Bengtie: My death fueled their madness.

"There are so many structures underwater... No wonder the records say that Lin Yuan Realm was once the location of the Chi Ming Dragon Palace." Looking at the underwater structures, Fu Xuan's eyes were truly opened.

"After the Battle of Shuhu, I was fortunate enough to witness this spectacular sight."

At this point, Jing Yuan glanced at Qi Zhimu again.

I came here after the war to investigate the matter of my master and Han Ya Xueyi sneaking into the cave to seize the power of the Jianmu tree.

"Mountains shift and seas turn, palaces are now empty ruins... The Vidyadhara clan imprisoned the Jianmu tree in their sacred homeland, and the Luofu Immortal Ship truly owes them a great debt."

"Hopefully, the great commotion in the Scale Abyss Realm will not affect the Dragon Lord in the cycle of reincarnation," Fu Xuan said.

"...Rest assured, Fu Qing, you are here to receive the order."

"I am here."

"You stay here and lead the Cloud Cavalry to guard this passage to prevent any further trouble," Jing Yuan ordered.

"Jingyuan... General, you're going to deal with Huanlong alone?" Fu Xuan asked in astonishment.

"Of course I'm not alone."

Jing Yuan looked around at the reliable train crew, and... his even more reliable master in his memory.

The train crew nodded to him one after another, but Qi Zhimu did not respond, nor did he show any intention to cut ties.

"General! We are willing to go with you! Please don't abandon us!"

The numerous cloud knights behind them all knelt and bowed.

"General, although we are of lowly skill, we have the duty to protect the immortal ship. How can we stay in the rear and let strangers risk their lives for us? Please allow us to clear the way for you."

"I understand your intentions."

Jing Yuan's face showed relief, but his tone was more of a refusal to be discussed.

"But the enemy ahead is not the Abundant Spoils... but the Annihilation Lord of the Antimatter Legion."

"After you cross this path, you will face off against the Emperor Bow Master and the Ancestor of Extinction. You have even more important responsibilities."

"Cloud Cavalry, listen to my command—once we penetrate deep into Jianmu, if the seawater returns to its original state, we will immediately withdraw, re-lock the cave, and follow the instructions of the Grand Diviner in all matters."

"Yes!" The Cloud Knights bowed their heads and clasped their fists.

"Fu Qing, in case I am unable to return, I entrust you with the important task of reporting the whole story to the other immortal ships."

Jing Yuan's gaze and even his tone toward Fu Xuan became more somber.

His master had taught him with his life that he must always be prepared for the worst, even if his master was reincarnated here.

Before we know the extent of our master's combat power, we cannot ignore any possible consequences.

Unlike Jing Yuan, Fu Xuan was completely unaware of Qi Zhimu's special nature, and therefore understood the subtext of the former's words.

…He was preparing for the worst-case scenario and was prepared to die in battle…

Fu Xuan took a deep breath.

"...I won't say anything like 'Please come back in person to report on your work.' I will certainly not fail in my mission as you have instructed."

"Ha, he's starting to have the aura of a general."

Jing Yuan smiled, then turned around without hesitation and embarked on the road to Jianmu Cave.

The train crew followed closely behind.

Qi Zhimu did not take a step immediately, his gaze fixed on Jing Yuan's back, slightly lost in thought.

Long, long ago, that boy who would secretly complain about unreasonable training, yet still desperately persevere, is now...

Time may change many people, but it will never change that childlike heart.

He also gleaned another layer of meaning from Jingyuan's words.

—A resolute determination to never let him die, even at the cost of my own life.

Qi Zhimu looked up at the towering Jianmu tree, a helpless smile playing on his lips.

…Time has passed, and Instant Blood Rainbow is long gone.

But... Qi Zhimu is still the same Qi Zhimu. How can a grand-disciple protect his master?

"Fu Taibu".

