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The autumn in Chang'an was bleak and heavy, and the wind on Longshou Plain carried the lingering power of Weiyang Palace.

Yi Huawei stood on the banks of the Wei River, his gaze piercing through the dust and smoke of the surrounding landscape, fixed on the ancient city in the east—Luoyang—that had witnessed his arrival in this world.

The outline of the ancient capital is hidden in the vastness, but it remains as clear as yesterday in his heart.

The secrets of the pinnacle of martial arts in "Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty" are hidden in three supreme classics: "The Longevity Manual," "The Heavenly Demon Strategy," and "The Compassionate Sword Manual." Their ultimate goal is to break through the mysterious "void"—to transcend the barriers of life and death, escape the confines of this world, either to ascend to a higher dimension or to embark on an unknown and perilous journey. In the end, one must risk their life to obtain a glimmer of hope.

He had already practiced the "Longevity Manual," a wondrous manual that seemed to have no direct connection to the "Shattering" Dao. It was not an ordinary method for guiding internal energy; rather, it was more like a primordial Dao key to unlock the secrets of heaven and earth, a "Dao Beacon" that directly pointed to the origin of the world, communicating with, absorbing, and refining the most original and pure primordial energy between heaven and earth! Its effect lay in building a foundation and attaining profound understanding, rather than in breaking through boundaries.

He had also glimpsed the essence of the Cihang Sword Manual. The fifth level, the "Death Gate," and the final move, "Sword Heart Clarity," could condense a lifetime of cultivation and unleash a terrifying power that could pierce through the void in an instant. However, this was "shattering," a brief tearing of space after the power reached its limit. It was a fierce and unparalleled destruction, not a truly harmonious and unhindered "shattering" that transcended oneself.

Once a flaw is created, space immediately closes itself; this is not the way to achieve eternal transcendence.

Therefore, Yi Huawei's gaze finally turned to the last and most mysterious book, "The Heavenly Demon Strategy".

The *Heavenly Demon Strategy*, the supreme scripture of the Demonic Sect, differs greatly from the previous two in its essence. It does not emphasize moderation and peace, nor cultivate a pure and tranquil mind; instead, it directly addresses the darkest and deepest source of human desire, pursuing the attainment of transcendence through extreme power. The strategy describes a supreme method of "entering the demonic path from the Dao, and then returning to the Dao from the demonic path, shattering the void."

Its core lies in the "Heavenly Demon Great Art," which emphasizes using the spirit to control matter, igniting the life force with extreme passion and desire, and excavating and tempering the potential of the spirit and body to an ultimate level that transcends the mundane. Cultivators must undergo layers of perilous trials, such as "severing worldly ties," "extinguishing emotions," "condensing the demonic seed," and "becoming a demonic immortal," capturing that one moment of "true spirit" that transcends life and death amidst the extreme experiences of life and death and the madness of love and hate.

The "Heavenly Demon Strategy" pursues the shattering of the void not through brute force like the "Compassionate Sword Manual," but rather when the cultivator's spirit, will, and power reach a critical point beyond the tolerance of the mortal world, it resonates with the laws of heaven and earth, "breaking through" the constraints of this realm from within, like water overflowing from a full vessel or a ripe melon falling from its vine. This is the supreme realm of "Heavenly Demon Disintegration, Void Spontaneous Creation," a true transcendence that transcends life and death, transforming from a "demon" into a higher being. The process is extremely perilous; the slightest mistake can lead to annihilation and the scattering of the soul. However, once successful, it signifies true shattering and liberation.

The powerful martial arts techniques and esoteric arts of the Demonic Sect all originated from the "Heavenly Demon Strategy". However, due to war, natural disasters and other reasons, they were scattered and lost. In addition, the Demonic Sect split into different factions and branches, which also caused the Heavenly Demon Strategy to be scattered. Therefore, Yi Huawei's current goal is to unify the Heavenly Demon Strategy.

With a slight thought, Yi Huawei felt a faint crackling sound emanating from his bones and muscles, like jade smoothing in warm water. The last few charred scars left by the divine punishment on his face and body flakeed off like withered leaves, scattering in the wind. His new skin, bathed in the cool autumn sunlight, radiated a smooth, flawless luster, like the finest white jade, so delicate that no pores were visible.

