novelraw Chapter 369: Hui Zeng Descends into Darkness
Chapter 369: Hui Zeng Descends into Darkness
His legend was far from over. At the age of thirty-seven, he passed the Fourth-Grade Alchemist examination, becoming the only person in ten thousand years to achieve such a feat before the age of fifty. The entire world was shocked.
That same year, a grand alchemy competition shook the entire Western Region. As the sole Fourth-Grade Alchemist in the competition, he swept through all the participants, effortlessly claiming the championship.
After the competition, a stunning young woman approached him. She had exquisite features, skin as fair as snow, and lively, expressive eyes that seemed to speak.
Hui Zeng immediately recognized her as one of the competition's participants. She showed great talent in alchemy, though her training appeared to be relatively recent, as she had been eliminated in the finals.
“I am Qin Yuyou, Princess of Xiyue from the Flaming Court Empire. We’re from the same country, and I often visit the Great Buddha Temple to pray. May I seek your guidance on alchemy from time to time?”
The girl blinked and flashed a playful smile.
Hui Zeng clasped his hands together and smiled. “Of course. If you don’t mind, I could take you as my disciple.”
“Hmph! I don’t want to be your disciple,” she retorted, pouting, before running off with a smile.
Their acquaintance began with the alchemy competition, marking their first meeting. From then on, she became a part of his life.
The young woman frequently visited the Great Buddha Temple to consult him about alchemy. Gradually, their interactions grew more frequent.They practiced alchemy together and climbed mountains to gather herbs. Perhaps due to prolonged companionship, they developed feelings for each other.
When he meditated, she would sneak up behind him, cover his eyes with her delicate hands, and giggle.
When he slept, she would tickle his nose with a blade of grass, laughing as she ran away.
But rumors began to spread within the temple. Whispers of impropriety reached the ears of the monks.
One day, the abbot summoned him to the Buddha statue. With his back to Hui Zeng, the abbot said, “You know the rules of the monastic order. You have violated them.”
Clenching his fists, Hui Zeng remained silent for a long time before finally leaving. From that day, he avoided the young woman.
When she covered his eyes during meditation, he said nothing.
When she teased him with the blade of grass, he remained indifferent.
Her daily visits were met with disappointment.
They stopped speaking altogether.
One day, she ran to him, crying.
“Monk, the Flaming Court Empire is at war with the Glorious Moon Empire. So many have died, including my brother… sob…”
...
“Monk, our country lost the war. The Emperor plans to marry me off to secure peace… sob…”
...
“Monk, in ten days, I’ll be married. Let’s elope, please? I only love you!”
...
“Monk, there are only five days left until my wedding. Can’t you look at me one last time? Your heart is so cruel. I hate you! I’ll never come back!”
...
That day, the prayer beads in his hands shattered, and blood spilled from his mouth. He opened his eyes from meditation, his heart in turmoil.
On the same day, the temple's senior monks approached him.
“Hui Zeng, your master was ambushed by the disciple he banished years ago. By the time we arrived, it was too late.”
“Your master has passed away. Knowing your extreme temperament and radical thoughts, his dying wish was for you to practice the Dual Purification Severance Technique, to rid yourself of distractions and dedicate yourself to eradicating evil.”
One of the elders handed him a book.
Hui Zeng clenched his fists, his expression turning feral.
“Evil must be eradicated! This is the cost of sparing the root of evil! The principle of no killing in Buddhism is wrong!”
He roared like a madman, snatched the book, and walked away.
“Don’t worry. I’ll fulfill my master’s last wish and master the Dual Purification Severance Technique
. You’ll see a new me.”His voice faded as he disappeared into the distance. Standing alone on a cliff, he remembered his master’s dying words. He howled at the sky:
“If I slay demons, who will save me?”
“If Buddha won’t save me, I’ll become the demon!”
“If being a Buddha means I cannot vanquish evil, then I refuse to be Buddha!”
Recalling his master’s death due to misplaced compassion, he seemed to awaken to a new clarity. Gazing toward the imperial capital, his eyes filled with tenderness as he whispered, “Yuyou, wait for me…”
In that moment, he saw his heart clearly. He no longer wished to be bound by the outdated rules of Buddhism. He just wanted to be himself and take his beloved away.
That day, he practiced the Dual Purification Severance Technique, but instead of expelling the evil within him, he did the unthinkable—he expelled all his benevolence. On that day, he fully embraced darkness.
