Chapter 6281 - 6287

Kai rested for three more days in the Divine Palace.

During those three days, his body recovered rapidly.

The power brought by the Heart of the Northern Abyss was still slowly integrating within him, his cultivation at the peak of the seventh rank of the Upper Immortal Realm was completely stabilized, and his chaotic power was much more solidified than before.

He even took the time to test his limits; with a single sword strike, he was able to slice off half of the thousand-foot-tall ice peak outside the Divine Palace.

Jiang Xuelan stood beside the ruins of the ice peak, looking at the smooth, mirror-like cut, and remained silent for a long time.

“If you go all out now, no cultivator below the fifth rank of the True Immortal Realm should be your match,” she gave a fair assessment.

Kai sheathed his sword, showing little excitement.

The improvement in his strength was certainly gratifying, but he was always preoccupied with another matter:

Yunxian City.

Would Ning Zhi take advantage of his absence to attack Yunxian City?

Could Long Zhan and Liu Wanqing defend it?

Had Yun Xi and the others returned?

These questions gnawed at his heart like worms.

On the morning of the fourth day, Kai found Jiang Xuelan.

She stood beneath the Tree of Life, gazing up at its golden canopy.

Morning light filtered through the leaves, bathing her in white, her long hair as black as ink, making her appear as serene as a painting.

“I’m leaving,” Kai said bluntly.

Jiang Xuelan didn’t turn around, but her shoulders stiffened slightly.

The change was subtle, so subtle that Kai wouldn’t have noticed it if his perception hadn’t been greatly enhanced.

“Your friend has been resurrected and left safely. You truly have no reason to stay here.”

Her voice was calm, almost cold.

Kai walked to her side, standing shoulder to shoulder.

“I promised you three things. Drawing blood counts as one, accompanying you to the ancient battlefield is another. And the last one… have you thought it through?”

Jiang Xuelan finally turned to look at him.

Something flickered in her deep eyes.

There was hesitation, struggle, and a hint of… an emotion Kai couldn’t quite decipher.

“I have,” she said.

“Speak.”

Jiang Xuelan took a deep breath, turned around, and faced Kai directly.

“Help me restore the Ice God lineage.”

Kai was taken aback: “What?”

“The Ice God lineage is now down to just me.”

Jiang Xuelan’s voice was soft, yet every word was clear. “The remnant soul of Bei Mingyuan is within you. You are the only person in this world with a deep connection to the Ice God’s bloodline. If you don’t help me, the Ice God lineage is truly finished.”

Kai frowned: “How can I help you? I’m not a member of the God race.”

“You have the Ice God’s bloodline within you.”

Jiang Xuelan stared into his eyes. “After our dual cultivation, the power of the Ice God lineage has been fused into your chaotic power. If you’re willing, you can use this power to awaken more people who possess the latent genes of the Ice God’s bloodline, allowing them to reawaken.”

Kai was silent for a moment.

“What do you mean by awakening?”

Jiang Xuelan took out an ice-blue jade slip from her sleeve and handed it to him.

“This is the Bloodline Sensing Technique of the Ice God lineage. After cultivating it, you can sense all those within a radius of ten thousand miles who possess the latent genes of the Ice God bloodline.

These people are scattered throughout the Heavenly Realm, and they themselves are unaware that the blood of the Ice God lineage flows within them. As long as you find them and activate their bloodline with the power of chaos, they can reawaken.”

Kai took the jade slip but did not immediately examine it.

“Even if I find these people and awaken them, so what?”

“The Ice God lineage declined not because it lacked talent, but because of the targeting by other races within the God Clan. Now that the God Clan is led by the God Emperor lineage, will they sit idly by and watch the Ice God lineage rise again?” Kai asked.

Jiang Xuelan’s expression changed slightly.

Kai was right.

The decline of the Ice God lineage, on the surface, was due to the dilution and degeneration of the bloodline, but the fundamental reason was the power struggle within the God Clan.

Years ago, a female cultivator from the Ice God lineage eloped with an outsider, violating the ironclad laws of the divine race. The Divine Emperor lineage seized this opportunity, uniting with other races to suppress the Ice God lineage for thousands of years.

Experts were assassinated, resources were cut off, and traditions were destroyed… this is how the Ice God lineage gradually marched towards its demise.

Now, the Divine Emperor lineage has ruled the divine race for tens of thousands of years, its power deeply entrenched.

Even if Kai helps her awaken countless more Ice God bloodline awakeners, as long as the Divine Emperor lineage exists, the Ice God lineage will never be able to hold its head high.

“I know,” Jiang Xuelan’s voice lowered, “but I don’t care.”

Kai looked at her.

“The glory of the Ice God lineage cannot be recreated by hiding.”

Jiang Xuelan’s gaze hardened, even carrying a hint of stubbornness. “If the Divine Emperor lineage wants to obstruct us, then destroy the Divine Emperor lineage. If the divine race’s alliance system targets the Ice God lineage, then let this system collapse.”

Kai gasped.

“Do you know what you’re saying? Destroy the Divine Emperor’s lineage? Collapse the Divine Alliance? This is tantamount to waging war against the entire Divine Race.”

“I know,”

Jiang Xuelan’s tone was terrifyingly calm. “I’ve waited so many years, not to keep waiting. Kai, you have the remnant soul of Bei Mingyuan within you, the power of the Ice God’s lineage flows through you, you are a part of this. You cannot stand aside.”

Kai remained silent for a long time.

He remembered Jiang Xuelan kneeling before him, remembered her vulnerability as she said, her eyes reddening, “The Ice God’s lineage cannot be severed in my hands.”

