Love Travels through Time (My father who traveled through time and space to cultivate immortality came back to pick me up) - Chapter 76
Chapter 76: No Road Back from Bian City (13)
The clash of weapons all around seemed to be completely shut out by Yin Changli’s single line.
Even Xiang Haikui forgot her pain, looking up in shock at Bai Xingxian, who was holding her.
Bai Xingxian froze for a moment, let out an obedient “Oh,” and shouted toward Jing Ran.
“Uncle.”
Jing Ran was the one who felt most suffocated.
“My big brother’s son?” He immediately shook his head, “Impossible!”
Yin Changli was cunning and full of tricks; there had to be a plot here.
Given the Inspiration of the royal bloodline, they simply had no physical desires.
He didn’t have them, and his elder brother—whose Inspiration was even stronger than his—certainly wouldn’t either.
Members of the royal bloodline only experienced desire when their bodies deemed it time to produce an heir to carry on the lineage, which usually occurred in middle age.
Neither of the two brothers had reached that age yet.
Where could an offspring possibly have come from?
However… perhaps it wasn’t absolute.
Jing Ran’s divine sense shifted from Bai Xingxian to Xiang Haikui, lingering for a moment.
Even if that point made sense, it couldn’t possibly be a demon.
While the Celestial Clan and foreign races could interbreed without restriction, the resulting hybrid offspring lacked Inspiration—only pure-blooded Celestial Clan members possessed it.
Yin Changli’s lips curled up slightly: “The Emperor shouldn’t measure Shuluoye with his own narrow understanding. You are inferior to him, as you well know.”
“No matter how inferior I am to him, this is impossible.” Jing Ran’s gaze returned to Bai Xingxian, scrutinizing him carefully.
Mutations didn’t happen so easily.
He had only managed to merge Xiang Haikui’s energy with Yin Changli’s because Xiang Haikui cultivated Tian Kuang and possessed a demonic nature to begin with.
Had it been an ordinary human woman, it would have been utterly impossible.
Yet the reality was right before his eyes: this little demon possessed Inspiration, directly inheriting his elder brother’s lineage, and even resonating with his own Inspiration.
His elder brother’s soul had scattered completely, making reincarnation impossible.
“So does the Emperor understand now? There is nothing wrong with the divine artifact; it can be brought out and used at any time. It’s just that besides having me finish the forging of the divine artifact, Shuluoye also hoped I could find a way to strip the Inspiration from his son. Otherwise, once the divine artifact is unleashed, this child might die.”
Yin Changli maintained a posture of complete confidence and fearlessness.
“That is the real reason I have delayed taking action. After all, his father and I were close friends, and I raised him with my own hands. I couldn’t bear to do it.”
Jing Ran remained silent and heavy-hearted.
Yin Changli’s voice gradually turned icy.
“Whatever schemes you usually play, I endure what I can. But to fall to such despicable depths today is truly beyond the limits of my tolerance. If you push me into madness, it won’t do any of you any good!”
Jing Ran did not reply. He was in complete disarray right now and needed someone to help him.
“Han Qi!”
…
“Master?”
A long silence followed the Emperor’s call with no sign of Han Qi making a move, prompting Star Slave to give a gentle reminder.
Han Qi was also studying Bai Xingxian carefully.
Ever since Bai Xingxian fought his way to the Twelve Palaces, Han Qi had been staring at him with a look of surprise, just like Jin Ying.
For a moment, he genuinely couldn’t figure out Yin Changli’s true intentions. Setting aside how Shuluoye managed to defy the royal nature and have a child in the first place…
Entrusting the orphan to Yin Changli on his deathbed—was it to have Yin Changli raise him and use the power of the Shanhai Clan to put him on the throne?
Then why build a divine artifact capable of destroying the Celestial Clan?
Although no one knew what this divine artifact was, it definitely existed and was specifically designed to target the Celestial Clan.
It was because the Celestial Clan possessed a divine mirror that guarded their clan, which predicted this great calamity and warned the Emperor in advance, causing him to move against his own elder brother.
Yet he was a step too late—the divine artifact had long been carried off by Yin Changli, who had defected years ago.
“I can’t guess it. I can read Brother Changli accurately enough, but I know nothing about the Emperor’s notoriously rebellious elder brother.”
