Chapter 1329: Old Friends Arrive Amid Wind and Rain!
Chapter 1329: Chapter 1329: Old Friends Arrive Amid Wind and Rain!
In the past, the land of the Zi Clan was destroyed by the Emotion Control, all resistors perished, and the escapees’ spirit wheels were destroyed, losing their ancient demon spiritual power.
The battle was too brutal, shattering all the pride of the Zi Clan and breaking the spine of the survivors.
"The Zi Clan, nothing but this," said the Emotion Control at that time.
Among the escapees, not a single person dared to look back and argue, fleeing like dogs without a home.
Fear was like a brand, engraved into the demon souls of the living.
An unbearable and humiliating history was finally sealed by the living, never to be mentioned again, kept as a profound secret.
That was the weakest moment of the Zi Clan, with not a single emperor in the whole clan, the highest combat power was only two Immortal Kings.
But even these two had a disagreement over something, and after a great fight, they finally split.
"You are ungrateful and have harmed fellow Daoists, I am ashamed to be with you!" The Immortal King named Zi Fu angrily scolded the clansmen and left in anger.
"I’d rather betray others than be betrayed by others!" The Immortal King named Zi Xiao showed no shame, his heart as hard as stone.
In his later years, Zi Fu cultivated to a Quasi-Saint, taking residing in the Northern Heaven as a shame, he went to the Southern Heaven and founded a sect, focusing on education and nurturing the younger generation, known as Zifu Academy.
Zi Xiao stole the Heavenly Law Four Swords, enforcing the heavenly regulations to punish the unfaithful, single-mindedly wishing to revive the Zi Clan. However, his methods were harsh, his heart ruthless and suspicious, acting nothing like the legacy of Purple Dou.
To improve his cultivation, Zi Xiao killed and devoured souls, using all the means of Evil Masters, and on his path, proved himself to be an Immortal Emperor and a Quasi-Saint.
To rebuild the clan land, Zi Xiao seized many abandoned realms, merged them into the old clan land ruins, refined it into a new clan land, beautifully named the Ten Billion Star River Realm.
Fangcun Realm, Gaosheng Realm, Beimang Realm, Nanming Lihuo Realm, Mourning Realm, Luoshui Realm... several managed and unmanaged worlds, were taken by him by force and integrated into his ownership.
Purple Mist Peak, Jue Ling Pool, Ao Lai Ancient Mine, Flame Ridge, Zhenyuan Blessed Land... he also sought out many famous mountains, rivers, paradises, and blessed lands, continuously improving the feng shui landscape, expanding the mountains and seas of the clan land, whatever was needed, could be seized.
To recover the ancient demon spiritual power, Zi Xiao altered the heavenly laws, using the Ancient Wilderness Channel as bait, instigating the thousand-year realm war between the Four Heavens and the demon race, taking the opportunity to capture male demons and female demons with ancient demon qualifications: either incorporating them into the tribe, using them as breeding machines to obtain high-quality population; or extracting, refining, killing, cultivating Dao, seizing bodies, devouring souls, squeezing out all value...
To increase high-end combat power, Zi Xiao even turned his attention to the ancestral corpse, disregarding human ethics, attempting to raise an invincible Saint Corpse Demon in the Land of Dreams...
After such a long time, the Zi Clan’s misdeeds accumulated, their reputation fell steeply, yet on the path of revival, they continued onward, with the population thriving, strong figures gathered, once again becoming the strongest secret clan, even regaining much of the once-lost ancient demon spiritual power.
The price was that the bloodline of the Zi Clan members became increasingly mixed, too much foreign demon blood was mingled in.
The once-proud Zi Clan boasted ape blood, among the ape blood, the bloodline of the Four Monkeys of Chaos was the most noble.
But now, when the descendants of the Zi Clan awaken their blood, often only one in dozens can awaken the ape blood, those who obtain the chaotic ape blood are even one in ten thousand.
This made the ancestor Zi Xiao very dissatisfied, thus referencing the old example of the Tianzhu Country, dividing the clansmen into four varnas.
Those with the bloodline of the Four Monkeys of Chaos as the first varna.
Those with ordinary ape blood as the second varna.
Those with foreign demon blood as the third varna.
Those with thin demon blood, failing to awaken it, as the fourth varna.
Below the four varnas, there were slaves, convicts, cauldron furnaces, and other outcasts, excluded from the system, with unchangeable status for generations.
The clan land was further divided into four continents: Gaosheng, Seven Stars, Yitian, and Qinggang, each with clear rules on where the various varnas reside, establishing a strict hierarchy.
If measured by the standards of the Evil Sect, the Zi Clan’s revival road could be considered inspiring, efficient, and rigorous.
But if measured by the standards of a Purple Astral Immortal Cultivator, the many atrocities of the Zi Clan would be unspeakable by any bamboo scroll...
...
Zi Clan’s land.
Qinggang Continent, Yellow Sand Ridge.
Yellow Sand Ridge is located on the outskirts of Qinggang Continent, with poor Spirit Veins, a place where lower varnas and those without varnas cohabit.
This area is arid with little rain, many volcanoes, many Anpola trees, many Worried Comfort Zen Birds.
On the ridge, there used to be a Soul Refining Cave, a place where the former Yellow Sand Commander consumed virgin boys and girls, but since a new leader took over, the place was abandoned.
The new leader’s Taoist title is Flame Spirit Saint Mother, a kind nature, loathing for slaughter, close acquaintances affectionately call her Granny Yan as a sign of respect.
