CHAPTER 332: CHAPTER 302: WAR BREAKS OUT, SUPPRESSING TAOYUAN

The sky was clear, dyed pale by the white snow, with a faint crimson seeping through. The snowflakes, carrying a hint of warmth, drifted and swayed over this land. The snow disaster was ceaseless, the strangeness unending.

The grand Capital City lay in deathly silence. Its towering walls, rising over ten zhang high, were climbed by roots writhing like living creatures—or like the crimson, soft tendons of a human body. Skulls occasionally peering through the snow at the base of the walls seemed to hide a terrifying and shocking story. Yet, for the army on the side of the Celestial Demons, it was exhilarating.

「On this day.」

They would enter the Imperial City to partake in a grand scheme that could change this dynasty and perhaps the world. As for the fate of the common people, no one cared.

The moment they entered the gates, they were stunned. Despite the obscuring snowflakes, the crowd still witnessed in the distance a faintly discernible mountain—or rather, a towering White Lotus, sacred and noble. From it, a thick column of snow like goose feathers burst forth, radiating across the land.

Is this the monstrous plant that destroyed the Earth’s veins, according to the State Preceptor? The source of the snow disaster sweeping across the land is actually such a gigantic thing?! This is enormous!

Compared to the shock of the foreign cultivators, the Abyss Demons, who had learned the truth, were only slightly surprised. They began to survey their surroundings, not forgetting the importance of earning contribution points in this examination. Slaying the remnants of the Joyful Sect, destroying the Divine Hall, and protecting the Fourth Princess, among other tasks, fell to the Abyss Demons. In these days, with the Thousand-Eyed Tyrant watching in the shadows, they busily went about their tasks, either killing or earning contribution points. They didn’t dare to slack off, as laziness would also cost them contribution points. In terms of competitiveness, the resource-scarce demons of the Abyss were even more relentless than the human race, let alone these elites selected through multiple exams.

Soon, a surge of Golden Decree Divine Spirits, wielding shocking pillars of light, erupted inside the Imperial City. There were unexpectedly over two hundred of them, far exceeding the number ennobled by the Longwu Dynasty. It was evident that Wei Wuyang, in these twenty years, had extensively used the national fortunes. He had ennobled numerous incense spirits at once, advancing them to Golden Decree, heavily squandering the national fortunes in the process. As for the high-level Demonic Mysterious Cultivators, there were over a hundred. Many were old monsters from the families of civil and military ministers within the Capital City, whom Wei Wuyang had bound to his war chariot. Aside from the high-level, both sides had innumerable mid-level participants rushing to this grand event.

Above the White Lotus floated a cloud of auspicious omens. Upon it, a palace remained, still exuding a celestial air, occupied by eleven figures, unobscured by any sea of clouds. Apart from Wei Wuyang, who wore the Emperor’s Crown and Dragon Robe, the appearances of the other ten were quickly recognized.

"It’s actually the Esoteric Red Buddha Girl! On the way, I heard she had reappeared. This demon... senior, who perished a hundred years ago, has returned to the Mortal World?"

"That night, everyone saw her, leading monks as they walked through the sky. But due to their excessive flamboyance, they were slapped down by the Celestial Demon Princess."

"The key isn’t that, it’s her resurrection, reportedly related to the State Preceptor."

"Legend has it that the State Preceptor’s medical skills are superb, capable of concocting an Elixir of Immortality. It was for this reason that Emperor Longwu brought him into the palace as State Preceptor. So the Elixir of Immortality really exists in the world!"

"Hmm, it’s the overseas Frog Gods, he’s here too! Swept through 30,000 in one night, earning the title of True Monarch Miaowa."

"The rumor is true. The Frog Gods wish to establish a heavenly aquatic nation overseas, and he has been granted 3,000 islands. Fishermen and the Water Race will all be his subjects, and he even plans to raise livestock. His appetite is indeed huge."

"Insane, truly insane! I thought the State Preceptor’s reforms were for the country’s sake, to eradicate traitors from the Imperial Court, but in the end, he’s a great calamity!"

