Chapter 53:Journey in the Mountains and Rivers (VII)

Ji Hu spoke out in a cold, harsh voice that was filled with disbelief.

Xie Changzhou’s lustrous eyes suddenly turned cold, and he said in a cold voice, “War God, are you sure you saw correctly? Is Ningning really the goddess Yanheng?”

Ji Hu suddenly realized his mistake, and his expression became complicated. He looked at Sui Ning with a deep and obscure gaze.

No, that wasn’t Yanheng.

He turned his gaze to Yanheng, lying peacefully on the bed beside him. Her eyebrows were still dignified and calm, and her veil covered her face, hiding the same face that Sui Ning had.

That was Yanheng.

Although Sui Ning looked like her, she was not Yanheng.

But why could Sui Ning use the Demon-Slaying Sword?

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A warm and cool hand covered her trembling hand, a familiar breath entered her nostrils, and a clear and gentle voice sounded in her ears.

“Ningning, this has nothing to do with you.”

Suining’s eyelashes trembled lightly as she looked at him, her beautiful face filled with confusion and bewilderment.

Xie Changzhou’s pale and elegant face was marked with spots of blood, and his deep eyes were filled with tenderness: “Sui ning, you are Sui ning, the Sui ning of the Limitless Sword Sect.”

He took her trembling hand and slowly took the Demon Slayer Sword from her.

The sword, which had just tasted blood, was still trembling and unwilling to be touched by anyone. It burned Xie Changzhou’s palm, but his face remained calm, and his eyes remained warm and gentle, without any ripples.

It was only now that Sui Ning could see the wounds on his body. He was wearing a tattered white robe, now stained bright red with blood, and emitting a strong smell of blood.

But even so, his expression toward her remained gentle. When he lowered his gaze to meet hers, the emotions in his eyes were still tender and affectionate.

Sui Ning’s heart felt a pang, and her throat felt choked up as if by something. Her dark eyes glistened with tears.

“Jianzun, you’re hurt.”

She reached out with trembling hands to touch the wounds on his body, feeling the warmth on her fingertips as if she had burned herself.

The man in black was named Gui Luan.

Gui Luan was also one of the four guardians, and with Xie Changzhou, who had not yet ascended and had been suppressed to the Mahayana stage, how could he have taken advantage of him?

Sui Ning’s hand trembled as she hurriedly reached into her bag to take out the pills that the system had given her to feed him. But her hand was held back.

She looked up in surprise and met Xie Changzhou’s warm eyes.

He shook his head slowly and said, “Suining, it’s okay. Ji Hu, the God of War, just gave me some medicine.”

Sui Ning looked behind him in surprise but didn’t see Ji Hu’s figure.

She turned her gaze back to Xie Changzhou and saw his gentle eyes looking back at her.

Ji Hu’s profile had perfect lines, and his cold eyes and brows melted like ice and snow, while his face was full of tenderness and warmth, looking at Yanheng with focused and gentle eyes.

Ji Hu gently adjusted Yanheng’s body and covered her with a quilt, brushing away the stray hairs on her forehead.

Sensing Sui Ning’s gaze, he looked up, and his expression returned to the cold and merciless one he had when facing them in the past.

His gaze was complicated as he stood up and walked towards them, saying, “I didn’t handle this matter well, and I’ve caused trouble for you both.”

Xie Changzhou remained calm and unflappable, responding in a low voice, “It’s no trouble, War God.”

Ji Hu remained silent as he locked eyes with him, his expression complex. Finally, he spoke softly, “I won’t tell anyone else about this matter. Only a few of us know.”

Sui Ning knew what he was talking about.

About how she, a mere mortal, looked exactly like the goddess Yanheng and yet was still able to use the Demon-Slaying Sword.

Even Sui Ning herself found it absurd. She had never imagined that one day she would see someone who looked exactly like her in another realm. The attraction and agitation that came from the depths of her soul were inexplicable.

But she was just a mortal…

Suining also fell silent.