Flame Spirit Saint Mother’s cultivation is excellent, though she’s not a demon body, she arduously cultivated to the Immortal Venerable realm, the Twelve Metaplasia True Fire she practices is exceptionally powerful, even when facing an Immortal Venerable with Fire Ape Bloodline, she is not inferior, thus esteemed as "Qinggang Continent’s highest fire cultivator qualifications."
However, of such a mighty fire cultivator, the only disciple she ever accepted in her life turned out to be a Water Cultivator.
This disciple could be said to have troubled Flame Spirit Saint Mother immensely.
If asked why...
It’s because this disciple, despite merely being at the Shedding Void Stage, ambitiously wants to steal the four ancient paintings, settle accounts with the Zi Clan, and avenge the clansmen...
The heart is extremely good.
Humans are truly foolish...
A teacher for a day is like a mother for life, Flame Spirit Saint Mother couldn’t bear to watch her beloved disciple die in vain...
Flame Spirit: "Do you remember the secrets of the Zi Clan I told you?"
Disciple: "I remember..."
Flame Spirit: "These secrets should not be revealed to outsiders, but I have never considered you an outsider... I’m telling you this to show you that the foundation of the Zi Clan is beyond your imagination. Even the Four Heavens Immortal Emperor must bow their heads before my Zi Clan, and the Quasi-Saints must compromise with us... Despite this, do you still plan to seek revenge on the Zi Clan alone..."
Disciple: "Yes... I am the only survivor of the Luo Clan. If even I remain silent, who will fight for them? Can we rely on the Immortal Emperor, who no longer exists in this world, to lower his gaze? Not just the Zi Clan, there’s also the Hidden Clan and the Realm Beast Race! I know my abilities are insignificant, merely grass compared to these giants, but I must move forward, even if no one waits for me on the path ahead, even if the path ahead leads only to a southern wall..."
This disciple is none other than the Goddess of the Luo Clan—Luo You!
With the hatred of an annihilated clan, Luo You could not easily let go.
Yet it is unknown why, after saying goodbye to Ning Fan and embarking on the path of revenge, Luo You unexpectedly ended up in the Zi Clan, much to everyone’s surprise.
Flame Spirit: "Ah..."
Seeing that she couldn’t dissuade Luo You, Flame Spirit Saint Mother sighed heavily.
Feeling both helpless and heartbroken.
How she wished to seek justice for the Luo Clan! The karma she owed them was yet unpaid, but there was no longer any chance to repay it...
The Luo Clan is exterminated, leaving only one orphan.
But even this orphan may be beyond her protection...
Luo Ming, oh Luo Ming (Luo You’s father), how can I safeguard your lineage...
Flame Spirit Saint Mother closed her eyes in sorrow, recalling the moments with Luo You’s father.
Meeting in youth, unaware of affection.
Seeking jade in the Endless Sea, life and death together.
Words of a matchmaker, fate between fish and bird severed.
Karma hard to repay, life exchanged to extend the soul.
Reunited amidst the crowd, with children of their own.
The road of the world is long, life and death forgotten.
"Is this your daughter? What’s her name? You know I excel in the art of divination, why not let me predict her future as a birthday gift for her..."
"Luo... You, is it..."
"Seeking jade in the Endless Sea is ominous, you shouldn’t name her randomly. This daughter’s future might be tied to the character ’jade’, but specifics are beyond my prediction..."
"You want me to take her as a disciple? This... I need to consider..."
What happened later...
She hesitated to give a reply but occasionally took time to meet Luo You, teaching and enlightening her.
She owed Luo You’s father too much, and could only repay some through Luo You.
Watching Luo You grow day by day, she started to be troubled by worldly affairs, visiting the Luo Clan less and less until she was burdened with heavy responsibilities in her own clan and entangled in secrets, unable to leave the Zi Clan.
She had to learn about the Luo Clan from others.
Even the news of the Luo Clan’s destruction was heard by chance in a conversation...
And the fact she couldn’t accept was that there were members of the Zi Clan among the perpetrators...
Some exterminated the Luo Clan for the inheritance of the Lamenting Deceased Clan—the Mourning Ancient Heaven-Piercing Jade, like the Hidden Clan and Realm Beast Race...
Others engaged in ruthless slaughter merely to seize their land, like the Zi Clan...
She wanted to seek justice for the Luo Clan but was too insignificant to do anything. After offending the Zi Clan’s upper echelons, she was imprisoned for years...
After luckily regaining her freedom, she found excuses multiple times to go to Beitian to find the orphan of the Luo Clan, Luo You, but how could she find her...
Beitian had none...
The Four Heavens had none...
Even in the distant Land of Demons and Ancient Demon Abyss, no news could be found of Luo You...
Flame Spirit Saint Mother had no idea that by then, Luo You had been trapped in the Yin Yang Locket, cut off from the world while escaping countless pursuits, a case of fortune and misfortune intertwined.
When Luo You finally escaped her plight and returned to the Four Heavens, she was immediately noticed by certain interested parties...
Luo You was bold, fearing not the schemes of powerful forces. It seemed she had been influenced by some young man, learning bad habits, even wanting to single-handedly retaliate against these forces.
Flame Spirit Saint Mother, having finally received news of Luo You, would certainly not let her make such a reckless, suicidal attempt.
So she forged an identity for Luo You, audaciously hiding Luo You in the Zi Clan!
The most dangerous place can sometimes be the safest place!
