Since ancient times, the human and demon races have been at odds like fire and water, with war and conflict erupting constantly.

The demon race is formed from the cultivation of demon beasts, and as the saying goes, “birds of a feather flock together.” In order to compete for resources, the human and demon races have been at war since ancient times. Today, their enmity is as deep as the sea, with no possibility of reconciliation.

Luo Jianqing knew about the war that lasted for 230 years that was mentioned by Zuo Yunmo. That war was a bloody chapter in the history of the two races’ conflict. Three demon lords fell in that war, and two Grand Completion stage human cultivators also perished, including one who was the former Peak Master of Haoming Peak in Taihua Mountain, who was also Luo Jianqing’s martial ancestor.

However, Luo Jianqing has only been cultivating for 36 years, and the era he lives in has long been peaceful, with no signs of war for a century. High-level demon beasts are all in closed-door cultivation, and humans do not actively provoke any conflicts. Only cultivators below the Unity stage and demon beasts below the 8th rank will fight and kill each other on the border, but there has been no war for a long time.

The Wanshou Mountain Range, which Luo Jianqing often visits, is a no-man’s-land established by the human and demon races. Demon beasts below the 8th rank can enter freely, and cultivators below the Unity stage can also walk in. Life and death are up to fate, and wealth and honor are in the heavens. The two races can vent their hatred and slaughter each other wantonly.

The light laughter of Zuo Yunmo sounded in the quiet courtyard, “Senior Brother, although North Star True Immortal’s strength was not enough, he performed many miraculous feats in that war and obtained many treasures. The relic you are going to explore this time is his personal treasure, the North Star Seven Stars Formation. It is a ground-level formation that can kill cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage, but unfortunately, the relic is closed now. Otherwise, you could have taken it and it would have been of great use in the future.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Jianqing gently hooked up the corner of his lips and asked, “Junior Brother, when did you become so cunning?”

Zuo Yunmo helplessly said, “The grand competition of the sect is in half a year, Senior Brother. I don’t want to be scolded by the Sect Master again.”

After chatting and laughing f or a while, the crane flapped its wings and slowly flew into the sky, disappearing from Luo Jianqing’s sight. Looking at the clear sky, Luo Jianqing slowly narrowed his eyes, then turned and returned to his room.

Once back, Luo Jianqing took out the blood-red jade tablet from his storage ring and examined it carefully.

“The Nine Seizing Heaven Record” – the name alone was imposing enough to make Luo Jianqing feel a sense of awe.

Northern Star True Immortal claimed that it was a secret skill he had obtained, but Luo Jianqing found it hard to believe. Even if Northern Star True Immortal had obtained a lot of wealth in the war and established a ruin that far surpassed an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator, he should not have obtained such an incredible skill.

If Northern Star True Immortal had truly practiced this skill, he would not have been chased by demonic beasts to the point of falling back a realm and dying a tragic death.

During the possession battle with the bewitching fox spirit, Luo Jianqing only remembered feeling unbearable pain, and then lost his memory for a period of time. When he woke up again, he saw Li Xiuchen covered in blood.

In the past few days, Li Xiuchen had woken up, and although he had lost his vision, his hearing and speech were still intact. Luo Jianqing had someone probe him, and Li Xiuchen only remembered that he had reached the final level, and did not know how he ended up in his current state.

— Li Xiuchen had also lost his memory.

Luo Jianqing had a gut feeling that this matter was not simple. He and Li Xiuchen were probably both manipulated by some great power to erase their memories.

After thinking about it, Luo Jianqing could only come up with the possibility that this matter was related to Northern Star True Immortal, but he had no way to enter the ruin again and uncover the truth.

After being reborn for over two months, Luo Jianqing could clearly feel his spiritual energy slowly draining away. At this rate, he would definitely not be able to surpass his hardworking junior martial brother, Zuo Yunmo, in the upcoming sect competition in six months. He might even be defeated by his junior martial sister, Wei Qiongyin.

What was even more concerning was the possibility of his cultivation level dropping.

With a heavy heart, Luo Jianqing tightly gripped the blood-red jade pendant in his hand.

