Volume 1 Volume 6 Chapter 118

Volume 6 Chapter 118: Breaking Apart (Part 3)

With the "World Defying Sword" piercing Zhang Hualing’s chest, his essence, blood, and soul were being absorbed by it. His already aged face grew even older, filled with pain.

However, Xu Qingfan’s condition was also extremely dangerous. Although he was not on the verge of death like Zhang Hualing, he was in a more perilous situation, as he was now on the edge of being completely corrupted by darkness.

Just a moment ago, Xu Qingfan was completely focused on wanting to kill Zhang Hualing. Without much thought, he took out the "World Defying Sword" to deal with Zhang Hualing’s attacking blood mist, forgetting the powerful dark magic contained within the "World Defying Sword," and also forgetting that the "Demon Orb" was desperately trying to take control of his mind.

The moment the "World Defying Sword" was in Xu Qingfan’s hand, he felt a sudden surge of intense violent desire to kill, overwhelming the clarity he had maintained with the help of the "Holy Spirit Buddhist Relic." The dark mist around him grew stronger, and the "Demon Orb" and "World Defying Sword," both dark treasures, responded to each other. The power of the "World Defying Sword" increased greatly, instantly breaking through Zhang Hualing’s blood mist. At the same time, the speed at which the "Demon Orb" assimilated Xu Qingfan’s body increased remarkably, and in a short moment, over two-thirds of the "Demon Orb" had merged into Xu Qingfan, completely shattering the balance of good and evil energy within him.

The defense of the "Holy Spirit Buddhist Relic" around Xu Qingfan’s mind was quickly shattered under the combined force of the "Demon Orb" and "World Defying Sword." Emotions such as the desire to kill, evil, and arrogance, reflecting the dark sides of humanity, continuously assaulted Xu Qingfan’s mind. These feelings mixed with his emotions, thoughts, and memories, trying to completely take control of Xu Qingfan’s mind.

Xu Qingfan’s body trembled as he took out several bottles of calming potions from his sleeve and poured them all into his mouth. With the help of the medicine, he forced himself to use a strong will to suppress the rising Demon Thoughts in his heart. However, these Demon Thoughts were incredibly powerful, formed from thousands of years of human resentment, and could not be resisted by mere human strength. Although Xu Qingfan did his best, threads of Demon Thoughts continued to wash over his mind, gradually merging with it, leaving him in great pain.

The situation was urgent. At this moment, Xu Qingfan needed to find a place to meditate and suppress the Demon Thoughts, merging with the "Holy Spirit Buddhist Relic," or he would surely fall into darkness.

Taking a deep breath, Xu Qingfan gathered all his strength to suppress the Demon Thoughts in his mind, trying to stay clear-headed as he looked at Zhang Hualing.

At this moment, under the influence of the "World Defying Sword," Zhang Hualing was reduced to mere skin and bones, his hair fallen out, growing even older, but his eyes regained the clarity Xu Qingfan was familiar with; he was just not far from death—a true twist of fate.

Xu Qingfan trembled as he slowly walked towards Zhang Hualing, pulling the "World Defying Sword" from his body. It felt so hot that he instantly tucked the "World Defying Sword" back into his sleeve.

Then, Xu Qingfan looked at Zhang Hualing, waiting for his last words with the little time left; this was the only thing he could do right now.

Zhang Hualing’s body shook even more than Xu Qingfan’s. Trembling, he took out a jade token from his sleeve. It had the words "Jiuhua" carved on it, symbolizing his identity as the Master of Jiuhua.

"Give this token to Li Yuhan and do your best to help him become the new sect leader of Jiuhua. But you, in your current state, are not fit to be the Master of Jiuhua. The demonic energy around you is too strong; the righteous path will not accept you anymore. I can no longer help you. You must walk your own path from now on. Do not forget you came from Jiuhua, and if anything happens in the future, please help Jiuhua."

Zhang Hualing handed the jade token to Xu Qingfan while speaking. At first, his words were broken, but soon they flowed more smoothly, like a last burst of light.

Xu Qingfan fought to suppress the crazy thoughts in his mind that wanted to destroy everything. He accepted the jade token from Zhang Hualing’s hand and nodded to him, showing that he would honor Zhang Hualing’s last wish.

The moment Xu Qingfan nodded, Zhang Hualing slowly closed his eyes. His hand, raised in the air, suddenly dropped to the ground. He died just like that, with a hint of a smile on his lips, as if mocking the complicated twists of his life.

