The Sun Will Rise Again (End of This Volume)

The first time Chen Fan heard the old man call himself the Venerable Tian Shu was at the entrance of a dilapidated tavern.

At that time, he was facing a desperate situation in life and scoffed at the old man who tried to take him on as an apprentice, thinking that someone was deliberately swindling people at the tavern entrance, because drunk people would believe anything.

"Old man, please leave. Your name is too intimidating; it might even wake up a drunkard."

Even knowing the person in front of him was likely a conman, the down-on-his-luck man still kindly reminded him.

The old man was taken aback for a moment, as if realizing that Chen Fan had mistaken him for a charlatan. He didn't explain, but instead said earnestly:

"Young man, kindness towards bad people will only become a sharp blade that pierces you..."

It was this simple yet thought-provoking sigh that made Chen Fan feel that the thin, bony old man in front of him had instantly become venerable and otherworldly.

Only when he actually became the old man's apprentice and began to learn the craft did he realize how shallow and ignorant he had been at the time.

The old man's real name may have been forgotten even by himself, and no one has ever mentioned it, but the title of Venerable Tian Shu is not an exaggeration when applied to him; on the contrary, the word 'Celestial Arts' cannot fully encompass the old man's attainments in the art of Technique Method, as if he was born for Technique Method.

There is no one who can stand on equal footing with him in the Technique Method. Even the combined contributions of all people in the world cannot match his. His title shines as brightly as the magnificent names in the history books of magic.

The Venerable Tian Shu's involvement can be seen in almost all the books on Technique Method circulating in the market. Several of his basic theories have become golden words of wisdom for all Technique Method in the world.

Chen Fan would gradually deviate from the norm in his practice of Technique Method for two reasons. One reason was that he grew tired of the conventional process of casting Technique Method and wanted to find a breakthrough. Another equally important reason was that he understood that it was impossible to surpass his master on this path that had been passed down for five thousand years.

That's why he kept those attempts against the teachings of the ancestors a secret from the First Elder. He didn't want his master to find out that he was doing forbidden things, and he didn't want his master to know that he had an ambition to surpass him.

But at the same time, he was also the most obedient and trusted disciple of the First Elder, because he knew better than anyone that this was the best teacher in the world. Therefore, he did not want his master to drive him away, and he was sincerely willing to serve his master with a broom and dustpan for the rest of his life.

But it was only after that conversation a few days ago that he realized his master knew everything. However, he wasn't angry about his disciple's ambition; on the contrary, he had more expectations and affirmation for him.

Chen Fan was deeply moved and secretly resolved to succeed so as not to disappoint his master's expectations.

But only today did he realize that his master's expectations were destined to be disappointed, because trying to find another way to surpass this old man was simply impossible.

The Heavenly Arts Summit became the number one peak in Technique Method the Five Continents not because of Chen Fan or the other twenty-odd disciples with unparalleled talent, but because their Peak Master, the Venerable Tian Shu, is a name that cannot be bypassed on the path to the ultimate Technique Method.

The old man hovered in the sky, his arms outstretched, using his own body to block the surging Evil Tide.

The evil spirits could not touch the Divine Radiance Stone, but those attached to the manta rays would fly over the defenses painstakingly erected by humans. Those who thought they could rest easy hiding behind the Divine Radiance Stone were terrified when they saw this, for nothing could stop them.

But they seemed to have forgotten that before the existence of the Divine Radiance Stone, it was the selfless and righteous cultivators who kept the evil spirits at bay overseas, until the Venerable Tian Shu stood in front of everyone.

Steaming sand and scorching stones ignite the enemy's clouds; boiling waves and blazing tides scorch the Han moon.

The entire nearshore area of the South China Sea has become a chessboard for the old man and the Lord of Flesh and Blood to fight over. Evil Tide surge up with the cold water from the deep sea, bringing with them countless dead fish with snow-white bellies. But the heavy rain falling from the sky is as hot as dripping lava, as if it wants to burn away the most evil filth in the world.

That enormous heart pounded like thunder, and the roars of the Evil Tide reached straight to the soul.

The Venerable Tian Shu remained unyielding. His hand Hand Seals were so fast they left afterimages. Suddenly, a massive star Magic Array appeared beneath his feet, and he himself was the North Celestial Pole surrounded by stars!

The obscure incantations were like sacred chants emanating from the Heavenly Dao; the stars rotated a full degree, and the entire space was sliced and twisted by the Venerable Tian Shu's Technique Method.

The evil spirits on the manta ray twisted and grew increasingly ferocious, as if being constantly cut by invisible blades. They screamed and cried out, like the wailing of ten thousand ghosts, and rotten black blood fell like raindrops.