"A face like jade" is insufficient to describe even a fraction of his beauty. It was a perfect profile that transcended the ordinary—eyebrows like ink paintings slanted upwards, a nose as high and straight as a jade mountain, lips with clear and aloof lines, and a perfectly defined jawline, outlining an impeccable handsomeness. However, what was most captivating were his eyes. Deep as a vast starry sea, calm and still, yet seemingly containing the chaos and order of the primordial world, flowing with the vicissitudes and indifference of eternity. The majesty accumulated from a century of imperial life had long been ingrained in his very being, transforming into an intangible yet omnipresent aura, like a deity walking among mortals, inspiring awe and reverence.

At this moment, he shed all pretense and scars, revealing his true form that should belong to the heavens. In this chaotic world, he appears so out of place, yet so breathtaking.

He neither rode a horse nor used his inner energy; relying solely on his two feet, he took a single step, and his figure was already ten zhang away. Mountains and rivers receded rapidly beneath his feet; shrinking the earth to an inch was commonplace for him.

The next day, the walls of Luoyang could be seen in the distance.

Yi Huawei stepped onto the magnificent bridge spanning the Luo River. The bridge was wide, teeming with carriages, horses, and pedestrians, a cacophony of noise and activity. Merchants from the north and south, strangely dressed foreigners, hurried officials, and ragged refugees—all blended together to create a chaotic tapestry of life. The air was thick with the smells of sweat, the stench of livestock, the scent of perfume, and the unique dampness of the Luo River.

Beneath the bridge, the turbid Luo River flows eastward, reflecting the rows of pavilions on both banks and the majestic outline of the imperial city in the distance. Several painted boats drift in the middle of the river, the faint sounds of string and wind instruments drifting in, mixed with the coquettish laughter of women, revealing an air of decadent extravagance amidst the turbulent times.

Crossing the Tianjin Bridge, you'll find yourself at the world-renowned Fengdu Market. Here, the bustling crowds throng, shoulder to shoulder. Shops stand side by side, flags waving in the breeze. Spices from the Western Regions, pearls from the South China Sea, silks from the Jiangnan region, and furs from the North are displayed in dazzling array, piled high like mountains.

The shouts of merchants from all over the country rose and fell, mingling with various incomprehensible languages. The air was filled with the aroma of roasted flatbread, the pungent smell of stewed mutton, the cloying sweetness of cheap perfume, and the sour stench of sweat from the crowd. The haggling of peddlers, the shouting and cursing of shrewish women in the street, and the laughter and chasing of children created a chaotic yet vibrant symphony of the marketplace.

As Yi Huawei walked among them, his unparalleled beauty and imposing presence were like a block of ice thrown into boiling water. Wherever he passed, the crowd involuntarily parted to make way for him, and the clamor seemed to be blocked by an invisible barrier around him. Countless gazes—amazed, awe-inspiring, curious, and fearful—focused on him, but hurriedly looked away when his gaze swept over them, falling silent as if in a cold winter.

After passing through the bustling and chaotic city, Yi Huawei stopped in front of a solemn and dignified government office.

The vermilion gate, with its bronze animal-shaped door knockers, and the two old yet still imposing stone lions in front of it, stand tall above the entrance. A plaque hangs high above the gate, bearing three dignified and powerful characters: "Ministry of Rites."

This place, a symbol of imperial rituals and regulations, should have been a place of refined elegance. Yet, at this moment, a long queue stretched before the government office, filled mostly with merchants and envoys dressed in various exotic attire, anxiously awaiting their summons. A stifling, oppressive atmosphere, carrying the peculiar, corrupt air of bureaucracy, permeated the air. The yamen runners, their faces stern, their eyes revealing a slickness and weariness, ordered those in line around.

Fei Ju, or rather Shi Zhixuan, was inside these many gates.

Yi Huawei didn't queue, nor did he even glance at the constables. He walked straight towards the tightly closed vermilion gate. The constable was about to reprimand him when his gaze met Yi Huawei's face. It was as if he had been struck by an invisible hammer; the reprimand caught in his throat, turning into a terrified gasp. Beneath that peerless face lay an unfathomable majesty, deeper than the imperial palace! The constable's legs went weak, and he involuntarily took a half-step back.

