Chapter 1320: Heaven is About to Change

Northern Domain.

Inside the Tian Meng Virtual Mirror Gathering, a long table had been temporarily formed by the power of the Tai Xu world. Scattered around it were several shadowy figures, indistinct and without clear form, as this was an online temporary meeting of high-level Tian Meng members from various regions. These individuals were not their true bodies, but projected forms.

Tian Meng was a relatively loose organization, consisting of members like Ban Sheng and Tai Xu, with the aim of uniting powerful figures in the Northern Domain to resist invasions from other-dimensional spaces and external forces. Their meetings were irregular.

This particular gathering had been hastily convened, and not everyone had arrived when the initiator spoke:

"Rao Yaoyao has fallen as a saint, and Xu Xiaoshou killed her."

This statement caused a massive uproar.

The sudden voice made the attendees' forms become even more blurred, clearly indicating intense fluctuations in their spiritual thoughts.

Some individuals even had their upper bodies disconnect for a moment before reconnecting.

It wasn't that they were under attack; they were simply so agitated that they stood up.

"Rao Yaoyao—is that the Rao you're thinking of? And Xu Xiaoshou—is that the Xu?"

"Exactly."

"She's fallen as a saint? Are you saying Rao Yaoyao achieved sainthood?"

"Yes."

"Is it true?"

"Absolutely genuine."

"Hiss! That's terrifying. A Sword Saint slain by a young man—this is another Ba Zun An? No, he's even more ferocious than Ba Zun An!"

"Hai Tang Er, you're from the Sheng Nu faction, right? Do you know this Xu Xiaoshou?"

"Pfft, Zhao Lao, that's too obvious. How could Hai Tang Er answer that?"

"I know him."

"Oh? Tell us more."

"But I think now is the time to consider dividing up the Pu Xuan Jiang Shi. Since Sheng Nu has made a move, the stability for Tian Meng is running out."

"Uh, are you saying... Jiang Buyi?"

"Yes, and Xu Xiaoshou was involved in his death too."

"Hiss!"

Southern Domain, Sin Soil, Xu Yue Hui Palace.

This was a small world shrouded in gray mist, with rules and order different from those of the Sheng Shen Continent. It exuded chaos everywhere, a place unfit for ordinary people to linger.

Here, the world was spectacular, a true wonder.

Massive pale beast horns pierced through the earth from the north, south, east, and west, converging high in the sky toward the eastern direction. Between the four horns, a massive, dim "moon" was imprisoned.

This "moon" wasn't particularly large—even up close, it spanned only about a hundred li—and compared to an entire world, it was tiny.

In reality, it was an energy core compressed over many years and built by countless generations of Xu Yue Hui Palace members, serving as the light source for this lightless world.

Of course, if necessary, it could be detonated, taking invaders down with the small world.

Xu Yue was the name of this dim "moon" and also the faith of all Xu Yue Hui Palace members.

As long as it remained intact, Xu Yue Hui Palace would endure, and even the Sheng Shen Hall dared not invade openly.

Beneath Xu Yue stood the tallest peak in this Xu Yue world: Hui Tian Peak.

Atop Hui Tian Peak rose a magnificent palace, its main structure crafted from golden beast bones using assembly techniques, with details preserving the bones' natural essence.

In short, it was left unpolished.

The palace's location was bold, embedded right in the massive, open maw of a dragon's head at the peak, as if being held in its jaws, with an empty cliff below.

Primitive! Wild! Insane!

These three words summed up the infamous Xu Yue Hui Palace.

Notably, this "dragon's head" wasn't part of Hui Tian Peak; it wasn't formed by mountain rock or natural forces.

It was the true dragon skull that the current Xu Yue Hui Palace Master, Ye Yan, had beheaded from the Qi Duan Jin Long Ku in a drunken rage after boasting wildly one night.

Before that, Xu Yue Hui Palace sat on Hui Tian Peak.

After that, it was held in the dragon's head.

Naturally, a new rule was added to this wild palace: no drinking alcohol, with violators to be executed!

—Ordered by Bai Wei Palace Master himself, and he led by example, never breaking it!

*Burp*

A burp reeking of alcohol echoed.

In the grand hall, under the faint dark red glow from the true dragon's eyes—like night pearls—a plump and alluring woman lounged on the armrest of a dark purple beast bone throne. She held a wine pot in one hand and propped her cheek with the other, her flushed cheeks as red as blood, her eyes shimmering like water.

Her figure was incredibly voluptuous. As she stretched lazily on the beast bone throne, her high-slit long skirt failed to hide the accidental exposure from her drunken state.

She had been drinking for days and nights, filling the hall with the scent of alcohol.

Even the jade hairpin symbolizing dignity was gone, her slightly curly light purple hair draped casually over her fragrant shoulders, dampened by the wine.

"Have... the people... *burp*, arrived yet?"

On the beast bone throne, the woman crossed her rounded legs, resting them high on the other armrest. After speaking, she tilted her head back for a few more gulps.

