Chapter 1414

"Sect Master Bu, my master—how is he?"

Bu Qing shook his head and sighed: "He Da Neng's healing divine ability is useless, Old Sect Master—he's probably fallen into a deep sleep, and waking up may take a hundred years or more, unless—"

"Unless what?"

"He Da Neng said, unless we can find two or more supreme-grade blood treasures and then use the divine ability, perhaps we can shorten the time."

Qiu Ye gave a bitter laugh, slumped onto the blue stone bench, completely losing all means of struggle: "Supreme-grade blood treasures, supreme-grade blood treasures—how hard they are to find. Even a first-rank sect's stock might be only two or three. If I had known earlier, we of Jiuyi Mountain should not have fought the River God Sect. We not only lack supreme-grade treasures, but we are also in debt—"

Bu Qing said helplessly: "Elder Qiu Ye, why blame yourself? You have already—"

The words trailed off.

Bu Qing and Qiu Ye both narrowed their eyes, raising their hands to block the light. Streams of flowing light like Mercedes-Benz shot in all directions, weaving through the red clouds of the heavens, vanishing instantly. The flowing light halted above Jiuyi Mountain, manifesting golden characters, accompanied by the voice of Wu Lingxu, spreading across the world.

"Immortal Edict of Departure!"

Bu Qing and Qiu Ye were shocked, both bowing deeply.

All elders and disciples on Jiuyi Mountain knelt in worship.

"The Immortal Edict has five points. First, the sect master of the River God Sect, whose true name is Liang Qu, is actually a spy from the Netherworld Realm, greedy and lustful, committing adultery and plunder, harming living beings, assassinating the Immortal of Departure, committing every conceivable evil.

Therefore, effective immediately, the River God Sect, a second-rank sect, is stripped of its status, its disciples dispersed, and its mountain gate position is to be taken over by the third-rank sect Jiuyi Mountain. Liang Qu's monkey head is to be hung, with a bounty of one hundred supreme-grade blood treasures offered for anyone with Great Perfection power, supported by immortal artifacts.

Second, effective immediately, all first-rank sects possessing immortal artifacts that have not been refined shall be uniformly collected by the Heavenfire Sect, and refinement may only occur within the Heavenfire Sect.

Third, the first-rank sects Yufeng Lou and Chidi Ling, failing to guard their immortal artifacts, shall from today be downgraded to third-rank sects, relocate within three days, with their remains sent to the Heavenfire Sect. Fourth, the area within five hundred li of the Dragon King's Lair, if there are Netherworld beings appearing, is to be designated a forbidden zone. The northern 270 li of the Longmen Sect, the southern—forbidden zone, no unauthorized entry; trespassers shall be killed without question.

Fifth, all sects under heaven shall from today enter a state of war readiness, dispatching disciples to patrol day and night, guard against the Netherworld Realm, report information, and upon summons, must not evade! Those who evade shall be beheaded!"

Bu Qing and Qiu Ye first felt joy, then shock; after hearing it all, they gaped, and simultaneously a monkey's face appeared in their minds.

Shu Yu Ge, Peach Garden.

This place only remains with futons; the once bustling peach forest is now quiet and still.

Qi Shuoyan gazed at the heavenly Immortal Edict in the sky, arms crossed, waiting, until finally the breathless Elder Fang arrived.

"Elder Qi, Elder Qi, what you instructed—I have fully investigated." Elder Fang panted, fear still on his face, words tumbling out: "Yufeng Lou and Chidi Ling are destroyed, completely destroyed. Fourteen Great Powers—thirteen are dead! All dead! The sect's immortal artifacts have also been seized, only the sect master of Yufeng Lou, Yu Baiyi, escaped by a fluke!"

Qi Shuoyan's breath caught, her chest twitching twice: "How many people went?"

Elder Fang tremblingly raised two fingers.

"Two?!" Qi Shuoyan's pupils widened, "Just two people? A first-rank sect?"

Elder Fang nodded heavily: "Two, just two people—one is the sect master of the River God Sect, the other is also a Great Power, likewise relying on hanging from the River God Sect's bloodstone stele, unknown name, and moreover—"

"And what?" Qi Shuoyan tensed.

Elder Fang swallowed his saliva, really unwilling to say, finally glancing at his chest, gritted his teeth, and lowered his voice: "It is said the Fifth Immortal has already fallen, also done by those two! Moreover, a city in the northwest has become ruins, all of it Netherworld Realm people."

Wind blew through the peach forest.

Ripples swayed.

"I am Liang Qu, because my name contains water, so my nickname is Ashui. At fourteen I fished in the great marsh, at fifteen I began cultivation, at eighteen I entered the fourth realm, breaking the current dynasty's record; at twenty-two I entered the fifth realm, breaking the world's record; at twenty-eight I entered the sixth realm, breaking all records of ancient and modern times! Now thirty, within the sixth realm I am utterly invincible—"

The youth's face reappeared before my eyes, his words echoing in my ears.

