Chapter 867: Sudden Death

Afterward, everyone went their separate ways.

Ye Hong, who had lost both his children, remained alone in Yan Shui City.

Xia Diansi returned to the Dao Ting Si in Qianxue Zhou.

Gu Changhuai also needed to return to the Dao Ting Si, but before that, he had to deliver Mo Hua back to the Grand Void Gate.

Lately, events had been chaotic and changes frequent; he felt uneasy unless he personally saw Mo Hua to the mountain gate.

Fortunately, the journey was uneventful; by dusk, the carriage finally reached Tai Xu City, and half an hour later, arrived at the foot of the Grand Void Gate's mountain.

Gazing at the mist-shrouded Grand Void Gate, Gu Changhuai finally felt at ease.

At the Long Wang Temple, when Mo Hua had been imprisoned in the Bone Labyrinth, drowned in blood, his heart had burned with panic.

He feared he might never bring Mo Hua back in this life—if that happened, he would not only carry guilt in his own heart, but also fail to answer to his cousin and the Grand Void Gate.

Fortunately, everything had passed with narrow escapes.

"Alright, return and focus entirely on your cultivation; don't think about anything else."

Gu Changhuai instructed.

"Mm." Mo Hua nodded, then waved his hand, "Uncle Gu, the Dao Ting Si has many affairs and is very busy—I won't keep you. Go back quickly."

Gu Changhuai nodded, repeated his warnings once more, then drove away.

Mo Hua stood at the mountain's base, waving until Gu Changhuai's carriage rounded the corner and vanished along the mountain path, before turning around.

But he did not head toward the Grand Void Gate's entrance; instead, he changed direction, following the mountain slopes up a rugged trail to a desolate, rarely visited peak nearby.

Tai Xu Mountain was vast.

The Grand Void Gate's territory was merely the main range of Tai Xu Mountain.

Beyond that, many remote, barren, overgrown, jagged peaks lay on either side—unsuitable for building halls or establishing sects.

Mo Hua arrived at a small mountain summit.

Before him stretched a cliff; no one was around, clouds and mist veiled everything, deep grass and treacherous rocks ensured he wouldn't be discovered.

Mo Hua sat on a large rock, then took from his storage pouch Jiang Laoda's list.

Mo Hua stared at the names on the list, his gaze cold.

He had said it: those who deserved to die, would die.

He had promised to avenge Sister Ye Jin, who had nearly become a vengeful ghost.

If so, then this Especially Xiao Tianquan must die.

He is doomed; no one can save him.

Not even a god.

Mo Hua placed the list before him, then took out a vial of water from the Yan Shui River, seized near the Long Wang Temple.

He also took out the blood residue scraped from the wordless blood stele before the Long Wang Temple's altar.

He dissolved the blood residue into the river water and splashed it onto the jade slip list.

Then, holding the list, Mo Hua carefully sensed it, using this list to connect through some hidden karmic thread to the altar far away at the Long Wang Temple.

The Great Wild Evil Embryo was the altar's master.

Now, the Great Wild Evil Embryo had merged into his Fu Shi soul, becoming one with him.

The Embryo was him; he was the Embryo.

Therefore, he was also the altar's master.

All the sinning cultivators on the list—including Water Yama—had, through soul contracts, offered a portion of their soul essence to the Great Wild Evil Embryo.

The Great Wild Evil Embryo controlled their lives and deaths.

And now, in a certain sense, Mo Hua was the Great Wild Evil Embryo.

That meant, he also controlled the lives and deaths of everyone on the list!

Moments later, ripples stirred on the Yan Shui River, cold winds howled within the Long Wang Temple, and the altar glowed with dim crimson.

It was responding to its master's call.

In his mind palace, a crimson list appeared before Mo Hua.

The list bore blood-written characters.

Each blood character was entwined with a thread of life-soul.

Mo Hua did not hesitate; he extended his pale hand and crushed each life-soul, one by one, erasing them one by one.

He meant to root out every last trace.

Not just Water Yama—all the sinning cultivators on this list—he would erase them all at once!

This soul contract was a channel to nourish the evil god.

