Chapter 398: Just in the Cage

As the moon set and the sun rose, with dawn faintly breaking, the chaos the disciples had envisioned did not occur. The night had passed peacefully and without incident.

Lu Jiajia held the soft brocade quilt, pressing it between her collarbones. She slowly sat up, embracing her knees, and gazed at the young man hunched over his desk, drawing. Her long, limpid eyes held a smile.

What Ning Changjiu was painting was herself.

To ordinary people, the scroll he painted was remarkably lifelike, almost indistinguishable from reality, but in the eyes of true cultivators, it lacked any vitality.

Ning Changjiu chuckled, shaking his head. While lamenting his limited drawing skills, he put away his brushes and ink.

He hung the painting on the wall.

Lu Jiajia rose, still clothed, and gracefully approached the painting. After admiring it for a moment, she smiled faintly and said, "You really can do anything."

"I merely have a superficial understanding," Ning Changjiu said with a self-deprecating smile.

Lu Jiajia said, "Once your painting skills are truly superb, couldn't you simply sketch any woman you fancy?"

A shiver ran down Ning Changjiu's spine. As he washed his brush, he calmly replied, "My brushwork is too crude and shallow to capture even a fraction of Jiajia's true essence. It's nothing worth mentioning."

Lu Jiajia said indifferently, "I'm not vain, so don't think your flowery words will deceive me."

Ning Changjiu smiled faintly, offering no comment.

He stood up, then heard Lu Jiajia ask, "Where is the back door of the Hall of Joy?"

"Hmm?" Ning Changjiu responded, a hint of doubt in his voice.

Lu Jiajia said, "Do you intend for me to walk out the front door and let everyone know I spent the night here?"

Ning Changjiu paused, then chuckled, "True. How could a righteous immortal from the Sword Sect spend the night here? If word got out, it would certainly harm your reputation, Jiajia."

Lu Jiajia detected the subtle sarcasm in his words, realizing he was mocking her earlier claim of not being vain.

"You impudent disciple!" Lu Jiajia snorted.

Ning Changjiu activated his Taiyin Eyes, and after confirming the area around the hall was clear, he quietly escorted Lu Jiajia out through the back door.

"Jiajia, once you return to your peak, remember to draft a letter declaring the Joyous Sect a vassal of the Sword Sect," Ning Changjiu said.

"What? The Joyous Sect..." The mere mention of it made Lu Jiajia blush with shame. Her beautiful eyes shifted, and she said, "Fine... but this is a one-time exception."

Ning Changjiu smiled faintly. "I'm grateful for your trouble, Master."

Lu Jiajia asked, "When will you return?"

Ning Changjiu replied, "I'll stay for another two or three days to fully complete my cultivation of the Grand Yin-Yang Heaven-Reaching Rite and resolve any lingering issues with the Joyous Sect. I'll return immediately after that."

Lu Jiajia nodded her head slightly, then said seriously, "Yes, remember to be swift. Four months is neither too long nor too short, so you must not disappoint Master."

Ning Changjiu nodded solemnly.

The two bid farewell at the back door of the Hall of Joy.

Ning Changjiu pushed open the hall door and found He Guang, instructing him to spread the word that Immortal Lu, out of consideration for their past master-disciple relationship, had a smooth discussion and departed early last night, agreeing to the Joyous Sect's allegiance to the Sword Heaven Sect. From then on, Joyous Sect disciples would primarily cultivate the Sword Sect's sword scriptures, with the Joyous Dao methods as supplementary.

He Guang was greatly surprised and immediately relayed the news.

Ning Changjiu returned to the hall, reviewing the collected scriptures and classics, identifying and correcting any omissions, in preparation for opening the Well of Natal Spirits for the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom.

He activated his Taiyin Eyes, and none of the Joyous Sect's secret chambers escaped his sight. He effortlessly entered the hidden scripture repository. His Taiyin Eyes simultaneously scanned all the books, causing thousands of scrolls to rapidly flip through his mind, their characters silently leaping and transforming into a flood of information that surged into his vast sea of consciousness.

These secret texts were the collected cultivation insights and practices of generations of Joyous Sect practitioners.

Ning Changjiu quickly finished reading all the books, and he shook his head slightly, a hint of disappointment on his face.

