Chapter 281

Chapter 281: Li Ruoshui and Lin Qianmo

At the western borderlands, Ye Xu stepped out from a void. Looking back, his eyes met only desolation and deathly silence; compared to the moment he had first entered the western borderlands, it was truly a Change of the World overnight.

The bizarre rules of the Burial Soil were spreading throughout the entire western borderlands, an area spanning hundreds of millions of li. Once these rules completely invaded the western borderlands, it would transform into forbidden territory, and might even continue to erode the Yuan Realm.

Ye Xu’s figure flickered, and half an hour later, he returned to Linglong City.

With a single thought, Lian Jiuyou was released from his Purple Palace.

“Many thanks for your lifesaving kindness, Daoist brother. I, Lian Jiuyou, will never forget this debt.” Lian Jiuyou bowed deeply, a trace of fear and anger still concealed within his eyes.

Ye Xu said lightly, “It was merely a matter of convenience. Don’t mention it.”

“Wise brother, you are knowledgeable and experienced. Could you tell me, where did that monster possessing the… Emperor Father… truly come from? Is my Emperor Father truly dead?”

Lian Jiuyou still clung to a sliver of hope.

“Dead.”

Ye Xu answered impassively. What had taken over the body of the Green Lotus Demon Emperor was not a person, but the Burial Soil. Or, it could be called the rules of the Burial Soil — one of the most bizarre forces in the world.

Those Emperor Venerables who were reputed to have obtained a second life were ultimately nothing more than puppets driven by these rules.

Lian Jiuyou’s shoulders trembled, his fists clenched tightly.

“The world spread the belief that the Burial Soil could grant a second life. Even Senior Sister Lin trusted this completely. But now it seems, it was just a trap.”

Lian Jiuyou mocked himself, “A generation’s Great Emperor, ultimately reduced to a puppet.”

“How utterly tragic.”

“Daoist friend, the western borderlands have now fallen to the Burial Soil, the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom is destroyed. Have you considered what path you will walk from now on?” Ye Xu asked.

Lian Jiuyou looked dazed; he was utterly destitute and homeless.

“I ask the Daoist brother to guide me,” Lian Jiuyou clasped his hands respectfully.

“In this world, the forces capable of resisting the Burial Soil can be counted on one hand.” Ye Xu smiled, “As for exactly what to do… I shouldn’t need to spell it out, right?”

Lian Jiuyou’s eyes flashed with fierce light, his expression greatly shaken. “Many thanks, Daoist brother, for the guidance.”

“Only…”

He stammered, “Only, my cultivation is weak and lowly. In my entire lifetime, I fear I will never possess anything that could stir the interest of the Senior that might help me achieve my wish.”

Though the world is vast, there was only one Heaven’s Secret Pavilion that could offer him hope.

Beyond that, those ancient divine clans, Dawn City, the Three Thousand Immortal Islands, the Temple of Ten Thousand Paths… before the Burial Soil, they were insignificant, easily destroyed with a wave of the hand.

“That requires your own consideration.” Ye Xu’s voice came through even as he vanished without a trace.

He left Lian Jiuyou standing alone, dazed on the spot.

“Working for Heaven’s Secret Pavilion offers at least a sliver of hope. The Senior’s cultivation transcends the heavens; while I remain in Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, the rules of the Burial Soil cannot reach here.”

“Brother Ye is right. Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is the best refuge for me.”

Once he had reached this understanding, Lian Jiuyou entered Linglong City, heading straight for Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Before long, he arrived at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Lian Jiuyou stepped directly into the Pavilion.

Ye Xu stood with a smile, having waited for a long time.

"Demon Emperor Daoist friend, it has indeed been a while." Ye Xu wore an enigmatic smile, his expression inscrutable as he remarked lightly, "Your recent experiences inspire deep sympathy in me."

"You flatter me too much, Elder. How could this junior presume to be addressed as your Daoist friend?" Lian Jiuyou hastily shook his head in protest.

"Those who walk the same path are Daoist friends."

Ye Xu chuckled. "Is your purpose in coming here not precisely to become my fellow traveler on this path?"

Lian Jiuyou inwardly sighed with bitter amusement.

As expected of an Elder, he couldn’t conceal his thoughts at all.

"This junior hopes the Elder will grant him refuge, allowing him to serve at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion." Since Ye Xu already discerned his intention, Lian Jiuyou spoke candidly.

"This junior vows to exert every effort in your service."

Ye Xu softly tapped the armrest with his index finger. "You wish to avenge your father? That… presents a profound challenge."

"To speak plainly, given your current strength and abilities, you do not yet possess the worth for me to offer refuge."

Ye Xu did not immediately agree.

While Heaven’s Secret Pavilion currently lacked manpower, they didn’t accept just anyone.

Moreover, he felt it necessary to test Lian Jiuyou.

After all, Lian Jiuyou was once a Demon Emperor, unaccustomed to subordination. If his temperament remained unchanged, Ye Xu would find it futile to harbor him.

A trace of desolation flickered in Lian Jiuyou’s eyes.

"How about this."

Ye Xu proposed, "Remain at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion for the time being. Assist Su Mu in establishing the affairs of Heaven’s Machine Bank during this period. Should your performance satisfy me, you may stay."

"Agreed."

Lian Jiuyou consented without the slightest hesitation.

