Chapter 269: Emperor Not in the Hall

The Fish King stood on the ground, its demonic eyes fixed on the sky outside the window. The clouds were like burning fire, and the deep twilight that should have only appeared in the western sky spread across.

That direction…

The Fish King narrowed its eyes and shot directly out through the window. Ning Xiaoling quickly followed, also looking up at the sky. The firelight in the sky was somewhat murky, looking like smeared, spoiled rouge.

The ground shook, rocks rolled, wooden halls swayed, and fish in the Gloomy Moon Lake leaped. In the other halls, many other disciples also rushed out, watching the strange phenomenon in the sky with terror.

The Fish King shot up a large tree with a whoosh. It looked into the distance, its demonic eyes growing more solemn. Whenever a major event was about to occur, strange phenomena would appear in the sky. And this particular phenomenon—having seen much, it knew what unknown horror it foretold. It was deeply fearful, not knowing where this twilight-shrouded terror was headed.

A strong, ominous premonition churned within Ning Xiaoling. She opened the brocade pouch Zhu Ding had given her without the slightest hesitation. At the same time, a heavenly fire plunged straight down from the twilight. It was like a spear thrown by a god, locking onto Ning Xiaoling the moment its flames ignited.

"Meow!" The Fish King also sensed something was wrong, its fur bristling.

Heavenly punishment! This was heavenly punishment!

The heavenly punishment was directed at Ning Xiaoling… What had she done to defy the heavens? The Fish King didn't have time to think. At this moment, it lacked its full power and couldn't rescue Ning Xiaoling.

The sword of heavenly punishment struck. Above Ning Xiaoling's head, the firelight met resistance and exploded in all directions. An old man with snow-white hair stood in the air. He extended his hand, and profound Netherworld spiritual power formed a deep defense. The flames of heavenly punishment shattered against the barrier. The defensive barrier also shattered into pieces.

The instantaneous impact pushed the old man back to the ground with a resounding crash. A deep pit appeared in the earth, and dust billowed up. Ning Xiaoling stood rooted, staring at the old man's robed back, still shaken. If Zhu Ding hadn't given her that brocade pouch, she would have been instantly killed at her current cultivation level.

"Thank… thank you, Martial Uncle," Ning Xiaoling said, bowing in thanks after a moment of stunned silence.

Even as a master at the peak of the Purple Court realm, countless brittle white hairs broke off and fell from Zhu Ding after he blocked that blow. He turned his head, looking somewhat disheveled.

"What exactly is going on? What else are you hiding?" Zhu Ding asked with a serious expression.

After that sudden heavenly punishment, the earthquake stopped prematurely, but the strange phenomenon in the sky did not dissipate.

"Before it died, the Feathered Serpent told me a secret about Tianzang and the Underworld Lord, but anyone who reveals divine secrets, whether the one who tells or the one who hears, will suffer greatly… Xiaoling, Xiaoling dares not speak," Ning Xiaoling whispered, shaking her head.

Zhu Ding asked, "What kind of secret is it about?"

Ning Xiaoling thought for a moment and said, "It's about a feud between deities, I suppose."

Zhu Ding nodded and said, "This matter should have nothing to do with us. Once this tribulation is over, everything should be fine. If you're still hiding anything, you must tell me to avoid making a terrible mistake."

Ning Xiaoling nodded vigorously. She recalled for a moment and then suddenly remembered what the Medicine King had told her: "Oh, I also saw the Medicine King!"

Zhu Ding wasn't surprised, as the Medicine King guarded a spiritual object, the Medicine King's Pestle.

Ning Xiaoling said, "The Medicine King spoke to me."

"What?" This wasn't a question, but an exclamation of surprise. Zhu Ding said, "The Medicine King spoke to you."

Ning Xiaoling was slightly bewildered, not understanding why Zhu Ding reacted so strongly. She said, "Yes, the Medicine King told me, 'The Empress is not in the hall; be careful.'"

Zhu Ding said sternly, "Do you know... all the Underworld Generals are mute? They only speak to the Underworld Lord, or those with the Underworld Lord's characteristics."

