Chapter 680: Ninth Realm: Purple Emperor Eternal Realm, the Divine Bird Lands on the Phoenix Tree

【“Killing… someone’s been killed!”】

【The guard’s scream had barely torn through the night when two shadowy figures slipped into the courtyard like ghosts.】

【The collapsed wall, bloodstains glinting under the moonlight, made Xie Renfeng’s twisted form appear even more horrific—his arms bent at unnatural angles, blood oozing from all seven orifices.】

【One man blocked your path; the other swiftly appeared beside Xie Renfeng, pressing his palm against Xie Renfeng’s neck.】

【“Meridians are severed, but a thread of life remains!”】

【“I’ll take him away first.”】

【With that, he slung Xie Renfeng onto his back and leapt off the eaves, using the carved beast heads as footholds—afterimages flickered, then vanished.】

【Xie Renfeng’s bodyguards retreated in terror; someone threw down their sticks first, and dozens scattered like birds and beasts.】

【Only the man before you remained—a thin, elderly black-clad soldier.】

【He studied you, astonished—such youth, already at the middle three realms of martial cultivation, and with such profound qi.】

【The old soldier spoke slowly, “Young Master Guan, where did you acquire your martial cultivation? Without the Mistress or Lord’s permission, no clan member may practice martial arts!”】

【“Clan members secretly practicing martial arts—deserve the punishment of knee Wan ing!”】

【“Young Master Guan, do you know this?”】

【You slowly released a breath of primordial qi, your surging blood calming like a receding tide. You looked at the old soldier—just moments ago, those two shadows had rushed in from the direction of Daguan Garden.】

【The elder hunched his back, his withered frame like a rotting log—but you had long practiced the “Five Dragon Prosperity Method” from the Yin Fu Jing, making you exceptionally sensitive to qi flows. Even as he deliberately concealed it, you sensed the vast true qi lurking beneath his aged shell—deep as a still abyss, immovable as a mountain.】

【The upper three realms of martial cultivation.】

【This realm is when one condenses the primordial qi within the body into true qi.】

【This is the Xie family’s depth—while Lords Xie Hong and Xie Ling are away, even the retainers left behind are all at this level.】

【You finally replied, “It was taught to me by General Sima.”】

【The technique you just used was the “Ancestral Emperor’s Sacred Posture”—no Buddhist or demonic martial arts were involved; you deliberately chose it this way.】

【The old soldier’s cloudy eyes shifted, fixing on the lingering qi still clinging to you. Your “Ancestral Emperor’s Sacred Posture” had been fierce and dominant—undoubtedly orthodox military style; he knew this fist set better than anyone.】

【Few ever manage to merge all six forms into one through relentless practice.】

【He nodded, showing no anger, only saying, “The Xie family forbids kin from harming kin.”】

【“I will report this to the Grand Matriarch. She will handle it.”】

【With that, he left without hesitation.】

【Only after the old man vanished did Wu Tong stumble over, face ashen.】

【“Young Master, are you alright?”】

【You smiled, “What could possibly happen to me?”】

【“Rather, it’s my fault today—I was careless.”】

【You said with guilt, “Wu Tong, this is the second time you’ve been placed in danger because of me.”】

【Wu Tong’s gaze hardened: “I would gladly die to ensure Young Master’s safety. If Young Master is gone, I have no wish to live alone in this world.”】

【You were momentarily stunned, then gently stroked Wu Tong’s head.】

【Yes—in this vast world, only the two of you rely on each other.】

【Nearby, Lu Ya burst into tears. When she heard Xie Renfeng had come to cause trouble, she rushed over, frantic with worry.】

【Lu Ya’s crying made Wu Tong, whose eyes had already reddened, tear up too; she leaned against you.】

【You looked at the two girls, their tears threatening to flood the courtyard, and hurriedly said:】

【“Enough, enough—let’s clean up first.”】

【“Lu Ya, go back now—otherwise your fourth cousin will worry.”】

【Lu Ya, seeing the hour was not late, prepared to leave, but hesitated, her eyes filled with concern.】

【“Young Master Guan, you just injured Xie Renfeng—won’t you be in trouble?”】

【Wu Tong also remembered Xie Renfeng’s gruesome state—though she felt satisfaction, if he died here and it became an actual murder… she shuddered, twisting her sleeve as she looked at her Young Master.】

【“Don’t worry. We can’t keep yielding and letting others bully us—it only emboldens them.”】

【You changed the subject, “In two days is your fourth cousin’s wedding. Don’t let this distract her.”】

【Lu Ya opened her mouth to speak, then closed it, bowed, and left.】

【Suddenly, a flurry of footsteps approached from afar!】

【Wu Tong looked up to see Xie Yuan storming in, leading dozens of guards armed with clubs.】

