Chapter 6

Even the ancient door frame standing there was affected by the shockwave, collapsing in a heap! However, in just an instant, the Gate of Asura groaned under the overwhelming strain! Crack! Crack! Fissures resembling deep rifts began to spread wildly in all directions! The several figures spat out a mouthful of blood simultaneously. The Gate of Asura was linked to their very beings. Now that the gate had suffered such heavy damage, it rendered them unable to continue the fight! The sword qi dissipated, and the Gate of Asura shrank rapidly, riddled with countless cracks, before being withdrawn by the figures. "What kind of divine being are you?" The figures revealed their true forms. They were six elders, draped in grey cloaks, each holding a staff. At the top of each staff sat a sphere-like object, pulsing with a ghostly green light. "Why? So you can tell everyone and take revenge on me later? Actually, tell me, are you going to lend it to me or not?" Lu Changsheng frowned, clearly losing his patience. Seeing this, the six elders could only smile bitterly. "Exalted one, it is not that we refuse to lend it, but we lack the authority. We are the Hellsing Messengers of this underworld. The water of the Yellow Springs has a spirit of its own; only those who have gained its recognition can take it away." Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow. "Then take me to it." The six looked at each other, sighed, and finally nodded in agreement. "Please follow us, exalted one." If a few more sword strikes were to occur, never mind whether they could hold on—the Nine Serenities Underworld itself would surely collapse. If that happened, the cycle of reincarnation for this world would fall into chaos! They arrived at a side hall where a somewhat ethereal figure stood waiting. The Hellsing Messengers bowed to the figure and retreated. The figure turned, revealing himself to be an extremely young and effeminate man. "I know why you have come," the man said. "No one in this Nine Serenities Underworld is your match. You may take the water of the Yellow Springs, but I have one condition." "Let's hear it," said Lu Changsheng. Only then did the man speak: "In the future, you must find a King of the Underworld to guard this place. The cultivation manual for the King of the Underworld, along with his reincarnation, is lost to me now. If this place remains without a guardian for long, it is bound to descend into chaos!" Lu Changsheng thought for a moment and nodded his agreement. At worst, he could just dump that kid Qiubai here to be this so-called King of the Underworld. Seeing Lu Changsheng nod, the man waved his hand. Suddenly, the waters of the Yellow Springs floated upward, converging into a single point. It formed a yellow orb that drifted before Lu Changsheng. Having obtained the object, Lu Changsheng nodded at the man and turned to leave. Watching Lu Changsheng’s retreating figure, the man couldn't help but wonder, "The Heavenly Dao of this world has collapsed and the path to ascension is sealed. How could someone possibly comprehend a Dao Rule? Could it be that he came from the outside?" But after a moment’s thought, he shook his head; someone from the outside would hardly have any interest in this place... ... After leaving the side hall, Lu Changsheng tore through space with a single stroke of his sword and flew toward the outside world. However, just as Lu Changsheng departed, an ethereal spirit on the opposite bank of the Yellow Springs followed him with lightning speed...

