Ji Yutang’s eyes suddenly flared with anger.
Hearing those words, she couldn’t help but think of other scenarios, feeling that the other party had ill intentions.
She glared fiercely at Li Jingyu, raising her dragon tail to lightly tap her wrist, urging her to move forward.
“What are you in such a hurry for?” Li Jingyu spoke leisurely, but despite her words, her steps didn’t slow down.
The river beneath her feet transformed into a cool mist, swirling around her.
At the end of Donghai, there was a place called Tanggu, where a Shen Fu tree that supported the heavens and earth grew.
From afar, the Shen Fu was lush and covered the sky, but under the sun’s rays, it looked like an eternal flame burning brightly.
The sea churned, and heat waves rose.
Under the intense heat, the mist around Li Jingyu gradually warmed.
Ji Yutang coiled around Li Jingyu’s wrist, instinctively shrinking back when she sensed the scorching air.
She circled Li Jingyu’s wrist, trying to find a cool spot.
“If you really can’t stand it, why not just stick to my chest?” Li Jingyu snorted, covering the wriggling Ji Yutang.
Her speed suddenly slowed, and a fierce sea monster took the opportunity to leap at them.
But before it could pass through the swirling mist, several Heavenly Heart Thunders struck its head, forcing it back.
Li Jingyu continued, “When we reach the Shen Fu, it might be even harder to withstand.”
Ji Yutang shook her head, looking at Li Jingyu and whispering, “Then what should we do?” After pondering for a while, she added, “If we don’t enter Tanggu, can we shoot it down when the sun returns to the Shen Fu?” Li Jingyu nodded and smiled, “But how will you resist the heat?” Ji Yutang glared at Li Jingyu.
Wasn’t this a rhetorical question? She had decided to come to Tanggu, so how could she not have a way to deal with the heat? Li Jingyu said, “When the time comes, I’ll manifest the true form of the Divine Palace and temporarily lend you the Jewel of the Rising Tides, merging it into your body.”
Ji Yutang remained silent for a long time before saying, “If I hadn’t come, what would you have done?” Li Jingyu blinked, “There are others besides you.”
Ji Yutang: “…” Indeed, the Saintess Ji Yue had many followers.
She was foolish to ask such a question.
The dragon tail slipped from the tender skin, swaying idly.
Ji Yutang closed her eyes, feeling stifled by the pervasive heat.
Half an hour later.
Li Jingyu and Ji Yutang landed on a red island in the sea, surrounded by jagged rocks forming a massive circle around the Shen Fu.
Li Jingyu cleared the obstacles and walked along the fiery path into the valley.
Here, the heat was even more apparent, with bright rays cascading from the Shen Fu’s branches, illuminating the world.
But within these rays, there was an imperceptible strange aura, slowly eroding the light.
Ji Yutang slid off Li Jingyu’s wrist, manifesting her human form.
She gazed at the Shen Fu, whispering, “The sun will return in two hours.”
Li Jingyu nodded, crossing her arms and looking at Ji Yutang with interest, “Shall we rehearse first?” Ji Yutang looked at Li Jingyu in confusion.
Li Jingyu calmly said, “If you reject my presence deep down, how can you borrow my Life-Bound Artifact?” Ji Yutang took a deep breath, “Your reflected aura is still in my Mind Palace.
With it, can’t I connect to the Jewel of the Rising Tides?”
“Is that so?” Li Jingyu blinked, suddenly leaning close to Ji Yutang, smiling, “I thought you had expelled it, given your resentment towards me.
Did something go wrong during cultivation?” She was doing it on purpose! Ji Yutang’s face turned red with anger.
She pushed Li Jingyu, but seeing her unmoving like a mountain, she quickly withdrew her hand and stepped back to distance herself.
Li Jingyu’s eyes flashed, reaching for Ji Yutang, but she deliberately dodged, her fingers only catching a strand of silky hair that slipped through like water.
Li Jingyu said, “We’ve expended a lot of energy on this journey.
Let’s rest for a while.”
Ji Yutang knew this well, but wasn’t it Li Jingyu who delayed a bit? In meditation, two hours passed in a flash.
The massive fireball seemed like a unique furnace in the world, burning the Primordial Qi and spiritual energy into distortion.
The Shen Fu suddenly burst with brilliant light, catching the setting sun.
As the lights met, nine black shadows resembling crows flew out from the blazing light, landing on the Shen Fu’s branches, grooming their fiery feathers with sharp beaks.
As the sun’s light wheel disappeared, the temperature across the Chaos Shadow Realm’s Chiyuan dropped, but Tanggu still felt like a blazing inferno.
The nine crows leaped among the tree gaps, absorbing the sun’s essence.
As their spiritual energy circulated, the heat rose another level, threatening to one day burn the world clean.
