Chapter 23#
Seven days were approaching, and omens began appearing.
The major sects suddenly discovered something terrifying. From the fifth day onward, they’d lost all sense of the disciples inside the realm.
These hundreds of disciples were all promising talents of their sects and absolutely couldn’t go missing.
Everyone panicked and quickly gathered to discuss countermeasures, dispatching elders to the mortal realm to investigate.
When they arrived at the desert, they finally understood how serious things were.
In the vast yellow sands, everything was calm and still. Not a trace of realm energy could be sensed, only demon-tainted spider lilies blooming ominously across the desert.
Patches of red spider lilies had flowers but no leaves, their roots wrapped in demonic energy burrowing into the soil. They’d completely taken over the only oasis.
Hamant knelt before the immortals, pleading in pain: “This is the desert’s only oasis. Without its water, people can’t survive. Please, immortal masters, save us…”
The townspeople knelt behind their lord Hamant.
The sight was heartbreaking. Yet the sects couldn’t touch these demon flowers. Getting close would corrode them, causing their five organs to shatter.
The flower protected the demon energy, greedily absorbing the oasis’s nutrients. The largest bloom was already as tall as a tree.
Just as everyone stood helpless, a white tiger descended from the sky. And on the tiger’s back sat a purple-robed cultivator.
Such a matter would normally bring sect elders. Yet here was Xie Zheng, just an unranked Lingxu Sect disciple, representing the sect.
Yet no one objected. When they saw him, many even shouted with bright eyes: “It’s Immortal Xie!”
The atmosphere lifted, though a scattered cultivator not knowing him asked a nearby elder: “Is this Lingxu Sect’s new elder?”
“No. Immortal Xie has no rank or position. He’s merely an inner sect disciple.”
The scattered cultivator was confused: “Then why…”
The elder explained patiently: “Though unranked, he’s the direct disciple of Lingxu’s Upper Clear Peak Master. In one hand he wields the Demon-Slaying Blade, in the other the Judge’s Brush. None of his generation can match his brilliance. If he’s here, there’s hope.”
Barely had the words left the elder’s mouth when Xie Zheng unhesitantly jumped from the white tiger’s back.
The thousand-pound Demon-Slaying Blade swept out, instantly attacking the most brilliant flower in the oasis center.
The flower released rich demonic energy. The scattered cultivators worried, but Xie Zheng showed no fear. Behind him flashed a massive golden dharma form.
Xie Zheng, merely at the Nascent Soul stage, possessed a dharma form that typically required Transcendence stage to cultivate. The scattered cultivators gasped in amazement.
The golden form held a long blade like Xie Zheng, but closed its eyes, its face bearing compassion unlike Xie Zheng himself.
Like a bodhisattva covering her face, unable to bear the world’s suffering.
The demon flower had been split in two by the blade wrapped in golden light, immediately withering.
The flower was the formation’s eye. With it destroyed, surrounding spider lilies spread outward as the source point, rapidly withering. A breeze scattered them as yellow sand.
“Truly worthy of Immortal Xie!”
Everyone cheered. The common folk knelt, led by their lord, to thank Xie Zheng.
Yet the scattered cultivator remained puzzled: “Demon energy rages so fiercely, we couldn’t manage with so many people. He’s only at early Nascent Soul stage. How is he unafraid of demon energy?”
The elder explained: “His master Li Xuanfeng had his entire sect slaughtered by demons in his youth. He hates demons more than anything, and created techniques specifically to dispel that terrifying demonic energy. Now his direct disciple wields the Demon-Slaying Blade. He fears neither minor demon flowers nor demon armies.”
The white tiger descended and stood obediently beside Xie Zheng.
Yet after their excitement, they discovered a far more troubling problem.
They’d thought breaking the demon formation would let them relocate the realm. But waiting long, they still couldn’t establish contact with anyone inside.
Anxiety swept back in, and even Xie Zheng’s expression darkened.
Xie Zheng’s unease showed clearly. He stared into the desert depths, unable to sense even a trace of realm energy. His grip on his blade tightened unconsciously.
Outside was chaos, but inside the realm, tranquility remained. Time flowed differently.
In reality, it was noon, but in the realm, it was still moonlight.
Moonlight spilled through the window, broken into fragments by tree shadows, gently dancing across Xue Jingci’s brow.
Xue Jingci gazed seriously at Pei Huang for a long time before hesitantly speaking: “You…”
He’d always been straightforward, saying whatever came to mind. Pei Huang had never seen him struggle to speak like this.
Pei Huang’s heart pounded with anticipation, wondering what Xue Jingci would say.
But after waiting, Xue Jingci said nothing more, only watching him quietly.
