Permitted to pass through?

Before Jian Chou lay two choices as always.

Continue, or go out directly?

After merely a moment’s consideration, Jian Chou hesitated no longer.

Among the one hundred and twenty Sky-Reaching Platforms, originally at most twelve people could pass through, but now that she had destroyed one platform, this Left Three Thousand Small Assembly’s first trial could probably never gather twelve people.

Since she was the ninth person, eight should have already passed before her.

This trial in the misty sky had reached its end.

So she directly followed this transparent blue light, flying toward the clear world above!

The mist that had been impossible to cross before vanished instantly.

Jian Chou felt as if she had passed through some barrier, her body and mind becoming light. Within Nine-Head River Bay, a gentle breeze came, and immediately she heard “bang bang bang bang” – a series of tremendous sounds!

The full ten Sky-Reaching Platform Seals at her waist flew out, joining together one by one. The moment Jian Chou emerged from the misty sky, they reformed into a hundred-zhang Sky-Reaching Platform, supporting her descending figure.

Thus, soaring upward!

Ten platforms, three hundred zhang!

Though standing high on the Sky-Reaching Platform, Jian Chou’s vision instantly opened wide.

Floating clouds drifted around her, and Jian Chou could see beyond them to the endless, vast wilderness outside Nine-Head River!

Below on the ground, people were densely packed, somewhat unclear to see.

At this moment, seeing Jian Chou’s sudden appearance, the shadow of a massive Sky-Reaching Platform immediately fell upon the ground.

Silence lasted only an instant.

The next moment, earth-shaking cheers surged like a tidal wave!

“She’s out!”

“The ninth person!”

“So powerful, that axe strike was so powerful!”

“Good heavens, she’s only at Foundation Establishment!”

…

“What’s the background of that axe?”

“Such a big, beautiful axe – worthy of Yashan, truly domineering!”

“I heard long ago that Yashan’s eldest senior sister also had an axe, but I never expected it to be so huge? It must be a zhang tall, right? Damn, truly frightening!”

…

“Sigh, poor Gu Qingmei…”

“What exactly happened inside?”

…

“So powerful, Yashan’s eldest senior sister is so powerful!”

“Fairy Jian Chou!”

…

Some cheered purely for Jian Chou, some were astonished by the axe that had suddenly appeared in her hands, others felt pity for the innocent shattered Sky-Reaching Platform…

Naturally, some harbored great suspicion about Kunwu’s Gu Qingmei’s behavior.

“How is that Kunwu’s style?”

“Sneak attacks are too shameless, right?”

“Such petty behavior truly opens one’s eyes.”

…

Fortunately, Kunwu Elder Gu Pingsheng had left with the severely injured Gu Qingmei not long ago and hadn’t heard these doubtful, questioning words, or he would surely have flown into a rage with unknown consequences.

Gu Qingmei’s reputation was immediately ruined, without question.

Among the crowd’s discussions, there was already a wave of disdain.

Of course…

Some people just feared the world wasn’t chaotic enough.

“Senior Jian Chou, Senior Jian Chou, you’re so amazing! This humble one admires you most, you’re the most powerful! Can you sign something later, leave a spiritual consciousness mark?”

Zuoliu’s voice was extremely excited, coming from not far behind Jian Chou.

Having just stood on the Sky-Reaching Platform and still observing the situation in the misty sky, Jian Chou’s scalp suddenly exploded at this unexpected voice.

Zuoliu was here?

Looking back, that fellow was waving his sheepskin notebook and broken brush enthusiastically, his gaze fixed directly on Jian Chou, extremely fervent!

Beneath his feet was a Sky-Reaching Platform equal in size to Jian Chou’s.

At the same height of three hundred zhang, with only scattered bird shadows, besides Jian Chou there were actually three more massive Sky-Reaching Platforms!

One was the extremely excited Zuoliu, the second was Lu Xiangleng in white robes with an ethereal air, though somewhat different from how Jian Chou usually saw her – Lu Xiangleng’s expression was now slightly grave.

However, seeing Jian Chou look over, she cupped her hands in salute and smiled: “Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Jian Chou on passing through.”

Jian Chou observed that her surrounding aura was somewhat unstable, probably having fought a fierce battle in the misty sky.

Not wanting to ask more at the moment, she returned the salute: “Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Xiangleng as well.”

“Xiangleng was able to pass through by chance this time, owing three parts to Fellow Daoist Jian Chou’s grace.”

