Chapter 756: Grandpa Crane has a Reward for You
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
What Qi Bei Shan saw was a gigantic Crimson Python Phoenix in the sky and nearly a hundred long arcs behind it, as well as hundreds of cultivators on the ground running towards the area.
From the presence that covered the sky and earth, a loud bang went off in his head. It made him feel as if he was a lone ship in the midst of furious waves, and his body shivered as his heart roared.
This sight made him let out a shrill cry, and he retreated without any hesitation, wanting to return to his cave abode. To him, this was Yue Hong Bang coming forward to seek revenge, and he was here to destroy him.
There was no way they would be able to compromise in this. Even if he conceded to Yue Hong Bang, he might still end up dead!
Almost at the instant he retreated, the woman by his side intended to do the same, her face pale, but Qi Bei Shan lifted his right hand and seized the woman's arm before flinging her outwards. Immediately, as the woman screamed in pain, her flesh was separated from her bones and all her blood as well as flesh broke down, turning into a layer of blood mist that spread out through the area with a bang as Qi Bei Shan cast some sort of unknown divine ability.
The hundreds of people that were following behind the Crimson Python Phoenix watched this scene with bright eyes.
"That's Qi Bei Shan. He is in Heaven Cultivator Realm, and he's a powerful warrior below only the World Paragons. He's not the only one who's in Heaven Cultivator Realm, though. That Yue Hong Bang, who was leading the way, is also in Heaven Cultivator Realm. I've heard that there was a grudge between the two of them. Seems like it's true. This is clearly Yue Hong Bang coming here to kill Qi Bei Shan after he found someone to back him up!"
"It's a good opportunity. We can use this chance to check just what sort of level of cultivation that mysterious person on the Crimson Python Phoenix has."
The hundreds of people surrounded the area, and their low-voiced discussions reverberated in the air. At the moment the blood mist on the platform outside Qi Bei Shan's cave abode spread out, it instantly activated all the Runes in the hill outside, creating a blood-red screen of light.
At the instant the woman turned into a skeleton and fell to the ground, Qi Bei Shan entered his cave abode. As the door to the cave swung shut, Qi Bei Shan's eyes turned bloodshot. As if he had gone mad, he brought out all the crystals he had stocked up and placed all of them on the floor. Once they were absorbed by the small Rune on the ground, the blood-red screen of light outside the cave immediately gained a muddled hue.
Su Ming sat on the Crimson Python Phoenix's head and looked at the actions Qi Bei Shan had taken within that short amount of time in a decisive manner. Without any emotion on his face, Su Ming patted the Crimson Python Phoenix's head, and immediately, right under all the hundreds of people's gazes, the ferocious beast charged towards the muddled-looking, blood-red screen of light on the ground.
It closed within an instant, but it didn't execute any sort of divine abilities or Arts. Instead, it used its gigantic head to ram into the blood-red screen of light. At the instant it crashed into it, a violent bang reverberated in the air, and the Rune… did not shatter or crack. Instead… it disintegrated.
It turned into ashes and scattered into the air, seemingly so fragile that it was as if it had never even existed. When that happened, all the crystals before Qi Bei Shan in the cave abode shattered.
His expression changed, and Su Ming took a step forward in the sky above the cave abode. Once he walked off the Crimson Python Phoenix's head, he appeared right outside Qi Bei Shan's place. As his hair flew in the air and his robes fluttered, he lifted his right hand and struck the door of the cave abode.
When he did so, an endless amount of flames erupted from his body. The flames were like a sea and instantly covered his body. As they spread out, they cover an area of several thousands of feet. An illusory Crimson Python Phoenix also appeared within that sea of flame and rammed its head against the door to the cave abode with a roar towards the sky as Su Ming's palm struck the door.
This scene caused many of the people who saw it to be unable to differentiate whether the one who crashed into the door of the cave abode was Su Ming or the illusory Crimson Python Phoenix. It was as if the both of them had overlapped, and everything that could be seen for thousands of feet were that sea of fire, while the only thing that could be heard were booming sounds.
However, it was precisely this strike that caused odd expressions to gradually appear on the onlookers' faces. They could tell that this strike was not incredibly powerful, and there was a huge difference between this strike compared to what they had imagined.
They had previously thought that a person who could subdue a Crimson Python Phoenix and bring it along as he broke the seal would definitely possess power equivalent to a Lord of a World Plane, but now, the power Su Ming was showing was clearly only that of Earth Cultivation Realm.
However, they could only question it, without any certainty. After all, the act of sealing up one's own power was not rare in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence. However, if Su Ming continued to only show the power of Earth Cultivation Realm, then in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence where the strong preyed on the weak, after attracting so much attention, he would have to face the greed towards the Art that had allowed him to break open the seal as well as the blatant danger that came along with that greed.
At the instant the door to the cave abode opened, it shattered into pieces and fell backwards into the cave. The illusory Crimson Python Phoenix charged into the cave abode like a long arc of fire once the door shattered. The sea of fire that was several thousands of feet big also looked like it had found a gap and charged into the cave abode.
As an even more violent bang shook the sky and echoed in the air, Su Ming took a step back, returning to the top of the gigantic Crimson Python Phoenix's head. Once a tremor shook the cave abode that was made of the blue stones, it shattered, and an endless amount of blue stones fell off the hill. A large part of that small hill collapsed, and as a shrill roar rang in the air. Qi Bei Shan then rushed out with messy hair.
Yue Hong Bang, who had been prepared to attack since a long time ago, let out a low growl and charged straight towards Qi Bei Shan. They then engaged in a crazed battle in the sky.
However, Qi Bei Shan had no intention to drag out the fight and enjoy it. He only had one thought at that moment, and that was to run away at the fastest speed he could muster. Once he managed to escape from this place, he swore that he would definitely think of a way to take revenge.
He had also managed to deduce that this person who had destroyed the door to his cave abode was the young man and whom Yue Hong Bang had asked for help was only at Earth Cultivation Realm, so he was of no match for Qi Bei Shan. The youth could destroy his door, but he could not injure him. The only thing he needed to be afraid of was that gigantic Crimson Python Phoenix.
Qi Bei Shan had also managed to tell that these hundreds of people nearby had followed the Crimson Python Phoenix to this place due to their shock towards it leaving its sealed region. They were not the man's subordinates, and they had not come here to destroy him.
'I still have a chance!'
Qi Bei Shan did not have time to bother about anything else at that moment. He knew that he was caught in a life-threatening crisis. As he attacked, he executed his strongest divine ability, and an endless amount of black wind manifested around his body to turn into a bizarre shadow with six arms. Those six arms were holding onto six gigantic spiked maces, and they were charging towards Yue Hong Bang.
Su Ming's expression remained as calm as ever. He did not bother about Qi Bei Shan and Yue Hong Bang fighting against each other, but looked towards the collapsed cave abode. His vision was filled with blue stones as he looked over there.
However, a glint appeared in the eyes of the bald crane behind him once it saw the black, six-armed shadow. It clacked with its beak, and an excited glare shone in its eyes.
'It looks… very delicious. I seem to have eaten something good like this before…'
The bald crane immediately moved and turned into a long arc that charged towards Qi Bei Shan. Once it closed in, it looked at the six-armed shadow and opened its mouth wide and sucked in a breath. The black six-armed shadow that was fighting against Yue Hong Bang immediately shuddered and withered within an instant, right before everyone's eyes. Then, it turned into wisps of black threads that the bald crane began to devour.
This scene caused Yue Hong Bang to be momentarily stunned. before his spirits rose up once again.
'As expected of a first generation criminal, even his pets are amazing.'
Qi Bei Shan immediately screamed out in fury. He had intended to use the black six-armed shadow formed by his divine abilities to hold down Yue Hong Bang so that he could escape, but this bald crane had caught him completely off guard.
Malice appeared in his eyes as he made a decision, and he let out a shout.
"Explode!"
As he shouted, the black six-armed shadow exploded with a bang, turning into a violent wave that surged out in all directions. At the same time, Qi Bei Shan's right arm exploded as well, turning into a monstrous bloody wave that swept up his body with a speed akin to warping.
The black six-armed shadow's collapse made Yue Hong Bang immediately retreat. The bald crane was momentarily taken aback, then it was swept away by the wave of impact, ending up like an incredibly pathetic mess. The bald crane's heart clenched in pain for being unable to swallow the rest of that delicious meal, and the crane immediately began to seethe with rage.
When it saw that Qi Bei Shan was about to escape, its piercing voice immediately reverberated in all directions, because in its mind, Qi Bei Shan should die for what he did.
"Kill him! Whoever kills him will get a reward from Grandpa Crane!"
As the bald crane screamed, it lifted its right claw, and a purple crystal the size of a fist immediately appeared in its claws. There was not a single hint of impurity in it, and it was even shining with a pure spiritual energy. It was not something the crystals full of impurities in this place could hope to compare to.
This crystal was a superior spirit stone among the bald crane's vast collection of items!
Spirit stones of this sort of quality were the type that would disappear once they were used and their number would never be replenished in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence. Such crystals were incredibly rare in this place. At the instant the bald crane brought out that spirit stone, the eyes of the hundreds of people around immediately brightened. Some of those who had faster reflexes flew up swiftly and charged after the fleeing Qi Bei Shan with thick murderous aura.
This ended up as not a single person trying to kill someone, but almost half of the hundreds of people in the area flying out together. This scene made Qi Bei Shan let out a cry of despair. He had not expected that he would end up this way—being killed because a bald livestock had offered a reward for his head.
He was not the only one to think so, either. Even Yue Hong Bang's eyes went wide. Clearly, he had not expected this to happen.
In fact, Su Ming had also averted his gaze from the blue stones in the cave and now looked at the bald crane. Even if Su Ming no longer had the ability to sense any emotions, he could not help but be taken aback. Then, he suddenly remembered the bald crane's hobby and love for pillaging while they were in Yin Death Region.
