The Finale
Chao Du: "After that, I will keep those demonic cultivators in the mortal realm, and I will leave the underworld to you all. After the Ghost King successfully reverses Yin and Yang, his power may be weakened, and he may underestimate his opponent... This requires you all in the underworld to think of a way to seize the opportunity, but you should be able to make some preparations in advance."
As Chaodu spoke, Yuzang's mind was already racing with ideas: "I've read about some talismans in ancient books that can keep a person's soul conscious after death, even allowing it to move freely..."
Asakawa smiled and nodded: "That's the idea. Think about it some more. I am a variable, but one variable alone is not enough. Only with variables, plus your advance preparations, can we really change the outcome."
Yuzang: "...I understand, thank you."
A month later, the "New Sword Test" event was held as scheduled.
Two-thirds of the cultivators, as well as the demons who were on good terms with the cultivators, gathered near the Immortal Alliance. Chao Du, along with the disciples of the Immortal Hidden Sect and the newly awakened Long Mingxuan, also came to join the fun.
Fu Buci fired an arrow from the clouds to ring the Demon-Suppressing Bell, announcing the start of the New Sword Trial Competition.
Another person, Chao Du, asked in surprise, "Why isn't he using a sword anymore?"
Chao Du sneered, "He's probably too embarrassed to use his sword anymore."
Fu Buci wasn't embarrassed to use a sword, but rather he had developed a phobia of it: ever since Chao Du broke his sword for the second time, he simply couldn't lift it anymore.
The moment his hand touches the hilt of the sword, he recalls the two times Asahi broke his sword, and then his hand trembles uncontrollably, and the sword slips from his grasp.
He had to temporarily switch to bows and arrows to barely continue the tradition of the Immortal Alliance leader striking the Demon-Suppressing Bell before the New Sword Competition.
As for why it was an arrow instead of a sword this time, if you still want to stay in the Immortal Alliance, don't worry about it or ask.
The deep, resonant sound of the Demon-Suppressing Bell slowly echoed throughout the surrounding area.
The moment the bells stopped ringing, the sun in the clouds glowed red.
Chao Du was mentally prepared and had even seen the predictions of the Heavenly Dao, but only now did he realize that what appeared in the prediction was not a blood moon, but a blood sun!
The Book of Life and Death is powerful enough to reverse the yin and yang of the world during the day.
In the cold, red sunlight, countless people collapsed into a daze, their expressions serene, as if they were asleep, but without any breath.
In just a moment, only three people remained standing in the huge arena for the new sword-testing competition. They happened to be standing together, which made them stand out.
Chaodu, Longmingxuan, Liangyue.
Asahi was an outsider, and she won her gamble.
Long Mingxuan was a demon who had already died, and since he was only a soul, his name was not on the Book of Life and Death.
And Liangyue...
Chao Du looked at him and smiled, "Ghost King, it must have been hard for you to leave a clone by my side."
Liang Yue winked at her, looking innocent and obedient, and said with a smile, "No trouble at all. I already told you, I like you very much. Come on, give me your soul."
Liang Yue reached out to Chao Du, and a flash of sword light suddenly appeared, causing his hand to slowly fall from his arm.
Then, Chao Du pointed the Thousand-Jin Sword to the sky, and a majestic sword aura emanated from the sword. Suddenly, dark clouds covered the sky, obscuring the light of the blood sun. Lightning flashed in the clouds, covering an area of hundreds of miles, protecting the millions of cultivators and demons who came to participate in the New Sword Trial Competition, preventing demonic cultivators from getting close.
Long Mingxuan opened a heavy scroll, and a massive array maintained by his demonic power unfolded from the scroll, enveloping all the millions of people and demons. As long as the array remained intact and his demonic power was not exhausted, their bodies would not decay.
Liang Yue ignored the formation, her gaze fixed intently on Chao Du: "Your strength has recovered so much in such a short time! No wonder I've chosen you..."
Long Mingxuan frowned in displeasure, while Chao Du was also disgusted: "Stop saying such disgusting things."
