Volume 3 Chapter 77: The End (Part 3)

While Venerable Deaf Mute Blind and Li Xuhan were battling wits and courage against Zhang Xusheng in the sky, Xu Qingfan and his companions were engaged in a fierce fight with Zhang Xusheng’s Snake Guard on the slopes of Jiuhua Mountain.

To call it a fierce fight is really not quite accurate. The battle was not as intense as Xu Qingfan had imagined it would be.

Just as Xu Qingfan and the others were about to attack Bai Qingfu and Number 33, three extremely powerful auras suddenly erupted one after another from the sky. These auras were so strong that Xu Qingfan and the others couldn’t believe humans could emit such formidable energy.

It was Zhang Xusheng, Li Xuhan, and Venerable Deaf Mute Blind, three rare grandmasters of the Mahayana Stage in the cultivation world, fully unleashing their auras in the sky, competing against each other.

The presence of grandmaster-level fighters is anything but ordinary. Under the pressure of these three mighty auras, both the three Snake Guards and Xu Qingfan’s group were utterly overwhelmed, bleeding from their seven orifices and shaken to their cores, unable to stand under the oppressive force.

As for the ordinary disciples of Jiuhua Mountain and the lower-level monsters under Zhang Xusheng’s command, they were as insignificant as ants in the face of these auras, all collapsing to the ground and losing their combat ability instantly, with many getting injured, falling unconscious, or even dying.

Later, as Xu Qingfan and the others barely withstood the immense pressure, just as they prepared to fight again, both Xu Qingfan and Bai Qingfu’s groups were struck with intense pain throughout their bodies by successive Spirit Qi tremors and explosions resounding from the sky. They were utterly shocked, exchanging looks of astonishment. Although they knew Mahayana Stage masters were extraordinary, merging with heaven and earth, they never anticipated such power from their battles. Their desire to reach the Mahayana Stage grew unprecedentedly strong.

Yet, this time, Xu Qingfan and his companions were mistaken. The explosions suddenly occurring in the sky were due to high-level monsters under Zhang Xusheng’s command using the "Explosive Spirit Technique" to self-destruct, instead of being caused by Zhang Xusheng, Li Xuhan, or Venerable Deaf Mute Blind themselves, as not even masters of their calibre could unleash so many powerful attacks in a short time.

Nonetheless, under the aftermath of these explosions, both the three Snake Guards and Xu Qingfan’s group suffered severe injuries, nearly losing consciousness, leaving them incapable of further combat.

The battles between high-level cultivators are so intense that even the residual power is overwhelming. Xu Qingfan and his companions are not weak themselves, yet they are easily rendered powerless under this tremendous force.

The battle that Xu Qingfan had anticipated to be incredibly brutal and tense unexpectedly came to a quick and peaceful end.

He did not know if this was a stroke of luck or misfortune.

"Haha, I originally thought that killing you all myself would be my fate, but I didn’t expect my true destiny was to die on Jiuhua Mountain. That’s fine, I always loved the sunshine on Jiuhua Mountain."

At this moment, Bai Qingfu had withdrawn his six clones back into his body. Sitting on the ground, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and gave a wry smile to Xu Qingfan in front of him.

As the battle began, Number 33 transformed into a mist that encircled Xu Qingfan and his team. The mist was highly corrosive, difficult for even a cultivator to withstand. However, he encountered Feng Qingtian, who could turn his body into flames, countering him at every turn. Despite having the upper hand in strength, Number 33 found himself at a disadvantage. If it weren’t for the sudden changes in the sky, Feng Qingtian might have already won by now.

Although there is a counter-effect, Feng Qingtian’s ability to easily overpower Number 33 shows how greatly his strength increased after transformation, perhaps in ways unimaginable.

Compared to the unfortunate Number 33, Bai Qingfu’s battle against Xu Qingfan and his five allies was evenly matched. Fighting one against five, he held his ground without falling behind.

Yet, at that moment, unexpected changes unfolded in the sky, putting both sides at a disadvantage. Even with Bai Qingfu’s strength, he was left without any battle power. Originally charging towards Xu Qingfan, he stumbled and fell before him, offering a bitter smile and saying.

Yet the smile, besides bitterness, clearly carried a sense of relief.

Seeing Bai Qingfu’s familiar yet strange expression, Xu Qingfan suddenly felt a bit dazed. Even now, he found it incredible that Bai Qingfu was Zhang Xusheng’s undercover agent.

After hearing Bai Qingfu’s words, Xu Qingfan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said, "The battle in the sky is still fierce, and the outcome is uncertain. If your family’s master wins, you won’t have to die on Jiuhua Mountain, so why be so pessimistic?"

Bai Qingfu smiled slightly and softly said, "The explosion in the sky earlier wasn’t caused by magical combat but by those high-level demons self-destructing. I know my master well; he made them self-destruct because he got what he wanted and is planning to escape. Jiuhua Mountain has won this war."