Chapter 14: The Empress of a Past Life! Back at the Grass Cottage, the materials for the Nine Serenities Yellow Springs Formation were all prepared. With the foundation laid, all that remained was to infuse the formation with the water of the Yellow Springs to serve as its spirit. An ancient killing formation would then be reborn in this world! Lu Changsheng held up the orb of Yellow Springs water. It transformed into a wisp of rosy light and flew into the center of the formation! The moment it entered, the orb dissolved into the water of the Yellow Springs, spreading out and coiling around the formation to take the shape of a giant yellow dragon! This yellow dragon, formed from the water of the Yellow Springs, was the spirit of the formation. A terrifying aura of slaughter and extinction rose simultaneously, swirling endlessly above the Grass Cottage! Even passing beasts would flee in terror. However, there was no need to worry about others discovering the anomaly at the Grass Cottage. On the cliff, the willow tree waved a branch, isolating all movement and energy from the cottage. No one could probe it! Just then, an astonished voice sounded beside Lu Changsheng. "What kind of formation is this? It is even stronger than the state-protecting formation I once possessed!" It was the voice of a young woman. Lu Changsheng turned to look at her, his expression unchanged. After all, this woman had followed him out of the Nine Serenities Underworld. "Isn't that a given?" If a formation could be recognized by the willow tree, how could it be ordinary? The woman wore a red-and-white battle robe, her fiery red hair tied back, giving her a heroic appearance. Her eyebrows were like willow leaves, her lips red, and her nose delicate and high. Her face was as white as jade, as if dusted with snow. Her eyes were as bright as stars, unforgettable at a single glance. Yet, she possessed an invisible air of imperial authority, as if she could make ten thousand armies bow to her! "But you only had a spirit body when you followed me out earlier. Why do you have a physical form now?" The woman shook her head. "I cannot say." Lu Changsheng shrugged and didn't ask further. He wasn't particularly interested in knowing. Just then, a piece of information flashed into his mind: [Hongying, practitioner of the Nine-Turn Reincarnation technique: Each of the nine reincarnations sheds the cultivation of the previous life, granting talent higher than the last. Only those with a special physique can practice it.] Such a technique existed? Immediately after, a long-awaited task was issued: [Host, please take Hongying as your disciple. Given the high difficulty, the rewards will be even more generous.] [Name: Hongying] [Talent: SSS-rank] [Aptitude: Reincarnation Holy Body, Imperial Aura, potential to become an Empress] High difficulty? Lu Changsheng glanced at Hongying, who was inspecting the formation, and nodded. Given her temperament, it was indeed difficult. This woman possessed a certain arrogance—not the kind of prideful backbone seen in Ye Qiubai or the defiance of a swordsman, but an arrogance that looked down on everyone, as if all others were beneath her. This arrogance stemmed from that aura of imperial authority, leaving one with a subconscious urge to submit. At the same time, Hongying had the credentials to back it up. Wait, could it be that this Hongying was an Empress in her past life? [Correct, Hongying is the founding Empress of the Yunhuang Empire.] Having received confirmation, Lu Changsheng finally understood. Only then could such an aura be cultivated. However, that imperial aura had no effect on him, which left Hongying highly surprised. Most people would have been shaken to their core upon feeling her presence; how could Lu Changsheng be so calm? But Lu Changsheng’s next words left Hongying astonished: "What do you say? Would you like to become my disciple?" "What?" Hongying widened her eyes. "You want me to become your disciple?" "What, you don't want to?" Hongying smiled. "Perhaps you aren't qualified." Lu Changsheng shrugged. He hadn't expected to persuade this former Empress in a single sentence. "Regardless, I need to stay here for a while to recover my strength." Without waiting for Lu Changsheng to nod, she chose a wooden hut and walked inside. Lu Changsheng said nothing more. After all, there was still plenty of time. "I wonder how that kid Qiubai is doing..." Lu Changsheng considered going down the mountain to help, but dismissed the thought. This was Ye Qiubai's own struggle, his