Chapter 79
After a brief calm, something unusual indeed surfaced.
Half a month after Su's father disappeared, signs of increased Yin energy appeared all over the country. The balance of Qi between heaven and earth was disrupted, and the once-dormant spirits and ghosts in the mortal realm grew stronger. Worse yet, evil spirits took advantage of the chaos, escaping from the underworld to wreak havoc among humans.
To suppress these restless spirits, the major sects had to deploy large numbers of personnel, leaving them overwhelmed and unable to spare resources to investigate the whereabouts of Meng Qingzhi.
Even ordinary people sensed the unease. On a damp street, a man in a suit glanced up at the gloomy sky, opened his umbrella, and grumbled irritably, "Why so much rain? It's only a few months into the year, and this wretched weather—so damp and cold! Can't stand it—"
Boom!
Before he could finish, a loud crash echoed in his ears. He turned to see a car smashed into a flowerbed by the roadside. Smoke billowed from the hood, and the crowd gathered, their voices mixed with blaring horns, adding to the annoyance.
"Damn it!"
An inexplicable sense of horror gripped the man. He shivered and muttered curses under his breath as he hurriedly crossed the street.
This was the fourth traffic accident he'd witnessed recently. Accidents seemed more frequent these days, occurring right before people's eyes, not just in distant news reports.
And it wasn't just traffic accidents—the frequency of fights, crimes, and other violent incidents had also surged. It was as if everyone was consumed by an evil force.
At his workplace, two employees had brawled violently over a minor issue yesterday. One even pulled out a knife, and both were taken away in an ambulance.
Why no police intervention? Because the police were already stretched thin dealing with a constant stream of accidents. They had no time for these "minor clashes."
The man sighed inwardly, "Even so, we office drones still have to work. The capitalists show no mercy."
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"Continuing like this won't work." Through the window, Su Zui stared at the overly chaotic road.
In the unseen world, a faint layer of black energy enveloped everything—a solid manifestation of Yin energy. Originally, Phoenix could absorb and contain this Yin energy, but the strain from the shattered secret realm had left it weakened. Solving the Yin energy problem seemed impossible now.
Su Zui studied the map marked with Yin energy locations. Sinister clouds gathered like evil demons, ready to prey on unsuspecting victims.
Although Yin energy existed nationwide, the map revealed distinct trends. Some sects' strongholds or naturally blessed areas had minimal Yin energy, while other Yin-infested places grew increasingly dense.
Currently, the most concentrated Yin energy emanated from a mountain range near the border.
Su Zui's brow furrowed. "Meng Qingzhi is likely trapped there."
The map showed Yin energy swirling across the country, forming three dark dragon lines. These lines intersected various ley lines, connecting the nation's life force.
And that mountain range, where Yin energy was most intense, lay precisely at the convergence point of these three dragon lines—the source of their power.
If something went wrong there, the entire country would suffer.
Other cultivators weren't blind to this layout. Everyone suspected that Meng Qingzhi was hiding there.
But mere observation wasn't enough. Despite countless attempts, no one who entered the dangerous mountain range returned. Even powerful elders fell victim.
The Judgment Office had also sent numerous experts, with similar results. Qing Luan himself risked his life there.
His sacrifice left Qing Luan severely injured, and coupled with Phoenix's strange state after the secret realm's collapse, the Judgment Office teetered on the brink of chaos, relying solely on Suzaku to maintain order.
"Challenging the balance of heaven and earth—this person must be mad."
A hoarse voice interrupted Su Zui's thoughts. Phoenix, lying on a soft couch, had opened its eyes. Its expression was grim.
Su Zui touched Phoenix's forehead. The once-feverish warmth had turned icy. Clearly, Phoenix was still suffering.
He suppressed his inner worries and agreed, "Indeed, Meng Qingzhi might be the illegitimate child of fate."
Generally speaking, even top-tier mythical beasts like Phoenix would face divine retribution if they dared to tamper with the lifeblood of heaven and earth. Let alone a mere human.
