Starlit Path of the Mystic Forge

Northern Commandery, Great Xuan.

Mo Beike emerged from the Azure Dragon Gate in thick robes, strolling out.

Xuanwu troops guarding bowed.

Though absent long, Great Xuan soldiers remembered the Giant Master.

Below Tai Ridge's Heaven-Asking Peak: Great Xuan Academy.

News of his return spread instantly.

Mo Ju, academy overseer, hiked robes and hurried.

"Giant Master, finally back."

Eyes resentful.

Mo Beike, appointed by Tantai Xuan, vanished months—dumped academy on him.

Heavy pressure.

Mo Beike smiled, pulled a cart of scrolls.

"This month's harvest."

"For the academy pups."

Mo Ju's eyes lit.

"Suddenly understand old Kong Xiu's百家 tour..."

"Knowledge not innate—seeking, learning endless. This journey enlightened me."

Mo Beike said.

"Cultivation profound; one school lifetime study."

Deep words; Mo Ju nodded agreement.

Half-day later.

Tantai Xuan's carriage rolled in.

Barefoot, excited, rushed out.

"Giant Master, back at last!"

Laughed seeing familiar face.

Mo Beike flustered, flattered.

"Your Majesty."

Bowed.

Chatted travels.

Tantai Xuan sighed—past Kong Xiu, now Mo Beike.

Brought texts, ideas: academy rise treasures.

"Your Majesty, three days: Beiluo auction by Young Master Lu."

"From knowing him, unusual."

Mo Beike said.

"We got it—odd. Can't fathom purpose."

Mo Ju frowned.

Mo Beike's bags twitched, inhaled.

"Your Majesty."

"Must attend. Feel... post-auction, world changes. Opportunity there."

Tantai Xuan surprised.

Giant Master experienced; journey grasped situation.

Judgment reasoned.

Solemn nod.

"Three days, to Beiluo again."

"Bring funds."

"Many competitors..."

Tantai Xuan graver.

...

Liangzhou City.

Ding Jiudeng returned, complex.

From forbidden domain—great terror; otherworldly.

Xu Chu, Western Commandery overseer, ghost-seeing shock.

Xiliang straightforward—no skimping.

Alive: rewards per Overlord.

Bald novices from camp returned.

Ding touched heads gently.

Overlord domineering, yet righteous—not rumors.

Worried orphans; camp shelter.

"Amitabha."

Bowed thanks, led novices out, to Liangzhou.

Bought yard-temple ruined.

Absent: vagrants squatted.

Plaque firewood.

No blame.

Silver from rewards: built temple.

Novices sensed change.

Ding quicker—no slow.

Caught sneak-outs, hauled back.

Daily sutra tasks, qi guidance.

New feel.

Temple fast—most silver in.

Grand in city, drew gazes.

Key: golden Buddha, foil-pasted.

Thugs eyed; night sneak, scrape gold.

But...

Bald monk stared eerily in dark.

Thereafter: bullies failed, converted—temple monks.

Completion day: Ding fetched plaque.

Red cloth dropped; novices clapped excited.

Ding blank, stared.

"Bitter Buddha Temple."

...

Star-Plucking Peak, Cloud Dragon Gate.

Ye Shoudao hovered, one-armed sleeve fluttering.

Familiar aura—surprise, complex.

"Here..."

Murmured.

No rush gate; stepped peak.

Instant: Dao Pavilion sensed.

Peak Qi Core disciples rushed.

"Who?!"

"Trespass!"

Glared.

Ye calm—Qi Condensation ants.

No slaughter—new world.

Unknown Lu ties.

No action.

Lu most wary: enigmatic Young Master.

Step: pressure burst.

Disciples heart-quaked.

Thud!

Kneeled, sweat rolling.

Ye through to back mountain.

Bamboo hut.

Appeared window.

Ground leaves whirled—sharp blades.

"Array?"

Brow raised.

Shock: leaves exploded.

Hidden sword qi shot.

Hand raised: qi wall blocked.

"Interesting..."

Smirk.

Jiao shout; leaves dragon-coiled, pounced.

Palm slap: dragon burst.

Arrays ground-emerging, assaulted.

"Good arrays, weak power."

Commented.

Next.

One arm: hilt grip.

Aura dispersed arrays.

"Power key; flashy useless—kill enemy fundamental."

Words advisory.

Boom!

Muffled grunt.

Hut: daoist nun emerged.

"Who..."

Li Sansui wiped blood, grave.

Grave with fear.

Ye power like Beiluo Lu—when another?

Ye glanced: "Foundation..."

Talented youth.

Not focus—mere Foundation.

Step: beside Li Sansui.

Knife qi: knife mountain.

