Chapter 416: I Took Out the Nine Heavens

“Ghost power, third stage!”

In the bamboo grove north of Yuzhou, Gu Qing let out a sharp cry.

Long Kui stared at Gu Qing with a blank expression.

Gu Qing held his hands behind his back, face solemn, and said: “Now your ghost power has formed a vortex—you may be called a Ghost. When your ghost qi becomes liquid, you will be called a Ghost Master. Above that come Great Ghost Master, Ghost Spirit, Ghost King, Ghost Emperor, Ghost Sect Master…”

As Gu Qing described ghost qi forming wings, Zi Xuan couldn’t hold back, smiling as she interrupted: “Little Long Kui, don’t listen to him—he’s teaching you Mingyu Gong. This art, once cultivated, seals all true energy inside; even I’m still studying it.”

The method Gu Qing gave Zi Xuan was a celestial art modified from Mingyu Gong.

A flash of light appeared on Long Kui’s body, and the red Long Kui emerged, grinning at Gu Qing: “Next time, teach me secretly—don’t let this sister ruin the mood.”

“You…”

Zi Xuan was left speechless.

So you’re enjoying this, are you?

“Master! Master…”

Jing Tian and Xue Jian hurried over; Jing Tian carried a young man on his back, and when Gu Qing saw him, he wanted to turn away.

“Changqing!”

Zi Xuan recognized the young man’s face and rushed forward as Jing Tian laid Xu Changqing flat on the ground—his body crisscrossed with sword wounds, barely clinging to life.

Seeing this, Zi Xuan clasped her hands and cast a healing spell.

“Brother Gu, your wife’s lover’s here.”

Red Long Kui, always eager for drama, saw Zi Xuan’s reaction to Xu Changqing and immediately stoked the fire beside Gu Qing.

“Actually, I’m the one stealing his wife.”

Gu Qing whispered to Long Kui.

“Uh…”

Jing Tian and Xue Jian stood nearby, stunned—they’d just swallowed a massive gossip bomb. Until now, they’d assumed Gu Qing and Zi Xuan were meant for each other.

“Stop joking!”

Zi Xuan, startled, lost her concentration—the spell broke. She turned and shouted at Gu Qing: “Come help!”

Gu Qing stepped forward, annoyed—he’d been planning to steal Xu Changqing’s woman. When he sensed Xu Changqing would pass through Yuzhou, he’d specifically brought Zi Xuan and Long Kui to the northern outskirts to avoid any encounter. Now Xu Changqing had the nerve to collapse right in front of him.

Gu Qing raised his hand and pushed lightly through the air; Xu Changqing’s blood and qi surged, his true energy flowed, his eyes trembled, and he blinked open slightly.

Gu Qing sidestepped, shoving Zi Xuan aside so Xu Changqing wouldn’t see her in this dazed, vulnerable state.

“Young master…”

Xu Changqing weakly looked at Gu Qing and said: “Thank you… but you must be careful…”

Xu Changqing recounted the ambush he’d just endured.

Gu Qing scratched his ear—he was in Yuzhou, but knew everything happening in Shu Mountain: Zhong Lou had shattered the Demon Suppression Tower and drawn his sword, releasing the demons inside. These demons, burning with hatred for Shu Mountain, had caused endless trouble. Meanwhile, Shu Mountain sought the Five Spirit Pearls to repair the tower.

The crushing burden now rested on Xu Changqing’s shoulders.

“Can he do it?”

Red Long Kui looked at the severely wounded Xu Changqing, her eyes full of doubt.

“Don’t worry!”

Gu Qing said: “He can’t!”

That was indeed reassuring.

Jing Tian and Xue Jian couldn’t help but chuckle; Zi Xuan gave Gu Qing a light kick on the heel, signaling him to be more tactful.

“I’m just stating facts.”

