"Gui Qi—!"
The moment the grand array extinguished, the entire island of The Edge of the World was engulfed by a thunderous voice that echoed like a great bronze bell and ringing chime.
"Where did you get an Annihilation Spirit Array? Who are you, truly?"
"This spiritual vein might be one of the four ancestral veins of Eastern Divine Continent! What you've done has destroyed countless lives' fortunes—shattered the destiny of millions!"
Ancestral vein?!
That sounded far too grand.
Chen Sanshi held the bead, feeling the dense spiritual energy pulsing within.
The ancestral vein of heaven and earth? Eastern Divine Continent?
Was that referring to the very continent they stood on?
And that voice—where was it coming from?
Despite his keen five senses, Chen Sanshi couldn't pinpoint the direction of the sound. It came from everywhere at once, heavy and vast, pressing down like the weight of heaven itself.
When the voice fell silent, the sky above The Edge of the World split open. The void tore apart, revealing a massive teleportation array suspended in the heavens.
"Gui Qi!"
"You can't escape this time!"
From within that array, figures poured out—one after another—white-robed sword immortals, soaring down toward the masked old demon below. Sword light blazed like lightning, divine radiance flaring, as if celestial immortals had descended from the heavens to execute judgment.
Swords rained down like a storm. Winds howled violently.
The black-robed demon, his robe billowing wildly, stood unmoving until the countless sword rays reached him. Then, with a single swing of the purple-gold war hammer, raw true power exploded like a tempest. In an instant, the storm of sword light was smashed apart, and several sword cultivators were shredded into a red mist.
Blood mist burst in the night like ghostly blossoms blooming across the underworld.
One after another, they bloomed—brighter, thicker—until the entire night sky was filled with the eerie red glow, turning The Edge of the World into a realm of death, a living hell, the abyss of gods and demons.
"Form the array!"
"Buzz—"
Over a hundred sword cultivators spread out and assumed formation. Each one released his sword, letting it float before his chest while forming hand seals and chanting incantations. The sound of their voices merged into one vast heavenly hum.
The flying swords linked together, shining like a golden curtain across the sky. The formation shifted continuously until an enormous sword—ten zhang long—spanned the heavens above, then plunged downward, aiming to pierce through the entire island.
On the ground, countless golden chains of light erupted like writhing serpents, coiling around the masked demon and binding him tightly in place.
At the same time, the giant sword continued to fall, glowing fiercely as the sea roared and waves surged. Its pressure alone could crush mountains—it was meant to obliterate him utterly.
At that critical instant, a flash of silver light cut through the air before Gui Qi.
Then—
A silver dragon burst forth.
The golden chains shattered one after another.
The dragon rose from the depths of the sea, roaring as it soared nine thousand li into the heavens.
"Rumble—!"
The massive sword.
The silver dragon.
The surge of true power.
The tsunami.
The earth itself trembled and cracked.
Zhaozhao, caught in the storm's heart, clung desperately to a rock to keep from being blown away. Her hair whipped wildly in the gale.
'Master!'
If there had been any doubt before—now, when that silver spear appeared, there could be none left.
Gui Qi was Sun Xiangzong. Sun Xiangzong was Gui Qi.
Within just a few breaths, the silver dragon prevailed—the giant sword shattered.
One by one, the sword immortals fell from the sky, their bodies crashing into the ground or splashing into the sea.
"Gui Qi!"
"Who exactly are you?!"
From the largest teleportation array in the sky, a voice thundered again, carrying boundless authority and rage.
"Heh…"
The masked demon sneered coldly, catching the silver dragon in his hand as it transformed back into a silver spear. Rising into the air, he stood before the teleportation array, his voice echoing like thunder across the heavens:
"Guardian Envoy of Eastern Divine Continent—Sun Xiangzong!"
"Guardian Envoy?!"
The voice behind the array roared in fury and disbelief. "You vile heretic of the demonic path! Your crimes shake the heavens! Your soul shall scatter for eternity—you will never reincarnate again!"
"Powerless rage," Sun Xiangzong said coldly. Standing tall with his spear, he pointed it straight toward the teleportation array. "Do you dare come out and fight this old man?"
"Old dog! Do you dare come in?"
"Do you dare come out?!"
"You come in!"
"You come out!"
"Old dog—die!"
"Boom—!"
A massive purple hand stretched slowly from the teleportation array, radiating divine might. Its mere presence threatened to erase the entire island in an instant. Cultivators who stood too close dropped dead on the spot, their hearts bursting from sheer pressure.
