: Gift of the Ten-Thousand-Year Water Essence

As Immortal Jade Consort spoke, she began to orchestrate the scene.

Everyone’s vision rapidly zoomed in, closing in on the peerless demon nest. They saw countless dharma bodies battling ceaselessly against demon beasts at the nest’s periphery.

All manner of grotesque and bizarre demon beasts surged endlessly from the nest, attempting to break the seal and wreak havoc upon the mortal world once more. Yet, they were all held back by the countless dharma bodies of past sages stationed outside.

"It’s Big Brother!" Lin Shanshan exclaimed in surprise.

The others also spotted Linghu Jiu.

At that moment, Linghu Jiu was fighting with all his might at the very edge of the periphery, dealing with the minor demon beasts that had slipped through the front lines intentionally.

Though only at the Foundation Establishment stage, he possessed combat power comparable to the Golden Core level.

Facing the peerless demon nest, he was but a minor pawn, only capable of handling the lowest-tier dregs of demon beasts.

Wood, Water, and Wind elemental spells flowed from his hands one after another, yet the situation remained perilous.

Only by employing the Lonely Sword Scripture could he turn the tide.

After observing for a while, Ning Zhuo noticed Linghu Jiu’s exhaustion.

"Brother Linghu’s Lonely Sword Scripture can’t be used frequently or continuously."

Previously, during their spar with projections, Linghu Jiu had also used the Lonely Sword Scripture only at the very end, combining it for a final burst of power.

"It seems the Lonely Sword Scripture and the Bitter Cold Scripture share a similar principle—both must draw upon a certain genuine emotion within the divine sea to unleash their unique power."

Han Zhou, who practiced the Bitter Cold Scripture, was the same. He had to endure hardship, seek out suffering, leaving himself cold, hungry, and barely clothed, all to cultivate the bitter intent within his upper dantian’s divine sea. With this bitter intent, the techniques of the Bitter Cold Scripture gained extraordinary power, and his Suffering Body grew stronger with each trial.

"Since Brother Linghu’s Lonely Sword Scripture is named 'Lonely,' and its sword techniques are filled with an atmosphere of desolate cold and solitude, it’s likely the same principle applies."

Linghu Jiu had clearly been fighting for a long time, both mentally and physically exhausted. Finally seizing an opening in his opponent, he executed a Lonely Sword technique and beheaded the demon beast.

Witnessing the latter half of Linghu Jiu’s arduous battle, everyone fell into a somber silence.

Linghu Jiu’s combat prowess was impressive enough to astonish, but here, he was merely a marginal figure.

The one truly deeply moved was Ning Jiufan.

This Golden Core patriarch of the Ning family felt a bitter taste in his heart, realizing that if he were in Linghu Jiu’s place, he would likely fare just as poorly and awkwardly.

"Golden Core cultivators like us are as insignificant as ants before the peerless demon nest. The Golden Core within us, the very flesh on our bodies, wouldn’t even be enough to fill the gaps between these monstrous demon beasts’ teeth."

Ning Zhuo suddenly thought of something, feeling a surge of emotion. He bowed deeply to Immortal Jade Consort and expressed his gratitude:

"Since Emperor Wu established this era, you, Senior Immortal Jade Consort, along with the many past sages, have guarded this place, resisting and subduing the demonic scourge for endless years. That our human race can now dominate the world is all thanks to the great merits of you, our predecessors!"

"Yet, the Lustrous Reflection Wall remains hidden within an underground cavern, veiled by layers of historical mist, unseen by the world. The illustrious achievements of the past sages are largely unknown to the people. Only now do I understand that the peace and happiness we enjoyed in the past were the result of the silent sacrifices made by you, our predecessors."

"The first formation we entered was called the Jade Leak Drips Formation. As the saying goes, 'The golden gates remain unopened, the jade leak still drips; we halt the carriage and rest here for now.' The peerless demon nest could not be entirely eradicated, only suppressed and sealed. This night, extending from the Blood Slaughter Imperial Dynasty, has never ceased. Only through the guardianship of you, our past sages, has this night been prevented from descending upon the world again and bringing calamity to all living beings. The merits and virtues of you, our past sages, will shine forever!"