He was certain that not a single original text from his era remained in this vast library. Subsequent generations had altered them numerous times, mostly adding their own dross, reducing them to neither-nor spells or mere tools of carnal desire.

Ning Changjiu quickly dispelled his disappointment.

If his previous self could write this secret text, what challenge would there be for his current self to re-derive it?

Ning Changjiu ceased his search, intending to find a secluded spot where he could meditate and focus on his comprehension.

Naturally, the various ties in Nanzhou could not simply be severed. The Imperial City of Zhao, Linhe City, the Sword Heaven Sect, and numerous other places he had visited, still held countless connections to him.

However, he had no intention of deliberately returning to the Dao.

He had found that when alone, he would become exceptionally indifferent. He needed these connections to constantly feel his own existence.

Ning Changjiu sat cross-legged in the quiet chamber. The scriptures of the Grand Yin-Yang Heaven-Reaching Rite flowed through his body like water. In his vast and indistinct consciousness, he divided his spirit into black and white, which, like Taoist Yin-Yang fish, bit each other's tails, circulating in a cosmic flow. Ning Changjiu gradually lost all sensation of his physical existence. He ascended continuously, like a clear and unblemished wind.

Ning Changjiu suddenly understood the true meaning of the Yin-Yang method.

Humans use gunpowder to propel fireworks and spiritual energy to control flying swords. These are all tangibly perceived things. In common parlance, ascension refers to physical transcendence—the use of spiritual energy to propel oneself through the firmament.

But how does one's spirit ascend?

This is the very essence of the Path of Joyous Union.

The instantaneous eruption of sorrow and joy can propel the spirit to an unprecedented height, even causing many physically frail mortals to faint. While extreme sorrow often requires the loss of a loved one or the dispersal of family, the eruption of joy is far simpler to achieve.

This is a lesser path, unseen by most immortals, yet it possesses a unique power to elevate the spirit to higher planes. Born from what is conventionally considered worldly defilement, it nonetheless holds unparalleled vitality and tension. Upon reaching its peak, it breaks free from the mire, ascends from the turbid waves, and can uplift a person's pure spirit to an unprecedented level.

At that moment, the spiritual power is cleansed of all impurities. Both mortals and immortals alike will attain the pure state of mind akin to a meditating saint or an enthroned deity—a temporary sense of the spirit detaching from the body, devoid of desires.

For a five-path immortal like Ning Changjiu, once he skillfully employs the Dao Art, he can control this inherently chaotic power. If cultivated to its pinnacle, it can even facilitate spiritual ascension, allowing one to reach the heavens.

This is why its scripture title includes the characters for "Heaven-Reaching."

Ning Changjiu was deeply immersed in it, but burdened by his solitude and limited time, he could not cultivate this method to its ultimate peak.

Cultivating in seclusion, unaware of the passage of time, Ning Changjiu opened his eyes to a new day. He exhaled a breath of clear air, slowly rose, and stepped outside the main hall, where he found He Guang already waiting for him.

"What is it this time?" Ning Changjiu asked.

He Guang, seeing Ning Changjiu emerge, breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly produced a letter and handed it over, saying, "This is a sword decree from the Sword Heaven Sect. Just as you, Immortal, predicted, the Sword Sect's Master has personally recognized your status as Sect Master and agreed for the Joyous Sect to become a subordinate sect of the Sword Heaven Sect henceforth."

Ning Changjiu nodded gently, took the sword decree, read it through, and put it away.

As the foremost sect in the Sword Heaven Sect's domain, with a sword decree personally drafted by the Sword Sect Master, the Joyous Sect no longer needed to worry about its standing.

Ning Changjiu was about to re-enter the hall when he noticed He Guang seemed hesitant to speak.

"Anything else?" Ning Changjiu asked.

He Guang hesitated, then began, "While the Joyous Sect has gained legitimacy, it might not be entirely beneficial..."

Ning Changjiu said, "It's fine. It's common for people to hold prejudice against our sect. There's no need to argue; time will provide the answers."

He Guang immediately shook his head. "Immortal, you've misunderstood. It's not a misunderstanding of our sect... This decree from the Sword Sect was issued this morning and quickly spread throughout Nanzhou. Within a few hours, so many people came to register with our sect that they've nearly worn down the threshold!"

