"What just happened?" Old Man Bai Fa looked at Siyi, searching for answers to his questions. That energy that Juanxiu wielded was unlike anything they had seen. Even if it was someone from the Emperor Rank, they would not be able to do that. And that miracle happened in the body of this young lad.
Siyi shook her head in confusion. "I don't know," she replied, still in shock from what she had witnessed.
Meanwhile, Xiaowen was equally curious. He had left the battle to fly towards Juanxiu's location, but Shunyuan caught up to him and stopped him. Xiaowen looked at Shunyuan with curiosity, his eagerness to stop him betraying his relationship with this boy.
"Who is this boy to you?" he asked.
Shunyuan replied firmly, "This boy has no connection to me."
"Oh, I see. So this lad is just a random passerby," Xiaowen said, trying to hide his disappointment.
Shunyuan nodded. "That's correct. He has no connection to me."
Xiaowen looked at Shunyuan skeptically. "Are you sure? That energy he just released was something else. I've never seen anything like it before. Are you telling me that he's just a random person?"
Shunyuan sighed. "I'm telling you the truth. He may not have any connection to me, but he is a powerful cultivator."
Xiaowen then came to his own conclusion, "Perhaps this lad is someone connected to the Karma Order."
Shunyuan glared at him. "Don't involve the kid in this mess. He is his own person. In fact, that lad came here trying to stop us."
Old Man Bai Fa checked on Juanxiu's condition. He was still unconscious, but his breathing was stable. However, the damage on his body is evident. He could see the veins of the kid bulging, the movement of his life energy is also erratic.
The old man looked at Siyi with concern. "We need to get him out of here. His body has suffered too much."
...
Han Ru looked at the chaos unfolding around him. The plan of the Karma Order was in shambles because of this unforeseen variable. But he was determined to complete the mission. He took out the small red fragment that they have been nurturing with the life energy of the people from Tiger Quarry.
He then turned to Shunyuan. "Leave this place, Shunyuan," he said. "I will take care of this. No one from the Shaoying Empire will make it out of here alive." Shunyuan nodded, seeing the fragment on his hand, he knew this is something serious. They could all be in danger if they don't leave.
Xiaowen stepped forward, about to stop Shunyuan from leaving, but Han Ru stood in his way. Han Ru then made a bold move and swallowed the red fragment. He knew that this act was equivalent to taking his own life, but he had no other choice. Even if their plan failed, taking as many imperial guards with him in the afterlife would surely create a small dent in the power of the Shaoying Empire.
As Shunyuan rushed towards Siyi, the wind was picking up around them, whistling and howling as if it was warning them of an impending doom. Siyi, who was holding an unconscious Juanxiu, looked at Shunyuan with worry etched on her face. She knew that something terrible was happening, and they needed to leave as quickly as possible.
"Siyi. We have to get out of here, as far as possible. Don't stop running until I tell you,"
As they started moving, Liu Peng carrying his family joined them, and they ran as fast as they could. Cao Ying and Pan Geming helped him carry his family. The ground shook beneath their feet, and the air around them was thick with an ominous energy. It felt like a massive storm was brewing, and they were right in the middle of it.
The sky was darkening, and the wind was getting stronger, carrying dust and debris with it. They could hear screams and cries in the distance, as if the energy was causing chaos and destruction wherever it touched. The trees were uprooted, and rocks were thrown into the air, and they could see massive waves forming in the nearby river.
As they ran, they could feel the pressure building around them, as if the energy was trying to crush them with its weight. The ground beneath them cracked, and the air around them became hot and oppressive. It was like they were running through a tunnel, with the energy closing in on them from all sides.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they managed to get far enough away from the epicenter of the energy. They stopped for a minute to catch their breath, and they could see the clouds gathering in one location. Still Shunyuan urged them to keep moving.
...
Commander Xiaowen and the two generals on his side watched in absolute bafflement as they witnessed Han Ru's transformation. It was as if his skin was being slowly scorched by an unseen fire, consumed by the consciousness of the God.