When Qi Bei Shan saw the hundreds of people charging towards him as well as that he was completely surrounded, he let out a cry and lifted his right hand. A tri-colored crystal appeared within it.
"Soul Crystal!"
Someone immediately recognized that tri-colored crystal. Everyone came to an abrupt halt, and their expressions changed. Just as they were about to withdraw...
Chapter 757: Making His Place in Crimson Flame Planet!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
"This Soul Crystal is tied to my life, and once I use it three times, I will definitely die! This is the third time I will be using it, so even if I die, I will make all of you pay!"
Madness appeared on Qi Bei Shan's face, and he squeezed the crystal in his hand. A tri-colored ripple instantly shot out and spread through the area. All the cultivators who were touched by that ripple found their bodies freezing swiftly.
This Soul Crystal could instantly freeze up the souls of the people within its area of effect. The effect would not last for a long time, but during battle, it could be crucial.
Almost at the moment all the people in the area stopped moving and looks of confusion appeared on their faces, Qi Bei Shan looked towards Su Ming standing on the Crimson Python Phoenix, and killing intent shone in his eyes.
He hated Yue Hong Bang the most, because he was an incredibly intelligent and calculative man. He had already thought about everything before his death. He would kill Su Ming, and then Yue Hong Bang could only continue struggling in Crimson Flame Planet. Besides, if Su Ming had not become Yue Hong Bang's reinforcement, then Qi Bei Shan would not have been forced to face death. Before he died, Qi Bei Shan let out a fierce bark of laughter and closed in on Su Ming.
The Crimson Python Phoenix let out a roar, and as it swung its head in an attempt to hit Qi Bei Shan, the old man let out a shrill bark of laughter, and as he lifted his right hand, the tri-colored crystal in his hand appeared as a four-colored crystal. He knew that he was about to die without anyone having to do anything, which was why he decided to burn his own soul and activate the mysterious divine ability once again. He squeezed the four-colored crystal that had manifested in his hand, and a four-colored ripple spread out instantly, freezing the Crimson Python Phoenix's body. Right then, Qi Bei Shan appeared before Su Ming. His face was twisted in a ferocious expression, and with a raging killing intent, he pointed towards Su Ming with his right index finger.
"So what if you've subdued the Crimson Python Phoenix?! Die with me!!"
"It might not apply to all of you, but most of you who managed to survive in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence are people who are difficult to kill…" Su Ming shook his head and lifted his left hand coldly, then swung it towards the incoming Qi Bei Shan.
With it, the flow of time between the past and future intersected with each other, and the power of Destiny spread out. The power of a law descended swiftly, freezing Qi Bei Shan's body in midair. His eyes went wide in disbelief. He could no longer move his body forward, but instead started moving backwards, as if time suddenly begun going in reverse. The shattering of the four-colored crystal was turned back, and everything returned to its original condition.
In shock, Qi Bei Shan saw that the Crimson Python Phoenix's movements were no longer halted after the four-colored crystal recollected itself. It was as if the entire world, all the things and people on it, never experienced any sort of changes. Only Qi Bei Shan had seemed to be isolated from this world. Only he was retreating, and only his time was flowing in reverse.
At that moment, the hundreds of people in the distance had regained their freedom. At the instant their souls recovered from being frozen, they saw a sight that was so incredibly strange that it made all their hearts tremble.
This scene surpassed the limits of their imagination. In fact, they could not tell just what had happened. They could only see that the mysterious person standing on the Crimson Python Phoenix's head had swung his arm, and that Qi Bei Shan began falling back. The crumbling four-colored crystal also gathered together once again…
However, the scene that happened next caused expressions of shock and fear on the previously puzzled faces.
"It was three colors just a moment ago. Now, it is four colors."
Without any expression on his face, Su Ming looked at the four-colored crystal in Qi Bei Shan's hand. He lifted his left hand and swung it at Qi Bei Shan, and the four-colored crystal in his hand immediately turned into five colors. Qi Bei Shan's expression twisted, and his eyes went wide. As fear and despair appeared blossomed in his gaze, the crystal in his hand crumbled. Everything that had happened moments before started playing back once more, but this time, the four-colored crystal had turned into five-colored one.
Yet soon, as Su Ming swung his arm and Qi Bei Shan moved back again, the five-colored crystal that had gathered together once more had turned into six-colored one.
The cultivators in the area burst into a commotion. Their hearts were filled with shock. This strange sight caused alarm to appear within them as they looked towards Su Ming.
Six colors turned into seven!
The commotion grew even more intense. There were even shadows distorting in the sky. One of them was in the east, and the other in the west. As these shadows distorted, they revealed two figures with grave expressions on their faces. These two people were the World Paragons in this planet.
At that moment, as Qi Bei Shan moved forward before retreating once again, the seven colors on the crystal turned into eight!
The commotion died down and turned into death-like silence. All the people were watching with dumbfounded gazes. Their faces had turned pale, and their breathing seemed to have frozen.
Once the crystal gained eight colors, Su Ming frowned. He had already reached his limit with Destiny, and it was difficult for him to continue casting the Art. With a swing of his arm, he gave up on continuing with the execution of the Art. The Crimson Python Phoenix beneath him let out a roar at that moment and rammed its gigantic body straight into Qi Bei Shan. Without a single sound, Qi Bei Shan's body disintegrated. The madness and grudge was absent from his face, though. Strangely enough, an expression of being freed had taken its place. He turned into ashes and disappeared into the air.
Su Ming seized the air with his right hand, and the eight-colored crystal flew into his hand before Qi Bei Shan's body with all his items disintegrated. He closed his fingers around the crystal.
At the instant the crystal landed in Su Ming's hand, the dazzling colors on it were unparalleled.
Soul Crystals were formed using a Secret Art. Every single time it was used, a color would be added to it. Su Ming's Destiny had caused the eight-colored crystal that was incredibly rare in this world to exist, and it was shining with an appealing light in Su Ming's hand.
Yue Hong Bang sucked in a sharp breath. When he looked towards Su Ming, a deep reverence appeared in his gaze. He could not tell what divine ability Su Ming had cast. The scene before looked incredibly strange in his eyes and was able to overturn everything that he knew. He begun to think that the mysteries surrounding Su Ming were so great that they could fill the sky.
The hundreds of people in the area had already fallen silent by then. They had been able to tell that Su Ming only possessed power of Earth Cultivation Realm when he opened the door to the cave abode, but even though they still harbored uncertainties in their hearts, once they saw Qi Bei Shan's bizarre death, and most importantly, the continuous cycle that turned Qi Bei Shan into a puppet which he manipulated to form that eight-colored crystal, they no longer dared to underestimate him. Instead, in their hearts, Su Ming became known as a powerful warrior that they absolutely could not provoke.
At that moment, wariness appeared on their faces as they looked towards Su Ming.
This time, they were not just wary of the Crimson Python Phoenix. They were also wary of Su Ming.
Strength was everything in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence. If anyone wanted to earn respect and resources, they needed to show power that could intimidate and frighten those around them!
Those who were powerful were respected!
"Fellow Daoist, congratulations on making a place here in Crimson Flame Planet. You've become a pioneer by subduing the Crimson Python Phoenix, creating this monstrous change, and with an Art that takes the form of a law, you easily killed Qi Bei Shan… and gathered together an eight-colored Soul Crystal! I am Tian Lin."
A hearty voice came from the sky in the midst of the silence in the area. The speaker was the middle-aged man from the forest, one of the two World Paragons in the planet. He was a middle-aged man who possessed power that belonged to a Lord of a World Plane. His body appeared in midair, and with a smile on his face, he wrapped his fist in his palm towards Su Ming.
It was a form of greeting towards someone who was of the same status!
Chapter 758: Drawing Sword
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Tian Lin's status of Lord of a World Plane and a World Paragon might not make him a superior existence within the other cultivation planets in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence, but that was not the case in Crimson Flame Plane. This planet was located at the edge of the universe, and he could be said to have the greatest voice of authority, along with the other World Paragon.
That was why when Tian Lin greeted Su Ming in a way that was only used among those who were of equal status, the hundreds of cultivators in the area wrapped their fists in their palms and bowed towards Su Ming simultaneously.
Su Ming stood at the top of the Crimson Python Phoenix's head. A smile touched his lips, and he wrapped his fist in his palm to return Tian Lin's greeting.
"I am Su Ming. I got along well with this creature, so I brought it out from its region. If I've caused chaos in this planet, please forgive me." As Su Ming spoke, Tian Lin smiled, and a hint of fondness rose in his heart for this youth.
To him, there was not a hint of arrogance in Su Ming's words. Instead, he had spoken as he would to a person of equal status. After all, respect would usually need to come from both parties when their strengths were almost equal. When Tian Lin saw that Su Ming was being courteous and remembered what had happened previously, an even greater desire to befriend him rose from the depths of his heart.
"Fellow Daoist Su, you're being far too polite. I am not worthy of you to be asking for forgiveness from me. I'll talk about this with you later. First, let me introduce a friend to you."
Tian Lin did not even spare a glance at the hundreds of cultivators around him. Before, there had only been one person in Crimson Flame Planet who could catch his attention besides the ferocious beasts that had lost their intelligence.
When he said those words, a cold harrumph came from the east of Crimson Flame Planet, right in front of Tian Lin. At that moment, a person walked out of thin air. It was an old woman, her face covered in wrinkles. Her eyes were dark, and her hair a mess. However, she radiated a murderous presence, and she looked akin to a murderous spirit. Once she appeared, the she immediately looked towards Su Ming, and the dark light in her eyes sparkled.
While standing on the Crimson Python Phoenix's head, Su Ming lifted his head to meet the old woman's gaze squarely. He did not look away.
The dark light in the old woman's flickered, but Su Ming's eyes remained piercingly cold, as if not a single hint of emotion was contained within them. The two stared at each other for a while in midair before the old woman narrowed her eyes and averted her gaze from Su Ming's body. She first looked at the Crimson Python Phoenix, then at the eight-colored crystal in Su Ming's hands. After some time, she opened her mouth, and a hoarse voice tumbled out through her lips.