He remembered her desperate protection of him on the ancient battlefield, remembered the relief she felt when she gave him the Heart of Bei Mingyuan.

This woman had already sacrificed too much for her race.

“What do you plan to do?” Kai asked.

Jiang Xuelan’s eyes brightened.

“I’ll go with you.”

Kai was taken aback. “With me?”

“You go back to Yunxian City, and I’ll go with you,”

Jiang Xuelan said. “Didn’t you say that Yunxian City is facing a threat from the Demon Clan? I’ll help you defend the city. In exchange, you help me find awakened individuals with the Ice God’s bloodline in the various heavens of the Celestial Realm.”

“What about the Divine Palace?”

Jiang Xuelan glanced at the Tree of Life behind her, a hint of reluctance flashing in her eyes, but it quickly disappeared.

“The Divine Palace existed to protect the last spark of the Ice God lineage. Now that the spark resides within me, the Divine Palace has no further reason to exist.”

She turned, facing the direction of the Divine Palace, and raised her right hand.

Ice-blue divine light surged from her palm, transforming into countless threads of light that extended towards every palace and every stone chamber within the Divine Palace.

The instant those threads touched the buildings, everything within—books, pills, magical artifacts, spirit stones—was swept up by the threads, turning into streams of light that disappeared into Jiang Xuelan’s sleeves.

In mere moments, the entire Divine Palace was completely emptied, leaving only the empty stone walls and the Tree of Life.
“What about the disciples of the Divine Palace?” Kai asked.

“The Divine Palace only has twelve disciples, all orphans I picked up from various places,”

Jiang Xuelan said calmly. “I arranged for them to be placed in a safe place long ago. The disbandment of the Divine Palace is actually a relief for them.”

Kai looked at this decisive woman, a complex emotion welling up in his heart.

She had prepared for everything long ago.

Not today, not yesterday, perhaps from the moment she decided to cultivate with him, she had already been planning all of this.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll refuse?” Kai asked.

Jiang Xuelan looked at him, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned.

“Would you?”

Kai smiled bitterly.

He wouldn’t.

Not because of the promise, but because he could no longer treat the woman in front of him as an insignificant passerby.

The life-and-death struggle on the ancient battlefield, the side-by-side battle under the Ruins of Return, and that night under the Tree of Life… Some things, once they happen, can never be undone.

“Let’s go,”

Kai sighed. “But before we leave, I need to try out that bloodline sensing technique you mentioned. It would be troublesome if you realized you’d forgotten something after we left and had to come back.”

Jiang Xuelan chuckled and handed him the jade slip.

Kai sat cross-legged, pressed the jade slip to his forehead, and closed his eyes.

The bloodline sensing technique wasn’t complicated; essentially, it was an ability to perceive bloodline fluctuations.

Kai already possessed the Ice God bloodline, and with the power of chaos as a medium, his cultivation was twice as effective.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he mastered this secret technique.

He activated the Ice God bloodline within him, spreading his perception in all directions.

Within a thousand miles, there was no reaction.

Two thousand miles.

Three thousand miles.

When the range of perception expanded to five thousand miles, Kai’s brow suddenly furrowed.

He sensed something.

In the southeast direction, about four thousand seven hundred miles away, there was a faint signal.

The signal was very weak, almost drowned out by the surrounding spiritual energy, but it was undeniably present—the faint fluctuations emitted by the dormant latent genes of the Ice God’s bloodline.

“There’s someone,”

Kai said to Jiang Xuelan, opening his eyes. “Southeast, 4,700 li away.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Jiang Xuelan’s eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.

“Only one person?”

Kai nodded. “Only one person. However, my perception range is only 5,000 li; I can’t sense anything further. Perhaps when my strength increases, the range will be larger.”

Jiang Xuelan was silent for a moment, then sighed softly.

“One is good. At least it proves that the flame of the Ice God’s lineage hasn’t been completely extinguished.”

She looked up at the Tree of Life, then turned and walked towards the outside of the Divine Palace.

“Let’s go.”

Kai stood up and followed behind her.

The two passed through the Ice Pillar Forest, through the Gale Zone of the Ruins, heading south.

Kai looked back at the hidden place covered in ice and snow, a feeling of being in another world welling up inside him.

When he arrived, he was alone, exhausted and on the verge of death.

When he left, he was with two people, his strength greatly increased, and he had a woman by his side who wanted to rebuild a race with him.

Fate is truly unpredictable.

The two traveled south for about two days.

Kai’s injuries had completely healed, and Jiang Xuelan had almost recovered from her exhaustion.

As they traveled, they exchanged cultivation insights; more accurately, Jiang Xuelan was guiding Kai on how to better utilize the Ice God bloodline within him.

“Your chaotic power is too domineering. Every time you use the Ice God bloodline, you unconsciously mix other powers into it,”

Jiang Xuelan frowned. “While this increases the power, it greatly reduces the tempering effect on the Ice God bloodline.”

“Then what should I do?” Kai humbly asked.

“Pure,”

Jiang Xuelan said with just one word. “The core of the Ice God lineage’s power is ‘purity.’ You must learn to strip away the other components from the chaotic power, leaving only the purest Ice God power.”

Kai tried to follow her method, and the effect was indeed much better.

Although not yet completely “pure,” it was already much better than before.

At noon on the third day, the two arrived at an open plain.

Kai suddenly stopped.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Xuelan asked.

Kai didn’t speak, but simply raised his head and looked north.

In that direction, an aura he knew all too well was rapidly approaching.

That aura was scorching, domineering, and filled with a madness capable of destroying everything.

It was Ning Zhi.

“What’s wrong?”

Jiang Xuelan asked again; she had already sensed Kai’s unusual behavior.

