Chapter 564: Found You!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The sky above the Residence of Nine Supremes was filled with thick, billowing fog. Even with the man in black's shocking cultivation base, his eyes could not penetrate the murky mass. Despite his misgivings, he could not help but feel slightly astonished.
What did the presence of such power indicate? Despite having heard the legends and myths related to the structure, he had always thought them to be exaggerated rumors, especially when the highest cultivation base of the invaders had yet to reach the heaven realm.
With the man's masterly cultivation base, it unsettled him to realize that he felt remarkably lost. The idea that there could possibly some hint of danger swam in his head.
Restrained to careful consideration, the man in black halted the motion of the inky, black clouds and hovered tentatively above the Residence of Nine Supremes. He cast a few balls of black and sent them winging into the residence.
The black mass charged into the residence's thick fog fiercely, without hesitation. In spite of this, there was no respite in the clouds as the thick fog gave a shiver... and then there was nothing else. The thick blanket of fog seemed to thicken even further.
"How strange!"
The man in black frowned, bewildered by the sight that lay before him. His earth-shattering strength could not break through the Residence of Nine Supremes' thick fog. However, he had already come all the way here, he could not turn back without attempting something. Otherwise, everything he had done up until now was only a waste of effort.
He mustered a significant amount of mystical Qi cultivation base and delivered them into the Providence Flag. Just as he was about to redirect the flag, he was surprised to see a trail of black clouds extending to the point where the Providence Flag was pointed at.
"Perhaps the Residence of Nine Supremes is not the ultimate destination." The ebony-dressed man was stunned once again.
"Did I get the wrong direction again?"
He was close to breaking down. What was it with today?
According to all historical statistics, the Providence Flag had always pointed directly at the source, when used for any number of times. Before the person could even display any traits, the flag could find this person who would be the next ruler of the world!
This time, though, there had been multiple errors. It was the first time in history that this had occurred!
Besides, this raven-dressed man's arcane skills had sensed that the Residence of Nine Supremes' providence was more than enough. Purely based on astral providence, it was richer than that which was needed to build a world hegemon, so intense that the Providence Flag could not even take away a sliver of it. It was an alarming observation.
One had to know that as long as the Providence Flag was activated, most of the providence of even the Empire of Dongxuan would be absorbed by it. It was the first instance since the beginning of time that the Providence Flag was unable to absorb the providence.
It was mind-boggling that the Residence of Nine Supremes possessed such a strong astral providence was still not the final destination. Judging by the current situation, was the place that the Providence Flag was pointing at a one with an even more intense providence?
Was the true lord at this other location? Who could possibly have providence so much stronger than the Residence of Nine Supremes?
"Ruler of an empire, that is the destiny in Yutang's palace, maybe weaker… The ruler of the world can't compare to the Residence of Nine Supremes' providence… Maybe, even by conquering the entire Tianxuan Continent for a hundred times could not even garner the same providence that the Residence of Nine Supremes possesses. Still, the providence of the Residence of Nine Supremes is weaker than the target over there!"
The eyes of the man in black widened to the size of saucers and could he could not help cursing out loud, "F*cking hell, is that the head of heaven?"
As he thought of it, he perked up instead. He could not take away the Residence of Nine Supremes' providence because it was a naturally formed structure. While this person's providence was stronger than that of the residence, he was still a human after all. If this person were to die, all of his astral providence would be absorbed into the Providence Flag!
That would greatly benefit him and the school. Besides, he was rather cautious about the Residence of Nine Supremes that was in front of him; since the target was not even here, there was no need for him to risk himself or waste his effort.
Although exhausted from the exertions, the man clothed in black pushed himself further. With more than an eighth of his cultivation base remaining, it was adequate to battle anyone in this world. Since the target had been set, he insisted on finishing the fight, in case of any hitches that might arise from the delay.
No matter how strong the providence was, how could one's physical strength compare to that possessed by this mysterious man?
"Also… the target that the Providence Flag is pointing at this time could very possibly be a real person, and this person may very well be the sole surviving Supreme from Nine Supremes. Which also means… we could possibly be talking about… Supreme Cloud!"
The black-gowned man chuckled in a horribly macabre manner, "What sheer luck! To have come across him, after so much effort spent! Supreme Cloud, dark clouds – you were famous due to clouds, now you should fall to the clouds as well!"
