“Mingwei, Mingwei!”
Chu Mingwei stood still, his expression grave as he listened carefully to the faint, intermittent voice. As it drifted in and out, a flicker of shock passed through his eyes.
He could not be mistaken.
That voice belonged to Martial Uncle Wu—who had disappeared ten years ago.
Fixing his gaze on the direction the voice came from, Chu Mingwei stared at the inconspicuous stone door at the end of the corridor. His expression grew heavier by the moment.
First, he and his junior brother had been swept apart by a violent gale within the restriction. Then, after waking in the water, he sensed traces of Martial Uncle Wu’s spiritual energy within it. Finally, while searching for his junior brother, he had been drawn here by this voice.
Gripping the Thunder Reflection Mirror tightly, Chu Mingwei fell into thought.
Ten years ago, Martial Uncle Wu vanished after discovering news of an ancient cave dwelling. His master had expended tremendous power to deduce that Wu had already perished. Ever since, his master had been unable to let the matter go—especially since it involved an ancient inheritance.
Yet now, here, he was hearing the voice of someone who should have long been dead.
Although he had sensed Wu’s spiritual fluctuations outside the restriction earlier, he had only assumed that Wu had left something protected behind. Never had he imagined Wu might still be alive.
Still, this place was strange.
What lay beyond might not be real.
To ensure he was not trapped in an illusion, Chu Mingwei activated the Thunder Reflection Mirror, unleashing several bursts of thunder. Only after confirming that the surroundings remained unchanged did he relax slightly.
As he hesitated before the stone door, the voice sounded again—
“Mingwei, Mingwei!”
Chu Mingwei suppressed his tangled thoughts.
He had come down the mountain for this very reason—to uncover the truth behind Wu’s death. Now that there was a lead, no matter what lay ahead, he had to investigate.
With that resolve, he stepped forward and pushed the stone door.
To his surprise, it opened effortlessly.
He tapped the mirror lightly, and crackling lightning enveloped his body as he entered cautiously.
Inside was pitch black.
Only the steady dripping of water echoed.
The water, which had only reached his knees outside, suddenly deepened to his waist. Fortunately prepared, Chu Mingwei leapt lightly onto the Qinglin Sword, avoiding being soaked again.
Behind him, the stone door slammed shut.
He instinctively turned—
But the moment his eyes caught a faint glow in the far corner, his expression changed drastically, and he froze.
In the dimly lit corner of the vast hall, an elderly man with kind features sat cross-legged atop the water. When he looked at Chu Mingwei, his face lit up with excitement.
“Mingwei… you’ve finally come.”
Chu Mingwei did not respond. He stepped forward cautiously.
But the instant he moved, the Thunder Reflection Mirror in his hand erupted with violent noise.
His expression hardened. He retreated at once.
“Who are you?”
The old man’s excitement turned to confusion. “Mingwei… it’s been ten years. Do you no longer recognize your martial uncle?”
Chu Mingwei’s face remained unchanged. “Who are you?”
The old man sighed bitterly. “Mingwei, I am Wu Songzi—your martial uncle.” Seeing no reaction, he continued, voice tinged with sorrow. “Do you remember? You once fought with disciples from another sect in the marketplace with Meng Fan and the others. Afraid of being punished, you hid in the back mountain for days. I was the one who secretly brought you food.”
A flicker of hesitation crossed Chu Mingwei’s face.
Encouraged, the old man continued, recounting more memories—each one precise.
Watching Chu Mingwei’s guard begin to lower, a trace of delight flashed in the old man’s eyes—
Suddenly—
Chu Mingwei raised the mirror and unleashed over a dozen bolts of thunder, each as thick as a finger, blasting toward him.
The old man’s expression froze.
Then, unable to maintain the act, his face twisted viciously. He opened his mouth wide—and actually swallowed several of the incoming lightning bolts.
His body swelled violently, expanding until it nearly struck the ceiling.
At that moment, the water trembled.
Countless complex restrictions appeared, pressing down on him.
As the formation activated, his body gradually shrank, his ferocious expression fading—until he once again resembled the gentle old man.
Chu Mingwei felt the familiar pressure of the formation and immediately understood—
These restrictions had likely been set by Martial Uncle Wu himself.
Looking at the creature wearing Wu’s face, a trace of sorrow rose in his heart.
Wu Songzi was truly dead.
The “old man” stared at Chu Mingwei with undisguised greed.
