Chapter 163: Mountain and Water Severed Veins, The Evening of Chaos

The passage was dark. The strong smell of blood permeated the air, stinging his nostrils.

Within Ning Changjiu, the Golden Crow circulated, melting the frost from his brows and eyes.

He got up, draped in Lu Jiajia's clothes. The faint, fresh scent of snow cherry still clung to them.

Lu Jiajia, meanwhile, had fallen into a deep sleep. Her body was cold, her skin as pale as paper. Her scattered dark hair was distinct within the crystal-coffin-like cocoon, and her serene face looked as though it could be awakened with a kiss.

Ning Changjiu embraced the cocoon.

“Thank you,” Lu Yuanbai said, leaning against the wall and extending his unbloodied left hand.

Ning Changjiu extended his hand as well.

In the darkness, their hands clasped. With a pull, Ning Changjiu helped Lu Yuanbai up from the wall.

Once upright, Lu Yuanbai leaned one hand against the wall and gripped his sword with the other. As a great cultivator in the early stage of Purple Court, he recovered significantly after only a few breaths.

“I didn't expect you to be so skilled, Uncle-Master Lu,” Ning Changjiu said sincerely.

Lu Yuanbai rubbed his forehead and chuckled, somewhat embarrassed. “Don't all experts like to hide their true abilities? I've been pretending to be an expert for years, but unfortunately, I nearly got killed by that old man. You're far better, Brother Ning; you hide your strength even more deeply than I do.”

Ning Changjiu shook his head seriously. “I've never hidden my abilities. You just never asked about my cultivation level.”

“You really can put on an act,” Lu Yuanbai mumbled, stunned for a moment. Then he asked, “So, what's your current cultivation level?”

Ning Changjiu touched the area of his spiritual sea. After several months of cultivation and progress, the spiritual energy in his spiritual sea was continuously approaching that demarcation line.

Ning Changjiu replied uncertainly, “According to your terminology, I should be in the Longevity Realm, right?”

“Our terminology?” Lu Yuanbai was startled. He wondered if this young man had his own unique system. Was he about to forge an unprecedented path?

While Lu Yuanbai was grumbling to himself, Ning Changjiu gave a simple answer: “I'm just quite powerful.”

“...” Lu Yuanbai didn't know how to refute him.

Ning Changjiu glanced at the corpse on the ground. “Dispose of him, and make it clean. Whatever happened here in Hidden Peak today should be as if it never occurred.”

Lu Yuanbai looked at the dismembered corpse on the ground. After his great revenge was satisfied, he felt a sense of emptiness. Many past events surfaced in his mind: over twenty years ago, when he joined the sect with Bing Rong, he was just a child of about ten. Back then, brutal bandits had massacred his village, and his master had “saved” him, bringing him to the peak to cultivate.

He tried to recall more, but found many memories were already blurred. Whether love or hate, the profound emotions he once felt now seemed somewhat unreal. Only then did he realize with a start that he had squandered his prime years.

Even if a cultivator practiced for a thousand years, the most beautiful time would always be their irretrievable youth.

If Ning Changjiu knew his thoughts, he would surely retort with his absurd logic: “As long as your appearance is young, you'll be young forever.”

After a brief silence, Lu Yuanbai cast aside his distracting thoughts, smoothed his hair back from his forehead, and teased, “You've got your beauty. Are you making me do all the dirty work?”

Ning Changjiu, holding Lu Jiajia's cocooned form, said, “Don't tell anyone.”

Lu Yuanbai laughed. “Brother Ning, you're brave enough to do it, but not to admit it?”

Ning Changjiu replied, “You've misunderstood.”

Lu Yuanbai clicked his tongue. “I've long suspected that your relationship with Junior Sister Lu was unusual, but I didn't expect it to be *this* unusual. Tsk-tsk, you're practically taking the most beautiful Sword Immortal of the Heavenly Sect. If the other disciples knew, wouldn't all of us at Heavenly Cavern Peak have our Dao hearts shatter collectively?”

Ning Changjiu calmly stated, “My master and I don't have that kind of relationship.”

Lu Yuanbai, pressing his advantage, said, “There's no one around, why are you still pretending? I never thought Junior Sister Jiajia, a person so detached from worldly affairs, would actually fall in love. When you two become Dao companions, the thought of my aloof junior sister being 'bullied' by someone seven or eight years younger than her is just too amusing.”

