For the first time, Jiang Zhaoxue felt the world’s spiritual energy flow so quietly.
This world seemed to have lost the concept of “spiritual energy” entirely.
For cultivators of the True Immortal Realm, having no spiritual energy was like humans having no water. A sense of terror instantly spread uncontrollably through her limbs and bones. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at the people around her desperately sending messages to their friends and relatives in the True Immortal Realm.
Everyone’s face was pale, yet they forced themselves to calm down.
Only Qingye couldn’t quite control herself.
The Bee Clan had many members and close connections. After Qingye failed to contact anyone several times, she became agitated and stepped forward to press Jiang Zhaoxue for answers, “Female Lord, what’s happening?! What exactly is going on? Why can’t we sense Penglai? Why aren’t they responding?!”
“Calm down.”
Hearing this, Ye Tianjiao reached out to support Qingye, helping her sit down as he comforted her, “The messages are just temporarily cut off. The Book of Fate is skilled at controlling spiritual energy—it might have just set up a barrier. People may not necessarily be in trouble. Moreover, even if this divine artifact can manipulate spiritual energy, it can only control masterless spiritual energy. Spiritual energy that’s been tamed and possessed by talismans or people—it can’t use that. Penglai has accumulated resources for ten thousand years and has an island protection formation. The Book of Fate can’t breach Penglai so easily.”
“But we can be certain of one thing.”
Jiang Zhaoyue’s expression wasn’t so good. He said coldly, “The True Immortal Realm has already been controlled by Song Wulan. When we left, they might have already controlled Central Continent. We just didn’t know. Once we left, they completely severed communication between the Jiuyou Realm and Penglai.”
“What exactly are they trying to do?”
Jiang Pingsheng spoke gravely, but everyone knew the answer.
Obtaining the True Immortal Realm’s power wasn’t something accomplished in a day. They must be making preparations.
The time of their current silence was the time Song Wulan and Xinluoyi were preparing.
Jiang Zhaoxue took a deep breath, understanding that the urgent situation wouldn’t wait. She turned to look at Ye Tianjiao, directly asking, “Can the Resentment Transformation Pool be used?”
“Uh…”
Ye Tianjiao glanced at Jiang Zhaoyue beside him. Jiang Zhaoyue told the truth.
“It can be used, but it’s not stable.”
Jiang Zhaoyue analyzed, “The accelerated transformation formation around the Resentment Transformation Pool has been established, but the barrier isolating the resentful energy isn’t solid. If there’s any accident, the barrier could break. After breaking, the resentful energy would backlash against Pei Zichen. If Pei Zichen is willing to absorb the resentful energy, the result would be his physical body completely destroyed and him being devoured by the resentful energy, completely losing his sanity. If he’s unwilling to accept the resentful energy, it will attack him. Without protection, it will completely tear him apart.”
“Then there’s no problem.”
Hearing this, Qingye immediately said, “We have so many people. Someone will always be protecting him. It won’t come to that.”
“But what is Song Wulan doing?”
Jiang Zhaoyue turned to look at Qingye, “Song Wulan could attack at any moment. We might not even survive ourselves.”
“So it must be quick.”
Jiang Zhaoxue understood, pressing her lips together, “We must begin the fusion before Song Wulan comes to the Jiuyou Realm.”
“Then how quick?” Ye Tianjiao sighed, “Surely not now? We should at least send someone to the True Immortal Realm to check the situa…”
Before the words finished, Jiang Zhaoxue’s transmission jade token suddenly lit up.
She immediately sat up straight and swept the transmission jade token from the table. From inside came a carefree, panting male voice, “Alliance Leader Jiang, this is Zhou Bugang from the Heavenly Dao Sect. You’ve finally sent a message. I don’t know if you can receive this message, but here’s the gist. On the third of September, the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion suddenly emitted resentful energy. The entire True Immortal Realm’s spiritual energy declined. Then disciples of Golden Core Stage and above from the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion were made into killing puppets to attack various sects. The Heavenly Dao Sect and Heavenly Sword Sect both took their disciples to hide in their sects’ sanctuaries. Cough, cough…”
The other party seemed to be coughing up blood, his voice hoarse. Then, panting, he said, “The Lingjian Immortal Pavilion people are everywhere killing people to create violent corpses. They set out on the fifth of September. I don’t know what they’re doing, but I think it definitely won’t be anything good. Notifying you—this is a catastrophe of the Heavenly Dao. Everyone’s life and death is their own responsibility.”
After speaking, the voice disappeared. Everyone present looked at each other.
After a long while, Ye Tianjiao finally reacted, “Good heavens, Xinluoyi called for reinforcements! Using Golden Core Stage and above disciples to make corpses controlled by resentful energy—these disciples won’t die, won’t feel pain, but their abilities are still Golden Core Stage and above… How many did she make? No, wait,” Ye Tianjiao corrected himself, “How many Golden Core Stage and above disciples are there in Central Continent?”