Xu Qingfan looked deeply at the dead Zhang Hualing but felt no hesitation. He turned to leave immediately. He had to suppress the Demon Thoughts inside him; otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable, and he wouldn’t even have time to bury Zhang Hualing.

However, just as Xu Qingfan turned, a familiar voice suddenly echoed powerfully in the air.

"You thief! How dare you kill my Master of Jiuhua! Don’t run away; settle this with me!"

Xu Qingfan’s body trembled; it was Jin Qinghan’s voice.

With Jin Qinghan’s voice echoing, golden light scattered across the world. Countless golden lotuses suddenly appeared from the sky, gently floating down to the ground, then transforming into tiny specks of light that disappeared into the air. Buddha chants and celestial music filled the air, creating a scene of peace mixed with solemn holiness before Xu Qingfan’s eyes.

Jin Qinghan! How could Jin Qinghan appear at this moment! And with such power, it was clear that he had become a master of cultivation, rivaling Xu Qingfan!

Xu Qingfan had been worried for Jin Qinghan’s safety these past days, but now that Jin Qinghan had appeared, Xu Qingfan felt no joy. Instead, under the influence of Demon Thought, he felt an intense urge to tear Jin Qinghan apart. This urge was so strong that Xu Qingfan’s body almost uncontrollably turned to face Jin Qinghan, its demonic power unleashing a wave of hostility.

The golden light falling from the sky, although filled with heavy Buddhist energy, did not cleanse Xu Qingfan of the demonic energy and Demon Thought within him. Instead, it caused the demonic energy and Demon Thought inside him to react even more fiercely. Despite Xu Qingfan’s effort to stay awake, he nearly collapsed.

In the next moment, Jin Qinghan, standing on golden lotuses, suddenly appeared before Xu Qingfan. He looked at Zhang Hualing’s lifeless body nearby and then at the figure shrouded in demonic energy and endless black mist, anger and killing intent flashing in his eyes.

Earlier, from a distance, Jin Qinghan hadn’t heard Zhang Hualing’s instructions to Xu Qingfan. He only saw Xu Qingfan kill Zhang Hualing with a sword, and then prepare to leave. Shrouded in demonic energy, Jin Qinghan assumed the newcomer was a master of the dark arts and didn’t recognize Xu Qingfan.

But as Jin Qinghan studied Xu Qingfan carefully, complicated feelings surged within him—feelings of deep familiarity and trust, like they could share everything and risk their lives for one another; yet there was also a strong dislike, an urge to kill the person before him immediately.

This feeling was quite normal. Though Xu Qingfan’s figure was obscured by the demonic energy, Jin Qinghan was one of the most familiar people with Xu Qingfan in this world, naturally feeling a connection. However, the cultivation method he practiced conflicted with Xu Qingfan, fueling his dislike and killing intent due to its influence.

Xu Qingfan struggled to suppress his urge to kill Jin Qinghan and turned to leave. There was too much to explain in a short time. Under Jin Qinghan’s influence, his transformation into darkness was quickening, and he had to get away immediately. Furthermore, under the influence of Demon Thought, he might truly draw his sword against Jin Qinghan.

However, beneath the very complicated emotions in Jin Qinghan’s heart, he felt extremely uncomfortable. Seeing Xu Qingfan ignore him and prepare to leave only made his anger grow stronger. He raised his hand, sending a golden light toward Xu Qingfan, and shouted, "You consider yourself a grandmaster, yet you hide your true self? Show me who you really are!"

When Jin Qinghan attacked him, Xu Qingfan instinctively wanted to fight back due to the interference of Demon Thought, but he managed to suppress his impulses and killing intent with his surprisingly strong willpower.

However, because of this, Xu Qingfan momentarily froze and couldn’t avoid the golden light coming from Jin Qinghan. The golden light was blocked by the magical mist around him, so it didn’t truly hurt him, but it did cause him to step back three or four steps.

Nevertheless, the golden light also dispersed the dark mist around Xu Qingfan.

What Jin Qinghan saw before him was a face he was very familiar with yet also very strange. It was familiar because the face revealed was Xu Qingfan’s. It was strange because at that moment, Xu Qingfan’s eyes glowed with darkness, his expression was fierce, and his face was covered with strange black patterns that were very eerie.

Xu Qingfan!?

It’s actually Xu Qingfan!?

This Demon Master, who killed the Master of Jiuhua, is actually Xu Qingfan!?

Jin Qinghan’s only brother in this life?

Why is it him?

