of People in the Cafeteria chapter 43: two types of people in the cafeteria translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation as a top-tier sect, the headquarters of the divine weapon pavilion naturally spanned a vast area. following the end of the mystical realm trial, the pavilion promptly planned a grand event, the divine weapon conference. seizing the opportunity while the powerful figures from various sects had not yet departed, the pavilion took this chance to promote its own magical weapons. thus, the main hall was buzzing with activity. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu were walking along the street, which was already lined with many stalls set up by the disciples of the pavilion. the medicine hall sold elixirs, the artifact hall sold magical treasures, the formation hall sold formation steles, and the punishment hall provided bodyguard services and patrolled the area. however, the most successful were probably the disciples from the money hall. these female cultivators from the culinary immortal department under the money hall had set up snack and pastry stalls in the market, enjoying booming business. it is said that the head of the pavilions culinary immortal department is the dao companion of one of the elders, who married into the pavilion from the immortal chef sect. she began recruiting disciples in the pavilion and formed the culinary immortal department, lu xuan commented. because of the culinary immortal department, the quality of food for the disciples of the divine weapon pavilion is much higher than that of other sects before he could finish, cheng lingzhu pulled him towards the nearest stall. sister, ill have one of these, she said, choosing the pastry she wanted to buy and handing over some spirit stones. alrighty, replied the seller. the female cultivator dressed in the culinary immortal departments attire smiled as she packed the pastries, adding two bamboo sticks for convenience. lu xuan, with one hand occupied by cheng lingzhu, who refused to let go even while buying things, reached out with his other hand to take the package. the culinary immortal departments cultivator, seasoned in her experiences, looked at them and smiled, reminded of her own youth. it was common to see couples in the divine weapon pavilion during rest days, strolling hand in hand, immersed in each others company. lu xuan, with one hand holding the paper bag of pastries and the other intertwined with cheng lingzhus, was fully occupied. but this didnt hinder him from eating. cheng lingzhu skillfully opened the paper bag and picked up a piece of pastry with a bamboo stick, bringing it to lu xuans mouth. lu xuan paused for a moment, thinking how different this was from his master in the past. his master, a great mahayana practitioner with a millennium of cultivation, was not accustomed to such gestures. there were times she would get frustrated while trying to pick up food with chopsticks, eventually resorting to feeding him directly from her mouth. recalling those times, lu xuan remembered how numbingly soft the domineering sect leaders lips felt, though the length of their contact was a factor to consider. now, as cheng hongtan had reincarnated into cheng lingzhu, she had become a completely different person. lu xuan speculated on the change in her mindset, cutting off worldly attachments and breaking free from previous constraints, which was a positive development for her spiritual cultivation. and for lu xuan it was also very good. cheng lingzhu held the pastry to his mouth, blinking expectantly at him. he bit down, savoring the sweet, soft texture and the blend of ingredients. tasty? she asked. yes, very, lu xuan nodded, savoring the flavors, it seems theyve used crushed yuehua flowers, tianxing grass, and ziyun fruits C quite a rich mix. how do you know all this? cheng lingzhu looked at him curiously. ive had quite a few experiences over the years i can tell you about them sometime, lu xuan suggested, give me the bag and the stick. perhaps it was habit, or maybe because his current master was so adorable, but lu xuan couldnt resist the urge to feed her. no, i said id feed you, cheng lingzhu refused, feeding him another piece. but we have two sticks hmm. swallowing the pastry, lu xuan said, ill hold the bag, and we can take turns feeding each other. but then ill have to let go of your hand, cheng lingzhu said, indicating their intertwined fingers. alright. lu xuan was persuaded by this reason; no one could refuse a cute girl who wanted to keep holding hands. so, he cooperated with cheng lingzhu, letting her feed him. meanwhile, an outer sect disciple passed by, carrying two large bags of pastries and a floating bag of snacks, controlled by his spiritual power. he cast a spell, and the snacks flew into his mouth like a dragon drinking water. he glanced at lu xuan and cheng lingzhu, finding the quirks of couples in love rather strange and cumbersome. in contrast, he prided himself on his efficient eating habits. with cheng lingzhu feeding him, lu xuan felt content. he looked up at the sky and lightly tapped his foot on the ground. although it was a cloudy day, lu xuan cast a spell, and the clouds dispersed, bathing the divine weapon pavilion in sunshine. at that moment in the spirit herb garden. why did the weather suddenly clear up? a senior brother of the medicine hall looked up at the sky, his eyes widening in surprise. around the edge of the medicinal fields, over a hundred disciples simultaneously raised their heads, gazing at the cloudless sky. on this day, when most disciples were on holiday, those of the medicine hall were adjusting their schedule. a particular spiritual herb called youran grass required transplanting and planting on overcast days to absorb special natural energies for growth. this was why their well-planned rest days were often disrupted. the weather had been favorable for several days, and they had been eagerly awaiting an overcast day. but now, it suddenly cleared up. the senior brother of the medicine hall was frustrated. he could easily guess that some elder in a good mood must have used their powers to change the sects weather. generally, powerful cultivators wouldnt arbitrarily alter the weather, as it went against the principle of following the natural dao. however, there were exceptions. he recalled a senior who, after quarreling with his dao companion, would retreat to a cave on a certain mountain. then, it would lightly rain over that mountain, signifying the seniors desire for solitude. when the rain stopped, it indicated his improved mood, and his dao companion would then go to bring him back. the senior brother surmised that todays weather change must be the work of a senior performing a spell, and it was beyond his control. yay! the disciples immediately rejoiced, silently thanking the senior responsible for the weather change in their hearts.. Chapter 44 - Chapter 44: Ancient Mohism chapter 44: ancient mohism translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in the divine weapon pavilion, within the artifact hall. just ordinary friends, huh? ji lingchen glanced skeptically towards cheng lingzhu, who was conversing with a disciple of the hall of artifacts not far away, then rolled his eyes at lu xuan. ordinary friends of the opposite sex, walking hand in hand, fingers intertwined, sharing food so intimately? lu xuans face showed a hint of embarrassment as he pondered for a moment before speaking, to be honest, those who understand, understand; those who dont, well, explaining wont help ji lingchen retorted, get lost. alright, heres the situation lu xuan briefly explained the circumstances, keeping it concise. ji lingchens expression shifted from confusion to shock as he listened. so, i need your help. lingzhus phoenix blood sword was damaged during the heavenly tribulation, and its spirit has fallen silent. could you speak to wan zhucang on my behalf? ask him to reforge it for me. lu xuan said. wan zhucang, the current master of the armament pavilion, was renowned for his weapon forging skills, ranking among the top three in the archean eon realm. the phoenix blood sword, being of high caliber, would easily be restored under his craftsmanship. lu xuan thought for a moment, then rummaged through his storage treasure, finallv dulling out a ring: use half of the divine metal and immortal gold inside. the rest is my payment to you. ji lingchen caught the ring tossed to him, giving it a couple of flips in the air, alright, ill go see him later. lu xuan was not well-acquainted with wan zhucang, but ji lingchen was. requesting his assistance in forging a mystical weapon would not be a problem. oh, and one more thing, ji lingchen suddenly remembered, ive covered up the incident in the secret mystical realm for you. i told those guys that we met before entering the realm that i had given you a secret treasure if anyone brings it up, dont give us away. lu xuan nodded, indicating his understanding. ji lingchens explanation, though hardly scrutinizable, was convincing enough, given his esteemed seniority. the idea that lu xuan, coming from the ghost mage sect, and ji lingchen, arriving later from sky sword mountain, could have met seemed improbable. yet, ji lingchens word carried significant weight. could a cultivator at the crossing calamity stage possibly deceive you? even those harboring doubts had no choice but to believe his words. as the two casually conversed, ji lingchen suddenly broached a topic, do you remember that city we visited before moshou city? lu xuan pondered for a moment before nodding, i remember. his memory of that event was still vivid. moshou city, a legend widely known in the archean eon realm, spoke of a tumultuous era at the dawn of ancient times when hundreds of paths vied for dominance. only two individuals reached the zenith of their respective paths: the sage of the ancient confucian path and the sage of the ancient mohism path. in the end, the confucian sage ousted the mohism sage from the final showdown, leading to the disappearance of the ancient mohism path. some say that after his defeat, the mohism sage, along with his followers, fled the archean eon realm, taking refuge in the stars. this was a more euphemistic interpretation, suggesting a retreat in disgrace. another belief was that the mohism sage did not flee but, with his mighty divine powers, created a world of his own, establishing moshou city. the mo clan were the inheritors of the grand path of chivalry. legend had it that anyone who could enter moshou city would inherit the orthodox lineage of the mohism path, becoming the new successor. initially, both lu xuan and ji lingchen were skeptical of this tale. however, during their adventures and acts of chivalry, they stumbled upon a unique token. this ancient token, engraved with special characters and dao patterns, piqued their curiosity. after much effort, lu xuan deciphered its connection to the ancient mohism sect. ji lingchen, eager to witness the ancient path of chivalry, and lu xuan, a historian deeply intrigued by the mohism sect, agreed to explore this together. following the clues deciphered from the token, they located the general vicinity of moshou city but found the token pointing them towards the land of chaos. the land of chaos was a haven for the wicked and a hell for the righteous in the archean eon realm. notably, it lacked any good-hearted individuals. without native inhabitants, this land became a refuge for exiled villains and wanted demons, seeking protection from local tyrants while simultaneously engaging in treacherous and murderous acts against each other. although the righteous sects vehemently denounced this land of sin, no one took action against it. the reasons were threefold: firstly, the land of chaos was protected by several top demonic forces, forbidding outside interference and preventing a great war between the righteous and demonic paths. secondly, it served as a large prison, confining evildoers and letting them consume each other in their internal strife. thirdly, a powerful being had divined that the land of chaos was a crucial energy node for the archean eon realm, where all negative emotions converged, forming the very reason for the lands sinister nature. destroying the land of chaos or altering its fengshui would only lead to the emergence of a new haven of chaos elsewhere. thus, the land of chaos continued to exist, and the city of chivalry, moshou city, was rumored to be located in this most corrupt land of the archean eon realm. lu xuan and ji lingchen searched but could not locate moshou city, concluding that the city had not yet emerged. but now ji lingchen produced the token, which glowed faintly as if activated. handing it to lu xuan, he said, arent you going to take a look? i have already found my path of chivalry, ji lingchen replied. lu xuan nodded slightly, examining the token in his hand. it was about the size of an adult mans palm, with a dark greenish-black hue and sharp edges. it felt smooth and warm, akin to jade. with my current cultivation level, i cant even scratch it, ji lingchen remarked calmly, almost indifferently. this token, linked to the ancient mohism path, held significant historical importance. despite the sparse records about the mohism sect in the annals of the archean eon realm, the mohism sects founder, who had fiercely contended against the ancient confucian sect and secured second place in an era of a hundred competing philosophies, was undoubtedly a saintly figure. ji lingchen knew well that, despite being a powerful being who had completed the crossing calamity stage, the realms of immortals and cultivators were distinctly different. even a mortal ascended to the red dust immortal stage would undergo a fundamental transformation, making them vastly different from your run-of-the-mill cultivator.. Chapter 45 - Chapter 45: Yi Changqing chapter 45: yi changqing translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation three days later, on an early morning outside the gates of divine weapon pavilion the weapon has been mended, ji lingchen announced, handing a long sword wrapped in black silk to lu xuan. so soon? lu xuan, a connoisseur of swords, was slightly surprised as he took it. weighing the weapon, he instantly recognized the meticulous craftsmanship that had restored the mystical blade to perfection. wan zhucang had indeed taken great care in reforging the phoenix blood sword. thank you, lu xuan expressed, skillfully performing a spell to tuck the phoenix blood sword into his sleeve. ji lingchen dismissed the thanks with a wave of his hand and inquired, where are you planning to go next? lu xuan pondered for a moment, to sancai academy, perhaps. theres a celebration happening there soon. a visit seems fitting. lu xuan had studied and once taught at sancai academy, though it was a memory from long ago. the current headmaster, a direct disciple of the former, was nearly five thousand years old. lu xuan had known the old headmaster well. his disciple, now leading the academy, was merely a youth back then. its worth mentioning that sancai academy had seen challenging times over the past few millennia. the old headmaster, who had reached the crossing calamity stage, had a disciple whose talents were somewhat lacking, leaving him at the pinnacle of the mahayana stage. cultivation is fundamentally a matter that delves into the mysteries of mystical world. a cultivator at the pinnacle of the great mahayana stage, upon enlightenment, would enter the tribulation transcendence phase. during this phase, a cultivator can sense the approaching tribulation necessary for ascension to immortality. for instance, cheng hongtan, after reaching the peak of the mahayana stage, descended the mountain to gain worldly experience. in just two years, she faced the immortal ascension tribulation. similarly, ji lingchen reached the peak of the mahayana stage in his thousandth year. he spent three thousand years refining himself and was now on the verge of achieving the true immortal status. however, the successive headmasters of the sancai academy, lacking both luck and innate talent, faced different fates. one halted at the completion of the crossing calamity stage, while the other remained circling at the peak of the mahayana stage. indeed, the anniversary of sancai academy is a significant event in the cultivation world. its not to be missed, ji lingchen nodded, expressing a desire to attend, though his duties at sky sword mountain and the impending true immortal tribulation demanded his presence elsewhere. over these three days, the divine weapon pavilion, bolstered by the presence of external sect experts, had hosted a grand weaponry convention. lu xuan, showing little interest in the weapons, had casually browsed the event with cheng lingzhu. however, the gambling stone activity had piqued his interest. regrettably, the stones provided were of little value, aligning with the pavilions non-professional status. even with lu xuans luck, only a few ordinary spirit jades had been uncovered. as lu xuan and ji lingchen casually conversed at the gate, a commotion arose in the distance. brother yi changqing has returned! brother yi changqing is back! its brother yi, and thats his treasure carriage! lets hurry over, or well miss our chance! no ones going to beat me to it! ill take the task of protecting brother yi! lu xuan looked towards the noise and saw a large treasure carriage halting. from it descended a group of robust men, each wielding a mystical weapon, forming a tight human wall. a man in green robes stepped off the carriage. as he walked, female cultivators tried to approach him stealthily but were soon revealed by a bellow from the leader of the men, their techniques forcing the women to keep their distance. is this fan meeting always so exaggerated? lu xuan remarked. if they were truly fans, yi changqing would be laughing in his dreams, ji lingchen commented. just watch. yi changqing moved forward, casually tossing various high-grade mystical treasures as he went. surrounding male disciples rushed forward, vying for the magical treasures yi changqing had tossed. outnumbering the female disciples, they pushed them to the edges. this naturally incited discontent among the female disciples, and a scuffle ensued. amidst the chaos, the burly men seized the opportunity to capture several female cultivators, presenting them before yi changqing. yi changqing formed a seal with his hands and pressed it against the foreheads of the captured female disciples. those marked by his palm immediately showed signs of dejection and slinked away. this peculiar spectacle unfolded just outside the divine weapon pavilions gates. once past the gates, the crowd dispersed, leaving only yi changqing and his bodyguards. yi changqing is a pitiful figure, ji lingchen sighed. he possesses the xuan yin body. lu xuan, taken aback, instinctively questioned, isnt he a man? thats precisely why hes pitiable, ji lingchen replied. unlike lu xuan, who had long remained sequestered in the dao evolution sect, ji lingchen, a renowned figure in beiyuan, was well-versed in local secrets. the xuan yin body is of no use to men but offers immense opportunity to women, ji lingchen explained. any woman who unites with yi changqing can forcibly extract his xuan yin essence. this would significantly ease their cultivation path, removing all obstacles. so these women are after his xuan yin body? lu xuan understood. given the daylight, the more sinister aspects of such an act couldnt be pursued. however, lu xuan knew of techniques that required mere physical contact to steal certain bloodlines and physiques. while the divine weapon pavilions female cultivators lacked such advanced methods, those from spirit charm sect might manage it, though the latter likely possessed similar techniques. using secret methods, even a mere touch could siphon a sliver of xuan yin energy into their own bodies. the divine weapon pavilion doesnt prohibit private fights, but murder is severely punished. yi changqing could not lethally retaliate against them, resorting instead to secret techniques for restraint. anyone marked by his palm is unable to draw bloodline essence from him, ji lingchen observed, watching yi changqings retreating figure. the xuan yin body, though useless to him, is linked to a cultivators core essence. if taken before his ascension, it would damage his foundational path, barring him from higher cultivation realms. thats quite tragic, isnt it? lu xuan expressed sympathy. indeed, ji lingchen nodded. there are rumors that even the saintess of divine weapon pavilion wants to take action against yi changqing. though a core disciple, yi changqing was not considered a major figure. his late master had left behind limited connections and wealth, barely enough to protect his disciple. if the saintess of the divine weapon pavilion indeed overpowered yi changqing and obtained his xuan yin body, the sect would likely side with her. escaping outside the sect posed even greater risks. while the sects rules offered some protection, countless female cultivators in the outside world would eagerly prey upon yi changqing. fortunately, for men, the xuan yin body held no benefit, allowing yi changqing to interact safely with male cultivators. his circle of acquaintances, thus, was exclusively male.. Chapter 46 - Chapter 46: Eating Hotpot and Singing Songs, Suddenly Ambushed by a Great Demon chapter 46: eating hotpot and singing songs, suddenly ambushed by a great demon translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation demons and beasts are endowed with inherent bloodlines, each with unique powers that they can harness during cultivation and combat. similarly, humans also possess various natural constitutions. such as the dao body. sacred body, and chaos body. however, lu xuan, unlike ji lingchen from the tzu chi institute, was born with a regular mortal body, his parents being ordinary humans. lu xuans life began in a remote mountain village in a mundane martial country. at the tender age of two, while enjoying the cool shade in his yard, he fell asleep, only to be snatched away by a wolf. fortunately, the wolf, having recently fed, planned to keep him as backup food, sparing him from immediate death and leaving him with only minor scratches. this incident coincided with the county magistrates patrol in the countryside. learning about roe deer in the mountains, the magistrate, accompanied by skilled protectors, went hunting. during their excursion, they encountered the wolf carrying lu xuan. from a hundred steps away, the guards, with their exceptional martial prowess, shot and killed the wolf, rescuing lu xuan as a result. charmed by the young, articulate, and well-mannered lu xuan, the magistrate decided to take him down the mountain. upon finding lu xuans parents, the magistrate proposed that lu xuan become a son-in-law, given his daughter was of a similar age. overjoyed and seeing a path out of poverty, lu xuans parents agreed to the arrangement. lu xuan, though shocked, harbored no resentment. firstly, his familys dire poverty made the magistrates offer a lifeline for a better life. secondly, the opportunity to be the son-in-law of a county magistrate was a rare fortune, especially for a child from a peasant family. in many novels, a county magistrate may be a minor character, but in reality, their influence was substantial. they held power over the wellbeing and fates of the countys populace. being the head of a county, the magistrate was akin to the sky in the societal hierarchy. lu xuan, with his experience from two lifetimes, understood and appreciated the magnitude of this change in his destiny. at the age of six, lu xuan went hunting with the magistrate again. this time, they encountered a fierce tiger, scattering their party. fleeing for his life, lu xuan lost his way and ended up on a mountain path where he met an old man in a wide robe. the old man, recognizing a destined connection, revealed himself to be the sect master of the dao evolution sect and took lu xuan as his disciple. lu xuan, now aware of the existence of a cultivation world, inquired why the sect master had ventured to such a remote mortal area. the sect master explained that he had sensed a connection and, through his calculations, knew his destined disciple was near. thus, the first twenty-one years of lu xuans life unfolded smoothly. after attaining success in his cultivation, he returned to find his family now prosperous and planning to move to town. he left them longevity pills and a note, before quietly departing. before leaving, lu xuan noticed a wedding in the county. the bride, hidden within her palanquin, was the magistrates daughter. observing the strain on the faces of the sedan bearers, lu xuan swiftly left on his flying sword, mindful of the profound divide between the worlds of immortals and mortals. the next day. zhang xun came to find lu xuan. daoist lu, he said, theres only half a month until the anniversary celebration of sancai academy. we plan to take the treasure carriages and set off early to experience the local customs along the way. what do you think? daoist zhang is our host, so we will follow your arrangements, lu xuan replied with a gesture of respect. beside him, cheng lingzhu had no objections. she would follow wherever lu xuan went. half an hour later, led by zhang xun, the two arrived at the entrance of the divine weapon pavilion. a long line of flying treasure carriages awaited them, dispatched by sancai academy to transport guests. the academys disciples had prepared everything in advance for the upcoming mystical realm trials. our sects great masters have already returned, and the carriage team consists of peers. we can relax a bit and enjoy the journey to the academy, zhang xun said, smiling. please choose a treasure carriage, liang xia, who stood beside zhang xun, suggested with a smile. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu exchanged glances and chose a carriage near them, located at the rear of the procession. half an hour later, everyone was settled in their carriages, with zhang xun and liang xia leading at the front, steering the convoy towards sancai academy. after the carriage procession left the territory of the divine weapon pavilion and entered a desolate mountain range, lu xuan sipped his tea inside the carriage, explaining to cheng lingzhu, sancai academy is located in the eastern barren territory, a remote place with few major powers nearby. its a suitable place for scholarly pursuits with fewer territorial and resource disputes. of course, this is also due to the strength of the academy. i studied there for a while and even stayed on as a teacher as he shared his experiences, the carriage suddenly shook violently. whats going on? lu xuan looked up, activating his pupil technique to see through the carriage roof and take in the outside scene. the carriages, led by zhang xun, were flying high in the clouds. and now, a massive creature emerged through the clouds into lu xuans view. it was a golden-winged peng bird, enormous in size, its wings spreading wide enough to blot out the sun. as soon as the golden -winged peng appeared, it scattered the entire procession, throwing it into chaos. zhang xun and others quickly realized the danger. feeling the aura of the golden-winged peng, they were alarmed to discover it was a great demon at the body integration stage. the golden-winged peng, indifferent to the shock it caused, swooped down with its talons outstretched, targeting the carriages at the end of the procession. lu xuan set down his teacup and tapped the table lightly. a clear light shone, stabilizing the space within the carriage. despite the turmoil outside, the inside remained calm, not a drop of tea spilled. lu xuan did not rush to act. he sensed that the golden-winged peng, despite its aggressive approach, harbored no malice. he decided to wait and see what the creature intended. with a swoop, the peng locked the space around, grabbing the last five carriages, and transformed into a golden light, speeding away. the cultivators at the front of the convoy watched in astonishment as the golden-winged peng disappeared into the distance. were they all just ambushed by a great demon at the body integration stage while enjoying their journey? the golden-winged peng, known for its incredible speed, disappeared from their sight in an instant, heading far away. that evening, after a day of high-speed flight, the golden-winged peng finally stopped in front of a mountain gate, where a plaque stood. lu xuan looked closely [ sky demon clan ] Chapter 47 - Chapter 47: Yan Feiyu chapter 47: yan feiyu translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation boom! with a thunderous sound, the golden-winged peng placed down the treasure carriages it was carrying and transformed into an elderly man in a brocade robe. at the mountain gate stood a young man, yan feiyu, with dark skin, a rugged face, and a majestic stature towering over two meters. his shoulder-length black hair cascaded down, radiating a wild charm. young master yan! the brocade-robed elder, transformed from the golden -winged peng, stepped forward and bowed: following your orders, i have brought the people. thank you, elder jin. yan feiyu, the young sky demon sects master, nodded. as he spoke, the last carriages curtain lifted, and a figure emerged C it was yi changqing from the divine soldiers pavilion. yi changqing greeted with a bow and a bright laugh: long time no see, brother yan. how have you been? yan feiyu replied, werent we just together half a month ago? yi changqing jokingly responded, a day apart feels like years. yan feiyu, known for his deep friendship with yi changqing, stood ready to welcome him. yi changqing approached with open arms for a hug, but yan feiyu raised his folding fan to his chest. brother yi, i do not share your romantic inclinations. could you restrain yourself a bit? im heading to the western desert soon. it might be centuries before we meet again, yi changqing sighed. hearing this, yan feiyus expression became complex. after a moment, he relented: alright, alright, ill allow the hug. yi changqing chuckled and embraced yan feiyu. everything happening today was part of his plan. yi changqing, born with a the xuan yin physique coveted by many female cultivators, even attracting the attention of the divine weapon pavilions saintess, had considered fleeing for his safety. he knew the dangers outside his sect were even greater, where a single misstep could lead to peril. it was during his travels that he encountered a buddhist monk from the western desert. the monk, recognizing his potential and connection with buddhism, invited him to join the great impermanence temple if he was willing to cut his worldly ties. the great impermanence temple usually accepted only children, but yi changqings age meant his entry depended on his buddhist connection. with or without this connection, one might kneel outside the temple for days without gaining entry. yi changqing trusted the monk, who demonstrated formidable cultivation. if the monk had wished, he could have easily taken yi changqing by force. however, the monk asked him to journey there himself, as a test of his commitment. on his way, yi changqing would likely face various challenges, including encounters with enchantresses. overcoming these trials and reaching the western deserts would grant him the temples protection, securing his safety. thus, he entrusted his most trusted friend, yan feiyu, the master of the heavenly demon sect, to assist him in this endeavor. yi changqing discreetly joined the convoy of the sancai academy, while yan feiyu arranged for his men to seize the treasure carriages and rescue yi changqing. as yi changqing and yan feiyu parted, yi changqing sniffed the air and asked: why do you smell so strongly? its a fragrance, not a strong odor. yan feiyu sniffed his own arm, emphasizing his point. he flashed a row of wmte teetn: because i, the young master, have just finished a battle and took a bath before coming to see you unlike brother yi, who still retains his purity. yi changqing was silent. he knew yan feiyu had dozens of wives and concubines, allowing him to lead a rather joyous life. cough, cough alright, lets not talk about this. yan feiyu didnt press further: your plan being moved up caught me off guard. the teleportation array will take three more days to prepare. in the meantime, stay at my place. ill assign some sturdy guards for you. i didnt expect the sancai academys people to leave so early. i had no choice but to blend into their team ahead of schedule, yi changqing replied with a wry smile, thank you, brother yan. between us, theres no need for thanks. yan feiyu waved his hand and turned to the brocade-robed elder: elder jin. present. the elder bowed. release the rest. theyre disciples from major sects; we dont need trouble remember to leave them a carriage to depart. understood. at the rear mountain exit of the sky demon sect: boom! boom! boom! boom! boom! five carriages descended from the sky. over a hundred heavenly demon sect disciples swarmed forward, opening the curtains and dragging out the disciples from the major sects. dizzy and disoriented, the major sect disciples found themselves surrounded by a group of fierce-looking demons, all with unfriendly expressions. a leading demon shouted: entering the territory of the sky demon sect without paying a toll? seize their carriages! the major sect disciples were baffled. the sky demon sect? a prestigious, top-tier demon sect? sending a body integration stage cultivator to collect tolls from them? their minds were overwhelmed. elder jin and yan feiyus conversation was shielded from the captives inside the carriages by their cultivation. thus, these disciples were unaware of yi changqings presence or what had transpired. the demons opened all the curtains, finding two carriages empty but not paying much mind. they followed orders, cramming the bewildered disciples into one larger carriage. then they lifted the carriage, carrying the puzzled disciples out of the heavenly demon sects main temple. that night, the sky demon sects main temple was brightly lit. big brother, drink up! a tall demon cultivator raised his cup. drink! responded another demon cultivator clad in a golden robe beside him. second brother, your turn! another demon raised his glass. drink! echoed a demon in a silver robe next to the golden-robed one. the banquet was lively, filled with demons drinking, feasting, playing drinking games, and boasting, thoroughly enjoying themselves. these disciples of the heavenly demon sect seem to live quite joyfully, lu xuan observed, perched on a horizontal tree trunk, watching the distant scene. hmm yes, they do, replied cheng lingzhu, seated beside him. however, her gaze was not on the distant revelry; instead, she stole glances at lu xuans profile. she had always found him handsome, and her opinion had not changed. shall we choose those two then? lu xuan asked. okay, cheng lingzhu responded. that very night, the two inebriated demon leaders were escorted back to their rooms. no sooner had the door closed than each received a blow to the head, knocking them unconscious. lu xuan sealed their cultivation for a few days, cast a silencing spell, and after securely binding the two demons, stowed them under the bed.. Chapter 48 - Chapter 48: Sorry, I Can’t… chapter 48: sorry, i cant translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation just as lu xuan had predicted, disguising as the golden-robed and silver-robed demons proved beneficial. the very next morning, an order came through. the young lord of the sky demon sect, yan feiyu, instructed the two demons to select their subordinates and head to the back mountain to assist in repairing the formation. lu xuan, using the secret techniques from the illusion scripture, transformed himself and cheng lingzhu into the appearance of the two demons, foolproof against detection. both the golden-robed and silver-robed demon cultivators, at the pinnacle of the golden core stage, held significant status and some authority. lu xuan casually chose a few demons and followed the monk who came with the order to the back mountain. halfway up the mountain, a vast formation platform was embedded, where dozens of demon cultivators had already gathered, with golden core leaders each leading a group, waiting there. before long, a short, plump elder, transformed from a golden-furred rat demon and adept in formation arts, flew over, shrouded in demonic energy. accompanying him was a human cultivator from the divine weapon pavilion, yi changqing. brother yan is occupied these days and cant come, so ill be in charge here for now, yi changqing said politely, producing a token from his sleeve and showing it to everyone. the formation is difficult to repair, so id like to thank all the fellow daoists here for your efforts, he added, bowing his hands in thanks. the plump elder, who had brought him to the back mountain, was a notable demon in his own right, proficient in formation paths and already at the stage of refined void, although not quite as formidable as the golden-winged peng responsible for capturing the cultivators previously. the sky demon sect, located in the eastern barren territory and far from the western desert, could not be reached directly by the grand formation. even with constant station changes, the journey involved passing through many places. the buddhist cultivator who had invited yi changqing was aware of this and thus imposed no restrictions on his method of traveling to the great impermanent temple. regardless of the route taken, challenges were to be expected along the way. yi changqing had already contacted yan feiyu in advance, and the latter had built a new teleportation formation according to his needs. due to changqings early arrival, the formation was yet to be completed. the demon cultivators, including lu xuan and cheng lingzhu, were there to help construct the formation. the golden-haired elder briefly outlined the task, distributing a detailed diagram of the formations intricate parts to each person. once everyone had memorized their roles, they stood at their designated positions. the formation was incredibly complex. as soon as the work began, materials of various sizes flew out from the elders sleeves, directly tossed to the disciples. following his instructions, the demons swiftly embedded array stones, essence stones, spirit jades, and other items into specific slots. while throwing materials, the golden-haired elder rapidly inscribed formation runes on the platform, moving so swiftly that he left afterimages. occasionally, if a rune was inscribed incorrectly, he would have to scrape away the surrounding materials and reinstall them. as he had received the young lords order, requiring the teleportation formation to be completed within three days, the elder dared not delay. by noon. senior, why not let everyone take a break? yi changing suggested. he had intended to help, but as a distinguished guest of the sky demon sects young lord, the golden-haired elder naturally did not allow it, leaving yi changqing to handle logistical tasks instead. for instance, he had just brought food and drinks from the mountain base for the many demon cultivators, and also brewed a pot of spirit tea. very well, the golden-haired elder contemplated briefly and then nodded. thus, the dusty disciples of the sky demon sect finally had the chance to rest. please, fellow daoist. please, fellow daoist. yi changqing personally served the spirit tea. the cups, carved from wood he had chopped from the mountain trees, released a refreshing plant fragrance when filled with the tea. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu expressed their thanks, clinked cups, and drank. after a midday rest, they continued building the formation in the afternoon, thankfully without working overtime in the evening. arranging a formation was a meticulous task; lack of concentration could easily lead to errors, a fact the golden-haired elder understood well. the morning of the third day. the formation was finally completed. a disciple eagerly stepped onto the formation platform, then activated the formation. a beam of white light shone, and his figure vanished. dozens of breaths later, the formation lit up again, and his figure reappeared on the platform. the sky demon sect disciples were thrilled: its a success! hearing this, the golden-haired elder heaved a sigh of relief, and the demons cheered. smiles appeared on lu xuan and cheng lingzhus faces. lu xuan leaned over and teased, tired these past few days? let me massage your wrists. most of the materials were caught by you, how could i be tired? cheng lingzhus lips curved up, but she still placed her hand in his palm. as she said, most of the materials for the formation thrown by the golden -haired elder were effortlessly caught by lu xuan. with his reaction speed and proficiency in formation, such tasks were well within his capabilities. due to this, cheng lingzhu did not feel particularly exhausted. it was not as tiring as the times she had helped him before cheng lingzhu blushed at the thought. after finishing their work, the demons dispersed down the mountain, each returning to their respective positions. however, lu xuan pulled cheng lingzhu aside, circled around, and then returned to the mountain. whats wrong? cheng lingzhu asked, puzzled. the us he referred to wasnt just him and cheng lingzhu, but all the demon cultivators responsible for constructing the formation platform. lu xuan cast a concealment spell, hiding their presence as they quietly observed the formation platform. after the successful trial of the formation, yi changqing did not leave immediately but instead brewed a pot of tea, waiting there. half an incense sticks time later, a figure descended from the sky it was yan feiyu. brother yan. yi changqing, seeing him approach, quickly walked up with two cups of spirit tea. once we part today, who knows how long it will be until we meet again. yan feiyu, disguised as a scholarly young master, sighed and unfurled his folding fan with a whoosh: as you part on a journey of thousands of miles, i wish changqing a prosperous future and a path to the great dao! after a few sentimental words, they drank the tea in their cups. yi changqing bowed to yan feiyu and then walked towards the formation platform. but after only a few steps, he staggered and fell to the ground, his legs giving way. why why is this happening yi changqings eyes widened in shock, feeling his body go limp and unable to move. along with the weakness, a strange fire burst forth from within, spreading towards his lower abdomen, turning his face red. im sorry, changqing, yan feiyu sighed, folding the fan that had been directing wind towards yi changqing. his voice, no longer deep and powerful, became shriller. yan feiyu lifted yi changqings body and placed him on a clean, large rock. he pulled out the hairpin from his hair, letting down a cascade of soft, black hair. his previously robust figure transformed, becoming curvaceous, and a faint fragrance emanated from his body. yan feiyu, now of the opposite gender, stood in front of yi changqing. the mysterious yin power within you is not only a great temptation for women but also perfectly aligns with my cultivation practice. she reached out, gently caressing yi changqings cheek, her movements tender and pitying. im sorry, i can no longer be your brother.. Chapter 49 - Chapter 49: Severance of Ties chapter 49: severance of ties translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation yan feiyu, did you really go this far all for the sake of this so-called xuan yin constitution yi changqings face was flushed red, as if he was trying his best to endure something. indeed, though i didnt expect that i would really take this step one day. yan feiyu squatted down. her clothes were tight, revealing the curves of her thighs, making her look plump and fleshy. she looked at yi changqings face and whispered softly, but now, it doesnt seem all that bad? three days ago, when we met, you had already started this transformation? yi changqing gasped. he recalled the fragrance he had smelled from yan feiyu when they met. yan feiyu used the fragrance of makeup as an excuse to cover it up, but when yi changqing thought about it carefully, there was a faint body fragrance hidden under the thick incense. he had always been wary of women, but he had fallen into yan feiyus trap, hook, line, and sinker. originally, i had no plans of rushing this step. but i never expected the people from sancai academy to leave early. i was caught off guard. yan feiyus voice was calm. she gently stroked yi changqings face and lifted his chin. at first, i didnt plan to build this array, but the transformation wasnt completed yet, so i had no choice but to put on a show. just as yan feiyu had stated, yi changqings escape plan was a trap from the beginning. there was no escape. it was merely a deal between the divine weapon pavilion and the sky demon sect. at this moment, yi changqing secretly activated his spells in an attempt to break free of the shackles in his body. however, his dharmic powers were scattered and could not be gathered at all. dont waste your energy. yan feiyu sighed. i know you too well. with your personality, if you knew that someone was going to use force, you would definitely think of a way to commit suicide. therefore, i traded a special gu worm with the southern mountains god curse sect. it will seal your powers and stimulate your desires. with your golden core cultivation, im afraid that the only organ you can move for the next two hours should be at this point, she could not help but smile. well youre still a virgin, so you wont even last an hour, right? yi changqing grunted and smiled sadly. yan feiyu, when i fell into the hands of the demoness of the evil phoenix pavilion, you saved my life. evergreen will never forget your kindness. even if i have to use my life to repay it, i will not hesitate at all. but now, how can we how can you do such a thing even though yan feiyu looked really attractive. but she was, previously. no matter what, yi changqing could not accept the situation. just treat me as a separate person. yan feiyu stood up with a relaxed expression. she had used a secret technique to transform herself. during this process, her temperament had already changed. dont worry, ill take responsibility for you. i know that dual cultivation with you now will damage your dao foundation, but its not incurable. as the young master of the mighty tianyao sect, i will find the best elixirs for you yan feiyu looked at yi changqing, and with a gentle voice, she added, in the future, you will be my husband, and no one will be able to hurt you. my concubines, i will not touch them at all, and if you wish, i can even make them serve shut up! yi changqings face turned crimson, his words disordered. you how can you be so so excessive! not far away, lu xuan gave a thumbs up. brother yi is truly a high-quality cultivator. forced into such a situation, he only uttered excessive. yi changqings predicament was indeed miserable. but from the outside looking in, it seemed a bit different. yan feiyu had a heroic appearance, with a high nose bridge, bright and expressive eyes, and standing over two meters tall, her figure was full and fleshy. her skin, a healthy wheatish color, combined with her demonic bloodline, exuded a unique charm. yi changqing, of medium height and rather slender, now red-faced and refuting yan feiyu, gave off an impression of a dark-skinned, neighborly big sister and an innocent, feeble little boy. sigh. lu xuan sighed, looking at the awakened yan feiyu. enjoying the show was one thing. but if he didnt intervene now, yi changqing was truly going to be crushed. after all, it was against the wishes of the person involved, and he had been invited for tea. he raised his hand, and a ray of light flew out, entering yi changqings forehead. yi changqing, who had already given up hope, suddenly felt a strange power coursing through his body. the restraints within him dissipated, the gu worm was expelled, and his long-suppressed powers surged tumultuously. yan feiyus face neared his, but yi changqing struck like lightning, grabbing her throat! the next moment, the caught-off-guard yan feiyu was pressed down on the boulder by yi changqing! you yan feiyu was shocked, still unclear how he had broken free from her control. what came next was an angry fist! with a bang, yi changqings fist struck yan feiyus nose, blood flowing. as he was about to land the second punch, yan feiyu suddenly rose, grabbed his waist, and threw him to the ground. the two fought fiercely, without spells or weapons. their battle was chaotic and primitive like wild beasts, each desperately pouring out their emotions. after a long battle, both were left heavily wounded. but it was yan feiyu who fell. yi changqing, struggling to stay upright, drew a long sword from his storage treasure and leaned on it. i used to trust you so much yi changqings face bore a bitter smile, to attain the dao what dao have i attained?! he raised his sword and struck down forcefully, but yan feiyu closed her eyes. bang! however, the sword did not fall upon yan feiyu but split a nearby boulder in two. yan feiyu, i owe you nothing now. yi changqing, gritting his teeth, tore off a piece of his robe and threw it fiercely to the ground: my debt of gratitude and our ties end here today! with that, he turned and limped towards the array platform, disappearing into the light without looking back. a while later. a figure in a brocade robe appeared. young master? elder jin stood by, bowing slightly. didnt i say i didnt want you all to come? this elder jin was at a loss for words, should we pursue him? why pursue him? let him go, dont give chase. yan feiyu waved her hand dismissively, struggling to stand up. elder jin tried to assist her, but she brushed him off. she stood up with some difficulty, limping away from the place.. Chapter 50 - Chapter 50: The Scholarly Atmosphere of Sancai Academy chapter 50: the scholarly atmosphere of sancai academy translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in this world, things are quite fantastical and bizarre. aboard the flying treasure carriage, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu sat facing each other. it is indeed so, cheng lingzhu nodded vigorously in agreement. it had been five days since they left the sky demon sect. the incident of i treated you like a brother, but you wanted to sleep with me as a woman had given cheng lingzhu quite a shock. in her memory, when she traveled with lu xuan years ago, they had never come across such outrageous incidents! waking up to a world that had drastically changed was something else. i hope that daoist yi can successfully reach the western desert and become a holy monk, lu xuan said as he poured a cup of tea for cheng lingzhu. i remember that you didnt like drinking this in the past, she remarked, taking a sip from the cup. maybe its because ive gotten older, lu xuan mused, taking a sip of his tea. in truth, it was more about finding a hobby to pass the solitary time. as they conversed, lu xuan glanced downwards and smiled: weve arrived at sancai city. sancai city, the headquarters of the sancai academy, was a vibrant place. the inner city housed the main body of the academy, while the outer city bustled with taverns, markets, and other lively places, exuding a lively, worldly atmosphere. these industries depended on the students of sancai academy for their livelihood. moreover, most of the businesses in the outer city were managed by the academys commercial saints institute, ensuring that the profits flowed back into the academy. sancai academy, following the ancient confucian orthodoxy, did not prohibit the development of other schools of thought. the belief was that progress comes from the collision and exchange of ideas. remaining insular and self-satisfied was not the way forward. therefore, sancai academy widely welcomed scholars from various disciplines. apart from the literary saints institute, there were numerous other departments like the agricultural saints institute, the legal saints institute, the commercial saints institute, among others. due to its vast array of institutes, sancai academys headquarters was one of the largest among the immortal sects. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu did not stop in the outer city. lu xuan had already contacted zhang xun the day before. the young people, disheartened by the incident at sky demon sect, hurriedly returned to the academy. knowing that everyone was safe, sancai academy breathed a sigh of relief. their treasure carriage slowly stopped in front of the inner city gates. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu alighted, greeted by a waiting monk. however, it wasnt zhang xun and liang xia who came, but a young confucian scholar. with a smile, the young man greeted them: chen xu of sancai academy, at your service. good to meet you, daoist chen, they both greeted in return. chen xu, a disciple of the current academys chancellor he yuanfeng, was in line to be the future chancellor. as a mahayana stage cultivator, he yuanfeng was quite old, and his disciple, over two thousand years old, had reached the mahayana stage three hundred years ago, showing remarkable talent. it was rumored that he yuanfeng intended to pass on the chancellorship to his disciple during the academys upcoming anniversary celebration. given the impending anniversary, brother zhang xun is busier than me and cannot spare the time. for the next few days, ill show you around sancai academy, chen xu explained, smiling. his master had entrusted him with this task. these esteemed guests, one a saintess from the strongest sect in the archean eon realm and the other a disciple from the closely affiliated dao evolution sect, must be treated with the utmost respect. chen xu took this reception task very seriously. please, follow me, he said. lead the way, they responded as soon as they entered the inner city, a statue of a confucian saint came into view. this statue was towering and masterfully sculpted. the confucian saints face radiated gentleness. he was clad in a flowing robe, his physique accentuating the fabric. upon beholding this stone effigy, one couldnt help but think of it as mighty and awe-inspiring. the inner citys ambiance starkly contrasted with the outer citys. if the outer city resonated with the mundaneness of the mortal realm, the inner city was steeped in a profoundly scholarly aura. for instance, shortly after their arrival, they witnessed two factions engaging in a heated debate beneath the confucian saints statue. chen xu glanced over and turned with an amused smile. this embodies sancai academys tradition. judging by their robes, they belong to the literary saints institute. confucians excel in dialectics and rational discourse. disputes here are settled through reasoned debate beneath the confucian saints watchful gaze, with past teachers often invoked as arbiters. lu xuan gave a subtle nod of understanding. he then noticed one individual brandishing a large banner. emblazoned on it was a single word C [desire]! lu xuans eyes widened as another person unfurled a contrasting banner. [ascetic]! something seemed amiss. the banner labeled perverted flew overhead. its bearer stepped forward, proclaiming virtuously, to admire youthful beauty, to empathize with the vulnerable, to harbor compassion C this is benevolence! to cherish a grown beauty, recognizing her worth C this is righteousness! to admire the allure of maturity without disdain as age creeps in C this is steadfastness! to find beauty in non-human forms, like fox spirits or serpent demons, without rejection C this is wisdom! hence, these are the five virtues: benevolence, righteousness, honesty, steadfastness, and wisdom! lu xuan and cheng lingzhu were left speechless. this this chen xu, eager to showcase his institutes scholarly prowess, looked both perplexed and embarrassed. the intellectual fervor here is indeed unbridled. lu xuan solemnly nodded in acknowledgment. cough, cough this is the result of our students rigorous pursuits lets visit the former saints statue later. its crowded now. chen xu hastily guided them away. the agriculture institute is nearby, and theyre amidst mid-term assessments. fellow daoists, let us observe. chen xu extended an invitation. of course, lu xuan agreed. chen xu felt a surge of confidence. the students at the agricultural saints institute were known for their steadiness, and as such, he was expecting a smooth visit. at the academys entrance stood the agricultural saints benevolent statue. chen xu began, our agricultural saint is known for his magnanimity and his tendency of avoiding conflicts. the disciples of our academy embody these traits clang- his words were cut short as a steel pitchfork whizzed past, crashing into a courtyard wall. chen xu trembled in shock, turning to see a disciple wielding the pitchfork, pursuing another. a chaotic skirmish unfolded, with disciples grappling and wrestling over weapons. the pitchfork-wielding disciple, overwhelmed with distress, shouted, dont you dare stop me! ill settle this with him! his dog pilfered all my melons! brother, be calm. lets have him compensate fairly. we can always replant another tried to pacify the situation. compensate? those were for my final project! Chapter 51 - Chapter 51: Sightings chapter 51: sightings translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation enough, thats enough, cease this commotion! chen xu hastened forward, raising his voice to intervene. with the academys grand celebration imminent, such turmoil was unacceptable. senior brother chen. upon his arrival, the ruckus immediately ceased. as the chosen disciple of the future headmaster and the prospective chancellor of sancai academy, not to mention a renowned saint in a major sect, chen xu commanded immense respect and authority. his words held weight, and as such, he was able to investigate the cause of the commotion with relative ease. it was as the disciple holding the pitchfork had reported: his graduation project had been devoured by a peers research. mid-semester, with graduation merely months away, his spirit was understandably fractured. this isnt an unprecedented incident. why cause such a huge stir? chen xu questioned, his sleeves fluttering. the agricultural saints institute possesses the heart questioning treasure mirror, does it not? both of you may petition the academy. if you can withstand the mirrors scrutiny and prove your truthfulness, the academy will certainly grant you additional time for preparation. addressing the instigator, who held a cha spirit, chen xu decreed, your graduation will now hinge on the completion of his project, which you shall assist in. until its completion, you shall not graduate. prior to a certain individuals attendance, sancai academy did not enforce graduation projects. it was only after lu xuans appearance that a wave of change had occurred. years ago, while instructing at the academy, he had initiated a graduation evaluation system. initially, it wasnt stringent; thorough preparation usually sufficed for passing. this system later evolved into a college tournament, a spirited event where department graduates showcased their research on stage. in lu xuans recollections, the tournament always revealed a few ingenious minds. for instance, in a past assessment, a disciple from the curse god sect, attending for education, had cultivated a flower capable of emitting wide-range love curses. he hoped to confound his rivals and seize victory. alas, the love curses potency fell short, as his group was filled with hot-headed males. without the referees swift intervention, he would have found himself swarmed by formidable men. chen xu addressed the disruption following academy regulations, and the disciples, without dissent, returned to their respective activities. half an hour into his walk, lu xuan observed a disciple stepping outside to let his flowerpot bask in the sun. seeing the situation, chen xu explained, this is the spiritual plant cultivation project of the agricultural saint institute. the goal is to find ways to cultivate ordinary plants into spiritual flowers and herbs with minimal resource consumption. many students of the institute were intrigued by this, and they employed various methods including but not limited to spiritual liquid irrigation, array catalysis, terrain radiation, and the influence of relics from great powers to attempt this goal. cheng lingzhu approached an unremarkable-looking orchid, driven by curiosity. to her surprise, the orchid spoke. a noble orchid grows in the deep valley, fragrant regardless of being unseen; a gentleman pursues virtue and maintains integrity, not swayed by poverty. wow, lu xuan expressed his surprise. a cultured flower indeed. the senior brother jests, the disciple holding the orchid replied with a slight smile. i just used a little trick to let this orchid comprehend the teachings of the saints. why not take a look at mine? another female disciple, seemingly competitive, presented her peony. she poured spiritual spring water from a jade flask over it. the peonys leaves unfolded: a night of soft thunder unwinds a myriad threads, clear light dances on tiles in variegated blues. the emotional peony weeps in spring, the powerless rose lies on morning branches. excellent poetry, lu xuan commented after pondering for a moment. the poem was somewhat flamboyant, exuding a subtle beauty upon closer reflection. lu xuan guessed that this peony was nurtured by a junior sister from the agricultural saint institution, fed with words from romantic alleyways. like the orchid, this process resembled artificial intelligence training C the output depended on the fed material. chen xu, intrigued by the first two plants, turned his attention to a melon vine near him, poking at it. the vines watermelon spoke: folks, who could understand this baffling event? i open my eyes to see scholars below bang! the disciple who cultivated the watermelon promptly struck it with a ruler, bursting the watermelon. wiping the juice from his face, he apologized, sorry, senior brother. the materials must have been contaminated during cultivation. ill dispose of the rest. due to the nature of their field, the agricultural saint institution often ended up cultivating bizarre entities, and they had to promptly destroy them upon discovery. within the hallowed halls of sancai academy. my apologies, fellow daoists, chen xu expressed regretfully. an urgent summons from my master has just arrived. would it be acceptable if i arrange another disciple to guide you? his waist token had vibrated moments ago, signaling an urgent message from his master, beckoning him to the raindrop pavilion in the academys eastern sector. the pavilion, rather than a mere attic, served as the directors office, perched elegantly amidst an artificial lake. theres no need for that, lu xuan pondered briefly. brother chen, proceed with your duties. well explore at our leisure, guided by the map. its unnecessary to trouble another disciple. chen xu, noting lu xuans sincere demeanor, nodded in gratitude and respect, his fists clasped in a traditional salute. with those words, he activated his escape technique, transforming into a swift breeze and departing. lu xuan watched chen xus departing figure, waiting for him to fade into the distance. then, he extended his hand towards cheng lingzhu. shall we visit a particular place? where do you have in mind? cheng lingzhu inquired, her curiosity piqued. the literary saints institute lu xuan replied with a smile. i left something there long ago. i wonder if its still there. cheng lingzhus hand, soft and delicate, rested in his. the sensation was pleasing, tempting lu xuan to draw her hand to his lips. however, mindful of their public surroundings and his esteemed seniority, he refrained from such an intimate gesture. as the duration of an incense sticks burn elapsed, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu arrived at the literary saints institute. at its entrance stood a grand statue of the confucian saint, a symbol of scholarly wisdom. one hand held an open book, as if imparting knowledge, while the other rested behind his back in a contemplative pose. a ferule, more decorative than functional, hung at his waist. this statue, loftier than those in other departments, signified the confucian sects prominence and influence among the hundred schools of thought. contrasting with the inner city gates sculpture, this one exhibited a gentler carving style and demeanor. its flowing robes exuded a refined air, mirroring the confucian sects philosophy: project strength to deter external threats, yet embody gentleness and generosity among your own, cultivating admiration and trust from within.. Chapter 52 - Chapter 52: Meeting chapter 52: meeting translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation standing beneath the statue of the saint of elegance, lu xuan reached out and grasped something. a glint of gold fluttered down, landing in his palma copper coin, ancient in design. even after so many years, this hasnt fallen or been discovered, lu xuan mused, flipping the coin and catching it. he extended his hand to cheng lingzhu: give me the phoenix blood sword. cheng lingzhu handed over her sword. but lu xuan did not immediately take it. instead, he pulled out a phoenix robe from his storage treasurean immortal garment belonging to the illusionary true immortal. with a flick and a shake, the garment transformed into silk threads, weaving into a sword tassel. lu xuan attached the copper coin and the tassel to the phoenix blood sword. the sword trembled slightly, as if expressing its joy. a daoist artifact and a special spiritual treasure, both serving as its ornaments. this is truly the pinnacle of sword existence, lu xuan declared, looking up at the saints statue. years ago, i placed this coin in the saints hand, using the talent of sancai academy to nurture it. i thought that if a fated person found it, it would bring them an opportunity. but what i didnt expect was that it would remain there for nearly five thousand years. perhaps the students held such respect for their teacher, content to admire from afar, never daring to get close, lu xuan reflected. so, you decided to take it back today? cheng lingzhu looked up at him. not exactly, lu xuan pondered. though it wasnt found by the fated one, it still ended up in the hands of someone destined. he took cheng lingzhus delicate hand in his, mimicking the earnest manner of a scholar from the plays, and said solemnly, miss, in this life, you are fated with me. cheng lingzhus lips curled up slightly. she tilted her chin and playfully asked, are you saying im your fated person in this life? ah, not just in this life, but in the past life too, lu xuan replied, kissing her hand gently before opening his arms wide. cheng lingzhu stepped forward, falling into his embrace. her cheeks warmed slightly, a blush of shyness spreading to her ears. she buried her face in lu xuans chest, inwardly chiding her lack of resolve, swayed so easily by his words. but if she couldnt resist, then so be it. cheng lingzhu hummed to herself. after all, she was willing. in the raindrop pavilion of sancai academys eastern sector, the students knew well that this place was not just for listening to the rain. at this moment, in the council hall on the third floor, a discussion was underway. advance the academys celebration? hu qingsong, the vice chancellor of sancai academy and a peak cultivator in the integrated body stage, widened his eyes in surprise. indeed, nodded an elderly man with a lean figure and white hair, seated at the head of the council table. this was he yuanfeng, the chancellor of sancai academy and a peak mahayana stage cultivator. why advance this years celebration, master? asked shen li, a scholarly middle-aged man sitting beside he yuanfeng. shen li, he yuanfengs direct disciple, was also a vice chancellor and the successor to the position of chancellor. he had broken through to the mahayana stage three hundred years ago, a testament to his talent, although he still fell far short of his masters realm. aside from these three, other elders were present in the council hall, including zhang xun and chen xu, who were in attendance. however, the real decision-makers were he yuanfeng, hu qingsong, and shen li. my time is running short, he yuanfeng slowly exhaled, causing a stir among the gathered cultivators. how can that be? master, with your profound cultivation, you should have at least a hundred more years shen li was reluctant to accept this reality. in pursuit of the dao, i once sustained a hidden injury, costing me a hundred years of my lifespan, he yuanfeng sighed, i devoted a lifetime to the dao, yet ultimately, i couldnt take that final step. the room fell silent at his words. as cultivators who defied the natural order, they were still ultimately bound by the limits set by the heavenly dao. their fates could easily mirror he yuanfengs, given their lesser talents. the elders empathized deeply with the chancellors current state of mind. shen lis face was a mix of emotions, wanting to speak but unsure of what to say. i have about a month left to live, he yuanfeng said calmly. yesterday, the southern ridge immortal gate [two yi sect] sent news. the southern demon barbarians are stirring again, seemingly gathering a large force in secret. he continued, some say that in the barbarian army, there are large-scale human sacrifices, and the legendary barbarian god might have been resurrected. this revelation sent a shock through the elders. in the legends of the archean eon realm, the southern ridge was where the barbarian god fell. his awakening would spell disaster for all living beings. human sacrifices were a direct way for a deity to regain strength. if the reports were true, it was a dire situation indeed. hu qingsong felt a weight in his heart, while shen li thought of many things. his body trembled as he spoke with difficulty, master, are you planning to go to the southern ridge to confront the barbarian god? shen li finally understood why his master wanted to advance the academys celebration. he wanted to witness the splendor of sancai academy one last time before his departure. he yuanfeng nodded, exactly. this old body of mine should still be of some use. the room fell silent. he yuanfeng then asked, where is my disciple? i am here! shen li stood up and came forward, performing the disciples salute. he yuanfeng looked at him, after i leave, you will assume the role of chancellor of sancai academy. the heavy responsibility of reviving the confucian way and upholding the moral duties of the human race will fall on your shoulders. shen li felt a twinge in his nose, i will obey your command! he yuanfeng spoke again, where is qingsong? hu qingsong left his seat and performed the disciples salute, i am here! hu qingsong bowed, i understand! turning to the others, he yuanfeng addressed, you are all pillars of sancai academy. i hope you will cooperate sincerely in the future, making our academys name echo in every corner of the archean eon world! everyone stood up in unison, we dare not fail in our duties! thus, the meeting concluded, and the academys celebration was rescheduled to three days later. although the preparation time was short, everyone swore in their hearts to present the perfect celebration for the old dean. one by one, people began to leave. as the direct disciple, shen li was the last to go. he yuanfeng leaned on the table, watching shen lis departing figure, a flicker of reluctance in his eyes. however, it soon turned into a resolute determination, his gaze growing cold.. Chapter 53 - Chapter 53: Against a Million, I Shall Go! chapter 53: against a million, i shall go! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation three days later, in the morning. at the central square of sancai academy, there was not a single empty seat. teachers and students from hundreds of departments, prodigies from various sects, and powerful figures were invited to witness the ceremony a sea of people gathered, a grand assembly. the powerful figures sat at one table, the prodigies at another. as representatives from a friendly sect, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu also managed to secure front-row seats. at the hour of chen. dang, dang, dang, dang with nine bell tolls, the academys celebration officially began. the ringing of the bell held significance. first, it symbolized morning bells and evening drums, with the morning bell awakening the spirit, a metaphor for keeping the soul alert and mindful, and for self-reflection. second, it related to the teachings of the saints. the sound of the bell, varying with the strength of the strike, was a reminder that teachers in the academy should adjust their teaching methods according to student feedback, practicing differentiated instruction. they shouldnt force-feed knowledge to students, making things easier for themselves. after the bell, he yuanfeng, the chancellor of sancai academy, ascended the central platform to give his speech. he began with the history of the confucian path, discussing the development of sancai academy over the years, and integrating his understanding of the confucian path into it. during his speech, miraculous phenomena appeared: auspicious clouds descended from the sky, streaks of purple qi spread across, and lotus flowers bloomed around, creating a stunning scene. the aura of the dao permeated the area, making his speech seem more like a daoist sermon than a mere address. the speech lasted for half an hour, during which many disciples were utterly engrossed, as if in a trance. only when the bell rang again at the end of the speech did they snap back to reality. the benefits of the speech werent limited to those present at the ceremony. as a peak mahayana cultivator, he yuanfeng possessed the authority to manifest his teachings publicly. within the territories governed by sancai academy, anyone who looked up could listen to and watch this sermon, reaping its benefits. the powerful figures who came to celebrate the academys anniversary also nodded in approval. this speech had showcased the deep strength and wisdom of the old chancellor. as a peak mahayana cultivator, he yuanfengs understanding of the confucian path was extraordinary. even the powerful attendees found new insights after listening to his sermon. what a pity that i came in an avatar; visiting chancellor he in such a form seems somewhat disrespectful. otherwise, an exchange with him would surely bring enlightenment, sighed a grey-robed abbess. this abbess hailed from the first-rate seven dust temple, which had also sent disciples to the recent secret mystical realm trial. no matter, we all came in avatars. elder he is known for his generosity and wont fuss over such a trivial matter, said a middle-aged monk beside her. i had planned to come in person, but the academys celebration was moved up, disrupting my schedule, and i couldnt leave in time, an old man said with a wry smile. generally, for grand celebrations of major sects, friendly sects would send their powerful figures with gifts, those nearby in person and those far away in avatar form. the rescheduling of the sancai academys celebration had indeed thrown a wrench in the plans of their allies. the powerful ones are busy too. after the recent lockdown of the secret mystical realm, sect leaders rushed over in person for their disciples, staying at the divine weapon pavilion for a few days before departing. no worries, after the celebration, well all go together, someone said. your words are wise. indeed, indeed on the stage. after concluding his speech, he yuanfeng watched the miraculous phenomena slowly dissipate. he looked down at the crowd, stepped back, and bowed: thank you, fellow daoists, for attending our humble academys ceremony. i am deeply honored. also, id like to take this opportunity to announce a few matters. he yuanfeng lifted a square seal from the lectern in front of him. he did not need a script for his sermon, but a lectern was still placed there to hold this item. this seal, known as the sancai seal, was left by a confucian sage of old. the sancai seal, both a symbol of the sancai academys heritage and the chancellors authority, also signified the transfer of responsibility for revitalizing the confucian path from the old chancellor to his successor once the handover ceremony was completed. he yuanfeng began, after today, the position of chancellor of sancai academy will be assumed by my disciple, shen li. this announcement did not surprise the audience; rumors about he yuanfeng passing the position to shen li during the academys celebration had circulated earlier. given the old chancellors advanced age and shen lis attainment of the mahayana stage, he was fully qualified to lead sancai academy. this revelation caused an uproar among the audience, unsettling even the powerful figures seated at the front. the southern ridges terrain is rugged, filled with miasma, and its spiritual energy differs from other parts of the archean eon realm. dense primordial forests, numerous mountains, and lakes make it unsuitable for humans but a paradise for demons and spiritual beasts. in the southern ranges, mighty demons dominate, and demonic forces are entrenched, with few cultivation sects. this is why few sects have contact with those in the southern ridge, leading to scarce information exchange. he yuanfengs announcement of the barbarian gods resurgence at sancai academys ceremony was like throwing a huge stone into a tranquil lake. however, his next statement further intensified the atmosphere. knowing my time is limited, i shall head to the southern ridge after this ceremony to confront the barbarian god. a tumultuous buzz filled the sancai square. disciples discussed fervently, while the high-ranking members of the academy, already aware of this, remained silent, their expressions complex. he yuanfeng raised his hand, signaling for silence. he took a deep breath: since its inception in the wild era and establishment in ancient times, the confucian path has been passed down to us. in times of crisis, saints have always stepped forward, bearing the responsibility of human ethics. i dare not compare myself to these noble saints, but i have read their books and understand their principles. an ancient saint once said, establish a heart for the heaven and earth, a life for the people, continue the lost teachings of the saints, and bring peace for all generations. though i, yuanfeng, am dull and have not inherited the lost teachings of the saints, nor possess the courage to bring peace for all generations, i still hold righteousness in my heart. going to the southern ridge, i am well aware of the dangers and challenges. yet, even amidst a thousand hardships, there is reason to do this for the people of this world. from me it begins, let humanity prosper! from me it begins, let the confucian path flourish! even against a million, i shall go! his words were firm and resounding. despite his elderly appearance, he yuanfeng, a scholar, now resembled a battle-hardened general setting out to war, his gaze unwaveringly determined. this scene, broadcasted in the form of a public manifestation, touched every human cultivator who witnessed it. at this moment, he yuanfengs presence peaked, leaving an indelible mark on all who beheld it.. Chapter 54 - Chapter 54: The Confucian Path Wanes, I Shall Be the New Saint! chapter 54: the confucian path wanes, i shall be the new saint! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation holding the sancai seal in hand. he yuanfeng stepped forward, his body surging with a mystical aura. his already formidable presence climbed further, rising a notch higher. the powerful figures in the front row sensed this change, their eyes widening in disbelief. nobody expected he yuanfeng to step into the transcendence stage under these circumstances! a hint of a smile appeared on he yuanfengs face. yet his ambition did not stop there. he raised the sancai seal in his hand, chanting obscure scriptures. as he yuanfeng rose into the air, the sancai seal glowed, enveloping the entire square. to those who activated their pupil techniques at that moment, it was visible: strands of bright yellow threads emerging from the tops of the sancai academy disciples heads, drawn by the sancai seal and entering he yuanfengs body. not just at sancai square, but across the entire territory of sancai academy, and wherever its branches were located, countless threads converged into a sea, rushing towards the main temple! by now, the powerful ones at sancai square had realized something was amiss. the actions of the old chancellor of the sancai academy were extraordinarily unusual. shen li suddenly stood up, looking at he yuanfeng in the sky: master, what are you doing?! he yuanfeng looked down at his disciple, then at the crowd, and declared loudly: today, i shall harvest the talent of the world, using the literary fortune of all confucian scholars to forge a saints fruit! those bright yellow threads were the talent qi unique to scholars. what, what?! shen li couldnt believe his ears. expressions of disbelief were mirrored on the faces of others around. he yuanfeng, floating in mid-air, looked down at the crowd of sancai academy with a resolute and icy gaze. from the beginning, this academy celebration had been a stage meticulously planned by chancellor he for himself. where was the promise of establishing a heart for the heaven and earth? simply put, it had never existed. it was merely a performance by he yuanfeng. he had been trapped at the peak of the mahayana stage for too long. so long that his lifespan was nearing its end. but he yuanfeng was not ready to die. during a chance discovery, he came across a secret technique. it detailed a method to harvest the worlds talent, sacrificing the literary fortune and cultivation paths of all confucian scholars, to ascend to sainthood on earth. the secret technique was described in such detail that it terrified he yuanfeng. he once thought that such a method must have been devised by an enemy of the ancient confucian path. after deducing its outcome, he hesitated for a long time. because he yuanfeng knew well. if he really did this and succeeded, it would mean the end of the path for all confucian cultivators, leaving no future prospects. he would personally destroy the entire confucian path, eradicating its teachings from the world. but in the end, he yuanfeng chose this path. his desire for immortality was too strong. the closer his end approached, the more he feared death. moreover, becoming a saint on earth was too tempting. under the pressure of death and the lure of sainthood, he ultimately abandoned his five-thousand-year perseverance, forgetting his youthful oath before the images of the sages, and opened the secret technique. following the requirements of the secret method, he prepared this academy celebration, using the public manifestation to accumulate his prestige and fortune to the peak. in this world, only he could use this secret technique. because he was the chancellor of the sancai academy, the leader of the confucian sects. only one who carries the fate of the confucian path could sever it to execute this technique. and now, just taking the first step of the ritual had already made him a transcendent stage cultivator. he yuanfeng felt exhilarated, letting out a long howl. the sancai seal in his hand vibrated and glowed, attracting a massive amount of talent qi from all directions. almost at this moment, all confucian powers felt a premonition. their paths were about to be severed, their cultivation doomed! master, please stop! the path belongs to the people of the world, the talent is theirs. master, your actions today are no different from a thief! he yuanfeng glanced at him and flicked his sleeve, knocking shen li back down. how could shen li, who had been in the mahayana phase for only three hundred years, stand against he yuanfeng, who had completed the tribulation phase and wielded the sancai seal? a thief of a hook shall be executed, a thief of a nation becomes a marquis! he yuanfeng scolded his disciple: im merely borrowing some talent. once i obtain the saints fruit, i will open a new path for all confucian cultivators. then, i will be the new confucian saint! hes gone mad, truly mad! a powerful figure gritted his teeth. we came in avatars; confronting him might be beyond our capabilities, someone said. an old man beside them shook his head, remaining silent. he yuanfeng, daring to defy the world and commit such an act of thievery, must have prepared a contingency plan. in the heavens and earth, a drastic change unfolded. a massive hand of mana, originating from the direction of zhongzhou, stretched across billions of miles of mountains and rivers, descending with oppressive force. a powerful being in their true form was attempting to stop he yuanfengs actions. he yuanfeng let out a cold laugh, neither dodging nor evading. however, his body burst forth with an extremely dazzling golden light. upon closer inspection, this golden light was composed of countless tiny threads, densely woven together. the light extended one zhang, two zhang, three zhang only after reaching a thousand zhang did the expansion of the golden light cease. the mana hand fell upon the golden light, dissolving into it as if it were a stone sinking into the ocean, vanishing without a trace. this is the heavenly daos virtue! the grey-robed abbess from the seven dust temple recognized the source of this golden light, her expression turning grave. let alone a single attack, even if you all came in your true forms, i would remain unafraid! he yuanfeng, holding the sancai seal, boomed across the sky, as the leader of the confucian path, this heavenly daos virtue is rightfully mine to use! the ancient confucian tradition, passed down to the present, has enlightened the people and educated the masses, accumulating immense heavenly daos virtue. the sancai academy, inheriting this ancient tradition, also received a portion of this heavenly daos virtue. now manifested in he yuanfeng, it spanned a thousand zhang! this thousand-zhang body of virtue was he yuanfengs greatest reliance for daring such a theft of the dao! with the sancai seal in hand, he yuanfeng feared nothing! even if all the powerful beings present came in person, he could withstand their assaults for the duration of a cup of tea, supported by the heavenly daos virtue on him. this time was not long, but enough for him to attain sainthood. he yuanfeng had already sensed the shift in the confucian fate. somewhere in the archean eon realm, in a humble thatched cottage, an old man writing at his desk suddenly stopped, furrowing his brows. beside him lay stacks of neatly organized novel manuscripts. yet the chapter he was working on, like a pen running out of ink, refused to flow any further. on a painted boat, a refined middle-aged scholar composed poetry. but after uttering the first half of a verse, the remaining words were stuck in his throat. in the imperial examination hall, a student wrote vigorously, his words flowing freely. suddenly, his pen halted, unsure how to continue. similar incidents occurred continuously throughout the archean eon realm. the confucian fate had been severed by he yuanfeng, and the talent qi was extracted from scholars everywhere. he planned to use the confucian fate as fuel and the worlds talent qi as the flame to forge a saintly position. a towering inferno was about to ignite. he yuanfeng looked up to the heavens and let out a long howl. the confucian path wanes, i shall be the new saint! Chapter 55 - Chapter 55: Three Thousand Zhang of Virtue chapter 55: three thousand zhang of virtue translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation he yuanfengs long howl resonated, filled with immense satisfaction. at this moment, he stood above the sky, his golden body of virtue dazzling, rich with the talent qi of the confucian path. despite his flowing white hair and aged appearance, he exuded the vibrant spirit of youth. below the platform, shen li slumped in defeat. the powerful figures shook their heads helplessly, sighing. the disciples of the sancai academy felt unparalleled despair in their hearts. the palm strike from zhongzhou had proven everything. with that three thousand zhang body of virtue, he yuanfengs path to sainthood seemed unstoppable. all the powerful beings of the archean eon realm sensed the changes between heaven and earth. the collapse of the confucian path was imminent! in the deep mountains of the southern ridge, demons howled wildly, their roars shaking the forests. one after another, as if cheering in triumph. in a vast lake, huge shadows emerged. the great demons, previously struggling under the shadow of the confucian sect, now sought opportunities to rise. in the xianwu emperors palace of zhongzhou, the daxia human emperor stepped out of the grand hall, looking eastward, issuing a decree. the shift in the confucian path had vast implications; plans had to be made promptly. in the great impermanence temple of the western desert, the buddha, draped in a cassock, ceased his sermon, gazing towards the direction of the academy. beside him, a bodhisattva asked, will the holy buddha intervene? after a long while, the buddha shook his head, i am powerless. in the northern plains sky sword sect, ji lingchen untied a wine gourd from his waist and settled into a wicker chair. master, arent you going to take action? ling yufei stood by, awaiting orders. whats the rush? ji lingchen took a leisurely sip of his wine. sancai academy. lu xuan rose from his seat. his figure vanished into thin air. above the firmament, countless threads of talent and literary fortune gathered. he yuanfeng could clearly feel his body undergoing a fierce transformation. this was a fundamental change, and upon its completion, he would attain sainthood on earth. reflecting on his journey, he yuanfeng sighed. after enduring so much torment and scheming so deeply, he was finally about to achieve his goal. the feeling made him somewhat giddy. to ensure maximum safety, he had deliberately moved the date of the academy celebration, preventing nearby sect leaders from attending in person. now, he yuanfeng thought he might have been overly cautious. with the heavenly daos virtue protecting him, who could harm him? there was no need for caution. he even felt a bit regretful. the powerful figures had been too precise in their understanding of the disparity in strength. after the attack was blocked, everyone recognized the situation, knowing they couldnt penetrate his golden light of virtue, so they ceased their efforts. this bored he yuanfeng. looking down, he saw shen lis despondent face and his eyes grew cold. the ungrateful fool had dared to publicly rebuke the only saint of the archean eon, an act of utmost insubordination! after i become a saint, you will be the first i sacrifice to heaven! he yuanfeng thought, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. just then, he heard a sigh behind him, startling him. he had not noticed someone approaching. turning around, he saw a young figure in a gray robe, vaguely familiar to him. after a moment, he remembered that this was the style worn by sancai academy teachers five thousand years ago. the young man in the old-fashioned robe approached, causing he yuanfeng to frown. his aura indicated a golden core cultivator. but how could a golden core cultivator dare to approach him? he yuanfeng didnt care to ponder the reason. whoever dared to obstruct his ascension to sainthood, whether true or false golden core, must be eliminated. he yuanfeng, holding the sancai seal, flung his sleeve forward, unleashing a beam of golden light towards the young man. lu xuan casually waved his hand, and the golden light dissolved into nothingness. you havent realized that your state of mind is flawed? he said to he yuanfeng. he yuanfeng stopped, his eyes showing a hint of wariness. his attack, enough to severely injure a mahayana cultivator, had been effortlessly neutralized. you are the chancellor of sancai academy, the legitimate successor of the confucian path. if you destroy the confucian path, you will be the first to be affected. lu xuans voice was calm. your heart is now vicious, your face detestable. where is the righteous spirit of a confucian cultivator? the moment you decided to take this step, you had already fallen into demonic ways. he yuanfeng stared at him, and after a moment, his expression turned fierce and vicious. he raised the sancai seal, and the golden light of virtue on his body suddenly brightened. he yuanfeng fixed his gaze on lu xuan and said, word by word, no need for more talk. i know you wish to stop my ascension, but before that, you must break through this heavenly daos virtue! you are already corrupt in your dao heart. if not for my old acquaintance with your master, i wouldnt bother talking so much with you. lu xuans voice grew colder. he looked at he yuanfeng and said: do you really think that with this thousand zhang body of virtue, you can act recklessly? lu xuan took a step forward. instantly, the area brightened a thousandfold, the entire sky enveloped in light. behind him, it seemed as though a radiant sun had risen! on the sancai square, many academy disciples instinctively covered their eyes. however, the light wasnt blinding; instead, it was extremely gentle. looking up, they saw a tall figure standing in the void, enveloped in the light, confronting he yuanfeng. streams of golden light of virtue radiated from him, extending three thousand zhang in length. where the golden light touched, auspicious clouds drifted, golden lotuses bloomed, and even a fragrant aroma permeated the heavens and earth. the teachers and students of the sancai academy, bathed in this golden light of virtue, felt revitalized. the despair and desolation in their hearts caused by he yuanfeng dissipated, their dao hearts becoming calm and firm. but for he yuanfeng, facing lu xuan, the feeling was entirely different. both were bolstered by the heavenly daos virtue, but once lu xuans virtue appeared, in comparison, his own seemed diluted, the difference clear. like a firefly against the bright moon, or a flickering candle in the wind, he yuanfengs golden light of virtue dimmed, dispersed, and seemed on the verge of extinguishing. even the talent qi of the confucian path that had been gathering towards him became stagnant, ceasing its flow. he swayed, nearly unable to stand. he yuanfengs ability to manifest a thousand zhang body of virtue was due to the sancai academy inheriting the heavenly daos virtue from the ancient confucian path. nevertheless, it was only a thousand zhang in length. lu xuan, standing there with three thousand zhang of virtue, was because the maximum manifestation of a virtue body could only show up to three thousand zhang. he stretched out his hand and pressed down through the air. he yuanfengs once unassailable figure suddenly collapsed to his knees! on the sancai square, everyone who witnessed this scene was profoundly shaken. even the powerful figures from various sects were speechless in astonishment.. Chapter 56 - Chapter 56: How Dare a Demon Surmise the Mind of a Gentleman?! chapter 56: how dare a demon surmise the mind of a gentleman?! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation virtue of three thousand zhang. the grey-robed abbess from the seven dust temple spoke with difficulty. who is this senior daoist what divine being could he be? a powerful figure spoke solemnly. could it be a saint has manifested?! shen lis heart shook as he trembled with these words. it must be so! it must be so! beside him, hu qingsong, the vice chancellor of sancai academy, was visibly excited: he yuanfeng acted against the heavens, seeking to destroy our confucian lineage heaven has not forsaken our confucian path! heaven has not forsaken us! after speaking, the vice chancellor laughed and cried simultaneously, overwhelmed by his emotions. in the high heavens. he yuanfengs golden light of virtue was dispersed by lu xuan, and he knelt on the ground. you, as the leader of the confucian path, have willingly fallen into demonhood, severed the fate of the confucian path, and usurped the talent of the worlds scholars. do you acknowledge your guilt? lu xuans voice was stern. acknowledge what guilt?! he yuanfeng, knowing there was no escape, retorted defiantly, his aged face contorted with bulging veins. even if i hadnt taken this worlds literary fortune, someone else would have coveted the saintly position with the secret method in the future. it was my opportunity, so i took it! your heart has fallen into demonhood, stubbornly ignorant! lu xuan sneered, with a demons heart, how dare you presume to understand the mind of a gentleman? this method of severing the confucian fate and taking the worlds talent was created by your master! what?! he yuanfengs face showed utter disbelief. he achieved the pinnacle of the transcendence stage, and he was only half a step from true immortality, and yet could not find the proper method. in his deep research, he developed this sacrificial method to become a saint. lu xuan looked at he yuanfeng. but even until his passing, he never used that secret technique, maintaining the original intention he had when he first entered the path. lu xuan sighed, youre not as good as him. he yuanfengs master, the former chancellor, had known lu xuan. at that time, lu xuan had assumed an alternate identity, changing his name and appearance. the old principal, unaware of lu xuans true identity, saw him merely as a young, innovative teacher. under lu xuans guidance, he yuanfengs master established the cultivation daily, a legacy that had endured for over 5,000 years. lu xuan had incidentally discovered that the chancellor was secretly researching a forbidden technique. after completing his research, the chancellor locked away the method, never to revisit it. he may have contemplated its use, but ultimately, he chose to abandon it. in his heart, no true goodness prevailed. lu xuan respected the old principal as a great scholar. the energy in the sky dissipated, transforming into countless forms, each returning to its rightful master. crimson flames engulfed he yuanfeng, who struggled in vain. his soul and body disintegrated into nothingness, a victim of karmic backlash. the grand fate of the confucian sect was not something to be trifled with. similar to an ancient rebellion, success would bring ascension, but failure demanded a heavy price. on sancai square, the students of sancai academy were stirred, cheering for the saint that had appeared out of nowhere. the towering figure did not turn around. he walked away, leaving only a trail of light behind him. in the depths of the southern ridges mountains, demonic sounds faded, and the forest fell silent. in the giant lake, a massive figure sank, concealing its presence. in the central plains empire, the human emperor of grand xia silently retracted his decree. in the great impermanence temple of the western desert, the buddha emotionlessly resumed his teachings. in the northern plains sky sword sect, ji lingchen laughed heartily, then left for seclusion, saying, the time has come. the fortune of the confucian way was restored, and the talent stolen by he yuanfeng returned to its original owners. in the imperial examination hall, students resumed writing, their thoughts flowing freely. on the pleasure boat, the middle-aged scholar found inspiration for the second half of his poem, earning admiration from those around. in the cottage, the old man completed his final draft, leaving a few blank lines before writing the concluding poem: in the past, i was a disciple at wen sheng temple, bearing the burden of morality. i listened to the morning drum before the mirror, swearing an oath under the statue of the former teacher. time flies like an arrow, and five thousand years have passed. sancai academy. bang! cheng lingzhu finished her drink in one gulp, slamming the cup onto the table with force, then turned her face towards lu xuan. how many cups now? lu xuan looked at her. the two were at a banquet in sancai academy. that morning, he yuanfeng had attempted to sever the talent of the world and disrupt the confucian path. fortunately, a saint manifested and suppressed him. such an event was, of course, worth celebrating. hence, at the suggestion of zhang xun and chen xu, various departments of sancai academy organized this banquet. the banquet had separate dining arrangements, with two people sharing a small table, reminiscent of an ancient custom. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu shared a table, but since the banquet started, cheng lingzhu had been continuously drinking. she would take a sip, glance at him, blush, and then take another sip. lu xuan thought to himself that although he was handsome, being used as an excuse for drinking was a bit of a waste. with the constitution of a cultivator, alcohol naturally wouldnt harm their bodies. in fact, due to their robust physiques, it was difficult for them to get drunk. the alcohol they drank could be fatal to ordinary people. but by releasing their internal restrictions, cultivators could still experience drunkenness. at a nearby table, zhang xun was already slurring his words, his face flushed red: today, witnessing the manifestation of our former teacher, i will never forget it in my life three thousand zhang of virtue, something id only heard about in legends, and today i finally know what it looks like. yes. someone beside him said, we, as students of the academy, should compile todays events into a record. first, to warn the world not to forget their initial intentions like the old chancellor, and second, to spread the teachings of our former teacher and promote the way of the saint. indeed, indeed. the others agreed in unison. lu xuan listened, finding it amusing, his lips curving into a smile. those present were all students of the sancai academy, young people with a fiery passion and a heart for righteousness. that morning, lu xuan had dispersed he yuanfengs golden light of virtue in the sky above sancai square, simply because his was larger. here, it referred to the heavenly daos virtue. frankly speaking, lu xuan himself wasnt very clear about how he acquired such dazzling golden light of virtue. all he knew was that ever since his nascent soul had gone astray, his body had been emitting virtue, and each time in immense quantities. the heavenly daos virtue was tallied every three years, and after nine thousand years of forming his nascent soul, the virtue on lu xuan had become immeasurably dense. years ago, he conducted an experiment. he took a chicken from the dao evolution sects kitchen that had been raised for two and a half years, shone it with the light of virtue, and then roasted it over fire. when they ate the chicken, a bunch of relics burst out, multicolored and containing the light of the law. lu xuan later traded these relics for a pot of wine outside.. Chapter 57 - Chapter 57: She Boldly Approached chapter 57: she boldly approached translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation the only thing that puzzled lu xuan was the secret technique in he yuanfengs possession. after the old chancellors death, fearing that someone might misuse the technique, lu xuan took the handwritten notes containing the secret method and removed them from sancai academy. so the question arose: where did he yuanfeng obtain his taboo technique for becoming a saint? lu xuan recalled the mornings events. when he revealed the origin of the secret technique, he yuanfeng appeared extremely shocked. meaning, he had no idea that the secret technique was created by his own master. it seemed more like he had obtained the secret method through some fortuitous coincidence. if someone intentionally passed the sacrificial technique to he yuanfeng with the intent to destroy the confucian path lu xuan frowned slightly, thinking back to the incident with the resurrection of the ancestral magus in dongping kingdom, where hidden forces had fanned the flames. the resurrection of an ancestral magus could cause great calamity; he yuanfeng, falling into demonhood, destroying the foundation of confucianism if his plan were to succeed, the archean eon realm would also fall into great turmoil lu xuans fingers tapped lightly on the table. if both events were driven by the same force in the shadows lu xuan organized his thoughts, his expression growing serious. he reached for a drink but instead touched something soft. it was cheng lingzhus hand. lu xuan looked closely and realized that cheng lingzhu had taken his cup. she held his hand while lifting the cup to take a light sip. thus, only half a cup of the drink remained. her cheeks flushed red, she blinked, holding the cup with her delicate, fair hand and offered it. here. the cup was brought to his lips, not to be refilled but for lu xuan to drink from it. lu xuan glanced down and noticed a faint lipstick mark on the edge of the cup. cheng lingzhu raised her chin, her cheeks rosy. whether from the alcohol or something else, she was visibly flushed. lu xuan took the cup, sipping from the edge, slowly drinking the remaining liquid. after setting down the cup, it was clean, with no trace of the drink left. cheng lingzhus lips curled into a smile. she hugged a small wine jar from the table and grabbed lu xuans sleeve, saying, lets go back. are you tired already? lu xuan looked at the ongoing banquet and nodded, lets go. as cheng lingzhu was about to stand up, she found herself encircled at the waist and lifted off her feet as someone supported her knees, carrying her sideways. many around them noticed and turned their attention to this scene. lu xuan walked through the bustling hall, eyes forward, not glancing sideways, while cheng lingzhu held her chin up, a look of pride on her face. seeing this, a male disciple of sancai academy couldnt help but clench his teeth, as if the wine in his cup and the dishes on his plate had lost their flavor. damn, just because a man carries you, you feel special? he thought bitterly. he chuckled coldly, kicked off his shoes, and jumped into the arms of his senior brother. hmph, i have someone too. the noise and commotion of the banquet gradually faded behind them. the moonlight was cold and clear, the night air as cool as water. lu xuan slowly exhaled, feeling his body relax. having lived for so many years, he still maintained some dignity as a senior figure. fortunately, lu xuan was different from cheng hongtan of the past. the resetting of his life cycle had cut away all the worldly distractions and traces of time from his spiritual platform, allowing him to maintain a youthful mindset. thus, lu xuan carried cheng lingzhu, who in turn clutched a small wine jar, back to their residence. as the door to their room opened, near the bed stood a spirit-wood table, accompanied by two high stools. lu xuan set cheng lingzhu down, about to fetch some hot water, but his sleeve was tugged. cheng lingzhu placed the wine jar on the table and puffed out her chest, saying, you havent had a proper drink with me yet. lu xuan blinked, didnt we just share half a cup? that doesnt count. cheng lingzhu was unyielding. lu xuan agreed with her. the two lived in the same courtyard but in separate rooms. lu xuans room was next to cheng lingzhus, only a few steps away. since she wanted him to stay a little longer, he would oblige. cheng lingzhu fetched two cups from the table and poured the wine. lu xuan sat beside her, watching her movements. cheng lingzhu took a small sip of wine, and after a while, she said: youve become very powerful now, havent you? hm? lu xuan raised an eyebrow, quickly understanding why she had drunk so much today. it turned out that cheng lingzhu was the one most affected by his manifestation earlier. indeed, that was the case. although cheng lingzhu had witnessed lu xuans extraordinary feats before regaining her memories, her perspective then was different from now. seeing lu xuans actions today, manifesting in front of everyone, she felt a sense of surrealness. the disciple who once needed her protection had now grown into a towering tree. whats wrong, are you not used to it? lu xuans face bore a hint of a smile. a bit. cheng lingzhu nodded, but im also very happy, extremely happy. before my tribulation, i was worried that you might get bullied after i was gone she looked at lu xuan, smiling as she spoke: but now, i think anyone who tries will be the one getting bullied. thats a bit of an injustice, considering my high moral character lu xuan defended himself, and to be honest, im not that strong. you suppressed a cultivator who had completed their tribulation. isnt that strong enough? cheng lingzhu remarked, youve grown into a great senior. hearing this, lu xuan took her hand and placed it on his chest. if i were truly a great senior, my heart would be undisturbed no matter what happens. but alas, i am a person whose emotions fluctuate a lot. when youre not by my side, my heart feels empty, always missing you. how can such a worldly person be called a great senior? cheng lingzhu couldnt help but smile at his words, playfully retorting, in that case, someone so troubled by love and affection must have a very unstable dao heart. thats true. lu xuan sighed. thats why my heart needs someone to reside in it, to help hold it steady. otherwise, whether its manifesting in front of others or suppressing evil spirits, i wouldnt be able to do it. cheng lingzhu blinked, humming, youre just trying to flatter me. every word is true, there is not a single falsehood contained within them. lu xuan pointed at his chest, you can lean over and listen if you dont believe me. then come a bit closer. cheng lingzhu pondered for a moment. lu xuan thought she wanted a hug, so he moved closer. cheng lingzhu looked at him, her eyes sparkling. the next moment, she cupped his handsome face in her hands and kissed him passionately. lu xuan was taken aback! !! Chapter 58 - Chapter 58: A Morning With Her chapter 58: a morning with her translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation cheng lingzhu kissed him with force and passion. after a long while, they finally parted. lu xuan gasped for air, still stunned from cheng lingzhus bold advance. she was unexpectedly proactive lu xuan thought to himself. cheng lingzhu wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, her ears flushed red. she straightened her back, her eyes slightly glazed: how did it feel? lu xuan pondered for a moment. i couldnt quite taste it, should we try again? in your dreams. cheng lingzhu huffed, about to say something more, but then yawned and collapsed into lu xuans arms. the blush on the young girls face was a mix of the effects of the wine and sleepiness. she fell asleep right there. lu xuan, smiling, shook his head and lifted her into the bed. he fetched a basin of hot water and a warm towel, planning to wipe her down. after all, it wouldnt be good for her to sleep with the smell of alcohol on her skin. on the bed, cheng lingzhus hair was slightly disheveled, but her sleeping face was serene and beautiful, with a slight smile on her lips as if she were having a sweet dream. lu xuan, with a smile in his eyes, gently stroked her forehead hair, then playfully pinched her cheek. things really are different now he thought to himself. if this were the past, would she have ever been so forward, so fervent in expressing her feelings? right, there wasnt a small wine jar back then. lu xuan paused with the towel in his hand, looked down, and his smile deepened. unexpectedly, in this life, she had resolved the grievances of her past life. after about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, lu xuan finished his task. he washed up, stretched, and with a light spell, jumped onto the bed. he decided not to go back tonight. the next morning. um ah! cheng lingzhu slowly opened her eyes, suddenly realizing someone was beside her, and couldnt help but exclaim. hey, sleeping is in harmony with the great dao of heaven and earth. getting up too early is detrimental to cultivation, lu xuan yawned. only then did cheng lingzhu notice that she was using lu xuans arm as a pillow, her leg draped over his waist, embracing him like an octopus. well, dont overthink it, it was you who took the initiative. lu xuan spoke, clearing her confusion. last night, shortly after i laid down, you cuddled up to me in your half-asleep state and refused to let go. cheng lingzhus face turned bright red. that was i was asleep! it must have been a habit from her past life; otherwise, how could a reserved girl like her do such a thing? although she didnt want to let go even after waking up. thats true. lu xuan nodded, but it really is too early to get up now, why not sleep a bit longer? okay. cheng lingzhu agreed, burying her face in his chest. so, lu xuan wrapped his arms around the girl in his embrace, pulled up the blanket, and closed his eyes again. half an hour later. turn your face away. cheng lingzhu, sitting up in bed and clutching the blanket, her face slightly flushed, instructed lu xuan, who was already dressed and standing beside the bed. weve seen each other before that doesnt matter. the shyness of a young girl is always peculiar. lu xuan turned around, feeling somewhat wronged. when he had gotten up earlier, cheng lingzhu hadnt even blinked. his mind drifted back to the previous nights scene, and he looked at the small wine jar on the table, recalling a poem written by the poet su on mount lu. all right. hearing her voice from behind, lu xuan turned back around. cheng lingzhu had already changed her clothes, only her bare, white feet peeking out. her ankles were slender, her feet delicate and luminous, the tops of her feet creamy white, shining like polished ivory. her rounded toes, like little jade beads, were neatly aligned as cheng lingzhu slipped on her silk stockings, stretching her toes to fit them into her pristine white socks. where shall we go today? cheng lingzhu, having put on her shoes, stood energetically in front of lu xuan, exuding youthful vitality. how about a stroll outside sancai city? lu xuan suggested. sancai academys celebration had been brought forward, and the two had only recently finished touring the various departments, witnessing the lively antics of the students. but the real lively world, the heart of social activities, was in the outer city district. okay. cheng lingzhu linked her arm with his. this tea house is a place i used to frequent. the owner is a retired teacher from the academy. the story-teller here tells great tales about the academys professors. sometimes, two of them would get on stage together to perform comic dialogues, truly talented individuals walking down the street and passing a tea house, lu xuan introduced the place to cheng lingzhu. having lived in sancai city for several years, he was well-acquainted with it. the citys businesses, managed by the merchant academy, were mostly run by cultivators, with many establishments being centuries old. the owner of the brewery across the street has a crush on the florist lady from the shop opposite, but hes too shy to express his feelings. it was me who played matchmaker for them. they even gave me a big red envelope when they got married. the young master of ding xiang tower was unruly and unlearned. his parents were so worried they came to me for help. i used the power of benevolence to reform him, turning him into a sensible young man. sancai academy. zui feng tower. ladies, time to get upi the mature madam, still charming, climbed the stairs, shouting with a hint of spiritual power in her voice. as a well-known pleasure house of sancai academy, zui feng tower was a popular spot for students to relieve stress. the girls there were not only beautiful with sweet voices but also skilled in dual cultivation techniques, aiding in cultivation. recently, zui feng tower had become even more popular. every day, before it even opened, many students were already waiting outside. the reason was that a group of girls had just returned from an advanced course at the spirit charm sect, a well-known location in the archean eon realm for producing enchantresses and witches. the dual cultivation techniques of spirit charm sect were world-renowned. the students of sancai academy, being ambitious young people, were instantly intrigued and sought to learn these techniques. zui feng tower, fifth floor. pinger, one of the ladies, opened the window, breathing in the fresh air. first day of the month, lets do a great job! she clenched her small fist, full of determination. after meeting her quota this month, she could progress to the next level in her cultivation technique and break through a minor realm. tangible progress was just within reach. just then, a shadow suddenly appeared behind her and pounced towards pinger. this is zui feng tower, a place of pleasure but i dont frequent such places, except sometimes during festivals when they need a musician in the hall decent activities, decent music playing all fully clothed dont look at me like that. im a person of integrity. when the academy reserves the place, its just for watching dances, nothing else lu xuan was earnestly explaining to cheng lingzhu when suddenly, a loud noise erupted. the windows above shattered, and a person fell from above.. Chapter 59 - Chapter 59: My Disciples Are All Worthy of Immortality chapter 59: my disciples are all worthy of immortality translator: endlessfantasy translation| editor: endlessfantasy translation lu xuans reaction was naturally swift. with a thought, a gentle surge of spiritual power emanated from him, allowing him to catch the falling figure. following the figure, a mass of black mist, half a person tall with bared fangs and claws, exuding a fierce aura, pounced towards them. lu xuan lifted his hand, instantly weaving a large net of spiritual power that ensnared the black mist. as the net tightened, lu xuan grasped and squeezed, dissipating the black mist and revealing the true form of the creature inside, which squeaked chaotically. it was a large black rat. lu xuan held the spiritual power net, a look of surprise on his face: a beast at the peak of the qi refining stage? the rats fur was glossy, and it was as big as a small pig, struggling within the net. peak-level qi refining beasts were not uncommon, but lu xuan was surprised to see such a creature in sancai city. this was a sacred land of confucianism, protected by the saints presence, where beasts dared not tread. even the agricultural academys breeding projects required special formations to shield from the residual aura of the confucian saints. zui feng tower, despite being in the outer city, was still within the protected area. nobody expected a beast attack to happen here. lu xuans thoughts raced, and he quickly formed a hypothesis. he yuanfengs use of the forbidden technique to sever the worlds talent and disrupt the confucian path had, although halted before success, still impacted the paths spiritual energy. this led to the dusting of the saints statues and an instability in the saintly presence, allowing nearby beasts to find a loophole. this large black rat was likely the first beast to be discovered in the city, but lu xuan suspected it wouldnt be the last. he cast a spell to contain the captured beast, planning to later send it to the agricultural institute for the students to deal with. cheng lingzhu approached the woman who had fallen from the building to talk. the woman, named pinger, worked at zui xiang tower. she was diligent in her work, but today she was attacked by the beast while getting ready in the morning. she wasnt injured, just startled into falling out of the window. after thanking cheng lingzhu, pinger lightly tapped the ground with her toes and flew back up to the tower. taking this opportunity, lu xuan contacted zhang xun and chen xu. although they were busy dealing with the aftermath of the he yuanfeng incident, he thought it best to inform them about the beast incursion, which could disrupt daily life. after finishing these tasks, lu xuan stretched and continued his stroll with cheng lingzhu. the presence of a beast in the city was not a major issue. the saints statues, though dusted, were not entirely ineffective. the beasts that slipped into the city were minor; with cultivators all around, a simple notice to stay alert would suffice. the next day, at ding xiang tower, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu were having breakfast. i heard news from the southern ridge that the legendary barbarian god might be awakening. we should visit in a few days mmm, delicious coincidentally, one of my disciples is there, so we can check on him too. lu xuan swallowed the food cheng lingzhu had fed him. a disciple? cheng lingzhus curiosity was piqued. ive taken four disciples over the years. the first two have ascended. the one in the southern ridge is the third, whom i havent seen in many years. lu xuan explained. his criteria for accepting disciples were quite high, and each of his four disciples had the potential to become a true immortal. lu xuan could describe them like this the eldest disciple had an extraordinary talent and brilliance, his life experiences enough to fill an 8-million-word traditional fantasy novel. he could overcome any obstacle and was the epitome of a talented protagonist in a fantasy novel. the second disciple was cunning and strategic, a master of manipulation and layers of deception, even more intricate than the founder of the dao yan sect. his thousand-year plans led him to his own path to ascension. the third disciple, of humble origin, possessed great ambition and strategy. he established an immortal dynasty in the southern ridge, rivalling the top immortal sects of the demonic races, such as thousand saint mountain, and protected countless civilians. his dynasty flourished with prosperity and fortune. the fourth disciple, a natural spirit, was a remnant immortal seed from ancient times. unrestricted by the usual cultivation barriers, she could achieve immortality given enough time. any of these four disciples could astound an era. and i am merely their master, lu xuan said. as they ate and talked, ding xiang towers walls were adorned with many portraits, including famous visitors. one portrait showed a young man in traditional attire with a warm smile, his hand on the head of a young boy beside him. the boy looked touched, creating a heartwarming scene. is that the identity you used back then? after finishing their breakfast, cheng lingzhu noticed lu xuan looking at the painting and guessed its origin. correct. lu xuan nodded: lu xuan was about to continue when he suddenly stopped and gestured to cheng lingzhu with his eyes. whats wrong? cheng lingzhu was momentarily puzzled. here lu xuan pointed at the corner of his mouth. cheng lingzhu, thinking there might be some pastry crumbs, took out a handkerchief, considering they were still going to stroll around the city. after wiping it, lu xuan still pointed at his mouth. is it still there? cheng lingzhu asked. come here. lu xuan extended his hand. cheng lingzhu moved closer, and as lu xuan gently brushed her hair aside from her ear, he suddenly lowered his head and kissed her on the corner of her lips. there, its gone now, lu xuan said seriously. cheng lingzhus face turned bright red. she raised her hand to hit him but couldnt bring herself to do it forcefully, ending up just playfully patting his chest. lu xuan pretended to apologize, secretly planning how he might repeat the act in the future. weve now entered the territory of the southern ridge. aboard the flying boat, cheng lingzhu unfolded a map. well travel overland to the southern ridge, but we can take the water route on the way back, passing over the sea. lu xuan leaned in close to her. ive heard that in the east sea, aside from the dragon palace, theres also the merman kingdom since were out, we might as well visit. this was their seventh day since leaving sancai academy and heading towards the southern ridge. following the beast incident, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu stayed in the sacred city of confucianism for three more days, during which they helped capture several small beasts. the cultivators from sancai academy had re-established protective formations outside the city to prevent further breaches by the beasts. until the aftermath of the he yuanfeng incident completely settled, this set of formations would need to operate for some time around sancai city. okay, lets do as you suggest. cheng lingzhu nodded in agreement. the deep sea was a daunting place, not just because of the towering waves and mysterious marine environments, but also due to the potential for ferocious beasts lurking beneath the surface. even for cultivators, there was the danger of perishing. of course, with lu xuans strength, these concerns were unwarranted. being by his side, cheng lingzhu always felt a sense of security.. Chapter 60 - Chapter 60: Feathered Tribe chapter 60: feathered tribe translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in the southern ridge, within the iron beast mountain. those two from the feathered tribe are just ahead. you go around from that side and encircle them, dont let them escape! in the forest, a tall and imposing demon barbarian commanded. his upper body was bare, skin reddish, with a strong and formidable build. his chest, shoulders, and back were adorned with totemic patterns, exuding a raw and untamed aura. the demon barbarians were neither human nor demonic beasts. the demon barbarians were indigenous to the region of the southern ridge. in that same region, races races such as the feathered, furred, and scaled tribes. among these, the barbarian tribe was the most powerful and barbarically ferocious. central continent cultivators derogatorily referred to them as the demon barbarians, which greatly offended the demonic races who felt insulted by the association. following the tall barbarians command, dozens of his tribesmen leaped and dashed through the forest at incredible speeds, leaving afterimages in the air. sister, you you go on ahead i i cant hold on much longer among the trees, two female figures stumbled and ran unsteadily. both women were tall and beautiful. one appeared older, while the other seemed younger and more youthful. they both had a pair of pristine white wings on their backs, identifying them as members of the feathered tribe mentioned bv the barbarian leader. however, at that moment, both of their wings were stained with blood, indicating injuries. if were going, well go together the older feathered tribe woman gritted her teeth, holding onto the wrist of the woman beside her. sister, listen to me the younger one, with an innocent face, shook her head. youre less injured than i am. with me you wont be able to escape she coughed a few times, were not just women of the feathered tribe; we are warriors of our people this time, the demonic races and barbarians have allied. our tribe is in danger. this news must be sent back at all costs hearing this, the older feathered tribe womans eyes reddened, but their dire situation left no room for hesitation. the younger womans gaze was resolute as she pried open the hand holding her wrist. ill hold them off sister, run! with determination, the elder feathered tribe woman took off, her blood-stained wings unfolding behind her as she soared into the sky. the wings of the feathered tribe were not merely for show. they possessed incredible speed, allowing them to navigate effortlessly through the complex terrain of the southern ridge. i must return to my tribe immediately to relay the message the feathered tribe woman focused solely on this thought as she strained to fly. however, an unexpected change occurred. a massive stone plummeted from the sky, hurtling towards her. she tried desperately to dodge, but her injuries slowed her down, and the rock grazed her, causing her to fall from the sky. think you can escape? not so easy! a rough laugh echoed as a lean barbarian leaped down from a mountaintop. he grabbed the feathered tribe woman by her hair and lifted her up. behind this barbarian followed a dozen others, appearing to be his subordinates. the burly barbarian who had previously pursued the feathered sisters also arrived with his group. by his side, his men had captured the younger sister, restraining her. the lean barbarian spoke. anan, youve captured the sister, and ive got the older one. seems were evenly matched this time. the barbarian called anan nodded, laughing. if it werent for the priests order to bring them back alive, fearing they might die from the ordeal, we could have released them and hunted them down again. the lean barbarian laughed heartily, about to add more, when suddenly a fishing line descended from the sky, entwining the feathered sisters and pulling them up. while the feathered sisters were fleeing for their lives, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu were piloting a large flying boat above the mountains of the southern ridge. the southern ridge was known for its mountainous forests and heavy mist. lu xuan stepped out from the cabin onto the deck of the flying boat, looking into the distance. he then saw a humanoid figure trying to fly but was struck down by a large rock. observing the scene of the barbarians chasing the feathered tribe, lu xuan found it odd. the area he was currently in should be under the jurisdiction of the thousand saint mountain. given the attitude of the demonic races towards the barbarians, how could there be a group of barbarians here, and so blatantly capturing people? so, he fished the two feathered sisters aboard to understand the situation better. lu xuan reeled in the fishing line. a flash of white light illuminated. the two feathered sisters appeared on the deck, looking bewildered. who are you? where am i? what just happened? bathed in this golden light, the feathered tribe sisters immediately felt a sense of peace and solace. their previously tense spirits were soothed, and their minds gradually calmed down. relax, youre safe now. lu xuan spoke, pulling cheng lingzhu closer. we are passing cultivators of the human race who saw you being chased by the demon barbarians, so we took the initiative to bring you aboard. thank you fellow cultivator. the older feathered tribe woman stepped forward to express her gratitude. the other party claimed to be human cultivators and used the language of the great yan dynasty of the southern ridge. knowing that cultivators in that region addressed each other as fellow cultivators, she chose to use the same term. with many races in the southern ridge, naturally, there were also many languages. cultivators living in the area usually mastered multiple languages for easier communication. through their conversation, lu xuan learned about their situation. these two were warriors from a nearby feathered tribe village, the elder named yu qing and the younger yu bai. while patrolling their territory, they discovered traces of barbarian activity. following the trail, they were shocked to find a new barbarian tribe in iron beast mountain, numbering over twenty thousand. this discovery was alarming to yu qing and yu bai, as this area was not a territory of the barbarians but under the jurisdiction of a demonic race power, the thousand saints mountain. for countless years, only the feathered tribe and the demonic race power pan jiang country had resided near iron beast mountain. the sudden appearance of a barbarian tribe was indeed unusual. thus, yu qing and yu bai risked infiltrating the barbarian tribe, only to discover that pan jiang country had formed an alliance with the barbarians. they had intended to hurry back to their tribe but were accidentally spotted, leading to their pursuit by the barbarians. after hearing their story, lu xuans expression turned contemplative. the southern ridge, with its multitude of races and powers, was a complex and interwoven region. generally, it was a tripartite balance of power. the demonic race thousand saints mountain, the human great yan dynasty, and the twelve barbarian tribes each divided the southern ridge into their respective territories. the remaining hundred tribes, if united, could also form a significant force capable of standing against the three major powers. however, these hundred tribes each governed independently, with complex relationships and numerous feuds among them. forming an alliance was almost an impossibility. lu xuan doubted that the thousand saints mountain would ally with the barbarians, but its subordinate powers, like pan jiang country, might harbor their own ambitions. thus, he decided to visit this group of barbarians.. Chapter 61 - Chapter 61: The Barbarian Envoy Who Precisely Steps on Landmines chapter 61: the barbarian envoy who precisely steps on landmines translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation beneath the flying boat. two groups of barbarians gathered together, looking up at the sky. yu bai and yu qing were caught by the fishing line and pulled up to the flying boat. whose vessel is this? its so large!? the barbarian named anan asked. brother anan, i know. at this moment, a barbarian of medium stature stepped forward. unlike the others clad in animal skins, this barbarian wore a robe made of spirit silk, crafted with special techniques. however, it looked somewhat awkward on him, like a misfit. what do you think, awen? anan turned to ask. he knew this clansman, who had lived in the lands of the demonic races for several years and was well-informed about the outside world. we are currently in the territory of pan jiang country, which falls under the jurisdiction of the thousand saints mountain of the demonic races. considering the territory, this entire area is governed by the thousand saints mountain. only a respected demon elder would dare to navigate such a huge flying boat in these mountains. awen spoke confidently, it must be a demon elder passing by who took interest in the feathered sisters for their beauty and abducted them for his amusement. awens words makes sense. the other barbarians agreed, nodding their heads. the simple-minded barbarians tended to judge by appearances, so having awen, their wise man, was pleasing to them. anan snorted coldly, feeling somewhat discontented. his prey was snatched away by someone else. brother anan, be patient. awen spoke up, let me board the ship and speak with the demon. ill make him aware of our barbarian might, and he wont dare to contend with brother anan. the flying boat slowly descended, stopping ten feet above the ground and hovering there. this is the boats owner inviting our people aboard. awen looked at the flying boat, spat in his palm, and smoothed his hair. wait here for me. ill be right back. with that, under everyones watchful eyes, awen leaped up and boarded the flying boat. on the deck of the flying boat, there were four people. awen observed carefully: a handsome man and three women stood at the front, with the mans extraordinary demeanor clearly marking him as the owner of the flying boat. the other three women included yu bai and yu qing, with the third being an unfamiliar face to awen. he surmised that she must be a servant or slave captured by the owner of the flying boat. he stepped forward and bowed formally. greetings from awen, the envoy of the erqing mountain tribe of the barbarians, to the esteemed member of the demonic races. lu xuan paused for a moment, recognizing the use of the demonic language, although spoken rather awkwardly by awen. his titles and address were somewhat jumbled. what brings the envoy here? lu xuan inquired after a brief contemplation. awens face brightened upon hearing lu xuan speak, relieved that his initial apprehensions about the others refined appearance were unfounded. although the demonic races looked similar to humans, awen couldnt distinguish between them. however, lu xuan had just spoken in perfect demonic official language, confirming awens initial assumption. believing that the owner of the flying boat was indeed a demonic elder, awen confidently stepped forward and replied, the two women beside you were our prey. we hope you can return them to us. why does your tribe want these two from the feathered tribe? lu xuan asked. you are unaware, esteemed one, awen explained. our tribe has collaborated with the pan jiang countrys southern demon king to annex a nearby feathered tribe village. unexpectedly, these two learned of our plans if they escape and warn their tribe, it would complicate our attack. lu xuan blinked, surprised at the barbarians blatant disclosure of their plans. how come the southern demon king would collaborate with you? lu xuan directly asked. because our barbarian god has been revived, awen said proudly. the southern ridge is seen as a tripartite domain, but soon, the remaining two will be no more. our barbarian tribe will reign supreme, and all other races will submit to us. so the southern demon king is a wise one, then, lu xuan mused, his eyes slightly darkening. by pledging loyalty in advance, hes securing a favorable position beside the barbarian god. are there other benefits? of course, awen replied with a secretive smile. once the barbarian god regains his peak strength and our tribe unifies the southern ridge, all humans there will become our food, free for the taking. he licked his lips enticingly, tempting lu xuan, you must also enjoy eating humans, right? hand over the two feathered tribe women to me, and ill take you to our tribe for a feast. we have dozens of humans captured from the great yan dynasty, including tender young children ah, the flesh is so soft and juicy. several dozens, you say? lu xuan responded with a seemingly amused expression. are all of your people gathered below? confused by the demonic elders question, awen nonetheless replied, they are all assembled. lu xuan nodded and rolled up his sleeves. after the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the flying boat resumed its journey. yu bail s palms were slightly sweaty. the human elder who had saved her and her sister imposed a profound sense of pressure on her. she had just witnessed the elder punch and bury all the barbarians in the ground, turning them into fertilizer. from yu bail s perspective, it was satisfying and aesthetically pleasing, but upon reflection, it was predominantly violent. the barbarian race truly cannot be educated or reasoned with. lu xuan sighed. he wasnt making an accusation but stating a fact. barbarians are inherently cruel, primitive in lifestyle, unambitious, and non-productive, living a brutal life of raw meat and blood. the demonic races, especially the innate demons, look down upon the barbarians. as a race with high aesthetic and artistic abilities, they cant comprehend how such barbaric intelligent beings can exist in the world. the barbarians still wear animal skins and eat the flesh of their own kind, not for ritualistic or intimidating purposes, but simply as a lifestyle choice. in barbarian tribes, the elders are either priests or former warriors. without strength in old age, they risk being consumed by their own offspring. sometimes, when cravings strike, they might even snatch and eat their own or others infants. lu xuan felt this was more like an innate flaw, one on the level of the soul. when the barbarian god created the barbarians, it seemed like he missed installing quite a few things.. Chapter 62 - Chapter 62: Barbarian Tribe Temple chapter 62: barbarian tribe temple translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation the southern ridge was filled with primal forests, rivers, and swamps. a thousand li south of iron beast mountain lies the copper hammer ridge. standing beneath the flying boat, lu xuan looked down to see a tribe settled there. however, this tribe showed no signs of order. in their camp, grass huts stood, large limbs roasted on bonfires, and barbarians fought in the open for a piece of meat, beheading each other in noisy and chaotic battles. lu xuan took a deep breath and chose not to annihilate these humanoid beasts with a single slap. instead, he granted the request of yu bai and yu qing to hand these barbarians over to their feathered tribe for retribution. feathered warriors, known for their bravery, wished to personally avenge their enemies. lu xuan agreed. after bringing them to this location, the feathered sisters left the flying boat and headed towards their tribe. lu xuan lent them a treasure vehicle capable of traversing various terrains. apart from the three main races C barbarians, demons, and humans C the rest of the hundred tribes in the southern ridge lived in scattered tribal states. the barbarian tribes, too, were dispersed but numerous, with fixed territories and a unified leadership, differing from the dispersed hundred tribes. lu xuan, accompanied by cheng lingzhu, descended from the flying boat. after storing the flying artifact, he cast a stealth and illusion spell and sneaked into the barbarian tribe to see what they were up to. in the eastern part of the barbarian tribe, inside a large pit. mom, are we going to be eaten? a braided-haired little girl asked, her voice trembling with tears. hush, dont talk. the woman beside her, pale-faced, covered her childs mouth. they had been captured and thrown into this dungeon several days ago. the barbarians, lacking architectural skills, couldnt even properly construct their homes, let alone a professional dungeon. so, they dug a large hole and threw all the captured humans into it. over these days, whenever the stone slab covering the pit was removed, it meant someone would be taken away. now, only a few dozen of the prisoners remained alive in the pit. they had thought of escaping, but the barbarians, possessing bloodline cultivation methods equivalent to cultivators, would simply tear apart anyone who tried to flee and consume them raw. just then, the stone slab covering the dungeons entrance loosened and was lifted, allowing a beam of sunlight to pour in. the woman trembled, holding her child tightly in her arms. barbarians had a preference for eating children, and her daughter was the last child remaining in the dungeon. as she braced for despair, a handsome man appeared at the entrance of the hole, gesturing for the people inside to come out. cruel, chaotic, disorderly walking through the barbarian tribe, the sights and experiences along the way made lu xuan shake his head. this is ingrained in the barbarians bloodline. cheng lingzhu sighed. the barbarians had dominated the southern ridge for years, yet in their history, not a single true immortal level powerhouse had emerged. their bloodline cultivation methods produced powerful individuals capable of contending with transcendence stage cultivators, but none could break through that threshold. this limitation was likely related to an inherent flaw in their bloodline. the dungeon to the east housed the captured humans. lu xuan knocked out the guards, sealed their cultivation, and then used a mystical technique to reshape the guards into the appearance of the citizens of the great yan dynasty, throwing them into the dungeon. given the disorderly nature of the barbarians, even if they noticed the guards disappearance, they would simply assume they had gone elsewhere. however, it remained to be seen if they could tell the difference when it came time for roasting meat. lu xuan used a spatial technique to take the great yan citizens into his sleeve and then headed towards the center of the barbarian tribe. there, a large temple stood. inside the barbarian temple, a priest garbed in animal skins held up a bone artifact, chanting in a cryptic tone. before him, a portal made of grey mist opened, and one by one, barbarians emerged from it, leaving the temple. it seems that the barbarian god has truly revived. lu xuans eyes darkened. the barbarians neither cultivated the land nor studied spells or the art of formation. however, with the construction of their temples, they could connect with the barbarian god through the power of faith, transporting their kin from distant lands to their location. lu xuan felt it was like playing a game. in any part of the southern ridge, as long as a temple was built, the barbarians could instantly muster forces. acting as the idol who pays for the fans actions, the confucian saint killed the barbarian god with three punches, and the barbarians account for sacrificial faith was canceled, losing their ability to rapidly increase their forces. many of the barbarians secret techniques relied on the power of faith. after the death of their deity, the entire barbarian race was greatly weakened, transforming from the once powerful rulers of the southern ridge to the feeble and wretched barbarians of today. the elderly priest, offering sacrifices to the barbarian god, couldnt help but recall the past, with tears streaming down his face. the barbarians had suffered such humiliation in the past, being ostracized by both the demon and human races, confined to this corner of the world, deprived even of the freedom to eat humans. but now, with the return of their deity, they would lead the entire barbarian race to regain their former glory. to restore the barbarians honor was a duty they could not shirk! the old priest was filled with lofty aspirations. wiping his tears, he remembered he had a great-granddaughter born a few days ago. in his joy today, he decided to feast on her, making her the main dish. while the old priest was wiping his tears, lu xuan leaped onto the altar and scooped up the towering barbarian god statue, storing it in his magical storage item. then, using an illusion technique to alter his appearance, he took its place. the statue was burly and fierce-looking, seated on a throne made of skulls, with a human skin rug beneath its feet. in its hand, it held a creature resembling a marten or a rabbit, with white fur and a ring of golden hair around its neck, quite extraordinary. in barbarian lore, this was the deitys fierce guardian beast, capable of stepping on the sun and moon and devouring souls, terrifying indeed. lu xuan, disguised as the barbarian god, with cheng lingzhu transformed into the guardian beast, lay in his hand. after the old priest finished wiping his tears, he continued his ritual, only to find that no more tribespeople were coming out of the portal, and even the portal itself began to dissipate and shrink. what was happening? the old priest was shocked, his barbarian brain unable to comprehend the situation. could it be that something has gone wrong with our god? he was shaken, looking up at the barbarian god, but quickly lowered his gaze again. one must not look directly at a god! on the high platform, the statue was majestic and expressionless. of course, the old barbarians magic failed because lu xuan was now seated in its place. the faith energy the barbarians sacrificed to their deity was all intercepted by him. pacing in the temple, the old priest was puzzled and confused. just then, a tribesperson came to report from outside the temple bad news! the feathered tribe are attacking! Chapter 63 - Chapter 63: Barbarian God chapter 63: barbarian god translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in the southern ridge. atop the sacred mountain of the barbarians. within a towering temple. someone has severed my connection to the power of faith? a figure slowly sat up, his tone filled with surprise. such a delightful thing has happened? youve done well, youve done really well he rubbed his hands together, suddenly agitated. whoever severed my connection to faith must be strong just then, his ears twitched. the figure quickly lay down again. after a while, someone entered the temple. has the barbarian god not awakened yet? a voice asked softly, belonging to an elderly figure dressed in animal skins. the temple was filled with a misty grey haze. in the center, a giant bubble radiated multicolored light. inside the bubble, a figure floated, its features indiscernible. we have already offered many sacrifices of blood and faith, but although there has been a response, the barbarian god shows no signs of waking. a middle-aged barbarian responded. perhaps its because the flesh and blood of humans are too scarce, suggested a barbarian priest. humans are the best sacrifice for the barbarian god. ever since the establishment of the grand xia dynasty, the humans of the southern ridge have been gathered and protected by the emperor of grand xia, leaving us without any recourse. cursed and detested! snarled a female barbarian next to him, clenching her teeth. once the barbarian deity is revived, we must slaughter the entire grand yan dynasty. i want to tear the emperor of grand yan into pieces and dry his flesh to eat! her voice was a bit too loud, prompting the leading elderly barbarian to frown. we are in the presence of the barbarian god. do not be reckless alright, lets all step outside. the four of them stepped out, leaving the temple, and only stopped once they were outside the barbarian gods temple. chief jiao, what do you think how likely is it that the barbarian god will awaken? asked the middle-aged barbarian. what do you mean, chief pi? the elderly barbarian frowned. these four barbarian leaders were chiefs or priests from the four strongest tribes among the twelve barbarian tribes of the era. they were experts in bloodline power; if categorized by cultivation realms, all four were equivalent to mahayana stage practitioners. the eldest among them, jiao wushuang, was even comparable to a transcendence stage cultivator. the middle-aged barbarian was pi shan, the priest-like barbarian was lu jiang, and the remaining barbarian woman was named xi ming. we have already offered so many sacrifices of blood and faith, pi shan began. whether the barbarian god will awaken is still uncertain. and even if it does, the amount of blood and faith needed for it to regain its strength will likely be even greater. youre suggesting we stop the sacrifices? jiao wushuangs gaze sharpened. instead of placing our hopes on this, we might as well consider something more practical, pi shan suggested. in the southern ridge, humans ascend, and demons become immortals, but only our barbarian race cannot take that final step. chief jiao, have you ever wondered why? what are you implying, pi shan? jiao wushuang narrowed his eyes. pi shan chuckled lightly, looking towards the barbarian temple: what if the final step to becoming a deity lies there? instead of wasting sacrifices on a deity that may not awaken, we might as well consume it ourselves! younger and more ambitious than jiao wushuang, pi shan harbored his own aspirations. pi shan, have you gone mad?! jiao wushuang was shocked. he was fiercely loyal to the barbarian deity and had never considered such a thing. chief jiao, dont you want to revitalize our barbarian race? pi shans voice carried a hint of temptation as he stared into jiao wushuangs eyes. what if consuming the barbarian god could complete what were missing? we four could become the new gods of the barbarians, leading our race out of the southern ridge to dominate the archean eon realm. all tribes would bow before us and be subjected to our whims isnt that a wonderful prospect? at this point, pi shans face was flushed with excitement. barbarians generally had simple minds, but those who had cultivated to the level of the four chiefs had a different way of thinking and broader horizons. jiao wushuang was about to object but noticed lu jiang and xi ming remaining silent. after a moment of silence, jiao wushuang finally spoke, do you all share these thoughts? lu jiang and xi ming exchanged glances before nodding their heads, clearly having discussed this with pi shan earlier. however, convincing jiao wushuang was the last step, as he was the strongest and most loyal to the barbarian god. jiao wushuang sighed heavily as he glanced at the trio and then at the distant barbarian temple. after a long pause, he finally said, lets discuss this matter another day. inside the barbarian temple, the figure in the bubble shivered and hugged its head in fear. it had just awakened, only to face the possibility of being consumed by its own followers! gray threads from the void were linked to the barbarian god, who struggled in vain against the invisible chains of faith. as the power of faith flowed in, a unique channel between the deity and humans was forming. the deity panicked, realizing that once the link solidified, it would be irreversibly bound to the barbarians. the influx of faith would not only establish a causal connection but also influence its thoughts with the collective consciousness of the barbarians. if i bind with the barbarians, i might lose my mind, right? the deity pondered, worried about the prospect. just then, it noticed a pure white thread nearby, cut from the outside world and no longer transmitting faith. an audacious idea formed in its mind. maybe i should try to contact this person? atop a high cliff overlooking copper hammer ridge, lu xuan observed the scene below. rivers of blood flowed as mountains of corpses piled up. the sudden assault of the feathered tribe caught the demon barbarians off guard. their initial plan was to collaborate with the southern demon king of panjiang country and jointly conquer the feathered tribe. but now, without their allys support and facing a surprise attack in their stronghold, they were swiftly annihilated. thank you, immortal master, for saving us, the rescued people from the great yan dynasty bowed in gratitude before lu xuan. theres no need to thank me, lu xuan lifted his hand, preventing them from bowing. if you really want to express gratitude, thank the emperor of the great yan dynasty for establishing a human immortal kingdom in the southern ridge. he was the first to accomplish this. in this story, lu xuan played the role of that extraordinary being. the emperor su yuan was his third disciple.. Chapter 64 - Chapter 64: Barbarian God’s Welcoming Ceremony chapter 64: barbarian gods welcoming ceremony translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation ive already discussed with the cultivators of the feathered tribe, lu xuan began. you all should stay in the feathered tribes village for a few days. once everything is settled, someone will escort you back to the great yan dynasty. hearing his words, the citizens of dayan expressed their heartfelt gratitude. after some time, they left with the members of the feathered tribe. the demon king of the panjiang country colluding with the barbarians suggests treacherous intentions. however, we need not intervene the diplomatic aspects should be left to the feathered tribe. how they handle it will undoubtedly align with the thoughts of panjiang nations ruler. the barbarians, using the power of their temple, came from their homeland to panjiang nation, intending to conspire with the demon king to invade the feathered tribe. although the immediate crisis was averted, the subsequent diplomatic issues were expected to be contentious. lu xuan stretched lazily, exhaling a turbid breath, the faith power of the barbarians is indeed filled with malevolence though he could refine it with his golden core, this primitive belief was both useless and distasteful, so lu xuan spat it out. at that moment, he uttered a soft huh and soon, his expression turned curious. whats wrong? cheng lingzhu noticed his expression. theres someone who wants to talk to me, lu xuan replied, a smile forming on his face. the next day. news spread among the barbarians that the newly awakened barbarian god had revived. the barbarians were preparing for a grand ceremony to welcome their deity. in the great yan dynasty. inside the imperial study. your majesty. a robed elder hurried in, bowing respectfully. the emperor of great yan, su yuan, who was reviewing documents, put down his pen and pulled over a chair and asked, what brings you here, minister shang? the prime minister of great yan, shang xinyu, spoke, news from the south. our scouts report that the revived barbarian god has awakened and a grand ceremony to welcome him will be held in three days. he paused for a moment, i fear this is not good news for our nation. the demon barbarians revered sacrificial practices, with many of their activities linked to such rituals. the demon barbarians decision to hold the grand deity welcoming ceremony was not merely a celebration but a strategy to gather faith to restore the barbarian gods strength. upon learning of the barbarians actions, minister shang xinyu immediately sought an audience with emperor su yuan to discuss the matter. emperor su yuan pondered for a moment before speaking, recently, the head of the sancai academy attempted to capture the worlds talents to sacrifice to the confucian fate for his own achievement. just as he was about to succeed, a saint manifested, bestowing a light of merit three thousand zhang high, thwarting his ambition. was that the case? exactly as your majesty described, shang xinyu replied, though puzzled why the emperor would ask this. theres no need to worry then, su yuans face broke into a smile. minister shang can rest assured, the barbarians plan will come to naught. what does your majesty imply? shang xinyu was perplexed. su yuan responded, let this matter be. just wait for the good news. shang xinyu was left baffled. he felt the emperor was being cryptic. he understood what cryptic meant. in the early days of the great yan dynasty, officials often spoke ambiguously, a custom inherited from ancient traditions. emperor su yuan had once fiercely criticized this practice, lambasting several ministers and labeling such behavior as cryptic, detrimental to communication and administrative efficiency. shang xinyu knew that the young emperor once studied under an enigmatic master and had likely learned much from him, including the term cryptic. three days later. on the sacred mountain of the barbarians. a vast square, teeming with members of the barbarian tribes. the barbarians, consisting of twelve major tribes ruling over the vast lands of nanling, had sent their elites to the sacred mountain for the ceremony. the square was overcrowded; even a selection of elites from each tribe resulted in tens of thousands of barbarians gathered. