After I Died My Dao Companion Drowns in Endless Regret Chapter 53

Within the secret realm.
Xie Zhichao, Wei Yunshu, and their group traveled by wind and arrived before the crystal palace on the cliff. The sky there was illuminated by a treasure’s light, with colorful mist swirling, occasionally emitting red light, like clusters of fiery flames. Xie Zhichao frowned, raising her hand to release a beam of blade light, dispersing the pervasive mist. She gazed at the palace gate ahead and suddenly lowered her voice, “Are there sounds of dispute inside?”
Wei Yunshu nodded. The spiritual energies in the surrounding area were not calm, suggesting that some cultivators had entered the palace before them. She furrowed her brow slightly, her mind racing, and replied, “Let’s go in and see.” In this region, only this crystal palace was the most conspicuous. No matter what secrets it held, they could not avoid it. She strode into the palace and was first greeted by a group of cultivators in strange states. Their vital energy was exceptionally strong; some had scales growing on their faces, while others had bumps on their heads, resembling horns. The disciples of Luoshui Divine Palace were the most affected.
At the very front, beneath a massive golden dragon statue, sat a stern-looking black-robed cultivator with prominent horns. A crack ran across his forehead, like a third eye. He seemed oblivious to the changes outside, merely sitting and expounding the Dao. Incessant scriptures echoed like solemn bell chimes, mingling with the sounds of dispute. As Wei Yunshu listened, she recognized the cultivation technique as the “True Dragon Incarnation Scripture.” It was not only for cultivators of the demon tribe but also allowed human cultivators to discard their human forms and incarnate into true dragons by observing dragon blood! Those who had been sitting in the hall for some time were already transforming into demons.
“Demonization?” Xie Zhichao’s eyelids twitched. She suddenly turned to Wen Yutang, who was arguing with someone nearby, and exclaimed, “Fellow Daoist Wen, are the disciples of your Luoshui Divine Palace abandoning their human bodies?” Luoshui Divine Palace was close to Dustless Sea, and there were frequent intermarriages between the two. Thus, disciples from various families carried a bit of demonic blood, making it easier for them to cultivate such techniques.
Wen Yutang turned her head upon hearing this. She took a deep breath and said with a cold expression, “The disciples of my Xiaohan Mountain will naturally not act that way.” This implied that she could not guarantee the intentions of the disciples from Guangyuan Marsh and Yunmeng Marsh.
The intentions of the other two families indeed differed from Wen Yutang’s. Those who had reached the Golden Core realm, like Jiang Pu and Tang Changsheng, would not abandon their past cultivation to embark on this path. However, there were disciples in the Foundation Establishment stage who could attempt a new path. They had clearly forgotten the connection between Ji Jun and the Corridor of Sins, focusing solely on seeking benefits within. “What path we take is our freedom. Buzhou won’t control even this, will they?” Tang Changsheng glanced at Xie Zhichao and snorted coldly.
Xie Zhichao cast a disgusted glance at Tang Changsheng. She knew she couldn’t control what cultivation techniques others practiced. At least the Dragon Incarnation Scripture sounded like a proper orthodox Daoist method, not involving the “Severing All Selves” technique. But this didn’t mean she couldn’t find a reason to intervene. She smiled triumphantly, “However, the owner of this place has a deep connection with the Corridor of Sins. This is a matter of great importance, and we must proceed with caution.”
“Fellow Daoist, you worry too much.” The one who spoke was a refined and handsome cultivator, Jiang Pu, who rarely expressed his opinions. Disciples from his Yunmeng Marsh were already cultivating according to the scripture. If this matter succeeded, Yunmeng Marsh might take a different path as a whole in the future. Meeting Xie Zhichao’s sharp gaze, he smiled and said, “Although the name is similar, no evil cultivators have appeared so far. The events of over six thousand years ago might be different from what we currently believe. Isn’t the ‘True Dragon Incarnation Scripture’ a legitimate orthodox immortal sect teaching?”