Liang Yue laughed heartily: "Fine, if you don't like it, then don't say it."
Asawari: ...Even more disgusting.
After laughing enough, Liang Yue looked at the dark clouds and the demonic energy array with her hands behind her back, and asked regretfully, "You're so smart, you don't have any unrealistic hopes, do you? Even if this protects their bodies, how long can it last?"
Asakawa lazily replied, "Just consider it a way to pass the time when I'm bored."
Liang Yue's gaze suddenly changed, as if she had seen something, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Those good-for-nothings in the cultivation world actually prepared a backup plan."
Asawa: "Oh, it's normal for them to struggle."
"No, they were prepared all along..." Liang Yue stared at Chao Du, then suddenly burst into wild laughter, "You discovered my identity long ago, but deliberately kept me alive to mislead me!"
Chao Du shrugged: "You've been preparing for ten years, so even if we're short on time, we still have to prepare, otherwise it would be very impolite."
Liang Yue suddenly disappeared; it seems the underworld is quite "lively".
Chao Du looked at Long Mingxuan and smiled, "Now, for the time being, there are only the two of us, one human and one demon, left in the world."
Long Mingxuan smiled and said, "Fortunately, we can still keep each other company. Do you think those humans and demons will succeed?"
"I think so." Chao Du looked at the millions of people and demons who seemed to be asleep, then looked at his other self beside him, worried but determined. "I believe in them, I believe in my friends, I believe in myself, and I believe we can all wake up again."
...
The "underworld" created by Changmeng was not desolate at all; on the contrary, it was bustling with activity.
A ghost cultivator reported in terror, "Lord, many souls still possess their own consciousness, and these souls are so powerful that we cannot control them!"
Changmeng did not go in person, but instead waved her hand, causing the thick demonic energy and resentment accumulated in the blood pool to turn into blood mist, which quickly spread throughout the "underworld" and fiercely eroded those stubborn souls.
Everyone in the Immortal Alliance was affected to varying degrees, except for one person: another Chaodu.
She was already possessed by demons, and now that she's become a ghost, these demonic energies and resentments are even somewhat nourishing to her.
She also retained her consciousness, and because she had already become a demon, she was pulled away from the group by the ghost cultivators in front of the "Bridge of Helplessness" to become a "manager".
"There are too many people. Since you're a demonic cultivator, don't just stand around. If you see anyone disobedient, use this Soul-Scattering Whip to hit them." The ghost cultivator handed her a whip and instructed her, "Do a good job, and maybe the Ghost King can make you an immortal!"
Another Asakawa pretended to be excited: "Great!" Not at all.
She pretended to patrol the massive procession of undead while carrying a whip, secretly letting go of several conscious cultivators to help the Immortal Alliance members who were fiercely battling the ghost cultivators ahead.
But that's not enough.
Another group of people found several elites, including Su Ci and Cen Ling, who were lying in wait. They used the excuse that the Ghost King had specifically asked to see them and the Soul-Scattering Whip as proof to sneak into the "Ghost Immortal Palace".
These elites directly attacked the weakened Ghost King to seize the Book of Life and Death from his hands, while another Chaodu pretended to panic and went outside to call for other ghost cultivators to provide support.
Upon hearing that the Ghost King had been attacked, the Ghost Cultivators' battle lines immediately fell into disarray.
...
Three days later, the blood-red sun faded, the dark clouds dispersed, the lightning stopped, and the demonic cultivators scattered and fled.
Millions of cultivators and demons gradually awoke, celebrating with excitement and embracing each other to commemorate this miraculous rebirth.
The other Asawatari hugged Asawatari tightly, tears welling in his eyes: "We did it! We did it!!!"
Chao Du hugged her back and smiled, "Yes, it was a success, because of you and all of you."
She looked at Su Ci, Cen Ling, You Zang, and the others who had fallen behind another Chao Du.
Yuzang's expression was complicated. Then she suddenly walked up to Chaodu and whispered, "I'm sorry, I've been suspicious of you all this time."
