Chapter 27: The Nine Heavens Department!

A blood-red mist permeated the sky.

The earth was a vast expanse of pitch black.

Within that sky-piercing cage, a man in white robes appeared somewhat dazed.

According to Ye Qiubai, his master was likely not from the ancient era, and was also an extremely lazy person.

The man thought to himself.

Someone capable of deducing the final five swords of the Nine Heavenly Demon Swords, and correcting all their flaws—shouldn't that person be a Sword Saint who slays immortals and demons above, and hell-ghosts below?

Furthermore.

What did "too lazy to cook for himself" even mean?

At this realm, one should have already achieved *Bigu* (fasting from grains); even if he hadn't eaten for a thousand years, he wouldn't feel hunger!

The man in white robes couldn't help but shake his head helplessly. "With you being like this, I don't even know what kind of inheritance I should give you."

The sword dao the man had contemplated his entire life was entirely contained within the Nine Heavenly Demon Swords. Now, it had all been deduced by someone else. Moreover, it was even more perfected!

What was left for him to pass on?

"Right!"

The man in white robes seemed to remember something and picked up the pitch-black longsword in his hand.

"Since you no longer need the Nine Heavenly Demon Swords, I shall entrust this sword to you."

Ye Qiubai looked at the pitch-black longsword in the man's hand.

The sword was blunt, yet a subtle, dark demonic aura swirled around it, nearly imperceptible!

Bluntness surpassed sharpness! It was a sword brimming with demonic nature!

If an ordinary sword cultivator were to wield it, they would likely be instantly dominated by this demonic essence...

The man in white robes looked upon it with affection, as if gazing at a lover. He gently stroked the pitch-black sword and said, "This sword is named Dark Demon. Its grade should be at the peak of the Heaven-tier Treasure Tool. Unfortunately, Dark Demon lacks a sword spirit; if it had one, it could become a Spirit Tool."

A Treasure Tool, as the name implies, is extremely precious. But it lacks a spirit. Once a weapon possesses a spirit, it transcends the realm of Treasure Tools and becomes a Spirit Tool!

"Your master likely wouldn't be able to produce a sword like this."

The man in white robes wore a proud expression. This was a sword he had nurtured with his own essence for thousands of years. It had already reached the pinnacle of Treasure Tools!

As Ye Qiubai took the Dark Demon, he realized it was indeed a fine sword! Most importantly, this Dark Demon was a sword he could currently control, and it perfectly complemented the Nine Heavenly Demon Swords. Using the Nine Heavenly Demon Swords with this blade would increase its power by thirty to forty percent!

However, compared to the Azure Cloud Sword, it was likely still quite a distance behind...

As if sensing Ye Qiubai's conflicted expression, the man's face stiffened. He asked cautiously, "Your master didn't give you something even better than this Dark Demon, did he?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Qiubai hesitated slightly before drawing out the Azure Cloud Sword...

The man in white robes: "..."

He could sense that this sword was likely even more terrifying than the legendary Spirit Tools! Because of the aura it emitted, even he could not see through it!

The man in white robes took a deep breath and said, "Fine, take this sword and go."

Just what kind of person could deduce his sword techniques and produce a treasure of this level? Their strength likely far surpassed his own...

Ye Qiubai bowed deeply to the man in white robes, turned, and left with the sword.

Watching Ye Qiubai's retreating figure, the man said with regret, "What a pity... to be born in an era where the Heavenly Dao has collapsed..."

As soon as the words fell, the black mist surrounding the man dissipated. He turned back into a pile of withered bones, sitting in meditation at the center of the cage...

***

On another side, Hong Ying had already ventured deep into the Blood Prison.

In this place, the ground had returned to its normal color, but the surroundings were filled with cages! Those cages soared into the sky, surrounded by countless golden chains!

The auras within those cages were all extremely terrifying! Consequently, the entire space was filled with a pressure so dense it felt physical. If one's strength were insufficient, they would be crushed into fragments instantly!

Hong Ying ignored the pressure and continued walking forward until she reached a specific spot.

The cages here were different from the others. The color was no longer black iron, but a shimmering gold! The chains did not surround the exterior, but were wrapped in layer upon layer around the inside! Furthermore, the chains were covered in talismans!

On the talismans, the character "Suppress" was inscribed!

These were Soul-Locking Chains! Supreme magical treasures used to suppress souls! Even if the physical body of the suppressed person were destroyed, their soul would be imprisoned for eternity!

Hong Ying's face flushed with anger. "How dare they use such a method to suppress you!"

As if sensing Hong Ying's aura, the Soul-Locking Chains stirred slightly. From within, a faint, ethereal voice emerged, sounding like a flickering candle in the wind, liable to vanish at the slightest touch.

"Your... Majesty, is it you?"

Hearing the voice, Hong Ying nodded. "It is I."

The voice carried a hint of wild joy, yet remained weak. "In that case, Your Majesty's Nine Revolutions of Samsara has been successfully cultivated."

"With the help of a noble person."

Hong Ying thought of Lu Changsheng. Without his help, her Nine Revolutions Samsara Technique would likely have ended in failure. If so, the desperate protection of her subordinates to ensure her safe entry into the cycle of reincarnation would have all been in vain!

"Oh? Someone in this world can help Your Majesty? Could it be that old bald donkey from the West?"

Hong Ying shook her head.

"No? Then could it be that madman from the Demon Realm?"

Hong Ying shook her head again.

"They cannot help me yet. That person is currently my master."

As soon as she spoke, the Soul-Locking Chains fell silent. After a long pause, an incredulous voice emerged from within.

"After the collapse of the Heavenly Dao, is there still someone qualified to be Your Majesty's master?"

Hong Ying shook her head. She recalled that although Lu Changsheng lacked decorum in his daily life, he possessed heaven-defying methods. He was likely a peak figure even in the ancient era.

"Enough, let us not speak of this. I have come this time to confirm one thing."

At this point, Hong Ying's expression became solemn, her eyes flashing with a murderous intent!

"Once you are out, I will reshape your physical body. You may choose to live the life you desire; I will grant you your freedom."

After all, these subordinates had followed her through countless battles. Now, after tens of thousands of years, she did not know if they were still willing to follow her.

At that moment, the Soul-Locking Chains began to tremble violently. The weak voice within seemed to experience a final surge of strength.

"In those years, our Nine Heavens Division fought alongside Your Majesty across the heavens, seeking to break the barriers of this realm and step out of this space!"

"But things did not go as planned; we failed!"

"But we never stopped believing that Your Majesty would return once more, leading our Nine Heavens Division and the Yunhuang Empire to fight the heavens again!"

"Nine Heavens Division, Yun Ce, salutes Your Majesty!"

Hearing this, Hong Ying understood the meaning of the soul in the cage.

"Good! In this next battle against the heavens, this Emperor shall surely succeed!"

"My glory is your glory!"

"Once my strength is restored, I will bring you out of this place. Therefore, you must endure a little longer."

A loud laugh echoed from within the chains!

"We have endured all these years; Yun Ce shall wait once more for Your Majesty's return!"

"On the day of your return, the Nine Heavens Division will join Your Majesty to fight the heavens once more!"