Chapter 78: The Legacy of the Battle Demon

Shi Yan suddenly entered a strange space.

The sky was shrouded in gray, endless clouds as vast as the ocean filling the void. There was no end in sight, no boundaries to be found. It was a space of unimaginable breadth and wonder.

At its heart stood a colossal giant, fierce and imposing, towering ten thousand feet high. His head supported the heavens, his feet pressed the earth, standing firm between sky and land, as if he had remained unmoved for countless eons. An ancient, primordial aura surged from his body, bearing the weight of ages.

Radiant bursts of light exploded from the myriad acupoints across his form. Each acupoint resembled a star of the heavens, rotating in harmony with celestial rhythms. Within every acupoint resided the power to destroy worlds; each seemed a universe unto itself, and faintly, the cries and lamentations of countless living beings could be heard.

The boundless space was littered with mountains of corpses and seas of bones. The ground was stained crimson with blood, and all manner of strange skeletons lay scattered everywhere. Some bones towered like hills, their origins unknown.

Amid the ocean of bones, bizarre creatures gathered—some with three heads and six arms, some with bodies like divine dragons, some bearing three eyes, others covered in scales. All prostrated themselves, their heads buried deep in the blood-red earth, worshipping the giant as if he were their sole true god.

The ancient god's fierce visage suddenly blazed with strange light within his eyes. His right eye shone like the most dazzling sun, bringing brightness and vitality to all living things, offering hope to the world. His left eye was pitch black, like a bottomless abyss, containing endless darkness, brimming with destruction, slaughter, death, madness, and resentment. In that left eye, only the darkest side of humanity could be glimpsed.

One eye teemed with life, the other with death. The ancient god stood between heaven and earth, as if waiting for something.

Suddenly, both eyes locked onto Shi Yan. A mysterious force pierced directly into his soul, connecting the god and Shi Yan. The space echoed with the god’s earth-shattering roar. Countless strange symbols and points of light burst from the god’s eyes, flooding into Shi Yan’s ethereal body, making each of his acupoints shine like stars.

An excruciating pain erupted from every acupoint, threatening to tear Shi Yan’s mind apart. He jolted awake.

He found himself once again on the third floor of the stone tower. The blood-patterned ring on his left ring finger faded, its rainbow light dimming. He sat cross-legged, dazed and lost in thought.

If anyone had entered, they would have seen an unusual gleam flickering deep in his eyes—tiny symbols dancing in the depths of his pupils.

…

Xia Xinyan, Chixiao, and Zuo Xu walked together into the backyard of the Shi family estate.

All three stopped abruptly, gazing in surprise at a stone tower five hundred meters away, expressions of astonishment crossing their faces.

“There’s a strange power emanating from there,” Xia Xinyan whispered, her eyes wide above her veil. “It feels… ancient, as if from the primordial times. Such power shouldn’t exist here.”

Chixiao’s expression was equally odd as he stared at the tower. He muttered, “For some reason, that energy made my martial soul tremble. How could any force cause such resonance?”

Xia Xinyan shook her head, pondering for a moment. “Patriarch Zuo, is that tower Shi Jian’s residence? I seem to have underestimated him—he is more extraordinary than I thought…”

“No, not at all,” Zuo Xu shook his head. “That tower belongs to Shi Jian’s grandson, Shi Yan. The boy loves studying ancient texts and relics. He’s… quite peculiar.”

“Shi Yan…” Xia Xinyan silently repeated the name, a hint of surprise in her eyes. She nodded. “Let’s go see the Shi family patriarch.”

“Agreed.”

…

In a secret chamber, Shi Jian and Shi Tie were discussing how to deal with the Mo family when both sensed the disturbance within their clan.

Shi Jian’s face changed. “That strange commotion seems to be coming from Shi Yan’s tower!”

Those at a certain cultivation level could sense the unusual activity from Shi Yan’s tower. After his exclamation, Shi Jian hurriedly pushed open the stone door and rushed out, with Shi Tie close behind.

They headed directly for Shi Yan’s tower but encountered Zuo Xu, Chixiao, and Xia Xinyan on the way.

Shi Jian’s expression faltered and he stopped, calling out from afar, “Brother Zuo, what brings you so early?”

He immediately recognized Xia Xinyan, feeling uneasy and guilty, fearing she had come to demand justice.

“Brother, let’s find a quiet place to talk,” Zuo Xu said with a bitter smile, pointing to Xia Xinyan. “This is Miss Xia Xinyan, the mistress behind Misty Pavilion. She has business to discuss with you.”

