Chapter 1106: Ashamed Crossing

Tiger Barbarian. The Great Owl Sunflower Temple.

The ancient stone bricks exuded a profound age. Taoist banners fluttered. Snow lay everywhere. The Great Owl Sunflower Temple, once renowned throughout the land, was now empty in the mountains. Even the Foundation Establishment cultivators who used to clean the mountaintop like mere servants were nowhere to be seen. Yellowed leaves, mixed with the snow, presented a scene of utter disarray.

The black-clad True Person stood silently in the courtyard. Beside him, a young man knelt at his feet, tears streaming like a spring, stammering out his words, occasionally pounding the ground in unbearable pain.

Lin Chensheng felt as though a lifetime had passed.

“Am I the only one left?”

What was the Great Owl Sunflower Temple like before Lin Chensheng went into seclusion?

Within its walls, it boasted a contemporary Sword Immortal, the last Owl Sunflower Daoist to join Mount Xiuyue Xuanzhen. Outside, a True Person in the Mid-Purple Mansion stage, vibrant and skillful, in the prime of his life, guarded the temple. There were also brilliant rising stars, achieving the Purple Mansion stage at a young age!

It might not have commanded the entire Jiangnan region, but it could certainly hold the third seat among Yue Kingdom’s Solar Daoist lineages, suppressing Chijiao to the east and dominating Ting Lei to the south. Lin Chensheng himself was a prodigy of the Owl Sunflower, having slain Guo Hong’er at sea, a feat that even True Person Tianwan dared not comment much on!

Yet, after his seclusion, having broken through the veil of ignorance, full of vigor and continuing the third generation of divine abilities, he only saw a dilapidated main courtyard, covered in lingering snow.

‘The Sword Immortal Daoist, Qin Lingjian, was slain. The Owl Sunflower Master, Qin Fu, was executed. They both perished on the same day… Only my uncle struggled on, unwilling to… give up… determined to eradicate our Daoist divine abilities completely!’

Lin Chensheng closed his eyes for a long time, then wiped away his tears and said:

“Take me… to my uncle.”

Lin Ya quickly rose from the ground, his face exceptionally pale. He led Lin Chensheng all the way into the Hall of Penitence and Passage, bypassing a spiritual treasure alchemical furnace, before they found a passage. After journeying deep within, they came upon a dark chamber.

The chamber, merely a dozen feet in size, was crafted from dark wood. In its center stood a small platform, holding a palm-sized wooden coffin. On the floor, an incense burner contained three remnants of incense sticks.

A small, brown, patterned pouch lay fallen in a corner.

Lin Ya dared not enter, weeping as he said:

“True Person, just light the incense! I will wait outside!”

Lin Chensheng suppressed his grief and used a divine ability to light the incense. He waited for a moment, but there was no sound. He then raised his brows and cried:

“Uncle… Chensheng has gained divine abilities! Uncle!”

After a long while, a faint sound came from the wooden coffin, as if something was rolling inside, followed by a very, very soft whisper:

“Good…”

The voice was hoarse and trembling, as if enduring immense pain, yet Lin Chensheng faintly recognized it as his elder’s. His hands trembled, unsure whether to pick up or put down, and he murmured:

“Uncle…”

Then the voice of the Houfo gradually grew louder:

“Has the Linggu family succeeded?!”

A sense of ominous foreboding rose in Lin Chensheng, and he cried:

“Linggu Lanying did not fail your trust!”

The person in the wooden coffin cried out in pain, saying with a mournful tone:

“Chensheng… holding fast means death, defecting means a way through. Leave Tiger Barbarian and quickly pledge allegiance to the Yang clan! Chensheng! Linggu must listen to you… In this prosperous age of True Qi, the Owl Sunflower holds many treasures, they will be useful to you, plan accordingly yourself!”

“How wonderful! I now understand the True Person’s intentions!”

Lin Chensheng could scarcely believe such words—that holding fast meant death, while defecting offered a way through—had come from his own uncle’s mouth. But he only felt pain, his tears flowing ceaselessly, as he cried:

“Uncle, please take care… I still need your guidance. Whatever medicine or elixirs you require, I will surely procure them for you!”

The wooden coffin, however, fell silent.

Lin Chensheng knelt on the ground, terrified and unable to compose himself. He didn't know how long he had knelt. He wanted to open his mouth and ask again, but then he heard the low voice of the Houfo:

“I have suffered the disaster of Qingya Wutu for twenty-five years. Ten years of pain like being flayed by knives and axes, scorched by fire, and submerged in water. Ten years like sharp blades grinding my bones and pulverizing thunder. The remaining five years were spent having my soul peeled apart and my spirit seized.”