Bitter? Horrifying? Incredible? Even despair?

At the moment Jin Qinghan saw Xu Qingfan’s true self, he was stunned, his mind was in chaos, and he couldn’t even explain it to himself.

Xu Qingfan and Jin Qinghan stared at each other, time seemed to stop at that moment; it was only an instant, yet it felt like they had been looking at each other for thousands of years.

Jin Qinghan still had not recovered from the shock.

Then, Xu Qingfan broke the silence, completely ignoring Jin Qinghan, turning away and speeding off, becoming a streak of black light, rushing into the distance; he didn’t know what he might do that he would regret for a lifetime if he stayed any longer.

After what felt like a long time, or maybe just a moment, Jin Qinghan finally came to his senses from the shock, and without any hesitation, he chased after the direction Xu Qingfan had gone.

As he chased, he called out.

"Xu Qingfan! What happened to you? Give me a reason, why are you doing this?"

Unfortunately, Xu Qingfan flew on, and in an instant, he was beyond "Ronghua Mountain," his speed increasing instead of slowing down. Thanks to "Flying Satin," the distance between him and Jin Qinghan grew wider and wider.

"Tell me! Why are you doing this? What happened?"

Jin Qinghan shouted again, but Xu Qingfan still ignored him.

Finally, Xu Qingfan vanished from Jin Qinghan’s sight. Jin Qinghan stood in the air, confused, looking towards the direction where Xu Qingfan had disappeared. He mumbled to himself, "You need to tell me what’s going on. We are brothers; we should face everything together, right? Just say it, and I will believe you without questions. But why won’t you say anything…"

Usually proud and strong, at this moment, his voice sounded strangely weak, like a child who needed comfort.

Suddenly, Jin Qinghan jolted, and he heard Xu Qingfan’s voice near his ear.

"If we are brothers, then no matter what happens in the future, trust me!"

…

Meanwhile, at the distant "Black Glory Valley," five days after escaping under Zhang Xusheng’s orders, the three Grandmasters of the Righteous Alliance—Immortal Zizhen, Mr. Liu, and Li Fulu—finally returned.

What amazed the cultivators of the Righteous Alliance was that Zhang Xusheng was also perfectly unharmed, staying close to Zizhen and the others, chatting easily with Mr. Liu, as if the fierce battle they had fought before was with someone else.

Looking at the somewhat disheveled members of the Righteous Alliance, Immortal Zizhen knew that Zhang Xusheng’s subordinates had indeed escaped, just as Zhang Xusheng had said. After hearing Scholar Buxing recount the whole story, Immortal Zizhen sighed lightly and waved him away, then asked Zhang Xusheng, who was discussing crafting techniques with Mr. Liu, "Daoist Friend Zhang, can you now tell me where the headquarters of the ‘Ming’ organization is?"

Zhang Xusheng smiled slightly, just about to say something, when the main forces of the Righteous Alliance suddenly erupted into chaos. Immortal Zizhen and the others couldn’t help but frown and looked towards the source of the commotion.

They saw several elderly men running clumsily towards them. Immortal Zizhen recognized them as the elders of Jiuhua; leading them was Jiuhua’s Supreme Protector, Gongsun Huasa.

"Seniors, you must seek justice for Jiuhua and avenge our sect leader!"

Gongsun Huasa came before the four Grandmasters and unexpectedly knelt down, disregarding his own dignity, crying out with a voice that was filled with sorrow.

Immortal Zizhen and the others were momentarily taken aback, sensing that something serious had happened. They hurriedly asked, "Daoist Friend Gongsun, please rise. What has happened? Please tell us slowly."

"Seniors, take a look at this, and you will understand."

Gongsun Huasa wiped his eyes, unsure if there were any tears, and took out a thumb-sized blue bug from his sleeve.

"Shadow Tear Worm!"

"It is actually a Shadow Tear Worm!"

"Does Jiuhua really have this kind of thing in its collection?"

The Shadow Tear Worm is one of the most unusual bugs in the world. Each time it gives birth, it has one male and one female. The female worm will cry non-stop after giving birth, and its tears can turn into pearls. The most amazing thing is that even if they are millions of miles apart, the male worm can see whatever the female worm sees through the pearls made from her tears.

Gongsun Huasa used his energy to squeeze out a tear from the female worm. After it turned into a pearl, he handed it to Immortal Zizhen in front of him, sobbing, "My sect leader was actually killed by that traitor Xu Qingfan!"

Everyone was shocked by his words!