“No evil cultivators have appeared?” Xie Zhichao gave a playful smile. She gazed at Jiang Pu and suddenly exclaimed, “Fellow Daoist, dare you say you haven’t detected any evil aura? You also mentioned that this secret realm is a relic from thousands of years ago. As disciples of Buzhou guarding the entrance to the secret realm, we naturally prevent evil cultivators from entering, so we wouldn’t see cultivators from the Corridor of Sins. However, I fear that if this continues, those who emerge from here will be the disciples of evil cultivators!” Her words were blunt, as if the disciples of Luoshui Divine Palace at this moment had already fallen into evil ways. Jiang Pu’s smile also subsided upon hearing this, and he quietly looked at the disciples of Buzhou.
“There is a dragon scale on that golden dragon statue, and it is this scale that sustains everything here,” a voice floated into everyone’s ears. Whether in surprise or understanding, everyone turned towards the source of the voice. Luo Lingfeng, with her cold and stern eyebrows, slowly strode into the hall, surrounded by swirling mist. Occasionally, a black shadow leaped out, like the rumbling thunder of the Abyssal heavy water. “I’ll take it for you, alright?” Her voice was very soft, directed at Wei Yunshu.
As the words fell, everyone in the hall suddenly fell silent. Luo Lingfeng’s gaze was unrestrained, with no intention of concealment. The cultivators followed her line of sight, eventually spotting Wei Yunshu, and all fell silent. Some harbored doubts, but most understood. After all, it was known that she had gone mad searching for people who resembled Cloud Sovereign. With a disciple who so closely resembled Cloud Sovereign now present, perhaps if the other party wanted the moon, she would pluck it. And this person who resembled Cloud Sovereign stood within the formation of Buzhou disciples! Many emotions converged, finally turning into vigilance.
Their gazes exchanged silently. A Nascent Soul elder from Xiaohan Mountain emerged, leaning on a dragon-headed staff entwined with thorny wood. This elder held a high position in Xiaohan Mountain; by reckoning, Luo Lingfeng would have to call him grand-uncle. He reprimanded with a stern face, “Nonsense!” When everyone’s gaze fell upon him, he smoothed his robe and continued in a calmer voice, “The dragon scale is here, and we can all comprehend the ‘True Dragon Incarnation Scripture.’ No one will interfere with anyone else. If you take the dragon scale, you will disrupt the preaching of the black-robed Daoist and obstruct our Cultivation path. We are all disciples of immortal sects, why must it come to this?”
Luo Lingfeng glanced at the Nascent Soul elder, a strange smile playing on her lips. She had heard plenty of such righteous pronouncements. These people, when seeking something, always liked to raise a banner for themselves, speaking in noble terms, as if anyone who disrupted them would be a heinous criminal. But she rather enjoyed being the bad guy. She didn’t mention the Corridor of Sins but simply said, “Are the things in the secret realm shared by everyone? I don’t see you taking out the jade slips containing the cultivation techniques for all fellow disciples to study together.”
The Nascent Soul elder’s expression suddenly changed. All cultivators who came here received a jade slip for transmitting techniques, but everyone tacitly put this matter aside. After all, without the strength to suppress everyone else, they would wait until they left the secret realm. The Nascent Soul elder’s gaze shifted, and he smiled, “Everyone has a copy of that jade slip, so there’s no need to fight over it. But there is only one preacher.” He did not want to dwell on this topic and abruptly changed the subject, saying, “If Dan Tong were here, she wouldn’t disrupt everyone’s Cultivation path for selfish reasons.”
Wen Dantong was the name of Luo Lingfeng’s mother.
The Nascent Soul elder, relying on his seniority, acted as if he were an elder and spoke with increasing enthusiasm. He put on an expression of heartbroken disappointment as he looked at Luo Lingfeng, who had a smile on her face, as if compared to Wen Dantong, Luo Lingfeng was utterly worthless.
Wen Yutang intended to dissuade the elder, but before she could speak, her lips seemed to be sealed, unable to utter a single word. She met Luo Lingfeng’s smiling face and felt a shiver run through her heart. Luo Lingfeng had been ruthless even towards her own father, let alone an elder with whom she had almost no interaction. She was flushed with anxiety, her eyes frequently darting towards the eloquent and verbose elder.
