Chapter 390: Youth

The mountain gate was not yet truly complete and looked somewhat dilapidated. Shao Xiaoli stood at the entrance, still a little dazed as she watched the unkempt man approaching on his sword from behind.

The plump Blood Feather Lord was still tied to the sword, looking pitifully at Shao Xiaoli. Its posture resembled that of a roasted chicken.

Hearing the name Lu Yuanbai, Blood Feather Lord felt it sounded familiar but couldn't recall who it was. It squinted back, wondering who the newcomer was, and prayed it wasn't an old enemy.

Xue Xunxue also stopped her judgment of the Blood Feather Lord's crimes and turned to glare at Lu Yuanbai.

Lu Yuanbai was dressed in a standard sword uniform, but perhaps due to his demeanor, the clean outfit looked rather dirty. His hair was disheveled, covered in bits of grass and leaves, and the sword on his back also seemed unremarkable.

He was held back five paces by Xue Xunxue's gaze.

Lu Yuanbai didn't dare to advance. He put one hand on his hip, clenched a fist with the other, and narrowed his eyes at the burgeoning settlement before him, baring his teeth in shock.

"This... this is truly your private residence? Four Peaks is so poor, where did you get the money?" Lu Yuanbai was genuinely astonished.

Then, he noticed the young woman standing at the entrance. Her face was slightly obscured by Xue Xunxue, but her peerless elegance was like an invisible sword qi; the sight of her was like light reflecting in autumn waters, revealing a lone wild goose.

"This is..." Lu Yuanbai saw that both women were wearing red, and a terrible thought surfaced: "Could this be the Peak Master's illegitimate daughter?"

"I told you to scram!" Xue Xunxue's fury completely erupted.

The sword in her scabbard roared out, transforming into a streak of light that flew before her. With a grasp of her five fingers, the surrounding forest leaves trembled. The sword's clear hum resembled the chirping of cicadas. Xue Xunxue took a step forward, leaning her body as the Cloud-Asking Sword struck out. Its sword intent was both grand and unstoppable, yet also diffused like clouds, elusive as an immortal's trace.

Lu Yuanbai's expression changed slightly.

Back at Sky Cavern Peak, he had suddenly made a name for himself, single-handedly intercepting the Sect Master of the Purple Heaven Dao Sect. Afterwards, he fought several elders alone at the peak, finally taking over the position of Peak Master from Lu Jiajia, which made his reputation soar.

However, compared to the other Peak Masters, he was ultimately younger, with a lower cultivation realm. At this moment, Xue Xunxue was truly enraged, unleashing a full-force sword strike that Lu Yuanbai found impossible to resist. He was forced to retreat step by step by the sword until he was sent flying.

Shao Xiaoli watched, bewildered, wondering why fellow sect members would resort to such drastic measures.

The Blood Feather Lord shivered. It was glad that the sword used just now hadn't been the one it was tied to, or its feathers would have been stripped off. It cautiously looked back at Lu Yuanbai's disappearing figure, feeling a strange sense of camaraderie.

"Alright, it's quiet now," Xue Xunxue sheathed her sword and said, "Let's get back to business."

Having witnessed Xue Xunxue's true swordplay, the Blood Feather Lord was even more dumbfounded.

This... what realm was Shao Xiaoli in now, was she even a match?

Shao Xiaoli looked at Xue Xunxue and complimented, "Peak Master has excellent swordsmanship."

Xue Xunxue smiled and asked, "Is this red-headed chicken really yours?"

Shao Xiaoli replied calmly, "This is our tribe's God of Light. It is kind and deeply loved by everyone. There must be some misunderstanding between it and the Peak Master. I hope the Peak Master can discuss this with me calmly."

"Hmm, this chicken hasn't actually done anything truly evil, otherwise I would have slain it with a single sword long ago. I see that Miss Shao has good character. If you are willing to vouch for it, I can release it, but you must strictly discipline it in the future," Xue Xunxue said seriously.

