On the seventh day, the barrier of Tingchun Cliff finally opened.
Yu Zhiling leaned against the bed frame as she stepped down, her legs so weak she nearly collapsed to the floor. An arm suddenly caught her—Mo Zhu grasped her wrist and steadied her.
"Master, rest a little longer. Just sleep," he said.
Yu Zhiling turned to look at him. Mo Zhu reclined lazily on the bed, his exposed skin marked with scratches. Yet he looked utterly refreshed, brimming with vitality.
The sight irritated her. She pinched his cheeks and tugged them outward. "Just sleep? What kind of sleep—plain or spicy?"
At first, Mo Zhu didn’t understand what she meant by "plain" or "spicy." But seeing her flustered expression, realization dawned, and his lips curled into a smirk.
With one arm around her waist, the young man effortlessly pulled her back onto the bed.
"What are you doing? We have business to attend to. We should be leaving soon."
"Just a little longer. Just hold me for a moment."
Mo Zhu pulled her into his embrace, resting his chin atop her forehead as he closed his eyes, his long lashes half-lowered. Despite the days of indulgence, he showed no signs of exhaustion—instead, he radiated energy, clearly thriving.
Yu Zhiling poked his collarbone in mock frustration. "Haven’t you had enough?"
"Never enough," Mo Zhu murmured hoarsely. "I like it too much. I’ll never have enough."
Yu Zhiling narrowed her eyes. "Like? Or love?"
"Both," Mo Zhu replied, opening his eyes to press a light kiss to her lips. "I like you, and I love you."
Yu Zhiling hummed and wrapped her arms around his lean waist, breathing in the lingering scent of their intimacy. It wasn’t unpleasant—she had grown used to it over these days.
After a long silence, she shifted slightly. "Mo Zhu, rub my waist for me."
"Of course." His hand settled at the small of her back, kneading with practiced ease, each press precisely hitting the right spots, easing the soreness away.
Yu Zhiling sighed. "We’re going to the Demon Abyss soon."
Mo Zhu nodded. "Mm."
Their carefree days were over. Now, they had to face their responsibilities.
He looked down at her, meeting her gaze, and whispered, "Once we return from the Demon Abyss, give me seven more days like this. Just us, hidden away from the world."
Yu Zhiling nestled deeper into his arms and tilted her head up. "Won’t you get tired of it?"
How could he ever tire of this?
He wished he could tie them together with a rope, never letting her leave his side.
Mo Zhu chuckled and shook his head. "Never. I’d beg for it."
Yu Zhiling smiled softly. "Alright. As you wish."
By noon, a jade token glowed.
"Little Five." It was Ning Hengwu’s voice.
Yu Zhiling cleared her throat, trying to sound less hoarse. "Second Senior Sister."
Ning Hengwu paused, then asked calmly, "Are you… feeling alright?"
Yu Zhiling immediately understood the implication and coughed awkwardly. After their wedding, she and Mo Zhu had secluded themselves in Tingchun Cliff for seven days—even if others hadn’t suspected at first, they certainly did now.
"I—I’m fine."
Ning Hengwu continued, "I made some medicine to replenish your energy. Come get it later. Will you two… be coming out today?"
Yu Zhiling shot Mo Zhu a glare—this was all his fault! Now everyone knew.
She rolled out of his arms and curled up on the far side of the bed. "We’ll be out soon. Yun Zhi sent word last night—we’re heading to the Four Slaughter Realm this afternoon."
Ning Hengwu’s footsteps sounded faintly through the token. "The disciples are nearly ready. We can enter the Demon Abyss at any time. Little Five, your Eldest Senior Brother and Fourth Senior Sister will accompany you. Third Senior Brother and I will remain at Yingshan—someone needs to stay behind."
Yu Zhiling murmured, "Senior Sister, I’ll protect them."
Ning Hengwu’s voice softened. "Little Five, this time, they will protect you. You must survive."
She had always been gentle with Yu Zhiling—never raising her voice, always doting on her. Even Yan Shanqing, who had once been cold, silently looked after her.
Yu Zhiling smiled. "I will."
The token dimmed. Mo Zhu’s arms encircled her waist from behind, his chest pressing against her back.
"Master, we’ll go in together this time."
