Chapter 16

Chapter 16

In the suspended cave abode, the flickering light vanished as Yaoguang opened his eyes, letting out a loud cry before crashing solidly onto the stony ground.

He raised his hand to shield his eyes from the blinding sunlight pouring in from the narrow opening in the sky. Dazed and disoriented from the fall, he struggled to regain his footing. The cave was filled with bizarre plants, and aside from the rays of light that pierced through the cracks high above, the rest of the space was shrouded in darkness.

"How did I get in here?" Yaoguang muttered to himself. "I'm inside?! Oh no, I need to get out! What's going on?!"

He stumbled to his feet, glanced around, and ran blindly for a few steps without purpose.

"You fell from above," a voice emerged from the shadows.

Yaoguang: "I can actually enter? This isn't déjà vu... It's real!"

Yaoguang was on the verge of losing his mind. What did this imply? He looked down at the pendant once more.

"That is the work of fate," the calm voice said. "Come closer, let me have a look at you."

"Quick, I need to get out!" Yaoguang exclaimed. "Where's the exit? How do I go back?"

"Listen to me..."

"That's not right!" Yaoguang was on the verge of losing it. "Why is this happening all of a sudden? Is it an illusion?"

"It's not an illusion..."

"Crap, I still have work tomorrow..."

"Let me explain, just listen to me."

"What do we do?!"

"Shut up and listen!" A frustrated roar echoed from the shadows.

Both Yaoguang and the figure fell silent instantly.

"Come closer," the voice from the depths spoke. "This is fate's doing, finally someone I can communicate with."

Still reeling from the shock, Yaoguang turned instinctively and took a few steps forward. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw Long Jianlu, almost naked except for a black loincloth around his waist and a rune-etched chain bound to his ankles.

Long Jianlu sat on a stone, studying him. Suddenly, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his face as he asked, puzzled, "Have I seen you somewhere before?"

"You have quite the impressive pectorals," Yaoguang said with a sudden smile upon seeing Long Jianlu, as if he had stumbled upon an old acquaintance in an unfamiliar environment.

Long Jianlu: "You...?"

Yaoguang thought to himself, But this is what I designed. As a muscular devil, he's quite handsome, with broad shoulders, long limbs, well-defined abs, and a physique that exudes allure.

Looking at Long Jianlu again, Yaoguang felt a sense of familiarity. The man's chiseled, handsome features, thick eyebrows, attractive lips, and profile remained unchanged.

"What's your name?"

Both of them had emerged from their brief introspection.

"I..." Yaoguang answered instinctively, "Duanyao Guang."

"A disciple of the Sky Sword Sect?"

"Uh... yes." Yaoguang glanced down at his clothes. The hexagonal pendant was still there. He hadn't bothered to establish a backstory for this character, merely tossing an NPC into the Skyward Cave Mansion on a whim. He hadn't even given him a name, so he had to improvise now.

"Why does it have to be the Sky Sword Sect?" Long Jianlu said slowly. "Well, since fate has brought us here, let's accept our destiny. Why did you end up in this place? A sword hanging in the sky, ten thousand and eight hundred miles away from your sect."

"I... I..." Yaoguang thought, How can I possibly explain this? Should I tell him I'm from another world? That I'm the author of this story? No way, I can't say that! If Long Jianlu found out that his ninety-nine years of imprisonment were all part of my plot, he might just rush over and beat me to death...

"I... It's like this," Yaoguang quickly came up with an answer. "My cultivation is low, so I've always been looked down upon in the sect. Thus, I was searching for some magical treasures or cultivation manuals to improve myself. In the rear mountain's library, I found an old map from a hundred years ago... Eh?"

"This is it," Yaoguang pulled out a worn-out map from his robe.

"There was a mark on it," Yaoguang continued. "It was indeed far away, so I followed the map to find my way here."

"Did anyone else know about this?" Long Jianlu asked slowly.

Yaoguang replied, "No, um... I don't have any friends in the sect."

