Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 326: As long as I am alive, you are a loser!

He Dongxing and Ji Dongquan were currently being pushed back by Fu Dongsun’s Thunderquake Sword and Cyclone Sword, kept well away from the Ziwei Sword.

As anxiety gripped them, their spirits suddenly lifted at the sight of Chen Donglou—transformed from Lei Jun—appearing.

Fu Dongsun’s expression turned grave. He immediately recalled the Thunderquake and Cyclone Swords, guarding himself with them.

“Chen Donglou” made no move to attack. He stood there calm and composed, with the Seven Star Sword arrayed in the pattern of the Big Dipper, floating in midair.

Even at rest, the sword radiated a sharp, chilling aura, its cold gleam dazzling.

He Dongxing and Ji Dongquan dared not approach.

“Fu Dongsun, I already told you—I wanted to speak to you face-to-face.”

“Chen Donglou” stood with his hands behind his back, eyes locked on the other man. “What, don’t even have the guts to face me anymore? No wonder you went groveling to that old Taoist from Chunyang Palace. I gave you too much credit before.”

Fu Dongsun kept his eyes on the Seven Star Sword opposite him, his tone still calm. “Our paths are different. There’s no point plotting together.”

As he spoke, the Qiantian Tower and Kundi Banner, which had been attempting to retrieve the Ziwei Sword, were also recalled to his side.

Now, all eight of Fu Dongsun’s life-bound artifacts and magical tools appeared together—Qiantian Tower, Kundi Banner, Thunderquake Sword, Cyclone Sword, Blazing Cauldron, Abyssal Spear, Mountain Seal, and Marsh Mirror—forming an octagram in midair, standing opposite Chen Donglou’s Seven Star Sword.

“Who said I was looking to plot with you?”

“Chen Donglou” sneered.

Then, with a low hum, the Tian Shu Sword—one of the Seven Star Swords—trembled lightly in midair, and vanished in an instant.

In the dim leyline cavern, whether it was He Dongxing and Ji Dongquan in the distance or Fu Dongsun directly facing the sword’s edge, they all caught a brief flash of light in the distance.

The next moment, the flying sword was right in front of Fu Dongsun.

Even though Fu Dongsun had never underestimated Chen Donglou, he was still shocked:

That speed!

Chen Donglou clearly hadn’t imbued the sword with his celestial soul, yet this strike still carried the essence of Celestial Roaming the Sea of Heaven, seeming to ignore space itself.

Thankfully, Fu Dongsun had been on high alert, fully focused.

His figure flickered and vanished from his spot, merging with his life-bound artifact, the Qiantian Tower.

The Qiantian Tower was crafted in imitation of the Taiyi Innate Tower and similarly explored spatial mysteries. Paired with Fu Dongsun’s Celestial Roaming soul essence, its power in that aspect was even greater.

Fu Dongsun narrowly dodged the first Tian Shu Sword.

His celestial soul now fused with the Qiantian Tower, he again vanished from sight.

Thus, he evaded the second of the Seven Star Swords—Tian Xuan.

Though he dodged it, the sword’s flash tore through the cavern in a blast of thunder and flame, sending a chill through Fu Dongsun.

It wasn’t just fast—this sword packed real power.

Had he tried to block it head-on with the Qiantian Tower instead of dodging, it might’ve pierced straight through.

Clearly, Chen Donglou had improved over the years.

Yet, something felt off about that sword's passage through space…

Suddenly, the Qiantian Tower reappeared at another location within the leyline network, quivering slightly from top to bottom.

Even when he’d heard of Tang Xiaotang’s breakthrough to the ninth level, Fu Dongsun had remained calm. But now, an unfamiliar impulse stirred within him.

He wanted to test himself against Chen Donglou once more.

However, as the third sword streaked toward him, the thought vanished.

Though the man stood right there in front of him, Fu Dongsun knew that if he imbued his spirit into the Thunderquake Sword, Cyclone Sword, or Abyssal Spear, he too could use Celestial Roaming to pierce space and strike.