Gu Qing said these words right to Xu Changqing’s face, showing not the slightest embarrassment: “He can get the Water, Earth, and Thunder Pearls—that’s fine. If he gets the Wind and Fire Pearls, I’ll just swallow the Demon Suppression Sword whole!”

The Water Pearl was in Zi Xuan’s hands, the Earth Pearl currently with Wan Yuzhi, the Thunder Pearl with Yun Ting—those Xu Changqing might reach. But could he go to the Divine Realm to find Xi Yao? Could he descend to the Underworld to find the Fire Demon King?

No way!

The entire Immortal Sword III relied on Jing Tian, Xue Jian, Long Kui, and Zi Xuan to carry the plot—Xu Changqing was just a lucky bystander.

Already gravely wounded, Xu Changqing turned pale at these blunt words. He looked at Gu Qing and Jing Tian, first thanked them for saving his life, then asked about their origins.

“Qionghua.”

Gu Qing said.

“Qionghua Sect?”

Xu Changqing was astonished to hear the name.

“Master…”

Xue Jian nudged Gu Qing, whispering: “Which is stronger—Qionghua or Shu Mountain?”

“Of course Shu Mountain. Do you think it’s Qionghua?”

Gu Qing sensed probing eyes nearby but spoke openly: “What ancestors do they have? What ancestors do we have? Shu Mountain’s sword sect has had countless immortals. Our Qionghua Sect gave up everything just to chase immortality.”

Hearing this, Xue Jian lost interest.

“Xue Jian, don’t worry.”

Jing Tian had seen Gu Qing’s true strength: “In no time, we’ll be able to ask Shu Mountain: ‘What masters do you have? What masters do we have?’”

“True.”

Xue Jian nodded: “Either way, we can say it.”

Zi Xuan, listening to their banter, had stood silently behind Gu Qing, watching Xu Changqing’s face grow paler. She tapped him gently and whispered: “That thing truly endangers mortals… and the Five Spirit Pearls…”

As a descendant of Nüwa, she bore the duty to save all living beings.

“I know.”

Gu Qing nodded and spoke loudly: “Xu Changqing, the one who wounded you was the evil thought of your Shu Mountain’s Fifth Elder. Back then, they cultivated a method to expel their evil thoughts and sealed them inside the Demon Suppression Tower. Over time, the seal weakened—and the evil thought escaped.”

Gu Qing explained the origin of the Evil Sword Immortal to Xu Changqing: “Such beings can be suppressed by the Demon Suppression Sword—or sealed and cast into the Spring of Renewal in the Divine Realm for purification.”

The TV adaptation of Immortal Sword III turned a solid story into a farce, especially the forced tragedy at the end where Jing Tian had to die—utter nonsense. But one thing they accidentally got right: sending the Evil Sword Immortal to the Divine Realm for purification.

The Spring of Renewal guarded by the Holy Maiden Xi Yao had the power to purify turbid energy into pure qi.

“Divine Realm… Demon Suppression Sword…”

Xu Changqing listened, but only heard.

“Shu Mountain concerns the three realms: divine, mortal, demonic.”

Zi Xuan looked at Gu Qing with pleading eyes: “If we can help, then help.”

Zi Xuan’s spiritual power could perceive the mortal world. She’d come to northern Yuzhou with Gu Qing to avoid meeting this lifetime’s Xu Changqing—but now, hearing of Shu Mountain’s suffering, she couldn’t help but want to act.

“Of course.”

Gu Qing took Zi Xuan’s hand.

In this situation, if he didn’t act, Zi Xuan would. Better to take control himself.

Besides…

Gu Qing glanced subtly upward. In terms of soul application and spiritual awareness, he knew far more than Zi Xuan—even the Divine Realm’s movements were known to his soul.

The Xihe Sword flashed once, appearing steadily before Gu Qing.

“Get on!” Gu Qing said to Zi Xuan.

