Chapter 213: Grace and Grudge

A sudden gust of high wind swept the mist and clouds halfway up the mountain into chaos, making the grass tips rustle with a trembling sound.

Countless creeping vines on the ground rose and fell with the wind, revealing their magnificent colors, as if painted by ten thousand strokes of cinnabar.

Chen Heng looked in the direction the wind was blowing.

A woman stood upon a ball of brocade clouds, her body surrounded by floating, shimmering clear light, as if she were amidst blue waves and tidal surges, walking slowly toward him.

She wore a lotus-colored palace skirt woven with gold, her waist bound by a rhinoceros horn belt; her hair at her temples was delicate as a cicada's wings, her features lush and vibrant, her noble beauty radiating brilliance, her appearance incomparably moving.

Chen Heng's gaze paused for an instant upon her brows and eyes, a moment of bewilderment flashing in his own.

He quickly shifted his sight away.

His expression returned to its usual indifference and cold sharpness, showing no trace of emotion.

She looks so much like...

Chen Heng thought.

It was the first time he had encountered someone so similar to Wei Wei Lingjiang; in his momentary confusion, he nearly mistook the woman before him for that other person.

However, the two were ultimately not without differences.

The way she looked at him between her brows.

Was not the same.

Or rather, it was utterly different...

Though this brief lapse of attention was fleeting, passing in an instant.

It was still seen clearly by Wei Wei Wanhua, missing not a single detail.

That gaze seemed to be looking at her, yet it was not looking at her.

It was as if, merely through her, he saw the vague shadow of another person...

It was hard to say what emotion lay in the depths of that gaze; it contained everything, yet nothing at all.

Finally, when he lowered his eyes.

Only a plain tranquility remained, cold and silent, like an ancient well stirring up no waves.

Seeing this, Wei Wei Wanhua tucked a few strands of hair disheveled by the wind behind her ear, lifted her eyelashes with a smile that was not quite a smile, and glanced at Chen Heng.

"What were you just thinking? Could it be you intended to use some beauty stratagem to make this True Person soften her heart and show you mercy? Although you, the offspring of a demonic thief, indeed possess remarkable appearance, no inferior to that demonic thief himself, this True Person has cultivated the Dao for so many years; how could I be moved by mere physical beauty?

Chen Heng, your calculation this time has gone astray."

Wei Wei Wanhua narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled softly, saying:

"After killing you, humiliating your primordial spirit in a hundred ways, and venting the pent-up rage in my heart... rest assured, I will reshape a fleshly body for you; by that time, you will be my personal puppet and tool, and I will do to you everything Chen Chen Yushu did to my several younger sisters!

How is it? Do you... like this outcome?"

There was an unmistakable chill and murderous intent in Wei Wei Wanhua's voice, her killing aura surging, accompanied by a bone-piercing coldness.

It was like frost-light forged into blades, cutting inch by inch against his face.

Even the divine soul and primordial spirit within Chen Heng's Purple Palace felt a sharp, stabbing pain!

Pressed down by the spiritual pressure of this Jin Dan True Person, his injuries worsened; forced to bend halfway to the ground, his bones cracked audibly throughout his body.

His throat tasted sweet, and he spat out several mouthfuls of fresh blood in succession, his face turning deathly pale...

"Damn it! What the hell kind of treasure is this? How can it suppress me so thoroughly?!"

At this moment.

The Dun Dun Jiesuo in his sleeve pouch was terrified, exerting all its strength, yet feeling the surrounding heaven and earth as solid as an iron plate, impervious to destruction.

With its capabilities, it could only pry open a tiny fraction, unable to quickly break through the barrier of the void.

And at this time.

Suddenly, a long laugh rang out.

Turning to look, one saw only a plume of yellow smoke sweeping through the atmosphere with lightning speed, rumbling loudly, staining the northern Xudu Xudu Tianyu a murky yellow, like a long Yellow River suddenly breaching its dikes and flooding across the cloudy sky!

And within the yellow smoke.

Stood a man fifteen feet tall, wearing yellow robes, with arms strangely long like those of an ape.