“A guest has arrived,” Kai’s voice was calm, but his eyes sharpened like knives. “An old friend.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a black dot appeared on the northern horizon.

The dot grew larger and closer, like a black meteor, trailing a long tail of flame, hurtling towards the two.

In just a few breaths, the black streak of light landed a hundred feet in front of them.

The light dissipated, revealing two figures.

Ning Zhi.

And Su Yuqi.

Ning Zhi remained the same, dressed in jet-black robes, hands clasped behind his back, a faint demonic aura swirling around him.

His presence was even stronger than when they last met, clearly indicating he hadn’t been idle during this time.

And beside him, Su Yuqi…

Kai’s gaze fell upon Su Yuqi, his heart feeling as if gripped tightly by an invisible hand.

She wore a fiery red dress, her long hair cascading down, her features exquisitely beautiful.

A faint firelight surrounded her, warm and bright, yet possessing an aloofness that kept everyone at a distance.

Her eyes… were the same as when they last met, empty and indifferent, as if she were looking at a stranger.

No, even less than a stranger.

A stranger would at least attract her attention, but Kai, in her eyes, wasn’t even worth a second glance.

“Kai,”

Ning Zhi spoke, a hint of surprise in his voice, “What are you doing here?”

Kai didn’t answer his question, his gaze fixed on Su Yuqi.

“Yuqi…”

Su Yuqi frowned slightly, glancing at him.

There was no hatred, no love, not even any emotion in her eyes, like looking at a roadside stone.

“You know me?” Her voice was as cold as ice.

Kai’s heart felt as if it had been cut by a dull knife.

Know her?

He knew more than just her.

She was the woman he loved most, the one he was willing to protect with his life.

But she didn’t remember him. She remembered nothing

.

“Yuqi, come back with me,” Kai’s voice was a little hoarse, “I’ll find a way to help you regain your memory.” Su Yuqi’s brows furrowed even more, and she took a half step back behind Ning Zhi.

“Junior brother, this person is so strange,” Su Yuqi said.

Kai’s fists clenched so tightly they cracked, his nails digging into his palms, blood dripping from between his fingers.

He didn’t know what Ning Zhi had done to Su Yuqi this time, that she had completely forgotten about him again.

Back in Yunxian City, Su Yuqi seemed to have recovered somewhat; at least she hadn’t attacked Kai again and had left.

But now, Su Yuqi seemed to be seeing Kai with the same indifference for the first time.

Ning Zhi looked at Kai’s reaction, a playful smile playing on his lips.

“Kai, you’re still so persistent.”

He shook his head. “I’ve told you, Senior Sister Yuqi has woken up; she’s no longer fooled by you. The more you pester her like this, the more ridiculous she’ll find you.”

Kai took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger.

“Ning Zhi, what are you doing here?”

Ning Zhi’s gaze passed over Kai and landed on Jiang Xuelan.

“Palace Master of the Divine Palace?”

His eyes narrowed slightly as he sized Jiang Xuelan up and down. “It seems my information was correct; the Divine Palace is indeed here.”

Jiang Xuelan looked at him expressionlessly. “Who are you?”

“Ning Zhi.”

Ning Zhi announced his name, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance. “You may have heard of me. I destroyed the Divine Temple, and I destroyed the Divine Hall. Today, I’m here to destroy the Divine Palace as well.”

His tone was casual and relaxed, as if he were discussing a trivial matter.

“I’ve long been disgusted by the arrogant attitude of the Divine Race. Each one of them thinks they are superior, of noble blood, and invincible. In reality? A bunch of self-satisfied, corrupt, and decadent trash.”

He looked at Jiang Xuelan, his eyes full of disdain. “You’re lucky to have met Kai. Without him, your Divine Palace would already be ruins.”

Jiang Xuelan’s face darkened.

She had lived for tens of thousands of years and had never been so openly humiliated.

“So you’re Ning Zhi?”

Her voice was icy. “I’ve heard of you. A human cultivator who has fallen into demonic ways, relying on devouring the cultivation of others to improve himself. Does someone like you even have the right to comment on the Divine Race?”

Jiang Xuelan had heard about Ning Zhi from Kai; after all, the Divine Temple and Divine Hall were destroyed by Ning Zhi.

Ning Zhi’s smile froze for a moment.

Then, he laughed.

That smile was even brighter and more dangerous than before.

“Righteous? Of course. Strength is qualification. When your Divine Race was high and mighty, did you ever imagine that one day you would be trampled underfoot by a human cultivator who has fallen into demonic ways?”

His gaze shifted from Jiang Xuelan to Kai.

“Kai, I’ll give you a chance. Leave now, and I won’t make things difficult for you. My target today is the Divine Palace, not you.”

Kai shook his head. “The Divine Palace no longer exists. Jiang Xuelan is with me now; if you touch her, you’re touching me.”

Ning Zhi’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“So, you want to protect her?”

“Yes.”

Ning Zhi was silent for a moment, then sighed, looking like he was looking at a stubborn child.

“Kai, you’re always like this. You sacrifice yourself for others. Last time it was for those two ants of the divine race, this time it’s for this woman of the divine race. When will you learn to live for yourself?”

“You don’t understand.” Kai’s voice was calm and firm.

“I understand.” Ning Zhi’s smile turned somewhat bitter. “You think you’re doing the right thing, that you’re protecting something important. But have you ever thought about whether what you’re protecting is worth your life?”

He didn’t wait for Kai’s answer, and laughed self-deprecatingly.

“Forget it, there’s no use talking to you. You’re just that kind of person, you can’t change.”

He raised his right hand, black demonic energy gathering in his palm.