own inner demon, which he had to resolve himself. Only then could his sword path remain unhindered. ... At this moment, in Tianyuan City. Ye Qiubai walked down the street, feeling a sense of nostalgia. Not long ago, he had been forced to flee from here. At that time, his talent had been stripped away and his cultivation destroyed. Now, upon his return, his talent was restored to its peak, and his cultivation was even stronger than before. Along the way, many recognized him. "Look, isn't that the former genius of the Ye Family, Ye Qiubai?" "Eh? Why is he back in Tianyuan City? Didn't he leave to save his life?" "And he’s heading toward the Ye residence. Don't tell me he thinks he can return to the family?" "His cultivation is gone, and his talent is that of an ordinary person. How could the Ye family take him back?" "Let's follow and see!" Many people set aside their tasks and began to shadow him. They wanted to see exactly why Ye Qiubai had returned. After all, he had countless enemies who wanted his life! Ye Qiubai ignored them, letting them follow. News spread through the city like a plague! At the Jiang residence, the Clan Head, Jiang Tianhan, sighed upon hearing the news. "It was Chan'er who wronged him... Pass my orders: we go to the Ye residence." He thought that if anyone tried to kill Ye Qiubai, he would step in to protect him. This was a debt the Jiang family owed. At the Qiu residence, another of the Four Great Families: "Young Master! Young Master!" A servant rushed into the pavilion, gasping for air as he approached the man surrounded by beauties. "Major... major trouble!" Qiu Siwu drank, his face darkening. "If this isn't important, I'll have you fed to the snakes in the Valley of Ten Thousand Snakes!" The servant trembled but pushed through the fear. "Ye... Ye Qiubai is back!" "Hm?" Qiu Siwu’s eyes narrowed, his hand instinctively covering his chest, where a sword scar remained—a scar from Ye Qiubai. He had rejected countless pills that could remove it because he wanted it to remind him to take Ye Qiubai's head himself. "Why did he return to Tianyuan City?" "I... I don't know," the servant replied. "But he was heading toward the Ye residence." Qiu Siwu revealed a cruel smirk, pushed aside the woman next to him, and donned his robe. "Let's go. Call the death squads. We're going to the Ye residence!"

Chapter 15: The King Returns, His Elegance Remains! Dark clouds blocked the sun. Rain fell steadily, splashing against the streets of Tianyuan City. The only lively place was the Ye residence, one of the Four Great Families, because Ye Qiubai had returned. In the main hall, Ye Qing sat in the head seat, with the Great Elder Ye Ling in the second seat. Behind Ye Ling stood Ye Yan. Ye Yan’s expression, however, was extremely unnatural as he looked at Ye Qiubai with fear. Ye Ling, too, was sitting on pins and needles. It was clear that Ye Yan had told his father about what happened. Ye Qiubai knelt before his father. "Father, I have returned." Ye Qing sighed, walked over, and helped him up. "Qiubai, you shouldn't have come back." Ye Qiubai smiled. "It's fine, Father. Besides, if I didn't come back to help, wouldn't you have your position as Clan Head usurped by some people?" Ye Qiubai made no effort to lower his voice. Ye Ling heard every word. His heart trembled. "Qiubai, why would anyone usurp the position of Clan Head? Surely you must have misheard?" Ye Yan added, "Yes, cousin, why would anyone do such a thing? Don't listen to the rumors outside." Ye Qing was stunned. Recently, Ye Ling had relied on his son’s status as a disciple of an Elder at the Cangdao Academy to gain the support of most of the family elders. Even the ancestor had tacitly agreed. Ye Qing was isolated and had been struggling to hold on. By all rights, Ye Ling should have pressed his advantage. Why was he backtracking now? Was he actually trying to curry favor? Ye Qiubai knew the reason and didn't even look at the pair. Now that he was back, his father’s position was secure. Regardless, old debts and new had to be settled. Ye Qiubai’s gaze shifted to Ye Yan behind him. That sword-like glare pierced Ye Yan’s heart like a thousand blades! Ye Yan knew. He knew about the academy competition! Just as Ye Qiubai prepared to act, the sound of hoofbeats thundered outside! "Qiu Siwu of the Qiu family has come to visit Ye Qiubai!" The leader was Qiu Siwu, dressed in blood-red robes, staring at Ye Qiubai with a savage grin full of hatred. Then, another group walked in. "Brother Ye Qing, trust you have been