As time passed outside his window, the sun slowly set and the clear moon rose from the east. When the next day’s sun leapt into the sky from the earth, Luo Jianqing silently walked to the window and gazed at the radiant and lively sun. He finally let out a long sigh before returning to his bed.

This time, Luo Jianqing set up a barrier around his room and demanded that no one enter.

He probed his spiritual consciousness into the jade pendant, and after a moment, the deafening voice from “The Nine Conquests of Seizing Heaven” once again resounded in his mind, reciting the secret incantations from the book. Luo Jianqing closed his eyes, crossed his legs, and formed hand gestures in the air.

At first, his movements were extremely slow, but they gradually became faster and formed multiple afterimages.

“Heaven and earth are merciless, treating all living things like grass; time leaves no trace, viewing sentient beings like worn-out shoes.”

“As cultivators, we cultivate our own hearts, our own selves, and all things in the world, but not the way of heaven!”

“What are you cultivating?”

Luo Jianqing’s body was shining with a bright green light, and a thunderous sound echoed in his mind. He suddenly opened his eyes, raised his head, and looked up at the sky through the roof.

“I am practicing the technique of snatching the heavens, I am against the way of the heavens!” he declared.

As soon as he spoke, a bright green light radiated from the three lotus petals on his forehead. An ancient aura slowly rose from the ground, forming ethereal phantoms that resembled thin snakes, coiling around Luo Jianqing’s body. But he seemed to be unaware of their presence. The snakes entered his body and turned into scorching spiritual energy.

The spiritual energy boiled like magma, crazily rushing through every inch of Luo Jianqing’s meridians, causing him to grit his teeth in pain. Blood oozed from the corners of his mouth, but the blood contained vast spiritual power. Eventually, he couldn’t bear it any longer and spewed out a mouthful of blood.

The spiritual power in the blood was as vast as a river, but fortunately, Luo Jianqing’s protective barrier was a treasure given to him by his sixth junior brother, which could withstand the probing of cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage. The elder of Yitian Sect, who was only in the middle stage of the Golden Core realm, did not detect anything unusual.

The first mouthful of spiritual blood was just the beginning. As the snakes continued to enter his body, Luo Jianqing vomited out more and more blood as if he wanted to empty all the blood in his body. The spiritual power contained in the blood frantically collided with the protective barrier, but was ultimately blocked and dissipated into the air, returning to the heavens.

Luo Jianqing’s cultivation level was dropping rapidly at this moment.

Golden Core Initial Stage, Foundation Establishment Late Stage, Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage…

Finally, he directly fell to the Qi Refining Stage!

After he vomited out the last mouthful of blood, Luo Jianqing’s body trembled, and he fell backward weakly, losing consciousness.

At this moment, a sigh-like voice sounded low in his mind: “The Nine Lotus Heart Sutra… So you are a descendant of the Jade Cloud Peak?”

As this voice fell, the sound of thunder sounded again!

“Spirit of grass and trees, contend only for the Spring and Autumn; if you want to follow the heavens, why not seize the heavens!”

“To seize the spirit of grass and trees, to seize the laws of Spring and Autumn.”

“The first of the Nine Seizures of Heaven, seize the Spring and Autumn!”

As soon as this voice fell, all the flowers, plants and trees in this small courtyard trembled and swayed. They trembled their bodies timidly, as if they wanted to escape, but a gust of wind swept through, and the illusory power swept over their bodies, sweeping away many brilliant lights before finally entering Luo Jianqing’s body.

For a while, Luo Jianqing’s body trembled and he unconsciously sat down again.

His fingers instinctively pinched the hand seals, and these bright lights drilled into his body through his meridian nodes. The bright lights moisturized the gradually dried up meridians, allowing them to recover, and then came to Luo Jianqing’s dantian, close to the golden pill at the center of his dantian.

This golden pill had already withered when Luo Jianqing vomited out all his blood, and now it had no power to resist these bright lights, and could only allow the other party to drill into its interior and be polished again.