But the remaining swords of the Seven Star Sword hovered in front of Chen Donglou, poised and ready. He clearly had control.

Fu Dongsun had no intention of getting dragged into a close-quarters brawl.

They were in the Zhejiang-Jiangxi mountain region. Someone from the Tianshi Mansion on Mount Longhu might show up.

He Dongxing and Ji Dongquan had already begun contacting Zhang Dongyuan in Nanhuang.

If he lingered, Fu Dongsun was certain only more enemies would show up.

With a wave, he summoned back the rest of his life-bound artifacts and magical tools into the Qiantian Tower.

Blazing Cauldron and Abyssal Spear.

Thunderquake Sword and Cyclone Sword.

All four pulsed with power—fire and water entwined, wind and thunder clashed—forming yin-yang harmonies, continuously fueling the Qiantian Tower with spiritual energy and magic power.

At the same time, the Marsh Mirror hovered in the air, its reflection shifting from murky to clear, fully focused on tracking Chen Donglou’s flying swords.

They were simply too fast.

If he waited until the swords were already flying to dodge, not even the Qiantian Tower could guarantee escape.

But for speed, these flying swords had sacrificed flexibility.

If he could catch even a hint of Chen Donglou’s sword-drawing cues, he might be able to dodge early.

At this moment, Fu Dongsun was going all out, using the Qiantian Tower to tear through space and flee the scene.

Before leaving, he reached once more for the Ziwei Sword.

His motion stirred it—it quivered faintly.

Then, the treasured sword of Shushan sank into the leyline’s rushing spiritual energy and disappeared underground.

Fu Dongsun himself fled in another direction atop the Qiantian Tower.

If he couldn’t get the sword, then neither should Chen Donglou, He Dongxing, or Ji Dongquan.

Worst-case, if they chased the sword, it would give him a better chance to escape.

But Chen Donglou didn’t play along. He followed immediately, flying through the leyline with the Seven Star Sword.

He Dongxing and Ji Dongquan exchanged glances, splitting up—one chasing the sword, the other pursuing Fu Dongsun—while also continuing to contact Zhang Dongyuan and the Shushan Sect.

Deep in Chen Donglou’s pupils, talismans of the Heaven and Earth Connection spell flickered, secretly tracking Fu Dongsun’s movements as he pondered:

Looks like he really didn’t bring the Taiyi Innate Tower this time.

Then… where’s Huang Xuanpu?

His gaze narrowed.

Magnetic force surged unseen.

All seven flying swords launched at once, chasing Fu Dongsun and the Qiantian Tower ahead.

The tower’s shimmering image wavered and flickered, dodging each incoming sword beam.

But as the swords' momentum faded, they suddenly curved in midair, as if pulled by an invisible force, turning back toward Fu Dongsun.

The change in direction was slow at first.

But suddenly, sword lights flashed—mid-air turns completed—and they streaked forward again, swift and fierce, almost impossible to follow, their power sending chills even through Fu Dongsun, the former Shushan Sect Master.

Seven beams of sword light weaved in and out, fast then slow.

The leyline rocks collapsed. The spiritual energy currents trembled.

Violent subterranean winds surged toward the surface.

Fu Dongsun’s Qiantian Tower became increasingly limited, its evasive movement restricted to a tight radius.

Though now a bit battered, he still managed to dodge the Seven Star Sword’s attacks with the help of his powerful tools and skills.

Chen Donglou remained calm.

Fu Dongsun truly was the strongest cultivator in Shushan in recent years—stronger even than Grand Elder Hong Jie, though they were both at the eighth heavenly level.

His eight life-bound artifacts and magical tools, when united, operated as a single entity—almost on par with Shushan’s Sixfold Treasures, and comparable to the Seven Star Sword.

Back during the battle at Mount Longhu, most of Fu Dongsun’s attention had been on using the Taiyi Innate Tower and Clear Sky Pavilion to plunder the Myriad Dharma Altar.

