GD Ch. 50

Chapter 50: Where Were You?

Blessings and calamities come hand in hand. As Zhuyou collapsed and could not rise, Changying was also nearly immobilized, barely able to lift herself into the air before ultimately plummeting back down.

She could not give chase, nor could she even catch a glimpse.

The black dragon, consumed by rage, let out an earth-shattering roar. A crushing force erupted in all directions, sending golden sands swirling into the air like a massive yellow dragon surging forth.

In the end, she was too weak—so weak that she could not even protect the phoenix.

Several immortals were shaken to the point that they could not even stand straight, nearly swept away along with the sand. They watched helplessly as that devil was taken away, their fury boiling over—even surpassing Changying’s.

“The Divine Venerable has only just reconstructed a physical body, and yet she has already fallen into the hands of the devils. Their audacity knows no bounds! Fortunately, the Divine Venerable remains unharmed.”

Changying remained silent. She did not know who these people were, nor what they intended. She merely raised her golden eyes to the heavens, their depths filled with icy light. Her dragon fangs were bared, and for a long time, she did not withdraw her gaze.

She had wanted to chase after them. She should have—she should have been able to.

“The Divine Venerable has reshaped her body through divine power. With the boundless might of the Nine Heavens, she will surely recover soon. Please, Your Divinity, return with us to the Heavenly Realm!”

The immortal who spoke was nearly forced to kneel by the overwhelming pressure, struggling to remain upright on the shifting sands.

Changying had no desire to ascend to the heavens—she only wanted to know where Zhuyou had gone.

Her consciousness was a chaotic mess, as though the mist shrouding her mind had been dispersed. Memories—old and distant—poured into her head all at once: countless faces, countless spells, all flooding her thoughts in a relentless tide.

It must have been because, when the Devil-Suppressing Tower was destroyed once more, she had swallowed yet another mouthful of divine power.

Her thoughts were tangled like knotted threads. For a moment, she even forgot her intent to search for Zhuyou, recalling instead who she was and what she was meant to do.

In the next instant, searing pain wracked her entire body. Her long tail lashed out violently before crashing down upon the golden sands.

With a deafening roar, the earth seemed to tremble and split apart. Her dragon bones twisted and convulsed within her body like the gnarled roots of an ancient tree.

But now, Zhuyou was no longer by her side—like a missing balm that had once eased her suffering.

She was in agony.

Unbearable agony—

Every joint in her body felt as though it were being torn apart. The cracking of her bones echoed through the air, and she could not stop herself from howling toward the sky.

The gathered immortals covered their ears, trembling in fear.

At that moment, First Lord Xuanjing, disregarding everything else, rushed forward to face the black dragon. Though blood trickled from his seven orifices due to the immense pressure, his eyes shone brightly, and his lips curled into an uncontrollable grin as he declared, “Congratulations on my master’s return!”

Only now did the Evil-Punisher Divine Lord, who had just regained consciousness, slowly lift himself up and turn his gaze toward the reckless devil.

Xuanjing’s eyes brimmed with joy. “Now that you have returned, why not wield me once more? Take me, and with me, slay gods when you see gods, slaughter Buddhas when you see Buddhas—would that not be exhilarating?” 

He seemed to have forgotten that the one who had once subdued him was also—indeed—a god.

The immortals were aghast, and the Evil-Punisher Divine Lord was stunned. This devil sword did bear a divine contract, but he had never imagined that the god bound to it would be this one!

Looking back now… only such a fiercely formidable blade would be worthy of the hands of the Slayer God.

Changying’s golden eyes narrowed sharply, her initial panic vanishing in an instant. Without hesitation, she suddenly opened her blood-red dragon maw and lunged at Xuanjing.

In the next moment, the devil transformed into a sword within her mouth. She clenched it tightly between her fangs and shot into the sky, leaving the clouds beneath her feet.

For a fleeting moment, she seemed to forget her sorrow. The restless turmoil in her heart quieted.

As her mind cleared, a realization struck her—her heart’s blood had been exchanged. As long as she did not die, Zhuyou… would not die either.

The immortals hastily followed her, while thousands of celestial soldiers remained behind in the devil’s domain to deal with the aftermath.

The black dragon, soaring among the clouds, charged straight toward the Nine Heavens. As she left the devil’s domain behind, the sky gradually brightened, and the golden light of dawn neared the horizon.

Auspicious clouds drifted toward the black dragon, and gentle rain began to fall upon the Mortal Realm. Thunder crackled across the sky in response to her dragon’s roar, lightning streaking through the firmament in dazzling arcs.

While the human world was drenched in blessed rain and shadowed skies, the Nine Heavens above were ablaze with resplendent hues. The celestial soldiers guarding the gates of Heaven had not witnessed such a scene in ages.

