Chapter 1293: Unexpected Outcomes

Venerable Lianjing looked puzzled but still took out a small mirror.

“Speak your message into it, and I will deliver it to Venerable Wugou,” she said. “But be quick, we don't have much time.”

Without a second thought, Jiang Fan took the mirror and spoke into it:

“The Nine Phoenixes Adoring the Dao Hairpin is in my hands!”“If Grand Venerable Xingyuan dies, you won't get it either!”

After speaking, he handed the small mirror to Venerable Lianjing. He said in a low voice, “Next, I might be pursued by Grand Venerable Wugou. I will act separately from you.”

Venerable Lianjing's expression changed slightly. “You'll die!”

A Nascent Soul cultivator, facing pursuit from a Grand Venerable in the Five Decrepitudes of Heaven and Man. Was the outcome even a question? He would surely be captured instantly, without suspense!

Jiang Fan gazed at Grand Venerable Xingyuan's retreating figure. “Grand Venerable can sacrifice himself for righteousness,” he said. “Why should juniors like us, with our meager cultivation, begrudge this body?”

He took out the Nine Phoenixes Adoring the Dao Hairpin and also a spatial mirror. He released Little Qilin.

“Little Qilin, hold onto this hairpin,” he instructed. “If I don't return, give it to Gu Xin'er.”

This item was meant to be returned to its original owner, Grand Venerable Hongmo herself. If she could recover some strength with the complete hairpin and kill a few ancient giants, then his intentions would not have been in vain.

Upon hearing this, Little Qilin immediately jumped onto his shoulder, hugging his neck, and rubbed its furry head against his face, shaking its head vigorously:

“I don't want to.”“I'm staying with Master!”

Jiang Fan rubbed its head, put the half of the Nine Phoenixes Adoring the Dao Hairpin into its mouth, and said, “Be obedient. If this hairpin is on me, I will die even faster. If you take it, they won't dare to kill me easily.”

With that, he placed Little Qilin into Venerable Lianjing's hands. “Senior Lianjing, if possible, please safely deliver it to Taicang Prefecture.”

Venerable Lianjing held the struggling Little Qilin, gazed deeply at Jiang Fan, and said, “Alright!”

“Venerable Zixiao, let's go.”

Venerable Zixiao looked deeply at Jiang Fan, gritted his teeth, and took out a red wish paper. He poured all his Righteous Qi into it, ready to activate it at any moment.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, take care!”

All his unspoken words were contained in that short sentence.

Jiang Fan took it, cupped his hands, and said, “Both of you take care as well. The entrance and exit of the Sky-Connecting Black Pillar must already be surrounded by ancient giants. You must be careful.”

Venerable Lianjing nodded, summoned a mirror, and swept Venerable Zixiao and Little Qilin into it, then vanished.

Just at this moment, the sky and earth flickered between light and dark. Grand Venerable Xingyuan was rapidly absorbing light from the heavens and earth, fighting the Five-Star Giant King and Grand Venerable Wugou. With only one tenth of Grand Venerable Xingyuan's Righteous Qi, he wouldn't last long.

Jiang Fan's gaze shifted, and he flashed away towards a certain direction.

In Hunyuan Prefecture, the strong cultivators of various sects, watching Jiang Fan's returning perspective, were deeply moved.

“Grand Venerable Xingyuan's self-sacrifice is certainly shocking,” one said, “but this person named Wang Chongxiao also has the resolve of 'If I don't enter hell, who will?'”

“Someone stayed to fight with Grand Venerable Xingyuan. Even if he dies, he will be comforted,” another remarked.

“Because he protected with his life, and he didn't protect the wrong person.”

In Wenhai Academy's courtyard, Venerable Zhenyan also stared at Jiang Fan's perspective, her eyes complex.

“Does this lecher have such a side to him?” she murmured. “He's becoming more and more like that little rascal Jiang Fan.”

Above the Heavenly Realm, the sky and earth intertwined in darkness, streaks of blood light like refining fire, demonic qi surging like waves. Grand Venerable Xingyuan fought alone against the Five-Star Giant King and Grand Venerable Wugou. He struggled greatly, but his expression was calm as he fought with all his might against the two peak enemies.

Grand Venerable Wugou said indifferently, “Your strength is considerable. It's clear you cultivated your Righteous Qi step by step to reach this level. Given a chance, you would have the opportunity to glimpse the realm of a Sage. Unfortunately, you are too foolish. To exhaust ninety percent of your Righteous Qi for a few mere juniors. Today, you cannot escape death.”

Grand Venerable Xingyuan calmly said, “Death is inevitable in life. The difference is that death can be lighter than a feather or heavier than Mount Tai. To die protecting the juniors of my Central Land, my death will have weight, and I will be worthy of the thorny path I've walked. I have no regrets in dying.”

Grand Venerable Wugou narrowed his eyes. Grand Venerable Xingyuan's words stung him. That noble conviction for the Central Land made him feel even more uneasy. He said coldly, “It's a pity you sacrificed yourself in vain. The path you came from has been completely sealed. They won't be able to leave.”

Grand Venerable Xingyuan said, “Not necessarily.” He had indeed considered that the Sky-Connecting Black Pillar was already guarded by powerful ancient giant cultivators. That's why he restored Venerable Lianjing's cultivation at any cost. She was the Young Emperor's mother, and had recovered to the realm of the Four Decrepitudes of Heaven and Man. Unless another Five-Star Giant King appeared, no one could stop her.

Grand Venerable Wugou narrowed his eyes, a guess forming in his mind. That woman in the Four Decrepitudes of Heaven and Man was likely someone of great importance. He couldn't let Grand Venerable Xingyuan “die without regrets”!

“Bloodthirsty Giant King, stop playing, take him down at once!”

The Bloodthirsty Giant King let out a grotesque laugh and took out a pouch from his waist. With a gentle shake, hundreds of small bloody orbs floated in mid-air. If Jiang Fan were here, he would surely recognize them as the blood from the blood pool, filled with boundless negative emotions!

So that's it. This was the ancient giants' true goal: to transform Grand Venerable Xingyuan! To gain another Five-Star Giant King!

Grand Venerable Xingyuan's pupils constricted. He immediately recalled the news about the ancient Tiankeng blood pool from Taicang Prefecture. And he completely understood the ancient giants' true purpose. He flicked his sleeve, transforming into a wisp of clear qi and retreating, fighting them while moving back, to avoid being contaminated by the blood.

As he fell into grave danger, a thousand li to the north, a large-scale temporary military camp lay nestled beneath a massive mountain range.

Outside the camp, two ancient giants, ten zhang tall, carrying massive wolf-tooth clubs, patrolled side by side outside the encampment. They looked around, vigilant for enemy activity, and periodically communicated in the language of the underworld.

“I wonder how the battle is going.”

“Is that even a question? Those Central Landers who came up, every single one of them will die!”

“I wonder if our king can capture a few alive.”

“Legend has it that the flesh of Central Landers is incredibly delicious, full of juices when eaten, tsk, tsk, tsk!”

“I can't wait to taste it.”

“Why aren't you speaking?” The incessantly chattering ancient giant noticed his companion hadn't responded for a long time. He turned his head and his pupils suddenly constricted sharply. He saw his companion standing motionless in place, as if his soul had been controlled, unable to command his body.

And on his companion's shoulder, stood a black-clad youth holding a purple longsword. His deep eyes gleamed with specks of cold light. He looked down at the giant and said indifferently, “Eating the flesh of my Central Land people? You'll have to wait until your next life!”