625: Light fragrance

Deep within the Sword Hall, the Sword Intent dissipated.

In the Outer Hall, the heroic figure with a long sword strapped to their waist sensed the fleeting Sword Intent and a hint of joy appeared on their face.

"Elder Ying, the seabed mine location near Fengsha Island has frequently emitted the sound of sword cries today."

"Elder Xiangpu of the Dao Protection Hall stationed there sent back a message. Patriarch Zhou has ordered the Disciples of the hall to go and investigate the situation. This is the Patriarch's command."

A figure carrying a long sword entered from outside the hall, approaching Zhou Nanying. They presented a token and reported concisely to Zhou Nanying.

Zhou Nanying composed her expression, let out a soft sound of surprise, and listened to the report while summoning the token into her hand.

"I understand."

Zhou Nanying quickly scanned the information contained within the token.

She waved her hand, and after the Disciple withdrew.

Zhou Nanying pondered for a moment.

Several tiny beams of Sword Light flew out from the main hall of the Sword Hall.

Before long.

Several figures arrived from outside the Sword Hall.

"Elder."

The figures entered the Main Hall.

Zhou Nanying wasted no time. After briefly explaining the situation, she appointed a Disciple of the 'Yun' generation as the leader to guide the Sword Hall Cultivators to Fengsha Island.

Fengsha Island was merely a small island. Its seabed mine contained a treasure material called Fengsha Stone, which was a spiritual material used for refining treasures.

Normally, there was nothing unusual.

However, the Chaotic Sea was vast, containing countless wonders. Since the Zhou Family Dominator had taken control of the Thousand Island Alliance, the number of incidents encountered was endless, so Zhou Nanying did not pay much attention to this one.

After dispatching the Sword Hall Disciples and finishing the minor tasks at hand, Zhou Nanying stepped into a Sword Chamber within the Sword Hall and immersed herself in cultivation... At the peak of Qingyang Peak, located in the central part of Gui Zhou Island.

Inside the tall, ancient stone stele that faintly radiated Dao Rhyme.

A figure whose appearance was disheveled and whose hair was messy nervously looked toward the white figure beside him.

"Bai Yao, Senior Brother Bai, Old Bai, what are you doing!"

Dark Star Dao Lord's eyelids twitched violently.

In his eyes, White Demon Dao Lord seemed to be frantically tearing something out of his body, his face contorted in obvious extreme pain. Yet, even though the sight made Dark Star Dao Lord shiver, White Demon Dao Lord continued.

"Hey, hey, hey, Fellow Daoist White Demon, don't do anything rash..."

Dark Star Dao Lord's voice softened, sounding earnest and sincere.

He did not want to remain alone in this dark and sunless Land of Purgatory, constantly filled with restraint and oppression, where his will could never slacken.

He finally had White Demon Dao Lord for company; he couldn't let him give up and end his own life like this.

White Demon Dao Lord did not reply.

He seemed to have made a certain resolution, pressing forward relentlessly.

"Ah, this..."

His earnest persuasion was fruitless. Dark Star Dao Lord felt helpless; he couldn't move, making it impossible to stop him.

He could only watch White Demon Dao Lord's actions with trepidation.

"Hah!"

After a long time.

White Demon Dao Lord, whose face was pale but whose eyes were extremely resolute, let out a soft cry.

Buzz~

A wisp of invisible Dao seemed to be stripped away from his body.

As this wisp of invisible Dao separated.

White Demon Dao Lord's face suddenly paled, as if his Origin True Spirit had been damaged.

"Hahahaha..."

"Senior Brother, what I owe you, I will naturally repay..."

"When the time comes, I will compete with you again to see who is superior..."

White Demon Dao Lord laughed maniacally, his eyes shining brightly as he looked at the wisp of invisible Dao floating in the air.

"Hiss!"

"Fellow Daoist White Demon, you really are crazy! You're actually stripping away your own Dao?"

Dark Star Dao Lord clicked his tongue, finding it hard to believe.

This Dao was fused with his very life, merging with the Dao and merging with himself. Stripping away the Dao was even more painful than having one's soul ripped out and bones scraped. Moreover, with the Dao stripped away, one's Realm would inevitably become unstable. This Bai Yao is truly insane... "Hmph, what do you know?"

White Demon Dao Lord turned his pale face toward Dark Star Dao Lord and let out a cold snort.

He immediately ignored him.

