The world is vast and boundless. All phenomena flourish beneath heaven, and nine great domains stand side by side.
Among them, the Desolate Domain is the largest, yet its resources are the most barren.
Fortune and disaster always coexist.
Because the Desolate Domain lacks resources and its strength is relatively weak, it has also become the most peaceful of the nine domains, with the fewest disputes.
Within it, many top-tier forces are interwoven, such as the Azure Cloud Sword Sect, Medicine Immortal Valley, the Demonic Witch Nation, the Heavenly Divination Sect, the Great Zhou Empire, the Great Western Empire, and other supreme powers. Most of them coexist peacefully and have endured to this day.
Of course, as the weakest among the nine domains, the Desolate Domain inevitably suffers oppression from the other eight domains.
However, matters on that level involve only the supreme figures of the Desolate Domain. For the majority of its people, such affairs bear little significance.
On the western border of the Desolate Domain stands Demon Walk Mountain.
Demon Suppression Sect.
Sect Master’s Corpse Refining Chamber.
“Sect Master, traces of the Heavenly Demon Physique have appeared in the Great Zhou Imperial Capital.”
A figure suddenly emerged from the air, accompanied by a swirl of black smoke. The man was hunched, his voice hoarse, his face obscured and indistinct.
He was Elder Can Zhu, an inner sect elder of the Demon Suppression Sect, responsible for handling external affairs.
“Oh? Can Zhu… wait… what did you say? Heavenly Demon Physique?”
Before him stood Xu Ri, the Sect Master of the Demon Suppression Sect.
At that moment, Xu Ri was crouched beside a bluish corpse, manipulating it with various strange tools and talismans. The sound of creaking flesh and bone echoed continuously in the chamber.
When he first heard the words “Heavenly Demon Physique,” he failed to react. A heartbeat later, the shock struck him fully.
“Are you certain? The Heavenly Demon Physique?!”
Xu Ri tore off the mask he wore to filter the stench of decay, revealing a weathered yet striking face. He appeared around thirty or forty years old, his spirit somewhat fatigued. Yet his features were refined, his face sharply defined, and his temperament steady with a hint of roguish charm. He could undoubtedly be called a handsome man.
Elder Can Zhu raised his head slightly and met Xu Ri’s gaze, nodding heavily to affirm the accuracy of the information.
“That is correct. I have confirmed it personally. That aura is undoubtedly connected to the Heavenly Demon Physique.”
“Can we determine who it is?” Hope flickered across Xu Ri’s face.
Elder Can Zhu shook his head gently. “The aura of the Heavenly Demon Physique appeared at the Shen family, which was exterminated in the Great Zhou Imperial Capital. However, afterward someone concealed the heavenly secrets there. The chain of information has been severed. We cannot confirm whether the Heavenly Demon Physique belongs to a specific individual.”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“However, we have determined its general location.”
“Oh?”
“Where?”
“Roughly in the northern region of the Desolate Domain, within the territory shared by the Azure Cloud Sword Sect, Medicine Immortal Valley, Beast Taming Sect, and Blood Heaven Sect.”
“Among the righteous sects?”
“How could that be?” Xu Ri countered.
Elder Can Zhu shook his head again. “It is indeed perplexing.”
Xu Ri nodded slowly, his brows knitting together.
“In that case, our Demon Suppression Sect cannot continue hiding in the far western reaches of the Desolate Domain. It is time we move inward.”
“You mean…”
Xu Ri said calmly, “Dispatch the newest batch of disciples, along with those from the previous batch who have not yet been assigned, to the northern region of the Desolate Domain. Send them into various sects and clans. The elders will go as well, but they must remain concealed and not reveal themselves easily.”
“At the same time, recall certain Hidden Agents of the Sect who no longer need to remain undercover.”
“Gather a portion of our elite disciples and station them long-term within the Great Zhou Empire.”
“This opportunity is rare.”
Elder Can Zhu showed concern. “But will this not be too risky? The Joyous Harmony Sect and the Bloodthirsty Sect have been eyeing us like tigers watching prey.”
Xu Ri shook his head lightly. “It will not. I know my limits.”
His gaze grew increasingly profound as he sank into thought.
The Heavenly Demon Physique. A born seed of the Heavenly Demon. Perhaps this will be our only chance in this lifetime to break free from the control of the Demonic Sect’s domain.
…
Early dawn the next day.
[Ding Your exclusive Crane Ride 007 has arrived. Please board the crane carriage promptly.]
Finally, it has arrived.