Yu Zhiling turned in his embrace, facing him.
"Yes, Mo Zhu."
Yan Shanqing stood atop the high platform, tall and imposing, his stern features set in its usual unreadable expression. Though not dressed in formal robes, his presence as sect leader remained undeniable.
Around seven thousand Yingshan disciples stood ready. Teaching them to counter demonic hordes and master Yu Zhiling’s formations in just seven days had been difficult, but fortunately, those who had fought alongside her before were skilled enough to train the others.
The disciples stood in formation, unafraid despite knowing their destination—the Demon Abyss.
The first lesson Yingshan taught its disciples was this: when the Central Continent was in peril, they must be prepared to die for it.
"Eldest Senior Brother."
Yan Shanqing turned. Yu Zhiling approached, her green robes fluttering in the wind, the jade ribbon in her hair swaying lightly.
She stopped beside him. "Are these all the disciples going?"
Yan Shanqing nodded. "They volunteered. Numbers increase our chances. Half remain to guard the sect."
Yu Zhiling gazed at the sea of disciples below, meeting countless reverent eyes. Even after the decade of suffering under the false "Zhuo Yu," their admiration for the true Zhuo Yu—the guardian of Yingshan—had never faded.
"Rest well?" Yan Shanqing asked.
Yu Zhiling kept her expression neutral. "Mm. Been busy."
"And Mo Zhu?"
"Behind me."
Yan Shanqing glanced past her. Mo Zhu approached, clad in his usual black robes, hair tied high—as if he had never worn anything else.
"Sect Leader." Mo Zhu inclined his head.
Yan Shanqing arched a brow. "You’re leading the disciples?"
"Yes. I’ll stay with them. Master and Sui Ji will go ahead."
Mo Zhu’s gaze flicked to Yu Zhiling, who stood with her hands clasped behind her back, smiling brightly. The sight softened his expression, his lips curving into an even brighter grin.
The affection between them was palpable—so thick even Yan Shanqing, an outsider, could feel it. He exchanged a glance with Xiang Wuxue in the distance, and both turned away in unison, shaking their heads.
Mo Zhu stood by her side, gazing at her profile. The robes she wore today and the neatly tied-up hair were all his handiwork. He quietly grasped her hand, and though Yu Zhiling didn’t turn around—standing straight as if unaffected—her fingers secretly curled around his beneath the wide sleeves.
No one could see them here. Mo Zhu chuckled softly, teasing her palm with his fingers until she swatted him lightly in reprimand. He obediently stilled, letting her intertwine their fingers properly.
Yan Shanqing held a jade token, seemingly conversing with someone—likely Yun Zhi, Wu Zhaoyan, and the other noble families of the Central Continent—coordinating the exact time of departure.
The disciples of Yingshan had all bid farewell to their families and friends, now standing in orderly rows on the open ground before the sect’s teaching hall. Several elders arrived one after another.
Ning Hengwu handed over a Qiankun pouch. "Little Five, take this."
Yu Zhiling obeyed, opening it to find it filled with medicinal pills. Ning Hengwu’s elixirs were famed across the Central Continent, each bottle worth at least a thousand spirit stones.
"If you’re injured, use them without hesitation. Protect yourself."
Warmed by the gesture, Yu Zhiling tucked the pouch away with a smile. "Understood. Thank you, Eldest Sister."
Ning Hengwu hadn’t just prepared medicine for Yu Zhiling—she’d also supplied Mo Zhu and every disciple with as many remedies as they might need. It was no small expense; she’d likely emptied her stores of a century’s worth of alchemy.
Xiang Wuxue, skilled in mechanical arts rather than combat, would remain at Yingshan Sect this time.
Yu Zhiling stretched out her hand. "Third Brother, what will you give me?"
Xiang Wuxue tapped her forehead lightly with his folding fan. "What could your Third Brother possibly offer?"
Renowned across the Central Continent for his craftsmanship, everything in Yu Zhiling’s quarters—from the largest bed to the smallest potted plant—bore his touch. When she’d once wandered the martial world, the hidden weapons she carried were also his gifts, which she’d often used to tease her friends.
He handed her another Qiankun pouch. "You’ll find these useful, Little Five."
