Chapter 1478: White Tower

The Withering Tower surged a thousand zhang in an instant,growing almost limitlessly before the three of them.

Its color was pale, its form triangular.It appeared increasingly stark, unnatural.This white tower, erected upon the boundless azure sea,was utterly out of place with the sky and the ocean.

A chilling aura cascaded like a waterfall.The seawater seemed to lose its vitality,beginning near the white tower and slowly,inch by inch, turning turbid.

Jiang Wang's expression instantly turned exceedingly grim:"We've still fallen victim!"

"What is happening?" Zuo Guangshu was both startled and perplexed.Even Yue Tiannu, observing the continuously soaring Withering Tower,wore a solemn expression.

"Go!" Jiang Wang immediately turned around:"Leave this place first! We'll talk as we go!"

Zuo Guangshu and Yue Tiannu had no objections.For in the time it took them to speak,the boundary between the Withering South Abyss and other parts of the Mountain and Sea Realmhad become clearly visible—

Innumerable souls, strange insects, and anomalous beasts from the Withering South Abysssurged forth like a tide, pressing outwards.They crashed against the invisible barrier with booming sounds.The black tide piled ever higher, almost mirroring the Withering Tower,reaching straight towards the high heavens!

At this moment, one could clearly seea sudden "black wall" growing between heaven and earth.Connecting the murky sea below to the firmament above.The invisible boundary thus became visible,gaining form from formlessness, manifesting substance from insubstantiality.

However, the details within the black wall—the writhing strange insects, the ferocious mouthparts,the bloody bones, the suffering souls…were truly horrifying to behold!

The three individuals began to flee once more.

Jiang Wang stepped on the green clouds, saying urgently:"This Withering Tower, all the way here, has continuously suppressed the malevolent thoughts within the Withering South Abyss, making me realize that abandoning it would lead to a catastrophe in an instant. And the chaotic will roamed among them, so I couldn't possibly show suspicion in the Withering South Abyss... But in truth, I should never have accepted that Withering Tower!"

"But..." Zuo Guangshu said, "If we hadn't accepted it then, it might have directly killed us, right?"

Jiang Wang shook his head: "I suspect it couldn't directly obliterate us."

"Within the Mountain God Wall, there is a residual will of Huang Weizhen, a definite will. I received his divine seal transmission. This proves that the Mountain and Sea Realm does indeed serve as a place of trial, at least for those who enter with the Nine Chapters Jade Tablet. No matter how strong Chaos is, it cannot contend with Huang Weizhen's will, even though Huang Weizhen is dead!

Therefore, beyond the basic world structure, there must be another kind of rule existing within the Mountain and Sea Realm. Those are the rules left behind by Huang Weizhen, which can ensure the continuation and fairness of the trials, and maintain his inheritance. Of course, they can also restrain these mountain gods and sea gods in the Mountain and Sea Realm.

On Mount Zhang'e, I saw a sentence—'Reside forever in this dwelling, bestowed a divine name by heaven.'In the Mountain and Sea Realm, a divine name is both an endowment of power and the undertaking of responsibility. It is the unity of power and responsibility.As the saying goes, 'Gods have their gods, and ghosts have their ghosts.'They all possess their own powers, and naturally, they also have their respective duties.

So what about Chaos in the Withering South Abyss? I think it must maintain order in the Withering South Abyss, and at the same time, because it guards the Withering South Abyss, which involves the inheritance of the Chapter of Nine Phoenixes. Providing clues to the Chapter of Nine Phoenixes to those who find the Withering South Abyss should also be one of its responsibilities, otherwise there would be no need for it to go to the trouble of explaining the Nine Phoenixes to us.

Of course, these are just conjectures, but Chaos must be bound by some kind of rule. Otherwise, with its strength, it couldn't have sat before the Sea God Wall all this time, until stones grew on its body. Nor would it have to go to such great lengths to have us help carry away the Withering Tower.

Think carefully, what have we done? We merely entered the Withering South Abyss for a turn and brought out the Withering Tower. Why didn't it do this itself? Because it simply couldn't!What 'Only South not subject', what 'divine era corrupted', what 'Mount Zhangwei', what 'chaotic thoughts', are all mere pretexts. It is completely clear-headed, I have been thoroughly deceived by it!"

Yue Tiannu had felt that Chaos was problematic from early on, but she also had her doubts: "But its chaotic will, its violent aura, its irrepressible killing intent, are all real. When I used the Buddha Heart Mantra to soothe it, I felt this deeply."

"Yes, those are all real. But it has turned those... those very things that should cause alarm, into things that make it seem reliable," Jiang Wang said in a low voice: "That is precisely its terrifying aspect."

"The Chan Master said that the Withering South Abyss is similar to the Calamity Water in the mundane world. The Calamity Water is suppressed by the Three Penal Palaces and governed by the Blood River Sect. As the divine being of the Withering South Abyss, Chaos must also have been bestowed with the divine duty of governing this place... And the state of the Withering South Abyss is something we have all seen."

