It was like a dark tunnel, a huge vortex hanging upside down in the sky, with its mouth wide open, as if the nine serpents of the underworld were about to swallow everything. The wind howled fiercely, sweeping away the remaining clouds. Thunder rumbled loudly, and lightning flashed wildly.

  Zhang Xiaofan flew in, the burning sticks mysterious blue light flashing, standing out under the dark clouds. Snow Chi looked at Zhang Xiaofans figure wrapped in blue light as he rushed over, her jade face deathly pale.

  "The Divine Sword of Thunder" is the ultimate technique in Taoist magic, capable of summoning the power of heaven and earth with a mere mortal body. Its imaginable how immense the pressure on Xue Qis body must be at this moment. "Tian Jue" is an unparalleled divine sword, originally meant to be used in conjunction with the "Divine Sword of Thunder" technique, but compared to it, Xue Qis own Taoist magic cultivation is insufficient.

  At this moment, she only felt that the infinite power in the dark clouds was surging into her body like a turbulent wave, and although there seemed to be no change on the surface, the blood and energy inside her body were churning violently, almost bursting. If Tianyue hadnt continuously absorbed the surging power, Xueqi would have probably collapsed long ago.

  The wind howled and the thunder boomed, she stood in mid-air, dazed and almost thought herself a weak grass in the wind. The next moment, she remembered her master Shui Yues words when he passed on this extraordinary skill: "Xue Qi, your innate talent is excellent, I have only seen it once in my life, but the true power of this technique is too great, so the backlash is even more overwhelming. You are still a novice in your cultivation, although you can barely grasp it, never use it casually, lest you suffer a calamity that will destroy your very being."

  "Boom!"

  A deafening thunderclap, almost directly above the Tongtian Peak, shook the sky. Everyone felt a slight tremble beneath their feet, as if the ancient Thunder God had been disturbed from his slumber and was now furiously roaring in anger!

  Everyone changed color in an instant!

  Zhang Xiaofan was now only two zhang away from 6 Xue Qi. Seeing this momentum, anyone would know that once 6 Xue Qi finished casting her spell, he would likely be annihilated. But suddenly his whole body tensed up, and his body came to a stop as if it had hit a soft wall, unable to move forward.

  Zhang Xiaofans face turned pale in an instant. "Divine Sword Thunder Seal" was one of the Qingyunmens mountain-sealing techniques, and it was incredibly mysterious. When casting the spell, a layer of invisible protection would naturally form around the caster through the divine sword, and Zhang Xiaofan couldnt get close.

  The burning fire rods radiance was even more brilliant, but it could no longer advance a single step. Perhaps in terms of spiritual power and prestige, Zhang Xiaofans burning fire rod was not inferior to Tianyue, but in terms of technique, they were far apart. He simply relied on his own spiritual power to force the burning fire rods might, which was far from comparable to Xueqis unparalleled and extraordinary skill that had been refined by the ancestors of the Qingyun Gate over thousands of years.

  But just at this desperate moment, the huge vortex in the sky was spinning faster and faster, with lightning flashing and the Tian Jue sword shining brighter. This peerless immortal technique was about to be completed when Xue Qis body suddenly shook violently. Her originally pale face instantly turned bright red as she spat out a large mouthful of blood, almost forming a bloody mist in front of her.

  The Tianyue divine sword shone brightly, swaying slightly as if unstable. Xueqis silver teeth clenched tightly, her eyes closed, and she concentrated all her mental energy onto the Tianyue. After a moment, the Tianyues light stabilized, becoming even more dazzling than before, radiant to the point of being unbearable to look at.

  A loud noise in the dark clouds, and a bright light seemed to appear at the deepest part of the huge whirlpool, where countless lightning bolts were gathering together, faintly aiming at Xue Qis Tian Jue divine sword.

  Just then, Xue Qis heart was filled with despair. In the howling wind, a sharp whistling sound came from afar. She used all her strength to protect Tian Huan, but she had no more power to maintain the shield around her. Zhang Xiao Fan, overjoyed, merged with the fire poker and turned into a mysterious blue-green light pillar that streaked across the sky, charging towards the beautiful woman swaying in the wind.

  Is that it?

  Is everything going to end here?

  Her heart suddenly calmed down, and at that moment she thought so faintly.

  At this moment, the brief moment, the world was quiet and still, everything was fixed in place, only she stood in the wind, her clothes fluttering, her black hair dancing, opening her closed eyes, gazing at the green light rushing forward.