“I endured each one, fearing that the Owl Sunflower would not survive the tribulation.”

The small wooden coffin trembled slightly, as if something was constantly turning within it. Then, amid the swirling smoke, the Houfo spoke again:

“When I was born, snow fell across the sky, each flake as white as an immortal's rope, yet the moonlight shone through like water. My father was overjoyed. Following ancient tradition, he asked a Sword Immortal to bestow a name. That elder was then discussing the Dao at Xuanzhen, so he consulted True Person Shangmiao… Her divinatory calculations were astonishing. After long deliberation, she replied: ‘The Solar lineage has always been about widespread cultivation, and the Sunflower Daoist tradition comes after it. He can be called Houfo.’ ”

“‘Fu’ (拂), meaning to brush or assist, implies being the spirit attendant of the great coffin, one who must hold the sash to aid in burial. Thus, I, Lin Wei, am the ‘Buddha of the Solar Spiritual Coffin.’ We of the Owl Sunflower often deal with matters of life and death, and did not consider this ominous, using it calmly. Thinking back today, it was True Person Shangmiao’s benevolent heart, providing a subtle hint.”

Lin Chensheng stared blankly at the wooden coffin before him—the man within, reduced to merely a wisp of true spirit and a fragment of divine ability, yet still retained the arrogance of the Great Owl Sunflower Temple’s former Houfo:

“The North wished to use my integrity to rein in the Owl Sunflower, believing they were offering me a way out, that I would still cling to the Solar Daoist lineage’s pretense of dignity, making me choose between my principles and the Daoist tradition. But it would have been better if Lin Wei had perished at the Profound Mystery Temple! Perished twenty-five years ago!”

“A cultivator of the Great Owl Sunflower Temple may be executed, but never humiliated. The sun has lost its luster; I now perish with it!”

Lin Chensheng felt utterly dazed, his vision a kaleidoscope of fragmented light, his ears filled with a fine cracking sound. The wooden coffin, as if exposed to the scorching sun for ten days, shattered into countless pieces with crackling sounds.

From within, lustrous stones and ash surged out, vying to escape, but then, lacking momentum, they collapsed, burying him up to his knees.

“Plop!”

True Person Houfo, Lin Wei, had expended his very last wisp of life. This dignified True Person of the Purple Mansion stage, who had lived a life of countless honors, died without any grand phenomena, nor universal sorrow from his lineage.

A handful of ash, nothing more.

Lin Chensheng knelt blankly for an unknown duration. Hearing Lin Ya’s panicked kowtows from outside, he finally came to his senses, picked up the cloth pouch from the corner, and, utterly dispirited, retreated the way he came.

Outside the hall, heavy snow filled the sky, and the moonlight was bright and clear.

He walked back to his original position, one careful step at a time, treading on the fine snow and withered leaves. The young man followed him out again and knelt before him, seemingly having anticipated this, simply kowtowing.

Lin Chensheng looked at the main hall behind him with a mixture of unfamiliarity and apprehension. As the moonlight ascended, the hall’s plaque gradually began to emit a subtle glow:

Hall of Penitence and Passage.

The Duxian Mountain Gate was situated atop Baiye. Its four territories consisted largely of hills, and the river, muddy and turbulent, flowed away, casting a gloomy shade. The mountains were abundant with caves and grottoes, adorned with carvings of ghosts and spirits, while the towering halls were built of seamlessly integrated bluestone.

The faint light and shadow of divine abilities flickered on the ground. After a moment of silence, the corpulent figure at the head of the room seemed to sneer to himself:

“It seems you too have received orders… Everyone was terrified by Guangchan’s death, and now they’re turning to us for help.”

As these words fell, a figure stepped forth from the void, replying:

“My Helian family has received much grace from Zhixuan, so we naturally must exert ourselves to the fullest.”

“Exert yourselves?”

The grey light of Yin Water shone forth, and Murong Yan said flatly:

“I cultivate Yin Water, so I naturally come and go without fear. Your Helian family cultivates Malevolent Qi; if you had no reinforcements from Xuanmiao, how would you dare linger here? Surely Li Zhouwei isn’t the only one who has arrived!”

A hint of provocation subtly colored his words. Helian Wujiang crossed his arms and said casually:

“Yin Water does possess some means of divine punishment… but consider this, Daoist friend: if you were in Guangchan’s position, what chance would you have of escaping? Even Li Zhouwei alone would be enough to give you a hard time!”

