He repeated himself twice, yet Ji Tongzhou seemed not to hear a word. Cuixuan Xianren turned to look and saw the young man standing there, utterly distracted, his gaze vacant, as if his entire spirit had departed from his body.
Was it merely the death of a Profound Gate Elder? Why would a disciple from another sect react so intensely?
Cuixuan Xianren couldn’t help but ponder. It was well known that Xuanshan Zi was a member of the Yue royal family. Though this youth before him appeared lost in grief, his bearing still betrayed an air of distinction uncommon among ordinary folk. Could they be of the same lineage?
As the Black Fire raged around them, he couldn’t help but marvel inwardly—Profound Splendor Fire was indeed incomparable to ordinary flames. For Ji Tongzhou to possess such unpredictable Black Fire at such a young age, there must be profound turmoil hidden deep within his heart.
He lowered his head in thought, intending to say more, but at that moment, the Qiongqi trapped within the Spiritual Qi Net was driven to desperation, its struggles growing increasingly frenzied, its body swelling larger by the second. He could no longer afford to be distracted and focused entirely on reinforcing the Spiritual Qi Net. Even he had never encountered such a troublesome Ferocious Beast before. How many years had it lurked in the Eastern Sea? Could it have been tempered by the Heavenly Thunder Fire Sea, making it so formidable?
Every method of restraint was evaded, and Zhengxu Zhenren had already left No Moon Court with Qin Yangling. Here, only his Yin-Yang Tribulation Mirror could still be of some use. Could it be that this junior Celestial was so resentful toward No Moon Court over a mere disciple that he would abandon Sea Fall without a second thought?
Cuixuan Xianren suddenly snorted and leaped into the air. His wide robes billowed violently as his Spiritual Energy surged, startling the gathered Immortals with its overwhelming intensity. Realizing the elder Celestial was about to unleash a formidable Immortal Technique, they hastily retreated in awe.
Brilliant Golden Light abruptly flickered around the Qiongqi, only to swiftly transform into dazzling flames. The flames then gradually softened into a gentle, clear-blue watery glow. The Immortals watched as the profound hues of the Five Elements Immortal Method shifted endlessly by the Eastern Sea’s shore—now dense, now faint, now swift, now slow—the complexity of these mesmerizing changes leaving them spellbound.
Then, all those chaotic colors and transformations suddenly stilled, coalescing into a massive golden barrier that trapped the Qiongqi within. Its agonized howls fell silent in an instant, and the thunderclouds ceased their violent crackling.
"...Is that the Netherworld Great Magic?" someone murmured in shock. The next moment, the Immortals along the Eastern Sea erupted in uproar. This was the very Netherworld Great Magic that only Qing Cheng Xian Ren of No Moon Court had been able to wield five hundred years ago! Within that golden barrier, time could reverse to its origin or rush forward to its end. No matter how mighty the Celestial or Ferocious Beast, none could resist the inexorable flow of eternity.
Back then, it was because the two Yaksas had been ensnared by the Netherworld Great Magic for a mere moment that one of them had its horn severed by Qing Cheng Xian Ren. After Qing Cheng’s departure, no one had been able to use this technique again. Who would have thought that after five centuries, this legendary Immortal Technique would resurface—and once more, from a Celestial of No Moon Court!Cuixuan Xianren's expression was far from pleasant. The Netherworld Great Magic had clearly drained him immensely. His palms pressed together slightly before parting, and in that instant, the towering golden walls vanished. The Ferocious beast Qiongqi, which had plagued countless Immortals, was now reduced to a pile of bleached bones. Time seemed to have stretched endlessly, and as the sea breeze swept through, the massive skeleton crumbled into dust in an instant, scattering into the ocean.
Everyone stared in awe at the scene before them. The once chaotic shoreline had fallen into absolute silence. All eyes were fixed on Cuixuan Xianren, whose aged face was drenched in sweat. As he landed back on the sand, he staggered, nearly falling flat on his face. Yet no one dared to laugh—instead, their reverence for him only deepened.
Shouzhong Xianren chuckled softly. "I was afraid you wouldn't succeed in unleashing it. Who knew you'd pull it off this time."
Cuixuan Xianren's voice was weak. "Azure City is unique. If everyone could wield this method so effortlessly, where would the brilliance lie?"