Though Jian Chou didn’t ask, Lu Xiangleng didn’t avoid the topic. A slight divine light flickered in her eyes as she spoke, casting her gaze toward a certain phantom on the massive barrier: Xu Lan’er.

“This time Xiangleng traveled with Junior Sister Nie and Fellow Daoist Zhang from Fengmo Sword Sect. We encountered Xu Lan’er, whose techniques had some strange aspects. In the end, I was short two Sky-Reaching Platform Seals, which Junior Sister Nie and Fellow Daoist Zhang gave me, allowing me to stand at this three-hundred-zhang height. I’m truly ashamed.”

So Lu Xiangleng had grouped with Nie Xiaowan and Zhang Sui, and they had encountered Xu Lan’er in the misty sky?

Jian Chou’s brows immediately furrowed.

She had been trapped in the Fish Eye Tomb, knowing little about the outside world. When she entered, only Xia Houshe had passed through, but when she emerged she was already the ninth, so much must have happened in between.

Nie Xiaowan and Zhang Sui were both people who distinguished right from wrong, presumably not wanting the Sky-Reaching Platform Seals to fall into Xu Lan’er’s hands, so they gave their items to Lu Xiangleng.

Given Lu Xiangleng’s character, this situation was completely normal.

Jian Chou only said: “Others are merely fellow travelers, only Fellow Daoist Xiangleng’s were true companions. This is not shameful, but cause for joy and congratulation.”

How could others’ mutual slaughter and competition match the beauty of Lu Xiangleng receiving gifts from her companions?

Hearing this, Lu Xiangleng seemed to feel relieved as well.

She smiled slightly, clear and transparent like a gentle breeze, and nodded: “Fellow Daoist Jian Chou speaks reasonably.”

Thus, Jian Chou said no more, turning her gaze to the last person—

Fengmo Sword Sect’s Xia Houshe.

When she looked over, Xia Houshe’s gaze was already on her, neither dodging nor avoiding.

Jian Chou had just steadied herself and spoken only a few words, with the ghost axe held diagonally in her hand. The exaggeratedly large axe body had bold, strange curves, with blood-red rust spots covering most of the axe body. The myriad ghost patterns seemed dyed with fresh blood, inspiring fear at first sight!

This was a broken axe. Even with those rust spots, even with the gap at the spine where the Two Extremes Pearl should be, in Xia Houshe’s eyes it still carried a heart-trembling, powerful beauty.

This was the “beautiful axe” he had spoken of.

This time, he truly saw it.

Xia Houshe, shrouded in gloomy aura and wearing that dark red robe, suddenly showed a sharp smile on his handsome young face. His eyes remained emotionless, his brow slightly furrowed, yet a bright red blood drop flowed from the top of that scar!

The scar ran from his brow to the middle of his nose bridge, and that blood drop slowly fell, then disappeared.

This face gave an increasingly intense sense of morbid beauty.

Gloomy.

Oppressive.

Dangerous.

And beautiful.

This was a very beautiful youth, yet also exuding an indescribable mystery.

Jian Chou knew he had noticed her ghost axe, and could even feel the scalding heat that had died down in the misty sky blazing up again.

It trembled slightly in her hand, as if impatient to fly out and engage in fierce battle!

Using the glory of fresh blood to wash away the rust spots!

But Jian Chou only gripped it tighter and tighter.

She didn’t let it fly from her hand, only watched Xia Houshe.

Looking at her seemed to also show her wariness and tension.

Xia Houshe raised his hand, slowly wiping the trace of fresh blood on his high nose bridge. That soul-piercing pain made him feel he could barely control his impulses. Ten thousand weapons hummed, but he suppressed them all.

As his finger pressed on that blood line, everything calmed down.

“Hehehe…”

Light laughter came from above.

“Oh my, Fairy Jian Chou has finally torn off her mask with Kunwu’s Gu Qingmei – truly cause for joy and congratulation.”

This voice…

Young Master Ruhua.

But it was rather high up.

Jian Chou’s gaze moved from Xia Houshe, looking upward.

At three hundred zhang height were four people including herself, but higher up were five more.

Three hundred thirty zhang, eleven Sky-Reaching Platforms.

Wearing maple-leaf red, with a calm expression.

Golden Core initial stage, Tongling Pavilion, Jiang Wenchao!

Three hundred ninety zhang, thirteen Sky-Reaching Platforms.

