Chapter 164: Li Si’s Protective Jade
Chapter 164: Li Si’s Protective Jade
In the Mortal Realm, the sun rose.
Meanwhile, in the Hall of Fate within the Illusory Realm, the last eight remaining World Guardian True Immortals felt dizzy, as if they had ridden on a roller coaster all night.
It was not that they didn’t understand, but the world changed too fast.
Chisongzi looked at Tianjizi, Tianjizi looked at Jiuxuanzi, Jiuxuanzi looked at Shendanzi, and Shendanzi looked at Fairy Zhao. Seven people, seven bewildered faces.
Besides feeling dizzy, they felt even more confused.
Just think about how dangerous the situation was last night?
Muan died, and his body underwent an unknown transformation. He became more sinister than an Evil God, and right in front of all of them, he took away the Demon Tribe True Immortal Feng Qianli. There was no trace of him, alive or dead.
Then the Herb Gatherer blew up.
Qianjizi and Yunyazi escaped, and Lingjingzi hid like a tortoise for the fourth time. In the blink of an eye, it seemed like the whole structure was about to collapse, everything was falling apart, and disaster was at hand.
Just as Chisongzi was preparing to flee with a portion of the Fortune of Heaven and Earth from the Idol of Fortune, for some unknown reason, a Tribulation-Bearing Dragon appeared in the Mortal Realm.
With its own strength, it withstood all the calamities. Not only did it stabilize the situation, but it also forcibly pinned down the newly ascended Evil God Muan. Well, regardless of whether this Muan was the original Muan or not, the outcome was undeniable.
Because this Tribulation-Bearing Dragon was so powerful, the newly ascended Evil God had to use all its strength to suppress it. As a result, the frontline battle between the Illusory Realm and the Mortal Realm was stabilized, and the Mortal Realm gained at least fifty years of time.
How magnificent!
How heroic!
It could be said that this Tribulation-Bearing Dragon changed the Mortal Realm and saved the world, but the process was too twisted and too thrilling.
After a long time, the seven World Guardian True Immortals finally regained their senses. With deep reverence, they bowed to the newly appeared statue of the Tribulation-Bearing Dragon in the Hall of Fate.
This was not shameful, truly.
Because based on the strength displayed by this Tribulation-Bearing Dragon last night, wow, it nearly managed to overturn the newly ascended Evil God all by itself. This was something that even all twelve of the World Guardian True Immortals could not have done together. So the identity of this dragon was clear.
“At least a Great Luotian Immortal level, but it hid in the Mortal Realm. It must have offended some major faction in the Land of Infinite Vastness, or maybe it just couldn’t survive there, so it escaped. Therefore, it should be classified as a Demonic Dragon.”
Chisongzi spoke first, but there was a hint of longing in his eyes, along with even more caution. They had all heard countless times that the Land of Infinite Vastness was a place of struggle and fierce competition, and they had some understanding of it. But nothing was more terrifying than a living example.
Look at this Demonic Dragon, a Great Luotian Immortal! Yet it was driven out and could only hide in various Mortal Realms. Now, for some unknown reason, it became bound to this Mortal Realm and turned into a Tribulation-Bearing Dragon.
“If, and I’m just saying if, this Mortal Realm can truly recover, after the calamities pass, this Demonic Dragon will definitely be able to achieve Ascension again to the Land of Infinite Vastness. By then, it will become even more powerful.” Shendanzi said. Matters in the world are always like this: for every loss, there is a gain; for every gain, there is a loss. In the unseen workings of the universe, everything has its price.
“Difficult, more difficult than reaching the heavens.” Tianjizi shook his head. Hearing the undertone, Shendanzi was just trying to trick them. Did he think they would be as foolish as him, sacrificing their Dao Foundation Immortal Body for such a slim chance? That was a joke.
No matter how rich the reward, one must be alive to enjoy it.
“By the way, what was the deal with the Herb Gatherer? When I recall the events of last night, I always feel something was off.” Chisongzi frowned, his gaze shifting to Jiuxuanzi.
