Chapter 155: Sword Classic Spirit, Mystery of the White Bones

Above the four great peaks, the sound of wind suddenly descended.

The disciples on the peaks swayed like a field of toppled wheat, stumbling and staggering, but supporting each other. Tianku Peak, buffeted by the strong winds, resembled a musical instrument, playing a mournful requiem that chilled the soul. Its tearing howl made countless people clamp their hands over their ears.

“Everyone below the Everlasting realm, retreat to the inner peak!” someone shouted loudly, forming a barrier with sword energy to shield the fleeing crowd.

“All disciples, retreat! Elders above the Everlasting realm, stand with me to defend the great formation!”

In the tumultuous world, even the thunderous roars of cultivators were often drowned out by the wind.

In the sky, two colossal swords collided like ancient dragons. After the impact, they resembled battling pythons, coiling around each other, strangling and devouring their opponents in an intertwining embrace.

At the point of collision, dense sword energy churned endlessly like a sea of thunder clouds.

The sunlight was obscured by thick clouds, and the world grew dim. The relentless wind scoured the four peaks, stripping away all the snow cherry blossoms. The trees, as if stripped of their clothes, stood bare and desolate with their branches.

This earth-shattering clash of colossal swords ultimately ended in the defeat of the Purple Heaven Dao Sect.

Before entering the peaks, they had repeatedly estimated the cultivation levels of the four peak masters, even adding a realm to each of their original estimations. The Dao Sect's sword, by their calculations, should have decisively suppressed the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect. However, when the moment of truth arrived, the power of the Heavenly Sect's sword still exceeded their predictions.

In the sky, the Dao Sect's dark purple frost energy was devoured by that ancient, vast sword. The scene was like a sand-laden hurricane sweeping through a village, covering everything in the color of yellow sand.

The power of the clash exceeded its limits.

The Dao Sword shattered, and the Heavenly Sect's great mountain-guarding sword pressed forward with even greater speed. Even though Shi Wu and Shi Siyi evaded the very center of the sword intent, they couldn't escape entirely. They were pushed by the great sword, like a dragon boat, and were forced beyond the peach barrier.

However, the black-clad youth and Shi San Yuchen successfully teamed up to break the mountain-guarding formation.

No sooner had the great formation been broken than the four immortal swords, which had repelled the Dao Sect’s strongest, flew back into the sky, their four formidable sword intents simultaneously striking at them.

“Master...” Ning Xiaoling ran to Lu Jiajia’s side, supporting her and asking with concern, “What’s wrong, Master?”

Lu Jiajia wiped the blood from the corner of her lips with her sword. She shook her head and said, “I’m fine. Where’s your senior brother?”

Ning Xiaoling replied, “Senior brother... Senior brother hasn’t returned yet.”

Lu Jiajia gritted her teeth and said, “You go back to the inner peak first. It’s too dangerous here.”

Ning Xiaoling shook her head, insisting, “I’m also about to reach the Immortal Ascension realm now. I want to help you!”

Lu Jiajia said, “Although they are injured, the mountain-guarding formation is broken. If the other two Dao Masters arrive, I won’t be able to protect you.”

Ning Xiaoling gripped her sword, clenching her fists. “I… I’ll protect myself!”

Lu Jiajia sighed softly and reached out to wipe her somewhat dirty cheek.

Ning Xiaoling’s expression suddenly shifted, as if remembering something. She grabbed her master’s hand and said, “Master, I... I’ll go back to the peak first. You must be careful.”

“Hmm...” Lu Jiajia felt something was off, but didn't press. Her willingness to return at least eased her mind.

The peach barrier parted like two separate seas.

The black-clad youth and Shi San Yuchen were also temporarily forced to retreat.

After a long while, Shi Wu’s Dao Sword flew back again. The sect master, who stood on the sword, was injured by the mountain-guarding great sword, his body covered in blood. His sleeves were ripped into hundreds of long threads, but his gaze remained resolute, showing no intention of retreating.

Now, the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect needed time to repair their mountain-guarding formation. Without the formation, their only option was to use people as a shield to obstruct the Dao Sect's impending attack.

