Chapter 39: From the Other Side
Shen Yanzhou, however, had not realized that this old man’s mouth could be so venomous in the original novel.
But his mind remained calm, for he was never here for the inheritance to begin with.
“Senior’s insight is sharp—this junior is in awe.”
“If there are still any flaws in this junior’s body, I hope Senior will continue to point them out,” Shen Yanzhou said with his hands cupped.
“……”
This time, it was the Late Martial God who was stunned.
Could this brat not understand sarcasm?
He had wanted to see the youth’s composure break and his temper flare, yet from the moment Shen Yanzhou entered until now, he had maintained that same unhurried calmness.
Negative emotion from Lin Qingcang +10 +15 +21…
So, this old man’s name was Lin Qingcang?
Seeing the reminder on his panel, Shen Yanzhou was a little surprised that this Martial God, who had died and turned to dust long ago, could still provide him with negative emotion.
However, the amount was far too little—unworthy of his title as a Martial God.
“Your temperament is indeed not bad,” Lin Qingcang said.
“No wonder you were able to comprehend the art of the Heart Sword.”
After a word of praise, his tone suddenly shifted.
“If you had any chance of entry, this old man would not mind passing his inheritance to you. Unfortunately, you can’t even condense martial true qi, let alone enter the path.”
Hearing this, Shen Yanzhou was not angered. He replied frankly, “Senior worries too much. This junior did not come here for your inheritance.”
He did not care if his words would offend the old man.
After all, he had a backup plan—the safest one at that.
Other than costing him a bit more time, there was no real downside.
“Oh? Then are you here to make sport of me?” Lin Qingcang’s eyes narrowed.
“Senior’s greatest obsession in life must have been to fully comprehend that cultivation method—to use it to break past the limits of the Martial God Realm and extend the path beyond. Unfortunately, due to hesitation and indecision, you missed the peak years of your vitality. By the time old age and frailty set in, with your blood and qi in decline, it was too late. You wished to step through the door again, but found no road ahead, and in the end, passed away in regret…”
Shen Yanzhou spoke in a calm tone, ignoring the coldness in the other’s voice.
At first, Lin Qingcang’s expression was still dismissive, but as Shen Yanzhou continued, shock began to surface on his face—then came confusion, astonishment, disbelief, and finally, horror.
In just a few moments, his expression changed four or five times, and in the end, his eyes were filled with deep incredulity.
“How do you know these things?”
Though he tried to suppress the tremor in his voice, it was impossible to hide his shock; his words came quickly.
These were experiences and secrets known only to him.
Even his disciples had no idea—otherwise, they would not have fought each other to the death for that “mysterious cultivation method.”
“Senior only needs to understand that anyone who has ever existed will have traces left behind,” Shen Yanzhou said evenly.
“Even a Martial God is no exception.”
“In this world, there are always those who wish to defy fate, to leap out of the long river and seize control of themselves.”
“But most of the time, they merely jump from one stream into another, slightly wider river.”
“In truth, everyone’s fate—on a higher plane of existence—has nowhere to hide.”
Shen Yanzhou’s voice remained calm and detached.
“You…”
“You’re someone from that side, aren’t you?”
A chill crawled up Lin Qingcang’s spine, an inexplicable coldness rising from his back.
If he was from that side, then his lack of emotion and his composure over everything could indeed be explained.
After all, the people from that side often spoke such words as,
“Everything is chosen by fate,”
“Every being follows its destined path,”
and “All causes must bear their fruit.”
He had not expected that after so many eras had passed, someone from that side would still exist—and had even emerged once more.
“Hmph. If you truly wished to obtain that cultivation method, with the means of that side, why bother coming to seek me?”
But soon, he gave a cold snort, as if still displeased.
Shen Yanzhou merely said, “The proper steps must still be followed—everything has its rules.”
As for what that side really referred to, even he was unclear.
In the original novel, it had always been vaguely mentioned as “that side,” merely serving as a background reference.
No actual figure from “that side” had ever appeared in the story.
However, whether it was the Great Qian Bureau of Immortal Inspection or those ancient, long-standing orthodox clans, discussions about “that side” were always laced with reverence.
In truth, Shen Yanzhou hated people who spoke in riddles—but now he had no choice but to play the part of one.
He would first swindle the cultivation method out of the old man’s hands before anything else.
Hearing his words, Lin Qingcang’s anger subsided slightly.
Rules—everything must follow the rules. Indeed, that was very much their style.
“Even if I were to give you that cultivation method, what then? Even I could not enter its threshold—do you truly think you can cultivate it?” he said coldly.
Shen Yanzhou could tell that the old man’s attitude had softened.
A faint smile appeared on his face. “Then why don’t we make a bet, Senior?”
“A bet?” Lin Qingcang looked at him.
“If this junior manages to enter and cultivate, then Senior will lend me your strength once.”
