Chapter 39
Feng Jiutian suddenly turned around, his pupils contracted, and his teeth chattered: "What...what is that?!"
really.
Sheng Ningyu's heart sank, and she immediately ran towards the village.
"Back off!"
"Everyone! Retreat back into the village! The village is a sacrifice, the final place the demonic seed will devour!"
A red mist whistled behind them, and the group barely managed to dodge it, running into the village.
Seeing the third elder of the Phoenix Clan standing at the village entrance, hesitant to move, Sheng Ningyu sneered, "You exchanged the lives of the villagers for the people from the Demon Seed Illusion, but have you ever considered whether the Demon Seed will truly abide by the agreement when you make a deal with them?"
The overwhelming spiritual power suppressed the Phoenix Clan member who had spoken, causing him to cower like a quail, his body trembling, and he dared not utter another word.
The villagers were confined to one place, like cattle and sheep awaiting slaughter, their eyes numb. Even when they cried out occasionally, they dared not make a sound, being held tightly in the arms of their elders, for fear of angering the immortals and having even their last glimmer of life taken away.
The cultivators remained silent. Chu Yanshu took out spiritual medicine to heal his brother's injuries. Feng Jiutian, having just experienced a great upheaval, was at a loss and wanted to ask, but he couldn't utter a single word.
Because of those villagers.
Some people kept closing their eyes in prayer, some were weeping softly, some were hugging their brothers and sisters tightly, and some were looking at him with expectant eyes.
Like ants, like dust.
Feng Jiutian fiddled with the spiritual fire in his palm, thinking to himself, is the mortal world really such a fleeting thing?
Sheng Ningyu sat cross-legged by the fire, touched her right hand, and finally put it down.
She closed her eyes to rest, thinking to herself that Feng Qingli's words before were not a lie, nor were they fabricated.
...The demonic seed has truly reappeared.
In the instant that the news was confirmed, countless questions arose in Sheng Ningyu's mind.
Wasn't she supposed to eradicate all the demon seeds back then? How could there still be demon seeds remaining in the world?
According to Feng Qingli, there is more than one demonic seed!
Without needing to think too much, Sheng Ningyu had already found the answer on her way to the village.
A demon seed is a being formed within the body of a powerful cultivator or a mortal with an extremely strong obsession, who died a violent death with immense resentment or unfulfilled grievances.
There are eleven joints in the human body. If someone can gather eleven demon seeds and place them into the body of the most virtuous person in the world, they can reverse good and evil in the world, and the original "most virtuous person" will become the "most evil person" and have the ability to command the evil of the three realms.
Under the manipulation of those with ulterior motives, the demonic seed will spontaneously form an illusion similar to a secret realm. The difference lies in the fact that a secret realm gathers the essence of heaven and earth, with mysterious opportunities that vary from person to person, while the illusion formed by the demonic seed is exactly the opposite.
It stirs up the deepest desires and fears in people's hearts, causing them to kill each other and devour all living things to nourish itself.
Back in the Mitian Realm, Sheng Ningyu was willing to sacrifice herself, even if it meant falling into the trap of that unknown person and having her spiritual bones extracted, in order to destroy the last demonic seed.
She believed that this would restore peace to the world.
"...Yes, my mother was saved by an immortal with a sword back then!"
A soft murmur arose from the crowd. Some of the cultivators who had been meditating impatiently opened their eyes and saw Feng Jiutian squatting down with food in his hands, talking to the captured mortals.
The Third Elder scolded, "Nine Heavens! What are you doing?"
Feng Jiutian froze, but this time, he did not leave. Instead, he stubbornly said to the villagers, "You can continue."
The villagers shrank back, their voices becoming even more humble, almost trembling.
"Back then, many immortals were fighting, and there were also giant roc birds flying around, which almost burned down the village."
"It was an immortal passing by, carrying a sword. He just swung it a few times and blocked all the fire for us!"
Feng Jiutian: "May I ask what that immortal lord looks like?"
"A celestial lord? No, a celestial lord, she's a beautiful little fairy!"
