Chapter 459: Final Judgment

The pale sunlight streamed into the room, making everything clear. As Lu Jiajia leaned forward to open the window, a chilling breeze swirled into her sleeves.

On the smooth, flat tabletop, a late cherry blossom was arranged in a delicate porcelain vase.

Spring had not yet truly arrived, and the cherry blossoms in the forest had not yet burst into full bloom. No one knew where this late cherry branch had been plucked from to be placed in the vase.

With the window open, Lu Jiajia sat down beside it. She propped her elbow, tilting her head to gaze at the flower in the vase, and her thoughts drifted involuntarily to the snow cherry blossoms on the mountainside of Yujian Tianzong.

As a child, she always loved going there to see the flowers. Both the flowers and the clouds in her memory were beautiful. The blue-and-white palanquin back then was not yet hers; the beautiful sedan chair remained parked in the stone grotto. She would secretly go to look at it, then fantasize about soaring across a sea of clouds within it. Those years behind the peach-blossom curtain were secluded, truly fitting the phrase "like a lifetime ago." Recalling the hardships that followed, her youthful days seemed so distant and almost illusory.

Lu Jiajia leaned on the table, her head resting on her arm, like a disciple dozing in the sword hall. She lazily squinted, looking at the late cherry blossom bathed in sunlight, and carefully reached out to touch it, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

After caressing it for a moment, Lu Jiajia quickly withdrew her hand as if she had received an electric shock. She then sat upright at the desk, shoulders back and chest out, maintaining a dignified posture. She casually picked up a book, laid it open before her, smoothed her long, slender hair, and let her eyes drift onto the pages.

A soft, quick, and somewhat hesitant knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," Lu Jiajia said, her eyelids lowered as she calmly read, her voice cool and clear.

It was Shao Xiaoli who entered.

Today, Shao Xiaoli wasn't wearing her red dress but a subdued, plain-colored outfit. The mischievous glint in her eyes had faded, and she appeared docile and humble.

Shao Xiaoli carried a bowl of porridge, made from chicken and millet, drizzled with vegetable juice. Half white and half emerald green, it was visually appealing.

Xiaoli cautiously approached Lu Jiajia.

"Good morning, Sister Jiajia. Xiaoli brought you some porridge," Shao Xiaoli said in a soft, gentle voice.

Lu Jiajia pressed her book closed on the desk, turned slightly, and looked at the girl who was half-biting her red lip. She smiled faintly and said, "Put it down."

Shao Xiaoli set down the porridge and also smiled, pressing her lips together.

"Have you had your own porridge, Xiaoli?" Lu Jiajia asked.

Shao Xiaoli shook her head, "Not yet. I have to deliver porridge to all the sisters first before I can eat."

"Why do you say it so pathetically?" Lu Jiajia pulled her wrist, drawing her closer, and then, looking into the girl's eyes, asked again, "Who did you deliver the first bowl to?"

Shao Xiaoli smiled softly and timidly, "Of course, it was for Sister Jiajia. Sister Jiajia is the most important person in the world!"

Lu Jiajia extended a slender finger and lightly tapped the girl's forehead, saying, "There's no need for all these rules. We're sisters, regardless of age or seniority, and there's no need to be so formal."

Shao Xiaoli whispered, "But... it's the first day, after all. Even if it's just for show, I have to make an effort."

"So, you're putting on a show?" Lu Jiajia asked.

Shao Xiaoli shook her head, "Of course not! During our time in Nanzhou, I admit Sister Lu took care of me, and I've always been grateful. From now on... I want to stay with my sisters forever."

The girl, simply dressed and gentle-faced, spoke softly with a hint of insecurity, like the wind at the turn of winter and spring.

Lu Jiajia was too easily swayed. She had originally intended to act a little stern to intimidate her, but now, seeing Shao Xiaoli like this, her heart immediately softened. She picked up the warm bowl of porridge and said, "Alright, Sister Jiajia accepts it. But you don't need to do this tomorrow, otherwise it will seem like we're bullying you."

Shao Xiaoli smiled gracefully and nodded repeatedly, "Okay, then Xiaoli will go find Sister Siming now. It wouldn't be good if the porridge gets cold."

With that, Shao Xiaoli excused herself and left.