He retrieved the broken short sword from his sleeve and studied it. If the Netherworld Great Magic could restore this Divine Weapon to its original state, perhaps the mysteries troubling him would unravel. But while time could be reversed, life could not return—neither could the weapon spirit. His hidden worries persisted, yet there was nothing he could do.
Cuixuan Xianren glanced at Ji Tongzhou. The young man stood dazed, oblivious to everything that had just transpired. After a moment of contemplation, Cuixuan made a decision. "A junior disciple like you shouldn't linger in the Eastern Sea. Why not come with me—"
Before he could finish, Ji Tongzhou swayed and collapsed to the ground, overcome by rage and despair.
Why? Why had he been suddenly brought to the Eastern Sea? Why had Elder Xuanshan, who hadn't left Star Rectitude Hall since his injury, insisted on coming here? Why couldn't things have stayed as they were at Star Rectitude Hall?
Give him time. Don't let everything turn to ashes. Don't strip away all hope in an instant. Let him achieve his Immortal Body—he would cultivate harder than anyone, shielding his fragile nation in the palm of his hand.
Meanwhile, in the main hall of Star Rectitude Hall, countless Elders were discussing the disturbances in the Eastern Sea. The Ocean Sect had sent a plea for help, and to everyone's surprise, Xuanshan Zi, a reclusive Profound Gate Elder, had volunteered to go. Yet there had been no word from him since his departure. Rumors from other sects spoke of the Ferocious beast Qiongqi appearing in the Eastern Sea, causing headaches for many Immortals.
"Ferocious beasts are born once every few centuries from the condensation of malignant energy. This Qiongqi has lurked in the Eastern Sea for millennia—it must be extraordinarily powerful," one Elder sighed, shaking his head.
Another voiced concern: "Xuanshan was injured by Chaos years ago and never fully recovered his cultivation. Yet he insisted on going to the Eastern Sea. With no word from him, who knows how he fares now?"
The Elders murmured among themselves, while Wuzheng Zi stood with his hands behind his back, his expression grave. A foreboding feeling gnawed at him.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the hall. Ji Tongzhou's hoarse screams pierced the air: "Let me in! Master! Master! Please—save Elder Xuanshan!"As these words were spoken, the hall erupted in uproar. The next moment, Ji Tongzhou stumbled in, clutching a blood-soaked corpse. His face was deathly pale, streaked with tears. Since Wuzheng Zi had taken him as a disciple, he had never seen him in such a distraught and despairing state. Moreover, the corpse in his arms was none other than Xuanshan Zi. Horrified, Wuzheng Zi immediately said, "Don’t panic, speak slowly!"
Ji Tongzhou seemed not to hear, trembling as he pleaded, "Please, save him! He was ambushed by Long Mingzuo’s Zongquan, Zongli, and those elders—he won’t stop bleeding!"
The elders were even more shocked, and the hall instantly descended into chaos. Some elders stepped forward to examine Xuanshan Zi’s body. Indeed, his wounds were not inflicted by a monstrous creature but by a Mystical Treasure. The boy was clearly traumatized, still refusing to believe he was dead. Many knew of the discord between Long Mingzuo and the Yue Kingdom’s royal family, but no one expected them to be so brazen as to actually attack a Profound Gate Elder. This generation’s Profound Gate Elder had died abruptly and ignominiously.
With Sea Fall looming, Long Mingzuo had truly picked the perfect time to stir trouble. The various Immortals would not concern themselves with such personal grudges now. If Star Rectitude Hall were to dwell on this feud, it would only invite criticism. Even if they wished to unite in isolating Long Mingzuo, it would have to wait until long after Sea Fall had passed.
Ji Tongzhou clung tightly to Wuzheng Zi’s sleeve, his eyes burning with desperation as tears streamed down his face. "Master, please help your disciple… save Elder Xuanshan Zi!"
Wuzheng Zi sighed deeply, helping him up and leading him out of the hall. In a low voice, he said, "The dead cannot return to life. Elder Xuanshan has passed. You must calm yourself."
Ji Tongzhou hissed, "Long Mingzuo—"
Wuzheng Zi cut him off. "I know what you want to say. Right now, matters are too complex to address everything at once. Any grievances must wait until after Sea Fall."
