Consuming Earths, Devouring Skies

After Bai Lufeng had joined him, Yan Zaizen curiously asked why he was so decisive that day. His response left him feeling shaken.

"I didn’t want to die for another person’s action."

It was that simple. It was this very reason he didn’t massacre the entirety of the Soaring Cloud Sect or Earthly Titan Sect. To kill someone for another person’s action felt ludacris to him, but it happened far too often in the cultivation world. Entire clans get implicated by a single choice of one person. Their result? Condemned to annihilation to the very last.

The Shin Clan of Shin Xuanji was like this. A few members likely orchestrated a plan for treason, so the entire clan was held responsible. Although one could deem it clearing the roots, it also felt a little needless. Yan Zaizen would never allow someone who offended him to live if it was a life or death grudge, but would he kill their sons, daughters, brothers or parents? Did they deserve death?

This very reason was why he didn’t go blindly massacre the entire White Crane Sect indiscriminately. However, Guàn Yin’s disciple was taken right out from under her nose, therefore, he felt that he had to kill her. She was directly offended, and she directly offended him by attacking with the intention to kill. Yet...here she was, delivering Heavenly Law Liquid and renouncing her disciple for her life so decisively.

If her support had stood by her side, it’s entirely possible she would continue to press the attack in an alliance. However, considering the circumstances, she ceased immediately and searched for a way out.

"Cultivators..." Yan Zaizen felt like he understood more about the cultivation world and its experts. He felt that only experts like this, like Bai Lufeng and Guàn Yin, would be able to live a longer life and reach greater heights.

"Give me your defensive armament." With a soft sigh, Yan Zaizen directly demanded. Despite revealing a reluctant expression, she immediately removed her flexible armor from underneath her clothes. It seemed to be fit perfectly towards her body, as the breast indentations were perfect for hers. It also suited tall and slim women.

With a throw, the armor arrived in Yan Zaizen’s possession carrying a feminine scent. He checked the Heavenly Law Liquid once more, there were about ten or so drops in here, far less than what Gu Yu left him. However, he felt that someone of Gu Yu’s strength was far greater than Guàn Yin, so it was to be expected.

"From henceforth, I, Yan Zaizen, shall have no qualms with the White Crane Sect over this matter. However, if you dare offend me..." His eyes turned violently vicious, exuding pure and unadulterated killing intent. Guàn Yin only nodded in response.

With that, he took a step, vanishing into the surroundings like a ghost.

At his departure, a sigh filled with relief and happiness sounded.

-----

Three days passed.

Yan Zaizen was located within the Wu Clan’s estate. Wu Yuanxu was sitting to the side, watching as Yan Zaizen worked for several days without rest. Continuously, he’d inject a bit of primal yin energy into Bai Lufeng’s bodies, fill his body with vibrant lifeforce, and funnel soulforce into his soul. In these three days, Bai Lufeng no longer looked like a mummy. Instead, he looked normal. His body was beefy once more, his hair had a nice and vibrant sheen, his skin was without a blemish, and his primal yang seemed to be far stronger than before.

However, he hadn’t woken up.

With his damage to his soul, his psyche was also inflicted similar damage. To recover, he’ll have to pull together his instincts, memories, and personality into a single whole once more. This was only something he could do.

Several hours later.

"Cough! Cough!" Bai Lufeng hacked violently, as if he had just escaped from drowning in the ocean. His eyes were displayed deep confusion as he looked around. Suddenly, as if recalling a horrible memory, he shouted in despair and malicious violence, "You’ll die! You’ll all die!!"

Yan Zaizen wasn’t surprised. He only grasped Bai Lufeng’s hand and sent a trace of soothing soul energy to calm his thoughts. After a while, his eyes finally focused on Yan Zaizen. "Y-Young...Lord?"

"Tch. Look at you. Where’s the Bai Lufeng from before? Hm?" Yan Zaizen snorted, looking away as if disappointed in Bai Lufeng. For a brief period, Bai Lufeng felt that he had died and gone to hell. The thought that flashed inside his mind was just his desire before death.

However, Yan Zaizen didn’t allow that to continue.

POW!