Yu Zhiling hugged both him and Ning Hengwu, burying her face against them. "Second Sister, Third Brother, wait for me at home. I’ll come back."
Ning Hengwu’s eyes reddened slightly as she patted her back gently. "I’ll be waiting. This time, you must return."
Xiang Wuxue stroked her hair. "Keep yourself safe."
Three of Yingshan’s five elders would be departing.
Yan Shanqing slung his blade over his shoulder, while Mei Qiongge shed her usual adornments, dressed now in a simple golden martial outfit, her dark hair tied back with a jade crown.
As Yu Zhiling boarded the Jiezi boat and looked back, she saw half of Yingshan’s ten thousand disciples remaining at the mountain gate, all gathered to see them off. At the forefront stood Ning Hengwu and Xiang Wuxue.
The boundary of Wuliang briefly closed as the fleet of Jiezi boats ascended into the void, revealing the entirety of Yingshan Sect below—its forests deep and lush.
The jade token at her waist glowed. It was Sui Ji.
"Yu Zhiling, where are you?"
"On the Jiezi boat."
The journey from Yingshan to the Four Killing Realms would take only two hours. Leaning against the railing, she asked, "And you?"
Sui Ji scoffed. "On the Wu family’s Jiezi boat, obviously."
Yu Zhiling didn’t respond, idly tapping the railing like a child amusing herself.
Sui Ji continued, "With such a grand mobilization, yet You Zhou and Chou Xiao show no reaction—they must already have a plan. The Demon Abyss is likely a trap. Even if we win, casualties will be heavy."
Yu Zhiling murmured, "Sui Ji, this battle is unavoidable."
They both knew: unless You Zhou perished, another great war would inevitably come to the Central Continent.
The Demon Abyss already teemed with millions of demonic fiends. You Zhou’s recent movements—awakening the Three-Eyed Python in Nan Du, laying the Eight Blades Killing Array to force Yu Zhiling’s second Windfrost Slash—were all declarations of war.
Luring her to the Lingyou Path, failing to replace Yun Zhi’s identity, and being unable to coerce her third Windfrost Slash with the fiends of Unforgetting River—his silence now, as the Central Continent purged his hidden forces, suggested deeper schemes. What was he planning?
Sui Ji said nothing, but Yu Zhiling spoke again. "And with the Demon King involved, we’ve no insight into the demonic realm’s movements. You Zhou and Ni'e couldn’t have orchestrated so much alone. The one aiding them from the shadows is obvious."
Chou Xiao. Whether to kill Mo Zhu and secure his throne, seize the Huiqing Serpent Bracelet, or carve up the Central Continent with You Zhou—his motives boded no good.
"So, Sui Ji, we can’t remain passive. Always reacting—must we wait until the fiends surge from the Demon Abyss, until You Zhou’s plans unfold, before we strike back?"
"With just the two of us—you, a divine weapon, might survive. I’d likely die. Or we’d walk right into You Zhou’s trap."
Because from the start, his target had always been Yu Zhiling.
Like eliminating the Spring-Brushing Immortal, he sought to purge the Central Continent’s greatest powers one by one—beginning with its strongest, Yu Zhiling.
Sui Ji laughed softly. "I understand your concerns. But if demons and fiends unite against us, how many of these disciples do you think will survive?"
Yu Zhiling’s gaze drifted over the cities flashing past below, her expression calm. "I have a plan. I’ll protect as many as I can. I want us all to live."
Sui Ji didn’t know what that plan was. He stood at the railing of the Wu family’s boat, mirroring her posture, watching the world below. Behind him, Wu disciples chatted—some young, some seasoned, different from those who’d fought six hundred years ago, yet just as fearless.
Sui Ji whispered, "Yu Zhiling, if only she’d fought to survive for me like you do now, how much better would it have been?"
His sigh scattered with the wind, carrying away six centuries of bitterness. He hated Wu Weining, yet loved her still.
That was why he’d hunted You Zhou, why he now marched to the Demon Abyss for vengeance.
Yu Zhiling ended the call. The moment she stepped into her cabin, a pair of youthful arms pulled her close, followed by a searing kiss.
Startled, she let out a soft sound. Mo Zhu kicked the door shut, lifting her by the thighs as she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist. He pressed her against the window, kissing her deeply.
