158 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

Chapter 158: Heartless (Part 6) The beast tide erupted much earlier than the predictions of the divine forecasters, yet Xiang Shi Yan had been anticipating such an event all along. The woman stood solemnly in front of the tent, eyes fixed on the phenomenal occurrence unfolding in the distance. Beneath their feet stretched a vast land, dotted with remnants from a bygone era. The once-glorious primeval age fell to ruin due to cataclysmic changes. After more than a century of conflict, the harmonious coexistence between humans and demons — a thriving scene of the cultivation world — was nearly obliterated. Ancient cultivation methods, historical records, alchemy recipes, and secret arts— much of that era’s knowledge was lost to the chaos. Future generations could only conjure images of the past through imagination, thereby fueling many mystical legends and tales. The subsequent generations rebuilt their homes amidst wastelands, carrying the biases and barriers born from this history. The earliest conflicts between the two races sprouted here, and whether human cultivators or demon cultivators, the embryo of their power structures took form in that era, continuing to the present day. The Era of Chaos, a time beyond the current cultivation world’s comprehension that claimed the lives of countless powerful entities, left behind certain ruins that proved difficult to erase even after millennia. Both races used these 'natural moats' for strategic offense and defense, resulting in the demarcation of their respective territories. The Resentful Soul Gorge was the most stable and weakest of all border moats. Not only did the nearby black market thrive instead of suffering, but it also underscored the peculiar stability of this place. Despite joint calls to action by Tianji Sect and Jade Azure Mountain, only a handful of sects were willing to aid in the cause; most viewed the Resentful Soul Gorge as the least of worries among great dangers, suspecting a conspiracy behind the sects’ union. Xiang Shi Yan could not vouch for the absolute truth of Tianji Sect’s claims but could not agree with the dismissive attitudes some held towards Resentful Soul Gorge. In her most desperate time for breakthrough, Xiang Shi Yan had wandered through secret realms and ruins, seeking aid from these remnants of the primordial world. Resentful Soul Gorge indeed stood out among them. In reality, the term 'natural moat' did not refer to the hundreds-meter-long chasm but to the multitude of resentful spirits sealed within it. Even before the seal was lifted, the gorge teemed with ghostly energy that repelled birds and beasts alike. What if the seal were broken? Many dismiss Resentful Soul Gorge, oblivious to the fact that the seal here is complete and its influence limited. Additionally, the Ghost Cultivation Order’s extinction led to the loss of secret techniques, and the current cultivation world lacked anyone capable of lifting the seal. The past ghost cultivators, for fear of being misunderstood, avoided this ideal spot when seeking secluded places. Little wonder, then, that Yu Zi Ming would appear here. This made Yu Zi Ming’s motives quite apparent on the surface. Xiang Shi Yan didn’t know the cultivation level or the age of the predecessor’s beloved when alive, but from long ago, in order to protect a fragmentary soul from dissipating, Yu Zi Ming had committed countless heinous acts. The woman had completely lost her mind. Upon seeing Yu Zi Ming’s bulging belly and her eyes filled with a mix of bizarre love, Xiang Shi Yan understood. The meticulously crafted ritual of this reclusive genius did produce a ghost fetus, but it wasn’t meant to create a stronger ghost for servitude. Rather, it was to preserve the beloved’s fragmentary soul already on the brink of collapse. In continuing her search for a suitable body to possess, she passed her life energy onto the incomplete soul, recklessly extending her own life span to defy the natural course of life and death. Yu Zi Ming used her own life to fill in the missing parts of her beloved’s soul. Was the ghost fetus nurtured in her womb still the same person her beloved used to be? Xiang Shi Yan couldn’t find the opportunity to ask this question while confronting the Ghost Cultivator, but looking back, she was a little relieved. Had the words been spoken, the other party might have been furious beyond control. Even though this bizarre method extended the remnants' 'life,' weakening was inevitable. Two hundred years ago, Yu Zi Ming dared to target nascent soul cultivators; now she could only settle for the golden core, likely because the soul couldn’t consume higher cultivation levels anymore. The fragmented soul might last another few decades, at best. Helpless against destiny, Yu Zi Ming thought of the Resentful Soul Gorge. Beneath the seal lies not only millennia-in-wait culmination of pure ghostly energy but also countless tormented souls stripped of consciousness by time — the finest nourishment for the vengeful ghost. Yu Qi spotted her from afar, raised a hand in greeting, and with his junior sister, took to the skies, flying towards a greenish light in