Embers of Sword

Chapter 518 Absurd
"Actually... I had no choice."

The eerie wind blew for a long time, and then Master Junshan suddenly chuckled softly. He stretched out his palm and grabbed a handful of scraps of paper.

The Yang God's Dharma Body blocked it.

To put it nicely, he has the option to leave.

To put it bluntly... he had no choice at all.
This void portal stood before him; if he tried to enter the secret tomb, his fate would likely be to be splattered with blood.

"..."

Lu Yuzhen simply smiled as she looked at the young boy in the Taoist robe before her.

"You should know what kind of person I am. Xiao Wu died at your hands. You let me go, but we will definitely have a battle in the future."

Junshan spoke in a hoarse voice.

He didn't have many friends. Before his reincarnation, his old friends from his past life had gradually left, and now there are very few left.

Junshan must avenge Wu Zhexian's death.

"So?" Lu Yuzhen asked.

"So you should kill me."

Junshan coldly replied, "Otherwise, I will be the one to kill you."

"Is it?"

Lu Yuzhen was still smiling: "It won't be easy for you to kill me, fellow Daoist... If that day ever comes, I'll be happy."

Junshan raised his head and stared intently at the Taoist priest before him.

"Actually, I'm also afraid of 'letting the tiger return to the mountain,' but revenge is something that can only be truly satisfying when done personally."

Lu Yuzhen sighed: "Fellow Daoist Junshan has a venerable senior brother... but given your personality, I'm afraid you won't trouble this 'invincible' senior brother for help... Am I right?"

Lu Yu was right.

That's exactly what Junshan thought.

Even if Xiaoyaozi were not currently in seclusion, he would not ask him to come out of seclusion.

"From this day forward, the number of those who hate me in the world will be as numerous as the stars in the sky."

Lu Yuzhen laughed and said, "So if you really want to kill me, you'd better live well first..."

Speaking of which.

He flicked his sleeve slightly, making an inviting gesture to invite him inside.

"..."

Master Junshan stared intently at Lu Yuzhen, his fists clenched tightly in his sleeves, and the child was trembling with rage.

However, a thousand thoughts and a hundred turns of ideas.

This hatred could only be suppressed in the end.

It's pointless to fight desperately at this moment.

As the sword energy from the sky dissipated and the flowing light faded, the void portal gradually disappeared into the wind and snow.

"call."

Lu Yuzhen slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, revealing a tired expression.

A figure appeared in the distance above the abyss dome.

"Lord Dao, are you just going to let him go like this?"

Jing San approached Lu Yuzhen's side, watching the portal gradually dissipate, and gritted his teeth as he spoke: "Junshan Zhenren will surely become a top-tier Yang God in the world in the future. This person will definitely become a major threat to the Paper Doll Sect..."

"Let him go."

Lu Yuzhen shook his head: "In the long river of the Great Dao, there are only a handful of talents who can comprehend the Dao realm related to 'cause and effect'. Killing one is one less. If True Man Junshan had not comprehended the 'future Dao realm', then his life and death would be nothing more than a grain of sand in the long river. But if he has comprehended it, even if there is only a slight possibility of great success, we should still preserve one or two."

Upon hearing this, Jing San bowed his head respectfully, but there was still some regret in his eyes.

The Dao Lord seems to be extremely tolerant of those cultivators in the Dao Realm who are tainted by "cause and effect".

Not long ago, there was a riot in Yuanzhou, which was far from the country.

The Paper Doll Path has been secretly observing the future Buddhist disciple of the Brahma Sound Temple from the shadows.

If Miyun is at risk of losing her life... then the Paper Doll Path will definitely try to take action. The Path Master is such an unpredictable character.

Lu Yuzhen suddenly asked, "How is things going in Li Kingdom?"

Jing San respectfully replied, "Reporting to the Dao Master, the Crown Prince is not interested in the Secret Tomb and has already left on his own."

"Ah."

Lu Yuzhen nodded.

For many, the Bai Ze Mausoleum is the greatest blessing in the world.

But for the Crown Prince of Li Kingdom...

In a sense, the Crown Prince of Li Kingdom already possesses half of the "world," so everything he does now is preparation for ascending to the top. This upheaval in the southern border is already a great achievement, and the subsequent conflicts are irrelevant to him, so he should naturally withdraw.

This is a wise move.

Lu Yuzhen paused for a moment, then asked, "What about the people from the three major sects? How have they been settled?"

"White Ghost, Mo Daoren, and Huanxi Zen Master have entered the Secret Tomb."

"Red Immortal, Azure Owl, White Taoist, and Zen Master of Unity... have entered Pure White Mountain..."

Jing San presented a jade slip and slowly said, "This is a detailed dossier submitted by the Venerables under the three major sects, involving mountain gates, cultivators, beast taming, and pills. Fifth Sister has already reviewed the authenticity of the dossier, and it corresponds to the Paper Man Dao's secret investigations over the years, with no suspicion of forgery. Currently, it seems that the three major sects have all submitted, and they can be unified once the matter of the Secret Tomb is resolved."

