The Hidden Immortal

Chapter 122 They've All Been Killed (10,000-word chapter)

The thirteenth year of Changning.

The remaining main force of the northern desert horse tribe was caught up.

After suffering two thousand casualties, they broke through the encirclement again.

Ma Huai'an of the southwest relied on the seclusion of the mountains and forests to deal with the Wu Kingdom.

Unable to conquer the mountain after a long siege, the Wu Kingdom defied the world and set the mountain on fire.

The fire was so intense that the billowing black smoke could be seen hundreds of miles away.

At the end of the year, the ruler of Wu died suddenly.

With the wildfire nearly extinguished, under Zhang Jingheng's orders, the southwestern garrison was mobilized in full force to search the mountains and forests.

They found tens of thousands of charred corpses, including Ma Huai'an's men and barbarian slaves.

A fire nearly wiped out the entire barbarian tribe; it is said that only a handful of people managed to escape.

Taking advantage of the situation, the southwestern defenders attacked and entered the Wu Kingdom, capturing three cities in succession.

However, after Wu realized what was happening, reinforcements arrived, and the two sides were temporarily deadlocked.

Zhang Jing dispatched officials from the Ministry of Revenue to take up their posts directly in the three cities.

They also built a new city in the northern desert and incorporated these areas into the territory of the Jing Kingdom.

Everything was proceeding smoothly and in an orderly manner.

It was the fourteenth year of Changning.

The northern horse tribes were suffering terribly from being hunted down, and the areas where they could hide were getting smaller and smaller.

However, at this moment, Emperor Changning's health suddenly plummeted.

He vomited several mouthfuls of blood and nearly died on the spot.

Left with no other choice, they had to send him back to Kyoto.

On the dragon bed, Emperor Changning's face was ashen, and he was nearing the end of his life.

The imperial physicians knelt on the ground, but they were helpless.

I was filled with fear and trembling.

The crown prince, who had been regent for several years, knelt before the bed.

Emperor Changning was too weak to get up, and he held his hand, extremely frail.

"Heaven is not waiting for me. If I had another year or two, I would definitely be able to sweep away everything for you and let you live as a peaceful emperor."

The Crown Prince said sorrowfully, "I understand what Father Emperor is thinking. Please take good care of yourself. In the future, in the future—"

Emperor Changning took a slow breath and weakly called out, "Prime Minister—"

Zhang Jingheng sat beside the dragon bed, so old that he could barely keep his eyes open.

Supported by a prince, he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister is here."

"The offensive in the northern desert cannot stop. I hereby grant you the authority to make all decisions on your own."

"I have heard it."

Emperor Changning turned his head slightly to look at him: "You have to live a few more years for me, finish this war, and help the Crown Prince—"

His breathing suddenly quickened, and before he could finish speaking, his eyes widened.

He couldn't catch his breath and passed away.

Zhang Jingheng could no longer see clearly, but he could hear the cries of the Crown Prince, the princes, and the concubines in the harem.

He understood in his heart, sighed, and murmured, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this old minister cannot die now, cannot die—"

Two wars are raging in the southwest and the northern desert. What awaits the Jing Kingdom is either a golden age or a rapid decline.

As the prime minister, Zhang Jinghui naturally did not want to see the latter possibility occur.

At seventy-six years old, he was determined to endure a life that even the emperor could not sustain.

Bow down and die.

A few days later, the crown prince ascended the throne.

The reign title was Yongxiang.

Songguo Village.

Chu Xun stood in the courtyard, and before his eyes appeared wisps of white golden essence, as well as four other different colors of the five elements, but they were rather dim.

This is because he can borrow it, but lacks the method to collect it.

Borrowing and collecting may seem similar, but they are actually quite different.

One needs to be repaid, the other doesn't.

Just like the iron bar that Chu Xun used to help Chen Guizhou pry open the coffin, it would dissipate once it lost the blessing of Taoist magic.

The golden sword in the side room can exist for a long time without the need for Taoist magic.

At this moment, Chu Xun used the gathering method to gather strands of golden essence.

In the perception, the essence of metal continuously accumulates, building the pillars of heaven and earth in the world of the mind.

This pillar is the foundation of one's own little world.

With it, even if the world were to be destroyed, it would have no effect on you.

Just as no matter what happens to the Jing Kingdom in the future, Chu Xun will always be Chu Xun.

No matter how many dynasties come and go, you can still live a good life.

Of course, the real world is far more complex than the common metaphor suggests.

