Chu Xinghui was already very “voluntarily” forced onto the island by Guan Feng.

As soon as he landed, he sneezed from the thick floral scent in the air.

Chu Xinghui looked up and immediately saw a sea of peach blossoms in full bloom, as beautiful as mist and clouds. Countless finely crafted wooden buildings were hidden among the blue sea and peach blossoms scattered across the island, connected by paths made of stones. The scene seemed natural.

However, although it was a peaceful and picturesque landscape, there was not a single living soul on the island. Not even butterflies or ants, making the scene look more exquisite and fake.

Chu Xinghui observed the island’s scenery, saw some scattered turtle shells and beast bones used for divination hanging outside, and guessed: “Is this the Bihai Taohua Island?”

Although he had interacted a lot with this sect, he had never actually set foot on their base until today.

Guan Feng nodded: “You guessed correctly.”

“This island is located above the East Sea, and the disciples here have been cultivating with the sound of the sea waves since they entered the sect. Moreover, the island enjoys eternal spring and has protective arrays. These peach blossoms bloom year-round and never wither, hence the name ‘Bihai Taohua’.” He introduced slowly, raising his eyes to look at the familiar scenery of the island, a hint of nostalgia on his face: “But I don’t know how the sect has changed in recent years. This is the landscape of Bihai Taohua from before I ascended. I don’t know if it’s changed now.”

While he was reminiscing, the entire illusion suddenly trembled violently.

He didn’t react in time and almost fell to the ground.

Guan Feng quickly calculated with his fingers, and his expression immediately changed.

Then, the illusion shook again.

Guan Feng didn’t care about anything else, and his divine power overflowed as he began to stabilize the space here.

But the tremors continued, and the sea around the island began to churn uneasily. Some fragile buildings in the distance started to shake and collapse.

Chu Xinghui looked up and easily guessed who was causing this disturbance.

Guan Feng used most of his divine power to maintain the stability of the illusion. Sweat began to bead on his forehead.

As his power slowly drained, his once-solid body began to turn translucent—just like the town’s residents he claimed had nothing to do with him.

Chu Xinghui pretended not to know anything and asked with concern: “Senior, what’s wrong? You look unwell.”

Hearing his voice, Guan Feng raised his head and fixed a hard stare at him.

Chu Xinghui politely met his gaze.

Guan Feng’s eyes changed unpredictably. After thinking for a moment, he made up his mind, forced a drop of golden-red blood from his fingertip, and quickly drew a complicated and strange rune. He slapped it onto the ground.

The rune quickly disappeared into the earth, and the space within the illusion finally stabilized for the time being.

Chu Xinghui paid extra attention to the rune, his gaze slightly shifting.

He then looked back at Guan Feng.

This move consumed quite a lot of energy, and Guan Feng’s face visibly turned pale, his body becoming even more translucent.

He had to gamble. No matter what unexpected changes occurred, he had to complete the plan this time… His range of action was limited, and if he missed this opportunity, he wouldn’t be able to wait for the next “Son of Heaven” to fall into his hands.

Thinking this, Guan Feng forced a gentle smile at Chu Xinghui and actively walked ahead: “It’s nothing. Follow me.”

Chu Xinghui silently followed behind.

Unlike other sects, the layout of Bihai Taohua was extremely scattered. The buildings didn’t have distinctive designs, and unlike other sects, they didn’t label the function of each building. For newcomers, it was difficult to tell where anything was.

Guan Feng led Chu Xinghui smoothly through winding paths hidden by peach blossoms, eventually reaching an inconspicuous wooden building deep on the island.

Guan Feng stopped and glanced back at Chu Xinghui: “We’re here.”

Chu Xinghui looked at the wooden building in front of him.

The building had three floors, its exterior dull and unremarkable. However, the wood used in its construction seemed special, with each piece engraved with different patterns.

Chu Xinghui reached out to touch the patterns on the wood, curiously and humbly asking: “What is this place?”