Jing Yangxia arrived, stepping on the Bixiao Sword. He looked at the heavily injured Shi Wu and said, “Are you still so deluded, insisting on fighting to the death?”

Shi Wu replied, “No matter how severe the injury, if you can’t kill me, you can’t defeat me.”

Jing Yangxia said coldly, “Our sect still has hidden reserves. With just you, at best, it will be a pyrrhic victory for both sides.”

Shi Wu said, “I told you, all I want is the Sky Soul Lamp. If the Sky Soul Lamp is returned to its rightful owner, none of this would have happened today!”

“I’ve never heard of any Sky Soul Lamp!” Jing Yangxia declared.

Shi Wu said, “The Sky Soul Lamp is hidden beneath Tianku Peak! Peak Master Lu should know this best.”

Lu Jiajia held her Minglan Sword horizontally before her. She said coldly, “What level of cultivation would it take to steal something from under your nose? Do you think such a person would be hiding inside Tianku Peak?”

Shi Wu looked at her stance, holding the sword horizontally, his expression slightly changed. He said, “So that’s it... I couldn’t understand why we lost before. It turns out we underestimated you too much.”

Lu Jiajia remained silently indifferent.

Shi Wu said, “Peak Master Lu has hidden her true strength, only revealing her prowess today. It seems you have quite the ambitions.”

Lu Jiajia replied, “What concern is that of yours?”

Shi Wu raised his hand, and his shredded sleeves, like scattered clouds, reassembled. He declared, “Today, I cast aside reputation and righteousness. The Sky Soul Lamp, the Dao Sect is determined to obtain it. For this, I am willing to use the full might of our entire Dao Sect.”

His words were resolute and unyielding, but Lu Jiajia showed no sign of backing down. The immortal sword in her hand also resonated with her will, clear and firm as a rock.

However, Shi Wu’s words still swayed some people’s resolve.

“Is the Sky Soul Lamp truly not in Tianku Peak?”

“Peak Master Lu, both you and your disciple hide your strengths so deeply. Is there... some hidden reason behind this?”

“A war between two sects is a catastrophe that severs the very lifelines of the land. If the Sky Soul Lamp truly is in Tianku Peak, what harm is there in bringing it out?”

After the mountain-guarding formation was shattered, many felt a loss of security. The realization that once high and mighty immortals might one day face unforeseen life-and-death calamities easily bred resentment and doubt.

Even the Peak Master of Huiyang looked at Lu Jiajia and whispered, “Peak Master Lu, we all trust your character. However, there are also many reclusive elders in Tianku Peak. It is said that two months ago, there was an internal conflict within your Hidden Peak, where they tried to assassinate you. The mastermind behind this incident is reportedly still at large. Could it be related to the Sky Soul Lamp?”

Lu Jiajia’s clear eyes slightly narrowed, and her soft moth-like eyebrows tightened like swords. Involuntarily, her mind conjured the image of the Dragon-Entwining Pillar that pierced through Tianku Peak and the boundless gray-black mist. She vaguely felt that some colossal secret was truly hidden beneath.

But the Dao Sect had already gone so far in their deception; how could she allow them to search the peak any further?

“The bottom of the peak valley is a forbidden area of Tianku Peak; no one is allowed to set foot there. I am willing to investigate this matter personally. If the Sky Soul Lamp was indeed stolen by someone from my peak, justice will naturally be served. But today, you have already destroyed my sect’s grand formation, forced out my mountain-guarding sword, and now, being unable to defeat us, you falsely accuse us of theft to invade my peak. When has the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect ever allowed outsiders to act so wantonly?!”

Lu Jiajia rose on her sword, leveling with Shi Wu. Dressed in white, she stood in the air, refusing to yield an inch.

She understood more clearly than anyone else that even if the Sky Soul Lamp truly was in Tianku Peak, it must never be returned to them. That soul lamp was surely the key to Nine Infants’ revival. If they truly managed to reconstruct Nine Infants, the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect would face unimaginable retaliation!

“Sword Immortal Lu certainly possesses extraordinary grace. But you have stolen our Dao Sect’s treasure, and now you want the entire Edict Sword Heavenly Sect to cover for you? Is this the conduct of a righteous sect?” Shi Wu sneered. “Moreover, in my opinion, you’ve merely just entered the Purple Court realm. How far can your sword energy take you, no matter how potent it is?”

