Chapter 1801: Residual Lamp

"Xiao Shi Tan Ji?"

"What an ancient pseudonym!"

"It must have been the name casually given by Fu Zhi Xin Ling when he fought Gou Wuyue in Bagong Li, right?"

"Uh..."

Xu Xiaoshou's mouth twitched, almost unable to suppress a laugh.

He had originally been moved by the Fengdu phenomena like the Yellow Springs Road and the Other Shore Bridge.

After all, no matter who had used the Ghost Swordsmanship before, none had caused such a huge commotion.

Moreover, the one walking down the bridge was just an insignificant will, and had not even drawn a sword yet.

He collected himself, unaffected by the pressure of the Saint Emperor, and spoke indifferently, "Hua Changdeng?"

A single stone stirred a thousand waves!

The millions of spectators on Jin Xing, after a moment of dead silence, started flooding the comments:

"Ghost Sword Immortal, Hua Changdeng?!"

"The only one among the previous generation's Seven Sword Immortals who ever defeated Ba Zun'an?"

"No, brother, you can't say that... Everyone says there was something fishy about the battle between the Eighth Sword Immortal and Hua Changdeng, how can you so arbitrarily say the Eighth Sword Immortal lost?"

"Everyone says? Who says?"

"Exactly! Regardless of the process, only the result matters. Lost is lost, don't bark, dogs of the Eastern Region!"

"Where the hell are you, do you dare to reveal your location? I'll come challenge you right now!"

"Stop arguing. Hong Niang, get closer. We can't see this person's appearance. Shou Ye must be bluffing us, right?"

On the Jin Xing screen, the figure walking from the Other Shore Bridge had indeed solidified somewhat, but only his hand holding a lamp and a sword tucked behind his waist could be seen.

If one looked closely at his face, it was blurry.

"I..."

How could Hong Niang dare to get closer? She was practically ineffable.

She was prostrated on the ground at this moment. If the Jin Xing screen were turned around, the Five Domains might finally see how disheveled she was.

But disheveled as she was, Shou Ye's words "Hua Changdeng" caused her Jin Xing viewer count to skyrocket.

In just a few breaths, the number had already broken the three million mark!

"What should I do?"

"What on earth should I do?"

Hong Niang was caught in a dilemma.

On one hand, she wanted to live. Who in the world doesn't want to live?

The best choice right now would definitely be to seize the moment while they weren't paying attention to her, crush the jade talisman, escape this place, and forget about spreading the teachings!

On the other hand, if she didn't seize this heaven-sent opportunity, wouldn't she be pounding her chest in regret every time she woke up in the middle of the night for the rest of her life?

Endure!

Definitely endure!

Just pretend to be a corpse, lie on the ground, not say a word, and let everyone see for themselves... Hong Niang gritted her teeth and chose to play dead.

"What Shou Ye? What Hua Changdeng?"

"I came here specifically, heard there's a Shou Ye to watch?"

"Zui Zhong Jun has arrived! All irrelevant people, quickly move aside! You're called Hong Niang, right? Emperor Zui Zhong has come to bestow opportunity upon you!"

"Zui Zhong Jun has arrived!"

"...has arrived!"

Soon, a series of highly recognizable comments appeared on her forehead, and Hong Niang knew that Feng Zhongzui's people had arrived.

Then she definitely couldn't leave.

This was an enormous fortune.

Just one wave, as long as she survived, she could absolutely elevate herself to the position of supreme spreader of teachings!

Hong Niang shivered. Between danger and opportunity, she chose to seek wealth in peril, firmly maintaining the Jin Xing screen locked on the front.

On the screen, Hua Changdeng was still blurry, but it could be seen that he was carefully examining Shou Ye's face. After a long time, he sighed, "You've changed..."

"When we met in Bagong Li, you were still young and green, with a square face and a beard, just beginning to show your brilliance, but you hadn't yet ridden the winds and clouds, nor possessed this kind of demeanor."

"What I see now is that you have matured. You observe the turbulent waves without changing color, and remain radiant even in a parched marsh... I heard you have already earned the title of 'First Sword Immortal'?"

Hua Changdeng had met Shou Ye?

The Jin Xing spectators felt that something big was about to unfold.