"I am Mei Lan. Fellow Daoist Su, you should just be passing by Crimson Flame Planet. The galaxy is vast and boundless, and all those who have come from far off are guests. Once you've rested here, I will personally send you off with fellow Daoist Tian seven days later. That is what we should do to our guests as residents of the planet."
The old woman smiled, but her smile did not reach her eyes. Her voice sounded as if her teeth were grinding against each other, and it was very unpleasant to the ears. When it fell into the ears of the hundreds of cultivators in the area, they felt sharp stabs of pain.
Tian Lin frowned by the side. He cast a look at the old woman, and a pensive look appeared on his face.
Su Ming remained as calm as ever, but his gaze grew colder. He had naturally been able to hear the underlying meaning behind the old woman's words. She was asking him to leave Crimson Flame Planet as soon as possible and not to stay here for long. At most, she would allow him to stay for seven days.
Su Ming looked at Tian Lin and asked flatly, "Fellow Daoist Tian, is this your intention as well?"
Tian Lin frowned. He pondered over those words, but before he could speak, the old woman let out a cold harrumph.
"Fellow Daoist Su, are you intending to stay in Crimson Flame Planet for long?"
"That was not my original plan, but now, I've changed my mind. I don't see why I shouldn't stay here for long." Su Ming's words were moderately paced, but the biting chill in his voice made illusory layers of snow appear around him.
He knew that he could not back down right now. Once he did, then there was no way he would be able to make his place here. He would also bring suspicion to himself. In fact, in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence where the strong preyed on the weak, unless he left immediately, he would definitely bring trouble to himself at the moment he caved in and showed weakness.
When the woman was faced with Su Ming's unyielding attitude and aloof words, she fell silent. Once she carefully sized him up, uncertainty rose in her heart, but a cold sneer soon appeared on her lips.
"If you want to stay here for a long period of time, then I'd like to see whether you have hidden your level of cultivation. If you're only relying on a ferocious beast and that eight-colored crystal, then you still don't have the right to make your place here, fellow Daoist Su!"
The old woman's voice was ghastly. She even took a step forward, and a power that belonged to a World Paragon burst forth from her body. That power swept through the entire world, causing numerous ripples and tumbling waves in the sky. A vast and mighty pressure descended on the land, making the hundreds of cultivators around the area find their breathing quickening, and they swiftly moved back.
To them, this was a battle between World Paragons, something which was rare in Crimson Flame Planet. Perhaps it would prove to be beneficial for their training if they watched it. Those in Heaven Cultivation Realm were watching with especially bright eyes.
"It's said that senior Mei has reached World Plane Realm seven hundred years ago and became a World Paragon. I wonder what her power is like now, but this place is lacking in resources, and the power of World Plane is even rarer. My guess is that she's only at the starting point of the initial stage of World Plane Realm…"
"Even though she's only at the starting point of the initial stage of World Plane Realm, she can still possess the power to make the sky and earth shatter, understand the changes in the world, and fuse together with Crimson Flame Planet…"
Quite a number of the hundreds of cultivators that had retreated farther away immediately started discussing what was to happen among themselves. However, most of them spoke to each other by sending their thoughts to another, not really speaking aloud.
Almost at the moment the old woman took a step forward and executed her power of a World Paragon, the Crimson Python Phoenix under Su Ming's feet lifted its head and let out a shocking roar. Su Ming immediately sensed the mighty pressure coming from the old woman's body. He lifted his right hand, and the killing sword manifested out of thin air and started to hum in his hand.
The Crimson Python Phoenix's presence could dissolve the pressure coming from the old woman. Besides, even though Su Ming was still in Earth Cultivation Realm, the killing sword exuded a biting cold presence, and there was also… a murderous aura that seemed to be suppressed within Su Ming's body. It was carefully fighting against the old woman's pressure.
When Tian Lin saw that the battle was about to start, he lifted his foot and took a step forward to stand between the old Mei Lan and Su Ming.
"Is there a need for you to attack each other, even though there is no great enmity between the two of you?" Tian Lin sighed.
"Fellow Daoist Mei Lan, we have been neighbors for hundreds of years and have always been on good terms with each other. We never bothered each other and even discussed our Arts and divine abilities, I should not be stopping you, but you have to think carefully. Fellow Daoist Su's eight-colored crystal is a rare item. There might only be one, but it'll be easy for him to freeze your soul for several breaths…"
"If you remain by the side and refuse to take action even when my soul is frozen, I will still have a way to break free. From then on, I will leave Crimson Flame Planet. Why should it bother me if I leave, this place is about to become a spot rife with trouble," the old woman said with a cold smile.
As Tian Lin smiled wryly, the old woman spoke once again.
"I refuse to believe that you can't see my intentions. It's not as if Crimson Flame Planet can't accommodate a third World Paragon, and neither will it interfere with my training. After all, there was a third World Paragon in this place in the past.
"However… he opened the seal to the Crimson Python Phoenix's region. The True Guards will probably come again in several years, nine years at most. Once they begin their patrol and see this, they will definitely descend to Crimson Flame Planet en masse to investigate this matter. At that time, I won't be the only one affected, you will be affected as well. In fact, all of the cultivators here… Heh heh, no one will be able to escape from being delivered a death sentence." The old woman glared at Su Ming, but she was speaking to Tian Lin.
"Unless he leaves this place!" When the old woman lifted her right hand, the ripples in the world behind her immediately froze, then gathered on her right hand.
"If he puts the Crimson Python Phoenix back into the seal and leaves this place immediately, then we can all avoid trouble!"
Tian Lin remained silent for a moment, then swiftly spoke up, a resolute look on his face. "... I do wish that this place would become the second Black Ink Planet."
"So you really intend to stop me?" Freezing light shone in the old woman's eyes. When she saw that Tian Lin was still stubbornly standing between them, she sucked in a deep breath and put her right hand slowly downwards, then looked at Su Ming.
"I will allow you to live here for eight years. If you don't leave after eight years, then I will definitely kill you for Crimson Flame Planet!" The old woman turned around swiftly. Just as she was about to leave, she cast a look at Yue Hong Bang, who was standing in the distance. With a glint in her eyes, she lifted her right hand and pointed at Yue Hong Bang.
"You, who brought this disaster upon us, I will kill you as a warning for others!"
When she pointed at Yue Hong Bang, his expression immediately changed drastically. He retreated swiftly, but three black threads had appeared around him out of thin air. They surrounded his body and were shrinking at an incredible speed. One of the three ring-shaped black threads wrapped itself around his neck, another his chest, and the remaining one around his waist. If those three threads shrank at the same time, they could dismember Yue Hong Bang instantaneously.
When terror rose within Yue Hong Bang, madness showed on his face. He did not ask for help from Su Ming. He knew that this moment was incredibly important for Su Ming to avoid getting into a battle against a World Paragon. Besides, the old woman was clearly trying to kill him to vent her anger. Yue Hong Bang gritted his teeth, erupting his power of Heaven Cultivation Realm. At the instant the three threads shrank, his body was torn apart with a bang.
However, there was no blood from his torn body. Instead, they turned into dried pieces of bamboo. Yue Hong Bang's real body appeared a hundred-something feet away. He coughed up a huge mouthful of blood. His face had turned pale, and there was also a dull and lifeless hue to his face. Clearly, he had used an item to protect his life during that moment of crisis. But even though he had escaped death, he was still injured.
"Hmph? Your ancestor is old Ku Zhu[1]..? Oh well, I will spare you because of my friendship with Ku Zhu all those years ago." The old woman looked at the dried pieces of bamboo, and a slightly melancholic look appeared on her face. She turned around and no longer bothered with the crowd. She transformed into a long arc, wanting to leave.
Even Tian Lin cast a few looks at the few slips of dried bamboo and gave Yue Hong Bang a profound look.
Yue Hong Bang's face was still pale when he lowered his head. He did not say a single word.
When the hundreds of people in the area saw this, they lamented about this in their hearts, knowing that there would probably no longer be any fight.
Yet at that moment, Su Ming's cold voice rang in the air.
"You embarrassed me and even wanted to kill my servant. Are you going to leave just like that, Mei Lan?" Along with his words came the murderous aura that he no longer bothered to suppress or hide. At the instant it surrounded him, the heinous aura caused the expressions of the crowd to change drastically.
The strength of that murderous aura was so great that it was rarely seen. Even in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence, it was extremely unusual to sense such a thick murderous aura on someone's body. It did not seem like a murderous aura that was accumulated throughout a person's life, but seemed like… a terrifying murderous aura that was gathered together through numerous lives a person had lived after going through an endless cycle of reincarnations!
If the old woman left just like that, Su Ming knew that his standing in Crimson Flame Planet would be shaken. The only way to avoid this from happening… was to draw his sword!
Translator's Note:
1. Ku Zhu: Meaning → Dried bamboo
Chapter 759: Brutal and Ruthless
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
At the instant the people sensed the murderous aura, they felt as if they had sunk into an endless darkness. This darkness was the boundless darkness from Su Ming's memories when his soul still possessed a physical body.
It was a determination screaming one single thing: 'If I could see, I would know just what shade of blue the sky possesses.'
There was also the scent of death within that murderous aura. It came from Su Ming's soul, for it was a madness contained within a soul that was originally dead but desired to walk from midwinter to spring.
This feeling of death was incredibly clear as it spread through the area. At that moment, all the people who sensed the density of the murderous aura had the same thought—it was not a murderous aura that could be accumulated in a single life!
When Su Ming was still in the ninth summit, his senior brothers and his Master, Tian Xie Zi, had sensed that terrifying murderous aura within Su Ming. Then, when he went into the Undying and Imperishable World, fought in a great many battles and spilled a large amount of blood, and eventually found that one point that he always went back to during those dozens of reincarnations, his murderous aura had become so thick that it was monstrous.
However, it was usually hidden in his soul, and it was difficult for him to spread it out entirely. At most, he would only let out a part of that murderous aura.
