Chapter Fifty-Nine: Ruthless Hala Sha

“Heavens, look! The true form of the Azure Lotus…”

In an instant, a beam of blue light shot skyward. Because of the collision between the two lotuses, a powerful force suddenly erupted from within Yuechan, who was healing behind Ye Qiu. Vines of azure wrapped around her, enclosing her tightly in a circle, and a lotus blossomed, with Yuechan seated alone within it…

Beneath the radiant light, a heavenly blue lotus soared, piercing through the depths of the abyss, gazing down upon all creation…

“Gasp… Is she about to shatter her shackles, refine her immortal body, and ascend to the Immortal Realm?”

At that moment, everyone was dumbfounded—even the God of Darkness was stunned.

“How can this be! The collision of the two lotuses has unexpectedly activated the Dao Embryo of the Azure Lotus within her. Once she breaks through her shackles, she will immediately reforge her immortal body and step into the Immortal Realm! Damn it… All these years of nurturing my immortal seed, and instead, she is the one who benefits!”

The God of Darkness was on the verge of tears, deeply frustrated. He was supposed to be the one to break through to the Immortal Realm, but who could have foreseen that the white lotus Ye Qiu suddenly produced would have such a terrifying effect?

The power generated by the collision of the two lotuses had indirectly shattered Yuechan’s shackles. She, who had cultivated the Azure Lotus technique and harbored the Dao Embryo within, could now, once awakened, ascend to the Immortal Realm.

Beneath the abyss, the towering azure lotus shook the heavens, so fearsome that everyone retreated in terror. The only one unaffected was Ye Qiu; even the God of Darkness from across the shore had to avoid its edge…

Ye Qiu’s lips twitched. “Seriously? Why does it feel like life is only going to get harder from now on?”

Yuechan had actually broken through, which meant she was about to become an immortal?

This… this was truly excessive!

He couldn’t defeat her before—now, even less so. Wasn’t this just absurd?

It was all that stupid system’s fault. All it ever taught him was music, chess, calligraphy, painting, brewing, and farming—never how to fight. How was he supposed to cope with this…?

At the edge of the heavens, the violent clash of the two azure lotuses gradually merged into a resplendent, multicolored lotus, whose vast and boundless power poured directly into Yuechan’s body.

In that moment, the figure upon the lotus grew ever more ethereal—unparalleled in elegance and grace.

Beautiful—truly, unspeakably beautiful.

Her white silhouette sat alone upon the lotus platform, radiating an aura of purest immortality, blue light swirling around her. Amidst the haze, a chilling presence grew ever stronger.

So cold that everyone shivered uncontrollably, none dared approach—except Ye Qiu.

The most pitiful, without question, was the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow. For Yuechan had been seated upon its back, and now, as this transformation occurred, it had no chance to escape.

“Damn it, I’m doomed. Who did I offend? Why is it always me who gets hurt?”

The Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow wept, its cries wrenching.

From the moment of its appearance, aside from winning a few initial bouts, ever since it encountered Ye Qiu, it had done nothing but get beaten up, or be on the path to another beating. Not a single victory, and daily suffering.

Heaven and earth, I beg you—just end it quickly! I, a mighty ancient fiend, have fallen to such a state. How utterly humiliating for a noble bird…

Enduring the sanctified baptism, the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow let out a despairing wail, nearly fainting.

It was simply too much! Others got to show off, but all the beatings fell to its lot—where was the justice?

“Master, save me…”

In its utter desperation, the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow cried out, and Ye Qiu heard it.

At that moment, Ye Qiu was standing upon its back. Yuechan had already ascended with the Azure Lotus, but even at this distance, the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow could not endure.

“Save?”

How? Damn it, I can’t fly! If this creature dies, I’ll fall to my death too…

Ye Qiu panicked. He was unaffected himself, but the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow was in agony. Though he didn’t know why, if he couldn’t resolve this, he’d be in serious trouble.

The problem was—Ye Qiu couldn’t fly. He hadn’t even learned the most basic immortal techniques. What could he do?

“Damn it, what now, what now?”

Ye Qiu’s heart raced with anxiety. If only he hadn’t brought out that lotus! Trying to show off for nothing—no benefit, and nearly got himself killed.

In his desperation, Ye Qiu suddenly remembered his zither. He raised his hand and brought out the Fusang Zither.

“I have no idea if this will work! But at this point, I have no choice but to try…”

Left with no other option, Ye Qiu decided to play a tune and see what effect it might have.

Over the years, he had studied the power within himself; though he didn’t know how to wield it directly, there were ways to activate it…

Playing the zither was one; others included calligraphy or painting. But as for what effect it would truly have, Ye Qiu had no idea—no one had ever taught him.

As soon as the Fusang Zither appeared, Ye Qiu plucked the strings, and—

Ting—

A clear, melodious note resounded through the dark void, heard by all.

“What’s he doing?”

The God of Darkness paused, baffled by Ye Qiu’s actions. Why play the zither out of nowhere?

The next moment, he understood.

One note after another rang through the air. A white-robed figure, ethereal and solitary, played the zither, and suddenly a terrifying aura of righteous energy surged forth.

“Gasp… My heavens, this…”

“Celestial music! Incredible, such powerful harmony—this mastery is surely beyond the divine. With a single note, he dispelled all the surrounding force?”

Everyone was stunned. Under Ye Qiu’s music, a boundless power arose—not only neutralizing Yuechan’s overwhelming force, but even assisting her, making it easier for her to absorb the power of the Azure Lotus.

Then, from the void, a song echoed forth:

“Old Eight’s secret little burger, Old Eight’s secret little burger!
Ruthless Hala Shao…
Same as ever…
First, half a cup of Little Bird Vodka, just half a cup, just this much!”

Everyone: “???”

“This song… why does it sound so addictive?”

“Honestly, it’s rather catchy! I suddenly feel so fired up, like I could charge into battle for eight hundred rounds…”

“Did you notice? Our inner strength is being stirred up without us realizing it—I think I’m on the verge of a breakthrough…”

“Amazing… it’s inconceivable! The music, the song—there’s something truly miraculous about it!”

“My word, I’m so energized—let’s go!”

As Ye Qiu sang, the entire audience was left in awe.

“Heavens, these seemingly ordinary lyrics conceal a boundless depth—listening for but a moment, I’ve already advanced a minor realm!”

No one could remain calm. The power of Ye Qiu’s song was shocking—they had never heard anything like it before.

In the Great Wilderness, music was hardly common; no one had ever seen someone sing a song, let alone one such as this. Excitement swept through the crowd.

Even the God of Darkness was utterly bewildered. “What the…? Is this even possible? He really is an immortal! Thank goodness I didn’t start a fight earlier—just this one song would have been enough to suppress me!”

His heart still pounding with fear, the God of Darkness was profoundly shaken. Who could have imagined such profound transformation hidden within a simple melody?

How did Ye Qiu discover this? The God of Darkness could not comprehend; though the Dao had infinite paths, never had he seen anyone use such a method…