Blue Saint Fog Camp.
Despite the lovely amber sky, a heavy and oppressive feeling loomed over Spirit Affinity House's disciples. The overcrowded camp filled to the brim with irritated disciples caused daily arguments and battles. Among them were several gu masters with heightened abilities after fortunate visits to Dang Hun Mountain. The stronger the soul, the less taxed their minds felt exerting themselves during cultivation or after great battles.
The quality of Spirit Affinity House's disciples rose greatly. It was a fact—a bitter pill for other nine sects' disciples to swallow. However, they were still outnumbered by a large margin.
After their earlier victories, Spirit Affinity House regained its hope, developing furiously and rebuilding its defenses. However, other nine sects did not want Spirit Affinity House to grow endlessly. They were all in competition. How could they watch Spirit Affinity House stack their advantages?
So, the other legacy disciples contacted each other and started a cruel campaign against Spirit Affinity House. They hiked their ransom for every hostage they captured. Spirit Affinity House was pressured from all sides inside Reincarnation Battlefield and had to continuously draw treasures from its supply hall to fulfill the ransom until several disciples were withdrawn from the battlefield, including Han Yulan and Zi Jun Zhen Zhen, leaving Shu Zhe alone.
By now, Shu Zhe was aware of the two legacy disciple's objectives. They were here to obstruct Shu Zhe from getting the Heavenly Aperture Transformation Gu.
Perhaps, without Bai Shou's meddling, Shu Zhe might have been fated to experience a cruel and restless death under Shu Ye's manipulation.
However, Shu Ye was helpless against Bai Shou.
A peerless gu immortal couldn't do anything to a mortal because they were all bound by the sect system and its rules!
Shu Ye might cause Shu Zhe great anguish, but she didn't dare go against first supreme elder and Feng Jiu Ge. First Supreme Elder was concerned with Bai Shou's safety and secrets. Inappropriately suppressing Bai Shou was the same as antagonizing her. Why would Spirit Affinity House want that when they were all eager to get their hands on a Venerable's inheritance? Meanwhile, Feng Jiu Ge began paying more attention to Bai Shou since she formed a good relationship with Feng Jin Huang.
Feng Jiu Ge's might was right under First and Second Supreme Elders, effortlessly surpassing Third Supreme Elder, too! Xu Hao and his wife were good examples of how terribly the circumstances could turn for oneself when making an enemy out of Feng Jiu Ge.
As such, Bai Shou enjoyed a sensitive position.
It could be said Shu Zhe's schemes paid off.
As the eggmen would suggest—
Never place all the eggs in one basket.
Shu Zhe sought different means to heal herself. But it was Bai Shou who ended up finding a way. Furthermore, being Bai Shou's significant other reduced Shu Ye's suppression.
So, Shu Zhe's mind was unaffected by the grip of the suffocating pressure thickening by the day around the camp. Her heart and mind, for the first time in decades, felt clear and light like a breeze.
She looked ordinary, nothing compared to peerless beauties.
Shu Zhe neither had smooth skin, a tempting figure, nor a charm capable of ruining kingdoms. She was a woman steadily looking her prime in the rear-view mirror. Her body was not petite or overly curvaceous. Instead, she was slightly short. Her figure only retained the grace of a woman who took care after herself.
Right now, she was glowing.
When seen by other disciples, Shu Zhe appeared lively and strangely charming.
Being a creature of habit, Shu Zhe never removed her mask of indifference and mechanical rigidity. But some strange and captivating emotion in her eyes would occasionally burst out, leaving the spectators feeling butterflies in their stomachs.
Shu Zhe wasn't as content with her recovery as she was when communicating with Bai Shou. They were gu masters. Being long-distance did not mean staring through the window on a rainy day and recollecting one's sweet memories.
They had letter gu worms. Bai Shou and Shu Zhe even shared a space path gu worm, capable of interacting daily. Shu Zhe even received a few letters from Qin Juan, which she didn't mind sending over to Bai Shou.