"only……"

Jing San hesitated halfway through his sentence.

"Just what? But you can say it."

Lu Yuzhen chuckled softly.

"But these heretical practitioners are fickle."

Jing San lowered his eyes and said sincerely, "I'm afraid the obsequious attitude you're putting on is just a temporary measure to obtain the Dao Inscription... Dao Lord, you must not be easily trusted."

"It's natural."

Lu Yuzhen spoke gently, with an air of approval: "Since these people are capable of betraying Da Chu for their own benefit, they will naturally betray us one day in the future."

"...So, what are you going to do?"

Jing San looked somewhat bewildered.

"Today's battle is just the beginning... In the future, not only in the southern borderlands, but throughout the entire world, many people will die."

Lu Yuzhen said gently, "If we want to live, we need someone to die for us. Anyway, these people are going to die sooner or later, so why don't they... die for us?"

Jing San seemed to be deep in thought.

"Master Dao..."

He gazed at the Abyss Mausoleum and asked in bewilderment, "But you are currently seriously injured. What if Bai Gui and the others really obtain the inscription and advance to the Yang God realm?"

"Ah……"

Lu Yuzhen shook her head and said calmly, "Becoming a Yang God is not that easy. If the Great Dao Inscription could be obtained so easily, then there would be more than just three people entering the tomb."

The White Ghost Daoist rejoices as the Zen Master enters the tomb.

The other four chose to stay in the rear.

Don't these four want the Great Dao Stele Inscription?

Of course!
However... they value their lives more and are unwilling to act rashly.

"After you return to Pure White Mountain, prepare a few coffins."

Lu Yuzhen stared at Di Yuan and said emotionlessly, "It is truly not easy to cultivate to this level. After the matter of the secret tomb is over, if these people still have intact bodies... then give them a proper burial in coffins, as a gesture of hospitality from the paper dolls."

Upon hearing this, Jing San was startled.

What does it mean?
Lord Dao is certain that Bai Gui, Mo Daoren, Huanxi Chanzhu... these three half-step Yang Shen who entered the tomb will all die?

But how is it possible?

Within this secret tomb, who could possibly kill such a being?

With those cultivators in Da Chu? Even if Zhou Li breaks through to the next realm, he can only hold off one at most... not to mention that Da Chu is currently embroiled in internal strife!
"in addition."

A barely perceptible smile appeared in Lu Yuzhen's eyes: "Prepare some more fine wine for me... I've waited ten years, and this day has finally come."

Jing San was very familiar with the Dao Master's smile at this moment.

these years.

All we heard was news about "Xie Xuanyi".

That's why the Dao Lord would show such a smile.

……

……

Are you sure...we want to wait here?

In the dark abyss, a figure in white floated in the air, accompanied by the clear sound of thunder echoing around.

Qin Qianlian frowned as she looked at the towering mountains in front of her.

After killing the Plague Daoist, he successfully reunited with Yan Xie... However, the Void Array of the Secret Tomb suddenly activated, disrupting and rearranging the entire first level of the Secret Tomb.

"Wait."

The shadows were partially dispelled by the lightning.

Qin Qianlian landed on the mountain ridge, his shadow stretching outwards. The Yanxie clone residing in the Yin-Yang Mirror slowly rose from the ground, growing into a complete figure with a staff. Yanxie gazed into the distance, but even with the Yin-Yang Mirror by his side, he could only see an endless darkness.

"My Yin-Yang Mirror is indeed a treasure for concealing divine thoughts, but there is still an existence like 'Ancestor Ye' in this secret tomb."

Yan Xie said, "He was seriously injured earlier and had no time to check on the condition of everyone on the treasure ship. However, there are many divine objects for healing injuries in the first level of the secret tomb. Ye Zu must have recovered a lot of his energy by now. If he finds out about our collusion, we'll be in big trouble."

"What's so bad about it?"

Qin Qianlian said calmly, "You and I are both disciples of the Longevity Sect, of the same lineage."

"Ah……"

Yan Xie shook his head and said self-deprecatingly, "I am now just a disgraced disciple of the Daoist sect. What disciple of the Longevity Sect? Is there anyone in the world who would still recognize me?"

"..."

Qin Qianlian fell silent.

"The void array of this secret tomb has been activated twice. It is likely that most of the survivors have already moved to the next level... Now that things have come to this, there is no need for you to rush to join up with the disciples of the Longevity Sect."

Yan Xie glanced at his junior brother in white behind him and said, "This first level of the secret tomb has four main halls, each corresponding to one of the four keys. The halls are inscribed with the 'Returning Incantation,' and after a short while, they will return on their own, sending people back and forth across the void. The location we are guarding now is where one of the halls lands."

After hearing this, Qin Qianlian pondered for a moment, then frowned and asked, "The Bai Ze Secret Tomb has not appeared in the world for a thousand years... How did you learn of this?"

