《Myriad Beasts Immortal Sect》


 Chapter One: The Mysterious Jade Pendant

    "Roar¡ª"


    A deafening beastly roar echoed through the mountains and forests, startling countless birds. Lin Mo moved swiftly among the treetops, the heavy footsteps behind him causing leaves to fall in a flurry.


    "Xiao Hui, over here!" he whispered, and a silver-gray wolf leapt out from the bushes, nimbly landing on his shoulder. Lin Mo could feel the little guy trembling slightly, but his own heartbeat was unusually steady, even tinged with excitement.


    This was the adventure he had long awaited!


    Three days ago, he heard at the market below the mountain that a rare Crimson Flame Tiger had appeared in these woods, said to possess a core that could help one break through bottlenecks. For Lin Mo, who had been stuck at the Qi Refinement stage for three years, this was undoubtedly a tremendous opportunity.


    "Bang!"


    The sound of breaking trees came from behind him. Lin Mo glanced back to see a massive Crimson Flame Tiger relentlessly pursuing him. Its entire body was red like fire, with fangs nearly half a foot long, leaving deep claw marks on the ground with each step.


    A smile crept onto Lin Mo¡¯s lips; he had already set a trap. Just as the Crimson Flame Tiger was about to pounce, he suddenly turned, forming a hand seal: "Rise!"


    "Swish, swish, swish!"


    Dozens of vines shot up from the ground, instantly wrapping around the tiger''s limbs. These were spirit vines he had discovered while gathering herbs in the mountains, remarkably resilient. The tiger roared in anger, struggling but only becoming entangled tighter.


    "Now''s my chance!" Lin Mo took out a dagger from his bosom, the only relic left by his father. The dagger was pitch black, its blade shimmering with a ghostly light, said to be capable of breaking through any defense.


    However, just as he prepared to strike, an unexpected event occurred!


    "Crack!"


    A bolt of purple lightning suddenly struck down, hitting the tiger squarely on the head. Lin Mo was knocked to the ground by the shockwave, and when he got up, the Crimson Flame Tiger lay charred and lifeless.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Who?!" Lin Mo scanned the surroundings warily.


    "Hehe, young friend, there''s no need to be tense." An elderly voice came from the woods, and an old man in a purple robe stepped out. His hair and beard were white, yet his complexion was rosy, exuding a certain authority in his movements.


    Lin Mo''s pupils constricted; he couldn¡¯t sense the old man''s aura at all! This indicated that the other party''s cultivation was far beyond his own.


    "I want this Crimson Flame Tiger," the old man said indifferently, his tone leaving no room for doubt.


    Lin Mo clenched his fists, feeling discontent. But he knew that any resistance would be futile in the face of absolute power.


    At that moment, the little wolf on his shoulder suddenly let out a low growl, its fur standing on end. Lin Mo felt an unusual wave emanating from Xiao Hui, and then the jade pendant in his bosom suddenly grew warm!


    "Huh?" The old man''s gaze sharpened, staring intently at Lin Mo''s chest, "What do you have on you?"


    Lin Mo instinctively took a step back, but it was too late. The old man waved his hand, and an invisible force pinned him in place, causing the jade pendant to fly out of his bosom and hover in midair.


    The pendant was entirely emerald green, engraved with intricate patterns, and was now emitting a faint glow. This was the item that Lin Mo had worn since childhood, said to be the only keepsake left by his mother.


    "Indeed, it¡¯s you!" A glint of ecstasy flashed in the old man''s eyes, "After searching for so many years, I finally found you!"


    Lin Mo''s heart raced with alarm; he felt an unprecedented sense of danger. Just then, the jade pendant erupted with blinding light, enveloping him in a powerful force.


    "No!" the old man shouted in anger, reaching out to grab it, but it was too late.


    Lin Mo felt the world spinning, and when he came to his senses, he found himself in an unfamiliar space. The spiritual energy here was so dense it seemed to condense into water, with countless points of light floating around, each containing vast amounts of information.


    "This is... the internal space of the pendant?" Lin Mo gazed around in shock.


    Xiao Hui jumped down from his shoulder, its size starting to change. The silver-gray fur gradually turned pure white, and a golden pattern emerged on its forehead. To Lin Mo''s astonishment, Xiao Hui''s eyes revealed a glimmer of human-like intelligence.


    "Master, you¡¯ve finally come," Xiao Hui spoke!


    Lin Mo was flabbergasted; before he could react, a flood of information surged into his mind. He realized that this jade pendant was an ancient treasure, and Xiao Hui was its guardian spirit beast.


    "Boom!"


    A violent tremor came from the outside. Lin Mo knew the old man would not give up easily. Taking a deep breath, a determined light flashed in his eyes. Since the opportunity had arrived, it was time to uncover the truth behind it all!


    At that moment, a crack suddenly appeared in the pendant''s space, and a clear female voice called out, "Hurry in!"


    Lin Mo had no time to think; he dashed in with Xiao Hui. Before his eyes stood a quaint bamboo house, and a girl in a green dress was anxiously looking at him.


    "You finally came," her eyes glistened with tears, "I waited for you for a whole ten years..."

 Chapter Two: The Girl in the Bamboo House

    Lin Mo blinked, and when he regained his senses, he found himself in a bamboo forest. The bamboo leaves rustled softly, and a faint fragrance filled the air. Not far away, a delicate bamboo house stood quietly, with wind chimes hanging from the eaves, producing a clear sound in the breeze.


    "Where is this?" Lin Mo looked around warily, with Xiao Hui closely following at his feet, its fur still bristling.


    The door of the bamboo house creaked open, and a girl in a green dress stepped out. She appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen, with delicate features and skin as fair as snow. Most striking were her emerald green eyes, resembling two clear springs, sparkling with clarity.


    "You finally came," the girl said, her voice sweet and melodious but tinged with a slight tremor. "I waited for you for ten whole years..."


    Lin Mo was taken aback. "Ten years? Miss, do we know each other?"


    A flicker of disappointment crossed the girl''s face, but she quickly smiled again. "Now we do, right? My name is Qing Zhu, and I am one of the guardians of this pendant''s space."


    "Guardians?" Lin Mo was even more confused. "What is the origin of this pendant?"


    Qing Zhu didn¡¯t answer directly. Instead, she turned and walked toward the bamboo house. "Come in and sit. I will tell you slowly."


    Inside the bamboo house, the furnishings were simple yet elegant. Several ink paintings hung on the walls, depicting spirit beasts that seemed alive. Lin Mo noticed that one painting featured a white wolf that closely resembled Xiao Hui.


    "This pendant is called ''Myriad Beasts,'' forged by a powerful being from ancient times," Qing Zhu said, pouring him a cup of tea. The aroma wafted through the air. "It can not only command countless beasts but also contains the lifelong knowledge of that powerful being."


    Lin Mo''s heart trembled. "Then why¡ª"


    "Why is it in your possession?" Qing Zhu interjected, a complex expression flashing in her eyes. "Because you are a descendant of that powerful being."


    "What?" Lin Mo nearly dropped the tea cup.


    Qing Zhu continued, "Ten years ago, your parents sealed the pendant within you to protect it. They..."


    Before she could finish, a loud crash suddenly echoed from outside, shaking the entire space.


    "Not good!" Qing Zhu''s face changed. "That old man in the purple robe has found this place!"You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Lin Mo stood up. "Who is he?"


    "He is from the ''Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion,''" Qing Zhu explained quickly, "an organization that specializes in collecting ancient relics. They have been searching for the Myriad Beasts pendant."


    Another loud crash reverberated, causing the bamboo house to sway.


    "We have to leave immediately!" Qing Zhu grabbed Lin Mo''s hand. "I¡¯ll take you to a safe place."


    At that moment, Xiao Hui suddenly let out a long howl, its form changing once again. Its fur became even whiter, and the golden pattern on its forehead became more pronounced, exuding a powerful aura.


    "This is..." Qing Zhu gazed at Xiao Hui in astonishment. "It has awakened!"


    Before Lin Mo could ask, he felt a powerful force enveloping him. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a massive cave.


    The cave''s ceiling was embedded with countless glowing crystals, illuminating the entire space. The surrounding rock walls were inscribed with ancient runes, radiating a mysterious light.


    "This is the Myriad Beasts Cave," Qing Zhu explained. "It is the core of the pendant''s space."


    Lin Mo noticed a stone platform in the center of the cave, upon which floated a translucent pearl.