“The Lingjian Immortal Pavilion has the most, followed by Penglai, the Heavenly Dao Sect, and Heavenly Sword Sect. Penglai’s elite are all here with us, and both the Heavenly Dao Sect and Heavenly Sword Sect can protect themselves. Penglai should be able to as well.”
Jiang Zhaoyue analyzed, saying in a low voice, “Though the remaining sects are numerous, they don’t have many Golden Core Stage and above disciples. Even if they killed them all, it would only be tens of thousands.”
“You…” This shocked Ye Tianjiao, “Do you hear what nonsense you’re saying? Only tens of thousands? Do you know what that concept is? One Golden Core self-detonating could blow you into a fireworks display.”
“He’s just estimating a worst-case scenario.”
Jiang Zhaoxue explained to Ye Tianjiao. By now, she had instead calmed down, saying peacefully, “The third of September was the day before yesterday. So they’re setting out today. From Central Continent to the Jiuyou Realm, with so many people and no specially-made transmission array, their fastest speed would still take two days. If they depart today and move quickly, they could arrive tomorrow.”
Hearing “tomorrow,” everyone fell silent.
Jiang Zhaoxue looked up at Pei Zichen, “We’re out of time.”
“Then what are we hesitating for?”
Pei Zichen asked in return, as if he’d already been prepared.
Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak. After a long silence, she took a deep breath, stood up, and nodded, “Right. There’s nothing to hesitate about. Then we’ll arrange everything based on the worst-case scenario right now. In a moment, I’ll send Zhou Bugang a transmission array to reach Penglai. If he’s willing, he can go directly from Penglai’s transmission array to the Jiuyou Realm. If he’s unwilling, we’ll just assume we only have ourselves.”
With that, Jiang Zhaoxue looked around, thinking aloud, “In a moment, Brother and Tianjiao will prepare the final touches on the Resentment Transformation Pool. Zichen and I will arrange defenses. Tianjiao, are all the people in the Demon Palace usable now?”
“Yes.” Hearing this, Ye Tianjiao immediately said, “Everyone left now is my confidant. Don’t worry. Aside from Xinluoyi’s group, everyone else in the Jiuyou Realm is very loyal to the Demon Lord. Everyone depends on him for their livelihood.”
“And all of Penglai’s disciples came too?”
Jiang Zhaoxue looked at Jiang Pingsheng. Jiang Pingsheng nodded, “All the elite are here.”
“Good.”
Jiang Zhaoxue nodded. With a wave of her hand, a sand table projection of the Jiuyou Realm appeared in the void. She pointed to the mountain range behind the Demon Palace, “The Resentment Transformation Pool is at the peak of the mountain range behind the Demon Palace. At that time, Father, Brother, Tianjiao, and I will handle the Resentment Transformation Pool. All of the Jiuyou Realm’s defensive formations will be moved to the back mountain today, with layer upon layer of defenses. Xinluoyi and her group are expected to arrive before sunset tomorrow. If all goes smoothly, we’ll begin fusion before nightfall tonight. Then before they arrive, Pei Zichen can successfully become a god. But if it doesn’t go smoothly—”
Jiang Zhaoxue’s tone grew heavy, “We need to estimate that all defenses on the back mountain can hold for at least twelve hours. So we’ll set up four layers of defense. If they try to force their way through from above at any angle on these four defensive layers, all four layers will provide support—impregnable. So their only option will be to break through each layer of defense one by one from the foot of the mountain.”
Jiang Zhaoxue planned, drawing dividing lines on the mountain shape floating in the air on the sand table.
“The mountain protection formation is the first line of defense—it must hold for at least three hours. If the mountain protection formation breaks, by then we’ll have already consumed a quarter of the resentful energy. Father, you can go out to help. At the boundary of the second defensive formation you and Brother set up before the mountain gate—hold for three hours. If they unfortunately force their way up the mountain, here—at the Heart-Questioning Platform.”
Jiang Zhaoxue’s face grew stern, “Brother, you’ll go out first. I’ll reinforce based on the situation.”
With that, Jiang Zhaoxue looked up at Pei Zichen, speaking earnestly, “Unless I die, I won’t let anyone pass the Heart-Questioning Platform. But if someone does pass the Heart-Questioning Platform, Shi Cang,” she paused quietly, finally saying, “the last layer of defense is just a defensive formation. Tianjiao will make the final arrangements, and everything will depend only on yourself.”
No one spoke.
The Resentment Transformation Pool was built by Ye Tianjiao and Jiang Zhaoyue, two talisman cultivators. Leaving Ye Tianjiao for last was the final arrangement.
But everyone also knew that if it really came to that step, most likely no one would survive.
However, Pei Zichen still only nodded calmly, saying softly, “Alright.”
“Then it’s decided.”
Jiang Zhaoxue steadied her mind and glanced at everyone, finally settling on Jiang Pingsheng, “Father, please go rest well.”
