Chapter 73: The Few of Us All Died at Each Otherâs Hands…
Yun Wuxiang’s first attempt at poaching talent ended with a declared failure rate of seventy-five percent.
Jin Hongqi accounted for twenty-five percent of that failure. The fellow was hesitating, his words constantly testing the watersâasking if, after switching sects, he could still maintain contact with his original sect or provide them with some minor, harmless assistance. Of course, on matters of great principle, he claimed he would stand firmly with his current sect.
Yun Wuxiang found the long-winded, rambling explanations tedious and simply told him to come back once he had made up his mind.
Mo Yang accounted for the other fifty percent. This upright, almost stiffly honest sword cultivator was fiercely loyal to his sect. He would rather swear a heavy oath to the Tiandao to serve Yun Wuxiang for life than budge an inch on his sect’s stance. His foolishly stubborn words made Jin Hongqi want to cover the man’s mouth several times.
Yun Wuxiang originally had little interest in founding a sect. After Yun Xinyang was split off, even his obsession with constructing a spatial tunnel had snapped. He was still researching spatial tunnels now, but only to send Yun Xinyang back.
Though his enthusiasm was low, this was the wish of Tianqing Daozunâand Tianqing Daozun had a very close friend who valued her wishes dearly.
Jiangzi Daozun spoke: “Two more old acquaintances? And youâre saying one of them is ungrateful and doesnât plan on joining the Qingdi Guan?”
Yun Wuxiang replied, “He already has a sect, and his feelings for it are deep. Unless there is some major upheaval in the future, he won’t be coming over.”
“Which idiot is this? Did he lose his brain on the road to reincarnation? The sects out there today don’t even have a single Daozun. How could they possibly compare to the Qingdi Guan founded by me and Tianqing?”
Jiangzi Daozunâs tone was indifferent. “A reincarnation is just a reincarnation after all. If he won’t come, so be it. A Daozun who hasn’t recovered their memories doesn’t deserve special treatment. If he obstructs the sect’s revival, kill him directly and send him back into the cycle to restart his life.”
“Even if you encounter my own reincarnation, the same applies.”
Yun Wuxiang asked, “What if I encounter Tianqing Daozunâs reincarnation?”
Before the words had even fully left his mouth, a gaze as heavy and sharp as a mountain of swords fell upon him.
“I am merely a sliver of residual consciousness; I cannot manage things that far off. You deal with it yourself.”
Jiangzi Daozun withdrew her gaze. “Tanyun, the mission to revive the Qingdi Guan is entrusted to you. Do not fail Tianqingâs expectations.”
Relieved from the pressure of that gaze, Yun Wuxiang heard the familiar sentiment and spoke up, “I no longer have a physical body. I cannot continue practicing the Immortal Chapter of the Azure Emperor Records, nor can I refine the plaque to open the second Shifuâs tomb.”
“That plaque can likewise be refined using my Jiangzi Demonic Qi. However, without this Venerableâs approval, you wouldn’t be able to enter even if you refined it.” Jiangzi Daozun lifted her chin at an arrogant angle, her eyesâprojecting a natural majestyâlooking at Yun Wuxiang with an ancient pressure that struck the soul.
“Tanyun, everything your Shifu left behind can be yours, but there is one thing you must do.”
“I know. I will make the Qingdi Guan the number one sect in the Immortal Realm.”
A sudden itch flared on his arm. Yun Wuxiang caught the black scorpion crawling out of his sleeve and opened his palm. After the little scorpion, lying spread-eagle, struggled with all its might to flip itself over, he gave it a poke. He knocked it back over, belly up, its eight slender legs flailing wildly in the air.
Jiangzi Daozun glanced at her disciple playing with the scorpion. “The revival of the Qingdi Guan is important, certainly, and you must not slacken. But that is not what I was going to say.”
Yun Wuxiangâs finger remained on the scorpionâs belly. He tilted his head slightly to look at Jiangzi Daozun. “What else does Shifu have to say? This disciple is listening.”
Jiangzi Daozun: “There are some things that should not be told to anyone below the Jie Jun realm. However, since you reached the Mo Jun realm before the reversal, you are naturally qualified to hear a bit in advance.”
Yun Wuxiang: “You’re looking for loopholes.”
“That requires you to have the qualifications and ability.” Jiangzi Daozun lifted the corner of her eye. After a subtle shift in expression, she radiated a wild, sinister arrogance that looked down on all things. “Not everyone dares to exploit such loopholes. You and Shujuâs descendant are both reckless fools. That is a good trait.”
“You have had contact with the System. How much do you know about that thing in the sky?”
What else could the “thing in the sky” related to the System be? It was undoubtedly the Tiandao.
Even Song Yilou had managed to dig the System out; it wasn’t surprising that Jiangzi Daozun knew of its existence.
“I only know that it is currently advancing to a higher grade.” Yun Wuxiangâs finger unconsciously stroked the scorpion’s tail. “Does Shifu want me to help it?”
Jiangzi Daozun: “You could also choose not to help. Wait for it to fail, be trapped to death in this world, and become someone else’s prisoner.”
Yun Wuxiang: “Who is this ‘someone else’?”