Across the desolate wilderness, a graceful white figure sped forward at astonishing speed. Its two pure white wings beat powerfully, stirring the wind into rippling currents.
“Hey, Gu Chengxing, True Disciple of the Sect from Transcendent Peak. I’ve arrived.”
A free-spirited voice rang out from the rapidly approaching immortal crane, reaching Gu Chengxing’s ears.
Gu Chengxing glanced at Crane 007 and instantly discerned its cultivation.
“007, depart immediately.”
Gu Chengxing transmitted his words through spiritual sense. The crane responded at once, circling through the sky before descending slowly in front of Gu Chengxing and Shen Ruochu.
“Oh? So you’re Gu Chengxing. How interesting.”
Crane 007 stood before him, tilting its long neck and speaking in an odd tone.
“Oh? Have we met before?” Gu Chengxing asked directly, catching the hidden meaning in its voice.
“We’ve never interacted,” 007 replied bluntly. “But in the Azure Cloud Sword Sect, you’re quite famous now.”
“Me?” Gu Chengxing frowned in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Chen Wuxin’s lifespan has reached its limit. The position of Peak Master of Transcendent Peak has been passed to you.”
“Once you return, you will likely assume the position.”
“What?!”
Gu Chengxing’s face filled with disbelief. “My master’s lifespan has reached its limit? That… how is that possible?”
Crane 007 shook its head. “I don’t know the details. Get on. Once we reach the sect, you’ll learn everything. Don’t waste my time. If this riding mission exceeds the time limit, those feather-plucking bastards will deduct spiritual stones from me.”
Gu Chengxing swallowed the words at the tip of his tongue and turned to look at Shen Ruochu.
Shen Ruochu was staring intently at Crane 007. Within her desolate expression, a trace of curiosity flickered faintly.
Noticing Gu Chengxing’s gaze, she quickly withdrew her expression and returned to her distant, untouchable demeanor.
Gu Chengxing sighed.
The crane stood over 3 meters tall. Even if it crouched down, it was still far taller than Shen Ruochu.
Without speaking, Gu Chengxing stepped forward, lifted Shen Ruochu into his arms, and leaped lightly onto Crane 007’s back.
When Shen Ruochu realized what had happened, she instinctively struggled. “Let me go—”
Crane 007, about to spread its wings, paused at the sight.
“Wait. I didn’t notice earlier. You’re taking her to the Azure Cloud Sword Sect?”
“Yes.”
“You kidnapped her?”
“She’s going with me willingly.”
Gu Chengxing’s expression did not change.
“Really? Little girl, are you going with him voluntarily?” Crane 007 asked as it slowly ascended.
Gu Chengxing had already set Shen Ruochu down. Looking at the bite mark on his right hand, he felt helpless.
Shen Ruochu showed no response to the crane’s question.
“Gu Chengxing…” Crane 007’s suspicion deepened.
Before it could question further, Gu Chengxing interrupted, “Ask one more question and I’ll leave a bad review.”
Crane 007’s tone faltered instantly. “You… you have no sense of honor!”
“I don’t care about your honor.”
“Fine. You win!”
Crane 007 obediently took flight.
A bad review would not only deduct spiritual stones but also reduce rank. That was no trivial matter. One careless mistake and its entire Crane Riding Hall career would be over.
As the most fair, loving, and righteous immortal crane in existence, 007 resolved to secretly observe whatever was going on between Gu Chengxing and the girl.
“You’d better not give me a reason,” it thought.
Gu Chengxing paid no attention.
Ever since 007 told him he had been designated the next Peak Master of Transcendent Peak, his mind had been in turmoil.
Sitting cross-legged beside Shen Ruochu, he stared ahead and rapidly sorted through the established plotline in his mind.
“This is absurd. How could Chen Wuxin just die like this?”
“Lifespan exhausted? Impossible. At minimum, Chen Wuxin was at the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm. His lifespan should reach 5000 years. And he’s only about 2000 years old. He’s nowhere near his limit.”
“Did ‘I’ cause his death? That shouldn’t be the case. It’s too early for that. The remaining memories of the original body show no intent to harm the master.”
“Troublesome…”
He shook his head slightly, then glanced at the small figure beside him.
“Troublesome plus one. Melodramatic plus one…”
Time passed swiftly. Riding atop the crane, they crossed mountains and rivers until Azure Cloud Mountain appeared ahead.
Immortal mist coiled through layered peaks. New chapters come out on g.com first.
The Azure Cloud Sword Sect stood at the northernmost edge of the Desolate Domain, surrounded by mountain ranges that twisted like dragons, imbued with ethereal presence.
