"Buzz—"
A majestic roar erupted as the Dragon Slaying Sword unleashed a sword light tens of thousands of miles long. Gray and white chaotic energies, like those from the primordial wilderness, swirled around the beam. Though the blade remained sheathed, its intent filled the entire world, its thunderous sound causing everyone present to clutch their ears in pain, their bodies curling up on the ground.
This sword's might and grandeur were unparalleled in the Hundred Flower Realm!
"Lin Zhao!"
Wu Yuanzi, the umbrella-wielding heart demon, his expression contorted into one of extreme ferocity and rage, unfurled his natal oil-paper umbrella. His eyes blazed with immense hatred as he roared, "You human sword cultivator, do you truly believe you can slay me?"
Lin Zhao remained silent, his hands gripping the hilt, forcibly suppressing the sword that spanned heaven and earth, its thunderous rumble incessant. The sword light then shot directly towards Wu Yuanzi on the Ascension Platform. As the light descended, Wu Yuanzi pushed his power to its peak. The oil-paper umbrella suddenly expanded to an immense size, its canopy enveloping the entire summit of Spirit Marsh Mountain. But as the Dragon Slaying Sword's light struck, the canopy vibrated and then rapidly peeled away, annihilating into nothingness. The Hundred Beauties painting stitched within the umbrella also vanished, accompanied by faint, dying screams of the divine women depicted on the murals.
Lin Zhao's ears even picked up two voices.
One was from Qing Yan, crying, "I am also part of the Heart Demon Treasure Umbrella, brother. Do you intend to obliterate Qing Yan as well?"
The other voice belonged to Liu Liying, her tone choked with tears, "Young Master, please strike me down without hesitation. Liying does not blame you. She only regrets her missteps, her failure to wholeheartedly follow you from the beginning. Liying is simply unwilling to continue serving by your side any longer..."
The sword had only descended halfway. Lin Zhao's heart felt incredibly heavy. Wu Yuanzi was a heart demon disguised as an umbrella wielder, adept at manipulating emotions. Now, the pleas of Qing Yan and Liu Liying, indistinguishable in their truth, were almost real. But Lin Zhao had no turning back. If this sword strike could usher in an era of peace and prosperity for the Hundred Flower Realm, then failing to strike would leave it as Wu Yuanzi's domain, merely a plaything for his collection of human heart demons.
Therefore, whether they were true or false, Lin Zhao had to strike. This sword strike was inevitable, an apology to the souls of Qing Yan and Liu Liying!
He closed his eyes, his mind devoid of any other thought, and brought down his sword!
"Chii!"
With a deafening sound, the oil-paper umbrella in Wu Yuanzi's hand shattered. The sky of the Hundred Flower Realm cracked and fractured as if Lin Zhao's sword was cleaving the entire world in two. In the next moment, the sword light plunged downwards, annihilating the entire umbrella into dust. Undiminished, the sword light continued its descent, striking Wu Yuanzi's crown and cleaving him. The umbrella-wielding heart demon revealed his true form, enveloped in black energy, his eyes blood-red, devoid of the artist's former refined demeanor. His being radiated with intense malevolence and lust. Amidst the sword light, his anguished cries and roars were futile. The sword had officially struck. Within the magnificent and boundless light, his physical body and soul separated, then dissipated into nothingness, completely annihilated. From that moment on, the painter Wu Yuanzi ceased to exist in the human world.
"Boom—"
A colossal explosion shook the earth. The force of this sword strike was too immense for Lin Zhao, who had unleashed his full power, to retract. The residual sword energy, after obliterating Wu Yuanzi, continued to descend, reducing half of the Ascension Platform to powder. Following that, a single sword stroke leveled a distant mountain peak, transforming it into a valley. The entire Spirit Marsh Mountain, indeed, the entire Hundred Flower Realm, trembled.
...
"..."
Lin Zhao stood in the wind, the sheathed Dragon Slaying Sword in his hand, his white cloak fluttering behind him. He frowned, feeling no sense of triumph. Though he had vanquished the umbrella-wielding heart demon Wu Yuanzi, the cost had been immense. The Dragon Slaying Sword had once again entered a state of "dormancy." Furthermore, the souls of the one hundred divine women from the Hundred Beauties painting had all vanished into the heavens and earth. The Hundred Beauties painting would likely exist no more in the human world.
Moreover, he had ultimately failed to save Liu Liying, the fan-wielding goddess. Lin Zhao's heart was heavy with sorrow and guilt. Liu Liying had never wronged him; the true betrayer was he, the so-called exiled immortal burdened by duty.
"Is it over?"
Chi Zhongyu, covered in blood, his expression fluctuating.
"Mm."
Yu Wanning watched Lin Zhao's retreating figure, feeling inexplicably that this was not the moment to disturb him. For at this moment, Lin Zhao displayed no joy of defeating a formidable enemy. On the contrary, his silhouette exuded a sense of desolation. In truth, his heart was deeply disappointed.
Chu Xiantong pursed her red lips and said softly, "Lin Zhao, don't be too sad."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao nodded, sighed, and turned to face the three behind him. "Ultimately, it was fate. It cannot be forced."
"Mm."
Yu Wanning and Chi Zhongyu nodded in unison. Chi Zhongyu was perhaps the most saddened. With Liu Liying's death, his heart felt as if it had shattered. Yet, despite his high cultivation, he was powerless to avenge her, for it was Lin Zhao who had slain her, and this strike was for the sake of the entire realm. If he were to seek vengeance against Lin Zhao, it would be a gross misjudgment of right and wrong.
Just then.
A sudden wind swept through the Hundred Flower Realm.
"Rustle..."
