Chapter 691: The Sword Returns and the Array Breaks, Chaos Sweeps Like Autumn Wind

Wang Sheng wanted to say that Wang Shan probably just made a mistake. However, seeing his forefather become more animated put him at a loss for words.

I lived once before. If I truly were the sacred spirit whom Empress Nuwa had left behind, how could I have been so unfortunate in my previous life? After the primal qi on Earth recovered, I spent more than ten ordinary years drifting through life, only to die from a silver needle—wait. Maybe what happened to me was more like loading a saved file than reincarnation?

"

Forefather, this matter sounds far too unbelievable.

"

Chun Yangzi gently asked, "

Are you thinking back over the path you have walked? Hearing such news out of nowhere would certainly be difficult for anyone to accept.

If my guess is right, after secretly dealing with the sacred spirit in the Ancient Era, the Immortal Emperor probably took every possible step to seize the sacred spirit's heavenly fate and destiny.

"

Now, you have taken the Immortal Emperor's daughter as your sword spirit, which allowed you to inherit a portion of the Heavenly Court's heavenly fate. Cause and effect align in a rather remarkable way.

"

Wang Sheng smiled bitterly as a trace of gloom rose in his heart. "

So Yaoyun probably already knew about this.

"

If that were true, then that's probably why she kept it from me all along. Did she become my sword spirit because she felt guilty deep down?

"

Even if that were true, Forefather, it does not really change anything.

"

Wang Sheng sighed.

"

Why does Divine Guardian Wang insist on killing me?

"

Chun Yangzi shook his head. "

That man is full of contradictions. He fears that your identity will be exposed, which would ruin the reputation of the Immortal Emperor and eliminate the last bit of loyalty others have toward the Heavenly Court. He also hesitates to act against you. You have already gathered the heavenly fate of the Heavenly Court, and you now stand as a key figure in any possible revival.

"His loyalty to the Heavenly Court is unquestionable, but that's exactly what's trapping him between two choices. Since he didn't have a clear path forward, he confided in me, hoping I would rescue you from his own hands. Even I have to admit that the situation sounds rather absurd."

Does Divine Guardian Wang suffer from Dissociative Identity Disorder?

"

So, Fei Yu, how do you think this matter should be handled?

"

Chun Yangzi tapped a finger lightly against his knee.

"

As your forefather, I will stand behind you. Divine Guardian Wang is already hesitating, and he lacks the will to win. With several treasures in my possession, I can capture him at any moment.

"

Wang Sheng's lips curved into a faint smile. "

I will follow whatever plan you have in mind, Forefather. If I survive this day and meet him again in battle, I will simply claim justice for myself.

"

"

From my perspective, reconciliation with Divine Guardian Wang would be the better path. The forces that stand behind him would be extremely important to you if you truly intend to restore the Heavenly Court.

"He is also a man of exceptional ability, with his understanding of the Dao of Heaven and Earth rivaling that of several great beings from the Primal Era. In truth, he simply does not intend to fight me seriously today. If we truly fought to the death, we would likely stand at equal odds."

Wang Sheng sighed softly. "

Honestly, I would rather establish a new power than restore the Heavenly Court.

"

"

Oh? Why is that?

"

"

It's simply a personal preference.

"

He shook his head and breathed in quietly, the pressure he had long suppressed surging up from his heart. Raising his head, he looked into the distant starry space and then slowly exhaled.

"For a long time, people have spoken of the Heavenly Court again and again in my presence. Yaoyun said from the beginning that she would not force me to restore it, yet I could still sense that she hoped I would. I value her greatly, and I consider her a close friend. Hence, I wish to help her as much as I can.

"There are many other factors to consider as well that tied me completely to the name of the Heavenly Court. It's also because of that faction that my home planet now faces threats from the endless space. Many of its inhabitants only wish to live in peace. They would have likely lived more stable lives had the path to immortality not changed everything.