Jing Yangxia, the Peak Master of Shou Xiao, actually had some knowledge of the Sky Soul Lamp rumors. With the series of events that had now unfolded, and seeing the black-clad youth again, he guessed many crucial details. His previously wavering heart hardened.

Even if the Sky Soul Lamp was indeed stolen by our sect, it was only to prevent evil from manifesting in the world.

With this thought clear in his mind, the Bixiao Sword emerged and hovered beside Lu Jiajia, signaling his stance.

The blood on Shi Wu’s body flowed back into him, and his garments gradually became clean.

“Since that’s the case, there’s nothing left to discuss.” Shi Wu’s voice spread out, vast and diffused like sinking clouds.

Lu Jiajia’s gaze swept past Shi Wu to Shi Siyi. She said, “You were the one who issued the challenge to me that day. Have you come to the peak today to fulfill that challenge?”

Shi Wu looked at Lu Jiajia and frowned. He thought this woman was somewhat insane.

Currently, the two sects were evenly matched, with the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect even holding a slight advantage. If Lu Jiajia fought alongside the four peak masters, they could ensure invincibility. But if she truly engaged Shi Siyi in a sword duel, her only outcome would be death.

Shi Siyi looked at the sword immortal, a woman of exquisite grace. His previously solemn lips curved slightly upward. He said, “Peak Master Lu is young, yet her swordsmanship and beauty are both exceptional in Nanzhou. If she were to die by my hand today, her brilliance shattered like jade, even I would feel pity.”

Jing Yangxia also advised, “Don’t be impulsive. That challenge letter was inherently an unrighteous act on their part. You must not accept it. Prioritize the overall situation.”

Lu Jiajia had her own considerations. The strength of her sword body far exceeded her expectations. At this moment, fighting alone, she feared no one. Her only hidden concern was that she might break through to a new realm during the battle. If that happened, both her inner demon tribulation and heavenly lightning tribulation would descend simultaneously, forcing her to divert her attention to overcome them, and the Heavenly Sect would immediately lose a peak master.

And she was now but a thin line away from the Purple Court realm.

Ultimately, Lu Jiajia did not act impulsively.

During the standoff, both sides slowly drew their weapons.

The sword clouds in the sky lingered, and the sword stars above Tianku Peak flickered in and out of sight amidst the clouds.

Most of the people on the four peaks had already withdrawn, leaving only scattered, solitary figures.

Shi Wu looked at the four peak masters. He, too, had not expected events to unfold this far today.

However, as the Sect Master of the Purple Heaven Dao Sect, having come here in person, if they couldn't even defeat the four peaks, which were now without a Sect Leader, how would the Dao Sect establish itself in Nanzhou once Han Chi returned?

Therefore, today, he was determined to retrieve the Sky Soul Lamp no matter what. Once Nine Infants was fully formed, they would have no fear, regardless of whether their globe-trotting Sect Leader returned or not.

“The four peaks are devoid of talent, reduced to sending a woman in her early twenties to lead the charge.” Shi Wu recalled the past glory of the Heavenly Sect and smiled faintly.

He pushed out the Dao Sword in his hand, pointing it directly at Lu Jiajia.

But as the Dao Sword moved barely an inch, his smile froze on his face.

Within Tianku Peak, an extremely powerful sword energy suddenly shot up from the ground. The clouds above, affected by the sword energy, parted from the center outwards, revealing a circular opening like a skylight.

And within Tianku Peak, countless caves suddenly fell silent simultaneously. Vast expanses of pristine white sword energy surged forth like waterfalls from the mountain rocks, engulfing the sound of wind passing through the caverns.

Those waterfalls flowed upward, converging into a sky-piercing tornado. The entire Tianku Peak, as far as the eye could see, was left with only vast, white, water-like sword energy.

Shi Wu frowned. He pushed his Dao Sword forward, but it was blocked outside the inverted sword waterfall, unable to advance an inch.