Upon seeing Chen Heng, a slight look of joy appeared on his face; then he turned toward Wei Wei Wanhua, performed a fist-and-palm salute, and said:

"True Person Wei, this poor Daoist offers his greetings."

"True Person Liu is well."

Seeing the man in yellow robes arrive driving the smoke, Wei Wei Wanhua was not surprised; she merely nodded slightly as a return greeting, her demeanor arrogant and dismissive.

"This woman is so conceited, thinking that being of the direct lineage makes her superior to others? Once today's affairs are concluded, I too can change my appearance and return to the Chi Shuo Liu clan; we are both of the twelve great clans, so who is inferior to whom?

When we meet again after that, let us see what expression you will wear!"

The man in yellow robes, Liu Liu Zhengyan, felt a slight irritation at her lukewarm conduct but suppressed his anger, cupped his hands, and said with a smile:

"True Person Wei truly possesses marvelous divine abilities and a marvelous treasure! To actually intercept this young lad right here saves us a great deal of effort; wonderful! Truly wonderful!"

Hearing this, Wei Wei Wanhua shook her head and spoke with disagreement:

"Back at the Xiaoming Great Marsh, I heard that this boy used a magical artifact to shift the void, thereby narrowly escaping to Xiyi Mountain to seek aid from Jun Yao.

Since I had obtained this intelligence, how could I not make preparations?"

She reached into her sleeve, her pale hand gently grasping a pagoda boasting ninety-nine tiers, its exterior shimmering with a jade-like luster; holding it in her palm, she gave it a slight shake and said:

"For today's journey, I specifically requested this small pagoda from my uncle, using it to imprison and stagnate the void in all four directions and above and below; no matter how powerful that magical artifact may be, it cannot escape this place!"

Liu Liu Zhengyan was startled upon hearing this.

He looked with his eyes.

He saw that although the pagoda in Wei Wei Wanhua's palm was no more than three feet high, it was magnificent and solemn, its treasure light soaring straight to the heavens; at a glance, one knew it was absolutely no ordinary object!

At the four corners of the pagoda's base were carved images of the Dragon-Elephant, the Thunder Duke, the Swan, and the Great Heavenly Demon King; they were crystal clear like glazed glass, pure and flawless, while mysterious tadpole scripts linked together into sutras, densely covering the surface, filling it completely.

And atop the ninety-nine tiers of the pagoda, there existed a lotus caisson, with a small stele suppressing evil in the center.

On the body of the stele were carved eight tiny characters: "Sun and Moon Halt Their Scenery, Origin Separates and Moves Not"...

"Could this be that Tower of Cloud Crossing belonging to the Xie clan of Changyou? That Daoist artifact left behind by Duke Zhaoyi? Mere Chen Heng alone, killing a chicken—"

Liu Liu Zhengyan's pupils contracted, a clear trace of shock visible in his eyes.

Yet before he could finish his words.

He abruptly stopped himself, frowning slightly.

"So it is a Fang Pin secret artifact... What profound attainment; this qi fluctuation is simulated so realistically that even I was nearly deceived..."

After detecting that slight clue.

Liu Liu Zhengyan's face immediately became untenable, filled with embarrassment; he gave a self-deprecating laugh and said:

"True Person Wei truly possesses heaven-piercing skills; worthy of being from the direct lineage of Fan Ye's Wei clan, actually managing to borrow such a treasure, making this humble one green with envy..."

A hint of mockery flickered in Wei Wei Wanhua's eyes:

"Daoist Brother overpraises me; the Three Purities and Nine Yi Flying Wheel of the Liu clan is also uniquely marvelous. I hear your noble clan has also imitated this treasure, refining several secret artifacts. True Person Liu has now Li Xia Da Gong today; who knows, upon returning to the Chishuo Liu clan, your clan master might bestow a secret artifact upon you for protection."

"Where, where, how could I receive such a generous reward?"

Liu Liu Zhengyan waved his hands repeatedly, yet a smile could not help but appear on his face.

While these two conversed, they paid no heed to Chen Heng, treating him as if he were nothing, clearly displaying an attitude of having him completely under control.

The Dun Dun Jiesuo felt both anger and a slight sense of relief.

