Embers of Sword

Chapter 584 Four Dragon Veins
Paper snowflakes tumbled in the air.

When the corpse fell to the ground, everyone's expression changed.

"This……"

Yan Xin couldn't believe his eyes when he looked at the corpse several times before he was certain that it was the body of Wu Zhexian.

Chongkan's expression of shock was no less than Yan Xin's.

He knew that the Holy Empress had laid a trap for today's battle at [Moon Hidden Cave Heaven], but he did not expect the trap to be so cruel.

The woman standing under the giant tree was enveloped in holy light, obscuring her expression.

In the radiant light of the great sun.

The Empress frowned; she hadn't expected such a scene.

The Empress slowly raised her head.

At the very top of the sky, at the end of the swirling snowflakes, sits a majestic, pure white statue.

In terms of its outline and imposing presence alone, that Dharma image is no less impressive than Chongkan's "One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones".

Their eyes met.

"Feel sorry."

The figure standing before the pure white saint's throne transmitted a message with a hint of regret: "I didn't want to kill him either... but this guy is too stubborn. If I hadn't taken the plunge, he would be the one here today."

In the original plan of the Holy Queen.

Today's battle at [Moon Concealment] will be aided by two late-stage Yang God level experts.

One piece is visible, the other is hidden; there are two chess pieces.

Chongkan is the one in the open, and although the relationship between the Taoist sect and Renshou Palace is hidden, it cannot be hidden from Qin Zu.

At times like these... it's necessary to use that hidden weapon.

"The Paper Doll Way".

Yan Xin looked at the swirling snowflakes overhead, her voice a little hoarse.

He didn't understand why this was happening.

This paper snow really shouldn't have appeared at this moment—

The scale of the "demon-slaying" campaign launched by the Great Chu Imperial City this time is unprecedented. Thousands of cultivators from the four sacred lands set off together to join forces with the three major sects to eradicate the Paper Doll Dao... Who would have thought that the two "leaders" behind this great battle not only had no enmity, but could even stand together to fight the enemy.

In this world, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.

But what are the "common interests" of Lu Yuzhen and the Empress?
The next moment, Lu Yuzhen tossed a jade bottle from her sleeve.

Snap.

The Empress caught it, glanced at it briefly, and then crushed it.

"Chi chi chi——"

This jade bottle appeared simple and unadorned, but it actually contained a hidden world within, a treasure artifact of immense capacity. After it was crushed, a crimson blood wind surged forth within a radius of a hundred feet, and rolling blood energy enveloped everyone, causing ghostly spirits to roar incessantly.

If an ordinary person were to be in this place, they would probably be swallowed up by the blood wind in an instant.

However, to the Yang God, these evil spirits and ghosts are no different from fleas and insects, and cannot get close to him at all.

This gust of bloody wind was not intended to "defend against enemies."

This jade bottle contains the blood of those who perished in the recent demon-slaying expedition in the Southern Frontier...

The Empress Dowager flicked her sleeves.

This mighty, blood-red wind swept towards the Immortal Tree.

The withered giant tree absorbed the blood wind and regained some of its luster. Many people died in the war against demons in the Southern Frontier. The "blood essence" of the dead from the holy lands and the three major sects was collected and used as nourishment for the immortal tree. Unfortunately, the blood essence of the dead was far from enough.

this moment.

Yan Xin understood everything.

Whether it was the demon-slaying in the Southern Frontier or the invitation to witness the Iron Tree blooming in the Moon Concealment Realm, it was all just part of a plan. The Holy Empress's true goal was the "Immortal Tree." This woman sealed off Renshou Palace with an array, shielding it from heavenly secrets, all in order to completely refine the Moon Concealment Realm and link the Immortal Tree with her own celestial abode.

"You... want to resurrect the Tree of Immortality?"

Yan Xin stared intently at the Empress.

"good."

The Empress did not deny it. Standing under the giant tree, she spoke with utmost calmness: "I want to complete what the late Emperor did not finish... gather the four dragon veins and restore the life of the Immortal Tree."

This is why she did not harbor murderous intent towards Yan Xin.

Yan Xin...

Several years ago, they were the ones who promoted this plan.

Yan Xin's expression was very complicated.

How difficult is it to gather the fortune of all four dragon veins?
Back then, he had only speculated that gathering all four dragon veins could restore the Immortal Tree to life... This idea was met with opposition from Qin Zu before it even began. Even if Qin Zu agreed, there were still the Daoist sects, the Great Eagle Sword Palace... How could Xiaoyaozi and Zhao Chunyang agree to hand over the very foundation of their sects?
obviously.

The Holy Queen had been planning the revival of the Immortal Tree for many years...

The arrival of Grand Master Chongkan, carrying the fortune of the Seven Abodes, signifies that the Daoist lineage has been seized by the Holy Empress. Considering this, Yan Xin must suspect that "Xiaoyaozi's" seclusion is not a coincidence, but a conspiracy. Renshou Palace had long been prepared to have Chongkan take over the Daoist sect, facilitating the transfer of fortune.

