The Forbidden Path to Immortality - Chapter 95

Chapter 5 Freedom

A person’s psychological progress can indeed bring astonishing results.

Having awakened from years of confusion, Li Xun’s mind is now more lucid than ever.

A person with clear thinking wouldn’t, and couldn’t, be willing to be passive and react to every move.

Thus, Bai Gui vanished.

It’s not entirely clear whether he vanished, for how could a “seriously injured” person vanish without a trace? Of course, Bai Gui was no ordinary person; he was a highly skilled cultivator. Even while seriously injured, he knew how to conceal himself, and his methods were exceptionally skillful.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t hide from the eyes of those who followed him.

From the next day on, at least two or more cultivators followed the slightest trace, gradually pursuing the trail.

The sophistication of their tracking skills astounded Li Xun, even from the shadows.

If Li Xun was determined, he could have used various tactics to lure these unaware cultivators into the trap, effectively completing his mission.

However, from the outset, he hadn’t considered alerting the enemy. Furthermore, the current delicate situation was perhaps a rare occurrence.

The Luoyu Sect’s assassins were in the lead, the Succubus Sect’s spies were behind, Qianli Wuying versus Tianmo Meiying. Both sides were shady, intertwining and hiding, each employing a unique strategy. This spectacular spectacle was truly exhilarating for Li Xun.

Even so, Li Xun broke out in a cold sweat.

Fortunately, he had been alerted early and hidden. Otherwise, he would never have known that the Succubus Sect would actually send spies after Thunderbeak Eagle’s sincere invitation.

He had been idle for too long. Fortunately, he would sharpen his claws sooner rather than later.

Li Xun didn’t initiate a counterattack, but while observing from the shadows, he did his best to observe the unique methods of the two sects. With the help of Yin Sanren, he analyzed the internal dynamics of their mental methods, ensuring he had a direct understanding of both sects, especially the Luoyu Sect’s methods.

Perhaps this understanding was superficial and fragmentary, but seeing through the subtle and complex appearances and putting the thread together was Li Xun’s consistent advantage.

After several days, he had made considerable progress.

And at this moment, the Flying Soul Edict, coming from the southwest, finally arrived.

As he had expected, Madam Yan had indeed been ambushed by the Luoyu Sect, but because of their effective counterattack, they had put Bishuijun in a very passive position.

At this point, Li Xun no longer had any reason to stay nearby. One-third of the time limit set by the sect elders had passed, and the originally ample time had become urgent.

But Li Xun felt that it was worth it.

After completing the illusion that the hundred ghosts had fled to the southwest, Li Xun used a series of escape techniques to travel thousands of miles in extreme stealth. Only then did he appear in the identity of Ming Xinling Zhu and rushed towards the pole. As for whether the two sects would eventually fall for it, it was not his concern.

At first glance, the polar landscape is vast and boundless, possessing a uniquely majestic beauty, but after seeing it too often, it becomes rather monotonous.

Masses of broken earth and ice, carried by the north wind, danced wildly in the air, a chaotic scene reminiscent of the current polar situation.

Li Xun frowned as he stepped forward, avoiding the chaotic battle behind him.

This was the seventh fight he had witnessed since entering the polar day zone.

Most astonishingly, these clashes were all clashes between independent cultivators, or more precisely, within the independent cultivator alliance.

Only then did Li Xun understand the origin of Luo Nanchuan’s words that day: “The situation is dire.”

From what he had seen and heard over the past half day, the independent cultivator alliance seemed to be permeated with an atmosphere of anxiety and fierceness, like a roiling volcano, where even a small stone could trigger an unprecedented explosion.

This independent cultivator alliance no longer resembled a well-organized organization, but more like a bandit den!

Li Xun’s mind grew increasingly clear, and after a period of analysis, he had finally pinpointed some of the key points.

A fundamental principle was that the Loose Cultivators Alliance employed a strict management system, with a tight exterior and a loose interior.

Aside from the Four Directions, who were responsible for specific matters and comprised elite individuals selected from tens of thousands of alliance members and subject to strict regulation, the remaining responsibilities were vague, relying solely on the astonishing strength and awe of the Ten Councilors to forcibly suppress them.

Originally, these lone cultivators and demons were self-sufficient, minding their own business. After years of cultivation, they developed their own principles for adapting to changing circumstances.

