Chapter 277

"To withstand the impact of the River of Time, everyone must stay inside the starship?" Su Lin, while gazing into the mirror, styled his hair.

"That's just an excuse made by a bunch of incompetent actors trying to slack off."

"While our Master Qu is locked in his room cultivating, these guys are out there eating, drinking, having fun, and even playing a few rounds of mahjong."

"I don't deny eating, drinking, and playing mahjong," Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan said, donning an ancient-style long robe as a warm, radiant white flame surged in his hand, "but we spend most of our time cultivating. You, on the other hand—I feel your cultivation hasn't advanced in ages. Are you indulging in pleasures and losing your drive?"

Any sustained effect, derivative product, or power granted by Heaven's Will vanishes the moment Su Lin cancels it—knowledge leaves no trace, and the power gained disappears.

In short, relying on Heaven's Will to fight, cause chaos, and show off for a while is fine if you're the fat tiger of this world—but you can't exploit bugs.

Of course, there are exceptions, like an Indian programmer walking into a restaurant, writing down a dish name, then ordering dry-fried river beef without eating any beef.

The sword tomb before him is precisely such a product.

Though there was no absurd time differential of ten thousand years in an instant or a hundred years in a day, nor could he experience the same time flow as the "protagonist" in VP, within this displaced spacetime, Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan had already cultivated into a Battle Emperor, Ye Fan had consumed one-tenth of his family fortune, and Liu Li Ge had immediately entered seclusion atop Water Mirror Peak, abstaining entirely from eating, drinking, and entertainment, only occasionally popping up in the group chat.

Kleine and Song Shuhang weren't idle either; besides clocking in on schedule to explain the setting to the "protagonist" and encouraging him to maintain his composure, they spent all other time busily handling various tasks.

However, these people's cultivation paths weren't like the "Sword God of Ten Li Slope," so most of the time they also went out to relax.

"You're right," Su Lin altered his face into the appearance of Gu Yue Fang Yuan—black hair, black eyes—and nodded. "Deep Blue, add some."

A beam of light descended from the heavens, gale-force winds howled, a black robe flapped violently in the fierce wind, the Dao of Time encircled him, his right hand lifted slightly, dense immortal energy swirling at his fingertip.

"Sigh," Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan sighed at Su Lin's casual demeanor, shifting his face into Gu Yue Fang Zheng's. "I'm being serious with you. Forget it, big brother—add one for me too."

"It's not that I don't want to enhance my true body, but something seems wrong with it," Su Lin snapped his fingers, instantly boosting Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan's temporary cultivation to an utterly terrifying level.

"You still run into problems?" Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan gave him a look of disbelief. "It's not April Fools' Day."

"We'll talk about it later—first, let's handle this place," Su Lin shrugged and flew toward the sword tomb's passage.

After a short vacation, Su Lin resumed cultivation and initially noticed nothing unusual, but as his cultivation gradually advanced, his Jin Dan and Nascent Soul began fighting again.

Though these two things fighting didn't harm him.

But if someone were playing basketball beside you while you cultivated, the ball's thumping echoing like the loudest stereo system—what would you do? Go over and give him a Lightning Five-Strike Whip?

Before entering the passage, Su Lin cast one final wistful glance at the blue sky. He wasn't worried that he couldn't improve his strength without cultivation—the system still offered high-priced infusion, and buying high-priced techniques came with matching cultivation boosts.

"But those are money! Every point was earned through my own struggle! This path won't work."

"I refuse to believe I can't fix these two."

"If pushed to the brink, I'll wipe my account! Reincarnate!"

"My situation? The cheapest item that guarantees 100% removal of Chaos influence and a full-body quality boost—what's it called again? Forgotten Spring Water… 30? Are you fucking kidding me?!"

"Spirit Domain Holy Spring—41, comes with marrow cleansing and pseudo-spirit race physiology. Isn't this the thing I originally saved for Zhong Li?!"

"..."

"Forget it—they're all my own kids. I'll give them one more chance."

Qu Yanping had no idea how long he'd been traveling within the sword tomb. Honestly, for cultivators, this environment wasn't bad.

It'd be better if not for these strange things.

He touched the Heavenly Eye on his head—he was certain he'd been haunted by a terrifying monster, though its purpose...

Was it to escape the River of Time? To fulfill an uncompleted wish?

Or perhaps...

