Chapter 231

Light and shadow, like mist and lightning, dissolved into nothingness and vanished.

Zhang Fan's nascent soul awoke from the depths of his inner landscape, as if struggling free from ten thousand miles of turbulent waves, cloaked in endless fatigue and weariness.

Each immersion into the Three Corpses Daoist's memories was an extremely terrifying refining and squeezing for Zhang Fan's nascent soul.

Even he dared not linger too long.

"Human zodiac…"

"Did Chu Chu Chaoran really have such an experience as a child? Did he agree to the Three Corpses Daoist?"

One by one, questions rose like bubbles in Zhang Fan's heart.

If Chu Chu Chaoran had truly agreed to the Three Corpses Daoist back then, it would have been earth-shattering—the strongest human zodiac in history.

Yet even if this news spread, no one would believe it.

Think of it: the foremost Daoist of today, the True Person Chu, famed for attaining the Pure Yang Zhao Wuji Realm, had once been the human zodiac of the Three Corpses Daoist, the foremost guardian.

Such nonsense was utterly insane—pure fantasy.

Moreover, if Chu Chu Chaoran had truly become the human zodiac, how could he later have fought the Three Corpses Daoist atop Mount Mount Dongyue, to the death!?

"The Thirteen Zodiacs are the guardians of the Wu Wei Sect's master; each generation's Thirteen Zodiacs exist to ensure the birth of the Wu Wei Sect…" Zhang Fan mused.

If so, and if his mother truly was the previous human zodiac, then perhaps she too had someone she protected.

But that person had not yet risen, had not yet inherited the Wu Wei Sect master's throne—before Li Li Linglong was betrayed by the Thirteen Zodiacs and perished, her Dao extinguished.

"Who was the one my mother protected?" Zhang Fan whispered softly.

Ten years ago, beneath Long Hu Mountain, Zhang Lingzong reopened Long Hu Mountain.

This was merely a turning point.

Perhaps the Thirteen Zodiacs' rebellion had long been brewing, tied to the one Li Li Linglong protected.

After all, this concerned the throne of the Wu Wei Sect master.

Just as the Three Corpses Daoist once did, before securing that throne, rivers of blood flowed and battles raged endlessly.

"So tired…"

Zhang Fan's nascent soul grew heavier, swaying unsteadily back into his physical body; in an instant, boundless exhaustion surged like a tide.

Zhang Fan's body could no longer hold up—he lurched sideways and collapsed onto the bed.

At that moment, the 【Golden Mist Treasure Box】 on his lap slipped off the bed and fell directly to the floor.

Pata…

Suddenly, the 【Golden Mist Treasure Box】 burst open, a violent "rumbling" vibration jolting Zhang Fan awake.

Golden light surged skyward, instantly illuminating the dim room.

"Damn!"

Zhang Fan's heart lurched—he had witnessed the power of the 【Golden Mist Treasure Box】 before.

Back then, in the 【Imprisoned Immortal Shrine】 of Dongshan Province, the treasure had weakened Li Li Changgeng's strength; Zhang Bei's arms nearly dissolved in its golden radiance, and even Jiang Lai's formidable body nearly could not withstand it.

Now, by accident, the box had fallen and released that golden light.

"It's over."

A voice within Zhang Fan's mind cried out in alarm.

Boom…

The golden light surged skyward, but before touching the ceiling, it curved sharply and surged toward Zhang Fan.

The next instant, the golden light dove straight down into Zhang Fan's crown, sinking into his body.

"Hm!?"

The expected reality of his skull exploding never came—the golden light passed through his crown and merged into his nascent soul, more precisely, drawn in by it.

Instantly, a warm, soothing sensation spread through Zhang Fan's body, like basking in afternoon sunlight; golden radiance illuminated every pore, seeping into his flesh, blood, and membranes from within.

His nascent soul glowed with boundless golden light, radiating through his limbs and bones, his meridians and vessels, even his nerves becoming clearly visible.

At this moment, his nascent soul underwent an utterly incredible transformation.

"This golden light is…"

"A single thought!?"

Zhang Fan's heart reeled—he had uncovered the secret of the golden light within the 【Golden Mist Treasure Box】.

A thought is the most wondrous force in the mortal world, and the greatest calamity a cultivator must dread.

Immortals feed on incense offerings because incense carries the purest thoughts of all living beings.

Once a thought arises, karmic consequences follow, manifesting in every imaginable and unimaginable form.

The stronger the individual, the greater the influence and power of their thoughts.

Even a Dao Master could, through a single misstep in thought, regress in cultivation and become an ordinary mortal.

Thus, in Buddhist teachings, it is said: one thought can become a Buddha; one thought can become a demon.

Long ago, Chu Chu Chaoran had trapped the Wu Wei Sect's vice-master, Master Nian, on Luohuang Mountain for over a decade using a single thought.

"The 【Golden Mist Treasure Box】 contained a single thought? Whose thought is this?" A storm surged within Zhang Fan's heart.