This conversation was completely nonsensical, and even Feng Jiutian couldn't help but laugh: "Immortal Lords are not distinguished by gender. In the cultivation world, anyone with a higher cultivation level, who has reached the fifth stage of the Jade Balance Realm, can be called an 'Immortal Lord'."
Feng Jiutian didn't notice that all the cultivators had opened their eyes at that moment.
"We can't tell the difference, and we've never seen an immortal. We've only heard my father say that the immortal is extraordinary! He's someone from the Sword Pavilion, just like Mingyue!"
Feng Jiutian looked around at the crowd: "May I ask if your father is here?"
The man picked at his ear: "Is the immortal asking about my father? Haha, he was just a little kid back then, and now he's been dead for almost twenty years."
Feng Jiutian was stunned, unsure what to say. The man, however, laughed and said, "Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural order of things; we're used to it!"
"What nonsense are you spouting in front of an immortal?" A young man who looked like a scholar in the corner couldn't help but stand up and raise his voice, "Does the immortal want to ask about that immortal lord?"
Seeing Feng Jiutian nod, the scholar said, "My grandmother was saved by that Sword Pavilion Immortal Lord. After inquiring around, we learned that the Immortal Lord's surname was 'Sheng' and his given name was 'Mingyue'. We dared not offend him, so we built a shrine for him in our ancestral home, hoping that the heavens would bless this Immortal Lord so that his path would be smooth and successful, and that he would find immortality."
It was actually the Bright Moon Sword Master.
Feng Jiutian couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart.
There was a sense of surprise, yet also a feeling that it was meant to be.
And then there's the scholar's final line, "To seek immortality."
For Feng Jiutian, doing this was easy, but at this moment, his heart felt inexplicably heavy.
He said, "You yourselves are all less than a hundred years old, so how can you care about others? Besides, what you're doing is useless. That Sword... Immortal Lord won't know, or she may have forgotten about it herself."
The scholar smiled and said, "I can't control others, but there are successors. As for its use... all I, a mere scholar, can do is write down the deeds of this immortal lord and compile them into a book so that the world can sing its praises."
Feng Jiutian: "But mayflies live for a hundred years, how long can you sing its praises?"
The scholar laughed heartily: "My ancestors said that countless people were helped by that immortal lord back then. If that's true, I'm afraid that through the changing dynasties, his name would be recorded in history for thousands of years, until the world is transformed and the stars and earth collapse, before he would be forgotten?"
The third elder of the Phoenix Clan froze from the moment the words "Sheng Mingyue" appeared, not daring to circulate his spiritual energy, as if afraid of disturbing something.
The Phoenix Clan members following behind the Third Elder looked at each other, and all of them saw fear in each other's eyes.
If... if that person were still alive, and they acted in this way, it wouldn't be as simple as being punished according to the Phoenix Clan's rules!
Just then, a clear child's voice rang out, and she asked in a sobbing voice, "Third brother, will that immortal come again this time?"
The scholar's smile faded. He lowered his head and hugged his younger sister, coaxing, "Immortals are very, very far away from us; they don't come every time..."
Feng Jiutian inexplicably dared not listen anymore, and he retreated from the villagers in a disheveled state.
Meanwhile, Sheng Ningyu, standing to the side, twitched the corner of her mouth, slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, and chuckled softly.
She stood up and walked out, muttering to herself, "How come you've been doing the same thing for so many years..."
Without hesitation, he clasped his left hand around his right wrist.
"Fellow Daoist Wang!"
As soon as Feng Jiutian got up and withdrew from the villagers, he saw Sheng Ningyu standing alone outside the village, and a feeling of tension suddenly rose in his heart.
Fellow Daoist Wang Jiu was dressed in a simple, snow-white robe. His long hair, casually tied behind his head, fluttered in the wind, and the long, snow-white hair ribbon was whipped around by the swirling wind.
For a moment, Feng Jiutian felt that the person in front of her was like the bright moon in the sky, alone and full of loneliness and coldness.