“As expected of the leader of the younger generation among the immortal sects. This body of yours is excellent—single lightning spiritual root, already at Core Formation at such a young age. It’s practically tailor-made for me. Far superior to this decaying old shell.”
His eyes gleamed with excitement.
“Don’t worry. Once I take your body, your memories will remain. I will be you—you will be me. As for cultivation…” He chuckled. “I possess a piece of the Source of Thunder. With it, you could step into the Nascent Soul stage immediately. Imagine ruling the world—how delightful.”
Chu Mingwei tightened his grip on the mirror, his voice cold.
“Who are you?”
The old man burst into laughter.
“Since you are about to become me, I shall graciously tell you. My name is Shi Ge—an ancient demon. This is my domain.”
“Ancient demon?” Chu Mingwei frowned slightly. He had never heard of such a race.
Seeing him distracted, Shi Ge’s eyes flashed. A massive hand suddenly formed and lunged toward him.
Chu Mingwei pointed at the Qinglin Sword. It expanded instantly, radiating brilliant light, and slashed downward—shattering the giant hand.
The hall lit up in that moment—
And Chu Mingwei’s pupils shrank.
In another corner stood rows of rogue cultivators—motionless, devoid of life.
Shi Ge followed his gaze and grinned. With a flick of his hand, a figure flew out.
Chu Mingwei swung his sword—
But Shi Ge’s arm swelled, blocking the blade head-on. With his other hand, he grabbed the figure, dragged it to his mouth, and inhaled.
The person convulsed violently.
Their spiritual energy drained instantly.
Their body went limp—then was tossed into the water.
Chu Mingwei reacted instantly, activating the mirror.
“Thunder Net!”
Lightning surged, binding Shi Ge.
Trapped, Shi Ge suddenly spat out a small square cauldron glowing red. It shot toward Chu Mingwei.
Before he could react, the Thunder Reflection Mirror moved on its own, blocking the attack and unleashing dazzling lightning.
The cauldron trembled, as if afraid, trying to flee—
But the mirror pursued relentlessly.
After several strikes, the cauldron lost its glow and fell into the water.
Shi Ge’s face twisted with fury—
Then suddenly, he laughed.
“Excellent. I like this body even more now. Lightning truly is the bane of all yin and evil. But don’t be too pleased. Though Wu Songzi trapped me here, and I cannot kill you… I can still trap you. Let’s see who outlasts the other.”
Chu Mingwei’s heart sank.
He had already pieced together most of the truth.
Wu Songzi had likely stumbled upon this place, been possessed, and in a final struggle used the water to set up a trapping formation—sealing both himself and the demon.
Just then—
The stone door behind him opened again.
Chu Mingwei immediately retreated toward it—
But Shi Ge slammed the water, raising a towering wall that blocked his path.
He stopped abruptly.
A graceful figure slipped in through the door.
Not my junior brother.
The thought flashed through his mind.
The water wall collapsed—
Soaking the newcomer completely.
Liu Haoxue froze at the sight before her.
Then, realizing the danger, she turned and rushed for the door—
Another water wall rose.
Dodging narrowly, she retreated behind Chu Mingwei.
The three stood in tense opposition.
Just as Liu Haoxue was about to speak—
Shi Ge suddenly turned toward the wall behind him, roaring furiously. His body swelled again as he charged at it, slamming into it repeatedly.
Liu Haoxue stared in shock.
Then she gasped—
“Xiao Lingyu!”
Chu Mingwei reacted instantly. “What about him?!”
“He’s… in the next chamber!”
Understanding dawned in an instant.
Shi Ge abandoned the wall and lunged toward the door.
Liu Haoxue realized—Xiao Lingyu must have taken something.
That was why the creature was enraged.
Instinctively, she turned toward the door to call for help—
But before she could speak, the Qinglin Sword pressed against her chest.
Chu Mingwei’s face was expressionless.
“What were you about to call?”
Her words died in her throat.
“I… we agreed to watch out for each other. Whoever encounters danger calls the other.”
Chu Mingwei frowned slightly.
“Lingyu is only at the Void stage. Even if he comes, he won’t help. I will take his place in keeping watch with you.”
Liu Haoxue blinked, stunned.
He would rather trap himself here than call his junior brother into danger?
Fury surged within her—but she dared not defy him. She forced a shy expression, while inwardly cursing both master and disciple alike.
At that moment—
Shi Ge was once again suppressed by the formation, shrinking back to human form.
But his eyes remained fixed on the door, filled with vicious hunger.
Then—
The stone door opened once more.