Chapter 117

The sky was ablaze with scarlet clouds as flames erupted from the monster's body. Countless fiery black scales rained down, striking the ground and rooftops, endangering precious lives and research materials. Song Qingshi immediately manifested a Mystic Fire barrier, enveloping the research institute and library, offering sanctuary to all alchemists and their apprentices.

Sensing his presence, the monster spotted the Mystic Fire barrier and swooped down furiously.

Giant crimson vines erupted from the earth, tearing through the ground as they shot skyward, tightly binding the monster’s assault. Within the Red Lotus Mystic Fire, they then wove into countless scarlet nets, forming protective screens around the white mice breeding chambers and various experimental sites, transforming these crucial areas into massive, vine-wrapped spheres.

Clutching the sword forged from the Golden Light of Merit, Song Qingshi stepped onto a red lotus and flew desperately toward Yue Wuhuan.

Sensing the power of the Golden Light of Merit, the monster was driven to madness. Black demonic blades materialized across its body, intent on obliterating the threat. Yue Wuhuan’s artifacts and swords had long been destroyed in battle, but the phoenix flames around him blazed even fiercer, transforming into nine long whips—innumerable lashes dispersing the forming blades before they could fully coalesce.

The black demonic energy gathered and dispersed, dispersed and gathered.

The Blood King Vines crushed the monster’s scales, piercing deep into its flesh, ceaselessly devouring its power.

Tendrils of demonic energy invaded Yue Wuhuan’s body, seeping into his mind, resurfacing countless dark memories.

Those unbearable memories, those revolting deeds, those filthy words, those agonizing farewells—they replayed before his eyes again and again…

The stench in the air thickened, making it hard to breathe.

He could no longer suppress the hatred in his heart, nor control the collapse of his spirit. His dark golden phoenix eyes burned with bloodlust as the phoenix flames reignited—spreading, engulfing the entire sky. These were flames that could burn away souls. He wanted to incinerate this filthy world, himself, reducing all to nothingness.

Song Qingshi shouted, “Wuhuan! Stop!”

The pure flames became tainted with black. Yue Wuhuan’s mind was lost to chaos—he could no longer hear.

Song Qingshi finally reached him, attempting to purify the growing corruption in the flames, trying to awaken him.

The monster in the sky finally condensed its black blades, a storm of blades hurtling toward the two.

Within Song Qingshi’s body, two lotuses—one black, one red—bloomed, creating dual barriers that enveloped them both.

But his cultivation was no match for the monster’s.

Under the blades’ onslaught, the lotuses withered rapidly, crumbling to nothing.

The monster, wielding its blades, struck in an eyeblink.

If Yue Wuhuan died, the phoenix flames would rage out of control, engulfing the entire world, burning everything to ashes.

In despair, Song Qingshi cried, “General An! Don’t do something you’ll regret!”

The crimson vertical pupils flickered slightly. Upon hearing that name, the suppressed consciousness within the monster struggled once more. Pain twisted its features, and the blades’ assault gradually slowed…

“General An, wake up,” Song Qingshi pleaded. “This isn’t your true form.”

He summoned the last remnants of the Golden Light of Merit within him, scattering them like stardust, wrapping them around An Long’s claws. The filthy demonic energy coating them flaked away slightly, revealing two gleaming black dragon scales. He wanted to give more of the Golden Light of Merit, to strip away this grotesque form, unveiling the proud black dragon beneath, helping him regain clarity.

But after a thousand cycles of reincarnation, he'd exhausted his accumulated reserves of merit. Now, he had nothing left…

As the true dragon scales emerged, An Long halted his attack. He raised his head, gazing at his own hideous form, and let out a furious roar, tearing madly at his own body.

A clarion dragon’s cry pierced the heavens, shaking the earth.

Awakened by the dragon’s roar, Yue Wuhuan swiftly took the golden sword from Song Qingshi’s hands. With phoenix flames, he shattered the foul armor, tore through the thick scales, and finally drove the golden blade deep into the dragon’s heart—now blackened by demonic energy—extracting the dark demon core within.