After Sea Fall? By then, Wugou would have had ample time to destroy a kingdom without Celestial protection. By then, what use would vengeance serve? It would all be too late!
But what could he do now? Return to Yue and fight to the death for it? Or beg his master for help? He stared blankly at Wuzheng Zi, who frowned slightly and said coolly, "No kingdom remains strong forever. Rise and fall are natural—broaden your perspective. As for Elder Xuanshan’s death, Star Rectitude Hall will one day demand justice from Long Mingzuo. Now leave. This is no place for you to barge into. Go back and calm yourself."
Ji Tongzhou said nothing, still staring vacantly at his master—his one and final hope.
The Celestials cared nothing for mortal kingdoms’ feuds and hatreds. Even Wuzheng Zi would not help, let alone the unreliable Mr. Suquan. In all the vast world, he was utterly alone and helpless. So this was his powerlessness.
Ji Tongzhou suddenly let out a sharp, bitter laugh. Wuzheng Zi snapped, "Tongzhou! I don’t know why Elder Xuanshan gave you such a harsh lesson, but excessive stimulation turns into poison! Your obsession runs too deep! Think carefully!"
As for the entanglements between Long Mingzuo, Wugou, and Yue, Wuzheng Zi understood them well. Xuanshan Zi’s injuries had finally healed with Zhong Nan Jun’s help, but the weight of his worries during those years had hindered his recovery. Cultivators often faced such painful dilemmas—the more one cared, the harder it was to achieve balance. Defying heaven’s will was precisely like this.Realizing that everything had reached a deadlock, Xuanshan Zi shifted his focus entirely to Ji Tongzhou. The fact that this child had awakened the Profound Splendor Fire didn’t seem to surprise him much. When Xuanshan Zi had wanted to pull Ji Tongzhou back, this Celestial of the same clan instead sought to push him deeper into the flames.
Yes, Ji Tongzhou had never truly suffered hardship. Though he worried day and night about Yue Kingdom, Xuanshan Zi was still there—he had always relied on him. The Profound Splendor Fire had likely only manifested due to a momentary, unresolved emotional turmoil. Once he grew older and his heart’s knots loosened, the fire would likely leave him.
Xuanshan Zi’s words still echoed in his ears: "Tongzhou is a Ferocious beast that can never be sated. He must be kept hungry to remain fierce. With me here, he will never understand true hunger, and the budding determination in his cultivation will eventually fade into confusion."
"My time is running short. Soon, I will become no different from Zhen Yunzi." Xuanshan Zi laughed mockingly at himself. "By then, if he fails and I fail, there will truly be no hope left. Now, with Sea Fall approaching, this is the perfect opportunity. Since he has awakened the Profound Splendor Fire, he cannot be allowed to live a smooth life—this is his fate. Break to rebuild. A pity, though… I likely won’t live to see what he becomes."
With Xuanshan Zi having pushed things to this point, even if Wuzheng Zi wanted to pull this child back from the blazing abyss of his Heart Devil, how could he? Behind him, footsteps staggered, and the spiritual energy fluctuations faded into the distance alongside a shrill, deranged laughter. All he could do was sigh.
Ji Tongzhou pulled out a summoning talisman from his robes. Hazily, the words of Cuixuan Xianren still lingered in his ears: "Protecting a single Yue Kingdom is no difficult task."
Ji Tongzhou stared blankly at the talisman. He thought of everything in Yue Kingdom—his elder brother’s graying temples and tearful gaze, the prosperity of Duantou, standing atop the highest palace tower and gazing down at the endless mountains and rivers that belonged to him. His kingdom, the reverence, trust, and expectations placed upon him, the eternal obedience, the days filled with unbridled spirit.
He wanted to live. He wanted to live for thousands of years to see it all—his boundless empire, his soaring ambition.
Spiritual energy surged as the summoning talisman activated. Ji Tongzhou’s vision blurred, and in the next moment, he stood atop a solitary peak. There, an aged Celestial stared at him with piercing eyes.
Expressionless, Ji Tongzhou murmured softly, "I know everything about Jiang Li Fei—only I do. Lend me ten years. I will take revenge with my own hands."
OpenNovel