Chapter 446: Who First Saw the Moon by the River

To speak of Ji Fa's entrapment in the Suiyu Heaven, the beginning and end of this matter have always been shrouded in secrecy, hidden within layers of mist.

Not to mention the many talents and heroes of Xudu who harbored doubts; even the cultivators of the Yuchenben Sect knew little about the details, giving rise to countless speculations.

In the past, after failing to seize the throne from Master Junyao, Ji Fa voluntarily requested a nominal position at the Hall of Dao Records, then immediately visited Ancestor Shan Xiao Jian for a private conversation before decisively departing to wander beyond the heavens, leaving his numerous supporters and even several true disciples greatly astonished at the time.

This person hailed from a prestigious family in Xudu, excelled in mastering the classics of various schools, and was renowned for having devoted his mind to profound scriptures since childhood, possessing extraordinary wisdom.

Later, having learned the "Essentials of High Emptiness" from the Three Scriptures at the Xiaoming Xiao Daze to bolster himself, his metaphysical discussions became even more exquisite; he frequently overwhelmed all present during debates, even prompting cultivators from several surrounding continents to travel great distances just to witness Ji Fa's lofty theories.

A figure such as this, even if unable to defeat Master Junyao, was by no means an ordinary creature of the pond.

Once freed from his bonds in the future, he was destined to soar to the skies in a single leap!

In fact, after venturing beyond the heavens, Ji Fa indeed stirred up considerable commotion.

He not only defeated several Dao Sons of major sects and subdued some notoriously fierce supernatural monsters, but also personally entered the Accumulated Treasure Wall Palace of the Sixteen Heavens, specially arranged by the great Daoist giant Tianmenzi of the Immortal Path, where he bested all heroes and seized the ancient heavy treasure "Fu Yan Zhuang" into his hands.

When this matter emerged, it truly drew the sideways glances of many great supernatural practitioners at the time.

Even the Zhengxu Dao Court bestowed rewards, with several Imperial Princes personally appearing to offer congratulations and seek goodwill with Ji Fa.

At that time, upon hearing this news, Yu Yuchen inevitably experienced some unrest.

It was not until Master Junyao, during an expedition beyond the heavens, used his "Sheji Crowd Thunder" Dharma Aspect to unleash the Tai Yi Divine Thunder, directly blasting to death the Dao Son of the Yuanshimo Sect along with several Wang Zu of the Heavenly Demons, that all debate was extinguished and no further turmoil arose.

That Master Junyao at the time specifically made a move.

From this, one could catch a glimpse of Ji Fa's reputation!

However, after exiting the Accumulated Treasure Wall Palace of the Sixteen Heavens, this individual suddenly became trapped in the Suiyu Heaven, with no news for a long time.

It was only after news of Master Junyao's sitting in meditation and passing away spread that Ji Fa managed to escape from the Suiyu Heaven and returned once again to the Xiaoming Xiao Daze.

As for why this person became trapped in the Suiyu Heaven, one rumor circulated most widely.

It was said that back then, Ji Fa offended the Crown Prince of Suiyu over an opportunity from the ancient era, refused to bow his head, and was consequently captured jointly by numerous Heavenly Demon generals, while his Ji family retinue and Yu Yuchen Dao Generals beside him were all killed to the last man.

But as for what exactly that so-called ancient opportunity was, to this day, no one has a definite answer.

Chen Heng, of course, held this with some doubt and found it hard to accept.

At this moment, the tablet-talisman in the room leaped forward on its own; with a lingering clear sound, fine droplets of water light burst forth from within.

At first, it was merely a few trickling drops, but eventually, it gradually merged into a stream like a flowing ribbon, the sound of water splashing gently as it slowly encircled the entire water pavilion.

"That opportunity mentioned in the rumors, to tell the truth, did not originate from the ancient era, but was a Sarira."

Only after completing this arrangement did Yan Yan Qianzhi's voice sound solemnly:

"As for why True Person Ji Fa became trapped in the Suiyu Heaven, it was not because he offended that Crown Prince of Suiyu.

He, Xu Xu Longzhu, Chan Master Master Lingci... these outstanding talents of the current age all voluntarily rushed to the Suiyu Heaven to contend for the ownership of that Sarira, and were subsequently misled by the wisdom of the Sarira, suffering imprisonment and even the calamity of death."

Sarira?

This explanation from Yan Yan Qianzhi was indeed the first Chen Heng had heard of it; while pondering, his expression inevitably became somewhat grave.