Xie Changzhou nodded slightly, and his voice softened. “Thank you, War God.”

Ji Hu nodded and softly said, “The demons outside the palace have been slain, and though Gui Luan managed to escape, I’ve severely wounded him as well. Hu ji…”

His gaze slowly shifted to Hu Ji beside him, and with deep, faint eyes, he continued, “She has been executed by the Demon-Slaying Sword.”

“Both of you can rest assured within the palace. Ah Heng should be waking up soon.”

Ji Hu looked at the two, his stern expression softening slightly.

Sui Ning nodded, “Alright.”

“Yes, both of you can go back to the side hall to recover. I’ll watch over things here,” Ji Hu said as he turned toward Hu ji, his battle armor emanating a resolute aura of hostility.

Sui Ning exchanged a glance with Xie Changzhou, and he gave her a slight nod.

As they returned to the side hall, Sui Ning suddenly halted, reaching out to grasp Xie Changzhou’s arm.

Xie Changzhou’s brows furrowed in surprise. “Ningning?”

Sui Ning’s long, dark eyelashes lowered, her complexion appearing somewhat unsettled. “Jianzun, you need to tend to your injuries.”

Although the bleeding from his wounds had stopped, the deep, exposed gashes on his body still caused Sui Ning’s heart to tremble.

She looked down at him with deep concern, and Xie Changzhou’s heart softened. He reached out and held her hand.

“Alright, Ningning.”

Sui Ning’s keen perception caught on that something was wrong. She quickly turned his hand over.

Within his palm, which was as smooth as jade, the flesh was mottled as if it had been scorched, giving rise to a pale discoloration, as if something had seared the skin and flesh.

Xie Changzhou tried to pull his hand out with slight force, saying, “Ningning.”

“Don’t move.” Sui Ning’s voice was hoarse and low as she forcefully held onto his hand and quickly grabbed the other hand that held the Demon-slaying Sword.

She took the Demon-slaying Sword from him and threw it aside, then turned over Xie Changzhou’s right hand.

The palm was still a bloody mess, making the already pale skin look even more shocking.

“Jianzun…” Sui Ning’s voice was muffled, as if it were squeezed out of her chest.

She trembled as she wanted to transmit her spiritual energy to heal him, but he held her hand.

“Ningning, you’re also injured; let me heal you first.”

Suining looked up at him and saw the worry in Xie Changzhou’s expression; his shallow pupils were filled with warmth.

He transmitted his shimmering spiritual energy into Sui Ning’s body, healing the injuries inflicted by Hu Ji.

Sui Ning’s nose felt sour as she withdrew her hand and raised her wrist to signal him, “You don’t need to heal me; I have a spirit pearl.”

The spirit pearl had been healing the injuries in her body all along, so her injuries weren’t as severe.

It was Xie Changzhou who was injured… this wasn’t the first time Sui Ning had seen him badly hurt.

It was the same when they fought the beasts, and now he was heavily injured again in the beast’s consciousness.

Sui Ning’s shimmering spiritual energy continuously flowed into his body, healing the burned palm caused by the Demon-slaying Sword.

“Ningning.”

“Xie Changzhou, don’t move.”

Sui Ning’s voice was cold and hoarse, causing Xie Changzhou’s hand to abruptly stop trying to pull away.

She used to call him “Jianzun”, but now she addressed him by his full name in such a cold tone.

Is Sui Ning angry?

Why?

The medicine given by Ji Hu was very effective, and Xie Changzhou’s wounds were healing at a visible speed, except for the burned flesh in the palm of his hand from the Demon-slaying Sword.

Sui Ning patiently healed his wounds, with warm spiritual energy enveloping the burned area of his palm and gradually treating the injuries.

Once his palm had fully recovered, Sui Ning’s complexion turned slightly pale, with tiny beads of sweat dotting her forehead.

“Ningning, that’s enough; you need to rest.” Xie Changzhou stopped her from continuously transmitting spiritual energy; his brow furrowed, his expression serious.