Truly—peerless elegance.

Elder Fang stared wide-eyed.

Qi Shuoyan clenched her fists, took a deep breath: "Good, thank you for your trouble, Elder Fang."

After being praised by Qi Shuoyan, Elder Fang felt a secret warmth in his heart, glanced again, and drifted away, carefree.

Dajue Temple, behind the mountain, a thatched hut.

A rooster stretched its neck, pecking at dried Higanbana stems.

Chu Wang and Yi Chen stared in shock and doubt: "This is what Liang Qu and Zhang Longxiang did—how many years have they been dead? What did these two eat?"

Huizhen clasped her hands: "Good, good."

"Ha, ha, sigh, Master, can we really cleanse body and mind this way?"

"Of course, this is the secret transmission of my Lotus Sect. Whenever the Lady tosses and turns at night, it is merely inner demons at work—better to guide than suppress. With my demon-subduing pestle, I guide her once, and naturally body and mind feel at ease, no more demon heads. After cultivating for five hundred years in this way, one will certainly be reborn as a man—Who! What are you doing? What are you doing? Who let you in!"

"Issue the Khan's Order! Within the Northern Court domain, Lotus Sect cultivators are forbidden from preaching, all to be expelled. Those who continue to secretly support the Lotus Sect at home shall be stripped of their titles, male slaves and female servants!"

"Let me go, let me go, you are falsely transmitting the Khan's Order! I am a disciple of the senior master of Beilun Temple—you—"

"Still dare to resist—kill without question!"

"Ah!!!"

Scorching blood splattered onto the face, mixed with hot sweat sticking to the face. The woman struggled and screamed, then was seized by a soldier who grabbed her hair and dragged her off the bed.

In the twelfth month, heaven cold and earth frozen, blood and sweat rose as vapor, on the naked body emitting rolling heat mist, quickly freezing into ice, like candied hawthorn, wrapped in a layer of sugary crisp shell.

"Batu! Batu! Save me!"

A bearded man stood with hands behind his back, watching soldiers drag away his wife, cold-eyed and indifferent. He had long known his hair-wife's affair with the Lotus Sect monk, but helplessly, since superiors believed in the Lotus Sect, using this as an excuse to kill his wife would bring ostracism. Today the Great Khan has an order, superiors are dismissed, and finally he can righteously kill this adulterous couple. Cultivation? Cultivate your mother's chicken shit.

"Kill him!"

"Yes!"

The soldier raised his great sword.

"Batu! Ah!"

The man grew angrier the more he thought, snatched the saber, slit open his abdomen, pulled out his organs, whistled to summon the fierce dog.

"Feed the dog!"

Throughout the Northern Court, blood flowed like rivers, and there were also civilian uprisings, all unable to suppress the Great Khan's wrath. From top to bottom, a great purge—Lotus Sect monks fled overnight, like scraping bone to cure poison.

"The Great Li Taizu is not dead, the Dream Dynasty is real, the Fifth Immortal has descended upon the Lotus Sect, rushing to seize the Northern Court and occupy the diseased tiger, the Great Khan severed his arm, then turned to the Great Shun—Liang Qu and Zhang Longxiang jointly killed the Fifth Immortal—seized Suhe Baru, the Fourth Immortal—"

The tribal leader held the secret report, finally understanding what had happened, but he doubted he had seen false information.

"The Huai Wang and Longxiang Wang shall again achieve unparalleled merit, capturing the Northern Court Tiger King alive, beheading the new venerable of the Lotus Sect, helping the Yellow Sand River create the Dragon King, calming waves and stilling ripples. His Majesty will convene the grand court assembly on December 21st at the Chen hour, rewarding meritorious officials! No illness no leave, no mistakes allowed."

Throughout the imperial capital, all must be informed.

But a greater undercurrent was surging.

Every official with even a shred of connections, every well-informed one, was now fully mobilized.

——

"General Xu, is this Netherworld business real? Does a 'Netherworld' truly exist in the world? The kind where one lives forever, undying, and can reincarnate?"

"How would I know." Xu Wenzhuo's expression didn't change.

"How can you not know?" The official grew anxious. "The Dragon-Elephant King is in seclusion and won't speak, but Prince Huai isn't in seclusion—he's right in the capital. You and his master are sworn brothers; if you don't know now, just ask him and you'll find out!"

Xu Wenzhuo sneered: "What, you're still alive and already thinking about your afterlife? Want to reincarnate into a good womb, or defect to Great Li and live forever, undying? Want it that badly? Fine, I'll go ask Prince Huai, and have him send you straight to the Netherworld—how about that?"