Regarding the matter of Ji Fa's entrapment, he had also consulted his own teacher, Master Master Tongxuan.

Although Master Master Tongxuan usually never refused any inquiry from Chen Heng, answering each one in exhaustive detail,

on this particular matter, Master Master Tongxuan shook his head and refused to answer.

He only said that the time had not yet come, and that if Chen Heng in the future cultivated to the Return to Void realm, he might go to watch the excitement, but there was absolutely no need to personally enter the situation.

Now, under Chen Heng's inquisitive gaze, Yan Yan Qianzhi did not beat around the bush, pouring out everything he knew like beans from a bamboo tube, explaining it all clearly and distinctly.

Before long, once he finished speaking, the scene inadvertently fell into a deep silence.

"The Ancient Buddha who single-handedly founded the Long Zunwang Temple actually passed away in the Suiyu Heaven; just what level of realm had the Suiyu Shouzun Moshen reached to force him into extinction?

This Shouzun Moshen truly deserves his title as the primary instigator of the ancient great calamity; his cultivation is already beyond human comprehension."

After a moment of silence, Chen Heng sighed with emotion, breaking the stillness.

According to what Yan Yan Qianzhi had just said, the Sarira left behind in the Suiyu Heaven belonged to that Long Zunwang Buddha who founded the Long Zunwang Temple sect.

After Long Zunwang Buddha was forced into extinction, several great Chan temples in the Wu Liangguang Tian became enraged, mobilizing troops to attack one after another, while the Suiyu Shouzun Moshen also called upon friends and allies, inviting several great figures of the Demonic Path.

Both sides fought fiercely for over a thousand years with no clear victor; in the end, Tai Su Zhangren helplessly stepped in. It is unknown what agreement was reached between the two parties, but a contract was finally signed.

The contract explicitly stated:

"Although that Sarira of Long Zunwang Buddha must remain in the Suiyu Heaven, anyone capable, whether from the Yang World or the Netherworld, may enter to contemplate it; the Suiyu Heaven must not obstruct them, nor dare to claim the Sarira as its own, otherwise even Tai Su Zhangren would come knocking at their doors."

Simultaneously, the Suiyu Shouzun Moshen must return the forty-two volumes of the "Scripture of Contemplative Liberation, Equal Holding, and Equal Attainment Wisdom" stolen in early years to the Long Zunwang Temple, and compensate by offering his own created "Scripture of Knowing All Past Lives, Seeds, and Desires of the Mind."

Although it is unknown what other benefit exchanges occurred secretly, this was the arrangement on the surface.

However, it was precisely because of that agreement that great heavenly talents like Ji Fa, Xu Xu Longzhu, and Chan Master Master Lingci rushed to the Suiyu Heaven, wishing to contemplate the subtleties of the Sarira, draw inferences from one instance, and advance their merit and practice.

Subsequently, they were all bewildered by the Five Aggregates magic power; not only did they fail to gain any benefit, but they became trapped within the Sarira itself, unable to escape.

Thus, this is the full story of how Ji Fa and a host of talents became trapped in the Suiyu Heaven.

As for the rumor that Ji Fa met his calamity because he bore a grudge against the Crown Prince of Suiyu, this is instead an untrue slander and cannot be taken as fact.

"A Sarira is condensed from the lifelong merit of a great virtuous monk of the Sha Sect, cultivated through Precept, Concentration, and Wisdom; it has never been a vulgar object, let alone that this Sarira originated from Long Zunwang Buddha, truly perfect and complete, encompassing emptiness and form..."

Seeing Chen Heng bring up the Suiyu Shouzun Moshen, Yan Yan Qianzhi likewise felt something in his heart and sighed:

"Since even the Sarira left by Long Zunwang Buddha could leave a host of high-born talents helpless, where merely failing to contemplate it correctly resulted in immediate backlash, the Suiyu Shouzun Moshen is naturally even more terrifying and fearsome!

Fortunately, this figure seems to have fallen into a net of calamity and has not appeared in the world for a long time; nowadays, the masters of the Suiyu Heaven are those three Ladies of Music and the Crown Prince of Suiyu...

Otherwise, if this one were to appear again, leading his Suiyu Demon Sons to wreak havoc on heaven and earth, many Xudu in the Yang World would have to suffer great headaches once more."

Chen Heng nodded slightly, but his thoughts turned to another matter.

Since Ji Fa was trapped in the Suiyu Heaven due to personally contemplating the mysteries of the Sarira, then everything makes sense.

One must know that every true disciple of a major sect is a future pillar of the sect.

