The deserted Spring and Autumn Tomb.
Xu Chong sat cross-legged in the Chunqiu Hall, motionless, like a stone sculpture.
He has been in this position for a long time without moving.
It could be that the panel's absorption of spiritual energy accelerated the collapse of the cave , or it could be that the previous judgment was wrong, and Chunqiu Hall could no longer support him to practice for thirty years.
Just like now.
Logically speaking, four months in the outside world should be more than forty years inside Chunqiu Hall.
But the actual time he spent was less than twenty years.
In three or four years at most, the Chunqiu Tomb will completely collapse, just like Huanzhentian, Changshengtian and others, and explode into a large number of fragments.
Therefore, he needs to squeeze out its surplus value as much as possible and push Zifu and Huangting to their peak within the final time.
Fortunately, with the help of Huanzhen, he is no longer dependent on drinking water.
"It saves me the time to replenish my body with nutrients. The remaining three or four years will be enough for me to achieve my wish."
While Xu Chong was transferring his energy to infuse the Tao seed, he thought silently.
However, at this moment, a series of rapid rings rang.
"Cloud Piercing Order!"
Xu Chong suddenly opened his eyes.
Instinctively, he thought of the Hua family.
"Could it be Hua Nongyu's demon seed?"
Xu Chong took out a bell from his waist, and his pupils suddenly shrank.
This Cloud Piercing Order is not the one corresponding to the Hua family!
But it’s from Dou Tianyuan’s side!
"Why would Lord Dou come to me at this time?"
Xu Chong narrowed his eyes , his expression changing constantly, "Could it be that Emperor Yongtai has made some new move that even he and Lou Youzhi can't solve together?"
"No, it shouldn't."
"Emperor Yongtai is trapped in the rear palace and unable to interfere in any affairs. This has long been proven."
"If Emperor Yongtai had not been constrained by his life span, he would have come out long ago instead of waiting until now."
"What's more, I have already told them how to prevent the demons from growing in their hearts. With their means and strength, they should not be in danger."
"So, it's not a bad thing?"
Thinking of this, Xu Chong calmed down and said, "Let's wait and see."
In an instant, a miniature map similar to a holographic projection appeared in his mind.
Among them, there are large areas that are gray.
And in the remaining lit part, there were two small dots flashing.
One is located in the vast ocean outside the land, which is the location of the Spring and Autumn Tombs.
The other one is in the backyard of the Blood-Clothed Guard headquarters in the capital of Daqing.
“It’s the old place.”
Xu Chong felt relieved and got up from the stone bed.
With just one step, he appeared on the Hua family's ship.
Since Dou Tianyuan contacted him in the backyard of the Blood-Clothed Guards, it meant that the matter was not so urgent. It was also possible for him to take a look at the Hua family. It wouldn't take long anyway.
However, as soon as he stepped out of the space, Xu Chong bumped into a delicate body.
An exclamation.
The face looks familiar; she should be a maid from the Hua family.
Xu Chong exerted a burst of force and lifted up the maid who was about to fall.
Then he frowned.
As the son-in-law of the Hua family, there was naturally no need for any courtesy, so he appeared directly outside the Taiyin Pavilion.
However, the Taiyin Pavilion, which was usually empty and had no one coming in or out, was actually home to more than ten maids standing scattered around, and the one he bumped into was one of them.
In addition, these maids' eyes were wandering around, as if they were looking for something.
"You... uncle?"
The maid stood still, was stunned for a moment, and then shouted in surprise: "Master is back! Master is really back!"
Swish.
More than ten pairs of eyes looked over at the same time, and then like the maid, they showed the same surprised expression and called out one after another.
Xu Chong was confused and asked, "Are you looking for me?"
"yes."
The maid nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking at rice, "Ten days ago, the old lady asked us to spread out on the ship and take turns waiting for the son-in-law to return."
Xu Chong's heart sank, "Do you know what it is?"
The maid shook her head and was about to answer when an old and tired voice sounded.
"You all should withdraw."
Old Lady Hua appeared at the entrance of Taiyin Pavilion, leaning on a crutch.
"yes."
All the maids bowed and filed out.
Xu Chong followed Old Lady Hua into the pavilion.
As soon as they sat down, Old Lady Hua went straight to the point: "Half a month ago, the Hua family received a letter from an unknown source. It was for you."
"I?"
Xu Chong raised an eyebrow.
"There's your name on the letterhead, and the content is just one sentence."
Old Lady Hua nodded and slowly uttered a few words: "Don't enter the back hall."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Chong's pupils suddenly shrank into needle points.
The rear hall.
These two words, or this place, are really too sensitive.
Even though there were many palaces with rear halls, he could only think of one.
The rear hall of Tianji Hall.
What's more, since the letter was addressed to me by name, it could only be directed at me.
But the problem is, whether it is him, Dou Tianyuanlou, or those who already know the truth about the natural disaster, they are all absolutely wary of the back hall of Tianji Palace.
