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The Ninth Star Ruin.
Crack!
Suddenly, one of the mountain-range-sized branches laden with the corpses of stars snapped and fell from above with a massive boom.
“This is bad! There’s a big problem with the Origins of the Azure!” the gray sparrow cried out.
A’Cang’s delicate features shifted, and she sighed. “It’s to be expected. Without the life force contained within the Seed of the Azure, the Origins of the Azure will crumble earlier than expected…”
“I just knew letting that kid leave with the Seed of the Azure wouldn’t lead to anything good!” The gray sparrow was beside himself with anger.
A’Cang couldn’t help but smile. “Weren’t you only just saying you wanted to ride on his coattails? Why are you changing your tune again? You change your mind faster than someone flipping through the pages of a book.”
The gray sparrow’s eyes bulged. “A’Cang, how can you smile at a time like this?”
A’Cang sat there, her jade-like arms wrapped around her knees as she gazed up at the giant, corpse-strewn branch. She said softly, “Both of us knew full well that this would happen one day. It’s just happening slightly earlier than expected, that’s all.”
After a moment’s silence, the gray sparrow said, “A’Cang, we and the little monkey made a promise to watch over the Origins of the Azure forever, but if it disappears, what will we do? Where will we go?”
A’Cang froze, then shook her head. “It’s still too early to discuss that. I estimate that even without the Seed of the Azure, it’ll be at least a year until the Origins of the Azure disappear completely.”
“A year? That’ll pass in the blink of an eye. If we don’t prepare, when the time comes, the Origins of the Azure will be gone, and the Ninth Star Ruin will sink into utter disrepair. It’ll become a true, lifeless ruin!” The bird’s eyes flashed with uncertainty, and its tone was somber.
“But at the same time, should that truly happen, we won’t be bound by our promise any longer,” said A’Cang. “We won’t need to protect this place anymore.”
Her eyes shone with a hint of longing. “Little Sparrow, when the time comes, let’s explore the world and pursue the Dao, just like the little monkey did. How ‘bout it?”
The gray sparrow fell briefly silent. Then, it said excitedly, “I’ve long since planned to do just that! The monkey managed to found his own sect and become the famed and revered Sumeru Yao Emperor. With our accumulations and cultivations, what will we have to worry about? We can surely establish ourselves too!”
“Mm,” said A’Cang. Then, something seemed to occur to her. “The Origins of the Azure have changed. I have to alert Fellow Daoist Su.”
With that, she rose and left.
……
The entrance to the tunnel leading out of the underground world.
Ice Soul Yin Qi hovered and churned like mist.
Search tinyurl.com/2p9emv8w for the original.
However, when Su Yi and Dou Kou arrived, the mists parted as if sentient, clearing a path.
Su Yi was already aware that the mists were A’Cang’s power; it was natural that they wouldn’t block his path now.
Dou Kou, however, felt as if her horizons were broadening, and she couldn’t help but feel increasingly curious. Just where did the blue-robed young man before her come from? He was only in the Gathering Stars Realm, so why was he so capable? Why did it seem like he could do just about anything?
Suddenly, a figure condensed out of Ice Soul Yin Qi, forming an indistinct, delicate figure in front of Su Yi.
“A’Cang?” exclaimed Su Yi.
The delicate figure bowed slightly, and a voice like the clear burbling of a spring rang out in Su Yi’s ears. “Fellow Daoist Su, the Origins of the Azure will disperse earlier than expected, in a year at most. Please, make sure you’re prepared.”
Su Yi’s eyes narrowed, and he nodded. “I understand.”
“Take care of yourself, Fellow Daoist.”
Whoosh~
The delicate figure formed of Ice Soul Yin Qi dissipated.
That means the Radiant Epoch will arrive earlier than anticipated… thought Su Yi.
He was naturally well aware that this change had happened because of the Seed of the Azure.
In other words, by taking the Seed of the Azure with him, the vitality of the Origins of the Azure was dealt a devastating blow. This had accelerated its collapse.
As a result, the Radiant Epoch, which was originally supposed to arrive in three to five years, would now happen in a year or so!
A yeah, huh? That’s actually enough time, thought Su Yi, a distant light in his eyes.
With his cultivation speed, never mind a year; so long as he had ample resources, half a year would be enough to reach the peak of the Gathering Stars Realm and enter the Spiritual Manifestation Realm!
When the time came, it wouldn’t matter how heaven and earth changed, what upheaval shook the world, or how empires descended into chaos. He wouldn’t fear competition from anyone!
“Fellow Daoist Su, who was that?” Dou Kou couldn’t help but ask. Earlier, all she saw was the figure A’Cang condensed out of Ice Soul Yin Qi. However, the figure was too indistinct, and Dou Kou couldn’t see its features clearly, nor could she hear A’Cang’s voice.
“A girl I established positive karma with,” said Su Yi casually.
This answer left Dou Kou stunned, but before she could ask any follow-up questions, Su Yi continued on his way.
……
The peak of Sumeru Mountain.
Before the ruins.
“It’s already been almost a day, but Su Yi still isn’t back. Don’t tell me he encountered thorny difficulties further down the tunnel? If that’s really the case, this isn’t looking good,” muttered Li Handeng.
The atmosphere was stifled.
The monsters of the ancient era and geniuses of the present day were all waiting there.
When Li Handeng said this, everyone reacted differently.
“LI Handeng, are you that eager for something to happen to Fellow Daoist Su?” Wen Xinzhao frowned.
“Don’t misunderstand, Miss Wen. This is mere conjecture,” said Li Handeng with a laugh. “After all, we’ve been waiting all this time, but he still isn’t back. It’s hard not to worry.”