Long Jianlu then asked, "What is your current cultivation realm?"

Yaoguang answered, "Breath Refinement."

This was also a setting Yaoguang had created for his story. All disciples who joined a cultivation sect needed to at least reach the Breath Refinement stage. Breath Refinement was the foundation of cultivation, followed by Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Soul Transformation, Great Achievement, and Immortal Ascension. Reaching Immortal Ascension meant one had successfully cultivated an immortal body.

"Come here, Yan Guang," Long Jianlu said. "Do you know who I am?"

Logically, Yan Guang couldn't reveal Long Jianlu's identity at this point. Otherwise, he would surely become suspicious. In the storyline, Long Jianlu's appearance should be directly related to his release.

"I... don't know," Yan Guang stepped back slightly.

"What do you mean you don't know?!" An inexplicable anger surged within Long Jianlu as he looked at Yan Guang. "Why are you hiding if you don't know? Are you afraid of me?"

Yan Guang replied, "You're naturally a bit intimidating!"

Long Jianlu: "..."

"I'm called Long Jianlu," Long Jianlu spoke solemnly. "I'm the 'Demon King' that your cultivation sects often refer to. I assume you've guessed by now."

Yan Guang took two more steps back, just in case Long Jianlu suddenly attacked.

"Is that it?" Long Jianlu lifted his hand and pointed at the pendant hanging in front of Yan Guang's chest. "A magic artifact bestowed upon you by your master?"

"It's an heirloom passed down in my family," Yan Guang answered nervously. "It's not a magic artifact."

"Well then, since fate has brought us here," Long Jianlu said, "it seems your destiny..."

"My destiny is to face this trial," Yaoguang responded.

A hint of mischief flickered across Long Jianlu's smile. "Clever. Come closer. I promise not to harm you. I'll find a way to help you escape, but in return..."

Yaoguang replied, "I'll assist you in leaving this place as well."

Long Jianlu confirmed, "Exactly. The chains binding me are forged from the Heavenly treasure, the Fallen Star 'Sui Suo'..."

Yaoguang interjected, "It requires a unique weapon to sever them."

Long Jianlu paused for a few seconds before continuing, "I know of a place..."

Yaoguang finished his sentence, "That holds a divine weapon capable of cutting through the chains..."

Long Jianlu's patience wore thin. "Stop interrupting! Am I speaking or are you?"

Yaoguang: "Alright! Go on, Lord Devil King."

Long Jianlu fixed his gaze on Yaoguang for a moment before he said, "I have a feeling you're not exactly an upstanding fellow."

Yaoguang was about to retort with something along the lines of, Do you think someone who'd sneak into the sect's library to steal a map and then confidently come here would be a good guy? But he held back. After all, in this scenario, Long Jianlu retained his original personality but had a much shorter temper. If he provoked him, there was a chance he might really beat him up.

"His name is 'Heaven-Sealing'," Long Jianlu said solemnly. "Legend has it that it was once wielded by a Heavenly maiden. After the great battle between immortals and devils a thousand years ago, it vanished from the mortal realm."

Yaoguang was struggling to keep quiet, as this was clearly part of the story he had created. The Heaven-Sealing was said to be able to sever all earthly attachments and seals – including Long Jianlu's Meteor Shackles.

But the crucial point was—

Yaoguang: "I have no idea where the sword is."

"Yet you know it's a sword?" Long Jianlu commented. "So it seems the disciples of Sky Sword Sect aren't completely ignorant. Let me tell you, in Longguang Mountain, there's a treasure left behind by the Heavenly maiden – the tassel of the Heaven-Sealing Sword. It can guide you to the sword's whereabouts."

"That sounds too complicated!" Yaoguang exclaimed. "Let me get this straight. To release you, I need to find the Heaven-Sealing Sword, but it's already lost. To find the sword, I first need to locate its tassel. So I have to go to Longguang Mountain?"

"Precisely," Long Jianlu replied. "I can provide you a way out. Although most of my powers are sealed, I can still help you escape."

