Chapter 23
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Chapter 23: The Higher Magic Rises, the Higher the Tao Ascends
The ancient and simple gate slowly closed as it lost the support of obsession.
In this moment, the immense pressure wandering between heaven and earth disappeared completely, leaving only the seemingly ordinary key still lying in Bai Lian’s palm.
The world was very quiet.
Blade-like snowflakes regained their gentle nature.
Drifting and fluttering, gradually erasing the scars on the earth.
For a moment, Bai Lian thought she had arrived at the North Luzhou Snowfield, where the cold was bone-chilling.
If the story hadn’t still been circulating, no one would have imagined that a fierce battle had broken out here, would they?
The eldest princess reached out to catch a strand of blue feather falling slowly from high in the sky.
She said softly, "In the end, he was unable to achieve his goal."
Bai Lian shook her head, "Actually, he was very close."
Never mind.
Now is not the time to discuss such matters.
"I will share with you the ins and outs of the matter once Spiritual Path Master is resolved. However, it is entirely up to you to decide whether to listen and believe or not. For now…"
Bai Lian grabbed the right hand of the eldest princess.
She gathered the loose sleeves, revealing her snowy white wrist.
The cold wind swept, causing the palms to flush with a pleasing hue despite being frozen.
Click.
Bai Lian slapped the key to the Gate of All Living Beings in the palm of the eldest princess, helping her to close her five fingers one by one.
"This is the Gate of All Living Beings. For a short period, I cannot refine it myself, but you are different. You are connected to Xu Pan through blood. He just used the last remaining obsession to protect you. From now on, let him leave this gate to continue protecting you."
Having said that, Bai Lian took the other hand of the eldest princess and flew towards the depths of the vast wilderness.
The wild wind was rolling.
The sky was dark as ink.
It seemed as if she had flown from daytime to nighttime.
That day was extremely cold indeed.
At a certain moment, warm fingers reached from behind and gently pinched the corner of her clothes.
"I don’t know what happened between you and Xu Pan, my feelings are somewhat complicated, but there is something I believe you didn’t deceive me about."
Bai Lian didn’t look back, and asked softly, "What?"
The eldest princess said, "After defeating the Spiritual Path Master, Xu Pan asked you if all of this was planned by you?"
Bai Lian immediately denied, "No."
"Hmm."
The hand of the eldest princess slid along the way and finally pressed tightly against Bai Lian’s back.
This is the intimate contact of a warm hearth and a cold ice.
"You answered like that at that time too."
A breath of hot air blew on Bai Lian’s nape, and she shuddered slightly.
"I believe you would not lie about this matter. The Bai Lian I know is not the kind of person who conspires and plots all day long. Your body is white, and I believe your heart is also pure. If you were really that kind of person, you wouldn’t have fought against me for Yu Ying, nor would you be an enemy with Marquis Wu’an."
To be honest, these words moved Bai Lian.
Look!
What is called a discerning eye? This is a discerning eye!
No wonder she could get so close to the eldest princess.
If everyone in the world believed that she was just an innocent and harmless little Bai Lian, she wouldn’t have encountered so many troubles, would she?
Life is difficult…
Um.
Bai Lian’s body suddenly stiffened.
She was gently hit by the soon-to-melt "ice cream"!
Immediately, the smooth cheek lightly pressed against her back.
Behind her, the young girl spoke in a very serious tone, "The you that I know, if you really killed Xu Pan, would definitely admit it directly instead of cursing at me like earlier. If you curse at me, it shows that there is another hidden reason behind this."
"…"
Bai Lian slightly opened her mouth.
She had to admit that the eldest princess spoke very sensibly, and had to admit that the eldest princess’s eyes were like torches.
However, the words still sounded strange!
If I scold you, does it imply that there’s another hidden situation?
In the end, Bai Lian suppressed the urge to comment and nodded lightly, "Hmm."
The eldest princess said, "Tell me everything when we get back. There’s no need to waste any more time on me now. Go to the Taixuan Taoist Sect."
