Chapter Sixty-Six: A Gesture of Goodwill

Sword Sweeping Across Eight Desolations—whoever created this sword technique... No, it must be the person who composed the complete “Righteousness Sealing Demon Canon.” Terrifying! Xu Zhe, now mastering this martial art of slaughter, was overwhelmed with awe.

This Sword Sweeping Across Eight Desolations was almost a fusion of countless sword techniques, unified into one. Each move vaguely carried traces of other sword arts, including the Four Symbols Sword Array, but all were shattered and melded into the whole. How vast a mind must one possess to accomplish such a feat!

Even more astonishing was how this Sword Sweeping Across Eight Desolations perfectly matched the general principles of the “Righteousness Sealing Demon Canon,” as though it had been broken down yet again and embedded within the canon itself—otherwise, its power could never be fully manifested.

No wonder Hou Shanyue from the Shen Monkey Hall, when wielding this sword art, could only condense a sword of energy. For those who had not cultivated the general principles, mastering Sword Sweeping Across Eight Desolations was simply impossible.

The same applied to the You Chicken Hall. Though they possessed the complete method for the Taiyin Fire Lotus, they could only condense a thread of flame to attach to hidden weapons, and its potency was greatly diminished.

Still, Taiyin Fire Lotus was intriguing—it could devour flames and make them its own. The key lay in the fire lotus produced: it would transform into chilling Yin energy, creating a contradiction with the blazing heat of fire, provoking a violent clash akin to water and fire in conflict, unleashing devastating destruction.

Of course, all this relied on the general principles of the “Righteousness Sealing Demon Canon.” Without them, forced cultivation would yield nothing but empty form.

“The creator of this method is probably even stronger than I imagined. But why isn’t such a person mentioned in any ancient records?” Xu Zhe reached a conclusion.

Unless this person transcended the history of the Cangtian Domain, existing before the formation of the Five Great Domains, or perhaps hailed from another domain altogether.

Reflecting as he moved, Xu Zhe made his way toward the location of the domain passage. It was only when he sensed the fluctuations in the void growing markedly intense that he stopped.

He selected a dense mountain forest, perched high above, and observed secretly.

The source of the violent void fluctuations was a clear river, deep beneath its surface. Small fish swam in the water, and occasionally shrimp could be glimpsed. Overall, there was nothing unusual.

Yet, at the riverbank, over a dozen figures sat cross-legged, eyes closed, meditating. Men and women alike, all were at the Nascent Soul stage.

As Li Xunhuang’s group arrived, the Nascent Soul cultivators opened their eyes to glance at them, then closed them again, paying no heed.

“It seems my guess was right. The ‘Burial River’ that woman spoke of covers the domain passage, and this group has come for the treasures that fall from within.” Xu Zhe mused, curiosity piqued.

Where did this domain passage lead within Cangtian Domain, and why did things fall into Qingtian Domain from it?

Did disciples of the Demon Gate have nothing better to do than throw Mystic Soul Spikes into the passage daily?

Or perhaps, aside from Ji Dali’s ancestor, others also knew of this passage and were plotting in secret.

“If so, things could turn dire. I died right after ascending to Immortal Emperor, and the Immortal Emperor clan’s control over Cangtian Domain must have waned. Some who have plotted for years may no longer restrain themselves and will stir up trouble.” Xu Zhe rubbed his chin, brows slightly furrowed.

Yet, stuck in Qingtian Domain, he could neither confirm his suspicions nor intervene. So worrying was pointless. With the Immortal Emperor clan’s profound foundation, even if danger arose, holding out for a century or so would be easy enough—by then, he would surely have ascended to Cangtian Domain.

“It will still be troublesome. Even if I ascend, what can a mere Great Ascension cultivator do?” Xu Zhe muttered, rising and heading out of the forest.

Along the Burial River, over a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators now gathered, their numbers swelling after Li Xunhuang and his group arrived.

Yet, under Xu Zhe’s divine sense, at least ten more Nascent Soul cultivators were hidden throughout the forest.

This hiding was pointless, for all present knew of each other’s existence, and mutual vigilance had long been established.

Besides, Xu Zhe had not come to compete for anything.

“Xu Zhe?”

As he stepped from the woods, a dozen gazes instantly focused on him.

Li Xunhuang, looking stunned, called out his name.