With Ji Fa's capabilities, if he had not encountered Master Junyao, he could easily have secured the position of Dao Son even in a major Xian Sect.

For a figure like this, even if he hailed from an aristocratic family and lacked popular support, there was no reason for the three Ancestors of the sect to sit idly by and watch him wander abroad.

If it were truly the Crown Prince of Suiyu bullying the young with his seniority, fear that the Cosmic Lei Chi of Yu Yuchen would have already knocked at their doors long ago.

Only thus can the reason be clearly explained.

Just as Chen Heng was lost in thought, Yan Peng Qian's voice came again, adding a sentence:

"True Person Chen, please allow me to report: although those words just now were from my third brother, his mind was already confused at the time; as for what marvelous uses the Ancient Buddha's Sarira truly holds and how one should begin to comprehend it, my third brother did not speak very clearly..."

Speaking thus, Yan Peng Qian fell silent for an instant, his tone becoming somewhat strange:

"To speak honestly, when the Ancient Buddha's Sarira caused such a great commotion back then, our two families naturally knew of it, but the seniors above were unwilling to explain it clearly to us; presumably, the dangers within are considerable.

As for these words today, please, True Person Chen, treat them merely as idle banquet chatter and do not take them too much to heart."

At this point, Yan Peng Qian himself did not know whether his third brother's deliberate words before death were meant to resolve Yan Peng Qian's own inner confusion or held some other intent.

But since the person was already gone, further investigation into these matters was utterly useless.

In the end, his third brother still concealed one final sentence, never revealing what sort of fortune that particular Sarira actually contained.

It even stirred the greed and excitement of the great heroes of the heavens, causing them to rush forward like moths fluttering toward a lamp in a room, one after another...

Chen Heng perceived the unspoken meaning in Yan Peng Qian's words, cupped his hands in salute, and said:

"Daoist Yan's intention is merely to let me know a little of True Person Ji's life; my own realm is currently lowly, I understand the stakes, and I am not so arrogant as to venture into a demon nation like Chongyu Heaven."

Hearing this, Yan Peng Qian felt a slight relief in his heart.

After offering a few more words of praise, he sincerely uttered a sigh of emotion:

"The five directions of heaven and earth extend upward to infinity... yet from ancient times to the present, no one knows how many great secrets are buried within this universe; alas, if one's Dao cultivation is insufficient, even hearing of them becomes a calamity.

Everyone knows that beyond achieving Immortal Karma there exists another realm, one that can crown the head of all things and occupy the position of supreme spirituality, but precisely because they fear junior disciples learning of it too early and developing obstacles of knowledge and view, even the Dao scriptures describe it in scant detail.

Brother Chen is a distinguished disciple of Yu Yu Yuchen; perhaps in the future you may catch a glimpse of that supreme ultimate realm, whereas for someone like Yan, it seems difficult indeed!"

"Brother Yan overpraises me."

Chen Heng shook his head.

Although Yan Peng Qian's words today offered no tangible benefit, they indeed allowed Chen Heng to hear some secret lore, granting him another layer of understanding regarding Ji Ji Fakai.

Subsequently, under Yan Peng Qian's deliberate effort to build goodwill, the two spoke further of scenery and landscapes, and for a time the atmosphere was harmonious.

"Since that is the case, it would be improper to delay Brother Chen's serious cultivation... should you ever find time to visit Yuanzai in the future, the Yan clan will certainly treat you with utmost sincerity!"

At this moment, after Chen Heng had politely declined going to the Taichang Dragon Court to watch the spectacle, Yan Peng Qian, though somewhat regretful, still spoke with a loud laugh.

As the two bid each other farewell, the talisman plaque in the air suddenly shimmered, then vanished away into the depths of the dense clouds, leaving no trace.

"The Ji clan, Ji Ji Fakai... according to Yan Peng Qian, ever since that Ancient Buddha's Sarira fell into Chongyu Heaven, countless bold individuals have gone forth to comprehend it.

Yet in these several thousand years, only one Ji Ji Fakai has emerged whole and intact."

Watching the talisman plaque completely disappear from sight, a look of contemplation flowed across Chen Heng's face, and he could not help but fall into deep thought.

If he wished to become the Dao Son of Yu Yu Yuchen and govern the future Eastern Continent, not only was the Danyuan Grand Assembly an obstacle before him.

After achieving the Primordial Spirit realm, he would inevitably have to clash with old established true disciples such as Ji Ji Fakai, Zhang Zhang Taichu, and Zhang Shou, in order to gather the sect's loyalty through overwhelming momentum.

