[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-dao-dust-pearl":3,"chapter-the-dao-dust-pearl-the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-32":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Dao Dust Pearl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2359533,4614,"Chapter 32: Chapter Thirty-Two: Free and Unfettered","the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-32",32,"\u003Cp>Night had fallen, and the Four Seas Hall was lit up with lanterns and decorations, sweeping away the previous day’s carnage and ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though many buildings inside remained charred ruins from the thunder and fire, and the corridors and railings still bore scars from swords and blades, while hidden corners and steps concealed dark, dried bloodstains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, the solemnity and sorrow of yesterday had faded, replaced by the joy of victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reinforcements from major sects arrived in high spirits; those who had survived the battle remained silent. Bai Yuanliang, the Iron Fist of the West, raised his cup and boasted: “Those Twelve Zodiacs? Merely petty scoundrels—worth nothing! When the God-Eating Spirit Lord led the Ghosts of the Nether Palace to attack, I fought alongside Grand Hero Hong Sihai to hold them back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In that battle, I slew several corpse-ghosts, and dueled the Hanged Ghost of the Nether Cave until the sun and moon dimmed…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Then that little worm Qian Chen sneaked in and killed the God-Eating Spirit Lord, stealing Grand Hero Hong’s glory... I saw right away—he’s no good. Sure enough, soon after, the Laughing Maitreya, our mole inside the Twelve Zodiacs, was assassinated—and only he was absent. I confronted him directly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He couldn’t explain himself, so he fled in panic. He didn’t even show up for tonight’s victory feast... This man is cunning, steals credit, seizes power—who believes he’s not the Dragon Head?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If not for Master Kongming saying there’s no proof, I’d be the first to stop him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could we let him slip away so easily...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother speaks truth!” someone shouted in agreement. “Master Hong led the heroes and slaughtered seven or eight of the Twelve Zodiacs; Brother Bai has done great service. I say, ‘Iron Fist of the West’ is too small a title—he’s the terror of Shandong’s coast, where East and West Shandong are both Central Plains. Brother Bai crushed the Nether Palace; calling him ‘Iron Fist of the Central Plains’ is hardly too much!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Iron Fist of the Central Plains!” someone cheered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yuanliang wore a smug look but feigned modesty: “In truth, it’s all due to Grand Hero Hong’s leadership. But if not for my righteous voice, wouldn’t these scoundrels steal the glory? Mightn’t the Dragon Head even clear his name and harm the martial world even more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kang Qian Deng sat nearby, listening, his appetite gone. Fuming, he put down his chopsticks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he rose to argue, Li Qianqiu held him back, shaking his head slightly and pressing him back into his seat: “Young Master Kang, arguing with these scoundrels won’t change anything. To clear Master Qian’s name, we need Master Hong and Master Kongming to speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But these slanderous words—even if the two elders explain...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh! Master Qian has no roots. Sudden fame invites slander. When he accomplishes great deeds and befriends many heroes, the rumors will vanish on their own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen’s footsteps slowly reached the grand archway of the Four Seas Hall. Night had deepened; the streets were nearly empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The victory feast inside was lively, yet even the gate guards seemed distracted. Since Huang Yuhuan’s death, the Four Seas Hall had lost its vital breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No longer the tightly guarded, strictly disciplined place Qian Chen had once seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Twelve Zodiacs ever attacked again, they wouldn’t need to go through such trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen, wearing the Snake Mask, walked through the main gate. The guards lay unconscious on the ground. “Sleep well!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you wake tomorrow, the world will be different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen had already mapped every hidden sentinel, spy, and trap in the Four Seas Hall the day before. Entering this perilous place was like returning home—he strolled through it, leaving no sound. Wherever he passed, men barely caught a whiff before their heads spun and they collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until he reached the Five Lakes Hall, where the revelers remained utterly unaware.