Chapter 590: Kunpeng Heart Pulse, Wave's Secret Room

Dong, dong—

Zi, zi—

"Li Changgeng, if you have the guts, give me a quick death!"

"Ah! Kill me if you dare! Just kill me!"

"Are you even human? Are you—ah!"

A shriek echoed.

It wasn't a sound that reached the ears, but a fluctuation of divine sense that the primordial spirit perceived.

Yunxiao's thin eyelids trembled slightly, then slowly opened. Her eyes held a moment of confusion, quickly sharpening into clarity. She sat up alertly.

Where was this place?

She found herself in a magnificent palace carved into the side of a mountain. Jagged rocks and rare treasures filled the view, and the spiritual energy here was exceptionally rich, though outside lay the murky chaos.

As Yunxiao tried to circulate her immortal power, she caught that familiar aura. Her immortal sense revealed the figure on the steps outside the hall, and her tensed mind relaxed at once.

Flashes of scenes crossed her mind, stopping at the image of Li Changshou gripping his spear, blasting open the kun fish's back, and leaping upward.

A gentle smile appeared on Yunxiao's face, though lingering fatigue made her feel slightly unwell.

Suddenly, she felt a robe slip from her body. Looking down, she saw one of Li Changshou's daoist robes.

Glancing at herself, she realized she was only in her undergarments, her bloodstained skirt neatly folded beside the pillow.

For some reason, a faint blush colored her cheeks.

*Is this the shyness of a living being?*

Yunxiao thought to herself as she rose and draped the robe over her shoulders, her slender fingers smoothing it down to fit perfectly.

This must be the vanity of living beings.

Everything was fine now.

Picking up the sheathed Qingping Sword, Yunxiao stood slowly. Her three thousand strands of hair cascaded like a waterfall, and she couldn't help but touch her cheek. Her immortal sense replayed simple scenes from when she was unconscious...

This was the third time she had blushed since waking.

"Frivolous."

She murmured softly, and on the steps outside, Li Changshou's figure stiffened.

It was just an impulsive moment to take a little advantage...

Had he been too bold? Was Yunxiao truly conservative at heart?

Let it go, let it go. Dwelling on it would only invite descriptions, and descriptions might draw the attention of some supreme divine beast passing through the Chaos Sea.

Yunxiao lightly tapped her toes and floated out of the hall, her long hair elegantly twisting into a simple updo. With her magical power depleted, she exuded an added sense of delicacy.

Before she even landed, she had taken in the surroundings.

This was a hidden realm in the Chaos Sea, far more grand and complete than the “Kunpeng Cave Mansion” they had encountered before.

Hundreds of great dao paths intersected here, forming a relatively stable world.

Various arrays were scattered around, absorbing the chaos energy and breaking it down into the five elements and yin-yang spiritual energy, turning this place into a small immortal paradise within the chaos.

The main feature was a massive, dark stone mountain, with spiritual springs, streams, flying stone waterfalls, dense forests, lakes, and illusory secret arrays.

The arrays projected a vast blue sky with drifting white clouds that moved gently.

A breeze blew, releasing the vitality hidden here and refreshing the spirit.

The grand hall was inside the mountain; from the peak, the Chaos Sea looked like a sea of clouds, though darker.

Was this Kunpeng's lair?

Yunxiao stepped out of the hall and was drawn by a glimpse in her peripheral vision. Turning, she saw the enormous kun fish body floating outside the dome-shaped array barrier, vast as a mountain range.

"How do you feel?"

Li Changshou stood and turned to her, smiling as he asked.

Yunxiao touched down lightly, her eyes carrying a gentle smile as she met his gaze quietly for a moment, then looked away and replied softly, "I'm recovered."

Li Changshou nodded, several dialogue options flashing in his mind.

A true man wouldn't express concern through complaints, like saying, "Why didn't you come with Jinpeng? It was so dangerous to charge ahead alone."

After all, the fairy had risked her life to follow—that was urgency from the heart.

"I made you worry," Li Changshou said, his eyes showing a hint of self-reproach. "I was too hasty in adapting; I didn't arrange the follow-up properly."

Yunxiao shook her head gently, holding the Qingping Sword as she descended. "It was I who lost my composure and didn't trust you enough."

"Let's not dwell on that," Li Changshou said, turning to look down the steps.

Yunxiao followed his gaze and saw a zhang-long fish bound to the Xiao Lujue Divine Spear, slowly roasting over a pile of Samadhi True Flames. The fish's body was faintly translucent, and it had no strength left to shout or curse, only twitching continuously.