Pei Huang couldn’t take being stared at and softly asked: “Do you have something to tell me?”
Xue Jingci paused, his gaze moving to Pei Huang’s hand: “Did you wash your hands?”
“Of course!”
Pei Huang’s frantically beating heart shattered into pieces.
He held both hands out from under the blanket, exasperated: “Don’t listen to that fool A’su. He’s dumb and doesn’t understand what he hears.”
Xue Jingci suddenly laughed, closing his eyes and saying nothing. Soon his breathing became even.
Pei Huang sighed: “You fall asleep fast.”
The next morning, Xue Jingci woke to find the bedding beside him already cold. Pei Huang was gone again.
He wasn’t particularly curious, yet he found himself staring at the empty space until the system nudged his hand, breaking his trance.
The system bit his sleeve excitedly: “Host, is today finally when we can leave?”
Xue Jingci didn’t answer, rubbing the system’s head: “The exit is at the military warehouse. Let’s check first.”
But at the warehouse, the doors were sealed shut. Every sect disciple gathered outside waiting.
Seeing Xue Jingci, Xiao Xun immediately approached, but Lin Heng beat him to it, chattering endlessly about Lin Su slaying the enemy commander yesterday.
Lin Su, unable to stand it, covered his mouth: “Enough! You’ve said it several times today already!”
Xue Jingci sincerely congratulated Lin Su on his upcoming promotion to outer sect elder.
Lin Heng seized the opportunity to finish his story.
Lin Su sighed helplessly: “There, everyone in Lingxu Sect knows now. Don’t say it again!”
Lin Heng looked around and suddenly his gaze fell on the system. He immediately shook his head: “No, the cat also needs to know.”
With that, he actually crouched down and told the whole story to the little cat.
The system was terrified: “Meow, does he have something wrong?”
Everyone laughed. Lin Su’s face flushed red. Lin Heng, unbothered, loudly invited everyone to celebrate together at a food establishment after returning to the sect.
Song Jue was confused, quietly asking Yin Xinyao: “What’s so good about Lingxu Sect food? Since the training ends, we’ll pass through Nanzhou anyway. Why not gather there?”
Yin Xinyao, being observant, smiled thoughtfully: “Lin Heng really cares this time. Xue junior brother has an awkward position in the outer sect. Lin Heng is making sure everyone knows his connections with us run deep.”
Song Jue suddenly understood: “He thinks more than it seems. No wonder the Sword Peak elder, though stern, shows favoritism toward this boy.”
As they spoke, the sealed doors suddenly swung open. Everyone excitedly rushed toward the exit.
But stepping through, they discovered the space beyond was still the cold military warehouse with no way out!
An armor-clad general stepped forward, his sharp gaze sweeping across them before settling on Jiang Chengyi.
“The fighting ahead is fierce. Please immediately depart for each stronghold to defend them. Two days hence, if there’s no change, you may return.”
The noisy crowd fell silent at this, staring hard at the stern general before them.
Yesterday they’d watched the demon leader fall to Lin Su’s blade. How could things suddenly be critical again?
And the strongholds… weren’t they already destroyed?
Jiang Chengyi recovered first, nodding to the general: “I’ll arrange everyone to different strongholds right away.”
The general gave him a few more instructions and provided a map before hurrying off.
As he left, Jiang Chengyi clutched the map, took a deep breath, and slowly opened it. The marked strongholds were identical to the first day.
His last hope was utterly shattered. He realized everyone was trapped in the realm, forced to repeat everything experienced these seven days.
Jiang Chengyi forced himself calm and informed everyone of the situation, casually saying: “This ancient realm has existed long, sustained by magical tools the predecessors left. Perhaps its power has weakened with age, causing this problem. There’s no need to worry too much.”
Hearing this, the anxious crowd calmed somewhat.
Jiang Chengyi continued: “We’ll be gone a while. The outside will surely realize something. These next days we’ll defend our positions as before. Each sect send one person with me to search the realm for alternative exits.”
His calm demeanor and organized arrangements finally dispersed the crowd. Only after everyone scattered did he show a hint of exhaustion.
Jiang Chengyi gathered the Lingxu Sect disciples: “This isn’t simple. Be extra careful. Any strangeness must be reported immediately.”
Everyone fell silent, not having expected this development.
“Xue junior brother, lead everyone to the eastern stronghold. I’ll go scout around. Lin Su will stay in the city to provide immediate support if needed.”
Xue Jingci nodded in agreement. At the eastern stronghold, Song Jue and Lin Su volunteered to intercept demon scouts. Lin Heng helped Yin Xinyao brew healing medicines.
Xue Jingci called Xiao Xun to help him set up defensive formations early.