Ning Changjiu walked out, carrying Lu Jiajia, intending to find a secluded cave dwelling to hide in for a while.

Lu Yuanbai persisted, pressing him: “When will be your wedding night? Are you going to have a little Changjiu or a little Jiajia? Oh, this is so...”

Ning Changjiu said helplessly, “Uncle-Master, your master's corpse is still on the ground. Do you really need to be this lively?”

With his great vengeance satisfied, Lu Yuanbai's mood was indeed much lighter. He sheathed his sword, put it back on his back, and asked curiously, “Do you really not like Lu Jiajia?”

“I do,” Ning Changjiu replied without hesitation.

Lu Yuanbai frowned. “If you like her, then what did I misunderstand?”

Ning Changjiu hesitated for a moment. “But I have a fiancée.”

Lu Yuanbai was startled. He wondered if it was an arranged marriage from childhood. Had this young man, after achieving the immortal Dao and meeting a beautiful master, decided he no longer wanted his childhood sweetheart? Oh... no wonder he pretended not to like Lu Jiajia; he was afraid people would think he was ungrateful.

Hmph, men who gain power are all like this, indeed.

Although Lu Yuanbai was utterly impressed by Ning Changjiu's talent, he now felt a hint of disdain for his character.

He continued to ask, “Have you married your fiancée?”

Ning Changjiu replied, “Not yet.”

Lu Yuanbai thought that if they weren't married yet, it would be easy. With the mindset of encouraging separation rather than reconciliation, he said, “Then just break off the engagement.”

Ning Changjiu chuckled. “Uncle-Master, you're truly prescient. I'll probably go break off the engagement in about two and a half years.”

Lu Yuanbai's eyes widened. He had only been joking, never imagining that Ning Changjiu would actually be so heartless.

New love forgotten, old love cast aside... Alas, it's true that those who appear most upright are often the most ruthless and unfeeling. Only someone like me, seemingly unrestrained, is truly devoted.

Lu Yuanbai decided not to meddle in private affairs anymore, only asking, “Do you still like your fiancée?”

Ning Changjiu stopped, his chin slightly raised as he gazed into the darkness ahead.

He didn't open his Sword Eyes or Golden Pupils.

When one can see nothing, it's often easiest to hear the voice of one's own heart.

That month in Linhe City flowed through his heart like water.

“I suppose I do,” Ning Changjiu concluded.

Lu Yuanbai frowned, feeling he understood the world of the young less and less. “If you like her, then why break off the engagement?”

Ning Changjiu said in an old-fashioned tone, “You've been a bachelor for over thirty years. What would you know?”

“?” Lu Yuanbai nearly choked on his breath. He clutched his chest and let out a cry of pain, feeling as if his injuries had worsened.

Unconvinced, he decided to ask a question to regain the upper hand: “Between your fiancée and Lu Jiajia, who do you like more? If you don't answer, I won't let you leave this cold prison!”

As he spoke, Lu Yuanbai rubbed his wrist, confident that with his cultivation level, stopping Ning Changjiu would be no problem.

Ning Changjiu, however, didn't resist at all. He actually began to think seriously.

“I like them both,” Ning Changjiu said.

Lu Yuanbai gasped, thinking, 'How can this person be even more shameless than I imagined?' Then he asked, “What about your junior sister, Ning Xiaoling?”

“She's still a child,” Ning Changjiu finally showed a hint of moral integrity.

Lu Yuanbai, however, understood the hidden meaning: 'So you want to wait for her to grow up before making a move?'

Pah!

“Then if you marry Lu Jiajia, wouldn't our Peak Master have to be your concubine? What kind of talk is that!” Lu Yuanbai exclaimed.

Ning Changjiu walked out, carrying Lu Jiajia's cocooned form. His words were calm yet serious: “How lonely it is to walk the Great Dao alone? On the path of cultivation, one should have two or three companions, fellow Daoists, to together comprehend the Heavenly Dao. This is not like worldly marriage, where there are primary and secondary positions, or distinctions of status. There is only a deep bond of affection in the heart and a shared Great Dao underfoot.”

Lu Yuanbai's Sword Eyes widened slightly as he watched Ning Changjiu's white-robed back recede, holding the sleeping, beautiful woman. Shocked speechless, a mouthful of blood caught in his throat, neither swallowed nor spat out. He merely thought, if only he possessed such shameless eloquence, perhaps he wouldn't have lost Wanqin.