If one succeeds in cultivating this, one will be said to have transcended the Three Realms and been outside the Five Elements.

After mastering the Five Elements Daoist methods, Chu Xun's speed in gathering the essence of metal was significantly faster.

It's almost like doing whatever you want.

One wisp after another of golden essence was drawn in, piling up layer upon layer.

It looks fast, but it's actually frighteningly slow.

At the end of the day, it would be quite an achievement to be able to truly solidify even a wisp of golden essence.

Moreover, Chu De had other things to do and couldn't spend all his time "building pillars".

To create one's own little world, transcending the constraints and limitations of the Three Realms and Five Elements, is easier said than done.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside.

The messenger knocked on the door: "Mr. Chu, an urgent message from the capital."

A weasel ran to open the door and took the letter from the messenger.

The other hand offered a freshly pulled radish.

The third messenger barked twice, and only after he withdrew his hand holding the radish did he close the door.

The last one jumped up and dropped the bolt.

The whole process was completed smoothly and skillfully.

Over the years, they have developed this habit: anyone who takes an extra step will be ganged up on and beaten up by the other weasels.

The elderly official, carrying a radish, happily mounted his horse.

It's more interesting to deliver letters to Mr. Chu's house.

The weasel, with its hands raised above its head, came running over.

Chu Xun temporarily put down what he was doing, took the letter, opened it, and said, "Oh my, the salt jar is already very clean."

Wei Youyou poked half her body out of the kitchen, carefully holding the salt jar, and said, "It's not very clean yet."

"Then you don't need to lick it anymore. I'll take you to buy some more salt later."

Since Wei Youyou came, the salt in our house has been going out of stock very quickly.

With Chu Xun's current abilities, even conjuring salt blocks out of thin air would be no problem for him.

But he didn't want to do that.

I just feel that if we try to solve everything with Taoist methods, we will soon forget what it means to be human.

Immortality is what I desire, but it also brings loneliness.

Chu Xun hoped to do as many things as he could and was willing to do during this long journey.

Wei Youyou's eyes lit up, and she jumped over to ask, "Hey! Going shopping?"

"You can take a look around while you're at it."

Wei Youyou was very happy; she is actually a very lively person.

The little girl is too timid; she only shows her lively side in familiar environments and with familiar people.

At other times, they will mostly prick up their ears, looking here and there.

The slightest noise will startle them and make them jump.

Chu Xun glanced at the contents of the letter; it was sent by Zhang Jingheng.

He wanted some swords to be sent to the new city in the northern desert and the southwest to guard the newly conquered territories of the Jing Kingdom.

In addition, he is quite old and wanted Chu Xun to stay in the capital for a while.

So that one day you won't be able to open your eyes and won't be able to see them anymore.

Chu Xun thought for a moment, then turned to Wei Youyou: "Would you like to go sightseeing in the capital?"

"Yo! Kyoto!"

Wei Youyou's eyes widened: "Where is Kyoto?"

"It's a bit far, much bigger than Fenggu City," Chu Xun said.

Wei Youyou was naturally happy to go; she liked to travel around and see different places.

"But we need to find a carriage first," Chu Xun said.

Wei Youyou's eyes widened even more: "A carriage!"

"It has to be a very large carriage."

"A very large carriage!!!"

The next day.

A very, very large carriage left Pinecone Village.

The carriage alone was as big as half a house, and it took two horses to pull it.

Four weasels squatted at the door of the side room, peering inside.

The room was now empty.

It would take at least twenty days to travel from Songguo Village to Kyoto by horse-drawn carriage.

Without a driver, Chu Xun sat in the front, leisurely leaning against the carriage.

Wei Youyou also sat in front, staring at the horse's tail swaying back and forth.

It seems like I want to grab a piece of their pie, but I'm not quite sure I dare.

The clattering of horses' hooves echoed back and forth.

Passersby were quite surprised to see such a large carriage, and it attracted a lot of attention.

Leaving Songguo Village, and then leaving Zhangnan County.

Chu Xun did not choose the route to Fenggu City, firstly because it was a slightly roundabout route, and secondly because he had already been there several times.

Most of the familiar faces are gone; only an old locust tree remains.

Following Tonghu City, then to Xiangnan Prefecture, and traveling several hundred li, past Hulao Pass, you will reach the capital city.

The official road here is not as good as the one in Mingxiu Prefecture.

The refugee army attacked along this route back then.

The roads, ravaged by war, are riddled with potholes.

