Chapter 481: Waiting for Midnight, the Sky Hangs the Jade Toad

The dark sun plunged down from the sky. Violent air currents tore through the atmosphere.

The Dark Lord had completely taken over the World Tree. The World Tree was like a grotesque demon hidden underground for ten thousand years, now suddenly pulled from the earth, revealing its unprecedented colossal body. Countless roots burst from the surface, swiftly tearing apart the vast wilderness spanning thousands of miles.

Baizang had transformed into human form, cradling the blood-soaked Zhao Xianger as he rapidly fled from the Heavenly Rankings area. Shao Xiaoli and Ning Xiaoling, sensing the commotion, rushed over from afar. The world's laws were crumbling, and the Underworld Divine Kingdom could no longer contain Ning Xiaoling.

“Don't go there, it's dangerous.” Baizang glanced at them and said urgently.

Shao Xiaoli's heart tightened as she saw Zhao Xianger, her face covered in blood, in Baizang's arms. She had no time to ask questions; she just nodded.

“Xiaoling, let's get out of here first.” Shao Xiaoli grabbed the girl's arm beside her. She could feel how terrifying the power surging from underground was; it was something they couldn't contend with at their current strength.

Ning Xiaoling's feet, however, were rooted to the ground. She gazed up at the sky, watching the majestic dark sun descend, and stammered, “That… that… that seems to be Senior Brother…”

“Xiaoling, are you scared senseless? What nonsense are you talking?” Shao Xiaoli was stunned, pulling her hand to lead her away.

“That thing is Ning Changjiu,” Baizang said coldly. She appeared calm, but in reality, she hadn't fully accepted the fact herself.

“What?” Shao Xiaoli's pupils constricted. “Big White Cat, at a crucial moment like this, why are you still joking?”

“I'm not lying to you. The one from the Heavenly Rankings is the true Dark Lord. We've all been deceived…” Baizang sighed deeply, also struggling to accept this truth.

“What the…?” Shao Xiaoli was completely bewildered. She turned her head, looked towards the sky, and after a moment of shock, the girl bit her lip and swiftly darted forward.

This time, it was Ning Xiaoling who pulled her back. “Come back! What are you doing?”

“But…”

“Don't go and cause Senior Brother more trouble.” Ning Xiaoling interrupted her, taking her hand and quickly pulling her behind Baizang.

The wind grew more violent, and air currents continuously swept from behind them. Flying sand and stones shot past like arrows.

At one moment, Ning Xiaoling had a sudden premonition. She turned around and glanced behind her. Light and shadow intertwined. The dark sun collided with the World Tree.

The Senior Disciple and the other Buguan disciples witnessed the collision in the burning sky. As soon as the collision began, the Senior Disciple made a decisive move. She ordered all high-level cultivators to form a perimeter ten thousand li outside the Heavenly Rankings, trying to contain the terrifying explosion within the wilderness where the Heavenly Rankings stood.

To their surprise, the unprecedented explosion, which was just beginning to show signs, simply vanished. No! Rather than vanishing, it was deliberately suppressed! As the dark sun descended and the explosion just began, the chaotic surface of the dark sun immediately unfolded, pressing down onto the Heavenly Rankings with a simple, decisive motion, like extinguishing a flame, trapping the colossal explosion between the two of them! The surface of the chaotic body looked like boiling water. Sounds like cracking iron bones resonated within it. Then, large amounts of smoke, dust, and burning wood fragments erupted from the edges of the chaotic body, and flames shot skyward from the dense smoke.

The cultivators who had endured until now, though unclear about the current situation, still spread out in all directions with their weary bodies, building spiritual barriers to contain the aftermath of the collision within the wilderness. The Senior Disciple, meanwhile, shot directly into the sky to fill the massive chasm created by the dark sun's descent. Many other cultivators gathered around, ready to face the enemy that had arrived. No one knew what was hidden beneath the chaotic body; they could only feel the vast black curtain, which almost covered the entire central wilderness of the Middle Kingdom, rippling like water.

A distant tremor was felt. Soon, something broke through the chaotic body and emerged. It was countless broken roots, bursting open like twisted braids, their tips resembling countless charred copper wires, looking like the burned tentacles of deep-sea creatures. They spread out from beneath the chaotic body, cradling a pale, black-clad youth. The youth was no longer recognizable as human. His neck was broken and torn, leaning crookedly on his shoulder. Countless streams of defiled blood flowed from his hair, streaking across his seemingly festering cheeks. His body was covered in countless wounds, his internal organs shattered, and all his bones broken. The World Tree beneath him was scorched black, burning with an unquenchable fire. These roots lifted him up, and he looked down at the chaotic body below, his face expressionless.