But the moment that purple hand crossed into this realm, its power began to weaken rapidly. By the time it fully emerged from the array, its strength had fallen to less than one percent of its original might.
"Boom!"
The silver spear struck like a thunderbolt, colliding with the giant hand. The purple hand shattered, and the black-robed demon was blasted backward several hundred zhang, only regaining balance midair.
"Old turtle," Sun Xiangzong said with a mocking grin, "are you coming out or not?"
"Worm who hides beneath heaven's suppression!" the furious voice bellowed from the array. "Cultivators of Daze Market, hear me! That man is merely a mortal warrior whose lifespan nears its end! You have nothing to fear—attack together and seize him! Whoever brings me Gui Qi's head shall enter the Upper Sect and be granted the status of True Transmission Disciple!"
"Buzz—"
From the celestial array above, dozens more cultivators poured out. The teleportation array at Daze Market also activated, and over a hundred wandering cultivators surged forth to join the hunt.
But Sun Xiangzong did not flee. Instead, he grabbed the nearest cultivator who controlled the array's entrance and forced his way directly into the Daze Market teleportation gate—vanishing in a flash of light.
"He dares enter the cultivation realm again? Courting death!"
"After him!"
"Dong, dong—!"
A sound like war drums resounded through the sky. One after another, the cultivators above The Edge of the World vanished into the teleportation gates.
Down in the valley, the defensive talisman barrier flickered and dissipated.
"Go!"
Chen Sanshi knew this place was no longer safe. He pulled Ningxiang up and ran without looking back.
The spiritual vein was destroyed.
Most cultivators had already rushed off to pursue Gui Qi, but surely some would come this way to check what happened—after all, everyone had just seen that the so-called ancestral vein was right here.
Sure enough, as soon as Chen Sanshi and Ningxiang fled the valley, two Qi Refining cultivators—one at the first stage, one at the second—appeared ahead of them.
"Fellow Daoists," an old man with a cane called out. "You were just here, weren't you? Did you find anything unusual?"
"Find what?" Chen Sanshi asked, his expression full of confusion.
"Playing dumb, are you!"
The middle-aged man beside the elder formed a hand seal, and a fireball shot out from his palm.
Just moments earlier, the Annihilation Spirit Array had nearly collapsed the entire island. Anyone without considerable strength would've been turned to ash. Yet these two had walked out of the valley without even a strand of hair singed. That alone was suspicious.
Chen Sanshi activated the Thick Earth Art, easily blocking the incoming fireball.
Then, with a flash of light, a golden flying dagger shot forward and cleanly sliced off the middle-aged cultivator's head.
The old man roared furiously. His cane turned into a writhing serpent, its mouth opening wide to reveal long fangs. Thick, poisonous mist poured out as it lunged toward Chen Sanshi, intent on killing and devouring him whole.
Ningxiang flicked her slender fingers, and the silver bracelet around her wrist floated up before her. It rang like a chime, emitting a clear, ethereal sound. The sound wave dispelled the poison mist and blocked the serpent's strike, then burst forth in a gleam of violet light that sliced through the air.
The old cultivator had no time to react and was instantly slain on the spot.
"They have treasures!"
More cultivators rushed over, their eyes bloodshot. They assumed the pair had looted something precious from the valley. Like starving hyenas scenting blood, they charged at them from all directions.
These people weren't from any sect or faction—they were just opportunists, scavengers looking to rob whoever survived.
No enmity, no grievance—just greed.
"Puchi—!"
Chen Sanshi drew his long spear from the Storage Bag and smashed a cultivator's skull into pulp. With his other hand, he formed a sword seal—Sword Qi Technique—sending a blade of energy piercing straight through another who tried to strike from behind.
On the other side, two father-and-son cultivators had surrounded Ningxiang.
"Son!" the middle-aged one shouted. "Attack! That woman's got something valuable on her!"
He cast an ice-type spell, conjuring two icy spikes—one he hurled like an arrow, the other he gripped as a weapon as he charged in close.
"Buzz!"
Ningxiang controlled her silver ring, blocking the ice spike in midair.
"Father! I'll help you!" the younger cultivator cried, gripping his purple-glowing flying sword and circling to flank her. Just as he prepared to strike, his gaze met Ningxiang's eyes—eyes clear, bright, and heartbreakingly beautiful.
"Young lady…" he murmured without thinking.
Meanwhile, the middle-aged cultivator, locked in a contest of strength against the silver ring, could feel her spiritual power weakening rapidly. His lips curled into a cruel grin.
"Hand over your treasure, and I might spare your life. How about it?"