There were few people along the way, but many graves.

When the refugee army marched through here, the government troops along the way put up a fierce resistance and conscripted local able-bodied men, resulting in many deaths.

This has caused Xiangnan Prefecture, which was originally on par with Mingxiu Prefecture, to fall to the bottom.

Several prefects wanted to restore this place, but there were no attractive policies.

In addition, with so many people dying, rumors spread among the locals that the place was often haunted, so unless there was really nowhere else to go, not many people were willing to come.

The bumpy road surface caused the carriage to sway back and forth.

Before long, Wei Youyou's face turned pale from being jostled around.

Chu Xun casually tapped the button, and the carriage returned to a stable position.

He looked at Wei Youyou and asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Chu Xun chuckled. Seeing that it was getting late, he decided to find a place nearby to rest for the night before continuing his journey.

However, there are no villages or shops nearby, so it's not easy to find a place to rest.

After traveling several more miles, they finally caught a glimpse of a dilapidated temple.

Chu Xun stopped the carriage in front of the temple, got out, and went over to take a look.

The temple was dilapidated and seemed to have been abandoned for a long time.

Several statues of gods lay on the ground, filthy.

The corners were covered in cobwebs, and a musty smell wafted through the air.

Chu Xun waved his hand, and a gust of wind swept away the musty smell.

The ground was also much cleaner.

Wei Youyou hopped over weakly, her movements much weaker than before, both in amplitude and frequency.

You can tell she's really upset right now.

Chu Xun unloaded the prepared mats and blankets from the carriage and spread them on the ground.

Then they brought over a small tent and pitched it on the spot.

The ground, as if alive, swallowed and compacted the four corners of the tent.

Chu Xun glanced at the statue and casually waved his hand.

The statue was broken into pieces and piled up into a heap of wood.

A flame appeared out of nowhere, dispelling the chill of the night.

In reality, this slight chill was insignificant to both Chu Xun and Wei Youyou.

But only by doing this can it feel like going on a long trip.

The carriage was stocked with radish greens, leafy greens, pumpkin, cucumber, salt, and other foods that Wei Youyou liked.

Chu Xun brought over a few items and placed them in front of her.

Wei Youyou listlessly stuck out her buttocks, sniffing around and picking through the food.

In the end, I picked the radish leaves and chewed them piece by piece like slurping noodles.

Chu Xun then took a cucumber, which didn't need much washing.

The cucumbers I grow are all irrigated with rainwater and do not require fertilizer.

Even if there are insects, the field mice will eat them directly.

Wei Youyou ate two radish greens and felt a little better.

She sat cross-legged like Chu Xun, looked around curiously, and asked, "Is this what camping is like?"

"More or less," Chu Xun said.

Wei Youyou peeked out from under the tent: "But it's not raining."

Chu Xun had told her about camping, such as listening to the wind and rain, eating the morning dew, and spending the night in the wilderness.

Wei Youyou was very interested in this because it closely resembled her childhood.

Chu Xun glanced outside; the raindrops began to fall rapidly.

The raindrops fell on the broken tiles, dripping continuously through the leaks, making the tent thump and sway.

Wei Youyou was startled. After a moment, she timidly reached out to touch the spot on the tent that was wet with water droplets.

One blow after another, neither too light nor too heavy.

Her eyes gradually lit up: "Wow!"

When enough water accumulates, it will flow down the tent.

But before it even landed, it dissipated into nothingness in mid-air, so it wouldn't actually wet the mats and blankets.

Seeing the little girl's happy face, Chu Xun smiled.

I haven't done camping in almost a century; it was a completely spontaneous idea.

Looking back now, it's quite interesting.

After an unknown amount of time, Chu Xun looked outside and sensed that the golden essence in the carriage seemed to have moved slightly.

Immediately, two figures hurriedly entered the temple.

A handsome man wearing a blue robe and carrying a long sword.

A man dressed in light blue cloth, wearing a round hat, holding a short sword, and with a rather ordinary appearance.

They were all very young, at most eighteen or nineteen years old.

When the two entered, they found that there were already people there and a campfire.

The shorter man, gripping the short sword, immediately became wary.

The man with the longsword, however, paid no heed and stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting, asking, "Old man, may we both join you by the fire?"

Chu Xun touched the few strands of white hair growing at his temples. Had he reached the age where people would mistake him for an old man again?

He glanced at them and said, "Whatever."