With the vast cultivation resources provided by the alliance, they were able to naturally develop a basic order among themselves.

However, this self-formed order was still fragile.

During the alliance’s rapid growth in the first few decades, certain conflicts could be masked by various advantages. However, following the widespread outcry following the defeat of the Hundred Beast Sect ten years ago, the Loose Cultivators Alliance shifted to a more reserved position.

Lacking channels for expansion and venting, these conflicts inevitably surfaced one by one—and with the recent incident involving Niu Lishi, they erupted completely.

However, the impact of the explosion was unable to pierce the resilient shell formed by the Ten Councilors, the Tongyan Hall, and the Four Directions, creating this bizarre scene.

In their “free time,” independent cultivators and demons engaged in fierce combat, seizing elixirs, mantras, and repaying favors. However, if an external enemy attacked, the Ten Councilors would issue a call, and they would rally and unite to face the enemy.

This sense of order amidst chaos was rare even among the evil sects.

Just as he was thinking, the distant sound of something breaking through the air resounded.

Li Xun sighed and was about to disappear when he suddenly sensed something was amiss. He looked up and saw a streak of black light streaking diagonally from the front.

The black light was tinged with blood, clearly indicating that the magical weapon wielded by this individual must have been tainted with spirit and blood, forged using forbidden techniques highly tabooed in the Tongxuan Realm. As it passed, the sound of something breaking through the air resembled the wailing of countless ghosts, piercing and piercing, a true example of the quintessential evil cultivator.

The man who was controlling the magic weapon had no awareness of being a villain. He was terrified, his eyes were scattered, and he was so focused on controlling the weapon that he didn’t even notice Li Xun standing in front of him.

Li Xun couldn’t help but laugh. If it was someone like Wei Bufan or Ramashi who practiced evil magic, it would be fine, but

for even a half-baked person like this to come out and mess around, wasn’t that a way to get killed? He had to rid the world of this evildoer and make a good name for himself. Just as he

was about to take action, his eyes were suddenly flashed by a light.

He was startled, and when he looked intently, he saw a long rainbow piercing the sky, coming from several miles away, twisting at the black light, and blood rained in the air. The half-baked person was cut in two and fell to the ground, dying a miserable death.

What a cruel move!

Li Xun grinned and took his hand off the hilt of the sword.

Although he wasn’t a major practitioner of flying swords, he still had a keen eye. This distant flying sword, with its exquisite aura, was a first-rate sword control technique. But which sect did this master

come from? Just as he was thinking about this, a figure appeared in the distance.

The sword that had killed enemies miles away flew past like a bird returning to its nest, and Li Xun could faintly hear the dull sound of it being sheathed.

The man had obviously seen Li Xun as well, and after a brief pause, he flew towards him.

Li Xun squinted his eyes and looked at the figure that was gradually approaching.

Judging from the figure, it seemed to be a female cultivator, who walked gracefully in the increasingly dense snow and wind, looking quite graceful. Li Xun couldn’t help but have some expectations.

Seeing the other person’s facial features gradually become clear, Li Xun was a little disappointed.

It’s not that this is an ugly woman, but her face is too ordinary. Her facial features can be described as delicate, but because she has always had a stern face, there is a shallow mark at the corner of her lips, which makes her look a little old-fashioned and indifferent. The look in her eyes when she looked at Li Xun was also very cold.

The female cultivator was unfamiliar, but Li Xun knew that such people were likely to be rigid and difficult to deal with.

He didn’t hesitate and greeted her, saying, “I am Li Xun of the Mingxin Sword Sect. Nice to meet you, fellow Daoist.” His courteous manners were impeccable, so the female cultivator across from him naturally found no fault. She also saluted, saying calmly, “Zhuang Chu of the Tianxingjian Sect.”

Tianxingjian Sect? Li Xun was slightly startled, and involuntarily glanced at her. Judging by the level of swordplay she had just displayed, this woman’s cultivation was undoubtedly comparable to Gu Pin’er’s. When had Tianxingjian produced another female master like this, and with such skill…

Suspicion welled up in his heart, but he made no effort to conceal it. He simply said, “So it’s Fellow Daoist Zhuang. Your Hundred Miles Flying Sword technique just now was truly magnificent. I wonder which immortal master taught you this?”

Zhuang Chu glanced at him, a rather odd look in her eyes.

