Chapter 461: Stepping into Spring

The Sin Lord’s divine kingdom plunged into the Sea of Misfortune, sinking deep beneath the waves. The massive surges it created were quelled by Siming and Lu Jiajia working together.

Both the Sea Kingdom and Nanzhou were hit by heavy rains, which brought down fish that writhed on the ground. The biting cold in the wind gradually receded, replaced by a soothing warmth. Pale yellow buds broke through the desolate earth, and soon, the land was swept with vibrant green as rain continued to fall.

After the Sin Lord's death, Ning Changjiu did not return to Jiange but instead went to the Ancient Spirit Sect to visit Ning Xiaoling.

Ning Xiaoling, Baizang, and Jiuyou were working diligently together, slaughtering the Spirit Devourers. This was a monumental task, one that would be difficult to complete in under three or four months.

Ning Xiaoling was overjoyed to see her senior brother and the elder sisters return. She emerged from the Sea of Ruins to prepare food for them.

Baizang, now in human form, had put away her ancient saber. She sat coldly with her arms crossed, offering them no pleasantries.

One of Siming's greatest pleasures was teasing Baizang. Seeing the Palace Master of the Silver Snow Palace, collar-bound and stern-faced despite her subservient status, Siming found it impossible to resist the urge to tease her.

Before long, the icy Lady Baizang was being chased all over the room by Siming. She was then playfully pinned to a long bench, much like a cat being toyed with. Baizang rolled around, cursing Siming ceaselessly, her supple body twisting, yet unable to offer any substantial resistance.

Ning Xiaoling emerged with dishes and gently sat down beside Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia after embracing them both, her smile serene.

"Senior Brother, Master, so you still remember to visit Xiaoling," Ning Xiaoling said with a slight hint of grievance, sounding like a displeased young wife.

Before Ning Changjiu could react, Lu Jiajia, overcome with affection, pulled Xiaoling back into a warm embrace.

After a moment, Ning Xiaoling gently struggled, "Master... you're going to smother Xiaoling..."

Ning Changjiu watched the affectionate master and disciple, smiling softly and trying to commit these moments to memory.

Ning Changjiu asked her if the spirit-slaying was progressing smoothly. Ning Xiaoling, while idly running her fingers through her hair, recounted her experiences in a casual, conversational manner.

"Baizang and I worked separately," Ning Xiaoling explained. "Sister Baizang took care of the large ones, and I handled the smaller ones. Most Spirit Devourers just look fierce; in reality, they're slow and easy to dispatch. But some are quite strong. They pretend to be dormant, then strike suddenly when you let your guard down! Xiaoling even got hurt initially." She gesticulated, describing the Spirit Devourers and occasionally making funny faces, as if she were talking about something utterly trivial.

"Are you alright, Xiaoling? Did you get any lasting injuries?" Ning Changjiu asked with concern.

Ning Xiaoling shook her head. "During previous competitions at the Ancient Spirit Sect, I visited the Medicine King Hall and learned the technique of 'body as cauldron.' Ordinary injuries can't harm Xiaoling."

"Xiaoling is truly impressive."

Ning Changjiu smiled broadly, genuinely marveling at the girl's growth.

With a hint of curiosity, Ning Xiaoling quietly asked, "Senior Brother, you went to the Three Thousand Worlds, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did."

"Senior Brother, what was the outcome between you and Sister Xiang'er?"

Ning Changjiu looked at his junior sister's expectant face and calmly replied, "Of course, Senior Brother achieved a grand victory and taught Xiang'er a thorough lesson."

Lu Jiajia, standing nearby, let out a faint chuckle.

Ning Xiaoling looked at her senior brother and said, "Senior Brother, why do you seem a bit guilty?"

"Do I?"

"You do! No matter how high your cultivation, Senior Brother, you can't fool Xiaoling!"

Ning Changjiu was about to retort, but on the other side of the room, Baizang, having finally reached her limit with Siming, indignantly cried out for help.

Ning Xiaoling turned her head. Baizang was her comrade, after all, so she played the peacemaker, rushing over to help Baizang out of her predicament.

Siming temporarily spared her.

The girl in the flowing silver gown, her hair slightly dishevelled, sat down at the table with a pout, still resembling an icy beauty.

Ning Changjiu looked at Baizang and suddenly said, "In two more months, the Baizang Divine Kingdom will open."

Baizang quietly remarked, "What does the Silver Snow Palace have to do with me? The divine kingdom is destined to collapse and be annihilated; I can't return... Hmph, Heng'e tricked me again."