The golden sword vanished into the demon core, which then shattered. A pure, cleansing light radiated forth, dispelling all darkness.

The blackened heart gradually regained its crimson hue. The twisted body dissipated within the golden radiance, until everything turned into black smoke, dissolving into heaven and earth.

When the smoke cleared, what remained was the soul of a handsome general clad in black armor—his face resolute, his will unbreakable, a warrior who had once stood proudly between heaven and earth…

This was An Long’s true form.

He smiled at Song Qingshi. “Fortunately… I didn’t make the same mistake a third time.”

Yue Wuhuan stared at this familiar soul, his mind aching. He felt he should remember something important.

An Long’s soul grew fainter. Before vanishing completely, he reached out, gently placing a hand on Yue Wuhuan’s shoulder. Gazing into those eyes—lost, just as his own had been in the painful cycles—he made one final request:

“Come back, brother.”

……

The thunder weakened, though the dark clouds lingered, leaving the sky still gloomy.

Yue Wuhuan stared at the spot where An Long had disappeared for a long, long time. Then, letting Song Qingshi lead him by the hand, they boarded the spirit boat and returned to Indestructible Peak.

The battle still raged on, the slaughter unceasing.

The formerly beautiful landscape of Indestructible Peak lay in ruins—deep fissures scarred the earth, mountains had collapsed, raining down rubble, trees were reduced to ashes, and blood ran in rivers as creatures slaughtered one another in ugliness…

Song Qingshi brought him to the highest point of Indestructible Peak.

A stench-laden wind blew. Yue Wuhuan closed his eyes, covering his nose, his breath coming harder.

“Wuhuan, don’t resist,” Song Qingshi grasped his hand, stopping him, pleading. “Open your eyes. Look closely at this world…”

One thousand three hundred fifty cycles. Failure, again and again.

He would never let go of this hand…

Feeling Song Qingshi’s resolve, Yue Wuhuan finally opened his eyes. Slowly, he released his Divine Sense, attaching it to countless birds that scattered in all directions, attempting to touch this world.

……

At the base of Indestructible Peak’s cliffs…

A golden peacock lay battered, its beautiful tail feathers ruined, barely holding onto life.

“Why?” Bai Zihao had used ice arrays to block all attacks, exhausting his spiritual and physical strength. He swayed unsteadily as he walked. He knew how much Kong Muhua cherished his feathers and appearance—how he'd check his reflection endlessly, how he would freeze in place at the sight of his own reflection by the water, how he would weep for days over a single lost feather. Yet now, to protect him, Kong Muhua was covered in wounds, not a single inch of him unharmed—and he hadn’t complained once.

Kong Muhua whispered, “I told you… I like you.”

Bai Zihao said, “But… I bullied you. Many, many times…”

Kong Muhua smiled. “I know. You like me.”

Bai Zihao felt his eyes grow damp. He forced the words out: “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t cry,” Kong Muhua weakly raised a hand, wiping his tears. “When we first met, you were always crying, always sad, always afraid. I didn’t like that… So I wanted to make you laugh, make you angry, make you forget those unhappy things… so you wouldn’t feel wronged…”

He had never liked anyone before, never pursued anyone, never understood human customs. He had acted recklessly, causing all sorts of chaos.

He was likely facing rejection again…

“I’m not beautiful anymore. My tail is gone,” Kong Muhua looked at his charred feathers, experiencing self-doubt for the first time. He tried to persuade Bai Zihao, “Even though I’ve lost the right to court you… don’t choose the Roc. He’s no good—too rough. And don’t like the Bi Fang. That bird’s dull as driftwood. Just wait two hundred years. My tail will grow back, and I—”

Bai Zihao leaned down, kissing his lips, and asked solemnly, “I don’t have tail feathers that can fan out. Would you accept my courtship?”

Kong Muhua was stunned, taking a long while to react before eagerly saying, "Alright, I'll marry you."

Bai Zihao corrected, "It's becoming cultivation partners."