Another figure struggled to pull free from the swamp-like chaotic body. Ten thousand sword cries resonated simultaneously, and countless swords pointed from afar at the slowly emerging figure.

“That's the Dark Lord! Kill him while he's weak!” The Dark Lord roared loudly, issuing commands to the surrounding cultivators.

People's nerves were already stretched to their limit. At his words, ten thousand swords flew forth in an instant.

“Wait!!” From another direction, a desperate cry also rang out – the heart-wrenching shriek of a young girl. A white figure and a red figure rushed forward, one after another, blocking the myriad sword lights. This was a wilderness without rivers, so Shao Xiaoli, as the Goddess of River Water, was much weaker. The other cultivators stopped her frantic dash.

Ning Xiaoling, however, was the first to break through the defense line, arriving atop the chaotic body. She spread her arms, blocking the path of the sword light. The sword light poured down towards her. Her pear-blossom white dress reflected the light, making it exceptionally striking.

“Xiaoling?” The Fourth Senior Disciple was horrified. Without a moment's thought, she wielded her spear like a shield to protect Ning Xiaoling, but it was too late. The sword light cascaded upon her. This was the full-power strike of dozens of peak Five Paths masters; Ning Xiaoling could absolutely not block it. Death closed in before her.

A pair of hands reached out from the darkness, passing through her hair, encircling her neck, and pulling her back in a diagonal embrace. The dazzling sword light seemed to vanish at that moment. Ning Xiaoling's body softened, and she collapsed into that long-awaited embrace. This embrace shielded her from the sword qi.

“Se… Senior Brother…” The girl's tears fell, splattering onto the youth's arm.

Ning Changjiu held the girl in his arms. Although he had acted in time, the sword qi was too fierce, making it inevitable that she would be affected. At this moment, Xiaoling's white dress was embroidered with many "plum blossoms." The cultivators, seeing the disheveled, white-clad youth emerging from the chaotic body and holding Ning Xiaoling, assumed he was holding the girl hostage. They adjusted their breaths, ready to unleash a second wave of swords.

“Stop!” It was the Fourth Senior Disciple who had arrived, blocking the crowd. She cast her gaze towards the chaotic body. The Fourth Senior Disciple, who had come to save Xiaoling, was also stunned. Her eyes widened, completely unable to believe what she was seeing.

“Junior Brother?!” Sili looked at the white-clad youth, unable to suppress her shock: “What in the world is going on?!”

Ning Changjiu had no time to explain. He knew that once the world-lines converged into one, if he died, there would be no chance to start over. This was his only opportunity… Before the world-lines converged, he had to slay the Dark Lord! But now, with Yuanjun's help, the Dark Lord had taken over the entire Human Divine Kingdom. For him to kill the Dark Lord was tantamount to slaying a divine lord within a divine kingdom without the blessing of 'Qitian' authority — something almost impossible to achieve. What in the mortal realm could possibly transcend a divine kingdom?

The Dark Lord extended his broken skeleton. He appeared to be much more severely wounded, but his true form was the massive World Tree, allowing him to truly exist eternally.

“It's too late,” the Dark Lord said solemnly, staring at Ning Changjiu with his single remaining eye. “A pity, you are not the true dark sun after all.”

From within the charred vines, Shi peered out, her eyes widening as she saw the familiar white-clad youth, utterly speechless with shock and confusion. Yuanjun also emerged from the vines, asking, “Do you need me to…”

“Take her away,” the Dark Lord interrupted, saying only that. Yuanjun gave them a deep look, saying nothing. A battle of this magnitude was beyond his participation. He pulled Shi from the vines and rapidly withdrew her from the center of the battle for now.

No sooner had they left than the decisive battle erupted behind them. The Dark Lord, twisted like a demon, had his hands plunged into the earth. The roots and vines of the World Tree intertwined and shot skyward, like sharp blades he had pulled forth. Half of Ning Changjiu's body was buried within the chaotic body. Even a divine artifact like the chaotic body had suffered severe damage from the continuous divine battles and explosions. He drew the Silver Sword, and the semi-spiritual Liu Xihuan circled at his side. His incomplete Asura body also rose behind him, making the currently weak and sickly youth appear like a god cast in gold!

The cultivators in the void watched the two figures confronting each other. Countless suspicions and confusions flickered in their minds. Some had guessed the truth, while others remained bewildered. But as the killing intent emerged between the two, the Senior Disciple resolutely stepped in front of them.