With her protection, even under the very nose of the Zi Clan, Luo You can live a peaceful and joyful life. She has that confidence.
The premise is... this girl doesn’t go looking for trouble...
What do you think Luo You did after arriving at the Zi Clan?
She actually set her eyes on the third of the Four Ancient Paintings—the Purple Mountain Fighting Sea Map!
This is a treasured possession of the Zi Clan, holding secrets to sainthood, not for any ordinary Immortal Venerable or Immortal King to see.
Luo You, however, wanted to directly steal it!
Clearly, Luo You also understood that without aiming to become a saint, there’s no hope of avenging her enemies in this lifetime.
Her enemies are too strong. Back then, she didn’t tell Ning Fan the truth because she was afraid he would get dragged into this and end up getting burned...
This is a reckless fight, like hitting a rock with an egg, a moth to a flame, with a high probability of certain death, a meaningless death that wouldn’t even harm a hair on the opponent...
The difference in strength is simply too vast.
But she can’t retreat...
Yan Ling: "I know you can’t let go of your hatred, but surely there are other ways to seek justice..."
Luo You: "Perhaps, but this is my mission... I’m the last of the Luo Clan, I have to do something..."
Yan Ling: "You’re a foolish girl... You have your reasons, as your mentor, I have mine, and I won’t let you recklessly throw your life away. Especially right now, when our clan’s Holy Corpse is at the critical moment of its ninth transformation, this is a turbulent time, with extremely complex situations within the clan, you mustn’t cause trouble. You ought to learn from other girls, go shop at the market, buy clothes and jewelry... Hmm? This jade locket is quite nice, it conceals and manifests Yin Yang Qi, seems like there’s a mystery within, where did you buy this? It looks like the Chaotic Ancient Yin Yang Lock described in ancient books, yet it seems similar and yet not, its divinity aligns but its form separates, well-forged!"
Luo You: "This locket... wasn’t bought."
Yan Ling: "Was it given by someone? Do I know them?"
Hearing her beloved disciple might have someone special, Yan Ling, the Flame Spirit Saint Mother, immediately became keen, wanting to examine the person for her disciple.
Currently, the Zi Clan doesn’t lack good people, but there are very few. How few? It’s akin to grabbing a handful of sand on Yellow Sand Ridge, hoping to find a speck of gold...
In summary: there might be good people in the Zi Clan, but there might not be...
Yan Ling herself was once backstabbed by a Dao companion from the Zi Clan, nearly dying; she was also poisoned by her own daughter, leaving her severely injured with unhealed wounds, and her heartache even harder to heal...
When she was gravely injured and dying, if not for Luo Ming sacrificing his vitality to chant the Mind Purifying Virtuous Incantation, prolonging her Demon Soul, she might have been dead long ago...
Whether it’s gratitude or affection, she can’t quite figure it out, nor does she want to understand; she just wants to protect Luo You well.
When she found this girl, she was already in a state of lost Yin energy, with no Dao companion by her side. Whether separated from a Dao companion, widowed at a young age, or simply without a Dao companion but involved in a fleeting affair, who knows. After all, the girl didn’t learn well, biased towards Yin Yang Transformation... Perhaps a solitary girl wandering the chaotic world, once violated and robbed, the past too unbearable to recall...
Details, Yan Ling, the Flame Spirit Saint Mother, dared not ask more, fearing to touch the other’s sorrowful memories.
Now seeing that the other seems interested in romance, Yan Ling felt comforted but couldn’t help but worry whether the person met is humane...
Falling in love is good!
With love comes attachment, gradually letting go of revenge, right?
Just afraid she’s met a punk...
Luo You: "Master misunderstood, this lock wasn’t given by anyone but picked up from the ground, yet... maybe he deliberately sent it over in such a manner..."
Yan Ling: "Picked up? Hiss, Zi Clan’s items mustn’t be picked up randomly, be careful not to touch unwanted karma or pick up objects of ill fate..."
Luo You: "Master, rest assured, this item is harmless, merely a communication tool, nothing problematic..."
Yan Ling: "A communication tool?"
Picked up from the ground, surely a lie, right?
Indeed, someone must have given it to you!
Yan Ling: "Who is the person?"
Luo You: "A little guy, a dear brother..."
Calling him a dear brother, yet smiling so joyfully.
Yan Ling: "An elder sister-younger brother romance? How much younger is he?"
Luo You: "Ah this..."
A little too young...
But for us cultivators, age doesn’t matter, right...
Yan Ling: "Hiss! Could he be underage?"
Luo You: "How could that be! I’m no beast!"
Although when they first met, the other party was indeed...seemed to be...still just a little guy...
But now, he has long grown into a man who stands tall!
So it doesn’t matter.
Yan Ling: "You’er, you mustn’t play with his feelings recklessly..."
Flame Spirit Saint Mother was full of worry.
Luo You: "I didn’t! Truly didn’t!"
Yan Ling: "That’s good... What is his family background, what bloodline does he have? Is he a cultivator from Qinggang Continent? Could it be that he’s actually Zi Anmin, that kid! I always felt that kid looked at you oddly and has inquired about you several times... That Zi Anmin is not simple, he carries great secrets, allegedly obtained some powerful inheritance, even I am somewhat afraid; you should not approach him..."
Luo You: "Who’s Zi Anmin? Master misunderstood, the one in contact with me through the jade locket is not someone from the Zi Clan, nor in the Zi Clan...it’s an old acquaintance."