The black mass of clouds moved again, stretching itself towards the direction where the Providence Flag was directing it to.
…
Now, the entire Tiantang City had been subdued by the ominous force emanating from these black clouds that came from nowhere.
The Merciless Tower, the Hall of Crimson Blade, Four Seasons Tower, and even the Concourse of the Underworld; everyone was quiet, barely able to summon up the courage to do anything.
In the mountains far away, two silhouettes were obscured by the mist on the peaks, watching Tiantang City that was covered by the dark clouds.
"It looks like the School of Kismet State has greeted the world once again."
One of them smiled faintly. "This is the usual trick they use when searching for the one. It's just that it hasn't emerged for far too long. If one were to observe it carefully, it really isn't worth anything."
The other person spoke with a mocking tone, "Is there a need to analyze this so carefully? Anyone with eyes can see the trick. They are doing nothing but parading the flag of evil around and hiding their genuine intentions. They will need to be certain of this time's possessor of providence, only then will they appear with the presence of a reclusive expert, a living immortal, and deceive the people as well as manipulate the rulers. With some pointers, hegemony can be achieved… It's a good trick, the reception from the mortals has always been great!"
The previous man smiled faintly and said, "I wonder how such a trick would compare to us, the Four Seasons Tower."
The other person scoffed in derision. "How can such a comparison be made? We're not on the same level, I would be embarrassed to even be discussed in the same sentence! What they're doing is but pursuing a high and mighty status, s continuity of the providence, and their legacy, so that their generations of providence could last eternally. Still, there's all there is to it."
"On the other hand, our pursuit focuses on personal achievement – to be immortal and share the life of heaven and earth, to feel the pulse of the sun and moon! There are no words for the contrast in between!" The person continued with disdain, "I even doubt if anyone in the School of Kismet State knows about the existence of the true God in this world!"
The person earlier shook his head as a chuckle escaped him. "If they'd known about it, they won't be parading on like this. What they are doing now is basically seeing themselves as a presence who decides the cycles of this mortal world's providence. There is no difference between being a living immortal, a God walking the land!"
"That's true."
The latter then replied, "Still, it might be a good thing. The probing of providence may very well help us locate Supreme Cloud's exact whereabouts."
The man who spoke earlier shook his head and said, "You're thinking too optimistically. The Providence Flag is a terribly ominous item. Using it will not only expend the user's providence, destiny, cultivation base, and martial power, whoever and whatever the flag passes by when being used will have their providence stolen as well. With how titanic the clouds are right now, a part of our luck will be absorbed too, just by being under it. It really is an incredibly sinister creation."
"Providence is an abstract concept. To a commoner, it matters not iF some of their luck is to be taken away. However, for us who pursue the finality of Dao, the lack of a certain amount of providence may cause a lifetime of regret when the gate to immortality opens, due to the missing sliver of destiny."
"This is the main reason why we never step foot in the worldly realm and get involved with mortal offenses. We mustn't forget or ignore this, ever."
"Didn't our operation against the Nine Supremes before already put ourselves in the pit of worldly affairs? It was such a huge cause." The other person was rather confused.
"That is why we can't afford to have any more of our providence taken away!" The person earlier replied faintly, "When you improve half a step, later on, you'll experience it personally and thoroughly understand it. If you can't cross this half a step, you won't be able to advance another inch in this lifetime."
The person frowned, deep in thought. He then answered, "Unfortunately, that is how my temper is. I would normally be fine, but when things get out of control, I get impatient. I can't help it."
The other person smiled lightly and said, "When there's a will, there's a way. I actually have a method you can try to curb this weakness of yours."
"What method is this? Speak quickly, don't keep me guessing!" the man questioned urgently.
The person chuckled. "When this issue is over, find a lake without much fish, and fish for several years using a commoner's method. When you can sit there for half a month continuously without catching a fish, without trying to bait them even once... when you are at ease, without impatience, when you feel serene and can wait without fidgeting…"
He smiled meaningfully. "Then, your temper will have improved. By at least a third."
"Can this actually work? Say, Old Nian, you must be pulling my leg." The man's face fell.
The person smiled. "I can make a vow to heaven on this. It only takes a few years to prove it, why not try it out? A few years is but one session of meditation to you and me!"
