Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 138: The Shirou

Yan Qing stood helplessly on the stage, eagerly waiting for someone to stand up and shout, “Choosing the Alliance Leader isn’t child’s play.” However, the audience below just whispered among themselves, with no one voicing any objections.

Yan Qing, straightforward as he was, quickly grasped the crux of the matter.

In the eyes of others, as a servant, he could defeat Qu Duanyun, so the senior disciple, Yin Ci, would presumably be even stronger. Since Taiheng lost their qualifications, the outcome of a rematch would likely remain unchanged. The orthodox martial world valued rules, so if Yin Ci, being the senior disciple, became Alliance Leader, the Kushan Sect might have a greater claim to the position. On the other hand, if Yan Qing took the role, he could be easily dismissed at any time.

This scenario would save face for Taiheng while also giving the other sects a way out.

…Yan Qing understood the reasoning, but his dream was simply to lead a normal life, not to become the center of attention.

If the stares from the audience could be transformed into sword qi, he would already be minced meat by now.

Seeing the situation stabilize, the leader of the Jinyu Group swiftly struck the gong on the side of the stage. Clearing his throat and amplifying his voice using inner force, he announced, “Yin Ci of the Kushan Sect has forfeited, and Yan Qing wins by default. Does anyone have any objections?”

Whispers rose from the audience, but as Yan Qing predicted, no one openly voiced any objections.

Seeing this, the leader of the Jinyu Group lit a stick of incense. His gaze swept over the expressionless Qu Duanyun, and he paced at the edge of the stage. When the incense burned halfway, he repeated his query.

“The leader of the martial alliance is set to be Yan Qing from the Kushan Sect. Are there any objections?”

With the head of Taiheng remaining silent, no one in the audience voiced any opposition. However, groups were forming, discussing in hushed voices. Many showed disapproving expressions, but none objected.

Yan Qing, anxiety apparent, picked up the cup he had dropped earlier and quickly moved to the master and disciple side. “Sect Master, Senior Yin, what do we do now?”

“If you’re chosen, then just accept it. Your martial arts skills are top-tier, and you’ve also studied and learned the ways of orthodox sects from Taiheng. In terms of qualifications, how are you lacking?”

Seeing Yan Qing’s bewildered and shocked appearance, Yin Ci couldn’t help but be amused. “Moreover, once you become the Alliance Leader, after this meeting, Taiheng won’t have a stance to chase and kill you.”

Though Yan Qing lacked grand ambitions, whether in terms of courage, intelligence, or perseverance, he was indeed suited for the role. More importantly, both he and Shi Jingzhi were weary of the martial world’s intrigues. With the power of the Alliance Leader in their hands… Neither had the energy to deal with the mess of the responsibilities that came with it.

Yan Qing had the qualifications, and the opportunity was given. Whether he could firmly grasp this chance to integrate into the righteous path would depend entirely on Yan Qing himself.

Yan Qing pondered for a moment, finally calming down. He was about to speak when Yin Ci leisurely added, “The Alliance Leader also receives a monthly salary. By the rules, the leader receives sixteen taels of silver each month. For major sects, this amount is trivial, but…”

Yan Qing’s eyes hardened, and he instantly declared, “I’ll do it!”

Unfortunately, his youthful bravery was short-lived. The next moment, his energy deflated. He looked pleadingly at the Sect Master, doing his best to avoid the countless pairs of eyes below. “…How do I do this?”

“Do as you see fit. You’ve always been adept at handling matters and arranging miscellaneous tasks, haven’t you?” The emotionless Yin Ci didn’t offer an ounce of help. “Figure it out on your own.”

Finally, the incense stick burned out. The leader of the Jinyu Group straightened his collar and stood proudly at the edge of the stage.

“Does anyone have any objections?”

This time, a response came from the audience. An elder of some renown leaped forward, standing at the forefront of the stage. Stroking his beard, he scrutinized Yan Qing from head to toe.

“I wouldn’t say I have objections, but given the unusual circumstances, I’d like to propose a condition on behalf of everyone present. This young man, after all, is but a lowly servant of the Kushan Sect. If aside from his martial skills, he has no other abilities, where would the dignity of our righteous path lie?”

The elder’s tone was stern, and while his words might sound confrontational, they weren’t unreasonable.

In the past, the chosen alliance leaders were usually sect leaders or elders, so no one posed conditions. Now, presenting a young servant, it was natural for the righteous path to have concerns.

