Chapter 31
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A duel with the Lord of Tiandu City was just a joke, but choosing a weapon within the first hundred pages was serious business. Su Zhen flipped through the pages as she walked along the street, skimming over the section on divine artifacts before opening the directory of immortal weapons.
Within the rankings of mid-grade immortal weapons, she found her target.
Illustrated on the page was a snow-white heavy sword. Its blade was entirely white, with vivid emerald-green veins flowing across it, intertwining to form delicate floral and leaf patterns.
Its guard did not extend sideways but grew vertically like creeping vines, winding around the sword’s hilt and trailing along the spine, merging seamlessly with the blade.
The entire sword resembled a jade tree branch dusted with snow, entwined with green vines and leaves—exquisite and beautiful.
Xiao Yu stood slightly behind and to the side, also casting a glance down at it.
Su Zhen held the heavy tome gently. At the edge of the page, her slender, fair fingers tightened slightly, turning pale at the tips before relaxing once more.
Her thumb then lifted gently, slowly tracing the text to the right, which described the sword’s origin.
In the immortal mountains of Jinyan Prefecture stood a ten-thousand-year-old evergreen tree. Branches and flowers naturally shed from this tree were forged into a sword by an elder of the Fuyun Sword Sect.
A mid-grade immortal weapon named “Evergreen.”
“…I’m not very fond of that name,” Su Zhen murmured.
Xiao Yu’s eyes lingered on the page for a moment, showing no surprise. Hearing her remark, he merely smiled faintly.
“Then rename it.”
“Mm.”
Su Zhen looked down at the sword. “Once I get it, I’ll definitely change it.”
In her past life, after abandoning the Cold Fragrance sword, she had stuffed it into her Qian Kun pouch and made do with a wooden elemental superior spirit sword for a while—the very sword she had used to kill Zhou Ziheng.
Later—
Before she officially became a demonic cultivator but was already mingling in the demon realm, she had already been influenced by the power of the Demon God of Edicts, though she still resisted it in her heart.
Then she encountered some powerful demons.
Among them was that guy Gui Jin.
It gave her guidance and promised benefits.
At first, Su Zhen ignored it, but curiosity eventually got the better of her, and she followed that vague impulse toward an unknown place.
Along the way, she killed many demons and wandered for an uncertain length of time, gradually losing interest—until suddenly, she came upon two groups fighting.
Both sides were formidable; at that moment, the sand storm raged, spells flew wildly, and even she, passing by, was caught in the crossfire.
Angered, she joined the fray, battling for hours until everyone else was dead, leaving only herself.
It turned out both groups had discovered an underground chamber, each vying to enter and seize its contents, leading to their clash—ultimately benefiting her.
Su Zhen searched inside the chamber and collected many treasures, including this sword.
“Evergreen” seemed as if it were made for her, bonding with her almost immediately, recognizing her as its master.
She later invested much in precious materials to upgrade “Evergreen” to a superior immortal weapon, gave it a new appearance, and renamed it.
It then rose to the directory of superior immortal weapons in the “Heavenly Soldiers Treasure Compendium.”
However, she herself had no ties to the Central Domain, so its ranking wasn’t very high.
Yet because few ascend to the Golden Immortal Realm before five hundred years of age, the Divine Workshop Pavilion didn’t rank her sword too low out of respect for its owner.
“Maybe the rankings should follow stroke order,” Su Zhen muttered. “Though their own sect’s book doesn’t claim to be fair or just.”
“True,” Xiao Yu agreed, “If fairness was the goal, sorting by stroke count, pinyin, or forging date would all work. But their attitude is clear: it’s their book. Buy it or not. If you don’t like the rankings, keep it to yourself.”
The Divine Workshop Pavilion was wealthy; no other immortal forging mansion in the human realm had a more prestigious reputation. Publishing books wasn’t for profit.
Or rather, even if unfairness hurt their earnings, they simply didn’t care.
Su Zhen nodded. “They have eyes and ears everywhere, and their bookmaking skills are unparalleled. Other sects with that ability wouldn’t be short on money, so they don’t bother. Those who are truly poor can’t replace them.”
Of course, not everyone was willing to keep silent.
Most cultivators grew more indifferent with higher cultivation, either unconcerned or too busy to care, even if displeased.
But exceptions existed.
The Divine Workshop Pavilion had been challenged more than once. Though most challengers failed or got themselves into trouble, some were formidable enough to cause scandals.
“Yes, and it’s not just outsiders. Internal strife among Central Domain sects is lively. When I was young, elders told me the Divine Workshop Pavilion’s Eight Immortals Cauldron and True Flame Furnace had been damaged multiple times…”
Xiao Yu said calmly, “Especially among bitter rivals. When they see a foe’s weapon ranked above theirs—since we’re all Tiandu cultivators—they ask, ‘Why does Divine Workshop Pavilion suppress me?’ Such cases are common.”
