Chapter 890: Chapter 58: Seeing Through the Truth
"This can save you about a year of time. The initial level of a Purgatory Refiner is very difficult to improve because there are great restrictions on taking tasks. Without surpassing the form of tasks, it’s impossible to ascend quickly. Later, you will need some resources that only the Dark God Domain possesses, which will be extremely challenging. Though it seems short, this year can provide you great convenience."
"Of course, the Bear Demon beside you is the same."
Zhu Ge Tianchen explained.
Then Zhou Yan discovered that the mark on his badge manifested as a constellation-like shape of the Dark God Tower on his arm.
However, its symbol was illusory, as if composed of many stars, combining into an image of the Dark God Tower. The Dark God Tower revealed nine layers, but all were unreal and unclear.
Zhou Yan sensed it, and then realized that this kind of Purgatory Refiner’s mark is directly presented on the arm and can be hidden. His situation also represents the Void Level nine-star identity of a Purgatory Refiner.
...
Outside the great peak of Immortal Mountain of Sumeru.
"Zhou Ying, Jiang Ping’er. If you can become stronger faster, you can help your loved one fulfill his wish sooner."
"His soul body has been severely damaged, constantly overextending his Soul Power countless times, damaging the foundation of his soul body, almost beyond remedy. Even if he recovers, there’s no hope to Condense the Soul Embryo, and even achieving the Venerable Realm is almost impossible! And the woman within the Cold Ice Soul Stone he carries has nearly reached desperation. He alone is powerless to turn the tides. He understands this better than you."
Bai Ying spoke softly.
She revealed the real truth.
The truth is often very cruel.
But cruel truth often inspires people to strive forward.
"I just knew... I knew it must be the case, young master..."
Ping’er’s eyes immediately reddened.
However, Zhou Ying did not show any sad emotion, for the endless trials had taught her that sorrow leads to powerless despair. Rising up is the strong progress.
"Sister Bai Ying, Jade Fox Fairy, do you have a master now?"
Zhou Ying pondered, asking a question so out of reach even Ping’er couldn’t grasp it.
"Hmm? Master? Indeed, due to a serious injury, I acknowledged a master. But my master is currently not at Immortal Mountain of Sumeru."
Bai Ying was a bit surprised but continued on naturally.
She did not lie, nor did she exert any Charming Power over Zhou Ying and Ping’er, instead she completely restrained these auras.
"Your master is named ’Lee Ling,’ right? A powerful, nearly Immortal Venerable."
Zhou Ying spoke confidently again.
"Yes, yes, how could you even know this? Could it be that your Heavenly Spirit Eye can see even these things?"
Jade Fox Bai Ying was truly astonished.
"Indeed, indeed it’s so..."
In that instant, as if confirming a certain conclusion, Zhou Ying’s expression turned extremely complex.
Those bright eyes suddenly seemed to lose all Divine Light, wouldn’t close again, wouldn’t shine anymore.
Yet the next moment, those eyes turned incredibly bright and flickering with an extraordinarily thrilling light.
But no one knew what it was for.
Except for Zhou Ying herself.
"What... what did you think of, or discover?"
Jade Fox Bai Ying was utterly shocked.
"Perhaps, I have truly discovered the greatest truth of this world — no, of all worlds."
Zhou Ying’s gaze remained calm, yet she uttered incredibly startling words.
"Truth? I said Zhou Yan is a clone merely upon murderous intent, that’s not the truth. Only strength is the truth."
Jade Fox Bai Ying hesitated slightly, worried Zhou Ying might have issues, she immediately confessed and explained.
"A truth even you do not know, you don’t know, none of you know, and no one will know."
Zhou Ying suddenly laughed, laughed with immense sorrow.
"Sister Zhou Ying, Sister Zhou Ying, don’t scare me."
Ping’er exclaimed, frightened and somewhat pale.
Zhou Ying gently stroked Ping’er’s face, saying, "Ping’er, I’m okay. We’ve always been good sisters; there will be no issue. However, in the future, cultivate seriously. What we care about, truly doesn’t hold necessary concern anymore."
"Sister Zhou Ying, Ping’er... Ping’er doesn’t understand."
Ping’er was somewhat worried, somewhat aggrieved.
"It’s good not to understand."
Zhou Ying gently wiped away Ping’er’s tears, said, "Don’t overthink Ping’er, now that we’re at Immortal Mountain of Sumeru, let’s strive hard. Let’s see who first achieves Hongmeng Supreme, how about it?"
Ping’er did not speak.
Zhou Ying added, "Only then can we save Brother Zhou Yan and Holy Daughter, you know."
"Ah—good!"
Ping’er agreed without hesitation.
Zhou Ying smiled.
Yet that smile was so bitter, so sorrowful.
Her transformation puzzled even Jade Fox Bai Ying, who couldn’t see through or understand it.
"Who is it? Why do they do this? Why... why are they so heartless, why so... I founded the Wan Ling Domain, so what? It’s useless, because in the end, those things will still decay... Now, my wish, Zhou Ying’s wish, is simply to ascend to the pinnacle and glimpse the real reason behind that truth... Then, I will have no regrets even if I die."