This is the first dragon vein.

Beihai gas transport experienced a surge a year ago.

The Carp Tide City Incident led to the diversion of Beihai's fortune to Renshou Palace.

Of the four dragon veins, two have already been obtained!
The reason for inviting Qin Zu into the [Moon Concealment Realm] today is for the martial fortune dragon vein in the northern part of the imperial city! Once obtained, the Holy Empress will hold three dragon veins in her hands!

"Mr. Qin."

The Empress looked at Wu Zhexian's corpse, remained silent for a moment, and slowly said, "If you hand over the 'Martial Fortune Dragon Vein,' you can avoid a battle."

"..."

Upon seeing Wu Zhexian's corpse, Qin Zu fell into a long silence.

The old man, dressed in a black linen shirt, slowly squatted down.

He looked at his only disciple in his life, his eyes filled with heartache. Wu Zhexian was thin and exhausted, clearly having burned out everything in the battle... This kid has always been stubborn, never knowing how to back down no matter what insurmountable barrier he encounters.

This personality... is exactly like mine.

impermanence of life.

Over these three hundred years, through countless trials and tribulations, Qin Zu has experienced countless partings.

He thought he had already grasped this principle.

But I still felt a pang of heartache at that moment.

Many people say he has severed all ties with the mortal world.

But as long as one lives in this mortal world, how can one truly escape the entanglements of cause and effect? ​​As long as a wisp of attachment remains, one will be affected by that attachment… Qin Zu truly no longer cares about the Qin family's descendants, but he still has a lingering attachment—that of Wu Zhexian, who bears a striking resemblance to himself in his youth. Thinking about it carefully, it's truly ironic. Just a few hours ago, he was smiling and telling Yan Xin that he had chosen his successor, and that Wu Zhexian would be the guardian of the martial destiny and dragon vein of the Great Chu Dynasty in the future.

This is the most suitable person in the world to take over.

Can……

He died before himself.

The old man smiled gently.

He stretched out his palm, slowly wiped it, and moved his beloved disciple's remains into his own cave.

"Ugh."

The Empress sighed softly.

Qin Zu's silent response to his suggestion was his own reply.

From the moment she saw Wu Zhexian's corpse, she knew that there was only one way left to take away the Martial Fortune Dragon Vein.

Standing atop the pure white throne of the saint, Lu Yuzhen's expression was more solemn than ever before.

not far away.

Grand Master Chongkan was even more alarmed, and focused intently on his task.

"Boom, boom, boom!"

As the old man in hemp robes stood up, the entire [Moon Concealment] Cave Heaven trembled violently, as if the sky were collapsing.

A golden, majestic image, like that of a true god, slowly appeared above the giant tree.

Precisely.

It is above this hidden realm of the moon.

Under this overwhelming pressure, the sacred shrine, bearing the fortune of the Seven Schools, almost lost its footing. Once those exceptionally talented martial artists advance to the Yin God Realm, they will condense a martial arts divine embryo in their own form. After advancing to the Yang God Realm, this martial arts divine embryo will further transform into a martial arts holy body.

now.

The Dharma form descended upon this [Moon Concealment Realm].

This is the perfect holy body that Qin Zu has cultivated to the tenth level of Yang Shen.

A second sun appeared in this grotto.

A sun comparable to the Holy Empress.

Hundreds of millions of golden divine rays enveloped the entire Moon Concealment. The appearance of that golden holy body almost caused the entire Moon Concealment Cave Heaven to burst apart. Ordinary cave heavens simply could not withstand the pressure of such a powerful being. However, the Holy Empress had made preparations in advance. She had incorporated the Moon Concealment Realm into her own cave heaven beforehand. At this moment, a huge divine image also appeared opposite the golden holy body.

However, this deity was not in human form.

Rumble, rumble!

Intense light poured down like a torrential rain, and the scarlet feathers were long and slender like tassels.

The Holy Empress's perfect form was none other than a gigantic, boundless demonic bird—

This is a phoenix!
"Mr. Qin."

The phoenix hovered above the immortal tree, its wings spread wide, almost encompassing the entire sky for miles around.

The Empress asked with some regret, "Are you sure you want it to end like this?"

Heaven and earth are silent.

The only response she received was a fist falling from the sky like a blazing sun.

……

……

boom!
The void shattered, and the torrent surged forth.

A young child wearing a Taoist robe stumbled out of the portal and fell heavily onto a small hill, sending grass clippings flying.

"Master."

"Grandmaster... are you alright?"

On the small hill, two young Taoist disciples were picking spiritual fruits.

Master Junshan's expression changed.

"This is……?"

He had just left the Southern Frontier and teleported through the spatial portal... His mind was in chaos for a moment, but he quickly recognized the scene.

This is a fruit orchard outside the main sect of Taoism.

On ordinary days, the disciples of the Seven Schools would come to this mountain to pick spiritual fruits.