He sighed, bent down, and hoisted his master's corpse onto his back. Casually, he drew his sword and stabbed its head as if it were a watermelon, muttering to himself, “You've only been in the peak for three years, and you're already going to break off your engagement with your fiancée. If I were your fiancée, I'd cry, make a scene, and threaten to hang myself... Three years... Hmm?”

Lu Yuanbai uttered an “Oh?” sound, suddenly remembering something.

That female emperor of Zhao Kingdom, it was widely rumored that she was also going to break off her engagement with her fiancée, wasn't it? How many years ago was that?

Before Ning Changjiu could exit the passage, Lu Yuanbai called out loudly, “Wait! If I may be so bold as to ask... Brother Ning, what's your fiancée's name, and where is she from?”

Ning Changjiu didn't hide it. “You mentioned her on the sword-boat when you took us to Linhe City. Zhao Xiang'er.”

Lu Yuanbai's Dao heart wavered, and the mouthful of blood stuck in his throat finally gushed out.

As Ning Changjiu exited the cold prison, Hidden Peak experienced a second earthquake.

He vaguely guessed what was happening.

He used the clothes Lu Jiajia had given him to fashion a rope, tying her to himself and carrying her on his back.

Just as he was about to retreat to Hidden Peak for isolated cultivation, intending to ignore worldly affairs, an uninvited guest arrived.

It was Fang Hege, the chief disciple of Guardian Peak.

“You are here indeed,” Fang Hege said.

“Something wrong?” Ning Changjiu asked.

Fang Hege replied, “The entire sect is looking for you right now.”

Ning Changjiu asked, “The Sect Master has returned?”

Fang Hege nodded.

Ning Changjiu asked, “What is True Man Hanchi's cultivation level now?”

Fang Hege smiled. “True Man Hanchi's cultivation has fallen significantly; even I can see that.”

Ning Changjiu asked, puzzled, “True Man Hanchi nearly exhausted the sect's century-long fortune. He should be considered a great sinner of our sect. Why isn't he captured and imprisoned in the cold prison?”

Fang Hege was stunned, thinking, 'Why are you so practiced at betraying your master and destroying your ancestors?'

However, the other Peak Masters originally had such intentions, but...

“Along with the Sect Master, the complete Nine Infants also returned,” Fang Hege sighed.

Ning Changjiu's brows furrowed instantly. His original line of thought was abruptly broken.

In his understanding, either True Man Hanchi would have defeated Zhang Qieyu and seized the Nine Infants, or he would have lost, been swallowed whole by the Bashe, and never reincarnated.

What kind of situation was this, both losing and winning?

“Then let's all go welcome the Sect Master back to the peak,” Ning Changjiu said. He had always known when to advance and when to retreat.

Fang Hege didn't know what to say, so he simply conveyed the message: “The Sect Master wants to see you.”

Ning Changjiu guessed the reason but still feigned ignorance. “Why does he want to see me?”

Fang Hege replied, “The lower scroll of the Heavenly Oracle Sword Scripture is missing. We all witnessed today's events, and your connection to the Sword Scripture is well-known. We all suspect you are involved.”

Ning Changjiu asked, “He knows about the Sword Scripture now?”

Fang Hege said, “It was bound to leak out.”

Ning Changjiu then asked, “How did you know I was in Hidden Peak?”

Fang Hege hesitated. “Master guessed you were in Hidden Peak and told me to look for you. I didn't expect to actually find you.”

Ning Changjiu nodded, knowing that Jing Yangxia didn't want to declare his stance for now, so he sent a disciple to take the blame.

Fang Hege looked at the object on Ning Changjiu's back. At first, he thought it was a large sword or something similar, but upon closer inspection, he noticed strands of hair spilling out from behind Ning Changjiu's head.

“Peak Master Lu?” Fang Hege was startled. “Is this... is Peak Master Lu about to break through to the Purple Court Realm?”

Ning Changjiu said, “I need to protect Lu Jiajia while she undergoes her tribulation. Don't disturb me.”

Fang Hege sighed. “But the Sect Master's order...”

Ning Changjiu said, “You're no match for me. Don't force me to cripple you.”

“What about me, then?” Before Fang Hege could speak, a voice rang out from behind.

Ning Changjiu turned around and saw an old man suddenly appear behind him. The old man's body was semi-transparent, clearly not his true form.

It was True Man Hanchi.

“True Man, what brings you here in person?” Ning Changjiu feigned ignorance.