A green light gently bloomed on Luo Jianqing’s body, and the ethereal power had already flown out of the courtyard’s range. It rampaged recklessly within the Yitian Sect, causing every plant it touched to tremble in fear and eventually contribute a bit of light.

The power swept through the courtyard where the disciples of Taihua Mountain were resting, swept past Li Xiuchen, who was raging and cursing, and swept past numerous young girls who were gathered outside Luo Jianqing’s yard. Finally, it swept towards the medicine garden of the Yitian Sect’s sect leader.

Every spiritual herb bowed its head under the sweep of this power, except for one third-grade spiritual herb that shuddered and fought back against the power with all its might. But in the end, it still contributed a bright light. This light was much larger than the others, and after the light left the herb, the herb did not change much, but instead stretched out its branches and leaves more wantonly, reaching towards the sun.

The second elder of the Yitian Sect exclaimed in horror, “Senior Brother! Isn’t the Cold Branch Grass afraid of the sun? Why did your most beloved third-grade Cold Branch Grass voluntarily extend its leaves under the sun?”

Upon hearing this, the grand elder was also shocked and said, “Impossible! I have nurtured this Cold Branch Grass for many years, and it already has spiritual awareness. It could not do something that would harm itself.”

Strange occurrences like this kept happening within the Yitian Sect. Sunflowers that always faced the sun suddenly lowered their heads and faced the ground; plants that only bloomed in winter suddenly produced a flower bud in spring!

It was as if these plants had abandoned the cycle of heaven and earth and began to do whatever they wanted. They were no longer bound by the invisible rules of the world, and so in this self-seeking struggle, some plants gradually withered and died, while others grew even better.

Luo Jianqing was completely unaware of all of this. His consciousness slowly awakened, and he also sensed the power within his body gradually recovering.

The dots of light flew towards his body from all directions, and with it, his breath slowly increased. Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Early Stage Golden Core Formation….Mid stage Golden Core Formation!

He had returned to the Mid-stage Golden Core Formation. Besides the bone-piercing pain in his meridians, it seemed like nothing had happened. However, as he looked at the blood that had coagulated on the ground, Luo Jianqing understood what he had just sacrificed.

All of his spiritual power had been transformed into nothingness!

To cultivate the “Nine Seizures of Heaven Record,” one must give up the spiritual power they had previously cultivated. Although the spiritual power in Luo Jianqing’s body seemed no different from before, he felt like it was completely different. He now felt like he was at odds with this world, as if he was being rejected by all things in the world except for some flowers and plants within the Yitian Sect, which were cheering his awakening, seemingly very excited.

This was the first seizure of the “Nine Seizures of Heaven Record,” taking away the spring and autumn of all plants.

After cultivating in his own yard for three days and stabilizing his cultivation, Luo Jianqing bid farewell to the Yitian Sect and operated the flying boat to take his junior and senior disciples back home. Originally, the three elders of the Yitian Sect suggested, “That fellow Daoist Li seems to not have recovered yet. Friend Luo, why don’t you rest for a while longer?”

Luo Jianqing stood in the sky wearing a blue robe, his long hair dancing in the wind, his eyebrows dark as ink, and he smiled, “There’s no need. My sect is urging me to return, thank you for your hospitality.”

The three elders said, “Since that’s the case, we won’t keep you. Originally, the Sect Master wanted to personally send you off, but recently the cold branch grass in his courtyard is about to wither, and he’s trying to find a way to save it, so he can’t make time.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Jianqing’s beautiful face twitched slightly, revealing a hint of embarrassment. The spiritual power in his body seemed to have heard the voice of the third elder and surged happily, as if it were trying to take credit in front of Luo Jianqing.

Feeling ashamed, Luo Jianqing nodded his head but before he could speak, the third elder asked, “However, it’s strange that the other second-grade spiritual plant in the spiritual medicine garden successfully advanced to become a third-grade spiritual plant this morning. Friend Luo, Taihua Mountain has been around for millions of years with a long history and diverse experiences. Do you know what happened?”

Luo Jianqing shook his head lightly and replied, “I have no idea.”

After chatting for a while, Luo Jianqing waved his sleeve and operated the flying ship, officially leaving the Yitian Mountain Range.