Ning Changjiu paused, then said, "Being able to learn the Sword Sect's techniques upon joining is indeed tempting."

He Guang shook his head again, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. "That's not it. I specifically asked some of the applicants, and most of them were drawn by the prospect of being assigned a Dao companion."

Ning Changjiu silently acknowledged that he had underestimated the simple desires of ordinary cultivators.

He Guang explained, "In the past, the Joyous Sect wasn't prominent, so not many people knew about it. Now that it's suddenly famous and gaining widespread attention, our previous recruitment standards were simply too low..."

Ning Changjiu, not wishing to concern himself with such trivialities, interrupted, "Simply raise the entrance requirements. In a few days, an Immortal Master from the Sword Heaven Sect will arrive in person to teach sword arts. I'm going into seclusion now; do not disturb me unless there is a major issue."

"One final disturbance, Immortal..."

"Speak."

"Does the Immortal require... female disciples for cultivation of the Dao methods?"

"Hmm?"

"Many female disciples of the sect admire the Immortal's renowned name and have voluntarily signed up. Here is the roster..."

Ning Changjiu didn't even glance at the roster. "No need," he said, "I don't require any."

He Guang retracted the roster, inwardly marveling at Ning Changjiu's noble integrity. Just as he was about to offer a few flattering words, Ning Changjiu preempted him. "Oh, and by the way, make sure to publicize my rejection of that roster. Ideally, get the news to the Sword Heaven Sect."

"Ah... oh." He Guang paused, half-comprehending, before regaining his composure. "This disciple obeys."

The Yuancun Divine Kingdom.

The divine kingdom hung majestically, aligned with the moon. Yuancun's colossal skeletal remains, resembling a grand hall or a mountain, stood silently within the main hall. However, the dragon-bone chains that had previously entwined the divine bones had been unwound.

These dragon-bone chains now entwined Baizang's body.

Baizang's ancient beast form faded, and she transformed back into a pure and beautiful young maiden. However, her slender limbs were all bound by chains, pinning her tightly to the ground, unable to break free. Originally crouched like a tiger, now in human form, she knelt prostrate, trembling and unable to rise. The molten silver-white gown covering her body seemed like slowly cooling boiling water.

Ye Changong sat upon the divine throne, her dark green Daoist robe draped with white gauze. She had reverted to her original form, no longer a young girl. Her immortal presence was as clear and ethereal as the moon, as profound as the cosmos, leaving one feeling that nothing in the world could be as pure and transcendent.

The previously desolate halls of the Divine Officials and Heavenly Monarchs were now illuminated.

Senior Sister Shen Yu stood in the Hall of Divine Officials, while Second Senior Brother Wu Di stood in the Hall of Heavenly Monarchs. They were like two colossal mountains, firmly suppressing Baizang.

Baizang gasped weakly, her face ashen.

A slender moon hung directly above her head, slowly usurping her authority and claiming it for its own.

This process continued ceaselessly.

"The Dark Sun will eventually arrive. You... you are destined to fail." A hint of emotion entered Baizang's voice.

She had repeated this phrase countless times.

Ye Changong remained indifferently silent, seated elegantly on the throne, but Senior Sister's temper was not as mild as Master's.

Her green robes swirled as her whisk struck down. Amidst Baizang's screams, Senior Sister's cold, arrogant voice rang out, "I understand that accepting the collapse of faith is difficult, but you are nothing more than a complete failure. The dignified ruler of a divine kingdom, your supposed omniscience and omnipotence were merely reliant on the kingdom's power. Without it, you are just a deluded fool."

"Shut up! You died once before; your survival is mere luck! What right do you have to be so arrogant?" Baizang raised her head, like a roaring cub, wanting to bare her tattered yet still sharp claws.

Senior Sister, however, calmly and forcefully pressed her head to the ground with her foot.

The queen who once roared across the world was thus nonchalantly held beneath her foot. Her face, buried amidst strands of white hair, was filled with resentment and defiance, yet also a profound despair.

Baizang gasped faintly, knowing she was finished.