True Man Hanchi looked at the woman in the cocoon, whose clothes were whiter than snow, and remarked, “Lu Jiajia indeed took in a good disciple.”

Ning Changjiu said, “If you want to do something, send your true body. Don't be a coward.”

True Man Hanchi said, “Hand over the Heavenly Oracle Sword Scripture.”

Ning Changjiu replied, “Come and get it yourself.”

True Man Hanchi found it difficult to let go of his defeat today in Lotus Field Town. Fortunately, the Nine Infants were finally complete and preserved, which was his last hope.

If judged solely by his sword Dao cultivation, he was now even inferior to Jing Yangxia, the Peak Master of Guardian Peak.

But his defeat was, after all, to that old fox Zhang Qieyu.

He had never imagined that after years of establishing his authority in the sect, there would still be a disciple who dared to openly defy him.

“Are you trying to betray the sect?” True Man Hanchi demanded sharply.

Ning Changjiu knew this projection had no real offensive power and barely bothered to acknowledge it. He continued walking toward the exit of Hidden Peak, carrying Lu Jiajia on his back.

True Man Hanchi looked at the woman in the cocoon, puzzled. “The Heavenly Sect's fortune has mostly vanished, and even several Peak Masters have dropped minor cultivation levels. Why, then, has Lu Jiajia alone advanced to the Purple Court Realm? Is there some secret involved?”

Ning Changjiu didn't answer his question. He knew clearly that as long as Lu Jiajia woke up, they would be invincible.

However, the Heart Demon Tribulation also required a considerable amount of time.

Even when Ning Xiaoling underwent her tribulation previously, with his help, and also with the little girl in the Heart Demon Tribulation directly using her authority to simplify the process and cut to the chase, it was only completed within the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

He knew Lu Jiajia would surely overcome the tribulation, but he didn't know how long it would take.

He had to buy enough time.

“Stop him,” True Man Hanchi commanded.

Fang Hege was forced to draw his sword.

Ning Changjiu showed no mercy. The moment their sword-fires met, the victory was overwhelmingly decided.

Ning Changjiu's sword intent and sword qi were far more powerful. The tongue of sword-fire pressed along Fang Hege's blade, scorching the hand that gripped his sword. Fang Hege's pupils contracted, and he was forced to release his grip and drop his sword, retreating rapidly. Ning Changjiu seized the opponent's sword with his own, then swung it directly to the ground, breaking it in half.

True Man Hanchi's expression was grim.

Fang Hege no longer had the strength to intercept. As Ning Changjiu was about to escape, True Man Hanchi's words once again became a stumbling block.

“Ning Xiaoling is your junior sister, isn't she?” True Man Hanchi asked.

Ning Changjiu's expression instantly turned cold. “Where is she now?”

True Man Hanchi smiled faintly. “Someone is looking after her. She's fine; you don't need to worry.”

Ning Changjiu sighed, thinking, 'What has happened to this sect? Everyone connected to the Sect Master's position seems to be either a devil or a madman. It would be better if Lu Jiajia never became the Sect Master.'

Ning Changjiu's expression quickly calmed down. He steadied Lu Jiajia on his back and said, “Like Yan Zhou, the Sword Scripture is within my body. If you dare to harm my junior sister in the slightest, you will never get this Sword Scripture in your lifetime.”

True Man Hanchi said, “No, the Sword Scripture isn't just within your body.”

He paused, then added, “It's also in your memories.”

True Man Hanchi intended to convey that since he could erase his memories, he could naturally extract them as well. If his cultivation hadn't fallen drastically at this moment, he would have simply taken it by force.

As soon as he spoke, several sword-clad figures swept in from the natural caves outside Hidden Peak, like arrows tipped with snowy feathers.

Over the years, True Man Hanchi had accumulated many loyal followers within Hidden Peak.

He had told everyone that he had slain the sect master of Purple Heaven Dao Gate and the demon of Lotus Field Town, and that the recovered Nine Infants were the best proof. He also claimed to have been severely wounded and suffered a significant drop in cultivation as a result, requiring several years of recovery in Cascading Falls Mountain.

Although the Nine Infants were also severely injured, at their peak, they were a life form at the pinnacle of the Five Dao. How could ordinary cultivators in the Purple Court Realm be a match for them?

While many within the sect harbored doubts, no one openly resisted him for the time being. Even the three Peak Masters merely refrained from explicitly stating their positions.