Li Xun had been feeling quite sensitive recently due to the Luoyu Sect incident, and his wariness grew even more pronounced.

Strangely enough, this seemingly solemn female cultivator actually smiled. “I only joined the sect half a month ago. I’m just a casual cultivator borrowing land to cultivate. How could I possibly have a master?”

Li Xun’s expression dawned on him, and he immediately corrected his demeanor, greeting her again with the courtesy of a disciple, his words adding a touch of respect.

“So you’re Guest Zhuang in person. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”

A guest cultivator is a cultivator invited by a sect to join, enjoying its resources while also contributing to the sect.

Generally, only those of considerable strength are worthy of this treatment. It’s no wonder that Zhuang Chu’s sword techniques lack the aura of the Tianxing Jian Sect.

Zhuang Chu, oddly enough, paid little attention to any of Li Xun’s greetings, merely nodding slightly. This reinforced Li Xun’s belief that her smile was truly a rare gift for her.

Li Xun had experience dealing with such individuals, so he simply responded methodically, “I, your disciple, have been ordered to the Pole, awaiting deployment. Does Guest Zhuang have any…”

Before he could finish, Zhuang Chu said calmly, “Your sect’s headquarters is west of the Never-Sleeping City, but today is your turn. Go to the restricted area by the sea, and perhaps you’ll see them.”

Li Xun hurriedly thanked her, but Zhuang Chu ignored him and turned away.

The radiant blue rainbow she was riding possessed a distinct hue, undoubtedly demonstrating authentic Qigong cultivation. Li Xun watched the rainbow disappear from his sight, lowering his head, his eyes filled with suspicion.

He was in a state of intense concentration, developing an almost illogical intuition about all unusual phenomena.

Zhuang Chu seemed respectable enough, but Li Xun felt something was amiss. Especially when he spoke to her, the subtle fluctuations in his internal Qi and meridians were a strange phenomenon he had never experienced before.

The more cautious he became, the more he looked up, leaving no trace of his presence. He simply shook his head and flew towards the City That Never Sleeps.

Zhuang Chu’s name was already on his list of dangers.

Although he harbored suspicions, at least Zhuang Chu had no reason to lie about such a minor matter as providing directions. Li Xun, revealing his identity as Ming Xinling Zhu, flew all the way into the City That Never Sleeps. When he reported to the head immortal master, the master’s account was identical to Zhuang Chu’s.

But what was the reason for the glint in the immortal master’s eyes upon hearing his name?

Watching the immortal master’s enthusiastic greeting, Li Xun felt his nerves were stretched too thin. He chuckled to himself and decided not to follow the master’s suggestion to rest in the west of the city. Instead, he headed straight for the sect’s area.

This way, he could leave a good impression.

Greeting familiar and unfamiliar cultivators along the way, Li Xun hurried out of the City That Never Sleeps and flew towards the sea.

The closer he got to the coast, the more he felt the chaotic atmosphere of the polar region.

The Myriad Miles Aurora Wall, restored just last year by the master craftsmen of Qianfan City, now stands once again on the seashore, separating the Never-Sleeping City from the Night Sky.

Even so, Li Xun could hear the faint whistling of vital energy emanating from the sea.

Sword flashes and flaming fires flashed everywhere, raising doubts about the purpose of this vast, elusive magical weapon.

However, it wasn’t until he reached the seashore that Li Xun realized the layout of the Myriad Miles Aurora Wall had changed.

The angle of the light’s refraction revealed a curved shape, likely partially enclosing a large area centered on the Never-Sleeping City, blocking the path of the Night Sky’s troops from passing directly.

This approach was certainly more practical than a symbolic blockade, and quite sensible.

However, it also seemed like a sign of weakness.

Li Xun wondered, “Given Master Tianzhi’s personality, how could he act this way?”

As he pondered this, he entered the Mingxin Sword Sect’s “defense zone.”

This thousand-mile-wide, desolate coastal beach was flat, with almost no undulations, stretching all the way to the point where the sea meets the sky.

From a purely practical point of view, this was a truly deplorable location.

And this kind of place wasn’t unique to the Mingxin Sword Sect.

At this point, Li Xun felt even more acutely the predicament faced by the various sects in the polar regions. It was no wonder that ten years ago, when the Loose Cultivator Alliance wiped out the Hundred Beast Sect, nearly a thousand cultivators from various sects had to retreat to the Nightless City, allowing them to pass through, leaving them a laughingstock.

