Apart from the Eight Great Immortal Sects and the Demon Sect, no other forces have a Tianren realm cultivator in charge.
Therefore, in Tianshui City, a Yuanshen realm cultivator is already at the peak.
For example, the Ran Family, although Ran Jingri went to Wolong Mountain and hasn’t returned, the family still has two elders and Wang Shenyu, all in the Yuanshen realm.
Plus, with Ning Huaizhen retreating while fighting, they have four people in total, making it difficult for the Yan Family to be their match.
However, now is the best time to seize the “Heart of the Great Dao.” The elders of the Ji Family have chosen to stand by and watch.
If they find something amiss, they will definitely turn against them, leaving Ji Shisanlang to bear all the responsibility! They must subdue the Ran Family as quickly as possible! Seeing Ji Yutang retreat into the Ran Family, the Yan Family cultivators stopped their attacks but did not leave.
Instead, they hovered in the air, coldly watching the Ran Family cultivators.
“The Heart of the Great Dao.
Truly favored by the heavens, even I am tempted,” Shi Qingchen chuckled softly, her eyes flickering with a strange light.
Seeing Li Jingyu’s gaze, she continued, “Aren’t you afraid she’ll get hurt in the chaos?” Li Jingyu frowned and, after a moment, replied coldly, “That’s her own fate.”
Shi Qingchen snorted lightly, no longer guessing her junior niece’s thoughts.
She activated a talisman from her sleeve, which transformed into a swift light heading towards the sky.
The Ran Family has four Yuanshen realm cultivators, while the Yan Family only has two.
If they fight, the Yan Family won’t gain any advantage.
Fortunately, the Yan Family has already cooperated with the Demon Sect, and someone will come to assist them.
After Ji Yutang flew to the Ran Family, she did not follow Wang Shenyu’s advice to rest.
She stood among the crowd, full of worry, looking ahead until a familiar figure appeared before her, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
“Mother—” Ji Yutang called out to Ning Huaizhen, then tensed up again, looking at the pursuing Yan Family.
“Those elders—” Ning Huaizhen sneered, her eyes flashing with coldness.
As members of the same clan, they ignored the enemy’s invasion, which is already a crime! But this matter must wait until everything is settled.
She tidied her hair, which had become messy from the fight, and bowed gracefully to Wang Shenyu and the others, “Thank you all for your help.”
Wang Shenyu smiled and said, “No need to be polite, our two families are one.”
After a pause, she added, “Why did the Yan Family suddenly attack you? What about the Ji Family elders?”
“Who knows,” Ning Huaizhen frowned, hiding the disgust in her eyes.
“Are you planning to fight us?” Wang Shenyu smiled at the Yan Family cultivators.
With Ran Jingri’s whereabouts unknown, she didn’t want to stir up more trouble and chose to settle things peacefully.
The Yan Family cultivators remained silent, their hawk-like eyes fixed on Ji Yutang.
At that moment, a demonic blade shrouded in black energy and malice suddenly fell from the sky, striking the Ran Family’s barrier, causing a thunderous roar.
The blade’s light spread like a black snake along the barrier, which glowed with a cyan light, manifesting a book in mid-air, suppressing the entire formation.
Wang Shenyu and the Ran Family elders’ expressions changed drastically, not expecting someone to attack the formation right in front of them, and the blade was full of malice, clearly a Demon Sect disciple! Just as they exchanged glances with grim faces, a hearty laugh rang out.
A cultivator riding the clouds appeared, tall and handsome, with a familiar face! “Master Song—Song Wanzhao?!” Wang Shenyu looked at the extraordinary Taoist in shock, exclaiming.
The Eight Great Immortal Sects are very wary of mentioning the fallen “Wangqing Sect,” but no matter how they avoid it, the fallen are still fallen.
The Song Wanzhao before them was once the second disciple of their generation, with the potential to rival the senior brother.
But during an ambush on Huoxin Palace disciples, he was seduced by a demon and fell into the demonic path.
He later personally killed the Huoxin Palace female cultivator, not to complete the Dao Palace’s task, but to sever all ties and emotions, killing friends and family to end karma! His fall into the demonic path led to a much more tragic battle, with all those close to him, unguarded, perishing under his blade.
The Three Supreme Palaces hate Song Wanzhao to the core, sending sect disciples to hunt him down, but they never found his whereabouts.