Slapping him across the head, Yan Zaizen said calmly, "You were captured so easily. Then, you couldn’t even escape yourself. Whatever! I cleaned it all up, it’s time for you to decide what you want to do with her." Yan Zaizen berated him before pointing towards a weak looking Guàn Yao.

Yan Zaizen had extracted her Yin Essence, but with his soul cultivation and Pinaka’s understanding of the soul, how could he not properly extract it? Unlike the method she used, which was crude and painful, Yan Zaizen was clean...and painful.

With that, she retained her looks, but her soul and body cultivation suffered a deep regression. Her eyes barely had any light in it, only suffused with weakness.

When Bai Lufeng saw this, his eyes widened. It was only then, at that exact moment, that Bai Lufeng knew this wasn’t a dream. The very scenario he harped about in despair had actually happened. Yan Zaizen arrived, killed and captured, saved and restored him to full, and letting him freely choose the punishment.

A shameless smile appeared on his face, his eyes revealing the brightness it once had before. This caused Yan Zaizen to breathe a sigh of relief, but he knew, no matter what, this event will definitely affect Bai Lufeng deeply.

"Before you decide, let me introduce you to Wu Yuanxu."

-----

The event in the White Crane Sect’s territory spread like wildfire. Many powerful experts were observing and immediately sent out information to their factions, this information further spread until it reached the common citizen.

Most, originally, only knew that Guàn Yao had done something unforgivable and had her status renounced. However, after some time, everyone understood that Guàn Yao offended someone that even Gu Yu didn’t wish to fight. He had to personally bargain for the White Crane Sect to be spared.

As for Guàn Yin, she decisively threw away Guàn Yao to save her own life. Many enemies of the White Crane Sect even embellished the details to further humiliate the White Crane Sect and Guàn Yin. However, Guàn Yin didn’t respond to any of these accusations.

Surprisingly, Yan Zaizen was now a mystery character as countless rumors circulated about him. Some believed he was a divine beast in human form. Others believed he was visiting the Xiantu Emperor and Guàn Yao offended him somehow in her ignorance.

His picture was being circulated in some channels. Unfortunately, it was his Herculean Avatar Art form and not his original. However, those who were in the Asura Phantom Realm as Yan Zaizen directly dealt with the Presba Imperials recognized him from his portrait.

Immediately, news of his actions in the Asura Phantom Palace resounded. The talk of the realm was about this new, mysterious body cultivator with a profound soul cultivation. Many women would buy his portrait and look at it longingly while some hot-blooded guys set him as their idol. If one day, they could storm the White Crane Sect and emerge victoriously, their lives would be complete.

In Xiantu City, the Xiantu Emperor had unfathomable eyes as he gazed into empty space. To him, Yan Zaizen was a mystery, a threat, an ally, and more. Currently, he had far too little information about him.

A young man with a handsome appearance walked in, his posture and expression revealed unyielding pride with no respect. To him, the Xiantu Emperor was but an equal. To him, the Xiantu Emperor could defeat him but couldn’t kill him. Therefore, he doesn’t deserve his respect.

This was Gu Yu.

As he entered, the Xiantu Emperor seemed unperturbed by his existence. His gaze continued to focus on the outside, as if he was watching over the entire realm.

"His name’s Yan Zaizen. He has a Mortal Dao, his physical body has been refined thoroughly, and he has a Perfect Aurora Soul." Gu Yu neutrally said. This was the information he’d gained from his initial encounter.

"I see." Xiantu Emperor didn’t take his gaze away. His tone was filled with an imperialistic flavor as if all was in his grasp. "His Mortal Dao?"

"I’m unsure. However, it’s definitely in the middle-tier." Gu Yu said with a shrug, his gaze followed the Xiantu Emperor, his eyes penetrated all. From what he saw, he could observe the Mystic Wave Continent’s latest battlefield. The number of lives that were reaped per second was astonishing.

"He’s currently at the Wu Clan. Deliver this message to him." With a wave of his hand, a jade letter appeared and floated towards Gu Yu where it remained afloat.

Grabbing the letter, Gu Yu’s eyes shifted away to the Xiantu Emperor, "Don’t forget your Dao Trials." He reminded, vanishing directly afterwards.

The Xiantu Emperor’s gaze shone brightly after those words, a faint smile appearing on his face, "Another chess piece has landed on the board. How interesting."