The Nascent Soul elder was accustomed to lecturing, but he dared not be presumptuous in front of Wen Xian Ren. This time, seizing the opportunity, he lectured Luo Lingfeng, satisfying some hidden desire within him. After speaking for about fifteen minutes, he closed his mouth, stroked his beard, and still had a hint of lingering satisfaction.
Luo Lingfeng chuckled softly, “Are you finished?”
The Nascent Soul elder was startled by her smile, which bloomed like a spring flower. His discerning gaze swept back and forth over Luo Lingfeng, and he said, “You didn’t dress like this when you were in Luoshui Divine Palace. Your water-blue dress was as light as flowing water, and everyone called you ‘Luoshui Divine Maiden.’ But look at yourself now. Would anyone recognize you if you walked out?”
Let alone Luo Lingfeng, even Xie Zhichao found it speechless. She leaned closer to Wei Yunshu and whispered, “This Daoist is really long-winded.”
Luo Lingfeng had been constantly observing Wei Yunshu. Seeing Xie Zhichao and Wei Yunshu smiling and talking, a cold and fierce glint flashed in her eyes. After a moment, she shifted her gaze away and nonchalantly looked at the Nascent Soul Daoist, smiling and saying, “Uncle-grandfather is so good at praising people. Mother would be very happy. How about you go and accompany Mother for a while?”
The Nascent Soul elder from Xiaohan Mountain looked at Luo Lingfeng’s expression and finally sensed a trace of abnormality. His eyelids twitched, signaling that something dangerous was about to happen. The next moment, with a resounding explosion, the Abyssal heavy water surged forth like a demonic dragon escaping its lair, violently crashing towards the Nascent Soul elder. The Nascent Soul elder’s expression changed drastically. His reaction was not slow, but he was still sent staggering back several steps by the Abyssal heavy water, and blood seeped from the corner of his lips. He hadn’t expected Luo Lingfeng to make a move without a word. His gaze, as if laced with poison, instantly fixed on Luo Lingfeng.
Tang Changsheng wore a gloating smile, wishing for the True Monarch of Xiaohan Mountain to be beaten to death. But he also knew that this was not the time to watch the fun. He signaled the Nascent Soul Daoist from Guangyuan Marsh, indicating for him to step forward and help. They intended to cultivate the “True Dragon Incarnation Scripture,” while Luo Lingfeng wanted to take the dragon scale containing power. A confrontation was inevitable. As the disciples from the three families of Luoshui Divine Palace made their move, the aristocratic disciples of Cloud City could not stand idly by and also unleashed their magic artifacts, rushing forward together.
On the other side.
Xie Zhichao stared at the chaotic scene. Although she knew a fight would eventually break out, she was still somewhat surprised when it actually happened. “Wherever that True Monarch goes, disputes follow,” she mumbled, watching Luo Lingfeng skillfully wield the Abyssal heavy water. She even showed a hint of envy, wondering how long it would take her to reach such a level.
“I’ll go get that dragon scale,” Wei Yunshu whispered. She had not agreed to Luo Lingfeng’s request earlier, but her thoughts had aligned with hers. As she moved, someone came to block her path. The person was handsome, dressed in white, and exuded an air of casual grace in every movement. He was also a Nascent Soul Daoist, from Guangyuan Marsh, named Tang Yanlan, a kinsman of Tang Wentian from Guangyuan Marsh. He crossed several sharp sword lights and instantly reached Wei Yunshu, but instead of blocking her, he curiously observed her.
Tang Yanlan had heard about Luo Lingfeng searching everywhere for people resembling Cloud Sovereign. With the overbearing and unparalleled might of a Cavern Heaven True Monarch, she would have simply taken them away directly. Why would she be like this now? Others hadn’t noticed, but he had. The deliberate estrangement between the two was peculiar and clearly unusual. Was it because this Daoist maiden had joined Buzhou? Or was it due to her Nascent Soul cultivation? Or was there another reason? Tang Yanlan’s thoughts churned. He smiled and bowed, “Fellow Daoist, why must you do such thankless work? It seems to violate the rules of the immortal realm.”