It was also a breeding ground for the evil god's minions.

If not utterly eradicated, it might one day spawn more figures like "Fire Huo Fotuo" or "Water Yama."

Gold Yama, Wood Yama, Earth Yama…

Mo Hua was too lazy to deal with them one by one; he chose instead to crush them all in the cradle, extinguishing their life-souls entirely.

The remaining blood characters on the list were erased one by one by Mo Hua, using his identity as the Embryo and the authority of the master.

Their soul essences were crushed one by one.

Each time a life-soul was crushed, a wail echoed, and the soul dissolved instantly.

The blood names on the list dimmed correspondingly, signifying total death—body and soul annihilated.

One squeeze, one death.

Thus, he crushed them for an unknown length of time, until finally, only one name remained:

Water Yama.

I said you're dead already.

Mo Hua spoke coldly, then reached out and crushed Hua Ruyu's life-soul between his fingers.

In the mortal world, one might rely on fame and fortune, power and influence, layers of spiritual energy and physical barriers.

But on the Path of the Spirit Soul, life and death are equal.

Crushing the life-soul of a noble-blooded, exalted son of heaven, who might one day hold high rank and power, is no harder than crushing any other's.

With just this one squeeze, life and death were decided.

Thus, every name on the list was erased.

All cultivators who had sold their spirit souls to the demonic god had their lingering souls obliterated, their bodies dead, their Dao extinguished.

The list was now utterly ruined.

Mo Hua condensed a spell and utterly shattered the jade slip, then scattered its fragments into the cliff before him.

A mountain wind passed, leaving not a speck of powder.

The ten-thousand-zhang abyss swallowed the evidence.

The clouds of Grand Void obscured the karmic threads.

The brilliant, radiant sunset on the horizon illuminated Mo Hua's solitary figure atop the peak, like a god who regarded all living things with indifference.

Having done all this, he severed all karmic ties.

Mo Hua calmed his emotions, rubbed his face, dissolved the killing intent from his expression, and his demeanor returned to calm and gentle.

Amid the mountain mist, stepping lightly over jagged rocks, he walked toward Grand Void Gate.

Like an ordinary little disciple of Grand Void Gate.

At the very moment he extinguished the spirit souls, strange omens of death appeared across Qianxue Province and its surrounding lands.

Outside Qianxue Province, in a remote, desolate mountain.

A dozen or so criminal cultivators lay in ambush, swords and knives in hand, talismans clutched, preparing to hijack a traveling cultivator caravan with families in tow.

But before they could act, several among them suddenly gasped as if their throats were crushed, eyes bulging, veins red with blood, writhing and screaming like madmen—then their foreheads turned black, and they collapsed lifelessly, dying without cause.

The cultivators in the caravan noticed the anomaly.

What was meant to be an ambush turned into open combat…

…

In a nameless small Xiancheng near Qianxue Province.

A cultivator who looked like a butcher seized several innocent cultivators, pinned them to a chopping block, and prepared to chop them up for soup.

He was at the peak of Foundation Establishment; his demonic art was on the verge of breakthrough.

Once the Butcher's Art was perfected, all would bow to him as "Big Brother."

But as he raised his cleaver, the karmic thread snapped.

As if some unseen hand had crushed his life-soul from afar.

The cultivator's gaze dimmed; his bloodshot eyes slowly turned white, then his massive, muscular body—without a single wound—collapsed with a thunderous crash, utterly dead.

The two murderous cultivators guarding the door also grimaced in pain and died alongside him.

Nearby, in a brothel.

A slick, powdered-faced man bound several Misses, preparing to drain their essence as they stared in terror.

But as he stripped off his clothes, his face turned ashen, he convulsed violently, then collapsed beside the bed, dead.

…

Within Qianxue Province, in the Dao Prison.

A criminal cultivator, disguised with transformation art and cowering in a corner, grinned wickedly as he scratched lines on the wall to count down the days until his "release," planning a big score once out.

Then suddenly, the omen of death descended.

His heart meridian was seized as if by an invisible hand—he could not breathe, racked with agonizing pain.