Guan Feng gave a vague explanation: “Although it looks unremarkable, this is the spiritual eye of the entire Bihai Taohua. Magic works twice as effectively here.”

Chu Xinghui didn’t quite understand, so he continued to ask humbly: “Do the spiritual eyes in an illusion have the same effect as those in reality?”

Guan Feng paused for a moment, then shook his head: “Naturally not. When I was training in the sect, I was used to performing important rituals here. Even now, in this illusion, I can’t change this habit.”

Chu Xinghui nodded and replied: “I see. I thought this was where the Book of Fate was kept back then.”

Guan Feng: “…”

He gave Chu Xinghui a careful glance.

He had a feeling that the “Son of Heaven” had discovered something he shouldn’t have.

Chu Xinghui pondered for a moment before suddenly recalling something related: “Speaking of which… I remember that the current young master of Bihai Taohua once mentioned the name of the senior who refined the Book of Fate into their personal magic weapon. But it’s been too long, and I’ve already forgotten their name. Senior Guan, do you know?”

He looked at Guan Feng with great curiosity and politely waited for an answer.

Guan Feng thought for a moment before shaking his head: “Sorry, I ascended much earlier than the Book of Fate came into existence. From what I know, the owner of the Book of Fate never succeeded in ascending. I’ve been in the upper realm for a long time, so I don’t know the names of people from the lower realm.”

He didn’t want to continue discussing these matters with Chu Xinghui, so he turned around and began to draw a rune to open the door.

Chu Xinghui stood aside, watching him draw the complicated symbol. Suddenly, he said: “Senior Guan, your handwriting is very beautiful.”

The spiritual sword, which had been transformed into a black bird, suddenly moved.

Chu Xinghui lowered his gaze to glance at his sword, then pretended to tap the hilt, signaling it to stay calm.

But the black bird didn’t want to stay still. It began to move more violently.

Guan Feng’s movement froze for a moment, and he shot a discreet glance at Chu Xinghui. His tone remained warm and friendly: “Is that so? Thank you.”

Just then, the black bird could no longer endure and suddenly flew out of Chu Xinghui’s hand, straight toward Guan Feng, who was opening the door.

Guan Feng didn’t notice in time and had half his arm sliced off by the spiritual sword.

The severed arm fell to the ground, but soon a new one grew from Guan Feng’s body.

However, his form had become even more transparent.

… Just like those town residents.

The black bird showed no mercy and continued to attack Guan Feng.

Guan Feng finally reacted, immediately beginning to escape in a panicked manner.

Chu Xinghui pretended to be unable to control his spiritual sword, letting it strike Guan Feng a few times before hurriedly recalling it.

He looked at Guan Feng, who was only dodging, and asked in confusion: “Senior Guan, I can’t control my spiritual sword. Why aren’t you making a move? With your strength, I’m sure you could easily subdue the sword, right?”

Guan Feng’s face was as if he had swallowed a pound of huanglian (a bitter herb), his expression dark and unable to speak.

After being struck a few more times, his form grew even more transparent.

Seeing that he didn’t answer, Chu Xinghui kindly guessed: “Senior Guan, are you restricted by some rule, preventing you from attacking? I see now. Don’t worry, I’ll keep my sword under control and won’t let it near you again.”

He glanced down at the black bird-turned-sword with a troubled expression: “Sorry, Senior Guan. This sword has a rather special origin. When I first got it, it was full of killing intent, and it required the suppression of 9,999 fierce blades to prevent it from harming people. Even now, I still can’t fully control it.”

The black bird: “…”

It lay flat in Chu Xinghui’s hand, listening to him calmly make up a story about it.

After all the commotion, Guan Feng finally noticed the spiritual sword that had been in his hand all along.

No matter how weapons from the lower realm were praised as divine tools, in the eyes of the gods, they were just broken copper and iron, like an adult not caring about the toy a three-year-old was holding.

But when he finally focused on this sword, he immediately recognized it.

He hadn’t expected to see this sword here, and in a startled tone, he muttered: “How could this be? The stone tablet didn’t say…”

Chu Xinghui looked at him in confusion: “Hmm? What stone tablet? What did it say?”

