Chapter 486 - A Heavenly Immortal Descends, Mortals Withdraw!

At the command of Arbiter Lu, the human cultivators who had narrowly escaped disaster dispersed in secret, making their way towards the Human Zenith Ruins.

As they traveled, the Pursuit Mirrors swept over the streets and the crazed faces of those they passed. There was no proof more conclusive than this!

Only Yun Xiao, Lian Xi, Dean Yu, and Shen Cang followed Arbiter Lu, approaching the Human Zenith Ruins first.

Yun Xiao had been to this place before. The first visit was to the Mysterious Sword Manor in the Human Zenith Ruins, which once teemed with people but now lay desolate.

The descendants of the Three Immortals had all been slaughtered by the Nian!

Just as they infiltrated the Human Zenith Ruins, their gaze pierced through the mist and delved deeper.

"What is that?" Lian Xi asked in a hushed tone.

In the depths of the Human Zenith Ruins, a hemispherical dome appeared, covering a vast area like a sprawling beast. The life force of the entire Primordial Ruins formed thick smoke, continuously flowing into this colossal dome.

"An Immortal formation!" The closer Arbiter Lu got, the deeper his frown became.

This immense Immortal formation obstructed their view like a fortress.

"Let's get closer."

They moved silently through the corridors and courtyards of Human Zenith Ruins.

Behind them, the 200 Yin-Yang Immortals dispersed, stealthily infiltrating various parts of Human Zenith Ruins.

"Peach blossoms?"

As they drew nearer, Yun Xiao saw clearly—the hemispherical formation was pink, its surface covered with swirling peach blossoms.

It was a sea of peach blossoms!

The atmosphere of the entire ruins was mad and sinister, yet this formation, fluttering with peach blossoms, appeared as the sole sanctuary—dreamy and elegant, a picturesque scene.

"Such a wonderful peach blossom formation, yet fundamentally it's a gaping maw devouring the lifespan of all living beings?" Yun Xiao's expression turned icy, his gaze murderous.

"Arbiter Lu, do you recognize it?" Seeing Arbiter Lu's shaken demeanor, Dean Yu hurriedly asked.

Arbiter Lu shook his head, his expression grim. "There are too many in the heavens skilled in the Peach Sea Formation to be sure who it is, but..."

"But what?" Yun Xiao and the others turned to him.

"This is the formation of a Heavenly Officer; the user must hold a high position," Arbiter Lu said through clenched teeth.

He halted everyone, staring deeply at the Peach Sea Formation, his expression fluctuating.

"Forgive my boldness in asking... could the master of this Peach Sea Formation be more powerful than you?" Yun Xiao whispered.

Arbiter Lu nodded, "It's quite likely."

Hearing this answer, the confidence they had felt up until now skipped a beat. The situation was far too urgent!

"Let's not rush; first, we gather evidence!" Arbiter Lu said coldly, eyeing the Peach Sea Formation. "As a Heavenly Officer of the Celestial Court, descending to the mortal realm without permission is already a capital offense. Moreover, aiding evil Immortals in tormenting the living—it's a crime deserving a thousand deaths! The nets of the heavens are vast and miss nothing. Once I discover who is behind this and report it, he'll find no escape from death!"

"We need to devise a way to lure the master of this Peach Sea Formation out and record it with the Pursuit Mirror," Dean Yu nodded.

"No worries, I'll draw him out; you all keep recording," Arbiter Lu said.

"No, you can't expose yourself. Otherwise, the opponent will surely annihilate us," Yun Xiao cautioned earnestly.

"Then who should it be? Now, this entire Primordial Ruins is filled with those afflicted by the Gu; anyone used as bait would hardly survive. We do not even know how many are inside; if we are not strong enough, we cannot lure the big fish," Arbiter Lu whispered.

"I am old; I will go," Shen Cang stood up without a second word, ready to meet his death.

"Wait!" Yun Xiao stopped him and then looked deep into the clouds to the left, saying, "We need not sacrifice anyone; someone is already heading there."

"Who?"