Ning Changjiu said, "Lady Baizang, you've misunderstood. We'll simply need you to lead the way and pinpoint the location of the Silver Snow Palace then."

"You..." Baizang was visibly annoyed and said icily, "I'm not a guide dog!"

Ning Changjiu replied, "Nor am I blind."

Baizang clenched her fists, wishing she could strike him dead with a single blow.

Ning Changjiu smiled. "Alright, Baizang, don't you want to personally deal with that traitor?"

"Traitor?" For a moment, Baizang couldn't recall the young girl's name.

"Qiu Yue," Ning Changjiu prompted.

Baizang frowned. "Your hatred for her seems even greater than mine?"

Ning Changjiu nodded.

From the onset of the sea disaster, Qiu Yue had targeted them, luring them into the Luoshu scheme and using others to eliminate Mu Lingtong. In the Luoshu world, had he not discerned the anomaly in time, he would have perished by Li Hejian's sword.

The battle at the earth's core had been equally thrilling. Although he had emerged victorious, he couldn't truly kill Qiu Yue and could only watch as she departed for the Baizang Divine Kingdom. Before leaving, she ran a slender hand across her neck, giving them an innocent yet chilling smile.

He always remembered that smile.

Baizang remained silent for a long time. She gazed at Ning Changjiu, her pale lips pressed together, and after a considerable pause, she finally said, "Hmm, when the divine kingdom opens, I will indeed lead you there."

Ning Changjiu nodded, smiling.

They stayed in the Underworld Ancient Kingdom for several days, helping them slay many Spirit Devourers.

At night, they all slept together on the massive bed, simply resting peacefully. Nothing else occurred. Ning Xiaoling curled up like a cat in her senior brother's arms, her profile serene and endearing.

One morning, Ning Xiaoling, as if sensing something, sat up from the bed in her thin sleepwear, rubbing her drowsy eyes and looking ahead.

It was still early. Lu Jiajia and Siming were still sound asleep, but Ning Changjiu had already risen and put on his robe.

He stood by the window, making a distant shushing gesture toward Ning Xiaoling.

Ning Xiaoling subtly covered her lips.

The two communicated silently with their gazes. A moment later, Ning Xiaoling's lips parted slightly in disbelief. Ning Changjiu looked at her gently, as if offering comfort, but tears streamed down Ning Xiaoling's face.

Today would be their day of parting.

In the morning, everyone gradually woke up.

Xiaoling prepared her senior brother's favorite dishes and, finding a moment, sewed him a money pouch. She had initially intended to embroider the character "Ling" on it, but the character proved too complex for her delicate handiwork. After two stitches, Xiaoling gave up and instead used a brush to complete the remaining strokes.

"Senior Brother, you mustn't forget Xiaoling," Ning Xiaoling said, attaching the money pouch to his waist and then slipping two silver coins inside.

Ning Changjiu gently embraced her, leaning down to whisper in her ear, "Wait for my return."

After leaving the Ancient Spirit Sect, Ning Changjiu did not return to the Central Lands but instead went back to Nanzhou.

Spring arrived earlier in Nanzhou. The willows in the town's streets and alleys were a hazy green, and the earth, like a colossal beast ending its hibernation, slowly awakened in the continuous wind.

This was Siming's first true visit to Nanzhou.

They returned to the settlement built by the people of South Wilderness Broken Boundary City. With the assistance of the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect, the settlement had transformed into a well-ordered small city. Due to the recent disaster, most of the houses within it had been renovated, though their small wooden dwelling remained unscathed.

Ning Changjiu returned to the small wooden dwelling.

Spiritual energy circulated like fire, evaporating the moisture permeating the wooden structure.

"Earlier, the Sin Lord said you would be killed by something from beyond the heavens, and you claimed to know about it," Siming remarked, suddenly recalling the incident and asking, puzzled, "What exactly were you two talking about then?"

The wooden table stood firmly on the ground. Ning Changjiu dusted it off, sat down casually, and said, "There's no hidden meaning there. 'Something from beyond the heavens' naturally refers to the Dark Lord."

"Really?" Siming stared at him, her icy eyes sharp and probing.

Ning Changjiu met her gaze calmly, smiling faintly. "Alright, let's sit. It's rare to visit Nanzhou. We'll take Xue'er out for a walk later."

Siming did not ask further.

Not far away, Lu Jiajia stood by the window, her spirits bright as she observed the vibrant spring world outside. Her hands rested on the windowsill, her body slightly bent. Sunlight streamed in, bathing her white robe in a glow that hinted at a languid, inviting charm.

