Transforming into a stunningly beautiful fox spirit, leaving a scar on the heart of a prodigy.

The flames inside the golden cauldron gradually died down.

The malevolent energy of that Holy Spirit Blood Crystal had been completely refined, transforming into the purest energy that had been absorbed into Chen Xuan's limbs and bones.

His realm stabilized at the early stage of the Great Saint Realm.

This was Chen Daolin's doing; he used Su Chang'an's life to lay a perfect foundation for Chen Xuan.

hum-

The Mountain and River Cauldron emitted a soft hum, and its massive lid slowly rose.

The sunlight streamed in again.

It was blinding and cold.

There was a deathly silence in front of the gate of the Supreme Forgetfulness Sect.

Everyone stared at the cauldron.

Zhao Tiezhu covered his mouth, tears streaming down his face.

Luo Qingxue's knuckles turned white as she gripped the sword, her nails digging into her flesh.

They had all heard that heart-wrenching wail.

The lid of the cauldron is opened.

A figure sat quietly at the bottom of the cauldron.

Chen Xuan lowered his head, his black hair falling loosely, obscuring his face.

He was holding a black cloak in his arms, which Su Chang'an had worn, and it still had a very faint, cool fragrance.

Apart from that, there was nothing there.

There were no foxes, and no people.

Only a faint smell of burning remained in the air.

"Xuan'er".

Chen Daolin stood in mid-air, looking down at him with a satisfied expression.

"How do you feel? The evil energy within you has been eliminated, and your foundation has been rebuilt. Now, you are worthy of the title of the Chen family's imperial son."

Chen Xuan did not move.

He seemed to have turned into a sculpture.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head.

That face was eerily calm.

There were no tear stains, no expression, and even her eyes were lifeless.

Those once clear, bright eyes are now ashen, like embers after a fire has burned out.

He slowly stood up, his movements stiff, like a rusty puppet.

He folded the cloak neatly, carefully tucked it into his bosom, and placed it close to his heart.

Then, he reached out and grasped the broken sword at his waist.

"Feel?"

Chen Xuan spoke, his voice hoarse and rough, like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together.

"It feels...good."

Clang!

The broken sword was drawn from its sheath.

There was no sword energy crisscrossing, no fluctuation of spiritual power.

Only a pure and extreme killing intent erupted from him.

This killing intent was not directed at any one person, but at the heavens, the earth, and all the gods and Buddhas in the sky.

"So good... I'd like to send you on your way."

boom!

Chen Xuan stomped his foot, and the Mountain and River Cauldron made a loud noise, shaking as he kicked it.

He transformed into a black lightning bolt and charged straight at Chen Daolin.

There are no fancy moves.

It was just one sword strike.

It pierces straight into the throat.

This sword strike represented the pinnacle of his lifelong cultivation.

He used Su Chang'an's life to achieve the decisive victory.

Chen Daolin's expression changed slightly.

He hadn't expected that Chen Xuan, having just experienced the pain of losing a loved one, would not only not become despondent, but would instead unleash such terrifying combat power.

This killing intent even made him, a peak Great Sage, feel a slight tremor in his heart.

"presumptuous!"

Chen Daolin let out a cold shout and raised his hand to strike out with a palm.

A giant golden palm print appeared out of thin air, attempting to suppress Chen Xuan.

puff!

The broken sword pierced through the palm print without any resistance.

Chen Xuan neither dodged nor avoided the aftershocks of the palm strike, letting them hit him.

Click.

The sound of the ribs breaking was clearly audible.

But he seemed to feel no pain; his speed increased rather than decreased, and the deathly gray in his eyes deepened.

"die!"

He uttered a single word, and the broken sword was only three inches from Chen Daolin's throat.

"snort."

Chen Daolin snorted coldly, and the pressure of a peak Great Sage erupted completely.

"Ignorant of one's own limitations."

He extended two fingers and gently pinched them together.

Ding.

The broken sword was caught in the grip.

The broken sword that had once slain a demon and a ghost king remained motionless between Chen Daolin's fingers.

The difference in their levels is too great.

Even though Chen Xuan is now a Great Sage, he has just broken through, his foundation is not yet stable, and he is also seriously injured. How could he be a match for a veteran powerhouse like Chen Daolin?