Su Zhen found this amusing. “So you really don’t care?”
Xiao Yu shook his head with a casual tone. “If I cared, there’d be many ways to solve it.”
Su Zhen quipped, “Like killing them all? Taking Tiandu for yourself, becoming city lord, and having the entire book list only your treasures?”
“That would work,” Xiao Yu shrugged. “But I’m thinking of printing hundreds of thousands, even millions of copies at my own expense, and distributing them free…”
Because producing each “Heavenly Soldiers Treasure Compendium” involved many projection spells, the cost was high, and many cultivators couldn’t afford it—or would rather spend on other things, reading others’ copies instead.
If there were free copies, many would be grateful.
Xiao Yu continued, “…Of course, your method isn’t without merit, but I’d definitely put yours on the first page.”
Su Zhen laughed dryly. “Unless your book only lists immortal weapons, what would my treasures look like on the first page?”
“So what? Anyone who objects can come fight me,” Xiao Yu said calmly. “Besides, if that’s the case, why don’t you set higher goals?”
“Hm?”
“Why pick immortal weapons when you can pick divine artifacts? Choose one you want, and we’ll just take it.”
Xiao Yu said with full confidence.
Su Zhen replied, “Though I believe you can do that, but…”
Currently, all holders of divine artifacts listed in the treasure compendium were quasi-Saint Realm or Saint Realm cultivators. Some unclaimed divine artifacts were missing or hidden in dangerous locations.
If Xiao Yu got her a divine artifact, that favor would be huge.
She had no idea how to repay him. Maybe someday she could steal one back for him, but that was far off.
And one more important thing.
Xiao Yu sighed. “Mainly, there aren’t many divine artifacts here suitable for you, otherwise…”
Su Zhen was speechless.
He had said what she wanted to say for her.
For that reason, it wasn’t really worth it.
Xiao Yu didn’t finish the sentence. “Forget it, take it slow. With your skills, a weapon is just icing on the cake. Having one or not doesn’t make much difference.”
Su Zhen: “…You’re really good at leaving people speechless.”
For her, even without sword techniques and relying on spells, her combat power wouldn’t diminish.
Having multiple swords was just having more combat options.
But she had practiced many sword techniques for a hundred years, so she wanted to wield a proper sword.
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Now, Cold Fragrance couldn’t be restored anytime soon, and even if she nurtured the sword spirit, it was uncertain whether it would accept her as master.
Even if it did, bonding might not be quick.
The sword she longed for from her previous life had bonded quickly and felt natural in her hands. For now, no matter what, she had to retrieve it first.
She flipped back to the previous page, gazing at the immortal sword “Evergreen” and the accompanying text.
The current sword master listed was Cui Xing, sect leader of the Fuyun Sword Sect in Jinyan Prefecture.
Su Zhen pondered.
Later, from the sword spirit’s memories, she learned about Cui Xing’s final struggles and that after his death, “Evergreen” was taken by demonic cultivators of the Moon Worship Sect and placed in the secret chamber.
This man had been trapped in the Golden Immortal Realm for years, unable to progress, serving the Demon God’s call. Though publicly the leader of a righteous sect, he bore the demon god’s pact and died in the demon realm due to failed advancement.
When Su Zhen acquired the sword, the directory’s information had been updated; the Divine Workshop Pavilion confirmed Cui Xing’s death.
But the book hadn’t recorded that yet.
Jinyan Prefecture had many immortal sects, rife with open and covert conflicts. The Fuyun Sword Sect controlled the best blessed land and most spiritual veins thanks to this leader.
So, even if Cui Xing was missing or out of contact for long, the sect dared not announce it, only claiming he was in seclusion.
At this moment, she could only visit where he fell.
Within Huanhua Prefecture, more than half of the innate realm gates led to the demon realm. Local aristocratic clans controlled only some; the rest were scattered in wild places, unreachable by ordinary people, only cultivators might accidentally enter.
“…If one stumbles in, so be it. Anyone with cultivation should know what it is. If they want to seek death, no one can stop them.”
Northern Huanhua Prefecture.
The fierce gale howled overhead; leftover snow clung to mountaintops; several bare, twisted trees bent under the wind.
Among jagged branches, black-feathered vultures took flight, their harsh cries echoing through the valley.
Su Zhen stood atop the peak, overlooking the rolling ridge below, shrouded in mist, with valleys and rivers hidden beneath.
She turned to look at the realm gate two zhang ahead.
“There aren’t many gates to the demon realm, and this is one—a one-way gate. You can enter but not exit.”
Hence, except during special times, no one monitored the area.
Xiao Yu stood nearby, thoughtful. “Actually, no need to bother. I can take you directly there if you can clearly describe the location.”
