The sounds of battle around them seemed to be isolated by Yin Changli’s words.

Even Xiang Haikui forgot her pain, looking with astonishment at Bai Xingxian, who was holding her.

Bai Xingxian froze momentarily, then obediently responded with an “Oh,” calling out to Jing Ran: “Uncle.”

Jing Ran was the most suffocated: “My elder brother’s son?” Immediately shaking his head, “Impossible!”

Yin Changli was cunning and devious—this must be some scheme.

With the spiritual perception of the royal clan, there was simply no desire.

He had none, and his elder brother, with even stronger spiritual perception, would have even less.

The royal clan only developed desire when their bodies deemed it necessary to produce offspring, usually during middle age.

Neither of the brothers had reached that age yet.

How could there be descendants?

But… perhaps it wasn’t absolute.

Jing Ran’s divine perception shifted from Bai Xingxian to Xiang Haikui, lingering for a moment.

Even if this point made sense, it couldn’t possibly result in a demon offspring.

There were no restrictions on interbreeding between the Heavenly Race and other species, but mixed offspring lacked spiritual perception—only pure-blooded Heavenly Race possessed it.

Yin Changli’s lips curled slightly: “Di Jun, don’t measure Shu Luoye by your understanding. You’re not his equal, as you know.”

“No matter how inferior I am to him, this is still impossible.” Jing Ran’s gaze returned to Bai Xingxian, scrutinizing him.

Mutations weren’t so easily achieved. His ability to merge Xiang Haikui and Yin Changli’s essences was only possible because Xiang Haikui cultivated the Heaven’s Madness technique, which already contained demonic qualities.

With an ordinary human woman, it would be impossible.

Yet the fact before his eyes was undeniable—this young demon possessed spiritual perception, clearly inherited from his elder brother, and resonating with his own.

His elder brother’s soul had scattered completely, making reincarnation impossible.

“So does Di Jun understand now? There’s nothing wrong with the divine artifact; I could use it anytime. However, besides having me complete the forging of the divine artifact, Shu Luoye hoped I would find a way to remove the spiritual perception from his son, or else the child might die when the artifact is deployed.”

Yin Changli’s attitude was fearless. “That’s why I’ve hesitated to act. After all, his father and I were close friends, and I raised the boy myself—I can’t bear to harm him.”

Jing Ran remained silent.

Yin Changli’s voice gradually grew cold: “I can tolerate your usual schemes, but now you’ve descended to such despicable depths, beyond my tolerance. Pushing me to madness will do you no good!”

Jing Ran didn’t respond; his mind was in chaos, and he needed someone’s help.

“Han Qi!”

…

“Master?”

After Di Jun’s voice had faded for some time with no response from Han Qi, Xing Nü offered a reminder.

Han Qi was also examining Bai Xingxian.

As Bai Xingxian had carved his way toward the Twelve Palaces, Han Qi, like Jin Ying, had been staring at him in astonishment.

For the moment, he truly couldn’t guess Yin Changli’s intentions. Setting aside how Shu Luoye had violated the royal clan’s nature to have a child…

If he had entrusted the child to Yin Changli on his deathbed, intending for Yin Changli to raise him to adulthood and use the Mountain Sea Clan’s influence to place him on the throne, then why create a divine artifact capable of annihilating the Heavenly Race?

Though the nature of this artifact remained unknown, it undoubtedly existed specifically to target the Heavenly Race.

The Heavenly Race possessed a sacred mirror that had foreseen this great calamity and warned Di Jun, which was why Di Jun had moved against his brother.

But he was one step too late—the artifact had already been taken by Yin Changli, who had defected many years ago.

“I can’t figure it out. I might predict Brother Changli’s moves, but I have no understanding of Di Jun’s notoriously rebellious brother,” Han Qi shook his head.

No matter how Di Jun called for him, Han Qi played dead, refusing to appear, only taking out an hourglass to glance at it once more.

…

“There, Big Sister Kui.” Lu Xiqiao had finished practicing and placed his left hand an inch above her wound. Given its location on her chest, he felt uncomfortable. “I’m not taking advantage of you, I swear.”

“Are you sure you can do this?” Bai Xingxian looked at his neck, eyes full of doubt. “You’re still bleeding.”

“Don’t ask for too much, okay? I’m not a divine immortal.”

“But…”

“If you’re better than me, you do it.”

Xiang Haikui had been listening to Yin Changli and Jing Ran’s conversation, but now her attention was drawn to the two young men.

After hearing just a couple of sentences about his origins, Bai Xingxian acted as if it had nothing to do with him, seemingly unconcerned.

Lu Xiqiao was the same.

“That’s enough, come on,” Xiang Haikui urged Lu Xiqiao, telling them to stop arguing. Given the current situation, they were still bickering over such things.

“Alright.” Green mist began to emanate from Lu Xiqiao’s palm, different from the poisonous green mist he used in combat. This green energy felt like standing in a bamboo forest after fresh rain, vibrant with life.

He had gradually mastered the power of his United Dual Fruit physique.