"——No need, no need." The official's face changed abruptly; he forced a smile, rubbing his hands, set down his gift, changed the subject, and left in embarrassment.

Xu Wenzhuo pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Live forever, undying——"

By the Jishui Pond, in the courtyard, beneath the parasol tree.

——

The old toad sat squatting on a round stone, frog head held high. All the water beasts lay prostrate on both sides; Long Yao and Long Li, holding cloak, scepter, and jeweled crown, stepped forward to present them.

Liang Qu trod the four directions, put on the jeweled crown, passed the scepter, gave bow and arrows, transmitted the black millet wine, bestowed the axe and battle-axe, sent lotus seeds, and finally unfurled the great red cloak, turned left and right with both hands, circled past the big frog head, tied a butterfly knot, and fastened it at the old toad's chest.

The river wind blew past.

The old toad sat squatting on a round stone, jeweled crown atop its head, scepter gripped in hand, great red cloak fluttering and billowing behind it, unrivaled under heaven!

Tiger eyes scanned all around, looking down on the water beasts; the old toad drew a deep breath, raised the scepter high.

It—was the one everyone looked to!

Glory belongs to the frog clan!

"Oh~ lalala!"

The Third Prince's tail wrapped in gauze, a feather on his head, he waved claws and clapped mouth, letting out rhythmic shouts; Liang Qu seemed to return to a Native American tribe.

The beaver swung its flat tail, beating the great drum. The river otter shook sand balls, rubbing them to make sound.

Fists striking double pincers, unable to move tail to slap tree, round-headed twin fins clapping, fat fish rolling up the bianzhong, long whiskers striking in turn—vigorous, powerful music reverberated through the courtyard.

"Hou ha! Hou ha! Hou ha!"

The old toad turned its back, gripped the scepter, stuck up its buttocks, left up, right up.

Liang Qu cleared his throat, mouth forming an "oh" shape.

"Oh~~~ who lives in the big cave deep in the water?"

"Grandpa! Grandpa!" The Third Prince sang.

"Round and yellow, seek fortune avoid disaster?"

"National Preceptor! National Preceptor!" The fat fish shouted.

"If the world submits to your heart's desire——"

"Left郎 Left郎!" Fists striking double pincers.

"Then knock knock the lotus, let the frog clear the way!"

"National Preceptor! National Preceptor!" The immobile one flipped over, lying down, swinging tail to hit the tree.

"Ready!"

"National Preceptor! National Preceptor!" "National Preceptor! National Preceptor!" "National Preceptor! National Preceptor!"

Passersby glanced sideways, listening to the strange song coming from Prince Huai's mansion.

Long Yao and Long Li propped their chins on the table, rolled their eyes, watching Long Eying sitting on the steps laughing softly and clapping.

"Eying-jie, don't you think it's very——not very pleasant to listen to?"

"Ah? Not at all." Long Eying hummed softly, palms patting her knees to keep time. "The rhythm is lively, very interesting."

"Hah!" Long Yao and Long Li pursed their lips and blew, blowing up their bangs.

Married Eying-jie—hopeless.

Boom!

A qi pillar erupted with a boom, scattering layers of clouds.

A gentle breeze brushed faces in the courtyard.

Liang Qu tilted his head to watch the sky; that position was——

"Finally emerged from seclusion."

Liang Qu turned to look at the grand chorus, stretched out a hand and pinched: "Stop."

The music halted abruptly; the old toad was displeased.

"National Preceptor, please calm yourself; wait for me to go out and see the Dragon-Elephant King, then come back and sing again."

"Fine then."

Liang Qu vanished without a trace; the old toad looked left and right, raised the scepter again: "Come, continue the music, continue the dance! Footless Frog, you start the tune!"

The fat fish cleared its throat, opened its mouth round: "Oh~~~ who lives in the big cave deep in the water——"

"Thirteenth Stage, Awakening Realm——"

Zhang Longxiang's eyes shone bright, he clenched his fist.

——

The Calamity Dragon, thoroughly perfected!

Nineteen Calamity Dragons, the spirit and body of a Half-Immortal!

Owl God Snatches Food—first fate, then refined as the third divine ability for him; defeat one person and one's own strength can increase greatly for a long time, then fall back. The remainder solidifies as foundation. Zhang Longxiang had never felt his third divine ability could be so wondrous.

Killing more than half the Martial Saints of the vast Beiting wouldn't yield such a bountiful harvest.

Not only the realm, but the Root Sea and divine abilities have also grown; his own strength has more than doubled — yet before another matter, these are not worth mentioning.

He looked inward at himself.

The sea of clouds is vast and boundless; above the towering heavenly palace, countless crimson streams of light converge.