"Your sword is too dull."

Chen Daolin tightened his fingers.

collapse.

The broken sword broke again.

Only the hilt of the sword remained in Chen Xuan's hand.

Chen Xuan stared at the sword hilt in his hand, momentarily stunned.

He then released his grip, letting the sword hilt fall to the ground.

Instead of retreating, he lunged forward, opened his mouth, and bit down on Chen Daolin's neck.

Like a wild beast.

Since the sword is broken, we'll use our teeth.

If your tooth breaks, use bone.

As long as I can kill him.

As long as I can kill him!

"madman."

Chen Daolin frowned, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes.

He never expected that someone from the Chen family would do something so shameless and thuggish.

He raised his hand, preparing to knock Chen Xuan unconscious with a single blow.

Just then.

A withered wooden cane was thrust in, blocking Chen Daolin's hand.

That's enough.

A voice rang out.

Li Changgeng appeared between the two.

His blind eyes "looked" at Chen Xuan, and he sighed.

"Foolish child."

Chen Xuan paused, then turned to look at Li Changgeng.

"Ancestor..."

His lips trembled. "Why...why didn't you save her?"

Li Changgeng remained silent.

He couldn't explain it.

Because in his plan, these were all necessary.

"Go to sleep."

Li Changgeng raised his hand and gently tapped Chen Xuan's forehead.

A gentle force entered Chen Xuan's sea of ​​consciousness.

The madness in Chen Xuan's eyes gradually faded, replaced by endless exhaustion.

He swayed and fell backward.

Chen Daolin reached out and caught him.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Li."

Chen Daolin glanced at Li Changgeng and said calmly, "Consider today's matter a favor that my Chen family owes you."

Li Changgeng didn't say anything, but turned around, facing away from them, and waved.

"Take it away."

"Don't let him come back in the future."

Since I've given up on that idea, let's go to Middle-earth.

Go to that bustling place and become a high and mighty imperial prince.

Forget everything here.

But don't forget the fox.

Only you can...

Chen Daolin nodded, grabbed the unconscious Chen Xuan, and flew back to the dark warship.

"Back to Central Continent."

Rumble.

The warship started up, crushing the swirling snow and slowly ascending into the air.

The disciples of the Supreme Forgetfulness Sect stood below, looking up at the enormous vessel that was gradually disappearing into the distance.

No one spoke.

Only the wind was howling.

The door to Duanqingju was still open.

The charcoal fire inside the house had completely gone out.

There was still half a spirit fruit left on the table, which Su Chang'an had thrown away earlier.

There was still a row of faint teeth marks on it.

Snowflakes drifted into the room and landed on the spirit fruit, quickly covering it.

It's as if no one has ever lived here.

There has never been a fox that loves to eat spirit fruits, cheat people out of spirit stones, or stuff its cold feet into a boy's arms.

On the warship.

Chen Xuan lay on the deck with his eyes closed.

He clutched his chest tightly with his hand.

There was a black cloak lying there.

A tear slid down the corner of his eye, but before it hit the ground, it was dried by the wind.

In my dream.

He returned to the cave.

That silly rabbit was still standing at the door, hands on hips, shouting, "Chen Xuan, come home for dinner!"

He went into the cave.

The silver-haired woman lay on her side on the stone bed, her nine tails spread out, holding a pipe in her hand, and laughing like a fox who had stolen a chicken.

"Little rascal, you're back?"

"Call me Father."

Chen Xuan stood there, looking at her, tears streaming down his face.

"Chang'an".

"I will definitely come back."

"Wait until I poke a hole in the sky, wait until I dig out that bone."

"I'll come back for you."

"This time, I'm not leaving."

"I'm not going anywhere."

[Summary at the end of the volume]

For thirteen years, the dragon lay hidden in the abyss; one day, it broke free and stirred up a storm.

The broken sword was reforged to slay the emperor's bones, but the holy blood that burned the soul could not bring him back.

The fire in the golden cauldron burned, but our love remained; the snow in the northern lands melted, and we parted from our old friends.

There is no way back from this journey to the Central Continent; I vow not to return until I have ascended to the highest heavens.