Chapter 439: Counting Down to Their Deaths

Since the last incident, Jiang Yun’er had become even more attentive, as if trying to mend their fractured relationship. She was meticulous in her efforts, going above and beyond to please Xu Sanyan. If he asked her to wipe his ass, she would have agreed without hesitation.

Unfortunately for her, she would never get the chance to glimpse daisy.

Xu Sanyan gazed at the formation patterns etched into the city walls, nodding in satisfaction. Nearly two months had passed, and over half the patterns were now complete. At this pace, the entire formation would be finished in just over a month.

This period had been utterly exhausting for him. He rarely returned home, working day and night to carve the intricate patterns.

Xu Sanyan’s relentless work ethic proved equally grueling for the formation masters assigned to monitor him. Since he refused to rest, they couldn’t either, forced to take shifts accompanying him around the clock.

Occasionally, Shan Zhoushan would visit to observe the progress and discuss their insights into formation principles. Both men benefited greatly from these exchanges.

As for the blood plasma required to carve the patterns, they were temporarily relying on the “generous donations” of the city’s beggars. With Qianzhou City’s large population, the disappearance of a few beggars went completely unnoticed.

One corpse could last nearly a day, so a few dozen people would suffice.

To ensure thoroughness, Xu Sanyan always handled the process himself. He would abduct victims outside the city walls, kill them, drain their blood, and dispose of the bodies—a routine he had perfected to the point where he could process a corpse in the time it took to brew a cup of tea.

That evening, Xu Sanyan and Shan Zhoushan stood side by side on the city wall, neither speaking, each lost in their own thoughts.

Xu Sanyan gazed down at the bustling crowds below, a strange mix of emotions stirring within him.

He felt pity for these people, trapped like ants in this confined space, their horizons limited to this small world. They were destined to live lives of toil and servitude, their very lives controlled by others, unable even to determine their own fates.

Yet he also harbored a flicker of anticipation. He could almost see the Great Formation completed, its crimson light piercing the heavens. With this power, he would break through to void harmony, glimpsing the mysteries of that realm.

These insignificant mortals, fortunate enough to aid him in this endeavor, would at least have lived lives of purpose.

Xu Sanyan’s mind filled with visions of glory as he lowered his gaze to survey the city’s inhabitants, silently counting down their remaining days.

Shan Zhoushan suddenly broke the silence. “Martial nephew, have you ever traveled to the far north?”

Xu Sanyan shook his head slowly, gathering his thoughts. “I have not.”

Unsure why Shan Zhoushan had suddenly asked this, Xu Sanyan turned to look at him, waiting for him to continue.

“Legend has it that at the northernmost reaches of the world lies a wall called Heaven’s Veil, the very end of the world. This old man has long yearned to see it and will depart soon.”

“Martial Uncle is leaving?”

“Mm.”

Shan Zhoushan’s expression was wistful as the evening breeze scattered his long beard, revealing a hint of his former elegance. His voice carried a trace of longing as he said, “This old man has grown old, and my potential has long been exhausted. I have no hope of advancing further in this life. It’s better to follow my heart and witness the vastness of the world.”

“Hmm… perhaps it’s for the best. Maybe a change of scenery will inspire you to ascend another step on the Immortal Path.”

“Heh, let’s hope so.”

Shan Zhoushan shook his head with a smile, clearly harboring no such hope. He had even prepared himself to die far from home.

Xu Sanyan secretly lamented the waste. The old man’s cultivation level was considerable; if he were integrated into the Great Formation, he could provide a substantial amount of vital energy. Dying outside would be a complete waste.

Shan Zhoushan handed him a storage pouch, his eyes filled with reluctance. “This contains all my lifelong knowledge of the Formation Dao. I bestow it upon you now, to preserve my legacy. Martial Nephew, do not refuse.”

“This…”

Xu Sanyan’s face lit up with feigned surprise. After a show of polite refusal, he reluctantly accepted it, acting as if he had no choice.

Shan Zhoushan felt helpless. He had wanted to leave these treasures to his son, Shan Qiuyu, but the boy was utterly useless. Not only did he lack any aptitude for the Formation Dao, but his cultivation level was also unremarkable. Leaving these treasures to him would be like casting pearls before swine.