Guan Feng shook his head and collected himself: “… Nothing.”

Before ascending, the Son of Heaven was just another cultivator from the lower realm. Since this sword had willingly fallen into disgrace and made a pact with a mortal from the lower realm… as long as the plan succeeded today, Guan Feng naturally had a way to make sure this sword would never see the light of day again.

Thinking of his plan, Guan Feng looked at Chu Xinghui once more and emphasized: “Young friend, you will trust me, won’t you?”

As soon as his words left his mouth, Chu Xinghui furrowed his brows, and a dizziness swept through his mind.

The excuse he had prepared suddenly failed him.

He couldn’t help but feel that all the doubts he had about Guan Feng were unfounded.

Guan Feng was already a god, traveling back from the upper realms with great effort. There was no way he would be seeking any rewards from a lowly world like this. Instead, it was himself who had taken countless risks. The only reason for his return could be to save this realm.

He was a good person, Chu Xinghui should trust him completely.

Looking into Guan Feng’s gentle eyes, Chu Xinghui involuntarily nodded.

Guan Feng smiled satisfactorily at him and pushed open the door: “Alright, come in.”

Guan Feng had been planning for this moment for years, and everything inside the wooden building was ready.

The entire first-floor hall had been arranged to resemble an altar, surrounded by various formations, with strange, unusable instruments placed in the center.

Guan Feng busily activated several odd formations, then drew some strange runes, sticking them onto the instruments on the altar.

Chu Xinghui even saw an old acquaintance among those formations—the same one the old man Zheng had used to communicate with the Book of Fate, causing great calamities.

After working for nearly half an hour, Guan Feng finally had everything on the altar running smoothly and without flaw.

At that moment, Chu Xinghui suddenly felt something strange.

He lifted his gaze to a certain point in the air, where a shadow of a stone book was slowly emerging.

The moment the shadow appeared, the entire atmosphere of the wooden building became mystical and solemn.

Chu Xinghui stared at the shadow, and for a brief moment, he felt as though he saw the myriad of lives and phenomena of the world, but when he came back to his senses, those images vanished like a fleeting breeze, leaving no trace behind.

It was clear what the shadow was.

It was the projection of the Book of Fate descending into this world.

Guan Feng joyfully gazed at the projection that arrived on schedule, then descended from the altar and waved at Chu Xinghui: “Good child, come here.”

Chu Xinghui walked over.

Guan Feng grabbed him and said: “Stand in the center of the altar.”

Chu Xinghui didn’t move. He slightly furrowed his brows, instinctively resisting the idea.

Guan Feng gently coaxed him: “I understand, resisting the instinct to survive is difficult, but there are many things in this world worth sacrificing your life for… like the lives of countless people. To exchange your life for so many innocent lives, how noble that is. Not everyone is qualified to be a savior.”

Chu Xinghui looked at him, seeming somewhat persuaded.

Guan Feng continued to tempt him: “Even if you’re not interested in becoming the noble savior—think of your family, your loved ones… If you sacrifice yourself today, they will not have to die because of it in the future.”

Chu Xinghui’s eyes sluggishly moved.

He instinctively thought of Xie Liufeng.

If he died here today, Xie Liufeng could live… he would be willing.

Chu Xinghui lifted his head and asked Guan Feng: “…What do I need to do?”

Guan Feng smiled, pointing to the formation in the center of the altar, repeating patiently: “It’s simple. Just stand there, and it will be over soon. This is the mission the Dao of Heaven has given you.”

Chu Xinghui’s eyes showed just the right amount of confusion and weakness. He tilted his head and asked: “So… if I just stand there, everything brought by the Book of Fate will be over?”

Guan Feng’s gaze was filled with pity, and he nodded: “Yes, that’s right. As long as you stand there, it will all end.”

His eyes showed reluctant compassion, and he softly coaxed: “Don’t worry, everyone in this world will remember your sacrifice.”

Chu Xinghui nodded and decisively walked toward the altar.