"Silence! Even if we stand with the Celestial Demon faction, we must beware of trouble from reckless speech."

"..."

Besides the Red Buddha Girl and True Monarch Miaowa, there was an ugly woman named Ghost Mother, cradling a fleshy lump connected by an umbilical cord. She sang a lullaby while tiny fleshy buds writhed and twisted with her song. One, with white hair trailing to the ground and arms extending past his knees, was known as the Adept Demon Ape. Another, dressed in a pink gown that made her skin seem fairer than snow, held a Peach Blossom Fan. She exhaled a fragrant breath that transformed into dozens of celestial Fairies, who then indulged in desire with passersby; she was known as the Venomous Lady. A Demon Infant, appearing as a dwarf goblin, was surrounded by four females who pressed softly against him, emitting a soft, contented sound. There was also the Blood God Child, with fleshy wings and sword-like eyebrows bristling upwards. And Lady Bai Gu, a skeleton with a beautiful face attached to its skull. Only two remained, cloaked and seated to the left and right of Wei Wuyang, their identities unrecognizable.

These eleven celestial beings represented the strongest fighting force on Wei Wuyang’s side—legendary figures who had reached the peak of cultivation within this small world. They were unlikely to enter the fray lightly.

Opposite them, on a dark cloud as black as ink, their adversaries had mirrored the setup, constructing a White Jade Palace of their own. In the center, a girl in an ink-black dress sat lazily on a dragon throne. Enchanting Demon Guards attended to her, serving fruit as she observed the grand assembly of heroes.

This marked the first official meeting of both sides’ leaders.

Immediately, on the battlefield with the White Lotus as a backdrop, the cultivators under both banners erupted in a cacophony of war cries. Mid-level cultivators primarily led the charge, rushing into the fray to engage in fierce combat.

...

「Inside the phoenix canopy.」

The beaded curtains were half-drawn, a light veil cascading down. A captivating figure stood at the window, her exquisite form akin to a white jade-carved gourd, rounded and luscious. Her pale golden serpent eyes swept over the distant battlefield, observing everything with clarity. One could see spells colliding and blood splattering. This blood, imbued with law, seeped into the ground like a conduit, absorbed by countless living root-like structures. A blue network of veins then surfaced, transporting the essence toward the central White Lotus.

Twenty years of careful plotting by the Joyful Sect finally bore fruit at this moment.

HISS...

Dan Yu picked a berry from the fruit platter. Her alluring red lips parted, revealing a pink, supple tongue that licked the berry as if savoring a fruit of victory. Its fragrance and sweetness mingled as her sharp snake’s teeth pierced it, releasing honey-like juice.

The immortal Dragon Gods.

...

The sky darkened, and fog surged around a delicate figure walking within the mist, looking around in confusion. She had no recollection of who she was or where this fog-enshrouded place was.

Suddenly, a point of light flickered. The girl hesitated for a moment, then ambled forward.

The warm light revealed a figure dressed in close-fitting attire. Scattered crystal peach petals slipped over her white, jade-like cheek as her dense lashes blinked. Her lovely eyes gazed blankly at a grove encircled by peachwood, which enclosed a warm spring.

The spring was crystal clear, with floating peach blossoms creating a magnificent scene.

Under the trees sat a Fairy in a pink-white, close-fitting outfit. Her dark hair was adorned with a jade crown. She was seated on a bamboo mat, sipping homemade peach blossom wine and appreciating the peach grove.

"You’ve come."

As if anticipating the visitor, the Fairy glanced back, indifference and loneliness etched on her face.

Ji Xuexin gaped at her as fragments of memory surfaced in her mind: Ninth Princess... the warm snow from the sky... Young Master Chu Yi...

"Who are you?"

Ji Xuexin finally remembered who she was. A sense of caution arose within her, but the next moment, shock contorted her features. She stared dumbfounded at this Fairy, because the other’s appearance, apart from her attire, was identical to her own.

"A thousand years of planning, all for this day."

"You are my reincarnation."