    "That is the Myriad Beasts Pearl," Qing Zhu said. "As long as you can gain its recognition, you will be able to truly control the pendant''s power."


    Taking a deep breath, Lin Mo approached the stone platform. He could sense the immense power contained within the pearl.


    Just as he reached out to touch it, something unexpected occurred!


    The pearl suddenly erupted with dazzling light, and a torrent of information flooded into Lin Mo''s mind. He saw countless images: epic battles from ancient times, the spectacle of myriad beasts charging, and... the figures of a young couple.


    "Father... Mother..." Lin Mo murmured, tears streaming down his face.


    Qing Zhu watched quietly, a flicker of sorrow in her eyes. She knew that from this moment on, Lin Mo''s fate would be forever changed.


    Suddenly, the entire cave shook violently.


    "Not good!" Qing Zhu''s expression changed dramatically. "The people from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion have found this place! They are forcibly breaking through the spatial barrier!"


    Lin Mo clenched his fists, determination flashing in his eyes. "Let me deal with them!"


    "No!" Qing Zhu hurriedly stopped him. "You are still too weak. We must¡ª"


    Before she could finish, a crack suddenly appeared in the cave''s ceiling, and a chilling voice echoed: "Found you!"


    Lin Mo looked up to see the old man in the purple robe appearing in the crack, his eyes filled with greed.


    "Hand over the pendant!" the old man shouted, a powerful pressure enveloping the entire cave.


    Lin Mo felt it hard to breathe, but he straightened his back. "No way!"


    At that moment, the Myriad Beasts Pearl suddenly flew into Lin Mo''s body. A powerful force instantly filled him, and his cultivation began to rise rapidly!


    "This is..." The old man''s face changed dramatically. "You actually gained the pearl''s recognition!"


    Feeling a surge of strength within him, Lin Mo raised his hand, and a beam of golden light shot toward the old man.


    "Boom!"


    In the midst of a massive explosion, the old man''s figure vanished. But Lin Mo knew this was only a temporary victory.


    "We have to leave immediately," Qing Zhu urged. "The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion won''t give up easily."


    Lin Mo nodded, but his eyes shone with determination. "No matter what dangers lie ahead, I will face them all. Because..."


    He looked at Qing Zhu and Xiao Hui, a smile forming on his lips. "I¡¯m no longer fighting alone."


    Qing Zhu gazed at Lin Mo, an unusual light gleaming in her eyes. She knew that this young man''s legend was only just beginning.

 Chapter Three: The Qingyun Trial

    Lin Mo stood at the edge of the Qingyun Sect''s trial grounds, gazing at the towering thousand-step stone staircase before him. The surface of the stone steps was covered in moss, and each step was engraved with intricate runes, which glimmered faintly with golden light as they swayed with the morning mist. Hundreds of new disciples were packed in front of the staircase, and the air was thick with oppressive gasps.


    "First challenge: ascend the Heavenly Steps," the voice of the elder in charge echoed throughout the area, infused with spiritual energy. "Only those who reach the top within three hours will qualify to enter our Qingyun Sect."


    Before his words had fully settled, some eager disciples rushed up the stone steps. However, just as one of them stepped onto the third step, he suddenly trembled violently, collapsing to his knees with a heavy thud. The crowd soon realized that the runes on the steps were absorbing the climbers¡¯ spiritual energy.


    "This staircase..." Su Wan''er tightened her grip on her clothes, her face paling.


    Lin Mo reached out and placed a steadying hand on her trembling shoulder. "Follow in my footsteps." A flicker of golden light shone in his eyes as the Myriad Beasts Pearl slowly rotated in his dantian¡ªthose runic patterns were strikingly similar to the ancient inscriptions within the pendant space.


    As the two stepped onto the first step, Lin Mo suddenly heard a faint chirping sound. He looked down to see a completely green bird tilting its head at him, its tail feathers shimmering with three golden plumes under the sunlight.


    ¡°A Green-eyed Golden Plume Sparrow?¡± Qing Zhu''s voice echoed in his mind, filled with surprise. ¡°This spirit beast excels at breaking restrictions. How could it...¡±


    Before she could finish, the bird suddenly flapped its wings and circled around Lin Mo three times before landing on his shoulder. Gasps of astonishment arose from behind¡ªeveryone knew that the Green-eyed Golden Plume Sparrow was proud by nature and had never been known to approach cultivators voluntarily.


    "It seems your beast-taming talent is beginning to awaken," Qing Zhu said with a light laugh.


    Lin Mo closed his eyes to sense the connection, and indeed, he found a faint bond forming with the little bird. When he opened his eyes again, the runes on the steps transformed into flowing golden lines in his vision. With every step he took, the soles of his boots accurately avoided the centers of the spiritual energy whirlpools.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Left three, right five, jump!" he whispered to Su Wan''er. The girl bit her lip and followed closely, surprised to find the previously heavy pressure suddenly lightening.


    As they reached the five-hundredth step, an unexpected change occurred.


    The mist on either side of the staircase suddenly surged like boiling water, and three chains as thick as bowls shot through the air. Lin Mo swiftly wrapped his arms around Su Wan¡¯er¡¯s waist and spun in mid-air, narrowly avoiding the chains as they crashed down, carving deep trenches into the stone steps.


    "This isn''t part of the trial!" Su Wan''er exclaimed in shock.


    Lin Mo''s pupils constricted¡ªat the ends of the chains were dark, ink-like mists, clearly the "Spirit-Eating Toxic Fog" unique to the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. He quickly drew the dagger from his waist, and the blade clashed with the chains, creating a dazzling shower of sparks.


    "Clang!"


    Amid the clash of metal, the little sparrow emitted a sharp cry. Lin Mo, feeling a sudden inspiration, infused a strand of spiritual energy into the bird. The little creature''s wings flared open, and three golden plumes fell off, transforming into arrows that pierced through the black mist at the joints of the chains.


    "Crack!"


    At the moment the chains snapped apart, a specific image from the Myriad Beasts Pearl suddenly flashed in Lin Mo''s mind. He bit his fingertip, using his blood as a guide to draw incomplete runes in the air. The previously dissipated golden plumes reformed, creating a cage that completely sealed the black mist.


    "Y-You... how do you know the Celestial Sealing Formation?" Su Wan''er stammered, her voice trembling.


    Before Lin Mo could respond, a sudden whoosh sounded overhead. Twelve beams of sword light descended in a deadly formation, each beam swirling with crimson threads of blood¡ªthis was an attack meant to end their lives!


    In an instant of crisis, the sparrow on Lin Mo''s shoulder exploded into countless glowing particles. These particles didn''t dissipate; instead, they coalesced into a three-meter-long shadow of a Qingluan. The divine bird''s cry echoed through the skies, and as it flapped its wings, the sword formation melted away like spring snow meeting the sun.


    "Run!" Lin Mo shouted, pulling Su Wan''er as they dashed toward the final hundred steps. He could feel the pendant in his arms growing warm, and at the moment the Qingluan appeared, several powerful presences seemed to sweep across the trial ground.


    When they stepped onto the last step, the sundial''s pointer was perfectly aligned with the hour of noon. Lin Mo turned to look back and saw dozens of disciples sprawled across the steps, all entangled in that familiar black mist.


    "It seems the reach of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion is longer than we imagined," Qing Zhu''s voice carried a chill.


    Just as Lin Mo was about to speak, he suddenly heard applause from behind. Xiao Han appeared at the edge of the trial grounds, his moon-white robe pristine and unblemished, but his gaze was fixed on the sparrow that had reformed on Lin Mo''s shoulder.


    "To be able to summon the essence of the guardian spirit beast for assistance," he lightly brushed his fingers across the jade pendant at his waist, "Lin''s chance is truly amazing."

 Chapter Four: Undercurrents

    Lin Mo stood before the bronze giant doors of the "Myriad Beasts Pavilion" at Qingyun Sect, his palm pressed against the cold door ring. The carved beast head of a Taotie suddenly opened its blood-red eyes, letting out a deep, muffled growl. He could feel the overwhelming breath of beasts coming from behind the door, as if hundreds of primordial giants were watching him across time and space.


    "New disciples can only stay in the Myriad Beasts Pavilion for a single incense stick''s worth of time," the elder in charge declared, as a stick of blue incense flew from his sleeve, igniting itself without a flame. "Remember, it''s not about humans choosing beasts, but beasts choosing humans."


