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Translator: Fate
Proofreader: Silavin
Jiang Yang’s appearance stunned Yao Yao a little. She hadn’t expected him to come here to look for her.
Almost immediately, her expression became cold and angry. She refused to speak, as he had tricked her master into coming here. If the person she most missed was Gu Changge, then the person she most hated was Jiang Yang! If not for him, her master wouldn’t have rushed here right into the middle of danger, his life or death unknown. Besides, Jiang Yang was no longer the brother she knew; his body was now possessed by the old demon who had been the Celestia Sacred Emperor.
She and Grandma Yin Hua had heard the news regarding the siege of Celestia Holy Land by beings from the Mystic Mountains and Forbidden Areas. However, that ended with Jiang Yang activating the Celestial Seal and annihilating the opposing side, which destroyed Celestia Holy Land and its history as well. This act shocked both of them.
Nobody knew why he could activate the Celestial Seal, but they knew it was due to the Godly Spirit residing inside him, which was that of the Celestia Sacred Emperor! It had been his weapon, so obviously he could wield it. Gu Changge had told Yao Yao about this, and she had then informed her grandma about it. That was how both of them knew of this.
The Celestia Sacred Emperor was considered a legendary figure in the Heavenly Star Realm, even though he wasn’t born in this realm and had unknown origins. He had disappeared after founding Celestia Holy Land, yet Jiang Yang hadn’t minded destroying the very faction he built in the process of destroying his enemies. This incident made it obvious how unhinged and cruel he was, which made Yao Yao and her grandma anxious and thus more wary of him.
Grandma Yin Hua pulled her back after seeing her expression, shaking her head at her as a signal to not be reckless. If Yao Yao fell out with her brother before Gu Changge’s death was verified, then everything might worsen as her unique condition could not be controlled yet.
Yao Yao knew this as well, so she gritted her teeth and clenched her fists to force herself to calm down. She wasn’t going to fight fire with fire right now.
“Brother, how did you know I would be here?” she murmured, her charming eyes filled with calmness.
“I knew you would be worried about your master’s safety, so I guessed at once that you would come here.” Jiang Yang smiled, not caring too much about her cold expression. She was just a young girl; since her master had already died, who else would she rely on but her own brother? She might be cold towards him for some reason, but he felt that it was something that would change with time.
After wiping away his previous consciousness, two things from it still lingered stubbornly within his mind. The first one was his hatred towards Celestia Holy Land for making him dig the Celestial Path, which had nearly killed him. The second one was his responsibility in ensuring his younger sister, whom he was protective of, could continue living happily ever after.
He hadn’t really given regard to both of them, as his Divine Soul was so powerful that they could not bother him, but now? He felt that if he didn’t resolve them, there would be disastrous consequences including instability in his Soul. This was the first time he had encountered this in all his reincarnations, and he had eventually decided it was due to Yao Yao. It may be because her presence was connected to the Fortuity which was supposed to be his.
“As your older brother, of course I would be worried about you. You left without saying goodbye, and I was scared that anything could happen to you.” Jiang Yang smiled and continued to approach her, while Zhao Yi followed with some trepidation. This girl had to have a powerful secret of her own, or he wouldn’t have behaved this way.
The invincible aura he had carried after the complete eradication of his enemies had stunned her, but his behaviour towards Yao Yao was even more shocking. He’s too powerful and mysterious, able to kill even the terrifying Immortal in the Sky Pool of Death. Zhao Yi felt that she had made the best choice in following Jiang Yang. On the other hand, he had gotten rid of many hindrances with the help of a servant in the Sacred Noble Realm, so he didn’t really mind her following him.
“You don’t have to worry about me. Grandma and I can find Master on our own,” Yao Yao shook her head and murmured. “I don’t believe that he has died here. He’s so powerful.”
Jiang Yang did not argue since he knew she could be stubborn in getting her way. He smiled gently. “Exactly. He’s so powerful; how could he have died here so easily? I already heard the rumours, and I think people must have mistaken what they saw. I’ll help you find him since I’m already here anyway.”