"Emperor Qinghua also took my senior sister away from me and made her inherit the Great Dao of Life for the sake of the Heavenly Court. I had to leave my home planet, face the endless space, and cultivate with all my strength because that was the only way to protect the people behind me from the Heavenly Court's enemies.

"

Yes, the Heavenly Court brought another possibility to me and my home planet, but it never gave us the chance to choose. It simply forced this fate upon us. While I was trapped in a blood mine, I often wondered what my life would have been like if the Heavenly Court had never existed.

"

Still, I know I shouldn't resent it. While the lives of some became worse because of the path of immortality, I benefited from it. I met my master, my senior sister, Big Sister, Huai Jing, and many others.

"

Wang Sheng gave Chun Yangzi a self-conscious smile. "

Forgive me, Forefather. I do not know why I spouted so much nonsense all at once.

"

Chun Yangzi rested a hand on Wang Sheng's shoulder and patted it gently. "

Fei Yu...

"

Wang Sheng looked up, finding his forefather already standing beside him. The table and chairs before them had disappeared.

Chun Yangzi's smile grew warmer. In a calm and reassuring tone, he replied, "

Relax. Do not place too much burden on yourself.

Cultivating the Dao should bring freedom in this life. If you load yourself with too many burdens, you will encounter many difficulties when the time comes to break through to the Golden Immortal Realm.

"

"

I will handle this matter for you. Wait here for a while. Once everything settles, I will take you wandering through the endless space so you can witness their splendid sights.

"

"

Forefather, I—

"

Chun Yangzi burst into laughter, cutting him off, and then faded quietly into nothingness.

Wang Sheng broke free from the mysterious state. When he opened his eyes, he once again saw the gray mist and dust that filled the array on the desolate planet.

Forefather?

Wang Sheng sat in the air for a long moment, lost in thought. Even now, he could not fully process everything that Chun Yangzi had told him.

After spending half a day just sitting in a tribulation cloud, he unleashed a palm strike that scattered the tribulation cloud that had filled the sky. He then slowly descended.

Ling Sheng stepped forward and bowed respectfully to him. Softly, she greeted, "Master."

Wang Sheng nodded, then glanced at the sleeping Hu Chang. "Someone will arrive soon to rescue us."

"

Mm?

" Hu Chang's eyes snapped open and widened like bronze bells. He sprang to his feet. "Really?"

"My forefather is already on the move, which means we'll be seeing changes soon. Hu Chang, this is your final chance to choose. You may ask my forefather to erase the memories related to me and leave on your own. Otherwise, you will have to follow me from this day forward, obeying my commands and offering your loyalty only to me."

"About that..." Hu Chang looked at Ling Sheng, then at Wang Sheng. His large, round face twisted with hesitation. "If you erase my memories, will it damage my Primordial Spirit? Why give me a way to leave all of a sudden, anyway? Honestly, following you might not be all that bad. My master already drove me out and told me to make something of myself before I return. Will I get a chance to visit home someday?"

Wang Sheng gave him a serious look. "Of course. If you choose to stay, I will treat you with proper respect."

Hu Chang lowered his head in deep thought as he muttered, "Old Wang, let me think about it for a moment."

Softly and gently, Ling Sheng suddenly said, "Stay."

Hu Chang blinked, slapped his thigh, and then clasped his fists toward Wang Sheng. "Big Brother! I offer half of my life to you!"

Wang Sheng felt a slight sense of disgust, rendering him speechless.

***

In the curtain of darkness outside the array, the remaining immortals had gathered in front of the entrance. Each sat cross-legged in meditation with a gloomy expression.

They could neither advance nor retreat. None dared enter the array, and none could leave. Hence, they could only hold on and wait for Wang Shan to reappear.

They could see the brutal scene inside the array. The fiendish devils hidden within were terrifying beyond measure. However, both wearers of the withered-wood mask were extremely difficult opponents.

Soon, a ripple appeared at the outer perimeter of the dark curtain, spreading across space.

All eyes opened at the same time, and thousands of immortal-perception strands spread outward to investigate the dark curtain. However, before anyone could react, it split open. A pale-white halo swept forward, instantly rendering them all unconscious.