Sui Ning looked up at him, her dark eyes calm and serene, with a hint of redness around her eyes.

He felt a bit flustered and quickly lowered his head to meet her gaze, gently coaxing her, “Ningning, I didn’t mean to hurt you, I just…”

“Jianzun.” Sui Ning interrupted him, her clear eyes looking at him, a faint redness shining at the bottom of her eyes.

She held his hand, gently stroking his palm, which had already returned to its original state; the terrifying wound from before had disappeared.

“Xie Changzhou, when you fight with others, can you please not be so reckless?”

Sui Ning’s long eyelashes trembled slightly, like a small fan swaying under the shimmering light in the hall, casting a faint shadow over her fair face.

“Ningning…” Xie Changzhou’s throat was dry and rolling.

“You are a person; you have feelings; you can feel pain, get hurt, and die.”

“Xie Changzhou, you still have me, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Xie Changzhou’s heart suddenly softened as he felt the gentle trembling of Suining’s fingers, which were held tightly by his own. A tingling sensation spread from his fingertips to his hand as he reached back to hold her hand.

“Sui Ning,” Xie Changzhou said, lowering his head to look at her and cradling her face in his hands. “It won’t happen again, never again.”

He chuckled softly. “I’ll take good care of myself and live a good life.”

He would live well, protect the world, and guard his Sui Ning.

Sui Ning’s eyes grew moist as she reached out her hand and whispered, “Let’s pinky swear.”

Xie Changzhou was momentarily startled, but then his cool hand intertwined with her small pinky finger as he imitated Sui Ning’s gesture of “swearing”.

Their eyes met, both filled with smiles.

The Demon-slaying Sword lay discarded on the ground, emitting a humming sound, its silver body gleaming with an icy light.

Sui Ning’s gaze fell upon the Demon-slaying Sword, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as her eyes grew cold and distant.

The Demon-Slaying Sword exuded a powerful aura, having just tasted demon blood, unleashing its murderous intent without reservation. However, as it felt Sui Ning’s gaze, the killing intent began to fade, gradually becoming calm under her gaze until the humming finally subsided.

Her eyes grew darker, and her rosy lips pressed tightly together.

She wondered if it was just her imagination or if the Demon-slaying Sword actually listened to her.

Or maybe it was simply afraid of her.

Why was Sui Ning able to use the Demon-slaying Sword, as Hu Ji had said before she died?

“Sui Ning,” Xie Changzhou softly called out to her.

Sui Ning looked up at him, and he gently brushed aside a strand of hair from her forehead.

“This is a thing of the past; Yanheng and the others have long been dead for thousands of years, so don’t worry,” said Xie Changzhou gently with a warm expression.

Sui Ning’s eyes curled up, her bright black eyes gently nodding. “Okay.”

Thinking of Hu Ji, she couldn’t help but think of another person, and the smile on her lips gradually froze.

That man in the black robe was full of a sinister and mysterious aura.

“Jianzun, the person who injured you just now should be called Gui Luan,” Sui Ning said coldly, her beautiful face filled with a cold and solemn expression.

When Hu Ji called for help, she shouted Gui Luan’s name towards the outer hall, probably referring to that man in the black robe.

Xie Changzhou’s expression turned cold for a moment, and he nodded slightly. “Yes, Ningning is clever. Gui Luan is the leader of the four guardians under Gui Ba.”

“He is not only a guardian under the Gui Ba,” Sui Ning said coldly, staring closely at Xie Changzhou, her eyes icy and profound as she spoke each word.

“He is also the one who instructed Su Kou to draw on the vitality of the people of the city and accelerate the growth of the spirit herb.”

Xie Changzhou’s expression remained unchanged; his gaze was slightly restrained, and his emotions showed no surprise.

Gui Luan was the one who instructed Su Kou to anger the cultivators by nurturing the solidifying spirit grass and extracting the vitality of the city’s people, which caused tremendous disaster. 