Animal skin vest, barefoot, holding a large watermelon and eating it obliviously.

Golden Core initial stage, no sect or school, Xiao Jin!

Four hundred twenty zhang, fourteen Sky-Reaching Platforms.

Past his thirties, with green stubble, disheveled appearance, dozens of Thousand-Machine Iron Talismans hanging at his waist.

Golden Core middle stage, Shenling, Wei Lin!

Four hundred fifty zhang, fifteen Sky-Reaching Platforms.

A flower platform full of fragrant flowers, lazily reclining among the flowers with long hair scattered, effeminate features, holding a red flower between his fingers, smiling enchantingly.

Golden Core late stage, Wuyi Sect, Young Master Ruhua!

Finally…

Four hundred eighty zhang, sixteen Sky-Reaching Platforms!

Wearing a black robe covering his powerful frame, tall and strong. When the wind blew, only his fluttering robes could be seen, with a spirited air between his brows!

Golden Core initial stage, Longmen, Zhou Chengjiang!

At this moment, seeing Jian Chou look over, everyone nodded politely in acknowledgment.

Young Master Ruhua’s gaze seemed especially interested.

Jian Chou’s scalp prickled again, not only from this person’s strange personality, but also because…

Counting carefully, including herself and the four below, there were nine people total outside the misty sky, occupying a full one hundred ten Sky-Reaching Platforms!

That meant only nine platforms remained!

The standard for passing was ten platforms.

Jian Chou immediately turned back to look at the misty sky.

Shadow after shadow, several figures still remained inside, though generally they hadn’t collided with each other, moving independently through the mist.

With nine platforms remaining, it was impossible for the remaining people to advance.

But the elimination standard was losing the Sky-Reaching Platform…

Jian Chou frowned for a moment.

Countless people below also noticed this point and began discussing.

Fudao Shanren stood on the mountainside, slowly finishing a chicken leg. Seeing his Jian Chou girl emerge whole and intact, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and clapped his hands.

“Clap clap!”

The crisp sound of applause spread throughout Kunwu.

Everyone’s gaze immediately focused on him.

Fudao Shanren smiled slightly, looking radiant: “Nine have emerged from the trial and advanced, but only nine Sky-Reaching Platform Seals remain in the misty sky, insufficient for another person to advance, while those who haven’t lost their Sky-Reaching Platform Seals aren’t considered eliminated. Therefore, please exit, you six friends in the misty sky!”

As the word “exit” fell, the entire misty sky suddenly transformed back into a gray line, flying back into Fudao Shanren’s dirty sleeve.

Thus, the several people trapped in the misty sky suddenly appeared in mid-air.

Bang bang, several sounds.

The Sky-Reaching Platform Seals reformed into Sky-Reaching Platforms, almost all sinking downward.

Jian Chou looked carefully – there were six people.

Yashan fellow disciple Tang Wansheng, three Sky-Reaching Platforms, ninety zhang high;

Wuyi Sect acquaintance Tao Zhang, two Sky-Reaching Platforms, sixty zhang high;

Golden Abacus Qian Que, one Sky-Reaching Platform, thirty zhang high;

Xuanyang Sect’s Fang Dachui, one Sky-Reaching Platform, thirty zhang high;

Jianzhu Sect’s Xu Lan’er, one Sky-Reaching Platform, thirty zhang high;

And also…

That black-robed cultivator whose name Jian Chou still didn’t know but who had broken her Black Wind Blade Lotus, one Sky-Reaching Platform, thirty zhang high.

Qi Shaofeng, Shang Liaofan and others, being slightly weaker in ability and unlucky, hadn’t managed to stay.

Looking at these people, Jian Chou was somewhat surprised: Kunwu’s Gu Qingmei being eliminated by her axe strike was expected, but Kunwu’s other disciple Xie Ding, who had initially ranked quite high, had also vanished at this crucial moment.

Kunwu actually had no one pass the first trial this year!

Extremely rare!

Many Kunwu elders’ faces turned ugly.

Xu Lan’er stood at the low thirty-zhang height, looking up at the layers of Sky-Reaching Platforms above, nearly going mad with frustration.

She was too unlucky…

Initially thinking that grouping with Xie Ding and Young Master Ruhua, having no grudges with either, she could surely thrive and benefit from their success, maybe even win over these two prominent figures of the younger generation.

Soon after, they encountered a precious treasure ahead.