Ningxiang said nothing. She bit her lip and poured what little spiritual power she had left into maintaining the defense. Her body trembled; her face grew pale.
The middle-aged cultivator's greed flared even more.
An ancestral vein…
This place was the site of an ancestral vein!
Who knew what kind of divine artifact they might have taken from it? If he could claim it, his Li family might finally buy land rich with spiritual energy—founding their own cultivation clan!
"Stubborn wench! Die!"
He gripped the ice spike tighter. Frost crept across his arm, coating his skin in ice until his hand became a gleaming, razor-sharp claw.
At that moment, Ningxiang's eyes darted past him as she cried out softly, her voice trembling with false fear: "Young master, save me!"
"What—?!"
The man's heart skipped a beat.
He spun around just in time to see a purple-glowing flying sword slicing toward him.
"Son! What are you doing?!"
"Old bastard—die!"
"Puchi—!"
The sword struck deep, blood spraying across the frozen ground.
"You… you witch!" the man gasped. "You tricked—"
But before he could finish, his gaze also met Ningxiang's.
Those eyes.
His mind went blank.
His reason shattered.
He let out a strangled scream and turned his weapon on his son.
"You little brat! You dare steal my woman? Without me, you'd never even have stepped onto the immortal path!"
The two clashed madly, father and son locked in a frenzied battle until both collapsed, bleeding and broken.
Ningxiang seized the chance, commanding the silver ring to finish them both off.
Her own face had turned ghostly pale—her spiritual power almost entirely spent.
"Watch out!"
She forced the silver ring forward one last time, deflecting a stray attack meant for Chen Sanshi. Then her strength failed. Her body wavered, and she collapsed backward, barely able to breathe.
For a first-stage Qi Refiner to wield a spell capable of fighting cultivators several stages above her was already extraordinary—she had only managed it thanks to her unique constitution. But after several such exchanges, her body could no longer endure.
When she lifted her head again, she saw nothing but corpses—dozens of them—and one lone figure standing amid the carnage, spear in hand, covered in blood.
"Rustle…"
More cultivators were approaching from all directions.
Chen Sanshi didn't dare linger. He grabbed Ningxiang, slung her onto his back, and fled before the others arrived, slipping through the forest and heading toward the coast.
"Zhaozhao," Ningxiang whispered weakly, her voice barely audible. "If we can't get away… leave me. Take her and run."
Master…
Didn't he say he'd come back for them?
Thinking back, Chen Sanshi finally understood.
Maybe Master had already recognized him.
From the start at Nanling Town, Master had worn a mask and avoided using his signature weapon. Clearly, he'd been hiding his identity.
But when the third teleportation array appeared in the sky, he'd been forced to use his spear technique—revealing himself completely.
After that, hiding no longer mattered.
He must've realized that if he took them with him, their presence would expose him further. So instead, he had turned back to attack Daze Market—to draw everyone's attention away.
Still, Chen Sanshi believed his master would leave them a way out—some clue, some sign.
By the time they reached the coast, the scene was chaos. Bodies littered the shore, and surviving rogue cultivators were looting corpses, fighting over treasures. The carnage was beyond words.
Hiding behind a cluster of rocks, Chen Sanshi finally spotted her—Zhaozhao.
Half her body was submerged in seawater, trembling as she formed hand seals with both hands. Her eyes darted around nervously.
Then she stiffened. She'd felt two strong hands press down on her shoulders. Before she could react, she was lifted clean off the ground.
"It's me!"
Seeing her panic and fumbling, Chen Sanshi snorted. "I was right next to you, and you didn't even notice. It's a miracle you've lived this long."
Zhaozhao's eyes widened in outrage. She felt utterly insulted but couldn't find a comeback. Finally, she huffed, "Hey! Chen Sanshi, put me down! I can keep up on my own!"
Chen Sanshi loosened his grip.
"Splash!"
Zhaozhao dropped straight into the sea, popping back up like a drenched kitten. "You could've at least warned me first! Chen Sanshi, you're such a bully!"
"Stop talking nonsense," Chen Sanshi said sharply. "Did he tell you how we're supposed to leave The Edge of the World—or if there's any safe place to hide?"
The chaos behind them showed no sign of ending. Staying any longer would only bring more trouble.
"This."
Zhaozhao, soaked from head to toe, pulled a small wooden boat from her soaked robes. "That demon took it from someone else and gave it to me. He said we could use it to escape first."
Her tone turned wary and serious. "But I don't think he's that kindhearted. There might be traps in it. We should be careful."
She clearly hadn't realized Gui Qi was Sun Xiangzong.