“Then come on. Let me see how much skill you’ve gained these past few days.”

Ning Zhi moved.

His speed was extremely fast, his black figure leaving a blur in the air, his fist already slamming into Kai’s face.

This punch was even more ferocious than the last time they fought. Demonic energy condensed into a rapidly spinning vortex at the tip of his fist, sucking in the surrounding air with a piercing shriek.

Kai didn’t dodge.

He also wanted to see just how much his strength had increased after absorbing the Heart of the Northern Abyss.

The Dragon-Slaying Sword was drawn.

Golden sword light intertwined with purple chaotic power, transforming into a sharp sword beam that met Ning Zhi’s fist head-on.

Boom!

Fist and sword collided, unleashing a deafening roar.

A terrifying shockwave spread outwards, the ground as if plowed over, soil, rubble, vegetation—everything was hurled into the air, then shredded into pieces by the violent energy.

Kai remained unmoved.

Ning Zhi was forced back seven steps.

His expression changed.

Last time they clashed, he could steadily suppress Kai.

But this time, Kai’s power was clearly several levels stronger than before.

That feeling… was like facing a completely different person.

“You broke through?” Ning Zhi’s voice was somewhat hoarse.

Kai didn’t answer, thrusting his sword forward.

The sword strike was incredibly fast, its light like lightning slicing through the night sky, aimed directly at Ning Zhi’s throat.

Ning Zhi gritted his teeth, throwing both fists simultaneously, demonic energy condensing into a black shield in front of him.

The sword light struck the shield, producing a piercing scraping sound. Countless cracks appeared on the shield, and Ning Zhi was pushed back repeatedly by the force of the sword.

“Impossible…” Ning Zhi’s eyes were filled with resentment, “You were clearly no match for me last time…”

“People always improve.” Kai’s voice was calm, but his hand showed no mercy.

The second sword strike followed immediately.

This sword strike was faster, more ruthless, and more decisive than the first.

The sword light tore through the void, leaving a pitch-black rift.

The spatial fragments at the edge of the rift shattered and annihilated under the impact of the sword energy, emitting a piercing shriek.

Ning Zhi desperately channeled the demonic energy within his body, unleashing a torrent of black demonic flames that coalesced into a ferocious black fire dragon before him.

The dragon roared as it charged towards Kai, scorching the ground in its wake, leaving deep trenches several meters deep, the soil melting into dark red magma.

Kai neither dodged nor evaded, unleashing a slash with his sword.

The golden sword light collided with the black fire dragon, erupting in a deafening roar.

The fire dragon struggled for less than a breath under the sword light before being cleaved in two. Black demonic flames scattered in all directions, blasting countless craters into the surrounding ground.

Ning Zhi was struck by the aftershock of the sword light, a deep, bone-revealing gash torn open in his chest, blood gushing forth.

He staggered backward, kneeling on one knee, gasping for breath. “Junior Brother!” Su Yuqi exclaimed, rushing to Ning Zhi’s side and supporting him.

Ning Zhi pushed her hand away and struggled to his feet.

His face was covered in blood, but the fighting spirit in his eyes burned even brighter.

“Good… very good…” His voice was hoarse, yet carried an almost manic laugh, “Kai, you really haven’t disappointed me.”

He turned to look at Su Yuqi.

“Senior Sister, help me.”

Su Yuqi hesitated for a moment.

“Help me kill him.” Ning Zhi’s voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable command.

Su Yuqi hesitated.

Her hand tightened on the fiery red longsword at her waist, but she didn’t immediately draw it.

Her gaze shifted back and forth between Kai and Ning Zhi, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

The emotion was faint, almost imperceptible, but Kai caught it.

It was… a struggle.

A struggle between the subconscious and the brainwashing technique.

“Yuqi…”

Kai called her name softly, his voice as gentle as if coaxing a lost child, “You don’t recognize me, that’s alright. But I beg you, don’t let him use you. You are Su Yuqi, you are not anyone’s tool.”

Su Yuqi’s body trembled slightly.

The tremor was so slight that Kai wouldn’t have noticed it if he hadn’t been watching her closely.

But Ning Zhi noticed it.

A shadow crossed his eyes, his voice becoming even softer, yet carrying an irresistible allure.

“Senior sister, do you remember Master’s instructions? Don’t be deceived by any man.”

Su Yuqi’s eyes became confused.

“Master… Master he…”

“That’s right, Master was afraid you would be hurt by a man again.” Ning Zhi’s voice was like a venomous snake’s whisper, “You were seriously injured by the man you loved before, have you forgotten? It was Master who saved you.”

A strong hatred welled up in Su Yuqi’s eyes.

Her sword was drawn.

The fiery red sword light, like a fire dragon, carrying scorching heat, swept towards Kai.

Kai did not dodge.

He couldn’t dodge.

He feared that if he dodged, the sword’s edge would injure Jiang Xuelan behind him.

He was even more afraid that if he retaliated, he would hurt Su Yuqi.

The fiery red sword light struck his chest squarely.

“Pfft…”

Kai spat out a mouthful of blood, his entire body thrown back several steps.

A deep wound was torn open in his chest, golden blood gushing from it, dripping onto the ground with a sizzling sound.

“Kai!” Jiang Xuelan cried out, rushing to his side.

Kai raised his hand to stop her, his gaze never leaving Su Yuqi.

“Yuqi, I won’t fight back.” His voice was hoarse, yet unusually firm. “If you really want to kill me, then kill me.”

Su Yuqi’s hand trembled slightly.

She looked at the wound on Kai’s chest, at the golden blood, and a strange, piercing pain welled up in her heart.

That feeling… was very strange.

She clearly didn’t know this person, so why did seeing him injured cause her such heartache?