It seems he hid in a cave to cultivate until he became a Yuanshen realm cultivator before reappearing.
“It’s Junior Sister Wang.” Song Wanzhao looked at Wang Shenyu with feigned realization.
He raised an eyebrow, put away the demonic blade, and tossed a recording stone to Wang Shenyu, smiling, “Junior Sister, take a look at who this is?” Wang Shenyu didn’t take the recording stone.
She formed a hand seal, sending a swift light to fix the stone in mid-air, then infused it with magic power.
A white-clad figure with a frown and sorrowful eyes appeared before her.
Wang Shenyu’s breath hitched, and she turned to glare at Song Wanzhao.
“Is it Ran Guzhu?” Ji Yutang raised an eyebrow, speaking softly.
In the recording stone, Ran Guzhu was a prisoner, looking much more disheveled and haggard than before.
Although there was sorrow and resentment, the cold arrogance she maintained since childhood was undiminished.
In this aspect, she was completely different from Li Jingyu—she had only one appearance, while Li Jingyu was ever-changing, captivating! Speaking of which, she had helped earlier, so where is she now? Is she nearby watching the Ran Family’s commotion? What does she plan to do? Ji Yutang’s mind was in turmoil, her gaze involuntarily shifting around.
The Ran Family members focused on the recording stone’s Ran Guzhu, but Ning Huaizhen kept her eyes on Ji Yutang.
Noticing her expression, she raised an eyebrow and asked, “What are you looking for?” Ji Yutang’s eyelid twitched, quickly retracting her gaze, stammering, “N-nothing.”
Ning Huaizhen felt her daughter had something on her mind, but now wasn’t the time to pursue it.
She sighed lightly, her fingers gently brushing over the patterns on the “Zhouliu Tianzheng Ruler.” The Yan Family chose this time to attack, and the Demon Sect cultivators appeared at this moment.
Are they colluding? Was the Wolong Mountain incident within their expectations? Thinking of this, a chilling aura emanated from Ning Huaizhen.
Meanwhile, Wang Shenyu questioned Song Wanzhao, trying to learn Ran Guzhu’s whereabouts, but Song Wanzhao refused to answer.
In anger, Wang Shenyu attacked directly! Song Wanzhao laughed heartily, not shying away from the fight.
He spun the demonic blade, stirring up a dense bloodthirsty aura, slashing forward! The blade light split into hundreds of streams, each carrying a haunting demonic sound, like the wails of the dead! Wang Shenyu’s face was cold as frost.
She steadied her mind, unmoved by the demonic sound, her sword light rising layer by layer, transforming into a brilliant ribbon that shattered the oncoming blade aura like a storm!
With the matriarch already in action, the Ran Family’s two elders naturally stepped forward.
Ning Huaizhen circulated her spiritual energy, adjusting her magic power, sweeping Ji Yutang back with a low command, then transformed into a swift light, charging again! Ning Huaizhen’s target was the Yan Family cultivators, eager to slay them here! With the Ran Family elders’ assistance, she felt much more at ease.
But Wang Shenyu was no match for Song Wanzhao.
After all, Song Wanzhao came from the Tai Shang lineage, familiar with many Dao Palace techniques.
The demonic blade he cultivated after falling into the demonic path was specifically to counter Taiyuan techniques! Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, the Ran Family elders withdrew to support Wang Shenyu.
Although they had a slight advantage in numbers, the battle was evenly matched!
The outcome of a Yuanshen realm cultivator’s battle isn’t decided in a day or two.
They fought all the way to Extreme Heaven, the fierce air currents roaring like a raging river, with blood splattering amidst the blade and sword shadows.
Just as the group was fighting fiercely, a thunderous explosion came from the direction of Wolong Mountain, shaking the ground and causing the entire city to tremble.
The buildings in the city couldn’t withstand such a powerful force and collapsed instantly.
Ji Yutang had been watching the battle, and upon hearing the sound, she thought it was bad.
With her power, she couldn’t change anything! Just as anxiety filled her face, a gentle light, like an overturned jade bowl, enveloped the entire Tianshui City.
The mighty force rushing from Wolong Mountain was gradually weakened upon hitting the jade bowl’s edge, and by the time it passed through the barrier, only a slight tremor remained.