Only today did he reveal the full extent of his power.

Using the Qiantian Tower, he cast the great divine art Formless Celestial Movement, making his body and location so erratic that even the Heaven and Earth Connection talismans couldn’t accurately lock on.

The magnetic swords had immense power—but only if they hit. Missed strikes meant missed damage.

But...

Chen Donglou knew his own strengths and weaknesses best.

He had never stopped refining his skills.

All seven swords out at once drained his power massively.

But at the same time, he was channeling the vast magnetism of the leylines around him.

He had studied the terrain beforehand. Now, with the Seven Star Sword’s radiant arcs, he birthed a vast and terrifying Magnetic Sword Domain underground.

The powerful magnetic surge soon slowed the Qiantian Tower, halting its movement.

It could no longer shift through space. It was locked in place, its true form revealed and immobilized.

Fu Dongsun was stunned.

In that instant, he didn’t hesitate—he severed his link to the life-bound Qiantian Tower.

Boom!

A fine glimmer of sword light pierced through the tower—

This tool, nearly equivalent to a miniature Taiyi Innate Tower, shattered in a blast of fire and light.

With his life-bound artifact destroyed, Fu Dongsun’s celestial soul shuddered violently.

But he dared not pause. Drawing on his ability to travel through the Earthly Sea, he dove into the leyline, summoning the Kundi Banner and Mountain Seal.

Together, they could shake the earth in attack, and become an impenetrable fortress in defense.

But to Chen Donglou, they meant nothing.

Even Rong Guangchen of the Danding Sect, whose Nascent Soul had reached the fourth transformation, couldn’t take more than three of his sword strikes.

If the Seven Star Sword hits, it will destroy anything!

Fu Dongsun’s magical tools weren’t all forged from pure metals, and within the Magnetic Sword Domain, even if they weren’t totally frozen, they were sluggish.

So the flying swords kept flashing, unleashing bursts of thunder and flame.

The Kundi Banner and Mountain Seal were destroyed one after the other.

Then came the Blazing Cauldron and Marsh Mirror.

Fu Dongsun’s celestial soul, now soaked in the intense magnetic force, twisted and distorted—nearly losing its humanoid form.

But thanks to the sacrifice of his artifacts, he managed to dive into the leyline.

Just then—his vision flashed with a streak of violet light.

Fu Dongsun’s heart lurched.

In the next instant, a purple star-like light emerged from the Qi Sea currents of the earth.

It was the very Ziwei Sword that Fu Dongsun had previously driven away in another direction!

But why would the flow of spiritual energy here be so strange that the Ziwei Sword would circle back following the earth’s meridians?

If this were any other time, Fu Dongsun would have been pleased by such serendipity.

But right now, a chill surged from the depths of his soul.

And he no longer had time to react.

As the Imperial Star of Purple Light manifested within this Yuanmagnetic Sword Domain, a glimmer of light flashed.

In the next moment, the Imperial Star vanished from its original position.

A streak of purple sword light swept across the sky—

And cleaved Fu Dongsun’s immortal soul clean in half!

The former Shushan Sect Leader let out a bloodcurdling scream. His soul, unable to maintain its human shape, fell from midair and ignited like a painting set aflame, burning within the earth’s meridians amidst thunder and fire.

The purple light hovered beside “Chen Donglou,” revealing its true form as an ancient-looking flying sword, its glow like starlight—mystical and lively.

“The Ziwei Sword... it was already yours... already…”

Broken, intermittent words drifted from the remains of Fu Dongsun’s immortal soul.

He seemed to let out a dying roar.

The Thunder Sword, Wind Sword, and Water Spear—all three lethal weapons—flashed simultaneously, their sharp edges aimed directly at “Chen Donglou.”

But “Chen Donglou” didn’t even glance at them.

Now that the Yuanmagnetic Sword Domain was complete, it was too late for Fu Dongsun to fight back.

