Chapter 1025: A Long “Night”

The ripples of light dissipated, the deep-sea-like scene faded away, and everything within the ruins of the Celestial Court resumed its normal state. Yet, around Meng Qi, the illusory river of time flickered in and out of view, its waters surging with sounds that conveyed a flow of time different from before.

His expression grew solemn as he adjusted the fan-shaped cloud crown atop his head. From his Niwan Palace surged forth a mysterious, dimly glowing auspicious cloud, emitting chaotic rays of light that cascaded down like a water curtain from eaves, enveloping him completely.

Taking a step forward, Meng Qi strode toward the exit of the ruins. The closer he approached, the more sluggish he felt, as if the surrounding space thickened into a viscous medium. It was as if he had sunk into a swamp. The chaotic, dusky light descending from the Supreme Infinite Primordial Auspicious Cloud swayed violently, inch by inch solidifying.

This was a barrier created by time itself—a divide born from the extreme contrast between speeds. Though still within the same realm, Meng Qi and Han Guang, Bi Jingxuan were separated by what felt like an invisible wall, existing in different worlds. Even if their figures overlapped, they would feel nothing of each other.

The chaotic twilight devoured and dissolved the viscosity, yet it grew increasingly solidified. Only by relying on his unique perception of fate and the River of Time, granted by his transcendent nature, could Meng Qi barely press forward.

One step. Two steps. Each step became more arduous. Suddenly, Meng Qi felt everything around him halt. Before his eyes remained only darkness.

The Supreme Infinite Primordial Auspicious Cloud had reached its limit!

Alas, the Infinite Seal had yet to fully ripen, incapable of replicating the true primordial chaos where space dissolved and time stood still. The Heaven-Sundering Seal likewise remained incomplete—still powerless to sever the shackles of temporal constraints…

Meng Qi’s hand drifted toward his waist as he sighed inwardly, silently invoking the name of the Peerless Blade. Just as expected, his fingers brushed against its unyielding hilt. Yet the Peerless Blade remained locked in its eternal struggle with the Devil-Buddha’s imprint for supremacy. Perhaps because they had “returned” to the Middle Ages, the Devil-Buddha’s mark was now suppressed by the natural order, veiling it from the Overlord’s perception. Thus, the Peerless Blade had only regained its Celestial Immortal-tier power—formidable indeed, but still inadequate to resolve their present crisis.

Meng Qi patted the hilt, signaling the Absolute Blade to conceal itself and avoid alerting the Overlord. He turned back, retreating to the center of the ruins, where he sat cross-legged beneath the crimson great gate.

Han Guang’s own abilities likely had not reached such a terrifying level. Most probably, he had relied on the supernatural power of the Celestial Ruins. After all, the Celestial Emperor had traversed time and controlled fate and time itself. The Celestial Court that fell alongside him might naturally retain some of that influence. Perhaps he had even received aid from the Blade of Time.

However, since the worldlines had neither converged nor corrected themselves, Han Guang must not have gained the Blade of Time’s recognition nor taken it. This explained the sudden disappearance of Xuantian Sect—not merely physical erasure, but the total elimination of all memory and records related to it.

What was the Blade of Time thinking? Meng Qi scratched his chin thoughtfully.

Since forcing his way out was impossible, he could not afford to waste these five years. He had to do something—cultivate the inner landscapes within his acupoints into true realms, ascending to Earth Immortal as soon as possible to escape this predicament.

Meng Qi was no rigid traditionalist. Though unwilling to accept Han Guang’s “help,” he would not stubbornly waste time in such a situation. Once he escaped, he would settle the score with Han Guang.

Five years as one night?

Let’s see how much earlier I can break free!

…

Morning light bathed the mountain ridges, and a gentle breeze intoxicated the senses. “Demon Sage” Han Guang and “Primordial Fairy” Bi Jingxuan simultaneously appeared atop the peak.

“Is he truly the direct disciple of Yuxu, having gathered all Nine Seals of the Primordial?” Bi Jingxuan instinctively asked.

Han Guang, wearing an ancient high crown and flowing robe, stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His hair remained jet black, yet carried a touch of time-worn solemnity. He smiled and replied, “If you doubt it, wait until he emerges and ask him yourself. He won’t lie about such a matter. However, I have a word of advice.”

Bi Jingxuan slightly furrowed her brows, lost in thought over the Nine Primordial Seals and the Yuxu lineage.

Han Guang continued unprompted, “The feud between the Three Radiant Ladies’ lineage and the Yu Xu Palace and the Gourd Palace occurred nearly two hundred thousand years ago. One side perished, the other retreated into seclusion. The past has long since faded. As a descendant separated by countless generations, if you ever attain great power in the future, simply seek vengeance against the Primordial Celestial Sovereign and the Virtuous Celestial Sovereign. Why trouble yourself over Su Meng, who is also caught in circumstances beyond his control?”