"During this time, I can guarantee your safety. No one will touch you." Ye Xu pledged. "However, if you court death through your own actions… you cannot blame me then."

"This junior understands."

Lian Jiuyou bowed deeply.

"Take this jade slip. Seek out Su Mu—he knows how to arrange your lodgings." Ye Xu tossed a jade slip. Lian Jiuyou caught it, ascertained Su Mu’s location from it, bid farewell, and departed.

"Merely at the emperor realm, yet Lian Jiuyou possesses considerable skill,"

Ye Xu murmured to himself. "With his aid to Su Mu, the Star Yuan system can be launched swiftly."

…

"Master, this is Dawn City."

Outside Dawn City, Dao King and Li Ruoshui stood suspended in the void, gazing upon the human metropolis.

"Nangong Zhandao resides within these walls," Dao King stated with certainty.

Li Ruoshui activated her Divine Sense. Its immense power instantly blanketed the entirety of Dawn City. Under the scrutiny of that perception, the minutest detail lay exposed; nothing escaped her awareness.

"Huh?" Li Ruoshui’s expression shifted with surprise. "What is she doing here?"

She sensed Lin Qianmo’s presence.

The Dao King’s gaze flickered, but he asked no questions.

At the same time…

Within Dawn City, Lin Qianmo—who had been cultivating—also opened her eyes. Sharpness gleamed in her gaze as she declared coldly, "Someone is using Divine Sense to spy on Dawn City."

Lin Qianmo stepped out of her meditation chamber and released her Divine Sense.

Their Divine Senses intertwined.

"Li Ruoshui!"

Li Ruoshui hadn’t concealed her aura. In an instant, Lin Qianmo saw her. Her pupils contracted in shock. "She descended to the lower realm?"

"Sister Miaochang, it’s been many years. I trust you’ve been well?"

Just then, Li Ruoshui’s voice echoed through Dawn City.

Yuan Daokong, Nangong Zhandao, Ao Bing, Yue Ruyi, and Lan Youruo all underwent a great change in expression. One after another, they rushed from their dwellings to gather with Lin Qianmo.

Li Ruoshui and the Dao King stepped forward as if on level ground, ignoring Dawn City’s immortal-grade defensive formation, manifesting before the group.

"Dao King!"

Yuan Daokong and Nangong Zhandao’s eyes turned ice-cold.

The Dao King’s treasonous ambitions were obvious to all; his arrival in Dawn City surely boded ill.

The Dao King’s indifferent gaze swept over the group before finally settling on Lin Qianmo.

He had long known Lin Qianmo’s origins were indeed extraordinary.

Precisely because of Li Ruoshui.

Though he didn’t grasp the exact nature of Li Ruoshui and Lin Qianmo’s relationship, they certainly had history. Otherwise, Li Ruoshui wouldn’t be privy to the secrets of Lin Qianmo’s techniques.

"Junior Sister Li."

Lin Qianmo smiled faintly. "Congratulations on your breakthrough to the Immortal King realm."

"I never imagined you would also descend. It seems the rules and heavenly constraints of the Immortal Realm have weakened to their most fragile point in tens of millions of years."

"You came to the Yuan Realm this time, surely not merely to see me?"

Wisdom shone in Lin Qianmo’s eyes, as if she saw through Li Ruoshui’s purpose.

Li Ruoshui gave a slight nod with her elegant head.

"I came for him."

Li Ruoshui’s gaze shifted to Nangong Zhandao.

Swoosh!

Instantly, the Creation spiritual embryo seemed to sense danger and moved to shield Nangong Zhandao.

"Creation spiritual embryo?" Li Ruoshui chuckled dismissively. "To have a true immortal level spiritual embryo guarding you while merely at the Great Emperor realm… truly worthy of the luck of the Yuan Realm’s chosen son."

Boom!

Without any visible gesture from Li Ruoshui, the Creation spiritual embryo froze in place. Its entire body began petrifying inch by inch, incapable of the slightest movement.

Ao Bing, Yue Ruyi, Yuan Daokong, and Lan Youruo had never witnessed such formidable power. Their pupils dilated in disbelief.

Even against a true immortal, the Creation spiritual embryo could hold its ground in combat. Yet now, it became utterly powerless, denied even a chance to resist.

The being before them likely belonged to the same supreme-tier as the Black-robed Immortal King who subdued the World Master of the Xuankong World.

The atmosphere abruptly solidified.

The Great Emperors shuddered with dread.

Faced with a foe of that level, they stood no hope of escape.

A terrifying pressure bore down on them. Nangong Zhandao couldn’t even draw breath; his body compressed agonizingly, inch by inch, blood soon oozing from his entire form.

Nangong Zhandao’s face contorted in a ferocious snarl. He roared madly, desperately circulating the Epoch Golden Book to break free. But Li Ruoshui’s strength was overwhelming, sufficient to crush any resistance.

His struggle proved utterly futile.

A faint smirk touched the Dao King’s lips.

Even the Epoch Golden Book was useless before an Immortal King.

All eyes turned to Lin Qianmo.

At this moment, only Lin Qianmo held any hope of reversing their desperate situation.

"Junior Sister Li," Lin Qianmo’s delicate brows knitted slightly, her voice turning cool. "Do you intend to kill one of mine right before me?"