  That moment seemed eternal!

  Zhang Xiaofan saw her and her eyes!

  She stood alone in the wind and rain, facing the mighty heavens with such serenity, yet her face was slightly pale, with a hint of sorrow in her eyes, and a thread of fear.

  The wind and rain howl, a desolate heaven and earth, this beautiful woman, quietly gazes at him.

  Whose eyes are those, sorrowful and desolate, as if last night, that person was hurt by love! That kind of pain, deeply entered the bone marrow, deeply entered the soul.

  Deep! Deep!

  Are you the woman who fell in love with another man?

  Are you determined to spend your whole life with him?

  Zhang Xiaofan suddenly smiled, with a hint of sadness and despair, as if it were last night.

  The firewood stick merged into the light of Tianyues divine sword, and everyone could no longer see their figures, nor did they notice that the light of the firewood stick suddenly dimmed. At this moment, a deafening crash shook the sky, and an enormous lightning bolt descended from above, striking Tianyue.

  The entire sky and earth are filled with gods and Buddhas, as if they were all chanting in unison at the same moment.

  A massive beam of light shot out from the Tianque, carrying an aura of destruction, charging towards Zhang Xiaofan. At the critical moment of life and death, the fire poker flew up into the air, blocking in front of its master.

  The next moment, Zhang Xiaofan was engulfed by the light.

  Long time! Long time! Long time!

  The dark clouds in the sky dispersed, and the light disappeared.

  People stared blankly at the sky, watching that young man, tightly grasping a black firewood stick, like a stone that had been tortured and wounded all over, falling straight down.

  He didnt fall to the ground, Tian Naiyi appeared under him like a ghost and caught him. Tian Naiyis face was solemn, his hands moved swiftly, and he immediately pried open Zhang Xiaofans unconscious mouth, took out a small bottle from his bosom, and poured the yellow medicine pills directly into Zhang Xiaofans mouth without measuring the dosage.

  The medicine melted as soon as it entered his mouth, Tian Yi didnt make a sound, and suddenly rose up, a red light immediately rose, carrying him away with the wind and lightning, and he didnt even look back at the scene, looking in that direction, he returned to Dazhu Peak.

  Su Ru and others of the Dazhu Peak faction also followed suit.

  At this time, the pale-faced Xue Qi fell down and was immediately surrounded by the ecstatic crowd of Xiao Zhu Feng. Under the support of her fellow sisters, she lifted her head without saying a word, staring at the distant figure of Chi Yan who was gradually disappearing into the sky, lost in thought.

  ※※※

  He seemed to have been sleeping for a thousand years in the darkness, yearning to wake up but unable to open his eyes. In the boundless and profound darkness, he was alone.

  He resolutely refused, and walked alone in the darkness, but apart from the darkness, there was no way to go.

  He was filled with grief and indignation, with a raging fire burning deep within his heart. He then made a solemn vow to the Nine Underworld Demons: even if his body and soul were reduced to ashes, he would still ignite this spark of light, no matter the cost, even if it meant burying all of existence along with him.

  That thread of resentment from ancient times is still as strong as ever!

  Zhang Xiaofan slowly opened his eyes.

  Soft light poured into his eyes, the familiar scent of home wafted through this room.

  It seems like theres nobody here.

  He slowly sat up, just wanting to wipe the sweat from his forehead, but suddenly felt a sharp pain in his shoulders, chest and abdomen, and he sucked in a breath of cold air, his face pale with pain.

  He sat on the bed, not daring to move again, and after a long time, this piercing pain slowly dissipated.

  It was probably after noon, the door was slightly ajar, and two windows were propped open, faintly visible in the courtyard were still lush green grass and bamboo. The little gray that had been following him and the big yellow that had been following the little gray were nowhere to be seen, would they have found another meat bone again?

  He smiled slightly, facing this empty room, and laughed at himself.

  "The creak", the door opened, and Su Rou, elegant and beautiful, walked in. Zhang Xiaofans body moved, calling out "Shifu" (wife of his master), without getting up, his face suddenly cramped again.

  Su Rou quickly walked over to the bedside and sat down, softly saying: "Dont move, Xiao Fan."

  Zhang Xiaofan waited until the pain had slightly subsided before turning to Su Ru and saying: "Disciple didnt know you were coming, Masters wife."