The gates of Heaven swung open. Immortals from all corners of the realm arrived, gathering in great numbers outside the gates, awaiting the Divine Venerable’s return.

Upon hearing the news, East Sea Monarch hurried to the Heavenly Realm as well, prepared to accept punishment. After all, the Divine Venerable had been abducted by devils while in his palace. Pride and dignity no longer mattered—so long as the Divine Venerable spared his life, it would be a blessing in itself.

Yet, the black dragon did not immediately cross the celestial gates. Instead, she basked in the divine radiance beyond them. With each breath, she absorbed the vast divine power of the Nine Heavens, and no one dared utter a word of protest.

Her serpentine form coiled in the sky, black scales shimmering with streaks of iridescent light—neither excessively flamboyant nor overly restrained, but breathtakingly magnificent.

***

For seven days, the black dragon bathed in celestial radiance, and for seven days, the immortals waited outside the gates of Heaven.

Within that dazzling light, Changying’s mind cleared completely, and all her past memories resurfaced with pristine clarity.

At the dawn of creation, gods were neither inherently good nor evil. Some cultivated benevolence, while others walked the path of destruction. Back then, her hands were stained with the debts of countless slaughters. When the ancient Devil Clan emerged, she had slaughtered devil lords and annihilated the Devil Clan—thus earning the title of “Slayer God.”

She had once been nameless. “Changying” was the name Zhuyou had given her.

Changying—eternal life, aligned with the will of heaven.

Now, she had indeed followed the will of heaven, restoring her body and returning once more.

On the seventh day, the black dragon let out a long, resounding cry before descending through the layers of auspicious clouds to land outside the celestial gates. The moment her feet touched the ground, the mighty dragon transformed into a tall, slender woman.

Her cascading black hair was loosely tied behind her head, her golden eyes half-lidded. A string of golden beads adorned her forehead, gleaming in the divine light.

The black robe was impeccably arranged, its cuffs and lapels edged with golden embroidery. A black-and-gold belt cinched tightly at the waist, and a white jade pendant hung from the hem of the skirt. At the slightest breeze, the pendant would chime with a crisp ringing sound.

In just seven days, the body had been fully restored. The internal organs were free of any lingering ailments, the breath was clear, the spirit revitalized, and the muscles and bones agile. The legs now moved with strength, no longer dragging sluggishly.

Changying’s appearance had changed drastically—there were few traces left of her childhood self. Her lips were thin, nearly devoid of color, and her expression was one of cold indifference, devoid of emotion or hesitation.

The only thing that remained unchanged was the tiny mole on the tip of her nose.

As her golden eyes lifted, she saw the gathered immortals stepping aside in unison. From the distance, Heavenly Emperor Xuanqing approached with measured steps, showing her nothing but respect.

“Divine Venerable.” Xuanqing’s expression was calm, but his eyes betrayed a hint of barely concealed excitement.

Changying merely inclined her head slightly, without uttering a single word.

The immortals seemed unsurprised by the Divine Venerable’s temperament, taking no offense at her silence. Even Xuanqing remained unfazed, unbothered by the lack of response. Instead, he stepped aside and gestured with his hand, inviting her into the celestial gates.

Without a word, Changying followed behind Xuanqing. Now that her face had matured, her features were strikingly beautiful, yet her complexion remained pale, her expression devoid of any emotion. As a result, there was not a single trace of warmth in her presence—only a chilling austerity.

Aloof and untouchable.

Xuanqing led the way across the Blackbird Sky Bridge, speaking as he walked. “We launched an expedition into the devil’s domain, but we were unable to retrieve the Devil Lord’s two hun souls. We must rely on the Divine Venerable’s intervention.”

Changying’s icy golden eyes shifted ever so slightly. “Eliminating devils was the very purpose of my return.”

“I ordered the gods to forge the Devil-Suppressing Tower, intending to imprison the devils within it. But unexpectedly, the tower has been destroyed once again.” Xuanqing’s tone carried a subtle implication.

Changying glanced at him. “If the tower was properly forged, it should have been indestructible. The one you created was far too frivolous.”

Xuanqing’s expression stiffened slightly. “I accept your guidance.”

The Heavenly Palace was vast, as boundless as an endless sea, utterly unlike the Mortal Realm’s Huacheng Sect. The mortal sect was a landscape of white, while the heavens above were adorned with misty hues of red cliffs and vibrant clouds. Majestic golden palaces and purple halls towered high, seemingly holding up the very sun.

Passing through the celestial gates, Xuanqing led Changying on a circuit around the palace, recounting various trivial matters of the Three Realms from the past thousand years.