...
Dark God Tower.
A beam of Divine Light from Haoyue, like a lightning bolt, broke through the sky and shone upon the Dark God Tower.
Below the Dark God Tower, in Zhou Yan’s spatial domain, suddenly appeared a young man in white, with a gaze like sun and moon and an exceptionally handsome appearance.
The young man stood quietly at the Void Level of the Dark God Tower’s void, looking downward.
He stood precisely where Jade Fox Bai Ying stood earlier.
...
"Lord Haoyue, I have failed in my duty."
Zhu Ge Tianchen said respectfully.
Manifested close to Zhou Yan, the Yellow Bell took on Zhu Ge Tianchen’s complete form—a Daoist-robed elder, entirely soaked in ancient, profound yellow aura, with white hair and beard, and exuding an immensely powerful qi blood power.
His life energy was extremely flourishing, not matching his manifested appearance at all.
Some cultivators do not care about aging or ugliness of the body, focusing all their thoughts on cultivation, ignoring the external.
Clearly, Zhu Ge Tianchen was one of these cultivators.
"I am already aware of the matter of those two extraordinary genius girls. Actually, Sumeru Immortal Mountain is indeed better suited to their development compared to us, so you’re not really at fault. I noted a Bear Demon here, who comprehends the Slaughter Domain, and possesses great potential. Hence, I came specifically to bring him to the War Soul Hall and help him condense a Slaughter Battle Soul."
The young man named ’Haoyue’ spoke calmly, devoid of any blame in his tone.
Saying this, his gaze fell upon Zhou Yan, then shifted to Xiong Ba.
"Xiong Ba, follow me."
The man said in a voice filled with warmth.
Xiong Ba glared at the man, annoyed, "You want Xiong Ba to follow? Xiong Ba needs to protect the Saint Master! If you don’t bring the Saint Master, Xiong Ba won’t go anywhere!"
Xiong Ba was worried since Zhou Ying and Ping’er left, concerned that Zhou Yan would have no one to care for or attend to him. Even though Xiong Ba knew Zhou Yan had always taken care of them, there was still a strange attachment and reluctance in his heart.
"Before I came, I already decided his destination. Given his circumstances, it would be challenging to join a stronger sect, so I have arranged for him to go to the Sky Sword Sect under the War Soul Hall. His Sword Dao is excellent, considered a special recruitment, allowing him to directly become an Inner Sect Disciple. This is an opportunity; I hope you can seize it."
The man did not put on airs and spoke kindly, his tone somewhat indifferent, yet not unpleasant.
"Then... can you—help my Saint Master heal the soul body injuries? If you fully heal him, Xiong Ba will follow you!"
Xiong Ba made another request.
"This, he must do it himself. Cultivators healing from injuries through outsiders is equivalent to being half-beaten. Besides, even if I’m willing, your Saint Master might not be."
The man chuckled and answered.
Xiong Ba was somewhat dumbstruck.
Zhou Yan patted Xiong Ba’s shoulder and said, "This is the best outcome for now, no need to regret. And haven’t you noticed that the most talented girl from the Mo family, along with those two highly talented people from the Returning True Clan, have also joined the Sky Sword Sect? Their talents are still quite good, so my treatment is not bad."
"Saint Master—"
Xiong Ba didn’t know what to say.
"In this Great Domain, there’s a Tao suitable for everyone. Following your brother is actually to pursue Tao further; he is your guide. Now, following me, I am your guide, showing you which path to take. Now, there’s a very good road before you; go. It’s not a farewell due to life or death, so what is there to fear?"
Zhou Yan comforted.
Though clumsy and sometimes reckless, Xiong Ba was a loyal bear.
"Saint Master, Xiong Ba understands."
Xiong Ba nodded silently.
Zhou Yan’s decisions were never changed. Moreover, Zhou Yan’s words had deeper meanings.
Xiong Ba was not ignorant; he understood the meaning only meant for him—cultivation was the pursuit of strength, guarding and assuming responsibility in the stronger. Treasure the time together while striving for ideals and dreams when apart.
Zhou Yan did not say these words but made Xiong Ba understand this notion.
Only true strength allows one to truly sovereign oneself.
"Mm, understanding is good. You once performed God Slaying in the Saint Realm. Now, being Divine, mastering the Slaughter Domain with powerful Law enhancement, can’t you truly walk your own path? Perhaps, one day, we’ll fight together on the Outer Heaven Demon Domain?"
Zhou Yan smiled.
Xiong Ba’s eyes reddened, but he nodded vigorously. Then, he bowed deeply to Zhou Yan before turning to nod at the man ’Haoyue’.
The young man named ’Haoyue’ did not delay, as though fearing Xiong Ba’s regret, he directly whisked him away and disappeared.
Once he disappeared, a light suddenly fell into Zhou Yan’s hand, which turned out to be a Moonlight Token.
Zhou Yan knew this was evidence of entering the ’Sky Sword Sect’.
...