When they saw Jing Zhan again, each of them felt something different. Qing Ming was excited that Jing Zhan was about to break free, while Chu Mingwei’s emotions were far more complicated. The last time he had come to this forbidden ground with Ling Xiaozi, it had been to stop Jing Zhan from escaping. This time, it was the exact opposite. The contrast made him sigh at how unpredictable fate could be.
Through the sea of flames, Jing Zhan looked coldly at the group that had suddenly appeared before him. When his gaze passed over Chu Mingwei, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes—he could sense a vitality in this man far stronger than before. Without showing it, Jing Zhan lowered his gaze, hiding that spark of something like anticipation. It seemed his escape would indeed depend on these people.
Jing Zhan’s indifference was exactly what Qing Ming expected. Staring at him through the blazing fire, Qing Ming spoke slowly, “This time, I will definitely get you out.”
His expression was utterly serious, his words like an oath. They pulled Jing Zhan’s memories back to ancient times—to when the two of them had fought side by side. Every time he had been in danger back then, Qing Ming would say the same thing: Jing Zhan, I will definitely save you. And every single time, he had kept that promise.
To Jing Zhan, Qing Ming had once been a friend, a brother, a companion he would walk with forever. He remembered the day they knelt at the foot of the sacred mountain, gazing up at it. Qing Ming’s eyes had burned with ambition. Jing Zhan, one day I will stand there and lead the demon race, so the other two races will never dare invade us again. He had pointed toward the sacred land. For that dream, the two of them had trained desperately, climbing step by step from the bottom ranks of the demon race, until they were only one step away from the top.
But just when everything was perfect, Chu Qingyi appeared.
From that moment on, the Qing Ming who had sworn to become clan leader and lead the demon race to greatness was gone. He even gave up the position he had fought so hard to earn—just to be with Chu Qingyi. Jing Zhan would never forget the feeling of betrayal when he heard Qing Ming’s decision in the sacred land. It was not just a betrayal of him, but of their shared struggle, and of Qing Ming’s own oath.
Seeing the apology in Qing Ming’s eyes back then, Jing Zhan had felt nothing but fury. He had wanted to kill Chu Qingyi. That had been the first time he and Qing Ming argued—over a mere human. They had nearly become enemies.
Later, when Qing Ming supported him in taking the position of clan leader, Jing Zhan had only sneered. Is this your compensation? Using the title of clan leader to make up for your betrayal? Qing Ming, did you know—I never wanted that position. I would rather go back to when we were nothing. Back then, there was no Chu Qingyi. We were still brothers who trusted each other completely. You were still the Qing Ming full of ambition and pride.
Jing Zhan shut his eyes tightly. The memories receded like a tide. When he opened them again and looked at Qing Ming across the flames, he suddenly laughed.
There was no going back.
Qing Ming watched him quietly, lips moving as if to speak, but in the end, no words came out.
Chu Mingwei tightened his grip on Xiao Lingyu’s hand. The two exchanged a glance. Jing Zhan was laughing—but the sound carried a bitterness that made the heart ache.
Amid the laughter, Zhu Yuruan suddenly nudged Xiao Lingyu. “Little monster… little pig feels bad.”
Startled, Xiao Lingyu looked down at him. Perhaps it was the heat of the flames, but Zhu Yuruan looked listless and drained of energy.
“Where does it hurt?” Xiao Lingyu asked softly.
“Everywhere…” Zhu Yuruan clung tightly to his neck, sounding aggrieved.
Worried, Xiao Lingyu scanned him with his spiritual sense, but found nothing wrong. Chu Mingwei reached out to check him as well, but the moment his hand touched Zhu Yuruan’s forehead, it passed through empty air. Looking again, Zhu Yuruan had reverted to his original form, clutching Xiao Lingyu’s robe with his front hooves. “Little monster, little pig is going to fall!”
Xiao Lingyu quickly supported him. Zhu Yuruan still looked shaken. “This place is too dangerous. You should put little pig back in the spirit beast pouch.”
Xiao Lingyu had been worried, but seeing how lively he was now, he relaxed. Then, realizing Zhu Yuruan was actually asking to be put back into the pouch, he couldn’t help but feel exasperated.
Zhu Yuruan’s antics had already drawn Qing Ming’s attention. Just as Xiao Lingyu was about to put him away, Qing Ming snorted lightly. “Nine Yi Cauldron.”
Xiao Lingyu immediately understood. Before he could even explain, Zhu Yuruan had already spat something toward Qing Ming. “Here, take it, bad guy!”
Qing Ming ignored the insult, catching the Nine Yi Cauldron. With a single finger, he tapped it. Black mist surged out, and the cauldron, originally the size of a fist, expanded instantly, floating in midair.
Only after settling Zhu Yuruan did Xiao Lingyu finally take a good look at the demon race’s sacred artifact he had been carrying all along. The old ghost had once vaguely mentioned that it was immensely powerful, but never explained how.