Yaoguang's sole desire now was to return to reality and figure out what on earth had just happened. He didn't even want to write anymore – it was all too bizarre.

He stepped closer to Long Jianlu, who suddenly grabbed his wrist and pulled Yaoguang towards him. Yaoguang let out a startled cry, but Long Jianlu forced him down into his embrace, covering his face with one hand.

Yaoguang: "Let me go!" In the next moment, Long Jianlu's large palm covered his eyes, plunging Yaoguang into darkness as he lost consciousness.

The episode seemed brief. When Yaoguang opened his eyes again, he found himself still lying in Long Jianlu's arms, feeling the warmth of the latter's naked body against his own.

"Aah!" Yaoguang scrambled to sit up in alarm.

Long Jianlu appeared somewhat fatigued. Yaoguang asked, "What did you do to me?"

Long Jianlu replied, "You can leave now."

Yaoguang stood up, staggering a few steps away. He felt a slight ache on the side of his neck. He searched around the cave, eventually stopping before a small puddle of sunlight. Looking down, he noticed something new on his neck.

There was a mark there.

"This is my demonic seal," Long Jianlu said. "It will help you avoid unnecessary troubles."

The demonic seal vanished in an instant, leaving Yaoguang gasping for breath as he stared at Long Jianlu.

"Try using it," Long Jianlu said. "I'll lend you my strength temporarily, but I can't do it often. My remaining power is limited."

Yaoguang looked up at the narrow opening in the sky and attempted to leap, finding himself jumping higher than expected.

"Hey?!" Yaoguang decided to put his concerns aside for now and run out first. He needed to find a way back to the real world... Once he was out, he could write whatever he wanted. It was just a plot, after all. Releasing Long Jianlu wouldn't be that difficult, right?

"Wait," Long Jianlu interrupted. "With countless mountains and rivers standing between us, who knows when you'll find the Heaven-Blocking Sword..."

"Oh," Yaoguang turned back. "Great Devil Lord, is there anything else you need?"

"Let me see you," Long Jianlu said. "It's been nearly a hundred years, and this is the first time I've conversed with someone in all these years."

Yaoguang sensed a tinge of sadness and guilt from those words.

"Go on then," Long Jianlu retreated back into the darkness of the cave, "Take care of yourself."

Yaoguang replied, "Goodbye."

Long Jianlu: "?"

It was clear that Long Jianlu didn't understand the meaning of "bye-bye," yet there was a sense of familiarity about it. Following that, Yaoguang leaped onto a rocky ledge several dozen feet above, his magical seal glowing. He then used the protruding rocks to bound upward in a series of leaps, escaping the narrow crevice!

Wow, is this the world I created?

Standing at the summit of the mountain rift, Yaoguang looked out. The sky was vast, the earth distant, revealing the boundlessness of the universe. Towering peaks, rivers like jade belts, ethereal mist, and lush greenery filled the view. There were no signs of human technological development, such as power towers.

It was like a scene straight out of a nature documentary, with buildings defying gravity and floating in the air in the distance.

So... beautiful!

But how do I leave this book? Yaoguang looked around, preparing to descend the mountain first.

What kind of mountain is this? Now that he was away from Long Jianlu, Yaoguang finally had the chance to ponder. How did I enter here? Right, I wrote about the pendant around this NPC's neck... Then, I was absorbed into the story unprepared.

Is it related to this? Yaoguang lowered his head, studying the pendant. What is this thing? Wait, why does it look different now?

The hexagonal pendant originally had a faint, smoky impurity in its center, but now, it had dissipated, leaving the pendant cloudy. Yaoguang shook it in the sunlight, but nothing changed.

It was this pendant that transported me into the world of my own novel, Yaoguang connected the dots. The only anomaly in the sequence of events was this pendant. Yet, he leaned towards the idea that it influenced his mind rather than physically pulling him away. Perhaps in the real world, he was still slumped in front of his computer, having just experienced an unusually long dream... and upon waking up, he would find that not much time had passed.