    The moment the bronze door opened, the pendant in Lin Mo''s arms began to tremble violently. The Myriad Beasts Pearl spun rapidly in his dantian, pulling his consciousness into a chaotic space. Countless starlights flickered in the darkness, each point of light concealing a beastly silhouette.


    "This is... the soul imprint of all spirit beasts in the Myriad Beasts Pavilion?" Lin Mo reached out to touch the nearest star, and a vibrant tiger''s phantom roared forth. However, just as its paw was about to strike him, the Myriad Beasts Pearl erupted with golden light, causing the tiger to whimper and cower.


    The chaotic space began to distort, with the starlight converging toward him like shooting stars. Lin Mo felt his meridians being filled with the violent breath of beasts, and just as he was about to explode, an enigmatic rune suddenly appeared on his forehead¡ªit was the "Tame" character recorded in the Myriad Beasts Pearl.


    "So that''s how it is." He felt a flash of inspiration, forming ancient beast-taming seals with his hands. The restless beast souls immediately became docile like lambs, merging into the acupoints throughout his body as flowing light.


    In the outside world, this all took place in the blink of an eye.


    When Lin Mo opened his eyes, hundreds of beast cages within the Myriad Beasts Pavilion trembled simultaneously. The bronze bell hanging from the dome rang wildly, and the blue incense in the elder''s hand was instantly burnt to ash!


    "This is impossible..." The elder staggered back, staring at the twelve beast phantoms that emerged around Lin Mo. A fully crimson fire crow circled his left shoulder, a white tiger with vertical pupils perched on his right arm, and an otherworldly beast resembling a qilin but with a dragon''s tail floated above his head.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Suddenly, dark clouds gathered outside, and nine purple lightning bolts struck the stone statue at the eaves, causing it to crack and reveal the black iron hidden within¡ªthis was actually the "Sky-Watching Device" used by the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion to spy on various sects!


    "How dare you!" Xiao Han''s furious shout came from the clouds. Sword light cascaded like a galaxy, shredding the Sky-Watching Device into powder. Yet, wisps of black mist still burrowed underground, escaping toward the forbidden area in the back mountains.


    Just as Lin Mo was about to pursue, he felt a tremor beneath his feet. Su Wan''er burst into the Myriad Beasts Pavilion, covered in blood, clutching a blood-stained jade slip. "The herb garden... all the spirit plants have been demonized!"


    When everyone arrived at the herb garden, the sight was horrifying. A thousand-year-old spirit fungus crawled on hands and feet through the soil, while the surface of the crimson fruit displayed a grotesque human face. Most terrifying was the Nine-Turn Resurrection Grass, said to have the power to bring the dead back to life¡ªits roots were entwined around the corpses of three disciples, and the flower buds emitted a piercing wail like that of a crying baby.


    "It''s the Spirit-Eating Toxic Fog," Lin Mo said, slicing open his palm. His blood transformed into golden mist under the urging of the Myriad Beasts Pearl. A shadow of the Qingluan emerged from the mist, its cry resonating through the skies, causing the demonized spirit plants to wither. However, the moment the golden mist touched the Nine-Turn Resurrection Grass, the flower bud suddenly exploded, releasing a palm-sized black moth.


    The moth''s wings were covered in blood-red eyes, each pupil reflecting a different scene: the blood-colored altar in the forbidden area of the back mountains, the writhing tumors in the underground chamber of the conference hall, and a painting hanging in Xiao Han''s room¡ªthe woman in the painting bore a striking resemblance to Qing Zhu!


    "Soul-Eating Moth!" Xiao Han''s expression changed dramatically as he rushed over, turning his sword light into a cage to trap the moth. However, the tiny creature effortlessly pierced through the sword energy and directly entered Lin Mo''s forehead.


    A storm surged in Lin Mo''s consciousness. He saw the bloody night from twelve years ago: the seven elders of Qingyun Sect formed a formation, driving a couple to the edge of a cliff. The woman held a baby swaddled in her arms, hiding the very Myriad Beasts Pendant...


    "So you all knew from the beginning." Lin Mo''s eyes turned blood-red, and the beast phantoms around him roared toward the sky. All the spirit beasts in the Myriad Beasts Pavilion broke free from their restraints, forming a tide of beasts that obscured the sky above Qingyun Sect.


    Xiao Han''s sword clattered to the ground. He stared at the rampaging beast horde, suddenly crushing the jade pendant at his waist. The shadow that emerged in the green light was unmistakably the woman Lin Mo had seen in the illusion!


    "Senior Sister..." Xiao Han murmured to the shadow, "Your son has grown up."

 Chapter Five: Awakening of the Bloodline

    Lin Mo''s pupils transformed completely into beast-like vertical slits, the whites of his eyes stained crimson with blood. The Beast Pearl in his dantian spun wildly, tearing apart the blood-soaked memories of twelve years ago into fragments, each piece becoming a blade that sliced through his consciousness.


    Above the Qingyun Sect, the massive herd of beasts suddenly froze. The fiery crow''s wings were frozen in the moment of flapping, and the white tiger''s claws hovered just inches from the elder''s throat; even the wind ceased to flow.


    "Your mother is named Qing Li." Xiao Han''s voice penetrated the frozen time and space. The scroll in his hand unfurled without wind, revealing a woman holding a baby amidst the sea of clouds, her jade pendant identical to the one around Lin Mo''s neck. "Twelve years ago, the Seventh Elder conspired to usurp the throne, not to take the jade pendant, but for..."


    "Boom!"


    The thunderous roar of beasts interrupted his words. The stationary herd suddenly changed direction, countless spirit beasts rushing towards the forbidden area of the back mountain. Their eyes reflected the same scene¡ªa blood-colored altar with three bronze coffins oozing black mist.


    Lin Mo advanced through the tide of beasts, each step causing lotus-shaped golden patterns to bloom in the air. As he approached the barrier of the forbidden area, the jade pendant in his arms suddenly shot out, cracking the barrier like spiderwebs.


    "Mo''er!" The ethereal figure of Qing Zhu emerged from the jade pendant. "Look closely at the inscriptions on the coffins!"


    Lin Mo''s eyes glowed with golden light as the twisted inscriptions reorganized in his vision, revealing the sealing spell recorded in the Beast Pearl. The three coffins were not burial vessels but rather the limbs sealing the ancient fierce beast "Chaos"!


    "So that''s it..." He bit his tongue, drawing blood that painted three layers of seals in the air. Just as the last rune took shape, a giant claw covered in scales erupted from the coffin, shattering the seals.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    The whisper of Chaos echoed in everyone''s minds: "Back then, Qing Li was the lock; today, her son''s blood is just right..."


    Before the words finished, Lin Mo let out a roar that was anything but human. His spine burst through flesh, sprouting crystalline bone wings; claws three feet long extended from his fingertips, effortlessly slicing through space. At that moment, the Beast Pearl completely fused with him!


    "What my mother sealed, I will destroy!"


    With a flap of his bone wings, Lin Mo turned into a streak of light, crashing into the chaotic black mist. At the moment of impact, the entire Qingyun Mountain shook violently. The onlookers were horrified to see the silhouettes of ancient giant beasts flashing within the black mist: a dragon-headed, turtle-bodied beast spitting weak water, and a nine-headed serpent stirring up toxic miasma. Yet all of their attacks were absorbed by the bone wings on Lin Mo''s back.


    "This is... the wings of Taotie?" Qing Zhu''s voice trembled. "He can actually awaken the ancestral bloodline!"


    As the last wisp of black mist was devoured by the bone wings, Chaos let out a reluctant roar: "Do you think it''s over? The Tianji Pavilion has long since..."


    Lin Mo¡¯s claws pierced its core, and Chaos''s remnant body exploded into countless sparks. Where the sparks fell, the ground revealed a crisscrossing network of ravines¡ªan array covering the entire continent!


    "The Heavenly Refinement Array." Xiao Han crushed the jade slip in his hand. "No wonder so many talents from various sects have fallen over the years; it turns out the Tianji Pavilion wants to use the entire cultivation world as a sacrifice."


    Lin Mo fell from the sky, his bone wings shattering piece by piece. Before his consciousness faded, he saw Su Wan''er rushing over to catch him, her tears falling on his forehead, temporarily suppressing the raging beast within.


    "Look at his hand!" a disciple exclaimed.