She smiled more often when alone. She felt hopeful and profoundly… smitten.
Bai Shou didn't only break the curse of her aperture but also the curse of her bloodline.
Shu Zhe truly believed Shu Ye would continue to take whatever things and people she grew fond of. So, the best way was to stop investing emotions into someone else.
But fate and love were fickle.
Unlike Bai Shou, Shu Zhe did not feel confused or scared by this rush in her chest.
She briefly strolled outside the war room. Her eyes observed the amber sky and the moving golden clouds.
"G-Greetings, Elder Shu!"
A young voice stammered, attracting Shu Zhe's attention. She glanced at the young gu master who was nearly 20 years old. This girl was surprisingly a rank 2 gu master, a fodder amongst fodder. Her dark brown hair was short, and she had a youthful charm still untouched by Reincarnation Battlefield's madness.
It was Ju Lin!
Bai Shou didn't stop paying attention on Ju Lin. After learning of her hard work, the girl was rewarded and accepted into the sect as an official disciple through Shu Zhe. After all, elders were allowed a quota for placements, capable of recruiting the disciples they wished. Hearing of Bai Shou's involvement and confirming her master's vital status, Ju Lin was extremely happy and relieved.
She worked even harder, using all her savings and contribution points to enter Reincarnation Battlefield even when her mother constantly opposed this decision and struggled to make Ju Lin see reason.
Of course, the girl's savings were nowhere near enough. But what was another minor loan of a few hundred contribution points to have the girl enter the battlefield? Bai Shou believed Ju Lin was a suitable gu master and had a great opportunity to grow in this blood thirsty environment.
As expected, Ju Lin died… many times. However, instead of breaking, she transformed into a sharpened knife!
"Hm." Shu Zhe nodded with an acknowledging noise.
Ju Lin opened her mouth to say something, but she felt lacking. Bai Shou was casual and fun to be around for the young gu master. However, other rank 5 gu masters carried themselves with the dignity reserved for those overlooking the mortal path from the top!
Shu Zhe bowed again and quickly left.
'Hehe, what a silly girl.' Shu Zhe chuckled internally. 'But such a lass is also cute. If I had a child…'
Shu Zhe shook her head.
Love and losing oneself were two different things.
She was still very clear in her heart.
Offsprings?
Shu Zhe would never dare birth any child until she was confident to protect them from Shu Ye, and that will only happen once she surpassed her mortal limits.
She exhaled and returned to work.
*Rumble*
Shu Zhe's steps paused as the ground shook. She heard the shocked cries of hundreds of disciples while rushing out. The sky had darkened significantly. The amber sky was now pitch-black, and the golden clouds dissipated. From this darkness appeared orbs of grey light, gloomy and suffocating.
"Stop this at once!"
"Don't forget who we are!"
Two furious shouts shook the camp. Their surroundings visibly fluctuated before the pressure on the mortals receded. Shu Zhe could finally breathe. Her expression dropped as her chest tightened with worry.
'Gu Immortals… other sects' supreme elders are moving against us!'
Loud alarms woke the disciples out of their dazed state as the scouts hurriedly informed a massive tide of enemies flooding from all directions!
Shu Zhe instantly took charge, setting formations and preparing for this grave battle, uncertain and anxious.
No rules and courtesies could be expected for mortals when the immortals acted.
<<<>>>
Spirit Affinity House's public blessed land was situated in Central Continent. It was in a deep and mysterious valley untouched by humans and filled with many beast groups. A network of several hundred waterfalls crashed down the valley, collecting into one massive and deep lake. Surrounding this lake were hints of development. But such means were created in harmony with trees, grass, flowers, insects, and animals alike.
Despite the several waterfalls converging into the lake, its surface did not change and remained still, reflecting the valley like a divine mirror. From the center of the reflected valley, in the deepest part of the lake, bloomed an otherworldly glowing blue lotus. Its petals bloomed open, unhindered by the extreme pressure at the depths of the lake.