“Who goes there?!” Behind him, Shi Siyi also roared. Just as his Dao Sword was about to be drawn, an invisible large hand pressed down on him.

When the Dao Sword had barely emerged three inches from its sheath, a hand pressed down on the hilt. The Dao Sword then solidified, its blade slowly pushed back inch by inch. After three breaths, the sword energy was forced back into the sheath, which then exploded with a bang, sending splinters flying like fragments. The force sent Shi Siyi retreating dozens of yards, his body crashing into the peach barrier.

In the distance, the black-clad youth and Shi San Yuchen exchanged glances, both utterly speechless with shock.

How could the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect still harbor such a master?

Even if the Sect Leader came in person, it wouldn't be much more formidable than this, would it?

The upward-flowing sword energy receded into its sheath, and the white, water-like waterfall dissipated, revealing the figure of an old man suspended in mid-air.

The old man wore an ancient yellow robe, with indigo wheat patterns embroidered on the cuffs. His white hair and eyebrows were extremely long. The heavy twilight aura on him seemed to have been completely washed away, leaving only sword intent potent enough to transcend everything.

“Yan Zhou...” Jing Yangxia exclaimed in surprise.

Yan Zhou had once sworn a blood oath to confine himself to the scripture pavilion; this was no secret. So why was he able to emerge safely today? And... he held no sword in his hand. Where did all that sword energy and intent come from?

Yan Zhou lowered his head and glanced at his empty hand, smiling wistfully. His original sword was just an ordinary personal sword from Tianku Peak, but it had been unable to withstand the erosion of the Heavenly Edict Sword Scripture's sword intent and had melted completely away.

Though this sword was an ordinary item, he had carried it for many years.

In the past, there was a saying on the peak that some people would return with their swords.

Now that the sword was gone, his own end was not far off.

He only had one last sword strike left.

“Who shall I kill?” Yan Zhou asked.

Though he held no sword, his sword energy was like a siege crossbow hidden among the clouds, locking onto every single person.

A sword from the lower volume of the Heavenly Edict Sword Scripture; once drawn, it guarantees a kill.

All four peak masters were startled, and everyone's gaze fell upon this senior martial uncle, who was of the same generation as the Sect Leader.

Who to kill? Who was he asking?

It was then that everyone noticed a white-clad youth walking out from Tianku Peak.

Yan Zhou’s gaze was fixed on him; he was asking for the youth’s opinion.

Ning Changjiu looked at everyone. He was like the true King Yama; merely by speaking someone’s name, he could cast them into the deepest reaches of the underworld.

“That one.” Ning Changjiu pointed at Shi Siyi.

Lu Jiajia’s knuckles, gripping the sword hilt, turned even whiter. Her expression trembled slightly, and she seemed about to speak but held back.

Yan Zhou asked, “Are you sure? That youth seems to be the most sinister.”

Ning Changjiu knew that killing the black-clad youth was the best option, because it would directly prevent the birth of Nine Infants. Without consciousness, even if it were fully reassembled, it would be nothing more than a mad creature, utterly useless to the Dao Sect.

Ning Changjiu sighed, “He is the demonic spirit of Nine Infants. To kill him, he must be struck down eight times consecutively.”

Yan Zhou nodded. He now only had one chance for a single sword strike.

But even if not to kill the black-clad youth, this sword strike should logically fall upon Shi Wu, the Dao Sect Master.

Lu Jiajia was the first to understand: he didn't want her to act impulsively. But... she was clearly his Master, and it was she who had accepted that challenge. What kind of disciple worried about everything for their master? This was clearly treating her like a little girl... So much for respecting one’s master and valuing the Dao; this was clearly a disregard for proper hierarchy!

The others gradually came to understand as well. They noticed Lu Jiajia's expression was no longer cold; in her eyes, as she looked towards Ning Changjiu, all emotions seemed shrouded as if viewing flowers through a mist.

Could they be...

Before they could ponder further, Yan Zhou had already raised his hand. He held an invisible sword, its hilt seemingly gripped in his empty hand. The sword emitted not a trace of sword energy, and its killing intent was as faint as an almost imperceptible, slender silken thread.