The many defence techniques he had set up here were much more lethal than that of Celestia Holy Land, and Gu Changge would die anyway even with his powers. Jiang Yang’s words were just to reassure her and make her give up.
Yao Yao knew that she couldn’t deny him, as she might make him suspicious if she explained herself too much. “Thank you, brother.”
Jiang Yang smiled. ” You don’t need to; it’s my responsibility after all.”
Yao Yao pursed her lips and didn’t reply.
Soon, they headed into the Sky Pool of Death. The surrounding areas were mountainous and populated by strange ancient trees, tall enough to reach the sky. Vines hung from each branch of the trees. White mist floated down from the sky, making the silent atmosphere even eerier and thus evoking a feeling of fear and anxiety.
Under normal circumstances, there would have been several living creatures around, such as wild beasts. Right now, it was way too quiet, and nothing could be heard other than the wind. It was as if every other living being was dead except for them. The area deeper inside was covered by a thick layer of fog, making the world inside grey and muddled. It was as if they had reached the place where the sky and earth had formed.
Jiang Yang explained that there had been a large-scale battle here, and most beings might’ve died in the aftershocks of it. Yao Yao and Grandma Yin Hua didn’t believe him, though.
“The fishes are here. I think I can now reel in my fishing net. From today onwards, the Mortal One will no longer exist,” Gu Changge muttered, smiling meaningfully within the depths of the Sky Pool of Death. He was still sitting within the lotus flower, consuming and transforming the power source of the World Purifying Green Lotus, his gaze was bottomless, and horrifying scenes of world disaster appeared within them. He had already sensed the arrival of several auras.
Yao Yao, Grandma Yin Hua, Jiang Yang, and that Supreme Elder maid Zhao Yi, all four of them were present!
Without his interference, they would have been on the same side, assisting Jiang Yang on his path. But now, both Yao Yao and Grandma Yin Hua were antagonising him; it would take just a little more for them to fall out. As for Zhao Yi, she would have become one of his concubines anyway thanks to her unwavering devotion. Gu Changge wasn’t interested in her, as her potential had already been exhausted even though her Cultivation level was high.
Right now, the defensive traps the Mortal One had left behind had all been modified for his own use, a fact that Jiang Yang had no idea of.
*Whoosh!*
Gu Changge remained still as his powerful consciousness rushed out from between his eyebrows, accompanied by a great grey cloud. He resembled an ancient god at that very moment. It was the Celestial Chant.
Thanks to his control over the Principles of the World, he could consume the entire world and kill a god easily with only the power of his Primordial Spirit. He wouldn’t even be scared of a Primordial Spirit of someone in the Sacred King Realm!
Suddenly, weird vibrations began to appear from above the Sky Pool of Death. The air hummed as dark clouds with demonic auras appeared from all directions to block out the sky. They gathered above the place as if being pushed by a strange force.
The sky was blocked!
*Boom!*
“I’ll kill you, as per my master’s orders!” A headless knight, sensing something, immediately sped out from within a bloodied cliff, exuding powerful energy.
“I’ll obey my master’s orders!” In another direction, an indistinct blood-red ghostly figure appeared within the valley. Its eyes were red and looked murderous as it stared outside.
“It’s really strange here. Yao Yao and Grandma should always stay close to me, or I won’t be able to help if anything dangerous occurs,” Jiang Yang warned with a flat tone, walking ahead of the group on the path. The places he walked past seemed to glimmer with a mysterious light.
Everything here had a terrifying aura; wave patterns of energy spread throughout the air along with extreme murderous intent. However, he was able to preserve his safety as he went further into the depths. The auras moved around them but did not come close to him. Anyone else would have lost their nerve, refusing to move from where they were; yet he was calm as he led the way. No one would believe he didn’t have any techniques of his own!
By now, Yao Yao already knew that Jiang Yang had a strong connection to the Sky Pool of Death without needing any explanation. He might have known a lot of secrets regarding this place, or he wouldn’t have been confident enough to lure Gu Changge here. Jiang Yang had claimed to be looking for her, but he was really here to find his opporunities.