The unknown sword hovered in front of her, emitting a ghostly blue light. Through the sword, overwhelming demonic energy pressed down like a black mist. Within the all-encompassing demonic energy, countless vengeful spirits seemed to wail, and ancient demons seemed to be cackling and laughing, their faces constantly twisting and turning in the mist.
Feng Jiutian took a deep breath, opened his mouth, and was about to say something, but was so startled by Sheng Ningyu's movements that he forgot to speak.
She actually tore open her own right wrist?!
"Fellow Daoist Wang?!"
Startled, Feng Jiutian rushed to Sheng Ningyu's side, stammering, "Fellow Daoist Wang, what are you doing?!"
Blood dripped from his palm onto the ground, staining the white snow red and spreading out like a burning flame.
Sheng Ningyu smiled easily: "No need to be afraid." She looked at the demonic energy rushing in from afar, calmly took out the piece of spiritual bone, and put it into her flesh.
"I'm doing what I've always wanted to do."
She was wrong.
Sheng Ningyu originally thought that as long as she eliminated the demon seed, the world would be at peace.
She even thought that after she, the eyesore "Bright Moon Sword Master," died and disappeared, all the past grudges and grievances would be wiped away.
But……
Sheng Ningyu chuckled softly: "The Great Dao is ruthless."
She raised her sword.
The Great Dao is ruthless, yet it gives birth to and nurtures all things. All things possess feelings, and feelings give rise to cause and effect. Cause and effect intertwine, ultimately forming the myriad forms of reincarnation in this world, and the countless kinds of things in heaven and earth.
She likes it.
Sheng Ningyu hovered in mid-air, facing the howling black mist, ignoring the intense pain in her wrist, channeling her spiritual power, turning her sword back, and slashing down!
Feng Jiutian was almost stunned.
In just a few sword strikes, he inexplicably saw through the layers of sword shadows his parents carrying him as a child, his elders teasing him with interesting and novel pastries, and the Qingyi Academy...
He quickly shook his head and asked Chu Yanshu beside him, "What kind of swordsmanship is this? How can it be so powerful?!"
Chu Yanshu shook his head: "I have never seen it."
However, the Phoenix Clan's Third Elder and others, who had also arrived at the village entrance, immediately turned pale.
Others might not recognize them, but they knew them all too well!
This is the sixth level of the Ninefold Sword! The sixth level of the sword technique that can bring countless joyful scenes to the world when danced!
However, even such a stunningly beautiful sword could not withstand the sweeping black sun and red mist, and the bronze sword was shattered into powder!
The Phoenix Clan members turned pale and instantly fell into despair.
If even she can't do anything, what can they do?!
The Third Elder of the Phoenix Clan: "Feng Jiutian! Come here!"
Chu Le's face was also pale, and although her hands were trembling uncontrollably, she still held onto Chu Yanshu tightly and said fiercely to her sister, "Shut up! Stay behind me! Don't come out!"
……wrong.
Regardless of her incomplete spiritual power and spiritual bones, given her current state of mind, she simply cannot unleash the sixth level of the Magnificent Human Realm.
Sheng Ningyu took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and felt the flow of spiritual energy within her body. She could no longer ignore the pain in her body.
A fine, persistent pain emanated from her right hand, as if it had been burned by a raging fire that year, searing her flesh and blood again and again. But as long as the flesh and blood remained, the pain persisted.
Sheng Ningyu took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and felt the spiritual energy flowing within her body. Then she raised her face, quietly looking at the setting sun, and said, "I'd like to borrow your sword."
Before the words were even finished, the Phoenix Cry Sword, which had just been unsheathed, was seen heading straight for Sheng Ningyu!
It wasn't just urgent; it even carried a hint of obsequiousness!
Feng Jiutian opened his eyes wide in disbelief.
Even though the black mist was billowing and the demonic energy was pressing down, at this moment, in Feng Jiutian's heart, there was only that sword that radiated crimson light!
The Phoenix Cry Sword, which had always been unruly and lonely, was now pressed tightly against Sheng Ningyu's body. One clear phoenix cry after another appeared, and crimson sound waves spread out from the sword's edge, actually forcing back the approaching demonic energy.
Chu Yanshu opened his mouth and then closed it again, turning his head blankly: "Why isn't it like this in your hands?"
