: A Lone Swan Carrying a Candle?

2025-07-25 Author: Gu Zhenren

: A Lone Swan Carrying a Candle?

The light swan struggled slightly in Luo Si's hand. The sealing power had weakened considerably, causing the swan to intermittently leak traces of its magical treasure aura.

This aura felt familiar to Ning Zhuo. He immediately recalled a precious ruler he had seen earlier on the battlefield at White Paper Immortal City.

That ruler had clearly been thrown by the City Lord of White Paper Immortal City. Possessing marvelous power, it had swept across the battlefield!

However, later, Buddhist Physician · Meng Yaoxin had taken Ning Zhuo directly into a winding path leading to the Netherworld, so he hadn't participated in the subsequent defensive battle.

Thus, he didn't know that the City Lord's avatar had taken the ruler out of the city to pursue the enemy, transformed it into a light swan to attack Luo Si's forces, and ultimately lost the treasure.

Therefore, while the light swan itself seemed unfamiliar to Ning Zhuo, its aura felt familiar.

He looked at Luo Si. "Could this be..."

Before he could finish, Luo Si nodded, confirming to Ning Zhuo that the light swan was indeed the transformed precious ruler. He had captured and sealed it on the front lines and had been carrying it with him ever since.

Ning Zhi's eyes immediately gleamed with intense focus as he stared fixedly at the light swan.

His heart was stirred because the swan's form involuntarily made him think of a crucial piece of information—

That prophetic poem!

*Ghost tides surge, White Paper in peril,*

*A lone swan carrying a candle tears through the heavenly veil.*

*A guest star should shine north of the Literary Pivot,*

*With ten thousand lights blazing, the calamity destroys itself.*

The City Lord's paper avatar had directly told Ning Zhuo this poem, believing him to be the savior destined to resolve White Paper Immortal City's great calamity.

Ning Zhuo had always thought so too.

"This prophetic poem was divined by the Mournful Musician of the Netherworld."

"It's a prediction made to resolve the disaster facing White Paper Immortal City."

"Don't forget, the River of Forgetfulness Prefect suffers from heavenly punishment in the Yang World, so the Yang World's fortune likely secretly aided the Mournful Musician."

"This prophetic poem she produced is highly likely intended for me!"

"Could this be the correct method for me to defeat the River of Forgetfulness Prefect and thwart his century-long sinister conspiracy?"

Although Ning Zhuo's literary cultivation might not match a Confucian cultivator like Wen Ruanyu's, his foundation was still very solid.

Back in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, he had spent years immersed in the library tower, reading widely.

Therefore, he knew: "Lone Swan" often refers to a swan separated from the flock, an image commonly found in poetry. Many poets use the lonely, mournful cry and solitary figure of the lone swan to express feelings of loneliness, wandering, or frustration in official careers.

Didn't this light swan perfectly match the words "Lone Swan" from the prophetic poem?

After making this natural connection, Ning Zhuo said to Luo Si, "Loosen the seal a little."

Luo Si: ?

A simple guess alone, being quite superficial, wouldn't be enough for Ning Zhuo to give such a directive.

The key was that upon seeing the light swan, a feeling arose spontaneously within him—a feeling that he could control this light swan!

It was magical. This feeling was very natural, like the innate confidence one has in controlling one's own limbs.

Luo Si's expression turned serious. After a moment's thought, he decided to follow Ning Zhuo's instruction.

Although he didn't understand and felt it was risky, he considered his recent defection and the need to show more obedience. He also thought of the Ashen Bone Elder.

Luo Si carefully exerted force, slightly loosening the seal. With the restraints reduced, the light swan immediately became more active.

It began to struggle.

The remaining seal started being rapidly consumed by the swan's power!

Luo Si's face quickly flushed red. He forcefully channeled his magic power to reinforce the seal and suppress the light swan.

The swan's struggles intensified, causing Luo Si's upper body to sway uncontrollably.

