Chapter 1453: Dissipation

"Since they’ve already been released, there’s no point discussing it now," Yun Jianyue said, looking towards Treasure Mountain in the distance. "Shall we go take a look?"

The others naturally knew what she was thinking.

Zu An said, "The Path to Immortality has just been completely severed. This Spirit Mountain is no longer the same as it was. I'm afraid we won't find the immortal medicine, will we?"

"That's right," Yan Xuehen said. "The Ten Witches of Spirit Mountain also mentioned earlier that the immortal medicine went missing because Gu ambushed Bao Jiang."

"Hmph, maybe they're deliberately hiding it," Yun Jianyue scoffed. "Besides, the area where the immortal medicine is found surely contains many rare herbs and treasures. Even if the elemental energy has vanished, there might still be some remnants. Finding even a few would be worthwhile." With that, she wasted no more words, tapped her toes, and shot towards Treasure Mountain.

The others were also somewhat tempted, and fearing for Yun Jianyue's safety, they hurriedly followed.

However, Yun Jianyue quickly wore a disappointed expression. Although the so-called Treasure Mountain did possess some spiritual herbs, they held little value for beings like the Demonic Sect Master and the White Jade Capital Spectator.

"It seems this world has truly changed," Zu An said gravely, his previous suspicions confirmed.

He then looked up at another beautiful peak: Goddess Peak.

"Let's go take a look over there."

The Ten Witches of Spirit Mountain had mentioned that Emperor Yan's third daughter, Yao Ji, resided there. Moreover, just as the sun was shot down, he seemed to sense a unique presence from Goddess Peak observing everything.

"I see you heard about a beautiful woman and now can't resist, can you?" Yan Xuehen couldn't help but glance at him.

Yun Jianyue laughed, "This time, I'm siding with the Ice Maiden!"

Yu Yanluo, however, glanced at Yan Xuehen, thinking, *Shouldn't I be the one saying that? Sigh, these two sisters are getting closer and closer to A'Zu.*

Though they joked like this, they still rushed to Goddess Peak to investigate.

Alas, the peak remained, but the goddess was nowhere to be found.

"So this is what the Ten Witches of Spirit Mountain meant by severing the Path to Immortality," Yan Xuehen sighed deeply, finally understanding why, for thousands of years, so many talented cultivators had failed to become immortals.

Yun Jianyue, however, was more optimistic: "At least we now know that immortals truly exist in this world; we won't be as lost as before."

Yan Xuehen's spirits lifted as well: "Indeed!"

Just knowing this made the trip to the Unknowable Land worthwhile.

Zu An's expression suddenly changed: "Oh no, all these mythical beings have vanished. What about Shun?"

The women's hearts sank. Zu An's puppet curse mark hadn't been lifted yet. What if Shun had vanished, just like the Ten Witches of Spirit Mountain and Goddess Yao Ji? What would they do then?

So, the group could no longer hold back and immediately rushed towards Mount Jiuyi.

Although they were all somewhat exhausted, they dared not delay. Zu An, riding his Wind-Fire Wheels, flew off, holding the hands of the three women. Having experienced so much life and death together, holding hands like this had long become a habit, and they no longer found it unusual.

Now that the Path to Immortality was severed, many strange phenomena they had previously encountered also disappeared. Even some terrifying beasts and powerful cultivators vanished. The world suddenly became much more normal. The group passed through places like the Marshes of Qingqiu, Ferocious Water, the Wilds of Shouhua, Dongting Lake, Sanglin, and Weak Water, no longer encountering the difficulties they faced before.

They soon arrived at the southern side of Mount Jiuyi, at the tomb where they had previously met Shun.

Before anyone could speak, a vague figure materialized: "You truly didn't disappoint me. You've not only completed Yi's heroic journey but also gained the divine artifact's recognition."

Seeing that he was still there, Zu An breathed a sigh of relief: "Is the divine artifact you mentioned earlier this Sun-Shooting Bow?"

"Indeed." The voice was somewhat ethereal, not as solid as before.

"But this Sun-Shooting Bow was clearly in Prince Golden Crow's hands," Zu An countered. "He's also in this world now, so how can two Sun-Shooting Bows exist simultaneously?" Zu An had previously mentioned that he was brought here by the Demon Emperor and his son, and the puppet curse mark on him was left then. As for the Sun-Shooting Bow, he had personally seen Prince Golden Crow use it. Although there were slight differences, it was definitely the same weapon. Of course, the biggest difference was that the white arrow this time seemed entirely different from last time, its power greatly increased.

