233: Chapter 233 Ten Thousand Swords Bow Down and the Holy Maiden with Amnesia

Candle Dragon Path, the mountain path outside Crimson Sunset Peak.

The air seemed to freeze.

That emerald-green small sword (xuantian spirit slaying sword) hung quietly an inch before the brow of the First Vice-Hall Master, Bear Mountain.

No earth-shattering Sword Qi erupted, nor was there any spatial collapse.

There was only an extreme, despair-inducing "stillness."

That was the suppression of the Law of Time.

The large red wine gourd in Bear Mountain's hand fell to the ground with a "clack" and shattered into pieces. The thousand-year-old immortal brew spilled everywhere, its fragrance filling the air, but he seemed unable to smell it.

Because his cold sweat had already flowed into his eyes.

"This... this is..."

Bear Mountain's eyeballs trembled as he stared fixedly at the small sword.

As a sword fanatic, he understood the weight of this sword better than anyone. In that instant, his proud Sword Intent, protective immortal light, and even his connection to his natal Flying Sword were all severed.

If this sword advanced one more inch...

He, Bear Mountain, a dignified Golden Immortal Late Stage, would already be a dead man.

"Good match."

Zhou Wannian (Han Li) lightly hooked his finger.

Swish!

The xuantian spirit slaying sword turned into a streak of green light and instantly flew back into his sleeve.

Only then did the terrifying sense of suffocation pressing on Bear Mountain's heart dissipate.

"Huff... huff..."

Bear Mountain panted heavily, his drunkenness completely gone, replaced by a gaze so fanatical it was almost abnormal.

"That sword just now... contained the Law of Time?!"

"And it was... a Law of Time perfectly fused with the Dao of the Sword?!"

Zhou Wannian didn't answer, only reaching out his hand.

"A bet is a bet."

"Where is the diagram?"

Bear Mountain froze for a moment, then without a word, he directly untied the [Thousand Sword Diagram] from his waist, which radiated an astonishing Evil Qi, and offered it with both hands.

Not a hint of reluctance.

He was even a bit fawning.

"Elder Han! Great Master Han! This diagram is yours!"

"Um... could you demonstrate that sword from earlier for this old man again?"

"Even if just for a glance! This old man is willing to trade his entire fortune for it!"

Such was a sword fanatic. To hear the Dao in the morning and die in the evening.

Zhou Wannian took the Thousand Sword Diagram and swept it with his Divine Sense; it was indeed that top-tier Immortal Artifact capable of nurturing ten thousand Flying Swords and laying down the Thousand Sword Grand Array against enemies. With it, his seventy-two green bamboo bee cloud swords could evolve once more.

"We'll talk about it later."

Zhou Wannian put away the diagram, not even looking at Bear Mountain. Carrying Silver Moon and leading Xiao Hei, he turned and walked toward Crimson Sunset Peak.

"Don't follow me."

"I have a bad temper, and my hand slips easily."

Bear Mountain stood where he was, watching Zhou Wannian's back. Instead of getting angry, he rubbed his hands excitedly.

"An expert! This is a true hidden expert!"

"No, I have to go back to secluded cultivation to comprehend that sword! If I grasp it, I can also advance to the Taiyi Stage!"

...Crimson Sunset Peak, Immortal Cave secret chamber.

Zhou Wannian placed Silver Moon into the Spiritual Spring.

At this time, Silver Moon, having been baptized by the green liquid from the heaven seizing bottle, had returned to human form.

She still had that elegant and refined face, with silver hair like a waterfall, but her complexion was still pale, and her eyes held a deep weariness.

"Master..."

Silver Moon pulled at Zhou Wannian's sleeve, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Sister Purple Spirit really is at Baizao Mountain!"

"An Elder of Baizao Mountain, 'Reverend Jingyang,' took an interest in Sister Purple Spirit's 'Exquisite Sound Charming Physique,' saying she's a natural 'Artifact Spirit Vessel.' He forcibly erased her memories and refined her into an 'Artifact Refining Saintess' who only obeys orders!"

"They... they also frequently burn her with Exotic Fire, forcing her to release her Charming Physique Origin to nurture those pieces of scrap metal!"

"Crack."

The teacup in Zhou Wannian's hand instantly turned to powder.

The temperature in the entire secret chamber instantly dropped to absolute zero.

Even Xiao Hei (Black Wind Old Ancestor) beside him couldn't help but shiver and shrink into the corner.

"Reverend Jingyang?"

Zhou Wannian slowly stood up, his voice terrifyingly calm.

"Golden Immortal Middle Stage, right?"

"Very well."

"Xiao Hei."

"Present! Master!"

"Grab the gear."

Zhou Wannian adjusted his robes, changing the green robe for a set of pitch-black armor (the True Immortal armor seized from Ma Liang).

"To Baizao Mountain."

"Not to kill people."

"But to... demolish the place."

...Candle Dragon Path, Baizao Mountain.

This was the main peak with the heaviest fire energy in the Sect. Countless giant furnaces never stopped day or night, and the clanging of iron echoed through the clouds. It was responsible for the Artifact Refining of the entire Sect.

Inside the main peak's hall.

An old man in red robes with a fleshy face (Reverend Jingyang) sat in a grand armchair, holding a fire whip covered in runes.

Before him was a massive Artifact Refining furnace.

Beside the furnace stood a woman in white gauze, beautiful but with vacant eyes.

Purple Spirit.

At this moment, she was like a soulless puppet, mechanically dripping her essence blood into the furnace. With every drop of blood, her face grew a shade paler.

"Hurry up! Haven't you eaten?!"

Reverend Jingyang cracked the whip on the ground, sending sparks flying.

