“Dawn is almost here, it’s about time to return, isn’t it?”

By the Guihe Well, Fudao Shanren and Zheng Yao were both waiting.

Streaks of flowing light descended from the mountain wall, landing near Fudao Shanren.

Without even turning around, Fudao Shanren knew it was those few fools.

“What are you doing coming down here?”

Shen Jiu took the lead, chuckling as he said, “We heard that Senior Sister Jian Chou also went to the Armory to select a weapon. We’re all curious about what kind of sword our eldest senior sister will bring back.”

Standing with Shen Jiu were the simple-minded Chen Weishan, the chubby Jianghe, and even the sword-obsessed Kou Qianzhi, who usually kept to himself and never concerned himself with other matters, had come out.

Fudao Shanren turned around to look.

Seeing the others was fine, but when he spotted Kou Qianzhi, he asked in surprise, “What are you doing out here?”

Kou Qianzhi held his own long sword in his hand and replied in his unpleasant voice, “Eldest Senior Sister’s talent is exceptional, beyond our comparison. I only wish to know whether, with Senior Sister’s talent, she might bring back Yixiantian.”

Yixiantian.

One Thread of Heaven, One Thread of Immortality.

Heaven’s opportunity in one thread, immortal opportunity in one thread.

How many years had it been?

Countless disciples had entered and exited the Armory, all admiring this sword beyond measure, yet none had ever been able to take it away!

Ten thousand years of solid ice, never melting through the ages, impervious to blades and spears.

Back then, Kou Qianzhi had nearly exhausted all his efforts on that patch of solid ice, yet Yixiantian remained completely unmoved.

For a cultivator obsessed with swords, being unable to gain Yixiantian’s favor was undoubtedly a tremendous regret.

So when he thought that perhaps someone might be able to bring back Yixiantian, he paid particular attention.

The others felt the same way.

Fudao Shanren had eight disciples in total. Excluding the two who were still out training and cultivating, the three standing here, plus Qu Zhengfeng, who had gone to the Armory, all used swords without exception.

Though Jian Chou had only been a disciple for a short time, she had continuously given everyone either pleasant surprises or frightening shocks.

So then…

What about this time?

The “Yixiantian” in the Armory was the dream that everyone had longed for but could never obtain!

Fudao Shanren roughly understood what this group of fools was thinking and couldn’t help but turn his head to exchange a glance with Zheng Yao.

Only these two old fellows knew…

It was almost impossible.

Jian Chou’s soul was deficient. The famous swords and instruments in the Armory chose their masters based on sensing this.

To be precise, with a deficient soul, one couldn’t even be called a person—they’d be called “walking dead.” It’s just that Jian Chou’s body was rather special.

Bring back Yixiantian?

Heh.

Fudao Shanren thought silently that he’d rather hope this girl would bring him back a flock of plump white geese!

His shoulders drooped as Fudao Shanren let out a long sigh.

Everyone didn’t understand why Fudao Shanren was sighing, thinking he was annoyed at them gathering here to watch the excitement.

But these few people had cultivated for so many years—their cultivation levels aside, at least their skin had grown thick enough.

They exchanged glances and simply pretended they hadn’t heard Fudao Shanren’s “disdainful” long sigh, just standing in place, waiting.

When Jian Chou and the others left, night was falling. Now the eastern sky showed a fish-belly white.

The moon hanging high on the edge of Yashan’s cliff was finally gradually setting.

As streaks of magical artifact radiance lit up and sounds of breaking through the air came one after another, everyone finally perked up and looked up!

“They’re back!”

One streak of radiance after another—some deep blue, some light azure, some crimson red, some snow white…

They landed one by one beside the Guihe Well.

More than twenty people, all with their magical instruments. Seeing that both the sect master and Fudao Shanren were waiting for them here, everyone was stunned before bowing in unison: “We pay respects to the Sect Master, we pay respects to Grand Master Uncle!”

Zheng Yao glanced around and said, “No need for such formality.”

But…

Looking again, where was everyone else?

Fudao Shanren was also puzzled. His gaze swept across each person’s face, but he couldn’t see a single one that looked like Qu Zhengfeng or Jian Chou.

“How is it only you? Where are your Master Uncle Qu and Master Uncle Jian Chou?”

Upon hearing this, the disciples suddenly looked at each other uncertainly.