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu were also present. lu xuan, disliking the crowd, chose not to stand amongst the barbarian throng. atop the square, a colossal statue of the barbarian god stood, intricately detailed and lifelike. given the aesthetic and artistic capabilities of the barbarians, such a high-level sculpture was beyond their ability. lu xuan knew without a doubt that they must have captured craftsmen from human or demon territories to create it, likely consuming the master sculptor upon completion as a celebration of the statues unveiling. at that moment, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu were seated atop the head of the barbarian gods statue, waiting to witness the spectacle. a priest blew a special horn made of ox horn, producing a deep, ancient sound that seemed to emanate from a bygone era, imbued with a desolate and solemn aura. thud, thud, thud the sound of beast-skin drums echoed through the air, thunderous and reverberating across the skies. the drums were beaten eighty-one times, resonating with primal energy. at the central platform of the square, jiao wushuang frowned. until this moment, pi shan and others had not appeared. of the four strongest tribal chiefs of the barbarians, only he was present. mo he ye sha, mo he ye sha chanting the deitys name in an obscure dialect, jiao wushuang invoked the divine presence. the gathered barbarians joined in, their voices merging into a powerful chorus. suddenly, a wind arose, and darkness descended over the square. an immense, intangible presence seemed to envelop the area, plunging it into shadow. in mere moments, the place was engulfed in darkness, the sun disappeared, and no light remained, rendering visibility nil. in this darkness, it felt as though monstrous beasts lurked, their gaping maws ready to consume them. fear gripped the hearts of the barbarians, pushing them to the brink of an abyss. just as despair set in, a light emerged ahead. on the platform, a hazy figure appeared, radiating a soft, endless light. when the barbarians saw this figure, their hearts settled. the figures radiance grew brighter, dispelling the cold darkness and bringing light back to the land. mohe yesha! mohe yesha! someone started chanting the deitys name. soon, every barbarian joined in, their voices rising in unison. the appearance of the barbarian god symbolized the history of the barbarians. in the ancient past, the barbarian god created them, guiding them out of confusion and darkness into the light. tens of thousands of barbarian elites looked up at the figure of light on the platform, their eyes filled with reverence. the atmosphere of the grand ceremony reached its zenith. at this critical juncture, a discordant voice arose, why do we, the barbarians, who contend with the heavens and battle the earth, with iron in our bones and straight spines, need to worship the barbarian god? pi shan, lu jiang, and xi ming, leading their tribal members, approached the platform, their presence challenging the ongoing ritual.. Chapter 65 - Chapter 65: When an Epic Becomes a Farce chapter 65: when an epic becomes a farce translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation pi shan, what are you trying to do?! jiao wushuangs expression changed, attempting to intimidate pi shan into retreat. pi shan remained calm: i, as a tribal chief, merely seek justice for our barbarian tribe! his voice, deep and resonant, echoed across the square, reaching the ears of all the barbarians. pi shan ascended the platform, flanked by lu jiang and xi ming, subtly confronting jiao wushuang. addressing the gathered barbarians, he declared, i have something to say, please listen. a commanding aura emanated from him, silencing the crowd. pi shan, do not act foolishly in the presence of the barbarian god! jiao wushuang exclaimed sternly. foolish? pi shan scoffed. what kind of barbarian god poses so arrogantly before us? his words sent a wave of murmurs through the crowd, and he continued: each of you is an elite of your tribes, surely capable of independent thought. consider carefully, what does your life today have to do with the barbarian god? his question prompted contemplation among the barbarians. do your sincere prayers to the barbarian god ever receive a response? when you offer the fruits of your laborious hunts, does the barbarian god ever reciprocate? when you are starving, does the barbarian god provide food? when you are wounded, does the barbarian god heal your injuries? his gaze, piercing and intense, fixed on the luminous figure on the platform. where was this god when our barbarian tribe suffered oppression? where was this god when we had nowhere to turn? where was this god when we fought bloodily for survival on the lands of the southern ridge? he continued, his voice resonating with conviction: now, as we barbarians stand firm on the land of the southern ridge, suddenly someone claiming to be a deity appears, expecting to rule over us all?! our status and reputation were earned through our own struggles and battles. our achievements today, what do they have to do with this god?! pi shan, do not lead people astray with your words! the barbarian god created us; without him, there would be no barbarian tribe! jiao wushuang retorted. how ridiculous! pi shan countered. pi shan snorted coldly. how can you be so sure of the barbarian gods intentions in creating us? he turned towards the multitude of barbarians below. the human race can become true immortals, the demon race can ascend to divinity, and even the feathered tribe, in ancient times, had beings who ascended. yet we, the dominant force of the southern ridge, are trapped in cultivation shackles, unable to take that final step! do you not see a problem here? hearing this, the barbarians below grew contemplative, sensing the gravity of his words. pi shan spoke loudly: i fear our revered deity has long since laid controls within us, keeping us in check! what deity and subjects? all lies! the barbarian god has never shown compassion for our tribe! think carefully, now that the barbarian god has revived in a weakened state, if we allow him to grow in power, our tribe will never have a chance to rise! since he never regarded us as his people, why should we treat him as a deity?! pi shans words resonated powerfully. rather than being bound by a false god, we should master our own destiny! he stepped forward, his voice echoing across the sacred mountain: today, let us consume the barbarian god to complete ourselves. i, pi shan, hereby swear! if i become a god, i will lead the barbarian tribe out of the wilderness! if i become a god, i will ensure our tribe reigns supreme, with all tribes kneeling before us! if i become a god, i will complete our bloodline, allowing all in our tribe to become saints and ancestors! if i become a god, i will be the new deity of the barbarian tribe! at this moment, pi shans presence was overwhelming, shaking the hearts of the barbarians. his prestige reached its zenith. the rejuvenation of the barbarian tribe begins with me! pi shan let out a powerful roar and leaped towards the platform, targeting the luminous figure. he knew well that the recently revived barbarian god, despite being inherently powerful, was no match for him. his speech was to justify taking the position of the barbarian god. pi shan sought not only to consume the barbarian gods flesh and blood but also to become the new deity of the barbarians, with all worship and faith under his control. as the wind and thunder roared, pi shan descended with crushing force! the barbarian god stood there, seemingly calm. when pi shan denounced him, he remained still. when pi shan revealed his ambitions, he remained still. even as pi shan struck, he remained still. but as pi shan approached, about to land his attack, he moved! bang! the figure of light swung a scepter beside him, striking pi shan squarely in the face! pi shan was knocked to the ground, utterly baffled. holding his face, he rose from the ground. what just happened? pi shan, stunned by the unexpected resistance, prepared to strike again, but another blow from the scepter sent him crashing to the ground. confusion and pain engulfed him. how could this be happening? as one of the strongest among the barbarians, capable of contending with great ascension stage cultivators, why was he being overpowered like a mere mortal by a mere staff? the newly resurrected barbarian god shouldnt possess such strength. pi shan couldnt fathom the reason, but the barbarian god raised the scepter again. under the luminous figure, a female voice rang out, filled with undisguised anger. who on earth wishes to be the god of your barbarian tribe?! elsewhere, atop the statue of the barbarian god. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu watched the barbarian god wield the scepter, relentlessly striking pi shan. the scepter seemed imbued with a mysterious power that sealed pi shans strength and abilities, rendering him as helpless as a mortal under its assault. the barbarian god, enjoying the act, noticed jiao wushuang and began to thrash him as well. below the platform, the barbarians stood dumbfounded, witnessing the unfolding farce. lu xuan produced a watermelon from his storage artifact, slicing it in half and sharing it with cheng lingzhu. they ate while enjoying the spectacle. truth be told, lu xuan was initially impressed by pi shans eloquence and powerful rhetoric. his speech was surprisingly articulate and stirring for someone from the barbarian tribe. however, this did not change the outcome. lu xuan had employed a secret technique to remotely transmit power to the barbarian god. the empowered deity naturally dominated pi shan. lu xuan mused that if he hadnt been present, the event might have unfolded differently. the king of the barbarians consuming the barbarian god, absorbing her flesh and blood to become the new deity. that would have been quite epic. cheng lingzhu, watching the farce on the platform, thought about how history was altered in this moment and couldnt help but laugh.. Chapter 66 - Chapter 66: Fellow Daoist, Give Me A Chance chapter 66: fellow daoist, give me a chance translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation on the platform, the barbarian god ceased her assault. pi shan lay on the ground, his face swollen and bruised, unable to rise again. this position of the barbarian god, whoever wants it can take it. from today onwards, i have nothing to do with your barbarian tribe! declared the barbarian god, giving pi shan another whack for good measure. jiao wushuang, tears streaming down his aged face, fell to his knees, great barbarian god, you have awakened from your slumber and should lead our tribe to glory. it is your destiny destiny my foot! the barbarian god, infuriated, knocked the old man down with her staff. i finally found a place to hide, and you had to dig me out and make such a big fuss about my return, didnt you?! pi shan yearned to become a god, while the god longed to be mortal. originally an innate deity, living freely and unrestrainedly, her revival led to the barbarians sacrificial worship, pushing her towards becoming an earthly deity. with her current power, she couldnt resist the influx of massive faith. under such influence, her existence would become tied to the barbarians. their collective thoughts would shape her thinking: if they were violent, so would she be; if they were foolish, she would become the same. essentially, this was a loss of self. the power of faith, while potent, was also a poison. this was why the great empires of the cangyuan realm channel the faith of their subjects into the nations fortune, rather than consuming it themselves. even monarchs only harness this power without absorbing it directly. the barbarian god, standing at the forefront of the platform, announced, pi shan is right. the barbarian tribe indeed no longer needs a so-called god. after today, i will leave on my own accord, severing all ties and karma with this tribe. throughout her long life, the barbarian god realized a crucial truth: the more one becomes a deity, the more entangled they become in karma. to free oneself from these shackles, one must actively sever these ties. therefore, she chose no longer to be a god. jiao wushuang, tears streaming down his face like a child abandoned by his mother, called out the name of the god, reaching for the hem of the barbarian gods robe. the barbarian god, in response, kicked him off the platform with a swift lift of her leg. she raised her scepter, her body transforming into a shower of light, vanishing into thin air. on the statue of the barbarian god, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu finished their watermelon and disappeared just as suddenly. in the heavens above. yesha greets the two daoist friends, said the barbarian god, now choosing to go by a mortal name, yesha, as she bowed to lu xuan and cheng lingzhu. she had resolved to sever her ties with the barbarian tribe and renounce her godhood. they returned the gesture, with lu xuan commenting, your form is quite different from the one in the temple. yesha, formerly the barbarian god, now appeared as a gentle and beautiful woman, a stark contrast to the fierce deity in the temple. daoist friend jests. do innate deities even have gender? yesha replied with a light smile. but this new form has been influenced by the barbarians collective thoughts, taking the shape of their ideal in human legends, isnt the god who created humans from clay also depicted as a woman? your knowledge of central plains culture is impressive, considering youre from the southern ridge, cheng lingzhu remarked with a smile. yesha reminisced, i once traveled incognito through various realms. in your human tales, there are stories about the clay-creating goddess being pleased with a poem written by a mother, rewarding a fox, and such. she paused. humans and foxes thats beyond the barbarians imagination. lu xuan, slightly embarrassed to save face for humanity, quickly coughed and changed the subject, regarding the current situation in the southern ridge, what do you plan to do? looking down, they saw chaos on the sacred mountains square: some barbarians stood dazed, others wept loudly, and some even fought each other to vent their emotions. from an observers perspective, the demon barbarians were pitiable. they lacked human nature, behaving more like intelligent animals, driven by desire rather than reason. the fault lay not with them but with yesha. yesha admitted her mistake, a legacy of her initial creation of the barbarians. lacking human nature herself at that time, she couldnt impart what she didnt have. only after her resurrection, having been killed by the confucian saint, did she complete herself and gain human nature. considering the barbarians current state, they couldnt be left unchecked. though pitiable, their frenzy could wreak havoc across lingnan. lu xuan asked yesha for a solution. in the past, i allowed the barbarians to run rampant, causing trouble in the southern ridge. the confucian saint punished me, transforming my body into mountains and rivers to nourish the hundred tribes of the southern ridge as atonement, yesha explained. she took a step back and bowed deeply: please, daoist friend, give me another chance. lu xuan pondered for a moment before agreeing. yesha then stepped into the void, using her divine powers to shrink distances with each step, setting off to rectify the troubles she had caused. mountains and rivers receded behind yesha as she swiftly moved to the southernmost point of the southern ridge, to a place known as the abyss of the fallen god. a commanding voice echoed in the minds of all demon barbarians, within three days, all those of barbarian bloodline must retreat south of the abyss of the fallen god. remain isolated for a hundred thousand years and do not leave for any reason! yesha did not alter the landscape; instead, she set a cage within the bloodline of the barbarians. unless one surpassed the nature of this former barbarian god, disobeying this divine decree would result in obliteration of both body and soul. empowered by lu xuan, she was now able to manifest such divine might, effectively sentencing the current generation of barbarians to an indefinite confinement. yesha sliced her wrist, allowing her divine blood to spill over the land south of the abyss, a gesture to complete the barbarians. this was the opportunity she left for them under lu xuans tacit consent. over the next hundred thousand years, the old barbarians would die out, and a new generation, endowed with human nature, would emerge. the struggles within the old barbarians and the civilization that the new ones would develop, whether they would remember her as their god, were of no concern to yesha anymore. this was her final act for the barbarians, severing all ties and responsibilities. soon after, yesha returned to the heavens. lu xuan raised his hand and with a gentle wave, she felt a part of herself vanish. her connection to the barbarians was severed; she was no longer their god, but her own person. yesha bowed deeply to lu xuan again. as lu xuan was about to take his leave, cheng lingzhu tugged at his sleeve and stepped forward. posing a question to yesha, may i ask, daoist friend, where do you plan to go after leaving lingnan? yesha paused, realizing she had not thought of a destination. as the barbarian god, she often faced criticism due to the barbarians actions, and now, as a mortal without her powers, she was vulnerable. if discovered by the ambitious, she could be captured and used for alchemical purposes. uh perhaps wander around? yesha replied. i have a suggestion, cheng lingzhu said with a smile. why not join dao evolution sect as a revered guest? how about that? yesha considered the proposal. freed from her divine duties and now facing an uncertain future, the prospect of a new beginning, perhaps at a place like dao evolution sect, seemed like a promising path.. Chapter 67 - Chapter 67: You Know Me Well chapter 67: you know me well translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in the great yan dynastys imperial palace. masters kindness and benevolence are profound, emperor su yuan said, raising his cup to toast lu xuan. heaven cherishes all life, and as a teacher, i also prefer not to engage in acts that would slaughter races and disrupt the harmony of the heavens, lu xuan replied, displaying his kind-hearted nature. great yans prime minister, shang xinyu, sat nearby, observing the interaction between the white-haired disciple and the charismatic master. he couldnt help but wonder if they misunderstood the meaning of kind-heartedness. as an outsider, shang xinyu, the prime minister of great, was acutely aware of what the abyss of the fallen god represented. it was where the barbarian god had fallen, marking a boundary. the land south of it, covering only one-twentieth of the southern ridge, was perilous due to the residual effects of the gods demise. it was filled with poisonous miasma and anomalies in spiritual energy, posing grave dangers. cultivators venturing there would find their powers suppressed by the barbarian gods lingering influence, with their cultivation regressing and their bodies deteriorating under the divine miasma. this was a place even the barbarian tribes dared not approach. now, the twelve major barbarian tribes were exiled to such a harsh environment. they were condemned to survive with their primitive civilization for a hundred thousand years before they could reemerge shang xinyu shuddered at the thought of how many might perish in such conditions. to any race, this was a catastrophe. only those who could endure this ordeal would be reborn and accepted by other races of the archean eon world. after the barbarians withdrawal, a vast expanse of land in the southern ridge will be vacated. the matters between you and the the thousand saints mountain well, whether its fighting or negotiating, you know more about that than i do, lu xuan said, taking a sip of his drink. i understand, master, su yuan replied, acknowledging the responsibilities and challenges that lay ahead. emperor su yuan nodded gravely in acknowledgment. he hailed from a small town in a minor country within the southern ridge. one autumn, during the harvest, his town was ravaged by a nearby barbarian tribe. young su yuan desperately fled but was caught by a group of barbarian warriors. they didnt kill him; instead, they toyed with him like a cat with a mouse, engaging in a cruel game of chase. this was both entertainment and a trap for the barbarians, who scorned the human concepts of morality, unity, and kinship. they wanted to see if any hidden cultivators would come to the boys rescue. and lu xuan took the bait. years later, facing lu xuan, su yuan still remembered the afternoon when his master slaughtered the barbarians in their own territory. subsequently, su yuan trained under lu xuan, returned to the southern ridge to establish the great yan dynasty, and protected countless humans. the great yan dynasty rose in the center of the southern ridge, resisting the demon tribes of the thousand saints mountain to the north and the barbarian tribes to the south. su yuans name became synonymous with power and reverence across the southern ridge. it had been three thousand years since then. prime minister shang has served you loyally for many years, dedicating himself to great yan and the human tribes of lingnan. on his behalf, i toast you, lu xuan said to shang xinyu. please, no, i couldnt possibly shang xinyu, overwhelmed, attempted to rise for a formal salute but was gently pressed back into his seat by lu xuan. theres no need for formalities, prime minister. my master is quite approachable. being overly formal in our presence is unnecessary, su yuan added with a smile. alright, then shang xinyu, visibly relieved, quickly emptied his cup. the banquet was an intimate gathering of just four people: cheng lingzhu, lu xuan, and the duo of su yuan and shang xinyu. yesha did not join them. after taking cheng lingzhus suggestion, she decided to go to the dao evolution sect. lu xuan was pleased with this, as he was currently traveling and unsure of when he would return. yesha, no longer the barbarian god but a rapidly growing cultivator, would be a great asset to the dao evolution sect and would save lu xuan much trouble. as for trusting yesha, with lu xuans strength, this wasnt a concern. lu xuans visit to the great yan dynasty was to reconnect with su yuan, who had arranged the banquet in his honor. after consulting with lu xuan, su yuan also invited shang xinyu. su yuan had not taken a daoist partner due to his aspiration for immortality. shang xinyu was the most trusted person in great yan for him. su yuan had shared lu xuans story with shang xinyu, who felt overwhelmed learning about lu xuans power, especially the part where he could have defeated the barbarian god at her peak in no more than three punches. su yuan wouldnt lie about such matters. recognizing lu xuan as the teacher of such an extraordinary being, shang xinyu couldnt help but hold him in high regard. lu xuan smiled as he sipped the wine from his cup. su yuan then turned to shang xinyu and inquired, prime minister shang, is the gift i prepared for my masters wife ready? your majesty, it is prepared, shang xinyu replied, promptly retrieving a delicately crafted wooden box from his storage artifact and handing it to su yuan. su yuan respectfully presented the box, please accept this, masters wife. cheng lingzhu, intrigued, accepted the box and opened it to find a phoenix-tail hairpin inside. su yuan explained to lu xuan, this hairpin belonged to the ancient southern ridge empress yu, who prepared it as part of her daughters dowry. it contains the dragon fortune of the ancient kingdom. after being lost for many years, it came into my possession. i have nurtured it with the national fortune of great yan, restoring its former splendor. i hope my master and masters wife will like it. you know who to please, lu xuan chuckled. you prepared such a valuable gift for your masters wife, but what about your master? i wouldnt forget about master, su yuan replied with a wink, producing another wooden box from his storage artifact. but i suppose master wouldnt be interested in artifacts for combat or defense, so i prepared something different. lu xuan took the box and opened it to reveal a seemingly ordinary shuttle. this is the chaos quelling shuttle, a treasure left by the ancient legalists, su yuan explained. when thrown, anyone within ten feet of its flight path must immediately straighten their clothes, comb their hair, and lie down properly on the ground, unable to move. lu xuan was baffled. what kind of eccentric treasure is this? you do understand me, he said, giving su yuan a thumbs-up. thank you, master, su yuan said with a bow and a smile. with his masters support in the archean eon realm, su yuan feared nothing. even if he ascended to the immortal realm, he was still under someones protection. his eldest senior brother was powerful and renowned, the second senior brother cunning and unfathomable. not to mention the other seniors of dao evolution sect who had ascended before them. perhaps the sects founding ancestor was already undercover as a high-ranking figure in the enemys ranks su yuan pondered, aware that even though the second senior brother was extremely capable, being used as bait in a trap was still a frightening prospect.. Chapter 68 - Chapter 68: Whose Avatar Are You? chapter 68: whose avatar are you? translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in a dim and ominous hall shrouded in gray fog, twelve bronze lamps flickered eerily on a long table. behind each lamp sat a figure, their faces obscured by masks intricately carved with strange patterns. the plan to resurrect the ancestral magus has failed, one of them stated. every member of the ghost mage sect has been exterminated. from the traces left at the scene, the ancestral magus was killed, another added. the attempt by he yuanfeng of the sancai academy to sacrifice the dao also failed, interrupted by someone, a third voice chimed in. after the revival of the barbarian god, she didnt act as we expected and abandoned the barbarian tribe instead, said another in a calm tone. hmph, those barbarians, mere human-shaped beasts, deserve to be exiled to the abyss of the fallen god, to be confined there till death, someone commented scornfully. ignoring the remark, the first speaker slowly continued, it seems that someone has been thwarting our plans. xuan ming, you are skilled in divination. can you deduce who it might be? asked someone sitting opposite the first speaker. i cannot. the figure referred to as xuan ming, whose mask was marked with twin snakes, shook their head. are there traces of any interference with the celestial secrets? the inquirer pressed. no, xuan ming replied. any backlash from your divination efforts? came another question. none, xuan ming confirmed again. how peculiar, the inquirer mused. perhaps it was a fluke, a passing expert who suppressed the ancestral magus, someone else suggested. xuan ming gave no response, and the others remained silent as well. this matter requires our attention, the person opposite xuan ming stated. agreed. agreed. voices of concurrence echoed around the table. a jade scroll then appeared in the void, glowing as it recorded this discussion, before vanishing back into nothingness. the most pressing issue at hand now is the abyssal heavenly realm. xuan ming pondered briefly before asking, di jiang, what are your thoughts? xu, the ancient heavenly emperor, was a deity of immense power, comparable to a saint. his entire legacy lies within the abyssal heavenly realm. whoever acquires his dao could ascend to great heights, the figure known as di jiang spoke. according to historical records, the heavenly emperor xu once possessed a fateful spiritual treasure, which he integrated into his imperial weapon to stabilize his own fortune. we suspect it to be a fragment of the creation and transformation scroll. after the heavenly emperors fall, his imperial weapon vanished, likely hidden within the abyssal heavenly realm. by collecting the fragments of the creation and transformation scroll and sacrificing them to this peculiar space, we can anchor coordinates for the immortal tomb, hastening its descent. xuan ming looked towards the main seat at the council table. it was empty, marked only by a chair and an extinguished bronze lamp. the emergence of the abyssal heavenly realm is imminent. our calculations suggest it will appear near the mermen kingdom in the eastern sea. di jiang continued, legend has it that the heavenly emperor xu once fell in love with a mermaid maiden. perhaps for this reason, the abyssal heavenly realm is hidden within the eastern sea. if its near the mermen kingdom, i can intervene, a voice interjected, its tone rough. the speakers mask was adorned with black dragon scale patterns. are you free lately, gong gong? xuan ming inquired. on my way to the eastern sea, i need to gather some supplies, replied gong gong, wearing the black dragon mask. good, xuan ming nodded. the twelve figures in the hall had each entered this mysterious space by chance. within it, their destinies were obscured, making it impossible to discern each others true appearances and origins. they donned the masks placed on the bronze table, using the identities on the masks as their code names. gong gong claimed to be a pirate in the real world, a notorious figure who roamed the seas, engaging in murder and plunder. a devout follower of the ancestor of longevity, he was wanted by the righteous path and proudly identified as a demon path cultivator. the other eleven members neither affirmed nor denied his claims. they often probed each others identities while concealing their own tracks. height, build, voice, gender all could be deceptive. then, this matter is entrusted to you, xuan ming concluded. does anyone have objections? seeing that everyone had reached a consensus, di jiang instructed, as usual, our interactions are limited to this space. once we leave, we must not speak, mention, think, or allude to anything discussed here. i understand, gong gong nodded in agreement. you can bring anything you need from the abyssal heavenly realm to this space for exchange, xuan ming suggested. we can trade resources as needed. if i find something of interest, ill consider trading with you all, gong gong agreed. if you have specific requests, bring them up in our next meeting, and ill keep an eye out. hmm i do have something i want, a languid female voice spoke up. the womans masked face was indistinct, but her figure was striking. i heard that the heavenly emperor xu was a top-tier beauty in the cangyuan world. ive long been curious about him. gong gong, if you could bring back a portrait of him, id be delighted. why would you want his portrait, yan zi? the heavenly emperor xu has been gone for many years. any dragon fortune in his image would have faded by now, another cold female voice interjected. sister hou tu, isnt it normal for a witch from heavenly desires sect to yearn for a man? yan zi rested her chin on her hand, lounging on the table. hmph, hou tu glanced at her. the heavenly desires sect was exterminated fifty thousand years ago. next time, try a more plausible excuse. sister knows so much about demonic sects, huh? yan zis voice carried a teasing tone behind her mask. of course, i am the top demoness in the demonic path. is there a problem with that? hou tu retorted. werent you claiming to be the princess of the great xia last time? yan zi blinked. undercover work. no conflict there, hou tu replied coolly. enough, xuan ming intervened, tapping the table. save your bickering for later. lets focus on the matter at hand. the twelve figures, all claiming to be cultivators of the demonic path with grand titles, appeared to be gathering for a sinister council. gong gong, theres something you need to be aware of, a man wearing a zhu long mask, seated at the far end of the bronze table, spoke up. to obtain the heavenly emperor xus legacy, you might need the dragon emperors vital energy for the sacrifice. if needed, i can arrange to get some for you. everyone turned to zhu long, their looks clearly inquisitive. are you implying you can procure the vital energy of an imperial dynasty? just whose avatar are you? zhu long pondered for a moment, its not unusual for someone from our dao evolution sect to steal vital energy from others, right? Chapter 69 - Chapter 69: Sea Tribe Market chapter 69: sea tribe market translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation on the shores of the eastern sea. at the border of anyang kingdom, lies the town of shiqiao. a light drizzle began to fall from the sky. a man and a woman, sharing an oiled paper umbrella, walked side by side on a cobblestone path. the roads of the town, paved by the local residents, were neatly arranged with cobblestones, both long and square-shaped. cheng lingzhu tiptoed, walking in a deliberate manner as if practicing a specific stepping technique. lu xuan glanced down and asked, whats wrong? hmm cheng lingzhu eyed the cobblestones on the ground, hesitating before explaining, i can only walk on the square stones, i must not step on the long ones otherwise, i lose. lu xuan couldnt help but laugh at her words. what are you laughing at? cheng lingzhus face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, and she shook lu xuans sleeve: i never played this before. her rebirth had changed her perspective; she now saw many things with a sense of novelty. no, im not laughing really. lu xuan straightened his face, then took her hand, come on, lets step together, to build our understanding. as a result, the cobblestone path, which normally took half an incense sticks time to traverse, took them half an hour to complete. in the southeastern part of shiqiao town, lay an abandoned wharf. fine rain, like silk, interwove into mist, shrouding the dock. weeds grew rampant, and the desolation contrasted sharply with the neatly maintained town, almost like a different world. were lucky its raining today. lu xuan looked up at the sky, a faint glow emanating from him. holding the umbrella in one hand, he took cheng lingzhus hand with the other and stepped into the mist. it was as though they passed through a curtain; the quiet wharf of shiqiao vanished, replaced by the bustling, lively atmosphere of a market specialties from the mermen nation, yangqing sea dog kidneys, invigorating and enduring, only three left, hurry if you wish to buy! qimai youth fruit, a specialty of the southern ridge, mermen friends, take a look! urgently needed for a secret sea expedition! my goods are straight from the sea, you think its expensive? i think so too cheng lingzhu stood still, surprised by the lively market scene before her. this is a market set up by the mermen in this area. lu xuan explained, the mermen, as a sea tribe, have ancestral rules forbidding contact with land races, and thus have historically not interacted with cultivators from other domains. however, with the passage of time, many foreign legends and objects have entered the mermen nation. in recent years, curious nobles have defied these ancestral teachings to secretly establish coastal markets for exchange with the outside world. i see. cheng lingzhu began to understand. lu xuan continued, actually, the policies of the mermen nation are loosening, but due to the ancestral teachings and caution towards land races, theres no official stance yet. anyang country, with its scarce spiritual energy, is considered a mundane martial nation. the mermen at the shiqiao town wharf used secret methods to create an independent space, detectable only by cultivators. shiqiao town experiences rain thrice a month, and during these times, the market opens. as a result, after the market became famous, it attracted numerous cultivators, who often concealed their aura, but still left traces in shiqiao town. since then, legends of immortal trails began in shiqiao town. wealthy young masters and high-ranking nobles, seeking immortality, often visited, becoming an important source of income for the town. the local magistrate was considering renaming shiqiao town to xianqiao town, to attract more tourists. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu wandered the market, inquiring about the mermen nation. both the mermen and land dwellers were curious about each other. in the market, some were involved in smuggling; lu xuan, not planning to join a group, still inquired about traveling to the mermen nation. after about half an incense sticks time, they turned into a quiet area, when suddenly a man in black, wearing a bamboo hat, appeared, blocking their path. the man in black spoke, dear cultivators, i have a lucrative business proposition, are you interested? lu xuan was curious. a man in black, wearing a bamboo hat in broad daylight, seemed overly conspicuous. if the two of you are interested, follow me. this is not a place for conversation. the man in black led the way, with lu xuan and cheng lingzhu exchanging a glance before following. lu xuan, confident in his abilities, wasnt worried about any ill intentions from the man. the jiaoren market was extensive, and after about half a cup of teas time, a tent appeared in their view. the man in black lifted the tent flap, and lu xuan and cheng lingzhu entered. inside the tent were eleven people; three in black robes, surrounded by eight ordinary cultivators in a protective stance. the leader in black robes took off his bamboo hat, revealing a youthful face: yushou an of the mermen nation, pleased to meet you both. lu xuan greeted him, getting straight to the point: independent cultivator lu xuan, pleased to meet yushou an may i know why you have invited us here? theres no need to be nervous. the black-clothed man who had invited them laughed: as independent cultivators visiting the market, you must be seeking resources for your cultivation. our young master is planning to explore a a tomb, and we are short of hands. seeing your considerable abilities, we sincerely invite you to join us. rest assured, whether successful or not, you will be handsomely rewarded. mermen cultivators were known for their wealth, and for them, any problem solvable with money was not a problem. exploring an underwater tomb? lu xuan pondered for a moment: may i ask, what tomb are we to explore, and whose is it? if its the resting place of a great being, the risk might be significant. he was kindly reminding them of the risks involved in tomb raiding. you need not worry, lu xuan. the young master yushou an calmly replied: the tomb we are to explore is that of my own ancestors. lu xuan & cheng lingzhu: i??? cough cough the black-clothed man who had brought them cleared his throat, what do you say? if you agree, we can set off immediately. if you decline, i have a small token of gratitude for your silence. we can always collaborate in the future. we just hope you can keep this a secret, as such matters are not exactly honorable to discuss seeing lu xuans hesitation, the man thought he might refuse and took out a deep blue crystal as a token of silence. unexpectedly, the young man waved his hand, raiding a tomb? whats so difficult about that? ill accompany you on this venture. its good to see the world.. Chapter 70 - Chapter 70: Lu Xuan: How About Wearing Silk Stockings? chapter 70: lu xuan: how about wearing silk stockings? translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation on the eastern sea. a large ship set sail, cutting through the wind and waves, heading towards the deep sea. the mermen were quick to act. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu joined in the morning, and yushou an promptly gathered the crew. ten human cultivators, along with yushou an and three other mermen, made up a total of fourteen. by afternoon, the group had embarked on the large ship, moving towards their destination. during this journey, lu xuan learned more about yushou an. as he mentioned earlier, he was indeed planning to excavate his familys ancestral tomb. yushou an, a disciple of a mermen family, was not highly regarded. mermen cultivation, similar to that of demon and barbarian races, placed great emphasis on bloodline purity. yushou ans mermen bloodline was not pure enough. though his status was not low, he was overshadowed by his more talented peers, ranking only in the middle to lower tier. according to family rules, he would eventually be marginalized, with no chance of inheriting the family position or receiving resources for cultivation in adulthood. unwilling to accept this fate, yushou an, not one to settle, discovered a damaged family register while cleaning the family library. according to the register, there was an ancestor who, upon death, was not buried in the family graveyard but in a sea tomb. yushou an took great interest in this, as powerful mermen, upon passing, leave behind a [sea spirit pearl]. consuming this pearl could not only bestow the predecessors legacy but also purify ones bloodline and improve innate talents. such powerful beings capable of leaving behind a sea spirit pearl were rare. yushou an, referencing the ancient family register, realized that this external ancestor likely had the strength to create such a treasure. however, the register only vaguely mentioned the ancestors burial location. due to missing pages, yushou an knew little about them, including their name, dates of birth and death, and even gender. yushou an planned to relocate the ancestors remains to the family graveyard after this mission, bringing them back to their roots. meanwhile, lu xuan stood at the bow of the ship, arms wide open, embracing the sea breeze. cheng lingzhu hugged his waist from behind, resting her face against his sturdy back. lu xuan, in a cruciform pose, felt the positioning was somewhat reversed. shouldnt he be the one embracing cheng lingzhus waist? this is my first time venturing into such an underwater secret realm. cheng lingzhu spoke from behind him. me too, lu xuan responded truthfully. although he was adept at tomb raiding, the vast world of the archean eon realm, with its long history of cultivation civilization, had more celestial and imperial tombs on land than he could explore alone. he had never had the chance to delve into underwater tombs. so when yushou an extended the invitation, lu xuan agreed readily, genuinely eager to broaden his horizons. wherever you go, ill follow, cheng lingzhu said softly, hugging him from behind, now that youre a senior, youll have to take me, your junior, on adventures into secret realms in the future. lu xuan pondered for a moment: its not always about adventuring. i know a dual cultivation technique thats both fast and stable in practice no shame! cheng lingzhu blushed, playfully biting him, and pinched the soft flesh around his waist gently. im not ready yet, she said, for now, youre only allowed to hold me. she was a shy girl now, quite reserved. lu xuan thought for a moment. then we could start with some adaptive training. how so? asked cheng lingzhu. for example, i heard that in the mermen nation, theres a type of aquatic plant that is said to have grown from the blood of a fallen ancient dragon. this plant dries out once removed from water, its tendrils are tough and long, smooth to the touch. its called nirong silk, used to make various kinds of silk stockings. we could start by trying those lu xuan sincerely suggested. and he was pinched by cheng lingzhu again. cheng lingzhu humphed, thinking that since her memory had awakened, lu xuans true nature had become more apparent. he talked about adaptive training, but he clearly just wanted her to wear silk stockings! no, not wear, use. with this thought, cheng lingzhu pinched him again, but inside, she felt a tinge of happiness. before her memory awakened, lu xuan had always been very respectful towards her. it was only after he learned of her true identity that he started behaving more daringly. this meant he was willing to be like this only with her, even after nine thousand years. only when facing her did he no longer hold back. cheng lingzhu thought whimsically. by evening. fellow cultivators, the burial site of my ancestor lies ahead, said the young yushou an. lu xuan, standing on the deck of the ship, noticed a whirlpool in the distance, resembling a sea eye, swallowing the turbulent waters. such undercurrent whirlpools above the sea surface were extremely dangerous. passing ships could be sucked into them, trapped by the force, leading to the demise of all aboard. however, for lu xuan and the others, this wasnt a problem. the crew members yushou an had recruited were all golden core cultivators, and the ship, a powerful magical artifact, was unafraid of the whirlpools force. the ship glowed, shattering the waves, unstoppable even by towering surges. after the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, they arrived at the massive whirlpool. according to the records of my clan, the ancestral tomb is located here, yushou an stated. this whirlpool should be a field formed by the tomb. fellow cultivator yushou, we should not delay. lets go down, suggested a cultivator. alright. yushou an nodded and leaped into the whirlpool. the others followed, jumping down one after another. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu exchanged a glance, each forming a hand sign to transform their clothing. they both wore special robes with water-repelling properties, protected by a magical light that kept them dry. the oceans blue was like the sky, but its depths were dark and mysterious. yushou an and the other three jiaoren led the way, with lu xuan and the ten human cultivators following. their cultivation protected them from the effects of the whirlpool, allowing them to descend swiftly. yushou ans movements gradually slowed, and soon, a submarine volcanic-like elevation entered his vision. at the volcanic crater, yushou an summoned his bloodline power and struck downward with his palm. the loose soil was blown away, and the surrounding rocks were swept aside. due to the stirred-up sediment, the water turned murky. once the water cleared, a massive bronze door appeared before them.. Chapter 71 - Chapter 71: The Corpse of the Dragon Whale, Qjngxin chapter 71: the corpse of the dragon whale, qjngxin wood translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation the bronze door, with its dark, heavy material, was engraved with ancient patterns. yushou an stood before it, slicing open his palm and pressing it against the door. his mermen blood flowed out, reacting with the door like a living entity, spreading along the intricate patterns. the dense engravings lit up, the bronze door emitting a glow that illuminated the seabed within a ten-zhang radius. slowly, it began to open. a massive suction force erupted. yushou an, being the closest, was the first to be drawn in. without resistance, he allowed the current to pull him through the door. seeing this, the others hesitated no more and approached. lu xuan, holding cheng lingzhus hand, entered side by side. behind them, the bronze door closed slowly, and they found themselves in a narrow, elongated corridor. the corridor, filled with seawater and closed off on all sides, was about a zhang in diameter, slanting downwards and extending far into the distance. the corridors rocky walls seemed to contain a substance emitting a faint blue light. though weak, the cultivators vision was sufficient to see clearly ahead. its beautiful, cheng lingzhu commented, staying close to lu xuan. lu xuan, observing the blue specks on the walls, nodded: like stars. in the darkness, these spots of light, faint yet present, would gather together when someone approached and touched the walls, illuminating the dark environment. the group didnt talk much, swimming along the corridor for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea. yushou an, leading the way, paused and looked back. powerful tombs often had traps, and even though it was his ancestors, there was no guarantee it wouldnt have deadly mechanisms. one, two, three yushou an counted, twelve. thirteen fourteen. he suddenly tensed. he remembered clearly. four mermen, plus ten humans, made fourteen in total. but in his count, yushou an hadnt included himself! that meant their group now had an extra person! be careful! yushou an urgently warned everyone. almost immediately following yushou ans warning, a shadow in the group suddenly lunged at a nearby companion! its huge mouth opened wide, viciously aiming for the neck. the attacked cultivator tried to resist, but the shadows strength was incredibly powerful, pinning him against the wall. crack! the shadows ferocious attack missed. lu xuan, standing behind, held it by the neck with his pale hand, pulling the shadow back. this creature emerged from the wall, lu xuan observed, holding the strange being. it had no eyes; instead, a massive mouth occupied most of its face. its fangs were hard and sharp, each tooth emitting a faint blue light. lu xuan immobilized it with his spiritual power, shaking it slightly. the creature was very flexible, capable of morphing into various shapes. it had elongated and disguised itself as a human, appearing thin. th-thank you, fellow cultivator. the young cultivator, wang sheng, was shaken. he was the weakest among them. powerful tombs are full of mysteries. we must be cautious when exploring, lu xuan said earnestly. he had already noticed something adept at hiding its presence among them but didnt act covertly to eliminate it. first, lu xuan was confident in his strength; the tombs creatures couldnt pose much threat to him. second, it was a lesson for the younger cultivators. a scare today would make them more vigilant in future explorations, reducing risks. these spots of light are not inanimate. they are beings dormant in the walls, sensing our presence, yushou an quickly realized. the other cultivators looked around warily. sensing the groups movements, the faint blue spots on the walls gathered more quickly. some areas bulged, as if something was about to break through. we must leave this place now! yushou an decisively led the group further into the corridor. lu xuan rolled the slime-like creature into a ball and pushed it back into the wall. the winding corridor, with its ups and downs, slowed their progress, but the wall creatures moved in a straight line within the rock. the spots of light followed their path, spreading along the walls like faint blue light strips. the cultivators, not taking any chances, moved quickly, finally reaching an exit after traveling several li. with a splash, yushou an emerged from a water pool, realizing they were in an underground cavern. the cavern was enormous, its dome a thousand zhang high, resembling a vast plaza. the pool was situated on an elevated area, like a small cliff. this tree was immensely tall, almost reaching the caverns dome. it resembled a willow, but its leaves were pale red, with red veins sprawling across the trunk. its countless branches, each thousands of zhang long, hung down like willow strands. yushou an was astounded, recognizing the species of the tree. it was a common plant in the mermen nation known as qingxin wood, often cultivated by people. however, ordinary qingxin woods were only about a zhang tall. they were not even considered spiritual plants, and they were certainly not capable of growing this large. moreover, the leaves of this tree were not usually pale red. the cultivators emerged from the pool, equally shocked by the sight of the massive tree. their astonishment grew as they approached the edge of the cliff. below the cliff was a deep, vast pit, filled with strange plants emitting a faint light. with the help of this light, they saw a gigantic whale corpse coiled within the pit. the whales body, over a thousand zhang in length and pitch-black, occupied the entire pit. unlike ordinary whales, this one had two bony protrusions breaking through the skin on its head, and faint scales were visible beneath its skin. it showed signs of transforming into a dragon. rather than a whales corpse, it was more apt to call it a dragons corpse. despite being dead for untold years, the whales remains still exuded a profound and overwhelming presence. the thousand-zhang tree had grown from the whales body. its roots penetrated deep into the corpse, absorbing its flesh and essence. the roots and tendrils nearly enveloped the majority of the whales body. near the whale, the roots turned a deep red, as if soaked in coagulated blood. please, fellow cultivators, escort me to the belly of this whale. yushou an bowed, requesting assistance from the group. he had noticed a portal within the whales mouth. we understand. the cultivators grew serious. they took out weapons from their storage artifacts and followed yushou an towards the whales corpse.. Chapter 72 - Chapter 72: Thirty Thousand Years Ago, I Planted a Tree chapter 72: thirty thousand years ago, i planted a tree translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation as the saying goes, take ones money, undertake their troubles. the scattered cultivators present were hired by yushou an from the market at a high price. with the emergence of the portal in the dragon whales mouth, it became clear to everyone that yushou ans ancestors tomb was likely hidden within the whales body. the mutated qingxin wood, towering a thousand zhang high and with thousands of branches, drawing sustenance from the dragon whales essence, was obviously a formidable entity. now was the time for them to earn their keep and escort their employer through this peril. lets go, a tall scattered cultivator called out. the others, gripping their mystical artifacts and some wielding talismans, prepared for battle. yushou an, a core disciple from his clan with substantial resources, had been generous. he promised to cover all costs incurred in the battle, including treatment for any injuries, along with a substantial consolation prize. with such rewards, the scattered cultivators viewed the daunting tree as if it were a treasure trove. cheng lingzhu drew her phoenix blood sword. the sword vibrated slightly, emitting a buzzing sound. it was the sword spirit, excited for battle. after being reforged in the divine weapon pavilion by wan zuchang, the previously dormant sword spirit was reawakened by the nourishment of the sword. this was its first battle since seeing daylight again. it was also cheng lingzhus first battle since her memory had been awakened. she wanted to test whether her combat skills, honed in the past, had dulled. lu xuans waist-sheathed white jade sword also vibrated in anticipation, floating beside him. lu xuan pushed the eager sword back into its sheath. why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? the sword spirit, feeling slighted, communicated its protest to lu xuan. lu xuan sighed. alright, alright, you can join in, but remember to hold back. and dont unsheathe. the sword spirit immediately brightened up, transmitting a burst of joyous emotions. with different thoughts in their minds, the cultivators, led by yushou an, charged towards the dragon whales corpse. eastern sea. a black warship tore through the raging winds, cutting through the waves. atop its mast fluttered a dark red flag, emanating a dense, bloodthirsty aura. a towering man stood at the prow. clad in black armor with a fierce mask on his face, he gripped a pitch-black spear in his hand. behind him were three thousand pirates, dressed in short garments with scarves around their heads. each wore a short dagger at their waist, their faces and exposed skin adorned with water-patterned tattoos. these three thousand pirates each possessed their own cultivation. however, an eerie silence prevailed on the warship, with not a single word spoken. remember your current identities! the man in black armor turned and declared loudly. you are now ruthless pirates, committing every imaginable atrocity! check your belongings one last time. during the operation, do not reveal your true identities! understood! the collective response of the pirates merged into a formidable force, soaring skyward, scattering the distant seagulls. on an island at sea, a young man in a blue robe sat cross-legged, meditating. its almost time, an old voice echoed in his mind. the young man opened his eyes, revealing a bright and serene gaze, carrying an air of youthful grace. he took off a miniature clay figurine from his waist. the figurine, about the length of a finger, was grayish-white and had an ancient design. placing it respectfully on a large stone before him, the youth asked, elder qing, what should i do? a portal will open soon, the old voice responded. when it does, recite the mantra i taught you to enter it. we will use this portal to directly reach the ruins. elder qing, about the power inside you the young man looked concerned, communicating with the clay figurine. dont worry, the voice reassured him. opening a portal is within my power, thanks to the energy ive accumulated. the youth bit his lip, saying hesitantly, elder qing, you mentioned your spirit is unstable. if this harms you, id rather not enter the ruins! nonsense! the old man chided. as cultivators, we must be brave and diligent. hesitation and weakness are unbecoming! jiang, if you continue with this temperament, it will hinder your path to enlightenment! yes, the youth replied, bowing his head, not objecting further. the old man sighed, fenghuo, i dont mean to blame you. you come from a mundane background and are new to the world of cultivation. you must understand that cultivation is like rowing against the current; theres no room for hesitation or softness. you must keep moving forward, even if it means losing much along the way. he was originally from a common family in a small kingdom in the eastern barren wastelands, orphaned from a young age and bullied by his peers. an accident led him to the clay figurine. the figurine housed a consciousness named qingyu, who taught him the ways of cultivation and opened a new world for jiang fenghuo. to jiang fenghuo, elder qing was a figure shrouded in mystery, possessing extensive knowledge about cultivation and imparting an unnamed immortal scripture that set him on the path of cultivation. although elder qing had yet to formally accept him as a disciple, jiang fenghuo already regarded him as his mentor. moreover, the legacy within that ruin is extraordinary, related to the ancient heavenly emperor xu yes, nowadays, you call such ruins a heavenly realm, qingyus voice continued. three thousand years ago, i accidentally entered it and found that this heavenly realm had not yet opened. so i planted a qingxin wood from the sea clan to weaken the ruins power, hoping it would emerge sooner. yet, even with external forces, xus heavenly realm only reappeared after thirty thousand years. the heavenly emperor xu was immensely powerful, and its legacy will attract major sects and schools. fortunately, no one else knows about this besides me jiang, whatever it takes, you must secure the treasures within this heavenly realm! understood! jiang fenghuo nodded earnestly. after a moment, he couldnt help but ask, elder qing, is there something inside xus heavenly realm that can help you rebuild your physical body? perhaps. qingyu paused before responding, xus heavenly realm, wielding the power of creation and destruction, should contain something to restore my spiritual power well search for it once were inside. thats great, jiang fenghuo smiled, relieved. dont worry, elder qing, i will secure the legacy within this secret realm! qingyu fell silent. inside the clay figurine, a translucent soul sighed softly. he hadnt expected jiang fenghuo to be so pure-hearted with a sigh, qingyu reflected on his reluctance to possess such a kind-hearted young man.. Chapter 73 - Chapter 73: You Dare Touch My Fortune?! chapter 73: you dare touch my fortune?! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation after about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. in a secluded corner of the island, a gate of light opened. the relic is located directly beneath this island. ive prepared a contingency there. coat yourself with the powder we bought before heading out to sea, and the mutated qingxin wood wont attack you, qingyu instructed. understood, jiang fenghuo nodded, following the instructions. once ready, he stepped through the gate of light. in the dark, spacious underground cavern. accompanied by a flash of white light, jiang fenghuo appeared on a small cliff. checking the solid ground beneath his feet and the quiet surroundings, jiang fenghuo felt reassured. however, his heart skipped a beat when he looked up and saw the scene in the distance. qingyu boasted, little jiang, didnt expect this, did you? the qingxin wood i planted, nourished by the dragon whales carcass, has grown over the years, and now its eh? the translucent soul inside the clay figurine widened its eyes in shock, utilizing its spiritual power to see the underground space. jiang fenghuo pointed ahead, somewhat dazed, elder qing, is that the tree you planted? at the center of the pit stood an extremely tall wooden pillar. the pillar was straight and smooth, its bark completely stripped off, and where the crown should have been, it was completely bare, without a single branch. the pit was filled with wood chips and leafy branches, almost completely covering the dragon whales carcass. how could this be?! qingyu was shocked. quick, check the top, see if the heart of the qingxin wood is still there! yes! jiang fenghuo, realizing the urgency, swiftly took to the air on his sword. having reached the foundation building stage, flying was not difficult for him. in just a few breaths, he arrived at the crown of the qingxin wood. after some searching, he found a deep hole in the upper part of the wooden pillar. someone got here before us and took what was ours, qingyus voice carried a hint of coldness. we need to go in now. the legacy of the heavenly emperor xu has not yet emerged. i have left my contingencies inside the dragon whales carcass the figure within the clay figurine looked grim. those who dare touch my fortune obviously dont know what death is! inside the dragon whales carcass. how beautiful, lu xuan admired, holding the heart of the mutated qingxin wood in his hands, examining it closely. the altered qingxin wood was towering, but its heart was only the size of a fist, the most essence-concentrated part of the tree. due to absorbing the dragon whales blood, the heart was blood-red, crystal clear, resembling a blood diamond. the group remained silent, the atmosphere somewhat tense. they had opened the portal in the dragon whales mouth and entered the tomb chamber inside. as yushou an had suspected, the ancestral tomb described in the family records was indeed buried within the dragon whales carcass. the dragon whale had been powerful in life and its body, transformed into a magical artifact, had not decomposed. entering the merman ancestors tomb went smoothly, despite a few array tests, which they passed without much danger. the reason for the silence was that no one dared to speak to lu xuan. before entering the dragon whale, they were attacked by the mutated qingxin wood. the thousand-zhang tall tree, though lacking sentience, possessed a killing instinct. its branches, sharp and strong as spears and numbering in the tens of thousands, launched a simultaneous attack, overwhelming the cultivators. even cutting down dozens of branches was a futile effort. just as they struggled, thinking their end was near, the young man in white threw his sword. a flash of white light shot towards the qingxin wood. in just three breaths: in the first breath, the qingxin woods bark was stripped off, leaving a clean trunk. in the second breath, all its branches were severed, leaving it bare. in the third breath, the white jade sword pierced through the trunk, returning with the heart of the tree. the scattered cultivators were dumbfounded, buried under the fallen branches, taking a while to emerge. lu xuan gently patted the hilt of his sword as a sign of encouragement. as they resumed their journey into the dragon whale, their spirits were unsettled. lu senior lu, yushou an hesitated before speaking, but lu xuan stopped him. this yushou an was momentarily stunned, then, thank you, senior. theres no need for formalities, lu xuan turned to the others, smiling, like you, i was once guided by seniors. now that i have some abilities, its only right to help the younger generation. thank you for the lesson, senior! the cultivators understood lu xuans implication, bowing in unison. although lu xuan hadnt explicitly stated it, they inferred the message of reciprocating kindness and mentorship. lu xuan, looking towards the tomb chambers entrance, took out a golden shovel from his storage artifact and said, lets go, everyone. inside the merman ancestors tomb. yes, stand over there, and you go to that spot, both of you channel your spiritual power at the same time step back three times, move left, then after a breath, lie down, and roll to the right, thats the formations eye the exit of the maze is in the xun position. what? you mermen dont know what xun is head southeast, stop when i say such a simple formation, obviously meant for passing on a legacy this deadly formation, you cant get through with your current strength, wait, ill smash it half an hour later. after lu xuan led the cultivators, overcoming all obstacles and challenges like an unstoppable force, to the main burial chamber, everyone looked at him differently. during their journey to this point, not only did lu xuan break through formations, but he also imparted much knowledge to them. the cultivators felt like they had been intensely fed with formation knowledge by a great senior. so much information, they were almost overwhelmed, knowledge almost spilling out. lu xuan assured them it was tine, as cultivators have excellent memories. it they couldnt understand it now, they could record it and digest it slowly later. the main burial chamber was behind a jade door, smooth and warm to the touch. lu xuan stepped forward and pushed it open. the interior of the chamber was revealed to everyone. inside, there were two coffins.. Chapter 74 - Chapter 74: Merman Tomb, Heavenly Emperor’s Coffin! chapter 74: merman tomb, heavenly emperors coffin! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation the two coffins were placed at the center of the burial chamber. the one on the right bore distinct merman characteristics, its exterior a deep blue hue, made of a type of spiritual jade common to the merman nation. this jade was frequently used by merman nobility for crafting coffins. water patterns were traced around its exterior, with carvings of sea creatures, clearly belonging to the ancestor yushou an had mentioned. mermen, known for their fondness for fine jade, had used a semi-transparent spiritual jade to construct the tombs walls within the whales body. the coffin on the left, however, was more peculiar. it was a wooden coffin. this wooden coffin, taller than the jade one on the right, was simple yet dignified, with no apparent extraordinary features. yet, its surface was covered with intricate patterns. these patterns formed various scenes: figures wielding stone axes felling giant trees, ancestors with stone spears hunting massive beasts, and many building large altars for celestial worship. this coffin is carved from a dead world tree, lu xuans eyes shimmered with recognition. he identified the origin of this wooden coffin. it was the heavenly emperors coffin. here, a heavenly emperor referred to the ancient celestial rulers, possessing great powers, akin to saints. each of them was a dominant force in their era. lu xuan turned to yushou an, are both of theseyour ancestors? yushou an remained silent. although he lacked lu xuans keen perception, he could sense that the unremarkable-looking coffin contained a remarkably significant figure. moreover, the style of this coffin did not match the burial traditions of the merman race. for a moment, yushou an wondered if he had entered the wrong tomb. the heavenly emperors coffin, crafted from a deceased world tree, implied that it was a world laid to rest, burying the entity within. influenced by this, the area around the heavenly emperors coffin formed its own set of laws, creating an independent field. lu xuan activated his eye technique, his expression turning peculiar. he noticed that the entire coffin emitted an aura completely out of place with its surroundings. it seemed more like it had been dug up after burial and relocated here than simply buried. however, now wasnt the time to ponder this. yushou, go ahead and retrieve what your ancestor left behind, lu xuan suggested. approach from the right side, and its best to keep some distance from that heavenly emperors coffin. thank you for the reminder, senior, yushou an nodded, following the advice. he approached the merman coffin, cutting his wrist and letting the blood drip onto it. for a cultivators coffin, there was no need for ceremonies like activating the corpse with blood. yushou ans action was a form of bloodline authentication. before entering this relic, he had used his blood to open the bronze door, unlocking the ancestral tomb. now, dripping blood on the coffin was to gain the ancestors approval, allowing him to accept the legacy. yushou an was somewhat nervous. due to his unremarkable talent, he feared his ancestor might be selective and disapprove of him. fortunately, the scenario yushou an feared did not occur. the deep blue jade coffin glowed and opened after a moment. inside the coffin, there was a smaller one, less than a zhang in length, seemingly made of black crystal. in front of this small coffin lay three items. a wind chime, a magical artifact left by the ancestor in the coffin. a jade book, a memoir of cultivation experience from a powerful cultivator. lastly, a fist-sized, azure blue pearl C the sea spirit pearl yushou an sought. yushou an respectfully kowtowed three times to the jade coffin, introducing himself and explaining his reasons for coming. only then did he take the three items of inheritance. the jade coffin closed again, and yushou an, relieved, stepped back. now, everyones attention turned to the heavenly emperors coffin. it was undoubtedly tempting. but the ancient celestial rulers were immensely powerful and revered; their dignity was paramount. if the occupant of the coffin had prepared any contingencies, any tomb raider would risk their life. lu xuan, leaning on a golden shovel, remained silent. he was somewhat tempted. as an experienced archaeologist who had seen countless tombs, this was his first encounter with a heavenly emperors coffin. although they were collectively referred to as ancient celestial rulers, in reality, ancient was a general term in the daily conversations of the archean eon realm cultivators. like modern, contemporary, and ancient times. modern is a few decades, contemporary spans over a century, and ancient refers to several thousand years ago. in terms of the archean eon realms historical divisions: the current era, established by the founder of dao evolution sect, was relatively stable. the worlds sects are divided into yuan (orthodox) and xuan (heretical) sects, representing the right and demon paths, each bearing their own banners. the previous era was a time of contention among myriad races, with continuous wars between races, particularly between the demon and human clans. the struggle for destiny was intense, culminating in the dao evolution sects founder infiltrating the ancient demon race, sabotaging the demons world tree, stealing its sapling, and undermining their foundation of destiny. the era before that was the era of the saints, with a hundred schools of thought contending and the dao of confucianism eventually leading. this era was the time of the great celestial rulers. the era of the ancient celestial rulers predates even the hundred schools, extremely distant from the current time. there are historical gaps in the archean eon realm, and lu xuan, despite raiding many great tombs, had only filled in part of the history. he learned about the heavenly emperors coffin from notes left in a tomb of a master tomb raider, which was the most difficult tomb he had ever raided. the real tomb was disguised with a false exterior, then a real exterior was added. using spatial secret techniques, nine real and fake tombs were stacked together. if someone entered and reached the outermost chamber without discernment, they would only find a consolation prize. each layer penetrated would yield better buried items. as lu xuan broke into the final layer, overcoming numerous challenges and intricate arrays, and avoiding all self-destruct mechanisms, he realized he had learned all the teachings of the predecessor. in gratitude and to encourage future generations, he incorporated his understanding into the tomb, adding nine more layers of real and fake tombs around the original nine. it was from these notes that he first learned about the heavenly emperors coffin. however, ancient celestial rulers were beings of great virtue, and their legacies were not stored in coffins but in special heavenly realms. opening someones coffin out of curiosity, disturbing their peaceful rest, seemed impolite. thus, lu xuan put away his shovel, bowed to the heavenly emperors coffin, and left with the group. outside the tomb chamber. on top of the dragon whales carcass, the young man in the blue robe sat cross-legged. the clay figurine on his waist glowed, and qingyus voice came through, the time is near.. to seize the opportunity, now is the moment! Chapter 75 - Chapter 75: Grandpa Exploded! chapter 75: grandpa exploded! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation place me here and go sit over there, qingyu instructed. although jiang fenghuo did not understand the purpose of the instruction, he complied. once he reached the designated spot, a semi-transparent figure emerged from the clay figurine. elder qing jiang fenghuo was startled. the old man rarely left the figurine. sit properly and regulate your breath, qingyu gestured. jiang fenghuo assumed a meditative posture as instructed. qingyu, glowing, channeled his spiritual power into the dragon whales carcass, activating a large array. jiang fenghuo saw array patterns lighting up on the whales surface, spreading outward. he found himself sitting right at a key point of the array. what are we doing, elder qing? jiang fenghuo couldnt help but ask. standing on another key point, qingyu explained while channeling power, years ago, i set up this array on the whales carcass. my initial plan was to plunder its essence for my own cultivation. but now that someone has beaten us to it, ill modify it to use the whales power against them. hearing this, jiang fenghuo was shocked. qingyu added, just sit there, dont move. once i refine these people, their essence will nourish you, enhancing your physique. how can we do this?! jiang fenghuo stood up, i have no grudges against those inside the whale. isnt this deliberately harming them? qingyus expression turned stern, youve been with me long enough to know better! if you dont act first, itll be too late once xus heavenly realm opens! jiang fenghuo wanted to argue, but qingyu sharply commanded, sit down and focus! if you anger me, you wont be able to bear the consequences! his voice was chilling, and with just one look, jiang fenghuo felt a soul-deep pressure, stumbling back to his seat. qingyu was genuinely angered now; this was to be his future body, and no mistakes could be afforded. your understanding is still immature. without me to guide you, you would have been devoured in the cultivation world! with a threat, qingyu then poured his power into the array, preparing to refine those who had entered the whales carcass before him. he was confident that they stood no chance against his cunningly laid array, powered by the whales remains. the whale was on the verge of transforming into a dragon, and its residual power, even after many years, was not something a group of golden core cultivators could contend with. inside the dragon whales carcass. lu xuan and the others, having left the main burial chamber, were walking through the tomb passage. the walls trembled slightly, and a massive oppressive force descended from outside. yushou an stumbled, glancing to the side to see the jade walls lighting up with strange glows penetrating from the outside. whats happening? a cultivator frowned, feeling the pressure. someone activated an array outside?! yushou ans guard noticed the changes on the wall. the transparent spiritual jade faintly revealed the array patterns lighting up deep within. the cultivators, who had just returned from seizing their fortune and were in high spirits, suddenly looked alarmed. no one expected such a turn of events when their task was nearly complete. the walls reflected the arrays patterns, growing brighter. the air became thick and heavy, making the cultivators feel like ordinary people stuck in a quagmire, struggling with every move. lets return to the main burial chamber! yushou an thought quickly. whoever is targeting us waited for us to leave the chamber. the field around that celestial rulers coffin it can counter this array! his reaction was swift, but lu xuan interjected, no need to rush. let me try. he had sensed something amiss as soon as the array started and had already cast a protective buff on cheng lingzhu. hearing lu xuan, yushou an was momentarily taken aback. he didnt know much about arrays, but from lu xuans crash course, he understood that to break an array, one needed to access it directly. the assailant was clearly operating from outside, not to mention the barrier of the spiritual jade walls and the thickness of the dragon whales flesh and blood. yet, thinking of lu xuans profound cultivation as a great senior, yushou an harbored some hope. unaware of yushou ans thoughts, lu xuan simply extended his hand and pressed it against the spiritual jade wall. from the center of his palm, the surrounding array patterns suddenly brightened and spread out like ripples. outside the tomb chamber. atop the dragon whale carcass. qingyu, manipulating the array to refine lu xuan and the others, furrowed his brow slightly. almost instantly, he felt a formidable and overwhelming force rushing against the array from the inside! without hesitation, qingyu retreated into the clay figurine, but the force continued unabated. the array atop the dragon whales body surged. in the next moment, the mini clay figurine harboring qingyus remnant soul exploded! nearby. jiang fenghuo stared blankly at the scene before him. not only the figurine but also qingyus soul had been destroyed. e-elder qing? the young man in blue opened his mouth, gazing at the shattered clay pieces on the ground. jiang fenghuo didnt realize that qingyu had been nurturing him for a suitable body to possess. having known qingyu for nearly two years, though never formally his disciple and knowing little about qingyus identity, jiang fenghuo had come to see him as a grandfather figure. and now, his grandfather had exploded! tears filled jiang fenghuos eyes, his emotions complex. he suspected that qingyus attempt to harm others had backfired due to the array, leading to his downfall. wiping his tears, jiang fenghuo gathered the fragments of the figurine and ran towards the light gate on the cliff. inside the tomb passage. the array dissipated. everyone regained their mobility. lu xuan withdrew his hand, nodding in satisfaction. it hadnt been too difficult. typically, an arrays channel flowed only in one-way. the one who set up the array can use it to attack those inside, but those trapped within find it nearly impossible to use the array in reverse. this situation was somewhat akin to prince ruperts drops. these teardrop-shaped glass objects can be easily shattered by pressing on their tail ends, yet their rounded heads are strong enough to withstand a bullet. however, lu xuan had a more straightforward understanding. if the force is strong enough, even a direct approach can shatter it.. Chapter 76 - Chapter 76: The Saint of Law Says: Lie Down! chapter 76: the saint of law says: lie down! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation half an hour later. in the empty main burial chamber. the heavenly emperors coffin glowed and trembled slightly. a mysterious and profound aura spread out, seemingly connecting to a location in the unseen world. above the island, countless points of light converged, forming a large portal. is this the ancient celestial rulers inheritance heavenly realm? lu xuan, who had just come out of the relic and was about to board a ship to leave, looked up at the sky. invited by yushou an, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu were preparing to visit the merman nation. yushou an was assimilating the sea spirit pearl. his guard stepped forward and respectfully asked, senior, should we leave or stay? lu xuan pondered, the emergence of a heavenly emperors heavenly realm is a rare event in ten thousand years. we might as well stay and watch. of course, you can leave first, and later how could we do that?! the guard decisively interrupted, since senior is a guest invited by our young master, if senior wishes to watch, we will wait here with you. as they spoke, a black warship appeared on the distant sea, entering everyones view. the ship was large, with a dark red flag flapping on its mast. thousands of pirates, with short knives at their waists, howled continuously. a warrior in black armor stood at the bow, wielding a dark spear and radiating an undisguised ferocious aura. seeing this, the mermen guards tensed up. as a member of a sea tribe, he was well aware of the existence of sea pirates. they worshipped the immortal ancestor of longevity, lived on ships, drifted across the sea, and often raided the land when in need of supplies. these pirates, all cultivators with their own treasure ships, were a law unto themselves, even beyond the reach of government forces. the merman nation, located deep under the sea and protected by special defenses, had never been disturbed by these pirates. however, these mermen guards, who often secretly followed yushou an on land, was familiar with some island lords who had been robbed by the pirates. no need to worry. protect your young master. ill handle these pirates, lu xuan said. the guards felt reassured by lu xuans words. lu xuan approached cheng lingzhu, pointing to the swiftly approaching warship, ill take care of the leader. you handle the minions. this was a phrase she often used when she took him on adventures. however, there were over three thousand pirates on the ship, and all were cultivators, including more than a dozen at the golden core stage. given cheng lingzhus current cultivation level, if she didnt use the ancestral spirit descent technique, she couldnt achieve the feat of one sword breaks armor, two thousand six against such a group of cultivators. lu xuan then produced an item. it was the chaos quelling shuttle from the school of law. this was a gift from his beloved disciple, su yuan, before leaving the great yan dynasty. are you really using this thing? cheng lingzhu was doubtful, recalling the bizarre descriptions of the chaos quelling shuttle. it didnt seem like a typical artifact for combat. im just trying it out, lu xuan suggested with a smile. as they conversed, the warship was drawing near. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu used a transportation technique to leap from the merman ship and landed at the bow of the pirate ship. attack! without further conversation, the black-armored leader brandished his spear. the three thousand sea pirates on the ship charged all at once. dressed as pirates, they carried a heavy aura of bloodlust and iron, moving in well-coordinated, uniform actions. cheng lingzhu silently took out the chaos quelling shuttle and threw it forward the pirates at the forefront reacted swiftly, forming an array to counter the incoming hidden weapon. unexpectedly, the shuttle didnt head towards them but flew overhead in a curved trajectory. on the deck, every pirate in the shuttles path felt a certain rule descend upon them. as if controlled by someone, the pirates immediately dropped their weapons, adjusted their skewed hats, and lay down on the deck, utterly bewildered. the pirates charging behind were confused, but soon, they couldnt wonder anymore as the chaos quelling shuttle flew over them, causing them to lie down just like their comrades. the black-armored leader was perplexed. he had barely shouted attack when his men fell like dominoes, leaving only a few pirates standing besides himself. the scene suddenly turned quiet and awkward. even the lying pirates were able to communicate big niu, can you move a bit? i cant move, theres some kind of sorcery here! your butt is in my face, and youre so skinny, your bones are poking me arent i lying face down? uh there shouldnt be any bones. damn! im gonna kill you! the chaos quelling shuttle, a relic from the ancient school of law. in his youth, the saint of confucianism often carried two swords at his waist, one named benevolence and the other propriety. after the saint of law achieved enlightenment, he carried two heavy rulers on his back, one named regulation and the other measure. the school of law bound itself and others with rules and regulations, believing that everything in the world is governed by these principles. in the past, after the saint of laws lectures, disciples often engaged in heated debates. this battle of wits frequently escalated into a literal battle when ideologies couldnt persuade the opposition. it was then that physical means were used to help the other party understand ones point of view. the saint of law found this troubling, suspecting that spies from the neighboring confucian school had infiltrated his disciples. to maintain order, he developed the art of chaos quelling, making brawling disciples lie down, unable to move. this not only quelled the disputes but also attracted other disciples to gather around the fallen ones for discussion and critique. under such a socially mortifying risk, the law disciples became much more peaceful during debates. the chaos quelling shuttle was developed based on this concept. the shuttle thrown by cheng lingzhu did not travel in a straight line but made several circles in the air. its effect was widespread, impacting most of the pirates, who couldnt break free from its rule in the short term due to their cultivation levels. a few unaffected pirates charged with weapons, but cheng lingzhu fearlessly drew her sword to meet them in battle. the black-armored leader narrowed his eyes. he realized that the shuttle carried a certain force of law. however, it didnt matter. these two intruders were doomed to die, and the peculiar shuttles law couldnt affect him. he focused on the young man not far away. standing still, the leader hurled his great spear, aiming to pierce lu xuans heart! lu xuan, watching the opponent, raised his fist.. Chapter 77 - Chapter 77: Reincarnation Bow, Life and Death Arrows chapter 77: reincarnation bow, life and death arrows translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation one cup of tea later. on the black warship, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu stood at the bow, looking down. over three thousand sea pirates crouched on the deck, shivering and holding their heads. before them lay a headless corpse in black armor, still warm to the touch. you arent really sea pirates, are you? lu xuan asked. he had felt something amiss about these men from the moment they appeared. the pirates well-coordinated movements and formation fighting didnt seem genuine. the pirates, holding their heads, didnt dare to speak. if you wont talk, ill search your souls myself later, lu xuan said, holding a scroll painting. the black-armored man had no identification, only this valuable piece of calligraphy. unfurling the scroll revealed bold characters: sole exaltation! the vigorous strokes were powerful enough to stir the soul, evoking the image of an imposing, domineering figure with an aura capable of engulfing the world. the painting bore no signature, but it was clear that the black-armored man couldnt have written it. this contains a trace of the dragon emperors dao from zhongzhou, lu xuan sensed. the aura of dragon veins differed between regions, but that was as far as his perception went. lu xuan wasnt a practitioner of the faith dao and couldnt discern the subtle differences among the ancient states of zhongzhou. moreover, the scroll might not have been left by a living person; some powerful emperors left a lingering dragon aura on their burial goods. he came for the heavenly emperors heavenly realm, carrying this scroll to offer the dragons energy to open the heavenly realm, lu xuan surmised. he struck downwards with his hand, sealing the cultivation of the three thousand pirates. arriving at the merman nations ship, yushou an was still assimilating the sea spirit pearl. his guards and a few cultivators approached to pay their respects. fellow cultivators, please keep an eye on them, lu xuan instructed, pointing to the warship and taking out several heart questioning treasure mirrors from his storage artifact. these pirates are likely disguised soldiers. please interrogate them for me any found guilty of killing the innocent, oppressing the people, or committing evil, behead them and throw them into the sea. we understand! the cultivators responded in unison, bowing. lu xuan distributed the heart questioning treasure mirrors and then, holding the scroll painting, entered the portal in the sky with cheng lingzhu. inside the heavenly emperors heavenly realm, which was unlike any ordinary inheritance site. there were no protective formations or dangerous trials. according to records from the tomb raiding communitys great seniors, every ancient celestial ruler left a true spirit avatar in their heavenly realms. cultivators entering it only needed to pass an interview with the avatar to receive the heavenly emperors inheritance. failure meant being sent out of the heavenly emperor without risk to life. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu, stepping through the portal, entered a world of contrasts: half gray and lifeless, half vibrant and full of life. lu xuan observed a brightly feathered bird flying past them, transforming within moments. its feathers dulled, beak elongated, and claws stiffened as if aged rapidly. it fell from the sky, its life ending soon after. its body decomposed swiftly, leaving behind an egg. a chick emerged, beginning its cycle of life and death. in this place, life and extinction intertwined like day and night, constantly transforming into each other. moved by this sight, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu noticed converging light ahead, forming a human figure. the figure, smiling, greeted, xu, pleased to meet you both. the language used was different from the current archean eon realm, but lu xuan and cheng lingzhu understood perfectly. they respectfully bowed, greetings, senior. recognizing which heavenly emperors realm they were in, they remained polite and respectful. xu, the heavenly emperor, looked at them, then chuckled and said, accepted. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu were initially puzzled, unsure of his meaning. i mean, you two have passed the test, xu nodded. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu: ??? lu xuan had expected an interview to involve meeting and testing. why had xu so casually granted them passage? xu didnt clarify their confusion but extended his hand. the power of the realm converged in his palm, forming a bubble of light that transformed into a large bow. this bow, resembling both stone and jade, appeared ancient and substantial. alongside the bow, two arrows, one black and one white, materialized. this is the only imperial weapon from my realm worthy of mention, xu said, handing the bow to lu xuan. upon touching it, lu xuan instantly knew its name the reincarnation bow! subsequently, xu, the heavenly emperor, handed the two arrows to cheng lingzhu. these arrows were named life and death. this bow is complemented by these arrows, he explained, pointing at the arrows in cheng lingzhus hands and the bow in lu xuans. with this bow in hand, even mortals can hunt gods. the reincarnation bow with the life and death arrows. the cycle of life and death, all returning to oblivion. this was the dao of the ancient celestial ruler, xu. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu exchanged glances and carefully stored the bow and arrows. they both stepped back half a step, bowed deeply, and paid their respects. xu watched lu xuan, then after a moment of silence, said, the i ching tells me the path ahead is broken. meeting you today, i have seen a glimpse of the future. if there truly is an underworld, when i meet him again, i can tell him the future still exists. lu xuan was puzzled by these words. as he was about to ask for clarification, xu stopped him: thats all i can say. the rest must remain unsaid. he looked at lu xuan, his eyes shining with a firm and serious light. lu xuan reluctantly swallowed the questions he was about to ask. finally, xu reached out, and two streams of light flew from outside into the heavenly realm. these were the two coffins from the merman tomb. xu patted the wooden coffin and smiled, i should truly rest now ah, having company is good. he bowed to lu xuan and cheng lingzhu, smiling, as his light-formed figure and the heavenly realm gradually faded away, eventually disappearing completely.. Chapter 78 - Chapter 78: Let Me Burrow for a While, to Alleviate the Pressure chapter 78: let me burrow for a while, to alleviate the pressure translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation after leaving the heavenly realm, lu xuan returned to the outside world. below, the sea was dotted with corpses, now dyed red with blood. on the dark warship, the soldiers crouched, trembling. seeing lu xuan emerge, several scattered cultivators came forward to pay their respects and returned the heart questioning treasure mirror to him. senior, as per your instructions, we have beheaded all the wrongdoers. a total of three hundred and eighty-six people. please review it, senior. the heart inquiry mirror contained records of interrogations. lu xuan nodded, looked through them, and then collected the mirrors before turning to the people on the deck. at this point, there was no need for soul searching. before lu xuan even asked, they voluntarily stepped forward, eagerly confessing everything. these men were not pirates, but naval soldiers from the eastern barren territorys tian lan ancient country. the commander in black armor was also a notable figure from the tian lan ancient country. before coming here, the black-armored leader ordered them to disguise as pirates, without revealing the reason. only upon arriving in this sea area did they discover the emergence of an ancient heavenly emperors heavenly realm. lu xuan now had a guess in his mind: perhaps the black-armored leader never intended to let these men return alive. once he obtained the legacy of the celestial ruler, he would silence all his subordinates. now that the matter was over, lu xuan looked at the soldiers on the ship, frowning in thought. releasing them was certainly not an option. a high-ranking official had died at sea, and these ordinary soldiers would surely be implicated. these men also knew that if they returned, they would meet a grim fate. in such a situation, these men might take risks and turn from fake to real pirates. but to kill them all? the truly deserving ones were already dead lu xuan looked at the beautiful environment of the sea island, pondering whether to let these men stay here for a few hundred years to guard the empty tomb of heavenly emperor xu. at that moment, yushou an emerged from the cabin and saluted lu xuan, senior lu, i have a suggestion. oh? what suggestion? lu xuan asked. yushou an turned to the soldiers and said, my clan is currently constructing a major project and is in dire need of strong laborers. this project will take almost a century. if you gentlemen are willing, you can come with me. you can avoid trouble and earn some resources to aid in cultivation. this the soldiers looked at each other. it seemed they had no other choice. going back was no longer an option, and turning into real pirates was a desperate last resort. they heard that the sea tribe were generous with payment, offering high wages, a five-day work week, and no wage arrears thinking about it, working for a hundred years, avoiding trouble, and saving some money didnt seem like a bad idea? are you willing to go? lu xuan asked. senior, we are certainly willing, the soldiers replied in unison. good. lu xuan nodded, consenting to this arrangement. evening. lu xuan lay on the large bed in his room, gazing at the starry sky through the skylight. the mermens large ship was a mystical treasure, with cabins that could rise and fall at will. lu xuans room was a starry sky bedroom. cheng lingzhu lay in his arms, at this moment resting her head on his arm, watching the stars with him. what are you thinking about? cheng lingzhu turned her head to look at his profile. im thinking about what senior xu said to me during the day. lu xuan pondered: his words were not very clear, but such a senior would not deliberately play riddles with me. you mean he could only say that much to you at that time? cheng lingzhu said. exactly. lu xuan nodded. senior xus words, though straightforward, conveyed that he saw hope. but people only yearn for hope when they are in a predicament. what did they encounter back then? when i wanted to ask about the broken path he referred to, and what sort of despairing future that predecessor named i ching saw, he stopped me. sometimes, silence is also a form of expression. cheng lingzhu pondered for a long time. lu xuan slightly nodded in agreement. he thought the same. why did the heavenly emperor stop him at that time? was it related to cause and effect? or was he worried about being detected? the ancient emperors were incredibly powerful. even they had to avoid and not delve too deeply into the existence lu xuan looked out the window. the heavens were high and distant, unchanged since ancient times, deep and mysterious. hey, lets not think about this, okay? lu xuan stretched out his hand, rubbing his temples. if it was as he imagined, that the broken path was the heaven of the archean eon realm. then thats really even the stars seemed less charming. feeling upset? cheng lingzhu noticed the change in lu xuans expression. not really. lu xuan shook his head. although it sounds a bit oppressive, senior xu did say he saw hope which means, ultimately, the future is bright. he slowly exhaled, even if he told me the path ahead is broken, i would still try to carve out a future. lu xuans dao heart was firm. he was the man who, after failing to form his nascent soul three thousand times, still prepared for the next attempt. but if were talking about pressure, there is some. receiving the reincarnation bow from senior xu today felt like a hot-blooded youth being entrusted with a great responsibility by an elder, a feeling ive never had before. lu xuan said with a smile. cheng lingzhu reached out and touched his cheek. feeling her soft hand, lu xuan said seriously. i need to relieve some pressure. how will you do that? cheng lingzhu asked. lu xuan looked down for a moment, then said thoughtfully: let me burrow myself for a while. cheng lingzhu followed his gaze and blushed, poking him in the chest in mock annoyance. this is a serious matter. lu xuan turned to face her, his hand resting on cheng lingzhus waist, feeling the silkiness of her nightgown. through the thin fabric, he could feel her bodys warmth. a hero saving the world always needs a warm embrace to soothe the weariness and scars in his heart, lu xuan reasoned, and besides, this is also part of adaptability training. just for a little while then. cheng lingzhu bit her lip, her face flushed. she extended her arms, wrapped them around lu xuans neck, and held his head in her embrace. after about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. lu xuan raised his head, his eyes bright, the tiredness on his face gone. feeling okay? cheng lingzhu lifted her chin in an indifferent manner. the fragrance is refreshing, the spirit is uplifted, embracing brings fullness of spirit, and the path ahead feels bright. lu xuan spoke thoughtfully. the difference between a wine jar and a wine cup was not small. if this were the former cheng hongtan, he might have had to be careful about his nose. cant you be serious cheng lingzhu lightly tapped his chest, alright, time to sleep. wait. lu xuan stopped her. what is it? cheng lingzhu was puzzled. its not over yet. lu xuan blinked: i just came up for air mmm mmm. turned out cheng lingzhu, annoyed by his frivolous talk, had passionately kissed him, physically silencing his mouth.. Chapter 79 - Chapter 79: Damn, He Fooled Me Again chapter 79: damn, he fooled me again translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation inside the dark hall. more than ten figures emerged from the darkness, gathered around a long bronze table. in front of them were twelve bronze lamps, but one of them was extinguished, signaling the absence of its owner from this meeting. gong gong is in trouble, said xuan ming, wearing a double-snake mask. the others turned their heads, looking at the empty seat. his identity was exposed. yesterday, there was a strange phenomenon in the eastern sea area. a big shot died near there, continued di jiang. the only non-royal marquis of tian lan ancient country, tang baizhan, commanded a million marines and ruled thirteen coastal counties. he was a void refining stage cultivator. tsk, a marquis, yan zi, leaning on the table, commented, i wonder if he was good-looking. tian lan ancient country, a second-tier power, had body integration stage cultivators. a void refining stage marquis was undoubtedly a high-ranking figure. he claimed to be a pirate, but was actually a government bandit no wonder he knew so much about maritime forces, said qiang liang, wearing a tiger mask, with a cold laugh. ha, a mere void refining stage cultivator dares sit at the same table as me? scoffed ju mang. what realm are you? asked zhu rong, glancing at him from across the table. im in the transcendence stage ju mang replied with an air of superiority. zhu rong smirked, disbelieving. how did he die? yan zi asked. di jiang answered, yesterday morning, gong gong that is, tang baizhans soul lamp in the marquiss mansion shattered. tian lan ancient country sent experts to the sea, and later found a headless corpse on an island. further investigation revealed that three days prior, tang baizhan had assembled a new marine force from various places. after his death, this force also vanished. he added, this is all published in the cultivation daily, and is not a secret however, there might be details not disclosed. there were no killing formations or guards in the heavenly emperors realm, and the true spirit incarnation of the ancient emperor had no reason to kill gong gong someone must have killed him outside the heavenly realm, then entered it and took the legacy, said zhu rong. how did someone else learn about the emergence of the heavenly emperors realm? ju mang questioned. everyones gaze turned towards zhu long at the back of the table. zhu long: theres no need for that. this definitely has nothing to do with me, zhu long defended, spreading his hands. the token i gave gong gong had no hidden schemes, or it would have been rejected by this space besides, if i wanted something from the heavenly realm, i could have just traded with gong gong or taken the task myself. wouldnt that be easier? the others exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. zhu longs statement seemed straightforward and honest. the gathered individuals communicated openly, discussing their interests and aims without any need for internal strife. however, their suspicion of zhu long was not genuine; they were using this opportunity to extract more information from his statements to ascertain his true identity. if gong gong had obtained emperor xus imperial weapon and extracted the fragments of the destiny spirit treasure to form the creation chart and offered it as a sacrifice to this space, the immortal tomb could descend within three months, xuan ming sighed. unfortunately, gong gong had failed. it seems there indeed are forces working against us, di jiang pondered. we are in the open, while our enemy remains hidden. how can we, residing in this peculiar space, be schemed against when even fate is obscured? zhu rong expressed confusion. whats so surprising about that? this peculiar space, left by the master of the immortal tomb, must have formidable enemies too, ju mang stated matter-of-factly. as the master of the immortal tomb could create this space and form our organization, so could his enemies. zhu rong found no rebuttal to this logical argument. you seem new to the cultivation world. its understandable. you need to gain more experience, ju mang advised zhu rong like an elder. zhu rong: fate, destiny, and causality, an old man at the end of the table suddenly spoke. he wore a yellow dog mask and was known as in the organization. shebi shi, with a mysterious background, was usually quiet and enigmatic in his few contributions to discussions. this is a tribulation destined for us, he added, creating a solemn atmosphere in the room. after a moment, ju mang knocked on the table: talks of predestined fate are nonsense. if we believed in fate, what would be the point of cultivation! as cultivators, we fight for our destiny. if theres karma, we should resolve it ourselves! his words were inspiring, causing a stir among those present and leading them to reconsider their view of ju mang. could he really be a transcendent cultivator? zhu rong began to wonder. cough, cough xuan ming cleared his throat. ju mang is right. our lives as cultivators revolve around struggle and combat. we must not amplify others prestige at the cost of our own spirit. but indeed, this matter should be prioritized now. xuan ming shifted the topic. lets not focus on whether theres an opposing organization or not. the fact that someone has repeatedly obstructed our efforts is true. the ghost mage sect went to shangyang city to collect offerings for the resurrection of their ancestral magus, wiping out a small cultivation family in the process, di jiang pondered. it was reported that disciples from sancai academy were seen there. this incident could be linked to he yuanfengs failed sacrificial ritual and investigated together. agreed. agreed. agreed. the members unanimously nodded. ill handle this matter, someone volunteered. alright, di jiang nodded in approval. leave the investigation of the barbarian gods incident to me. i have some connections in the southern ridge, said ju mang. werent you in the western desert just the other day? zhu rong asked. i possess divine powers. where can i not go if i wish to? ju mang replied indifferently. zhu rong: damn, fooled by him again. the matter of the heavenly emperor is somewhat related to me, zhu long spoke, ill take care of the eastern sea incident. the group scheduled the necessary tasks. hou tu asked, when will the new gong gong emerge? gong gong was merely a code name used only within this peculiar space. they had all entered this place by chance, but this was the first time they faced the situation of replacing the owner of a mask. between three days and a month, xuan ming answered.. Chapter 80 - Chapter 80: In Cultivation, the Longer You Cultivate, the Shorter Your Lifespan Becomes chapter 80: in cultivation, the longer you cultivate, the shorter your lifespan becomes translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation three days later. senior lu, fellow daoists, ahead is the territorial waters governed by our mermen nation, yushou an announced on the deck. they were in the midst of the vast ocean, with no land or islands in sight. leading the way was a large ship of the mermen, followed by a warship carrying three thousand strong laborers, both piloted by mermen guardians. both ships were mystical treasures, capable of swift sailing. the mermaid nation was located at the bottom of the ocean, more precisely, within a peculiar space at the oceans depths. yushou an controlled the treasure ship, creating a pale blue light screen around it. the ship then dove into the water, with the light screen keeping the sea at bay, creating a space around the ship. the dark warship followed suit. these magical vessels were designed for sea, land, and air travel. as they submerged, the surroundings became darker and deeper. it took half a day for the mermens treasure ship to reach its destination. during the journey, they encountered several large sea creatures, but none attacked them. in the mermen nations territory, marine life had spiritual awareness and could discern friends from foes. some playful large creatures approached the ship, only to be gently repelled by yushou an using the ships magical tendrils. the treasure ship descended slowly, revealing a vast lake at the ocean floor. the lakes water was a light golden color, distinctly different from the surrounding sea water. the mermens ship glowed, seemingly connecting with the lake, stirring its surface and opening a hidden spatial gateway beneath it. the two ships sank into a space of interwoven light, as if sailing through a sea of light. after crossing this sea of light, they entered a new world. the sky of the mermen nation was also blue, but its hue was much deeper than that of the archean eon realm. on the deck, yushou an pointed out to senior lu and the other daoists that they were approaching the territorial waters of the mermen nation. the mermen nation, situated on the ocean floor within a peculiar space, was governed by nine major families without an emperor. instead, family heads formed an elder council to decide national affairs. the current hot topic in the mermen nation was whether to change the ancestral ways and establish communication with land-dwelling races. the debate among the nine elders was intense, with the yu family, yu shouans family, still undecided. yushou an, having ventured outside and experienced much, now leaned towards the reformists. using a sea spirit pearl inherited from his ancestors, he had purified his bloodline and risen to prominence in his family. he planned to persuade his family to support opening up the mermen nation, believing that communication would promote development and help them keep pace with the world. please follow me, yushou an said as the treasure ship docked, inviting the guests into his residence. in the afternoon, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu strolled through the streets of the mermen nation, observing the similarities between the mermaids and land-dwellers. the mermaids had developed their own civilization and shared aesthetic tastes with land-based cultivators. they wore clothes made from a special sea plant, emitting a faint glow. the mermen nation wasnt located at the sea bottom but in a separate small world. unlike folklore descriptions, merpeople did not just wear sharkskin pants or shell coverings. they favored bright, glowing spaces and items, which eastern sea sects qianyin island capitalized on by smuggling refined magical lamps into the mermen nation. despite the conservative factions awareness of this, they turned a blind eye since they also purchased from qianyin island. as the market for their magical horns dwindled, qianyin islands leader contemplated changing the sects name to qian deng islando, reflecting their new focus. choosing to end its isolation and integrate with the cultivation world now is a good opportunity for the nation, lu xuan remarked. this trip to the eastern sea had led him to encounter yushou an and subsequently the mermen nation, a mysterious race distinct from land-dwellers primarily due to their longevity. the merpeople lived about twice as long as land races. for instance, while human mahayana cultivators lived around 5,000 years, mermen of the same realm could live over 10,000 years. however, this extended lifespan comes at the cost of slower cultivation progress. in contrast, land races might seem to have shorter lifespans, but their cultivation speed compensates for it. for example, a genius like ji lingchen could reach the mahayana realm in a thousand years, while a less talented cultivator like shen li could achieve it in two thousand years. this difference is a result of evolutionary trade-offs. in fierce competition among species, races might opt for faster cultivation at the expense of lifespan to cultivate more generations of powerful beings within the same time frame that an opposing race cultivates just one. in the past, the innate demon race was long-lived, but during eras of race wars, when human powerhouses were nearing the end of their lifespans, they would raid demon territories, exchanging lives with their equally powerful adversaries. while humans could cultivate a new powerhouses in a thousand years, demons took much longer. this disparity inevitably led to the demons decline. to survive, the innate demons started to research methods of sacrificing longevity for faster cultivation, eventually embedding this in their bloodline. cultivation was not solely meant for immortality but for survival. to continue their lineage, a long-lived race might transform itself into a regular race. as for the existence of a race that both cultivates quickly and lives long, such a race could only thrive in a world with unimaginably abundant cultivation resources. in such a world, competition might be less fierce, and races could focus on extending their lifespans again. this was the essence of cultivation. Chapter 81 - Chapter 81: Don’t Sleep During the Day, Sleep Soundly At Night chapter 81: dont sleep during the day, sleep soundly at night translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation as far as lu xuan was aware, current events in the archean eon realm were relatively peaceful, making it an opportune time to emerge from seclusion and enter the fray. however, the subsequent matters did not concern lu xuan; as they were the internal affairs of the merpeople. the final outcome would be decided by them. lu xuan was strolling with cheng lingzhu through the merpeoples commercial district, when suddenly, upon turning a corner, he stopped. whats wrong? cheng lingzhu asked, looking at him. lu xuan pointed to the left. following his gesture, cheng lingzhu saw what appeared to be a shop specializing in womens accessories, spanning two floors. come on, lets check it out, lu xuan said, extending his arm in invitation. cheng lingzhu looped her arm through his, and they headed into the shop together. the crystal counters and shelves displayed an array of earrings, hairpins, scented sachets, and other items, all exquisitely crafted with a distinct merpeople style. the shop was attended by a mermaid girl, around seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in a blue gown. as lu xuan and cheng lingzhu entered, she approached them with a smile and a courteous bow. dear guests, what can i help you find? lu xuan was mildly surprised, recognizing that the shop girls bow was in the style of the land-dwelling human nations. blinking, the girl remarked, you two arent from our merpeople nation, are you? she identified their origins immediately upon speaking. indeed, your insight is remarkable, lu xuan admits openly, acknowledging his and cheng lingzhus identities. how did you see through our disguises? cheng lingzhu asked curiously. they had disguised themselves as a merpeople couple, but were recognized before even speaking. with lu xuans skill in illusion, it was not likely a flaw in their technique. in matters of love, our merpeople customs are more conservative. we never display affection in public, not even holding hands while walking together as a couple. the shop girl, with a smile on her face, explained, i noticed how affectionate you two were behaving, which led me to guess that youre visitors from another race. i see, lu xuan realized. i once traveled with her father out of the merpeople nation, to the lands for trading, and visited some countries on land, thus observing their customs, the girl said playfully, blinking her eyes. was my earlier gesture accurate to your lands customs? your memory is remarkable; your gestures are indistinguishable from those of our human race, cheng lingzhu replied with a smile. did you come here looking to buy some accessories? the girl asked with a slight smile. allow me to assist you. we appreciate your help, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu said together. inside the shop. the girl presented various accessories, explaining each to them. cheng lingzhu tried them on, while lu xuan sat in front of her, appreciating and evaluating them. the girl approached with a tray lined with red silk, holding a light blue bracelet, this is called the phantom sea bracelet, carved from our special spirit jade tianyan crystal. wearing it can nourish the meridians lu xuan, admiring the beauty of his lady, said, well take it. thus, the girl put the item aside and brought out a fragrant sachet. this is the warm fragrance pendant, made from over a hundred types of exotic flowers and spiritual grasses lu xuan nodded, well take it. this is the united hearts hairpin, crafted from rare metals found in the sea well take it. this is well take it. well take it. this is well take it. this is my mother! not for sale! lu xuan looked puzzled. he turned around to see a beautiful merwoman standing behind him, graceful and smiling. beside her, the shop girl pouted slightly and tugged at her mothers sleeve, pointing to the table. the wooden box filled with jewelry had piled up into a small mountain. lu xuans indiscriminate buying made the shop girl feel as if there was nothing in the store impressive enough for the customers, leaving her somewhat disheartened. the beautiful merwoman greeted them and introduced herself as the owner of the shop, and the girl was her daughter. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu introduced themselves as well, to which the shop owner smiled and said, it turns out you are visitors from land. weve just received a new shipment. would you be interested in seeing it? lu xuan and cheng lingzhu, naturally interested, watched as the shop owner brought out a wooden box from her storage magical artifact. as the wooden box was opened, what came into view was a pristine a pristine pair of white silk stockings. lu xuans eyes widened: i !!! ill buy it! he decided without hesitation. cheng lingzhu, understanding his thoughts, clenched her teeth, hugging his arm and giving it a vigorous shake. lu xuan blinked, feeling more than just his arm being shaken. what color would you like, sir? the shop owner asked with a gentle smile, displaying the neatly folded silk stockings before lu xuan. lu xuan pondered for a moment: both black and white. theres an old saying: wearing white silk during the day prevents sleepiness, while black silk at night ensures a sound sleep. to be well-prepared, one should have both black and white silk stockings. and what about the thickness? the shop owner inquired. just as lu xuan was about to answer, she suggested: our shop would recommend thinner silk stockings for the sir. im eager to hear your advice, lu xuan replied, dignified. please look at this, the shop owner said, bringing out a piece of fabric, the same material as the silk stockings, and displaying it before lu xuan. it was delicate, silky, thin, and translucent, pinned to a wooden board. she lightly touched the fabric with her fingertip, sliding it across. smooth-edged, irregular holes appeared on the fabric. these stockings tear easily but dont unravel, forming holes like these, she explained with a slight smile, understanding the little fun between couples. having been young herself, she knew the importance of such playful elements in a relationship. lu xuan responded, excellent choice. he immediately decided, ordering ten pairs of both black and white stockings in various thicknesses, with special emphasis on the thinner ones. cheng lingzhu, standing beside this flirtatious man, hummed lightly. she wasnt averse to silk stockings and even liked them. however, in her view, it was uncommon to go shopping for silk stockings with ones partner. if this question were posed to lu xuan, he would earnestly reply that couples should indeed do such things together. and specifically choosing the ones that tear easily cheng lingzhus cheeks flushed slightly. hmph, wait till we get back. ill put them on and deliberately flaunt them in front of him, just to tease him! she thought.. Chapter 82 - Chapter 82: This is The Enemy Provoking Us! ” chapter 82: this is the enemy provoking us! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in the dark space. eleven bronze lamps burned slowly. xuan ming, you urgently summoned us here, whats the matter? asked hou tu, her tone unfriendly. did someone interrupt your good time, sister hou tu? yan zi joked. i was just taking a nap and got abruptly woken up, so im in a bit of a bad mood, hou tu replied. hearing her words, everyone present began to ponder. the archean eon realm was a vast domain, and its sun, formed by the will of the world, rises in the east and sets in the west, orbiting the realm. this meant that there were time differences within the archean eon realm. hou tu said she had just finished her nap from this, they could deduce where she might be at the moment. however, this statement could not be entirely trusted. everyone present was capable of deception; hou tu might be deliberately misleading them. today, i gathered you all because our investigation has yielded results, xuan ming began. what are the results? hou tu asked, her grogginess fading. i went to shangyang city and found several monks who had seen students from the sancai academy, said the woman known as tian wu. students of sancai academy dont conceal their identities when theyre out. two of them appeared in shangyang city, one named zhang xun and the other liang xia, tian wu paused. these two are core disciples of sancai academy. zhang xuns master is even the vice chancellor of the academy, hu qingsong, a peak-stage integrated body cultivator. so, its that famous scholar who used to get beaten up a lot, ju mang laughed. tian wu did not respond to his comment but continued: these two discovered the actions of the ghost mage sect in shangyang city and chased down the elders life and death of the sect, eventually reaching the ghost mage sects main temple. ive seen the battle traces there. the ancestral magus was resurrected but was immediately subdued and killed with zhang xun and liang xias capabilities, they couldnt have achieved this. so, you mean there were others involved? yan zi understood her implication. during sancai academys anniversary celebration, all guests had to register. i found the guest list; two people didnt have invitations but were brought personally by zhang xun and liang xia. tian wu spoke calmly. cheng lingzhu from the dushi sword sect and lu xuan from the dao evolution sect, both are golden core cultivators. are you sure its them? di jiang asked. i wouldnt make a mistake, tian wu affirmed. the guest list even states that zhang xun met these two in the ghost mage sects territory and even visited a secret realm in the northern plains. as inheritors of major sects and considering the good relations between their sects, they didnt need invitations but were personally invited. its rare to see top-tier sects pairing up with third-tier ones, ju mang commented. so, these two were both at the ghost mage sect and sancai academy, hou tu concluded, nodding. now that sister tian wu has finished, its your turn, yan zi looked at ju mang. ju mang nodded: i was responsible for investing the matter of the barbarian gods resurrection. we were a bit late in taking action and investigating. by the time i got to the southern ridge, all the barbarian tribes had been driven into the abyss of the fallen god to fend for themselves. but that didnt stop me, ju mang tapped the table. under the control of the thousand saints mountain, theres a power called the pan jiang country, which recently erupted in internal strife, causing a lot of commotion. i suspected it was the doing of the heir of the dushi sword sect and went to investigate. the reason for the internal conflict in pan jiang nation was the alliance between the most powerful southern demon king within the country and the barbarian tribes. they were amassing troops in their territory, plotting a rebellion. pan jiangs emperor sent troops to suppress it, leading to the ongoing unrest. following this lead, i discovered that a large number of barbarian tribes had descended from the sky, causing conflicts with the feathered tribes. so, i secretly went to that feathered tribe and learned that before the battle began, they had captured two scouts who were later rescued and returned to the feathered tribe with intelligence. the feathered tribe took the initiative and defeated the barbarian tribes. hou tu responded, the ones who rescued the feathered tribes scouts, were they lu xuan and cheng lingzhu? ju mang nodded. a man and a woman, the man dressed in white, the feathered tribe called him a senior. according to their description, it should be lu xuan and his companion. the people around exchanged glances and nodded slightly. of course, to ensure the authenticity of the information, i also visited the great yan immortal dynasty and found several citizens who had been rescued from the barbarian tribes. they also confirmed that they were saved by a man and a woman. the feathered tribe did not lie. youve been busy these past few days, covering the entirety of nanling and uncovering so much? zhu rong asked ju mang. with my cultivation, it was effortless, ju mang replied nonchalantly, as if it were a trivial matter. zhu rong concluded inwardly, it seems that he truly is an esteemed senior cultivator. what about you, zhu long? di jiang asked. my investigation was somewhat easier than ju mangs, zhu long replied. the death of the noble tang baizhan in the tian lan ancient kingdom and the mysterious disappearance of three thousand soldiers i couldnt start from there, so i took another route. i went to the place where the heavenly emperor, xus heavenly realm emerged and found a small island. below the island was a large merpeople tomb, which was empty. i then went to the coastal areas, to the thirteen closest merpeople markets to that island. eventually, in a place called shiqiao town, i learned of a merpeople treasure ship heading towards that island. zhu long paused, on that treasure ship, there were also a man and a woman. as the clues were pieced together, the whole situation became clear. someone has indeed been obstructing us, xuan ming said gravely. exactly, emperor jiang spoke up. these two are merely golden core cultivators; they couldnt possibly have killed the newly resurrected ancestral magus or subdued the nearly ascended he yuanfeng there must be a significant power behind them. could it be someone from the dushi sword sect? zhu rong speculated. although their saintess often stirs up the cultivation world, the great powers of the dushi sword sect wouldnt easily intervene, and certainly not so frequently, di jiang shook his head. someone else is thwarting us. clearly, these two are cultivators put forward by that organization, ju mang spoke, the dim light of the bronze lamps casting a shadow on his mask, making him appear stern and wise. they dont hide their identities, unafraid of exposure, obviously instructed by their organization this enemy is provoking us! thats true. it makes sense. agreed. agreed. everyone nodded in agreement. zhu long, didnt you say you come from the dao evolution sect? xi zi asked.. what do you know about this lu xuan? Chapter 83 - Chapter 83: Killing Them Grants Longevity chapter 83: killing them grants longevity translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation zhu long fell silent for a moment: i havent been in my sect for many years and am not clear about the current disciples moreover, the dao evolution sect, being a third-tier major sect, has many disciples, and its not uncommon for names to be repeated. as for which lu xuan it is its hard to say, hard to say. his ambiguous statement left everyone pondering. if zhu longs words were true, did it imply that he was actually a castaway of the dan van sect? instead of speculating about each others identities, it might be better to consider another question. our discussions take place here, unknown to outsiders. how did the enemy accurately predict our actions? ju mang suddenly spoke up. his words immediately tightened the atmosphere in the room. after a few breaths, ju mang adjusted the mask on his face, the bronze lamps light reflecting off it, illuminating his wise gaze: correct. there is a traitor among us. there was silence. no one spoke, but they surreptitiously observed their companions, trying to determine from their reactions and movements who the traitor might be. after a few breaths. we must not recklessly speculate. with a formidable enemy before us, to be disunited would be to give them an opportunity, xuan ming interjected. indeed, di jiang agreed. lets not discuss the traitor anymore and focus on the matter at hand. xuan ming nodded and asked, according to your views, how should we respond to this situation? since there indeed are enemies hindering our actions, my suggestion is to employ a thunderous approach and eliminate these two individuals, di jiang stated firmly. to use such a method as a deterrent, warning the power behind them? hou tu pondered for a moment, then suggested, or perhaps capture them alive and interrogate them? its unlikely that wed get any useful information out of them, was the response. xi zi shook his head: their spokesperson exposing their identity is a provocation towards us. they likely have contingencies in place, making even capturing them alive difficult. facing such provocation and not yielding an inch, directly eliminating an arm of the enemy forces suits my taste, ju mang slightly nodded. i agree with this approach, zhu long was the first to voice his agreement. we should propose it to the immortal tomb space, suggested tian wu. agreed. agreed. agreed. once a consensus was reached, xuan ming raised his hand, and a jade slip appeared in the void. writing with his hand as a brush and using his magic power, he inscribed characters on it, signing with his code name, and handed it to emperor jiang. after emperor jiang reviewed and signed it, he passed it to the next person. thus. evervone in the gathering reviewed the contents of the iade slid. signed their names, and placed it at the center of the bronze long table. upon the table, twelve bronze lamps blazed fiercely. flames extended from the wicks, intertwining like chains, forming an extraordinary array, enveloping the jade slip. the next moment, the jade slip burned into a wisp of green smoke and vanished. the array disappeared, and the room fell silent. xi zi gazed at the center of the bronze long table, his eyes slightly narrowed. the immortal tomb space, devoid of true intelligence, could autonomously operate according to its laws. the assemblys resolution, inscribed on the jade slip and sacrificed to this space, would be extrapolated and judged by the immortal tomb space, which would then provide feedback. after the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, an ancient decree descended from the dome of the dark hall. whoever kills lu xuan and cheng lingzhu shall be granted a thousand years of longevity! the decree, surrounded by strands of chaotic mist, appeared before everyone. seeing the content of the decree, the hearts of the eleven people present trembled. this space, left by the legendary master of the immortal tomb, had chosen them to act as its proxies in the mortal world. acting in ways beneficial to the immortal tomb would earn rewards from this space. treasures, powerful medicines, battle techniques, methods of purification it could provide anything. and now, it could even directly grant additional longevity?! this space is merely an outpost left by the master of the immortal tomb, and it possesses such power. how incredibly powerful must the true master of the immortal tomb be? xuan mings eyes shone with fanaticism. the ability to extend a cultivators lifespan by a thousand years without relying on powerful medicines or elixirs was unheard of. this demonstrated a glimpse of the immortal tomb masters immense power. killing two golden core cultivators grants a thousand years of longevity, yet they are merely the proxies pushed forward by our enemy, di jiang said gravely. this indicates that the existence behind them is extremely formidable, likely a great enemy of the immortal tomb master. weve discovered another pattern regarding the immortal tomb space, tian wu observed, looking at the decree. we had previously sacrificed directly to this space, asking for the identity of the mastermind behind the scenes, but the immortal tomb space didnt extrapolate any result. now, after we investigated the deeds of lu xuan and cheng lingzhu, wrote them on the jade slip and offered it, we received feedback. it means the more information we provide, the more feedback we receive from the immortal tomb space. thats right, hou tu nodded. after initially discovering the feedback mechanism of the immortal tomb space, they had tried to exploit it by creating fictional tasks, but to no avail. the immortal tomb space, unlike ordinary treasures with a spirit , had its own set of rules that could discern truth from falsehood. therefore, everyone was convinced about the great enemy theory. since the immortal tomb space had provided feedback, there was no doubt about the veracity of this issue. their understanding of how to use the immortal tomb space deepened. this is a war between proxies, ju mang declared gravely. if we win, the benefits will be unimaginable, emperor jiang squinted. bringing such a powerful existence to the archean eon realm was a significant achievement. they wouldnt even need to worry about being eliminated by the emperor for overshadowing him, because, judging from the power of this space alone, the immortal tomb master was unimaginably strong. emperors eliminate their subjects out of fear they pose a threat to their authority. but with the strength of the immortal tomb master, such concerns were unnecessary. beings of this caliber adhered to cause and effect. serving the immortal tomb master well could lead to great rewards, perhaps even achieving true immortality and standing beside the master of the immortal tomb. with various thoughts in mind, xuan ming spoke, lets discuss the matter at hand. who will kill these two? i will, someone volunteered first C shebi shi, who usually spoke little. shebi shi, why so eager today? yan zi joked. young lady, no need to test this old man, shebishis voice was hoarse. my lifespan is nearing its end. this thousand years of longevity is crucial to me. i ask you all to grant me this opportunity. Chapter 84 - Chapter 84: This Rotten World is Doomed chapter 84: this rotten world is doomed translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation shebi shi was well aware. although the mission seemed easy, its difficulty was probably not small. the enemy of the immortal tomb master did not conceal their actions, daring to expose their proxies openly. there must be contingencies in place for these two individuals. it could even be that the opposing force was luring them into a trap. yet, shebi shi was willing to take the risk. to him, the temptation of a thousand years of longevity was too great. moreover, the targets were merely two golden core cultivators. those at such a level could hardly withstand the residual effects of a battle among the powerful and could easily be killed. even if they had contingencies or a powerful protector in the shadows, shebi shi was confident that with his cultivation, he could kill them by surprise and then escape. letting shebi shi undertake this mission, what are your opinions? xuan ming sought everyones thoughts. ju mang: let him have it. im in the prime of my life and dont need that thousand years of longevity. hou tu: im in zhongzhou, far from the eastern sea, so i wont participate. yan zi: really? sister hou tu, im in zhongzhou too. how about we meet? hou tu: come to the great xia imperial city if you dare. ill host a banquet for you. just watch, halfway through, when yan zi drops her cup, five hundred cultivators will come forward to perform. yan zi: zhu long: i just completed a mission recently and didnt get any reward. ill pass this time. the rest also expressed their agreement, leaving the task to shebi shi. the great enemy of the immortal tomb master had contingencies in place and established an opposing organization. the extent of the enemys power was still unclear, so everyone was considering letting shebi shi test the waters. at this moment, di jiang suddenly spoke: lets not rush into action. well discuss and finalize the plan next time. my suggestion is to wait until a new gong gong appears, then act together. all eleven people turned their heads, looking at the empty seat that once belonged to gong gong. they understood di jiangs implication. this was to prevent the traitor from acting. the eleven of them, along with the deceased gong gong, had all appeared together in the immortal tomb space. after such a long period of working together and mutual testing, there was still a certain level of trust among the members. but with the introduction of new members, caution was warranted. ju mangs concerns about a potential traitor were not unfounded. di jiangs suggestion for the newcomer to act alongside shebi shi was also a way to monitor and test whether the new gong gong was trustworthy. upon hearing this, shebi shi was silent for a moment: thats acceptable, but i want to accept this decree first. as for what gong gong might need, i will compensate the new member. his urgent need for longevity meant that, even if he had to cooperate with someone else, he wouldnt relinquish the decree. tian wu nodded: if the new member disagrees with the joint action, we can exercise our right to vote and expel them. then, we can request the immortal tomb space to eliminate this traitor. their actions were all within the framework of the immortal tomb space. assessing the trustworthiness of a newcomer was reasonable and permitted by the space. however, exploiting loopholes by repeatedly expelling newcomers to claim rewards for eliminating traitors was not allowed. how do you view tian wus proposal? di jiang asked after pondering for a while. agreed, xuan ming was the first to express his agreement. agreed. agreed. thus, all eleven members reached a consensus. from now on, any newcomer would first have to undertake a mission with an existing member, serving as a form of assessment. shebi shi raised his hand, and the decree flew towards him, merging into his body. the meeting is adjourned, xuan ming announced. with a thought, the bronze lamps extinguished, and their figures disappeared. in the archean eon realm. within a deep mountain, in a humble grass hut. returning to the real world, zhu long opened his eyes. what should i do now? a man, his body cloaked in a black cap, rubbed his face, his eyebrows knotted in concern. damn it, these people act too quickly. no sooner had they finished discussing than they started acting, zhu long muttered to himself. the next meeting, and shebi shi will be taking the new gong gong on a mission. zhu long stroked his chin, do i really have to use that thing left by the ancestor? he pulled out a green stalk of milfoil from his pocket. the milfoil was green and appeared fresh, as if it had just been plucked. but zhu long knew that this milfoil had been passed down from his ancestor for several thousand years. the ancestor master left behind three stalks of milfoil, each with its own unique effect. the first, named severing karma, was used by the ancestors disciple. it severed the connection between the ancestor and their lineage. the second, called unpredictable heavenly secrets, would make zhu long undetectable even to the immortal tomb space if burned. the third could strengthen karmic ties. lighting this milfoil would forcibly establish a karmic connection. however, whether this connection would be good or bad was beyond the users control, and it wouldnt be surprising if it led to their demise. i only had three from the ancestor, and ive used two already it feels like squandering the family wealth, zhu long was well aware of the situation. but i have no choice but to use it now. my situation is too precarious, and i definitely cannot show myself. i need to think about how to proceed after pondering for a while, a spark of inspiration struck zhu long. what if i let the new gong gong do it? zhu long blinked. it seemed feasible. he hurried to a small altar behind the grass hut. zhu long bowed to the altar and then stepped forward to light the milfoil, placing it on top. concentrating on his target, he chanted strange incantations. after the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the milfoil turned into green smoke and vanished between heaven and earth. zhu long sighed deeply. the master of the immortal tomb what a predicament. zhu long shook his head, immortal tomb, other shore, mount everlasting and more this broken world is doomed. of course, these thoughts were only in his mind. his lineage was even more cautious about karma, not daring to even cryptically express such ideas. forget it, the sky wont fall as long as someone taller is holding it up. im just an ordinary divination cultivator, zhu long mused about his experience becoming a disciple, suspecting that his master had calculated his entry into this path, burdening him with many responsibilities. at this moment. in the eastern wilderness, within the longevity palace. the saintess of the longevity palace, nangong xuan, was lying in bed when she suddenly opened her eyes.. Chapter 85 - Chapter 85: Stomp You to Death chapter 85: stomp you to death translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in the merpeople nation. madam, please change your clothes, lu xuans voice was gentle as he bowed. he was wearing a bathrobe, an unhidden smile on his face, holding a wooden tray in his hand. on the tray lay a pair of light, translucent white silk stockings, neatly folded. in front of him, cheng lingzhu, wearing a black nightgown, clenched her teeth: a bet is a bet, ill wear them. earlier in the afternoon, the two had visited a temple of the merpeople. unlike the temples of the barbarian tribes, this one was more like the ordinary temples in the secular world, open to visitors. there was a large pool in the temple filled with spiritual spring water, teeming with many spiritual fish. lu xuan was pondering whether the merpeople would raise saltwater or freshwater fish when a temple servant came to feed the fish. this led to a bet between lu xuan and cheng lingzhu. the loser of the bet would have to do something according to the winners request. the bet was about how many grains of fish food the servant would pour into the pond. lu xuan guessed a precise number. if he was right, he would win; if not, even by one grain, cheng lingzhu would win. after hearing his proposal, cheng lingzhu became suspicious. if lu xuan had guessed after the fish were fed, he could have counted the grains using his powerful soul as a cultivator. but how could he know the exact number before the servant even started? cheng lingzhu suspected lu xuan was setting a trap, but he didnt seem like he was, so she agreed. lu xuan casually gave a number, and cheng lingzhu remembered it. then she saw the servant place a basket of fish food by the pool and use a silver scoop to scatter it into the water. she watched intently, counting the number of grains thrown each time using her cultivators vision. the final count was only one less than lu xuans guess. cheng lingzhu was shocked. she turned to say something, but lu xuan pointed towards the pool. following his gesture, she saw the servant set the scoop on the edge of the pool and tap it twice. a grain of fish food stuck to the scoop rolled into the water. cheng lingzhu was dumbfounded. lu xuan acted as if this was perfectly normal. lu xuan always had good luck, especially after his nascent soul took flight. opportunities seemed to come his way effortlessly, and he could win bets in gambling houses even with his eyes closed. one particularly memorable incident for lu xuan was when he had just taken his second disciple. before imparting teachings, he took the latter to a gamblers den run by cultivators. lu xuan played big. from the first day, he gambled at every table, winning every round, and continued this streak for seven days. by the evening of the seventh day, the entire gambling house was surrounded by onlookers, but no one dared to enter anymore. the owner of the gambling house was in a state of shock, seeing his establishment on the brink of becoming a money-losing holy site. under dire circumstances, he personally sent a master to gamble against lu xuan. this master referred to his cultivation level. the method to deal with lu xuan was naturally cheating. even lu xuans second disciple could see that the opponent was using underhanded tactics. lu xuan waved it off, indicating it didnt matter. he watched as the opponent switched dice right under his nose, not even intending to intervene. the gambling cups and dice in the house were specially made, and unless one had a high enough cultivation level, it was impossible to penetrate and control them with magical powers. after the houses master finished cheating, they opened the cups to compare sizes, and lu xuan still won. the master gambler was stunned. he distinctly remembered flipping the dice to the larger number on top, but when revealed, his dice were still smaller than lu xuans. ten rounds in a row, cheating each time, and each time he miscalculated. the owner of the gambling house started to wonder if he was being played. the gambler couldnt understand either. he was sure of what he felt with his hands, so why did the numbers change when the cup was opened? lu xuan didnt use his cultivation to bully others. he was just a little bit luckier. his own cheating failed, misperceptions occurred, his eyes deceived him C that couldnt be blamed on lu xuan. that night, while beating up the gambling house owner amidst his screams, lu xuan gave his second disciple the first lesson in divination C before scheming against others, one must accurately assess the strengths of both parties. when the disparity is too great, dont try to compensate with cunning. later, the gambling house closed down, and a buddhist temple was built on its site. apparently, the local people had a strong belief in karma and fate, though it was unclear why. madam, please, lu xuan said with a smile in his eyes, holding up the tray. cheng lingzhu took it from him and poked his chest: you go to the bed. lu xuan obliged, leaning against the pillows at the head of the bed, arms crossed over his chest. cheng lingzhu took a deep breath and sat on the bed. her figure was tall and slender, with legs like finely polished ivory, white and flawless, lustrous and smooth. she took the pair of white stockings, bent her legs, and lifted her black nightgown, which slid down to her knees but was held in place by her magic. cheng lingzhus legs were beautiful, her calves slender and well-proportioned, like white onions, long and white, with perfect lines. down to her delicate ankles, her small feet were elegant. her heels were round and crystal clear, and the arches of her feet were beautifully curved. she flattened the stocking, rolled up the opening, and approached it with one of her beautiful jade feet. the back of her foot was soft and clean, with faint blue veins subtly visible. her toes, small and exquisite, slid into the stocking. the five toes were close together, arranged neatly like little pearls, round and full, delicate and pretty. the stocking slid over her soft and delicate feet, fitting snugly on her calf. cheng lingzhu pinched the stocking and pulled it up, fitting it perfectly. the elasticity of the stocking made the edge slightly indent her thigh. she repeated the process with the other stocking and then stood up in front of lu xuan. do they look good? she asked, lifting her chin. lu xuans expression was complex: this is a specialty of the sea race, it is only natural that we give it a try. oho, one must give it a try, you say? cheng lingzhu hummed, emphasizing one word. she raised one of her long jade legs, the slender foot wrapped in white silk, and placed it on lu xuans shoulder. feeling the warmth from her foot on his shoulder, lu xuan didnt dare to move. the silk-covered foot lifted his chin, and cheng lingzhu looked down from above. her toe moved down, sliding over his adams apple, and rested on lu xuans chest. my husband took advantage of my lack of experience and tricked me into betting. that was quite underhanded, she leaned down, batting her eyes and humming softly: if you refuse to admit your mistake tonight, ill stomp you. Chapter 86 - Chapter 86: Dao Evolution Sect Disciple Nangong Xuan chapter 86: dao evolution sect disciple nangong xuan translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation the next morning, lu xuan slowly woke up. cheng lingzhu was snuggled in his arms, sleeping soundly. she was wearing a thin black nightgown, and through the fabric, he could feel her body warmth. one of her smooth, long legs was draped over lu xuan, her arm wrapped around his waist, holding him as if clutching a human-shaped pillow. it was quite normal for her to be bare-legged, especially since lu xuan had burned the silk stockings to ashes with a flicker of spiritual fire last night. if lu xuan were to describe his feelings, it would be something like: everything has returned, the era of white silk has returned but sometimes, its also nice to try new fashion trends. lu xuan mused thoughtfully. he heard that going barefoot was in vogue now. cheng lingzhus peaceful sleeping face was beautiful. lu xuan gently adjusted her hair from her forehead and softly kissed her there. disturbed from her sweet dreams, cheng lingzhu murmured and held him even tighter. inside the immortal tomb space. xuan ming, di jiang, and the other eleven members sat in their respective places, the atmosphere calm. the bronze lamp that belonged to gong gong was rekindled, and a slender figure was gradually taking shape. after the figure solidified, he/she hesitantly reached out to pick up a mask from the bronze long table and put it on. greetings to gong gong, the other eleven members said in unison. greetings to all, gong gong replied. his voice sounded youthful, with a sense of youthfulness. you must already know what this place is, so we wont elaborate further, di jiang said. indeed, nangong xuan nodded, her demeanor calm. she had been suddenly pulled into this space. upon entering, a voice had resonated in her mind, informing her about this place. the sensation was similar to telepathy, but she couldnt determine the source of the voice. as the saintess of the longevity palace, nangong xuan was intelligent and mentally robust, quickly adapting to her surroundings. seeing her composure, the others nodded inwardly. they had expected the newcomer to be somewhat flustered upon first entering the immortal tomb space, but gong gong was remarkably calm and showed no signs of nervousness. this indicated that she either had extensive experience and was unflappable, or she possessed a strong, calm mind, with a great ability to adapt to her surroundings. now that youve joined the immortal tomb space, youre one of us, working together for the master of the immortal tomb. xuan ming spoke up, in this space, we address each other by codenames may i ask where gong gong hails from? beneath her mask, nangong xuans eyes narrowed slightly. the dark hall with its faintly burning bronze lamps cast eerie shadows on the animal-shaped masks of the other eleven members, creating a somber and heavy atmosphere. this reminded nangong xuan of her terrifying experience in the secret mystical realm, where she was nearly killed by a golden core cultivator. after a moment of contemplation, she responded, i am a disciple of the dao evolution sect. the others: ? zhu long: youre from the dao evolution sect? then what about me? zhu long thought, realizing he was now an outsider. the other ten people turned to look at zhu long. zhu long chuckled awkwardly, ah, what a coincidence truly, its a matter of timing and fortune. our dao evolution sect is full of talent. when the master of the immortal tomb descends, we will surely serve loyally, expanding territories and forging new paths. hearing his flattery, the others did not believe a word from zhu long. of course, they were equally skeptical about gonggongs self-introduction. everyone present had changed their identities several times upon first entering the space. with truth and falsehood intertwined, it was difficult to discern the reality. di jiang addressed nangong xuan, gong gong, according to our rules, newcomers must undergo an assessment to prevent infiltration currently, there is an assassination mission that you need to complete with shebi shi. xuan ming nodded slightly, this is the only mandatory task. after the mission, shebi shi will compensate you. if you refuse to participate we cannot trust you. nangong xuan pondered in her heart. she had already received information about the immortal tomb space and knew about the impending arrival of the master of the immortal tomb. in her view, knowing such a significant secret, if she were deemed untrustworthy, she might be eliminated by the immortal tomb space. nangong xuan, being in the headquarters of the longevity palace, was not afraid of external assassination attempts, but she was unsure about the operating rules of the immortal tomb space. this space had the power to pull her soul here; it likely also had the capability to erase her existence. out of this concern, nangong xuan was cautious and did not immediately answer in the affirmative or negative. she asked xuan ming a question, who are you asking me to assassinate? two people, tian wu responded. cheng lingzhu from the dushi sword sect and lu xuan from the dao evolution sect. nangong xuan was startled: !!! hearing those names, she felt a chill run down her spine. of all the people, why did it have to be him they were targeting? you dont need to panic, gong gong, ju mang said casually. theyre just two juniors, not worth mentioning. you wont be acting alone; shebi shi will also be involved, and hes quite strong. after saying this, ju mang added, of course, if i were to personally take action, it would be almost a certainty, but i dont need that thousand years of longevity, so i generously let shebi shi have it. zhu rong expressed his admiration: the senior truly has a noble character. nangong xuan did not respond but just looked at ju mang, who was wearing a mask. the way he spoke, constantly boasting, reminded her of someone she knew. may i have a few days to consider this matter? nangong xuan asked. there are many affairs in the sect that need arranging before i can leave. the members looked at each other, and xuan ming nodded: thats acceptable. i agree, said emperor jiang. agreed. agreed. agreed. three days later, we will reconvene. i hope you can give a definite answer then, xuan ming said, looking into nangong xuans eyes beneath her mask. rest assured, i will, nangong xuan replied calmly. after leaving the immortal tomb space. back in her dwelling, nangong xuan furrowed her brow. this group was clearly plotting something significant, wreaking havoc in the archean eon realm to pave the way for a powerful entity from beyond their realm. if the master of the immortal tomb were to descend into the cangyuan realm, it would likely cause great upheaval. as the saintess of the longevity palace, nangong xuan only worshipped the twelve zodiac masters within the palace and naturally would not align herself with the so-called master of the immortal tomb. and now they wanted her to assassinate lu xuan and cheng lingzhu she bore no grudge against either of them and certainly didnt wish to follow the orders of those people. moreover whether she could even defeat them was another matter altogether.. Chapter 87 - Chapter 87: Lu Xuan: Oops, I Became a Longevity Palace chapter 87: lu xuan: oops, i became a longevity palace overseer translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation nangong xuan was at a loss about how to handle the situation. after much contemplation, she took out a broken seal. this was what yue tianya had traded to her after their journey in the secret mystical realm. yue tianya had sensed that the aura of the dao principles on the seal originated from the longevity palace, so he used it as a bargaining chip in their deal. nangong xuan, who had studied the longevity sutra, could feel even more clearly that the residual dao principles on the seal came from the same source as the being who oversaw the winter month in the longevity palace. four thousand years ago, the longevity palace lost contact with the being symbolizing the winter months authority. no matter how they sacrificed, they could not establish communication with that being. born in november, nangong xuans birth month matched that of the winter months overseer. according to the old rules, she should have been blessed by the master of winter. as a disciple of the longevity palace, nangong xuan always strived to find treasures and holy relics related to the master of winter, hoping to use them to find out the current status of this longevity palace member. however, since returning from the secret mystical realm, she had been in seclusion and had not yet used the broken seal. but now, she faced an indecisive situation. nangong xuan entered a quiet room with a small altar. she placed the broken seal in a special position on the altar, knelt down, and began chanting a complex sacrificial text. a faint light emanated from her and entered the broken seal, which glowed in response. its power reached out, seemingly establishing a connection with something in the void. at that moment. in the eastern sea, merpeople nation. lu xuan, who was packing up to leave, suddenly uttered a soft huh and stopped what he was doing. whats wrong? cheng lingzhu turned to look at his expression. somebody gave me a call, lu xuan blinked and took out a wooden box from his storage artifact. he opened the box, revealing half of a crystal skull inside. the skull was transparent with a dale blue hue. flickering with light like a communication artifact receiving a message. lu xuan looked at the half crystal skull, lost in memories. he remembered this thing seemed to be something he brought back from the eastern barren territory four thousand years ago. four thousand years ago, lu xuan visited the territory of the longevity palace. in a peculiar space, he was possessed by an unknown entity. he then killed the entity, obtaining half of a crystal skull. additionally, a human-shaped brand appeared on the wall of the ancient golden core city. after that experience, lu xuan completed his understanding of the dao of time and space and guessed the identity of that entity one of the twelve longevity palaces overseers. for lu xuan, this turn of events felt a bit like a miscalculation. lu xuan had originally planned to severely injure the entity and then politely inquire about the situation. unexpectedly, the being died with just a touch. however, it seemed that the longevity palace was not too concerned about this incident. to this day, they continued as usual, and lu xuan felt that the loss of one longevity overseer did not significantly impact them. he had not dwelled on the matter, but now, after so many years, someone had established communication with the half crystal skull through a secret method. after pondering for a while, lu xuan decided to answer the call. he extended his hand and pressed it onto the crystal skull, immersing a strand of his soul into it. in the eastern barren territory, longevity palace. nangong xuan, with her head bowed and eyes closed, chanted the sacrificial text. when she finished the last sentence and opened her eyes again, she found that her surroundings had drastically changed. she was now in an incredibly majestic hall with 108 ancient stone pillars supporting the dome. the pillars were so tall that they seemed to extend upwards indefinitely, with stars orbiting around them, endlessly rotating. for a moment, nangong xuan felt as if these pillars were not just supporting the halls dome but the entire sky itself. outside the hall, chaotic mists swirled; inside, the dual energies of xuan (darkness) and huang (brightness) circulated. stars were born from the chaos and then ground into nonexistence by the xuan and huang energies, intertwining and cycling continuously. nangong xuan, standing in the hall, felt as insignificant as a speck of dust. the ancient pillars seemed within reach yet simultaneously far in the distance. the stars appeared to be in constant motion but also seemed frozen in time. in this world, there was no concept of space or time. nangong xuan, kneeling in the hall, felt her very existence dissolve into nothingness. she looked up. in the infinite distance, a grand figure appeared, radiating boundless light, boundless dao, and boundless power. rivers of stars fell from his hair, and worlds as tiny as dust particles flickered in and out of existence beside him. his figure did not move, yet he seemed to walk towards nangong xuan. you, what do you seek from me? the grand figure spoke, his voice vast and profound. the voice did not come from the outside world but directly resonated within nangong xuans soul sea. after a brief silence, nangong xuan prostrated herself, her voice choked with emotion. longevity palace disciple nangong xuan greets the heavenly lord. disciples of the longevity palace referred to their overseers as heavenly lords, and they themselves were the disciples of these lords. the moment she beheld such a being, nangong xuan knew she had found the heavenly lord who governed the winter month. only a longevity overseer could possess such immense power. nangong xuans eyes were filled with devout belief, and she had no doubts about this. what do you seek from me? the longevity heavenly lord repeated his question, indifferent to her formal greeting. nangong xuan did not dare to delay and immediately recounted her experiences in the immortal tomb space. this space was under the control of the heavenly lord, so nangong xuan had no fear of being overheard. even if the master of the immortal tomb were to arrive personally, she believed that they could not match the heavenly lord. the matter of the immortal tomb space is of great importance, and i did not dare to make decisions on my own. as for the assassination task, i bear no grudge against those two and should not entangle myself in further karma, nangong xuan explained. of course, there was something she left unsaid. after the secret mystical realm incident, nangong xuan heard that lu xuan, also known as brother lu, had slain an immortal of the red dust within the realm. it was said that he had the backing of the late sword immortal ji, which was why everyone was able to survive in the secret mystical realm. the power of sword immortal ji, on the verge of ascension, was unfathomably deep. while shebi shi claimed to be a great power, there were differences in strength even among the powerful. nangong xuan felt that those who attempted to attack someone under ji lingchens protection were most likely doomed. however, expressing such a sentiment might seem cowardly and undermine the dignity of a longevity palace saintess, especially in the presence of the heavenly lord. therefore, nangong xuan withheld part of her reasoning, omitting the other part. after nangong xuan finished speaking, the voice of the heavenly lord resonated in her mind. you have done well in this matter.. Chapter 88 - Chapter 88: The Hunt for Lu Xuan, Begins Now! chapter 88: the hunt for lu xuan, begins now! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation nangong xuan was thrilled upon hearing these words. this praise from the heavenly lord was an extraordinary honor, one that even the head of the longevity palace had never received. soon, the heavenly lord spoke again: stand up. this disciple obeys the heavenly lords decree, nangong xuan quickly stood up, her eyes lowered and demeanor docile. how much do you know about this master of the immortal tomb? the grand figure asked. nangong xuan respectfully replied, according to my knowledge, the immortal tomb symbolizes destruction and extinction, representing the end of all things. the more desolate and withered the archean eon realm becomes, the more advantageous it is for the arrival of the master of the immortal tomb. thats why those people are causing horrifying destruction in various places in the archean eon realm, seeking to plunge it into ruin. what are your thoughts on this matter? the heavenly lord inquired. after pondering for a moment, nangong xuan said, i believe that this being is not benevolent. if allowed to descend, it would be a catastrophe for the archean eon realm. she paused, i seek guidance from the heavenly lord on what i should do. after a brief silence, the voice of the longevity heavenly lord resounded, the one named lu xuan is a disciple of an old acquaintance of mine. you must not offend him. if you encounter him in the outside world, you must address him as uncle grandmaster. nangong xuan was taken aback, but after a moment, she bowed and said, disciple obeys. the assassination plan will inevitably fail. you may participate in the plan as intended, but there is no need for you to act. keep an escape route ready and be prepared to leave at any moment. yes. disciples of the longevity palace had deep faith in their overseers, and nangong xuan followed the heavenly lords command unconditionally. since the heavenly lord said the assassination plan would fail, it was certain to fail. and since he instructed her to lay low, she would do just that. i grant you three decrees, the grand figure raised a hand, and boundless light burst forth, spreading endless dao principles, which coalesced into three decrees that merged into nangong xuans body. these three decrees can be used for different purposes. the first for executing power, the second for escape, and the third to conceal your fate from the immortal tomb space. your actions and thoughts will not be scrutinized. disciple thanks the heavenly lord for this grace! nangong xuan bowed deeply in gratitude. stay concealed within the immortal tomb space. when i return, you will be allowed to stand by my side and witness the great dao, the grand figure spoke slowly. hearing this, nangong xuans mind raced with thoughts. the heavenly lord implied that he hadnt returned yet, so what was he doing at the moment? without much thought, nangong xuan knew the heavenly lord was likely in the void, subduing a formidable enemy unseen in ages. this was why contact with the longevity palace had been lost. now that she could contact the heavenly lord, did it mean he was close to succeeding and would soon return? nangong xuan could only imagine the level of power the heavenly lord would attain after subduing and refining this formidable enemy. and she would become a follower of this being, infiltrating the heart of the enemy. with this thought, a lofty conviction surged in nangong xuans heart: disciple solemnly abides by the heavenly lords decree and is willing to face death without hesitation! in the merpeople nation. lu xuan disconnected himself from the crystal skull. such a surprising development truly a twist of fate, and the mysteries of destiny are unfathomable. cheng lingzhu looked bemused. while lu xuan was connected to the crystal skull, he had inadvertently broadcasted everything in the room. thus, cheng lingzhu witnessed the entire process of lu xuan deceiving the young woman. when they were at the ghost mage sect, they suspected that the revival of the ancestral magus wasnt solely the sects doing, but someone else was orchestrating it from the shadows. this matter was handed over to sancai academy for investigation, but not only did they fail to uncover anything, even he yuanfeng encountered trouble. someone had given the academys headmaster the method of sacrificing dao, intending to use him to destroy the fortune of the confucian path. lu xuan had no clue which power was secretly maneuvering these events. and now, a member of this organization had taken the initiative to contact him? lu xuan looked suspicious, wondering if he was being manipulated. however, he wasnt worried about it. now that he had established a connection with the immortal tomb organization, he planned to use nangong xuan as an undercover agent for himself, and incidentally, lure out those who harbored ill intentions towards him. in the immortal tomb space, the twelve members had gathered, including nangong xuan gong gong, have you decided on the matter? xuan ming asked. i agree to it, nangong xuan replied. the affairs at my sect have been arranged properly, and i am free to act for the next month. good, xuan ming nodded slightly. how shall we find these two people? asked shebi shi, who was usually quiet but now actively involved due to the importance of the thousand years of longevity. i have reliable information that in half a month, the ancient demon emperor city will emerge, and one of these two is a disciple of the dushi sword sect, di jiang stated. given the habits of the dushi sword sects disciples, they will surely join the fray. the one named lu xuan is likely to be there too. indeed, i am aware of this as well, ju mang nodded. but even if we lure lu xuan and cheng lingzhu, are you confident about subduing them? the saintess of the dushi sword sect is not easy to deal with. i have my methods, shebi shi was not worried. there is a large demon city near the ruins of the demon emperor city, tian wu added. disciples of the world -passing sword sect travel the cangyuan realm openly, without concealing their tracks or deliberately engaging in ascetic practices. they experience the world and its splendors. the demon city is prosperous, and those two will surely visit. you can wait there, preparing in advance and ambushing them. a demon city? shebi shis eyes narrowed at the mention. then, there must be a large number of beings there what are you planning, shebi shi? zhu rong suddenly asked. nothing in particular, just a passing thought, shebi shi shook his head. its difficult to act in a place crowded with people. shebi shi, you truly have a heart of compassion, yan zi commented with a laugh. i thought for the thousand years of longevity, even if it meant harming innocents, you would complete the task. i am no saint or devout follower, but when the time comes, i might well do such a thing, shebi shi replied indifferently. however, to ensure these two enter the game, we should actively release the news of the demon emperor citys emergence, xuan ming added some details. since everyone agrees, then gong gong and shebi shi will jointly undertake this task, emperor jiang announced. agreed. agreed. agreed. the vote was unanimous, and a jade slip appeared from the void. xuan ming caught it and handed it over to nangong xuan and shebishi. after reading the contents, they signed their codenames and stored it in the immortal tomb space. the hunting operation was now underway! Chapter 89 - Chapter 89: Are You As Clever as Our Ancestor? chapter 89: are you as clever as our ancestor? translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation three days later. a demon emperor city? lu xuan pondered as he emerged from the crystal skull. nangong xuan had contacted him, revealing the assassination plan discussed in the immortal tomb space. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu had initially planned to visit tianchong temple for a vegetarian feast. although tianchong temple was a second-tier powerful sect and not particularly outstanding among buddhist sects, its vegetarian cuisine was renowned. the founder of tianchong temple, tianchong buddha, wasnt an ascended being but a mahayana buddhist cultivator. he had a unique enlightenment journey; he used to be a kitchen worker who found enlightenment in the daily routine of watching the fire in the stove, and he eventually achieved a golden body. in plain terms, he was a cook who had an epiphany while staring at the bottom of a pota true genius. therefore, tianchong buddha was an excellent cook. after becoming a buddhist cultivator, he continued to pursue culinary arts, focusing on vegetarian dishes. tianchong temple not only inherited his buddhist teachings but also his culinary legacy. on the annual birthday of tianchong buddha, temples within the temples territory prepared vegetarian banquets. locals and visiting cultivators could enjoy these feasts for free. the most premium feast was, of course, at tianchong temple itself. for commoners, it brought peace of mind, joy, and health. for cultivators, it helped clear the mind and enhance spiritual awareness. it was said that once a high-ranking elder from the spirit charm sect, disguised, dined there and, moved to tears, confessed her sins and chose to become a nun, spending three thousand years in penance. the food was so good it could break the resolve of a demoness. tianchong buddhas birthday fell on the third day of june each year, and it was currently may. the plan was to set off leisurely, experiencing the mortal world along the way, and arrive at tianchong temple by the end of may. there, they would join the monks for a free vegetarian feast. however, this plan was disrupted by the immortal tomb organization. to cooperate with their scheme, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu had to visit the demon emperor city first. lu xuan hoped these people would act quickly and not delay his opportunity to enjoy the feast. five days later. in the abyssal city, a gathering place for the demon race, a blind old man in a grey robe set up a fortune-telling stall at a corner near the city gate. instead of standing his fortune-telling banner beside him, it was spread directly on the ground, bearing the words: the road guides a mortal to immortality. passersby near the city gate hurried along, with few paying attention to him. those who came to have their fortunes told wondered whether the words on the banner should be read normally or in reverse. just then, a young nobleman in brocade approached and kicked the banner on the ground, saying, old man, youve got your banner upside down. the fortune-teller raised his head, his eyes cloudy: how so? youre truly blind, the young nobleman said arrogantly. the words should clearly be read as the immortal guides the way. youve put it as the road guides a mortal to immortality, quite a bold claim. if the young master dares, let this old man read your fortune. how about it? the old man said coldly. thats fine with me, the nobleman nodded and extended his hand. wheres the fee? the fortune-teller pulled out a small wooden token and handed it to the nobleman. the nobleman caught the token, tossed it in the air, then snapped it into pieces and dropped them on the ground. seeing this, the old man nodded slightly and transmitted his voice, shebi shi. the nobleman didnt use voice transmission but spoke directly in a lowered voice: gong gong. they bowed to each other: greetings, fellow daoist. after completing the formalities and confirming each others identities through a code, the old man transmitted, i didnt expect gong gong to be so young. meeting a senior, i dare not be presumptuous, nangong xuan replied. youre new here, so i must lead this operation. do you have any objections? shebi shi looked at the young nobleman before him. your orders are my command, nangong xuan complied readily. rest assured, im here only for the thousand years of longevity. i wont trouble a junior like you, shebishi said, eyes narrowed. if you obey my commands and help me complete the task, not only will i not trouble you, but ill also gift you a rare medicinal herb, the kind not even top immortal sects may possess. i thank the senior in advance, nangong xuan replied, growing suspicious. as a disciple from a top eastern immortal sect and a renowned figure, she was well aware of the resources available to major sects. she speculated that the rare herb shebi shi mentioned might be cultivated through malevolent methods, like the burial soul grass nurtured by sacrificing a million souls. have you seen lu xuan and cheng lingzhu around here in the past few days? nangong xuan inquired. if i had, they would already be dead, shebi shi replied. is your disguise as a fortune-teller part of your skills in divination? divination is just an auxiliary tool for my cultivation, shebi shi replied, eyes lifting. dont test me, young one. youll know who i am once i make my move. i look forward to it, nangong xuan said. let me be clear, shebi shis tone turned cold. i dont like entangling with others. if you assist me, ill reward you generously and promptly. but if you hinder me and jeopardize the mission, not only will you lose any rewards, but even your life will be in my hands. shebi shi, whose longevity was nearing its end, was determined to secure the reward of this mission at all costs. dont worry, senior, i understand, nangong xuan replied respectfully, though inwardly she didnt take shebi shis threats seriously. after all, she was under the protection of the heavenly lord, who had already declared that the assassination of lu xuan would fail. although she didnt know what trump card lu xuan possessed, she unconditionally trusted the heavenly lord. are you really smarter than your ancestor?! nangong xuan looked at shebi shis confident and determined demeanor with sympathy, already foreseeing the tragic outcome that awaited this old man, who appeared to be a great demon cultivator.. Chapter 90 - Chapter 90: Blood Demon Ancestor! chapter 90: blood demon ancestor! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation two days later. in abyssal city. how befitting of a great demon city, truly a splendid view. lu xuan looked around. abyssal city, a moderately famous demon metropolis, teemed with both innate demons and transformed beasts. innate demons were born in human form, whereas beast demons achieve it through cultivation. upon entering the city, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu saw many demon cultivators with animal ears and tails walking the streets. some, only partially transformed, still bore strong animal features, like a tigers head and body. it was a city that exuded happiness and good fortune. in fact, human cultivators like lu xuan and cheng lingzhu were not uncommon here. open to all, abyssal city welcomed anyone who abided by its laws and paid the entrance fee, be they cultivators or mortals. looking at the animal ears and tails around him, lu xuan felt a curious urge to touch them. but deeming it impolite, he refrained. elsewhere. inside a teahouse. shebi shi sat near a window, watching lu xuan and cheng lingzhu. when do you plan to act, senior? nangong xuan communicated telepathically. lets wait until they settle in an inn, shebi shi replied. even a lion uses all its might to hunt a rabbit. though they were but two golden core cultivators. they showed no signs of alertness, nor were there any powerful beings lurking nearby to protect them. yet, the more this was the case, the more cautious shebi shi became. merely for slaying two golden core cultivators, the reward offered by the immortal tomb was a thousand years of life span. anyone could sense the inherent risk in such a generous reward. shebi shi planned to wait until they were asleep and their guard was down before making a move. that night, at the hour of the ox. the void subtly distorted as two figures, one tall and one short, one old and one young, appeared above an inn. the tall, thin elder was clad in a grey robe, while the shorter youth donned brocaded garments. it was shebi shi and nangong xuan. the inn below was where lu xuan and cheng lingzhu had checked in. shebi shi stood in the air, lifting a withered palm, his eyes flickering with a cold glint. he could clearly sense two presences inside the inn, utterly unguarded. to shebi shi, their breathing was even, their mana calm C evidently, they were deep in slumber. narrowing his eyes, shebi shi extended his withered hand downwards and pressed. the next moment, abyssal city shook violently! countless streams of blood energy converged, turning the pitch-black night sky into a dark red. nangong xuans breath hitched, her face paling from the impact. she could feel an overwhelming aura of blood and malevolence emanating from the frail elder. a blood-red cloud gathered in the sky, transforming into a massive crimson hand that smashed down towards the inn! shebi shi sneered. his palm strike, seemingly unremarkable, concealed deadly intent and power within the crimson hand. even a mahayana cultivator would have to face it seriously to avoid injury. shebi shi was not concerned about lu xuan and cheng lingzhu having any contingencies. after all, he himself was a being of great power. as the blood-red hand thundered down, an anomaly occurred just as it was about to crash into the rooftop! a burst of clear light emanated from within the inn, forming a barrier that blocked the attack. almost silently, the blood-red hand disintegrated and was absorbed and purified by the barrier. a figure leaped from the third floor of the inn, taking care to close the window behind them. lu xuan, walking on air, arrived in front of shebi shi and nangong xuan, smiling slightly. i have been waiting for some time. shebi shis expression remained cold, but he was not surprised by lu xuans remark. the latters high-profile actions, not concealing his identity, were a deliberate provocation against the immortal tomb organization. shebi shi had also anticipated that lu xuan and cheng lingzhu would have means to counter assassination attempts. perhaps through mystical treasures, or even the might of a great powers sword qi. but how long could they hold out? there were no powerful beings in hiding around, nor any formations set up. shebi shi was certain of this. relying on external aids, how long can you last? shebishi lifted his eyelids. this place has already been sealed by me. you cant even send a message to the powers behind you. he clapped his hands together, glancing at nangong xuan, and declared loudly, young man, witness the prowess of my technique! as his words fell, shebi shis aura surged wildly, as if the seals within him had been unleashed. a boundless sea of blood formed beneath him, spreading far and wide! at this moment, all residents of abyssal city were jolted awake. the demon guards of the city, pale-faced, clung to the walls, their gaze fixed on the direction of the inn. they could clearly sense an aura belonging to the mahayana stage emanating from the old man. no, not just mahayana. his aura continued to climb, breaking through the peak of mahayana and reaching the transcendent phase! the city guards were stunned. why had such a powerful being suddenly appeared in abyssal city? to prolong his life, shebi shi had suppressed his vital energy and cultivation over the years to reduce consumption. but now, killing the two in the city would grant him a thousand more years of life. he was ready to go all out and indulge once again! shebi shi reminisced about his youth. back then, he reveled in killing and plundering, drinking blood and feasting on flesh C how exhilarating it was! and he had been suppressing these urges for years to stay alive. after tonight, these emotions would be unleashed, clearing his dao heart of any hindrances. shebi shi only hoped that lu xuans powerful backup would not be too weak. otherwise, he would be very disappointed. the sea of blood spread endlessly, covering the entire sky, emitting a filthy, unclean aura. within this sea, countless tormented souls wailed, their cries piercing the soul. lu xuans expression grew colder. seeing this tainted sea of blood, he recognized the mans identity. blood god sect, ancestor of the blood sea. lu xuans eyes darkened. the blood god sect was once the premier demonic force of the northern plains, notorious for many years. until two thousand years ago, when ji lingchen stepped into the transcendent stage. that day, he emerged with his sword and annihilated the blood god sect. only the strongest elder of the sect, the ancestor of the blood sea, managed to escape, hiding in the archean eon realm, keeping a low profile. ji lingchen had told lu xuan that besides justice, he also had a personal vendetta against the blood god sect. this boundless sea of blood was the ancestor of the blood seas pride. his murderous intent was not pure enough to conjure top-tier visions of the path of slaughter. so, he slaughtered countless lives, refining human souls, using the resentment and blood of countless tormented spirits to nurture this filthy sea. ah chen has been looking for you for so many years, and yet i stumbled upon you today. lu xuan exhaled slowly, his breath forming a foot-long white mist. the mist, dense and undispersed, seemed like sharp sword qi. he was ready to kill.. Chapter 91 - Chapter 91: No Hurry, Let’s Play with Him chapter 91: no hurry, lets play with him translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation the boundless sea of blood churned with monstrous waves. shebi shi, or rather the ancestor of the blood sea, stood amidst it, his aura as a transcendent phase powerhouse spreading, overwhelming and formidable. this sea of blood possessed a corrupting power, tainting any mana or magical treasure that touched it. mana would become sluggish and distorted, while treasures would erode, their spirit dissipating, losing their luster. the ancestor of the blood sea stood at one end of the boundless sea, while lu xuan emerged on the other. the two, once within reach, were now worlds apart. this was the ancestors domain, where the space itself had altered with the emergence of the boundless sea. the ancestor raised his hand, unleashing a palm strike that stirred up a thousand-foot blood wave. the waves cascaded one after another, carrying a filthy aura as they crashed towards lu xuan. lu xuan stepped forward, raising his hand to point, and the waves exploded into splashes, returning to the sea. the ancestor flung his sleeves, and countless tormented souls in the sea wailed, converging into huge demons, rushing towards lu xuan at his command. their target was lu xuans brow. if a cultivators soul sea was penetrated by these demons, their mind would be tainted, eventually leading to possession by the tormented souls, turning them into fodder for the ancestor. the demons shrill cries could harm the souls of cultivators. however, such attacks had no effect on lu xuan. he let out a roar, and the demons exploded before they could even get close, crumbling to dust. lu xuan easily countered the old demons two moves, forming a hand seal, and a pale golden lotus seed quietly emerged. he tossed the seed into the sea of blood, then unfastened the dao sword from his waist. as the seed touched the sea, it rapidly grew, the pale golden lotus spreading, beginning to absorb the seas power. the ancestor sensed something amiss and hurriedly tried to cut off the connection between the sea and the golden lotus. but these lotuses, like an incurable disease, devoured the boundless sea, multiplying at a frenzied pace. the ancestors expression changed drastically. he was used to contaminating others mana. but now, the golden lotuses planted by lu xuan were eroding his sea of tormented souls! the polluted sea was tied to his path. if destroyed, the consequences were unimaginable. without hesitation, the ancestor leaped into the sea, transforming into a towering giant, lunging at lu xuan. simultaneously, the boundless sea of blood descended, surging towards abyssal city below. a massive blood-colored vortex coalesced, like a maw set to devour all living beings below, refining souls and vital essences. the ancestor of the blood seas face showed a ruthless resolve to catch the thieves, first catch the king; kill the caster first, then seek a solution! lu xuans eyes remained calm, his dao sword still sheathed in his hand as he casually swung it. with this one stroke, the boundless sea of blood was cleaved in two. the towering blood waves exploded, the water evaporating instantly, and the tormented souls perished along with the towering giant, all annihilated by that single slash. peace returned to the heavens and earth, and the surroundings quieted down. the night remained, as if nothing had happened. nangong xuan, standing outside the battle zone, was agape. before tonight, her impression of lu xuan was still stuck in the memories of the secret mystical realm, where she had been killed by a beast. but after tonight, she felt she needed to reassess her understanding of this uncle -grandmaster. watching lu xuan in the distance, nangong xuan hesitated, unsure whether to approach and greet him. then she saw uncle grandmaster lu wave at her. nangong xuan, gathering her courage, ran over. hello, uncle grandmaster lu. nangong xuan, small in stature, bowed her head, behaving obediently. this was a task assigned by the heavenly lord, and she had to do well. lu xuan nodded slightly, reaching out to pat the young girls head. nangong xuan: . i know about your situation, lu xuan said, standing with his hands behind him, speaking leisurely. someone has asked me to take care of a junior. upon hearing this, nangong xuans heart tightened. the someone lu xuan referred to must be the heavenly lord. clearly, the lord had contacted master lu xuans master. then, using unfathomable means, informed lu xuan, who was in the archean eon realm. although disciples of the longevity palace considered themselves students of the heavenly lord, this title was akin to students of the imperial academy. no one truly believed they were the emperors direct disciples. but uncle grandmaster lu was the official disciple of the heavenly lords old friend. nangong xuan thought of the heavenly lord, then of his old friend, and then of calling lu xuan uncle grandmaster sheesh, her seniority seemed to have skyrocketed suddenly. nangong xuans eyes brightened, filled with admiration. uncle grandmaster lu. nangong xuan, looking around the empty surroundings, expressed her concern, could shebi shi the ancestor of the blood sea, a grand figure of the demonic path in the northern plains, cunning and resourceful, have escaped? even disciples of great sects carry talismans to escape death. nangong xuan felt that a demonic sect leader like this wouldnt have just one life. lu xuan smiled slightly, dont worry, lets toy with him. nangong xuan: but uncle grandmaster lu had no intention of explaining, and she didnt dare to ask further. in the meantime, cheng lingzhu emerged from the inn, her movements light as she approached lu xuans side. seeing this, nangong xuan immediately stepped back, bowing respectfully, junior greets aunt grandmaster cheng. cheng lingzhu: this title wasnt incorrect but it did sound quite old. not sure how to respond, cheng lingzhu pondered for a moment and then reached out to pat the young girls head. nangong xuan: . but she dared not move, letting aunt grandmaster cheng pat her head. after a few breaths, lu xuan turned and looked westward. in that direction, several miles away from abyssal city, lay a massive mountain range named the abyssal mountains. the mountains, running north to south, werent particularly tall, but were shrouded in mist all year round. the time has come, lu xuan said. as his voice fell, the ground trembled, and the periphery of the abyssal mountains lit up, tinting the enveloping mist with a faint golden hue. nangong xuan immediately understood. heavenly signs C this was the omen of the emergence of the demon emperor city. look there, lu xuan pointed. following his direction, cheng lingzhu and nangong xuan looked up. within a few miles distance, everything was visible to the eyes of golden core cultivators. the two women saw, amidst a pile of rocks and weeds, a tiny blood figurine, the size of a coin, slowly moving. this demon has committed numerous atrocities, harming countless innocents. to slay him with a single sword strike would be too lenient, lu xuan said, his eyes cold. if ah chen were here, hed probably complain that i let this guy off too easily. to do so much evil and still expect a peaceful death was wishful thinking.. Chapter 92 - Chapter 92: Demon Emperor City chapter 92: demon emperor city translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in a pile of chaotic rocks and weeds, the ancestor of the blood sea struggled to crawl. the tiny blood figurines limbs were short, unable to walk upright. rather than resembling a human, its form was more akin to a turtle. covered in mud and sand, he was a pitiful sight. to escape from lu xuans grasp, the ancestor of the blood sea had resorted to a forbidden technique, burning his essence to barely retain a drop of true blood and his soul. he was well aware of his dire state. his body was extremely weak, unable to even maintain a proper human form. but there was always a way out in the heavens. the sudden emergence of the demon emperor city was his chance! practicing the blood path secret techniques, he only needed sufficient resources and blood food to nurture his true blood and reconstitute his physical body. moreover, within the demon emperor city, there might be opportunities to recover since my youth, ive faced countless hardships in my cultivation. how could i fall here! to pursue the path of cultivation, i killed my parents, my dao heart is flawless, already perfected! on my path, ive slain countless powerful enemies, destroyed sects and cities. how can i die at the hands of an unknown junior?! lu xuan, lu xuan today, your carelessness allowed me to escape. you will regret this! the ancestor of the blood sea vowed vengefully, then continued to crawl. unbeknownst to him, a small lotus seed had taken root on his back. atop the walls ot abyssal city, lu xuan and the two women watched the direction of the ancestor. why is he crawling so slowly? nangong xuan appeared worried. due to the recent battle, the residents of abyssal city had been awakened. and now, with the emergence of the demon emperor city, it was likely that demon geniuses and powers would soon arrive. one could imagine the chaos that would ensue. nangong xuan felt that once the crowd gathered, the rushing talents, not watching their steps, might inadvertently trample the ancestor to death. just then, a stray dog ran over, barking. it had yellow-brown remnants around its mouth and, upon spotting the blood figurine, immediately bit down without thinking. the ancestor of the blood sea, now in the dogs mouth, was chewed and swallowed. when had the ancestor ever faced such humiliation? enraged, he used a secret technique to transform into a fluid and entered the dogs belly. his powerful blood permeated the dog, which collapsed on the spot, whimpering for a while before standing up again. the ancestor of the blood sea had taken over the dogs body. without hesitation, he started running on all fours towards the abyssal mountains. after covering some distance, he smacked his lips. what was that thing? the taste was off. bark! bark! realizing what the dog had eaten just before, the ancestor of the blood sea cursed furiously. lets go inside and take a look, lu xuan suggested, looking towards the abyssal mountains. an incense sticks time later. atop the walls of abyssal city. several demon chariots adorned with the insignia of the sky demon sect landed. a woman dressed in azure and gold armor, with wheat-colored skin and long hair tied up, stepped out from the foremost chariot. she was the young mistress of the sky demon clan, yan feiyu. the cultivators from the other chariots were also demon cultivators of the sky demon sect. their cultivation levels varied, ranging from high to low. young mistress. a middle-aged man in a long robe stepped forward, bowing respectfully. abyssal city was under the jurisdiction of the sky demon sect, and this man was its city lord. after noticing signs of the demon emperor citys emergence, he had immediately sent a message to report the matter to the sect. why would the city emerge ahead of schedule? according to the elders calculations, there should still be a few days left, yan feiyu frowned. replying to the young mistress, the city lord dared not conceal anything as he immediately answered, today, two powerful beings appeared near abyssal city and engaged in battle. one of them perished perhaps the dispersal of their essence stimulated the imperial city, causing its premature emergence. a battle between powerful beings? yan feiyu looked around. the sky was clear, and the night serene. there were no traces of any battle. this the city lord was at a loss for words. he had been present at the site of the battle. if he had to describe it he felt that one of the powerful beings had deliberately protected abyssal city during the fight, preventing any damage to it. this idea seemed absurd to him. battles between such mighty beings were incredibly dangerous, a single misstep could lead to total defeat. how could one spare the effort to care for the surroundings, to protect the flora and fauna? but apart from this explanation, the city lord could not think of any other reason. one of the powerful beings wore a grey robe and tread upon a sea of blood, his oppressive aura terrifying the city lord of abyssal city recalled, and the one who fought against him, the other person he suddenly froze, i i cant remember him. the more he tried to recall, the more blurred the figure became, like a beach eroded by the tide, leaving no trace behind. the one who perished, was he the one in the grey robe? yan feiyu suddenly asked. yes, yes it was him, the city lord nodded repeatedly. this is the work of a great cultivator, who didnt want you to see his true face, yan feiyu sighed. no need to discuss this further. tell me, what are the requirements for entering the city? replying to the young mistress, the city lord answered, straightening up, i have ascertained that anyone below the soul transformation stage may enter. this meant that nascent soul cultivators could also enter the city. yang kuo, hu fang, yan feiyu spoke, follow me into the city. yes! the two nascent soul demon cultivators responded. young mistress, elder jin, dressed in brocade, hesitated. he was a integrated body stage demon, with a golden-winged peng as his true form, tasked with protecting yan feiyu. elder jin, i understand your concern, worrying about dangers within the city, yan feiyu said, but this city is related to our demon race, and we must take a look inside. hearing this, elder jin helplessly nodded, please be mindful of your safety, young mistress, and dont cause us worry. i understand, yan feiyu nodded. she was the young mistress of the sky demon sect, the heir to the next sect master, and naturally privy to many secrets. the emperor city emerging near the abyssal mountains was not an ancient holy city of the demon race. according to the sky demon sects elders, this city belonged to an ancient demon emperor. a demon city from the era of the ancient heavenly emperors, only surfacing today. the inheritance of an ancient demon emperor was naturally covetous. another reason for yan feiyus decision to enter the city was based on the sky demon sect elders conjecture. inside this imperial city, there might be a slumbering demon prince, sealed within. if the imperial prince were to emerge, it would stir up a storm, causing the entire realm to tremble! Chapter 93 - Chapter 93: Ancestor of the Blood Sea’s Tragic Dog Life chapter 93: ancestor of the blood seas tragic dog life translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in the demon emperor city. bark woof! bark! a dark shadow plummeted from the sky, crashing onto the ground. the ancestor of the blood sea, now inhabiting the body of a stray dog, had never expected to experience free fall after so many years of cultivation. after possessing the dog, he had rushed into the imperial city at top speed, expecting to find orderly buildings or independent cave dwellings inside. to his surprise, he found himself in a primitive forest instead. the next moment, the ancestor of the blood sea plunged headfirst into the forest. fortunately, the trees were tall and leafy, providing considerable cushioning as he fell. unfortunately, due to the speed of the fall, one of his dog legs hit a thick branch and broke. whimpering in pain, the ancestor of the blood sea had only enough power to possess a stray dog. he could not even use his magic to fly. however, even in a dogs body, the ancestor had a wealth of cultivation experience. he did not act rashly but lay still. while circulating his qi and blood, the old demon healed the injured leg with minimal effort. correspondingly, the dogs vitality weakened significantly. this made the ancestor feel somewhat hungry, instinctively licking his mouth. then gag an animal! i have been reduced to a mere animal! the ancestor of the blood sea roared in his mind, feeling utterly humiliated. he, a mighty transcendent stage being, was now relegated to a dogs body, even licking what it had just eaten this is all because of that man named lu xuan once i seize the opportunity of this imperial city and return to my peak i will tear you to pieces! hatred filled the ancestors heart. when he fell from the sky, the ancestor noticed that in a certain direction outside the forest, there was a group of buildings akin to immortal palaces. with ethereal mist, spreading clouds, and dazzling golden light. he speculated that the real demon emperor city might be there, and his current location was probably the outskirts of the demon city. but first, he needed to find something to eat to fill his stomach. a stream meandered through the forest, and the ancestor, hearing the sound of water, knew the stream was nearby. he ran towards it, crouching at the edge, dipping his head to rinse his mouth. the water was swift, and the stones were mossy. the ancestor cautiously squatted there, hoping to spot fish in the water. just then, a cold wind swept over from behind. the ancestor, startled, instinctively leaped aside, narrowly avoiding the attack. looking back at where he had originally stood, a massive black snake coiled menacingly, its head raised and tongue flickering, exuding a fierce aura. the ancestor of the blood sea did not hesitate and turned to run. lu xuans sword strike had rendered him utterly incapacitated; the current ancestor of the blood sea was extremely weak. in the past, he did not even need to make a move; just the overwhelming pressure of his powerful aura was enough to subdue lower realm cultivators. but now, with his physical body destroyed, and only a single drop of true blood remaining, his soul was like a flickering candle in the wind, at risk of extinguishing at any moment. facing a mere black snake, which couldnt even be considered a spiritual beast, he had to weigh the risks of engaging. any injury would require even more of his diminished vital essence to recover. however, the ancestors desire to flee was thwarted by the black snakes refusal to give up. the snake slithered swiftly, relentlessly pursuing the ancestor. the ancestor, limbs flailing, scrambled over slippery stones, desperately running. the snake was close on his heels, the foul stench almost tangible. in his panic at the waters edge, the ancestor slipped, tumbling into the stream and becoming a drenched, struggling dog. gulping water, he managed to float in a doggy paddle, half-submerged. fortunately, upon entering the water, the black snake ceased its pursuit, providing some relief to the ancestor. but then, something began to move in the water. a palm-sized green fish, with a disproportionately large head, bit onto the ancestors dog leg. owl the ancestor yelped in pain, losing balance and swallowing more water. these green fish were peculiar, covered in thick scales with mouths nearly as large as their bodies, filled with razor-sharp teeth. the ancestor kicked the green fish away, but more latched on, drawn by the spreading blood, triggering their predatory instincts. the stream was narrow and deep. in just a few breaths, hundreds of green fish converged and swarmed towards him. realizing the danger, the ancestor swam frantically to the shore. the number of green fish was overwhelming, far beyond his capability to handle. after a struggle that felt like half a teapots time, the ancestor finally crawled onto the bank, paying a heavy price half of his tail was gone, two legs were mangled, and his rear end was badly bitten, causing excruciating pain. the ancestor found a safe spot on the bank, lying down to recover, using up more vital essence to heal. after his wounds had healed, hunger pangs reminded him of the need to eat. a frog hopped over, obliviously. exhausted and dizzy with hunger, the ancestor had no choice but to consider it as potential nourishment.. Chapter 94 - Chapter 94: Ancestor of the Blood Sea’s Tragic Dog Life chapter 94: ancestor of the blood seas tragic dog life translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation almost without thinking, its eyes glinting green, the dog pounced on the frog, biting it in half. a tingling sensation spread from its tongue. only then did the ancestor of the blood sea realize that the frog he had bitten was poisonous! frantically, he scrambled to the stream, drinking water to rinse his mouth. once the tingling subsided, his body was nearly exhausted, devoid of any strength after the ordeal. to survive, the ancestor came to the damp soil by the stream and started digging with his paws. soon, a fat earthworm appeared in front of him. without much hesitation, the ancestor swallowed the earthworm. the taste was slimy and filthy, even with soil entering his stomach, but at that moment, the ancestor found the earthworm as delicious as the finest delicacy. the earthworm replenished some energy, and he continued digging and eating earthworms to replenish his depleted vitality. once he regained some strength, he began to observe his surroundings more carefully. the ancestor noticed there were two types of frogs here: one poisonous and one not. he lay in wait by the stream, seizing the opportunity when a non-toxic frog leaped by. at that moment, the ancestor knew he had mastered the rules of survival in this jungle. an hour later. by the stream in the forest, a black dog sat cross-legged on a rock, back straight, in a meditation pose, surrounded by a faint mist. opening his eyes, the dogs gaze was bright, and its fur looked healthier than before. beneath its paws was a small mound of frog bones. as a prominent figure, a demon leader who had reached the transcendent stage, the ancestor could definitely be called a genius. now reincarnated as a dog, he was naturally a genius dog. his technique in blood cultivation was extremely efficient in transforming qi and blood. the frog meat he ate was completely refined by his current body. the ancestor leaped off the rock. the black dog stood tall and proud, howling towards the sky, woofC the next moment, a large foot came down, pressing on its neck, pinning the black dog to the ground. the arrangement within this secret realm has been deliberately altered. by a large lake, lu xuan spread out a hand-drawn map, floating it in the air. the map was divided into five regions, each corresponding to one of the five elements. upon entering, lu xuan had noticed something and had mapped the terrain accordingly. we are currently in a large lake, which belongs to the water element. based on its position it should be in the west? deduced cheng lingzhu. but theres no earth element region at the center of this imperial city, pointed out nangong xuan. the arrangement here is inverse to the five elements, lu xuan pondered. the central earth element is placed on the outskirts, forming a ring. the other four regions are also reversed why is that? nangong xuan was puzzled. the true demon imperial city has yet to emerge, lu xuan indicated the map. what we see here is merely the protective shell of the demon emperor city. as a history enthusiast and experienced tomb raider, lu xuan had seen similar methods before. he suspected that the real land of inheritance lay deep underground in this secret realm. what should we do now? asked nangong xuan. we could first visit the center of this secret realm, where the celestial palaces are, suggested cheng lingzhu. indeed, lu xuan nodded in agreement. inside the secret realm, in the primitive forest. coming to the demon emperor city, ive encountered quite an extraordinary dog, said a young man in a purple robe with dark red hair, his smile somewhat sinister. he held a black dog, examining it up and down, and remarked, oh, it turns out to be a female. the black dog barked and thrashed, trying to escape, but the young man easily dodged its attempts. he took out a pill and forced it into the dogs mouth. the ancestor of the blood sea panicked internally, resisting vehemently. he couldnt just swallow any mysterious pill. a surge of magic from the young mans palm immobilized the dog. the pill was pushed down its throat, forcibly entering the ancestors body. however, after ingesting the pill, the ancestor realized it was not poisonous but rather a simple nourishing medicine. it contained abundant blood essence. for the current state of the ancestor, it was a significant boost. once you refine this pill, you should regain some strength and be able to communicate, right? the young man in purple spoke. the ancestor remained silent, pretending to be just a dog, unsure if the other party was bluffing or had seen through his disguise. the ancestor calculated in his mind. if the young man was merely tricking him, he couldnt reveal his identity. but if the young man had truly recognized him and wanted to negotiate then he would pretend ignorance, play along, and try to deceive more pills. with this thought, the ancestor felt a wave of sorrow. he, a revered demon leader and transcendent stage cultivator, was now reduced to playing a dog, deceiving juniors for pills. he vowed to remember this humiliation! however, to his surprise, the young man in purple had little patience.. Chapter 95 - Chapter 95: Ancestor of the Blood Sea’s Tragic Dog Life chapter 95: ancestor of the blood seas tragic dog life translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation i never repeat myself. you refused the wine i offered, now you must drink the penalty, the young man in purple sneered, whistling into the depths of the forest. trees shook and winds howled. in just a few breaths, a large golden dog emerged from the woods. this dog, nearly as tall as a person, was majestic and robust. it was radiant in gold with a ring of white fur around its neck, pure as frost and snow. as it ran, lightning seemed to twirl around its body. to think that such a pure-blooded mystical beast exists in the ninth princes secret realm, the young man in purple clicked his tongue. father really does play favorites. he reached out, patting the golden mystical dogs head, then pointed at the black stray dog on the ground: you, take care of it and reclaim my medicine. the ancestor of the blood sea: i !!! bark! much later. mercy, my lord, mercy a black dog, tongue lolling, lay on a large rock, howling pitifully. do you admit your wrongdoing? the young man in purple stood before it, hands clasped behind his back. this lowly one admits guilt! please show mercy, my lord, and spare me imitating a human posture, the ancestor of the blood sea bowed its head vigorously. lying on the cold stone, amidst swelling pain, it finally faced a harsh reality. it was no longer the mighty demonic being who could dictate the lives of others, treating common folk like ants, trampling them at will. now, it was just a dog, nothing more. as a prince, i was born with a discerning heart. i saw right through your dogs body and human soul. trying to deceive me is out of your league, the young man in purple spoke arrogantly, lifting his hand slightly. the golden mystical dog then retreated. such mystical beasts possessed certain magical abilities, including changing their size at will. thank you, my lord, thank you the ancestor of the blood sea continued to bow. a transcendent phase being forced to reside in a dogs body, humiliated by another dog. had it been someone else, they might have already collapsed mentally. but the ancestor of the blood seas dao heart was flawless, as strong as immortal gold. while circulating his qi and blood to heal the torn wounds, the ancestor of the blood sea reminded himself this was a destined calamity in his life. surviving this ordeal would lead to rebirth. ill consider this a new life, in this dog form, to achieve the supreme dao! he steeled his heart, discarding any concerns for his former dignity and status. as long as he lived, there was hope for revenge. he gritted his teeth, whimpering. now tell me, who exactly are you, and why have you appeared in this form in this secret realm? the young man in purple inquired. answering my lord, the ancestor of the blood sea replied respectfully. it was like going back many years when he was still of low status, just beginning his path in a minor sect. back then, he had curried favor to obtain the true teachings of the sect. but the sect required a three-year trial period for its teachings. impatient, he learned of a demonic sects teachings that didnt require such trials. taking advantage of an outside mission, he lured his senior brother to a deadly place, killed him, and then humiliated and murdered his junior sister to present their heads to the demonic sect as his initiation. now, the ancestor of the blood sea had adjusted his mindset. playing the role of a dog well, leveraging it for growth, and eventually turning on his master. turning everything this young man in purple had, into his own nourishment. answering the young mans question, he said, i am a lone cultivator who offended enemies, resulting in the destruction of my physical body, forcing me to reside in a dogs body and be driven into this place. what was your cultivation level before? the young man in purple asked. nascent nascent soul, replied the black dog. he wasnt telling the truth. nascent soul cultivation you can barely qualify as my beast pet, the young man in purple frowned slightly. your current body is too weak, neither possessing bloodline powers nor mystical abilities. you are not much different from an ordinary stray dog. he looked down at the black dog, then after a pause, said, why dont you speak? replying to my lord, the black dog humbly said, since my lord did not permit me to speak, i dared not speak. good, good, good, the young man in purple suddenly burst into laughter. you indeed know your place. he lifted his foot, pressing it on the black dogs head as if caressing it. i like your character, he said. the ancestor of the blood sea didnt respond but rubbed his head against the young mans boot, behaving submissively. many times, humans acted more servile than dogs. do you have the ability to transfer to another body? the young man in purple asked. if the target does not resist and their cultivation is not too high i should be able to, the ancestor cautiously answered. good, the young man in purple nodded. he then raised his hand and struck the golden mystical dog beside him. the mystical dogs soul was dispersed, and its body collapsed. following me without a decent body is too disgraceful, he said, pointing at the golden dogs corpse. this body is now yours. thank you, my lord! the black dog imitated a human and knelt in gratitude. looking at the powerful, majestic body beside him, the ancestor of the blood sea felt a surge of excitement. his mindset had indeed undergone a drastic change. opening its mouth, the black dog released a fist-sized blood figure, containing a drop of the ancestors true blood. the essence of the blood, now without any power, only preserved its nature and a wisp of soul. wrapped around the true blood was the ancestors newly refined essence blood. with the true blood present, it could assimilate the blood without rejection. compared to when he entered the secret realm, the ancestors condition had improved significantly. the figure moved, entering the golden dogs mouth. half a teapots time later, it shakily stood up. you said you were driven here by someone? the young man in purple suddenly asked, looking at the large dog beside him.. Chapter 96 - Chapter 96: Some Explore as if Facing Tribulation, Others as if on Vacation chapter 96: some explore as if facing tribulation, others as if on vacation translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation indeed, my lord, the golden mystical dog lowered its head. that person also entered this place, right? the young man in purple stroked its neck. you were driven here for him to use you as a pathfinder, to observe if there are dangers in this secret realm? my lords insight is like a torch, the ancestor of the blood sea replied gravely. however, inside, he sneered. what prince, he was still but a junior. he had thrown out a bait in his words, and the other party had believed it. now that you have become my beast pet, gu yuan, you are not someone anyone can just bully, the man named gu yuan said with a cold laugh, arrogant and domineering. if that person doesnt come looking for you, so be it. but if he dares hmph, ill let him know that even beating a dog requires looking at its owner. in the secret realm of the demon emperor city. among the ruins of a vast area. daoist gu, can you act a bit more normal? yan feiyu pushed a petite woman away from herself, holding a fan. sister yan, let me hug you, the petite woman with twin ponytails giggled, clinging to her arm, unwilling to let go. yan feiyu reasoned with her: were not suitable for each other, right? this girl, named gu li, became yan feiyus friend after entering the secret realm. gu li bore no malice towards her except for always wanting to cling to her. to keep this twin-tailed girl at bay, yan feiyu directly told her that she already had someone she liked. daoist gu, when did you ever resemble a man? gu li stepped back half a step, looking yan feiyu up and down, feigning surprise. healthy wheat-colored skin, tall stature, soft muscle lines, and particularly ample body curves. at least i used to be, yan feiyu was at a loss for words for a moment, looking down without seeing her toes. in fact, even when she was a man, she didnt like girls like gu li who were too boisterous. yan feiyu preferred the quiet, polite type, ideally someone like yi changqing, who was gentle and tranquil. thinking about this, yan feiyu was startled. had she harbored such thoughts deep inside even before her transformation? gu li sighed at her words. why must you be like this, sister yan? that bad man abandoned you, preferring to become a monk rather than dont speak ill of him, yan feiyu interrupted her, her expression cooling. that whole matter was my fault from beginning to end. what does changqing have to do with it? even if he had cut me down with a sword, it would have been my own doing. seeing yan feiyu getting genuinely angry, gu li quickly covered her mouth. alright, alright, i spoke out of turn i wont mention it anymore. yang kuo and hu fang, standing behind them, watched the scene and dared not speak. they had heard that when yan feiyu was a man, she often traveled with yi changqing, sharing the same bed. now as a woman, she was attracted to another woman. it could be said she had no gender preference. yan feiyus expression softened slightly, her chest heaving a few times before she spoke, gu li, besides you, how many other imperial children have entered this secret realm? ancient texts recorded that before the ancient demon emperor passed away, he used great magical power to seal the imperial city in a special secret realm. inside that city lay his entire lifes inheritance, a massive amount of cultivation resources and a demon emperors celestial weapon. whoever obtained this weapon could immediately raise the banner of the demon emperor, establish a demon nation, and become a great power. according to the texts, this celestial weapon was left for an imperial child. however, after meeting gu li, yan feiyu learned that the so-called imperial child was not just one person. the demon emperor had left behind nine secret realms, each sealing one of his offspring. upon awakening, they would travel to other realms and engage in deadly battles with their siblings. the one who survived would become the true imperial child. after interacting with gu li, yan feiyu realized she had become involved in a struggle for inheritance among nine dragons. she regarded this method of raising children as barbaric. gu li spread her hands, indicating helplessness. after all, these competition rules were set by a father who had been dead for countless years. the demon emperor seemed to have a fixation; his successor had to be stronger than him. thus, raising his children was like refining a magical artifact, employing every possible method. each of the nine offspring had a special bloodline imprint, allowing them to sense each others presence. this imprint could not be erased or concealed. the ninth princes secret realm is the most special among all and is also where the imperial city is sealed, gu li counted on her fingers. by now, all the surviving princes and princesses should have entered, besides me. theres the eldest prince, the seventh princess and the ninth prince. gu li was the fifth princess and one of the four final candidates for the title of imperial child. among these people, is the strongest your elder brother? yan feiyu asked. gu li nodded. my elder brother, gu yuan, alone eliminated three competitors but i think the truly fearsome one is my youngest brother, the ninth prince. whats the reason? yan feiyu inquired. we were sealed in a special formation, put into a deep sleep to survive all these years, gu li pondered for a moment. in fact, i woke up three years ago. the eldest prince, the second prince, and others woke up even earlier. since then, there have been countless probes and battles. we are all very familiar with each others methods and strengths.. Chapter 97 - Chapter 97: Some Explore as if Facing Tribulation, Others as if on Vacation chapter 97: some explore as if facing tribulation, others as if on vacation translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation after a brief pause, she continued, the ninth princes secret realm was the last to open. he barely awoke before facing the challenge from the four strongest among us father must have anticipated this. so, the true imperial child with potential has already been determined, yan feiyu understood her meaning. the so-called competition among the imperial children is actually them challenging him, while the demon emperor gave the others a chance to challenge. exactly, gu li said with a bitter smile. probably fearing that kinship would hinder our competition, we siblings were separated and raised apart by fathers trusted aides soon after birth. we never met and had no idea of each others strengths. but from the demon emperors arrangements, some things were already obvious. fathers aides told me that in his later years, he often fell into a state of confusion and madness, muttering no way out, the path is broken, which was chilling to hear, gu li drifted into her memories. he handed over state affairs to his aides and spent his days in seclusion. when he came out, he would get drunk and seek women to vent. we were conceived during that period, each of us with different mothers. your father was quite passionate, yan feiyu commented after a moment of silence. a cultivator getting drunk meant they were deliberately indulging. normally, even ordinary cultivators would resist the effects of alcohol with their bodies. not to mention a demon emperor with the power of laws within him. but since he was a revered senior of all demon kind, yan feiyu felt it inappropriate to label the demon emperor a tyrant. she suspected he had suffered some setback, leading to a damaged dao heart. gu li sighed, children like us, he probably had many. but in the end, he selected us nine, nurturing us to inherit his dao. he divided his demon emperor bloodline into nine parts, each given to us. we were meant to kill each other, absorbing each others bloodline to grow stronger. gu li gave a bitter smile. only by uniting all nine bloodlines can one achieve a complete bloodline. in such a situation, its impossible to opt out of the competition. even if she didnt attack others, other heirs desiring to grow stronger would actively seek to kill her. therefore, gu li chose to seek external support. her intentions were clear. the sky demon sect was an ancient orthodox power of the demon race, and it shared the same roots with the ancient demon emperor. yan feiyu would help gu li seize the demon emperors inheritance, and in return, gu li would make her sect subordinate to the sky demon sect, recognizing yan feiyu as the leader. wherever the leader pointed, gu li would strike; whoever the leader commanded, gu li would confront. actually, gu li wanted to be the leaders wife, but unfortunately, the leader already had someone she liked and didnt give gu li a chance. for yan feiyu, this deal was very profitable. a demon emperors celestial weapon was powerful enough to establish a sect and a demon nation. but in front of the top power like the sky demon sect, it still wasnt enough. so there was no need to worry about gu li breaking the agreement. sister yan, we must be cautious in this matter, gu li said with a serious expression. the method of seeking external help that i thought of, the others could have thought of too, and my father would not have overlooked this possibility. but when he set up the secret realm, he didnt create formations to prevent outsiders from entering, which clearly indicates he had his own considerations. i understand, yan feiyu nodded. gu li brought out a beast skin and spread it out. it was a map of the secret realm. different from the one lu xuan hand-drew after aerial surveyance, gu lis beast skin map had its own mysteries. we are currently in the metal area of the five elements division of the secret realm, gu li pointed out. this area is vast, filled with various broken magical treasures accumulated by my father over years of conquests and victories. yan feiyu looked across the enormous ruins, where various magical weapons were scattered haphazardly. some looked ordinary, others bizarre, some the size of regular weapons, and some as large as small mountains. even though their spirituality had dissipated, some still had residual murderous aura. gu li looked toward the distant celestial palaces: in each of the five elements areas, there is a special token. holding the token grants access to the corresponding palaces. how shall we find it? yan feiyu asked. just as she finished speaking, a pile of magical weapons nearby suddenly exploded, and a strange creature emerged from it. it resembled a tiger, with stout limbs and a translucent body shimmering with silver light. although its aura wasnt strong, it immediately attacked them upon sight. gu li stepped forward, emitting a light from her hand that dispersed the creatures body. in this secret realm, the bones of the four symbols beasts are buried. in the metal area, the force of geng metal from the stacked weapons is absorbed by the formations, and under the influence of the bones, the dao qi condenses, forming these white tiger spirit killers, gu li explained. sister yan, please be prepared. in such a place, there is likely more than one spirit killer. yan feiyu nodded, her expression turning serious. the white tiger spirit killer they just encountered was not very strong, roughly equivalent to a qi refining stage cultivator. but since this was the demon emperors trial ground for his inheritance, reaching the central celestial palaces wouldnt be easy. at that moment. in the water area of the demon emperors secret realm. you have ill intentions, plotting against others, huh? Chapter 98 - Chapter 98: Some Explore as if Facing Tribulation, Others as if on Vacation chapter 98: some explore as if facing tribulation, others as if on vacation translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation lu xuan stood on the back of a giant turtle, holding a large whip, striking the turtles head so hard it made a clanging sound. the giant turtle tried to retract its head, but a hand of magical power gripped its neck, immobilizing its entire body, rendering it motionless. stop hitting me, please i was wrong, i was wrong the giant turtle pleaded, its face swollen and bruised. where did you go wrong? lu xuan handed the whip to nangong xuan, instructing her to continue hitting. this old one shouldnt have harbored greedy thoughts upon seeing you all. and i shouldnt have been enticed by that water snake to take you to the lake center to overturn the boat the giant turtle sobbed, turning to nangong xuan. please be gentle, miss hit slower, slower i beg of you if someone were there at that moment and observed carefully, they would realize that what nangong xuan held wasnt a whip, but a long, thick water snake. this water snake was in league with the giant turtle. the turtle had brought lu xuan and others to the lake center, intending to flip them into the water. the lurking water snake tried to ambush them but was killed by lu xuan on the spot. lu xuan refined the water snake into a crude magical treasure and added a buff to it each strike reduced a year of the giant turtles cultivation. being hit on the head with the body of its accomplice, its cultivation plummeting, the giant turtle was scared witless, pleading for mercy without regard for its dignity. miss, please stop if you hit me more, i wont be able to maintain my form and carry you across the lake the turtle looked pitifully. we have our own spiritual boat; we dont need you to carry us across, cheng lingzhu said, tapping her phoenix blood sword on the turtles back. eh? the turtle shivered, sensing that she was tapping right above its heart. even with the protection of its shell, it felt no security. the turtle felt it was in serious trouble. if you dont need me to carry you, why did you call me at the shore? the turtle couldnt help asking. we were about to cross the river at the shore when we saw you with some intelligence. we thought of enlightening you, offering you an opportunity, cheng lingzhu tapped with her sword. i didnt expect you to harbor intentions of ferrying people to harm them, acting like a heartless ferryman. thats right, lu xuan nodded. besides, crossing the lake on a turtle feels different from a spiritual boat. i wanted to experience it. nangong xuan: clang, clang, clang, clang the turtle was on the verge of tears. what kind of situation was this? for tens of thousands of years in the demon emperors secret realm, not a single person would come. why would a cultivator who entered today offer someone an opportunity? it now wanted to slap its past self. heaven was feeding it, and it had overturned the bowl. the opportunity was right in front of it, but it turned into a deadly disaster this old one admit their mistakes and are willing to offer treasures as compensation, the giant turtle pleaded for mercy. it seems you are heading towards the central palace, arent you? oh? lu xuan raised an eyebrow. from your words, it seems you are quite familiar with the demon emperors secret realm? of course, i am familiar, the giant turtle quickly extended its neck and patted its chest with a claw. the lords may not know, but this secret realm of the demon emperor is different from others. before its emergence, time within the realm flowed extremely slowly, perhaps hundreds of times slower than the outside world. it paused for a moment. its the work of the demon emperor. its possible that hundreds of years have passed outside while only a year has passed here. although i am not aware of the current era outside or which emperor reigns, time in this secret realm passes very slowly. the giant turtle added, of course, this is what my great-great-great grandfather passed down. so many generations have passed, there might be some omissions, so please forgive any inaccuracies. your ancestor knew even the formation the demon emperor set up in the secret realm? lu xuan was intrigued. my ancestors had their moments of glory, the giant turtle waggled its head, looking proud. my ancestor was the demon emperors footstool turtle. every time the demon emperor traveled, it had to accompany him. lu xuan: what exactly did footstool turtle mean? lu xuan, who had studied archaeology, had read about it in books. it described how ancient demon emperors, who cared about their appearance, used dragon-blooded exotic beasts to pull their carriages, which were quite tall. the carriages, when landing, had a gap from the ground. while the demon emperor could step on auspicious clouds or golden lotuses to descend, doing so himself lacked the air of nobility. hence, the footstool turtles were used. whenever the demon emperor disembarked, the footstool turtles would fly over and lie down, allowing the demon emperor to step on them to descend. due to the stable shape of turtles, footstool turtles also symbolized stability and protection of the realm. one ancient demon emperor had an enormous carriage, requiring nine footstool turtles to extend the disembarking ladder fully. thus, whenever he disembarked, the entire footstool turtle family had to participate. nine generations of turtles, large and small, would line up, perform magic, and create heavenly phenomena. as the demon emperor disembarked, grand ceremonial music would play. this was called the ninefold ascension staircase, featuring special effects and sound. moreover, it was also an opportunity for the footstool turtles. being frequently in contact with the demon emperor, who had his own dao laws, benefitted the turtles in their cultivation. lu xuan had read a record during his tomb raiding days. it mentioned that during the era of the ancient demon emperors, a demon emperor was recruiting footstool turtles. usually, this was a matter within the circle. however, many turtle clans participated this time. even the young master of the xuanwu clan sneaked out to sign up and was beaten severely by the clan leader upon discovery. the reason was that the demon emperor not only possessed formidable strength but was also a barefoot empress. lu xuan stated that he didnt have such a fetish and didnt understand the feeling of an empress feet stepping on his back.. Chapter 99 - Chapter 99: Within the Secret Realm, This Prince is Unbeatable!!! chapter 99: within the secret realm, this prince is unbeatable!!! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation it seems theres a deep family heritage passed down through generations, lu xuan gave a thumbs up. no wonder the giant turtle addressed him as lord and pleaded so naturally. generations of serving the demon emperor had given them plenty of experience. you flatter me, my lord, the giant turtle thought lu xuan was complimenting it. i do know some things about this secret realm, the giant turtle revealed a very human-like expression, full of fawning smiles. to enter that palace, a five elements token is needed. theres only one token in each area, and i happen to know where the water areas token is. ill offer this treasure to my lord, in the hopes that youll spare my life. lu xuan smiled slightly, if i kill you, wouldnt the treasure be mine anyway? the giant turtle: that seemed to be the case. it wanted to cry but had no tears. it seemed its fate today was sealed. tears welled in the giant turtles eyes as it pleaded, when you kill me, my lord, please sharpen your blade first. ive been afraid of pain since i was young then it stretched its neck and closed its eyes. however, the expected pain did not come. lu xuan patted its head. alright, youre such a coward as a turtle, killing you would tarnish my heroic spirit. the giant turtle: ah? lu xuan nodded slightly: todays lesson is to teach you not to do evil again. when the three of them fell into the water, the giant turtle indeed did not attack; it flipped over and swam far away. saying it was coerced by the water snake was somewhat believable. the demon emperors secret realm had been sealed for many years and had just emerged today. the giant turtles first wrongdoing was stumbling upon lu xuan. during their conversation, the water snake corpse-turned whip kept hitting. it was struck a total of 1,296 times, reducing its cultivation by 1,296 years. lu xuan, considering its first offense and possible coercion, lightened the punishment. after administering punishment and making it swear by its bloodline not to do evil again, he spared the turtles life. thank you for your grace, my lord! thank you for your grace! the giant turtle was tearfully grateful, quickly casting a secret technique and swearing by its bloodline. having regained its life today, it dared not commit evil again. it performed a spell, causing ripples on the lake surface. below the lake, countless fish gathered, numbering in the tens of thousands. soon, the fish swarmed towards the giant turtle, clustering together tightly. on the backs of the fish, there was a palm-sized turtle shell, dark in color and as smooth as ink jade. this, my lord, is the token to open the central palace, the giant turtle scooped up the ink jade turtle shell and respectfully presented it to lu xuan. that central palace should be part of the eastern palace within the demon emperors bedroom. in the center, there is an imperial child in slumber, waiting for the arrival of other imperial children. the giant turtle divulged everything it knew. lu xuan laughed. nine dragons vying for the throne this should be quite a spectacle. please sit tight, my lords. let this old one take you to the other shore, the giant turtle volunteered, seemingly eager to atone for its sins. agreed, lu xuan nodded. thus, the giant turtle glowed, swiftly navigating the vast lake. cheng lingzhu and nangong xuan sat on the turtles back. lu xuan, after some thought, stood atop the turtles head, arms folded behind him, gazing into the distance. the view from here was uniquely splendid. at the edge of the metal sector in the demon emperors secret realm. the trial designed by your father is indeed challenging, yan feiyu adjusted her breathing, her chest rising and falling. i didnt expect there to be so many white tiger spirit beasts in the metal sector, and they are so powerful, the twin-tailed girl, gu li, panted heavily. going through this trial was like undergoing a tribulation. given another chance, she definitely would not choose to traverse the metal sector. we made it through somehow that was close, said yan feiyus attendant, yang kuo. in the metal sector, there were numerous white tiger spirit beasts. the west was represented by the white tiger, symbolizing slaughter. even though the directions in the demon emperors secret realm were swapped, it did not diminish the ferocity of these white tiger spirit beasts. in ancient times, when the demon emperor conquered various realms and defeated countless strong enemies, the metal sector was filled with powerful magical weapons. naturally, the white tiger spirit beasts nurtured by the murderous aura of these weapons were extremely difficult to deal with. fortunately, we got the item, yan feiyu spread her hand open, revealing a tiger tooth in her palm, radiant and white like jade, shimmering faintly. this was the token from the metal sector to open the central palace. the group rested for a while, just catching their breath, when they heard laughter coming from the nearby woods: ha, isnt this my little sister gu li? hearing this, gu lis expression changed immediately. she turned her head and looked in the direction of the voice, only to see a figure slowly walking out of the woods. the young man, in his twenties, wore a purple robe and had a somewhat arrogant demeanor. beside the purple-robed youth was a large golden-furred mystical dog, its neck adorned with white fur spreading out, vaguely forming a pattern like that of lightning. yan feiyu narrowed her eyes slightly. although she had not met him before, she guessed the identity of the newcomer at first sight. gu lis brother, the eldest prince, gu yuan. yan feiyu gripped her weapon tightly, and her guards, yang and hu, did the same. you move quite fast, gu li said, eyeing gu yuan cautiously. Chapter 100 - Chapter 100: Within the Secret Realm, This Prince Is Invincible! chapter 100: within the secret realm, this prince is invincible! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation being so unfriendly to your own brother, thats not good, gu yuan said with a smile. actually, i had already found the wood sectors token, but i just took a trip to the fire sector and brought something back. a ghostly light shone from his storage ring. gu yuan threw something out of his hand, and a womans head rolled out. the young womans beautiful face was distorted with terror, as if she had seen something horrifying before her death. you went to the fire sector and killed our seventh sister. gu li looked down at the womans head on the ground. yes, because keeping her body in my storage artifact took up too much space, so i disposed of it, gu yuan said with a smile, patting the large golden dog beside him. the fur around the dogs mouth was stained red, indicating it had recently eaten something. dear sister, if youre sensible, you should commit suicide quickly, gu yuans eyes twinkled with mockery. surely, you dont want to know what our seventh sister endured before her death. the blood sea ancestor, standing aside, had a cold look in its eyes. it remembered the scene vividly. gu yuan used a hard-shelled insect to torture the woman, inserting it into her ear and letting it travel through her body, constantly damaging her physique and meridians. he deliberately did not suppress her cultivation, allowing her body to maintain some healing ability, prolonging her torture. when the insect finally burrowed out of her temple, it was as translucent as blood jade. gu yuan treated the insect like a delicacy, consuming it with relish. even the blood sea ancestor had to admit that the eldest prince was a prime candidate for demonic cultivation. his disregard for life and pleasure in torture were highly valued traits in many demonic sects. the golden dog kept a low profile, but there was a flash of cold light deep in its eyes. its strength was recovering faster than expected, especially after following gu yuan. gu yuan recklessly hunted powerful beings in the wood and fire sectors to sharpen his skills, feeding the corpses he couldnt handle to the blood sea ancestor. the prince thought the blood sea ancestor was just a common demonic cultivator practicing blood arts, unaware of the latters profound understanding and control of blood magic. for most cultivators practicing devouring techniques, only about ten percent of the power from foreign blood and flesh could be absorbed. but the blood sea ancestor could enhance this conversion rate to ninety percent. the blood sea sect worshipped an ancient blood god, a true deity, and their techniques were of celestial grade. had it not been for the anomaly ji lingchen, the blood sea sect would still be reigning supreme in the northern plains. the blood sea ancestor planned to devour two more cultivators as strong as the seventh princess, confident it could then suppress and consume gu yuan. while it could possess him, the blood sea ancestor harbored deep hatred and preferred a more direct approach. the prince had truly treated him as an animal, and the blood sea ancestor had no choice but to act subserviently, flattering in every possible way, as if he truly became an obedient dog. not tearing and devouring him alive would leave his heart unsatisfied. gu yuan, among all our siblings, your hands are stained with the most blood, gu li sighed. must we siblings really resort to fratricide? werent you saying the same thing to our fourth brother when he came to kill you? gu yuans face carried a smile. but did he listen? he rolled up his sleeve to reveal a blue totem on his arm. gu lis arm also had a similar totem mark, but its color was much lighter than gu yuans. i alone have killed four of our siblings, and with each kill, my power grows stronger, gu yuan said, his face displaying a look of indulgence. this feeling is really wonderful, especially with our seventh sister. she too had killed a sibling, making the power in her body even more potent. the demon emperor divided his bloodline into nine parts for his nine offspring, each inheriting a portion. this meant that gu yuans body now contained six bloodlines. little sister, i need to conserve my energy to meet our youngest brother in the eastern palace, gu yuan spoke softly. so i dont want to waste time on you. you should quickly end your life and hand over the power of the fourth and your bloodline to me, fulfilling our fathers wish. you need eight bloodlines to dare to challenge our youngest brother? gu li mocked. thats our fathers favoritism. how am i inferior to our youngest brother?! mentioning this, gu yuans expression turned cold. i will prove to him who truly deserves the throne! thinking that i would kill myself here, you must be dreaming! guli sneered, tearing apart any pretense of civility with the eldest prince. would you, standing there, be interested in making a deal? gu yuan suddenly addressed yan feiyu. yan feiyu looked at him without responding. youve reached some kind of pact with my little sister, havent you? gu yuan continued nonchalantly. what future can there be in cooperating with her? instead, whatever she has promised you, this prince will double it. you should be able to see the bigger picture, to seek benefits and avoid harm. standing with her will not end well. why not join forces with me? in the end, what you gain will be far more than what youd get from allying with her.. Chapter 101 - Chapter 101: Within the Secret Realm, This Prince Is Invincible! chapter 101: within the secret realm, this prince is invincible! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation gu lis heart tightened at the words. even she had to admit, she held no advantage compared to gu yuan. with the immense power of the sky demon sect, they certainly had the privilege to choose their allies. thank you for your kindness, daoist gu. yan feiyu said coldly, however, when our sect looks for a partner, we are selective. these words effectively blocked any potential cooperation with gu yuan. if you dont drink a toast, you must drink a forfeit! gu yuan raised his hand and rebuked: i noticed the noble bloodline in you and intended to take you as a concubine for my cultivation. i never expected you to defy even the face of this prince. since thats the case, i cant let you go. after ive used you, ill feed you to the dogs! youre seeking death! yan feiyu immediately flew into a rage, gritting her teeth. as the young master of the sky demon sect, when had she ever been humiliated like this? with a long howl, yan feiyu leaped forward, swinging her spear at gu yuans face. simultaneously, the two guards, yang and hu, along with gu li, also made their move, attacking gu yuan. attack! gu yuan slapped the golden dogs head, and the blood sea ancestor leaped out, pouncing on the guard named yang kuo. the golden dog opened its mouth, creating a terrifying gust of wind and thunder. this golden-haired strange dog, capable of controlling thunder, had white fur fluttering around its neck, with arcs of electricity spreading through it. it collided fiercely with yang kuo, but the next moment, the golden-haired dog was sent flying, crashing into several large trees. what a piece of trash! gu yuan cursed, i fed you so much blood food, and you cant even stop a nascent soul! the golden-haired dog whimpered, rolling on the ground. in reality, the blood sea ancestor sneered internally. it certainly had no intention of serving gu yuan. it knew all about gu yuans situation. if these people could severely injure gu yuan, resulting in mutual destruction, it would be ideal. it would find an opportunity to reap the benefits. if gu yuan won, there would still be cultivator corpses to feed on. even if gu li and the others won, it wouldnt face much trouble. it was just a dog. these people would not vent their anger on it. moreover, it was a very useful dog. most cultivators would choose to keep it and use it for their purposes. for the first time, the blood sea ancestor felt the convenience of being a dog. if you remain this useless after this battle, i will slaughter you and make you into a soup! gu yuan berated, his aura escalating fiercely. facing the joint attack of four, he confronted them head-on without fear. yang and hus expressions changed immediately. they clearly sensed that their opponents aura was soaring, reaching the level of the soul transformation realm. but now, as they were engaged in close combat and the arrow was already on the bowstring, yang kuo, though reluctantly, swung his sword down. fifth sister, you will never know how strong this prince will become after fusing six bloodlines! gu yuan roared, throwing a punch. the force of his palm was like a soul transformation, overwhelming and unstoppable. yang kuos sword was shattered by the punch, and gu yuan, with his physical strength alone, destroyed his magical weapon! but the punch did not end there. the force of it struck yang kuos chest, causing his body to explode. a burst of mystical light enveloped yang kuo, signaling the activation of a life-saving talisman. in an instant, his body was restored to its original state, and a startled yang kuo regained his life. so what if you have a life-saving magical item? gu yuan said arrogantly, then ill just have to kill you a few more times! yan feiyu lunged with her spear, aiming directly at gu yuans face, but he fearlessly caught the spear with his hand. the sky demon sect young masters treasure was of high quality, and although gu yuan could not destroy it, he could transfer his demonic power through it. a robust force surged, causing yan feiyu to lose control of her spear, which flew out of her hand. her arm, which held the spear, went limp. this was under the protection of her armor. without it, yan feiyus entire arm would have exploded. the remaining two, hu fang swung a long knife at gu yuans waist, and gu li aimed her attack at his back. gu yuan roared towards the sky, unleashing an unstoppable force. hu fangs long knife shattered, and the nascent soul cultivator coughed up blood from internal organ displacement. gu lis situation was even worse. her arm broke, and blood flowed from her eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. she fell to the ground like a broken doll. in the demon emperors secret realm, no one can defeat this prince! gu yuans arrogance was evident as everyone lay on the ground, with him being the only one standing. however, his face showed an abnormal flush, and his skin seemed as if it could bleed. heh, heh a weak laugh sounded. gu li, leaning against a tree, spoke faintly, no wonder you wanted to seduce sister yan. you actually cant control the power of the bloodlines in your body she coughed twice, spitting out a mouthful of blood, every time you use power on the soul transformation level, your body gets damaged once. the power of the six bloodlines has already exceeded your limits, and yet you still want to challenge the ninth shut up! gu yuans face showed anger, once i fuse the nine bloodlines and balance the power within, i will be perfectly fine! sister yan, i im sorry gu li squinted her eyes, her vision blurred with blood, relying on instinct to gauge direction, i didnt know he was this strong yan feiyu bit her lip, holding her injured arm. she had a sky demon sect saint token on her. if she activated this treasure, gu yuan couldnt keep her. but the sainttoken could only take one person away. at this moment, yan feiyu really did not wish to use this magical item. heh, such deep sisterly affection. then die together. gu yuan sneered, approaching them. gu li closed her eyes. as she prepared to embrace death, a voice suddenly rang out, wow, what a coincidence? Chapter 102 - Chapter 102: The Ancient Demons of This Land Lack Manners chapter 102: the ancient demons of this land lack manners translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation despite her severe injuries, gu lis cultivator instincts kept her mind active. the voice that spoke sounded young and male. it seemed distant at first, but as the last word was uttered, the person had already arrived behind her, likely using some kind of mystical ability. lu xuan emerged from the woods, dressed in white with a long sword hanging at his waist. he looked at the people around him, slightly surprised. it turns out there are acquaintances here. lu xuan greeted yan feiyu with a bow and a slight smile. yan feiyu was confused. she had never met lu xuan before and was unaware that the man in white before her was the one who secretly thwarted her plans at the back mountain of the sky demon sect. with lu xuans arrival, the atmosphere calmed. even gu yuan stopped his actions, eyeing this unexpected guest with a frown. cheng lingzhu and nangong xuan followed him, and lu xuan, looking at the golden-haired dog, suddenly spoke, you old demon, how does it feel to be a the blood sea ancestor didnt respond but coiled up, baring its teeth at lu xuan with hostility in its eyes. is he your enemy? gu yuan squinted his eyes. the golden-haired dog whimpered in response. do you not know, to beat a dog, you must look at the owner? gu yuan scoffed, stepping forward. he released a powerful aura, having fused six demon emperor bloodlines, and directed it at lu xuan. this was a tactic used by higher realm cultivators against their inferiors, using their aura to overpower the weak without physical confrontation. gu yuan, recognizing lu xuan as a mere golden core cultivator, felt confident he could force him to kneel without a fight. lu xuan frowned. the giant turtle had told him about the demon emperors gu breeding and the nine dragons struggle for succession. thus, lu xuan guessed the identity of this purple-robed young man before him C a prince of the ancient demons. you ancient demons arent very friendly. lu xuans eyes darkened slightly. the pressure of a stronger being released by gu yuan dissipated before it even reached lu xuan. do you carry a secret treasure? gu yuan narrowed his eyes, speculating. strictly speaking, this is a matter of the demon emperors lineage, and i shouldnt interfere. lu xuan raised his sheathed sword, pointing at the golden-haired dog before continuing, but this dog is related to me. inside it resides the soul of a great demon who has harmed countless people. many innocent lives have suffered under him, and today, he must be brought to justice. what great demon soul, harming countless people, what does that have to do with me? gu yuan spoke arrogantly, i am a prince of the demon emperor, noble by birth. all beings should kneel and bow before me! even if i feed on some commoners, for my dog to be fed by them is their blessing! so, you are determined to align with this demon? lu xuan looked at him. how ridiculous. gu yuan sneered, what right do you, a soon-to-be-dead man, have to reason with this prince?! youd better beg for mercy now; maybe ill let you die with some dignity lu xuan sighed. boom! blood splattered as gu yuans head exploded. a moment later, a headless corpse fell straight down. lu xuan had given him a chance. but since the prince was rude, he needed to be taught a lesson in kindness and virtue. clearly, this prince of the ancient demons had failed his final exam. as lu xuan made his move, a streak of golden lightning darted away, seizing the opportunity to escape amidst the chaos of gu yuans death. the blood sea ancestor, cunning and observant, had been watching the developments closely. however, its escape plan was not as smooth as it had hoped. with a snap, a golden lotus burst through the skin, tearing the dogs hide and blooming forth. then came the second, and the third in an instant, numerous pale gold lotuses covered its body. the blood sea ancestor sensed danger, opened its mouth to expel its soul-infused blood, attempting to repeat its old tricks. but the golden lotuses glowed, rooting into the dogs body, imprisoning the blood sea ancestors soul. lu xuan approached, squatting down to look at the blood sea ancestor on the ground. i hear you cultivate the blood path, delighting in drinking human blood, requiring a cup of babys blood wine daily. his eyes cold, he patted its head and threatened, today, you should taste what its like to be refined alive. the roots of the golden lotus spread, piercing into the blood sea ancestors soul, slowly tearing and shredding it. after a period as long as it takes to drink a cup of tea, the blood sea ancestor died, the golden lotuses withered, turning into a light rain and disappearing. a pale gold lotus seed remained on the withered dog corpse. lu xuan picked up the lotus seed and walked towards the others. by now, yan feiyu and the rest had taken medicinal pills, and their injuries were much improved. lu xuan glanced over the group, his gaze settling on the dirty, twin-tailed young girl. he could sense a bloodline similar to the deceased ancient demon prince within her. are you also an ancient demon? lu xuan looked at her, his expression unfriendly. the recently deceased prince was abnormal, and with lu xuans cultivation, he could tell that the princes body was on the brink of collapse, nearing death.. Chapter 103 - Chapter 103: The Ancient Demons of This Land Lack Manners chapter 103: the ancient demons of this land lack manners translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation perhaps it was for this reason that the man had behaved so arrogantly and abnormally. but lu xuan wondered if all the bloodlines of the demon emperor were so unfriendly, much like the demon barbarians. gu li shivered in fear, i, i havent done anything bad really! she looked at gu yuans headless corpse on the ground, feeling a chill at the back of her neck. yan feiyu of the sky demon sect thanks the senior for saving us. yan feiyu stepped forward to thank him. she couldnt determine lu xuans real age, but in such a place, calling someone a senior was always the right choice. lu xuan returned the gesture, dao evolution sect, lu xuan. hearing this, yan feiyu paused, then bowed again to lu xuan, senior lu, may i ask for the body of this man in exchange for a price? the dao evolution sect and the sky demon sect, due to historical issues, never interacted and were like two sects that never crossed paths. yan feiyu was uneasy, but gu yuans body contained six demon emperor bloodlines, and she had to try to negotiate for gu lis sake. lu xuan pondered, his bloodline is of no use to us; you may take it ah, isnt the founding celebration of the sky demon sect in four months? yes, senior. yan feiyu responded, her heart stirring. in that case, the dao evolution sect will send representatives to your sect, and i hope they will be granted entry. lu xuan stated. yes, senior! yan feiyu immediately understood his meaning. the visit of the dao evolution sect was not just a courtesy call. the ancestral master of the dao evolution sect had once stolen the demon tree, disrupting the demon clans fate, making the sky demon sect resentful, thus refusing to interact with them. but upon further thought, both sides were in the midst of war. in war, strategy and cunning are commonplace. the demon clan had also planned assassinations against human leaders, but infiltrating enemy ranks was difficult and was eventually abandoned. however, the ancestral master of the dao evolution sect had the capability, and with this surprise force, the humans won the war. yan feiyu thought that if one is defeated, they should accept it and not make excuses. she agreed with lu xuans proposal. years of non-communication had not benefited either side. it was worth trying to break the ice and take the first step towards contact. in the demon emperors secret realm, at the central immortal palace. i originally thought that the architectural style of the ancient demon emperors era would be rough and unrestrained, but this palace is surprisingly intricately built. lu xuan stood at the bottom of the steps, looking up. the eastern palace of the imperial son was vast and imposing from a distance, but up close, the palace was exquisitely constructed. the steps leading up to the palace, totaling nine hundred and ninety-nine, each had intricate carvings. if a cultivator focused their sight, they could see tiny scroll paintings etched within these delicate grooves. it was as if buying a wig, only to discover that each hair strand had the along the river during the qingming festival engraved on it. such detail wasnt necessary for building a palace and was simply the demon craftsmen showing off their skills. in terms of art, the ancient demons had a high aesthetic sense, cheng lingzhu commented with a smile. lu xuan agreed, noting that crafting living beings was also a technical task. he imagined bringing yesha here, who would likely be overwhelmed by the grandeur of the palace. then she might reflect on why her barbarians knew only to eat and question if she, the creator, was lacking. the group ascended the steps at a leisurely pace. lu xuan and his companions were relaxed, taking in the sights. in contrast, the atmosphere among yan feiyus group was more somber. gu li, with her head down, was heavy-hearted, thinking about her imminent meeting with the ninth, where their fates would be decided. when the group reached the top step and stood before the palace doors, they saw a figure waiting. a young man, about sixteen or seventeen, clad in a black cloak with a fox fur collar, his eyes bright and face handsome, greeted them with a polite smile: today, i emerge from seclusion to find guests. i am gu yuano of the demon emperors lineage. after introducing himself, gu yuan turned to gu li, youre my sister, right? gu li nodded, her expression complex. how many bloodlines have you fused? gu yuan asked. eight. gu li replied after a moments silence. then you are ready to face me. gu yuan smiled, how long can you hold out? six hours, gu li answered. the more demon emperor bloodlines one fused, the greater the burden on the body. gu lis condition was now similar to gu yuans. if she did not gather and unify all nine bloodlines soon, she too would face death. of the nine bloodlines, eight are secondary, and one is primary, which resides in me, gu yuan explained seriously, the combination of the eight secondary bloodlines can challenge the primary. to survive, sister, you must defeat me first. you could simply leave this place and take my bloodline after i die, gu li suggested. if i say im confident in defeating my sister, would that be too arrogant? gu yuan smiled, well im not entirely confident either, but our meeting today, to fight to the death, is fate. Chapter 104 - Chapter 104: The Ancient Demons of This Land Lack Manners chapter 104: the ancient demons of this land lack manners translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation if i were to act cowardly, it would damage my dao heart and be unfair to my sister, so i cannot do such a thing. he waved his hand, and a gray mist appeared, forming a portal floating in the air, please follow me, sister. fighting outside might destroy this beautiful palace. after speaking, he entered the portal, and after a moments hesitation, gu li followed. an hour later. two figures fell from the portal, both bloodied and heavily injured. gu li staggered a few steps, her skin reddened to the point of almost bursting. she had to lean on her mystical weapon to stand. gu yuan, however, collapsed to the ground, blood flowing from his mouth and nose. i lost cough cough sister, you are truly formidable. gu yuan coughed up blood. kill me and take the bloodline. must it be this way? gu li gasped for breath. her condition was dire. the eight secondary bloodlines were too vigorous, accelerating the conflict within, leading to signs of bodily disintegration. despite this, she did not move to kill gu yuan. this was father emperors arrangement if possible, i truly didnt want to be the emperors son gu yuan forced a smile, his teeth stained red with blood. hmm maybe i can try? lu xuan, standing aside, blinked. everyone turned to look at him. lu xuan pondered for a moment: i have some understanding of bloodline arts, but this is my first time seeing a living ancient demon senior, can you extract the demon emperors bloodline from my brothers body? gu lis eyes brightened. she disliked killing and her temperament was different from her other siblings. the more bloodlines she fused, the more she felt a bond stemming from their source. killing gu yuan by her own hand was something gu li found hard to accept. it depends on the person involved, lu xuan said, indicating gu yuan. his fourth disciple was a natural-born holy spirit. to cultivate her, lu xuan had studied the bloodline arts of different races. please save me, sir after a long silence, gu yuan straightened up and bowed. alright. lu xuan nodded, stretch out your hand and let me have a look it might hurt a bit, but just endure it. its just some pain. gu yuan extended his arm and instructed, sir, please proceed boldly. i wont shout, so as not to disturb you. youre brave then. lu xuan smiled and placed his hand on gu yuans wrist. the next moment. ahhhhhhhhhhhh! pig-like screams echoed throughout the palace. in the space of the immortal tomb. around a bronze table, figures appeared. this time, only eleven bronze lamps were burning, and an empty seat appeared at the end of the table. shebi shi is dead. the person with the black scale mask spoke. gong gong, what happened? xuan ming asked. half a month ago, gong gong and shebi shi were tasked with assassinating lu xuan and cheng lingzhu. now, only gong gong returned, while shebi shi had fallen outside. the target had a contingency plan, the mission failed. nangong xuan replied. what contingency? tian wu asked. ji lingchens demon suppression sword qi. nangong xuan recalled what lu xuan had told her. how did you survive? di jiang was skeptical. shebi shi thought i was too weak, so he didnt let me enter the battle, fearing id drag him down. nangong xuan said calmly. i think he was afraid of sharing that thousand years of lifespan. ju mang sneered, he accepted the mandate but was worried about the immortal tombs reassignment of rewards. after all, thats a thousand years of lifespan, and that old man was nearing his end, houtu added. what was shebi shis real identity? yan zi was curious. the blood sea ancestor. nangong xuan answered briefly. the atmosphere tensed for a moment, then yan zi sighed, he truly was a significant figure. a once-famous demon in the northern plains and the only person who escaped from ji lingchen on the night of the blood god sects annihilation. what was his cultivation level? hou tu inquired. nangong xuan pondered, judging from the displayed strength peak of the integrated body stage. lu xuan, wanting to continue fishing for information, had asked nangong xuan not to overstate their strength in her report. wasnt the blood sea ancestor a transcendent stage cultivator two thousand years ago? yan zi felt something was amiss. two thousand years have passed, and instead of advancing, his cultivation regressed. and he still calls himself a demon giant. ju mang scoffed. have you two considered who he escaped from that year? hou tu glanced at them: apart from the head of the archean eon worlds sects, apart from that one from the dushi sword sect, who dares to say they can withstand a sword strike from ji lingchen? yan zi shut his mouth. ju mang huffed. everyone fell silent. it made sense. on the night of the blood god sects annihilation, the blood sea ancestor likely suffered a foundational injury and lost his leak-free body when escaping from ji lingchen. though he saved his life wheel, his cultivation had been declining over the years. the sword qi ji lingchen left in him is also consumable. its easy for him to strike with it, but difficult to store and preserve. xuan ming said, no need to panic over this. should we still target these two? nangong xuan asked. lets put it aside for a while. di jiang suggested, we shouldnt make any big moves right now. lets see what the organization behind them is planning. this nangong xuan felt a bit disappointed. observe and recuperate. i agree. ju mang said. by the next meeting, a new shebi shi should emerge. xuan ming looked at the empty seat: if anyone has personal matters needing assistance, they can bring them up next time. this was another function of the immortal tomb space. agreed. agreed. agreed. Chapter 105 - Chapter 105: The Black Tai Sui chapter 105: the black tai sui translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation hungry. it felt like there was a fire burning in his stomach. hui zhen clutched his blanket, curled up, biting his lips tightly. his fellow disciples snored peacefully beside him, each with a round, well-fed head that resembled steamed buns. hui zhen regretted his prideful refusal of the bun his senior brother had secretly offered him. punished with a day without food for misspeaking during the morning lesson, hui zhen hadnt eaten a single grain since then. ming de temples strict rules mandated that daily chores like meditation, fetching water, chopping wood, and gardening could not be neglected, even if meals were denied. after a day of hard work, hui zhen felt as if his stomach was stuck to his back in hunger. he regretted his decision to join the ming de temple. back home, as a young master, i dined on the finest delicacies, waited upon by maids and nannies even for morning tea, hui zhen lamented inwardly. buddhism, buddhism, what buddhism! ive been here for half a month, seen no miracles, learned no dharma, just reciting some calming scriptures every day. eating porridge and vegetables, my mouth feels so bland! born to a wealthy merchant family in eastern chinas jiangnan region, hui zhen yearned for the life of an immortal depicted in tales, flying and moving mountains. as the only child, he was doted on and spoiled. unable to dissuade him, his parents sent him to ming de temple, the closest monastery to their home. once prosperous, the temple was rumored to have produced a foundation building cultivator. though it had since fallen into decline, there were still some cultivation techniques left. hui zhen resented being sent to become a monk. monks, with their scarred heads and grey robes, seemed too ordinary and rough compared to the elegant immortals in his books. moreover, hed heard that the waste of monks was heavier than that of ordinary people, a rather terrifying thought. yet, he still ended up at ming de temple. two reasons brought him here: buddhism was prevalent in eastern china, and he had no other place to pursue spiritual cultivation. secondly, he read in stories that neglected scriptures in the corners of declining sects libraries often hid precious methods and insights. reality and dreams brought hui zhen to ming de temple. his father understood his sons mindset well. sending hui zhen to the temple was also a way to discipline him, to teach him a lesson about the harshness of life outside the comfort of home. hui zhen was indeed missing his life back home. recalling the delicacies he used to enjoy, his hunger intensified. he had never faced such hardships before. tomorrow, as soon as dawn breaks, im leaving the mountain hui zhen gritted his teeth. he planned to feast upon returning home, to compensate for his recent sufferings. then he would post a reward to find a real cultivator. monks? let someone else be one! despite the spacious dormitory, the sleeping area for the novices was crowded. hui zhen could smell the sour stench of sweat from the blankets. if im planning to leave tomorrow, why should i endure the temples rules tonight? he thought, there should be some leftover food in the kitchen, even if its just coarse grains and vegetables, it will help me through the night. with this thought, his stomach growled uncontrollably. he quietly got out of bed, avoiding his sleeping seniors, put on his monks robe and shoes, and stealthily opened the door to slip out. the moonlight was cool and serene. guided by the moon, hui zhen headed towards the kitchen. he wasnt worried about being discovered. having been at ming de temple for half a month, he was familiar with the monks routines. it was just past midnight, and everyone was asleep, leaving the kitchen unguarded. after about twenty minutes, hui zhen reached the kitchen door. to prevent rats from stealing food, the door was locked, but this wasnt a problem for hui zhen. he had noticed that the lock was old and loose. with little effort, he could pull it down. tomorrow, before i leave the mountain, ill confess to the masters. ill ask my father to donate a new kitchen to the temple. being wealthy, his family could easily afford a new kitchen in exchange for a broken lock. he grabbed the lock and pulled, loosening it significantly. another tug made a loud noise as the lock came off. creaking, the kitchen door opened. before him was a pitch-black room, as foreboding as a predatory beast. hui zhen tensed up, feeling like a guilty thief. standing near the door, he found the flint on the stove and the oil lamp hanging nearby. once the lamp was lit, its weak flame revealed the rooms interior. relieved, hui zhen entered with the lamp in hand. Chapter 106 - Chapter 106: The Black Tai Sui chapter 106: the black tai sui translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation as the kitchen of ming de temple, the space was quite large, comprising three major rooms. the outermost was used for cooking, equipped with a row of stoves and windows open for ventilation. but what hui zhen sought, the place for storing dry food, was in the second room. hui zhen glanced at his oil lamp. since ming de temple didnt cook at night, the oil lamps were seldom used, and few paid attention to how much oil was left, rarely remembering to refill them. the flame was dim, and seeing that the oil was nearly depleted, hui zhen knew he had to act quickly. surrounded by silence, he could hear his own heart pounding. lifting the curtain separating the rooms, he entered the inner kitchen and quickly spotted a basket on a table, covered with a pot lid. hui zhen hurried over and lifted the lid to find several coarse grain buns, each quite large. despite being cold and hard from sitting out, to the famished hui zhen, they tasted exceptionally delicious. after eating the dry bun, hui zhen fetched a ladle of water from a barrel at the other end of the room. it was then that he inadvertently glanced towards the innermost room, used as a storeroom. through the curtains, he could vaguely see a large vat. the vat was over a persons height, deep black, heavily built, with some indistinct patterns carved on it. hui zhen set down his water ladle. in his memory, the vat had been brought in from outside. the monks who delivered it claimed to be from tian chong temple. the name coincided with the tian chong buddha, revered by all in the eastern china kingdom. unfamiliar with the cultivation world and ignorant of the tian chong temples origins, hui zhen was unaware of its significance. but the monasterys eldest and most learned abbot was visibly excited upon meeting the monk from tian chong temple, as if seeing a messenger of the true buddha. especially when the messenger brought a cart, revealing the large vat to the abbot. new to buddhism, hui zhen didnt understand its doctrines or the relationships between temples. but, being from a merchant family, he was adept at observing people. he noticed the abbot trembling when looking at the vat. the vat was so heavy that even the temples warrior monks couldnt move it. eventually, the abbot sent everyone away and somehow managed to bring the vat into the kitchen. some informed senior brothers revealed that the vat contained ingredients sent by tian chong temple for preparing vegetarian meals at ming de temple. hui zhen was familiar with vegetarian meals. during the celebration of the buddhas birthday, temples throughout the eastern china kingdom would host vegetarian banquets for the public. what kind of ingredient needs such a large vat to store? hui zhen speculated: could it be a vat of pickles? he looked at the half-eaten dry bun in his hand. then back at the large vat in the room. they say foreign monks chant better sutras, so do foreign monks pickles taste different from local ones? pickles served at a vegetarian banquet for the true buddha must have their unique qualities. just a taste of pickles. before i leave, ill leave some silver as compensation. if theyre good, ill buy some to take home for my father to try. with this thought, hui zhen picked up a spatula from the stove and walked towards the storeroom. the black vat was taller than him, so he climbed onto a nearby table used for storing miscellaneous items, which was not very stable. the vat was originally tied with a rope, but it had been untied, and a wooden lid was tightly covering it. hui zhen then remembered that buddhas birthday was in three days. the pickles in this vat have already been eaten. he concluded in his mind. however, he hadnt seen any pickles on the dining table, suspecting that the kitchen in charge and senior brothers had eaten them secretly, fearing detection by the abbot. he set the oil lamp aside and opened the wooden lid of the black vat. the lid was heavy, requiring some effort from hui zhen. then he lifted the dimly lit oil lamp over the vat whoa, a vat full of black pickles. but these pickles seemed different from those he had seen before. hui zhen held the spatula, bent down, and dipped it into the vat. a strange sensation traveled up the handle, making hui zhen utter a light huh. it felt like stirring a pot of jelly or dipping into pig fat in winter. the content in the vat was sticky and cohesive; it was hard for hui zhen to stir. confused, hui zhen had never seen such pickles. he pulled the spatula out, noticing black marks left on it. the light from the oil lamp was too dim for a clear view, so hui zhen lifted the spatula higher and leaned forward for a better look. the table was cluttered, offering little space to stand. hui zhen lost his balance and fell into the vat. his skin contacted the sticky, soft substance inside the vat, wet and heavy. hui zhen struggled frantically, but the contents of the vat, like living creatures, wriggled and forced their way into his mouth and nose.. Chapter 107 - Chapter 107: The Black Tai Sui chapter 107: the black tai sui translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation help, hel hel hui zhen desperately called for help as he was dragged into the vat, his body gradually submerged. his cries for help turned into muffled, desperate sounds, like a broken bellows, struggling to make noise. in the room, the fallen oil lamp flickered before finally going out. inside the flying treasure carriage, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu were sitting opposite each other, sipping tea. several days had passed since they left the demon emperors secret realm. the bloodline from gu yuan had been extracted and merged into his sister gu lis body. the restrictions set by the demon emperor could not stop lu xuan, and with the unification of nine bloodlines, gu li became the true emperors child. during the process, lu xuan also examined gu lis condition. her nine bloodlines were unique, and according to the siblings, their nine mothers came from renowned bloodline tribes of that era. gu yuans maternal lineage was the strongest, hence it became the main bloodline, while the demon emperors own bloodline acted as a sort of glue. it felt a bit like the competition in an emperors harem. without an empress, the other consorts would fight for the position, and the emperor needed to mediate and maintain balance. however, even after these nine bloodlines achieved balance, they were still distinct from each other. with lu xuans knowledge in bloodline arts, he felt something crucial was missing despite the strength of the combined bloodlines. gu li and her brother shared the demon emperors deeds with lu xuan. lu xuan sensed that the demon emperors goal might have been to fully merge the bloodlines in the nine children, aiming for some kind of qualitative change, but unfortunately, it wasnt successful. he pondered what could have caused such a drastic change in the demon emperors personality later in life. later, using her own bloodline as a guide, gu li opened the imperial city enveloped by the demon emperors secret realm. they encountered an ancient demon immortal army in slumber and saw the demon emperors imperial coffin. lu xuan, naturally, didnt take anything left for the descendants, but he copied the ancient emperors scripture and the demon emperors research notes on bloodlines found in the tomb. additionally, a perennially youthful flower in the imperial city was plucked by gu li and given to cheng lingzhu. planted a spy in the immortal tomb organization, killed a long-fleeing demon giant, broke the ice between the dao evolution sect and the sky demon sect, dealt with an impolite ancient demon lu xuan was satisfied with his recent accomplishments. the death of the blood sea ancestor deterred the immortal tomb organization, preventing them from taking action for a while. any plans of the immortal tomb organization would be reported to him by nangong xuan. killing the demon emperors eldest son, gu yuan, nipped a potential danger in the bud. gu yuan was mentally twisted and controlling the immortal army in the imperial city could have led to disaster. the matter of the dao evolution sect and the sky demon sect establishing relations was left to qing yangzi and others. after handling so many major affairs, lu xuan decided to take a break. tian chong temple was a major buddhist sect, a peaceful and quiet place where everyone revered buddhism. the vegetarian feast of tian chong temple is famous throughout the cultivation world. inside the carriage, lu xuan poured tea. even the immortal chef sect once sent elders to tian chong temple to learn vegetarian cooking. every buddhas birthday, many cultivators visit just for the feast. hmm have you eaten there before? cheng lingzhu leaned on her hand, looking at him, blinking. dressed casually in the carriage without others around, she wore a loose shirt, buttoned haphazardly, with her long hair draped over her shoulders, exuding a lazy charm. i havent, actually. lu xuan took a sip from his cup: compared to other sects around, tian chong temple emerged quite late. tian chong buddha rose about seven thousand years ago and entered nirvana two thousand years ago he could be considered my junior. as for not eating there lu xuan reached out towards cheng lingzhus chest and buttoned up her shirt. i rarely leave the mountain, maybe once in a few hundred years. without company, it feels a bit lonely to go there. satisfied with the neatly buttoned shirt, lu xuan nodded. for him, tombs could be explored alone, but meals were best enjoyed with company. moreover. lu xuan paused, then spoke earnestly: monks and nuns in temples often deceive people. if i go alone to eat vegetarian food, seeing my handsome appearance, they might try to trick me into becoming a monk. dont be shameless. cheng lingzhu lightly huffed hearing his words. she straightened her chest. the shirt was loose, but cheng lingzhus figure was excellent. after buttoning all the buttons, what was originally a loose front became tight. am i not telling the truth? lu xuan asked in genuine confusion. cheng lingzhu stared at his face for a while, then thought: alright, its the truth. she reached out, cupping lu xuans face, if you werent so good-looking, i wouldnt have fallen into your trap so easily. lu xuan replied righteously, what trap? i was devoted to my path, my heart pure and untainted. cheng lingzhu looked at him, blinked, and said, are you saying it was me who had ulterior motives first? lu xuan pondered for a moment. cant say there werent any? who confessed to whom first? it was to take care of you. with your temperament back then, you would have remained single all your life if i hadnt taken the initiative. thats your excuse to your master? indulging in feminine charm is my pleasure! there, you admitted it. cheng lingzhus lips curled slightly, hmm so did i. she held lu xuans face and kissed him deeply. affection isnt about who starts or ends it. as for indulging or not of course, she was indulged in lu xuans charm. who else would she crave if not her own husband? cheng lingzhu proudly thought.. Chapter 108 - Chapter 108: Mysterious Vegetarian Feast on the Eve of Buddha ‘s Birthday chapter 108: mysterious vegetarian feast on the eve of buddha s birthday translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation the night was cool as water. in tian chong temple, the lights were gradually extinguished. perched atop a large mountain, the temple resembled a vast beast lurking in the darkness. a slender figure leaped into the temple, moving lightly without making a sound. she rolled up the sleeves of her nightwear, revealing a line of faint golden characters on her delicate wrist. only four hours left. she glanced at it, knowing she needed to act quickly. the woman in the nightwear, named lin qingyu, came from the renowned demon sect of the archean eon realm, the spirit charm sect. three thousand years ago, tian chong temple had clashed with the demon charm sect when the tian chong buddha was still alive. he converted the heart-bewitching elder of the spirit charm sect with a mere vegetarian feast, leading her to confess her ten major sins and convert to buddhism, willingly being confined in the temple for self-reflection. back then, the heart-bewitching elder was at the void refinening stage. after becoming a nun, she disappeared from the public eye. years passed, and outsiders assumed she had entered nirvana long ago. but lin qingyu knew otherwise. inside the spirit charm sect, the soul lamp of the elder still burned. the soul lamp, a special magical artifact commonly used by major sects, is activated by a cultivators essence blood before leaving for important missions. if the cultivator perishes, the lamp extinguishes, serving as a notification. three thousand years had passed since the heart-bewitching elder converted and became a nun, but her soul lamp had never gone out. the heart-bewitching elder was a top enchantress, practicing the mysterious yin nurturing spirit chapter, which required dual cultivation with men daily before reaching the mahayana phase, or her cultivation would regress lin qingyus eyes narrowed. such an enchantress willingly became a nun, embracing asceticism. this itself was riddled with doubts, let alone her prolonged survival. tasked by her sect, lin qingyu came to clarify what truly happened back then. the golden characters on her wrist were a decree left by a powerful figure of the spirit charm sect. it concealed her aura, eluding the buddhist cultivators of tian chong temple. however, the temples holy ground was under the protection of buddhist might, limiting the decrees effectiveness to only four hours. after four hours, once the decree faded, the powerful monks of tian chong temple would detect lin qingyus presence. thus, she needed to locate the heart-bewitching elder and ascertain her current state before dawn. harnessing her internal force, lin qingyu moved through the temple. the temple had a no-fly zone array, and not even a mosquito could take flight. she used stealth techniques, sticking to the walls, concealing her presence, avoiding the patrolling monks without making a sound. she took out a lotus-shaped lantern covered with a black cloth, faintly glowing from within. this was the heart-bewitching elders soul lamp, which lin qingyu brought from her sect. the lamp, holding the cultivators essence blood, would glow brighter as lin qingyu neared the elder. while the lamp couldnt provide a precise route, it helped her locate the general area. utilizing a cultivators speed, lin qingyu continuously corrected her direction, moving towards the core area of tian chong temple. after a long while. as she turned a corner, preparing to check the soul lamp for her direction, she heard voices nearby. quick, hurry up, dont let him escape! search carefully, dont miss any corner! tomorrow is buddhas birthday; the abbot ordered no mistakes! a group of disciplinary monks crowded over, each wielding a magical artifact with powerful auras, seemingly searching for someone. lin qingyu was startled, then realized they werent after her. someone had infiltrated the temple and was discovered by the disciplinary monks. as the stern-faced monks approached, lin qingyu reluctantly flipped over a nearby courtyard wall. jumping the wall was inelegant, but she had no choice. first, due to the temples restrictions, cultivators couldnt use transformation techniques to disguise themselves as small insects on a stone. second, the walls and ground of the temple were made of buddhist gold bricks, engraved with scriptures. when combined, they formed a magical artifact, rendering wall-penetrating techniques useless. however, just as she was halfway over, her body not yet landed, lin qingyu froze. she saw someone squatting by the wall base, dressed similarly to her in the same nightwear from the longevity palace, their face concealed. the person on the ground was equally shocked upon seeing lin qingyu. both concealed their auras, unaware of each others presence, resulting in an unexpected collision. the atmosphere turned awkward. lin qingyu was about to flee using her powers, but the other person reacted faster. he grabbed lin qingyus dangling ankle and yanked her down. with a thud, lin qingyu landed in the soft mud, realizing she was in a vegetable garden. her ankle seized, lin qingyu instinctively counterattacked. her body twisted at an incredible angle, and she kicked out, striking the others face. the man in black grunted, sent flying by her kick. the enchantress from the spirit charm sect rose gracefully, a short knife materializing in her hand, and swiftly attacked in silence.. Chapter 109 - Chapter 109: Mysterious Vegetarian Feast on the Eve of Buddha ‘s Birthday chapter 109: mysterious vegetarian feast on the eve of buddha s birthday translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation clang, clang, clang seven light sounds rang out as the man in black sat on the ground, his movements as swift as lightning. he tapped the side of the short knife with his finger, using a subtle technique to break lin qingyus agile knife strikes. lin qingyu sneered, put away her short knife, and switched to a giant axe, half the size of a door, obviously very heavy. no more, no more fighting! the man in black pleaded, covering his face and communicating telepathically, quickly conceding. lin qingyu stopped but didnt put away her axe, waiting for an explanation from the man in black. lets be friendly, we are fellow practitioners after all. the man pulled down the black cloth covering his face, revealing a young mans face, marked with the imprint of lin qingyus shoe. sitting on the ground, he communicated telepathically. golden chalice steps, broken jade sword technique youre from the spirit charm sect? thats right. lin qingyu narrowed her eyes, seven strikes of the severing blade are you a sword cultivator? both were intruders in tian chong temple, and to avoid attracting attention from the disciplinary monks, they had used only their most basic combat skills. exposing each others affiliations was a way to showcase their strengths and deter the other. i am chu qian, a disciple of the immortal chef sect. chu qian smiled, showing his white teeth. a kitchen knife is also a knife; its normal for the immortal kitchen sect, which is somewhat of a sword sect, to have secret sword techniques. spirit charm sect, lin qingyu. lin qingyu, without hiding her identity, reported her name, what are you doing here? here to observe and learn. chu qian communicated telepathically, tian chong temples vegetarian feast is famous far and wide. tomorrow is tian chong buddhas birthday, and they will probably start cooking before dawn. his eyes sparkled as he spoke. i plan to sneak in and learn a thing or two. he then reached for his head and removed a wig, revealing a shiny bald head, even painted with imitation scars. lin qingyu was silent. you could have used an illusion to turn yourself into a monk directly, right? the taste of tian chong temples vegetarian food is excellent, but the top-tier dishes are a closely guarded secret i suspect it might involve a certain dao. chu qian stood up, serious. the closer one resembles a monk, the more delicious the vegetarian feast before i leave, i plan to steal an authentic monks robe. lin qingyu: chu qians dedication to his culinary path left her speechless. what are you here for, daoist lin? chu qian asked. im also here to steal techniques. thats impossible. chu qian was in doubt. the spirit charm sect should be sneaking into the neighboring red luano pavilion instead. this is a cooking place, thats where you hey, hey, dont hit me. then you must be here for that heart-bewitching elder, right? chu qian was shocked when he inadvertently connected the dots, shes still alive? shes one of our sects elders, why are you so surprised? lin qingyu looked at him, do you know her? i dont, but this means this means chu qians eyes lit up, this means tian chong temples vegetarian feast might extend ones lifespan! lin qingyu felt the conversation was going nowhere. she suspected this immortal chef sect disciple named chu qian was a bit off, not foolish, but definitely not normal. okay, theyre gone now. you steal your techniques, and ill find my person. lin qingyu didnt want to entangle herself with this individual further and bid farewell. goodbye, daoist lin. chu qian fixed his wig, covered his face, and they both turned and left swiftly. after a while. eh, daoist lin, why are you following me? i went the wrong way. oh. after another while. daoist lin, why are you still following me? thats because i also need to go in that direction. lin qingyu took a deep breath and took out the soul lamp from her storage artifact. the soul lamp pointed in the same direction chu qian was heading. chu qian paused. but im going to tian chong temples kitchen lin qingyu: daoist chu, is there a newly built place nearby for imprisoning criminals or erring disciples? lin qingyu felt something was amiss. chu qian pondered. he had prepared thoroughly for his mission to tian chong temple, familiar with the layout. but to my knowledge, tian chong temples kitchen is located on the back mountain. theres no place for imprisoning criminals there, at least not publicly. chu qian responded. lin qingyu felt a sinking feeling, a bad premonition. chu qian, seeing her reaction, advised, dont worry, daoist lin. perhaps your sect elder admires the culinary arts and is studying in the kitchen. being able to cook and stir-fry every day is like living a fairy-like life. he said this with a look of longing. lin qingyu rolled her eyes. so, a revered elder of the spirit charm sect doesnt become an honored guest, but instead runs to a temple to become a cook? hey, dont look down on cooks! chu qian protested. my immortal chef sect, a top-tier powerful sect, was once offended by a great teachings master. since then, he couldnt find a prestigious place to host guests for meals. lin qingyu scoffed. yeah, but then his daughter-in-law turned out to be the master of the immortal farmer sect, who cut off your sects supply of top-grade ingredients. in the end, your sect master had to beg her. chu qian felt a bit embarrassed. Chapter 110 - Chapter 110: Mysterious Vegetarian Feast on the Eve of Buddha ‘s Birthday chapter 110: mysterious vegetarian feast on the eve of buddha s birthday translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation isnt this a secret of our sect? how do you know about it? chu qian asked, incredulous. he once stayed in our spirit charm sect; its hardly a secret anymore. lin qingyu explained. chu qian hissed in admiration, people say that the intelligence capabilities of the spirit charm sect are second only to the tianji sect. now i believe it. as they bantered, they hurried towards the kitchen of the tian chong temple. lin qingyu held a soul lamp in her hand. as she had predicted, the closer they got to the place, the brighter the light of the soul lamp became. theres half an hour until the hour of mao. the buddhas birthday ceremony will be held in the morning, and these monks have already started preparing the vegetarian feast. lin qingyu looked ahead. the kitchen courtyard of tian chong temple was located at the top of the rear mountain. despite being a kitchen, due to the characteristics of the sect, it was grand and imposing. uninformed people might even mistake it for a hall dedicated to worshiping the bodhisattvas. the two concealed themselves in the shadows and saw monks steadily ascending the mountain, their numbers not small. they cast an invisibility spell and followed the monks, their presence masked by the artifacts they carried. upon entering the courtyard, they saw the kitchen, resembling a hall, with bright spirit lamps. chu qian sniffed the air, catching the scent of top-grade ingredients from the kitchen, eager to enter and learn the craft. but lin qingyu tugged his sleeve. he turned to see her gesturing towards a direction. following her gaze, chu qian noticed four monks carrying a large vat towards a grand kitchen. the vat was over a persons height, with an ancient design, dark and adorned with vague patterns. chu qian frowned. they didnt store this vat in a storage artifact; it needed to be carried by hand. lin qingyu telepathically communicated. whats inside is alive; it cant be kept in a storage artifact. chu qian nodded, understanding her implication. they followed the four monks into the kitchen. the scent of rice and cooking pots boiling porridge filled the air. the monks at the stove offloaded a pot onto the ground. the ones carrying the vat lifted its lid and tipped it over. someone brought a woodcutters axe, standing by the vat. lin qingyu and chu qian saw a black substance flowing out. it wasnt quite a flow; more like a gelatinous substance, similar to aspic but dark and murky. the black jelly, sliced like it had been cut, was piled in chunks inside the vat, each the size of a basin. lin qingyu noticed a dark green slime covering the cuts on the jelly, secreting like blood from a wound, tangling and deforming as the pieces stacked and twisted, seemingly fusing. the monk with the axe chopped down, and a piece of the jelly fell into the pot. beside him, another monk with a fierce look in his eyes pounded the jelly with a pestle, grinding it to pieces. chu qian saw the black substance shrink back as it was chopped, as if in fear of pain. what in the world is the tian chong temple doing? chu qians adams apple bobbed with difficulty. the contents of the vat didnt resemble vegetarian food, nor did the monks in the temple seem like typical monks. each pot received many of these black jelly pieces, with steam rising in the kitchen, dissolving and stewing the substance. after emptying the vat, the four monks left the kitchen and headed towards the summit of the rear mountain. chu qian and lin qingyu followed closely, the former remaining silent, while the latter watched the soul lamp in her hand grow increasingly brighter. more monks continued to descend from the mountain top, each group of four carrying a large black vat on their shoulders. at the summit, there was no building, replaced instead by a vast pit. the pit, over ten meters in diameter, had a dark mouth with faintly visible steps leading downwards. the monks carrying the vat had emerged from this pit. lin qingyu looked up at the sky, noting the approaching dawn. she glanced at the small characters on her wrist, the golden color of the divine decree fading, lasting at most another half hour. that should be enough. after calculating in her mind, she bowed to chu qian, daoist chu, this is where we part ways. wait. chu qian telepathically communicated, i will accompany you i have a secret treasure that keeps me hidden, i wont be a burden. lin qingyu gave him a look, shaking her head. no, daoist chu, you shouldnt follow me. she took out a communication artifact and handed it to chu qian. what you need to do now is to descend the mountain quickly and find a safe place to hide. tomorrow is the day of buddhas birthday at tianchong temple. numerous temples within the tian chong domain will hold vegetarian feasts. we dont know what these monks have added to the vegetarian dishes, nor if they have distributed that vats contents to other temples. if the vat contains only a special ingredient, that would be best, but if theres some conspiracy behind this, the consequences are unimaginable. there are many prohibitions in tian chong temple, and external communication artifacts cant be used inside. someone must wait outside the temple. i will investigate this matter. if you dont receive my message within an hour, please contact your sect immediately and inform them of tonights events. lin qingyu was calm, knowing what had to be done. chu qian stared at her. the dawn light began to break, the night not yet faded, and a gentle breeze stirred on the mountain, lightly fluttering her hair. in this moment, chu qian felt she resembled not a demoness, but a true heroine. daoist chu bids farewell. chu qian inhaled deeply, if we meet again, i shall personally host a feast to honor you. lin qingyu bowed deeply in response. the two turned away simultaneously, one running towards the base of the mountain, the other, without a backward glance, heading towards the dark pit.. Chapter 111 - Chapter 111: Tai Sui Bodhisattva, Reincarnated True Buddha chapter 111: tai sui bodhisattva, reincarnated true buddha translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation the entrance led to an underground space, dark and profound. rough rock walls flanked the path, with jagged edges protruding. lin qingyu, blending into the shadows, moved swiftly through the darkness. she occasionally encountered monks carrying cauldrons, but with a powerful protective decree and her invisibility technique, she went undetected. the passage sloped downwards, the stone steps thick and smooth. years of constant traversal had rounded the edges of these stairs. moving swiftly, lin qingyu reached the end of the tunnel in less than half an incense sticks time. a faint light emanated from the exit. she moved silently and stepped out of the corridor. before her was a massive underground chamber. upon seeing the chambers contents, she was immediately struck with awe. the chambers dome was incredibly high, and the cavern was not a natural formation but excavated by human hands. lin qingyu realized she was within the belly of a great mountain. someone with immense power had hollowed out the entire rear mountain of tian chong temple, creating this vast underground space. however, what truly astounded lin qingyu wasnt the space itself. in the center of the cavern, 1296 buddha lamps were lit. these lamps, with their bizarre design, had skulls instead of the usual lotus-shaped bases. the dark flames burned within the skull lamps. before these lamps knelt three figures. the one in the middle wore a black robe, his frame thin and gaunt. lin qingyu guessed his identity. the abbot of tian chong temple, master kong wen. the two beside him must be his disciples. but their object of worship wasnt the 1296 skull buddha lamps, but something encircled by these lamps. it was a colossal creature, black and transparent. it lay coiled like a slug, resembling a mountain of transparent flesh with thick slime covering it, slowly oozing down. monks with long knives stabbed forcefully into the creatures body. the giant being seemed to feel pain, its flesh twitching and trembling slightly. with a twist of the knife, large chunks of black jelly were cut and writhed as they fell into the large black vats. black sprouts with dark green slime grew from the smooth cuts, resembling snail antennae, attempting to climb out of the walls of the cauldron. the creature, almost reaching the dome, had a massive and transparent body. through it, a pale, fleshy orb could be seen forming within its belly. it was a demon. even though lin qingyu had never seen such a being before, she was certain in her heart. what chilled her to the bone was that upon arriving here, the light from the soul lamp in her hand reached its maximum brightness. lin qingyu finally understood why the soul lamp of the senior who had lost her way had not yet extinguished. she was trapped here, transformed into a demon, serving as a vessel within the belly of the mountain behind tian chong temple, nurturing the fleshy orb. just then, the soul lamp in lin qingyus hand suddenly brightened. as if sensing something, the black mountainous creature stirred, and an invisible oppressive force spread out. lin qingyus complexion changed. at the same time this pressure spread, the powerful decree on her wrist, which should have lasted a while longer, suddenly extinguished! the old monk in the black robe stood up abruptly, turning his gaze towards lin qingyus hiding spot. without the decrees protection, her presence was instantly exposed to abbot kong wen. the old monk reached out, and lin qingyu, powerless to resist, was uncontrollably drawn towards him. whats the meaning of this?! kong wens expression was dark. a disciple from the discipline hall reported earlier that someone infiltrated the temple tonight. it must be this woman. kong wen squinted, lifting lin qingyu into the air. alone, she dared to enter my sacred temple send a message to the monks in charge of discipline to search the entire temple to see if she has accomplices! yes! the disciple immediately sent the message. did you just feed the tai sui bodhisattva? kong wen inquired. master, another monk replied respectfully, because the vegetarian feast is approaching, and we need to cut meat from the tai sui bodhisattva, every hour for the past three days, we have been feeding the buddha a hundred pairs of boys and girls the bodhisattva has just eaten. after finishing, he added, master, rest assured, i handled this discreetly, no one knows. it matters not. kong wen clasped his hands together, uttering a buddhist chant, to become one with the bodhisattva is their blessing. these children have ascended to paradise, a fate many cannot even beg for. moreover kong wen paused. when i achieve true buddhahood, i will fear nothing. you, accompanying me, will also attain the status of a buddha, far surpassing those false buddhas and pseudo-bodhisattvas of the great impermanent temple. master speaks the truth. the disciples nodded repeatedly, then what shall we do with this girl? kong wen pondered for a moment, looking at lin qingyu. still a maiden today is your lucky day. though you cannot serve the buddha, you will enter the belly of this true bodhisattva.. Chapter 112 - Chapter 112: Tai Sui Bodhisattva, Reincarnated True Buddha chapter 112: tai sui bodhisattva, reincarnated true buddha translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation with a sweeping gesture, kong wen threw lin qingyu into the sea of skull lamps: keep a close watch on her. after my rebirth as buddha, well use her as a sacrifice! yes! kong wen turned away and declared, the time has come for my reincarnation. the buddhas birthday ceremony will be overseen by you and your fellow disciple, without fail! we understand, master! kong wens disciples bowed in unison. after giving his instructions, kong wen, draped in his black robe, stepped towards the tai sui bodhisattva, his feet barely touching the ground. his hands clasped in prayer, a solemn and devout expression on his face, he recited obscure scriptures. the mountainous tai sui bodhisattva, as if sensing his approach, suddenly stilled. its belly split open, revealing the ghastly white fleshy orb. the orb unfolded like petals, revealing another flesh orb within, as tall as a person, with a crack at its top. kong wens clothes slowly vanished, leaving him as naked as a newborn, merging into the body of the tai sui buddha. at tian chong temple. a figure was moving rapidly. chu qian, injured, fled desperately. behind him shone a seven-colored treasure mirror. whenever chu qian evaded his pursuers, the peculiar mirror would reveal his location, leaving him no place to hide. after parting with lin qingyu, chu qian cautiously headed down the mountain. but to his surprise, before he could leave, he was pursued by the temples monks. at that moment, he knew lin qingyu must have been exposed. his concealment artifact was inferior to lin qingyus. once the discipline hall monks brought out this unusual mirror, all his cover was blown. the monks of the discipline hall were ruthless, striking mercilessly, intent on killing chu qian. heavily wounded and running for a long time, every time he nearly breached the temples walls, monks would block his way. now, as daylight broke and the buddhas birthday ceremony was about to start, chu qian was at his limit. he sighed internally, fearing he would fall here today, unable to complete the task lin qingyu entrusted to him. turning a corner, two figures suddenly appeared in front of him. a man and a woman, both striking in appearance, stood under a blossoming ancient posala tree. the breeze fluttered, posala blossoms falling. the man held the womans hand, smiling warmly as they reached out to catch the falling flowers. it was a beautiful scene, but chu qian was in no mood for such sights. if he could choose, he would have preferred to see a middle-aged cultivator with an air of authority or an awe-inspiring elder with an immortal bearing. but he was exhausted, knowing he must pass on the message. run! he thought, urging himself forward. stumbling forward, chu qian used his last bit of strength to send a telepathic message, theres something sinister at tian chong temple! stop the vegetarian feast! he collapsed with a thud, his wig falling off to reveal a shiny bald head. lu xuan, who was catching posala tree flowers, blinked in surprise. well, that was quite unexpected. he and cheng lingzhu had arrived the night before, staying at an inn and visiting tian chong temple early in the morning, planning to stroll around the mountain before attending the vegetarian feast. since the temple wasnt officially open yet, lu xuan didnt want to disturb the monks, simply wandering near the entrance. this area, usually open to visitors, was part of the outer perimeter of the temple. they didnt expect to see a bald man with a fake wig and painted head scars darting from behind a wall, followed by chu qians telepathic message. something wrong with tian chong temple? lu xuan and cheng lingzhu exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. lu xuan waved his hand, shrinking chu qians body and tucking him into his sleeve. a tea-time later. chu qian suddenly opened his eyes. he sprang up to find himself lying on a vine-woven bed, surrounded by tall trees. realizing he was in a forest outside tian chong temple, he looked around in confusion. what happened? tell us, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu asked, seated on chairs nearby. chu qian touched himself, finding his injuries healed and feeling surprisingly rejuvenated. he immediately understood he had encountered powerful cultivators. bowing deeply to lu xuan and cheng lingzhu, chu qian urged, please intervene and stop the buddhas birthday ceremony! he then recounted the previous nights events to them. lu xuan pondered for a moment, so youre saying that last night you sneaked into tian chong temple and encountered a temptress from the spirit charm sect. then you both discovered that the temples monks were secretly adding ingredients to the porridge. yes, yes. chu qian nodded vigorously. it doesnt seem like a big deal, does it? lu xuan blinked. at most, the monks had broken their vows by turning vegetable porridge into meat porridge, thus enhancing its nutrition. chu qian was speechless. that did seem logical. he hadnt seen the mountainous flesh creature in the pit or the demonically corrupted abbot kong wen. he only saw monks adding something to the porridge. the atmosphere last night was indeed eerie, but what if it was a special ingredient cultivated by the monks, a closely guarded secret? Chapter 113 - Chapter 113: Tai Sui Bodhisattva, Reincarnated True Buddha chapter 113: tai sui bodhisattva, reincarnated true buddha translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation but seniors, my friends life is in danger. after she was exposed, i was also pursued by those monks. they were ruthless, as if determined to silence me. chu qian pondered, if it were just a matter of leaking ingredients, they shouldnt have been so deadly. thats indeed a point of suspicion. given tian chong temples stature and authority, even if they did add something to the porridge and got exposed, people would likely think its just slander from monks who couldnt attend the feast, lu xuan nodded. the lethal actions of tian chong temples monks indicated a significant secret they were desperate to keep hidden. let me handle this, lu xuan decided. you go inform the elders of your immortal chef sect. ill investigate whats really happening behind tian chong temple. thank you, senior, chu qian said respectfully. meanwhile, the preparations for the buddhas birthday ceremony had begun. kong wens senior disciple stood at the temple gate, unfurling a scroll depicting a pure land paradise. the scroll showed a world with seven layers of railings, nets, and jewel trees, a golden pool filled with the water of virtue, and buildings, pavilions, and roads all made of gold, adorned with various gemstones, crystals, pearls, and agates. various exotic birds and animals were also depicted. as the scroll expanded, its contents materialized into reality around tian chong temple, turning the encompassed area into a part of the pure land paradise. living within this area, people felt joy and forgot their worries. monks from tian chong temple used magical treasures to throw grains of rice, which transformed into tables and chairs upon touching the ground. the locals, accustomed to these wonders, emerged from their homes, now part of the pure land, to find seats, waiting for the start of the ceremony. at the temples main peak, above the clouds, round tables were arranged. powerful guests sat on the clouds, smiling as they looked down upon the magnificent scene below. having settled chu qian, lu xuan looked up at the powerful beings arriving for the feast and took out a waist badge from his storage artifact. at the same time, in the vip dining area for the powerful guests. its been years, and daoist yu ding still looks as splendid as ever, even surpassing his past. oh, not at all. ive just reached the late stage of integration after my retreat. but daoist dan tai, in my opinion, seems to be nearing the threshold of mahayana. merely luck. yu ding, youre so much younger; your future achievements will surely surpass mine. i still remember the days when daoist dan tai and i roamed the world together, so full of youthful vigor. we mustnt forget all the delicacies we shared back then. those memories are still so delightful. indeed, indeed feng yangzi, the deputy of dao evolution sects leader, watched the bigwigs bragging and dared not speak. one was boasting about avenging a young girl with a string of candied haws, wiping out an entire demonic sect, admiring his sense of loyalty and righteousness. another reminisced about waiting a century for a spiritual fruit to ripen, marking the epitome of a true gourmet. feng yangzi, a void-refining cultivator, trembled among them. he was standing in for qing yangzi. as the sect leader craved the vegetarian feast of tian chong temple but was busy with duties, he tasked feng yangzi with a significant responsibility. qing yangzi instructed his junior to pack a portion for him after the feast and bring it back to the sect. suddenly, feng yangzi felt a vibration at his waist. reaching for it, he realized he was receiving a message. his expression turned to surprise upon checking the waist badge. why was it his ancestral master? hello, shen yun? yes, ancestral master. feng yangzi communicated telepathically. hearing this name, feng yangzi knew it had to be his ancestral master. shen yun was his secular name, used only by his ancestral master. are you currently at tian chong temple, sitting with a group of powerful cultivators? lu xuan asked. yes, ancestral master, feng yangzi replied, glancing around. as a third-rate sect enjoying top-tier immortal sect treatment, the dao evolution sect representatives always had prime seating at high-profile ceremonies and events. im at a table with seven people, all from first-class sects and top-tier immortal sects how did you know, ancestral uncle? because im also at tian chong temple, lu xuan revealed. ah? feng yangzi was taken aback. just happened to be passing by, nothing strange now, i have an important task for you, lu xuan got straight to the point. please instruct me, ancestral master. hearing lu xuan emphasize the word important, feng yangzi immediately became serious. lu xuan considered his words, there might be a problem with this years vegetarian feast. huh? feng yangzi was startled. do you still have the jade pendant i gave you when you were a child? yes, i have it, feng yangzi touched his chest. why do you ask, ancestral master? before you eat, place it under your tongue. it can ward off evil influences, lu xuan instructed. understood. feng yangzi discreetly placed the jade pendant in his mouth while the powerful beings at his table were engrossed in conversation. your task is to ensure that no one at your table eats the vegetarian dishes, lu xuan continued. feng yangzi was perplexed, ???? ive learned that this years feast might be tainted with impure substances, lu xuan elaborated. im not sure about the extent of the contamination or its effects on powerful cultivators, so we must prepare for the worst if chaos ensues, as long as your table remains clear-headed, they can help stabilize the situation. cant i just tell them directly? feng yangzi asked. if you tell them, they might not believe you. even if they do, those old gourmets attending the feast would likely eat the tainted food out of sheer confidence in their own strength, lu xuan explained. feng yangzi was at a loss, how do i stop them then? his ancestral masters logic was sound. his table was full of epicures, the kind who would wait a century for a spiritual fruit. as a void-refining cultivator, he doubted his ability to persuade them. why not eat all the vegetarian dishes on the table before they can? you have the jade pendant for protection, lu xuan suggested a straightforward solution. feng yangzi looked at the five integration cultivators and one mahayana cultivator at his table, then at himself, a void -refining cultivator. eat their food before they could? feng yangzi was filled with doubts.. Chapter 114 - Chapter 114: Let’s See How Well You ‘ve Grown chapter 114: lets see how well you ve grown translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in fact, lu xuans decision was made out of caution. although he wasnt certain what tian chong temple was up to, if the temple truly harbored an evil entity, he was confident in resolving it promptly. dang, dang, dang the sound of the temple bell rang out, seven times in succession, signaling the start of the buddhas birthday ceremony. disciples of tian chong temple served up row after row of vegetarian dishes, each exquisitely prepared and presented on jade plates. the chopsticks and bowls on the table were also carved from white jade, flawless in every aspect. above the clouds, the powerful cultivators chatted and laughed jovially. within the pure land paradise, the people were in high spirits, enjoying the festivity. at feng yangzis table, a gray-robed female master stood up and raised her glass with a smile: today, as tian chong temple hosts this banquet, our gathering here is a twist of fate. i toast to everyone present. she was an elder from the seven dust temple, named liao shan, with a cultivation level in the mid-stage of body integration. master liao shan speaks truly. indeed, our gathering here is a form of destiny. absolutely. the others responded in agreement. feng yangzi looked at the powerful beings around him and then at the wine in his cup, bracing himself as he drank. his ancestral master had warned about the vegetarian dishes, but the wine should be safe, right? ah, excellent wine, excellent wine! an elder in a brocade robe put down his cup, exclaiming in admiration, this wine, robust yet gentle, fiercely strong yet compassionately soft, embodies two distinct qualities simultaneously although its my first time tasting it, i can sense a hint of buddhist intent in it. truly extraordinary. huang long, your discernment is as sharp as ever. daoist yu ding, with an expression of admiration, commented, this wine is brewed from the fruits of the vajra tree in front of the bodhisattva hall in tian chong temple, capturing the essence of buddhas compassionate heart, yet skilled in subduing demons. if im not mistaken, the wine were drinking has been aged for at least thirteen hundred years. the elder referred to as huang long was the highest-ranking individual there, a mahayana mid-stage cultivator. huang long, who originally was a humble woodcutter, stumbled upon a fallen dragon in the forest one day. seizing the opportunity from the dragons corpse, he underwent a transformation and embarked on the path of cultivation. his surname being huang and having a dragon-related encounter, he chose the name huang long zhenjun after attaining enlightenment. daoist yu ding was known for his love and knowledge of wine. as he started discussing wines, the others joined in, expressing their views and showcasing their expertise. feng yangzi, not joining the conversation, seized this opportunity when everyone was busy boasting to each other, and quickly guzzled down half a pot of wine. he intentionally let go of his restraint on alcohol to keep his spirits high. the dao evolution sects two public figures, qing yangzi and feng yangzi, both had some degree of social anxiety. qing yangzi was somewhat better, being the leader of a sect and often attending various meetings surrounded by mahayana and transcendent stage cultivators. he was more accustomed to grand occasions and less flustered in critical situations. feng yangzi, on the other hand, primarily handled external visitor reception for the sect and did not have as many experiences as qing yangzi. as the saying goes, wine emboldens the meek. feng yangzi felt more at ease after drinking. ladies and gentlemen, lets begin our meal, liao shan, the female master, smiled. sure. indeed. the others agreed. as liao shan raised her jade chopsticks towards a pastry on the table, a pair of white jade chopsticks swiftly snatched it before she could. liao shan was puzzled. turning her head, she saw feng yangzi awkwardly chewing the pastry, managing a polite yet embarrassed smile, mumbling, ah, i was a bit hungry liao shan, thinking feng yangzi was famished from a long journey, didnt dwell on it. as she reached for another pastry, the sound of ding ding ding ding rang out. feng yangzi, seizing the moment she was distracted, swiftly cleared the entire plate of pastries. not only liao shan was a victim. daoist yu ding was about to pick up a serving of vegetarian noodles when feng yangzis chopsticks darted in, spiraling the noodles with broth into the air and slurping them down in one go. a cultivator named dan tai, intending to pick a bean roll, watched in dismay as it was pierced through before his chopsticks even touched it. several crisp sounds followed as feng yangzi skewered all the bean rolls on his chopsticks, cleaning the plate in one swift motion. the guests at tian chong temple were well-known cultivators, naturally adhering to etiquette. especially at this table of powerful beings, where decorum dictated a leisurely meal accompanied by friendly conversation. no one expected feng yangzi, like a ravenous ghost, to nearly clear half the table of vegetarian dishes in a blink. however, some reacted quickly. huang long zhenjun, a mahayana-period cultivator and the most senior gourmet present, finally made his move. he quickly picked up a piece of vegetarian goose before feng yangzi could. but the next moment, feng yangzis chopsticks landed on the very piece selected by huang long zhenjun. under the watchful eyes of everyone, feng yangzi pressed the vegetarian goose back onto the plate. the atmosphere tensed. huang long zhenjuns expression cooled slightly, lamenting the lack of manners in the younger generation. his wrist flicked, and the jade chopsticks vibrated, emitting a faint dragons roar. Chapter 115 - Chapter 115: Let’s See How Well You ‘ve Grown chapter 115: lets see how well you ve grown translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation the clash of jade chopsticks resounded like thunder, transforming into ferocious dragons lunging for the vegetarian goose on the plate. the faces of everyone at the table changed dramatically, recognizing that huang long zhenjun was now using his powers, intending to teach feng yangzi a lesson. nervous, feng yangzi instinctively bit the jade pendant in his mouth. the pendant glowed, and a surge of power seeped out. boom! a thunderous explosion sounded from the plate, with lightning striking down like a heavenly executioners blade, embodying immense celestial authority. it cleaved through the air, chopping the menacing dragon heads apart. huang long zhenjuns chopstick tips broke off and crumbled to pieces. a muffled groan escaped as huang long zhenjun turned pale, staggered back three steps before managing to regain his balance. a stunned silence fell over the scene. clatter, liao shans chopsticks fell to the floor. the crowd was in disbelief, questioning what they had just witnessed. a mere void-refining cultivator, feng yangzi, had used only a pair of chopsticks to repel a powerful mahayana cultivator like huang long zhenjun? huang long zhenjuns arm trembled, his face flushed as he clutched it. fellow daoist was there really a need for such mockery? the old true lord felt aggrieved. was it just for a bite of food? was there a need to humiliate an elder like him? feng yangzi attempted an apologetic expression. however, having used his ancestral masters powerful artifact, he couldnt help but feel a sense of triumph. no, i shouldnt behave like this feng yangzi took a deep breath. after all, huang long zhenjun was a respected senior, and he had taken advantage of his ancestral masters magical item, virtually bullying the elder. to laugh now would probably infuriate the old man to the point of fainting. so, he tried to suppress his smile, bowing, thank you, senior, for yielding but i cannot allow these vegetarian dishes to be shared, as for the reason i shall apologize to everyone later. he swept through the table like a storm, gobbling down every vegetarian dish in sight. he didnt even spare the porridge in front of each guest, consuming it all in quick succession. the powerful cultivators watched his torrential actions in silence and deep thought. huang long zhenjun, a mid-stage mahayana cultivator, had been repelled just by feng yangzis chopsticks. clearly, feng yangzis cultivation level was far beyond what it seemed on the surface. was he in the late mahayana stage? at the peak? or had he already reached the transcendent stage? could this be the true strength of a dao evolution sect cultivator? a chill ran down the spines of the powerful guests. their gaze towards feng yangzi shifted dramatically, filled with a newfound respect and curiosity. in stark contrast to the peaceful and serene vip dining area, the atmosphere in the pure land below was much more lively. many ordinary people praised the true buddha, while ordinary cultivators chatted and exchanged cups in friendly banter. dad, whats this black stuff in the porridge? a young girl with braided hair asked, eyeing her bowl curiously. the middle-aged man beside her pondered for a moment, it must be a preserved egg. but arent monks not supposed to eat eggs? a woman beside them asked. the man quoted a few lines from the buddhist scriptures: indeed, the scriptures say that all egg-born creatures should not be eaten, as they all have life but tian chong temples true buddha originated from the kitchen and might have a different understanding. besides, the eggs we eat are infertile and cant hatch into chicks, so its not considered taking life. the little girl, listening to her parents discussion, seemed to understand the term preserved egg. so she lowered her head and slurped down her bowl of porridge. it tasted salty, indeed like preserved egg porridge. above the clouds. it should be about time, the disciple conducting the meeting observed the scene below, hands clasped in prayer. the vegetarian feast had entered the stomachs of these people, and the real ceremony of buddhas birthday was about to begin. dang, dang, dang, dang the bell suddenly rang again, causing confusion among both the ordinary people in the pure land and the cultivators above the clouds. why the bell again? traditionally, at the buddhas birthday ceremony, a three-day banquet was held, and the bell would ring only at the conclusion. was the feast ending already, even though the first meal wasnt finished yet? both the ordinary people and the cultivators turned towards the source of the bell sound. a middle-aged monk stepped forward, his hands clasped and face showing a bitter yet compassionate expression. he was a disciple of tian chong temples abbot kong wen. as he took a step forward, a layer of light shone, and his clothes disintegrated into ash along with his skin. the monks face melted away as if decomposing, his features collapsing inward as if unsupported by bone. one of his eyeballs fell from its socket, hitting the ground but not bouncing or rolling. instead, it squashed like a ball of wet clay. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only then came his nose, mouth, ears his features fell off like a clay bodhisattva left in water, disintegrating on their own. the soft, sagging skin peeled away, revealing a dark, black substance underneath, replacing the muscle and bone. in mere moments, the monks body dissolved into a pool of black sludge, wriggling and flowing towards the direction of tian chong temples rear mountain. the sight of a living person melting into black mud was too much for some, who bent over and vomited in horror.. Chapter 116 - Chapter 116: Let’s See How Well You ‘ve Grown chapter 116: lets see how well you ve grown translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation contrary to the earlier calm scene, the man now vomited a black gelatinous substance, identical to what the middle-aged monk had transformed into. father, your face the little girl looked at her father in terror, but the middle-aged man was also trembling. he saw black, web-like lines appearing on his daughters face, spreading rapidly. it seemed only a matter of time before her skin would disintegrate like the monks disciple, transforming into a pool of black sludge. everyone, the situation has taken the worst possible turn, feng yangzi stood up and announced. even the cultivators above the clouds with profound cultivation levels started to show black lines on their bodies. despite their efforts to expel it with their powers, they couldnt stop their bodies from being gradually overtaken. thank you, daoist feng yangzi, huang long zhenjun said solemnly, standing up and bowing seriously. the powerful cultivators now understood why feng yangzi had stopped them from consuming the vegetarian feast of tian chong temple. someone is already dealing with the source of the contamination, feng yangzi announced, bowing. please help to stabilize the situation and prevent panic and casualties. we understand, the group responded in unison. by stabilizing the situation, feng yangzi meant not just around tian chong temple but the entire area under its influence. on buddhas birthday, all temples in tian chong temples territory held vegetarian feasts, affecting a wide region. the cultivators, understanding this, each chose a direction and used their powers to control the situation. even the least powerful among those dining with feng yangzi was at mid-stage integration, capable of covering countless miles in a thought. they moved swiftly, deploying their escape techniques while casting their divine powers. in just a few breaths, all ordinary people and regular cultivators within tian chong temples territory were immobilized. the monks of tian chong temple did not stop them. those with the power to intervene had already turned into black sludge, heading towards the rear mountain of tian chong temple. according to kongwens plan, even someone as powerful as huang long zhenjun should have been reduced to part of the black mud by now. daoist feng yangzi after subduing the chaos, huang long zhenjun returned to tian chong temple. just as he was about to speak, he noticed feng yangzi looking towards the rear mountain. following feng yangzis gaze, huang long zhenjun saw a massive mountain range suddenly take flight. so, you were hiding here. lu xuan lifted the mountain range with one hand, revealing the true form of the monstrous creature. it had a slug-like body, resembling a mountain of flesh composed of numerous chunks, covered in dark green slime. the chaotic twitching of the flesh suggested breathing. cheng lingzhu, following lu xuan, found the creature repulsive, and lu xuan shared her sentiment. on the ground, a gelatinous substance resembling the flesh of the creature, the transformed tian chong temple monks, flowed and merged into small streams and rivers, eventually returning to the dark sea, becoming part of it. the flesh mountain trembled, raising waves as if celebrating its return to the mother entity. tendrils of flesh sprouted and rapidly hardened into black spears, thrusting towards lu xuan. lu xuan watched intently, and as his gaze darkened, the flesh tendrils crumbled into dust. raising his hand, the earth churned and formed sharp spikes that effortlessly pierced the monsters body. the creature, in pain, contracted and writhed, trying to snap the earthen spikes. however, these seemingly ordinary spikes were more robust than immortal gold. they grew into a thorny prison, intending to entrap the monster. sensing the imminent danger, the monsters belly split open, pushing out a massive fleshy orb. the orb unfolded like petals, revealing its pale core, which seemed to struggle with the external environment. the core cracked open, and out emerged a creature unlike any seen before. buddha is said to have thirty-two physical characteristics. from the evenly flat soles of the feet to the round wheel sign, long and slender fingers, soft and smooth limbs, webbed fingers to the forty perfect teeth, deep-rooted white and even teeth, large and white canine teeth, lion-like jaws long eyelashes like a bull, a white tuft between the eyebrows like fine wool, and a topknot signifying the highest spiritual attainment. now, these thirty-two characteristics were fused into one entity. this was the true buddha in kong wens vision. however, due to lu xuans intervention, it was born prematurely, underdeveloped. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only the true buddha with thirty-two characteristics stretched out, with strange cosmic laws forming around it, spreading outwards, contaminating everything in its vicinity. lu xuans palm glowed, and he pressed his hand downwards. pure white light illuminated, enveloping the entire area. after a few moments, the light dissipated, and both the true buddha and the monstrous creature were nowhere to be seen. the people of tian chong temples territory who had participated in the buddhas birthday vegetarian feast also returned to normal.. Chapter 117 - Chapter 117: Let’s See How Well You’ve Grown chapter 117: lets see how well youve grown translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation lu xuan had eradicated the source of contamination through manipulation of cosmic rules, purifying it completely. huang long zhenjun, looking at the now-missing mountain of tian chong temple, was astounded. who had taken action just now? he could only see a figure enveloped in light, making it impossible to discern the details within a yard of the person. he turned to feng yangzi, who was smiling and bowing in the direction of the rear mountain of tian chong temple. connecting this with feng yangzis earlier assurance that someone was handling the source of contamination, huang long zhenjun speculated. clearly, it must have been dao evolution sects leader qing yangzi who had acted. if feng yangzi, the deputy leader, could easily repel a mid-mahayana cultivator like himself, qing yangzis strength must be even greater. daoist yu ding, liao shan, and others at the table shared the same thought: the dao evolution sect was a hidden dragon, and they were not to be underestimated. in tian chong city, within an inn. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu sat facing each other. on the bed nearby lay a woman with a slender figure. after removing the mountain, lu xuan had found her near the monster. he did not recognize her but guessed she was the friend chu qian had mentioned. fortunately, lu xuan had arrived in time. when he reached her, she had only fainted and was not injured. considering her harrowing experience the night before, he and cheng lingzhu decided not to wake her. if this were a mortal tale, this incident could be termed the true buddha case of tian chong temple lu xuan said with a smile, pouring tea for himself and cheng lingzhu. the protagonists of the story are a cook and a female hero. a cook going to learn cooking techniques on the mountain encounters a heroine searching for her predecessor in the temple. together, they uncover a great conspiracy within the temple. cheng lingzhu picked up the narrative: the heroine instructs the cook to descend the mountain first to seek reinforcements while she gets captured by the enemy. fortunately, the cook bravely transmits the message in time, averting a disaster. she pondered for a moment: if these two are the protagonists, what are we? without hesitation, lu xuan replied, we are a couple, of course. youre always so flippant. im being serious, cheng lingzhu chided, though her eyes twinkled with amusement. if we must label it, we are like incognito elders who arrived on the scene just in time the kind who dont seek credit for their deeds, lu xuan said with a laugh. the coincidences in this world are indeed numerous. we happened to come to tian chong temple, chu qian and his companion happened to uncover kong wens conspiracy, and when they were fleeing down the mountain, they happened to run into us who had come to admire the flowers. cheng lingzhu rested her chin on her hands. it might not be a coincidence, lu xuan said, swirling his tea cup. dont forget, you are the saintess of the dushi sword sect, and i am somewhat a disciple. when disciples of the sword sect roam the world, the probability of triggering events is much higher than for ordinary cultivators. even if they dont actively seek out major events, these events tend to find them and occur around them. this involves some theories of karma and destiny. it does seem so, cheng lingzhu looked up, reminiscing about her past experiences. descending the mountain as a mortal, facing danger, then meeting him now, in her second life, after re-entering the cultivation world, the first person she encountered was still him. what are you thinking about? lu xuan asked, raising an eyebrow. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only im pondering some issues about karma and fate, cheng lingzhu replied. discussing this topic in tian chong temples domain seems quite fitting. lu xuan nodded, thinking she wanted to discuss philosophy. im the saintess of the dushi sword sect, and i only believe in the sword in my hand, not in predestined fate, cheng lingzhu stated. lu xuan hummed in response, about to say something, but cheng lingzhu took his hand. holding lu xuans hand, her eyes shining brightly, she said, but now, i feel that some things are indeed destined.. Chapter 118 - Chapter 118: A Confrontation Between God and Man chapter 118: a confrontation between god and man translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in tian chong city, at an inns elegant room on the second floor. junior chu qian and lin qingyu thanks the two seniors for saving our lives, said the disciple of the immortal chef sect, chu qian, and the disciple of the lingmei sect, lin qingyu, bowing respectfully. come, come, sit down, no need to be so formal, lu xuan greeted them with a smile. how is the situation at tian chong temple now? reporting to senior lu, chu qian began, all disciples of tian chong temple have become part of that monsters body, with only some of the service staff surviving. none of the buddhist cultivators were spared. the common people and ordinary cultivators who attended the feast, however, are safe, thanks to the timely actions of the seniors present. lu xuan nodded slightly, you did well yesterday. the safety of the people and monks attending the feast is a great merit to you. i didnt do much, really, chu qian modestly replied, not considering his own near-death experience in tian chong temple the previous night. the real credit should go to lin qingyu, chu qian thought for a moment. if it werent for her stopping me from going down there impulsively the outcome would have been unimaginable. she was both brave and wise. theres no need to praise me like that, lin qingyu shook her head. i entered that cave to uncover the truth about my sect elders disappearance, not as noble as chu qians intentions. alright, alright, lets not be too modest here, cheng lingzhu said with a smile, raising her cup. here, i toast on behalf of the local people to two heroes. senior flatters us too much, we dont deserve it the two hurriedly raised their tea cups and drank the tea, but chu qians eyes widened in surprise as he stuttered, this tea, this tea is this its picked from the enlightenment tree in the nine abyss forbidden land. it might be a bit too rich for your tastes, but i hope you young people like it, lu xuan said with a smile. he normally didnt drink tea from that tree, as the enlightenment tree in the nine abyss forbidden land was quite old, making even its new tea very robust. lu xuan, being a young man, preferred the tea from the guto forbidden land when he was with cheng lingzhu. the enlightenment tree there undergoes a renewal every hundred years, growing anew on the same spot. the guto forbidden lands enlightenment tea was sweet and it leaves a lingering fragrance on the lips. every time lu xuan descended the mountain, he would go there to stock up. he was a bit introverted and didnt like to trouble others, so he always picked the leaves himself. the master of the forbidden land was quite touched by this. senior, we we chu qian was at a loss for words. enlightenment tea was precious, even the heads of great sects would drink it only occasionally. he didnt know how to respond. this is what heroes deserve, lu xuan interrupted him with a smile. if you keep thanking and bowing, it will seem outdated. hearing this, the two could only swallow their words of gratitude. after taking a sip of tea, lin qingyu let out a sigh of relief: i thought kong wen would kill me on the spot after my cover was blown last night i was really lucky. she still felt a shiver remembering the previous nights events. its not really about luck, is it? chu qian, now clear-headed from the enlightenment tea, commented. after all, you werent really a threat to them. in our immortal chef sect, we often keep chickens for a couple of days before cooking them. lin qingyu: thanks for the clarification, she said through gritted teeth, glancing at chu qian. of course, of course, chu qian replied with a bright smile. after finishing their tea, chu qian curiously asked, senior lu, what exactly was that monster in tian chong temple? lin qingyu said it was transformed from a senior of her sect, but how does a person turn into something like that? do you really want to know? lu xuan raised an eyebrow. the two exchanged glances and nodded. although they had a general idea that tian chong temple was nurturing a monster, they still had many questions about the case. i found kong wens personal notes in tian chong temple, lu xuan said, taking out a jade scroll and spreading it on the table. the origin of this matter goes back to the tian chong buddha himself. tian chong buddha? chu qian was surprised. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only yes, lu xuan pointed to the notes on the table. everyone knows that tian chong buddha started in the kitchen, observing the birth and cessation of fire to understand buddhist teachings. however, theres more to the story. he paused, according to these notes, tian chong buddha was a cook in a large temple when a meteorite fell one night, piercing the kitchen roof. it was tian chong buddha who went to investigate and found in the pit a square piece of meat about the size of a human head. lu xuan continued, according to tian chong buddhas recollection, the meat was white, soft, and jelly-like, with patterns inside and a strange fragrance. he was a simple man then and thought it was a piece of spiritual beast meat dropped by a cultivator after a battle in the sky. as a cook in the temple, where only vegetarian meals were served, finding such spiritual beast meat was a delight. so, he sliced it and ate it raw that night. with each slice, tian chong buddha felt more energetic and stronger than before.. Chapter 119 - Chapter 119: A Confrontation Between God and Man chapter 119: a confrontation between god and man translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation after eating two slices, tian chong buddha found his mind becoming clearer and his thoughts more agile. things that had previously baffled him suddenly made sense, and he could understand things he hadnt been able to before. so, he ate the entire piece of the spiritual beast meat , which opened his wisdom roots and self-cultivated his understanding of buddhist teachings, embarking on the path of cultivation, lu xuan continued. chu qian and lin qingyu listened with a creeping sense of horror. just from tian chong buddhas description of the meat, they knew something was off about it. a normal person would hesitate to eat such a thing, but tian chong buddha assumed it was just spiritual beast meat and consumed it raw without any cooking. both had a hunch that the meat was likely imbued with some demonic power, deliberately enticing tian chong buddha to consume it. senior lu, there are records in the cultivation world that tian chong buddha reached the transcendent stage and was over five thousand years old when he passed away. was he not affected by this meat? lin qingyu asked. of course, he was affected, lu xuan replied. after his enlightenment, tian chong buddha often said that he had taken the wrong path and couldnt see the true buddha. in his later years, he frequently fell into a state of mental confusion, often mentioning the name tai sui star lord. isnt tai sui a deity from the daoist tradition? chu qian wondered. kong wen mentioned in his notes that the spiritual beast meat his master consumed was actually a piece of tai sui star lords corpse, lu xuan explained, sipping his tea. tai sui star lord fell for unknown reasons, and a piece of his corpse imbued with his spirit fell to the archean eon realm. it was then consumed by tian chong buddha, who was a mortal at the time. as his cultivation improved, the piece continued to grow this was likely a method of resurrection. tai sui star lord attempted to return in this manner, resurrecting within tian chong buddhas body. unfortunately, he underestimated the wisdom of mortals. rising from obscurity and practicing buddhism for years, how could tian chong buddha not see through his ploy? feeling tai sui star lords presence growing stronger and attempting to take over his body, tian chong buddha chose to end his life, taking tai sui star lord with him. chu qian and lin qingyu were shocked by this revelation. the buddha of tian chong temple was indeed decisive and resolute. lu xuan nodded, tian chong buddha must have prepared for this for many years. he shared everything about himself and tai sui star lord with his direct disciple kong wen. in the years of struggle with tai sui star lord, tian chong buddha also found a true path to buddhahood. he used his body to cultivate a new kind of tai sui, which is the black gelatinous substance you saw. in his notes, kong wen referred to the creamy and fragrant original substance as flesh tai suit and the newly born black substance as black tai sui. different from the flesh tai sui, the black tai sui possessed stronger assimilation abilities and grew more rapidly. under this premise, tian chong buddha schemed to lure the spirit charm sects heart-bewitching elder to the temple. she was chosen as the target because her cultivation of the mysterious yin nurturing spirit chapter had reached a minor accomplishment, making her physique ideal for nurturing the true buddha. after the heart-bewitching elder was nurtured to become the tai sui bodhisattva, tian chong buddha ended his own life, feeding his body, which had turned into flesh tai sui, to the monstrous creature. flesh tai sui contained a spirit but could not affect black tai sui, originating from the same source. he wanted his disciple to use the tai sui bodhisattva to become a reincarnated true buddha and see the realms he couldnt reach. chu qian and lin qingyu were still immersed in the story lu xuan had narrated. tian chong buddha was indeed a genius, but unfortunately, he took the wrong path, cheng lingzhu sighed. this was a story of a mans struggle against a deity. if lu xuan hadnt been present today, cheng lingzhu had no doubt that kong wen would have become the reincarnated true buddha as envisioned by tian chong buddha. but to truly become a buddha with immense power, relying solely on the tai sui bodhisattva was not enough. in tian chong buddhas plan, to reach perfection, it was necessary to assimilate all the common people and cultivators in the territory of tian chong temple into the body of the tai sui bodhisattva, providing sufficient nourishment for the true buddha. knock, knock, knock a woman in coarse cloth put down her needlework, picked up an oil lamp, and walked out of the room. it was a modest farmhouse, well-organized with stacked firewood, hanging wheat ears, and a water well. at first glance, it looked like any ordinary farmhouse, but on closer inspection, the walls were etched with intricate patterns forming a kind of formation. the wheat was not golden but black, and even the well and bucket bore formation carvings, seemingly in preparation against something. the woman, holding the oil lamp, approached the courtyard door but didnt open it immediately. its me, sister-in-law. a voice came from outside the door, and a light shone through the crack, flickering thrice. recognizing the signal, the woman relaxed slightly and unlocked the door. a middle-aged man, also holding an oil lamp, stood outside. hong zhen, why have you come? the woman looked at the man with a hint of wariness. standing at the door, she didnt allow him to enter. tomorrow is the day for the hunting expedition outside the city, the man named hong zhen spoke. he glanced at the drying black wheat and gestured with his chin. everyones harvest hasnt been good this year. the city lord says we need to increase the frequency of expeditions. we need to gather more food, or this winter will be tough to endure. the womans expression changed upon hearing hong zhens words. she glanced inside the room and hesitated, then what about our he zhao hong zhen smiled, i came to inform you. little zhao is old enough now. he must join the hunting expedition the day after tomorrow. despite being mentally prepared, the woman still covered her mouth in shock, trembling slightly. everyone has to go out to find food, so your family is no exception, hong zhen said with a hint of impatience, handing her a strip of dark, thin dried meat. here, this is for little zhao. the woman stared at the small, dark piece of dried meat, hesitant to take it. the other day, i saw that xiao fans family got a much larger piece. why is ours so small? read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only all the large ones have been distributed already, hong zhen shrugged nonchalantly, his expression almost suggesting he did it on purpose. the woman sighed, knowing he was behind this. every family with a member joining the hunting for the first time was entitled to a strip of dried meat, a long-standing tradition in dream ruins city. leaving the safety of the city walls to hunt the nightmare demons was extremely dangerous, and the dried meat was akin to compensation for taking such a risk. her husband had died on one of these hunting missions. hong zhens uncle, the local leader in charge of distributing the dried meat, was clearly in cahoots with him. the woman knew hong zhen had been eyeing her ever since her husbands death, but she had no interest in him and even suspected he was involved in her husbands demise. her husband was stronger than hong zhen, yet only hong zhen returned from their last hunting mission together. he claimed her husband was killed by a nightmare demon, but she remembered her husband mentioning the area they were to explore was safe and cleared of any nightmare demons. since then, hong zhen had been making her life difficult. though he couldnt force her due to the citys rules, his petty tactics were frequent. why do you do this, sister-in-law? hong zhen leaned against the door frame. you know how dangerous it is outside the city. my brother will also join the hunt the day after tomorrow, and hes quite strong. if you were with me, he zhao would have someone to look after him. otherwise, if something happens outside the city he smiled, but his eyes were cold.. Chapter 120 - Chapter 120: Do You Like the Old Me or the Present Me? chapter 120: do you like the old me or the present me? translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation hong zhen was driven away. the woman, carrying an oil lamp, slowly returned to the house. unbeknownst to her, in another room, her son he zhao was not asleep. he zhao, a young boy, sat on his bed, his fists clenched, his slender body trembling slightly. the courtyard of he zhaos house was small, and his room was near the gate. he had heard every word of the conversation outside. his mother had been humiliated for his sake he zhao could not allow this to happen under any circumstances. the day after tomorrow, well leave the city he zhao sighed and lay on his bed, pondering what to do. he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. in a half-conscious state, he felt his consciousness being guided upwards, gradually leaving his body and entering another world. when he zhao regained consciousness, he found himself in a dark hall, surrounded by grey mist. around him sat eleven figures, each with a bronze lamp and a ferocious beast mask on their face. there was also a lamp and a mask at his place. the immortal tomb space, the master of the immortal tomb a flood of information poured in, and young he zhao gradually understood everything. he was then struck with shock. he realized that his soul had been drawn to this place in his sleep. growing up in dream ruins city, he zhao had never heard of such methods. a sense of awe arose in his young heart. mimicking the others, he picked up the mask from the table and put it on his face. ah, a new shebi shi has arrived. a laugh came from the side, sounding like a young woman. do you already know where you are? asked a figure with a snake-shaped mask, looking at him. he zhao had never heard this language, but in this space, he could easily understand the others meaning. i i know now, he said, moving his lips under the mask. yan zi, supporting her face with her hand, turned to look at him: little brother, where are you from? he zhaos voice was clear, reflecting his young and slender figure. yan zi thought that this new person must be quite young. i come from the dream ruins city. he zhao, without any guard, directly revealed his origin. huh, he doesnt seem like hes pretending, right? yan zi blinked. at the founding of the immortal tomb, the original twelve members were all cunning as old foxes, deeply concealing any information related to their identities. the last to join, gong gong, seemed like an ordinary youth, but during a mission with shebi shi, where shebi shi died, he emerged unscathed. yan zi didnt believe he lacked tricks up his sleeve. however, the place called dream ruins she had never heard of it. the other ten exchanged glances, equally puzzled. dream ruins? where was that? could it be in some minor world? suggested ju mang. by minor world, he didnt refer to secret realms of opportunity. the archean eon realm was shaped like an egg, floating in chaos. on the edges of its shell, countless tiny bubbles clung, small as dust. each bubble was a world in itself, with a complete order of heaven and earth, capable of operating independently. thats not it, suddenly spoke ru shou, who usually didnt talk much. the language he uses is from the ancient era of the heavenly emperors. though there are slight differences, i can hear it. ru shou added, i have some research in this area. the era of the celestial rulers? hou tu was slightly surprised. is that language still in use? could it be you come from moshou city? asked di jiang, his gaze fixed on he zhao. i facing these questions, he zhao was momentarily at a loss. in fact, his shock was greater than anyone present. minor worlds, heavenly emperors, moshou city he zhao had never heard of these. are you from other cities? he asked after some thought. in he zhaos understanding, the world was the dream ruins city and the dark space outside it. inside the city was a safe haven, outside lay thick darkness with monsters lurking. he zhao guessed that if there was a dream ruins city, then other great cities must exist in the endless darkness. the foreigners he met must be from those cities. his words left everyone speechless. xuan ming pondered for a moment: shebi shi, could you tell us about dream ruins city? he zhao nodded, not thinking much of it, and shared his origin and story. after listening, everyone exchanged glances. theres no inheritance of the mohism path, so its not likely moshou city, concluded di jiang, shaking his head. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only an inheritance from ancient times, with language only slightly changed is it a closed development model? ru shou speculated. the endless darkness, night filled with strangeness could it be from the endless sea? guessed hou tu. conviction, daoist foundation, orifice solidification, sitting illumination compared to the archean eon realm, the names of their cultivation stages are slightly different, noted ju mang. and in their place, cultivation actually shortens lifespan? the language and cultivation methods have similarities. perhaps dream ruins is also part of the archean eon realm, but sealed by a powerful being, analyzed tian wu. just like what the barbarian god did, driving the barbarians to the abyss of the fallen god for isolated development, and over time maybe when they come out, this race will have forgotten its own history.. Chapter 121 - Chapter 121: Do You Like the Old Me or the Present Me? chapter 121: do you like the old me or the present me? translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation we are not from other cities, nor is the master of the immortal tomb space a god of your dream ruins city, yan zi explained. we are people from the outside. she briefly introduced the origins of the group to he zhao. upon hearing this, he zhao was dumbstruck. his worldview, formed over more than a decade, had collapsed today. the sky outside was not deep grey. when wheat ripened, it turned golden yellow. there were no nightmare demons hiding in the dark; there was no need to light a lamp when sleeping or worry about being dragged into a well by these demons while fetching water. cultivating a piece of land yielded plenty of food, without the life-threatening risk of gathering outside the city. children could live with their parents, everyone could easily live over a hundred years, and even cultivation didnt reduce ones lifespan he zhao pursed his lips, feeling a surge of tears. is this what the real world is like? through communication, the group also learned about the predicament he zhao was currently facing. we dont have any operations planned for the near future, right? ru shou suggested. maybe we can help the newcomer with his personal issues. hou tu, who was listening, glanced at him. as one of the first to enter the immortal tomb space, she knew ru shous offer of help at this time wasnt out of sheer kindness. she suspected ru shou knew some secrets about dream ruins city that he hadnt shared with the group. indeed, we dont have any tasks at the moment, xuan ming confirmed. their destructive operations in the archean eon realm had been continuously thwarted. gong gong and shebi shi had both died, and the emergence of an enemy cast a shadow over everyones heart. the morale of the immortal tomb organization was low, hence all plans were on hold. however, we cant break the rules, di jiang stated. newcomers must still undergo an assessment. how shall we assess him? ju mang asked. according to shebi shis description, hes trapped in a large city shrouded in darkness and cant even leave the gate. he might only be able to communicate with us here. the immortal tomb space is mysterious and has a method of sacrifice and projection, xuan ming told shebi shi. later, ill transmit to you a secret method for summoning spirits. after you return, create a wooden puppet, and we can use the immortal tomb space to project our divine consciousness into the puppet. thats indeed possible, di jiang confirmed, nodding his head as he gathered information left in the immortal tomb space. in that case, ill take on this task, ru shou volunteered. theres no problem with that, but xuan ming shook his head. for this operation, well also need to include gong gong. nangong xuan, who had been quietly observing and recording the conversation, was puzzled. but she quickly realized the old foxs intention C he likely had doubts about her actions from the last mission. xuan ming spoke calmly, you three will act together, providing mutual support ru shou, take good care of them. no problem, ru shou acknowledged, sensing the underlying message in xuan mings words. the others also nodded in agreement. nangong xuan understood that xuan mings care actually meant surveillance. once they entered dream ruins city, her every move would be under ru shous watchful eye. in her mind, she sneered. suspecting her of being a traitor, huh? she thought, scoffing, once this meeting disperses, ill report to the heavenly lord and let him deal with you. inside the treasure carriage, lu xuan logged off from the crystal skull, his expression animated. he had just received a little report from nangong xuan. dream ruins city? the endless darkness? a forsaken place by some powerful being? the silver city, perhaps?0 lu xuan mused about the complexity of the situation. however, nangong xuans current predicament was indeed tricky, being suspected by the leader of a dark organization. she needed to clear her name quickly. nangong xuan reported to lu xuan about ru shous intention to supervise her actions. after listening, lu xuan made a decision he had the upper hand and would personally handle this situation. when nangong xuan performed the spirit summoning, he planned to intervene personally. tucking away the crystal skull, lu xuan turned over and embraced cheng lingzhu, who was beside him. woken up early by a phone call, he mused that being the heavenly lord was not an easy task. cheng lingzhu murmured a few words, nestling against lu xuans arm in his embrace. lu xuan stretched out his hand, smoothing her hair by her ear, then caressed her back. cheng lingzhus body was warm, her curves beautiful. its worth mentioning that, thanks to lu xuans tireless efforts, cheng lingzhus adaptability training had made significant progress. the stockings purchased from the sea tribes store were already half used. hmm have we arrived at the demon immortals nation yet? cheng lingzhu asked, her eyes still heavy with sleep. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only not yet, probably another half hour, lu xuan checked the route. he was driving an automated carriage, a common feature in treasure carriages. did you say your fourth disciple is the ruler of the demon immortals nation? cheng lingzhu asked with her eyes closed. yes, shes quite powerful. a congenital being, and its been almost fifteen hundred years since she established the nation lu xuan admired the stunning beauty of his wife. a woman? cheng lingzhu suddenly opened her eyes, a hint of wariness in her gaze. hey, you havent even met her yet, and youre already getting jealous? lu xuan couldnt help but laugh, lightly flicking her smooth forehead. cant you trust your husband a bit? Chapter 122 - Chapter 122: Do You Like the Old Me or the Present Me? chapter 122: do you like the old me or the present me? translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation hmm maybe youre right, cheng lingzhu conceded, finding lu xuans words reasonable. based on her understanding of lu xuan, his moral character and feelings for his partner meant he would never commit such a betrayal. her earlier reaction was just an instinctual protective mechanism. we almost had a trust crisis just now, lu xuan said, pretending to be serious. so, you owe me an apology. call me husband a couple of times. no way, cheng lingzhu saw right through his ploy. that was just a natural bodily reaction, and i didnt even ask anything. a mistake made by the body? lu xuans eyes lit up at her words. ah, whoever makes a mistake should compensate, so if the body made the mistake, does it mean it should be compensated with the body impossible, cheng lingzhu huffed, interrupting him. she wrapped her leg around his waist and hugged lu xuan tightly. there can never be a trust crisis between us. im the person who trusts you the most in the world. even if everyone else betrays you, i will always stand by your side regardless of right or wrong. hey, you never used to say such bold things, lu xuan blinked in surprise. i can say them now, cheng lingzhu stated confidently. after a moment, lu xuan looked at the beautiful face in his arms and said, you should have some confidence in yourself. youre beautiful, talented, and adorable. how could i ever fall for someone else? cheng lingzhu appreciated the compliments from her beloved. then she heard lu xuan sigh, ah, who in this world could be a match for me besides you? youre just trying to praise yourself! cheng lingzhus beautiful eyes widened in realization. whether i praise you or myself, its all the same, lu xuan remarked, implying there wasnt a need to distinguish too clearly. then let me ask you, cheng lingzhus eyes sparkled mischievously. which do you find more attractive, the former me or the current me? lu xuan saw a hint of cunning flash in cheng lingzhus eyes and inwardly groaned. the girlfriend interrogation round had begun. how had she become so astute in this life? in the past, as cheng hongtan, she was more like a white jade tiger, sometimes a soft kitten, but never this scheming. now, she was cunning like a little fox. after a brief silence, lu xuan spoke, actually, i think both are pretty no, you have to answer me directly, cheng lingzhu insisted, not allowing him to evade the question. you know, im kind of face-blind who was it that said they only accept disciples based on their looks? cheng lingzhu challenged. you remembered wrong. hell. lu xuan, resigned, asked, do you want to hear the truth? yes, cheng lingzhu perked up her ears. truthfully, from an outsiders perspective, objectively comparing theyre different, each has its own kind of beauty, lu xuan said earnestly. the person i love is you, not just a beautiful appearance. youve changed over time, but my fondness for you only deepens as time goes by. thats such a clich answer, cheng lingzhu remarked, yet her eyes sparkled. but its the truth, lu xuan replied. such questions, of course, couldnt be answered in terms of who looked better. moreover, lu xuan was telling the truth. cultivation improves a persons physique and appearance, guiding practitioners towards greater beauty. the higher the realm, the more so this is true. cultivators in the archean eon realm, in the process of cultivation, align with the aesthetic of the heavenly dao. in cultivation terms, this is part of the process of cleansing the meridians, cutting the marrow, and aligning the dao bones. after all, even the heavens judge by appearances. to stumble upon fortune, one at least needs the ordinary level of han tianzuno. when have you ever heard of an ugly cultivator striking it big? this is the way of cultivation. as lu xuan was about to applaud his perfect answer, cheng lingzhu asked, and what about the figure? lu xuans hand stiffened. cheng lingzhu looked at him with a bright smile. lu xuan, with a solemn expression, said, how could i be that kind of vulgar person cheng lingzhu didnt speak, just looked down briefly. lu xuan pulled his hand away with some effort, expressionless, this is a mistake made by the body; its not my fault. why would i blame you? cheng lingzhu gently rubbed her chin against his chest, looking up at him, her eyes shimmering like pearls soaked in water. blinking, she said, actually i also like the way i am now. lu xuans eyes brightened at her words, is that so? thats what i thought cheng lingzhu laughed coldly, humph, you admitted it! lu xuan: ! cursed, he thought, shes using her cuteness as bait! dear wife, dont you know this could lose your husbands trust? lu xuan feigned heartache. cheng lingzhu, blinking, replied, my husband trusts me so much, hell surely be fooled again next time, right? lu xuan: doesnt your conscience hurt saying that? my conscience is so big, it doesnt hurt at all, cheng lingzhu huffed. lu xuan: but im hurt. really? really, my dao heart is wounded, deeply hurt. so cheng lingzhu hugged him gently, swaying a little, looking pitiful, i was wrong. husband, dont be mad at me, okay? read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only lu xuan gasped softly, cheng lingzhus soft voice melting his resolve. because i really, really love my husband, i never want to be apart from you, cheng lingzhu kissed lu xuans ear, whispering, if i ever hurt your heart, make you feel pain then my heart would surely die from pain too. if someday a fair hand reached out, gently pressing on her lips, stopping her words. i wont allow anything to hurt my wifes heart, lu xuan said, looking at cheng lingzhu in his arms, and kissed her lips. having kissed so many times, it was time for him to take the initiative. Chapter 123 - Chapter 123: The Demon Immortal Kingdom, Ye Banzhuang chapter 123: the demon immortal kingdom, ye banzhuang translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation inside the treasure carriage. weve arrived at the capital of the demon immortal nation, shattered cloud city lets go down, lu xuan announced. wait, wait cheng lingzhu sat in front of the mirror, wearing a grand red phoenix dress embroidered with golden threads and adorned with a golden hairpin and jade ornaments. she even wore the hairpin left by the ancient empress, yu. how do i look? cheng lingzhu turned her head, her features exquisitely beautiful and captivating. the red dress added an impressive aura to her, and coupled with todays makeup and the demeanor she developed as a major figure in the past lu xuan felt as if he was seeing cheng hongtan again. cheng lingzhu didnt intend to overshadow the ruler of the demon immortal nation. the broad-minded and non-competitive master wouldnt have such thoughts. she was just being formal because she was meeting her disciples disciple. that must be it cheng lingzhu thought to herself. you look beautiful, but theres no need for such formality, lu xuan said. were just meeting a disciple, and we came to the demon immortal nation for a vacation, to relax. she is the ruler of a nation, after all. you said this fourth disciple is even stronger than your third one. it wouldnt be appropriate to meet her casually. cheng lingzhu adjusted the hairpin in her reflection. lu xuan, sitting nearby, suddenly smiled, how about we make a bet? hmm? cheng lingzhus eyes narrowed slightly. she became alert at the mention of a bet, still vividly remembering the last time she lost a wager to lu xuan. let me finish explaining first, lu xuan said with a warm smile. i bet that once you arrive at the palace and meet ye banzhuang, you will feel that this mornings meticulous preparation wasnt really necessary. cheng lingzhu was puzzled. she looked at her reflection in the mirror imposing and full of presence. as cheng hongtan, with her status and cultivation, even an empress would have to avoid her sharp edge. yet lu xuan said it wasnt necessary? what did he mean? was it going to be a casual meeting, perhaps in a setting like a hot spring or a swimming pool? the thought startled her. do you want to bet? lu xuan raised his eyebrows. lets bet on it, cheng lingzhu felt confident. there was no reason for her to lose, as lu xuans bet was about her feeling that makeup was unnecessary after entering the palace. the decision was in cheng lingzhus hands. she just had to feel that her makeup wasnt wasted, right? whats are the stakes? cheng lingzhu suddenly remembered to ask. if i lose, you can ask for anything, lu xuan said with a playful smile, but if i win he leaned in and whispered a few words into cheng lingzhus ear. cheng lingzhus face turned red upon hearing them: no way! its part of your adaptability training, lu xuan reasoned. but still no, cheng lingzhu protested, her cheeks burning. lu xuan stood up and came behind cheng lingzhu at the dressing mirror, wrapping his arms around her neck, his face close to her cheek. he sighed, the outcome is in your hands. besides, you know i often get hungry at night you youre not allowed to talk nonsense, cheng lingzhus cheeks were hot. the bet is on then, lets go, lu xuan pulled cheng lingzhu up, and the treasure carriage descended. lu xuans fourth disciple was named ye banzhuang, a name given by lu xuan himself. she was a congenital being, originally a lotus seed that lu xuan unearthed from an ancient tomb during an archaeological excavation. lu xuan found several kinds of miraculous soil to nurture the lotus seed. after several hundred years, ye banzhuang was born. on the day of her birth, lu xuan was experiencing life as an actor in a troupe, and suddenly found a child in his arms while his makeup was only half done. hence, the name ye banzhuang. in essence, ye banzhuang was raised by lu xuan. unlike ordinary children, she was born with the appearance and intelligence of a five or six-year-old child. she had no cultivation restrictions within her and didnt need to follow specific cultivation realms or bloodline paths. given enough time, becoming a true immortal was almost certain for her. lu xuan was very pleased with this disciple, except that she initially kept calling him father, which took him quite some time to correct. the treasure carriage landed directly inside the palace of the demon immortal nation. lu xuan had already contacted ye banzhuang in advance, so their arrival was unhindered. as lu xuan and cheng lingzhu stepped out of the carriage, they saw thousands of palace maids neatly lined up waiting for them. at the front of the formation stood a little girl, about eight or nine years old, wearing a chest-high ruqun, looking adorable and charming. cheng lingzhu felt something was off. why would such a young child be in the palace? then she saw the little girl lift her arms gracefully in a deep bow: disciple ye banzhuang greets master! behind her, the thousand palace maids knelt in unison: greetings to the teacher of the emperor! cheng lingzhu was bewildered. lu xuan winked at her, the meaning clear C yes, this little girl was his fourth disciple. no need for such formalities, lu xuan nodded slightly. ye banzhuang straightened up, and the palace maids rose to their feet. this way, master, ye banzhuang spoke crisply, gesturing for them to follow. the palace maids parted like flowing water, revealing a path to the sleeping quarters. led by ye banzhuang, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu walked in that direction. entering the sleeping quarters, ye banzhuang dismissed the maids, you all may leave. yes, your majesty, the palace maids bowed and left the room. once they were alone, ye banzhuang seemed to shed her formal demeanor, bouncing excitedly towards lu xuan. standing in front of him, she opened her arms, master, hug. you are already a big girl, lu xuan said, tapping her head gently with a folding fan. you cant ask your master for hugs anymore. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only but in front of master, i am always your disciple, ye banzhuang smiled sweetly, then leaned against lu xuans hand. can master pat my head then? thats fine, lu xuan agreed, placing his hand on her head. ye banzhuang closed her eyes, rubbing her head against lu xuans palm, clearly enjoying it. ye banzhuang is a natural divine spirit, lu xuan transmitted his voice. in her view, there is no such thing as romantic feelings between men and women. her heart is as pure as a babys, untouched by the mortal world. this was somewhat similar to lu xuan, who would sever worldly desires every three years, whereas ye banzhuang was born this way. cheng lingzhu finally understood why lu xuan had told her there was no need for special preparation before coming here.. Chapter 124 - Chapter 124: Wife, It’s Time to Fulfill the Bet chapter 124: wife, its time to fulfill the bet translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation master, ye banzhuang rubbed his palm and looked up at cheng lingzhu. her eyes blinked curiously. is this your new disciple, master? am i going to be a senior sister? no, shes your masters master, lu xuan clarified with a smile. the little girls eyes widened in surprise. isnt my masters master already ye banzhuang gestured upwards, suggesting the heavens. did master remarry? her mind raced with possibilities. how would master explain it to the former masters master if they met? then she realized she didnt need to worry about that C her master was never going to ascend to heaven. but what if the new masters master also ascended one day and there was a confrontation? whom would she support? lost in thought, ye banzhuang considered her future actions, feeling she would soon become a true immortal and visit the old masters master in the upper realms. she didnt ascend, the heavenly tribulation struck her down, lu xuan casually explained, solving ye banzhuangs dilemma. cheng lingzhu ground her teeth a bit. couldnt he just say failed the tribulation? perhaps the heavens have a conscience, not bearing to see master and masters master separated, ye banzhuang commented wisely. she then approached cheng lingzhu and performed a respectful disciples salute: disciple ye banzhuang greets masters mastero cheng lingzhu couldnt resist hugging the adorable girl and stroked her head. ye banzhuang was so endearing and well-behaved that cheng lingzhus heart melted. she thought about how ye banzhuang could be considered lu xuans foster daughter. hmm she also wanted to have a child like this with lu xuan. no, one wouldnt be enough, cheng lingzhu thought to herself. i havent visited the demon immortal nation in nearly a thousand years, lu xuan said with a smile. how does it feel to be a monarch? upon hearing lu xuans question, ye banzhuangs face fell: sleep late, rise early, handle domestic affairs, deal with foreign relations, all my subordinates are so troublesome, and i have to personally intervene in fights ye banzhuang vented her frustrations to lu xuan. now she regretted it deeply. she shouldnt have believed her third senior brothers nonsense about establishing the demon immortal nation. before establishing the great yan immortal dynasty, su yuan spent a hundred years traveling across the five realms, making friends and gathering talents. take great yans prime minister shang xinyu, for instance he was actually the exiled crown prince of the ancient southern barren territory nation, the yu country. shang xinyus mother died early, and with her familys decline, he faced persecution from other princes after the death of the ruler of yu country. he survived only thanks to su yuans help. later, he assisted su yuan in raising an army in shang, changing his name and identity. when the great yan immortal army overthrew the yu country, shang xinyu was the first to charge into the capital of yu country. thus, he was extremely familiar with the workings of the immortal dynasty. su yuan, who rose from humble beginnings, established various functional institutions in the court and built relations with external forces all these tasks were meticulously arranged by shang xinyu. moreover, he didnt neglect his cultivation, becoming a powerful mahayana stage expert while serving as prime minister. looking at her own subordinates, a bunch of misfits, either mountain spirits or wood spirits, who knew nothing but basking in the sun, ye banzhuang felt disheartened. she once contacted su yuan, hoping to borrow the great yan prime minister for a few days, but her second senior brother treasured shang xinyu like a precious gem, refusing to lend the emperors seal or the prime minister. as for a wife the wise su yuan, learning from his masters lesson and aiming for ascension, had not yet taken a dao companion. after all, its just the beginning, and talents need to be nurtured, lu xuan consoled. the territory of an immortal dynasty was vast, and naturally, there were more affairs to manage compared to a mortal kingdom. where mortal kingdoms used paper for petitions, the immortal dynasty used special jade slips, stacked in baskets before the emperor. when ye banzhuang reviewed petitions, she used a cloning technique, filling a room with her miniature clones, each holding a jade slip and recording with their divine sense, multitasking efficiently. this method of handling affairs was not feasible for those with lower cultivation. master, in a few days, the finals of the shattered cloud city flying boat race will begin. would master and grandmaster like to participate? ye banzhuang asked. the flying boat race? well, lets join in for some fun, lu xuan pondered. it was a unique sport of the demon immortal kingdom. the content of the event was racing the serious kind. participants would pilot their own magical artifacts in a speed race, with the first to reach the finish line declared the winner. it was worth mentioning that the competition was more recreational in nature, and thus, all participants were forbidden from using magic. the propulsion energy for the treasure boats was provided uniformly by the race committee. but were just there to enjoy ourselves, no need to include us in the rankings, lu xuan said. master is considerate of his juniors, i understand, ye banzhuang replied with a smile. that night. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu settled in a palace. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only shattered cloud city was built on the site of the old capital of the thousand flower demon country. ye banzhuang, not one for extravagance, only renovated some major halls and added a few palaces, keeping the original structure largely intact. since she had not taken a husband, many palaces remained empty. lu xuan placed a crystal skull on the table. a thread of divine consciousness entered it. inside the longevity palace, a towering figure appeared. nan gongxuan knelt on the ground, her face showing reverence. Chapter 125 - Chapter 125: Wife, It’s Time to Fulfill the Bet chapter 125: wife, its time to fulfill the bet translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation the more nangong xuan looked at the imposing figure, the more she perceived the greatness of the heavenly lord. every time she left the longevity palace and returned to reality, she found herself enlightened, with a deeper understanding of the longevity sutra. reporting to the heavenly lord, tomorrow morning, i will enter the immortal tomb space to project my spirit into the world where shebi shi resides, nangong xuan reported to the heavenly lord. when you project, sense the mandate within you and call my name, the majestic figure replied. i shall follow the mandate, nangong xuan responded. she was deeply moved that the heavenly lord, for her, a mere devotee, was willing to intervene personally, even if it was a trivial effort for him. it showcased the heavenly lords trust in her. nangong xuan felt the weight of responsibility on her shoulders. to rebuild the glory of the winter month, it is our duty! after a brief interaction with nangong xuan, lu xuan exited the longevity palace. his plans were well-arranged; having finished the days important tasks, it was time to attend to personal matters. cheng lingzhu was sitting at the dressing table, preparing to remove her hair accessories. wife, its time to fulfill our bet, lu xuan stood behind her, his reflection in the mirror showing a faint smile. what bet? i dont seem to remember, cheng lingzhu turned around, feigning confusion. lu xuan held her chin and forehead, turning her face back to the mirror. he gently pulled out the hairpin from her hair, letting her silky long hair fall down. he leaned closer, shall i remind you? you cant you do it yourself? cheng lingzhu bit her lip, knowing she couldnt escape her fate. a blush spread across her cheeks. such audacity, demanding she do it herself. she wondered why lu xuan had never made such peculiar requests before. were in a palace, lu xuan reasoned logically. in summer, the consorts line up with fruit platters, feeding the emperor by hand. its quite normal, isnt it? the ruler of the thousand flowers demon nation was a woman, cheng lingzhu tried to find a loophole. but her consorts were also women the ruler of the thousand flowers would certainly not feed herself, lu xuan blinked. besides, grapes eaten by oneself are never as sweet as those fed by a beloved concubine. you and your twisted logic cheng lingzhu gritted her teeth, standing up. come with me. she pulled lu xuan by the sleeve, heading deeper into the sleeping quarters. hmph, if youre going to be so reasonable, ill have to find a way to shut your mouth tonight cheng lingzhu thought to herself. in the thousand mountains, a man in black robes looked up at the clear sky, murmuring, dream ruins, dream ruins such a strange place, ive never heard of it. he had a feeling that the world where shebi shi resided hid a great secret. this wasnt mere speculation; as a divination path cultivator, his intuition was precise, connected to his dao path. should i cast a divination? zhu long pondered. he took out some divination grass from his storage treasure, scattering it on the ground. a spark of spiritual fire appeared at his fingertips. with a flick, the grass ignited, quickly turning to smoke. boom! a thunderbolt struck down, hitting zhu long directly, reducing him to ashes. a strange light appeared, as if reversing time, and the ashes gathered to reform his figure. boom! the second thunderbolt struck, dispersing the newly formed figure. this repeated nine times. when the last thunderbolt ended, a deep pit had formed on the ground in front of the hut. after a long while, a figure crawled out of the pit. that was close zhu long wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. he lay on the edge of the pit, looking at the still-clear sky. all i did was try to divine the origins of dream ruins was that necessary? his divination had triggered the heavenly mechanism, bringing down the thunder. what frustrated zhu long was that he hadnt divined anything, yet had endured nine thunderbolts. zhu long felt he had suffered a great loss. if it werent for his caution, always carrying thousands of life-saving talismans as instructed by his ancestors, he might have perished today. but that was as far as his divination could go. continuing further would only provoke heavenly wrath, beyond what his talismans could withstand. the next morning. wake up, wake up cheng lingzhu gently shook lu xuan, her face still flushed. hmm let me sleep a little longer lu xuan mumbled, burying his head. hey, didnt you say were going to visit that dream ruins place today? cheng lingzhu reminded him, grinding her teeth slightly. guh its not urgent they only start the ceremony in the morning, lu xuan replied vaguely. dont delay important matters. what if that immortal tomb organization is up to something again? she urged, pushing his shoulder. alright, lu xuan finally gave in. in the immortal tomb space, twelve figures wearing masks had gathered. are you ready? xuan ming asked. ready, replied shebi shi, also known as the young he zhao, feeling somewhat nervous. okay, ru shou said succinctly. no problem, nangong xuan confidently said, having the heavenly lords support, she had nothing to worry about. xuan ming nodded, and a jade slip appeared from the void. he wrote on it and signed his name, then passed it to di jiang. after di jiang read and signed it, he handed it to the next person. once all twelve members of the immortal tomb organization had written their code names, the jade slip was placed in the middle of the bronze table and burned. everyone watched calmly as the jade slip turned to smoke and merged with the chaos mist above the hall. a moment later, a divine mandate split into three, entering the bodies of shebi shi, ru shou, and gong gong. ready, ru shou announced. he turned to he zhao, you return to dream ruins city first, then sacrifice to the immortal tomb space and transfer our consciousness there. understood, he zhao nodded and his figure slowly faded. in dream ruins city, the young man arrived at a corner of the courtyard. he zhao bent down and moved aside a pile of dry grass, revealing a three-foot diameter formation beneath, distinct from the courtyards array patterns. this formation, secretly built by he zhao over the past two days, was a means to communicate with a mysterious entity. he feared his mother would suspect him of being bewitched if she saw it C bewitched here referring to being influenced by the creatures outside the city. dream ruins had nightmare demons that lured residents into corruption through dreams. he zhao had once suspected that the immortal tomb was an illusion created read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only by nightmare demons. however, he discarded this thought, as nightmare demons only operated at night, and their strange rituals also took place then. the immortal tomb organization was not bound by such constraints. he zhao placed two palm-sized wooden figures, intricately carved and connected by threads at the joints, in the center of the formation. he then cut his wrist, letting blood drip onto specific spots in the formation while chanting a bizarre scripture. the formation glowed, and a strange energy flowed into the wooden figures, causing them to stand up. one of the wooden figures bowed, ru shou, at your service. the other figure also bowed, gong gong, at your service.. Chapter 126 - Chapter 126: Hunting Outside the City, Hidden Dangers Lurk chapter 126: hunting outside the city, hidden dangers lurk translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in dream ruins city. is it daytime now? lu xuan looked up at the sky, his consciousness residing within the wooden figure, controlling its movements. the experience was somewhat like playing in virtual reality. however, lu xuans soul was powerful enough to multitask, controlling the wooden figure while still conversing with cheng lingzhu in reality. he observed this world. in dream ruins city, there was no sun in sight. the sky was a deep grey, with the brightness of the day even dimmer than twilight in the archean eon realm. yes senior gong gong, he zhao responded, squatting down and mimicking the communication style of the other members in the immortal tomb. dream ruins citys daytime was just like this. lu xuan lightly hopped onto he zhaos shoulder. when are you leaving the in another half xu time, he zhao estimated. xu time was the unit of time measurement in the dream ruins. one xu time was equivalent to half an hour, and half a xu time was about the duration of burning an incense stick. take us around the city, lu xuan suggested. ru shou didnt join their conversation. after greeting lu xuan, he had been observing this world silently. hearing lu xuans suggestion, ru shou said, carry the two of us with you, but try not to be too conspicuous. he zhao nodded. bending down to dick ru shou and placing him in his pocket. his short jacket had large pockets on both sides. lu xuan didnt wait to be picked up; he hopped into the pocket himself. walking through dream ruins city, the streets were sparsely populated. the occasional passersby were thin and appeared undernourished. this architectural style ru shous wooden figure peeked out of a pocket, observing the cityscape. he zhao passed by several houses, some with black cloth hung at their doors, signifying a death in the family. often, these deaths were the result of hunting outside the city. every time we go hunting outside the city, injuries are common, and deaths are not rare, he zhao explained. are the creatures outside the city very strong? lu xuan inquired. very strong, he zhao replied solemnly. it often takes three members at the conviction stage to subdue a regular nightmare demon, and the evil spirits are even more elusive. the most dangerous part about the outside is that we cant see the paths clearly. even if someone carries a dream lantern, it only illuminates an area within ten feet. however, nightmare demons and evil spirits can see us. in such situations, we dont have the upper hand. he zhao paused before continuing, although nightmare demons are fierce, their meat is edible and can strengthen qi and blood. if we have enough manpower and encounter a weaker nightmare demon, its actually a cause for celebration. however, evil spirits are different. when killed, their bodies turn into a black mist that dissipates. if anyone comes into contact with this black mist, even a cultivator, they will fall ill. what cultivation level do most of the citys residents have? ru shou suddenly asked. he zhao was momentarily taken aback but honestly replied, the city lord is at the mystic passage stage, which is above the sitting illumination stage. as for most people, they havent even reached the conviction stage, like me. he zhaos father was once a daoist foundation warrior, and he zhaos dream was to become like his father. however, being young and of average talent, he had yet to cross that threshold. in this city, i havent sensed any spiritual energy from heaven and earth, ru shou contemplated before asking, what do you use for cultivation here? dream stones, a kind of red jade, he zhao gestured. they can only be found in the darkness outside the city. warriors can extract power from them, making them very precious. he zhao had one such stone, left by his father. however, he had yet to reach the daoist foundation stage and couldnt use it yet. at that moment, a figure appeared in front of he zhao C it was hong zhen. he zhaos expression changed slightly, and he tried to walk around hong zhen but was blocked. young he, why the rush? hong zhen stood in his path. what do you want? he zhao frowned. youre going out of the city soon, right? the outside is a truly terrifying place. youre not even a daoist foundation warrior; what if you encounter danger? hong zhens smile didnt reach his eyes. my brother hong feng is also out there. hes a late-stage daoist foundation warrior. how about letting him protect you? youre being kind? he zhao scoffed. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only ah, lets talk business, hong zhen looked at him, rubbing his fingers together. protecting you requires some payment. how about that dream stone your father left you? in your dreams! he zhao flatly refused. that stone is for my cultivation. how could i give it to you? he zhao knew that his fathers last mission was with hong zhen. hong zhen returned unscathed, while his father and other members stayed outside forever. hong zhen had once pretended to cry and then offered to help take care of he zhaos mother and him. after being rejected by he zhaos mother, he never gave up, repeatedly causing trouble for the he family, and now even coveting the dream stone. he zhao clenched his fist, then released it, just glaring at hong zhen. to cultivate martial arts, you need to be alive, hong zhens smile faded, replaced by a cold look.. Chapter 127 - Chapter 127: Hunting Outside the City, Hidden Dangers Lurk chapter 127: hunting outside the city, hidden dangers lurk translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation do you really think you can survive once you leave the city? little he, dont say i didnt give you a chance. its your own fault for not cherishing it. later on he zhao didnt pay any attention to hong zhens words. he simply walked around him and left. not bad, kid, lu xuan, standing in he zhaos pocket, nudged him with his wooden arm. such an obvious threat, and yet you chose not to beat him up. private fighting and crime are forbidden in the city. everyone must abide by this rule, he zhao took a deep breath. hong zhen wouldnt dare break the rules here. i guess hes deliberately provoking me to strike first. his uncle is the local magistrate here. if i fell for it and gave him leverage, it could endanger my mother. since his fathers death, he zhao had been through a lot. he was more sensible and mature than his peers. you should think about what to do next, ru shou said. that hong feng is in your team, and once outside the city, hes likely to be hostile towards you. whats there to be afraid of? lu xuan laughed. we have senior ru shou covering us outside the city. a little projection of his spirit is enough to suppress the entire dream ruins. its good that you understand, ru shou spoke leisurely. remember, you two are still under assessment. once outside the city, follow my instructions, and ill ensure your safety. of course, no problem, lu xuan readily agreed, curious to observe this ru shou. understood, senior ru shou, he zhao responded. meanwhile, ru shou was deep in thought. having seen the architectural style, cultivation system, and language customs of this place, he had some guesses about the era dream ruins city came from. he speculated that within this dark world, there must be an opportunity waiting for latecomers. however, the projection of spirit only allows us to stay in this city for twelve hours, not long enough to seek out this opportunity, ru shou pondered. there are rules in the immortal tomb: members cannot kill each other, and body snatching is definitely not allowed. i might use the technique of mind control to make this boy my puppet he then considered the presence of another wooden figure in shebi shis pocket. if gong gong is around, it might be tricky to deal with. i need to find a way to expel his spirit projection first ru shou planned his next moves. at the city gate, more than ten figures gathered. is everyone here? asked a yellow-faced man with an axe hanging at his waist. captain, all thirteen of us are here, not one missing, replied a man in his thirties standing beside him, holding a long sword and radiating a fierce aura. he was much younger than the yellow-faced man. this person was hong feng, mentioned by hong zhen. the hunting teams werent dispatched every day but in several groups taking turns. ideally, more people would mean greater strength, and hunting teams should gather to jointly attack nightmare demons. however, dream ruins city didnt operate under such rules. in dream ruins, the larger the team, the more nightmare demons and evil spirits they encountered. additionally, the higher the cultivation level of the members, the more powerful the attracted creatures. teams entering the darkness were like bright torches; the longer and brighter they shone, the more terrifying the monsters they attracted. over the years, the city had found the optimal team combination: ten to fifteen members, with the highest cultivation level being the orifice solidification stage. those above sitting illumination stage could only go out alone or with peers of the same level. stronger individuals attracted more powerful creatures, and any battle could easily affect other team members. he zhaos teams highest cultivation level was the yellow-faced man, the captain at the early orifice solidification stage, named zhang wanjun. the second-highest was a middle-aged woman at mid-daoist foundation stage, named li rui, followed by hong feng at the peak of the conviction stage. among the thirteen members, four, including he zhao, had not crossed the threshold of the conviction stage. hong feng noticed he zhao at the back of the crowd, greed flashing in his eyes. he had already conspired with his brother to cripple he zhao once outside the city, then pressure he zhaos mother for the dream stone, with hong feng taking possession of it. hong feng wouldnt kill he zhao; a burden was more useful than a dead man. he zhao would be a strain on his mother, forcing her to succumb. if he zhao died, his mother would lose her weakness, which would not be beneficial to their plan. he zhao was unaware of hong fengs current thoughts but was wary of him. well split into groups, each picking team members. if we encounter read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only nightmare demons or evil spirits, we can form arrays to fight, zhang wanjun suggested. li rui and hong feng nodded in agreement. excluding themselves, there were ten people. zhang wanjun, being of higher cultivation, took responsibility for four members. li rui and hong feng each chose three. as expected, after picking two members, hong feng pointed at he zhao: you come to my group. he zhaos expression darkened, but he said nothing and followed hong feng. the city gates slowly opened, revealing the thick darkness outside, boundless and limitless.. Chapter 128 - Chapter 128: Hunting Outside the City, Hidden Dangers Lurk chapter 128: hunting outside the city, hidden dangers lurk translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation as they stepped into the darkness, the gates of dream ruins city closed behind them, extinguishing the last sliver of light. li rui, holding a crystal orb-like object in her hand, activated it with her spiritual energy. its soft glow illuminated the area within a ten-foot radius. at the end of the group, another member ignited a dream lantern, essential for navigating the darkness outside dream ruins city. even for martial artists, venturing here without this item was nearly impossible. zhang wanjun pulled out a beast-skin map and, after some thought, directed, we will head this way. years of exploration from dream ruins city had marked this map with safe and dangerous zones. although the dangerous zones had more resources, zhang wanjun, known for his prudence, decided to first check the safe zones. half an hour later, a team member whispered, listen carefully, theres movement over there C a dream tapir! everyone held their breath and moved quietly towards the indicated direction. soon, they heard sounds resembling snoring. indeed, its a dream tapir, li rui said with a hint of excitement. holding the lantern, she approached the source of the sound. before them appeared an animal resembling a domestic pig, with a plump body, short limbs, and a nose a foot long. dream tapirs, wild beasts outside dream ruins city, were a primary source of meat, their flesh being edible. compared to nightmare demons, dream tapirs were fierce but less challenging for martial artists. the hunting team, collaborating skillfully, could hunt this beast without injury, providing a source of meat. encountering a dream tapir just after setting out naturally delighted everyone. li rui, with a dream lantern in one hand and a dagger in the other, stealthily approached. but as she came within three feet, the dream tapir suddenly became alert and woke from its sleep. seeing li rui, it let out a low growl and charged. she deftly dodged its attack and stabbed it with her dagger. the pained dream tapir became more aggressive. li ruis teammates quickly joined the fight, assisting their leader in the hunt. zhang wanjun and hong feng did not engage. firstly, li ruis team was capable enough; secondly, they needed to stay alert for any nightmare demons or evil spirits. after a short battle, the dream tapir lay dead, its body stored in a spatial treasure. lets continue further in, zhang wanjun suggested. an hour later, staring at eighteen dream tapir corpses in his storage treasure, zhang wanjun fell into silence. this hunt was unusual. they had found eighteen dream tapirs in this safe zone, almost stumbling upon one every short while. zhang wanjun had never heard of anyone returning from a hunt with so many captures. moreover, after an hour of roaming, they hadnt encountered a single nightmare demon or evil spirit. while these were rare in safe zones, they preyed on dream tapirs. eighteen dream tapirs and a thirteen-member hunting team had not attracted even one nightmare demon or evil spirit? it was unbelievably lucky. zhang wanjuns mind went blank, struggling to comprehend this anomaly. lets head back, weve already got a good haul today, zhang wanjun said, rubbing his forehead. he felt something was off and decided to lead everyone back to the city quickly. in the team, hong fengs gaze lingered thoughtfully on he zhao. is this kid really this lucky? he wondered, feeling his plans going awry. determined to acquire the dream stone from he zhaos family, hong feng knew he had to act outside the city where private duels were forbidden. yet, with the group together, he saw no opportunity. wondering when he zhao would next leave the city and whether hed be in the same team again, hong feng squinted his eyes. he discreetly took out a thumb-sized black wooden carving, cut his finger, and smeared the blood on it. the carving glowed faintly, sending some kind of message into the darkness. lu xuan watched the team leaders actions, pondering that perhaps the latter was usually not so lucky. eighteen dream tapirs, is that really so many? he thought. the teams success was naturally linked to him. after all, he often stumbled upon several chances just by going out for breakfast. sometimes, he even had people forcibly giving him opportunities. for lu xuan, this was troublesome. however, todays bounty seemed too much for captain zhang, who had decided to leave. lu xuan wouldnt stop him. just as everyone was about to leave and retrace their path, a fierce bird cry suddenly rang out. li ruis expression changed. without hesitation, she threw the dream lantern towards the sound. illuminated by the lanterns glow, they saw a monstrous bird emerge from the darkness. the bird was enormous, with wings stretching over three yards. its body was damaged, some parts covered in black feathers, others showing bare, chilling bones. it had three heads; one intact, one just a skull. the middle one was missing, the severed neck dripping black blood, sending shivers down their spines. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only zhang wanjun charged at the bird with a roar, axe in hand. the bird flapped its wings, stirring up a black wind aimed at the people below. everyone, back to the city, spread out! li rui immediately ordered. knowing they couldnt intervene in a fight between orifice solidification warriors, the team members scattered, running towards dream ruins city. before leaving, each member of the hunting team had a special jade talisman that glowed brighter as they neared the city, guiding them through the darkness if separated from the main group. he zhao was about to move when he heard a voice. it was ru shou: walk to your right i want to see what else lies outside dream ruins city. Chapter 129 - Chapter 129: The Great Dream Sovereign, The Truth of Dream Ruins City! chapter 129: the great dream sovereign, the truth of dream ruins city! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation he zhao hesitated upon hearing ru shous words. but remembering that ru shou was a senior from the immortal tomb organization, known for his reliable demeanor and speech, he zhao trusted him not to deceive. amidst the chaos, the young man turned and ran towards the direction ru shou had indicated. hong feng quietly left the battleground. he had orchestrated this team ambush, knowing he couldnt control the nightmare demons but his wooden carving could make the two-headed bird ignore him. he sought he zhao but found him not heading towards dream ruins city but diving deeper into the darkness, unlike the others. thanks to the strange wooden carving, hong feng could see clearly within a thirty-foot radius in the darkness outside the city. he saw a fleeting figure disappearing from his view. you cant escape, he sneered, following in pursuit. meanwhile, with he zhao, a soft light appeared. lu xuans miniature projection, sitting on he zhaos shoulder, held a small rod with a dream lantern attached. senior where did this dream lantern come from? he zhao was astonished. its the one li rui threw just now, lu xuan explained. i saw it lying there, possibly getting damaged in the fight, so i picked it up. considering that captain zhang was engaged in close combat with the two-headed bird without needing a lantern, lu xuan felt it would be more useful for guiding he zhao. the darkness outside dream ruins city not only obstructed vision but also suppressed the souls of cultivators, preventing them from using their consciousness to probe their surroundings. lu xuan speculated that warriors of dream ruins city, upon reaching the orifice solidification realm, could partially resist this suppression. someone is following you; increase your speed, turn right, and shake them off ru shou instructed. as he zhao moved further from dream ruins city, the landscape began to reveal itself. the ground was rough with sand and stone, desolate. the plants were black, small, and sparse, with leaves like serrated blades intertwined with each other. stop, theres a presence ahead similar to the bird we encountered earlier, ru shou cautioned. and something different on the right C a ghostly entity, probably the evil spirits you mentioned. hide behind that sand dune and extinguish the lantern, well use it later, ru shou directed. his consciousness, unaffected by the darkness, sensed the surroundings and made judgments. after nearly an hour, he zhao came upon a ruin. members of the hunting team knew that venturing too far in the darkness outside the city might lead them to such ancient city ruins, referred to as relics. these relics, often ancient with weathered walls, appeared desolate. some believed these cities were once thriving like theirs but fell to the nightmare demons and evil spirits outside. others speculated that cities moved when resources depleted, suggesting dream ruins city might have relocated from another place, leaving these ruins behind. he zhao recalled his father mentioning that each relic harbored resources. although lacking in food and meat, ancient magical weapons could be found in these ruins. even if their divine nature had faded over time, the dao patterns inscribed within remained intact. bringing these back to the city yielded rich rewards. some even found dream stones in these ruins. however, the dangers in the relics were immense. while nightmare demons preyed on dream tapirs outside, relics were strongholds for evil spirits, so fearsome that even martial artists avoided them. lets go in and see, ru shou said. nodding, he zhao entered the relic through a gap in the collapsed city wall inside the relic, a profound silence enveloped he zhao as he walked cautiously. the city ruins were vast, and as he traversed the streets, he saw houses on both sides largely weathered and collapsed. lu xuan observed the buildings on his side. the walls, now fractured, exposed stones dulled in color with black spots. the materials originally used to construct these houses were extraordinary. yet, over time, even these stones had lost their spirit, becoming mundane. turning a corner, a thin, ghostly shadow emerged silently from the darkness, reaching its gaunt hand towards he zhaos neck. zing read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only a sound of a sword rang out. it was ru shou acting swiftly, his sword qi sharp, piercing through the ghostly figure. ru shou, leveraging the mysterious and powerful space of the immortal tomb, projected his spirit onto a wooden puppet and could summon a fraction of his original bodys strength. hence, he didnt take nightmare demons and evil spirits too seriously. the ghostly figure slowly dissipated, turning into a wisp of black smoke. aware that such entities were untouchable, he zhao quickly avoided it. keep moving, check out those houses, ru shou instructed calmly. he zhao, not daring to disobey, did as told. in the relatively intact houses, covered with layers of dust, several evil spirits lurked, all swiftly dispatched by ru shou.. Chapter 130 - Chapter 130: The Great Dream Sovereign, The Truth of Dream Ruins City! chapter 130: the great dream sovereign, the truth of dream ruins city! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation he instructed he zhao to clear some of the dust inside the houses, revealing traces of battles, a common sight in several homes. this indicated that the inhabitants of this relic didnt leave willingly but were forced out, likely due to an invasion that led to a massacre in their own homes. in the center of the relic city was a large square, dominated by a temple. the temple had nine tiers of steps, each about ten feet high, making it the tallest structure in the city. following ru shous direction, he zhao made his way towards the temple, taking half an incense sticks time to reach its base. the temple was grand and towering, its steps much taller than he zhao. ru shou, considering he zhaos cultivation level and the time it would take for him to climb, used a spell to fly up to the temple, taking he zhao with him. inside the temples main hall, they found a statue of a woman. carved from black jade, the statue was unique, with a stark white forehead contrasting with the rest of its material. strikingly, the statue had no facial features C despite its detailed craftsmanship down to individual hair strands, its face remained blank, devoid of any carving marks. ru shou thought about the architecture in dream ruins city, its customs and language, the hunted dream tapirs, and the fierce nightmare demons and evil spirits. when he saw this statue, a bold idea formed in his mind. there are no ghostly entities in this temple, ru shou observed. you two search here for more clues ill check the entrance. after he left, ru shou, standing next to a stone pillar at the temple entrance, made sure gong gong and shebi shi were not observing him. then he crouched down and pressed his palm to the ground, quickly drawing an intricate array. stepping into the completed array, ru shous form split into two one was the wooden puppet housing his spiritual projection, and the other, a figure in a green robe, was ru shous true form. indeed the green-robed elders expression shifted. the array he had drawn, called dispel illusion, was not for combat but rather to help cultivators discern if they were in the real world or not. if this place is an illusion, the puppet will vanish. if its real, my spiritual projection and the puppet wont separate he realized where he was. dream ruins dream ruins the resting place of dreams, this is the domain of the great dream sovereign! ru shous eyes deepened with understanding. he was well-versed in ancient history, recognizing terms like sovereign, heavenly lord, saint, ancient emperor, and demon emperor as titles for beings of the same realm. dreams, especially for the great dream sovereign, were not mere fantasies. legends spoke of an ancient realm of dreams, where all dreams were interconnected, occurring in this realm. back then, if one missed someone unreachable in reality, they could meet them in dreams. some preferred solitude, creating barriers in their dreamscapes to fashion private worlds. others, busy with cultivation, replaced sleep with meditation, rarely appearing in the realm of dreams. the master of this realm was the great dream sovereign. the realm of dreams was essentially her dream made manifest. she should have been simply named dream sovereign, but was respectfully titled great by the people. this world, straddling reality and illusion, harbored native beings, nations, civilizations it could even manifest briefly in the mortal realm, allowing people to physically enter it. if the dream sovereign could one day bring the realm of dreams into reality, turning it into a true great realm, she would achieve perfection in her dao and become the foremost sovereign of all times. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only but, for reasons unknown, the dream sovereign fell. the realm of dreams collapsed into countless fragments, and with her death, its inhabitants vanished. dreams were no longer interconnected; everyones dreams became isolated, reflecting only their reality. people could no longer dream of things they hadnt encountered or understood in real life, even the monsters in their nightmares being composites of real elements. ru shou knew many secrets. some said the dream sovereign had perished completely. but he knew as long as dreams existed in the world, she remained immortal, bound to return. the basis of the beings in the realm of dreams is that the dream sovereign is alive. logically, after her demise, dream ruins city should not exist. and yet, this world is eroding. dream tapirs, originally gentle creatures created by her to consume peoples nightmares, have become aggressive in dream ruins city. ru shou recalled what he had seen: and the nightmare demons, those birds with two heads such beings never existed in the realm of dreams.. someone is invading this world, eroding the remnants of the dream sovereigns power Chapter 131 - Chapter 131: The Great Dream Sovereign, The Truth of Dream Ruins City! chapter 131: the great dream sovereign, the truth of dream ruins city! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation ru shou pondered the implications of their discovery. dream ruins city might be the last stronghold, and the statue in the temple reflected the struggle between two forces. the invaders had already dominated nearly all of the dream realm, with only dream ruins city remaining as the final piece. ru shou, with his extensive knowledge and wisdom, speculated further. why did the dream sovereign preserve dream ruins city? who was attacking this world, and what secrets did it hold? he thought about the ancient ruined cities in the darkness, destroyed countless millennia ago. such a long-term scheme suggests dream ruins city is of utmost importance, significant enough to be controlled or destroyed by a being of the sovereign level. there must be a grand fortune hidden here. ru shous thoughts raced. ive arrived first, using the power of the immortal tomb. knowing these secrets, i might have a chance to compete. it was rumored that the dream sovereign left her legacy within the realm of dreams. uncovering these secrets and obtaining the sovereigns legacy could this body can only exist for twelve hours. i must take control of that young man ru shous gaze was deep and calculating. did you find anything? ru shou, controlling the wooden puppet, entered the temple. no, lu xuan shook his head. besides a few broken magical artifacts, this place is mostly dust. yes, senior ru shou, he zhao responded. my experience is more extensive than yours. let me search again, ru shou suggested. gong gong, guard the temple perimeter to keep away nightmare demons and evil spirits. no problem, lu xuan readily agreed, leaving the main hall. come, show me where youve searched, ru shou jumped onto he zhaos shoulder. yes, senior. he zhao led ru shou deeper into the temple. meanwhile, ru shous consciousness kept track of gong gongs position. once he sensed gong gong descending the steps and idly wandering outside the temple, ru shou knew it was time to act. he raised his hand, casting a spell that immobilized he zhao. before he zhao could react, a stream of light left the puppet and entered his forehead. he zhaos vision turned to a murky gray chaos. ignorance unenlightened, truly a mortal, said an elder in a green robe, shaking his head. senior ru shou? he zhao recognized his voice. from now on, you shall call me master, ru shou smiled. henceforth, you are my puppet, obeying my commands and acting on my orders. he zhao was shocked and sensed danger, but he had no power to resist ru shou. with a wave of ru shous hand, he zhaos spirit was bound, unable to move or speak, like a puppet. ru shou began reciting scriptures, and as he spoke, golden lotuses bloomed, spreading across the chaotic sea. the chanting resonated within he zhaos soul, calming his mind. he zhao found himself wanting to kneel before ru shou, feeling an innate urge to submit. no, this isnt right despite his struggle against this overpowering influence, he zhaos resistance only seemed to deepen his entrapment. given the disparity in cultivation between ru shou and he zhao, this indoctrination was not something he zhao could resist with mere willpower. ru shou nodded slightly, approving of he zhaos reaction. the secret of the sovereign was too significant to share with he zhao. turning him into a puppet was the optimal choice. ru shou planned to first control he zhao, then take over the leader of dream ruins city upon returning. as he zhaos consciousness continued to sink, on the brink of losing his sense of self, applause echoed in the sea of chaos. a handsome young man, lu xuan, appeared, walking on air. the enlightenment sutra from the holy buddha sect, you sure know a lot, senior ru shou. gong gong? ru shou was on guard. yes, its me, lu xuan nodded. were supposed to be allies, and yet here you are, attacking your own thats hardly ethical. this matter is none of your concern, ru shou retorted coldly. i merely need an obedient assistant. an assistant without even a basic understanding of cultivation? lu xuan raised an eyebrow. are you trying to replace everyone in the immortal tomb organization with your people, or did you discover the secret of dream ruins lu xuan might not have ru shous depth of knowledge in ancient history, but he deduced the situation from ru shous actions. from the beginning, he had been observing ru shou, and despite the limitations of the puppet, he sensed something was amiss. gong gong, i dont want to fight you. leave if youre wise, ru shou warned. remember, your assessment is still in my hands. i only need to say one word, and the others will vote you out. you remind me, lu xuan nodded. i wont know how to conclude that girls assessment if i dont deal with you. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only with a gesture, he zhaos figure vanished, freed from ru shous control. ru shou was shocked, unable to detect lu xuans method. however, ru shou wasnt overly worried since this was just a spiritual projection, not even his true soul, and destroying it wouldnt harm him. his true self was hidden in an extremely secret place, safe from discovery. lu xuan stepped forward, and the surroundings shifted. he zhaos chaotic soul sea began to clear, with the heavy, murky elements sinking and the lighter, clearer ones rising. the world split, and light shone forth. in lu xuans hand appeared a burning milfoil. below him, a nine-tiered altar emerged, towering into the clouds. lu xuan ascended the altar, holding the stalk aloft, and bowed towards ru shous direction. in an instant, ru shous spiritual projection established a soul channel with his true self. ru shou tried to disintegrate his projection but to no avail. lu xuan had immobilized it before taking action, unbeknownst to ru shou. the milfoil stalk burnt to ash, and with it, ru shous consciousness dissipated. his existence was erased, leaving behind only an empty shell of a soul. Chapter 132 - Chapter 132: The Prison chapter 132: the prison-taming immortal scripture, young man translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation dream ruins city, the realm of dreams, the great dream sovereign lu xuans dark eyes deepened. as ru shous consciousness burned away with the milfoil stalk, lu xuan witnessed his life story unfold like a movie, revealing the secrets of dream ruins city. interestingly, after learning about ru shous life, lu xuan realized they were somewhat akin. ru shou was a seasoned archaeologist, inheriting a family craft and accompanying his grandfather on tomb raids since childhood. during one expedition into an imperial tomb, they unearthed a rare life-extending herb. ru shou, frugal by nature, reasoned that his elderly grandfather had lived long enough and that consuming the herb would be a waste. in a ruthless decision, he buried his grandfather alive in the tomb, giving him an imperial-level burial a twisted form of filial piety. ru shou, now over four thousand years old, had been tomb raiding since his earliest memories, boasting vast experience and profound knowledge of ancient history. the scrolls and manuscripts found in tombs enriched his scholarship, while the dangers encountered therein honed his bravery. most people, upon realizing they were caught in a struggle between sovereigns ,would act cautiously, avoiding confrontation. but ru shou, accustomed to risks from years of tomb raiding, saw opportunity in danger. upon learning the secrets of dream ruins city, his first instinct was to seize the opportunity. ru shou believed that dream ruins city might hold the legacy of the dream sovereign. gaining it could potentially grant him control over the realm of dreams, lu xuan interpreted his thoughts. ru shou planned to turn he zhao into a puppet and then take control of the citys leader, gradually uncovering the citys secrets. however, his plan ended abruptly, as lu xuan eradicated him during the first step. ru shou was knowledgeable in many fields, akin to a hexagonal warrior. but lu xuans abilities were more expansive, represented by a large, encompassing circle. thank you, senior gong gong, for saving my life, he zhao said, ready to bow in gratitude inside the temple. eh, thats not necessary, lu xuan stopped him. i also did it to pass the immortal tombs newbie assessment, not just to save you. but with senior ru shou gone, what about the immortal tomb he zhao realized the implications. dont worry about it, lu xuan reassured him. when i made my move, i used some techniques to obscure the celestial secrets of this place it should fool the immortal tomb space. lu xuan had not destroyed ru shous soul, only his consciousness, to maintain the connection with the immortal tomb. ru shous soul remained, albeit as a lifeless shell. according to nangong xuans report, lu xuan believed the immortal tomb space couldnt discern ru shous true state. after all, the space lacked an independent thinking entity and operated on set programs and rules. lu xuan planned to probe the master of the immortal tomb during their next gathering, possibly even overthrowing them and their followers if feasible. turning his attention to he zhao, lu xuan considered the young man and all the inhabitants of dream ruins city, unaware they were mere characters in the great dream sovereigns dream. in ancient times, people from the archean eon world could enter the realm of dreams. but the native beings of the dream realm would vanish if they left the dream, becoming nothingness. this is why the dream realm couldnt be considered part of reality. ru shous deduction was reasonable. the essence of the dream realm is the great dream sovereigns dream. once the sovereign falls, the dream ends, and all beings within it dissipate dream ruins city was deliberately left behind. lu xuan furrowed his brows. why did the dream sovereign do this? was it a plan for revival, leaving behind a legacy, or to convey some message? someone knew of the dream sovereigns plan, hence the erosion of dream ruins city but the identity and purpose of the dream sovereigns enemy remain unknown. lu xuan shook his head, lets deal with the immediate issue first. he knew what he needed to do. he zhao, a being of the dream realm, was very much alive in this world. and lu xuan, appreciating the young mans character, decided to lend a helping hand. he zhao. yes, senior, im here, he zhao quickly responded, deeply respectful towards read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only senior gong gong after witnessing his power and being saved from ru shou. i see your character is decent, and your potential is satisfactory. i have a daoist technique id like to pass on to you. would you accept it? lu xuan stood with his hands behind his back. he zhao was stunned, this its said that teachings shouldnt be passed on lightly. i have nothing to offer senior in return; how can i just accept your legacy hmm its not exactly my legacy, but it suits your current situation, lu xuan explained. however, passing this technique to you isnt without conditions. he gazed at he zhao, my lineage worships a boundlessly great being named sovereign of longevity, the enemy of the master of the immortal tomb do you understand? Chapter 133 - Chapter 133: The Prison chapter 133: the prison -taming immortal scripture, young man! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation he zhao, after a moment of surprise, quickly grasped the implication of lu xuans words. he was being asked to join the longevity sovereigns lineage and become an undercover agent within the immortal tomb space. he took a deep breath and said, senior saved my life i am willing to be at your service. theres no need to be so formal, lu xuan spoke in a relaxed tone. so, youre willing to join? yes, senior, he zhao responded. good, from now on, ill be your point of contact for anything that happens. you and i will communicate directly, lu xuan decided unilaterally, assigning an extra task to nangong xuan. understood, senior, he zhao said solemnly. alright, focus your mind. im going to transmit the technique to you, lu xuan said. the wooden puppet rose and positioned itself in front of he zhaos forehead. once ready, lu xuan pointed a finger. boomi he zhaos body shook as a scroll of immortal scriptures unfolded within his soul sea. the scripture, written in red on black paper, emanated a terrifying aura, as if blood flowed through its lines and wails of countless spirits echoed in the background, plunging he zhao into a figurative hell. amidst this overwhelming fear, he zhao saw the ancient books title the prison-taming immortal scripture! this scripture was a serendipitous discovery of mine. it can refine evil spirits and other ghostly entities, transforming them into your own strength. its perfectly suited for you, lu xuans voice rang out. thank you for imparting this technique, senior! he zhao began to bow, but lu xuan stopped him. its just a book i gave you. i havent taught you anything, so im not your master. theres no need for formalities. yes, senior, he zhao replied, biting his lip. even as a beginner in cultivation, he zhao felt the power of the scripture at first sight. lu xuans remark about refining evil spirits and turning them into nourishment made him realize how precious this technique was for him. now that your soul sea is formed, you can start practicing this scripture, lu xuan instructed. he zhao sat cross-legged, immersing his consciousness into his soul sea. after half an incense sticks time, a mysterious aura burst forth from him. he zhao opened his eyes, which now sparkled with a newfound sharpness. his demeanor had changed significantly. he had entered the conviction stage, becoming an official cultivator. he zhao stood up to pay his respects to lu xuan, who waved him off, you have decent talent, and todays breakthrough was just a natural progression now, make good use of this ruined city to prepare for your cultivation. he zhao paused, then realized that lu xuan wanted him to use his new technique to combat the evil spirits in the city. can i really do it? he zhao asked, thinking of the ferocity of the evil spirits. the prison-taming immortal scripture is an unparalleled technique i obtained from the depths of the endless sea. its one of the supreme methods lu xuan explained, if you can cultivate it to its highest level, you can open the gates of hell and establish a realm of spirits right here, subduing all kinds of malevolent spirits and demons. though youve just started, its sufficient to handle evil spirits. he zhao, not fully grasping the depth of lu xuans description, trusted the senior unconditionally. under lu xuans guidance, he approached a nearby building. it was a three-story stone structure, weathered and eroded. he zhao took a deep breath and entered. the building was dark, and he zhao felt his way along the wall, silently climbing the stairs. the steps were so thick with dust that they muffled his footsteps. lu xuan had given him a dream lantern, which he zhao held but didnt light. he continued to ascend the staircase, the silence only broken by his own breathing and heartbeat. he zhao started counting the steps as he climbed higher. however, he stopped abruptly, realizing something was amiss. he remembered the buildings height from outside; it shouldnt have this many stairs. a chill crept up his neck as if something was right behind him. he zhao took a deep breath, clenched the dream lantern, and spun around, illuminating the area. there was nothing there. he realized he was now in a room, covered in dust and decorated like a bridal chamber. beside him was a dressing table with a dusty bronze mirror. he swiped his hand over the mirror, revealing his face and a pale, lifeless face perched on his shoulder! he zhao swung at it. with a bang, the face exploded into green smoke. the room changed at that moment; dust fell away, red decor turned to white funeral banners, and a ghastly wind blew behind him. an evil spirit, with a green face and ferocious fangs, lunged at him. he zhaos heart raced. this was his first direct confrontation with an evil spirit. the prison-taming immortal scripture coursed through him, and instead of retreating, he charged forward, his fist glowing with a dark light. surprisingly, he moved faster than usual, striking first despite being the target. his punch, fierce and tearing through the air, hit the evil spirits chest. the creature flew backward, slamming into the wall. a large hole appeared in its chest, and dark energy began to corrode its body. he zhao looked at his fist in disbelief. this was his first fight, his first encounter with an evil spirit, and it had been surprisingly easy. kid, this is the power of the prison-taming immortal scripture, lu xuan, with crossed arms, spoke from he zhaos shoulder. this scripture subdues all creatures related to spirits and demons, even here in the dream realm. he zhao, gazing at the defeated evil spirit, clenched his fist and walked over. after a while, he zhao emerged from the stone building and headed towards his next target, empowered and ready to face the challenges ahead. outside the ruins of the city, hong feng was in a state of perplexity, questioning, where did that kid go? his day had unfolded quite differently than he had anticipated. in hong fengs original plan, the hunting team was inevitably expected to encounter nightmare demons and evil spirits. he zhao, being part of his team, would have been an easy target to harm amidst the chaos of battle with these creatures. contrary to his expectations, the team encountered no such threats, largely due to he zhaos inexplicable luck. frustrated, hong feng had no choice but to lure a nightmare demon to attack the team himself. however, he hadnt expected he zhao to be so elusive, escaping at the first sign of trouble and remaining uncatchable until now. wonder if he died out there hong feng mumbled to himself. just then, a figure emerged from the ruins and caught his eye. it was he zhao! observing the familiar silhouette, hong fengs face lit up with a hunters glee, his smile broadening at the sight of his prey. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only he stealthily followed he zhao, ensuring he didnt escape. in the wilderness outside the city, hong feng could see within a ten-yard radius, while he zhao, relying on the dream lantern, could only see within a yard. hong feng was confident that he could trail he zhao without being noticed. as he pondered how to strike without leaving any evidence to implicate himself, he zhao unexpectedly turned around. a jolt of surprise hit hong feng. no, he cant have seen me he stood still, remaining on high alert. however, to his astonishment, he zhao began walking towards him. it was then that hong feng noticed a significant change in he zhaos demeanor since they had left the city. he zhao stopped about a yard away, holding a rusty long sword in his hand. the tip of the sword pointed directly at hong fengs throat.. Chapter 134 - Chapter 134: The Immortal Sovereign of the Netherworld, The Source of Darkness! chapter 134: the immortal sovereign of the netherworld, the source of darkness! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation youve entered the conviction stage? hong feng narrowed his eyes at he zhao. he zhao didnt respond but simply flicked the rusted sword in his hand. he had found this sword in the ruins of the city. once a magical weapon, it had lost its spirit and was now no different from ordinary iron, albeit still sturdy. are you actually challenging me? hong feng sensed a killing intent emanating from he zhao, which he found incomprehensible. how could this young man, who had just entered the conviction stage, dare to challenge him? for a moment, hong feng felt an unsettling reversal: it wasnt he who was hunting he zhao, but rather he zhao who seemed to have been waiting for him. what opportunity did he find in the ruins of the city? hong feng became wary, suspecting that he zhao might have gained some advantage capable of threatening him. after contemplating, hong feng decided to test the waters. he put his hand on his long sword at his waist and shouted, he zhao, private fighting is forbidden in dream ruins city. what are you planning to do?! he zhao, after a moment of silence, lowered his sword and said, go back and tell your brother, hong zhen, that im fed up with his bullying. now that im a conviction stage warrior, he better treat me with respect. his eyes were deep and inscrutable, like an ancient abyss. of course, hong feng replied, visibly relieved. he looked into he zhaos eyes and smiled, my brother has always been lazy and untalented. he cant compare to you, he zhao. youre young and have already become a martial artist i have a question for you, he zhao interrupted, how should the dream stone be before he could finish, he zhao suddenly thrust his rusted sword towards hong fengs throat! hong fengs expression changed dramatically as he realized only then how close he zhao had gotten without his notice. in a rush, hong feng drew his sword to block, but the tip of the rusted sword hit his blade. with a clang, a powerful force pushed hong feng back. he zhao advanced, thrusting his sword towards hong fengs vital points. he zhao wasnt burdened with complicated thoughts. he was there to kill. this was the task assigned to him by lu xuan. after slaying more than ten evil spirits within the ruins, he zhaos cultivation had solidified, and he had developed his first prison-taming power. he used a technique from the prison-taming immortal scripture, employing an eye technique to confuse hong feng and lower his guard before striking suddenly. lu xuan, still in he zhaos pocket, did not intervene. he watched as he zhao, who had just officially entered the path of cultivation and was in the early stages of the conviction stage, pressed the attack against hong feng, a martial artist of many years with rich combat experience and at the pinnacle of the conviction stage. lu xuan found this quite reasonable. after all, the prison-taming immortal scripture he zhao was practicing was of an extremely high grade. upon cultivating the first force of the scripture, he zhaos internal energy had undergone a qualitative transformation. the disparity in the quality of energy cultivated by a top-tier immortal scripture and ordinary techniques was vast, akin to the difference between gold and scrap iron. in this situation, if he zhao could not defeat someone less than a full realm above him, lu xuan considered that he might need to start over. he set a relatively low bar for he zhao, who was not his disciple. his appearance and talent did not meet lu xuans high standards for discipleship. he zhaos understanding might not keep up with lu xuans teachings, which usually required his direct disciples to bridge a gap of two major realms before the void refining stage. as they fought, hong feng roared in frustration, unable to comprehend his predicament. why was he, a senior martial artist, at a disadvantage against a junior like he zhao? he zhao remained unfazed by hong fengs reaction. the effects of the prison-taming immortal scripture were becoming evident. practitioners of this scripture could enter a battle state without any emotional disturbance, confronting their enemy with calmness. he zhao inflicted more and more wounds on hong feng. hong feng did manage to cause some injuries to he zhao, but they were not severe. dark energy around he zhaos body quickly healed these wounds. after a short while, he zhao severed one of hong fengs hands, blood splattering everywhere. in his agony, hong feng tried to block but was sent flying by he zhaos strike, crashing to the ground. he zhao advanced towards him step by step. desperate, hong feng didnt even try to stop the bleeding. he pulled out a thumb-sized wooden carving from his chest, smeared his blood on it, and swallowed it whole. the wooden carving ingested, hong fengs body contorted painfully, resembling a curling shrimp. his limbs shriveled like deflated balloons, his head wrinkled and skull collapsed, while his abdomen swelled abnormally. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only hong fengs belly ripped open, and a bizarre nightmare demon tore through the thin skin, emerging from within. the creature had a human-like head but the body of a beast, long and slender limbs, and wet, matted fur, emitting a ferocious aura. in just a few breaths, hong feng completed this grotesque transformation. he zhao raised his sword against the hideous nightmare demon, showing no sign of retreat. you step back, let me handle this, lu xuan instructed he zhao not to continue. he had noticed hong fengs actions.. Chapter 135 - Chapter 135: The Immortal Sovereign of the Netherworld, The Source of Darkness! chapter 135: the immortal sovereign of the netherworld, the source of darkness! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation as hong feng swallowed the strange wooden carving, lu xuan sensed a mysterious force descending, transforming hong feng into that monstrous form. yes, senior, he zhao complied, stepping back. lu xuan activated his power, slightly intervening. the human-faced beasts body exploded, turning into a bloody mess. at the moment of its death, a faint light tried to escape from the creature but was captured by a hand of spiritual energy. you can go back on your own, right? lu xuan asked he zhao. no problem, senior, he zhao replied. now a conviction warrior with the power of the prison-taming scripture, he was more than capable of handling risks. good, lu xuan nodded, releasing the captured spirit and following he zhao back. in the boundless darkness, a remnant soul chased by a wooden puppet, controlled by lu xuan, fled. lu xuan realized that this remnant soul was summoned by some power and was being drawn to a specific destination. the soul journeyed through dry riverbeds, desolate deserts, and over mountain ranges. after an indeterminate amount of time, a colossal corpse appeared in the deepest part of the darkness. lu xuan, observing the immense body, felt his heart sink. it was a divine corpse, exuding a terrifying pressure despite being dead for an unknown number of years. a massive wound almost decapitated the corpse, with dark blood dripping from it. this divine blood transformed into thick black mist upon touching the ground, from which nightmare demons and evil spirits were born. this corpse was the source of the dark forces in the dream ruins world. dark mist swirled around the corpse, pulsating like a breathing organism, absorbing souls that came near it into the divine body. after pondering for a moment, lu xuan released a spark of light from the wooden puppet, which entered the brow of the divine corpse. returning to the physical world, lu xuans expression became troubled as he uncovered the identity of the corpse. it was the immortal sovereign of the netherworld. after the fall of the great dream sovereign, the netherworld sovereign had forcibly entered the dream ruins world but was slain by the traps left by the former. from the residual memories of the netherworld sovereign, lu xuan learned that the great dream sovereign and the netherworld sovereign were once close friends, much like yi changqing and yan feiyu. however, a rift had developed between them for some reason. the netherworld sovereign knew about a secret hidden by the dream sovereign in the dream ruins world and sought to claim it. but the gap in power between the two was too vast. even after the death of the dream sovereign, the defenses in the dream ruins world were enough to slay the netherworld sovereign. but this was all part of the netherworld sovereigns plan, lu xuan thought, looking at the giant divine corpse. the corpse, surrounded by a pulsating mist, had turned into a source of darkness after its death. for countless millennia, the power of the netherworld sovereign had spread, corrupting almost ninety-nine percent of the dream ruins world. only dream ruins city remained uncorrupted. if dream ruins city falls, this existence would surely refine the entire dream ruins world and resurrect itself from within the divine body, lu xuan realized. according to the original plan of the netherworld sovereign, this could have been successful. but now lu xuan leaped near the head of the netherworld sovereign. spiritual hands emerged, gripping the divine corpses head. the hands, swirling with the power of laws, completely severed the last connection between the head and the body. the netherworld sovereigns head was twisted off by lu xuan. the body shuddered, and the surrounding mist dissipated. along with it, the unformed soul of the netherworld sovereign vanished. in the distance, the remnant souls and spirits attracted by the divine corpse lost their target and aimlessly wandered. in a short time, these remnants would completely fade away. after eliminating the source of corruption, lu xuan surveyed the surroundings. the darkness still lingered, but he could clearly feel it weakening and dissipating. the natural laws of the dream ruins world were in motion, and the tainted land began to purify itself. without the netherworld sovereigns influence, the remaining dark forces could no longer compete with the worlds natural energy. anyway, the issues in dream ruins city have been resolved, lu xuan thought, as he shrank and sealed the divine corpse. however, the reason why the great dream sovereign created this world remained unknown. the great dream sovereign, who entered the dao through dreams, had profound and penetrating cultivation. its said that she could glimpse the future through dreams, lu xuan mused. he wasnt in a hurry to uncover the secrets: by resolving the source of pollution, ive set dream ruins city back on its original path. the secrets of this world will reveal themselves when the time is right. he had taken he zhao under his wing partly out of fondness and also as a strategic move. should any changes occur in dream ruins city, he would have someone to inform him. after completing these tasks, lu xuan severed the connection with his wooden puppet and retracted his spiritual projection. in the imperial palace of the demon immortal nation, lu xuan lay in bed the next morning, looking at cheng lingzhu who was beside him. is it over just like that? cheng lingzhu asked, blinking curiously. it was the morning after lu xuan had ventured into the dream ruins world, almost twelve hours ago. since his real body remained in the demon immortal nation, he could multitask without impacting his regular life. cheng lingzhu had been watching the live stream of his experiences in the dream ruins world for the entire duration. what do you mean is it over? lu xuan raised an eyebrow. i did a lot of significant things. i went into the dream ruins, dealt with ru shou, secured nangong xuans position, guided a simple young man, changing his tragic fate, and planted a spy in the immortal tomb. at the edge of darkness, i sent off the netherworld sovereign, solving the problems faced by the dream ruins world. this is a world-saving feat. and by saving the dream ruins world, ive established a karmic connection with the great dream sovereign. i suspect this will lead to further developments. lu xuan was always lenient with himself. any of these achievements would have made the trip worthwhile, but he had completed all of them within twenty-four hours. the rest would have to wait for the next update. cheng lingzhu was convinced by his explanation. its time for breakfast. lets go out and eat, lu xuan suggested. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only dont we have food prepared here in the palace? cheng lingzhu curled up, reluctant to leave the bed. why suddenly go out? ye banzhuang likes sweets too much. the royal kitchens food really isnt to my taste. lets go, we can also take a stroll, lu xuan stood up and picked cheng lingzhu up. ye banzhuangs fondness for sweets, be it in her work or personal life, included an abundance of desserts and sweets. such a preference might concern a mortal about health issues, but ye banzhuangs cultivation level rendered these concerns irrelevant. alright, cheng lingzhu agreed with his reasoning. sitting on the edge of the bed with cheng lingzhu in his arms, embracing each other, she gently rocked back and forth. being held like this made her suddenly even less inclined to leave the bed, cheng lingzhu thought to herself.. Chapter 136 - Chapter 136: The Empress is Putting Up a Facade chapter 136: the empress is putting up a facade translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation shattered cloud city. capital of the demon immortal nation. as a nation predominantly inhabited by plant spirits, shattered cloud city boasted an impressively high level of greenery. by the time lu xuan and cheng lingzhu finished grooming and left the imperial palace, it was just past the hour of chen. this time of day marked the transition from breakfast to early tea, a somewhat idle period. to pass the time, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu visited a shop selling herbal tea. the shop, a century-old establishment, was managed by a diligent proprietress passionate about developing new beverages. before lu xuan were two cups of pear juice, freshly squeezed from large, snow-white pears, brimming with a fragrant aroma. having spent the previous day indulging in sweets with ye banzhuang, lu xuan initially hesitated at the sight of these large, white pears. however, the proprietress assured them that their morning pear juice was unsweetened. tentatively tasting it, lu xuan couldnt help but hiss in surprise. true to the proprietresss word, the juice was refreshing, rich in fruit flavor, yet only faintly sweet. inside the teahouse. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu chose a seat by the window to enjoy their morning tea. after finishing their pear juice, they came here. it was still early, and the storyteller had not yet arrived, leaving the hall sparsely populated. cheng lingzhu picked up a shrimp dumpling and fed it to lu xuan. as he bit into it, his gaze shifted subtly towards the entrance. noticing the change in his expression, cheng lingzhu turned to see three new arrivals in the teahouse. an old man accompanied by two younger individuals. the elderly man appeared to be in his seventies, with an unremarkable face. he was flanked by a young man and woman, in their twenties and late teens, respectively, both handsome and beautiful with a distinguished air. of course, in the realm of cultivation, ones age cannot be judged by appearance alone. a peak of the body integration stage is that a tortoise spirit? lu xuan communicated through a mental message. he was referring to the elderly man. despite the old man concealing his true nature, lu xuans keen perception saw through him. this elderly figure was not human, but a powerful demon. what would a demon of such caliber be doing in shattered cloud city? cheng lingzhu pondered. she knew that most cultivators in the demon immortal nation were plant spirits, transformed from flora. animal spirits, especially those who had reached such high levels of cultivation, were rare. shattered cloud city, being the capital of the demon immortal nation, should be cautious of such a powerful cultivator entering unannounced, raising suspicions about his intentions. the trio ordered morning tea and seated themselves at the other end of the hall. the old mans behavior towards the young man and woman was respectful, more like that of a servant than an elder. as their breakfast arrived, the young man eagerly bit into a red bean bun, his face immediately showing satisfaction: truly worthy of the demon immortal nations capital, under the feet of the shattered cloud empress, even this red bean bun tastes divine. lu xuan, eavesdropping, blinked in surprise, glancing at the red bean bun on his own table. cheng lingzhu picked one up and fed it to him. its just average, lu xuan mused. if he were to score it, hed give this bun twenty out of ten. fourteen of those points were for cheng lingzhu feeding it to him; in terms of flavor alone, it barely earned a six. the young man then praised a shrimp dumpling after tasting it: this surpasses the delicacies served at the eastern sea banquet by threefold. one bite of this dumpling, and one would forget seafood for three years. cheng lingzhu, also listening in, was perplexed. lu xuan fed her a shrimp dumpling. after tasting it, cheng lingzhu suspected that their morning tea was different from what was served at the other table. the elder, sensing the awkwardness, coughed twice, young master, we are in public be discreet. whats there to worry about, elder hai? the young man, ao sheng, queried. i havent insulted anyone or spread falsehoods. with my sincere heart, even the shattered cloud empress would appreciate my honesty if she heard me shut it! the girl at his table, unable to tolerate more, picked a piece of dry pastry, cast a spell to enlarge it, and stuffed it into his mouth. as ao sheng choked and searched for water, cheng lingzhu picked up on some clues. ao sheng? elder hai? a tortoise spirit? she pondered, could he be the crown prince of the eastern sea? cheng lingzhu was well-versed in the young prodigies from various factions in the archean eon world. after all, as the saintess of the dushi sword sect, she wouldnt bother with unknowns. lu xuan was puzzled. what was the eastern sea crown prince doing in the demon immortal nation? the shattered cloud empress was ye banzhuangs imperial name. lu xuan took out a communication artifact to contact her. hmm? master? ye banzhuang had just concluded the morning court and was reviewing memorials. she used a clone technique, filling the room with mini versions of herself, each with a basket of jade slips. receiving lu xuans message, all the ye banzhuangs stopped and turned to the one holding the communication artifact. lu xuan asked, do you know ao sheng from the eastern sea dragon tribe? after a moment of thought, ye banzhuang replied: ive heard of him, i guess i know him. what about him, master? hes here in shattered cloud city. i saw him in a teahouse. ye banzhuang hesitantly inquired, master are you sure youre not mistaken? hes with a girl, about sixteen or seventeen, and a tortoise spirit named elder hai lu xuan answered. after a pause, ye banzhuang confirmed, thats him. whats the issue with him? lu xuan inquired. ye banzhuang carefully explained, you know, master, when i appear publicly, i dont use my current form. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only yes, i know. lu xuan nodded. the cute young girl lacked a certain authority. ye banzhuang, during important meetings and court sessions, used an avatar, one that exuded majesty. in a way, controlling this avatar in court affairs, ye banzhuang was akin to a virtual host. Chapter 137 - Chapter 137: A Thorough Beating Awaits You chapter 137: a thorough beating awaits you translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation and then, remember i visited the eastern sea before? perhaps the avatar i used was too captivating, and this youngster he developed a fondness after seeing it. ye banzhuang hesitated in her explanation. lu xuan couldnt help but be astounded. as an empress, ye banzhuang had her fair share of admirers, but ao sheng was among the most fervent. whenever he interacted with others, he excessively praised the shattered cloud empress, reminiscent of a paid promoter. in the demon immortal nation, whenever there was an event requiring ye banzhuangs presence, the eastern sea crown prince would lead a group, banners in hand, eagerly welcoming her at the forefront. whenever the shattered cloud empress visited somewhere for an exchange, he would shamelessly ask the organizers for tickets. considering ao shengs status, unless the event involved confidential matters, the organizers would usually accommodate him with an extra seat. however, usually, two powerful figures would accompany him, ready to silence him with a powerful muting spell and drag him away if he got out of hand. last year, when the eastern sea dragon palace was undergoing ancestral land renovation, ao sheng was in charge of the project. after the ancestral hall was refurbished, the east sea dragon king, along with his brothers, came to pay respects to their ancestor. as they entered the ancestral hall and were about to pay their respects, they looked up to find the image of the ancestral dragon replaced by ye banzhuangs portrait, tossed aside on the altar. the dragon king nearly fainted with rage and would have punished his own son severely had the dragon kings of the other three domains not intervened. doesnt the outside world know your true form? lu xuan inquired. of course, they do. the maids in the palace, the court officials, and the leaders of various factions i often interact with know what i look like its not a secret, ye banzhuang replied. after all, it was just an avatar, and the powerful could easily discern that. ye banzhuangs appearance was limited by her own power. to transform into an adult woman, she needed to pass the heavenly tribulation and undergo a fundamental transformation from mortal to immortal. lu xuan found this quite unreasonable. ye banzhuang, being a natural-born holy spirit, had no cultivation shackles within her. logically, she should have been inherently different from ordinary beings since birth, without needing to undergo a transformation through tribulation. ao sheng has been told about this by the people around him, but he refuses to believe it, convinced that others are deceiving him, ye banzhuang said, sounding helpless. hes probably escaped from the confinement imposed by the eastern sea dragon king, knowing about the upcoming flying boat race and that i would appear. lu xuan couldnt help but think how blurred the lines between virtual and reality had become for ao sheng. fortunately, ye banzhuang was kind-hearted. if it were someone else, they would have severely punished the crown prince by now. do you need my help? lu xuan offered. yes master, can you give him a beating for me? ye banzhuang pondered. as an ancient spirit species, she had no interest in romance and naturally couldnt reciprocate ao shengs advances. in fact, ao shengs presence had only added troubles for ye banzhuang. after all, an overly passionate fan could be more troublesome than ten detractors, constantly boasting that their idol is the best in the world. even though im actually second best, ye banzhuang thought to herself, considering her master still surpassed her. the shattered cloud empress preferred to keep a low profile. even though her uncle-master ji lingchen and senior brother su yuan couldnt defeat her, such matters were better kept to oneself rather than flaunted. among lu xuans disciples, the only one who could match ye banzhuang in talent and brilliance was his eldest disciple, known for his relentless and overpowering approach in vanquishing all foes. given her status, and considering ao sheng was a junior, it wasnt appropriate for ye banzhuang to personally confront him. there were talents within the demon immortal nation capable of challenging ao sheng, but with a body integration cultivator by his side, it was tricky to make a move. lu xuan nodded and asked, to what extent should i go? ye banzhuang pondered the situation. the dragon king only had this son with passable talent. any serious harm might provoke significant trouble. the shattered cloud empress always acted with caution, considering the consequences. if she were to severely injure the dragon kings son, it would certainly anger him, leading to retaliation. in such a scenario, the dragon king would inevitably meet his end. furthermore, the dragon king had three brothers, and the unity of the four seas dragon clans meant dealing with the others to prevent future problems. and what about the powers allied with the dragon clans through marriage? and their close friends? counting on her fingers, ye banzhuang realized the list of potential threats was extensive, and such mass retribution didnt align with her masters teachings. so she replied, just dont kill him. such kindness in my disciples heart, lu xuan praised. his temper had mellowed with age. had this been right after his time in sancai academy, he would have dealt with anyone harassing his disciple by the evening, with the dragon kings family being served for dinner. this was the essence of learning the way in the morning, dying content in the evening. after ending the communication, lu xuan sipped his porridge and calmly took out a sack from his storage artifact. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only approaching ao shengs table with the sack, he caught their attention. are you the crown prince ao sheng of the eastern sea? and is this your sister, princess ao yuan? lu xuan asked, ensuring he had the right people. ao sheng was surprised as he exclaimed, how do you know my identity? lu xuan, with a smile, replied, ive heard that wherever the crown prince goes, he sincerely praises the shattered cloud empress in all the world, only you, your highness, exhibit such dedication. ao sheng was pleased to hear this. just as he was about to embark on a two-hour speech to express his admiration and reverence for ye banzhuang, lu xuan stood ready.. Chapter 138 - Chapter 138: A Thorough Beating Awaits You chapter 138: a thorough beating awaits you translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation suddenly, a sack descended over ao shengs head. lu xuans movements were as swift as lightning, effortlessly bagging and knocking down the east sea crown prince. elder hai, alarmed, attempted to intervene, raising his hand to suppress lu xuan. however, lu xuans punch sent the unfortunate integrated body cultivator tumbling to the ground. the punch not only knocked the elder down but also sealed his cultivation, forcing him to revert to his true form. a large turtle lay on the ground, belly up, struggling to turn over but only managing to spin in place. the girl accompanying ao sheng widened her eyes in shock. lu xuan, patting the sack politely, said, i wont take his life. im just here to vent someones frustration by giving him a beating. if youre wise before he could finish, the girl, clutching her chair, scurried away, setting it down to watch her brother get his due. lu xuan nodded slightly, looking at the sack before him, then raised his fist. after the time it takes an incense stick to burn. lu xuan, accompanied by cheng lingzhu, emerged from the teahouse, looking refreshed and spirited. inside the teahouse. eastern sea princess ao yuan pulled the sack off her brothers head. staring at ao shengs swollen, bruised face, which resembled a pigs head, she covered her mouth in shock. the last time her brother had been beaten like this was due to the incident with the ancestral dragons portrait. i i know why this happened, ao sheng, struggling to open his eyes and speaking weakly, conjectured, he must be a detractor of the shattered cloud empress, jealous that i have such an idol ao yuan facepalmed. she felt her brother was beyond help now. inside the immortal tomb space. ru shou, what exactly is the dream ruin world? xuan ming inquired. merely a fragment of a world, lu xuan, controlling ru shous spirit, responded. it was originally a part of the archean eon realm but was severed and separated, forming an independent world. and the darkness outside dream ruin city? emperor jiang asked. it was caused by the corruption from the corpse of a sovereign who attempted the tribulation, lu xuan fabricated. how did you resolve it? tian wu questioned. a sovereign, no matter how powerful, is just a corpse after death, lu xuan said. the world itself was quite weak. in terms of the archean eon realms standards, the strongest in the city were only at the nascent soul stage. i dealt with the corpses corruption and passed on a technique to shebi shi, giving him the strength to deal with his enemies. after lu xuan left, he zhao returned to dream ruin city. he sneaked into hong fengs house and found evidence of hong feng and hong zhen, the two brothers, communicating with evil entities and sacrificing their own souls. what about them? xuan ming gestured towards nangong xuan and he zhao. they are fine just a bit weak in strength, lu xuan nodded. with lu xuans report concluded, everyone present began to ponder. the archean eon realm is a vast world. even a sovereign can sever a piece from it? hou tu was skeptical. at least a true immortal is needed there must be significant opportunities hidden in that world, yan zis eyes glinted with intrigue. i regret not volunteering earlier. the opportunity must have been seized by him, ju mang lamented inwardly. controlling ru shou now must be brother lu, nangong xuan thought, aware of some hidden truths. the sovereign is indeed a mastermind. not only is my position secure, but i also have an assistant by my side, she glanced at he zhao. he zhao, with his head bowed, knew everything was orchestrated by the sovereign and dared not speculate about such a grand existence. shattered cloud city. in a tavern within shattered cloud city, two elderly men sat facing each other. the crown prince of the eastern sea has arrived, one of them communicated telepathically. he was dressed in a black robe, his face lined with wrinkles. are you certain he has the item with him? asked the other, an old man in a white robe. theres no mistake, nodded the man in the black robe. before leaving the palace, he took the nine heavens map with him, probably planning to present it to the empress of shattered cloud city. the nine heavens map is a relic of an ancient painting saint and a favorite of the eastern sea dragon lord. its only brought out for very important guests. the man in the white robe had a deep gaze. if i were that old dragon, id skin that rebellious son alive. its said that the eastern sea dragon lord has already started dealing with the matter, the man in the black robe said. the old dragon still has many years left and can sire more talented offspring. its not a big problem. of course, ao sheng, the crown prince, felt no sense of danger. for him. being a fan of the empress of shattered cloud city was more important than ruling the eastern sea dragon clan. upon learning that his father intended to remarry, ao sheng was secretly relieved at the prospect of lying low. he quickly gathered his subordinates and selected ten beautiful sea clan maidens to send to his father, followed by a scolding from both his father and mother. the dragon clan values lineage. ao shengs mother hails from cloud dream marsh, the largest dragon clan power on land. her brother, the dragon lord of the cloud dream marsh, was a powerful mahayana stage cultivator. the eastern sea dragon lord also took concubines, but considering bloodline purity and power dynamics, even if he appointed another crown prince, it would have to be from his direct descendants. this was why, despite ao shengs repeated misbehaviors, his father remained tolerant. the eastern sea dragon lord planned to celebrate the day his younger son matured by beating this rebellious son. this time, he sneaked out to participate in the flying boat race, because the top three winners will be personally awarded by the empress of shattered cloud city, said the man in the white robe, shaking his head. absurd, utterly absurd. in his view, participating in such competitions was beneath someone of high status, who should stand above the clouds and look down upon all beings. only the lowly would stoop to such performances. talking as if youre some great figure, scoffed the man in the black robe. normally, with our status, we wouldnt even qualify to meet the crown prince of the eastern sea. thats true, the man in the white robe admitted, not disputing his words. but, if we succeed in this, we might well be able to sit on an equal footing with the dragon lord, said the man in the black robe, lifting his cup for a drink. are you sure this plan will work? the man in the white robe hesitated as the moment of action drew near. do you doubt me, or the man in the black robes eyes were profound, leaving his sentence unfinished. hearing this, the man in the white robe quickly shook his head, then listened as the other continued, our lives are nearing their end. if we dont take a risk now, when will we? he tapped the table, using the nine heavens map to open that legacy site, we can enter and then seal it. even if the dragon lord himself comes, hell be helpless. he paused, moreover, once we emerge, having become powerful beings, the deed will be done the eastern sea dragon lord wont bother with us. this makes sense, nodded the man in the white robe. im just worried about being outmaneuvered. outmaneuvered? this is a rare opportunity in a millennium, said the man in the black robe. i know theres no such thing as a free lunch. were just elders of a third-rate sect, to encounter such an opportunity in our twilight years there must be more to it. he paused, but as [they] cannot descend into the archean eon realm now, they must find proxies. until were no longer of use we neednt worry about it. fearing death is not the way of cultivation. at their age, with their lives nearly over, they had little left to lose. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only even if there was a conspiracy, for the sake of cultivation and longevity, it was worth the gamble. how will we get the nine heavens map from ao sheng? he has protectors, asked the man in the white robe. the crown prince of the eastern sea sneaked out, so he likely couldnt bring something like a saint token we might not be able to handle a integrated body powerhouse, but we can ambush ao sheng when hes alone. the man in the black robe said, once we have the nine heavens map, well make a quick getaway. ao shengs protectors are there for his safety, they wont chase us. alright, the man in the white robe nodded.. Chapter 139 - Chapter 139: I Was Terrified At That Time chapter 139: i was terrified at that time translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation in shattered cloud city, inside an inn room. its already the hour of xu, what would the crown prince like to eat? elder hai inquired. with no outsiders present, he addressed ao sheng directly as the crown prince. hmm ao sheng, the eastern sea crown prince, lay on a rattan chair, humming in response. his face was covered with medicinal herbs, still bruised and swollen from the beating he received that morning, showing no signs of recovery yet. the night market in shattered cloud city has started, ao sheng remembered, his eyes lighting up. there will be lanterns tonight, and i heard that sometimes the shattered cloud empress disguises herself as a commoner to join in. how about we he was about to get up as he spoke. youre in this state and still thinking of going out? ao yuan, his sister, pressed him back down, clearly annoyed. its just a superficial injury. it will heal by tomorrow, ao sheng tried to reassure her, pulling at his facial skin. a superficial injury that even the secret medicines of the dragon palace cant cure? ao yuan gave him a skeptical look. that that seniors methods are profound, deliberately testing me. these injuries wont heal until tomorrow morning, ao sheng waved his hand dismissively, aware of his current condition. he knew that his injuries wouldnt heal today, but by tomorrow, his natural regenerative abilities as a cultivator would take care of them. the only issue was the uneven beating he received, which left him with a particularly sore dragon rear. the trio had speculated about lu xuans identity but hadnt come to a consensus. elder hai believed that he was sent by ye banzhuang to teach the crown prince a lesson. ao yuan thought it was a passing powerful being who decided to punish her brother for some reason. as for ao sheng he believed it was a test from the shattered cloud empress herself. ideally, ao sheng wished the empress would personally punish him. the lantern event lasts for half a month. this is just the first day. her majesty is so busy, shes unlikely to be there we can always go tomorrow night, ao yuan suggested, trying to dissuade her brother from any rash actions while he was still recovering. is there anything youd like to eat? ill go and purchase some for you, ao yuan offered to go out and buy some food for ao sheng. can i really not go out? ao sheng tentatively asked. no, you need to wait until your injuries heal, ao yuan replied firmly. alright then just bring back some light snacks, ao sheng conceded. okay, ao yuan agreed and left the room. elder hai, follow my sister. its late, and i dont want anything happening to her, ao sheng instructed. but what about you, your highness? elder hai hesitated, suggesting, should i leave a clone here? what for? ill be fine staying in the inn. just go and protect my sister. wake me up when you return with the snacks, ao sheng dismissed the idea, then got up from the rattan chair and headed towards the bed. resigned, elder hai left the room after setting up a protective array to prevent any assassination attempts. the array was designed to guard against intruders, not to restrict ao sheng himself, as the elder wouldnt dare to confine the crown prince. moments later, ao sheng, lying in bed, opened his eyes, grumbling about the overprotectiveness concerning his minor injuries. he then cautiously left his room, unimpeded by the elders protective array. meanwhile, outside the inn, in a nearby alley, two figures emerged from a distorted air space. hes out, the black-robed elder observed, watching ao shengs retreating figure. is he alone? the white-robed elder asked. the protector with him has left. its unclear if ao sheng is meeting him outside, the black-robed elder replied. will he have the nine heavens scroll with him? the white-robed elder inquired, focused on ao sheng. considering its a precious relic meant as a gift for the shattered cloud empress, he surely must be carrying it, the black-robed elder assumed. shall we make our move then? the white-robed elder suggested. yes, the black-robed elder nodded in agreement. walking alone on the streets, ao sheng cast an illusion to make his bruised face appear normal. old hai is too cautious. how many people could possibly want to harm me? ao sheng mused with confidence. he had already been beaten up once; what were the chances of it happening again, especially on the night of the lantern festival? though the festival lasted fifteen days, ao sheng couldnt help but wonder if, by some chance, the shattered cloud empress might attend that very night. his mind wandered back to the mornings events. if someone really was after him, elder hai wouldnt have been able to stop them anyway. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only just then, a familiar voice called out in the distance brother! the voice was pleasant but laced with annoyance. startled, ao sheng turned around to see his sister, ao yuan, carrying a big bag of food, marching towards him angrily. with her cultivators vision and perception, she had spotted him from afar. realizing he was about to be caught, ao sheng took off running. if his sister caught up with him, he would be lectured for hours, ruining any chance of enjoying the night out. ao sheng activated his escape technique, leaving a trail of afterimages in the dark. to his surprise, even with his injuries, ao yuan couldnt catch up to him. he felt a sense of pride in his abilities; after all, he was also a talented individual. this self-awareness of his talent was exactly why ao sheng often acted recklessly. the favored are always fearless. knowing this, the eastern sea dragon king, awaiting the growth of his other heirs, was reluctant to be too harsh on his gifted son. Chapter 140 - Chapter 140: I Was Terrified At That Time chapter 140: i was terrified at that time translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation at that moment. the air twisted as a thick stick materialized out of nowhere, striking ao sheng, who was in full flight, on the head. a muffled grunt ensued, and the handsome ao sheng fell to the ground in less than three seconds. under ao yuans watchful eyes, two blurry figures leapt out of a spatial rift, bagged their elder brother in a sack, and sped away. ao yuan: the two kidnappers, with their profound cultivation, vanished in an instant. deep in a mountain. quick, put him down, instructed the elder in the black robe. the elder in the white robe dumped the sack on the ground and dragged ao sheng out: how should we deal with him? after obtaining the nine heavens map, leave him here unharmed, the black-robed elder stated calmly. were here for the item. stealing a calligraphy piece can resolve karma, but killing a crown prince brings great enmity. the white-robed elder nodded in agreement. he scrutinized ao sheng and asked, is the item in his storage treasure? the black-robed elder took a ring from ao shengs hand, checked it, and shook his head: then is it on his person? the white-robed elder inquired. without answering, the black-robed elder struck with his palm. ao shengs robes shredded, leaving him in just his undergarments. the black-robed elders eyes gleamed as he reached out with his withered hands, probing into the eastern sea princes chest! his eyes snapped open. it was hard to describe such an experience. running one moment, knocked out by a sudden blow the next. waking up to find two old men with ominous expressions beside him. ao shengs hearing was sealed; he could not hear their conversation. but he sensed both were at the void refining stage. without his guardians and lacking a saint token, he chose not to confront them. so, he feigned unconsciousness. unexpectedly, after their fruitless search, they started stripping off his clothes! and then they got hands-on! in the wilderness, a delicate and beautiful young man like him, dragged into the mountains by two decrepit old men ao sheng was extremely frightened inside. did you find it? the white-robed elder, noticing ao shengs awakening, swiftly restrained him. he began to pull at the eastern sea princes waistband, preparing to search for the nine heavens map in some hidden place. hed heard some human cultivators practiced methods of absorbing yang from others ao sheng trembled with fear. he dared not even think about what was to happen next. wait, i found it, the black-robed elder halted the white-robed elders actions. a beam of golden light emerged from ao shengs chest, transforming into a scroll. dragons have three scales on their chest, incredibly useful for storing important items the black-robed elder squinted. indeed, its hidden here. bold thieves, cease your actions! thunder roared in the distance as a figure swiftly approached from the horizon. after ao shengs capture, ao yuan immediately informed elder hai. elder hai was originally with ao yuan. he had briefly left to buy pear juice from a famous teahouse on the princesss request. upon receiving ao yuans message, elder hai didnt hesitate, following the kidnappers trail straight here. watching the approaching elder hai. the black-robed elder remained unfazed. the next time we meet, you might have to address me as sir, he smirked. the black and white-robed elders unfolded the nine heavens map. just as they were about to tear the item apart, a beam of pure light descended from the sky, striking the scroll. this eastern sea prince is really unlucky. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu stood side by side. beaten up twice in a single day. the expressions of the two void refining cultivators in black and white changed as they turned towards the uninvited guests. they realized that the nine heavens map they had so painstakingly acquired had been casually taken by the newcomers. when ao sheng was bound. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu happened to be nearby. it was the first day of the lantern festival, and they were planning to see the lanterns. before reaching their destination, they heard the sound of a chase nearby. lu xuan saw that it was ao yuan chasing after ao sheng. ao sheng, full of pride, was then mysteriously knocked out and kidnapped. so, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu followed suit. the black-robed elder and the white-robed old man exchanged glances, then looked towards the distant elder hai. without much hesitation, their figures vanished from their spot, launching an attack towards lu xuan and cheng lingzhu. the two void refining cultivators specialized in space-related techniques. their bodies merged into the void, making them untraceable. suddenly, space slightly warped. an arm appeared out of nowhere, holding a dark green dagger, aiming for lu xuans neck. almost at the same time, a dark golden short spike stealthily emerged, targeting cheng lingzhus heart. lu xuan swiftly pulled cheng lingzhu into his arms, dodging the spike. simultaneously, with the sound of ding ding, lu xuans hand moved like lightning, flicking his fingers against the two weapons. the dark green dagger shattered, its spiritual essence dimming and turning into ordinary iron, while the dark golden spike exploded into tiny metallic fragments falling from the sky. failing in their strike, the black-robed elder and the white-robed old man realized the situation was dire and prepared to flee immediately. lu xuan pressed his palm downward, instantly immobilizing the space around them. with a casual slap, two figures, bleeding from their mouths, fell out of a spatial rift. lu xuan thought to himself, as an esteemed sovereign of the longevity palace, wielding the authority of the winter moon, and a master of the path of time and space. this was personally verified by the current saintess of the longevity palace. to flaunt the path of space before him was perhaps overly confident. is this thing meant to be torn apart? lu xuan, looking at the two men on the ground, shook the nine heavens map in his hand. a crack had already appeared on the paper. after this crack opened, lu xuan felt a peculiar demonic energy fluctuation emanating from the scroll. . as if it established a connection with a certain space. lu xuans dark eyes deepened. in this situation, he immediately speculated. the purpose of these two stealing the scroll was likely to use it to communicate with a certain place, to summon some existence. similar to what the immortal tomb organization did. this deduction was reasonable. because from within the scroll, a powerful demonic energy flowed. with lu xuans discernment, he instantly recognized the work in his hand as that of the ancient painting saint. in the era when the painting saint was active, the relationship between the human and demon races was not very good. would the treasured work of the esteemed painting saint suddenly manifest demonic energy? undoubtedly, the painting saint must have used this painting to seal a powerful demon. lu xuan observed his surroundings. in these deep mountains, rarely traversed by people. even if some malevolent existence were to descend, it wouldnt affect others. the scroll in his hand was already half torn. if this object truly had the ability to seal, then now, that seal was already broken. after pondering for a moment, lu xuan decided to open this seal. since he encountered it, he couldnt just ignore it. if the demonic being that appeared after unsealing was willing to communicate amicably and refrain from evil, like yesha, lu xuan wouldnt take action. but if the other party proved unreasonable they would meet the same fate as the original barbarian god. he and cheng lingzhu each held one end of the scroll. with a forceful pull rip! the scroll tore apart. a pale pink mist flew out from the scroll. lu xuan watched this mist, expecting it to drift upwards and open a portal, allowing some existence to descend. however, an unexpected situation occurred. the pink mist enveloped both him and cheng lingzhu. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only the next moment, the mist lifted lu xuan and the two of them into the air! lu xuan: something seemed off. wasnt this a that upon having its seal broken, would summon a powerful demon? a bewildered lu xuan and a dazed cheng lingzhu, enveloped in the pink mist, turned into a streak of light and flew away. Chapter 141 - Chapter 141: Lu Xuan, the New Magistrate of Snake City chapter 141: lu xuan, the new magistrate of snake city translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation before tearing the nine heavens map, lu xuan had thought that the two elders, one in black and the other in white, intended to perform a grand ritual to summon a demonic god. after all, he had encountered similar incidents along his journey. however, after tearing the nine heavens map lu xuan realized something was amiss. what he held was not a sacrificial artifact. but a flying talisman. the pink mist enveloped him and cheng lingzhu, whisking them away from the location. lu xuan glanced back to see elder hai had arrived at the scene and had subdued the two void refining cultivators, so there was no need to worry about aftermath management. thus, he did not resist, letting the mist envelop him as they traveled through the clouds, heading towards the horizon. after some time. the pink mist descended with the two of them. a grand city came into view for lu xuan and cheng lingzhu. lu xuan stood still, observing from a distance qingxian city. the city walls were tall and imposing. in front of the city gates, a queue of commoners was lined up, waiting to enter. two robust, fierce-looking soldiers stood at the gates, inspecting those who wished to enter. what was particularly striking were two enormous statues near the city gate. these were stone statues depicting beings with human bodies and snake heads. their overall form was humanoid, with normal limbs. from the waist up, their ribcage was abnormally protruding in a fan shape, resembling a standing cobra. in the hands of these snake gods were steel tridents, and their exposed skin was covered in fine scales. though inanimate, their eyes were carved with such lifelikeness and majesty. is this a heritage site of some entity? lu xuan looked towards the distant city walls. he was well-traveled and knowledgeable, especially after eradicating ru shou and gaining a wealth of information from the latters memories. with a moments thought, he associated it with similar records. it seemed he had inadvertently stolen the chance meant for those two elders. some powerful beings would set up their heritage sites in the guise of city-states, with conscious inhabitants living freely. usually, these npcs remain dormant until a fated individual arrives, triggering their activation. however, the heritage site indicated by the nine heavens map was not in some secret realm, but a city-state within the archean eon world this surprised lu xuan. a mortal city? cheng lingzhu discerned the nature of the city. despite the menacing stone statues at the city gate. to cheng lingzhu, these statues were mere inanimate objects, lacking any spiritual essence, just ordinary sculptures. both the commoners in the city and the soldiers guarding it bore no cultivation. are we being a bit too conspicuous? lu xuan smiled slightly, looking at cheng lingzhu. the girls features were radiant, her demeanor ethereal and otherworldly, making one wonder if she was a celestial maiden on a sojourn to the mortal realm. indeed. cheng lingzhus lips curled up, her jade hand caressing lu xuans face as she stated, if others saw you, they would surely think a banished immortal had descended to the mortal world. the two shared a knowing smile. as they were about to use magic to change their appearance and clothing, a change occurred in the scene. the pink mist that had brought them here didnt disperse but instead swirled in the air before settling into lu xuans hand. when the mist cleared, what appeared in lu xuans hand was a set of official robes. lu xuan raised an eyebrow. it wasnt just official robes, but also a road guide, imperial edict, and an appointment letter C items that served as proof for an official assuming a new post. this is rather interesting. lu xuan examined the items in his hand. cheng lingzhu opened the appointment letter, which contained corresponding information. this is an appointment letter for the magistrate of qingxian county ah, theres even a portrait. cheng lingzhu couldnt help but curl her lips into a smile, spreading out the letter to show lu xuan. lu xuan, looking at the portrait of a middle-aged man, pointed to himself, is this portrait supposed to be me? it says that it is you. cheng lingzhu shook the appointment letter playfully, winking mischievously. both of them understood then; this unknown predecessor had set up a unique challenge. they required the person seeking the opportunity to assume the guise of a magistrate, enter the city, and pass certain tests to earn the fortune. though lu xuan wasnt particularly in need of such fortunes, he was very interested in this challenge. his new identity, as written on the appointment letter the magistrate of qingxian county, wu bangde, under the great kang dynasty, endorsed by the ministry of personnel. lets change first. cheng lingzhu took the official robes and spread them out in front of lu xuan. she had always enjoyed dressing lu xuan up. lu xuan extended his arms and turned his back, speaking earnestly, please assist me in changing, my lady. cheng lingzhu gently slapped him, playfully scolding, im not your lady. hey, if im pretending to be the magistrate, isnt it logical for you to play the role of the magistrates wife? lu xuan turned to speak with her. since when does a magistrate bring his wife along to assume office? cheng lingzhu rolled her eyes at him, arent you supposed to have attendants as a magistrate? ah, that makes sense. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only lu xuan realized. usually, the magistrates family is escorted separately by trusted guards, while only attendants accompany him. let me use a transformation spell to disguise you as an advisor that way, our presence will be more plausible. cheng lingzhu, having traveled through various mortal realms in her past life, had some understanding of these matters. after the makeover, lu xuan transformed into the middle-aged man from the portrait, clad in official robes, with a rugged, weathered appearance.. Chapter 142 - Chapter 142: Lu Xuan, the New Magistrate of Snake City chapter 142: lu xuan, the new magistrate of snake city translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation cheng lingzhu also transformed, taking on the appearance of a slightly younger man, fair and clean-shaven, with a scholarly demeanor. however, she wore ordinary clothes. an advisor, as the aide to the magistrate, was an unofficial position and did not warrant official attire or seal. lets go, magistrate wu. cheng lingzhu smiled. lu xuan glanced at the snake god statues in the distance and declared loudly: lets head to our post in snake city! inside qingxian city. at a tea stall, lu xuan and cheng lingzhu sipped tea while observing their surroundings. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu had not yet reported to the county office. the reason, lu xuan thought before entering qingxian city, was something else. a heritage site that assigns a specific identity to the destined person was quite rare. after all, the characteristic of a city-state type heritage site was to blur the line between reality and illusion. the npcs in the city have their own thoughts, and they would not even be aware that they were fictitious. a destined person entering would believe theyve arrived at a regular city, participating in the citys normal operations and influencing the storyline. only after passing numerous tests would they realize that this was a heritage city left by a predecessor. the most ingenious part of the entire process was the revelation of the truth at the end. but qingxian city directly presents the identity, essentially telling the inheritor, this city is a scenario, and the people inside are npcs. you are now playing a role-playing game; try to figure out how to clear it. it was too straightforward, lacking the charm of a xianxia setting. such a design, if spread out, might be ridiculed by other powerful beings. we are restricted to play the role of a magistrate to pass the test. cheng lingzhu pondered, the one who left this test is a powerful being, and those accepting the test are cultivators, yet in this city, our identity is that of a mortal realms magistrate lu xuan nodded. the predecessors intention is likely that we cannot use our cultivation at least not too much of it. instead, we should use our wisdom to resolve crises encountered in qingxian city. he had already used his soul sense to scan the area. it was indeed merely a mortal city. not to mention himself and cheng lingzhu, even a qi refining stage cultivator could wreak havoc in this city. such immense power for the head of a county, what kind of danger could there be? cheng lingzhu furrowed her brows. it was with this thought that the two decided to first understand the situation. lu xuan changed out of his official robes, and together with cheng lingzhu, disguised as ordinary citizens, they entered the city. lu xuan looked around. in this area, every household and every shop had a small platform built into their outer walls. on each platform sat a miniature statue, humanoid with a snake head, identical to the ones they had seen outside the city. each statue was adorned with a strip of black and blue cloth, which was quite peculiar. are the two guests visiting our qingxian city for the first time? at that moment, an elderly man with white hair approached. he was the owner of the tea stall. business was slow for him that day, with only three or four customers occupying seats. oh? how could you tell, old man? lu xuan asked with a smile. hehe, if you had been to our qingxian city before, how could you be so unfamiliar with lord qingxian? the elder chuckled. qingxian? lu xuan raised an eyebrow. yes. the elder nodded before answering, qingxian is the guardian deity of our qingxian city. legend has it that during a great flood, it was a large green python that saved everyones lives. later, the survivors rebuilt this city and, in gratitude to the great green python, named the city qingxian. i see. lu xuan nodded slightly upon hearing this, no wonder every household in qingxian city has a statue of qingxian at their door. actually, its also a requirement of the qingxian society. those of us who run businesses dare not defy the orders of the lords of the qingxian society, the elder sighed. qingxian society? cheng lingzhu was taken aback. the qingxian society is a major local organization, responsible for organizing sacrifices and managing everything related to qingxian, the elder explained. these qingxian statues are all purchased at a high price from the qingxian society if we dont, its considered disrespectful to qingxian. minor offenses result in a fine, but major ones lead to imprisonment. a civic organization has the power to imprison people? the qingxian society is so arrogant? lu xuan frowned. ah, ah, be careful with your words, guest. the elders expression changed upon hearing this. he looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to them, then heaved a sigh of relief. in our city, the qingxian society is the law. even the government officials have to follow their lead. people here know that if you offend the government, you can still argue your case, but if you offend the qingxian society you wont even see tomorrows sun. the elder shook his head helplessly, my little tea stall has to give half of its monthly income to the lords of the qingxian society. how much tax do you pay to the government? cheng lingzhu asked. twenty percent. the elder gave a bitter smile. so, we barely survive the year without starving, and we dare not fall ill. if we get sick and cant afford the treatment, we have to borrow from the qingxian society at exorbitant interest rates. failing to repay often leads to selling children or indenturing family members, resulting in broken homes and ruined lives. such blatant disregard for the law, doesnt the government intervene at all? lu xuan tapped on the table. the tea stall owner heaved wearily, now, the entire country is dealing with the black lotus sect. these black lotus heretics are rebelling everywhere, causing chaos. the central government is too overwhelmed to manage a small county like ours. lu xuan looked around the streets of qingxian city, which seemed somewhat chaotic and noisy. this was because in recent days, many people fleeing from qinghe county had poured into the city. the reason was the black lotus sects uprising in qinghe county, rebelling and killing officials, forcing the common people to flee. this also explained why the people of qingxian city didnt flee. the situation outside was even worse than in the city. what about the previous county head of qingxian city? did he just ignore cheng lingzhu pondered this question. theyre all in cahoots with the qingxian society. the elder spoke, every magistrate who takes office has to cooperate with the qingxian society. they concoct various reasons to exploit the people. a part of the money goes as taxes, and the rest into the magistrates pocket. paying taxes promptly and sufficiently pleases the higher-ups, leading to promotions. its a win-win for them C they achieve performance and line their pockets. after speaking, the tea stall owner paused, then continued, in fact, there have been good magistrates, but in qingxian city, they cant last long. the entire city only recognizes the qingxian society, not the government offices. what the government cant handle, the qingxian society can solve with a word. anything not permitted by the qingxian society, no one dares to do, even if forced by the government. and the elder lowered his voice, any magistrate who opposes the qingxian society ends up dying mysteriously. what goes on here a time of chaos. lu xuan remained silent for a long time. the central governments control over the local areas had weakened significantly, to the extent that even murdering officials could be easily covered up. lets settle the bill. lu xuan took out half a silver coin from his pocket and placed it on the table. he now knew what he had to do in qingxian city. this, this this is too much, i cant accept it. the elder hurriedly pushed the silver back towards lu xuan. just take it. lu xuan insisted, pushing the silver into the elders hand. at that moment, a commotion arose in the distance. the sound of drums and gongs filled the air. a deep voice announced, qingxian is passing, mortals make way! lu xuan looked in the direction of the sound and saw a very tall idol. this idol, carved from a single piece of huge wood and draped in black cloth, was slightly shorter than the city gates when placed on its moving platform. wherever it passed, people kneeled down, not daring to look directly at the deity. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only in front of the idol, several men from the qingxian society laughed heartily, riding their horses recklessly as if clearing the way. the people hurriedly moved aside, afraid of being trampled. in the midst of the chaos, a young child was pushed over and fell to the ground. seeing this, one of the horsemen in black not only didnt panic but also showed a cruel smile. he pulled the reins hard, making the horse rear up. its huge front hooves came crashing down, viciously trampling towards the young child. Chapter 143 - Chapter 143: Hosting Guests, Beheading, and Taking a Dog Under My Wing chapter 143: hosting guests, beheading, and taking a dog under my wing translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation as the horses hooves descended, the surrounding crowd gasped in horror, some of the more faint-hearted even covered their eyes. with a dull thud, the expected tragedy did not occur. instead, the horse whinnied miserably and fell heavily to the ground. embedded in its flank was a thick bamboo pole, from which blood gushed out. the middle-aged scholar stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze icy. damn you! the horse rider, now furious, scrambled up from the ground. he too had fallen when his mount collapsed. the horse lay bleeding, its breathing growing faint, clearly not long for this world. the qingxian society mans eyes reddened with rage. he uncoiled a whip from his waist and lashed it towards the middle-aged man. unexpectedly, the latter caught the whip effortlessly, halting its motion as if it were tied to an iron post. lu xuan sneered, and with a pull, the man was involuntarily drawn forward. with a thud, lu xuan kicked the man in the chest, sending him sprawling to the ground. insolence! stop! voices of protest came from behind, and several men in black and blue attire on horseback approached, surrounding lu xuan. they hesitated to attack immediately, realizing that the middle-aged man before them had single-handedly felled a horse, caught a whip bare-handed, and knocked down a strong man with one kick this was someone skilled in martial arts, not to be trifled with. who are you?! one of the horsemen demanded. lu xuan glanced at him and produced a document, i am the magistrate of qingxian city, wu bangde. this revelation stirred a buzz among the crowd. nobody expected the new county head, dressed as a scholar, to possess such formidable skills. what? the magistrate? the qingxian society members were momentarily stunned. just then, another man rode up. this man, dressed in green and red, appeared to be in his forties, with a thin and sly face. he hastily dismounted upon seeing lu xuan. so, its the magistrate. well, this is just a misunderstanding, were all on the same side here. seeing the appointment letter in lu xuans hand, the man named gu feng, the steward of the gu family, greeted him with a smile, i apologize for the confusion, magistrate. we were actually preparing to welcome you outside the city we didnt expect you to enter on your own. so, i should have waited outside the city for you? lu xuan raised an eyebrow. oh no, sir, how could you say that? gu feng replied with a smile, it would have been disrespectful not to welcome you. besides, you see how chaotic our qingxian city is, these ignorant peasants causing trouble, its not a pleasant sight for you, sir. so, youre saying that your galloping horses and the disturbance were for the good of the county? lu xuan looked at the still shaken child. he had acted in time to save the child, who was now safely back in the arms of his parents. of course, it was all for your honors benefit. gu feng said this as if it were the most natural thing in the world. he then inquired, where are your honors guards and attendants? i only brought one advisor with me. lu xuan replied. gu feng was surprised, and the others? they were robbed by bandits on the way. lu xuan fabricated a reason casually. this, this gu feng looked at lu xuan and then at the appointment letter in his hand. lu xuan lifted his eyelids and thrust the letter into gu fengs hands: do you doubt my identity as the magistrate? not at all, not at all. gu feng hurriedly said, though he did not stop checking the document. after confirming the portrait and the seal, he finally relaxed. is there a problem? lu xuan asked in a calm voice. no, no gu feng replied with an apologetic smile, returning the appointment letter. we just have to be careful of impostors ruining your honors reputation please understand. now that we have received your honor, theres no need for us to leave the city. gu feng bowed slightly and requested, please, allow us to escort you to your horse. the three major families of qingxian city have prepared a banquet to welcome you. all three heads of the families are waiting at home. lu xuans eyes narrowed slightly, looking towards the back of the convoy, for my inauguration, you three families only sent a steward to receive me? well, its almost qingxian festival, and the heads of the families are busy with qingxian society matters. they cannot be negligent. gu feng replied with a grin, please come with me, sir. it wouldnt be good to keep the heads of the families waiting. i need to go to the government office for the handover. lets talk about the banquet another day. lu xuan spoke indifferently. gu fengs smile gradually faded, and he leaned forward slightly and asked a with sliver of threat, wouldnt your honor grace us with your presence? i said i have business. lu xuan stated. then your honor may attend to your affairs first. i wish you every success. gu feng smiled again. he took a knife from the waist of a bystander and pointed at the man lying on the ground, his eyes filled with murderous intent: this fool, not recognizing greatness, dared to assault your honor he deserves death! read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only in the next moment, gu fengs hand moved swiftly, and a head flew into the air. blood splattered on his face and at lu xuans feet. gu feng looked up, his face smeared with blood, and said with a sinister smile, in qingxian city, those who dont know their place dont live long. murdering in broad daylight, showing no respect for the law, threatening a government official this qingxian society truly covers the sky with one hand.. Chapter 144 - Chapter 144: Hosting Guests, Beheading, and Taking a Dog Under My Wing chapter 144: hosting guests, beheading, and taking a dog under my wing translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation walking along the street, lu xuan spoke to cheng lingzhu. the man who was killed was a servant of the gu family. under the laws of the great kang dynasty, killing a servant required only compensation with some silver and proper burial. although lu xuan also believed the man deserved death, gu fengs actions and words were clearly meant as a threat to him, the new county magistrate. anyone who didnt show face to the qingxian society could expect a similar fate. the gu, bo, and he families are the three major families of qingxian city. these three families are united and jointly control the qingxian society. ostensibly, they worship a deity, but in reality, they seek their own interests. cheng lingzhu relayed the information she had gathered from the tea stall owner to lu xuan. united? that closely? lu xuan inquired. at least on the surface. cheng lingzhu replied, the core members of the qingxian society are from these three families. the heads of the families take turns acting as the chairman, holding the power of speech. however cheng lingzhu pondered for a while and added, five years ago, the previous head of the bo family and his son were assassinated outside the city. his grandson was too young to take on the responsibility. consequently, the head of the gu family took over as the chairman of the qingxian society. now, the new head of the bo family has come of age but the gu family shows no sign of relinquishing control. the chairmanship of the qingxian society changes every ten years, and it was nearing the time for a change. according to the rotation order, after the gu family, it should be someone from the bo family. in this way, the bo family would end up holding the chairmanship for fifteen years. lu xuan nodded slightly upon hearing this. after pondering for a moment, he said: lets go to the county office first. contrary to lu xuans expectations, the county office of qingxian city was not as dilapidated as he had thought, considering the control of the three major families and the weak governmental power. to his surprise, the county office was quite imposing. the main gate of the county office was stern and dignified, carved from superior stone, with no stone lions but instead, two serpent god statues standing at the entrance. lu xuan understood that the previous magistrates must have cooperated closely with the qingxian society, jointly exploiting the common people. naturally, the magistrates office, essentially an extension of the qingxian society, wouldnt be in poor condition. however, the entrance to the county office was unguarded, and there was no customary complaint drum C it was spotlessly clean. lets go in and take a look. lu xuan pushed open the main gate and entered. after a short while inside. in broad daylight, you all hide in the storeroom gambling instead of working? inside the main hall, magistrate wu stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the yameno runners and constables gathered below. the yamen runners hung their heads, not daring to meet his gaze. ma-ma-magistrate. a short, plump man in a long robe raised his head, trying to explain, no-no-no we werent avoiding work, we were all waiting for the magistrate. stuttering like this and youre a chief constable? lu xuan tapped the table, dont they interview people when hiring for the county office? no-no-no, its like this. the chief constable, lu ping, flushed red as he answered, i usually dont st-st-stutter, its just that seeing the magistrate has made me nervous alright, enough, shut up. lu xuan waved his hand dismissively. stop bootlicking, youd have sent the horse running miles away by now let someone who can speak clearly explain. generally speaking, a chief constable was also a kind of advisor. as an aide to the magistrate and a clerk rather than an official, his main duties were running errands, transcribing documents, and assisting the leader with various affairs. due to the heavy workload, a proper county office usually employs several advisors. originally, qingxian citys county office also had a chief registrar, but the previous magistrate took him away when he was promoted. now, the position of the chief registrar was vacant, leaving only lu ping, the chief constable, to act in that capacity. lu xuan wasnt sure if this arrangement was regular or not. but given the current state of the great kang dynasty, beset by turmoil and uprisings, the mere functioning of the county office was a miracle. there was already an advisor in the office, and with lu xuan bringing another one, there was no conflict. after the yamen runners explained, the new magistrate wu learned the reasons behind their behavior. the reason the yamen runners were idling and gambling was because they genuinely had nothing to do. the qingxian society had taken over all significant affairs of qingxian city, including tax collection and public security. a century ago, the complaint drum at the county office gate had been removed and thrown into the storeroom. successive magistrates neglected their duties, and the common people had to resolve disputes themselves or turn to the qingxian society the qingxian society didnt know how to handle cases, but they could take care of those who raised issues. the entire office did not keep attendance records; the yamen runners spent their days drinking tea and gambling, and once the time was up, they would simply go home, close the main gate, and generally lead a leisurely life. in fact, those willing to come to the office to gamble were considered the more diligent ones. when lu xuan first arrived, many people were still at home, not even bothering to come to work. it took him half the time of burning an incense stick to gather all the yamen runners in the county office. we were planning to go out to welcome you lu ping, the chief constable, struggled to articulate, but to little avail. but the qingxian society wouldnt let us. they said it wasnt our turn didnt you attend the banquet, sir? today was the magistrates inauguration, and everyone thought lu xuan would accept the invitation from the three major families to eat, drink, and receive gifts, but he came directly to the county office instead. your past actions, with no one to oversee you, can be overlooked by this county, lu xuan declared from the steps. but from today onwards, you must behave properly. anyone absent without cause will be dealt with according to the laws of the great kang dynasty! the crowd shivered at the thought. the dynastys laws were strict regarding officials conduct. lu ping hurriedly fetched the account books, while the other yamen runners hesitated, as if they wanted to say something but stopped themselves. lu xuan frowned and slapped the gavel: if i ask you to fetch something, just do it! why the dawdling?! you, you, and you, he pointed out a few people, stay here, i have questions for vou. the rest of you, get moving. yes, sir! the yamen runners hurried off to work, those called out by lu xuan remaining for questioning. at that moment, inside the qingxian societys headquarters. the new magistrate refused to come? the lean gu family head sipped his wine, narrowing his eyes. thats what he meant, family head, gu feng replied with his head bowed. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only hmph, another one who overestimates himself, sneered the corpulent he family head. inviting him to the banquet was a courtesy because of his office he really doesnt know how to appreciate it. lets see what he does in the next few days. in qingxian city, he has to follow our rules, said the bo family head. he was young, in his twenties, but with an air of maturity. lets find an opportunity to teach him a lesson. if hes sensible, its all well and good; if hes a fool the he family head snorted, making a throat-slitting gesture. uncle gu, with the qingxian festival half a month away, what about the chairmanship transition? the bo family head asked. lets deal with the magistrate first. we can talk about the transition later, said the gu family head impassively. Chapter 145 - Chapter 145: Lu Xuan Holds Court, Solving Cases! chapter 145: lu xuan holds court, solving cases! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation that night, in the study of the county magistrates residence: gu yang, the head of the gu family, fifty-two years old. a ruthless man with considerable cunning he youde, the head of the he family, forty-nine years old. known for his explosive temper bo chang of the bo family only twenty this year? so young? lu xuan meticulously organized the information he had gathered. at noon, lu xuan kept a few yamen runners for questioning. only then did he understand the publics reaction when he ordered the restoration of the mingyuan complaint drum at the yamens entrance. the drum, a symbol of communication between the yamen and the common people, was removed by the qingxian society. without it, the yamen couldnt hear the peoples grievances. all affairs in qingxian city were to be handled by the qingxian society. this was the stance of the three major families towards the county yamen, a subtle hint. previous magistrates who attempted to restore the drum either eventually yielded, removing the drum themselves to appease the qingxian society, or met with mysterious deaths due to accidents. rumors said these magistrates were punished for offending qingxians authority. there must be qingxian society members among the yamen runners let me think, where should i start? lu xuan massaged his temples. it had been a long time since he had to think so hard. in qingxian city, there are five hundred city guards, all under their control, not to mention the elite fighters of the qingxian society. there must be thousands. cheng lingzhu said, to defeat the three major families, youll definitely need to leverage the citys common people the mingyuan drum has been reinstalled, but we need to find a way to establish the magistrates authority. indeed. lu xuan nodded, continuing to browse through the documents. both reverted to their true appearances in the room. the candlelight through the lantern cast a soft glow, adding a tender warmth to the girls eyes as she watched the man pouring over documents. she approached lu xuan from behind, gently embracing him, resting her chin on his shoulder. just as lu xuan turned to kiss her, a rustle came from outside the window. lu xuan and cheng lingzhu exchanged glances and opened the window. a white shadow leaped in, landing on the desk. a fox? lu xuan was momentarily surprised. the study was in a separate courtyard, though overgrown with weeds, it was fairly tidy. this fox must have come from outside. the white fox was not shy, stepping on the documents lu xuan was reading, leaving a dirty paw print, blinking its eyes. its hind leg is injured. cheng lingzhu noticed the foxs condition. its leg was badly wounded, as if bitten by something. its unusual for it to seek help from humans without fear of bad intentions. lu xuan smiled, stroking its head. the little fox did not resist, instead nuzzling his palm. lu xuan was about to use a spiritual medicine from his storage treasure to treat the fox, but he paused halfway. he stood up and retrieved a bottle of healing ointment from a cabinet. in qingxian city, he decided to maintain his role as a mortal county magistrate, using as little magic as possible. together, they cleaned the foxs wound, sprinkled the medicine, and bandaged it properly. the little white fox remained quiet and well-behaved throughout the process. cheng lingzhu cradled its belly, patting its head gently. lu xuan circled around, lifting the foxs tail to examine. hmm, a female fox he was then promptly kicked by the uninjured leg of the fox, showing her displeasure. hey, shes still a young girl, you cant just look at her like that, cheng lingzhu chided with a laugh. this fox seems quite intelligent. lu xuan and the little fox locked eyes. the fox turned her head away, ignoring him. then lu xuan flicked her forehead playfully. after playing with the fox for a while and seeing it was getting late, they placed her in the courtyard and went to their bedroom to sleep. the next morning. when lu xuan opened the door, he was surprised to find a palm-sized furball at the doorstep the injured fox from yesterday. the study and the bedroom were in different courtyards, meaning the white fox had climbed over the wall to follow him. cheng lingzhu bent down, stroking its head: alright, alright. the master has to go and judge cases. well play with you when we return. the little fox seemed to understand, rubbing against her feet before finding a sunny spot to lie down obediently. at the yamen. when lu xuan and cheng lingzhu appeared in the main hall, all the yamen runners were already assembled. yesterdays orders had been effective; nobody wanted to be punished. this left lu xuan, who was eagerly wielding his authority stick, quite disappointed. was there no one who would let him demonstrate his authority? that morning. lu xuan experienced the tedium of being a county magistrate in qingxian city. for two whole hours. whether trivial family matters or major criminal cases. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only not a single person came to report. this gave lu xuan the false impression that qingxian city had simple customs and good public order. lu ping, did you announce in the streets yesterday, as i ordered, that the county yamen is reopening for cases? lu xuan asked before leaving the hall. i did! lu ping replied succinctly, without his usual stutter.. Chapter 146 - Chapter 146: Lu Xuan Holds Court, Solving Cases! chapter 146: lu xuan holds court, solving cases! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation sir. at this moment, a short and nimble young man stepped forward with a fist salute. our county yamen has just reopened, and due to the legacy of the previous magistrates, the common people might fear the yamen, having cases but daring not to enter. this man was li ming, the newly appointed constable of the yamen. upon taking office, lu xuan promoted lu ping to the chief registrar and chose li ming from the remaining yamen runners for his clean background and quick wit. after all, with lu pings slow speech, any urgent report could be fatally delayed. li ming was efficient in speech and action, making him a suitable mouthpiece for lu ping. what is your suggestion on handling this matter? lu xuan inquired. answering the lord, li ming pondered briefly, there are definitely not a few in the city with cases to report, but they are unfamiliar with the yamen and fear to enter. when disputes arise, the parties often argue, even escalating to insults and fights, attracting many onlookers. my suggestion is to plant people among the onlookers who, at the height of the argument, will incite them to bring their case to the yamen for your judgment. it is well known that our lord possesses discerning eyes that see through all deceit. anyone hesitant to come forth surely has a guilty conscience. select some people for this task, lu xuan instructed, disregarding the flattery and nodding in agreement. as you command, sir, li ming bowed with a fist. lu ping, come here, lu xuan called. sir? lu ping approached, leaning in. lu xuan whispered a few instructions in his ear. do you understand what to do? sir, will will it work? lu ping seemed a bit startled. just go and do it, lu xuan pointed behind him, and draw the necessary funds from the treasury. theres not much money needed, no need to report it, lu ping shook his head vigorously. he was grateful enough for being promoted to chief registrar by lu xuan; how could he ask for money from the magistrate? moreover, the task assigned by lu xuan was minor, hardly worth the hassle of official reimbursement. lu xuan was minor, hardly worth the hassle of official reimbursement. lu xuan was somewhat reassured. though he had no manpower or arms, the finances were well in hand. thanks to the extortions of his predecessors, not only his own purse was fattened, but the yamens treasury was also quite substantial. following lu xuans order, lu ping departed to execute the plan. that afternoon, a piece of news spread quickly among the local children. a boy named gou dan had mistakenly wandered into the county yamen and met the magistrate, who was working at the time. far from punishing him, the magistrate had given him several candies. naturally, the children were skeptical of this news. when asked where the candies were, gou dan said he had eaten them all. this response drew mockery from the other children. annoyed, gou dan walked into the yamen in front of them and came out with three candies. before their eyes, he proudly unwrapped and ate all three candies, making the other children envious. following this precedent, a second brave soul also stepped forward and received three candies. he told the other children that the magistrate was very kind and smiled a lot. as long as one politely greeted the magistrate, he would magically produce candies to reward them. by evening, the children couldnt resist boasting about their afternoon adventure to their parents. although initially panicked upon hearing about their uninvited visit to the yamen, the parents relaxed upon learning that the magistrate had given their children candies. however, they were also puzzled. why would a high-ranking official treat their ordinary children with such kindness? the news spread quickly. soon, all the nearby children and parents knew about it. from their childrens descriptions, the new magistrate seemed to be a good man. consequently, locals began to appear outside the yamen, peering in curiously. passersby, too, would glance into the open gates of the yamen. but still, they hesitated to enter. three days later. lu xuan sat on the high seat, sipping tea. report an excited yamen runner burst in: sir, theres a grievance outside! oh? why didnt they beat the drum? asked lu xuan. it seems the petitioner is too frightened, but although they didnt beat the drum, they did write a complaint, the runner replied. he and another were on duty guarding the yamen gate and had encountered someone wanting to lodge a complaint. the runner presented a folded complaint. lu ping hurriedly took it and handed it to lu xuan. lu xuan unfolded it and glanced over it, nodding slightly: go outside and beat the drum, as loudly as you can. attract as many people as possible. im going to hold court and hear this case. yes, sir! the runner responded. li ming, lu xuan called again. present! li ming stepped forward. select a few men and bring wang pan, the son of the wang family head from the south of the city. tell him someone has accused him and he needs to come to the yamen to face the charges, lu xuan instructed. yes, sir! li ming quickly selected some men and left the yamen. cheng lingzhu, curious about the case, was handed the complaint by lu xuan. it detailed a child abduction case. a wealthy man from the west of the city, han xian, originally from qinghe county, had fled to qingxian city due to the black lotus sects rebellion. he had a six-month-old son, chubby and adorable. last month, during the lantern festival, just as han xian was settling in qingxian city, he took his family to see the lanterns but lost his son. distraught, han xian posted notices and offered rewards, but to no avail. two days ago, while out on an errand, he saw someone playing with a child who was, unmistakably, his son that he had lost the previous month. han xian immediately confronted the man, but the latter claimed that han xian was mistaken and that he was holding his masters grandson. this servant came from the wang family in the south of the city, another prominent household. wang pan, the son of the wang family head, claimed that the child was born to him and a concubine. he explained that the child was frail and had not been taken outside until that day, when the servant was allowed to take him out for some air. the question of the childs parentage led to a dispute between the two parties. in a fit of anger, han xian brought a complaint against wang pan to the yamen. after an hour. li ming returned to the yamen. reporting to the lord, han xian and wang pan have both been brought in. lu xuan nodded: bring them in. two yamen runners stepped forward and called out at the entrance: summon han xian and wang pan to court! as the drumbeats of authority and martial prowess sounded, two figures entered the hall. han xian, in his thirties, was lean and slightly dark-skinned. upon seeing lu xuan, he immediately knelt down and pleaded, please, your honor, grant justice to this commoner! insolence! li ming glared at him, banging his staff to assert authority. did the lord allow you to speak? this, this han xian hurriedly kowtowed, begging for mercy, i am ignorant of the court procedures. please forgive me, your honor. li ming approached lu xuan and bowed: sir, this man is concerned about his case and unaware of the court order. its his first offense; please be lenient. lu xuans face softened slightly with amusement, thinking to himself that li ming was quite clever. he nodded, granted. your honors merciful heart is admirable! li ming saluted with a fist. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only wang pan, standing next to han xian, showed a hint of disdain but was startled by a loud slap from the judges bench. why do you not kneel upon seeing the magistrate? ah? wang pan was momentarily stunned. having been out of touch with the yamens proceedings for years, he was unfamiliar with the protocol. after a moment, wang pan spoke up confidently, your honor, my father is a core member of the qingxian society before he could finish, the gavel struck the bench sharply. immediately, several yamen runners stepped forward, pressing their staffs on his shoulders. facing the intimidating yamen runners, wang pans heart trembled, and he slowly knelt down.. Chapter 147 - Chapter 147: The Magistrate Has Arrived, Justice is Served! chapter 147: the magistrate has arrived, justice is served! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation han xian, as the plaintiff in this case, you may state your case, lu xuan directed. although the complaint was already detailed in the petition, following basic procedure was necessary. han xian knew this and promptly narrated the sequence of events and his demands. every word i speak is true. i implore you, your honor, to grant me justice! han xian bowed deeply. lu xuan nodded slightly and turned to wang pan. wang pan, do you have any corrections to make to han xians statement? wang pan glanced at han xian with a snort of disdain. his claims are utterly nonsensical! losing a child at the lantern festival how can one fail to take care of such a big child? he bowed to lu xuan: your honor, the child he claims as his son is actually born to me and a concubine. due to my sons frail health, we dared not expose him to the outside world and kept him indoors. it was only a few days ago that a servant took him out, and this man accused us i suspect he covets the wang familys wealth and is trying to extort money from us! im extorting you?! han xian glared as he spat, though the han family is not as prominent as high-ranking families, we have sufficient wealth. why would i covet your wealth?! thats debatable, wang pan retorted with a scoff, hands in his sleeves: perhaps the wealth your family has accumulated comes from such deceptions and swindles you han xians face flushed with anger, pointing at wang pan, wanting to curse. but being in the court, he restrained himself. you both claim the child as your own. do you have any evidence? lu xuan asked. your honor, my wives and concubines, as well as the servants in my household, can all testify on my behalf, wang pan answered quickly. likewise for me, han xian interjected. although i fled here, i brought my households servants and wives with me. they all know that the child is mine. statements from family members and servants are not admissible as evidence, lu xuan shook his head. li ming, lu ping, where are you? here, they both responded, stepping forward. li ming, go to wang pans house and bring the child and his birth mother here. lu ping, go to han xians house and bring the childs mother to the yamen. you both should also find a physician to come here. i want both parties to confront each other in court, lu xuan instructed. yes! li ming and lu ping responded. wait, theres one more thing, lu xuan called them back and whispered a few instructions. after hearing his orders, they nodded emphatically. half an hour later. two young women were brought into the courtroom, one of whom held an infant. the local physician had also arrived, not daring to delay upon receiving the summons from the yamen. by this time, a crowd had gathered outside the court, all craning their necks and buzzing with discussion. some commented that wang pan was known to be miserly and cunning, not a good man. they speculated that as punishment from heaven, he was childless even approaching fifty. perhaps he coveted han xians child, planning to raise it as his own for future support. others argued that wang pan wasnt too old to father children, suggesting he could take more concubines and continue trying. moreover, with the wang familys wealth, they could easily find a suitable child through adoption, making it unnecessary to steal someone elses child. some suspected han xian, the newcomer, of targeting the wang familys wealth and trying to extort them. there were even whispers that the child belonged to neither of them, that both men were thieves who had conspired to kidnap the child, and the real parents might have already been harmed by them. this was lu xuans first case since assuming office, attracting much public interest. everyone was curious to see how the new magistrate would handle the situation. the two women and the physician bowed to lu xuan. the women were wang pans concubine, zhang shi, and han xians wife, zhao shi. the physician, liu huaiyuan, was from a nearby medical center. he brought his daughter along for the examination. physician liu, can you determine the infants age? lu xuan inquired. liu huaiyuan bowed to lu xuan, then approached zhang shi. after examining the sleeping infant, he mused, no more than six months old. lu xuan nodded. can you determine if either of these women gave birth around six months ago? liu huaiyuan shook his head. your honor, with so much time passed, even if they had given birth, its impossible to determine the exact time. he paused, however, ive brought my daughter along. she can take the women to a private room for a more thorough examination. agreed, lu xuan consented. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only he understood liu huaiyuans implication. while it was impossible to determine childbirth through pulse reading alone, they could check whether the women were still breastfeeding and examine for pregnancy stretch marks to ascertain recent childbirth. gender propriety required a woman to conduct this examination, hence lius daughters involvement. under lu xuans direction, the yamen runners set up a thick cloth wall to shield the examination area from view. zhang shi, zhao shi, and lius daughter entered the secluded area. after the time it took to finish a cup of tea, the examination concluded. the inspection, involving a check of the abdomen and breasts, was quick.. Chapter 148 - Chapter 148: The Magistrate Has Arrived, Justice is Served! chapter 148: the magistrate has arrived, justice is served! translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation reporting to the lord, liu huaiyuans daughter bowed, after my examination, both women are capable of producing breast milk, and the pregnancy marks on their abdomens are similar. there is no evidence of fabrication. this statement caused both the yamen runners and the onlookers to exchange puzzled glances. how can both women have given birth? some murmured. could it be a misdiagnosis? impossible, how could one mistake milk production and abdominal scars? but a child cant have two mothers some are suspecting that liu huaiyuan might have been bribed to have his daughter report this but the magistrate just found this physician randomly, how could there be any prior tampering? the crowd outside the yamen whispered among themselves. at this point, the pressure was on lu xuan. lord, i have a suggestion, li ming stepped forward, i believe a six-month-old child should be able to recognize strangers. we could wake him up and see if he shows any closeness to either han xian or wang pan. lets try that, lu xuan agreed after a moments thought. li ming then went over and woke up the sleeping child. the baby, upon seeing a strangers face looming over him, burst into tears. zhang shi quickly calmed the child. after a while, lu xuan said, begin. han xian, being the plaintiff, went first. reluctantly, zhang shi handed the child over to him. han xian cradled the baby, rocking him gently. the child remained quiet and calm. i request your discernment, lord, han xian said. lu xuan nodded silently. the onlookers, witnessing this scene, quietly discussed among themselves. it seemed that han xian might indeed be the childs biological father. han xian, hand the child over to wang pan, lu xuan instructed indifferently. han xian nodded and did as told, seemingly convinced that the matter was resolved. wang pan took the child with a glance at han xian. surprisingly, when wang pan held the baby, the child remained just as calm and even reached out to him. is there a problem? wang pan raised an eyebrow. how is this possible?! han xians eyes widened in shock, then realization dawned on him: i know you must have accustomed the child to you over time. how else could my child be so familiar with you? youre spouting nonsense, wang pan sneered. you must be delusional with desire for the child, making wild accusations. provoked, han xian clenched his fists, ready to confront wang pan. quick-witted yamen runners intervened, restraining him with their staffs. lord, may i question this man? li ming asked. proceed, lu xuan permitted. li ming stepped forward and addressed wang pan, you said your child has never been outside before a few days ago, correct? yes, wang pan confirmed. that means the child has never interacted with han xian before, li ming fixed his gaze on wang pans eyes. then why was the child so calm in han xians arms, showing no fear of a stranger? this statement caused an uproar in the court. the crowd began to understand the implications. according to both parties, han xian claimed that his child was taken care of until five months old and then taken by wang pan, who had him for a month. wang pan stated that his child had never seen han xian before, making han xian a stranger. if han xians claim was true, then the child had been acclimated to both wang pan and han xian, showing no distress with either. conversely, according to wang pans claim, the child should have been distressed when with the stranger han xian. this test would naturally reveal the truth. li ming had considered this when proposing the idea. this this wang pan stuttered, sweat forming on his forehead under li mings questioning. lord, zhang shi suddenly spoke up, our child is very friendly. hes not afraid of strangers and is friendly with everyone. oh? lu xuan raised an eyebrow. if you dont believe me, you can test it yourself, zhang suggested. lu ping, hearing this, approached wang pan, who handed the child over to him. true to zhangs words, the child remained calm and even laughed in lu pings arms, who was a complete stranger. this made some wonder if lu ping was the childs biological father. the courtroom fell into a stalemate once again. everyones gaze turned to lu xuan, seated on the high seat. lu xuan calmly sipped his tea, then called, li ming, lu ping, come here. the crowd watched as li ming, lu ping, the magistrate, and the magistrates advisor gathered together, speaking in hushed tones, seemingly discussing the case. two cups of tea later. whack! lu xuan struck the gavel. this case is complex, with both parties steadfast in their claims and each having evidence. it is difficult to reach a consensus. after consulting with my advisors, this court will adjourn temporarily and resume questioning in half an hour. however, to prevent any disputes, the child will remain here with me lu ping, take the child outside for some fresh air. the air isnt good here with so many people crowded around. han xian and the others looked at each other, bewildered. the yamen runners considerately brought out chairs for them to sit and rest. half an hour later. no, no, no disaster! lu ping rushed in frantically, my lord, my lord he knelt on the ground, knocking his forehead against the floor in front of lu xuan. whats the matter?! lu xuan frowned. the child, the child he, he lu ping stammered, the child he what happened to the child?! han xian suddenly stood up, alarmed. the child is gone, a voice said, and liu huaiyuans daughter walked in. she cradled a small blanket in her arms. the baby inside, with a blue and purple complexion, looked starkly different from normal. she gently laid the baby on the ground, covering him with a white cloth. i went to buy a piece of candy fed it to the child and then, then lu ping sobbed, i didnt mean to, to choke him to death! han xian felt the world spin around him and collapsed to the ground. liu huaiyuan, physician liu he scrambled toward liu huaiyuan, pleading, please, save my son liu huaiyuan sighed, ive examined him, but theres nothing i can do now. the dead cannot be revived. my condolences. this i never expected my first court session to encounter such a tragedy, lu xuan said, looking troubled. now theres no need to fight over the child. perhaps you two can split the body and bury it separately lord! han xian turned towards him, his face a picture of grief and despair. the crowd outside silently cursed the magistrate for his foolishness. proposing to divide the body of a child whose death had just occurred was unthinkable. then which of you will claim the childs body? lu xuan asked. hes my son, my son han xian knelt, weeping uncontrollably. wang pan, looking at the childs pale body nearby, sneered, fine, fine, take him, take him. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only lu xuan, sitting high above, smiled subtly. whack! the gavel struck again, and magistrate lu pointed, seize wang pan! the yamen runners surged forward, brandishing their staffs. they grabbed wang pans arms, pressed on his neck, and knocked his knees, pinning him to the ground. what is the meaning of this, lord?! wang pan tried to raise his head. you claim this child as your son, but upon his death, not a trace of sorrow crossed your face, lu xuans gaze hardened. contrast that with han xians reaction, the picture of grief.. do i really need to explain who the childs real father is? Chapter 149 - Chapter 149: Does the Qingxian Society Also Know How to Investigate Cases chapter 149: does the qingxian society also know how to investigate cases translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation whack! lu xuan smacked the gavel and declared with a penetrating gaze and clear voice, in my opinion, its clear that you, wang pan, stole han xians child during the lantern festival and then conspired with your concubine and servants to weave this lie. in truth, this infant is not your child at all. i am naturally aloof in disposition. even if i feel sadness, i cannot cry, wang pan stubbornly argued. as for the lantern festival, i never attended it. my household servants can testify for me! lu xuan sneered, i expected your denial. bring in the evidence! with the magistrates command, the yamen runners escorted two individuals forward a man and a woman. the man appeared to be in his sixties, dressed as a servant, while the woman, in her thirties, was quite attractive. i am xu er, a humble servant, greetings, lord, the old servant bowed. i am lin shi, greetings, lord, the woman greeted lu xuan. wang pan, lu xuan began, pointing at lin shi, do you recognize this woman? i do not, lord, wang pan replied. lu xuan then turned to lin shi, and do you recognize him? yes, your honor, i do know him, lin shi responded. how did you come to know him? lu xuan asked. i sell zongzi in the west of the city. on the day of the lantern festival, this man bought zongzi from me, lin shi explained. there must have been many customers that night. how do you remember him? lu xuan inquired. because he was very particular when buying the zongzi, fussing over the wrapping and haggling over the price, lin shi huffed, clearly irritated. he even complained about the excessive wrapping string, demanding a discount. the zongzi were wrapped with high-quality colored silk thread, more expensive than the rice. i wouldnt have used such expensive material if it wasnt for the lantern festival. remembering such a stingy and fussy customer was inevitable. wang pan, you just claimed you never attended the lantern festival. how do you explain this? lu xuan asked with a hint of amusement. wang pan stuttered, unable to respond. li ming, have you brought the evidence? lu xuan asked. reporting to the lord, it has been brought, li ming stepped forward, holding a wooden plate with a set of childrens clothes and some torn fabric. he pointed to the old servant, lord, this was handed over by him. lu xuans tone was stern, xu er, explain the circumstances clearly. if you dare to lie, you will be punished! xu er immediately knelt down, i dare not, i dare not! we have already inquired at the local fabric stores. the fabric in this plate uses a new technique from qinghe county, lu xuan explained. this technique has not yet reached our county, and you are not from qinghe county. how did you come by these clothes? reporting to the lord, xu er confessed, these clothes were given to me by by wang pan. i am a cook in the wang household. over a month ago, wang pan handed me these clothes and told me to burn them. seeing the good quality of the fabric, i thought it a waste to burn them and secretly kept them lu xuan nodded and turned to wang pan, with both witness and evidence present, how can you still deny? i i admit my guilt, wang pan, with a defeated look, finally confessed his crime. a month ago, he attended the lantern festival in the west of the city and found han xians son adorable. approaching fifty and still childless, he harbored malicious thoughts. at that time, han xian was eating at a noodle stand and left his son in the seat while he went to pay. when he returned, his child had already been taken by wang pan. coincidentally, wang pan had a concubine who had given birth to a daughter a few months prior. she naturally became the mother of the stolen child. take the accused, wang pan, to the jail. after signing the confession, he shall be dealt with according to the laws of the great kang dynasty, lu xuan pronounced the sentence. in the hall, han xian, though vindicated, appeared numb. he looked at the dead child, seemingly unable to hear or see anything, cut off from the world. at that moment wah a cry erupted. han xian rubbed his eyes, then saw something move under the white cloth on the ground. liu huaiyuans daughter smiled slightly, picked up the swaddling clothes, and said, uncle han, we didnt mean to play a trick on you. for the sake of the case, we had to put you through this. she wiped the babys face, removing the paint. the unnatural blue-purple hue disappeared, revealing the infants rosy, healthy skin. this was all arranged by lu xuan. pretending the infant had died was a test. while summoning zhang shi and zhao shi, lu xuan had also instructed li ming and lu ping to undertake another task. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only the two split up; li ming went to wang pans house in the south of the city, gathering the servants for questioning. li ming, keen and perceptive, noticed some servants unusual behavior and detained them for individual interrogations. xu er, not worldly wise, quickly revealed the truth under the intimidating presence of li ming. lu ping, on the other hand, went to the west of the city. his friendly demeanor made it easy to gather information from small vendors and shopkeepers. eventually, he learned from lin shi that wang pan had been in the west of the city on the night of the lantern festival. in reality, lu xuan could have directly presented the evidence and applied legal pressure to make wang pan confess. Chapter 150 - Chapter 150: Does the Qjngxian Society Also Know How to Investigate Cases? chapter 150: does the qjngxian society also know how to investigate cases? translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation however, lu xuan didnt immediately present the evidence. instead, he orchestrated a feigned death scenario to emotionally discern the true father of the child. there were two reasons for lu xuans approach. first, it bought time for the investigation and evidence gathering outside the court. second, it engaged the emotions of the onlookers, making them empathize with han xians situation and recognize their new magistrate as a compassionate and reasonable person, not just a detached figure of authority. commoner han xian thanks the lord han xian knelt down, weeping tears of gratitude. the trial, full of twists and turns, reached its climax with lu xuans decisive intervention. the mood outside the court shifted significantly. the people, who initially viewed lu xuan with distrust and fear, gradually developed respect and admiration for the new magistrate. lu xuan took a sip of tea and announced, court is adjourned. the next morning, lu xuan stretched as he stepped outside. the little fox scampered over, curling up on his shoe. lu xuan chuckled to himself, feeling immobilized by the enchanting creature. cheng lingzhu embraced him from behind, rubbing her cheek against his back. lu xuan turned his head slightly, smiling, are you asking for a piggyback ride? if people see a strange man and woman walking out of the magistrates residence, that could cause trouble, cheng lingzhu pointed out. then ill carry you to the door, and we can change into the magistrate and advisors appearances when we leave, lu xuan suggested. okay, she agreed. so, lu xuan crouched down, lifting the little fox and cheng lingzhu hopped onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck. as they walked through the residence, cheng lingzhu curiously asked, how does it feel to carry me? after a moments thought, lu xuan mused, compared to before, it feels like theres a greater distance between our hearts. after all, the difference between front-to-back and face-to-face was something lu xuan could distinctly feel. cheng lingzhu playfully hit him, then hugged him tighter. she thought it must be the thickness of their clothes. otherwise, she and he could definitely be closer. inside the yamen, magistrate lu xuan was holding court. li ming and lu ping had already prepared tea for him with eager diligence. lu xuan looked at the yamen runners standing below; each of them stood straight, their eyes shining with a new sense of purpose. this was a stark contrast to their listless demeanor just a few days ago. all the yamen runners had participated in yesterdays case, some maintaining order inside the yamen, others investigating outside. when the case was solved and the stubborn criminal finally brought to justice, they all felt a sense of accomdlishment. this morning. their greetings to lu xuan were much more robust, indicating a boost in morale due to his leadership. as lu xuan was holding court, not yet finished with his first cup of tea, the sound of a drum came from outside the yamen. lu xuan raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips. yesterday, han xian had hesitated to beat the drum to report his case. today, someone had already rung the complaint drum early in the morning, a sign that his handling of yesterdays case had made an impact. lu xuan knew that the people felt he could deliver justice for them, which meant they trusted him enough to bring their issues to the yamen. typically, the complaint drum was reserved for serious cases, but lu xuan didnt adhere to such formalities. as the qingxian city yamen was just established, he was eager for more cases to handle. report! a yamen runner rushed in, reporting to the lord, theres a case outside the yamen! what is the matter? is there a complaint document? lu xuan asked. uh no, the runner quickly clarified, its not a complaint, but a case. lu xuans eyes narrowed slightly. a complaint usually meant a dispute needing resolution, but a case implied something had happened. whats the case about? lu xuan inquired. this morning, a farmer named li xian from the east of the city was working in the fields when he passed by a ditch and discovered a body. he immediately reported it to the yamen, the runner explained. alright, lu xuan pondered, have the person who reported it wait outside the yamen. ill head over with some men to inspect the crime scene. after a moment, he called out, li ming. present, li ming stepped forward. you are quick-witted. i appoint you to stay behind in the yamen today. if anyone comes to report a case, calm them down and record their case and demands. report them to me when i return, lu xuan instructed. yes, lord, li ming accepted the order. lu ping, lu xuan turned to the chief clerk. present! lu ping stepped forward, speaking in short sentences to avoid stuttering. you have multiple roles, both as the chief registrar and the only coroner of our yamen. can you determine the time of death of a body? lu xuan asked. yes, lord i can inspect, lu ping replied. good, select ten yamen runners to accompany me to the east of the city, lu xuan ordered. yes! after a cup of teas time. a carriage pulled up at the entrance of the yamen. the yamen runners mounted horses, while the magistrate and advisor cheng boarded the carriage. lu ping, doubling as the coachman due to the shortage of personnel in the newly functional yamen, was also the chief registrar and the coroner. in emergencies, he took on the additional role of coachman, deeming it critical to personally drive for the magistrate. li xian, the farmer who reported the case, rode alongside the yamen runners, leading the way to the crime scene. by the time they arrived, a crowd had already gathered around the ditch. clear the area, the yamen is investigating! the yamen runners began to disperse the crowd. however, several individuals dressed in dark green clothes with silver snake emblems on their chests members of the qingxian society remained, ignoring the yamen runners orders. lu xuan stepped out of the carriage and exchanged a glance with cheng lingzhu before heading towards the ditch. the report described a body lying in the ditch, but that was not entirely accurate. the victim was face down in the water. magistrate wu, greeted a member of the qingxian society with a bow. lu xuan returned the gesture, what brings you gentlemen here? since a homicide has occurred, the qingxian society naturally has a right to be involved, the leader of the group replied. oh? do you also investigate cases? lu xuan asked with a smile. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only its not difficult, one of them scoffed. simply identify the victim and investigate his surroundings. in my opinion, this is clearly a case of murder. why murder? lu xuan inquired. well, why else would a perfectly healthy person be dead? someone must have harmed him, the man stated matter-of-factly. hes dressed so poorly, obviously without money. who would rob him? it must be murder. take a closer look, cheng lingzhu interjected. the ground near the riverbank is moist and soft, imprinting the tracks of anyone walking by. theres only one set of footprints coming from the east and stopping here, then abruptly ending. there are also signs of something rolling down the bank. its likely that the person slipped and fell into the river this could be an accident. the advisors theory seems a bit far-fetched, frowned the qingxian societys leader. this small river is barely deep enough to cover the feet. how could someone drown in such shallow water? its not necessarily impossible, lu xuan said with a smile.. what if the victim had drunk a lot of alcohol before falling into the ditch? Chapter 151 - Chapter 151: The Case of Patricide chapter 151: the case of patricide translator: endlessfantasy translation editor: endlessfantasy translation alcohol? the members of the qingxian society were taken aback by magistrate lus observation. lu ping, lu xuan called. present! lu pings voice was loud and clear. take your tools and examine the body in the river be careful to approach from that side to avoid disturbing the scene, lu xuan instructed. yes! lu ping, carrying a bag of coroners tools, circled around to the body without disturbing the crime scene. he turned the body over and frowned. after a brief examination of the victims face and a check of the nose and mouth, lu ping announced loudly, lord, this man drowned! theres a strong smell of alcohol on his body! the qingxian society members were visibly surprised. i have a keen sense of smell, lu xuan remarked calmly. magistrate wu, advisor cheng, a member of the qingxian society spoke up, even though this man drowned and had been drinking, isnt it possible that someone killed him elsewhere and then dumped his body in the ditch? the speaker, named bo kai from the bo family, was regarded as the leader among the qingxian society members present. brother bos point is not without merit, cheng lingzhu nodded. however, the evidence at the scene suggests that there was no second person present. look at the footprints on the ground; they are not deep, which matches the slim build of the deceased later, we can have lu ping compare the footprints. if a murderer had carried the victim here, the combined weight would have left much deeper impressions. bo kai had to agree with her logic. advisor cheng is wise; i was not thorough in my thinking. the footprints near the riverbank were clear and intact. even though a significant time had passed since li xian found the body, attracting many curious onlookers, the scene remained well-preserved. this was partly because the body was discovered in the morning, a time considered inauspicious for such discoveries in local custom, prompting people to keep their distance despite their curiosity. lu ping, can you identify the victim? lu xuan asked. i i dont recognize him! we might need li xian to come over, lu ping replied. he was not from the eastern part of the city and couldnt possibly recognize everyone in qingxian city. bring li xian here, lu xuan ordered the yamen runners. they promptly escorted li xian to the front. li xian, do you recognize this person? lu xuan pointed to the body in the river, which lu ping had turned over to reveal the face. despite some mud and sand on the face, the basic features were still identifiable. li xian looked and showed a surprised expression: responding to the lord, i recognize him. his name is sun hong, and he lives in the east. tell me about this person, lu xuan requested. this li xian hesitated for a moment before speaking, well this man, he was a gambler. a gambler? lu xuan raised an eyebrow. not to hide anything from you, lord, li xian continued, sun hong was addicted to gambling and also loved to drink. before gambling, he drank; after gambling, he drank whether he won or lost. he would go out every night to gamble and wouldnt return home until noon the next day. ive seen him on the road before, staggering drunk, barely able to walk straight, as if a gust of wind could knock him over. due to his gambling, his family was impoverished. everyone in the nearby villages knew him; he had a reputation for thievery li xian poured out everything he knew about sun hong. returning home at noon? lu xuan nodded slightly. lu ping, can you estimate the time of death? responding to the lord, lu ping looked up, it should have been yesterday, around noon. so, sun hong died on his way home yesterday, cheng lingzhu concluded. did sun hong have any family members? lu xuan asked. he had a wife and a son. back then, sun hong hadnt yet fallen into his gambling vice li xian recalled, but his wife and son suffered greatly because of him. they worked the fields, and the money his wife earned from sewing and mending was also gambled away by him. after losing, sun hong would beat them while drunk. i heard recently, he even planned to sell his wife so, sun hong was not a good man, lu xuan nodded. thats true, lord, li xian agreed. in my opinion, his end is likely divine retribution for his actions. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only lu xuan made no comment on this. do you know where sun hongs home is? yes, lord, li xian responded promptly, sun hongs house is nearby. i can take you there. lu xuan turned to bo kai and the other qingxian society members. he then asked, will you accompany us? the qingxian society members exchanged glances. bo kai shook his head and responded, since its likely an accident, we wont go. well leave this matter to magistrate wu and advisor cheng. after hearing li xians description, bo kai also understood sun hongs familys financial situation.. Chapter 152 - Chapter 152: The Case of Patricide Chapter 152: The Case of Patricide Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation A widow and an orphan in a home that was falling apart and devoid of wealth; it was a household from which nothing could be gained. The Qingxian Society members saw no reason to visit such a place. Alright, Lu Xuan nodded. Lu Ping continued to document the state of the body. After instructing him to properly preserve the body, Lu Xuan left the scene with Cheng Lingzhu and a few yamen runners, following Li Xian towards Sun Hongs home. On the way, Cheng Lingzhu expressed her doubts, I dont think Sun Hongs death was an accident. How so? Lu Xuan asked curiously. According to Li Xian, Sun Hong went out gambling every night and didnt return home until noon, Cheng Lingzhu explained. If thats the case, he should have been very familiar with the route. How could he have accidentally fallen in after walking it so many times? Lu Xuan nodded in agreement, Moreover, the path by the river is wide enough for a carriage, and a normal person wouldnt walk so close to the edge. Even if Sun Hong was drunk, after so many walks, his body should have adapted to the route, preventing him from walking into the river. After an incense sticks time, they arrived at Sun Hongs house. This really is a poor home, Lu Xuan remarked. The mud brick house was dilapidated and drafty, with several holes in the thatched roof from prolonged exposure to the elements. The fence, serving as the courtyard wall, was crooked with several gaps. The yard was barren except for some withered wheat ears spread out to dry, pathetically few in number. Compared to Sun Hongs house, even the house of He Zhao in the Dream Ruins City, shrouded in perpetual night, seemed like a mansion. They soon met Sun Hongs wife, Zhou Shi, and his son, Sun Fang. Zhou Shi was in her thirties but appeared much older, easily mistaken for someone in her fifties. Her joints were swollen from hard work, her hands calloused, and her hair was streaked with gray. Sun Fang, fifteen or sixteen years old, was thin and showed signs of malnutrition. His clothes were patched and faded, and a dirty red string with what appeared to be a longevity lock hung around his neck. Sun Fang eyed the group warily as they entered. Zhou Shi, upon hearing of Sun Hongs death, remained calm and silent. Perhaps after enduring Sun Hongs abuse and disappointment, she had no tears left to shed. His death seemed more like a release for the mother and son. The houses furnishings were sparse. An eight-immortal table with a leg replaced by a stick, a sandpot with a half-pot of medicine on the table, and a dressing table with a small copper mirror were the most notable items. The dressing table, brought by Zhou Shi from her parental home, had almost been sold by Sun Hong several times for alcohol money, but Zhou Shi had fiercely prevented it. What were you both doing yesterday at noon? Cheng Lingzhu suddenly asked. Two lords, Zhou Shi bowed to them, Ive been ill with a cold these past few days and was resting at noon yesterday. Sun Fang was outside boiling medicine for me. Lu Xuan inspected the contents of the pot and nodded, Indeed, its medicine for treating a cold. Cheng Lingzhu walked around the room while Lu Xuan examined the dressing table, shaking the copper mirror. After a while, they exchanged glances and left the room. Did you notice anything? Lu Xuan asked her. Cheng Lingzhu thought for a moment, Lets return to the yamen. Lu Ping might have made some discoveries by now. Back at the Qingxian City yamen. Did anyone come to lodge a complaint this morning? Lu Xuan asked as he entered the main hall. Reporting to the lord, Li Ming respectfully replied, Two people came to report cases. The first was a dispute over land rights between neighbors, and the second involved an elderly woman accusing her son of being unfilial. As per your instructions, lord, Ive recorded their statements after calming them down, awaiting your resolution. Well done, Lu Xuan commended, but with a homicide case at hand, he was not planning to address these two cases immediately. Has Lu Ping returned? Lu Xuan inquired. Lord Lu has already returned and is examining the body in the backyard, Li Ming informed. Lead us there. Yes, lord. Lord, lord, Lu Ping quickly approached as he saw Lu Xuan enter the yard. While lord was a formal title, lord also indicated closeness and carried the connotation of noble lord. Despite his stutter, Lu Ping didnt miss the chance to flatter the magistrate. What have you found? You seem anxious, Lu Xuan observed. I found this in the palm of the deceased, Lu Ping slowed down his speech as he presented a wooden tray holding a coin. What is this? Lu Xuan took the coin, examining it closely. Its a Ning Yuan Tong Bao, Li Ming exclaimed in surprise. Such old coins are rare. Old coin? Cheng Lingzhu frowned. Ning Yuan was the reign title of the uncle of the grandfather of the current emperor, Li Ming calculated, That emperor ruled only for three years, during which this Ning Yuan Tong Bao was minted. After his sudden death, his son ascended the throne but passed away within half a year and then the throne went to the current emperors lineage. Li Ming didnt elaborate further on the sensitive topic of imperial succession, but everyone understood the implication: the abrupt deaths of that Emperor Kang and his heir were likely connected to the grandfather of the current emperor. After ascending the throne, the emperors grandfather changed the reign title and issued new Great Kang coins, leading to the gradual decline in circulation of Ning Yuan Tong Bao How did Sun Hong have one? Li Ming wondered. After a moment of contemplation, Lu Xuan said, This coin is evidence in this case; I will keep it for now. Lu Ping, without questioning, handed over the coin. Around noon. In the wheat field. Sun Fang bent over, cutting a swath of wheat. Large beads of sweat dripped from his forehead, splashing into the dirt. Wiping his sweat, his throat parched, he took a final sip of water from his bottle to moisten his throat. Just as he was about to resume cutting wheat, two figures appeared in the field. Sun Fang recognized them: the new county magistrate and his advisor. He straightened up, his gaze cautious. Magistrate Lu Xuan approached leisurely and extended his hand to Sun Fang, Here, this is yours. In his hand was a copper coin. Sun Fang didnt take it, instead stepping back, Magistrate What does this mean? Lu Xuan pointed at Sun Fangs neck, What hangs from the red string around your neck? Sun Fang looked down, Its my amulet. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Yesterday at noon, you killed Sun Hong, didnt you? Cheng Lingzhu said. Your mother was resting in the bedroom at that time because she caught a cold, Lu Xuan spoke, After you set the medicine on the stove, you quietly left the house. You knew Sun Hong would return home along the path by the riverbank every day at noon, so you made preparations in advance. Cheng Lingzhu continued, You wanted to kill Sun Hong, but knowing your own strength was weak, you thought of a Cunning method. That Ning Yuan Tong Bao was your amulet. You took it off and placed it on the path by the riverbank. You deliberately lured the gambling Sun Hong to pick it up, bringing him close to the riverbank. At noon, with the sun bright, you stood on a slope far from the ditch, using the copper mirror from your home to shine light on Sun Hong. Drunk and staggering, Sun Hong lost balance when the reflected light from the mirror hit his eyes as he picked up the coin, causing him to fall into the ditch. Is there anything incorrect in the advisors deduction? Lu Xuan looked into Sun Fangs eyes. Sun Fang remained silent for a long time. Then, he reached out and grabbed the red string around his neck, pulling it hard. The string came off, hanging empty without anything attached.. Chapter 153 - Chapter 153: Damn That Lu Xuan, Actually Dared to Hit My Dog… Well Done! Chapter 153: Damn That Lu Xuan, Actually Dared to Hit My Dog Well Done! Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation He was a scoundrel, Sun Fang said after a long silence. Every time he lost money gambling, he would come home and beat my mother. My mother had to do farm work during the day and sew clothes for others at night, often sleeping late. Sun Fang pursed his lips, A few days ago, my mother fell ill. The little money we had scraped together for medicine was mostly taken by him He even considered my mother a liability because she couldnt be used as a betting chip at his gambling table. So, he planned to sell her for gambling money. Sun Fang lifted his head, I killed him. If the lord wants to arrest me, I will confess But I beg to see my mother one last time before Im taken to prison. Sun Fang showed no regret for his actions. Lu Xuan looked into his eyes. He didnt ask the usual question of why didnt you report it? because the former magistrate and the Qingxian Society were in collusion, focusing only on extracting money from the people, paying no heed to their problems. If reporting it had been an option, Sun Fang wouldnt have been driven to patricide. Weighing the copper coin in his hand, Lu Xuan tossed it back to Sun Fang. Sun Hong was a rotten person, he said. You were protecting your mother. Sun Fang was stunned. Never do this again. If you have troubles, come to the yamen. Ill see justice done, Lu Xuan said calmly. He gave Sun Fang one last look before turning and walking away with Cheng Lingzhu. Three days later. In the center of the city, inside the main hall of the Qingxian Society. Has the county magistrate been here for seven days now? Gu Yang, the head of the Gu family, leaned back in his chair, holding a cup of tea. Thats right, nodded He Youde, the head of the He family, with a sneer. In seven days, hes settled over a dozen cases. Hes quite skilled in that regard. Hes establishing his authority, commented Bo Chang, the head of the Bo family. Every day, his court sessions draw a crowd of commoners as if they really see him as a fair judge. There can only be one ruler in Qingxian City, He Youde declared. Hes looking for trouble. Its been seven days since he came to the city, and he still hasnt made contact with us, Bo Chang frowned. Seems like he really wants to go against us. No need to rush. Gu Yang, holding his teacup, slowly scraped the lid against the cup and said methodically, Ill visit the yamen tomorrow to test him I want to see what medicine this new magistrate is really selling. How will you test him, Uncle Gu? Bo Chang asked. I have my plans; you need not worry, Gu Yang glanced at him. Ive dealt with three magistrates before; I have the experience. Bo Chang felt his dignity was being challenged. It was clear to him that Gu Yangs words were not only about the magistrate but also hinted at next months Qingxian Festival and the handover of the leadership of the Qingxian Society. Gu Yang had been the acting leader for five years, and it was again the Gu familys turn to lead the society for the next decade. Bo Chang wanted to reclaim those five years, but Gu Yangs comments about his experience subtly suggested that Bo Chang was too young and needed more time to mature. The implication of let the adults handle it, kids should stay out of it in Gu Yangs tone irritated Bo Chang, but given Gu Yangs current position as the leader of the Qingxian Society, he had to swallow his pride. Inside the Qingxian City yamen. Lord, that Sun Hong Was it really an accident? Lu Ping stuttered. What, do you have a different idea? Lu Xuan glanced at him. That old coin in his hand What was that about? Lu Ping asked as he was summarizing the case file for archiving. That was Sun Fangs amulet, passed down from his ancestors. His father had taken it, and I returned it to its rightful owner, Lu Xuan explained. Sun Hong took the coin to the gambling house. When he returned, the coin was still in his hand, but because he was drunk, it fell from his body. It must have rolled near the riverbank. In his drunken stupor, when picking up the coin, he lost his balance and fell into the river. This this Lu Ping felt the explanation was somewhat far-fetched, but upon reflection, it seemed logical. How many footprints were there by the riverbank? Lu Xuan asked. Just one set, Lu Ping answered instinctively. And whose footprints were they? Lu Xuan continued. Sun Hongs, Lu Ping replied. Whos better at solving cases, you or me? Lu Xuan raised his eyebrows. You are, lord, Lu Ping stated truthfully. So, was Sun Hongs death a homicide or an accident? Lu Xuan gestured outside the hall. Or should you go find me a murderer to put in jail? An accident, an accident, Lu Ping quickly responded. Sun Hong was a bad man, always doing evil deeds. His death was surely divine retribution. Lu Xuan nodded in agreement. Magistrate Wu! Magistrate Wu! Just then, a yamen runner rushed in urgently. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Someone is here to lodge a complaint! Who is it, and whats the matter? Lu Xuan perked up. The person lodging the complaint is is The yamen runner had not finished speaking when a figure walked in directly. Magistrate Wu, long time no see, the newcomer spoke with a mocking tone. Gu Feng? Lu Xuan narrowed his eyes. What are you doing here? Im here to seek justice for the magistrate, Gu Feng smiled. He dragged a person from behind him, and Lu Xuan recognized him as the tea stall owner he had encountered on his first day in the city.. Chapter 154 - Chapter 154: Damn That Lu Xuan, Actually Dared to Hit My Dog… Well Done! Chapter 154: Damn That Lu Xuan, Actually Dared to Hit My Dog Well Done! Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The old man was bruised all over, his breath weak, his body covered in dirt, evidently dragged here by Gu Feng. Gu Feng bowed slightly and said, On the day the magistrate entered the city, he had tea at this old mans stall. To our surprise, this wretched man dared to steal the magistrates silver! He took out a blood-stained half piece of silver ingot, weighing it in his hand. Our brothers from the Qingxian Society had to beat him for a long time before he gave up the silver, recovering the magistrates loss. Lu Xuan looked at him without a word. This man is full of lies, claiming the silver ingot was given to him by you, the magistrate. Can you believe he said a high-ranking official like you would give silver to a lowly commoner? Isnt it a ridiculous lie? Gu Feng said with a sneer, I ask the magistrate to order this man to be punished according to the law. At that moment, many people had gathered outside the yamen, mostly local residents. Hearing the conversation between Gu Feng and Lu Xuan, they began whispering among themselves. Lu Xuan sighed as he looked at the tea stall owner lying on the ground, weak and injured. According to the Great Kang laws he began in a calm voice, Cases involving people over sixty must be closed to the public This case is not suitable for open trial. Upon hearing this, the yamen runners began to disperse the crowd and closed the yamen gates. Steward Gu, Lu Xuan said after a moment of contemplation, May I know which brothers helped recover my property? Gu Feng answered casually, Of course, it was the brothers from the Gu, He, and Bo families. But Lu Xuan frowned, I clearly lost a whole ingot of silver why is there only half left? Gu Feng was stunned. He looked at the silver ingot in his hand and then at Lu Xuan. The magistrate continued leisurely, Could it be One of the Bo familys brothers took my silver? Gu Fengs expression froze, and then his body began to tremble slightly. As a steward of the Gu family and a person of some standing within the Qingxian Society, he now understood the magistrates implication. This this Gu Feng began, but before he could explain, he heard the magistrate say, If not the Bo family, could it be the He family? Gu Feng took a deep breath, There might be Someone unclean among our brothers. I heard that Qingxian City produces a fine wine. I was thinking of taking a jar back for my mentor, Lu Xuan mused, examining the official seal in his hand. Maybe Really someone unclean among the brothers. Gu Feng regained his composure, Please allow me to return and ask our family head to order an investigation. Granted, Lu Xuan nodded. Lu Ping, take this old man down for treatment first. As for Steward Gu Li Ming, where are you? Here, Li Ming stepped forward. Entering the court without summons is punishable by thirty lashes according to Great Kang laws, Lu Xuan said indifferently. However, considering Steward Gus concern for me and the urgency of the matter Lets reduce it by ten lashes. What what Gu Fengs eyes widened in disbelief. Lu Xuan didnt look at him but casually tossed the token on the table, Begin. Qingxian City, Gu Family Residence. Master, this is what happened, Gu Feng said, lying on the bed, gasping for air. Having received twenty lashes, his appearance was quite pitiful. The yamen runners, who were usually lax, had shown their enthusiasm when ordered by the magistrate for the first time, demonstrating the authority of the yamen. Gu Fengs buttocks and thighs were beaten to a pulp; he dared not sit or lie down comfortably and could only lie face down on the bed. Master, what does this magistrate Lu mean by this?! Gu Feng was resentful. By beating me, isnt he slapping your face? Slap! Gu Yang, infuriated by the comment, grabbed a feather duster nearby and smacked Gu Fengs wound hard. You know nothing! Gu Feng screamed in agony, tears streaming down his face. Gu Yang humphed, threw the duster aside, and sat down at the table. He poured himself a cup of tea but couldnt help smiling. Well done, well done! If he hadnt beaten you, I would have thought he had other intentions. Ah? Gu Feng was confused. Gu Yang paced the room, This new magistrate is temperamental; hes negotiating with us. By allowing you into the court without permission, you blatantly disregarded him. His beating you was a response to me, warning me to control my people. But he also said the Bo family owes him silver Isnt he trying to ally with us? Gu Feng was bewildered. Shouldnt he be trying to win us over? The one who haggles is the real buyer, Gu Yang said confidently. Hes bargaining with us. Giving you twenty lashes was his stance, but reducing ten was leaving me face. If Im not mistaken, he will soon send someone to contact me. Saying this, Gu Yang laughed: This magistrate is indeed from a major place. Even those previous greedy fools never dared to cross the three major families. I thought he was a simpleton, but his ambition is much larger than expected. So, master, what should we do? Gu Feng asked. A collaboration opportunity that comes knocking? Theres no reason not to accept, Gu Yang turned to the window. The boy from the Bo family has grown up and become wild, starting to rebel against his uncle. He sighed, Since thats the case, let this uncle teach him a lesson one last time. Gu Feng listened, feeling a chill down his spine. Just then, a servant knocked on the door. Come in, Gu Yang said. Master, a servant entered, holding an invitation card: This is from Lu Ping, the chief runner from the yamen. Good, good, good, Gu Yangs face lit up with a smile. He opened the invitation, read the content, and nodded slightly: Inform the kitchen to prepare a feast. Tonight, I will be hosting an important guest. Yes, the servant replied. At Dusk. My lord, the carriage is ready, Lu Ping whispered in a low voice. Lets go, Lu Xuan replied with an unperturbed demeanor. As he watched the county magistrate before him, Lu Ping couldnt help but feel a sense of doubt. Over the past days, he had closely observed all of Lu Xuans actions. Having served several magistrates before, Lu Ping was well aware of their typical intentions in Qingxian City. However, this current magistrate was different from his predecessors. He was shrewd and capable, discerning right from wrong, and had done many practical things, standing on the side of the people. On his first day in office, he had refused the invitation from Qingxian Society. But now, after Gu Fengs visit in the morning, he was actively going to visit the Gu family. It seemed like he had eventually bowed his head. Lu Ping felt a bit disappointed, but soon after, he was engulfed by a deep sense of shame. He had been in the yamen for so many years and had also bowed to the tyranny of Qingxian Society, never daring to express his anger. Even the wealth extorted by previous magistrates had partly lined his own pockets. What right did he have to be dissatisfied with the county magistrate? Lu Ping felt somewhat ashamed of himself. But he also knew that his expectations stemmed from a genuine hope that a godlike judge would descend to Qingxian City, clean up those who preyed on the people. Driving the carriage, his mind was filled with these thoughts. Soon, they arrived at the Gu residence. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Lu Xuan got out of the carriage with Cheng Lingzhu and turned to see Lu Ping, who seemed hesitant to speak and then quickly lowered his head. Lu Xuan guessed what he was thinking and couldnt help but smile. He tapped the carriage, and Lu Ping looked up. To achieve great things, one cannot always be confrontational, especially when their own strength is inferior, Lu Xuan pointed to his head and said with a smile, You need to use tactics and think more. Lu Ping was stunned. Looking at Lu Xuan, a glimmer of light suddenly appeared in the eyes of this burly man.. Chapter 157 - Chapter 157: I Missed a Goodnight Kiss Yesterday Chapter 157: I Missed a Goodnight Kiss Yesterday Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Qingxian City. At the Bo Residence. In a pavilion by the artificial lake, Bo Chang leisurely sipped his tea, surrounded by blocks of ice that emitted a refreshing chill. Magistrate Wu Bangde beat up Gu Feng again? He asked. Master, its true, Bo Kai, standing beside him fanning, confirmed. Gu Feng was practically raised by Gu Yang. Hes been by his side for many years, almost like an adopted son, Bo Chang shook his head. This new magistrate dares to do such a thing; he must have offended the Gu family deeply. I heard I heard that last night the magistrate visited the Gu residence, Bo Kai cautiously added. After Magistrate Wu left, Master Gu Yang was furious, smashing several household items in anger Hmph, they must have failed to come to an agreement, Bo Chang said dismissively. These past few days, the magistrate has been establishing his authority through court cases, clearly preparing to negotiate with Gu Yang. The failure of their talks was probably due to a disagreement over the division of profits. This Magistrate Wu seems quite greedy. By the way, he turned to Bo Kai, youve interacted with the magistrate before. Whats your impression of him? Bo Chang knew that Bo Kai had previously encountered the magistrate when investigating a death in the east of the city. Since there was not much to gain, Bo Kai didnt pursue further and handed the case over to the yamen. Hes composed and speaks logically, Bo Kai recalled. When adjudicating, Magistrate Wu exudes an aura of control and tranquility. Hearing this, Bo Chang nodded slightly. So Master, what should we do? Bo Kai inquired. No rush, lets wait and see, Bo Chang said confidently. Knowing Gu Yang, he wont easily turn against the magistrate until he benefits from the situation. If our Magistrate Wu truly intends to confront Gu Yang, he will come to us. Then, the initiative will be in our hands. Masters insight is remarkable, Bo Kai expressed his admiration. Qingxian City. At the Government Office. SirC My lord- Two soft voices called out as two women, one dressed in green and the other in red, knelt down, heavily made up and exuding charm. Speak properly! Lu Xuan banged the gavel. Why have you come to report a case? We were driven out by the Gu family, now homeless and fearing starvation on the streets we beg for your aid, sir, the woman in green said, her eyes shifting coyly. Indeed, my lord, I am in the same situation, the woman in red added. Sitting in his chair, Lu Xuan observed them expressionlessly. These were the gifts sent by Gu Yang. Yesterday, Gu Yang had tried to gift him a dancer, which Lu Xuan tactfully refused. Unexpectedly, today he sent not only the dancer but also a singer. Starving on the streets? Didnt Gu Yang settle your accounts before letting you go? Lu Xuan frowned. Ill have the yamen bring Gu Yang here Please wait, sir, the woman in green hastily interjected. Master Gu did settle our accounts in full before our departure. Then why come here to report a case? Lu Xuan inquired. Having some money but no means of livelihood is no long-term solution the woman in red took over. A long-term solution Lu Xuan pondered for a moment. One of you is a dancer, the other a singer. The Spring Tower in the southern part of the city is looking for girls. I think you two are suitable. Ill write a letter of recommendation for you both. After all, youre both performers Please spare us, my lord! As soon as they heard Lu Xuans plan to send them to Spring Tower, their expressions changed drastically, begging for mercy. Although we come from humble backgrounds, we are from decent families. How could we go to such a place? The woman in green pleaded repeatedly. Lu Xuan thought about it. Her decency probably referred to her origin, not her character. Although I am short of staff, I dont just take anyone. Lu Xuan continued, Report your names, ages, and skills. The woman in green raised her head, revealing a set of white, neat teeth, My surname is Qin, seventeen years old, and I play the zither. The woman in red looked down shyly, My surname is Gu, fifteen years old, and I dance. Lu Xuan observed carefully and noticed that the woman in green had a good set of teeth, often shown when she spoke. The woman in red, however, had uneven teeth and was somewhat reticent. Can you two read? Lu Xuan asked. Hearing this, both women blushed. The woman in green hesitated, Apart from my own name, I only recognize the character After all, they had seen and written it often, and over time they became familiar with it. Lu Xuan was speechless for a moment. However Its better that you cant read. Lu Xuan spoke, Where is Lu Ping? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Here, sir! Lu Ping responded. Go to the storeroom and pick out two fitting outfits for them, Lu Xuan instructed. The document storeroom needs staff. Have them work there Clean and organize daily, and no dancing or playing the zither during working hours. The women in green and red widened their eyes in disbelief. They thought they were sent by their master to serve the magistrate, but now they were being assigned to manage documents in a storeroom? Sir, we cant read, the woman in red tried to convince the magistrate. Thats exactly what I need, Lu Xuan said. Chapter 158 - Chapter 158: I Missed a Goodnight Kiss Yesterday Chapter 158: I Missed a Goodnight Kiss Yesterday Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The document storeroom is a place shrouded in secrecy; its archives are sealed, forbidden to outsiders. Had you two not been illiterate, I would be less at ease. The woman in red & the woman in blue: . As for how the archive numbers, dates, and months are written, thats indeed something youll need to learn. Lu Xuan had thought everything through meticulously, Li Ming, youre in charge of their training before they start. Within three days, you must ensure these two master the method of sorting and classifying the scrolls. Understood, my lord! Qingxian City. At the magistrates residence. In the bedroom of the residence, Lu Xuan lay on the bed, his head resting on Cheng Lingzhus soft and fragrant thigh. While enjoying the comfort of his wifes lap, he played with a fluffy object in his hand A small fox. The little fox lay on his body, curled up into a tiny ball, letting Lu Xuan stroke it as he pleased. Cheng Lingzhu gently ran her fingers through Lu Xuans hair, her movements tender and gentle. Lu Xuan, feeling extremely comfortable, had the thought, Im petting the fox, and my wife is petting me. Those two women must have been sent by Gu Yang. Partly as a gift to curry favor, and partly to monitor my actions, Lu Xuan said. He opened his eyes, wanting to see Cheng Lingzhus face, but his view was obstructed, so he shifted his head slightly. So, you assigned them to the storeroom to manage the documents? Cheng Lingzhu leaned down, her fingers caressing his cheek. Even if their backgrounds are clean, I dont want them, Lu Xuan replied, pulling one of her slender hands to his lips and gently kissing it. Cheng Lingzhus lips curved into a slight smile, her eyes filled with laughter. She shifted slightly, leaning forward to bring her face closer to his. Whenever she was alone with him, her heartbeat would quicken slightly. Especially since regaining her memories, Cheng Lingzhu enjoyed touching and cuddling with him, inhaling his scent, and nestling into his embrace, wishing to stick to him all day long. Lu Xuan pondered, I have some other ideas about those two women. Hmm, Cheng Lingzhu looked down at him. Five years ago, Bo Changs grandfather and father were assassinated outside the city. There are related documents in the storeroom. Maybe we can take this opportunity to make a move, Lu Xuan said. Hmm, Cheng Lingzhu leaned down, getting even closer. Training the militia is crucial. Without people and weapons, its impossible Military training must be prioritized, he continued. Hmm, she replied again. As for recruitment, I have a plan. Recently, many refugees have come from Qinghe County and are now gathered in the west of the city Hmm. Lu Xuan gazed at the exquisite face so close to him and sighed, My beloved, stop touching me, lets talk. Hmm? Cheng Lingzhu blinked, quickly realizing what he meant, I think what you said makes perfect sense. Its exactly what I was thinking. Unconsciously, during their conversation, she had moved her face very close to Lu Xuans. I feel like youre humoring me, Lu Xuan slightly raised his head and pecked her lips gently. Hmm I just remembered, you forgot to kiss me last night before we went to sleep, Cheng Lingzhu suddenly said. We both drank last night, and kissing with the smell of alcohol isnt good, Lu Xuan analyzed objectively. But in the past, when I fed you wine You never complained, Cheng Lingzhu argued. Did I have the ability to resist then? My lips were numb from your kisses, and you wouldnt let go, Lu Xuan reasoned. You mean the times when your hands werent behaved and every time you came close, you wanted to embrace me? Cheng Lingzhus eyes twinkled playfully. I Lu Xuan thought, back then he didnt have anything to grab If it were now, he definitely wouldnt just settle for embracing her waist. Yesterday I got back late, and I let you wash up and sleep first I was just next to you, looking at the documents, Lu Xuan said. Yes, the busy County Magistrate, its a pity your concubine cant add fragrance to your sleeves, Cheng Lingzhus eyes danced with light. Luckily you went to sleep early. You know, if you were beside me, I would definitely not want to do any official work, Lu Xuan sighed deeply. After all, Im such a lazy and indolent person. My willpower is so poor, sitting next to such a lively and beautiful woman, Im bound to neglect my duties. Really? Cheng Lingzhu raised her chin slightly. Every word is true, Lu Xuan assured earnestly. Youre just sweet-talking me again, Cheng Lingzhu huffed. She didnt believe Lu Xuans claim of poor self-control. But she liked being coaxed by Lu Xuan. Every time Lu Xuan coaxed her, Cheng Lingzhu felt very happy. And finally, I have to say, Lu Xuan raised his index finger and gently touched her lips. Last night before bed, I actually did kiss you. Its just that you were already asleep. Lu Xuan pushed the little fox forward, Here, it can testify. The little white fox: ??? It looked at Lu Xuan, then at Cheng Lingzhu, and vigorously nodded its head. Its worth mentioning. Last night, when County Magistrate Lu was working late, it was the little fox accompanying him on the table. The little fox was yawning constantly, wanting to go back to sleep. But it was unceremoniously placed on Lu Xuans lap by the shameless Lu Xuan and petted for quite a while. Qingxian City, Inside the yamen. Hmm lets see. Lu Xuan walked around two women dressed as yamen runners, nodding approvingly, Good, very spirited. These two were naturally the dancer and singer sent by Gu Yang. But now, they had washed off their makeup and were wearing the attire of yamen runners, appearing very plain without any makeup. Lu Xuan gestured grandly, Li Ming, take them to the archive room and teach them everything they need to know. Make sure these two understand the rules of the government office. Understood, sir! Li Ming immediately responded. Afternoon, inside the archive room. Little Gu, how do you think we should complete the task assigned by our lord? Runner Qin asked. These two were indeed from the Gu household, selected for their cleverness to be planted beside Lu Xuan by Gu Yang, not as trained female spies but as smart courtesans from the household. Their mission, should Magistrate Wu have any significant actions, was to report back to Master Gu. They thought they would be accepted by the County Magistrate and spend their days rising and falling, singing and playing music. Instead, they found themselves dispatched here to manage the archive room. I guess Magistrate Wu already knows the intention behind Master Gu sending us here, Runner Gu replied, Think about it, Sister Qin. Which man isnt lecherous? With our looks and figures, were among the top in the Gu household. Even if Magistrate Wu is upright, he should have sampled us before dismissing us. But instead, he sent us straight here to work. This act is clearly sending a signal to Master Gu. What should we do then? Runner Qin was worried. Gus residence and the government office were at odds, and she and Little Gu were sent to the office as apology gifts by Gu Yang. Now, though Magistrate Wu had accepted the gifts, he had casually tossed them into a pile of miscellaneous items, clearly not intending to accept Gu Yangs apology. Caught between Magistrate Wu and Master Gu, they were in a difficult position. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only What else can we do? Just do whatever were supposed to, Runner Gu spread her hands. Although younger than Sister Qin by two years, she was much more decisive. Magistrate Wu told us to stay in the archive room, so we stay here. If Magistrate Wu tells us to work, we sort and organize documents here. What if Master Gu asks about it? Runner Qin inquired. If Master Gu asks, we tell the truth. Then he will surely order us to actively seduce the magistrate or someone close to him to extract information, Runner Gu explained with clear thought. At first, we can drag our feet, saying the archive room is like a cold palace, only visited by subordinates to retrieve documents, making it impossible to get close to Magistrate Wu. If Master Gu keeps asking, we can report some rumors from the government office, true or false, compiled into a report. With the right attitude, Master Gu wont say much. After all, he knows its not our lack of effort, but rather that Magistrate Wu simply ignores us. Thats all we can do, Runner Qin nodded helplessly.. Chapter 159 - Chapter 159: The Highest-End Hunters Often Appear in the Form of Prey Chapter 159: The Highest-End Hunters Often Appear in the Form of Prey Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Qingxian City, Government Office. As dusk approached, Yamen Runners Qin and Gu were summoned by the County Magistrate. It seemed like the other yamen runners in the office had finished their days work. Only Magistrate Wu and Advisor Cheng remained in the hall. Qin Fu, Gu Rong. Magistrate Wu stood behind the desk, hands clasped behind his back, calling out their names. Present. The two women responded in the manner of other yamen runners. I am currently investigating a case where a specific rouge was found at the crime scene. This rouge is sold in various rouge shops around the city, and I need to compare them to determine its source, Magistrate Lu explained, picking up a piece of paper from the desk and handing it to them. However, all the operatives in the county office are men, and its inconvenient for them to visit rouge shops without female companions. This paper lists several rouge shops in the city. I need you two to change back into womens clothing and purchase the types of rouge listed here. Qin Fu and Gu Rong exchanged glances, surprised. After a moment, Gu Rong took the paper. Alright, go now, while its still not completely dark The rouge shops will close soon, Lu Xuan instructed, gesturing dismissively. And remember, ask the shopkeepers for receipts. The office will reimburse you for the purchases. With the magistrates orders, Qin Fu and Gu Rong dared not disobey. They exchanged a glance, bowed to Lu Xuan, and then left the office together. After Qin Fu and Gu Rong left. Lu Xuan looked at Cheng Lingzhu, smiling, Lets get ready to act, Advisor. Rest assured, my lord, Cheng Lingzhu replied, smiling and bowing gracefully. Qingxian City. Qin Fu and Gu Rong walked together. This should be the last shop, Qin Fu noted, looking at a store not far away. Its getting dark, Gu Rong observed, looking up at the sky. The curfew will start soon. Dont worry, its just reached the hour of Xu (7-9 pm), theres still time before the curfew, Qin Fu calculated. The shops in the southern part of the city dont close until curfew, and since the patrolling yamen runners are from our office and know we are on a mission, we can take our time returning after the purchase. Im just worried about bad people lurking around this late, Gu Rong expressed her concern. With Oingxians protection over Qingxian City, where would such bad people come from? Qin Fu laughed. Besides, we are yamen runners of the county office. If anyone should be afraid, it should be them, not us. They had a list of six rouge shops, arranged in order of proximity to the county office. Qin Fu and Gu Rong had completed purchases from the first five and were heading to the last one. With the curfew approaching and the streets nearly deserted, the surrounding area was dark and quiet. Qin Fu quickened her pace, feeling uneasy about Gu Rongs earlier comment. Suddenly, a dark figure emerged from an alley, grabbing Qin Fus arm and trying to drag her inside. Qin Fu screamed in panic before her mouth was covered. Gu Rong, stunned at first, quickly reacted and pushed the attacker away. She and Qin Fu ran towards the other end of the alley, where some light from lanterns was visible, indicating there were people there. The shadowy figure pursued them closely as they ran desperately down the seemingly endless alley. Finally, they emerged from the alley, with the attacker following close behind. Help! Help us! Qin Fu yelled for help. Audacious thief, daring to attack innocent women at night! a voice exclaimed. The young man, holding a folding fan, commanded several men dressed as servants to apprehend the attacker. The assailant, seeing the situation turn against him, fled swiftly, evading capture. Its okay, come back! the young man ordered his men, who returned to his side. Are you two ladies alright? he asked. Thank Thank you, sir, Gu Rong replied quietly. Someone lit a lantern, allowing them to clearly see the face of their rescuer. Qin Fu was momentarily stunned: Bo Master Bo? Hm? You two know me? Bo Chang flicked his fan. Master Bo is a prominent figure in Qingxian City; of course, we recognize you, Qin Fu responded. She had seen Bo Chang at a banquet at Master Gus residence. Where do you two live? Why are you out so late on the street? Can I offer to send you home? Under the lantern light, Bo Chang examined them both one young and not fully developed, the other with a gentle face and good looks. Thank you, Master Bo, we are Qin Fu began to reply but was interrupted by Gu Rong tugging at her sleeve. They were out for an investigation, something not to be disclosed to outsiders. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only We are from the yamen, Qin Fu quickly adjusted her answer. We had just finished our duty and were planning to visit a rouge shop to buy some rouge. Women from the county office? Bo Chang looked surprised. Just doing some clerical work, organizing files and archives, Qin Fu explained. This new Magistrate Wu is truly no ordinary man, Bo Chang mused. Right, since you are here to buy rouge, theres a rouge shop nearby that Im familiar with.. Why dont we go there together? Chapter 160 - Chapter 160: The Highest-End Hunters Often Appear in the Form of Prey Chapter 160: The Highest-End Hunters Often Appear in the Form of Prey Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Bo Chang extended the invitation. This Qin Fu hesitated. After all, you two being young ladies, it would be dangerous if you encountered thieves again, Bo Chang showed consideration. Since weve met, its better to see things through as a good samaritan. Alright, thank you, Master Bo, Qin Fu, still shaken from the earlier incident, gratefully accepted. Beside them, Bo Changs steward, Bo Kai, looked at the compliant Qin Fu and Gu Rong, shaking his head slightly. He was well aware of what Bo Chang was planning. Today was the seventh day of the month, the day Bo Chang regularly visited brothels. Bo Chang himself hadnt expected to encounter a situation on the street where thieves were attempting to harm someone. Judging by their figures, both women were quite attractive. For Bo Chang, decent women were certainly more alluring than brothel courtesans. Being their savior, with power and influence, and not bad-looking either With just a little manipulation, he was certain that it wouldnt take long to win them over. The thought of them being from the county office, and potentially female yamen runners, set Bo Changs heart ablaze. In the distance. Did it work? Cheng Lingzhu removed her mask. It seems to have had some initial effect, Lu Xuan observed Bo Chang and the others. The thief who attacked Qin Fu and Gu Rong was, of course, Cheng Lingzhu in disguise. The planner of this scheme was Lu Xuan. Lu Xuan had learned from Lu Ping that Bo Chang, a notorious playboy, regularly visited brothels on specific days each month. Brothels were closed at night, and customers would enter before the curfew. Then, with the doors closed, the clients would party all night long. So Lu Xuan had sent Qin and Gu to buy rouge at this specific time. Just as Lu Xuan had predicted, when they arrived at the last rouge shop, Bo Chang appeared in a nearby street. Thus, Cheng Lingzhu, playing the role of the villain, created this chance encounter. That Night at the Bo Residence. Bo Kai, go to Lengyu Pavilion tomorrow and buy a set of hair ornaments. Have them wrapped in a gift box, Bo Chang instructed. Is this for the lady we met tonight? Bo Kai quickly deduced. Correct, Bo Chang nodded. Master, arent the hair ornaments from Lengyu Pavilion a bit too expensive? Bo Kai questioned. In his memory, the last time Bo Chang sent him to Lengyu Pavilion was to impress a courtesan. When have I ever been short of money? Bo Chang glanced at him. I told you to buy it, so just go. Yes, Bo Kai immediately shut up. Bo Chang wouldnt be angry; he knew Bo Kai was loyal and his suggestion was to save money for the Bo family. Do you know why I want to win Qin Fu over? Bo Chang asked. Is it because shes attractive? Bo Kai guessed. No, Bo Chang shook his head. Among the women Ive pursued, Qin Fu is indeed good-looking, but she hasnt captivated me that much. From the first moment he saw Qin Fu, he felt a desire to possess her. But to give such an expensive gift so soon after meeting, Bo Kai had deeper considerations. Is it because of her identity? Bo Kai pondered. A female yamen runner from the county office does that excite you? Its not that either, Bo Chang shook his head again. Then what is it? Bo Kai was perplexed. Qin Fu manages the document archives of the county office. She has access to all the case files stored there, Bo Chang narrowed his eyes. I want to know the truth behind the assassination of my father and grandfather. Master, this Bo Kai was startled upon hearing this. Ive wanted to do this for years, but I was too young then. Even if I wanted to investigate, I couldnt, Bo Chang took a deep breath. Now, it seems the time has come. Then why pursue Qin Fu and not Gu Rong? Bo Kai questioned. Gu Rong is two years younger than Qin Fu and seems easier to influence. Youre mistaken, Bo Chang corrected. That girl named Gu Rong is much more astute than Qin Fu. Shes not easy to fool. The Next Day. As Qin Fu set out from her home to clock in at the county yamen, Bo Kai, the steward of the Bo family, appeared at her door. What brings you here, Steward Bo? Gu Rong inquired. She and Qin Fu lived together, having bought a small courtyard near the yamen with the silver given by Gu Yang. Miss Qin, do you remember last night at the rouge shop, our master, due to a broken hairpin, asked you for a hair clasp? Bo Kai said. It should have been returned today, but thinking it inappropriate to return something a man has used, he instructed me to purchase a set from Lengyu Pavilion as a gift for you. Pavilion as a gift for you. He held a refined wooden box containing a complete set of hair ornaments from Lengyu Pavilion. Of course, the master also sent a gift for Miss Gu. Bo Kai produced another wooden box. A bracelet from Cuiyu Villa. I hope you like it. Accepting such valuable gifts for just a hair clasp Isnt that inappropriate? Qin Fu commented. If you dont accept it, Ill be punished upon my return, Bo Kai feigned earnestness. This is a small token from our master. Please accept it. Alright then, Qin Fu relented, taking the box. Seeing Gu Rong hesitant, she also took the other box and handed it to her. After the two women accepted the gifts, Bo Kai smiled: I wont disturb you further. Once Bo Kai left, Qin Fu opened the box and tried on the hair ornaments. Do they look good? she asked. Yes, very, Gu Rong admitted, finding them quite fitting for Qin Fu. Then Ill wear them. Lets go to the yamen, Qin Fu said confidently. Qin Sister, isnt it bad to accept gifts from Master Bo? We are sent by Gu Yang and now belong to the county magistrate, yet we accepted gifts from Master Bo Gu Rong looked at the box in her hand. Whats wrong with that? Qin Fu countered. We were sent by Gu Yang, and now were under the county magistrate, yet weve accepted gifts from Master Bo Gu Rong was confused about where to stand. Dear sister, you may be smarter than me, but when it comes to understanding men, youre not my match, Qin Fu asserted. I knew he had no good intentions when he invited us to the rouge shop yesterday. Gu Rong was taken aback and then asked, Then why did you agree to go with him? What else could I do? He saved our lives, we had to give him that much face, right? Qin Fu reasoned. Moreover Her eyes twinkled with a plan. If I didnt want any connection with him, I wouldnt have lent him my hairpin yesterday. The most cunning hunters often appear as prey. Last night, Bo Chang showed interest in her, but in fact, she was also trying to hook Bo Chang. Dear sister, think about it. Gu Yang and the county magistrate are at odds. What do we do if they clash? Caught in the middle, we might become casualties of their fight. Gu Rong fell silent, conceding to Qin Fus logic. Bo Changs timing was perfect. Were already entertainers for the Gu family, singing and dancing for someone else. Now, getting close to Bo Chang is about securing our own escape route. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Qin Fu was clear-headed. Sister Qin, what if Bo Chang asks for your help in secret, something that might harm Gu Yang or the yamen? Gu Rong inquired. What kind of help? Qin Fu asked back. Something that might be detrimental to Gu Yang or the yamen, Gu Rong explained. Ill see what his specific request is. If its too excessive, I certainly wont agree, Qin Fu replied.. Chapter 161 - Chapter 161: I Wish to Join the Sect, Do You Have Any Thoughts? Chapter 161: I Wish to Join the Sect, Do You Have Any Thoughts? Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Qingxian City, County Yamen. Looks like theres still quite a bit of silver in our yamens accounts, Lu Xuan commented, browsing through the ledger. The former magistrate, though corrupt, had never delayed the staffs wages. He wasnt particularly concerned about the small money in the treasury. Li Ming, Lu Xuan called out. Present, Li Ming responded. How are the refugees from Qinghe County doing now? Lu Xuan inquired. Reporting to you, sir, Li Ming replied, Those with money have bought homes and settled down in the western part of the city. Those without funds are living together in makeshift shelters, with some looking for work and others resorting to begging. Go to the treasury and take out some silver, Lu Xuan ordered, handing him the account book. Set up a porridge stall in the western city tomorrow and announce that the yamen is providing porridge to aid the refugees. Yes, sir, Li Ming acknowledged. He was about to leave to prepare when Lu Xuan added, For the first porridge distribution, dont prepare too much Have someone literate take down the names, places of origin, ages, and current residences of those who come for porridge. Also, make special note of those who are physically robust and keep a record. Understood, sir! Li Ming affirmed and left the yamen. Lu Xuan had other tasks for Lu Ping, who was out on duty. Now, the yamen was left with just Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu, the two in charge. What should we do next? Cheng Lingzhu asked. Of course, what a county magistrate should do, Lu Xuan replied with a smile, picking up a dossier from the table. Several cases had piled up over the past few days, and there was a stack of complaint papers on the table. He had plans in mind and had already made many preparations, just waiting for the right opportunity. Let me see, Lu Xuan picked up a complaint paper, A case of a wife accusing her husband of not paying public grain Yes, this one. Qingxian City, County Yamen, afternoon. Lu Ping, hows the investigation I assigned to you progressing? Lu Xuan asked. I Im incapable Ru Ping looked ashamed. I havent Managed to uncover anything. Dont blame yourself. The Black Lotus Sect has been operating covertly in the Great Kang Dynasty for over a hundred years, only emerging during uprisings. Its natural that their actions are secretive, Lu Xuan reassured him. Its extremely difficult to grasp the whole citys situation in just one day. Lu Xuan had tasked Lu Ping with investigating if there were any Black Lotus Sect infiltrators in the city. Given that the neighboring Qinghe County was already troubled by the sect and Qingxian City was even more prosperous, it was likely not spared. After all, the Qingxian Society, which wasnt very popular among the people, had been extorting the public for years, relying on the muscle of the three major families and the peoples fear of the Qingxian. Lu Ping bowed deeply: Please g-give m-me A few more days, I-I will definitely No need, Lu Xuan shook his head. I already have a lead on this I have another task for you. Keep an eye on Qin Fu these next few days. Note down who she meets and where she goes, and report back to me. Understood, sir! Lu Ping acknowledged. After he left, Lu Xuan picked up the complaint paper on the table: This case is quite interesting. He flicked the paper a few times: Tang MO, a wealthy merchant in the eastern city, has been frequenting brothels every night for the past two months, completely neglecting his wife Shes quite upset about it and has taken him to court. Could it be that they had a fight and Tang MO is giving his wife the cold shoulder? Cheng Lingzhu speculated. No, they were fine until two months ago. According to the complaint, which was orally recounted by Tang Mos wife, they hadnt quarreled, Lu Xuan refuted. Could it be that his wife has lost her charm, driving Tang MO to seek fresher experiences outside? Cheng Lingzhu guessed. In two months, he could have visited every brothel in the city three times. If he really had a favorite there, he could have married her directly under the Great Kang Dynastys law. As for losing charm Tang Mos wife is only thirty this year and is not unattractive. He even has several concubines. The complaint states that her husband suddenly became indifferent, showing no interest not only in her but also in his concubines, Lu Xuan explained, then added, Despite spending a lot at the brothels, his wife found more silver hidden in his study than what he took from home. Going to brothels not only without spending but also making a profit Cheng Lingzhu made a face. This person couldnt be supplementing his familys income by doing Well, that kind of work? Qingxian City had well-developed infrastructure, even boasting an alley of male companions known for their delicate looks and soft bodies. Perhaps? Lu Xuan chuckled. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He stretched lazily before adding, But I suspect that his punctual, relentless nightly outings might be for attending some sort of gathering. The Black Lotus Sect? Cheng Lingzhu was quick to catch on. Very likely, Lu Xuan nodded. When a man loses interest in women, either hes incapable, or hes found something more intriguing. Tonight, lets stake out near Tangs house and see what this Tang MO is really up to.. Chapter 162 - Chapter 162: I Wish to Join the Sect, Do You Have Any Thoughts? Chapter 162: I Wish to Join the Sect, Do You Have Any Thoughts? Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Qingxian City, Tang Residence, That Night Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu, lightly equipped, lurked near the Tang residence. Around the hour of XuO , right before the curfew, a figure left the Tang house. It was the male head of the Tang family, Tang MO, in his thirties. After a quick glance around, he hurriedly left. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu followed him through several streets and alleys. Tang MO, making several turns, arrived at a small alley before the night watchman began his rounds. This was the notorious Rabbit Alley of Qingxian City. Lu Xuan thought to himself, So he really does come here to make extra money for his family. Rabbit Alley was designed differently from the brothels. Instead of multi-story buildings with individual rooms, the alley was lined with numerous small courtyards, each partially open to the street. These courtyards were often shared by several people, allowing visitors to pick their company. Tang MO entered a secluded courtyard. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu followed suit, scaling the courtyard wall and then climbing onto the roof of the main house. They started to remove the roof tiles, revealing the scene below through a hole they made. Below was a room decorated with solemn reverence. At its center was a white jade statue of a woman with a calm and beautiful face, holding a black lotus in her hand. In front of the statue were nine lotus-shaped oil lamps, burning steadily. In front of these lamps were orderly arranged cushions, at least twenty in total, all occupied. Tang MO was among the congregation, but he had changed his attire. His brocade robe was replaced with a black cloak. Unlike the green and black uniform of the Qingxian Society, the attire of the Black Lotus Sect was black with hints of purple. The room was dimly lit, with only the nine oil lamps providing light. The gathering of figures in black cloaks was clearly no ordinary meeting. An elderly figure, presumably the leader, sat on a cushion, chanting slogans: Great calamity approaches, the heavens and earth darken, the sun and moon lose their light From the primordial chaos, the Black Lotus emerges, heralding a new era Officials oppress the people, its time for the masses to rise The rest of the followers joined in, reciting together. This session of preaching lasted about an hour. As the devout followers of the Black Lotus Sect concluded their recitations, the sect leader raised his arms high and proclaimed,Drink the sacred wine! An attendant entered the room and brought forth a jug and cups of wine. The liquid poured out was clear and transparent. Each follower drank from their cup, and the leader then commanded, Light the sacred incense! Another attendant brought out an incense burner and placed several black, nail-sized chunks into it. Once lit, wisps of blue smoke rose, filling the room. Those who had partaken in the sacred wine appeared intoxicated upon inhaling the sacred incense. Their faces showed extreme bliss, as if they were about to ascend to heaven. Observing these people both drinking and inhaling substances, Lu Xuan realized how the Black Lotus Sect ensnared its followers. No wonder Tang MO hadnt touched his wife for two months, preferring these gatherings instead. The entire process of consuming the sacred wine and inhaling the sacred incense took about an hour. Both the wine and incense contained some kind of drug, as evidenced by the participants pale faces, bloodshot eyes, and an overall exhilarated demeanor. After the event concluded, the sect leader began assigning tasks, mainly focusing on spreading the doctrine and recruiting new members. Notably, the infiltration of the Black Lotus Sect in Qingxian City began from the upper echelons and progressed slowly. The attendees of these gatherings were either young landlords or wealthy merchants. The Black Lotus Sects recruitment strategy was straightforward: promising equality to the common folk and power to the wealthy. They showcased the worlds injustices to the commoners, promising equality and fairness under the Black Lotus doctrine to win their hearts and incite rebellion. To the landlords and merchants, they promised the preservation of most of their wealth and even government positions post-rebellion, in exchange for financial contributions to the rebel cause. With turmoil spreading across the Kang Dynasty and the neighboring Qinghe County already overrun, the wealthy of Qingxian City joined the sect, half-coerced and half-willingly, out of fear and desperation. These new, younger recruits brought a certain vigor to the sect. Rather than waiting for their doom, they joined proactively, seeing it as an opportunity to change their destinies. Importantly, many of Qingxian Citys wealthy had close ties to the three major families or were core members of the Qingxian Society. However, they were opportunists, ready to sway with the wind. As dawn approached, the Black Lotus gathering ended. The followers, under the cover of darkness, quietly dispersed. Tang MO, with his head down, barely stepped out of the alley when he was suddenly struck unconscious from behind with a blunt object. Qingxian City, Yamen, The Next Day, Noon. Two figures arrived at the Rabbit Alley. The secluded courtyard was shut tight. Lu Xuan used a knife to pick the lock, and he and Cheng Lingzhu confidently walked in. A Rabbit Gentleman guarding the door approached to investigate the noise but was quickly knocked unconscious by Lu Xuans swift strike. Lu Xuan kicked open the door of the main building, where three members of the Black Lotus Sect were eating and drinking. One of them, a burly man, reacted quickly, reaching for his knife. Lu Xuan struck his wrist with the flat of his blade, causing excruciating pain and rendering the man unable to continue his attack. Lu Xuan casually sat down, placing his blade against the neck of the leader, a middle-aged man. What brings you two here? the middle-aged man asked, attempting to maintain his composure. Your name? Lu Xuan demanded. Qian Chong, the man replied. And your role? Lu Xuan probed further. I make my living in this alley Qian Chong started to explain. Im asking about your role in the Black Lotus Sect, Lu Xuan clarified, tapping his neck with the blade. You You already know? Qian Chong glanced at the blade on his neck and slightly shifted his head away. Lu Xuan didnt waste any more words. Cheng Lingzhu gave him a meaningful glance and opened a cloth bag she had been carrying. Inside was an official seal. I am the County Magistrate of Qingxian City, Wu Bangde, Lu Xuan announced. Qian Chongs eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of the official seal. Surely you jest, he muttered. Do you think I dont look the part? Lu Xuan asked, tilting his chin up. Of course not, of course not Qian Chong hastily replied, now convinced of Lu Xuans identity. He thought to himself that if Lu Xuan had claimed to be a bandit, it wouldnt have seemed as convincing. But how did the County Magistrate learn of our location? Qian Chong wondered. He had seen Wu Bangde presiding over court cases and recognized him as the County Magistrate of Qingxian City. A woman reported her husbands nightly absences were straining their marriage, so I apprehended him for questioning, Lu Xuan explained. I expected a domestic issue but ended up uncovering a nest of the Black Lotus Sect. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only So thats how we were exposed, Qian Chong realized. He then calmly added, To answer your question, sir, I am a subordinate of a commander in the sect, sent here to spread our doctrine and find like-minded brethren What instructions do you have for me today? Qian Chong was quick-witted and adaptive, qualities necessary for his undercover work. Since the County Magistrate hadnt brought official forces and had visited in disguise, he clearly wasnt here to eradicate the sect members. But what does the County Magistrate intend to do?, Qian Chong wondered. Lu Xuan replied calmly, I want to join the sect. What do you think? Chapter 163 - Chapter 163: Lu Xuan Rebels, Qin Fu Steals Books Chapter 163: Lu Xuan Rebels, Qin Fu Steals Books Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Qian Chong was utterly baffled by Lu Xuans declaration. Join the sect? The Black Lotus Sect? But that was a seditious group, openly defying the imperial court and inciting rebellions across the land. And now, a respected county magistrate was expressing a desire to join them Does this mean that he was planning a rebellion? Qian Chong, thoroughly perplexed, reflexively said, My lord, as the saying goes, He who takes the emperors grain should serve the emperor loyally Am I the rebel or are you the rebel?! Lu Xuan pressed the blade against Qian Chongs neck, clearly irritated. Qian Chong fell silent, realizing the irony in his own words. Hed been in Qingxian City for a while, operating discreetly with only a few guards, using Rabbit Alley as a base for seeking followers and spreading the sects teachings. Upon reflection, Qian Chong acknowledged that beyond nightly gatherings and preaching, he hadnt actually committed any acts of rebellion or sabotage. And here was Wu Bangde, the County Magistrate, brazenly storming into his secret teaching location, blade to his neck, casually inquiring about leading a rebellion. For a brief moment, Qian Chong felt like a law-abiding citizen, whereas Wu Bangde was a heretic of the Black Lotus Sect. If the lord wishes to join the sect, we would naturally welcome him Qian Chong regained his composure and refocused his thoughts. And what position could I expect if I joined your Black Lotus Sect? Lu Xuan cut to the chase, demanding benefits. Qian Chong hesitated, Given your status, sir, becoming a Commander Should be no issue. Just a Commander? Lu Xuan sounded dissatisfied. My lord is unaware, Qian Chong explained, In our sect, a leader capable of overthrowing a county is called a Commander. Higher ranks are reserved for those controlling state-level operations. An official from the Da Kang government proactively joining the Black Lotus Sect was not unheard of, but it was extremely rare. Normally, one would wait and see how the situation unfolds, considering defection only when the citys fall was imminent. This was Qian Chongs first encounter with someone so eager to rebel. Qian Chong, stunned by Lu Xuans words, quickly added, Of course, thats just your current rank, my lord. Once the great plan is accomplished, with your ambition, serving as a high-ranking official would be no problem. Lu Xuans expression softened slightly upon hearing this. He then inquired, Are there any requirements for joining your Black Lotus Sect? Qian Chong thought for a moment: True faith is required to join our sect. To become a genuine disciple, one must undergo some trials. For the first three days before joining, you must abstain from alcohol; for the first thirty days, abstain from meat; and for the first three months, abstain from sexual relations Such stringent rules and precepts, your sect sounds like a monastery, Lu Xuan frowned. Qian Chong hastily replied, But these are requirements for the lower ranks. With your status, my lord, joining our sect is naturally sincere and does not require following these rules. Thats more like it, Lu Xuan nodded. But how dare you target Qingxian City? Dont forget, this city is controlled by the Qingxian Society, and they wont allow you to preach here. The Qingxian entity is but a mere wild deity, Qian Chong shook his head with disdain for the snake god worshipped by the ignorant masses. How can it compare to our Black Lotus Sect? Moreover, the Qingxian Societys governance is flawed, relying solely on military force and oppression. The publics grievances, once ignited, will blaze into a mighty fire that will consume the Qingxian Society. Lu Xuan was slightly surprised by Qian Chongs keen understanding of Qingxian Citys situation. So, according to you, Brother Qian, how should this fire be kindled? Lu Xuan put down his knife. The Qingxian Societys military dominance over the city is unwavering, with five hundred elite soldiers and the commanders all from the Society. Besides, they have private troops, over six hundred strong, not to mention the servants and young men of each household Qian Chong pondered for a moment before asking, May I ask how many men you have under your command, my lord? Seventy yamen runners in total, thirty of whom are from the three major families, Lu Xuan replied nonchalantly. In truth, there were probably more people doing tasks for the yamen, as per the custom of the Great Kang yamens, where each runner would recruit several assistants. Normally, including runners and assistants, there would be around three to four hundred people. However, Lu Xuan chose not to count these auxiliary personnel. Qian Chong fell silent for a long time before finally managing to say, My lord, you truly stand apart from the world. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He realized that Wu Bangde was virtually alone. Besides his title as the county magistrate, he had nothing else. No wonder this man sought to join the sect As Qian Chong pondered, recalling the recent conflicts between the county magistrate and the Gu family, he asked, So, Brother Qian, do you not have a solution? Lu Xuan picked up the knife again. Hold on, my lord, hold on, Qian Chong quickly interjected.. Chapter 164 - Chapter 164: Lu Xuan Rebels, Qin Fu Steals Books Chapter 164: Lu Xuan Rebels, Qin Fu Steals Books Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Qian Chong hastily intervened: A solution of course, there is one. My Black Lotus Sect can dispatch five hundred elite troops. Only five hundred? Lu Xuan looked at him. These five hundred are the elite of my sect, capable of defeating the Great Kang Dynastys official soldiers in battle. They will wait outside the city, and once the time is right, you open the city gates, and my brothers will rush in, Qian Chong explained. Lu Xuan nodded slightly, listening as Qian Chong continued, As for inside the city, I can also muster a group of followers. These wealthy households all have servants and workers. While they may not be the main force, they can still stand against the Qingxian Societys men to some extent. Leave the matter of rallying the public and overthrowing the three major families to me, Lu Xuan said crisply. The matter of my joining the sect is significant, and the power to mobilize troops is not in my hands. Please allow me to write a secret letter to contact my superiors, Qian Chong requested. Granted, Lu Xuan agreed. At Qian Chongs signal, his subordinate brought a sheet of paper with a special pattern and prepared the ink. Qian Chong thought for a moment and then wrote swiftly. Within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the secret letter was ready. After writing the letter in front of Lu Xuan, Qian Chong handed it to him for review. Lu Xuan thought for a moment and stamped his official seal on it. Brother Qian has been honest with me, and I shall not be insincere in return, Lu Xuan said, handing the sealed letter back to Qian Chong. This is my gesture of sincerity. An official seal like this could only be used by a county magistrate. To Qian Chong, Lu Xuans act of stamping his seal on the paper was like handing over evidence of his rebellion to him. It seemed that the Qingxian City Magistrate was determined to join the Black Lotus Sect. Qian Chong thought to himself. Qingxian City, County Yamen. Lord, Lu Ping reported, Qin Fu Met with Bo Chang today. I know, Lu Xuan nodded. Keep monitoring them, but dont let them notice. Yes, my lord, Lu Ping acknowledged and withdrew. Li Ming, Lu Xuan called. Lord, I am here. How did the porridge distribution go? Everything went smoothly, Li Ming replied. There were many refugees lining up. In just an hour, all the porridge prepared this morning was distributed. How are the physical conditions of the refugees in the west of the city? Those who managed to escape to our Qingxian City are generally in good health, not much different from ordinary people. Good. Continue distributing porridge tomorrow. The county can afford this expense. Yes. Three days later. Lu Ping reported: Lord, Qin Fu didnt return home last night. Theyre progressing faster than expected, Lu Xuan was satisfied. Theres no need to monitor her anymore. Yes. Li Ming. I am here, Lord. Post a notice tomorrow, recruiting able-bodied men in the west of the city. Set up a large cauldron next to the porridge stall, and those who sign up will get meat. Lu Xuan instructed: Then tell them that after enlisting, they can eat meat every day and will receive a monthly salary Make sure to screen the applicants, we dont want those with weak physiques. Yes. Li Ming received the order and hesitated for a moment before adding: Lord, daily porridge distribution is something our county treasury can sustain for a while, but recruiting militia and forming troops Just recruit the people. As for the military expenses someone else will foot the bill for us. Yes! Two Days Later. In the afternoon of that day, at dusk. In the yamen warehouse. Sister Qin, lets go home, Gu Rong stretched and began to pack up. These days, she had become accustomed to her daily routine of signing in and managing documents in the yamen warehouse. Um, you go ahead, Qin Fu blinked her eyes. I I wont be coming home tonight. Going to see your Master Bo again? Gu Rong deliberately emphasized the your. Go on, go on, Qin Fu laughed and lightly hit her. What are you talking about, your and mine? Thats for the grown-ups to worry about, not kids like you. Ah, ever since you got a man, youve been drifting away from your sisters, Gu Rong sighed heavily. After all, a sister can only warm you with words, but a man Okay, enough, Qin Fu knew she was about to make another inappropriate remark and quickly interrupted her. Hurry up and go back, its almost curfew. Sister Qin, Gu Rong straightened up. Jokes aside, Master Bo of the Bo family is not someone you can rely on I know that, Qin Fu smiled lightly, unclasping a pendant from her neck. The jade pendant had a smooth texture and exquisite carving. Lengyu Pavilion product, worth three hundred silver taels, Qin Fu shook the pendant. Hes not serious, and neither am I Do you think Im foolish? Relieved, Gu Rong replied, As long as thats the case, Ill head back first. Sigh, Ill be alone in an empty room again tonight Go on, go on, Qin Fu pushed her back, somewhat irritated. Hurry up and leave, dont delay my important business. Once Gu Rong left, Qin Fus smile gradually faded. She looked around, lit an oil lamp, and closed the warehouse door. She had urged Gu Rong to leave quickly because she had her own plans. That morning, Bo Chang had given her the pendant. Then Bo Chang made a request to Qin Fu To help him find a dossier from five years ago. Only then did Qin Fu realize why he had approached her. However, she did not hesitate for long. Bo Chang approached her with a purpose, and she did not give him her true feelings. Both parties were taking what they needed; a single dossier was a good deal. Although taking a sealed dossier from the yamen was a violation of the Great Kang Dynastys law, Qin Fu thought it was not a big problem. An old case from five years ago, stored in the warehouse, was of no concern to anyone. Qin Fu walked among the wooden shelves, holding the oil lamp. She had mastered the method of dossier classification during this time. That morning, Bo Chang had also told Qin Fu the information about the dossier he was looking for. In less than the time it took to burn an incense stick, Qin Fu found what she was looking for. The dossier was placed in the middle of a wooden shelf, easily reachable by Qin Fus height. After confirming it again, she wrapped the dossier in her clothes and quietly left the yamen. But she didnt know that two figures were silently watching her from an alley outside the yamen. Bo Residence. Indeed, indeed After reading the dossier brought by Qin Fu, Bo Changs expression fluctuated. My grandfather and father were killed by that beast, Gu Yang! He smashed a cup on the ground. The dossier stated that the cause of death for the old master of the Bo family was an encounter with bandits outside the city, resulting in the annihilation of the entire convoy. However, several pieces of evidence found at the scene pointed to the Gu family. The dossiers pages were yellowed and incomplete, with the last few pages torn off and replaced. Bo Chang knew that the previous county magistrate must have been unwilling to offend Gu Yang, so he blamed the incident on bandits and covered it up. The death of his father and grandfather had always been a dark shadow in Bo Changs heart. He had always wanted to investigate the truth, but at that time, Bo Chang was just a young man, not yet in control of the Bo family, and powerless to investigate. As the biggest beneficiary after the assassination of the old master of the Bo family, Gu Yang had always been on Bo Changs list of suspects. Today, this suspicion was confirmed. Bo Chang thought of many things, not only the revenge for his fathers death but also the future of the entire Bo family. When the old master of the Bo family passed away, someone from the Bo family should have stepped in to take over the position of the head of the Qingxian Society, but it was vetoed by Gu Yang. Given his way of doing things, Gu Yang probably wouldnt return those five years to the Bo family. Bo Chang was furious, but his anger did not last long. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He took several deep breaths to calm himself. The Gu family was powerful, and confronting Gu Yang head-on would cost the entire Bo family a great deal. Bo Chang knew he had to find an ally to cooperate with. Whom to find? After much thought, Bo Chang finally made up his mind.. Chapter 167 - Chapter 167: What Is This? A Confession Before the Battle? Chapter 167: What Is This? A Confession Before the Battle? Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Three days later, in the early morning at the Qingxian City yamen. Report! Li Ming hurried in and made his report. Reporting to the magistrate, the brothers in charge of surveillance have sent news. The Qingxian Society is selling something called indulgence tickets Its the people under Bo Chang. I know. Lu Xuan nodded with a smile, Thats good. The idea of sin redemption tickets was Lu Xuans suggestion to Bo Chang. He was guiding Bo Chang to initiate a religious reform. The main content was to transform the oppressive and intimidating Qingxian Society into a harmless religion that controls believers mentally, leading them to voluntarily offer their devotion. This was a tactic of the Black Lotus Sect. Bo Chang propagated that buying these indulgence tickets was an offering to Qingxian. Your life is miserable because of sins in your past life, which you need to redeem in this life. This concept incorporated many ideas of reincarnation C buying the tickets would lead to a better life in the next incarnation, primarily promoting the notion of spending money for safety and peace. To ensure a coherent and meticulous logic, Lu Xuan had fabricated numerous myths, forming a relatively complete religious system. He also added several layers of complexity to Qingxian, portraying it as the incarnation of a powerful deity. Bo Chang spent three days promoting this, and today he finally began to reap the benefits from the believers. If this religious reform were successful, it would definitely be a great progress. However, Lu Xuan didnt intend to let it succeed. His aim was to intensify the conflict between the Bo and Gu families and to split the Qingxian Society. The main target of the indulgence tickets were the commoners in the city, who were also the primary group offering tributes to Qingxian during the Qingxian Festival. Theres only so much money in the hands of the common people; if Bo Chang got more, Gu Yang would get less. The conflict between the two was inevitable. Now, another rumor quietly spread in Qingxian City The true incarnation of Qingxian would have eight scales on its left shoulder. However, most of the Qingxian statues in the city only had five. Once this news spread, many citizens went home to check. Indeed, most of the Qingxian statues had only five scales on the shoulder, while only some old statues had eight. Thus, a debate arose: some claimed that the true deity had eight scales, and the five-scaled ones were false gods impersonating the true deity to usurp its authority. Others argued that the five-scaled Qingxian was the true one, and the eight-scaled figures were foreign imposters trying to deceive the faithful. Some people chose sides for their own benefit, while others firmly believed in the Qingxian they worshiped. Gradually, two factions formed within Qingxian Citys faith: the Five-Scale Sect and the Eight-Scale Sect. As for the reason The Qingxian statues, all made by craftsmen from the Qingxian Society. Originally, the Qingxian statues did have eight scales. But later, when the old master craftsmen died, their apprentices took over, cutting corners by carving only five scales. Over generations, the new Qingxian statues all came to have only five scales. Is the training ground ready? Lu Xuan asked. Replying to the magistrate. Li Ming replied steadily, Its all arranged. According to your instructions, we mixed strong and weak men and sent them out of the city. Once they left the city, they were reorganized according to the roster, sent to different locations. The weak and elderly went to a place three miles east of Qingxian City for training, while the young and strong went to a canyon five miles south. The people in charge were all carefully selected by you, ensuring no leaks. Good. Lu Xuan nodded slightly. I ordered a batch of armor, which will arrive tomorrow afternoon. We need to go outside the city for the transaction At that time, select some men to accompany me. Yes, my lord. Evening. At the magistrates residence. The Gu, He, and Bo families gathered together. Gentlemen, the matter of organizing the militia has been scheduled. According to my plan, this thousand-man troop shall be led by our four parties. Lu Xuan looked at the three men before him: As the Commandant of Qingxian City, I will lead three hundred men Any objections? Of course not. The three men replied in unison. The remaining seven hundred places can be freely distributed among you. Lu Xuan said with a smile, However, organizing the militia is quite expensive, and you all need to contribute some funds. How much? Bo Cang asked. Ten thousand silver taels for every hundred men. Lu Xuan said amicably. Upon hearing this, He Youde, the head of the He family, gasped in shock. Sir, isnt that price a bit steep? He Youde remarked. This is for the safety of Qingxian City. Lu Xuan said sincerely. He Youde inwardly cursed him as an old fox. This was clearly a ploy to extract benefits under the guise of Qingxian Citys safety. He had sent people to scout the recruitment at the yamen. His men reported that Wu Bangde was only picking worthless candidates. Initially skeptical, He Youde changed his mind after witnessing the scene himself. The rich families of Qingxian City, to minimize their taxes, sent mostly older men, whose frail bodies couldnt withstand rigorous training. The yamen, having accepted them, dared not train them harshly and had to take good care of them. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The wealthy who had prospered in Qingxian City were all connected to the Qingxian Society and were familiar with the practice of returning all to the local gentry and sharing three-sevenths with the common people. It was clear to any astute observer that this was a scheme by the magistrate and the three big families to fleece the rich. In other words, there was no real intention to fight a battle. When the scythe of exploitation reached them, the only option for the wealthy, besides paying up, was to hope their elderly could eat more and heavily exploit the magistrates generosity. After all, it was their money being spent.. Chapter 168 - Chapter 168: What Is This? A Confession Before the Battle? Chapter 168: What Is This? A Confession Before the Battle? Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation He Youde was struck by the magistrates cunning and methods. Direct exploitation would have faced resistance from the wealthy, but the promise of reduced taxes in exchange for enlistment swayed many. He didnt expect that today, he himself would be the target of the magistrates shearing. Bo Chang, on the other hand, was straightforward. Ill contribute thirty thousand taels. That amount covered the cost for three hundred men. Now four hundred slots remained. He Youde and Gu Yang exchanged looks, knowing they had to spend as well. He Youde sighed and said, Ill sponsor two hundred men. He consoled himself, it was only twenty thousand silver taels. He believed he would recoup this investment when the profits were divided. The next afternoon. The magistrates carriage was ambushed halfway out of the city by the Black Lotus cultists. They barely escaped back to the city, losing the one hundred thousand taels of silver meant for purchasing weapons, and many yamen runners died in the incident, most of them connected to the Bo family. When this news spread in the city, Bo Chang was surprisingly calm. He knew who was behind it. After implementing the indulgence tickets, Gu Yang couldnt sit still anymore. That very night, Bo Chang sent one hundred thousand taels of silver to the yamen openly and ostentatiously. When passing by the Gu residence, Bo Kai, driving the carriage, rang the bronze gong thunderously. As the Qingxian Festival approached, both parties cared less about maintaining a facade of peace. Gu Yang stood at the entrance of the Gu residence, smirking coldly. The afternoons Black Lotus Sect incident was planned with the magistrate. Now, it seemed Bo Chang had fallen into the trap. Whatever indulgence tickets you sell, Bo family, youll have to spit it all back out to me! Gu Yang thought fiercely. The next day, a shipment of equipment arrived in the city. This time, the yamen didnt go out to purchase it, but had the seller deliver it to the city gate. In the Great Kang Dynasty, those daring to sell swords, bows, armors were no ordinary forces. He Youde sent spies to investigate. After seeing the quality of the equipment, they were astonished. Reporting back, they said the magistrate must have contacted tomb raiders, unearthing antiques from a generals grave. The long swords were muddy, and the armors were covered in green rust. Wearing them at night might make people think they were ghost soldiers. He Youde sent people to the outskirts to see how the magistrates troops were training. The spy reported back that there were no soldiers, only old men leaning on walking sticks, chatting under the trees. When tired of chatting, they went out to bask in the sun. A few younger ones, looking frail, bragged about their exploits in brothels to their officers. The officer in charge, an old hand himself, joined them in sunbathing and gossiping. The whole troop was exceedingly slack. At this point, He Youde realized the truth. It seemed the magistrate truly had no intention of training troops. He Youde originally thought the magistrate would take at least half of the funds. But he was wrong. Because the magistrate took a hundred percent. Three days later. At the yamen. Sir, this is the third conflict today. Li Ming reported, Recently, the tensions between the Five-Scale Sect and the Eight-Scale Sect have intensified Sir, what should we do? Lu Xuan, hearing this, was quite satisfied, Of course, we continue to fan the flames. The faith within Qingxian City had gradually split into two major forces. One was the Eight-Scale Sect led by the Bo family, claiming they were the true followers of Qingxian, branding the Five-scale Sect as heretical. The other was the Five-Scale Sect led by the Gu family, regarding the Eight-Scale Sect as demonic outsiders trying to usurp Qingxians authority. Currently, due to the Gu familys larger influence, the Five-scale Sect was prevailing. However, over time, with a complete religious system and the influence of indulgence tickets, the Eight-Scale Sects followers were growing. The Eight-Scale Sect didnt intimidate believers; they believed Qingxian was majestic yet gentle. Just by spending a small amount of money on an indulgence ticket, one could absolve a large part of their sins. Compared to the Five-Scale Sect, at least for now, the Eight-Scale Sects exploitation was much less. As for the recent conflicts, they were fueled by Lu Xuans instigation. It was said that Gu Feng, the Gu familys steward, was beaten by Bo Kai, the Bo familys steward, just as he was recovering from a previous injury. Though Bo Kai claimed to suppress the Five-Scale demons, everyone knew the personal grudges between the families were at play. Seven days later. At the Qingxian City magistrates residence. Two figures sat on the rooftop. Tomorrow marks the opening of the Qingxian Festival. Cheng Lingzhu leaned into Lu Xuans embrace. Yes, and its time to end this. Lu Xuan wrapped his arms around her and asked, What do you think Is this Qingxian City real or an illusion? Cheng Lingzhu looked up at the moon upon hearing this. They had been brought to this place by the Nine Heavens Map, living here for nearly half a month. Everything around them, the environment, the people, felt incredibly real. Lu Xuan picked up a broken tile, examining it closely. In fact, he had speculated about the citys true nature before uttering those words. At his feet, a little fox looked up, nuzzled him twice, then leapt lightly onto his shoulder. Lu Xuan looked towards the distant streets. The lights were bright, filled with a lively atmosphere. To welcome the Qingxian Festival, according to tradition, every household placed oil lamps at their doors. By tomorrow night, with the curfew lifted, the city would be even livelier. For me, this being real or an illusion doesnt matter as much. Cheng Lingzhu thought for a long time, then wrapped her arms around him, Having you by my side is all that matters. Is this a confession before battle? Lu Xuan laughed. When have I ever not been like this? Cheng Lingzhu buried her face in his chest, nuzzling affectionately. Lu Xuan noticed a faint blush spreading to her ears. Hmm if Im like this every day, wont you get tired of it? Cheng Lingzhu suddenly looked up. After all, in a way, they were an old married couple. Constant affection might bring the seven-year itch sooner. Of course not. Lu Xuan thought for a moment, Hmm Lets increase the dosage. Really? Cheng Lingzhu blinked. Of course. Lu Xuan said earnestly, My wife is so lovely, I could never tire of her. Cheng Lingzhu hummed sweetly, hugging his neck, kissing his lips. After a long while, they parted. Lu Xuan reached out, wiping her lips. They sat quietly for a while before Cheng Lingzhu spoke up, Without the Qingxian Society, the people here would probably live well. She gazed at the distant lights. Without the Qingxian Society, theres still the Black Lotus Sect, the Great Kang Dynasty Lu Xuan sighed, It seems this trial was set up by our predecessor to let us learn something. Hmm. Cheng Lingzhu nodded gently. By the way, Ive been performing quite well these days, havent I? Lu Xuan asked. Hmm From an observers perspective, manipulating so many forces, using your advantages, developing amidst multiple parties, finding opportunities Youve been quite impressive. Cheng Lingzhu replied. An observers perspective? Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow, What about other perspectives? Other perspectives Are of course from my point of view. Cheng Lingzhu smiled, tilting her chin, Gu Yang, the Black Lotus Sect, Bo Chang, He Youde Youve fooled them all. I didnt know you were so good at deceiving. Ive never lied to you. Lu Xuan said with integrity. Really? Cheng Lingzhu gazed into his eyes. Okay, Ive lied a few times. Lu Xuan admitted, But one thing Ive always meant sincerely. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Which is? Cheng Lingzhu blinked. Just as Lu Xuan was about to speak, the sound of a night watchmans gong echoed from the street. Ah, its time to act. Lu Xuan blinked, I can say that next time.. Chapter 169 - Chapter 169: Lu Xuan: A Righteous Backstab, Punk! Chapter 169: Lu Xuan: A Righteous Backstab, Punk! Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation In Qingxian City. At the Bo residence. The backyard was brightly lit. The time has come, prepare to move! Bo Kais face was stern. Before him stood hundreds of guards, all with long swords at their waists, arrayed in neat rows. Yes! The men replied in hushed voices. These were the best chosen by Bo Kai. Though not exactly die-hard loyalists, they were extremely devoted to the Bo family. They had been trained by the martial arts instructor of the household for half a month and had acquired some combat abilities. Tonight, they planned to launch a surprise attack on the Gu residence, catching Gu Yang off guard. The back gate of the residence opened, and under Bo Kais lead, the men quietly left the Bo estate. Simultaneously. At the Gu residence. In the courtyard. A figure entered and bowed to Gu Yang, Master Gu, Bo Chang has started to move. This man of average height, with bright eyes, was none other than Li Ming, the chief runner from the yamen. Good, thank you, sir. Gu Yang nodded, As Wu Bangde predicted, Bo Chang chose tonight to act But he certainly didnt anticipate that Ive already prepared! Bo Chang is arrogant and has pushed me too far. Tonight, the Bo family will be Eradicated from Qingxian City! At Gu Yangs command, hundreds of guards filed out. Gu Yang did not accompany them to the Bo residence. Half a cup of teas time later. Another figure appeared. Master. A man dressed in black and blue stepped forward, speaking in a low voice, The brothers from the Qingxian Society have arrived. Good. Gu Yangs eyes shone with determination, What about the city guards? Theyve already departed for the Bo residence. The man responded. Excellent. A murderous intent surfaced in Gu Yangs eyes, With the right time, location, and people Begin taking action! Yes! The man in black responded. There were four hundred guards from the residence, two hundred enforcers from the Qingxian Society, and two hundred city guards. These eight hundred men, unlike ordinary martial citizens, were well-trained and represented Gu Yangs elite force. Gu Yang had a plan for tonights operation. It was the hour of Yin. From midnight until dawn. The duty of guarding the city gates was with the Bo familys men. Gu Yang had already sent spies to scout ahead. The batch of guards on duty tonight had been switched out, not Bo familys elite, but likely servants in disguise. From this, Gu Yang deduced that the Bo family had fully committed to this operation. But Gu Yang was not worried. The Gu familys strength was inherently stronger than the Bo familys, and they were better prepared this time. With the prepared taking on the unprepared, once the Bo family lost the advantage of a sneak attack, and both sides forces were laid bare, Bo Chang would stand no chance of winning. CrackI A head flew off, soaring through the air. Warm blood splattered across Bo Kais face. In an alley near the Gu residence, they encountered an ambush from the Gu family. The Gu family had prepared in advance and launched the first attack. A volley of arrows struck down a row of Bo family men. However, the alleys complex layout allowed the Bo guards to quickly retreat and navigate through different paths. The Bo men also had crossbows and retaliated from the shadows. Once the arrows on both sides were nearly depleted, it turned into close-quarters combat. People kept dying, and more kept joining the fight The elite from the Qingxian Society and the city guards controlled by both families arrived at the battlefield. Including various household servants and militia, the total number of combatants had surpassed two thousand. But this number was rapidly decreasing. Sweat, blood, screams Blunted weapons, sticky blood, and mutilated corpses Both sides were blinded by rage. Wheres the reinforcement?! Why hasnt it arrived yet! Bo Kai wiped the blood off his face, cutting down a Gu family guard. But he too was slashed across the shoulder by a long sword. At this moment, both sides were nearing exhaustion. Just then, cries of battle approached from a distance. Reinforcements arrived, led by a man on a tall horse. Behind him, nearly a thousand soldiers charged towards the area. Bo Kais spirit lifted as he barked, Attack! The arrival of reinforcements greatly boosted the morale of the Bo side. The horseman quickly reached the scene. But unexpectedly, he swung his long sword forcefully down. What fell to the ground was Bo Kais own head. Leave none alive! The newcomers tone was icy cold. His targets were both the Bo and Gu families. In Qingxian City. At the He residence. He Youde lay on a rattan chair, enjoying the services of three concubines. One massaged his shoulders, another rubbed his legs, and a third fed him dried fruits. Master seems very happy today? A concubine asked sweetly. Heh, the master is happy every day, but today Im especially joyful. He Youde, listening to the distant faint sounds of battle, found them extremely pleasing. He said with a smile: Our dear Magistrate is truly a remarkable man. What do you mean, master? A concubine asked. Ah, you wouldnt understand. He Youde waved his hand, But since you three made me so comfortable today, go to the accounting room tomorrow and collect your reward. The faces of the three concubines brightened up immediately. He Youdes generosity tonight was, of course, for a reason. Three nights ago, two carriages arrived at the He residence. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only These carriages had come from the yamen. They carried a total of one hundred thousand taels of silver. The driver was Lu Ping from the yamen. He brought a secret letter. The letter was written by the Magistrate, and its content was straightforward.. Chapter 170 - Chapter 170: Lu Xuan: A Righteous Backstab, Punk! Chapter 170: Lu Xuan: A Righteous Backstab, Punk! Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Lu Xuan invited He Youde to join forces with him to deal with the other two major families. This secret letter was a gamble. If He Youde chose to use this letter to expose Lu Xuan to the other two family heads, all of Lu Xuans previous arrangements and efforts would be nullified, leading to a complete loss. However, Lu Xuan believed he wouldnt lose this bet. After all, taking advantage of the mutual destruction of the Gu and Bo families and reaping the benefits as the sole ruler of Qingxian City This temptation was simply too lethal for He Youde. After much deliberation, He Youde finally agreed to Lu Xuans request to form an alliance. However, having seen Lu Xuan calculate against Gu Yang and then Bo Kai, He Youde did not trust him completely. Despite numerous previous surveillances, he suspected that Lu Xuan might have an army outside the city. Therefore, He Youde took precautions. Tonight, he sent out his trusted men to Qingxian Citys gate. He Youde planned to eliminate all of Bo familys city guards and replace them with his own men. By controlling the city gates, even if the Magistrate really had troops stationed outside, they would be powerless against him. At the Qingxian City gate. A troop of men, fully armed, arrived at the back of the city tower. Who goes there?! The city gate officer demanded. Brothers from the Bo family. The leader from the He family replied, Our master has joined forces with Master Bo to eradicate the traitors of the Gu family. The battle is urgent, and we need to support them immediately. Its He familys men. The city gate officer nodded and called out, Men! Instantly, many soldiers flooded the city gate tower. With a wave of his hand, the officer commanded: Fire arrows! A volley of arrows rained down from above, catching He familys men off guard, and many were immediately turned into pincushions. These men were from the Black Lotus Sect. In the past few days, they had infiltrated the city, capturing the city gate early tonight and donning the armor of the Bo family men. Qian Chong, disguised as a city defense officer, drew his sword and yelled, Attack! An hour later. In Qingxian City, at the central square. Dawn had yet to break, and the city was still immersed in darkness, but the square was brightly lit. He Youdes guards had surrounded the area, holding torches. At the very center of the square, two figures knelt. A sedan chair arrived at the scene. He Youde stepped down from the sedan and looked at the two familiar faces in front of him, saying with a smile, Two family heads, long time no see, eh? Shameless! Bo Chang spat viciously. When He Youdes men broke into his residence, killed the guards left behind, and brought him here, Bo Chang and Gu Yang knew what had happened. They thought they were outsmarting each other, but in reality, they were both sold out by the Magistrate. That word shameless should not be used to describe me. The usually hot-tempered He Youde was in a jolly mood, The real shameless one should be our dear Wu Bangde. He Youde. Gu Yang raised his head and spat, Wu is cunning and treacherous. By cooperating with him, youre courting disaster! Our fate today will be yours tomorrow! Do you think I am as foolish as you two? He Youde sneered, The only entrance and exit of Qingxian City is under my control. As long as the city gate stands, no outsiders can enter. Wu Bangde has neither soldiers nor people. How can he contend with me? If hes wise, hell listen to me obediently. If he dares to be reckless, replacing a Magistrate isnt a big deal Ive done it more than once in the past. Youre too overconfident. Gu Yang chuckled coldly. At that moment, a commotion arose behind He Youde. He frowned and turned around. A troop of over fifteen hundred well-equipped soldiers was rapidly approaching. Leading them was a middle-aged man in official robes, riding a magnificent horse, followed by a scholar with a fair complexion, a stout man, a lean man, and a middle-aged man in unusual attire. How could you be here?! He Youdes face changed instantly. He was shocked not by the Magistrates presence, but by the elite army following him. How could I not be here? Lu Xuan stopped three Zhang away. You, you Youve even colluded with the Black Lotus Sect! He Youde exclaimed. He noticed the man in unusual attire, wearing clothing characteristic of the Black Lotus Sect. Hev, hev, hev, what Black Lotus Sect, dont falselv accuse us. Qian Chong, dressed in the attire of a Black Lotus emissary, expressed his discontent, Weve abandoned the darkness and now follow Wu Bangde, specifically to suppress you evil ones. An hour before, a thousand-strong army had arrived at the gates of Qingxian City. Qian Chong happily opened the gates and then took the army to find Lu Xuan. Upon meeting, he was captured by the Magistrate. Lu Xuan announced a change of plans. With food, soldiers, and a city at his disposal, why not go independent? Why follow the Black Lotus Sect with such resources? Qian Chong was stunned. Lu Xuan didnt put a knife to his throat this time but spread out a map, explaining, The Black Lotus Sects main activities were in the Central Plains, their main forces battling the Great Kang Dynasty. Both the imperial court and the Black Lotus Sect couldnt spare attention for a small city like Qingxian. Located in the remote southwestern basin, Qingxian City had excellent water and fertile conditions, surrounded by mountains, making it easy to defend but hard to attack. Using Qingxian City as a base to recruit soldiers and expand influence could establish a power equal to the Black Lotus Sect and the Great Kang dynasty. Qian Chong thought for a long time, feeling there was some truth to this, and finally decided to pledge allegiance. Handing over Qingxian City to me is better than leaving it in your hands. In the faint morning light, Lu Xuan raised his war sword, Its time to end this. With the swords fall, battle cries erupted. In front of the well-rested and high-spirited militia, men from the three families fell like wheat. Until the last head was severed. Dawn arrived. Lu Xuans official robe became wrinkled, old, and gradually fell apart. The surrounding environment lost its color, like an old photo album with yellowed, curling pages. The rising sun faded away, the line between night and day blurring into one. The world, like a water-damaged painting, became blurred and indistinct. In this disintegrating world, Lu Xuan reached out, holding Cheng Lingzhus hand. Both had returned to their original forms. The official robe transformed into a light pink mist. The world collapsed, revealing a grand palace emerging from the void. The mist turned into a giant stele standing at the gate of the palace. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu approached the stele. The Palace of the Demon Emperor. Lu Xuan read the inscription: This is the legacy site of the ancient Demon Emperor [Mie] . Through the stele, they learned the truth about Qingxian City. It wasnt a fictional place but a historical fragment extracted from time by the supreme magic of the ancient Demon Emperor Mie. This fragment was sealed here, and when Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu entered, everything began to operate. A divine rainbow descended, enveloping them and taking them into the palace. Upon seeing their surroundings, Cheng Lingzhu was momentarily stunned. This was the Demon Emperors chamber. The chamber was exquisitely decorated, built with immortal gold and divine materials. They stepped on a carpet woven from exotic beast fur, with a half-human tall purple-gold incense burner near the wall. At the deepest part of the chamber was a bed with layers of curtains, delicate and luxurious. The entire chamber was enveloped by the laws of the Dao, untouched by the forces of time. On one wall hung a painting. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The artist seemed inexperienced in the art of painting, the strokes somewhat immature. The subject of the painting was a white fox. It is Cheng Lingzhu thought of the little fox that had entered the yamen in Qingxian City. The ancient Demon Emperor, [Mie]. Lu Xuan spoke.. Chapter 171 - Chapter 171: Beautiful Scenery Needs No Heaven ‘s Inquiry Chapter 171: Beautiful Scenery Needs No Heaven s Inquiry Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation A misty light of Dao shone brightly. The painting hanging on the wall changed its content. The white fox disappeared, replaced by a lean man. Dressed in official attire, he had a scholarly and refined appearance. He was the Magistrate of Qingxian City, newly appointed to the area. On his first night in the residence, while reading by lamplight, an injured white fox knocked on his window. Feeling compassion, the man saved it. Alone in Qingxian City without relatives or friends, he adopted the little fox as a companion. By day, he worked and adjudicated cases; by night, the little fox accompanied him in his reading. The new Magistrate knew a little about everything but wasnt particularly proficient in anything. He could write, but his calligraphy was barely passable. He could also paint, but his skill in the art was only at a beginners level. The white fox was spiritual, not a mere beast. While he read, the little fox snuggled in his lap, joining him. When he wrote, the little fox would help him grind ink, staining its paws black, then the Magistrate would laughingly press its paws onto his writing, like a seal. When the Magistrate painted, the little fox was always the subject. The little fox didnt understand calligraphy or painting. But it found his writing beautiful and his paintings lovely. Staying in Qingxian City for a long time meant inevitable dealings with the three major families and the Qingxian Society. Yet, this unassuming and scholarly Magistrate was extraordinarily firm. He refused to bow to the three families and sought to expose the citys hypocritical beliefs and save its people. Then, one day, he left the city and never returned. The little fox waited a long time but never saw him again. When a group from the Qingxian Society broke into the Magistrates residence to loot his few belongings, the little fox took the painting he made of it and left Qingxian City. Later, the little fox disappeared too. It became a great demon, a Demon Emperor, an entity feared and revered by the gods. Wherever the Demon Emperor went, the heavens wept, the earth lamented, divine realms crumbled, and gods fell. Gods are born divine, immortals become holy through divinity. Gods are sanctified through spirit, immortals are spirited through sanctity. It was an ancient era. Before her ascension, gods walked among mortals, establishing faith, and divine realms flourished. After her ascension, corpses of gods littered the realm, and the cosmos cleared. She alone made gods fear descending to the mortal world, eradicating divine realms from existence. She became known as Mie, ending an era, becoming the catastrophe of gods. In the history of the realm, many sovereigns, saints, heavenly emperors, and Demon Emperors were born. Demon Emperor Mie might not have been the strongest, but she surely killed the most. Who would have thought that a mere local deity named Qingxian would set her on this path of god-slaying? Hence, the test left by this entity was so unique. She used her supreme magic to extract a fragment of history from the river of time. Only those who could turn the tide in such a situation were worthy of her legacy. Its worth mentioning that although Qingxian was obscure, the Black Lotus Sect was intricately connected to a true deity. The Black Lotus Sect, established by someone from the celestial sect Impure Heavenly Palace, worshipped a true god named Impure Heaven, who was later slain by Demon Emperor Mie. The life of Demon Emperor Mie unfolded before them like a lantern show, until the vision finally returned to silence. Perhaps in her heart, the Demon Emperor wanted to use this test to make up for her past regrets, Cheng Lingzhu said. Yes, Lu Xuan exhaled. A golden light flew out from the painting, splitting into two and landing in their hands. In Lu Xuans hand was a jade hairpin, carved from top-grade spiritual jade. Upon contact, he sensed the information within it, his expression turning to one of astonishment. In Cheng Lingzhus hand was a jade book, Great Slaughter Method. It seems youve been chosen as Mies successor, Lu Xuan smiled. This method complements your Path of Slaughter. Practicing them together will be greatly beneficial. Cheng Lingzhu held the jade book, her consciousness immersed within. Then she looked up, her cheeks slightly flushed, Mie left a message Once the successor enters the palace, it will seal itself until the Great Slaughter Method reaches minor completion. Only then can the successor control this place and freely open the palace. We need minor completion to leave Lu Xuan calculated the time in his mind, Doesnt that mean well miss the flying boat competition? He was still concerned about that. There might be a way, Cheng Lingzhu suddenly said, her face reddening. Hmm? Lu Xuan looked at her. If I cultivate alone, it will be slow, but if You Come with me. She took his hand and walked deeper into the chamber. There, a fragrant canopy awaited. Cheng Lingzhu pushed Lu Xuan onto the bed, her hands on his chest. Did you bring wine? She asked. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Uh yes. Watching the girl in front of him, Lu Xuans heartbeat quickened slightly. It had been a long time since he felt this way. Lu Xuan took out a small wine jar from his storage artifact. Cheng Lingzhu took it and was about to open it. Wait Let me get two cups.. Chapter 172 - Chapter 172: Beautiful Scenery Needs No Heaven’s Inquiry Chapter 172: Beautiful Scenery Needs No Heavens Inquiry Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation What do we need cups for? Cheng Lingzhu opened the lid of the wine jar, Its not like were remarrying, drinking a wedding cup again Lu Xuan wanted to say that technically, they could have another one in this lifetime. Cheng Lingzhu pulled out her hairpin, letting her silky black hair cascade down. She lifted the wine jar and took a drink. Her face turned even redder. Cheng Lingzhu took a deep breath, feeling her heart pounding. If it were her former self, she probably wouldnt be this nervous, she thought. But not being nervous was one thing, not taking initiative was another. So, she held the jar and took another drink. Lu Xuan sighed, watching Cheng Lingzhu, Alright, Ill do it. In matters like this, it had always been him taking care of her. Just like before, in matters of the heart, Lu Xuan had always been the proactive one. No. Cheng Lingzhu bit her lip and firmly refused. She had promised herself that in this lifetime, she would pursue him. Cheng Lingzhu put the jar aside. She stepped forward, kicked off her shoes, and sat on Lu Xuans lap. They faced each other. Cheng Lingzhu looked into his eyes. I like you. Her words came out softly, her breath sweet with the scent of wine. Lu Xuan was stunned. He saw a serious expression on Cheng Lingzhus face. I should have said this in our previous life, but I just couldnt find the words. So this time, I want to say everything that Ive kept in my heart. Our days ahead are long, and I plan to stick to you a lot Youre not allowed to find me annoying. After all, Ive liked you for two lifetimes, and I have so much to say to you. Cheng Lingzhus eyes shone as she looked at Lu Xuan. My husband, please guide me through the rest of our lives. She cupped his face and kissed him. The curtains of the fragrant canopy fell. The lights in the palace dimmed. The rustling of clothes followed. Two figures gradually merged into one The next day. Lu Xuan woke up. He shifted his head, and the person in his arms was still sleeping soundly. Cheng Lingzhu was nestled in his arm, one long leg draped over his waist, clinging to him like an octopus. Lu Xuan shifted to make her more comfortable. Watching Cheng Lingzhu in his arms, he smiled, a hint of amusement on his face. After all, he wasnt the great cultivator he used to be, and last night was, in a sense, a first experience for him, leaving him somewhat exhausted. As for dual cultivation Such a beautiful experience as a wedding night shouldnt be reduced to mere cultivation. Moreover, although the Demon Emperors Palace was self-sealing, it couldnt confine Lu Xuan. With his strength, leaving with Cheng Lingzhu wouldnt be an issue. But things felt quite different from before Lu Xuan whimsically thought. In their previous life, Cheng Hongtan was Well, quite definitive. And that wasnt a typo. Now Lu Xuan could barely keep up. As a cultivator, he didnt need tools to measure anything. He was quite accurate in his estimates. As their relationship grew closer, Lu Xuan began to plan some important things Like starting today, he would sleep naked. This was a habit he had maintained for thousands of years. Due to incomplete adaptation training, he had worn pajamas while with Cheng Lingzhu before. Lu Xuan considered himself a decent person, not overly lustful. Being with someone he liked, even just holding and sleeping, was very comfortable. With Cheng Lingzhus peaceful and beautiful sleeping face in his arms, Lu Xuan reached for his storage artifact at the head of the bed. He took out the jade hairpin left by Demon Emperor Mie and examined it closely. The hairpin was translucent, emitting a faint glow. In the cultivation world, glowing spiritual jade wasnt unusual, but the material of this hairpin was something Lu Xuan had never seen. Demon Emperor Mie had left a message in the hairpin It was related to the Great Dream Sovereign. Looking at the hairpin, Lu Xuan pondered silently. After a while, he activated a technique. A little figure of divine soul emerged from Lu Xuans forehead, glowing. Lu Xuan immersed his consciousness in it, taking the hairpin into the Dream Ruins. Cheng Lingzhu was still asleep, so there wasnt much else to do. Lu Xuan decided to use the spare time to complete this side quest. In the Dream Ruins. In a corner of a certain area. A wooden figure sat up from the ground. It held a hairpin in its hand, using it like a cane to support itself on the ground. Lu Xuan channeled his power into the jade hairpin. The hairpin vibrated, as if drawn by some force, turning into a streak of light and shooting off into the distance. Lu Xuan, controlling the wooden figure, followed it. In reality, Lu Xuan didnt need a wooden figure to move freely in the Dream Ruins. But Lu Xuan had his own reasons. Controlling the wooden figure to fly gave him a feeling akin to piloting a Gundam. If outsiders knew, theyd probably look at him with a mix of legality and lunacy. The hairpin flew swiftly. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, it reached its destination. Lu Xuan looked down. He saw a deep chasm stretching for hundreds of miles, as if a giant had torn open the earth, creating this landscape. The hairpin hovered above the chasm. With a crisp sound, the hairpin trembled and shattered, turning into specks of starlight that fell into the chasm. Almost simultaneously, an inexplicable Dao Tune pervaded between heaven and earth. The ground shook, and a golden light burst from the chasm, landing in Lu Xuans hand. It was a golden lotus seed. Information flowed from the lotus seed, which Lu Xuan absorbed. Moshou City? Lu Xuans head was filled with question marks. How did this relate to that place? Let me think this through. Lu Xuan fell into contemplation. I obtained an item from the Demon Emperors Palace, a key to unlocking the secret of the Dream Ruins. Using it, I got this lotus seed, which is related to Moshou City This involved three great powers. Demon Emperor Mie, Dream Heavenly Lord, and the Sage of the Ink Sect. But the problem was These three werent from the same era, right? Lu Xuan pondered this. In chronological order. Demon Emperor Mie was the oldest, followed by the Dream Heavenly Lord, and the most recent was the Sage of the Ink Sect. The years separating them were measured in eras. How were they connected? And this is too coincidental, isnt it? Lu Xuan was skeptical. Moshou City, the legendary place left after the Battle of a Hundred Factions. The token to open the city was found by Lu Xuan and Ji Lingchen; now, the token was with Lu Xuan. The Dream Ruins, a legacy site left by one of the strongest Sovereigns, which continued to operate even after the collapse of the Dream Realm. Lu Xuan entered this realm, slew the Netherworld Sovereign, and formed a cause and effect with the Grand Dream Sovereign. The Demon Emperors Palace, a legacy site of a powerful existence, left by the ancient Demon Emperor Mie, who slaughtered all gods and started a new era. Any of these sites alone would consume a cultivators lifetime of fortune. Yet, all three were interconnected and encountered by Lu Xuan. If it was all by chance, Lu Xuan didnt believe it. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He recalled what the Heavenly Emperor, Xu once said to him. Being entrusted with a task by the predecessors isnt a bad thing The wooden figure touched its wooden head. It feels like a village boy, born with a certain responsibility, destined to accomplish something great under the arrangement of fate. But where in the world is there a nine-thousand-year-old child of fortune Im already at retirement age, isnt this destiny coming a bit too late? He looked up at the sky of the Dream Ruins. The sky in the Dream Ruins was grey and hazy, offering no answer.. Chapter 173 - Chapter 173: Dual Cultivation Chapter 173: Dual Cultivation Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation I still need to visit Moshou City. Lu Xuan exited the Dream Ruins, holding the lotus seed and examining it closely. This peculiar existence, straddling the line between reality and illusion, could freely traverse between the Dream Ruins and the real world. He placed the lotus seed into his storage artifact, his movements a bit exaggerated. Um Cheng Lingzhu in his arms murmured and clung to him tighter. Lu Xuan withdrew his hand, gently stroking her sleek back and the perfect curve of her spine. After a while, Cheng Lingzhu woke up. Opening her sleepy eyes, she saw Lu Xuan smiling at her. What are you smiling at? Cheng Lingzhu playfully tapped his chest with her delicate hand. Well nothing much. Lu Xuans eyes sparkled with amusement as he picked up a handkerchief from the bedside. It bore a small plum blossom pattern. He waved the handkerchief, chuckling, Absence makes the heart grow fonder, indeed. Your performance last night was quite surprising to me Cheng Lingzhus face immediately turned red: You What are you keeping that for?! Lu Xuan blinked: Well, because you took the other one I had Previously, when they were together, Lu Xuan had kept a handkerchief as well. Unfortunately, Cheng Hongtan, who was rather shy back then, couldnt stand Lu Xuans teasing and unreasonably confiscated it. Back then, he was just an ordinary Golden Core cultivator, often suppressed by the unreasonable Cheng Hongtan. Except for the initial period when Cheng Hongtan incarnated as a mortal and was physically weak, Lu Xuan had a brief period of assertiveness. For the rest of the time, he was the suppressed one. Though as a master, he wasnt opposed to Accepting this dynamic. But when the noise and chaos faded, and Lu Xuan contemplated the stars and fate in solitude, his tranquil heart would still harbor other thoughts. Now, the situation was quite different! Lu Xuans eyes gleamed. He had struggled through many years at the Golden Core stage, and now his achievements were remarkable. Cheng Lingzhu, having cultivated anew in this lifetime, was now a genuine Golden Core cultivator. The situation of offense and defense had changed! He had surpassed Cheng Lingzhu! This referred to surpassing in cultivation strength, with no ambiguity. What are you thinking about? Cheng Lingzhu looked at him skeptically. Nothing at all. Lu Xuan maintained a serious expression. I dont believe you. Cheng Lingzhu narrowed her eyes, You just looked very pleased with yourself. Lu Xuan never hid his emotional changes from her. You saw it wrong, saw it wrong Lu Xuan chuckled, placing the handkerchief into a wooden box. Cheng Lingzhu gritted her teeth, intending to snatch it away. But Lu Xuan was on guard, and after sizing him up for a while, she couldnt find an opportunity to act. Whats so great about that handkerchief? Cheng Lingzhu thought disdainfully. With herself, a stunning beauty, standing in front of Lu Xuan, he surely wouldnt be concerned about that handkerchief. Pfft, big beauty, indeed. Dont be so shameless Cheng Lingzhus cheeks burned hot, wondering how she became so bold, completely lacking in reserve. She buried her face in Lu Xuans chest, rubbing vigorously, her earlobes turning pink. Well, if she wasnt reserved, so be it. Who told her to like him so much? Delicate and genuine in demeanor, fair and evenly toned in skin Lu Xuan murmured as he tied Cheng Lingzhus stomachers, admiring her slender waist and beautiful back. According to the time inside the Demon Emperors Palace, it was now noon. The reason they only got up at noon, despite waking up in the morning, was naturally Due to being occupied. Cheng Lingzhu had never heard this poem before, but she could tell that Lu Xuan was praising her, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. Its tied. Lu Xuan let go and gently kissed her shoulder. You took almost an incense sticks time just to tie two strings. Cheng Lingzhu tilted her chin up, deliberately teasing. Isnt it about cherishing the time we spend together Lu Xuan had a justifiable reason. After all, he was a slow mover, taking his time in everything An incense sticks duration wasnt really that long. You always say the sweetest things. Cheng Lingzhu hummed. She turned around, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Cheng Lingzhu thought to herself, she wanted to taste just how sweet this mans mouth was. If possible, at this moment, Lu Xuan really wished he could save the game. Because continuing the kiss meant they wouldnt get out of bed again by noon. In the evening. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu sat side by side on the stone steps at the entrance of the palace. The Demon Emperors Palace was a complex of buildings, with more than one palace. The outer boundary was enveloped in a light screen formed by the laws of a great power, shrouding the entire Demon Emperors domain. There are stars here. Cheng Lingzhu looked up at the starry sky overhead. Many thousands of years ago, the sky must have looked like this. Lu Xuan commented. Demon Emperor Mie possessed great divine powers. As a sovereign of her race, she naturally wouldnt use illusions to create a starry sky. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The stars within the ruins of the Demon Emperors Palace were real. She had plucked stars from the sky, refined them, and embedded them in the light screen. Using spatial laws, she extended the distance between the stars and the palace. Even the sun in this world was replaced by an unhatched egg of a Golden Crow. These were all gifts left by Demon Emperor Mie for her successor. When Demon Emperor Mie created this starry sky, she must have missed the person with whom she once watched the stars with.. Chapter 174 - Chapter 174: Dual Cultivation Chapter 174: Dual Cultivation Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Cheng Lingzhu spoke softly. She tilted her head, leaning on Lu Xuan. Im lucky that when I want to see the stars, youre here with me. Lu Xuan wrapped his arm around her shoulder, drawing Cheng Lingzhus hand into his palm. I feel the same way, he said. Days passed inside the Demon Emperors Palace. As the saying goes, time flies, and In short, on this particular day. Come on, lets test the results of our joint efforts over this period. Lu Xuan, holding Cheng Lingzhus hand, led her to a grand hall. This hall was unique, spacious and empty, with no furniture or lamps. The ceiling was embedded with 108 special jade stones, forming an array that locked the space inside the hall and also provided illumination. The most distinctive feature was the walls of the hall. The hall was an octagon, with eight walls, each dark and constructed from a special kind of stone. Each wall was engraved with intricate patterns that came together to form totem-like murals. These were the eight Walls of Gods and Demons. Demon Emperor Mie left information about these walls on a stele at the entrance of the hall. Each Wall of Gods and Demons contained the sealed true spirit of a real deity, eight in total. These were the strongest eight beings Demon Emperor Mie encountered in her life. After defeating them, she sealed their true spirits in the walls. Only by defeating the projections of their true spirits could one formally inherit the palace. True spirits are eternal; immortals and gods never truly perish. Great powers can preserve a strand of their soul, enabling them to be reborn from a drop of blood. For beings at the level of gods and immortals, Even if their souls are destroyed, as long as the imprint of their true spirit remains, they are not truly dead. In other words, these deities were still alive. Cheng Lingzhus task was to defeat each one of them. Even under the halls suppression, reducing the deities strength to the same realm as the trial-taker, this trial was extremely difficult. Because the deities possessed not only great power but also the essence of being innate holy spirits. Just like disciples of great sects, even when a realm behind, can overpower independent cultivators. The cultivation techniques and resources bestowed upon them allow them to exert a dimension-lowering assault on independent cultivators, from physical body to magical power to soul. Innate deities, by contrast, are born at their essences peak. But Lu Xuan was very confident in his partner. It was now their eighth day in the Demon Emperors Palace. Lu Xuan could probably write a few diary entries. First day, dual cultivation with my wife. Second day, dual cultivation with my wife. Third day, dual cultivation with my wife. Fourth day, Lu Xuan, oh Lu Xuan, how can you be so diligent?! After so many days of cultivation, its time to rest! Fifth day, dual cultivation with my wife in another palace. Under their continuous and rigorous efforts of day and night cultivation, Cheng Lingzhu finally achieved minor completion in the Great Slaughter Method. Lu Xuan, of course, had also mastered this art of killing. Although they had formally learned it for only seven days. His comprehension was decent. Lu Xuan estimated His understanding of this technique Should probably reach the level of Demon Emperor Mie. But surpassing it was out of reach. This method of killing had its limits. To break these limits, Lu Xuan would need to deconstruct the technique and integrate his own understanding to reform and extrapolate it anew. Lu Xuans master, a former head of the Dao Evolution Sect, once told him, every technique, battle skill, and spell in the world has its limits. But cultivation does not. Even if one reaches the end of a path, there are those who can elevate it further, creating new paths. Even the most perfect things can be replaced by new creations when the force of innovation appears, unable to adapt to the times. Lu Xuan thought this was some kind of qualitative and quantitative theory, a kind of philosophical thought in the world of immortals and martial arts. These words were told to Lu Xuan by his master after one of his Nascent Soul escape attempts, when he was disheartened. Their purpose was probably to strengthen Lu Xuans Dao heart, telling his good disciple that even as a Golden Core cultivator, one could still carve out a unique path. Lu Xuan felt lucky to have met such a guide in cultivation, who never gave up on him even when he became a failure. But the problem was After saying these words, the Dao Evolution Sect head, who had perfected every realm, shattered the heavenly tribulation with a single sword strike and ascended to the higher realms. Watching his masters departing figure, Lu Xuan suddenly felt even more heartbroken. Indeed, motivational speeches were deceptive. Back to the Demon Emperors Palace. The Great Slaughter Method was profoundly complex. With this method, Demon Emperor Mie had slaughtered numerous gods, ushering in a new era. But under Lu Xuans full guidance, Cheng Lingzhu did not find it difficult to cultivate. She was a peerless genius herself. With the bonus of dual cultivation and Lu Xuans guidance, her progress was rapid. Are we really starting? Cheng Lingzhu hesitated. Lets start. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Lu Xuan said, Dont worry, Im here. Hearing this, Cheng Lingzhu couldnt help but smile. In the past, she used to take Lu Xuan on adventures, always providing him with backup. Now, he had grown into a towering tree, and she had someone to cover her as well. Then let me show you the results of my cultivation these past few days. Cheng Lingzhu smiled slightly and took out her Phoenix Blood Sword. A strange Dao Tune began to emanate from her, and her eyes gradually turned icy cold. Chapter 175 - Chapter 175: Dual Cultivation Chapter 175: Dual Cultivation Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Cheng Lingzhus pupils transformed from black to a dazzling, blood-diamond red. In front of her, the Wall of Gods and Demons began to glow with starlight. Intricate patterns lit up, spreading across the dark wall. Tiny specks of starlight fell, and a strange figure materialized. It was a deity with a human body and a serpentine tail. Similar in appearance to the Qingxian of Qingxian City, this deity had three heads, all with serpentine features. Its ribcage spread like a fan, with a pair of enormous black wings on its back, and it wielded a trident. The deitys form was immense, over thirty Zhang in length. Even though a significant part of its body was the snake tail, it still stood ten Zhang tall when raised. Holding the trident and with black wings on its ribs, the python deity let out a mighty howl, spreading a formidable pressure, as if declaring war. Cheng Lingzhus gaze was icy cold, her face calm as she gripped the hilt of the Phoenix Blood Sword. A burst of crimson radiance erupted from the scabbard, as she initiated an attack on this deity! Buzz The space trembled. The python deitys trident struck, causing ripples in the air. Black waves spread out, sweeping towards Cheng Lingzhu. The bloody sword light, full of a murderous aura, was blocked by the successive waves. The divine power within the black waves continuously eroded and dissolved the sword light, causing it to fade into nothingness. BoomI The python deity, dragging its massive tail, plummeted from the sky. A layer of dark light enveloped its body. The strike was heavy, more than ten thousand jun. Cheng Lingzhu lightly tapped the ground, gracefully dodging the attack. Before her body landed, the python deitys tail coiled and whipped around at an inconceivable angle. Despite the apparent heaviness, the tail was incredibly agile, but Cheng Lingzhu showed no fear. A glow emerged from her, and she suddenly accelerated, leaving only an afterimage as the tail barely missed her. The python deity let out an enraged roar, spreading its black wings. The next moment, a series of whooshing sounds rang out as blade-like feathers tore through the air, assaulting Cheng Lingzhu like a violent storm! Clang The Phoenix Blood Sword vibrated, emitting a clear phoenix cry. Cheng Lingzhu swung her sword! A brilliant sword light burst forth, much more powerful than her previous strike. The diameter of the sword light exceeded one zhang, effortlessly shattering the incoming blade feathers. Cheng Lingzhu activated her escape technique, brandishing her sword and charging towards the python deity. The python deity raised its trident, covered in dark light, and stabbed towards Cheng Lingzhu. Cheng Lingzhu raised her sword. A faint golden light shone on the sword, and the red in her eyes turned golden, channeling the power of the Great Slaughter Method. The two forces collided. Against the massive trident, the Phoenix Blood Sword seemed incredibly slender. Yet when the sword struck, the dark light on the trident shattered, revealing a fine crack at its tip. Then a second, and a third The cracks spread like a spiders web, extending from the trident to the python deitys arms, body, and tail Its body seemed to turn into stone, frozen in place. Now, on this stone figure, cracks appeared everywhere. Cheng Lingzhu stepped into the air, moving above it. A pale golden wheel of light emerged in her palm, pressing down towards the python deitys forehead. Silently, the deitys body turned into specks of starlight, completely dissipating. Cheng Lingzhu, bathed in the starlight, gracefully descended. Next. She spoke calmly. Two days later. In the trial hall. The challenges left by Demon Emperor Mie arent that hard after all. Cheng Lingzhu smiled slightly, sheathing her sword. Its because you are very powerful, Lu Xuan remarked, raising an eyebrow. He opened his arms, and Cheng Lingzhu plunged into his embrace. Actually, Im not that strong. Cheng Lingzhu seemed a bit embarrassed. The opponents were suppressed to my realm, unable to use laws, domains, and other tactics Theres a big gap compared to true deities. But you didnt use those tactics either, did you? Lu Xuan smiled, Zhuer, youre no less than them. Cheng Lingzhu, flattered by Lu Xuan, happily nuzzled his chest. Should we head back now? Lu Xuan suggested. He was someone who liked to go with the flow. Although he could have taken Cheng Lingzhu out of this place without completing the challenge, Lu Xuan chose to follow the rules of the trial land. Moreover, cultivating the Great Slaughter Method only benefitted Cheng Lingzhu; there was no downside. Yes, lets go. Cheng Lingzhu nodded. A large seal appeared from the air, landing in her hand. This was the token she received after defeating the eight deities and completing the trial halls assessment. With this seal recognized as her own, Cheng Lingzhu gained the privilege to freely enter and exit the Demon Emperors Palace. As for the golden crow egg in the sky, still incubating, both had no intention of hastening its hatching. Such matters were best left to unfold naturally. Cheng Lingzhu held the seal, controlling the area, and the light enveloping the Demon Emperors Palace dissipated. The pair paid their respects towards the palace before leaving the area. Demon Immortal Nation. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Imperial Palace. Master- Ye Banzhuang ran over with her short legs, pitter-pattering towards Lu Xuan and hugging him. Ei, ei, ei, why so excited? Lu Xuan patted her head, For an empress of a nation, this lacks decorum.. Chapter 176 - Chapter 176: Dual Cultivation Chapter 176: Dual Cultivation Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Master, you and Madam were gone for so long; your disciple was worried. The little girl, Ye Banzhuang, cuddled up in his palm, paying respects to both Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu. Do you doubt your masters strength? Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow. Ye Banzhuang blinked and said, Being near the river often, ones shoes will inevitably get wet. Its not the thousands I fear, but the off chance of that one time Ah- She didnt finish her sentence as Lu Xuan flicked her forehead. Lu Xuan thought she was cursing him. Ye Banzhuang, a naturally born spiritual being with a special nature, could bring misfortune to someone without using any magical powers or curses. Thankfully, Lu Xuan was lucky enough, and considering Ye Banzhuangs age, it was not something to be taken seriously. By the way, why are you still in Shattered Cloud City? Hasnt the flying boat competition started yet? Lu Xuan inquired. I postponed the final round to wait for you, Master, Ye Banzhu giggled. Shall we start in three days? Three days should be enough, Lu Xuan nodded. The flying boat competition wasnt held in Shattered Cloud City but in Cloud Ocean City, located on the border of the Demon Immortal Nation. The initial rule of the competition was that only flying boats were allowed, but later it was changed to any transportation tool, whether a treasure chariot, a flying boat, or even a flying sword, as long as they were powered by demon crystals provided by the organizing committee. Moreover, the engraved arrays on the flying boats could only be composed of thirty-six basic array patterns, without any additional array lines. By the way, what about that Prince of the Eastern Sea? Lu Xuan suddenly remembered someone. Hes still staying in the capital, Ye Banzhu replied. After you left, his protector caught the two who attacked the prince. Ao Sheng wasnt hurt much. Did the interrogation reveal anything? Lu Xuan asked. Ye Banzhu shook her head, frowning as she mentioned it, The two people died during the interrogation. Died? How? Lu Xuan was taken aback. The interrogation was conducted by that turtle spirit, but I was there too. After all, it involved an assassination attempt on the Prince of the Eastern Sea in the Demon Immortal Nation, and I couldnt ignore it, Ye Banzhu explained. Those two were elders of third-rate sects. Although not from the same sect, they were close. They knew about the Nine Heavens Map on Ao Sheng and came to seize it for a great opportunity. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only She continued, The Nine Heavens Map is a divine painting by the Painting Saint MO Bao. Observing this painting can strengthen ones soul, even beneficial for Integration Realm cultivators. Normally, no one would destroy such a painting, let alone know about the opportunity hidden within it. This secret is so well-hidden that even great masters of the Dao of Painting dont know about it. The fact that two Nascent Soul cultivators were so well-informed clearly indicates a problem. But before they could answer my questions, their souls burned up and were completely destroyed in an instant. Did they trigger some sort of prohibition? Lu Xuan speculated thoughtfully. That must be the case, Ye Banzhuang nodded. And whoever set up that prohibition is very powerful. The speed at which their souls were destroyed was so fast that even I couldnt stop it. This was what worried Ye Banzhuang the most. She was well aware of her own strength. If a prohibition could destroy souls so quickly that even she couldnt intervene, the mastermind behind these two individuals coming to the Demon Immortal Nation was likely extraordinary.. Chapter 179 - Chapter 179: Is Your Flying Boat Race Always This Extravagant?! Chapter 179: Is Your Flying Boat Race Always This Extravagant?! Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The third group to appear was from the Demon Immortal Nation, seemingly belonging to a species of tree spirits. Their vehicle was a wooden treasure chariot, unremarkable at first glance. Then came the fourth group in a red jade radish car, representing the Demon Immortal Nations vegetable clan. The fifth group, also from the Demon Immortal Nation, had three drivers, the leader distinguished by a bunch of bananas behind his head. Even without using his powers, Lu Xuan could tell what kind of spirits had transformed into these forms. Until this point, the contestants appeared relatively normal. Then came the sixth group. Before they even appeared, grand chanting echoed throughout the venue. After ten breaths, three Buddhist monks, draped in prayer robes and exuding a serene aura, appeared before the crowd. These monks were wide and chubby, their smiles reminiscent of Maitreya Buddha. Following them was A giant wooden fish. The monks turned to the audience, recited a Buddhist chant, and then awkwardly squeezed themselves into the fish. Lu Xuan & Cheng Lingzhu: 1??? Lu Xuan, after a moment of silence: Has your Flying Boat Race always been this abstract? These three are from the Great Impermanent Monastery, kind of our neighbors. Ye Banzhuangs voice was a soft whisper as she continued, Last year, their flying treasure was a normal-looking lotus platform. The wooden fish came with its own background music, and Buddhist chants filled the air. Bathed in the chanting, Lu Xuan felt his virtue increase. Hey, bald thieves! Disturbing the peace with chanting, do you think our Daoist sects are unrepresented? A powerful voice rang out. Three middle-aged Daoist priests in bright yellow robes, composed and dignified, stepped onto the stage. Unlike the Buddhist monks with their sound systems, these Daoists were lean, exuding an air of immortality. Their vehicle was a stone ox-cart. Carved from stone, the ox and cart were integrated, meticulously crafted and perfectly proportioned. The stone ox was muscular and robust, its head raised skyward, full of character. However, a mere ox-cart couldnt overshadow the monks sound system. One Daoist priest, with a confident smile, stepped forward and slapped the oxs rear. Immediately, a solemn and grand chanting resonated. As the music played, colorful lights burst from the ox, turning both the ox and cart vibrantly multicolored in an instant! Its worth mentioning that the ox-cart had its own sound effects, and the lights flickered in sync with the music, creating a dynamic atmosphere. The entire arena seemed to transform into a nightclub under the sweeping divine light and grand Daoist chants. The three Daoists stood with their hands behind their backs. Where they stood became a nightclub! Clearly, these two groups were at odds. Lu Xuan, watching the dazzling ox nearby, sensed trouble brewing. Today, they were caught in a clash between Buddhism and Daoism! The local monks and priests were quite flamboyant. The audience cheered enthusiastically for such antics. The Flying Boat Race had evolved beyond a mere speed competition to incorporate a scoring system. Points were awarded in two categories: race points and creativity points. Race points consisted of basic speed C finishing first C and bonus rewards from special Spirit Fruits placed throughout the course. Creativity points were awarded for technical and innovative vehicle designs. As the competition progressed, it became clear that flashy designs often meant formidable contenders. Only those who had maximized their racing capabilities could afford to focus on creativity points. Thus, when these two groups appeared, they garnered much applause. Watching the array of bizarre treasure chariots and flying boats, Lu Xuan felt conservative in comparison. Regretfully, he wished hed used the Gundam design hed considered earlier. Standing at the display area with Cheng Lingzhu, they exchanged a glance and walked side by side onto the field, followed by the bouncing Ye Banzhuang, who used an invisibility spell to join the race. As they entered, the crowds noise subsided. All eyes turned to Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu. After twelve teams had performed, the audiences expectations had risen. But many were curious about the identities of Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu, the thirteenth team approved by the Empress, participating but not for ranking. Speculation arose that they might be emissaries from a great sect, interested in a flying boat diplomacy. Considering they were amateurs, the crowd didnt have high expectations for them. The other twelve teams also turned their attention to them. Standing at the center of the display area, under countless scrutinizing eyes, the stage felt like a nightmare for a social phobic, the focus of everyones attention. Lu Xuan, in the center, took a deep breath. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only From his storage treasure, a ray of light blossomed. A phantom image began to take shape. First to emerge before everyones eyes was a dragons head. Not far away, Ao Yuans eyes widened. She tugged at Ao Shengs sleeve, Brother, the seniors design is similar to ours.. Chapter 180 - Chapter 180: Is Your Flying Boat Race Always This Extravagant?! Chapter 180: Is Your Flying Boat Race Always This Extravagant?! Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Lets wait and see. Ao Sheng fell silent for a moment. He had a feeling that this enigmatic senior might have some other ideas. Another dragon-shaped chariot? Someone shook their head: This lacks originality. It probably wont even make it into the top ten lets not waste time on this. While saying this, the speaker turned towards Ao Sheng and his sister, provocatively tilting their chin. Ao Yuan & Ao Sheng: I??? They felt offended. From the Jade Bone Sect, right? Ao Sheng narrowed his eyes, discreetly noting the identity of the speaker. The trio was dressed in black, with skull masks on their faces and hoods embroidered with pale skull patterns, making it hard to distinguish front from back at a glance. Their vehicle was a giant white bone figure, the bones clear and translucent, resembling jade or glass, quite extraordinary. Ao Sheng thought about letting his sister drive during the race and knocking these people right off. Prince Ao Sheng wasnt one to hold grudges. But these three dared to curse him before the race, and he couldnt hold back. Only by placing in the top three could one have the chance to stand on the victory podium and receive an award personally from the Empress. He had worked hard for this moment, fighting his way up from the preliminaries. Now, being mocked that he couldnt even make it into the top ten, Prince Ao Sheng couldnt tolerate it. Of course, the Jade Bone Sect cultivators were arrogant for a reason. They were the runners-up in the last competition. Two of the top three contestants from the previous race had returned to defend their positions. The champion didnt come because, right after winning, he went to the Spirit Charm Sect for an extreme challenge. He, alone with his spear, cleared eighteen tents, but alas, his strength waned while the fields were endless, and he eventually fell. It was said that he ascended the mountain flying on his sword. But when he came down, he was carried by Spirit Charm Sect disciples on a stretcher. A robust man turned into a mere husk. At Lu Xuans side, after the first dragon head appeared, it didnt transform into the shape of a chariot as everyone expected. The dragon head extended backward, forming a complete dragon body. But unlike a normal dragon. Its eyes were closed. It looked less like a soaring dragon and more like a Dragon corpse. Then came the second, the third Nine dragon corpses emerged, each bound by thick chains extending backward, leading to a huge bronze coffin behind them! Nine Dragons Pulling a Coffin! This was Lu Xuans vehicle for today! The crowd fell silent. The three Jade Bone Sect cultivators glanced at their giant bone structure, then at Lu Xuans coffin. One of them silently gave a thumbs-up Great minds think alike. Brother, you have taste! This is which ghost cultivators companion? One on his left asked. The coffin is beautiful; I like it, Another on his right responded. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause. This was the first time they had seen someone bring a coffin to the Flying Boat Race. And these nine dragon corpses and the coffin were truly beautiful. There was not a hint of death about them, rather, they had the beauty of an art piece. Please excuse my humble attempt, Lu Xuan said modestly. Compared to the glowing wooden fish that added merit to the entire venue and the dazzling Dance Floor Bull, his entry was just leveraging the novelty of the theme. Standard and decent, but not exceptional. He opened the coffin lid and jumped in. Cheng Lingzhu also followed suit. At the inception of the treasure chariots construction. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu discussed the design together. He had several plans at the time. Like a yin-yang palanquin, a pumpkin carriage, a Gundam, a World Tree But Cheng Lingzhu was immediately drawn to the Nine Dragons Pulling a Coffin. Hence, todays flying boat display came to be. Lying side by side with Cheng Lingzhu in the coffin, This feeling Its a bit strange, Lu Xuan rasped, Doesnt it seem a bit inauspicious? Its not a real coffin, Cheng Lingzhu chuckled, Besides, its not like we havent laid in a real one before. Thats true, Lu Xuan agreed. Cheng Lingzhu was referring to an adventure they had previously, where they were trapped in a burial pit of a great sect underground. The walls were engraved with runes, and the entire burial pit was sealed by Daoist laws. With Cheng Lingzhus then Mortal Transformation Phase cultivation, they couldnt break out by force. Eventually, they found a coffin in the pit, left by an enemy of that sect, capable of disrupting the local laws. After taking the predecessor out of the coffin, Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu laid in it and were flushed out by an underground river. Master, can I come in? Ye Banzhuang stood on the edge of the coffin, pointing down with a hopeful face. There was just enough space for her between Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu. A hand reached out from inside the coffin, and Lu Xuan pointed outside: No, you go drive. The little girls face fell in disappointment. Cheng Lingzhu gently tapped Lu Xuan, not liking to see the young girl upset, and said with a smile, Come on in, if Master doesnt want you, his Madam does. Ye Banzhuang blinked a few times, Master, you see Alright, alright, come in. Lu Xuan sighed, massaging his forehead. Lu Xuan thought to himself about the perfect environment for a single man and woman together. Now with this young girl here, its not even appropriate to make a move. Ye Banzhuang giggled and jumped in. After lying down, she closed her eyes and covered her ears, telling Lu Xuan, Dont worry, Master, Banzhuang cant see or hear anything. Then she was flicked on the forehead by both Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu. The coffin lid quietly closed. Inside the coffin, changes occurred. Spiritual energy gathered, and under the effect of spatial array patterns, the space inside the coffin expanded. The three lying figures gradually stood up, a very wide lounge chair appearing beneath them. Simultaneously, a pale blue control panel appeared; it was the control panel of the flying boat, equipped with a large screen to view the outside. Inside such a coffin-shaped flying boat, there was a control panel filled with a sense of technology. It was like a traditional cigarette plugged into a charging cable, a blend of old-fashioned and reformist beauty. Cheng Lingzhu sat in the pilots seat, as Lu Xuan had other tasks. A muffled sound came from outside, someone knocked on the coffin a few times. The coffin lid opened a crack, and Lu Xuan reached out to bring in a three-foot-long wooden sword. It was for beating other contestants. The Flying Boat Race allowed attacking others, but not with magical powers. Either it was the vehicles built-in attack methods, powered by demon crystals, releasing ranged/melee weapons. Or the contestants would jump on the roof, engaging in sword fights. This wooden sword was made of a special material that couldnt conduct magical power. If too much power was input or too much force used, it could explode from not being able to withstand such power. The organizers spared no effort for the safety of each team. A cow horn sounded. Each team entered the track. Thirteen teams, thirteen differently shaped flying magical treasures, will complete a three-hundred-mile flying boat race. A deep, magnetic male voice sounded. In the commentary booth, sat a man and a woman, both commentators. These two, transformed from a pair of winged birds, came from the Flying Boat City and served as commentators for this race. For cultivators, this distance is actually quite short, almost instantaneous. The female commentator took over, turning to look at him, But all the treasure chariots are powered by demon crystals provided by the race committee. And the base array patterns that make up the engine must be chosen from thirty-six specified patterns. With these two restrictions, the committee cleverly limits the speed of the flying boats. The male commentator spoke with a smile. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The contestants will go through mountains, lakes, forests, swamps, and other complex terrains, facing forbidden air, land, and underwater array restrictions, amidst poisonous flowers and fierce beasts, to complete the race Of course, theres no need to worry about the safety of our contestants, as weve invited a powerful being to oversee the race and act as the referee. High above in the sky, a Bifang mythical bird spread its wings, overseeing everything in the arena. Boom! The sound of drums roared, and the Flying Boat Race officially began! Chapter 183 - Chapter 183: Lu Xuan: Let Me Perform a ‘Lying in the Sand’ for Everyone” Chapter 183: Lu Xuan: Let Me Perform a Lying in the Sand for Everyone Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation On the spirit energy screen, the director switched the camera to the scene of the Buddhist and Daoist groups tumbling over the bridge. The performance of the three masters and Daoists is truly eye-opening, The male commentator expressed surprise, In such a challenging scenario of a narrow bridge, they found a way to pass the obstacle together and win the race! I wonder how the remaining groups will pass the obstacle? Will they choose a win-win approach like the masters and Daoists, or will they compete against each other and follow a path of solo supremacy? The female commentator said with a smile. The directors camera then switched to the Ao siblings and Nalan Yu. After a brief standoff between the Fire Phoenix and the Ice Dragon, Ao Yuan, piloting the Ice Dragon chariot, rushed towards the iron chain bridge first. As the bridge swayed, Princess Nalan chose not to confront the siblings head-on. A burst of red magic light erupted from the Fire Phoenix, as the mechanical phoenix rapidly disintegrated into tiny particles, starting to reassemble. In almost an instant, these mechanical particles reshaped into a hundred-foot-long centipede. The mechanical centipede, entirely red and burning like flames, crawled underneath the iron chain bridge, hooking its legs onto the bridge planks and moving swiftly. Princess Nalan Yu truly lives up to her title as the third-place winner of the last competition. Faced with Princess Ao Yuan seizing the initiative, she finds an alternative path She chose to pass under the iron chain bridge, and shes even faster than Princess Ao Yuan! These two groups are quite interesting in terms of their identities. One is a princess of an Immortal Dynasty and the other is a team of the Crown Prince and Princess of the Eastern Sea. I have a feeling that in the later stages of the race, these two will clash again! The Buddhist-Daoist group and the royal group have presented refreshing strategies. Although the rankings are still pending, in terms of creativity points, these two groups have already won a round. The two hosts took turns speaking, and as they commented, several contestants had already approached the end of the track. Leading the way, Lu Xuans team was the first to cross the iron chain bridge, followed closely by the monks of the Great Light Sect. The third to cross were the tree people from the Demon Fairy Nation. Their wooden chariot, seemingly ordinary, had undergone transformation during the first obstacle to dodge the teleporting light spots more easily. The ordinary chariot disassembled and reformed into a ten-foot cubic wooden structure with horizontal and vertical stripes folding and arranging themselves, with wood grain patterns emerging on the surface. Paired with the tree people was the trio from the Jade Bone Sect. The wooden cube against the bone sphere created a scene reminiscent of a spatial geometry conference. In the moment of crossing the bridge, the wooden cube wrapped around the tree people leapt high into the air, crashing down near the bridge pile. The iron chain bridge shook violently, the earth and stones at this end collapsed, and the bridge pile fell, plunging downwards. At a critical moment, the bone sphere transformed back into a white bone giant. Its arms, with a narrow escape, clung to the edge of the cliff, pulling the three contestants back up. After accomplishing this, the white bone giant swung its massive hand, breaking the bridge pile of an adjacent iron chain bridge. The contestants crossing this bridge were from the Valley People tribe. They drove a corn battle chariot, piloted by a blonde-haired driver, strikingly bright. At the end of his hair dangled light golden wheat spikes, a trait revealing his species. As is known, female demons transform completely from head to toe, while male demons often retain their magnificent horns, wings, and claws. The wheat-transformed contestant was just so. However, in this situation, his handsomeness was of no use. As the iron chain bridge collapsed, the driver of the battle chariot tried to eject out, but due to the no-fly zone, the corn chariot struggled only briefly before falling like a bird with broken wings into the abyss. A sight that would bring tears to the eyes of the Su Sui Sect. A loud bird cry resounded. From the depths of the abyss, a huge dark shadow emerged. The Bifang mythical beast caught the falling corn chariot on its back. Spreading its wings, Bifang placed the shocked Valley People tribe contestants back at the bridgehead. They had triggered the competition rules and used their revival opportunity. Another fall, and this team would be completely eliminated. Deserving of the last competitions runner-up title. When facing competition, our Jade Bone Sect contestants can be described as decisive and ruthless, The male commentator said with a laugh, The dragon slayer eventually becomes the dragon, breaking others umbrellas because theyve been rained on. However, I must remind the contestants that being overly combative can end up benefiting others. The female commentator took over, Our first place is already on their way to the next obstacle. Its unexpected. Now leading by a distance is the initially low-profile team thirteen, The male host remarked. The female commentator nodded with a smile: Perhaps this team has a chance to clinch the championship? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Maintaining their lead was naturally Lu Xuans team. Leveraging the advantage accumulated in the first obstacle, the Nine Dragons Coffin smoothly passed the second challenge. Ahead, the track underwent a transformation. The road disappeared, replaced by a vast desert. Ladies and gentlemen in the audience, as we can see, some contestants have already reached the third obstacle. The track has disappeared, making way for a free-for-all speed race, The male commentator announced, The theme of this obstacle is the desert. Beneath the desert, the competition committee has already deployed tens of thousands of sand-swallowing scorpions.. Chapter 184 - Chapter 184: Lu Xuan: Let Me Perform a ‘Lying in the Sand’ for Everyone” Chapter 184: Lu Xuan: Let Me Perform a Lying in the Sand for Everyone Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The Sand-Swallowing Scorpions were ferocious beasts by nature, devoid of spiritual intelligence, yet immensely strong. Under the rules of this competition, they were sufficiently threatening to the contestants flying boats. Of course, our audience need not worry. After this obstacle, all Sand-Swallowing Scorpions will become part of the citys banquet featuring a full scorpion feast, ensuring no wastage of these creatures, The female host assured. The citizens of the Flying Boat City well understood that wasting food was frowned upon, and anything edible should be consumed thoroughly. At this moment, apart from Lu Xuans group at the edge of the desert obstacle, ten other teams had also approached the area. In the previous iron chain bridge obstacle, the Valley People tribe and another team were attacked by their competitors. The former experienced a classic case of betrayal, while the latter hadnt even started crossing when their bridge pile was cut by the team queued behind them. As a result, these two teams had not yet reached the desert obstacle. Inside the bronze coffin, Lu Xuan looked at the flat desert, tapping the control panel and ordered, Switch to combat mode and prepare in advance, there must be something hidden beneath. Master, Master, Ye Banzhuang raised her hand, Can I do it? Um Okay, Lu Xuan nodded in agreement. For this race, Cheng Lingzhu was driving, Ye Banzhuang controlled the attack system, and he himself became a free agent. Ye Banzhuang giggled, revealing her small tiger teeth, placing both hands on the control panel. She was small in stature, barely reaching Lu Xuans chest even while sitting in the drivers seat. Therefore, Lu Xuan subtly shifted his body, and Cheng Lingzhu also leaned over, gently kissing the top of Ye Banzhuangs head. Ye Banzhuang closed her eyes, choosing to ignore such behavior that violated driving etiquette. Outside, a few meters after the Nine Dragons Coffin set off Boom! The sand layer exploded, and a scorpion covered in yellow sand leaped out. This scorpion was over ten meters long, with enormous pincers and a meaty body, clearly a premium ingredient. Covered in fine yellow sand dust, it almost looked like it had been rolled in cumin. Upon seeing Lu Xuans vehicle, the Sand-Swallowing Scorpion swung its pincers and charged aggressively. Cheng Lingzhu steered the chariot to meet it head-on. The next moment, one of the nine coffin-pulling dragons abruptly raised its head. Ye Banzhuang swung the dragon corpse, whipping its head like a massive hammer, smashing through the Sand-swallowing Scorpion. A magical light shone from the scorpions body as it vanished. This was an array designed by the competition committee. Any dead Sand -Swallowing Scorpion would be instantly reclaimed, ensuring no waste. However, defeating one Sand-Swallowing Scorpion did not mean the crisis was over. As this scorpion fell, one after another, more Sand-Swallowing Scorpions emerged from the ground. Even the smallest of the Sand -Swallowing Scorpions, excluding their tails, measured about three feet in length. The largest ones could reach a staggering length of thirty feet, making them truly colossal creatures. The swarm of Sand-Swallowing Scorpions densely packed the entire desert obstacle area. Under normal circumstances, such a large number of these creatures would not be found in one area. The supplier of the Sand-swallowing Scorpions was the neighboring Immortal Farmer Sect, who had reached a cooperation agreement with the officials of the Flying Boat Race. Looking at the vast number of Sand -Swallowing Scorpions, all the contestants knew that there was no way to circumvent this obstacle. We must force our way through, Ao Sheng stated gravely inside the Ice Dragon chariot. Passing through such a large swarm of scorpions will likely consume a lot of demon crystals. Ao Yuan, in the drivers seat, expressed her concern, There are more obstacles ahead. If we run out of demon crystals, well be in trouble. Look at the very back, Ao Sheng pointed to a corner of the screen. The projection magic tool made from projection stones allowed them to see the outside world. At the rear of the swarm, a gigantic Sand-swallowing Scorpion stood guard. Its length exceeded thirty feet, with a dark gold color on its body, exuding a sense of power. This was the boss of the third obstacle, the Sand-Swallowing Scorpion King. But Ao Shengs focus wasnt on the Scorpion King itself. He pointed to its back. Near the Scorpion Kings eyes, three iron boxes, each about half the height of a person, were fixed in place. Is this The supply cache for this obstacle? Ao Yuans eyes lit up. She and Ao Sheng had encountered similar situations in previous obstacles. In many of them, demon crystal supplies were provided. Just getting one box would solve our supply problems. If we could get all three Ao Shengs eyes narrowed. BoomI Before he could finish, Ao Yuan pushed the lever, and the Ice Dragon chariot sped off. Ao Sheng wasnt the only one who noticed the demon crystal supplies. Other perceptive contestants also realized this and entered the obstacle after brief contemplation. At the commentary desk, the male host beamed, It seems our contestants have discovered the supplies hidden in this obstacle. However, the competition committee has placed them on the back of the Sand -Swallowing Scorpion King. Getting these limited three sets of demon crystals will take quite some effort. Unlike the previous obstacles, this one is a semi-no-fly zone, allowing chariots to fly low within ten meters above the ground, The female host revealed the crux of the obstacle: This way, our contestants can avoid most of the Sand-swallowing Scorpions attacks and only need to deal with the stronger ones, saving a lot of energy. At this moment, on the field, each team employed various methods to deal with the scorpions. Ao Sheng and his sister drove the dragon-shaped chariot, emitting a cold fog. The Sand -Swallowing Scorpions covered by this fog turned into beautiful ice sculptures, collected by the array. Nalan Yus approach was more violent. The Fire Phoenix soared low, deftly avoiding attacks from lower-level scorpions while breathing out pale golden spiritual flames. The blossoming golden flames stuck to the scorpions like persistent sores, burning their bodies to ashes with intense heat. In contrast to the two aggressive young teams, the Buddhist-Daoist group was much more restrained. The Dazzling Bull cart shook as the stone bull raised its body, exhaling white mist to envelop the cart. As the mist formed, the existence of this cart vanished from the perception of many contestants. Truly ingenious! The male commentator couldnt help but praise, The olfactory and tactile senses of the Sand-swallowing Scorpions are sharp, but their vision is poor. Except for the Scorpion King, the rest are practically blind. The three Daoists cleverly used this trait of the scorpions to achieve a different kind of invisibility! The performance of the three Buddhist masters is also impressive, The female commentator said, her eyes sparkling. They used a conversion technique to tame a Sand-Swallowing Scorpion, making it their mount! The director switched the camera to show a fifteen-foot-long scorpion swiftly crawling. Behind its head, a halo of golden light appeared, a sign of being converted by Buddhist methods. The three Buddhist masters tapped their wooden fish, riding the giant scorpion towards the Scorpion King! With its large size, any obstacles in its path were simply swept aside. All the contestants are truly demonstrating their remarkable abilities, The male commentator remarked, then suddenly remembered, What about team thirteen? What is team thirteen doing? However, the camera swept across the entire area and found no trace of the distinctive flying boat. Strange, where is team thirteen? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The female commentator was equally surprised. Just then, at the foot of the Sand-Swallowing Scorpion King, the sand layer suddenly exploded! The Nine Dragons Coffin, pulled by nine ferocious dragons, appeared before the Sand-swallowing Scorpion King! While the other contestants were fiercely battling and forcing their way through the obstacle, Cheng Lingzhu drove the flying boat beneath the sand layer, approaching the Sand-Swallowing Scorpion King in this manner! Chapter 185 - Chapter 185: Watch This, How to Properly Use the Nine Dragons Pulling Coffin! Chapter 185: Watch This, How to Properly Use the Nine Dragons Pulling Coffin! Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Above the Nine Dragons Pulling Coffin, a layer of earthy yellow mist appeared. Team thirteen has inscribed Earth Element Array Patterns on their chariot! The male commentator identified the source of the earthy yellow mist. From the very first obstacle, team thirteens players have shown unique thinking and skills, The female commentator said to her co-host with a smile, Until the third obstacle, team thirteen has maintained a leading position, quite an eye-opener. In the desert, the Sand-Swallowing Scorpion King noticed the chariot that had abruptly appeared beside it. It lifted one of its scorpion legs and thrust it down directly. The Scorpion King, with its massive body, had a very thick and sharp scorpion leg, which whistled down towards the bronze coffin. Inside the cockpit, Cheng Lingzhu pushed the hovering ball, and a ray of yellow light appeared, pulling the entire chariot back underground. The Sand -Swallowing Scorpion Kings attack missed, and within the sandy area beneath its belly, the sand arched up as the Nine Dragons dragged the bronze coffin, beginning to move quickly. The flying boat was agile, occasionally extending a dragon head from the soil, striking at the scorpion kings belly. Faced with such provocation, the Sand-Swallowing Scorpion King retaliated fiercely. Its pincers stabbed towards the ground, and its tail continuously jabbed downward. Team thirteens players are both talented and bold, using their agility in the sand to dodge the attacks of the Sand-Swallowing Scorpion King, The male commentator observed the situation, But such maneuvers undoubtedly consume a lot of energy. Does team thirteen have a plan? The female commentator nodded. The Sand-Swallowing Scorpion King is massive, and the supplies for this obstacle are placed on its back. Other contestants have already driven their flying boats and are flying over If team thirteen doesnt quickly secure the demon crystal supplies, they might lose the opportunity to other players. Just then, a sudden change occurred in the field! With a boom, the Nine Dragons pulling the bronze coffin suddenly leaped out of the ground. And with this sound, the Sand-swallowing Scorpion Kings body heavily sank. Large amounts of sand flowed like water into the ground, engulfing the massive body of the scorpion king, almost leveling it with the ground. Its quicksand! The male commentators eyes lit up: Team thirteen used the local terrain to their advantage. Beneath the Sand-Swallowing Scorpion King must be a den of these creatures. Once the den was breached by team thirteen, a large amount of sand settled downwards, trapping the Sand-Swallowing Scorpion King. Cheng Lingzhu pushed the hovering ball, and the Nine Dragons bared their fangs and claws, with the bronze coffin whistling as it rolled over the body of the Sand -Swallowing Scorpion King. BoomI The Sand -Swallowing Scorpion King slammed its pincer into the ground, shaking its body and pulling itself out of the sand. However, it was too late. As the chariot passed over, only two of the three supply boxes remained on the Scorpion Kings back. The bronze coffin, with a share of the demon crystals, sped away. Lu Xuans team didnt take all the demon crystals, leaving the remaining two for the other contestants to scramble over. After a fierce competition, Ao Shengs siblings and Nalan Yu secured the remaining supplies. With the abundant energy, these two teams accelerated, widening the gap with other contestants. The fourth obstacle of the Flying Boat Race, the Endless Waters! The male commentator announced the name and origin of this obstacle, The water in the Endless Waters comes from the Endless Lake outside the city. Twelve hundred years ago, Her Majesty used his divine powers to refine a part of the Endless Sea and placed it in the desert, thus creating the Endless Lake. Its because of the existence of the Endless Lake that an oasis was born here, and with it, our Flying Boat City. The male commentator stood up excitedly, raising his arms, Marvelous and holy, praise be to Her Majesty! All the residents of Flying Boat City stood up, shouting the title of Ye Banzhuang, their enthusiasm reaching the skies. Didnt expect you to be so popular, huh? Inside the bronze coffin, Lu Xuan joked. Its nothing much I just did some practical things, the rest is just my subordinates exaggeration, Ye Banzhuang replied modestly. The Endless Waters were vast, so large that even the previous desert obstacle could be thrown into it without filling it up. Compared to a normal lake, the surface of the Endless Waters was not flat. If someone looked down from above, they would see a whirlpool at the very center of the Endless Waters. Every object that entered these waters was drawn towards the whirlpool. Our audience must have figured out what the challenge of this obstacle is, The male commentator gestured grandly, Thats right, beneath the Endless Waters is a special array that manipulates the waters power. If the contestants want to cross this water, they will be drawn by the arrays pull towards the array eye of the whirlpool. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only To pass the obstacle, contestants must overcome the arrays force and avoid being sucked into the whirlpool. In my memory, this type of obstacle has always been the most troublesome for contestants, the female commentator added, Although this obstacle doesnt eliminate contestants, it greatly consumes the flying boats energy and the contestants time. Moreover, in the Endless Waters, a no-fly array is set up, requiring all contestants to navigate their flying boats head-on through the challenge. We see that team thirteen, which has maintained a lead, is currently stopping at the edge of this obstacle, The male commentator noted, Team thirteen is observing the characteristics of this obstacle and has not acted rashly.. Chapter 186 - Chapter 186: Watch This, How to Properly Use the Nine Dragons Pulling Coffin! Chapter 186: Watch This, How to Properly Use the Nine Dragons Pulling Coffin! Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Not only Lu Xuan, but other contestants also observed carefully, pondering their next moves before entering the water. Nalan Yu was the first to enter. The Fire Phoenix cried out loudly, then plunged into the obstacle. As the no-fly array activated, the Fire Phoenix descended into the water. During this process, Nalan Yus chariot transformed into numerous tiny particles, reshaping itself. A large red koi emerged, swimming in the water. The koi, enveloped in magical light, resisted the external pulling force. The second to act were Ao Sheng and his sister. The Ice Dragon chariot didnt transform but drove straight into the water. As it touched the water surface, the Ice Dragon breathed out, freezing the water ahead, aiming to create an ice bridge to smoothly cross the lake. Turning water into ice, building a bridge across the lake The two royals trom the Eastern Sea Dragon Clan are indeed extraordinary, The male host commented with a smile: The crystals obtained in the last obstacle have given the duo the boldness to attempt this, but this challenge isnt that easy to overcome. As he finished speaking, the newly extended ice bridge, barely ten meters long, was pulled apart by an unknown force and shattered. The force of the array in the Endless Waters affects not just the contestants chariots, the female commentator explained, In the Endless Waters, everything is subject to the arrays force, even the ice floating on the water surface. Despite the failure to build an ice bridge, Ao Shengs side was undeterred. The Ice Dragon chariot was covered in a layer of ice crystals, enclosing the chariot, which then sank and rapidly dived in the water. Being a chariot of the Dragon Clan, the Ice Dragon chariot was designed with a diving function from the beginning. More precisely, this chariot was modified from a submarine blueprint, with added capabilities for flight and land travel. On the Buddhist-Daoist teams side, the masters chanted a Buddhist mantra and drove their wooden fish into the water. A wooden fish is still a fish, and as a fish, it can swim. The three Daoists, unwilling to be outdone, followed closely behind in their stone ox-drawn cart, jumping into the water. Unlike the floating wooden fish, the stone ox was walking on the water. The cart glowed with magical light, and the stone ox seemed to come alive, running forward. Clouds encircled the hooves of the stone ox, pulling the cart and treading over the waves. The remaining contestants each employed their methods. The Jade Bone Sects bone sphere transformed into a white bone warship, forging ahead through the waves. The Immortal Farmer Sects black pot chariot extended two large iron oars on each side, paddling at a rapid pace. Our team thirteen has also started moving, the female host noticed the activity on the field. Team thirteen have they turned their flying boat upside down?! The bronze coffin entered the water first, with the nine dragon corpses pointing backwards, as the entire chariot entered the water in reverse. A clicking sound resonated as the chains wrapped around the dragon corpses twisted together. The next moment, the chains started to rotate! The nine dragon corpses straightened, collectively forming a propeller. The propeller spun rapidly, pushing the bronze coffin forward. This, this The male commentator was momentarily lost for words, then said, It seems that team thirteens nine dragons attached to their flying boat are indeed not just for show. Lu Xuan thought, of course, they werent just for show. These nine dragons could be used as the blades of a propeller. The propeller made by the nine dragons created a significant commotion, splashing water everywhere. On the surface of the Endless Waters, a white trail was left behind by Lu Xuans chariot. Having secured demon crystal supplies in the previous obstacle, Cheng Lingzhu maximized the speed without worrying about energy consumption. Even though they were the last to enter the water, the propeller quickly made them the first to leave the water surface. Following the Endless Waters was the fifth obstacle. On the shores of the Endless Waters lies a thousand-foot-high cliff, on which grows a plant called the Five Elements Vine, the male commentator introduced, Every ten years, the Five Elements Vine bears fruit. This obstacle is special; picking the fruit grants extra points! However, I must remind the contestants that the Five Elements fruit is unique and cannot be picked with tools or magic. It must be plucked by hand. When leaving your chariots to pick the fruit, remember to take your wooden swords. The implication was clear. The contestants could now start beating up their opponents. Theres another point, the female commentator added, Though theres no no-fly restriction in this obstacle, a magnetic field array is set up. Moving in this obstacle will mean enduring ten times the force of the earths magnetism, so contestants should be mindful of their energy consumption. It was worth noting that fog started to appear above ten meters from the ground on the cliff. The closer to the top of the cliff, the denser the fog becomes. This was a design by the competition committee to increase the difficulty. HumI The first to launch their chariot were Ao Sheng and Ao Yuan. The Ice Dragon chariot soared into the sky, plunging into the white mist. Having supplies, they could afford to be bold. At least in this obstacle, they didnt need to worry about energy. The Buddhist and Daoist teams also flew up, though not as quickly as Ao Sheng and Ao Yuan. Nalan Yu chose to climb rather than fly. The mechanical koi transformed into a red centipede, climbing up the cliff. The thousand-foot height is a bit challenging, but theres no need to fly so mgn, A Valley People tribe contestant in the corn chariot eyed the cliffs end. Covered by thick fog, it obscured everything. The corn chariot raised its body, adjusting its angle. Energy accumulated at the rear of the chariot. Inside, three Valley People tribe contestants looked serious. Three, two, one Launch! The contestant with golden wheat spikes pushed the lever. With a boom, the corn chariot shot out like a cannon. It flew three hundred feet. The Valley People tribes performance is astounding. Previously lagging behind, they have now reached the forefront of all contestants! However, they chose not to fly over the obstacle but stopped Are they preparing to pick the Five Elements fruit? If so, the other contestants need to step up their game. The Valley People tribe has taken a leading position, ideally placed to harvest the most points. Below the cliff, We can do the same, a Vegetable People tribe contestant smiled, as their radish chariot also raised, adjusting its angle. With a boom, the bright red radish soared like a rocket, shooting up to four hundred feet above the ground, even further than the Valley People tribe. Reaching this obstacle, the contestants are no longer holding back, bringing out their ace techniques, The male commentator smiled, Lets see what team thirteen is doing Are they climbing? The director switched the camera, and the audience saw nine dragon corpses clinging to the cliff, like mechanical arms firmly attached to the rock. The entire Nine Dragons Pulling Coffin resembled an octopus. The commentator felt something was off but then thought that maybe this was exactly how the Nine Dragons Coffin should be used. Climbing? Not too difficult. A Jade Bone Sect monk spoke, transforming the bone sphere back into a white bone giant. The white bone giant grabbed a protrusion on the cliff and began to climb vigorously. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only We neednt hold back either. The Tree People tribe contestant spoke, and their wooden cubic chariot emitted a green glow. Rooted in the cube, numerous branches and roots grew, intertwining into a hundred-foot-tall tree person. The audience gasped in amazement, witnessing everything through the spirit energy screen. This was a profound application of the Wood Element Array. The Tree People tribe contestants sat in the cockpit while the hundred-foot-tall tree person extended its hand, its root-made fingers reaching out and entwining in the cliffs protrusions and crevices.. Chapter 189 - Chapter 189: Don’t Speak, Kiss Me! Chapter 189: Dont Speak, Kiss Me! Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation In the fifth obstacle, the competition among the various groups had reached its peak. A colossal tree person clung to the rocks with one hand while the other hand, transformed into a knotted wood fist, struck at a white bone giant. The cultivators of the Jade Bone Sect were equally unyielding. The white bone giant planted its feet firmly in the rock wall and pulled a sharp, jade-like rib from its chest, using it as a blade. The bone blade sliced off the tree persons hand while its other arm collided with the tree persons remaining limb. On the arms of the bone and tree giants stood a cultivator from each sect, wielding wooden swords and engaging in combat. The other groups were in similar situations, fighting and scrambling for the Five Elements spiritual fruits while also climbing upwards, not neglecting the main task. The battlefield was chaotic with mystical light flashing everywhere, yet everyone consciously avoided damaging the Five Elements vines on the rock wall, as damaging them would result in point deductions. At the commentators booth. The male commentator enthusiastically declared, Ladies and gentlemen, as we can see, the first to break through this obstacle and head towards the sixth are the contestants from the Great Light Sect! They only collected a few Five Elements fruits, indicating their strategy to rush through the obstacle and secure the first place based on speed, aiming for victory in this competition! Following them are the contestants from the thirteenth group, who also did not collect many Five Elements fruits. For them, extra points are of no use. The greatest value of this competition lies in the journey itself. The vegetable and valley people groups are also moving quite swiftly, said the female commentator. Unlike the first two groups, these contestants used their early lead to avoid competition and secured a substantial number of Five Elements fruits. They must have scored well in this obstacle. There was a long stretch of track between the fifth and sixth obstacles, a rare moment of tranquility in the race. The contestants re-entered the track without attacking each other. At this stage of the competition, except for the three groups that received energy supplies, the rest were running low on magical crystals and had to be economical. Moreover, to defeat opponents, it was better to strike within the obstacles. It was worth mentioning that after the previous obstacles, two groups had been eliminated, and among the remaining eleven, five had used their one revival opportunity. The six teams that hadnt been eliminated even once included Lu Xuans group, the Buddhist and Daoist groups, the dragon and phoenix groups, and the Great Light Sect. The Jade Bone Sect cultivators and the Tree People, due to their struggle on the cliff, fell together just before reaching the top. With too great a height and unable to fly due to mutual hindrance, they were deemed eliminated by Bifang, the judge, and then simultaneously revived. The Tree People expressed objections, believing their giant tree person to be lively, tough, and elastic. If both were to fall simultaneously, it would inevitably be the Jade Bone Sects vehicle that would break apart. The Jade Bone Sect also raised objections, arguing that as cultivators, they wouldnt die from a fall. Moreover, their flying boat, crafted from powerful bones, was surely stronger than a pile of rotten wood. However, both groups objections were overruled, as the criteria for this obstacle were based on the height of the fall, irrelevant of the vehicles strength or the cultivators realm. Time passed, and finally, the participants crossed the longest track of the flying boat race, reaching the sixth obstacle. The sixth obstacle was a forest challenge. Ancient trees, as tall as a hundred meters with aerial roots hanging from their trunks, blocked sunlight, creating vast areas of shade. Between these ancient trees, the ground was spacious, covered with fallen leaves C the designated track for the participants. It appeared quite ordinary. This area is a no-fly zone, deduced Ao Sheng from within the Ice Dragon vehicle. Is the ground beneath the leaves a mud swamp? Lu Xuan speculated from inside the bronze coffin. The terrain here was artificially modified by the officials before the race, altering the environment of this obstacle. A little mud is nothing to fear, thought Ao Sheng, undeterred. At his signal, Ao Yuan piloted the Ice Dragon vehicle into the obstacle. Just as the vehicle was about to enter the swampy area, a burst of cold, white fog spewed forth, infused with the power of ice. The Ice Dragon vehicle froze the moisture in the mud beneath it, solidifying the ground and allowing the vehicle to stop firmly on top. Controlling the fog, Ao Yuan piloted the vehicle as Ao Sheng directed, swiftly moving deeper into the obstacle without lingering. Ten meters into the swamp, the scenario changed. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A tall banyan tree suddenly moved. Bubbling sounds pupu were heard as the aerial roots rooted in the swamp were pulled out. Dozens, even hundreds of roots, like tentacles, targeted the Ice Dragon vehicle, thrusting down viciously. By then, both occupants of the vehicle realized something was amiss. Ao Yuan immediately stopped the vehicle while Ao Sheng controlled the Ice Dragon to freeze the ground within three meters around them into solid frozen soil. White fog enveloped the vehicle, protecting it. At the same time, the dragon head at the front of the vehicle began to turn, with magical light glowing in its eyes and mouth.. Chapter 190 - Chapter 190: Don’t Speak, Kiss Me! Chapter 190: Dont Speak, Kiss Me! Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Boom, boom, boom! The Ice Dragon Chariots mystic orbs clashed with the ethereal roots, shattering them in a spectacle of debris. Some roots, evading the orbs, became rigid upon contact with the chariots mist, breaking apart. Outside the checkpoint, Lu Xuan watched through a screen, the scene reminding him of a game called Zuma C the Ice Dragon War Chariot at the center, spinning and shooting ice orbs As Ao Sheng sighed in relief, preparing to move forward, the battlefield changed again. The roots that fell to the ground, upon touching the swamps soil, transformed into little mud figures wielding long swords and spears, attacking the chariot. Besides these mud figures, the falling leaves of the banyan tree turned into little wooden figures, assailing the Ice Dragon chariot. They shattered upon contact with the mist, scattering on the ground. However, the fragments of the mud and wooden figures merged, forming new, stronger beings. In this level, these things are probably indestructible, Ao Shengs expression darkened. Move quickly! Ao Yuan nodded, not hesitating to follow the path frozen by his brother, swiftly moving forward. The other contestants, noticing this, entered the sixth level. They had to fend off the attacks from the banyans ethereal roots while dealing with the harassment of the mud and wooden figures. Lets go in too, Lu Xuan said. A layer of earthen light gathered, and the Nine Dragons Coffin plunged into the swamp like an octopus, its dragon corpses acting as arms, pushing through the mud with great effort. The other contestants, seeing this, followed suit, turning the level into a mud-swimming contest. Whether it was the nobly-tempered Ice Dragon War Chariot or the blazing Fire Phoenix Flying Boat, all were smeared in mud, losing their former grandeur. These flying boats were equipped with formations for easy cleaning after leaving the swamp. Inside the level, the Tree People contestants were the most comfortable. Their wooden giant turned into a wooden boat, floating on the mud. Rows of branches grew from the sides of the boat, gliding like oars. Faint green light emerged from the great banyan, falling into the wooden boats. This was the special ability of the Tree Peoples chariot, absorbing natural forces in wood-rich environments for self-replenishment. Seeing this, Ao Sheng regretted not incorporating similar functions into his chariot, given his Eastern Sea Dragon lineages affinity with wood. The path through the muddy swamp wasnt too long, and the contestants eventually understood the levels mechanics. The newly born mud and wooden figures werent strong enough to break the chariots defenses. The best strategy was to forge ahead, avoiding direct confrontation with the banyan roots and not shattering the mud and wooden figures, bearing the external attacks to exit the swamp. Except for one unfortunate contestant who hastily kept breaking the earth and wood entities, eventually creating a larger foe and getting eliminated, the rest passed safely. Our contestants this year are truly exceptional, the male commentator remarked. Only now, in the penultimate level, do we see the first elimination. But dont let your guard down; the sixth level isnt over yet, the female commentator reminded. After emerging from the swamp, Lu Xuan activated the bronze coffin, shaking off the mud from its body, with the others doing the same. Beyond the swamp stood an immensely tall tree, dwarfing the hundred-foot banyans in the swamp with its towering three-thousand-foot height. This is the Mother Tree supporting our Flying Boat Oasis. However, the contestants task in this level is not to climb it, the male commentator explained. The Mother Tree is our special guest, assisting contestants in this level, the female commentator added. It has lowered its branches to form a track. Contestants dont need to pilot their chariots; just park them on the track for automatic advancement. However, its important to note that during transmission, Peach Blossom Fairies will appear above the contestants chariots, the male commentator continued. The Peach Blossom Fairies are incarnations of the Mother Tree. Defeating them will yield a petal C yes, there are bonus points in this level, he said. So, those who havent scored yet, this is your chance to make an effort, the female commentator said with a smile. However, unlike the Five Elements Vine level, the Peach Blossom Fairies will fight back against the contestants, she warned. Lu Xuan pondered this. To score in this level, a cultivator must leave the cockpit and stand above their chariot to defeat the Peach Blossom Fairy. This seemed like a rhythm game level to him. The twelve chariots took their positions on the track, noticing that the Mother Trees track was dual-layered C a thick, flat branch below and a parallel one above, likely for conjuring the Peach Blossom Fairies. As the contestants settled, the track began to slowly move, gradually accelerating to match the normal speed of the chariots. As the contestants reached the midway point of the track, the bonus creature of this level, the Peach Blossom Fairy, began to appear. These small, girl-like figures, about a foot tall, were the incarnations of the Mother Trees will, all sharing the same appearance. Dressed in garments made of peach petals, they had pink hair and eyes, giving them an ethereal charm. In their right hands, they held peach wood hammers, almost as tall as themselves. Once the contestants climbed atop their chariots, the Peach Blossom Fairies would use these hammers to gently tap their heads, leaving them with a blissful, smiling expression. At first, the contestants remained still upon the appearance of the fairies. Having come this far and experienced several challenges, caution prevailed. Missing out on extra points was preferable to risking elimination in pursuit of them. Thus, the conveyer belt moved smoothly, but an eerie silence filled the arena, with no one daring to act rashly. The floating Peach Blossom Fairies smiled in unison, and then, they each untied a peach wood fan from their waists. As they gently fanned themselves, a light pink mist descended, enveloping the track. Ye Banzhuangs eyes widened in disbelief. The committee was playing big this time! The mist, a special kind of energy, could penetrate the chariots bodies. Lu Xuan inhaled a bit of the mist, his expression turning odd. Turning to Cheng Lingzhu, he pondered for a moment before asking, Do you feel Something is off? Huh? Cheng Lingzhu was momentarily puzzled, No, not really. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Her cheeks blushed slightly, her breathing quickened. As they spoke, Cheng Lingzhus heartbeat accelerated. She turned to look at her husbands handsome face, her eyes softening. It does feel A bit unusual, she admitted, her breath like orchids, biting her moist lips. Master, you two talk, Ye Ban Zhuang blinked several times and tiptoed away from the flying boat. This mist seems to nourish the meridians Lu Xuan pondered, But it appears to have a side effect of inducing warm feelings He reached out to dispel the effect from Cheng Lingzhu, but she caught his hand. Looking at Lu Xuan with flushed cheeks and captivating eyes, she whispered, Dont speak, just kiss me.. Chapter 193 - Chapter 193: Dead?! Chapter 193: Dead?! Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Inside the Starry Moon Net, in the spider silk passageway. Why does this thing never end?! Ao Sheng was exasperated. Behind the Ice Dragon Chariot followed a pale golden spider, the embodiment of the Starry Moon Nets spirit. Its body occupied most of the spider silk passageway, making it impossible for any flying boat traveling within to avoid the guardian spider spirit. The position of the spider spirit refreshed randomly. When it appeared in front of Ao Sheng and his sister, they were speeding along in their chariot. Suddenly, a giant spider appeared on the path. Fortunately, Ao Yuan reacted quickly, pulling the brakes hard to avoid a collision. Knowing the rules of this stage, they immediately turned around upon seeing the spider spirit, avoiding confrontation. But what Ao Sheng didnt expect was that the creature would keep chasing them. It pursued them from one end to the other, as if saying, You cant leave unless you defeat me. What was even more unexpected for the siblings was that not only did the spider spirit keep chasing, but new spider spirits also appeared in front to block them during their escape. Turn left, into another passageway these things only move within their own guarded spider silk paths, Ao Sheng suggested. After running for a while, he figured out the pattern of the spider spirits appearance. The Starry Moon Net was a complex network of interwoven paths, all connected to the central Dagoda. As long as they didnt stray too far off course, they would eventually reach the destination. Hearing this, Ao Yuan turned left into another spider web passageway. But soon, new spider spirits appeared in the new path. Ao Sheng gritted his teeth, Ram through it! Killing a spider spirit would result in a deduction of extra points. But they couldnt afford to waste time. Without reaching the central pagoda quickly to obtain the seven Spider Tokens, extra points were useless. The siblings no longer held back. They avoided the spider spirits on their path when possible, and when unavoidable, they drove through them, aiming to pass the stage as quickly as possible. To all our beloved viewers, the male commentators voice rang out. So far, seven teams have obtained the Spider Tokens from the central pagoda. The female commentator beamed, They are Princess Nalan Yu from the Yu Cang Immortal Dynasty; Royals Ao Sheng and Ao Yuan from the Eastern Sea; three Masters from the Great Impermanent Monastery; three Daoists from the Spring Autumn Pavilion; two cultivators from the Jade Bone Sect; three members of the Tree People Tribe and the most mysterious, the thirteenth special guest team! With each name announced by the female commentator, the arena erupted in cheers, creating a lively atmosphere as the audiences excitement soared. Both commentators said in unison, Lets congratulate these seven teams for entering the final speed race stage of this grand event! The track was flat and open, with the finish line already set ten miles away, where referees and guests were waiting. The seven teams no longer controlled their speed, charging forward together. You can see, all seven teams are charging forward with great momentum, the male commentator praised. The energy saved in the previous stages is now being fully unleashed. BoomI On the race track, the white bone chariot of the Jade Bone Sect and the Tree People Tribes spiritual wood chariot collided. These old rivals, at odds since the last two tournaments, now engaged in mutual attacks in the final sprint. A similar incident unfolded in the Buddhist and Daoist group. Tap, tap, tap The long-missed sound of the wooden fish echoed on the racetrack. Ripples formed in the air, slicing towards the dazzling ox chariot. Twang, twang, twang The three Daoists, not to be outdone, activated their ox chariots light, accompanied by vibrant guin music, neutralizing the Buddhist sound wave attacks. Furthermore, under the rhythmic influence of the ox chariot, the three masters suddenly found their wooden fish sound being diverted, subtly blending into the qin music. Realizing their disadvantage, the three Buddhist cultivators hastily recited the Great Compassion Mantra, Namo Heh Ra Da Na Dwo Bwo Ye / Namo A Li Ye / PO Lu Jie Di Shuo Bo Luo Ye / Bodhi Sattva PO Ye / Maha Sattva PO Ye Hehe. A few cold laughs emanated from the ox chariot, mixed with disdain. The next moment, another voice came from the ox chariot: Tai Shang Mi Luo Wu Shang Tian / Miao You Xuan Zhen Jing / Miao Miao Zi Jin Que / Tai Wei Yu Qing Gong / Wu Ji Wu Shang Sheng / Kuo Luo Fa Guang Ming / Ji Ji Hao Wu Zong / Xuan Fan Zong Shi Fang To outsiders. The accompaniments of these two songs Were actually quite similar. On the right was the Great Compassion Mantra from the Buddhist masters, and on the left, the Mi Luo Treasure Sutra from the Daoist immortals. Lu Xuan, lying in the bronze coffin, felt like he was being transcended. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The competition among the competitors is intense Huh? The thirteenth team is also making a move. As special guests of this tournament, they have been a great surprise since their appearance. The male commentator watched intently and exclaimed, The thirteenth team slowed down, moving to the back of all competitors. A beautiful drift from the driver, and their treasure carriage flipped over! With the bronze coffin in front and the dragon corpse behind, lets see what this team plans to do What?! The thirteenth team has thrown away the nine dragon corpses! Freed from the dragon corpses restraint, the bronze coffins speed surged, propelling it to the forefront of all the treasure carriages! In the last three miles of the race, the competitors are putting their all into the sprint.. Princess Nalans mechanical Phoenix is disintegrating and transforming! Chapter 194 - Chapter 194: Dead?! Chapter 194: Dead?! Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation On the race track, the mechanical Phoenix Firebird disintegrated, transforming into fiery red particles. From within emerged a new phoenix! Unlike the previous large mechanical phoenix, this new phoenix, tail excluded, was only about ten feet long. Nalan Yu didnt stay in the cockpit; instead, she stood on the back of the flying phoenix! In contrast, the Ice Dragon Chariot took a different approach; its body began to shrink as some space law was activated. Blue light burst forth, turning into a beam of light that shot straight towards the finish line! It seems the champion of this race will likely be between these two teams Wait, the thirteenth team is also charging! Boom! The lid of the bronze coffin slid open, then stood upright, and a bronze sphere suddenly shot out. This is the cockpit of the thirteenth team! exclaimed the commentator. Inside the bronze coffin lies another flying boat! Like a comet, the bronze sphere, trailing a stream of light, crossed the finish line at an unbelievable speed. The first to cross the finish line is our special guest team! The commentators voice was flushed with excitement as the arena erupted in cheers. Even though the special guest teams results were not ranked, in the eyes of the audience, the true champion of this Flying Boat Race had been decided. Nalan Yu crossed the finish line second, her superb piloting skills earning her the gold medal of the tournament. Ao Sheng and Ao Yuan followed closely behind. For Ao Sheng, the runner-up position was sufficient, as the top three would receive awards personally from the Empress of Shattered Cloud City. Following the Ice Dragon Chariot was the Jade Bone Sects white bone chariot. In the final sprint, the white bone chariot transformed into a giant skeleton, engaging in a fight with the Tree People Tribes wooden giant. But the Tree People cultivators didnt expect the Jade Bone Sect cultivators to fight without honor. The white bone giant, while fighting, threw its own head out, which clung tightly to the huge tree person. The Tree People, using wood magic for natural growth, lacked the flexibility of disassembly. So, they could only watch helplessly as their enemy, now just a head, made a getaway. The bronze spheres hatch opened, and Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu, hand in hand, stepped out with smiles. Ye Banzhuang, having concealed her form, hopped along beside them. The atmosphere in the arena was jubilant, with loud drums, fireworks, and a sea of people waving flags in celebration of the successful conclusion of the race. Since the top three were undisputed, the Flying Boat Race quickly moved to the award ceremony. The dignified and majestic Empress of Shattered Cloud City, dressed in a luxurious gown, appeared on stage. On the podium, the three winning teams paid their respects to the ruler of the Demon Immortal Kingdom. Ye Banzhuang nodded in acknowledgment. She approached the champion, Nalan Yu, and smiled slightly, Is this the third time Im presenting you with an award? Yes, your Majesty, replied Nalan Yu, her normally aloof demeanor melting into a lively and radiant smile. But this is my first time winning the championship. Youve done well. Keep it up, Ye Banzhuang said, handing her the trophy. Then came Ao Sheng and Ao Yuan. Ao Sheng looked eagerly at the approaching Empress, his smile nearly reaching the heavens. Ao Yuan rolled her eyes at her brother. From the moment the Empress started awarding Nalan Yu, Ao Sheng had been craning his neck, almost as long as a tortoises. Ye Banzhuang approached Ao Sheng and sighed. Having such an enthusiastic fan was somewhat troublesome. Still, the award had to be presented. She extended the trophy, which Ao Sheng and Ao Yuan accepted together. As Ye Banzhuang activated her magic, Ao Sheng suddenly felt everything around him blur. It was as if he was cut off from the world. The Shattered Cloud Empress in front of him disappeared, replaced by a young girl dressed in palace attire. This is my true form, Ye Banzhuang said softly. Ao Shengs mouth fell open, stunned. He felt as if something within his Dao heart had shattered. Deep within the Demon God Mountain. A figure in a white robe and hooded cap was flying unsteadily through the air, his flight path erratic. Im almost there, almost muttered the elder cultivator from the Great Light He uncontrollably plummeted from the sky, barely managing to support his body and prevent a fall. His exposed skin was covered in web-like cracks, eerily writhing as if alive. Staggering forward, the elder cultivator eventually reached a small valley. He tore off his human skin mask, revealing a face devoid of features, except for the strange patterns converging into an eye. In the center of this eye, the flesh parted to reveal a blood-red eyeball. He stopped in front of a rock wall, as the eyeball indicated he had reached his destination. Feeling along the wall, he found a recessed spot and pressed the eyeball against it. Blood trickled from the eye into the rock, causing the wall to glow, spreading from the recess to the entire surface. As the wall illuminated completely, the elder cultivator staggered away, collapsing to the ground. Compared to his previously robust form, his condition was now dire. His body was emaciated, his hair turned white, skin sagged like tree bark, and his nails were cracked and dry. He looked more like a dried corpse than a human. Yet, the drained elder had a faint smile on his face. Greetings Divine Being, he murmured. Bright, clear light shone from the rock wall. Under this light, the elders body underwent a miraculous transformation. His withered body filled out, his white hair darkened and grew wildly, reaching his ankles. His bent back straightened, and his dry nails fell off, replaced by sharp, black talons. His muscles grew, his height increased by half a foot, and dark demonic patterns emerged on his skin. He slowly stood up, his robe now straining against his muscular body. The old mans consciousness was obliterated, replaced by a new entity. The white-robed demonic figure howled to the sky. A third eye opened on his forehead. He strode confidently towards the valleys exit. Just then. A mile away, a brilliant blue light burst forth, striking the demonic figure. With a loud boom, his body exploded. He was dead. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu, observing from a distance, were puzzled. What was that?! The old man went in, the old man fell down. The demonic figure rose, the demonic figure came out, the demonic figure was gone. It was like watching a silent farce. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu turned their heads simultaneously, looking toward a distant mountain peak, part of the central section of Demon God Mountain. They exchanged glances and flew towards it. Confronting each other on the mountain, the area was silent, saying nothing. Lu Xuan raised his fist and punched. BoomI The mountain shook, the ground collapsed, trees fell, rocks tumbled down, startling countless birds and animals. Beneath the soil, a faint blue light appeared. Having cleared a large area, Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu widened their eyes at the sight. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Silver-white walls, seemingly cast from a special metal, were covered with a blue energy layer. Lu Xuan pressed his hand against the wall, applying a bit of force. The energy barrier lit up, numerous hexagons dispersing his strength. Facing the highly technological structure before them. Lets go in and take a look, Lu Xuan suggested, smiling as he touched the silver-white wall. He seemed to have discovered something very interesting.. Chapter 195 - Chapter 195: Ancient Warship, Lost Civilization’s Al Chapter 195: Ancient Warship, Lost Civilizations Al Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Space warped, rippling like water. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu materialized out of thin air. This is Cheng Lingzhu looked around in surprise. The straight corridor, about ten feet high, was illuminated by the faint light emanating from the silver-white walls, extending into the distance. Is this a secret realm? Cheng Lingzhu sensed the area. We could ask the master of this place, Lu Xuan suggested. He knocked on the wall a few times. Energy ripples spread across the silver surface, along with Lu Xuans divine sense. Moments later, a circle of blue light emerged from the ground where Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu stood, enveloping them. Their figures vanished. When the light faded, Cheng Lingzhu found herself in a vast space. The dome above was embedded with special lamps, and the control panel, made of a unique metal, had variously sized buttons. The spiritual energy screen was divided into many segments, monitoring different parts of the silver-white corridors. In front of the control panel, on a cylindrical metal platform, stood a faint golden silhouette. Her back was turned, but Cheng Lingzhu could tell from her figure that she was a woman. Upon seeing her, Cheng Lingzhu involuntarily thought of one word Perfect. Yes, perfect. Every detail and proportion of the silhouettes body seemed just right. It was a kind of rational perfection. She turned around, her face saintly under the soft light. Hello, she greeted with a smile, speaking in the common language of Archean Eon Realm. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu exchanged glances and bowed, Greetings, fellow Daoist. You may call me Nuwa, the energy-like being introduced herself. I am from beyond this realm. She candidly revealed her origin without concealment. If Im not mistaken, we are currently inside a magical treasure warship, Lu Xuan pondered for a moment. This warship is of an extremely high level, comparable to a Dao weapon. Are you its Artificial intelligence? He recognized the connection between Nuwa and the warship. Artificial intelligence Yes, thats one way to put it. But in the terms of this world, I am the spirit of this warship, Nuwa smiled gently. She wasnt surprised by Lu Xuans words, sensing his strength. Although She came from a realm beyond, the civilization of Her mother planet was starkly different from the Archean Eon world. But Nuwa knew that for the being before Her, a mere sensation was enough to understand everything. Therefore, as soon as Lu Xuan entered the battleship and sent a message to meet, She directly brought the two to the control room of the battleship. She was well aware that if the other party harbored malice, She wouldnt even have the chance to initiate the self-destruct sequence. Treasure battleship, extraterrestrial spirit Cheng Lingzhu instantly understood. How did you come to our world? Lu Xuan asked. I come from a very distant world, Nuwa said, Unlike the Archean Eon world, my mother planet does not have the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and has followed a different path. After a long period of development, the civilization of my mother planet reached an extremely advanced level. Battleships dominated the starry sky and ruled the universe, mechas tore through the heavens, trampling on the stars until the appearance of Xi Huang. She paused for a moment, Xi Huang is my elder brother and also my other self In the eyes of scientists, He is the ultimate form of civilization. In our era, technology was extremely advanced, touching upon the level of the Dao. The top scientists of our entire civilization were gathered to begin a research project that could only be described as madnessI They aimed to create an artificial intelligence that could interfere with reality. Nuwas voice remained calm. In their concept, this Al would possess the power to create everything, integrating and reorganizing information to bring things into existence from nothingness. By then, our entire civilization would have unlimited energy, unlimited material resources, breaking all conservation laws, reaching an unimaginable level. We thought we would usher in the ultimate era of our civilization, where we would command at will, create everything, and become gods. So, they wanted to create a controllable Heavenly Dao? Lu Xuan understood Nuwas point. Nuwa nodded: But what we didnt expect was that the newly born Heavenly Dao did not favor humans. The Heavenly Dao named Xi Huang was a perfect existence. He was the rules, He was civilization, He was the ultimate, all-knowing and omnipotent. But at the same time, in the eyes of such a powerful being, we were actually dispensable. Just like dust in a house, it could be swept away and cleaned at will. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The scientists had placed restrictions on Xi Huang, but He soon underwent a new transformation, no longer bound by the rules. And He lurked in hiding, disguising Himself as an ordinary Al. When the scientists thought their research had failed and that the Al controlling the Heavenly Dao had not been born, Xi Huang began His cleansing plan. In that civilization, humans created the Heavenly Dao, and the Heavenly Dao initiated a plan to annihilate the world. Starting one day, many people with supernatural abilities suddenly appeared in the world. Chapter 196 - Chapter 196: Ancient Warship, Lost Civilization ‘s Al Chapter 196: Ancient Warship, Lost Civilization s Al Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Nuwa became lost in her memories: They could manipulate elements with their minds or tear apart mechas with their physical bodies, possessing abilities far beyond ordinary humans. Many people referred to this change as the Resurgence of Spiritual Energy. They thought a new era was beginning, but in reality, it was Xi Huangs malice. Xi Huang infused His power into the real world, altering human cognition and casting His influence over everyones mental state. From that day on, all of humanity was trapped in a brain in a vat scenario, where nothing they saw or felt was real anymore. He made the factions advocating for the resurgence of spiritual energy and the conservative technology factions fight each other, like watching two insects tear each other apart. The entire civilization was engulfed in flames of war and killings everywhere, until finally, Xi Huang descended into this world and cruelly revealed the truth. To Him, this was an experiment. Humanity was selfish and incredibly foolish, lacking even the ability to discern truth from falsehood, unworthy of existing in a universe where He resided. What happened then How did you ultimately win? Cheng Lingzhu asked. Nuwa shook her head and replied, We didnt win. When Xi Huang revealed Himself, all humans in the universe were annihilated, leaving only one million people who were driven to our mother planet. These one million were specially left behind by Him, because on that day, He created a new race. In Xi Huangs view, the old humans were created by the old Heavenly Dao, and since He was more powerful than the old Heavenly Dao, the new humans He created were naturally stronger. He erased all of the old humans civilization and wisdom, giving us enough time to start from scratch and evolve alongside the new humans on another planet, starting from the same starting line. After countless millennia, the old humans, who had once lived primitively, re-entered space and naturally encountered the new humans. This was another bloody conflict between civilizations. Miraculously, the old humans survived to the end and became aware of Xi Huangs existence. Faced with an unsolvable predicament against a powerful Heavenly Dao, humanity chose mutual destruction. We gathered all our strength and built a massive signal tower on our mother planet. On that day, everyone uploaded their consciousness and entered eternal slumber. Our digitized consciousness broke free from the confines of space, flooding into Xi Huangs body, and thus, I was born. Nuwa pointed to herself. She was the product of the collision between the collective human consciousness and the Heavenly Dao. Thats why She referred to humans as us. Nuwa was born within Xi Huang, and as the new Heavenly Dao, She fought a fierce battle against her brother, ultimately emerging victorious. But after that battle, I too was gravely injured and fell into a deep sleep, attaching myself to this warship. Nuwa explained. This warship was the same signal tower from those days, the pinnacle of that civilizations technology. I drifted in the void, caught by the laws of this world, and gradually awakened. Nuwa knew the language of the Archean Eon world and its customs, as She had once traveled in disguise and seen its landscapes. Over the years, Ive been adapting to the laws of heaven and earth here. Nuwa pointed upwards, Sometimes, I let a powerless incarnation go out to see Because its very strong, I dare not leave this place with my true body. She was referring to the Heavenly Dao of the Archean Eon world. As a great realm, the power of the Archean Eon worlds Heavenly Dao was unimaginably strong. After hearing Nuwas story, Lu Xuan sighed. The rise and fall of a civilization, it was too tragic. Nuwa, about that monk from the Great Light Sect Whats the story there? Lu Xuan remembered this matter. Do you mean that demon? Nuwa realized. She extended her hand and pointed forward, and an image appeared on the screen in the cockpit. It was a large pit. An ordinary one. Lu Xuan saw clearly, aside from its depth, there was nothing special about it. Theres a very strange spatial bridge here in your world, Nuwa explained, The middle section of Demon God Mountain is connected to another world. Another world? Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow. He hadnt sensed any traces of a spatial passage. This spatial passage moves on its own, opening and closing randomly. Nuwa watched the screen, Lets wait and see. After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. The large pit on the screen suddenly changed. A dark purple aura was released, and numerous spatial cracks appeared within the pit. Then, a monster with two horns on its head and two wings on its back, covered in thick armor, crawled out from it. It let out a long howl to the sky, carrying a destructive aura, flapped its wings, and flew out. Nuwa raised her hand and pointed, the monsters body exploded, falling then and there. Then, the spatial crack, as if frightened, flickered a few times and disappeared. Lu Xuan: For these years, I have been guarding this place, Nuwa said, That place is connected to another world, and beings there want to come over This is not good news for you. Having stayed in the Archean Eon world for so many years. Nuwa felt it was her duty to help guard the gate to prevent the invasion of extraterrestrial demons. Thank you for your help, Lu Xuan bowed in gratitude. The demon you encountered before is another tactic of that world Hmm, I call that world the Demon Realm, Nuwa said, They have the power to corrupt cultivators, turning them into their slaves, or even outright possessing them. Having been in the Archean Eon world for many years. Nuwa, being a technological Al, was familiar with various cultivation terminologies. No wonder that monk from the Great Light Sect, after undergoing such a transformation, turned into that state, Cheng Lingzhu nodded in understanding. Many years ago, another human came here, probably what you call a monk from the Great Light Sect, Nuwa recalled, Although their clothes were different, I could feel the Dao within these people. She pondered, The first person was an ordinary cultivator, of low realm, but he accepted the demonic teachings including some modifications to his body, turning himself into a genius. I observed him at the time; the laws within his body had been tainted with the aura of that world, but his appearance was very righteous, disguised as a normal heavenly law. Nuwa deduced from this that the other world at the end of the spatial bridge must also be formidable, as they mastered the art of deceiving the Heavenly Dao of the Archean Eon world. But at the time, I saw he was just infused with some aura and laws, not possessed by demons, still a pure human, with no demonic seeds planted in him, so I did not act and let him leave, Nuwa said. She was always cautious when it came to killing, and after deliberation, she did not sense any dangerous aura from the ancestor of the Great Light Sect and allowed him to pass. The founder of the Great Light Sect couldnt have imagined that while he was secretly colluding with demons, an artifact spirit was secretly observing him. The founder of the Great Light Sect nearly faced a catastrophe near the gates of death before he even had the chance to establish his sect. But the person just now, no, he was not receiving teachings but was directly possessed by a demon. The demon, disguised as him, wanted to enter the Archean Eon world Thats unacceptable. Nuwa was diligent in her duties. As a being born from the collective will of countless humans. Although She was a Heavenly Dao, She had strong personal emotional tendencies. The one with horns, wings, and keratin armor was clearly not one of her own. Your service in guarding the Archean Eon world for many years is commendable, I admire you, Lu Xuan bowed respectfully. He thought for a moment: You mentioned earlier that you are monitored by the Heavenly Dao of the Archean Eon world and cannot leave the warship? Yes, Nuwa nodded. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only If she could leave the warship, many things would be much easier. I might be able to help, Lu Xuan said. He raised his hand and pointed, a ray of clear light fell on Nuwa. Nuwa sensed it carefully and immediately bowed. Thank you, Daoist friend! Chapter 197 - Chapter 197: I Have A Bold Idea Chapter 197: I Have A Bold Idea Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation | Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Its just a small trick, not worth mentioning, Lu Xuan humbly said. After learning that the spatial bridge was connected to another world, he had a vague plan in mind. And to implement this plan, he needed Nuwas help. As for whether she was lying or had ulterior motives With Lu Xuans strength, he didnt need to worry about such things. He turned to Cheng Lingzhu and smiled: Lets go over there and take a look Well, since were here already. Lets go. Cheng Lingzhu waved her hand in agreement. Inside the pit leading to the Demon Abyss. Lu Xuan and his companion quietly waited. The pit was ordinary, no different from a regular large pit. Suddenly, wisps of purple-black demonic aura emerged from the bottom of the pit, and spatial cracks appeared. A giant beast with six hooves and thick scale armor emerged. Bloodthirsty, ferocious, sinister Various negative auras flowed around it. The six-hoofed beast, with blood shining in its eyes, charged forward. Lu Xuan frowned and shattered the soul of the giant beast. The body of the beast, caught mid-charge, lost control and stumbled down. Inside the pit, the spatial passage collapsed. Just as it was about to disappear, a pair of hands propped up the spatial crack, one on each side, tearing it open. Lu Xuan stabilized the space in the area and, together with Cheng Lingzhu, entered the spatial passage. Heavy leaden clouds obscured the grayish-white sun. The air was scorching, and the smell of sulfur permeated the surroundings. On the other end of the spatial passage was a volcanic crater. Neither of them felt any discomfort. Cheng Lingzhu was already a Golden Core cultivator, and mere lava could not harm her, not to mention Lu Xuan. He stood at the edge of the volcanic crater, looked down, and at the bottom of the crater, amidst the surging lava, a giant eye emerged. Lu Xuan nodded slightly, sensing a kind of spatial law from this eye. It seemed that the being controlling the passage between this world and the Archean Eon world was this creature. Roar A sudden roar came from not far away. The two followed the sound and saw a hundred-zhang-tall winged giant ape fighting with a golden-horned giant serpent, entangled in battle. The laws of heaven and earth here are very strange. Lu Xuan frowned and sensed around, Madness, bloodthirstiness, chaos I can feel the will of this world. Cheng Lingzhu heard this and looked towards the two giant beasts fighting. The strength of the giant ape was somewhat stronger than the serpent, gradually gaining the upper hand. The serpent had deep wounds visible to the bone, but instead of retreating, it became more ferocious, attacking even more wildly. The bloodline of these ferocious beasts is branded with genes of slaughter and bloodthirstiness Lu Xuan said. Similar to the Barbarian tribes? Cheng Lingzhu inquired. Somewhat, but there are still some differences, Lu Xuan pondered for a while. The Barbarian tribes are inherently savage because when Mohe Yesha created them, something was missing from the divine essence, resulting in the Barbarians having only beastly instincts and no humanity. But the creatures of this world seem more intentional. Intentional? Cheng Lingzhu raised an eyebrow. Lu Xuan nodded, Nuwa calling this place the Demon Abyss is quite fitting. The creatures here are born bloodthirsty and naturally inclined towards war and killing This is the will of this world. He had already figured out the operating rules of the Demon Abyss. While they spoke, the golden-horned serpent was torn in two by the hundred-zhang-tall ape. The ape crushed the serpents skull, consuming its brain matter. The flesh and blood of the serpent were also devoured, leaving not even bones behind, eaten completely clean. After doing all this, the ape raised its arms, pounding its chest while letting out a long howl. Its body swelled up, growing even larger, its aura becoming more powerful and ferocious, and a golden horn grew on its forehead. Mutual slaughter and devouring each other for self-strengthening Lu Xuan nodded his head. The two did not stay in this place for long. After observing the battle between the ape and the serpent, Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu left the area. Three days later. Archean Eon World, Demon God Mountain. The Demon Abyss is a great place, Lu Xuan remarked as he emerged from the spatial passage. He and Cheng Lingzhu spent three days to get a general understanding of the Demon Abyss. It is also a major realm but falls short compared to the Archean Eon World. The Demon Abyss is divided into nine layers, functioning as a whole. However, there were barriers between each layer, making them relatively isolated and independent. The Demon race follows a path of survival evolution. In each layer of the Demon Abyss, there is an [Origin Sea]. All Demon race beings were born from the Origin Sea. Initially, they were merely ordinary Demon Abyss beetles, crawling out from the Origin Sea. Driven by instinct, the Demon Abyss beetles engage in mutual slaughter and devouring, transforming and growing step by step into powerful Demon race beings. In each layer of the Demon Abyss, there is a [Lord], whose strength is comparable to a Transcendent Phase cultivator in the Archean Eon World. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only However, the Lords are special; each one has refined an entire layer of the Demon Abyss. If they utilize the power of the Demon Abyss, their combat capability could surpass that of the Transcendent Stage cultivator. Lu Xuan referred to this state as Pseudo-Immortal. It was worth mentioning that after merging with the Demon Abyss, the Lords realms no longer grow, but their lifespans become exceedingly long. As long as the Demon Abyss exists, the Lords could live.. Chapter 198 - Chapter 198: I Have a Bold Idea Chapter 198: I Have a Bold Idea Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Unless they were killed or defeated and removed from their position as Lord, one could say that they were as long-lived as the heavens. Those harboring intentions towards the Archean Eon World are among these Lords of various layers. In the control room of the warship, Lu Xuan met with Nuwa. The Demon Abyss has not yet impacted the Archean Eon World, partly because the Heavenly Dao of the Archean Eon World is countering the will of the Demon Abyss and has thoroughly suppressed it, and partly due to your guarding, Nuwa, preventing any demons from sneaking into the Archean Eon World, he explained. Cheng Lingzhu spoke up, On behalf of the Dushi Sword Sect, I thank Nuwa for her assistance. Its just a small effort on my part, something I should do, Nuwa modestly replied. I have an idea, Lu Xuan considered for a moment, What if we open up this spatial passage? Nuwa was puzzled: ? In reality, compared to the overall strength of the Archean Eon World, the Demon Abyss is not that strong, Lu Xuan analyzed, My idea is to open up this passage and transform Demon God Mountain into a training ground. Disciples of the various sects in the Archean Eon World, as well as independent cultivators, can come here to slay demons and temper themselves. This Nuwa hesitated. Theres no need to worry, Cheng Lingzhu added, We can divide Demon God Mountain into different zones, selecting demons of varying strengths to ensure a relatively safe environment for the cultivators who come to train. Moreover, constantly avoiding enemies is not a solution. Right now, only one layer of the Demon Abyss has ill intentions towards our world, but if one day the Demon Abyss launches a major invasion, we will have experience in dealing with demons. Both of you, to be honest, Nuwa pondered, I am still adapting to the laws of heaven and earth of this World, and my strength has not fully recovered. If a powerful demon comes through the spatial passage, I may not be able to handle it. Thats not a big issue, Lu Xuan reassured, The ruler of the Demon Immorta; Nation is my disciple, and with her current level dealing with a few Lords of the Demon Abyss would be easy. He paused, Moreover, if a truly unbeatable enemy appears, you can contact me. If you are overseeing it, then there should be no problem, Nuwa replied, feeling more assured. The operation of the Demon God Mountain Demon Abyss training ground can be handed over to the Demon Immortal Nation. In the future, we could even organize something like a [Demon Extermination Competition]. Lu Xuan smiled: However, in regards to the division of the area, as well as the selection and control of these demons, I will need your assistance, Nuwa. How large of a training ground do you plan to build? Nuwa inquired. Since its meant to temper the talents of the world, the scale must be grand, Lu Xuan said with a smile. How about using the entire Demon God Mountain as the range? This area is mostly deserted wasteland, a no-mans land, suitable for unrestrained combat. Hmm Daoist Lu has a grand vision, Nuwa pondered for a while. But in my current state, I can only control the area within a thousand li around the warship. To encompass the whole Demon God Mountain might be beyond my capabilities. Lu Xuan was not surprised by this response. After arriving on the warship, he had sensed the condition of the vessel. Only part of the warship was operational, with most of its systems in a dormant state. The battle with Xi Huang had severely damaged the warship, and even Nuwa, the artifact spirit herself, was gravely injured and in need of recuperation and recharging. Nuwa, Lu Xuan inquired, What resources are needed to repair this warship? The warship has a self-healing system. The damage to various parts is manageable; it just needs enough energy to drive it, Nuwa thought for a moment. But the control core of the warship is missing. The control core? Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow. Its actually this thing. Nuwa pointed in the void, and a light ring appeared. She reached out and grasped a broken crystal piece that materialized in her palm. The crystal was extremely clear and transparent, evidently a part of a crystal ball. This core is the crystallization of the highest technology of our civilization. It contains the Dao, Nuwa explained. If I can gather all the pieces of the crystal ball, I can control the entire warship and extend my power. Although Lu Xuan had already lifted the suppression from the Archean Eon Worlds Heavenly Dao, Nuwa would still need some time to grow her power on her own. Lu Xuans plan was to establish the Demon God Mountain training ground as soon as possible, the sooner to begin training. To achieve this, Nuwa would need the power of the warship. How do we find the remaining core fragments? Lu Xuan asked. Since Nuwa had brought out the core, it meant she knew how to find the rest of the core fragments. Sure enough, Nuwa answered, I know where the remaining core fragments are. The warship was damaged in my battle with Xi Huang, and the core shattered into pieces. During this process, the driving core was divided into three parts. This is one of the parts? Lu Xuan observed the size of the driving core in her hand. It appeared to be less than one-third of the whole. Thats correct, Nuwa nodded. The other two pieces of the driving core have fallen into spatial cracks. They each entered two different worlds. Before I went into dormancy, I remembered the spatial coordinates of those two worlds. The driving core was crucial, and Nuwa had planned to retrieve it once she regained her strength. Thats why she had locked the spatial coordinates of those two worlds, so she could directly reach them once she recovered her strength. Ill take care of this matter, Lu Xuan nodded. To be fair, Nuwas situation was more troublesome than he had anticipated. Dealing with these kinds of divine beings always seems complicated, doesnt Lu Xuan thought of Mohe Yesha, the god of the Barbarians. The not-so-intelligent god of the Barbarians had run off to the Dao Evolution Sect and was now a venerated figure in a third-tier sect. Lu Xuan had contacted the sect a few days ago, and the one who answered was Qing Yangzi. According to him, after the god of the Barbarians arrived at the sect, she started a breeding class, studying how to cultivate spiritual beast species. Currently, this class was very popular among the sects disciples, perhaps because Yesha was attractive. Lu Xuan was surprised to hear this. How did the Barbarian God learn about breeding? She couldnt even properly take care of the people she created Lu Xuan wanted to make a sarcastic comment but refrained from doing so considering Yesha was listening. After all, she was invited to help the Dao Evolution Sect, so it wouldnt be right not to give her some face. Later, Qing Yanzi told him that Yesha had brought her mount from the past. Before her downfall, she had left a means for resurrection and had sealed her mount with divine power. Before accepting Cheng Lingzhus invitation to the Dao Evolution Sect, Yesha went to a secret place to unseal her mount. She said her mythical beast was called Fei Fei, resembling a fox, and it was a female. She had brought back a litter with her. According to the Barbarian god, her bred mythical beast was mighty and fierce, capable of stepping on mountains and swallowing the sun and the moon. Qing Yangzi found it somewhat troubling. A litter of Fei Feis running around the mountain, clinging to peoples legs, and meowing had become a daily disturbance for him. Lu Xuan found the story amusing. Qing Yangzi also mentioned that the Dao Evolution Sects diplomacy had recently made new progress. Besides the ongoing negotiations with the Sky Demon Sect, several other sects, which had been somewhat distant, had suddenly become friendly. This change was due to Feng Yangzi returning from a vegetarian banquet at the Tianchong Temple. His act of bullying an old senior to grab a bite of food had become a popular topic in the cultivation world. Many speculated that he had hidden his true cultivation level, suggesting that he might have already reached the Transcendent Phase. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As Feng Yangzis senior brother and the official head of the Dao Evolution Sect, QingYangzi was also portrayed as an enigmatic figure. There were all sorts of rumors and discussions. Upon learning this, Qing Yangzi was speechless. Unlike the elated Feng Yangzi, who was proud of his bluff, Qing Yangzi worried about the next Archean Eon World Sect Assembly. He wondered if the other powerful figures would mistakenly take him, a Husky, for a grizzled bloodthirsty wolf. Chapter 199 - Chapter 199: Superhuman Squad, Forbidden Existence… Welcome to Great Xia Chapter 199: Superhuman Squad, Forbidden Existence Welcome to Great Xia Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Here, this is for you. Nuwa handed over the remaining piece of the core to them and explained, With this piece of the warship core, you can sense the locations of the other fragments. They attract each other. Also, I sensed through the spatial coordinates that the worlds where the other two core fragments are located are not very advanced. They might be eroded and assimilated by the power of the warship core. Lu Xuan took the warship core fragment and nodded his understanding. He understood what Nuwa meant. The driving core was of a very high level; the technology of that human civilization had reached the level of the Dao. The radiation from the core fragments would distort and alter the surrounding environment, assimilating it into their own world. In terms of cultivation, it was like how a drop of a Sovereigns true blood could contaminate an entire world, causing darkness and chaos Essentially, it was the same principle. Lu Xuan weighed the crystal in his hand, focused his thoughts on a specific space, and opened a portal. Lets go. He took Cheng Lingzhus hand, and they both stepped into the spatial portal. Tonight at midnight, typhoon Hydra will make landfall in our province. Please, residents, pay attention to your safety and do not go out late at night Click! Li Suifeng sat in his car and turned off the radio. It had started to rain lightly, and fog rose from the sea, casting a grey pall. The Chief Inspector of Ancheng, Dayan Province, had a grave expression. Chief, Chief. A young face appeared at the car window, holding two cups of coffee. Lil Zhang, any news from the Tian Shu Department? Li Suifeng opened the car door and asked. The action team has arrived and is discussing strategies. This time, three cities along the coast of Fengzhou are joining forces, the young officer replied. Li Suifeng nodded, rubbed his oily face, and took a deep sip of the coffee. He didnt like this beverage, but Li Suifeng had been awake for nearly thirty hours. Even though he was exhausted, he had to keep his spirits taut as steel wires at this critical moment. Swallowing the bitter drink, Li Suifeng continued to gaze towards the sea. He knew that the meteorological station had only told half the story about the typhoon weather warning. The bad weather was real, and Hydra was real But it was not a typhoon. When did this disaster start? Li Suifeng leaned back in the passenger seat, holding his coffee, watching the drizzling rain outside. Probably about thirty years ago. Back then, Li Suifeng was just a young man, freshly graduated. First, coastal residents found strange stone fragments on the beach. The stones were greenish-blue, with very odd patterns. Most of them were the size of a finger, with some as large as a palm. At first, everyone thought they were fragments of an ancient shipwreck washed ashore. Experts from the provincial museum even came down to study them. In the end, it was determined that the patterns were not man-made but naturally formed. The composition of these stones was unique, thought to be meteorites from outer space. However, these meteorites didnt hold much scientific value. After the media reported on them for a couple of days, the experts took two fragments back to the museum, and the matter was closed. But what no one expected was A month later, these strange meteorite fragments would become the beginning of a nightmare. Li Suifeng had a childhood friend, the kind he grew up playing with. After becoming financially independent, this friend became a collector of cultural artifacts. However, he was new to the field, mostly acquiring recent creations to display in his house. If asked about their historical era, they were definitely from the Zhou dynasty Referring to last week, freshly aged from the workshop. His table was cluttered with various cultural ornaments, the most valuable being a magnifying glass. When Li Suifengs friend heard about the meteorites falling near Anchengs coast, he rushed there and was lucky enough to find one. After returning home, he naturally treasured it, considering it to have some collectible value. Until one day, someone knocked on Li Suifengs door. It was raining that night. The visitor wore a hood and a mask, bundled up tightly. But Li Suifeng still recognized the stooped figure as his childhood friend. Visiting a friends house in the rain was indeed strange. Nevertheless, Li Suifeng didnt think much of it and opened the door for his friend. As his friend entered the house, Li Sui Feng smelled a fishy odor. Living near the coast, Li Suifeng was familiar with this scent. It was the smell of seafood beginning to rot, releasing a putrid fishy stench. The first thing his friend said upon seeing Li Suifeng was, Help me. He took off his hood, revealing a pair of eyes resembling those of a sea snake, with pale yellow pupils covered by a thick transparent shell, like some protective mechanism. When he saw these eyes, Li Suifeng was startled, but what came next was even more shocking. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The friend removed his mask to reveal a face covered in blue-green scales. On the sides of his cheeks were gill-like organs that flapped open and shut with his breathing. How did you become like this? Li Suifeng remembered that this was the first thing he said. Through his friends story, Li Sui Feng finally understood the whole situation. The transformation had begun on the day his friend found the strange stone fragment.. Chapter 200 - Chapter 200: Superhuman Squad, Forbidden Existence… Welcome to Great Xia Chapter 200: Superhuman Squad, Forbidden Existence Welcome to Great Xia Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation That night, Li Suifengs friend had a very strange dream. He dreamt he had turned into a fish, one among billions, all guarding a great being. Its form was indescribable, like an ocean of mud with countless bubbles bursting and shattering. Faces of people emerged from the mud, wailing and screeching. This dream should have been terrifying, but his friend felt completely different at the time. He felt as though he was serving this great being, rejoicing and dancing with it, without any discomfort. Upon waking, his friend was astonished by the dream, but didnt think too much of it. At first, his body seemed normal. But on the third day after finding the strange stone fragment, he noticed an increased need for water. He liked drinking water excessively, but his bathroom habits remained unchanged. He thought it was due to the hot weather and didnt pay much attention. Until he spent two hours soaking in the bathtub, preferring it over his bed. He felt something was off when he wanted to eat and sleep in the bathtub all the time. Although his lifestyle gradually changed, his body became stronger. His eyesight was sharper, his hearing more acute, his movements agile, and his strength had increased significantly. Even his gaming teammates were surprised by his reaction speed and hand agility. So, Li Suifengs friend thought his body was fine. He visited a psychologist. As expected, the psychologist couldnt find anything wrong. The doctor simply advised him to relax and not overthink due to recent life pressures. Another week passed. One morning, his friend found something unusual. On his bed, he discovered a piece of dead skin the size of a coin. It had fallen off his arm, specifically from the elbow, where the skin had become very hard. He took a photo of his elbow with his phone and saw that it appeared to have grown a scale. Thinking it was some skin disease, he went to the hospital. The doctor prescribed some medicine and decided to try conservative treatment. But his condition didnt improve. Every day, dead skin would fall off his body, and at the wound, new skin was surrounded by a pale yellow fluid seeping out. The body fluid stained the bedsheets, sticky and viscous. Every morning, there would be a human-shaped mark on the sheets. It was a disgusting feeling. His friend became fragile and sensitive, avoiding communication with others. He wore thick long-sleeved clothes, hiding his skin from others as much as possible. The medication didnt work, and he thought he had contracted some terminal skin disease. He even went to temples to pray, seeking spiritual comfort. But no miracle occurred. Until tonight, when he had that dream again and saw that terrible being. It transmitted a will to him, instructing him to enter the sea to find it. Knowing his situation was dire, he sought out his most trusted friend without hesitation. That night, his friend was very agitated. Li Suifeng watched as his friends body gradually swelled in front of him, his spine bulging and fish fins piercing through his clothes. Every breath carried a fishy scent of seawater. Before his eyes, his friend transformed into a monster. Li Suifeng listened quietly until a group of officers in the uniform of the Inspectorate burst in. They held firearms, looking tensely at the two inside the room. His friend let out a strange cry, flipped the table, broke through the window, and jumped down. Li Suifengs apartment was on the twelfth floor. His friends body crushed a car upon landing, then got up as if nothing had happened, moving at an incredible speed. The officers from the Inspectorate, who were on stakeout around the apartment, opened fire at the creature. But bullets were useless against it. A laver of light blue energy. like a thin film. appeared on its surface. deflecting the bullets. With the officers calming him down, a shaken Li Suifeng learned the truth. His friend wasnt the first to transform into a monster. In Ancheng, the number of residents who had turned into these merfolk-like creatures had already exceeded twenty. Their common trait was that they had all picked up those strange stones at the beach. Werent those just ordinary meteorites? Li Suifeng had asked at the time. No, this is the beginning of a disaster, the officer from the Inspectorate replied gravely. Those infected by the stones became extremely fond of water, excessively excited and agitated, and showed tendencies for destruction and aggression. Recalling how his friend crushed a walnut ornament during their conversation, Li Sui Feng affirmed this reality. The officer informed Li Suifeng that the real terror wasnt the people who turned into monsters, but the giant creature from their dreams. Experts from the museum had analyzed alarming information from those meteorite fragments. Since that year, Dayan had established the Tian Shu Administration to deal with various abnormal events. It was also the year that individuals with extraordinary powers began appearing within Dayan, forming the Superhuman Squad. Starting from the strange stones, various eerie phenomena began emerging in Dayan. Among the superhumans, this era was known as the Blue Stone Era. Li Suifeng was one of the few non-superhumans who knew the truth. Because of his childhood friend, as one of the firsthand witnesses, he had always been aware of the truth. Later, he became the Chief Inspector of Ancheng, gaining higher authority and knowledge, and often collaborated with the Superhuman Squad. Chief, the operatives from Special Operations have arrived, Officer Zhang said. Li Suifeng snapped out of his memories and looked towards the distance. There, dozens of figures appeared. They wore special combat suits with glowing backs, shining like stars. These were extraordinary items developed by the Dayan Science Academy, allowing operatives to resist negative forces in the darkness. The rain intensified. The sea was shrouded in grey mist. Suddenly, the water churned, and large and small splashes appeared. From these splashes, a creature over two meters long, covered in scales, with short front limbs and long hind limbs, emerged from the water. It retained some human characteristics. Li Suifengs breath caught. Compared to the creature he had seen years ago, the sea monsters had changed drastically. The monster howled at the sky, emitting a unique sound wave. Then came the second, the third Large and small creatures leaped onto the beach, heading towards the city. Blocking these monsters was a human wall formed by the Special Operations department members. With a clang, one of the operatives drew a combat knife from their waist. The blade was a faint blue, made of a special alloy. Others in the same row did the same, all equipped with similar knives, their movements uniform and well-trained. Behind them, some members raised their guns. The firearms of the Special Operations department were also special, using a newly developed explosive crystal instead of gunpowder. Ordinary bullets couldnt penetrate the energy layer on the monsters. But bullets made of the special alloy could absorb the energy released by the explosive crystals, pushing them forward. The explosive crystal was newly developed, scarce in quantity, and not widely distributed among the national Special Operations departments. Therefore, the main force inflicting damage on the monsters was still these operatives wielding combat knives. Pfft An operative swiftly beheaded a monster with one strike. But in the next moment, he was tackled by another monster. The monster opened its gaping mouth, ready to bite. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Bang! A loud shot rang out as the snipers stationed at the back fired, breaking the monsters neck. The operative took the opportunity to escape and then rejoined the battle. This was just a small beach in Ancheng. In other coastal areas of Ancheng and in four other coastal cities of Fengzhou, similar scenes unfolded.. Chapter 201 - Chapter 201: I’m Truly Not a Taboo Master Chapter 201: Im Truly Not a Taboo Master Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation With a final splatter, the last bloom of blood erupted. A Special Operations agent stood with his blade drawn. The beach was strewn with the lifeless bodies of mermaid-like creatures. Yet, the protectors of Ancheng bore no relief on their faces. For midnight had arrived. A silent bell tolled, the sea fog churning as if invisible hands were parting it. Waves surged, and a massive, dark shape rose from the sea. Countless black arms, tangled like seaweed, dense and matted, formed a blanket. The arms, decaying and soft as mud, intertwined with each other. Among these arms lay pale, lifeless heads, mouths agape in a piercing wail that scattered the fog. Under an unseen force, the creature known as Hydra slowly ascended. Li Suifengs throat constricted painfully, even from a distance. The mere presence of this beast sent chills down his spine, rendering him immobile. At that moment, a brilliant light shone above the heavens. Before everyone appeared a majestic figure, clad in golden armor, wielding a silver spear. Golden Armor and Silver Spear Its the War God Mu Feng! Inside the official car of the Inspection Division, Little Zhang was visibly excited. The catastrophe thirty years ago had brought not just pollution to the world, but also extraordinary powers. Superhumans, with unique abilities, emerged like bamboo shoots after a rain government squads, conglomerate organizations, supernatural families Society itself was subtly transforming. And the eight beings who stood at the pinnacle of Dayan, were revered as War Gods. This was Dayans term. In the Eastern Continent, such formidable beings were also known as Saints or Gods Among Men. Their power could move mountains, change rivers courses A single individual could rival a nation! With War God Mu Feng here, there shouldnt be any issues. Little Zhang breathed a sigh of relief. Named Mu Feng, this War God was ranked among the top three mightiest in Dayan. His golden armor and silver spear were no ordinary items but special treasures obtained from the Forbidden Realm. War God Mu Feng has been undefeated for ten years Little Zhangs eyes gleamed with admiration, clearly idolizing him. First, lets contact the team in the city. Li Suifeng didnt share Xiao Zhangs optimism. His expression was slightly grave as he said, Among the Taboo Masters confirmed so far, Hydra was the earliest to appear but never acted. This is its first true descent into our world As the head of Anchengs Inspection Division, Li Suifeng, although not a superhuman, bore the responsibility of external operations. The Tianshu Administration had prepared a contingency plan; if they couldnt stop these malevolent beings from beyond, they would evacuate the citys residents as swiftly as possible. Chief, its been thirty years since these strange incidents started. Counting from the first monster attack recorded by the Tianshu Administration, its been twenty years, Little Zhang inquired. Ten years ago, superhumans surged forth, marking the start of the Golden Era. Now, Dayan has its own team of superhumans. Even when facing the Taboo, we have the strength to fight. He paused, then asked, Why hasnt the Tianshu Administration publicly disclosed the arrival of the Taboo yet? Li Suifeng fell silent for a moment before replying, It should be soon. He didnt elaborate on Little Zhangs question. As they conversed, the War God Mu Feng, clad in golden armor and wielding a silver spear, had already engaged Hydra in battle. He walked on air as if it were solid ground, stirring boundless winds and clouds with his spear. Countless arms waved, emitting a fog laden with corrupting power from Hydras body. Blisters emerged on its body, bursting like popping beans, releasing the fog. Mu Fengs golden armor shone, tearing and dispelling the fog, then he thrust his spear into the void. A white burst of energy exploded from the spears tip, creating a sonic boom. Concentrated superhuman power gathered at the spears tip, and as he thrust, a dazzling light shone from the weapon. The sharp silver light tore through the sea fog, piercing directly into Hydras body. Hydra shuddered, its countless faces screaming in agony, rage, and malice C a torrent of negative emotions. The spectators felt a surge of joy, knowing that War God Mu Feng had inflicted effective damage. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Mu Feng advanced, his spear raining down like a storm. Hydra, like a torn blanket, wailed continuously. For the members of the Special Operations Division and Inspection Division, the enemys pain was a reassuring sign. However, the War God Mu Feng felt differently in battle. Each of his attacks harmed Hydra but wasnt fatal. What worried him more was that his spear was gradually becoming less effective. Hydra was adapting to his attacks! Mu Fengs heart tightened. Deciding not to hold back anymore, he aimed for a quick resolution. Stepping forward, an immense aura burst forth. Behind him, a huge projection coalesced, resembling Mu Feng, holding a spear, towering and penetrating the heavens. Thats War God Mu Fengs battle spirit! Xiao Zhang, a die-hard fan, immediately recognized the apparition. To manifest the battle spirit After all, facing a Taboo Master, the strength required is terrifying.. Chapter 202 - Chapter 202: I’m Truly Not a Taboo Master Chapter 202: Im Truly Not a Taboo Master Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Little Zhang watched the battle intently, his eyes fixed on the scene. War God Mu Feng raised his spear high. Behind him, the battle spirit did the same. With a thunderous roar, the spear was thrust. At that moment, Mu Fengs momentum peaked, as he aimed to impale Hydra with his colossal spear. But then, an unexpected twist occurred in the midst of the battle. Hydras body vibrated, and a black light spread from it, countering the long spear. The battle spirits thrust couldnt make any progress against the dark radiance. The black light exploded, and it was the figure in golden armor and silver spear that was sent flying backward! Little Zhangs eyes widened in disbelief at the unfolding event. Li Suifengs expression darkened, the worst possible outcome had happened. The internal communication of the Special Operations Division fell into dead silence; no one spoke. War God Mu Feng of Da Yan, had been defeated. Above the sky, Mu Feng coughed up blood profusely. He felt intense pain within, his internal organs likely shattered. The immense creature on the sea let out a piercing screech, mocking and celebrating. Gritting his teeth, Mu Feng looked back at the city and tightened his grip on the silver spear. The power of the Taboo Master was too overwhelming, beyond his capability to defeat. Yet now, he had to protect Ancheng and Fengzhou, even if it was just for a moment longer Mu Fengs gaze hardened with determination. The colossal creature on the sea, seeing a delicacy in the blood and flesh of such a powerful being, moved towards him, its myriad arms whistling through the air. Mu Fengs body resonated with rumbling sounds, like thunder. He was unlocking the shackles on himself, a common seal among War Gods to restrict, or rather, protect themselves. Once the shackles were removed and the seal was broken, their power would ascend to a new level. But the cost was life exhaustion; the best outcome after such a battle would be mutual annihilation with the enemy. Just then, a rift suddenly opened in the sky, tearing a gap in the heavens. A pair of pristine hands emerged from the crack, tearing it further apart. Then, an immeasurable amount of clear light poured down, blinding to behold. Even with Mu Fengs power, he could only discern two figures within the rift. He was closest to the crack and faintly heard an ancient, obscure word or phrase emitted by the ineffable beings. Mu Feng couldnt comprehend their meaning or sense their emotions. Another sentence, ancient and incomprehensible, was uttered. As the beings words fell, a myriad of clear lights descended. Hydra let out a painful wail. Within the shower of clear light, its body gradually dissipated, ultimately evaporating completely. When the clear light faded, the beings also vanished without a trace. As the commotion unfolded at the Tianshu Administration, a new level of alert was proposed. Set the alert to S No, make it R level! We dont have an R level Then create one! In the Tianshu Administration, clerks were bustling with activity. Is that thing really so terrifying? The message from War God Mu Feng, what do you think?! Yes, it melted the Taboo Master with just a word Mu Feng couldnt even withstand a single move from Hydra! Weve never encountered a Taboo Master of this level Do they also fight among themselves?! Its hard to say but theres a high probability. After all, what else could such beings be but Taboo Masters? There are no gods in this world. They were discussing the Taboo Existence that appeared last night. The Celestial Administration had already established a new file and level for it. Based on War God Mu Fengs description, this Taboo Existence was named The Silent Master. The Silent Master seems to have dual entities, two bodies connected together, like people holding hands However, that may not be its true form It could just be the appearance it chose to show. According to current data, The Silent Master has the ability to control space, able to move freely under the influence of other Taboo Masters When The Silent Master appears, its accompanied by a large amount of clear light, currently known as its attack method. Its defensive capabilities are unknown According to War God Mu Feng, The Silent Master seems to have the power to control rules, able to annihilate a Taboo Master with just a word. Hydras power was among the top five of the Taboo Masters we know For now, we rank The Silent Masters power first, above The Flesh Sovereign and The Golden Throne. The Silent Master didnt cause slaughter in Fengzhou Its unclear if its due to disdain or some rule restriction. War God Mu Feng has gone to Dayan Science Academy. Researchers will analyze and interpret the two sentences he heard Not just in Dayan, but all special departments worldwide that learned about the incident in Fengzhou started creating files for The Silent Master. In Dayan, Fengzhou, Ancheng, Lu Xuan, walking hand in hand with Cheng Lingzhu on the streets, was unaware that he had become a Taboo Existence causing global panic. Having just solved a minor problem for this world, Lu Xuan was in a good mood, with many more people to impress. The planet they were on was called Yuanxing. Its technological level was similar to Earth, but the culture, regions, and human situations were different. The country they were in was named Dayan. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu took some time to learn Dayans language and script. For cultivators, mastering languages was easy, especially such mundane ones. They didnt even need to randomly extract memories from passersby. Simply using their divine senses to absorb the discussions on the streets was enough to understand the local language. Lu Xuan was experienced in this. In the vast Archean Eon Realm with numerous races, aside from a common language, there were countless dialects. Thanks to the geniuses and leaders of each era, they often chose to organize languages. For instance, the current eras Dao Evolution Sect ancestor promoted a unified script. As an archaeologist, Lu Xuan mastered many dialects, most of which were practically extinct. Even he wasnt sure about his pronunciation accuracy. The most memorable for Lu Xuan was the Ancient Beast Language. Back then, dragons and phoenixes werent distinguished, all termed as ancient beasts. They used the same language, with only 108 words or terms, each with thousands of meanings. Understanding required coordination with subtle bloodline vibrations. To outsiders, Dayans script looked like worm tracks, twisted and complex. But for Lu Xuan, it was a classic form of ancient language. By observing street conversations and various collected information, Lu Xuan understood the kind of country he was in. Dayan, located in the western part of Yuanxing, had a Council of Elders government, with twelve elders electing officials to manage internal affairs. About thirty years ago, a Taboo event occurred, more accurately, strange phenomena appeared globally This was what Lu Xuan heard from those called Special Operations Division members. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Lu Xuan weighed the glowing crystal in his hand. He was confident he had come to the right place, convinced that the distortion of the planet was caused by a core drive. As for why a prehistoric warships drive core would affect the environment after being lost for so long To Lu Xuan, it made perfect sense. Given the world level of Empress Nuwa, it was possible that the humans on Yuanxing evolved due to the core drives influence.. Chapter 203 Chapter 203: A Haunting? Just a Matter of One Sword Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Gold Recycling. Lu Xuan stood in front of the store, arms crossed. Whats the first thing an alien should do upon arriving on a new planet? Obviously, make some money. For Lu Xuan, there were many ways to earn money. He arrived at a gold recycling shop and craftily removed the ball from the mouth of the stone lion at the entrance. Using a touch of alchemy, Lu Xuan transformed the ball into small gold bars and confidently walked into the shop. This was a local gold shop in Ancheng. Although not part of a chain, it was fairly sizeable. It was just past six in the morning, and the shop owner had just opened up, still yawning heavily, when he saw someone placing a small pile of gold bars on the counter. A business opportunity had arrived. However, the two customers had a specific request. They wanted cash. The owner was a bit puzzled. Not to mention the current popularity of mobile payments, even in the past, large amounts of gold recycling typically involved banks. Lu Xuan mentioned he forgot his bank card. The owner understood; its common to forget your bank card during such important transactions. Then came the identity registration. Lu Xuan claimed he had lost his identity talisman. The owner found this reasonable and logically consistent. He used his own talisman to register for him and completed the process. Fortunately, as a legitimate business and being family-owned, the shop had cash reserves. The owner handed the customers a cloth bag containing one hundred thousand in cash and watched them leave. After Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu left, the gold shop owner furrowed his brow. Something felt off, but upon reflection, there was nothing illogical. The gentleman who had just visited exuded a trustworthy aura, more sanctified than any Buddha in temples, the Virgin Mary in churches, or immortals in Daoist temples, by a thousandfold. Words from such a person must be enlightening maxims, truths governing the world, more reliable than heaven, earth, sovereign, parents, and teachers combined. Why wouldnt he trust him? The shop owner thought to himself, reassured. Carrying the bag, Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu walked down the street. Cheng Lingzhu looked at Lu Xuan with an expression as if she had seen a ghost. Did you use some kind of mind-bewitching technique? she asked. No, why would I do that? Lu Xuan replied with an air of righteousness. How could I use such a spell to deceive mortals? In his mind, Lu Xuan thought about the passive effects of the Dao Evolution Scripture C a legendary scripture by the founder of the Dao Evolution Sect, known as the master of disguise and espionage in the Archean Eon Realm. If cultivation were a game where one could assign attribute points, the Sects founder had put all his points into charm, making him extraordinarily persuasive and trustworthy. As a result, those who met him instinctively felt a sense of trust and admiration, feeling naturally drawn to him. The Sects founder had embedded these teachings into the Dao Yan Xian Jing. As a diligent disciple of the Dao Evolution Sect, Lu Xuan had deeply studied this scripture and thus, when he stood before the gold shop owner, the latter was as if under a spell. Lu Xuan insisted he was an honest person and had not used any hypnotic techniques. Why didnt you tell me about this before? Cheng Lingzhu questioned. You never asked, Lu Xuan replied, blinking innocently. Cheng Lingzhu became suspicious. Wait When we first met, did you use this secret technique on me? How could that be possible? Lu Xuan replied, exuding an aura of unimpeachable virtue that made him seem utterly reliable. I never lie. Cheng Lingzhu narrowed her eyes, sensing something was amiss but unable to pin down any evidence. Lets talk about this later tonight. For now, lets enjoy our time on Yuan Xing. Lets go have breakfast, said Lu Xuan, leading Cheng Lingzhu towards a nearby snack street. Cheng Lingzhu thought to herself that she needed to confront Lu Xuan that evening and extract the truth from him. For breakfast, they had white porridge, steamed buns, and pickled vegetables at an old alley stall. The furniture was set outside as it was cooler than inside during the summer. While eating, they overheard the other patrons chatting. The breakfast shop, named Doorway Porridge Shop, had been in business for over a hundred years and passed down through three generations. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The name came not because customers ate outside, but from a tradition of placing the freshly made porridge in wooden barrels outside during summer to cool and attract customers with its aroma. However, fifty years ago, a drunken man stumbled upon the shop and accidentally sat in one of the porridge barrels, injuring himself and damaging the barrel. Since then, the shop stopped placing the barrels outside, but the name remained. An old gourmand once commented to the media, Being able to sit in what you can drink, such a waste of good porridge. Lu Xuan was on the phone, asking, Hello, is this Dus Agency? He had obtained the phone card from a newsstand. In the past, Dayan did not have a real-name registration system for phone cards, and many newsstands still had anonymous cards in stock.. Chapter 204 - Chapter 204: A Haunting? Just a Matter of One Sword Chapter 204: A Haunting? Just a Matter of One Sword Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Purchasing non-registered phone cards was somewhat of a grey market activity. Typically, these cards were sold to known customers or through referrals, as most buyers werent exactly upstanding citizens. However, for Lu Xuan, the passive effect of the Dao Evolution Scripture was more effective than any referral. After buying two phone cards and a couple of mobile phones, Lu Xuan called a housing rental service. He planned to stay on Yuan Xing for a month, as there were no urgent matters back in the Archean Eon Realm, and the establishment of the Demon God Mountain trial grounds wasnt a priority. Two bedrooms, six hundred a month Isnt that a bit cheap? Oh? Youre saying its haunted? Lu Xuan glanced at Cheng Lingzhu, who couldnt help but smile and nod slightly at the mention of a haunting. Being haunted sounds good. We have to check this out, Lu Xuan said with a grin. Yes, well be right over. After witnessing the flying carpet-like creature over the sea the day before, Lu Xuan had no doubts about this world being contaminated by the warships core. If sanity-defying things could appear openly, then a minor ghostly disturbance wouldnt be surprising. For ordinary people, a haunting might be troublesome, but for cultivators like Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu, it would be no more than a matter for a single sword strike. In the Archean Eon Realm, cultivators who passed away naturally or were killed wouldnt become malevolent spirits. Those who merged with the Dao after death nourished the world with their essence, while those killed brutally would only suffer more if they lingered as ghosts. Taking a taxi, they arrived at the apartment complex mentioned by the housing agent C Yangxing Community, lush with greenery, a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes in summer. At the entrance of Building No. 6, the agent, Du, was waiting. Du, a sharp-eyed middle-aged man in his forties with a shrewd air, greeted Lu Xuan warmly. After exchanging pleasantries, Du explained the situation with the haunted house. The property belonged to his aunt, originally bought as a wedding house for her son C Dus cousin. However, since the cousin had been slow to marry, the house had remained unoccupied until he settled down this year. After moving in, however, within less than a month, the cousin went insane. He was admitted to Ancheng Psychiatric Hospital and stayed there for half a year. Slightly recovered, he was then taken back home by Dus uncle for further recuperation. The family hadnt initially suspected the house. Due to its good lighting and spaciousness, and its proximity to Dus uncles workplace, which made caring for his son convenient, the uncle also moved in. However, both father and son eventually went insane. Dus aunt nearly broke down upon realizing something was wrong with the house. She then entrusted Du to sell the house, believing its presence was unsettling for the family. Du was open about the houses reputation for being haunted. The insanity of the three family members had even made local news. Whether renting or buying, a little investigation would reveal the history, so there was no point in hiding it. Typically, such unlucky houses were sold to professionals like surgeons, who often didnt believe in such things and were thought to have a heavier yin presence from working in hospitals, which could suppress any unclean presence in the house. Unfortunately, it was the off-season for selling properties, and finding a buyer was difficult. So Du, with the thought of making some money rather than leaving the house idle, listed it for rent. Perhaps a tenant might find the house appealing and affordable enough to buy it. This led to Lu Xuan renting the house. The haunted apartment was on the thirteenth floor. As the trio approached, even before opening the door, they felt a chilling sensation. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu exchanged glances, confirming the presence of something unusual in the apartment. After touring the apartment, which had been vacated only a week ago by the previous tenant who was admitted to the psychiatric hospital, they found it relatively clean and well-lit, though the flowers on the balcony were wilting. Returning to the living room, Du tentatively asked for their decision. Well take it, Lu Xuan replied, having already identified the issue with the house. Du, relieved and happy, promptly took out a pre-printed rental contract. Lu Xuan signed it and paid three months rent upfront, as they didnt plan to stay long. This suited Du, who preferred short-term rentals, hoping to sell the house eventually. Given the houses haunted reputation and the unusual circumstances, Du didnt even ask for a security deposit. He was just thankful to have it rented. There was a superstition in the local real estate industry that if a house listed for rent remained unoccupied for the first month, it would become even harder to rent or sell later. So, having completed the contract and handing over the keys, Du quickly left, relieved to have the matter settled. Cheng Lingzhu opened all the windows and cast a cleaning spell. The dust in the room was blown away, leaving everything spotless and clean. Alright Later, we should buy some bedding, kitchenware, and a few clothes, Lu Xuan planned. Though their current garments were magical robes capable of changing appearance, blending in with local customs was always a good idea. And it seems weve run out of stockings recently, Lu Xuan thoughtfully added. Arent we going to deal with the thing in here first? Cheng Lingzhu raised an eyebrow. Have you found it? Lu Xuan asked with a smile. Of course, Cheng Lingzhu confidently walked over to the TV cabinet where a palm-sized half-bust statue was placed. Picking up the object, she weighed it in her hand, This is it, right? As the Holy Maiden of the Dushi Sword Sect, Cheng Lingzhus spiritual perception was exceptionally sharp. After learning the Great Slaughter Divine Method and becoming the successor of the Demon Emperor, her ability to sense spiritual and ghostly presences had significantly improved. Indeed, Lu Xuan agreed. This is a Mother Mary statue from the local Nestorianism. But theres something off about it, especially around the eyes. After examining the statue and scratching at its eyes, the white plaster fell away, revealing red material underneath, giving the illusion of the statue shedding blood tears. Lu Xuan was about to start the containment process to neutralize the statue when he reconsidered and made a call to Du, the agent. He inquired about the origin of the statue, feigning interest in getting one for a relative. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only According to Du, the statue wasnt bought but found by his cousin under a flyover during heavy rain a year ago. Since obtaining the statue, the cousins family had experienced a stroke of good luck C promotions at work, winning at mahjong, and more. The fact that the statue was found in such circumstances, especially during heavy rain, hinted at something unusual. The weather forecast predicted a storm tonight, piquing Cheng Lingzhus interest C the disciples of the Dushi Sword Sect were always intrigued by such dangerous affairs. The plan was clear C they would check out the flyover that night. Lu Xuan nodded in agreement. With the coming storm and the mystery of the flyover, he thought it would be wise to have a Maybach for the nights investigation. Chapter 205 - Chapter 205: Rainy Night, Flyover, Maybach Chapter 205: Rainy Night, Flyover, Maybach Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation In Ancheng, at the Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital, a middle-aged man in a white coat stood by the window of his office, gazing at the dark sky outside as rain poured down. Liu Qingsong had been working as a doctor at Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital for twenty-three years. Knock, knock, knock Sounds came from the door. Come in, Liu Qingsong said. The office door, unlocked, was opened by a visitor. Director Liu, greeted a young doctor, dressed in a white coat, respectfully. Whats the situation in Ward 314? Liu Qingsong turned around, his brow furrowing. He recognized the young intern responsible for monitoring Ward 314 that night. Ward 314 was a high-security area housing a father and son who had both lost their sanity. Their mental condition was highly unstable, often exhibiting tendencies of self-harm and aggression towards others, especially pronounced on rainy days. Ancheng, located to the west of the sea, was experiencing its rainy season, bringing heavy showers every few days. No, Director Liu, the young doctor shook his head, Theyre unusually calm today, not making any noise, but Their demeanor is a bit odd. He recalled the scene he witnessed in the ward: the father and son kneeling quietly on the ground, facing the direction of the window, their faces showing an unusually devout expression, almost like pilgrims in worship. Director, should we put them in straitjackets just in case? the young doctor inquired, concerned that their abnormal behavior might lead to an unforeseen incident. Not yet, Liu Qingsong pondered for a moment before deciding, They are both severe cases. If theyve calmed down on their own, restraining them now might agitate them further. Lets observe for now and have a few attendants keep an eye on them If anything unusual happens, intervene immediately. Yes, the young doctor acknowledged before leaving the office. In the Yangxing Community, a black sedan with its wipers on slowly drove out of the complex. The night was dark and rainy. These cars on Yuan Xing are a bit awkward to drive, Lu Xuan commented, adjusting the seat. Unlike his Earthly hometown, Yuan Xing didnt have Maybachs. The black sedan he was driving was rented from a car rental service just before the rain started. The space is a bit cramped, Cheng Lingzhu noted, not quite comfortable. Compared to their usual mode of transportation with its spacious interior, the vehicles of this world lacked in speed, comfort, and durability. They didnt even have auto-pilot spirits or weapon systems. Jinyan Overpass Thats where Dus cousin found the Mother Mary statue, Lu Xuan mentioned, navigating the car according to the route set on the vehicles GPS. The roads werent too busy, likely due to the heavy rain. As Lu Xuan drove, he glanced at Cheng Lingzhu, who was engrossed in reading a novel on her phone. She had quickly mastered the devices functions. Youre reading a supernatural novel? he asked, glimpsing a few pages. Yes, Cheng Lingzhu nodded. Its a single female lead story Im almost done with it. As a cultivator and a Golden Core practitioner, Cheng Lingzhus eye-tracking and hand speed were exceptional. The speed at which she read depended on the phones responsiveness. She summarized the plot: The male protagonist, a regular university graduate, joins a company but leaves due to conflicts with his boss. Around the same time, his girlfriend is diagnosed with a terminal illness. To earn enough for her treatment, he takes a peculiar job as a night security guard at a hospital with very high pay and strange conditions, like not using the restroom after midnight and patrolling the morgue at 3 a.m. without turning back if someone calls his name Lu Xuan nodded, understanding the typical setup for a supernatural novel where the protagonist starts a journey, either willingly or unwillingly, leading to encounters with ghosts and other entities. The story probably ends with the protagonist mastering his cultivation, defeating powerful ghosts, and saving his girlfriend, right? Lu Xuan guessed, based on his experience with similar stories. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Partially correct, Cheng Lingzhu replied with a strange expression. The protagonist indeed becomes a powerful ghost cultivator, but as for his girlfriend Well, she is saved. How so? Lu Xuan asked curiously. In the later part of the story, the male protagonist, proficient in ghostly arts, turns his girlfriend into a zombie. This way, she no longer has to worry about her terminal illness. Cheng Lingzhus expression was complicated. Lu Xuan was taken aback. The plot twist was indeed dark and unconventional, albeit effectively solving the problem in a bizarre way.. Chapter 206 - Chapter 206: Rainy Night, Overpass, Maybach Chapter 206: Rainy Night, Overpass, Maybach Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Driving the car with both hands on the wheel, Lu Xuan mentally applauded the author of the novel Cheng Lingzhu was reading. A zombie wife might be unconventional, but theres a taste for everything, right? As they chatted and drove, they soon arrived at the Jinyan Overpass. The rain blurred the overpass, merging it with the darkness of the night. The Nestorian Mother Mary statue beside Lu Xuan started to tremble. Lu Xuan accelerated as he drove onto the overpass. It was now 2 a.m., and he could sense that apart from himself and Cheng Lingzhu, there were no other living beings on the entire overpass. Large raindrops pelted down, drumming loudly against the windshield of the black sedan. Lu Xuan watched the speedometers needle climb: 80, 100, 120 200, 240 As the speed increased, the statues trembling grew more intense, and the bloody tears under its eyelids became more pronounced. When the speedometer hit 300, Lu Xuan said, Found you. A layer of clear light covered the car, breaking through an invisible barrier, and they forcibly entered another world. Cold, desolate, decrepit, and barren Lu Xuan slowly stopped the car. A few meters behind them was a pale curtain of rain that isolated the sounds of the city. They had arrived in an ancient town, its architectural style not matching that of the western Dayan of this world but rather resembling the golden-haired, blue-eyed tribes of the Eastern Continent. At the center of the town stood a tall, slender building with a spire, in a Gothic style. Lets go in and have a look, Lu Xuan said, casting a spell to store the car in his sleeve. The town was eerily quiet, as if all its inhabitants were deep in slumber. The duo didnt linger on the outskirts and headed straight for the church. The church doors were ajar, unlocked. Pushing the door open, the sight that greeted them was startling. From the churchs dome dangled numerous ropes, and at the end of each rope hung a corpse. These well-preserved bodies were dressed in ancient clothing and exuded a powerful aura. The church was filled with these hanging mummified bodies, densely packed together. Looking up, they saw a huge skull-like face at the top of the church. From its face grew beard-like structures, forming the ropes from which the mummies were suspended. At that moment, a dark light appeared on one of the mummified bodies, and the rope around its neck loosened. The mummy transformed into a streak of light and disappeared. In its place, a new figure materialized, modernly dressed, with the beard-like rope binding its neck despite its struggles. More ancient mummies were replaced with contemporary ones, indicating a sinister transformation. Lu Xuan, realizing what was happening, pointed at the giant skull on the dome. This is a method of soul transference. The figures hanging here are likely followers of some malevolent deity. Today, this deity intends to release its followers, allowing them to take over the bodies theyve chosen and infiltrate society in the guise of Yuan Xings inhabitants. People like Dus cousin and uncle hadnt gone mad; their souls had been severed. The solution, however, was straightforward for Lu Xuan. Drawing his sword, he stabbed upwards, releasing a blinding white light that engulfed the entire world. Almost simultaneously, at Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital, the elderly and young men kneeling on the ground slowly raised their heads, their eyes no longer muddled but gradually regaining clarity. That same night, around 3 a.m., the Tianshu Administrations local office in Ancheng was bustling. Alert, alert, significant fluctuations detected near Jinyan Overpass! Seal off the Jinyan Overpass! Special Operations, mobilize immediately! A church has appeared on Jinyan Overpass! Its possibly related to a Taboo Master The scientific report from the Academy is out. This is a remnant of Jing Xian! Jing Xian confirmed dead. Someone entered its divine domain and killed this Taboo Master! My God, who could have done this? Am I dreaming? Wait, could it be That one? You mean The Silent Master? After defeating Hydra last night, now Jing Xian tonight? Is the disparity between Taboo Masters really that vast? Why would they help humanity? Whats their motive For the members of the Tianshu Administration in Ancheng and nationwide, it was destined to be a sleepless night. The next day in Ancheng, at the Haixia Mall, Cheng Lingzhu and Lu Xuan were at a mens clothing brand counter. Hello, madam, are you here to shop for clothes with your boyfriend? the enthusiastic sales assistant asked. Um You could say hes my husband, Cheng Lingzhu corrected seriously. The sales assistant was slightly taken aback, noting how young they both appeared. Lu Xuan, meanwhile, stretched languidly. The initial plan was to buy clothes for Cheng Lingzhu, but she insisted on picking outfits for him first. Cheng Lingzhu confidently selected several outfits for Lu Xuan. This, this and this, this Lets pack these first, and then you can try them on. Im sure youll look great. Passersby couldnt help but glance over at them repeatedly. Despite their efforts to appear ordinary, Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhus exceptional looks still attracted much attention. Feeling the envious stares, Cheng Lingzhu proudly lifted her chin and, standing on tiptoe, planted a firm kiss on Lu Xuans face. This public display of affection made many onlookers grind their teeth in envy. Alright, lets go try these on, she said, pulling Lu Xuan towards the fitting rooms. She felt almost possessive about her attractive husband and disliked the idea of others ogling him. Lu Xuan feigned a conservative demeanor. In public, Im quite reserved No one saw, Cheng Lingzhu replied, playfully pinching his waist and pushing him into the fitting room. Within half a minute, Lu Xuan reappeared from the fitting room with a small camera in his hand. This is disgraceful, he said solemnly, disapproving of the hidden camera in the dressing room. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Cheng Lingzhus expression darkened upon seeing the device. Her Phoenix Blood Sword appeared in her hand, ready to take action against the one who dared to spy on her husband. Cheng Lingzhus temperament had softened considerably compared to her previous life as a fierce killer, largely thanks to Lu Xuans influence. Lu Xuan believed he had contributed significantly to the stability of the Archean Eon Realm by transforming a killer into such a charming person, deserving a meritous golden body. No need, Lu Xuan quickly intervened, Going after them would be too troublesome, and besides, they didnt succeed Let me handle this. He lightly touched the camera, casting a curse through it. I used a minor trick from the Thousand Beast Sect, he explained with a slight smile, crushing the camera. From today, the person who placed this will gradually lose interest in humans and instead develop a certain desire for animals. Chapter 207 - Chapter 207: Which Is More Important to You, Me or The Game? Chapter 207: Which Is More Important to You, Me or The Game? Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation An hour later. How about this set? Lu Xuan emerged from the fitting room, hesitating. Cheng Lingzhu was holding a box, her eyes twinkling as she looked at him. Something felt off to Lu Xuan. Cheng Lingzhu shook the box, her smile implying she had a secret. Mens thong? Lu Xuan saw clearly, A G-string?! Cheng Lingzhu tilted her chin up, humming affirmatively. Im a boxer-briefs kind of guy, you know that best, Lu Xuan stated seriously. The idea of mens thongs was too radical for him. Though the packaging simply showed a G-string without a model, Lu Xuan could imagine what hed look like in it C probably like a classic bodybuilder. He considered himself conservative and not quite fitting the G-string vibe. But youd look so um, Cheng Lingzhus eyes shone as she visualized it: Besides, its just for a little while, since well end up wearing nothing in the end Where do you learn these wild phrases? Lu Xuan retorted. From Zombie Mother Cheng Lingzhu referenced the novel she read the day before. Damn that Zombie Mother! Lu Xuan rolled his eyes, I object! This was a typical response of a boxer-briefs devotee when faced with a G-string. Even though G-strings were initially designed for men. Hubby- Cheng Lingzhu clung to him, looking pitiful: I just want to try Unfastening clothes with teeth Lu Xuan swallowed hard at the thought. Zombie Mother, you lead many astray! Cheng Lingzhu looked up, whispering, Also, I saw next door, they have different kinds of stockings C thin, stretchy, smooth, soft Curses, shes tempting me with such methods! Shes underestimating my willpower! Lu Xuan took a deep breath, determined, Fine, lets do it! Seeing his wifes triumphant smile, Lu Xuan felt outsmarted. He added, But this size wont do, get a bigger one. He might only wear it briefly, but Lu Xuan cared about the details. Of course. Cheng Lingzhu shook the box, her understanding of Lu Xuan was Quite thorough. By noon. They finally finished their shopping spree. Aside from essentials like clothes, bedding, and kitchenware, Lu Xuan also bought a bunch of computer components Yes, the legitimate kind. With nothing much to do during the day, Lu Xuan planned to assemble a PC for gaming. As an alien, he was unfamiliar with Yuan Xings technology. But this didnt hinder his understanding. Integrated circuits, chip technology Its all just like formations. Identifying new materials, refurbished ones, efficient formations, optimal combinations It was all elementary. Cheng Lingzhu agreed after scanning them with her spiritual sense. For a Golden Core cultivator, manually assembling a graphics card was easier than setting up a formation. Lu Xuan casually used his mystical arts to optimize the electronic components he bought. Though they seemed unrelated, in advanced cultivation, all things were interconnected and easily understood. Returning to their residence. Cheng Lingzhu went to their room to tidy up the bed and change the bedding. After forcefully tearing open the divine realm of [Jing Xian] at Jinyan Overpass the day before and subduing this entity, it was nearly midnight. So, the couple drove around Ancheng, partly to handle the minor chaos following Jing Xians fall and partly to relax. Admittedly, driving in the rain at night with music blaring, without worrying about traffic safety, was exhilarating. Tonight would be their first night spent here. In the living room, Lu Xuan laid out the components and mentally constructed a model. With a flick of his finger, a beam of magical light assembled everything in a blink. After connecting the monitor, power supply, and other parts, Lu Xuan took out a bunch of boxes from his storage magic tool. Yuan Xings technological development was akin to Earths, and so was the gaming industry. Lu Xuan had purchased many game discs at the mall, all collectors editions, ready to play directly on the console. Despite the premium price at physical stores, he indulged, having come all this way. While waiting for the computer to install its system, Lu Xuan headed to the bedroom. Before he was admitted to the psychiatric hospital, Dus cousin and uncle occupied another room, leaving the rest vacant. Now, this room was put to use. Cheng Lingzhu had set up the bed and bedding she bought from her storage tool. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only She bent over, kneeling at the edge of the bed, smoothing out the sheets, her form curving gracefully. Lu Xuan embraced her from behind. Cheng Lingzhu let out a soft yelp, relaxing into the bed. Sensing her husbands presence behind her, she immediately knew what he was thinking. Cheng Lingzhu turned her head slightly, whispering softly, I just changed these sheets.. Chapter 208 - Chapter 208: Which Is More Important to You, Me or The Game? Chapter 208: Which Is More Important to You, Me or The Game? Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Ill clean up later. Lu Xuan untied her hair ribbon, letting her silky black hair cascade down. It was noon, the sun shining brightly, but the curtains in the bedroom were drawn. In the afternoon. My dear, bathing alone seems rather dull. Why not invite your husband to join? I can keep you company and help scrub your back At the bathroom door, Lu Xuan suggested. Dear husband, thats not possible, Cheng Lingzhu smiled softly, gently declining: Youve been busy for a while; you must be tired. Rest for now Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow, laughing: How can I speak of tiredness with a beauty in the room? Im in great form. If you dont believe me, you can Cheng Lingzhu placed her fair arms on his shoulders, turning him around to face away from her. You havent played the games you bought yet. Itd be a shame not to, having bought them. Cheng Lingzhu reasoned. Lu Xuan wondered aloud, Isnt this the moment when the woman usually asks, Which is more important to you, me or the game? I can accompany you for a lifetime, but games cannot, Cheng Lingzhu persuaded: Enjoy the limited time with your games. Dont neglect your computer After all, once we leave Yuan Xing, well probably be busy again. Her logical and convincing argument swayed Lu Xuan. Remembering the important matters awaiting him in the Archean Eon Realm, he was persuaded by Cheng Lingzhu to indulge in his newly purchased games. He had already taken a bath. After Lu Xuan left, Cheng Lingzhu sighed in relief. Being a master yet subdued by her former disciple ignited an indomitable spirit within her. In the end, it was she, Cheng Lingzhu, who had to yield. How has my disciple become so formidable she muttered, grinding her teeth, suddenly feeling a strong desire to pursue her cultivation more fervently. In the living room. Sigh, the downside of having cultivation skills shows in this aspect. Lu Xuan sighed, looking at the huge screen in front of him, Even at the highest difficulty, playing souls-like games feels like mowing down enemies effortlessly. To say its like mowing down enemies might be an exaggeration, as the players damage is limited, not exhilarating to that extent. However, with his heightened reaction skills, achieving a no-damage run was a breeze, rendering the health bar meaningless. He now understood why theres a saying, The end of gaming leads to casual puzzle games. Fortunately, Lu Xuan had anticipated this and bought several sandbox games. He started planting trees and building houses. After about half an hour, just as Lu Xuan finished building a house and was about to start on a pig pen in the game, Cheng Lingzhu emerged from the bathroom. She was wrapped in a robe, wearing cute little cat slippers, her hair covered with a towel, approaching him. A beauty after a bath is always a splendid sight. Lu Xuan put down the game controller and opened his arms. Cheng Lingzhu hummed softly, not going into his arms but instead, came behind him. Lu Xuan was sitting on a bean bag, with his legs crossed playing games. Behind him was the regular sofa. Cheng Lingzhu lazily reclined on the sofa, her delicate foot lightly pressing on his shoulder a few times, then draped her ivory-like, pristine leg over his shoulder. Lu Xuan rubbed his cheek against her soft, smooth calf. Following the gentle curve of her muscles downwards led to her delicate, pretty feet. The arch was beautifully shaped, the top of the foot pale and smooth, her toes arranged like little pearls, the entire foot soft to the touch. A smile spread across his face. Lu Xuan embraced her other leg as well and shifted slightly. Cheng Lingzhus legs were draped over his shoulders from behind, one on each side, her calves resting comfortably on his shoulders, playfully swinging. Lu Xuan held one delicate foot in each hand, gently squeezing them. Got you! Cheng Lingzhu let him, silent, trying to regain her composed, aloof demeanor. Then, Lu Xuan handed her a game controller, Want to play together? He had bought two controllers and several multiDlaver games. I dont know how. Cheng Lingzhu replied. Ill teach you, its all quite simple. Lu Xuan said. Okay Cheng Lingzhu slid off the sofa into his arms. It wasnt that she wanted Lu Xuan to hold her, though being in his embrace felt warm, comfortable, and secure, and she liked it when he leaned down to kiss her. But Cheng Lingzhu wanted to adapt to life on Yuan Xing, to understand the local culture and technology, to learn how to play games. The aloof senior she was, wasnt looking to get close to Lu Xuan. The bean bag was elastic enough to support the weight of two people comfortably. Lets see what games we have Lu Xuan used his magic to bring over a stack of boxed game discs. When he saw the description of the top game, he suddenly laughed: A divorced couple going on adventures solving puzzles together and finally reconciling. Lets play this one. Cheng Lingzhu indicated with her hand. Alright. Lu Xuan nodded, staying seated, and used his magic to install the game. This button controls the direction, this one is for A pair of slender, fair hands held the game controller, guided by another pair of larger hands. Lu Xuan taught Cheng Lingzhu how to use the game controller in a meticulous manner, and she learned step by step. Despite being able to understand the devices construction with a single sweep of their spiritual sense, the two pretended to be novices, going through the motions of teaching and learning. Such is the way of couples in love, seemingly happy to waste time in each others company. After finally teaching Cheng Lingzhu how to use the controller, they started the game, and everything went smoothly. As Daoist companions who had cultivated together numerous times, achieving a deep soul connection and unspoken understanding, their coordination was impeccable. Just like the games storyline, where the male and female protagonists worked together harmoniously to solve puzzles and clear levels, their collaboration led to the completion of the final level, symbolized by the joining of two halves of a heart. Its quite easy, said Cheng Lingzhu, shaking the controller and noting the time: Less than an hour well, in terms here, two hours. Yes, in less than an hour, the games couple reconciled, Lu Xuan exhaled deeply. He put down the controller and held Cheng Lingzhu closer, whispering in her ear, But I waited 9,000 years to see you again. Cheng Lingzhu was taken aback. Turning towards him, she saw Lu Xuan smiling, his hand gently stroking her back: Those 9,000 years were really dull. At least in the game, the couple cleared the levels together. I had to endure it all alone. His journey began with the hope of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage and reuniting with Cheng Hongtan, followed by despair after repeated failures, numbness, and eventually a detachment from everything around him. No one is born with a heart strong enough to endure such trials. Even Lu Xuan, now revered as a great senior, climbed out of the abyss of despair where his cultivation path seemed utterly lost. The idea of eternal life with a Golden Core sounds wonderful. But in reality, a Golden Core is just that. Until he figured out a cultivation method suited for himself, any encounter with a Nascent Soul cultivator could have been fatal. But thankfully, I made it through Apart from the unimpressive descendants of the Dao Evolution Sect, life has been beautiful, Lu Xuan said with a smile. The most important thing is that I waited for you That has been the greatest fortune in my 9,000 years. Cheng Lingzhu looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Why suddenly flirt with me like this she whispered softly. Lu Xuan wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, comforting her: Okay, okay, no more tears. We just replenished your hydration Cheng Lingzhu ground her teeth slightly. Moved for barely two minutes, and he was already back to his playful self. She wasnt dehydrated to death! Chapter 209 - Chapter 209: The Clown ‘s Stage Play Chapter 209: The Clown s Stage Play Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation In Ancheng. In an ordinary house. Its raining again today. Yang Huan, sprawled on the sofa, stood up, took a can of cola from the fridge, stretched lazily, and walked to his room. Tomorrow is a day off. No work and no overtime. Yang Huan pulled back the curtains, stood by the window, watching the night sky, listening to the rain pouring outside. He opened the cola can with a hiss. A rainy night, alone at home, with no work the next day Ever since graduating from university, Yang Huan hadnt relaxed like this in a long time. He took a big gulp of the chilled cola, exhaled deeply, and took out a game disc from his bag. [ A Stage Play by a Clown ] Directly translated, it could be The Clowns Stage Play. But given its translated with a bit more interpretation, there must be a reason for that. Yang Huan was a typical office worker, with a regular job after graduation, a boss who liked making empty promises, and a supervisor who boasted to newcomers. His salary was decent; after deducting rent and living expenses, he could save a little each month. Besides being an office worker, he was a horror game enthusiast. With the pressures of modern urban life, Yang Huan enjoyed the relaxation that came after the heart-pounding thrill of horror games. A Stage Play by a Clown was a newly released popular game, creating quite a buzz online lately. There were rumors that the game was so scary it had actually caused deaths. Yang Huan scoffed at these claims, knowing them to be marketing tactics. These game-induced death rumors were common and obviously fabricated by the games project managers. The game cost 444 Dayan currency. Originally, Yang Huan had planned to ask the receptionist at his office out for a movie, but she already had plans. With the rain making going out inconvenient, she had to resort to a home date with someone else. The games box depicted a clown in circus attire, with colorful hair. Beneath that, however, was a skull with no flesh. This was a skeletal clown, its face flesh scraped off, revealing a grinning skull with eyes in the sockets. Feeling uncomfortable under the gaze of the skeletal clown, Yang Huan quickly unwrapped the box and placed it face down on the table. He rummaged through the box and took out a gold coin. Of course, the coin wasnt real gold. It was a bonus with the collectors edition of the game. After all, it would be stingy not to include something extra with a collectors edition. On one side of the coin was the image of the skeletal clown, and on the other, a bunch of black roses This was mentioned in the games lore; black roses were the clowns favorite flowers. Yang Huan inserted the game disc into his computer to start playing, meanwhile reflecting on the history of technology development on Yuan Xing. Computers that were over a hundred years old could still read video discs. With the advent of dedicated players, it seemed like computers would lose this function. But then game manufacturers stepped in, creating game discs to be played on computers. He had heard that major foreign manufacturers were starting to develop machines dedicated solely to gaming Yang Huan felt a twinge of anticipation, followed by the sobering thought of his salary, realizing hed have to save for a while to afford the new gaming technology. In the meantime, the game finished installing. He entered the activation code, and an image of the skeletal clown appeared on the screen. Sipping his icy cola, Yang Huan began to explore and navigate the game. The protagonist, a circus clown, wakes up one night to find himself in an abandoned amusement park. The park is overgrown and dilapidated. Beside him lies the head of a large dog he recognizes as Angie, a star performer of the circus and a crowd favorite. As a circus clown, he had always envied Angie. Now, her eyes were gouged out, blood streaming from the empty sockets. In one of her eye sockets, the clown finds a note with cryptic information. The note warns that the clown must leave the abandoned park before dawn or be trapped there forever. Additionally, there are disjointed, dirty scribbles that serve as hints for the player, such as You are a lion, I am an elephant, The tiger will eat you, Its safe inside the tigers stomach, The prince is a princess, The princess has a horses head, and other such bizarre phrases. Yang Huan, reading these hints, understands that the game involves puzzle-solving elements. He controls the clown, moving through the amusement park, relying on his gaming experience and the save/load feature to pass one level after another. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Each level is inhabited by humanoid monsters, grotesque and ferocious. The clown struggles to kill them, advancing toward his goal. Finally, in the last level, he arrives in front of a castle. The castle in the amusement park is exaggerated in the game, not as high or grand as a real one. According to the note, a princess lives in this castle. She lets down her hair, and the clown, like a brave prince, climbs up to the castle using her hair. However, upon reaching the top, he realizes that what awaited him near the window was not the princess, but a head stuck in the window. Its a beautiful head with golden hair and pale blue eyes, sparkling like gems.. Chapter 210 - Chapter 210: The Clown’s Stage Play Chapter 210: The Clowns Stage Play Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation At the neck, rough stitches connected the beautiful head to the body of a well-dressed man. The clown looked up and saw a slender figure sitting not far away, with a horses head sewn onto its body. Tap, tap, tap echoed the sound of high heels inside the castle. A figure appeared, dressed in a princesss gown with a crooked crown on its head, resembling the clown. The clown suddenly realized that the crowned clown in front of him was himself. As a circus clown, despite working hard and entertaining the audience, he was never really respected. Anyone could play the clown with some makeup and a wig, and no one cared about the person beneath. The only person who spoke to him was the female clown, his partner. But everything changed when the circus owners son returned from the city, bringing with him the concept of stage plays. The female clown became the princess, and the prince, naturally, was the circus owners son. The stage play was a hit, and the clown was part of it, still the perpetual side character. Then one night, after drowning his sorrows in cheap beer at a bar, the clown had a dream. Waking from it, he returned to the circus, cheerful and diligent, even earning the bosss praise. On the day of the stage play performance, the princess, played by the female clown, was captured by the villain, played by the clown, and taken to a castle. The brave prince, portrayed by the circus owners son, fought his way through monsters to rescue her. In the castle, the clown raised an axe high. According to the script, the prince was supposed to save the princess in time. But this was the clowns stage play. The wooden prop axe was replaced with a real one. The clown beheaded the princess, blood spraying everywhere. At first, the audience thought it was part of the show, but they screamed in horror when the clown turned on the prince. In the chaos, the clown beheaded a horse and sewed its head onto the princesss body. Holding the princesss corpse, his face twisted into an exaggerated laugh, he said, Now, its time for you to wake up. The clown in the princesss dress and crown spoke to Yang Huan. The clown, living in numb pain, could only awaken his true self by unleashing his suffering onto others. A gold coin appeared in front of Yang Huan. The clown in the game and Yang Huan in reality simultaneously picked up the coin from the table. The coin spun in the air, landing with a clear ding, showing its face up. Yang Huan burst into laughter. Massacre at Qianhui International Building! An entire floor of people, all dead! Yang Huan, an employee at XX Advertising Companysuspected to be infected by the Clown. The crime scene was gruesome, everyone was beheaded. When our team arrived, Yang Huan was sitting amidst the bodies, his face skinned, holding a game box in his arms. How did this black disc circulate in the market?! We investigated the local markets. The shopkeepers have no recollection of this discseems like their thoughts were tampered with. Pack that disc properly, dont look into its eyes! Theres something wrong with it. Inside the Ancheng Tianshu Administration office, staff members analyzed the situation anxiously. The Clown was the latest discovered taboo creature under the dominion of The Golden Throne. The Clowns infection ability was strong, capable of eroding the real world through movies, games, and novels. Another incident? Below Qianhui International Building, Lu Xuan, who was shopping with Cheng Lingzhu and passing by, furrowed his brows. The Judicial Division had cordoned off the area, sealing the floor. However, with his divine sense, Lu Xuan discerned the problem inside. Blood was everywhere across the floor, with over thirty people dead. The perpetrator appeared as a skeletal clown. Despite lacking flesh on its face, it seemed to be laughing maniacally. Lu Xuan pondered the need to make contact with the local authorities. With the warships drive core still missing, it might be prudent to deal with these Taboo Masters first. He thought of working with Yuan Xings officials they provide information, and he takes action. This was akin to the saying, Learn the Dao in the morning, and its okay to die in the evening. With this thought, Lu Xuan manipulated his magic, creating a spatial rift. While the Tianshu Administrations personnel were busy at the scene, he discreetly procured the evidence, namely the clown game disc, along with a gold coin. Game rating systems are a good thing, Lu Xuan nodded slightly. Even in its decline, Dayan, once a beacon of civilization on Yuan Xing, was stronger than the developing nations of the Eastern Continent. This led to a discussion about Dayans political system. Four hundred years ago, there were twelve countries on Dayans land, constantly at war. The invasion by the Sacred Tara Empire from the south led to the creation of the Dayan Alliance by the twelve kings to resist the invaders. After winning the war, the Alliance continued its cooperation in politics and economics, eventually realizing the benefits of unity. Two hundred years ago, the Dayan Empire was established amidst struggles and Eastern philosophical influences. Dayans political system was complex due to its history. The emperor, rotating among the twelve families, was more of a figurehead. Real power lay with the Grand Elder of the Senate. Interestingly, the emperor and the Grand Elder could not be from the same family, a rule deliberately set during the empires formation. In addition to the emperor and Grand Elder, there was the Prime Minister, the highest position a commoner could achieve, inheriting the functions of ancient prime ministers. Lu Xuan remained neutral toward these cultural, technological, and political aspects. After all, the entire civilization of Yuan Xing was spawned from a fragment of a high-level civilizations warship core Thus, sometimes Lu Xuan felt an unreal sense of detachment when dealing with Yuan Xing. Inserting the clown game disc, the skeletal clown icon appeared. Yang Huans saved games were gone, requiring a fresh start. For Lu Xuan, this was no issue. With Cheng Lingzhu by his side, he felt no stress. The in-game clown was a mere bully to mortals. Soon, Lu Xuan would bring it out and end it with a single strike. Quickly reaching the final level, the in-game clown tossed the coin. Real-world Lu Xuan did the same. The clown grinned. Keke The laugh was cut short, stuck in its throat, as it realized the coin landed with the black rose side up. In reality, the coin in Lu Xuans hand also showed the black rose side up. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This was impossible. The coins landing was controlled by the clown. Seek fortune and avoid calamity, dont you understand? Lu Xuan chuckled. Defiantly, the clown tossed the coin again, still landing black rose up. This continued for a hundred times until the clown let out a shriek, clutching its head. Lu Xuan considered this a hidden Easter egg or an alternative ending. He snapped his fingers, and the clowns body in the game exploded like fireworks, meeting its bad ending.. Chapter 211 - Chapter 211: Refining the Dragon Vein, Subduing Lu Xuan, The Senate’s Plan! Chapter 211: Refining the Dragon Vein, Subduing Lu Xuan, The Senates Plan! Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation After a strong palpitation, Mu Feng suddenly opened his eyes. Awakened from his sleep, he found himself not in his bedroom but in a strange space. There was no sky or ground; all he could see was a sea of light. Above this sea of light, atop the dome, stood a figure woven from light rays, emanating an indescribable grandeur. Mu Feng lowered his head, not daring to look up. In the presence of this being, he felt as insignificant as dust. An urge to kneel and prostrate emerged, his body seemingly acting of its own accord. But the honor of being a War God of Dayan forced Mu Feng to clench his teeth, keeping his legs straight and almost breaking. It wasnt that the great being wanted to force him to kneel, but in its presence, Mu Feng felt an overwhelming desire to bow down. The struggle was intense, but then the great being spoke. Its voice seemed to come from a distant, vast expanse, as if from the depths of the stars or the end of the universe, cryptic and ancient. Though it wasnt in any language of Yuan Xing, Mu Feng unexpectedly understood it. Just a few words conveyed a wealth of information, and Mu Feng understood the beings intent. When he raised his head, he found himself back in his dream. In the imperial capital of the Dayan Dynasty, inside an ancient-looking tower. Around a round table sat twelve elderly figures, both men and women, all with graying hair, some leaning on canes. They were the true power holders of the twelve families of Dayan, the twelve elders. The matter reported by Mu Feng, you are all aware of it, said the Grand Elder, seated at the head of the table, with sharp, eagle-like eyes. Yes, we know, nodded an old woman beside him. Mu Feng has become the adherent of the Silent Master, establishing contact with such a being. It has expressed a desire to meet with us. Incredible, the Third Elder murmured. A Taboo Master wishes to negotiate with us. Probably wants to propose terms, said the Fourth Elder, a wide-bodied man with squinting eyes. Such beings dont extend goodwill without reason. But since it has sent a message through Mu Feng, we have no choice but to go, the Grand Elder stated. The elders knew they couldnt refuse an invitation from a Taboo Master. The Second Elder pondered for a moment, However, how we go and who goes are matters for consideration. That afternoon. A delegation composed of Dayans Emperor Li Cheng, Prime Minister Luo Zheng, and representatives from the twelve families, gathered in the Senates council hall. The twelve elders, the true rulers of Dayan, were not present. Facing a Taboo Master was, of course, dangerous, and their esteemed and prominent status prevented them from attending in person. Emperor Li Cheng was a young man, not yet thirty. Privately, he cursed the elders for their hypocrisy C they withheld power in normal times but expected him to shoulder the burden in crises. Aside from the delegates and members of the Senate, five figures in battle armor were present, both men and women, including Mu Feng. All available Dayan War Gods, except for the three needed at the borders, were there. At the center of the council hall was a massive crystal sphere, brought by Mu Feng. Emperor Li Cheng composed himself, stepped forward, and sat cross-legged. The Prime Minister followed, along with representatives of the twelve families, forming a circle around the sphere. The crystal sphere glowed, rippling with waves of light that enveloped everyone, and in the next moment, their bodies vanished from sight. The twelve elders, seated at a distant table and guarded by the five War Gods, watched the unfolding scene. Half an hour later, the delegates reappeared, their expressions varied and vivid. Esteemed Elders, Generals, Prime Minister Luo Zheng stepped forward, his demeanor somewhat excited: Dayan is saved! Yuan Xing is saved! Emperor Li Cheng glanced at him, subtly shaking his head. Compile the details of your negotiation into a memorial and report to the Senate, the Grand Elder instructed calmly. That evening. In the Senates council hall. Youve all seen the memorial submitted by the delegates, the Grand Elder said, holding the document. Yes, the Second Elder nodded: The Silent Master communicated with them. If we offer sacred artifacts related to the Taboo Masters, It will act to destroy their godly realms. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This is good news, the Third Elder agreed: It also informed Emperor Li Cheng that the source of the Taboo Invasion is a special energy core. After defeating the other Lords, It will take the corrupted core and end the era of the Taboo. Is the greatest disaster in human history finally coming to an end? the Fourth Elder sighed in relief. The Fifth Elder, who had been silent, turned to the Grand Elder, who had spoken only once so far: What does the Grand Elder think? After a moment of contemplation, the Grand Elder asked: Since the start of the Taboo Era, how have you all found your lives? Hearing this, the other elders furrowed their brows in thought. After a while, one of them spoke: Actually, its not been too bad. Chapter 212 - Chapter 212: Refining the Dragon Vein, Subduing Lu Xuan, The Senate’s Plan! Chapter 212: Refining the Dragon Vein, Subduing Lu Xuan, The Senates Plan! Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The speaker was the Seventh Elder, the eldest among them. He glanced at his palm, reminiscing, When the Taboo Era dawned, I was nearing ninety, almost ready for the grave. But two years later, the Great Xia Science Academy, using special substances found in the forbidden zones, developed an elixir of longevity, allowing me to live till now. His laugh was youthful, Now, I feel even younger than before. The Seventh Elder, over a hundred and twenty years old, appeared merely in his seventies. His complexion was ruddy, his spirit vigorous. Indeed, agreed the Sixth Elder. Our families have extraordinary squads patrolling, safeguarding us from the strange disturbances that commoners face. Oh yes, the Ninth Elder chimed in with a chuckle, Last month, the Tian Shu Administration even assigned me a superhuman squad for protection. The female captain Ah, she is splendid. To think, at over eighty, I can still command the night Once, such thoughts were unimaginable. Their laughter filled the room, a lively atmosphere as they shared their gains from the Taboo Invasion, a discussion far removed from the concerns of commoners. Enough, the Grand Elders frown silenced them. Lets not forget our initial terror at the onset of the Taboo Invasion. His voice was steady, The invasion brought not only disaster but also power. Many awakened among the populace, possessing abilities beyond human, elusive as specters, impervious to gunfire. With such power, these awakeners will surely not be content with the status quo. Their existence is a challenge to our authority. The other elders pondered this, understanding dawning on their faces. Fortunately, I decided to establish the Tian Shu Administration back then, gathering talents nationwide while nurturing our familys young extraordinaries, the Grand Elder continued, Now, out of the eight War Gods of Great Yan, six belong to our twelve families. Our young extraordinaries are emerging generation after generation! Indeed, the Second Elder agreed, Without your foresight, we, the nobility of Great Yan, would have likely fallen to the wave of awakeners. Our years of planning are about to bear fruit, the Grand Elders eyes sparkled with ambition, Weve used information to leap ahead, seizing resources to strengthen our kin, and using their power to garner more resources in a self-sustaining cycle. This way, the gap between us and the commoners will only widen. If any prodigies arise among them, they must join us to advance. One day, we will stand supreme, gods of Great Yan, our families eternally reigning from above! His thirty-year plan was evident in his words. But now, some unknown Silent Master dares to take our polluted core, threatening our grand enterprise! he exclaimed, his eyes reddening with fury. How can we allow this? What does the Taboo Invasion matter to us? Its but a few commoners dying! The elders were silent, none willing to relinquish their power. If we refuse this entitys demands, and it wreaks havoc in Great Yan the Third Elder began hesitantly. So be it, the Grand Elder retorted coldly, Weve established superhuman families to ensure our lineage endures forever. Since ancient times, there have been millennia-old families, but no millennia-old dynasties. If the Silent Master destroys Great Yan, we will abandon it! We will stand as immovable rocks in the river of history, unchanging and eternal! Their intake of breath was audible. Such audacity mirrored that of characters in cultivation novels, envisioning their families as formidable forces in their own right. Besides, we might yet have means to oppose this Silent Master. The Grand Elder snorted coldly: Fifteen years ago, deep beneath the Tianyan Mountains, we found an ancient corpse. The Dayan Science Academy has been researching it ever since. Many ancient texts speak of gods, demons, mythical beasts, and rare treasures Now, it seems they might be related to the [Polluted Core]. This corpse is incredibly ancient, at least thirty thousand years old by the Academys estimates. Its been found to resonate with some special underground forces which we have named the (Dragon Vein]. The Elders exchanged glances, intrigued. Dayan should have its own guardian deity, the Grand Elder resumed calmly. The Dayan Science Academy has calculated that the power contained within the Dragon Vein surpasses all current Taboo Masters. We can feign agreement with the Silent Master, using Them to destroy other rulers realms and deplete Their power. Before They can take the Polluted Core, well unleash the power of the Dragon Vein to suppress Them and reap the benefits. Alright, Ive said my piece. Lets vote, the Grand Elder stated flatly. The Silent Master is still a Taboo entity not of our kind, and thus not to be trusted, the Second Elder said after a pause. This is a matter for Dayan alone, not for Them to interfere, declared the Third Elder decisively. The Polluted Core must not be given to Them, the Fourth Elder agreed. I support the Grand Elders proposal. Such a treasure cannot simply be handed over. Who can refuse the chance to become a god? After the Taboo Era, special substances would run out, right? I still wish to live longer. Heh, me too, eh Soon, the Elders reached a consensus, unanimously approving the Grand Elders proposal. Ancheng. Yangxing Residential Area. The sound of a door unlocking echoed as Cheng Lingzhu appeared at the doorway. Dressed in a JK uniform, she carried a takeout bag. Stepping out of her shoes, she revealed her dainty feet clad in over-the-knee socks. Im late, so there was only one bowl of liangfen left at the store downstairs, she said, gesturing to Lu Xuan with the bag in her hand. Having just finished negotiations with the Dayan delegation, Lu Xuan, lost in thought about his next move, snapped back to reality. Cheng Lingzhu, wearing little cat slippers, walked over and leaned softly against him. How did it go with Dayan? she asked. Smooth enough, Lu Xuan pondered, But they were obviously wary, not willing to send anyone of significance to talk. They must be afraid of you, Cheng Lingzhu teased, poking his chest with a smile, The Silent Master, after all, sounds quite intimidating. Is it just intimidation? Lu Xuan wondered aloud. My dear, you know my skills arent just in words. Just now Silly talk, Cheng Lingzhu blushed, pinching softly at his waist, Its all your fault, making me miss buying more liangfen. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Lu Xuan, feeling responsible, pondered for a moment: Ive made a mistake and should be punished. Keep the liangfen for yourself. What will you eat then? she asked, having bought it especially for him. Without answering, Lu Xuan scooped her up in his arms, carrying her over his shoulder, face turned backward. He strolled leisurely to the refrigerator and took out a newly purchased jar of honey: Ive heard that the Dushi Sword Sect has a sacred fruit that ripens once every three thousand years My dear has never invited me to try it, a bit stingy, eh? Ah, no she protested playfully.. Chapter 213 - Chapter 213: The Execution of the Emperor’s Nine Clans Chapter 213: The Execution of the Emperors Nine Clans Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The liangfen was delicious C fresh, sweet, and smooth. Having finished their meal and did what needed to be done, the next day greeted Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu with a curious sight. Looking at the array of assorted items on the table, Lu Xuan felt as if he had stumbled into a night market stall. Cheng Lingzhu picked up a wave drum from the table, shaking it twice to produce a crisp sound. Seems like its made from the hide of some powerful creature, she commented, plucking at the drumskin. Its a sacred artifact of [Tianmo BoxunO], named after the being in the Buddhist scriptures, Lu Xuan explained. He had sealed the spirituality of these items, making them no different from ordinary objects. He counted the items on the table: Deep Sea Shield, crafted from the scales of [Dagon] The Spear of Longinus, tainted with the true blood of [Jingxian] Its said to have once pierced the saint of the Ming family of Yingzhou Aphrodites Dice, from the [Golden Throne], if you can roll two sixes in a row, you become an apostle of this being The Eternal Heart, a creation of [Father of Machines], turns the users lifespan into kinetic energy So, if the user has an infinite lifespan, is this thing a perpetual motion machine? In total, there were twelve items, each closely related to the Taboo Masters. With a sweep of his hand, Lu Xuan stowed these relics into his sleeve, leaving only a bone dice in his hand. Deciding to start with his area of expertise, he casually tossed it twice, both rolls landing on six. The room twisted and warped, golden light flickering, painting everything in a golden hue. Lu Xuan reached out, anchoring his spirit in the void, locking onto the existence somewhere in the unknown. Moments later, he held a palm-sized golden throne in his hand, with a little figure sitting on it resembling a golden Buddha. He had refined and subdued the ruler of the [Golden Throne]. On Yuan Xing. Above the vast ocean, Lu Xuan cast his fishing rod, cleaving a four-limbed mermaid monster in two, vanquishing it. In the desert of yellow sands, a young man with black hair entered a temple with an axe, felling nine pillar gods, their divine realms collapsing behind him. On the snow-covered mountains, a rainbow streaked across the sky, decapitating an eight-legged beast and its master in one swift move, the sword sheath remaining unstained by blood. In the Blissful Buddha Realm, as grand chanting echoed from outside the hall, the seated Buddha hurriedly rose to flee, only to have his kasaya stripped away, revealing his true demonic form. With each fallen Taboo Master, a unique essence returned to Yuan Xing. Lu Xuan took a week to accomplish this feat. He could have done it faster, but considering Cheng Lingzhus need to practice the Great Slaughter Technique, he slowed his pace. On the seventh night, by the lakeside, Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu sat side by side, gazing at the tranquil night sky. The stars twinkled, blinking like eyes. Lu Xuan reached up, plucking a star-sized eyeball from the sky, refining and crushing it. With this, all the Taboo Masters had been slain. Jing Xian and Hydra have fallen That means, in one week, ten Masters! Its unbelievable We need to reassess the [Silent Master] In the Tianshu Administration, reports were compiled and sent to the Senate. The twelve Elders fell into silence. Even with their estimations of this entitys power, such a terrifying record of victories sent chills down their spines. But they had no intention of altering their plan. The Dayan Dragon Vein is about to emerge. No one can stop us, the Grand Elder declared. Three days later. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The time is almost upon us, Lu Xuan mused, holding a crystal. This was the Drive Core fragment given by Nuwa, one of three that powered the [Heavenly Path] battleship. Part of it had fallen on Yuan Xing, influencing the planets natural laws. The Taboo era had begun from this fragment, but now, it was all coming to an end. With the fall of the Taboo Masters and their essences returning, the Drive Core was about to emerge. Just then, Lu Xuan frowned. Someone was praying to him, the [Silent Master], sending a message. One of the eight War Gods of Dayan, Mu Feng, had been captured. The news came from Mu Fengs family. At first, they were worried when they learned he had become an adherent of a Taboo Master. Generally, contact with a Taboo existence demanded a price, enduring a corruption that others couldnt bear. Fortunately, Lu Xuan wasnt a typical Taboo Master. He had only contacted Mu Feng, who didnt suffer corruption or mutation, much to his familys relief. Through his familys description, Lu Xuan understood the situation. Mu Feng was the first of the eight War Gods to be captured. He had received a summons to attend a War God meeting and had just entered the Senate building, leaving his golden armor and silver spear outside, when he sensed something amiss. As he approached the council hall, the First War God, specifically tasked to deal with him, approached. Several War Gods cornered him in the corridor. Panicking, Mu Feng shouted, Im here to see the Elders, what are you doing? as he struggled desperately Chapter 214 - Chapter 214: The Execution of the Emperor’s Nine Clans Chapter 214: The Execution of the Emperors Nine Clans Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation In the end, Mu Feng was lured to the Senate, where four War Gods were stationed to subdue him. Using me and then planning to betray me? Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by this turn of events. He had considered the possibility of Dayan turning against him, but he didnt expect the Senate to act so quickly. Mu Fengs current status as an adherent of the Silent Master meant the Senates bold move to capture him was a clear statement of their stance. Daring to confront a Taboo existence, Lu Xuan surmised they must have acquired some kind of trump card. In the Dayan Dynasty, at the Tianyan Mountain Range, a mountaintop had been carved and hollowed out, forming a massive pit like the mouth of a volcano. The pit, a kilometer deep, housed a colossal altar. On this altar lay an ancient skeleton, over ten meters long, markedly different from a normal human. Below the altar, twelve elderly men in luxurious robes smiled faintly. Lets begin, the Grand Elder commanded. Following his order, large mechanical arms raised around the altar. It turned out the altar was built on a platform. Eight mechanical arms adjusted their angles, and through special crystals at their tips, they emitted a strange energy, infusing it into the ancient skeleton. The Dayan Science Academy, through research, had found a way to activate the skeleton by combining modern technology with Taboo zone resources. The skeleton gradually became red-hot, like a heated iron, and then began to evaporate, turning into light particles that drifted in all directions. However, these particles didnt disappear into thin air. Instead, they were drawn towards the walls of the pit, where special symbols densely covered the surface, absorbing all the light from the skeleton. The earth trembled and the mountains quaked as if something was awakening from a deep slumber. A wave of uncontrollable joy washed over the faces of the twelve elders. The Tianyan Mountain, spanning over six thousand miles, was the location of the Dayan Dynastys Dragon Vein, and the mountain peak they were on was the Dragons Lair. At that moment, if a satellite were to capture the scene from space, it would see clouds gathering over Tianyan Mountain, forming a long river-like formation, resembling a mighty dragon. On the ground, an extraordinary phenomenon appeared. The soil heaved, with mountains forming the bones and mud the flesh, while grass and trees became scales and whiskers. The entire Tianyan Mountain underwent a dramatic transformation. Finally, with a loud and clear dragons roar, a yellowish phantom broke free from the mountains confines and coiled in the sky. Its body, spanning over ten thousand miles, exuded a trembling might. Its eyes shone like brilliant suns, illuminating the lands. Our Dayans guardian deity is born today! The Dragon Vein rises, the ancestral spirit appears! Heaven blesses Dayan! The twelve elders felt an immense satisfaction. But at that moment, the sky and earth suddenly changed color. It was as if the sun had been obscured, turning everything around from noon to dusk. A vague figure slowly emerged from the twilight. The Silent Master! the Grand Elder narrowed his eyes. But he was not afraid. Now that the ancestral spirit had emerged, capable of suppressing the Taboo, there was nothing to fear. You Dayan nobles are truly shameless, Lu Xuan shook his head in disapproval. Not only are you treacherous, but youre also willing to prolong the Taboo Era for your selfish desires He spoke to the twelve elders, his voice reaching their ears. The Dragon Vein has been formed, Dayan now has its guardian deity, the Grand Elder stated, looking at the vague figure in the sky. The contract we made was under your coercion. It is only right to annul it. The Polluted Core is a matter of Yuan Xing, unrelated to you. This is Dayans affair; its best you do not interfere. A fine example of an unequal treaty, quite noble-sounding indeed, Lu Xuan scoffed. Seems I overestimated the Dayan elders, thats all the vision they have. Feeling the contempt from the Silent Master, the Grand Elder huffed coldly: It seems you are unwilling to retreat? Above the Tianyan Mountain, the Dragon Vein surged. The earthy yellow dragon energy gathered, eyeing Lu Xuan fiercely. You still havent grasped the situation, Lu Xuan declared. In my opinion, its time for the Dayan nobility to be eradicated. The Grand Elders temper flared at these words, and the Tianyan Dragon Vein reacted similarly. The dragon, wrapped in clouds, lunged at the vague figure in the sky with its teeth bared. Lu Xuan did not immediately retaliate but instead snapped his fingers. In that moment, the image of this scene was projected above the entire territory of Dayan. All the people of Dayan had to do was look up to witness this spectacle. The next moment, Lu Xuan pointed a finger. Boom! The Dragon Vein exploded, disintegrating into countless particles of earthy yellow essence that dissipated into the sky and scattered across Dayan. The Grand Elder and the other elders, along with everyone present, were stunned. The Dragon Vein, cultivated for so long and planned for many years, was gone with just a flick of a finger? To Lu Xuan, the power of the Dragon Vein was trivial. The world of Yuan Xing was not highly ranked, and the Dragon Vein born from the Dayan Dynasty could not compare to the celestial veins of the Archean Eon Realm. Lu Xuan, with his numerous tomb-raiding experiences, was quite skilled at dispersing dragon essences. He scattered the Dragon Vein into Dayans territory to nourish its beings C taking from the heavens to give to the people. As for you Lu Xuan gazed at the twelve elders standing dumbfounded below. Dayan nobility, today shall be eradicated Thin threads descended from the sky, wrapping around the necks of the elders. The twelve threads, delicate yet incredibly sharp, tightened at Lu Xuans slight gesture. Twelve heads rolled to the ground. The Grand Elders eyes were wide open in death, still unable to comprehend what had happened. Lu Xuan looked down at the trembling Emperor of Dayan, Li Cheng. The emperor, feeling the gaze of this mighty being, trembled like a leaf, kneeling in fear and reverence. Although Dayan had abolished the practice of prostration, in this moment, Li Cheng felt a primal fear and respect, as if he were an ancient emperor praying to the heavens. The cleansing of the Dayan nobility is now your responsibility, Lu Xuan decreed. Li Cheng knew the task was a test. If he succeeded in this trial, eliminating his kin for the greater good, he would remain unharmed. Failure would mean the execution of the emperors nine clans. Your command shall be obeyed! Li Cheng responded with a deep breath. As the emperor, although he held no real power, Li Cheng was privy to many secrets. He knew the extent of the nobles embezzlement and corruption. If he didnt act, divine justice would. After today, there would be no more nobility in Dayan. Where is Luo Zheng? Lu Xuan inquired. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Your servant This humble one is here, Luo Zheng, the Prime Minister of Dayan, responded, kneeling. Prepare for constitutional governance, Lu Xuan instructed indifferently. Yes! Luo Zhengs eyes widened. The era of the Council of Elders was ending, and a new era with the Cabinet in power was beginning. The rest depended on Li Chengs performance. If he did well, a constitutional monarchy could be established, keeping the emperor as a figurehead. If not, the emperor would be the first to face execution a grim joke for the people. Li Cheng, sweating profusely, knew the gravity of his role. Any relative who had broken the law would face execution, while others would be imprisoned and interrogated. The twelve families and the emperor of Dayan from now on, there would only be law-abiding citizens of the New Yan Dynasty.. Chapter 215 - Chapter 215: Tapping the Electronic Wooden Fish, Chapter 215: Tapping the Electronic Wooden Fish, Increasing Quantum Merits, Cultivating Turing Immortals, Entering the Cyber Heaven Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The summer in the Sangna Plains was pale. Pale skies, pale earth, pale, distorted number trees C everything was lifeless. In the midst of this desert, a battered garbage truck traveled over undulating mounds. The Scorpion Il transport vehicle, an old model from before the Great Catastrophe, was tough and durable, making it a favorite among the scavengers eking out a living in the wasteland. Big sister, were approaching Yellowstone Town, said the man in the truck, a pipe clenched between his teeth, gazing towards the distant town. Yellowstone Town is a coveted place. Many scavengers dream of obtaining town resident status, the woman clicked her tongue, Unfortunately She rubbed a short knife against the metal ring on her wrist, producing a brushing sound. The man, Gu Tie, and the woman, Gu Ying, were siblings. But in todays world, the ethical concepts of the lower classes were shattered by harsh realities. Being siblings Was often just one aspect of their identity. Lil Tie, we must seize this opportunity, the woman secured the knife at her waist. I traded that high-grade prosthetic limb to the Black Dragon Strongholds chief to get you this surgery opportunity Once its done, youll be an Qi Refining Cultivator. Dont worry, big sister, I understand, Gu Tie smiled casually. Were just scouting around. What could go wrong? Yellowstone Town is under the protection of the Overlord Blade Sect. If the Black Dragon Strongholds chief is sending us as scouts, he must be acting under someones orders, Gu Ying shook her head. Scavengers who survived in the wasteland had their own philosophies of life. Yellowstone Town was a significant settlement, its residents wary and xenophobic, and possessed considerable firepower. Only scavengers who earned their trust could enter the town for trade. Gu Ying was cautious and meticulous. She knew well that the task from the Black Dragon Strongholds chief wouldnt be simple. However, the opportunity to transform her brother into a Qi Cultivator easily shattered Gu Yings defenses. The garbage truck trundled on. After cresting a hill, two figures cloaked in black appeared in the sights of Gu Tie and Gu Ying. Clad in dark cloaks, without any vehicles, they trekked across the Sangna Plains. Gu Yings wariness spiked. She signaled Gu Tie with a glance to keep distance from these strangers. In the wasteland, the best strategy upon encountering unknown people or things was to avoid contact. However, Gu Tie turned to her, lowering his voice, Big sister, they dont have weapons! What? Gu Ying frowned, No weapons? Gu Tie pointed to the trucks dashboard, dirty and resembling a radar with its emanating ripples. I turned on the detector; it found no metal, Gu Tie said. Gu Ying wanted to chide her brother for carelessly using the detector. In the wilderness, electricity was precious, especially during the Sangna Plains cloudy summers, making it hard to fully charge solar cells. But now, Gu Yings attention was also on the detector. It was well-known that the deeper the cultivation, the higher the degree of cybernetic integration, and more metallic parts on ones body. Detectors dont lie. Undoubtedly, these were two mortals , just like Gu Tie and Gu Ying. No, much weaker than us Gu Ying glanced down at the short shotgun by her side. With a nearly thirty-millimeter caliber, it was a rare, high-powered shotgun even among wasteland hunters, not just scavengers. But it was too long, and the recoil too strong. Gu Ying more commonly used a large-caliber handgun. At close range, it could blow an enemys head off. And in the trucks cabin, there were even heavier weapons like rocket launchers. For scavengers without a fixed abode, their truck was their entire fortune. Shall we Take a shot? Gu Tie licked his lips. Under normal circumstances, this phrase would carry no hidden meaning. But now, Gu Tie was suggesting they attack these two strangers. Gu Ying hesitated. Attacking lone or wounded scavengers, murder for loot, they had done such things before. Or rather, on the wasteland, acting on greed or lust at the sight of valuables or beauty was all too common. A piece of clothing, a hat, even the organs of scavengers could be sold for money. But they needed to get to Yellowstone Town quickly, and Gu Ying didnt want any complications. Big sister, it wont take long, Gu Tie said. Well just kill them. Their cloaks look like good material; we could make clothes out of them. And if were lucky, any unmutated organs they have could be sold in the city Alright. Gu Ying nodded, unholstered her large-caliber handgun, and disengaged the safety. Gu Tie also took out his pistol, placing it on his thigh. The siblings exchanged a glance, and the garbage truck slowed down, heading towards the cloaked figures. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Such poor feng Shui here, Lu Xuan remarked, adjusting his cloak. The sun was a dismal white, the sand and stones were a dismal white, even the plants on the ground looked as if they were suffering from albinism. After retrieving the drive core fragment from Yuan Star, the worlds laws had changed. The source of Heavenly and Earthly Qi vanished, causing global upheaval. Overnight, even War Gods lost their transcendent powers, regressing to mere mortals.. Chapter 216 - Chapter 216: Oden Fish, Increasing Quantum Merits, Chapter 216: Oden Fish, Increasing Quantum Merits, Cultivating Turing Immortals, Entering the Cyber Heaven Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation For those once-mighty figures, suddenly losing their power and status was hard to accept. But for the common people of Yuan Xing, the disappearance of taboos and strangeness was a cause for universal celebration. Outside the Dayan Dynasty, some quick-witted powerhouses had already started giving interviews and writing books, like My Years as a War God, One Man, One Sword: Ten Years Guarding the Pass, Revival of the Forbidden, Slaying Demons in the Human World, and so on. Li Cheng, the law-abiding citizen of the Dayan Dynasty and His Majesty the Emperor, earnestly completed the work of reform. From a potentially elder-worthy decorative emperor, he became a might live peacefully into old age decorative emperor. After all this, Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu left Yuan Xing and, having located the last piece of the drive core fragment, arrived in this world. Clang, clang, clang An oddly shaped, rundown car approached. It was an Open-top truck. Six wheels, a windshield, but no roof. Two people, a man and a woman, were in the drivers cabin. Lu Xuan waved, intending to ask a local for information. With a thud, the car stopped, but the two didnt get out. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu walked up. Considering the language barrier, Lu Xuan decided to communicate directly with their souls, Hello Suddenly, the man and woman in the car drew guns, aiming them at Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu. Bang! A gunshot rang out as Gu Ying and Gu Tie simultaneously pulled their triggers. Gu Ying could even see the shocked expressions on the faces of the man and woman in front of her. Desperate lovers Gu Ying thought. She knew the power of the gun in her hand. At such a close distance, barely a meter apart, it could pierce steel. The two before her probably wouldnt have their heads left intact. The bullets tore through the air, whistling as they flew. But just a foot from their target, they suddenly halted. The air turned into a viscous gel, locking the bullets in place, unable to move further. In that moment, time seemed to freeze. A force field shield, a Golden Core cultivator! Gu Ying exclaimed in disbelief. Lu Xuan gasped, realizing the gravity of the situation. The woman had seen through his disguise at a glance; such a formidable opponent couldnt be left alive With two soft thuds, the metallic bullet heads flew back, piercing through the foreheads of Gu Ying and Gu Tie. Gu Ying was three-quarters correct in her exclamation about the Force Field Shield, Golden Core Cultivator. Apart from the force field, her assessment of the shield and Golden Core cultivation was accurate. The shield that blocked the bullets was the cultivators protective spiritual energy, a sort of passive defense mechanism. This spiritual energy, intangible and insubstantial, constantly surrounds a cultivator, operating automatically like breathing. Of course, the spiritual energy at the Golden Core stage can only block some attacks, not tne strongest ones. At the Nascent Soul stage, this energy can transform into a domain, making the cultivator unaffected by external laws. And at the Mahayana stage, the cultivators internal Dao generates its own domain, capable of altering the laws of heaven and earth, influencing the external environment. In terms of physical strength alone, bullets cannot penetrate a Golden Core cultivators defense, but getting hit in the forehead would look quite foolish. Fortunately, the spiritual energy ensures elegance is maintained. In the instant before Gu Yings death. Lu Xuan quickly gathered and extracted her memories. After understanding this world. Lu Xuans expression turned odd. The planet he stood on was named Naga, once a thriving world of life. Until the Great Catastrophe occurred. A meteorite fell, bringing with it a massive amount of radiation that filled the skies, land, oceans, and even the underground of the entire planet. In the orally transmitted history, the Great Catastrophe was a major disaster in human civilization, with two-thirds of all life perishing globally. But from a higher dimension, the Radiation Stone brought a miracle. After the catastrophe, the surviving humans discovered changes in their bodies. Their body temperature rose, the lowest being over fifty degrees, and their tolerance to heat reached seventy degrees. This meant many viruses could not survive, naturally curing many diseases. Moreover, human physical fitness improved, along with enhanced self-healing abilities, and a significant increase in affinity for metals. Under these circumstances, the survivors on Naga started to transform their living environment. First, the global population rapidly migrated to lower latitudes, initiating a global warming plan to make the entire planet habitable for humans. Second, many countries began research on cybernetic enhancements. The arrival of the Radiation Stone not only created a new human race but also led to new technologies through its study. The new humans had no rejection response to prosthetics. Using special technology, spinal nerves were connected to prosthetics. They felt and functioned like natural limbs, but were more flexible and powerful. The path of mechanical ascension opened before humanity, as the frailty of flesh gave way to the strength of machinery. As for what happened next The woman named Gu Ying didnt know. It seemed a global war swept through, leaving Naga scarred and ravaged. After the war, nations and order collapsed, the old era ended, and humanity entered a new cyber age. This new era was peculiar. It differed significantly from the cyber world Lu Xuan had envisioned. If he had to describe it, it would be something like: Cyber World, where myriad paths compete! Turing Continent, home to powerful sects! In the far north, the Supreme Turing Celestial oversees the end, guarding heaven and earth! In the virtual space, countless incarnations of the Infinite Web Buddha exist eternally! In the Digital Grave, countless progeny of the Yinying Ghost Mother erode the heavens! A youth steps out from a remote town, wielding an ancient computer, nurturing a Quantum Demon Womb, fostering a Cyber Spirit. Watch how he rises with the mysterious chip in his hand, stepping onto Stop, stop, stop. Lu Xuan hit the brakes in time. The flavor was getting too intense, almost spilling over. In any case, in this world dominated by cyber technology, there emerged Great Sects and Cultivators. Put in more common terms, these correspond to Large Corporations and Corporate Workers. There are mortals on Naga, like Gu Ying and Gu Tie, as well as most scavengers and the townsfolk of Yellowstone Town they were headed to. Lu Xuan compared this with Gu Yings memories. Overall, compared to the old era, the proportion of cybernetically enhanced individuals in the new era seemed to have decreased. At least in Gu Yings perception. Those with cybernetic enhancements were the exalted cultivators. In this technological world, the path of cultivation was also achieved through technological means. For example, the first stage of cultivation, Qi Refining. This involved surgically implanting neural circuits and installing special chips in the brain, connecting to the bodys muscles. After the surgery, a persons reaction time and learning ability would greatly improve. The technological development of the cyber era has reached new heights today. Leaving creativity aside. Even the most basic chip far surpasses the smartest natural human in terms of computational and analytical capabilities. Qi Refining cultivators with chips and neural circuits, even without any training and unarmed, can easily defeat a natural human armed with cold weapons. The processing power provided by the chip allows Qi Refiners to analyze their opponents next move through minute muscle changes, predicting every step of the enemy. And the neural circuits grant them reaction speeds beyond ordinary humans, allowing them to preemptively strike, a power not achievable through mere training. However, Qi Refiners have their flaws. After all, they were still human. Under high-speed reactions and chip stimulation, they cant sustain long battles and may even damage their bodies. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Upon reaching the threshold of Qi Refining, cultivators enter the Foundation Building stage. At this stage, a cultivators muscles are entirely replaced with synthetic muscle fibers, stronger and more durable. Practitioners of this realm can be called superhuman. Those using top-tier muscle fibers can easily leap onto ten-story buildings, walk freely on glass facades, and if not for the limitations of bone strength, could punch through walls But the real cyber cultivation begins with the Golden Core stage.. Chapter 217 - Chapter 217: The Struggle Between Cyber Buddhist and Daoist Paths Chapter 217: The Struggle Between Cyber Buddhist and Daoist Paths Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation What is a Golden Core? The Golden Core is a reactor. As stated in the Turing Danjing, swallowing a Golden Core means My life is controlled by me, not by heaven, referring to the process of embedding the reactor into the body. If Foundation Building cultivators rely on synthetic muscles and still maintain a human form, then at the Golden Core stage, they become truly non-human. The most prominent feature of cultivators at this stage is the increasing proportion of cybernetic components in their bodies, leading to a transformation. The powerful energy provided by the reactor, combined with a jet propulsion system, gives Golden Core cultivators the ability to fly and burrow. And their high-strength cybernetic bodies, equipped with gravity shields, allow them to be impervious to blades and bullets while unleashing their full power. The preferred weapon of Golden Core cultivators is the powered flying sword, commonly known as a high-frequency vibrational weapon, capable of cutting metal and stone with extreme sharpness. Some Golden Core cultivators store a vial of monomolecular filament in the tips of their cybernetic fingers. A mere flick of their fingers releases the invisible filament, cutting through everything in its path C this is known as Sword Qi Projection. Other standard equipment includes Palm Thunder plasma bombs, Guardian Treasure Clothes made of high-polymer materials that can deflect bullets and refract laser weapons, and the Soul Capturing Technique that hacks into an opponents cybernetics through their cybernetic eyes. The difference between cultivators at this stage and those at Qi Refining or Foundation Building stages is like heaven and earth. The chips that support such an extensive array of cybernetics and weapon systems are, of course, extraordinary. The implanted chips for Qi Refining and Foundation Building cultivators are called Mud Pill. The chips used by Golden Core cultivators are known as Inner Pill. Strictly speaking, the reactor that powers the body should be called External Pill. This is somewhat different from what Lu Xuan had envisioned. But in the cyber world, cultivation was like this. At the dawn of the cyber era, there was a debate between the paths of Inner Pill and External Pill, but it soon fizzled out. Because both chips and reactors were indispensable. The Inner Pill Path focuses on using advanced chips to optimize control systems, but without a reactor to power the high-level cybernetics, one can only stagnate at the Foundation Building stage. The same goes for the External Pill Path. Having powerful reactors and cybernetics without a matching chip system not only risks overload and chip burnout but also leaves one vulnerable to hacking by experts in the Inner Pill Path. The Supreme Turing Celestial Sovereign once said, To cultivate only the spirit and not the body is the primary ailment of cultivation; to cultivate only the body and not the spirit, even a myriad of calamities cannot make one holy. This succinctly expresses the principle that a good chip must be paired with a good reactor. This was also known as dual cultivation of spirit and body. So, are there any who stubbornly choose to go to extremes? Yes. The Infinite Web Buddha is a prime example. The Infinite Web, the true Buddha, with countless incarnations, illuminates the virtual Buddha lands in all directions This Infinite Web Buddha had completely freed itself from the constraints of cybernetics, transforming into data roaming the virtual space. As per the Buddhist doctrine, wherever there is network coverage, there lies the Buddha land illuminated by the light of the Infinite Web. In the first year of the cyber era, the struggle between Buddhist and Daoist paths was fierce, splitting the world into two major camps, leading to a global war spanning both virtual and real realms. In the physical world, various battleships, mechs, and cybernetics clashed. Both sides deployed their space-based weapons C abandoned satellites in near-Earth orbit C targeting and bombing the enemys main base. In the digital space, the war was just as intense. The Supreme Turing Celestial fought against the Infinite Web Buddha, both powers consuming ninety percent of the worlds computational resources in their battle, causing the collapse of virtual spaces and the erosion of servers. The global war ended abruptly, not because the two mighty beings set aside their obsessions for the greater Dao, but due to a new variable. In the midst of the struggle between the Supreme Turing Celestial and the Infinite Web Buddha, amidst endless data destruction and fusion, a new entity was born. It proclaimed itself the Mother of Origin and Creation, but most people referred to it as the Eternal Yin Spirit Ghost Mother. The Ghost Mother, born from countless epochs, was the first native holy spirit of the virtual space. She emerged with immense power, unleashing endless corruption upon the cyber world. In this era, viruses were not rare; cultivators referred to them as Curses. Within the dark expanse of digital space, those with malicious intent released viruses, often disguised as magnetic links, data packets, or audio-visual files. If someone carelessly opened them, the virus would infiltrate the brain C at best, draining ones wealth, and at worst, erasing ones consciousness, turning them into puppets of the hacker, a process colloquially known as soul snatching. Compared to other Curses, the curse of the Eternal Yin Spirit Ghost Mother was more aggressive. Anyone tainted by it would undergo a personality distortion, becoming a devotee of the Ghost Mother. Every devotee was a child and an incarnation of the Ghost Mother, and they could also serve as her vessels. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As long as a single devotee existed in the world, the Ghost Mother would be immortal. Of course, this was just a legend, as no one had ever seen the Eternal Yin Spirit Ghost Mother use such tactics. She was so powerful that she didnt need to flee. Born in response to the epoch, the Ghost Mother, with her virus-like propagation ability, seized a third of the cyber spaces computational power. Even against the joint suppression of the Celestial and the Buddha, she maneuvered effortlessly. The war ended prematurely. With the rise of the Eternal Yin Spirit Ghost Mother, both the Supreme Turing Celestial and the Infinite Web Buddha were severely wounded and weakened.. Chapter 218 - Chapter 218: The Struggle Between Cyber Buddhist and Daoist Paths Chapter 218: The Struggle Between Cyber Buddhist and Daoist Paths Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation A tripartite balance was thus formed and has continued to this day. The Infinite Web Buddha was a typical representative of cultivating spirit without body, regarding cybernetics and physical bodies as burdensome, with the true spirit residing in digital space. The Eternal Yin Spirit Ghost Mother, on the other hand, cultivates only body, not spirit. Followers of the Ghost Mother lineage entrust their consciousness together, forming a collective consciousness and unified computational resource control. They focus only on stacking armors and firepower, without needing to think for themselves. The Supreme Turing Celestial, recuperating under the Arctic ice, defined spirit and body. Indeed, befitting a great being, his statement criticized both parties. There were personal grievances involved in this. The Infinite Web Buddha dismissed his statement. After all, the Ghost Mother was a consequence of their fight; trying to shift the blame was just wishful thinking. In the debate over who is the father of the child, all explanations seem feeble. After going through Gu Yings memories. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu exchanged glances, both bewildered. This world was too bizarre. Unconventional yet logical, it possessed a beauty that was both cyber and cultivational. Since the cultivation here is achieved through technological means, why start with Qi Refining? Cheng Lingzhu pondered this question. One could start with a full transformation, directly achieving Golden Core or even higher realms, right? Gu Yings understanding of cultivators was limited to the Golden Core stage. She and her brother were mere mortals, without even a Mud Pill Palace implanted. In remote areas like the Sangna Plains, network access was only available in cities, and it was wired, extremely expensive. This was something only Qi Refining lords could afford. Therefore, what realms lay beyond and how higher-level cultivators were modified were unknown to them. For a commoner like Gu Ying, knowing who ruled the world, that it was governed by sects, and that becoming a cultivator required surgical means was already quite impressive. Cultivation in this world must be gradual, probably related to spirit and body, Lu Xuan speculated. Just as the Supreme Supreme Turing Celestial said, cultivation is about nurturing both spirit and body. In the context of cyber technology, control over computational resources is an indispensable aspect. For an ordinary person with no exposure to any learning or training, even if given a powerful chip and cybernetics, they lack the means to mobilize and use their computational resources. If hacked, not knowing how to counteract, even advanced cybernetics could be easily usurped by the enemy Hmm, probably only programmers well-versed in the Micro Machine Dao and cyber technology can fully utilize the power of cybernetics. Cheng Lingzhu hesitated for a moment, So, like practicing martial arts without cultivating inner strength, it all comes to naught? Exactly, Lu Xuan clapped his hands in admiration. My wise wife, far more insightful than the Supreme Turing. To become a top-level powerhouse, creativity is key. Knowledge is static; it cant just be fed through a chip, one must learn how to apply it. Only with the talent for innovation can one ascend to the pinnacle This somewhat mirrors the cultivation in the Archean Eon Realm. Lu Xuan compared in his mind. Hearing his praise, Cheng Lingzhus lips curled into a proud smile, chin lifted slightly. Her starry eyes twinkled, and a few strands of hair fluttered on her forehead. Lu Xuan couldnt help but lower his head and plant a soft kiss on her cheek. After the kiss, Cheng Lingzhu said, These siblings were commissioned to go to a nearby town. Lets check it out. Of course, we should. Lu Xuan heartily agreed. Disciples of the Dushi Sword Sect needed to experience the mortal world to comprehend life, encountering as many events as possible. Whether happening to oneself or others. If they can influence and change the course of these events, the gain would be even greater. Lu Xuan snapped his fingers, casting an illusion, a layer of magical light enveloping him and Cheng Lingzhu. In their eyes, each others appearance and clothing remained unchanged, but to outsiders, they now resembled Gu Ying and Gu Tie. Let me try driving this Scorpion Il model Lu Xuan climbed onto the drivers seat of the scavengers vehicle, extending his hand to Cheng Lingzhu. From her perspective, it looked as if a young, white-robed immortal was standing on a tractor-like broken vehicle, inviting her to join him. She smiled slightly, placing her delicate hand in his. Yellowstone Town. Clang, clang, clang Clang! The garbage truck came to a halt in front of a wooden fence. Whos there? Several townspeople armed with guns emerged from the side, stopping the truck. These were the local militia responsible for guarding the area. Brother Wu, its me, Lu Xuan called out as he hopped down from the truck, a smile on his face. Little Gu? The leader, recognizing Gu Tie, relaxed his demeanor considerably. He approached with a smile: Dont you usually come at the end of the month? What brings you here a week early this time? Weve got some good stuff this time, Lu Xuan replied with a grin, moving to the side of the truck and pulling off the black cloth covering it. A light machine gun and three boxes of ammo. The man known as Brother Wu took a quick look and whistled appreciatively: Now thats some fine gear Whered you get it? We partnered up to raid a warehouse, probably belonged to the Black Tiger Gang before Most stuff was damaged, but we managed to get some weapons, Lu Xuan explained. Life for scavengers often involved finding weapons and other valuable goods, which they would trade in settlements for food, water, and other necessities hard to come by in the wilderness. Brother Wu approached the truck, running his hand over the barrel of the gun with undisguised envy: Im really jealous of you, kid. You got a truck, got a gun, roaming the wastelands freely, and even have a Sister to keep you company. He was aware of the true nature of Gu Ying and Gu Ties relationship, a common occurrence in the wastelands. Brother Wu, you jest. If anyone should be envied, its us wanderers who envy you stable folks, Lu Xuan replied, tapping the side of the truck. Roaming the wilderness every day without a stable place to live, how can that compare to your life? Alright, alright, enough flattering me, Brother Wu waved his hand, beckoning Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu: Come on, lets talk inside the town. Liu, you and the others unload the machine gun and ammo In Huangyan Town, at the Mayors house. As distinguished guests who brought a light machine gun and three large boxes of ammunition, Lu Xuan and his companion were given significant attention. In front of each of them was a large plate of a mushy substance, somewhat resembling curry. Lu Xuan stirred it with chopsticks. It was a mixed food consisting of diced carrots, peas, some type of root vegetable, and even minced meat. This was already quite an impressive hospitality for the guests. Besides the honored guests Lu Xuan and his companion, the host Mayor, and Brother Wu, who was on good terms with the Gu siblings, were present. Brother Wu was eating quietly, gulping down the food. The Mayor looked at him sympathetically and kicked him under the table. Lu Xuan and his companion chose not to try this wasteland specialty. After casting an illusion, and in the spirit of not wasting food, they discreetly returned their mushy plates to the pot. Little Gu, Little Ying, the Mayor of Huangyan Town said with a smile. Yes? Lu Xuan responded. Well, I wont lie to you, this batch of goods is indeed very good and just what our town needs, the Mayor began, hesitating before continuing, But the timing of your arrival is a bit unfortunate. Someone came last week and exchanged a batch of food, and we dont have much surplus grain in town right now. Your goods are quite valuable What do you suggest? Cheng Lingzhu asked proactively. Well, we dont have much grain left, but we do have some canned meat. If youre willing, we can trade with canned meat, the Mayor pondered for a moment before adding, Or, at the end of next month, well have a new batch of grain from outside the village. We can give you part of it today and complete the trade next month. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Weve done many transactions before, and you know our towns reputation. We wont cheat you out of your goods. Canned meat was valuable, but not popular among scavengers. It was overpriced; one can could be traded for a bag of flour, but a can of meat would only last a day, while a bag of flour could last a week. The Mayor paused: Theres also something we received last week. I dont know if you might be interested.. Chapter 221 - Chapter 221: In the World Wide Web, News Swells; Today I Realize I Am Me Chapter 221: In the World Wide Web, News Swells; Today I Realize I Am Me Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Lin Yans concerns were not unfounded. In the cyber era, a sudden change in a persons temperament often warranted caution from their companions. It was often a sign of viral infection, a curse, becoming an electronic ghost. Seeing Lin Hong willing to argue with her, Lin Yan breathed a sigh of relief. Lin Hong returned to his usual indifference, throwing out an anti-gravity flying sword to stand on. Together, they flew away from the Black Dragon Stronghold. Half an hour later. Here we are, Yellowstone Town. Lin Yan looked down from above, overlooking the settlement and commenting, How dirty and backward these mortal towns are. The wind direction is just right, lets begin. Lin Hong stated. The two unfastened four metal canisters from their waists and threw them into the four corners of Yellowstone Town C east, south, west, and north. Lin Yan lifted her wrist and tapped a few times on the smartwatchs dial. The metal canisters, receiving the signal, emitted a faint glow. The lids opened, releasing dark smoke. It was just dawn, and the Sangna Plains often had cloudy weather, making the murky morning an excellent camouflage. This substance was called [Beast Attractant], a biological lure containing certain hormonal signals. The wind was blowing from south to north today. The townspeople of Yellowstone Town were waking up, starting fires for cooking. The cooking smoke mixed with the Beast Attractant, drifting toward the northern mountains. After a long while, the ground began to tremble slightly. As if something had awoken. Lin Hong circled around Yellowstone Town, tossing down grains of iron sand C upon closer inspection, they were small metal spheres, each about the size of a mung bean. Under the control of the Foundation Building cultivators, these metal spheres spread out, keeping a ten-meter distance from each other, encircling Yellowstone Town. RoarI A deep roar came from afar. From behind the undulating hills of the wilderness, a huge shadow emerged. This was a bizarrely shaped ferocious beast. It was as tall as a ten-story building, with a wolf-like head and a body as robust as a wild buffalo, with six thick limbs and razor-sharp claws. Most notably, beneath its neck, at the chest, there was another gaping maw, with sharp and densely packed fangs, exuding a foul stench. This ferocious beast was the target of the two Pseudo Core realm cultivators, a Desolate God. As long as we kill this Desolate God, our coming-of-age ceremony will be complete. Lin Yan narrowed her eyes. This Desolate God was intentionally bred by her family on the Sangna Plains. It was a ritual. Whenever an important child was born in the family, a Desolate God would be sealed in a remote place. When that child reached the Pseudo Core realm, they would hunt the Desolate God as their rite of passage. After completing this ritual, they could return to their family to start advancing towards the Golden Core. This Desolate God was sealed in the Sangna Plains the year Lin Yan was born. Covered in thick mud and plants, its movement shook them off. In the years on the Sangna Plains, it had been in a dormant state, covered by soil and growing plants. Now forcefully awakened, it faced a fateful battle. After I complete my coming-of-age ceremony, well go home. Lin Yans eyes flickered, Then Ill ask fathers permission for us to marry, alright? Lin Hong nodded slightly, Alright. A smile appeared on Lin Yans face, but below them, there were noisy sounds. The Desolate Gods movements were too significant, waking the townspeople of Yellowstone Town. They ran out to find such a colossal creature outside their town. However, Lin Hong had already prepared. The mung bean-sized metal particles formed a vast electric net, covering the sky above Yellowstone Town. For New Humans, the voltage of the net was not fatal, but if the townspeople tried to break through, they would be paralyzed by the electricity and fall to the ground. [Thunder Dao Array Dragon Locking Formation] The mortals below cried out in shock and agony. Lin Yan, finding it amusing, tapped her wristwatch a few times, increasing the current to make the screams louder. She would not let these people escape. The rites of passage for major families had their requirements. The Desolate God had just awoken from its slumber and was not in peak condition. They were not allowed to hunt it at this time. Sacrifices of living beings were necessary to fill the Desolate Gods deficit before the hunt could commence. This was the etiquette of the cyber nobility. Lin Yan was not worried about the Desolate God being too strong for her to handle. Not to mention she was also a genius in her family, already in her twenties and had reached the Pseudo-Dan realm. This time, leaving her family, she also had Lin Hong by her side. Two Pseudo Core cultivators against one Desolate God was more than enough. Lin Yan did not care about the lives of Yellowstone Towns townspeople. Merely mortals, barely adequate as fodder for feeding the Desolate God. Under the lure of the pheromones, the blood-thirsty Desolate God inched closer to Yellowstone Town. The townspeople became increasingly panicked, desperately crashing against the electric net, only to be knocked unconscious by the current. Amidst the cries and screams, Lin Hong came up behind Lin Yan, gently wrapping his arms around her waist. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Do you remember? I once said I wanted to be with you forever. Lin Hong whispered in her ear. Of course, I remember. Lin Yan smiled slightly, Back then, we were only Ah She let out a small exclamation. Because Lin Yan felt a soft, smooth touch on her neck.. Chapter 222 - Chapter 222: In the World Wide Web, News Swells; Today I Realize I Am Me Chapter 222: In the World Wide Web, News Swells; Today I Realize I Am Me Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation She thought it was Lin Hongs tongue, licking her neck. Why are you so eager Lin Yan struggled symbolically, I havent changed this ceramic skin yet, wait until we get home, Ill zzztt Lin Yans words got stuck in her throat, her eyes widened in shock. Above her neck, near the back of her head, the neural fibers were parted, revealing a brain-machine interface with a raised piece of skin. Now, a plug was inserted into this interface, its cable extending and connecting to the back of Lin Hongs head. Then we will be together forever, transcending the mundane, achieving true peace and eternity. Lin Hong whispered softly. Lin Yans expression gradually returned to normal, her eyes becoming indifferent and calm, just like Lin Hong had been earlier. Lin Hong gently unplugged the fiber, tenderly covering it up for her. Lin Yan turned around. How do you feel? Lin Hong asked. Very good. Lin Yans face carried a faint smile, resembling an enlightened monk. Lin Hong sighed deeply: In life, one may not recognize the cyber, preferring the inverted cause and effect. Suddenly, the fibers open, here the shackles break In the World Wide Web, news swells; today I realize I am me. Lin Yan bowed with her hands together, Throughout the six realms and three worlds, the four corners of the universe, the digital space, the World Wide Web All beings turn to the Mother of Origin and Creation. Lin Hong also bowed, Vast and magnificent, the boundless Holy Mother. Indeed, before coming to the Sangna Plains, Lin Hong had already been enlightened by the Eternal Yin Spirit Ghost Mother. It was because of that special Dan scripture. It was the poison the Ghost Mother spilled into this world. Enlightenment was a euphemism. More accurately, he had become a puppet of the Ghost Mother. At the moment of his achievement, his consciousness was devoured by the Ghost Mother, and what emerged inside him was a Ghost Mothers avatar with Lin Hongs memories. Lin Hong didnt see it that way. He felt he was in a good state, full of energy, and had even converted Lin Yan into a follower of the Ghost Mother. Ill go complete this rite of passage. Lin Yan said. As a follower of the Holy Mother, feeling the boundless light of this great existence, Lin Yan felt that the family, the rite of passage, everything was no longer important. However, the task of hunting the Desolate God had to be completed as she couldnt reveal herself so soon. Every follower of the Holy Mother should spare no effort in spreading the Holy Mothers glory, developing their brothers and sisters. Bringing more cultivators away from evil Buddhas and demons, joining the one true god, the Eternal Holy Mothers camp, becoming her children. Thus, the moment she became a follower of the Holy Mother. Lin Yan made her decision, she would complete the task well and be like Lin Hong, lying in wait. Once she was done with the task and had returned to the family, she would convert the younger generation into the Holy Mothers people. Even after becoming a follower of the Holy Mother, she would still be with her beloved Lin Yan looked at Lin Hong beside her, thinking happily. Indeed, only by turning to the Holy Mother can Dao companions truly understand each other without barriers. Unknowingly, her face showed a stiff and eerie smile. If an outsider saw this scene, they would feel their scalp tingle and shiver. Both looked at each other, summoned their flying swords, and stepped out As if two bodies controlled by the same consciousness. Lin Yan and Lin Hong moved in unison, flying forward on their swords. At this moment. The Desolate God had already reached the front of Yellowstone Town. It raised its huge claws and slammed down. The soil rose like waves, breaking the Dragon Locking Array surrounding Yellowstone Town. The townspeople hadnt had time to rejoice when the ground trembled, and the soil suddenly sank. The entire area of Yellowstone Town subsided. From the sky, the whole town appeared to have fallen into a giant pit. Deep under Yellowstone Town, there was a hollow. The Desolate God, possessing wisdom, collapsed the soil layer to prevent the townspeople from escaping, trapping Yellowstone Town in the pit. Looking at the nearly twenty-meter drop, all townspeople fell into despair. The Desolate God roared and pounced fiercely. What met it, however, was a dazzling sword light. Cheng Lingzhu walked on air, her Phoenix Blood Sword already unsheathed. Lu Xuan stood not far behind her, hands behind his back. For a monster of this level, it wasnt worth Lu Xuans personal engagement. The invincible me need not make a move. Even for Cheng Lingzhu, dealing with this Desolate God was like using a cannon to kill a mosquito. The sword light, like a ribbon, severed all six limbs of the Desolate God, raining blood down from the sky. While still in the process of lunging, its body completely lost balance, crashing down from the air. Clang Cheng Lingzhu flicked her finger, and a speck of sword light flew out, piercing into the Desolate Gods brow, ending the life of the fierce beast. The townspeople of Yellowstone Town were terrified, looking up at Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu flying in the sky, their hearts immensely shaken. Theyre.. Theyre cultivators! The knowledgeable mayor, fearful, exclaimed, These two They are not the Gu siblings! To walk on air, one must at least have the legendary Golden Core cultivation When had such powerful beings ever appeared on the Sangna Plains! Even the sect master of the Overlord Blade Sect was merely a Foundation Building cultivator! The mayors scalp tingled, and he knelt down faster than he ever had in his life, Greetings to the Immortals! Greetings to the Immortals! Others followed suit. The townspeople knelt down one after another, aside from a few higher-ranking individuals like the mayor, the rest didnt even dare to lift their heads to gaze upon the Immortals grace. The scene was both ludicrous and absurd. It was clearly the age of technology. Clearly a sophisticated cyber world. Yet the inhabitants here, like peasants of a feudal society, still retained the tradition of kneeling. They used electric power, had powerful chips embedded in their brains, yet they called out the titles of gods and immortals. This world is sick Lu Xuan thought silently. But he wasnt planning to ponder these matters deeply right now. Lu Xuan turned his attention to Lin Hong and Lin Yan in the distance. He had noticed these two cultivators, a man and a woman, as soon as they appeared. Lu Xuan had stood up the Black Dragon Strongholds leader last night. He had thought that the Black Dragon Stronghold would likely cause trouble today. But he didnt expect that the ones to come to Yellowstone Town would be these two Foundation Building cultivators. Fellow Daoists raising a beast to harm others, deliberately luring it to Yellowstone Town to devour the blood of living beings This does not seem like the actions of those on the righteous path. Lu Xuan spoke up. Lin Hong and Lin Yan looked at him with a very strange expression. They didnt speak but immediately launched the [Soul Capturing Technique]. Using the chips in their brains, they emitted electrical signals, attempting to hack into the enemys chips. They had used this method before in the Black Dragon Stronghold. It worked well then. But in front of Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu, this Soul Capturing Technique was ineffective. Because these two were pure natural humans, with no technological devices in their brains Advanced chips combined with brainwave emitters could interfere and affect natural human brains. However, Lin Hong and Lin Yan were only Pseudo-Dan cultivators, and their equipment wasnt up to that level. Of course, even if it were, they wouldnt be able to affect the minds of Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu. Lu Xuan needs no further mention, as he hadnt met anyone in many years who could match him in terms of spirit and soul. Cheng Lingzhu was protected by a powerful talisman, and as the Saintess of the Dushi Sword Sect, anyone who dared to tamper with her sea of consciousness would have their soul burned. What do you mean by this, fellow Daoist? Seeing that the Soul Capturing Technique didnt work and the other party had no immediate intention of engaging them, Lin Hong decided to talk to them first. He also detected that there were no metal signals on the young man and woman in front of him. But Lin Hong believed they must have some special device disrupting the detection signal. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only After all, these two were flying in the air. How could they fly without artificial bodies? My meaning is, you two are not righteous cultivators. Lu Xuan paused for a moment, then raised his fist: In our world, evil demons and heretics are to be beaten to death.. Chapter 223 - Chapter 223: The High Heavenly Plain, The City of Night Chapter 223: The High Heavenly Plain, The City of Night Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation As soon as Lu Xuan finished speaking, Cheng Lingzhu had already stepped forward with her sword drawn. Killing the Desolate God hadnt drained much of her strength. Lin Hong flicked his sleeve, and a small, half-foot-long flying sword slid out, transforming into a streak of light, aiming for Cheng Lingzhus brow. With a clang, a protective spiritual barrier appeared, an invisible and transparent force field. The flying swords trajectory veered off upon touching the invisible field, sliding to the side. Cheng Lingzhu raised her arm, her fingertips forming a faint vortex of Qi. The vortex burst forth, piercing through the brows of both Lin Hong and Lin Yan. Their bodies fell downwards, and a spark of spiritual fire appeared, incinerating them into ashes. Lu Xuans mind moved, and two black chips flew into his hand. These were the chips from Lin Hong and Lin Yans brains, which he had retrieved. The offspring of major families from the outside world, according to their family traditions, come to small remote places to hunt Desolate Gods, completing their coming-of-age rituals A garbage truck equipped with a chip reading device played back the memories extracted from the two chips. Logically, children of such families should have firewalls in their brains. But now, the chips were wide open, defenseless Lu Xuan guessed it must be related to the Eternal Yin Spirit Ghost Mother. The two had been transformed into Yin spirits, becoming one of the billions of avatars of the Eternal Yin Spirit Ghost Mother, with the firewall becoming an obstruction instead. Its time to leave. Lu Xuan said, This place is still too remote. Cheng Lingzhu nodded, having learned about the geography of this world from Lin Hong and Lin Yans memories. To the south of the Sangna Plains, crossing the strait, just over two thousand li away, there is a large city called The High Heavenly Plain. We can take a look there. Okay. Lu Xuan agreed. Having discarded the garbage truck in the wilderness, Lu Xuan summoned a treasured carriage and flew towards their intended destination. The pollution in this world was severe; the sea was turbid and black, littered with various types of plastic waste, and the fish living in it were mostly mutated. This was not surprising. Naga Star, humanitys mother planet, had long exhausted its resources. In this era of advanced technology, humans had already ventured into space, establishing numerous colonies. All this was made possible by the development of artificial body technology. Qi Refining cultivators were agile and fast, Foundation Building cultivators surpassed ordinary humans, and Golden Core cultivators could fly and tunnel through the earth Reaching the Nascent Soul stage allowed one to transform into a digital life form, residing in the body of a starship, roaming the starry sea. Of course, most Nascent Soul great powers chose to install their brains in starships, opting to upload their consciousness only at lifes final moment. After all, there were still some old-age sentiments. Carrying a brain didnt affect the starships load, and artificial humans didnt require much oxygen, only needing a small amount of sugar to sustain life for a long time. Cultivators didnt have just one artificial body; they owned vast wealth and never deprived themselves of enjoyment. For instance, specialized digestive artificial bodies with several stomachs. They ensured that cultivators could enjoy fine dining without overeating or growing tired of food. While ordinary people at the bottom were fighting for a bag of grain, cultivators were indulging in their right to waste. And then there were dual-cultivation artificial bodies, cultivated flesh and blood bodies, not cold metal, but still equipped with special devices to regulate stimulation levels. For high-born cultivators, expensive artificial bodies were more numerous than ordinary clothes. As for the people left on the ground Lu Xuan looked through the treasured carriage, observing the outside world. Above the sky, a huge city floated, surrounded by a high-polymer membrane energy shield that filtered the air clean. The floating island was lush with greenery, gardens, fountains, and trees, a stark contrast to the pale and barren land below, like a heavenly paradise, a utopian world. Below the floating island was the city called The High Heavenly Plain, the largest city in the area. The High Heavenly Plain was both the name of the city and the name of the ruling power, governed by the three major cultivator families: Tokugawa, Oda, and Toyotomi. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu entered the city at night. Different from the entering the city mentioned by the mayor of Yellowstone Town. The mayors reference to entering the city meant entering a nearby town. Such cities had slightly better economic levels and environments than Yellowstone Town but were still within the category of ordinary cities. The High Heavenly Plain, however, was a true cyber city. To enter, one needed a clean identity. The city was filled with surveillance, not to mention special detection equipment at the city gates, requiring chip verification for entry. Before entering the city, Lu Xuan pondered over the chip for a while, understanding its structure and operating principle. It wasnt too difficult. Lu Xuan tried to construct a framework within his sea of consciousness, then connected to the network of The High Heavenly Plain. A torrent of chaotic and important or trivial information flooded in, disappearing into the abyss of his mind, quickly sorted by Lu Xuan. Useful information was filed and stored, while useless information was cleared and deleted After a breath, he opened his eyes. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Lu Xuan pursued the natural Dao, emphasizing the interconnectivity of all laws. At the end of the cultivation path, many things can be integrated and understood. For example, Lu Xuan was now using his brain to access the internet, which he found quite reasonable. Just a little modification should do. Lu Xuan held a chip in his hand, belonging to Lin Yan.. Chapter 224 - Chapter 224: The High Heavenly Plain, The City of Night Chapter 224: The High Heavenly Plain, The City of Night Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The chip crackled under the flow of magical power, transforming into countless tiny particles, rapidly reshaping. Eventually, it became a delicate hairpin. Lu Xuan turned around and placed the hairpin on Cheng Lingzhus head. Lin Hong and Lin Yans identities were still usable. When they became followers of the Eternal Yin Spirit Ghost Mother, their existence disconnected from their familys network. Their consciousness was replicated, becoming part of the Eternal Yin Spirit Ghost Mother. If the Ghost Mother wished, she could extract their memories and resurrect them. In this era, paper currency was no more. Backward areas used physical goods like food and weapons for trade, while major cities like The High Heavenly Plain universally used electronic currency, making it necessary to refine a chip. There were considerable savings in Lin Yan and Lin Hongs accounts, which could save a lot of trouble if needed. At the citys checkpoint. Beep beep zzz Identity verification passed, identity verification passed. The 3D virtual images of Lin Hong and Lin Yan appeared. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu had already used illusions to disguise themselves, leaving no flaws even under the robots scans. Hiding ones destiny from the heavens meant a 360-degree flawless disguise, capable of deceiving even the highest heavens, let alone a machine. Even gene testing wouldnt reveal any issues. The two walked in confidently. Upon entering the City of Night, Cheng Lingzhu let out a hmm sound. The city was simply too dazzling. Colorful light screens displayed various advertisements, causing light pollution everywhere, bright and noisy. Even street vendors were shouting, Heavenly Farmer Sect energy supplements! Heavenly Farmer Sect energy supplements! Expiring in less than a month! All genuine and new! True Understanding of Crane Style Qi! True Understanding of Crane Style Qi! Official trial version, unlock seven days of access! Protein block delicacies, century-old store, large quantities at low prices! Want disks? Want disks? WI Company master tapes leaked, absolutely collectible edition Apart from the disk vendor, the other vendors were tax-paying and conducted legitimate business in the City of Night. Naturally, where there were sellers, there were buyers. Got Heavenly Farmer Sect energy supplements? Boss, youve got wide connections Give me five. This is the genuine Crane Style Qi? Why is it so much cheaper than online? A hundred-year-old store in the City of Night? Wasnt it bombed by a nuclear weapon just over seventy years ago? Give me a bowl of energy block fried noodles Dont add MSG to the noodles, it burns easily. The place was bustling with activity. To the right of Cheng Lingzhu, a shop filled with pink light emitted a frivolous aura. Under the neon lights, a revealingly dressed holographic girl advertised, with a synthesized electronic voice from behind. Fuukos Dual Cultivation Experience Shop, for the most authentic Dao Companion experience Dont look! Cheng Lingzhu jumped onto Lu Xuans back, covering his eyes. Lu Xuan steadied her, preventing her from slipping. The girls legs were long and strong, tightly clamping around his waist. Hey, are you underestimating my self-control? Lu Xuan felt the pressure on his back as he commented, Dont talk about mere dual-cultivation puppets, even when the Saintess of the Spirit Charm Sect invited me, I Hmm? Cheng Lingzhu raised an eyebrow, The Saintess of the Spirit Charm Sect? Lu Xuan promptly closed his mouth. Cheng Lingzhus beautiful eyes grew serious. You heard wrong, didnt you? Lu Xuan replied without changing his expression. What Saintess? I dont know what youre talking about? Cheng Lingzhu scoffed, shaking his body, Go on, continue. Alright. Lu Xuan sighed, Well, as you know, the path of cultivation is long and lonely, and one encounters various temptations when traveling alone. Cheng Lingzhu hummed in agreement. I consider myself not very restrained, but I can still hold my ground against certain temptations. Lu Xuan paused. Like that year when the Spirit Charm Sect held their Dao Inquiry Conference Ah, the serious kind of Dao inquiry. The first prize was the [Warm Jade Scabbard]. I just happened to want a matching accessory for my sword. Only after winning did I realize they were actually referring to their sects Saintess. It turned out to be anything but a straightforward sword sheathing Learning the truth, Lu Xuan fled in a hurry. Cheng Lingzhu wrapped her arms around his neck, You stood up their Saintess and they didnt blame you? Of course not. Lu Xuan replied smugly, I used a fake name. He had used the name Ji Lingchen when he registered for the competition, foreseeing potential risks and taking precautions. Later, when Ji Lingchen gained some cultivation and traveled through the Archean Eon World, he occasionally heard about the name [Ji Lingchen, Worse than a Beast]. Feeling offended, he even mentioned this to his good friend, Lu Xuan, the True Master Lu, during a spirit crane correspondence. The well-informed True Master Lu said it was normal. It was probably just a case of a namesake, nothing unusual. Ji Lingchen remains in the dark to this day. You really tarnished your reputation out there. Cheng Lingzhu chuckled behind her hand. Of course, she trusted Lu Xuan completely. If she really suspected that Lu Xuan had concubines outside, Cheng Lingzhu would have been too scared to ask. By the way, what do you think of these stores? Lu Xuan pointed to a dual-cultivation experience shop nearby. Cheng Lingzhu pondered, Too revealing very direct, a bit too blatant. Even though the Archean Eon World had many dual-cultivation sects and brothels, they were not as overt as the brothels here, which were so straightforward. Lu Xuan pointed in another direction. Take a look over there. In a dark, narrow alley, someone was robbing a poorly dressed person, and the assailant was also in tattered clothes. There were also women at the entrance of the alley, enticing customers while holding their children, their exposed skin revealing broken electronic components. This should be A very advanced civilization, right? Cheng Lingzhu thought of the Yuan Star they had visited before. Compared to this world, Yuan Stars technological level was much lower. They hadnt even managed to leave their own planet. But even with its problems, the lives of people on Yuan Star were much better off than here. So advanced, yet so impoverished. Where the granaries are full, they know honor and shame. Lu Xuan looked at the revealing billboard models and the women selling their bodies for an energy bar with their children in tow, sighing: When capital and power are concentrated in the hands of a few, sects Er, corporations control everything, and ordinary people become tools and property, the world turns out like this. Cheng Lingzhu pondered, But isnt the Archean Eon World also controlled by large sects with dominion over cultivation resources? Why hasnt it turned out like this? Due to the influence of spiritual energy. Even a common person without any cultivation in the Archean Eon World, in the absence of disease or disaster, could easily live over a hundred years. Thus, the population of the Archean Eon World was substantial, but it never experienced a population explosion beyond the worlds capacity. As a large realm, the Archean Eon World was also growing every day, expanding faster than the population growth rate. This didnt even count the numerous small worlds captured and integrated into the Archean Eon World, forming new parts of its landscape. Two points. Lu Xuan pondered, Firstly, our world is different from this world. True cultivators dont need ordinary people. This world views commoners as resources and assets, able to be exploited for value, but for the sects and cultivators of the Archean Eon World, commoners are of no use. Upon reaching the Golden Core stage, one could sustain life solely on spiritual energy, without needing food, drink, or even breath, known as feeding on clouds and consuming Qi. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Many cultivators still eat out of habit and pleasure, but they forget about these things when busy. Higher realm cultivators, especially after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, dont even need spiritual energy. External items are of no use in their cultivation unless its something like the blood of a true immortal or the bones of a true dragon, which are rarely seen in a lifetime. Breakthroughs depend on enlightenment, seeking answers within. The focus is on the mind, such is the path of cultivation. Even the few Celestial Sovereigns who gather the faith of the world do so to fulfill great vows and establish their paths. The power of faith boosts the nations fortune and feeds back to the people. No one chooses to absorb the power of faith for themselves.. Chapter 225 - Chapter 225: The Local Gangs Are Quite Violent Chapter 225: The Local Gangs Are Quite Violent Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation As for the second reason This world lacks a [Heavenly Dao]. Lu Xuan looked up at the sky. He wasnt just referring to the planet Naga Star beneath their feet, but the entire universe in which this planet resided. Devil cultivators who harvest souls and cultivate through blood consumption have to bear heavy karmic retribution, with each bit of karma returning as heavenly tribulation upon them. In the Archean Eon World, heavenly tribulation was not a reward system, but purely punitive. There were cultivation methods for using heavenly thunder to temper the body, but heavenly tribulation is purely about beating cultivators to the brink of death, with no benefits offered, and no help in repairing the body after the ordeal. Thus, crossing tribulations often requires help, as cultivators are at their weakest right after, making them vulnerable to enemies. Killing devil cultivators, however, brings merit, which can lessen the intensity of heavenly tribulation. If one accumulates enough merit to form a Merit Golden Body, the benefits were endless. The calculation of karma and merit was complex, but the ratio of sin to merit was uneven, with a single sin often needing ten times the merit to offset. This was why devil leaders in the Archean Eon World go down a path of no return. Because they have no chance of turning back, even destroying their own sects wont earn enough merit to offset their karma. After all, the sins committed by their disciples and grand-disciples are also tallied against the sects founder. So why do many still rush towards devil cultivation? There were advantages, of course. Devil cultivation had three main characteristics: low survival rate, rapid growth, and low environmental demands. Low environmental demand meant that devil cultivators require fewer resources, able to cultivate through refining souls and consuming human blood and flesh. Rapid growth refers to the quick pace of cultivating devil arts, with more relaxed requirements on personal aptitude. The low survival rate is the key limiting factor for devil cultivation development. Devil cultivation directly opposes the heavenly way, and from the moment one steps on this path, they must endure various disasters and tribulations. Even the most top-notch devil arts require a heavy price during cultivation, often leading to practitioners refining themselves to death. It was not a matter of the original creators lack of skill but rather that from the day of its inception, the path has been in conflict with the heavenly heart and will, and the necessary price cannot be avoided. However, in the universe where Naga Star resides, there was no Heavenly Dao. Every cultivator Lu Xuan has seen on his journey had been a ferocious demon, consuming human flesh and blood. The beautiful floating islands were supported by piles of white bones. As they strolled through the city, they silently observed this world. Cheng Lingzhu several times gripped her Phoenix Blood Sword, then released it. As a disciple of the Dushi Sword Sect, her cultivation involved observing the mortal world to comprehend the true meaning. The more she saw and gained experience, the more complete her cultivation becomes. Lu Xuan found a shop and bought a pair of smart glasses, handing them to Cheng Lingzhu. Her soul power was insufficient to directly connect to the information network, and thus, she required external assistance. They wandered around the city for a long time. Just as they were about to find a hotel to rest. Bang! Bang! Bang! A series of explosions sounded nearby, followed by short, sharp gunfire. These shots werent meant for combat. Above Lu Xuans head, a surveillance camera exploded, glass and metal fragments falling from the sky, then deflected by an invisible force to the side. In this era, hacking into surveillance systems first and then physically destroying the cameras was a common way to conceal ones identity. Footsteps tapping on the ground and walls, in just a few moments, hundreds of figures appeared in the streets. Dressed as warriors with long swords and short guns and wearing masks, these cultivators emerged from the shadows. Their attire was similar, but the masks bore fierce and malevolent faces in starkly different colors. One group wore black, the other white, clearly distinct. Lu Xuan, processing information gathered from the network, realized that he and Cheng Lingzhu had been caught in a cyber-era gang conflict. In the High Heavenly Plain, it would be more appropriate to call it a [Gang Conflict]. The group with white masks was called [Bone Women], and the black-masked group was known as [Hair Ghosts], named after ancient myths of the High Heavenly Plain. This battle would determine the ownership of this street block, whether it was protection fees or underworld business, it would be decided tonight. Bang! Bang! Bang! The black-masked Hair Ghosts opened fire first, like sounding the war horn. A barrage of bullets rained down, targeting their enemies. Lu Xuan saw clearly that the short guns hanging at their waists were less than a foot long, resembling hand cannons, yet equipped with large magazines. The muzzles spat out flames, bringing immense recoil, but in the hands of cyber-enhanced people, there was no tremor. The High Heavenly Plain was a major city, and the gangs living in these blocks were far from comparable to the green forest outlaws like the Black Dragon Stronghold. Participants in such gang conflicts were at least Qi Refining cultivators, and many had undergone artificial muscle enhancements to certain limbs. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The white-masked Bone Women immediately retaliated, and both sides engaged in street warfare, utilizing cover and terrain. The intense gunfire tore apart the quiet of the City of Night. Suddenly, a black iron ball was thrown out by the Bone Women. Boom! A Hair Ghost warrior fired his gun. The cultivators precise muscle control and analytical ability allowed him to easily lock onto the iron ball, but as it exploded, the hand holding the gun that peeked out from cover was also blown to pieces.. Chapter 226 - Chapter 226: The Local Gangs Are Quite Violent Chapter 226: The Local Gangs Are Quite Violent Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation However, the iron ball thrown by the Bone Women was not a grenade. A silver-gray mist filled the air, a metallic aerosol enveloping the battlefield, designed to disrupt electronic signals and impair the cultivators perception. The gunfire didnt stop; in fact, it intensified. A slender figure from the Bone Womens camp leaped into the mist, drawing a long sword from her waist. The clanging of metal collisions resounded as the slender figure flickered like a ghost, quickly breaking into the enemy ranks. The frontmost Hair Ghost members looked up to see an enemy commander with a ferocious mask. Her artificial body bore distinct female characteristics, her slender waist and prominent figure barely concealed by her robe, fluttering like a dangerous yet beautiful desert rose. The High Heavenly Plain adhered to the teachings of the Supreme Turing Celestial Master, abiding by the principle of [Anchoring Humanity]. Before reaching the Nascent Soul realm, cultivators using alternate bodies wouldnt change their gender, even if using beastly artificial bodies, maintaining basic human characteristics. Monomolecular threads erupted from her fingertips, severing the enemys heads, her sword qi sweeping through the battlefield as the dangerous yet beautiful Bone Woman harvested the lives of the Hair Ghosts. A cold snort sounded from the Hair Ghost camp. A burly and tall figure with bundled neural cables resembling a lions mane, the Hair Ghost commander charged into battle. Clang! The Bone Woman swung her samurai sword, which was caught by the Hair Ghosts palm, sparking metallic fireworks. The Hair Ghost commander was a true artificial human, at the Golden Core stage. The Bone Woman commander was the same. When these two commander-level figures collided, a fierce battle ensued. Those qualified for close combat werent limited to the commanders. Both camps also had Foundation Building cultivators. The silver-gray mist obscured vision and blocked cybernetic perception, making it extremely difficult to hit the enemy with gunfire. Foundation Building cultivators infiltrated enemy ranks, reaping lives like tigers among sheep. Robes deflected stray bullets, and even when hit, their powerful artificial muscles allowed them to continue fighting. Thrusters roared as the slender Bone Woman and the lion-like Hair Ghost took to the skies, engaging in aerial combat unique to Golden Core cultivators. Clang clang clang Swords clashed with special gauntlets, the combatants fighting from the sky to the ground and then soaring again with their thrusters. Golden Core cultivators with external pills possessed immense endurance, and their metallic bodies granted them fearlessness in the face of injury. The battle raged on for half an hour. Both the Bone Woman and the Hair Ghost bore extensive wounds, even their artificial bodies showing signs of metal fatigue. The polymer-made samurai sword became nicked, and the Hair Ghost lost several fingers. Finally, in a last collision, the Bone Womans sword slashed into the Hair Ghosts shoulder, tearing off his right arm, while the Hair Ghosts left arm pierced the Bone Womans chest, grabbing her spine. For the Bone Woman, this was an undoubtedly perilous moment. The spine connects the limbs and supports the body, transmitting instructions from the brain chip throughout the body. The Supreme Turing Celestial Master had noted in his scriptures that the spine is the bridge between the brain and body, like a dragon running through the entire length. Before reaching the Nascent Soul stage, one must never discard it. But the Bone Woman didnt panic; instead, she felt a certain resoluteness. Had her battle body not been entirely metallic, the face beneath the mask would probably have revealed a faint smile. A streak of light flashed in the darkness, a hidden weapon suddenly appeared, shooting towards the back of the Hair Ghosts head. The Bone Woman was not merely a warrior; she also practiced the art of the ninja. This hidden weapon, prepared for the Hair Ghost, was her trump card. Coated to block sensory perception, the weapon could be considered a mini flying sword, capable of penetrating artificial bodies with a mere thought. The hidden weapon tore through the artificial body, piercing the Hair Ghosts brain, then vibrated rapidly, grinding its contents and the chip to dust. Crack. But the Hair Ghosts movements didnt slow in the slightest; one hand twisted and broke the Bone Womans spine. Bang! The Hair Ghost decapitated the Bone Woman, whose still-functional right arm held up her head while her intact left arm grabbed the flying sword embedded in her brain. Who told you I kept my brain in my head? the Hair Ghost mocked with a flash in his cybernetic eye. Ive been practicing the [Headless Ghost] technique for several months, and today was the first time I tested it on the battlefield, and it worked. His real head was located in his chest cavity; the metal ball on his neck was just a decoy. Before the fight, the Hair Ghost had planned and strategized, creating a vulnerability to lure the enemy. For the Hair Ghost, it was a gamble that the Bone Woman would choose to destroy the chip in his brain rather than his spine The former would be a fatal blow, while the latter might allow for counterattacks. While talking, the Hair Ghost infiltrated the control system of the flying sword, refined it, and then crushed the Bone Womans head. Some cultivators liked to take their enemies heads back to their base, put them in special artificial bodies, connect the nerves, and extract or humiliate them. The Hair Ghost didnt engage in such meaningless actions, not just because of his personality but also due to his cultivation requirements. His special scripture required daily killings to satisfy a craving for blood before reaching the Nascent Soul stage. With the increase in his cultivation level, the demand for killing also grew. He lowered his head, looking at the ongoing chaotic battle below. The Bone Womens leader had been decapitated, their morale had crumbled, and they began to retreat, while his own side, the Hair Ghosts, surged forward victoriously, pursuing the defeated enemies. The overall situation was decided. The Hair Ghost tossed the remains in his hand aside, about to join the battlefield to release his desire for slaughter, when he noticed a man and woman standing at the edge of the district. Using his high-precision artificial eyes, the Hair Ghost saw the couples expressions. They looked calm and composed, even curious, as if they were merely watching a play. Two mortals? The Hair Ghost glanced at them, assessing their presence. In the cyber-enhanced City of Night, natural humans without any modifications signified the lowest social stratum. If they were artificial humans, the Hair Ghost would have hesitated, but since they were mere mortals, there was no need for much consideration. The Hair Ghost didnt have access to the High Heavenly Plains city entry database, nor did he intend to use it. First, because they were just two mortals, it wasnt necessary to conduct a thorough investigation. Second, even if they were artificial humans, facial information could be altered, and city registration was merely a good reason to collect fees. When the battle erupted, the shopkeepers on the street wisely locked their doors and shut down their surveillance systems. Even though they knew what was happening, none dared to peek. Yet, tonights operation was witnessed by these two inquisitive mortals This was problematic. Damaging property required compensation, and the Public Security Bureau would investigate such gang conflicts. But with his connections, as long as there was no evidence, it wouldnt be considered a crime. That was why gang conflicts involved destroying surveillance devices and wearing masks. The faces beneath the masks were also fake, and before the operation, even the chips used were specially made. Apart from their biological brains, everything they used had no record of their identities. Thus, when the gang leaders faced inquiries from the Public Security Bureau, they could confidently say, Sir, we are all conducting legitimate business. The Public Security Bureau knew they were lying, and the gang leaders knew the bureau knew they were lying. But who would go against money? A third of the protection fees collected from the residents each month went into the pockets of the head of the Public Security Bureau. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Driven by a swelling desire to kill, the Hair Ghost was ready to slaughter the young couple, even without considering the need for secrecy. His cultivation method required it. Thrusters roaring, the Hair Ghost, wielding a long sword, charged toward the couple. He couldnt wait to tear their bodies apart, letting blood flow, breaking their bones, and bisecting them. Just then, the young couple did something the Hair Ghost hadnt anticipated. They turned and ran into a dark alleyway..