In fact, even if it spread out, it would not have such a vast presence as it did now. After all, when Su Ming was in Yin Death Region, he did not possess a real physical body. He did not have flesh and blood, only a soul. He'd been like a tree without roots, so it was difficult for him to unleash everything he had. Besides, Su Ming had emotions and could still sense pain at that time. Now that he was in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence, he had gathered together a physical body from the Crimson Python Phoenix, and once this body fused with his soul and he no longer had any emotions and lost the ability to feel pain, he was able to have all his murderous aura spread out from his soul during, without holding a single bit of it back.
This was the first time Su Ming had spread out all of his murderous aura that he had gathered throughout all of his cycles of reincarnation, and even when he was still just a baby. At the instant he released that aura, Tian Lin's expression changed. He instinctively took a few steps back and swiftly looked towards Su Ming. During that moment, a hint of shock appeared in his eyes.
Even with his status and his level of cultivation, he had never seen anyone else who possessed such thick murderous aura as Su Ming. Because of it, he had a strong feeling that his mind was playing tricks on him.
'Just how many people did he kill to possess such murderous aura?!'
Tian Lin's heart trembled. Levels of cultivation were not the only way to determine whether a person was strong or weak in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence. Sometimes, the amount of blood spilled by a single person could even more accurately determine whether someone was truly strong or just pretending.
The old woman's expression also changed drastically. She had originally wanted to leave, but at the instant the murderous aura within Su Ming's body spread out, she turned her head around to look at him. Her pupils shrank swiftly, and her skin went all crawly, while her hair stood up on end.
If these two people were reacting in such a manner, then it was even more so for the hundreds of cultivators around the area. They retreated like one, with expressions of shock. When they looked towards Su Ming, their gazes were filled with terror that surpassed its previous self.
Even Yue Hong Bang was shuddering at that moment. When his gaze landed on Su Ming, he thought he saw a murderous spirit instead of a person. He felt as if his body had been plunged into ice and darkness, as if he was immersed in death, and that cold froze his body and soul.
In fact, even the Crimson Python Phoenix under Su Ming's body had lost most of its surrounding heat at that moment. It twisted its body about, as if it was not used to the murderous aura spreading out from Su Ming.
The bald crane in the distance also widened its eyes. When it looked at Su Ming, a dazed expression appeared on its face. It thought to have remembered something, but no matter how hard it tried, it could not recall any details regarding it.
The only sound came from the killing sword in Su Ming's hand which was letting out a piercing screech that was full of excitement and delight. A desire for blood could be sensed from the sword whistles, and its color had even changed from red to a near violet shade.
At the instant Su Ming's words and murderous aura shook the sky and earth, he took a swift step towards the old woman whose expression had changed. At the same time, the Crimson Python Phoenix let out a roar and rushed out with him.
The current Su Ming was already much stronger than when he was fighting against those Dao Slaves in Yin Death Region. Back then, he had only been in the initial stage of Life Matrix Realm. Afterwards, due to Yu Xuan's Abyss Death Breath, his soul was completed, and the three seals were broken. However, at that time, he was still incredibly weak, and it was difficult for him to fight against the thousands of Dao Slaves.
Yet at the instant Su Ming put on the mask, he moved from Life Matrix Realm to Life Privation Realm. As a cultivator in Earth Cultivation Realm, he had come to truly possess a body of flesh and blood, and during these two years, he had constantly been refining this body using the Surging Indulgers' divine abilities. The combat abilities he could bring out now far surpassed what he possessed when he was in Yin Death Region.
As he took a step forward, he lifted his left hand and pushed at the ground. With it, the Surging Indulgers' divine ability was immediately activated. His left hand started withering away, and even his torso as well as his right hand, which was holding onto the sword, was reduced to mere skin and bones within an instant. He then lifted his left hand to tap the center of his brows.
With it, black fog spread out and turned into a gigantic head of a malicious ghost. As it roared, it swept up Su Ming, instantly increasing his speed. In the blink of an eye, he had closed in on the old woman, while heinous murderous intent spread out from the killing sword.
All of this happened too quickly. While Tian Lin was shocked by the murderous aura on Su Ming's body, he hesitated to take action for a moment, and during that time, Su Ming had already appeared right before the old woman.
Old Mei Lan's pupils shrank. Once she let out a piercing cry that could terrify hearts, she lifted her right hand, and her power of a World Paragon erupted from her body to turn into a huge flag on her right hand. That flag was white, but damaged. There was a circle sewn on it using black thread. At that moment, that circle was spinning as if it had come to life. Once the old woman swung the flag with her right hand, the circle made of black threads manifested in the air and turned into several dozens of black threads that took the shape of rings before they charged towards Su Ming.
A shocking boom that shook the sky reverberated in the world. Sounds that were this intense would only rang out when World Paragons attacked each other or when great divine abilities or Arts crashed into each other. This sort of thing had not happened in Crimson Flame Planet for a long time. After all, resources were lacking in this place, so the recovery of cultivation bases was slowed down a lot. Because of it, unless they absolutely had to, very few people would waste the power they had stored in their cultivation bases.
The world roared. As that violent bang and its endless echoes spread through the air, numerous dimensional tears appeared in the sky. A wave of impact that looked like a violent gust of wind swept through the area, and the wind that was stirred up caused the hundreds of cultivators around to breathe rapidly. This… was a true battle between cultivators, not the small little disputes they had against each other because they did not dare waste their cultivation bases.
As that loud bang rang in the air, most of the ring-shaped black threads crumbled. Su Ming's killing sword continuously cut through the black threads, but it was difficult for him to completely cut through all of them. Yet even so, a powerful suction force spread out from his killing sword, and the old woman's right hand withered as she held onto the flag. It was as if a part of her flesh and blood had been sucked away, while Su Ming's body had regained some flesh and blood from its emaciated state.
This strange Art caused the old woman's expression to change. The head of the ghost formed from the black fog was also charging towards her from behind Su Ming with a roar. The old woman swung the flag in her hand backwards, but she did not move backwards herself. Instead, she moved forward. She took a step and lifted her left hand. Her fingernails instantly grew longer, and she swiped at Su Ming through the air, as if those fingernails were five sharp needles moving to him.
As for the ghost head, it had been torn apart once the old woman's fingers touched it, slicing right through.
Su Ming staggered a few steps backwards. His killing sword could not cut through all the ring-shaped black threads, so the five black threads that remained moved past and landed on his chest. They inflicted heavy wounds on his body, and he now looked a bloody mess. An intense pain should have rushed through Su Ming, but he could feel nothing. He did not even spare those wounds a glance. His expression remained aloof, and when he took a step forward, he lifted his right hand and clenched it before hurling a punch straight on the old woman's incoming five fingers.
Booming sounds rang in the air once again. Su Ming's left arm was reduced to a bloody mess, and some of his bones even shattered to pieces, making him look incredibly wretched. The old woman's five fingers swiftly withered, and a large amount of flesh and blood was absorbed from her hand. However, she only let out a cold harrumph and swiped at him once again with her left hand.
Su Ming was as calm as ever when he took a step forward instead of retreating, as if he was not injured. With his torn and bloodied left hand, he punched the old woman's fingers once again.
Half of Su Ming's left arm shattered with a bang. As it did so, blood spilled from his arm. Some white bone and torn pieces of flesh could even be seen still attached to his shoulder.
The old woman's expression filled with shock, because in her eyes, Su Ming did not seem to be experiencing even a little pain. It was as if his body did not belong to him. In fact, she could even see Su Ming lifting his right hand to seize the broken piece of bone to swiftly pull it out. Once he completely tore off his left arm and threw it to the side and stopped the blood from flowing from the wound, he looked over with a cold smile.
This scene didn't shock and terrify the old woman alone. Even Tian Lin sucked in a sharp breath. As for the hundreds of cultivators in the area, when they looked at Su Ming, an indescribable shock could be detected on their faces besides fear.
Just how brutal and ruthless must a person be to be so callous towards his own self? He was completely unconcerned about his pain, and was even… smiling.
If he could be so brutal to himself… then how would he treat his enemies?!
'This sort of person is born to live in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence!' When the old woman looked at Su Ming, this sentence appeared in her head.
Su Ming's divine ability was especially bizarre to her. They had just started fighting against each other, and her arms had already withered away. She had lost almost two-tenths of her flesh and blood, and she had also lost some of her cultivation base once she started circulating it. Since replenishing a cultivation base in this place was incredibly slow, her heart clenched in pain at this sort of loss.
However, that pain in her heart did not last for long. Her eyes went wide, because at that moment, Su Ming had let out go of the killing sword in his right hand. Dozens of crystals that exuded a thick spiritual energy appeared in his right hand, and he crushed all of them. Once a large amount of spiritual energy surged into Su Ming's body, he lifted his head and flashed a cruel smile to the old woman before swiftly charging over towards her once again.
The Crimson Python Phoenix had already closed in by then. With a roar, it rushed towards the old woman, headfirst. The phoenix's inborn divine ability to disassemble all materials was contained within its head, and the old woman's face became incredibly dark.
Booming sounds continued reverberating in the air. After a dozen something breaths, the old woman let out a shrill roar and retreated swiftly. At that moment, half of her flesh and blood had withered away, and she looked as if she had just seen a ferocious ghost.
Chapter 760: Eternity!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Throughout her entire life of fighting against others, the old woman had never run into any enemy who was like Su Ming. He was completely unbothered no matter how bad his injuries got, completely unperturbed even if his arm was torn off. In fact, even his cultivation base did not suffer too much depletion as he was completely indifferent towards the injuries he sustained. As they fought, a large amount of her flesh and blood would be absorbed every single time he touched her, and he would also absorb spirit stones during battle to replenish the cultivation base he had spent.
There… was no way she could fight against him, even if she had the power that belonged to a World Paragon. If the Crimson Python Phoenix was not here, things might be slightly better, but now… Su Ming had left an incredibly deep impression within Mei Lan's mind.
'He still has many skills which he hasn't activated as well, like that Art that could control the flow of time just then… This person hasn't attacked with his full strength!'