Zi Xuan naturally brought Lin Qing’er onto the Xihe Sword. On the other side, Long Kui activated her authority—the Demon Sword floated into the air, allowing Jing Tian and Xue Jian to ride it too. Their preparation and action were swift. Just as they were about to leave, everyone turned to look at Xu Changqing, pale and weak, lying in the bamboo grove.

“Uh…”

Gu Qing pointed his finger—a qi blade appeared, gently lifting Xu Changqing. The blade’s light flashed, and they shot toward Shu Mountain.

Above the azure sky.

A goddess paused briefly, gazing at the blazing sword-shadow, murmuring: “Xihe Sword.” Then she stepped forward, walking the cloud path toward Shu Mountain.

Shu Mountain Immortal Sword Sect stood amid floating clouds, mountains drifting in the sky.

Jing Tian and Xue Jian arrived at the Shu Mountain Sword Sect, awestruck by its grandeur, momentarily speechless.

Outside the Shu Mountain Sword Sect, the figure of Elder Canggu appeared, blocking Gu Qing’s path.

“I am Gu Qing of Qionghua Sect. I heard Shu Mountain is short on hands—I’ve come to help.”

Gu Qing bowed respectfully.

“Qionghua Sect?”

Elder Canggu’s expression remained cold: “Another freeloader come to mooch off Shu Mountain?”

Xu Changqing, barely able to lift his head, studied the elder before him.

“Shu Mountain doesn’t want help?”

Gu Qing asked in surprise.

“Even if we wanted help, Qionghua wouldn’t be chosen!”

Canggu said coldly: “Your lineage has never produced an immortal. Our Shu Mountain has had countless immortals through the ages. The gap is obvious. Don’t come here seeking false glory.”

Canggu spoke harshly: “You’ve always been good at boasting…”

Xu Changqing studied him carefully—Canggu looked the same as always, but his tone was utterly different.

“Our Qionghua Sect’s ancestor is the Nine Heavens’ Divine Woman!”

Gu Qing erupted in anger, immediately dragging the conversation to the Nine Heavens’ Divine Woman.

“That Nine Heavens’ Divine Woman isn’t worth much.”

Canggu said coldly: “Get lost!”

Above the clouds, the Nine Heavens’ Divine Woman’s expression darkened.

Seven days in heaven, a thousand years on earth—for the Nine Heavens’ Divine Woman, these seven days brought endless troubles: Fei Peng and Zhong Lou’s private duel, the descent of the Water Goddess Bi, the goddess Kuiyu stealing the divine child and defecting from the Divine Realm, and recently, Ao Xu’s report that Xi Yao had hidden a divine tree fruit. Amid all this, the Nine Heavens’ Divine Woman had even taken time to descend to earth and deal with Qionghua Sect’s rebellious disciples.

But due to the time difference between mortals and gods, the Nine Heavens Goddess had not yet rested when the Qionghua Sect suffered another crisis; as she prepared to travel to the Eastern Sea to investigate, she first saw the Xihe Sword—and upon its arrival, she heard this tiny demon speak disrespectfully to her.

“You—you insult our ancestral master!”

Gu Qing was already reaching for his sword.

“Insult?”

Canggu sneered: “Our ancestral master brought Shushan to the Immortal Realm; your ancestral master buried Qionghua beneath the sea. Is that not fact?”

Gu Qing had already drawn the Xihe Sword, but upon hearing these words, his hand went limp, his lips trembling with rage.

Zi Xuan, Jing Tian, Long Kui, and Xue Jian all stared in astonishment at Gu Qing’s demeanor—normally sharp-tongued and quick to mock others, this was the first time he had been rendered speechless by someone else’s words.

“Your ancestral master didn’t just bury Qionghua in the sea—he could bury you there too!”

Amid the clouds, a rainbow glow appeared.

The Nine Heavens Goddess stood midair, wearing her feathered crown and robes, her expression cold and displeased.

Zi Xuan, having been near Gu Qing for some time, immediately understood his intent; she was astonished he could sense the Nine Heavens Goddess, and now played along with feigned shock, standing quietly to one side.