After the formation was complete, Xiao Xun looked toward Xue Jingci, struggling to speak: “Master, that old friend of yours…”
Noticing Xiao Xun bringing up Pei Huang, Xue Jingci was somewhat confused but waited quietly.
Xiao Xun watched Xue Jingci carefully: “He seems to have many secrets. When the wolf-spider attacked that day, he burned a black talisman and escaped the demon mob unscathed. That talisman technique is very strange…”
He observed Xue Jingci’s expression as he spoke.
Seeing Xue Jingci unmoved, he continued: “And his younger brother—Master must have noticed—is actually half-alive.”
At this, Xue Jingci didn’t react much, but the system nearly fell over in fright: “Host, is this true? But A’su moves around fine. How can he be dead?”
Xue Jingci comforted the system, asking Xiao Xun: “How did you know?”
Xiao Xun explained quietly: “His younger brother avoids sunlight, is lazy and sleepy, with ice-cold body temperature and heavy yin energy surrounding him. That day outside the city, fighting demons with him, I noticed his breathing irregular, half-alive. Someone must have used forbidden techniques to keep him barely alive—definitely not righteous cultivation.”
Xue Jingci lowered his eyes thoughtfully.
What Xiao Xun said, he’d already noticed but never thought deeply about.
He didn’t care about such things. A half-alive person was fine as long as they could eat and breathe. The method didn’t matter.
Seeing Xue Jingci’s moved expression, Xiao Xun hurried: “Master knows he and I have a good relationship. I shouldn’t say such divisive things. It’s only that I’m worried about your safety…”
Before he finished, laughter echoed from the nearby forest.
Pei Huang jumped down from a tree, arms folded, looking at Xiao Xun.
Xiao Xun’s face changed. Though Pei Huang was young and not more powerful, Xiao Xun hadn’t sensed him at all in the tree.
Pei Huang ignored him, moving before Xue Jingci and saying mockingly: “If you want to know something, just ask me. No need to listen to others or guess.”
Xue Jingci blinked, truly unsure what to ask.
Because he genuinely couldn’t think of anything worth asking.
Xiao Xun pressed his sword hilt hard, demanding: “You already knew everyone couldn’t leave the realm today, didn’t you?”
Pei Huang didn’t answer him, only stared at Xue Jingci, nodding with a smile: “Yes. So I stayed with Big Brother last night.”
His evasive answer meant Xiao Xun clearly felt guilty for gossiping. He apologized through gritted teeth.
Xue Jingci had him leave. Xiao Xun reluctantly agreed, taking one last hard look at Pei Huang before going.
Once Xiao Xun was completely gone, Pei Huang dropped his composed demeanor, becoming dejected: “A’su’s situation… you already knew, right?”
Xue Jingci nodded, asking: “From when you were in East Village?”
Pei Huang said: “When I found A’su, his throat was already cut by demons. Only one breath remained. I just wanted him to live, no matter what form.”
He spoke urgently, his face composed, yet his eyes betrayed nervousness.
Xue Jingci didn’t understand why he cared so much. A’su could live—that was what mattered. The method wasn’t important.
After a thought, Xue Jingci said to Pei Huang: “Hungry. Want fish.”
Pei Huang blinked in surprise, understanding the matter was closed. He smiled and ran off to catch fish.
Over the following days, Xue Jingci didn’t ask further questions. But seeing Pei Huang follow inseparably, he knew the realm’s changes were far from simple.
Inside the realm, people grew restless, re-experiencing previous slaughter. Emotions spiraled, making them unable to sleep or eat, fighting over trivial disagreements.
“Tomorrow, can we leave?” countless people asked Jiang Chengyi.
Jiang Chengyi couldn’t answer, his heart sinking bit by bit.
Seven days had passed. The outside couldn’t possibly be inactive. Yet they remained trapped.
If they couldn’t leave tomorrow, even he wouldn’t know how to calm people.
Everyone waited anxiously outside the warehouse until dawn finally broke. Light appeared at the door’s edge, then it swung open completely.
“The passage opened! We’re saved!”
“Finally getting out!”
The crowd cheered and rushed toward the exit.
Jiang Chengyi finally relaxed, hurrying Lingxu disciples away from this place.
But once the light faded, everyone realized the space beyond wasn’t vast desert, but a sunless forest ravine!
Leaden clouds filled the sky, everything murky and dim. Thunder roared like beast cries, each louder and fiercer. Lightning webbed densely, directly splitting distant trees into charred wood.
Everyone instinctively tried backing into the doorway, but found the entrance had vanished.
Jiang Chengyi shouted: “Move toward the valley! Lower ground can dodge the lightning!”
Only then did everyone regain their wits, activating protective weapons without stopping, rushing downslope.
At the valley bottom, they discovered an ancient altar.
