Young Jiang Ziya

Ji Fa turned to look at Shi Yuan, whose expression was strange: "Mr. Shi Yuan, do you know her?"

Shi Yuan remained silent for a long time. For the first time, the old doctor's face showed such a complex expression.

"Ogata..." he began slowly, each word as if painstakingly dug out from the depths of his memory, "Thirty years ago, she was one of the three most talented sorcerers in Xiqi."

"At that time, within Xiqi... the relationship between humans and demons was not so tense."

Shi Yuan closed his eyes, avoiding the topic of Ji Fa's background, and told another story instead: "Together we proposed a theory—the celestial canopy is not a barrier, but a 'filter.' It allows pure spiritual energy to pass through, but blocks impurities from the heavens."

"This theory..." Shen Gongbao suddenly looked up, "later became the cornerstone of the Tower of Purity!"

"Yes." Shi Yuan smiled bitterly, "But later she studied blood magic and tried to put this theory into practice with the blood of slaves. In the end, she was expelled from Xiqi by Ji Chang, and all the sorcerers who followed him were either purged or put into the Tower of Purity for control."

Lü Shang listened quietly, his gaze fixed on the purple figure on the distant city wall.

"She hates Xiqi," Shi Yuan concluded. "She hates Ji Chang and my betrayal, so she will stop at nothing to take revenge."

"Would someone like that truly cooperate?" He Xu said coldly.

"If the goals align, she will," Shen Gongbao suddenly said. "Ogata is a madman, but she's not stupid."

If the city is truly out of control to the point where we need to call for help... it means the situation has already spiraled out of her control.

She is a master of blood magic, not an expert in demonic possession.

Yin Jiao, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke: "Fellow Daoist is right. Besides... do you all have a choice?"

He pointed to Winterfell: "The rift in the sky is widening. Every quarter of an hour, more nightmares seep out."

They are still trapped in the city by the barrier, but the barrier's energy is being depleted.

"In three days at most, the barrier will shatter, and the demonic forces will surge forth like a tidal wave. At that time, it won't just be Beichong that suffers."

Ji Fa took a deep breath and looked at the crack.

Then, he made a decision.

"Go into town."

---

The moment you step into the barrier, the world changes.

The sound disappeared—not silence, but all sounds were distorted, stretched, and turned into some kind of viscous background noise.

"Stay close to me." Yin Jiao walked in front, his sword already drawn, the pale golden light carving out a relatively clean area in the dim environment.

The buildings along the street remain unchanged.

But the doors and windows were all tightly closed, and some doorways still had golden talismans left behind—these were drawn by the residents themselves, simple but effective protection.

"There are still people alive," Lü Shang said in a low voice.

He pointed to a second-floor window. Behind the curtains, a pair of terrified eyes could be vaguely seen.

"The survivors are all hiding in their homes, using the simplest methods to ward off evil spirits and protect themselves," Ogata's voice came from ahead.

She had appeared at the street corner at some point, leaning against a half-collapsed wall.

Her purple sorcerer's robes were covered in dust and dark stains, and her face was pale, but the smile on her lips remained.

"But it won't last long," she continued. "The nightmares will grow stronger and stronger, and human fear... is their best nourishment."

"Ogata." Shi Yuan stepped forward, his voice complex.

"Shi Yuan." Ogata tilted his head, his smile turning sarcastic. "Long time no see. I heard you're a physician in Xiqi now? Congratulations..."

"Stop," Shi Yuan said. "What you're doing now is no different from what Xiqi did to you back then."

Ogata's smile vanished instantly. "Now, I know what I'm doing."

Her gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Ji Fa: "Ji Chang's son... looks just like your father. The same eyes, the same... arrogance."

Ji Fa didn't respond to that question, but went straight to the point: "You said you needed help. How can you help?"

Ogata stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed: "Great. Come with me."

She turned and walked deeper into the city.

The group followed. Yin Jiao's sword light remained shrouded in the air, repelling the shadows that tried to approach.