“Those are Thief Sun Crows, mentioned in ancient Jiuzhou legends.
These beasts are born from chaos, feeding on the sun’s essence, destined to become new suns.
But for the sun and moon, gaining consciousness is not a good thing,” Li Jingyu squinted, “And now, nine Thief Sun Crows forming a blazing sun is a disaster.”
Though the Chaos Shadow Realm had inhabitants, the sun and moon remained in chaos.
Normally, these inhabitants would perish in calamity, only to be reborn when chaos dissipated.
However, Jiuzhou cultivators intervened, altering this world’s course.
Now, the inhabitants were sheltered by Jiuzhou’s methods in their settlements.
Ji Yutang held a dragon-shaped bow, which had evolved with her cultivation, no longer the damaged, dull weapon it once was.
Gems and coral adorned the bow, with dragon power flowing through it.
Li Jingyu glanced at Ji Yutang, smiling, “Ready?” Ji Yutang nodded, her spirit moving as the first arrow shot out like lightning, carrying a dragon’s roar.
The powerful force exploded on the Shen Fu, creating waves of energy.
One Thief Sun Crow couldn’t react in time, bursting into sparks that scattered in all directions.
The remaining eight Thief Sun Crows were alarmed, flying up from the Shen Fu.
Sensing the uninvited guests, they screeched angrily and dove towards them.
The arrows’ green light bloomed in the air, while the fireball ascended, illuminating the world as if daylight had arrived.
Behind Li Jingyu, a clear silver moon appeared, its light like frost.
The Jewel of the Rising Tides connected to her aura, swirling behind Ji Yutang, suddenly caught by the manifested dragon.
The shadows on the Thief Sun Crows were stripped away, turning into blinding light.
Ji Yutang’s eyes watered from the glare, seeing only a dazzling white light.
She sensed the Thief Sun Crows’ positions with her spirit, but everywhere she reached was burning fire.
As the flames threatened to turn her to ash, a cool breeze flowed from behind.
A spinning Jewel of the Rising Tides appeared in her Mind Palace, like water washing away the burning sensation.
Ji Yutang knew Li Jingyu had intervened.
She opened her eyes, seizing the moment to draw her bow and shoot at the flying light! The dragon’s roar and long chant seemed to overturn rivers and seas, with the sound of rushing tides all around.
The phenomenon reflected in the sky, causing the dim moon to retreat, leaving the sky to the “fire.”
It was a brief night and a strange day.
Everyone in the Chaos Shadow Realm could see the eight dragon shadows and eight suns in the sky.
The people in Fan City couldn’t grasp the intricacies, only knowing that as the dragon shadows moved, a blazing light turned to sparks and fell, easing the long-standing heat.
When all eight sun shadows fell, they experienced a coolness they had never felt before! The people knelt, thanking the gods, their songs of reverence echoing through the city.
– Tai Shang Settlement.
Qin Ruoshui and others hadn’t understood why Li Jingyu and Ji Yutang headed east, but now they realized they were reshaping the sun, splitting the chaos! Tai Shang Dao Palace had noticed the unusual sun but never attempted this.
He sighed deeply, his long-held beliefs shaken.
A Tai Shang disciple hurriedly asked, “Brother Qin, where is Brother Shen?” Qin Ruoshui was startled, frowning, “Brother Shen said he was going to the Confucian Sect settlement, maybe there?” The disciple shook his head, “He’s not there.” After a pause, he added, “Did Brother Shen go to the Demon Palace settlement?” Qin Ruoshui: “Impossible.” Rather than going to the Demon Palace, he likely went to find Li Jingyu and Ji Yutang! Realizing this, his expression changed, urgently asking, “Is it just Brother Shen missing?” The disciple replied honestly, “No.
Brother Wang Shousui from Taishi Palace is also missing.”
– Donghai Shore.
Shen Liaozhi watched the sky, sweat on his temples.
“Brother Wang, they should be ahead.”
Wang Shousui nodded, “Didn’t expect them to suppress the sun.” After pondering, he added, “If not for Shen Zao’s misdirection, we wouldn’t have arrived so late.”
Shen Liaozhi agreed, “Perhaps now is a good time.
After suppressing the sun, their power is depleted, a good time for us to act.”
Wang Shousui hesitated, “But this—” Shen Liaozhi said coldly, “Brother Wang, don’t forget, Brother Li died by their hands.
They are demonic cultivators, enemies of Tai Shang!” After a pause, he added, “But for Tai Shang’s plan, we must spare their lives.” With that, a talisman floated from Shen Liaozhi, stabilizing the turbulent energy around him, and he stepped onto the water.
After a moment’s hesitation, Wang Shousui followed.
– In Tanggu.
Where the Thief Sun Crows fell, flames burned fiercely, the heat waves scorching.
Ji Yutang sat on a rock, her face pale as paper.