The coldness within Yao Yao’s gaze became more pronounced, and she didn’t even notice the change within her. However, Grandma Yin Hua noticed the beginnings of a peach blossom-like pattern between her eyebrows. It was reminiscent of the one that had appeared when Yao Yao had suddenly lost her temper. There was no reason for that happening, and it felt like the girl had been triggered by something.
Grandma Yin Hua’s expression changed suddenly. She knew Jiang Yang had a Sacred Emperor Grade Artifact. [Would Yao Yao be able to fight against him in such conditions?]
“We saw the remaining traces of a great battle but didn’t see any bodies on the way here. The Immortal may be talented and powerful, but I’m afraid that he might already be dead.” Jiang Yang smiled, looking at the Sky Pool of Death. They were finally here.
Ripples and waves appeared in the centre of the bottomless Sky Pool and spread out towards the edges of the Pool, while a white mist hovered above the water. Within the water, smoke lingered and waves emanated as a green light shone from the depths. It had been this light that attracted numerous people here, including the Immortal. All of them had died here. At that thought, Jiang Yang became calmer, feeling some regret and loss from the fact that he couldn’t kill the Immortal with his own hands. After all, that had been the only person who had humiliated him.
He hadn’t triggered any of the techniques he had left here to avoid arousing Yao Yao’s suspicion. Besides, the terrifying beings concealed within the shadows would sense his aura and not dare to attack him.
His brows quickly furrowed when beams of godly light sped from the sky towards them. He had thought he was fast enough to be caught up with, yet he had been followed.
Jiang Yang didn’t know why the other side could always keep track of his movement. It was clear that it was people brought by the mysterious woman who wanted to kill him. They had followed him relentlessly all the way here.
[It’s been several days. Why hadn’t anyone from the Mortal Palace come to find me? Why didn’t they know where I was when other people did? Did something happen to them?] Jiang Yang felt apprehensive as the feeling of being tricked rose once again.
However, he hadn’t made a mistake when sensing the energy wave, which was a Secret Technique of the Successor of the Mortal Palace. He hadn’t seen them, but the meeting became bait to lure him into a trap. [Had the Successor been taken by them?]
“Did my Master disappear here? Is he gone?” Yao Yao muttered to herself as she stared forward numbly. She stood at the bank of the enormous lake, face pale with disbelief.
The rich green leaves of the lotus grew in such a way that one was connected to another, with no border or gap in between each leaf. Each leaf was as big as a basin. One exceptionally tall green lotus stood among them, shrouded in Chaos Qi. It bloomed with an aura of the Great Dao and let out the rumbling sounds of worlds turning.
She did not care about the uniqueness of the lotus, as she hadn’t seen her master physically nor the traces he had left behind.
“Master… Do you not want me anymore?” Large drops of tears fell down her cheeks since she refused to accept that fact. Grandma Yin Hua looked slightly agonised, not knowing how to reassure her. Yao Yao’s master now occupied an important position in her heart that no one could replace; could she accept the fact that he was dead?
“Yao Yao, the Immortal may have died. You have my condolences. I heard that his body was all broken from his injuries; the wild beasts here may have found him and eaten him up, not leaving behind any traces. I don’t know why he was so intent on coming here and making you this unhappy…”
Jiang Yang felt a hint of frustration and frowned as he watched her cry. He knew that was an emotion left over from when he forcefully combined the memories of himself and his past self. That wouldn’t affect him now, though; he looked regretful as he tried to reassure her. However, his words were careless and even a little mocking. He had never failed at trapping and killing anyone, much less a mere Immortal.
“Shut up! It’s your fault that my master ended up this way. If not for you, he would never have come here. It’s all your fault! You are just faking sympathy because you plotted to harm him!” Yao Yao turned to him abruptly after hearing his fake words. Her entire body shook with hatred and anger as she glared coldly at him. She could not stand him describing her master that way!
