Chapter 188 The Immortal King's Skeleton

The sense of melancholy only deepened as Xiao Chen traveled farther down the walled-in path. When he finally reached the exit, he found himself at an underground palace. The walls of the palace were decorated with objects that emanated a white radiance, preventing the place from sinking into pitch-black darkness.

The palace was small, with a sarcophagus placed in the center. The sarcophagus seemed to be the source of the melancholy. Xiao Chen said dazedly, "Seniors, are the Immortal King's bones inside? May I take a look at it?"

The four old men exchanged looks after hearing his request but said nothing. After seeing Fengxi nod, Xiao Chen walked to the sarcophagus by himself. Every step felt painfully slow and heavy at the same time. In the end, he steeled himself and carefully removed the lid of the sarcophagus. The moment he opened it, he felt the urge to sob and wail.

A complete skeleton lay quietly inside the sarcophagus, giving off a faint white radiance. Even after thousands of years, it continued to emanate Immortal Qi. This Immortal Qi was none other than his master's, Ling in's, breath.

The size of the skeleton was perfectly similar to Ling Yin's physique. Xiao Chen felt as if his entire world had collapsed around him, exterminating him for tens of thousands of years. Was this the outcome of my painstaking search for Master? No! Even though this skeleton had Master's breath, her skills were extraordinary. It was impossible for her to die so easily. Who knew, this skeleton might belong to a disciple that she later recruited and that was why this skeleton was imbued with her breath.

He tried to comfort himself over and over again. But what if it was his Master? He didn't dare to pursue that line of thought. Perhaps, it was more accurate to say that he wasn't willing to think it. If it was truly his Master, then what exactly was the scroll that she fought over?

"Seniors, where is the scroll?"

Fengxi was momentarily silent before walking to one of the stone walls and opened a secret compartment inside. He retrieved an object from the compartment: an aged-looking scroll.

Xiao Chen accepted the scroll and saw that the entire thing was covered with writing. The script was terribly familiar. It was the common script used thousands of years ago but the handwriting didn't seem to be Ling Yin's. Feeling ill at ease, he began carefully reading the contents of the scroll.

"The fight over the Spiritual Meridian by all quarters led to the outbreak of an incomparable war, the upheaval of the six realms, the destruction of lives, the near-extinction of heaven and earth. The Natural Law was so angry that it intended to subvert the Samsara, imprison the numerous gods, and exile the numerous devils. Fortunately, an extraordinary person getting the might of Mystic Lady of the Nine Heavens shattered the seal on the Jade Pivot. Using the Three Emperors…"

That was the end of the contents, with the rest being on the other half of the scroll. Xiao Chen was somewhat shocked. So, this was the truth behind the extermination of gods and devils thousands of years ago. Could there truly be a supreme existence such as the Heavenly Law, that could restrain living beings and banish devils?

The Elders of the sect frowned deeply. Fengxi asked, "What does the scroll say?"

Xiao Chen shook his head. He sighed deep inside. The cultivation sects were getting worse and worse with each generation, and it was likely due to the calamity thousands of years ago. Not only were the cultivators who could ascend to heaven were gone, but abstruse cultivation methods were also extinct.

"This scroll only says how the previous era came to an end. The rest is missing," Xiao Chen answered, sighing. "Toward the end, the scroll says that someone had entered the Jade Pivot World and something about the Three Emperors. I guess we'll only get an answer after finding the other half of the scroll."

That wasn't the main point, however. If his guess was correct, the owner of this scroll wasn't the writer and what the owner left on this scroll was the true great secret that led to two Immortal Kings fighting over it. Just what secret was hidden in this scroll? Was this skeleton truly his Master?

Xiao Chen turned his attention to the sarcophagus again. If what lay inside wasn't his Master, why would it emanate her breath? If it was his Master, what exactly was the scroll that she gave her life to obtain? Who was the other Immortal King who fought her for it?

Mysteries after mysteries lay before his eyes. Perhaps he must first find the scroll and undo the seal on it to unveil all mysteries.

"Senior Fengxi, where did you find this Immortal King's skeleton?"

"Changyin Mountain Range."

Changyin Mountain Range? Xiao Chen was surprised. It was that strange mountain range that he first encountered when he came here. Noticing his frown, Fengxi said, "There's no need to think too deeply about it, my young friend. There is nothing there. Back then, I chanced upon the bones while hunting down two members of the Devil's Practice."