A quarter-hour later, he finally withdrew, their breaths mingling, her ears flushed and face tinged pink like jade brushed with rouge.
Mo Zhu leaned in, pecking at the corners of Yu Zhiling’s lips like a chick nibbling grains, planting kisses all over her face.
Yu Zhiling laughed, dodging slightly before asking, "What’s gotten into you?"
Mo Zhu replied, "We’re nearing the Four Slaughter Realm."
The smile on Yu Zhiling’s lips faded slightly. "Mm."
They both knew what reaching the Four Slaughter Realm meant.
Yu Zhiling raised her hand, brushing aside the hair at his temple, her fingertips tracing his face. In truth, Mo Zhu’s features were already etched into her soul—she remembered every expression of his.
"Mo Zhu, there’s one more thing I need you to do for me. Only you can do it."
Mo Zhu’s voice deepened. "What is it?"
Yu Zhiling answered, "Chou Xiao."
She didn’t elaborate, but Mo Zhu understood her meaning from those two words and the look in her eyes. Some things didn’t need to be spoken plainly—their tacit understanding was enough for them to convey meaning with just a glance.
Mo Zhu tilted his head, lightly kissing Yu Zhiling’s lips before murmuring, "Alright. I understand."
Yu Zhiling rested her head against his shoulder. "Mo Zhu, hold me for a while."
"Mm. Of course."
Mo Zhu sat on the couch, pulling her into his arms.
Yu Zhiling shifted slightly. Before, sitting in his lap had never felt strange, but after those seven days, this position now carried a different implication.
Leaning against Mo Zhu’s chest, she watched as the Hundred-Searching Canoe flew side by side toward the Four Slaughter Realm.
Ni'e stepped forward, handing a cloak to You Zhou. "My Lord, the night wind is cold."
You Zhou chuckled. "Since when does the Demon Abyss have day or night?"
Ni'e remained silent, fastening the cloak around him herself before retreating respectfully.
Standing atop the heights, You Zhou gazed down at the endless sea of crimson eyes stretching for miles below. Suddenly, he spoke. "Ni'e, how long have you served me?"
Ni'e answered, "A thousand years."
"A thousand years… that’s so long." You Zhou nodded, sitting down carelessly on the ground, his expensive robes gathering dust. Ni'e instinctively knelt to wipe them clean.
You Zhou’s voice was light. "I’ll give you a choice. No one but Yun Zhi has ever seen your face. We’re in the Demon Abyss now—you can leave for the Northern Demon Realm from here. It’s cold and dark, nowhere near as lively as the Central Continent, but if you stay out of this battle, the Central Continent won’t touch you."
Ni'e’s hands, painted with red lacquer, stilled. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to You Zhou’s back. "...My Lord?"
You Zhou didn’t turn around, his tone amused. "This isn’t a test of your loyalty. The choice is yours."
Ni'e’s voice was hoarse. "What would you have me choose?"
Would she take the path of survival, or walk with him toward possible death?
You Zhou said, "I told you—the choice is yours."
"Any choice is acceptable?"
"Naturally."
"Even if I choose to leave?"
"Yes."
Ni'e lowered her lashes, her painted lips curving into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
After a long silence, the rustle of fabric sounded as she dusted off his robes. Softly, she said, "I won’t leave."
You Zhou went quiet for a moment before suddenly laughing—first softly, then louder, as if he’d heard something absurd. His hair tumbled wildly over his shoulders, his demeanor bordering on madness.
Ni'e waited, head bowed, until his laughter faded.
Finally, You Zhou turned his head, his gaze icy. "I am a Heavenly Demon’s seed."
Ni'e’s voice was rough. "I know."
"I have no capacity for love."
"I know."
"You’re a fool. A path to life lies before you, yet you choose death." You Zhou stood, looking down at her. "You and Chan Luo are both shackled by love, but at least Chou Xiao once cared for her. I feel nothing for you. Even so, you refuse to leave?"
Ni'e knelt, head still lowered. "I refuse."
You Zhou sneered. "Fool."
Ni'e replied, "I know."
Without another word, You Zhou walked away.
Ni'e turned her gaze to the horde of demonic fiends below—these millions of creatures were their main force against the Central Continent’s cultivators.