Su Ming's entire body was drenched in blood, and his chest was a bloody mess. White pieces of bone could be seen on many parts of his body, but his expression was as calm as ever. Once he stopped blood from pouring out of the wounds, he cast a cold look at the old woman.
A fierce light appeared in the Crimson Python Phoenix's eyes. It went under Su Ming's feet, and as it stared at the old woman, it roared. There was a threatening tone contained within that roar.
At that moment, Su Ming's emaciated body started squirming in a bizarre fashion, and all his wounds recovered within an instant. Right under the old woman's horrified gaze, white bone and flesh started rapidly growing at the spot where Su Ming had torn off his left arm. In the blink of an eye, a new arm was formed.
As Su Ming recovered, his body gave off a feeling that he had become stronger than before. It had happened because he had refined his body by absorbing flesh and blood that was of the old woman's caliber.
"I originally did not want to attack, but you've gone overboard. I can sense the signs of a seal on your body. You might have the presence of a World Paragon, but what you showed is just the level of a cultivator in Heaven Cultivation Realm. Release your seal and fight against me properly." Su Ming swung his left arm about, and the eight-colored crystal appeared on his left palm as he spoke flatly.
Those who had become Lords of World Planes would be able to easily overpower the cultivators in Heaven, Earth, and Man Cultivation Realms in terms of power. However, Su Ming was much stronger than when he was in Yin Death Region. And more importantly, he had a physical body here. He also had a sufficient amount of spirit stones as well as the Crimson Python Phoenix by his side.
As for the old woman, she had been in this place for many years and knew just how difficult it was to survive here. That was why she had sealed up some of her cultivation base. Once she released it and activated her power of the World Plane, it would be incredibly difficult for her to recover her cultivation base. That was why, as of then, she was caught in a situation between a rock and a hard place, and she was placed in a dilemma.
But the main problem was that she could not grasp the true extent of Su Ming's level of cultivation. Even though she could see the signs of a seal on his body, his brutality towards his own self and that thick murderous aura were all telling signs that he was definitely not an ordinary person.
The Crimson Python Phoenix was also a creature that gave the old woman a headache. If Tian Lin was willing to attack, she would be able to fight without worry, her actions not shackled. However, she could tell that Tian Lin had other thoughts in his mind regarding this matter, and because of that, she was caught in this situation.
Su Ming was actually taking a risk. He was betting that the old woman would not dare to attack at full strength due to her wariness towards him.
"Would the both of you care to listen to what I have to say? Is it also not a form of fate that the three of us have met in Crimson Flame Planet? Could you not continue with this fight?" Tian Lin walked up towards them with a wry smile.
The old woman let out a cold harrumph, but she did not say anything to decline what Tian Lin had suggested.
Su Ming took a step to land on the Crimson Python Phoenix's head before he declared coldly, "Fellow Daoist Tian, since you are the one persuading me to stop, then I won't mind stopping. However, from now onwards, fellow Daoist Mei Lan will not be allowed to step into the northern region of Crimson Flame Planet without permission!"
The old woman stared at Su Ming. After some time, she turned around and transformed into a long arc without a single word and disappeared in midair in an instant, leaving the place as she turned into an illusion.
Tian Lin looked at Su Ming with a wry smile, then shook his head and spoke up.
"Brother Su, fellow Daoist Mei Lan harbors no ill-will. This is… I will talk to you about this in the future. You don't have to worry about her trespassing into the northern region here When fellow Daoist Ku Zhu was still around, we had formed a rule among ourselves that we would not enter each other's regions randomly.
"I will now take my leave…" Tian Lin let out a sigh and wrapped his fist towards Su Ming before he left. By the direction he took, it could be seen that he was chasing after Mei Lan.
When he left, the hundreds of cultivators on the ground were silent as they looked at Su Ming warily.
"From now on, I will be the master of the northern region of Crimson Flame Planet. When I am in isolation, listen to Yue Hong Bang's instructions for all trivial matters." Su Ming swept his gaze across the land, and his aloof words fell into the hearts of all those present.
"Understood!" The hundreds of people wrapped their fists in their palms and bowed together without any hesitation.
They already knew that since the Crimson Python Phoenix had been broken out the seal, since Qi Bei Shan death in that bizarre manner, and since Su Ming's short but intense fight against the World Paragon Mei Lan that the northern region of Crimson Flame Planet would now belong to him.
There could only be one will in this place from then on, and that was Su Ming's will. All those who went against his will be would be destroyed.
Yue Hong Bang's voice was the loudest as the hundred-something people bowed and paid their respects to Su Ming. His expression was filled with excitement at that moment. This sort of position and status had not landed on him since his ancestor had been killed by the True Guards all those years ago. Now that he obtained it once again, he was filled with excitement, and at the same time, there was a zealous look of reverence in his eyes as he looked at Su Ming.
Yue Hong Bang looked at Su Ming for a moment, then immediately said to the people around him, "My fellow Daoists, you know how I am. From now on, I hope that you will all help me make the northern region as great as it was in the past! For now, I only have one thing I want to say. I would like all of you to gather… this sort of blue stones. The more, the better!"
Su Ming no longer bothered himself with this sort of matter. He turned around and walked towards the ground, straight at Qi Bei Shan's collapsed cave abode. Once he sat down outside, the gigantic Crimson Python Phoenix sprawled out by his side and looked at its surroundings cautiously. It would also occasionally look at the sky with a slightly confused look on its face.
The bald crane's eyes sparkled. It flew towards Yue Hong Bang's side and said something. Its words were spoken to him alone, so no one knew what it said. Yue Hong Bang quickly voiced his obedience in respect. He could tell that the bald crane most definitely did not have an ordinary status in Su Ming's eyes. Yue Hong Bang had also personally seen the bird breaking the seal, and its reward had especially shocked him. From the depths of his heart, he did not want to offend this bald crane.
While seated, Su Ming picked up a blue stone and started absorbing it with closed eyes. The stone was quickly reduced to ashes, but there were many of them in this place. After a moment of pensive silence, he decided to temporarily isolate himself and train here.
One month gradually went by. More blue stones were stacked on top of each other around Su Ming. All of these came from the people of the northern region, who now numbered to more than the hundred-something who witnessed the battle. They had delivered these stones based on Yue Hong Bang's orders, and they were enough for Su Ming to absorb to train without having to pause.
As he absorbed the stones, his physical power grew stronger. One day, at midnight, Su Ming opened his eyes and looked at the red moon in the sky. It might not be the first time he saw that the moon in Crimson Flame Planet was red, but every single time he saw it, he would watch it quietly.
On this night, there was a bright ray of starlight that shone with a light that was comparable to moonlight in the dark sky. It was very clear and gentle, shining together with the moon.
Su Ming did not know that this unique day where the star and moon shone together was a special day that came only once a year in Crimson Flame Planet. No one knew when it had happened first, but this day had been turned into a customary day for men and women who were together in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence's Crimson Flame Planet to become tied together as companions for dual cultivation.
The brilliant star and moon on this night were also known as 'Eternity'.
"I no longer have any emotions, but I still have people that I miss dearly…" It was quiet all around Su Ming. The Crimson Python Phoenix lay with its eyes closed, taking a nap by his side, while the bald crane had gone off somewhere. In this silence, Su Ming's soft whispers echoed in the air. "I no longer have any pain, but why does my heart… ache when I long for them..?"
Su Ming touched his chest. He looked at the star and moon in the sky, whispering softly with a voice full of anguish, but no one bothered to answer him.
Chapter 761: One Star, One Moon, One Sun
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The pain in the heart was a different feeling from pain in the body.
Su Ming pressed the hand tighter against his own chest. The sharp stabs of pain that coursed through his heart after he gained a true physical body gave him a feeling as if his heart had twisted together. He ended up counting the stars in the sky in this silent night.
"You took away the pain of my physical body… but you did not take away the pain of my heart…" Su Ming whispered softly. He did not know that there was a pain in the world that would surpass that of the physical body. Apparently, it was a pain that came from one's soul.
Pain of the soul.
Su Ming did not know when he closed his eyes. He buried that pain in the depths of his heart and made himself remember this feeling firmly. He knew that this was perhaps the only form of nostalgia towards his past that remained available for him.
Within that pain in his heart was Yu Xuan closing her eyes, him being unable to catch her hand, Bai Su turning her head back and smiling at him before only a white piece of fabric remained of her, and him only being able to watch her leave into the distance.
There was also his eldest senior brother waking up, his second senior brother smiling, Hu Zi scratching his head, his Master, who loved changing his clothes… and many, many other things.
The night grew darker. When it went by, Su Ming's hair was no longer purple and black, but gray. That gray color seemed natural, as if it was fitting once he had endured an entire night of pain of the heart, the pain which had affected his soul and body.
With a head of gray hair and his body clothed in a white robe, Su Ming sat outside the cave. When sunlight came from the ends of the earth, he lifted his head.
At that moment, there was a strange existence that seemed to have come straight out of a picture. That picture was of the morning sun that had just risen its head, and on the other side was a gradually darkening moon, along with a brilliant star that was slowly fading away.
One star, one moon, one sun.
The sun, moon, and star all existed together in the sky during that instant. Such a sight would only appear once a year in Crimson Flame Planet, and it would last for less than an hour.
Only when the sun and moon were exchanging places in the sky and day replaced night would this strange phenomenon appear in the sky. It was only on the Day of Eternity that the brilliant star would appear, and whosoever saw this sight at that moment would be unwittingly attracted to it.
Su Ming looked at it with a dazed expression. At the moment this strange phenomenon appeared in the world, it seemed to have made him understand something. The first thing he remembered was the Art he had inherited from the second God of Berserkers as he fought against Si Ma Xin. The divine ability Alterations towards the Stars, Sun, and Moon had been given to him when he inherited the second God of Berserkers' divine abilities from his left hand.
The power contained within that Art was incredibly great, and it was something that only belonged to the second God of Berserkers. Su Ming might have been casting the divine ability all this while, but he had never truly understood it.