The demons seemed particularly wary of his sword light, only daring to linger at the edge of the light field, emitting dissatisfied hissing sounds.

The further you go into the city center, the more shocking the scene becomes.

Corpses began appearing on the streets. Not murdered—their faces were frozen in extreme terror, their bodies unmarked, as if…they had been scared to death.

"Death by fear," Shen Gongbao explained in a low voice. "The Nightmare amplifies the fear in its prey's heart until it can't take it anymore."

Turning a corner, the view suddenly opened up before me.

This used to be a city square. But now, a towering "nest" has been erected in the center of the square.

It was a bizarre structure made up of countless twisted limbs, broken bricks, and congealed blood.

"That is..." Han Ling frowned.

"The Nightmare's Nest," Ogata said calmly. "They need a 'core' to exist stably. The core of this nest is the three thousand garrison troops of Beichong—Chong Houhu's most loyal subordinates. Now, they are the Nightmare's battery, and also its hostages."

Ji Fa's face turned ashen: "Where is Chong Houhu?"

"In the Marquis's residence. He's half-mad." Ogata pointed to the other end of the square. "He comes to the square every day and talks to the nest. He says, 'Just hang in there a little longer,' 'We'll have control of them soon.' It's ridiculous."

She turned to Shen Gongbao: "You know where the problem lies, right?"

Shen Gongbao stared at the nest and slowly nodded: "The key... has gone out of control."

"Smart." Ogata clapped his hands. "That child's name is Shigure. A half-demon, with an affinity for the Azure Heaven."

In theory, as long as his blood is used as a catalyst and a proper ritual is performed, a "passage" can be established while tearing apart the sky.

Through that passage, the caster can control the surging demonic nightmares like puppets.

"Theoretically?" Daji grasped the key word.

"The theory is wonderful," Ogata said with a wry smile, "but Shigure is too young. His consciousness wasn't strong enough to maintain the passage. Halfway through the ritual, his consciousness was dragged into the depths of the azure sky, and..."

She paused, her voice lowering, "We didn't anticipate that the Azure Sky contained more than just unconscious demonic entities. There were also... something older and more intelligent."

"What is it?"

"The lord of this Azure Land region," came the reply from Yin Jiao.

"Fear, anger, hatred, despair... these intense negative emotions, after settling in the heavens for a long time, will coalesce into individuals with simple wisdom."

They are more difficult to deal with than ordinary nightmares because they... know how to manipulate people's minds.

Ogata glanced at Yin Jiao, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he didn't ask any further questions: "That's right. After Shigure's consciousness entered Biyuan, it was immediately captured by a 'Revenge' Nightmare."

That thing fed on his fear, and in turn, controlled his body. Now, the nest doesn't contain Shigure, but an empty shell controlled by the Nightmare.

"So you want us to help rescue people?" Ji asked.

"Saving others is also saving yourself," Ogata said. "The passage can never be closed until Shigure regains consciousness."

The demonic forces will multiply until they completely engulf the city. And once the barrier shatters... you know.

She looked around at everyone: "So, shall we cooperate? I'll provide the way to enter Biluo. You send people in, find Shiyu, and bring him back."

"Once his consciousness returns, I can close the rift and purify this city."

"Why don't you go yourself?" He Xu asked coldly.

"Because I can't," Ogata said frankly. "Only I know the blood magic to enter the Azure Heaven, and entering the Azure Heaven requires another sorcerer to enter the dream in person. Do you think I could find a second sorcerer before you appeared?"

All eyes were on Shen Gongbao.

Shen Gongbao remained silent.

Entering the Azure Heaven? That would be tantamount to exposing one's consciousness completely to the Nightmare, and one wrong move could lead to eternal damnation.

"I'll go," he said.

The voice wasn't loud, but it was firm.

"Shen Gongbao—" Daji wanted to say something.

"Only I can go here," Shen Gongbao interrupted her. "Right now, the only sorcerers are Shi Yuan and me. Mr. Shi Yuan is too old and can't hold on any longer."

He looked at Ogata: "Tell me the specific steps."