Xu Lan’er was determined to have this item, so she wanted to secretly make a move.

Who would have thought that Xie Ding and Young Master Ruhua seemed to have prepared for this, and without hesitation, they directly attacked her, a weak woman!

Xu Lan’er nearly died on the spot!

She didn’t know that Nie Xiaowan’s Heart-Intent Pearl had flown into these two’s hands, so they were already prepared. Both were outstanding among the younger generation – how could they allow a snake-hearted woman to scheme behind their backs?

Xie Ding and Young Master Ruhua consulted and directly attacked Xu Lan’er.

Fortunately, Xu Lan’er ran fast enough and managed to escape disaster.

Now seeing Young Master Ruhua high above but not seeing Xie Ding, presumably these two had encountered some accident after she fled.

Xu Lan’er’s heart was full of speculation, secretly hateful yet also secretly pleased.

At least one of those who schemed against her, Xie Ding, was unlucky too!

Jian Chou naturally didn’t know what else had happened. Her gaze finally settled on Xu Lan’er for a moment.

However…

Xu Lan’er was currently too low, too low for Jian Chou to see clearly.

Now that the six cultivators remaining on Sky-Reaching Platforms but unable to gather ten seals had all appeared, Fudao Shanren announced loudly: “The trial exit standard is ten Sky-Reaching Platforms. You six are insufficient but not eliminated. Therefore, all of you rest for one hour. After one hour, begins the ‘Time Has Come Battle’!”

“Time Has Come Battle?”

Everyone was puzzled.

This name was rather strange.

True Person Hengxu had been watching calmly throughout, not interjecting.

Fudao Shanren knew everyone wouldn’t understand, so he summarized: “Groups of eight, group members are not companions. Most of you are clever – most who advanced grabbed their fellow travelers’ Sky-Reaching Platform Seals. Very good. I presume that after the great battle in the misty sky, many people’s questions about the Heart-Intent Pearl round have been answered. So, after one hour, it’s not that there’s no retribution, but the time hasn’t come! Repaying kindness and revenge – the ‘time has come’!”

“…”

A strange silence.

This Left Three Thousand Small Assembly’s rules all came from Fudao Shanren’s hand, just as he evaluated himself: devious.

Everyone was almost all bloodied from being tricked.

How many hadn’t expected that companions could be killed too? They innocently perished below the platform.

Those standing on these Sky-Reaching Platforms were mostly ruthless, decisive individuals!

Previously there was the extremely sinister Heart-Intent Pearl round, where many people launched attacks through the Heart-Intent Pearl.

And now…

Fudao Shanren said: it’s not that there’s no retribution, but the time hasn’t come.

After experiencing the great battle in the misty sky, many people probably already knew who had been causing trouble.

Similarly, even if some had luckily not been exposed in the first trial, what about afterward?

Two more trials awaited behind!

What should come would come eventually!

Fudao Shanren had such a black, poisonous heart!

For a moment, everyone on the Sky-Reaching Platforms felt like cursing.

“Time Has Come Battle” – it truly was time for battle!

Fudao Shanren saw everyone’s expressions changing unpredictably and was practically blooming with joy inside.

He cheerfully announced: “Nine passed through, six failed to pass but weren’t eliminated. The rules are: those who passed through go first, those who failed to pass but weren’t eliminated go second. Both sides may challenge each other, with only one battle opportunity. Defeating the opponent gains their Sky-Reaching Platform; those who failed to pass but weren’t eliminated can advance by defeating opponents, and those without opponents automatically advance to the next trial regardless of Sky-Reaching Platform count. All losers are eliminated!”

Another trap!

It was actually mutual challenges!

That meant even though they had emerged from the misty sky, they weren’t absolutely safe. If defeated by those who failed to pass but weren’t eliminated, they would still lose all their Sky-Reaching Platforms and have no chance at the single platform!

There were nine who passed through, three more than those who failed to pass but weren’t eliminated.

The right to battle was in their own hands – they could choose to fight opponents or choose not to act.

But if everyone chose not to fight, and those who failed to pass but weren’t eliminated also chose not to fight, then fifteen people would advance this round!

So…

The key issue was who would fight whom!

Fudao Shanren was indeed right: this would be a battle based on hatred!

Jian Chou’s gaze couldn’t help but sweep over the six figures below.

They could choose to fight opponents, and opponents equally had the right to choose to challenge them.

Xu Lan’er’s figure in water-blue gauze stood quietly below.

