Chapter 214: "Rainy days are the best for killing." (Part 2)

Chapter 214: "Rainy days are the best for killing." (Part 2)

Even during the year when Chen Qiu was in seclusion on the Xuantian Continent, he didn't go anywhere and just hid in his formation.

He still felt uneasy.

He was prepared to wait for the day when Chen Qiu died or broke through to the Soul Refinement Stage and went to the Vast Continent. He didn't mind waiting a few more years, as he still had a long lifespan.

No matter who came, they couldn't find any fault with him.

He believed he had been cautious enough.

Until—

Seven days ago.

He saw that behind the Grand Elder of the Mock Heaven Sect, Fatty Dragon, there were nearly a hundred mature dragons with Divine Transformation cultivation, including the Valley Master of Falling Petal Valley and the Sect Master of the Dao Gua Sect, hovering above his formation.

At that moment, his world came crashing down.

Although he was a top-tier formation cultivator in the Xuantian Continent, well-versed in the art of formations, his cultivation was merely at the late Divine Transformation stage. He never imagined that one day, such a grand procession would come to apprehend him.

The Valley Master of Falling Petal Valley, relying on his intelligence agency, had roughly pinpointed his location.

The Sect Master of the Dao Gua Sect personally activated the first-rank Divine Transformation Realm, "Gua Tian Bu Di," and sought the nine trigrams from heaven to lock onto his position.

The Grand Elder of the Mock Heaven Sect, leading a hundred Divine Transformation dragons, had come to invite him out of seclusion.

Such a grand procession, to put it bluntly, made him feel that he had lived a fulfilling life at that moment. How many people in the entire Xuantian Continent were worthy of such a spectacle?

He, Zhang Kui, had experienced it!

Without any resistance, he didn't even activate his Divine Transformation Realm, "Instant Formation." It was completely meaningless, and he could even ask for a quick death. At that moment, he deactivated his top-grade Divine Transformation stealth formation.

Kneeling on the ground, he raised his hands.

He said only two sentences.

"I surrender."

"Give me a quick death."

However—

To his surprise, he didn't die. The Grand Elder of the Mock Heaven Sect, Fatty Dragon, merely took him to the connection points of the secluded small worlds of the top powers in Central Province on the Xuantian Continent, asking him to set up formations to force these people out.

He naturally had no objections and no choice but to comply.

And so, he diligently brought out all the secluded top powers in Central Province.

After that, he was released, but when those top powers emerged, they looked at him with a hint of resentment in their eyes. Clearly, they didn't dare to hold a grudge against the Mock Heaven Sect but instead directed their anger at Zhang Kui.

That was fine.

After that, he arrived at the Vast Continent, intending to start a new life here and see if he could find an opportunity to break through to the Profound Void stage.

He took a deep breath, gazing at the towering city before him, and clenched his fists, silently cheering himself on.

Come on! You're the best! You're the top-tier formation cultivator!

You will start a splendid and long life here!

Then, he strode towards the long line entering the city, preparing to queue up. It was best to keep a low profile as a newcomer and first observe the situation on this continent.

As the perspective gradually rose, the two characters engraved above the city gate also became smaller.

"Cloud City."

Vast Continent, Mystic Heaven State, Cloud City.

In the bustling streets filled with people, cultivators frequently entered and exited the shops on both sides of the street. Amidst the lively atmosphere, there was a tightly shut shop with an empty interior.

Inside the shop, an old man with a skeletal frame was holding a brush, writing four large characters on the shop sign with great satisfaction.

"Ten Thousand Beast Sect"!

"How is it?"

The old man, quite pleased, put down his brush and looked at the three large characters on the signboard, admiring them for a while before turning to look at Little Moon, who was sitting in a daze on a chair beside him. "Don't you think these three characters I wrote are quite impressive?"

"This shop will be our Ten Thousand Beast Sect's new beginning on the Vast Continent!"

"I've investigated, and there are only three shops in this city that specialize in selling spirit beasts, but their methods of raising spirit beasts are far inferior to mine."