"Hurry up—get it moving!" Chen Sanshi barked, glancing around as several cultivators nearby turned their eyes toward them. "Didn't you hear me?!"
"Why are you yelling?!"
Zhaozhao flinched, her eyes reddening with frustration, but she didn't stop. Following Gui Qi's instructions, she quickly formed hand seals and muttered the activation chant.
The small wooden boat—no bigger than her palm—flew out in a streak of light. When it landed on the sea, it expanded rapidly, transforming into a sleek spirit vessel more than two zhang long.
It was smaller than Xu Youliang's spirit ship but still large enough to carry over a dozen people.
Chen Sanshi, with Ningxiang slung over his shoulder and one hand gripping Zhaozhao, leaped lightly onto the deck, then set both women down before hopping aboard himself.
Once on deck, Zhaozhao pulled out a spirit stone and fitted it into the ship's energy socket. She bit her lip and channeled spiritual power into the array. The spirit vessel hummed to life.
"Buzz!"
A warm orange barrier flared around the ship.
Under the protection of the barrier, the spirit vessel shot forward at astonishing speed. Within just a few breaths, the shoreline and the cultivators on it had shrunk to the size of ants in their view.
Soon, they entered the boundless, misty sea. The barrier crackled softly, resisting the corrosive fog, and everything grew calm again.
Chen Sanshi finally sat down on the deck. Watching Zhaozhao struggle to steer, he frowned. "You're sure you're not going to steer us the wrong way?"
The open sea was endless. A small mistake in navigation could mean ending up on a completely different continent.
This place was strange and dangerous—getting lost was the last thing they needed.
Still dripping wet, Zhaozhao pouted. "Then why don't you steer it?"
Chen Sanshi exhaled. If the master had taught her, she could probably handle it. No point arguing.
Feeling triumphant after finally winning an argument, Zhaozhao's mood lightened a little.
"Hoo…"
Chen Sanshi lay down on the deck, his thoughts replaying everything that had just happened.
Eastern Divine Continent.
Guardian Envoy.
Ancestral Vein.
All those terms sounded almost unreal—like myths from another world.
Half a year ago, he had thought of his master as nothing more than a martial cultivator who had surpassed the Martial Saint realm.
Now it was clear—the old man had been facing a far greater world all along.
Behind the emperor and all those great figures, there must be an even deeper secret.
And that vein—one of the four ancestral veins of Eastern Divine Continent—it meant this land wasn't alone. The continent might still hold other ancestral veins that had yet to awaken.
But now, Master's identity was exposed.
This incident would soon shake the entire world.
Mortal Realm's Guardian Envoy…
A title like that—what exactly did he guard?
The immortals had called his master a demon.
Could this somehow be connected to Mister Mei?
Chen Sanshi gripped the Mystic Pearl in his hand, sensing the strange, dormant power within it—one he couldn't yet use.
He couldn't stop worrying about his master's safety.
Master could have fled safely. Instead, he turned back—to cover their escape, to draw attention away.
But worrying was useless now.
He clenched his fists. His strength was still too weak. Against high-level cultivators—no, even mid-stage Qi Refiners—he'd barely stand a chance.
Once they returned to Liangzhou, he had to break through to the Martial Saint realm.
That thought alone filled him with shame. He immediately pulled the Tiger-Headed Golden Spear from his Storage Bag and began to cultivate.
Days passed.
With the aid of Meridian-Nourishing Pills, his proficiency rose rapidly.
[Technique: Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression · Profound Manifestation (Mastery)]
[Progress: 398 / 1000]
At this pace, by the time they reached Liangzhou, he would likely reach Minor Achievement—and within half a year, Major Achievement—stepping closer to the Martial Saint realm.
The small spirit ship was even faster than a large vessel.
After about eight days, they broke free from the thick fog and sailed into open sea.
In the far distance, faint silhouettes of fishing boats could be seen—ordinary fishermen at work.
"Here," Ningxiang said softly, handing him a freshly forged flying sword.
"It's your loot," Chen Sanshi said casually. "Keep it."
"Really?" Ningxiang smiled faintly. Without hesitation, she stepped closer and kneaded his shoulder. "After all we've been through, General, we can be considered battle-born friends of life and death now."
Chen Sanshi said nothing. He only rolled the Spirit Pearl between his fingers—the one that had absorbed the spiritual vein's power.
This thing…
It was equivalent to a first-tier mid-grade spiritual vein.
He just wasn't sure if it could be used safely.
And more importantly—what exactly was it meant for?
Better to wait for Master to return before deciding anything.