The Lord of Flesh and Blood's urging became even more rapid, as if an endless stream of power flowed into those blood vessels, turning those shattered evil spirits into even more frenzied vengeful ghosts, thus charging forward fearlessly.

They even leaped from their high-flying manta rays, attempting to escape the Venerable Tian Shu's cut by jumping directly. Even those known for their physical strength dared not confront the Venerable Tian Shu head-on.

But how could Venerable Tian Shu give them a chance? He stretched out both hands, one hand gently swirling above his head and the other below his navel, his fingertips drawing a perfect circle in the air.

The old man's eyes were slightly closed, and his sleeves and beard stopped fluttering, instead floating lightly in the air. Because in the huge spherical space centered on him, there was no wind or rain, and even air could no longer penetrate in.

The surging seawater beneath his feet was carved into arc-shaped cracks, but the Venerable Tian Shu remained as immovable as an ancient, unyielding reef, standing firm against the raging waves and winds!

"As long as I, Qu Zhou, live, no Evil God shall approach me within the five continents!"

The old man roared on the sea. His withered white Daoist robe, which was spotless, inexplicably turned black slowly, as if a deep black light was emerging from beneath his clothes.

Chen Fan watched his master's increasingly blurry figure as the space collapsed, tears unknowingly streamed down his face.

"My heart is like the bright moon, without a wisp of cloud, illuminating all the darkness of this floating world."

He recalled the stone tablet with inscriptions at the entrance of his master's dilapidated cave abode, and now he realized that it was a poem left by his master to mark his passing.

You Su sat down amidst the pile of stones, panting heavily. In the firelight, each of his breaths seemed to be black smoke.

Thousands of evil spirits groveled at his feet, and the pile of broken stones resembled his throne.

He slowly raised his head, and through his disheveled hair, one could vaguely see his dark pupils, which, in addition to their eerie green glow, had a touch of scarlet.

Before him, the two giant snakes were locked in a final, decisive battle.

Even though the ancient Qi Snake was bound by a prison, it was in no way at a disadvantage. After all, it was a serpent god that had survived from High Antiquity, and its ambition, which had been suppressed for thousands of years, became the source of its infinite power.

The enormous snake's mouth opened, poised to swallow the white snake whole.

Even though Ji Xueruo had awakened the Dragon Blood, she was still far too different from such an ancient creature. She twisted and struggled, roaring angrily, but her slender snake body was still being suppressed inch by inch by the Qi Snake, gradually losing strength.

You Su stood up heavily, easily crushing the boulder beneath his feet. The power of flesh and blood he had recovered from slaying so many evil Flesh and Blood Type nearly caused his body to explode.

He could sense that one of the three greatest criminals was not far from him, but he had more important matters to attend to before going to see him.

The Ink Pine Sword suddenly flew in from nowhere and landed steadily in his hand.

The white snake writhed violently, but she could not escape her fate of being swallowed by the black snake.

The snake's body that remained outside grew shorter and shorter, and You Su's pace quickened.

The surging wind and thunder seemed to roll beneath You Su's feet, and the overwhelming momentum gathered at the tip of the Ink Pine Sword. The ancient serpent god, who was feasting, finally turned its gaze to it; there was finally a second existence on this immortal island that could attract its attention.

You Su met those black, agate-like snake eyes, and he was momentarily lost in thought.

In that fleeting moment, You Su seemed to hear a voice from the depths of her soul.

The male voice seemed to be right next to my ear, yet also seemed to be coming from a very far away place.

"You have your own path to walk, and so does she."

You Su remembered a person's voice and scent very well. He was quite certain that he had heard that voice before, but for a moment he couldn't recall who it was.

It wasn't until he saw the tall man standing beside him that he remembered it was the mysterious, disfigured man.

In the brief moment he was stunned, the Qi Snake was about to close its blood-red maw, leaving only a slender, white tail dangling from its lips.

You Su was naturally not indifferent, but the disfigured man called out and pulled him back. Just like when he had seen Huang Xi who was possessed not long ago, You Su felt a sense of frustration, as if he had immense power but was powerless.

"Young people, don't always think about saving others. True salvation lies in helping them save themselves."

The disfigured man earnestly instructed, "You said you wanted to save them trapped in the center of the island, so you scattered the blood of God to the Evil Puppet. But there will always be dangers coming towards them, and there will always be a time when you can't protect them all. What truly saved them was themselves. They didn't cling to your protection but left in time, which is why they returned to the land before the Venerable Tian Shu cut off the sea."

He gave examples to illustrate his point: although the rhetoric wasn't particularly novel, it truly had a magical power to make people think.

"You've done what you were supposed to do. All that's left is to trust her, isn't it?" The disfigured man watched as the snake tail completely disappeared, but there was no sign of worry on his face.