Unfortunately, the master and disciple of the Kushan Sect were cold-hearted. The two beasts seemed indifferent, leaving Yan Qing to fend for himself. Yan Qing, looking like a fledgling bird pushed out of its nest, made a quick decision and faced the elder with the proposal.

“What the elder said makes sense; feel free to make any requests.”

The old man nodded in agreement. “This martial arts conference is clearly intended to end the chaos caused by the ‘Shirou’. Young man, first present a plan that convinces everyone, then think about becoming the Alliance Leader.”

After speaking, he stared intently at Yan Qing with his eagle-like eyes, as if he was trying to catch every tiny mistake.

Yan Qing licked his chapped lips.

The master and disciple were almost like spectators, eating melon seeds* and watching the drama. Relying on the Kushan Sect seemed hopeless. As for A’Si… well, having been educated by a sect leader, A’Si should know what to do.

*Slang for onlookers who don’t participate or express their opinions and instead just watch.

The most serious negotiation Yan Qing had ever engaged in was bargaining in the vegetable market.

…Wait, bargaining?

Yan Qing rubbed his temples, suddenly realizing something crucial.

The position of the Alliance Leader was like a hot potato. The small sects truly didn’t want it. But they also didn’t want Yan Qing to gain power and favored the Kushan Sect. They were pressuring him to offer a fair solution.

Just like when haggling with a vendor, they don’t truly want to withhold the goods but just want to earn a few more coins.

Since the logic was the same…

“You are right, elder. The ‘Shirou’ chaos has lasted too long and needs a resolution.”

Imagining the platform below as a marketplace, Yan Qing felt at ease. He was always gentle and would never appear arrogant. If one overlooked his ghost eyes, he exuded righteousness.

“To my knowledge, Taiheng seeks the ‘Shirou’ for the Prince of Rong, while the Kushan Sect seeks it to save their sect leader. The Prince of Rong and the current Emperor are healthy, so they probably want to use it as a tonic. Sect Master Qu, is this true?”

Qu Duanyun remained silent, seemingly acknowledging the claim.

A murmur spread among the crowd below. Most martial artists didn’t have strong allegiances, especially to the imperial court. The idea of presenting the ‘Shirou’ to the royal family felt like shattering a precious antique.

Compared to that, the Kushan Sect wanted it just to save their sect leader’s life. A simple and blunt reason that seemed honorable.

Following this line of reasoning, Yan Qing quickly proposed a solution for the ‘Shirou’: since the Kushan Sect had the key and Taiheng knew its location, their contributions were equal. They could split the ‘Shirou’ or, if not, the Kushan Sect would take it and compensate Taiheng.

“…My sect is indeed impoverished and cannot provide proper compensation. But I, Yan Qing, swear to expose those who have harmed the elders here.”

Yan Qing’s words were sincerely heartfelt.

“After all, the Kushan Sect has also been victimized. We will seek revenge, and everyone need not worry that we will only talk without action. Although this might seem opportunistic, it’s the most realistic guarantee I can offer.”

Everyone in the audience: “……”

So, they’re sharing a common enemy? No need to be so candid.

Yet, this young descendant of the Yan Clan almost exposed everything about the Kushan Sect—

Before anyone could bring up the mystery of the stolen ‘key to the Shirou’, Yan Qing promptly apologized. Mentioning the sect’s dire state, the Kushan Sect’s desperation to save their Sect Master made them take bold actions. To show sincerity, he invited warriors from all walks of life to see the real appearance of the ‘Shirou’.

Yan Qing’s words seemed genuine, making the crowd feel his decisions were justified. They, bearing the title of the righteous sects, didn’t really desire the ‘Shirou’, and thus didn’t blame the Kushan Sect too much.

The resolution was straightforward, leaving no room for the Kushan Sect’s mischief. The old man didn’t say much and left the stage.

“With the Alliance Leader now decided, I present Yan Qing of the Kushan Sect!” The fat leader of Jinyu took a deep breath and struck the huge gong three times.

As the gong sounded, Yan Qing’s wristband grew warm and transformed into a jade bracelet, the symbol of the Martial Alliance Leader. It now rested on his wrist.

It felt like a dream.

Touching the smooth jade bracelet, Yan Qing felt a mix of emotions, and overwhelming fatigue followed. Were it not for the many eyes watching him, he would have loved to collapse and sleep right there.

Several members of the demonic sect seemed satisfied with the outcome and left without any further disputes. A bizarre day passed, and all seemed settled.