“Hah? Are you worried? Why didn’t I know you were so kindhearted?” mocked Wen Xinzhao.
Li Handeng furrowed his brow and said calmly, “Miss Xinzhao, do you dare tell me you aren’t at all worried something will happen to Su Yi?”
Wen Xinzhao instantly fell silent.
How could she not be worried?
“Forgive my rudeness, but if something happens to Su Yi and he never makes it back, you and your companions… Well, I’m afraid you’ll be in for a rough time in the days to come,” said Li Handeng slowly.
Wen Xinzhao’s heart sank, while Ge Qian’s expression turned grave.
If Su Yi really didn’t make it back, he, Wen Xinzhao, and Yue Shichan would have to leave Sumeru Immortal Island right away. Otherwise, with their power, there was no way they could contend with those who’d already stepped into the Spiritual Manifestation Realm!
Yue Shichan’s expression remained tranquil, as if she didn’t even hear all this.
This was because she’d never believed the perils lurking within the tunnel could threaten Su Yi.
When he took this in, Li Handeng couldn’t help but smile faintly. Inwardly, he felt much better.
He naturally wanted nothing more than for Su Yi to run into trouble down there!
Not far away, Chi Jiansu transmitted to Zeng Pu, “Didn’t you agree to ensure Wen Xinzhao and the others’ safety? Li Handeng is being so arrogant, so why aren’t you standing up to him? Unless… You don’t think Su Yi will make it back either?”
Zeng Pu laughed and shook his head. He transmitted back, “If I intervene now, that punk Li Handeng will endure in silence. There’s no way he’ll dare act up. That’d be awfully dull. I’m actually eager to see if he keeps jumping around. If he dares start a conflict, I guarantee I’ll whomp him immediately!”
Chi Jiansu’s expression was strange. “You’re trying to bait him?”
“No,” Zeng Pu corrected, “I’m just waiting for a righteous, proper opportunity to teach Li Handeng a lesson. After all, I’ve always conducted my affairs fairly and through rational persuasion.”
Chi Jiansu snickered. Rational persuasion? What the hell do you mean by that? Everyone knows you love nothing more than solving problems with your fists!
Li Handeng suddenly sighed. “Actually, as I’m sure you're all aware, even if Su Yi makes it back alive, he’ll be in for an enormous, unpredictable disaster upon leaving Sumeru Immortal Island.”
The crowd had nothing to say to that.
There was obviously something off about Li Handeng’s attitude, but he was right.
There was no way to hide the fact that nine monsters of the ancient era, Huan Shaoyou included, had fallen at Su Yi’s hands. When word reached their respective factions, how could they possibly just let this slide?
The monsters of the ancient era were the top elites of their respective ancient factions, and they’d survived the thirty thousand years of the Prohibition of Ancient Darkness. This was enough to prove how much the factions backing them had put into them.
Yet now, Su Yi had killed all nine of them single-handedly.
Of course those ancient factions would be furious! Of course they’d seek revenge!
When he saw the group fall silent and that no one argued, Li Handeng felt increasingly pleased.
He swept his gaze across Su Yi’s companions and sighed. “Even more unfortunately, I’m worried that when the time comes, even you, those close to Su Yi, will be implicated. The consequences… Will be unquestionably terrible.”
Wen Xinzhao and the others’ expressions filled with uncertainty.
It was obvious to the rest of the group that Li Handeng was poking fun under the guise of analyzing the situation. His words sounded innocent, but he was deliberately trying to upset them.
Zeng Pu felt irked. This Li Handeng is one obnoxious bastard!
“What does any of that have to do with you?” Wen Xinzhao couldn’t take it anymore. The beautiful, extraordinary young woman was obviously enraged.
Li Handeng laughed with apparent magnanimity. “Miss Xinzhao, if you don’t want to hear it, I’ll be quiet. After all, good medicine is bitter, and honest words sting the ears. It’s understandable that you’d be angry.”
Wen Xinzhao felt stifled and down in the dumps. If he’s trying to antagonize us, I can’t find anything to pick fault with, but if I said he wasn’t doing this on purpose, who’d believe it?
It was then that her eyes lit up, and she shot to her feet. “Brother Su! You’re back!”
The group was stunned, but then, all of them got up. When they saw a tall, upright figure emerge from the ruins, all of them reacted differently.
Ge Qian sighed in relief, feeling reassured.
Yue Shichan’s eyes misted over, and she couldn’t disguise her delight.
Yu Wenshu and Jiang Li looked at each other. Both seemed to have anticipated this outcome.
Buddhist Son Chen Lu’s expression was inscrutable.
Zeng Pu couldn’t help but find it a pity. Despite his attempts at “fishing”, he failed to “catch” an opportunity to teach Li Handeng a lesson.
Chi Jiansu crossed her arms, her sharp eyes inquisitive. She subconsciously glanced at the nearby Li Handeng.
Earlier, the words flowed smoothly out of him, and he seemed completely inhibited. Now, it was as if he’d been struck by lightning. He stood there, rooted to the spot, staring at Su Yi like a dazed goose.
Chi Jiansu barely resisted the urge to laugh.
There was no doubt that Su Yi’s safe return came as quite an unpleasant surprise to Li Handeng.
“Su Yi, what are you going to do!?” Li Handeng’s expression changed dramatically when he saw Su Yi approach.
The group sensed that something was amiss, and all of them looked over.
As he saw Su Yi draw closer and closer, Li Handeng panicked. “Don’t come any closer, or else….”
Although Su Yi was still dozens of feet away, he swung his palm before Li Handeng could finish speaking.
Whap!
A crisp, clear slap rang out. Beneath the onlookers’ astonished gazes, Li Handeng let out a miserable shriek as he was sent flying backward.