The man with the longsword sat down, then pulled his companion over, bowing again and saying, "My name is He Jinghong, and this is my junior brother Qin Shuang. May I ask your honorable name, brother?"

Wei Youyou immediately shouted, "I am Wei Youyou!"

Chu Xun then said, "Chu Chen."

He Jinghong responded and was about to speak again when he suddenly saw the big-eyed little girl turn to Chu Xun and ask, "Master, shouldn't a woman be called 'Junior Sister'?"

He Jinghong paused, while Qin Shuang's face tightened as she gripped her short sword.

Chu Xun was both amused and exasperated. He had already realized that the two people were women when they came in.

The masculine energy of a man and the feminine energy of a woman are completely different.

Even though they deliberately concealed some of their feminine features with makeup and attire, Chu Xun could see it clearly.

Moreover, his handsome face, no matter how much he tries to conceal it, will still give him away to some extent.

If such a handsome man truly existed in the world, he would surely attract many people.

Therefore, even Wei Youyou can easily distinguish them.

To conceal her gender, she must have even used a fake name.

Seeing that the expressions of the two people opposite him were somewhat strange, Chu said, "If you feel uncomfortable, you can leave first."

Qin Shuang stared wide-eyed: "Why weren't you the ones who left!"

Chu Xun said calmly, "We were here first."

He Jinghong stopped Qin Shuang from speaking further, placed his long sword on his lap, and said, "Old man, please don't be offended. It's raining heavily now, and this is the only place to take shelter from the rain for dozens of miles around."

"Whether we are male or female is insignificant."

The rain now is no longer magic, but real rain.

Chu Xun didn't speak again, but glanced at Qin Shuang, who looked wary, and flicked his fingers.

Another statue shattered, was drawn over, and placed on the fire.

This move left He Jinghong and Qin Shuang speechless.

They had assumed that the old man and the young girl must have some skill to dare to spend the night in a deserted temple.

But I never expected him to be so capable.

No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't recall ever having such a powerful figure in the martial arts world.

He Jinghong's face showed more respect: "So you are no ordinary person, sir. No wonder you dared to rest here. I am a disciple of Xie Ji, the leader of the martial arts alliance. May I ask which school or sect you belong to?"

Chu Xun raised an eyebrow slightly. Xie Ji, the leader of the martial arts alliance?

"Xie Ji, the Soul-Chasing Blade?" Chu Xun asked.

"It's Xie Ji, the master of the Heaven-Reliant Sword!" Qin Shuang immediately corrected loudly, "Master, with his Heaven-Reliant Sword, is invincible throughout the world!"

"Don't be rude." He Jinghong gestured for her to be quiet, and then said, "My master did indeed have the title of Soul-Chasing Blade."

Wei Youyou immediately became interested: "Have you heard of the Dragon-Slaying Saber?"

He Jinghong nodded and said, "I've heard of him. He's a rising star in the last two years. With just a long sword, he has repeatedly defeated various masters, showing the same style as my master back then."

After obtaining the Dragon-Slaying Saber from Chu Xun, Liao Xingbang went to the martial arts world to challenge various masters, achieving an extraordinary record.

His own martial arts rank wasn't particularly high, but the Dragon-Slaying Saber was just too powerful.

With a single slash, any weapon can be severed.

Even a first-rank martial artist would find it difficult to withstand.

Qin Shuang snorted and said, "It's just relying on the power of the weapon; it doesn't count as his own skill. Besides, he's being chased and can barely protect himself. How can he compare to Master?"

Chu Xun frowned slightly: "Why are you being chased?"

"It's naturally because of that knife," Qin Shuang said.

The saying goes, "A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime."

Because the Dragon-Slaying Saber is so powerful, rumors circulate in the martial arts world that, like the Heaven-Reliant Sword, it contains an unparalleled secret manual.

Whoever obtains it will become the new leader of the martial arts world and unify the martial arts community.

Whether in the imperial court or in the martial world, there is an irrepressible desire for the power to command the world.

Chu Xun shook his head upon hearing this, suggesting that those martial arts figures should refrain from doing anything to Liao Xingbang.

Otherwise, even if he didn't cause them any trouble, the military generals promoted by the Duke of Wei would not let them off the hook.

Who would have thought that the grandson of the Duke of Wei would neither join the army nor become an official?

He happened to be carrying a knife and made a name for himself in the martial arts world.

Wei Youyou's little face was full of curiosity: "What is the Heaven-Slaying Sword?"

He Jinghong spoke with a touch of arrogance, slightly raising his rounded chin: "An invincible sword."