He was willing to sacrifice for this world… willing to give his life and soul to end all the wrongs…

Guan Feng’s face uncontrollably showed a look of ecstasy.

Soon… soon, his long-awaited wish would be fulfilled…

But just as Chu Xinghui was about to step into the formation, he stopped.

He suddenly raised his sword.

The ecstasy on Guan Feng’s face froze, and his expression turned ugly. He furrowed his brows and urged: “What are you doing?! Why don’t you step up?”

“I was lying to you.” Chu Xinghui swung his sword and smashed the altar into pieces, holding the sword with an expressionless face as he looked at Guan Feng: “As you can see, I don’t agree to any random sacrifice.”

He had last felt this kind of forced, imposed emotion when Qin Yuwen trapped him in the illusion.

Now, his trust in this Senior Guan felt the same.

It was all an illusion.

He was best at discerning these false impressions forced upon him.

Guan Feng was filled with a mix of anger and shock, standing frozen in place.

Chu Xinghui changed the direction of his spiritual sword and steadily pointed it at Guan Feng’s neck: “Since you say the Dao of Heaven wants me to sacrifice, fine. Let the Dao of Heaven come and speak to me directly.”

He looked up, meeting Guan Feng’s eyes, and with a firm grip, he quickly drew blood from Guan Feng’s neck: “Otherwise, today, let’s see who dies first on this altar.”

Guan Feng was awakened by the sharp pain in his neck, and with rage, he laughed: “A mere Nascent Soul stage insect dares to draw a sword against a god?”

Chu Xinghui spoke calmly: “Even if I were just in the Qi Refining stage, or hadn’t entered the Dao, I would still draw my sword against you.”

He would draw his sword simply because they were on opposing sides—what did cultivation level have to do with it?

Even if it were a sure-death, hopeless situation, that still wasn’t a reason to surrender without a fight.

Moreover… he had already tested outside the door earlier and found that Guan Feng couldn’t take the initiative to attack.

Finally, Guan Feng tore away the facade of gentleness, looking at Chu Xinghui with a grim expression: “You think this is enough to kill me—”

Chu Xinghui’s sword was much faster than his words, cutting off his head in an instant.

He suddenly had a thought, pointing at the severed head on the ground and asking the black bird, which had turned into a spiritual sword: “Can we eat this?”

The black bird recoiled in disgust, shrinking back slightly.

Chu Xinghui felt very disappointed.

As expected, Guan Feng quickly revived.

Chu Xinghui had anticipated this. Without wasting words, he changed locations and thrust his sword straight through his heart.

After all the babbling, he only believed in one thing: if a person was killed, they would die.

If one sword didn’t work, another would. With a few more stabs, he would die eventually.

Guan Feng revived again, speaking ominously: “I can guarantee that every time you raise your hand now, it will eventually become a knife stabbing into your heart.”

Chu Xinghui gave him another sword to the heart: “Then let’s give it a try.”

He would make sure Guan Feng had no future before him.

Chu Xinghui waited near the spot where Guan Feng revived, ready to give him another sword as soon as he returned to life.

Time passed, and eventually, Guan Feng, nearly blending into the air, crawled up again, sneering: “Is this all you can do? Give up. You won’t be able to kill me with just this method.”

Though he said that, the time it took for him to revive this time was much longer than the first.

By now, Chu Xinghui was getting a little tired of this. He shook his head: “No, there’s still one method I haven’t used.”

It seemed like the right time to try a different approach.

Chu Xinghui looked up, shouting a name into the air: “Xie Liufeng!”

Almost immediately, a massive beam of sword light fell from the sky, tearing the entire illusion into two halves.

Xie Liufeng landed beside Chu Xinghui, picking up the spiritual sword that had fallen to the ground. He tilted his head, glancing at Chu Xinghui: “I’m here, I’m here.”

Chu Xinghui carefully checked that Xie Liufeng wasn’t injured while he was outside, then pulled him over and seriously told him everything. He politely asked: “By the way, is there a way to kill him?”

 

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