Chapter 202: 202. Chapter 199: The Returning Spear

202. Chapter 199: The Returning Spear

Before Ding Huan appeared a deep volcanic chasm that had not yet fully extinguished.

That was not the focus; the focus was Ding Huan seeing a man pierced through the chest by a long sword, nailed to a cliff wall.

The man's head hung limply, his long hair trailing down.

Ding Huan's spiritual sense settled on the man, and his heart tightened—was this guy still alive?

He detected faint traces of breath—this was actually a living being.

Ding Huan's spiritual sense landed on the sword; on the hilt were two tiny ancient characters: Feiyan.

So familiar, Ding Huan strained to recall the meaning of these two characters.

Soon he remembered the origin of the Feiyan Sword—it belonged to Luo Xuan, the Immortal of Flame, from Chinese mythology; this sword split into two, both forged from solar fire essence.

No wonder this sword came here—this was a volcanic region.

This sword must be the immortal sword rumored to be hidden in the Jianshan; thus, all swords born within the Jianshan were fire-elemental.

The sword he had previously obtained was also fire-elemental.

Wasn't this immortal sword said to have been taken by the strongest one, Ji Ji Xinting? Wasn't it still hidden deep within the Jianshan?

Ji Ji Xinting?

Ding Huan's gaze settled on the man pierced through the chest—could this man be Ji Ji Xinting?

Amazing—the strongest one of the Threefold Heaven Star Continent, Ji Ji Xinting, had been impaled and killed by the Feiyan Sword while seeking it in the Jianshan.

No, he wasn't dead yet, but no one had rescued him; death was merely a matter of time.

Ding Huan cautiously stepped back, preparing to leave this place.

The immortal sword was valuable, but if it could pin down Ji Ji Xinting, better to keep distance.

He had self-awareness—this kind of treasure was beyond his fortune to possess, at least not now.

This place was his blessed ground, where he had gained insight into the Great Cosmic Art that could summon lightning strikes, yet it was also a dangerous place.

As for rescuing him, Ding Huan had never considered it.

Even Ji Ji Xinting, the strongest one, had perished here—would he rush in to save him, eager to die faster?

As Ding Huan retreated, he suddenly heard a weak voice:

"Please lend aid—I, Ji Ji Xinting, will repay you with my life…"

Ding Huan froze—he knew I was here? And could still send me a message?

Dangerous, Ding Huan stepped back several more paces, then began calculating whether he could save this man.

Ji Ji Xinting's power was too great—he could not deduce even a shred of information.

But Ding Huan had other methods—he calculated what would happen to himself after saving Ji Ji Xinting.

Soon Ding Huan's expression changed—he saw no future images at all after saving Ji Ji Xinting, not even the faintest flicker.

This bastard was ruthless—he'd kill me. Only by killing me could he erase all future visions from my calculation.

"Senior Ji, I only acquired a poison-repelling treasure; this below is a volcano—I fear if I descend to rescue you, I won't be able to climb back up myself.

I'm returning to join the Yanyue Sect, where I'll receive their teachings. If I die like this, I'll regret it—I'll go out and find someone to rescue you…"

Ding Huan spoke with fearful urgency.

"Pata!" A ring fell to the ground.

"Inside are all you need—take it. What's the Yanyue Sect? Just help me pull out the sword…" Ji Ji Xinting's voice came again.

Ding Huan looked at the ring's position—it was at least a hundred meters away.

The ring was perfectly lodged between two fiery rock slabs.

Even if others believed him to be Foundation Establishment, even if he were Foundation Establishment, it would be nearly impossible to retrieve the ring with spiritual sense alone.

Ding Huan's spiritual sense sensed a hidden restriction—he was one hundred percent certain even a Foundation Establishment cultivator could not summon this ring away.

To obtain the ring, he must jump down.

Ding Huan had not only achieved Foundation Establishment, but forged his own Cosmic Dao Foundation.

At this moment, his spiritual sense was as strong as a true Golden Core cultivator's—perhaps even stronger in toxicity resistance and density.

If something appears before you, not taking it would be foolish.

This is what you, Ji Ji Xinting, brought upon yourself—none of my doing.

Ding Huan's spiritual sense unhesitatingly wrapped around the ring, extending to maximum strength; the ring seemed seized by an invisible hand, then flew out from between the rocks and landed in Ding Huan's hand.

Even as he retrieved the ring, Ding Huan's spiritual sense remained fixed on Ji Ji Xinting.

He clearly felt that the instant he took the ring, Ji Ji Xinting's body trembled slightly.

"This ring is my gift to you; when you later remove the sword, the sword is yours too.

I'm severely wounded and unlikely to emerge—I'll remain here in seclusion for a hundred years. If you ever reach the Huangshen Sect, deliver a message for me…"

Ji Ji Xinting's words were unfinished when Ding Huan's body lurched—next instant, he appeared hundreds of meters away, his voice following:

"Understood, Senior Ji—I'll deliver your message if I get the chance. As for this sword, my ability is currently…"

Ding Huan's voice abruptly cut off—he was stunned to find the ground where he had just stood had collapsed without warning.

That meant, had he not moved, even without pulling the sword or taking the ring, he would have been dragged into the chasm beside Ji Ji Xinting.

These old bastards were truly treacherous.