Lu Jiajia looked at the steaming porridge on the table, observing the beautiful green on its surface. Her brows furrowed slightly, then smoothed into a smile. She folded back her snow-white sleeves, picked up the porcelain spoon, and slowly stirred the porridge until it was evenly mixed. Then she took a small taste. The fragrant, sweet, and sticky porridge, with a hint of saltiness from the vegetable juice, was as delicate as a young girl's thoughts.

It was the last day of February. Lu Jiajia looked out at the bright sunlight, sipping her porridge little by little. She tied up her long black hair, placing the late cherry blossom like a hairpin.

This was a peaceful morning for Lu Jiajia, but a busy one for Shao Xiaoli.

Shao Xiaoli lacked confidence, defining herself as a newly wedded concubine, and thus acted with extreme caution.

Shao Xiaoli carried the porridge to Siming's grotto-heaven.

Siming had been cultivating very diligently recently.

The humiliation on the cross at Broken Boundary City was still vivid in her memory. The Sin Lord's relentless pursuit of her and Ning Changjiu across vast deserts, glaciers, and snowy plains was still before her eyes. That was her first time opposing a God Lord; without Ning Changjiu by her side, she would have surely perished.

By now, Siming was no longer the narrow-minded, malicious woman she once was, but for her, the Sin Lord remained an enemy she had to personally eliminate.

She recalled her years in the Star Spirit Palace, where the broken sundial and candlelight rested quietly in her memory. All that was now submerged, becoming an underwater city with Broken Boundary City. Time had passed, and the desperate fugitive was now about to become the executioner.

Amidst her flowing thoughts, a knock sounded at the door.

Siming slowly opened her eyes. The intricate silver patterns on her black divine robe gradually faded, and her divinity receded from her icy gaze. As she slowly rose from her meditation, her long silver hair transformed from a winding river into a cascading waterfall.

Siming flicked her finger, and the door opened.

Shao Xiaoli entered with the porridge, murmuring, "Good morning, Sister Xueci. Xiaoli just cooked some porridge and brought it to you first. After you've tasted it, I still need to take some to Sister Lu."

Siming looked at the vibrant green, seemingly sticky porridge and asked, "Am I the first one you brought it to?"

Shao Xiaoli nodded earnestly, "Of course! How many years has it been since Sister Siming and I met at Broken Boundary City? Our bond is deep."

Siming said, "Yes, indeed. Back then, I even wanted to take you as a disciple, but you publicly punished me on the cross in front of everyone. Sister will never forget that..."

Shao Xiaoli's heart tightened. She quickly said, "That was Ning Changjiu's doing! I... I was forced!"

Siming took the bowl of porridge and set it aside, saying, "Alright, I won't bring up old scores with you."

Shao Xiaoli obediently went behind Siming, had her sit down, and then skillfully began to massage her shoulders.

Siming closed her eyes, enjoying the strength from Shao Xiaoli's fingertips, and asked, "Did you sleep well last night?"

Shao Xiaoli trembled slightly as she kneaded Siming's supple shoulders, stammering slightly, "Very well, actually... Master takes good care of me."

"Still calling him Master?" Siming frowned slightly.

Shao Xiaoli said, "It's a habit... I'll change it when I graduate from his tutelage."

Siming scoffed disdainfully, "Seeing as that certain great villain genuinely has this 'master and disciple' fetish, you don't need to change it. He must be absolutely thrilled to hear a pretty girl like Xiaoli sweetly calling him 'Master' over and over."

Shao Xiaoli's pretty face flushed slightly, "Sister, don't tease Xiaoli."

Siming said, "In any case, if he dares to bully you, just remember it and go complain to Zhao Xiang'er later."

Shao Xiaoli pouted, "We get along very well."

Siming smiled faintly. She picked up the bowl, took a sip, and nodded, "Now that Xiaoli has a husband, will you no longer sleep with your sister?"

Shao Xiaoli said, "Of course I want to stay with Sister Siming, but... if he catches me secretly sleeping with you, won't he have an excuse to..."

Siming's smile was clear and alluring, "That's what makes it fun."

Shao Xiaoli was surprised, then her ears turned red, "Sister Siming! So you're the biggest vixen!"