Ning Zhuo’s words echoed the thoughts in everyone’s hearts. The others also wore solemn expressions, nodding in agreement.

How many years had it been since the suppression of the peerless demon nest began, from Emperor Wu’s era all the way to today?

The dharma bodies within the Lustrous Reflection Wall had never slackened, steadfastly quenching the demon beast scourge, preventing it from spilling out. This was a great service to all races in the present world!

The jade leak still dripped; the night had not passed. Only through the continuous resistance of these individuals over millennia had the world remained bathed in light.

Immortal Jade Consort looked at the bowing Ning Zhuo and smiled faintly. "Young friend Ning Zhuo, please rise. The rivers’ later waves surge endlessly. To receive your recognition means we predecessors have indeed given an account of ourselves to the descendants."

A dharma body suddenly appeared. "Hahaha, I heard what was just said. With such acknowledgment, I feel that even being trapped here for endless ages is worth it!"

The speaker wore a gray robe, with a pale complexion, fangs, and green eyes—he was actually a zombie. His appearance was terrifying, but his demeanor was grand, his gaze clear and steady.

Sun Lingtong gasped. "Th-this is Lord Sima Zhong!"

Ning Zhuo immediately straightened with respect, bowing to the newcomer.

Sima Zhong was a historian of eternal renown in this world. In his time, he served as a historian, recording the words and deeds of the monarch. Because he upheld integrity and recorded facts impartially, he suffered the monarch’s covert schemes, trapped in prison, deprived of freedom.

To restore historical truth, Sima Zhong did not hesitate to destroy himself, transforming from a living person into a zombie to gain long life. Throughout his life, his pen was sharp, upholding justice, exploring historical ruins, and restoring the original truths, earning the reverence of countless generations.

No one expected that Sima Zhong had also left a projection within the Lustrous Reflection Wall.

Sima Zhong, with his green eyes and fangs, looked Ning Zhuo up and down, his first impression of this big-headed youth quite favorable. "What a fine piece of jade. Each generation brings forth new talents; seeing outstanding descendants like you always brings me joy."

He glanced at Ning Zhuo’s waist, then at Zhu Xuanji, and laughed heartily again. "Good, good, good."

"Before you three, along with Linghu Jiu, leave this place, each of you shall take a Ten-Thousand-Year Water Essence with you."

Ning Zhuo thanked him once more.

Zhu Xuanji also bowed in gratitude.

The Ten-Thousand-Year Water Essence was a cultivation resource at the Nascent Soul level. Even Zhu Xuanji, as a member of the royal family, felt pleasantly surprised to suddenly obtain such a treasure.

Sun Lingtong, inside the Ten-Thousand Miles Roaming Dragon, scratched his head and chuckled, thinking, "Giving gifts upon meeting—truly good seniors!"

He was quite familiar with Sima Zhong, as his master, while still alive, had urged him to study Sima Zhong’s works diligently.

Sima Zhong had profound experience in opening ancient tombs and excavating historical relics.

When Sun Lingtong traveled with his master, they often applied knowledge from Sima Zhong’s works to enrich their own resources.

At that moment, the Five Elements Sovereign also materialized. "Aside from the Ten-Thousand-Year Water Essence, if you want other materials, you’ll have to obtain them yourselves."

"These endless demon beasts are each a treasure trove."

"You can rely on your own abilities to slay demons and claim treasures!"

"Alternatively, you can leave your dharma bodies here to eliminate demons. The spoils you obtain will be stored by us. Within your lifetime, if you return here, you can claim eighty percent of them."

Ning Zhuo grinned. "Senior Five Elements Sovereign, look how generous Lord Sima Zhong is. Can’t you give me something too?"