“Yao Yao, what do you mean by that? What do you mean when you say it’s my fault?” Jiang Yang frowned at her in annoyance. “I’m just telling you the truth as your brother.”
He closed his eyes then, voice becoming low. “Am I not as important to you as your master? I’m your brother.”
Jiang Yang could sense the change in her. Had she really noticed anything, or had Gu Changge told her something before leaving the Sky Pool of Death?
“You ancient monster! You took my brother’s body and plotted to harm him in secret. Why are you still pretending now?” Yao Yao’s voice became frigid. It was hard to imagine such an expression appearing on the face of a young girl like her. Not long before, she would have become pale with fear when encountering robbers.
This change was not surprising to Gu Changge, as she was the real Fortuitous Lady of the Heavenly Star Realm. Even without him or the Mortal One’s reincarnation, she would have undergone a drastic transformation anyway. Her fate had been modelled after the most talented and powerful woman since ancient times, who was also a Dao Fruit from that mysterious peach tree.
When Jiang Yang heard her outburst, he became shocked before calming down again. “Yao Yao, what are you talking about? I’m your brother. Don’t you remember a lot of things from our childhood? Remember when…”
“Stop saying things like this. Don’t be tricked by that evil man into forgetting your identity…” he started softly, preparing to use familial love as a tactic. Yao Yao had said this to fall out with him, which made him shocked. He hadn’t anticipated things to progress this way.
He guessed that Gu Changge had to have told her something in the beginning, or she wouldn’t have been so sure of herself. Jiang Yang felt furious, wishing he had killed him earlier because the Immortal had hindered his plans way too many times.
A loud hum rang out.
“Die! I will avenge my Master!” Yao Yao refused to listen to him anymore. Her change was drastic; a peach blossom bloomed between her eyebrows, exploding with blinding light as she rose into the air. Her clothes floated around her, her feet bare. Her clothes and hair hung perfectly as if she was a beautiful goddess, yet her expression was cold. She looked to possess the power to destroy the world.
The next moment, she waved her hand downwards. Beams of light appeared and turned into celestial swords, each one with exceptional strength. They followed her hand movement, sweeping downwards in a horizontal line in an attempt to kill him.
[When did she start being wary of me? Was it in the beginning when the Immortal told her about this? He has spoiled my plans and does not deserve to be mourned! Her energy has become much more powerful than before.] Jiang Yang’s expression darkened as Yao Yao finally split up with him and tried to fight him. All his carefully thought-out plans and plots were all useless, as everything was out of his control now. At this point, the most pressing issue was to stop Yao Yao to prevent any hindrance to his grandest plan.
“I’m giving this to you. Stop her!” Jiang Yang had an ugly look on his face as he tossed a shiny clear seal toward Zhao Yi, who was standing behind him. He then began to conjure with his hands, and the entire place began to rotate.
An extreme murderous intent appeared in the outermost area surrounding the place, accompanied by all the awakened energy waves. It had evolved into a killing field to fight against the mysterious woman who had chased him here. All his defence techniques were starting to work!
…
[It’s more dangerous here than in the Celestia Holy Land. Jiang Yang may have decided to make use of the unique energy of this place to cultivate himself into a deity. If he succeeds, will he take that chance to escape this Realm!] Yue Mingkong, who was outside the Sky Pool of Death, frowned, standing before her army of Golden Warriors. They looked ready to conquer the world. She couldn’t help but feel desperate.
Within the Sky Pool of Death was the artifact the Mortal One most needed. His biggest trap was inside as well, and she might be destroyed if she wasn’t careful. The Mortal One was truly a cunning man who cannot be underestimated.
Soon, the skies became dark as a terrifying demon of chaos began to awaken deep within the clouds. Grey fog rose into the air, with a cold gaze concealed within. The entirety of the Sky Pool of Death began to tremble, and numerous monstrous beasts awakened from all sides. The sight was enough to make anyone afraid.
Yes!! We’re almost at the climax!
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