Chapter 1813: Spirit Book and the Empty Mist Phase

Spirit Book.

The last of the Faceless Six.

Li Luo gazed at the barefoot girl in red who stood prettily atop the jade steps, and a faint sigh welled up in his heart. At this point, all six Divine-Fruit Heavenly Kings who had once followed that Sect Master into battle had finally appeared in the world.

"Hehe, isn't it only natural that you'd find me here? The Sect Master's phases all had their arrangements, so naturally this 'Empty Mist Phase' was left for me to guard." The red-clad girl named Spirit Book revealed a bright, lively smile as she spoke.

Yan Changsheng and Su Ying both nodded lightly. In truth, they had already had some inkling that Spirit Book would appear here. After all, they had all received missions from the Sect Master back then, so Spirit Book, as one of the Six, naturally had her own assignment as well.

"You two have it the easiest. Through those long ages, you had each other for company, while I could only stay behind alone in this dead-silent sect ruin, surrounded by memories." The red-clad girl, her slender jade feet bare, hopped lightly atop the jade steps. The crisp chime of the golden bells at her ankles made her seem as nimble as a red butterfly.

Yet anyone could hear the weight of sorrow and grief hidden beneath that deliberately lighthearted chatter.

To wander alone through this dead-silent sect ruin for such an endless stretch of time—that was a loneliness beyond imagination.

"You've worked hard." Su Ying said softly.

Among the Faceless Six, Spirit Book was the youngest and the most restless by nature. To have her hold down this sect ruin for so many long ages was truly no easy feat.

"But it doesn't matter anymore. I made it through in the end."

Spirit Book's graceful figure leapt down. A flash of red light, and she appeared before Li Luo wrapped in a fragrant breeze, asking with a beaming smile: "Junior Sect Master, did you enjoy that welcome ceremony earlier?"

Li Luo was taken aback. So that spectacle from the sect-protecting grand formation earlier had been the doing of this very member of the Faceless Six.

"I dare not accept such courtesy from a senior. With my meager skills, how could I possibly deserve such a grand reception?" Li Luo said hurriedly and modestly.

Spirit Book wrinkled her pert little nose and said, "Eww, don't call me senior—I don't want to be called old. Just call me Spirit Book."

It was plain to see that this member of the Faceless Six, who maintained her appearance as a young girl, cared a great deal about this point.

"Forget it, forget it, don't worry about that. Let's get down to business."

Spirit Book waved her hand and said, "You want to take the 'Empty Mist Phase,' right? I'll take you there."

Seeing her whirlwind of energy, Li Luo and the other two exchanged a glance, then laughed helplessly and quickly followed her footsteps, climbing up along the jade steps toward the Star Hall.

During the ascent, Spirit Book's figure fluttered like a butterfly, sometimes asking Li Luo questions, sometimes linking arms with Su Ying. Her chirping voice echoed continuously through the quiet sect grounds.

Eventually, under her lead, the three of them entered the Star Hall.

The instant they crossed into the Star Hall, it was as if the stars had shifted. The scene before their eyes transformed into a boundless starry sky.

Meteors streaked ceaselessly across the starry sky, and at the very front hung a dazzling, resplendent golden star. Upon that star stood a grand and majestic throne, radiating the utmost nobility and dignity.

The throne was inscribed with the myriad phases of all the heavens, and a vast aura rose from it.

At the center of the throne sat a purple cushion, upon which a wisp of mysterious light floated quietly.

The mysterious light was a silvery-white hue, and within it rested a silvery-white Divine Fruit. The space around the fruit twisted ceaselessly, giving off an endless stream of white mist.

The wonder of that mist seemed capable of veiling all things—even the river of time itself would be obscured by it.

Beneath the fog, none could see through.

That was... the Empty Mist Phase!

Li Luo gazed at that silvery-white Divine Fruit brimming with endless divine charm, and a sense of awe welled up within him. The Sect Master's final Dual Phase had finally appeared.

Moreover, in Li Luo's perception, the divine charm emanating from this Dual Phase was extraordinarily vast. Faintly, it had even begun to exude an aura no less impressive than the Light Phase and the Annihilation Phase.

Clearly, this "Empty Mist Phase" had, over those long ages, already begun to touch upon the level of a "Pseudo Ten-Rank."

No wonder it was so wondrous—capable of concealing the information of the Faceless Holy Sect within the river of time, and ensuring this ruin had never been detected by the Heavenly Kings of later generations.

"There, that's the 'Empty Mist Phase' left behind by the Sect Master. I feel it's already showing signs of transcending the Ninth Rank, but ordinary people can't touch it. Only a later-generation Sect Master can ascend the Sect Master's Throne and take it." Spirit Book pointed at the silvery-white "Empty Mist Phase" and said to Li Luo.