That night, as dusk fell, the vast sea glowed red beneath the dying sunlight. The harbor looked the same as ever—fishermen counting their catch, officials inspecting their haul one by one. Anyone caught trying to smuggle away spirit fish or coming up short on their quota was punished on the spot—light offenders were beaten and thrown back into the sea, while the more serious ones were sentenced to forced conscription.
This sea region, now under the resurgence of spiritual veins, was brimming with change. No one knew how many spirit fish it would breed, how many spirit herbs the mountains would grow, or how many rare beasts would appear.
Before long, the overall power of Southern Xu would rise sharply. This, perhaps, was Southern Xu's fated opportunity—of all places for a spirit vein to awaken, it had to be within their borders.
"Nanling Town is under martial law," Ningxiang reported after scouting ahead. "Southern Xu has stationed 100,000 soldiers around the area. The camps are sealed tight, not even a drop of water can slip through. And everywhere are Grand Commander Sun's wanted notices. Their Martial Saints and even the Tomb Tiger himself are said to have arrived."
100,000 again.
The kingdoms of Xu, Sheng, Qi, and Qing were all great nations. In sheer numbers alone, as long as they had enough provisions, they could mobilize over 2 million troops without issue. None of this was surprising.
As for Master's wanted order—it must have been sent by cultivators who had witnessed the battle.
Now the question was how to escape this region and return to the Great Sheng without being stopped.
At the moment, Nanling Town was sealed shut. Not even ordinary civilians could leave, and every cultivator was being interrogated thoroughly.
The problem was—none of the cultivators wanted to leave.
Many from Daze Market were still fighting in the mountains and at sea, battling over spirit beasts and fish to trade for spirit stones. Returning to Daze Market was fine, but heading in the opposite direction meant crossing into Southern Xu territory—and beyond that, into the Great Sheng, the mortal realm. No cultivator had any desire to go back to the mortal world.
Chen Sanshi and the others had no choice but to take shelter at an inn for now. Fortunately, Baldy Lai had been here before and was known to the innkeeper. The shopkeeper vouched that they were seekers of immortality, so the guards didn't make things too difficult.
Even so, an order had been issued—no one could leave until Grand Commander Sun Xiangzong's whereabouts were confirmed.
Meanwhile, in the Great Sheng capital.
Three months after the turmoil at Mount Ziwei and the Emperor's return to the capital, the Crown Prince had died of illness in Xining Palace. All his descendants were exiled to remote fiefs.
Prince Qin and Prince Qi had survived the chaos unscathed and were now officially participating in state affairs.
But only they knew—their elder brother hadn't struck them down when he could have.
"Born of the same root—why so eager to burn each other?"
Those had been the Crown Prince's final words before he turned and walked away.
Born of the same root—why so cruelly destroy one another?
Beautiful words.
And that softness had been his downfall.
Prince Qin and Prince Qi threw themselves into their duties with newfound vigor. When the dust settled, the Sixth Prince—after ten years of house arrest—returned to court with a strong following of loyal officials. The Twelfth Prince assisted him, and together their influence surged.
As for Emperor Longqing, after returning to the capital, he spent most of his time in seclusion, cultivating. His strength had clearly grown far beyond what it once was.
Inside the Wanshou Palace.
"Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, urgent news!"
"Stop right there!"
Chief Eunuch Huang Hong, the Grand Chamberlain of the Directorate of Ceremonial Supervision, stopped the messenger, took the report himself, and carried it into the throne hall.
Behind the heavy curtains, Emperor Longqing's calm voice rang out. "Read it. Did they find that Zhang Laizi?"
Since returning to the capital, he had reviewed countless reports. The more he examined them, the clearer the picture became—Zhang Laizi had been playing both sides.
He had first gained benefits from the Fragrant Fire God Sect, then, during the chaos at the Ziwei Palace, had stolen away the Great Founder's relics—treasures belonging to the Cao family.
Among them must have been a method for entering the Immortal Realm. How could the Emperor allow such a thing to remain in another man's hands?
"Your Majesty, there's still no news on Zhang Laizi," Huang Hong said, his voice trembling slightly. "But this report… it concerns Grand Commander Sun."
"Sun?"
The Emperor's tone was calm as still water. "Speak. Where has he been hiding these past two years?"
"Grand Commander Sun… is at The Edge of the World."
Huang Hong hesitated briefly, then relayed every detail of the intelligence gathered.
"What did you say?"