He struggled desperately, screamed wildly, clawing at the wall until his knuckles were raw and bloody, leaving streaks of crimson across the entire surface.

Moments later, he choked out his last breath and fell still.

The lines he had drawn were now entirely covered in his own blood.

The dates he had calculated were all void.

He died in the Dao Prison. In this life, he would never leave.

…

Meanwhile, within Qianxue Province, several medium and small sects saw disciples die under mysterious circumstances, shocking their elders—but no cause could be found.

…

At the same time, on the Yan Shui River.

Inside the Xia family's spirit vessel.

Hua Ruyu was applying makeup in her guest chamber.

She covered the burn scars on her face with powder and cosmetics, using these external aids to appear still beautiful and radiant.

In the crimson room, Hua Ruyu's lovely face twisted into a grotesque mask, illuminated by red light, resembling a demon.

"All men in this world are the same."

"The higher their rank, the more lecherous they become."

"My skills in pleasing men in bed are beyond what ordinary women could ever learn—even if I'm older now, past my prime, no longer favored by Young Masters—my arts of seduction still serve to train young maids, turning them into exquisite, soul-melting concubines…"

"Young Masters won't let me die…"

"Besides, after all these years, I've sold my body and smiled for countless powerful figures—do they think killing me is so easy?"

"If the rouge boat sinks, another will rise—so long as desire between men and women endures, there will always be more boats in this world…"

Hua Ruyu's face was clouded with resentment as she muttered to herself while applying her makeup.

But face reflects the heart—no matter how much powder and rouge she applied, she could not alter the twisted, vicious visage staring back from the mirror.

Add to that the burn scars, and she looked even more like a tapestry torn apart and crudely stitched back together—more repulsive than ever.

Hua Ruyu was furiously enraged, her hatred seething into her bones.

"Gu Changhuai… it's all your doing!"

"And Hua Qianqian—heartless and ungrateful, unable to recognize true kindness… I, your elder sister, did so much for you, hoping you might enjoy the ultimate bliss between man and woman—but you, you wretched creature, pretended to be virtuous with me…"

"Especially that little brat named Mo Hua!"

"With such a lovely face, whether you're male or female, some Young Master will surely take a fancy to you… One day, I'll make you regret it."

"Until then, as long as I train more maids to please those above me, I…"

Before she could finish, a sudden chill gripped her heart—as if someone had just revoked her death sentence and set her execution date.

Her soul began to wither and decay; in agonizing pain, she saw countless faces.

Singing maidens, all of peerless beauty, clustered together like blooming flowers, each in the prime of youth, all delicate and lovely.

They smiled at her, calling her sincerely, "Sister."

Their smiles were radiant, beautiful, enchanting.

But in the next instant, a cold wind blew—and blood tears streamed down every one of those lovely faces.

"Sister, why did you betray me?"

"Why, when I trusted you so completely, did you push me into the fire?"

"Sister, do you know how I was tortured to death—how terribly I suffered?"

"Sister, do you know where my corpse was buried…"

…

These voices, at first confused and lost, grew anguished and wretched, until they all merged into one piercing, terrifying chorus:

"Sister, I hate you!"

"Sister, you… repay me with your life!"

Hua Ruyu's soul shattered, her face drained of all color.

"It wasn't me, I didn't harm you—I did it for your own good, I…"

But the women paid no heed to her excuses; each one transformed into a vengeful ghost and lunged at her, tearing and biting.

Hua Ruyu struggled.

But the ones tearing at her were not ghosts—they were herself.

With her own hands, with her long nails, she clawed at her own face, ripped open her flesh, gouged into her heart meridian, until, consumed by boundless terror and agony as ghosts clung to her, she slowly ceased breathing.

The last thing Hua Ruyu saw before death was the face of a woman scorched by fire.

As she died, the burn marks on that woman's face slowly faded, revealing instead a calm, gentle visage.

It was Ye Jin.

Hua Ruyu seemed to want to say something to Ye Jin—perhaps to plead that she had acted for her good—but she never spoke; her soul vanished completely.

Ye Jin watched silently as Hua Ruyu died, then her figure gradually faded away.