He had obtained it when he was very young, around second or third grade? During summer vacation, with no one to look after him at home, his parents sent him to his grandparents' countryside house. Occasionally, he would go on adventures with his friends, and it was during one such adventure that they stumbled upon it in a cave.

Is this some mystical artifact? Yaoguang temporarily set aside his curiosity about its origins. But how do I leave this book?

It was the same last time... How did I get out then? What was the ending?

Yaoguang thought of a very troublesome matter, hoping it wasn't true.

Do I have to advance the story to its conclusion to leave? ?

But the ending of this story is the defeat of an evil deity! And I haven't even figured out many parts of the plot yet! What should I do?! Yaoguang realized the gravity of the situation.

Yaoguang slowly descended the mountain. Why is this mountain so massive? Where should I go next?

"You only have this level of cultivation?" Long Jianlu's voice echoed. "You can't even fly with a sword?"

Yaoguang was startled. "Why are you still here? I'm only at the Qi Refining stage, of course, I can't wield a sword in flight!"

Long Jianlu's voice responded, "Since you bear my demonic seal, I can naturally communicate with you. My divine consciousness resides within you, allowing me to see the world through your eyes."

Yaoguang asked, "So you're going to be following me all the time?"

"Of course!" Long Jianlu's voice answered. "How else would I supervise your search for the Sky-Sealing Sword?"

Yaoguang thought to himself, 'Crap, I never expected the Demon King to install a surveillance system within me. If only I had refused! But if I had, I'd have starved to death in that cave. Would I leave this book's world if I were to die?'

Yaoguang instinctively glanced at the cliff in the mountains, his survival instinct suppressing his thoughts.

Long Jianlu's voice asked, "If you're not descending the mountain, then why are you wandering around?"

Yaoguang: "Don't speak abruptly! You startled me! I'm currently searching for a way down."

Long Jianlu was evidently out of patience with Yaoguang.

This attire is far too susceptible to dirt, Yaoguang hadn't considered such nuances when designing it. The Sky Sword Sect's disciples all wear a uniform shade of pale moonwhite, with flowing, wide-sleeved robes and a sheer outer garment draping over them. It exudes an ethereal aura, and the elegance and grace are undeniable.

Yet, while it was suitable for survival in the wilderness, it easily got caught on things. Within half an hour of leaving the cave dwelling, the pristine white martial boots were already covered in mud. In the end, Yaoguang had to take off his robe and tie it around his waist before continuing his journey with his sword on his back. After descending a mountain and reaching a stream, he lifted his gaze only to see more mountains ahead.

"I $#@%..."

"How on earth did you get here?" Long Jianlu's voice echoed again.

"It's none of your business," Yaoguang replied, washing his face before moving on.

"Idiot! What's your attitude? You'd better watch yourself. This Sovereign can crush you at any moment. Do you doubt that?" Long Jianlu said.

Yaoguang lifted his head. "No, I believe you. But if you squeeze me to death, there won't be even a fool left… Someone! That's great!"

Long Jianlu: "..."

When designing the world of Zhongtu Shenzhou, Yaoguang Populate it generously with characters, strokes of a pen, mere numbers—these NPCs dwell in peace and pursue their livelihoods, occasionally engaging with monsters and demonic cults, navigating survival amidst celestial and demonic factions, while also supplying materials and sustenance to cultivational sects in exchange for their protection.

For instance, beneath the Sky Sword Sect's mountain, there were several scattered villages.

Upon the mountain trail, a caravan happened to be passing by. Suddenly, a disciple dressed in the attire of the Sky Sword Sect rushed out from the side of the road, causing quite a fright among the travelers. They all feared that a horde of demons and monsters might be trailing behind.

Yaoguang hurried to the caravan and called out, "Give me a ride! Thank you!"

Given Yaoguang's background, in most areas, people were honest and simple. Dressed as a disciple of a cultivation sect, he was naturally welcome to join them. With a cultivator on board, they could fend off bandits and highwaymen, even if he wasn't skilled enough to fight.