    On the back of Lin Mo''s right hand, a blood-colored totem emerged, matching the inscriptions on the coffin perfectly. Qing Zhu''s ethereal figure suddenly solidified, trembling as she touched the totem: "This is the blood pact created by Qing Li; she must have known long ago..."


    Suddenly, a horn sounded in the distance, dark dots appearing densely in the sky. At the forefront, a dark warship, where an elderly man in purple robes laughed maniacally, shaking the clouds: "Thank you, young friend, for helping my sect break the seal of Chaos. This great gift will be accepted by the Tianji Pavilion!"

 Chapter Six: Blood Battle at Qingyun

    The shadow of the Tianji Pavilion''s warship enveloped the entire Qingyun Peak. The elderly man in purple robes stood at the bow, and from his sleeves flew three thousand golden-winged mayflies. These thumb-sized insects shimmered with a metallic sheen, their tails dragging fine bloodlines, weaving a web that blotted out the sun.


    "Spirit Locking Array!" Xiao Han slashed through several mayflies, but sparks flew from his sword. "They are absorbing the spiritual energy of the protective mountain formation!"


    Lin Mo trembled violently in Su Wan''er¡¯s embrace. The blood pact totem on his right hand was devouring his meridians, and the residual savage aura from the Taotie bone wings rampaged through his organs. Tears from the girl dripped onto his forehead, crystallizing on his skin¡ªan omen of a naturally cold marrow body.


    "Hold your breath!" The ethereal figure of Qing Zhu suddenly burst from the jade pendant, her fingertip pressing against Lin Mo¡¯s zhongwan acupoint. A blue light coursed through his meridians, temporarily sealing the beastly energy surging within him. "The Tianji Pavilion wants a living vessel for Taotie; if you lose control, it will play right into their hands!"


    The ground suddenly cracked, spiderweb-like fissures spreading as seventy-two bronze pillars erupted from the earth. Each pillar was topped with the skull of a cultivator, and from their hollow eye sockets flickered ghostly blue soul flames. Lin Mo''s pupils constricted¡ªthese skulls had azure cloud patterns on their foreheads, belonging to the past elders of the Qingyun Sect!


    "That bloodbath twelve years ago was not just to hunt your mother." The purple-robed elder raised his hand, forming seals, and the soul flames on the bronze pillars connected into a star map. "The blood of three hundred disciples of the Qingyun Sect serves as ink, and the skulls of seven elders are the array''s focal points. The ''Soul Refining Rebirth Array'' has finally come to fruition today!"Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Xiao Han suddenly let out a beastly roar. He tore open his chest, revealing three soul-piercing nails embedded in his heart¡ªthese were the restrictions Qing Li had planted to save his life back then. At this moment, the nails spun wildly under the array''s activation, threatening to turn him into the array spirit.


    "Master!" Su Wan''er pulled Lin Mo back, frost from her cold marrow body forming a barrier behind them. But those golden-winged mayflies were devouring spiritual energy, and the ice wall melted at a visible rate.


    Lin Mo suddenly grasped the girl''s wrist. The blood pact totem in his palm glowed with a sinister red light, drawing Su Wan''er¡¯s cold marrow spirit into his body. "Lend me three parts of your cold energy, leave seven for Uncle Xiao!"


    "You''ll sever your meridians..."


    "Better than becoming a puppet!" Lin Mo leaped up, twelve beastly shadows manifesting around him. This time, they were no longer illusions; each spirit beast formed into reality: the fiery crow flapped its wings igniting the clouds, the white tiger¡¯s vertical pupil pierced the bronze pillars, and most astonishing was the green-eyed golden-feathered sparrow¡ªits tail feathers shed and transformed into thirty-six light swords, piercing the soul-piercing nails in Xiao Han''s heart.


    "Clink!"


    Amidst the crisp sound of shattering, Xiao Han¡¯s eyes regained clarity. He formed a sword with his fingers, cutting open his palm and using his blood as a guide to draw a teleportation array in the air. "Take Wan''er to the sword tomb on the back mountain! There¡¯s something left by Senior Sister Qing Li..."


    Before he could finish, the purple-robed elder suddenly appeared behind him. His withered hand penetrated the chest, crushing a beating heart. "Did you think the soul-piercing nails were just seals? Your soul has long been a part of the focal point for twelve years."


    Lin Mo''s eyes widened in despair. He saw Xiao Han''s body disintegrating, but a wisp of blue light escaped from his brow, merging into the jade pendant at Su Wan¡¯er¡¯s waist¡ªthat was the ancient jade where Qing Zhu resided!


    "Run!" Qing Zhu''s voice was more piercing than ever. The jade pendant erupted with blinding light, enveloping the two and rushing towards the back mountain. In the halo, Lin Mo looked back to see Qingyun Peak collapsing, the seventy-two bronze pillars transforming into a blood and flesh furnace, refining thousands of disciples into a crimson mist.

 Chapter Seven: The Heart Demon of the Sword Tomb

    Su Wan''er''s fingertips froze a layer of frost on Lin Mo''s palm. The uncontrollable spirit energy of her cold marrow body spilled outward, dyeing the vines at the entrance of the Sword Tomb ice blue. She watched the boy''s unsteady back and suddenly recalled that snowy night three years ago¡ªwhen the starving and cold little beggar curled up in a corner of the dilapidated temple, and it was these warm hands that had pressed half a baked cake into her arms.


    "You always do this," she murmured, her voice lost in the howling sword wind. "Even when you can barely stand, you still want to protect me."


    Lin Mo''s back visibly stiffened. The blood pact totem on his right hand was burning through his meridians, and each step left charred footprints on the bluestone slabs. The wailing from deep within the Sword Tomb grew clearer, like thousands of lost souls weeping blood in his ears. This was no metaphor¡ªwhen they turned the last stone step, the sight before Su Wan''er made her bite her lip hard to suppress a scream.


    Countless broken swords were impaled in a hill of corpses. Some skeletons still wore the robes of the Qingyun Sect, while many others were bizarre beast bones. The most horrifying was the massive black sword in the center, which pierced through a bronze corpse puppet with three heads and six arms. Dark red blood oozed from its wounds, congealing into the words "Zhan Yuan" on the hilt.


    "Don''t look into its eyes," Lin Mo suddenly covered Su Wan''er''s eyes, while he locked gazes with the vertical pupil on the corpse puppet''s forehead. Deep within that pupil emerged images from twelve years ago: Qing Li kneeling in the Sword Tomb, holding a baby and pressing the jade pendant to the child''s heart; the corpse puppet''s bronze hand piercing her back, droplets of blood falling onto the crying baby''s face.


    "Mother..." A sweet coppery taste surged in Lin Mo''s throat. He saw his mother smiling, her bloodied fingers forming seals¡ªthat was the "ritual" spell recorded in the Beast Pearl. The corpse puppet suddenly let out a deafening roar, and the chains wrapped around the sword snapped one by one!


    Su Wan''er was thrown into the air by the shockwave. She flipped mid-air, her cold marrow spirit instinctively forming an ice shield, but it was instantly melted by the black flames spewed from the corpse puppet. At the critical moment, the green-eyed golden-feathered sparrow burst from Lin Mo''s robes, its tail feathers expanding into a golden cage.


    "Run!" Qing Zhu''s ethereal figure appeared much fainter than usual. "The Zhan Yuan sword is devouring my soul power..."


    Before she could finish, the corpse puppet''s bronze hand had already pierced through the golden cage. Lin Mo suddenly laughed. He let the claws pierce his shoulder, the blood-stained fingers pressing against the puppet''s forehead: "So you¡¯ve been eroded by the Heavenly Refinement Array too."


    The blood pact totem spread from his fingertips, and the corpse puppet''s movements abruptly halted. Those memories, settled for millennia, surged into Lin Mo''s consciousness like a flood¡ªhe saw the first sect master wielding the Zhan Yuan sword to cleave through the sea of the underworld, saw the master of the Tianji Pavilion carving curse runes into the sword''s body, and finally froze on the moment when Qing Li embedded the jade pendant into the core of the sword array.


    "Mo''er." His mother''s voice suddenly echoed in the Sword Tomb. "If you hear this, it means I have failed."