“If this junior fails to enter, then I will return the cultivation method to Senior—and tell you something that will definitely pique your interest.”
“The power of a Martial God lies in breaking through the limits of the physical body, in a soul strong enough to endure the heavenly thunder and gale, ascending directly into the azure heavens. Thus, after death, one’s will can often remain as an incarnation.”
“But in this world, there are still certain methods that defy common sense—ways to live again.”
“What Senior desires most, is nothing more than to ask Heaven for another three thousand years.”
Shen Yanzhou continued to paint his grand vision.
Lin Qingcang narrowed his eyes at those words.
When his vitality had withered in his twilight years, had he not also sought a way to prolong his life? Yet whether he turned to the righteous or the demonic paths, all had ended in failure.
Even those Daoist cultivators known for longevity—when their time came, they too would transcend or perish, without exception.
But if Shen Yanzhou was truly from that side…
Perhaps he did know of certain secrets that were unknown to mortals.
At this moment, a thought even arose in Lin Qingcang’s mind—to seize the youth’s body.
Though a will-incarnation was weaker than a lingering soul, it would be enough to read all of Shen Yanzhou’s memories in an instant.
Yet that thought soon faded.
Since Shen Yanzhou dared to speak of such things so fearlessly, he must have some reliance—some hidden trump card that made him unafraid of a soul search or possession.
“In that case, let us follow your so-called rules of the wager,” Lin Qingcang said coldly.
He did not believe that Shen Yanzhou could enter the threshold of a technique that was practically impossible to cultivate.
Shen Yanzhou’s smile deepened at those words—doing the opposite was indeed the way to go.
A being like Lin Qingcang, with vast knowledge and insight, would never take risks lightly once he was convinced that Shen Yanzhou had ties to “that side.”
So-called cleverness was often undone by its own schemes.
Of course, if it were someone else, he would never have chosen such a method.
“Many thanks, Senior.”
Shen Yanzhou still clasped his hands politely, displaying impeccable manners.
“Put away that false façade of yours.”
Lin Qingcang gave a cold snort.
Though he now existed only as a will-incarnation, every movement of his still carried immense power.
With just a casual sweep of his sleeve, Shen Yanzhou was swept up and carried out of the underground palace, heading straight toward the dark river outside.
“Mas… Master…”
“You still have a remnant will in the mortal world…”
At that moment, the Soul-devouring Flood Serpent, waiting in the dark river for Shen Yanzhou’s return, sensed that familiar aura and couldn’t help but raise its enormous head out of the river.
The once-indifferent serpent eyes now revealed deep emotion and disbelief.
Its master, who had passed away countless years ago, still had a will lingering?
Lin Qingcang’s expression grew a little complicated as he glanced at the Soul-devouring Flood Serpent emerging from the river.
There was a touch of nostalgia in his eyes—
That little snake he had once accidentally taken in had, through sheer fortune and endurance, shed its serpentine body and was now close to transforming into a true dragon.
While he himself had long turned into a pile of bones, leaving behind only a single thread of will.
Shen Yanzhou was a bit surprised as well.
He had thought the Soul-devouring Flood Serpent already knew of Lin Qingcang’s will-incarnation.
He had not expected that it had been guarding this place purely out of loyalty to an old promise.
Such faithfulness was rare indeed.
“Come. Let’s go out and see this land once more.”
Lin Qingcang nodded slightly, his tone gentler now.
“This little snake is already content to see Master once more in this lifetime.”
The Soul-devouring Flood Serpent said excitedly, its massive body coiling through the dark river before lowering its head reverently before Lin Qingcang.
At the same time, its heart trembled—it had only thought Shen Yanzhou to be interesting, different from other humans it had met.
Who could have thought that this human youth would actually awaken its master’s will-incarnation?
Could it be that he was the master’s chosen successor?
Shen Yanzhou noticed the subtle shift in the serpent’s expression. When it had first dragged him into the pool, it had shown no such respect.
If possible, once Lin Qingcang’s will-incarnation dispersed, he could very well coax this Soul-devouring Flood Serpent into serving him.
A peak Fourth Rank demon beast—if placed in the Southern Border, it could easily claim a territory for itself and proclaim dominion as a Demon King.
As Shen Yanzhou was pondering this—
He was already standing upon the serpent’s head.
With a thunderous roar that shook all of Hidden Moon Mountain, the vast body of the Soul-devouring Flood Serpent plunged into the underground river.
The surging, icy water instantly parted before them.
The subterranean world was vast beyond measure—the dark river connected to the great outer seas, flowing endlessly downward with no clear sense of direction.
Shen Yanzhou simply closed his eyes, spreading his spiritual sense outward to perceive his surroundings.
……
At the same instant that the Soul-devouring Flood Serpent’s roar echoed through the depths, the once-violent Hidden Moon Mountain abruptly fell silent.
All roars and howls seemed to pause, as if silenced in an instant.