His eyes turned pitch black, and a massive halo formed at his back. His hair grew wild and untamed, creating an ominous aura that surrounded him. The once-human Han Ru was gone, replaced by a creature that was completely different from the god that Juanxiu and the others encountered at the Golden Alabaster town.
The three people attacked Han Ru in his new form, but to no avail. The creature did not even make an effort to defend himself. Nonetheless, the attacks of Xiaowen and the rest did not even leave a mark on this creature's body. The creature was more concerned about his new body.
"Is this it? Don't we have any better bodies than this?" he said in a disappointed voice.
Xiaowen and the two generals were now at a loss of what to do. They had never encountered something like this before, and it was clear that their weapons were useless against this new form of Han Ru.
Xiaowen's heart pounded as the creature turned to face him, its eyes dark and unfathomable. "What universe is this?" it asked, its voice dripping with an otherworldly tone.
"Universe? Han Ru, what tricks are you trying to play?" Xiaowen replied, trying to keep his voice steady despite the fear creeping up his spine.
"Han Ru? Do you mean the owner of this body?" the creature asked, a cruel smile curling its lips. "He's dead. I am Rymton, the God of Deceit. Tell me again, what universe is this?"
Xiaowen's eyes widened in shock. A god? Here, in their world? This was beyond his wildest imagination.
"What? I don't know what you're talking about," one of Xiaowen's generals spoke up, his voice trembling with fear.
Rymton was not amused by the general's reply. With a flick of his finger, a surge of power tore through the air and bore a hole in the general's chest, leaving him slumped to the ground. The other general stepped back in horror, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
"Useless beings," Rymton sneered, his gaze shifting back to Xiaowen. The commander felt a shiver run through him as he stared into the god's cold, unfeeling eyes.
Xiaowen swallowed hard, trying to keep his fear at bay. "What are your plans?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly despite his efforts to keep it steady.
"Plans? Nothing," Rymton replied, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "I simply wish to explore this new universe and see what lies within. And perhaps, if I'm feeling generous, I might even let some of you mortals live to tell the tale."
Xiaowen and his remaining general watched with bated breath as Rymton, the God of Deceit, looked up at the sky. His gaze was fixated on the stars and planets as if he was trying to decipher their secrets. A moment passed, and Rymton let out a deep sigh.
"I'm in the ninth universe, the worst place anyone can be. That explains the thin energy in the air," he muttered to himself.
Without warning, Rymton's body began to levitate, slowly at first, but then with increasing speed. Xiaowen and his generals could only watch in awe as Rymton moved away from them.
As Xiaowen watched the figure of Rymton move away, he could feel a sense of relief washing over him. He took deep breaths, trying to calm his nerves as the figure became smaller and smaller until it was just a tiny speck in the sky. Just as he was about to turn away, Rymton suddenly appeared in front of them, an evil smile etched on its face.
Xiaowen's heart skipped a beat as he saw the energy on the tip of Rymton's finger. It was small, no larger than a pea, but the energy contained within was too dense. He could feel the air around them crackling with an intense energy, and he knew that this was not something they could withstand.
Rymton chuckled as he saw the fear in Xiaowen's eyes. "Oh, don't worry. This won't hurt... much. You should never believe a word from the God of Deceit," he said, his voice dripping with malice.
Suddenly, he flicked his finger, and the energy shot out like a bolt of lightning. It was blindingly bright, and Xiaowen had to shield his eyes as the energy slammed into the ground, causing a massive explosion. The ground shook beneath their feet, and everyone was thrown off their feet.
As the dust settled and the smoke cleared, there were no signs of human left on the area. What was left was a smoking crater where the energy had struck. It is as if everyone has been vaporized.
Rymton cackled with glee as he watched the devastation he had wrought. "Oh, this is going to be fun," he said, his eyes gleaming with a manic light.
Meanwhile, the people of Tiger Quarry were fleeing the battle scene in terror, their faces etched with fear and panic. They had only just been hypnotized by the Karma Order, moments ago, and now they were scrambling to escape the wrath of something they don't know.
With a blink of an eye, Rymton stood in the midst of the chaos, gathering energy around him once more, his evil laughter ringing out through the air as he envisioned the destruction he would wreak.
