Chapter 62

Chapter 62

At the bottom of the Thunder Abyss, a mass of demonic energy streamed into a pale hand and was absorbed into the body. Wu Lan stood outside the formation like a specter, watching Dan Cangke absorb the last demon. A faint red rune flickered on his neck.

Dan Cangke slowly opened his eyes. "What are the righteous sects up to?"

Wu Lan replied after a slight delay, "They seem to be up to something. Qi Wuyu and Si Muyun went to Yingchi Island a couple of days ago. Recently, nearby villagers have been moving away."

Dan Cangke sneered, "It seems they can't wait to be rid of me, too." He asked, "How are the preparations?"

"They are ready."

"Good." He looked at his hand. "I shall not forget these demons."

"They volunteered to serve you, My Lord. It is their honor."

Dan Cangke clenched his fist. If Liu Nanzhou had just listened, he wouldn't have had to resort to this. He would kill Liu Nanzhou to be buried with these demons, and he would kill Qi Zhuo too!

"What about the one who's always been by your side?"

"He is still locked up."

Dan Cangke gave him a sharp look. "That man's a liability with his divided loyalties. Don't let him screw things up." He asked, "Do you understand?"

Wu Lan paused. "I'll keep an eye on him."

Dan Cangke was not entirely satisfied but said nothing more, only adding, "Send another batch tomorrow."

"Yes."

With that, Wu Lan's figure vanished. In a room within the Demon Lair City, Wu Lan's form flickered, and the formation beneath his feet flashed twice before dimming.

Wu Lan leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes to meditate. It took him quite a while to recover. He then walked into the inner room. Mo Chen sat with his back to the door, legs crossed on the floor.

Ever since Qi Wuyu took Liu Nanzhou away, he had been confined to this sunless room. He'd even lost track of time, but he was already accustomed to it—the Demon Lair City never had much sunlight to begin with.

"Not dead yet?"

Mo Chen replied, "Not yet."

Wu Lan's anger flared at the sight of him. He walked over and squatted in front of him. "Do you keep pushing my limits because you're certain I can't bring myself to kill you?"

Mo Chen raised his eyes to look at him. "Mo Chen does not dare."

"I don't believe you." Wu Lan snorted coldly. "But it doesn't matter. Anyway, your precious brother's days are numbered. Once he's dead, and after we've wiped out all those righteous sect members, you can stay obediently by my side."

Mo Chen's heart sank. Locked away as he was, apart from Wu Lan's occasional visits to taunt him, he had no idea what was happening outside. He didn't know what method Wu Lan and Dan Cangke had to break the Demon-Subduing Formation, and could only guess from Wu Lan's fragmented words that Dan Cangke might soon break through it.

"Can you spare his life?"

Wu Lan seemed to have heard a joke. "Are you kidding? Do you think that's possible?" He stood up, casting a long shadow. "But I can leave his body in one piece for you. You can give him a proper burial."

With that, he flicked his sleeve and left the room. Mo Chen watched the door slowly close, his heart sinking further.

The Four Major Sects had been swamped for days dealing with the evacuation. Even with various sects deploying numerous magical tools capable of transporting people and goods, and even with Qi Wuyu bringing Chu Yunliu over to help, it still took nearly a month to relocate and settle all the villagers. Han Sheng had already cleared and prepared the site on schedule, and each sect had dispatched several disciples to Yingchi Island to look after the people.

With this task completed, the major sects began their preparations to confront Dan Cangke. Chu Yunliu rested at the Tianyao Sect for a few days, observing how everyone seemed to be on high alert. In contrast, Qi Wuyu remained leisurely, drinking wine at Fengsheng Wutong as if it were none of his business, while Liu Nanzhou sat beside him, polishing his sword.

Qi Wuyu looked at the bare branches and said to Liu Nanzhou, "I've got a feeling that when we return, this tree will be in bloom."

Liu Nanzhou looked at him, baffled. "Where'd you get that feeling?"

"Never mind that." Seeing Liu Nanzhou's doubtful expression, Qi Wuyu said, "How about we make a bet?"

"Bet on what?"

Qi Wuyu tapped his wine gourd. "If this tree blooms after we return, you make me some wine."

"And if it doesn't bloom?"

Qi Wuyu pondered for a moment. "Then I'll brew wine for you."

Liu Nanzhou: "..." Wouldn't I still be the one drinking it?

Qi Wuyu laughed and nudged his shoulder. "Just kidding. If it doesn't bloom, I'll owe you one wish. How about that?"

"Deal." Liu Nanzhou extended his hand. "It's settled."

Qi Wuyu slapped his hand. "Settled."