"Please speak, Mr. Zhi Mu." Fu Xuan was somewhat puzzled when Qi Zhi Mu suddenly spoke to him.

"I assure you, the future you fear will not come to pass. Not a single one of you will die." With that, Qi Zhimu strode forward.

"..."

Fu Xuan was initially puzzled, but now he was mostly bewildered.

She didn't know much about Qi Zhimu, only that he was brought by Jing Yuan and seemed to be Dan Heng's companion.

Throughout the journey, Qi Zhimu didn't show much emotion; he simply watched Dan Heng open the sea.

I never expected that I would suddenly make such a strange promise to her before we set off.

Ahead lies a perilous situation that even Jing Yuan isn't entirely confident about, so why is Qi Zhimu...?

Despite his confusion and doubts, Fu Xuan found himself unable to generate any doubts.

It seems... Qi Zhimu just released an aura that naturally inspires confidence.

Fu Xuan only came to his senses when the group became tiny black dots in his field of vision.

"All cavalry, heed my command! Form a tight defensive formation!"

"Yes, sir!"

……

Led by Dan Heng, the group broke through three security seals within Lin Yuan and arrived at the entrance to the Jianmu Xuan Gen.

"This is the entrance to the Jianmu Mystic Root Grotto-Heaven, the location of the abundant miracles. Now, I will break the final seal..."

"I'm sure everyone is ready?"

"certainly!"

After confirming again, Dan Heng lifted the seal on the entrance and led everyone into the Jianmu Xuangen Cave Heaven.

"Hmm? Hehe, is the newcomer a general from Luofu?"

Before long, everyone heard Huanlong's voice echoing through the space.

"You bastard! You were waiting for us here after all. Come out, Huanlong, stop playing tricks!" Sanyueqi said, raising his eyebrows.

"My benefactor has arrived too? Please don't be impatient, I haven't finished dressing yet."

Jing Yuan walked at the front, signaling everyone to continue deeper into the area.

Upon reaching the deepest point, the group saw a lotus-shaped object floating in mid-air.

Golden-green flames burned in the center of the lotus seat, then slowly rose and transformed into the shape of a giant woman.

"Illusory..."

Jing Yuan shook his arm, and the array blades appeared.

"Everyone, please be careful. Danheng, I'm counting on you for my back."

He didn't say these words to Qi Zhimu, nor could he.

Dan Heng's expression turned serious: "I understand."

With the order of destruction looming, there is no room for carelessness.

Huanlong didn't even glance at the crowd below, but instead looked on with rapt attention, admiring his enormous body that towered several stories above them.

"No wonder the Medicine King's secret technique is so confident that it is superior to others... Even the Envoy of Abundance is envious of it. This Jianmu Immortal Traces does indeed have the power of transformation and regeneration."

"Ladies and gentlemen, do you see this beautiful body... the miracle of abundance is truly well-deserved."

"Now, I will use this power that granted the Immortal Ship immortality to bring you destruction, hehehehe..."

As soon as he finished speaking, countless lotus flowers appeared out of thin air.

As far as the eye can see, it stretches to the horizon, exuding a chilling and inexplicable aura.

"Huanlong has seized the power of Jianmu for her own use... Everyone, do your best to destroy these illusory flowers, and I will destroy her physical body."

Jing Yuan left his instructions without further ado, his eyes gleaming with golden light, and a huge phantom wielding a formation blade materialized behind him.

That was his Imperial Bow, the Divine Lord.

As the dazzling golden light burst forth, the Divine Lord's attack reached Huanlong's face.

The array blades, seemingly capable of cleaving even stars, cleaved Huanlong diagonally in two from top to bottom.

What's shocking is that... the injuries inflicted on Huanlong by the array blades vanished instantly.

The terrifying speed of recovery sent chills down the spines of the train crew.

…What monster?

Jing Yuan knew how terrifying the power of the Jianmu tree was, so he was not surprised at all and launched a continuous attack.