"..."

Inside the tavern, a pin drop could be heard; all the listeners were shocked, feeling as if something was about to erupt from their chests.

The Storyteller shook his head.

As if trying to shake off his drunkenness, or perhaps some unspeakable past.

The Storyteller poured the wine from his glass back into the bamboo flask, thinking this half glass of wine could accompany his meals for another two rounds, couldn't it?

Satisfied, he placed the bamboo flask back into his bag, breaking the silence of the tavern:

"This fallen Crown Prince never resented Great Emperor Qingfeng, nor the Heavenly Court. So half a month ago, I traveled around nearby cities and towns, telling the story of Great Emperor Qingfeng."

"He died heroically, died unjustly. Such an emperor who sacrificed not for immortality but for the peace of the Immortal Domain should be sung by the people."

"Let everyone know that the Immortal Domain has never been a peaceful land. Some destroy it for personal desire, while others are sacrificing their lives for it."

"Even if we can't remember for a few days, someone still has to tell the tale."

The Storyteller laughed loudly: "I've read holy books all my life, thinking I could guide Stone Country into another century of prosperity, but in the end, I'm just a foul storyteller, hahahaha."

His laughter carried a sense of poignancy.

He couldn't bring peace to Stone Country, how could Great Emperor Qingfeng alone bring peace to the Immortal Domain?

In a way, they were the same, both holding onto unrealistic dreams.

The only difference was that he was still alive, while Great Emperor Qingfeng was dead.

"The Immortal Domain needs fools like Xu Qingfeng, and also gentlemen like you." Someone clasped their hands in salute.

This was the person who earlier complained of hearing too much about Qingfeng, requesting the Storyteller to narrate stories of other cultivators in the Emperor Realm, now showing remorse and respect.

Even though he was a Divinity Transformation cultivator, and the person before him was merely a mortal.

"Ah, I can't bear the title of 'sir'." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

The Storyteller returned the salute, carrying his bag, straightened his back, hummed a tune, and staggered out of the tavern.

"Sis, should we follow him?" Ruan Lan asked.

"No need."

"Huh?"

Ruan Lan was confused; the man went to such lengths to spread the contributions of Great Emperor Qingfeng to the Immortal Domain—there may be exaggeration, but offering some gold and silver wouldn't be overdone, right?

Even as a member of Great Emperor Qingfeng's household or of the Heavenly Court, expressing some gratitude would be appropriate.

"Someone already thanked him on behalf of the Heavenly Court."

"Who?"

"The flag bearer at Qingfeng Camp, Huang Fu. Besides, he doesn't require anyone's acknowledgment; he just does what he believes is right," the senior sister replied.

"..."

Ruan Lan fell into contemplation.

Ruan Tang watched, then whispered, "This is the Jianghu you've always longed for."

"But it's not like I imagined."

"That means you came to the right place."

Ruan Tang stood and said, "It's very late. We should head back."

After settling the bill, the group departed.

And the Qingfeng Sword hid in the darkness, silently observing Ruan Tang's actions for the day, appearing without any issues.

But having no issues was.

Precisely the biggest issue.

Clearly, Ruan Tang was despondent a few days ago, but ever since Huang Zhongtian appeared, she has been noticeably different.

The Artifact Spirit looked toward the White Jade Stairway where many cultivators continued to perish, and at the end was the blood-red Immortal Fruit that even Emperor Realm cultivators covet. After a moment's hesitation, it transformed into human form and walked through the city.

To the Qingfeng Sword Spirit, Qiuyue City was neither large nor small.

But for the common folk and even low-level cultivators, this undoubtedly was a grand city.

The most bustling area within the city was either side of the Qiuyue River, filled with romantic pursuits, making it the biggest money-sink within tens of thousands of miles.

There were courtesans with exceptional talent and beauty, and naturally, there were singers and dancers performing tunes.

By lucky coincidence, these singers mainly sang songs related to Great Emperor Qingfeng.

But compared to the Storyteller's tales of 'Qingfeng pacifying the Forbidden Nine Kings Palace, dying heroically in Heaven Beyond Heaven,' the performers sang of The Supreme Emperor's romantic adventures.

The indulgent atmosphere by Qiuyue Riverside sharply contrasted with the previously somber tavern.

The Artifact Spirit walked slowly along the riverside stone railing.

Seeing mischievous children releasing lanterns a few steps away, seeing newlywed couples snuggling on the boat, while in the building, singers and dancers sang their songs by the ear.

All in all, this was the human world.

On the Artifact Spirit's face, there was no joy or sorrow.

She walked alone on the long street.

Listening to the performers.

Singing of Qingfeng.

...

Half an hour later.

Qingfeng Sword returned to the Heavenly Court's rear mountain, silent aside from the sound of the wind.

Xu Yiyi and Xu Pingan respectively rested on Ruan Tang's arms, sleeping soundly.

Qingfeng Sword withdrew its Divine Sense, wondering if Baize was being overly sensitive.

However, thoughts aside, the Artifact Spirit kept half its mind locked onto Ruan Tang; she promised Xu Qingfeng she would protect his wife and daughter.

Promised, it must be fulfilled.

One day.

Two days.

Three days.

In a blink, seven days passed again.

Nearly two months since Great Emperor Qingfeng triggered the Karmic Tribulation to flatten the Forbidden Nine Kings Palace.

The aversion in the Immortal Domain towards Tian Gui Yuan Yin not only didn't fade with time but grew more intense.

Baize, who was delayed by the Netherworld elder Huang Zhongtian for some time, unexpectedly gained surprise.

In a star system located extremely close to the Southern Immortal Domain in the Eastern Immortal Domain, witnesses claimed to have seen members of the Tian Gui Tribe.

When the news first spread to the Heavenly Court, Baize naturally didn't believe it.

Because such information fluctuates between truth and falsehood, she had to review thousands of suspected sites daily, even after numerous edits and verifications by the Heavenly Generals.

However, the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals sent to investigate all disappeared, until later three Heavenly Generals also went missing in that star system.

Only then did Baize realize there was likely an issue with that star system, whether it was related to the Tian Gui or not was unknown.

So Baize requested Emperor Bahuang to personally investigate.

Li Bahuang was almost exhausted, having only a few days left while traveling from Earth.

On that day.

Two Imperial auras collided in the starry sky.

One was Li Bahuang, the other was Tiangui!

"The Tian Gui Tribe is located in the Red Sail Star System in the Eastern Star Domain."

"Divine General Taotie leads Qingfeng Camp as the vanguard, already rushing at full speed, and Senior Taotie of the Nine Heavens of the Quasi-Emperor and Fairy Qing Yuan are also on their way."

"Let's go too, destroy Tiangui, protect the Immortal Domain!"

"..."

Cultivators from the Four Immortal Domains, regardless of their level, rushed to the Red Sail Star System.

Some wanted to lend a helping hand to the Heavenly Court, while others wanted to witness history firsthand.

After all, the survival of the Immortal Domain would soon be decided.

"Have you found the witness?"

Baize sits in the Heavenly Court, issuing commands one after another, and after arranging everything, she still sought the witness.

"Reporting to Divine General Bai, not yet found."

"Not found?"

Baize turned her head.

The Heavenly Soldier being stared at knelt on one knee, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead: "This witness seems to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace."

Baize rubbed her temples.