AUOF - 143

When Yongning Immortal hastily returned to the Divine Realm to report Ji Hengyu’s actions to the Supreme Dao Venerable, the Supreme Dao Venerable had just barely recovered his state.

He had shattered a wisp of his divine soul.

This was the most severe injury the Supreme Dao Venerable had sustained since ascending to his position.

The Supreme Dao Venerable had no time to dwell on this minor injury. He briefly dismissed Yongning Immortal and ordered the Good and Evil Immortals to be summoned to the Divine Realm.

The Good and Evil Immortals were two lives born as one, governing the day and night of heaven and earth and the good and evil in the mortal world, respectively. They usually avoided each other. The Day God arrived first, and a moment later, the Night God arrived belatedly.

The three gods were interconnected; even without the Supreme Dao Venerable explicitly stating it, they understood the purpose of this summons.

The Lunar Celestial Wheel, managed by the Night God, was already clouded with defilement, a bad omen signifying a drastic change in heaven and earth. The situation on the Day God’s side was equally grim. Since ancient times, good and evil have been interdependent and mutually restraining. Now, as misfortune spreads, good thoughts are difficult to arise, and the mortal world would eventually be ravaged.

“Ji Hengyu has designs on the heavens. We probably can’t wait any longer. I have summoned you two here to discuss countermeasures.”

The Good and Evil Gods exchanged glances, both frowning.

The Supreme Dao Venerable held his palm upwards, and a rotating golden celestial wheel appeared in the air. As the wheel twisted, he waved his hand towards the sky, instantly unfolding a massive scroll.

The scroll displayed the Four Directions of Heaven.

Whether it was the Southern Rivers or the Northern Seas, all were covered by the Heavenly Gate. Further north, the Guixu Sea was enveloped in heavy black mist, indicating the proliferation of demonic obstacles. In a year’s time at the fastest, or ten years at the slowest, the demon gods would break free. By then, with the Heavenly Gates closing in, not only the Nine Spirit Realm but perhaps the Eight Directions of the Void would return to the chaos of creation, or perhaps even worse.

The Supreme Dao Venerable’s original intention was to refine Ji Hengyu into a Heaven-Suppressing Stone, using Guixu as the array core to establish a Heaven-Opening Array. This would draw the entire Guixu Sea Abyss behind the Heavenly Gate, with Ji Hengyu then stabilizing the heavens.

However, the ancient artifacts needed to establish the Heaven-Opening Array were difficult to gather, and the Six Realms were in turmoil.

Now that Ji Hengyu harbored ulterior motives, if he truly fell into demonhood and released the demon gods, it would likely be too late to remedy the situation.

The Night God lowered her emerald green eyelashes, her voice ethereal: “Perhaps... we can use our divine bones as artifacts.”

The Supreme Dao Venerable was startled.

The Night God’s delicate hand conjured golden light, which leaped and landed on a spiritual spot on the four-directional scroll. “After Emperor Qi’s demise, a piece of his sword jade fell into this sea area. We only need to retrieve the sword jade, mend the divine position, and then use our divine bones to activate the array, only then can we break through the Heavenly Gate.”

The Supreme Dao Venerable’s expression was stern; he neither nodded nor shook his head.

The Night God sighed, “Dao Venerable, we have no other path left.”

The Day God beside him nodded in agreement.

This was the only time he and his sister had ever agreed since their birth.

The Supreme Dao Venerable closed his eyes, sighed softly, and rang the divine bell.

The ancient, distant sound of the bell reverberated throughout the entire heavenly realm. Following the command, all immortals of the Divine Realm gathered in the Mingxiao Great Hall.

________________________________________

Si Tu had just awakened from her mental illusion.

She hadn’t yet recovered from the nauseating feeling of falling in love with Ji Hengyu in the illusion when she heard the chiming of the divine bell drifting into the Divine Maiden Palace.

In the Divine Realm, the divine bell was only rung during times of great calamity.

She had a bad premonition and ran out, casually grabbing an immortal official to ask about the situation.

“What’s going on?”

The immortal, seeing it was Si Tu, stopped and explained, “The Celestial Venerable has ordered all immortal officials to besiege Guixu and apprehend Ji Hengyu.”

Si Tu’s expression sharpened: “Why apprehend Ji Hengyu?”

The immortal said, “The Celestial Venerable is preparing to set up a great Heaven-Opening Array in Guixu. As for why they are apprehending Immortal Lord Tianheng, I know nothing about that.”