Had he attacked earlier, before the domain had stabilized, he might have posed some threat.

Though “Chen Donglou’s” flying sword could still move, it wasn’t as responsive as the magic weapons of refining-path experts—excellent for offense but not ideal for defense.

Of course, he had other ways to defend himself, but using them might reveal his identity.

Now, within the sword domain, the situation had changed.

The two swords and one spear trembled midair, inching forward at an agonizingly slow pace toward “Chen Donglou.”

His Seven Star Sword, however, remained as swift as ever.

“So long as I live, you will always lose.”

With a flash of sword light, Fu Dongsun’s final life-bound artifacts were shattered.

His already critically weakened soul could no longer hold on. With the destruction of his core artifacts, his immortal soul crumbled from within.

Elsewhere, He Dongxing and Ji Dongquan, who had been tracking people and treasures separately, appeared in the distance.

They halted instinctively as they watched Fu Dongsun’s immortal soul collapse and vanish.

They had both witnessed the past rivalry between Chen Donglou and Fu Dongsun.

But never had they imagined it would end like this.

Still, the outcome had never changed.

In terms of individual strength, Chen Donglou had always been the number one of Shushan in this era.

If he could defeat Fu Dongsun once, he could do it for life.

The only difference was, back then, he lacked support and failed to become the sect leader.

Fu Dongsun, Shushan’s second, had instead risen to the top.

But now, Fu Dongsun had been expelled from Shushan and declared a traitor.

And today, despite having reached the peak of the Eighth Heaven, he was slain here!

Fallen by Chen Donglou’s sword—it seemed destined by the heavens...

Just like years ago, when Chen Donglou went out in search of the Ziwei Sword—today, the sword truly returned to his hands.

While He Dongxing and Ji Dongquan were still shaken, Lei Jun, disguised as Chen Donglou, used the chaotic spiritual currents to quietly dissipate the Yuanmagnetic Sword Domain and much of its power.

A small remnant remained—no matter. Right now, he was Elder Chen of Shushan, not Elder Lei of Mount Longhu.

But his repeated sword strikes had drained nearly all his spiritual power. Within his Divine Court, it was as if the stars had dimmed into darkness. Only after silently adjusting his breath did faint starry light begin to stir once more.

To He Dongxing and Ji Dongquan, however, all they saw was their fellow disciple Chen, offering only his solitary, proud back.

Huang Xuanpu still hadn't shown up. It wasn’t cautious delay—he simply wasn’t here.

Though Fu Dongsun was supposed to handle artifacts like the Ziwei Sword and Qingxiao Mansion, any power mattered now to the Dao Nation of the mortal realm. It was strange that Huang Xuanpu would be so uninvolved.

So, was he in seclusion, refusing outside contact, or had he gone to some other realm beyond the Great Tang?

As Lei Jun pondered the possibilities, his gaze focused ahead.

The bit of power he had recovered formed an invisible hand, extracting a Daoist mini-pouch from Fu Dongsun’s ruined soul.

He wasn’t interested in the other items inside—it could wait.

What caught his attention were a few talismans.

He believed they had likely come from Huang Xuanpu.

But for now, it seemed only Huang could initiate contact; Fu Dongsun had no means to reach him.

With talismanic runes shimmering in his eyes, Lei Jun’s mind ran through countless thoughts.

“Brother Chen.”

On the other side, Ji Dongquan stepped forward after a brief moment of reflection.

He Dongxing looked at Lei Jun’s Chen Donglou and sighed.

“Today, we’ve cleansed our sect.”

“Chen Donglou” stood with hands behind his back as the Seven Star Sword returned to him. “It’s a shame I couldn’t personally take down Yu Qiyue. Any solid news on Hong Jie?”

Ji Dongquan replied, “Nothing confirmed yet. After the Mount Longhu battle, she was wounded in the earth veins by Junior Brother Zhang and Master Ren of the Sumeru Vajra Division.”