Lu Xiangleng said they had encountered Xu Lan’er, presumably in that fierce battle, Nie Xiaowan and Zhang Sui had suffered greatly.

This was indeed a good opportunity for revenge…

With Xu Lan’er’s despicable character, what right did she have to pass through?

Gu Qingmei had already been swept out. Next would be…

Jian Chou’s eyes narrowed slightly, and Xu Lan’er happened to look over. The moment she caught sight of Jian Chou’s gaze, her heart suddenly went cold!

This “Time Has Come Battle” would not end peacefully!

In the arena, undercurrents surged violently.

Fudao Shanren loved watching these people tear each other apart.

Delighted, he gnawed on another half chicken leg and said directly: “Now you each have one hour to heal and recuperate. You may leave the Sky-Reaching Platforms – everyone make good use of the time. After one hour, the bell will signal the start of the Time Has Come Battle!”

Everyone bowed in understanding.

Jian Chou also planned to sit cross-legged for some recovery.

A new Dao seal had appeared on the ghost axe that she hadn’t had time to study.

But under all these watchful eyes…

“Jian Chou girl, Jian Chou girl!”

An excited voice suddenly rang out from ahead.

Jian Chou looked up to see Fudao Shanren approaching through the air, holding a greasy chicken leg in his hand, waving it: “Come down.”

After speaking, he descended toward the ground.

Jian Chou was somewhat surprised.

Since the Left Three Thousand Small Assembly began, Fudao Shanren had basically never sought her out. What was this about now?

After some consideration, she felt it was probably related to today’s misty sky trial.

Immediately, she stepped on the ghost axe and flew from the three-hundred-zhang height toward the distant mountain forest.

On the human isolated island, at the mass grave.

The rising morning sun slowly appeared above the cold, desolate grave mounds. Wild dogs wandering between the graves sometimes slept directly on the straw mats wrapping corpses. The entire mass grave appeared cold and deserted.

The man in the faded pale green ancient robe still sat leaning against the tombstone.

His originally gray-white hair was gradually being dyed black from the roots under the falling sunlight.

In the scroll-like scene unfolding before him, Jian Chou’s figure also swept past from above.

The moment the flounder’s remnant soul opened the Cosmos Eye to peer into the river of time, Fu Chaosheng’s Universe Eye responded, easily investigating the situation at the Left Three Thousand Small Assembly.

An old friend.

The Cosmos Eye.

Left Three Thousand, Single Platform.

…

Fu Chaosheng’s calm eyes suddenly flickered slightly.

He lowered his gaze as if contemplating something, or perhaps thinking of nothing at all.

His pale, branch-like fingers extended, lightly touching the scroll!

Boom!

The moment his fingertip touched the scroll, the entire painting shattered, transforming into countless tiny star points that were all absorbed into the rotating Universe Eye!

The sky suddenly darkened.

Above the mass grave, fierce winds suddenly swept past. The endless sunlight vanished, leaving only dark void!

Billions upon billions of stars spread around the rotating Universe Eye, scattered to every corner of the universe, emanating a familiar, incredibly comforting aura.

Some were bright, some dim, some dying, some just born.

Myriad phenomena, heart-shakingly magnificent!

However, Fu Chaosheng’s eyes remained utterly indifferent.

He casually pointed again, selecting a bright star from among the billions, and the Universe Eye rotated according to his will, instantly bringing it closer.

This star was named “Primordial Beginning.”

From far to near, gradually becoming clear.

Thus appeared the human isolated island floating like a lone boat on the sea, the vast and magnificent Nineteen Provinces, the boundless azure Western Sea, and the Extreme Domain connecting the human isolated island to the Nineteen Provinces like a button.

The Extreme Domain – where the Nine-Headed Bird carries ghosts home, the meeting place of life and death, yin and yang.

Above the mass grave appeared a huge scroll.

Crossing through thick darkness, passing through illusion, a gloomy and desolate vast wasteland appeared on the scroll.

A long ancient road with blood-red flowers blooming on both sides, where countless cackling ghost shadows wandered.

Soul after soul of dead mortals – some weeping, some ashen-faced, some laughing toward the sky – all passed along this Yellow Springs Road.

Those countless evil spirits stood on both sides of this road, watching the living souls pass by, opening their blood-stained mouths, revealing fierce fangs, dripping viscous saliva.

Every passing ghost soul carried endless trembling and fear, with only one exception.