Li Changshou smiled, arms folded, and sighed, "What a pity. I was just a step too late; its primordial spirit forcibly absorbed the Hongmeng Purple Qi."

Yunxiao blinked lightly, quickly grasping the key point, and sent a voice transmission: "You don't want that strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi?"

"The potential is too low; if I were just a Golden Immortal realm cultivator, I wouldn't hesitate," Li Changshou replied via voice transmission. "But the timing isn't right. If I merged with the Heavenly Dao now, many things would fall under its will, leaving no room for maneuvering. Don't mention this to anyone else. Earlier, inside Kunpeng, I forced his primordial spirit to appear and fight me, then deliberately held back, pushing him to fuse with the Hongmeng Purple Qi. At most, Daozu Shizu will scold me for incompetence; he won't strike directly."

Yunxiao asked, "The variable arose because your master ancestor released the true ninth strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi?"

"Yes," Li Changshou nodded gravely, his expression a mix of resignation. "This situation is complicated, but you don't need to worry. Daozu won't bother with a minor disciple like me."

"But..."

Yunxiao hesitated, but seeing the faint smile on Li Changshou's lips, she smiled too. "You're better at planning than I am. I'll follow your lead."

Li Changshou laughed. "Thank you for understanding, Fairy Senior."

She furrowed her brows slightly, recalling those simple scenes in her mind, and chided, "Is this how you show respect to your senior?"

Li Changshou was about to respond with a witty remark when the fish transformed into a dark-faced old daoist, fierce and bound to the Xiao Lujue Divine Spear, enduring the Samadhi True Flames as he snarled, "Have you two finished your flirting? Dare to give me a quick end!"

"Hmph!"

Li Changshou immediately adopted a righteous expression and retorted, "Kill you? That would be too easy! I need to take you back for Tongtian Shishu to handle!"

Kunpeng's primordial spirit cursed, "Who would have thought my illustrious reputation would end in defeat to a wet-behind-the-ears brat like you!"

Li Changshou stroked his chin—he had already resumed his true appearance.

Joking aside, he had finally mustered the courage to steal a kiss while laying Yunxiao down, so using a disguise would have been insincere.

Civilized Great Desolation starts with respecting one's dao companion.

Li Changshou said seriously, "I've been cultivating for several centuries; how am I wet behind the ears? Kunpeng, you lost to your own greed. If you hadn't swallowed me, how would you have ended up so passive?"

Kunpeng's face twisted in anger, but he said nothing, his expression gradually turning to despair before he let out a cold laugh.

"You're smarter than that fellow from your hometown, that's for sure."

Li Changshou glanced at Yunxiao, who calmly watched the kun fish, wisely choosing not to ask more.

But now, with them far from the Chaos Sea and Jinpeng unable to find this place quickly, Li Changshou decided to let Yunxiao know more about him.

Though some plans would remain confidential, she should understand his basic situation and potential future scenarios.

"Is this 'hometown' person of yours someone you're familiar with?" he asked.

"Heh," Kunpeng sneered. "The method for my secondary primordial spirit—that old shell I refined—was a gift from him."

"Who is he?"

Li Changshou frowned, and Kunpeng paused, his eyes filling with memories, but they turned blank at critical points.

After a long while, Kunpeng said, "A blur of fog."

"As expected, his existence was erased at the level of the Dao."

Li Changshou murmured, furrowing his brow in thought.

Yunxiao couldn't help but ask, "Are you searching for some ancient senior? As a primordial being myself, I might know some clues."

Li Changshou winked at her and, in front of Kunpeng, summarized what he knew about the Lang Senior.

Heng'e Fairy's teacher;

A minor helper when Pangu opened the heavens, but injured by Pangu in the war against the innate gods and demons, he slept through the entire primordial era. He awoke once to create a false identity with a secondary primordial spirit, and fully awoke only at the end of the primordial era;

Indirectly triggered the Witch-Demon Great War;

Secretly guided Nüwa the Saint to create humanity;

Familiar with Hongjun Daozu, with a love-hate relationship;

Sealed by the Heavenly Dao and Daozu together, erasing all traces of his existence and altering memories like Heng'e's, leaving only Nüwa the Saint aware but silent;

Loved playing cards;

Was quite reckless.

Yunxiao: ...

Kunpeng suddenly said, "I have many of his relics. If you spare me, I'll give them to you..."