Yet at that moment, once he saw the strange sight of the sun, moon, and star in the sky, he suddenly came to understand some applications of the Art which he had not really understood in the past.
However, that understanding quickly faded away. Su Ming looked at the star, sun, and moon in the sky, and the words he uttered from a beast skin scroll with eagerness and hopefulness when he was still a child in Dark Mountain a long time ago appeared in his head once again.
"Since the creation of the world and of man, the Berserker Tribe has existed and it still exists to this date…The people who hold the Berserker's Power are known as Berserkers. They can fly in the skies, move mountains and turn the tides in the sea…Those who have the Berserker Mark can read the future and obtain the power of the sun, moon, and stars…"
"Obtain the power of the sun, moon, and stars…" Su Ming mumbled and looked at the sky with a dazed expression.
Time trickled by. The phenomenon in the world that would only exist for an hour once a year was slowly reaching the end of its existence. As only a faded shadow remained of the brilliant star in the sky, a shudder wrecked through Su Ming body. Even the words from the beast skin scroll disappeared from his head. At that moment, his mind was blank, but he could sense the vague presence of an epiphany that would allow him to raise to an even greater level. It was slowly taking form within him, and that was the third epiphany he had gained while seeing this sun, moon, and star.
However, this third epiphany was very faint, unclear.
When only a shadow remained of the moon, as it too faded away, the indistinct epiphany in Su Ming's mind became stronger, but he still could not figure it out.
He looked as the star disappear, watched as the moon vanished, and stared as the sun in the distance gradually rose into the sky. When the phenomenon that only appeared once a year disappeared, Su Ming remained in an absent-minded state for a long, long time.
He had a strong feeling that if this third epiphany would clearly appear in his head, then he would obtain an astonishing result.
In fact, even when Yue Hong Bang returned and knelt down on one knee before Su Ming, Su Ming did not notice his presence. He looked at the spot in the sky where the star and moon had been but no longer be until a year passed, and he knew… that he had missed gaining a great epiphany.
He did not know what sort of understanding he could have gained from that epiphany. He might have been able to gain a divine ability, or perhaps it would have been a new state of mind, or perhaps it would have even been an increase in his level of cultivation, but he had missed it.
Perhaps it would not be accurate to say that he had missed it. That phenomenon in the sky had simply disappeared too quickly.
Su Ming sighed and averted his gaze from the sky.
Yue Hong Bang had remained kneeling on one knee before Su Ming silently. He had his head bowed, and he did not say a single word. He had been able to tell that Su Ming had been trying to gain an epiphany from the phenomenon in the sky, and he knew that he absolutely must not interrupt this sort of thing. Only when he heard Su Ming's sigh did he lift his head.
"This phenomenon where the sun, moon, and star appear at the same time in the sky occurs once a year, and every time it appears, it lasts for less than an hour… Senior, if you're interested in it, you can see it every year at the exact same moment."
Su Ming remained silent for a moment, then asked quietly, "What is that star?"
Yue Hong Bang was momentarily stunned, then he understood that Su Ming was definitely asking about the bright star last night, the star that would shine with a light that could compare with the moon once a year.
"No one knows what star that is. Some of the powerful warriors in Crimson Flame Planet wanted to search for it in the past, but they never obtained any answer… As time went by, a legend formed. It said that the brilliant star that appears once a year and the moon were close lovers," Yue Hong Bang said in a low tone.
Su Ming looked back up at the sky. After a long time passed, he shook his head. He did not say a word and remained in the same position. Even if the star and moon were no longer in the sky, with only the sun remaining.
Yue Hong Bang stayed silent for a moment, then left. When he was far off, he looked back at Su Ming. After a moment of pensive silence, he chose to sit down on the ground and protect him silently, not allowing a single outsider to enter the place. Even the people from the northern region who had come to deliver blue stones would have their paths blocked off. Yue Hong Bang had them place the blue stones by the side, not allowing them to get close to Su Ming.
Su Ming continued looking at the sky. He watched the blue sky gradually turn dark and the moon slowly emerge from the darkness. One day passed, and another, and another…
Su Ming did not know how long he had been staring at the sky. He had forgotten about the flow of time and even about absorbing the blue stones. He simply sat there and looked at the sky.
The Crimson Python Phoenix remained by his side. Time was irrelevant to this creature. It had also gotten used to this sort of peace. The bald crane would occasionally return, but it was an energetic bird, and most of the time, not long after it returned, it would once again leave the place and busy itself with something.
Yue Hong Bang continued protecting the place from the distance. He had been able to tell that Su Ming was immersed in a strange condition, and this sort of condition was something that would only come through luck.
In fact, even Su Ming himself did not know that his cultivation base had almost stopped circulating while he was in this state. It had begun slowly shrinking into itself as if it was falling asleep. In this state where his cultivation base had fallen asleep, only his heart remained beating slowly.
Only his soul remained looking at the sky after it fused with his eyes.
He did not know that as his heart beat in his chest and his soul looked at the sky, his third change of heart had arrived without him noticing it.
Time passed, and one year gradually went by.
Most of the people in the northern region knew that their leader was in isolation outside the cave abode that originally belonged to Qi Bei Shan. All people were forbidden entry to that place, told not to go any closer than a circular area of a hundred lis. Not a single one of them were allowed to take even a single step into that area.
On the night a year later, besides the bright moon in the sky, the star that had once appeared on the other side of the sky begun to shine brilliantly again. Once it appeared, Su Ming's body, which had not moved for an entire year, suddenly shuddered as he looked at the star. The year had gone by too quickly. He felt as if he had just spent a short moment thinking about that missed epiphany.
At that moment, as he looked at the star, the epiphany he had a year ago begun forming once again, and it was continuously growing clearer and clearer. Gradually, the night faded away. When dim light appeared in the sky and the morning sun showed up, the strange phenomenon of the sun, moon, and star shining in the sky at the same time appeared before Su Ming's eyes once again.
When he looked it, a rumbling went off in his head. As his body shuddered, real tears fell from his eyes. He had suddenly… understood.
He understood why he was so absorbed by the star and why he would gain an epiphany when the sun, moon, and star appeared at the same time.
"The sun that appears every day is the harsh reality. It's reminding me that I'm in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence. It's a cruel world, and the sun is making me see unfamiliar sights wherever its light shines…
"The moon that appears every night is an illusory dream. It makes people forget the unfamiliar sights around them and helps them forget where they are. This darkness is a form of self-deception, and from it, desire and hope will be born.
"And that brilliant star that appears once a year in the sky… is… home," Su Ming whispered softly.
'The sun, which is reality, the moon, which is hope, and the star, which is home—they speak of… a wanderer that has left his home, and they symbolize the persistence in his heart to go back…'
Su Ming looked at the star, moon, and sun in the sky. At that instant, he seemed to be able to see the three heavenly bodies shining with a brilliant light. That light gathered on his person, and a loud bang to resound in his head. A sharp, intense pain rose in his heart, and it was the pain of longing for his home.
In the eyes of other people in Crimson Flame Planet, the sun, moon, and star in the sky did not shine with such a brilliant light as they did in Su Ming's sight. The star and moon were still gradually darkening as the sky brightened up, and everything seemed to just be an illusion, a figment of Su Ming's imagination.
Yet the shadow of a sun gradually appeared in Su Ming's left eye at that instant, and the moon seemed to be reflected in his right eye.
The star, then, was contained in his aching heart.
This was Su Ming's epiphany. Due to it, even though the moon and star had faded away and the sun taken over the sky, all three of them… were imprinted deep into Su Ming's mind in the form of memories on drawing boards and epiphany carved into his soul.
"The third change of heart, huh..?"
Su Ming seized his chest. He could sense the change of his emotions, something that had occurred when he experienced his first change of heart all those years ago.
Chapter 762: Start of the Third Change of Heart
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
'The first change of heart was due to the affection I had for Bai Su…' As his hand remained over his heart, the scene from all those years ago rose up in his mind.
'The second change of heart was a little indistinct, but I could feel it started when I had come to understand that moving from midwinter to spring was moving from death to life, and it ended when I came to realize that I needed to dye the sky with blood to reach autumn when I was in Eastern Wastelands Tower.
'This is the third change of heart, and this time… it is of home.'
The star and moon in the sky had already faded away and disappeared. Only the sun remained high above, and it was radiating heat and sending down bright light. A new day had arrived and chased away the dark. It lifted off the veil of self-deception, causing the people in Crimson Flame Planet to sense the cruelty of their reality.
'There are three ways to get through changes of heart. The first is to fight them, the second is to cut them off, and the third… is to forget them.
'But I no longer have the ability to love and feel pain. I don't want to cut off my thoughts of longing for my home, much less forget them… As for fighting against them… what use is there to fight against them?' Su Ming closed his eyes and hid away the sun and moon in his eyes.
After a long time, when he opened his eyes once again, he stood up from the seated position he had remained in for a full year. Once he did so, Yue Hong Bang immediately dashed towards him from the distance.
Su Ming looked at Yue Hong Bang, then at the large amount of blue stones that had been offered during the past year. He sucked in a huge breath of the heat in the land.
"I'm going to go out for a while. I'll let you handle everything in the northern region," Su Ming said softly before looking into the distance.
The Crimson Python Phoenix that had been asleep for the past year immediately moved. As its cries reverberated in the air, it flew up and went under Su Ming's feet, turning into a long arc and taking Su Ming with it. A black shadow also flapped its wings and caught up to them quickly. Naturally, that was the bald crane.
Yue Hong Bang wrapped his fist in his palm and looked at Su Ming moving into the distance. When he eventually disappeared into the horizon, Yue Hong Bang had a vague feeling that the Su Ming just a moment ago seemed to be slightly different from his past self. Yet he could not describe just what part of him had become different. It was just a feeling, after all.
Su Ming flew through Crimson Flame Planet. His expression was calm as he moved over mountains and deserts. He found a red type of grass on one of the mountains. That grass grew in volcanoes, and it possessed some heat.
