Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue discuss the imperial succession, with Shen Hanyue suggesting a lottery system during a heavenly sacrifice. Guo Mingxue agrees to propose it to the Emperor. Later, Chu Zhiyuan joins Shen Hanyue and Xiao Ruoling. They discuss the perceived weakness of martial arts in the Imperial City and the potential threat of a National Guardian Spiritual Artifact. Chu Zhiyuan then uses a strange stone to travel to a new location, seemingly within the Heaven-Reaching Sect, only to find that three days have passed.
This location truly strikes one as peculiar. My suspicion grows that this might very well be the genuine East Huan Sacred Valley. To ascertain this, entry is paramount, but currently, I find myself unable to penetrate its barriers. What prevents my entrance? Is it a deficiency in spiritual power, insufficient cultivation, or some other unmet requirement? I am utterly confounded, with no clear starting point for investigation. Records pertaining to the East Huan Sacred Valley are exceedingly scarce, rendering any investigative efforts futile. Returning to the Heavenly Sword Branch, I settle back onto my bed and commence visualizing the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks.
...
As dusk settles, the fading sunlight casts a warm glow upon the modest courtyard. I rise from my bed and step outside, pacing with hands clasped behind my back. The crimson hues of the sky paint a somber reflection upon my features. My mind is troubled. Progress in the Second Layer of the Human Element Skill is agonizingly slow; despite my most diligent efforts, advancement remains elusive. Since embarking on my cultivation journey, other martial arts have flourished with remarkable speed, with the exception of the initial Spiritual Abyss Twelve Forms. These, while progressing albeit with subtle increments after each session, have always been slow. Yet, with the Second Layer of the Human Element Skill, after every practice, it feels as though there is no discernible difference between practicing and not. This persistent feeling plunges me into despair. I cannot help but question, how much longer must this arduous toil continue, is it an endless path? "Hoo—!" A drawn-out exhalation echoes through the courtyard, causing the nearby flowers to sway violently. This breath expels a significant portion of my frustration, and a renewed sense of purpose begins to emerge. As I gather my resolve, footsteps approach from outside, followed by a resounding knock upon the door. Shortly thereafter, I find myself within the grand hall of the Evil Extermination Department. Huang Zhengyang, clad in a somber black robe, presents a picture of solemn dignity, radiating an imposing aura. He places a document down, rises from behind his desk, approaches, and offers a cupped-fist smile, "Brother Chu, it has been quite some time." I return the smile, "Brother Huang, you appear more radiant than ever." Huang Zhengyang, brimming with vitality, gazes with the sharp intensity of a tiger and an eagle. He then chuckles, "You jest, Brother Chu. Newly assuming this position, I confess to feeling both excited and unsettled." Although aware of my inner restlessness, I find it difficult to suppress. This is a natural inclination, and restraint can only manage a partial dampening. I inquire with a smile, "Brother, has something transpired?" The Deputy Director has finally ascended to the role of Director; after years of anticipation, even I would be restless. "Indeed, something quite peculiar has occurred." My spirit heightens, "Has the Undying Evil Venerable made another appearance?" Huang Zhengyang frowns, "Two villages have vanished without a trace. One village, with nearly a hundred inhabitants, perished almost instantaneously, exhibiting no visible wounds; it is utterly inexplicable." "Two villages?" "Yes, separated by a distance of ten miles," Huang Zhengyang states gravely. "The modus operandi bears resemblance to that of the Evil Venerable; an ordinary martial arts master would possess no such abilities... however, we have not sighted the Evil Venerable’s Divine Statue." "Are there no clues?" "The villagers display no external injuries or internal damage. It is as if their souls were simply devoured, leaving no trace whatsoever." "Allow me to inspect the scene." "Let us depart." "Brother Huang, your status has changed; there is no need for you to accompany me." "I sense something amiss in this affair; it is best that I investigate personally."
...
A gentle river flows quietly through the verdant valley. North and south of the waterway, two mountains rise, the northern peak being the taller of the two, both blanketed in dense forests. Approximately forty or so courtyards are nestled upon the northern mountain slope near the river, forming a small, scattered village. At this present moment, this picturesque village lies in profound silence. In the village center, an open area is bordered by rows upon rows of corpses. More than a hundred bodies, arranged in four distinct sections. Every corpse bears a serene smile, as if caught in a pleasant dream. Twelve experts from the Evil Extermination Department are divided into four teams, each diligently examining the deceased. Chu Zhiyuan and Huang Zhengyang arrive, and the experts promptly rise and converge around them. "What have you discovered?" Huang Zhengyang asks with a solemn tone. A square-faced middle-aged man shakes his head, "Director, the findings remain consistent; souls dispersed instantaneously, death occurred without pain, complete relaxation as if in a dream." "Nothing more?" "No external wounds, no sensations could be detected." Huang Zhengyang turns his gaze to Chu Zhiyuan. All eyes now rest upon Chu Zhiyuan. He commands considerable prestige within the Department; his capabilities surpass those of others, and thus, their hopes are placed upon him. Under their intense scrutiny, Chu Zhiyuan surveys the surroundings, then suddenly vanishes, reappearing atop the southern mountain across the river in the very next instant.