With that, he left Bi Jingxuan deep in contemplation and departed without waiting for a reply, vanishing into the boundless sea of clouds.

“Who is he?” A pleasant male voice suddenly echoed in Bi Jingxuan’s ear.

Snapping out of her thoughts, she sensed the arrival of “Night Emperor” Huo Lishang from the other end of the mountain peak. Draped in white robes, he exuded a deep love for scenery and beauty.

“Why have you come here?” Bi Jingxuan asked directly.

The Night Emperor smiled radiantly, “Ever since returning home, my heart and mind have been at ease, finally free from sorrow. My mother has also promised to protect me when the time comes, enabling me to return to the future. I came under my mother’s orders to intervene in the changes at Jade Emperor Mountain. However, things turned out strangely. Before I could interfere, everything had already concluded. The man who appeared just now seemed to gain the most. What should I call him?”

He was skilled in transformation techniques and possessed formidable power, naturally drawing her attention.

“I heard Su Meng call him the Demon Sage,” Bi Jingxuan replied indifferently, unaffected by the mention of “returning to the future.”

“Demons Sage?” The Night Emperor nodded slightly, memorizing the title.

At that moment, Bi Jingxuan added, “Earlier, I encountered Su Daji. During our stalemate, she attempted to seduce me into an alliance, mentioning the ‘Eternal Sky’ Gourdo and the ‘Demon Sage’ Han Guang. He must be Han Guang.”

“Han Guang!” The Night Emperor’s gaze snapped toward the distant horizon, his heart thundering like a drumroll.

So that was Han Guang?

No wonder he was skilled in transformation techniques and possessed such formidable strength!

No wonder he had smirked at me knowingly during our meeting at Golden Turtle Island!

Although there was a slight possibility that Su Meng had impersonated him, he still needed to test this person.

Recalling his previous miserable experiences, the Night Emperor remained calm, his smile growing even warmer and more sincere. He subtly gripped the object bestowed by the Eternal Mother, then yawned unceremoniously, “Since matters here are resolved, I shall return to my Void homeland to report. Fairy, we shall meet again another day.”

He departed Jade Emperor Mountain, circled around, identified his direction, and began secretly tracking Han Guang.

Bi Jingxuan stood silently atop the peak, gazing at the sunrise over the sea of clouds. Suddenly, she sighed softly, “The Demon Sage spoke some truth, but I still cannot grow too close to him. The Yuxu lineage and the Three Radiant Ladies’ lineage must remain clearly distinct.”

With that, she summoned auspicious clouds intending to depart, yet as she gazed into the vast horizon, she felt only unfamiliarity. She had come to the ruins of the Jade Emperor Mountain’s Celestial Court seeking a way back—how could she leave without even exploring?

After some thought, Bi Jingxuan descended to a nearby city, planning to re-enter Jade Emperor Mountain the next day, avoiding Meng Qi.

…

In a hidden demonic sect’s secret location.

The Demon Sword King hurriedly returned, intending to report the matter of the fake Su Meng with white hair to “Supreme Heaven Demon” Wu Daoming. As a disciple of the Devil Emperor’s Claw, he knew many secrets, possibly even Su Meng’s origins.

Passing through layers of forbidden spells, the Demon Sword King seemed to descend into the Ninth Hell, finally stopping before a gray stone gate, “Master, I have urgent news to report.”

A slightly melancholic, clear voice responded from within, “Enter.”

The stone gate slid open on its own with a creaking sound, layers of protective spells unlocking one by one. As the Demon Sword King stepped inside, his eyes lit up, only to be immediately clouded with confusion.

Before him, the Supreme Heaven Demon sat atop a stone couch, his lower body wrapped in writhing flesh. This flesh, as if alive, rapidly crept upward, attempting to completely engulf Wu Daoming and form a demonic fetus.

Wu Daoming smiled faintly, “The demonic fetus is complete. In just one more day, I will complete my transformation, ascending to the rank of a Celestial Immortal and further mastering the Devil Emperor’s Claw.”

“The demonic fetus is complete? But I thought it required forty-nine days?” The Demon Sword King asked in confusion.

The Supreme Heaven Demon replied with a half-smile, “That was for the previous transformation. This time, it only requires thirty-six days. Today, after merely one day, it will reach perfection.”

So he had been hiding this trick all along, deceiving the entire world. Back in Luo City a few days ago, his strength had likely already recovered to the peak of an Earth Immortal. Yet he had concealed it the entire time. Of course, without the intervention of the Overlord, the master would have had no choice but to reveal his ultimate trump card at that moment, risking everything for a slim chance at survival… The Demon Sword King suddenly realized—Wu Daoming had always kept a secret from everyone!