The entire Qing-Jiao Army had participated in the defense of White Paper Immortal City. They had witnessed the mighty power of the Primordial Chaos Dispersing Ruler firsthand.

Having just learned the light swan's identity from the conversation between Luo Si and Ning Zhuo, they now instinctively took large, hurried steps backward upon seeing its struggles.

Ning Zhuo, however, was exceptionally bold. He stepped forward主动 and reached out his hand towards the light swan.

"Xiao Ma!" Qing Chi exclaimed, full of concern.

Ning Zhuo knew that if he didn't reassure Qing Chi, her nature would surely make her run over and grab him.

So he turned his head and gave her a confident smile. "Don't worry. I'm favored by destiny, the savior of White Paper Immortal City."

Qing Chi was captivated by Ning Zhuo's confident smile, her expression hesitant. "But..."

Her shoulder was pressed by Qing Yan.

Ning Zhuo turned back, gazed at the light swan, and slowly extended his hand, continuously closing the distance between them.

Sensing Ning Zhuo's aura, the light swan immediately reacted. Miraculously, it stopped struggling. Instead, it raised its head and looked back at Ning Zhuo.

This strange phenomenon elicited low exclamations from everyone present.

Luo Si's pupils contracted slightly, his expectations for Ning Zhuo rising further.

Ning Zhuo slowly reached out. As the distance narrowed, the light swan grew calmer, ceasing its struggles and losing all its previous restlessness.

Luo Si's expression, however, grew increasingly stern. Although he had gained more confidence in Ning Zhuo, as the commanding general, he naturally considered things thoroughly.

He feared the light swan's calm might be superficial, that it was actually gathering strength for an outburst. So, he secretly accumulated power himself, preparing for any potential crisis.

Ning Zhuo's palm and the light swan drew closer and closer.

Without a doubt, this was a gamble!

Ning Zhuo felt his mouth go dry.

He had personally witnessed the Primordial Chaos Dispersing Ruler instantly disintegrate the Mournful Musician of the Netherworld. This treasure ruler was extremely powerful; even Golden Core cultivators could barely withstand a single blow.

Ning Zhuo himself was only at the Foundation Establishment level.

But no matter how uneasy he felt inside, Ning Zhuo maintained a calm and composed exterior.

"The Mechanism Ring is also quiet. This means I'm not in danger!"

Ning Zhuo continued moving his palm towards the light swan.

The light swan主动 raised its head, rubbed against Ning Zhuo's palm, and let out a loud "ga-ga" cry.

The sound was resonant, stirring ripples of white light that spread outwards like sound waves.

Ning Zhuo was swiftly swept by the light waves, completely unharmed.

Not just him; the nearby cultivators also suffered no harm.

Ning Zhuo was overjoyed inwardly. Though he didn't know the reason, the smile on his face grew more certain and confident. He slightly raised his voice, "Just as I expected!"

Jiao Ma's father was so excited his lips trembled.

He shouted inwardly, "The treasure acknowledges its master! Such a powerful magical treasure has主动 submitted to Jiao Ma. In name, doesn't that mean it belongs to our Jiao family? Excellent! This is truly excellent!"

Qing Chi also excitedly clasped her fists. "Xiao Ma, you're amazing!"

Her eyes shone with admiration for Ning Zhuo.

Qing Yan frowned. "But what's really going on here?"

He didn't know about the prophetic poem that Ning Zhuo was aware of.

Ning Zhuo thought, "What reason do I know?"

He was hesitating whether to reveal the prophetic poem to facilitate pooling collective wisdom when Luo Si, having figured it out, said, "So that's how it is."

Ning Zhuo was secretly startled, but the curve of his lips widened. Adopting a testing posture, he looked at Luo Si. "Explain."

