Above the surging Scarlet Mist Sea, a figure, like a startled swan, pierced through the thick, blood-colored sky.
Xuan Hao, with his magic sword underfoot, rode the wind.
His speed was as swift as lightning, appearing and disappearing within the rolling mist, leaving behind sharp sword traces.
“Finally, I can fly.”
Xuan Hao looked down at the half of Chenxi City enveloped by the Scarlet Domain, a hint of indifferent satisfaction in his eyes.
The offensive power contained within this magic sword was, in his eyes, nothing special.
What he valued was the ability to fly.
Combined with his boundless spiritual Domain, the sky and earth were now vast and unconstrained, his range of movement no longer restricted by the ground.
Where his thoughts reached, he could arrive in an instant.
At the same time.
As the bloody torrent retreated to Financial Street, Qu Huaiwei, Flower-Faced Man, and others also returned to familiar territory.
Looking up at the figure flying on a sword in the sky, strangely, they didn't find it strange.
The envoy was a demigod.
It was only natural for a deity to wield a sword and soar through the Nine Heavens, wasn't it?
“Sword… Immortal?”
Qu Huaiwei murmured softly, a glint of light flashing in her eyes.
In the ancient texts from the old era she had obtained, the most frequent description of an “Immortal” was that of a “Sword Immortal.”
Riding a sword on the wind, free and unconstrained between heaven and earth.
Taking an enemy's head from a thousand miles away was as easy as picking something from one's pocket!
Seeing this scene, the heavy boulder in her heart quietly loosened a few points.
An indescribable sense of relief arose spontaneously.
This was enough to indicate that the True Monarch and the envoy were very likely not “Outer Gods” from beyond the Domain, full of Chaos and destruction!
Instead, they were legendary native deities rooted in this world.
Or rather, Immortals.
This instantly dispelled the gloom and pressure in her heart.
Her initial intention in serving the True Monarch was only to save her family.
Even if she knew it was like playing with fire, even if she bore the infamy of destroying the world, she would not hesitate.
Between her family and the world, she chose the former.
But if the True Monarch and the envoy were not Outer Gods, but ancient Immortals nurtured by this world, then everything would be completely different.
“Buzz!”
Suddenly, ripples appeared in the Scarlet Mist Sea.
Qu Huaiwei and the others only felt their vision blur instantly, and the next moment, they were already on the top floor of the familiar and solemn Central Building.
The star-studded main seat still hung high.
Even without the True Monarch's presence, the rotating stars were still suffocating.
The blood mist condensed, and Xuan Hao appeared in the black high-backed chair at the end of the table.
“Envoy.”
Qu Huaiwei nodded in greeting.
Her posture was respectful, yet cool and detached.
“Greetings, Envoy.”
Flower-Faced Man, clad in a scarlet robe, bowed deeply, almost touching the ground, like the most devout believer.
Run Tu and the Bald Strong Man Kui Song followed closely, their postures humble.
“You did very well in eradicating the subterranean evil this time.”
Xuan Hao slowly spread his palm, and above his palm, dozens of magic swords, the size of toothpicks, floated and rotated.
“The True Monarch is pleased with your actions.”
Xuan Hao's gaze fell on Qu Huaiwei, his fingertip moved slightly, and one of the miniature magic swords transformed into a stream of light and flew back into his sleeve.
“This is… the True Monarch's reward.”
The remaining dozens, as if summoned, flew towards Qu Huaiwei, hovering before her.
A brilliant light appeared in Qu Huaiwei's cool eyes.
She instinctively reached out, and those miniature magic swords, like spiritual birds returning to their nest, lightly landed in her palm.
“I… can fly too?”
This thought exploded in her mind.
Since she began serving the True Monarch, even with the powerful strength brought by the “Dharma Form State,” she had never felt such joy.
She wasn't actually very interested in power.
But this ability to fly… how could humans resist the temptation of flight?
Even among S-Class Martial Artists, those who could truly fly were rare.
“Once you are promoted to an S-Class Martial Artist, you will be able to fly and tunnel through the earth with this magic sword, as if it were an extension of your arm.” Xuan Hao interrupted her reverie: “As for now…”
He lightly raised his arm!
“Buzz!”
Mist surged, and countless Scarlet Immortal Silks appeared around Qu Huaiwei, instantly entering her Dharma Form state.
The Fairy Silks moved like living things, rapidly extending and wrapping around the hilt of the magic sword.
Scarlet and sword edge intertwined, both demonic and sharp.
“Now you can use the Fairy Silk as a guide to control the magic sword, killing enemies from a hundred paces away.”