“What news do you bring?” The creeping flesh showed Wu Daoming no concern for his safety anymore. With the demonic fetus formed, only a legendary being could destroy it.

The Demon Sword King quickly summarized the key details of the fake Su Meng being a white-haired creature.

After listening, Wu Daoming nodded slightly, “We shall discuss this matter after I emerge from seclusion.”

“Congratulations, Master, on ascending to the rank of a Celestial Immortal and soon sweeping across the world,” the Demon Sword King bowed respectfully.

The Supreme Heaven Demon’s gaze turned cold, filled with fanaticism, “This time I emerge, I will slay Celestial Immortals to avenge the two Heaven Kings!”

He spoke with absolute confidence.

…

Amid swirling mists, the projection of the Su Nu Immortal Realm descended upon the mortal world, forming an isolated pavilion-ship over a river.

In the magnificent hall of the floating pavilion, the imposing figure of the Overlord sat at the center, one arm embracing the Fifth Generation Mystic Maiden while the other gently stroked the scabbard of the Peerless Blade beside him. Even without channeling his mystic arts, his domineering presence permeated the entire space.

Two guests were seated beneath him. One was the fox spirit Su Daji, whose seductive allure was concealed beneath her enchanting beauty. The other was Gourdo, his bronze skin radiating faint traces of wish-energy. He planted the Heaven-Sundering Axe beside him to withstand the overwhelming dominance of the Overlord.

“Bawang, having swept across the world, do you ever feel the loneliness of invincibility?” Su Daji smiled, steering the conversation.

The Overlord looked down at her with arrogance, his eyes devoid of desire. “There are still immortals and gods to conquer, Buddhas to defeat, and demons to exterminate. How can I claim to be invincible now?”

His expression was filled with disdain, yet his tone carried a hint of seriousness. His true enemies were those great beings unwilling to perish completely.

Gourdo had learned about the Overlord from Han Guang. Upon hearing this, he laughed heartily, “Truly deserving of the title Overlord, with such grand ambitions! Since your enemies are so formidable, surely you wouldn’t mind acquiring more techniques and methods to enhance your strength?”

“My Overlord Six Cuts are unrivaled by any legacy,” the Overlord replied arrogantly.

Su Daji smiled seductively, “Indeed, your Overlord Six Cuts are unrivaled in this world. Yet mastering more formidable techniques will only amplify your power.”

“Great techniques?” The Fifth Generation Xuan Nu interjected. The Overlord showed no impatience.

“Yes, the great technique of Manifesting the Three Pure Ones from One Breath,” Gourdo answered solemnly.

“Manifesting the Three Pure Ones from One Breath?” The Overlord pondered briefly before nodding slightly, “Where can I find this great technique? If I obtain it, you shall not be forgotten.”

Gourdo smiled, “Only if you help us eliminate a few enemies will we reveal the location where this great technique is hidden.”

No sooner had he spoken than he saw the Overlord’s gaze turn frosty. The cry of a sword rang in his ears. Instinctively, he seized the Heaven-Cleaving Axe and raised it in defense.

The purple sword radiance, like a dragon breaking free from its shackles, completely engulfed Gourdo and Su Daji. The Overlord’s proud voice reverberated in their minds:

“Do you dare to bargain with me?”

…

At the Celestial Sword Sect.

Zhuo Chaosheng had just returned to his sect when he received news from Luo City.

“One sword subdues five sects… exquisite control, one sword forming arrays…” The letter in Zhuo Chaosheng’s hand contained details far more detailed than those circulating outside.

“One sword forming arrays, one sword forming arrays…” He stood up, hands behind his back, muttering to himself, filled with excitement at the prospect.

He had barely begun to grasp the concept, still far from practical application, yet that person had already mastered it!

If only I had known how formidable Su Meng’s sword techniques were back then, I should have challenged him to a duel!

It’s not too late now!

Zhuo Chaosheng summoned his disciples and ordered them to search for Meng Qi’s whereabouts.

…

In the endless night, Meng Qi searched every corner of the Celestial Ruins but found neither the Blade of Time nor anything else of value.

Now, after more than three years of arduous cultivation and with his foundation deeply rooted, he had reached a critical moment.

Crack!

A phantom blade-light flashed. A clear cracking sound came from the Shanzhong acupoint on Meng Qi’s chest. A terrifying explosion echoed within, stirring golden light in waves.

He had used the Heaven-Sundering Seal-infused “Heaven-Sundering” blade intent within his own acupoints, attempting to forcefully manifest the inner landscape of this acupoint into a cave heaven or a subordinate universe!