Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao

Chapter 1483 - 7: Heavenly Stele

No matter how much she transforms, recognition remains recognition.

However, having recognized this person, Zhou Yan still did not show a hint of closeness, instead, he cautiously pulled her up and then watched her for a moment.

In this state, the woman’s heavy eyes gradually opened, and with a cold gaze, she glanced at Zhou Yan and said, "Give me... a dose of Purple Blue Evil Qi... that’s enough."

Her tone was cold, yet it had a touch of hope.

Zhou Yan, after pondering for a moment, using the Primordial Evil Spirit, spewed a unique Evil Spirit Energy to the woman.

After absorbing this Evil Spirit Energy, the woman’s physique began to transform drastically, her withered body immediately revived, becoming rosy and full.

Even though she was slightly exposing herself, she seemed completely unconcerned; rather, after recovering, a unique Flame Power swept over her shattered War Armor Gown, immediately restoring the pale red gown to perfect integrity.

Simultaneously, waves of Fierce Sun Aura started to emanate from her, making it hard to watch.

Zhou Yan did not look at the woman; instead, he stepped back a certain distance, his gaze wary as he regarded her, expressing a normal wariness towards a stranger.

"I am Fierce Sun Immortal Hong Yuqiao, one of the Eight Immortals under the Lord of Ice and Snow, in the Great Perfection Realm of Nine Rules and Nine Layers of Eternal Life. Friend, what is your name and realm?"

The woman introduced herself, and her name did not come as a surprise to Zhou Yan.

However, Zhou Yan still displayed a look of shock, though it was only moderate.

"My name is ’An Rufeng’, a guard beside the White Tiger Saint Spirit, coming here merely to pursue the Tao in my heart."

Zhou Yan thought for a moment, then spoke with An Rufeng’s true identity and purpose.

Hong Yuqiao pondered for a moment as she glanced at Zhou Yan, saying, "I didn’t expect the White Tiger Saint Spirit to have such profound research on the Purple Blue Evil Qi. It seems we will eventually be on the same side."

Having said that, Hong Yuqiao no longer looked at Zhou Yan but continued moving forward, saying, "Just a little more, and we will reach the First Layer Heaven of Demon Origin Sky Road."

"The First Layer Heaven is a unique Land of Origin, allowing us to absorb our own Origin of Enlightenment, enhancing our realm and strength."

"However, it has a limit on the number of living beings it can accommodate. Under the Lord of Ice and Snow, there are three immortals ahead; whether there are other living beings on this Heavenly Road is unknown, but there are only five slots. Let us go."

"Hmm... good."

Zhou Yan hesitated slightly, then immediately followed Hong Yuqiao onward.

The journey ahead was dull, but having someone accompany him reduced the monotony significantly.

Hong Yuqiao spoke not a word along the way, and Zhou Yan chose to remain silent as well, for he was an old acquaintance of hers, and with her intelligence, if Zhou Yan spoke too much, he would certainly misspeak.

Zhou Yan intended not to speak, but after several days of traveling, Hong Yuqiao suddenly and inexplicably spoke: "Approximately ninety days more, and we will reach the first layer of the Demon Origin Sky Road.

This road is nearly at its end."

"Hmm..."

Zhou Yan hesitated briefly, then responded simply, remaining silent.

Hong Yuqiao mused aloud: "I have walked this road for a million years, but in reality, time is truly a million years, yet it truly isn’t a million years. Concerning the Heavenly Road of the Evil Spirit Origin, time is also something that vexes you; this inversion, exactly how much time has passed in our world where the Purple Micro Emperor Star lies, is unknown.

On the Evil Spirit Origin’s Heavenly Road, a year can be seen as a second."

"It can also be seen as a billionth of a breath."

"The transformation of evil spirits is swift because of their power, thus efficient. On the Purple Micro Emperor Star, a day is regarded as a minor reincarnation; a year is regarded as a major reincarnation. Whereas on the evil spirit origin’s heavenly road, a billionth of a breath is a minor reincarnation, and a ten millionth of a breath is a major reincarnation. Thus, the exact time elapsed is unknowable."

"In this world, some things are indeed too incredible. Lovers can become life-and-death enemies; this kind of hatred stems from the heart, yet the reason is unknown."

"An Rufeng, don’t you think so?"

"Hmm, yes, yes."

Zhou Yan paused, then nodded affirmatively.

However, he thought to himself in a muffled manner, then said, "Why think so much? It’s just self-inflicted discomfort."

"We should just focus wholeheartedly on cultivation; thinking too much is useless and will only give birth to more heart demons."

Zhou Yan spoke according to An Rufeng’s character.

Hong Yuqiao’s words always seemed to have implications, yet Zhou Yan simply would not play into her hands.

Hong Yuqiao heard, and said, "Are you suggesting ’there are no things in the world, only the unenlightened disturb themselves’?"

