Amidst wind and snow.
A snowflake, hidden within the blizzard, flew south. Its aura was completely sealed, evading the gaze of all great demons and human cultivators. Even Huang Tingyu and Gu Lingyu, who were stationed at the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, did not discover a snowflake containing two powerful auras flying past the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool.
This snowflake fiercely sped south, not pausing for a moment. After crossing the Sword Washing River, it continued south, then passed the Fusu Great Wall, and entered the pass. It was only after crossing the Shanhai Pass, guarded by hundreds of thousands of heavily armed soldiers and countless human cultivators, that this snowflake finally felt at ease.
In the next instant, the brilliant radiance enveloping the snowflake peeled away and dissipated, transforming into a verdant bamboo leaf mimicking wind and snow. Subsequently, the small world encased within the bamboo leaf unfolded, revealing a young sword cultivator in a green vine-colored long gown, standing on a sword light, cradling Yu Wanning, who was covered in blood and barely breathing.
Lin Zhujie finally revealed his true form. The moment he did, he sat on his flying sword with the unconscious Yu Wanning in his arms, tears streaming down his face. He turned his head to look north, tears welling up in his eyes, and murmured, "Mountain Lord... Mountain Lord... Lin Zhujie is useless. I couldn't draw my sword against the Ancestral Mountain. All Lin Zhujie can do is this. I can save one if I can save one... I'm sorry, Mountain Lord, I, Lin Zhujie, am truly a good-for-nothing waste..."
Yu Wanning's eyes remained tightly shut, and she continued to be unconscious.
While weeping, Lin Zhujie steered his flying sword south, heading directly for Jizhou.
...
Snow Domain Heavenly Pool.
Above the clouds, the Demon Ancestor Qing Kui's gaze was serene.
He had always deeply comprehended the outward and inward nature of all things. Therefore, no one in the entire Snow Domain Heavenly Pool had perceived that erratically falling snowflake. Only he had. Moreover, Lin Zhujie had followed him since childhood to cultivate. While concealment was Lin Zhujie's innate divine ability, how to utilize it to its utmost was something Demon Ancestor Qing Kui had personally taught him.
"Master!"
Liu Bai returned to the Demon Ancestor's side, carrying the blood-stained Bibo Halberd, and said solemnly, "Yu Wanning suddenly disappeared into thin air. It's quite strange. Few people in the human realm can achieve such a feat."
Beside him, Yu Zhi narrowed her beautiful eyes and smiled, "Hmph, I never expected that brat Lin Zhujie would become an elder at the Mountain Peak Villa and actually be so devoted to Lin Zhao..."
"Yes!"
Liu Bai frowned. "Master, the only one who could have rescued Yu Wanning in plain sight is that beast Lin Zhujie. Although this person is also your direct disciple and my fellow junior brother, if I may be so bold, his heart has always leaned towards the demon race. Such a traitor... will sooner or later become a major threat to our demon race, and he must be eliminated soon!"
"Hmm."
Demon Ancestor Qing Kui's gaze was calm. "It is highly probable that Lin Zhujie is responsible. However... Yu Wanning is on the brink of death. Her injuries are too severe, and only a broken foundation of the Rebirth Realm remains. It is uncertain whether she can survive. Even if she does, she will not be able to regain her peak within a few years. Let her go. It will not affect the grand scheme."
"Indeed."
The great demon Yu Zhi smiled with dimples. "Your Majesty the Demon Ancestor is wise. A mere Yu Wanning cannot stir up much trouble. The most troublesome individuals in the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool have always been Lin Baiyi, Su Qingjiu, Gu Lingyu, Ni Zhi, Tang Guangjun, and others. Now that these individuals are either dead or injured, this Snow Domain Heavenly Pool is almost devoid of threat to our demon race."
"But Master!"
Liu Bai frowned. "This Lin Zhujie is rebellious. Are we truly going to let him go unpunished?"
"Can the Ancestral Mountain spare the resources to hunt down Lin Zhujie now?"
Demon Ancestor Qing Kui seemed displeased. "Liu Bai, your place is on the battlefield. Go, break through White City as soon as possible, raze the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool to the ground, and set the Mountain Peak Villa ablaze. This is what you should be doing."
"Yes, Master!"