Upon hearing Bai Qingfu’s words, Xu Qingfan was slightly stunned. He should have been glad, yet he felt lost. After a long while, he finally said, "Really? But although you are seriously injured from the explosion, surely there’s a way for you to escape, right?"

Bai Qingfu gently nodded and replied with a smile, "There is indeed a way to escape, but Number 4 is seriously injured now, and I can’t leave him behind. He got hurt because of me, and I can’t abandon him."

At the place where the three Snake Guards appeared earlier, Wang Qingjun lay helplessly on the ground. He had already been gravely injured during the previous battle; now, severely weakened by the oppressive force from the sky and the explosion’s aftermath, he had no strength left, less than a mere human, and was unable to escape.

As for Xu Qingfan and Bai Qingfu, who had been fiercely fighting moments ago, were inexplicably talking like friends, yet neither felt anything was amiss.

Perhaps, the two were meant to be friends, but fate played a mischievous trick on them.

After hearing Bai Qingfu’s response, Xu Qingfan silently nodded his head but didn’t say anything further because he didn’t know what to say and understood he wasn’t in a position to say anything.

Bai Qingfu then turned his head towards Number 33 and said, "Number 33, you should run first. You’re the least injured right now."

Number 33 was barely standing while facing the pale-faced Feng Qingtian. Upon hearing Bai Qingfu’s words, he frowned and asked, "Are you planning to stay behind?"

Bai Qingfu nodded and said, "I don’t have much strength left. Even if I manage to escape with you, I’d only hold you back. It’s better for me to be with Number 4 to look out for each other."

Seeing Number 33’s unwilling expression, Bai Qingfu added, "You don’t need to stay. It won’t help. If you escape this time, you can find a chance to save the two of us later."

After hearing Bai Qingfu say this, Number 33 reluctantly nodded, shot Feng Qingtian a fierce glare, gave Bai Qingfu a complex look, then turned into a mist, disappearing from everyone’s sight.

At the same time, the sky finally calmed, the lightning and thunder, the dark clouds and fierce winds all vanished in an instant. Zhang Xusheng had managed to escape, and the Venerable Deaf Mute Blind was quickly pursuing him.

Looking at Jiuhua Mountain, devastated by the aftermath of battle, and then at Li Xuhan in his arms, covered in blood, Zhang Hualing felt a deep sadness. Yet, he gathered his strength and addressed the Jiuhua elders who had rushed over after the explosion, "Please eliminate all the remaining demons on Jiuhua Mountain. Many of our low-ranking disciples were severely injured in the battle, and I ask for your help in treating them. Also, Bai Qingfu and Wang Qingjun need to be captured alive; I have questions for them."

After the great catastrophe that befell Jiuhua, especially those elders who had taken the "Sky Spiritual Pill" and were still without an antidote, there’s a feeling of despair. Yet after hearing Zhang Hualing’s words, they silently nodded and turned to fly towards the part of Jiuhua Mountain where their disciples had fought with Zhang Xusheng’s low-level demons.

"Jiuhua has gone through such a great disaster, yet who knows how long it will take to recover its strength. Facing the impending calamity of the cultivation world, how should Jiuhua deal with the situation?"

Zhang Hualing thought silently.

As Zhang Xusheng watched the elders quickly flying towards Linghua Hall with a sigh, Li Xuhan, who had fallen unconscious after losing his heart, suddenly opened his eyes and said to Zhang Hualing with labored breath, "Take me outside Jiuhua Mountain, to see if Venerable Deaf Mute Blind has stopped Zhang Xusheng."

The wound on Li Xuhan’s chest was so shocking and vivid, and through it, one could clearly see the heart was gone. Yet, Li Xuhan, like Zhang Xusheng, could survive even without a heart.

Hearing Li Xuhan’s command, Zhang Hualing said in astonishment, "Master, you are injured, going there might be dangerous. My skills are weak, and I cannot ensure your safety."

Li Xuhan frowned and said, "Stop hesitating, take me there, there will be no problem."

Hearing Li Xuhan speak this way, Zhang Hualing did not dare to disobey and reluctantly supported Li Xuhan, swiftly flying towards the Nine Pole Array.

…

Outside Jiuhua Mountain, a chilly wind chilled to the bone, clouds came and went, and the sunset slowly disappeared below the horizon. In mid-air, Venerable Deaf Mute Blind and the six Venerable Ones of Penance Valley hovered above, their clothes and hair fluttering, with expressions of dejection.

Watching Zhang Xusheng and that mysterious purple figure vanish in an instant, Venerable Deaf Mute Blind sighed silently to himself, realizing that things had completely spiraled out of his control. Not only had he completely fallen out with Zhang Xusheng, but he also owed Jiuhua Mountain a huge favor.

If they had attacked Zhang Xusheng right from the start, no matter how clever Zhang Xusheng was, he would have struggled to win against the combined assault of Li Xuhan and Venerable Deaf Mute Blind.