Something happened at Wolong Mountain! After the explosion, the cultivators couldn’t help but turn their gaze in that direction.
Especially Wang Shenyu, concerned about Ran Jingri’s safety, lost focus and was struck by the demonic blade’s aura, leaving a several-inch-long blood mark on her cheek.
A Ran Family elder beside her was cut in half by the blade aura, falling to the ground.
The demonic blade, having absorbed the blood aura, grew even more powerful.
Song Wanzhao laughed heartily, his magic power surging.
He moved with the blade’s momentum, sweeping across like a storm, the domineering blade aura shooting in all directions, forming a ferocious black dragon.
Even Shi Qingchen, watching from the shadows, had to avoid its edge.
“He might be the first to achieve the Tianren realm in the Wangqing Sect,” Shi Qingchen said.
The current Wangqing Sect leader is a Tianren realm expert, but he was already at this level before falling into the demonic path.
But Song Wanzhao is different; he was only at the Golden Core stage when he joined the Wangqing Sect.
“Is the path of severing emotions and desires truly the way to eliminate burdens?” Li Jingyu looked at Song Wanzhao, speaking in a deep voice.
Cultivators’ actions have cause and effect.
The Wangqing Sect’s “resolution” isn’t a single cause and effect but choosing to eliminate “all causes.” Once “all causes” are severed, there are no “effects,” but the malice still exists in the world.
The world is indifferent; whether cultivating magic or the Dao, it’s all part of the Dao, and it won’t interfere or cut off the path to enlightenment for Demon Sect cultivators.
However, the world is also compassionate, bestowing merit and favoring the righteous path, reducing burdens so that they don’t perish in the world’s great calamity.
In today’s Jiuzhou, the Dao is righteous, and magic is evil, but was it always so? The Demon Ancestor is also the son of Yuanshi Heavenly King and Taiyuan Holy Mother, the antithesis of the world, a part of it.
Can he be “evil”?
“Senior Song’s malice is too strong.
When the world’s great calamity comes, with the decline of fortune, he may not survive,” Li Jingyu added.
Shi Qingchen nodded.
The “world’s great calamity” concerns one’s life and death, and both Immortal and Demon Sects take it very seriously.
She is willing to see the Demon God Stake stir the earth’s energy but doesn’t want to rely on the Tianhai Demon Sect, choosing her own path instead.
In the past, the Tai Shi successor Li Qingxun pointed out a “path of merit” for them.
The world’s spirit is humanity, and the Dao favors the weak, such as now, when she uses a jade bowl to shield Tianshui City, protecting the people within, she can gain merit to reduce her burdens.
Fortune is mysterious and elusive, but it plays a crucial role in life and death.
“Wang Shenyu isn’t a match for Song Wanzhao, but Ning Huaizhen—” Shi Qingchen hesitated for a moment, looking at Li Jingyu.
Li Jingyu blinked and said, “No matter the process, as long as the Ran Family suffers casualties, it’s enough.” Don’t say these elders are innocent; they shouted the loudest during the “demon elimination,” forgetting the kindness their mother once showed them.
She doesn’t want to hear their “right or wrong” either; avenging her mother is a matter of course.
Blood flowed down Wang Shenyu’s cheek.
She touched the blood mark on her face, looking at Song Wanzhao with a deep gaze, “You’re still as formidable as ever.”
Song Wanzhao raised an eyebrow, “It seems Junior Sister’s cultivation has slackened.
After becoming the Ran Family’s lady, your mind found satisfaction, and you forgot your Dao?”
“You dare speak to me of ‘Dao’?” Wang Shenyu looked at Song Wanzhao, finding it absurd and laughable.
Song Wanzhao looked at her, smiling, “Why not? The great Dao has three thousand paths, all leading to enlightenment.
In this regard, Junior Sister’s mind isn’t as open as Junior Sister Qingxun’s.”
Hearing “Li Qingxun,” Wang Shenyu’s expression changed drastically.
She took a deep breath, frowning, “You betrayed your true selves.”
“Wrong, I acted according to my heart.
We cultivators follow our desires,” Song Wanzhao shook his head, adding, “If Junior Sister doesn’t show her true skills, then leave your Yuanshen to me as a sacrifice for my blade!” With that, the blade light swept forward, a scorching wave of air surging forth!