The verdant woods swayed gently in the breeze, yet no birdsong broke the profound silence.
Perched atop a smooth, green stone at the mountain's summit, he surveyed the village nestled far below.
Huang Zhengyang ascended swiftly, his form skimming the treetops before landing beside Chu Zhiyuan. "Did you observe anything out of the ordinary?"
Chu Zhiyuan's expression was one of intense concentration.
Images, illuminated by the Seven-Colored Light of his Golden Pupil, flooded his mind.
His spiritual power diminished at a rapid pace.
Time seemed to rewind before his eyes.
...
Chu Zhiyuan's gaze turned vacant, lost in deep recollection, his consciousness submerged in the past.
Huang Zhengyang remained a silent observer, hesitant to disturb the profound introspection.
"Hoo..."
A sharp exhale escaped Chu Zhiyuan's lips, and his eyes slowly regained their focus.
A subtle weariness already marked his brow.
He turned to Huang Zhengyang. "I've identified him."
"Who is it?"
Chu Zhiyuan replied, "Let us return. I shall sketch his likeness."
He placed a hand gently on Huang Zhengyang's shoulder.
With a momentary flash, both vanished, only to reappear at the entrance of the Evil Extermination Department.
Huang Zhengyang, accustomed to such displays, entered without hesitation and proceeded down the hallway.
Soon after, Chu Zhiyuan completed a portrait of the individual.
The drawing depicted an elegant middle-aged man, distinguished by sword-like eyebrows, luminous eyes, a neatly trimmed beard, and a slender, agile build that exuded an ethereal aura.
He appeared to be caressing his beard with a subtle smile.
This smile conveyed a mixture of aloofness and unbridled arrogance.
Without questioning how Chu Zhiyuan had ascertained the man's features, Huang Zhengyang immediately issued orders for copies to be made and distributed amongst the Department's ten dispatched groups.
These ten groups were currently scouring the hundred-mile radius surrounding the two villages, ensuring every town and hamlet was thoroughly searched.
"Who exactly is this individual?"
With all instructions conveyed, Huang Zhengyang inquired, his brow furrowed in concern.
Chu Zhiyuan simply shook his head.
"Have there been no further sightings of the Undying Evil Venerable recently?"
"No, it appears their intelligence network is quite effective. This is the first appearance in nearly a month, suggesting the work of truly irredeemable villains," Huang Zhengyang scoffed.
Chu Zhiyuan nodded in agreement.
The Donghuan Saint Technique, while formidable, was not all-seeing; his vision extended back only three days.
He had merely witnessed the middle-aged man standing atop the opposing mountain, bathed in the pale moonlight, striking peculiar, enigmatic poses.
The lunar radiance slowly coalesced upon his form, imbuing him with a soft luminescence, resembling a sliver of the crescent moon.
This ethereal glow gradually diminished, condensing into a resplendent Bright Pearl, roughly the size of a fist.
With incredible speed, it arced through the night sky, tracing a luminous path before entering the dwellings below, one by one.
Swiftly, it traversed all the courtyards, eventually returning to the handsome middle-aged man who maintained his unusual posture.
Initially hovering before his brow, the pearl then descended, pressing gently against his forehead.
Upon contact, a brilliant surge of light emanated, rendering the handsome man translucent.
His physical form seemed to vanish, leaving only a peculiar, blossoming flower of light.
This fist-sized bloom, reminiscent of a rose, displayed layers upon layers of petals slowly folding inward.
As the petals retracted, the luminescence gradually faded, and his figure slowly reappeared, the petals sometimes becoming visible within the waning light.
Once his form was fully discernible, all traces of brilliance vanished, leaving behind merely the ethereal shadow of the closed flower.
"Whew——!"
He released a gentle breath, expelling a streak of black light that expanded into a swirling mist.
A sudden gust of wind swept through, dispersing the dark vapor.
A broad smile spread across his face, and he let out a hearty laugh, filled with unrestrained joy.
His laughter reverberated through the mountains, while the village below remained utterly silent.