The fine wine overflowed from her red lips, trickling down her jade neck, mingling with her wet hair and flowing into the deep valley of her chest.

"Reporting to Bai Wei Palace Master, not yet."

A hunched old man at the side kept his eyes straight ahead, not daring to glance sideways.

The world assumed Bai Wei Palace Master was male, but only those who had seen his true form knew this fierce individual was actually female.

He had many triggers not to mess with.

For instance, if he discovered palace members referring to him as "she" outside or gossiping about him.

Or during and after drinking.

Or during his irregular but inevitable bouts of irritability.

Aside from that, Bai Wei Palace Master was quite approachable—if you followed his patterns in serving him, you wouldn't die.

The hunched old man waited until Bai Wei Palace Master seemed coherent enough for a normal conversation, then respectfully announced loudly:

"Only Wu Xia, Chang Heng, and a few hundred elders have arrived; the rest haven't."

"They haven't come? None of them?"

The woman glanced sideways, her eyes watery but emotionless.

"Yes."

The hall fell silent for a moment, even making the waiting attendants below tense up.

Suddenly, with a loud bang, Bai Wei Palace Master smashed the jade pot in his hand and angrily stood, flipping over the jade stone table.

Before the spinning purple table could hit the ground, he lashed out with a flash of white, barefooted and kicking fiercely.

"Bang!"

Jade shards flew everywhere, filling the hall with killing intent.

Bai Wei Palace Master staggered slightly before steadying himself and turning, snorting coldly:

"If they can't make it, then none of them need to come at all!"

"Old Turtle! List the names... *burp*, and positions of those who didn't show up. I'll go take them out myself!"

"You bunch of bastards! How dare you slight me?"

The hunched old man, called Old Turtle, lowered his head even more, not daring to look up, and shouted loudly:

"Bai Wei Palace Master, you're truly handsome, imposing, and extraordinarily mighty!"

"The entire Southern Domain sings praises of your great achievements; they all regard you as the true savior."

"These are all facts, Bai Wei Palace Master. Do you know about them?"

"What? You don't remember... Oh, we were just talking about the Rao Yaoyao Sheng Lun incident. You can continue from there."

Bai Wei Palace Master stumbled twice and slumped back onto the purple beast bone throne, his cheeks flushed as he laughed:

"Heh heh, is that so?"

"Old Turtle, go write another volume and have the Ban Yue Ju spread my exploits far and wide—about that last battle in the Long Ku... *burp*!"

"The last time I went out, I didn't hear anyone talking about my glorious fight in the Long Ku. Damn it, they're taking money and not doing the work—they deserve to die!"

Old Turtle nodded vigorously: "Yes, indeed. Rao Yaoyao truly deserved to die."

Bai Wei Palace Master's eyes gained a spark, as if his soul had returned. He straightened his legs, pulled down his high-slit skirt, sat up properly, and spoke solemnly:

"Right, back to business. Forget about the Zhan Pai people for now. About the Rao Yaoyao Sheng Lun—have you investigated who did it?" His speech suddenly became coherent.

Old Turtle breathed a sigh of relief. The real Bai Wei Palace Master had retreated; the facade was back. That was a relief.

"It's said to be Xu Xiaoshou."

"The one who's been rising fast, that Sheng Nu's Xu Xiaoshou?" Bai Wei Palace Master asked.

"Yes."

"Hmph, one of Ba Zun An's people—who knows if he has ulterior motives. I'll go meet him personally when I have time. Jiao Tang Tang said he might be worth considering, but whether we can pull him over is another story..." Bai Wei Palace Master furrowed his brow, waved a hand, and continued: "Set this aside for now. What about Feng Xiao Se's side?"

"No news at all."

"He's on Void Island... Xu Xiaoshou was able to slay Rao Yaoyao, so he must have gotten a great opportunity! That means he probably crossed paths with Feng Xiao Se. The top figures on the island are just a few... Once Feng Xiao Se returns, we can ask him about this person."

"As long as he comes back." Old Turtle even dared to joke now.

"Nonsense!" Bai Wei Palace Master shot him a sideways glare with her beautiful eyes, but she wasn't angry. Instead, she looked down at one person.

"Wu Xia... Sigh, my condolences. Anyway, Rao Yaoyao is dead, which is great news, but you won't get to avenge yourself personally."

"But I guarantee you!"

Bai Wei Palace Master thumped his ample chest, not caring about the waves it caused, speaking as roughly as a burly man: "When we act next, I'll definitely take you along. Kill as many in red as you want—kill them all to your heart's content!"

"Alright." Wu Xia was in low spirits, speaking little.

Bai Wei Palace Master said no more, scanning the people below with a dangerous glint in his eyes:

"This bunch really needs a good cleanup. I'm the official palace master, after all..."

"With Feng Xiao Se away, they didn't even send a young representative—ha!"

A murderous intent flashed in Bai Wei Palace Master's beautiful eyes. Suddenly, he puffed out his chest and let out another burp, and his solemn demeanor vanished:

"Heh heh, Old Turtle, do you think this Xu Xiaoshou is as fierce as they say? Is he handsome?"