“Senior sister, don’t be fooled by his sweet words,” Ning Zhi’s voice rang in her ear. “Kill him. Kill him, and it will all be over.”

Su Yuqi gritted her teeth and raised her sword again.

The fiery red sword light was even more intense and ferocious than before.

She poured all her spiritual power into this sword strike, aiming for Kai’s throat.

Kai closed his eyes.

He didn’t dodge.

The sword light stopped three inches from his throat.

Su Yuqi’s hand trembled.

Her hand gripped the hilt, her knuckles white, veins bulging.

Her face was covered in sweat, her eyes filled with helplessness and confusion.

“I…I can’t do it…” Her voice trembled, “I don’t know why…I can’t do it…”

The sword slipped from her hand and fell to the ground with a clatter.

She clutched her head, squatted on the ground, trembling all over.

“Why…why is this happening…I clearly don’t know him…why does my heart hurt so much…”

Jiang Xuelan watched this scene, a complex emotion welling up inside her.

She understood.

This woman was the wife Kai had mentioned.

The woman Kai would rather die than fight back.

She took a deep breath and walked to Kai’s side.

“Leave it to me.”

Her voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable power. “You deal with Ning Zhi, I’ll deal with her. I promise, I won’t hurt her.”

Kai glanced at her, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded.

“Don’t hurt her.” He repeated.

“I know.”

Kai turned to look at Ning Zhi.

His eyes changed.

No longer the gentle, compassionate gaze of before, but a cold, razor-sharp killing intent.

“Ning Zhi, what did you do to Yu Qi?”

Ning Zhi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and smiled.

“Nothing. Just let her see the truth.”

“The truth?” Kai’s voice was icy. “The truth you’re talking about is erasing her memory and turning her into your tool?”

Ning Zhi’s smile froze.

“I didn’t erase her memories. I just… shielded her from some things that shouldn’t be there.”

“Then give those things back to her.”

Ning Zhi shook his head: “Impossible. She’s awake now, she won’t be fooled by you anymore.”

Kai stopped talking.

He raised the Dragon Slayer Sword, purple chaotic power condensing on the blade.

“Then I’ll fight until you give her back her memories.”

Ning Zhi gritted his teeth, the demonic energy within him surging once more.

The two clashed again.

This time, Kai held nothing back.

Purple sword light rained down like a storm, each strike faster and more ruthless than the last.

Every strike carried earth-shattering power, enough to flatten a mountain.

Ning Zhi fought with all his might, but his strength was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot before Kai.

The first strike shattered his protective demonic energy.

The second strike slashed a deep, bone-revealing wound into his left arm.

The third strike pierced his chest, blood gushing out.

Ning Zhi knelt on one knee, gasping for breath. His face was ashen, his eyes dimmed to the extreme.

“You…when did you become so strong…”

Kai stood before him, the Dragon-Slaying Sword pressed against his throat. “Give Yuqi her memories.”

Ning Zhi looked up at him.

A bleak smile appeared on his blood-stained face. “Impossible. Never.”

Kai’s sword tip moved closer, and a trickle of blood seeped from Ning Zhi’s throat.

“Do you think killing me will make a difference?”
Ning Zhi’s smile became even more manic. “Her memories are sealed deep within her sea of ​​consciousness, and only I know how to unseal them. If I die, her memories will never return.” Kai’s hand trembled slightly.

Just then, the battle on the other side also came to a conclusion.

Jiang Xuelan’s icy blue divine light clashed dozens of times in the air with Su Yuqi’s fiery red sword light. The clash of ice and fire turned the surrounding area of ​​several hundred feet into a wasteland of scorched earth and frozen ice.

Although Su Yuqi’s strength was not weak, she was still far inferior to an ancient monster like Jiang Xuelan who had lived for tens of thousands of years.

Jiang Xuelan’s ice needles pierced through Su Yuqi’s protective firelight, precisely sealing seven major acupoints on her body.

Su Yuqi’s body instantly froze, standing there like an ice sculpture, unable to move.

“Don’t hurt her!” Kai shouted.

“I know,” Jiang Xuelan replied calmly, withdrawing the icy blue divine light from her hand.

Su Yuqi was frozen in place, unable to move, but her consciousness remained clear.

Her gaze passed over Jiang Xuelan and landed on Kai.

In those eyes, there was confusion, struggle, and a complex emotion that she herself could not explain.

Jiang Xuelan walked to Kai’s side, glancing at Ning Zhi kneeling on the ground. “What should we do with this person?”

Kai was silent for a moment. “Make him return Yuqi’s memories.”

Ning Zhi laughed, his laughter full of mockery. “Kai, you’re still so naive. Do you think I’ll obediently listen?”

He raised his head, looking in Su Yuqi’s direction.

A very subtle glint flashed in his eyes.

“Senior Sister, let’s go.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a blinding flame suddenly erupted from his body.

That flame was not an ordinary flame, but a power that Kai had never seen before. It was neither demonic energy nor spiritual power, but a more primal and ancient power.

The flame enveloped Ning Zhi, forming a blazing pillar of light.

The pillar of light shot into the sky, tearing a huge hole in the clouds.

“He’s trying to escape!” Jiang Xuelan shouted, her icy blue divine light blasting towards the pillar of light.

But the power of the pillar of light was too terrifying; Jiang Xuelan’s divine light was repelled the moment it made contact.

The pillar of light extended to Su Yuqi’s side, enveloping her as well.

The ice encasing Su Yuqi melted rapidly in the flames, and her body was lifted by the power of the pillar of light, drifting towards Ning Zhi.

“Yuqi!” Kai rushed forward, trying to grab her hand.