According to Liang Qu's prior experience —

Even Zhang Longxiang could not help but hold his breath.

Position Fruit embryo!

Zhang Longxiang had never imagined that his Position Fruit embryo would be nurtured into existence so quickly!

The Awakening realm wields the Great Position Fruit, merging body with Dao — that is the furnace, transforming into a Human Immortal!

"A pity it falls far short; still cannot wield authority —" Zhang Longxiang pondered the path ahead, then his expression shifted and he stepped out of the room.

The Awakening-realm Wu Sheng emerged from seclusion, his momentum astonishing; half the imperial capital's populace took notice, officials uniformly prepared gifts, preparing to visit.

Yet only one person managed to see Zhang Longxiang after he emerged.

"Such momentum — looks like King Longxiang's harvest is bountiful indeed." Liang Qu stepped over the threshold, offering congratulations first.

"King Huai's harvest certainly isn't smaller than mine; the Sage Emperor is magnanimous, even bestowing a Position Fruit." Zhang Longxiang was genuinely pleased; he pulled Liang Qu to sit facing him, personally poured tea, a cup each. "How is it — is the First-Rate Sect's immortal artifact truly a Position Fruit? Mm—"

"Hehehe, hahaha, jiejiejie."

Watching Liang Qu suddenly laugh, and keep on with "strange laughter" and "foolish laughter," if they hadn't ventured together, the current Liang Qu would seem possessed by some filthy thing from the netherworld; Zhang Longxiang froze for a moment, then couldn't help laughing either, affirming: "So it seems King Huai's harvest really was huge?"

"Hahaha, sorry, I don't usually laugh like this unless I can't hold it in." Liang Qu shook his head, interest piqued, couldn't resist glancing at the Ze Ding again. "Right, exactly — a bumper harvest!"

Inside the Ze Ding, a small sword, a red cauldron — two immortal artifacts floated unsteadily, each wreathed in various colored long qi.

【Yong Fruit】

【Authority: Bing Sha】

【Category: Calamity】

【Weapons are like fire; if not restrained, they will burn themselves.】

【Refining Vessel: Dwells in weapons, feeds on sha to live】

【Advancement Vessel: Cease war for martial, forge sword as form; Year 3 of Da Feng, no drought no flood, can advance to Governing-category Position Fruit — Kang Fruit】

【Realm Vessel: Ba Fruit, Ying Fruit, Fei Fruit, Yong Fruit — gather the Four Calamities, Water Lord as king, can summon the Bright Calamity Realm】

Yong Fruit!

The old toad took the bottom slot, sending Liang Qu to seize the first immortal artifact — the Zhu Lu Sword!

It is precisely one of the Four Fruits that open the Calamity Realm!

Wish fulfilled!

Liang Qu knew the old toad became formidable after advancing to a Great Demon; his instinct to seek fortune and avoid disaster was razor-sharp.

By the Ba Fruit's principle of extremes reversing, Great Li unifying the world and changing sects into a dynasty might well obtain the Yong Fruit; combined with the nine great sects' immortal artifact traits, he had earlier guessed the Zhu Lu Sword might be the Yong Fruit — this confirmation was within reason.

But it didn't end there.

Plans can't keep up with changes — because Great Li's Taizu awakened, and the old toad's divination, this operation differed in many ways from the prior plan.

Liang Qu did not have Hui Zhen, Qi Wu Yan and the others act, coordinating inside and out — saving that for the next full-scale assault — so he only robbed two First-Rate Sects, seizing two immortal artifacts total!

However, the second Position Fruit was even more unexpected, even more surprising — almost making Liang Qu, once he learned what this thing was, unable to sleep the entire time Zhang Longxiang was in seclusion.

Simply made Liang Qu want to prostrate in admiration, even kiss the old toad's webbed feet.

How could things go this smoothly?

Blue tides surge; the red cauldron rises and sinks.

【Fei Fruit】

【Authority: Wen Sha】

【Category: Calamity】

【Calamity as pestilence; humans and livestock all perish, white bones fill fields, cooking smoke cut off.】

【Refining Vessel: Poison erodes six viscera, corpse liberation spreads pestilence】

【Advancement Vessel: Remove ominous, sweep evil seeds; medicine and stone powerless, only avoid the world; exhaust all filth qi, cleanse heaven and earth — can advance to Governing-category Position Fruit — Qing Geng】

【Realm Vessel: Ba Fruit, Ying Fruit, Fei Fruit, Yong Fruit — gather the Four Calamities, Water Lord as king, can summon the Bright Calamity Realm】

Mei Fruit, Ying Fruit, Fei Fruit, Yong Fruit.

Drought calamity, flood calamity, pestilence calamity, war calamity.

Mei Fruit, Fei Fruit, Yong Fruit all exist, all present.

Only one short of four.

7