“Chen Donglou” said calmly, “Keep going. If you hear anything about her, or Liu Dongzhuo and the others, send word. As long as I’m in this world, I’ll take care of it.”

“Got it,” Ji Dongquan nodded.

Is Chen often not in the mortal realm?

No wonder he hadn’t shown up during the Southern Wastes or Mount Longhu events.

He must have missed the timing.

But even so, Fu Dongsun, Wang Dongchu, Zheng Dongying—all were personally slain by him.

When it came to purging traitors, he was far more effective than any other member of their sect... Ji Dongquan’s feelings were complicated.

He Dongxing approached as well. “Brother Chen, come back to Shushan with us.”

“Chen Donglou” glanced at them. “Of course I’ll return. I said I’d bring the Ziwei Sword back to the mountain. I keep my word.”

As he spoke, he raised a hand.

The floating Ziwei Sword instantly dimmed its glow and gently fell into his grasp.

He Dongxing gave a bitter smile beside him.

He had hoped this would be a chance to bring Chen Donglou back permanently.

But clearly, the man only meant to return the sword as promised.

Once the artifact was delivered, he would leave again.

Understanding his temperament, He Dongxing held back all persuasion and merely said, “Junior Brother Zhang should be arriving soon with the Qingming Sword. Let’s meet up and travel back together…”

Just then, Ji Dongquan’s expression suddenly changed, and he cried out in alarm.

Normally calm and stoic, it was rare to see him like this—even “Chen Donglou” turned to look.

Ji Dongquan now held a flashing magical item, its light pulsing rapidly.

No voice came from it—only information transmitted directly to Ji Dongquan.

His expression grew solemn as he looked at “Chen Donglou” and He Dongxing and spoke quickly:

“Junior Brother Zhang has reported—our sect’s ancestral grounds at Shushan’s peak are under attack!

A void portal beneath the summit has opened toward the Yellow Springs. Someone claiming to be from an 'Inner Shushan' has emerged, wielding our sect’s techniques—but walking the path of heresy!

Their methods resemble those of the Ghost Dao, refining weapons with thousands of living souls—utterly bloodthirsty!

They are now bursting forth from underground, assaulting the summit. Junior Brother Zhang is rushing back as we speak!”

He Dongxing was also stunned. “An Inner Shushan from the Yellow Springs?! Refining weapons with living souls?!”

Lei Jun, in the guise of Chen Donglou, was equally surprised.

He knew there had been a resurgence of Yellow Springs beneath the summit, but it had supposedly been sealed by the sect.

Who could have imagined a whole new branch of Shushan hidden within the Yellow Springs?

Heretical artifact-refiners walking a path close to the Ghost Dao?

And judging by their strength and organization, they were no minor threat.

Just as these thoughts passed through Lei Jun’s mind, a glowing orb in his consciousness flickered and revealed a line of text:

“When the Yellow Springs rise in reverse, the Nine Abysses and Nine Springs converge over a thousand years. Heaven and Earth align; what departs returns—twin radiances converge.”

Along with two fortune readings:

Upper-Mid Fortune: Descend to the Shushan Summit’s underground. There lies a second-tier, expandable opportunity. No immediate danger, but karmic entanglements may follow. Be cautious. Auspicious.

Mid Fortune: Do not go underground. Stay away from turmoil, avoid karma. No gain, but no loss. Stable.

A second-tier, expandable opportunity... That was rare. Lei Jun raised an eyebrow.

According to the fortune’s wording, the key location was beneath Shushan’s summit—not necessarily within the Yellow Springs.

But the karmic entanglement was clearly related to the Yellow Springs—and that so-called Inner Shushan?

Thoughts flashed through his mind. On the surface, he still wore Chen Donglou’s face, now with a faint smirk:

“Inner Shushan? What Inner Shushan? If Zhang Dongyuan’s report is accurate, they’re just a bunch of heretical traitors from our sect.”

His power gradually recovered as he stepped out of the earth veins: “These days, it seems everyone thinks our sect is easy prey. What a f***ing joke!”