Yi Huawei ignored it, raised his hand, and gently brushed it away without using any force.

"crunch-"

The heavy vermilion gate seemed to be pushed open by an invisible, immense force, emitting a long and grating scraping sound as it slowly opened.

The scene inside the gate came into view: a courtyard paved with bluestone, with low corridors and offices on both sides. Some minor officials dressed in blue or green robes were hurrying along carrying documents. The loud noise of the gate opening made them stop in surprise and look at the entrance with doubt and uncertainty.

Yi Huawei stood with his hands behind his back at the wide-open gate. The clamor of the marketplace outside seemed to be shut out, and the solemnity of the government office inside was broken by his presence. Sunlight slanted down on him, and his seemingly ordinary blue robe appeared to be enveloped in a faint halo. His face was like jade, his demeanor dignified and composed; the aura of a centuries-old emperor swept over the entire front courtyard of the Ministry of Rites like an invisible tide!
All sound vanished. Even the soft thud of documents falling to the ground sounded jarring. The officials stared wide-eyed, forgetting to breathe, forgetting to move, as if frozen in place. They had never seen such a person! That face transcended gender, almost otherworldly; that aura surpassed that of an emperor, like a deity descending! A sense of insignificance and awe from the depths of their souls gripped each of them, making their knees weak, almost causing them to kneel down on the spot. Yi Huawei's gaze calmly swept across the courtyard, piercing through layers of government offices, directly locking onto the figure deep within the quiet room, reviewing maps of the Western Regions. His voice was not loud, but it clearly echoed in every corner of the deathly silent courtyard, like the soft ringing of jade chimes:

"Feiju, come out and see me."

These six words are not a request, but a command.

A deathly silence, like invisible ice, instantly froze the entire front courtyard of the Ministry of Rites. The soft thud of the documents falling to the ground was like a thunderclap, yet it could not awaken the officials whose souls were captivated by the invisible pressure.

Yi Huawei stood with his hands behind his back in front of the wide-open vermilion gate. The sunlight outlined his perfect profile, and beneath his handsome face lay an unfathomable indifference and an aura of dominance over all living beings.

The door to the quiet room slid open silently.

A figure walked out slowly.

He wore the purple official robes of a third-rank Vice Minister of Rites, the robes were impeccably starched and meticulously washed. Tall and slender, with a refined and lean face, slightly high cheekbones, and a well-trimmed short beard, his eyes were deep and held a calm and wise air befitting someone who had long held a high position and managed affairs across the land. This was none other than Fei Ju, the Vice Minister of Rites, and also Shi Zhixuan, the "Evil King" of the Demonic Sect.

He still held a wolf-hair brush in his hand, its tip dripping with ink. His steps remained steady, even carrying a hint of displeasure befitting someone interrupted while handling official business. However, as he stepped completely out of the shadows of the corridor and his gaze met that of the figure standing with his hands behind his back in the center of the courtyard—

Time seemed to stand still around him.

Fei Ju's steps faltered almost imperceptibly for a moment. It was a violent tremor that transcended a martial artist's instincts and approached the level of the soul!

His refined and composed demeanor, like an exquisite porcelain mask, suddenly cracked with an extremely subtle yet chilling quality that would astound anyone who knew him well. His deep, abyss-like eyes contracted to their absolute limit in an instant!
Who is this person?!
An unprecedented storm raged within Shi Zhixuan's heart. The Evil King of a century, incarnated in countless forms, possessed unparalleled insight into human nature and manipulated the world with ease. He had witnessed countless heroes, tyrants, beauties, and even reclusive old monsters. He was confident that those who could move him in this world were few and far between.

But the person before me...

That face was so perfect it seemed otherworldly, the pinnacle of creation, possessing an almost eerie allure. However, even more terrifying than its beauty was its formless yet boundless, ocean-like aura! It wasn't the majesty cultivated later, nor the oppressive force of power, but… a higher level of authority originating from the very essence of life! Like a dragon looking down upon ants, like a god walking among mortals! Shi Zhixuan instantly felt his Undying Seal Technique, cultivated over decades and capable of dominating the world, sway violently, shrink back, and even faintly groan under this invisible pressure, like a candle flame in a storm!
What shocked him even more was that his prized spiritual sense, the one that could discern illusions and capture the essence of all things, seemed to have fallen into absolute nothingness when it swept towards the other party! No aura! No fluctuations! No flaws! The other party stood there, yet seemed to be completely separated from this world, forming its own universe!
Unfathomable!