That evening, a horse carriage slowly moved eastward.

The night was long and full of dreams. The leader of the Jinyu Group, renowned for his decisiveness and swift actions, had prepared horses and carriages before nightfall. He also selected more than a dozen disciples from the Jinyu Group to accompany him. Apart from members of the Taiheng Sect in the convoy, most of them were well-known figures in the martial world. Every disciple from the Yueshui Pavilion joined without exception, and they were so eager that they might as well have clung to the underside of the carriages.

Only Taiheng knew the location of the “Shirou”. Hence, the caravan was personally led by Qu Duanyun, veering far from the vicinity of Yidu.

First, to guard against villains, and second, out of sheer curiosity, various sects sent their masters to witness the emergence of this legendary item. Once the Martial Alliance Leader had spoken, the general situation was set. If anyone dared to act out of line, they would make an enemy of the entire martial world.

As the new alliance leader, Yan Qing was allotted a carriage. Unfortunately, having always led a simple life, he felt uncomfortable alone in the spacious carriage. So, he invited the master and disciple of the Kushan Sect to join him.

Surrounded by people in the carriage, Shi Jingzhi could only have porridge. Fortunately, the current situation for the Kushan Sect had improved. Yin Ci had specifically prepared pear syrup candies and sheep liver soup, meant for “nourishing the body”, and fed them bit by bit to the almost withered Sect Master Shi.

Sect Master Shi seemed to want to suppress his appetite with other matters. His eyes constantly glanced over Yin Ci’s lips. Sadly, with Yan Qing, the new alliance leader, sitting right there, they couldn’t very well ask him to leave the carriage.

Moreover, Yan Qing seemed to snap out of his daze, his face full of concern.

“Something’s not right. A’Si has never been gone this long. He even took Lord Bai with him,” Yan Qing said, looking lost. “Whenever he left before, he always informed me.”

Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci exchanged glances. Sect Master Shi took a sip of tea, then some sheep liver soup, and said, “A few days ago, Su Si approached me. He said that Qu Duanyun is crafty and might have discovered his identity. Rather than being caught off guard, he wanted to lay low for a while and return once everything settled.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Qing’s spirits sank even lower. “If that’s the case, why didn’t he tell me? Now that I’m the leader, shouldn’t he return?”

Yin Ci nonchalantly replied, “Su Si has always done as he pleases. Perhaps the Chigou Sect had urgent matters that needed him, and with the martial arts conference taking place, he didn’t have time to say goodbye. You have more pressing matters to attend to tomorrow, stop worrying about this.”

Yan Qing’s worries shifted direction as he caressed the longevity lock on his sword and drifted into his thoughts.

Outside the carriage, another person was deep in thought.

Qu Duanyun rode at the forefront of the caravan. He felt eyes on him from all directions, with Shi Zhongyu closely monitoring his every move. Things had deviated from his plans, and now he was on the defensive. Worse, he couldn’t establish contact with the Immortal Assembly.

One wrong move led to another.

Regarding the “Twin Roots in the Tranquil Heart Pill”, suspicion hadn’t yet fallen on him. However, as one of the orthodox sects, Taiheng definitely needed to provide some explanations. Not to mention, Shi Zhongyu had the Yang Reversal Token, giving her authority akin to a sect leader. Taiheng might not be keen on following Qu Duanyun’s commands.

His situation was dire, and he didn’t even have an opportunity to vent his frustrations.

Shi Zhongyu rode a white horse, staying only half a step behind Qu Duanyun. Seeing his strained expression, she sighed. “Duanyun, we’ve known each other for a long time… If you turned back now, it wouldn’t be too late.”

Qu Duanyun tightened his grip on the reins.

“Turn back?” He asked with a mix of amusement and anger. “I haven’t taken the wrong path. What is there to turn back from?”

Shi Zhongyu frowned slightly, pursing her lips.

Qu Duanyun desperately needed to vent. Faced with an old acquaintance, he couldn’t hold his tongue. “Different paths lead to different destinations. We’ve seen such situations before. If Senior Sister intends to persuade me, you better not.”

“Similar situations?” Shi Zhongyu was puzzled.

“Qi Xundao, despite his old age and declining mental faculties, was respected and held his position due to his revered reputation. Even during his last moments, there were people like Senior Sister who spent time and resources to keep him alive. You and I both know that such actions were at best ‘righteous’, but they brought no benefit to Taiheng.”