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen planted the Seven Fiend Banners at the entrance, then cast spell-charms one after another—some hidden at the door, others beneath the steps, some stuck to pillars, others flying to eaves, rooftops, and beams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled out the Spirit Light Mirror and projected the hall’s interior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He confirmed each guest’s seat, their sects, cultivation levels, habits, and current states. Then he unleashed the Flying Cloud Satchel, expanding it into rolling clouds that swept up countless herbs. He fired a True Fire Charm and a Spirit Rain Charm—water and fire working in harmony, steaming the herbs’ essences, then blending them together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He retracted the Flying Cloud Satchel, sat in meditation, and restored his internal energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen returned to the outer edge of the Five Lakes Hall, transformed the Soul-Binding Rope into a black serpent, and silently slithered up onto the hall’s rafters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the Spirit Light Mirror, he watched the lively banquet below. Bai Yuanliang blustered. Qian Chen showed no reaction. Slowly, wisps of smoke seeped through every crack in the doors, eaves, and roof tiles, settling on the food and wine, drifting into noses, breaths, and skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for Grand Masters, whose protective qi had to be slowly penetrated, the rest were quickly poisoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen adjusted his green robe, straightened the bronze Snake Mask, and stepped slowly up the white jade stairs of the Five Lakes Hall. He pushed open the door. A rush of noise spilled out, contrasting with the eerie silence of every other part of the Four Seas Hall—no insects, no birds, no sound at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone heard the door open and turned instinctively—his chopsticks fell. He froze, stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those at nearby tables saw his expression and turned too. Some tried to scream—but found they couldn’t move a muscle. They could only stare as Qian Chen walked calmly into the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall was packed so tightly that no one at the main table could see the entrance. Qian Chen walked through unseen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved like a cleansing tiger—wherever he passed, silence fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kang Qian Deng sat near the front. His appetite gone, he noticed the noise in the hall had dwindled, then vanished entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came a choked, gasping “Ooo...” —a sign of terror beyond speech. Kang Qian Deng turned curiously and saw Bai Yuanliang, seated behind him, had looked up. Instantly, Bai’s body stiffened, his fear spilling over his face without need for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kang Qian Deng followed Bai Yuanliang’s gaze...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shadow in green robes, wearing a bronze Snake Mask, drifted slowly from behind. Wherever it passed, the noise vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moonlight poured through the open door, unnaturally bright, shimmering like reflected luli. The figure stepped into the light—his green robe gleamed like fresh jade, more captivating than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“C...C...Cloud-Riding Spirit Lord!” someone shrieked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen reached the main dais, entering everyone’s sight. He passed by Bai Yuanliang—perhaps deliberately—pausing a moment beside him. A wet sound dripped from Bai’s lower body; yellowish fluid trickled down his calves to the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had visibly pissed himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Demon, how dare you!” someone slammed his table and rose...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—*thud*—he collapsed face-first onto it. Others reached for their swords—only to find they couldn’t move a single finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Grand Master of the Southern Sea Sword Sect drew his blade—swift, lethal—but collapsed just steps from Qian Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Kunlun School’s Two-Principle Sword Array suddenly became a Wooden Chicken Array—only their eyes could strike at Qian Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old patriarch of the Tang Clan was the first to sense trouble. He protected his table’s Grand Masters from poisoning. Instantly, five Grand Masters struck. Tang Clan’s Flying Swallow weapons shot silver light, transforming into countless shimmering streaks, attacking Qian Chen from impossible angles—like a rain of silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Qian Chen’s hand, a glimmer flashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Tang felt a chill run through him—the flying swallows froze mid-air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even their motion-trails remained visible...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Tang’s body had stiffened. He could only move his eyes, betraying his shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The abbot of Shaolin’s Dharma Hall, Master Kongbei, who had achieved the Golden Body, leapt forward, hurling a Great Radiance Fist at Qian Chen’s chest. The Wang Clan’s Heaven’s Mechanism Sword Art, flawless in calculation, pinpointed all thirty-six vulnerabilities in Qian Chen’s body and thrust one sword straight at them. The Lei Clan’s Thunderfire exploded—each explosive pellet rivaling the thunderfire unleashed by the God of Dawn with divine weapons. The Sword Lord Ying Qing drew his curved blade—hidden beneath the earth, emerging from the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a rolling black wind of malevolent energy surged through the door, instantly blocking the view of Hong Sihai, Master Wanshi, and the two newly arrived Grand Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen’s body glowed golden. He layered three Golden Body Charms, seized Master Kongbei’s fist with one hand, twisted his other hand seven times—altering the thirty-six vulnerabilities. Wang’s patriarch stood frozen, recalculating frantically. The black wind blew a charm hidden on the door pillar into the face of the Lei Clan Grand Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thin Yin Thunder Charm exploded—knocking the Lei Clan Grand Master unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All gunpowder