This was the entrance of Spirit Affinity House's public blessed land!
Other disciples around the blessed land did not sense anything. There were many gu masters around the lake. Some cultivated in their hidden chambers. Many nurtured resources. In a long, winding garden walked a few female disciples, relaxing and resting.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Second Supreme Elder materialized far above the valley, the group's presence hidden by a thick blanket of clouds. She wasn't alone. Feng Jiu Ge floated a few feet behind Second Supreme Elder, the gusts of speedy wind unable to sway his robes and hair.
Two more elders emerged from the public blessed land, their expressions equally grave and dark as nine gu immortals decided to pay their sect a visit. However, the leading gu immortal left their hearts sinking.
Rank 8!
Second Supreme Elder was also a rank 8 gu immortal. Like Spirit Affinity House, Ancient Soul Sect also boasted two rank 8 supreme elders. The nine gu immortals looked very composed, smiling lightly as if visiting their friends and family.
"It's been 90 years since we last met, Fairy Yi."
Second Supreme Elder demanded coldly.
"I asked what is the meaning of this, Sir Smoke Earth. Your juniors placed my sect's disciples in a formation, cutting their path of retreat from Reincarnation Battlefield. And now all of you come here? Indeed, it's been 90 years. Let's jolt our old joints from slumber and relive that day."
A dangerous chill spread with Fairy Yi as the center. Often the voice of reason in sect meetings with First Supreme Elder rarely participating, she was proud and stubborn. She built her legend on a mountain of corpses far surpassing the height of the valley and could fill even deeper lakes with blood.
However, her opponent was no slouch. Smoke Earth chuckled softly. An earthen scent left his body, carrying spring-like warmth.
"Calm your anger and see reason, Fairy Yi. We are not here for a conflict. Would we dare look down on Spirit Affinity House and seek trouble without our gu houses? Despite our differences, our ten sects are the ten pillars holding up heaven's righteousness and competed in harmony under Heavenly Court's blessings for hundreds and thousands of years."
Fairy Yi's anger calmed slightly as she patiently heard Smoke Earth out.
"We are here to discuss a grave matter. In fact, us elders from the remaining sects watched things turn terrible from distance. You were unable to see the forest for the trees. Meanwhile, us spectators appreciated the big picture and came to alert you."
"Spirit Affinity House accidentally recruited a great demon!"
Smoke Earth sighed and shook his head.
"We understand Spirit Affinity House is the kindest super sect. It gave second chances to a great many demonic lords, converting them to righteousness for everyone's peace."
As he spoke, the weaker gu immortals couldn't help but glance at the quiet and indifferent Feng Jiu Ge. Some gu immortals even glared at him hatefully!
"Demon?"
Fairy Yi nodded.
"I see. Sir Smoke Earth is wise and benevolent. You gathered such a force to help wake us up."
Sarcasm laced her voice, something Smoke Earth seemed to be oblivious about as he chuckled.
"Thankfully, Fairy Yi is reasonable. I knew you would see reason. The last time we sparred ninety years ago was in the sky above Fairy Yong's inheritance. I'm still in awe. Your water path killer moves were astonishing and as wrathful and hot as a sea of flames."
Fairy Yi snorted coldly.
"Then you should learn from me, Sir Smoke Earth. There is no age limit to learning. We will handle our matters ourselves."
"Hehe… that is indeed so." Smoke Earth smiled widely, his eyes squinting. "But how can we not spend more time in such a joyous moment? How often do we get chance to meet?"
"Since our kind intentions are accepted, allow me to share the evidence we gathered against this great demon." A rank 6 gu immortal finally stepped forward once Smoke Earth signaled him. He was part of Wind Cloud Manor.
<<<>>>
"Please inspect carefully." Heavenly Informant smiled calmly, presenting several information path gu worms as Bai La and Mi Yao were surrounded by several gu immortals.