The curtains parted as Emperor Longqing stepped down from the dais, clutching his whisk tightly. He digested the news slowly. "The Edge of the World, within Southern Xu territory… its opening occurs once every 50 years… and Sun Xiangzong destroyed the spiritual vein…"
"Your Majesty," Huang Hong continued, "according to cultivators from Nanling Town, the Grand Commander truly destroyed the vein alone. He killed many cultivators. His martial cultivation is said to be unfathomable. If he…"
Emperor Longqing's gaze turned toward the Dragon Abyss Sword resting behind the curtain. After a brief moment of uneven breathing, he steadied himself and said softly, "He is my sworn brother. His years are numbered; there's no need for suspicion. Tell me—where is he now?"
"He's still at The Edge of the World," Huang Hong replied. "A large number of immortals are surrounding him, and Southern Xu has already dispatched 100,000 troops."
"Then tell me," Emperor Longqing said, his voice low, "how can we intervene?"
Huang Hong frowned. "Your Majesty, that will be difficult. Nanling Town lies deep in southeastern Southern Xu, separated by countless mountains and rivers. Our army can't possibly reach it in time. And with so many immortals there, even sending the imperial guards would be futile."
Emperor Longqing fell silent for a long moment. "So by your reasoning… Sun Xiangzong's fate is sealed?"
"I truly cannot say," Huang Hong murmured, bowing low. "But since Grand Commander Sun dared to go there, he must have his own plan."
"No…"
Emperor Longqing paced to the grand hall's entrance, looking out toward the west—toward Liangzhou. His tone hardened, as if making a momentous decision. "I must see for myself what he is doing."
"Your Majesty?!"
Huang Hong followed him in alarm. He understood the Emperor too well. "You mean to…"
"Announce that I've gone into seclusion," Emperor Longqing ordered. "Not a single word of this is to be leaked. Also, appoint the Sixth Prince as acting regent in my stead."
"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" Huang Hong pleaded. "You are the Son of Heaven—how can you risk yourself so recklessly?"
"Huang Hong," the Emperor said quietly, his gaze steady, "the Gate to the Immortal Realm lies open before us. How could I, the Emperor of Great Sheng, not go and see it with my own eyes?"
"I am useless!"
Huang Hong knelt low, his voice trembling with shame. "This servant has failed to ease Your Majesty's burden."
"Enough. My mind is made up."
Emperor Longqing flicked his whisk, and his entire appearance shifted in an instant. His imperial robes faded, replaced by the plain garb of a wandering cultivator, and even his face morphed into that of an unremarkable old man.
He tossed aside the whisk. A low "wonglong" sound—like a dragon's roar—echoed through the hall as a flash of golden light appeared in his hand. When the light dimmed, the Dragon Abyss Sword, heirloom of the Great Founder himself, gleamed in his grasp.
"Your Majesty!" Huang Hong cried, alarmed. "Shouldn't you bring some attendants with you?"
"A pack of burdens," Emperor Longqing said coldly.
With a step, he rose into the air. Riding the Dragon Abyss Sword, he shot skyward, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.
Southern Xu, Nanling Town.
Chen Sanshi had been trapped there for more than half a month.
Every day, soldiers and cultivators patrolled the streets, sealing every path out. He had even seen a Martial Saint from Southern Xu walking side by side with a cultivator at the Perfection stage of Qi Refining—proof that Southern Xu's officials and the immortal sects had joined forces.
Rumor said Southern Xu's court was thrilled. They planned to help the cultivators trap Sun Xiangzong here at The Edge of the World—and once that was done, they'd immediately march their armies northward.
"What do we do now…" Zhaozhao muttered, lying on the table and idly toying with the spirit vessel, now shrunken to the size of her palm. She twirled it between her fingers, making it drift lazily in the air.
According to her, the ship recognized its master. Once the previous owner's spiritual imprint was erased, she became its new rightful owner. It was now fully hers.
"Yeah," Ningxiang said, thinking hard. "But sitting here won't solve anything. Maybe I can charm a Southern Xu official or a low-stage cultivator, get him under control, and have him take us out?"
"Not a good idea," Chen Sanshi said immediately.
Ningxiang's charm techniques were effective—but her cultivation was too low. Against someone of higher realm, she'd be seen through instantly. That would only make things worse.
The best plan was to stir chaos—to make Southern Xu's forces turn against each other. But that was easier said than done. His strength wasn't enough for that yet. For now, he could only wait and make use of every moment.
So each day, he practiced in the inn's small courtyard.
[Technique: Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression · Profound Manifestation (Mastery)]
[Progress: 598 / 1000]
"Huuh…"
Only when exhaustion finally set in did Chen Sanshi stop. He stored away his Tiger-Headed Golden Spear, fastened the blade at his waist, and stepped out to see whether the city's defenses had relaxed.