Yan Ling: "An old acquaintance? Could it be the one who took your Yin energy?"
Luo You: "Mm..."
Yan Ling: "Hmph! Took your body, ignored you until now, and suddenly comes looking for you? Must be lusting after your body, why bother with him!"
Luo You: "No... I was the one to initiate, and it was also me who left him..."
Yan Ling: "You initiated it? Then forget it... You left him back then to seek revenge alone?"
Luo You: "Mm..."
Yan Ling: "Ah, truly foolish. Forget it, who is that kid? Could he be from some great family? Being able to use a magic artifact to bypass the Zi Clan’s realm restrictions and contact you, he must have profound resources. If this person is trustworthy, having him protect you would indeed ease my mind."
Luo You: "He isn’t from a great family, but a cultivator from Rain Immortal World..."
Yan Ling: "Which realm? Rain Immortal World? Lower realms?"
Upon hearing the background was weak, Flame Spirit Saint Mother felt disappointed.
Luo You: "In the past it was a lower realm, but now supposedly has ascended to Eastern Heaven and even joined the Slaughter Hall... After that, I don’t know much more. But imagining his extraordinary talent, by now he might be close to breaking through Fate Immortal..."
Luo You, brought to Zi Clan early on with closed-off information, completely misunderstood what the reputation of Moral Sage meant in Four Heavens.
Her understanding of Ning Fan remains from ancient times.
But that’s no surprise, staying in the same cultivation realm for hundreds or thousands of years is typical in the cultivation world; normal people don’t cultivate as if riding a rocket.
Yan Ling: "Not even a Fate Immortal? What’s the use then? How does being a disciple of the Slaughter Hall matter? Even if he lucked out in life, got the recognition of the Eighth Generation Slaughter Emperor and became the Ninth Generation Slaughter Emperor, it wouldn’t be enough to help you take revenge... In front of such a colossus like the Zi Clan, an Immortal Emperor is but an ant, not even a Quasi-Saint counts, let alone your enemies aren’t just the Zi Clan..."
Luo You: "Eighth Generation Slaughter Emperor? The current Slaughter Hall already has the Eighth Generation Slaughter Emperor? Who is it? Are they powerful?"
Yan Ling: "Why? You want to run to Slaughter Hall and post a bounty on the Zi Clan? If you dared, no one would dare accept it! Stop asking about irrelevant things, the identity of the Eighth Generation Slaughter Emperor doesn’t concern you..."
Luo You: "I was just curious..."
Yan Ling: "Stop interrupting, you just want to keep me from learning about your little lover! Why so cautious, afraid I’d go to Eastern Heaven and reprimand him? Even if I plan to do that, it would have to wait until the end of the Four Heavens chaos... Alas, the cycle of reincarnation continues, disorder and chaos persist, in these times where the Immortal Emperor is absent, turmoil rises again; yet there’s no hero in sight, who can end this chaos?"
Flame Spirit Saint Mother was lamenting the situation when suddenly there was a loud noise, indicating someone had pierced through the sky of the Ten Billion Star River Realm and invaded the Zi Clan.
The Zi Clan, stable for countless years, was at this moment reminded of the fear brought by Emotion Control.
"This is..."
Realizing someone had invaded the Zi Clan, Flame Spirit Saint Mother felt absurd: the Zi Clan is the strongest among the secret clans, since Emotion Control, no one has dared to cause trouble in the Zi Clan, who on earth is this reckless...
The stray thoughts halted abruptly!
The invader had just burst into the Zi Clan, astonishingly killed the Immortal Emperor with only two sword strikes, displaying truly terrifying strength, clearly not a kind novice!
"This is...the South Heaven Fate Emperor!"
"The world says the South Heaven Fate Emperor is only skilled at scheming, not dueling; you call this not skilled at dueling?"
Flame Spirit Saint Mother was shocked, and suddenly her Purple Jade Order buzzed with a command.
"Clan Leader’s order: Except for cultivators of Ten Thousand Immortal Ridge, all Immortal Emperors, Immortal Kings, and Immortal Venerables must immediately intercept the intruder without fail! Fate Immortals and True Immortals form a battle formation, prepare for defense! The first to capture the Fate Emperor’s head will be rewarded with a Ten Revolutions Ancestor Pill!"
Gasp!
A Ten Revolutions Ancestor Pill!
In that moment, countless Zi Clan experts who received the order all showed fiery intent: though the Zi Clan has strong foundations, even they have limited Ten Revolutions Ancestor Pills; such a heavy reward naturally attracts brave souls.
Yet some secretly worried: the Clan Leader is not typically generous, now offering a great bounty for the Fate Emperor’s head, unsure if it’s due to the opponent’s strength or the Clan Leader’s rage...
Thinking too much is useless.
Defying orders is not an option; intercepting the Fate Emperor is the urgent task.
That emperor is supremely strong, cutting down an Immortal Emperor with two sword strikes serves as proof.
But we are the Zi Clan! With a whole clan against one, how can we not prevail? Just uncertain who will be the fortunate one to claim the head...
Yan Ling: "The identity I fabricated for you is merely a first step cultivator. This battle is somewhat dangerous, you don’t need to intervene, stay in the cave dwelling and don’t wander around. I will return soon."
Luo You: "Master, please be careful..."
