When I woke up, the entire cultivation world was talking about my master.

The Heavenly Dao seems to be very keen on subjecting the Heavenly Spiritual Root to trials and tribulations. Often, after Chu Xianlan survives a near-death experience, what awaits her is not the dawn of a new day, but the next near-death experience.

The desire to live or die is endless.

Regarding this, Wei Jin had openly and secretly cursed the Heavenly Dao for being harsh countless times. Could the children of the Taiyi Sect simply not participate in this activity that only offered razor blades instead of warmth?

For example, right now.

Rolling clouds pressed down, shrouding the area in darkness, turning the Water Dragon Abyss gloomy and dark.

Most people lack the knowledge to distinguish such sinister creatures as Weilong. They only feel a terrifying chill rising from the soles of their feet, unable to move, as if they are firmly locked up by a malevolent force from ancient times.

Therefore, when the suddenly appearing Wei Long headed straight for Chu Xianlan and Yi Chen—

They're doomed.

At that moment, people were momentarily dazed, and this thought came to mind in unison.

instant.

The dragon plunged down!

Boundless malevolent energy exploded outwards, shattering the ground wherever it landed, and the roar resounded through the sky!

The ground trembled violently, and everyone crouched low, unable to stand steadily. Those with lower cultivation levels were almost blown away by the strong wind.

Just when it seemed that the die was cast and there was no way to turn back, at this moment of cataclysmic upheaval, accompanied by countless exclamations, another dazzling spiritual energy, powerful enough to overturn the heavens, suddenly burst forth and pierced straight through the clouds!

Intense as the blazing sun, dazzling as the Milky Way.

"What—" Wei Jin's surprised words were swallowed up by the loud noise.

The five-colored spiritual light clashed with the overwhelming malevolent energy, and the two forces clashed back and forth, causing the surrounding wind and clouds to change color.

The consciousness of all the cultivators present who possessed the five elements spiritual roots trembled violently. They could feel the spiritual energy surging in the air rumbling in their ears. At the same time, a subtle feeling emerged in their bodies.

— It was as if a riverbed that had been dry for thousands of years had suddenly been flooded with a raging torrent.

Countless flickering lights and shadows reflected on everyone's faces. They struggled to lift their eyes and could vaguely see platinum flashes amidst the chaos.

All the Taoist priests looked blank.

In shock, someone blurted out, "...Heavenly Spiritual Root!"

That really must be a Heavenly Spiritual Root!

They had never felt such vibrant life and energy emanating from Ji Ran.

Or perhaps the question is: Did Ji Ran really possess this kind of power before?

The power of the Heavenly Spiritual Root, unleashed to its fullest extent, was as dazzling as the blazing sun. For a moment, many people even had the thought of bowing down and kneeling, feeling that this was only natural.

However, once the storm had passed and the still-shaken crowd finally breathed a sigh of relief, they eagerly looked up at the center of the battlefield to confirm that they were safe and sound.

result……

There was nothing around.

Where are the people? Where are the dragons?

How come everything disappeared after making such a commotion?

The earth cracked open, the ground collapsed, and the aftershocks lingered in the air, but everything around was destroyed and the area was completely cleared.

Apart from a bottomless giant hole, there was no trace of any human or dragon.

At this moment, everyone below had different thoughts, while Ming Si, who had already gone far away to another mountain, narrowed his eyes.

He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and sigh softly, "Oh dear? Vanished into thin air?"

-

"Cough! Cough!"

Chu Xianlan struggled to dig herself out of the pile of rocks, panting as she used the Emperor's Sword to prop herself up.

burnt out.

I have never lived a day so busy in my entire life.

Advancing to the Nascent Soul stage and reshaping the spiritual root—this is too much of a rush! But... oh well, never mind.

Looking around, with layers of rubble blocking out the light, it seemed to be an underground cave... Chu Xianlan was still in a daze when she suddenly snapped back to reality!

Why is the other end of the master-disciple contract so far away? Didn't his master fall into the same pit as him?

At that moment, a streak of red light shot out swiftly, illuminating the surrounding ruins.

Yan Ling clenched his fist, looked up to the sky, and shouted, "I am invincible!"