dissolved into nothing under the malevolent wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen smashed his forehead into Master Kongbei’s skull. The Golden Body rang like bronze—*dong*. Master Kongbei, released from the grip, staggered seven steps and collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Lord had seized Qian Chen’s fatal flaw. His blade flashed—impossibly—slashing across Qian Chen’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Qing smiled faintly, ready to sheathe his blade—only to find his divine curved sword gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wang patriarch sweated profusely, still calculating. Old Tang stood rigid. The Lei Clan Grand Master and Master Kongbei lay on the floor, heads resting on each other’s legs and buttocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lei Clan Grand Master had it worse—the Golden Body’s buttocks were too hard, jolting his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Qing stood frozen, still wondering—Where’s my sword?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen’s Dragon Sparrow Ring still circled his wrist...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked past them. Fan Huiming, abbess of the Water-Moon Nunnery, drew her sword—Grand Master’s might. Her divine weapon, the Water-Moon Sword, shone like the moon, casting silver light that pierced the black wind and reached Qian Chen’s front. She unleashed her strike—no words could describe its grace—it was like stabbing at reflections in water and moonlight...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Huiming watched her Water-Moon Sword pierce the Cloud-Riding Spirit Lord’s body—yet it rippled faintly, like water ripples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen had already hooked the Water-Moon Sword with a black long-hook. With one pull, one flick—Fan Huiming obediently released the sword. A black rope fell from the sky, binding her. Qian Chen’s hook rested against her throat. She realized the Cloud-Riding Spirit Lord was not what he seemed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cloud-Riding Spirit Lord’s martial skill was nowhere near this level—if it were, he’d long ago be the Dragon Head, not a mere Snake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this man carried no killing aura...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rogue Ning Buqi, diving down in haste, saw Fan Huiming captured in one round. Qian Chen’s hook pressed against her throat. He dared not advance, dared not retreat. Then the moonlight at the door faded. Qian Chen’s figure flickered left—he had retracted the Spirit Light Mirror’s illusory reflection, revealing his true form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen spoke calmly: “If you want her alive, take her and retreat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Buqi rejoiced, took the bound Fan Huiming, and quietly withdrew far away—meek as a quail caught in a nightlight, holding his beauty gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh...” Qian Chen sneered inwardly. When he projected Ning Buqi’s image from his seat, seven out of ten times he was staring at Fan Huiming. Who didn’t know his intentions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At fifty or sixty years old... still playing this game... pfft!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Wanshi’s hand rested on his Songfeng Sword—but dared not move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five golden creatures—snake, scorpion, spider, centipede, toad—circled him, begging for food. Master Kongming seemed also stunned, sitting still. But his gaze toward Qian Chen held a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Sihai sat at the main seat, watching the righteous heroes strike one by one—each subdued or repelled by the Cloud-Riding Spirit Lord in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He murmured: “You’re not the Cloud-Riding Spirit Lord. If you were, the Twelve Zodiacs wouldn’t be the Dragon Head—they’d be the Snake Head! If the Cloud-Riding Spirit Lord had this power, yesterday, every soul in the Four Seas Hall would be dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen replied coolly: “I am the Cloud-Riding Spirit Lord. The Twelve Zodiacs shattered the Four Seas Hall. Hong Sihai, you provoked us. Now I’ve come to end you myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen stepped on a cloud of mist, rising three feet into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if to say: See me ride the clouds and mist—who dares say I’m not the Cloud-Riding Spirit Lord?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only dragons ride clouds and mist. So you’re not the Cloud-Riding Spirit Lord—you’re the Dragon Head!” Hong Sihai said. “The Dragon Head is indeed formidable. Earlier, I killed several of your Twelve Zodiacs. Today you come for revenge. But evil cannot triumph over righteousness. Today, you’ll lose your own life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen tapped his finger. Hong Sihai’s companion Tu Beihai suddenly spat a dark red clot of blood. His neck skin peeled away, rotting in a circle. When the last bit of flesh fell off, his head rolled free, bouncing on the ground until it stopped at Qian Chen’s feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen kicked his foot wide, sending the head flying out the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Score!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hong Sihai, you speak foolishly—I’m getting angry...” Qian Chen hissed. “I am the Cloud-Riding Spirit Lord. Whoever says otherwise, I’ll send them down to ask him himself!”\u003C\u002Fp>",2215,"2026-06-21T05:39:58.326Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","0a63ac173bb2e27c3c44b9c7d0e44d5cceee71f6d58ffb9239f073b6134eb48e","the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-33","the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-31",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-dao-dust-pearl-cover.jpg"]