"Just you wait and see."

"After I finish nurturing the batch of spirit beasts I just bought from the market, we'll open for business and become an instant hit!"

"Oh."

Little Moon, sitting in a chair beside him, nodded listlessly, then muttered after a while, "I think it's fine to stay in the Xuantian Continent. Why come to the Vast Continent? At least in the Xuantian Continent, we were a second-tier top power, but here we're just a small shop."

"What nonsense."

The old man scolded with some dissatisfaction, "In the Xuantian Continent, our room for growth was already limited, but here we have ample opportunities. People always strive for higher heights, and who would give up on climbing just because they've been in a low place for a long time?"

"And don't underestimate us just because we have a small shop now."

"I, as a peak Divine Transformation cultivator, am not weak in this Cloud City. It's just that we don't want to attract too much attention at first, so a small shop is just right. You know nothing."

"..."

July Cat, a nine-tailed fox lying on the ground beside them, rolled her eyes at the conversation between the master and disciple.

Her name was July Cat.

She suddenly realized that this life was quite bizarre.

She hadn't done anything.

Not even her cultivation had improved.

But she had traveled from the Great Xia Kingdom to the Xuantian Continent and then from the Xuantian Continent to the Vast Continent. In her previous lives, she had struggled to survive, but she died. In this life, she had been waiting for death from the beginning, but suddenly, she found herself still alive.

And she had even ascended.

Although her cultivation hadn't improved, her realm had.

That was fine.

Just then—

A commotion arose outside the shop. Instinctively, the peak Divine Transformation elder of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect opened the door and looked out. He saw that the previously empty shop across the street now had a construction team renovating it.

The neighboring shop, annoyed by the renovation affecting their business during the day, sent people to complain. A middle-aged man, apparently the owner of the empty shop, came out to negotiate.

"Zhang Kui?"

The peak Divine Transformation elder of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect was slightly startled when he saw the middle-aged man's back. Then, he seemed to think of something, his expression becoming dazed as he muttered to himself.

In the midst of discussing shop renovations with a neighboring store owner, Zhang Kui was momentarily startled upon seeing a Peak Divine Transformation elder from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect emerge from the opposite street.

He hurriedly followed the neighboring shopkeeper who had come to negotiate, and after a few words of gentle persuasion, he handed over a storage bag. Once the situation was calmed, Zhang Kui strode towards the Peak Divine Transformation elder from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect across the street, his voice filled with hidden excitement.

"Little Qi, what are you doing here?"

At that moment, Little Moon poked her head out from under the door, looking puzzled. "Zhang Kui, the second-ranked person on the Sin Points Rankings of the Xuantian Continent, do you know him? Why didn't you tell me about him before?"

"And Master, why does he call you Little Qi? It sounds so ambiguous."

After a few breaths...

Inside the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect's shop.

Zhang Kui, filled with emotion, picked up a jar of wine and drank it in one go before turning to Little Moon with a sigh. "Your Master used to be called Wang Qi, and I was Zhang Kui. We were once a fearsome duo, a black and white pair of killers in the Heavenly Dao Secret Realms!"

"We were the type to go crazy in those realms."

"Your Master was in charge of spirit beast taming. After I formed my array, no one in the Heavenly Dao Secret Realm could stop me. You weren't even born yet, and your Master wasn't the Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect at the time. She was just an inner sect disciple on her outer journey."

"I was a wandering cultivator back then. After meeting your Master, we roamed the cultivation world together."

"Later..."

"Later, something happened to me, and my reputation was ruined. Your Master was about to select her true disciples, so she returned to the sect. After that, we parted ways and never met again. As for what happened after that, I climbed to the top of the Sin Points Rankings on the Xuantian Continent, and I couldn't meet your Master again, to avoid tarnishing her reputation."

"I see."

Little Moon nodded thoughtfully, then turned to look at her Master. Ever since Zhang Kui's arrival, her Master had been sitting silently, lost in thought, and drinking alone. His emaciated figure, masculine features, wrinkled face, and white hair seemed out of place.