Everyone present was a big shot. Many subtle actions might have gone unnoticed at the time, but upon later reflection, conclusions could be drawn.
“Indeed, last night the Herb Gatherer looked towards Fellow Daoist Jiuxuan three times. Later, it even shouted ‘Master’. The situation was urgent at the time, and we had no time to think it through, so we could only join forces to eliminate it. But, shouldn’t Fellow Daoist Jiuxuan give us some explanation?”
Another World Guardian True Immortal named Xuantianzi spoke up. He was part of Chisongzi’s small team but usually kept a very low profile and rarely expressed opinions unless it was a significant matter.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone turned their eyes to Jiuxuanzi.
But Jiuxuanzi was straightforward. Facing the questioning, he simply said: “Last night, while we were observing Muan’s body, I was almost possessed. But the possession failed in the end, and Fellow Daoist Feng Qianli took the hit for me.”
“What!”
These words shocked everyone even more. This was even more terrifying than if Jiuxuanzi had been the mastermind behind it all.
“Could Fellow Daoist Jiuxuan please elaborate.”
Tianjizi’s expression was serious as he subtly stepped forward.
Jiuxuanzi sneered, meeting Tianjizi’s gaze fearlessly. “The one who tried to possess me was likely the master of the Five-Tone Ruins and the Seven Emotions Medicine Field, the founding patriarch of the Jiuxuan Spirit Sword Sect, Jiuxuanzi. Yes, the original bearer of this dao title. He should be hiding somewhere in the Five-Tone Ruins now. That day, the Ghost King Xia Xiaowan lost her original nature and accidentally entered the Five-Tone Ruins, where she was subdued and became the Herb Gatherer.”
“The later Evil God Devil Mushroom, and even Muan’s fall to evil, should also be related to this. Last night, the Herb Gatherer secretly set up a trap using a Divine Art, using Muan’s demonized corpse as bait to lure us into focusing our observation. The target was me, because Muan’s corpse was inscribed with a Primordial Spirit Formation, which could trap my Immortal Spirit, making it easier for Jiuxuanzi to take over my body.”
“The entire plan was seamless. In fact, I had already fallen for it and had no way to turn things around. But, as the saying goes, even the wise are not always free from error. When I was young, I met someone I liked, and I once thought about preferring a lovebird pair to Immortality… But later, I directly killed him, thus cutting off my Mortal Tribulation and severing a part of my Sword Soul, which I sealed within the Chongming Sword.”
“For some unknown reason, the Herb Gatherer Xia Xiaowan clearly knew about this but did not inform Jiuxuanzi. So, his possession failed. Fellow Daoist Feng Qianli was just incredibly unlucky—his Immortal Spirit happened to be trapped in the Primordial Spirit Formation. So, he was the one possessed, which is also the reason he suddenly disappeared.”
“As for how I know all this, it’s because of some vague memories left behind by that Jiuxuanzi after he successfully possessed me. This is what I know. Believe it or not.”
“Of course, I was the one who lifted the veil on the Herb Gatherer Xia Xiaowan, and I was the one who forced the demonic influence controlling her to manifest. What happened afterward probably went beyond Jiuxuanzi’s plans. Muan’s corpse contained an even more terrifying power.”
“By the way, Jiuxuanzi never intended to destroy the world. What he wanted was to stimulate the Mortal Realm, to make it give birth to the Spirit of Heaven and Earth, so that he could refine an unprecedented Emotion-Severing Great Medicine. He wanted to fight his way back to the Land of Infinite Vastness.”
“But clearly, the power hidden within Muan’s corpse was purely intent on destroying this world, annihilating everything. I’m not sure what that thing was—maybe it was the resentment from Muan being manipulated and dying in humiliation, or perhaps it was a new change within the Seven Emotions Medicine Field. But without a doubt, last night, this Mortal Realm was truly on the verge of destruction.”