Is it necessary to remind this?
After a moment's silence, Xu Chong asked, "Where did you receive the letter?"
"The Hua family is in Dingtian Prefecture."
Old Lady Hua answered.
"Tangkou?"
Xu Chong was a little confused, "Didn't they all evacuate?"
"That's right, but in order to protect the Hua family, I had to hide all the direct descendants outside."
Old Lady Hua explained, "Now that we have you, Nongyu and Yourong, the Hua family naturally doesn't need to be so cautious anymore, so I let them return to their respective positions."
"I see."
Xu Chong nodded, "Did the messenger say anything?"
"There is no messenger."
As she spoke, Old Lady Hua was also somewhat puzzled. "The hall's security force was clearly sufficient, but the letter still appeared silently. It looked very much like..."
Before he finished speaking, Xu Chong's expression froze, "It looks like a hand breaking the sky, right?"
"It's just like that."
Old Lady Hua noticed Xu Chong's expression and said, "It could be some other method. After all, there should be no need for Dou Tianyuan and you to communicate with each other through this."
"yes……"
Xu Chong slowly exhaled, "There really is no need for a letter or anything like that between him and me."
It is obvious that the person who sent the letter to the Hua family was definitely not Dou Tianyuan.
Because Dou Tianyuan had just contacted him using the Cloud Piercing Order.
And just as Old Lady Hua said, there was no need for so much trouble between Dou Tianyuan and him.
If there is anything, just ring the bell and we can meet and talk right away.
So the question is, who sent the letter and what was his purpose?
First of all, the other party must know the relationship between me and the Hua family, so he would send the letter to me through the Hua family’s hall.
This alone can narrow the scope to three people.
Lou Youzhi, Dou Tianyuan, and King Qian.
To be honest, these three are almost mutually complementary. If Dou Tianyuan is eliminated, the other two can be eliminated together.
Unless during this period, some fundamental and irreconcilable conflict arose between the three people and they went in opposite directions.
This is unlikely.
Secondly, what is the purpose of the messenger?
Just to remind myself not to enter the back hall?
No, not at all.
It should be said that it is not just that.
Because even without this reminder, I would not enter the back hall.
unless……
Unless there is someone you completely trust who invites you into the back hall with an absolutely reasonable reason.
for example……
The person who just contacted me is Dou Tianyuan!
Thinking of this, Xu Chong's mood sank, and he asked in a hoarse voice: "During the time I was in seclusion, has anything big happened in the capital?"
"have."
Old Lady Hua nodded and said, "Emperor Yongtai moved the royal family's grand ceremony, which was supposed to be held three years later, forward to more than half a month ago."
really!
Xu Chong's eyes flashed fiercely, and he asked again: "What about the process of the grand ceremony?"
“No one knows that.”
Old Lady Hua smiled bitterly and said, "Only members of the royal family and the top ministers are eligible to participate in the Royal Ceremony. In just half a month, the Hua family didn't get any information. However... this ceremony was fully prepared. It should have lasted for three months like the previous ones, but it ended on the same day."
A grand royal festival ended in just one day?
Xu Chong frowned slightly and asked, "Where's Yourong?"
"She and Nongyu are on another ship, quite far away."
Old Lady Hua explained, "After all, the letter came from an unknown source, so I didn't tell them. I just asked the servants to disperse and keep an eye out for your return."
No wonder Sun Yourong didn’t contact me even though this was such a big thing.
Xu Chong nodded and stood up. "I understand. Don't let anyone return to the ship during this period. Also, You Rong can contact me directly, so if there is anything, you can tell her first."
After saying that, Xu Chong took a step forward and his figure completely disappeared.
"this……"
Old Lady Hua was unable to finish her next words, and finally let out a worried sigh, "I hope nothing unexpected happens."
…
…
The headquarters of the Blood-Clothed Guards.
Xu Chong crossed the space and appeared in the backyard.
Dou Tianyuan had his back to him, sitting by the pond as usual.
The only difference is that Dou Tianyuan's back is no longer as straight as before, but is deeply bent.
Just a back view gives people a sense of fading time.
"grown ups."
Xu Chong spoke softly.
"You're back?"
Dou Tianyuan sat sideways and asked with a smile, "Did it disturb your retreat?"
whoosh!
Even with such a short distance, Xu Chong still used one hand to break the sky.
Because he saw a weakness on Dou Tianyuan's face that he had never seen before.
This kind of weakness was not the exaggerated weakness that one pretended to have after traveling a very long distance, but was real weakness, just like the weakness one had just recovered from a serious illness.
So at this moment, Xu Chong put aside his concerns, walked directly to Dou Tianyuan, and put his hand on his shoulder.
Just one breath.
——Buzz!
The ground of the entire backyard suddenly sank three inches!
An indescribably cold murderous intent enveloped the entire Blood-Clothed Guards, as well as the surrounding world within a few miles.