Li Xun once again thought of Master Tianzhi, the fierce, forthright, and rather arrogant city lord. He wondered what she would have felt in such a situation.

Suddenly, a figure appeared from the corner of his eye. Li Xun stopped, turned, and a smile crossed his face. “Senior Brother Ling@.”

The one who had arrived was none other than Ling@, one of the “Three Spirits of Mingxin.” He was a disciple of Li Xun’s fifth uncle, Li Minghe. He was lively and generous, beloved by both the young and old on the mountain. This was in stark contrast to his master’s melancholic, vigorous, and ancient style.

Ling@ was renowned for his ability to connect with anyone. While Li Xun’s friendship wasn’t as deep and sincere as Lingji’s, it was still a good one, and they were naturally delighted to see each other.

“Are all the immortal masters and brothers here?”

“Yes, all, but we’re incredibly busy. You should be here in the next couple of days. Perfectly, we’ll let our Master Lingzhu, the ‘foremost master of forbidden techniques among the younger generation,’ take care of all the restrictions covering a radius of several thousand miles!”

Li Xun punched him, but then got to the point. “What? Are the restrictions here so tight? After all, we’re inside the Aurora Wall, right?”

Ling’s smile tinged with bitterness at these words.

“What do you mean by ‘inside and outside’? You don’t know from afar, but the Aurora Wall is already riddled with holes. It might hold off a massive army for a while, so it’s still a bit impressive. But if it’s just three or two people… hey, Qianfan City boasts so loudly, but the result is nothing more than this!”

Having the usually optimistic Ling complain like this, Li Xun had almost grasped the gravity of the situation. However, he was inside, unaware that the polar situation had deteriorated so much. He wondered, “Has it always been this bad? And the Niu Lishi…” “

That’s the Niu Lishi!”

Ling smiled wryly, gesturing towards the seashore.

“That’s where the mad bull came crashing in. Look at the gaping hole. A hundred or so could have easily gotten through! I heard there were at least a thousand people following, and even Gu Yin followed, throwing the City That Never Sleeps into chaos.

” “From that day on, the situation got worse by the day. It’s a mess here, and it’s even more chaotic back there. It’s said that dozens of people are injured or disabled every day, and Gu Yin and Yao Feng don’t do anything about it. I really don’t know what they’re thinking!”

Li Xun listened and laughed bitterly with him.

Ling @ was optimistic after all, and the bitter look on his face didn’t last long. He smiled again, “There’s no point in worrying about these things. Come, I’ll take you to see Third Uncle-Master and see what mission he has for you, a genius in forbidden techniques… Yeah? It seems there’s no need!”

The two of them looked toward the seashore, where a clear light rose straight up. At the same time, a figure, shrouded in blood, retreated towards the sea.

Ling@ sighed, “Here, another one!”

The one who had just defeated the enemy was none other than Mingsong, the “Dongxuan Sword.”

Within the Mingxin Sword Sect, his strength was second only to Luo Nanchuan, ranking sixth in the sect. Even within the Tongxuan Realm, he was a formidable True Person Realm expert.

Li Xun and Ling@ were talking here, so naturally, he couldn’t hide it from him. The clear light paused briefly before flying towards them, and Li Xun and the others hurried to meet him.

Mingsong was a dignified man, with phoenix eyes, long eyebrows, and three long wisps of beard, giving him the air

of a Taoist immortal. But Li Xun noticed immediately that his Third Uncle’s robe hadn’t been washed in a while, and it was wrinkled and unsightly.

Of course, Li Xun pretended not to see it.

He knew full well that his Third Uncle was shrewd in the big picture but clueless in the small, occasionally going mad over a problem with a spell. But the truth was, Mingsong was one of the Four Pillars of the Second Generation, alongside Luo Nanchuan, Mingji, and Mingji, representing the upper echelons of the Mingxin Sword Sect for the next thousand years.

Facing such a man, Li Xun dared not neglect him and bowed in due respect.

Mingsong treated Li Xun with great warmth, a fact of course due to his and Lin Ge’s shared affiliation with the Qingming sect.

Furthermore, there was the issue of Shan Zhi, a useless disciple.

Li Xun was one of the few on the mountain who could manage Shan Zhi, allowing him to cultivate in peace for a while. This filled Mingsong, feeling guilty, with immense gratitude.