Li Luo hesitated upon hearing this and said, "I no longer have the Myriad Phases Seed. How could I possibly master this 'Empty Mist Phase'?"

"Even without the Myriad Phases Seed, you once forged the 'Ten Divine Seals' Myriad Phases Wheel. That is an indelible mark, and it is also why the sect-protecting grand formation acknowledged you."

"According to the sect's rules, whoever forges the 'Ten Divine Seals' Myriad Phases Wheel—if the current Sect Master no longer exists, then that person is the rightful Sect Master. And if the current Sect Master still exists, then you are also the 'Acting Sect Master,' bearing the great mandate, and your status within the sect is second only to the Sect Master."

"So your identity will certainly allow you to obtain the 'Empty Mist Phase.' As for how to make it your own and control it, that is indeed a troublesome matter."

"But regardless, obtaining the 'Empty Mist Phase' is the priority." Spirit Book rubbed her smooth chin as she analyzed.

Yan Changsheng and Su Ying at the side also nodded in agreement.

"Alright, then I'll give it a try first."

Seeing this, Li Luo no longer hesitated. He stepped forward, treading across the starry sky, and descended toward the throne that seemed to bear the weight of countless phases.

As he drew near, mysterious light flowed across the throne, enveloping Li Luo. In an instant, it felt as though a terrifying, destructive pressure was pouring down upon him.

But just then, beside Li Luo's ear, it was as if the thunderous rumble of the Myriad Phases Wheel turning rang out.

He dimly saw the Myriad Phases Wheel—which had collapsed and vanished when the Myriad Phases Seed was stripped away—seem to reappear behind him.

The destructive pressure emanating from the throne vanished in an instant.

Li Luo's figure landed before that purple cushion. He gazed at it in a slight daze. Was this where that legendary Sect Master of the Faceless Holy Sect had once cultivated?

Upon this cushion, it seemed, the Sect Master's aura still lingered.

The silvery-white light reflected into his pupils. He saw the "Empty Mist Phase" upon the purple cushion slowly rise of its own accord at this moment, hovering before Li Luo.

"The Empty Mist Phase shows no resistance toward you. You truly can gain its recognition. Quickly take it out." Spirit Book couldn't help crying out in delight at the sight.

Li Luo extended his palm and slowly reached for the "Empty Mist Phase."

Spirit Book seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, thrilled that her wait through those endless ages had not been in vain.

However, just as Li Luo was about to touch the "Empty Mist Phase," his palm suddenly paused.

Spirit Book was startled and hurriedly asked, "What's wrong?"

Li Luo slowly turned his head to look at Spirit Book, a faint smile on his face as he asked, "Spirit Book, may I ask you a question?"

"What question?" Spirit Book's eyes showed confusion.

Li Luo's calm voice echoed through the starry sky: "Several decades ago, my parents once entered this ruin. Do you know about that?"

Spirit Book thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Of course I know. They must have stumbled in here by resonating with a Space Phase, and they were far too weak back then—even unable to trigger the sect-protecting grand formation. Afterward, they took the Myriad Phases Seed. Speaking of which, I even gave them a hand; otherwise, they probably wouldn't have been able to find their way out through the fog inside the ruin."

This sect-protecting grand formation was incomparably wondrous. Several decades ago, Li Taixuan and Dantai Lan were merely at the Marquis Realm in strength. To the formation's perception, beings of that level were like ants, and naturally not worth its attention. On the contrary, it was the massive approach of Heavenly King Jiang and the other Heavenly Kings this time that made it sense a threat, prompting it to go all out.

Li Luo neither agreed nor disagreed, and continued, "At that time, besides them, there were others who also entered the ruin."

"One of them is called Qin Qin Lian, but did you know, inside the ruins, a demonic seed was planted within her, refining her into a furnace to be controlled by another... She said this was because, within the sect ruins, she encountered an existence like a great demon king, and was thus tainted by it."

Li Luo's calm, quiet voice flowed gently.

"However, within this sect ruins, it seems that apart from you, there are no traces of any great demon king's existence."

Lingshu's elegant brows knit tightly: "What do you mean?"

Li Luo turned around, fixing his gaze on the radiant, captivating girl in red.

"What I mean is..."

"The one who planted the demonic seed within her — the existence suspected to be a great demon king — could it possibly be you?"

"Moreover, I still have one question..."

"Are you truly the guardian of the 'Empty Mist Aspect'?"

"Or rather, you are not a guardian, you are merely a prisoner, and the 'Empty Mist Aspect' along with this sect ruins are the cage that confines you?"