Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao Chapter 1545 - 69: Buzhou Mountain
Previously on Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao...
Beyond the boundless Abyss Land, there exists no further world.
Zhou Yan perceived the terminus of that world, a domain of utter destruction, a desolate expanse.
The conclusion of the Heavenly Road was a place steeped in such profound sorrow.
It was conceivable that the end of Eternal Life Beings would likewise be a realm of comparable desolation.
Recalling certain pronouncements made by Zhou Wangchen, Zhou Yan silently endured the flux of the singularity and the creation and demise of the minuscule, unseen worlds encircling him, persistently traversing this incisive land of heaven and earth.
Annihilation's end heralds rebirth.
This represented an ultimate congruence between the heavens and the earth, wherein extremities inverted, initiating a cyclical return and progression.
Amidst this ceaseless cycle, Zhou Yan underwent a transformation wholly unforeseen.
His Perfect Realm fell quiescent, and its final stratum ascended, manifesting a singular and complete state.
Though the realm was not yet entire, it felt as though it had been extricated from within him, coalescing into an independent whole deep within the infinite singularity.
In that precise instant, Zhou Yan's thoughts, with an almost innate certainty, turned to his absent life soul—could this essence possibly mirror the present circumstance?
Was it akin in that it relinquished boundless perfection to draw forth an imperfect existence?
Or did it subsequently exist in isolation after the extraction of its endless perfection, leaving behind an incomplete shard?
As his contemplation deepened, Zhou Yan found himself engulfed by the all-encompassing singularity, his spectral form and a portion of the Origin of the Eternal Half-Saint Spirit being cleaved asunder into two distinct entities.
One segment comprised the Eight Eternal Rules, the Nine Great Perfections, alongside the corresponding Mark of Perfection from the Origin King.
The other segment contained merely a solitary realm—the dominion of the True Void Immortal King Rule, the Ninth Rule among the Eternal Nine Rules.
This particular realm resided in the nascent stages of the Ninth Layer of the Ninth Rule.
The singularity continued its ceaseless transformation, and infinitesimal worlds commenced their birth and subsequent destruction in unending succession.
Within this dynamic scenario, Zhou Yan appeared to have autonomously accomplished a genuine Soul Slash, forming these two integral parts without encountering any peril.
One moiety settled itself within a diminutive world, entering a state of quiet dormancy, akin to entering a phase of fetal breathing, utterly insensible to any unfolding changes.
The other moiety pressed onward, persisting in its onward passage through the final moments of that ancient, forgotten land of annihilation.
Zhou Yan remained ignorant of what the future held, nor did he entertain such considerations. Subsequent to this separation, his most persistent thought revolved around the possibility of this isolated realm achieving completion at Buzhou Mountain.
Furthermore, he pondered if Zhou Wangchen's stipulated conditions could be satisfied.
In this peculiar state, Zhou Yan's journey persisted.
However, as this profound transformation reached its zenith, Zhou Yan discovered himself undergoing changes of an unimaginable magnitude.
This alteration seemed to give rise to a state resembling a blood fetus, as if time itself were flowing in reverse.
Blood Cocoon.
Blood Fetus.
During this interval, Zhou Yan sensed an undeniable, albeit unknown, connection.
As these thoughts occupied him, a fearsome wheel of light materialized directly ahead.
The radiance emanating from the wheel was resplendent with myriad colors.
This multicolored light wheel functioned like a vortex capable of annihilating worlds, relentlessly consuming all that drifted into its path.
Zhou Yan found himself utterly incapable of controlling his trajectory, for he had already come to understand that his course was irrevocably bound for Buzhou Mountain.
Consequently, Zhou Yan plunged headlong into the vortex, instantly consumed by its colossal maw.
...
Long after these events, the nebulous world began to regain a semblance of brilliance.
Concurrently, Zhou Yan stirred from his stupor.
However, his consciousness was a muddled tapestry of confusion and vagueness.
Every trace of his immense strength had vanished.
At this juncture, he faintly perceived voices engaged in discourse, their words composed entirely of the ancient Tai Chu Runes.
