Poor Taoist Qiu Chuji

Chapter 361 Having feelings is not wrong; the mistake lies in being unrestrained.

Zhuo Lingxi thus completely destroyed herself in front of the two brothers, Wu Tianhua and Wu Xingchen, leaving a deep wound in their hearts.

Wu Xingchen stared blankly at the spot where Zhuo Lingxi had been completely annihilated.

In that brief moment, he lost more than Wu Tianhua.

But his proud older brother did not notice the changes in his emotions and state of mind.

After leaving the secret realm, Wu Tianhua gave orders to completely annihilate the power of General Zhenyuan's lineage and firmly grasp the power of the Heavenly Domain. On the other hand, he dispatched a large number of people to find Liu Fang, even if it meant turning the entire Heavenly Domain upside down.

He didn't believe Liu Fang was dead!

After all, there were no signs of any action taken in that secret realm.

He has absolute confidence in himself in this regard.

Sure enough, not long after, Wu Tianhua received news that someone had seen Liu Fang visit the Three Lives Cliff.

Jumping off the Three Lives Cliff means giving up this life. Whether you return to your past life or enter the next, you will become a completely different person, both in soul and appearance.

In a sense, Liu Fang, whom Wu Tianhua loved, was already 'dead'.

Even if they found Liu Fang's past life or reincarnation, they were only capturing another person who was connected to Liu Fang.

"Is there any way to find her and reverse the effects of the Three Lives Cliff?" Wu Tianhua asked the Heavenly Clan elder in front of him with a cold expression.

This is a very, very, very old Celestial Elder who possesses the extremely rare Tree God bloodline among the Celestials. Although he is not strong in combat, he has a very long lifespan, much longer than that of ordinary Celestials, and can usually live for 20,000 to 30,000 years.

Therefore, the elders of this lineage of the Celestial Clan are often the most learned and talented among the Celestial Clan, and can be called the Celestial Clan's living encyclopedia and living history.

Faced with Wu Tianhua's question, the old and frail Celestial Clan elder, who had lived for over 20,000 years, remained expressionless and said resolutely, "There is no way. Of course... the Emperor can arrange for people to go down to the mortal realm to search, or issue a Celestial Decree to allow the mortal dynasties to help you search. Perhaps we can find the Empress's past life or reincarnation."

"Once it's found, we can guide it gently, and perhaps a miracle will happen!"

Wu Tianhua stared at the eldest elder of the Celestial Clan, carefully examining every wrinkle on his face, before waving his hand and saying, "Since that's the case... then why don't you hurry up and get to work?"

"I hope to see results in a short period of time."

"Whoever can find Liu Fang's past or future life will be richly rewarded. Of course, if someone is perfunctory or deliberately makes excuses and delays... if I find out, I will certainly not forgive them."

Wu Tianhua's voice was stern and cold, forceful and domineering.

The Heavenly Clan elder had watched Wu Tianhua grow up, so he wasn't afraid of him. He simply stroked his beard, said "Yes, sir," and turned to leave.
Only after walking a distance did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

However, the Celestial Elder was unaware that after he turned and left, Wu Tianhua not only made some additional arrangements, but also entered the Celestial Library and began to look up all the information related to the Three Lives Cliff.

Just like how the Heavenly Clan elders understood Wu Tianhua.

Wu Tianhua also has a deep understanding of the elders of the Celestial Clan.

This living encyclopedia of the Celestial Clan could not possibly have such a one-sided and superficial understanding of the Three Lives Cliff. The fact that he doesn't speak up is precisely proof that he knows some inside information, but he just doesn't want to reveal it.

Now that Wu Tianhua had seen the clues, he certainly wouldn't let it go so easily.

······
The Abyss, the City of Fire!

This is the second largest city of the Abyss Demon Clan. Unlike the underground city, which is mostly inhabited by pure-blooded demons, the City of Fire is home to many human-demon hybrids, as well as some minor races. There are even some humans who have gained special freedom and can do business here.

It can be considered the economic center of the Demon Clan in the Abyss.

The atmosphere is more open and inclusive than that of the underground city.

But long ago, this was actually the demons' stronghold.

Demons are born from the Earth's core, their bloodline originating from magma and fire; they are the darlings of earth and fire.

Surrounded by three active volcanoes, with surging lava flowing underground, the city of Fire is the most suitable place for demons to live and survive.

However, as time went by and power changed, the City of Fire was gradually abandoned in the political sphere of the demon race.

More high-ranking demons have moved to underground cities that are closer to the entrance of the Abyss and where they can more easily glimpse the sky above the Abyss.

Thick smoke billowed, and crimson magma surged and churned, each drop of lava that spewed out possessing the power to easily melt steel.

And right there in this underground magma, a long-sealed crystal coffin suddenly exploded open.