Fu Chaosheng’s gaze also fell on that person.

This was a man wearing official robes, clearly having been an official in life with unlimited glory.

Unusually, his body actually emanated a faint spiritual light, like flame yet like mist, giving an inviolable sense of dignity. A shallow vertical mark between his brows added several degrees of stern solemnity.

His face showed no expression whatsoever. Zhang Tang had been dead for three days, showing no sorrow for death nor any fear of the horrific surrounding scenes.

Countless evil spirits wandering on both sides of the Yellow Springs Road showed expressions of wariness and fear upon seeing him.

Zhang Tang walked forward step by step.

But around him, front and back, were not many ghosts – only dozens of people and horses with crudely painted eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, like paper people and paper horses burned for the dead or used as burial companions in the mortal world. Red cheeks, black eyes, pale skin, stiff hands and feet.

They moved in step – some clearing the way before Zhang Tang, others following behind for protection.

Fierce howling yin winds swept along the Yellow Springs Road, with gray-black wind blades mixed within, incredibly sharp.

This procession continued along the Yellow Springs Road, appearing grand and imposing.

From far away, other ghost souls watched with incredulous gazes.

This scene appeared clearly in the void above the mass grave, before the unmarked tombstone.

Fu Chaosheng’s eyes suddenly showed a hint of different color as he looked sideways—

Grand Xia Court Justice Zhang Tang, beheaded at the Meridian Gate three days ago.

The paper people and paper horses piled before his grave had either been burned or damaged by wind and rain, their painted colors running together in a mess. In this mass grave, they gave an even more eerie, ridiculous, and desolate feeling.

Ashes from paper money were lifted by the wind, scattered in the air.

When a person died, they truly took the paper people and paper horses with them.

And moreover…

Only he alone.

Interesting.

“Even at the Extreme Domain’s reincarnation place, such grand ceremony – this official authority is quite something… cough…”

Another cough.

His brows knitted as a faint murderous aura floated in his eyes. He glanced at the red sun’s shadow in the endless void, then turned his gaze back to that endless realm of reincarnation.

At the end of the Yellow Springs Road stood a black, towering dangerous mountain. Before the mountain, the endless Lethe River flowed with bloody yellow water, breaking through the black mist-shrouded wasteland, flowing in the endless deep darkness.

Also called: Yellow Springs.

A long bridge like a rainbow spanned across, situated over the Yellow Springs.

Several blue-faced, fanged evil spirits with dark skin and fierce features, holding tridents in their long-nailed hands, stood below the bridge head. All new ghosts formed a long line before them.

Everything seemed normal and peaceful.

Until that cold, stern figure slowly reached the end of the Yellow Springs Road.

With faint flames of light around his body, seeing these evil spirits guarding the Bridge of Helplessness, he only frowned. When he took a step, the ridiculous yet stern procession of paper people and paper horses behind and before him also took a step.

The entire Bridge of Helplessness suddenly fell into eerie silence.

Seeing this, the evil spirits were greatly alarmed, looking at each other.

An evil spirit missing one ear raised his trident, stepped forward, and scolded harshly: “All new ghosts are to be escorted to the First Hall’s King Qin Guang to distinguish good and evil from life. You paper and wood puppets must retreat immediately!”

Splash splash…

The Yellow Springs flowed, waves suddenly rising.

In the shallow water, white bones appeared and disappeared beneath the surface, occasionally revealing some sunken broken spears and remnant iron.

Zhang Tang’s gaze moved back from the Yellow Springs to look at that evil spirit, glancing at the uneven marks on his ear, seeming not to have heard the other’s words at all, saying in a low voice: “The ear-cutting technique is quite poor.”

“Hahaha…”

At the mass grave, Fu Chaosheng couldn’t help but clap and laugh upon hearing this.

What a Court Justice Zhang!

Having read ancient texts, he knew that evil spirits had arisen in the underworld, with countless strong ones rising from strife, defeating the Nineteen Provinces cultivators in the Extreme Domain battle six hundred years ago, gaining control of part of the reincarnation authority.

After the war, among the survivors were eight strong ones, each occupying one area of the underworld, called: The Eight Halls of Yama Kings!

King Qin Guang was the first of these eight Yama Kings from six hundred years ago!

He wanted to see how these Eight Yama Kings would control reincarnation and judge life and death!

Whoosh.

Strong winds swept past.