Eventually, Su Ming discovered another mountain, an extinct volcano. Its appearance was incredibly similar to that of the ninth summit. As Su Ming stood on that mountain, he looked at it quietly. After a long moment, he lifted his right hand, and the killing sword appeared on his palm. Then, like a gust of wind, he flew in circles around the mountain.
Mountain rocks were shattered. Dust and dirt flew into the air. When an entire day passed, the mountain gradually became even more similar to the ninth summit as Su Ming continued modifying it. Su Ming had even opened up a cave abode at the top of the mountain. His second senior brother's courtyard was also built in the middle section of the mountain. Su Ming's platform and Hu Zi's house was located farther down, and at the foot of the mountain was eldest senior brother's isolation grounds.
When this mountain appeared before Su Ming's eyes, he stood there and stared at it for a long, long time.
When the sky turned dark, the moon hung high in the sky, and the ground became indistinct, Su Ming smiled as he looked at the ninth summit. That smile was incredibly cold and heartless, as if he was wearing a mask, but this was not what Su Ming intended. As he continued smiling, his heart beneath his cold countenance once again ached with pain.
However, this time, the pain did not affect just his heart. A powerful will seemed to have descended on his indifferent face, causing spasms under his icy cold countenance. Gradually, a black mask manifested on his face.
Su Ming knew that his actions could be considered as a type of love. This longing and love for home was not allowed for him. It should be cut off, but his current action was the complete opposite of being indifferent, which was the cause for the mask to show up once again. The will within it started suppressing Su Ming's ability to love.
Blood trickled down from the corners of Su Ming's mouth, but he continued lifting his feet to walk to the top of the mountain, where he sat down by himself.
The Crimson Python Phoenix was lying at the foot of the mountain. It seemed to have noticed what was in Su Ming's heart, and it was something that said he did not want anyone bothering him.
The bald crane had been watching everything that Su Ming did for the entire day, and the energetic bird suddenly fell silent. It looked at the ninth summit before its eyes and gradually went to Su Ming's side. As it looked at his aloof face, the blood at the corners of his mouth, and his actions of seizing his chest, grief appeared on the bald crane's face.
"I won't cut away my longing for home, and neither will I forget it… I choose pain! I will keep the pain in my heart to remember that feeling, and I will feel this pain forever. Only then will I remember it, only then… will I not be able to forget it," Su Ming mumbled to himself.
He was afraid that he would one day forget his longing for home, that he would gradually lose himself in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence as he was immersed in the indifference and heartlessness of this place.
That was why he had to keep this pain in his heart.
He brought out the red grass he had gathered all along the way from his storage and started tying knots on those blades of grass. When morning arrived, Su Ming had already finished weaving a grass puppet.
That puppet was headless.
However, this puppet had drops of blood that had dripped down from Su Ming's tongue after he had bitten the tip of his tongue. Due to that blood, the puppet no longer looked lifeless. It seemed like it had come to life.
The puppet did not resemble eldest senior brother, but in Su Ming's eyes, it was not a puppet but his eldest senior brother!
Su Ming looked at the red puppet that signified his eldest senior brother. His expression was indifferent, and his emotions could not be seen, but his look of concentration represented everything in his mind.
Yet at this moment, the mask that had disappeared when night arrived appeared once again. This time, the will that came from the mask was even greater than before. Signs of decay appeared on Su Ming's face, and a shudder wrecked his body. Wisps of green smoke also spread out. He did not feel pain, but the will that was came from the mask was forcefully trying to make him stop his actions.
Su Ming shuddered. He could feel that he could no longer control his own hands. It was as if the will within the mask was controlling his body, and it forced him to abruptly cough up a huge mouthful of blood.
Su Ming's gaze turned even colder, and he gritted his teeth. Struggling, he slowly lifted his right hand and brought out some more red grass. As his hands trembled, he slowly tied knots on the blades. This once simple act was now an arduous task, but he still persevered through it.
In three days, Su Ming weaved his second red doll, which also contained his blood. The doll looked to be smiling gently, and as if it would continue doing so no matter when and where it was.
When Su Ming finished weaving the second doll, the sun was incredibly bright. It shone on the side of the doll's face, and its smile stirred up a memory in Su Ming's head, leaving him dazed.
As he immersed himself in that memory, the decay of his face under the mask became even worse. The will coming from the mask let out a bang in Su Ming's head, and blood trickled out of the corners of his mouth. He might feel no pain, but the damage done by the will surpassed all pain, causing him to fall to the side.
Seven days later, Su Ming opened his eyes. They were bloodshot, and his body was incredibly weak. He felt as if his heart and soul had been injured, but when he opened his eyes, he brought out the red blades of grass once more and started weaving them with shaking hands.
This time, Su Ming fainted three times while weaving the doll, due to the will from the mask sending out blasts in his head. A month later, there was no longer any shine on his body. However, the third doll had been finished.
It was a doll with a silly expression and an honest look. As Su Ming looked at the doll, he chuckled. His laughter was cold and contained no emotion, but when the bald crane heard it, it felt that everything that had happened during the past month and that cold chuckle were more real than anything else in the world.
'You can take away my ability to love, but you can't take away the longing that exists in my heart…'
Su Ming picked up the red grass. When he began weaving the fourth doll, blood dripped down from his face. At that instant, the will that came from the mask had become so strong that it could cause Su Ming's soul to shake.
Su Ming lifted his head and let out a roar towards the sky.
His hands shook as he tried to tie the grass knots time and again. When another month passed, the fourth doll was done.
It was a woman, a woman who was smiling as she turned her head back to look at someone. This was Bai Su.
When that doll was finished, Su Ming's hands had already been torn apart. His feebleness reached its peak, and he was practically at death's door, but the bright sun in his left eye and the moon in his right had become even clearer. They now occupied the entire space within his pupils.
He brought out some more red grass to weave the fifth doll - Yu Xuan.
Yet this time, no matter how Su Ming tried, he could not tie the first knot. Every single time he was about to tie it, the eyes that fell shut would appear in his heart, along with the figure that fell into the distance because he did not manage to catch her.
He tried, again and again, and he failed, again and again. Dark light spread out from the mask on Su Ming's face. When it covered his face, his eyes grew even more aloof and heartless.
Su Ming looked at the red blade of grass, on which he was still unable to tie the first knot. Without lifting his head, he asked languidly in a voice that contained a cold that could even chill bones, "Sir, you've been here for many days. How long do you intend to keep watching me?"
A sigh came from the sky. Tian Lin appeared in midair, and with a complicated expression, he looked at the black mask on Su Ming's face, then at the dolls before Su Ming, along with the red grass in his hand that was filled with creases.
"Sir, why do you do this? I can see that there is a seal in the mask on your face, so why do you insist on fighting against it?"
When Tian Lin said these words, Su Ming lifted his head. At the instant he turned the sun in his left eye and the moon in his right towards Tian Lin, Tian Lin's words died away. His gaze met Su Ming's, and a bang immediately rang out in his heart.
As that bang reverberated in his heart, Su Ming and the mountain disappeared from his eyes, to be replaced by a plain of withered grass. There were a few families on that plain, and at that moment, those families were screaming shrilly. True Guard dressed in red were massacring those families.
At the end of the fight, one burly True Guard that had a bloody presence stood before a trembling young man whose face was rife with terror. That young man repeatedly tried to fight against him, but every single time, he would be flung backwards by a swing of the True Guard's arm while coughing up blood. Then, with a voice filled with indifference and disdain, he said flatly, "You know well that you aren't my opponent, and yet you still dare to attack me. Oh well, I'll spare you, young child of the fifth generation of Tian Kui's descendants. It'll be a show of my kindness."
When the massacre was over and the True Guard left, the young man lifted his head and let out a shrill roar before he fell to his knees. Tears of blood trickled down his face.
All of this might have only been an instant-long illusion, but Tian Lin started trembling. His eyes turned red as the pain that was hidden at the deepest parts of his heart resurfaced, reminding him of what had happened to his home in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence several thousands of years ago!
His breathing quickened, and he looked towards Su Ming.
"What is this Art?!"
"The sun represents reality, the moon represents hope, and the star… represents home. This is what I have come to understand of the illusion of the star, sun, and moon. As for the question regarding why I am fighting against the seal… it is the same answer as to why you were fighting against that True Guard."
Su Ming picked up the four dolls before him. Because they contained his blood, they slowly fused into his body, and from then on, it was as if… these people were with him in this place.
Su Ming knew that his third change of heart had just started. It had not ended. It would only truly end once he finished weaving everyone's dolls and fused all of them into his body. Then, with this method, he would conquer his third change of heart.
Chapter 763: Chance!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Tian Lin remained silent in the air. He had sensed Su Ming going into isolation a year ago, and because of his isolation and his act of gaining his epiphany, Tian Lin's original intention of searching for him for a talk was pushed back. When he sensed that Su Ming had come out of his isolation and left his spot, Tian Lin had walked out of his forest in the western region and come to this place based on what he could sense of the other's presence.
He had come here a few days ago, but he had never showed himself, because the things he saw brought shock and apprehension to his heart. The same thought as Yue Hong Bang's formed in his head. He did not believe that Su Ming was a person from the Barren Lands of Divine Essence, and that thought took shape because of the mask that would occasionally appear on Su Ming's face.
In his eyes, the mask was clearly a powerful torture device, and only the first generation criminals who were banished to the Barren Lands of Divine Essence from the four Great True Worlds would be in possession of a torture device.
This was the punishment from the four Great True Worlds. It was a way to suppress these criminals' power and also make them suffer while leaving them to their own devices in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence.
When he saw the mask on Su Ming's face, a large portion of the slight hesitation Tian Lin still harbored to talk about his plans with Su Ming instantly vanished. He had a feeling that he had eight-tenths of a chance to lead of Su Ming's origins.
