CH 116 Nine Hells And The Yellow Springs, We Shall Meet Again

When Feng Qingxiu emerged from the flying peak with the wind at his back, someone was there to stop him.  

The disciple called Yang Fuyin, was the first to discover him—clearly having placed a ward that would alert him near Feng Qingxiu beforehand.  

The moment their gazes met, Feng Qingxiu saw that the seal in Yang Fuyin’s right eye began to spin violently, emitting light as brilliant as the blazing sun.  

But the refined and imposing man standing beside him merely raised his hand lightly.  

It was the same gesture as his master’s—graceful and effortless—as he pulled Senior Brother Yang closer.  

There was no light, no sword aura—just complete, overwhelming suppression, executed with casual ease. Before the light in Senior Brother Yang’s right eye could fully manifest, it was wiped away, as gently as one might brush away a lover’s tears. The gesture was so soft, like spring rain nurturing the earth, leaving no trace behind.  

One strike missed, and Yang Fuyin withdrew his hand, no longer resisting.  

The man across from him was unquestionably a true Human Immortal—not like Su Wan, a shallow version. It would be better to quietly follow this man and see if there was an opportunity to escape along the way, rather than calling out Elder Bai Shuixian and getting them both caught.  

Exchanging a glance with Feng Qingxiu, they both instantly understood the other's intentions.  

The man also nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied. He then reached out and casually made a motion in the air. In an indescribable instant, the world shifted, and in the blink of an eye, they arrived at the mouth of the Nine Abyss.  

"Let’s go," the elegant man said, leading the way down a narrow path.  

Feng Qingxiu gazed at the deep gorge below. It seemed to carry a strange allure, as if calling him to jump.  

"Don’t look there," the man said, covering his eyes with a hand and speaking in a voice as gentle as flowing water. "That’s the mouth of the Endless Void. If you fall, you’ll end up in an unknown place and time, with no way back."  

"Sir, since you are already a Human Immortal, must you resort to coercion? It weakens your dignity," Feng Qingxiu said earnestly, his expression sincere.  

Anyone capable of defeating Senior Brother Yang so easily must be at the same level as his master—a peerless individual. So why resort to such means? Surely there was an ulterior motive.  

"If your master was willing to sit down and talk with me, why would I need to bring you along?" the man replied with a faint smile, shaking his head. His long, jet-black hair was casually tied at the back, and every gesture and glance carried an elegance as if it were a melody.  

"But won’t this only provoke him further?" Feng Qingxiu asked, worried.  

"He’s not so easily angered. I simply want to confirm something," the man said, as if to comfort him. He reached out, seemingly intending to pat his head.  

Feng Qingxiu tilted his head to dodge. Though he knew it was futile against a Human Immortal, he still wanted to make his rejection clear. His body belonged to his master—how could he allow just anyone to touch him?  

Seeing his refusal, the man didn’t insist, withdrawing his hand and continuing forward in silence.  

His presence seemed to emit an invisible light, dispelling the surrounding gloom. Within a radius of several miles, the divine consciousness could flow freely.  

After a moment of silence, Feng Qingxiu turned to his senior brother. "Senior Brother, I was struggling with a problem in my last warding lesson. Do you know why wild star flower ink doesn’t work when writing the seals in wards?"  

This was a code they often used when discussing spellcraft. Wild star flower ink, developed by Kun-Lai, was specifically for writing talisman spells—not wards. The only reason it wouldn’t work was if one didn’t know the spell’s name.  

On the surface, it sounded like a simple query, but the real question was: Do you know this man’s name? 

Yang Fuyin nodded. "I don’t know either, but I imagine you didn’t prepare it properly. Try writing it again; it shouldn’t take long."  

He was saying: I don’t know this man’s name, but he’s not one of the long-established figures in the Central Continent. He’s likely a young Human Immortal from the Great Xuan.

"I see. Then why did it fail?" Feng Qingxiu asked, implying: Do you know his intentions?

"Probably a mistake in the process," Yang Fuyin replied, his meaning clear: I don’t know, but it’s probably nothing good. Let’s stay calm and wait for an opportunity.

"I understand. Thank you," Feng Qingxiu said with a nod.  

The two fell silent again. Along the way, many ghostly creatures crossed their path, but both Feng Qingxiu and Yang Fuyin dealt with them on their own, without needing anyone’s help.  

Eventually, they arrived at a boundless field of wild grass in the depths of the Abyss.  

Yang Fuyin’s eyes narrowed slightly. This was not the place he and the Kun-Lai disciples had descended to years ago. He could use warding techniques to find the Black Witchland from back then, but it would take time.  

Yet this man had brought them directly to the territory of the Wu tribe. Not far away floated a Kun-Lai Dao Seed. Whose was it, and what was this man’s purpose?  

His concerns grew, and he moved closer to Feng Qingxiu.  

"Please halt, High Priest," a deep, magnetic voice called out from the shadows. A tall, bare-chested man holding a bear-headed staff stepped forward to block their path. "Ahead lies the land of my tribe. By the ancient accords and the Great Xuan’s decree, entering here means death."  

The High Priest nodded. "But the Great Xuan Dynasty is long gone."  

"The Great Xuan is gone? That’s a lie you may tell the Human Immortals, but you and I both know better," the Wu clansman replied calmly. "Otherwise, why would you come here?"  