And a person who had cultivated the supreme equal Dharma Aspect 'After-Sage Bestowing Radiance' and could contend with Master Junyao was naturally formidable; there was no need to say more.

It was unknown whether during the years Ji Ji Fakai was trapped in Chongyu Heaven, he had gained any benefit from that Ancient Buddha's Sarira.

The road ahead was vast and misty, bristling with thorns rather than being a smooth path, compelling one never to relax...

At this moment, Chen Heng sensed something.

He suddenly raised his head from within the courtyard and saw a magnificent cloud boat break through the gale winds, quietly circling around to the rear mountain.

Before it even landed, several cultivators of the Angcang Sect went out to greet it, followed closely by mountain-guarding warriors of towering stature, who carried the large amber boxes on their shoulders one by one into the boat.

Once all the large boxes were unloaded, those few Angcang cultivators did not linger; they bowed together to the people inside the boat, then led the warriors away and withdrew.

This entire series of actions was performed by the group with extreme familiarity, indicating it was not their first time.

Chen Heng summoned several female attendants waiting outside the courtyard and, after questioning them, learned that the owner of the cloud boat was an old steward under Li Li Xuanying, the direct son of Xuanji Xuanji Tianzun.

The current Xuanji Xuanji Tianzun is named Li Qi; in his early years, he had formed a marriage alliance with the great sect Huozang Palace of Xuanji Heaven, and Li Li Xuanying was the offspring born of Li Qi and Lady Tao of Huozang Palace, destined to be the next Xuanji Xuanji Tianzun.

However, good times did not last long; after Lady Tao perished beneath the Pure Yang Catastrophe, Li Qi soon remarried, forging ties with another powerful sect.

Consequently, Li Li Xuanying's status was naturally different from before.

Especially given Li Qi's subtle moves to suppress Huozang Palace, all manner of treatments and provisions plummeted accordingly.

Furthermore, Yan Peng Qian's lineage had once shared a deep friendship with Lady Tao.

After Lady Tao's death, seeing that Li Li Xuanying lacked Li Qi's favor and was too young to support himself, the Yan clan had even entertained the idea of bringing Li Li Xuanying to Yuanzai Heaven to be raised.

It was only because Li Qi, to preserve his own dignity, refused to yield, and because Li Li Xuanying himself possessed a soaring and fiery temperament, being accustomed to wandering beyond the cosmos and unwilling to live under another's roof, that this matter was finally abandoned.

Nevertheless, to care for the orphan of an old friend, Yan Peng Qian's lineage, without Li Li Xuanying's knowledge, had reached an agreement with several of his old stewards.

Every few years, those stewards would come to the Angcang Sect once to retrieve certain treasures and great medicines, all to facilitate Li Li Xuanying's immortal cultivation.

And today happened to be the date agreed upon between Li Li Xuanying's steward and the Yan clan; although they took the rear mountain route, Chen Heng just happened to stumble upon it.

"Xuanji Heaven, Li Li Xuanying..."

Chen Heng's eyes flickered with movement.

After slightly calculating with his fingers, he committed the name to memory, then ceased paying further attention, turned around, and returned to his couch to meditate.

The next day.

At the main peak of Angcang Mountain, beneath the blue clouds, heads surged together in a black, dense mass; looking down, there were likely no fewer than a thousand.

It was not until that great Dayan Sun Instrument golden carriage, surrounded by armored soldiers, gradually moved far away until it could no longer be seen, that the crowd finally dispersed, each returning to their own place.

Not to mention how vexed Xi Ping Di Jun and Xin Chun and the others were.

In a hut halfway up the mountain, Yan Yuan was conversing across distances with Yan Peng Qian, discussing practical and important matters.

"As for this so-called Earth Lord, you need not worry too much; he is merely a jumping clown. He thinks he has leaned on the Moli Sect and can become a true king with real power, but in reality, he is nothing more than a vanguard for others, sent by Shao Xue Xuan of the Moli Sect to probe our strengths and weaknesses."

Seeing that Yan Yuan's words referred to Xi Ping Di Jun's probing act of attending the banquet with his daughter, Yan Peng Qian sneered and said:

"Once my injuries heal, I must certainly teach Shao Xue Xuan another lesson; he only plays dirty tricks behind the scenes, remaining as unable to appear on the proper stage as ever."