Yan Ling: "Rest assured, you can say we of the Zi Clan are bad, but you cannot say we are weak. Though Fate Wielding is strong, he is only one person. Today, you will see for yourself, that the so-called Four Heavens Immortal Emperors are truly insignificant when faced with our Zi Clan. I hope after this event, you will truly recognize the gap and put aside your resentment..."
With that, Yan Ling flew away, together with countless streams of light, going to hunt down Fate Wielding.
"I hope Master remains safe and returns victorious..."
Luo You silently prayed.
To her, the destruction of the Zi Clan by Fate Wielding could certainly be a good thing, but she doesn’t want her master to be harmed...
Praying as she might, she understands that in this world where Immortal Emperor does not exist, there is no one who will listen to the voice of the weak.
Today, people rejoice Sun Wukong, only because the demon fog rises again.
People always learn some things only when they lose them, but by then it is too late...
Unexpectedly, a voice suddenly responded.
"Do not worry, your Master, right? With me here, she won’t be harmed."
The voice came from within the Yin Yang Locket.
It was the voice of the mischievous brother who always conversed through this locket.
Luo You: "Ning Fan? Is it you speaking? What did you say? What do you mean with you here, nothing will happen..."
Ning Fan: "Literal meaning."
Luo You: "You’ve come to the Zi Clan? But how is that possible... Where are you! Hide quickly! The Zi Clan is in big trouble now. It’s very dangerous, an Immortal Emperor has invaded this realm, and that Immortal Emperor seems to be your old enemy... anyway, the situation is quite complex."
Ning Fan: "I know... I even know you want to contact the Eighth Generation Killing Emperor to put a bounty on certain people in the Zi Clan. I have taken this task on behalf of the Slaughter Hall. Certain tumors within the Zi Clan have long needed eradication, I think it’s also the wish of the Immortal Emperor..."
Luo You: "What are you even saying! I don’t understand a word... what do you mean you took this task on behalf of the Slaughter Hall, do you think you’re the Killing Emperor..."
Ning Fan: "I am."
Luo You: "Huh?"
Ning Fan: "Indeed."
Luo You: "Are you joking..."
Ning Fan: "What do you think?"
Luo You: "It doesn’t seem like it... but, more unbelievable, feels like a dream..."
Ning Fan: "It is a dream. You and I encountered each other in the dream of the Immortal Emperor, knowing each other through the Yin Yang Locket, and now as the dream returns to reality, giving you back the jade locket, completing the Yin Yang, fulfilling the cause and effect. But this isn’t a farewell, it is the beginning of a story... The wind rises at the tail of the green calyx, hence the butterfly rides the wind high, all the way to the Spirit Heavens. And all you have suffered, will definitely be avenged by this butterfly’s own hands."
Luo You: "Thank you, but the riddles you speak, I don’t understand a single sentence, sister!"
Luo You: "But... if you really have come to the Zi Clan, please be careful... I don’t want to be alone anymore..."
Ning Fan: "There is no danger, though this realm has [Zi Mansion], [Zi Xiao], [Hidden South Mountain], [Sikong Realm], [Zi Lou Luo], [Ancient Painting Spirit], [Purple Palm Fate], [Green Palm Fortune], [Corpse Demon Saint Ape], [Dust King Tribulation Thought], [Clock Ghost] and other formidable figures gathered, none pose any threat to me... Besides, I’ve listed these by their strength from low to high..."
Luo You: "I can’t understand what you’re saying, it’s like you’re listing dishes, yet it feels like you’re boasting... Sister doesn’t seem to know you as well as before, really sad, I really want to know the experiences you’ve had over these years..."
Ning Fan: "Once this matter is settled, I’ll slowly tell you."
...
The tribe land of the Zi Clan consists of four continents: Gaosheng continent, Seven Stars continent, Yitian continent, Qinggang continent.
The four continents are combined together by Hongmeng Purple Qi, like a giant bathed under ten billion star rivers.
Among them, the Seven Stars continent mainly forms the "head" of the giant.
Gaosheng continent forms the upper torso.
Yitian continent forms the arms.
Qinggang continent forms the legs.
Fate Wielding’s invasion into the Zi Clan was at Gaosheng continent.
This continent is the hub of the Zi Clan, used to nurture the sacred corporeal body in the forbidden grounds—[Ten Thousand Immortal Ridge], thus chosen as the point of invasion.
Gaosheng continent is square in shape, with gold throughout the land, spring all year round, no winter or summer, with many curved trees, many fragrant trees.
This is where the first and second castes of the Zi Clan reside, generations receiving incense from the Immortal Emperor, with numerous Ape Clan powerhouses.
Born in this place, people possess a thousand-year lifespan without cultivation, devoid of suffering, enjoying constant happiness, surpassing other continents, thus named Gaosheng.
The moment Fate Wielding’s invasion and the fall of the Red Corpse Emperor were detected, countless powerful figures from the Zi Clan gave chase, smoke signals rose everywhere within the realm, alarm bells echoed endlessly, countless streams of light rushed forth, like a disturbed beehive.
Seeing the numerous forces of the Zi Clan, Zi Zhangyun dared not linger. After killing the Red Corpse Emperor with two swords, he headed straight to the Ten Thousand Immortal Ridge. His goal was clear, leaving no disguise, as if to openly declare to the Zi Clan: Old man, I am here for the Saint Corpse Demon; if you can’t stand it, come and kill me!
"You thief, how bold, to dare attempt to force your way into the Ten Thousand Immortal Ridge!"
"What do you think this is? This is the Zi Clan!"