Then she moved her gaze to Qingye, “Qingye, coordinate with the Jiuyou Realm people and arrange medicine and logistics.”
Qingye accepted the order and went down with Diewu and Dielan. Jiang Zhaoxue shifted her gaze to Ye Tianjiao and Jiang Zhaoyue. Ye Tianjiao immediately spread his hands, “Understood. Young Master Jiang and I will do the final repairs.”
Jiang Zhaoxue nodded. Finally, she looked at Pei Zichen. After pondering for a moment, she said softly, “Wait for me to send a message to Zhou Bugang. After that, we’ll prepare the defensive formations.”
Pei Zichen nodded. Everyone departed separately. Jiang Zhaoxue took the transmission formation Penglai had prepared early on, set Zhou Bugang as the only person who could activate it, then transmitted it to the True Immortal Realm along with the cause and effect and secret orders to Penglai.
After transmitting, Pei Zichen asked with some worry, “Can they receive it?”
Jiang Zhaoxue shrugged, saying frankly, “I don’t know.”
“Then will they come?”
Pei Zichen thought about it, “Since they now have a way to escape from Song Wulan’s hands, that means their sect must have a way to survive. If they stay in their sect’s safe zone, would they be willing to come here to risk their lives?”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it and only said, “In my heart, I’m uncertain. But hearing you say this, I’m actually inclined to trust them.”
“Why?”
Pei Zichen looked up in confusion. Jiang Zhaoxue raised her brow with a smile, “I need to give you some good examples of the truth, goodness, and beauty of humanity. I have to believe first, don’t I?”
Hearing this, Pei Zichen froze, then couldn’t help but smile too.
Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed his hand and said happily, “Alright, enough talk. Let’s get to work.”
With that, she pulled him out the door.
Jiang Zhaoxue first watched as Pei Zichen moved all of the Jiuyou Realm’s existing defensive formations to the back mountain. Together with the mountain protection formation, they formed densely packed defensive arrays. Afterward, he moved all the restriction formations from his cave dwelling to the Resentment Transformation Pool.
After he had all the formations ready, Jiang Zhaoxue began reinforcing and enhancing them.
After everything was done, Ye Tianjiao still hadn’t notified them to go to the Resentment Transformation Pool, so they sat at a high point on the mountain peak, gazing out at the entire Jiuyou Realm and began to rest.
Looking down at the Jiuyou Realm from the back mountain cliff, there was a vast plain stretching endlessly. The people of the Cang Capital came and went. Aside from the surging demonic energy, it seemed no different from the True Immortal Realm.
The sun gradually set. Pei Zichen looked into the distance and couldn’t help saying, “The last time I sat with you like this looking at mountains seems like it was very long ago.”
“Yes.”
Jiang Zhaoxue recalled that time, watching the distant sunset pour through gaps in the clouds onto the plain. Golden light floated and rippled like broken gold on water. She said softly, “Back then I felt you were still very small, gloomy all the time. Come to think of it, I’ve hardly ever seen you happy.”
As Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, she looked at him curiously, “Have you ever been happy?”
“Yes.” Pei Zichen smiled, “That day you mentioned, I was very happy.”
“Mm?”
Jiang Zhaoxue blinked, “What were you happy about?”
Jiang Zhaoxue recalled, “Happy that I took you drinking? Riding the immortal crane? Or…”
“You fulfilled my wish.”
Pei Zichen interrupted her. Jiang Zhaoxue was puzzled, “Wish? What wish?”
“You said you would always stay with me.”
Pei Zichen recalled that time, his eyes showing some gentleness and happiness as he said softly, “You said that being by my side then wasn’t for Master—it was for me. All of this made me feel very happy.”
“Ah…”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat guilty. Most of what she’d said then was casual talk. Thinking about it, she confirmed, “Back then I should have said that if you still wanted it in the future, then I’d stay with you, right?”
“How is that any different from promising yourself to me?”
Hearing this, Pei Zichen chuckled lightly. Jiang Zhaoxue paused. After a moment, she nodded, “Indeed, there’s no difference. And even putting it in today’s context, this answer doesn’t matter anymore.”
Jiang Zhaoxue’s gaze looked into the distance. The wind gently brushed past her temples. Her voice was very light, “Whether life or death, in the end I must accompany you to the very end.”
Pei Zichen remained silently quiet. In the distance, mountains concealed light and shadow, their outlines traced by the setting sun.
After a long while, he suddenly asked softly, “Then what about you?”
“Mm?”
Jiang Zhaoxue turned to look at him.
Pei Zichen gazed at her, “My wish has already been fulfilled. What about your wish?”
“My wish…”
Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it. After a long pause, Jiang Zhaoxue raised her eyes. She looked at Pei Zichen, as if joking, yet her eyes couldn’t hide her anticipation and seriousness, “Pei Zichen, become a god.”