Xu Chong's face was as cold as frost, and there was endless anger raging in his eyes. He asked word by word: "Who did it?"
He sensed Dou Tianyuan's physical condition.
All the meridians and acupoints were destroyed, and the strength of the body was not even close to the ninth level of the Golden Body, let alone the Body Cleansing Realm.
It's useless.
Even if the Jade Pool Dao Seed was intact, it would still be wasted.
After all, the Yuchi Dao Seed is different from the Zifu and Huangting. Its power is completely manifested in the physical body, not the Dao Seed.
In other words, Dou Tianyuan now has an empty state of mind but lacks the power corresponding to the state of mind.
I am afraid that even a ninth-level body cleansing person would be able to defeat Dou Tianyuan now.
"tell me!"
Xu Chong couldn't help but growl again in a low voice.
"Haha, relax."
Dou Tianyuan smiled and shook his head, "I used the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique myself, it has nothing to do with others."
As soon as he finished speaking, the murderous intent that enveloped the world froze, and Xu Chong's expression also froze.
"Sit down, I'll tell you slowly."
Dou Tianyuan patted the green grass around him.
Xu Chong looked at him deeply, but restrained his aura and did not sit down.
Dou Tianyuan didn't care and started telling the story.
"Not long after we met last time, Prince Qian found me and Lou Heizi and said that His Majesty wanted to move the grand ceremony forward by three years."
"Because your majesty has long controlled many of the royal family's children, and these people have gained a lot of say in the royal family over the years, so when Prince Qian found us, the grand sacrifice had already been decided, and neither Lou Heizi nor Prince Qian could stop it."
"I was planning to discuss this with you right then, but Lou Heizi said that if we died, you would be our last hope..."
From the preparation for the grand sacrifice, to the holding of the grand sacrifice, to Emperor Yongtai's inner demon devouring millions of royal family members, and even Prince Qian's reply to the imperial edict and Lou Youzhi's self-transmigration, all of Dou Tianyuan's narration was exactly the same as what had happened.
The only thing missing is the part about 'the world is ending'.
"In the end, I was furious at the death of King Qian and used the side technique of Heavenly Demon Disintegration to kill your Majesty's clone."
Dou Tianyuan's tone suddenly became heavy.
Xu Chong was speechless and didn't even know what mood he should feel.
He was not concerned about any huge disaster, he was concerned about three people.
Not only Dou Tianyuan was ruined, but Lou Youzhi was also ruined?
Even the Prince Qian, who had been silently paying for her from the beginning to the end, who she had only met a few times, actually died? ? ?
"You know, before His Majesty's clone died, he didn't have any anger or hatred. Instead, he was filled with despair, endless despair."
Dou Tianyuan continued, "He almost begged me to go into the back hall and see the truth of this world."
"I can't tell whether it's because of your majesty's plea or because we two want to see the murderous nature of the natural disaster."
"Anyway, Lou Heizi and I relied on the fact that we would not be controlled by the Dao Heart Demon and that we only had half of our lives left, so we plucked up our courage and entered the back hall."
"Then……"
Speaking of this, Dou Tianyuan showed fear on his face, "A huge gap appeared in front of us."
"That is a gap in the world, and it is evidence that the world is being destroyed."
"Whether it's your Majesty or the late emperor, using natural disasters to kill people is certainly wrong. Even now, Lou Youzhi and I cannot accept this."
"but……"
"But after all, that's what they have to do."
"Because if we don't do it, it won't just be one province that will die."
"Even the imperial edict that Prince Qian risked his life to write found Your Majesty not guilty."
"And your Majesty, who should have the power to put an end to all these tragedies and crises..."
Dou Tianyuan shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Was it ended by me?"
"What's the meaning?"
Xu Chong asked woodenly.
"What it means is that if Your Majesty can devour those millions of royal family members and then let the clone return to the rear hall alive, he will be able to repair and strengthen the Purple Mansion and thus break through to the realm of the Immortal God."
"Because only the immortal gods can survive outside the realm and find new habitats for all living things in the world."
"Unfortunately, I killed this clone and it failed to return to the back hall."
"call……"
Dou Tianyuan exhaled slowly and said in bewilderment, "I committed many evil deeds in the first half of my life, and I have been restraining my murderous nature in the second half. I thought I was doing well, but I didn't expect that I would kill the whole world when I am old... Am I really wrong? Are we all wrong?"
"Are you asking me to come back to the outer realm? Is this your Majesty's idea or your own?"
Xu Chong suddenly spoke up and asked instead of answering.
"Neither I nor Lou Youzhi revealed your existence at all."
Dou Tianyuan shook his head and said, "I asked you to come back just to tell you these things so that you can have a general idea."
Xu Chong was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I understand."
"Know?"
Dou Tianyuan was stunned, then a little nervous: "You want to go out of the boundary now?"
"No... I know who wrote the letter."
A gleam of light flashed in Xu Chong's eyes, and he took a step forward.