Xuan Cheng still wanted to go forward to help, but ultimately he stopped his steps, able to only watch as the white figure, stained red with blood, struggled to support the tall man, moving slowly, one step at a time, disappearing from the sight of the crowd.
A gentle breeze blew past, still carrying a faint scent of blood. Xuan Cheng couldn't help but his eyes reddened.
Xuan Cheng turned his head and looked at Xin Xi, who appeared dazed. He suddenly said, "You did this, didn't you?"
Xin Xi's expression changed, but she quickly regained her composure. Her face remained as usual, with a hint of confusion, her lips pale, "I don't know what you're talking about."
The eyes that had always seemed frivolous and flirtatious now possessed an extreme sharpness. He seemed to have seen through all of Xin Xi's sordid thoughts, but in the end, he said nothing, flicking his sleeve as he left.
Xin Xi's breathing quickened slightly, a dark shade flashing across her eyes.
—
According to historical records, the Demon Bone was originally one, then split into two. If one of them were destroyed, both would experience the same pain. If the two Demon Bones were to merge into one, it would be a catastrophe filled with slaughter, the descent of a demon god, the destruction of all things, and the demise of all living beings.
A corner was also torn off, and no one knew that the way to merge the Demon Bones into one was to kill a demon god who possessed a Demon Bone, which would then cause the two to merge, greatly increasing their demonic power, leaving them with no rivals in the world.
The Sea of the Abyss was in turmoil, and tsunamis roared with desperate cries. The creatures of the deep sea scattered in all directions, with no peace to be found.
The man, his limbs bound by heavy iron chains, his eyelashes trembling, finally slowly opened his eyes. What kind of eyes were they?
Neither sad nor joyful, neither mournful nor angry, there was only a crimson rage and madness, as if wanting to tear apart everything between heaven and earth, to devour the darkness within all things. He was, in the truest sense, the Demon God.
—
Two hundred years later.
The Azure Cloud Sect, as the foremost of all sects, its mountains entwined with mist, Meishan towering like an ink painting. White palaces resembled divine palaces in the heavens, cranes flew proudly, and an immortal aura wafted.
This day was the day the sect selected new disciples.
There were forty-nine immortal steps in total, encircling the entire Meishan. At this moment, thick mist obscured all scenery, and looking into the distance, it seemed as if the end could never be reached.
However, this was only the preliminary selection. Each step was a test of the heart. If successful, one could see the end and the Azure Cloud Sect; if one failed, they would be lost in the mist and eventually sent down the mountain.
"It seems the Azure Cloud Sect has raised the standard for disciple selection this year. I've just finished walking the immortal steps, and I'm already feeling a bit strained."
"The Azure Cloud Sect is the foremost immortal sect, naturally different from other immortal lineages. Seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation, as if it belongs to the heavens."
"The number of people this year seems to be much larger than last year. Each time, there are over a thousand people, but only a mere hundred are accepted into the sect. Alas, I wonder if I'll be lucky."
Upon hearing this, many people's spirits fell.
Someone suddenly mentioned.
"I wonder if it's possible to witness the demeanor of Immortal Venerable Xi Yu." As they said this, the person couldn't help but reveal an expression of longing.
Immortal Venerable Xi Yu, the former sect leader of the Azure Cloud Sect, had slain two generations of demon gods with her Quehua Sword. Blindfolded with white cloth, her divine power boundless, she had established an unparalleled record in the entire immortal realm with just one person and one sword. It was because of her that the Azure Cloud Sect had become what it was today.
It was a pity, however, that she had abdicated three hundred years ago, and since then, no one had seen her.
The Azure Cloud Sect strictly managed its internal affairs, not a single word leaking out, so they all assumed that Immortal Venerable Xi Yu had retired, or perhaps gone into seclusion for cultivation.
"I still wish to be accepted as a disciple by Immortal Venerable Xi Yu," someone couldn't help but sigh.
"You? Don't you know that Immortal Venerable Xi Yu only ever accepted one disciple in her lifetime? This is what she personally said."
Immortal Venerable Xi Yu had stated centuries ago that she would only ever have one disciple, no matter what, and would never take a second. Thus, many people had previously squeezed their heads to enter the Xinqing Hall, but unfortunately, none had succeeded.
Three hundred years ago, Immortal Venerable Xi Yu seemed to have taken a disciple, but that disciple was not famous or renowned, not even as prominent as the senior disciple Jiang Ling. Very few people knew about it, but it seemed that Immortal Venerable Xi Yu's disciple had committed a capital offense and was personally executed by Immortal Venerable Xi Yu with her sword. The matter then faded away.
"Xi, Yu..."
A voice, hoarse like sand grinding on stone, rough and difficult, with strange syllables, made many people feel a chill run through their bodies, making them exceptionally uncomfortable.
Everyone turned their gazes, their brows involuntarily furrowed.
However, the appearance of the owner of the voice was completely inconsistent with his voice.
His skin was extremely pale, not a normal white, but a sickly pale. Yet his face was excessively delicate, with a small red mole on the tip of his high nose. His thin lips were dark red, almost sinister, and his eyes were dark, like a stagnant pool of water. However, when his eyes curved, they dispelled the air of death.
The smile on his face held a hint of innocent playfulness, "Xi, Yu, she... doesn't accept... disciples?"
This overwhelming icy chill made the previously eloquent speaker falter, and others, seeing this, subconsciously took a step back.
They looked at the youth with wariness and tentative curiosity. Seeing him merely tilt his head with a confused expression, appearing harmless and naive.
They unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. One person, emboldened, said, "Don't you know? Three hundred years ago, Immortal Venerable Xi Yu already took a disciple. She won't take any more."
The expression of the youth, who looked so sinister, changed. He was no longer innocently playful, but carried a hint of foolishness, his eyes sparkling like stars. He smiled gleefully and asked eagerly, "Really? Master... Venerable Immortal, she only wants one disciple?"
The other party's heart skipped a beat at the speed of his change in demeanor, and he nodded with forced courage.
The youth with the delicate features and pale complexion now smiled like a child who had just received candy, content and happy, shyly fiddling with his clothes.
However, this expression only lasted for two or three seconds before he changed to another expression, like others. The youth's face was extremely pale, only his lips were as red as if he had drunk blood. Suddenly, his expression vanished, as if he were a ghost climbing out of an abyss, his resentment surging, his Yin energy emanating chillingly.
The others also retreated half a step in shock, each involuntarily tightening their grip on their swords, a fine sweat breaking out on their foreheads, suppressing the fear in their hearts.
"Who... who are you?"