As his voice fell, Xuan Hao's gaze turned to Flower-Faced Man.
The latter tensed up, immediately straightened his back, his eyes filled with fervent anticipation.
Xuan Hao flicked his finger!
A small, triangular banner, the size of a palm and entirely black, appeared out of thin air and slowly drifted towards Flower-Faced Man.
“This is the Ten Thousand Soul Banner.”
Xuan Hao said calmly: “I have already separated a trace of the True Monarch's ‘Spiritual Domain’ and fused it within. With this banner, even outside the True Monarch's Domain, you can actively unfold a ‘small Spiritual Domain.’”
“Its purpose is to collect the souls of the deceased.”
Upon hearing this, Flower-Faced Man's breathing quickened.
He trembled as he took the small black banner with both hands, as if holding a rare treasure.
It felt cold to the touch, yet he seemed to feel the vast will within it, originating from the same source as the Scarlet Mist Sea above his head.
It seemed the True Monarch and the envoy knew everything he had done.
They not only knew he had founded the Corpse Soul Dao, but also gave their approval and support.
This Ten Thousand Soul Banner was his supreme authority to command souls and strengthen the Corpse Soul Dao.
“Thank you, True Monarch, for your grace!”
“Thank you, Envoy, for your generous gift!”
Flower-Faced Man's voice trembled with excitement as he bowed deeply again.
Xuan Hao's gaze swept over Run Tu and Kui Song.
With a casual wave, an ancient bronze mirror, covered in verdigris with a smooth surface, appeared before Run Tu.
“This ancient relic can withstand the full attack of an S-Class Martial Artist.”
“Thank you, True Monarch, thank you, Envoy.”
Run Tu took the ancient mirror, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
Finally, Xuan Hao pushed a black square box, neither metal nor wood, towards Kui Song.
The latter opened the box, and inside lay a dark golden vajra pestle, carved with a wrathful Vajra subduing demons.
The pestle faintly exuded a familiar aura.
Kui Song knew very well that this power originated from the Great Black Buddha Mother.
In addition to his Dharma Form state, he also possessed the power of the Great Black Buddha Mother's flesh Buddha, making him the strongest among the four.
After bestowing the gifts, Xuan Hao merged into the scarlet mist, silently fading away.
Only the four remained in the hall.
“When will I be able to fly?”
Qu Huaiwei stared at the numerous magic swords in her palm, feeling the strange connection of the Fairy Silk wrapped around the magic swords, her emotions fluctuating for the first time.
She had always been very easygoing about cultivation.
But with the appearance of the magic swords…
It was the first time she had so eagerly desired power.
“The True Monarch has recognized me!”
Flower-Faced Man tightly gripped the small Ten Thousand Soul Banner, flames of ambition burning in his eyes.
“I still need to work hard.”
Run Tu stroked the ancient bronze mirror, his expression steady.
Among these four ancient relics, it was clear that his ancient mirror was the least valuable.
But upon closer thought, it was quite reasonable.
After all, in the battle to eradicate the Outer God, he seemed to have done nothing but burrow into the ground.
And then… he won by lying down.
Kui Song, on the other hand, held the box of the vajra pestle, feeling the immense power that originated from his own strength, and an uncontrollable smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
The four exchanged glances, and except for Qu Huaiwei, the other three showed varying degrees of ambition.
The official forces had already withdrawn.
This city had officially changed hands.
And they, as core members of the Corpse Immortal Path, wielding the authority and power bestowed by the True Monarch, would no longer be rats in the shadows.
Under the True Monarch, they were the new nobility who controlled order and power.
Compared to other secret organizations that worshipped Outer Gods, which one wasn't barely surviving under the official crackdown?
But now, they were completely different.
Looking at the excited Flower-Faced Man, Kui Song teased:
“Life, sometimes choice truly outweighs effort. You can't deny the power of luck.”
“Luck is also a form of strength.”
Flower-Faced Man ignored Kui Song's Yin and Yang sarcasm.
Qu Huaiwei rose, her figure fading.
Kui Song said faintly: “Before, the three of us were all in one organization. Now that we're gathered again, I think some things can be said directly.”
“What do you want to say?”
Flower-Faced Man and Run Tu both looked at him.
Kui Song continued: “Since the official forces have already withdrawn, we are now the masters of Chenxi City.”
“The True Monarch and the envoy don't care about these things, but I think it's necessary to integrate the resources of the entire city. What do you think?”
“Alright… then.”
Flower-Faced Man felt a bit depressed.
He was already the second-in-command, yet he still felt suppressed by this guy.
The three discussed for a while, and their figures gradually faded.
The mist in the hall ceased its movement and returned to calm.