Chapter 558: Eternal Mystic Flame

Chapter 560: Eternal Mystic Flame

Outside Li Mountain City, in the cultivation camp.

The chaos had ended.

The cultivators had suffered heavy casualties.

All of them had been affected by the Strange Daoist’s Dao-Heart Demon seed, turning on each other until death.

Master Situ calculated with his fingers and used the Universe-Clearing Luminous Lamp to illuminate every corner of the camp. Once he confirmed that the demonic seeds were gone and the Strange Daoist’s strange aura had dissipated, his expression finally eased slightly.

The bodies of the slain cultivators were then laid to rest.

The remaining cultivators, still in shock, took time to recover.

Inside a room, Master Situ’s mind was unsettled, brows furrowed as he pondered.

After a moment, a figure flashed past—the white-robed Bai Qingcheng burst through the door and said urgently,

“Senior Master Situ, I need your help with something.”

Her expression was anxious.

Master Situ was momentarily taken aback, then frowned. He knew this matter could not be trivial.

Moments later, he followed Bai Qingcheng into a secret chamber within the camp. There, he saw Mister Zhuang lying almost devoid of life, and his heart skipped a beat.

“This…”

He pointed at Mister Zhuang, his fingers trembling slightly.

“The Return-to-Emptiness Diagram was taken by the Strange Daoist. My senior brother’s vitality is fading, his life hanging by a thread. Please, senior, save his life!” Bai Qingcheng pleaded earnestly.

Master Situ forced a bitter smile.

This wasn’t a matter of willingness…

“Real Person Bai, I am no alchemist…”

“An alchemist can’t save him.”

“Then…”

Bai Qingcheng said firmly, “I wish to ask you to use the Universe-Clearing Luminous Lamp to extend my senior brother’s life.”

Master Situ’s heart skipped another beat. He immediately refused,

“No, no!”

Seeing Bai Qingcheng’s face frostily set, he explained:

“It’s not that I am stingy, but this… Universe-Clearing Luminous Lamp is not a Seven-Star Eternal Lamp. It… cannot extend life!”

“I can!”

Bai Qingcheng said decisively.

“No…”

Master Situ began, but Bai Qingcheng interrupted:

“The Ancestor once told me that in dire circumstances, the Universe-Clearing Luminous Lamp can temporarily extend life…”

Master Situ’s face darkened.

He had forgotten that…

This girl was from the Bai family, well-versed in her clan’s traditions. She knew the true nature of this Mystic Secret treasure—she could not be deceived.

Still unwilling to agree, he asked,

“Do you even know how to use it?”

Bai Qingcheng shook her head. “I don’t, but you must know!”

Master Situ was startled.

Her gaze hardened, and she continued,

“You are the Grand Elder of Mystic Secrets Valley, virtuous and revered, with profound mastery of algorithms. You surely know how to use it to extend my senior brother’s life!”

“I am not skilled enough…”

But Bai Qingcheng’s determination was unwavering; she would not listen.

Helpless, Master Situ decided to speak frankly:

“It’s not that I refuse, but the cost is too great…”

“This Universe-Clearing Luminous Lamp contains heavenly secrets, repels evil, averts calamity—it is the ultimate treasure of Mystic Secrets Valley, passed down for generations, extremely precious…”

“This treasure is different from the Seven-Star Eternal Lamp; it is not meant to extend life.”

“If you use it as such, it will be severely drained. Perhaps before the life is extended, the lamp itself will expire…”

“I do not consider myself selfish, but no matter what, I cannot destroy the sect’s ultimate treasure to save the life of someone unrelated…”

Master Situ shook his head repeatedly.

Bai Qingcheng gritted her teeth: “I will find a heavenly secret treasure to offer Mystic Secrets Valley in exchange for the Universe-Clearing Luminous Lamp.”

“A heavenly secret treasure… is not so easy to find…”

Master Situ refused.

“Then let it be that our Bai family owes you a great debt,” Bai Qingcheng said.

