Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Yaoguang went to purchase more clothes, entering a tailor's shop and declaring, "Don't pack these, these, or these—wrap up the rest."

The shopkeeper and assistants were delighted at such a substantial sale, their faces beaming with smiles.

Not forgetting Long Jianlu, Yaoguang also bought an abundance of clothing for him, from head to toe, even boots. Long Jianlu protested, "I won't need so many clothes."

Yaoguang replied, "We'll see about that."

Afterward, Yaoguang returned to the inn, reserving a private room on the second floor and ordering a feast, indulging in a spree of extravagance.

"Now that we have money," Long Jianlu said, "and magical artifacts, when do you plan to set off?"

"I can't fly on a sword," Yaoguang explained. "First, I need to cure Shan Rong of his poison. Only then will he be able to take me to Changguang Mountain, right?"

Long Jianlu was speechless.

Yaoguang continued, "It makes perfect sense, don't you think? Do you have any objections?"

Yaoguang had now gained a general understanding of Long Jianlu's temperament. First and foremost, one must avoid making him jealous. Secondly, taking his requests seriously and focusing on the goal of rescuing him from his predicament would prevent Long Jianlu from losing control outright. Though he might verbally spar a bit, it wouldn't cause major issues.

Long Jianlu: "So now you want me to cure that fair-skinned man of his poisoning? Admit it, all your talk comes down to your infatuation with him."

"I didn't!" Yaoguang said, feasting on delicacies. "Which eye of yours saw me being infatuated with him? He's not even as well-built as you! Besides, he's always covered up. I genuinely have no interest in him."

Long Jianlu: "You..."

"How do we unravel this gu?" Yaoguang took a sip of the wine, sweet and with a low alcohol content, reminiscent of fruit beer in the real world.

"I don't know," Long Jianlu replied.

"That's the handiwork of your people."

"I don't even know who she is," Long Jianlu said, "I've been imprisoned for ninety-nine years, and now in the sect, the only person I'm aware of who's in charge is Teng Xingyun."

Yaoguang: "Would you have any objections if I were to engage in battles or conflicts with her?"

"Kill at will," Long Jianlu said. "I have no objections if you slaughter everyone in the sect just to release me sooner. If I weren't imprisoned, I would've done it myself to help you."

Long Jianlu clearly didn't have much affection for his current followers. Indeed, as the leader of the Demon Sect, his actions were often erratic and brutal. Judging by his style, if the Demon Sect were still under his rule, he wouldn't tolerate practices like using poisons or curses – they were too sordid and lacked elegance, like watching a bunch of worms crawl around, disgusting to behold.

Yaoguang asked curiously, "What do you think about your subordinates trying to resurrect the Evil God?"

Long Jianlu dismissed it with a casual remark, "They're all good-for-nothing trash. If they really had the power to resurrect the Evil God, would the world still be under the control of cultivation sects?"

Yaoguang replied, "I've always wondered, what is the Evil God to you?"

When designing the world, Yaoguang had struggled to justify this in his narrative. Logically, the leader of the righteous faction was the Celestial Lady, while the biggest villain would naturally be the Evil God. But the Evil God represented destruction – did anyone truly wish for annihilation?

" 'You'?" Long Jianlu corrected, "I am me, they are them. Don't lump the Demon Sovereign together with the minions. That hurts my feelings."

"Well, what's your take on it then?"

"It's my superior, I suppose," Long Jianlu said, "just a superior, nothing more. How hard you work for your boss depends on how much benefit they provide you. Empty promises won't cut it. Do you understand now?"

"Oh—does the Evil God often make empty promises to you?"

"Not really," Long Jianlu answered, "but for now, there's nothing He can offer me."

Yaoguang now understood and thought it was a reasonable explanation.

Satiated with food and drink, they settled the bill and returned to their room.

"You're actually planning to treat that young pretty boy's gu poison?"

"Isn't that so? It's the most convenient and swift plan at the moment," Yaoguang replied. "I'll handle it myself. You don't need to worry."

Upon Yaoguang pushing the door open, Long Jianlu fell silent. Inside the room, Shan Rong had awakened from his unconscious state, sitting by the bed with his back hunched as he panted slowly, his hair disheveled, evoking a sense of pity in anyone who saw him.

A handsome man sat on Yaoguang's bed, his distressed appearance stirring an urge within Yaoguang to care for him.

"I brought you some food and medicinal pills," Yaoguang said.

"I'm much better now," Shan Rong said. "Thank you."