He glanced at the sea of sword qi outside and the Infinite Swords beneath its surface—if its goal was to have him lift the seal of that great being, trouble would be immense.

After peering into the River of Time, Qu Yanping had only described the origin of the sword tomb—he hadn't uttered a single word about the being within the River of Time.

Fortunately, the Yuzhe Sect members weren't fools; they sensed something on him, divined some information, and cast spells to block that being's gaze.

"Is the Yuzhe also a being of that level? No, it must be—based on the traces uncovered in Eden and those hidden clues, the Yuzhe might also be a terrifying monster."

"If only they'd kill each other—let the dogs fight."

Thud! Thud! Thud!

"Master Qu, we've reached the boundary of the sword tomb's deep zone. Don't worry—the River of Time is completely severed by sword qi here," came Merlin Hermes's voice from outside.

Qu Yanping exhaled slightly in relief.

He opened the door and stepped out. Numerous cultivators stood in the corridor, walking outward.

Since most of them were at least "Ruyi Zhenxian" cultivators, their faces showed little fatigue or pressure—as if everything they'd endured meant nothing.

"Mindset."

He assessed the gap between himself and these immortals—not just in cultivation, but in their calmness toward danger.

Qu Yanping believed his Dao heart had become unshakable since he began the Outer Path, yet back then he had almost nothing; now that he'd gained many opportunities, his Dao heart had begun to waver.

Even if the path ahead was full of peril—so what? It was no different from surviving in the cracks as before.

Greater danger, greater reward.

"Did you hear? A spirit talisman brought word—they've contacted the first immortals to enter this place. In three hours, we'll reach their temporary camp."

"Did they send any info about the sword tomb? This place is too strange. Last time we encountered something this terrifying was in the Immortal Qin ruins—every underground nation was filled with immortal-level terracotta warriors."

"No useful info yet, but rumors say several unknown Myriad Worlds are also exploring the sword tomb. The original cultivators clashed with them at first, but now things have calmed—they're even willing to establish diplomatic ties and explore together."

"Our immediate priority is to establish a new portal to send word out."

These immortals spoke without hiding anything, so Qu Yanping naturally stood among the crowd, straining his ears to listen.

"The River of Time appeared too abruptly, causing heavy losses—yet the Three Realms Alliance is so eager. I suspect, beyond the sword tomb's inherent value, there must be other secrets."

"Quiet! We can't discuss such matters. We're all rogue cultivators who came voluntarily to explore with the Three Realms Alliance, seeking opportunities! No one forced us!"

"Yes, I understand."

Qu Yanping unconsciously frowned—their words matched his own suspicions. Even a Mystical Realm like this one seemed oddly excessive for such a massive alliance of great beings.

It seemed even immortals couldn't escape the law of the jungle. This alliance must serve some hidden purpose on the great beings' chessboard.

It was a pity—those immortals and gods, having cultivated for eons, endured countless tribulations, only to perish in the River of Time, utterly annihilated.

"Liu Jianyi, where's your junior sister?" a Confucian immortal asked a somewhat lazy cultivator. "Wasn't she also on this starship?"

"Fell into the river of time," Liu Jianyi replied indifferently. "Wait until the news spreads—let our master fish him out. I'm exhausted. I should've just fallen in myself instead of having to explore this Sword Tomb with you."

Qu Yanping: "."

What's going on? Is there a top-tier immortal scion here?

His thought didn't linger long, for all personnel aboard the starship had now reached the deck, and a Jin Xian with a lotus mark on his forehead spoke:

"When we reach the camp, be careful. Among the major realms we've contacted, one world also has a Heavenly Court—but they're Cultivation Demons. Information is here; stay vigilant."

"According to the Cultivation Demon Realm's Heavenly Court, an ultimate demon has also arrived at the Sword Tomb. I'm now transmitting his portrait and details—pay close attention to this figure. You may never see his true form, but if you do, do not provoke him!"

"Report any information immediately."

As the Jin Xian spoke, Qu Yanping's heart lurched—a piece of information struck his mind.

【Demon Lord of Refining Heaven: Gu Yue Fang Yuan】

"The Heavenly Court of the Cultivation Demon Realm has a Heavenly Mandate Commander who looks very much like Gu Yue Fang Yuan—don't mistake them," the Jin Xian added another transmission.