the forest. Xiang Shi Yan hurriedly followed suit. What had been a tranquil forest minutes ago was filled with cries of frightened beasts, with flocks of bird demons taking to the skies, soaring past the three as they flew. Dust kicked up by the beasts on the ground was caught by the canopy, but even at this height, the pounding footsteps could still be heard. Armament construction in the camp had finished its last batch half a day ago, but the cacophony of strange sounds echoing from the shadowy forest still left many disciples trembling. Due to previous emergencies, the camp made another plea for aid from various sects and sent back any disciple below the mid-foundation level. He He and others, despite their low cultivation, stubbornly refused to leave, leaving Xiang Shi Yan with no choice but to send them away through Gui Xue’s cunning. Yu Zi Ming was using her life to patch up her beloved’s shattered soul. Was the ghost fetus growing inside her truly still the same person her beloved once was? During the showdown with the ghost cultivator, Xiang Shi Yan never got a chance to ask. In hindsight, she was relieved; had she spoken those words, they might have driven the other woman into a shameful rage. Although this bizarre method prolonged the remnant’s “lifespan,” the decline was irreversible. Two hundred years ago, Yu Zi Ming dared to target Nascent Soul cultivators. Now, she could only reluctantly settle for Golden Core ones, likely due to the soul’s incapacity to devour yet higher consciousnesses. A soul riddled with holes might survive a few more decades at best, and as it seemed beyond salvation, Yu Zi Ming turned her thoughts to the Resentful Soul Gorge. Sealed beneath lay a millennium’s worth of concentrated ghost energy and countless spirits stripped of sanity by time — a feast for a powerful vengeful spirit. As Yu Qi caught sight of her from afar, he gave a gesture of acknowledgment and, with his junior sister, soared to where the green light shone in the forest. Xiang Shi Yan hurried to follow. The forest, silent just moments ago, was filled with terrified cries of demon beasts, flocks of birds flying in mass from the clutches of the trio’s passing figures. Dust kicked up by the scampering beasts below was trapped under the canopy, yet even at this height, the thundering steps could be felt. The camp’s equipment had been hastily completed half a day ago, yet the strange mix of noises from within the shadowy forest sent many disciples quaking at the knees. Due to recent emergencies, the camp made a second call for aid and returned all disciples below mid-Foundation Establishment. Despite their low cultivation, He He and his group stubbornly refused to leave, and Xiang Shi Yan had to resort to strict orders to send Hui Ye to lead them away. Residing in the camp were Nascent Soul cultivators and elders sent from various sects, loudly directing the young disciples shaken by these events, ordering them to arrange city defenses, activate protective arrays, and take their positions for battle. Following the departure of the two Tianji Sect elders, Xiang Shi Yan lacked the resources to focus on the camp’s situation, with all her attention fixed on the mysterious green light emanating from the forest. Ghosts, at long last, resurfaced to the world, as if countless ghostly hands reached out from beneath the Resentful Soul Gorge. Amidst the thick, oppressive dark aura, one could witness the twisted mannequins of headless resentful spirits if not using divine sense. Purple light spread following the spiritual channels, yet the ghosts seemed to fear the green light radiating from the fissure, scattering in a desperate attempt to use the channels for escape. Xiang Shi Yan seized the initiative, filling the inscriptions on her spiritual sword with energy until they shone an icy white. With a swing of her blade, she severed several spiritual channels connected to the Resentful Soul Gorge. The icy mist acted as a barrier, freezing any spectral shadows trying to pass through into immobile blocks. The mist, almost alive, greedily sapped the spiritual energy from the channels. As it filled and expanded, it dug void after void into the channels, slicing them into halves and blocking the ghosts' escape. Despite the broken seal, the green light relentlessly held onto the disparate ghosts, preventing them from temporarily leaving the confines of Resentful Soul Gorge. Their only means of escape, the channels, were severed by Xiang Shi Yan, leaving the spirits with nowhere to fly, drifting aimlessly like headless flies. But they instinctively avoided where the green light spread, as if in fear of it. It was as though some colossal beast lurked beneath the surface. Dazzling light shot up from the fissure, resembling a monster’s dorsal fin gliding across the earth. The radiance pierced through like thorns into the backs of the ghostly congregation, pulling them inexorably. Xiang Shi Yan withdrew her thoughtful gaze, nodding to the two elders beside her. Seeing that Xiang Shi Yan temporarily halted the escaping spirits, Lian Zhe promptly tossed a silver sphere from his sleeve. A gentle blue glow spilled from its engravings, gradually forming