Shao Xiaoli breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing her sword earlier, she had thought her unreasonable, but now it seemed her reasonableness depended on the person.

"Thank you, Peak Master Xue," Shao Xiaoli replied calmly.

Xue Xunxue said, "However, I hope Miss Shao can explain clearly who you all are and what this 'God of Light' title is about."

"Of course, Peak Master Xue, please come into the settlement to talk," Shao Xiaoli said.

Xue Xunxue looked at the one-legged, red-headed chicken in her hand, then at the continuous new houses behind Shao Xiaoli, and couldn't help but ask, "Miss Shao, did you migrate from the north? They call you 'Your Majesty'; were you once the ruler of a kingdom?"

Just as Shao Xiaoli was about to speak, the man's voice rang out again:

"Blood Feather Lord, are you the Blood Feather Lord?"

Lu Yuanbai, who had been sent flying earlier, flew back. This time, he retreated twenty paces, not daring to rush forward, only staring at the red bird with a shocked expression.

Blood Feather Lord's eyes lit up: "You've heard of me?"

"Indeed, I have," Lu Yuanbai said. "There was once a demonic bird that caused chaos in the Zhao Kingdom's imperial city, fighting the Witch Lord numerous times and destroying countless city walls. Afterwards, it vanished without a trace. This bird was called the Blood Feather Lord; its fearsome reputation was widespread at the time, and it was listed as one of the Ten Great Vicious Beasts of Southern Province."

Listening, Blood Feather Lord couldn't help but recall its valiant days when it first ventured into the world, feeling both a surge of excitement and a sense of vicissitude.

It sighed, "I didn't expect that after so long, someone would still remember my glorious past."

Lu Yuanbai was silent for a moment, then said awkwardly, "What I meant was, with that bird-like appearance of yours, you actually want to impersonate the mighty Blood Feather Lord of the past?"

"..." Blood Feather Lord lowered its head, looking at the fat bulging from the ropes binding it, unable to retort for a moment.

Only Shao Xiaoli asked curiously, "Were you that famous before?"

Blood Feather Lord lamented, "Your Majesty, please don't misunderstand, I've turned over a new leaf many years ago..."

Xue Xunxue's head began to ache. "Lu Yuanbai, don't interrupt. Wait outside the gate. We'll talk about your matter after I finish speaking with Miss Shao."

Lu Yuanbai complained, "I'm also one of the Four Peaks' Peak Masters! Protecting the safety of Southern Province is my duty. Why are you singling me out and chasing me away?"

Xue Xunxue sighed, "If Lu Jiajia hadn't been coaxed away, would it be your turn to be Peak Master?"

Lu Yuanbai said, "It's fate and timing. If you have a problem, go blame Ning Changjiu. Why blame me?"

Xue Xunxue sneered, "Ning Changjiu is a great benefactor to Four Peaks. He and Lu Jiajia are also deeply in love. Though people have minor complaints, they mostly offer their blessings. Heh, look at him: an outer disciple charmed away the most beautiful Peak Master of Four Peaks. Then look at you: a distinguished Peak Master, not only coming to my peak to charm disciples but also getting rejected daily. It really makes one furious when you compare people."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuanbai involuntarily recoiled a few steps. Stung by the remark, he clutched his chest, his expression bitter.

"You! You're going too far!" Lu Yuanbai clung to a sliver of hope, saying, "Wanqin clearly likes me; you're the one interfering!"

Xue Xunxue scoffed, "Fine, I'll tell you the truth. Wanqin privately told me to help her make it clear to you. I respected your position as Peak Master and gave you some face, so I never told you."

Lu Yuanbai looked as if struck by lightning.

Xue Xunxue, having vented her anger, felt better and turned to Shao Xiaoli, saying, "Alright, let's go inside."

Shao Xiaoli nodded lightly, then hesitated before asking, "Is Peak Master Xue very familiar with Ning Changjiu?"

She didn't dare to say directly that Ning Changjiu was here, fearing she might encounter someone her boss had offended in the past.