“You, a mere ant, dare speak of heaven!”

The Nine Heavens Goddess slapped him down.

In the past, Xuan Xiao had seized the power of the Illusory Dream Realm, using nine layers of it to sustain Qionghua’s ascension—such immense power collapsed before the Nine Heavens Goddess in a single blow. Now, the Evil Sword Immortal, a fusion of the five elders’ demonic energies from Shushan, was born immensely powerful, yet not “beyond the Six Realms” as depicted in the drama; before the Nine Heavens Goddess’s slap, he too knelt.

The Evil Sword Immortal didn’t just kneel—he felt ice in his heart. When he was in Yuzhou City, he had sensed Gu Qing and Zi Xuan were dangerous, so he assumed Canggu’s form and raged at Shushan, hoping to humiliate Gu Qing and Zi Xuan into leaving.

He never expected that before Gu Qing even moved, he had provoked someone far greater.

“Shushan!”

The Nine Heavens Goddess’s gaze had already swept over Shushan, gaining a general understanding of its condition; when she turned to Gu Qing, her expression held a flicker of surprise.

A descendant of Nüwa!

The reincarnation of Feipeng!

And a girl who bore the face of Xi Yao, her aura unmistakably that of a Divine Tree fruit.

Good heavens!

All of them, good heavens!

“Ancestral master…”

Gu Qing bowed meekly to the Nine Heavens Goddess.

The Nine Heavens Goddess looked at Gu Qing, then at Jing Tian and Xue Jian, then at the Xihe Sword in his hand, and after a pause said: “Qionghua has suffered these past years… Very well. Our meeting is fate. Name your wish—anything you desire.”

The Nine Heavens Goddess granted Gu Qing this chance only because of Feipeng’s reincarnation; years hence, when this reincarnation returned, having once been a Qionghua disciple would make him unable to hold his head high before her, the Grand Elder of the Divine Realm.

“I… I want Shushan!”

Gu Qing immediately stated his wish.

The Nine Heavens Goddess’s gaze froze: You really do take me up on my offer?

Zi Xuan, Long Kui, Jing Tian, and Xue Jian were speechless; only Xu Zhangqing, lying on the ground, strained his neck, watching the Nine Heavens Goddess’s reaction.

Gu Qing’s earlier attempts to poach disciples had gone unnoticed by Xu Zhangqing and thus meant nothing—but this blow was like the sky collapsing upon him.

His home was gone.

“Ancestral master…”

Gu Qing bowed again and said: “Shushan Sword Sect has failed to guard the Demon Suppression Tower, allowing demons to run rampant; to repair the tower, the Five Spirit Pearls are needed—but Shushan lacks the ability to gather them.” He patted his chest. “But I can subdue all demons and collect the Five Spirit Pearls!”

The Nine Heavens Goddess studied Gu Qing, then her gaze settled on Jing Tian… Gu Qing might fail, but Feipeng’s reincarnation? That was another matter.

“No!”

Xu Zhangqing cried out, neck straining.

“This is no place for you to speak!”

Gu Qing silenced Xu Zhangqing, then pleaded to the Nine Heavens Goddess: “Qionghua once sought immortality and, in error, fell into demonic corruption—but our disciples remained loyal to our ancestral master. Since then, we have wandered without a single foothold…”

It did sound pitiful.

But Gu Qing held the Xihe Sword—and the Nine Heavens Goddess could not trust him.

“If you wish for Qionghua to take root in Shushan, you must prove your worth.”

She said: “The repair of the Demon Suppression Tower indeed requires the power of the Five Spirit Pearls. Since you claim Shushan lacks the ability to repair it, then repair it yourself. Only then will I allow Qionghua to take root here.”

Hearing this, Xu Zhangqing could bear no more—he spat blood and fainted.

“I swear!”

Gu Qing straightened his chest: I came here to take over Shushan!

(End of Chapter)