Wei Youyou's eyes widened: "Invincible!"

He Jinghong was pleased with her expression.

Master's illustrious reputation deserves the respect of all under heaven.

This gave her a very good impression of the little girl in front of her.

Wei Youyou pointed at the carriage outside and shouted, "Master also has a sword!"

He Jinghong laughed and said, "Your swords are different from my master's swords."

Wei Youyou asked, somewhat puzzled, "How is it different?"

He Jinghong raised his chin slightly again: "My master's sword is quite powerful."

Chu Xun's feat of shattering the statue from a distance was indeed impressive, but in He Jinghong's eyes, it still couldn't compare to his master's skill.

With the Heaven-Slaying Sword unleashed, who can rival it? This is no mere boast.

Wei Youyou was clearly unconvinced and turned to look at Chu Xun, as if seeking an answer.

Chu Xun naturally wouldn't bother arguing with people over something like this.

Not wanting to embarrass the people who were also taking shelter from the rain there, He Jinghong changed the subject and asked, "I just saw you casually break the statue. You must be a carefree person. Please forgive me if I have offended you."

"Where are you two headed?"

"Let's go to Kyoto," Chu Xun said.

He Jinghong was taken aback, and Chu Xun understood her meaning: "You too?"

He Jinghong did not hide anything, his expression slightly somber: "My father suddenly fell seriously ill, and I am going back for his funeral."

"Please accept my condolences," Chu Xun said.

He's not very good at comforting people, especially since they weren't very familiar with each other.

Birth, aging, illness, and death are the most normal things.

At this moment, Chu Xun suddenly sensed something and raised his eyebrows slightly.

Wei Youyou sensed it too, and crawled over with a cucumber in her mouth: "Master—"

Chu Xun shook his head, and Wei Youyou fell silent.

Wisps of yin energy gathered from all directions, causing the flames to flicker.

The yin energy will automatically avoid the direction in which the carriage is parked at the main gate.

Chu Xun glanced at the place where the yin energy was gathering, and He Jinghong also seemed to feel the chill, quietly moving closer to the fire.

Chu Xun understood and asked, "Did anything happen to you before you came here?"

He Jinghong and Qin Shuang seemed to recall something when asked, but quickly suppressed their unease and shook their heads, saying, "We have never encountered it."

Seeing that they refused to speak, Chu Xun stopped asking.

After a while, more and more yin energy gathered.

Qin Shuang was a little better; she just hugged her arms and leaned close to the fire, rubbing her face and hands from time to time.

He Jinghong was already shivering from the cold. Even though he was very close to the fire and his face and hands were burning hot, he still couldn't stop the chill.

Suddenly, she felt something burning at her waist and quickly got up to pat it off.

It was a yellow paper talisman, which burned to ashes before it even hit the ground.

He Jinghong's expression changed, as if he had thought of something, and he immediately said to Chu Xun, "You should leave."

Looking at the ashes of the yellow paper talisman on the ground, Chu Xun asked curiously, "Who gave you these?"

So far, the only like-minded person Chu Xun has encountered is the old Taoist priest who sells fake medicine.

I have heard that there are other Taoist practitioners in the world, but there are none near Songguo Village or near Zhangnan County.

He never deliberately searched for it, after all, he was always worried that someone would notice something amiss and ruin things.

Now, a trace of magic can be clearly felt on this yellow paper talisman.

It's just very weak, not as good as me.

Enraged, He Jinghong immediately pulled Qin Shuang up: "Let's go!"

Qin Shuang hesitated for a moment: "If we join forces with him—"

"This is our business, why involve others?" He Jinghong said without hesitation.

Qin Shuang said no more, and the two were about to leave.

Chu Xun said calmly, "Your reaction is too slow; it's too late to leave now."

He Jinghong was startled and turned to look at him abruptly.

Qin Shuang drew her short sword, pointed it at Chu Xun, and said sharply, "So you're not a good person after all!"

She may possess the strength of a third-rank martial artist, which is already a remarkable achievement for a woman of her age.

He Jinghong is even at the second rank, clearly possessing extremely high martial arts talent.

But such strength posed no threat to Chu Xun.

Without even looking at the short sword pointing at him, he said, "Show me what it is, and tell me where the yellow paper talisman came from, and I will save your lives."

"Otherwise, neither of you will survive tonight."

Outside, on a rainy night, strange noises could be faintly heard.

Something seemed to be approaching, but its form was completely invisible.