Helian Wujiang, lacking the backing of the Murong clan, evidently dared not voice any objections to Zhixuan. He steered the conversation back with two sentences, but Murong Yan merely chuckled and said:

“No need for you to trouble yourself, Daoist friend… I haven’t become entangled in Mingyang’s karma. Now that my Yin Water divine ability is growing, who stands to lose in a fight? Certainly not me!”

Helian Wujiang’s heart grew somber.

He knew Murong Yan possessed considerable skill, and Yin Water was a prominent Grand Dao. If this person fought with full power, the situation here would never have deteriorated to its current state. However, during the great battle at Zhuosha Ling years ago, a strange turn of events prevented the Murong clan from forming enmity with the Li clan. Instead, it made Murong Yan realize the schemes against him within the Compassionate Land of Release, causing him to change completely. This True Person now merely played tai chi, using that ugly facade, unwilling to show any real ruthlessness!

Helian Wujiang gazed at him profoundly, then could only whisper:

“Daoist friend, you must also be able to explain yourself well. How can you always remain uninvolved? One who often walks by the river cannot avoid getting wet shoes. Daoist friend, you are at ease… but only because some people haven’t made a move yet.”

His words carried considerable weight, causing Murong Yan’s face to gradually darken. The man’s outer appearance was already unsightly, and now it looked even more unpleasant, yet he was powerless to retort:

‘I might avoid it once or twice, but can I avoid it ten or twenty times? As long as those in the Land of Release haven’t given up their schemes, I fear I will fall into this karma sooner or later!’

The two True Persons were full of contention in their words. The black-clad man below remained silent, kneeling at the lowest step, his head bowed so low it almost touched the ground.

Gongsun Baifan’s heart was utterly somber.

Ever since Guan Gongxiao and Guan Lingdie went into seclusion and disappeared, their own True Person Yehui rarely visited Duxian Dao. The cultivation of the direct descendants in charge was lower than ever. The Guan family, already sparse in numbers, gradually decentralized power within the sect, mostly allowing external guest retainers to rise to prominence.

For these guest retainers, this was not necessarily a bad thing. However, Gongsun Baifan was no ordinary person; he had faintly sensed an unusual atmosphere… but what could he do?

‘So this day has truly arrived.’

He recognized neither of the two True Persons standing in the grand hall, yet their words struck fear into his heart, leaving him in a daze. The two figures at the head of the room suddenly grew serious, and a plain voice was abruptly heard.

“Activate the formation and meet the enemy.”

Gongsun Baifan understood he was being addressed. He quickly responded, scrambling to his feet, pulling out a token, and lightly shining it on a nearby jade platform.

Above the grand hall, the dark light of a sky-shrouding formation ascended, gradually turning transparent. It revealed vast, colorful blood clouds and divine light that blotted out the sky above the horizon!

A young man, clad in black and gold-patterned Qilin armor, stood at the horizon. His purple-feathered royal cape fluttered in the wind, magnificent and imposing. His long halberd rested in the clouds. Beneath him were three youths, each with distinct demeanors, bearing profound artifacts: one in blue and purple armor, dressed like a military general; another in blue and white attire, with handsome features; and the third in a cloud robe, holding a profound sword.

Their eyes were all golden.

Gongsun Baifan, always composed and calm, rarely lost his composure. Yet, at this moment, his legs felt like jelly.

‘Li Zhouwei, White Qilin…’

That face was certainly familiar, yet it also appeared strange. Gongsun Baifan felt it was even more majestic, more ferocious. The superficial calm and contemplation of yesteryear were gone, yet it also seemed as if this was how it should have been.

Scenes from years past still flashed before his eyes: he had followed Guan Gongxiao and suffered several losses at Li Zhouwei’s hands. Decades had passed in a blink, which wasn’t long for a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He had progressed rapidly, climbing from the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage to the Peak Foundation Establishment, with no further progress possible…

‘He has already gained divine abilities, overwhelming all cultivators, personally slaying the Mahakaya of Five Generations, striking fear into the hearts of all who possess divine abilities…’

And Guan Gongxiao? He was still in a state where it was uncertain if he could even achieve divine abilities.

“Clang!”

The two sides confronting each other above Baiye exchanged no words. Li Zhouwei had already drawn his halberd and surged forth, descending from the sky!

“Boom!”

Bright white illusions shot straight into the sky. What met him was indeed that spiritual artifact, neither quite a staff nor quite a sword.

The River Barrier Staff, Murong Yan!