After accepting the gift with composure, Mingsong helped Li Xun to his feet and said with a smile, “It’s good you’re here. The situation in the polar region

is becoming increasingly difficult. One person alone cannot withstand the overwhelming force of the enemy. Only fellow Daoist Hui Xuanzong and masters of forbidden techniques like you, Xun’er, can be most effective.” Li Xun hurriedly said he didn’t dare, but such polite remarks were merely casual. He soon inquired about the defenses along the coast.

Mingsong gestured to Ling@ to do his own thing while he led Li Xun toward the coast, explaining the situation as they walked.

As Li Xun had just witnessed, the Aurora Wall had curved inward, and the arc was even larger than Li Xun had imagined.

The straight line at the front of the arc was approximately two thousand miles long, thus reducing the force-bearing surface and increasing the depth.

Of the ten righteous sects, with the exception of the Never-Sleeping City, which was the host, and the Water Mirror Sect, which had not yet arrived, the remaining eight had each sent at least three True Person Realm masters to guard the area. Nine sects in total divided the depth into three zones: the combat zone, the buffer zone, and the security zone, each moving inwards in sequence.

Each zone was further divided into east, central, and west sections, totaling three zones and nine sections, each guarded by a rotating group of nine sects.

Today, the Bright Heart Sword Sect was in charge of the combat zone, located to the west, connecting Never-Sleeping City in the center and the Tianxing Jian Sect in the rear.

“Tianxing Jian Sect? What a coincidence!”

Li Xun thought again of Zhuang Chu, who had given him an odd feeling, and decided to find an opportunity to probe Ling@ and the others to find out more about her.

His expression remained unchanged as he nodded, “Disciple understands. Well, Third Uncle-Master, what assignment did I give you?”

Mingsong coughed lightly and said, “Of all us, your assignment is the most demanding. You’re not with us, but assigned to a mobile outpost, responsible for repairing damaged restrictions. This is a testament to the importance the elders of the various sects place on you. You must understand!”

Li Xun had been prepared for this. He frowned slightly before accepting the offer. Without further ado, he asked Mingsong about the details of the so-called mobile outpost.

Mingsong thought for a moment and said, “Everything else is fine. It’s just a bit hard work, traveling around and repairing things every day. Sometimes fellow Taoists from various sects ask for help, and you have to arrive promptly…”

He paused, then added, “But there’s one thing you must pay special attention to. Besides maintaining restrictions, the mobile outposts also have the mission of warning of the enemy. With the current devastating situation, it’s impossible to keep everyone out of the country. “

“Right now, we’re focusing on capturing the big and letting the small go. In principle, as long as they aren’t True Person Realm masters, we can let them come. As for those who are True Persons or above, if they give a signal immediately, the Daoists in charge of each district will handle them. You absolutely mustn’t act recklessly!”

This was quite similar to Qingming’s instructions, and Li Xun naturally complied, but then frowned. “Third Master, they say the King of Hell is easy to deal with, but little devils are hard to deal with. I’ve witnessed countless battles on my way here. If things keep going like this, the chaos in the polar region will probably never end…”

Mingsong shook his head and sighed. “We all know this, but recently, changes are imminent in Never-Sleeping City, and the various sects are simply adapting to the situation.”

“Changes?”

Li Xun wanted to ask again, but seeing Mingsong had no intention of further discussion, he suppressed his doubts and asked other questions.

However, after a few more words, another wave of wandering cultivators broke through the seaside barrier, and Mingsong had no choice but to leave Li Xun behind and go to block them.

Once he left, he would no longer have time to spare.

Li Xun watched from behind for a moment before finally drawing his sword and chasing after a wandering cultivator who had just broken through Mingsong’s sword blockade.

“In principle… well, it just depends on my mood!”

Li Xun had just helped Mingsong cut down two wandering cultivators and a small demon before being driven back to the Nightless City to meet the head immortal master and receive several magical instruments necessary for the mobile outpost.

Only then did Li Xun understand the reason for the smile on the head immortal master’s face when they first met.

It was clear that he had already known his assignment, but he held back, allowing Li Xun to meet his fellow disciples first as a favor. Naturally, Li Xun thanked him.

The head immortal master accepted the gift with a smile, and then assigned Li Xun the specific work of a mobile sentry. After listening to a few words, Li Xun understood why he was assigned to this position.