    Lin Mo turned sharply. Qing Li''s lingering soul rose from the Zhan Yuan sword, her translucent fingers gently caressing his cheek: "The Heavenly Refinement Array needs three keys: the Beast Pearl, a cold marrow body, and the blood of a close relative. I replaced your fate with the jade pendant, but the Tianji Pavilion..."The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    The lingering soul suddenly twisted, and Qing Li''s face contorted in pain. The vertical pupil on the corpse puppet''s forehead oozed black blood, slowly dragging her soul back into the sword!


    "Don''t¡ª!" Lin Mo frantically formed seals as twelve beastly shadows burst forth from the blood pact. But the corpse puppet opened its massive mouth, swallowing both the beast shadows and the green-eyed golden-feathered sparrow. Su Wan''er suddenly embraced him from behind, her cold marrow spirit forming an ice cocoon around them both.


    "Your mother left something in the sword array," the girl whispered, her breath brushing against his ear. "Look at the heart of the corpse puppet."


    Amidst the glimmering light refracted by the ice crystals, a faint blue glow flowed within the corpse puppet''s chest cavity. Lin Mo suddenly understood what his mother had done back then¡ªshe had sealed half of the Beast Pearl here!


    The corpse puppet''s claws tore through the ice cocoon. Su Wan''er suddenly pushed Lin Mo away, allowing the bronze hand to pierce through her right shoulder. Blood splattered onto the Zhan Yuan sword, causing its dark blade to shimmer with silver-white patterns!


    "Cold marrow condensed blood..." Qing Zhu''s voice trembled with tears. "That foolish girl is forcing an awakening!"


    The intense pain reminded Su Wan''er of that morning when she was abandoned in the snow. Her birth mother had said while cutting open her wrist with a hairpin, "Wan''er, your blood is too cold; it cannot sustain life." At this moment, the cold marrow spirit infused into the sword body along with her blood, and the Zhan Yuan sword emitted a dragon-like roar, while the corpse puppet''s movements suddenly slowed.


    Lin Mo''s pupils completely transformed into beast-like slits. He plunged his bare hand into the corpse puppet''s chest, grasping the blue light within. At that instant, the other half of the Beast Pearl emerged from his brow. The two pearls spun and merged, and amidst the burst of light, Qing Li''s final memory surfaced¡ª


    On a night of pouring rain, the seven elders knelt at the feet of the master of the Tianji Pavilion. Beneath them lay three hundred corpses of Qingyun disciples, their blood pooling into a formation. The master plunged a soul-piercing nail into Xiao Han''s heart: "Watch closely how your senior sister is turned into a key."


    "So everyone has been lying to me..." Lin Mo''s nails dug deeply into his palm. The fused Beast Pearl sank into his dantian, and the Sword Tomb suddenly trembled. The Zhan Yuan sword soared into the air, its sword spirit transforming into a man in dark robes who landed before him: "Now that you know, do you still want to inherit this mother-slaying sword?"


    Su Wan''er suddenly grasped the sword hilt. Extreme cold spread from her palm, freezing the sword spirit in place. "He doesn¡¯t need your approval." The girl¡¯s hair was laced with ice crystals, her pupils turned a silvery white like frost, "What Aunt Qing Li exchanged her life for is not for you to judge!"


    The sword spirit revealed a playful smile. He raised his hand and lightly tapped, causing a blood-red curse mark to appear on Su Wan¡¯er¡¯s neck: "Little cold marrow body, do you know you won''t live past eighteen?" His fingertip moved to Lin Mo''s heart, "And you, with each use of the Beast Pearl, increase the risk of becoming a Taotie puppet."


    At that moment, the corpse puppet completely disintegrated. The purple-robed elder''s maniacal laughter echoed from the depths: "Thank you, young friend, for helping me break the last seal!" The entire Sword Tomb began to sink, the red light of the Heavenly Refinement Array penetrating the rock layers.


    Lin Mo suddenly drove the Zhan Yuan sword into the ground. The fused Beast Pearl roared within him, and he distinctly felt countless bloodlines resonating from miles away¡ªthe Lei Ze Kui Niu of the Northern Wilderness, the Xuan Gui of the South Sea, and the Zhu Yan of the Western Extremes... These ancient clans were kneeling before the Qingyun Sect.


    "This is not inheritance." He grasped Su Wan''er¡¯s cold hand, and the Zhan Yuan sword erupted with a beam of light that pierced heaven and earth. "This is about rewriting the rules."


    The sword spirit''s figure dissipated in the light beam, and his last words carried a sense of relief: "Qing Li, your son is braver than any of us..."

 Chapter Eight: The Ancestral Clansbow to the Sect

    Thunderclouds coiled into a vortex above the Qingyun Sect, with serpent-like shadows as thick as mountain ranges moving within the clouds. Lin Mo''s pupils reflected the scene miles away: the Kui Niu of the Northern Wilderness crushed glaciers, the Xuan Gui of the South Sea surfaced with the entire Coral City on its back, and in the depths of the Western Extremes, the war drums sounded from Zhu Yan, who pounded its chest.


    "They are responding to your call." Qing Zhu''s lingering soul was almost transparent as her fingertip touched Lin Mo''s brow. "But you must think carefully; once you accept the worship of the ancestral clans..."


    Suddenly, Su Wan''er coughed violently, a droplet of blood spilling from her mouth and freezing into an ice crystal mid-air. The curse mark around her neck had spread to her collarbone, and frost-like veins appeared beneath her skin. Lin Mo grasped her wrist, feeling her pulse faint as a candle flickering in the wind.


    "There are seven days left." The warning from the sword spirit echoed in his ears. Lin Mo''s hand, gripping the sword, throbbed with veins bulging as the Zhan Yuan sword sensed its master''s emotions, the blood patterns on its blade writhing like living creatures.


    Suddenly, dozens of mounds of earth rose, rotten hands breaking through the surface. These were the Qingyun disciples devoured by the Heavenly Refinement Array, now transformed into corpses covered in curse inscriptions. The foremost corpse wore the outer disciple''s robes, half of its face still retaining a youthful innocence¡ªit was the boy who had brought food to Lin Mo three days prior.


    "Be careful!" Su Wan''er swung her sword, severing the corpse puppet''s arm, while frost spread along the blade to freeze its chest cavity. But more corpse puppets surged from all directions, their blood-colored array patterns resonating with the totem on Lin Mo''s hand, causing the Beast Pearl in his dantian to stir restlessly.


    Lin Mo suddenly stabbed the Zhan Yuan sword into the ground. The fused Beast Pearl erupted with a blue light, using the sword as a medium to carve a massive beast-controlling symbol into the surface. As the final stroke was completed, the entire Qingyun Mountain began to tremble, and seven blood springs gushed from the mountain''s cracks, condensing into the shape of the Big Dipper in the air.


    "With my bloodline, I call upon your true names¡ª" He bit his tongue, his essence mixing with incantations that echoed through the heavens, "Kui Niu of the Thunder Marsh, Xuan Gui of the South Sea, Zhu Yan of the Western Extremes..."


    The shadows in the clouds roared in unison. The Kui Niu stomped down, shattering the thunderclouds and crashing down with bolts of lightning; the Coral City on the Xuan Gui''s back shot out countless azure water arrows, accurately piercing the array focal point on the corpse puppet''s forehead; Zhu Yan smashed its fists into the core of the Heavenly Refinement Array but was rebounded hundreds of feet away, the sight of its arm bones piercing through flesh making Su Wan''er look away.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "Not enough." Qing Zhu''s voice trembled. "The Heavenly Refinement Array is absorbing their attacks!"


    As if to confirm her words, the defeated corpse puppets reformed into a three-headed, six-armed monster. Lin Mo suddenly felt a searing pain in his palm, as the blood pact totem extended crimson threads connecting to the array patterns on each corpse puppet¡ªhe was becoming the new focal point of the Heavenly Refinement Array!


    Su Wan''er suddenly pressed close. The coldness of her lips brushed against the corner of his mouth, and the cold marrow spirit flowed into his meridians. Lin Mo glimpsed her memories: at five years old, her birth mother had pushed her into a cold pond to awaken her abilities; on her thirteenth birthday, the Tianji Pavilion cultivators had slaughtered the village that raised her; and until three days ago, Xiao Han¡¯s unfinished words about "Senior Sister Qing Li left..."


    "Don''t get distracted." As Su Wan''er pulled away, ice crystals fell from her hair. "I can feel the array''s core moving."


    As if in response to her words, the ground opened into a chasm. The purple-robed elder''s warship rose from the depths, its surface embedded with thousands of beating hearts. At the top, within a glass dome, Qing Li''s remnant body was pierced by seventy-two chains, with the other half of the jade pendant embedded in her heart!