Han Qi shook his head.
No matter how the Emperor called for him, he played dead and refused to show himself, merely pulling out the hourglass to take another look.
…
“Alright, Sister Kui.”
Lu Xiqiao finished practicing his technique, placing his left hand an inch above her wound.
Since it was over her chest, it felt a bit awkward.
“I’m definitely not trying to take advantage of you here.”
“Are you sure this is going to work?”
Bai Xingxian glanced at his neck, eyes filled with doubt.
“You’re still bleeding.”
“Don’t demand too much, alright? I’m not a god.”
“But—”
“If you’re stronger than me, you do it!”
Xiang Haikui had been listening to Yin Changli and Jing Ran, but her attention was drawn over by the two of them.
When it came to the major revelation about his parentage, Bai Xingxian had listened to a couple of sentences and then acted as if it had nothing to do with him, completely unbothered.
Lu Xiqiao was no different.
“Alright, let’s do this,” Xiang Haikui urged Lu Xiqiao, telling them to stop bickering.
Look at the situation they were in, and here they were still arguing over this.
“Okay.”
A green mist began to diffuse outward from Lu Xiqiao’s palm.
Unlike the green poison mist he used in battle, the feeling this green mist brought was like being in a bamboo forest after a fresh rain—vibrant and teeming with life.
He was gradually getting the hang of the power of the Twin Fruit Body.
Xiang Haikui reflected briefly: ten years ago in Silver sand City, the three of them were still three useless rookies.
In a mere ten years, heaven and earth had turned upside down.
They had traversed a path that took others a thousand years.
Whether it was a blessing or a misfortune was hard to say.
Only the drinker knows whether the water is cold or warm.
“Emperor, you should return to the Upper Realm first,” Jin Ying transmitted her voice to Jing Ran.
“Under the current circumstances…”
With Bai Xingxian right beside them, unleashing such powerful royal Inspiration, both she and the shadow guards the Emperor had brought along were rendered completely useless.
The Emperor was severely injured, and Yin Changli was evenly matched with him; if the Emperor suffered further injuries, it might take a very long time for him to recover.
Most critically, Han Qi was hiding in the shadows and had yet to make a move—no one knew what he was planning.
He was completely uninjured.
Although he was a grand astrologer renowned for divining heavenly fate, that didn’t mean he lacked skill in combat.
Therefore, Yin Changli exposing Bai Xingxian was likely an attempt to make the Emperor back down in the face of difficulty and hand over Bian City with both hands.
Otherwise, if the two of them fought, the ultimate beneficiary might end up being Han Qi.
“Han Qi, you truly are something.”
Jing Ran nodded repeatedly, a cold sneer tugging at the corner of his lips.
Yin Changli, however, had his brows locked in a frown.
He was trying to figure out what Han Qi actually wanted to do—it was definitely not just waiting for the two of them to end up mutually ruined.
Just as he was thinking, a streak of golden light suddenly appeared across the sky.
Like a ray of blazing sun tearing through the darkness, it illuminated the Underworld with brilliant daylight.
…
Han Qi smiled faintly: “He’s here.”
Dazzled by the light, Star Slave was unable to see: “Who is it, Master?”
Han Qi put away his hourglass: “Dugu He.”
…
The person present who felt it most intensely was likely Xiang Haikui.
When a formidable sword encountered an even stronger sword, that intense emotion—a mix of dread and exhilaration—acted like a shot of adrenaline.
It caused her already pierced heart to throb and regain vitality, surpassing any form of healing.
As a result, Lu Xiqiao, who was currently transferring the power of the Jianmu Tree to her, was thrown backward by the force.
The huge energy supplied by Tian Kuang revitalized the weakened Xiang Haikui.
Xiang Haikui was startled.
This max-level Tian Kuang grew stronger when facing strength; it could fight and heal at the same time?
It was just that it targeted sword cultivators even more specifically.
If Jing Ran were a sword cultivator, he would undoubtedly be far more severely injured.
“Who is it?” she asked Yin Changli in front of her.
Breaking free from Bai Xingxian’s arms, she set her feet on the ground, already able to stand firmly.
“The Celestial Clan’s Sword God, Dugu He.”
Yin Changli supported her slightly, his brow deeply furrowed.
“Why would he come here?”
