Chapter 1412: Sage Takes Action

There was only one answer.

The Sage!

Jiang Fan's hair stood on end; the Sage had actually made a move! But why would he erase Grand Marshal Zhengtian's soul? Was it to spare him suffering?

Jiang Fan suddenly recalled that Grand Marshal Zhengtian had previously threatened the Young City Lord and others to save him, or else he would reveal a secret. Could it be that the killing was merely to keep a secret?

But what kind of secret would require a Sage's personal intervention to protect?

While he was pondering, the great battle between the two cultivators in the Five Decays of Heaven and Man realm and one in the Five-Phase realm had already begun. The three vanished from their spots, having instantly teleported to the Outer Heavens. Those standing on the ground could only hear the sounds of crumbling heavens and earth emanating from all directions; all they could see were wisps of shattered black void and dazzling arcs of light spreading from their domains.

Splashes of residual power erupted, enveloping the world and leaving everyone breathless with awe.

When confronting the Five Decays of Heaven and Man, whether one was in the Nascent Soul realm or the First Decay of Heaven and Man, it was like facing the vast power of the heavens; there was no significant difference.

Battles between those in the Five Decays of Heaven and Man realm do not last long.

Five breaths later, a colossal figure plummeted from the sky, crashing heavily onto the ground and creating a massive crater. In the crater, the City Lord of Heavenly Remains was riddled with holes, his body incomplete, and black blood gushed from him.

It was just as when Grand Venerable Xingyuan simultaneously faced Grand Venerable Wugou and the Five-Star Giant King. One against two, the outcome was inevitable.

With a whoosh, the Mountain Lord of Constellations and Old Man Wangqing appeared simultaneously. Their auras were no longer as vigorous as before, and they appeared somewhat disheveled, but they hadn't suffered significant harm.

Without a word, they each unleashed their domains, simultaneously attacking the gravely injured City Lord of Heavenly Remains.

Just as their domains activated, a faint, ancient voice resonated from the deepest reaches of the sky: “That's enough.”

The voice was like the sound of the Heavenly Dao itself, carrying an undeniable command and supreme majesty. The Mountain Lord of Constellations and Old Man Wangqing, both in the Five Decays of Heaven and Man realm, stiffened simultaneously, unable to continue their attack. The domains they had formed instantly dispersed.

The Mountain Lord of Constellations' expression flickered slightly. He quickly bowed respectfully, saying, “Greetings, Sage Cixin.” Old Man Wangqing's face twitched. He hurriedly cupped his hands and said, “Sage Cixin.”

Jiang Fan felt a secret chill. This great Sage had indeed made a move. More precisely, he had finally made his move. Heavenly Remains City was under his protection. How could he stand idly by as the leader of the half-giants was about to fall?

The only thing that puzzled Jiang Fan was why the Sage had remained calm when he had killed so many cultivators in the Dharma-Phase realm.

At this moment, the void trembled slightly. The half-giant, whose body had been shattered by Venerable Lianjing, leaving only his soul to escape, reappeared. Trembling with fear, he knelt on the ground and pleaded, “Please, Sage, dispense justice for me.”

From the sky, a faint, indifferent voice of reprimand came: “I hope you learn your lesson and are not ambushed again.” As the voice faded, an incomparably profound rule descended from the sky, enveloping him. An astonishing scene, defying natural order, unfolded. His scattered pieces of flesh, along with his soul, astonishingly rewound as if time were flowing backward, returning to the state before Venerable Lianjing shattered him.

This was time reversal! Princess Zijiang had also used a similar power of time before. The difference was that Princess Zijiang could only heal local injuries. However, Great Sage Cixin directly reverted the body to its state before destruction. The two were vastly different!

“Thank you, Great Sage Cixin!” the Three-Phase realm half-giant said with utmost reverence.

At the same time, Venerable Lianjing's face suddenly turned as pale as gold leaf, and she spat out a mouthful of blood. Her aura rapidly weakened, and blood oozed from her mouth, nose, and ears. Her body swayed precariously, unable to stand steady. She had evidently suffered inexplicable severe injuries.

Jiang Fan quickly supported her, exclaiming, “Godmother, what's wrong?”

Venerable Lianjing gritted her teeth, looking up at the sky, and said, “The Sage transferred my attack back onto me.” Time reversal does not alter what has already happened. Venerable Lianjing's blow that shattered the Three-Phase realm body did not disappear with the time reversal. It was merely transferred back to Venerable Lianjing herself by the Sage.

Realizing this, Jiang Fan's expression changed. He glared angrily at the sky, about to rebuke, but Venerable Lianjing covered his mouth. She shook her head slightly and transmitted a message: “Don't be foolish. A wise man doesn't suffer unnecessary losses. Godmother is fine; I won't die.”

At this moment, Old Man Wangqing turned his head to look over. He cast an extra glance at Jiang Fan, then signaled to his white rabbit mount. The large white rabbit scampered over to Venerable Lianjing, lowered its head, bit off a clump of white fur from its chest, and then scattered it onto Venerable Lianjing. A miraculous scene unfolded. The white rabbit fur seemingly melted into Venerable Lianjing's body like an illusion, and her injuries instantly recovered. It was comparable to the sixth-grade healing elixir previously gifted by Fairy Ziwei!

Jiang Fan was astonished. Was this large white rabbit so powerful? He quickly cupped his hands to Old Man Wangqing, thanking him, “Thank you for your assistance, Senior.”

Old Man Wangqing, with his hands behind his back, said tipsily: “It's a small matter. Besides, it should be this old man thanking you.”

He glanced at Kaiyang City out of the corner of his eye, sorrow hidden within his gaze. Even though he had reached the Five Decays of Heaven and Man realm, far transcending the level of ordinary life, the sight of cities completely devoured and scenes of human purgatory—still shocked him. This was what prompted him, who had been living in seclusion, to join forces with the Mountain Lord of Constellations to slay the City Lord of Heavenly Remains. Alas, the great Sage protecting the half-giants shielded him. They did not succeed.

However, to their relief, this young man named Jiang Fan had reached Heavenly Remains City before them and killed five cultivators in the Dharma-Phase realm. He also brought Grand Marshal Zhengtian, the mastermind, to justice. This could be considered justice for the souls of the perished in several cities.

The only concern was that this great Sage might not stop here.

No sooner had this thought arisen, Jiang Fan, standing nearby, suddenly trembled violently. He felt a pair of eyes, imbued with rules, watching him from afar. That gaze made him tremble uncontrollably, from his soul to his body. It even gave him the illusion that he should worship and prostrate himself. His knees bent uncontrollably, and his mind went blank.

A flicker of anger appeared in Old Man Wangqing's eyes. To actually force Jiang Fan to kneel and admit fault? It was clearly the half-giants who were in the wrong!

The Mountain Lord of Constellations also noticed, tightening his grip on the Big Dipper. To protect the half-giants, this Sage had truly shed all pretense of dignity! However, what could they do in the face of the Sage's intervention? They could only watch helplessly as Jiang Fan continued to descend to his knees.

Meanwhile, the Young City Lord sneered repeatedly, saying, “You dare to be lawless in our Heavenly Remains City? You don't know your place! Heavenly Remains City is a place where a Sage resides. How could outsiders behave so wildly here?”

But just as Jiang Fan's knees were about to touch the ground—a soft rustling sound, as of wind blowing through leaves, drifted in.

Jiang Fan's mind instantly cleared, and the pressure on his body suddenly dissipated. He straightened up again.

He was secretly astonished. The Grand Void Ancient Tree had actually made a move?