The chill in the air grew stronger, and He Jinghong realized that Chu Xun was not a bad guy who had come here to ambush them.

But she didn't believe Chu Xun could save her either. Even the yellow paper talisman had been burned to ashes, which meant that something had already come true.

Unless a god descends to earth, I fear I will truly face certain death tonight.

Thinking of this, she pressed down Qin Shuang's hand and then took something out of her bosom.

"No one who gets their hands on this thing ever ends up well. Are you sure you want to see it?"

Chu Xun nodded.

He Jinghong didn't say anything more, threw the item over, and then drew the long sword from his waist.

His own father and his own master were the most powerful people in the world.

Even if she were to die, she would not sit idly by and wait for her fate.

Even if it means death, we must fight with all our might!

Chu Xun took the item, glanced at it, and was slightly surprised.

This is a bone, three inches long and wide, with a black line appearing on its surface.

Judging from its appearance alone, you can't tell what it's all about.

But the aura emanating from his bones was very evident.

Wei Youyou jumped back slightly in fright, pricking up her ears to stare at the bone: "Oh!"

Chu Xun then looked at He Jinghong and asked, "Are these the bones of a dragon?"

He Jinghong looked over in surprise: "How did you figure that out?"

Chu Xun raised three giant pythons, one of which was about to transform into a dragon.

Given his own position as the "Water of Ji" (a specific astrological configuration), he was naturally able to recognize it.

No wonder those things were attracted; dragons belong to the water element and have the heaviest yin energy.

Any demons or monsters associated with yin energy will be attracted to it.

If one could swallow it and use the dragon's bones for one's own benefit, the advantages would be immense.

Chu Xun, of course, wouldn't explain that to her, and instead asked, "That yellow paper talisman?"

"It was given to me by Huang Shigong. My master knew him and, knowing that I had obtained this item, drew a talisman as a gift for me."

"It said it could protect me on my journey, but for some reason it suddenly burned down here."

Chu Xun raised an eyebrow; he knew Huang Shigong.

He once gifted someone three volumes of celestial books, helping them achieve great things.

However, there has never been a detailed record of its specific origin.

I never expected to hear it in this world.

I just don't know if this is the same person as the Huang Shigong I know.

As for why He Jinghong's yellow paper talisman suddenly burned, Chu Xun couldn't help but think of the unusual movement of the golden essence energy before the two of them came in.

He then asked, "Did you approach my carriage?"

He Jinghong didn't hide anything and explained, "I wanted to ask if anyone was inside, but when I got closer, I felt very uncomfortable. Nothing was touched."

Chu Xun understood; it must be that the golden essence had sensed the presence of the yellow paper talisman.

Although it did not attack directly, its sharp energy had already torn the paper talisman.

The creature that had been following them immediately spotted their trail and came looking for them.

So not long after He Jinghong and the other person came, the yellow paper talisman burned to ashes on its own.

Ultimately, this matter is not Chu Xun's fault.

But there is some cause and effect involved.

"What do you want the dragon bones for?" Chu Xun asked again.

"Save my father's life." He Jinghong said with a somber look in his eyes, "Huang Shigong said that if he could take the powder made from the bones of a dragon, he might be able to prolong his life for a few more days."

Unfortunately, although she found it after going through great hardships, it was already too late.

Chu Xun asked again, "Are there any bones like this left?"

When a scaly insect defies the will of Heaven, it must first shed its poison, transform its body, and grow rebellious scales.

The so-called "bone replacement" is the process of changing the bones of a python into the bones of a dragon.

Therefore, it would be very beneficial if the Azure-White Python could swallow the dragon's bones before transforming into a dragon.

"have."

A chilling wind had already picked up outside, and the faint sounds of ghosts wailing and howling could be heard, which was quite eerie.

He Jinghong gripped his long sword tightly, gritted his teeth, and stared intently ahead.

"The place I went to was where an ancient, evil dragon perished, but obtaining its bones would be extremely difficult!"

She didn't know where those unseen enemies would come from, and felt a chilling wind blowing from all directions, making her scalp tingle.

Chu Xun's eyes lit up. Although he had been preparing for many years and had done everything he could and should have done.

However, the current level of certainty is still not high enough.

If we could obtain a complete dragon bone and have the Azure-White Python devour it, the chances of success would increase by at least 20%!

So he had to go to that place!

Knowing where that place was, He Jinghong naturally couldn't die.