Although the experts of the Purple Heaven Dao Sect had witnessed the opponent's overwhelmingly powerful move, they initially thought it was more likely a bluff. If the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect truly had such a master residing within, why would they only act now?

And this old man seemed to be nearing the end of his life, capable of only one more sword strike.

One sword... They were certain this elder had not reached the Five Paths realm, and both Shi Wu and Shi Siyi were great cultivators at the eighth level of the Purple Court realm. Below the Five Paths realm, who could kill them with a single strike?

Shi Siyi had originally thought the same.

But the moment the yellow-robed old man named Yan Zhou raised his hand, a strange sensation arose in Shi Siyi’s heart—his vital points, like his heart and throat, felt as if they were linked by a thread named Death, the most resilient spider silk in the world, impossible to break free from or cut.

Shi Siyi still refused to believe he would die. At thirty, he had mastered all sixty-four Dao Sect techniques, and he had thoroughly studied the nine most abstruse and difficult scriptures of the sect, from which he had comprehended three arts of grotto-heavens, including even a secret method for feigned death and rebirth.

And just moments before, he had personally witnessed the clash between the Heavenly Sect’s sword and the Dao Sect’s sword, gaining further enlightenment in his heart. His swordsmanship had advanced even further. At this moment, the unsheathed sword in his hand gleamed with a sharp edge, seemingly capable of cleaving through anything.

His realm and power were also at their absolute peak in this lifetime.

All eyes converged on this point.

Yan Zhou threw his sword.

Around Shi Siyi, thousands of Daoist illusions also rose. Among them were layered purple towers reaching to the sky, the solitary figure of a Dao Sect Grandmaster sitting on a lotus platform, conjuring wondrous techniques and manifesting divine forms into the mortal world with his fingertips. There were Dao swords piercing through empty space, at times as vast as boats, at times as tiny as mustard seeds. Within sleeves, thousands of stars flipped and turned, rising as creation, falling as destruction.

Shi Wu would not let him face this sword alone. He also displayed his ultimate techniques; phantom-like Daoist arts formed a shield like a coiled purple dragon, protecting Shi Siyi. The black-clad youth, as the demonic spirit of Nine Infants, also stretched out his arms and opened his hands, distorting the space through which Yan Zhou’s sword was traveling, attempting to deflect its trajectory.

As everyone braced themselves as if facing a formidable enemy, Yan Zhou quietly turned around after throwing his sword.

He walked down from the clouds, with clouds solidifying into lotus flowers beneath his feet, as if he were the true Daoist master.

And with each step he took, his life force faded further, just like the lotus flowers beneath his feet.

“Young friend...” Yan Zhou floated before Ning Changjiu, sighing, “If you ever see Han Chi in the future, tell him to return soon. This old man has done right by the Heavenly Sect.”

Ning Changjiu hummed in acknowledgment.

In the vast sky, various explosive sounds erupted one after another: roars, mournful cries, sharp cracks, muffled thuds...

A deep purple sword gleam pierced through everything like a ray of dawn.

From within that deep purple, white light surged, cracking open like a demon breaking out of its shell.

The light filling the sky was so bright, like the grandest fireworks in the imperial city.

The fiery light made Yan Zhou’s face appear even grayer—like dead ashes.

When the light faded completely, a dark purple robe in the sky, like a great bird with broken wings, plummeted from high above into the valley bottom, vanishing from sight in an instant.

Shi Siyi, along with all the Daoist arts he had mastered throughout his life, plummeted into the bottom of the peak.

Shi Wu watched in shock as that single sword strike shattered countless Daoist arts and killed Shi Siyi. The flame in his chest could no longer be suppressed, transforming into a roar of extreme grief and indignation.

The black-clad youth was even more shocked than anyone else. He couldn’t imagine that the sword strike had actually ignored the laws of his space...

Only Shi San Yuchen quickly calmed down. She had clearly witnessed the entire process of Shi Siyi’s death. With no other thoughts in her mind, she glanced at the white-clad youth, as if looking at a true ghost. She knew that the greatest reason for Shi Siyi’s death was that challenge letter.

“Go!” Shi San Yuchen snapped. The future was long; no one else could be allowed to fall today.