Leaves swayed. The group frowned, sensing an unusual nature to this gust of wind. Lin Zhao's heart "buzzed" as he hastily retrieved the handwritten notes left by Scholar Li from his satchel. As the breeze gently fanned the pages, the text detailing debts within the notes began to vanish, replaced by shimmering golden characters. Lines of names appeared, each line listing three individuals who were ascenders from years past. This entire ledger contained the names of ascenders from millennia of the Hundred Flower Realm, all meticulously recorded!
"Hahahaha~~~"
Lin Zhao suddenly burst into a delighted, almost delirious, laugh. He finally understood. The ascension in the Hundred Flower Realm relied on the Ascension Platform, which in turn originated from the divine craftsman Li Chun. The key to the Ascension Platform had, from the very beginning, been held by Li Chun's descendants. Scholar Li was undoubtedly not some impoverished scholar, but had long since achieved enlightenment. The chance encounter in Li Family Village was merely a test for Lin Zhao. As for the notes in his hand, they were not mere records but the Imperial Edict Scripture that governed the entire Hundred Flower Realm!
In that instant, holding the Imperial Edict Scripture, Lin Zhao comprehended everything. It was only now that he was not merely the controller of the Stone of Destiny, but also the master of the Imperial Edict Scripture. With the dual keys in his possession, he was the undisputed lord of this realm.
"Understood."
He smiled slightly, gently turning the pages of the Imperial Edict Scripture. His gaze fell upon a blank space, and he tapped it lightly with the back of his finger, saying, "Liu Liying, return."
A gentle breeze swept through the heavens and earth. Strands of golden spiritual energy drifted through the mountains, gradually coalescing to form a golden figure. It was Liu Liying, the fan-wielding goddess in her red dress, leading her white horse. She was, after all, the essence of the spiritual energy of the Hundred Flower Realm, and had become a depicted goddess through celestial decree. Now, with Lin Zhao wielding the Imperial Edict Scripture, he could decree anyone he wished. Re-conferring Liu Liying was a task accomplished with no effort.
"Ah?"
Liu Liying stood on the partially ruined Ascension Platform, her body trembling slightly. Upon seeing Lin Zhao before her, holding the golden scripture with a radiant smile, she instantly understood everything. Tears welled in her eyes as the fan-wielding goddess softly said, "Young Master..."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded, "It's alright now."
Liu Liying's pearly dimples creased into a smile, and she moved to Lin Zhao's side, following closely, wishing never to leave him again.
Chi Zhongyu felt a surge of joy, followed by despair. Though he was now a Star River realm sword cultivator, his Dao heart remained utterly shattered.
...
At this moment, the Hundred Flower Realm had officially connected with the Human Realm. Lin Zhao's ears then heard the voice of an elder, "Little Zhao, you may choose three people to bring back to the Human Realm. How the Hundred Flower Realm will establish a prosperous and peaceful era is also up to you. After you have concluded matters in the Hundred Flower Realm, return here through ascension. These little girls are all worried about you."
"Alright, thank you, Elder!"
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile. Liu Liying, Chi Zhongyu, Yu Wanning, and Chu Xiantong looked on in astonishment.
Lin Zhao turned to face them. "I believe you have all guessed many truths by now. Indeed, the Hundred Flower Realm you inhabit is a fragmented and incomplete world, sealed within a Stone of Destiny. I am the master of the Stone of Destiny, and in this realm, I am equivalent to what you call an exiled immortal. Wu Yuanzi was a heart demon disguised as an umbrella wielder, a thoroughly wicked individual. Now that the situation is resolved, the Hundred Flower Realm will have three spots for ascension to the Human Realm where I reside. There, you will find a vaster world and higher realms. What you call the Extreme Realm and Star River Realm are merely the pinnacles of the Middle Five Realms. Beyond them lie the eleventh realm, True Return, the twelfth realm, Divine Transformation, the thirteenth realm, Ascension, as well as the fourteenth and fifteenth realms. Therefore, I will bring three people with me."
The individuals before him were all filled with nervousness and excitement.
Lin Zhao smiled. "The Hundred Flower Realm is, after all, a realm rich in spiritual energy, so I will certainly not abandon it. What I desire is a prosperous realm, one that continuously produces outstanding talents. Only by continuously sending forth talented individuals from the Hundred Flower Realm can we cope with the situation in the Human Realm where I reside. Therefore, this time I will bring Yu Wanning, Liu Liying, and Chi Zhongyu with me. Chu Xiantong, as the sect leader of the foremost sect in the Hundred Flower Realm, I hope you will remain to govern the realm and manage the situation on Spirit Marsh Mountain. I will return in ten years to bring you as well."
"Yes!"
Chu Xiantong smiled and nodded. "Lin Zhao, I will do as you say!"
In truth, Chu Xiantong had always been an intelligent person. Lin Zhao's request for her to stay was akin to telling Chu Xiantong, "You stay, become the foremost individual in this realm, and I will take you ten years from now." Regardless of the outcome, Chu Xiantong would not lose out.
Yu Wanning pursed her red lips, her eyes filled with hope. She had come to Spirit Marsh Mountain's Ascension Platform precisely for ascension. Now that she had truly obtained this opportunity, bestowed by an exiled immortal, her future path was boundless.
Liu Liying's lips curved into a beautiful smile. As long as she could be with her Young Master, that was all that mattered.
Chi Zhongyu felt a pang of heartache, mixed with longing. Heartache because Liu Liying was destined to be by Lin Zhao's side, and their connection was effectively severed. Longing because, upon ascension, a vaster world and more breathtaking mountain vistas awaited. He, Chi Zhongyu, was not a useless person; he would forge his own destiny sooner or later.