Xiao Chen sighed. It seemed to be a herculean task to find the other half of this scroll. However, he had a feeling that this scroll's secret had something to do with him. Otherwise, why would this person who resembled his Master give her life fighting for it?

Fengxi looked gloomy. He sighed and said, "News about this scroll and the Immortal King's bones have been spread far and wide. Cultivators from all around are gathering in the Middle Continent. News will reach the East Continent before long. What I fear is that the news will draw the attention of the four main Devil's sects."

"Four main Devil's sects?" Xiao Chen asked, frowning.

The Elder of the Pavilion of Swords replied, "For thousands of years, mystic sects like the Thousand Feathers Sect and the Kunlun Sect have guarded the Orthodox Path. Naturally, there were also forces that couldn't be underestimated in the Demonic Path. For example, the Blood Fiends Sect, Mystic Yin Palace, Corpse Refinery Sect, and Luosha Demon Palace."

The Elder of the Pavilion of Thoughts sighed. "These four main Devil's sects are descended from the Archean Eon. The Elders of these sects had successfully become demons a long time ago. These four sects once overturned the entire Violet Manor. In particular, the Corpse Refinery Sect was known for its lustful endeavors. It seemed that it's making a comeback…"

Xiao Chen said, "The Demonic Path ruins the world and the living. If everyone in the Orthodox Path shirks his or her responsibility, we'll surely be an easy force to be dealt with. I implore you to put more effort in uniting us all, Seniors."

He began to find these old men more amiable. If he was still the same Mystic Cyan Sect disciple of yesteryears, he would surely fight the Demonic Path to his last breath. Now, however, there were too many mysteries that he had yet to unveil and he was up to his ears in work. He said, "Then please guard the Immortal King's bones well lest they fall to the hands of the Demonic Path."

Fengxi nodded. "That is but of course." Xiao Chen returned the scroll to him and said, "I'll do my best in finding the other half of this scroll."

The four old men exchanged looks and nodded at the same time. These days, unnatural phenomena were occurring all over the Violet Manor. It might look peaceful on the surface but a calamity was quietly brewing underneath. All of them understood that the secret hidden in this scroll was of vital importance.

Xiao Chen left the underground palace with them. On their way out, he continued to feel uneasy. Earlier, he was unwilling to consider that the skeleton belonged to his Master. Even if it wasn't, it must have something to do with her.

When they reached the exit, the light outside was blinding. Murong Xian'er was happily playing with several female disciples of the Xianyong Sect. When she saw Xiao Chen, she cried, "Brother Xiao Chen!" and then ran over to him.

Xiao Chen smiled and caressed her forehead. Then, he turned around to salute Fengxi and the other Elders. "Perfected Immortals, this is farewell then. Please excuse me." He grabbed Murong Xian'er's hand and walked toward the path leading down the mountain. Murong Xian'er turned her head to wave goodbye at the other disciples.

The nearby Xianyong Sect disciples were astonished. What conversation did this guy have with their Sect Leader and Elders that it took this long? Moreover, they appeared to be on pretty good terms.

Just as Xiao Chen was about to leave the public square, a cyan sword's radiance landed in front of him and blocked his way. The person was a teen at the prime of her youth dressed in a cyan dress. Her skin was as fair as snow and her eyebrows were shaped like leaves. She was an incredible beauty, despite her haughty expression.

"What's your name, young lady?"

"Liu Feiyan!" Following a bellow, she thrust her cyan sword at him as quick as lightning. The sword stopped just a hair's distance away from his midbrows.

The nearby Xianyong Sect disciples gasped, with some yelping in surprise. Xiao Chen smiled. Pinching the blade with his fingers, he moved the sword away from his midbrows with the faintest of smiles. "What a swift sword, Miss Liu. If your sword was even an inch closer earlier, I would have died by your hands."

Liu Feiyan bellowed, "Good that you know! Did you think you can come and go from our Xianyong Sect as you please? Today, allow me to counter your Unsullied Sword with my Falling Jade Sword!" She once again lunged at him.

Xiao Chen chuckled. "I'm sorry. I don't have time for this." For the second time, he moved the sword away with his fingers and walked past her. Holding Murong Xian'er's hand, he walked down the mountain indifferently.