Siming made a move as if to strike her, and Shao Xiaoli quickly excused herself, saying, "I need to take the porridge to Sister Jiajia. It will get cold if I'm late."

Siming nodded and kindly reminded her, "When you go to Jiajia's, remember to tell her that her bowl was the first one you delivered. That girl Jiajia might seem grand, but she has a lot of mischievous thoughts. Xiaoli, you must serve her diligently."

Shao Xiaoli nodded thoughtfully, "Okay, I'll remember Sister Xueci's advice! And... Sister Xueci, please keep the porridge thing a secret for me, too."

"Alright," Siming said, smiling with pursed lips. She had always doted on Xiaoli.

Shao Xiaoli turned and left with a hint of shame.

Sunlight silently bathed the earth. After delivering the porridge, Shao Xiaoli returned to her room door and looked up through the Grotto-Heaven of the Sword Pavilion.

Remembering Ning Changjiu's words about the sun yesterday, she sat in the sunlight, looking directly at the sun, letting its rays cover her entire body.

Ning Changjiu, clad in white, approached from afar. He greeted the innocent-faced girl, "Good morning, Xiaoli."

"Good morning, Master," Shao Xiaoli chirped.

She stood up and bounced into Ning Changjiu's arms like a small cat.

Ning Changjiu held her, stroking her hair, "Where did Xiaoli go just now?"

Shao Xiaoli said, "I went to deliver meals to the two sisters."

"Who did you deliver to first?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Shao Xiaoli said mysteriously, "It's a secret!"

Ning Changjiu smiled, "If your secret ever gets out and they find out and retaliate, I might not be able to protect you."

Shao Xiaoli looked surprised, then remembering his Lunar Eye, she squinted and said her usual phrase, "Master, you're so naughty."

"Jiajia and Xueci both have porridge, so what do I eat?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Shao Xiaoli said, "Don't worry, Xiaoli cooked a lot!"

She pulled Ning Changjiu into the room, took down the small pot, and poured the remaining porridge into a bowl.

Shao Xiaoli looked surprised, realizing there was only a small bowl left.

She said apologetically, "Xiaoli miscalculated the amount."

Ning Changjiu burst into laughter, "Why do you sound like you're poisoning me?"

Shao Xiaoli's eyes curved as she smiled, then quickly regained her liveliness. She held up a finger, "Even though there's only one serving left, we can share it. But... it's so embarrassing."

Based on Ning Changjiu's understanding of her, her "it's so embarrassing" basically meant "Xiaoli wants it."

Ning Changjiu pinched her face, "Xiaoli, where do you get all these little schemes?"

Shao Xiaoli scooped up some porridge, "Come, Master, open your mouth. Xiaoli will feed you."

"No," Ning Changjiu flatly refused.

Shao Xiaoli was slightly annoyed, "Then Master, do you want to eat porridge or Xiaoli?"

Ning Changjiu retorted, "Then what does Xiaoli want to eat?"

Shao Xiaoli said mysteriously, "I want to eat *that*..."

"What?"

"Just... that... Ah!"

Shao Xiaoli gasped, then she was picked up, and her soft lips were met by another pair of lips.

Shao Xiaoli slightly turned her head, "It's morning, you know. It's so embarrassing..."

The bowl of porridge sat quietly on the table, slowly growing cold.

Moments of tenderness were brief.

February was ending, and the Sin Lord's Divine Kingdom was about to open. The upcoming battle, though not highly suspenseful, still required caution.

A few days prior, Ning Changjiu had visited the Celestial Ranking again and met Evil.

When he saw Evil, Evil was sitting in a rocking chair like an old man, swollen all over, having changed from a slender youth to a stout figure. Shi was attending to him.

Evil's swelling was mainly due to absorbing too much floodwater while saving the world. This water, transmitted through his root system, resulted in his current appearance.

During the battle at Broken Boundary City, Ning Changjiu had fought the Sin Lord. In that fight, the Sin Lord's projection wasn't severely damaged, but its mystique was greatly diminished.

Ning Changjiu asked Evil about the Sin Lord's Divine Kingdom's location. Evil wasn't omniscient; even though the Sin Lord wasn't hidden as deeply as the Nether Beast, he could only provide a general location.

During their conversation, the Prime Lord also brought out a chair and sat down.