It merely accumulated power slowly in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to unleash its magic power and strike with a world-shocking blow!

Meanwhile, Chen Heng, suppressed by the qi fluctuation and finding it difficult to move even a fraction, shifted his thought and silently grasped hold of a Chen Yuanshu Subduing-Demon Sword Talisman within his Purple Palace.

"Two people, two Jin Dan True Persons; deploying one Chen Yuanshu Subduing-Demon Sword Talisman should resolve this current situation..."

His face was pale, traces of blood barely visible at the corners of his lips, yet his heart remained calm as he thought silently.

These three Chen Yuanshu Subduing-Demon Sword Talismans were treasures for protection and killing, refined by a pure Yang Great Chen Yuanshu Chen Yuanshu Zhenjun who sacrificed his cultivation, personally spending sixty years of Ku Gong to create them!

Once unleashed.

Not to mention Jin Dan True Persons, even those who have attained the Dao of Primordial Spirit or returned to void would, if caught off guard, absolutely fare poorly, losing both body and soul!

Although using it here carried a hint of using an ox-cleaver to cook a chicken, greatly wasting such superior material on a minor task.

But in urgent matters, one must adapt to circumstances.

There was no time to worry about such details anymore.

Moreover, Wei Wei Wanhua's identity was special; being from the direct lineage of the Fan Ye Wei clan, she might carry some precious protective artifact, which could not be guarded against lightly.

"Now these two are far apart and wary of each other; I know you have a trump card, but this ace, once used, is one less; do not waste it recklessly!"

The Dun Dun Jiesuo transmitted its voice with great effort:

"I will pinpoint the timing for you; since we must kill, it is best to slay both of them with a single sword talisman! If one escapes, requiring another talisman, that would be most undesirable!"

Chen Heng did not reply, merely narrowing his eyes slightly.

"By the way, this boy's primordial spirit."

At this moment.

Liu Liu Zhengyan suddenly turned his gaze to Chen Heng, pointed a finger, and said with a smile:

"Does True Person Wei intend to take it away?"

Wei Wei Wanhua nodded slightly, saying, "Correct."

Liu Liu Zhengyan shook his head at Chen Heng, sighing lightly:

"You are indeed a pitiful soul; you cannot even beg for a quick death. Your greatest mistake in this life was likely being born into this womb, becoming entangled with that demonic thief Chen Chen Yushu."

A faint sneer appeared on Wei Wei Wanhua's jade-like countenance; just as she was about to speak, her beautiful eyebrows suddenly knitted together, her gaze turning startled as she looked eastward, as if sensing something.

At the same time.

Liu Liu Zhengyan, whose form was enveloped in yellow smoke, suddenly raised his long eyebrows upright, also looking eastward.

As if both he and Wei Wei Wanhua had simultaneously received some spiritual message, expressions of great horror appeared on their faces, their eyes filled with shock and suspicion.

"This... this..."

After standing stunned for a moment.

Liu Liu Zhengyan asked in shock and suspicion: "That Great Sumeru Son of Heaven Demon could clearly contend with an ordinary Primordial Spirit True Person; how could it be slain so easily by Hunsu Yuan Zhi?"

"... It is the Void Great Luo Dharma; Hunsu Yuan Zhi has actually cultivated this great divine ability; it seems she is absolutely not an ordinary Yu Yuchen Sect disciple! If she can cultivate this great divine ability to her heart's content, even competing for the position of a true disciple would be within her reach!"

Wei Wei Wanhua's expression turned ugly.

"What?!"

Liu Liu Zhengyan was greatly shocked, momentarily losing his composure.

"Damn those Xie; knowing Hunsu Yuan Zhi was not easy to deal with, they still only used one Great Sumeru Son of Heaven Demon to go through the motions."

Wei Wei Wanhua cursed silently in her heart, anger surging, yet having received a message from Xie Yu, she could not stand idly by.

If Hunsu Yuan Zhi were allowed to escape, and once the great affair was ruined.

Then no matter how much regret followed afterward, it would be too late.

At this moment, she glanced faintly at Liu Liu Zhengyan.

Liu Liu Zhengyan immediately understood, yet hesitated, a trace of bitterness still hanging on his face.