"She's probably not the kind of woman who wants to live under your protection forever, is she?"

The disfigured man's last words completely deflated You Su. He looked at the Qi Snake violently breaking free of its iron chains, and the deep killing intent in his eyes was gone.

"Trying to save everything on your own is exhausting," the disfigured man said affectionately, patting You Su's shoulder as if they were old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time.

"Are you the True Immortal Zhengyang?" You Su vaguely guessed something.

"I have countless identities..." the disfigured man laughed.

You Su remained silent, simply continuing to watch the giant, serpentine creature.

"He came for you." The disfigured man's smile faded.

"Then He should come directly to me instead of rushing to the shore," You Su replied.

"This is a place even 'gods' cannot see," the disfigured man warned.

You Su suddenly realized, so the Lord of Flesh and Blood thought he had appeared on the southern coast, which is why he broke through the sea from Unknown Land?

But he was right under His nose. Did this disfigured man possess some kind of supernatural power?

"I thought I would be the one to stop this Evil God overseas today, but I didn't expect there would be another person in this world who could do it. He is the first person in the five thousand years of history of the Five Continents to break through this boundary with his physical body. He is remarkable." The disfigured man's tone was full of admiration.

You Su stared blankly at the black sun in the lightning, its boundless tentacles dancing around it.

"The First Elder is really amazing."

"But this also brought out something even dirtier hidden deeper in the sea..." the disfigured man sighed, as if lamenting his inescapable fate.

You Su felt that every word this person uttered was dancing on his nerves, even more deeply hidden than the Lord of Flesh and Blood. It could only be one of the other two Evil God!

"What can I do?" You Su felt lost.

The disfigured man turned around and smiled, "Just be yourself."

After saying that, he seemed to realize that his words were somewhat vague and unrealistic, and added:

"If you don't want Central Continent to fall, then plunge into the sea, and they will follow your breath."

"Okay." You Su agreed readily, as if she was prepared to die for her cause.

The disfigured man was taken aback for a moment, then smiled bitterly, "Have you forgotten the lesson I just taught you? I threw you into the ocean not to make you bait to escape, but to send you away. They won't find you; you will reach another place, perhaps on one of the Five Continents, or perhaps beyond. You need to find your own way back. Before they find you, learn how to kill them."

You Su remained silent, then gently clenched his fist:

"Good."

The disfigured man patted You Su's shoulder with a sigh of relief and said, "There's no need to mourn our deaths. Just be yourself. This journey is destined to be tough. If in the end you really don't want to save this world anymore, then watching it perish isn't your fault."

You Su was stunned for a moment, as if the heavy burden he had felt earlier had vanished because of those words. He couldn't help but ask again:

Who exactly are you?

The disfigured man had vanished, but his gentle voice echoed in her mind:

"The moment you close the history book, you will naturally see my name. If you are ready, jump into the water. Do not be afraid, for each of us was originally born from the water..."

As soon as he finished speaking, You Su seemed to realize something, and he abruptly turned his gaze away.

The giant snake writhed wildly, seemingly enduring unbearable pain. Its belly was even more swollen than before, as if something was about to burst out.

Suddenly, it rolled over and collapsed to the ground, and a beam of light mixed with various colors shot out from its upturned belly, tearing a gash in its skin.

You Su remembered this move; it was Ji Xueruo, deadly strike that she had been preparing to unleash against Ming Dao, but which was forced to be interrupted! With the power of the Dragon Blood, she brought this attack to its fullest potential, as if she had received divine blessing!

The beam of light tore a gap in the dense clouds, revealing the bright stars and moon.

Bathed in the bright sunlight, this fairy island was clearer than ever before.

For some reason, You Su felt that there was a hint of satisfaction, as if a wish had been fulfilled, in the giant snake's eyes before it died.

But You Su had no time to think about these insignificant details. He leaped into the air, and behind him, a pair of wings formed from black liquid materialized. He held the girl, who had returned to human form, in his arms.

Ji Xueruo wore a thin black dress, yet her skin felt as hot as a burning ember. The girl opened her eyes hazily and saw the familiar face before her. A slight smile curved her lips, like a little black cat showing off to its companions.

"See how awesome I am?"

She seemed to be speaking, then her head tilted to the side, and the exhausted girl fainted, sleeping peacefully against the chest of her beloved.

You Su chuckled to himself.

Behind him, lightning flashed and thunder roared, Evil Demon howled, but none of this seemed to concern him.

He gently placed the girl on the deserted shore, quietly wiped the blood and grime from her face, and then tilted his head back and plunged into the boundless, dark sea.

In his last glance before entering the water, he saw the electric python, which had been writhing in the sea of clouds, finally exhausted, and a sliver of red appeared on the horizon.

He knew the sun would rise soon, and he would surely return.