On the ship, Nineteenth Junior Brother quietly came to Luo Jianqing’s door and knocked before entering. Although there were no rules outside, as they were returning to the sect, he had to be respectful. Nineteenth Junior Brother respectfully bowed to Luo Jianqing and said, “Big Brother, we will be returning to Taihua Mountain tomorrow. I wonder about Li Xiuchen…”

Luo Jianqing was looking at a green spiritual herb and calmly replied, “Junior Brother Li’s injuries are very serious. As you mentioned before, at least an elder at the Tribulation Crossing stage could help him fully recover.”

Hearing this, Nineteenth Junior Brother furrowed his brows in confusion.

Luo Jianqing continued, “Elders are the pillars of the sect. Helping Li Xiuchen recover would harm their cultivation. Please relay my words to our Sect Master. As for how he handles it, it has nothing to do with us. Since Junior Brother Li cannot cultivate due to his injuries, the resources given to him as an inner disciple are being wasted. To aid his recovery, have him move to the outer mountain of Haoming Peak until he fully recovers. I believe you can ask Fourth Junior Brother for help when you return.”

Nineteenth Junior Brother first looked stunned, then smirked and said, “Sure, Senior Brother, I know what to do.”

Watching Nineteenth Junior Brothers retreating figure, the smile on Luo Jianqing’s face gradually disappeared.

He could naturally guess Junior Brother Nineteen’s thoughts. It was nothing more than to drive out this arrogant and self-important guy who didn’t live up to his reputation from Haoming Peak. But for Luo Jianqing, he hoped that Li Xiuchen would die!

The scene before his death in his past life still vividly lingered in his mind. Luo Jianqing dared not forget it, but he had now slightly deviated from the Heavenly Dao and naturally sensed that if the Heavenly Dao sent down three thousand consciousnesses, at least two thousand were gathered in Li Xiuchen!

He couldn’t kill Li Xiuchen.

At least not now.

Moreover, Li Xiuchen had great opportunities and great luck, but what could a disabled person do with opportunities? Nothing but…

Making a wedding dress for others.

Luo Jianqing smiled lightly, curling up the corners of his lips.

A day later, a group of people returned to Taihua Mountain mightily.

These disciples who had just experienced the trial felt that they had already undergone a transformation and proudly told their senior brothers and sisters who didn’t go about their experiences in the ruins. Meanwhile, Luo Jianqing went to Cangshuang Peak and handed a jade card to the elder, which recorded the general experience of the ruins exploration.

After the elder in charge confirmed it, Luo Jianqing paid his respects and flew back to Yuxiao Peak.

Just as he had just landed, a clear and indifferent voice rang out from behind him, “Breaking the master’s order and going out of the mountain privately. Jianqing, when did you become so disrespectful and reckless?”

Luo Jianqing’s body trembled, and he turned around stiffly.

In front of the verdant bamboo and green mountains, a white-robed elder hung his phoenix eyes and looked at him coldly.

As he looked at the other’s merciless and indifferent gaze, Luo Jianqing’s heart gradually grew cold, feeling a lump in his throat. He lowered his head and said stubbornly, “Master, your disciple has always been diligent in cultivation and never slacks off. New disciple training has always been a major event in the sect, and it is only natural for me as the eldest senior brother to lead the way.”

“You still dare to quibble!” As he spoke, his powerful aura instantly released, oppressing Luo Jianqing and making him unable to lift his head.

Listening to this cold voice, Luo Jianqing’s heart ached, and he gritted his teeth, saying, “Your disciple does not know where he went wrong!”

After a long time, Xuan Lingzi said indifferently, “Since that’s the case, let this teacher test your cultivation. Last ten moves of mine, and the matter will be dropped. Otherwise, you will be punished with a year of seclusion on the YuXiao peak and are not allowed to leave the mountain!”

As soon as he finished speaking, a vast sword aura pierced directly towards Luo Jianqing. Luo Jianqing instinctively flew backwards, but still had a wisp of hair cut off by the sword aura. A green light flashed between his eyebrows, and the Shuang Fu Sword appeared in his hand.