On the day of the political marriage, he stood before the wedding procession. Under the gaze of countless onlookers, he carried away the tearful bride. The emperors of both nations were enraged, sending countless experts to hunt him down.
Under the relentless pursuit of countless powerful enemies, he finally stopped hiding his trump card. Under everyone's gaze, he unleashed the power of the Demon Devouring Gu. With no trace of kindness in his heart, he began a merciless slaughter of his pursuers.
Blood flowed for thousands of miles along the chase, and countless Gu Kings fell in the battle between the two great empires, leaving both severely damaged.
Although he managed to escape the pursuit of the two empires, the woman he loved passed away in his arms.
He knelt before a desolate mountain, overwhelmed by grief…
…
Recalling this memory, tears unknowingly streamed down his face.
It was unclear whether the tears belonged to the young medicine boy or Duan Tianwu.
“How have you considered my proposal?”
At this moment, Qin Manyuan entered the cave and spoke, gazing at his back.
“I want that female cultivator who resembles Yuyou. That is my only condition,” Duan Tianwu replied.
Qin Manyuan thought briefly before responding, “No problem. I’ll persuade her. Even if she disagrees, it’s not up to her. For now, focus on recovering here. When you participate in the alchemy competition, make sure not to reveal your identity.”
Duan Tianwu sneered, “No one can see through my disguise, and no one can snatch the championship from me.”
“Anything else? If not, you can leave now.”
Qin Manyuan said no more, slowly leaving the cave. Silence fell over the cave once more.
…
Meanwhile, Long Xuan, fearing further unexpected changes, headed north, swiftly making his way toward the Phoenix Heaven Empire.
Inside the Heaven-Devouring World Toad Space, Long Xuan looked at the Evil-Bane Divine Bamboo that had already sprouted from the soil. He nodded in satisfaction.
Under normal circumstances, it would have been difficult to make the Evil-Bane Divine Bamboo seed take root and sprout.
However, with the help of the miraculous liquid from the Medicinal Gu, the seed was forced to sprout. Once a seed sprouts, its survival rate greatly increases.
The Medicinal Gu was highly skilled at cultivating spiritual herbs. With the Medicinal Gu’s meticulous care, Long Xuan was confident the Evil-Bane Divine Bamboo would grow strong without any issues.
Occasionally, however, the Bamboo would still require assistance from the Tribulation Gu to provide it with nutrients. The Medicinal Divine Bamboo needed lightning as its sustenance, something the Medicine Gu could not supply.
This matter could only trouble the Tribulation Gu for now. Once the World Tree bore Thunder Fruits, the Tribulation Gu could finally be freed.
After successfully planting the Evil-Bane Divine Bamboo on the Wood Island, Long Xuan crossed the suspension bridge back to the main island and found the Blade Gu.
At that moment, it was feasting on the corpse of a certain Gu insect.
As a mantis, its diet consisted of various insects. The Blade Gu’s armor-piercing ability required it to consume a wide variety of insects, meaning its master had to collect the corpses of all kinds of Gu insects and spiritual insects for it.
The thought of the Blade Gu’s ability enhancement made Long Xuan feel a headache coming on.
Collecting the corpses of all insect and Gu species was an enormous challenge. Many rare and powerful Gu insects were exclusive to certain clans, making them impossible to obtain easily.
Over the years, he had run a shop in the City of Sin, frantically collecting various poisons and Gu insect corpses. While he had gathered many Gu insect corpses, very few were of high quality or exceptionally powerful Gu insects.
There was no shortcut to collecting rare Gu insect corpses. It could only be done through persistent effort over a long period, making it an arduous and long-term task.
“Have you finished eating? If so, come over and evolve.”
Long Xuan took out the Sealing Pearl from his storage ring. With the power of his soul, he quickly released a strong Sword Intent from the pearl.
Seeing the Free and Unfettered Sword Intent, the Blade Gu’s eyes lit up. It immediately abandoned the half-eaten insect corpse and darted toward the Sword Intent.
Long Xuan only saw a silver flash before him, and the Free and Unfettered Sword Intent had disappeared.
After devouring the Free and Unfettered Sword Intent, the Blade Gu flew to the World Tree and settled on a sturdy branch, entering a deep slumber.
For some reason, many of his Gu insects liked to make their homes on the World Tree.
Long Xuan smiled and finally turned to leave…