Under the cover of night, figures draped in white robes drifted silently across the mountains and wilderness. These figures appeared illusory, like phantoms, gliding through the shadows without a sound.
Deep within the forest, Zhu Xi observed this eerie scene, her brows furrowing tightly.
She took a slow step back, retreating into the darkness before turning away and heading deeper into the mountain woods.
Moonlight filtered through the dense canopy of leaves, casting a gentle glow upon her. Dressed in deep purple robes, her hair was coiled atop her head, exuding an aura of authority and dignity.
It had been tens of thousands of years since she left Heavenly Spirit Great World, and her experiences had already transformed her completely.
She stopped before a weathered stone statue, raising a hand to trace its surface while chanting an esoteric incantation in an ancient, mysterious language.
After a few moments, a radiant green figure burst forth from within the statue.
It was an elderly woman dressed in Daoist robes, her form semi-transparent, resembling a spirit. Her face was covered in dark spots, giving her an ominous and unsettling appearance.
The old woman stared at Zhu Xi, her expression amused as she chuckled, "Have you finally run out of options?"
Zhu Xi took two steps back, her gaze steady as she asked, "Tell me, what are the terms of our cooperation? What must I pay?"
The old woman narrowed her eyes, her face brimming with mockery, and said, "It's simple. Let me temporarily possess your body. Once we leave this place, I will depart on my own."
Zhu Xi's brows knitted together tightly upon hearing this.
"Every one of those wandering spirits possesses a cultivation far beyond your own. They simply cannot step into this forest. Unless, of course, you plan to stay trapped here forever. This is your only chance—if you have even the slightest trust in me."
The old woman's gaze was sharp and intense, pressing down on Zhu Xi like an invisible weight.
She paused before adding, "And don't forget—without me, you would have already perished long ago."
Zhu Xi's eyes flickered, her mind caught in deep deliberation.
A long silence followed.
Finally, Zhu Xi lifted her gaze and met the old woman's eyes. "I will agree to your terms, but first, tell me—who are you? And what is the origin of this Dao Field?"
The old woman let out a cryptic smile, saying, "I am known as Dao Thief Immortal Lady. As for this Dao Field—it was left behind by Ziwei Emperor. He established this place as a seal, and the most terrifying thing here is not those wandering spirits.
Within this Dao Field, he left behind a clone of himself. Based on my observations, this clone exists as a vessel for his own future resurrection."
Ziwei Emperor?
Zhu Xi silently engraved this name into her memory before responding, "Then let's begin."
The Dao Thief Immortal Lady smirked and asked, "Do you need my help in securing some opportunities? I know exactly where the true treasures are hidden."
Zhu Xi shook her head. "That won't be necessary. I just want to leave this place as soon as possible."
The old woman's lips curled upward, then without hesitation, she plunged directly into Zhu Xi's body.
In an instant, brilliant green light erupted from the stone statue, bathing Zhu Xi in an ethereal glow.
Zhu Xi closed her eyes, fully embracing what was about to unfold.
Far away, within the Wushi Dao Field, Gu An raised an intrigued eyebrow.
This Dao Thief Immortal Lady was from the Dao Thief Immortal Sect!
Dao Thief Immortal Sect was a sect once belonging to Yongsheng. Though Gu An had inherited the sect, Yongsheng had left behind traces of karma and fate tied to it.
In fact, Yongsheng's Immortal Emperor Eyes were originally passed down from a former sect leader of the Dao Thief Immortal Sect.
This was how Gu An had mastered the Immortal Emperor Eyes, an ability with boundless potential—capable of reversing the very fabric of existence itself.
Now, Gu An could clearly perceive that part of Dao Thief Immortal Lady's karma was linked to Yongsheng.
Before Yongsheng left the Dao Thief Immortal Sect, he had planted many legacies, and it seemed that Dao Thief Immortal Lady had acquired one of them.
Could it be that all these wandering spirits in the Dao Field were once members of the Dao Thief Immortal Sect?
And what of Xuan Mo Emperor? Was he still alive?
Gu An had always remembered him—that ever-loyal follower who stood beside Yongsheng.
Among all disciples, Xuan Mo Emperor was the most devoted to the sect, dedicating his entire life to restoring the Dao Thief Immortal Sect to its former glory.
If the sect had fallen, was it really a result of offending the Heavenly Court?
Now, the sect was being suppressed here by Ziwei Emperor.
Could this have been the will of the Heavenly Court?
Gu An recalled something else.
Ziwei Emperor bore an uncanny resemblance to Ziwei Immortal Emperor, the immortal sovereign whom Heavenly Spirit God and Heavenly Spirit Xianzun had once encountered in the Heavenly Palace—a revered divine immortal of the Heavenly Court.
He turned his attention back to Zhu Xi's actions.
In his memories, Zhu Xi was always extremely cautious.
She wouldn't be the type to easily entrust her fate to another.
After being possessed by Dao Thief Immortal Lady, Zhu Xi activated a special secret technique, silently slipping away from the depths of the forest.
Along the way, she encountered numerous wandering spirits, each radiating immense power, including some Golden Immortals.
Yet, none of them noticed her presence.
In the blink of an eye, time flowed forward.
By the next day at noon, Shen Zhen finally woke up.