Touching on Shi Zhongyu’s pain point, her expression instantly chilled. “Qu Duanyun, even if talking about a deceased elder, it’s not appropriate to mention their name directly.”

“You always focus on these emotional aspects.”

Qu Duanyun didn’t even bother smiling.

“The seasons change, plants thrive and wither. It’s survival of the fittest. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are natural occurrences in the world. To gather a sect’s wealth just to buy empty fame is nothing but a narrow-minded act. If we can’t agree on this point, then we have nothing more to discuss.”

Shi Zhongyu suppressed her raging anger and calmly continued, “Alright, let’s not discuss it. I just want to know, why do you go out of your way to make things difficult for Shi Jingzhi, a man on his deathbed?”

If Qu Duanyun didn’t want the Shirou, based on his past behavior, he would likely have given it to Shi Jingzhi to earn some goodwill. But Shi Zhongyu had observed for a long time, and he hadn’t even pretended to do so.

Now, with Shi Jingzhi not present, Qu Duanyun’s disdain was evident. Shi Zhongyu had known him for many years and had never seen him target someone so pointedly.

Upon hearing these words, Qu Duanyun couldn’t help but laugh coldly. “Senior Sister, do you think Shi Jingzhi was a ‘respectable person’ at that time?”

The topic suddenly shifted, and the question was peculiar. Shi Zhongyu was momentarily stunned.

Shi Jingzhi wasn’t a vile scoundrel. She saw this clearly. But if one were to say that he understood great principles or harbored grand ambitions, he didn’t quite fit the bill. Shi Jingzhi wasn’t the kind-hearted person who’d respond to others’ pleas. He had a sharp, almost ruthless cunningness about him, always preferring to be straightforward about costs, calculating deals with his fox eyes.

Speaking of this martial arts conference’s counteraction, the Kushan Sect had informed her in advance. Knowing the other party’s deep and intricate plans, even as a “co-conspirator”, she couldn’t help but feel a chill for a moment.

Even so, Shi Jingzhi was still a reliable partner. Once he made a promise, he would never break it.

Would that qualify him as a “respectable person”?

“I don’t know,” Shi Zhongyu answered honestly.

“Then let me ask another question.” Qu Duanyun turned his head to look at her. “Would you want such an ‘immortal’?”

‘…Probably not,’ Shi Zhongyu thought. But to be fair…

“What’s the use of an immortal?” she snorted. “If the heavens had eyes, Master wouldn’t have suffered such a painful death. If there really are immortals in this world, I’d like some justice.”

“That’s why I have nothing to say to you.” Qu Duanyun, in a rare moment, looked somewhat dispirited. “You desire so much, but you’re so mundane. I’m not even as good as him…”

Seeing his erratic attitude, Shi Zhongyu didn’t want to continue the argument. She rode her horse forward in silence, heading straight for their destination.

When they arrived, everyone couldn’t help but gasp. It seemed like destiny had chosen the place.

The Shirou was stored in Juyi Valley of Kushan.

It was springtime, and the landscape was covered in fresh green. As the sun was about to set, the convoy stopped outside Juyi Valley and set up a simple camp.

“There are many monsters in Juyi Valley. It’s inconvenient to move around at night,” Jin Lan instructed. “Wait for the sunrise tomorrow. When our energy is at its peak, we’ll retrieve the ‘Shirou’ together.”

Yan Qing, seeing old acquaintances, wanted to chat. But Jin Lan only gave him an awkward smile upon seeing him. “I’m also from Taiheng. I might have been influenced by that villain. Now that you’re the Alliance Leader, you should be more cautious.”

“I…” Yan Qing realized the awkwardness—he had just ousted the head of someone’s sect, so there wasn’t much of an atmosphere for small talk.

Seeing Yan Qing’s hesitation, Jin Lan sighed. “Actually, I’m quite happy you became the Alliance Leader… Yan Qing, you seem to be close to Su Si?”

“Yes.”

“Be careful.” Jin Lan hesitated for a moment, then whispered, “I’ve had someone see him go out alone, buying sharp weapons and magical items. He’s steeped in malevolence; I fear he has ulterior motives.”

Yan Qing felt displeased, but knowing Jin Lan meant no harm, he didn’t lash out. “A’Si isn’t that kind of person. Besides, he doesn’t have money to buy weapons.”

Jin Lan shook his head with a complicated expression and said no more.