The most prominent peak was Azure Cloud Peak. Beneath it lay a vast plain known as Azure Cloud Province.
Legend says Azure Cloud Province was formed when a sword immortal’s residual sword energy flattened everything during a fierce battle with an enemy. It carries a legendary aura.
Ten thousand years ago, when the Azure Cloud Sword Sect was first established, Azure Cloud Province did not yet exist. Only after the sect was founded did the province gradually take shape.
Thus, Azure Cloud Province may be considered subordinate to the Azure Cloud Sword Sect. The sect’s outer sect disciples reside there long-term.
Strictly speaking, Azure Cloud Province is the outer sect.
In addition, ordinary residents and small families maintain the province’s operation. Any among them who demonstrate exceptional talent have the opportunity to enter the inner sect.
In the plotline, Shen Ruochu once sought to enter the inner sect quickly. She made a transaction with a small family in Azure Cloud Province to obtain a direct talent assessment and successfully entered.
The core of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect lies among six towering peaks surrounding Azure Cloud Province.
They are Azure Cloud Main Peak, Mistveil Peak, Thunderfall Peak, Sword Summit Peak, Sword Array Peak, and Transcendent Peak, where Gu Chengxing resides.
Each peak contains at least one medium-grade spiritual vein. Cultivation caves built upon these veins greatly accelerate cultivation speed. This is one of the privileges enjoyed by inner sect disciples and True Disciples of the Sect.
“Woohoo, we’re here!”
“Finally back! My first long-distance crane mission!”
Crane 007 shouted excitedly and dove sharply without regard for the two on its back.
Gu Chengxing remained unmoved. As someone at the 9th stage Core Formation Realm, he was unaffected.
Shen Ruochu was different. She had no cultivation at all. With the sudden change in force, her body tipped backward, nearly thrown off the crane.
Gu Chengxing would not allow that to happen.
He caught her effortlessly.
Due to their position, Shen Ruochu fell directly into his arms. Before she could react, her small face pressed against his chest.
“Azure Cloud Sword Sect, I’m back!”
Seeing 007 about to go wild again and feeling a sudden sharp pain from his chest, Gu Chengxing’s temper flared slightly. “007, behave yourself. If you cause trouble again, I will definitely leave a bad review. At the very least, your positive rating is gone.”
“What?”
“Brother, don’t! Senior Brother Gu, I was wrong. I’ll deliver you safely, steady and smooth.”
After that, Crane 007 behaved much better. It placed Gu Chengxing down at the halfway point of Transcendent Peak before fluttering away.
Before leaving, it added, “Hey, mission complete. I delivered you. No bad review. As for you and that little girl, I don’t understand it. But if anything happens to her, I’ll come after you. Even if I get a bad review for it.”
It paused, then added, “You don’t seem like a bad person. I’m not picking a fight with you now. Consider yourself lucky. And sorry, little girl. I got too excited earlier.”
As if still unwilling to let it go, it turned back to shout one last time before fleeing.
Gu Chengxing clicked his tongue. “Tsundere saint persona.”
“007… I think I know who that is.”
“He Qi.”
“When the Heavenly Demon Physique erupted in the original body, the Spirit Beast Clan of immortal cranes was massacred. He Qi was one of the few survivors and the bloodline heir of their patriach.”
There was no need to elaborate further.
He Qi later broke through his bloodline shackles and achieved the First Forbidden Stage among the Three Forbidden Realms, the Life-Severing Realm.
In the final battle, when slaying the original body in its Heavenly Demon state, he contributed tremendous strength.
As Gu Chengxing was thinking, a crunching pain shot through his chest again.
He nearly forgot that Shen Ruochu was still in his arms.
He looked down at her.
Shen Ruochu did not avoid his gaze. She lifted her head and met his eyes, tears shimmering.
Of course, the Chosen female lead was not crying from sorrow. She had bitten Gu Chengxing and accidentally bitten her own tongue, forcing tears from the pain.
“Let go of me.”
Gu Chengxing found her stubborn, tearful expression faintly amusing. A brief smile flickered across his face.
Ignoring her resistance, he grasped her small chin and applied gentle pressure, skillfully parting her lips.
A soft pink tongue stretched out involuntarily, revealing a small wound that continued to bleed.
He examined it at a glance.
She had indeed bitten herself.
“So foolish…”
Spiritual power flowed from his palm, covering the wound. The injury healed quickly.
He released her and continued toward his cultivation cave.