Chapter Twenty-Three: Liberating Baihong Village, Setting Out Together Once More

In the Upper Realm, there are three heavens. The First Heaven is the domain of human immortals; the Second Heaven is where divine beasts and gods reside; only the Third Heaven is reserved for those born as true gods.

Before the age of chaos, the Primordial One was conceived from the convergence of heaven and earth’s purest energies. It was, in essence, the pillar that held up the realms above and below. Upon its birth, it split the heavens from the earth, forcibly dividing the world in two—one half became the domain of the gods above, and the other, the world of mortals below.

Yet, this act irrevocably altered the laws governing all existence. Its birth and the creation of two realms tore a hole in the heavens, and this rift was its greatest transgression. It had not intended this outcome; brought into being with the oppressive might of primordial chaos, it accidentally pierced the sky, setting off a crisis that threatened both realms with chaos.

From the rent in the heavens poured the power of chaos. Seeing disaster looming, the Primordial One could not bear to witness the destruction of its world by its own hand. Thus, it transformed into its true form to block the breach, mending the sky with its own body.

Perhaps it was never meant to exist. Now, by sacrificing itself for the benefit of all beings above and below, it repaid its debt to creation. But things were never so easily resolved. Though the chaos was contained, the portion that seeped into the realms was still formidable.

Were it not for the Primordial One’s three ribs transforming into three ancient Immortal Emperors, even the Third Heaven would likely have ceased to exist. From their birth, these three Emperors waged war against the demons and fiends born of chaos, and through their might, sealed them above the Third Heaven. Thus, peace reigned for several millennia.

The three ancient Emperors, however, perished from wounds inflicted during their battles with chaos. They were only Emperors, after all; to accomplish as much against such odds was testament to their divine strength. Upon their passing, the souls and spirits of two Emperors became the true gods of the Upper Realm’s three heavens, while the third, known as the Three Pure Ones Emperor, became a legendary Demon-Suppressing Vessel, which fell to the mortal world and vanished thereafter.

The Primordial One had led by example, but now the seal above the Third Heaven grows ever weaker. It is feared that soon another great battle will erupt, forcing both realms to again confront the calamity of chaos. Whether they can withstand such a storm remains unknown. But the time of tribulation has not yet come; when it does, the heavens will give warning, and only then will the true contest begin.

At this moment in Baihong Village, thanks to the arrival of Fire Qilin and his companions, the villagers were finally freed. However, after years under the control of bloodworms, the villagers and their chief—ordinary folk, not cultivators—were left with lingering ailments that could not be cured.

The aftereffects greatly shortened their lifespans, and not only that, their hair ceased to grow. It was one thing for the adults, but even the children were affected. Some, younger even than Fire Qilin, were already bald—a sight that moved the heart to pity.

Nothing could be done; bloodworms, being venomous parasites, wrought havoc upon ordinary people. Had their ordeal lasted any longer, they might have perished without ever knowing why.

Compared to them, however, the Lord of Xuancheng was less fortunate. Most of his cultivation was crippled by Zhang Hai before he was freed from control. This was his own fault—had he not been so bent on avenging his son, Murong Xue would not have signaled Zhang Hai to destroy his cultivation. Perhaps this was his destined calamity. He had brought misfortune upon himself by obsessively targeting Fire Qilin and Xiao Qing. Still, Murong Xue was merciful; she only crippled his power without taking his life, which was already more than he deserved.

Fire Qilin turned to the fairy-like elder sister beside him and asked, “Fairy sister, what should we do with him?” He pointed at Zhang Hai, who dared not make a move.

After all, she held the greatest authority here. Without her, both he and Xiao Qing would have become this man’s puppets. The thought was chilling: someone able to control others, compelling them to serve, kill, or even die at his command, while remaining hidden in safety himself. Those under his control would become pariahs, dying with no one daring to even claim their bodies.

Fire Qilin, too, had a family. If, in the end, he became a fiend and died a violent death, his loved ones would not even dare to mourn him openly. That was true misery. Only now did Fire Qilin truly loathe the man before him. Regardless of whether he himself had fallen victim, he despised such cruelty—the most ruthless person he had ever met. Were it not for the fairy sister, he would have struck him already.