Xue Xunxue shook her head. "Not really. Ning Changjiu isn't from our peak. He was a disciple under Peak Master Lu Jiajia and was quite familiar with Lu Yuanbai back then. What, do you also know Ning Changjiu?"

Shao Xiaoli nodded. "I've had a brief encounter with Young Master Ning."

Xue Xunxue didn't suspect anything, saying, "Ning Changjiu is quite a legendary figure here; everyone knows him."

Shao Xiaoli cautiously probed, "Could you tell me a story about Ning Changjiu?"

Xue Xunxue found it a bit difficult, as she genuinely didn't know much. However, Lu Yuanbai, still immersed in his sadness, raised his hand and said, "I... I'll tell you."

Lu Yuanbai straightened up, recalling, "When that kid first came to the peak, he had a blank expression all day, looking unconcerned, but I already sensed his ulterior motives."

"Ulterior motives? What kind of motives?"

"Of course, he coveted Lu Jiajia! Alas, from his demeanor, I felt he wasn't an ordinary disciple. He secretly joined the sect, pretending to be harmless to ambush a powerful opponent, and even brought a charming junior sister, feigning the appearance of a righteous gentleman. Peak Master Lu was kind and gentle, completely unguarded, and that's how he took advantage of her vulnerability."

"Stop spouting nonsense. Ning Changjiu isn't that kind of person."

"Hmm, I also think Boss isn't that kind of person..."

"Boss?" Both Xue Xunxue and Lu Yuanbai were startled.

Shao Xiaoli realized she had spoken carelessly and was about to salvage the situation when she noticed the crowd behind her had suddenly fallen silent.

A cough sounded from behind, and a weak voice drifted over from the young man.

"Old Lu, your understanding of me is truly profound."

Hearing this voice, Shao Xiaoli immediately turned around, and Ning Changjiu's figure, clad in white with ink-black hair, instantly entered her vision.

Xue Xunxue was also stunned. She looked at the young man walking out of the residence, unable to recognize him for a moment.

The most surprised was Lu Yuanbai. He froze in place, rubbing his eyes, unable to confirm the other's identity.

"Boss, you're awake..." Shao Xiaoli was momentarily tongue-tied, not knowing what to say, and ended up uttering a platitude.

Ning Changjiu smiled faintly and said, "Yes, I'm awake."

"Ning Changjiu?" Lu Yuanbai suspected he was dreaming.

Ning Changjiu walked to Shao Xiaoli's side, ruffled her hair, then looked at Lu Yuanbai and smiled, "Uncle-Master Lu, long time no see."

The few of them entered the settlement.

"What I said earlier was just a joke, don't take it to heart," Lu Yuanbai said, now more serious.

Ning Changjiu replied, "You weren't wrong, though."

Lu Yuanbai was slightly startled: "Was that truly the reason you joined the peak back then?"

"I'm also just joking," Ning Changjiu said with a faint smile, then asked, "It's been a long time, Uncle-Master Lu is not getting any younger. Have you married yet?"

Xue Xunxue let out a chuckle. Lu Yuanbai froze, then gave a wry smile, "You're still the same, kid. The moment we meet, you try to amuse your Uncle-Master."

Xue Xunxue scoffed, "It's because your own track record is so dismal."

Ning Changjiu said, "No need to say that. Some people are like cheerful clowns in times of peace but can stand out as heroes in times of chaos. After the change at Four Peaks, I was certain Uncle-Master Lu was such a person."

Lu Yuanbai cupped his hands, "Brother Ning, you flatter me."

Ning Changjiu looked at his two old acquaintances, his eyes filled with a smile. His demeanor, however, possessed an unnamable clarity, where black and white seemed pure, like a painting with simple brushstrokes.

Xue Xunxue and Lu Yuanbai looked at him, and two words flashed through their minds: "Immortal."

Ning Changjiu said, "Please, both of you, come inside and sit."

Xue Xunxue and Lu Yuanbai exchanged glances and entered the house.