“Is it the Bai family who owes the debt, or you personally, Real Person Bai?” Master Situ asked.

If it were the family, he might consider it.

But if it were just the debt of a single Nascent Soul cultivator…

Even though such a debt was valuable, it was clearly not enough to warrant exchanging the ultimate treasure of Mystic Secrets Valley…

Master Situ could not agree.

Bai Qingcheng’s gaze grew somewhat hostile.

Master Situ paused, then realized what she meant…

Could it be she intended to take it by force?

He had heard stories that the eldest Bai lady had been headstrong and willful, but that was over a hundred years ago…

Now, as a Realized One with children, she should have been more composed.

But if she truly tried to take it by force…

He would not give it!

The Universe-Clearing Luminous Lamp could never be lent!

Just as he was about to refuse sternly, he froze.

The images of the Dao-Heart Demon seed’s havoc in broad daylight flashed before him…

The pupil with pitch-black eyes.

The Dao Court cultivators, turned on each other by the demon seed.

The Strange Daoist, calmly walking past them.

And that staggering, world-shaking aura of Heavenly Secret Deceptive Algorithm…

A chill ran through Master Situ.

If Mister Zhuang truly died, who could restrain the Strange Daoist?

Without the Heavenly Secret Derivative Algorithm, how could one counter the Heavenly Secret Deceptive Algorithm?

Heavenly Secret algorithms are separate from cultivation level.

No matter how strong, without understanding the secrets of heaven, one could be calculated to death.

Their Mystic Secrets Valley divine-sense algorithms were profound, but they could not compare to the one-mind-two-methods of the Heavenly Secret Deceptive Algorithm…

If one day the Strange Daoist truly became a demon lord, using the Heavenly Secret Deceptive Algorithm as the foundation and Dao-Heart Demon seed as his technique, slaughtering Mystic Secrets Valley and annihilating its derivative calculations—what could he do?

How could it be prevented?

How could it ever be prevented?

The more he thought, the more terrified Master Situ became.

This was no baseless fear.

Those who perceive heavenly secrets and master derivative calculations can see countless thoughts flashing through their sea of consciousness—signs of what is to come.

Fragments of all possible future cause and effect, like illusions and reflections.

He vaguely foresaw the Strange Daoist massacring Mystic Secrets Valley.

The sect’s gate was grim, shrouded in sinister energy.

Disciples’ eyes blackened, turning into walking corpses, killing one another…

Annihilation of the sect!

Master Situ shuddered.

Unfathomable schemes, life extinguished—under such circumstances, even ten Qian-Kun Pure Light Lamps wouldn’t suffice, let alone one…

He glanced at Mister Zhuang’s fading breath and sighed deeply.

If anyone in the world could contend with the Strange Daoist, it could only be Mister Zhuang—of the same sect as the Strange Daoist and of extraordinary talent…

“Take the gamble…”

Even if he might not live to see the outcome, he wanted to secure a blessing for the future disciples of Mystic Secrets Valley and forge a karmic bond…

“Very well!” Master Situ nodded. “I agree.”

Bai Qingcheng was momentarily stunned. She had been prepared to take it by force, yet unexpectedly, Master Situ had changed his mind.

“However, I have a few conditions…” Master Situ continued.

Bai Qingcheng nodded. “Please speak, Senior.”

Master Situ sighed. “Consider this a favor owed to your Bai family, at least to you, Real Person Bai, from Mystic Secrets Valley…”

“In the future, if Mystic Secrets Valley faces danger, I ask Real Person Bai to lend assistance!”

Bai Qingcheng agreed. “Naturally.”

Master Situ added, “Should you acquire a Heavenly Secret treasure that can replace the Qian-Kun Pure Light Lamp, Real Person Bai, please gift it to me, as compensation for Mystic Secrets Valley’s loss…”

Bai Qingcheng said, “Understood.”

“One more thing…” Master Situ’s gaze grew solemn. “Do not mention my intervention to anyone…”

Mister Zhuang had too many enemies, and the karmic consequences were immense.