Murong Xue herself was uncertain. To let him go would be to unleash him upon another place; to punish him meant holding a villain accountable for an entire village’s suffering. But what could she do? She was no immortal, and her demon-subduing staff could not kill. Was she truly to simply let him go?

As she hesitated, a sudden turn of events occurred—a mysterious figure appeared, instantly spiriting Zhang Hai away into the earth, vanishing without a trace. Fortunately, the stranger had no designs on Fire Qilin’s group, only taking Zhang Hai and disappearing before their eyes.

So be it. Perhaps his fate was not to die here. Fire Qilin and the others cared little for Zhang Hai’s fate. Thus, under the village chief’s hospitality, they rested, and the next day set out toward the royal capital.

The direction to the Free Wanderer Pavilion was not far from the capital itself, separated only by a few mountain ranges. Fire Qilin and Xiao Qing were bound for the Pavilion, whereas Murong Xue’s destination lay beyond, in the capital city. Thus, she chose to accompany the two youngsters, for mutual support on the journey.

The next morning, with the sun risen, the three packed their belongings and, amid the villagers’ farewells, set out once more.

Traveling together, they looked after each other, facing dangers along the way. When trouble arose, Murong Xue would intervene; if they met wild beasts, they would treat them as game. If evildoers threatened them, they drove them off.

Of course, not all wild beasts were hunted—only those that challenged them. Otherwise, the three pressed on. They encountered countless difficulties and witnessed many strange happenings, relying on each other to get through.

The mortal world was indeed lacking in spiritual energy, a stark contrast to the Upper Realm. Over these months, Fire Qilin and Xiao Qing’s cultivation improved at a snail’s pace. They had both reached the Longevity stage before, and remained there still. Yet Fire Qilin’s Longevity Flower was nearly fully formed—just one more breakthrough, and a new petal would bloom.

As for Xiao Qing, perhaps owing to her dragon heritage, her progress was nearly in step with Fire Qilin; she, too, was close to blooming her Longevity Flower.

Only Murong Xue saw little tangible change, not being a cultivator and her body’s innate limitations unbroken. Still, compared to when she first crossed into this world, she was much stronger. If she did not keep improving, she would fall hopelessly behind the two children, who darted about as nimbly as swallows, while she could only chase after them, breathless and lagging behind.

It was no fault of her own—a mere mortal keeping up with two cultivator children was already a feat.

The Free Wanderer Pavilion was now close; after crossing two more great cities, their paths would part. Murong Xue exclaimed, “Tiger Might City! At last, a place to rest. Thank goodness!”

Xiao Qing teased, “Fairy sister, didn’t you just rest not long ago? How are you tired again so soon?”

Murong Xue replied, “Yes, without the support of spiritual power, it’s just too easy to get exhausted—can’t be helped.” She looked up at the city ahead, feeling both relief and mild exasperation at the child’s jibe. Still, after so long trekking through wild mountains with two young cultivators, she was due for a proper rest. Lodgings in a city were far more comfortable than the wilderness, and city delicacies were infinitely preferable to the wild game she was long since tired of.

Approaching the city, they found guards on duty at the gates, with people coming and going, all subject to a cursory inspection. Yet the guards merely asked a few questions and waved travelers through, showing little concern for security.

Thus, the trio too was questioned only briefly before being allowed into the city. Was this laxity, or simply a sign of trust? It seemed the guards were utterly unconcerned for the city’s peace.

Tiger Might City—its name suggested strength and power, but in truth it was a city of peace. The reason: many of its residents were cultivators like Xiao Qing. The city lord was a reasonable man, welcoming cultivators rather than driving them out. Here, beasts and humans lived in harmony.

Indeed, the city lord was a man of great character, able to transform enmity into coexistence. While humans everywhere hunted beasts for food—as Fire Qilin and his companions had done—the city lord had built a bridge of peace. He was the first to do so.

The city bustled with life; apart from lacking brothels, it was little different from any other. The three found an inn at random, settled in, and began to enjoy all the city had to offer.