Changying had no interest in listening. She gave no response, her expression unchanging. As they passed by the Execution Platform, her golden eyes flickered slightly, and she abruptly asked, “Where is the Fate Keeper?”

Xuanqing was momentarily interrupted but showed no displeasure. He simply turned back and summoned the Fate Keeper. “Fate Keeper!”

A figure in a gray-green robe emerged from behind, cupping his hands in greeting. “This humble immortal is here.”

Changying’s gaze shifted subtly, and she lifted her hand from her side. “The rest of you, leave.” With just a movement of her lips, she dismissed the group of immortals trailing behind her.

Xuanqing showed a trace of curiosity but did not question it. He understood that everything the Divine Venerable did had its reasons. Her return undoubtedly meant there were matters she needed to settle. He only asked, “Does the Divine Venerable have a question to ask?”

Changying gave a slight nod, casting a fleeting glance at the Fate Keeper, her gaze indifferent as she asked, “Were you the one who divined the reincarnation of the ancient gods?”

The Fate Keeper remained composed, unhurried as he replied, “Indeed, it was this humble immortal.”

“Explain in detail,” Changying said coolly.

The Fate Keeper spoke at an unhurried pace. “It has been nearly three hundred years since that divination. At the time, the omens revealed the descent of twin stars, but their po souls were dimmed. This indicated that the reincarnated gods had fragmented po souls—thus, I deduced that both were fated to endure the calamity of lacking seven complete po souls.”

Changying’s gaze darkened slightly. Such a calamity indeed existed.

She spoke in a voice like ice. “Before I perished, I divided my seven po souls and sealed them within various artifacts to suppress the devils of the human world. If these artifacts encountered a devil, they would shatter, and my soul fragments would return to me. Now, all seven po souls have reunited—every artifact I left behind in the Mortal Realm has been destroyed.”

“The Divine Venerable truly holds the Three Realms in her heart,” Xuanqing could not help but sigh in admiration.

Changying lowered her gaze in thought before suddenly asking, “Since I have returned to the Heavenly Palace, where is the other reincarnated ancient god?”

The Fate Keeper remained silent, unable to answer. The Heavenly Realm had searched for the other reincarnated god for a long time, once believing they had found the right person, but now… it seemed they were mistaken.

“As of now, who in the heavens still lacks seven complete po souls?” Changying’s golden eyes narrowed slightly, exuding a chilling aura.

The Fate Keeper pondered for a moment before replying, “Phoenix Clan’s Jingyi was born with an incomplete divine soul, lacking part of her seven po souls. However, after absorbing the essence of the Burning-Heart Wood, her soul has been fully restored.”

“I want to see her,” Changying said, turning to Xuanqing.

“Your Divinity, no need to rush.” Xuanqing raised a hand, and wisps of ethereal mist drifted from his sleeve.

In an instant, an immortal descended gracefully.

A radiant, shimmering flower floated down, its beauty unmatched. As it touched the ground, it transformed into an immortal—a familiar figure. None other than Immortal Zhiying.

Though she had been punished, Immortal Zhiying had not been demoted. Since the guardians of the Falling Star Spring had found no definitive evidence, the destruction of the Devil-Suppressing Tower could not be entirely blamed on her.

Upon being summoned, Immortal Zhiying dared not lift her head. The same silken sash that had once struck Zhuyou now rested gently at her elbow. She lowered her gaze and asked, “What does the Heavenly Emperor command?”

“Go summon Phoenix Clan’s Jingyi,” Xuanqing instructed.

Immortal Zhiying acknowledged the order with a bow and immediately transformed into a streak of radiant light, vanishing. It was clear her cultivation had been weakened—likely a result of her punishment.

Xuanqing lifted his arm slightly, motioning for Changying to continue walking with him. Only when he saw her take a step forward did he proceed, leading the way. Despite being the Heavenly Emperor, he carried no sense of arrogance and seemed rather easygoing.

Though he was the ruler of the Nine Heavens, his presence was restrained. He was over eight feet tall, yet when standing beside Changying, his aura was far less imposing than hers.

Changying remained cold and indifferent, her golden eyes devoid of warmth. No one dared to meet her gaze—she was, after all, the ancient Slayer God.

Xuanqing, however, seemed unfazed, leisurely strolling through the Heavenly Palace as if enjoying a sightseeing tour. He casually pointed things out as they walked—the name of the pond over there, the type of tree growing nearby, the origin of certain flowers, and even how many immortals had tripped over that particular pit.

Only when he seemed on the verge of exhausting his breath did Changying finally turn her head to glance at him.