Gu An stood up without asking what she had comprehended. Instead, he simply left behind a single sentence before departing: "Don't be overly fixated. Sometimes, taking a break might be more beneficial."
By the time Shen Zhen snapped out of her daze, Gu An was already nowhere to be seen.
"He's right. Lately, I've been too obsessed with comprehending Dao, constantly thinking about enlightenment. It seems that brat Tian Hao has gotten into my head," she muttered to herself while tidying up her painting tools.
Her mood remained relatively light. Even though she hadn't made any breakthroughs, she had all the time in the world to cultivate her understanding.
Inside Wushi Dao Field, there was no danger, and time stretched on endlessly.
As she debated whether to spend her time writing or strolling through Qiankun Sect, Zhu Xi was facing a life-and-death battle.
In the depths of the cosmic void, Zhu Xi hovered, gripping a long sword in her hand. Her gaze was calm and resolute as she locked eyes with Dao Thief Immortal Lady before her.
Dao Thief Immortal Lady had become significantly younger, her appearance now bewitching with only a few dark spots remaining on her face.
She clenched her teeth and asked, "What cultivation technique did you practice? How are you able to protect your primordial soul?"
Zhu Xi raised her sword, pointing it directly at her. "Dao Supremacy Art. Have you heard of it?"
Dao Thief Immortal Lady's expression changed drastically.
In an instant, the surrounding void trembled, and eerie twisting green light surged forth from all directions, making the entire space resemble a warped illusion.
"Which immortal god of the Heavenly Court are you a disciple of?" Dao Thief Immortal Lady asked in a heavy voice, her eyes filled with deep-seated hatred.
Zhu Xi scoffed coldly. "I have nothing to do with the Heavenly Court. I'm just a mere mortal from an insignificant world. If you insist on taking over my body, then let's fight to the death. Whether you perish or I am annihilated—let's leave it to fate!"
As she spoke, the majestic aura of the Sacred Court's Divine Sovereign erupted from her.
It was an undefeated aura, one that had been cultivated through centuries of dominance—an aura that feared nothing.
Dao Thief Immortal Lady suddenly stretched out her arms, and in the next moment, the twisting green light in the void morphed into countless spectral figures, resembling a torrential rain of deadly arrows hurtling toward Zhu Xi.
Before Zhu Xi could counterattack, a pillar of emerald light descended from above, encasing her completely.
Everything happened too quickly—so fast that Zhu Xi had no time to evade.
"An insignificant Profound Origin Free Immortal dares to act arrogantly before me?" Dao Thief Immortal Lady sneered.
The spectral figures charging at Zhu Xi formed a massive encircling formation around the pillar of green light, layer upon layer, resembling a grand battle array.
Upon closer inspection, these figures bore an uncanny resemblance to the wandering spirits from the ancient secret realm.
Zhu Xi couldn't move. A sensation like countless ants gnawing at her flesh spread through her entire body.
But she did not despair.
Powerful force ripples emanated from her body, forming a protective barrier of energy around her. Golden threads began appearing on her forehead, gradually intertwining into a radiant lotus flower, blooming at the center of her brow.
Dao Thief Immortal Lady's pupils shrank abruptly.
Just as she was about to speak, a blinding golden light erupted from the lotus on Zhu Xi's forehead.
The golden radiance pierced through the green light pillar, obliterating the approaching specters in its path.
At that moment, Dao Thief Immortal Lady dodged nimbly, teleporting to another position.
But the instant she reappeared—her eyes widened in shock.
The grand formation she had meticulously arranged—had completely vanished.
Boom!
A sword light suddenly descended upon her, cutting through the void like a comet streaking across the heavens.
Zhu Xi materialized behind her as if stepping from the fabric of space itself, swinging her sword in a single decisive motion.
With one strike—she severed Dao Thief Immortal Lady's head.
The sword's brilliance stretched infinitely, tearing apart the twisted green light in the surroundings and restoring the void to its original, eerie darkness.
Dao Thief Immortal Lady's severed head spun through the air, her eyes wide with disbelief as she gazed at Zhu Xi's sword-wielding figure.
"You…!"
Rage contorted her bewitching face, twisting it into something ghastly.
Just as she was about to retaliate, a pale hand suddenly gripped her severed head, rendering her completely immobile.
Her eyes bulged, and she shouted in horror, "Who?!"
Zhu Xi froze in place.
Her gaze landed on the figure holding Dao Thief Immortal Lady's head, her expression instantly turning grim.
It was a man clad in a dragon-patterned purple robe, wearing an imperial crown adorned with pearl tassels. His robe was intricately embroidered, and behind him, eighteen violet-scaled flood dragons coiled and slithered.
His face was cold and indifferent, exuding an unshakable authority.
"Ziwei Emperor?! Impossible! You—"
Dao Thief Immortal Lady's frantic scream was cut short.
Before she could finish speaking, Ziwei Emperor casually crushed her soul-infused head—instantly obliterating her existence from reality.
Her entire soul body disintegrated, scattering like dust in the void.
Ziwei Emperor remained motionless, his emotionless gaze falling upon Zhu Xi.
A chill ran down her spine.
She was horrified to realize that she could not find a single path of escape.
Her instincts screamed at her—if she dared to move even a fraction, she would vanish from existence in an instant.