Chu Xun stood up and said, "They're just some ghosts and monsters. Don't worry, I'm here."

He Jinghong looked at him in astonishment. She wasn't surprised that a ghost had come.

There are indeed ghosts and gods in this world, and she knows more about them than most people do.

But knowing it's a ghost, why are you so nonchalant?

Qin Shuang, standing beside him, gripped her short sword tightly. Though the cold wind had stiffened her body and her teeth were chattering, she still managed to stammer, "I will fight to the death to clear a path for you. You must escape!"

He was about to walk forward when he was grabbed by the collar and thrown back after only two steps.

"Ghosts aren't scary. They mostly harm people through yin energy and illusions. You'd better not cause any trouble."

Chu Xun stood in front of the two and said to He Jinghong, "May I borrow your sword?"

He Jinghong hesitated for a moment, but still chose to hand the sword to him.

Because someone she greatly respected once said, "When you are lost, it is best to trust the person who can point the way."

Chu Xun took the longsword and glanced at it.

The sword was three feet four inches long, which was a bit short for a man's sword.

But if it's a woman, it's just right.

The sword is bright and the blade is sharp, clearly made by a master craftsman.

He Jinghong thought so too, saying, "This was specially made for me by my master. Its name is Feiliu, and it is a very good sword."

"It's actually not bad." Chu Xun nodded, it was better than the one he had made at the Cheng family's house.

But it's not good enough.

Strands of golden essence were drawn in, transforming into white sword shadows that fell into the blade.

It is indeed a fine sword, capable of containing ten strands of golden essence without collapsing.

Chu Xun extended his index finger and lightly flicked the blade.

All that could be heard was the sound of a sword clashing like a dragon's roar. He Jinghong was behind him, though he couldn't see what was happening.

But she had never heard such a sword sound before, and was immediately astonished.

At that moment, she felt as if she had gained something in her hand.

Looking down, she saw that the big-eyed little girl had walked up to her at some point and handed her half a cucumber.

"With the master here, there's nothing to fear!"

The tone of her voice sounded more like she was encouraging herself.

At this moment, the yin energy outside the temple was extremely dense.

Chu Xun glanced around and saw hundreds of vengeful spirits, among which were dozens of fierce ghosts.

The most powerful of them all possessed an extremely malevolent aura.

Those are far more powerful than vengeful ghosts, comparable to both civil and military judges.

Their faces were all sinister and terrifying; their appearance alone could scare people to death.

Unfortunately, those who can see them are not afraid, while those who are afraid cannot see them.

Ordinary people cannot see ghosts, yet they are terrified of them.

Thinking of this, Chu Xun couldn't help but chuckle.

These vengeful spirits and malevolent ghosts were all attracted by the dragon's bones.

Some were from nearby, while others followed along the way.

Especially those fierce ghosts, each of them possessed an aura no weaker than that of the underworld officials in the county's City God Temple.

If He Jinghong were to face them, he would only suffer a terrible death, without even the ability to fight back.

But to Chu Xun, it was insignificant.

However, I felt a bit of resentment towards the City God in the vicinity. With so many vengeful spirits here, how could the underworld turn a blind eye?

Even if you're impersonating someone else, you should still do your job properly.

If someone takes the title but does nothing, it would be utterly despicable.

Led by the malevolent spirits, dozens of vengeful ghosts and hundreds of vengeful spirits broke through the temple walls and entered.

"Yo yo yo!"

Wei Youyou cried out, startling He Jinghong.

The little girl clung tightly to her arm, murmuring, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, Master is here."

For some reason, seeing how timid she was, He Jinghong suddenly felt like laughing.

But glancing at Qin Shuang, who was sitting on the ground trembling and unable to move, she couldn't laugh anymore.

At this moment, a voice entered your ears: "Since you died unjustly, go to the underworld to be rewarded for good and punished for evil, and be reincarnated. Don't bring suffering upon yourselves."

However, those vengeful spirits and evil ghosts would never listen.

The allure of the dragon bones was so strong that even with Chu Xun's Foundation Establishment cultivation level, they wouldn't give in.

This is an opportunity that could allow them to rise to the top in one step.

People die for wealth, birds die for food, and so do ghosts and monsters.

The vengeful spirits want to become vengeful ghosts, the vengeful ghosts want to become malevolent spirits, and the malevolent spirits also want to become even more powerful beings.

They are not bound by the Heavenly Court or the Underworld, and can control their own destiny.

Unfortunately, they encountered Chu De.