But just as the energy reached its peak and Rymton prepared to unleash it upon the hapless townspeople, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest.
The body of Han Ru, which he had possessed, was unable to contain the immense power he was summoning. Rymton stumbled and fell to the ground, writhing in agony as the energy coursed through him uncontrollably. The people of Tiger Quarry paused in their flight, staring in disbelief as the god of deceit lay before them, writhing in pain.
Suddenly, Shunyuan sensed an opportunity to strike. With a fierce battle cry, he charged towards the writhing Rymton. The other cultivators followed suit, unleashing their energy onto the fallen God of Deceit.
"Smoke him with all you've got!"
The air crackled with energy as they bombarded Rymton with all their might. The ground shook and smoke billowed, obscuring their vision. The sound of explosion echoed through the valley as the cultivators continued their relentless assault.
As the smoke cleared, the cultivators saw that Rymton was still alive, but his body is not moving the way he wanted it. He groaned in agony, clutching his chest as he struggled to his feet. In that moment, Rymton seemed to realize that he needs to get used to this new body of his. Instead of retaliating, he turned and fled the scene, disappearing into the distance.
The cultivators watched him go, their hearts racing with adrenaline and their bodies exhausted from the fight. They had lived to see another day, but the war was far from over. Rymton had shown them just how powerful he was, and they knew they needed to be better prepared if they were to stand a chance against him in the future.
The aftermath of the battle left the cultivators on edge, their nerves still frayed from the close encounter with the God of Deceit. Despite the creature's retreat, everyone remained vigilant, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of movement.
An uneasy silence hung in the air, broken only by the distant cries of the wounded and the occasional rustling of the wind. The destruction wrought by the battle was evident in the craters that pocked the earth and the broken buildings that lay in ruin. The once bustling streets were now empty, with only the dead and the wounded littering the ground.
After what seemed like an eternity, an hour had passed and the creature was still nowhere to be seen. The cultivators cautiously began to stand up, their weapons still at the ready. They knew that even a momentary lapse in concentration could prove fatal in a situation like this.
As they stood in the wake of disaster, the cultivators couldn't help but wonder if they could ever rebuild this devastated province. The enormity of the task ahead of them weighed heavily on their minds, but they knew they had to start somewhere. With a determined look on their faces, they set to work, slowly but surely beginning to clear the rubble and tend to the wounded.
Chang Bao approached Siyi and checked on Juanxiu, relieved to see that her breathing was normal. "Is it finally over?" he asked.
Siyi turned to him and asked, "Have you seen your family?"
Chang Bao shook his head, his expression filled with sadness and regret. "I'm afraid it was too late for them. We couldn't save the people of Yinhui village."
Siyi remained silent, her heart heavy with the weight of the loss. It was possible that the people of the village had been infiltrated by the Karma Order, she didn't have the heart to tell Chang Bao about her theory. She couldn't bear the thought of it.
The once-beautiful Tiger Quarry province, part of the Nine Great Provinces, now lay in ruins. A massive crater, several miles wide and deep, dominated the landscape, with debris scattered in all directions. The air was thick with smoke and dust, and the ground shook intermittently from aftershocks. The sun, hidden behind the clouds, cast an eerie glow over the destruction.
The cultivators, still reeling from the battle, surveyed the scene in horror. They knew that it would take years, if not decades, to rebuild this province and make it habitable again. The once-bustling cities and towns were now reduced to rubble, and the fertile fields and forests were destroyed.
The people who managed to survive the attack were now afraid that the creature would return. They knew that there was no way they could defend themselves against such power. They would be sitting ducks if it happened again. The fear was palpable in the air, and it was clear that it would take more than just rebuilding the province to restore their confidence and hope.
...
Liu Peng was with his family, his wife and two kids, both male. He was hugging them tightly and explaining what happened. They had become victims of the Karma Order's plan and had been hypnotized. Liu Peng's family appeared weak as their life force was continuously being drained out of them. "We're safe now," he whispered. "We're alive, and we're together."
His youngest son looked up at him, his eyes wide with wonder. "Father, your legs are back."