"This Three-Life Soul Nourishment, the Immortal Evil Soul, should be nearing completion." "Then let Jiang Tianxin extract this cultivated soul. It aligns perfectly with playing along with Lee Ran's proposal." "Would it not be a waste of this genius's Three-Life Soul Nourishment capabilities?" "This individual, if necessary, should be eliminated. Alternatively, feign his demise and cast him aside to the Lee family, those devoted to the Soul Path. Then, systematically dismantle his talent roots, rendering him as simple-minded as the Lee Family Ancestor." "I recall hearing that when the Lee family initially ascended, their progenitor was a simpleton, solely because his soul talent proved too potent for his mortal vessel to contain." "Now, another simpleton emerges within the Lee family; one wonders if they will still pursue cultivation with proper focus? Heh heh." "Let us observe what destiny has in store." ...
The inexplicable exchange caused Zhou Yan's heart to palpitate with an unnamable urgency.
Yet, at this precise moment, all his potential seemed utterly depleted, as if his very origins had been hollowed out, all his abilities drained, and every vestige of his talent leached away.
This was an indescribable state of frailty, a peculiar sensation of powerlessness that Zhou Yan had never before encountered.
But, perhaps the sole fortunate aspect was that Zhou Yan retained the memory of the truth and the purpose behind his presence here.
"Lee Sha? Talent extraction?"
"The Jiang family? Lee Ran's scheme?"
"Could it be that I have returned to my past, reliving the life of Li Sha?" "No, this is not the past, this is..." "A projection from the singularity of the past, causing me to experience an unalterable past or future?" "Or, is it to allow me to uncover the true essence of True Void within this, thereby achieving transformation?" "Perhaps time itself has reversed, black and white have become confused, and in reality, Jiang Tianling and Jiang Tianxin, who refined my origin, are destined to become my prey and accessories, enabling me to achieve an ultimate breakthrough and transformation upon this foundation?" Zhou Yan’s analysis had already grazed the surface of the truth from various angles. However, without true comprehension, certain matters could only be grasped through faint indications. Throughout this ordeal, Zhou Yan endured an inexplicable intense discomfort, all while contemplating these matters. Soon, the voices from the exchange faded, and another voice emerged. "Grandfather, since Li Ran has agreed with us, isn't what you are doing going too far? How can you do this?!" A beautiful and pleasant female voice carried a clear tone of reproach. "Yu Ning, the hardships of growth are something you comprehend. Moreover, this breakthrough carries a profound significance. You must know who I, Jiang Xing, am, Ning'er. As for this child, I have pledged not to harm his life, but he must be cast into the prison land of our Buzhou Mountain’s divine plane, the Soul Burying Starfield." "Within that realm, there exists the Heavenly Soul Mountain of the Li family, which can serve as his place of growth. Only then can his residual soul state be preserved, ensuring a sliver of life." "In this manner, we are extending the utmost generosity towards Li Ran!" The elder voice responded. "But... but he is Second Uncle’s son! Second Uncle Jiang Shang has rendered great service to our Jiang family, and his mother, Li Sunyu, possesses an extraordinary background. How can we possibly do this?!" The woman spoke with deep sorrow. "I absolutely do not agree! He is still so young, so pitiful, to have the extreme soul of the Immortal Evil Soul extracted, how will he possibly survive in the future!" "Jiang Yuning, your presumption grows with each passing moment! What? You refuse to heed your grandfather’s words? Let me tell you, this is Jiang He's decision. If you harbor objections, take them up with the Ancestor!" The elder voice let out a cold snort, filled with palpable displeasure and a clear warning. Following this, the woman’s voice ceased to be heard. But not long after, the elder figure materialized directly before Zhou Yan. With a casual flick of his hand, a vast surge of soul power swept forth, propelling Zhou Yan upwards, suspended in mid-air. Zhou Yan perceived that at this juncture, he was but an infant, swathed in blood, a truly tragic sight. And that elder figure, with eyes as venomous as a viper's, exuded an aura of extreme malevolence and heartlessness. Zhou