“Did the Emperor call him down?”
Xiang Haikui suppressed the thrill of her Tian Kuang and began to worry.
With such a formidable figure arriving, the balance of power would shift instantly.
Naturally, she had heard of Dugu He’s grand reputation.
His Inspiration was only a fraction below that of the royal bloodline, and with his boundless sword aura, he was the sole Celestial Clan member immune to the suppression of royal Inspiration.
“Unlikely,” Yin Changli shook his head.
“The Emperor and he are the two strongest beings in the Upper Realm; one of them must always remain behind to guard it. Within the Emperor’s Listening To Heaven Palace, treasures of various clans and array disks are stored—including the array disks holding my imprisoned clansmen. Someone must guard them. I suspect Han Qi tricked him into coming down.”
As the sword aura touched down, Xiang Haikui saw a imposing, vibrant man.
A sword cultivator at such a realm usually kept his sword nurtured within his sea of consciousness, yet this man wore his at his waist, looking like a wandering rogue swordsman traversing the realm.
She asked, “Is Han Qi trying to take advantage of the situation to stir up trouble in the Celestial Realm?”
That shouldn’t be it. The people of the Upper Realm only revered Inspiration; no matter how brilliant Han Qi was, he could never become the Emperor or control the Celestial Clan.
And if the Upper Realm fell into chaos, the human realm would suffer—Han Qi wouldn’t do something like that.
“Oh no…” Yin Changli pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly having guessed Han Qi’s true intent.
“What is it?” A sudden surge of panic washed over Xiang Haikui.
“Han Qi’s target is…”
…
Star Slave was slightly surprised.
“Your true target is… the Sword Emperor, Qi Yin?”
A bitter taste filled Han Qi’s mouth. He pulled out a sweet mandarin orange and slowly peeled it.
“Now that things have escalated to this point, war is unavoidable.”
All he could do was minimize the harm this war would cause to the human realm.
“Among this group of warmongers, Qi Yin possesses the greatest destructive capacity. Before Brother Changli releases him, I must kill him first.”
If he could drag Dugu He down to die alongside him in the Underworld, that would be even better.
That was why Han Qi had ordered someone to lure Dugu He away while sneaking into Listening To Heaven Palace to weaken the spell barrier surrounding the Cave of Ten Thousand Bones.
He had also sent someone to the Cave of Ten Thousand Bones to inform Qi Yin of Xiang Haikui’s plight,
telling him that the barrier had been weakened—though his physical body couldn’t break free, he could extract his soul and escape.
Star Slave said worryingly, “But Master, even if Senior Qi extracts his soul from his body, our people won’t be able to get close to the Cave of Ten Thousand Bones, right?”
That man was the Shanhai Sword Emperor; having been trapped in the Cave of Ten Thousand Bones for many years, his sword aura permeated the entire area.
“We can’t get close, but Que Chi can,” Han Qi pursed his lips.
“I visited the Meng family earlier specifically to request Que Chi from Third Meng.”
Que Chi’s sword Dao belonged to the exact same lineage as Qi Yin’s, meaning he was indeed able to draw near the Cave of Ten Thousand Bones.
Star Slave remained deeply perplexed.
“But this is blatantly a trap. Senior Qi…”
“Qi Yin is the most fiercely protective master you will ever find.”
Han Qi wasn’t worried in the slightest.
“Back when Miss Xiang altered her fate in Silver Sand City, he didn’t care about a mere Meng family at all, and trusting Brother Changli completely, he felt entirely at ease. Now, however, the situation is different. The Emperor’s despicable tactics have made the old senior thoroughly displeased. He has already lost seventeen disciples; he will absolutely not allow this youngest disciple of his to suffer any grievance.”
Star Slave couldn’t comprehend it.
“Is that really more important than his own life? Besides, he is the greatest hope for the rise of the Shanhai Clan. If something happens to him, it will be a heavy blow to Lord Changli and the entire Shanhai Clan. Could he truly be so foolish…”
“Of course. If it were me, I definitely wouldn’t do it. Star Slave, even if you were hung up by the Emperor and had a slice of flesh carved off you every day, I wouldn’t bother with you,” Han Qi said calmly as he ate his mandarin orange.