But the power of the pillar of light was too strong; his hand was bounced back the moment it touched the edge, his palm scalded and torn.

Su Yuqi’s body drifted further and further away, her gaze fixed on Kai.

Suddenly, something shattered in her eyes.

Just before the pillar of light completely engulfed her, her lips moved slightly.

Kai didn’t hear a sound, but he understood her lip movements.

“Kai… I’m in so much pain…”

Then, a flash of fire, and Ning Zhi and Su Yuqi vanished simultaneously.

Only the torn cloud and the charred air remained in the sky.

Kai stood there, staring blankly in the direction where the two had disappeared.

His hand was still dripping blood, and the wound Su Yuqi had inflicted on his chest still throbbed, but none of that compared to the pain in his heart.

“I’m in so much pain…”

She wasn’t talking about physical pain.

It was pain in her heart.

Although she didn’t remember him, although her memories were sealed, although Ning Zhi had been manipulating her, her heart still remembered.

She remembered who he was, and what had happened between them.

Kai squatted down, his hands on the ground, panting heavily.

Jiang Xuelan stood behind him, silent for a long time.

Then, she sighed softly, walked to his side, squatted down, and placed her hand on his shoulder.

“She will come back.”

Kai didn’t speak.

He just looked in the direction where Ning Zhi and Su Yuqi had disappeared, a cold killing intent flashing in his eyes.

“Ning Zhi, next time we meet, I won’t give you another chance to escape.”

He stood up, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and sheathed the Dragon Slayer Sword.

“Let’s go.” His voice was hoarse, but unusually firm, “Back to Yunxian City.”

Jiang Xuelan nodded and followed behind him.

The two walked south, one after the other.

“Kai, what happened to your wife…? And what deep-seated hatred do you have for Ning Zhi?” Jiang Xuelan asked curiously.

She didn’t know the whole story.

But it seemed that Kai and Ning Zhi were old acquaintances, and how could Su Yuqi have become like this, not recognizing Kai?

“Ah, it’s a long story. My hatred for Ning Zhi started in the mortal world…”

Kai sighed, a cold glint in his eyes: “With Ning Zhi’s strength alone, he couldn’t control Yuqi’s consciousness at all. It’s all because of that Flame Demon…”

“One day, I’ll cut off that old Flame Demon’s head and kick it around like a ball.”

Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from Kai, Jiang Xuelan dared not speak anymore. Although Jiang Xuelan didn’t know who the Flame Demon was, he was definitely very powerful.

But Kai, facing such a powerful person, was still full of killing intent, without any fear or retreat.

She felt that she had chosen the right person to follow. Following Kai, she would definitely be able to restore the glory of the Ice God lineage.
Kai and Jiang Xuelan traveled south, traversing icy plains and barren frozen tundra, finally setting foot on the road to Yunxian City.

After flying for about five days, the silhouette of a majestic city appeared on the distant horizon.

Yunxian City.

This city, once ravaged by war, had now recovered seven or eight tenths of its former strength.

The city walls had been reinforced, and the number of cultivators patrolling them was double what it used to be.

Caravans and independent cultivators came and went in a steady stream at the city gates; while not exactly prosperous, it was at least no longer desolate.

“This is Yunxian City?” Jiang Xuelan looked at the distant city, raising an eyebrow slightly. “It’s larger than I imagined.” ”

A top ten city in the Fourteenth Heaven, of course it’s not small,”

Kai said. “But compared to your Divine Palace, it’s still far inferior.”

Jiang Xuelan chuckled: “The Divine Palace only has me, what’s so big about it? Your Yunxian City, just the number of cultivators patrolling the city walls alone is no less than three hundred.”

The two talked as they walked towards the city gate.

The guards at the city gate recognized Kai and quickly bowed, “Mr. Chen is back!”

Kai nodded, “How’s the situation in the city lately?”

“Reporting to Mr. Chen, everything is fine,” the guard replied respectfully. “Lord Long Zhan has managed the city very well. It’s just…”

“Just what?”

The guard glanced at Jiang Xuelan beside Kai, hesitated for a moment, and whispered, “It’s just that Miss Chen Wanqing keeps asking when you’ll be back…”

Kai: “…”

Jiang Xuelan gave him a half-smile.

“Let’s go.” Kai coughed and strode into the city gate.

The city lord’s mansion of Yunxian City was located in the very center of the city, a vast residence.

Two guards stood at the entrance of the mansion. Seeing Kai return, they immediately ran inside to report.

Before Kai even entered the courtyard, a black figure rushed out.

It was Yun Xi.

She was dressed in a black outfit, her long hair tied up high, looking capable and dashing.

“Kai!” She rushed to Kai and grabbed his arm. “You finally decided to come back! Do you know how many days you’ve been gone? Almost a month! You said you’d only have seven days at most!”

“If I had come back a few days later, I would have led my men to attack the Divine Palace…”

Kai hurriedly explained to Yun Xi, “Something unexpected happened, I was delayed.”

Then Kai glanced at Jiang Xuelan, his face full of apology, but Jiang Xuelan just smiled and didn’t seem to care about Yun Xi’s words.

“An accident? What kind of accident?” Yun Xi’s gaze passed over Kai and landed on Jiang Xuelan behind him.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

It was an extremely beautiful face.

Her features were delicate and aloof, her eyebrows like distant mountains, her eyes like cold stars.

Dressed in white like snow, her long hair like ink, she exuded an innate noble temperament.

Most importantly, this woman was beautiful.

Not the kind of beauty that was deliberately made up, but a natural beauty that made people unable to look away.

Yun Xi’s gaze lingered on Jiang Xuelan for three seconds, then turned to Kai.