“Evil has betrayed us! Retreat from here first, and don't hinder Junior Brother!” At this critical moment, the Senior Disciple immediately trusted her junior brother. “Sili, Ji Xuan, go evacuate the cultivators to the north. Second Junior Brother and I will stay to prevent the disaster from spreading. Hurry!” The Senior Disciple's serious words were incredibly commanding. The other disciples of the temple nodded without hesitation and scattered in all directions.

The Second Senior Brother hovered in the sky, looking at the difficult situation below. After a sigh, he tightened his grip on his broadsword. “What have we been doing all these years…” The Senior Disciple and the Second Senior Brother split up, forming barriers to protect both ends.

In Ning Changjiu's pure white heart-lake, Liu Xihuan said with slight anxiety, “Are we still using that sure-kill sword?”

“Yes.”

“Can this sword of ours actually kill anyone…? If we can't kill him this time, we'll be sinners for eternity… Do you have any other reliable sword techniques…?” Liu Xihuan recalled past events, her mood downcast.

“Don't talk, focus,” Ning Changjiu responded mentally.

“Ugh… why don't you just refine me into a zombie…? That way I'll not only obey your every command but also won't be nervous…” She couldn't help but feel nervous, thinking of the historical mission resting on her shoulders.

“Sigh.” Ning Changjiu sighed. He didn't have time to help her adjust her mindset.

“Alright, alright, I know, I'll do my best!” Liu Xihuan clenched her fists, cheering herself on.

Invisible air currents converged towards the Silver Sword. The mirror-like surface of the Silver Sword actually turned black. Ning Changjiu held Ning Xiaoling with one arm and thrust out his sword with the other. This was Ning Changjiu's full-power sword, yet it lacked any grandeur, instead carrying a somber loneliness.

The Dark Lord watched the sword, his expression calm. He knew, and Ning Changjiu also knew, that with the Dark Lord now occupying the Human Divine Kingdom, only a divine artifact that transcended mortal laws would have a chance to destroy him. This Silver Sword and such a deadly sword technique were undoubtedly peerless items, yet they could not serve as a god-slaying blade at this moment.

But time was of the essence. Ning Changjiu and Liu Xihuan's minds were in sync, and the sword, carrying a pure sword intent, thrust forward, striking towards the demon on the World Tree throne. On both sides of the sky, the Senior Disciple and the Second Senior Brother watched this scene from afar. They didn't know where their master had gone, nor what would become of the human world after this sword strike. They just watched silently, observing how conspiracies and conflicts spanning thousands of years converged and erupted at this moment, transforming into this simple, almost unreal, sword strike.

The World Tree's roots rose, transforming into towering walls. From the Dark Lord's hands, the power of vengeful spirits continuously surged forth, simultaneously repairing his body, which had been shattered in the previous explosion, and manifesting as swords to strike at Ning Changjiu while defending. The Silver Sword pulled Ning Changjiu out of the chaotic body. Together, they tore through the World Tree's defenses, sending the sword deeper.

A violent wave of energy exploded again, and shattered fragments of law shot skyward, forming a storm that traveled along the barrier constructed by the Senior Disciple and the Second Senior Brother, tearing the barrier apart in an instant.

At the center. The Dark Lord shielded his front with both hands. Ning Changjiu's sword pierced through the arm bone of his left hand and the palm of his right hand, slightly piercing his chest, but it didn't reach a vital point. This was the full-power sword of Ning Changjiu and Liu Xihuan. But how could a divine lord be killed within a divine kingdom? The sure-kill sword once again returned without success.

But the Dark Lord's face also showed no trace of triumph. He lowered his head and looked at his lower abdomen. There was also a sword there. The one who had delivered this sword strike was the girl in Ning Changjiu's arms. Previously, all his attention had been focused on this sure-kill sword, completely neglecting the girl protected by Ning Changjiu. And this seemingly delicate Junior Sister, at some unknown point, had resolved with Ning Changjiu to strike this sword at the critical moment, tearing through his defenses and embedding the sword in his lower abdomen. That sword was the Moon Branch. The Moon Branch was a sacred object from the Moon Prison, an existence that transcended mortal laws, thus possessing the ability to pierce through his body.

But that was all it could do. The Moon Prison had already exploded, and the divinity of the Moon Branch was also growing weaker, far from its peak. In the past, wielded by Heng'e herself on a full moon night, it might indeed have been able to destroy him. What a pity…

“Farewell forever,” he softly uttered. A wave of energy exploded in front of them.

Ning Changjiu pressed his lips together and groaned in pain. With his arms wrapped around his Junior Sister, he allowed the sword of vengeful spirits to pierce through his shoulder and arm, sending him flying backward into the chaotic body. He slid all the way, finally crashing deep into the earth thousands of li away. Ning Xiaoling cried out loudly for Senior Brother, her voice swallowed by the wind. The youth's blood stained her pear-blossom white dress crimson.