The battle with the Thief Sun Crows had drained her spirit.
Li Jingyu, however, looked rosy, as if nothing had happened.
Li Jingyu spoke leisurely, “The crows have fallen, the sun restored.
Next, we target the shadow of the moon.”
Ji Yutang nodded, “The extreme yin and yang, the moon tree should also be in Donghai.”
Li Jingyu said, “If we succeed, Tai Shang Dao Palace won’t dominate here, turning it into a new Tai Shang era.”
Ji Yutang turned to Li Jingyu.
Li Jingyu chuckled, “If we recreate the sun and moon, this place should worship them, right?” Of course, Li Jingyu had a purpose! But turning this place into a sun and moon worship site wouldn’t harm Dragon Palace’s methods and would benefit her greatly.
As for the Immortal Sect’s plans, what did that have to do with her? Ji Yutang’s thoughts shifted, about to respond, when she suddenly sensed a sharp killing intent like a blade.
Her expression changed, and she unleashed divine thunder ahead.
Lightning clashed with invisible sword energy, sparking a series of explosions.
Ji Yutang stood, looking at the uninvited guests, while Li Jingyu’s face turned cold, standing protectively in front of Ji Yutang.
“Tai Shang Dao Palace’s actions are slower than I expected.
Did you lose your way?” Li Jingyu looked at Shen Liaozhi, implying something.
Shen Liaozhi’s face was cold, his energy surging.
Four divine thunder beasts appeared, guarding the four corners of the sky.
Wang Shousui saw Shen Liaozhi attack without a word, sighed, and unleashed his sword, wrapped in rainbow light, attacking Li Jingyu and Ji Yutang!
Thunder is the punishment of heaven and earth.
Though Shen Liaozhi mastered the four-symbol thunder, Li Jingyu and Ji Yutang also knew similar techniques.
The four symbols, glowing with purple light, roared and clawed.
But the vast river before them was insurmountable.
As for Wang Shousui, he practiced the Taishi Lineage’s righteous method, but it couldn’t counter the water method of the same lineage, even being swallowed by the mighty river.
Wang Shousui transmitted, “Without her using demonic arts, there’s little chance of victory.”
Shen Liaozhi dismissed the comment, “She grew up in the Demon Sect.
Even if she comprehends the supreme techniques of our Tai Shang lineage, she probably won’t last long before revealing her true nature.”
Wang Shousui’s eyes flickered, not entirely agreeing with Shen Liaozhi.
His mentor was Zhang Huaiyu, who often spoke of that brilliant uncle.
The witch before them was that uncle’s daughter, so how could her talent and comprehension be lacking? She even refined the Primordial Abyssal Divine Water.
He glanced forward and added, “Ji Yue’s magic power hasn’t diminished, while the Ji Family member seems exhausted.
We should target her.”
Shen Liaozhi also noticed Ji Yutang’s condition, thinking that with her current abilities, she might struggle to manipulate the supreme doctrines of the Tai Shang lineage.
He steeled his mind, pointed forward, and the Four Symbols Thunder Net, carrying the power of wind and thunder, enveloped Ji Yutang! At this moment, Wang Shousui’s eyes flickered, and two long, jade-like whiskers flew from his sleeve, whipping towards the water tide ahead.
As the tide parted, a purple light shot forward from his brow.
The whiskers, refined from dragon whiskers by his mentor, contained intense dragon might, capable of splitting the tide.
The purple light, his heart-born sword, seemed aimed at Li Jingyu but was actually a feint, targeting Ji Yutang.
Li Jingyu’s gaze was cold, focusing on Shen Liaozhi.
This Palace of Supreme Mystery disciple wielded thunder magic, but its power was inferior to Li Guangting’s.
Though both were at the Golden Core stage, their cultivation depth varied.
She ignored Ji Yutang behind her, pointing at Shen Liaozhi, and the Jewel of the Rising Tides split into nine, crashing towards him with immense force! Was she trying to make him withdraw? Shen Liaozhi smirked inwardly, channeling his power, and his robe emitted gentle light waves.
Like undulating tides, they dissolved the incoming force layer by layer.
The robe’s treasure light clashed with the water light from the Jewel of the Rising Tides, both sides eroding, testing whose power was deeper and could last longer.
Meanwhile, the Four Symbols Thunder Net had already descended! Shen Liaozhi’s eyes brightened, waiting for Wang Shousui’s sword to succeed so they could turn and deal with Li Jingyu together! The sword light struck Ji Yutang, making a “clang” sound.
Though Ji Yutang’s divine intent was exhausted, her physical strength remained unharmed.
The sword light hit her brow, and a silver scale appeared, reducing the sword energy.
She looked at Wang Shousui coldly, her expression calm.