“Many hyenas waiting to take advantage of the chaos,” Jiangzi Daozun said. “When a high-level demonic beast advances, it is surrounded by a pack of beasts waiting for it to fail its tribulation, or for the period of weakness following a success.”
“Splendid. So besides helping it advance, I have to chase away the hyenas.” Yun Wuxiang realized just how troublesome his future work would be.
“Shifu, do you remember that I am currently only a Zhen Mo? Do you think it’s appropriate to leave a task that only those in the Daozun realm are qualified to worry about to me?”
“Who told you to be the only direct disciple of myself and Tianqing? Furthermore, you will soon become the controller of the Nine Venerables Secret Realm. I know the nature of demons very well; you will absolutely never let go of a Secret Realm once itâs in your hands. Therefore, you have to take this job.”
Yun Wuxiang already had two array cores in his possession. Adding Jiangzi Daozunâs Mocha Prison and Tianqing Daozunâs Azure Emperor Main Hall, he already had four. Once he included the Ghost Path Labyrinth inherited by Song Yilou from Shuju Daozun, he would have five out of the nine array cores. The control of this Secret Realm would inevitably be his.
“However, your realm is indeed a bit too low. Go outside and undergo an Earth Demon Lightning Tribulation first.”
As soon as Jiangzi Daozun finished speaking, she flicked her sleeve. Yun Wuxiangâs position shifted instantly. He was suspended in the air above an endless sea of crimson waves. A shadow fell over him from above, expanding continuously.
Yun Wuxiang looked up. Tribulation clouds flickering with lightning were brewing an offensive overhead. “At least let me draw a couple of talismans first.”
A purple bolt of lightning, connecting heaven and earth, crashed down. The roar of the lightning tribulation vibrated in all directions.
It loudly proclaimed his existence to the Demonic Realm.
“A demon is undergoing a tribulation over the Red Flame Sea. Has the Fenhai Secret Realm ended?”
“Itâs not time yet. It must be some rogue cultivator who snuck over.”
“Purple Firmament Demonic Lightning… the person undergoing the tribulation has decent potential. Send someone to check. If theyâre a fresh face, bring them back. If they belong to other forces, kill them directly.”
At this moment, the various powers of the Demonic Realm didn’t think too much of this tribulation.
It wasn’t until the tribulation ended that a subordinate returned to report: “No trace of the person was found.”
“None? It seems another force picked them up early.”
“Forget it. It was only an Earth Demon.”
The Demonic Realm had no shortage of geniuses. A lightning tribulation at the Earth Demon realm, no matter how good the aptitude, wouldn’t cause much of a splash. Only anything above Heavenly Demon could cause a real stir.
Having finished his tribulation, Yun Wuxiangâwearing tattered clothes and holding a freshly minted purple Lightning Tribulation Jade Talismanâwas pulled back into the Secret Realm.
What met his eyes was a field of azure. From the corner of his eye, a black shadow flew toward his head. Yun Wuxiang reached out and caught it. The black scorpion, which had grown noticeably fatter, landed in his palm. He quirked an eyebrow. “Shifu, what did you feed him? How did he get so fat?”
His hand felt heavy as the fat scorpion transformed into a black ball of fluff. Hugging Yun Wuxiangâs hand, it said: “Iâm not fat!”
Yun Wuxiang looked over the little black fluff. In human form, he indeed didn’t look much heavier, but his scorpion form was nearly a balloon.
Poking the little black fluffâs cheek, he teased on purpose, “You’re fat.”
“The Guanzhu is lying, Iâm not fat.” Song Yilou puffed out his cheeks in annoyance.
Yun Wuxiang: “If I say you’re fat, you’re fat.”
Jiangzi Daozun interrupted the two. “Shuju left some things here with me back then. A Ghost Guâs recovery power is strong, but he cut away too many parts of himself. A little supplement will help him grow faster in the future.”
“Since he is your Dao Companion, he will be your support in the future. Of course, if you want to keep him as a pet forever, thatâs fine too.” Jiangzi Daozun did not interfere with her disciple’s emotional freedom.
“But you must keep him under control. Don’t let him poison the talented disciples of the sect to death.”
Yun Wuxiang kneaded Song Yilouâs indignant face like dough and asked, “Where is Shishu Caituan? Give me the Prisonerâs Cage. Heâll be quiet once heâs locked up.”
“Itâs hiding. Itâs afraid itâll lose face if it cries. A bird over ten thousand years old, and itâs still this emotional.”
Yun Wuxiang looked up at Jiangzi Daozun standing beneath the Azure Tree. He realized her figure was much more translucent than before. “Are you going to die?”
“I died a long time ago.” Jiangzi Daozun looked at her flickering fingers. “You should know where my corpse is. Once you become a Mo Jun, you must refine a Dao Weapon. Go and refine my body. A Daozunâs bones are more useful than any heavenly treasure in this world. My Mocha Prison was refined using the bones of another Daozun from the Monster Race.”
“Don’t bother with ‘resting in peace.’ Itâs a waste.”
Yun Wuxiang: “Very well.”
“Do you know how we died?” Jiangzi Daozun looked like she might dissipate at any moment, but her speech remained leisurely, as if they were just having a chat.