Could it be that the supreme sword immortal battle Feng Zhongzui couldn't find even after squatting for half a year, Hong Niang's accidental encounter today could actually lead to Shou Ye fighting Hua Changdeng?

"Hiss..."

Xu Xiaoshou hadn't expected Hua Changdeng's voice to be so pleasant, which choked back all the vulgar words he had intended to say.

Give a peach for a plum?

That wouldn't be possible either; it was already good enough that he didn't verbally attack him. Xu Xiaoshou, for once, acted like a civilized person and said calmly, "Today is different from yesterday."

Hua Changdeng seemed to be smiling, his laughter very soft.

After laughing, his gaze shifted, sweeping over the surrounding area, and finally, he slightly raised his lamp.

"Hiss..."

In the area covered by the netherworld, thousands of ghostly beings wailed in unison, turning into green smoke that drifted into the air.

Finally, they all flowed into the candle flame of the old, broken bronze lamp in Hua Changdeng's hand.

Everything returned to quiet.

After the ghosts were hunted, Hua Changdeng remained silent, making it impossible to guess his intentions for appearing here – was he truly just here to slay these lingering spirits and vengeful ghosts?

"Old man!"

Xu Xiaoshou was too lazy to parley with him and preemptively said, "Ba Zun'an said you're righteous. I'll believe it for now. Since you've arrived at the right time, there are some questions I want to ask you."

Old man... Hua Changdeng heard someone call him that for the first time and chuckled, not minding at all:

"It's just the two of us here, quite peaceful. Speak freely."

Hong Niang's face turned pale.

What does that mean? Am I not a person?

Or rather, am I about to cease being a person?

Old Li, or Li Fugui, who had driven his carriage far away from the danger zone early on, was not experiencing this internal conflict.

Firstly, he was not within the "here" range.

Secondly, if there was danger, Shou Ye would definitely protect him.

"Haha..."

Xu Xiaoshou, however, laughed heartily, his peripheral vision casually sweeping over Hong Niang, or rather, the golden apricot in her hand.

Serves you right for only studying Ghost Swordsmanship for thirty years!

Now look, you can't keep up with the development of the human world.

What do you mean "just the two of us here"? This was his first public appearance in half a year, there must be at least a million spectators, right?

He was never one to beat around the bush, and even more so when dealing with ancient sword cultivators who were likely straightforward.

Immediately, he pointed around and asked sharply, "For the past half year, the Ghost Buddha Realm has been experiencing abnormalities. The netherworld has become increasingly severe, with vengeful ghosts proliferating, making the Central Region uninhabitable. 'The people are suffering' isn't even enough to describe it; even the Spiritual Masters are suffering."

"I only ask you, are these changes caused by you?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Changdeng could only lower his head and sigh, "Yes, and not entirely."

"Stop playing riddles!"

Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand, too lazy to guess further. "Speak if you can, if not, then get out. Otherwise, people will think you're Dao Qiongcang."

Hua Changdeng choked, "The disturbance of the God of Death's power, Fengdu's relocation to the present world, the Saint Emperor's desire to act on the continent, naturally lead to a continuous string of natural disasters."

This statement was fair.

Previously, when Wangze Saint Emperor pursued Ye Xiaotian, space shattered in various parts of the Five Domains.

If the Ancient War God Stage hadn't been activated, Xu Xiaoshou's battle with Ai Cangsheng would have further fragmented the Five Domains.

And Hua Changdeng's words implied...

Xu Xiaoshou narrowed his eyes:

"You just had to make a move?"

"There are grievances that sever the Heavenly Stairway, blocking both the upper and lower realms. You're the one who likes to be the early bird, looking for trouble?"

How could Hua Changdeng not hear the sarcasm in those words?

The severed grievances seemed to only affect the upper and lower parts of the Heavenly Stairway, but in reality, they also affected the Ancestor Gods' intervention in the Five Domains of the continent.

But some things cannot be explained in a few words.

He slowly shook his head, not answering.

"Lost your spirit?"

Xu Xiaoshou didn't know what the old man was thinking. Seeing his silence, he changed the question:

"Old Yu went up the Heavenly Stairway half a year ago. You came from above the Heavenly Stairway. Do you have any news of him?"

Hua Changdeng looked up.