Luo Si instinctively seized this opportunity to perform. "Mysterious Plain Scholar created White Paper Immortal City. The contemporary City Lord's paper avatar is his legacy treasure. And this precious ruler is probably also left behind by him. Young Master, since you are the savior of White Paper Immortal City, chosen by the fortune of the Yang World, it's likely that Mysterious Plain Scholar had already foreseen this calamity and made many arrangements to facilitate resolving this disaster in the future."

Upon hearing this, Qing Chi couldn't help but exclaim, "I know of Mysterious Plain Scholar. He's been dead for so long; could he really have calculated this far ahead? So accurately?"

Luo Si glanced at Qing Chi, inwardly confirming again that this ghost girl was a bit simple. Didn't she see that no one else was asking such questions?

Luo Si's response served two purposes: firstly, to answer Ning Zhuo and provide an explanation; secondly, to publicly voice a conjecture, creating a space for imagination and boosting morale and military spirit.

Therefore, even if there were doubts about this conjecture, they should be kept to oneself.

Qing Yan coughed once and said loudly, "Indeed, Lord Luo Si's conjecture must be the truth!"

As Qing Chi's father and a veteran Golden Core cultivator with rich life experience, he immediately spoke up to cover for his daughter.

Jiao Ma's birth father was so excited that not only were his lips trembling, but his whole body was shaking.

He fell into fantasy again: "My Jiao Ma is the great savior, making Mysterious Plain Scholar's legacy treasure主动 submit. Then, following that logic, White Paper Immortal City was also left by Mysterious Plain Scholar; it's also his legacy treasure."

"My Jiao Ma should also control White Paper Immortal City; at the very least, he definitely has the qualification!"

"If one day, Jiao Ma becomes the City Lord of White Paper Immortal City, then our Jiao family would..."

Jiao Ma's father's scalp tingled at the thought.

They'd hit the jackpot, the absolute jackpot.

Hearing this conversation among the higher-ups, the entire Qing-Jiao Army erupted in noisy discussion.

As Luo Si had anticipated, the army's morale stabilized immensely, rising steadily, and the military strength they could provide soared accordingly.

Ning Zhuo's eyes flickered.

Luo Si's answer filled in the missing key information for him, and he suddenly understood the real reason.

"I was appointed Deputy City Lord of White Paper Immortal City."

"Although back in the city, it was almost an honorary title with little actual power, it was a genuine appointment, not fake."

"It seems now that the Primordial Chaos Dispersing Ruler, as a legacy treasure, can also be controlled by me because of the Deputy City Lord position."

Ning Zhuo also thought of the White Paper City Lord's paper avatar.

"That one is also likely a legacy treasure of Mysterious Plain Scholar, just obtained by the City Lord."

Having figured out the reason, Ning Zhuo turned to face the Qing-Jiao Army and shouted, "Correct!"

"I am the savior of White Paper Immortal City, no, of the entire Yin Tide Black Marshlands! I am the child of fortune favored by the Yang World's heavens, and the greatest personal calamity for the River of Forgetfulness Prefect!"

"So what if the River of Forgetfulness Prefect is a monarch of the Netherworld?"

"He acts against reason and virtue, causing immense suffering! His century-long scheme is only for his own selfish gain!"

"Such an evil individual is destined for a miserable defeat."

"Our righteous army will undoubtedly be victorious!"

Ning Zhuo seized the moment to boost morale.

The entire army cheered!

At this moment, Ning Zhuo's prestige within the Qing-Jiao Army skyrocketed.

Everyone was extremely excited, forming a consensus—this was destined to be a legendary battle that would be widely sung for at least a century. And they weren't just witnessing it; they were participating personally. What an honor!

Luo Si let out a long breath, his confidence also greatly increased.

If he had to reinforce the seal, it would undoubtedly cost him greatly. Currently, having just slain Cold Smoke Ascendant, he wasn't in peak condition. Saving this effort gave him more confidence for the upcoming crucial battle.

