Nie Changqing felt like he was soaring through the clouds for the first time. Though he'd entered Heavenly Lock, true flight eluded him.
Leaps and bounds, perhaps—but sustained flight? Far off.
Golden Core might achieve it with tools, like sword-riding. True wind-treading required Nascent Soul.
As the world clarified.
Nie found himself in Martial Emperor City.
His heart sank. After endless pursuit by its disciples, being inside spelled doom—gruesome doom.
"Amitabha."
"Benefactor, fear not. This monk brought you; he'll take you out safely. If any in Martial Emperor City detain you, this monk will punch their heads clean off."
The ascetic pressed one palm forward, bowing slightly.
Only then did Nie study him: tattered monk robes, sleeves torn, revealing muscled arms; prayer beads the size of fists around his neck.
"Master Yuan Shang, don't scare the lad."
Laughter boomed.
Nie's spiritual sense caught a terrifying aura enveloping him.
Next instant: a black-robed man with a black spear on his back. The weapon's aura matched Dragon Slayer—a spirit tool.
"Martial Emperor City Lord, Du Longyang."
He regarded Nie.
City lord?
Big shot.
Nie inhaled, hand on Dragon Slayer at his waist.
"No need for worry. If we wanted you dead, you'd be long gone."
"A mere Golden Core means nothing here."
Du Longyang said coolly, dominant as an overlord.
"You wouldn't dare... Young Master said if Martial Emperor City's Nascent Souls act, he'll slaughter every one."
Nie slung Dragon Slayer over one shoulder, staring.
Du Longyang's eyes narrowed; crushing aura exploded like mountains descending.
"City Lord Du."
As Nie gasped, Yuan Shang stepped forward, shielding him completely.
"This one is under my invitation. Can't die before me."
Du Longyang's pressure vanished; the city's gloom lifted.
Nie breathed deep. Both matched Young Master's caliber.
No wonder Young Master grew solemn at the forbidden zone.
So many horrors in this outsider demon lair.
Du Longyang smiled appreciatively.
"Exceptional talent. Weak now, but surviving our inner disciples' hunt? Impressive."
"Worry not—I've ordered a halt to your pursuit."
Nie squinted, knife still ready.
Carrot after the stick?
"Join Martial Emperor City?"
Yuan Shang glanced surprised. He'd expected hostility, not recruitment.
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Nie's path wasn't standard Golden Core—solid foundations, attributes grasped in Foundation Building.
Valuable asset.
So Yuan Shang spoke.
"If benefactor joins Bitter Buddha Temple, this monk will teach the secret Great Brahma Art."
Du Longyang shot him a look. "Old monk, stealing from my city?"
"City Lord, fair competition. Want to fight? This monk will punch your head off!"
Yuan Shang pressed palm upright, calm.
Du Longyang fumed but let it go—knew the temper.
A clash of utmost yang paths would raze the city.
"To business."
He grumbled.
Nie stayed vigilant, knife slung.
"Benefactor, can you contact your Young Master?"
Yuan Shang described Lu.
Nie's brow arched. They wanted him as a bridge.
Why seek Young Master?
Outsider demons plotting against him?
Central palace visions: ancient powerhouses fallen to invaders—most human-like.
Du Longyang saw hesitation, knew contact was possible.
"No fear. Just need your Young Master's help."
"What help?"
Nie frowned.
No dragging Young Master into danger.
They exchanged troubled glances.
"No answer, no contact."
Nie calm—death at worst.
Escape impossible anyway.
Yuan Shang sighed gravely.
"Your Young Master's strength is unfathomable. Only he can aid us."
Du Longyang gazed skyward, wistful.
Never imagined seeking outsiders under this heaven.
They'd guessed Lu's origin: another world via void gate.
"What is it?"
Nie unmoved.
"Slay immortals."
Du Longyang said.
Nie froze.
That explosive?
God-slaying?
Human endeavor?
Involve Young Master in this horror?
"You outsider demons—why think my Young Master aids evil?"
"Outsider demons."
Both stunned, exchanging looks. Unexpected term.
Yuan Shang chuckled.
"So benefactor's hostility stems from 'outsider demons'?"
"Rest assured—this monk swears on Nascent Soul explosion: Tianyuan powerhouses never invaded others. Orthodox or demonic—no. Demons? Unknown, sealed in Heavenly Demon Tower with the 'Heavenly Demon.'"