He Dongxing and Ji Dongquan both brightened at the sight, quickly following him.

…………

At that moment, atop Shushan’s summit, the crisis was indeed grave.

Since the great schism after the departure of the Taiyi Innate Tower and Qingxiao Mansion, Shushan’s ancestral grounds were facing disaster once again.

The opening of the Yellow Springs was already a catastrophe.

But within it, a separate Shushan branch? From another perspective, it could be considered a hidden blessing.

Zhang Taigang, Xu Duan, and Ye Dongming were still wary, but overall, they welcomed the appearance of these “fellow sect members.”

They received An Zhiyu and her disciple Cao Heng.

Later, as a representative of Shushan in the Great Tang Realm, Ye Dongming even volunteered to visit the Yellow Springs himself.

But once he entered, he sensed something was wrong.

It was understandable for the Inner Shushan’s path to be somewhat altered by the Yellow Springs’ yin aura.

But Ye Dongming discovered that these so-called Daoist artifact refiners were practically demonic.

The magical tools and weapons he saw—bone swords, soul banners—were horrifying.

They came into contact with other mortals—those who fled to Huangquan to escape the chaos of war. These people sought “protection” from the Inner Shushan Sect, only to end up trapped inside magic treasures and tools, turned into raw materials for refining demonic artifacts. They thought they were escaping the tiger’s jaws, only to end up in the wolf’s den.

When the truth was revealed, the people of Huangquan showed their true colors, and Ye Dongming nearly died right there.

Fortunately, he had stayed alert and was rescued by Zhang Taigang and Xu Duan, managing to flee back to the Great Tang Realm, wounded and weary.

The Inner Shushan Sect seized the opportunity to turn hostile. Huangquan surged in reverse, and through a rift in the void, they invaded the mortal realm and launched an assault on Xiaoding.

Xu Duan, the Supreme Elder of the Great Tang’s Shushan Sect, looked grim as twelve Scarlet Flame Flying Forks spun wildly through the air.

But then, a misty net that seemed like both cloud and flowing water spread wide, blocking the many flying forks spiraling through the air.

Though Xu Duan’s Scarlet Flame Flying Forks were powerful, the opposing artifact rippled like the waters of Huangquan’s Forget River, neutralizing the crimson flames and even dissolving the spiritual power within the forks.

That artifact was called the “Water Mist Net of the Forget River,” and its wielder was Elder An Zhiyu from the Inner Shushan Sect.

The Inner Shushan didn't send many people this time, but every one of them was a master.

Including An Zhiyu, there were four in total.

“Collect as many living souls and magical artifacts as possible.”

The leader was a middle-aged Daoist named Zhou Zheng. He had an air of immortal grace and serenity, quite unlike the usual sinister look of Inner Shushan cultivators—he looked just like any righteous Daoist master.

“This Shushan branch in the mortal realm may be weak, but other cultivators might come to their aid. Our Sect Leader and Martial Uncles are still in seclusion refining treasures, so we shouldn't delay.”

An Zhiyu and the other two Inner Shushan Elders all nodded in agreement.

While An Zhiyu engaged Xu Duan, the other two—Elders Li Yuanyuan and Mu Sheng—were utterly unrestrained.

Li Yuanyuan’s two natal artifacts were the Soul-Capturing Bell and the Jade Bone Armor.

When the bell rang, it swept across all directions, suppressing divine souls and thoughts, and even reaping lives en masse—a true slaughter tool.

The Jade Bone Armor, on the other hand, was for defense.

At this moment, it blocked a barrage of black divine needles raining down like a storm.

Controlling the Wind and Rain Yimu Divine Needles was Ye Dongming. His expression was grim, his face pale.

Surviving Huangquan had already been a miracle. One of his natal artifacts, the Snowpeak Umbrella, used for defense, had been destroyed, damaging his spiritual soul and worsening his injuries.