Ning Changjiu briefly explained what had happened, concealing details about his Master and the Divine Lord. He simply said they had encountered an incredibly powerful enemy and had valiantly defeated it.

Even so, Xue Xunxue and Lu Yuanbai were both astonished by the tale.

They had never imagined that the people of this tribe had come from beneath the abyss.

"Oh, where is Lu Jiajia? Why isn't she with you?" Xue Xunxue asked.

Ning Changjiu replied, "Jiajia is still in the Central Lands, with Junior Sister Xiaoling. She didn't come with me."

Xue Xunxue nodded, then observed the peerlessly beautiful young woman beside them, deep in thought.

Lu Yuanbai looked at Shao Xiaoli, and felt a twinge of sympathy for Lu Jiajia.

Ning Changjiu leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, his face pale and weak.

Shao Xiaoli said, "Boss has just woken up and is not suitable for entertaining guests. If there's nothing else, please return for now."

"Won't you return to the Sword-Guiding Heavenly Sect to see?" Xue Xunxue asked.

Ning Changjiu replied, "Not today. I'll return once my body has recovered."

"Take it easy with your cultivation. Reaching the Purple Palace Realm at such a young age is already extremely difficult."

"Indeed, I imagine Brother Ning must already be at the Purple Palace Eighth Floor."

"Eighth Floor? Do you think the Purple Palace Realm grows on trees? How could it advance so quickly?"

Ning Changjiu smiled and said, "It's true, not the Eighth Floor."

Shao Xiaoli, seeing her Boss's increasingly pale face, took it upon herself to see the guests out.

Lu Yuanbai and Xue Xunxue surmised he might have difficulties and did not press further. After Shao Xiaoli escorted the two guests away, the room became much quieter. When Shao Xiaoli returned, Ning Changjiu was still leaning back in his chair, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his expression tranquil.

Shao Xiaoli gently closed the door.

Ning Changjiu opened his eyes and looked at her.

Dressed in a red dress, Shao Xiaoli seemed to be fixed by his gaze, standing in place, a little constrained.

Though only two years had passed since they last parted, it felt like millennia. Shao Xiaoli had grown taller since she was seventeen, her figure becoming more slender. Her serene face, with its pearly white teeth and crimson lips, was radiant, and the contours outlined by her red dress were gracefully exquisite. Her long hair flowed freely, and her body exuded the unique charm of youth, like a white lotus plucked from the Luo River, yet outlined with vermilion ink, giving it an ancient beauty, as if a woman stepped out of a painting.

The Luo River Goddess of a thousand years ago and the young woman of today seemed to subtly overlap.

The sound of wind chimes broke the silence.

Ning Changjiu returned to his senses with a start.

Shao Xiaoli used the sound of the chimes to calm herself. She sat down beside Ning Changjiu, still somewhat reserved.

"Xiaoli, thank you for taking care of me these past days."

"Boss, what are you talking about? Why be so formal with me?"

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Hmm... about half a month."

"That long, huh? Did I wake up at all during that time? Did anything big happen?"

"Nothing big. But you did wake up a few times over the half-month, Boss."

"Oh? Did I say anything?" Ning Changjiu asked curiously.

Shao Xiaoli's eyes flickered, and she mumbled, "Didn't say anything."

They conversed simply, sitting very close, yet feeling as if something separated them. Shao Xiaoli felt that Ning Changjiu, at this moment, was like a true immortal, with a barrier between him and them.

Shao Xiaoli asked, "Boss, you've slept for so long, did you have any dreams?"

"Dreams, you ask..." Ning Changjiu recalled, "Indeed, I had a very long dream."

He had seen his previous life in its entirety. Though he couldn't remember every detail upon waking, the general outline was clear.

When he was fourteen, he and Heng'e became sworn husband and wife in the village.

All the villagers stood behind them. They had been his and Heng'e's students, and also their teachers. He had sown the seeds of civilization across the land. When he saw them again, though autumn winds brought a chill and winter drew near, the human world was vibrant with life. They stood tall, facing the autumn's harshness, and also built high walls, together confronting the approaching snow.