But Gui Luan had already perished in the war between gods and demons 80,000 years ago. How could he appear in the mortal world 80,000 years later?

Xie Changzhou didn’t say a word. His jaw clenched tightly, his calm eyes rippling with waves.

Sui Ning’s heart sank; she knew the severity of the situation.

Gui Luan, a demon general from 80,000 years ago, was supposed to have died in the war between gods and demons. How did he escape and even survive in the mortal world for 80,000 years?

But why did he suddenly appear in Nanjing City and instruct Su Kou to commit such a heinous crime and extract the vitality of the city’s people?

Could it be…

Thinking of a certain possibility, Sui Ning’s back went numb, and her hair stood on end.

Her voice was low and chilly: “Jianzun, could the Gui Luan… …be working for the demon god?”

Xie Changzhou grasped her hand tightly, and his brows furrowed, a chill in his eyes.

Sui Ning spoke slowly: “How did the Gui Luan Sect escape from the great war between gods and demons thousands of years ago? Also, when people from the Upper Realm come to the Lower Realm, their cultivation is suppressed. It’s certain that his cultivation is weaker than it is now, so why would he risk causing such a disaster in the Lower Realm?”

“He has probably been in the Lower Realm for thousands of years but has never been detected by cultivators. This means that he has been lurking in secret for thousands of years.”

Sui Ning paused, her gaze slightly narrowed, and she spoke in a cold voice: “Why did he suddenly appear from behind and take this risk? Could it be because of the demon god?”

As Sui Ning spoke, Xie Changzhou’s face remained icy, his glass-like eyes flickering with a cold light.

Gui Luan was the leader of the four guardians, and his position showed that he was highly favored by Gui Ba, the demon god. According to the exaggerated stories told by his master, the Great Master-like figure, the Gui Ba once saved Gui Luan’s life, so Gui Luan was deeply grateful and could never betray him.

Sui Ning continued: “So what made Gui Luan lurk for thousands of years? Why would he help Su Kou for no apparent reason?”

Or was he trying to obtain something from Su Kou?

Xie Changzhou’s warm aura turned cold all over, and he unconsciously gripped Sui Ning’s hand tightly, making her wince in pain.

She instinctively pulled her hand back, and her struggling brought Xie Changzhou back to his senses. He quickly let go of her hand, leaving a red mark on her delicate and white skin.

“Sorry, Ningning, did I hurt you?”

He took her hand and was about to transmit his spiritual energy to her, but Sui Ning pressed his hand against her and shook her head slightly. “It’s okay; it doesn’t hurt.”

Sui Ning’s brow was furrowed, and her face was melancholy. A sense of panic rose in her heart. Everything that happened in the beast’s sea of consciousness was fiercely impacting her cognition: Yanheng, the Demon-Slaying Sword, and the mysterious identity—everything made Sui Ning uneasy.

But they were clearly here to find the soul of the beast.

A cold pine scent came, and her breath was full of a familiar smell.

“Jianzun?”

Sui Ning looked up in surprise and saw a distinct Adam’s apple in front of her. With just a slight lift of her head, she could kiss it.

Xie Changzhuo held her in his arms and gently rubbed her furry head against his chin. The sweet fragrance on her body followed his breath, and his heart melted.

“Ningning,” he said in a muffled voice, his voice clear and gentle. “I promise you, nothing will happen.”

“I will protect you.”

Sui Ning’s heart softened, and she reached out to embrace his thin waist, burying her head in his chest. His clear and powerful heartbeat came, and her slightly panicked heart suddenly calmed down.

“Okay.”

She would also protect him and never let him get hurt again.

***

In the third month after they came to the palace, Yanheng had yet to wake up when the demon clan attacked.

Xie Changzhou had left early in the morning and had not returned. Sui Ning was alone in the temple, meditating and cultivating.

Ji Hu, clad in silver armor that glinted coldly, his stern face exuding a killing aura, entered the side hall with a long sword, broad blade, and axe in hand.

