121: Chapter 121 Rebirth from the Ashes, at the Bottom of the Broken Soul River

[Before Chu Sheng could even react]

[Jiang Yuenü struck with her palm.]

[The power of the Spirit Spring Stage poured down like a mountain pressing down.]

[He took the strike directly with his chest, hearing several crisp "crack" sounds.]

[At least four ribs were broken, a section of his chest caved in, and blood welled out from the corners of his mouth.]

[But he didn't let go. He held Zhou Wantang tightly, shielding her in his arms.]

[Blood sprayed across Jiang Yuenü's face, leaving her stunned.]

["You..."]

[Chu Sheng looked up, blood clinging to his pale face as he grinned.]

["Miss Jiang, I said it before—if you want to kill her, kill me first."]

["Forget it, this Young Miss will let you off this time."]

[Jiang Yuenü was silent for a moment before withdrawing her palm and turning to leave.]

["Madman."]

[Chu Sheng coughed up a mouthful of blood and laughed.]

["Thanks for the compliment."]

[Did she leave?]

[Chu Sheng vaguely felt something was wrong; the way Jiang Yuenü left felt somewhat hurried.]

[At that moment, three Iron Pagodas flanked him from behind, their long blades slashing in unison with fierce winds, sealing off all paths of retreat.]

[Chu Sheng reacted instantly, shoving Zhou Wantang away.]

["Go!"]

[Then he turned around and took the three blade strikes squarely on his back.]

[Armor shattered, flesh and blood flew, and three wounds deep enough to see bone stretched from his shoulder blades to his waist.]

[Chu Sheng let out a muffled groan, his feet firmly planted on the ground, not retreating a single step.]

[Zhou Wantang was pushed away and fell to the ground; looking back at this scene, her eyes nearly split with rage.]

["No—!"]

[Chu Sheng didn't look back, staring intently at the Iron Pagodas before him.]

[immortal slaying gourd, fully activated!]

[Golden Light Consecutive Slashes!]

[With the first strike, one Iron Pagoda fell.]

[With the second, another.]

[With the third, the head of the third Iron Pagoda flew into the air.]

[After four consecutive strikes, Chu Sheng's essence blood was nearly drained, his face as white as paper. He swayed, almost collapsing.]

[Just then, a terrifying aura locked onto him.]

[Tie Futu Leader, a Middle Stage Demon General of the Spirit Lake realm!]

[He was a giant of a man, a head taller than the average Iron Pagoda, clad in black armor and wielding a black greatsword larger than himself.]

[He walked up to Chu Sheng and looked down at the blood-soaked human, his eyes devoid of emotion.]

["Human, you killed my soldiers."]

[Chu Sheng raised his head and grinned, his mouth full of blood.]

["If I killed them, I killed them. What are you going to do about it?"]

[The Tie Futu Leader didn't bite. He simply raised his greatsword and ran it through Chu Sheng's chest.]

[In that instant, Chu Sheng felt the entire world go silent.]

[The blade pierced through his chest and out his back, bringing with it a spray of blood mist.]

[He looked down at the blood-stained tip of the blade, then up at the sky.]

["Old Grandfather," he called out in his heart, "am I going to die?"]

[There was no response.]

[Old Grandfather's aura grew weaker and weaker until it finally fell completely silent.]

[The remnant soul within the ring fell into a deep slumber.]

[Chu Sheng smiled bitterly.]

["At least say something..."]

[The Tie Futu Leader pulled out the greatsword. Chu Sheng staggered but did not fall.]

[He looked down at the bloody hole in his chest, then at the immortal slaying gourd in his hand. After multiple uses, its light had dimmed.]

[He suddenly remembered many things.]

[Li Zhiyi, Lin Wanqing, Xiao Huan, and those four recently born children—Chu Yun, Chu Han, Chu Yun, Chu Duo. They hadn't even learned to call him 'Father' yet.]

"Is it going to end like this?"

"Forget it," he murmured. "It's just a simulation."

[Seeing that he hadn't fallen yet, a flash of surprise crossed the Tie Futu Leader's eyes. He then kicked Chu Sheng in the chest, crushed the demon refining pot, and delivered another strike.]

[Chu Sheng was sent flying.]

[Behind him was a bottomless abyss.]

[Duanhun River.]

[The Duanhun River was the most perilous forbidden land in the Northern Region.]

[The river water was as turbulent as boiling water, perpetually shrouded in thick fog. It was said that even souls could not cross it.]