"You won't be able to eliminate the gu master like this," Yaoguang said.

"I have a Limitless Pill on me," Shan Rong replied.

Shan Rong sipped slowly on the porridge that Yaoguang had brought back, and then he took out an antique small box, clearly one with a long history. He showed it to Yaoguang, revealing within a golden lacquered pill.

"Ahh..." Yaoguang was well aware of this medicine – it was one of his designs.

"I obtained this during the Martial Arts Tournament of our sect four years ago..."

Yaoguang: "As the first-place reward."

"Yes," Shan Rong confirmed, "You're well aware that this Limitless Pill..."

Yaoguang: "After consuming it, your cultivation will skyrocket. Although it won't allow you to break through your original Nascent Soul realm, it should have no issue in restoring about eighty percent of your strength. It can also unlock your body's hidden potential. However, its effects only last for two hours. Once the medicinal power fades, your meridians will be damaged, leaving you as good as a cripple. You'll need to find a place to recompose yourself."

Shan Rong's eyes held a touch of surprise as he nodded. "You know all of this?"

Yaoguang: "If you fail to slay her within an hour, you'll die. She'll activate the parasitic poison, turning you into a living corpse."

"Exactly," Shan Rong said. "That's why I've been hesitant, unsure whether to take this risk. I couldn't quite make up my mind."

Yaoguang: "Leave this place and hide far away. The one who practices witchcraft may one day meet their end at the hands of another. Wouldn't that free you from your burden as well?"

Yaoguang sat down beside Shan Rong, their shoulders almost touching. The protagonist, after all, doesn't die – at least not until the plot reaches its midpoint.

But Shan Rong was unaware of his status as the main character.

For him, this was a genuine life-or-death decision – should he fight with all his might for his dignity, accepting death even if he failed, or should he flee and seek to survive by any means necessary?

"But with you here," Shan Rong said, "it's different, Yaoguang. Please, you must help me."

Yaoguang thought to himself: You can't possibly be asking me to stab you in the back at the last moment, can you?

Sure enough, Shan Rong continued, "You have that invisibility artifact. Stay close by my side, and I'll do everything in my power to protect you. If I fail, you must strike – kill me with one blow. That way, I'll have no regrets."

"O-Okay," Yaoguang replied. "It won't come to that, trust me."

Shan Rong looked into Yaoguang's eyes and smiled.

His smile was tinged with sorrow, yet incredibly handsome, reminding Yaoguang abruptly of that person – Doctor Shan. That enigmatic smile on Doctor Shan's face had always left him with an odd sensation.

What kind of smile was it? A sense of... resignation? Acceptance? Or perhaps a glimpse into the inevitability of life and destiny? Yaoguang found it difficult to articulate. Under the World Tree, Shan Rong seemed to see through the essence of the world, his countenance shimmering with wisdom.

Long Jianlu's voice suddenly rang out, "A true man."

Yaoguang looked at Shan Rong in silence. Shan Rong continued, "I want to give you something. It's quite embarrassing to say, but it's not something of great value..."

Seeing that Shan Rong was actually making his last will and testament, Yaoguang promptly said, "There's no need for that, we're not at that point yet!"

Shan Rong handed Yaoguang an ornamental ring and said, "This is something my mother left me. It's not a magical treasure, but I want to give it to you. Even so, it's still not enough to repay your kindness to me."

Yaoguang had no choice but to accept it.

"Looks like the love token has been given," Long Jianlu commented.

Yaoguang temporarily ignored the demon king's sarcastic tone and comforted Shan Rong with a few words. After staying up all night, fatigue finally caught up with him. Shan Rong then said, "Rest now, you must be exhausted."

Yaoguang couldn't be bothered with anything else and immediately fell asleep.

Long Jianlu asked, "Don't you sleep together?"

Yaoguang could endure no longer. He sprang up, furious, and retorted, "Where's your token of affection? All you do is act sarcastic! Shut up! Give me one too! Do you think I'll accept it or not?"

Shan Rong was startled by Yaoguang and stared at him intently.

"I was just dreaming," Yaoguang explained, successfully covering up the situation. Then, he laid back down to sleep.

After an unknown duration of slumber, Yaoguang muddledly sensed that it seemed to be raining outside, with the pitter-patter of raindrops filling the air. In between, Shan Rong had twice tucked the blanket around him.

Yaoguang yawned and got up, rubbing his eyes as he looked around the room groggily.