Wang Shousui’s teeth clenched at the sound, “Physical strength.” He took a breath, urging the whiskers again, now aiming to break the scales surrounding Ji Yutang.
He pressed forward aggressively, neglecting Shen Liaozhi.
In defense, sweat beaded on Shen Liaozhi’s forehead.
The thunderbolts fell, binding Ji Yutang in place, unable to target Li Jingyu, only able to use his robe for defense.
In contrast, Li Jingyu not only wielded the Jewel of the Rising Tides but also unleashed a rolling thunder river beneath her, crashing towards him! He was about to call Wang Shousui to restrain the thunder river when the rolling purple light tore through the robe’s treasure light.
He sensed a taint of impurity and filth, looking down to find not the clear Tai Shang water magic but the tainted, filthy water of the Underworld River! The cold moon hung in the sky, its yin energy eroding Shen Liaozhi’s senses, making his teeth chatter uncontrollably.
“Palace of Supreme Mystery? Just like that.” Li Jingyu’s eyes held a mocking smile as the Jewel of the Rising Tides pierced through Shen Liaozhi’s body, shattering his soul.
His rigid body fell, and the water light surged up, smashing him to pieces.
“Brother Shen?!” The whiskers created a gap, but the sudden change left Wang Shousui’s spirit unguarded! He turned in shock, spreading his power forward to catch Shen Liaozhi’s body, but it was too late.
Ji Yutang, who had been passively enduring attacks, seized the moment as Wang Shousui’s mind wavered, transforming one hand into a dragon claw and thrusting forward.
“Heavenly Dragon Split” was fierce and powerful, and a series of cracking bone sounds followed as Wang Shousui was sent flying.
Ji Yutang glanced at the bleeding Wang Shousui without further action, but Li Jingyu wasn’t planning to let him go, striking down with several Heavenly Heart Thunders, crushing him with divine water until his spirit dissipated.
Li Jingyu looked at Ji Yutang and said, “Let’s go.” After a battle with the Tai Shang Dao Palace disciples, her power was significantly depleted.
The spiritual energy in the Chaos Shadow Realm wasn’t like Jiuzhou’s, and to fully recover, she’d need to find a secluded place to rest for a while.
– Jiuzhou, Palace of Supreme Mystery.
Majestic peaks soared into the clouds, deep purple clouds birthing thunderbolts under great power.
Palaces floated in mid-air like islands, casting shadows like a flock of crows.
The Palace of Supreme Mystery governed the celestial laws, enforcing Jiuzhou’s justice.
Without a kill order, disciples wouldn’t easily move, instead cultivating in the sea of thunder.
Though not as reclusive as the Taishi Palace, it wasn’t as active as the Taiyuan Palace in Jiuzhou, so even in great calamities, disciples wouldn’t suffer much loss.
However, at this moment, a stern-faced purple-robed Daoist stood in the hall, his expression solemn.
“Though the Chaos Shadow Realm is filled with chaotic creatures, our Three Palaces disciples together usually face little danger,” the purple-robed Daoist said sternly, turning to a female Daoist holding a whisk, “Sister Jin, but now nearly ten of our Three Palaces disciples’ life lamps have gone out.”
Entering the Chaos Shadow Realm was to train oneself and spread Daoist teachings, more stable than Jiuzhou.
Jin Biyou’s gaze was calm, her voice soft, “The situation has changed, perhaps a war with the Demon Sect has begun.” Li Jingyu was a variable in the Demon Sect, and with her presence, conflicts would only escalate, not reconcile.
She paused, adding, “I’ve heard the Demon Sect suffered countless casualties, and their elders are furious.”
“Reckless!” the purple-robed Daoist scolded, then asked, “What about Ran Jingri?” Jin Biyou showed no reaction to his direct mention of Ran Jingri’s name, replying softly, “The Dragon Lord showed no mercy, beyond saving.”
The purple-robed Daoist asked again, “What’s the plan now? What do you intend to do?” Jin Biyou smiled, gazing at the Daoist, her voice gentle, “Does Senior Brother Liu really want to know?” The purple-robed Daoist shouted angrily, “Can’t I know?” Jin Biyou’s expression remained unchanged, her voice warm, “Nephew Ran’s body has been sealed.
Using our Taiyuan Palace’s secret method, we found her soul seems to still exist.”
The purple-robed Daoist frowned, “Where?” Jin Biyou shook her head, “Unknown.” Though a small matter, it couldn’t be deduced.
But according to their speculation, she was either hiding in a Ran Family location or taken by a Huoxin Palace female cultivator.
Seeing the purple-robed Daoist’s furrowed brow, Jin Biyou added, “To welcome the Supreme Dao Ancestor’s arrival, the Three Palaces must unite.
Senior Brother Liu, the judgment against Senior Sister Li was issued by you.”
The purple-robed Daoist’s body stiffened at her words.
