Ch. 1212 - The Evil Entity, Suspicion, Ceremony

“Seal!” the monk shouted, his voice calm yet commanding. His body glowed like a golden Arhat as a massive alms bowl rose into the air.

The bowl expanded in the sky, radiating golden light that covered half the heavens before descending to trap the sinister presence below.

Just as it was about to close around the entity, a loud bang erupted. Something struck the bowl, shaking it violently.

Everyone turned to look. From the void cracked open a string of skull-shaped prayer beads, oozing demonic energy.

They clashed head-on with the monk’s alms bowl.

The monk from Compassion Temple frowned and turned toward the members of the Desolate Temple. “What do you mean by this?” he demanded. “You’re interfering with my sealing of this evil being, don’t tell me you intend to side with it?”

“To seal such a creature requires the hands of our Desolate Temple,” said a fierce young man who looked more like a demon monk than a human. He stepped forward, grinning cruelly. “Compassion Temple can stand aside and watch.”

“Wrathful Emperor, don’t go too far,” the monk snapped.

“And if I do?” Wrathful Emperor sneered.

High above, the skull prayer beads shattered the golden bowl, transforming into a cloud of ghostly energy that enveloped the evil entity entirely.

The thing struggled frantically, thrashing as it tried to break free, but its efforts were in vain.

The skulls contracted, fusing into a beam of black light that shot downward from the sky and fell to the ground.

“Wrathful Emperor, you-!” The monk’s face twisted with anger.

“Brother Wu, don’t lose your temper,” said a small, youthful monk beside him, his head smooth and unscarred except for a single small knot. He smiled serenely. “All things are illusion. Fame, conflict, victory, they’re no more than wine passing through the gut.”

“I know,” the older monk said through gritted teeth. “But he’s gone too far.”

“Since the evil thing has been captured, let’s at least see what it is,” Chu Feiyang interjected, breaking the tension.

Wrathful Emperor released the skull beads, revealing the dark entity trapped inside.

It was a massive shadow, round in shape, its distorted face twisted together in a grotesque snarl.

“What in the world is that?” someone asked.

Even the great sect lords, seasoned and worldly, couldn’t identify the creature.

Behind the orb-like body trailed a plume of malevolent violet mist.

“It’s trying to devour my prayer beads,” Wrathful Emperor said flatly, his expression darkening as he sensed something unusual.

“None of you recognize it?” Chu Feiyang asked, glancing around at the gathered factions.

Everyone shook their heads, everyone except the Old Saint Healer, who circled the sphere slowly, studying it.

His frown deepened with every step.

“This thing… it looks like...” He stopped abruptly, his expression tightening.

“What is it, Elder?” Chu Feiyang asked quickly.

“I’m not sure,” the old man said after a pause. “I’ll have to check my records.” Without another word, he hurried from the hall, leaving everyone staring at one another in confusion.

“Let’s wait for the Saint Healer’s findings,” Chu Feiyang finally said with a shrug. “As for the Northern Hills’ Clan Lord, I’ll send word to their people and let them handle the body themselves.”

“This girl’s waking up,” someone called out.

Ji Jiuning coughed weakly, then, supported by several attendants, slowly sat up.

Her eyes were unfocused and dazed. After a few moments of silence, something seemed to click in her memory.

She suddenly tried to run. “Run, hurry!”

“Don’t be afraid. You’re safe now,” Chu Feiyang said soothingly. “This is White Emperor City.”

Under their calm reassurances, Ji Jiuning gradually steadied her breathing.

“Can you tell us what happened to you?” Chu Feiyang asked gently.

“I don’t know,” Ji Jiuning said, shaking her head. “We were ambushed. All the elders were slaughtered. The Clan Lord fought desperately to protect me.”

“Who ambushed you?” Chu Feiyang pressed.

“I didn’t see,” she replied. “The darkness swallowed everything. Even the Clan Lord didn’t know what it was.”

“In that case,” Chu Feiyang sighed, “we’ll have to wait for the Saint Healer’s report.”

“And the Clan Lord?” Ji Jiuning asked faintly.

“We did everything we could,” Chu Feiyang said softly. “But in the end… only you survived.”

At those words, Ji Jiuning’s legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground.

“What about this evil thing?” Wrathful Emperor asked. “What will you do with it?”

“Keep it confined in my Chu Heavenly Clan for now,” Chu Feiyang said. “Once we learn more, we’ll decide what to do.”

He smiled faintly, trying to lighten the mood. “Today’s events were unfortunate and disrupted the gathering. Since it’s getting late and everyone must be tired from the journey, why don’t we all rest early?”

The assembled guests had their own thoughts but did not object.

After all, no one dared wander outside during the night in the Ghost-God Heaven.

Xu Zimo and Feng Buxiu’s group were assigned quarters in the northern courtyard.

“Be careful, Young Master Xu,” Feng Buxiu said quietly as they returned to their rooms.

“I know,” Xu Zimo replied.

“I mean,” Feng Buxiu said, lowering his voice, “be wary of the people who were here today.”

“You suspect them?” Xu Zimo asked in surprise.

“It’s not suspicion,” Feng Buxiu said. “It’s certainty.”

“Do you have proof?” Xu Zimo asked, frowning.

“The will of the Seven Gods,” Feng Buxiu said cryptically before turning and entering his room.

Back in his own quarters, Xu Zimo thought for a long while but found nothing unusual.

He then began to cultivate.

Outside, the night was thick and black, filled with the lingering power of ghosts and gods.

He meditated until dawn, when the first pale light touched the sky.

When he stepped outside, the gray clouds had lifted, and the Chu household was already bustling with preparations for the tournament.

According to custom, today would begin with the White Emperor Ceremony, only after the ritual could they enter the White Emperor Mountain for the final competition.

It was an ancient tradition passed down through countless generations.

Xu Zimo walked through the courtyard to the Hall of Heroes, where many had already gathered, including Ji Jiuning.

She looked much better than the day before.

Her beauty was breathtaking, she wore a flowing blue dress adorned with fluttering ribbons that floated around her.

Her black hair framed her face in soft disarray, her skin pale and luminous, her eyes bright as moonlight.

When she saw Xu Zimo, she smiled lightly in greeting.

“Is everyone here?” Chu Feiyang asked, dressed in pristine white robes as he surveyed the crowd.

“Today, we honor the White Emperor. Once his blessing is received, the path to White Emperor Mountain will open, and the final trials may begin. Everyone understands this, yes?”

“Then let’s go,” someone from Sinful Abyss God Realm said.

Dozens of Chu Heavenly Clan servants appeared, each carrying ritual offerings.

The grand procession began to move, marching toward the distant White Emperor Mountain, with the assembled forces following close behind.

They passed through the gates of White Emperor City, and from the void ahead, a celestial staircase unfolded before them.

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