Siming tugged at Ning Changjiu's sleeve. "Look, there's a big fox spirit over there."

Lu Jiajia turned her head and stared at Siming. "What are you talking about?"

Siming stated matter-of-factly, "I said Jiajia transformed into a spirit."

Indoors, Lu Jiajia was far from being a fairy. She puffed out her cheeks, looked at Siming, and retorted, "Sister Xueci is the real thousand-year-old monster, isn't she?"

Siming rolled up her sleeves. "What did Jiajia say? Say it again if you dare!"

Lu Jiajia, emboldened, repeated it.

Siming, of course, wouldn't let her off and immediately gave chase. Lu Jiajia quickly darted behind Ning Changjiu, seeking refuge.

Ning Changjiu sat to the side, hands tucked into his sleeves, offering no mediation. He simply watched them playfully squabble like young girls for a while.

After their playful tiff, they finally began seriously discussing how to deal with the remaining Divine Lords.

Tishan was a non-combative deity and possessed the strongest defensive capabilities among all Divine Lords. Legends claimed he was a living mountain of flesh, wielding authority over absolute defense. Even Ning Changjiu, at his current strength, would likely find slaying him a tedious and time-consuming endeavor, like cutting meat with a blunt knife.

Next was Qiu Yue of the Baizang Year, who was an old adversary to them. Qiu Yue was not truly formidable; she was merely an arrogant and foolish young girl. Even with the power of the Baizang Divine Kingdom, she remained nothing more than an arrogant, foolish young girl who happened to possess considerable power.

As for Lei Lao, Quan Lin, and Vermilion Bird... with the exception of Quan Lin, the other two had long since betrayed the Dark Lord, so their divine kingdoms were unlikely to open.

Of course, these discussions were not of great significance.

For them, the Divine Lords were no longer truly formidable adversaries; a direct confrontation with the Dark Lord was already a foreseeable event.

After a lengthy discussion, Ning Changjiu took them out for a walk.

In the eyes of cultivators from the Central Lands, Nanzhou was considered a barren region with meager spiritual energy. This scarcity was primarily due to Nanzhou's funnel-shaped topography, with the South Wilderness at the center of this massive funnel. In the past, vast amounts of spiritual energy had sunk into the South Wilderness, which was also an inaccessible forbidden zone. These factors collectively led to the decline of Nanzhou's cultivators.

However, now that the Abyss's curse had been lifted, the South Wilderness was no longer barren. It was conceivable that in the days to come, a large-scale migration of Central Lands cultivators would occur southward.

This, of course, was contingent on their ability to prevent the descent of the Dark Sun.

"That's where I cultivated since I was a child."

They walked together across the newly sprouted grass. Lu Jiajia pointed to the Edict Sword Heavenly Sect, veiled by a curtain of peach blossoms, and spoke.

Siming followed Lu Jiajia's gaze.

Those peaks, while not the highest, towered majestically into the clouds, their presence awe-inspiring. From a distance, one could discern their snow-capped summits and white cranes gliding by, creating a tranquil and delightful scene.

Siming retracted her gaze, looked at Lu Jiajia, and smiled faintly. "The saying that mountains and rivers nurture people is indeed true."

Ning Changjiu asked with a smile, "Is there a saying about it?"

Siming replied, "Xiao Li was nurtured by the Luo River, born from water, which is why she's full of mischief. Jiajia cultivated on mountain peaks since childhood, so she too is... soaring into the clouds."

"What kind of fallacy is that?" Lu Jiajia, her cheeks puffing slightly, retorted, "I think Xiao Li is very kind. You, Xueci, are the one with more mischief."

Siming recalled Xiao Li bringing her porridge first and felt a little more pleased.

She covered her mouth and smiled faintly. "I also think Xiao Li is very kind, but Jiajia, you're so innocent, don't let that little fox spirit trick you."

Lu Jiajia said, "Xiao Li would never trick me."

Siming asked, "When Xiao Li brought you porridge, did she say you were the first one she served?"

Lu Jiajia hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Of course."

Siming said nothing more, simply smiling mischievously, as if relishing some secret.

Lu Jiajia, too, became somewhat skeptical.

Ning Changjiu, the clear-sighted bystander, stood to the side, watching the proud and triumphant Siming with a helpless smile.

Siming keenly noticed his smile. "What are you smiling about?"

Ning Changjiu innocently replied, "Nothing at all, just commending Xue'er for her quick wit."