Chu Yunliu watched them, utterly speechless. "Hey, there's another person here, you know." He said, "You two have quite the nerve, don't you? Still in the mood to make bets?"

Qi Wuyu sat under the pear blossom tree, tilting his head back to drink. "Might as well enjoy today. What's wrong with that?"

"Go ahead, get drunk. I'm leaving tomorrow," Chu Yunliu said.

"Go ahead. Thanks for your help this time. I'll treat you to a meal later."

Chu Yunliu, uncharacteristically serious, raised his wine cup and clinked it with Qi Wuyu's. "Alright. I'll be waiting."

Before leaving, Chu Yunliu left a few mechanized puppets with the Tianyao Sect. The major sects finalized their preparations, arranged internal affairs, and agreed on a date to assemble at the Thunder Abyss.

The night before their departure, Qi Wuyu was alone in his room, writing something. Liu Nanzhou pushed the door open and entered. Qi Wuyu hurriedly set down what he was writing and stood up. "What brings you here?"

Liu Nanzhou asked, "What are you writing?"

Qi Wuyu grinned. "Researching recipes."

Liu Nanzhou was left speechless, utterly impressed by Qi Wuyu's ability not to worry—it truly put the vast heavens and earth to shame.

"Did you need something?"

"Nothing in particular. I just wanted to see you."

He had originally intended to tell Qi Wuyu to protect himself during the fight, not to charge ahead. But seeing the look in Qi Wuyu's eyes, he knew that was impossible.

Qi Wuyu was not the type to hide behind others, especially not when facing Dan Cangke. Fine. Then he would protect him, staying by his side every step of the way.

Qi Wuyu let out a cheeky "Oh." "So you missed me, huh."

He ruffled Liu Nanzhou's hair and, instead, began admonishing him, saying gently, "Protect yourself. I... might not be able to keep an eye on you at all times."

"That's alright. Then I'll keep an eye on you."

Qi Wuyu felt his heart soaking in a warm spring, indescribably comforted. No wonder people were so greedy for a life of tenderness and love. With the one you love by your side, how could you have the mind for anything else?

"Who taught you to be so sweet-tongued?"

Liu Nanzhou didn't think this counted as being sweet-tongued. "I'm serious."

Qi Wuyu kissed the mole between his nose. "Alright, then you watch me. Don't let me out of your sight."

Liu Nanzhou grasped his hand. "Don't worry."

Early the next morning, as the mist was just beginning to disperse, carrying a chill in the air, Ying Nianling saw them off at the mountain gate—someone had to hold down the fort, just in case.

"Go on, leave the home to me," Ying Nianling said. "Take care of yourselves."

He didn't say much more, feeling that more words would seem overly sentimental. After all, they would all be coming back.

Qi Wuyu smiled and said, "Don't miss us too much while we're gone."

Ying Nianling shot him a glare. "You're the last person I'd miss!"

Qi Wuyu laughed and patted his shoulder. Xie Yongdao said, "We're off. Contact us immediately if anything happens."

"Alright."

They arrived at just the right moment. Before the barrier could be fully set up, rumbles of thunder suddenly erupted from the depths of the Thunder Abyss below. Thick, viscous demonic energy surged out from the abyss's bottom like steam from a lifted lid, plunging the bright sky into darkness in an instant.

"Dan Cangke is breaking the formation!" a disciple shouted. Everyone fixed their gaze intently on the Thunder Abyss.

A persistent buzzing filled Qi Wuyu's mind. He pressed his fingers to his temples, his expression complex. Dan Cangke's power had increased tremendously.

Zhou Ren and the others swiftly took positions at the four corners to complete the formation. From Zhou Xun's vantage point, he could see the Demon Citadel beyond the Thunder Abyss. Just as the citadel's barrier flashed red, he was about to call out when he saw Yang Zhen and Si Muyun leading their disciples towards it.

"Boom—"

An odd rumble came from the depths of the Thunder Abyss. Centered on the Mountain Ghost, a spiderweb of cracks spread out. Liu Nanzhou felt the ground beneath his feet tremble. He steadied Qi Wuyu, then saw him staring at the Thunder Abyss before suddenly shooting forward.

With a sharp *crack*, something seemed to snap. The Demon-Subduing Formation shattered. A violent surge of demonic and spiritual energy swept outward. Liu Nanzhou, about to give chase, was forced to dodge the blast first. Regaining his footing, he looked up to see a brilliant streak of white light shooting up from the dark, inky demonic energy within the Thunder Abyss.

"What is that?"

"I can't see clearly!"

"That's the Mountain Ghost!" someone yelled.

