Chapter 1: The Hall of Mourning

A funerary hall.

A bronze coffin lay in the center of the room, its surface engraved with all manner of birds, beasts, insects, and fish, as well as the boundless and ancient patterns of the sun, moon, and stars.

A young woman clad in pristine white silk, too beautiful for this world, knelt before the coffin.

Outside the hall of mourning was a world like a hidden realm, reminiscent of the pure lands of the Western Paradise.

Terrifying figures, like heavenly gods and buddhas, were engaged in vicious slaughter.

Furious howls filled the air.

Divine blood fell like rain.

Yet, the interior of the hall of mourning was utterly silent.

From beginning to end, the young woman knelt with her head to the ground, her expression neither sorrowful nor joyful. She was utterly calm, without the slightest ripple of emotion.

Hah. So?this?is what it's like after you die..... Su Yi smiled, but his eyes were utterly cold.

Only when his gaze landed on the young woman did his eyes reveal a nigh-indiscernible hint of gentleness.

In life, hed once roamed the surrounding void, visiting its various divinities. His sword had suppressed the starry sky, and he'd arbitrated an entire great realm.

Hed once conquered the world, becoming the absolute hegemon of his era.

Hed once been honored as the Nine Provinces of Wilds one and only Master of Ten Thousand Daos.

In the eyes of the Nine Provinces expert swordmasters, he was a peerless expert in the way of the blade, the Swordmaster of Abstruse Force.

But when word of his death spread, everything changed!

Ha ha ha, smelting fate and refining the grand dao? From now on, Su Xuanjuns Heaven-Smelting Furnace belongs to me! A burst of laughter rang out from the hidden world beyond the hall of mourning. The sound carried both delight and pleasure.

Su Yi glanced over.

It was a Golden-Winged Great Peng, its wings so massive, they were like clouds blotting out the skies. Its feathers had a dazzling sheen, as if they were drenched in golden sap. Its unmatched radiance spread through the skies, the sheer majesty flattening the mountains and rivers on one side.

It clutched a bright, fiery red cauldron in its enormous, heaven-rending claws.

Even that little sparrows betrayed me now. Su Yi sighed in lament.

He vividly remembered that, eighty thousand years ago, the Golden-Winged Great Peng had knelt outside his mountain gate, kowtowing for ten days and ten nights, all for the sake of serving beneath him and hearing his insights into the Dao.

Out of consideration for its sincerity, hed allowed the bird to cultivate by his side.

Yet now, here it was, calling him directly by name and stealing his Heaven-Smelting Furnace.

A blatant traitor!

Su Xuanjun owes my Levitating Sword Hall eight hundred and ninety-three lives. Moreover, he stole our sects highest inheritance, the Ten Directions Sword Sutra. Today, were here to reclaim whats rightfully ours, and well kill anyone who stands in our way!

Thunder rumbled beneath the dome of heaven. A daoist clad in red robes howled with harrowing murderous intent.

Su Yi was stunned.

The Levitating Sword Hall had once been a small, unknown sect.?Its patriarch was but one of his thirty-six disciples-in-name.

And it was precisely because hed relied upon Su Xuanjuns prestige and protection that the Levitating Sword Hall gradually rose to prominence and became one of the Wilds Nine Provinces Six Great Daoist Sects, shaking the entire world.

Yet now, the Levitating Sword Hall was here too.

What owing them eight hundred and ninety-three lives? That was pure, unadulterated nonsense.

And dont even mention the Ten Directions Sword Sutra. Hed bequeathed it upon the Levitating Sword Halls patriarch personally!

Clearly, upon hearing word of his death, the Levitating Sword Hall had casually come up with an excuse to raid his possessions. All that talk of debts was nothing but a pretense.

Public morality has degenerated. Thats all there is to it. Su Yi couldnt help but shake his head. Despite himself, his heart sank.

In all his years of life, hed never once mistreated those close to him!

Amidst the bloody rain, a grand procession of divinities shouted, Listen up! All of us once revered Su Xuanjun as the Master of Ten Thousand Daos. Today, so long as there is breath in our bodies, we wont allow you to exploit his misfortune and seize his possessions!

Nonsense! You make it sound so righteous, but arent you here to fight for Old Thief Sus treasures too?

How frickin hypocritical!

Some people laughed coldly. Others responded with mockery.

Whats that youve got in your hands? Immortal Ivy, the Illustrious Scepter, the Nine Lanterns of the Dragon God, the Glazed Jade Flask. Which of them isnt one of the peerless magic treasures Su Xuanjun left behind?

If youre so sincere, why not place them into his coffin to accompany him to the grave?