The “True Dragon Incarnation Scripture” was an supreme marvelous technique. Tang Yanlan himself would not cultivate it, but his clan’s juniors, those without exceptional talent, could try this path. During their cultivation, they would lack demonic blood, and it was likely they could make a deal with those from Dustless Sea. In fact, they had initially thought of taking the items with them, but not to mention the rogue cultivators, even within their own group, no one could convince anyone else. Therefore, they chose to listen to the Daoist scriptures on the spot. As for the Corridor of Sins, it was not that he didn’t care, but he believed it was only natural to take the good and discard the evil.
Wei Yunshu returned the bow and said, “Sometimes, for fundamental matters, it is appropriate to make concessions.” Spiritual energy swirled around her, with pure radiance shining brightly, like descending stars. Her face was hidden within the starlight and jade mist, exuding a sense of elegance and loftiness. She smiled slightly, flicked her horsetail whisk, and raised her hand, unleashing lightning energy.
Tang Yanlan nodded secretly. From the pure aura of the immense lightning, one could discern this person’s cultivation. He wondered where Buzhou had found such a guest. He raised his hand and summoned his magic sword, chanting an incantation. Instantly, the Nine Abyss Water poured down from the sky. Amidst a deafening roar, it submerged the lightning energy. Wei Yunshu pondered for a moment, not wishing to delay here any longer. She retracted her horsetail whisk and unleashed a sword.
Upon first seeing the sword light, Tang Yanlan was not overly surprised. After all, Buzhou was a renowned sword sect in the immortal realm. It would be strange if its elders didn’t use swords. However, when he clearly saw the shape of the sword hidden within the flowing light, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his expression instantly turned as cold as frost. The news that Luoshui Divine Palace had released the Taiyi Sword at the Sunset Burial Mounds, whether true or false, even they didn’t know. Later, they heard nothing more about “Taiyi,” so they couldn’t confirm if Luo Lingfeng had truly obtained it from an evil cultivator, or if it had always been in the hands of this Daoist maiden who resembled Cloud Sovereign.
She is Cloud Sovereign! This conjecture surfaced, almost eclipsing all other thoughts. His eyelids twitched violently, and Tang Yanlan tried to grasp that faint possibility. He did not want his opponent to be the legendary, deceased Cloud Sovereign! He twisted his stiff neck, trying to catch the same expression on his companions’ faces, but they were all swept away by the surging water, weaving through the ink-like lightning, too preoccupied to care about others’ situations.
Tang Yanlan’s expression became solemn, and he looked directly at Wei Yunshu, asking, “May I ask who you are?”
Wei Yunshu replied indifferently, “Does it matter?”
Tang Yanlan paused. Regardless of who his opponent was, he had to step forward to block. However, a sense of fear and panic arose in his heart, hoping that everything would proceed as he wished. Composing himself, he took out a jade bottle from his sleeve, removed the stopper, and immediately a gust of black wind shot out. This wind was called “Youluo Gale,” refined from the Youluo Astral Winds of Youluo Mountain in The Northern Continent. The wind aided the water, capable of increasing his water techniques by a minor realm. The Nine Abyss Water swirled in mid-air, and the fierce wind agitated it, causing great waves to roll towards him. With his left hand, he chanted another incantation, urging his lightning techniques. Instantly, the Nine Abyss Water transformed into a thunderous, surging river, rushing towards Wei Yunshu.
Wei Yunshu scattered her sword light, and instantly her sword intent revolved like a shooting star, transforming into thousands of beams in an instant, tearing towards the golden dragon statue. As for the river behind her, she unhurriedly chanted an incantation, and a magnificent crimson wheel appeared behind her, like the sun ascending. The sun wheel descended, and the solar flames scattered into a sky full of fiery blossoms, colliding with the lightning river, producing earth-shattering vibrations. Tang Yanlan felt a flame burn up through his spiritual energy, as if it were about to burn him to ashes. He retreated a few steps, lowered his gaze, and saw a few sun blossoms floating on his sleeve. He summoned a stream of water and gently patted them, extinguishing them.