The fact that Meng Qingzhi wreaked havoc on the nation's destiny and still lived indicated that he was indeed the child of destiny.
Su Zui closed the map, lost in thought. Finally, he sighed, "I need to make a trip. I have a premonition that Meng Qingzhi is waiting for me there."
Allowing the Yin energy to continue growing was no longer an option. The current disorder was merely chaotic; if left unchecked, it could escalate into a living hell.
To uncover the cause, he had to find the solution.
All these changes stemmed from him—the moment he refused to surrender the spirit bone, the world's plot veered off course. Meng Qingzhi, originally the child of destiny, had now started on a path of destruction.
The way to end this situation was already marked by the hands of fate.
He had no choice but to go.
Phoenix remained silent, merely squeezing his warm fingertips against its forehead. Its eyes, however, radiated icy determination. "Recently, I've absorbed some of the Yin energy. Let's go together. It's time for me to settle things with both you and destiny."
Su Zui clasped its hand, pondered, and finally agreed, "Alright."
He refrained from mentioning how he could ensure Phoenix's safety at the Judgment Office. First, Phoenix's keen perception made it impossible for him to secretly venture there alone. Second, as Phoenix had pointed out, his continued existence defied the original plot. When Phoenix invoked destiny, it likely resonated with some higher force.
Regardless of the outcome, avoiding the situation was never Su Zui's choice.
Now that he was committed, Su Zui openly shared the news of their mission to find Meng Qingzhi with everyone.
The major sects initially opposed the idea. Those who had ventured there before—except for Qing Luan, second only to Phoenix—hadn't returned. The odds seemed grim. As a prominent figure among the younger generation of mystics, Su Zui was highly regarded, and naturally, no one wanted him to risk his life.
Yet, Su Zui swiftly convinced them with a few words. "My father has been missing for days, likely due to Meng Qingzhi. Our enmity runs deep, and part of the blame lies with me. I must investigate."
The crowd fell silent.
In this world, the existence of destiny made people strongly believe in cause and effect.
Now that Su Zui's journey was inevitable, the sects scrambled. Many retrieved long-hidden treasures to equip him for protection. Although objectively, Su Zui's chances of defeating the current Meng Qingzhi were slim, he was still a part of the equation. Every problem had a solution, and having Su Zui try was better than sending others to their deaths.
The world had become a murky pool due to Meng Qingzhi's actions. All they could do was place their hopes on Su Zui.
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Deep within the mountain range.
Meng Qingzhi surveyed the barren landscape. His voice carried a casual tone as he said, "You seem unconcerned about your father's fate, taking so long to arrive."
His words sounded relaxed, and a faint smile graced his lips, as if reminiscing with an old friend.
Yet malice flickered in his eyes, nearly overflowing.
After several days apart, this man had grown more enigmatic. Who knew what he'd experienced?
Su Zui ignored Meng Qingzhi's strange demeanor and focused on something at his feet.
His father lay there—worn and weak, but still breathing.
Not only his father, but others surrounded them, all in a similar state. Even a few animals lay sprawled nearby—likely the cultivators and enforcers sent by the mystical world and the Judgment Office.
Su Zui pondered.
Although Meng Qingzhi was audacious, disrupting the nation's destiny with Yin energy, he couldn't act with impunity. Now, he seemed to harbor concerns. Despite imprisoning these people and creatures, he hadn't—perhaps couldn't—take their lives.
It seems that even the tolerance of destiny has its limits.
Meng Qingzhi noticed Su Zui's scrutinizing gaze and lifted Father Su by the neck, malice in his eyes. "What if I kill him right in front of you?"
Su Zui glanced at him. "Really? You're welcome to try."
Someone as vengeful as Meng Qingzhi would have already acted against Su's father if he could. Waiting until now was unusual.
Seeing that Su Zui remained unfazed, Meng Qingzhi's relaxed expression faded. He threw Father Su at Su Zui's feet, gripping the old man's neck with a sinister look.
Of course, Meng Qingzhi had attempted to disgust Su Zui by killing the elderly man!