Yan Yuan nodded slightly, and then, upon hearing Yan Peng Qian mention that Chen Heng had declined going to the Taichang Dragon Court to watch the spectacle, his old eyes widened; unsure what kind of thought had arisen, his spirit suddenly lifted, and he asked:

"The Dragon Court has clashed with the Dharma King Temple and the Yiluo Palace for all these years without ever truly risking their lives, each side holding back; yet now, is Taichang Heaven about to descend into chaos?"

Yan Yan Qianzhi sighed and said:

"The Dragon Court has already openly posted bounties, placing a clear price on the heads of cultivators from both the Yiluo Palace and the Dharma King Temple; when has there ever been such a grand display before? Since the Dragon Court made the first move, can those two families not make the second? They are simply copying the example, having also begun to offer rewards for the heads of Dragon Court cultivators.

One must know that a soft knife cutting flesh is the most difficult to deal with; the Dragon Court has been sliced away at for so many years, and though we do not know what matter they have encountered, it is only natural that they can no longer endure it this time."

Yan Yuan fell into deep thought, remaining silent for a long while.

Yan Yan Qianzhi continued:

"Whether aiding the Dragon Court or the Dharma King Temple and Yiluo Palace, one can gain considerable benefits for oneself, and additionally train the soldiers and generals under one's command; I have already arranged with several good friends to go and join in this excitement.

Yesterday I intended to invite True Person Chen to join me and forge a friendship, but unexpectedly he still had matters attending to him, which is truly a pity."

Yan Yuan said in a deep voice: "If fighting truly breaks out?"

"We will only gather on the periphery to watch the excitement, and our clan will furthermore dispatch several family elders to accompany us, so it will not cause any trouble."

After speaking these words with a smile, Yan Yan Qianzhi's tone suddenly became much more solemn:

"However, if fighting truly erupts later, Elder Yuan should still exercise extra caution; no one knows whether this disturbance in Taichang Heaven might once again drag in other Great Heavens.

One must know that the Dharma King Temple and True Wushan have enjoyed a friendship since the time of their ancestors... if these families ignite a true war, and even True Wushan must send out troops, then the scale of affairs will become even greater!"

The expression on Yan Yuan's face was indefinable, seeming both eager to try and yet also lingering with fear.

In the end, he merely nodded, suppressed his expression, and said he understood.

On the other side.

Birds scattered across the azure sky; evening clouds idly locked the horizon.

Standing atop the golden carriage, watching the jade sky gradually sink westward, a slender crescent moon had already emerged, delicate as an eyebrow, freshly drawn as a single line.

The moonlight shining upon the thousand-li twilight mountains was as soft as a mist, seeming as though it might be blown swaying and askew by a sudden strong wind, then merging with the hazy water vapor above the Copper Bearer River to form a single expanse covering mountains and fields alike.

At this moment, Chen Heng and his group had already crossed the Sea of Clouds and returned to the territory of Ge Lu; beneath their feet lay that Copper Bearer River which traverses the continent from west to east.

Furthermore, during the banquet, because Chen Heng had briefly mentioned the Taichang Dragon Court, he had immediately stirred the interest of everyone present.

Not only was Yuan Yuan Yangsheng full of enthusiasm, wishing to travel to Taichang Heaven to witness the excitement once the affairs of Yuan Zai were concluded.

Even Xue Jing felt quite moved, voluntarily bringing up old grievances and past tales concerning the Taichang Dragon Court and the Dharma King Temple.

"I fear I cannot spare the attention."

Seeing Yuan Yuan Yangsheng looking at him eagerly, Chen Heng pondered for a moment before suppressing the thought.

Leaving aside the fact that the grievances among those families in Taichang Heaven involve considerable complications, rashly involving oneself might prove disadvantageous; moreover, the Pill Yuan Grand Assembly is scheduled for approximately one sexagenary cycle from now.

With only this amount of time,

even if everything goes smoothly and he successfully obtains the Water of Bai Shui and the co-refining method from Void Emperor Heaven, whether he can actually cultivate the You Ming Zhen Shui and the Qing Shen Lei remains an unknown.

And Chen Heng had used divination methods several times to calculate the outcome of his journey to Void Emperor Heaven.

Although he was far from accurately calculating exactly how the path ahead would unfold, according to the records in the "Master Zhou Yuan Secret Tortoise Divination Manual," the omens on the tortoise shell appeared faint and weak, obscure and unclear.

It seemed there were still some complications regarding the journey to Void Emperor Heaven.

It would certainly not be an easy matter of paying a visit and then calmly obtaining the precious scripture in hand.