Meanwhile, Wei Yunshu’s protective aura was broken by the water lightning, her blood and energy vibrating. She covered her lips and coughed lightly. She was multitasking, raising her eyes to gaze at the golden dragon ahead, her sword energy striking it, emitting a series of crisp clanging sounds. The figure of the black-robed preacher below remained motionless, his voice still calm and steady, undisturbed by the outside world, appearing to be a mere phantom. However, the golden dragon showed some “activity.” The moment spiritual light fluctuated, a section of its dragon tail swept ferociously towards the attacker.
Tang Yanlan truly feared she would break the golden dragon. At this moment, he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. He and the golden dragon attacked from both sides. Even if he couldn’t defeat her, he could at least hinder her movements. With this thought, Tang Yanlan chanted an incantation and unleashed another fierce move.
The sweeping dragon tail filled the space before her. Wei Yunshu’s expression slightly sharpened, and she swung her sword to strike. Starlight erupted, and sparks flew, but the dragon tail was merely hindered for a moment. The strong wind attacked from behind. Wei Yunshu ignored it, urging her sword energy forward. Instantly, the myriad phenomena of stars appeared, illuminating the entire Dharma hall as if it were the night sky. Sword light descended like stars and falling fire, severing most of the energy on the dragon tail. Then, Wei Yunshu cast a Three Lights Dragon Capturing Seal, extending her palm forward and pressing down. The dragon’s tail, originally extremely hard and fierce, had its spiritual energy already cut by the sword light. When it was struck by the Three Lights Dragon Capturing Seal, it exploded into dust and scattered. All of this happened in a blink of an eye. After escaping the dragon tail’s attack, Wei Yunshu urged the One Qi Nine Dominance Heavenly Thunder, forming an unending net of lightning and hurling it towards the lightning river.
Upon glimpsing a sun wheel, Tang Yanlan’s faint sliver of luck vanished. He was now certain of this opponent’s identity. However, in the past, he had only heard of her Taiyi Sword, using the marvelous techniques of the Sun, Moon, and Stars to form the tripartite power of heaven, earth, and man. He had never heard of her possessing powerful divine abilities besides her sharp sword. Ordinary people, even if they cultivated them, could not unleash divine abilities and techniques consecutively; their spiritual power would not be able to withstand such consumption. But Cloud Sovereign was different. When she underwent transformation, she opened thirty-six acupoints. Since entering the Dao, she had gone to the extreme in every realm. Her foundation was much deeper than ordinary people.
Was the Cloud Sovereign before him merely a Nascent Soul avatar? But even if it was an avatar, it should possess a might that ordinary cultivators of the same realm could not resist. Could something have gone wrong? Had the Cloud Sovereign truly died three years ago? Why did she go to Buzhou Peak? Had Cloud City secretly collaborated with Buzhou? Tang Yanlan was very perplexed. Composing himself, after the lightning river collapsed under the lightning net, Tang Yanlan performed a Dharma incantation, gathering wisps of water and lightning. In a short while, the Nine Abyss Water was perfectly restored.
Through these exchanges, Wei Yunshu had formed a judgment. The power of that golden dragon was far greater than Tang Yanlan’s, clearly approaching the Cavern Heaven realm. If she couldn’t break the golden dragon, she wouldn’t be able to obtain the dragon scale. Her cultivation was limited by her current state. Even with the Taiyi Sword in hand, she couldn’t destroy that golden dragon in a short time. She exhaled a breath of turbid air, her eyes shining brightly like stars. She tossed out the Hidden Sword Spring Thunder Bottle, unleashing thousands of sword lights. This magic artifact had been used at the Sunset Burial Mounds before and had consumed some sword energy. Now, she decided to release all the sword intent within the bottle to hinder Tang Yanlan for a while.
Seeing the thousands of sword lights arrive, Tang Yanlan dared not be careless. He hurriedly chanted incantations to respond.
Wei Yunshu took this opportunity to urge her spiritual power again, her aura rising layer by layer. Sword energy hung like a river of stars. Slowly, the Taiyi sword energy, divided into hundreds of thousands of strands, reconsolidated, transforming into a white sword of gas, as thin as a thread! The Three Lights returned to their origin, and the sword of heaven and earth! The sword emanated an extremely terrifying aura, as if with a single stroke, everything that existed would be cleaved in two.