"It's alright, I understand." Chao Du waved his hand generously, then laughed, "How about we have dinner together tonight to celebrate? And tell me how you guys defeated the Ghost King in the underworld."
Su Ci and Cen Ling immediately agreed, but You Cang said regretfully, "I'm sorry, the Immortal Alliance will probably be very busy tonight, and I'm afraid I won't be able to attend the banquet. Could we reschedule for another day?"
Chao Du naturally had no objections.
However, the group did not get together alone that night. It wasn't just Chao Du who wanted to have a celebratory dinner; almost everyone, both human and demon, wanted to celebrate their survival. So they decided to get together and turn the original Sword Trial Competition into a grand celebration banquet.
Under the clear moonlight, the original arena was transformed into an open-air banquet hall, filled with cheers, laughter, songs, dances, and delicious food.
All the humans and demons who attended the banquet, even those who didn't know each other's names, became instant friends.
Long Youlan drank two cups of wine and went around telling people and demons about the bravery and wisdom of their Dragon Clan Crown Prince, how the Crown Prince proposed that the demon race participate in the New Sword Trial Competition, and his merit in guarding the mortal realm when Yin and Yang reversed.
So the news spread like wildfire, and soon the entire demon race knew about it.
Then, someone started it, and countless demons began to cheer for Long Mingxuan's name.
The cultivators were indignant. They had just heard from the Immortal Alliance that their successful "rebirth" was all thanks to that immortal from another world. From discovering the crisis to formulating the plan and later guarding the mortal realm, she had made a great contribution.
Then someone shouted "Chao Du" first, and a group of cultivators began to cheer "Chao Du".
The shouts from both sides rose and fell, one wave after another. Chao Du felt so embarrassed that her scalp tingled. She shook her head helplessly. Suddenly, across the vast sea of people, she saw Long Mingxuan looking at her, his gentle and bright eyes filled with undisguised admiration.
Seeing her looking at him, he raised his glass in a toast to her.
Chao Du was slightly taken aback, then raised his wine cup to toast him from afar, and then drank it all.
The cheering crowd gradually quieted down, and everyone looked at the two people toasting each other, their eyes filled with excitement at discovering some gossip.
Some people whispered among themselves: "During those three days when we were all dead, it was as if only Chao Du and Long Mingxuan were still alive in the whole world."
You Yao exclaimed excitedly, "What a coincidence!"
"Don't you think these two are a good match?"
Yes, yes, yes!
Asakawa noticed the excited, gossipy gazes and had a bad feeling. Before they could say anything that would embarrass her, she simply disappeared.
Long Mingxuan chuckled softly, then suddenly heard his father beside him ask, "Son, do you like that girl?"
Long Mingxuan froze, while his mother excitedly exclaimed, "It seems she likes him! Let's pick an auspicious day to propose!"
“…I’m afraid that’s not a good idea,” Long Mingxuan said in a low voice. “She is not from this world, and she may not stay for long.”
He suddenly envied his counterpart in the other world, who still had so much time to stay in the same world as her.
...
A month later, under immense pressure and amidst much discussion, Fu Buci resigned from his position as leader of the Immortal Alliance. You Zang, based on his contributions to the Ghost King's reversal of Yin and Yang, became the new leader of the Immortal Alliance.
Another group, including Chao Du, Su Ci, and Cen Ling, were invited by You Zang to rejoin the Immortal Alliance and assume important positions.
Another Chao Du was the first person in the history of the Immortal Alliance to join as a demonic cultivator, but no one objected or questioned it.
Chao Du declined the Immortal Alliance's invitation and prepared to leave.
Upon learning of her decision, another Asakawa burst into tears.
She grabbed her wrist and pleaded in a trembling voice, "Don't go, please don't go..."
Asaka gently patted her head: "But all good things must come to an end."
The other Asawa knew this too, but she simply couldn't accept her departure.
She cried for a long time before she finally caught her breath and asked, "Will we ever have a chance to see each other again?"
"I think so," Asakawa laughed. "If I can come here once, I can come countless times... Hey, hey, don't start thunder, just kidding!"
