Chapter 223: Darkness, Revenge, and the Beast
Sha Lingshan waved her fan, “Although the demonic sects value only profit, we are still part of China. Dominating the martial world and wielding power benefits us. But the destruction of Wu Gorge and the Long River, causing widespread devastation… that benefits no one, not even us.”
“Even the Poisonous Sunflower Sect, although they seek power and influence, perhaps even hoping to become the state religion, wouldn’t want to cripple China. Such an act would be self-destructive.”
“Of course, if the potential profit is great enough, they might be tempted. But that’s human nature, not just the demonic sects’.”
Shi Hao nodded.
Sha Lingshan asked, “What are your plans now, Young Master?”
Shi Hao thought for a moment, “I need to go to Dàxīng City. And this divine crystal…”
He held up the bone fragment with the crystal embedded within, “I need to see if it can be forged into a magical weapon.”
Sha Lingshan said, “I’ve never seen anything like this before. It seems the Thunder Venerable has partially fused with this… stone bone. It can’t be absorbed by a human.
“We have a skilled crafting master in the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion. I’ll have her examine it. It’s a supreme-grade divine crystal, after all. It would be a waste not to use it.”
Obtaining a divine crystal presented a difficult choice: forge it into a magical weapon, or absorb it, becoming a supernatural ability user.
Becoming a supernatural ability user meant you could no longer use other magical weapons, a significant disadvantage.
And although you gained a unique power, it was a single ability, easily countered once understood.
Of course, some abilities, like the Heavenly Speed Star or the Perilous Moon Swallow, were incredibly valuable, granting unparalleled speed or the ability to manipulate space.
But most weren’t as useful.
Supreme-grade divine crystals, however, were in a league of their own, their power immense.
Their abilities were often strategic in nature, like the South Pole Longevity, which not only granted immortality but also the ability to control the weather, changing the climate of an entire city.
This “control over the four seasons” was its true power, immortality merely a side effect.
Although its use in duels between high-rank experts was limited, on the battlefield, it could change the tide of war.
The Thunder Venerable was similar, its power capable of leveling a city.
But supreme-grade divine crystals were incredibly rare, and their appearance always sparked fierce competition.
And unlike other divine crystals, which reappeared within a hundred-mile radius after being depleted, supreme-grade crystals didn’t follow this rule.
Having obtained such a rare treasure, it would be a waste not to use it.
Shi Hao said, “After going to Dàxīng City, I’ll likely head east. I heard there’s a Crystal Palace in the East Sea where Dream Grass grows, one of the ingredients I need.”
He could obtain the Illusory Sea Lingzhi through Yuejiao, and he already had the Azure Sky Vermilion Fruit. He just needed the three Dream Grasses.
And Dream Grass only grew in the East Sea Crystal Palace.
Although he wasn’t sure what this “Crystal Palace” was…
Sha Lingshan said, “The East Sea Crystal Palace…” She looked at Long Niu, “Has Branch Leader Yue emerged from seclusion yet?”
Long Niu said, “She reached the fourth rank a few days ago. And we received messages from both the Moon Lotus Pavilion and the Black Lotus Realm, informing us that Branch Leaders Xuan and Yue have also emerged from seclusion. They were inquiring about the Young Master’s whereabouts and his plans for them.”
Sha Lingshan looked at Shi Hao and smiled, “They’re worried I’ve been monopolizing your time, poisoning your mind against them. But Yue Yaotai inquiring about your whereabouts is understandable. Xuan Feng Huanzhi, however, should already know. Why is she so concerned?”
She looked at Long Niu, a knowing smile on her face.
Long Niu, embarrassed, remained silent.
Shi Hao, however, understood the underlying meaning, “Why did you mention Branch Leader Yue, Sister Sha? Does she have some connection to the East Sea Crystal Palace?”
Sha Lingshan bowed slightly, “The Moon Lotus Pavilion’s main temple is located at the foot of Mount Lu, near Poyang Lake. They’re involved in river trade along the lower reaches of the Long River and even have some maritime trade in the East Sea. I’ve heard that Branch Leader Yue has been to the Crystal Palace. If you’re going there, Young Master, perhaps you should visit the Moon Lotus Pavilion first.”