"Who said there are two simultaneously?" Shun smiled. "Given your current cultivation level, it's difficult to explain the reasons in terms you can understand. One day, you will figure it out yourself."

Zu An remained silent, frowning, while Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue were deep in thought. They vaguely sensed a subtle mystery in Shun's words, but struggled to articulate what it was.

Yu Yanluo hurriedly said, "We've already retraced Yi's heroic journey as per our agreement and gained the divine artifact's recognition. Now, you should uphold your end of the bargain and remove the puppet curse mark from him, shouldn't you?"

At this, Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue also eagerly looked at Shun's phantom. Yan Xuehen, in particular, felt a pang of shame, realizing she hadn't been as devoted to Zu An as Yu Yanluo. But she quickly realized, *He's not my man, why should I care so much about him!*

"Given my current state, I can't help him remove it," Shun sighed.

Zu An raised an eyebrow, directly drawing the Sun-Shooting Bow and aiming it at him: "Do you want to test the power of this divine artifact? I happen to have one arrow left."

Although this ancient Shun held high status and presumably immense power, he had been dead for many years. And with the residual might from instantly eliminating the nine suns, Zu An felt no fear of him at this moment.

The figure visibly stiffened, but soon chuckled, "No wonder you completed the heroic journey; your spirit is indeed extraordinary. However, you needn't threaten me with that; I wouldn't have been able to exist for much longer anyway."

"The severing of the Path to Immortality has affected me, and even without that, I couldn't have existed indefinitely," the voice said with a self-deprecating chuckle. He then addressed the group, "Don't be alarmed. While I cannot personally remove this puppet curse mark for you, I know someone who can."

"Are you trying to trick me into helping you accomplish something else?" Zu An sneered. Being used like this was truly frustrating.

"You're overthinking it. There's nothing you need to do for me," Shun's fading image said.

"What about what you mentioned earlier regarding dealing with Yu?" Yun Jianyue asked cautiously. He had clearly told them to retrieve the divine artifact to confront Yu, but now he made no mention of it, making her suspect a trick.

"Since you've obtained the Sun-Shooting Bow, I naturally no longer need to worry about the rest. You will understand later. Well, it's time for me to enter eternal slumber." The fading image gradually dispersed, leaving only a distant voice: "Go to a place called Nanchao. Someone there can resolve the curse mark on you."

Zu An frowned. "Nanchao? Why does that name sound familiar?"

***

Some people die, but they don't completely die...

He took deep breaths of fresh air, his chest trembling.

Confusion, bewilderment—a myriad of emotions surged within him.

"Where is this?"

Then, Shi Yu subconsciously observed his surroundings, feeling even more bewildered.

A single dormitory room?

Even if he had been successfully rescued, he should be in a hospital ward now.

And his body... why was there no injury at all?

With doubts, Shi Yu's gaze quickly swept across the room, finally resting on a mirror at the head of the bed.

The mirror reflected his current appearance: around seventeen or eighteen years old, with a handsome face.

His former self was a handsome young man in his twenties with an extraordinary demeanor, who had been working for some time.

But now, this appearance looked like that of a high school student...

This change left Shi Yu stunned for a long time.

Don't tell him the surgery was successful...

His body and face had both changed; this wasn't a matter of surgery at all, but rather immortal magic.

He had completely become another person!

Could it be... that he had transmigrated?

Besides the mirror at the head of the bed, whose placement clearly had bad feng shui, Shi Yu also found three books beside it.

Shi Yu picked them up. Their titles instantly silenced him.

*Beginner Breeder's Essential Beast Rearing Manual*

*Post-Pet-Birth Care*

*Guide to Appreciating Beast-Eared Girls of Different Races*

Shi Yu: ???

The titles of the first two books were normal enough, but what was with the last one?

"Ahem."

Shi Yu's gaze sharpened, and he reached out, but his arm quickly stiffened.

Just as he was about to open the third book to see what it was, his brain suddenly throbbed with a sharp pain, and a flood of memories surged within him.

Icefield City.

Pet Beast Breeding Base.

Intern Pet Beast Breeder.

Beast Tamer?