The golden dragon seemed to sense the crisis as well. Its entire body came alive, and the figure of the black-robed preacher below gradually disappeared. “Who is disrupting my preaching?!” the golden dragon roared. Its closed eyes instantly opened, emitting brilliant golden light, like two pillars of light. The dragon’s might was immense, its ferocity fierce. The crystal palace, which was as solid as a golden bastion, began to shake violently, pillars collapsing, tiles falling. The immense pressure that suddenly descended seemed to crush everything into powder!
“Senior, why are you preventing my preaching?” the speaker was the one who had been immersed in the Daoist sounds earlier. His physical body had already demonized. Looking at Wei Yunshu now, he was filled with resentment. Without needing anyone else to urge him, he summoned his magic artifact and struck Wei Yunshu head-on.
Wei Yunshu had anticipated such a scene. She lowered her eyelids, her expression unwavering. Her robes fluttered violently in the wind, and her Dao crown suddenly cracked, her jade hairpin shattering. Her black hair scattered onto her shoulders. Disregarding her current state, she focused all her attention on urging the Taiyi Sword, slashing at the ferocious and menacing golden dragon! The “True Dragon Incarnation Scripture” used the human body to cultivate the method of transforming into a dragon, gradually merging with Strength cultivation. The Daoist spoke eloquently, but as she listened further, she realized that it was still based on the “Severing All Selves” technique.
The sword light surged out, leaving only a faint, desolate trace of energy. It landed on the golden dragon, emitting a soft ka-cha sound. But behind Wei Yunshu, a phantom image of thousands of sword lights appeared, like a brilliant galaxy, instantly clearing a hundred miles. It was clearly a partially manifested Cavern Heaven Dharma Manifestation. The golden dragon let out a long cry, its form transforming into countless tiny shattered light fragments, shifting from substance to void. Only a golden dragon scale, the size of a palm, floated in mid-air.
Wei Yunshu did not reach out to take it. Her puppet-like body was on the verge of collapse under the immense force. She had to adjust her state, and a tide-like divine sense gradually receded. On the other side, Tang Yanlan had rushed out from the myriad sword lights. He glimpsed the dragon scale and the motionless Wei Yunshu, knowing that now was the best moment to retrieve the dragon scale. However, inexplicably, he unleashed his magic sword towards Wei Yunshu, whose aura had fallen to its lowest point.
Although her state was not good, she was not without the ability to fight back. Wei Yunshu frowned, her footwork activating her escape technique. With her left hand, she scooped up the dragon scale suspended in mid-air, while with her right hand, she pointed, urging a wisp of sword light towards Tang Yanlan! Tang Yanlan inwardly cursed his bad luck, knowing he had made a mistake, but it was too late to correct it. He hurriedly activated his escape light, dodging the sharp sword light. However, just as he thought he had dodged the sword strike and was secretly congratulating himself, a chilling aura suddenly emerged, and he shivered inexplicably. An extremely sharp pain struck him. Looking down, he saw his body had been pierced by the chilling sword energy.
This is not Cloud Sovereign’s sword.
Tang Yanlan looked up in astonishment and saw a figure covered in blood standing not far away. He was immediately rendered speechless by the ferocity in her eyes. The surging water covered the sky, as if the waters of the four seas were inverted. The tattered corpse floated up and down in the water. Looking at the scene before him, a chill rushed straight to his soul. Tang Yanlan’s lips moved, but he couldn’t utter a word. Great mouthfuls of blood gushed out. The disciples of Buzhou had shown mercy, only subduing him. But Luo Lingfeng was different; she completely disregarded the courtesies between sects and struck lethally! She had clearly emerged from Luoshui Divine Palace!
Luo Lingfeng seemed to not notice the blame in Tang Yanlan’s eyes. She raised her sleeve to wipe the blood from her cheek, her eyes fixed on Wei Yunshu, still with a trace of frenzied ferocity.