Ogata nodded and took out a roll of dark red parchment from his pocket: "This is the ritual for 'Dream Guidance.' You must remember—everything you see in the Azure Heaven is an illusion."

Emotions, memories, even pain can all be illusions created by the demon. Once you believe them, you will be manipulated.

"How did I find Shigure?"

"Follow the 'thread'." Ogata pointed to the nest. "Shigure's body is here, his consciousness is in the Azure Heaven, and there's a soul connection between them. After entering the Azure Heaven, I'll help you locate that thread. Follow the thread, and you'll find him."

"And then what?"

"Wake him up, then bring him back along the line." Ogata paused. "But there's a problem. That nightmare called 'Revenge' will definitely stop you."

It might create illusions to attack you, or it might attack Shigure directly. You must... protect Shigure while remaining clear-headed.

Shen Gongbao took the parchment and quickly scanned it. It contained complex blood magic array diagrams and incantations, many of which he had never heard of before.

"How long will it take to prepare?"

"Give me an hour to set up the formation," Ogata said. "You can use this time to rest, or..." She looked at Daji, a strange light flashing in her eyes, "This young lady, you seem quite concerned about Shigure?"

Daji pressed her hand to her chest, her jade burning hot: "I... I just felt sorry for that child."

"Is that so?" Ogata took a step closer and suddenly reached out and pressed his hand on Daji's forehead.

The movement was so fast that no one had time to react.

"What are you doing?!" Ji Fa drew his sword.

But Ogata had already stopped, a look of realization on his face: "I see... Although it's sealed, its essence remains."

Daji's face turned deathly pale, and she took a step back.

"Don't be nervous, I won't tell anyone." Ogata smiled, a strange kind of sympathy in his smile.

She turned and walked to the center of the square: "Meet here in one hour. The rest of you... protect the formation site."

The purple figure disappeared at the edge of the square.

The group was left standing there, looking at each other in bewilderment.

---

An hour passed quickly.

In the center of the square, Ogata had already set up his formation.

It was a complex blood array with a diameter of three zhang (approximately 10 meters). The array diagram was drawn with a dark red liquid—the source of which was unknown, but it emitted a strong smell of rust and a faint, peculiar fragrance.

"Stand at the center of the formation," Ogata said to Shen Gongbao. "Clear your mind, and I will guide you."

Shen Gongbao took a deep breath, walked into the center of the formation, and sat down cross-legged.

Ji Fa, Han Ling, and He Xu stood guard at three points around the array, keeping watch for any demonic entities that might appear. Shi Yuan prepared first-aid medicines nearby.

Yin Jiao stood a little distance away, his sword already sheathed, but his hand remained on the hilt.

Lü Shang stood beside Daji. He noticed that Daji's hands were trembling.

"Miss Daji?" he asked in a low voice.

"I...I want to go too." Daji's voice was soft but firm. "Shiyu...I think he might need me."

"Only warlocks can enter the Azure Heaven," Lu Shang reminded her, shaking his head meaningfully at her.

She looked at Ogata, her expression complex: "Mm."

Lü Shang remained silent.

He knew he couldn't persuade him otherwise.

At this moment, Ogata began chanting the incantation. Her voice was low and hoarse, with a certain ancient rhythm.

As the chanting began, the blood array started to glow—a dark red light, like congealed blood flowing.

Shen Gongbao closed his eyes, his body trembling slightly. His consciousness began to detach from his body, sinking into the azure sky along the blood-red passage established by Osamu.

Everything is going smooth.

until--

Suddenly, the jade in Daji's arms burst open with a faint blue light.

"What—" Lu Shang turned his head abruptly.

But it was too late.

Daji's consciousness was forcibly dragged by that force and plunged into the abyss along the vortex.

---

dark.

Then there is light.

Daji opened her "eyes" and found herself standing in nothingness.

All around were dark gray mists. Within the mist, shadowy figures moved about, emitting low sobs and howls.

This is Biluo.