Bathed in golden light, his nascent soul felt as if being recharged—warm, tingling, each ripple transforming his nascent soul from outside to inside.

"Was it because the Three Corpses Daoist deciphered the secret of the 【Golden Mist Treasure Box】 that he attained the Three Corpses Illuminating Fate!?"

At this moment, Zhang Fan felt his nascent soul had finally completed its most critical missing piece—it was constantly evolving, constantly ascending.

Such an inconceivable thought—whose had it been?

Yet for others, this thought within the 【Golden Mist Treasure Box】 was a great calamity, a disaster.

But for Zhang Fan, it was a supreme cultivation elixir.

Perhaps, by some fateful design, he shared a profound connection with this thought.

Or perhaps, because he cultivated the 【Divine Demon Sacred Embryo】, one of the Nine Internal Elixir Methods.

In the mortal world, aside from the insubstantial clay idols, only the 【Divine Demon Sacred Embryo】, famed as the most ferocious under heaven, could use thoughts as medicine.

"So this is the secret of the 【Golden Mist Treasure Box】—beyond life and death, there is only a single thought…" Zhang Fan suddenly understood.

Had he known earlier, he would have opened this treasure box long ago to unravel the mystery of this golden thought.

Boom…

Golden light filled the entire room; Zhang Fan's body allowed the golden radiance to flow through him, his flesh becoming translucent and radiant, every organ, vein, and tendon clearly visible.

At his crown, a shadowy form pulsed vigorously, glowing within under the golden radiance, merging seamlessly with the golden light until they became one.

Boom…

At that moment, Zhang Fan's nascent soul expanded immeasurably, shattering the bonds of his flesh, soaring heavenward, rising from the earth, radiant and boundless, Dao beyond form.

The light of his soul illuminated all, transforming him, ascending to heaven.

Suddenly, Zhang Bei, who had been guarding nearby, was bathed in Zhang Fan's nascent soul radiance; his deep eyes flickered with a sharp gleam, as if enlightened.

He gazed at Zhang Fan's ongoing transformation, his lips parting slightly, mechanically uttering four characters:

"Great Master Realm!"

…

The remote reaches of Diannan.

Mount Mount Ailao.

A campfire flickered, casting light upon the dark forest.

Before an ancient cave, bleached bones were piled into a small mound; faint flames danced within the cave, two lanterns like eyeballs revolving in the darkness.

"Zhang Lingzong, your southern Zhang line is all that remains, isn't it? Just a few stray cats and dogs—why provoke such a colossal enemy? Just find a quiet place and wait to die."

At that moment, a cold, mocking laugh echoed from within the cave.

"Old man, you've got a lot of nerve."

Beside him, Xiong Xiong Sanqi could no longer bear it—he roared and lunged toward the cave, but Zhang Lingzong stopped him.

"Fool, if not for him, I'd have come out and devoured you long ago, you arrogant fool."

The cold laugh echoed from the cave.

"Old mountain cat, you still owe me a favor," Zhang Lingzong said calmly.

"I'm a demon, not a human. If you're talking about a human favor, why come to me?"

Inside the cave, the two lantern-like eyes flared violently.

"So you'd rather take punishment than a drink," Zhang Lingzong's expression turned icy; his last patience vanished.

"Sigh…" A sigh emerged from the cave, the tone instantly softening.

"If it were any other matter, I'd gladly repay your favor—but you ask me to accompany you to find that great black dog of the Wu Wei Sect…"

"Isn't that madness?"

"Don't you know that dog is the supreme demon among demons, unmatched in mountains and seas? Even when the Three Corpses Daoist was alive, he kept some restraint over him—now…"

"He's beyond all law!"

A weary sigh echoed from the cave, tinged with unpleasant emotion—as if the name had stirred buried memories.

"Half my tail is still in his belly."

"I'm asking you out of respect. If I'm not, then I…"

Zhang Lingzong let out a cold snort and stepped forward—but before he finished speaking, he froze, turning sharply toward that direction.

The vast heavens shimmered with starlight.

Zhang Lingzong's gaze trembled slightly; his brow slowly furrowed, his expression turning grave.

In one look/p>

"Master Zong, what's wrong?" Xiong Xiong Sanqi sensed something was off and hurried forward to ask.

"The Yuanlight floats in the air—the heavens cannot cover it…"

"He's about to merge his spirit!"

…

Jiangbei Province, Zhenwu Mountain.

The moon hung high, stars brilliant.

The ancient Qingwei Palace had long since extinguished its lamps; only in the Chunyang Hall did a single lamp still glow.

Boom… boom… boom…

At that moment, the ancient hall door slowly opened, and an old Daoist, like a farmer, shuffled out in slippers, wearing a pajama printed with cartoon patterns.

"Master, it's so late—why are you up?"

The night-watch Daoist Daoist Pojie hurried forward to greet him.

"I had a dream, and couldn't sleep anymore."

