“Oh? Do tell.”
A white-robed figure streaked with golden patterns silently appeared beside the wine jug, like a ghost—quiet and unnoticed. Zhou Xuan leisurely lifted his wine cup and took a delicate sip of the fine liquor, exuding an air of ease and satisfaction.
“You say you want to crush Master’s ambition, but what I see is Master’s ever-growing desire, like a wildfire nearly out of control; you say you don’t want Master to stand against the Five Domains, yet I see one 【Heavenly Emperor’s Spirit-Sealing Array】 after another being laid down, suppressing countless voices of rebellion; you say you want to give all living beings a brand-new future, but what Master is doing now is no different from the evil you describe.”
“Spirit Book, what exactly are you trying to do?”
Su Xiaohēi’s gaze was sharp as lightning, as if it could pierce the soul, staring straight at the white-robed apparition. His eyes held questioning, confusion, and disbelief, but not a trace of anger.
“Ever since Master was severely injured and went into seclusion, I have personally overseen eighty percent of the 【Heavenly Emperor’s Spirit-Sealing Arrays】 in Zhongzhou; Master’s blood form mysteriously vanished, leaving the governance of the vast territories of the Azure Emperor’s Divine Palace solely on my shoulders; and then there’s that secretive organization called 【Extinguish Yang】 in the other four domains—what exactly do they want?!”
The white-robed figure set down his wine cup and let out a light chuckle: “You ask me what I want? In the past, you should have asked yourself what you want.”
Su Xiaohēi fell silent for a moment, then suddenly stood up, his spear sweeping a fierce wind, splashing the wine: “I don’t actually care about the lives of the people in the Five Domains, nor do I give a damn about the dogmatic principles of heaven and earth’s operation. To me, ‘not pulling a single hair for the benefit of all under heaven’ is nonsense!”
“I don’t want to be some righteous young hero, nor do I want to be the purple-golden sea bridge or the white jade pillar in the Azure Emperor’s Divine Palace, shackled by endless rules. I don’t want to debate with those insects and swine, forever living beneath others.”
“She once said, the biggest truth is that the strongest fist reigns!!”
“Right now, I want to use my fist to knock her down!”
“And then?”
“Using the method she taught me, I’ll show her she’s wrong and that I’m right—just like how she treated me before. Let her taste what I once felt!”
“And after that?” Zhou Xuan seemed to hint at more.
“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!”
“Nothing else?”
“I also want…”
At that moment, the peach blossoms on Qingyang Peak were blown down by a strong wind, swirling like pink snow across the sky. Suddenly, an image of breathtaking, aloof beauty flashed through Su Xiaohēi’s mind. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and a fierce, burning madness sparked in his eyes.
“I also want… to have her!”
“Hahaha~ hahaha~”
“Just as I am… just as I am…”
“As a traitor to the world, I am truly born to be a demon! Hahaha!”
Zhou Xuan suddenly erupted into an eerie laugh, bent over with laughter, tears streaming down his face, wild and uninhibited, as if a demon freed from all bonds, radiating madness.
Chi!
In the next moment, a cold gleam flashed as the spear’s tip mercilessly pierced his chest. Su Xiaohēi’s expression turned cold as frost, his demeanor as stern as iron: “I don’t trust you, so you die.”
Zhou Xuan’s phantom grew fainter and more transparent, as if it could be blown away by a single breath. Yet he looked at him with a carefree smile still on his face.
“Just as I am… just as I am…”
“I know what you’re about to do. Lean in close; I’ll tell you two words.”
……
“No, no, this method won’t work. The Spirit Transformation Tribulation can’t be overcome like this; the idea of transforming the Divine Spirit is just nonsense!”
“Then what do you suggest? Just relying on the prison master’s soul to pass the Spirit Transformation Tribulation has zero chance.”
“Why not try my method? One thousand faces as one, transforming into ten thousand, if quality isn’t enough, then pile on quantity.”