The light swan completely broke free from the seal and began circling and dancing around Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo tried sending his spiritual sense towards it and easily gained control.

"Go." He pointed towards the churning foul miasma ahead.

The light swan was very obedient. Flapping its wings, it plunged headfirst into the massive miasma. Wherever it went, the foul energy roiled incessantly, inevitably being separated and dispersed.

However, even after being separated, the foul energy remained foul energy.

The light swan flew a circle and returned to Ning Zhuo's side.

The miasma had only been thinned slightly by its analysis before quickly thickening again, churning relentlessly, returning to its previous state.

The hopes of the crowd, which had soared to their peak, were dashed. Disappointed sighs rang out.

Ning Zhuo, with his back to the Qing-Jiao Army, felt immense pressure!

His brows furrowed tightly as he inspected the light swan.

He saw that the swan's form had dimmed considerably. Its originally vivid, solid exterior had become thin and transparent, faintly revealing the shape of the precious ruler within.

"According to Luo Si, the light swan form is a spell condensed by the City Lord's avatar consuming magic power."

"No matter how much power the avatar invested at once, it's finite."

"After that flight just now, the remaining power probably only allows for one more activation."

Ning Zhuo keenly realized the current situation and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. "My cultivation is still too weak!"

He was only at the Foundation Establishment level.

Relying on military strength, the Five Viscera Divine Spirit Art, and other excellent leverages, along with his robust physical and soul foundations, he could mobilize combat power at the Nascent Soul level.

This was quite exaggerated and rare, but ultimately, he was still held back by his cultivation base.

There was really no way around it.

Blame it on Ning Zhuo being too young, not having cultivated for long enough.

Also blame the supreme methods of the three sects; cultivating three Dantians simultaneously also significantly slowed his progress.

Beads of sweat formed on Ning Zhuo's forehead.

With only one chance left, he had to seize it!

Fortunately, he wasn't completely without clues.

He once again recalled that prophetic poem—

*Ghost tides surge, White Paper in peril,*

*A lone swan carrying a candle tears through the heavenly veil.*

*A guest star should shine north of the Literary Pivot,*

*With ten thousand lights blazing, the calamity destroys itself.*

"*A lone swan carrying a candle tears through the heavenly veil*..."

"Lone Swan, I know, is the light swan. This 'heavenly veil'... couldn't it be the massive foul miasma before me?"

"*A lone swan carrying a candle* can tear the heavenly veil. This..."

"Carrying a candle?"

"Carrying which candle?"

"Where would I get a candle flame?"

"Wait!"

"I think I do have one."

At this thought, a flash of inspiration struck Ning Zhuo's mind, and his heart raced for a few beats.

He himself didn't originally have one, but the Mournful Musician of the Netherworld had once used the Extinguishing Winding Path Candle!

During the previous defense of White Paper Immortal City, the Mournful Musician had opened the south gate and used the Extinguishing Winding Path Candle to pierce through space, forming a winding path that teleported in many powerful combatants.

This had once posed a huge threat to the defenders, putting White Paper Immortal City in great danger.

Tie Guzheng, Ning Zhuo, the Qing-Jiao Army, Wen Ruanyu, and others had fought with all their might to stabilize the situation. Ultimately, the City Lord of White Paper Immortal City's main body had personally acted, deploying the Primordial Chaos Dispersing Ruler to disperse the Mournful Musician and other external enemies.

The Extinguishing Winding Path Candle, burned down to less than half, had also been separated—the candle body and the wick were split apart, and the candle flame had been extinguished.

The next moment, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Ning Zhuo reached into his storage pouch and pulled out a small section of the wickless candle body.

The Extinguishing Winding Path Candle's body was rectangular, resembling a miniature coffin. The complete candle was about nine inches long; now only four inches remained.

The lid and the body fit together seamlessly.

On all four surfaces of the candle body, images of a hundred ghosts carrying a coffin were intricately carved.

(End of )