"Records show Tianyuan suffered invasion—immortal-like horrors shattering mountains, rivers... Countless dead. 'Heavenly Demon' likely from then. Your 'demons' are probably them."
"Shattering void to ascend is near-impossible. How invade elsewhere? If any invaded... benefactor, you're the intruder."
Yuan Shang smiled.
Nie fell silent.
...
Beiluo, Lake Heart Island.
Lu leaned on Thousand Blades Chair, guessing events.
He tapped the armrest; whistling rose, phoenix cry echoing.
Phoenix Feather Sword streaked as fire.
He condensed spirit fluid into mini-Lu, who sat cross-legged atop the sword—sword-riding into the dragon gate.
Little Yinglong atop the gate jolted awake.
South Prefecture.
Phoenix Feather Sword burst from the gate, a fiery tongue like a soaring phoenix, racing to the forbidden zone.
It descended.
Cultivators meditating opened eyes.
Tang Yimo sensed first, shocked.
The sword arced like a meteor into the zone.
"Young Lord Lu's sword!"
"Young Master's... intervening? Old Nie in danger?"
"Forbidden zone is perilous. Hope Changqing returns safe."
Faces grave.
Xie Yunling, Hua Dongliu, elders sighed.
The sword pierced the air wall.
Ripples faded; zone reverted to spiritless void.
Boom!
Red glow from snowy Bodhisattva Temple.
A red miniature sword exploded outward.
Snow melted in its wake.
Mini-Lu sat atop, soaring high.
Into Martial Emperor City.
Post-chaos powerhouses looked up in alarm.
A red sword.
Nascent Souls flew, trailing.
In the city.
Feng Yilou awoke, furious—not at Lu's possession.
But the charlatan grinning in snow: "That way—auspicious."
Never let him see that fraud.
Or teach true "auspicious"!
Suddenly.
Eyes bulged.
Phoenix Feather Sword overhead, mini-figure atop.
"It's him!"
Heart clenched.
Disciples approached to console their "Heavenly List potential" brother.
But he scrambled away in terror, fleeing deeper, roaring.
All baffled.
In the city.
Yuan Shang and Du Longyang locked eyes, stunned.
Nie sensed familiarity.
"Young Master?!"
Deep breath.
They soared out.
Phoenix Feather Sword hovered, facing them.
...
Dark valley.
Li Sansi sat like withered wood, sensing all.
But immobile—body not his.
"Once 'Vine Demon Seed' covers you, shatter the core, form Nascent Soul... Enjoy strength growing!"
Seductive female voice echoed.
His mind froze.
"What did you do?"
Li Sansi horrified.
"Nothing—soul fusion. Don't worry; I won't erase you. Watch this skin break the seal, escape Absolute Blade Gate, slaughter them all—and that hypocrite!"
Voice mad, fervent.
Li Sansi panicked. No world domination—just survival.
"Your core's formed... Solid foundations, stable—no collapse. This palace chose well."
Voice faded.
Li frantic.
Alive, but worse than dead?
"Forced growth isn't ideal, but I can't wait. Infused my lifetime energy. Shatter core to Nascent Soul—emergence!"
"No... out of my body!"
Li roared.
"Hahaha..."
Silence.
Despair, helplessness.
He strained—eyes only movable, soul detached.
Cave: corpses, a gaping-mouthed husk below, vines dull—energy drained into him, remodeling.
Eyes scanned.
Dreary, icy; stalactite drips bone-chilling.
Despair.
Forbidden zone entry—catastrophe.
Stronger, but body stolen.
Suddenly.
Eyes fixed.
Ground: a flute.
Memories: Buzhou Peak, blue stone, endless flute melodies.
Mood sank.
Facing death, loved ones flash.
Expected: Li Sansui, Xie Yunling, Dao Pavilion disciples.
But: girl hugging knees, alone atop peak, watching sunrise—pitiful, endearing.
Emotions tangled.
Purpose of strength?
No farewell to Li Sansui, entering zone—why?
Now...
He understood.
Staring at the flute.
Buzhou Peak.
Spring-blooming.
Girl on blue stone, playing flute—wrong note.
Stopped.
Turned slowly.
Long, curved lashes trembled; closed eyes faced...
Great Xuan Forbidden Zone.