He and Heng'e walked out from within the iron walls.

Ning Changjiu was unsure how much affection he truly had for Heng'e.

In his memories, Heng'e was a person so simple she seemed lonely. Her personality was so cool it bordered on indifferent, neither intimately close nor distantly aloof to people. Her demeanor was serene, her body cold, just like the true moon in the sky.

Perhaps since Changxi, she had always been like this, which was why, even when the Moon Palace and the Sun Kingdom coexisted in the heavens, Di Jun rarely interacted with her.

The Moon Palace remained cold for ten thousand years, illuminating only the shadowed hues of the human world.

Yet, it was this very person who, when the Outer Gods invaded the mortal realm, was the first to leave the Moon Palace and descend to the human world.

The Moon Goddess was gentle; for thousands of years, she had woven dreams for all living beings in the quiet of night. She also permitted no one to trample on her dreams. From the dawn of their sentience, humans had worshipped the moon as a deity, bowing and offering countless wisps of smoke and incense to the celestial moon.

This incense could not reach the Moon Palace, but she received their heartfelt intentions. She cherished this sentiment like precious琉璃 treasures.

Though the Moon Goddess was powerful, she ultimately could not defeat the Six Gods after their alliance, and was forced to Mount Kunlun, severely wounded. At the brink of death, a golden bird divine arrow pierced a Kunlun divine pillar, standing before her. The divine arrow was stuck askew in the ground, and on it stood a white-robed shadow, emanating golden light.

The moon cannot glow on its own; it is illuminated by the light of the sun. She had endured this light for thousands of years and was intimately familiar with it.

Di Jun saved her.

The golden arrow shot by Di Jun into the human world gained sentience, later transforming into the Golden Crow.

Changxi, saved by him, was grateful but didn't know how to express it. He also did not demand repayment for his kindness. At that time, the Dark Lord enveloped the world. Xihe stayed to guard the kingdom, while Di Jun returned to the human world with her, leading to the stories that unfolded later.

Yi and Heng'e were the story of their second life.

Ning Changjiu had originally thought that their second life would be filled with moving twists and turns, but the scenes revealed from the dust-covered history only showed twists.

It was the first time the mortal world had fallen into such chaos. They emerged from the mountains, swords in hand, against heaven and earth, the most dazzling heroic couple in the eyes of all beings, destined to compose epics of mountains and seas.

But in fact, they rarely spoke, yet this was not due to unfamiliarity. They possessed a unique tacit understanding, knowing each other's thoughts without words. In that era of warring demon gods, they killed many ancient gods who were immensely powerful and arrogant.

Any one of these ancient gods could have become a future Divine Lord. Their rise and potential storms were crushed into bones beneath their swords before they could even begin.

Ning Changjiu couldn't recall many specific details. He only remembered Heng'e being responsible for restraining enemies, while he was responsible for the beheading. One by one, colossal figures crashed down before his eyes, decapitated.

Heng'e had no expression when she killed, and neither did he.

If not for the Dark Lord's interference, they might have become the ultimate victors, two great deities revered through the ages.

But the enemy was too powerful.

The Six Primeval Gods had more or less received gifts of power from the Dark Lord. The relentless hunt, spearheaded by Yuanfu, began. They were pursued relentlessly, and along their path of escape, the piled-up skeletons formed the longest mountain range in the world.

The Six Gods were successively defeated by them, then slaughtered each other in other conspiracies. However, the ancient gods led by Yuanfu clung to them like a festering sore, relentlessly pursuing them all the way to their original village.

The village was already empty, with only one village elder remaining.

The elder was not an old man, but a young person with an androgynous appearance. There was a bloody hole in his chest. He clutched a fiery pellet and handed it to Di Jun.

"This is the last ember," he said.

The village elder was dying.

Yi took the ember. He and Heng'e had a simple conversation.