This…

Recalling what had happened in the Armory, everyone felt the urge to break out in cold sweats.

The handsome cultivator who had previously drawn Jian Chou’s sword stepped forward, stammering nervously, “Reporting to Grand Master Uncle, Senior Master Uncle Jian Chou’s… her… magical instrument is somewhat heavy. Master Uncle Qu is accompanying Senior Master Uncle, and they’re still behind us.”

Uh.

Magical instrument?

Somewhat heavy?

Requiring Qu Zhengfeng’s accompaniment?

Fudao Shanren blinked, not quite understanding.

Zheng Yao also asked strangely, “How could Eldest Senior Sister possibly have a magical instrument?”

Everyone nearby looked at him in surprise, as if wondering how he knew, and also as if wondering why the sect master would say such a thing.

Zheng Yao was about to say something to Fudao Shanren when the handsome young man raised his head to look up at the sky and said, “They’re back!”

Everyone turned to look and saw one golden and one blue streak of flowing light descending.

The deep blue one was steady enough, but the glassy gold one swayed back and forth like someone drunk, as if it might fall from the sky at any moment.

Undoubtedly, the deep blue one was Qu Zhengfeng, and that glassy gold one…

Everyone below broke out in cold sweats.

It must be Senior Master Uncle Jian Chou!

Before the two streaks of light reached the center of Lingzhao Peak, that glassy gold one finally couldn’t hold on and fell straight down.

Qu Zhengfeng gasped, “Eldest Senior Sister!”

“Thud!”

A tremendous crash!

Something fell to the ground along with Jian Chou, striking the solid ground of Lingzhao Peak.

By the Guihe Well, everyone felt that in that instant, the entire Lingzhao Peak trembled.

Then they saw the long-awaited Senior Master Uncle Jian Chou.

The slender Senior Master Uncle Jian Chou.

Looking up, she noticed they were all over there, so she slowly dragged something heavy as she gradually walked over.

With each step Jian Chou took, the ground produced tremendous scraping sounds.

One step, “Rumble…”

One step, “Rumble…”

One step…

The entire Lingzhao Peak seemed to tremble slightly, and the enormous sounds could be heard clearly by all the Yashan disciples on the surrounding mountain walls.

This early in the morning, some people rose early. They had probably just stretched lazily when their ears were filled with rumbling sounds.

So everyone got up and looked toward the source of the noise.

Jian Chou walked over step by step, leaving footprints.

All who witnessed this scene stared wide-eyed with their mouths agape, their jaws nearly dropping to the ground!

Fudao Shanren and Zheng Yao were twitching uncontrollably.

What was that…

What exactly was that thing she was dragging behind her?

Step by step.

Jian Chou finally drew near. Her wrists were already aching, so she finally breathed a sigh of relief and released her five fingers.

The enormous ghost axe crashed thunderously to the ground!

“Bang!”

Another tremendous sound.

Dust flew everywhere.

In this cloud of dust, Jian Chou bowed formally, her voice carrying a kind of desperate resignation.

“Disciple pays respects to Master, pays respects to Sect Master. The Armory mission did not disgrace the task—I have retrieved a magical instrument.”

“…”

Fudao Shanren’s stunned gaze moved from her expression of lifeless composure to the giant axe lying at her feet…

Did not disgrace the task…

Did not disgrace the task…

Did not disgrace the task…

These four words echoed continuously in Fudao Shanren’s ears, making him feel like he was dreaming.

“You, you, you…”

Fudao Shanren raised his hand, pointing at her, then at the sword by her feet, unable to speak a complete sentence for a long while.

Zheng Yao walked up sympathetically and patted Fudao Shanren’s shoulder: “To be able to bring back a magical instrument is already remarkable. Master Uncle shouldn’t ask for too much, right?”

Everyone around found this statement strange.

Jian Chou also found it strange, as if…

Was there some hidden meaning?

As for Jian Chou’s nominal junior brothers, they were currently feeling cold sweats running down the backs of their heads.

My god!

Of all things to bring back, she brought back a sword!

Eldest Senior Sister, you’re a bit different from ordinary female cultivators!

This axe is also too, too…

Too big!

Fudao Shanren trembled for a long time before stamping his foot and bursting out: “Did not disgrace the task my ass!”

He’d rather Jian Chou had brought back nothing at all than drag back such a ridiculously huge thing to Yashan!