Su Zhen could do so but didn’t want to reveal too much, lest it seem like she had foresight.
“I only have vague clues. I’ll have to search around,” she said before entering the gate.
Since her immortal body was formed, a seventh-level cultivator’s flesh was different from lower levels. The intertwined spiritual network penetrated her body without damage.
Su Zhen saw the demon realm’s sky again.
This time was different.
Previously, the gate guarded by Thousand-Chariot Sect’s demonic cultivators led directly to the southern continent’s secret treasury. Though dangerous, the landing point was relatively safe.
Now, as she stepped out of the magical path, she sensed several strong spiritual forces approaching.
They stood upon a dark red desert.
A hot wind carrying the stench of blood swept over, red sand swirling like snow.
Dozens of black shadows rushed forward, emitting eerie howls.
They were round-bodied, headless, nearly three meters tall, with twisted limbs and a gaping bloody maw.
Drool dripped from their mouths, burning black pits into the ground.
Su Zhen knew this gate well; the other side was the demon realm’s Hesha Sea, teeming with monsters.
She had planned that if her body were lost, she’d give up fighting and flee, to rebuild her body first.
But now that her body was intact, she could have some fun.
She moved her hand hidden in her sleeve, performing a hand seal.
The ground trembled violently.
The monsters raced over the sand, seemingly running but actually flying using spiritual force at such speed they left afterimages.
Suddenly, the red sand silently collapsed, forming deep pits.
From these pits sprouted dark red dead trees, over nine meters tall, with branches growing wildly from trunk and crown, all covered in sharp thorns.
They stretched, elongated, and split rapidly, forming a dense mass resembling writhing arms.
The speed was astonishing.
This happened right ahead of the monsters; they didn’t even have time to stop before crashing into the red thorn forest.
The branches pierced through them instantly, their hoarse screams rising.
They ignored nearby prey, desperate to escape the grasp.
Yet the dense branches multiplied, thorns embedding in their bodies and extending until the monsters were completely impaled.
Su Zhen snapped her fingers.
The red tree branches suddenly extended or twisted, crushing and tearing the monsters, black pus and blood exploding in the air.
Dozens of monsters were shredded or crushed.
As their bodies were destroyed, thick purple-black miasma erupted from their torn flesh.
Except for the very high-level cultivators, ordinary righteous cultivators witnessing this would retreat or use methods to avoid the miasma.
Otherwise, contact would cause injury or even assimilation.
Su Zhen stood calmly, unmoving, not casting more spells, simply watching ahead.
The miasma swirled among the red trees but did not spread, as if pinned by an invisible force, trapped in the forest.
After a while, the miasma thinned, seemingly absorbed by the trees.
The dark red trees shivered, sprouting purple-red new leaves from their dry branches.
These leaves swelled from inches to feet, then withered quickly, scattering as ash in the hot wind.
Simultaneously, all trees turned purple-red, becoming shriveled and dry as if drained of moisture, soon disappearing in the wind.
Only one tree in the center bore a fruit glowing with red light, which fell as the tree vanished.
Su Zhen caught it.
The fruit was only the size of a baby’s fist, fitting perfectly in her palm.
She lifted it to her lips and finished it in a few bites.
That spell didn’t consume much spiritual power but did consume some.
After eating the fruit, all her expenditure was replenished, with surplus—restoring her spiritual power to full peak.
Satisfied, Su Zhen nodded.
She had learned this spell in the Heavenly Immortal Realm last life, but it wasn’t restricted to that level. She wondered if she could cast it now and tried—it worked.
She turned back.
Xiao Yu stood behind her, one arm crossed, the other hand supporting his chin, watching her intently without blinking, as if afraid to miss anything important.
Su Zhen glanced at him. “Any comments, senior?”
From the monsters’ appearance to her finishing the fruit, only a few words passed.
Yet his expression made it seem like she had fought a long battle.
Xiao Yu hummed thoughtfully, lowered his hand and gave her a thumbs-up.
“Impressive.”
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Su Zhen: “…Senior, you flatter me.”
“Don’t make that face,” Xiao Yu said helplessly. “There are many spells that absorb spiritual power and filter miasma from monsters, but you handled it all with a single seal. The fluctuations in spiritual power showed consistent output, no sudden surges or drops, and the transitions were smooth…”
Su Zhen stared in shock.
This guy was truly a smooth talker.
Wasn’t he a salesman in a past life?
She was momentarily speechless. “If you want, I can teach you a few tricks.”
Then she reconsidered. Though it was an unorthodox technique, it was still a five-element spell, requiring the right spiritual root attributes. He seemed to lack a wood-elemental root.
“Really?”
Xiao Yu brightened, excited. “Isn’t this your secret technique? Can you teach me?”