The leader of the caravan asked, "Where are you headed?"

Seated in the back of the cargo cart, Yaoguang chewed on a blade of grass while unfolding a map from his chest pocket. "What's the nearest city?"

"It's Wind Continent," replied the leader, mounted on his horse. "Are you coming from the Sky Sword Sect? That's quite a journey. How did you end up traveling alone?"

Yaoguang casually answered, "An elder brother flew me here on his sword. He had some business to attend to, so I asked him for a lift."

These words alleviated Long Jianlu's concerns. Inaudible to others, Long Jianlu's voice echoed in Yaoguang's ear, "Your cultivation level is low, but your courage is impressive."

Yaoguang asked, "How long until we reach Wind Continent?"

"About ten days!" said the leader. "So, you'll be getting off at Wind Continent?"

"Very well," Yaoguang agreed. According to the map, his journey to Longguang Mountain would require traveling through the Northern Central Route. He would first reach Fenzhou, then Yucheng in the Guanzhong region, followed by crossing the Taihang Mountains to arrive at the capital, Yong'an. From there, he would proceed northeast, passing by the Bohai Sea... Eventually, after traversing several northern cities, he would reach Longguang Mountain.

"I have a question," Yaoguang addressed the caravan leader again. "How long does it typically take to travel from Wind Province to the Northern Sea?"

"Oh!" the leader replied. "About three years!"

Yaoguang pondered to himself, I must have been out of my mind to design such an enormous map! Why, oh why did I do this!

Yaoguang wore an expression of utter despair. The leader chuckled again and said, "Xianxia sects are always flying on swords; it's rare for them to walk on the ground. Naturally, they wouldn't know how vast the land of Zhongzhou is."

As night fell, the caravan lit a fire in the mountains and invited Yaoguang to join them for dinner, which mainly consisted of freshly cooked dried provisions. Surprisingly, Yaoguang wasn't hungry this time around. Perhaps it was due to his character's background as an Immortal Cultivation Qi Refinement stage practitioner, which kept him in high spirits.

"No, no, no," Yaoguang politely declined. "I'm not really hungry, honestly. And I won't have any alcohol either, thank you."

"BEAR!" the merchants exclaimed as they rushed from the riverbank, causing chaos among the group. Yaoguang was startled and quickly retreated towards the back of the crowd.

"Hero, hurry up!" the merchant cried out. "Save us, Hero!"

The growl of the bear echoed from within the woods, and Yaoguang found himself even more panicked than the others.

Long Jianlu's voice sounded out. "You're a Qi Cultivation disciple. Why are you afraid of a single bear?"

"I've never fought with an animal before!" Yaoguang declared.

The merchants looked at Yaoguang with peculiar expressions on their faces.

Long Jianlu's voice came again. "What kind of disciple are you? Draw your sword! Now!"

Yaoguang had no choice but to steel himself and draw his sword. With a rustling sound, the merchants scattered like frightened birds and beasts, running in all directions. A gigantic bear, standing two meters tall, burst out from the bushes!

Yaoguang stared at the bear in terror. The massive beast's imposing presence was overwhelming; he could hardly move.

"Draw your sword!" Long Jianlu roared into his ear. "Swipe low, slide forward, and stab straight!"

Like a mechanism suddenly activated, Yaoguang instinctively followed Long Jianlu's commands, swiping low and lunging forward with his sword. The blade pierced through the charging bear's chest and emerged from beneath its belly.

The giant beast let out a roar before collapsing to the ground with a thud.

Long Jianlu's voice continued. "Why are you so timid?"

The merchants swarmed around once more, pausing for a silent moment before erupting into cheers.

"Thank you, Young Hero, for saving our lives!"

They hurriedly prostrated themselves to express their gratitude to Yaoguang, who finally regained his composure. "Please, there's no need to be so formal... It was my duty..."

Long Jianlu: "..."