At this moment, Jiang Wang connected more dots: "No, coming to the Withering South Abyss was a mistake.""It doesn't care what we do, it doesn't care what we obtain.""It doesn't need us to go to Mount Zhong or Mount Zhangwei either.""It only needs us to bring this white tower out of the Withering South Abyss... That alone is enough!"

"How did it know we were coming to the Withering South Abyss?" In the biting wind, Zuo Guangshu asked.

Jiang Wang retorted: "How did you know to go to Mount Beiji Tiangui to seek the Nine Phoenixes? To rely on the Nine Phoenix Feather to find clues to the Chapter of Nine Phoenixes, and to hasten to the Withering South Abyss?"

"This method of seeking the Chapter of Nine Phoenixes is itself a kind of rule. Since Huang Weizhen left the Chapter of Nine Phoenixes, he must still wish for someone to inherit it, and he also set up trials."

He said with lingering fear: "When we appeared at Mount Beiji Tiangui, where we would go next, Chaos naturally knew. Because as the god of the Withering South Abyss, it is part of the inheritance rule of the Chapter of Nine Phoenixes. However... it may not entirely follow the rules of this realm, and already has the ability to challenge them slightly, which is why it presides over the Withering South Abyss yet the Withering South Abyss is so desperate, and why we have experienced all of this."

Zuo Guangshu was a little dumbfounded: "Brother Jiang, what you're saying is a bit too terrifying..."

"At Mount Beiji Tiangui, a mysterious will crept into my Five Mansions Sea. I thought I had seen through its scheme. But in fact, I was still influenced by it... I felt the danger and wanted to see the truth, which is why I decided to go to the Withering South Abyss!"

The more Jiang Wang spoke, the more alarmed he himself became.If the White Cloud Boy had been deluded by it, then he would have to wait for the Cloud Summit Immortal Palace to revolt in the Five Mansions Sea, with unimaginable consequences. The White Cloud Boy was not deluded and told him everything. He sensed that danger and would inevitably take action. But at that time, to approach the truth, were there any other options?

No matter how he chose, it was wrong.Everything was within Chaos's control!

"Crept into your Five Mansions Sea?" Zuo Guangshu was startled and moved.Yue Tiannu also listened with rapt attention.

"I've been thinking about whether that will was Zhulong or Chaos. Now it is confirmed beyond doubt. Moreover, the disappearance of the Nine Phoenixes and Qiangliang must also be related to it," Jiang Wang said slowly: "The changes in the Mountain and Sea Realm were stirred up by it. Perhaps it's not just it..."

"Why us?" Zuo Guangshu asked: "If it only wanted to send the Withering Tower out of the Withering South Abyss... As you said, it's a simple matter. Are there no other ways?"

"It doesn't have to be us, it could be others. But it must be someone undergoing trials in the Mountain and Sea Realm," Jiang Wang shook his head and asked: "Do you remember how Chaos described Zhulong's crimes?"

Zuo Guangshu was still somewhat confused, but quickly replied: "It said it deceived the will of heaven above and oppressed the gods below."

"The will of heaven... This is the reason," Jiang Wang became more and more certain as he spoke: "Because we entered the Mountain and Sea Realm to undergo trials with the Nine Chapters Jade Tablet, this is recognized by Huang Weizhen. We represent Huang Weizhen's will, we represent the will of heaven in this realm! Therefore, we can bring the Withering Tower out of the Withering South Abyss. Chaos itself cannot do it, and its controlled subordinates cannot do it either, because they are all bound by the 'will of heaven'."

"So that's how it is!" Yue Tiannu suddenly understood: "At that time, I was very puzzled. Zhulong controls day and night, constant as usual. Since we entered the Mountain and Sea Realm, there has not been a single deviation. How could it be said to deceive the will of heaven above? It should clearly be the embodiment of the will of heaven, the maintainer of order!"

"I still don't understand," Zuo Guangshu said: "If Huang Weizhen's residual will is the will of heaven in this realm. Then what does Chaos want to do by doing all of this?"

Jiang Wang looked at him: "Look at you, with excellent talent, top-tier family background, with relatives, with friends, with stories, with dreams. If one day, you discover that you have actually been living in a cage all along, never able to get out. Your every word and deed are forever bound by a certain will. What do you want to do?"

Zuo Guangshu's fists suddenly clenched. He said nothing, but he had already said everything.

Jiang Wang said: "What you want to do, Chaos wants to do."

As he said these words, what Jiang Wang thought of was the voice in the Five Mansions Sea that deluded the White Cloud Boy—Freedom!Perhaps it wasn't just delusion?An existence that could speak the language of Daowei,yet sat withered before the Sea God Wall for nine hundred years.Possessing such immense power, yet lurking in a place like the Withering South Abyss...Something must be supporting it.An existence living in a world overshadowed by Huang Weizhen's will,yet wanting to rebel against this world.Bestowed a divine name by heaven, yet attacking the will of heaven.Something must be supporting it.