This was the only thought that exploded in Shi Zhixuan's mind. More ethereal than Ning Daoqi, more mysterious than Zhu Yuyan, more profound than the Four Great Monks! It was the kind of "unfathomable" that completely exceeded his comprehension and even the common sense of martial arts in this world! A long-lost chill, originating from the instinct of life, called "fear," instantly shot from his tailbone to the top of his head!
However, the evil king is still the evil king. That loss of composure lasted for less than a breath.

The refined mask instantly melted away, the crack disappearing without a trace. His deep eyes regained their calm, like two bottomless pools of ice, suppressing all the turmoil of fear. He slowly put down the wolf-hair brush in his hand, the movement natural and fluid, as if he were merely adjusting his sleeves.

Shi Zhixuan strode towards the center of the courtyard, his steps still steady. The hem of his official robe swayed slightly with each step, each step making a clear sound on the bluestone slabs, standing out starkly in the deathly quiet courtyard. A hint of solemnity, befitting the identity of "Fei Ju," appeared on his face—a mixture of doubt and just the right amount of authority.

"Who are you?"

Fei Ju's voice rang out, steady and powerful, carrying the dignity of someone who had long served in officialdom and a hint of displeasure at being disturbed from official business, perfectly concealing all the turmoil in his heart: "What brings you to trespass on the important grounds of the Ministry of Rites and disturb the government office?"

His gaze fell on Yi Huawei's face, scrutinizing him, but he cleverly avoided those abyssal eyes that seemed capable of devouring souls.

Yi Huawei's gaze calmly fell on Fei Ju, his eyes seemingly piercing through the purple official robe and the refined mask, directly seeing the twisted soul hidden beneath, the one named "Shi Zhixuan." He showed no reaction to the other's momentary loss of composure and perfect concealment, as if watching a performance he had already foreseen.

"I have long heard that the Evil King's martial arts are unparalleled, and his Illusionary Demon Body Technique and Undying Seal Technique have reached the pinnacle. The Flower Wandering and Punishment Escape Technique in the Evil King's hands are probably like dust in a box, no longer of great use."

Yi Huawei spoke, his voice calm and even, yet it clearly drowned out the faint clamor of the city from afar. Like cold jade striking each other, every word carried undeniable weight, striking Shi Zhixuan's heart:

"I wish to borrow it for a look."

There were no pleasantries, no probing questions.

Shi Zhixuan's heart clenched, and a chilling coldness instantly spread throughout his body, almost freezing his blood!
How can this be? !
How did he know who I was?!

The solemnity on Shi Zhixuan's face instantly transformed into a chilling, murderous aura! His refined demeanor vanished, replaced by a sinister and malevolent presence reminiscent of the deepest hell! The temperature in the entire courtyard seemed to plummet, an invisible killing intent filling the air like countless fine ice needles piercing everyone present! Those officials who had initially been intimidated by Yi Huawei's imposing presence now felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave, trembling and unable to breathe!

"I don't understand what you're saying."

Shi Zhixuan's voice was as cold as ancient ice, each word carrying a chilling edge. The Undying Seal Technique's true energy within his body circulated wildly, his purple robes billowing without wind, the surrounding space seemingly distorting, the light becoming unpredictable and erratic. He was no longer Fei Ju, the Vice Minister of Rites, but Shi Zhixuan, the Demon King of the Demonic Sect! His unparalleled ferocity, like an ancient beast awakening, locked onto the mysterious and unpredictable enemy before him!
"I am curious, where did you hear such absurd and unfounded legends about the demonic sects? And why are you so certain that they are related to me?"

His aura rose steadily, and the entire Ministry of Rites seemed to be shrouded in an invisible force field, twisting and tearing, filled with an undying evil intent and a murderous intent of disillusionment!
(End of this chapter)