The blade aura contained fire energy, and Wang Shenyu’s expression changed drastically upon seeing it.
This was the “Taiyuan Fire True Heavenly Book Art” evolved from the Taiyuan Dao Palace.
“I thought Senior Brother wouldn’t use Taiyuan Dao techniques anymore,” Wang Shenyu said while dodging.
Song Wanzhao chuckled, his disagreement with Taiyuan Palace was merely a difference in paths, and the path itself had no distinction between good and evil.
Why shouldn’t he use what he had painstakingly cultivated? Wang Shenyu and the Ran Family elder retreated swiftly amidst the fiery waves, while on the other side, the Yan Family elder was already showing signs of defeat under Ning Huaizhen’s hand.
At this critical moment, Ning Huaizhen probably had no time to care about the situation here unless she was willing to give up on avenging her enemy.
Wang Shenyu’s mind raced, and a dazzling light surrounded her.
She pointed with her hand, and a book with a purple aura flew out, accompanied by a series of explosions like hundreds of thunderclaps! The book’s spiritual light remained undiminished, stirring up a gale that swept away the blade light and fire.
Song Wanzhao held his knife, and a crack finally appeared in his calm and composed expression.
He gazed at the spinning book shrouded in purple aura in mid-air and said in a deep voice, “Heartless Book.” After a moment, he looked deeply at Wang Shenyu and added, “After you killed her, you actually stripped and refined her Life-Bound Artifact?” Wang Shenyu did not respond, her hand hidden in her sleeve suddenly clenched tightly, as this was indeed an unscrupulous act on their part.
Li Jingyu, who was observing from a distance, could not restrain her own anger and hostility when the “Heartless Book” appeared.
Her mother’s path was “Supreme Forgetfulness,” and she had entrusted her entire cultivation to the Life-Bound Artifact, the Heartless Book.
Li Jingyu knew that Dao Mother’s artifact had fallen into Ran Jingri’s hands, and she had thought it would at least be sealed in the attic, not expecting it to be taken out and refined anew, becoming Wang Shenyu’s protective artifact.
Her eyes were deep, and she took a deep breath, saying, “It’s just as well it appeared; I came for the Heartless Book.”
Shi Qingchen nodded, having been instructed by her senior sister before coming that no matter what, they must retrieve the “Heartless Book.”
“If this artifact were wielded by Junior Sister Qing Xun, I might be wary, but now—” Song Wanzhao, having come to his senses, laughed heartily.
His magical power surged, the blade light turned, and light splashed, forming a wall of fire in the blink of an eye.
But at that moment, a crisp golden bell sound rang out, and two white ribbons suddenly plunged into the flames, reaching for the “Heartless Book” suspended in mid-air.
Song Wanzhao’s smile froze, and he turned his head sharply, frowning, “Is it you?” Shi Qingchen smiled slightly, saying, “Brother Song, give me some face, don’t destroy this item.” Her voice was as clear as a bell, much more melodious than before.
The female cultivators of Huoxin Palace mostly practiced soul-bewitching techniques, and Shi Qingchen was using it now.
Song Wanzhao sneered and suddenly withdrew the blade light.
“You, you are the demoness Shi Qingchen from Huoxin Palace!” Wang Shenyu recognized the newcomer, and her face immediately darkened.
With Shi Qingchen appearing here, what about Huai Wanxiu? Would she show up? Who had A Zhu in their hands? Seeing Shi Qingchen’s artifact “Golden Bell Wrap” rolling towards the “Heartless Book,” Wang Shenyu frowned, unable to think of anything else.
She immediately urged her sword light, attacking Shi Qingchen.
Besides the sword light, she also activated a spell, controlling the “Heartless Book,” knowing it was Li Qingxun’s artifact, with considerable power, containing the supreme Tai Shang Dao techniques.
But just as Wang Shenyu was seriously dealing with Shi Qingchen, a gentle voice called out, “Aunt Wang.”
Wang Shenyu was confused by the voice and turned sharply.
“Is it A Zhu?” She was initially stunned, but the person was dressed in red robes, draped in a black cloak, with coldness and hostility in their eyes, not at all like Ran Guzhu should be.
Her true name was about to be revealed! “Ran Gutong?” Wang Shenyu spoke in a daze, “Is it A Tong?” Li Jingyu’s gaze swept over Ji Yutang, whose face also changed, before returning to Wang Shenyu.