Ning Xiaoling was also surprised: "Then what... what am I?"

Zhu Ding looked at the young girl and said, "Don't you even know the secret hidden within you?"

Ning Xiaoling shook her head.

Zhu Ding didn't press further. He muttered "The Empress is not in the hall" to himself, pondering its meaning, but couldn't find a clue.

"Empress... Is there anyone in the Ancient Spirit Sect with the title of Empress?" Ning Xiaoling asked.

"Empress? That sounds like a woman, but the Ancient Spirit Sect has never had a woman calling herself Empress," Zhu Ding sighed. "Even if there was, it would be an ancient, forgotten story by now... Let me think carefully."

Ning Xiaoling didn't dare to disturb him. She looked up, anxiously watching the sky.

Soon, news from outside quickly reached the Ancient Spirit Sect. The source of the strange phenomenon had been found: a massive underwater volcano erupted in the Sea of Misfortune, causing a tsunami and a sky-high red glow. At this moment, many people on the land in the southwest of the Central Plains looked up at the sky.

They had passed the Thirteen Gates by sword. Beyond the Thirteen Gates lay a famous range of Saber Mountains. White snow filled the black cliffs on both sides, draped in streaks over the rock faces. Strange, jutting rocks resembled abrupt, sharp blades and giant axes, each piercing the surrounding snow. Below, between the dark greenish stone walls, a long river of swirling snow snaked into the distance, eventually merging into the ceaselessly flowing Guangsha River.

If they moved away from the center of conflict, would they still encounter conflict? This was Ning Changjiu's question at the time. Finally, that question was answered at this moment. As they flew over a continuous range of Saber Mountains on their swords, an orange-red light illuminated the sky. Twilight arrived early.

"Is this... on fire?" Qiu Yue covered her head with her hand, looked up at the sky, her eyes full of curiosity.

What first flashed through Ning Changjiu's mind was a certain authority called "Twilight," recorded in forbidden books of the Unseen, its power unknown. Lu Jiajia also looked up at the sky. The clouds floating in the sky seemed to be on fire, one after another. They looked in the direction from which the light was shining.

"That is..." Lu Jiajia stood on the tip of her sword, gazing into the distance.

"Luoshu Tower!" He and Lu Jiajia made the same judgment simultaneously.

Then, Ning Changjiu's expression turned grim. He grabbed Lu Jiajia's hand, pulling her close. Lu Jiajia stumbled into his arms, asking confusedly, "What's wrong..."

Qiu Yue saw this scene, covered her eyes, then peeked through a slit between her fingers, stealing glances at them.

Ning Changjiu said in a low voice, "Someone's there."

Before his words faded, the twilight in the sky suddenly dimmed. An unprecedented sword intent rushed towards them at several times the speed of sound. In the silent twilight, an even brighter blaze devoured all colors, as if consuming the firmament. The Immortal Suppressing Sword was still far from them. But Lu Jiajia sensed the sword intent from afar. She tried to assimilate all the sword intent with her sword spirit, but found she couldn't. The sword, coming from hundreds of miles away, was simply too fast; her spiritual sea couldn't lock onto it at all.

The spark of fear exploded in her mind. In her pupils, the fiery light arrived in an instant. The destructive range of the Immortal Suppressing Sword was enough to cover the entire Saber Mountain range. In that instant, escape was impossible for anyone at the Purple Court realm.

Twilight and death descended together. Lu Jiajia couldn't react. She only saw that the young man beside her had, at some point, released her hand and stood in front of her. Her vermillion lips parted slightly, but her words were swallowed by the sword light.

This was a devastating blow. It was a strike from which almost no one in the Purple Court realm could escape; their only fate was complete annihilation of their souls.

After engulfing them, the Immortal Suppressing Sword crashed into the valley. The explosion rapidly expanded. Countless specks of light instantly hovered in mid-air, and a blinding blaze propelled massive amounts of smoke and dust skyward. At the center of the explosion, a bright pillar of fire surged upward, blossoming into a grand, mushroom-shaped cloud that towered over all the surrounding mountains.