"Quickly assemble, intercept this person at all costs! If he breaks into the Ten Thousand Immortal Ridge, the clan leader will not spare us!"
In an instant, thousands of strong individuals were in pursuit, including three Zi Clan Immortal Emperors.
Noticing that among the pursuers, only three Immortal Emperors came, Zi Zhangyun thought to himself, "As expected."
"The Zi Clan focuses on nurturing the Saint Corpse Demon, and most of the clan’s quasi-saints and Immortal Emperors are engaged in related affairs, each having their duties, and are often secluded within the Ten Thousand Immortal Ridge. Without permission, they cannot leave at will; usually, only a few Immortal Emperors guard the outside world, and among these was the Red Corpse Emperor who I just killed. So, there are still three Immortal Emperors left guarding the realm..."
"I don’t have the power of Zhang Qing. Even if I came in full force, I could not suppress the entire Zi Clan, let alone this time coming so openly with only the Purple Luck Body. But if only three Emperors are dispatched, I do not fear!"
"These three Emperors are Thunder Gang, Stone Heart, and Spirit Official, hm..."
"Since it’s these three pursuing me, I will follow the ninety-second plan of the fifth strategy, using their weaknesses and lack of leadership to gradually plunge the Zi Clan into chaos, reaping benefits amidst the turmoil..."
Isn’t it talked about!
Whenever Zhangyun opens his mouth, it’s about the fifth plan, the ninety-second strategy. It’s unimaginable how many collapse pre-plans for the Zi Clan he crafted...
When asked, it turns out Zhangyun’s schemes against the Zi Clan began countless years ago. Every potential encounter has been deduced countless times on the Chessboard of Cause and Effect, deliberated and then acted, confident of infallibility.
The masters he might confront along a certain route, the formations to intercept him, he has considered all thoroughly with countermeasures in place.
He even took into account possible reinforcements from the Zi Clan, leaving no oversight.
No one understands the Zi Clan better than me!
Even the current Zi Clan leader, Zi Xiao, could never understand as much as I do!
Someone who can’t even comprehend nurturing the Saint Corpse Demon, what isn’t a waste if not this!
The saying goes, "Do not delay when the time is right; time will not come again; if heaven gives you something and you don’t take it, it becomes a disaster!"
If you, Zi Xiao, can’t do it, then let this corpse be left to me!
"The Saint Ape Corpse, I am bound to obtain it! Nobody, no one can stop me!"
Having slain the Red Corpse Emperor, Zi Zhangyun regained much of his confidence shattered earlier. Thus, in the face of pursuit by the three Emperors, he showed no fear.
While being chased by thousands of strong individuals, he distractedly probed the storage pouch of the Red Corpse Emperor, practically dismissing all pursuits.
Seeing Zhangyun so arrogant, numerous attacks came from behind, intending to teach him a lesson.
However, Zhangyun only transformed a wisp of escape light into a thousand purple winds, and as the thousand winds flashed and moved, all attacks brushed past, none touching him.
The enemy’s onslaught was like a swarm and rain, yet he remained calm, with precise control over his position and fortune, always finding the perfect evasive opportunity.
Transforming into a thousand winds used the "Wind Control" technique from the "72 Changes of Evil Spirits" and had been cultivated to the profound realm of "not hasty but fast, not moving but arriving."
Perfect evasion relied on the power of the Causal Beast!
See it!
At this time, Zi Zhangyun forcibly utilized the power of the Causal Beast, and his eyes transformed into the beast’s pupils, able to see all the causal lines of attacks!
Time and space seemed to lose meaning in his eyes, as all things turned into countless complicated causal lines.
Among them were unfavorable causes and favorable causes!
Just avoid the unfavorable and walk the favorable, and nothing can harm!
This is a way of evasion different from the Purifying Calamity Lotus Lamp! No need to pray for miracles, merely rely on the ultimate operation to choose fate!
"No one can ’hit’ me!" Zhangyun said disdainfully.
Seemingly intentionally provoking the Zi Clan’s strong individuals, he particularly emphasized the word "hit."
Then he continued to probe the storage pouch of the Red Corpse Emperor, extremely composed, extremely provocative.
This is an Immortal Emperor’s storage bag, with a fairly high level, even sealed with a complex Plum Blossom Ban. Without knowing the solution, one could only use brute force to break it, which might easily damage the items inside.
Zhangyun disdained using brute force, just using a stroke of spirit sense to easily unlock the Plum Blossom Ban as if he knew the solution beforehand.
He had already deduced on the Chessboard of Cause and Effect what was approximately inside, making everything clear to him. Now he merely wanted to confirm it out of caution.
"Fire Eye Golden Eyes Talisman, Chixiao Palace pass token, Golden Rod, Jade Royal Dan, Anti-Luo Heaven Array Flag... Haha, indeed, the array flag is here. With this item, my subsequent plans can proceed... Among the items in this storage pouch, the two most valuable are the array flag and the Origin Qi... It’s ludicrous that the old Red Corpse Emperor betrayed his sworn brother to seize these two strands of Origin Qi, yet couldn’t bear to consume them, intending to save them for breaking through; only to be killed by my two swords, leaving me to profit for nothing! Once I swallow these two strands of Origin Qi, it will certainly boost the Purple Luck Body’s Dao level greatly... Wait! Where’s the Origin Qi! Why is there no Origin Qi in this storage pouch!"
Zi Zhangyun’s eyes narrowed, feeling an oversight.
What happened matched not the result deduced by the Chessboard of Cause and Effect... This was somewhat awkward.
