Embers of Sword

Chapter 486 Entrustment
The vast lake in the abyss is churning with torrents.

The treasure ship bobbed with the waves, flowing towards the entrance to the secret realm where the giant stood.

"...Grandmaster, you're awake."

On Emperor Wuzong's treasure ship, a faint red glow ignited, tearing through the darkness and shadows, and the red-robed old man sitting on the mast gradually awoke.

Upon seeing this, Ye Qinglian quickly stepped forward and offered the healing pills from Hundred Flowers Valley.

"No need... I'm fine."

Ye Zu waved his hand, refusing the pill.

He was still in very poor condition, but his face was no longer pale.

After activating the "Rejuvenation Style," Ye Zu recovered from the overexertion of the "Burning Flower Style," and the scattered sword energy and divine radiance around him also gained a bit more pressure.

He lowered his head slowly.

His bright red robe was stained with blood—his blood, Wu Zhexian's blood, and Lu Yuzhen's blood…

Recalling the fierce battle just now, a hint of sorrow appeared in Ye Zu's eyes.

“Zhou,” Ye Zu said hoarsely.

"...Senior, I've always been here."

Not far from the mast, Zhou, dressed in black with his white hair flowing down, stepped forward and responded in a low voice.

After Ye Zu appeared, Zhou stayed here with the disciples of Hundred Flowers Valley, waiting for Ye Zu to awaken. He wanted to know what his master had encountered.

"Sect Master Wu...is dead in battle."

After hesitating for a long time, Ye Zu slowly spoke: "I fought alongside him... We had a chance to win this battle."

His body stiffened slightly.

Upon hearing this, the other Martial Sect disciples also clenched their fists.

Ye Zu did not mute the sound...

Therefore, all the treasure ships around heard everything clearly.

If some people had previously held onto the hope that the shattering of the Jade Tablet of the Immortal Wu was just an accidental misunderstanding, then that bleak hope has now been shattered.

"senior……"

A strong wind blew through the abyss, and strands of hair obscured his eyes.

The greatest sorrow is a broken heart. The white-haired man asked in a very soft voice, "I want to know... how did Master die in battle?"

Everyone wanted to know the details of this horrific battle.

A battle between immortals at the Yangshen Realm is certainly formidable...

But with Wu Zhexian's strength, even if he was no match for her, he should have had a chance to escape.

"It's all my fault."

Ye Zu remained silent for a long time before murmuring, "We had a chance to leave... If I had stopped him, perhaps the outcome would have been different."

He reached out and waved to Zhou.

A crimson sword glow swirled and spread.

The disciples of Hundred Flowers Valley all retreated.

A small, quiet space, barely three inches wide, burned and expanded between Ye Zu and Zhou.

Zhou stepped into the area shrouded in sword light.

"Next... is what happened within the white paper barrier..."

With regret and guilt in his expression, Ye Zu slowly extended his palm and gently pressed it against Zhou's forehead.

……

……

After a while.

Zhou slowly opened his eyes.

He silently processed the "Divine Sea Memories" sent by Ye Zu, his expression complex.

"I know the truth is hard to accept."

Ye Zu lowered his eyes and said, "But... that's reality, we have no choice."

After leaving the white paper barrier and disengaging from the battle.

Ye Zu then rode his sword towards the Abyss, burning away the last of his sword energy, and found the Great Chu Treasure Ship...

Given his current condition, he is no longer able to fight.

The only way to leave Southern Xinjiang is to first enter this secret realm.

"I was seriously injured in this battle, and I need to rest for a while..."

Ye Zu looked at Zhou earnestly.

He said weakly, "I'll leave the affairs outside to you during this time." Zhou was Wu Zhexian's most prized disciple.

He is also the most powerful Yin God among the many holy lands in this campaign against demons in the Southern Frontier.

"The truth about that battle just now..."

Zhou fell into thought, then murmured, "What should I do?"

"what ever."

Ye Zu smiled and said with some regret, "I've told you everything I know. Now it's up to you to handle."

He waved again.

Ye Qinglian stepped into the area shrouded in sword light.

"Qinglian".

Ye Zu said in a low voice, "From now on, everyone in Hundred Flowers Valley will follow Zhou's command. If I cannot wake up... then he will take charge of the overall situation."

This time, Jianhui did not mute the sound.

Ye Zu's words were not only directed at Ye Qinglian, but also at the other Zhanjiao Mountains.

Ye Qinglian bowed and accepted the order.

The crimson sword light swirled and contracted, gathering entirely between Ye Zu's brows. Below the mast of the Martial Sect's treasure ship, countless petals closed up, reforming into a flower bud. Ye Zu was completely enveloped by the flower bud... This flower bud was composed entirely of sharp sword intent, and Ye Zu completely sealed off his five senses and six consciousnesses.

"Brother Zhou, please give me your guidance in the future."

Ye Qinglian took a light breath, turned to Zhou, and bowed.

Although I don't understand what my grandmaster and Zhou said... according to my master's instructions, the command of Hundred Flowers Valley has now fallen into the hands of this martial arts leader.

In a sense, the moment Wu Zhexian died in battle, the sect leader of the Wu Sect was already Zhou.

However, when faced with Ye Qinglian's bow...

Zhou did not return the gift.

He stood at the bow of the ship, lost in thought for a long time. Ye Qinglian could sense that the man was trying to suppress all his emotions, but it seemed to end in failure. He exuded a faint chill, like frost, making people want to stay away.

After composing himself, Zhou spoke.

"Miss Ye."

Zhou suddenly asked expressionlessly, "I'm a little curious, when the three major sects turned against us and launched their attack, were all the people from Yuangui Mountain present?"

Ye Qinglian was taken aback.

Jiang Que, who was not far away, was also stunned for a moment.

This question surprised the two of them.

"Hey Zhou, what do you mean by this?!"

A hint of coldness appeared in Ye Qinglian's eyes.

Her master had just left instructions, and she should have listened to Zhou's orders, but his words were clearly barbed. Did he suspect that there was a traitor in Yuangui Mountain?
"literal meaning."

Zhou spoke calmly: "According to the regulations... the seven mountain strongholds cannot leave without permission after they have settled in. I would like to know if Yuangui Mountain has complied with this regulation."

This statement came out.

Ye Qinglian realized something was wrong, and her expression suddenly became strange.

Thank you, Zhen...

Before the three major sects launched their attack, Xie Zhen suddenly left.

Precisely.

First, Xiao Qi left with Yuan Yi, and then Xie Zhen left immediately afterward.

This conversation attracted a lot of attention.

"Master..."

Just then, a disciple from Hundred Flowers Valley whispered a reminder: "Junior Sister Yuan Yi, Junior Sister Xiao Qi... it seems they left the mountain without permission before the attack..."

“Yuan Yi, Xiao Qi…”

Zhou smiled gently.

He had never heard of these two names and didn't care.

The chaos caused by tonight's attack gradually subsided after the treasure ships reunited.

Not long ago, it was discovered that a "highly anticipated" figure was missing from the treasure ship at Yuangui Mountain.

Xie Zhen.

"You two..."

Zhou looked at Ye Qinglian, then at Jiang Que, and said quietly, "Could you explain to everyone where Xie Zhen is now?"

(End of this chapter)