Ring-shaped shockwaves, carrying embers and dust, spread outwards at high speed. The invisible shockwaves were like the sharpest, most irresistible blades, instantly shattering everything they touched—cliffs, trees, bronze statues, even the dark blue mountain paths—and sweeping them outwards. The enormous mushroom cloud continued to expand, the sound of the explosion swallowing the heavens and earth, and the surrounding Saber Mountains were completely leveled. The crimson firelight was far more dazzling than the twilight.

Villages and towns very far from the Saber Mountains felt the earth tremble. From a distance, they only saw flames shooting into the sky and fierce winds assaulting them. This was an unexpected and precise strike. Luoshu Tower and the other three Divine Towers were second only to Sword Pavilion in terms of top-tier strength. The Sword Pavilion's power stemmed from the Sword Saint's invincibility, but in terms of foundation, the four Divine Towers were no less formidable. They were the most powerful forces under the Divine Kingdom. How could mere mortals escape their attacks?

And because the matter was of great importance, Mr. Chu exceptionally activated the Immortal Suppressing Sword to eliminate future troubles permanently. At the edge of the explosion, four Sword Bearers arrived from different directions. They rode their swords, and after several waves of shockwaves subsided, they stopped their swords precisely at the cardinal directions around the ruins. This sudden explosion had ended. The clouds dispersed, dust billowed into the sky, vast and obscuring. Traces of embers still flickered in the ruins, like the breath of an ancient dragon.

The four Sword Bearers, clad in divine robes, gazed calmly at the center of the ruins, as if mourning the dead. In the center of the ruins, the once precious and magnificent Immortal Suppressing Sword had lost its luster, becoming a piece of scrap metal buried in a deep pit. There was no one in the center. The cultivation partners and the little girl should have been utterly incinerated in the explosion's high temperatures.

The Sword Bearers proceeded to investigate the center of the explosion. Mr. Chu looked at the Sea River Plate, his expression unchanged. This strike had gone exactly as anticipated; there would be no surprises. The Immortal Suppressing Sword remained terrifying... Alas, such a pinnacle of immortal and human power never failed to inspire awe and lamentation upon sight. They hadn't killed that mysterious woman before only because the authority she wielded was too powerful. Unless this pair of cultivation partners also possessed an authority like that mysterious woman, there was absolutely no chance of their escape. But how could something like authority be replicated?

Mr. Chu sat quietly for a while. Just as he was about to close the Sea River Plate, his hand suddenly froze in mid-air. Developments once again defied his expectations... A speck of light suddenly appeared on the Sea River Plate! That speck of light wasn't far from the center of the explosion; it was faint, yet so glaring.

They... no, he was still alive!

"How... how is this possible?!" Mr. Chu's face turned pale, his lips trembled slightly, and his words came out in gasps.

The attendant nearby, seeing Mr. Chu display such an expression for the first time, quickly asked, "Is something wrong, Sir?"

Mr. Chu abruptly stood up and sharply commanded, "Bring the Ancient Ape Sword, and activate the Immortal Chasing Platform!" Knowing the gravity of the situation, the attendant did not hesitate and left to carry out the order. The moment the light representing Ning Changjiu reappeared on the Sea River Plate, Mr. Chu knew that even the Sword Bearers couldn't kill him. He had to act personally and eliminate the threat as soon as possible.

Smoke still wafted from Ning Changjiu's dark long hair, which seemed to have had most of its moisture absorbed, the dry ends curling slightly. His fine hairs were instantly singed away, and large areas of his white robe turned black, shedding much black powder with a gentle rub. Fortunately, there was no significant physical damage, but inside his body, the searing pain still tore at him.

Ning Changjiu clutched his chest, concealing his aura with an invisibility art, moving away from his original path and heading towards the deep mountains and ancient forests marked on a geomantic map. He was almost certain this ambush came from Luoshu Tower. Although he didn't know their purpose, the power of that sword made him tremble with lingering fear. In his current physical state, he didn't believe he could escape a second time... Of course, the Immortal Suppressing Sword was too precious to be used twice on a single Purple Court realm cultivator.