The Dark Lord looked at them with an expression of pity and compassion, but his hand forming the sword did not stop for a moment. With one hand, he forcefully pulled out the Moon Branch, which was deeply embedded in his abdomen, destroying his body. With the other hand, he condensed a black sword of almost no thickness. He only needed to throw this sword to pierce through both the Senior Brother and Junior Sister. The long river of history had reached its estuary; the years that followed would be his vast ocean.

As he condensed the sword, the Dark Lord looked up and glanced at the woman in the azure Daoist robe in the distance. The Senior Disciple watched helplessly as her junior brother was defeated and about to perish by the black-clad youth's sword. But for some reason, the emotion on her face was not sadness or anger, but a strange solemnity.

The Dark Lord wondered at the source of this solemnity. Soon, his confusion was resolved. The sky darkened. The dark sun had already descended, the chaotic body had also arrived in the human world, and the clouds above the Heavenly Rankings had been dispersed by the air currents. It should have been intensely sunny at this moment. But the sun was suddenly obscured. What else could obscure the sun besides the dark sun?

The Dark Lord looked up. An invisible line extended from the Moon Branch piercing his lower abdomen, reaching upwards, connecting with the entire sky. In the sky, a colossal island, appearing from nowhere, hung directly above his head.

“Buguan?!” The Dark Lord had never seen this colossal island, but he immediately recognized its identity. From ancient times to the present, Buguan had always transcended the world's laws! Fear surged from the depths of his heart. He wanted to escape, but his body was inextricably linked to the World Tree. He couldn't escape.

Buguan descended from high above, following the position of the Moon Branch. From the deep crater in the distant earth, Ning Changjiu, cradling the semi-conscious, still groaning girl, climbed out. He propped himself up with the Silver Sword and gazed towards the World Tree.

‘Buguan is a weapon.’ In his eight-year dream, his Master's words gently echoed in his ears. In the original plan, Buguan was supposed to ascend to the sky and collide with the Dark Lord. Now, Buguan was falling towards the mortal realm. He used 'Concentricity' to inform Xiaoling of the plan, allowing her to seize the opportunity to assassinate the Dark Lord with the Moon Branch. The Moon Branch was originally the sacred artifact used to control Buguan. He used the Moon Branch to guide Buguan here, causing it to fall from the sky. It did not fall quickly, yet it carried the pride of transcending all laws, as if the Human Divine Kingdom had changed masters countless times, but it remained the sole hidden throne in the world.

“My last sword, I still couldn't kill anyone, huh…” In his heart-lake, the short-haired, disheveled Liu Xihuan watched the distance with him, her voice filled with regret.

“It's alright,” Ning Changjiu said softly. “In future eras, the judgment of whether a sword is good or not shouldn't depend on whether it can kill people.”

“Will there be such an era?” Liu Xihuan asked.

“There will be. If you don't believe me, I'll accompany you to see it.”

As Ning Changjiu spoke, a fierce wind rushed towards them. Buguan, shrouded in white mist, reached the ground. The Dark Lord roared and screamed, desperately propping up Buguan's heavy base with his arms, but Buguan's descent was unstoppable. The entirety of Buguan, originally designed by Ye Changong, was an absolute weapon for slaying gods. It was collectively built by Buguan's disciples and the entire town of Dahe over several centuries and would never be used unless absolutely necessary. Buguan might not be able to kill Evil, who was the 'Omnipotent', but it was certainly enough to kill this venomous insect parasitic on the World Tree.

The Daoist temple crushed into the earth. The Dark Lord's figure, along with his heart-rending screams, was swallowed. The World Tree's massive roots were firmly pressed back into the ground, like a ghost suppressed by a peach wood sword. The world's largest peach wood sword, of course, was the most powerful Daoist temple itself! The Dark Lord's arms bent, his collapsing body gradually submerged. Immense power completely crushed him. The World Divine Tree was as if split by a giant axe, and the throne too crumbled into pieces. This newly crowned king's bones were shattered, his body twisted, and he was crushed to death amid violent screams, his shattered corpse pressed deep into the earth.

A gentle breeze began to blow. Buguan continued to emit white mist. The great mountain was hidden amidst the swirling smoke and fog. In the space between the temple and the town, shepherd's purse and wheat grew green, and the five saplings they had planted grew unevenly.