"Okay."
Go to the Taixuan Taoist Sect.
Bai Lian took a deep breath.
Though the mountains are high and the roads are far, and despite the obstacles along the way, now that everything is clear and she has come this far, it’s time to write an ending to this story that spans thousands of years!
At this moment, her heart is still filled with anger.
However, after a brief exchange with the eldest princess, the anger no longer raged chaotically as before.
With the surging spirit Qi brewing inside her, Bai Lian flew towards the Taixuan Taoist Sect at full speed.
Even though her body trembled under pressure, she still maintained a high speed.
Viewed from high above, she looked like a white fireworks drifting through the long night.
This flame, ignited the silent Da Mang Mountain, set ablaze the uninhabited wilderness for miles around, and even burned the already covered-by-flames Taixuan Taoist Sect.
December 29th.
Night.
The night was deep, and after the sun had set, it seemed it would never rise again.
Although the next day was New Year’s Eve, there was no festive atmosphere in the Taixuan Taoist Sect.
The shattered blue light shield was filled with screams as blood and fire became the perfect seasoning for the sound.
The most striking thing was the Taixuan Taoist Sect’s Immortal Summoning Altar.
It is the dwelling place of the immortal instrument Phaseless Fire Phoenix Bell, where the predecessors of the Taixuan Taoist Sect ascended and where the ancestors of the Taixuan Taoist Sect are buried.
But now it has turned into a sea of blood.
The red and black aura weaves into a huge net, rushing back and forth like a plow on the Immortal Summoning Altar.
The disciples who originally guarded this place from the Taixuan Taoist Sect have long turned into fertilizer, and later people who arrived, such as Qingxuan Sword Master, although fought to the death, could never break through the trap.
"If the Phaseless Fire Phoenix Bell were still here, things would definitely not be like this."
"The inheritance, the inheritance of ten thousand years, was almost destroyed in an instant!"
"The Demon of the Outer Realm, I will fight you all!"
The Immortal Summoning Altar became a chaotic mess.
The courageous disciples of the Taixuan Taoist Sect risked their lives and charged towards the overwhelming demonic energy.
But at this moment, the unyielding giant web suddenly showed abnormality.
Shockingly, it automatically dissipated without any attack from outsiders!
Like a popped balloon, the condensed demon energy began to scatter and escape.
The disciples of the Taixuan Taoist Sect immediately halted their movements, fearing accidentally damaging the Immortal Summoning Altar.
"What’s going on?"
They looked around in confusion, completely unaware of what had happened.
It seemed that not only the demonic energy near the Immortal Summoning Altar dissipated, but the demonic energy that had already penetrated deep into the Taixuan Taoist Sect also withdrew at this moment.
This is too eerie!
The Demon of the Outer Realm seized the opportunity to launch an attack on the Taixuan Taoist Sect, targeting the shattered Phaseless Fire Phoenix Bell. They were on the brink of completely crushing the sect, so why would they suddenly withdraw?
It’s a deception.
Few could help but suspect that the Demon of the Outer Realm’s temporary retreat was simply preparation for a deeper and more devastating assault.
This strike would utterly demolish the Taixuan Taoist Sect!
With such thoughts in mind, including Qingxuan Sword Master, everyone dared not let their guard down, they stared intensely at the moon which was mostly shrouded by thick dark clouds.
Time passed slowly.
A moment.
Ten moments.
One hundred breaths.
After a long time, someone finally raised a question, "Did the Demon of the Outer Realm truly leave?"
Someone immediately cautioned, "Be careful!"
The person asked again, "Our strength is completely inferior to that of the Demon of the Outer Realm. If they insist on destroying our Taixuan Taoist Sect, there is no need for them to use any underhanded tactics."
"Although that may be said, we still cannot let our guard down."
"Then let’s wait again… No, what is that?!"
After a sudden cry, everyone’s gaze was focused on a red dot in the sky.
It was getting closer.
The red dot was getting closer.