"Lu Yuzhen".

Yan Xie, however, remained calm.

He said calmly, "This guy already knew that there was such a secret tomb buried beneath the gate of Pure White Mountain. Do you remember the 'Beihai Mausoleum' incident a year ago?"

"remember."

Qin Qianlian's heart skipped a beat.

At that time, he was still in seclusion in the Taoist sect, and Qingzhou was in turmoil, causing a great uproar.

Only a very few powerful figures above the Yin Spirit Realm knew that the true "core" of the chaos in Qingzhou lay in Beihailing. Taking advantage of this chaos, Chen Jingxuan broke through the Beihailing secret realm in one fell swoop, bringing the great tide of fortune that had been blocked for decades into the territory of Da Chu.

"Is Beihailing also related to Lu Yuzhen?"

Qin Qianlian remembered that the Daoist sect received the news at that time.

The secret realm left behind by the Great Sage Bai Ze is suspected to have appeared in Qingzhou.

The seven schools were immediately shaken.

Unfortunately, the news came too late. Only Tang Fengshu, the master of the Tianxia Zhai, was able to arrive in time. At that time, in order to eliminate the demon clan's spy network, Qingzhou was under martial law for a thousand miles. Without the permission of the book tower, even the master of the Daoist sect could not easily set foot in the territory.

"……Um."

Yan Xie smiled.

He said softly, "The supernatural power of the Yin-Yang Mirror is to separate the host's divine sense from his true self, transforming his body into Yin and Yang, and making him appear like a ghost. But this guy surnamed Lu is more like a 'ghost' than I am... Over the years, he has seemed to be invisible and formless, but in reality, he is omnipresent."

"I've heard... about the most precious thing left behind by the Great Sage Bai Ze..."

Qin Qianlian said in a slightly hoarse voice, "It is the Great Dao Brush."

During the chaos in Qingzhou.

The Daoist sect has received information that the Great Dao Brush has appeared in Beihai Mausoleum!
I don't know where this news came from.

The battle at Beihai Mausoleum resulted in many deaths, but it is said that some survivors inadvertently glimpsed the "scenery" within the secret realm of Beihai Mausoleum. Beihai Mausoleum, which should have been guarding countless divine artifacts, has become completely empty after many years. No one who enters the mausoleum has obtained a true opportunity for creation. Then, an extremely absurd rumor spread within the Daoist sect—the "Great Dao Brush," a supreme treasure forged by the Great Sage Bai Ze using all his life essence, awakened its consciousness, cultivated a human form, and, upon leaving the mausoleum, took with it other divine artifacts from within.

The rumor sounded funny at the time.

A magical artifact can be transformed into human form?

How can it be?

There has never been such an example in thousands of years.

But now, Qin Qianlian can no longer smile.

Because he had discovered that the so-called "Paper Doll Path" seemed to contain magical artifacts that perfectly matched the rumors about Beihailing.

In recent years, he has come to understand a truth more and more.

Some things seem absurd... but in reality, the more absurd they seem, the closer they are to the truth.

"You doubt that Lu Yu is truly the Great Master's Brush?"

Yan Xie turned around and looked at Qin Qianlian, his expression thoughtful.

ten years.

From being unknown to being famous throughout the world.

This "Master Lu" only took ten years...

Even the most shrewd and patient tyrant in the world could not be as stoic as Lu Yuzhen.

Even though Lu Yuzhen had been hiding her strength and being patient before she cultivated to the Yang God level, she still had a reputation that she didn't reveal at all!

Neither the "Hook and Pliers Master" of Li Kingdom nor the "Imperial City Guard" of Da Chu noticed anything. In the Book Tower, Fangyuanfang, Xuanwei Island, Wangyou Island... no one in the world paid any attention to this person.

The only explanation.

Ten years ago, he didn't even exist.

Who would notice someone who doesn't even exist?
or……

Is he not even human?
"interesting."

Yan Xie stroked his chin and murmured, "If Lu Yu really is the Great Dao Brush... then everything seems to make sense..."

At this moment.

The void trembled, and a long, blood-red line suddenly appeared in the distant sky.

A secret palace, like a large ship sailing in the void, resembled a blood-red meteorite.

"The 'key' to the next level has arrived."

Yan Xie spoke, then let out a soft "Eh."

He sensed an eerie aura approaching: "Why are there still people on this first level?"

The secret palace slowly descended.

A burly figure, like a wild beast, ran on all fours, kicking up a cloud of dust.

On its back was a gaunt figure, and a large banner lay across its knees.

Countless ghosts loomed over the two of them.

Blood and gore surged forth, the thick stench of blood permeating the air, detectable even from hundreds of feet away.

"The White Crane Immortal of Yinshan?"

Qin Qianlian frowned and said, "This guy didn't directly step into the second level... how did he know the secret hall would repeat?"

(End of this chapter)