Feng Jiutian: "..."
He had never seen the Phoenix Cry Sword work so hard in his entire life.
Anyone could see its joy at that moment.
It was as if being held by her was an immense honor, while being wielded by her sword...
In this world, there is one person who can make the noble Phoenix Clan's divine sword willingly become something in his grasp, subject to his whims.
The third elder of the Phoenix Clan looked at Sheng Ningyu, and finally bowed his noble head and respectfully paid his respects.
"Oh, it's you."
Sheng Ningyu gripped the Phoenix Cry Sword, gazing at the ever-approaching red mist, and smiled freely.
It's as if this isn't a life-or-death moment, but rather a fleeting dream of life, a time for getting drunk with friends, only to return home upon waking.
She said, "You old man really need to be taught a lesson."
However, this seemingly casual remark, delivered without even a strong tone, caused the Third Elder of the Phoenix Clan to turn pale, his fingers trembling, and he almost knelt down.
Don't give me that.
There were no questions or requests, just calm instructions.
Instructions given by a superior to a subordinate.
Feng Jiutian was confused and terrified. He couldn't help but turn to look at his Third Elder, only to be surprised to find that this most arrogant elder, who even dared to contradict Feng Jun, was now as humble as a servant.
He replied respectfully, "Yes, I will certainly follow your words."
The third elder of the Phoenix Clan knew that the Sword Venerable disliked asking questions and even more so, he disliked repeating himself.
All she needs is submission.
Sheng Ningyu smiled, staring at the black mist, and suddenly spoke at the last moment.
"My dear friend Yan Shu."
Chu Yanshu looked up at the figure floating in the air and listened to her voice, which had been blurred by the demonic energy.
"If I do not go out, please help me send a message to your master."
She seemed to sigh.
"...Let's demolish that Bright Moon Pavilion on the Sea as soon as possible."
It's absolutely disgusting, Sheng Ningyu thought. She had been lying in a coffin for sixty years and had been burdened with this blame for sixty years.
That old man of Heaven is truly blind.
The next second, as the dark sun approached, Sheng Ningyu held the Phoenix Cry Sword, and dozens of red lights suddenly rose up!
Sheng Ningyu smiled coldly as she faced the collapsing world.
It's all about demons, slaughter, and sacrifice.
Scenes from the past flashed through her mind.
The Sword Pavilion disciples were strangled by demonic energy, the mortals were slaughtered by cultivators, the creatures were bullied by ghosts and demons, and the ignorant old people clamored to use other people's descendants...
The demonic energy on the section of spiritual bone she had fused with had not yet completely dissipated, and waves of pain swept over it.
Similarly, the mortal world also offered Sheng Ningyu much warmth.
The village aunties combed her hair and tied a beautiful longevity knot for her; the old lady selling sesame cakes on the road would bring her the freshest sesame cakes without fail when she stayed at an inn; the children she rescued would secretly give her the pastries and candies they had saved; when she got lost and didn't have a compass, a kind old man led her all the way...
But there will always be someone who wants to destroy all of this.
The Great Way is ruthless.
But Sheng Ningyu thought that even the gods and Buddhas of the heavens would understand her anger at this moment.
As the sword's edge condensed, it seemed to stir up thousands of feet of overlapping snow and cleave through ten thousand feet of black mist.
A clear, aloof voice echoed through sixty years. The third elder of the Phoenix Clan looked into the distance and saw layers of golden light rising behind the floating figure, as if all the gods and Buddhas were finally willing to lower their gazes for one person, gently enveloping her.
Does this move exist in "Ninefold Sword"?
However, at that moment, the wooden bracelet given to Sheng Ningyu by Madam Xiang suddenly shattered, and the silver mask on her face turned to dust. Her long black hair turned snow-white from the roots, almost merging with the world.
In an instant! Thousands of golden-light-sculpted, towering gods and Buddhas were transformed into evil demons!
The Third Elder was terrified!
"Leave immediately! Report to the young lord!"
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Author's Note: Mingyue: You ignorant old fool, I've broken through.
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