Or rather, it is the outermost layer of the azure sky—the place where countless fragmented consciousnesses settle.

"Shigure..." she whispered.

no respond.

But ahead, a glowing "line" appeared. The line was very thin, like spider silk, one end extending into the depths of the mist, the other end... connecting to her chest.

It is a fragment of jade.

She moved along the line.

As the mist gradually dissipated, the surrounding scenery began to change. She saw fragments of memories—not hers, but fragments of countless consciousnesses that had sunk into this realm.

Each fragment is filled with despair, hatred, anger... and a thirst for revenge.

"Be angry...be hateful..."

A voice whispered in my ear.

"They all let you down...betrayed you..."

Daji gritted her teeth and continued forward.

The line grew brighter and brighter; she knew she was getting closer and closer to Shiyu.

Finally, she pierced through the last layer of mist and saw—

a child.

Shiyu curled up in a transparent bubble, her eyes closed, as if she were asleep.

Above the child, a huge dark shadow hovered.

The shadowy figure had no fixed shape and was constantly changing, but no matter what form it took, its core consisted of three rotating black vortexes.

"revenge"

"I've found you..." Daji said softly as she walked towards the child.

The Nightmare noticed her.

It didn't attack; instead... it laughed.

"Another lost soul..." Its voice echoed directly in Daji's mind, "Let me see... what is your hatred?"

The surrounding scenery changed again.

This time, it was a scene familiar to Daji.

Jizhou. The place where she grew up.

But what was shown was not a heartwarming everyday scene, but rather... a massacre.

Flames shot into the sky. Soldiers dressed in the armor of the combined forces of Xiqi and Jizhou charged into a valley.

The valley is inhabited by a demon clan with fox ears—the Qingqiu Fox Clan.

The soldiers killed any demons they saw, regardless of age.

A young fox-woman, holding an infant, knelt on the ground, pleading. Her face... bore a striking resemblance to Daji.

The general leading the army walked over. The one on the left, whose armor bore the military insignia of Xiqi—though young, his features were recognizable as Ji Chang.

The one on the right is Su Hu.

The fox-spirit woman handed over the baby, crying and saying something. Su Hu took the baby, glanced at it, and then…

The woman's heart was pierced by a soldier standing nearby.

The scene changes.

It was still Su Hu. He carried the baby—now a little girl of two or three years old—back to the Su residence.

He told everyone that this was an orphan he had found on the battlefield.

The girl grew up. She was smart and beautiful, but she always felt that she was different from others.

Su Hu gave her a piece of jade, saying it would protect her and keep her safe.

Unbeknownst to her, the jade was suppressing the demonic power awakening within her every moment.

She didn't know that the man she considered her father was one of the murderers who killed her entire clan.

The screen ends.

Daji knelt on the dark lake surface, trembling all over.

"See?" Nightmare's voice was gentle yet malevolent. "They lied to you. They used you."

Ji Chang and Su Hu joined forces to wipe out your entire clan, and then hypocritically adopted you... How ironic.

"Let's take revenge."

"Hate them...make them pay the price."

The demon extended a hand made of shadow and offered it to Daji.

In that hand, he held a sword engulfed in black flames.

Daji raised her head, her face streaked with tears.

She looked at the sword.

Then, slowly...

He reached out his hand.

---

The real world.

The blood array trembled violently.

Ogata's face turned deathly pale: "Oh no... Shen Gongbao! Shen Gongbao, have you found Shigure yet?!"

At the heart of the formation, Shen Gongbao's body began to tremble. His brows furrowed, cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

In the depths of the heavens, he also encountered his own "revenge".

But what no one knows is—

Just as Daji reached out, about to touch the black flame sword...

Another consciousness, silently, descended upon Biluo.

It was a warm, pure golden light, like the rising sun.

The golden light fell between Daji and the Demon Nightmare, transforming into a human form.

The man gently shook his head at Daji, then turned to face the enormous demonic nightmare.

He didn't speak.

He simply raised his hand and pointed at the Nightmare.

Then, she whispered a single word:

"Disperse."