Deep red to almost black smoke billowed from the blasted crystal coffin, forming a magnificent phoenix with outstretched wings above the churning lava.

The demonic phoenix inhaled and exhaled the boiling flames and stirred up the surging magma, as if celebrating its return.

Dressed in black and red, like a stunning woman with heavy smoky makeup, she flew out of the coffin. Dense demonic energy seeped from the magma and flowed into her body, causing her aura to surge.

When her breathing stabilized, it was almost identical to Wu Tianhua's.

But this was only because she had just woken up.

Perhaps if he were to return to his prime, he would be even more powerful than Wu Tianhua.

"Fifty thousand years!"

"Finally, my chance came, and I was successfully resurrected!"

"All my preparations were worthwhile. Wu Liancheng... you used your treacherous schemes to harm me, extinguished my Demon Phoenix Banner, and destroyed the shared prosperity of the Three Realms with your selfish and despicable actions... Now that I have returned, I will overthrow your rule and rebuild a glorious era." The woman murmured to herself, then her figure flashed and she arrived at the City Lord's Mansion of Fire Reborn City. She easily used her magic to control the City Lord there, effectively gaining control of Fire Reborn City, and then began to gather information from all sides of the Three Realms.

Clearly, they will wait until they have gathered enough information before taking the next step.

Looking at the mysterious demon woman in the magical mirror, who appeared more beautiful, dignified, and wild compared to Liu Fang's purity and resilience, Chen Xiang still couldn't believe it and said, "This is Liu Fang? This is her past life?"

"You guessed right, she looks like a big shot from the demon race!"

Chenxiang was deeply impressed by Qiu Chuji's foresight.

Qiu Chuji smiled upon hearing this.

It's not hard to guess at all.

When a world's fundamental worldview is built upon bloodlines, then no matter how passionate or grassroots it may initially appear, its ultimate destination is still bloodlines and an extraordinary origin and identity.

Liu Fang could not possibly be an ordinary person!

Even her initial excitement and emotional surge stemmed from the enormous social gap between her and Wu Tianhua.

But given the nature of this kind of story, in the end, she will definitely be evenly matched with Wu Tianhua, or even have the upper hand.

Abandoning the passionate and straightforward Wu Xingchen and the gentle and refined Mo Xuanling who was willing to sacrifice himself, the choice to choose the domineering, cold, and ruthless Wu Tianhua is essentially a form of power worship.

Jumping off the Three Lives Cliff and transforming back into a powerful demon from 50,000 years ago is an example of power worship.

"Now that you've guessed correctly once, guess again how their relationship will continue to develop?" Yang Jian asked Qiu Chuji, intrigued.

Qiu Chuji thought, "The story of Prince Charming and Cinderella is over. Next up is Romeo and Juliet?"

"Indeed, the 'good' stories in this world are just old wine in new bottles."

"Just like the story of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, it can also be broken down into 'Dong Yong and the Seventh Fairy.'"

"It must be that Wu Tianhua found a clue. To unravel the secrets of the Three Lives Cliff, one must completely conquer the Three Realms and take over the Abyss. And Liu Fang and Wu Tianhua's reunion will likely take place on the battlefield!" Qiu Chuji casually remarked.
A month later, the Heavenly Realm mobilized, and hundreds of thousands of Heavenly Realm troops marched to the Abyss.

The number one war god of the Three Realms, the Heavenly Emperor, commanded the complete annihilation of the demon race, the shattering of evil and depravity in this world, and the restoration of a bright and clear world to the Three Realms.

The demon army was forced to fight back, with both sides deploying nearly a million troops at the junction of the abyss and the human world.

Meanwhile, ordinary people living near the border were forced to migrate quickly, having to evacuate hundreds of miles away in a very short time, or risk being directly drawn into the center of the battlefield.

Why only the center of the battlefield?
Because both the Celestial Race and the Demon Race are mythical races that possess immense and extraordinary power, if they were to engage in a full-scale war, the core battle zone spanning hundreds of miles would be a safe bet.

It was only natural that the war raged for thousands of miles, shattering vast tracts of land and destroying countless rivers and farms.

When both races bare their ferocious fangs, they are essentially no different.

The two armies lined up, with Mo Xuanling as the vanguard general of the demon race.

During the chaos in the underground city, Mo Xuanling helped Wu Tianhua escape. He should have been stripped of all his identity and status and executed. Even if he survived, he would never have been released.

The best outcome would be to be imprisoned for thousands of years and die of illness in a cell deep underground.

It was Qiu Chuji and Yang Jian who killed a large number of high-ranking demons, creating a vacuum in the demon race's leadership, which is why the handling of Mo Xuanling was slowed down.

Now that the Celestial Clan has invaded, Mo Xuanling has volunteered to lead the suicide squad to stand at the front of the battle formation, facing the Celestial Clan's fiercest and most brutal first wave of attack... to fight to the death.