After a long period of flight, tall, continuous tree canopies appeared ahead. Ning Changjiu stopped again. He looked towards a large boulder. His pupils contracted in horror. On the previously barren stone, a man stood, sword in hand.

"Mr. Chu?" Ning Changjiu recognized him. He was one of the top figures at the previous Dragon Mother Banquet.

Mr. Chu looked at him expressionlessly. The Ancient Ape Greatsword in his hand was unsheathed, its sharp edge exposed.

"Are you from Luoshu Tower?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Mr. Chu looked at the young man, disheveled and still bearing faint traces of fire, and sighed. Within the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, he had activated the Immortal Chasing Formation, brought the Ancient Ape Sword, and, despite being a thousand miles away, instantly pursued. It seemed effortless, but the cost was immense.

"Young Master Ning, we met once at the Sea Kingdom Banquet. Your cultivation partner even defeated the renowned Liu He. How many people admire you, a divine couple..." Mr. Chu's smile held a hint of mockery: "Though I don't know how you escaped the Immortal Suppressing Sword, I imagine your methods were only enough for one person to escape. Heh, when disaster strikes, everyone fends for themselves. So much for a divine couple."

Ning Changjiu stood alone on the dark blue mountain path, looking very desolate. Black smoke swirled around his face, making his pale complexion look bleak. His clear eyes were hollow, as if no rain could fall into them.

Mr. Chu observed his demeanor, and his mood finally improved. He smiled. "Why feign remorse now? When facing the brink of life and death, you chose to save yourself. That's the demon in your heart... You should be content to see your true nature before death."

"You did this?" Ning Changjiu looked up, gritting his teeth.

Mr. Chu said, "Why ask the obvious? Previously, the demon in your heart was selfishness; now it's cowardice."

Ning Changjiu lowered his eyes. He looked very weak. Surviving a great disaster, yet alone, with no blessings to follow. Ning Changjiu had no way to escape.

Mr. Chu stared at him. Just as Ning Changjiu's spirits were at their lowest, Mr. Chu's figure vanished from the strange rock. The towering trees around them all exploded. The sword, laden with heavy darkness, pressed down.

When Ning Changjiu looked up, a colossal ape filled his vision. It was the sword demon of the Ancient Ape Sword. The ancient ape swung its enormous fist down towards Ning Changjiu. Boom! The entire canyon began to shake.

Mr. Chu cast heavy night restrictions, drawing Ning Changjiu into them. Within these restrictions, a sword domain simultaneously unfolded. This domain was limited to four directions, with the colossal body of the giant ape occupying the space above. Ning Changjiu's figure appeared increasingly solitary.

"Why kill me?" Ning Changjiu dodged amidst the flying debris, while simultaneously leaping with his sword, striking at Mr. Chu.

Mr. Chu's figure appeared like a phantom, clashing with him in mid-air. Blade met blade with a sharp clang, sparks flickered, illuminating Ning Changjiu's hatred-filled eyes. If he could, Mr. Chu would have liked to admire those pupils for a bit longer, using them to make up for the regret of the Immortal Suppressing Sword missing its mark.

Mr. Chu did not reply, only stated indifferently, "With your wife and daughter dead, and you alone, it would be better if I sent you on your way than for you to cling to life."

Ning Changjiu was continuously forced back by his sword, his back slamming against the knife-like rocks. The sword domain, like a legion of sword-wielding impermanence spirits, rapidly converged inwards. Mr. Chu's figure was untraceable; he had almost instantly appeared. The spreading darkness obscured the twilight of this valley. In the darkness, countless bloodthirsty bats seemed to hang, and any one of them could have been him.

Ning Changjiu had no time to think; he instinctively unleashed a sword strike. The bright arc of light, as soon as it appeared, was instantly swallowed by darkness. Mr. Chu's sword and the Ancient Ape Sword Demon's fist pressed in. This was not an evenly matched contest. After close combat, all of Ning Changjiu's sword moves were completely countered by Mr. Chu. Mr. Chu's pursuing attacks targeted the weakest points of his moves, creating openings and striking directly at his vital areas, giving him no chance to breathe. The ancient ape's fists were more like colossal hammers cleaving mountains, shattering his protective spiritual energy with each blow. Ning Changjiu was exhausted from defending, parrying with all his might, with no room for counterattack.