【Xie Yuan stared at the ruined courtyard, frowning deeply, then walked to your side, “Young Master Guan, are you hurt? I heard Xie Renfeng came to your courtyard.”】

【He suddenly froze, glancing around suspiciously: “Where’s Xie Renfeng—the bastard?”】

【You smiled slightly, “Sixth Brother, you’ve come just in time—we were short-handed for cleaning up.”】

【Then you recounted in detail what had just happened with Xie Renfeng.】

【Xie Yuan showed little surprise—he had seen your sword skills that morning and knew your martial cultivation was formidable.】

【“Secretly practicing martial arts is forbidden in the Xie family, but our ancestors rose through military merit—this rule is ridiculous!” He clapped your shoulder. “Young Master Guan, why not say I taught you this fist set?”】

【You shook your head, “I appreciate your kindness, Sixth Brother, but if I say that, you’ll be punished instead. Besides, this fist set was truly taught by General Sima—the Xie family already knows.”】

【You recalled the scene at the Gathering of Beauties: Xie Hong walking away side by side with Sima Ting. The two families were close, and Sima Ting was soon to become the Xie family’s son-in-law.】

【Xie Yuan’s expression eased slightly, “Then I’ll go tell Mother right away. Xie Renfeng has gone too far—he shouldn’t get to lie first!”】

【“Our main courtyard isn’t some soft persimmon anyone can squeeze!”】

【You said nothing. If the main courtyard truly intended to protect you, how could Xie Renfeng have dared to come again and again? It was surely tacitly permitted by the Xie family.】

【The guards Xie Yuan brought moved swiftly, and soon the small courtyard was cleaned.】

【Xie Yuan clapped your shoulder, “Young Master Guan, why not just move into my courtyard? You and Wu Tong are only two—let’s see if Xie Renfeng dares come here again!” He winked, “We’ll share a bed, and I’ll tell you all my secrets at night!”】

【You politely declined, “Sixth Brother, I’m… not used to sharing a bed with men.”】

【Xie Yuan waved his hand dismissively, “Men don’t need to be so finicky!”】

【You shook your head, your gaze turning to the room, voice calm: “Besides, Mother’s spirit tablet is still here—I can’t leave.”】

【Xie Yuan’s expression turned solemn; he no longer insisted, “Young Master Guan, rest assured—I’ll go to Mother immediately. I won’t let Madam Zhao get ahead of me.” With that, he turned and shouted, leading the guards away in a flurry.】

【The courtyard fell silent again.】

【Wu Tong crept close, whispering, “Young Master… are you truly… alright?”】

【Madam Zhao is famously doting on her son—everyone in the Xie Fu knows this.】

【You gazed at the moonlight in the courtyard, “Don’t worry, Wu Tong—it’s coming soon. Not long now.”】

【Wu Tong didn’t understand.】

【The night breeze brushed past; watching your calm profile, Wu Tong somehow felt her anxious heart settle.】

【Night deepened. Wu Tong had been tense all day, her spirit restless—now she was utterly exhausted. You soothed her gently, then told her to rest.】

【You used the Yang Fu Jing’s Daoist Primordial Spirit power to smooth her meridians, then fell into deep sleep.】

【The courtyard was left with only you.】

【Moonlight poured down like water, draping your body in a cold silver glow.】

【You closed your eyes, sinking your spirit into your heart-sea—】

【There, a divine flame burned quietly; over the past month, your heart-sea had expanded greatly through pure yang energy.】

【You were supposed to need another half-month to condense—Purple Emperor Eternal Realm.】

【Today’s punch shattered Xie Renfeng, finally moving the accumulated blockades within you.】

【Combined with the brewing storm, your spirit-sense surged forward—today, you could break through the Eighth Realm of Divine Flame and enter the Ninth Realm—Purple Emperor Eternal Realm.】

【This is the manifestation of Primordial Spirit transformation—named “Purple Emperor” because the spirit becomes like an imperial star descending upon the world, illuminating both self and heaven and earth.】

【When breaking through this realm, the cultivator’s body naturally generates a spiritual domain, inherently overpowering those of lower cultivation—】

【Just as the Purple Emperor sits enthroned in the starry heavens, the sovereign surveys the four directions.】

【Now, your heart-sea was no longer flat—it had become a three-dimensional starfield. The twenty-eight stellar constellations cast phantom shadows, each guarding a quadrant, inhaling and exhaling starlight.】

【The projections of the “Three Enclosures” gradually emerged—the Ziwei Enclosure stood majestically at the center, symbolizing the emperor; the Taiwei Enclosure stood solemn and dignified, representing the court officials; the Tian Shi Enclosure bustled with vitality, reflecting the myriad lives of mortals.】

【At the convergence of the Three Enclosures, starlight gathered, coalescing into the Purple Emperor Star.】

【“Boom—”】

【A brilliant imperial star suddenly rose, surging with purple qi!】

【Finally, the Purple Emperor Star vanished, transforming into a phantom palace hovering above the divine flame.】