"But bridal gowns are so pretty, I want to wear one."

"Then... you can wear it."

"Can I embroider it myself?"

"How come you're so energetic now? Were you really badly injured?"

"My tail is gone, my heart is broken..."

"You rascal..."

"You can't take it back now!"

Bai Zihao tightly embraced his golden peacock. He no longer envied the Divine Lord—there was someone in this world who couldn’t bear to see him sad.

...

In the northern region, within the rebel ranks.

The cultivators were discussing how to attack the Indestructible Peak and kill the Divine Lord and his followers.

Immortal Lord Ma sneered, "I always thought the Divine Lord was so virtuous, but it turns out he prefers men. Recently, he formed a Daoist couple with the Medicine King Immortal. Tch, I heard the Indestructible Peak sends large sums to the Medicine King Valley for research every year. I bet the Medicine King Immortal traded his body for it. I wonder how beautiful this man must be. Once we take the Indestructible Peak, we’ll—"

His throat was suddenly clamped, cutting off his words.

At the head of the rebel forces sat Immortal Lord Cui, an eccentric and unpredictable demonic cultivator. It was said that thousands of years ago, he had been betrayed by his sect, lost his family, and was plagued by inner demons. Later, he seized an opportunity to rebuild his demonic path, slaughtered his enemies, and founded the Netherghost Sect. Now, his cultivation had reached the Unity stage. Though he usually despised the tyranny of the Indestructible Peak and the Divine Lord, he had agreed to join the campaign and was one of the strongest forces in the army.

Yet now, he was strangling the most sycophantic Immortal Lord Ma, hissing coldly, "How come I didn’t know... the Divine Lord’s Daoist partner is the Medicine King Immortal? Song Qingshi?"

Immortal Lord Ma struggled to nod.

Immortal Lord Cui crushed his windpipe in fury. "Why didn’t you say this sooner?!"

The cultivators were shocked and bewildered.

"Back then, when I was plagued by inner demons, penniless, and desperate, it was the Medicine King Immortal who gave me the Dust-forgetting Pill, helping me overcome my tribulation and rise again. I’ve never forgotten this great kindness," Immortal Lord Cui revealed a terrifying smile. "Today is a fine opportunity. Since you all wish to attack the Medicine King Valley and kill the Medicine King Immortal... heh, I’ll use your heads as my gift of gratitude."

He summoned the Soul-summoning Banner, unleashing swarms of vengeful spirits and ghostly wails.

The Netherghost Sect disciples obeyed swiftly, joining the slaughter.

The other sects were caught off guard, thrown into disarray.

Immortal Lord Cui cackled madly, mercilessly shredding the rebel formation.

Once, he had unknowingly received aid in his darkest hour. Today, he repaid it tenfold.

...

At the foot of the Tianwu Sect’s mountain, young Sword Cultivators formed ranks, blocking the rebel forces from Lingxin City.

The lord of Lingxin City was hot-tempered. His beloved daughter had contracted the Demonic Affliction and was barely clinging to life with Bodhi tree bark. Frantic, he led his cultivators toward the Indestructible Peak to join the campaign against the Divine Lord. Seeing these reckless Sword Cultivators blocking the way, he bellowed, "Have you lost your minds? The Indestructible Peak is responsible for the Demonic Affliction! Only by killing the Divine Lord will the symptoms vanish!"

Yu Wenyu planted his sword defiantly. "The Divine Lord didn’t do it!"

The lord of Lingxin City snapped, "After the Dark Era, the Filth Demons emerged! If not him, then who?!"

Yu Wenyu insisted, "The Divine Lord didn’t do it!"

The lord sneered, "You ignorant brats, get out of the way!"

Yu Wenyu was poor with words but refused to yield. "The Divine Lord didn’t do it!"

The lord scoffed, "This puny Tianwu Sect dares oppose Lingxin City? Call your elders!"

"No need." Yu Wenyan descended with the elders and Sword Cultivators, his voice icy. "His father is here."