Everyone looked in the direction Yun Xiao pointed. Emerging from the clouds was a silver-haired figure, gaunt with waist-length hair, wearing a long robe, barefoot and hovering, with six fox tails trailing behind and a pair of fox ears atop his head...

"A fox demon?" Arbiter Lu was surprised. "How does this fox demon possess the power of calamity?"

The group exchanged glances, and finally all eyes turned to Yun Xiao, but no one answered, pretending ignorance.

"Four eyes? This is a young great demon, nearly as powerful as a demon immortal. What lineage could it be?" Arbiter Lu murmured to himself.

This fox demon was clearly heading towards the Peach Sea Formation, and although puzzled, Arbiter Lu did not stop him.

WHOOSH!

Moon Fairy, without a word, had already reached beneath the fluttering sea of peach blossoms.

He conjured a ball of fierce white fire in his hand and hurled it towards the Peach Sea Formation.

BOOM!

Many of the peach blossoms were set ablaze, the fire spreading and destroying the romantic semblance of this celestial landscape.

"A Heavenly Immortal descends, all mortals withdraw!"

No sooner had the fire spread when a cold yet youthful proclamation echoed from within the Peach Sea Formation.

"Someone is coming out!"

Arbiter Lu immediately aimed his Pursuit Mirror at the figure gradually emerging from the formation.

Yun Xiao and the others did the same.

"What creature dares disturb the peace of a heavenly Immortal's meditation?"

The voice, filled with discontent and anger, rang out once more.

WHOOSH!

A boy clad in a peach blossom robe stepped forward. He appeared to be about 12 or 13, his skin like polished jade, delicate as if carved from ivory. He held a jade vase in his hands, within which was tucked a peach branch.

"A True Immortal?"

Upon seeing him, Moon Fairy furrowed his brows and turned to flee into a mist of gold and silver.

"Do not leave!"

The peach blossom boy transformed into a storm, breaking through the turbulent winds and chasing after him, his bearing astonishing.

"Mu Shuo, who is that?" At that moment, a cold, commanding female voice emanated from within the Peach Sea Formation.

"Just a little fox from the mortal realm," the peach blossom boy halted, turning back respectfully.

"Return," the female voice commanded.

"As you command." The peach blossom boy, holding the vase respectfully, quickly returned to the formation.

With that, everything reverted to how it had begun.

"Arbiter Lu, how goes it?" Yun Xiao recorded everything with the Pursuit Mirrors before turning to ask Arbiter Lu.

Turning around, he saw Arbiter Lu had collapsed to the ground, his face pale and covered in cold sweat, shaking his head repeatedly.

"Arbiter Lu?" The four of them exchanged bewildered looks.

"It can't be, it can't be, how could it be her!" Arbiter Lu murmured as if in a daze, disbelief etched across his face.

"Is she a very powerful figure?" Yun Xiao asked.

"Give them to me! All of them!" Arbiter Lu suddenly looked at them sternly.

"What?"

Before Yun Xiao could react, Arbiter Lu had taken the Pursuit Mirrors from their hands and ordered, "Gather your people, bring all the Pursuit Mirrors to me, now, immediately!"

His abnormal behavior sent a chill down Yun Xiao's spine.

"Arbiter Lu, what do you mean?" Yun Xiao asked.

"I cannot handle this person. I must return to Celestial Court immediately, report to the Bureau of Heavenly Affairs to dispatch a squad of Arbiter Immortals to apprehend her and bring her to justice. Give me all the evidence, the more the better," Arbiter Lu said gravely.

"How long will this back and forth take?" Yun Xiao asked.

"Rest assured!" Arbiter Lu clapped him on the shoulder, "At most three days. You help ensure that all living beings hold on for three more days! Within three days, we will arrive."

"Three days..."

The situation was so dire that every moment the common folk were losing life span—it was an acceleration towards death! But even Arbiter Lu seemed fearful, leaving Yun Xiao with no other options.

He had everyone hand over their Pursuit Mirrors, which he then passed to Arbiter Lu.