If others found out that Yashan’s newly admitted female disciple actually used such a ferocious giant axe, they’d probably have to bear the reputation of not welcoming female cultivators for several hundred years!

Fudao Shanren almost wanted to cry.

He silently stuffed half a chicken leg into his mouth and wailed: “I really don’t know if you’re blind or this axe is blind…”

Zheng Yao, using his wise brain, thought for a long time before definitively stating: “Master Uncle, it must be the axe that’s blind!”

“…”

This was the speechless crowd.

The axe lying on the ground was completely black and dull, covered with deep red rust stains, looking exactly like a piece of scrap metal.

At this moment, it lay motionlessly under everyone’s various gazes—surprised, strange, or speechless—as if it had grown accustomed to it.

Jian Chou had long known that dragging back this axe would have this effect.

Her voice was somewhat weak: “For this disciple to obtain this ghost axe was already very difficult. You don’t know—the swords in the Armory were each more arrogant than the last. This disciple somehow couldn’t draw out a single one. This axe came to me on its own. This disciple… this disciple feels it should be quite powerful.”

“Crack.”

This was the sound of Fudao Shanren’s sharp teeth biting through a chicken bone.

He chewed twice, looked at Jian Chou for a long time, then finally slowly walked over and kicked the axe with his foot.

Zheng Yao coughed twice. Seeing all the surrounding people looking at Jian Chou with expressions ranging from strange to reverent, he immediately felt pity for this ill-fated eldest senior sister.

He stepped forward and said to those disciples watching the excitement: “You’ve just obtained your magical instruments—hurry back and cultivate properly.”

Everyone knew the excitement was probably over.

Perfect timing to leave and go back to tell their fellow disciples the new news about Senior Master Uncle Jian Chou!

After the kick came the giant axe!

This Senior Master Uncle Jian Chou was truly Yashan’s number one oddity, definitely not an ordinary person!

Thinking of the beautiful and petite Senior Sister Jian Chou swinging a mountain-splitting axe bigger than herself to chop people, everyone felt an unusual excitement!

Probably after that kick, they had already accepted the preconception that “Senior Master Uncle Jian Chou is very violent.”

Soon, people had obediently dispersed.

Remaining on site were only Sect Master Zheng Yao and several personal disciples of Fudao Shanren.

The nominal junior brothers were also finding it hard to express their feelings…

Eldest Senior Sister hadn’t brought back Yixiantian, but had brought back a magical giant axe…

Shen Jiu glanced sideways at Qu Zhengfeng, who was standing nearby without speaking, then slowly withdrew his gaze.

At this time, Fudao Shanren had already crouched down and reached out with his finger to flip the heavy giant axe over.

“Clang.”

With this flip, he immediately saw two characters carved on the side.

Ghost Axe.

In that instant, he was stunned.

Originally wondering how any magical instrument in the Armory could choose Jian Chou, he hadn’t expected…

It would be this one.

Fudao Shanren’s finger moved to the spine of the giant axe, where there was indeed a circular depression.

“So it’s not that this axe is blind…”

This statement was even stranger. Zheng Yao couldn’t help but walk over: “Master Uncle, what’s wrong?”

“It’s the Ghost Axe.”

Jian Chou had mentioned it in her words earlier, but Fudao Shanren had been caught up in his internal roaring about “how can a female cultivator use such a big axe” and hadn’t paid attention.

Now, crouching down to look properly, he could finally see clearly.

Looking at those deep red rust stains on the giant axe, scenes from the ancient Extreme Domain Yama battlefield surged up like a tide.

Fudao Shanren’s form stiffened, and he didn’t move for a very long time.

The moment he heard Fudao Shanren say “Ghost Axe,” the moment he walked over and saw those evil ghost patterns on the handle and blade, Zheng Yao was also stunned.

Neither of them spoke.

Qu Zhengfeng, seeing this scene, slowly lowered his eyelids.

Jian Chou, not understanding, was somewhat puzzled.

She turned to also look at the axe: “Master, this was the only magical instrument in the Armory that chose me. Is there something improper about it?”

“Nothing improper.” Fudao Shanren slowly stood up, withdrew his finger, and sighed deeply. “This is a good axe, no wonder it chose you. But you should think carefully—this is a damaged axe, not complete. Its original grade was very high, but now I can’t say for certain… A damaged axe choosing a damaged soul, no wonder…”

No wonder Jian Chou could bring back this axe.