The arrow-like snowy figures were all elders of the Heavenly Sect, each with at least the cultivation of the early Longevity Realm.

Ning Changjiu frowned slightly, and points of spiritual light appeared around him.

“A Minor Void-Flight Formation?” True Man Hanchi was slightly surprised.

The snowy figures attacked empty air, as Ning Changjiu's form vanished.

But the next moment, he was back in his original spot.

True Man Hanchi was merging with the complete Nine Infants, naturally inheriting its authority.

No matter how profound the Minor Void-Flight Formation, at its root, it was still an application of space. Before True Man Hanchi now, it was like a small sorcerer meeting a great shaman.

His body had clearly appeared in the Peak Master's Hall, but before his feet could touch the ground, he was forcibly pulled back.

True Man Hanchi looked at him, puzzled. “The Heavenly Cavern Peak Master's Hall actually has a formation set by you? Ha, I originally thought Lu Jiajia had truly cultivated into a fairy of Ice Soul and Snow Purity, but I didn't expect her to be secretly involved with her own disciple, utterly shameless.”

His words failed to stir even a ripple in Ning Changjiu's heart.

The only thing he needed to do was buy time.

After his figure was pulled back, the several sword-clad figures each gripped their swords and attacked him.

Meanwhile, throughout the four peaks, shouts like the ringing of great bells began to echo.

“Ning Changjiu, disciple of Heavenly Cavern Peak, has secretly hidden the sect's important treasure, the Heavenly Oracle Sword Scripture. This is a great crime against the Heavenly Sect and should be severely punished according to sect rules. Now he is fleeing from his crime, attempting to harm others. The four peaks must unite and together guard the Heavenly Sect's four peach barriers, preventing this sinner from escaping the peaks.”

These words, amplified by the power of the Nine Infants, seemed to be contained within a fixed space, carried with perfect clarity to every corner of the four peaks.

The reactions from each peak varied.

In their minds, the image of the white-robed young man standing with his sword emerged. They simply couldn't associate this suddenly appearing sword Dao genius with a “sinner.”

“I think the Sect Master is the real sinner!” the Heavenly Cavern Peak disciples exclaimed, most indignant of all.

“What Junior Brother Ning did today was clear for all to see. As for the Sect Master, he was clearly in the peak, yet when the four peaks were in danger, he offered no help whatsoever. Now he has even depleted most of our fortune. I had just managed to enter the Immortal Communication Realm, and my cultivation was immediately knocked back down!”

“Yes, I support Junior Brother Ning too! The Sect Master must be coveting the Sword Scripture; we absolutely cannot give it to him!”

“By the way, where's Master? Where did Master go?”

“Lerou, you're the senior sister. You should take charge of the situation.”

“I...”

“Everyone, stop arguing,” Yazhu said, calming the discussion. “After all these events, everyone should clearly see who is good and who is evil. What Hanchi relies on now is merely a bit of lingering prestige. If he wants to harm anyone from our peak today, none of us will allow it.”

Amidst their discussions, Ning Changjiu had already engaged in combat with the surrounding figures.

Ning Changjiu had already used his sword once today, expending considerable spiritual energy, but his sword speed and resolve showed no signs of diminishing.

Within Hidden Peak, blades flashed and swords clashed chaotically.

As several swords simultaneously struck, Ning Changjiu, without a hint of gentleness, leaned forward slightly, using his back to block. Lu Jiajia's cocooned form was incredibly tough at this moment; even a Purple Court Realm cultivator would find it hard to cut through, so naturally, he wasn't afraid of these Longevity Realm elders.

The sword blades struck the cocooned form, but were repelled by the resilient cocoon threads.

Ning Changjiu swept his sword, and sword-fire drew a circle, blossoming brilliantly among the figures.

They avoided his sharp edge, stepping back and retracting their swords. Ning Changjiu targeted the weakest among them, stepping forward, pressing close. His sword twined around the opponent's blade, and a sharp scream from the elder accompanied the clanging of metal.

Ning Changjiu's sword instantly pierced his defense, severing one of his forearms.

As the sword-wielding forearm fell, Ning Changjiu impaled it with his sword tip, then used it to break through the three figures' close pursuit and thrust it towards True Man Hanchi.

True Man Hanchi, not being his true form, couldn't evade it and was shattered by the sword thrust.

Ning Changjiu seized the opportunity. With one hand, he wielded his flaming sword, and with the other, he activated a Void-Flight Formation in reverse, forcing back the three elders as he left Hidden Peak.