A huge shadow slowly advanced from the horizon. On the ground, the scroll displayed by the Universe Eye continued its vivid performance.

“The Universe Eye peers in all directions, the Cosmos Eye observes past and future…”

In the mountain forest near Kunwu’s Nine-Head River Bay, Fudao Shanren took the Cosmos Eye that Jian Chou handed over and recited a line.

Regarding the effects of the flounder’s Universe and Cosmos Eyes, Jian Chou had already understood and experienced them in the Fish Eye Tomb.

Fudao Shanren came here just to check on her condition.

Or rather…

He wanted to know if she had encountered anything when entering the Cosmos Eye’s temporal river illusion.

Jian Chou told him everything honestly without concealment.

Fudao Shanren only sighed rarely.

Not wanting to say more, Jian Chou timely changed the subject, handing the Cosmos Eye to Fudao Shanren to examine.

“Master also knows the effects of this flounder’s dual eyes?”

Fudao Shanren looked left and right, then directly threw the Cosmos Eye back to Jian Chou: “How could I not know? Isn’t this just leftovers from that old hag?”

“…”

Uh…

Though Jian Chou also thought the woman who cooked the sea and fish was none other than Ancestor Luye, hearing Fudao Shanren call her “old hag” still made her somewhat embarrassed.

She smartly didn’t respond.

Fudao Shanren immediately gave her a white look: “Coward!”

“…”

I’ll endure it.

Jian Chou touched her nose, timely changing the subject, looking at the bead in her palm that had become completely ordinary after losing its radiance, weighing it – it was like a stone.

“Quite heavy.”

“Few flounder in the world can cultivate Universe and Cosmos Eyes. This one had rare encounters and was willing to risk everything, with decent bloodline remaining from ancient times. The deep sea and sky deity Kunpeng granted it great power, enabling these eyes to form.”

Fudao Shanren was very clear about the origins of these matters.

“It’s just that with your current mere Foundation Establishment cultivation, you basically can’t drive this Cosmos Eye. Viewing the past is simple, but viewing the future is difficult, not to mention viewing your own related future – that will be extremely difficult.”

True Person Hengxu had his lifespan greatly reduced from calculating heavenly secrets – Fudao Shanren knew this well.

“The Dao” had restrictions on this, so even with the Cosmos Eye in hand, one couldn’t know the entire universe’s birth and death.

Jian Chou was mentally prepared. Fudao Shanren’s explanation was reasonable, and she nodded: “What cultivation level is needed to activate this Cosmos Eye?”

“At least after Soul Separation.”

That meant after Heart Inquiry.

Fudao Shanren became inexplicably irritated at this point, waving his hand: “It’s just a broken bead – why care so much? Everyone lives fine not knowing the past or future. Stop fussing and show me the ghost axe.”

Jian Chou vaguely understood why he was impatient, so she put away the Cosmos Eye and handed over the ghost axe.

Though the ghost axe was heavy, Fudao Shanren gripped it steadily.

He carefully examined the newly appeared Dao seal and immediately burst into laughter: “After Void-Splitting Slash comes Red Sun Slash – good stuff, good stuff!”

Red Sun Slash?

Most likely the name of the second Dao seal that appeared on the ghost axe.

Jian Chou also examined the ghost axe, her gaze falling on that depression, inexplicably thinking of Pei Qian and that strange cultivator from before.

The ghost axe was created by a powerful cultivator learned in yin and yang, having indescribable connections to the Northern Domain’s Yin-Yang Sects…

Fudao Shanren spoke with extreme satisfaction: “As your cultivation continues to advance, the ghost axe will keep awakening. If you have the fortune to retrieve the Two Extremes Pearl and restore it to the ghost axe, you’ll surely recreate the ghost axe’s ancient power.”

With that, he handed the ghost axe back.

Jian Chou received it but asked: “Master mentions the Two Extremes Pearl, and I think of the Northern Domain’s Yin-Yang Sects. Previously during the Heart-Intent Pearl section, I used Black Wind Blades to form a lotus that was countered by a black-robed cultivator. Now he has two Sky-Reaching Platforms. I wonder…”

“You’re right – that kid is indeed from the Yin Sect.”

Fudao Shanren had seen through it long ago.

He wasn’t surprised at all, glancing at the ghost axe: “Master knows what you’re worried about, but don’t worry. Hmph, our Yashan’s belongings – never mind the Northern Domain’s Yin Sect, even if both Yin-Yang Sects united to steal it, this old man wouldn’t give it up!”