Sui Ning was surprised by the noise and opened her eyes to see him. “War God?”

She had rarely seen Ji Hu in the past few months, so why did he come in person today?

Ji Hu walked toward her with big strides and said, “The demon clan has attacked and crossed the Eternal Water Abyss.”

Yanheng frowned, feeling a sudden sense of unease.

The Eternal Water Abyss was the boundary between the immortal realm and the demon realm. If the demon clan had crossed it, it meant that they had entered the immortal realm.

“Why couldn’t the immortal stop them? Didn’t they set up defenses at the Eternal Water Abyss?” Sui Ning asked.

Ji Hu had arrived before her, and his eyes were filled with a cold light. A hint of darkness flickered in his eyes.

“Last night, the seal on the Wanmo Cavern was broken, and the evil spirits have been released. The defenses were unable to stop them,” Ji Hu explained.

Sui Ning was taken aback. Was the war between gods and demons about to begin?

The war that would change the entire immortal realm was about to begin on this day.

Ji Hu bent down and pulled her up, intending to leave.

Sui Ning quickly struggled to get away from him. “War God, what are you going to do?”

Ji Hu turned around and looked at her. He stood tall and straight, his body adorned in shimmering silver battle armor, and a sharp killing intent surrounded him.

He lowered his gaze and said, “Ah Heng has not awakened yet, and you are the goddess now.”

Sui Ning furrowed her brow and stared at him in silence.

Ji Hu continued, “Only you can use the Demon Slayer Sword.”

“Now that you are the goddess, you must come with me to the front lines.”

Sui Ning remained indifferent; her emotions were faint on her face. She locked eyes with him and asked, “So you want me to lead you into battle?”

Ji Hu pursed his lips, his eyes showing complicated emotions. After a while, he nodded in agreement.

“Yes,” he said with a hint of darkness in his glassy eyes. “But don’t worry, I will take care of everything. You just need to stay put.”

“But what if the goddess never wakes up?” Sui Ning asked.

Ji Hu remained calm and looked at Sui Ning coldly as he spoke. “You can also use the Demon Slayer Sword. Then it will be up to you to slay the demons and ghosts.”

His demeanor was cold and firm, and his gaze was deep and chilly, showing no sign of weakness.

Sui Ning stared at him for a long time, her hand clenched in her sleeve. Finally, she nodded in agreement.

“Okay, I promise you.”

Ji Hu’s attitude was so firm that it was clear he would not accept her refusal.

Since it was a war between gods and demons, the beasts, as the mounts of the ghosts and demons, would certainly appear. As long as they killed the beasts, they could save Mo Huai’an.

“Thank you,” Ji Hu said, looking deeply into her eyes with complicated emotions before turning and leaving. “Follow me.”

Sui Ning turned to look at the empty temple, her dark eyelashes trembling slightly.

She turned around and followed in the footsteps of Ji Hu. This time, she didn’t have Xie Changzhou by her side.

Xie Changzhou should receive the news and rush to the front line soon. He only hoped she could return safely.

***

The deep and terrifying Eternal Water Abyss was filled with demonic energy, and the dark demon generals held their weapons and sneered at the immortal soldiers in front of them.

Ji Hu wore silver-white battle armor and held a long sword. His eyes and brows were cold. The killing intent emanating from him was overwhelming.

Tens of thousands of immortal soldiers behind him stood in armor, waiting in formation, looking coldly at the dark demon generals hovering above the Eternal Water Abyss.

“The Goddess has arrived!”

A cry came from the immortal soldiers, and the well-ordered formation slowly opened up from the middle. Then, a slender figure walked slowly forward.

Her gorgeous white robe outlined her slender waist, and the embroidered phoenix tail on her long skirt was lifelike. The exquisite phoenix crown hanging down with a jade pendant swayed gently with her movements. Her face was covered with a veil, revealing her cold and noble eyes and brows.

The immortal soldiers all kneeled down and said in unison, “We pay our respects to the Goddess!”