【Master of the Demon-Slaying List: Gu Yue Fang Zheng】

Qu Yanping glanced at Gao Sheng without expression. Gao Sheng's eyes were wide, his face filled with shock. Sensing Qu Yanping's gaze, he turned his head, opened his mouth, then closed it without speaking.

【Seven days after entering the inner realm of the Sword Tomb.】

"Brother Qu, Brother Gao, seeing you both unharmed, I'm relieved."

Inside a floating city hundreds of miles across, within the Cultivation Demon Realm's Heavenly Court fortress, Gu Yue Fang Yuan smiled warmly, playing with a jade carving, and greeted Qu Yanping warmly.

"Brother, you two chat. I still have official duties to attend to." Gu Yue Fang Zheng led Qu Yanping and Gao Sheng into a chamber crafted from Jin Yu, nodded to them, then shut the door and left.

Even Qu Yanping hadn't expected that, after the Yuzhe Sect's people went out to gather intelligence and stopped clinging to him like a sticky plaster, he and Gao Sheng had come seeking Gu Yue Fang Zheng for answers—only to find themselves brought here.

"How should I address you, Brother Gu Yue? Or Demon Lord of Refining Heaven?" Qu Yanping pondered briefly and understood the situation.

Most likely, like Gao Sheng, when outsiders entered, they replaced the corresponding identities within Penglai. Thus, when Gu Yue Fang Yuan arrived, he and his younger brother began working together.

"Demon Lord, mighty and awe-inspiring—please spare this humble one's life!" Gao Sheng smiled faintly, clasping his fists in supplication. "I never imagined Brother Gu Yue was such a supreme evil presence in this realm—terrifying, utterly terrifying!"

"What Demon Lord of Refining Heaven?" Gu Yue Fang Yuan chuckled helplessly. "I'm completely baffled. Aside from hearing a few things from Fang Zheng's mouth, I have zero memories of the past since assuming this identity."

"I've heard many legends about the Demon Lord during these past days," Qu Yanping said, his gaze filled with admiration. "The things you've done—truly a model of the demonic path."

These past days' rumors made Qu Yanping feel as if he'd glimpsed his own past self—but this "Gu Yue Fang Yuan" was even more ruthless.

"Brother Qu, Brother Gao, stop teasing me," Gu Yue Fang Yuan waved his hand, looking overwhelmed. "How could I possibly commit such heinous acts? This Illusory Realm's imposed identity has plagued me terribly."

"Sit down. I know you have many questions. Though I'm unworthy, I've gained some insights thanks to the cultivation level granted by this Illusory Realm."

After an exchange, Qu Yanping obtained much useful information from Gu Yue Fang Yuan.

This Illusory Realm resembles the ancient era before the Great Cataclysm, yet differs in many ways: numerous fragmented worlds manifest like legends from Earth's various regions, and some unique minor realms are unheard-of.

The concept of Heavenly Dao Treasures exists across countless worlds in this Illusory Realm—and these Heavenly Dao Treasures are absolutely real, even capable of being taken out of the Illusory Realm.

If a cultivator entering here possesses a corresponding Illusory Realm identity, he directly replaces it and gains its cultivation level—but retains none of its memories: no relationships, no past experiences. It's as if you've possessed this world's person.

The reason the swords in the Sword Tomb cannot be freely taken lies in the sea of sword qi above them. Each sword, regardless of rank or strength, is linked to the sea of sword qi—pull one thread, and the whole fabric trembles. Though powerful cultivators may retrieve some lower-grade swords, the risk always outweighs the reward; the stronger the sword, the fiercer the sword qi backlash.

"But there is a way—occasionally, some swords are left behind when the river of time recedes. That's the opportunity." Gu Yue Fang Yuan pulled out a silver-and-gold longsword radiating chilling cold. "For example, this weapon."

After further conversation, Qu Yanping voiced his lingering question:

"Brother Fang Yuan, why do you believe this world is false? It has a complete history—everything feels utterly real…"

He hadn't finished speaking when Gao Sheng interrupted.

"Brother Qu," Gao Sheng looked at Qu Yanping with complex emotion.

"If this world is real… then we…"

"What are we?"

Qu Yanping froze. He had never expected Gao Sheng to say this.

"In this world, Gao Sheng has a cultivation partner—a fairy I've never met," Gao Sheng said solemnly, his gaze slightly cold.

"If this world is real… then what am I? A soul that has possessed her husband…"

"An Outer Realm Demon?"

There's another chapter tonight—it'll be late…

(End of Chapter)