Since he had already made his decision, he would not regret it.

However, if he were to strip it away all at once, he would surely die without a burial place, so he could only proceed slowly.

White Demon Dao Lord sat cross-legged and slowly began to recover.

"Hmm?"

Right at this moment.

On Heimu Peak, which was shrouded in black mist, in the northern part of Gui Zhou Island.

A sudden flicker of apprehension appeared in Black Demon Dao Lord's heart.

A strange black figure floated up from the rocking chair, its gaze piercing the dense black mist toward the peak of Qingyang Peak.

"Junior Brother, what are you planning to do?"

After a moment of contemplation.

Black Demon Dao Lord retracted his gaze. Trapped within that stele, even if he had ideas, he lacked the power to execute them.

Shaking his head, Black Demon Dao Lord lazily continued to lie on the reclining chair.

After lying down.

A slightly fawning voice sounded in his ear.

"Grand Elder, please have a taste and give your appraisal."

Zhou Dingze, dressed in a crimson robe, held a cup of specially prepared Spiritual Tea. He gently pushed it, and the teacup floated toward Black Demon Dao Lord.

Sniff~

Black Demon Dao Lord took a light sniff, and his eyes brightened slightly.

"Not bad."

He immediately picked it up, not standing on ceremony.

He slowly took a sip.

"Light Fragrance Type. The flavor is enduring and long-lasting, with an infinite aftertaste. Not bad."

Black Demon Dao Lord commented.

"Hehehe..."

Zhou Dingze chuckled.

"Speak."

Without him needing to speak, Black Demon Dao Lord knew exactly what Zhou Dingze was planning.

"Grand Elder, I have been comprehending this Rank 4 Divine Ability, Nether Purgatory Refined Flame, for several years, but I still feel like something is missing..."

As Zhou Dingze spoke, he extended his hand in a summoning gesture, and a black flame, seemingly originating from the Nether Purgatory, slowly burned in his palm.

The black flame burned, yet it did not resemble a physical object.

"Your black flame specifically targets the Nascent Soul. Anyone below the Nascent Soul stage will instantly perish upon contact, which is quite impressive. However, there is a slight issue with your method of manipulation. This Nether Purgatory Flame should use your own Nascent Soul power as a guide, supplemented by spiritual power and the application of Hand Seals. Only then can its full might be unleashed."

Black Demon Dao Lord merely glanced at it casually and saw through the entire Divine Ability.

"So that's how it is."

Zhou Dingze's heart stirred. Inside his body, a child figure several inches tall opened its mouth and spat out a wisp of invisible Nascent Soul power, which condensed into the black flame.

Bang!

The black flame suddenly swelled.

It became several times its original size.

Just looking at it caused a stinging pain in one's Divine Soul.

"Hehe, thank you, Grand Elder."

Zhou Dingze put away the Divine Ability and thanked Black Demon Grand Elder. This Divine Ability consumed Nascent Soul power and could not be used casually, but its might was immense.

Several hours later.

Zhou Dingze descended from Heimu Peak.

Feeling quite good, he turned and flew toward the Main Hall of Qingyang Peak.

Over the years, his Cultivation had gradually become slightly deeper than Zhou Dingyang's.

The reasons for this were not only that Zhou Dingyang carried heavy responsibilities as Patriarch, but also that Zhou Dingze constantly ran up to Heimu Peak.

With Black Demon Dao Lord's high-level guidance, his confusions were naturally resolved easily.

However, he was also a person who valued sentiment.

Naturally, he couldn't forget Zhou Dingyang.

He came not only with his own confusions but also with the difficulties Zhou Dingyang encountered in his cultivation.

With Black Demon Dao Lord's advice, relayed by him, this arrangement achieved the best of both worlds.

"Dingyang, oh Dingyang, it should be my turn to be the older brother now..."

Zhou Dingze's heart stirred. Having been the younger brother for so many years, he had long wanted to experience being the older brother.

Although the two were twins, Zhou Dingyang had been much more composed since childhood, always occupying the older brother's seat.

Now, he had finally waited for this day.

Zhou Dingze, feeling wonderful, transformed into a streak of light and entered the Zhou Family Main Hall.

"Ding... Big Brother."

As soon as he appeared, the delighted Zhou Dingze opened his mouth and saw the figure sitting in the place of honor. A familiar, steady gaze fell upon him.

That familiar feeling arose, and the title he spoke unconsciously changed.