well?" It was Jiang Tianhan of the Jiang family. Ye Qiubai looked over, but did not see Jiang Chan. The little girl who once lived in his heart had completely vanished, replaced by a member of the enemy Jiang family. He wondered if Jiang Tianhan had played a part in his downfall. Ye Qing’s expression darkened. He knew exactly why they were here. "I don't know what brings you all here today?" Qiu Siwu laughed hideously. "I just wanted to see if Brother Qiubai’s strength has improved. After all, we used to spar quite often." Ye Qing’s heart sank. Just as he expected. Back then, Qiu Siwu had been the top genius of Tianyuan City, only to be crushed under Ye Qiubai’s heel. Now that Ye Qiubai had lost his cultivation, he had come for revenge. "Qiu Siwu," Ye Qing growled, "This is the Ye residence. You are not allowed to be insolent here." Qiu Siwu laughed loudly. "Ye Qing, how much power do you actually have left in the Ye family? The position of Clan Head will be yours no longer. How can you protect Ye Qiubai?" He turned to Ye Ling. "If you don't hand Ye Qiubai over, I guarantee the Qiu family will take revenge on the Ye family. From now on, there will be no place for the Ye family in Tianyuan City!" "You!" Ye Qing understood. Although they were one of the Four Great Families, the Ye family’s status had plummeted since Ye Qiubai lost his talent. All other factions had turned to new masters. The Ye family could no longer match the Qiu family. Just as Ye Qing prepared to speak, Ye Qiubai stepped past him and stood before Qiu Siwu. "You want revenge? I’m right here. Make your move." Qiu Siwu froze. "Qiubai, don't be impulsive!" Ye Qing cried out. Jiang Tianhan frowned. "As long as there are green hills to stay in, one needn't worry about firewood. Ye Qiubai, retreat!" Hearing Jiang Tianhan's advice, Ye Qiubai paused. It seemed Jiang Tianhan did not want him dead, meaning he perhaps had no role in the previous schemes. Qiu Siwu sneered, "Since you’re looking to die, I’ll oblige." He drew a long blade, stomped forward, and lunged! He had broken through the Golden Core stage and reached the Purple Palace. In everyone’s eyes, the powerless Ye Qiubai stood no chance! Ye Qing gritted his teeth and lunged forward, but an elder blocked his path. "Clan Head Ye, please just watch from here." Ye Qing’s face turned ugly; the man was a former retainer of his family who had defected to the Qiu family. Qiu Siwu raised his blade high and brought it down toward Ye Qiubai’s head! "Ye Qiubai! I’ll repay the debt of that one sword strike from back then with your life!" Before everyone’s eyes, Ye Qiubai drew a wooden sword. With a slight movement of his feet, he thrust forward. It was a plain, simple strike. The blade collided with the wooden sword. The wooden sword did not shatter as everyone expected! Nor did Ye Qiubai fall to the blade! The scene left everyone stunned. Ye Qiubai’s wooden sword had pierced directly through the long blade and into Qiu Siwu’s throat! Blood flowed freely! "This... how is this possible?!" Qiu Siwu’s face was twisted. He dropped his blade, clutched his throat, and stared in horror at the calm Ye Qiubai. "Your... your strength... you’ve recovered?" Ye Qiubai did not answer. He pulled the sword back; not a drop of blood stained the wood. Under the shocked gazes of the crowd, Qiu Siwu collapsed into a pool of blood, dead. Ye Qing was stunned. Jiang Tianhan was stunned. Ye Ling, who hadn't seen Ye Qiubai’s strength, was stunned. Ye Yan was paralyzed with fear. In just two days, Ye Qiubai had broken through to the Purple Palace stage! What kind of cultivation speed was this?! "Qiubai... you?" Ye Qiubai sheathed his wooden sword and turned to Ye Qing with a smile. "Father, my strength has returned." The onlookers scattered, rushing to spread the news! The genius of the past had returned. A king had come back, his brilliance undiminished!

Chapter 16: The Four Regions Martial Ranking! Ye Qiubai’s talent was restored, and his strength was greater than ever! With a single strike, he had killed the eldest young master of the Qiu family, Qiu Siwu. The news spread through Tianyuan City with incredible speed! In an instant, all of Tianyuan City sighed, knowing the situation was about to change again. And now, at the center of all discussion: the Ye residence. The elders all stepped forward, whether sincere or feigning kindness, smiling and greeting Ye Qiubai. These were the same people who, after Ye Qiubai lost his talent, had been cold and indifferent, or even heaped verbal abuse upon him.