The voice was deafening and uniform.

Sui Ning looked calm and walked slowly past the immortal soldiers. Ji Hu stood at the end of the path, looking at her calmly.

As she approached the formation, she lifted her hand lightly, and her ethereal and cold voice said, “Rise.”

The immortal soldiers all stood up, standing behind Sui Ning in formation.

The system praised her in her mind: “[Host is not bad; now she has the demeanor of a goddess phoenix].”

The corner of Sui Ning’s lips, beneath her veil, curled up, responding confidently to its words.

A cold laugh echoed in a sinister and low voice.

“Yanheng goddess?”

A figure slowly emerged in the void, tall and sturdy, with a face that was both soft and sinister and red eyes filled with a chilling coldness, maliciously hooking his lips and staring at Sui Ning in front of him.

That was the demon god Gui Ba.

Gui Luan stood not far behind him, looking respectful and humble, without the arrogance that Sui Ning saw in him when they first met.

When Sui Ning’s gaze fell on the demon’s mount, her calm phoenix eyes suddenly shrank. A hint of darkness flashed in her eyes, but in an instant, she adjusted her mood and returned to her previous indifferent appearance.

Under the demon’s mount, a majestic beast with horns on its head was riding. Its dark red vertical pupils were cold and ruthless, and that was the main purpose of her and Xie Changzhou’s journey.

The Beast!

The demon laughed lightly, with a sarcastic curve of his mouth: “Yanheng, are you really Yanheng?”

Ji Hu’s brow furrowed, looking wary at the demon in the void.

“Yanheng, aren’t you supposed to be asleep?”

“After taking out the divine heart to refine the Demon-Slaying Sword, she fell into a deep sleep.”

“And you,” the demon’s cold, white hand pointed lightly at Sui Ning, suddenly laughing, “are fake.”

The immortals were shocked, looking at Sui Ning in disbelief. The previously silent crowd suddenly burst into some arguments.

They all looked at Sui Ning in front of the formation. Although her back was slender, her aura was as strong as ever, and just standing there made people feel at ease.

For thousands of years, this frail body led them to protect the stability of the upper realm.

The back view is exactly the same; the eyebrows and eyes are exactly the same, how could it be fake?

Ji Hu’s long sword pointed directly at the ghosts in the void, his voice stern and cold: “Just based on you, do you dare to question the goddess?”

Gui Ba didn’t care; he had a smile on his face but no smile in his eyes.

“Ji Hu, you know she’s not real, don’t you?”

“If you have the ability, let her use her divine power.”

Gui Ba taunted him, his eyes cold and sinister, full of murderous intent.

Ji Hu’s thin lips were tightly pursed, his glass-like eyes completely darkened, and his immortal power was completely released, indicating his anger at this moment.

The eyes of the immortal soldiers fell on Sui Ning, hoping that she could use her divine power to prove her identity.

But Sui Ning didn’t move.

Gradually, the low whispers of the immortal soldiers became louder, and more and more people looked at her with suspicion.

Goddess…could she really be a fake?

“Heh.”

A cold laughter came, and although the voice was light, the chaotic immortal soldiers could hear it clearly, as if it were pouring into their ears.

Suddenly, it quieted down, and they all looked at Sui Ning in front of the formation.

Sui Ning slowly stepped forward, standing alone in front of the formation with her frail body.

Her eyebrows and eyes were cold, and her tone was flat: “I don’t need divine power; I can still kill you.”

As she spoke, a long sword gradually appeared in front of her.

The sword body was silver-white, the sword rainbow was like a rainbow, and the sword light was chilling.

As soon as Sui Ning’s jade-like hand touched the hilt, the sword body suddenly flashed with silver light, and a huge killing intent poured out. The sword light broke through the demonic energy in the void and went straight towards Gui Ba.

The eyes of the immortal soldiers light up, and they are overjoyed, their previous suspicions and doubts completely disappear.

That is the Demon-Slaying Sword, which only the gods can use!

She is their goddess!