At this moment, even those whose soul has been damaged and cannot explore with Divine Sense, can clearly see that red dot.
It is clearly a person wrapped in blood!
"Spiritual Path Master?!" Qingxuan Sword Master’s face changed drastically, "I thought he was already dead?"
More and more people recognized the person in the red dot.
"Old Path Master?"
"How come Spiritual Path Master isn’t dead yet?"
Everyone was surprised.
At that time, there were at least hundreds of people present, all of whom witnessed Spiritual Path Master being cut into pieces by Xu Pan.
That could never be an illusion.
With a shattered body, dispersed soul, and no breath left, how could Spiritual Path Master still be alive at this point?
It’s unbelievable!
Ah!
Shocked, no one thought to stop Spiritual Path Master.
Everyone watched helplessly as Spiritual Path Master flew past them.
The once stately elder now looked completely different, his robes stained with blood spatters, his eyes bloodshot like he was sick, and his smile twisted into a maniacal grin.
"I’ve arrived, finally arrived, hahaha…"
Spiritual Path Master transformed into a bloody light and descended onto the Immortal Summoning Altar.
He walked unsteadily, struggling to maintain his balance, but his speed was not slow at all.
After a few seconds, he finally arrived in front of a towering tombstone.
Here it is!
Eyes of the Spiritual Path Master lit up. He instinctively reached out his newly regenerated left arm and embraced the tombstone.
Click.
Qingxuan Sword Master clenched his fist unconsciously.
He looked closely, and it was clearly his Master’s tombstone.
What he saw more clearly was the "simple and honest" smile on Spiritual Path Master’s face.
Simple and honest?
Under the pressure of anger, there were countless electric currents in his palms flickering on and off.
The people who had come to watch the excitement were stunned as they were inexplicably involved in the dispute, staring blankly at the scene before them.
"Is this the Spiritual Path Master?"
Isn’t this an ugly old madman?
But to be serious, the appearance of the Spiritual Path Master is quite similar to that of the present Immortal Summoning Altar.
Suddenly, someone shouted loudly in the open space.
"Someone is coming!"
The crowd moved their gaze away from Spiritual Path Master.
This time, a more dazzling white spot flew from the horizon.
Behind this white spot trailed a long white tail, like a shooting star streaking across the sky.
"It’s White Emperor Bai Lian!"
It’s unclear who shouted first, but the atmosphere, which was somewhat somber and repressed, suddenly boiled over.
With Bai Lian around, there’s no need to be afraid of the Demon of the Outer Realm anymore, is there?
Bai Lian came to a halt outside the Taixuan Taoist Sect.
Despite the countless gazes fixed on her, she refrained from charging into the sect at the first opportunity.
This marked her first glimpse of the world’s foremost Daoist sect.
After all, as a top-level sect that had inherited its traditions for thousands of years, despite the trials and tribulations, it was still grandiose and magnificent.
This is something that the Duxian sect could never catch up with, no matter what.
However…
Gong Xuexin’s name flashed through Bai Lian’s mind.
This innocent girl came out of the mountains and established the Duxian sect to better protect others, but she was not able to achieve her goal and was ambushed during an outing.
The sword mark slashed across her snow-white back, and no matter how hard she tried, she could not erase it.
In the end, in order to avoid Qi deviation and harm the people she cared about, she chose to end her own life.
Pitiful and tragic.
Bai Lian’s mind was filled with memories of the former sect leader Yan Xiyi.
At the lowest point of the Duxian sect, he took over the position of sect leader and slowly nurtured the Duxian sect with his enthusiasm and sincerity, when it only had one Transcendency Stage cultivator.
It was because of him that other members of the Duxian sect had the confidence to shout out the words "restore the former glory of the Duxian sect, it is our responsibility".
Yan Xiyi is not only a good sect leader, but also a truly good person.
Despite the danger of retaliation, he is willing to help ordinary people who are oppressed by evil demons.
This is the path of the Duxian sect – the flame of justice passed on, soaring without ceasing!