Yan Qing’s attempt at conversation was a failure, and he felt downcast. He trudged back to the Kushan Sect’s tent—

“I didn’t expect the ‘Shirou’ to be here,” Shi Jingzhi remarked with mixed feelings. “What is this, fate letting us revisit our old haunts?”

Yin Ci chuckled. “Last time I saw you here, you were shorter than my leg. Little Mute, are you going to pick flowers for me this time?”

Yan Qing was utterly confused. What were they talking about? Why couldn’t he understand anything?

Who would’ve thought that Shi Jingzhi would continue with this seemingly ambiguous talk, speaking in a teasing tone, “Why wouldn’t I? If I see that thing again, watch me pluck it bare. But in exchange, you’ll have to feed me the best tender roasted fish.”

Yin Ci’s laughter became even more hearty, and Yan Qing had never heard him laugh like that before. Shi Jingzhi spoke with a teasing, relaxed tone, as if his life wasn’t in danger and the world had no troubles.

It seemed everyone had their own secrets. And him, having just received the title of Martial Alliance Leader, was alone and at a loss. If only A’Si were here…

Haa…

Yan Qing ultimately didn’t enter the tent. He resorted to his usual method to deal with anxiety—the new Martial Alliance Leader, with a serious face, began to reorganize the belongings of the Kushan Sect. He even rummaged through his own bundle, meticulously reorganizing everything.

When he picked up a small wooden box, Yan Qing’s movements suddenly halted.

Something was amiss.

The cloth around the wooden box was tied differently than he remembered, as if someone had opened it. The weight of the box also felt lighter, as though much of its content was gone.

This was the money box of the Kushan Sect. As the person in charge of the money, Yan Qing broke out in cold sweat instantly. He carefully opened the box and felt a chill in his heart—

Sure enough, one of the silver notes had disappeared. With trembling hands, he counted the remaining amount. All the missing money was his personal savings, neither more nor less, exactly sixty-seven taels of silver.

This package had always been shared between him and Su Si. Su Si never touched his personal belongings, but he was aware of where Yan Qing kept his money… Could it be that the sixty-seven taels were taken by Su Si?

Yan Qing held the wooden box in mid-air, his face slowly tightening.

If Su Si really took the money, his “departure” would not be as simple as avoiding trouble temporarily. Yan Qing packed the money box just as it was, and the bitterness in his heart disappeared in an instant.

At that moment, his heart was filled with concern.

The next morning, everything was as usual. The sky was clear with gentle winds and soft clouds and the ground smelled fresh. Golden morning light filtered through the leaves, illuminating the mist in the woods, and all was peaceful.

Under the guidance of the Taiheng Sect members, everyone geared up and slowly moved deeper into Juyi Valley. Hours later, the group stopped in front of a pile of scattered rocks. Whether it was good luck or not, they hadn’t encountered any monsters during their journey.

Speaking of this rocky area, both Yin Ci and Shi Jingzhi had some memories.

Only thin weeds grew here, leaving most of the area barren. With no food available, no creatures, especially no beasts, would choose to come here. Aside from being excessively desolate, there was nothing unusual about this place.

When they were previously in Juyi Valley, Yin Ci disliked the scenery and didn’t stay long. Shi Jingzhi, as a child, hated this gray and monotonous stone forest and wouldn’t even play hide and seek here.

Who would have thought that after all these years, they would return to this place and stand here again.

“The Shirou is buried underground. My sect has already dug it up. Please continue forward,” Qu Duanyun said in a steady and polite tone, though he looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes.

“Guests are here. Disable the formation!”

Following the order of Sect Master Qu, the Taiheng disciples deactivated the blinding technique. The view inside the rocks suddenly revealed itself to everyone—

In the center of the rocks was a half-circular deep pit.

The soil in the pit was fine and damp, reflecting a blood-red hue under the morning sun. At the bottom of the pit was a small room made of clear glass. It had been cleaned thoroughly by the Taiheng Sect, with not a speck of dirt in sight. Many spells and incantations were engraved on it, shimmering under the sunlight.

It looked like a delicate tomb made of glass.

Inside the glass room, the sight was full of life. Lush, vibrant vines filled half of the space, looking as if they were made of jade, bringing a sense of comfort at first glance.

The vines intertwined on a platform, where a peach-shaped fruit rested.

The fruit appeared fresh and delicate, with an enticing color. The fruit’s stem was still attached to the vine, and its skin held a pool of semi-transparent juice. Under the sunlight, it looked exceptionally exquisite, unlike anything from this world.