Just moments ago, he had been excitedly anticipating the opening of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect's first shop on the Vast Continent, but now, his entire demeanor seemed subdued.

A brief silence filled the room.

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

Just then—

Zhang Kui picked up another jar of spirit wine and drank it in one go, his entire body slightly tipsy. He slammed the table, wiped the wine from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, and then rasped, "Little Qi, I know you've been suffering all these years."

"I've never looked for you."

"Even though I'm the strongest array master on the Xuantian Continent, I've never set foot in Central Province. I know you don't want to face me, and you don't want to meet me, but I've been holding this in for a long time."

"I have to speak."

"I know that six hundred years ago, those scoundrels defiled you, and it has caused you great pain. But I don't mind, I truly don't."

"Six hundred years ago, I told you I didn't mind."

"You said I was lying, but time will prove everything."

"Six hundred years have passed, and I still want to tell you, I don't mind!"

"For you—"

"I'm willing to stand against the world!"

"Wait..." Little Moon froze, her eyes filled with disbelief. She turned to look at her Master, who was sitting silently, drinking alone, his entire demeanor seeming off. His gaunt figure, masculine face, wrinkled skin, and white hair... She then turned to look at Zhang Kui, his masculine Adam's apple, and his rugged, square face.

Her voice began to tremble: "Master... you... them..."

In that instant!

July Cat, who had been lying on the floor, uninterested and listless, suddenly perked up. She crawled under the table and secretly moved a jar of wine from the ground to under the table, taking a big sip.

She then dragged a plate of beans from the floor to under the table as well.

With a mouthful of wine and beans, she listened intently.

She loved juicy gossip.

The love-hate story between the number one demon of the world and the leader of Central Province's second-ranked power, a famous orthodox sect—this was a juicy tale worth hearing.

Little Moon, who had been feeling down after her break-up with Chen Qiu, was now completely frozen in place. She looked at Zhang Kui, then at her Master, then back at Zhang Kui again.

For a moment, she couldn't even think about Chen Qiu.

You elders seem to be having more fun than us youngsters.

"Huff"

Perhaps it was because he had kept it bottled up for six hundred years, but Zhang Kui now seemed to have nothing to lose. He smashed an empty wine jar on the ground, his eyes red and his voice hoarse.

"Six hundred years ago, your Master was a delicate and beautiful young lady. It was after that incident that she, in her utter despair, used the term 'Yin-Yang Inversion' to change her gender."

"I remember your Master being very petite and beautiful, with long hair."

"I don't know how to describe it, but when I first saw her, I felt that she was the most beautiful person in the world."

"Your Master has a kind personality."

"I was just a wandering cultivator back then. I was severely injured in a Heavenly Dao Secret Realm and passed out in a mountain gorge. It was your Master who saved me. When I woke up, I asked her why she saved me, and she furrowed her brows in confusion, saying, 'You were injured, so why wouldn't I save you?'"

"In my life, I've never trusted anyone, and no one has ever shown me kindness. But with that one sentence, I decided that I would give my life to her."

"Your Master was an inner sect disciple of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, and she met me during her outer journey."

"After that..."

"After that, I traveled with your master. At the time, I was only at the Inner Baby Peak, seeking opportunities for a high-grade Divine Transformation Domain. We ventured into many secret realms, and wherever we went, there was bloodshed and turmoil, leaving behind a formidable reputation."

"There was only one time—"

"When I and your master separated. I was searching for a specific opportunity and entered a solo Heavenly Dao Secret Realm, while your master saved another mortal. This mortal had merely reached the Foundation Establishment stage, while your master was at the Inner Baby Peak."

"Perhaps it was because your master's gentle nature was perceived as weakness. After being saved, not only did the mortal not show gratitude, but they spread rumors, claiming that your master had stolen a jade pendant passed down by their ancestors."

"And demanded compensation."

"Your master, of course, refused to pay. She sincerely explained that she hadn't stolen anything. But the more she explained, the more brazenly the mortal spread the rumors."

"I don't know the exact details of what happened next."