“Who is she?”

The voice was calm, almost dangerously calm.

Before Kai could answer, another person walked out of the courtyard.

Chen Wanqing.

She wore a light blue dress, her long hair flowing over her shoulders, her face gentle.

But her eyes narrowed slightly the moment she saw Jiang Xuelan.

“Kai, you’re back.” Her voice was gentle as water, but beneath that gentleness lay a barely perceptible wariness. “And who is this?”

Kai looked at the two women before him, suddenly feeling uneasy.

He subconsciously looked at Jiang Xuelan, wanting her to explain.

Jiang Xuelan simply stood there calmly, a slight smile playing on her lips, an expression of anticipation.

Kai: “…”

He took a deep breath and forced himself to speak: “This is Jiang Xuelan, the Palace Master of the Divine Palace.”

The courtyard instantly fell silent.

Yunxi’s eyes widened: “Palace Master of the Divine Palace? That most mysterious Divine Palace of the Divine Race?”

Chen Wanqing was also surprised: “Palace Master of the Divine Palace? Isn’t that a legendary figure?”

Jiang Xuelan nodded slightly, her tone calm: “That is indeed me. However, the Divine Palace no longer exists; I am now just a rogue cultivator.”

Yunxi and Chen Wanqing exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other’s eyes.

Especially Yunxi, whose eyes held a hint of embarrassment, after all, she had just said she would attack the Divine Palace.

However, the Divine Palace was the oldest place of inheritance for the Divine Race, more mysterious than the Divine Temple and Divine Hall combined.

Legend has it that the Palace Master of the Divine Palace possessed unfathomable strength, and even True Immortal Realm experts dared not easily provoke him.

How could such a legendary figure have returned with Kai?

Chen Wanqing’s gaze shifted back and forth between Kai and Jiang Xuelan, her jealousy intensifying.

“Kai, what is your relationship with her?” Yunxi asked directly.

Kai opened his mouth, unsure how to answer.

His relationship with Jiang Xuelan… was indeed somewhat complicated.

They were friends, having cultivated together under the Tree of Life.

They were Daoist partners, but it was merely a transaction.

They were unrelated, having faced life and death together, and Jiang Xuelan had even given him the Heart of the Northern Abyss.

“She helped me revive my friends,” Kai finally chose the safest explanation. “In exchange, I did some things for her.”

Yun Xi was clearly not satisfied with this answer, but she didn’t press further.

Chen Wanqing didn’t say much, but simply walked over and gently took Kai’s hand.

“It’s good you’re back,” her voice gentle. “Everyone’s waiting for you.”

Kai felt a warmth in his heart and tightened his grip on her hand.

“Where’s Long Zhan?”

“In the council hall,” Chen Wanqing said. “He’s been studying the movements of the Demon Realm these past few days, saying that the Demon Dragon lineage has been acting strangely lately.”

Kai nodded, looking at Jiang Xuelan: “You rest for a bit, I’ll go check on things.”

Jiang Xuelan shook her head: “Don’t worry about me, go about your business.”

Yun Xi glanced at her, her tone indifferent: “I’ll take Palace Master Jiang to the guest room to rest.”

Jiang Xuelan glanced at Yun Xi, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned: “Thank you for your trouble.”

The two women exchanged a glance, something seemed to crackle in the air.

Kai coughed and pulled Chen Wanqing towards the council hall.

Behind them, Yun Xi and Jiang Xuelan walked towards the guest room one after the other. After

taking a few steps, Yun Xi suddenly spoke: “Palace Master Jiang, you and Kai… are you really just in a transactional relationship?”

Jiang Xuelan didn’t stop walking, and said indifferently: “What do you think?”

Yun Xi bit her lip: “I don’t think so. The way you look at him doesn’t seem like you’re looking at a transactional partner.”

Jiang Xuelan stopped and turned to look at her.

A hint of a smile flashed in those deep eyes.

“Then what kind of look do you think it should be?”

Yun Xi felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze and turned her head away: “How should I know?”

Jiang Xuelan chuckled and continued walking forward.

“Don’t worry, I won’t take your place.”

Her voice was soft, yet clearly reached Yunxi’s ears. “I have my mission, and he has his path. We’re just… walking together for a while.”

Yunxi paused, standing there, watching Jiang Xuelan’s figure disappear at the end of the corridor.

A complex emotion welled up within her.

This woman… didn’t seem so bad after all.

To be precise, her relationship with Kai was nothing more than a transaction; it was just that over this period of time, she herself had slowly grown fond of Kai. Inside the council chamber, Long Zhan frowned as he stared at a massive map.

The map marked the terrain of the Demon Realm, its cities, and the distribution of power within the Demon Dragon lineage.

The dense red markings almost covered the entire northern half of the map.

“Mr. Chen!” Seeing Kai enter, Long Zhan quickly stood up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. “You’re finally back!”

Kai walked to the map and glanced at the markings. “How’s the situation?”

Long Zhan’s expression turned grave. “Not optimistic. The Demon Dragon lineage has been amassing forces recently, seemingly preparing for some major operation. Our scouts report that Long Yuan has recalled all the Demon Dragons scattered throughout the region; there are now at least a thousand Demon Dragons gathered deep within the Demon Realm.”

“A thousand?” Kai frowned.

“Yes.”

Long Zhan pointed to several red markers on the map. “And it’s not just the Demonic Dragon. Long Yuan also brought in a demonic cultivator from the depths of the Demon Realm, whose strength is said to be unfathomable. Our scouts saw him from afar and said that the demonic cultivator was surrounded by black flames, and the sky within a hundred miles was dyed black.”

Kai’s brows furrowed even more.