He looked at Ning Changjiu and asked, "How confident are you?"

Ning Changjiu said, "Before the deed is done, I dare not boast of confidence."

The Prime Lord said, "You've lived peacefully for too long, don't get carried away."

"Life has never been peaceful," Ning Changjiu sighed softly. "In any case, I will do my best to secure enough time for peace for humanity."

The Prime Lord nodded faintly, "I'm not sure what methods you've hidden, but I wish you success."

Ning Changjiu also nodded, "The dark sun will not descend; the red sun will rise as usual."

The Prime Lord leaned his staff against the chair and waved goodbye, "When will we meet next?"

Ning Changjiu thought for a moment, "Seven years from now."

In the Sword Pavilion, Ning Changjiu, Lu Jiajia, and Siming sat together again, discussing the details of killing the Sin Lord.

Liu Xihuan was practicing her ultimate sword skill on the sword practice ground.

Liu Junzhuo was personally teaching a class in the Sword Hall. Before her was a black lacquered ruler on a table, very much like the one Lu Jiajia had used back then.

The world had unconsciously returned to its original state.

This was how the world truly looked four thousand years ago, before the Dark Lord descended.

After finishing her lesson, Liu Junzhuo went to the quiet back of the pavilion, where Senior Sister Zhou Zhenyue was in seclusion.

Zhou Zhenyue slightly opened her eyes, "This new world seems very beautiful."

Liu Junzhuo softly asked, "Can Senior Sister feel the world changing?"

Zhou Zhenyue shook her head, "I can't feel it clearly, but when I firmly believe it has changed, then I can feel its beauty."

Liu Junzhuo stood on the cliff, wearing her Kunlun Sword, her black skirt fluttering in the wind. She gazed at the distant mountain mists, "We will surely protect this beauty. This is the will of the Sword Pavilion."

Zhou Zhenyue hummed in agreement, "I envy you all. You still have the chance to glimpse the mysteries of the legendary Three Realms, unlike me. My foundation was damaged; I have no hope of achieving the Great Dao in this life."

Liu Junzhuo sat beside her, speaking gently, "The Unseeable Abbot said that ascension is never the ultimate path for cultivators to pursue. The universe is desolate and lonely. Rather than dying out there, it's better to stay in the human world... I will always be with you, because we have been in a wonderland since birth."

Zhou Zhenyue smiled and nodded. She looked at the sun in the sky, "Even if the human world is a wonderland, and no matter how desolate the Great Void is, there must be some who wish to leave this world."

Liu Junzhuo thought for a moment, then said uncertainly, "Perhaps there will be. Those who are restless here, who truly seek great freedom and explore the world's boundaries, might still choose to leave."

At this point, Liu Junzhuo sighed with relief. She smiled faintly, "Perhaps one day, the departing cultivators will find new stars and sow new civilizations there, then use them as stepping stones to venture deeper into the void, spreading our fire to wider places. In any case... no matter what happens in the future, all our efforts are for ordinary mortals to live peacefully in this world, and for extraordinary cultivators to have the freedom to choose!"

Zhou Zhenyue listened to her junior sister describe the blueprint, "I hope so."

Liu Junzhuo said, "Have faith in the Pavilion Master."

The sun traversed the sky, and the mountains were soon enveloped in twilight.

In the Grotto-Heaven, Ning Changjiu and the others were ready to depart on their swords for the location described by Evil.

Before leaving, Lu Jiajia removed the late cherry blossom from her hair and placed it back in the porcelain vase.

Siming looked at Lu Jiajia and asked, "Spring hasn't arrived yet. Where did you get that flower?"

Lu Jiajia didn't know how to answer and simply looked at Ning Changjiu.

Ning Changjiu took their hands and walked out, saying, "Spring has already arrived."

The sun set in the west, and dusk enveloped everything.

A desolate night wind swept across the Central Plains sky. This sword journey was with the wind.

It was the south wind, returning home.

Siming and Lu Jiajia returned to the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom.

The Divine Kingdom grew wider and wider, its end unreachable by divine sense. The five magnificent pillars of mythological logic now seemed rather humble.

Lu Jiajia recalled the days spent waiting in the small wooden house by the abyss.