He flew back to the Emperor's Sword, chattering excitedly, "Speaking of which, Jin Ling, how did you know that reshaping the Heavenly Spiritual Root would be enough to fight the Weilong? You were the one who saved the day at the crucial moment. Xianlan's move just now was too powerful! I didn't expect that dragon, which looked strong, would actually shatter into dust with a single touch. What a calamity from a thousand years ago... it's nothing..."

The Emperor's Sword flashed with a faint light.

Just as Jin Ling was about to reveal the truth that she hadn't had time to explain during the emergency, a series of violent coughs echoed throughout the cave.

Chu Xianlan turned around upon hearing the sound.

My gaze lingered on a corner of the ruins.

There was a person lying there.

The word "lying down" isn't quite accurate; Ji Ran was actually nailed to the ground. The stone pillar embedded in his chest pierced straight through his back, tearing his magnificent brocade robe to shreds, and blood continuously seeped from the wound.

His spiritual energy has dissipated; his life is nearing its end.

Ever since Chu Xianlan learned that Ji Ran was his half-brother, she would have strange feelings whenever she thought of the Crown Prince or saw him. It was quite odd, but not entirely anger or hatred; she even found it utterly absurd.

After all, he hadn't had much contact with Ji Ran, and they hadn't even spoken much. They were practically strangers.

Ji Ran was still alive at this time, so he naturally knew that Chu Xianlan was standing right next to him. The other party was in good health and looked radiant, which was completely different from his own miserable situation.

The crown prince coughed up a mouthful of blood and spoke in a hoarse voice, "Heh..."

"...The Emperor's Sword is yours, the Heavenly Spiritual Root is yours, and the throne...is yours too. Nineteen years of scheming and plotting, only to pave the way for someone else, and in the end...you obtained everything I've sought my entire life without lifting a finger, hahaha..."

Despite his severe injuries, he remained articulate in his speech, and at the end, he even laughed, which made his already pale face appear even more distorted.

Chu Xianlan remained silent.

There's not much to say. At this point, even if he told Ji Ran that he had never had any interest in the throne, she probably wouldn't believe him.

He had gone mad with qi, vomiting blood from all seven orifices. The Crown Prince had committed far too many sins; he had no obligation to comfort or console him.

"Why are you silent?" Seeing that he didn't speak, Ji Ran turned her head, finally revealing a hint of resentment. Her laughter grew even more maniacal. "Chu Xianlan, do you feel smug seeing someone you deeply hate fall to a wretched state? Yes! You should be smug... After all, I have never won against you in my entire life!"

One wrong move, and all previous efforts are wasted.

As the high-ranking Crown Prince, Ji Ran knew all too well that history was always written by the victors.

"Don't you all hate me to the core? Then kill me! Now, with your Emperor's Sword!!"

He always had a refined and elegant demeanor in public, but now he seemed hysterical, shouting and yelling like a madman. Chu Xianlan saw a string of tears rolling down Ji Ran's bloodshot eyes.

The Crown Prince wept.

Ji Ran took a few more breaths, then curled her lips into a sinister smile and said:

"Not kill me? What hypocrisy... You haven't appeared for nineteen years, yet you destroy everything just when I'm about to gain it all. What are your intentions? How noble and innocent can you be! Chu Xianlan, you shouldn't have lived. If you had died early, in some unknown corner, my life wouldn't have been like this..."

Before Ji Ran could finish speaking, Chu Xianlan interrupted her coldly, saying, "You will still do the same thing."

"There are countless paths to take, but now that you've taken this step, don't regret it."

Ji Ran was slightly taken aback, her pupils trembling.

He saw his own fearful and distorted self reflected in Chu Xianlan's blue eyes. Regret... or no regret... People always say that turning back is the right way, but what has he gained, what has he lost, and what can he take with him?

Success brings fame to the king and lasts for eternity; failure earns one a place on the list of sinners, an indelible stain that can never be redeemed.

Since I cannot be completely without guilt, then I will have no regrets.

A thousand years later, in the meticulous writings of history, Ji Ran will be nothing more than a name on the list of sinners.

After a long while, the prince chuckled softly. The blood from the puncture wound had already drained away, and his breath grew weaker and weaker as he closed his eyes.

"...Go to the East Palace...my bedchamber, and find a mustard seed-sized spatial item..."

The rest of the words vanished into the heavens and earth, swallowed by eternal silence.