..Numerous terrifying figures burst into cold laughter.

Heaven and earth were in turmoil, and the battle raged on.

The combatants were all peak-level experts, major powers of the Wilds Nine Provinces. The sight of them fighting and killing each other was too terrifying for words.

But in Su Yis eyes, it was ludicrous, even comical!

These scoundrels! During his life, they'd been blindly subservient, reverent, and respectful.

Yet they turned around and acted like this the moment they found out he was dead!

Everything really is different after you die. Su Yi looked away, then fixed his gaze on the girl kneeling before his coffin. His expression softened. At least Qing Tang is still here.

Qing Tang had cultivated by his side since she was thirteen years old. Eighteen thousand, nine hundred years had passed since then. Within the Wilds Nine Provinces, she was known as Empress Qing Tang.

In the eyes of outsiders, she was a lofty figure, an empress who reigned over all nations. Her prestige and authority suppressed the Nine Provinces, and even others of her cultivation held her in awe.

But to Su Yi, shed always been like a little girl. When she wasnt cultivating, she served at his side, her demeanor gentle and humble.

Junior Apprentice Sister, youve already stood vigil over Masters coffin for seven days. If we dont leave now, we wont be able to hold out much longer!

Suddenly, a stalwart figure entered the hall of mourning. His white warrior robes were tattered and stained with blood. Hed just emerged from fierce, brutal combat, and every inch of him emanated terrifying power.

Pi Mo!

The head of Su Yis nine closed-door disciples. His title was War Emperor Pi Mo, and hed cultivated alongside Su Yi for thirty-nine thousand years.

Qing Tang, whod been kneeling before the coffin this entire time, gradually rose.

Senior Apprentice Brother, she said, her tone cold and aloof, Before he passed, Master told us, his nine inheritors, to set out on our own. So tell me. Why have you returned?

Pi Mos brow furrowed slightly, and he said with an air of awe-inspiring righteousness, How could I just stand back and watch our enemies and those traitors destroy everything Master left behind? Besides, Junior Apprentice Sister, youve yet to leave. Youre still here standing vigil. As your Senior Brother, how could I possibly leave you?

Qing Tang turned around. Her beautiful eyes were as cold and sharp as a knife as she stared Pi Mo down. Things have already progressed this far, but you still arent willing to tell the truth?

Pi Mos pupils constricted. Junior Apprentice Sister, what do you mean by that?

What do I mean? A mocking smile tugged at Qing Tangs lips. Others might not know, but to me, its clear as day: youve always been fixated on Masters Sword of the Nine Hells.

Pi Mos expression shifted slightly. After a brief silence, he grinned, his expression cold and dark. Junior Apprentice Sister, are you telling me you?arent?standing vigil over Masters coffin for the sake of that blade?

Qing Tang didnt deny it. Her fair, untainted features and peerlessly beautiful face were as tranquil as ever. Senior Apprentice Brother, youre wrong. Im not just staying here on account of the Sword of the Nine Hells.

What else do you want? Pi Mo couldnt help but ask.

Qing Tang glanced outside the hall of mourning and watched the devils and divinities brutal slaughter. When she spoke, it was without the slightest ripple of surprise. What Master left behind

I want it all!

Every word was calm and casual, but as she made this final declaration, Qing Tangs slender, beautiful figure gained an imposing, majestic air.

You want it all? Pi Mo froze at first, but soon, he couldnt help but burst into laughter. He jeered, I never would have guessed that of Masters nine inheritors, the one with the biggest appetite would be you, the youngest! Junior Apprentice Sister, if Master were alive to see this, Im afraid hed be shocked too. He never would have guessed his most beloved, trusted Qing Tang was actually so greedy!

In truth, Su Yi had been a detached observer this entire time.

He didnt care about the Golden-Winged Great Peng or the Levitating Sword Halls betrayal.

He didnt care even when his greatest enemies fought their way to his door.

But when he learned that his most highly-regarded inheritor, Pi Mo, and most treasured, beloved Qing Tang were each conspiring and scheming against him

He was silent.

It was just a bit of treasure, yet it was enough to turn the two apprentices against each other. Alas!

Clang!

Suddenly, Qing Tang attacked. With a single swing of her sword, she left Pi Mo gravely wounded.

His injuries left him a hairs breadth from dying. He seized his last chance at survival and fled the hall of mourning, but as he did, he cried out in a mix of shock, fury, and panic. Whod have thought?! You witch, you sure hid your true self awfully deep!

He never would have guessed that his junior apprentice sisters cultivation was far more terrifying than hed imagined.