Ning Changjiu, holding the Silver Sword and cradling his Junior Sister, gazed from afar at the Daoist temple at the end of the steps. Perhaps because the last closed-door disciple was gone, the temple gate remained ajar. He wanted to walk into Dahe Town, to enter Buguan, but he had no strength left. He could only hold his Junior Sister from a distance and bow deeply towards the Daoist temple.

Meanwhile, in the Grand Void, the world-lines finally converged. The Senior Disciple and Second Senior Brother quickly arrived behind him. They trusted their junior brother, so they didn't ask for explanations, only wanting to take him away and heal his injuries. Ning Changjiu, however, shook his head, his feet rooted to the ground as if by magic.

“I'll stay right here,” he said. “I'll wait here for Master to return.”

The Senior Disciple and Second Senior Brother exchanged a glance, sighed softly, and said no more. They stood motionless, watching the Daoist temple. Until the earth's tremors completely subsided. This was the end of the world as foretold in myths and legends, where the dark sun descended, yet it was also the dawn of a new era for humanity.

Ning Changjiu didn't know when he had fallen unconscious, nor when he woke up. The first thing he did upon waking was to check his Golden Crow Divine Kingdom. After all, the severely wounded Evil was still inside the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom. He suddenly sat up from the bed, instantly wide awake. He discovered that Evil had, at some unknown point, left the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom! A strong sense of unease flooded his heart. As soon as Evil saw the stars, he could become the 'Omnipotent' again, and his injuries would quickly heal. In Evil's eyes, all cultivators were enemies to be killed... Who could withstand Evil's slaughter?

Buguan was silent. Ning Changjiu had a deeply ominous premonition. After all, when he woke up, Jiajia and the others should have been by his side, but now...

Ning Changjiu looked around. Just as he was about to open his Taiyin Eye, a little girl walked in from outside the Daoist temple, followed by a puppet. It was Shi. Ning Changjiu looked at the young girl, as delicate as a jade carving, whom he had first met during the heart-demon tribulation, and frowned.

“Ning Changjiu, you're awake.” Shi looked at him and said with a smile, “We've come to say goodbye to you.”

Ning Changjiu looked at Shi, then at the puppet named Evil behind her. The puppet was motionless and very quiet.

“What exactly happened?” Ning Changjiu asked.

Shi explained what happened after he lost consciousness. After Ning Changjiu fainted, the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom lacked the guardianship of Lu Jiajia and Xue Ci, allowing the severely wounded Evil to escape. Everyone tried to stop Evil, but none of them were a match for him. It was then that Yuanjun arrived with Shi. The siblings, separated for seven thousand years, finally reunited. Shi stopped Evil. In the past, the Omniscient and the Omnipotent were complementary. The Omnipotent provided protection for the Omniscient, while the Omniscient served as the Omnipotent's other half-brain, helping him update his knowledge. Shi learned the truth: the black-clad youth from the Heavenly Rankings was a demon, and the puppet before her was her true brother, who had waited for her beyond the heavens for thousands of years. During the heart-demon tribulation, she had even jokingly called him "the shopkeeper." She cried for a long time, unsure why – perhaps for the deception and death of her false brother, or perhaps for the reunion with her true brother. Finally, Shi held Evil's hand, updated his knowledge, and redefined humanity for him. Now, Evil's mind was still slow, his only belief still to guard the undying flame of human civilization, but human civilization was no longer limited to mortals.

Ning Changjiu finally relaxed. “Where do you plan to go?” he asked.

Shi softly replied, “We plan to live in seclusion among humans, quietly guarding civilization until we fade away.” They were originally created by previous generations of humanity with immense effort and had never forgotten their mission.

Ning Changjiu smiled and nodded: “If you encounter difficulties or feel bored, you can come find us.”

Shi offered a faint smile and also nodded.

Ning Changjiu looked around and asked, “By the way, where did Master and the others go?”

“Immortal Lord Heng'e…” Shi bit her finger, looked around, and smiled mysteriously, saying, “Immortal Lord Heng'e has been waiting for you. Everyone knew Master was waiting for you, so they discreetly left.”

“Waiting for me?” Ning Changjiu had just woken up and hadn't fully processed it yet.

“Here,” Shi nodded, pulling something from her sleeve. “This is something you dropped during the fight earlier. Immortal Lord Heng'e asked me to give it to you when you woke up. She also said, 'If you dare lose it again next time, your Master will be angry.'” Shi imitated Heng'e's tone, full of majesty.

Ning Changjiu looked at the familiar marriage contract in his hand and smiled softly.

Shi waved goodbye to him. As they parted, Shi tilted her head and asked, “When the Jade Toad hangs in the sky at midnight?”

Ning Changjiu carefully put away the marriage contract and replied solemnly, “To White Cloud Temple again.”