Only to see Xuan Lingzi using bamboo instead of a sword, his voice as cold as frost: “This teacher will suppress his cultivation to the initial stage of the Golden Core.”

Luo Jianqing gritted his teeth and said, ‘Yes!’

Two figures, one white and one blue, flew gracefully through the bamboo forest. The Shuang Fu Sword released bursts of thundering snakes, but was blocked by a plain bamboo sword. The bamboo sword had nothing special about it, but the person wielding it was the most powerful cultivator in the world. As a result, the sword rose up, creating a surging sword aura that left the Shuang Fu Sword powerless to resist.

Luo Jianqing struggled to defend against Xuan Lingzi’s attacks. This time, Xuan Lingzi seemed truly angry, with each strike aimed directly at Luo Jianqing’s vital points. Although his cultivation was suppressed to the early stage of the Golden Core realm, his realm had long since surpassed Luo Jianqing by a wide margin. Just a hint of his sword intent was enough to crush Luo Jianqing.

Another golden sword light flashed by, and Luo Jianqing quickly dodged, but a bloody wound was still cut open on his face.

Xuan Lingzi remained unmoved and his sword strikes became increasingly powerful. When he launched the ninth strike, he pointed his sword at Luo Jianqing’s chest, but Luo Jianqing raised the Shuang Fu Sword to block and dodged to the side.

The bamboo sword slashed through Luo Jianqing’s sleeve, revealing a patch of snow-white skin with a bright pink scar that looked like a blooming red flower, contrasting sharply against the fair skin and appearing extremely dazzling.

Xuan Lingzi’s eyes narrowed and his movements suddenly stopped.

This was the moment!

Luo Jianqing poured all his spiritual power into the Shuang Fu Sword, and in an instant, a bright sword aura rose up and silver thunder rolled and boiled on the sword. Luo Jianqing drew the sword and thrust it at Xuan Lingzi, who surprisingly did not resist. He only avoided the attack when the thunder and sword qi had already reached his face, and a strand of his hair was cut off.

Luo Jianqing retracted the Shuang Fu Sword between his eyebrows and said, “Master, in the tenth strike, I have defeated you.”

Xuan Lingzi remained silent.

Luo Jianqing looked at him with surprise and saw Xuan Lingzi’s complex gaze fixed on the torn sleeve. Luo Jianqing turned his head and saw the red mark, whispering, “This seems to be a mark left from the ruins. Even the Condensing Jade Dew couldn’t remove it. Since it’s not a big deal, I didn’t bother with it. Master, do you know what this injury is?”

A red cloud like blush flashed quickly across Xuan Lingzi’s fair face. He looked cold and flicked his sleeve, sending Luo Jianqing flying three meters away before saying in a cold voice, “As your master…I don’t know what it is, but it doesn’t seem like a big deal. Don’t worry about it. Since you have been practicing well, you can stay in seclusion for half a year and come out for the sect’s grand competition.”

Luo Jianqing was taken aback but nodded in agreement.

In the blink of an eye, Xuan Lingzi teleported away, as if he didn’t even want to stay with his disciple for a second longer.

Seeing this, Luo Jianqing was slightly stunned. It took him a while to sigh and mutter to himself with a wry smile, “Every time Junior Sister returns from her adventures, Elder Yu Qingzi always cares for her and wants to keep her from going out again.”

With a faint smile on his handsome face, Luo Jianqing looked at the closed bamboo gate with a calm gaze and murmured, “Wu Yin, I almost died this time, but you didn’t even ask. Do you really…not care at all?”

The bitter voice gradually dissipated in the air, and Luo Jianqing walked through the bamboo forest, quickly returning to his own bamboo house.

Half a year passed quickly, and on a clear morning, a figure in light yellow appeared at the foot of Yuxiao Peak.

The person had a clear and handsome face, not extremely charming, but with gentle features. He shouted loudly, “Senior Brother, the sect’s grand competition is only three days away. Master ordered me to come and inform you not to delay.”

This person was none other than the second of Taihua Mountain’s Seven Children, the direct disciple of Cangshuang Peak, Zuo Yunmo.