This was because the work of a mobile sentry, in addition to requiring a certain level of attainment in forbidden techniques, also requires a quick mind and the ability to advance and retreat.

Otherwise, if you are supposed to sound a warning, but you rush forward to die with your sword; or if you are supposed to act decisively and kill someone, but you provoke a large number of masters for a few rats, such a person would definitely not be able to be a mobile sentry.

“It seems that my image among the various sects has been fixed.”

Li Xun pondered to himself. After several years of confusion, some things are only now becoming clear to him.

It doesn’t matter if it is fixed; the key is how to be consistent.

In the evil sect, your unpredictable mood is called unfathomable, but in the upright sect, it is synonymous with deceit.

He was secretly on guard as he heard the Master in Charge say, “Other magical instruments are fine, but the most crucial ones are this ‘Changfeng Whistle’ and ‘Celestial Disc’. One is for calling for help and warning, the other for the mission’s location. You must remember these instructions carefully. I’ve just assigned you to the mobile patrol unit; perhaps a mission will come soon…”

Li Xun nodded, first taking the jade willow-leaf whistle into his arms, then picking up the Celestial Disc, which looked very much like a compass, and operating it twice with great compass precision. The Master in Charge stroked his beard and smiled, clearly very satisfied.

At that moment, a mysterious light flashed on the Celestial Disc, and the Master in Charge’s prediction came true.

The head immortal master leaned over in surprise, took a look, and sighed, “What a mess, what a mess! You’ve only just been assigned, and already it’s your turn. Hurry, go! The central battle zone is right where our sect is located. If you have any questions, the Master will be there to help you. Speaking of which, the Master has great praise for you!”

Li Xun’s brows twitched, but without further ado, he simply replied and flew north.

The location indicated by the “Central Star Disk” indicated a place where restrictions needed maintenance. Upon arriving, Li Xun saw no sign of anyone, only traces of a battle on the ground, indicating that a battle had taken place there not long ago.

The aftermath of this battle had damaged seven or eight restrictions within a radius of several miles.

Li Xun glanced around, confirming that the area was relatively safe, then crouched down to inspect the damaged restrictions.

As he had expected, while the area between Nightless City and Yemotian was nearly covered in various restrictions, few of them were truly lethal.

On the one hand, prohibitions with extremely high lethality are laborious and demanding, requiring a high degree of environmental sensitivity, making them impractical. On the other hand, these prohibitions often incorporate unique sect-specific mental techniques. Once damaged, they can only be repaired by members of the sect, resulting in a low rate of reuse.

Therefore, most of the prohibitions deployed in these areas are small, like the ones he saw now, primarily for warning and detection purposes.

These don’t require any unique techniques; any cultivator from any sect with some knowledge of prohibitions can experiment with them. Of course, achieving effective results from such modest means still depends on the skill of the individual who set them.

Li Xun found these prohibitions quite interesting.

These ordinary detection prohibitions, however, had become “sluggish” due to subtle fluctuations in the energy flow.

In Li Xun’s observation, unless a True Person Realm expert passed by, and “evil energy surged through the air,” disturbing the atmosphere, the prohibitions would remain inactive.

This restriction, considered useless elsewhere, was perfectly suited to the current situation and the various sects’ demands, and its clear reflection on the Cangxing Disk was a testament to its ingenuity.

Though simple, Li Xun could discern hints of its technique. He immediately suspected it was a means of returning to Xuanzong, otherwise it wouldn’t have been so simple yet so surprisingly effective.

Though it was his first time working on this, Li Xun handled it with considerable skill. In just a short while, he had repaired the damaged restrictions.

He stood up, about to catch his breath, when the Cangxing Disk vibrated again.

“Again?”

Li Xun finally understood the hardships of the mobile patrol, but he wasn’t in a position to refuse just yet.

Scratching his head, he glanced around, seeing the location was only a few dozen miles away. Knowing the assignment was based on proximity, he sighed and hurried towards it.

“Type…same, technique…similar, degree of damage…average, cause of damage…strong impact, and then…”

His ears twitched, and he suddenly raised his head, gazing towards the western sky.

This place was only a hundred miles from the Mingxin Sword Sect’s defense zone, and even from here, one could faintly see the sect’s sword lights, shifting through the air. Presumably, they were engaged in another battle with some powerful intruder.