Shan Rong was lying on the floor, covered by a cloak, sleeping with his head turned sideways. His eyes were closed, his brows slightly knitted, his face pale, but his lips still held a healthy flush.

He truly was handsome... Yaoguang studied the sleeping Shan Rong. Despite being dealt an unfair hand by fate and suffering from the torment of the Gu poison, he remained such an excellent and upright person. He would surely be the ideal partner for many girls.

Unfortunately, Yaoguang wasn't interested in this type. Shan Rong was too righteous, not having a hint of "bad boy" charm.

Not daring to look for too long, Yaoguang feared provoking Long Jianlu's jealousy again. He gently kicked Shan Rong and said, "Time to wake up."

Shan Rong stirred and took a deep breath. Yaoguang asked, "What time is it?"

Shan Rong replied, "It's already the middle of the day. Are we leaving now?"

Yaoguang arose leisurely, first attending to his grooming before changing into fresh clothes. He also helped Shan Rong don clean attire. The pair descended the stairs with the intention of satisfying their hunger, only to discover that numerous guests within the inn were coughing.

Dark clouds loomed, and a persistent drizzle fell, casting an eerie chill over the entire Yong'an City.

Yaoguang realized that the demonic cult's scheme had already been set in motion. The plague was spreading rapidly, even the inn servant was now intermittently coughing.

"What's going on?" Shan Rong noticed the unusual situation.

"It's the plague I mentioned," Yaoguang replied. "The demonic cult is about to draw the spirits of the deceased into their underground array."

"How did you learn of their plans?" Shan Rong inquired.

Yaoguang found himself at a loss for a suitable explanation. Suddenly, a galloping horse arrived outside the inn, bearing a message from the city lord. Due to the spreading plague, all residents were ordered to stay indoors, and a curfew was imposed on the streets to allow doctors to visit homes and attend to the sick.

The city lord was taking action, and in one fell swoop, the vast Yong'an City became eerily quiet.

"Put on the invisibility cloak," Shan Rong instructed as he returned to their room.

Yaoguang donned the cloak beside Shan Rong, instantly vanishing from sight. Shan Rong then took out a Limitless Pill, pausing for a moment in deep thought.

"Wait… not yet… Ah!" Yaoguang attempted to intervene, but Shan Rong pressed his left hand against his right wrist, determinedly swallowing the pill.

"Strength and cultivation know no bounds, nor do hardships and trials," Shan Rong looked earnestly at Yaoguang, "But a human's lifespan has its limits. The eternal righteousness of heaven and earth persists – let me attempt my breakthrough today, even if only for a brief moment."

The countdown has begun! Yaoguang's thoughts veered elsewhere. Couldn't he have waited until the last possible moment? It would have bought some more time… But my main character's charm is off the charts! Damn, the protagonist I created is truly impressive!

Shan Rong took Yaoguang's hand, leaping out of the inn. As their flying sword appeared beneath them, Yaoguang, in his invisible form, followed Shan Rong into the sky.

Looking down on Yong'an City from above, they noticed that the entire city was shrouded in fog. A brilliance radiating from the Lord's Manor ascended into the sky, piercing through the heavily overcast clouds, as if sending out a distress signal.

Shan Rong soared higher and higher with Yaoguang, almost leveling with the clouds. Gazing into the distance, they could see several sword beams traversing the mountain ranges of the Divine Land, undoubtedly responding to the distress signal from Yong'an City, dispatching disciples to investigate.

Yaoguang: "Where is the Master of the Gu?"

"Should the intelligence be accurate," Shan Rong replied, "she is currently in the very north of Yong'an City, within the Governor's Mansion. Let's go!"

Shan Rong wielded his sword with finesse, transforming into a shooting star as he bore Yaoguang toward the City Lord's Manor. Suddenly, an explosion echoed out, and from a hundred paces away, the training grounds before the Manor erupted as if by a blast. Several cultivator disciples from various sects leaped into the air, crying out, "It's the demonic cult infiltrators!"

"Watch out!" another voice warned.

Black fumes erupted before the City Lord's Manor, and guards rushed to the scene, their weapons pointed at the central staircase. A middle-aged man, resplendent in his noble city lord's robe, had dark clouds billowing from within its sleeves. It was as if a malevolent creature lurked within the clouds, wreaking havoc everywhere it touched. Upon contact with the guards, it effortlessly claimed their lives!