"You are far more powerful than I. You should consume it. Without the sun, the moon is merely a stone eternally shrouded in darkness."

"No, I cannot consume it."

"Why?"

"Xihe is already dead. My home has long been occupied by the Desolate River Dragon Sparrow. Even if I leave, where could I go? Your Moon Palace remains; it is the last pure land. You can return, and you will have a chance to come back... In the boundless void, I am already alone."

"I cannot defeat it. If you give me this hope, I fear I will disappoint you."

"You won't. I believe in you... By the way, do you love this human world?"

Heng'e didn't know why he suddenly asked this. She looked at the desolate, ravaged land, her gaze growing brighter and more determined: "Yes, I do."

As she spoke, her crimson lips were slightly parted.

Yi snatched the ember and, with lightning speed, placed it into her mouth. Heng'e tried to speak, but he pressed his finger to her lips, saying, "This is the last ember in the world. It is selfish of me to burden you with such a formidable mission... This is our shared plan; let's call it the Fire Seed Project. The Hunter Kingdom has failed, but the fire must continue."

Heng'e swallowed the ember. She nodded firmly, agreeing to his words. Her body involuntarily became lighter, ascending towards the sky.

Yi drew his bow and notched an arrow, humming something under his breath. It was a poem Heng'e had once written; she only heard the last line.

"I wish to believe this place is still beautiful, it's just that my eyes are covered in scars..."

The arrow ascended with her.

They had their backs to the village, so only the 'Village Elder' Star God saw and forever remembered this scene. Later, it was he who adapted this story, naming it 'Heng'e Flying to the Moon,' and quietly spread it throughout the world.

Humanity's last ember did not burn in the mortal world but reached the moon.

Yi had no more reservations.

He had endured many profound pains in his life, the most agonizing being the slaying of the nine suns.

The suffering of this life had reached its end. He charged towards the ancient gods, who were like an impenetrable iron barrel outside. The weary Star God stood in the empty village, offering him his last 'life' blessing.

He died leaning on his blade, his remains like iron.

But his divine soul escaped.

His physical demise and the internecine struggle of the Six Primeval Gods marked the end of the Primeval Divine War. Subsequently, the twelve divine kingdoms were successively established in the heavenly realm, and all beings embarked on a thousand-year struggle for divine supremacy.

Yuanfu was the first to ascend to the position of Divine Lord.

Throughout that millennium, Yi's divine soul, under the blessing of life, underwent several reincarnations, but each time it was discovered and slain. The longest he lived was twenty-eight years, and the youngest was seven, when he first learned to use a bow and arrow.

The executioner who killed him was always Yuanfu.

At the very end, when 'life' was exhausted, he, as a hero of a certain tribe, once again came to the front lines of the battlefield, drew his bow, and aimed at Yuanfu's projection.

At that time in Yuanfu's Divine Kingdom, the old Divine Official had unfortunately died from severe injuries during the chaotic struggle for divine power. The Heavenly Monarch descended to the mortal realm with Yuanfu to kill. By his side was an extremely beautiful small porcelain doll. The porcelain doll secretly watched the young man who dared to draw a bow and arrow at a god, quietly memorizing his appearance.

The archer was undoubtedly killed; he was infinitely weaker than imagined.

As the porcelain doll departed, she looked back once, seeing an ape hiding in the distance, glaring at the scene with bloodshot eyes. That ape seemed quite intelligent, but that was all. No one paid much attention.

Many years later, the story of a divine ape emerging, carving mountains and parting seas, and seizing the position of Divine Lord, became a tale for another time.

In the quiet room, Ning Changjiu closed his eyes.

Shao Xiaoli stood beside him, watching him remain in silence for a long time, not disturbing him.

Ning Changjiu recalled the scene of his collapse.

The white-robed youth had his back to him, his battle blade piercing his body, yet he refused to fall. The era of the Azure Dragon's Hegemony had not yet passed. His face was covered in dust, and he still clutched his long spear.

*End of chapter*