[Both banks were sheer cliffs covered in poisonous vines, and the river was filled with countless undercurrents and whirlpools.]

[A Spirit Sea Realm expert had once tried to cross it and never returned.]

[As Chu Sheng fell, his consciousness grew weaker, with only the howling wind in his ears.]

[He saw the strangely shaped vines on the cliff walls, the thick fog churning on the river's surface, and the moonlight refracting eerily through the mist.]

[Then, the phoenix ring on his chest suddenly lit up.]

[The light intensified, and golden flames erupted from the ring, enveloping his entire body.]

[Nirvana Rebirth.]

[Triggered upon near-death, instantly restoring fifty percent of Qi and spiritual power.]

[The bloody hole in his chest began to heal, his broken ribs set themselves, and the wounds on his back were repairing at a visible rate.]

[But the phoenix ring could not withstand this power; with a "crack," it shattered.]

[Golden fragments scattered in all directions, looking like a swarm of fireflies in the moonlight.]

[Chu Sheng reached out, wanting to grab those fragments, but only caught thin air.]

[Then, he plunged into the Duanhun River.]

[The icy river water swallowed him, and the thick fog obscured everything.]

[By the time Xia Nihuang arrived, the battle was nearing its end.]

[The five fires seven birds fan swept across, its seven-colored flames turning into a towering sea of fire, forcing back the remaining Demon Race.]

[She stood at the edge of the cliff, looking down at the fog-shrouded river, silent for a long time.]

["Nie Zhang..."] she murmured.

[Zhou Wantang knelt at the edge of the cliff, tears streaming down her face, unable to make a sound.]

[Jiang Yuenü stood in the distance, watching this scene expressionlessly. But the fingers gripping her sword had turned slightly white.]

[Xia Nihuang did not find Chu Sheng's body.]

[Nor did she believe Chu Sheng could have survived.]

[In the Duanhun River, nothing could be found.]

["Nie Zhang, oh Nie Zhang, you were quite the man. This seat will take good care of your lover."]

[She could only personally erect a tombstone by the cliff, carved with the words—"Tomb of beast taming commandant Nie Zhang".]

[The entire army mourned.]

[Madam Feng sighed.]

["What a pity, such a handsome young man."]

[Stone Breaks Heaven remained silent.]

[Cold River Moon glanced at Jiang Yuenü but said nothing.]

[In the distance, Ye Wuhen stood on a hilltop, gazing at the tombstone with a complex expression.]

[He touched his empty finger where a ring had once been.]

["The ring... hasn't been recovered yet," he murmured. "Pity I didn't kill him with my own hands."]

[He turned and left.]

[Under the moonlight, his shadow stretched long.]

[Chu Sheng watched this scene.]

["Holy crap, am I dead or not? Nirvana was triggered, the ring shattered, and I was kicked into the Duanhun River..."]

[He wiped the corner of his eye.]

["Old Grandfather has also fallen into a slumber. Is this simulation about to end?"]

[He looked at the screen.]

["No, the simulator hasn't notified me of the simulation's end yet."]

[On the river, the thick fog continued to churn. Chu Sheng's figure had long since disappeared, leaving only that lonely tombstone standing at the edge of the cliff.]

[Moonlight fell, and the river flowed on.]

[Everything had not yet ended.]

[At the bottom of the Duanhun River, it was pitch black.]

[Chu Sheng was unconscious for seven days and seven nights.]

[On the eighth day, he opened his eyes and found himself lying in a cave.]

[The cave walls were covered in glowing moss, illuminating this secluded space.]

[The river water roared outside the cave but could not surge in. There was an invisible barrier at the entrance, keeping the river water out.]

[Chu Sheng struggled to sit up and looked down at the wound on his chest.]

[The wound had completely healed, leaving only a faint scar. The phoenix ring was gone, and his finger was empty.]

[The immortal slaying gourd was still there, its light dim, and the demon refining pot was shattered.]

[He tried to sense Old Grandfather's aura, but there was nothing.]

["Old Grandfather?"]

[Silence.]

["Venerable Taixu?"]

[Still silence.]

[Chu Sheng smiled bitterly.]

["Alright then, you go ahead and sleep. I'll call for you once I get out."]

[He stood up and looked around.]

[Deep within the cave, a faint light was flickering.]

[Chu Sheng took a deep breath and walked in that direction.]

[What was hidden at the bottom of the Duanhun River?]

[He would soon find out.]