"Damn it! The Chessboard of Cause and Effect was wrong again! Since that miscalculation with the butterfly incident, errors have persisted to this day... Butterfly, butterfly, you are truly my nemesis!"
"Fortunately, this time it was only the Origin Qi that was miscalculated, and not the array flag. With the array flag, the plan can still proceed, but it’s a pity to lack the two strands of Origin Qi on this journey... That damn old Red Corpse Dog, eating up the Origin Qi beforehand, causing me the oversight!"
Purple Palm Fate cursed under his breath, his face sullen as he continued to speed forward.
Ning Fan, who could not be detected and was stealthily following along, scattered the Black Fortune to erode Palm Fate while chewing on the Origin Qi in his mouth, attempting to use the power of this energy to break through the upper limit of his Ten Thousand Tribulation Magical Power...
Hmm, the general direction is indeed correct.
The three energies of origin, nirvana, and wilderness, which greatly benefit saints, can indeed be used to break the limit of the second step...
Ten Thousand Tribulation Magical Power is the limit for ordinary second-step cultivators, yet it is not the limit for someone at the human king realm!
The only pity is that having only two strands of Origin Qi is far from enough to completely break the limit; more of the three energies of origin, nirvana, and wilderness are needed...
"The Purple Clan has a profound heritage. This journey of eroding Palm Fate should allow me to easily gather quite a few treasures... such as the three energies of origin, nirvana, and wilderness, or the Ten Revolutions Ancestor Pill," Ning Fan thought to himself.
He felt no guilt in plundering Palm Fate’s opportunities for creation.
Nor did he feel any psychological burden from witnessing the murder of the Red Corpse Emperor.
Ning Fan’s eyes could see through all reincarnations and past events, unveiling the sinister and vicious life of the Red Corpse Emperor:
Backstabbing his daoist friends was just routine.
He didn’t know how many stars he slaughtered or nations he exterminated.
The cruelest thing was, in order to achieve Red Ass Nine Transformations, he even killed his mentor; after killing his mentor, he conveniently harvested from his mentor’s wife and apprentice... leaving no survivors afterward.
This was the Purple Clan, home to the descendants of Master Zidou. If there were any kind-hearted or innocent ones, Ning Fan would not allow Palm Fate to wantonly kill them.
But if it’s someone as malevolent as the Red Corpse Emperor, Ning Fan naturally wouldn’t bother to save them.
If the Red Corpse was such, then what about others...
Ning Fan secretly observed the large group pursuing Palm Fate.
Currently, behind Palm Fate, thousands of long rainbows were whistling, with the minimum being the Fragmented Thought Elders, seventeen Immortal Venerables, and three Immortal Emperors.
The too weak couldn’t catch up with Palm Fate; this rascal was running incredibly fast.
Those who could hastily gather and pursue Palm Fate mostly possessed the Somersault Cloud among the Ape Clan forces, indicating the profound heritage of the Purple Clan. Such treasures like the Somersault Cloud could be cashed in; it’s a sign of overflowing wealth.
What Ning Fan cared about was certainly not these people’s cultivation or wealth—these people combined couldn’t stop one of his sword strikes; discussing cultivation would hurt feelings.
What he cared about was these people’s reincarnations and past: whether they deserved the title of Immortal Emperor’s descendants.
The result was disappointing.
Among these thousands of powerhouses, apart from a few individuals with decent character, most were not virtuous.
So much so that even by Ning Fan’s moral standards, they couldn’t be classified as virtuous...
The chaos in their circle might still be forcefully explained as a lack of private virtue.
The acts of bullying men and women couldn’t be excused, especially when some could even extend their harmful reach to parents and flesh and blood...
Furthermore, acts such as monopolizing the Spirit Veins, sacrificing mortals, distributing poisonous pills, manipulating heavenly laws, consuming virgin boys and girls, embezzling incense offerings from the four heavens, inciting realm wars, colluding with immortal domain enemies...
Enough, they are beyond saving, let them be destroyed...
If the Immortal Emperor were here, he would certainly hope for someone to punish this gang of bastards...
If the Long-armed Ape Saint were resurrected, he would certainly beat these bastards to death with his own hands...
Ning Fan’s eyes swept over the mighty figures of the Purple Clan and finally fell upon the Flame Spirit Saint Mother.
Hmm, a very kind old lady who saved countless lives throughout her reincarnation, considered the pure vein of the Purple Clan, not to mention she’s Luo You’s mentor, so Palm Fate absolutely should not harm her even a little...
Palm Fate naturally didn’t know that he was actually followed by an annoying giant butterfly.
He continued to speak rudely, attempting to provoke a certain Immortal Emperor among those pursuing him.
"Didn’t you eat? Thousands of you fighting one of me, yet can’t even land a hit!"
"Waste! With your level of cultivation, do you deserve the title of Immortal Emperor’s descendants!"
"Weak, too weak! What nonsense strongest of ten clans, not even close to the hair of a butterfly!"
"Purple Clan, just so!"
Palm Fate incessantly taunted those behind him and finally recited a certain line.
Purple Clan, just so!
Just so!
Those who hadn’t experienced the Emotion Control Chaos wouldn’t understand the weight of this line.
Emperor Shi Xin was someone who survived the Emotion Control Chaos to this day, and for this reason, a stamp of fear was deeply imprinted within his demon soul. Whenever he recalled the past, he would be thrown into emotional chaos and lose control!