Dazed.

Ye in hut.

Saw bed-sleeping Li Sansi.

Odd: vine-covered monster...

Complex emotions.

"Vine demon body..."

Eyes: alluring woman.

Buzz...

Knife intent.

Back black knife unsheathed.

Pfft!

Furniture halved, smooth cuts.

One-armed grip over chest.

Knife glow pulsed.

But exhaled, no strike.

"No reaction..."

"Woman's soul gone?"

Eyes fluctuated.

Murmured.

Mind: her innocent to venomous...

Long sigh.

Knife sheathed, touched chest—ached oddly.

"Fine. Inherited vine demon—don't disgrace. If demon... I'll slay personally."

Cold.

Palm: knife glow flicked to brow.

Step: afterimages, vanished peak, into gate.

Deep breath.

Li Sansui swayed, awoke knife mountain.

Man gone.

Surveyed: knife scars.

To bed Li Sansi.

Suddenly stunned.

Brows furrowed.

Long-closed eyes... opened slowly.

Lips trembled.

Tears surged.

"Brother!"

Li Sansi awoke.

...

Beiluo Lake.

Lone boats rippled.

Cultivators stood, sky-gazed floating White Jade Capital.

Origin lake, towers, qi misty—immortal vapors.

Sima Qingshan boat-sat; An Miaoyu unrolled scroll, painted.

Guided occasionally.

Painting advanced her cultivation.

Suddenly.

Sima heart chilled.

Yinglong Gate: black-clad one-armed emerged.

Sleeve chaotic.

Aura overwhelming.

Sima gazed: eyes stung—like unsheathed blade cleaving heavens.

Island.

Empress discussing alchemy with Ni Yu, red lips curved.

"Ye One-Arm here, quick."

Murmured.

Glanced second floor.

Lu leaned railing, eyes closed preparing.

Ignored; continued sugar-coating fusion with Ni Yu.

Ye ignored Sima—half-Golden Core beneath notice.

Gazed origin lake, White Jade Capital within.

Sima horrified—strong!

Breath cut skin.

World such beings?

Gazed island red woman—strong too...

Whence?

Prior whale battle—unusual.

Linked Genesis Chart—bold guess.

Rumble!

Post-gate.

Black tight-clad, spear-backed, intent piercing skies.

"Gate Lord Ye, faster."

Du Longyang stepped, laughed.

Ye smirked.

"Heard Young Master Lu auction aids Infant break—how ignore?"

Du to speak.

Trumpets, suona endless.

Post-gate.

Petals flew.

Four hags lifted red-robed, pale eunuch youth sped.

Tianxu saw Du, Ye—annoyed.

Turned hags no petals/music, iron-not-steel.

"Petals?"

"Music?"

"Heavy gold for vases?"

"Empty: blow/scatter mad. Now people: daze?"

Tianxu fumed.

Hag opened sack dry: "Young Master, no petals."

Another smacked lips: "Mouth dry, can't blow."

Tianxu pursed, life-weary.

"Roll."

Cloth-coughed.

Hag serious: "Young Master, professional integrity—can't roll casual."

Tianxu smiled.

Opened sword box, palm sword pointed.

"Dare repeat?"

Hags fearful professionally.

Du speechless.

Ye ignored fool.

Island: Empress belly-laughed.

"Tianxu, four gold flowers whence?"

"Tell—this palace avoids."

Tianxu sword-humming.

Beiluo Lake.

Sima eyed Du, Ye, Tianxu—pressures wave-like.

Sensed gaze.

Tianxu glared. The source of this content ɪs NoveI-Fire.ɴet

"Stare... fake Golden Core."

Sima: massive soul pressure; boat flung meters, crashed Bai Qingniao's.

She swayed annoyed.

Glared Tianxu.

Collar Little Phoenix One peeked, glared too.

Terrifying!

Sima clutched chest, fear.

Tianxu sedan-glanced glaring Bai Qingniao.

"Yo, girl's chick beast interesting."

Hand beckoned.

Bai Qingniao's collar Little Phoenix One floated confused toward.

Tianxu cloth-coughed.

"Spirit beast."

Eyes bright.

Boat: Bai tears near.

Chick robbery!

Coveted!

"Tianxu, no mischief."

Du frowned.

Crying girl—only Tianxu.

Bound Little Phoenix One enraged.

Boom!

Red flames: fire phoenix.

Tianxu brighter, unfazed: "Me and Brother Lu tight—such good guy, flip for chick?"

White Jade Capital second floor.

Lu opened eyes, sensed struggling Little Phoenix One in Tianxu grasp.

Frowned slightly.

Hand dialed armrest lightly.

Clang!

Phoenix Plume Sword whistled out.