Compared to the Heavenly Palace, the devil’s domain was indeed far too desolate—sparse vegetation, winds laden with yellow sand. One could only wonder how celestial beings, accustomed to the heavens, managed to endure staying in such a place when they entered the devil’s domain.

After a while, the Heavenly Emperor couldn’t help but sigh. “In recent times, there has been an abundance of affairs to handle. It has been a long time since I’ve had the leisure to wander through this vegetable garden as I do today.”

Changying’s gaze flickered slightly, and she noticed that the flowers and fruits around them seemed to have suddenly wilted. Even the ginseng dolls hanging from the trees sluggishly turned their backs, as if unwilling to be regarded as mere “vegetables.”

Xuanqing let out a long sigh. “In this recent campaign, we failed to capture the other two lords of the Devil Realm. If they infiltrate the Lower Realm, they will be far more troublesome to deal with than they would be in their own territory.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Changying’s hand—empty. His eyes curved slightly, and he smiled, looking somewhat relieved. “Fortunately, the First Lord of the Devil Realm has already submitted to Your Divinity. That does save us quite a bit of trouble.”

Changying gave a slight nod, her expression unchanged. “The remaining two lords of the Devil Realm are of little consequence. As long as the Devil Lord cannot return, the devils will remain nothing more than a scattered and disorganized rabble.”

“…I fear.” Xuanqing furrowed his brows, hesitating before he continued, “Over a hundred years ago, Phoenix Clan’s Zhuyou fell into devilhood. At that time, in the devil’s domain, the Devil-Suppressing Tower was destroyed by her true form. That incident remains one of the greatest pains of the Heavenly Realm.”

Changying remained silent for a long time, her cold golden eyes flickering slightly before she finally asked, “What led her to fall into devilhood?”

Xuanqing replied, “It’s a long story. If Your Divinity wishes to know, I will explain it in detail.”

Changying nodded. She needed to hear it—anything concerning the devil, she wished to know.

Before long, Immortal Zhiying arrived with Phoenix Clan’s Jingyi. Jingyi kept her head bowed, seemingly unprepared for the sudden summons by the Heavenly Emperor. The hands hidden in her sleeves trembled slightly.

After delivering the phoenix, Immortal Zhiying turned and left, never once appearing to recognize that the returned Slayer God was the same child who once clung to Zhuyou’s side.

Jingyi stood with her head lowered, visibly shivering, not even daring to lift her eyes.

The Heavenly Emperor said, “The Divine Venerable wishes to see you.”

Upon hearing these words, Jingyi trembled even more, as though she were terribly frightened.

Changying did not scrutinize her, as if this celestial being was not worth a second glance. Her golden eyes swept over Jingyi. “Are you afraid of me?”

“Your Divinity possesses an extraordinary presence. How could a lowly celestial like me dare to look directly upon you?” Jingyi’s teeth chattered as she forced out a trembling smile.

Changying’s gaze turned strange. This bird looked utterly unremarkable, yet spoke with a clever tongue—reminiscent of Hanzhu. These words… that devil would no doubt enjoy hearing them.

But where exactly was Zhuyou now?

She would have to search, of course. But for now, there were more pressing matters at hand.

Changying’s expression suddenly turned cold. Her pale hand curled slightly. “I heard that you were born with an incomplete soul. Is this true?”

“This little celestial was indeed born with a missing three hun and seven po,” Jingyi replied, head still bowed. “I was constantly fatigued, always in a daze, sleeping endlessly. My cultivation progress was slow and stagnant.”

“Missing three hun and seven po?” A celestial wind swept past, lifting Changying’s dark hair slightly, causing the golden ornament on her forehead to shift ever so slightly.

Jingyi hurriedly added, “Later, my soul was restored, and my mind became much clearer. As for past events, I remember them only vaguely. According to the elders of my clan, I used to be slow-witted, dull, and incapable of even summoning phoenix fire.”

Changying studied her intently, as if trying to determine how much of this was truth and how much was falsehood. She raised a hand and commanded coldly, “Come here.”

Jingyi instantly took a few steps forward, still trembling.

Changying placed her fingertip against Jingyi’s forehead, and a strand of icy spiritual energy immediately penetrated her sea of consciousness.

Xuanqing observed from the side but did nothing to stop her.

The moment the cold energy entered her mind, Jingyi shuddered violently, her palms instantly covered in cold sweat.

Her soul was indeed fully restored, and she even showed signs of a breakthrough in cultivation.

Changying had experienced having her own sea of consciousness examined by Zhuyou multiple times before. Now that her physical body had been fully reforged, this was the first time she was inspecting someone else’s sea of consciousness.

She sifted through the spiritual threads in Jingyi’s mind and asked coldly, “On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, in the 170th year of the Guangsu Calendar, where were you?”