Whether out of apprehension or sheer disgust for Murong Yan, even knowing that Li Zhouwei’s Heaven-Summoning Gate was damaged and not yet recovered, Helian Wujiang still chose Situ Huo, leaving Li Zhouwei to Murong Yan!

But the situation had long since reversed. The Li Zhouwei who had just broken through to the Purple Mansion stage, alone and unarmed, was long gone!

Murong Yan, instead, faced a Great Song King in the Mid-Purple Mansion stage!

Even though Murong Yan had been in the Mid-Purple Mansion stage for longer, and knew his opponent was injured, he still wore a solemn expression and unleashed his full power.

Instantly, fierce winds surged, heaven and earth turned dark, and the vast desert reappeared, bathed in golden sunset light, a scene of solemnity. Murong Yan’s expression subtly shifted. A wave of grey light also surged forth from him; though much smaller, it steadily repelled the surrounding divine abilities.

On the other side, as Helian Wujiang confronted Situ Huo and touched the three spiritual artifacts at his waist, he merely received a faint glance from the elder. Situ Huo calmly rested his hand on the golden-red blade behind his back and sneered:

“Seeking death.”

His heart was cold and filled with arrogant rage.

‘Even if Li Zhouwei just slew Guangchan, you should never think he’s harder to deal with than this old man.’

Facing Helian Wujiang, Situ Huo no longer maintained his earlier humble, shameless demeanor. Instead, he revealed the cold and arrogant bearing inherent in his bones, looking at him with disdain.

Although Helian Wujiang wasn’t particularly strong among those in the Mid-Purple Mansion stage, being diligent in cultivation and seldom studying killing moves, he was by no means an easy opponent. With a cold expression, he drew his spiritual sword, but then, with a sudden golden clang, the person before him abruptly vanished!

Monarch Loses Sheep.

In an instant, the elder materialized behind Helian Wujiang and savagely drew his blade.

Blood Fiend Tower!

A terrifying blood-red light shot skyward!

This blood-edged blade, after centuries, once again shone brightly on the lands within the seas. The surging blood-red light was unleashed and retracted so swiftly it left one dazed. With two treasures comparable to spiritual artifacts unleashed simultaneously, Helian Wujiang, a dignified cultivator of the Mid-Purple Mansion stage, found himself a half-beat slower than his opponent, even with prior preparation!

A blood-red line abruptly appeared on Helian Wujiang’s throat. Immediately, his divine ability suddenly took effect, and his entire body transformed into a torrent of cascading black mist, mixed with streaks of blood-red light, scattering in all directions.

Thousand Bodies.

Golden Malevolent Qi gradually surged and clung to Situ Huo’s body. Watching his opponent dissipate into Malevolent Qi, a faint smile appeared on the elder’s face:

“The great divine ability, ‘Grudge Clamp Mouth,’ that shook the ancient era, has now been reduced to a mere branch, becoming this useless little path for your self-preservation. Ridiculous!”

Helian Wujiang, having taken this blade strike, found his divine ability slightly disordered. With faint blood-red light flickering within his Malevolent Qi, he could not speak for a moment, only conveying his words through a vibrating divine ability:

“Old man, just try it!”

Although his Helian family were demonic cultivators who cultivated Malevolent Qi, they were ultimately latecomers to the path. Their most talented ancestors focused on complete alchemy. How could they possess such excellent cultivation methods as true demonic lineages like the Tuoba family? He himself understood that Thousand Bodies was an inferior technique.

Yet, he dared to stand and resist Situ Huo, naturally with confidence:

‘Malevolent Qi can naturally converge with and dissipate Golden Virtue. Although Thousand Bodies is an inferior technique, it is of great help in resisting his Golden Qi divine ability!’

Situ Huo looked at him with cold eyes, inverted his blade, and took out a bowl from his sleeve, which absorbed Golden Qi. He didn’t immediately target Helian Wujiang; instead, he paused briefly, then cast a glance at Li Zhouwei.

The old man looked on indifferently, knowing full well:

‘Qi Lanyan no longer cares for Duxian. If he truly intended to hold this place, there would certainly be more than just these two defeated generals.’

The cultivators at the Duxian Dao Mountain Gate didn't even bother with Yehui, so naturally, no one paid attention to them. Yet, the mountain's foundation absolutely could not be lost. What else could be done? Situ Huo’s heart grew increasingly cold.

‘Yang Ruiyi’s warning was certainly not an empty threat. At the very least, my authority in Jiangbei will definitely be divided… Slowing my progress towards breaking through to the Purple Mansion stage would only benefit his efforts to maintain balance!’