Everyone watched as the white light streaked out like a meteor. Then, as if sensing something, it arced through the air, accompanied by a clear, ringing sound, and flew straight towards Qi Wuyu. A powerful spiritual energy was released simultaneously, dispersing much of the demonic miasma. Some disciples present were dazzled, unable to open their eyes fully, catching only glimpses of the legendary divine weapon through their fingers.

The silver spear, its cold gleam fully revealed, was enveloped in a halo of spiritual light. It halted before Qi Wuyu's eyes. Qi Wuyu raised his hand and grasped the spear he had been parted from for so many years. A familiar aura flowed from his fingertips into his body, rapidly coursing through all his meridians, almost threatening to tear his narrow meridians apart. Immense spiritual power instantly flooded his Spiritual Platform. Qi Wuyu nearly lost his grip but tightened his hold on it at once.

The Mountain Ghost vibrated in his hand, as if complaining of its years of neglect. His hand stroked the spear shaft. He executed a spear flourish, settling into a stance with the spear held firm. His hair, tousled by the movement, brushed against the long shaft. His silhouette exuded an aloof, solitary pride, and even his gaze had turned sharp and fierce.

Holding the Mountain Ghost, he had transformed back into the young hero everyone sang praises of.

A murmur rose among part of the crowd. To see Qi Zhuo wielding the Mountain Ghost in battle felt like the chance of a lifetime.

Liu Nanzhou looked up at him, suddenly recalling a picture he had seen in a book as a child. Stories of Qi Zhuo were so well-known even a three-year-old could recite them. His legendary tales were endlessly reenacted among the common folk, and many books vividly depicted his likeness, each portrait brimming with divine majesty and heroic spirit. But in truth, most people had never actually seen Qi Zhuo, so depictions of his back, without showing his face, were the most common. As a child, Liu Nanzhou had felt the figure in those paintings was too perfect, too lofty—a being that belonged only in the heavens.

Now, as Qi Wuyu overlapped with that memory, Liu Nanzhou realized the painting wasn't even one ten-thousandth as compelling. That person felt both distant and incredibly close.

He was lost in thought for a moment before snapping back to reality, a slight frown creasing his brow as a question arose: Could Qi Wuyu's body, which was almost that of a mortal, withstand such immense spiritual power?

Qi Wuyu's body was indeed jolted by the Mountain Ghost's spiritual energy, nearly causing him to stagger back. Liu Nanzhou appeared at his side just in time to steady him.

But it lasted only an instant. This spiritual energy was too familiar. The moment Qi Wuyu held it in his hand, he adapted.

Qi Wuyu stroked the familiar spear shaft, soothing it. "Alright, I know. Whether we can go home depends on your performance today."

The Mountain Ghost seemed brimming with confidence, emitting a gentle, warm glow.

"All the righteous sects have gathered. Such a grand welcome formation for me, truly touching," Dan Cangke said as he emerged from the thick demonic energy. Demonic power radiated from his entire being, making him appear even more sinister, cruel, and tyrannical than in Qi Zhuo's memory. A dark red rune marked his face, extending down into his collar. The corners of his mouth were lifted in a smirk, carrying a sinister, murderous intent.

Seeing his face, Qi Zhuo's heart sank. No wonder Dan Cangke had recovered from his injuries so quickly and his demonic power had surged enough to forcibly break the Demon-Subduing Formation. So it was Guixu.

But it was hardly surprising that Dan Cangke would use such an evil art that absorbed others' power for his own use. After all, aside from harming others, it had virtually no drawbacks—and that "drawback" was no drawback at all to someone like Dan Cangke.

Judging by Dan Cangke's current state, he was probably already "stuffed to the brim."

"Pah! Who's welcoming you?" an indignant disciple in the crowd shouted.

"We're here today to send you straight to hell!"

Several hot-tempered disciples charged forward with their swords. Dan Cangke glanced down at them dismissively and gave a slight wave of his hand, sweeping them back. The disciples were caught by their comrades and immediately coughed up blood.

"They aren't worthy of crossing blades with me."

As soon as his words fell, the barrier around the Demon Citadel shattered. Thousands of demons poured out from the citadel, while more surged up from the depths of the Thunder Abyss. Fierce battle erupted instantly. Dan Cangke turned his head leisurely. "Qi Zhuo, after so many years without a spear, do you still remember how to use it?"

A smile played on Qi Zhuo's lips, but his eyes were cold. "You'll find out soon enough when you try me."

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Author's Note: Merry Christmas! Hmm... barring any surprises, there should be about two more chapters (or possibly combined into one) until the story concludes [throws confetti] [throws confetti]. Thank you for your support. I'll send out red packets to everyone when it's finished [kiss] [kiss].