On the parade ground before the manor, a warrior clad in shimmering silver armor was mounted on a towering steed, brandishing a long halberd as he led his guards in a fierce battle against the middle-aged man up above. Unfortunately, the monstrous beings, streaking like comets, would infect and transform the guards upon contact, causing them to fall under the shroud of black aura. These corrupted guards then turned their charge towards the warrior!

Above the scene, a dozen or so low-ranking cultivators, each mounted on flying swords, spun about, casting spells that illuminated the battlefield.

"What happened?!" Shan Rong's voice rang out sharply.

"Save my elder brother!" the warrior cried out desperately.

The person in question was Qiu Sasame, the second son of the Chu family from Yong'an City, while the one casting the black clouds from above was none other than the acting city lord, Qiu Jun!

"General Qiu!" A cultivator shouted from above, "Withdraw all your men! This can't go on! It's no different from sending them to their deaths!"

Qiu Jun was completely under control, his hair and beard bristling, his eyes glowing blood red as he hovered in mid-air like a puppet on strings. Qiu Sasame, however, refused to retreat regardless.

"Wait for me here," Shan Rong assessed the situation and whispered, gently placing Yaoguang on the eaves of the city lord's mansion, preparing to confront Qiu Jun.

"No, wait," Yaoguang held onto Shan Rong and whispered instructions, "Qiu Sasame is the traitor. He has been colluding with the demonic cult for some time now."

"I see," Shan Rong replied. "The one pulling the strings must be the Flower Separating Gu Master."

Yaoguang sat on the rooftop, observing the battlefield as Shan Rong leaped into the heart of the fight.

"Hmm, interesting," Long Jianlu's voice echoed.

"You cultists' methods of attack are nothing but pollution to the environment," Yaoguang taunted. "Can't you use something more visually pleasing?"

Long Jianlu responded, "Back when I was in charge, these rabble were not allowed entry into our ranks."

Why is it that the righteous always radiate with divine light while the cultists are shrouded in dark clouds? Why are the villains always the ones poisoning others, and the swordsmen always from reputable clans? Yaoguang couldn't explain this stereotype, chalking it up to preconceived notions.

Please don't let Shan Rong die... Yaoguang thought. The protagonist shouldn't die, right? Yes, right? After all, he hadn't initially planned for his demise. Unlike some tragic novels, the protagonist in online fiction usually survived until the very end.

Amidst the battle, Shan Rong streaked across the sky with a rainbow-like glow, catching Qi Jun's attention. Abandoning his ground-based assault, Qi Jun launched countless black energy meteors at Shan Rong in mid-air!

Shan Rong roared, "Cult devil spawn, reveal yourself!"

Around him, countless radiant longswords materialized, shimmering with white light. They descended like a rainstorm, clashing with the black energy meteors!

An explosive blast rocked the sky, and the battling disciples retreated to avoid being caught in the chaos. On the ground, Qiu Saming looked up, his expression darkening. He had sent his soldiers to their deaths here in order to weaken the City Lord's Manor and curry favor with the Flower Gu Master, all for the sake of reviving the Evil God.

Now, how could a young Immortal suddenly appear, a formidable expert who disrupted his plans without a second thought?

His brother, Qiu Jun, had sensed something amiss earlier. Before consuming the potion laced with gu insects, he managed to send out a distress signal at the last moment. If they delayed any longer, powerful cultivators from various sects, especially those from the Xuanyu Sect where his younger brother was, would arrive!

Qiu Saming, seeing his plan on the verge of collapsing, promptly drew a short bow from his chest and strung it taut.

In an instant, the black aura on the ground surged towards him, funneling into the short bow in his hands. Enchanted runes on the bow flickered to life, coalescing into a blood-colored arrow!

Yaoguang abruptly turned his head, his eyes wide with terror. Just as he was about to cry out a warning, Long Jianlu's voice rang out.

"Haven't you already warned him? That kid has been keeping an eye on the ground the whole time."

Yaoguang nearly revealed himself. In the next moment, Qiu Saiming loosed a blood arrow from his hand, which silently soared towards Shan Rong.

With both hands forming sword seals, Shan Rong was engaged in a battle against the ground-bound Qiu Jun. Right as his palms were about to converge, fusing thousands of swords into one, the blood arrow pierced through his chest in a sudden strike!

A burst of blood mist erupted, dispelling all magic. Shan Rong plummeted from the sky!

Yaoguang nearly shouted, but Long Jianlu's voice boredly countered, "He's doing it on purpose. Can't you use your brain? He just wants to lure the Gu Master out."

"Is that so?" Yaoguang said. "I suppose you don't just wish for his death, do you?"

