Pine and cypress trees blanketed the peak of Cranes’ Cry Mountain, their roots winding alongside clear springs that cascaded over blue stones with a melodious tinkling sound. The mountain scenery was tranquil and graceful.
Moon Chan smiled gently, standing opposite Shi Hao. She showed no hostility and spoke with the group in a soft and enchanting voice that stirred the hearts of all who heard her.
“Can anyone really capture the holy maiden Moon Chan, who roams the world as pure and bright as the moon itself?” someone praised, though the tone carried an implicit challenge, subtly aimed at Shi Hao, slightly provocative.
Indeed, many had heard the earlier “rumors” surrounding Shi Hao, and since those were now proven false, repeating such claims was essentially an insult to his strength.
Though some sought to befriend Xiao Shi, others were indifferent or even openly hostile—especially those geniuses and noble ladies whose lineages traced back to Lower Realms, they bore particular resentment.
Shi Hao smiled, unfazed.
Such provocations would only intensify Moon Chan’s sense of humiliation and fury, but he found the situation oddly pleasant, as if his heart had been cleansed.
If he could tease them in return, it would be perfect. However, doing so openly would be excessive and might provoke widespread backlash.
“Moon Chan, the holy maiden, is a rare treasure among the world in both divine power and aura, shining like the moon in the sky, capable of cleansing one’s very soul,” another person remarked.
“Do we need to tell you that? Chan’er is the Moon Goddess herself, radiating celestial light that fills heaven and earth,” said the Devil Girl with a sly smirk.
“Your Highness is spiritual and clever, untouched by worldly concerns—a true celestial spirit born of the heavens. We all admire her deeply,” someone said earnestly to the Devil Girl.
Nodding in agreement, many echoed their sentiments. Indeed, the Devil Girl stood apart with her enchanting charm, both clever and mischievous—a peerless beauty alongside Moon Chan.
The Devil Girl paid no heed at first and instead said joyfully, “Little Shi, why don’t you explain how you were misunderstood for so long? Has it been tormenting your heart?”
Expressions turned strange among the crowd. It had long been whispered that Moon Chan and the Devil Girl were natural rivals, and now the rumors seemed to hold true.
Since the rumors had already been quelled, bringing them up again seemed like stirring the pot—an act of mischief indeed.
Shi Hao sighed. “What could I do? With such rampant rumors, I even worried about people forming an alliance to confront me and demand Moon Chan back. Thankfully, everything has passed.”
“To be honest, I was tempted myself for a moment. But since it’s been proven false, it doesn’t matter now,” Bei Gu chuckled.
The Devil Girl smiled sweetly, glancing toward Moon Chan. Her eyes sparkled with an ambiguous amusement, clearly delighted.
Shi Hao remained composed, glancing briefly at Moon Chan.
Moon Chan’s main body had flawless, ivory-like skin, with glossy black hair cascading over her snowy neck. Her large eyes, contrasting dark and bright, exuded a vivid brilliance. She remained serene, smiling at Shi Hao and the Devil Girl, showing no signs of discomfort. Yet none could discern her true thoughts.
“Is she about to attack me?” Shi Hao mused to himself.
“Please, let the holy maiden play once more,” someone requested.
Smiling gently, Moon Chan gracefully moved and sat on a bluestone beside an ancient pine. Her delicate hands swept the zither strings, and the melodious notes rang out like celestial music.
Most astonishingly, as time passed, shafts of starlight poured from the sky, resembling countless spirits fluttering toward her, circling Moon Chan like stars surrounding the moon.
Beneath the pine and beside the spring, she was enveloped in a misty white glow—the light of sanctity—her music growing more entrancing, resonating with the Dao itself.
Instantly, the surrounding vegetation turned fresh and green, brimming with vitality. Flowers bloomed simultaneously, filling the air with fragrance.
Once the music faded, the area erupted with birdsong and dancing sacred birds, mesmerizing many.
“Her harmony with the Dao has brought me great insight—I’ve even grasped a previously vague technique,” someone exclaimed.
“This is the true meaning of this gathering—to exchange knowledge and challenge each other, advancing our paths,” Xuan Ming praised.
In the following exchanges, the group shared insights into cultivation techniques, discussing challenges and breakthroughs in their sacred arts, all benefiting greatly.
Shi Hao was no exception. From Bei Gu, he learned how the Upper Realms had deeply explored intricacies in Glyph refinement.
“This is a vital path,” Bei Gu explained. “To chase perfection, forsaking all else. For example, in studying power, one would examine glyph bones from creatures like Vajra Ape (Jingang Yuan), Troll Elephant (Jumo Xiang), and Golden Giant (Huangjin Juren), ignoring their other traits to focus solely on the power patterns.”
Shi Hao nodded, realizing he’d overlooked something. Immersed in techniques like the Kun Peng Dao, he had neglected many other paths.
Countless beings thrived in the world, their glyph bones infinite in form and meaning.
The Kun Peng and Vermilion Bird stood at the pinnacle, but the glyph bones of even lesser beings contained their own Dao, which, if studied deeply, could lead to one’s own path.
Indeed, studying the bones of countless races might open entirely new ways to cultivation.