    "Mother!" Lin Mo''s eyes widened in rage. The Zhan Yuan sword sensed its master''s killing intent, emitting a roar that summoned thunder from the heavens. But all attacks were absorbed the moment they touched the warship¡ªshe had become the final shield of the Heavenly Refinement Array.


    Zhu Yan suddenly spoke in human tongue: "Kid, use that!" It broke its own bloodied arm bone and tossed it over. The moment Lin Mo caught it, the familiar ritual inscription appeared on the bone¡ªexactly like the one his mother used to form seals.


    Su Wan''er suddenly snatched the bone. Infusing it with cold marrow spirit, she froze it into an ice blade: "You can''t do it; I will." She dashed towards the warship like a shooting star, the curse mark on her neck shining blindingly. "Aunt Qing taught me that the cold marrow body is best suited for being a sacrifice..."


    "Don''t¡ª!"


    Lin Mo''s roar erupted simultaneously with the thunderstorm. The ice blade pierced Qing Li''s heart, and at that moment, time seemed to freeze. The red light of the Heavenly Refinement Array suddenly extinguished, and the purple-robed elder looked down in shock, seeing an ice blade protruding from his chest¡ªSu Wan''er¡¯s figure appeared behind Qing Li''s remnant body, a serene smile on her lips.


    "Foolish girl..." Qing Li''s eyelashes fluttered, and her remaining consciousness transformed into light points, merging into Su Wan''er¡¯s brow. "This is what a mother left for you..."


    The warship began to collapse. Lin Mo caught the falling Su Wan''er and discovered that the curse mark around her neck had transferred to him. The girl in his arms felt light as a feather, her white hair like snow covering his arm: "Look, fireworks."


    As the last heart exploded, blood rain fell from the sky. The Beast Pearl spun in the rain, devouring all the spiritual energy of the Heavenly Refinement Array. Lin Mo heard the sound of shackles breaking deep within his bloodlines, dragon horns sprouting from his forehead, and bone wings breaking forth from his back¡ªthis time, they were not the incomplete wings of a Taotie but the dual wings of a dragon entwined with wind and thunder!


    Qing Zhu''s lingering soul laughed softly in the rain: "You have finally awakened, the thirty-seventh sect master of the Beast Immortal Sect."

 Chapter Nine: The Oath of Falling Stars

    The blood rain transformed into shimmering blue dots before hitting the ground. Lin Mo knelt in the center of the ruins, the dual wings of the dragon instinctively wrapping around Su Wan''er¡¯s ice-bound body like a cocoon. Zhu Yan crouched ten zhang away, the fleshy buds sprouting from its severed arm visibly writhing¡ªthe restoration power of the ancient clans was being pushed to the limit by the Beast Pearl.


    "Her soul has not perished." A celestial voice floated from the Coral City atop the Xuan Gui, and a woman wearing a veil of fish silk walked on the waves. "The cold marrow body is indeed the best vessel for a soul, but..."


    The Kui Niu suddenly let out a long, howling roar, its single foot smashing the remaining thunderclouds. It was then Lin Mo noticed the countless ice coffins floating in the sea behind the woman, each one containing a girl of similar age to Su Wan''er.


    "The Tianji Pavilion has spent five hundred years collecting cold marrow bodies." The woman lifted her veil, revealing a face seven parts similar to Su Wan''er''s. "They are all my daughters."


    Lin Mo''s dragon horns sparked with electricity. The wings of the dragon sensed his killing intent, scales standing on end like blades: "You are the South Sea¡¯s Shark Queen?"


    A towering wave rose from the Coral City. The Shark Queen''s long hair transformed into venomous snakes, her azure eyes tinged with blood: "It was the master of the Tianji Pavilion who forced me to bear these vessels! Each child lives no longer than eighteen years, for their souls are to be used to nurture..."


    "Nurture what?" Lin Mo suddenly raised his hand, the Beast Pearl flying from his dantian. Inside the pearl, the illusion of an ice coffin appeared, faintly revealing Su Wan''er¡¯s sleeping form with half a jade pendant embedded in her forehead.


    The Shark Queen suddenly froze. Trembling, she touched the Beast Pearl, causing the Coral City to crumble: "So Qing Li hid the other half of her soul in..."


    "Watch out!" Zhu Yan roared.


    A scarlet rift opened in the void, and hundreds of golden-winged mayflies formed arrows that shot straight for Lin Mo¡¯s back. The Kui Niu swiped its paw, shattering most of them, but a dozen still pierced through the dragon¡¯s scales. Strangely, these insects did not consume flesh; instead, they laid crystalline eggs at the wounds.


    "A variant of the soul-eating insects." The Xuan Gui sprayed a mist of water to freeze the insect eggs. "The day the eggs hatch is the day you become a puppet."


    Lin Mo suddenly laughed lightly. He dug his bare hand into the flesh on his shoulder, where the eggs were, and the dragon''s powerful healing ability instantly closed the wound: "Is this all the master of the Tianji Pavilion can do?"


    "No." The Shark Queen suddenly slashed her wrist, and pale golden blood drew a star map in the air. "These insect eggs are absorbing your dragon energy¡ªlook to the sky!"


    Everyone looked up to find nine blood-red stars suspended behind the clouds. Each star''s surface displayed Lin Mo¡¯s phantom, from infancy to the moment he transformed into a dragon, each significant moment being altered by some power.


    "Alter the star tracks..." Memories from Qing Zhu resurfaced just before her dissipated. "They want to reshape your fate!"


    Zhu Yan suddenly pounded its chest, letting out a war cry. The sound waves shattered the nearest blood star, and the falling fragments transformed into the figure of Lin Mo¡ªhimself at twelve, fleeing through the forest with Xiao Hui in his arms.


    "Kill these reflections!" The Xuan Gui spat out high-pressure water blades. "For every star shattered, you will lose a piece of your memory!"


    But Lin Mo was transfixed, staring at the approaching phantom. His younger self was covered in blood, the silver fur of Xiao Hui matted with clotted blood: "Why did you leave me?" The phantom spoke with Su Wan''er¡¯s voice, "You promised to take me to eat osmanthus cake in Chang''an..."Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The dragon wings suddenly unfurled uncontrollably. Lin Mo watched helplessly as the blades pierced the phantom¡¯s chest, shattering the memory of him at fourteen hunting a Flame Tiger with Xiao Hui. He knelt on one knee, coughing up blood mixed with ice shards¡ªthis was the cold poison Su Wan''er had transferred to him flaring up.


    "This can¡¯t go on!" The Shark Queen summoned an ice spear. "We must find the core of the star tracks!"


    "It¡¯s here with me." A childish voice suddenly spoke up. Everyone turned in shock to see Su Wan''er in the ice coffin, her eyes opened at some unknown time. She floated in mid-air, her white hair moving without wind, cradling a constantly reshaping blood-red rune in her palm: "Brother Lin, kill me."


    The nine blood stars simultaneously lit up. Lin Mo saw every reflection of Su Wan''er repeating this phrase, from a young girl to a blossoming maiden, countless "hers" reaching out in the sea of stars: "Kill me, and the formation will break."


    Zhu Yan suddenly surged, punching the ice coffin: "Stop this nonsense!" But as the punch met the coffin, Su Wan''er¡¯s phantom suddenly solidified, freezing Zhu Yan¡¯s entire arm with her cold marrow spirit.


    "It¡¯s useless." The Shark Queen''s shoulders drooped in despair. "The star tracks have been set, unless..."


    "Unless I willingly sacrifice myself." Lin Mo¡¯s dragon horn suddenly broke off, shattering into powder mid-air. Losing his dragon features, he returned to human form, but a light brighter than the stars shone from his palm¡ªthat was the fused Beast Pearl burning its essence, "But I have a better idea."


    He charged toward the nearest star, and at the moment he touched the reflection, he reversed his meridians. A tremendous suction force erupted from his dantian, pulling the nine blood stars along with Su Wan''er¡¯s ice coffin into his body! The Shark Queen watched in horror as Lin Mo¡¯s pupils split into multiple eyes, the left swirling with a river of stars while the right crystallized into frost.


    "You¡¯re insane!" The Xuan Gui sprayed a wave of water to stop him. "To contain both the star tracks and the cold marrow body at once, you will..."