"A dream?" Daoist Pojie paused, his expression strange.

Dreams are illusions born of intense mental entanglement.

Chu Chu Chaoran had reached the Pure Yang Ultimate realm—his mind was utterly still. How could such a being dream?

"Lately, in stillness, I've grown restless, recalling old memories. Old age makes one fond of dwelling on the past," Chu Chu Chaoran smiled, seeing through Daoist Pojie's thoughts.

"Your past must have been extraordinary," Daoist Pojie couldn't help saying.

To rise from a lowly Daoist acolyte on Zhenwu Mountain to the world's foremost master, attaining the Pure Yang Ultimate realm—such a path could not possibly be ordinary.

"My past… that was a hundred years ago," Chu Chu Chaoran sighed softly.

He raised his hand, gently brushing aside Daoist Pojie's offer of support.

"Daoist Pojie, go rest. I'll just wander a bit myself."

"Master, it's so late…" Daoist Pojie hesitated.

"I grew up on Zhenwu Mountain—I know every blade of grass and tree here better than you. Go."

"Yes, Master."

Daoist Pojie bowed, then slowly withdrew.

Chu Chu Chaoran watched Daoist Pojie's retreating figure, then stepped into the back mountain under the night, walking on moonlight.

Ancient trees formed a forest; the cold pond rippled faintly.

Under the moonlight, an old turtle slowly crawled out of the water; silver moonlight spilled over its shell like flowing mercury, gleaming brilliantly.

Countless demons and spirits roamed the world, but among those over three hundred years old, only a few remained outside the greatest mountain-sea extremes: the Cangyuan of Mount Laojun Mountain, the Bai He of Bai He Guan, the old turtle of Zhenwu Mountain…

Roar…

At that moment, the old turtle let out a low roar—like a tiger's howl, a dragon's cry—shaking the forest, sending hundreds of birds flying in panic.

"It's late at night—people need to rest!"

Chu Chu Chaoran raised his hand, pressing lightly, then sat slowly on the green stone by the cold pond, gazing at the turtle.

"Why are you awake at this hour to come see me?" The turtle shook its head, voice deep and rumbling.

"Old age means less sleep—I just want someone… even if not human—to talk to," Chu Chu Chaoran said calmly.

"Your mouth hasn't changed since you were a child…"

The turtle looked deeply at Chu Chu Chaoran and sighed: "I remember when you first came to this back-mountain cold pond—you were just a five- or six-year-old boy…"

"Now, a hundred years have slipped by, and you've become the world's greatest master, having comprehended the Pure Yang Ultimate realm…"

"Truly, fate plays cruel tricks."

"A hundred years… has it really been a hundred years?" Chu Chu Chaoran murmured softly.

A hundred years of time—many people, many things, were gone.

"I heard that big black dog went down the mountain. Maybe he'll even come to Zhenwu Mountain," Chu Chu Chaoran changed the subject.

"The An Wang!?"

The turtle lifted its head, gazing at Chu Chu Chaoran with deep meaning: "If you're here, will he come?"

"Old friends have faded; some will never be seen again."

"Yes, old friends have faded. A hundred years is long—but really, just a blink," Chu Chu Chaoran said slowly.

A hundred years of time is but a foot long; only in dreams is there a drunken homeland.

Many people, many things—only in dreams can one see them again.

"You're acting strangely today. Pure Yang Ultimate is the Way of Nature—your current emotions don't seem natural."

The turtle looked up at Chu Chu Chaoran, as if sensing something profound.

"The Pure Yang realm isn't so mysterious… I am what I am—that's natural," Chu Chu Chaoran grinned.

…

"Can you walk?" The turtle rolled its eyes.

"When I'm dead, you won't have anyone to talk to."

"Will you die?" The turtle fell silent for a moment, then asked: "If you die, will you take all those secrets to your grave?"

"What do you want to ask?" Chu Chu Chaoran smiled lightly.

"The Daoist Great Calamity!" The turtle's eyes lit up, unable to hold back.

Eighty years ago, the Daoist Great Calamity—a historical mystery. Whether Daoists, Wu Wei, or mountain-sea demons and spirits, none have escaped its lingering effects.

Yet on Long Hu Mountain, only Chu Chu Chaoran survived.

All these years, he had remained silent, never speaking of that calamity.

"Actually…"

At that moment, Chu Chu Chaoran spoke.

The turtle lifted its head, straining to hear every word.

"On Long Hu Mountain back then, I wasn't the only one who survived…" Chu Chu Chaoran spoke softly.

"Not just you?" The turtle trembled.

"That year, there were five people on Long Hu Mountain!"

"Five?" The turtle's voice shook.

"You've met three of them," Chu Chu Chaoran said calmly.

"You, San Shi Dao Ren… who else?"

The turtle pressed.

"She was on the mountain not long ago…"

"You mean…" The turtle's eyes trembled.

"That little girl…"

"Jiang Lai!!"

(End of Chapter)