Inside the Azure Emperor’s Palace, a group of ancient ghosts were fiercely debating Su Bai’s path to Divine Spirit transformation ever since her assassination attempt during the southern inspection tour nearly ended her life.
After recovering from her severe injuries, Su Bai understood the problem was her strength. Using her current status and abundant resources, she forcefully pushed herself to the completion of Nascent Soul, hoping to find her path to Divine Spirit transformation.
But… the old ghosts nearly lost their minds.
The issue was that to become a Divine Spirit, one must survive the Spirit Transformation Tribulation and then attain the position of Celestial Venerable.
Yet Su Bai’s situation, though not explicitly stated, was well understood by the elders. For her soul, body, and will to survive the tribulation was akin to an outsider attempting to gain native status—a complete mismatch of software and hardware.
In the end, one elder proposed a detour, a shortcut: why must she attain the Celestial Venerable rank? Isn’t having power equal to a Celestial Venerable sufficient?
Su Bai and the elders thus settled on a heterodox method—more accurately, a forbidden path.
Extract the marrow of heaven and earth to obtain its divine essence!
Construct a grand array to draw out celestial marrow, merging all into one, like smelting copper into a unified whole!
“Report! Xuantian True Lord requests an audience.”
At that moment, a 【Divine Emperor Soldier】 approached the main hall to report.
……
The bright moon hung high, its clear light like frost.
In the dead of night, the Azure Emperor’s Palace, grand and resplendent, with rainbow bridges and cloud steps suspended above the ground, embodied the brilliance of immortal Dao.
Su Xiaohēi was granted passage by the 【Divine Emperor Soldier】, carrying a jar of peach blossom wine as he entered. He walked onward, passing railings and jade steps, pavilions and towers all constructed from top-grade spirit jade, inlaid with pearls that soothed the spirit and nourished the lungs.
Crossing a jade bridge, the flowing water beneath gleamed with a deep crimson hue—it was refined physical cultivation elixir, each drop capable of sustaining a Golden Core Realist’s training. The spring bubbled forth, flowing under the bridge and gathering into a lake not far off.
Above, the True River’s celestial water fell from the sky, turning into faint spiritual mist that drifted imperceptibly through the palace, improving the aptitude of all who entered.
Besides this, countless rare treasures and wonders evolved into a myriad of ethereal scenes, pushing mortal imagination to its limits.
The moonlight’s pure glow spilled over the Azure Emperor’s sleeping chamber like a layer of silver frost.
The moonlight shone on the bedchamber as if silver frost paved the floor, revealing Su Bai clad in a flowing emerald imperial robe. The patterns on the robe shimmered with spiritual energy, highlighting the empress’s elegant and heroic bearing.
Su Xiaohēi stepped forward, placing the jar of peach blossom wine on the table, and the two drank together.
After three rounds, Su Bai’s cheeks were tinged pink. Looking at the man in the mysterious robe before her, a wave of emotion stirred in her heart.
Thanks to lessons from the previous life, this time she had finally nurtured the right values in him—he no longer plotted against his master or father, but worked hard every day, helping her manage the vast family affairs, though he was still somewhat fond of drinking.
But that was harmless; what man didn’t like wine?
“Master,” Su Xiaohēi suddenly spoke, lips barely moving, “I have someone I cherish.”
Su Bai was taken aback, her hand holding the wine cup paused. Then joy and curiosity welled up inside her. Her little pet had grown up and found a wife; she could now push for marriage and prepare to raise a second little bundle!
“Who? No, no, don’t say it yet. Let me guess the type.” Su Bai’s interest was piqued; she leaned in with a bright smile, muttering to herself, “Sweet junior sister? Cold senior sister? Charming temptress? Pure saintess? Or maybe that half-human, half-demon beast-eared girl from the East Sea? Oh no, or perhaps you prefer matriarchal…”
Su Xiaohēi stepped closer as well, locking eyes with those beautiful orbs and said simply four words: “She’s on Earth.”