The immortal broke free from her hand and quickly left.

People around them hurried past. Si Tu lowered her head in thought, then suddenly had an epiphany.

That old man couldn’t possibly be planning to refine Ji Hengyu into a Heaven-Suppressing Stone, could he?!

If it wasn’t to refine Ji Hengyu into a Heaven-Suppressing Stone, why go to such great lengths to create a mental illusion? Wasn’t it just to get a puppet willing to sacrifice himself for the world?! Combining this with the current situation, Si Tu felt she had unwittingly uncovered the truth.

Damn it!

The Divine Realm really wasn’t going to be humane!

Si Tu immediately disregarded everything else and hastily used her flying technique, soaring towards the Divine Maiden Palace.

She had long known that Guixu was a thorn in the side of the Divine Realm, but she never expected that old man to go to such lengths. Regardless of Ji Hengyu’s character, given the夔族 (Ku Clan)’s dedication to all living beings, Ji Hengyu shouldn’t be allowed to fall to such a state. Could it be that old Supreme Dao Venerable truly intended to wipe them out?

Si Tu flew back to the Divine Maiden Palace. Passing through the painted scroll on the wall, there was a small secret room suitable for one person.

The secret room only held a desk. She pulled out a chair and sat down, opening the Sound-Following Scroll in the center, hastily writing two words on it—

[Run—!]

The Sound-Following Scroll could be used for quick messaging. Si Tu didn’t have the patience to wait for the words to completely disappear before hastily writing additional content.

[Tell Ji Hengyu to leave quickly! Leave Guixu!]

In Shuoguang Hall, Sang Li soon felt a warmth from her sleeve.

She took the object out of her sleeve pocket, saw it was the Sound-Following Scroll Si Tu had given her, and was momentarily stunned. When she saw the faint light floating from the scroll, Sang Li unfolded it.

There was some messy content on it.

[The Divine Realm is sending people to Guixu to capture Ji Hengyu.]

[Ji Hengyu is going to be refined into a Heaven-Suppressing Stone!]

After she read it, the writing dissipated before her eyes.

Sang Li composed herself, slightly pursed her lips, and holding the scroll, turned and walked into the hall.

Ji Hengyu sat before a low table, his fingertips entwining a wisp of shimmering golden soul thread that was about to dissipate. The faint light flickered in his eyes, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

“Whose soul thread is this?”

Ji Hengyu raised his eyelids and flicked his finger, scattering the faint wisp. “The Celestial Venerable’s.” He told her truthfully, without concealment.

Sang Li’s eyes flickered. “Si Tu said...”

“Yes.” A gentle smile hung on Ji Hengyu’s lips. “I know everything.”

That wisp of soul thread, after all, came from the Divine Venerable.

Unfortunately, Ji Hengyu had already learned all of the Supreme Dao Venerable’s intentions.

“He plans to search for Emperor Qi’s lost sword jade, mend the divine position, and re-establish the Heavenly Array.”

Ji Hengyu remained calm as he spoke.

Sang Li asked, “What will you do then?”

Ji Hengyu said nothing. He seemed unusually relaxed, not at all flustered by this.

Sang Li’s heart was a tangled mess. She naturally didn’t want Ji Hengyu to fall into the Divine Realm’s hands, but currently, apart from temporarily leaving Guixu, there seemed to be no better solution. Suddenly, Sang Li had a flash of inspiration and looked up, saying—

“What if we find the sword jade first?”

Ji Hengyu raised an eyebrow.

Sang Li: “Then the sword jade will be in your hands, and we’ll have leverage. We can negotiate with it and then look for countermeasures. As long as we have the sword jade, I believe the Divine Realm wouldn’t dare to act rashly.”

Ji Hengyu naturally didn’t want the Divine Realm to successfully activate the array.

However, he wanted something else more than that sword jade.

Beneath the Guixu Abyss were countless ancient demon gods suppressed from millions of years ago. To command them, one needed to become their master, possessing power far greater than all other demon gods.

During his five hundred years in the Maze of Delusion, Ji Hengyu had drawn in a considerable amount of malevolent energy, forming a demonic bone. Now, he was only one step away from transfiguration. If he succeeded, he would become the sole Demon Lord of heaven and earth.

Transfiguration simply meant enduring various forms of extreme trials and rebirth through purification at the brink of ultimate despair.

But Ji Hengyu couldn’t wait that long.