Seeing that everyone couldn’t hurt Palm Fate, Emperor Shi Xin immediately recalled the humiliating past.
At that time, facing the Emperor Zhang Qing, he could only run, could only cry out.
But now!
I, the old man, am different!
The Zi Clan is also different!
No one can come and act recklessly in my clan anymore!
"Stop your arrogance, thief! I have a weapon that never misses, I refuse to believe I can’t hit you!"
Among the pursuers, Emperor Shi Xin, one of the Three Emperors, observed for a long while. Now provoked by the Emperor of Fate, he angrily made a move. With a flip of his hand, the Stone Dao Principle instantly condensed into a Dao Weapon, the [Heavenly Stone].
This stone was nurtured by him for millions of years with his blood essence, and it was already extraordinarily powerful. Furthermore, it was augmented with Divine Skills like [Must Hit] and [Fall from the Horse]: once thrown, it never missed; once it hit, it would surely knock someone off their escape light, making it difficult to get up for quite some time, and it was the perfect choice for pursuing enemies.
"Take this!"
Thus, he sacrificed the Heavenly Stone, using it as a concealed weapon and aimed it at the back of the Emperor of Fate.
In an instant, the Emperor of Fate felt a sense of causal lock, but instead of fearing, he laughed.
He laughed at how Emperor Shi Xin was foolish and lacked wisdom, how he was so easily provoked and even attempted to use such a shallow causal method against one who wielded the power of the Causal Beast!
The power of the Causal Beast is not just about seeking fortune and avoiding calamity!
Those skilled in observing cause and effect can also discern the death line among many causalities, allowing them to inflict severe damage on their enemy with one strike!
If necessary, they can even reverse cause and effect, reflecting the attack meant for them back onto the attacker!
So, he utilized more power from the Causal Beast, and while reversing cause and effect, he also captured Emperor Shi Xin’s death line.
Poor Emperor Shi Xin, who made a strike that not only failed to hit the Emperor of Fate but also saw his Heavenly Stone return like a boomerang, directly targeting his Tian Ling, causing him to be greatly shocked.
Realizing something was wrong, Emperor Shi Xin tried to dodge immediately, but how could he evade a [Must Hit] strike? The outcome was determined the moment the strike was made.
Seeing that there was no way to avoid it, Emperor Shi Xin simply unfolded his Innate Divine Ability, [Copper Head Iron Arm], thinking that once his Life-bound Talent was activated, even a hit from an Innate Lower Grade Treasure wouldn’t hurt, let alone a Dao Weapon strike wouldn’t matter.
However, this counter-strike followed along the death line, and this single strike shattered Emperor Shi Xin’s iron head like a watermelon.
At the moment of impact, it triggered the [Fall from the Horse] Divine Skill, with effects magnified dozens of times, causing Emperor Shi Xin to stumble like a headless fly, falling from the sky onto the ground, unable to stand up for half a day due to the Divine Skill’s restrictions. Fortunately, his Demon Soul was not harmed, which was indeed a blessing in disguise.
However, in a short time, he was unable to employ escape light or cloud techniques to continue pursuing the Emperor of Fate.
He wanted to retrieve the Dao Weapon, but was horrified to discover that the Heavenly Stone’s connection with his heart had been severed and was forcibly seized by the Emperor of Fate through unknown means!
"Tiger Servant Technique, Summoning Soul!"
"Sikong, lend me your power as your master!"
It was the Emperor of Fate who, upon successfully counterattacking, immediately used the Tiger Servant Secret Technique, spat out a Dead Soul, and, using the power of the Dead Soul, seized control of the enemy’s Dao Weapon.
That wisp of Dead Soul was astonishingly the disciple of the Emperor of Fate—Sikong, who had been devoured by him and refined into a Chang Ghost through secret techniques, kept within his body.
The disciples taken by the Emperor of Fate were nothing more than pawns, with the only difference being their intended purpose.
He took the disciple Si Ming for the matter of the Fate Palm Emperor, while Sikong was taken for his awakened rare talent from the Realm Beast Race—[Sikong Zhaixing]!
Once this talent’s Divine Ability was unleashed, it could, within a certain timeframe, steal control over others’ magical items and Dao Weapons, which was extremely formidable.
In this way, he successfully seized control of the Heavenly Stone.
Turning to look at the pursuers, the murderous intent was fully revealed, and he completely stopped pretending!
"You all know nothing of the power of the Heavenly Stone! Shi Xin, oh Shi Xin, let me show you the true might of this stone!"
"Take this!"
The Emperor of Fate muttered an incantation as if assisted by a god, and began to send flying stones towards the pursuing enemies, each strike targeting the death line.
At this moment, what was merely a moderately powerful Dao Weapon in the hands of Emperor Shi Xin became a peerless lethal weapon in the hands of the Emperor of Fate!
Emperor Lei Gang’s Wind Lightning Wings were shattered!
Half of Spirit Official Emperor’s head was smashed away!
The body of Six-leaf Immortal King was destroyed with a single strike!
The Demon Soul of Silver-backed Immortal King was killed on the spot!
In a short span of time, the Emperor of Fate used this stone to injure fourteen Eternal Old Freaks, and along with the initially struck Emperor Shi Xin, it totaled fifteen people, leaving everyone doubting their lives!
In the next moment!
The Emperor of Fate finally sacrificed the stone towards the Flame Spirit Saint Mother...
And at that moment, the entire Zi Clan inexplicably experienced a rainfall...