"Those relics are right there, aren't they?" Li Changshou gestured toward the kun fish's body with his chin. "If I'm correct, there's a secret chamber or palace in a vital spot of your body. You have a mark on your primordial spirit, like someone forced it on you. If you break a certain vow, it'll destroy your primordial spirit outright, right?"

Kunpeng's primordial spirit darkened.

Li Changshou observed his face and continued, "And if I'm not mistaken, that chamber is in your heart vein, sealed with restrictions you can't break. Forcing it open would destroy everything together."

Pausing, Li Changshou saw the confusion in Kunpeng's eyes and realized, "So, this senior must have anticipated his failure when he tried to take that final risky step and left some backups."

"Are you his reincarnation?"

Kunpeng's primordial spirit burst with intense hatred. "You've been playing me from the start!?"

But then he hesitated, murmuring, "No, that's impossible. Daozu and the Heavenly Dao wouldn't leave any trace of him. Your cultivation isn't restricted by the Heavenly Dao yet...

Who are you? Who are you really?"

"Heavenly Court civil official, Taibai Jinxing, and a minor daoist attendant at Taiqing Temple."

Li Changshou adjusted his robe, and Kunpeng's primordial spirit was hoisted up by the Xiao Lujue Divine Spear.

"Since my fairy has woken up and we've gotten nothing more from you, let's go see what this senior left behind and why he knew someone like me would come."

Yunxiao heard the words "my fairy" and didn't respond, just gazed at him softly.

Kunpeng snorted coldly, closed his eyes, and waited for death, refusing to cooperate.

But then he felt two sharp gazes and opened his eyes to see Li Changshou holding the Zhanxian Flying Blade, its gourd mouth spewing mist with a pair of eyes fixed on Kunpeng.

Li Changshou said calmly, "Weren't you the one calling me to the Chaos Sea, Senior?"

Kunpeng's primordial spirit shivered involuntarily, stunned for a moment, then sighed in defeat.

"Your hometown must be a savage place to produce ruthless people like you and him."

Li Changshou: ...

Ordinary Blue Star person, average Aquarius.

When they returned to the kun fish's body, Li Changshou had already put away the Zhanxian Flying Blade.

After all, the essence spirit of Da Wu Yi had been awakened, and these matters were only for Yunxiao to know, not a third party.

As for Kunpeng's primordial spirit? This menace needed thorough cleansing, modification, and sealing to prevent any further outbursts—while keeping his speed intact, of course.

Truly a treasure turned into a magic tool.

Though Li Changshou thought he was ruthless enough, what happened next and the knowledge he gained made him realize he was just...

A kind soul.

With Yunxiao along, he couldn't afford to get stained with blood.

Li Changshou created a barrier with his immortal power and suspended the Xuanhuang Pagoda between them. As they moved forward, he added layers of restrictions to Kunpeng's primordial spirit.

Any attempt by Kunpeng to use the stored power in his body would trigger the Xiao Lujue Divine Spear to stab him, severely wounding his primordial spirit and making him faint.

In such a dangerous place, caution was key.

Li Changshou's earlier guess was correct—the secret chamber was in Kunpeng's heart, embedded in the wall of his main heart vein.

Approaching the main heart vein revealed a winding path leading straight there.

Treating Kunpeng's body as an inanimate object, the ancient stone door set into the dark red “rock wall” exuded a sense of historical weight.

But remembering it was inside Kunpeng...

Li Changshou felt a wave of discomfort.

"It's here."

Kunpeng's primordial spirit said somberly, his gaze complex as he stared at the stone door.

Over the long years, he had tried every method and scheme but failed to open this ten-zhang-high door or even find a way.

Li Changshou waved his sleeve, fully sealing Kunpeng's primordial spirit, and stood with Yunxiao in front of the door, pondering.

The door was blank, with just a seam in the middle, embedded in Kunpeng's heart vein flesh on both sides.

Sensing carefully, the door was perfectly integrated with the heart, layered with incredibly complex restrictions.

Li Changshou, still early in his cultivation, wasn't deeply versed in restrictions, but even glancing at this smooth stone door, he could feel the creator's profound mastery of talismans and seals.

With endless time, one could truly do as they pleased.

Yunxiao said, "Let me try first. You be careful."

"Your power hasn't fully recovered," Li Changshou replied, stepping forward half a step to shield her, and slowly pushed out a palm toward the door.

Boom!

The door shook lightly, and the kun fish's massive body trembled.

