Immortal of the Ages

Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow and glanced at Lian Xi, "What kind of grave mistake warrants extermination?"

Liu Yingying smirked coldly, a bit sickened, "The Martial Emperor Clan had been beefing up their bodies with martial arts for ages, revered by all. But once the truth came out, it turned out they were unforgivably vile acts!"

"And what's this truth?" Yun Xiao prodded.

"They were yanking out young girls' hearts for some twisted body-enhancing ritual!" Liu Yingying shivered at the thought. "Rumor has it, for hundreds of years, countless girls lost their hearts because of them!"

Lian Xi muttered, "Those are just rumors..."

Liu Yingying's eyes flashed with disdain, "Rumors don't just come from thin air. Because of their centuries of sins, the heavens cursed them, dragging everyone in the Primordial Ruins into misery. What was once the Five Calamities Realm turned into the Five Decays Realm, making life a living hell for everyone..."

"From Five Calamities to Five Decays, what's that mean?"

This piece of history was crucial for Yun Xiao as he strolled through the market, eager to soak up as much information as possible, especially since it seemed tied to Lian Xi.

"That's the checkpoint for the Second Dao Tribulation, way over your head. Knowing now will only add to your sorrows," Liu Yingying dismissed.

"Checkpoint?"

Yun Xiao figured the Wind Fire Tribulation Realm was the First Dao Tribulation's checkpoint. It was the sixth realm where one transformed magic power into sacred power, aiming to become a Saint and then Awakened Emperor. free(w)ebnov(e)l

So, the Five Calamities to Five Decays had to be the sixth realm of the Second Dao Tribulation.

"That means it's two whole realms above the Genesis Spirit Realm," Yun Xiao noted to himself.

Was this the peak of the Primordial Ruins?

Seeing Liu Yingying's sneer at Yun Xiao, Lian Xi couldn't hide her annoyance, clinging to his arm, "Originally, the Second Dao Tribulation's sixth realm was called the Five Calamities Realm. Though tough, not many perished. But then, it all changed to the Five Decays Realm, where one faces five severe declines, each bringing a deadly illness. Surviving one is lucky; by the end, out of a hundred, maybe three make it through, the rest die."

"Can't you delay the breakthrough? Or just not progress to avoid the calamity?" Yun Xiao inquired.

Realms changing? How bizarre!

"Nope. Once you hit the Five Decays Realm, the five deadly trials hit you like clockwork, no stopping them," Lian Xi sighed.

"The death toll's indeed steep..." Yun Xiao paused, "Does this happen in other realms too?"

Liu Yingying crossed her arms, chiming in, "You can't reach the Five Decays Realm in just any old realm."

"So what if I make a break for it and leave the Primordial Ruins when it's crunch time?"

"No dice. Once you've trained in the Primordial Ruins, your fate's sealed," Lian Xi explained.

Yun Xiao's heart sank. "Great, I'm in for the Five Decays," he muttered, remembering his training sessions in the Primordial Ruins.

"It's a headache only the gifted and the mighty endure," Liu Yingying tossed in, a tad coldly, suggesting he might be worrying over nothing.

"Fair enough," Yun Xiao conceded, looking up.

Above, the moon of the Primordial Ruins ship's stern hung high, casting a ghostly moon-white glow through the mystic fog, blessing this celestial vessel with its essence.

The sun and moon were the heart and soul of cultivation here!

A hundred entered, and barely three walked out alive?

That was downright terrifying.

Training only to find the path ahead wasn't a stairway to heaven but a plunge into the abyss.

"Thank heavens for the Three True Immortals! They exposed the Martial Emperor Clan's wickedness and shared the Ascension Technique, boosting our survival rate threefold. Now, ten out of a hundred might survive, saving the Primordial Ruins from eternal decline..." Liu Yingying stood devoutly, eyes closed, hands pressed together, murmuring her thanks to the heavens while Yun Xiao and Lian Xi exchanged glances and moved on.

"So, the descendants of the Martial Emperor Clan turned into pariahs?" Yun Xiao whispered to Lian Xi.

"Yes."

"And how can you tell them apart?"

Lian Xi glanced at their intertwined hands. "A pariah... burns through the flesh and spirit of any other race upon contact."

"Oh..." Yun Xiao grinned, "But not you."

"Of course not," Lian Xi beamed back.