However, ever since he manipulated Yin energy to disrupt the balance of heaven and earth, destiny seemed to prevent him from harming living beings. Whenever he tried, the very Yin energy he controlled would turn against him, threatening to tear him apart.
Meng Qingzhi resumed his smile, feigning concern. "No worries. You'd better cherish this time and reminisce with the old man. After all, you'll soon be a lifeless corpse, never seeing him again."
Ignoring him, Su Zui surveyed the people and creatures lying around, lost in thought.
Meng Qingzhi sneered. "Do you think having protection makes you invulnerable?" His gaze fixed on something behind Su Zui. His expression hardened. "The mighty Phoenix, still hiding like a commoner."
A crimson figure emerged from the black mist—Phoenix, his demeanor cold and tinged with disdain.
Phoenix hadn't intended to hide for long. The Yin energy here resonated with his own, allowing him to investigate. Indeed, he discovered something intriguing.
Although the surface Yin energy seemed obedient to Meng Qingzhi's commands, it wasn't entirely under his control. It acted like a borrowed tool, following preset instructions.
Even Phoenix's whereabouts remained hidden until he intentionally revealed himself, catching Meng Qingzhi's attention.
Rather than Meng Qingzhi controlling the Yin energy, it seemed the Yin energy manipulated him.
Meng Qingzhi, at best, was a puppet of destiny.
This kind of character was repulsive to even look at.
Seeing Su Zui and Phoenix treating him like air, as if he'd been performing a solo act for ages, Meng Qingzhi's face twitched. "Do you think I don't know your current situation? What divine beast? You're barely hanging on!"
Before he finished speaking, the surrounding Yin energy transformed into vague, ferocious beasts, lunging at Su Zui and Phoenix.
Suddenly, the world seemed drenched in black ink.
Su Zui calmly hurled out talismans, deflecting Meng Qingzhi's attacks.
Amidst the chaos, Su Zui discreetly raised his hand. In an instant, everyone lying on the ground—including Father Su—vanished.
He had exchanged for a teleportation item in the system store, sending these half-dead individuals and creatures away to prevent collateral damage. Whether this would come back to haunt him remained uncertain.
Meng Qingzhi remained oblivious to Su Zui's actions. Now enveloped in a black mist of Yin energy, his features blurred.
Despite the barrage of talismans, the Yin energy barely diminished.
Su Zui hadn't expected the talismans alone to defeat Meng Qingzhi; delaying him was the best outcome.
However, Su Zui's brow furrowed because of the strange scene before him.
Within Meng Qingzhi's mist, something peculiar stirred—a force eager to break free. It occasionally contorted his form, somewhat resembling the previously Yin-controlled Phoenix, but far worse.
Meng Qingzhi now resembled a creature filled with Yin energy, transcending humanity.
Su Zui sensed that something was amiss. This wasn't the appearance of a child of destiny.
The previously motionless Phoenix also sensed it, shielding Su Zui with a barrier and pushing him backward.
Amidst the swirling Yin energy, Su Zui witnessed an utterly bizarre scene.
Meng Qingzhi's body swelled, distorted to the extreme, until it resembled an inflated ball—then burst!
Su Zui couldn't help but stare.
Did Meng Qingzhi really die so easily?
While it wasn't a given that protagonists couldn't die, Su Zui hadn't even touched Meng Qingzhi. Suddenly, he was gone. It felt too convenient.
Convenient... as if it had been planned.
An increasingly strange feeling gnawed at Su Zui. Alarm bells rang in his mind.
Sure enough, after Meng Qingzhi's body shattered, everything didn't settle down.
From the cracks emerged copious amounts of pitch-black Yin energy.
These energies resembled ravenous beasts. After devouring Meng Qingzhi, they remained unsatisfied, extending tendrils to explore their surroundings.
Suddenly, these dark tendrils paused, sensing fresh prey. They surged toward Phoenix.
Phoenix's body now bore countless horrifying black marks. Its internal Yin energy seemed to recognize its kin, desperately trying to escape from within.
Recalling Meng Qingzhi's gruesome demise, Su Zui's heart skipped a beat.
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