Jian Chou frowned: “A damaged axe choosing a damaged soul?”

A rather unpleasant premonition suddenly rose within her as she looked at Fudao Shanren.

Zheng Yao said nothing, sighing inwardly.

He knew that Fudao Shanren had previously said that once Jian Chou returned, he would lay everything out clearly and let Eldest Senior Sister make her own choice. But when it came time to speak, one would realize how cruel a thing this was.

Fudao Shanren was silent for a long time before raising his head to look at Jian Chou.

Meeting her puzzled gaze, he spoke: “Before going to the Armory, you wanted to ask me about matters related to the Dao Seal and battle disc. Now I’ll tell you.”

That ominous premonition slowly grew heavier, like a stone pressing down on her heart.

Jian Chou listened without speaking.

Fudao Shanren said, “I discovered you in a coffin beneath the cliff. You had already been dead for three days. I used soul-gathering techniques to call back your three souls and seven spirits, bringing you back from death to life.”

Right.

Jian Chou remembered.

Fudao Shanren continued: “Recently, you easily mastered the Heavenly Disc, gained complete control over the battle disc, and could even cast Dao Seal techniques from any part of your body without restriction… I said you have a Heavenly Void Body.”

“Exactly.”

It’s just that Jian Chou still didn’t understand the Heavenly Void Body very clearly.

And when the others heard these four words, their faces also showed expressions of shock.

The Heavenly Disc was one thing!

Even a Heavenly Void Body had emerged!

Eldest Senior Sister, do you have to be this abnormal?

Glancing at Jian Chou once more, Fudao Shanren shifted his gaze away: “Having a Heavenly Void Body is naturally supremely beneficial. But the cause of your Heavenly Void Body differs from others. Your three souls and seven spirits once left your body, and your flesh dissolved. If the three souls and seven spirits had completely merged with your flesh, your meridians and acupoints should be the same as ordinary people. But your body has no meridians and no acupoints. What the heart thinks, the body manifests—thus the Heavenly Disc was easy to build, thus Dao Seals follow your heart. Which means…”

“My three souls and seven spirits are not complete?”

How intelligent was Jian Chou? She easily grasped the meaning in Fudao Shanren’s words.

Everyone around was immediately stunned.

Zheng Yao sighed deeply.

Fudao Shanren nodded: “Exactly so. You have all three souls and seven spirits, but two souls and one spirit each have defects. Probably when your three souls and seven spirits left your body, they were partially devoured by the dragon cave’s evil spirits and demons… So your flesh and three souls and seven spirits cannot merge…”

It was precisely because they couldn’t merge that she had her strange “Heavenly Void Body.”

This was a good thing.

But Jian Chou saw Fudao Shanren’s expression. The Fudao Shanren of the past was like a hands-off boss who didn’t care about anything—he looked amusing no matter how you looked at him. But now, though his face showed no expression, there was some sorrow in his eyes.

Jian Chou knew it wasn’t that simple.

“Master, if two souls and one spirit are deficient, are there any calamities?”

“There are.”

Fudao Shanren exhaled.

Since he had long decided to speak, naturally, he couldn’t hide anything from Jian Chou.

She should know, and must know, so that the path she walked in the future would be one she chose herself.

As her master, no matter how much it pained him, he had to make this decision and speak these words.

“A Heavenly Void Body with deficient souls and spirits will cultivate extremely quickly, just like building a Foundation Establishment Heavenly Disc in thirteen days. Moreover, since you have no meridians and can act as your heart desires, if you fight others, it’s hard to predict how you’ll strike. Your body has no restrictions, so your power will be extraordinarily great. But this speed will only last until the Spirit Separation stage.”

After a pause, Fudao Shanren finally couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

“After Spirit Separation comes heart cultivation. With deficient souls and spirits, heart cultivation is nearly impossible. When facing the Heart-Questioning Dao Tribulation that targets one’s mental state, you’ll almost certainly die. Below Spirit Separation, you’ll rarely meet an opponent. But once you pass Spirit Separation…”

Once past Spirit Separation, certain death.

Jian Chou understood.

She stood there for a long time without speaking.

Shen Jiu and the others around were completely stunned. How could this be?