It would be better to gift them to his martial nephew. At least his life’s work wouldn’t be wasted. Moreover, given their current relationship, Xu Sanyan might later help Shan Zhoushan’s son.

This decision had been weighing on Shan Zhoushan for a long time. He knew his martial nephew was no ordinary man, and Shan Qiuyu would inevitably need his support in the future. Building a good relationship now was essential.

Xu Sanyan suddenly recalled the Beauty Scroll Compendium. Daoist Yunshan had once traveled the world in a similar fashion, sampling the beauty of every woman he encountered—a truly enviable life.

“I’m leaving now. If this old man ever returns, we’ll have another heart-to-heart talk, Martial Nephew.”

“May Martial Uncle ascend to the Immortal Path soon.”

Watching Shan Zhoushan’s retreating figure, Xu Sanyan sighed deeply. He shook his head, dismissing further thoughts. Each person had their own path to follow.

Shan Zhoushan, having given up on advancing his cultivation, sought solace in wandering the mountains and rivers—a fitting end to his life.

Xu Sanyan, on the other hand, was single-mindedly pursuing the immortal dao, willing to resort to any means necessary. This was his path.

As for the commoners and cultivators living in Qianzhou City, their path was to serve as nourishment for Xu Sanyan, helping him advance further along his own path.

The next day, Xu Sanyan was carving a formation near the city gate when he saw Li Wuxing leading dozens of people hurrying out of the city. He wondered what had happened.

“Master Li, what’s going on?” Xu Sanyan couldn’t suppress his curiosity and called out.

Li Wuxing stopped, his face etched with urgency. “Something’s happened at the Chaotic Cloud Mountains. The mist hasn’t dissipated for over four months and is still spreading outward. White Jade Prefecture, the closest settlement, has already been affected. I don’t know the specifics, but we’ve been ordered to rush aid immediately. I’ll take the lead.”

With that, Li Wuxing hurried away, soaring into the sky the moment he cleared the city walls, a clear sign of the dire situation.

Xu Sanyan frowned deeply. The mist at the Chaotic Cloud Mountains hadn’t dissipated yet?

He recalled hearing that the “Mist Tide” occurred every decade and rarely lasted more than two or three months. But this time, it had persisted for over four months without showing any signs of receding. By now, nothing could possibly survive within the mountains.

And the mist was still spreading…

Xu Sanyan’s mind raced, recalling the factions surrounding the Chaotic Cloud Mountains:

The mountains bordered White Jade Prefecture of the Qian Kingdom, the Zuoqiu Clan of Huai Lake, and the Harmonious Mountain Praying Dao Sect. If White Jade Prefecture was suffering, the Zuoqiu Clan and the Praying Dao Sect would undoubtedly be affected as well.

However, with a sage presiding over the Harmonious Mountain Praying Dao Sect, there should be no cause for concern.

Suddenly, Xu Sanyan’s heart skipped a beat as another thought struck him:

The Mist Sea.

The persistent mist shrouding the Chaotic Cloud Mountains—could it be connected to the Mist Sea?

He vividly recalled the terrifying monsters he had witnessed firsthand when crossing the Mist Sea. If the Mist Sea were to fall into chaos, the entire Central Region would likely be plunged into turmoil.

“Troubled times indeed…” Xu Sanyan shook his head and sighed, his face etched with concern for the nation and its people.

A kind-hearted man, he couldn’t bear to see the common folk suffer.

Before long, Jiang Yun’er arrived, accompanied by Qin Shutong. The two women ignored each other, acting as if the other didn’t exist.

Jiang Yun’er leaned in close, her voice conspiratorial, “Brother Liang, have you heard? All the demonic cultivators in the Chaotic Cloud Mountains are dead.”

Xu Sanyan inhaled her faint fragrance, his heart fluttering slightly. This little vixen, he thought, every move she makes is so alluring.

Seeing their intimate exchange, Qin Shutong’s jealousy flared. She scoffed, “Hmph, is that all? Everyone knows about that!”

(End of the Chapter)