Six hundred years ago, the demon race had suffered devastating losses. After being cast into the Demon Abyss, the survivors gradually returned to the Northern Demon Realm. The Central Continent believed the demons’ strength remained formidable, but in truth, their current forces were less than a fifth of what they once were.
Six hundred years ago had shattered countless lives.
Ni'e stood, her eyes lifting to the trembling barrier above. The Central Continent had arrived.
Since coming to this world, Yu Zhiling had only been to the Four Slaughter Realm twice.
This was the second time.
Standing before the Four Slaughter Stele, she watched as representatives from the great clans arrived one by one. Yun Zhi and Wu Zhaoyan emerged from the dense forest with their disciples in tow. Yu Zhiling spotted the Zhongli family as well—led by Zhongli Yang, with his younger brother Zhongli Xun waving cheerfully at her.
Soon, the entire Four Slaughter Realm was packed with people.
Yu Zhiling nodded to Yun Zhi, Wu Zhaoyan, and Zhongli Yang. Then, someone pushed past Wu Zhaoyan’s disciples, swaggering toward her.
Sui Ji carried a jade ring in his arms—the Six Time Seal required both the artifact and its spirit. He’d even brought his own true form along.
Yu Zhiling couldn’t help but laugh. Sui Ji rolled his eyes, deliberately bumping into her as he passed.
"Move. You’re in the way."
Mo Zhu frowned, steadying Yu Zhiling with a hand on her shoulder before casting a cool glance at Sui Ji.
Sui Ji: "..."
His ribs ached phantomly.
Silently, he stepped back, his form dissolving into golden light as he merged with the Six Time Seal.
Yu Zhiling raised her hands, weaving a spell to activate the Six Time Seal. A massive disk of energy expanded over the Demon Abyss, forming an impenetrable barrier.
The Six Time Seal’s power could manipulate space—she used it to create a barrier sealing off the Demon Abyss. The moment it solidified, Yu Zhiling barked, "Yun Zhi! Wu Zhaoyan! Deactivate the slaughter arrays in the Four Slaughter Stele!"
The two men split off, working to dismantle the arrays one by one. It took nearly half an hour before the final array fell. As the suppression weakened, the howls of demonic fiends from the abyss grew louder.
The disciples tightened their grips on their weapons, faces solemn.
With the last array gone, the Demon Abyss was no longer restrained. The fiends and demons gathered at the bottom began scaling the cliffs, desperate to escape.
Yu Zhiling leaped into the air, her sword sweeping down in a slash that reduced the first wave of creatures to ash.
She glanced at Mo Zhu, who understood immediately. Drawing his sword, Wu Hui, he joined her as they plunged into the abyss.
Falling into the Demon Abyss was like sinking into an endless, lightless sea. Before fear could take hold, the two pearls at Yu Zhiling’s waist blazed with radiant light, dispelling the darkness.
In that glow, she saw the hordes of fiends and demons clawing their way up—and Mo Zhu, cutting them down with cold precision.
They were falling. Mo Zhu held her waist with one arm while wielding his sword in the other, cutting down the demonic creatures surging upward along their path.
The two Transcendent Realm cultivators were the first to leap into the Demon Abyss, clearing the way of the demonic hordes as they descended. From the moment they jumped, it took a full quarter of an hour before they finally landed.
They landed right in the heart of a demon nest. Tens of thousands of demonic creatures lunged at them, but Yu Zhiling and Mo Zhu stood back-to-back, swiftly cutting them down. The protective barrier of wind around them remained unbroken—not a single demon could breach it.
Yu Zhiling pulled out a jade token and sent a message: "Eldest Senior Brother, wait another quarter of an hour before descending!"
She ended the transmission and glanced back at Mo Zhu, who gave her a firm nod.
The two quickly separated, each leaping into the swarming masses of demons.
Yu Zhiling gripped her sword with one hand, Zhu Qing radiating an aura of unstoppable force, its blade light sharp and merciless.
A quarter of an hour was enough for her and Mo Zhu to slaughter most of the demons here, reducing the casualties their fellow disciples might suffer when they descended into the Demon Abyss.
Her task was to carve a path through the darkness.