    "I will become the true focal point of the array." Lin Mo¡¯s voice resonated with a multitude, as if thousands were speaking at once. He raised his hand and lightly tapped the void, causing the golden-winged mayflies that were consuming the Kui Niu to suddenly change direction and charge toward the Tianji warship hidden behind the clouds.


    The Shark Queen finally understood what he intended to do. She slashed her wrist, drawing a blood formation and infusing the spiritual energy of the entire sea into Lin Mo: "With the vast waters of the South Sea as a sacrifice, aid the master of the Immortal Sect¡ªslay the gods!"


    The warship began to disintegrate under the onslaught of the insect swarm, revealing the master of the Tianji Pavilion sitting on a lotus platform. The moment he removed his bronze mask, Lin Mo''s blood nearly froze¡ªunder the mask was Xiao Han¡¯s face!


    "Good disciple." Xiao Han¡¯s voice echoed eerily, "Now do you understand why you were chosen as the vessel?"


    Su Wan''er¡¯s ice coffin suddenly burst forth from Lin Mo, and as the lid opened, the sleeping girl opened her silver eyes: "Because you are the one that Qing Li severed with the Zhan Yuan sword..."


    "Evil intent of the Heavenly Dao!" Lin Mo and Su Wan''er spoke in unison. The Beast Pearl exploded, its fragments transforming into a shower of stars. Each star illuminated a piece of history that had been altered: the truth of the first sect master''s fall into darkness, the causal ties of Qing Li¡¯s voluntary death, and the events of Xiao Han being possessed by the master of the Tianji Pavilion.


    Xiao Han¡ªor rather, the true body of the master of the Tianji Pavilion¡ªfinally revealed a look of shock. Countless tendrils sprouted from the lotus platform beneath him, but they were burned to ash by the star rain: "How could you possibly touch the Heavenly Dao..."


    "Because I am not of this world." Lin Mo caught the falling Su Wan''er, the memories of Qing Li flowing through the girl¡¯s silver eyes. "When Mother used the Zhan Yuan sword to cleave through reincarnation, she etched the truth into the core of the Beast Pearl."


    The star rain converged into a river, trapping the master of the Tianji Pavilion in the long river of time. Lin Mo saw countless versions of himself walking along the river¡¯s surface: some who became farmers, some who fell into darkness, and even one who lived in seclusion in a peach grove with Su Wan''er. Each possibility turned into chains that bound the enemy as they touched the true body.


    "No¡ª!" The master of the Tianji Pavilion shattered into countless fragments in the river of time. "I am the Heavenly Dao; you cannot..."


    Su Wan''er suddenly kissed Lin Mo. The kiss carried the essence of ice and snow, merging the cold marrow spirit with the power of the star tracks, forming a brilliant star ring around the two: "Remember, go to see the osmanthus cakes in Chang''an."


    Her body began to fade, but the star ring grew ever brighter. Lin Mo reached out to grasp the dissipating starlight, only to find he held only half a jade pendant¡ªQing Zhu''s last words echoed in his ears: "Go to the Guixu; there is a well of reincarnation..."

 Chapter Ten: Dreams of the Guixu

    The waters of the Guixu flowed backward.


    Lin Mo watched as droplets of water rose from the surface of the rocks, his fingertips touching the waves that carried the warmth of past memories. The Shark Queen cut a strand of her hair and tied it around his wrist; the blue hair transformed into a chain-like tattoo as it entered the water. "Remember, when you see your reflection in the inverted ice mountain, never make eye contact with it."


    Zhu Yan was pounding the rock wall with its severed arm, sparks flying as bronze patterns revealed themselves in the rock layers¡ªit was the remains of the Tianji warship embedded in the mountain. The Xuan Gui suddenly sprayed water to push it back: "Foolish monkey! There are still live soul-eating insects in the ship''s core!"


    Before the words finished, a thick black liquid surged from the ship''s cracks. The liquid coalesced into a form resembling Xiao Han, but this time his left eye was a bottomless whirlpool. "Good disciple, do you know why the Guixu can reverse life and death?"


    Lin Mo''s tattoo suddenly burned. The Shark Queen''s voice echoed in his mind: "Don''t look into his eyes! That is..."


    "Because it is buried with the true Heavenly Dao." The false Xiao Han''s fingertips sprouted bone spikes, effortlessly tearing through space. "The evil thoughts severed by the first sect master were merely the old shell shed by the Heavenly Dao. And the reincarnation well you are desperately searching for¡ª" The ice mountain behind him suddenly collapsed, revealing a hundred zhang-wide bronze well, "is merely the umbilical cord of the Heavenly Dao."


    Su Wan''er''s ice coffin suddenly shook. The lid slid open with a thunderous sound, and the girl''s silver eyes reflected the swirling gray mist at the well''s mouth. "Brother Lin, the well water is crying."


    It was then Lin Mo heard it; deep within the seemingly tranquil well, the cries of countless beings echoed. The weeping materialized, forming countless pale arms at the well''s mouth, each hand grasping fragments of broken memories¡ªhe saw his three-year-old self playing by the well, while the supposed-to-be-dead Qing Li hung clothes not far away.


    "An illusion." He gritted his teeth and swung the sword, but the Zhan Yuan sword merely passed through the illusion and struck the well''s edge. The shards that splintered from the bronze wall mixed with bone dust.


    The false Xiao Han suddenly appeared at the edge of the well. He tore open his robe, revealing a writhing half of a soul-eating insect at his heart: "Did you think you killed the true body at the Qingyun Sect? That was merely one of the many incarnations of the Heavenly Dao." The insect suddenly exploded, and the blood mist unveiled a suffocating truth¡ª


    Twelve years ago, Qing Li had rushed into the Guixu holding a baby. As she embedded the jade pendant into the well¡¯s edge, the well water spiraled back, swallowing the seven pursuing elders. But at the moment she turned, a pitch-black claw emerged from the swaddling, piercing through her dantian.


    "You are the layer of skin shed by the Heavenly Dao." The false Xiao Han''s laughter quickened the collapse of the ice mountain. "The evil thoughts sealed by Qing Li are those of her own son!"


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    A storm erupted in Lin Mo''s consciousness. Fragments of the Beast Pearl screamed within him as he saw himself at three, stabbing ants with a branch at the well¡¯s edge, golden blood seeping from the ground; on his seventh birthday, the first time Xiao Hui hunted a Flame Tiger, the reflection in its eyes was of his own dragon horns.


    "Ah¡ª!" The Zhan Yuan sword slipped from his grasp and fell into the well. Lin Mo knelt on the ground, his tattoo splitting under the swelling dragon scales. The Shark Queen gasped in horror as she noticed his hair tips fading from black to a frost-white identical to the well water.


    Su Wan''er¡¯s ice coffin suddenly crashed toward him. The remnants of her soul transformed into a silver butterfly, fluttering toward the mist at the well¡¯s mouth. "Quick, remember! That night in the Sword Tomb..."


    Memories erupted like a geyser. Lin Mo saw himself three days prior, stabbing the Zhan Yuan sword into Su Wan''er¡¯s heart, her blood flowing back into the sword; he saw an earlier rainy night when Qing Li placed the crying baby into the well water, allowing the whirlpool to consume half of his soul.


    "So I am the vessel..." He raised his hand to gaze at his palm, where writhing not blood vessels but countless soul-eating insects squirmed beneath his skin. "The Heavenly Dao uses my flesh to nurture evil thoughts, and you¡ª" His dragon-like slitted pupils swept over the Shark Queen and the Xuan Gui, "the so-called ancient clans are merely the jailers of the vessels!"


    Zhu Yan suddenly surged, white bone blades sprouting from its severed arm. "Stop wasting words with him! Just throw him into the well..."


    Its voice cut off abruptly. Lin Mo''s dragon claw pierced through Zhu Yan''s chest, revealing a heart inscribed with the ancient character for "prison." The water arrows sprayed by the Xuan Gui froze mid-air, while the Shark Queen¡¯s long hair was ignited by dragon breath, and the waters of the Guixu boiled and rolled under dragon might.


    "Such pity." The false Xiao Han''s figure swayed at the well''s mouth. "These fools will never know that the so-called Beast Immortal Sect is merely the Heavenly Dao''s broom for cleaning up garbage."


    Suddenly, Su Wan''er in the ice coffin opened her eyes. Silver tears flowed from her eyes, but her voice held Qing Li''s tenderness: "Mo''er, look at the bottom of the well!"