Outsiders couldn't see his face, but Xu Xiaoshou's gaze was like a torch.

This person looked to be in his forties, with a gaunt face, long eyebrows that extended past his eyes. Although his eyelids were slightly narrowed, revealing a hint of cold light, he seemed to be in his twilight years but actually contained sharpness within him. He was a dangerous individual!

Hua Changdeng paused, not explicitly saying anything, but simply said, "You are a smart person."

As soon as these words were spoken, Xu Xiaoshou had a bad premonition.

In fact, he hadn't wanted to ask this question, and for the past half year, he had deliberately avoided thinking about the answer to this question head-on.

But this question was not asked for himself, but for Xiao Yu, who had been worried for a long time. Immediately, he cupped his fists and said solemnly, "I am a fool. I don't know. Please, Ghost Sword Immortal, enlighten me."

Nanming.

Yu Zhiwen, dressed in black, stood quietly on a solitary island's rock.

Waves crashed, the island was covered in sword marks, and there was no life anywhere. Yu Zhiwen held a sword in her hand, but it hung limply.

She tightly clutched the golden pearl, not for spreading the teachings, but because her spiritual thoughts were connected, and she was also paying attention to what was happening in the Ghost Buddha Realm.

There were no outsiders on the isolated island except Yu Zhiwen, only Liu Fuyu, who wore a plain robe and had a sword at her waist. Seeing the little fish beside her suddenly look anxious, she asked, "What's wrong?"

For the past half year, Xu Xiaoshou had devoted himself to cultivating his reputation.

Liu Fuyu had been waiting for him to go to Jianlou with her, but Xu Xiaoshou's heart wasn't in Jianlou, and their previous battle had ended in her defeat.

She couldn't force the issue, so it had been dragged on.

Later, Yu Zhiwen entered the Xingjie and practiced swordsmanship outside the Shennong Yaoyuan. Liu Fuyu happened to pass by and offered some guidance.

Both of them had calm temperaments, didn't talk much, and unexpectedly hit it off.

Over the next few months, their exchanges grew more frequent.

While they weren't close like sisters who talked about everything, they had become a relationship of "exchanging swords, mentor and friend," and would often go out to practice swordsmanship together.

This Huangshi Island, located deep in Nanming, was beautiful with grotesque rocks and, most importantly, uninhabited.

For the past half year, it had been the best place for Yu and Liu to practice swordsmanship.

Today, however, Yu Zhiwen's mind was not on her sword. She had been clutching this "palm apricot" without letting go—indeed, looking at palm apricots too much can hinder one's swordsmanship!

Yu Zhiwen seemed to be suppressing her emotions, murmuring, "Xu Xiaoshou encountered Sword Immortal Hua..."

Hua Changdeng?

Liu Fuyu's face froze slightly. She remembered that this was the only one among the previous generation's Seven Sword Immortals who had sealed a Saint Emperor with ancient swordsmanship.

She had been on the Saint God Continent for so long, had heard legends about him, but had never even seen his portrait.

"Let me see."

She took Yu Zhiwen's hand and sat down next to her.

Yu Zhiwen activated Jin Xing, and the screen popped up. She viewed it with her spiritual sense, while Liu Fuyu could see with her naked eyes the two figures standing in opposition.

Xu Xiaoshou, of course, was still putting on that act.

The person opposite, though his face was obscured, exuded an air of aloofness, like a cold moon in the sky, giving off a sense of icy detachment that warned people to stay away.

"This is...?"

"Asking about my Grandpa Yu..."

Liu Fuyu was startled, then quickly recalled.

Yu Zhiwen's great-grandfather should be Old Yu, Yu Kunpeng, who had ascended the Heavenly Stairway after achieving Sainthood.

After that, his fate was unknown.

Xu Xiaoshou had clearly finished asking.

Hua Changdeng's reply seemed very calm, as if discussing a trivial matter:

"Secure the internal before addressing the external."

"Since my spiritual will can cross the power of grievances to reach the Five Domains, how could there still be chaos above the Heavenly Stairway?"

Yu Zhiwen's body stiffened, turning to stone on the reef.

Liu Fuyu's lips parted, but she could only sigh. She gently squeezed Xiao Yu's hand, unable to speak.