In just over thirty moves, Ning Changjiu's sword was shattered, and his chest took a heavy blow from the ancient ape, the sound of breaking ribs echoing. The ancient ape's fist made his figure seem tiny; he was like a thrown iron ball, stopping only after crashing into several boulders. His back was covered in blood.

"Is that all?" Mr. Chu looked at the young man, deeply embedded in the wall, spitting blood, and struggling against the sword domain's attacks, feeling somewhat disappointed. He had originally thought that the top-ranked chess master would have deep strategies, with many adaptable and unexpected techniques. But now, it seemed this young man was not only hypocritical but also possessed merely mediocre cultivation. Perhaps escaping the Immortal Suppressing Sword had exhausted too much of his strength... He had initially hoped to use this battle to deepen his understanding of heaven and earth, and thus break through to the Five Paths realm in one go... then he could gain a portion of the authority of Eternal Night, and subsequently take charge of the sixth floor of Luoshu Tower, becoming the fourth Grand Cultivator of the Five Paths realm in Luoshu Tower. Now, it seemed hopeless...

Then let's finish this quickly.

The ancient ape's long howl shook the valley. Mr. Chu stood still; he, his sword, and the ape were all enveloped by the darkness, coalescing into a single entity at that moment. He had entered a profound state. A murderous intent spread simultaneously, deepening the color of this night domain even further. It was almost absolute blackness, impenetrable by any light. Mr. Chu's sword domain locked onto Ning Changjiu's location.

"Dragon Mother betrayed you. She told me all about your questions regarding your deceased wife. Alas, you should never have inquired about the deities of Luoshu Tower. That is the sole bottom line and taboo," Mr. Chu said, intending for him to die with understanding.

Darkness enveloped his body, and the Ancient Ape Greatsword, hidden within the night, pierced towards Ning Changjiu. This was his full-power strike. Although he inwardly disdained the young man, he would never overextend himself when actually drawing his sword; this was a necessary quality for every cultivator who could reach great heights. The Death God's blade pierced his flesh, and eternal night was about to grant him eternal slumber.

Ning Changjiu looked up, his gaze fixed intensely on him. Mr. Chu felt a little strange... In such darkness, he shouldn't have been able to see the other person's eyes... But he saw them, clearly and distinctly. They were a pair of golden glowing pupils. Light actually tore through the darkness!

The giant ape's fist also didn't fall. A golden, tall, armored giant statue punched upwards, shaking off the Ancient Ape Sword Demon's huge fist. This stance was like an ancient dragon ascending into the sky. Mr. Chu sensed a hint of danger, but he chose not to retreat. Because as long as he pierced Ning Changjiu's heart completely with his sword, then once the person died, everything would be over, and no matter how many tricks Ning Changjiu had, they would be useless.

Ning Changjiu, with bare hands, forcefully grabbed the sword. The Ancient Ape Sword pushed forward with difficulty, just a hair's breadth from his pericardium. But at this moment, it was as if another person appeared out of nowhere in the darkness. With that person's sudden emergence, a chilling sword intent lit up in the gloom. This was clearly a sword, yet it seemed more like an idly passing cloud. Death rapidly approached, yet he felt no sign of danger in his heart. This contradictory feeling pulled his mind and body into two different dimensions, creating a disconnect.

Mr. Chu quickly guarded his inner self, forcing himself to erase this sense of disparity. He wanted to withdraw his sword and escape, but Ning Changjiu clamped down on it tightly. He had no choice but to abandon his sword. But it was too late. Golden light flared alongside a white sword, tearing an opening in his peak Purple Court realm's night domain.

In the instant death arrived, Mr. Chu saw the creature he feared most in his life. This creature should have only existed in myths... It was a Three-legged Golden Crow. Even true eternal night was merely its food. How could this small dark domain imprison it? The night died. The sword pierced precisely into his throat. He also died.