Asakawa looked speechlessly at the lightning that suddenly flashed across the clear sky and muttered, "How stingy. I just came to see some acquaintances and didn't do anything."
Another bolt of lightning streaked across the clear sky, as if in response to her: You said the same thing when you first arrived!
Asahi felt a little guilty.
The other Chao Du cried even louder: "Is Heaven forbidding you from coming back?! How can we ever see each other again?!"
Asaka quickly comforted her, "Even if it doesn't let me come back, you can still come to me. You'll become more and more powerful, and one day, you'll be able to transcend time and space and suddenly appear before me."
The other Asakawa's eyes gradually brightened, and the two Asakawa looked up at the sky together: there was no more lightning.
Heaven's tacit approval is acceptable!
Chao Du was speechless: What kind of Heavenly Dao is this, where fellow Daoists die but I die?
Chao Du spent several more days saying goodbye to each of his friends.
On the last day, she saw Long Mingxuan again. His eyes were red, as if he had just shed tears before coming.
Chao Du suddenly didn't know how to start the conversation.
She understood his feelings.
She knew her own feelings better than anyone else.
Because of her predestined connection with Long Mingxuan in their original world, she saved Long Mingxuan in this world. After rescuing demons from the Dragon Palace and experiencing the reversal of Yin and Yang, they realized their feelings for each other, but she ultimately had to leave...
Asahi sighed softly, feeling a sense of helplessness at the cruel twist of fate.
"I heard from another you that if I'm strong enough, I can go to that world to find you. I will work hard to cultivate," Long Mingxuan said earnestly, looking at her.
Chao Du was somewhat happy, but then she remembered something: there was also a Long Mingxuan in her world... what if they met?
Long Mingxuan suddenly grasped her hand, looked at her with teary eyes, and softly pleaded, "Until then, can you please ignore me in your other world? I feel that he and you are not destined for each other. It must be because he is not good enough that I have a chance. Please ignore him and wait for me to come and find you, okay?"
Chao Du burst out laughing: How blatant is this belittling and jealousy, and the object of his belittling and jealousy is himself.
"Don't laugh, I'm serious." Long Mingxuan looked at her stubbornly and squeezed her hand tighter. "I will definitely cultivate hard every day and try to see you as soon as possible."
Asaka looked into his eyes, her heart fluttered, but she knew clearly how difficult this was; it wasn't something that could be achieved simply through hard work. Luck and opportunity, those elusive things, were indispensable.
She slowly withdrew her hand from his and whispered, "This is actually very difficult. Perhaps... we will never have the chance to see each other again. Forgetting me might be the best choice for you."
Long Mingxuan was silent for a moment, then took her hand again, looked into her eyes, and said slowly but firmly, "Without you, I would still be sealed, no different from death, no, more painful than death; without you, even if someone else broke the seal, I would have no will to live, would not want to return to the Dragon Palace, and would not find any meaning in living; without you, I would not know the feeling of being moved..." As he spoke, his cheeks flushed slightly, but his eyes became brighter, "You made me hear my own heart, made me find the meaning of existence and cultivation, and gave me a reason to continue living."
'So don't push me away, don't reject me, wait for me...' he prayed in his heart.
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
Asaka gently squeezed his hand back and smiled, "I'm waiting for the day we meet again."
Long Mingxuan's eyes suddenly lit up, and his cheeks flushed slightly as he whispered, "Then, could you give me a hug next time we meet?"
"Of course, but don't you want it now?" Chao Du smiled at him. Long Mingxuan's cheeks flushed even more. He slowly stood up, walked to her side, and hugged her tightly, remembering her warmth.
"We will definitely meet again."
"Okay, I believe you."
...
The next day, after Chao Du bid farewell and offered blessings to another Chao Du, the Heavenly Path opened a passage for her to return home.
She also saw the Heavenly Dao of this world for the first time.
Last time, Heaven used her voice, and this time it even used her appearance, only the latter has a much colder temperament.
"I don't have my own appearance, so I used yours," Heaven explained.