But space shifted once again.

He appeared near the summit of Heavenly Cavern Peak.

A pair of eyes was watching him.

It was another illusionary projection of True Man Hanchi, a faint smile on his face.

True Man Hanchi raised his hand.

At the summit of Heavenly Cavern Peak, the countless suspended sword-stars suddenly illuminated.

Even in daylight, the lights were striking, like fireworks that had exploded and then frozen in the air.

The sword-stars on Heavenly Cavern Peak connected, forming a single sword intent.

This sword intent was left by the Ancestral Master. Though located at the summit of Heavenly Cavern Peak, it was actually controlled by the Sect Master's Hall in Cascading Falls Mountain.

It was no longer complete after enduring years of wear and tear and disciples' usurpation, but when the vast sword intent ignited like a heaven-connecting flame, it still exuded immense power.

Ning Changjiu felt this sword intent. His mind raced for an escape method, while he outwardly said, “I'm merely an ordinary disciple. Why don't you dare to face me with your true body?”

True Man Hanchi replied, “You're not worthy.”

Ning Changjiu said coldly, “Are you afraid of being killed by the other Peak Masters?”

True Man Hanchi was struck where it hurt and fell silent. For some reason, a curse always lingered in his heart: “You will die by betrayal.”

This sentence was like a tumor on his heart, or poison in his bones.

He wanted to refute it sharply, but ridiculously, the words were confirmed true within a very short time.

The starry lights connected across the sky, and the vast sword intent descended like a massive meteor shower.

However, it failed to land on Ning Changjiu.

A broad, thick sword blocked his path.

Lu Yuanbai rolled up his sleeves. He held his sword with both hands, his powerful muscles tensed, maintaining a chopping stance. The posture looked almost comically clumsy.

But the sword intent left by the Ancestral Master was severed in two by his wood-chopping-like swing.

“I rescued your junior sister for you. Yazhu is looking after her now, so don't worry. Just focus on your swordplay. It was too dark earlier, and I couldn't clearly see your Heavenly Oracle sword move. Brother Ning, would you mind demonstrating it again?” Lu Yuanbai turned his head and grinned.

“Thank you, Uncle-Master Lu,” Ning Changjiu said, cupping his hands in a respectful bow.

“If I'm still alive then, don't forget to send me an invitation to your wedding. Old Lu here also wants to see the grand spectacle,” Lu Yuanbai said with a smile.

True Man Hanchi's projection trembled with rage. He stared at this disciple he had personally nurtured, fuming, “I enlightened you, passed on my cultivation, taught you sword moves—how have I wronged you? How dare you point your sword at me?”

Lu Yuanbai sighed. “Master, you have indeed been benevolent and righteous to me. But today, I suddenly understood something.”

“What?”

“I want to be a good person.”

“A good person?”

“Yes, I want to be a thoroughly good person, a righteous hero. That was my dream when I was thirteen.” Lu Yuanbai plucked a strand of hair, placed it on his sword edge, and blew on it; the hair broke with the breeze and floated lightly to the ground. “Master, if you truly intend to sever the Heavenly Sect's lineage and plunge Southern Province into chaos, then I can only draw my sword.”

“Be a good person?” True Man Hanchi listened to his words, then suddenly burst into laughter. “Even if you are worthy of all living beings, if you draw your sword against me, can you truly do so with a clear conscience?”

Lu Yuanbai closed his eyes and sighed. “Perhaps this is the price of being a hero.”

In Cascading Falls Mountain, True Man Hanchi's true body sat cross-legged.

Before him lay an open book.

It was an ancient scroll from the Southern Wilderness. On its flyleaf were written three characters: “Headless God.”

True Man Hanchi no longer looked at the scroll. He suddenly extended his hand.

In just a moment, the Dragon-Winding Pillars in all four peaks began to shake simultaneously. Mountains and waters collapsed, rivers dried up, and the remaining fortune and spiritual energy from hundreds of miles around surged towards Cascading Falls Mountain.

With the help of the Soul Lamp, the Nine Infants had developed ashen-grey skin and scales. The moment spiritual energy surged, its central head was the first to open its eyes, followed slowly by the other eight colossal heads. It had once been a king that looked down upon all, but though its divinity remained, it had now become a puppet controlled by others.

“Be a good person...” True Man Hanchi stroked the ancient scroll, sighing, “Your dying wish is well met.”