Hua Ruyu was dead.

But no one aboard the spirit boat yet knew it.

In the grand hall, a banquet was underway.

Xia Diansi sat in the high seat, his expression solemn; to his right sat Xiao Tian.

All present were Jin Dan from the Xia family's delegation and elder figures from the Xiao family.

This was a banquet to strengthen ties between the Xia and Xiao families.

Cups clinked, the atmosphere was harmonious, conversation flowed merrily.

Above the high seat, a soundproof array had been set.

Xia Diansi spoke calmly to Xiao Tian:

"To accomplish great deeds, one must possess stillness. The more unpredictable the situation, the more one must conceal one's emotions and maintain composure."

"Earlier by the river, that young disciple had no evidence—but with sudden aggression and startling words, just a few sentences threw you into utter disarray."

"Your distracted, shaken demeanor—whether to Gu Changhuai and Rong'er, seasoned veterans of interrogations, or even an ordinary person with eyes—would have revealed your guilt at once."

"Then, to vent your frustration, you confessed everything you'd done—this is a grave error, incredibly foolish."

"How can you manage affairs and shoulder responsibility if you lack the composure to remain unmoved even as Mount Taishan collapses before you?"

Xiao Tian listened quietly and bowed respectfully:

"Yes, this humble disciple is foolish. From now on, I will surely remember your guidance."

Xia Diansi gave a slight nod.

"But…" Xiao Tian stammered.

Xia Diansi sensed his unease and said slowly: "Dao Ting Si investigates based on evidence. Without proof, there is no guilt."

"Moreover, investigation means to seek proof—without investigation, where would proof come from?"

"From now on, no one will investigate you."

Xiao Tian breathed a sigh of relief, his face brightening as he bowed: "Thank you, Inspector."

"Don't thank me—I'm merely…" Xia Diansi paused, "following the rules."

"Your wisdom is clear, Inspector," Xiao Tian said, then his expression turned slightly ashamed: "What of… Xia Diansi?"

"I can no longer speak of Rong'er," Xia Diansi said, his gaze darkening. "But whether this matter has a turning point depends on you. If you truly devote yourself to her well-being, if you move her heart and win her back, it's not too late."

"Even if you two are ultimately destined to part, it matters not—I will choose another direct-line daughter from the Xia family to marry you, to cement the alliance between our two families."

Xiao Tianquan was overjoyed, but outwardly he said:

"I will sincerely and wholeheartedly do everything in my power to make Xia Diansi change his mind."

"Mm." Xia Jiancha nodded.

The matter was thus settled; neither mentioned it again, and they turned to discussing the matter at hand.

Xia Jiancha said: "Your Xiao clan has many disciples; among this generation, though you are outstanding, you are not the only one. Other branches also have disciples of extraordinary talent and remarkable ability—your fiercest rivals for the position of clan head."

"But now it no longer matters. With the Xia family's favor, all of them will bow beneath you."

"Every path has been paved for you. You need only cultivate diligently, step by step upward. Reach the Jin Dan realm, and you may marry into the Xia family and become the Xiao clan's designated next head."

"And once your cultivation reaches Liu Yuhua, the current head will step down unconditionally and install you in his place. At that time, you will be the true and legitimate head of the Xiao clan, and the Xia family will stand behind you, aiding you in ruling the clan."

Xiao Tianquan's eyes gleamed with excitement, his face flushed red.

Xia Jiancha's gaze flickered slightly. "Still, there is one more matter…"

Xiao Tianquan paused, puzzled. "You mean…"

"The Life-Sustaining Talisman of the Original Spirit!"

Xia Jiancha said gravely: "You must find a way to have your clan's elder ancestor plant a Life-Sustaining Talisman of the Original Spirit within you. Only then will your future be truly secure, and only then will the Xia family feel confident enough to support your ascension."

Xiao Tianquan frowned, his expression hesitant.

The Xiao clan is indeed a fifth-rank family, and they do possess a Void-Opening elder ancestor.

But…

Both of the clan's Void-Opening elder ancestors, though aged, remain fully intact.