But Yun Xiao knew the truth. She was one. Their ability to hold hands was simple: Yun Xiao's body was far from human. Human was just one part of him.

As for the tales of the Martial Emperor Clan, the Three True Immortals, and their feuds, it all made sense once you knew about the All Life Devouring Gu. It was easier to see the picture when you were not in the frame.

"In a world where the line between devils and men blurs, the Martial Emperor Clan bears sins for eons," Liu Yingying mused to herself.

Lian Xi, her head resting on Yun Xiao's shoulder, looked downcast.

Yun Xiao stroked her hair gently, whispering, "History's penned by those who win. Triumph, and the world will sing praises of the Martial Emperor Clan."

Lian Xi trembled slightly, looking at him in disbelief.

Yun Xiao's gaze drifted to the bustling streets of the Primordial Ruins, alive with lights, laughter, and an endless sea of people. Amongst the revelry, some cast sly glances their way, their eyes gleaming with malice.

Every few steps, an incense burner puffed out thick smoke, hiding sinister red eyes and venomous whispers that cursed through the air, "The afflicted shall reveal themselves and atone for their sins..."

Before long, they stood before a grand and majestic complex, its buildings soaring like sword tips into the night, casting shadows that seemed to howl in the wind.

At the entrance, a ten-foot black and gold plaque bore three bold characters, Human Zenith Ruins.

This was the domain of the Human Zenith Immortal, the forefather of swordsmen, revered by all Sword Cultivators in the Primordial Ruins.

"The Mysterious Sword Manor, home of the Primordial Son, lies within these ruins," Liu Yingying muttered.

The Great Yuan Residence was nestled in the Sky Source Ruins. Yet, the status of the Mysterious Sword Manor far exceeded that of the Great Yuan Residence, being the direct lineage of the Human Zenith Immortal and a leading clan of swordsmanship.

As they approached, they were promptly greeted and led to the front of the Mysterious Sword Manor.

"Welcome, Lady Lian Xi, Miss Liu," greeted a young man in white brocade, holding a folding fan, his demeanor as graceful as a jade prince, pure and unblemished.

His gaze was sharp, yet his expression was soft, and his smile was as warm as sunlight, exuding a well-bred aura that screamed Primordial Ruins nobility with an unfathomable depth of cultivation.

"Master Song," Liu Yingying's cheeks flushed slightly as she approached him, a hint of nervousness in her grace.

"Let me introduce you, Lian Xi. This is Master Song Bomei from Clearcreek Manor. His father is..."

Before she could finish, the gentleman in white cut in with a smile, "Miss Liu, a simple introduction is enough."

Liu Yingying, charmed by his familiar call, nodded understandingly.

Then, Master Song's gaze landed on Yun Xiao, who was hand-in-hand with Lian Xi. Without missing a beat, he smiled and greeted, "And who might this gentleman be?"

"He's Yun Xiao," Liu Yingying introduced.

"A young talent with exceptional demeanor!" Song Bomei exclaimed with a smile, then stepped aside, "The Primordial Son is a bit tied up, so he asked me to host you. Please forgive any shortcomings. Come in!"

"Master Song is too kind," Liu Yingying replied, moving forward to walk alongside him, their conversation flowing easily, a clear match in their interactions.

"Looks like the young man's on a mission," Yun Xiao chuckled.

"Boring," Lian Xi pursed her lips, "Can't be bothered with her. When it's time, I'll just drag her away."

"Do they owe you a favor?" Yun Xiao inquired.

"Yes..."

As they spoke, they entered a lavishly decorated hall, shining with the splendor of a celestial palace. Yun Xiao glanced around to see hundreds of tables laden with exotic delicacies he'd never seen before, their fragrances betraying their celestial origins.

But what caught his eye the most was the wine.

Yun Xiao's interest was piqued at the sight of the exquisite wine jugs on the tables, like a wolf among sheep.

The hall was already filling up with celestial descendants, mingling in small groups rather than sitting, forming their own circles.

"That..."

Yun Xiao and Lian Xi exchanged a glance, both starting to speak at once.

"A drink right now doesn't sound too bad..." Yun Xiao remarked.

"Neither does a snack?" Lian Xi added.

After a brief pause, they both smiled sweetly at the serendipity.

"Enough, you two might as well get married right here, exchange vows, and start a family!" Blue Star exclaimed, overwhelmed by their synergy.

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