Ding Huan dared not linger another instant—he activated Extreme Shadow Dash and vanished like a streak of smoke, leaving behind Ji Ji Xinting, furious beyond measure.

It had taken him a long time to arrive; leaving the Jianshan, he used only half a day.

Ding Huan did not dare touch Ji Ji Xinting's ring—he tossed it into the Star House, then accelerated back toward the Great Crystal Zone.

He had been gone for over half a year—he had no idea what problems might have arisen in the Great Crystal Zone.

…….

Zi Xia Valley.

Because the Sect Master remains severely injured and unrecovered, sect affairs have been neglected, and all senior elders are seeking ways out.

Once a thriving place, Zi Xia Valley now bears the sight of a sun setting beyond the western hills.

Those who know the truth are even unwilling to have any connection with Zi Xia Valley.

To most, Zi Xia Valley will inevitably be seized by Jiu Yin Gate.

Thus, very few sect disciples have visited Zi Xia Valley recently.

Guan Nai stood outside Zi Xia Valley, stunned by its desolate scene.

Zi Xia Valley's status in the Dao Cultivation World is far inferior to Yanyue Sect, but that was merely status and power—not the sect's spirit.

In terms of sect location, Zi Xia Valley ranks among the very best in the entire Dao Cultivation World.

Even if Zi Xia Valley were to decline further, it should not have sunk to this state.

"May I ask, fellow cultivator, what brings you here?" Jia Sha stepped forward to inquire.

In truth, Jia Sha was a senior elder of Zi Xia Valley and could never possibly greet guests at the sect's gate.

But recently, Zi Xia Valley has suffered too many upheavals; he dared not let disciples remain outside, lest they offend someone or miss vital news—should that happen, as the sect's alerting elder, his guilt would be grave.

The news, of course, was about Liu Liu Yinzhu; he had maintained contact with Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu and knew she had been entrusted by the Sect Master to search for someone important.

As a loyal supporter of the Sect Master, he even knew who Liu Liu Yinzhu was searching for.

"I am Guan Nai from Yanyue Sect…"

Before Guan Nai finished speaking, Jia Sha exclaimed joyfully:

"So you are Immortal Guan! You've come to seek Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu, haven't you? She's not here—I'll take you first to Zi Bamboo Peak…"

He knew Guan Nai.

This time, Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu had left to search for Ding Huan, and Ding Huan was originally found and brought to the Dao Cultivation World by Guan Nai.

Guan Nai quickly said: "I won't go to Zi Bamboo Peak—could you tell me where Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu has gone?"

Guan Nai had come here not to find Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu, but to find Ding Huan.

She sought Ding Huan because, during their journey together, she had never seen anything that could stop him.

Han Ba and Tunjiao Jiang could not hold him back—he led them safely through.

Elder Qu had tried to ambush Ding Huan, and now his remains were gone.

Even the Lost Marsh, so terrifying, could not keep Ding Huan—he brought them all out.

Official Qiong tried to kill Ding Huan, but failed to even catch his shadow.

…

She knew she could never find Ding Huan on her own.

She had planned to seek Elder Gu's help, but Elder Gu had been away on business for months and had not returned to the sect.

After much thought, she believed only one person could help her find Ding Huan: Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu.

In Yanyue Sect, she knew only a handful of elders; aside from Elder Gu, most could not aid her.

Even Elder Gu, she dared not easily confide her troubles to.

Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu knew her, and on the journey to the Dao Cultivation World, Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu had also admired Ding Huan.

She had seen Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu deliberately seek out Ding Huan to talk—once, she even saw Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu emerge from Ding Huan's tent.

Besides, when Elder Qu Yue Shan died, Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu must have guessed Ding Huan was responsible.

After Elder Gu said Elder Qu died from Tunjiao Jiang poison, she added another possibility: Han Ba's illusion poison.

Clearly, Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu favored Ding Huan.

Hearing Guan Nai's words, Jia Sha hesitated.

As the Sect Master's confidant, he knew what Ding Huan meant to Zi Xia Valley.

Guan Nai seeking Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu might very well be to find Ding Huan.

After all, according to Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu, she and Guan Nai were merely acquaintances met on the road, with little connection.

"Elder, I am friends with Ding Huan, and I have some matters I wish to ask his help with. But after arriving at Yanyue Sect, I never left and lost contact with Ding Huan…"

Guan Nai knew the other must realize her true purpose in seeking Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu—after all, she had little connection with Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu.

"Rest assured, if I have ill intent, may thunder strike my soul-heart and devour me alive."

Worried he might not believe her, Guan Nai swore another deadly oath.

She understood his hesitation—Shuang Hun Sect had indeed come to Yanyue Sect to inquire about Ding Huan's whereabouts.

Seeing Guan Nai speak so earnestly, and remembering Ding Huan and Guan Nai were friends, Jia Sha said:

"Ding Huan is in Xi Feng City. Elder Liu Liu Yinzhu has been waiting there for him."

In truth, Jia Sha did not even know Shuang Hun Sect had come to Yanyue Sect searching for Ding Huan; had he known, even if Guan Nai had sworn this oath, he would never have revealed Ding Huan's location.

"Thank you, Elder," Guan Nai bowed deeply in gratitude, then summoned her airship and swiftly departed.

As long as there was a place, she could find him.

Though the Dao Cultivation World was boundless, how far could Ding Huan have gone?

He must appear on the map in her hands.