“Fighting with the hyenas from the outside to protect the world’s consciousness during its advancement?” Yun Wuxiang guessed, combining the information he currently possessed.
To his surprise, Jiangzi Daozun gave a disdainful sneer. “They aren’t worthy. Disciple, the Daozun realm is about transcending the Tiandao. It is being a god in the living world.”
“Only a Daozun can kill a Daozun.”
“The few of us… all died at each other’s hands.”
Jiangzi Daozun looked at the Azure Tree, the swaying leaves reflected in her purple demonic eyes. “I harmed Tianqing.”
“If you want to know more, go ask Caituan. Iâm out of time.” She opened her hand and made a grasping motion. Things invisible to the naked eye were snatched into her palm. With a squeeze of her fist, the objects were crushed into a single black bead. “Iâll give you one more gift. Consider it… the last time I, your Shifu, will help you.”
The black bead flew into Yun Wuxiangâs hand. In an instant, several invisible threads appeared in his perception. What he held was no longer an ordinary black bead, but the lives of many demons.
“Itâs a pity the highest cultivation among them is only a few Heavenly Demons. Their cultivation is a bit low. Back in the day, my disciple’s guards would have had to be at least Fifth-Turn Mo Jun to be eligible.” As Jiangzi Daozun spoke, the majority of her body had already faded away.
Yun Wuxiang cupped his hands and bowed to her. “Respectfully seeing Shifu off.”
Jiangzi Daozun waved her hand and flew up into the Azure Tree, slowly transforming into black mist and scattering.
“Waaaah, you bastard… She actually didn’t leave a single word for me! Every single time! I… I… waaaaah!” Caituan shrieked, tears falling in large droplets.
Yun Xinyang used a handkerchief to wipe the large bird’s tears while coaxing it in a low voice. “Teacher, don’t cry. Hasn’t Jiangzi Shibo already reincarnated? Once Wuxiang develops the Qingdi Guan and the sectâs reputation spreads, maybe Shiboâs reincarnation will come looking for us… Hey, why are you crying even harder? I didn’t say anything bad, did I? Teacher, catch your breath, don’t cry, don’t cry.”
Beside Yun Wuxiang, a cloud of Yin Qi surged. Song Yilou, now in his teenage form, rested a hand on Yun Wuxiangâs face and leaned in close. “Guanzhu, why aren’t you crying? I wanted to taste what your tears were like.”
“What is there to cry about? Do tears serve any purpose?” Yun Wuxiang was puzzled. Jiangzi Daozun had been dead for many years; why was Caituan crying so miserably?
It was true that Jiangzi Daozun was the most competent Shifu he had ever had, and she was likely the elder he respected most so far, but their time together had been too brief. It hadn’t reached the point where he would shed tears over her departure.
Yun Wuxiang lifted Song Yilouâs face with his fingers. The cold white skin made the small beauty marks beneath his eyes stand out even more, and the crescent moon on his forehead added a touch of chilling, demonic beauty.
Seeing those black, mischievous eyes full of bad ideas, it was definitely Song Yilou. He hadn’t been swapped out. Was he having another episode? Yun Wuxiangâs eyes suddenly felt a bit sore, like the prelude to crying.
“Of course you shouldn’t. Guanzhu has never shed a single tear for me, so how can you cry for someone else?”
Song Yilou leaned in to observe Yun Wuxiangâs eyes, asking in confusion, “But I gave Guanzhu tear-inducing powder. Why aren’t you crying?”
Thud!
Yun Xinyang, who was still coaxing the bird, was startled by the sudden loud noise. He and the black-mist bird both turned to look.
Yun Wuxiang expressionlessly kicked Song Yilou back into the pit he had just crawled out of. He turned his eyes toward the two stunned fluff-ballsâone black, one white. The slight redness at the corners of his eyes added a touch of unprecedented vividness to his features. But aside from a certain Gu on the ground, no one dared to appreciate it.
A violent killing intent swirled in his crimson pupils. “Caituan Shishu, give me the Prisonerâs Cage.”
“Here.” Caituan handed over the Prisonerâs Cage, which had shrunk to the size of a palm. The tears that Yun Xinyang couldn’t stop even after half a day of coaxing finally dried up. “This… you still need to refine it before you can use it.”
“Thank you, Shishu.” Taking the cage, Yun Wuxiang hauled Song Yilou up and turned to leave.
In his crimson eyes, crystalline watery light and killing intent coexisted. His fingers, gripping the back of Song Yilouâs neck, were tense.
The scorpion, who didn’t know when to quit, was still desperately trying to look up, searching for Yun Wuxiangâs eyes. “Guanzhu, courtesy demands reciprocity. I cried too, look.”
He blinked, and a teardrop fell.
Yun Wuxiang sneered. “Falling for your own poison. You deserve it.”
Song Yilouâs eyes were wide as tears streamed down. “Itâs not poison. Itâs pollen from a demonic plant. I tried it, but I couldn’t absorb it.”
“You tried it and then used it to prank me.” Yun Wuxiang was almost laughed into a fury.
“Have you decided how you want to die?”
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