Perhaps it is precisely because of this that the master and Martial Sisters were fated to meet in the Duxian sect, even after a thousand repetitions.
In comparison, the Spiritual Path Master is just a mediocre individual.
He may be strong, but what of it?
Behold the desolate scene, the once great Taixuan Taoist Sect has been divided under his leadership, the ancestral immortal treasure is now destroyed, and even the mountain gate has been ruined.
If the ancestors of the Taixuan Taoist Sect knew of this, who knows what they would feel?
At the very least, Bai Lian doesn’t wish to tolerate any of it today.
She intends to ignite another blazing white flame upon this ruin!
Her gaze pierced through the long night and landed on the Spiritual Path Master, who was tightly holding onto a tombstone.
As if sensing something, at that moment, the Spiritual Path Master abruptly turned around and locked eyes with her.
"I’m here."
Bai Lian’s lips moved gently.
Spiritual Path Master instinctively took a step back, causing the tombstone to fall with him onto the ground.
Bang!
This resounding sound shattered the dreams of many people.
They suddenly realized that Bai Lian had not come for the Demon of the Outer Realm, but for the purpose of finding the Spiritual Path Master.
Xu Pan once said that the founder of the Duxian sect, Gong Xuexin, was killed by Spiritual Path Master’s ambush.
"…"
The surroundings were silent, and no one spoke loudly.
Everyone, including the Demon Lord and the Demon of the Outer Realm concealed in the void, was waiting for Bai Lian’s next move.
"Is this the second time? Back at Da Mang Mountain, you also advised me not to act."
The Demon Lord responded indifferently, "She is very dangerous. She can play Xu Pan around in circles. Who can guarantee that she didn’t calculate you and me in her plans?"
"You are too cautious."
"Carefulness avoids great mistakes. We came to find the Monument of the Next World. Since the Monument is not here, there’s no need to continue entangling ourselves."
"Shall we continue watching here then?"
The Demon Lord brushed his sleeve and said, "No, if she discovers us, we’ll definitely have trouble."
"Alright then, I will listen to you for now."
The Demon of the Outer Realm’s ugly face was filled with regret.
He muttered to himself, "How come the Monument of the Next World is not in the Taixuan Taoist Sect, it’s strange."
The two of them went into the shade one after the other.
It was precisely at this moment that Bai Lian walked up to the eldest princess.
The girl looked up and said, "Be careful."
Bai Lian’s face lit up with a subtle smile, half warm and half confident.
"Rest assured, you wait here and I will go slay the demon!"
She will slay the demon with a human face and a monster’s heart!
The evening breeze carried the sound, making it audible to everyone.
"Slaying demon?"
The Demon Lord, whose figure had not completely dissipated, stopped in his tracks. He chewed on the phrase for a moment, then looked at the Demon of the Outer Realm standing before him and shook his head before continuing forward.
The Taixuan Taoist Sect boiled over with excitement.
The words "demon" pierced the hearts of many.
As Bai Lian walked towards the Spiritual Path Master, someone immediately appeared and blocked her way, saying in a low voice:
"Fairy Bai Lian, this is the Taixuan Taoist Sect!"
Bai Lian replied calmly, "I know."
"This…"
The man extended his right hand, his foot continuously trembling.
He couldn’t read anything from those clear eyes.
Over time, he felt as if his soul was going to be frozen.
Has Xu Pan become as strong as a monster, how could he withstand against Bai Lian who is even more powerful than Xu Pan?
Snap.
His hand finally dropped, and he took a half step back to the left, then looked at Bai Lian as she walked away with a dejected expression.
The old grievances will be repaid today!
Clatter.
The crisp sound of Bai Lian’s short boots could be heard as they stomped on the ruins of the Taixuan Taoist Sect.
It was like the tolling of a death knell, striking at the hearts of the people over and over again.
No one stepped forward, and even when Bai Lian approached, those people all instinctively took a step back.
It’s too frigid.
Although flames were burning on Bai Lian, they felt like they were in an icy cave.
This is not an illusion.