In his unfocused pupils, the figure of a woman in white was reflected. It was Lu Jiajia, who, in his understanding, should have been dead. Lu Jiajia held her sword with one hand, her sword movements strange and unpredictable. Her lustrous dark hair danced in the wind like a flurry of crazed crows. Gripping the sword, she rotated her arm and sliced off Mr. Chu's head. Blood gushed from his neck as Mr. Chu toppled stiffly to the ground. The Golden Crow pounced, seizing his escaping soul and burning it to ash.

Ning Changjiu lay among the rubble, breathing weakly. He pulled out the Ancient Ape Sword from his chest, then used the authority of time to accelerate the wound's recovery. Lu Jiajia turned around, bent down, and gently lifted Ning Changjiu from the pile of rubble.

"Don't take such risks again," Lu Jiajia said. She straightened his body and placed her hands on his back, healing him.

Qiu Yue sat on the ground, fearfully looking at Mr. Chu's corpse. She asked nervously, "Mom... Mommy, who is he? Where were we just now? That place was so empty and scary..."

Ning Changjiu glanced at her. The Golden Crow flew back into his body. Earlier, when the Immortal Suppressing Sword descended, Ning Changjiu had stood in front of Lu Jiajia. He unleashed his time domain to its utmost, forcibly slowing the arrival of the disaster. However, Lu Jiajia was also within the range of the time domain, so her movements became slow. He unleashed the Golden Crow, bringing Lu Jiajia into the fragmented Ten-Eyed Realm. Then, using the time domain, he swiftly escaped the center of the explosion.

Mr. Chu's previous arrival had also been unexpected, but fortunately, Ning Changjiu had made preparations. He originally hadn't intended to bring Qiu Yue along, but she was holding tightly onto Lu Jiajia's hand... Ning Changjiu had no time to think, so he simply brought her to safety as well. His condition was poor; even allied with Lu Jiajia, it would be difficult to defeat a master at the peak of the Purple Court realm. Most importantly, the Sword Bearers could arrive at any moment. Unless they could instantly kill Mr. Chu, they would surely die.

Fortunately, Ning Changjiu's Golden Crow naturally countered Mr. Chu's darkness, and Lu Jiajia's Heavenly Edict Sword had also reached perfection. Thus, a top-tier master like Mr. Chu died with regret.

Ning Changjiu smiled faintly, "Husband's move, 'Golden Crow Hides the Beauty,' how effective was it?" His wounds were healing, and the bleeding had mostly stopped.

Lu Jiajia embraced him tenderly. Hearing him speak like that, she also smiled and asked, "You're so skilled at this move. Have you used it many times?"

Ning Changjiu pretended to count on his fingers. Lu Jiajia's delicate eyebrows arched slightly. She pinched his arm, and Ning Changjiu feigned extreme pain, smiling and begging for mercy. Qiu Yue sat watching them from the side, and a fleeting, heartfelt smile crossed her lips as she thought of something.

Their peace didn't last long. The Sword Bearers caught up. Lu Jiajia showed no fear. Although these Sword Bearers were also in the Purple Court realm, their cultivation wasn't high; they were certainly no match for her.

The first Sword Bearer immediately saw the corpse on the ground and gasped in shock: "Mr. Chu? You... you actually killed Mr. Chu!" The Sword Bearers who arrived afterward were equally shocked and speechless. They knew how powerful Mr. Chu was. His swordsmanship and dao arts were both exceptional; he mastered all sixty-four sword paths, and with the Ancient Ape Greatsword's augmentation, he had never been defeated against other grand cultivators at the peak of the Purple Court realm from other divine sects. Yet, such a man lay on the ground, his body severed.

"Do you want to see him?" Ning Changjiu asked. The Sword Bearers looked at the pair of cultivation partners, their heartstrings trembling as if they were walking on a tightrope above a fiery abyss.

Ning Changjiu looked at Lu Jiajia and whispered, "Don't draw your sword yet. I want to show you something fun."

Lu Jiajia was puzzled. At a time like this, and with him so injured, what could possibly be fun? Ning Changjiu then took out the Underworld Scroll he had obtained from the Fish King and put it into his mouth. The Underworld Scroll connected with his thoughts. The void cracked open, and the spiritual form of Mr. Chu stepped out.