Yan felt an inexplicable sensation within his heart, a feeling he struggled to articulate. If this place is not Buzhou Mountain, then what were those experiences on the Sword Burial Ancestor Star? Why did the second life unfold after the third life? Many doubts swirled within Zhou Yan’s mind. He suspected this might be the True Void World, an illusion conjured by the memories of the second life, manifesting as the True Void Heavenly Prohibition. Yet, Zhou Yan could not ascertain any structural inconsistencies, nor pinpoint the core of the True Void Heavenly Prohibition. For the True Void Heavenly Prohibition, currently existing in a state of Nine Rules and Nine Layers, Zhou Yan found it nearly impossible to even determine its existence, let alone recognize it. However, in this very moment, Zhou Yan remained baffled. Thus, adhering to Zhou Wangchen’s counsel, Zhou Yan could only proceed by waiting. He awaited the unfolding and transformation of circumstances. And the development and changes that followed mirrored the trajectory of Li Sha’s life. After considerable deliberation, Jiang Xing opted not to annihilate Zhou Yan directly. Instead, he transported him to the abyssal depths of Buzhou Mountain’s Great Rift. At that moment, Jiang Yuning trailed behind. The current Jiang Yuning was remarkably young and immature, appearing as a graceful and elegant sixteen-year-old, not yet a ruler capable of commanding the Elf Domain. After concluding a series of necessary actions, Jiang Xing pinpointed the location of the Li family within the Heavenly Soul Mountain and, with a direct cast, sent Zhou Yan through this Great Rift into it. Jiang Yuning also followed, disregarding Jiang Xing’s objections, and descended into the depths of the Heavenly Soul Mountain. Consequently, when Zhou Yan regained consciousness, he found himself reduced to an imbecile, an idiot with an innate self-will yet lacking the capacity to direct his own life, akin to a mere observer. Furthermore, any individual who dared to utter Zhou Yan’s name was frequently met with a backlash from the King’s Mark, resulting in severe misfortune, with nearly all suffering calamitous fates.Henceforth, Zhou Yan shed his name, known only by the moniker ’Lee Sha.’
Within the depths of Lee Sha’s brow, Zhou Yan’s Eternal Half-Saint Spirit, encompassing the Nine Rules and Nine Layers of the Eternal Realm, appeared ensnared. Though unable to break free, it could observe the imbecile Lee Sha as he matured, continuously interacting with Jiang Yuning and other women.
Perhaps due to his lineage, Lee Sha harbored no affection for Jiang Yuning, yet he was inexplicably infatuated with Lee Lianqing of the Lee family.
This infatuation escalated to a point of near lunacy, even bordering on the perverse.
Consequently, in Zhou Yan’s perception, the simpleton Lee Sha willingly served Lee Lianqing, toiling like an ox or horse. He did so without a hint of complaint, appearing gleeful at receiving her commands.
The fool truly seemed to derive satisfaction from his own foolishness.
All of this was observed by Zhou Yan with considerable detachment.
Yet, he continued to silently witness Lee Sha’s incremental growth.
Then, a day arrived when Lee Lianqing, before Lee Sha’s very eyes, commanded him to kneel and kowtow. She gazed with profound admiration and affection at Xiao Tianlun, a preeminent genius of Heavenly Soul Mountain.
It was a spectacle utterly devoid of dignity, yet powerfully stirring due to the look of veneration and love Lee Lianqing bestowed upon Xiao Tianlun.
Under this intense stimulus, Lee Sha’s brow fractured, and Zhou Yan’s soul power began to gradually seep outward.
With this development, Lee Sha fell silent.
Subsequently, under Zhou Yan’s direction, Lee Sha made his way towards Thunder Flame Breaking Path Mountain.
This location was none other than the grandest Secret Realm of Heavenly Soul Mountain, and it was also the fated place of opportunity that Zhou Wangchen had instructed Zhou Yan to seek after his journey to Buzhou Mountain.
Within that very place, Lee Sha had once achieved the title of the Lei Yan King.
That, at one time, was the established reality.
But now, with Zhou Yan having usurped Lee Sha’s existence, a question arose: how did he manage to become the Lei Yan King?
Zhou Yan found himself contemplating these very thoughts, harboring a deep desire to investigate and comprehend the true nature of this world—whether it was reality or illusion—and to uncover the hidden secrets within.