On the Celestial Clan's side, Wu Tianhua personally led the army, standing at the front of the battle line.

Although it seems as if the Emperor himself is acting as the vanguard, his situation is similar to that of Mo Xuanling.

But in reality, there are fundamental differences.

"Mo Xuanling! You helped me before, so I'm giving you a chance to persuade the demons around you to surrender and obey my orders."

"As long as you are willing to surrender, there will surely be a place for you in the Three Realms. You and your clansmen will continue to live under my rule. Apart from needing to obey my orders, your status and power will not only remain the same as before, but will be even higher." Wu Tianhua's voice resounded throughout the entire border area.

Such words did not seem like genuine persuasion to surrender, but rather a provocation, a challenge that was pushing Mo Xuanling toward a dead end.

To be honest, who really persuaded them to surrender? It was on the battlefield.

Aren't they all secretly bribing people beforehand, or winning battles, capturing prisoners, and then negotiating terms as the victors?

Without even fighting, and with no prior contact, saying these words on the battlefield is tantamount to forcing Mo Xuanling to fight to the death.

Unless Mo Xuanling is completely shameless and becomes a two-faced and despicable person... then there is a possibility that he could continue along with Wu Tianhua's words.

But is Mo Xuanling like that?
"Wu Tianhua...you really are despicable!"

"However, you don't need to feel guilty towards me. The reason I helped you out of this predicament was not for you, but for Liufang!"

"After several days in the warm pavilion, my wish has been fulfilled. Even if I die on the battlefield, I will have no regrets!" Mo Xuanling responded loudly to Wu Tianhua.

This response not only tore away Wu Tianhua's disguise and hypocrisy, but also stabbed him in the heart, leaving him bleeding profusely.

Wu Tianhua's face immediately turned completely cold.

Liu Fang had been married to him once, so they were already husband and wife, so... whether some things happened or not is hard to verify afterward.

Even though Wu Tianhua was willing to believe Liu Fang, the lack of an answer was like a needle pricking his heart.

The crack has always been there.

Just like Liu Fang, who jumped off the Three Lives Cliff because of Zhuo Lingxi's few provocations.

Ultimately, it all stems from a lack of trust.

The problems between them were never truly resolved; it was only because of a crisis that two people who still loved each other were forcibly brought back together.

"Kill!" Wu Tianhua brandished his sword.

In an instant, a burst of light exploded between heaven and earth, as if thousands of stars were falling from beyond the starry sky and hurtling into the abyss.

At the same time, flames rose from within the abyss, and boiling magma lifted up the demon soldiers to fight against the Xiangtian warriors.

Two races, bound by deep-seated hatred, engaged in a relentless and brutal battle on the land of humans.

The magnificent and spectacular scene of the battle stunned Chenxiang.

In his short sixteen years of life, he had never seen such a scene before, and he was completely dumbfounded.

Yang Jian and Qiu Chuji both remained calm.

They had all experienced a great deal, and had witnessed similar... or even more intense battles. This was nothing more than a small scene.

"They...they started fighting like that?"

"What are they fighting for?"

Why must we kill each other?

"And it will affect so many innocent people?" Chenxiang had too many questions.

Is it because of 'love'?

That was Chenxiang's initial thought.

Wu Tianhua, in order to find Liu Fang's past life or reincarnation and to completely control the Three Realms, led his troops to attack the Abyss.

Only by controlling all the power in the Three Realms can he use that power to search for the whereabouts of the souls that have been reincarnated by the Three Lives Cliff.

From this perspective, the cause of this great battle was his 'love' for Liu Fang.

But is love that pays the price with war, death, and chaos in the three realms really what love is like?

Or was it to highlight its grandeur and supreme status that it was given such cruelty and sacrifice?
The passing of each vibrant life is used to depict the beauty and sanctity of the flower of love in fantasy.

"This is his problem, not a problem with love itself."

"If it were me... if it were me..." Chenxiang found it difficult to fully express his determination.

At this moment, Yang Jian was undoubtedly thinking more deeply.

Love is not wrong!

The problem is that if someone who wields immense power chooses to act on emotion, the resulting destruction is indescribable.

When ordinary people have relationship problems, they might drink heavily, vent their frustrations, or at worst, get into a fight and cause some minor trouble.

However, when beings at the level of immortals and gods have emotional entanglements, it affects countless fragile lives.

No more templates are needed!
As long as this possibility exists, it serves as a reminder to Yang Jian.

Tell him that his plan to amend the Heavenly Laws is not yet perfect.

After freeing himself from the cruel constraints of the Heavenly Laws, he still had to have a backup plan to ensure that the gods who had been freed from their shackles would not fall into another extreme.

(End of this chapter)