"Then why stop me? Only when the Great Xuan is truly gone can we be free," the High Priest said mildly. "All things in this world are bound by cause and effect. You understand the truth of the Three Lives Three Worlds Codex better than I."  

"Precisely. Which is why you should show sincerity to that Dao Master," the W clansman replied. "Conflict would harm you both, while cooperation benefits all. You are not one to wallow in resentment."  

"Harming someone and then discussing resentment with them is shameless," the High Priest said, rejecting the suggestion. "So, Wu Zhan, will you not step aside?"  

"I cannot allow you to seek the Dao Master in the Dao Seed’s world. Many of my clansmen live there. If you clash, how many would survive?"  

"You’re as stubborn as ever," the High Priest sighed. "Very well. I’ll wait here."  

The Wu clansman stood silently, unmoving.  

Yang Fuyin, feeling foolish standing around, eventually brought out a table, chairs, and tea set, inviting Feng Qingxiu to sit and drink tea.  

Feng Qingxiu joined him, quietly sipping his tea.  

The High Priest smiled briefly and also sat down, even inviting the Wu clansman to join them.  

The Wu clansman remained still, but upon sensing the lingering aura of a certain young lady, he hesitated. His deep voice resonated: "This young lady—you outsiders would do well not to consume anything in the Witchlands. If you do, the clash of spiritual and nether energies upon returning to the mortal realm would disrupt your cultivation at best, or kill you on the spot at worst."  

Yang Fuyin raised an eyebrow and softened his tone. "So, you cannot leave this place either?"  

Feng Qingxiu thought, Senior Brother, where’s your dignity? Pretending to be a woman just because they mistook you for one? But—impressive tactic!

Even the High Priest stifled a laugh.  

The Wu clansman remained silent.  

"Thank you for your concern," Yang Fuyin said in a faintly melancholic tone. "It’s my first time here, and I worry about my elders. Might you enlighten me and my junior brother?"  

The Wu clansman didn’t respond.  

Yang Fuyin arched an elegant brow and continued in a gentle voice, "Kun-Lai once traded with your people and understands your hardships. I’ve even brought the salt and rice you need. Please don’t make things difficult for us."  

Feng Qingxiu covered his mouth to hide his amusement.  

After hearing a few soft requests, the Wu clansman finally spoke. "The others are still wandering outside. Once the Wu wards activate, only those familiar with its workings can find this place."  

Yang Fuyin immediately understood why he had been the first to arrive.  

His gaze naturally fell on the High Priest, who had not bothered to mention this. Clearly, the man had ulterior motives.  

"I forgot," the High Priest said regretfully. "When I descended here back then, I no longer needed food or drink. How could I know these things? But you, Wu Zhan, having guarded those things—when they make their way out of the wards, they’ll deal with you first."  

"Helping you then was simply my duty," Wu Zhan replied evenly. "But Priest, heed my words: one who kills will be killed in turn. Excessive measures bring regret."  

"Heh~" The High Priest did not respond.  

"Is there something you're guarding here? Life here seems so harsh," Yang Fuyin asked curiously, his voice soft and girlish, which only added to Feng Qingxiu's growing pressure.  

The Wu clansman remained silent.  

"Is it something you can't talk about?" Senior Brother Yang asked gently.  

After some deliberation, Wu Zhan replied, "The Three Lives Three Worlds Codex is a supreme treasure of the Great Xuan. It ensures that souls crossing the Three Paths River remain indestructible and unforgetting. Back then, the Great Xuan sought to harness the fortune of humanity. The second method was to control the underworld. However, this place is peculiar and vastly different from the human realm. Even those who reach the Human Immortal stage struggle to extend their divine consciousness here. To ensure the Great Xuan's eternal reign, the second emperor devised another method."  

Yang Fuyin noticed the High Priest didn't stop him and listened intently.  

"This method is—" Wu Zhan suddenly stopped speaking, sensing a peculiar presence. He turned abruptly, only to see the silent Kun-Lai Sect Leader quietly standing behind him, his gaze fixed on someone opposite.  

"It’s been a while," the High Priest said, placing his hand on Feng Qingxiu's shoulder, preventing Ji Yunlai from stepping any closer.  

As a result, he got his answer: "You've truly regained your emotions."  

Ji Yunlai’s lips curled into a mocking smile. "So what, Uncle?"  

"There’s no ‘so what.’ I only sought an answer." The High Priest removed his hand from Feng Qingxiu's shoulder and sighed. "When I confronted you before, you held nothing back. Yet, you did not hurt this child. That made me suspicious. I traveled thousands of miles just to confirm it. You are a spirit fragment, while I am the main body. I wouldn’t go as far as to use two children to threaten you again."  

"You can try," Ji Yunlai said flatly.  

"No need," the High Priest replied, stepping away from the two juniors. "I only wish to ask you once more: will you return the Great Xuan Imperial Seal?"  

"No," Ji Yunlai rejected without hesitation. Whether he remembered what it was or not, he would never hand it over under coercion.  

"Then we are truly enemies," the High Priest said calmly.  

His answer was met with an unparalleled, domineering sword aura that nearly flung him into the distant waterfall.  

"We’ve always been," Ji Yunlai said with equal calm, his sword pointing to the ground.