Shi Wu raised his eyes, watching Yan Zhou’s life force dissipate little by little. He also understood that even though they had lost a peerless master at this moment, the balance of power had already shifted.

Jing Yangxia should have joined the others in pursuing Shi Wu and trying to stop them.

However, their gaze was drawn to something else, something even more terrifying.

They saw that after Yan Zhou’s death, his body cracked open, and a white-gray figure, like something breaking out of a cocoon, tore open the spinal column on his back and slowly crawled out.

It was a translucent, white-gray shadow, only half a person tall, very slender and delicate, like a doll.

Its body was enveloped in hair, obscuring its gender, and its lower half had no legs, but rather a mermaid-like tail. The tail hovered in the air, and from its lower end, numerous gray threads entwined. The ends of these threads wrapped around an ancient scroll that was almost a phantom, and the gray threads were firmly nailed like iron spikes onto the scroll's title.

The scroll’s title was written in an unknown, complex, and obscure script from an unknown era.

“The Heavenly Edict Sword Scripture!” Jing Yangxia exclaimed. He had never imagined that today he would be able to glimpse the sword scripture that had been lost for many years.

Ning Changjiu looked at its face: it was a neutral face, with delicate features like a woman’s, yet the lines of its cheeks carried a masculine firmness.

“Why couldn’t you leave by yourself?” Ning Changjiu asked.

The Spirit of the Sword Scripture looked at him as if he were an idiot. “Can you carry yourself to walk?”

Ning Changjiu picked himself up and flew backward.

“Where are you going?! Are you going back on your word?!” The Spirit of the Sword Scripture stared at his somewhat comical movements, paused, and reacted a beat too late. It extended its hand but couldn’t directly grasp Ning Changjiu back.

It quickly calmed down... The distance was still sufficient. Its palm passed through its long hair, emitting a special sword intent, attempting to connect with his body and possess it. But it suddenly discovered that there was no space within the youth’s body for it to inhabit... It had clearly watched him learn all those sword techniques. What was going on?

Ning Changjiu subtly gestured to Lu Jiajia.

Lu Jiajia understood, and several streams of sword energy descended like shields, surrounding the Spirit of the Sword Scripture.

“You’re burning your bridges...” The Sword Scripture held its head, fingers tangled in its hair, and said, “Do you believe I’ll kill you...?”

Ning Changjiu retreated to a safe distance, then, adding fuel to the fire, consoled it, “Calm down a bit.”

The Spirit of the Sword Scripture was so choked by his calm tone that it couldn’t speak. It regretted ever trusting his words; truly, all humans were untrustworthy...

It retorted angrily, “This is your woman, isn’t she? Believe it or not, I’ll unleash another sword strike and kill her instantly! You should know, my sword strikes are always lethal!”

Lu Jiajia’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly in displeasure.

Ning Changjiu knew that the Spirit of the Sword Scripture wasn’t inherently powerful; a large part of its ability to unleash sword strikes depended on the cultivation realm of its host.

“Senior brother! Senior brother!” Ning Xiaoling’s voice came from behind him.

Ning Changjiu turned around and asked, “Did you bring it?”

Ning Xiaoling, holding an urn-like stone container in her arms, nodded vigorously.

The Spirit of the Sword Scripture’s expression changed. “You... what are you doing?! You promised me! I helped you kill someone, how can you do this?! You despicable wretch!”

This was the original object used to seal the Sword Scripture. Decades ago, Yan Zhou had tried to use it to capture the Spirit of the Sword Scripture but failed to find it for decades, so the original container had been left idle in a corner, now even covered in a layer of dust.

Ning Changjiu had figured it out: since mental connection was unavoidable, he should make good use of it.

He used their mental link to transmit several images, and the clever and agile Ning Xiaoling understood her senior brother’s meaning. She quietly returned to the peak and brought this from the scripture pavilion.

Ning Changjiu asked, “Have you memorized those sword techniques?”

Ning Xiaoling nodded. “Yes, I have.”

Ning Changjiu smiled slightly. “Then remember to teach them to Senior Brother later.”

Ning Xiaoling also smiled. “Mm! I’m Senior Brother’s little piggy bank, you know.”