Even separated by thick glass, the scent of the fruit somehow permeated out. Its indescribable aroma instantly overwhelmed all other senses, making even the finest delicacies in the world pale in comparison. If anyone had doubts because of its appearance, once they smelled it, no one cared about the minor details—this divine entity was undoubtedly the Shirou!

Yin Ci looked at Shi Jingzhi with concern.

Considering Shi Jingzhi’s overwhelming desire to live, even just as a snack, it might be impossible for him to restrain his appetite. The scent alone had many seasoned martial artists, with iron-willed determination, in a daze.

Shi Jingzhi’s face turned flush, and a hint of bloodlust appeared in his eyes. But he just took a few deep breaths, seeming still conscious.

“Don’t worry,” Shi Jingzhi whispered into Yin Ci’s ear, taking advantage of everyone’s distraction with the Shirou. “I’ve endured worse. I’m used to it.”

Seeing that Shi Jingzhi had no intention of hurting himself, Yin Ci felt relieved. He stroked Shi Jingzhi’s hair and teasingly said, “It seems you’ve mastered the ‘Purifying Words’ well. We should find a time to reward you properly.”

Their faces showed relaxed flirting, but their hands under the sleeves were gripping tightly. Only when Yin Ci reassured him did Shi Jingzhi reluctantly let go.

[Go,] Yin Ci conveyed silently. [I’ll protect you.]

Qu Duanyun didn’t notice their actions. He gazed at the Shirou with complex emotions. “This glass room is extremely sturdy, and my sect couldn’t open it. Since Sect Master Shi has the key, perhaps you could retrieve it.”

Shi Jingzhi patted his face, the blood color in his eyes fading slightly. Afflicted with a serious illness, he wasn’t mobile. Yin Ci pushed him all the way on the wooden chair towards the glass room. Upon closer inspection, in addition to the intricate spells, there were also vivid bas-reliefs carved on the glass. All of these bas-reliefs were faces, each with closed eyes and a slight smile.

It was really Yan Budu’s style.

In the center of the group of faces, one face had an eye open. Unfortunately, that eye socket was empty, with just a recess, waiting for someone to complete it with an eyeball.

The aroma emanating from that eye socket was extremely strong. When they got closer, the fragrance was even more intoxicating, making one’s heart restless and mouth salivating. Shi Jingzhi held his breath, his hand holding the jade eye trembling slightly.

With everyone watching, he took a long time to successfully fit the jade eye into the recess.

Let’s see.

Shi Jingzhi stared at the face with the open eye. He tried to ignore the scent that kept drilling into his nose. His hands became as cold as ice, to the point of almost convulsing.

Yan Budu, as your kin, let me take a good look. After a century, what have you left for this world?

Click.

With this soft sound, a sourceless chuckle echoed around, as if in response.

In an instant, the world changed.

The originally enticing fragrance suddenly turned into a pungent, bloody smell, causing many to retch. However, compared to other changes, this was minor—

Just like originally on Zongwu Mountain, countless gray-red “bare branches” rose from the ground, their dark red roots moving like fish. Atop the bare branches, the fleshy wrinkles were extremely clear, shining like living creatures. These branches crowded the forest, stretching and swaying in the morning sun. They were numerous and vigorous, and from a vantage point on the mountain, one couldn’t see the boundary of this eerie “flesh forest”.

Strange things densely surrounded them, bringing a feeling of oppression and suffocation. A breeze carried wave after wave of the foul smell, making people dizzy.

Screams erupted from the crowd. It seemed that many more people than just Shi Jingzhi could see them. Jin Lan sat on the ground, while the masters grouped together in shock. Shi Zhongyu instantly drew her sword, while Qu Duanyun stood among the myriad of bare branches, looking somewhat lost.

Within the branches, Yin Ci lost his immortal appearance, turning back into the eerie “idol” made of blood and roots. However, this time, Yin Ci could see himself clearly.

He stared at his horrifying hands, almost forgetting to breathe. Even without a mirror, he could imagine his abnormal appearance. This time, there was no fear or panic in Yin Ci’s heart; just sheer anger—what had He Cheng’an done to him?

However, at this moment, thanks to the Shirou, no one noticed his change.

The center of attention, the Shirou, had changed in appearance and smell.

