During that battle five hundred years ago, Cangshu Bai had already taken notice of Cangshu Linfeng.
At that time, Cangshu Linfeng was merely observing the fight and did not make a move, but Cangshu Bai could sense that he was a true master.
Five hundred years later, when Cangshu Bai wanted to kill Cangshu Taotian, he planned to eliminate Cangshu Linfeng first so that Zhenyue Mountain City would have no extra support.
Thus, one day, Cangshu Bai and Cangshu Linfeng crossed paths.
When the two supreme masters met, even before they exchanged blows, the mere clash of their gazes sent sand and stones flying, summoned dark clouds to obscure the sun, and changed the very color of the world.
Unexpectedly, however, they ended up merely making a deal.
Zhenyue Mountain City possessed a treasure: a token from the Qingtian Bright Realm. With that token, one could enter the Qingtian Sect.
It was obtained a thousand years ago by the Cangshu family's ancestor, who, after reaching the peak realm, tore through the void to travel to the Qingtian Bright Realm. The token had been passed down ever since.
Cangshu Linfeng promised Cangshu Bai that he could give him the Qingtian Sect token, but Cangshu Bai had to do one thing for him in return.
At that time, cold winds howled across the mountain peak. Below the peak were thousands of lit lamps, and any cultivator could easily extinguish that swath of warm lights with just a flick of their finger.
Standing against the wind, Cangshu Bai asked calmly, What do you want me to do?
Cangshu Linfeng held his sword in his arms, his gaze seeming to pierce through the boundaries of the night. Do you not think it is time for the sky to change over Zhenyue Mountain City?
Whether it was the existence of the medicine testers or raising sons like venomous gu bugs, Cangshu Taotian was far too set in his ways. He only greedily sought to use external forces to elevate the power of Zhenyue Mountain City, which was truly foolish.
What could truly support this city was never any external force or evil sorcery, but him, Cangshu Linfeng.
The deal was struck, leading to the scene playing out today.
Cangshu Bai took the token. Without another glance or a moment's delay, he turned and left.
When the surrounding storm dissipated, the others finally saw Cangshu Taotian's body, cleanly cleaved in two, lying on the ground.
The people of Zhenyue Mountain City were in a panic, staring in terror at the black-clad, white-haired figure flying far into the distance.
Cangshu Linfeng declared, Cangshu Bai, you killed my father today! When we meet again, I, Cangshu Linfeng, will fight you to the bitter end!
Mu Ran, lying on Cangshu Bai's back, admired him from the bottom of her heart. This man's acting skills are truly impressive.
Cangshu Bai glanced back without a word. In the next instant, his figure completely vanished into the clouds, leaving no trace behind.
Cangshu Fenming, who had appeared behind Cangshu Linfeng at some unknown moment, bowed and cupped his hands. The mountain city cannot be without a master for even a single day. I beg the Eldest Young Master to succeed the throne.
Cangshu Linfeng remained unmoving. My father's bones are not yet cold. I have no heart to take the throne.
The surrounding people exchanged glances and quickly caught on. They all knelt in unison, their voices shaking the heavens. We beg the Eldest Young Master to succeed the throne!
Cangshu Fenming spoke again, The Patriarch died a tragic death, the mountain city is in turmoil, foreign enemies are watching, and the people are in a state of panic. If the Eldest Young Master backs down now, Zhenyue Mountain City will surely fall into internal strife, and countless clansmen will become sacrifices. Even the Patriarch's spirit in heaven would not rest in peace.
He bowed deeply once more, his tone resolute. Whether you take the throne or not is no longer just your personal matter, Eldest Young Master. It concerns the life and death of the entire city. Please, Eldest Young Master, prioritize the mountain city and take the throne immediately!
The others joined in, Please, Eldest Young Master, prioritize the mountain city and take the throne immediately!
Cangshu Linfeng sheathed his sword. Since that is the case, I have no choice but to inherit the position of City Lord for now.
Cangshu Fenming stood up straight. His previously respectful, bowing posture instantly vanished, replaced by an aura of calm solemnity. He called out loudly, City Lord!
The crowd around them seemed to wake from a dream. They all kowtowed in unison, their voices echoing across the wilderness. Greetings, City Lord!
From then on, the old master of Zhenyue Mountain City had fallen, and a new sovereign had descended upon the world.
Cangshu Linfeng looked back. The girl in green was no longer there, and both Cangshu Qihua and Fanghua had disappeared as well.
He touched the hilt of his sword, feeling a bit bitter in his heart.
But whether it was Mu Shuqing or himself, they both knew very well that his feelings were nothing more than a momentary whim. This kind of interest was like a pool of still water with no wind or waves, suddenly disturbed by a small pebble tossed in, gently rippling outward.
No matter how much it rippled, it could never turn into stormy waves, nor could it amount to even a tenth of his ambition.
Cangshu Fenming asked, Should we capture them and bring them back?
Cangshu Linfeng replied, No need.
He turned and strode away into the wind, his robes fluttering and snapping in the gale.
Those fleeting ripples, that momentary flutter of the heart, that trace of inexplicable melancholy, he cast them all ruthlessly behind him.
Ahead lay the authority of the City Lord and the future of the entire Zhenyue Mountain City.
Romantic entanglements were nothing more than an insignificant speck of dust on his path to the summit.
Cangshu Bai returned to the small world where the water met the sky. After washing away the dust and the heavy bloodlust from his body, he eagerly embraced his wife and slowly guided that drop of heart's blood into her glabella.
A rosy hue subsequently spread across her skin. Her body regained more warmth, and her chest rose and fell slightly, as if she had developed a faint breath.
Cangshu Bai tightened his arms and buried his face in her neck, his voice hoarse and trembling. Ranran, you are about to wake up, aren't you?
Wandering outside, Mu Ran vaguely felt a pulling force; it was her body calling out to her soul.
She hurriedly tried to float back and slip into her body, but the attraction was not strong enough. She could not fuse with her physical form.
Cangshu Bai held her gradually warming but still empty body. His fingertips gently stroked the lingering pale red blood mark between her brows. The depths of his eyes were as still as a deep, cold pool, yet enveloped in tenderness.
He lowered his head and planted a kiss on the corner of her lips, his voice so soft as if afraid to disturb her. We are only missing the final item.
The wind swept across this small world of water and sky, lifting a strand of his white hair.
He raised his eyes to look at the firmament outside, his gaze piercing through the sea of clouds, seemingly landing on the lofty Qingtian Sect, renowned as the leader of all sects.
The Soul Pivot Lotus Platform guarded by the Qingtian Sect is a supreme treasure capable of locking a soul back into its body, resurrecting the dead, and restoring flesh to bare bones. With it, you will truly awaken and never leave me again.
He gently laid her flat. His fingertips brushed her cheek one last time in lingering affection before the bloodlust and sharp aura he had just concealed erupted once more, like a sword drawn from its sheath.
Wait for me. I am heading to the Qingtian Sect, and I will undoubtedly retrieve the Soul Pivot Lotus Platform.
Mu Ran recalled just how formidable the Qingtian Sect was in the original plot; there was no shortage of peak-realm masters. She hurriedly tried to grab Cangshu Bai's hand. Jinzhi, do not go!
If he went, he would be injured by the Qingtian Sect's Master. Then, Luo Qingniao would threaten suicide, forcing the Sect Master to hand over the Soul Pivot Lotus Platform.
Upon seeing that Luo Qingniao was willing to sacrifice her life for him, he would be reminded of his wife who had died for him years ago. Just like that, Cangshu Bai would uncontrollably fall in love with Luo Qingniao, and his long-lonely soul would finally find a haven.