Her sealed authority was slowly draining away. Thousands of years of effort were not only wasted but had also served to benefit her enemies. This detestable Nuwa frequently sought to torment her spirit.

She no longer possessed the detached heart of a deity and could no longer suppress her fury and myriad negative emotions.

Senior Sister said, "The only reason you survived back then was because your gaze was fixed on the God Lord's throne, while ours was set much higher. Master never considered you of any importance then, nor does she now."

Baizang wanted to retort, but in the end, victory belongs to the strong. In the battle for Yuancun Kingdom, she had been outmaneuvered completely, suffering an utter defeat.

Baizang lay with her cheek pressed to the ground, Senior Sister's foot upon her, the light in her silver eyes dim.

This humiliation, paradoxically, brought her a measure of calm. A flash of insight struck her, and she suddenly asked, "The Saint... Jufu isn't dead, is he?"

Senior Sister said indifferently, "The Saint has never died. We all know where he is confined."

"No! That's not what I mean!" Baizang's voice sharpened slightly. "I always believed Jufu was on his deathbed, as good as dead, but... that's not actually true, is it?"

She knew her death was certain and wished to know the truth.

Senior Sister sneered, "Why should I tell you?"

"You... Nuwa!" Baizang roared in fury.

"Aren't you the omniscient and omnipotent god?" Senior Sister's voice was icy.

Baizang gasped, demanding, "If you mean to kill me, then do so. Why humiliate me? Is that all the magnanimity Goddess Nuwa possesses?"

Before Senior Sister could speak, Master, uncharacteristically, broke her silence. "Jufu is still alive."

Baizang's expression quivered. After a long silence, she murmured, "So it is as I suspected..."

Baizang pondered for a moment, then continued, "So, his battle with the Thunder Prison back then was merely a performance or a transaction? Jufu alone diverted the attention of the divine kingdom and the Dark Lord, simply to allow humans and demons to ascend the Heavenly Pillar and shatter the Immortal Court? To ensure no one could ascend for the next five hundred years?"

Ye Changong did not answer.

Baizang knew she had guessed correctly. She continued, "So that's it, the true objective back then was to shatter the Immortal Court... No wonder, no wonder the Dark Lord sought to create innate spirits..."

At this, Baizang immediately fell silent.

Senior Sister's brow furrowed. "Innate spirits are indeed suspicious," she murmured.

Baizang bit her silver lips tightly and sneered, "It seems Immortal Lord Heng'e is not omniscient after all."

Ye Changong stated calmly, "I have never claimed omniscience."

Baizang felt the agony in her limbs. Gasping, she belatedly said, "I understand now. This is a conspiracy, a conspiracy between you and Jufu... He isn't dead; he's actually still alive!"

Senior Sister could sense that Baizang was on the verge of madness.

She withdrew her foot, held her whisk, and her demeanor returned to its elegant calm. "What is the point of you knowing all this now?" she asked.

Baizang scoffed, "Ha, isn't all you've done equally meaningless? What good is it even if you seize my sealed authority? The power of the twelve divine kingdoms is almost entirely bestowed by the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord is omnipotent. Even if you gather all the authorities, it will be useless. You once mended the heavens; you must have felt that terror, no?"

The Dark Lord is the current Heavenly Dao. It is the very foundation of the twelve divine kingdoms, and there is no known possibility of defeating it.

"I don't remember... but if the Dark Lord were truly omnipotent, the Black Sun would have already descended, and there would be no need to use you as a tool." With a single sentence, Senior Sister overturned her argument.

In her perception, all sentient beings possessed weaknesses; they simply hadn't found them yet.

Baizang closed her eyes, once again sinking into silence.

If the Dark Lord truly were omnipotent, how could Yuancun have died? How could she have been captured and endure such extreme humiliation...

Yes, everything was meaningless. When she had fought her way out of Blood Cliff, roaring and tearing through everything, bathed in blood, all her former glory was now destined to turn to ashes.

"No, impossible, Jufu must surely be dead." Baizang resolved to voice her final doubt. "All eighty-one cities in the Central Land are immortal cities. The Demon King of Ten Thousand Demons City and all five-path peak cultivators combined cannot shake them. No one in the world can destroy it... Do you truly expect Yi to overthrow eighty-one kingdoms? No, he can't either. The power of the human realm has been predetermined; even my projection cannot achieve that."