    Instinctively, Lin Mo looked down. The well water had inexplicably become crystal clear, reflecting not his own image¡ªbut countless Su Wan''ers building snowmen at the bottom of the well, each snowman¡¯s face representing a different age of him. The girls suddenly sang in unison, their voices shattering the gray mist at the well''s mouth and revealing a rotating star map at the bottom.


    "This is..." The false Xiao Han showed genuine fear for the first time, "How can the core of the reincarnation well have Qing Li''s..."


    Su Wan''er¡¯s soul burned in the melodies. She glanced back at the dragon-formed Lin Mo before leaping into the star map: "Make sure to check out the osmanthus in Chang''an for me."


    The well water erupted into a towering pillar of light. Lin Mo''s dragon scales shed in the brilliance, revealing a humanoid body flowing with golden blood beneath. The false Xiao Han dissolved in the light, his final scream echoing among the collapsing ice mountains: "You can''t escape! The Heavenly Dao has long since..."


    The Guixu began to crumble. The Shark Queen used her last strength to push Lin Mo back down the path he had come, while she and the Xuan Gui sank into the well: "Tell my daughters, Mother..."


    Lin Mo fell through the chaotic currents of time and space. He saw his younger self building snowmen by the well, Su Wan''er squatting beside him to warm her hands; he saw another version of Qing Li holding the Zhan Yuan sword, its tip pointing toward the enormous vertical pupil outside the firmament; and finally, he saw a future day in Chang''an, streets fragrant with osmanthus, a silver-haired girl leaning against the railing of a teahouse, gazing into the distance.


    The tattoo on his wrist suddenly burned. The Shark Queen''s voice echoed from a distant time: "Remember, you are both the prisoner and the key..."

 Chapter Eleven: The Undercurrent of Changan

    As the morning mist wrapped around the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms drifting over Suzaku Street, Lin Mo was crouched in the back courtyard of a teahouse, washing dishes. A coarse linen garment concealed the scarred lines on his body, while the clear water in the wooden basin reflected a pair of bloodshot eyes¡ªthree months had passed since the collapse of the Guixu, yet he still woke up at midnight, the lingering warmth of Su Wan''er¡¯s fading presence still in his palm.


    "Xiao Lin! The guest up front wants Longjing tea!" The shopkeeper''s call echoed through the corridor.


    Lin Mo wiped his face and picked up the tea tray. As he lifted the curtain, he heard a familiar mocking voice: "Isn''t this the big shot from the Beast Immortal Sect?" A group of richly dressed young men sat by the window, the leader lifting Lin Mo''s chin with a folding fan. "I heard you were struggling to carry bags at the dock, needing to rest three times for one bag of rice?"


    The teahouse suddenly fell silent. Lin Mo lowered his gaze to the green porcelain teacup, the surface reflecting his pale face¡ªit certainly looked like that of a disease-ridden wretch. But only he knew that within this seemingly frail body, fragments of the Beast Pearl were swimming through his veins, burning his meridians whenever his emotions fluctuated.


    "Young Master Zhou is joking." He bowed slightly to pour the tea, pouring hot water precisely to fill the cup seven-tenths full. "I''ll go to the back kitchen right away..."


    "Why the rush?" Young Master Zhou pressed down on his wrist with the folding fan, flicking a gold coin from his fingertips. "Bark like a dog, and this money is yours."


    The tea rippled. Lin Mo saw his own reflection in the water, his pupils suddenly glinting gold, as the dormant fragments of the Beast Pearl in his dantian began to stir. Just as he was about to lose control, a clear bell chimed from outside.


    "Good tea." A girl in simple clothes lifted the curtain, silver bells in her hair chiming softly. She walked directly to sit opposite Young Master Zhou, and a piece of crystal-clear ice slipped from her sleeve. "Please get me a pot of snow-topped emerald."


    Lin Mo nearly dropped the teapot. The patterns on the ice clearly resembled frost flowers condensed from cold marrow spirit! And the instant the girl lifted her gaze, the brilliance in her silver eyes mirrored that of Su Wan''er.


    "Miss is..." he stammered, his throat tightening.


    "Su Han." The girl propped her chin and smiled lightly. "Cold, as in the passing of winter and summer."


    Young Master Zhou suddenly began to shriek. The fingers that had touched the ice became covered in white frost, his entire arm visibly stiffening. The teahouse patrons fled in terror, but Lin Mo focused on the path of the frost flowers spreading¡ªthis was exactly the "Ice Heart Lock" that Su Wan''er had used back in the day!


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    "Vixen!" Young Master Zhou staggered backward. "Call the authorities..."


    Before he could finish, Su Han flicked her fingers lightly. The frost flowers exploded into ice mist, enveloping the entire teahouse. Lin Mo caught the scent of blood in the cold mist; by the time the ice crystals fell, Young Master Zhou and the others had turned into ice sculptures, their faces frozen in horror.


    "Now it¡¯s peaceful." Su Han lifted the teapot to pour herself some tea. "The shopkeeper said the new waiter resembles a dear friend of mine. I guess..." She suddenly leaned closer to Lin Mo''s ear, "Is he the one who took a bath in the Guixu?"


    A chill ran down Lin Mo''s spine. The girl''s breath carried an icy scent, and as she moved, the silver bells on her wrist revealed inner inscriptions¡ªthe very soul-binding spell of the Tianji Pavilion!


    Suddenly, a whistling sound cut through the air. Lin Mo instinctively dove to protect Su Han as three black arrows shot through the air, narrowly missing his hair and embedding themselves in the beams. The arrow tails were marked with blood-red eye patterns, identical to the totems on the walls of the Guixu well.


    "Agents of the Heavenly Dao." Su Han chuckled beneath him. "Here for you?"


    The sounds of mechanisms whirring came from outside. Twelve bronze puppets emerged from the mist, their joints embedded with the stargazing instruments Lin Mo had seen in the Beast Pavilion! Grabbing Su Han, he rolled toward the counter as tea canisters were shattered by arrows, splattering Bi Luo Chun and Longjing tea mixed with porcelain shards.


    "Stay hidden!" He shoved Su Han into the wine cellar and turned to grab a fire poker. The fragments in his dantian stirred to life under pressure, and the stick gleamed with dark golden patterns; when it collided with the nearest puppet, sparks flew.


    The puppet''s chest suddenly cracked open, revealing a spinning nest of soul-eating insects. Lin Mo''s pupils contracted sharply as the excruciating pain from the Beast Pearl''s explosion in the Guixu surged back. Just as the insects were about to pounce, an ice wall formed out of thin air, sealing the insect nest within frozen ice.


    "How weak can you be to act as a vessel?" Su Han leaned against the wine cellar door, toying with an ice spear. "Do you want me to teach you... ah!"


    She suddenly crouched down, covering her head as her silver eyes glowed with blood. Lin Mo caught a glimpse of the soul-binding spell on the back of her neck beginning to shine, and countless fragments of memories flooded into his consciousness¡ªQing Li forming seals in front of the ice coffin, Xiao Han pierced through the heart with a soul-piercing nail, and finally, the moment when the countless stars exploded at the bottom of the Guixu well.


    "Su..." He reached out to support her, but an ice spear pressed against his throat.


    "Don''t touch me!" Su Han trembled all over, the silver bells in her hair bursting into shards. "You smell of well water... it reminds me of..."


    Suddenly, the ground collapsed. The shockwave from the self-detonating bronze puppets overturned the teahouse, and Lin Mo grasped Su Han''s wrist amid the flying rubble. An eerie cold wave emanated from the girl''s wrist bone, resonating with the fragments of the Beast Pearl within him.


    As the dust settled, they stood in the center of the ruins. From the shadow at the street corner emerged a hunchbacked old beggar, tapping a piece of the stargazing instrument with his bamboo staff. "Young friend, care for a divination?" His murky right eye suddenly transformed into a vertical pupil. "I foresee that tonight, at the hour of the rat, you will strangle this girl with your own hands."


    Su Han suddenly groaned. An ice-blue curse mark appeared on her neck, resonating with the golden patterns in Lin Mo''s palm. The old beggar''s laughter faded into the distance: "Remember, killing your beloved is the final ritual for awakening the vessel..."


    The distant sound of a watchman¡¯s clapper echoed. Lin Mo suddenly realized that the girl in his arms was losing her breath, while his five fingers had unknowingly wrapped around her throat.