Ji Zong smiled mockingly.
"Bai Xuan… Why are you here? Protecting your son and disciple, I suppose?"
Bai Xuan's eyes burned with anger. "Give me back those scrolls, now."
Ji Zong tilted his head.
"What? Are you serious? You know me; I don't give, I take."
Bai Xuan narrowed his eyes. "What's the use of those scrolls to you? You're dying."
Ji Zong raised his hands. "These scrolls… they are my dreams. They will set me free—from you, from fate."
Bai Xuan's lips curled. "Freedom? There is only freedom in death. While you live, you bow to me."
Ji Zong smirked. "That's coward's talk. I am the Demonic Venerable."
Bai Xuan's face darkened. "Talking to you is pointless."
Ji Zong smirked. "For once, you're right."
He raised his hand.
"Spear Rain of Blood!"
The sky split open. Crimson spears poured down like a storm, blotting out the sun. With every impact, droplets of blood sprayed through the air, turning the area around into a scarlet rain.
While Bai Jin and Xian Yun trembled and hid behind Bai Xuan
Bai Xuan didn't flinch. His voice thundered across the world as he pointed his finger.
"Heavenly Judgment!"
A pillar of blinding light erupted from above, crashing down like heaven's own wrath.
Ji Zong's hands blurred through seals. Countless blood barriers surged forth, layer upon layer, forming a crimson wall before him.
But the divine light was merciless—like a blade of the heavens. It tore through the barriers one after another, shattering them as if they were paper screens.
Skrree—
The pillar of light crashed into Ji Zong's chest, slamming him deep into the stone wall. Dust exploded outward, cracks running like spiderwebs across the cliff. His face turned pale, his body limp.
Bai Jin's eyes lit up. He rushed forward, excitement breaking into a grin. "Father—he's finished! He's finally dead!"
The ground shuddered. Then—
A red blade shot out, striking Bai Jin.
"Didn't your father teach you not to show your back?" Ji Zong's voice came from the ground.
Bai Jin coughed, blood dripping, staring at his father. Bai Xuan and Xian Yun didn't move.
"F-f-father? X-Xian Yun?" he stammered, collapsing.
Bai Xuan's voice was cold. "How long will you cling to life? Die with some dignity."
He pointed his finger at him again.
"Heavenly Judgment!"
The light struck. But beneath Ji Zong, a glowing pattern appeared.
A wild smile appeared on Ji Zong's face.
"Ninefold Rebirth Array!"
Panic flashed across Bai Xuan's face. "Xian Yun! Kill everyone nearby! Someone activated the array!"
Ji Zong's voice echoed, calm and triumphant. "It's finished. You can't stop it. Wait for me… your fall is coming."
Then his soul vanished in a swirl of crimson energy.
Bai Xuan's face twisted with rage.
He… played me. He saw it all coming. Damn it!"
While somewhere else.
Consciousness slammed back into him.
Ji Zong's eyes snapped open.
"Where… am I?"
He felt iron chains gnawing at his wrists and his ankle, making him sit on the cold ground as he attempted to lower his head.
And saw a symbol of a crow on the back of his palm.
"This... slave branding." His voice was low and cold.
His lips curved into a faint, mocking smile.
"Hmm... from the Demonic Venerable of Blood Calamity to a slave, how laughable."
And looking at the front, he saw steel bars.
He sighed out. "But still I'm thankful that array worked."
As he was scanning his surroundings.
Bai Xuan must already be searching. No doubt he must have sent his disciples.
He pulled at the chains.
"Weak and thin… but alive. Only a broken core? Hah… I'll forge a stronger one."
A faint shimmer caught his eye. He turned his head—there, a cracked mirror leaned against the wall.
"Hmm, a nice face, long black hair, and black eyes, just like my previous life."
A low chuckle escaped him.
"Mm… perhaps I'll be sold as a toy. A sex slave, most likely."
As he was looking at his face, he heard a sound.
Thud…
His head turned. Footsteps. Heavy, measured.
"Boots. Not one… two."
Moments later, a man appeared outside the bars. register in hand.
"The owner of this slave house," Ji Zong thought coldly.
The man gestured behind him. "Here, young miss. Look at this one."
From the shadows, a woman stepped forward.
Early twenties.
A red gown embroidered with gold, long white hair cascading over jade-like skin, and black eyes sharp as blades. To anyone else, she would be a descended goddess.
But Ji Zong froze. A name flickered in his mind.
"Rou Mei…?"
She raised her brow. "Wait. How do you know my name?"
Ji Zong's eyes didn't flicker. "The same way I know a goddess doesn't visit a place like this without a purpose."
But the owner's oily voice cut in. "Miss, this slave may be rude but matches your criteria. He is perfect."
She regarded Ji Zong with disgust. "Tell me about him."
The owner bowed low, his tone respectful—almost fearful.
"Y-yes, my lady. His name is Ji Zong. Once a royal member of the Eastern Continent, but a useless, talentless gambler who lost himself in a wager to our company's head."
Rou Mei's gaze sharpened. "Are you trying to drag my clan into war with the Eastern Continent by selling me their royal member?"
The owner paled, bowing even lower. "No, my lady! Such a thing could never happen. His rights belong fully to us—the royal Ji clan cast him out long ago."
Her cold eyes softened slightly. "...Then it's fine. I'll buy him."
Ji Zong said nothing, only watched.
The owner hurried to unlock the cell. "Behave. From now on, you'll serve the Rou clan—one of the strongest clans in this western continent."
And unchained him.
Rou Mei turned away. "Get him clothes and a bath, and remove his slave mark."
She left without another word.
The owner's eyes glinted.
Remove the mark? A master who doesn't want control over her slave?
Half an hour later.
Rou Mei sat in the waiting hall, irritation in her voice.
The door opened.
"It took you this long just to bathe?"
Ji Zong stepped out, his new blue robe traced with silver, his skin clean and radiant. Even the owner was ignored as Rou Mei's eyes widened for a moment.
The man coughed nervously. "Miss… the bath, the clothes, everything cost 80 gold coins."
She tossed him a pouch. "Take it. Leave us."
Both were alone; silence lingered until she finally spoke.
"I am the eldest daughter of the Rou clan."
Ji Zong's stare was unflinching. "Why did you order to remove my slave mark?"
Her lips curved faintly. "Because I can't let the world know my husband was ever a slave."
"...Husband?"
"Yes. Don't look so shocked. I have no interest in keeping slaves. But my father won't let me inherit the clan unless I marry. If I wed a noble or another power, I lose half of everything. But if I marry someone like you, a slave on the outside…" She smirked. "…I keep it all."
Ji Zong chuckled. "There must be some sort of rule, isn't there?"
Her expression cooled. "That is correct. You're not allowed to cultivate."
"Because you're afraid I'll overthrow you."
Rou Mei's eyes narrowed, and she scoffed.
"Overthrow me? I'm the second-strongest on this continent. And you? A ruined gambler who lost his crown to dice. Remember your place."
"Then I have two wishes," Ji Zong said, his eyes glinting with the same madness that once drowned the heavens in blood. "And you will grant them."
Rou Mei leaned forward, her eyes glinting. "Then make them wisely… husband."