Now the cauldron floated in the air, surrounded by swirling black mist. Strange symbols covered its surface. As Qing Ming formed a series of intricate hand seals and tapped the cauldron again, a burst of golden light erupted. The symbols began to detach, circling around it in glowing arcs.
Just then, a thunderous rumble echoed through the sky.
Seven massive swords, crackling with lightning, rose from the mountain—the Nine Heavens Thunder Sword Formation.
Unlike before, the formation did not immediately strike Jing Zhan. Perhaps sensing danger from the Nine Yi Cauldron, it hovered in midair, directly opposing it.
Qing Ming’s expression turned solemn. His hands moved again, and the glowing symbols spun faster around the cauldron. After a blinding flash, they returned to its surface—but now they moved like living things, making the cauldron seem alive.
Boom!
The sword formation struck first, unleashing countless bolts of thunder. The cauldron did not evade—instead, it charged straight into them. At its mouth, a giant maw appeared and swallowed all the lightning in an instant.
Stunned, Xiao Lingyu watched as another wave of thunder was unleashed—only to be devoured again. Unsatisfied, the cauldron opened its mouth once more and lunged at the sword formation itself.
The seven swords trembled violently. Amid deafening thunder, the foremost sword leapt forward and slashed down at the cauldron.
Clang!
The sword shuddered, letting out a mournful cry as it was knocked downward toward the sea of flames. Yet unlike the sword, the cauldron did not fall. It merely dimmed, its golden glow weakening.
Qing Ming formed another series of seals and pointed sharply. “Go!”
The cauldron flared with golden light again. Its mouth reappeared and sucked at the falling sword. The sword halted midair, resisting the pull. The two forces locked in a tense struggle.
Seeing the sword being drawn closer, the remaining six swords roared together, unleashing a storm of lightning. The cauldron trembled under the assault, and the sword broke free—only to suddenly shoot toward Chu Mingwei.
It moved too fast to react. In an instant, it pierced into Chu Mingwei’s body.
“Senior brother!” Xiao Lingyu cried out.
The next moment, blinding lightning erupted around Chu Mingwei. His eyes were shut tight, his face twisted as if resisting something.
“A weapon spirit,” Qing Ming said gravely.
“A weapon spirit?” Xiao Lingyu echoed.
Qing Ming nodded. “The Nine Heavens Thunder Sword Formation has no master, yet it still holds such power. It must have developed a spirit over time. Judging by its earlier state, it had been dormant and only awakened just now. Chu Mingwei has a lightning spiritual root—the spirit naturally chose him.”
As he spoke, Qing Ming kept watching Chu Mingwei. Seeing his struggle, Qing Ming immediately directed the cauldron toward the remaining six swords. The spirit likely intended to possess him—if they were to free Jing Zhan, they could not allow that. Still, it would end up benefiting Chu Mingwei.
As the cauldron engaged the remaining swords, the lightning around Chu Mingwei grew even more intense, forcing even Qing Ming to retreat. Xiao Lingyu was frantic with worry, but his cultivation was too low—he couldn’t even get close.
Chu Mingwei had clearly reached a critical point. His fists clenched, his expression twisted in strain.
Boom!
After a thunderous explosion, one sword slowly emerged from his body. Without opening his eyes, Chu Mingwei rose into the air with it, facing the remaining six swords.
Qing Ming withdrew the cauldron, watching intently.
In the sky, the seven swords circled Chu Mingwei, lightning weaving between them into a massive net that enclosed him. With eyes still closed, he reached out. The moment his hand touched the net, it collapsed into his body. The swords trembled, letting out a clear, resonant hum.
Chu Mingwei opened his eyes, joy evident on his face. With a casual point, one sword flew to his side, circling him happily. One by one, he summoned them—then all seven merged into his body.
He descended slowly, smiling at Xiao Lingyu, about to speak—
when the entire forbidden ground suddenly shook violently.
With a deafening crash, the mountain imprisoning Jing Zhan split apart. Lava surged out, flooding the entire area with unstoppable force.
Xiao Lingyu immediately activated Heavenly Water Without Trace, rising into the air with Chu Mingwei. Below them, the ground had become a sea of molten fire.
Across from them, Jing Zhan stepped out of the collapsing mountain, walking across the lava as if it were solid ground. Chains that had pierced his body clattered as he moved. He rose slowly into the air, facing them through the flames.
Without a word, he began pulling the divine-binding chains out of his body one by one. As each chain was removed, his wounds healed at a visible speed.
Xiao Lingyu and Chu Mingwei exchanged a quick glance. Jing Zhan’s overwhelming power filled them with unease. For the greater good, Chu Mingwei had agreed to Qing Ming’s plan—but now, seeing Jing Zhan’s true strength, he couldn’t help but question whether that decision had been right. Could Qing Ming truly restrain him?
As he hesitated, Qing Ming had already rushed forward, excitement in his voice. “Jing Zhan!”
But he stopped in place when he met Jing Zhan’s cold gaze.
Jing Zhan glanced at him indifferently, then pulled out the final chain. His eyes shifted to Chu Mingwei, and the corners of his lips curled upward—slowly forming a smile.