"Thank you for your advice. I'll try it out when I finish what's happening here," the other replied in relief.
"Very well."
"Don't you sense anything wrong regarding these recent incidents?" the person said, "Aren't Sword, Snow, and Frost behaving too rashly?"
The earlier person who was, in all likelihood, the Four Seasons Tower's Mr. Nian, replied lightly, "True. They may be rash, but these three Venerable Lords have not had an easy time recently. Both Saber and Ice have fallen respectively, thus it's no surprise that their emotions are affected. It's only human… Their level can't be compared to ours after all. Actually, despite the anomalies in current happenings, they don't bring much harm. The control is still in our hands. If we can take this opportunity to collect the cycle of fate from the Dictum of Death and compress it into the God's Bone, it could be a good thing. Consequently, their recklessness is actually helping us; it announces to the world that the Four Seasons Tower cannot be offended. A simple poke towards the tower's higher authority is asking for one's death; without exception!"
"This is true as well." The other person frowned. "Then, how many likely do you think it is for Sword, Snow, and Frost to betray us?"
The corners of Mr. Nian's lips lifted into a cold smirk as he slowly uttered three words, "A hundred percent!"
"A hundred percent? I thought you'd guess by now that the three of them have no rebellious intentions. But if you have such a judgment, then these three can't stay on after this. Since Saber and Ice died, let them all go to the Nine Springs together then!"
"There is no need to hurry. I'm guessing that the three of them will complete the matter as and when they decide to turn against the Four Seasons Tower. Let them stay in Tiantang City. I believe not much time is needed before the contact between them and Supreme Cloud will be reestablished. Supreme Cloud is the biggest bane of Four Seasons Tower, how can they not contact him?"
"As for us, we'll just have to wait for Supreme Cloud to make his appearance." Mr. Nian smiled nonchalantly. "Wouldn't it be a pity if we miss such a good chance?"
"That's easy for you to say. How do we actually ascertain Supreme Cloud's true identity? If we can't finish him in one blow, we would only alert the enemy…"
"Have you forgotten?" Mr. Nian looked at the person strangely and said, "About the Nine Supremes' manifestation powers?"
"Oh, right, right, right." The person was struck by a sudden realization.
"Are we… participating in this School of Kismet State issue, then?" the other asked.
This time, Mr. Nian was silent for a long time before he answered, "As long as it doesn't affect our ultimate plan, we will ignore it for now."
"And when it does?"
"Then we shall allow the School of Kismet State to become extinct in the Tianxuan Continent from now on… The generations of legacy are glory, but it is also a burden. Helping them be rid of the burden can be considered a good deed as well, isn't this so?" Mr. Nian smiled faintly; his sculpted face looked calm and carefree.
The breeze blew strongly, a cotton cloud floated over and obscured the two forms. When the cloud drifted away, both silhouettes vanished together with it.
…
Yun Yang stood in his yard and watched the drifting of the dark clouds. His expression grew heavier and grimmer. Ji Lingxi stayed beside him all along, her heart clenching as she observed Yun Yang's darkening expression.
"It has gone over to the palace…" Yun Yang murmured.
"It has gone to the Residence of Nine Supremes…"
Yun Yang's expression changed.
"It is changing direction yet again. This time, it's…" Yun Yang's face fell. It was a subtle feeling, a sense of the end of the world that engulfed his whole being; his hands and feet turned icy cold at once.
He managed to come to a conclusion immediately – the dark clouds were looking for him! He was absolutely certain of it.
Although the background or details of the ominous clouds were unknown, neither was how its navigation worked; everything that was happening before his eyes supported the conclusion that the other party was looking for him. Furthermore, he would not be able to hide this time, no matter what he did.
He had to face it head on!
The other party could make its way here from Dongxuan; how could he hide? How could he escape? Yun Yang felt his heart thumping as he thought about it like it was about to jump out of his chest at any given time. However, his face showed only a feigned sense of calm, collected like a mountain.
"Lingxi, the dark clouds are quite odd!" Yun Yang's tone was blithe and unworried. "Have you seen such a strange phenomenon in the past? Have you heard of similar rumors before?"
"Never, I have never heard a word of it," Ji Lingxi answered, shaking her head.
