In the brief calm of Qingmu City, nestled thousands of miles away from the misty Senluo Valley, chaos was brewing.
The valley, perpetually shrouded in toxic miasma, was currently covered with a thick, snow-like grayness, resembling cotton candy gone wrong.
Winter had arrived, making the sun and moon far less impressive, turning day into a confusing cocktail of night. The biting cold wind howled out from the depths of the valley, sounding suspiciously like the lamenting of a Night Ghost ready to throw a dramatic fit.
Deep within the valley, a temple that showcased bizarre murals of various mystical beings stood with its doors tightly sealed.
If one looked closely, they might notice that the creatures depicted in the murals bore a striking resemblance to the various vicious Disaster Beasts lurking around.
“That despicable Ming Jiao Clan! Pretending to be oblivious while our Qianlong List has been released! Do they really think they don’t know Wu Mo is one of us?”
A creature, a bizarre bird with multiple heads, squawked noisily, its many wounds still not fully healed.
“Ha! Remember back in the day when the Ghost Chariot Clan fed on Ming Jiao? Now you can’t even handle a single mediocre one!”
A massive dog-like beast from the Howl Clan laughed heartily.
“Laughing at me? Your Howl Clan used to brag about snacking on True Dragons! How’s that working out for you now? Almost let the Giant Whale Clan beat you like a piñata!”
“d*mn it! I’m a Howl, not a dog! I’ve told you a hundred times that Wu Mo is one of us—too many thick-headed fools around who can’t understand a word of demon-speak!”
“Stupid dog!”
“Say that again!”
It was clear that one head couldn’t out-yell the other. Just as the two Disaster Beasts seemed about to come to blows, the rest looked on with cold amusement, but nobody dared to intervene.
“Hmph.”
A voice, somewhere between human and beast, echoed through the air, effectively silencing the squabbling beasts.
“Lord.”
The figure wearing a black robe, only half of their tattooed face visible, commanded attention—the leader of the Beast Clan.
Next to them stood others, all donning bronze masks, resembling priests from various towns.
Then, with a thunderous boom—
The massive doors of the temple grumbled open, and out stepped a figure clad in thin bl**d-red robes.
“Master Han.”
The Disaster Beasts suddenly grew unusually obedient, lowering their heads in deference.
“Master Han, the treasure arm you requested has been refined.”
The Beast Clan leader produced a jade box, which contained a purplish-blue arm, veins twisting grotesquely, with a mouth full of sharp teeth at its palm.
Han Zhen waved his hand, and a chilly wind lifted the arm, suspending it in front of him.
He casually discarded his own shriveled arm, which flew away like a dry twig, only to be devoured by the purplish-blue arm.
Moments later, the end of the arm sprouted tendrils of bl**d that latched onto his shoulder.
Han Zhen’s eyes, burning with what could only be described as ghostly fire, swept over the crowd of Disaster Beasts. He spoke softly:
“You used to be revered as gods, totems of grand clans, the backbone of dynasties, basking in the greatest glories.”
“And now, we’re stuck in this frozen wasteland of the South Border, gnawing on raw meat.”
The beasts, caught in their bloodthirsty personas, momentarily shook with reflection.
Once upon a time, they were the rulers of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, receiving veneration and worship like deities. But now…
Had they truly become mere beasts?
“But now, the chance to revive the divine tree and welcome back our ancestors is within reach!”
“Those beasts are nothing but a disorganized mess! Ke Mo and Ying Bing’s identities as humans are laid bare for all to see; they have no justification to stop us!”
“Will you charge through Qingmu City and retrieve the divine jade, reclaiming our past glory?”
In the frigid winds of Senluo Valley, a roar that could shake the heavens drowned out the ghostly wails, scattering the cloud cover.
……
“Well, I won’t keep you any longer. Farewell.”
Zhong Zhenyue left before anyone could even blink.
This was his reserved private room!
He had just planned to meet Ke Mo the next day, eagerly preparing to return to the military camp, ready to drill his loyal guards all night long.
His father often said that a truly unbeatable general relied not on personal bravery but on leading an army effectively.
“Did my lord’s carriage change?”
Ke Mo watched as the carriage disappeared, scratching his head in curiosity.
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As for that carriage, it was decent for an ordinary family, but for Zhong Zhenyue, it seemed a bit shabby.
Maybe they had just rushed out…
Li Mo didn’t think much about it.
He turned and headed back into the tavern, then straight into the kitchen. It had been ages since he’d seriously cooked for Ying Bing.
The chef initially thought this kid was there to cause trouble, but upon seeing him pull out ingredients, he backed off quickly.
After whipping up a simple four-dish one-soup meal, he returned upstairs.
He removed the candle from the lamp, replacing it with a glowing clam pearl, then sat cross-legged on his bed, channeling the energy of the Jade Phoenix Divine.
As night fell, while practicing, he suddenly heard splashing noises.
Ying Bing, having shed her socks and shoes, dipped her elongated, graceful legs into a wooden tub, occasionally playing with the water. Despite being pristine, she had taken to soaking her feet of late.
Splash—
A water droplet flew out, landing on Little Li’s brow like an unwanted kiss from destiny.
“Focus.” Ying Bing pressed her lips together, her voice crystal clear.
Who in their right mind would watch someone soak their feet like this?
“Help me, Ice Chunk.”
“……”
Funny, isn’t it?
No need to even open his eyes; just listening to the sounds conjured a full scene in his mind, and there was an overwhelming urge to unleash some kung-fu moves!
This occupational hazard is terrifying; it’s no wonder it’s called a supreme skill!
“Next time, don’t do this.”
Ying Bing frowned slightly.
Didn’t she already say that more than once?
“Next time for sure!”
Little Li’s eyes gleamed with determination.
Ying Bing’s gaze darkened, the air around them suddenly grew colder, her body radiating an otherworldly light.
Before long, her outfit transformed into an ice-blue ethereal gown, frost swirling like whispers in her hair.
Once already pristine and chilly, now she exuded an aura of unfathomable detachment and holiness.
Ain’t nothing wrong with that.
But after she dried her small feet and neatly crossed her legs, shooting him a gaze that was half-concealment, half-complaint…
Goodness, even she had no idea how deadly that delightful contrast was.
The Cold Goose form.
As a Divine Skill, if the Jade Phoenix form had a consciousness, it would probably wish for nothing more than to rot away in the Jade Phoenix Divine!
“Focus on your practice; otherwise, I’ll have to go book a room.)”
“…..”
Little Li decided he needed to cool off, so he pulled out the Wukong Quest Scroll.
“Really…more audacious by the day…”
Ying Bing retracted her unfriendly gaze, her curled fingers finally relaxing.
Exhaling softly, she turned her attention to the distant south.
‘Where the Dragon and Young Phoenix converge, the winds will stir the surrounding seas.’
This was the evaluation given by Yantian Sect.
In the South Border, they probably developed some irreversible influence over this area, possibly triggering certain happenings earlier than anticipated?
Ying Bing frowned in contemplation.
And then there was the ranking system.
After all this time lost, she’d missed out on quite a few rewards…
【Ding!—】
【Host, you finally remembered this system! Right, but it’s just a bit of punishment. What does that matter compared to the rewards?】
【Congratulations, you’ve finally come to terms with it!】
【Shall we initiate the ranking this time?】
…..
P.S.: Apologies for the typos! I’ll correct them after updating, thanks for your patience, dear readers!
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