Shi Jian hesitated, then gave up his intent to check on Shi Yan’s tower. “Follow me.”

Moments later, Shi Jian and Shi Tie led the three guests to the Rock Hall.

After settling in, Zuo Xu coughed lightly and explained Xia Xinyan’s purpose.

“Cooperation?”

Shi Jian secretly sighed with relief, then smiled. “That’s highly desirable. Only a complete map can reveal the location of Heaven’s Gate. Our Shi family never intended to keep it for ourselves. Miss Xia’s willingness to let bygones be bygones shows she is a person of great ambition.”

Xinyan was direct. She produced her half of the map and placed it on the stone floor. “Patriarch Shi, please bring your portion.”

Shi Jian glanced at Zuo Xu, who nodded gently. He took out his map fragment and placed it beside hers, attempting to join them.

A strange yellow light flashed at the junction, its adhesive power perfectly merging the two pieces, leaving no seam.

Brilliant yellow light radiated from the now-complete map. The drawn lines twisted and writhed, alive like earthworms. The original patterns transformed dramatically, gradually revealing a vivid valley.

The valley was shrouded in peculiar yin energy, surrounded by lush green marshes. Even the bubbles rising from the swamps were visible.

Shi Jian, Shi Tie, Zuo Xu, and Chixiao all stared in amazement. Only Xia Xinyan remained composed. “Gentlemen, I am unfamiliar with your lands. Though this map is clear, I do not recognize the location. Do you?”

“Desolate Marsh, Absolute Yin Valley!”

Chixiao’s expression darkened. After a moment, he spoke gravely, “No mistake! It is absolutely Absolute Yin Valley—the most mysterious part of Desolate Marsh, saturated with heavy yin energy and home to many rare treasures.”

“Good,” Xia Xinyan nodded. “Then we can prepare for the journey. I'll make arrangements at Misty Pavilion; we should depart soon.”

“Absolute Yin Valley is the lair of the Nine-headed Heavenly Serpent, isn’t it?” Zuo Xu asked Chixiao.

Shi Jian’s face changed.

Chixiao nodded. “Yes, the serpent resides there. This won’t be an easy expedition.”

“The Nine-headed Heavenly Serpent?” Xia Xinyan remained calm. “Judging by the name, it must be a formidable beast?”

“A seventh-level beast,” Chixiao replied.

Xia Xinyan’s brows furrowed slightly. “That could be troublesome, but no matter. A seventh-level beast is equal to a Heaven Rank martial artist. If the two of us work together, we should be able to handle it.”

“The serpent is indeed seventh-level, but it is among the most powerful of its kind. It has nine heads, each possessing intelligence and immense power. I’d rather face three ordinary seventh-level beasts than confront it. I need to return to Misty Mountains and bring some major secret treasures for safety,” Chixiao sighed.

“Keep the map. In a month, we meet at the entrance to Desolate Marsh.”

Xia Xinyan stood up decisively. “Don’t be late. I have little time to waste.” With that, she walked out gracefully.

“Brother, what now?” Zuo Xu smiled wryly. “Heavenfall City is in chaos; your Shi family and the Mo family are at a critical juncture. Can you spare the time?”

“Difficult,” Shi Jian shook his head, thinking. “With Chixiao here, it doesn’t matter if I go. I’ll arrange someone else. Shi Yan enjoys adventure—let him go with Chixiao.”

Shi Jian looked at Chixiao, who nodded slightly.

“I can’t leave Heavenfall City either, or Beiming Shang will be suspicious. I’ll send Xiao Shi and two clan guardians. The fewer people, the better—it must be secret,” Zuo Xu agreed.

“Patriarch Shi, I must return to Misty Mountains. In a month, I’ll be at Desolate Marsh. Your people need not follow me; let them go with Xiao Shi. Alone, I’ll travel faster,” said Chixiao.

“Good. I’ll have Han Feng accompany Shi Yan and Xiao Shi, quietly leaving the city. One month should suffice.” Shi Jian handed the map to Chixiao. “Please keep an eye on Shi Yan. I don’t want anything to happen to him.”

“Rest assured,” Chixiao replied, taking the map with ease.

…

Third floor of the stone tower.

The blood-patterned ring on Shi Yan’s left ring finger had returned to normal. He sat there, lost in thought, strange lights flickering in his eyes.

Who knew how long passed.

Gradually, Shi Yan’s expression cleared. His eyes grew bright, and he murmured, head bowed and brows furrowed, “The Life and Death Seal of the Battle Demon Legacy! Martial soul technique—astonishing!”

…

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