Black flames…a demonic cultivator…

could it be Ning Zhi?

No, it shouldn’t be.

Ning Zhi’s demonic energy is pure black, without any flames.

Moreover, Ning Zhi just appeared at the Divine Palace; it’s impossible for him to have gone to the Demon Realm so quickly.

“What is the background of that demonic cultivator?” Kai asked.

Long Zhan shook his head: “We can’t find out. That person’s whereabouts are extremely secretive; he never shows his true face. Our scouts only saw his demonic energy from afar; they didn’t even see what he looked like.”

Kai was silent for a moment.

“However…”

Long Zhan hesitated for a moment, “There’s something strange. Although the Demon Dragon lineage has been gathering, they haven’t launched an attack on Yunxian City. Given Long Yuan’s personality, he should have attacked long ago. But he hasn’t moved, as if he’s waiting for something.”

“Waiting for what?”

“I don’t know.” Long Zhan shook his head, “Maybe they’re waiting for reinforcements, or maybe they’re waiting for some opportunity.”

Kai pondered for a while, then raised his head, a cold glint in his eyes.

“We can’t wait any longer. We’ll take the initiative.”

Long Zhan was taken aback: “Take the initiative?”

“Yes.”

Kai pointed to a mark deep within the Demon Realm on the map. “Instead of sitting here waiting for them to attack, we should just storm their doorstep. We’ll wipe out the Demon Dragon lineage, cut off that demon cultivator’s claws, and then drag that demon cultivator out.”

Long Zhan’s expression changed: “Mr. Chen, the Demon Realm is the territory of the demon race.

If we rashly venture deep into it…” “I know.” Kai interrupted him. “But have you considered that the reason the Demon Dragon lineage dares to act so arrogantly outside Cloud Immortal City is because we’ve been on the defensive? As long as we demonstrate enough strength and let them know we’re not to be trifled with, they will actually back down.”

He paused and looked at Long Zhan.

“Besides, I won’t take too many people. You, the core fighting force of the Heavenly Dragon lineage, plus me, that’s enough.”

Long Zhan hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.

“Okay. I’ll listen to Mr. Chen.”

Kai patted his shoulder: “Go prepare. We’ll depart tomorrow.”

Long Zhan turned and left the council hall.

Kai stood before the map, staring at the red marker deep within the Demon Realm, a cold glint in his eyes.

*Dragon, no matter who’s backing you, this time, I won’t give you another chance.*

That night, when Kai returned to his room, he found Chen Wanqing sitting on his bed waiting for him.

Her expression was complex, as if she wanted to say something but didn’t know how to begin.

“What’s wrong?” Kai walked over and sat down beside her.

Chen Wanqing was silent for a moment, then asked softly, “That Jiang Xuelan… are you really not related?”

Kai paused, then smiled bitterly, “You’re still thinking about this?”

“I just want to know.”

Chen Wanqing looked up at him, her gaze different from how you look at others.

Kai was silent for a moment.

“Her…” Kai chose his words carefully, “I can’t say we’re not related. We’ve been through life and death together. She saved me, and I saved her. She helped me a lot, and I helped her a lot. But as for feelings… I can’t really explain it.”

Chen Wanqing bit her lip: “Then do you like her?”

Kai didn’t answer immediately.

He thought for a moment, then said seriously, “I don’t know if that counts as liking. But I’m sure of one thing: she’s already my woman, and we’ve already practiced dual cultivation.”

“You two practiced dual cultivation?”

Chen Wanqing’s eyes reddened slightly.

She and Kai were considered husband and wife, after all, they had chosen each other through a martial arts contest. Although she had initially intended to scheme against Kai, she now genuinely liked him.

Now Kai was actually practicing dual cultivation with Jiang Xuelan, while she hadn’t even done *that* with him!

“You’re really annoying,” her voice choked with emotion. “Knowing I’d be jealous, you still brought another woman back.”

Kai reached out and pulled Chen Wanqing into his arms.

“I’m sorry,”

Chen Wanqing leaned against him, listening to his strong heartbeat, and the jealousy in her heart slowly dissipated.

“Never mind,” Chen Wanqing said sullenly, “Anyway, you have many women, one more won’t matter.”

Kai: “…”

He decided to remain silent.

“I also want to practice dual cultivation with you…” Chen Wanqing said.

Kai looked at Chen Wanqing, hesitant.

He then said, “Wanqing, I might be going to the Fifteenth Heaven in a while. I won’t be able to take you with me. You’ll have to stay in Yunxian City. As for when I’ll be back, I don’t know.”

Kai thought of how many women he had slept with in the Heavenly Realm, and perhaps they were all waiting for him to return.

But he couldn’t turn back; he could only climb towards the highest peak of the Heavenly Realm until he saw his father.

But what about those women?

Kai had even forgotten some of their names.

Therefore, Kai didn’t want to continue his philandering; he felt somewhat guilty towards Chen Wanqing.

Although they had a martial arts contest to choose a husband, it was all just for show; both of them had their own ulterior motives, so it didn’t count.

“It’s alright, I can wait for you…” Chen Wanqing said.

“Wanqing, listen to me, I might never return to the Fourteenth Heaven, so you should find a man you like,” Kai advised.

But to everyone’s surprise, Chen Wanqing burst into tears, saying through her tears, “If you never come back, I’ll cultivate with you even more. I want to preserve your last bit of tenderness.”

After saying this, Chen Wanqing took off her clothes…

Seeing this, Kai could only helplessly submit!

As he pressed himself against Chen Wanqing, Kai inwardly cried out, “This isn’t because I’m a scumbag, it’s because these women are so proactive. I can’t help it, my charm is just too great.”