Master Situ feared he could not bear them.

Bai Qingcheng nodded solemnly.

Master Situ exhaled, reluctantly but resolutely, and produced the Qian-Kun Pure Light Lamp. He said to Bai Qingcheng:

“You and Mister Zhuang come from the same sect; you should know that Mister Zhuang’s Qi Sea is depleted, his Sea of Consciousness shattered. No elixir, no human effort can save him…”

“All I can do is use the Qian-Kun Pure Light Lamp as the array’s core, consume its lifespan, and deploy the Celestial Flame Everlasting Array to lock Mister Zhuang’s karma.”

“Without the cause of death, the effect of death cannot arrive.”

“Locking the karma, Mister Zhuang is temporarily not considered ‘dead.’”

“But you must understand, this merely prolongs his life through celestial means. It is not saving his life, nor can it save his life.”

“Once the lamp extinguishes and the array collapses, karma will resume, and Mister Zhuang will still die…”

Bai Qingcheng gritted her teeth. “Understood.”

Even if it only temporarily suspended his death, at least there was a sliver of hope…

Better than none at all…

Master Situ sighed and began to ignite the Pure Light Lamp, deploying the Celestial Flame Array, lighting the Everlasting Lamp, temporarily locking the karmic threads and sealing Mister Zhuang’s ‘death.’

Bai Qingcheng breathed a slight sigh of relief. After standing vigil for a few days, she suddenly realized she had forgotten about Mo Hua.

Using her Divine Sense, she scanned Mount Dali and saw Mo Hua wandering alone along a mountain path outside, directionless.

Feeling concern, she brought Mo Hua to Mister Zhuang’s side.

Mo Hua saw his master—who had once lectured him earnestly, smiled at him, patted his head, and cared for him so attentively—lying coldly, unconscious, life uncertain, and tears streamed uncontrollably.

For the following days, Mo Hua neither ate nor drank, keeping vigil by Mister Zhuang’s side.

…

The Pure Light Lamp shone brightly, spilling clarity.

The Celestial Flame Everlasting Array’s patterns were profound.

Mister Zhuang lay within the array, his aura faint as mist, ethereal, neither fully alive nor dead, with only a thread of vitality lingering.

He had believed he was already dead, destined to sleep eternally.

Yet, in the hazy gloom, he sensed a familiar, cherished presence.

Finally, Mister Zhuang opened his eyes and looked at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua, drooping and dejected, wiped his red eyes with his sleeve, standing vigil.

Mister Zhuang felt both heartache and comfort.

Someone truly cared for him…

He imprinted Mo Hua’s figure in his mind, silently thinking:

“Live well…”

“Cultivate well, study arrays well…”

“Study well…”

Mister Zhuang’s thoughts faltered, and his vitality stilled; these words were only a faint glimmer of residual consciousness…

But it was enough…

Satisfied, he closed his eyes.

Mo Hua blinked, stunned, and when he looked again, Mister Zhuang had closed his eyes.

Rubbing his eyes, Mo Hua couldn’t tell if his master had truly awakened or had looked at him.

“Master…”

Mo Hua’s heart ached, tears streaming again.

…

Three days later, Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi arrived.

They were crestfallen; seeing Mister Zhuang saddened them further, their eyes red.

Only after seeing Mo Hua safe did they feel slightly relieved.

The two sat by Mo Hua’s side, keeping vigil at Mister Zhuang’s bedside, refusing to leave.

Bai Qingcheng was helpless but could do nothing.

She hadn’t expected that her children, along with Mo Hua, had such deep bonds with their master.

She instructed Aunt Xue to prepare food and blood-nourishing elixirs, letting the three children eat a bit daily to maintain their vitality.

Beyond that, Bai Qingcheng worried most about the Strange Daoist.

Though matters seemed settled, she felt lingering unease; the Strange Daoist might still have schemes.

She consulted Master Situ, who frowned.

The Strange Daoist’s actions were inscrutable.