"Why did Grandmaster return so quickly?"

A young Taoist boy blinked and asked curiously, "It seems the battle in the Southern Frontier went very smoothly?"

In their view.

The extermination of demons in the southern border region was a trivial matter.

Besides the Taoist sects, so many other holy sites also mobilized—

With so many Yin spirits, plus Yang spirits, they could easily sweep through the Paper Doll Path!
"You guys, come here."

Master Junshan took a deep breath; he had no time to chat with these young Taoist disciples.

He waved.

The young Taoist priest came running over excitedly.

Master Junshan flicked his sleeve and used his divine power to erase all memories of his past visits to this place.

The next moment, everyone looked blankly at each other, staring at each other in bewilderment.

what happened?
What just happened?
"Damn it."

Master Junshan glanced at the main sect of the Daoist sect from afar, his expression slightly pale.

His decision to leave during the previous confrontation with Lu Yuzhen wasn't due to a lack of courage... Having cultivated for two lifetimes, Master Junshan understood a crucial principle: when one's strength is insufficient, courage is meaningless. He could have fought Lu Yuzhen to the death in the Abyss, or clashed to the death with the Paper Doll Dao. With his trump card as a reincarnated Yang God, he could at least have killed several Pure White Venerables.

But what's the point?
In terms of the overall situation—

Meaningless.

After comprehending the "Future Dao Realm," Junshan, guided by the Dao Realm, saw several extremely terrifying future scenarios.

One scene depicts a massacre in southern Xinjiang.

There is another scene that is related to Taoism.

At this moment, he was high in the sky, not daring to release his aura, let alone casually step into the Daoist sect to check... The Daoist sect's great formation was shrouded in darkness, and many disciples were repairing the formation, indicating that the main sect had just experienced a great battle.

This scene confirms the Daoist prediction made by Master Junshan.

In the future Dao Realm, he saw the scene of the Daoist sect being trampled and destroyed, and the fortune of the seven Zhaishan Mountains dimmed.

Qingnang Mountain has completely disappeared.

Master Junshan gritted his teeth, rode his sword around in a large circle, looked at it repeatedly, and finally discovered something extremely absurd.

"Qingnang Mountain... has disappeared?"

He could hardly believe his eyes.

But that's the truth!

The Qingnang Mountain, which was guarded by Master Xuanzhi and was the Zhaishan Mountain that suppressed the entrance to the Daoist dragon vein's fortune, was actually removed and disappeared without a trace!
Master Junshan broke out in a cold sweat.

He dared not continue his investigation... The disappearance of Qingnang Mountain forced him to believe in the guidance of the "Future Dao Realm".

Chongkan was the instigator of this chaos within the Taoist community.

If I linger any longer than my current level, Chongkan will likely notice me.

Without much hesitation.

Master Junshan immediately rode his sword northward... He had already decided what he needed to do on the way.

He wants to leave the Taoist sect.

He's going to the capital!
……

……

The capital city is in unprecedented chaos today.

The last time there was this much chaos was probably ten years ago.

Emperor Chu collapsed in the Moon Hidden Realm, leaving the court leaderless. Just then, a demonic scourge broke out, and the imperial city was engulfed in flames.

News of the demonic transformation in Qingyang City has spread throughout the streets and alleys of the imperial city.

Numerous impeachment petitions were sent to Renshou Palace.

Rumors spread rapidly, one becomes two, two becomes three... Public opinion is the easiest thing in the world to manipulate. People's anger is like dry weeds, which can be ignited with just a little fire. If it is not controlled, then this wildfire will gradually develop out of control.

Yuan Jimu regained control of the Imperial City Guard.

Yan Xie took over the secret orders from the spies of the Book Tower, along with the orders from the head of Fangyuan Workshop.

The two of them only slightly fueled the flames.

The truth about this demonic transformation in Qingyang City... then emerged from the water.

Now, everyone in the streets and alleys is talking about the culprit behind the demonic transformation in Qingyang City.

Chen Jingxuan.

These people were unaware that the "junior imperial advisor" they were discussing had already resigned, been forced to leave the capital of Da Chu, and would not be able to return easily. Many struggles in this world are fought without gunpowder; by the time public opinion ignites in the mortal realm, the real battle has already ended, and the undercurrents have subsided.

Wait a little longer, and when the crowd's emotions reach their peak, the Imperial City Guard will announce the bleak end of this "Little Imperial Advisor".

The only relatively quiet place in the imperial city today.

This is the villa left behind by Emperor Chu.

In the villa, the young Emperor Chu Yin sat silently in front of the mirror, gazing at her reflection. She kept her expression serious, trying to make herself appear less childish.

"His Majesty."

Snowflakes were falling heavily.

The Snow Goddess descended gracefully, landing before the young emperor. Holding a specially crafted Ruyi Token in her hands, she respectfully said, "As you predicted, sir... the Great Master of the Daoist sect has sent a message."

(End of this chapter)