Such momentum – truly unruly.

Jian Chou smiled at this and felt reassured.

“Then I can rest easy.”

“Good, as long as you’re fine.” Fudao Shanren dramatically patted his chest, “You in the Fish Eye Tomb nearly scared me to death. Now time is running short – you should hurry to recover and cultivate. I’ll go up and discuss the second trial with old monster Hengxu. I’m leaving!”

With that, he directly transformed into a stream of light and vanished.

Only Jian Chou remained, still having things to say but seeing Fudao Shanren had disappeared, she had to swallow her questions about Xu Lan’er and the Jianzhu Sect.

Indeed, time was running short.

Jian Chou simply returned to the Sky-Reaching Platform, sat cross-legged, placed the huge ghost axe across her knees, formed hand seals resting on both sides of the axe, closed her eyes, opened her body’s apertures, and began circulating endless spiritual energy for rapid replenishment.

Simultaneously, Jian Chou’s consciousness completely sank into comprehending the new Dao seal.

A faint spiritual light covered her body.

Time began to flow.

One hour later.

“Dong” – the bell rang.

The spiritual light on Jian Chou’s body dispersed as she slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze showed abundant yet restrained divine light, but her entire aura was like a lake about to overflow, carrying a sharp feeling.

The other fourteen people on the Sky-Reaching Platforms also opened their eyes almost simultaneously.

Fudao Shanren standing high above was talking with True Person Hengxu. Hearing the bell, he knew time was up.

True Person Hengxu nodded, and Fudao Shanren directly waved his hand, grabbing countless white clouds from the horizon, gathering them together to actually construct a cloud platform floating in mid-air!

He announced loudly: “The Time Has Come Battle begins – those who passed through go first!”

Time has come…

Among the nine who passed through, if any wanted to battle, now was the time to actively propose combat.

On the nine towering Sky-Reaching Platforms, momentary silence reigned.

Young Master Ruhua laughed lightly, looking at the several figures below, his gaze wandering between Fang Dachui and Xu Lan’er, appearing conflicted: “Oh my, a little bastard and a well-built man – such a difficult choice…”

Hearing this, Jian Chou grabbed the ghost axe from her knees and stood up.

The cold wind at high altitude fluttered her robes, showing a transcendent, refined bearing.

She announced loudly: “I request all fellow daoists yield the first battle opportunity – Jian Chou has a small old grudge to settle today!”

Below, the teardrop mole at Xu Lan’er’s eye corner trembled as her face suddenly turned iron-blue, extremely gloomy!

The other eight who passed through were each calculating their own plans, not expecting Jian Chou to step forward and say such words.

Actually, not acting was preferable to acting – Jian Chou being so polite was giving them face.

They naturally wouldn’t refuse.

But…

What “small old grudge” did this Yashan eldest senior sister have? And who exactly would she choose as her opponent?

Nie Xiaowan and Zhang Sui’s faces looked poor – encountering Xu Lan’er in the misty sky and suffering considerable losses in that fierce battle, Zhou Kuang also stood beside them.

The moment Jian Chou spoke, it was like a stone stirring up thousands of waves!

At the foot of Kunwu Mountain, excitement erupted!

This Yashan eldest senior sister had acted decisively and ruthlessly in the misty sky, directly eliminating Kunwu’s Gu Qingmei. It was heard that Gu Qingmei was severely injured and hastily taken back for treatment by Elder Gu Pingsheng.

Now one wave hadn’t settled when everyone was still worried about the relationship between Kunwu and Yashan.

Who would have thought that in this “Time Has Come Battle,” she would be the first to step forward again!

Another wave rising!

The crowd was both excited and curious.

The three exchanged glances.

Others might not understand, but the three of them knew perfectly well!

What this old grudge was!

The answer was about to emerge!

Nie Xiaowan gripped the Clear Heart Bracelet in her hand, staring at the high platform, tears welling in her eyes before she forcibly pushed them back.

This battle had finally come.

After saying those words, Jian Chou flew directly from her Sky-Reaching Platform onto the white cloud platform, ghost axe in hand, positioned diagonally, already assuming battle stance.

Raising her eyes toward the ground below, Jian Chou’s voice clearly carried throughout all of Kunwu.

“Yashan’s Jian Chou requests battle with Fellow Daoist Xu Lan’er of Jianzhu Sect – one battle on the cloud platform!”