When all laws existed, countless artifacts were created.

Among them was a treasure called the Washing Life Pool.

What is “Washing Life”? It means immersing oneself in the pool water, dying first then being reborn, transforming into an immortal.

Many cultivators sought shortcuts, hoping to quickly ascend. However, all failed in their transformation, becoming lifeless objects in the pool. Later, when myriad demons broke free, the Washing Life Pool sank into chaos.

As it happened, in the Maze of Delusion, Ji Hengyu learned the location of the Washing Life Pool from the past experiences of countless immortal souls.

—The Desolate Water Dragon Domain.

Emperor Qi’s sword jade also happened to have fallen in this very place.

The Divine Realm currently didn’t know the exact locations of the sword jade and the Washing Life Pool, but he knew them perfectly well.

Ji Hengyu rose: “You might need your friend to guide the way.”

Sang Li pondered, “You mean—Si Tu?”

Ji Hengyu nodded.

The situation in Desolate Water was special; it did not belong to the Divine Realm’s jurisdiction, nor to the Four Continents. When the Desolate Water Saintess was alive, she governed it. After Lady Xiao passed away, Desolate Water became completely isolated.

Only the bloodline of the Desolate Water people could open the Desolate Water realm.

Sang Li frowned with a troubled expression.

She knew Si Tu’s predicament, and her rather awkward relationship with Desolate Water. Not to mention Si Tu disliked Ji Hengyu. If she were to force the issue rashly, it might upset her.

However, there was no time to delay, and Sang Li had no leisure to ponder further.

She first wrote a message of thanks on the Sound-Following Scroll, then invited Si Tu to meet in Konghai. Si Tu accepted her invitation without hesitation.

Sang Li had already thought it through: if Si Tu was willing to go, that would be for the best; if not, she wouldn’t force her, only needing to inquire about her clansmen’s news from her.

---

“Jiwu.”

Ji Hengyu raised his palm and summoned Jiwu.

“You shall remain in Guixu in my stead. If the Divine Realm attempts to seize you by force, pretend to comply. You were born from my soul blood, so even the Supreme Dao Venerable will find it difficult to discern the truth.”

Jiwu could buy them some time, enough to reach Desolate Water.

Jiwu respectfully accepted the order. Afterward, Ji Hengyu summoned three disciples, briefly informed them of the situation, and gave a few more instructions. The two of them prepared to depart from the back mountain.

As they were leaving, Li Ningxi still seemed a bit uneasy.

Although he and Sang Li were no longer blood relatives outside the mental illusion, the five hundred years of sibling affection within the illusion had long made him consider Sang Li his sister.

Selfishly, Li Ningxi naturally wanted to go with them.

However, Guixu was currently in turbulent times. As a disciple, he had to stand and fall with Guixu.

“Sang Sang, may I speak with you alone?”

Sang Li nodded and followed Li Ningxi behind a tree.

The back mountain was heavily laden with yin and malevolent energy. She had specifically worn a plain white robe and was tightly wrapped in a cloak, its wide hood just covering her entire face. Sang Li looked up, waiting for Li Ningxi to speak, her eyes clear.

Li Ningxi considered his words carefully. “When I was a mortal, I had no siblings. I want to ask you...” He felt presumptuous and pursed his lips, hesitating to speak.

Sang Li already knew what he wanted to say.

She smiled, “I am willing to continue being your sister.”

Li Ningxi was startled, not expecting her to agree so quickly. Unprepared, he awkwardly said, “The situation is not right now. If you’re willing, when you and the Lord return, we’ll formally swear an oath of brotherhood, and then you can... you can call me ‘Brother’ again.”

Sang Li, however, shook her head: “Although the mental illusion was a falsehood, five hundred years of sibling affection cannot be simply wiped away. In A’Li’s heart, I have long recognized you as my elder brother. Since it’s a fact, why bother with such formalities?”

“Formalities...” Li Ningxi murmured her words, then chuckled softly. “Indeed, I’ve trapped myself.”

Sang Li took two steps forward and extended her hand: “Let’s make a vow with a high-five. Ji Hengyu and I will return safely; you, along with Senior Brother and Senior Sister, will guard Guixu well.”

“Okay.”

The two high-fived three times, sealing their vow.

Sang Li tightened her hood and emerged from behind the tree. As they parted ways, Yue Zhuqing gave her a deep, lingering look, “Be extremely careful.”

Sang Li nodded and left the back mountain forest with Ji Hengyu.