【The Ninth Realm of Primordial Spirit—Purple Emperor Eternal Realm—achieved!】

【You slowly opened your eyes; within them, the palace seemed to rotate, then vanished into stillness.】

【Your spirit stirred—a phantom Purple Emperor Palace emerged from your heart-sea, silently projecting into reality, enveloping the entire small courtyard.】

【In an instant—】

【Every blade of grass, every leaf within the courtyard was as clear as the lines on your palm. Wu Tong’s steady breaths inside the room, the gentle flow of her blood through her meridians, even the faint tremors of her tendons, skin, and membranes—all were audible.】

【A withered leaf, lifted by the night wind, had not yet touched the ground when you already foresaw its drifting path.】

【Even more mysteriously, within this Purple Emperor domain, the power of your Yin Fu Seven Arts and sword intent surged dramatically!】

【You could even control the flow of primordial qi and spiritual energy within this zone.】

【This was the mystery of the Purple Emperor Eternal Realm—within this domain, you were the “sovereign.”】

【Anyone entering this realm would have their Primordial Spirit restrained, their intentions fully exposed. For cultivators beneath the Purple Emperor, the suppression was innate.】

【You recalled how the Second Master, merely by combining his Purple Emperor Eternal Realm with sword intent, had forced the demons of Ze Lake to cower motionless at the lake bottom…】

【You shifted your thought—the phantom palace instantly retracted, floating once more above the divine flame in your heart-sea.】

【Your Primordial Spirit power could now encompass only this entire courtyard—if it expanded further, you would have to withstand the laws of heaven and earth.】

You recalled how Lu Hua had once declared—given your natural talent, it would take at least two more years to break through the Divine Flame Realm and enter the Purple Microcosm, which was already astonishingly terrifying.

But who could have imagined?

You cultivated the Yang Fu Scripture, drawing forth the utmost yang power of the Sun’s true force, and within just two months, you opened the Three Enclosures—above the Divine Flame, the Purple Star had formed!

If she found out, what expression would she wear?

You suddenly thought: what if you said her favorite phrase right to her face—“You’re just an ordinary fool with no talent.”

What expression would she show then?

Thinking of this, an involuntary smile curled at the corner of your lips.

Beyond the Purple Microcosm lies the tenth realm of the Primordial Spirit—the Yang Spirit.

That was a domain Lu Hua had never reached.

It requires not only vast accumulations of Primordial Spirit energy, but also a moment of sudden enlightenment.

With your current pace of cultivation in the Yang Fu Scripture, your heart-sea expands daily, and your Primordial Spirit energy surges wildly—but even so, to fill the boundless heart-sea required for the Yang Spirit Realm, you still need at least a year.

You looked up at the starry sky and sighed softly.

Time was still too scarce.

Within Bianjing, lanterns blazed brilliantly, music and song never ceased, presenting a scene of glorious prosperity.

Yet deep within you, you foresaw the future: no more than half a year, the Jiangnan Circuit would erupt in a cataclysm that would shake the heavens.

Once the Red Eyebrow Army’s fires ignited, within three or four years they would shatter Bianjing’s splendor. Then warlords would carve up the land, the common folk would hang upside down, and the accumulated millennia of martial resentment would finally ignite into a raging wildfire…

The chaotic age was coming.

And this is precisely why you dared to strike so boldly today—the Nine Great Clans will soon have no time to watch their own households; their gaze will inevitably be drawn to this uprising born of the common people.

“Could it be… this is the ascension opportunity Master Da spoke of?”

You pulled from your sleeve the Xuantian Snow Dew Elixir you had obtained today at Qi Mo Spring Pavilion.

You poured out one pill—the elixir glowed like ice and snow, its medicinal fragrance rich and thick.

Your martial path had already reached the sixth realm, “Rou Zhi,” just one step away from the upper three realms.

You tilted your head and swallowed the pill—it dissolved instantly upon contact—

A warm, gentle medicinal force, like a spring stream breaking through ice, surged instantly through all eight extraordinary meridians. Under this power’s urging, the vortex in your dantian accelerated more than threefold!

You clearly felt every sinew and bone hungering, greedily devouring this pure energy.

Even more astonishing was that this effect lasted for seven sevens—forty-nine days—without fading!

“No wonder…” your eyes flashed with sharp light, “this is a divine elixir that saves martial cultivators three years of grueling practice!”

The small courtyard remained silent, as if nothing had happened.

But you knew that from tonight onward,

you had gained another foundation for your survival and existence.

You gazed at the parasol tree in the courtyard; within its canopy, a pair of birds with ornate tail feathers and slender bodies, their bellies covered in multicolored down, played among the treetops.

Moonlight spilled onto your shoulders as you stood with your hands behind your back, a faint smile now on your face.

(End of Chapter)