Even so, Ye Dongming gritted his teeth and commanded his Wind and Rain Yimu Divine Needles along with other magic tools to join the battle.

Li Yuanyuan wore the Jade Bone Armor, but as he channeled his power, countless bone shards as white as jade floated midair like a formation of shields, intercepting Ye Dongming’s attacks.

Ye Dongming had no time to regret the failed strike or look for another angle. He quickly dodged aside.

A massive skeletal demon, over ten feet tall, appeared where he had just stood. Its twin bone claws smashed down, missing only because of his quick reaction.

But another giant bone demon flanked him from the side.

Already wounded and having lost his protective Snowpeak Umbrella, Ye Dongming also had to endure the maddening sound of the Soul-Capturing Bell. The skeletal demon forced him into a perilous position.

There were eight such bone demons in total.

They came from Mu Sheng’s natal artifact—the Eightfold Bone Beads.

Normally worn like prayer beads, each was a miniature skull. When unleashed, they transformed into eight terrifying skeletal demons, each incredibly powerful.

Just those eight, with the Soul-Capturing Bell’s resonance, made An Zhiyu’s group of four seem far more formidable.

While tying down the remaining Shushan Elders of the Seventh Heaven Realm at Xiaoding, Li Yuanyuan and Mu Sheng cast shadowy, predatory gazes at the other battlefield, ready to strike like hungry ghosts.

Over there, Zhou Zheng, the leader of the four, was dueling none other than Zhang Taigang, the current Sect Master of the Great Tang’s Shushan Sect.

Their battle was between two great artifacts…

The Northern Dark Divine Spear clashing against the Southern Bright Fire Cauldron.

On the Great Tang side, the Shushan cultivators were all so furious their faces went pale.

Opposite them, Zhou Zheng sat calmly cross-legged under a black banner. Unlike An Zhiyu and Li Yuanyuan, his soul wasn’t fused with a treasure. Instead, he simply meditated, guarding the banner.

Above the banner, dark clouds swirled around a blurry, ghostly figure.

That figure exuded a sinister aura, expressionless and dazed.

Yet to the Shushan Sect of the Great Tang, that face was painfully familiar from countless portraits and historical records.

It was none other than Wang Kun, a Shushan ancestor who had passed away over a thousand years ago.

He had left behind one of the sect’s six supreme treasures—the Northern Dark Divine Spear.

But now, the spear had seemingly "returned to its original master.”

The eerie black banner was called the Myriad Souls Banner, one of Inner Shushan’s core treasures, part of their very foundation.

It contained thousands of souls—utterly sinister.

Zhou Zheng wasn’t even the banner’s rightful owner. He had merely summoned it for this battle to suppress the mortal realm.

At first, it only unleashed a tide of spirits—like the end of days.

When Zhang Taigang activated the Northern Dark Divine Spear to resist, Zhou Zheng and the Myriad Souls Banner revealed their true intent.

Hidden within the banner was the corrupted soul of Wang Kun.

The spear felt as if plunged into a quagmire, then was abruptly seized.

On one hand, the sect’s supreme treasure was taken. On the other, an ancestral founder had been defiled.

The Shushan Sect of the Great Tang was nearly driven to vomiting blood from rage.

“Ancestor Wang’s soul has been defiled like this—what about the other elders?” a disciple trembled with fury.

Ji Chuan rode his sword to intercept a skeletal demon and shouted, “Don’t lose your composure! For someone at Ancestor Wang’s level to fall into Huangquan is rare!”

That jolted the disciple awake.

If Huangquan truly had the souls of all past Shushan elders, things would’ve looked far worse.

Still, the fate of Ancestor Wang was tragic beyond belief.

Zhang Taigang was likewise enraged but forced to calm his mind and fight using the Southern Bright Fire Cauldron.

Though not a famed offensive treasure, it was powerful and fierce in its own right.

Even with the Myriad Souls Banner seizing the Northern Dark Divine Spear, Zhou Zheng couldn’t fully unleash its power. For now, Zhang Taigang could hold the line with the fire cauldron.