Liu Peng chuckled and looked down at his son. "Yes, yes. All thanks to Young Master Juanxiu," he said, ruffling his son's hair.
The family fell into a comfortable silence but worries still etched on their faces. Liu Peng's wife was the first to break it. "Where are we going now?"
Liu Peng looked at her and took her hand. "We'll go to the territory of the Hao Clan," he said. "Young Master Juanxiu here has been generous enough to adopt us."
The tension melted away from their faces, replaced by a look of relief. They had survived the chaos of the battle, and now they had a chance to start over.
From a distance, one of the elders of the Zeng clan overheard Liu Peng's conversation with his family. Slowly approaching them, he spoke to Liu Peng with a tone of humility,
"Liu Peng, I know we have caused offense and sinned against you. We kicked you out of the clan when you no longer served a purpose. This request of ours may be shameless, but I will ask on behalf of our clan. Can you take us to your new location? Even if it is just the junior disciples." The elder bowed deeply, showing his sincerity.
Liu Peng was furious at the elder's request. He couldn't believe that they had the audacity to ask for help after treating him and his family so poorly. However, he knew that he couldn't let his anger cloud his judgment. If he drove them away, he would be no different from them.
Taking a deep breath, Liu Peng replied, "Elder Aiguo, that decision is not mine to make. It is up to the young master who is currently unconscious. He has exerted every drop of his energy just to save this place. You should ask him once he becomes conscious."
Elder Aiguo nodded, grateful for Liu Peng's understanding. He then stood up and left, leaving Liu Peng and his family behind.
Liu Peng couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, he was angry that the elders of his wife's clan would have the audacity to ask for their help after they were cast aside. On the other hand, he was proud of himself for not stooping down to their level and refusing their request.
…...
As Hao Shunyuan approached Siyi, he heard a shout from one of the members of the escort unit. The shout was filled with anger and pointed directly at him.
"He's one of them!"
Everyone around them tensed up, preparing for the worst. Suddenly, one of the kids in the crowd picked up a stone and threw it at Shunyuan. The stone hit him, but it didn't hurt. Instead, the words that followed hurt him the most.
The kid said, "My father was taking care of the livestock. He works tirelessly on our farm, not having any time for us since he wanted to give us a better life. I was on the way to deliver his lunch when I saw one of the robed people trying to feed him something. When he refused it, he was slaughtered." The kid picked up another stone and threw it at Shunyuan, shouting, "Give me back my father!"
Another woman in the crowd joined in, picking up a stone and throwing it at Shunyuan. She shouted, "Leave our place, you murderers. We may not have the skills or the power to avenge our people, but someone will. Heavens will seek vengeance for us."
The townspeople followed suit, one by one, throwing stones at him. Shunyuan hung his head low, feeling the weight of the accusations and the pain in his heart. He looked at Siyi, who couldn't even look at him directly. He sighed, then turned around and walked away, his steps heavy with the weight of his guilt.
…...
Liu Peng, his family, and Siyi and Chang Bao were among the many people who were moving away from the Autumn Moonlight District, which had become uninhabitable due to the recent battle. They had no carriage, and so Chang Bao and Siyi had been taking turns carrying Juanxiu, who was still unconscious. As the days went by, they grew increasingly worried about his condition.
Finally, after two more days, Juanxiu woke up. Although he was still unable to move freely and had difficulty speaking, he seemed to be on the road to recovery.
Siyi asked him, "Are you okay now? Do you remember anything?"
Chang Bao added, "You fell unconscious after that strange incident?"
Juanxiu shook his head, indicating that he couldn't remember anything after he fainted.
Liu Peng spoke up, "The people here are thankful to you for freeing them from the control of the Karma Order."
Juanxiu smiled saying, "Everyone contributed."
Chang Bao spoke up, "I didn't help enough though."
Siyi responded firmly, "Then do better next time. Be stronger so you can also help."
…....
2 days passed, Juanxiu was still weak but determined to continue the journey to District 1. With the support of a makeshift crutch made from a sturdy branch of a tree, he slowly made his way forward. His companions, Siyi, Chang Bao, and Liu Peng, walked alongside him, providing support and encouragement.