Ahead, at the junction of sea and sky, against the backdrop of the eternal night sky of Yama Heaven, several incredibly gorgeous “auras” spread out, their vital energy surging continuously.

That must be the Aurora Transformation Technique unique to the City That Never Sleeps. Clearly, the battle there was also in full swing.

And then…never mind, let’s just focus on my own duties. Li Xun sneered to himself, lowered his head, and began fiddling with the restrictions on the ground.

Hundreds of fine auras, gathered under his guidance, drew vital energy, making crackling sounds that temporarily obscured the sounds of the outside world.

Watching the strands of energy fall into their predetermined orbits, Li Xun, seemingly crouched for too long, shifted slightly. At that moment, a flash of lightning flashed, startling the outer atmosphere. A hoarse whistle, followed by the deep sound of a longsword being unsheathed, echoed only a moment later.

Without warning, Li Xun swung his sword and struck diagonally.

With a clear clang, the sword light darting from his ribs was miraculously deflected. As if anticipating this, Li Xun, leveraging the momentum, pivoted in the opposite direction and struck another horizontal strike.

This one missed.

Despite misjudging the force, Li Xun remained calm. He loosened his grip, letting the jade sword fly free, and his body surged forward, doubling over and over again like a nimble ape, leaping ten feet. He then glanced back coldly, stunned by what he saw.

“Master?” The

one who had just blocked his fierce double blow was none other than Master Tianzhi, the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City, whom he had met several times before and had gifted him with

a treasure. After years apart, her figure remained unchanged, still dazzlingly beautiful.

Her slender fingers gently grasped the blade of the jade sword, and her gaze swept upward with a half-smile before meeting Li Xun’s gaze.

Li Xun quickly straightened and bowed in apology, not daring to mention the inconvenience she had caused him by her silent approach.

Master Tianzhi remained silent, exerting a slight force and tossing the jade sword back. Seeing Li Xun carefully put it away, he smiled brightly and said, “Good swordsmanship! And, it’s ruthless!”

Li Xun’s drooping face twitched slightly, and then he heard the beautiful city lord’s gentle praise: “This is a real fighting skill, very much like Mingji’s style back then. It seems that she taught you well!”

Hearing that Master Tianzhi was not unhappy with his ruthless and inappropriate move, Li Xun, after thanking him, temporarily felt relieved.

However, Master Tianzhi was, after all, the leader of a sect, so it wasn’t appropriate for her to play such a “joke” with a junior disciple.

Just as he was wondering, Master Tianzhi said calmly, “Come here, I have something to ask you.”

Li Xun was stunned, but he didn’t dare to neglect her and walked forward obediently.

Master Tianzhi didn’t look at him, but turned his head to look at the sky across the sea, which suddenly darkened.

At Li Xun’s puzzled eyes, she whispered, “You were by Niu Lishi’s side when he died.” Li Xun

‘s heart twitched, but he nodded without hesitation.

Master Tianzhi displayed her usual straightforwardness, saying without a word, “Tell me what happened back then.”

Seeing her expression, Li Xun was once again moved.

Seeing the beautiful city lord’s lips unconsciously curled into a stubborn and arrogant arc, he wondered: Could a cat swallow all the fish in the world?

His thoughts raced through his mind, but on the surface, he maintained only the most natural suspicion.

He tried to recount the events of that day in an objective tone, though he omitted certain details that shouldn’t be mentioned: the shift in Niu Li’s tone upon meeting him, and the subsequent remote conversation with Lin Wuyou.

Even so, when Venerable Tianzhi heard Niu Lishi’s repeated howling and the manner of his death, Li Xun could clearly see that her emotions seemed to break free, a chilling aura of murderous intent emanating from her.

Even the fleeting sensation sent a chill through Li Xun’s skin, who was standing not far from her.

As Li Xun double-checked his words, Venerable Tianzhi sighed softly. To the ever-sensitive Li Xun, the meaning within this sigh was complex and profound, difficult to decipher.

There must be something shady going on between her and Gu Zhixuan!

Li Xun was almost certain of this, but he still managed to feign confusion and curiosity, asking Tianzhi, “Venerable, you’ve lived alongside the Loose Cultivator Alliance for many years. Do you know what Niu Lishi meant when he said ‘he knew’?” “Who are you referring to… those?”

He almost blurted out “sluts”, but luckily he managed to get over it in time. However, Master Tianzhi did not answer him, but was thinking about his own things. Although the changes in his expression were not obvious, they still revealed a wealth of information.