Xu Xiaoshou was silent.

He knew that Xiao Yu might be watching at this moment.

Since the question had been asked, it was better to have a quick pain than a long one. He might as well ask clearly and pressed on, "Who made the move?"

Hua Changdeng seemed surprised.

He raised his eyelids, deeply scrutinizing Xu Xiaoshou, reading something into his expression.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't stop: "I heard that the Cold Palace Saint Emperor is in seclusion, the Qian Shi Saint Emperor is in reclusion, Bei Huai is ill-behaved and doesn't come out, Wang Ze is already dead, powerless and without intention..."

The more he spoke,

In Nanming, Yu Zhiwen's grip tightened.

Liu Fuyu had no choice but to subtly use her sword power to resist, amazed that such a seemingly delicate woman could also unleash such brute force.

These two, who seemed like a perfect match, were actually wildlings?

"Indeed..."

Hua Changdeng held the bronze lamp in his hand, looking down at the faint, flickering candle flame within it, and interrupted Xu Xiaoshou.

He raised his head, and enunciated each word, "I killed him."

A thunderous boom!

As soon as his words fell, the imagery of the Wangchuan River behind him reassembled.

This time, however, there was no Other Shore Bridge spanning it. The murky yellow water was seeped with blood red, like an endless dead sea.

Skeletal remains floated in the river, and vengeful spirits screamed, drowning within it.

Suddenly, a mournful cry echoed through the heavens and earth, and a great commotion arose beneath the Wangchuan River, stirring up monstrous waves. A colossal beast, large enough to blot out the sky, leaped out of the river.

In various parts of the Five Domains, Spiritual Masters watching this scene could hear Hong Niang's uncertain cry:

"Kun..."

Yes, it was indeed a Kun beast!

But the Kun beast that leaped from beneath the river and sea was covered in wounds, all sword marks, almost reduced to a skeleton.

Its body had various holes and bloodied orifices, dripping blood like a yellow waterfall from the sky, a sight that filled one with terror.

The Kun's cry was originally clear, but now it was only desolate.

That colossal Kun beast, leaping into the air, transformed into a giant roc in the void, also immense enough to obscure the sky, but...

The roc's wings were broken, unable to soar;

Its body was featherless, extraordinarily ugly.

With another thunderous roar, the Kunpeng could neither leap nor fly, finally plunging and drowning into the boundless waters of Wangchuan.

Everything returned to calm.

"Snap."

Yu Zhiwen cut off the Jin Xing screen and stood up silently.

She stood on the rocky shore of Huangshi Island, swaying precariously, as if a gust of wind could knock her over.

Nanming was vast and boundless, anywhere could have been home, but the cold spray splashing on her face from the crashing waves made her feel a chill for the first time.

"The sea is cold..."

The sea breeze remained, but everything else had changed.

Yu Zhiwen couldn't see, and she found no home in the four seas.

In the Ghost Buddha Realm, Hua Changdeng could also faintly feel the surrounding temperature drop, but he remained unmoved.

Xu Xiaoshou was silent.

He, instead, drew his sword from his waist.

This sword was illusory. Its blade was indeed spotless, but its body was pitted and uneven. Hua Changdeng ran his finger over it, his expression bland, his voice low:

"Kun blood sacrifices the sword, Peng feathers sharpen the blade."

"The body is slain by the sword, the spirit confined to Wangchuan."

"If he hadn't met me, hadn't fought me, perhaps one of the five great Saint Emperor Secret Realms could indeed have had a place for him."

Xu Xiaoshou stared at him, and suddenly, Ba Zun'an's face flashed in his mind.

He realized that those who had reached the end of the Great Dao shared a common trait, whether it was Hua Changdeng or Ba Zun'an.

He had later asked Ba Zun'an why he had massacred the Su family that day, almost killing all the elders and sword guardians of Su Qianqian's family.

Ba Zun'an had the same bland expression and replied, "The dispute over the Dao, no blame, merely completion."

His thoughts snapped back, and Hua Changdeng looked at him indifferently.

He reinserted his sword into his waist. The candlelight of the broken lamp in his hand flickered dimly, his expression normal, and he said without a hint of apology, "When a person dies, their light goes out. If this person was very important to you... I am very sorry."