"Pay close attention!" Long Jianlu said impatiently. "Where did his sword go when he fell? Did it vanish? It's likely hidden within the clouds, waiting!"

As Shan Rong plummeted, a maniacal laughter erupted right behind Chou Jun.

"My dearest heartthrob—finally, you've come!"

Shan Rong writhed on the ground, as if attempting to escape, yet his body remained disobediently paralyzed. Meanwhile, Qiu Jun's figure transformed into that of a long-haired, enchantingly beautiful demonic woman, adorned with blossoms that sprang from her being. If not for her dark crimson blood-colored robe, she would have resembled a celestial maiden descending to earth.

"Come...," her voice lured, "let us go, to that place where it's just you and me. I've waited for you for so long..."

Yaoguang dared not even breathe, fixated on the scene before him, ready to leap in at any moment to lend assistance, no matter how small.

Had an hour already passed? Surely not? The effects of the Limitless Pills on Shan Rong should still be in play.

With one hand bracing the ground, Shan Rong panted desperately. The demonic maiden descended the steps, extending her delicate jade-like fingers to lift his chin. Black tendrils of vines materialized around her, poised to ensnare his entire body!

Shan Rong lifted his head. At that moment, high above the clouds, a radiant sword seemed to descend from the heavens, trailing celestial flames as it plummeted towards the earth!

Yaoguang thought to himself: Long Jianlu truly possesses some skill. As a Devil King, his reputation is well-deserved.

The Flower Splitter Gu Master sensed danger just as they were about to part. Shan Rong, however, firmly clamped his hand around her throat!

A shrill scream echoed as a miasma tsunami erupted before the City Lord's Manor. The Flower Splitter Gu Master was pierced through the chest by a flaming flying sword, thrashing and howling in agony. Then, black energy exploded, flinging everyone away.

An enormous demonic flower unfurled its leaves and petals, merging with the Flower Splitter Gu Master. Its form was utterly horrifying, revealing its true nature.

"Any ideas?" Yaoguang asked anxiously. "Shan Rong's potion is almost wearing off! If you were here, how would you deal with her?"

Long Jianlu replied, "If it were me, I'd crush her with a single finger."

Yaoguang raged, "Stop joking around! Think of something, quickly!"

Long Jianlu suggested, "Don't you have that Green Branch?"

Yaoguang immediately recalled and promptly pulled out his hairpin.

Shan Rong's medicinal power began to wane, but the colossal demonic flower activated the underground city's array, causing the ground to collapse in a circular pattern. The flower spewed poisonous mist like shooting stars into the air. Shan Rong shifted from offense to defense, commanding his flying sword to form a protective barrier against the demonic flower while pointing at the sky, seemingly reciting a spell.

"Come on then—" the monstrous figure in the center of the flower laughed maniacally, "Ruin Yong'an City, and I'll take only souls—my dear— you know my intentions—"

Long Jianlu warned, "He's about to use a forbidden technique. Be cautious."

Yaoguang knew that Shan Rong was taking a desperate gamble, using the last moments of the Limitless Pill's effect to activate an immortal taboo. High in the sky, Shan Rong's body was covered in golden runes; his torn robe revealing cracked, golden-bloodied skin. It was a suicidal move—if the demonic flower broke through, he would explode.

The green branch shimmered with radiance, and Yaoguang, still concealed, unleashed a powerful talisman that resembled countless vines and branches extending from thin air, forming a barrier to withstand the demonic flower's frenzied assault.

Startled, the flower hesitated, turning slightly to investigate the source of the vines.

In that instant, Shan Rong completed his immortal taboo. A massive orb of light appeared on the horizon, unleashing a million bolts of lightning that slowly converged, resembling a falling sun!

The demonic flower let out a terrified shriek. Shan Rong, now resembling a divine being of golden light, sidestepped, held his sword aloft, and descended towards the flower. A blinding electric current gathered on his forehead, drawing the thunderbolts towards his blade in an instant.

So magnificent! Yaoguang was astounded.

A deafening explosion echoed through the mountains, black flames consumed by this divine might. The demonic flower detonated, its thunderous energy contained and shot upwards into the sky, vanishing without a trace.

Shan Rong's robe was tattered, revealing his fair, muscular physique, with lingering electric currents still encircling him.

Three, two, one - Shan Rong descended from the sky, trailing electrical sparks.

Simultaneously, sword beams howled from all directions towards Yong'an City's heart, as righteous sect disciples arrived to offer assistance.