The answer was no.
All around Nanling Town—within a radius of 200 li—the rule was absolute: "Entry allowed, exit forbidden."
The reason given was that Sun Xiangzong might disguise himself as anyone and slip away.
Until the authorities confirmed he was still at Daze Market, no one would be allowed to leave—no matter how long it took.
"Sigh. I'll have to think of another way."
Chen Sanshi returned to the inn, intending to order a dish of exotic beast meat for dinner.
Just then, a sword cultivator descended from the sky and landed outside the inn.
Ordinarily, such a sight would be nothing unusual here. Nanling was full of cultivators coming and going.
But Chen Sanshi froze.
Because the flying sword beneath that man's feet looked… familiar.
Not just familiar—identical.
The Dragon Abyss Sword.
It had been disguised, its surface altered slightly, but Chen Sanshi's memory was photographic. He never forgot details.
And besides—few people in the entire world had ever laid eyes on the Dragon Abyss Sword. Its disguise was pointless. If it weren't for his coincidence of being here, no one else would have recognized it.
Even if his eyes deceived him, the Mystic Pearl hidden in his robe did not. Its energy stirred faintly in response.
Dragon Abyss Sword… the Emperor?!
What was he doing here?
Had he come for Master—or for the Immortal Realm itself?
Chen Sanshi's heart tightened.
Is that old emperor here to help Master… or to harm him?
For a moment, the urge to rush back to Daze Market nearly overwhelmed him. He wanted to warn Master right away.
But reason prevailed.
Master had chosen not to force his way out—he'd stayed behind to ensure their safety. Running back now would only expose them and ruin everything.
And besides—
No matter how powerful he was, Sun Xiangzong wasn't just any cultivator. He was the Grand Commander of the Eight Northern Garrisons, the Deputy Second-Rank General of Nation-Suppression, a man who'd commanded armies and shaken the realm.
If anyone knew how to act decisively under pressure—it was him.
Still, Chen Sanshi couldn't relax.
Emperor Longqing, now disguised as a humble old cultivator, strolled toward the inn. He flicked his sleeve, and the Dragon Abyss Sword disappeared into it as he stepped through the doorway.
Crap…
Chen Sanshi's blood ran cold. He was still wearing his disguise as Baldy Lai.
The Emperor might never have seen him in person—but his features were distinctive, and this was too close to The Edge of the World for coincidence.
Lowering his head, he feigned calm and tried to slip away quietly.
"Fellow Daoist, please wait."
The old cultivator's voice stopped him in his tracks.
Chen Sanshi turned, his expression composed. "What is it, Fellow Daoist?"
There was no need to panic. Even if the Emperor suspected something, he wouldn't dare act here.
This was Southern Xu's heartland—100,000 troops, Martial Saints, and immortal sect cultivators surrounded the area. If the Emperor of Great Sheng revealed himself here, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"The old man's surname is Xu," the disguised Emperor said politely, cupping his hands. "Given name Liao. Might I trouble Fellow Daoist for a few words in private?"
"If there's something to say, say it here," Chen Sanshi replied flatly.
"To be honest," the old man continued, "I am a seeker of the Dao. I wish to inquire about the path to The Edge of the World."
He reached into his sleeve and took out a spirit stone, offering it forward. "A small token of thanks."
"Well…" Chen Sanshi accepted the stone naturally. "You can go to the harbor and look for a ferry. That's the way."
"I've already tried that," the old man said.
The old cultivator spoke calmly. "They said no ferries will be coming for now. Even if one does arrive, you'll need a jade token to enter the market city. Has Fellow Daoist ever seen such a token?"
So it was a test.
"Heh, if I had one, would I still be stuck here, pacing in circles?"
Chen Sanshi almost said outright that he was a rogue cultivator from the market, but that would've been stupid. If the Emperor asked around, the lie would collapse instantly. Better to play along for now.
"However…"
He weighed the spirit stone the other man had handed him. "Fellow Daoist is quite generous. I'd wager you're wealthy enough that even without a jade token, you could still spend a few spirit stones to use Daze Market's teleportation array. You'd reach the cultivation world just the same. The only challenge is getting across the river—finding a ferry."
"I see."
The old cultivator calling himself Xu Liao nodded thoughtfully. "You and I are both seekers of the Dao. Meeting here must be fate. May I ask your honored name and origin? If we meet again, perhaps we'll recognize each other as friends."
"I'm Zhang Shun," Chen Sanshi said, cupping his hands. "A local from Southern Xu. And you, sir?"