Su Yi was surprised too.?So, that girl actually broke through a long time ago.

Pi Mo didnt linger. He fled as quickly as he could.

Qing Tang didnt pursue him. She stood alone before the bronze coffin, a hint of a sneer at her lips, muttering, How much would Masters heart ache if he knew that his eldest disciple was the first to collude with the Six Great Daoist Sects?

Then theres Third Apprentice Brother, Huo Yao. Although he never got mixed up in this, when he left, he stole the Abstruse Primordial God Mirror. This treasure alone is enough to boost him to the Imperial Realm......

Unfortunately, Master has already passed on. He will never know any of this. Qing Tang sighed lightly.

But Su Yis expression gradually darkened.

Only now did he learn that his most trusted eldest disciple had initiated this betrayal, effectively inviting wolves into his home!

Only now did he learn that his third disciple, Huo Yao, had pilfered the treasure that controlled this entire hidden realm, the Abstruse Primordial God Mirror!

No wonder those traitors and his enemies had slaughtered their way into his territory with such ease.

When this thought occurred to him, Su Yi was both furious and melancholy.

It was then that Qing Tang suddenly walked out of the hall of mourning.

Her silhouette was slender and graceful, and she seemed detached from worldly affairs. A pair of beautiful yet cold eyes swept across heaven and earth. Her icy voice rang out, From this day forth, I, Qing Tang, shall reign supreme over the Wilds!

Whoosh!

A vast whirlwind of sword intent swept forth, covering heaven and earth. The misty green sword intent swept out like a divine executioners blade, easily slaughtering one terrifying figure after another.

In but an instant

Heaven and earth were like a canvas painted entirely in divine blood!

The remaining terrifying existences were, without exception, astonished. They felt a chill course through them, as if theyd plunged into an icy abyss.

Submit, or die.

Her tone was indifferent, but in this bloodsoaked land, her every word spread far and wide.

Were willing to serve!

Empress, we hereby proclaim you our sovereign!

Beneath Qing Tangs intimidating grandeur, the surviving experts and divinities all lowered their heads!

That girl. Su Yis eyes narrowed slightly. He couldnt stay calm; he never would have guessed that Qing Tangs cultivation had already reached such a level.

As her master, he ought to have been gratified.

But now, all he felt was an unspeakable loneliness and desolation.

At a time like this, there was no way hed misunderstand what was happening. His youngest and most beloved disciple had been keeping secrets from him all these years!

Shortly after, Qing Tang turned and walked back into the hall of mourning.

Her gaze returned to the bronze coffin. She bowed and offered her respects, then said calmly, Venerable Master, your disciple, Qing Tang, has kept vigil beside your coffin for seven days, and I helped you suppress your enemies and those traitors. In doing so, I have completed our bond as master and disciple.

From this day forth, I shall be the sole inheritor of all you have left behind. As she spoke, she strode forward. Her hands pressed against the bronze coffin, and she whispered, The Sword of the Nine Hells cannot simply accompany you to the grave. Once Ive grasped its mysteries, I shall naturally return it to you. Venerable Master, dont blame me for disrupting your rest.

Bang!

The coffins lid opened.

However, the moment it did, Qing Tang lost her ever-present calm composure. Her expression changed in a rare display of emotion.

How is this.?

The bronze coffin was completely empty.

Never mind the Sword of the Nine Hells; even her masters remains were missing!

Su Yi watched this entire scene play out, and his fury seemed to set his pupils ablaze.

Yes, hed prepared for this possibility from the moment he decided to reincarnate and cultivate anew.

His inner fury was nevertheless difficult to repress.

But gradually, the fiery rage in Su Yis eyes abated. In the end, nothing remained but endless indifference and icy cold.

I hope you wretches are still alive and well when I return.

Then, Su Yis imperceptible, ethereal figure disappeared into the void, vanishing completely.

In the 108,000th calendar year of the Wilds history, the supreme ruler of the Wilds Nine Provinces, the Swordmaster of Abstruse Force, Su Xuanjun, passed away. His death shook the entire Wilds.

Seven days later. Geett the ltest vels on no/v/elbin(.)c/om

The disciple of the Swordmaster of Abstruse Force, Empress Qing Tang, swept across all four directions, heaven, and earth. She suppressed all the deities of the divine continent, and declared herself supreme ruler of the world.

Five hundred years later.

The Great Zhou Empire, Cloudriver Prefecture, Guangling City.

It was evening, and the sunset was like fire.

Outside of Pinecloud Sword Manor.

Su Yi stood alone, far away from everyone else, waiting for his little sister-in-law, Wen Lingxue, to get out of class.

Chapter end