She blew a whistle, and the mountain winds swept by. In the distance, a dark shadow pierced through the clouds and mist, finally landing steadily at Sang Li’s feet.

Big Eye, the creature, had not seen Sang Li for a long time. It happily nudged her belly with its head, cooing twice before crouching down to let them mount it.

“To Konghai.”

Big Eye let out a long cry and soared into the sky.

Ji Hengyu used an invisibility spell, completely concealing the two people and one beast within the clouds.

Big Eye flew very low.

Leaving the Guixu Sea, they happened to see thousands of soldiers flying overhead, all heading towards the Guixu Sea. Even with the invisibility spell, Sang Li couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

Thankfully, the journey was safe and uneventful.

By the time they reached Konghai, Si Tu had also arrived.

She sat alone beneath a Hai Shen Mu tree, her figure desolate, fiddling with flowers and water, as if she had been waiting for a long time.

Sang Li quickly jumped off Big Eye’s back. “A’Tu!”

Si Tu looked back at the sound, her eyes momentarily flashing with surprise. She immediately dropped the flower, stood up, and rushed into Sang Li’s embrace. “Sang Li—!”

The two girls, who hadn’t seen each other for a long time, joyfully embraced.

“You don’t know what I’ve been through! That old man dragged me into a mental illusion and almost caused a huge disaster!” Si Tu had lingering fears. Seeing Ji Hengyu standing silently behind them, she immediately swallowed her complaints. Then she saw the pitch-black Big Eye rolling in the flower petals, and her brows furrowed repeatedly.

“What is this thing?”

Why did it look so much like a mischievous spirit?

No way, right?

Si Tu hadn’t figured anything out before Sang Li cut her off: “None of that matters.”

Si Tu: “?” This thing is so ugly, and it doesn’t matter?

“We must go to Desolate Water, so I wanted to ask for your help. If you’re unwilling...”

“Wait a moment—” Si Tu hastily interrupted her. “You mean... Desolate Water?”

Sang Li nodded and recounted the events to her without any concealment.

After listening to the story, Si Tu fell into a period of silence.

“If the sword jade is truly in Desolate Water, then I can no longer return to the Divine Realm.”

The Desolate Water Dragon Domain was located at the central confluence of the North Sea and South Sea.

Ten thousand years ago, Desolate Water was the birthplace of the dragon race. At that time, the people of Desolate Water guarded this pure land and the divine dragons. To prevent external invasion and slaughter, the Saintess of Desolate Water at that time established an array with her own divine soul. The only way to open the array seal was through the bloodline of the Desolate Water people.

Desolate Water was like a paradise, isolated from the world for ten thousand years. Until the invasion of evil spirits caused the dragon race, which relied on spiritual energy for survival, to gradually decline, the people of Desolate Water gradually left Desolate Water to travel to distant seas for survival. Later, Emperor Qi opened the Heavenly Gate, and Lady Xiao left Desolate Water to protect her unborn child, after which Si Tu heard no more news from here.

If the Supreme Dao Venerable wanted to retrieve the sword jade, he would definitely use Si Tu.

She was not only Emperor Qi’s daughter but also had Lady Xiao’s blood flowing in her veins.

Whether she wanted to go or not, she had to go.

Si Tu made up her mind: “Let’s go! I’ll accompany you on this trip!” Si Tu paused, her gaze shifting to Big Eye, who was still rolling on the ground. “By the way, what exactly is this ugly thing?”

Ugly thing?!

At these words, Big Eye immediately became displeased. With flowers all over its head from rolling, it grumbled incoherently, rebutting her.

Si Tu didn’t understand, but she guessed it wasn’t anything good.

She summoned her cool-looking Water Kirin mount. The Kirin glowed with divine light, making the unsightly Big Eye look inferior in comparison.

“Let’s go, Cangguang.” Si Tu patted Cangguang’s forehead. The Water Kirin elegantly rose, ripples forming under its hooves.

Big Eye looked at the Water Kirin’s flashy saddle ornaments, then lowered its head to look at its own bare body.

Not entirely bare; it still wore the flower wreath Sang Li had woven for it around its neck.

Big Eye happily bounced and chirped something to Sang Li: “I... [gurgle]... beautiful, better than it.” After saying that, it proudly puffed out its chest.

Sang Li hadn’t expected it to actually get competitive. She couldn’t help but let out a burst of laughter, bending forward.

So much fun!

Both of them.