"Oh, and have the Ban Yue Ju spread my legends again!"

"They promote Ba Zun An... *burp*, so energetically, but for me, it's like squeezing milk—just a drop at a time, and if you don't squeeze, nothing comes out. What a bunch of bastards!"

"And, and... Come here! Why are you backing away?"

"Ah?" Old Turtle was terrified but had no choice but to approach.

Sure enough, Bai Wei Palace Master grabbed him, thrust out his chest again, and threw back his head as if something was surging up from his stomach.

"*Ugh!*"

He vomited all over him!

Western Domain.

In the deep mountains, ancient forests, and old temple.

A young novice monk, about eleven or twelve years old, gripped a long wooden staff and scampered into the temple.

Glancing around and seeing no one, he bowed to the Buddha statue, wiggled his butt, and dashed out. With a staff vault, he leaped onto the temple roof.

"Abbot! Abbot! They say Rao Yaoyao has fallen as a saint. Who is Rao Yaoyao? Is she a visitor?"

The young novice worriedly looked at the abbot on the eaves, You Xi Fang Zhang, who had a huge belly like he'd swallowed the temple's stone lions. He always feared that one more step would break the roof tiles and send him plummeting to his end.

You Xi Fang Zhang was so fat—didn't he realize it himself?

Why did he always stay in such a high, dangerous spot?

The young novice didn't dare ask.

He'd asked other uncles before, and they always knocked his head or flicked his forehead—it hurt a lot!

You Xi Fang Zhang, with his bare belly, white beard, and kind eyes—his fleshy cheeks always giving him a cheerful look—gently stroked the young novice's head and said kindly:

"I know, Xiao Bu Bei."

"But you can't come up here. If the Jie Lv Hall uncles see you, they'll make you carry water for three days. Got it?"

"I'm not afraid of hardship! Xiao Bu Bei can carry heavy water for ten days straight now!" The young novice flexed the small muscles on his arms.

"Monks don't lie."

"You Xi Fang Zhang! I'm not lying!"

"Oh, you're that strong? I don't believe it. Why don't you carry some for me to see?"

"Hmph! Fine, I will!" The young novice wrinkled his nose, almost jumping down, but quickly realized proving it would take ten days. He pouted and grumbled: "You Xi Fang Zhang, you're tricking me again. I don't like you anymore!"

"Heh heh..." The abbot just stroked his head, watching the sun set and dusk fall.

"Abbot, abbot, what do you watch up here every day?" The young novice asked curiously.

"The sunset."

"The sunset is beautiful, but it's always the same—si, si... What's the point?"

You Xi Fang Zhang smiled warmly: "I watch the sunset with my heart; the evening glow watches for him. My heart changes every day, the evening glow changes every day, so it has a thousand variations. If he chooses to return, the evening glow will welcome him home for me."

"You Xi Fang Zhang, who's 'he'?" The young novice scratched his head in confusion. That was adult talk—he only understood there was a "he."

"Your You Yuan Shi Shu."

"Ah! That's Bu Le Shi Xiong's master! I know him. Isn't he out suppressing a great demon?"

"Yes, he's suppressing a very, very large demon. He should have come home long ago."

You Xi Fang Zhang's plump, smiling face lost its smile, his eyes reflecting the evening glow and filled with the sorrow of dusk. "He should have come home long ago..."

"Can't You Yuan Shi Shu come home? He can return when he's tired!"

You Xi Fang Zhang touched his forehead, watching the sun sink westward and the sky darken, only smiling without speaking.

The young novice scratched his head again, but soon remembered the original topic and asked worriedly:

"Big-bellied abbot, they say Rao Yaoyao's fall as a saint will have some impact. Will it affect us? The books say we're far from the outside world."

"It will."

"What kind of impact exactly?"

You Xi Fang Zhang didn't answer. Instead, he squatted down.

The young novice grew even more worried, glancing at the trembling roof tiles behind him, but they didn't give way.

"Look," the big-bellied abbot said, hugging the young novice and pointing to the fading colorful sky in the distance. "What happens after the sunset?"

"What happens?"

"After the sunset, the sky will change."

"Ah? It turns dark? That simple? I know that answer, big-bellied abbot. Ask me again!"

"Alright, alright. Then I'll ask you: After the sunset, when does dawn come?"

"Uh... I wasn't talking about that!"

"Then answer this harder question."

"Uh, let me think... The answer is, tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes, tomorrow!"

"Ha ha ha, what a good answer—tomorrow. Now, one more question: How should we get through from dusk to dawn?"

"By sleeping?"

"Then that's settled. What are you afraid of? Go to sleep."

"Oh, sleeping... Will everything be better after a sleep? Will You Yuan Shi Shu come back too?"

"Yes..." The evening breeze rustled through You Xi Fang Zhang's long white beard, making him seem much older.

He gazed at the darkening sky in the distance, stroking his beard with a smile: "Life is like a dream; awaken in the midst of it, and tomorrow's changes will always arrive."