Many clan affairs depend on these two elders to strategize and make decisions.

The Xiao clan also relies on their presence to maintain its cultivation connections and deter other powers.

These two elders cannot afford even the slightest mishap.

Ultimately, the Xiao clan is only a weak fifth-rank family, lacking deep reserves—each Void-Opening elder is invaluable.

Planting a Life-Sustaining Talisman imposes a tremendous toll on a Void-Opening elder.

Unless their life energy is spent and their Dao path utterly hopeless, no elder would ever lightly plant a Life-Sustaining Talisman.

Among clans, only those at the pinnacle—the sixth-rank families—and those powerful fifth-rank clans with five or more Void-Opening elders and profound reserves can truly afford to plant such talismans.

The Xiao clan is far from possessing such qualifications.

Thus Xiao Tianquan was deeply troubled. "Jiancha, this may not be easy…"

Xia Jiancha replied coldly: "We are cultivators. The Dao is fraught with countless obstacles—nothing is ever easy. This, too, is a test of you…"

Xiao Tianquan frowned. "Is the Life-Sustaining Talisman of the Original Spirit truly that important?"

Xia Jiancha sighed slightly:

"You were raised in a clan, sheltered since childhood—you do not understand how perilous the cultivation world is, how unpredictable and terrifying its depths are. At advanced stages, there exist horrors beyond naming and unfathomable methods."

"Without a Life-Sustaining Talisman to protect you, one misstep could mean sudden death."

"Ordinary cultivators may not matter, but you are different. Your clan places great hopes on you; the Xia family will invest immense effort into paving your path and aiding your cultivation."

"If you die, the Xiao clan's future is extinguished, and all the Xia family's efforts will be wasted."

"Therefore, planting the Life-Sustaining Talisman is of critical importance!"

"This is not merely your affair—it is not only for you, but for the Xiao clan, for the Xia clan, and for the future of our two families' alliance."

Hearing this, Xiao Tianquan understood the stakes and nodded solemnly:

"The elder ancestor loves me. I will beg him with every means at my disposal—he must plant a Life-Sustaining Talisman for me, no matter what."

Xia Jiancha nodded, his expression satisfied.

He lifted his cup and said to Xiao Tianquan:

"In the not-so-distant future, you may sit beside me, drinking and chatting, and I shall address you as 'Head of the Xiao Clan.'"

Xiao Tianquan's heart surged with ecstasy, his face flushed crimson.

"I, your humble disciple, will never forget your guidance and favor!"

The two raised their cups and drank together.

Xiao Tianquan drained his cup in one gulp, his face growing even redder.

Xia Jiancha was about to say more to Xiao Tianquan, but seeing his condition, he suddenly frowned.

Xiao Tianquan's face grew redder still, his expression more ecstatic—but for some reason, his appearance grew increasingly strange.

Then, in an instant, all his excitement turned to terror.

The cup fell to the ground; Xiao Tianquan collapsed, as if witnessing something utterly horrifying, his face pale, struggling inch by inch backward.

At the same time, he muttered:

"Not me… I didn't kill him…"

"Don't come for me…"

"Jin… I…"

His eyes widened further, pupils bulging, veins crimson with blood.

As if he saw countless souls he had tortured, abused, slaughtered, or ground to death with various methods to cultivate dark qi.

Now, his life-soul had been snuffed out, his spirit unstable—all the dark qi recoiled upon him.

As if drowned in a sea of blood.

Countless vengeful spirits gnawed at his soul.

The agony of torment sank deep into his bones.

In his final moments, he truly felt the agony of being tortured to death.

Fortunately, the process was not long.

After a brief struggle of terror, Xiao Tianquan bled from all seven orifices, his breath snuffed out, and he died a wretched death on the spot.

The banquet, which had originally been one of clinking cups and merry guests, fell into dead silence in an instant.

Xia the Inspector's pupils trembled violently.

Every cultivator in the hall wore a look of horror.

The Xiao family's promising pride of heaven, right before Xia the Inspector—a True Person of Feather Transformation—and the eyes of every Xiao family elder in the hall, dropped dead on the spot.