Xiang Haikui reflected that ten years ago in Yin Sha City, the three of them had been mere novices.

In just ten short years, everything had changed dramatically.

They had walked a path that would take others a thousand years.

It was hard to say whether this was fortunate or unfortunate. As the saying goes, only the drinker knows if the water is cold or warm.

“Di Jun, you should return to the Upper Realm first,” Jin Ying transmitted to Jing Ran. “Given the current situation…”

With Bai Xingxian nearby, emanating such powerful royal spiritual perception, both she and the imperial guards Di Jun had brought were rendered useless.

Di Jun was seriously injured, and Yin Changli was his equal in strength. Further injury would make recovery difficult for a long time.

Most critically, Han Qi remained hidden in the shadows, never intervening, and no one knew what he intended.

He was uninjured and, although primarily a great astrologer skilled in calculating fate, that didn’t mean he was unskilled in magical combat.

Thus, Yin Changli’s revelation about Bai Xingxian was likely meant to make Di Jun retreat and surrender the Other Shore City.

Otherwise, if the two fought, Han Qi might be the ultimate beneficiary.

“Han Qi, well done indeed.” Jing Ran nodded repeatedly, his lips curling into a cold smile.

Yin Changli, however, frowned, wondering what Han Qi truly intended—certainly not for them to fight until mutual destruction.

As he pondered this, a golden light suddenly appeared in the sky.

Like a proud sun tearing through darkness, it illuminated the Netherworld with brilliant radiance.

…

Han Qi smiled slightly: “He’s here.”

Xing Nü, her vision impaired by the light, asked: “Who is it, Master?”

Han Qi put away his hourglass: “Dugu He.”

…

Perhaps Xiang Haikui felt it most intensely—when a powerful sword encountered an even stronger one, that mixture of fear and excitement acted like a powerful stimulant, making her pierced heart pound with renewed vigor, more effective than any treatment.

This caused Lu Xiqiao, who was channeling the World Tree’s power into her, to be pushed away.

Heaven’s Madness provided enormous energy, revitalizing the weakened Xiang Haikui.

Xiang Haikui was startled—did fully-mastered Heaven’s Madness grow stronger against stronger opponents, even capable of healing wounds?

Though it was especially effective against sword cultivators.

If Jing Ran had been a sword cultivator, his injuries would have been far worse.

“Who is that?” she asked Yin Changli, standing before her, while freeing herself from Bai Xingxian to stand on her own, now able to stand steadily.

“The Heavenly Race’s Sword God, Dugu He.” Yin Changli supported her slightly, his brows deeply furrowed. “Why would he come here?”

“Did Di Jun summon him?” Xiang Haikui suppressed Heaven’s Madness’s excitement and began to worry. With such a formidable character arriving, the situation had instantly changed.

She had certainly heard of Dugu He’s great reputation—possessing spiritual perception just below the royal clan, with sword energy so powerful he was the only one in the Heavenly Race not suppressed by royal spiritual perception.

“No,” Yin Changli shook his head. “Di Jun and he are the two strongest in the Upper Realm, and one must always remain on guard. Di Jun’s Wentian Palace contains treasures from various clans and numerous arrays, including those restraining my imprisoned clansmen—someone must watch over them. I suspect Han Qi lured him down here.”

As the sword light descended, Xiang Haikui saw an imposing man of vibrant spirit.

Sword cultivators of his level typically kept their swords within their consciousness seas, but he wore his at his waist, appearing like a wandering swordsman from the jianghu.

She asked: “Is Han Qi trying to cause trouble in the Heavenly Realm?”

That seemed unlikely—the people of the Upper Realm only believed in spiritual perception. No matter how powerful Han Qi was, he couldn’t become Di Jun or control the Heavenly Race.

And if chaos erupted in the Upper Realm, the human race would suffer. Han Qi wouldn’t do that.

“This is bad…” Yin Changli pinched the bridge of his nose, evidently having guessed Han Qi’s intentions.

“What’s wrong?” Xiang Haikui felt an inexplicable anxiety.

“Han Qi’s true target is…”

…

Xing Nü was slightly surprised: “Your real target is Sword Emperor Qi Yin?”

There was bitterness in Han Qi’s voice as he took out a tangerine and slowly peeled it: “With events having developed to this point, war is inevitable.”

All he could do was minimize the impact of this war on the human realm.

Among these warmongers, Qi Yin has the greatest destructive power. Before Brother Changli releases him, I must kill him first.”

And if he could drag Dugu He down to die with him in the Netherworld, that would be even better.

So Han Qi had sent someone to lure Dugu He away, infiltrate Wentian Palace, and weaken the magical barrier around Wangu Cave.

He then sent people to Wangu Cave to tell Qi Yin about Xiang Haikui’s plight.

And informed him that while his physical body couldn’t escape due to the weakened array, his soul could.

Xing Nü worriedly said, “But Master, even if Elder Qi extracts his soul, our people still can’t approach Wangu Cave.”

The Mountain Sea Sword Emperor had been imprisoned in Wangu Cave for many years, with his sword energy permeating everywhere.