"If this batch of 'Nine Yang Divine Fire Covers' is ruined, I'll throw you in to use as firewood!"

Purple Spirit's delicate body trembled, a flash of confused fear in her eyes, as she quickened her movements.

"Reporting, Elder!"

A Disciple ran in flustered.

"Outside... a madman has arrived!"

"What madman?" Reverend Jingyang frowned.

"It's the new Guest Elder, Elder Han! He said... he said the fire at our Baizao Mountain is too strong and might cause a forest fire, so he's here to 'put out the fire'!"

"Put out the fire?"

Reverend Jingyang sneered.

"An alchemist coming to meddle in my Artifact Refining business?"

"Tell him to get lost!"

"BOOM!!!"

Before the words had finished.

The gate of Baizao Mountain was directly kicked flying.

Two Refined Iron gates weighing ten thousand catties flew in like scrap metal, slamming hard against the Artifact Refining furnace.

"Clang!"

The furnace was knocked over, and the earth fire within gushed out, nearly singeing Reverend Jingyang's beard.

"Who is it?!"

Reverend Jingyang was furious and soared into the air.

At the hall's entrance, dust filled the air.

Zhou Wannian brought Xiao Hei, stepping over the "corpses" of the guard Disciples (who were just unconscious), and strode in.

His gaze instantly locked onto Purple Spirit, who stood by the furnace with a dazed expression.

Seeing that pale face and the dense scars from bloodletting on her wrists.

Zhou Wannian's heart twitched violently.

"Purple Spirit..."

He called out softly.

Hearing this voice, Purple Spirit's originally hollow eyes flickered. She slowly turned her head, looking at Zhou Wannian as if he were a stranger.

"Who... are you?"

"I am your master... no, I am Reverend Jingyang's slave..."

Purple Spirit clutched her head, seemingly in pain.

"Courting death!"

Reverend Jingyang saw the intruder and was instantly consumed by rage.

"Han Li! We've stayed out of each other's way; how dare you wreck my place?!"

"Wreck your place?"

Zhou Wannian withdrew his gaze from Purple Spirit and turned to Reverend Jingyang.

That look was as if he were looking at a dead man.

"No."

"I'm here to... teach you Artifact Refining."

"Don't you enjoy using living people as sacrifices for artifacts?"

Zhou Wannian's figure instantly vanished.

"Teleportation?!"

Reverend Jingyang was shocked and was about to manifest his protective Immortal Artifact.

"Snap!"

A large hand covered in golden Dragon scales had already tightly gripped his neck.

Zhou Wannian lifted him like a little chick.

"You also have great potential to be an 'Artifact Spirit'."

"Insolence! I am a Golden Immortal Elder! You dare touch me?!" Reverend Jingyang struggled desperately, his Golden Immortal Law erupting as countless fire Dragons tried to consume Zhou Wannian.

But before that Dragon claw, all the flames seemed to have met their nemesis.

"Golden Immortal?"

Zhou Wannian sneered.

"Tie Zhu, block the surveillance."

"Xiao Hei, guard the door."

"Yes!"

Zhou Wannian carried Reverend Jingyang, walking step by step toward the overturned Artifact Refining furnace.

"Since you love Artifact Refining so much..."

"Then go in and experience it for yourself."

"No! Stop! Elder Han! Fellow Daoist Han! Let's talk this through!"

Reverend Jingyang was finally afraid. This person's strength was too terrifying! He wasn't a True Immortal at all! Was he a Grand Unity Golden Immortal who was pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger?!

"Too late."

Zhou Wannian tossed him aside.

"Clang!"

Reverend Jingyang was thrown into the Artifact Refining furnace.

"Gold Devouring Insect King, Seal the furnace!"

A flash of golden light, and the insect king landed directly on the furnace lid, pressing down hard on the exit while starting to gnaw on the furnace walls to prevent escape.

From inside the furnace came Reverend Jingyang's shrill screams.

"Aaaah—it's burning me! Han Li! I won't let you go even as a ghost!"

"Don't worry, you won't become a ghost."

Zhou Wannian Brush the dust off my hands.

"You'll become... dross."

...After dealing with the trash.

Zhou Wannian walked over to Purple Spirit.

Purple Spirit was still huddled in the corner, shivering. The Restriction in her memory made her instinctively fear anything who approached.

"Don't be afraid."

Zhou Wannian knelt down, his voice becoming incredibly gentle.

He reached out, not to touch her, but with a green glow lighting up his fingertip.

[heaven seizing bottle · Time Reversal] (Local Micro-operation Version).

"Memories erased?"

"Then... we'll find them again."

The green light entered Purple Spirit's brow.

Purple Spirit's body jolted, and the confusion in her eyes began to rapidly recede.

Those sealed images: their first meeting in the Chaotic Star Sea, sharing trials in the ghost mist, reuniting in the Demon Realm, the farewell during Ascension... rushed in like a tide.

A single tear slid down from the corner of her eye.

"Hus... Husband?"

Purple Spirit tremblingly reached out, stroking Zhou Wannian's unfamiliar face.

"Is it you?"

"Even though your face has turned dark..."

"But this reckless way of doing things... it can only be you."

Zhou Wannian smiled and took her hand.

"It's me."

"My face is dark because of the disguise; it'll be white again once I wash it later."

"Let's go."

"Let's go home."

"Go... where?" Purple Spirit asked weakly.

"Back to our mountain."

Zhou Wannian swept her up in his arms.

"From today on, this Baizao Mountain is named Han."

"In the future, whatever Magic Treasure you need, just take it."

"If anyone dares to say a word..."

Zhou Wannian pointed at the Artifact Refining furnace where the screaming continued.

"They can go in and chat with Elder Jingyang."