“It seems Aunt Wang still remembers me.” Li Jingyu said with a smile.
Wang Shenyu frowned, looking at Li Jingyu’s face, a sense of losing control suddenly surged in her heart.
After Li Jingyu appeared, the “Heartless Book” seemed to have its own consciousness, with its connection to her becoming weaker.
Wang Shenyu suppressed her turbulent emotions, preparing to focus on dealing with Shi Qingchen.
However, Li Jingyu wouldn’t let her have her way.
“Doesn’t Aunt Wang want to know how Ran Guzhu is? Our Demon Sect has a way with dealing with Immortal Sect cultivators.” Li Jingyu added.
“You—” Wang Shenyu was furious, turning to Li Jingyu, “She is your own sister!”
“So what? She recognized a thief as her father, unworthy of being my sister.”
Wang Shenyu shouted angrily, “What nonsense are you spouting? That is your father!” Li Jingyu feigned understanding, drawing out her words, “Father! My father is a wife-killer.”
Wang Shenyu’s face turned cold, looking at Li Jingyu with disappointment, she reproached, “You are just like her.
A demonic person, deserving of death!” Her eyes flashed with a fierce light, the sword light surged, light dancing! Most of it was aimed at Shi Qingchen, with a small portion flying towards Li Jingyu.
This was a sword move from a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, not something easily blocked.
Since Li Jingyu appeared, Ji Yutang had been watching her, and at this moment, seeing her engulfed in sword light, her eyelids twitched wildly, and she shouted, “Be careful!” Her voice was not small, drawing several gazes to her.
Ji Yutang pursed her lips, awkwardly smiling, adding, “Mother, be careful!”
In the sword light, Li Jingyu smiled calmly, the strong wind pulling her sleeves, almost taut into a black and red line.
In a flash, the Golden Bell Wrap rolled, firmly protecting Li Jingyu.
Shi Qingchen looked at Wang Shenyu and said, “Fellow Daoist, being distracted at this moment is underestimating me.” Her figure was graceful, reaching forward to hold the “Heartless Book.” The purple aura sizzling on it burned her palm, rising in white smoke.
Shi Qingchen’s expression remained unchanged, a talisman flew from her sleeve, instantly stabilizing the “Heartless Book.”
When Shi Qingchen touched the Heartless Book, Wang Shenyu was still sneering, but seeing the talisman fly from her sleeve, she couldn’t control her expression.
Staring at the talisman, she squeezed out from between her teeth, “Taishi Lineage!” Shi Qingchen had no obligation to explain where the talisman came from, the Golden Bell Wrap wrapped around Li Jingyu, pulling her to her side, instantly bringing her over.
“It’s done, let’s go.” Shi Qingchen said calmly.
Li Jingyu nodded, her eyes flashing with a strange light.
As they left, she glanced at Ji Yutang.
Ji Yutang’s heart skipped a beat, feeling that this matter was not yet over.
After Shi Qingchen withdrew, Song Wanzhao shouldered his large knife and also left with the wind.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to continue helping, but the two Nascent Soul stage cultivators of the Yan Family were beaten to a pulp under the “Zhou Liu Tian Zheng Chi,” with no chance of success.
He didn’t care about any contracts, that was Tianhai Demon Sect’s business, what did it have to do with him, Song Wanzhao?
Ning Huaizhen held the blood-stained Tian Zheng Chi, her hostility not yet dissipated.
“Mother—” Ji Yutang approached Ning Huaizhen, whispering, “Are you alright?” Ning Huaizhen shook her head, she was just exhausted, but the Ran Family—her eyes filled with apology, she walked towards Wang Shenyu, softly saying, “I’m sorry, this matter has implicated you because of my daughter and me.”
“No.” Wang Shenyu suppressed her rolling anger, but her shoulders still trembled uncontrollably.
She glanced at Ning Huaizhen and added, “They came for my Ran Family.
They… they came to avenge Senior Sister Li.” Demon Sect cultivators were insidious and treacherous, mostly untrustworthy, but now someone remembered past events, forcibly tearing open that scar.
Wang Shenyu rubbed her forehead, and after a while, worriedly said, “There was a loud noise from Wolong Mountain, I wonder how Senior Brother is doing.”
