A blood-red mist billowed across the heavens.
The earth below was shrouded in utter darkness.
Within that sky-piercing cage, a man in white robes appeared almost dazed.
He listened to what Ye Qiubai had told him.
His master was not a figure from the ancient times, and besides, seemed a most indolent soul.
The man mused to himself.
To deduce the last five moves of the Nine Heavenly Demon Sword and perfect every flaw—
Shouldn't such a one be a Sword Saint, who could slay Immortals and Demons above, cleave Hell Demons below?
And another thing—
What did it mean, 'too lazy to cook for oneself'?
At this level of cultivation, one had already attained the Inedia Realm—even a thousand years without eating, and hunger would not touch you!
The white-robed man could only shake his head in helplessness and say, "With this, I hardly know what legacy to impart to you now."
All the Sword Dao he had painstakingly refined throughout his life was contained within the Nine Heavenly Demon Sword.
And now, someone had already deduced it in its entirety.
And even improved upon it!
What was left for him to pass on?
"That's it!"
As if suddenly recalling something, the white-robed man picked up the pitch-black longsword at his side.
"Since you no longer need the Nine Heavenly Demon Sword, let me give you this blade."
Ye Qiubai gazed at the pitch-black longsword in the man's hands.
The blade had no edge, yet a subtle black demonic qi coiled about it, barely perceptible!
No edge, yet sharper than any edge!
It was a sword brimming with demonic nature!
If an ordinary sword cultivator tried to wield it, they'd probably be instantly overwhelmed by that demonic essence…
The white-robed man's eyes brimmed with fondness, as though gazing at a lover, and he gently stroked the pitch-black sword in his grasp. "This sword is named the Dark Demon, at a grade likely Peak Stage Heaven Realm treasure. Sadly, the Dark Demon lacks a sword spirit; if it had one, it would ascend to the rank of spirit artifact."
Treasures, as their name implies, are incomparably precious.
But they lack sentience.
Once a weapon gains a spirit, it transcends the category of mere treasures!
Thus does it become a spirit artifact!
"This sword, your master probably couldn't take out one such as this."
Pride flashed across the white-robed man's face.
This sword had been nurtured by his own body for thousands of years.
It had already reached the peak of treasures!
Ye Qiubai accepted the Dark Demon—it truly was an excellent blade!
Most importantly, the Dark Demon was one he could now wield, and it was a flawless match for the Nine Heavenly Demon Sword.
With this Dark Demon, the might of his Nine Heavenly Demon Sword would increase by thirty to forty percent!
Yet, compared to the Green Cloud Sword, there was still a considerable gap…
Seemingly noticing Ye Qiubai's conflicted expression,
The white-robed man's face stiffened, and he asked cautiously, "Your master hasn't given you something even better than this Dark Demon, has he?"
At these words,
Ye Qiubai hesitated slightly, then took out the Green Cloud Sword…
The white-robed man: "..."
He could sense that this sword was even more terrifying than the legendary spirit artifacts!
For the aura it carried—even he could not fathom its depths!
The white-robed man drew a deep breath and said, "Very well, take this sword and go."
Just what kind of person could deduce his sword technique and also present such a treasure of this level?
Their power must surely far surpass even his…
Ye Qiubai offered the white-robed man a deep bow, took up the sword, and turned to depart.
The white-robed man watched Ye Qiubai's retreating back, lamenting, "A pity, born into an age where the Heavenly Dao has collapsed…"
As his words faded,
The black mist around him dissipated.
Once more, he returned to a pile of skeletons, seated in the heart of the prison…
Elsewhere,
Hong Ying had already ventured deep into the Blood Prison Trial.
Here, the ground had regained its usual color.
Yet all around, prison cages crowded the land!
Each of these cages soared into the heavens, bound by countless golden chains!
Within every cage, the auras were dread-inspiring without exception!
Thus, every inch of this realm was filled with pressure so dense it seemed tangible!
If one's power faltered even a little, they would be crushed to dust in an instant!
Hong Ying, however, ignored the crushing pressure, striding steadily forward.
Until she came to a certain place.
Here, the cage was unlike those before.
Its color was no longer black iron, but gleamed gold!
The chains did not bind from the outside but encircled within, layer upon layer!
Affixed atop the chains were countless talismans!
On every talisman was inscribed the character "Suppress."
This was a Soul Binding Chain!
The supreme magic treasure for suppressing souls!
Even if the prisoner's body was destroyed, their soul would be shackled for eternity!
Anger clouded Hong Ying's face.
"How dare they use such means to suppress you!"
As if sensing Hong Ying's presence, the Soul Binding Chain trembled lightly, and from within came a faint, evanescent voice—like a candle in the wind, barely surviving the gentlest touch.
"Your… Majesty, is it you?"
Hearing this voice, Hong Ying nodded and replied, "It is I."
Joy surged in the voice, but still it was weak. "Then Your Majesty's Nine Cycles Reincarnation is complete."
"I had the aid of another."
Hong Ying thought of Lu Chang'sheng.
Had it not been for Lu Chang'sheng's help, her Nine Cycles Reincarnation Technique would surely have ended in failure.
Then, every effort her subordinates had made to protect her—and send her safely into reincarnation—
All would have been for naught!
"Oh? In this world, someone aided Your Majesty? Could it be that old bald monk from the West?"
Hong Ying shook her head.
"Not him? Then perhaps that madman from the Demon Realm?"
Again, Hong Ying shook her head.
"They lack the power. The one who helped me—he is now my master."
As her words fell,
The Soul Binding Chain fell utterly silent.
After a long moment, a voice of incredulity rang out.
"After the collapse of the Heavenly Dao, someone still has the right to become Your Majesty's master?"
Hong Ying shook her head slightly, remembering Lu Chang'sheng, whose manner was so unrestrained on the surface,
Yet whose abilities were marvelous beyond compare.
Even in ancient times, he would have stood at the very peak.
"Enough. Let us not speak of this now. The reason I've come today is to confirm but one thing."
As she spoke, Hong Ying's expression became solemn, and a murderous solemnity filled her gaze!
"When you are free, I shall restore your body to you; you may choose the life you desire, and your freedom is yours."
After all, these loyal subordinates had followed her through countless bloody wars.
Now, eons had passed—who knew if they still wished to follow her?
But then, the Soul Binding Chain began to tremble violently.
The weak voice inside suddenly burned with the light of its final hope.
"Back then, our Nine Heavens Tribe followed Your Majesty across the realms, seeking to break these world-barriers and step beyond this domain!"
"Yet fate conspired otherwise. We failed!"
"But we always believed, one day Your Majesty would return—would lead us Nine Heavens Tribe, lead the Cloud Phoenix Empire to battle the realms again!"
"Nine Heavens Tribe, Yun Ce, pays respects to Your Majesty!"
At these words, Hong Ying understood the imprisoned soul's intent.
"Very well. This time, when we challenge the heavens anew, I will not fail!"
"My glory is your glory!"
"When my strength returns, I will bring you out of this place, so I must trouble you to endure a while longer."
Laughter rang out from within the chains!
"All these years have passed—Yun Ce awaits Your Majesty's return!"
"On that day, the Nine Heavens Tribe will follow Your Majesty to battle the realms once more!"