“Qi Yin is different. He has always acted purely on impulse. If he were the type to weigh these consequences, he wouldn’t have been imprisoned back then, nor would the Shanhai Clan have fallen so swiftly.”
“Master, that’s really hurtful,” Star Slave pouted, feeling aggrieved.
“You should look at it this way: as my disciple, how could you ever end up in such a situation?”
Han Qi looked toward Bian City, expressing regret.
“If Miss Xiang had chosen to cooperate with me earlier, she wouldn’t have reached this point today either.”
…
“Where is Qi Yin?!”
Dugu He looked around, his gaze landing on the Emperor before turning into utter shock.
“Who? Who is so extraordinary as to actually stab you twice?!”
One sword strike piercing the chest, another piercing the abdomen, thrusting the majestic Emperor into such a pitiful state—Dugu He knew he couldn’t accomplish such a feat himself.
Jing Ran’s face was dark and sullen.
“Dugu He, why did you disobey my order and descend to the Lower Realm without permission?”
Dugu He wasn’t listening at all; he was still crouching, scrutinizing the Emperor’s sword wounds, almost sticking his head straight into the injuries.
“Tian Kuang? That’s Tian Kuang, isn’t it?! Someone actually cultivated Tian Kuang to its peak?!”
His gaze whipped around to Xiang Haikui, flashing with pure frenzy.
“It’s you!”
Yin Changli shifted his stance, shielding Xiang Haikui behind him, and cupped his hands in greeting.
“Senior Dugu.”
“Since your master isn’t here, why don’t you exchange a few moves with me first?”
Dugu He’s eyes burned bright with passion as he pleaded, “You’re injured, so I’ll only use a tenth of my strength… no, half of a tenth.”
“Dugu He! This Emperor is asking you a question!” Jing Ran barked, halting his forward steps.
Tian Kuang within her throbbed violently.
Under normal circumstances, Xiang Haikui would have accepted without hesitation—even against the Sword God, she had no reason to back down.
Yet having heard Yin Changli’s guess, her heart was filled with sheer panic.
Grasping Yin Changli’s arm, her voice trembled.
“My master won’t come, right? He’s been reflecting in isolation for so many years, he must have learned his lesson by now, right?”
Yin Changli remained silent.
“We only had eighty days of master-disciple bond… Master wouldn’t come, right?” She asked Yin Changli over and over again.
“Don’t worry, it should be fine,” Yin Changli placed his hand over the back of hers to comfort her.
The moment his words fell, Xiang Haikui’s Tian Kuang went wild once more.
For the technique today, it was practically a revelry.
Xiang Haikui’s heart sank as she widened her eyes, staring at the sky.
The golden light created when Dugu He tore open the Underworld was still there, but suddenly a pitch-black hurricane swept across, dispersing the golden light entirely.
Countless water spouts soared into the sky from within the Underworld Sea, shooting straight toward the clouds.
As the hurricane descended, the sword aura condensed into a human silhouette—it was Qi Yin himself.
“Qi Yin, I’ve finally waited long enough for you!”
Dugu He instantly forgot about Xiang Haikui, his eyes locking onto Qi Yin with a hundredfold increase in fanaticism.
Jing Ran cursed under his breath.
“Han Qi!”
Yin Changli remained expressionless.
In a single instant, all strength was drained from Xiang Haikui.
“Master… why did you…”
Qi Yin, however, opened his arms wide, his eyes filled with heartache.
“My poor little Kui…”
Xiang Haikui felt a sting in her nose.
Rushing forward, she threw her arms around him, bursting into tears while cursing at the top of her lungs.
“What did you come here for?! Didn’t you know it was a trap?! Didn’t you know you might die?! It’s no wonder your Shanhai Clan lost—you weren’t wronged at all!”
“Even if I die, I won’t let anyone treat my disciple like garbage!”
Qi Yin stroked Xiang Haikui’s back as it heaved with sobs.
His furious gaze first swept past Yin Changli—unspoken, yet carrying obvious scolding.
Then, he abruptly raised his arm, pointing his index finger straight at Jing Ran, uttering each word with deliberate force.
“You little bastard! Back when your old man was still alive, he had to keep his head bowed whenever he met your Grandpa Qi! You certainly have more guts than your old man. Didn’t you know she is my disciple? Speak—how do you want to die!”