Li Changshou glanced at the bound Kunpeng's primordial spirit, pondered, and was about to try another method when a flickering light point appeared on the door.

Then, a line of small characters emerged—completely different from the script used in the Great Desolation.

What was this?

Interesting. With his experience battling fourth- and sixth-level foreign languages, he couldn't recognize this complex script...

Uh, “Detected human aura”?

Li Changshou's forehead was lined with black lines. As he was about to complain, the small characters flashed and vanished, replaced by two lines of pinyin.

In the Great Desolation, literacy was based on characters, not this “Romanization” method.

In other words, the Lang Senior had intentionally left a special message for a fellow countryman like him.

He had expected something like odd-even changes, symbolic quadrants, heavenly king covers earth tiger, or pagoda suppresses river demon as codes.

Instead, the simplest and most effective “authentication” was basic pinyin.

"If you've subdued Kunpeng, tap here."

"If Kunpeng has subdued you, just end it."

Li Changshou frowned and used his immortal power to tap the indicated area, where a line of Great Desolation standard script appeared.

Fellow countryman authentication: twelve questions.

First question: When does one plus one equal three?

"In the case of a miscalculation, it equals three."

Second question: Try to see the future global landscape; it must be...

"The world of the red flag."

Third question: The three great mountains oppressing the people in modern times are?

"Imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism."

Fourth question: A branch of plum blossoms standing proudly in the snow—sing it in your most familiar tune.

"A branch of plum blossoms standing proudly in the snow."

"Pfft!"

Yunxiao couldn't help but laugh, and Li Changshou's forehead was covered in black lines.

Did he sing off-key?

He answered the twelve questions in succession, with little hesitation—they were all common knowledge from his previous life or experiences impossible in this one.

The door also displayed the rules: answer eight out of twelve correctly to open it.

The light points flickered, and lines of small characters appeared, as if accompanied by a long sigh.

If you're seeing these words, it means I've completely lost.

Well, I was prepared for that. It was either him or me with Hongjun, but some things had to be done. Death is just like a bird soaring to the sky; it's all about that stubbornness.

In the end, it was my mistake.

In the Heavenly Dao's calculations, I saw your arrival, fellow countryman.

Don't worry; you're not my reincarnation. You're just a chosen unfortunate soul. I don't have much to leave you—Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao will erase everything of mine.

That's our game rule: lose and accept it.

Oh, right, I have a disciple who's the most beautiful in the three realms. You're probably not at that level yet, so I won't arrange that for you.

Also, I stored a few drops of Pangu's original essence blood, but I figure you don't need it, so I won't say where.

Since I've lost, I won't burden you with this heavy task. How the world develops is how it develops; objective reality can't be changed by subjective will.

That's it; no need to pursue further. Just muddle through in the Great Desolation—there are many fairies here, all beautiful, eloquent, and pure-hearted.

You probably saw my diary; I tore out the later pages myself. Don't ask; it's just my chuunibyou acting up.

Hongjun is a decent old guy; stick with him and don't think about upsetting the world's balance, and you'll be fine.

Suffering is a blessing; don't be as competitive as I was.

By the way, if you meet the little crown prince of the Golden Crows—that is, Lu Ya Daoist—look after him for me.

Behind this door are some greeting gifts for you—nothing major, just some top-grade innate treasures and spiritual roots.

Not much, just a ten-thousandth of my assets.

This ark was meant for my return home, but now it's yours. Inside, there's a stone stele with instructions.

Sigh, after all these years in the Great Desolation, I still want to go home and see.

The end of the heavens is ultimate destruction.

One scoundrel's parting words.

Buzz—

The two stone doors trembled gently, the words fading as they slowly opened. Li Changshou's forehead was filled with black lines as he looked at the vault-like hall ahead, suddenly reluctant to enter.

Who was this looking down on?

If he had Pangu's essence blood, his Ba-Jiu Profound Art could reach a realm even Houtu Niangniang couldn't fathom!

That top beauty was already pouring him wine!

And that Lu...

Uh, wait, could it be...

This wasn't scientific; the demon queen's true form was also a Golden Crow?

Li Changshou glanced at Yunxiao and saw her expression was extraordinarily complex. The elegant fairy was clearly overwhelmed by this flood of information.

Play it safe; send a few paper effigies to scout first. Treasures are good, but life is more important.

What concerned Li Changshou most was the two words the Lang Senior mentioned at the end.

Ark.

Kunpeng?