The Five Elements Sovereign glared. "You brat, I’ve already passed on my Five Viscera Temple Divine Art to you—no, you stole it!"

"You’ve also been peeping at my Five Elements realm for a long time, learning countless things."

"And you still want my spoils?"

"Too thick-skinned!"

Hearing this, Sima Zhong turned his curious gaze to Ning Zhuo. "So this is Senior Five Elements Sovereign’s successor across the ages? Congratulations, Senior."

The Five Elements Sovereign quickly waved his hands. "No, no, he’s not my disciple. He stole it all, stole it!"

Immortal Jade Consort smiled faintly. "In the past, the Sovereign nurtured the five spirits within his body, monopolizing the principles of the Five Elements of Heaven and Earth, becoming a deity of the Five Elements. Replacing Heaven with humanity, this act provoked Heaven’s wrath, leading to extreme decline in fortune and inauspiciousness in his later years."

The Five Elements Sovereign laughed and cursed, "Dammit, actually, my original self sacrificed before even reaching old age."

Ning Zhuo immediately understood that Immortal Jade Consort was using the Five Elements Sovereign as an example to caution him against emulating the Sovereign’s past actions—raising the five viscera spirits to usurp the positions of heavenly deities and incurring Heaven’s wrath.

Ning Zhuo quickly clasped his hands and bowed, indicating that he had taken the lesson to heart and would remember it well!

Immortal Jade Consort nodded slowly and spoke again, "The Lustrous Reflection Wall was initially only a spiritual treasure. Through unrecorded years of endless time, it has now reached the quasi-immortal treasure level."

"This is because the dharma bodies have eliminated these demon beasts, refined their materials, and integrated them into the wall, continuously deepening the foundation of this spiritual treasure. Over the long years, the immense foundation has forcefully elevated its grade."

"We are all dharma bodies, bound by the constraints of the spiritual treasure itself. Therefore, we must adhere to the distribution quotas for the spoils from slaying demons."

"As for our legacies and the Ten-Thousand-Year Water Essence in the cavern outside the wall, these are items outside the rules and can be gifted according to our individual wishes."

At this point, the Consort paused, turning her gaze to Zhu Xuanji. "I know of your identities and origins. Among the dharma bodies in the wall, many are skilled in divination."

"The world has enjoyed peace for a long time, but in a few hundred years, a great calamity will come, ushering in an era of great contention."

"This great era will at least see an Imperial Dynasty, and may even welcome the fourth Imperial Dynasty in history!"

"An Imperial Dynasty is one thing, but whenever an Imperial Dynasty arises, the Lustrous Reflection Wall will seal itself and sink deep into the earth’s core, avoiding the world and not emerging."

"Before that, the Lustrous Reflection Wall must use these few remaining hundred years to actively absorb the projections of talented descendants to counter the resurgence of the peerless demon nest."

The peerless demon nest originates from beyond the heavens, undying and unending, with endless demon beasts constantly evolving alongside the external environment.

Therefore, a static formation cannot suppress the demon nest, as the demon beasts are likely to evolve life forms that can adapt to the formation and slip through its gaps.

Using human governance to control the nest via the Lustrous Reflection Wall was an innovation born of necessity.

By the same token, the peerless demon nest continues to evolve and adapt in response to these dharma bodies.

The techniques of powerful figures like the Five Elements Sovereign, while still effective, are far less potent than before.

Thus, the Lustrous Reflection Wall needs to continuously absorb later generations of powerful individuals, creating their dharma bodies to maintain the suppression of the peerless demon nest.

This is why Immortal Jade Consort and the others value outstanding descendants like Ning Zhuo and Linghu Jiu.

Ning Zhuo felt puzzled and asked, "This junior doesn’t understand. Throughout the successive Imperial Dynasties, virtuous and capable individuals have emerged in great numbers. Wouldn’t they better assist the Lustrous Reflection Wall in suppressing the peerless demon nest?"

"Why does the Reflection Wall avoid emerging whenever an Imperial Dynasty arises?"

(End of )