Seeing Chen Heng shake his head, Yuan Yuan Yangsheng felt considerable regret in his heart.

In his imagination, with Chen Heng's move "Northern Dipper Notes Death" combined with his own heavenly eye divine ability "Ten Directions Li Gou Pure Eye,"

looking across the vast mortal world, among those of the same realm, there was likely no one who could calmly withstand such a strike!

In the past at Fu Yu Lake, the two of them had cooperated tacitly using their heavenly eye divine abilities.

Yet, while still inexperienced, they had killed a Foundation Establishment cultivator who was a full realm higher than them.

Now that their Dao cultivation was even stronger, it was conceivable that the battle achievements they could create would be even greater.

And just as Yuan Yuan Yangsheng began dragging Xu Zhi into the conversation, Chen Heng felt something in his heart, suddenly frowned, and cast a cold gaze outward.

In the next instant, a brilliant sword light flew up from the distance into the clouds, bright as frost and snow, directly challenging the moon's radiance.

In a mere moment, it slashed open the atmosphere and rushed straight toward the golden carriage!

Soon after, a tremendous roar erupted, like winter thunder shaking the earth, filling the sky with chaotic noise!

Although the sword light was firmly blocked by the golden carriage, halted outside the protective formation, when this disturbance spread, it still caused the many accompanying guards, divine generals, and armored soldiers to feel both furious and alarmed.

Under Wei Wei Yuanzhong's loud commands, the Yu Yu Yuchen Daoist soldiers hastily arranged their formation, shook the great banners, and cries of killing instantly soared into the sky, with murderous qi billowing forth.

The fish monsters idly gazing at the sky in the river below, seeing this, could not help but tremble with fear; they shrank back one after another, diving beneath the water surface, daring not to show their heads again.

At this time, the moon had gradually risen to the mid-heavens, pouring down like water.

In an instant, it sparkled with crystal clarity, making the ground shine as bright as quicksilver.

Within Chen Heng's line of sight, as the clouds and mist slowly parted, a figure gradually became clear.

Under the moonlight, that woman wore white robes with a golden sash, donned a Seven-Treasure Star Crown, and held a long sword in her hand; a small green bird hovered in the distance, flapping its wings, yet did not approach.

Today she did not cover her face with a veiled hat as before; her revealed countenance remained magnificently unparalleled, her pupils like cut water, pure and elegantly beautiful, while between her brows lay a patch of deep brilliance, like a lotus flower reflecting the sun.

"..."

At the moment their gazes met, Chen Heng experienced a long-felt trance, as if returning to many years ago when he could see a vast lake simply by pushing open a window, with brocade carp churning waves in the lake's center; those memories surged forward like a tide, pressing upon him, making everything before him seem as hazy as an illusion.

His heart seemed to go empty for an instant.

For a moment, he heard only the whistling wind beneath the clouds, crossing over the river surface, then passing through mountains and ridges to depart.

"Junior Brother, we have not met for a long time."

Wei Wei Lingjiang raised her head.

Within her line of sight, that young Daoist, seated high within the solemn golden carriage and surrounded on both sides by numerous divine generals and mighty warriors, had rarely lost his composure.

The few cultivators beside this Daoist, who had originally intended to act, were now somewhat bewildered; glancing at one another, they did not know whether to advance or retreat.

After many years of separation, he still looked just as he had in the past.

Clad in black robes and a golden crown, his appearance was as radiant as a divine lord, unlike anyone of the mortal world.

Yet his entire demeanor was vastly different from before; he seemed to have lost some of his cold sharpness, gaining instead a dignified elegance and a natural composure.

He stood like Yushan rising above the heavens, surpassing all peers, not allowing others to easily fathom him.

"..."

Wei Wei Lingjiang did not know what she had recalled, but she smiled silently in her heart.

She watched as the sliver of coldness in Chen Heng's eyes, born from the sudden attack, extinguished sharply upon seeing her, while the emotions in his gaze remained obscure and complex, making it impossible to discern their meaning.

Wei Wei Lingjiang lowered her eyelashes and remained silent, saying nothing.

Between heaven and earth, all was vast and indistinct.

At the limit of vision, the lone moon still shone upon the flowing water, just as it always had, as if unchanged for a thousand years.

"Now, it is your turn to draw your sword."

She said.

Opposite her, there was no sound for a long while; after a considerable time, only a sigh arose.

Thus, two sword lights, bright as rainbows, surged into the sky, cleaving across the void with a crash like thunder, ringing out with a metallic clang!