Ordinary altars sit on surface level. This one was dug downward with no visible bottom.
Afraid to approach, everyone huddled together waiting for the storm to pass. After an unknown time, rain began.
The downpour rushed like a flood, quickly filling the dark altar. A pitch-black pearl floated up from the water.
“This is… a ghost pearl?” someone gasped.
Everyone looked toward the Tianyi Sect disciples, demanding: “Qingyang Zi, you recognize this?”
Tianyi Sect, founded on divination, knew such matters best. Qingyang Zi’s expression grew solemn: “A ghost pearl forms from a living person’s obsession. Where it goes, ghost energy rampages and nothing survives. My sect elders once sealed this in a secret realm and permanently closed the entrance… how did we end up in this ghost realm!”
Jiang Chengyi approached urgently: “How can we escape?”
Qingyang Zi was silent long before saying: “Someone must sacrifice their soul to the ghost pearl, eternally trapped here.”
“Only then is there a chance. Otherwise everyone dies. When we first sealed it, over a hundred of our sect’s elders sacrificed themselves for success.”
Hearing this, no one dared volunteer. To get wounded or die was momentary suffering, eyes closing knowing nothing. But eternal soul imprisonment—unable to die or live—meant endless torture.
As they stood deadlocked, the ghost pearl radiated eerie energy. Those nearby felt their bodies turn cold, an invisible force pulling them toward the water.
Before anyone reacted, that person was dead at the bottom, their body dissolving, skin splitting, becoming unrecognizable. Soon only a white skeleton remained, still struggling to escape, until the spirit shattered and silence fell.
“Move away from the pool!” Qingyang Zi shouted.
Everyone retreated, staring at the altar with only cold fear in their hearts.
Xiao Xun pulled Xue Jingci backward, his mind churning with strange thoughts.
In his past life, Xue Jingci had been trapped here. He didn’t know what happened at the time, only that Xue Jingci emerged safely and became an outer sect elder.
Surely someone handled this. He just needed to wait.
Xue Jingci didn’t resist, telling Xiao Xun to stand behind him. Xiao Xun, thinking this through, obeyed while being sheltered.
Pei Huang wanted to grab Xue Jingci’s hand, hesitated, then finally turned away, forcing himself not to look: “I’ll try.”
Countless eyes looked at Pei Huang in disbelief.
Qingyang Zi objected: “That won’t work! The ghost pearl is terribly vicious. Your power is shallow. How can you fight it? Let’s calm down and find another way.”
Jiang Chengyi agreed: “That makes sense. Let’s think of something else…”
But his words were cut short as the pool suddenly churned and boiled.
Everyone panicked. The dark water surged like a tidal wave, flooding the surroundings.
Pei Huang frowned: “No time.”
Xue Jingci sensed his movement and quickly gripped his wrist: “Don’t act recklessly.”
Pei Huang turned to Xue Jingci, trying to pull away casually, comforting: “I said I’m here to protect you. Wait for my return. And you must treat me even better than anyone else after this.”
With that, he leaped toward the altar at incredible speed, directly grabbing the ghost pearl wrapped in black energy.
His speed was so fast that even Xue Jingci couldn’t react.
The system shrieked: “Host, follow! Pei Huang’s right—the ghost pearl is the key to leaving!”
Before others came to their senses, Xue Jingci also leaped to the altar, grabbing Pei Huang’s sleeve. At that moment, a massive black hand shot up from the pool, dragging them toward the altar’s depths.
Both were instantly swallowed by blood-red black water.
The altar’s rain churned like boiling water, suddenly surging dozens of meters high, submerging everyone in the valley.
The moment black water covered Xue Jingci’s head, he lost consciousness.
When consciousness returned, Xue Jingci had lost contact with the system and couldn’t send messages out.
He couldn’t open his eyes. His head spun dizzily, his body felt heavy and exhausted. His hands were like they’d been filled with lead—unable to move for a long time. He seemed to be sitting somewhere swaying and pitching.
After about half an hour, hearing slowly returned, pulling him from the black depths. Gongs, drums, and pipe music seemed drifting from far away. After a long time, it became clear and loud, assaulting his eardrums.
When his eyelids finally lifted, he saw only blood-red.
Xue Jingci was startled, thinking something was wrong with his vision. He quickly realized the problem.
Not his eyes—red fabric covered his head.
He struggled to lift his hand and pulled the fabric away, discovering himself sitting in a red sedan chair. The fabric embroidered with gold mandarin ducks was in his hand.
Only after a long moment did Xue Jingci realize—he’d somehow been dressed in bridal attire, veiled in a red cover, pushed into a ceremonial wedding sedan.
Pipe music soared. This was a wedding procession!