Chapter 607

Backlash is certain.

I don't fear backlash; when it arrives, it only confirms my method is right. I simply need to forge the key using the incense-ash flood, then place it in the keyhole, activate the forging power of the incense-ash flood, and I can completely melt the centrifugal lock.

Nothing good comes easy; something must have gone wrong along the way, right?

If it weren't for a mistake, this matter wouldn't have been delayed for so many years.

Yes.

The backlash was stronger than I imagined; to finish the final unlocking plan, I had to retreat to the Ascension Heaven Hall for closed-door cultivation. Hah, I immersed myself in my own world, thinking I would surely succeed, never expecting that my master, while I was in seclusion, gathered the incense and merit of the entire Junzhu Mountain City God Temple, lifting me up to once again achieve Ascension in a Single Step.

I was completely dazed.

Does achieving Ascension in a Single Step again also mean you've fallen once more into the curse of severed love and affection?

Wang Fánchén destroyed the centrifugal lock and suffered backlash.

Zhū Yōu Sānrén suppressed this backlash with the incense and merit of the City God Temple, and the centrifugal lock once again exerted its power.

Yeah, it's all about mutual generation and accompaniment; I can clearly feel my memories of Yu Nian fading quickly, so I have to, before I forget everything entirely, pawn the key in that way into the Yin Dang Hang.

So, this pawn business is entirely under Wang Fánchén's control.

I know, Master won't let me see Yu Nian again, because as soon as I see her, my Dao-heart will shatter completely, and all I'll want is to renew our fate with her.

Yu Nian is the love tribulation destined for me.

To keep the key, I can only hide it in the Yin Dang Hang by pawning it; unless I myself want to redeem it, no one can touch this key.

The key is Wang Fánchén's final trump card, and also the strongest proof of his feelings for Yu Nian.

He will sever love and affection, forget Yu Nian, but as long as the key exists, one day his death-defying love will be awakened again.

Wang Fánchén hadn't originally intended to confide this to anyone.

To dispel my doubts and retrieve the stone, he had to lay everything out before me.

His account, every time point and critical juncture, matches what Yu Nian said.

Therefore, as long as I trust Yu Nian enough, I can also fully believe Wang Fánchén.

But after hearing all this, my heart was a tangled mix of feelings, an indescribable discomfort.

I couldn't help but ask: 'Would you blame your master? After all, from beginning to end, everything he did was to elevate you to become the City God; he is your master, planning many ways for your future, making choices for you, which seems reasonable.'

Wang Fánchén didn't directly answer my question; he merely said lightly: 'Whether I hate him or not has nothing to do with this redemption transaction, right?'

Indeed.

I took the stone out and placed it on the counter, but didn't immediately let go.

I hesitated a moment, then couldn't help but ask: 'City God, the matter of the Nineteen Grotto-Heavens cultivating your attendant boys—was that also something your master personally planned for you?'

I really shouldn't have asked, because this question is too risky.

But I still couldn't resist wanting to probe just how the master-disciple bond between Wang Fánchén and Zhū Yōu Sānrén really is.

Wang Fánchén still avoided the question, instead solemnly asking me: 'Feng Wu Jiu, when you were in trouble back then and came to me for help, I didn't stand by idly; I chose to help you, even drawing disaster into the Yin Dang Hang, which ultimately led to Fánchén being subjected to death by a thousand cuts. What do I value? Don't you understand yet?'

My hand… eventually moved away from the stone.

Human debts are the hardest to repay.

What Wang Fánchén values is nothing other than my identity as a Nirvana Phoenix.

And the Nirvana fire of the Nirvana Phoenix can melt the mandarin-duck heart-lock, the centrifugal lock, and even… that massive stone outside the Three Lives Hall…

Suddenly I realized what!

Wang Fánchén's outward words were actually supporting me in destroying the Nineteen Grotto-Heavens, destroying the Three Lives Hall, and destroying that huge boulder!

And for this day's arrival, he had already begun laying the groundwork long ago!

After all, he could personally chisel a keyhole into the centrifugal lock that binds him and Yu Nian, and he could also use the incense-ash flood to fuse the debris chiseled out to forge a key, but wanting to destroy the entire Nineteen Grotto-Heavens using the forging power of that incense-ash flood is not something that can be achieved overnight.

He needs the help of Nirvana fire.

By the time I figured all this out, Wang Fánchén had already left with the stone.

Actually, I still have many things, many details I couldn't fully sort out; I also understand in my heart that emotional matters are always tangled and cannot be over-analyzed.

I only need to make clear one point: Wang Fánchén and Zhū Yōu Sānrén are not allied.

Though I am within the situation, I am not the one being schemed against; I am the breaker of the situation!

Over the past month, Wang Fánchén's days have also been far from easy.

The moment the centrifugal lock was melted was also the moment Wang Fánchén was overwhelmed by the immense backlash; he suffered unprecedented heavy damage.

At the same time, Yu Nian finally broke free from the centrifugal lock's control and appeared on the Wangchuan River.

Also happening at the same time, Junzhu Mountain and its City God Temple suddenly vanished from the world.

When they reappeared in the world, Zhū Yōu Sānrén had already returned from his wandering.

It's obvious that Zhū Yōu Sānrén's appearance was for Wang Fánchén.

He once again exhausted all the incense and merit accumulated over many years at the City God Temple to heal Wang Fánchén's wounds.

Including these past few days, the nightly clearing of incense at the City God Temple is also because of that.

I raised my hand and firmly pinched my brow; Zhū Yōu Sānrén cares so much for Wang Fánchén—can Wang Fánchén really bring himself to strike him?

This 'pure good person' has, so far, seemed to have more merit than fault.

The only problem lies in the matter of the 'City God's attendant boys.'

Liang Bo and Lin Mei offered sincere veneration, but apparently they were not selected.

Then who were selected were those several pairs of newcomers?

They… are they still alright now?

Xiao Jiu, are you still okay?

Just then, Li Qingying's voice suddenly came.

She walked over and asked concernedly: 'Did anyone come by just now? The Nan Shu Fang has been sealed with a barrier, so I can't get in at all.'

I just came to my senses and honestly reported: "The City God just came by."

I didn't go into the details; it's hard to describe.

Li Qingying was surprised, but she didn't ask further, only saying: "It's getting late, Xiao Jiu, rest first."

I hummed, got up and stretched, and Li Qingying had already gone to close the door.

As a result, she had only done half of the motion to close the door, stopped, and not knowing who she was speaking to, said: "Standing there in the middle of the night, trying to scare people to death! If you have something to say, say it; if not, leave early."

I asked: "Sister Qingying, who is it?"

Li Qingying replied angrily: "Liang Bo! Standing there at the street corner like a lone ghost, giving me a fright..."