"You're just bluffing, aren't you? Jufu couldn't possibly make a comeback..."

Baizang lifted her head slightly, her weak pupils fixed intently on Ye Changong, hoping to discern a flicker of emotion on her face.

Ye Changong was like the true moon, embodying separation and joy through its waxing and waning, yet herself remaining perpetually aloof, untouched by worldly concerns.

She did not answer, but merely gestured with her finger.

The Dragon-Chain Death Prison tightened once more.

Baizang's bones, flesh, and spirit were severely wounded again, and her screams were piercing.

She didn't know how much longer she could endure, or if she could even last until the moon finally set.

In the mortal realm, the moon rose and fell, day after day.

Time passed quickly; in the blink of an eye, it was August.

Midsummer still unleashed its boisterous heat, cicadas chirped hidden among the leaves. Nanzhou experienced several more heavy rains, and when the skies cleared, Shao Xiaoli saw a true rainbow for the very first time.

After many events, the Joyous Sect had settled into tranquility, while Ning Changjiu remained in continuous seclusion. No one had seen him since, lending him an air of mystery.

His cultivation of the Grand Yin-Yang Heaven-Reaching Rite quickly reached a bottleneck. During this period, he invited Lu Jiajia to the hall several times to cultivate together, ostensibly seeking a breakthrough, yet he still found no inspiration.

Fortunately, his current understanding was sufficient to construct a small Mother Well within the fragmented Divine Kingdom.

After seven days of cultivation, Ning Changjiu finally returned to the Sword Heaven Sect with Lu Jiajia. It wasn't due to any other issue; rather, if Ning Changjiu didn't return soon, Shao Xiaoli had threatened to come and apprehend him herself.

"Boss, you told me to wait for you in my room when you left. I've been waiting for you for seven days and seven nights, and you never returned."

The moment Ning Changjiu returned, Shao Xiaoli angrily confronted him.

Ning Changjiu said with a slight apology, "I encountered some unexpected incidents and was delayed."

Shao Xiaoli said, "Boss, you predict things like a god; how could there be any 'unexpected incidents'?"

"Unexpected incidents are, by definition, unexpected," Ning Changjiu said, stating the obvious.

Shao Xiaoli grew even more annoyed. "I heard you became the Sect Master of the Joyous Sect, Boss?"

"Yes, that is true."

"So, Boss, your cultivation of the Joyous Sect's secret texts must be quite good, eh? I've noticed Sister Lu looking exceptionally radiant these past few days."

Lu Jiajia was slightly annoyed and immediately said, "Xiaoli, don't talk nonsense."

"What nonsense? Others might not know, but *I* do... A righteous immortal and an evil sect master, openly master and disciple, secretly disciple and master—you two are having such a flamboyant time, just leaving poor Xiaoli out of it..." Shao Xiaoli pouted indignantly.

Ning Changjiu said helplessly, "Xiaoli certainly knows a lot."

"Of course I am..." Shao Xiaoli began, but then saw Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia exchange a glance.

After their exchange of glances, they began walking towards her.

"Hey, wait! Xiaoli won't say another word!" Shao Xiaoli, sensing trouble, quickly pleaded for mercy.

Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia had merely been trying to scare her.

Afterward, the more Shao Xiaoli thought about it, the angrier she became, threatening to run away from home. She wandered around the foot of the mountain for a while, only quietly returning in the middle of the night.

In the Sect Master's Hall on Ringing Waterfall Mountain, Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia were cultivating.

They entered the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom and officially began excavating the Well of Natal Spirits.

This was a reconstruction on existing ruins, and the initial work proceeded smoothly. However, spiritual energy is the source of all things, and filling a divine kingdom requires a vast amount of it. Lu Jiajia was too embarrassed to continue depleting her own sect's spiritual energy, so Ning Changjiu decided to journey to the Southern Wilderness. That region, once a desolate wasteland, held an immeasurable store of spiritual energy, more than enough to sustain the divine kingdom.

Besides the Well of Natal Spirits, the construction of the Divine Kingdom's mythological logic was also placed on the agenda.

There were five divine pillars forming the mythological logic.