a shallow barrier encircling the area for several miles. The spiritual channels severed moments ago were almost immediately isolated by the barrier. Ghostly mist hit the pale boundary and vanished in an instant, like snow melting in the sun. With the ghostly energy barred, the agitated demon beasts calmed slightly. Xiang Shi Yan glanced back and sighed softly, “Let’s hope the camp can hold its own.” All three understood this was merely a temporary measure. Even the strongest magical artifact required someone to sustain it, and as long as the fissures in the seal remained unrepaired, the endless emergence of disoriented spirits would not cease. Xiang Shi Yan and Yu Qi set out to find Yu Zi Ming, while the weaker and still-recovering Lian Zhe stayed back to maintain the artifact. Yu Qi initially resisted allowing his injured junior sister to undertake this risky mission, but Lian Zhe had persuaded their seemingly easygoing yet bullheaded senior sister, pointing out that the barrier was a gift from the sect upon her initiation, and only she could wield it. Reluctantly, Yu Qi agreed. A bolt of lightning dispelled the storm absorbing ghost energy at its edge, yet its instigator was absent from its center. Yu Qi, holding a jade talisman, cast another incantation, sending two bright clumps of gold-colored flame roaring white through the sky, instantly incinerating that place. “She’s not here.” Yu Qi turned towards Xiang Shi Yan, who wore a similarly grave expression. Being of a fiery nature, she wasn’t attuned to ghostly energies and couldn’t pinpoint Yu Zi Ming’s location. She turned to Xiang Shi Yan for guidance. Being of an ice-cold, dark energy cultivation, Moonlight Sovereign had a sensitivity to ghosts much superior to hers. Under Yu Qi’s expectant gaze, Xiang Shi Yan felt a twinge of embarrassment. That ghost cultivator concealed herself too well. Moments before, there had been slight fluctuations here, but with the storm dispersed, all traces disappeared once more. By logic, Yu Zi Ming should also be constrained within the barrier at the heart of the Resentful Soul Gorge. In such a confined space, where could she possibly escape? Xiang Shi Yan gripped her sword hilt and clasped her hands respectfully towards Yu Qi. "Elder Yu, could I trouble you to keep watch over Elder Lian? If the ghost cultivator launches a surprise attack and breaks the barrier, it would be troubling. Allow me to conduct a thorough search." "Alright," Yu Qi agreed, redirecting his sword and flying towards his junior sister's location. Left behind, Xiang Shi Yan took a deep breath and placed her hand on the jade pendant at her waist. "You've absorbed my life energy for five years; now it's time for you to repay me. Tell me where Yu Zi Ming is." From the very start of their cultivation, ghost cultivators learn to mask their presence and flee, making it nearly impossible for even a prodigy like Xiang Shi Yan to easily detect their whereabouts. She could only seek the answer from the ghost within the jade. Wherever the distinct ghostly fetus lies, Yu Zi Ming would naturally be there. A shadow dressed in a red garment appeared to be enveloped in a hazy white light. A specter of a girl in bridal attire emerged partially from the jade pendant, an eerie sight indeed. This was why Xiang Shi Yan had sent Yu Qi away. If anyone saw this scene, she could well be accused of practicing ghostly arts or colluding with ghost cultivators... A charge she truly couldn't deny, given that she first met Yu Zi Ming through her master's introduction for which she had no defense. The ghostly girl seemed unclear and unfocused, and the ghost baby she always cradled was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps that was why she looked around as if searching for something. The woman took a deep breath, blending her voice with spiritual energy: "Find her." Lin Zhao Di snapped into apparent clarity, her round eyes, much like He He's, casting a glance at Xiang Shi Yan. She fully emerged from the jade and, with a speed Xiang Shi Yan couldn't match, raced off in an unknown direction. After all, this ghost had been tampered with by Xuan Jiu, making it difficult for her to anticipate its actions. With a sigh, Xiang Shi Yan turned to follow the streak of red. The female cultivator, clad in plain white robes, stood out in the swirling black and purple ghostly aura. Yu Zi Ming, as if having lost a beloved little pet, willed the shadows beside her. They zipped up like bolts of darkness, moving silently like writhing shadows. In the distance, the white figure, caught unprepared, was pierced through the chest, tumbling down like a kite with a cut string. Author's Note: Thank you to all the lovely readers who cast vote tickets or nourished with nutrient liquids between 2022-09-03 35:20:44~2022-09-05 35:48:59~ Thank you to the little angels who threw landmines: Circle Flame and Dunn Moon, one each; Thank you to the little angels who nourished with nutrient liquids: Passerby 94 bottles; Dunn Moon 50 bottles; and Mingle with Rich Ghost Madam 5 bottles; I am genuinely grateful for everyone's support. I will continue to work hard! This site has no pop-up ads, permanent domain (xbanxia.com)