  Su Ru glared at him and said: "Youve lost more than half your life, yet you still have the nerve to remember this! Stop wasting words, sit down!"

  Zhang Xiaofan smiled wryly, and Su Ru checked him again, nodding her head and saying: "Your external injuries have almost healed, but the damage to your internal meridians is too severe. You cant recover without quiet rest."

  Zhang Xiaofan said: "Yes, disciple has lost face for Master and Mistress, its true"

  "You have greatly glorified your master, in nearly three hundred years, apart from when your master himself participated in the Seven Veins Gathering, there hasnt been a more outstanding disciple than you in the Big Bamboo Peak sect."

  Zhang Xiaofans face turned red and he lowered his head, saying: "T-then it was all just the disciples good luck."

  Su Ru smiled slightly and patted his shoulder. Zhang Xiaofan immediately thought of it and said, "Is the trial over? Who won in the end, was it that 6th sister?"

  Su Rou slightly shook her head and said, "No, its Long Fengs Qi Huan."

  Zhang Xiaofan suddenly felt a pang of sadness in his heart, and said in a low voice: "It was actually Qi Shixiong, hes really formidable, even the 6th sister who possesses Tianyue was defeated by him."

  Su Ru heard him say this, and it seemed to have triggered some thoughts in her mind. She let out a low sigh and changed the subject: "You were injured quite badly this time. Your master spent a lot of effort to treat you. I heard him say that Tian Hua used the Heavenly Sword to operate the Thunder-Repelling Technique. Although Xue Qis cultivation was not enough, if it werent for your burning treasure replacing you and blocking the attack, even an immortal might not have been able to escape."

  Zhang Xiaofan listened to her words and suddenly remembered. He looked around but couldnt find that black, ugly fire poker anywhere.

  Su Ru looked at him and said lightly: "Your treasure was taken away by your master."

  Zhang Xiaofan was taken aback for a moment and said in a low voice, "Yes." He couldnt help but ask another question, saying, "Master..."

  "Youve been unconscious for five days and nights, and your injuries only stabilized last night. This morning, the head of Tongtian Peak sent a message asking your master to go there, so he should be at Tongtian Peak right now."

  Zhang Xiaofan slowly nodded, and in his heart, he didnt know what kind of feeling it was. He also thought that there shouldnt be any problem, but for the first time in two years, that root of burning incense stick left him, and he always had a faint sense of loss.

  Su Ru looked at him and seemed to flash a strange expression in her eyes, but still said: "You just woke up, dont overexert yourself, you need plenty of rest. Ive instructed them not to disturb you, and Bi Shu will bring your meals."

  Zhang Xiaofan said: "Thank you, Masters wife."

  Su Rou nodded and said, "Then you rest, Ill have Bi Shu send food over later." As she turned around to leave, just as she was about to walk out the door, she suddenly heard Zhang Xiao Fan call out from behind her:

  "Masters wife."

  Su Rou turned around and said: "What?"

  Zhang Xiaofan looked at her, seemingly hesitating for a moment before saying: "Shifus wife, I wanted to ask you something. Do you know the result of Long Fengs Lin Jingyus trial this time? At that time, I was on Tongtian Peak and didnt have the chance to go find him to ask clearly."

  Su Ru looked at him again and said: "He entered the top eight, but was defeated by his senior fellow apprentice Qi Huan."

  Zhang Xiaofan was stunned for a moment and said: "It turns out that he also thanked his teachers wife."

  Su Rou slightly shook her head and said: "You rest." As she spoke, she turned around and walked out.

  Zhang Xiaofan slowly lay down, staring at the ceiling of the room, silent.

  ※※※

  On the top of Tongtian Peak in Qingyun Mountain, inside the Jade Clear Palace.

  Daoxuan Zhenren sat in the middle, and the other six veins were also seated. Besides them, there was no one else in the great hall.

  Everyone was silent, Dao Xuan Zhenren lowered his eyebrows and looked down, staring at a black incense stick in his hand.

  "Tian Shi Di," Dao Xuan Zhen Ren broke the silence, "What do you think?"

  Tian did not remain silent for a moment, and said: "When Zhang Xiaofan first came to the mountain, he didnt have this thing. Its probably that over the years, coincidences happened, and he accidentally obtained such a treasure somewhere."

  Cang Song Dao Ren said coldly from the side, "This staff can rival Tian Que, it is already a divine artifact, but looking at the world, I have never heard of such a treasure."