"Did you give them all? Did you keep any?" Arbiter Lu asked.

"None," Yun Xiao nodded.

"Then I'm off." Arbiter Lu cast one more cold glance at the Peach Sea Formation. "I never expected such a high-born and respectable person to have such a low and lawless side. Such actions will surely invite divine punishment!"

With that, he turned and vanished into the mist, soon disappearing from sight.

"Arbiter Lu..." Yun Xiao muttered softly.

What he wanted to say was that he hadn't yet returned his brother Lu Yao's sketchbook and diary.

"Yun Xiao!" Dean Yu's expression grew somber.

"Let's leave the Human Zenith Ruins first."

Yun Xiao knew what she meant, but this place was fraught with danger and was no place to linger.

They dispersed and left Human Zenith Ruins, emerging onto the streets outside.

"Dean Yu, do you suspect that Arbiter Lu, out of fear of the powerful figures behind the Three Immortals, took the Pursuit Mirrors and fled back to Celestial Court, planning to abandon us here?" Yun Xiao turned to ask as soon as they were out.

"He was in such a rush and even took the Pursuit Mirrors... I think so too..." Lian Xi said with a worried tone.

"I don't know him well, nor do I understand the workings of the Celestial Court... so, it's just a suspicion. Let's hope Arbiter Lu doesn't let us down," Dean Yu sighed softly.

"Indeed." Yun Xiao looked back towards the dreamlike land where peach blossoms scattered. "What Arbiter Lu chooses to do is out of our control. If he really abandons us, then we'll have to find every possible way to save ourselves."

"The calamity is spreading across thousands of worlds, how do we save ourselves?" Shen Cang, after a long silence, finally spoke with a piercing gaze.

"Another three days!" Yun Xiao took a deep breath and finally turned to look at Lian Xi.

"There is no such thing as a dead end in the heavens; there must be a way!"

At this moment, the shadow looming over them was larger than ever, casting a pall of gloom in their hearts.

Walking through the streets of the Primordial Ruins, they witnessed a heart-wrenching sight: tens of millions of people fervently practicing the Ascension Technique in a desperate bid to save their diminishing lifespans—an overwhelmingly tragic scene.

As they left the Primordial Ruins, worse news was unfolding!

The Heavenly Decay, carrying countless All Life Devouring Gu, had spilled out of the Primordial Ruins and first enveloped the Nine Hells below!

When Yun Xiao and his companions descended from the Primordial Ruins, they were shocked to find that the Nine Hells had fallen into the same dire straits. Each blessed land, city, and village was enveloped in despair as the people experienced the decay for the first time!

Their bodies, even slightly touched by the weakening force, experienced extreme agony.

At this moment, the Ascension Technique implanted in their minds by the All Life Devouring Gu became their only hope for survival and relief!

It was like a deadly poison spreading; within just an hour, the Nine Hells were swallowed by this intensified Immortal disaster. Every human, devil, and demon ceased their activities to meditate fervently, offering their lives to that existence in the heavens!

Unlike the people of the Primordial Ruins, they didn't even know whom they were worshiping. All they knew was that above in the heavens, a radiant figure shone down on them, lighting their path forward like a lighthouse.

This figure could be the deity in people's hearts or perhaps what some call Heaven itself!

After all, it was saving the people!

As long as they practiced the Ascension Technique, the pain would disappear.

As for where the pain came from and what cost came with practicing the Ascension Technique... the common folk couldn't understand.

THUD! THUD! THUD!

In city after city, more and more beings, overwhelmed by the disaster, knelt on the ground to practice their techniques.

As soon as they meditated, their faces contorted in pain were transformed into sacred smiles.

A single city blossomed with countless smiling faces.

In the Nine Hells alone, an endless stream of life force ascended to the heavens, becoming a force against the natural order... an unimaginable wealth of Immortal energy!

Yun Xiao had just returned and witnessed all of this with his own eyes.

"The Sword Ruins..." His heart shuddered, and he suddenly took flight on his Sovereign Sword towards the Eternal Sword Prison.