At that moment, his breathing gradually calmed down. The scene just now had momentarily filled his heart with fear, and he had become wary of Su Ming's divine ability. He was different from Mei Lan, in that. He had never underestimated Su Ming. On the contrary, he regarded him extremely highly in his heart.
"Fellow Daoist Su, your divine abilities are mysterious and profound, I cannot hope to compare to you. Now, after seeing the Art you possess, I'm even more eager to invite you to join my quest." Tian Lin smiled faintly as he descended to stand before Su Ming.
"Sit." Su Ming's expression remained as impassive as ever as he sat on the ground. His body was slowly recovering from its weakness, and his expression grew colder as his body recovered. The light in his eyes shone with heartlessness. At that moment, Su Ming looked even colder than before he experienced his third change of heart.
With a smile on his lips, Tian Lin sat down and looked at Su Ming, then suddenly said, "Fellow Daoist Su, are you perhaps interested in the power of World Planes?"
"What do you mean?" Su Ming's expression remained the same, and his voice was flat.
"I know of a place that can provide incredibly thick power of World Planes, but that place is very dangerous…" The smile remained on Tian Lin's face.
"I have yet to reach the state of being a Lord of a World Plane, hence I am not interested in the power of World Planes." Su Ming shook his head.
Tian Lin was momentarily stunned. He did not expect that Su Ming would reject him so bluntly and thoroughly. He frowned and sized up this youth before he spoke once again.
"Fellow Daoist Su, you're being humble. You have plenty of mysteries surrounding your person, but there is no way I would believe that you have yet to reach the status of World Paragon." Tian Lin laughed, and a brilliant light shone in his eyes.
"But if you aren't interested in the power of World Paragons, fellow Daoist Su, then would you perhaps be interested in the Crimson Flame Stone, which possesses even greater physical power?"
Su Ming cast Tian Lin a look.
"Fellow Daoist Su, don't be in such a hurry to reject my offer, please spare some time to listen to my words. There might be plenty of these blue stones in Crimson Flame Planet, and they might exist in every region here… but the physical power contained within these blue stones is far inferior to the stone in the place which I spoke of.
"No one has been able to absorb the physical power contained within it, but I've been observing you, fellow Daoist Su, and I found that you are… very interested in these stones. This is the first reason!" Tian Lin's eyes burned brightly as he looked at Su Ming. There was a slightly solemn expression on his face when he spoke again.
"The second reason is that True Guards come patrolling Crimson Flame Planet once every ten years. At that time, they will examine closely whether all the seals in Crimson Flame Planet are still in perfect condition. Any damage, no matter how small it is, will cause the True Guards to descend to the planet to investigate it.
"Fellow Daoist Su, you've opened the seal around the region of the Crimson Python Phoenix. Even if the creature will be placed back within the seal, there will still be some hints of its escape, and there is a high possibility that it will be discovered by the True Guards… Once they discover this, which to those in the four Great True Worlds is the most grievous matter in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence, then even if you leave and run far away, you will still be chased down by the True Guards. They will issue an arrest warrant for you, and even offer a reward for your head. There is less than eight years till then."
Tian Lin looked at Su Ming as he spoke. Once he finished saying these words, he did not say anything else. He knew that Su Ming was an intelligent man, and it was only natural that he would be able to discern the truth of his words, as well as the consequences of his actions.
"Please get straight to the point, fellow Daoist Tian." Tian Lin was unable to find any clues from Su Ming's expression. Just as he contemplated his next move, Su Ming's aloof voice reached his ears.
Once Tian Lin heard Su Ming's words, a smile appeared on his face.
"Alright, then I will voice my thoughts. Fellow Daoist Su, you must certainly know that there is a member of an alien race that has been sealed within each of the depleted cultivation planets for a countless number of years!
"Even the powerful warriors of the four Great True Worlds found it difficult to kill these members of the alien races, that's why they chose to seal them up. There might be other reasons for it, but I don't know about them.
"It's said that Crimson Flame Planet has a renowned mighty cultivator from the alien race sealed up within it. Back when the alien race fought against the four Great True Worlds, he was known as the Duke of Crimson Flame!
"This person has been sealed in Crimson Flame Planet from the very start. His power was forced to spread out, and it formed the various volcanoes in the planet. His life was forced to spread out, and the ferocious beasts from the alien races absorbed it so they would not die once the four Great True Worlds sealed them up and wiped away their intelligence… Fellow Daoist Su, your Crimson Python Phoenix is one of the ferocious beasts from the alien races.
"And as the seal continued corroding this mighty cultivator's flesh and blood, it formed the blue stones that filled the land over the countless years. This is also the origin of the Crimson Flame Stones I spoke about just now." Tian Lin's words echoed in the air.
Su Ming's expression might have seemed normal, but his heart was in shock. He might not know whether Tian Lin's words were real, but this was not something that was difficult to verify. There was really no need for Tian Lin to lie to him about this.
"Within the depths of the land, in the area where the Duke of Crimson Flame is sealed, there is a large amount of power that belongs to World Planes, and even those in Plane Kalpa. If we could absorb it, then our levels of cultivation would definitely increase exponentially!
"Fellow Daoist Su, if you go there and absorb all the power of the Duke of Crimson Flame's flesh and blood, then the power contained within your flesh and blood will reach an incredibly powerful state.
"I know that you must surely have some queries in your heart. If these members of the alien races are sealed within Crimson Flame Planet and all the other cultivation planets in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence, then why have I never taken any action beforehand but only chose to say these words after you came to this place?" A bright light shone in Tian Lin's eyes. His voice spread out as he pointed at the Crimson Python Phoenix at the foot of the mountain.
"Fellow Daoist Su, if you can make a ferocious beast from an alien race leave the seal, then you must surely be able to make all the ferocious beasts in Crimson Flame Planet move out of their seals. If you can do this, then we'll have five-tenths of a chance to enter the place where the Duke of Crimson Flame is sealed!
"At that time, both of us will obtain some benefits. And no matter how weak he is, there is no possible way that a mighty cultivator like the Duke of Crimson Flame would die. Besides, if we judge the time properly, when the True Guards arrive, we can help him escape. To the True Guards, the Duke of Crimson Flame is the one who really holds their attention. We're just small fry. This is a win-win situation. Fellow Daoist Su, are you willing to do this?
"Once your physical power becomes even greater and we obtain our rewards and benefits, then why should we worry even if we are chased down by the True Guards and are issued arrest warrants?
"Besides, since there is no way we can avoid being chased down and issued arrest warrants, then why don't we try to get ourselves the greatest amount of benefits possible beforehand?!" Tian Lin's words showed that his thought processes were incredibly clear. His words, too, possessed great, persuasive power. Once he finished saying these things, he waited quietly for Su Ming's answer.
Su Ming remained in contemplative silence for a moment before he looked at Tian Lin and said slowly, "Judging by your words, it seems like we aren't the only people who will be involved in this."
"That's right. As long as you are certain you can open the seals and promise to do this, then I will immediately gather some of my good friends to work on this!" Tian Lin sucked in a deep breath and stood up to bow towards Su Ming. His expression was incredibly sincere.
"Fellow Daoist Su, you possess the power to break seals. This is a blessing to the Barren Lands of Divine Essence and a fortune for us cultivators. Please help us!"
Su Ming remained in pensive silence for a moment before he looked at Tian Lin and said, "This will affect many things. I will need to think about this for some time. I cannot give you an answer immediately."
"Of course. That is naturally what one should do."
If Su Ming had immediately answered, then Tian Lin would have had suspicions. In his eyes, it was simply impossible for Su Ming to immediately agree to this matter. After all, there were too many things that would be affected by this.
At that instant, when he heard Su Ming's words after that slight pause, he knew that Su Ming had already been moved by his offer, which was why he did not continue trying to persuade him. Instead, he lifted his right hand and seized the air. A storage bag immediately appeared in his hand, and he handed it over to Su Ming.
"Brother Su, it doesn't matter what you choose in the end, I will still give you a small gift. Over the past year, I've moved through all the regions in Crimson Flame Planet except the northern region to gather all the blue Crimson Flame Stones in those places. If you wanted them, brother Su, you could have easily obtained them, but please accept this as a slight show of my sincerity." Tian Lin wrapped his fist in his palm towards Su Ming.
"Brother Su, will I be able to obtain an answer in a year?"
"I will definitely give you an answer a year later!" Su Ming stood up and also wrapped his fist in his palm towards Tian Lin.
"I look forward to good news. This is a jade slip that will transfer sound. No matter what your choice is, please tell me your answer using this item one year later, brother Su." Tian Lin let out a hearty laugh before he gave Su Ming a jade slip. Then, he turned around and disappeared without a trace.
Su Ming watched Tian Lin leave into the distance. He stood still and silent for a moment, then picked up the storage bag and opened it. He scanned it with his divine sense and his Atman and found blue stones piled into several mountains.
This bag with its incredibly large storage capacity alone was already no ordinary item. The 'small gift' Tian Lin had given to him was, in fact, not small at all!
A variety of expressions flickered through Su Ming's face. After some time, he walked into the cave abode at the top of the ninth summit with the storage bag and stayed there. In the blink of an eye, a year passed. On this day, a large amount of blue stones was rapidly shattering before Su Ming as he sat in the cave abode. As he absorbed the physical power contained within them, his eyes sparkled with a brilliant light.
'Tian Lin is definitely hiding something. There's no way this matter is as simple as it sounds. But…' Su Ming cast a glance at the shattered blue stones before his eyes.
'Power is everything in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence. Since it's difficult for me to swiftly increase my level of cultivation and I have a chance to increase my physical strength lying right before my eyes, then even if it's dangerous… I will still take up this challenge!'
Su Ming's eyes flew up, and a resolute look appeared within them. He had lived in danger for most of his life, and he knew since a long time ago that fortune came from danger. If he hesitated and tried running away when trouble arose, then it would be impossible for him to obtain great serendipity.
After some time, a jade slip turned into a long arc. Abruptly. it was engulfed in flames, and a ray of sunlight erupted from it. Then, in the blink of an eye, it charged toward the world in the distance.