She said, "Snowci and husband truly met during the battle against the Sin Lord, didn't you?"

Siming nodded, "Yes, it was then that the green-faced, fanged Miss Siming fought alongside him."

Lu Jiajia lowered her head, "That's wonderful... Back then, I could only wait bitterly outside the abyss, unable to do anything."

Siming said, "But I envy you! We suffered terribly in the abyss and almost died. Didn't he try so hard just to come back and see you?"

Lu Jiajia recalled the morning light and mist of their reunion. The flutter in her heart from that moment remained, never to fade in a lifetime.

She gazed at the land passing beneath the sword.

Ning Changjiu was also looking out at the land.

He, too, was reminiscing about the path he had traveled... Zhao Kingdom, Yujian Tianzong, Broken Boundary City, the dried well—west of which was where he and Liu Xihuan parted ways. Later, he journeyed north to the Central Plains, traversing the entire continent. If his footsteps were characters, what kind of words would they form?

Sword qi tore through the sky.

They stopped above the Sea of Ill Fortune.

This was the boundary between Nanzhou and the Central Plains, an ominous sea.

According to Evil, the Sin Lord's Divine Kingdom would open here.

The Golden Crow hovered over the sea like an eagle.

The three of them gazed together at the brilliant starry sky. Now, the star map had many more stars, said to be close to this one, and said to be the home of the Six Primordial Gods.

Midnight arrived.

The surface of the Sea of Ill Fortune was no longer calm.

Ning Changjiu's Lunar Eye instantly expanded to encompass the entire sea.

In his Lunar Eye, a distinct gray light spot appeared.

"Found it."

Everything went more smoothly than expected.

The Sin Lord's Divine Kingdom hung over the Sea of Ill Fortune like a gray pupil, simultaneously gazing at Nanzhou and the Central Plains, scrutinizing the world's sins.

Ning Changjiu held his fingers together, and the sword's speed was instantly maximized.

The pupil hovering above the Sea of Ill Fortune developed cracks as soon as it appeared—the sword light penetrated it without any obstruction.

Without any hindrance, they arrived in the Sin Lord's Divine Kingdom.

It was a dark world.

The air was filled with gray weapons. Ghosts, holding scythes and wearing black cloaks of mist, swayed in the fog. Below, layers of rock intertwined, forming a massive labyrinth, where countless small, rat-like creatures scurried in fear. Larger creatures also fought each other; they could grow larger by devouring opponents and ascend to higher levels of the Divine Kingdom.

In front of the gray mist, a few shadowy black buildings loomed into view, momentarily slowing one's breath.

This place was less a divine kingdom and more a spiritual barrier constructed by malevolent spirits.

"Did we enter so easily?" Siming looked around; the gray mist seemed nonexistent to her icy eyes.

She imagined the formidable enemy who once controlled their lives and deaths, recalling the epic struggle above Broken Boundary City, and felt a sudden disappointment at the current silence.

Perhaps as one ascends to higher realms, the passion and desire for battle gradually fade.

Was this divine nature silently castrating desires, or merely boredom after satisfying them?

Ning Changjiu said, "The mystique of God Lords comes from their power. When they are no longer powerful, their thrones will cease to be thrones, becoming merely the mud that traps them."

Ning Changjiu summoned his flying sword. The sword weaved through the gray mist, obliterating several large ghosts wielding scythes that converged on them. Then, he flashed forward, heading towards the Sin Lord's temple.

The temple's great doors were open.

The Sin Lord seemed to welcome their entry.

Ning Changjiu didn't hesitate and entered the grand hall.

Ghost fires burned in the Sin Lord's temple, and this so-called divine path was covered in red spider lilies, as if leading to the deadly underworld.

Surprisingly, the Sin Lord did not reveal its grotesque divine form. It simply sat at the end of the path, cloaked in its black robe, with raven-like feathers drooping, tracing something on the ground with its long, pointed fingers. It looked like an aged monarch, or a shaman about to be executed.

Ning Changjiu slowly walked along the Path of Yellow Springs, paved with bones, and arrived before the Sin Lord.

He asked, "What are you doing?"

The Sin Lord replied, "I am performing the final judgment."

"Judging what?" he asked again.

"Humanity's original sin," the Sin Lord solemnly declared.