“If it hadn’t been for that Demonic Dragon appearing and withstanding everything, we would have lost completely.”
“Also, starting from now, I return my dao title Jiuxuanzi to the Jiuxuan Spirit Sword Sect. I cut all ties with it!”
Jiuxuanzi made this declaration of betrayal with a cold expression.
Everyone was dumbfounded, never expecting the situation to be so convoluted. But, Fellow Daoist, aren’t you being a bit too harsh?
Finally, Zhao Qingxie spoke timidly:
“Senior Sister, the Jiuxuan Spirit Sword Sect is yours now. If you cut all ties with it, who will the half belong to?”
“Exactly, Fairy Qingping, the fault does not lie with the Jiuxuan Spirit Sword Sect, but with your founding patriarch. Hey, at worst, just give up the dao title,” Shendanzi quickly advised. They couldn’t afford any more internal strife or turmoil. Regardless of whether Jiuxuanzi had truly been possessed or not, the important thing was to stabilize the overall situation.
Now they had a fifty-year opportunity and couldn’t waste it anymore.
“Can someone tell me, where is Li Si?”
A sorrowful, aged voice suddenly rang out, but this voice seemed to possess an infinite magic power, making everyone—who had been tangled over whether Jiuxuanzi was still Jiuxuanzi—turn to look. They saw a short, stout old man, dressed in rags, barefoot, standing at the entrance of the Hall of Fate. His melancholic eyes, the bloody marks on his body, and the black chain around his neck gave him an incomparable presence the moment he appeared.
Without a doubt, he was—the Tribulation-Bearing Dragon.
“Where is Li Si?”
The little old man spoke again.
Everyone shuddered. Damn, this was a Great Luotian Immortal. But why was he looking for Li Si? Oh, Li Si.
Swish.
Everyone looked at Zhao Qingxie. Hey, wasn’t that your disciple?
“Ah? Li Si? He’s over there!”
Zhao Qingxie, quick-witted in her panic, casually pointed towards the Idol of Fortune of the Kaoshan Patriarch. The next moment, a gust of wind swept through, and the Idol of Fortune of the Kaoshan Patriarch was smashed to dust.
As for the melancholic little old man, dragging a long black chain, clattering, clattering, he walked away sadly. Only when passing by the Idol of Fortune of the Calamity-Bearing Human King Xu Changsheng, he didn’t even glance sideways and walked even faster…
Everyone: …
Li Si’s master: …
In the Mortal Realm.
The sun rose in the east, marking another beautiful day.
Most people had hardly felt the great upheaval in the world last night. First, the Demonic Dragon withstood everything, then the Yunhua Law Seal intercepted the rest. Except for the few lucky ones who suddenly obtained one of the three Divine Seats, everyone else carried on as usual. The world ending? What a joke.
“The Divine Seat bestowed upon you by Heaven and Earth was violently destroyed by the Tribulation-Bearing Dragon. You have lost control over Kaoshan City.”
A message silently appeared. Li Si glanced at it and remained unmoved.
If you have the guts, go destroy the Divine Seat of the Calamity-Bearing Human King Xu Changsheng. I’d thank you for that.
This old dragon was just too straightforward.
Hmm. Li Si looked up, stunned to see a figure appear at his door. If he remembered correctly, this was one of the World Guardian True Immortals, Feng Qianli. What was he doing here?
But there was no danger warning, so it must be fine.
Li Si managed to put on a smile, but before he could speak, his entire body was immobilized. Four sharp claws pinned his limbs.
“Swish!” His chest was sliced open…
“Crash!” A piece of Protective Jade shattered, and Li Si’s figure reappeared a hundred meters away. Then the entire space was frozen, time seemed to pause, not even allowing the Yunhua Law Seal time to activate.
Feng Qianli, his face grim, took a step forward and caught up. Another claw tore open Li Si’s back, grabbed his heart, and was about to carve something on it.
“Crash!” The second piece of Protective Jade shattered…