However, with the Return to Void Celestial Burial Map in hand, his goals were achieved; likely, he had no further intentions.

Previously, Master Situ had learned that an Elder from the Seven Pavilions of the Dao Court had tracked the Strange Daoist’s aura with the Golden Light Celestial Instrument and pursued him relentlessly.

The Strange Daoist, preoccupied with survival, likely wouldn’t act recklessly again.

Bai Qingcheng breathed easier.

She planned to leave, ensuring Mister Zhuang was safely settled, the Everlasting Lamp continued burning, and that Zixi, Zisheng, and Mo Hua were returned home.

The Dao Court stationed outside Mount Li and its cultivators would also depart.

But on the night before their departure, something went wrong.

Since they were about to part ways, Master Situ had arranged a simple banquet as a farewell.

But after only a few rounds of drinking, a commotion erupted in the camp, accompanied by cries of terror, snarls, frenzied shouts, and sounds of fighting…

Master Situ’s heart trembled. “This is… Dao-Heart Seeding Demons?!”

Everyone’s expressions changed drastically.

They rushed out immediately and saw several Dao soldiers, their bodies radiating demonic energy, their minds lost, faces twisted with ferocity, seemingly choosing people to devour…

Exactly like the signs of Dao-Heart Seeding Demons from that day.

Master Situ, facing a formidable threat, quickly restrained the possessed disciples and tried to alert everyone. But when he looked up, he frowned.

No trace of Heavenly Secret Deceptive Algorithm…

Which meant the Strange Daoist was not here…

Master Situ was somewhat surprised.

These Dao soldiers had only recently awakened from previously infected demonic seeds?

The demonic seeds were extremely weak and non-contagious, posing minimal threat.

Master Situ released his Divine Sense, scanning the area. Finding nothing abnormal, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“I overthought it…”

The others also exhaled deeply.

They had thought the Strange Daoist had returned to kill…

Everyone intended to go back and continue drinking, trying to calm their nerves. But halfway there, Bai Qingcheng suddenly paused, her expression stiffening.

Master Situ looked puzzled. “Immortal Bai?”

“Something’s not right…” Bai Qingcheng frowned, murmuring.

Master Situ was taken aback. “What’s not right?”

Bai Qingcheng said, “The Great Senior Brother… every move the Strange Daoist makes is deliberate. He would never leave a few scattered demonic seeds here for no reason. There must be another purpose…”

As she spoke, her face suddenly went pale. “Zisheng! Zixi!”

She moved like a falling feather, swift as the wind, and in a few flashes was at the entrance to the secret chamber.

Zisheng and Zixi were both holding bowls, tended by Snow Aunt, drinking nourishing soup.

Seeing Bai Qingcheng rushing over, the two children looked confused. “Mother…”

Bai Qingcheng pulled them close, carefully examining the two children. She sensed their aura with her Divine Sense and looked into their eyes. Only then did a weight lift from her heart.

“Mother, is something wrong?”

Bai Zixi asked.

Bai Qingcheng shook her head, about to speak, but her expression suddenly changed. “Mo Hua?”

Bai Zixi replied, “Mo Hua was exhausted and fainted, so Snow Aunt sent him back to his room to rest a while…”

Bai Qingcheng’s face turned deathly pale.

Bai Zixi also sensed something wrong, her voice trembling. “Mother…”

“Wait here…”

Bai Qingcheng commanded, then her figure flashed, graceful as a startled swan. In moments, she arrived at Mo Hua’s room.

Mo Hua lay on his side on the bed, small and quiet, sleeping peacefully.

Bai Qingcheng exhaled in relief, though unease lingered. She gently called, “Mo Hua…”

Mo Hua seemed not entirely asleep. Hearing the sound, he straightened slightly, then slowly sat up.

“It’s nothing, you should go back to sleep—”

Bai Qingcheng’s words froze mid-sentence.

At that moment, Mo Hua had already turned his head.

His face remained innocent, but his pupils were completely black.