Li Xun glanced at her, and his thoughts became more and more complicated.

At this moment, Tianzhi lowered her head slightly, and Li Xun saw clearly that her shoulders were trembling slightly. She… cried?

This is really… admirable, admirable!

Li Xun felt an inexplicable bitterness in his mouth, but at this time, he could only smile bitterly.

Regardless of whether Yu Sanren was alive or dead, he had to praise him for this move alone.

You know, the person in front of him is not Qingyin, who was confined to the sect for a thousand years, but the one who ruled a sect…

Yeah?

His thoughts were cut short, for as Venerable Tianzhi’s trembling shoulders intensified, Li Xun could see clearly that she wasn’t crying; she was clearly suppressing the laughter bubbling within her, struggling to hold it back.

Ultimately, Tianzhi gave in.

A hearty, resounding laugh burst forth from her throat, echoing far across the vast wasteland. There was no trace of forced or suppressed laughter, a genuine, unadulterated laugh that came from the heart.

Li Xun listened and watched, transfixed. For the first time, he felt his mind was insufficient.

He had never seen a woman, especially one as beautiful as Venerable Tianzhi, laugh so freely, almost impudently.

But this was undoubtedly another form of rare beauty.

At this moment, Venerable Tianzhi was free of all artificial pretense; she was simply open and honest, revealing her true nature.

Li Xun could tell from her laughter that she was really happy, relaxed, relieved, or even a bit of sarcastic mockery!

She had been laughing so hard that she bent over, and finally her knees were weak, and she knelt on one knee on the ground, supporting the ground with only her fingers.

Li Xun hurriedly dodged, like a fool, watching her use this amazing way to vent her emotions.

She should know something better than me… Li Xun was extremely sure of this.

Master Tianzhi did not notice the trouble her laughter caused to Li Xun, and even if she noticed, she would not care.

Perhaps she had laughed enough, her laughter gradually subsided, but she still did not straighten up, but stared blankly at the frozen ground under her hands, without saying a word for a long time.

Li Xun was so embarrassed that he could only kill time by stealing glances.

Since they were in the wild, Tianzhi’s outfit was mainly neat and refreshing. Her hair was tied in a simple bun, her silky black hair cascading down her shoulders. She wore a plain cotton gown, lightly tied with a gold and jade sash, a graceful and elegant expression. However, half-kneeling on the ground, the delicate gown inevitably became stained with snow and mud. Li Xun’s gaze dropped, and he saw a few bloodstains on it, glaring against the silvery white background.

The bloodstains completely sobered Li Xun from his fascination with women.

This wasn’t a garden to admire flowers and beauty, after all, but a chaotic battlefield.

He was about to say something when Venerable Tianzhi spoke first: “You go ahead. Thank you for today’s…!”

Her tone was slightly more measured and solemn, yet she maintained that strange posture.

Li Xun, sensing his insignificance, replied without further ado, then took a few steps back. Just as he was about to fly away, he heard Tianzhi’s gentle call.

“Rumor has it that you often fight with the Taoist Bai Gui of the Ghost Shadow Sect?”

“Uh, yes.”

“How do you feel about it? I mean, his “Shadow Puppet” that is said to appear and disappear mysteriously.”

Li Xun’s forehead was slightly sweaty.

Not to mention how fast Tian Zhi’s thoughts jumped, the most troublesome thing is, how can anyone compare Ling Zhu with Bai Gui? If they keep comparing like this, sooner or later something bad will happen!

“This, my disciple has suffered losses, but I have never seen it seriously.” Li Xun said while organizing his words, being extremely careful: “Bai Gui never shows the “Shadow Puppet” in front of people. They use it for sneak attacks or escape at critical moments…”

He wanted to say something irrelevant, but saw Tian Zhi slowly stand up, not looking at him, but just waved his hand. Li Xun understood and stopped talking, saluted again, and flew into the sky.

Before leaving, he stole another glance and saw Venerable Tianzhi raise her face slightly, facing the eternal polar light, and then slightly close her eyes.

In that moment, she seemed to enjoy the wind that roared down from the sea, still carrying the smell of sea and blood. This wind blew away all the burdens and pressures on her body, leaving her with an incomparable tranquility and composure.

At this moment, Li Xun could no longer understand her.