Chapter 171 - 171: Beautiful Scenery Needs No Heaven ‘s Inquiry
A misty light of Dao shone brightly.
The painting hanging on the wall changed its content.
The white fox disappeared, replaced by a lean man.
Dressed in official attire, he had a scholarly and refined appearance.
He was the Magistrate of Qingxian City, newly appointed to the area.
On his first night in the residence, while reading by lamplight, an injured white fox knocked on his window.
Feeling compassion, the man saved it.
Alone in Qingxian City without relatives or friends, he adopted the little fox as a companion.
By day, he worked and adjudicated cases; by night, the little fox accompanied him in his reading.
The new Magistrate knew a little about everything but wasn’t particularly proficient in anything.
He could write, but his calligraphy was barely passable.
He could also paint, but his skill in the art was only at a beginner’s level.
The white fox was spiritual, not a mere beast.
While he read, the little fox snuggled in his lap, joining him.
When he wrote, the little fox would help him grind ink, staining its paws black, then the Magistrate would laughingly press its paws onto his writing, like a seal.
When the Magistrate painted, the little fox was always the subject.
The little fox didn’t understand calligraphy or painting.
But it found his writing beautiful and his paintings lovely.
Staying in Qingxian City for a long time meant inevitable dealings with the three major families and the Qingxian Society.
Yet, this unassuming and scholarly Magistrate was extraordinarily firm.
He refused to bow to the three families and sought to expose the city’s hypocritical beliefs and save its people.
Then, one day, he left the city and never returned.
The little fox waited a long time but never saw him again.
When a group from the Qingxian Society broke into the Magistrate’s residence to loot his few belongings, the little fox took the painting he made of it and left Qingxian City.
Later, the little fox disappeared too.
It became a great demon, a Demon Emperor, an entity feared and revered by the gods.
Wherever the Demon Emperor went, the heavens wept, the earth lamented, divine realms crumbled, and gods fell.
Gods are born divine, immortals become holy through divinity.
Gods are sanctified through spirit, immortals are spirited through sanctity.
It was an ancient era.
Before her ascension, gods walked among mortals, establishing faith, and divine realms flourished.
After her ascension, corpses of gods littered the realm, and the cosmos cleared.
She alone made gods fear descending to the mortal world, eradicating divine realms from existence.
She became known as Mie, ending an era, becoming the catastrophe of gods.
In the history of the realm, many sovereigns, saints, heavenly emperors, and Demon Emperors were born.
Demon Emperor Mie might not have been the strongest, but she surely killed the most.
Who would have thought that a mere local deity named “Qingxian” would set her on this path of god-slaying?
Hence, the test left by this entity was so unique.
She used her supreme magic to extract a fragment of history from the river of time.
Only those who could turn the tide in such a situation were worthy of her legacy.
It’s worth mentioning that although Qingxian was obscure, the Black Lotus Sect was intricately connected to a true deity.
The Black Lotus Sect, established by someone from the celestial sect Impure Heavenly Palace, worshipped a true god named Impure Heaven, who was later slain by Demon Emperor Mie.
The life of Demon Emperor Mie unfolded before them like a lantern show, until the vision finally returned to silence.
“Perhaps in her heart, the Demon Emperor wanted to use this test to make up for her past regrets,” Cheng Lingzhu said.
“Yes,” Lu Xuan exhaled.
A golden light flew out from the painting, splitting into two and landing in their hands.
In Lu Xuan’s hand was a jade hairpin, carved from top-grade spiritual jade.
Upon contact, he sensed the information within it, his expression turning to one of astonishment.
In Cheng Lingzhu’s hand was a jade book, Great Slaughter Method.
“It seems you’ve been chosen as Mie’s successor,” Lu Xuan smiled. “This method complements your Path of Slaughter. Practicing them together will be greatly beneficial. ‘
Cheng Lingzhu held the jade book, her consciousness immersed within.
Then she looked up, her cheeks slightly flushed, “Mie left a message… Once the successor enters the palace, it will seal itself until the Great Slaughter Method reaches minor completion. Only then can the successor control this place and freely open the palace.”
“We need minor completion to leave…”
Lu Xuan calculated the time in his mind, “Doesn’t that mean we’ll miss the flying boat competition?”
He was still concerned about that.
“There might be a way,” Cheng Lingzhu suddenly said, her face reddening.
“Hmm?” Lu Xuan looked at her.
“If I cultivate alone, it will be slow, but if… You… Come with me.’ She took his hand and walked deeper into the chamber.
There, a fragrant canopy awaited.
Cheng Lingzhu pushed Lu Xuan onto the bed, her hands on his chest.
“Did you bring wine?”
She asked.
“Uh… yes.”
Watching the girl in front of him, Lu Xuan’s heartbeat quickened slightly.
It had been a long time since he felt this way.
Lu Xuan took out a small wine jar from his storage artifact. Cheng Lingzhu took it and was about to open it.
“Wait… Let me get two cups..”