But anxiety gnawed at him—Li Yuanyuan and Mu Sheng were already closing in.

Just then, a streak of azure sword light slashed through the sky.

It was Zhang Dongyuan, returning with the Azure Clarity Sword.

One strike cleaved through the chaos, suppressing the unruly Northern Dark Divine Spear.

Rather than panic, Zhou Zheng and the others from Inner Shushan all lit up with excitement. “The Azure Clarity Sword of Ancestor Baimei!”

This was what they truly sought—above all other treasures.

“Zhou Zheng of the Inner Shushan Sect humbly requests the sword,” he declared, rising and waving the Myriad Souls Banner.

Beneath Xiaoding, the void portal to Huangquan shook.

The waters of the Forget River surged once more, spilling through the gate.

This time, eerie twin-colored light gleamed from within.

It shot upward like a furious spring, piercing Xiaoding’s unguarded mountain defenses.

It was like the Nine Springs bursting into the mortal world.

The strange twin-colored light seized the moment when the Azure Clarity Sword was entangled with the Northern Dark Divine Spear—and wrapped itself around the Azure Sword.

Zhang Dongyuan tried to pull it back. The sword glimmered but wouldn’t budge, stuck midair.

Zhou Zheng waved the banner again.

Within the black clouds, the old Daoist’s corrupted soul showed no emotion, but the spear he controlled moved with deadly intent—breaking free from the Azure Sword and thrusting at the Southern Bright Fire Cauldron.

Northern dark ice and southern bright flames collided repeatedly.

The ice couldn’t fully freeze the fire, and the fire couldn’t consume the ice.

“Your lineage is too weak to handle these great treasures. Hand them over,” Zhou Zheng said, waving the banner again to snatch the Azure Clarity Sword.

Meanwhile, Li Yuanyuan and Mu Sheng abandoned the badly wounded Ye Dongming and charged toward the fire cauldron.

But just then…

A flash of faint purple light flickered across the distant sky.

Like a purple star, it blinked and vanished.

Zhou Zheng and the others instantly changed expressions.

A low hum echoed through the heavens.

The next moment, the purple light reappeared—right atop the Myriad Souls Banner’s black clouds!

The old Daoist’s evil soul was suddenly split in half by the descending violet lightning!

In that instant, Wang Kun’s face finally softened. He showed no pain—only a smile—as he dissipated into the wind.

The heavenly purple beam tore through the skies over Xiaoding, blasting apart an entire mountain ridge.

Amid the dust, an ancient longsword stood firmly embedded in the earth.

The Purple Star…

The Purple Star Sword has returned to Shushan?

As that thought struck everyone, a wild, defiant voice rang out:

“Who says Shushan has no heroes?”

Before the person arrived, their voice had already shaken the air.

Then, seven sword lights streaked through the sky like falling stars!

Their target: Zhou Zheng, leader of the Inner Shushan invaders!

The Purple Star Sword’s earlier strike had knocked the Myriad Souls Banner off-balance.

Zhou Zheng couldn’t rely on it for defense. Thankfully, his natal artifact reacted on its own.

A small, pitch-black pill furnace appeared, rapidly growing over two meters tall, blocking him.

Dark mist poured from the furnace, filled with countless weeping faces.

But the wails barely started before—

BOOM!

BOOM!!

BOOM!!!

The clashing of metal and bursts of thunderous fire drowned out all sound.

The seven sword lights punched straight through the massive furnace, shredding it to pieces.

The seven flying swords pierced Zhou Zheng through, nailing him to the ground.

They didn't stop—drilling into the rock below, shredding his soul entirely.

No trace of yin aura remained under the righteous firestorm.

For a moment, all was deathly still at Xiaoding.

Both the Great Tang’s Shushan cultivators and the Inner Shushan invaders stared in stunned silence at the sky.

There stood Chen Donglou, arms folded behind his back, overlooking Xiaoding from above.