Zhou Yan looked bewildered, "What do you mean?"

"It means nothing, but once a friend—also an enemy—liked to speak in such ways."

"I haven’t heard speech like this for a very long time, An Rufeng, perhaps you could say it for me to listen. I also miss the past."

Hong Yuqiao remarked.

Zhou Yan glanced coldly at her, "With such thoughts, how do you become a king? You think too much."

Hong Yuqiao laughed lightly and said, "I also hope I’ve overthought things, but if I’ve thought too little, I don’t know what my true intention to persevere is."

Zhou Yan said nothing, and instead trudged forward.

The scene remained silent for quite a while.

Then, Hong Yuqiao began to speak again.

"An Rufeng, have you ever had a Daoist couple?"

Hong Yuqiao asked softly.

This voice was gentle and tender, pleasant to the ears, and very seductive to the most fundamental desires of life.

Yet Zhou Yan showed no reaction. An Rufeng was a wooden presence, naturally without a Daoist couple; the White Tiger Saint Spirit had mentioned this as well.

Thus, Zhou Yan merely gave Hong Yuqiao a cold glance and did not answer.

"There’s no need to be so fierce, you don’t have a Daoist couple, how about I become your Daoist couple?"

Hong Yuqiao proposed.

Zhou Yan remained silent.

"Actually, I understand that you resent us, the Lords of Ice and Snow, because of the Caiqing affair, but some things are unavoidable, just like your alliance with the White Tiger Saint Spirit cannot be explained. Caiqing chose to follow the Lord of Ice and Snow and took a fatal blow for him, which was beyond her control."

"If you hate us because of Caiqing’s death, it’s not worth it. If she were alive, she wouldn’t want to see this, am I right?"

Hong Yuqiao unexpectedly brought up something about the romantic relationship between An Ruofeng and Caiqing.

This scenario left Zhou Yan puzzled, unsure of what was really going on.

An Rufeng’s death seemed peculiar to the White Tiger Saint Spirit.

And the White Tiger Saint Spirit was unaware of An Rufeng’s affections, so what did Hong Yuqiao mean by saying this?

Was it deception, probing, or truth?

Zhou Yan couldn’t decide, but chose to stay unchanged in the face of evolving circumstances.

Thus, Zhou Yan remained expressionless, continuing his journey quietly.

"Alright, I’ll say no more, nor will I be your Daoist couple. You’re overthinking things, how could I be your Daoist couple? I plan to marry a lifeform of the Lord of Thunder Punishment in the future, how could I value you."

"Hmm, do you know why once we become Evil Spirits, we suddenly lose our original emotions and become indifferent to kin?"

"There is a very important secret to this, and you definitely don’t know what this secret is."

Hong Yuqiao offered Zhou Yan a piece of tempting information.

However, the more alluring the information, the less daring Zhou Yan was to inquire, as it might be wrapped in a huge scheme.

So, Zhou Yan ignored Hong Yuqiao’s various tactics and words, treating them with silence.

For in silence lies the best answer.

For silence won’t reveal anything, any method can be met with silence.

Seeing no effect, Hong Yuqiao had to sigh and say, "You don’t know, that’s why you don’t know how to face it; once you know, you’ll definitely join the Evil Spirits willingly and fully understand Caiqing’s actions."

"However, regarding the secret of the Evil Spirits, you are not one; despite possessing some Evil Spirit methods, you ultimately cannot know this secret.

I talk to you just to pass this tedious journey."

"But I can tell you one thing: once controlled by Evil Spirits, our True Self becomes stronger and more autonomous, rather than enslaved, as for the reason..."

Hong Yuqiao stopped speaking here, instead looking at Zhou Yan with a smile.

But Zhou Yan’s expression didn’t change, as rigid as a wooden block, leaving Hong Yuqiao without a shred of excitement or amusement, eventually keeping silent.

This exchange thus ended inconclusively.

As they traveled, about ninety days passed, and Zhou Yan finally saw a massive Heavenly Stele standing at the end of the road.

Seeing the stele, Hong Yuqiao noticeably quickened his pace, almost sprinting.

In this realm, sprinting wasn’t possible, yet Hong Yuqiao did so, showing he was nearly breaking down in such a world.

In fact, any life on such a Heavenly Road would eventually break down, an endless void all the same, needing constant advance; maintaining such a walk for a million years would break any lifeform, those who persevere know the result or know they can pass through by enduring a million years.

But for Zhou Yan, who doesn’t know the outcome or where the end lies, walking for a century is terrifying.

However, they ultimately walked through and saw the Heavenly Stele.

The stele stood there, void of words, rustic and mottled, carrying a weathered aura.

Vaguely, it exuded a majestic presence, as if a dormant terrible King Realm-level Evil Spirit was glaringly observing everything in this world.