Lu Jiajia was also startled. She recalled the techniques used by the Fish King and realized that this Underworld Scroll could summon all dead beings he had seen. Of course, these spiritual entities had no combat power. Ning Changjiu did this merely to intimidate the Sword Bearers and further shatter their sword hearts.

His thoughts unfolded. From the void, which cracked open in floating, swirling fissures, countless spiritual beings emerged. Old Fox, Lady Bai, Ning Qinshui, Jiuying, True Man Hanchi... Those former cultivators, who had once exerted immense pressure on them and possessed extremely profound cultivation, had actually transformed into his army after their deaths. Under the twilight, the spirits of the dead formed a dense, dark mass. Ning Changjiu rose from among them, like a living ghost commanding the undead. It was just a pity that these spiritual entities, despite their former high cultivation levels, had no combat power.

Lu Jiajia had witnessed Ning Changjiu's display. She wasn't going to delay; two Sword Bearers had arrived, and if the others all caught up, it would be troublesome. But just as she prepared to draw her sword, her gaze froze on a particular spiritual entity. Deep astonishment flashed in Lu Jiajia's eyes. Ning Changjiu also sensed something amiss and looked towards that spiritual entity.

That spiritual entity was a woman. Her long, luxurious gown trailed on the ground, making her appear noble and elegant. On her head was a crown fashioned from colorful coral and antlers. Her long hair cascaded to the ground, and her beauty was stunning; even as a spiritual entity, she still exuded a noble and enchanting charm.

Dragon Mother!

As twilight gradually faded, Ning Xiaoling grew increasingly uneasy. The lazy cat, who usually only knew how to eat and sleep, seemed even more restless than her. It was darting about in the wilderness, as if searching for something. Ning Xiaoling, meanwhile, settled her mind, opened her notebook, and began sketching and pondering something.

The Calamity Sword... The sword arts of the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect and the spirit arts of the Ancient Spirit Sect could actually merge into one. Why was that? Hmm, the patriarch of the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect and the patriarch of the Ancient Spirit Sect must have been friends; this sword art must have been created by them together... No, wait! Ning Xiaoling suddenly realized that the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect had only been established for a little over three hundred years, while the Ancient Spirit Sect had been founded nearly five hundred years ago. The patriarchs of these two sects might not even have been from the same era, so how could they be friends?

And this sword art... Ning Xiaoling extended both hands, her right hand mimicking sword techniques, her left mimicking spirit arts. The Fish King, cute and bouncy, also stopped. It stared at Ning Xiaoling's hands, seemingly lost in thought as well. This swordsmanship with the right hand... why does it feel familiar? Could it be...

"Ah!" Ning Xiaoling tightened her grip on the pen. She suddenly had a jolt, remembering something. In the past, she had always felt that the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect's sword arts were peculiar, but she couldn't pinpoint why. Now, she finally understood. The Edict Sword Heavenly Sect's sword arts included the four inherited swords: Sand Snow, White Silk, Mirror Flower, and Autumn Makeup; the three serene swords: Cloud Cliff Inscription, Falling Osmanthus, and Tapping Moon to Ask Immortals; and the grand and decisive swords: White Rainbow Piercing the Sun, Great River Entering the Drain, and Ink Rain Overturning Basin. Even by just looking at the names of the sword moves, it wasn't hard to see that while the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect's sword arts formed a single system, the styles of rigidity and softness within it were indeed vastly different. She had discovered the same problem with the Ancient Spirit Sect's spirit arts.

This sword art must not have been designed by a single person! Perhaps it was designed by a pair, a man and a woman! And the Calamity Sword was also created by their combined effort. Later, for some unknown reason, they separated the sword techniques: one went to Nanzhou, and the other to the Central Plains... The man among them should be the patriarch of the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect. After all, when Ringing Waterfall Mountain collapsed, she had helped clean up the ruins and had seen the hanging portraits of successive patriarchs in the collapsed Sect Master's Hall. If that's the case, then the woman... But Martial Uncle Zhu Ding clearly said that the patriarch of the Ancient Spirit Sect was also a man. What's going on?