'Only South not subject' might be the words left behind by Huang Weizhen,carrying his emotions for the State of Chu.But it might also be Chaos's inner voice.Chaos using this phrase to evoke emotions in Chu people like Zuo Guangshumight not be entirely without its own sincerity.

While speaking, the three of them had been flying rapidly without stopping,with Jiang Wang always leading the way.

"What do you plan to do now?" Yue Tiannu asked.

"This is no longer a problem that we can solve," Jiang Wang said:"I intend to find a nearby Mountain God Wall or Sea God Walland tell Zhulong about this matter.It should already know that something has happened in the Withering South Abyss,but it may not be aware of all the details."

"That's right," Zuo Guangshu said: "Chaos wants to oppose the will of heaven and challenge the rules of this world. And Zhulong wants to maintain the rules of this world. Since we represent the will of heaven in this realm, then Zhulong is our friend, and Chaos is our enemy."

"Guangshu," Jiang Wang asked: "Who do you think was commanding the Intent Devouring Beasts in the Withering South Abyss just now?"

"Wasn't it Chaos?"

"We are following Chaos's plan, so why would it need to stop us? Would assimilating us in the Withering South Abyss benefit it in any way?"

"Are you saying... Zhulong?"

"That Withering Tower was genuinely protecting us, at least within the Withering South Abyss. And who else in the Mountain and Sea Realm could command the Intent Devouring Beasts and break through the protection of the Withering Tower?" Jiang Wang said meaningfully: "Zhulong is the maintainer of order in the Mountain and Sea Realm, but it is not necessarily our friend. Under the premise that we are being used by Chaos, it clearly has its own choice whether to win us over or eliminate us."

Yue Tiannu could tell that Jiang Wang was teaching Zuo Guangshu to see the world clearly. This young master, raised in the Duke's mansion, although well-versed in literature and widely read, was often too naive.That was a naivety that was once permitted.Washing Moon Nunnery did not actually demand others to be clear-headed,but she thought for a moment and still added:"This is the Mountain and Sea Realm, but undoubtedly, it is also a very real world."

After all, they now shared a destiny in traveling together.Based on the story of 'Only South not subject', there was some resonance with Chaos's predicament.But Zuo Guangshu undoubtedly trusted Jiang Wang's analysis more, and hearing the words, he only said:"Although not a friend. But at least at this time, our demands and Zhulong's are consistent. So we should inform it as soon as possible. Tell it all the details in the Withering South Abyss."

"Our demands are not entirely consistent either," Jiang Wang said:"Zhulong must maintain the order of this world,while we only need to obtain the Chapter of Nine Phoenixes.Although it is difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood,reality and illusion in this world.But for the Mountain and Sea Realm,to a greater extent, we are merely passers-by."

He seemed to be persuading Zuo Guangshu, and also persuading himself.

"Since Zhulong can command the Intent Devouring Beasts, it must already know what has happened," Yue Tiannu said: "Is there still a need for us to inform it?"

Jiang Wang said: "Zhulong is certainly not omniscient and omnipotent, even in the Mountain and Sea Realm, otherwise Chaos would not have any chance. And the speed at which the Intent Devouring Beasts arrived probably indicates Zhulong's lack of understanding of the Withering South Abyss. Therefore, I believe there is still a need to transmit information."

"Can we contact Zhulong through the Mountain God Wall?" Zuo Guangshu asked again.

Jiang Wang said: "We should be able to. If it is indeed paying attention to us..."

Just at this moment...

Rumble rumble rumble!A terrifying sound suddenly erupted behind them.Even Jiang Wang was momentarily deafened!

The three of them turned back in mid-flight, only to see—The Withering Tower, which had been expanding,as if it could truly expand infinitely,in front of that "black tide wall", it kept rising,kept rising...Stirring up clouds and smoke, it was still rising.It seemed to have reached the end of the sky,and was still rising!

That terrifying sound was the tip of the Withering Tower,colliding with something at the unreachable end of the sky,creating that commotion!

The river of time seemed to stop at a certain moment.Then it continued to flow.The world, which had been bright and magnificent just now,suddenly became dim and gloomy.That vast and boundless sky, in this corner, seemed to have collapsed!

Streaks of lightning, crossing heaven and earth,possessed the power of world destruction.The sea suddenly became violent, with monstrous waves,recurring without end, like demons extending their claws.

Woo woo wooAmidst such strange sounds, a terrifying hurricane formed.Sweeping everything, connecting heaven and earth.

A certain boundary between heaven and earth was broken.That terrifying "black tide wall" instantly "collapsed".The malice belonging to the Withering South Abyss,rushed towards the entire Mountain and Sea Realm without reservation.

"No need to go..." Jiang Wang said.Zuo Guangshu looked at his face.At that moment, his expression was one of defeat.