Liu Bai retreated sullenly.
Yu Zhi smiled, chuckling inwardly. Although Liu Bai was the Demon Ancestor's direct disciple, he was truly too foolish. The Demon Ancestor clearly did not intend to pursue Lin Zhujie, yet Liu Bai was still questioning. It was quite an achievement for this fellow to have risen to the rank of Demon King in the Ancestral Mountain.
For a moment, Yu Zhi almost burst into laughter. "After the lower realm is pacified, our demon race will rule the world. Both the Demon Ancestor and I will ascend to the upper realm. Who will then manage the Ancestral Mountain? Has Your Majesty the Demon Ancestor considered this?"
"It is too early to say."
The Demon Ancestor remained noncommittal.
In fact, Demon Ancestor Qing Kui understood that the next person to lead the demon race's Ancestral Mountain would not only need high cultivation and battle prowess but also a high level of spiritual cultivation. Furthermore, it would be best if they were his direct disciple, so that the lineage would be legitimate and the mouths of those ancient great demons in the ancestral land could be silenced.
Unfortunately, Man Yuan and Liu Bai were a pair of fools who cultivated strength but not their minds. Their battle prowess was indeed considerable, but when it came to becoming the supreme ruler of the Ancestral Mountain, they were still lacking. As for Lin Zhujie, that child had an exceptionally good state of mind. If the world were to be pacified, Lin Zhujie would indeed be the optimal candidate for the Ancestral Mountain's supreme ruler.
What a pity.
Among so many disciples, Qing Kui loved Lin Zhujie the most. Those like Man Yuan and Liu Bai were chosen by the Demon Ancestor and taken as disciples due to their talent and bloodline. Only Lin Zhujie had been raised by the Demon Ancestor since childhood and was truly considered a successor.
It was a pity that despite Demon Ancestor Qing Kui's high hopes for Lin Zhujie, his absolute indulgence seemed to have driven Lin Zhujie further and further away, ultimately leading to an irrecoverable situation.
As a result, when the Demon Ancestor looked back now, he felt a sense of lacking a successor. Yu Zhi was a candidate to govern the Ancestral Mountain, but she was someone Senior Brother Kunpeng had specifically requested, and she would undoubtedly ascend after the great battle. After her would be Lin Zhujie, but they had parted ways.
As for Ning Yuansheng, Long Zheng, Nan Qingfeng, and the others, they were all somewhat lacking in governing the Ancestral Mountain.
Thinking of this, the Demon Ancestor could not help but sigh inwardly, feeling a sense of lacking a successor.
...
White City.
Smoke filled the air, and the entire White City was engulfed in a chaotic battle. Great demons such as Chen Feng, Liu Bai, Nan Qingfeng, Ji An, and Lian Ban once again joined the fray, causing the players and the Snow Domain Legion defending White City to retreat steadily, all the way to the city's interior. Huang Tingyu could even see Nan Qingfeng's face with his eyes open.
A former dream lover, now a mortal enemy.
"Target acquired!"
The great demon Ji An looked towards Huang Tingyu from afar and grinned ferociously. "Kill Huang Tingyu! Don't worry about anything else!"
"Yo!"
Huang Tingyu bared his teeth, unleashed a sword intent, wrapped the three of Tong Yu, Zhang Luobai, and Zhuang Yirong, and retreated. In an instant, they landed on the south city wall.
Lin Zhao had been very clear at the time: the younger generation like Tong Yu should not directly participate in the fighting. Huang Tingyu's greatest task was to protect them or ensure their escape.
"Should we leave now?"
Huang Tingyu looked at Tong Yu and the others. "Lin Zhao specifically instructed me when he was alive that when White City falls, it will be time to take you all away. Find a safe haven and watch you grow into talent. Now... it's time to go."
"But Master..."
Zhang Luobai's eyes turned red. He looked towards the direction of Mount Wuwang and cried, "Old Huang, I always feel like Master is still here, still watching us. Do you think Master might not be dead..."
"We still have to leave."
Huang Tingyu petted the young boy's head. "Your master, perhaps he is indeed watching us, watching you, Zhang Luobai, become the youngest Sword Immortal of the Upper Five Realms in the world. If he truly transformed into Sun Wukong and was suppressed under Mount Wuwang for hundreds of years without dying, and then emerged to see you, Zhang Luobai, still in the Lower Five Realms, do you think he would beat you first?"