The echoing sound rolled like the heavens, at once like a dragon’s roar and a tiger’s cry, filled with unstoppable might.
Even separated by great distance, its reverberations rippled through the clouds, spreading to the surrounding mountains and valleys, resounding across all of Hidden Moon Mountain’s neighboring ranges.
Countless intelligent beasts instinctively prostrated themselves, trembling in fear.
Even those monsters currently locked in battle with the Bureau of Immortal Inspection and the Chilin Guards froze and knelt toward the source of the sound.
This was the absolute suppression of a superior demon bloodline—
Even a single roar could subdue an entire region.
“What a terrifying sound…”
“Could it be that the Demon King within Hidden Moon Mountain has been roused?”
Gu Ruoxi and Chu Dao’s faces grew grim as they halted their actions.
If it truly was a Demon King, not even a Great Immortal Officer could stand against it—only flee.
“This is getting troublesome. If the Nether Cult is truly using borrowed hands—controlling the Demon King of this region—then Young Master Shen’s life is as good as lost.”
“Even a Grandmaster would be powerless.”
Zhou Yang and several Chilin Guard captains frowned deeply, sensing the growing danger.
In martial terms, the Fourth Rank Dragon-Elephant Realm was known as Grandmaster.
While a Demon King was typically at least a Third Rank existence—an opponent only a Diamond Realm martial cultivator could hope to face.
“This sound comes from the depths of Hidden Moon Mountain… likely near the Forest of No Return.”
“So this is the true hand of the Nether Cult.”
A Great Immortal Officer from the Bureau of Immortal Inspection spoke, a rare trace of solemnity crossing his face.
Though he held an immortal registry, he was also an elder of the Jade Pure Immortal Sect. There was no way he would risk his life just to save a single heir.
The Fifth Rank Thunder Law Realm sounded powerful, but before a Demon King, it only meant surviving a few more breaths than the others.
“What should we do, then? Abandon the rescue and return to report to the capital?” another Immortal Officer asked.
“His Majesty personally decreed that the Heir Shen must be brought back unharmed. But now that a Demon King has appeared, it’s no longer within our power.”
“Perhaps we can petition a True Person to intervene,” Gu Ruoxi said, brows tightly furrowed.
Within the Bureau of Immortal Inspection, those of the Fifth Rank Thunder Law Realm were already considered high-ranking.
Fourth Rank Nascent Soul Realm cultivators were usually in seclusion or wandering the world, rarely holding office in the capital.
As for a Third Rank True Person of Divine Transformation—such beings were as elusive as dragons, never seen.
“By right, the Demon Suppression Princess Consort should have a Grandmaster-level expert by her side, yet she hasn’t sent anyone to rescue the Heir Shen.”
“Moreover, though the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion dispatched many retainers and attendants, few true experts were among them.”
“This matter… it feels strange somehow.”
Seeing the situation unfold, Zhou Yang could not help but voice the doubts that had lingered in his mind these past few days.
Gu Ruoxi and Chu Dao both turned toward him, expressions subtly shifting.
Did he mean that the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion did not intend to rescue Shen Yanzhou?
“Zhou Baihu, mind your words,” an Immortal Officer quickly rebuked.
Zhou Yang gave an awkward smile, realizing he had spoken too freely.
……
“That commotion just now—it must be a Demon King…”
At that moment, deeper within Hidden Moon Mountain, several retainers from the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion were sheltering beneath a large, lush tree from the rain.
They even had the leisure to build a campfire.
Daoist Qingfeng stroked his beard and chuckled. “It seems that fate has already decided.”
“If the young heir was destined to face this tribulation, then he cannot escape it. Should he perish in a Demon King’s jaws, it would not be unworthy of the wealth and luxury he enjoyed in life.”
Wu Ruyue was no longer with them, so the group no longer bothered to conceal their words.
They were all long-time retainers of the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion—closely bound to its fate and trusted by the elders. Hence, they knew certain truths.
“Lady Wu is a good person. It’s a pity her kindness was misplaced.”
“But for the grand design of the Prince’s Mansion, she must be sacrificed.”
Daoist Qingfeng squinted into the fog-shrouded forest ahead. By midnight, the rain had started again.
Using the excuse of poor night travel, they had argued fiercely with Wu Ruyue.
Unable to contain her anger, Wu Ruyue had finally separated from them, choosing to travel on alone.
“Has Elder Mo been following him so long that he truly regards that man as the real heir?”
“Don’t forget what the Prince said to you when he sent you to serve by his side.”
Daoist Qingfeng turned to the gloomy-faced Elder Mo, who sat on a rock nearby, his tone carrying a veiled threat.
“Daoist Qingfeng jests. This old man naturally knows where his loyalties lie.”
Elder Mo scratched his head awkwardly at those words, though worry flickered in his eyes.
The other retainers didn’t press the issue further.
Instead, they began to speak of the glorious future that awaited the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion, and the mood gradually lightened with laughter.