The moment the jade eye was installed, the vines inside the glass room changed color, turning into the sticky gray-red similar to the bare branches. They wriggled slowly, occasionally making soft noises of friction.

Surrounded by these “fleshy vines”, the Shirou no longer looked like a tempting celestial fruit. It changed from emerald green to an unsightly purple-red, emitting a slight heat and looking like an organ just taken out of an animal’s body. Amid the purple-red flesh, there were hundreds of tiny eyes without whites. They were all pitch black, occasionally blinking, looking in unknown directions.

This was the “immortal object” that had caused turmoil in the martial world and had been contested for by many.

The sky remained intact, the sunny day was still sunny, and the forest was still lush and green. There was no shaking or loud noise, and the sounds of wind and birds were still present. Against the backdrop of the scene before them, everything seemed eerily quiet.

What is going on?

From shock, people turned to panic, unsure if what they were witnessing was a nightmare, a spell, or a terrifying reality. The surroundings changed drastically, and compared to the gigantic eerie things, people felt as insignificant as ants in a storm. Even though there were many masters present, they were just a few more powerful ants.

The feeling of helplessness was maddening.

Even the disciples of the Yueshui Pavilion, who had seen much, lost their composure, crouching and staring only at the blood-red mud beneath their feet. The people of the Jinyu Group were in even greater panic, fainting left and right. The foul smell of the Shirou was now mixed with the stench of urine.

In this chaos and madness, Yin Ci hesitated for a moment, then leapt up, rushing towards the sky through the branches.

Looking down, the barren mountains, the surrounding towns, and even the horizon in the distance, were all covered with dense, uniquely shaped “bare branches”. Human towns were nestled among them, looking like tiny pebbles beneath grass.

This sight was overwhelming.

Regarding the Shirou as an “immortal object”, its energy was even more abundant than the muyan stones used to forge the Sword of Compassion. Therefore, using the Shirou to power the jade eye meant there was no fear of exhausting its energy, unlike atop Zongwu Mountain, where spells could only be powered momentarily. It was hard to say whether the “clue” left on the Sword of Compassion was the demonic lord’s last sentiment or a hint given out of ostentation.

Or perhaps, it was a bit of both.

Although he didn’t know the origin of the jade eye, Yin Ci was quite certain that this was what Yan Budu truly wanted them to see.

He wanted them to witness the true appearance of this world, the true form of the Shirou. From the start at the Ghost Tomb, this had all been a thorough prank. Even if turned into a handful of bones, that person still wished to mock the mortals blindly chasing after the Shirou and the “immortals” who sent the Shirou into this world without knowing their own whereabouts.

Yin Ci gently descended, stopping on the treetop. He took a deep breath and touched the nearest bare branch. The fine roots on the bare branch immediately wrapped around his hand affectionately, quivering as if they were playing with him.

Yan Budu only expressed malice without providing a definite answer. That guy just kept mocking to his heart’s content, probably without knowing the real truth. He did see another aspect of this world…

But what exactly were these things?

Under the tall tree, Shi Jingzhi didn’t move his jade eye, allowing this vision to persist. Without waiting for Yin Ci to return to his side, he removed the Shirou and held it in his hand. “According to our agreement, I’ll take this thing first.”

It was as if he was unaffected by the terrifying scene before him.

The Shirou wriggled in Shi Jingzhi’s palm, its numerous eyes blinking even faster.

The surroundings were filled with eerie sights, and the crowd was still in shock and daze. Even those who managed to retain some sanity didn’t know how to respond. Only Qu Duanyun’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, seeming to want to say something.

Suddenly, a shadow flashed, and before Qu Duanyun could speak, a burst of blood exploded in front of him.

Shi Jingzhi had been deeply slashed in the throat, with blood gushing out instantly. The Shirou in his hand vanished in a moment, taken by the attacker.

“What righteous sects? Nothing but a bunch of cowards. Just a little scare, and they’re all panicking.”

The man laughed, putting away his dagger. A pendant gleamed on the dagger’s hilt, clearly a mountain ghost coin.

Yan Qing was the first to recover from the vision, staring in disbelief at the scene before him—Su Si was perched like a bird on the back of a wooden chair, having just cleanly slit Shi Jingzhi’s throat.

Su Si didn’t look at the surrounding bare branches, nor at the strange-looking Shirou in his hand. He stared intently at Yan Qing, his eyes as black as ink.

“I’ll be taking this Shirou for now.”

Su Si declared, word by word.

“Everyone, we’ll meet again.”

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