After several days of travel, they finally reached the outskirts of District 1. The group was welcomed by a delegation from the Zeng clan, who were together with them. The elders and clan leader had come out to meet them. The Zeng clan was a renowned clan of blacksmiths known for their superior craftsmanship.
Elder Aiguo, the head elder of the Zeng clan, approached Juanxiu with a deep bow. "We have heard of your great deeds in freeing the people from the Karma Order's control, young hero. We, the Zeng clan, would like to pledge our allegiance to you and offer our services to aid in your cause."
Juanxiu was taken aback by the sudden display of loyalty and respect. "I am but a mere traveler passing through. I cannot promise you that I have the power to take on the responsibility of an entire clan," he replied humbly.
Zeng Liwei, the clan leader, stepped forward and knelt before Juanxiu. "We understand that you may not wish to take on such a burden, but we beg of you to consider our proposal. After that battle, our clan will be struggling to survive, and we see this as an opportunity to survive. There is no freeloader on our clan, we will serve you with loyalty and hard work."
Juanxiu looked around at the determined faces of the Zeng clan members and saw the hope and desperation in their eyes. He felt a deep sense of responsibility and knew that he could not turn them away.
"I cannot promise you anything, but I will consider your offer," Juanxiu said, with a nod of his head.
...
Juanxiu, Liu Peng and his family, Siyi, and Chang Bao were gathered around a large table in a spacious room. The room was filled with wooden crates, bags of supplies, and weapons. They were packing their belongings, preparing for their journey back home.
Juanxiu, who had fully recovered from his injuries, was helping pack the last of the supplies. Then he placed all the belongings of Liu Peng's family into his spatial pouch. He looked up at the others and said, "It's time for us to go home. We've been away for too long."
Liu Peng nodded in agreement. "Yes, we've been away for more than four months now. It's time to go back and attend to our responsibilities."
Siyi added, "We have accomplished what we came here to do and more. We have freed the people from the tyranny of the Karma Order and have received the assistance of the Zeng Clan. We can go home with our heads held high."
Chang Bao chimed in, "But we cannot let our guard down. That creature may still seek revenge against us."
Juanxiu nodded, "Chang Bao is right. We must stay vigilant. But we cannot delay any longer. We have to leave now."
As they made their way out of the room, they were met by the Zeng Clan, who were also preparing. Elder Aiguo and Zeng Liwei approached Juanxiu.
"We are eternally grateful for everything you have done for us," Elder Aiguo said as he kowtowed.
Juanxiu smiled and shook his head. "There's no need for that."
Juanxiu and his companions made their way to the gate, where their horses were waiting. As they mounted their horses, they turned to take a final look at the Autumn Moonlight District, which was now in ruins. They knew that they had left a mark on the place and that the people there would not forget them. But it was time to move forward and go home.
As they gathered to leave, Zeng Liwei and Elder Aiguo came to bid them farewell.
"We will be moving in a separate delegation after a few days, as we need to prepare our people for the journey," Zeng Liwei said. "But we will meet you again in the Forgotten Valley."
"We will be looking forward to it," Juanxiu replied with a smile. "Safe travels to you all."
The group then made their way towards their homes, with the Zeng Clan watching them until they disappeared from view.
As they walked, Liu Peng spoke up. "I think we should invite more people to come and live in the Forgotten Valley," he said. "It's a safe place, and there's plenty of land and resources for everyone."
Siyi nodded in agreement. "I think that's a good idea," she said. "We can invite the people from the other districts, and also the escort organization of Old Man Bai Fa."
Chang Bao chimed in. "Yes, and we can also start rebuilding our homes and farms there," he said.
Juanxiu smiled. "Old Man Bai Fa already promised to transfer his base to the Forgotten Valley" he said. "We'll make sure to spread the word when we get home."
With renewed hope for their future, the group continued their journey back to their homes in the Forgotten Valley.
Tomorrow , we will open a new arc.
Thanks to StarfareZ and Roselyn_Limpin again for supporting the story.
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