“The Western Patriarch’s Vajra Golden Body was inspired by observing creatures like Vajra Ape (Jingang Yuan), mountain ants, and Silvervine (Baiyin Teng),” Lan Yu added.
“Yes,” Ying Ying continued. “It’s said the ancestor of the ‘Beast Sea’ once secluded himself for a century, studying bone markings of lowly creatures, ultimately creating the shocking ‘Beast Scripture of a Hundred Beasts.'”
Shi Hao listened, continually surprised and enriched in understanding.
Lan Yu, Shui Yue, Hong Feng, and others stood around him, their beauty captivating. Naturally, they drew many envious gazes.
Bei Gu, being from the Upper Realm, did not stand out, but Shi Hao did. Amid such beauty, he could not avoid attention.
“Dear Older Sister Moon Chan,” Hong Feng smiled, pulling Moon Chan into the conversation. “I’ve heard you are well-versed in the Vermilion Bird Sacred Art. Let’s discuss it.”
Lan Yu, gentle by nature, invited the Devil Girl into their circle too. The radiant beauties, gathered together, captivated every young man present.
“Dear Older Sister Moon Chan, if you return to the Upper Realm, you’d certainly be the most beautiful woman east of the border,” Hong Feng praised.
“And Your Highness would undoubtedly be the most beautiful in the ‘Kun Sea’,” Lan Yu added sincerely, admiring the Devil Girl’s otherworldly charm.
Shi Hao, with a rare thickness of skin, stepped forward earnestly to seek their insights into the Vermilion Bird Sacred Art.
“You’ve also studied this ancient art? Did you actually acquire it?” Hong Feng asked, astonished.
“A little,” Shi Hao nodded.
Moon Chan’s expression shifted slightly, but she joined the discussion, explaining various powers of the Vermilion Bird without revealing the core transformations.
“I wonder how the battle of titans is proceeding now?” Finally, Shi Hao broke the silence.
At his words, all fell quiet. Many faces turned pale.
“They say it has reached the Chaos,” Shui Yue answered.
“The battles of titans—let us avoid speculation,” Xuan Ming nodded, clearly apprehensive.
“Are you concerned about the Bone Pagoda?” Moon Chan smiled sweetly.
Everyone now knew his profound connection with the pagoda—its power was what he used to overthrow the Immortal Mountain.
“The pagoda is ruined, they say it was crushed into the Primordial Gate. It no longer exists in this world,” a voice rang out from afar as a figure cloaked in black mist approached.
“Any new news?” the crowd reacted in alarm.
The newcomer was a pale, handsome man with a sinister aura. His smile was cold, his feet floating above the ground, carried by swirling dark mist.
“Dear Moon Chan,” he drawled lazily with clear malice. “I heard this servant from below dared to offend you and even spread rumors of imprisoning you. Today, I shall kill him for you.”
His eyes gleamed with purple pupils, his body shrouded in black mist, exuding death.
All were shocked, recognizing his formidable origins—a Underworld Person (Ming Ren), a being from one of the Netherworlds. With the recent fall of another Chaotic Corpse (Hundun corpse), his homeland would grow stronger, expanding further.
“And who might you be?” Shi Hao asked calmly, his quiet tone exuding authority.
“You’re quite strong for a lowly servant,” the Underworld Person (Ming Ren) replied arrogantly. “But your fate isn’t favorable. I dislike you, so I want to kill you.”
“You do talk big,” Shi Hao sighed.
Ming Ren were descendants of powerful undead beings who had merged with the living, naturally inheriting strong deathly energies.
Undoubtedly, with the death of a Chaos Corpse, the Ming Ren domains would unify under one supreme ruler, gaining immense power that all factions would fear.
“That’s just how I am. I’ll crush you openly. Let’s see if you can resist,” the young Ming Ren smirked, closing in.
“The hand of the Netherworld extends too far,” another voice rang out from the horizon as five-colored clouds appeared. A new young powerhouse arrived.
Clad in Five Elements Battle Armor (Wuxing Zhanka), his aura radiated the Five Elements’ power. He arrived swiftly, another figure from the Upper Realm.
“Hah!” The Ming Ren laughed. “This is the funniest joke I’ve heard. He destroyed your Immortal Mountain, and you still claim him as yours?”
“He bears crimes, so I shall take him to face justice above,” the warrior clad in elemental armor declared.
“Laughable! You pretend to be noble, saying he’s your kin. But in the end, aren’t you both after the same thing? You just hide behind righteousness,” the Ming Ren sneered.
“His judgment is our Inner Mountain’s affair. It does not concern your Netherworld. Do not bring ruin upon yourself,” the elemental warrior responded coolly. Behind him burned divine flames, revealing an accompanying expert of formidable power.
“I’ve declared my intent to kill him and take his Heaven Bone. I never fail,” the Ming Ren snarled, flashing sharp teeth. From the mist behind him emerged a hazy form—a winged skeleton with flickering black funeral flames.
When one possesses the strength, arrogance is strength. Without it, mere shouting is laughable.
Indeed, the two opponents each had beings with ignited divine fire standing behind them—clearly, they belonged to the former category.
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