Below Spirit Separation, rarely meeting an opponent;

Past Spirit Separation, certain death?

Zheng Yao was genuinely worried.

He stepped forward to stand beside Fudao Shanren, wanting to smile but finding it quite difficult.

“Well… actually, this master thinks it’s not a big deal. After all, you only face the Heart-Questioning Tribulation after Spirit Separation. Eldest Senior Sister can choose not to cultivate, or just cultivate to that threshold—it’s not that dangerous.”

At most, she just wouldn’t reach higher realms.

Hearing this, Fudao Shanren also nodded: “Exactly so. Your master doesn’t want to hide anything from you, so today I’m telling you everything. See how you choose…”

Jian Chou still stood there without speaking, eyes slightly lowered, making it hard to see her expression.

The giant axe lay at her feet.

Now Jian Chou understood why all those swords in the Armory had been indifferent to her—it was because her soul and spirit were deficient. And this axe chose her simply because it too was a deficient axe.

The Ghost Axe was damaged, and Jian Chou was damaged.

Heroes cherish heroes, the disabled cherish the disabled?

Thinking this way, Jian Chou somehow smiled.

This smile terrified Fudao Shanren.

He was extremely nervous, thinking Jian Chou had been devastated by this news, and immediately felt the urge to beat his chest and stamp his feet!

“I should have known I shouldn’t have told you. Normal people can’t handle this kind of news. Well, Jian Chou girl, don’t worry. At worst, your master will make a trip to the Extreme Domain to see if there’s any way to patch up what’s missing. It’s just souls and spirits, right? New for three years, old for three years, mend and patch for another three years—I guarantee you with my chest that before you reach Spirit Separation, I’ll find a solution!”

Good heavens, he was starting to make grand promises.

Listen to that—mend and patch!

Nonsense!

You think souls and spirits are clothing!

Hearing Fudao Shanren’s stream of thoughtless words, Zheng Yao had the urge to slap this master uncle away!

“Also, your master knows you wanted a sword. It’s fine—this axe is too ugly. Let’s not want it, throw it away!”

As Fudao Shanren spoke, he was about to kick the Ghost Axe away from Jian Chou’s side.

Jian Chou, hearing this, felt helpless and quickly stopped him.

“Master…”

Complete silence.

Fudao Shanren looked at her: “What is it?”

Jian Chou shook her head helplessly: “Really, am I that fragile? I’m someone who’s died once already. Being able to come back from death means this life is already earned. Besides, as the Sect Master said, I can choose not to cultivate… As for this axe, Master, move your foot.”

Seeing her bend down, Fudao Shanren quickly moved his foot away, blinking, still not understanding his disciple’s meaning.

Jian Chou bent down and gripped the axe handle with both hands. The evil ghost patterns on it became increasingly clear.

Spots of rust like blood seemed to tell of the vicissitudes it had experienced.

“The Ghost Axe is damaged. Since it chose me, I must not disappoint it.”

These words were light but powerful.

Jian Chou’s five fingers tightened their grip. A spiritual light emanated from her hands. She gritted her teeth and lifted the axe!

Everyone stared at her with wide eyes!

Slowly exhaling, Jian Chou discovered that if she used spiritual power, she could indeed lift this giant axe.

She shouldered the enormous Ghost Axe, her eyes clear and bright. She smiled at Fudao Shanren with an almost transcendent ease.

“Besides, below Spirit Separation, rarely meeting an opponent—isn’t that perfect?”

Perfect?

Fudao Shanren was stunned.

“You mean…”

“As long as I cultivate diligently, few people on this nineteen-continent land will be able to surpass me. Then, as long as I cultivate diligently, I can definitely, before reaching Spirit Separation—”

Jian Chou narrowed her eyes, smiling with pure benevolence as she completed the remaining words.

“Finish him off!”

Crisp and decisive.

The sun rose in the east, and a new day had arrived.

Brilliant sunlight fell upon Jian Chou. After she shouldered the enormous Ghost Axe, it stood a full head and shoulders taller than her—bizarre and exaggerated, with dangerous and fierce curves!

Yet she wore a face full of smiles, gentle and serene.

This combination of images had an indescribable beauty.

Everyone watching held their breath.

The big fellow Chen Weishan looked at that axe with envious eyes, not knowing if he was speaking of Jian Chou or the axe.

“Manly enough!”