One cultivator after another fell on the ground, their Primordial Spirits sealed and their six senses destabilized. The white halo burst through the array as well and swept across the desolate planet, instantly clearing away the thick smoke and dust that filled the atmosphere.

Inside the volcano crater, Wang Sheng and his subordinates raised their heads and looked at the bright sky above. They couldn't help but offer quiet praise.

A laugh came from outside. "Come out. Everything has been dealt with."

Tears immediately streamed down Hu Chang's face. Meanwhile, Ling Sheng called out to her master, turned into a streak of green light, and returned to the Qiankun Ring. In her true form, she coiled once again around the Spirit Stabilizing Tea Tree.

"Thank you for your hard work," Wang Sheng said toward the Qiankun Ring.

A moment later, he sensed several familiar auras rising from under the ground.

He rushed out of the volcano crater and looked to the side, finding two pillars of pure-white light lifting two spherical objects out of a crack in the earth. The spheres simultaneously exploded.

Huai Jing shouted, "Fei Yu!"

Yaoyun stood beside the monk with a faint smile. She transformed into Spiritless and flew straight back to Wang Sheng.

Wang Sheng hesitated briefly. Soon after, he shook his head with a light laugh and reached out to grasp Spiritless's hilt.

"Glad to have you back."

"

Mm.

"

A draconic roar also echoed from the opposite direction. The Dragon Sword tore through the air and circled Wang Sheng twice before settling against his back on its own.

With calm dignity, Huai Jing intoned Buddha's name. However, a moment later, his composure broke, and he hurried over. "Did you keep my controller? That was the thirtieth-anniversary special edition! I went through great trouble to obtain that collector's item!"

Wang Sheng was momentarily speechless. He had left the game controller at the Qiling Immortal Sect. At the time, all he could think about was the people's safety. He had no time to worry about such minor details.

Chun Yangzi instructed, "Continue your chitchat out here. The scenery in there is far too unpleasant."

"

Huh?

Lu Dongbin?" Huai Jing quickly got a gist of the situation.

Spiritless trembled softly. It then turned into a streak of light and flew back into the Qiankun Ring. It seemed the thirteenth princess still considerably resented the notorious flirt for captivating several of her elder sisters.

Huai Jing and Hu Chang looked at each other.

"Who are you?"

"Why is there a monk here?"

"Let's leave first," Wang Sheng said while sweeping his gaze across the surroundings, finding scattered remains and corpses. His heart remained calm.

In the endless space, the rule was simple: kill or be killed.

Three streaks of light shot up into the sky. When they broke through the atmosphere, Wang Sheng noticed many immortals floating in the air with their Primordial Spirits sealed.

"Forefather, how should we handle them?"

Using voice transmission, Chun Yangzi replied, "Send them into exile somewhere. If you find that inappropriate, I can just outright erase them."

"Exile will do. Buddhist Master Huai Jing, Hu Chang, we will split into three directions. Look for the Golden Immortals and Taiyi Golden Immortals and check their storage artifacts. Consider it payment for sparing their lives."

Eyes narrowing with delight, Hu Chang immediately rushed away. He clearly wanted to profit as much as possible.

Huai Jing laughed helplessly. "Fei Yu, it has only been a few years since we last met, yet you have become much more... pragmatic."

Wang Sheng shook his head. "Golden Immortals have accumulated astonishing riches. Visiting a medicinal immortal sect made me finally realize how important wealth truly is. If we can build some up, then we should do it. The people at home will need it sooner or later."

Huai Jing raised a thumb in approval. He then stepped onto his alms bowl and slowly drifted forward.

Outside the black sphere, Chun Yangzi watched the trio, who now resembled wandering bandits. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

A three-chi-tall pagoda floated beside him. Immortal light drifted around it in soft clouds. Inside, a thin and withered figure remained locked away.

Above the pagoda hung a small plaque, upon which the characters for "Haotian" could be seen. The treasure clearly had an extraordinary origin.