The reason Li Xuhan agreed to gamble with Zhang Xusheng and ended up losing his heart, his fate uncertain, was purely out of consideration for Venerable Deaf Mute Blind’s attitude. Although neither side actually admitted it, they both understood this unspoken truth.

Now, Zhang Xusheng not only severely injured Li Xuhan, weakening Jiuhua Mountain, but also rendered Li Xuhan’s plan useless. Instead of eliminating Zhang Xusheng, Zhang Xusheng managed to reclaim his heart and could potentially come back stronger soon to seek revenge on Jiuhua Mountain and even Penance Valley, leaving Venerable Deaf Mute Blind distressed and too ashamed to face the cultivators of Jiuhua Mountain.

Thinking of the purple figure who rescued Zhang Xusheng, Venerable Deaf Mute Blind felt even more puzzled. Judging from his ability to fend off Xuanwuxing’s methods in an instant, it was evident that the rescuer was at least a master-level grandmaster of Mahayana Stage.

But the issue was, since the person was a grandmaster, even if Venerable Deaf Mute Blind didn’t know him personally, he should have had some knowledge of him. However, neither the person’s attire nor their methods matched any grandmaster Venerable Deaf Mute Blind knew in the cultivation world. Even more surprising was that the techniques used by the figure, as described by Xuanwuxing and others, left Venerable Deaf Mute Blind unable to identify what kind of techniques they were, which was astonishing for someone who had weathered storms in the cultivation world for thousands of years.

Most importantly, why did this person help Zhang Xusheng? Didn’t he know the harm Zhang Xusheng posed to the cultivation world? Once Zhang Xusheng places his heart back in his body and fully masters the dark arts, who in the cultivation world would be able to stop him?

Could it be that the rescuer was originally Zhang Xusheng’s accomplice? That raised an even more pressing question—why would a grandmaster ally with another grandmaster? With their combined strength, their ambitions were likely significant. More importantly, this alliance might not only consist of these two grandmasters. Why, then, had Venerable Deaf Mute Blind never heard of such a powerful alliance?

This thought cast a shadow on Venerable Deaf Mute Blind’s heart.

A few days ago, when Li Xuhan came to Penance Valley to explain the situation, Venerable Deaf Mute Blind realized the gravity of the matter but was still full of confidence. He believed that with the cultivation he had gained over the years and the "Skyscanner Sword" in hand, dealing with juniors like Zhang Xusheng would be effortless.

However, throughout his confrontation with Zhang Xusheng, whether in a battle of wits or direct combat, Venerable Deaf Mute Blind found himself consistently at a disadvantage.

First, Zhang Xusheng tempted him with a list of cultivators in Penance Valley who had pledged allegiance to him, which not only prevented an immediate ambush on Zhang Xusheng but also gave him time to communicate with the heart residing in Li Xuhan, ultimately rendering the ambush plan ineffective.

Later, during the direct confrontation with Zhang Xusheng, the strange energy that surged continuously after the "Skyscanner Sword" pierced his left chest wound haunted Venerable Deaf Mute Blind whenever he recalled it.

In the end, even though Venerable Deaf Mute Blind realized Zhang Xusheng’s indifferent expression after being struck with the "Skyscanner Sword" was just a bluff, faced with Zhang Xusheng’s increasingly intense counterattacks, he eventually wavered in his initial judgment and allowed Zhang Xusheng to seize his "Skyscanner Sword."

It could be said that from beginning to end, Venerable Deaf Mute Blind was played by Zhang Xusheng as if in the palm of his hand.

"The fact that you can damage my body to such an extent shows your strength is indeed formidable. But you trust too much in your own power. Have you secluded yourself for too long, losing your cunning? Honestly, my senior brother is much harder to deal with than you. As a lesson, I will take this ‘Skyscanner Sword’. I suddenly thought a friend of mine might like it."

He couldn’t help but recall Zhang Xusheng’s words to him earlier, and his heart was filled with a sense of melancholy.

"Could it be that after being secluded for so long, I can’t even defeat a junior cultivator like Zhang Xusheng?"

Venerable Deaf Mute Blind thought with a tinge of sorrow and anger.

"Did Zhang Xusheng ultimately escape, Venerable Deaf Mute Blind?"

At that moment, an aged voice suddenly sounded behind Venerable Deaf Mute Blind. Although it was phrased as a question, the tone was already confirming it. Upon listening closely, it was unmistakably Li Xuhan, whom Venerable Deaf Mute Blind had thought was either dead or gravely injured after losing his heart.

Venerable Deaf Mute Blind and Xuanwuxing turned to look back and found Zhang Hualing supporting Li Xuhan, quietly hovering outside the broken Nine Pole Array, looking at the six of them with a hint of disappointment.

Although killing Zhang Xusheng held great significance for Jiuhua Mountain, neither Li Xuhan nor Zhang Hualing showed any trace of blame. This only heightened the sense of shame felt by Venerable Deaf Mute Blind and Xuanwuxing.