Asakawa nodded in understanding.
The Heavenly Dao then said, "Thank you for helping me reclaim the Dao of life and death, thus preventing the world from becoming abnormal in its cycle of life and death."
Chao Du asked with a smile, "Do you have a thank-you gift for me?"
She was just joking, but she never expected that Heaven would actually agree.
"I will share some of the Dao of Time with you, and then you can complete the cause and effect for yourself." The Heavenly Dao stretched out its hand to Chao Du, and Chao Du placed its hand on it.
In the next instant, it seemed as if countless memories rushed past her eyes, finally settling on a new sword trial competition that she and Xie Luyao had once participated in together.
During that grand competition, she saw You Yunyue, the then leader of the Immortal Alliance, wield a sword that resembled a crescent moon.
It was that sword strike that stirred her emotions, and she made up her mind to start learning swordsmanship.
However, it seems the ceremony hasn't started yet, and You Yunyue hasn't swung her sword.
The invisible Asakawa sits leisurely on a flowering tree, watching her younger self sitting on the corridor railing, holding a paintbrush and paper, lost in thought: So that's how silly I looked back then.
Beside the young girl, Chaodu, her friend Xie Luyao was drawing something on paper. Occasionally, they would exchange a few words, and the two would lean on each other and laugh. The time was peaceful and beautiful.
Suddenly, several female disciples from other sects passed by, and their sleeves abruptly caught the eyes of the two girls: butterfly-shaped sleeves, fresh and lovely colors, and elegant and smooth lines. They were truly masterpieces, seemingly new products from Phoenix Feather Pavilion, the old rival of Immortal Garment Pavilion.
Xie Luyao pulled Chao Du along to catch up, wanting to continue looking at the competitor's new products.
Asaka realized something was wrong, because she remembered very clearly that she had seen a very rare and precious pink-winged shimmering swallowtail butterfly in this garden that day.
Where are the butterflies?
Chao Du quickly looked around but didn't see it. Suddenly, he understood the meaning of the Heavenly Dao's words, "Make up for your own karma."
She needs to conjure up a pink-winged, shimmering swallowtail butterfly for herself.
It's very simple; all it takes is a little illusion.
She conjured a pink-winged, shimmering swallowtail butterfly from her memory, and made it fly past the two girls.
The two girls' attention was indeed drawn, and they happily changed direction to chase after the rare and precious pink-winged shimmering swallowtail butterfly.
Asahi realized something in her heart; this might be the real point of divergence between her and the other Asahi.
She saw herself and Xie Luyao studying the butterfly, sketching and recording it on paper, which matched her memory. She then followed the group of girls from other sects, wanting to see where they went, and where her other self would go with them.
Then she saw the young Fu Buci practicing swordsmanship with someone.
Beneath the shimmering blossoms, the young man, full of vigor and with bright eyes, displayed elegant and unrestrained swordsmanship, winning decisively and eliciting applause.
The female disciples whispered among themselves, "Senior Brother Fu is so handsome..."
"If anyone could marry my senior brother, it would be an immense blessing."
"I wonder what kind of woman Senior Brother Fu would like?"
Chao Du sat on the roof, listening to the girls' whispers. He chuckled and shook his head, lamenting the capriciousness of fate: perhaps it was because his other self saw Fu Buci before seeing You Yunyue wield that crescent-shaped sword, and fell in love with him, that a small mistake led to a huge error.
As the scenery before him gradually blurred, Chao Du realized that he had completed the cause and effect, and the Heavenly Dao was about to send him back.
Looking back on her journey to this other world, Asahi suddenly realized that it was another Asahi's strong will to survive that led her to this world. Then she saved another version of herself, and together they saved this world. In return for the reward from the Heavenly Dao, she was able to complete the cause and effect, "guide" her younger self, and thus become who she is today.
She and her other self actually saved each other.
This Heavenly Dao saved the original world by creating a parallel world.
Thus, the cause and effect are complete and perfected.
Chaodu rode the wind back to his original world, looking forward to meeting his old friends again.
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