He transmitted a portion of the sword technique memories to Ning Xiaoling, then erased them from himself, preventing the Spirit of the Sword Scripture from finding space to occupy.

“Shameless...” The Spirit of the Sword Scripture couldn't comprehend how Ning Changjiu had done it; such mental connection was beyond its understanding. It merely scratched at its long hair in a frenzy, seething, “One day... I will cut off your head! Then I’ll chop you into eighty-one pieces... and make sure you can never reincarnate!”

Ning Changjiu ignored it and looked towards the sky instead.

Shi Wu and the others already had thoughts of retreating.

But Jing Yangxia and the other four peak masters would not let them escape unscathed.

Just as the next major battle was about to erupt, the black-clad youth suddenly clutched his head, his expression filled with pain. “He... they... Zhang Qieyu, he... Argh!!!”

Shi Wu turned his head, immediately realizing that something had happened in Lantian Town!

One hour earlier.

Within the Purple Heaven Dao Sect’s most heavily guarded forbidden area, a ray of light pushed inward as the great gates opened.

This light was quickly covered by another shadow.

“Ah, Nine Infants...”

Zhang Qieyu slowly walked through the gates. With each step he took, his old age became more apparent. By the time he reached the immense skeleton of Nine Infants, he could barely straighten his back.

His withered fingers traced the white bones of Nine Infants. Every single bone bore countless tiny cracks, marks of being pieced together—the Purple Heaven Dao Sect had spent an unknown amount of manpower and time to fully reassemble this deity from three thousand years ago.

Its eight enormous heads were like a pair of unfurled wings. The hollow eye sockets on the skulls stared lifelessly at the tiny old man beneath its body.

Though it had clearly lost its life, it still exuded a unique divine majesty and ferocity.

They were not true gods; in that ancient era, there were many beings even superior to them. Yet any one of those beings, if placed in the present day, could rightfully be canonized as a god.

Shi Erqiu watched Zhang Qieyu silently, sensing his genuine grief and sorrow, and patiently waited for him to straighten his back again.

“Sir, are you ready?” Shi Erqiu asked.

Zhang Qieyu took one last look at the central, cleanly severed neck bone mark, then nodded gravely. He then took out a piece of paper and began to draw, spending dozens of sheets to meticulously depict Nine Infants’ skeleton in detail.

This truly remarkable painting did not take him too much time. He rolled up the painting and said, “Let’s go.”

Shi Erqiu led the old man out of the Dao Sect’s forbidden area, escorting him to Lantian.

“Sir, it is said that your physical body was destroyed long ago. You’ve been preparing for so many years and striving through so many matters, is it merely for friends?” Shi Erqiu asked, voicing his doubt when he brought him to Lantian Town. He had never believed that deities possessed emotions.

Zhang Qieyu recalled the past... He was the only one of the three who had 'survived,' yet he was also the one truly without a body or bones. His survival to this day depended solely on the fortuitous grace of an ancient Underworld Monarch at that time.

“To see my two old friends again has been my fervent wish for three thousand years,” Zhang Qieyu sighed.

Shi Erqiu asked again, “And your other old friend, if I may ask...”

He was referring to the Bashe serpent that had devoured the divine elephant back then. He had also learned from the old man that the serpent’s true name was 'Xiu'.

Zhang Qieyu said, “Xiu Snake’s bones are hidden within the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect. Once Nine Infants is revived, we will go retrieve them... This was also what you promised me back then.”

Shi Erqiu nodded. “After today, the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect will become a vassal of the Dao Sect. We will find your old friend’s bones for you, even if we have to dig three feet deep.”

Zhang Qieyu nodded gently.

He did not go directly to Liyuan Pond but instead first went to his study.

Shi Erqiu waited quietly outside the door.

The old man entered the room and took down a hanging painting from the wall. It was a lifelike depiction of the great black snake in Liyuan Pond.

His fingers gently traced the long-dried pigments on the painting, as if meticulously counting the snake’s scales. A strange, eerie smile suddenly appeared on his face. His withered throat, like a bundle of dead skin, bobbed as he said, “It’s been so many years... You must be starving, aren’t you?”

Fast text, Divine Kingdom Above chapter list.