“We can’t approach it, but Que Chi can,” Han Qi pursed his lips. “I visited the Meng family earlier specifically to request Que Chi from Third Master Meng.”

Que Chi shared the same sword dao lineage as Qi Yin, so he could approach Wangu Cave.

Xing Nü remained confused: “But this is a trap. Elder Qi…”

“Qi Yin is extremely protective of his own.”

Han Qi wasn’t worried at all. “When Miss Xiang changed her fate in Yin Sha, he didn’t take the Meng family seriously at all and trusted Brother Changli completely, feeling quite secure. The situation is different now—Di Jun’s despicable methods have greatly displeased the old man. He’s already lost seventeen disciples and absolutely won’t let this little disciple of his suffer.”

Xing Nü couldn’t understand: “Is this more important than his own life? Besides, he’s the greatest hope for the Mountain Sea Clan’s resurgence. If something happens to him, it would be a devastating blow to Lord Changli and the entire Mountain Sea Clan. How could he be so muddleheaded…”

“That’s the difference. If it were me, I definitely wouldn’t intervene. Xing Nü, even if Di Jun hung you up and sliced off a piece of your flesh every day, I wouldn’t care,” Han Qi said calmly while eating his tangerine. “But Qi Yin is different. He’s always followed his impulses. If he had considered these things, he wouldn’t have been imprisoned back then, and the Mountain Sea Clan wouldn’t have fallen so quickly.”

“Master, that’s hurtful,” Xing Nü pouted, feeling wronged.

“You should think of it this way—as my disciple, how could you possibly encounter such situations?” Han Qi looked toward the Other Shore City, lamenting, “If Miss Xiang had chosen to cooperate with me earlier, she wouldn’t have reached this point today.”

…

“Where is Qi Yin?” Dugu He looked around, his gaze falling on Di Jun in surprise. “Who? Who is so formidable that they managed to stab you twice?”

One sword through the chest, another through the abdomen, reducing the mighty Di Jun to such a sorry state—Dugu He questioned whether he could accomplish such a feat.

Jing Ran’s face darkened: “Dugu He, why have you disobeyed my orders and come to the lower realm without permission?”

Dugu He ignored him completely, still crouching to examine his sword wounds, his head nearly pressing into the injuries: “Heaven’s Madness? It must be Heaven’s Madness! Someone has cultivated Heaven’s Madness to its peak?!”

His gaze snapped to Xiang Haikui, revealing a maniacal expression: “It’s you!”

Yin Changli shifted his footing to shield Xiang Haikui behind him, cupping his hands in respect: “Elder Dugu.”

“Since your master hasn’t arrived, why don’t you spar with me first?” Dugu He’s eyes blazed with intensity as he implored, “You’re injured, so I’ll only use one-tenth of my power… no, one-twentieth.”

“Dugu He, your emperor is speaking to you!” Jing Ran’s shout halted his advance.

Heaven’s Madness trembled violently. Normally, Xiang Haikui would certainly have accepted the challenge—even against the Sword God, there was no reason to back down.

But having heard Yin Changli’s speculation, she was now filled with panic, clutching his arm as her voice trembled: “My master won’t come, right? He’s been in contemplative seclusion for so many years, he must have learned his lesson, right?”

Yin Changli remained silent.

“For just those eighty days of master-disciple relationship, Master wouldn’t come, would he?” she asked Yin Changli repeatedly.

“Don’t worry, it should be fine,” Yin Changli’s hand covered hers.

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiang Haikui’s Heaven’s Madness surged frantically again.

For it, today was truly a feast.

Xiang Haikui’s heart sank as she widened her eyes toward the sky. The golden light created by Dugu He tearing through the Netherworld still lingered, but a black hurricane swept through, dispersing the golden light.

Countless water columns rose from the Netherworld Sea, reaching for the clouds.

As the hurricane descended, sword energy consolidated into a human figure—it was Qi Yin.

“Qi Yin, I’ve finally waited for you!” Dugu He instantly forgot about Xiang Haikui, fixing his gaze on Qi Yin with a hundredfold fervor.

Jing Ran cursed under his breath: “Han Qi!”

Yin Changli’s face remained expressionless.

Xiang Haikui felt her strength drain in an instant: “Master, why did you…”

But Qi Yin spread his arms, his eyes full of distress: “My poor little Kui…”

Xiang Haikui’s nose stung as she rushed to embrace him, cursing loudly even as tears flowed: “Why did you come? Don’t you know it’s a trap? Don’t you know you could die? Your Mountain Sea Clan deserves to lose—you’re so foolish!”

“Even in death, I can’t allow my disciple to be mistreated like this!” Qi Yin caressed Xiang Haikui’s back as it rose and fell with her sobs. His furious gaze first swept over Yin Changli—though he said nothing, his reproach was evident.

Then he suddenly raised his arm, pointing his index finger at Jing Ran and speaking each word distinctly: “You little bastard, when your father was alive, he had to bow his head before your Grandpa Qi! You’ve got more nerve than your father—didn’t you know she’s my disciple? Tell me, how do you want to die!”