As night fell, they began skinning the bear and dismantling its paws. Transporting the entire beast into the city would fetch a considerable sum.

Still recovering from the adrenaline, Yaoguang sat alone by a small bonfire, undisturbed by others.

Long Jianlu's voice: "You've never ventured out for training from your sect?"

"No more talk of this," Yaoguang replied, feeling ashamed. He lay on his side, facing away from the fire.

"Thanks," Yaoguang suddenly added.

There was no response from Long Jianlu's voice. After a moment, a low sigh echoed through the night.

"Are you sighing?" Yaoguang asked.

Long Jianlu: "..."

Yaoguang: "Why?"

Long Jianlu's voice turned fiercely irritable again. "What do you think?!"

Long Jianlu himself couldn't fathom why he was so unlucky to be stuck with such a person. As a former overlord capable of summoning winds and rains, he was now confined in a cave, living in constant fear of dying halfway through his errands.

Yet, Yaoguang seemed to be quite at ease in this world. He gradually adapted to the scenery he created, and after a simple breakfast the next morning, he hopped onto a merchant's cart, resuming his journey. By midday the following day, they encountered a band of bandits.

Perhaps due to Yaoguang's now dirty attire, nobody recognized him as a disciple from a cultivation sect. Thus, the merchant convoy fell under the bandits' siege, with numerous archers eyeing them hungrily.

"Can we avoid killing?" Yaoguang asked, facing the burly men towering above the canyon. Each of them wore revealing tiger-skin loincloths, their muscular frames ready to pounce and capture him.

"Hero," the leader whispered, "if you could cast a spell, any spell, it would scare them away."

Yaoguang replied, "A spell, huh? Let me think about it."

Yaoguang, having prepared beforehand, was somewhat familiar with spells.

The leader stepped forward again and said, "Honorable fellows, since we've trespassed on your land, we should offer some tribute. May I ask the name of this young hero from the Sky Sword Sect in our group?"

"I'm Yaoguang," Yaoguang replied.

"…In light of Young Hero Yaoguang from the Sky Sword Sect, would you show us some mercy?"

The bandits erupted in laughter. The leader responded, "A celestial being? Let's see this immortal, then!"

Yaoguang, overwhelmed by the crowd, reluctantly raised his hand under their gazes, muttered an incantation, and snapped his fingers.

Snap! The smoke dissipated, revealing a flower in his hand.

Everyone: "………………"

Long Jianlu's frustrated voice echoed, "Channel Qi through the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian! Press the ground! Connect with the earth's energy!"

Yaoguang recalled the technique and knelt on one knee, placing his hand on the ground. The surrounding mountains trembled, causing everyone to lose their balance. The bandits on higher grounds nearly fell.

"Have you never used any immortal techniques?" Long Jianlu's voice echoed in his ear again.

With the bandits dispersed, the merchant convoy passed through the canyon without any cost.

Yaoguang's face flushed red to his ears. Theoretically, it was one thing, but putting spells into practice was quite another. He decided to ignore Long Jianlu's provocations.

Long Jianlu's voice probed further, "How did you survive in your sect?"

Yaoguang replied, "I need to find a way to silence your voice transmission."

There was a hint of Schadenfreude in Long Jianlu's tone, "Once the Coexisting Demon Seal is activated, it can't be turned off unless you die."

Yaoguang stuffed the map into his chest, feeling tempted to swear.

"If you mock me again," Yaoguang threatened, "I'll draw my sword and take my own life. You'll be trapped in that grotto for another ninety-nine years."

Long Jianlu replied lazily, "Someone who fears even bears wouldn't have the courage to commit seppuku."

Yaoguang: "..."

The caravan ventured into the open plains, and for the subsequent days, the journey proceeded uneventfully. However, as they drew closer to Fengzhou City, Yaoguang found himself scratching incessantly. The reason was simple: camping out in the wilderness every night made him itch like mad.

Just when Yaoguang was on the verge of being bored to death by the unchanging scenery, the caravan finally reached Fengzhou City.