She waved her fan and smiled, “Besides, if you don’t visit her soon, she might come looking for you.”
Shi Hao understood.
Elder Shuiyue of the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion was now the leader of the reunited Evil Lotus Sect.
And Long Niu of the Black Lotus Realm was in charge of intelligence, gathering information from all three branches and reporting to him and Elder Shuiyue.
Yue Yaotai was naturally worried about being left out.
Although the three factions had reunited, their past rivalries wouldn’t simply disappear overnight.
And as their leader, he had to treat them equally.
He looked at Long Niu, “After I return to Dàxīng City, send a message to Branch Leader Yue, informing her of my impending visit to the Moon Lotus Pavilion.”
Long Niu bowed, “Yes, Young Master.”
They stayed at the monastery for the night, then left for Dàxīng City the next morning, traveling by boat along the river.
The Scripture Bestowal Platform, split in two, had collapsed, and the eight levels of caverns beneath it were mostly buried.
Deep within the mountain, the blood-stained jade sword, embedded in a rock above the Melting Sun Demonic Abyss, its churning demonic energy like a hidden ocean, its surface calm, its depths turbulent.
“I can’t die… not here…” a shadowy figure within the abyss struggled.
The trapped soul, its rage and resentment a burning fire, its vengeance unfulfilled… it couldn’t die here.
It thrashed against the demonic energy, an invisible force pulling it towards the depths, towards oblivion.
It felt small and helpless, adrift in a vast, dark ocean.
Then, it saw a pair of eyes.
A massive beast, its eyes like giant lanterns, its back black, its form like a tiger’s, its face human, but twisted and monstrous, its long tail rising upwards.
It was so large that it seemed to devour the surrounding light, the only thing in existence.
“I can’t die… not here…” The shadowy figure, clinging to its existence, its consciousness fading, reached out towards the beast, its desire for revenge, for survival, overwhelming…
Darkness surged, swallowing it whole.
A burning rage, like molten lava, consumed it, rolling through the abyss.
Endless, eternal…
Arriving at the outskirts of Dàxīng City, Shi Hao had Sha Lingshan withdraw two thousand taels of silver and give it to Hou Bomin and Xiang Gu.
Little Demonic Mother had promised to pay them, but she was dead, and they hadn’t been able to obtain the Black Phoenix Poison Pearl.
He couldn’t let them go empty-handed, so he paid them himself, on her behalf.
Hou Bomin and Xiang Gu decided to attend the upcoming Red Hill Gathering.
Shi Hao considered this. He already had two of the three main ingredients he needed for his next breakthrough, and the Red Hill Gathering wasn’t the place to find Dream Grass. He wouldn’t attend.
Before they left, however, he pulled them aside and shared his analysis of the current situation.
“With the Taisu Immortal Pavilion’s reappearance, their conflict with the barbarian court, and especially Lie Zunyi, will be the main focus,” he said. “Lie Zunyi’s departure from the capital is a significant event. The Taisu Immortal Pavilion needs to unite the righteous path to oppose him.”
“The attendees of the Red Hill Gathering are all Daoist cultivators. I suspect many of them are being recruited.”
Hou Bomin, his back hunched, said, “If that’s the case, many of my… associates, are probably already with the Taisu Immortal Pavilion.”
Shi Hao knew that Hou Bomin and his “unorthodox” circle of Daoist cultivators, including Xu Xiaoyan, had their own network of connections.
The Red Hill Gathering was simply a local meeting place for trading immortal ingredients. There were likely similar gatherings elsewhere.
Shi Hao said, “Lie Zunyi’s motive for leaving the capital is crucial. I’ll investigate this thoroughly. I hope you can gather some information at the Red Hill Gathering, or through your own contacts. If we can understand the barbarian court’s plans, we can be prepared.”
Hou Bomin nodded, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep my ears open.”
Shi Hao looked at him, “And one more thing… where did Xiaoyan go?”
Hou Bomin sighed, glancing at him, “She didn’t want to tell you, so I can’t reveal her secrets.”
Shi Hao said, “Even if you don’t tell me, I can guess… it’s about her sister, isn’t it?”
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