“How could you possibly be here?” Li Xunhuang, now certain the newcomer was Xu Zhe, was even more astonished.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator, appearing at the heart of the Stone Flame Secret Realm? Unbelievable!

“Never mind how I got here. Just stay put. I’ll come find you later to settle some matters,” Xu Zhe said calmly.

“To settle matters with me?” Li Xunhuang sneered coldly. Yet he did nothing more, his eyes icy as he watched Xu Zhe.

Xu Zhe ignored him and headed directly to the riverbank.

The Nascent Soul cultivators seated by the river had already opened their eyes, watching him.

A middle-aged man spoke first: “Xu Tianjiao, I am Wu Zheng, disciple of the Golden Light Sect. I have received orders from my sect: should you require any assistance, Wu Zheng will help you in every way.”

No sooner had he finished, than a woman in Daoist robes spoke up: “Xu Tianjiao, I am Lin Yu’er, disciple of the Hidden Moon Sect. If you have any needs, please say so.”

Xu Zhe, a man of upright character, wondered what he could possibly need.

He was about to respond when several more cultivators at the riverbank introduced themselves and declared their willingness to assist him, clearly staking their position.

Xu Zhe was baffled.

Why had so many suddenly sought to curry favor with him?

Had it been only women, he could have understood. But among those siding with him, there were clearly more men than women.

“……”

Not far behind, Li Xunhuang’s face darkened noticeably.

Seven Nascent Soul cultivators had stated their support, showing goodwill toward Xu Zhe.

He knew well the reason: it stemmed from the scene of Xu Zhe slaying the woman surnamed Zheng from Jade Pool, which had been widely circulated.

Moreover, Xu Zhe possessed a powerful treasure.

Those sects showing favor either believed he was backed by extraordinary figures, or were interested in the origins of his treasure.

Li Xunhuang himself had wrestled with the dilemma: was the treasure more important, or was pride? Should he swallow his pride and, like Qu Hongxiu, address Xu Zhe as “Uncle Xu,” which, considering seniority, was hardly a loss?

But in the end, Li Xunhuang chose pride. Besides, he had alliances with Northern Continent. To change sides now, even in pretense, for a mere treasure, would bring trouble.

So he dismissed the idea. Anyway, as long as he found a chance to kill Xu Zhe, he could still claim the treasure.

With this thought, his smile returned.

He didn’t believe those showing favor would truly help Xu Zhe to kill him.

“You all are kind. In fact, there is one matter you could help me with,” Xu Zhe suddenly halted, cupping his hands toward the Nascent Soul cultivators who had shown goodwill.

They were taken aback—so soon, he needed help?

“Xu Tianjiao, speak freely.”

They responded one after another, but were clear-minded—they knew well that deciding whether and how much to help was a fine art.

“I may need to teach a child a lesson soon. If you wish to help, you can keep his group of cronies at bay for me,” Xu Zhe said with a smile.

The Nascent Soul cultivators were stunned, their gazes drifting, intentionally or not, toward Li Xunhuang.

“Damn!”

Li Xunhuang glared—he’s going to teach a child, and you all are looking at me?

Then he glanced at his own group.

Five Nascent Soul cultivators, their faces grim, eyes fierce as they glared at Xu Zhe.

Li Xunhuang realized, and fury surged.

The child to be taught was himself!

“Xu Zhe, what do you mean?” Li Xunhuang shouted angrily, murderous intent blazing.

“No rush. I’ll deal with you soon,” Xu Zhe replied with a smile, then moved toward the riverbank.

He didn’t expect those cultivators to actually assist him; he just left the remark. Soon enough, there would be a chance to draw Li Xunhuang aside and teach him a lesson.

“Xu Tianjiao, Burial River has not yet awakened. No treasures have appeared within,” Lin Yu’er, the Daoist-robed woman, reminded him.

Xu Zhe had already reached the edge of the bank, smiling calmly. “I’m not here for treasures.”

With that, he stepped forward, lightly treading atop the river.

Splash!

The water surged, waves rolling to either side as Xu Zhe gradually descended into the river.

Many at the bank stood up in surprise, eager to see what Xu Zhe would do beneath the river.

Yet as Xu Zhe entered, the water parted to both sides, then merged once more, restoring the sparkling surface.

Beneath the river, a radiance enveloped the scene, making it impossible to see Xu Zhe at all.

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