Bai La skimmed through the material before scoffing. Instead, she focused on a floating emotion.
Thoughts, Will, and Emotions.
Among these, emotions were the hardest to get rid of. Besides Heavenly Informant floated an effeminate gu immortal's emotion. He was very beautiful, his features even comparable to many captivating fairies.
"So?" Bai La laughed coldly. "The so-called demon is merely an able junior; someone we plan to convert. Why are dogs of Southern Border interfering?"
If the emotion took any offense at the words, it did not display anything. Bai La couldn't help but grow serious. The opposing gu immortal had a deep foundation in wisdom path. Emotions were the hardest to control, but the killer move used to form this emotion was composed and indifferent to insults.
"Hehe." Heavenly Informant laughed carefreely. "What southern and what northern? Since when did land and qi walls divide our spirit of humanity and shared prosperity? We are all members of the righteous path. Sir Shang Mi Zhu merely seeks justice."
"Justice?" Mi Yao scoffed.
Heavenly Informant nodded, speaking seriously.
"Indeed. This is a matter of a righteous clan's reputation and dignity. Disciple Bai Shou… Gu Yue Lo Jik violated several Shang Clan women. He raped and defiled as easily as breathing! Furthermore, he inherited a demonic inheritance, forcing Sir Shang Mi Zhu to take matters into his hands."
He sighed deeply, his expression slightly moving for someone who remained unfettered by mortal affairs.
"Alas, Gu Yue Lo Jik was very crafty. He used Ba Gui Land Spirit's assistance to deceive the Shang Clan. Fairy Bai, Gu Yue Lo Jik's treacherous claws even tainted the Shang Clan's leader's wife. Do you know Junior Shang Yan Fei's wife was pregnant? But Gu Yue Lo Jik committed another violent and distasteful crime on Junior Su Shou before killing her! He did not even let her soul rest in peace and continues to torture it to this day!"
Shang Mi Zhu was once muddled by the effects of an earthly calamity, his emotions in a chaotic state as he was reduced to a lustful and beat-like state, forcing himself on many female descendants of Shang Clan's mortal elders and whoever else caught his eye. However, once rescued from Ba Gui Blessed Land's destruction, other supreme elders helped heal him and covered his crimes, pinning the blame on Gu Yue Lo Jik, who was assumed dead.
However, their losses were immense.
Shang Yan Fei and Su Shou were once lovers. However, the former's deceit drove Su Shou beyond the edge as she knowingly miscarried his child nurturing in her womb out of extreme hatred.
This conflict finally shed light on the couple's adventure into a mysterious blessed land, catching several supreme elders' attention. Shang Yan Fei was very important. He possessed two of Blood Sea Ancestor's true inheritance. His potential was something to be looked forward to.
However, a deeper inspection revealed the truth.
Unexpectedly, Shang Yan Fei and Su Shou could no longer recall the location of the blessed land even if they remembered their interactions inside the blessed land. This led to another discovery.
Aside from their memories being tampered, Su Shou's soul was modified using immortal methods! Of course, the elders were also aware of her ability to dual cultivate rule and wisdom paths. This was a true method of dual cultivation!
They wanted to search through her soul but failed due to the immortal method on her soul. This method also left them helpless.
Even Shang Clan's First Supreme Elder could not do anything!
Shang Clan invested a lot in Su Shou. Losing her was truly a disastrous loss.
However, things changed for the better and Shang Mi Zhu was contacted by Heavenly Informant in Treasure Yellow Heaven before they planned to do something about Gu Yue Lo Jik.
"No matter!" Bai La spoke crudely. "He could have raped your mother, and it would still be our sect's matter, Heavenly Informant!"
"All of you are breaking the rules. Hehe. This is Reincarnation Battlefield. Do you think we are afraid of death? Come! Let us all suffer disastrous losses!"