Su Zhen was puzzled. “Why do you think it’s my secret technique? I learned it from books in the secret treasury, just improved it by combining two spells.”
“...That counts as secret technique.”
“All right.”
Su Zhen looked at him helplessly. “Then just trade me some interesting sword techniques or spells.”
Suddenly, she felt something amiss.
“Do you really have a wood-elemental root?”
“Yes,” Xiao Yu said innocently. “When I first started cultivating, I secretly wished for a wood root. Unfortunately, my affinity was weak, so I didn’t get it. Only later, after raising my level and spending a lot of time, did I awaken it.”
Most humans were born with mixed spiritual roots, needing training to develop specific attributes.
They then refined their roots to increase purity; the highest was the heavenly root.
Many spent hundreds of years to achieve a heavenly root in one attribute.
A few were born with one or more innate pure roots, allowing faster refinement—others might take hundreds of years for a heavenly root, but they only needed decades.
Su Zhen was one of the latter.
The purer the root, the faster spiritual power converts between attributes and draws natural spiritual energy, affecting spellcasting greatly.
Usually, when a person refines multiple roots, there is some connection between their attributes.
For example, water and ice, grass and wood, thunder and fire, earth and rock transform quickly between each other.
If a person has a water root, the second is usually ice.
Su Zhen had a native grass and wood root and later refined water and earth roots, which complemented each other, easing spellcasting.
Su Zhen: “Aren’t you supposed to have metal, fire, and thunder heavenly roots? Why refine wood? Wind or water would be better choices. I remember you used ice when making pastries, so I thought you had ice and water roots?”
“I do.”
Xiao Yu said confidently, “But besides metal, fire, and thunder, I refined wood first, simply because I liked it. Unfortunately, I only got to the earth root level.”
Su Zhen: “?”
Root purity had seven levels: mixed, hybrid, true, profound, primal, earth, and heavenly.
Each level depended on the cultivator’s insight and affinity.
Many cultivators never reach earth root level in their lives.
So if he just liked wood spells, earth root was more than enough.
“Also,” Xiao Yu asked, “Don’t you have other roots?”
Su Zhen: “…I was just bored.”
And they weren’t very useful.
Divine artifacts had three attributes; most cultivators usually used only three, sometimes four.
“However,” Su Zhen eyed him skeptically, “I heard when you joined the sect, you served under the sect leader due to your talent, so you must have been born with spiritual roots?”
Xiao Yu nodded. “Yes, but the attributes differ from yours. Also, my serving the master wasn’t because of talent. Well, that’s a story for another time.”
“…What’s the pity? I’m just curious why you wanted a wood root.”
Different attributes produce different sword qi qualities. For sword cultivators, wind, thunder, ice, water, fire, and metal are the best choices.
Even in common bookstores selling spell manuals, grass and wood sword techniques are rare.
At high levels, cultivators can integrate freely, shaping sword intent at will, not limited by root attributes, but early training isn’t so simple.
Su Zhen, with her water root, was unaffected.
“For someone training as a sword cultivator, wouldn’t you avoid grass and wood attributes?”
“That’s complicated,” Xiao Yu said, vexed. “Simply put, maybe it’s so I can learn from you today.”
Su Zhen: “…”
That was a rather sloppy excuse.
Xiao Yu shook his head silently. “Look, in this world, telling the truth means no one believes you.”
Su Zhen rolled her eyes, said nothing, then expanded her spiritual awareness.
It spread only a few miles before detecting a swarm of demons.
They numbered in the hundreds, a black mass resembling a dark cloud drifting over the sand sea, rushing toward her.
The ground trembled, gravel spilling as massive segmented bodies surged below.
Several devouring chrysalises sped across the desert, their bodies over a hundred meters long, covered in thick blood-red armor blending with the sand.
This distance was nothing to them.
The monsters would soon be upon her.
Su Zhen planned to kill them quickly to avoid delays.
“Don’t bother going over; find your sword first.”
A deep voice sounded in her ear.
Over the barren desert scanned by her spiritual awareness, the blood-red sky suddenly dimmed.
A sword light tore across the sky.
Swift as thunder and lightning, dazzling as a shooting star.
Its radiance blanketed a hundred-mile radius, the sand sea raging like furious waves, red sand scattering like a terrifying rain of blood.
Amid this blood rain, thousands of demons instantly disintegrated, their corpses shattered into dust by overwhelming spiritual power.
No ashes remained.
Su Zhen watched the spectacular scene speechless, suddenly understanding the meaning behind the title “Sword God.”
She had seen her master’s sword before, but compared to that move, the sword intent of Immortal Jade Dust lacked even a fraction of this grandeur.
“By the way, teach me that spell when you have time.”
Xiao Yu added, “It was really cool.”
Su Zhen: “…”
And here he was, flattering again!