"I hail from Great Qing," the old man said lightly. "Since you're busy, I won't disturb you further. Fate willing, we'll meet again."
"Farewell."
Chen Sanshi returned the salute and left quickly, though inside, a bold idea began to form.
Emperor Longqing stood silently where he was, watching the ugly-looking cultivator disappear down the street. His hand itched several times toward the Dragon Abyss Sword, nearly drawing it to lop off the man's head on the spot—just to reassert imperial dominance.
Eight or nine chances out of ten—yes, it had to be him.
This man was almost certainly Zhang Laizi, the thief who had stolen the Cao family's treasures—his dynasty's legacy—and fled here to seek immortality!
Still, the trip hadn't been a waste.
From their exchange, Emperor Longqing had learned much.
The ancestral relic his forefather had left behind consisted mainly of two things: a jade token and a cultivation method. The former could be replaced by paying spirit stones. The latter, he already possessed.
Most importantly, the Dragon Abyss Sword—the empire's supreme heirloom—was still in his hands.
So in truth, the loss wasn't unbearable.
That thief deserved death, but the Emperor could not risk exposing himself here. He had far more pressing goals.
After weighing his options, Emperor Longqing decided to let the man go—for now.
When night fell, he returned to the docks to seek a ferry to The Edge of the World.
"Two spirit stones," said an old man leading a donkey, stepping out of the shadows. "I can point you to the right path."
The Emperor frowned slightly. The price was steep, but time was short. Without hesitation, he handed over the payment.
"Heh."
Mo Zhu accepted the stones with a grin. He had only recently returned to the market, and upon hearing that the demon Gui Qi had stormed through, he'd fled again to lie low. Who would've guessed he'd stumble into business so soon? Delightful.
He cleared his throat. "There haven't been many ferries lately, but I just saw a young female cultivator return by spirit vessel. You might ask her. If you've got enough stones, I'm sure she won't refuse."
Without another word, Emperor Longqing followed the lead down the pier.
Before long, he spotted a young woman disembarking from a small spirit ship. She looked barely more than a girl.
"Fellow Daoist," the Emperor said evenly. "Would you be willing to ferry me across?"
"No."
The girl shook her head. "The Edge of the World is a mess right now. I only just made it back."
"Five spirit stones," said the Emperor.
"It's not about the stones," the girl said quickly. "It's really—"
"Ten spirit stones."
The Emperor raised the price, his tone firm. "Or you can sell me your ship, and I'll go myself."
"That's not possible!"
She waved her hands quickly. "I make my living in the market catching spirit fish. I can't sell it. But how about this—I'll control it for you from afar. I won't go with you, but I'll get you there. Deal?"
"Fine."
The Emperor agreed.
He handed over the spirit stones and boarded the small ship.
With a pulse of energy, the spirit stones activated the array.
The spirit vessel shimmered with light and began to glide forward, cutting through the night sea.
Before long, they sailed into the endless fog, the world beyond disappearing from view.
"This fog…"
The Emperor watched the faintly glowing barrier around the ship. His gaze sharpened. Only after confirming nothing seemed amiss did he relax slightly, keeping his eyes fixed ahead.
It wasn't that he trusted others easily—but disguised as he was, no one here knew his identity. In such a place, he should have no enemies. Even if the cultivation world was full of schemes, not everyone he met would be out to harm him.
Besides, that girl's cultivation had been at the first layer of Qi Refining. If she dared to play tricks, he could kill her in a single breath.
"Daze Market…"
Emperor Longqing's gaze pierced the fog.
This journey wasn't just about Sun Xiangzong.
If he could seize control of a stable passage between the mortal and cultivation realms—if he could plant his own foothold there—he would never again be at anyone's mercy. He could secretly grow stronger, away from the eyes of the court and the sects.
"Hm?"
Just as the thought crossed his mind, he felt the spirit ship slowing down.
A flicker of light passed beneath his feet.
The ship suddenly began to shrink.
In the blink of an eye, it vanished completely.
Without the barrier's protection, Emperor Longqing was instantly swallowed by the thick, heavy fog.
He crushed a talisman, summoning a defensive shield around himself.
The mist pressed in with a sharp "ka-ka" sound—like countless bronze fangs gnawing at his barrier.
"Courting death."
Emperor Longqing didn't panic. Such tricks were childish to him, though they'd certainly waste some time.
Killing intent flickered in his eyes as he prepared to break free of the fog and return—to make that deceitful girl pay dearly.
But just then—
Through the dense, swirling haze, he caught sight of another ship approaching, its silhouette faintly visible in the mist.