  Tians face sank, and he said coldly, "The land of Shenzhou is vast and boundless, I dont know how many rare treasures are still hidden, you and I are just frogs at the bottom of a well."

  Cang Song Daos face flashed with anger, but before he could react, Shui Yue Dashi from Xiao Zhu Feng spoke in a cold and icy tone: "We are naturally frogs at the bottom of the well, but this black rod is emitting an eerie aura when used, its clearly an evil object, yet for some reason, Tian Shixiong seems to be oblivious to it?"

  Tian hummed and said, "Is some black air considered evil energy? Are some red threads considered evil objects? If so, Ill go back and paint my face black. Will you all consider me a demonic cultist and behead me?"

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren furrowed his brow and said: "Tian Shi Di, dont talk like that. How can you say youre a demonic cults evil person out of the blue?"

  Tian didnt bother to respond and turned his head away, no longer speaking.

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren sighed, putting the fire poker in his hand on the tea table beside him. "Today, I invited everyone to come and discuss a few things. Firstly, during this Seven Veins Gathering, Zhang Xiao Fan, a disciple of Da Zhu Peak, has obtained a strange treasure with unknown origins but immense power. Secondly, when we previously discussed sending the first four disciples to explore the Wàn Fú ancient cave on Kong Sang Mountain, everyone had no objections except for Zhang Xiao Fan."

  Tian Bu Yis face grew darker the more he listened, and he was already perplexed by Zhang Xiao Fans sudden rapid progress in his cultivation. He also had suspicions about this fire spirit, but here in the Jade Clear Palace, others didnt dare speak out, yet he dared to nitpick his own disciple. How could Tian Bu Yi not be angry? His face sank, and with a swift movement, he stood up and loudly said: "Elder brother sect master, what do you intend to do?"

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren didnt expect Tian Bu Yi to have such a big reaction, and was shocked. The crowd cast sideways glances, and Feng Hui Feng Zus uncle, who had always been on good terms with him, pulled on Tian Bu Yis sleeve and said: "Bu Yi, the Master didnt say anything, you sit down first."

  Dao Xuan Zhenrens face sank slightly, and he said: "Tian Shidi, this matter is indeed a bit strange. As the leader of our sect, I will handle it impartially, so you can rest assured."

  Tian did not easily show anger on his face, but looking at Dao Xuan Zhen Rens complexion and the words of persuasion from Zeng Shu beside him, he finally sat down.

  "Everyone, this staff was just examined by all of you, its exterior is ordinary and unimpressive, but inside it actually contains a hidden evil energy. However, the most crucial thing is that with our level of cultivation, we cannot control this object, instead it can be manipulated by that young disciple who has only reached the fourth layer of the Jade Clear Realm. Whats the logic behind this?"

  Everyone including Tian Bu Yi was silent. They were all top-notch Cultivators, how could they not know this principle? Its just that no one was willing to say it out loud.

  "In my opinion, this black rod is probably a blood-refined object."

  Although they had mentally prepared themselves, everyones face still changed slightly. The so-called "blood-refined object" is a technique that uses the persons own blood to refine and create treasures. This strange method is not only extremely difficult but also has very strict requirements for the materials used. Even if one succeeds, the process of refining is extremely dangerous, and one small mistake can lead to the treasure turning against its creator with a fierce and bloody aura, resulting in an unbearable death. However, if successful, this treasure will undoubtedly have unparalleled power, and it also has another advantage: the treasure is connected to its owners blood, so unless someone shares the same bloodline as the creator, no one else can use it. But because it uses fresh blood as a catalyst, it often ends up with a fierce and bloody aura.

  It is said that the Blood Refining Technique was passed down from ancient magic gods and has been inherited by generations of demonic cultists, but it is rare to hear of any famous blood refining treasures. Most likely, this technique is too dangerous, even those in the demonic cult dare not try it lightly.

  It has actually appeared on a young disciple of Qingyun Gate.

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren looked at Tian Bu Yi, whose face turned pale. He slowly stood up and said: "Brother, what you said may be reasonable, but I still want to say that Zhang Xiao Fan is only sixteen years old, how can he understand the Blood Refining Technique? Moreover, since he came to the mountain, he has never gone down the mountain in five years, and when he came, he didnt even have a long object on him. Where did he go to find this rare treasure material?"