"All I know is that when I emerged from the Heavenly Dao Secret Realm three days later, your master was standing at the city gates, looking lost and dispirited. Behind her, a group of mortals were throwing rotten eggs and vegetables at her, their eyes gleaming with extreme excitement and agitation."

"Their eyes shone with extreme excitement and agitation."

"They cursed and shouted, their voices trembling with emotion. They didn't care whether your master had stolen the jade pendant or not; they were simply reveling in the thrill of cursing a celestial being."

"In that city, there were many mortals, and almost everyone had gathered at the city gates to witness the spectacle."

"Defilement." Little Moon, who had been listening intently, suddenly realized and murmured, "Is this the kind of defilement? Not the physical kind?"

"No."

Zhang Kui shook his head, his expression dazed. "But this kind of defamation was even more devastating to your master than physical defilement. Your master used to have a kind heart."

"She had never killed a mortal."

"When she saw me, she smelled foul, and her eyes were red as she said, 'Brother Kui.'"

"I didn't say anything."

"I spent three days setting up a grand formation, covering the entire city within it."

"After the formation was activated..."

"The stench of blood filled the sky. I told your master, 'It's alright now, everything will be fine from now on.'"

"But her mental state was extremely disturbed at the time. After I slaughtered the city, I became a wanted criminal by many orthodox sects. During my escape, I couldn't spare time to protect your master, so I sent her back to Central Province."

"However, before sending her back, I felt that her mental state was truly abnormal. Worried that she might do something reckless, I forced myself on her, hoping to show her that there was still someone in this world who loved her."

"Wait!"

Little Moon slammed her hand on the table and stood up, her face filled with disbelief as she looked at Zhang Kui. "You took advantage of her vulnerability and defiled her?"

"Sit down first."

Zhang Kui shook his head. "The situation back then was complicated. Your master has always had a strong sense of benevolence. In such a situation, being slandered like that could truly shatter her Dao heart. I had no choice but to take that step because your master was already contemplating suicide. I had to find a reason for her to continue living."

"After that..."

"I was constantly on the run, and your master used the 'Yin-Yang Inversion' entry, becoming a true disciple and gradually ascending to the position of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect's Sect Leader."

"After that..."

"Your master sent word that she never wanted to see me again. I never imagined that the slander by that mortal would have such a profound impact on her."

"But I didn't mind. I told your master that I could wait for her."

"A hundred years passed, then two hundred, and eventually, six hundred years went by."

"My feelings for your master are witnessed by heaven and earth."

"I thought I would never have the chance to see her again in this lifetime, but I never expected to meet her again today. This time, I won't back down."

Zhang Kui's eyes reddened as he looked up at Wang Qi, who was silently drinking at the table across from him. "Little Qi, I know that incident with the mortal affected you deeply, but so many years have passed. It's time to move on."

"Will you give me another chance?"

". . ."

At this moment, Little Moon's eyes also welled up with tears. She was naturally sentimental, and hearing this love story spanning six hundred years deeply moved her.

Just then—

The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect Leader, who had been silently drinking throughout the conversation, suddenly spoke with red eyes and a hoarse voice. "The reason I've avoided you all these years isn't because of that mortal's slander."

"Then what is it?" Zhang Kui asked, a bit agitated.

"Because you forced yourself on me that time."

Zhang Kui was slightly taken aback, not expecting this to be the reason. His voice trembled with disbelief. "Just because of that? But we've been through so much together; I thought we were already in love."

"Before I entered the solo Heavenly Dao Secret Realm, you even kissed my forehead and wished me a safe return."

"We walked hand in hand through mountains and rivers, watched the sunrise together, witnessed sunsets, ran barefoot through the rain, went to the market to buy rouge for you, and fished by the sea."

"You even fed me grapes with your mouth. I thought we were already..."

Before he could finish his sentence.

The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect Leader interrupted him again, her voice hoarse. "Before I left the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect to descend the mountain six hundred years ago, I had already used the 'Yin-Yang Inversion' entry once."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end