"Yes!"
Zhang Luobai nodded gently. "I understand."
"Elder Huang."
Tong Yu pursed her red lips. "Let's wait a little longer... The city has not been completely breached yet. Many people are still resisting fiercely. And Headmaster Gu is still guarding the Hefeng Academy. I don't want to leave just like this."
"Alright, let's wait a bit longer."
Huang Tingyu looked at the young man on the roof of Hefeng Academy. "Lingyu, what do you say?"
"To leave a trace of humanity, a spark of hope for the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool."
Gu Lingyu's voice was very soft. "Elder Sword Immortal Huang, I am not leaving. I will wait in Hefeng Academy for Junior Uncle's reincarnation."
"Sigh..."
Huang Tingyu said, "Do you have a way to protect Hefeng Academy and yourself?"
"Perhaps."
"Good."
Huang Tingyu said, "Then from now on, I will no longer concern myself with you."
Gu Lingyu could not help but chuckle. "Elder Sword Immortal Huang was never meant to concern himself with me."
...
Jizhou, White Emperor City.
In the imperial court, the officials were still watching the battlefield of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool through illusory projections. At this moment, no one felt that the great battle in the far north had nothing to do with them. The demon race, heart demons, and demon armies were too powerful. Once they flattened the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, it would only take a moment for those of the Upper Five Realms to arrive at White Emperor City.
"Hmm!?"
Huang Qingning suddenly stood up, squinting and looking in the direction of the north. "There is a very strong aura. It has already crossed Yunzhou and is entering Jizhou. Its speed is extremely fast, and it will soon reach White Emperor City. The demonic energy is strong. Should we activate the city's protective formation?"
"No need."
Zhao Shutong gazed northward and, after a brief probe, said, "It's Lin Zhujie from the Mountain Peak Villa."
"Oh?"
Prince Jiyang, Zhao Qiyang, said solemnly, "Lin Zhujie originates from the demon race's Ancestral Mountain and is a twelfth-realm Sword Cultivator Great Demon. Is he here in White Emperor City to assassinate His Majesty? To undermine our Great Shang Dynasty?"
"He won't."
Zhao Shutong shook his head. "He is Lin Zhao's man. The person he is bringing with him is Yu Wanning, a Rebirth Realm Martial God who almost sacrificed herself in the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool."
"Ah!?"
Prince Ji was startled.
The young emperor Zhao Jingheng quickly stood up and asked, "Are Lin Zhujie and Yu Wanning coming for us?"
"Hmm."
Zhao Shutong nodded.
"Quick, exit the hall to welcome them!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The civil and military officials waited outside the hall for a moment. Then, a beam of light descended from the northern wind. It was Lin Zhujie, holding Yu Wanning. Yu Wanning was still covered in injuries, her eyes closed, and she was unconscious.
"His Highness Zhao Shutong."
Lin Zhujie, holding Yu Wanning, knelt on one knee and said, "Has Ni Zhi been settled?"
"Mm."
Zhao Shutong nodded. "She is resting in my chambers. Her injuries are too severe, and she has not yet woken up, but she will certainly not die. She is being guarded by my personal guards and five thousand White Deer Iron Cavalry, so she will be fine."
"Good."
Lin Zhujie slowly stepped forward, handing Yu Wanning to Zhao Shutong. He cupped his fist lightly and said, "Your Highness, before our Mountain Master sacrificed himself, he permitted me not to interfere in this war between humans and demons. Lin Zhujie will indeed not take action, but I will save one if I can. Yu Wanning is entrusted to Your Highness. I hope Your Highness can save her."
As he spoke, his eyes turned red, and tears began to fall. "Everyone from our Mountain Peak Villa is almost wiped out. Thank you, Your Highness, for leaving some spark of hope for our Mountain Peak Villa."
Zhao Shutong's eyes also turned red. "Rest assured, Zhao Shutong will not fail Marshal Lin's trust. I will not rest until death!"
...
"Thank you!"
Lin Zhujie cupped his fist again. Disregarding the civil and military officials, he turned into a sword light and headed north.