"Do I need you to tell me that?" Siming scoffed.

After some time spent exploring Nanzhou, the three returned to the wooden house at dusk.

As Ning Changjiu stepped into the house, he immediately sensed something amiss.

"Who's there?" Ning Changjiu asked, alert.

Lu Jiajia and Siming also immediately adopted a stance, ready for a formidable opponent.

A soft laugh echoed from within the house. "Don't be afraid, it's me."

It was a woman's voice; though pleasant, it was slow and deep like water, carrying a faint chill.

"Senior Sister?"

Ning Changjiu recognized the newcomer and asked, surprised, "Senior Sister, why are you here?"

"Master asked me to bring you something," the Senior Sister replied.

In the dimly lit room, a figure in a green dress flowed in like water. Shen Yu stood there, resembling an ancient painting with subtly muted colors.

She held a scroll in her arms.

"Greetings, Senior Sister."

Lu Jiajia and Siming bowed together. They had always held great respect for their unseen senior brothers and sisters.

The Senior Sister looked at the two beautiful women and smiled gently.

Ning Changjiu looked at the long scroll in his Senior Sister's arms, his brow furrowed slightly. "This is..."

The Senior Sister handed it over. "This is the Heavenly Stele that Fifth Senior Brother wrote for you. Please accept it carefully, commit it to memory, and do not neglect it."

Ning Changjiu demurred, "I already have a draft in mind; I can write one myself."

The Senior Sister tucked the scroll into Ning Changjiu's arms. "Master said she feared you wouldn't have enough time, so as a precaution, she had Fifth Senior Brother rush to write one. Don't let down Master's and Senior Brother's good intentions."

Ning Changjiu accepted the scroll, bowed slightly, and said earnestly, "Thank you, Senior Brother and Senior Sister, and thank you, Master."

The Senior Sister nodded gently. Holding her whisk, she paced the room, then sat down and looked at Ning Changjiu. "If you have any other needs, you may tell me as well."

Ning Changjiu shook his head. "There's nothing else."

The Senior Sister didn't assume he was merely being polite. She hummed in acknowledgment and asked no further questions.

Lu Jiajia and Siming also sat beside the Senior Sister. Though they were typically quite assertive among themselves, with the Senior Sister's formidable presence, they both seemed somewhat reserved.

Ning Changjiu unrolled the scroll to the side and quickly scanned it. Although his current strength had already reached the legendary Three Realms, to truly integrate with heaven and earth and achieve 'legitimate renown,' he still required a Heavenly Stele.

Meanwhile, Lu Jiajia and Siming chatted with the Senior Sister about recent events.

The Senior Sister was also gentle with them; though their meetings were infrequent, their conversation quickly grew lively.

As they chatted, the Senior Sister suddenly recalled something. She looked at Siming, her expression turning slightly serious. "Xueci," she asked, "how is the book I gave you earlier coming along?"

Siming immediately sat up straight.

She, of course, knew the Senior Sister was referring to the Nuwa Diary. Initially, Siming had mistakenly thought it was a book praising their Master, but she had since realized, with a sudden awakening, that their Master was the immortal Chang'e who flew to the moon, and this Nuwa Diary was clearly the Senior Sister's autobiography!

Siming nodded calmly and said earnestly, "Senior Sister, your writing style is beautiful and elegant, and the history you've chronicled is both simple and true. Xueci has read it repeatedly, never letting it out of her hands; the book is almost worn out."

Lu Jiajia hadn't read the so-called Nuwa Diary, but hearing Siming's words, she understood the general idea and nodded. "I've also been deeply affected and moved by it."

The Senior Sister looked at them and nodded with satisfaction. She chose not to verify the truth, to avoid hurting her own feelings.

The Senior Sister was merely there to deliver the Heavenly Stele and had no intention of staying long. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, she rose to leave, but her gaze suddenly caught a strange object.

Shen Yu's eyebrows slowly drew together.

Lu Jiajia and Siming also followed her gaze.

They saw the Senior Sister looking at the leg of the wooden table, where a book was propping it up.

The Senior Sister found the book somewhat familiar. She bent down and pulled the book out from under the table leg.

The book bore an indented square mark from being pressed by the table leg. The Senior Sister brushed the dust off the cover, her brows furrowing completely as she clearly saw the four characters: "Nuwa Diary" written on it!

Siming and Lu Jiajia saw it too, and were equally astonished.

Ning Changjiu also noticed the anomaly.