Seeing the ghosts and monsters continue to approach, Chu Xun shook his head slightly.

"Stubborn and obstinate."

The long sword flew like a waterfall, slashing away with a casual gesture.

So light and airy, as if it carried no strength at all.

There wasn't even a sound of something breaking through the air.

However, in the next moment, the extremely sharp golden essence swept through the surroundings in an instant.

Whether you are a vengeful spirit, a vengeful ghost, or a malevolent being, you will be shattered by a single sword strike.

The pervasive yin energy dissipated.

He Jinghong couldn't see what was happening around her, but she could feel the biting cold rapidly receding.

The flames regained their steady course and stopped flickering.

The sword strike Chu Xun had just unleashed made her feel as if she were seeing a colossal sword reaching to the heavens and cleaving through everything in the world.

This sword strike is unstoppable!

She didn't know why she had this feeling, yet it was so clear to her.

Staring blankly at the tall figure in front of him, He Jinghong had only one question in his mind.

"Who exactly is he?"

Chu Xun turned around, handed the longsword back, and said, "If you use this sword well, you will be more powerful than Xie Ji in the future."

He Jinghong took the longsword and looked down at it.

The sword was still the same sword, but it seemed quite different from before.

She didn't know what was different.

Just as he was about to sheath the sword, the scabbard suddenly cracked and shattered into several pieces that fell to the ground.

He Jinghong was taken aback when a voice came to his ear: "An ordinary scabbard is no longer sufficient to store it. You should carry it yourself."

""

"You no longer need this dragon bone, so consider this sword as your exchange. What do you say?"

The ten strands of golden essence, though not as powerful as the Dragon-Slaying Saber, are ten times more potent than the Heaven-Reliant Sword.

The thin iron scabbard could hardly withstand such sharpness.

Trading a useless bone for such a peerless weapon is certainly not a bad deal.

He Jinghong immediately realized he had encountered an unparalleled master. His face filled with reverence, he bowed respectfully, saying, "Senior's methods are astonishing, leaving this junior utterly astonished! May I ask your name?"

"I don't have any special title," Chu Xun waved his hand and said, "You should continue warming yourself by the fire."

He Jinghong looked around and asked, "What was that thing just now—"

"Kill them all," Chu Xun said.

He is not a judge, nor is he obligated to distinguish whether these vengeful spirits committed evil deeds in their previous lives.

Since they now harbor malicious intentions, they deserve to die.

He Jinghong gritted his teeth and asked, "Senior, are you perhaps an immortal?"

"No, that's not it." Chu Xun shook his head.

At the Foundation Establishment stage, one can at most be considered a cultivator, but how can one be compared to an immortal?

At least in Chu Xun's eyes, it doesn't count.

Seeing that he was unwilling to say more, He Jinghong did not dare to ask any more questions.

Even Qin Shuang, who had recovered considerably, no longer looked at Chu Xun with any wariness.

The adoration in his eyes was almost overflowing.

The yin energy had dissipated, and Wei Youyou's perked-up ears finally softened considerably.

He ran over and stuffed a radish green into his mouth, eating it with great relish.

Seeing how well she was eating, He Jinghong hesitated for a moment before asking, "May I have a taste?"

Wei Youyou pulled a piece from her mouth and handed it over: "Hey, it's delicious!"

Normally, He Jinghong would never eat something that was pulled out of someone else's mouth, and he might not even give it a second glance.

But today, she has abandoned all her past ideas.

He took the radish greens and took a few bites.

My eyes lit up immediately. I thought it would be no different from eating grass, but I didn't expect it to be sweet and surprisingly delicious!

Wei Youyou looked at her and asked, "Is it delicious?"

He Jinghong nodded and commented earnestly, "I've never eaten anything so delicious before!"

Wei Youyou smiled, her eyes narrowed: "Grandpa planted them! I picked them!"

He Jinghong really wanted to praise her for being so amazing, but he felt that such praise would be a bit too exaggerated.

After all, radish leaves, whether planted or harvested, shouldn't be associated with the word "powerful."

At this moment, Chu Xun said, "I'm going out for a bit. You can wait here."

He Jinghong quickly stood up and asked, "Where are you going, Senior? Would you like me to accompany you?"

"No need. It's no use for you to go where I'm going," Chu Xun said.

He Jinghong didn't say much. An hour ago, she wouldn't have believed these words and would have been unhappy instead.

But now that Chu Xun says it's useless for her to go, she believes that it really is useless for her to go.

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