As Bai Lian approached the Immortal Summoning Altar, it began snowing heavily.
The falling snow quickly buried the fierceness of the Taixuan Taoist Sect and made the already pale beard of the Spiritual Path Master even whiter.
Before the Immortal Summoning Altar.
Bai Lian was intercepted by Qingxuan Sword Master.
The girl remained calm as always, even though her body was in pain, she walked calmly.
She stared at Qingxuan Sword Master without showing any signs of giving up.
She said indifferently, "Is even Qingxuan Sword Master going to stop me?"
Her words were as sharp as a sword.
Qingxuan Sword Master, who was trained in swordsmanship, felt it more keenly.
He moved his lips for a while, but eventually withdrew.
"I earnestly request White Emperor Bai Lian, in consideration of my protection of the eldest princess, not to destroy the ancestors’ tombs of the Taixuan Taoist Sect!"
Qingxuan Sword Master bowed deeply.
This scene was touching, for he, who was proud, never admitted his mistakes when facing his master.
Perhaps it was for this reason that his master felt he was not calm enough.
Now, he has founded the Taiqing Taoist Sect, but he is still a member of the Taixuan Taoist Sect.
"Okay."
Bai Lian walked past Qingxuan Sword Master.
She never imagined she would arrive at the Taixuan Taoist Sect in this way and meet such a Spiritual Path Master.
Old man, a tombstone, a sneaky laugh.
The corners of Bai Lian’s mouth also curved into a smile, "Spiritual Path Master, do you still want to continue gambling with me?"
Spiritual Path Master looked up.
His gaze revealed a sense of confusion.
After a long while, he seemed to recall something, and he pointed at Bai Lian with his hand.
"Do you want to gamble? You are not qualified to gamble with me. I am the sect leader of the Taixuan Taoist Sect, personally chosen by my master. No one is more qualified than me to sit in this position. Neither you nor Qingxuan can compare to me! Only I can lead the Taixuan Taoist Sect toward eternity. What are you ants doing here? Why don’t you come and take this crazy woman to the Abyss for execution?"
As he spoke, the Spiritual Path Master began to roar in anger.
But no one listened to him anymore, not even his staunch supporters were firm as ice at the moment.
Spiritual Path Master stood up and hurled invective, "Worthless, all of you worthless people! How dare you defy me! It’s outrageous. Ha ha ha, what a mistake I made! Never mind, since you betray me, don’t blame me for being impolite. I’ll cultivate Immortal Foundation here, I’ll slaughter all you traitors, and then I’ll create a brand new Taixuan Taoist Sect!"
He burst into laughter, and the blood-red lines on his face eventually bound him entirely, looking like shackles from afar.
Bai Lian sensed something ominous.
She no longer remained, carrying an immense power, and pierced through the body of Spiritual Path Master like a giant dragon!
The fresh blood was completely evaporated.
A gaping hole appeared in the chest of Spiritual Path Master, yet he kept laughing, spewing more and more blood from his mouth.
"This won’t be enough to kill me, neither Xu Pan nor you can. I’ve long merged my soul with the item spirit of Phaseless Fire Phoenix Bell. How else do you think it could be so easily shattered? Unless you can bring forth the true Way of the Great Tao, you will never be able to completely kill me!"
His body twisted endlessly, ultimately turning pitch black, even the flames of the Fire Phoenix became dark blaze.
At this very moment, the Spiritual Path Master has truly fallen into the demonic path. He looks even more terrifying than the Demon of the Outer Realm!
"Master Path?!"
"Spiritual Path Master, you?"
"What is going on here?"
Countless calls sounded beside the Immortal Summoning Altar.
Some were fearful, others confused.
Only Bai Lian calmed down after her chest heaved a few times.
She stood in the midst of the black fog, calm as if strolling leisurely, "As long as it is the true way of the Great Tao, can it kill you?"
Spiritual Path Master laughed heartily, "The Tao is profound and unfathomable!"
Bai Lian smiled faintly, "So be it, as you wish."