Yun Yang chuckled and said, "That's a coincidence; me neither. I've never heard of it, nor have I seen it before."
As they spoke, the clouds began to move rapidly again.
Yun Yang squinted, making certain that the pointy part of the clouds was coming towards him.
"Lingxi, come to think of it, we know each other for so long now." Yun Yang spoked softly, "Yet, we've never had a meal together. What do you think about that?"
"What?" Ji Lingxi replied as she turned to look at Yun Yang.
"I remember that you said that you're quite apt in cooking." Yun Yang spoke with a smile, "Why don't you make us some seven or eight dishes, and both of us can have a drink together."
"I beg your pardon?" Ji Lingxi looked up at Yun Yang in shock, wondering what was going on. How did this log suddenly gain clarity enough to invite her to have a drink together?
Doubt was only a doubt, however. Facing this God-sent temptation, ecstatic bliss rose from the bottom of Ji Lingxi's heart. She hummed with her head lowered, eyes staring at her feet, and asked prettily, "What would you like to eat?"
Yun Yang looked at Ji Lingxi, his gaze still as warm, but his attention had long been distracted by the approaching clouds. He urged with a radiant beam, "Anything. I would like whatever it is that you make."
Ji Lingxi flushed, thinking that the log had indeed gained clarity and actually knew how to speak now. Her happiness came far too suddenly!
"Go quickly." Yun Yang said warmly, "Today's a good day and we have a good ambiance as well. The scenery is rather impressive."
Ji Lingxi hummed, feeling her entire body heat up, her face about to be set ablaze.
'If you knew how to use your words earlier and be so sensible… I wouldn't have had to suffer for so long!'
"Right, if you know how to make it, stew some chicken soup, watch the heat. This soup tastes the best when drank in this weather, a perfect match," Yun Yang said dreamily.
"Certainly!"
"I'll go make it now," Ji Lingxi said.
The girl was elated, anticipating the coming meal wholeheartedly. She would be making the delicious dishes and soup personally and the meal would consist of only him and her. What was the feeling like? It was like a couple's daily life – the wife would cook and the husband would be waiting for the meal. The warmth and sweetness were…
The more she thought about it, the shyer she grew, but the more bliss she felt. She looked forward to the dreamy meal even more. Unable to contain herself, she said, "I'll go prepare it immediately. I'll do it now, wait for me."
Yun Yang nodded and replied, "Alright. Be careful, don't burn yourself."
"You'd be the foolish one to do that." Ji Lingxi was truly thrilled, not at all doubting a certain someone's sudden clarity; she thought that she had moved him with her sincerity and the log had finally awakened. She left, almost skipping with glee.
At this moment, all the negative emotions that were bottled up – no, all the worries in this world - had floated away. She was so light, she felt as if she could fly.
Yun Yang heaved a sigh of relief watching Ji Lingxi enter the room. The stubborn girl had finally left his head, she need not accompany him in facing this huge risk.
She had to prepare the dishes, especially to stew the soup… It would be impossible to complete the soup within two hours, or even longer.
The clouds were about to reach the top of his head.
Yun Yang let out a faint smile and mumbled to himself, "I, Yun Yang, have done enough things since I returned from Tianxuan Cliff, but… I didn't expect to eventually meet my death!"
"Come!"
"I've had enough of this world."
"It's just too bad that my ultimate revenge has not yet been achieved! That's some regret there. Still, I guess the brothers won't blame me when we meet, given the circumstances!"
Yun Yang wore a faint smile, lifting his head to look at the pointy piece of dark cloud that had reached the sky above him. It grew thicker and denser, coalescing right above where he stood.
There was a vague silhouette of a person among the cloudsl a cruel pair of eyes had locked onto him. There was a bloom of a bloodthirsty grin that hung at the corners of its lips.
Yun Yang smiled lightly. With a ring, a saber appeared on his hand. If he had to die, he would die in battle.
The wind blew, Yun Yang's purple gown fluttered in the stiff breeze.
The dark clouds gathered aggressively, the sky darkening ominously. Anyone caught thousands of feet within its presence could hardly breathe from the suffocating sense of oppression.
A guffaw emanated from the air.
"Found you!"
Translator Note:
Internal monologues or thoughts will be quoted in single quotation marks from now on, everyone!