They needed to identify five absolutely correct and crucial mythological nodes, ideally those familiar to all common folk, thus requiring extreme caution.

Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia discussed for a long time but were unable to formally finalize them.

"Simply excavating the Mother Well of Natal Spirits will take at least a month. Will we... truly have enough time?" Lu Jiajia asked, full of worry.

Ning Changjiu said, "The Divine Kingdom doesn't need to be perfect. My ascension to godhood isn't about becoming a true deity, but about acquiring the power to confront the Sword Saint and other entities."

Lu Jiajia became concerned for Siming's safety once more.

They were now separated, scattered across the world, each making different efforts toward the same goal, their future uncertain.

The Dark Lord had also gradually awakened. It sensed something amiss and did not illuminate the Yuancun Star.

Therefore, on the day of the lunar eclipse, the Yuancun Kingdom would close.

Similarly, the Dark Lord would not illuminate the Thunder Prison Star; it likely no longer trusted Thunder Prison.

So, at least this month remained safe.

After this month, their home planet would pass the Thunder Prison Star and arrive at the Quanlin Star.

Quanlin...

She was the legendary half-human, half-snake demoness god, birthed from the Yellow Springs Underworld. After the death of the Underworld Monarch, she was the one who benefited the most.

But now that the Underworld was occupied by Xiaoling, even if she were to descend, she wouldn't gain complete control of the world. If the Dark Lord intended to crush them in a single blow, it likely wouldn't choose to illuminate the Quanlin Star.

Tianji, Yuanjun, the new Jufu...

These were the enemies they were most likely to face.

Having pushed his power to its limit, Ning Changjiu left the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom. He walked out, exhausted, and found Shao Xiaoli waiting for him outside.

"Want some pears?" Shao Xiaoli asked.

Ning Changjiu was startled, wondering how Xiaoli had become so direct...

Then he saw Shao Xiaoli produce a large bag of freshly picked pears and hand them to him.

Often, he genuinely wasn't sure if Xiaoli was being intentional.

Ning Changjiu took the pears and sat down beside Shao Xiaoli, saying apologetically, "Xiaoli, I didn't mean to neglect you. I will take full responsibility for our destined connection across past and present lives, but not right now."

With disaster looming, if they were to quarrel over such matters, they would be greatly shaming their Master.

Even their joint cultivation with Lu Jiajia, apart from the first night, was solely for the purpose of creating Yin-Yang and constructing the Mother Well. Throughout this period, they were entirely devoted to the task, with no personal affections involved.

Shao Xiaoli nodded. "I know," she said. "I'm just anxious... anxious that I can't help you, Boss, or help everyone."

Ning Changjiu bit into a pear. Its flesh was crisp, tender, and sweet on his tongue.

He smiled. "It's fine," he said. "Everyone just needs to play their part at the right time."

Shao Xiaoli nodded gently.

She suddenly looked up. "Boss," she said, "I won't call you 'Boss' anymore."

"Oh?" Ning Changjiu asked, "Then what will you call me?"

Shao Xiaoli said, "I didn't just go down the mountain to pick these pears."

With that, she took out a wooden token and handed it to Ning Changjiu, stating seriously, "I just went to the Joyous Sect and passed the inner sect assessment. Now I am your inner disciple. Master, please accept your disciple's bow."

Shao Xiaoli lifted the front of her skirt, gracefully knelt, and lightly kowtowed.

Ning Changjiu was momentarily flustered. "Xiaoli, you've misunderstood," he said. "It's not that I'm fond of master-disciple relationships."

Upon hearing this, Shao Xiaoli burst into laughter, gently covering her lips. "Master, there's no need to try and conceal it... Besides, I'm not doing it for that reason. As the saying goes, 'When the teacher has a task, the disciple serves.' Now that we are legitimate master and disciple, I should set aside everything from my past life, break free from my mental shackles, and rightfully assist you."

Lu Jiajia stood at the doorway, watching the scene. A relieved smile spread across her slightly tired face.

She silently turned and retreated into the depths of the hall.

Shao Xiaoli looked at the dark corridor behind her, at the spot where Lu Jiajia had stood, and felt as if a weight had lifted from her heart. She, too, felt much more relaxed.