Even if only a rank 6 gu immortal, Bai La's foundation was extremely firm, and her nature was cunning. She did not want to die and injure her foundations. Reincarnation Battlefield was Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable's method. It would take another Venerable to truly kill someone within its space. However, the healing of gu immortals actually used their own foundation!
Bai La's threat was convincing as other gu immortals' expressions changed at her words.
Heavenly Informant glared coldly as Bai La remained unflinching.
"I see. Fairies of Spirit Affinity House are truly benevolent." Shang Mi Zhu's emotion suddenly interjected with a smile. He looked at Heavenly Informant, smiling. "They only wish to help a junior see the light and walk the righteous path, Friend Tian. Their kind hearts and determined nature to convert demons into assets for the righteous path is nothing but awe-inspiring."
He mediated.
Shang Mi Zhu truly wasn't himself when he was affected by Emotional Gales earthly calamity.
His words were soft as he eased the surrounding tension.
"Indeed, there is no reason to fight." Heavenly Informant chuckled as Bai La and Mi Yao glanced at the massive formation surrounding a great region, effortlessly covering dozens of camps controlled by Heavenly Lotus Sect, Wind Cloud Manor, and Heaven's Envy Manor.
The formation might seem very elaborate, but it only had one use—transportation.
Reincarnation Battlefield existed for thousands of years. Its ability attracted ambitious gu masters and gu immortals from every corner of the world to seek possible treasures that Paradise Earth Venerable might have left inside before the ten ancient sects took control.
Gu Immortals of the ten sects studied the battlefield before creating a way to manipulate the entrance points into the battlefield!
Controlling these entrance points truly allowed the ten ancient sects to control the battlefield as they set their rules in place and used it as a training ground for their disciples and to grow unique materials and beasts.
After so many years, the ten sects possessed an in-depth understanding of this battlefield.
Had it been an ordinary battlefield killer move, setting a formation inside would have been very challenging. But Paradise Earth Venerable was publicly acknowledged as the greatest battlefield killer move user! The battlefield he created resisted tides of time and existed to this day!
It did not suppress everyone but healed them. Setting a formation in this environment was the same as setting a formation in the main continent.
Mortals couldn't set this formation due to its intense primeval essence consumption. Even hundreds of rank 5 gu master would not be able to support it for a few seconds. However, it was easy for a gu immortal to bestow their emotion and immortal essence, using this formation through a mortal.
'Once anyone dies, this formation will interfere with Paradise Earth's setup. However, how can gu immortals easily interrupt a Venerable's method? This interference merely overrides the gu master's recognized entrance point. So, even if our sect disciples die, this information will make it so that the battlefield registers their entrance point elsewhere. In this way, they will all be captured. But their intention is clear. This setup is for Gu Yue Lo Jik.'
'The easiest way to resolve this issue is by leaving the battlefield. But why would Heavenly Informant ignore such a blatant loophole? This isn't just one formation. There are two formations. The other formation temporarily sealed the space.'
Bai La's expression turned heavy.
'Shang Mi Zhu's desire to capture Gu Yue Lo Jik is understandable. There is surely a hidden story that we aren't aware of. But why would the other nine sects care? This isn't just simple suppression.'
Bai La, Mi Yao, and almost all the other Spirit Affinity House's supreme elders realized this aspect after a few seconds of consideration.
They were stunned at the realization.
Among the group, only three gu immortals kept their cool. In fact, they predicted something similar long ago.
Xu Hao sent out a will, observing everything above the public blessed land. His expression was unreadable.
There were resentment and anger in his eyes. He felt resigned and defiant at the same time. Although he predicted this scenario, he could not understand First Supreme Elder's reasoning.
'In hindsight, First Supreme Elder has been consistently in Lo Jik's favor. It might look like she was giving impartial commands. I was removed from studying that inheritance. Feng Jiu Ge would need at least five years to find any clues. On surface, it is indeed impartial. But Feng Jiu Ge admitted to a wrongdoing. That admission always bugged me.'