  Cang Song Dao Ren suddenly said coldly: "Perhaps he is a demonic sects mole who has been carefully planted in our Qing Yun Sect, it wouldnt be surprising!"

  Tian Bu Yi was furious, saying: "If he really had such a mind, how could he have used this thing in the Seven Veins Great Trial, under the eyes of nearly a thousand people? Moreover, if he is indeed a demonic sect spy, humph, Elder Cang Song, isnt your disciple Lin Jing Yu also suspicious?"

  Cang Song Dao Ren seemed to have been stabbed in the sore spot, stood up angrily and said: "What did you say? How can Jing Yu be compared with your stupid apprentice?"

  Tians face turned even darker, and he snorted, looking sideways, saying: "Yes, my disciple is stupid, but I heard that he still made it into the top four. I wonder what ranking Lin Jingyu, the genius under Master Cangsong, got this time?"

  Cang Song said angrily: "He was unlucky and met his senior Qi Huan, otherwise he wouldnt have made it to the top four!" He sneered and continued: "Anyway, he didnt have as much luck as a certain someone, relying on others forfeits and byes to advance all the way, yet he still dares to speak so boldly!"

  Tian was loud: "Was he also lucky in that one match against Xue Qi?"

  Cang Song Dao Ren continued: "Thats right, its precisely because he wasnt lucky that he lost, and lost so miserably, almost losing his life!"

  Tian Bu Yis face turned red with rage, and he shouted: "What do you want? Do you also want to see if Im just a name?"

  Cang Song Dao Ren surprisingly showed no intention of retreating, and immediately stood up, proudly saying: "Then Ill experience Tian Shixiongs Chi Meng Xian Jian!"

  Tian did not say another word, took a step forward, his right hand already grasped the sword hilt, and the air in the great hall suddenly seemed to solidify.

  "Preposterous!" A loud shout, and Daoxuan True Person slapped his palm on the tea table beside him, his face full of anger, standing up, "Are you two treating me, this sect master, as if Im dead?"

  Dao Xuan has been on the throne for nearly three hundred years, with great virtue and prestige. Although he is usually gentle, this time his anger was so great that Tian Nai and Cang Song Dao people were shocked, their hearts shaken. They immediately retreated, saying in a low voice: "Yes, Master, please calm down."

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren looked at these seats, his face angry for a while before slowly retreating, hesitated for a moment, and said: "Tian Shi Di."

  Tian didnt take another step forward and said, "Elder Martial Brother."

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren looked at him and said, "No matter what, this black stick has a strange origin. If its really a demonic cult object, then what connection does Zhang Xiao Fan have with the demonic cult? We cant tolerate him if thats the case, do you know?"

  Tian did not easily nod his head slightly, remaining silent for a long time before saying: "Yes."

  "Dao Xuan Zhen Ren said, Tian Shi Di, I know youre not feeling well in your heart, but this matter is of great importance and we cant be careless. For now, go back first and wait until Zhang Xiao Fans condition improves slightly. Then, carefully interrogate him again and bring him here. Well discuss it further then."

  Tians face turned red and white in turns, he suddenly stomped his foot heavily, nodded his head, didnt say a word, turned around and walked out.

  A whistling sound outside the door, probably Yu Jian has left.

  In the great hall, Zeng Shu often said to Dao Xuan Zhenren: "The master of the sect, its not easy for a talented person like Tianyi to appear in the Dazhu Peak lineage, but such a thing happened, he must be very unhappy in his heart, dont mind."

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren sighed and shook his head: "I naturally wouldnt mind, I know how Tian Shidi is as a person, and hes also trustworthy."

  As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and turned his head to face Shuiyue Dashi: "Shuiyue Shimei, what about that female disciple of yours, Liu Xueqi?"

  Shui Yue said faintly, "Thank you, Shixiong, for your concern. Xue Qis body has largely recovered. If it werent for the freaks and treasures that emerged from Tian Bu Yi Shixiongs sect, a duel would have consumed most of Xue Qis vital energy, and she wouldnt have lost to anyone else!"

  Cang Songs face changed, but Dao Xuan Zhenren had already waved his hand and said, "Ah, the matter has passed, dont dwell on it anymore."

  Cang Song and Shui Yue glared at each other, then turned their heads away. Dao Xuan Zhen Ren saw it in his eyes and sighed endlessly in his heart. His gaze involuntarily moved to the tea table beside him, where he saw that black and ugly fire poker lying quietly on the surface of the tea table.