Ning Xiaoling found herself in another dilemma. "Meow!" The Fish King let out a cry from outside, interrupting her thoughts.

Ning Xiaoling was a little annoyed and said, "If you keep caterwauling, I won't give you any food!" The Fish King felt very wronged. *How can I be caterwauling when I'm in this state?* it thought. It was just beginning to suspect Ning Xiaoling's identity. *This person...姓 Ning... This sword art... Could it be that...* The Fish King wondered, *Have I just escaped one tiger's den only to fall into a wolf's mouth, and even mistaken a foe for my master?* Sharp claws extended from its paw pads. It looked at the young girl, who might be connected to its enemy, with hostility, hesitating whether to attack.

Ning Xiaoling felt its hostility and said helplessly, "It's not like I said much to you..." As she spoke, she picked out a few dried fish and tossed them out. The Fish King stared at the dried fish on the grass, silent for a long time. Finally, it retracted its claws, picked up a dried fish, and ate it with humiliation. As it ate, it thought, *I have no cultivation now; I cannot sacrifice myself for nothing. After enduring, I will surely avenge myself...*

Ning Xiaoling, deep in thought about important matters, suddenly got up, pulled out the brocade pouch again, and opened it. Zhu Ding sensed it, thought heavenly punishment was descending again, and rushed over in a panic. But Ning Xiaoling was sitting safely in her seat, and the white cat was eating fish outside; everything looked very peaceful.

Zhu Ding sighed and said, "My little ancestor, why have you called me here again?"

Ning Xiaoling asked seriously, "Is the patriarch really a man?"

Zhu Ding was a little puzzled by her question. He said, "Of course. There's a portrait of the patriarch in the Nine Nether Hall. Do you want me to take you to see it?"

"Okay," Ning Xiaoling nodded.

Zhu Ding hadn't expected her to agree so readily. He waved his sleeve and said, "I was just saying that casually. Your qualifications are still far from enough; I can't take you to the Ancestral Hall."

Ning Xiaoling anxiously said, "You could secretly take me in! I'll just follow you and pretend to be a sword-bearing maid or something."

Zhu Ding chuckled, "That won't do. If those old folks in the Nine Nether Hall see us, they'll say I'm disrespectful of my age."

Ning Xiaoling said, distressed, "But I really have something important!"

Zhu Ding said, "What important matter? Is it related to that Empress?"

Ning Xiaoling nodded vigorously: "Yes!"

Zhu Ding said, "What does this have to do with the patriarch?"

Ning Xiaoling lowered her head, her mind racing due to anxiety. Patriarch... Edict Sword Heavenly Sect... Ancient Spirit Sect... Empress... Mu Lingtong... Suddenly, a terrifying, somewhat unbelievable thought flashed into Ning Xiaoling's mind.

"Does the patriarch have a red dot between his eyebrows?! And... and his eyes are like this, his expression is like this, his hand movements... Oh! Is there a small piece missing from his brow bone?!" Ning Xiaoling asked rapidly.

The more Zhu Ding listened, the more alarmed he became. "Did you see this in the Spirit Valley?"

"Is the patriarch really like that?" Ning Xiaoling felt her heart pounding faster.

Zhu Ding said, "It's indeed very similar to what you described."

"I didn't see it in Spirit Valley; I... I saw it in our sect, the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect! That's also our Edict Sword Heavenly Sect's patriarch!" Ning Xiaoling blurted out.

"What?" Zhu Ding didn't understand.

"I know!" The connections in Ning Xiaoling's mind suddenly became clear: "Our Edict Sword Heavenly Sect's patriarch is the founding patriarch of the Ancient Spirit Sect! He and Mu Lingtong jointly created a sword art. A hundred years later, the patriarch went to Nanzhou and established a new sect, while Mu Lingtong remained in the sect... They must have been cultivation partners."

Zhu Ding's brows furrowed deeply. He was also surprised, but he didn't understand the significance of this revelation. Even if what she said was true, it was just old gossip. Ning Xiaoling couldn't quite figure it out either for now. She just felt that something dangerous was hidden behind all this... What could it be?