The lord suppressed his fury and said arrogantly, "Now that the Indestructible Peak is the enemy of all, if the Tianwu Sect insists on protecting it, I’ll raze these seven peaks!"

Behind him were tens of thousands of Lingxin City’s cultivators, while the Tianwu Sect was a mere thousand-strong sect—like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, doomed to fail.

Yu Wenyu approached his father, aggrieved. "Father..."

"We are Sword Cultivators. The swords we wield must carry conviction and the courage to face formidable foes," Yu Wenyan said gently, tousling his hair. "You’ve done well, Wenyu. If we feared death, ignored the truth, and knelt before the enemy, we would be unworthy of our swords."

The lord’s expression darkened.

Yu Wenyan drew his sword and bellowed, "Tianwu Sect Sword Cultivators! Draw your swords! Form the array!"

A thousand blades unsheathed, glinting coldly, thrumming with killing intent.

Yu Wenyan stood at the forefront of the formation, articulating each syllable: "The Divine Lord didn’t do it!"

Every Sword Cultivator echoed like thunder, their voices hammering into the hearts of Lingxin City’s forces: "The Divine Lord didn’t do it!"

This was the truth they would defend to the death.

So what if they were outmatched?

Sword Cultivators drew their blades—they would fight to the end!

...

On the Immortal Spirit Isle, most female cultivators had already contracted the Demonic Affliction, barely staving off death with Bodhi tree bark.

Madam Nian’s body was already covered in interlacing black veins. She sat quietly beneath the shade of a tree, gazing at the azure sea, awaiting her end...

Once a lonely orphan begging on the streets, she had been rescued by Immortal Lord Yan Yuan of the Crimson Dragon Sect, who cared for her tenderly and instructed her in formations and immortal arts. Later, feeling his lifespan fading, he sent her to the Immortal Spirit Isle. There, Madam Lingmiao, a gentle woman, comforted her when she cried from homesickness, manifested charming spirit creatures with formations to make her laugh, and always praised her intelligence...

She had been unfortunate, born without parents.

Yet she had been blessed, meeting many kind souls who filled her life with kindness.

So, she wished to pass on that kindness, saving other unfortunate children and granting them new happiness.

Madam Nian looked at the black marks on her hands and wept quietly.

A four-year-old girl ran over, her own body ravaged by the Demonic Affliction. With wide eyes, she asked, "Madam Nian, what are you doing?"

Madam Nian wiped her tears and smiled. "Duoduo, why are you here?"

Duoduo said plaintively, "The big girls say Duoduo is going to die soon. But... Duoduo doesn’t understand. What is dying?"

Madam Nian looked at the innocent child, feeling tears well up again.

Duoduo climbed into her lap and asked, "Madam Nian, why will Duoduo die?"

Madam Nian whispered, "Because... we need to save more children like Duoduo... live."

Duoduo thought for a long time, not quite understanding, but nodded obediently, "Then it must be a really, really good thing."

Madam Nian crushed her in a desperate hug, desperately holding back her tears.

"Don’t cry. Duoduo’s not scared to die."

"I'm sorry..."

"Duoduo lied. She’s still a little scared, not brave enough."

"I'm sorry..."

"Duoduo wants to hold hands. Holding hands makes me less scared..."

"Okay, I’ll hold your hand, and we’ll go together."

...

For three days and three nights, the birds flew over towering mountains and vast lakes, witnessing countless joys and sorrows, and countless stories...

Morning bells and dusk drums, crowded streets, the endless tapestry of human life.

He saw many heartless monsters, many misguided souls, but also more people struggling in despair, unwilling to abandon those they loved. They helped each other, stood together, lived and died together, never letting go.

He saw those who kept their promises, those with steadfast will, those with compassionate hearts…

All creatures lost in darkness, groping for light.

Where are the true gods?

Yue Wuhuan watched the world in silence.

Song Qingshi stood behind him, bearing all his hope, and whispered pleadingly:

"Wuhuan, this world isn’t all bad..."

So, come back...