"True Person Wei, it is not that this humble one is greedy for life and afraid of death; in truth, the Void Great Luo Dharma ranks among the Ba Gong of the Yu Yuchen Sect, possessing truly world-shocking capabilities; I..."

"No matter how powerful Hunsu Yuan Zhi is, she is only at the Jin Dan cultivation stage; after slaying that Great Sumeru Son of Heaven Demon with the Void Great Luo Dharma, her magic power is now significantly depleted! Xie Yu cannot be exposed; you and Xie Rui join forces to capture Hunsu Yuan Zhi; it should be more than enough!"

And after impatiently finishing this sentence.

Seeing Liu Liu Zhengyan still acting timid and fearful, clearly frightened out of his wits by the Void Great Luo Dharma, fearing he too would meet the same fate as that Great Sumeru Son of Heaven Demon.

The mockery in Wei Wei Wanhua's eyes was finally no longer concealed; she raised her hand and threw an object toward Liu Liu Zhengyan, saying in a light voice:

"I lend this item to you temporarily for your protection; once you have dealt with that Hunsu Yuan Zhi, return it to me. Go quickly, and do not delay!"

"Is this... a Class Fu Fa Canopy?"

Liu Liu Zhengyan hastily reached out to snatch it, and upon clearly seeing the object in his palm, his eyes instantly blazed with divine light, clearly showing extreme delight.

"Many thanks to True Person Wei for lending this treasure; this poor Daoist takes his leave!"

He hurriedly bowed with clasped hands, and seeing the layer of frosty coldness on Wei Wei Wanhua's jade-like countenance, he realized this woman was already somewhat angered, so he dared not dawdle or delay any longer.

With a low shout, he transformed into a streak of yellow smoke and fled straight toward the east, spanning the vast sky, his figure vanishing in an instant.

"Old disgusting thing; as expected of a crude fellow from the wilds, his vision is exceedingly shallow; if you had returned to Chishuo, you would have merely tarnished the clear reputation and family name of the Liu clan."

Wei Wei Wanhua sneered coldly in her heart.

And when she turned her gaze, it met directly with Chen Heng's line of sight.

No expression appeared on Chen Heng's face, neither sorrow nor joy, silent and quiet, he only looked over faintly.

"What? Have you been waiting for a long time, and have you already thought up words to beg for mercy?"

Wei Wei Wanhua covered her lips with her hand, giggling softly, and said:

"Speak and let me hear it; let me hear how someone like you, faced with the great terror of life and death, intends to beg for mercy?"

"From the looks of it, True Person Wei is determined to kill me?"

Chen Heng stated flatly.

"Not only will I kill you, I will also take your primordial spirit back to the Siye Wei clan to be humiliated and tortured to my heart's content! Only after your lifespan is exhausted and your oil is spent with the lamp dried out will you find release!"

At this moment.

On Wei Wei Wanhua's exquisite face, painted as if in ink, remained an expression of mockery and meanness, and she sneered coldly:

"Do not speak words claiming you have no connection with Chen Chen Yushu to pray that I spare your life; how could the grievances between Chen Chen Yushu and me back then possibly implicate my several close female relatives and sisters? Yet were they not struck by undeserved calamity!

Today, all of this is simply because you are the offspring of that demonic thief; even if you die, you die more than deserving!"

"So that is how it is... however, allow me to report, this poor Daoist has one more statement."

Chen Heng fell silent for a brief moment, then said:

"An old acquaintance of mine bears a slight resemblance to True Person Wei; I wonder if True Person Wei has ever heard this name?"

"Oh? An old acquaintance?"

Wei Wei Wanhua toyed with the brightly shining Xiaodu Tower in her hand, full of interest, like a cat extending its paw to tease an insect or ant on the ground.

"You may speak it; perhaps this True Person will spare your life."

She smiled mockingly.

"Wei Wei Lingjiang."

Chen Heng's eyes flashed slightly, and he spoke:

"Her name is Wei Wei Lingjiang..."

There will be another update later tonight; I have matters to attend to tomorrow, so I am updating early, though it will be late; everyone can read it after waking up.

(End of Chapter)