He then recalled that after he had woken up, Xiao Li, while cooking for him, had noticed the table leg was wobbly and had temporarily used this book to prop it up. Coincidentally, the book and the table fit perfectly, keeping it perfectly steady, so they had simply forgotten to retrieve the book.

Now, retribution had arrived...

The Senior Sister clutched the book tightly and, with a swift glance, looked at Siming. "What is the meaning of this?"

Siming immediately pulled an identical copy from the void beside her—the one the Senior Sister had given her during their time in Unobservable. "This has nothing to do with me," she quickly declared. "The one Senior Sister gave me, I've kept it perfectly preserved, without a single blemish, looking just like new."

Lu Jiajia whispered, "Didn't you just say you'd almost worn out the book?"

Siming pinched her thigh, words hissing from between her teeth. "Be quiet! Are we still good sisters, Jiajia...?"

The Senior Sister stared at them. "Then what about this book?" she asked.

Lu Jiajia and Siming exchanged a glance, then simultaneously pointed at their husband.

The Senior Sister also looked at Ning Changjiu.

"Senior Sister, listen to me, I..." Ning Changjiu thought of Xiao Li's clever and pretty face, considering whether to expose her.

"What 'you'?" the Senior Sister snapped, annoyed. "Is this how you treat something your Senior Sister gave you?"

Ning Changjiu swallowed his words, ultimately choosing not to betray Xiao Li.

Inside the room, the youth's pleas for mercy could be heard.

After the Senior Sister departed, Ning Changjiu got up from the floor, brushed the dust off his clothes, and said with a wry smile, "Senior Sister still hits so hard..."

Lu Jiajia said, "Who told you to show favoritism to Xiao Li?"

Siming said, "So it was Xiao Li who did it... What a mischievous little girl, indeed."

Ning Changjiu looked at Lu Jiajia. "You two stood by and watched your husband get bullied, and now you have time to be jealous... Truly an exemplary couple of Unobservable."

Lu Jiajia and Siming had a premonition of trouble and tried to escape, but there was no getting away. They were soon caught, received a symbolic punishment, and then joined Ning Changjiu in copying the Nuwa Diary as a shared hardship.

For the next period, Ning Changjiu devoted himself to studying the Heavenly Stele, repeatedly pondering and carefully memorizing its contents.

Before Ning Changjiu fully comprehended the Heavenly Stele, they spent their days in this small wooden house. The three took turns preparing meals, enjoying a period of calm amidst boastful claims and mutual teasing.

Afterward, they returned together to Jiange in the Central Lands.

Another month had passed since the Sin Lord's self-immolation and death. To everyone's surprise, however, the Dark Lord, for reasons unknown, did not activate the Tishan Divine Kingdom.

While this granted them another month of peace, it was not necessarily a good omen—a hidden divine kingdom was akin to a dormant landmine, ready to explode at any moment.

Time continued its advance toward the Baizang Divine Kingdom.

Before a divine kingdom truly opened, the beings within it, including its Divine Lord, remained ignorant of the outside world.

Qiu Yue was like a beggar who had suddenly become rich, still indulging in the supreme power of the Divine Lord.

She held the Heart of Heaven's Treasury and the Scroll of Luoshu. Looking at herself in the mirror, she gestured with her hands, always feeling too short and lacking in majesty. Therefore, her mythical body had to be incredibly tall!

Qiu Yue remained in this state of fervent excitement.

She believed that Heaven had truly blessed her. An old monster like Baizang, who had lived for thousands of years yet still resembled a young girl, had ultimately been effortlessly ousted from her throne by Qiu Yue. As for Baizang... ha, she must have been killed or reduced to a lowly slave, right?

Qiu Yue licked her lips, eagerly anticipating the sight of Baizang utterly humiliated.

Of course, what she most desired to see was Ning Changjiu's terrified expression. Previously, just after she ascended the divine throne, before she could even exert her power, the Baizang Divine Kingdom had passed. Qiu Yue swore that when the divine kingdom next opened, she would make Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia endure unimaginable agony!

For her, patricide and matricide held unparalleled thrill and pleasure; the mere thought of it made her body tremble with excitement.

Of course, she knew Ning Changjiu was cunning. However, she wouldn't be as foolish as Baizang, who stupidly ventured deep into enemy territory in her true form. Qiu Yue was determined to remain hidden within the divine kingdom and use cunning schemes to kill Ning Changjiu and his companions.

She was the supreme Divine Lord; surely there could be no one more powerful than her in this world?

Qiu Yue eagerly awaited the arrival of the next Baizang Year.

Chapter list of *Above the Divine Kingdom*