Xu Hao snorted, now effortlessly seeing through the scheme after gaining some crucial clues.
'He wanted Gu Yue Lo Jik and Feng Jin Huang to be on friendlier terms. By staying in the headquarters, he expressed his goodwill to Lo Jik. Only after Lo Jik's sudden encounter with a dream realm did I realize the meaning behind Feng Jiu Ge's moves. That Feng Jin Huang is blessed and got that immortal gu worm while sleeping when she was only three years old. Could it be… does that immortal gu worm have something to do with the Dream Path?'
It was unavoidable. Feng Jiu Ge's earlier moves now began making sense to Xu Hao.
'To think Feng Jiu Ge already found a way to notice such things.' Xu Hao's expression darkened before he thought of First Supreme Elder.
'If I can see that, First Supreme Elder must have, too. In fact, Feng Jiu Ge was unable to scheme properly because of Heavenly Informant's interference. So, First Supreme Elder must have noticed many things from the beginning. Her decisions weren't truly to placate our factions or achieve neutrality.'
'No.'
'She was supporting Lo Jik.'
That was the end of Xu Hao's deductions. However, his intuition pointed out this matter wasn't related to the dream path.
Something else influenced First Supreme Elder's decisions.
Similar to Xu Hao, Feng Jiu Ge watched the discussion between two rank 8 gu immortals unfold.
'Sigh, there wasn't enough time to prepare.'
Heavenly Informant was an accomplished information path gu immortal. It was only a matter of time before he found the truth. But Spirit Affinity House was also desperate. After years of research, they realized only an otherworldly demon could inherit this Venerable's Inheritance.
Fate was not on their side.
It could be said otherworldly demons were rare. Spirit Affinity House developed a way to identify them after studying this inheritance for years. In fact, it was First Supreme Elder who developed this killer move. However, every otherworldly demon they identified experienced a gruesome end!
Spirit Affinity House was prepared this time, straddling Feng Jiu Ge with the responsibility of recruiting Lo Jik. Even if Heavenly Informant struck, Feng Jiu Ge had left a few hidden means to act.
'But Lo Jik was also our weakness.'
Feng Jiu Ge sighed.
'Heavenly Informant is an information path gu immortal. His intuition for crucial information and clues can be considered top-notch in Central Continent. He started using his methods to collect clues before realizing the truth. The evidence was then used to temporarily unite the other nine sects against Spirit Affinity House.'
'There aren't going to be any battles. Their true aim isn't to snatch the inheritance. Even these gu immortals understand the futility of such a demand. However, what they do want is Gu Yue Lo Jik. That inheritance is useless without Gu Yue Lo Jik. They might not have found the complete truth, but they can infer many things with a few clues.'
After all, other sects also had wisdom path gu immortals.
He couldn't help but look towards the public blessed land.
'So, how does removing all our methods on Lo Jik help him?'
Feng Jiu Ge also realized First Supreme Elder was particularly careful about the otherworldly demon. He once had a few methods left on Bai Shou. However, after she encountered the dream realm, Feng Jiu Ge was forced to remove all these methods.
First Supreme Elder wasn't angered but spoke with deep meaning, warning every supreme elder that day.
Bai Shou must remain untouched.
'It's not dream path.'
Feng Jiu Ge was sure.
'It also isn't because of Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable's inheritance.'
Like Xu Hao, Feng Jiu Ge was stuck at the end, unable to truly understand First Supreme Elder's actions.
The last of the three individuals who saw this coming remained seated in a dim chamber. She looked weathered like an ancient tree.
First Supreme Elder.
She opened her eyes slightly; her gaze filled with ancient wisdom. Instead of focusing on the stalemate above the blessed land, her vision bypassed all obstacles and remained fixed on a… rock.
This rock was strange.
It kept trembling with excitement.
***
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