: Sorrow in Both Withering and Flourishing

Author: Gu Zhenren

Date: 2025-08-08

For a moment, Ning Zhuo considered using the Thread of Human Fate. He wanted to forcibly control Qing Chi and make her leave the final battlefield.

But then, he let out a soft sigh. With a complex gaze, he quietly waited for Qing Chi to join him.

On one hand, he deeply understood Qing Chi. How could Ning Zhuo, who had endured over a decade in Fire Persimmon Immortal City for his own mother, not understand Qing Chi's resolve to avenge her father?

On the other hand, Ning Zhuo felt a great deal of guilt towards Qing Chi. After all, he had deceived this ghost girl for a long time by pretending to be Jiao Ma. Although his intentions were good, there was undoubtedly a significant element of manipulation involved.

As for Qing Yan's death...

In war, how can there be no casualties?

"This journey of mine is for a great righteousness. It is to seek survival and blessings for the countless living beings of the entire White Paper Immortal City and the entire Yin Tide Black Marsh Wetland!"

"The Qing family was originally aligned with White Paper Immortal City. Similar to the Jiao family, they actively and fully invested in White Paper Immortal City, becoming the most steadfast faction protecting the city."

"The evolution of destiny allowed the Qing family to顺势 form an army. This was already a tremendous gift."

"Having received such benefits, the Qing-Jiao Army was always meant to play its role here!"

This wasn't child's play.

Ning Zhuo, Sun Lingtong, Luo Si—which of them wasn't risking their lives? The Buddhist Physician, Meng Yaoyin, and the Grey Bone Elder had invested vast time and energy, painstakingly laying plans and strategizing.

To be honest, given the level of their involvement, the fact that the Qing-Jiao Army had only suffered these minor casualties was already a significant concession.

It was the result of Ning Zhuo, Luo Si, and the others doing their utmost to protect them.

The black clouds churned incessantly, but compared to before, they were no longer严密. The torn fissures grew larger and more numerous, allowing the Qing-Jiao Army and Qing Chi to pass through easily.

Most of the Heavenly Phase Formation had collapsed. Having survived the initial and most dangerous period, Ning Zhuo and Qing Chi could now calmly face the remaining chaotic currents.

They successfully rendezvoused high in the sky and immediately followed the passage, charging into the altar battlefield.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Violent explosions rang out like continuous thunder, indicating the fierce fighting inside.

The power of the Abyssal Black Sphere was extraordinary. Wherever its corrosion passed, a black residue remained on the turbid qi barriers. No matter how the Earth Lung Turbid Qi surged, attempting to replenish the gaps, it was entirely blocked and dissipated by the lingering dark power.

Therefore, this passage remained relatively stable for the time being.

Just as they reached the middle of the passage, the two saw Luo Si slowly flying towards them.

Ning Zhuo and Qing Chi were overjoyed and hurried to meet him.

The three successfully reunited.

Luo Si was in terrible condition. Upon seeing Ning Zhuo, he nodded slowly and closed his eyes.

Luo Si knew clearly that the Nirvana Buddha Phantom's charge towards him was undoubtedly Ning Zhuo's doing. Ning Zhuo had not let him down.

Although they had only known each other for a short time, Luo Si's trust in Ning Zhuo was extraordinary.

He directly abandoned awareness of his surroundings, entrusting his very life and safety to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo quickly supported him, holding him up as they flew together.

Luo Si had been severely eroded by the Earth Lung Turbid Qi. His injuries were horrifying; his Nascent Soul was listless and dim.

Fortunately, he was circulating his cultivation technique with all his might, beginning to generate new spiritual power.

The spiritual power rapidly spread, reclaiming lost territory within his body and gradually expelling the Earth Lung Turbid Qi.

Seeing this, Ning Zhuo and Qing Chi discussed briefly and decided not to rush in. They first took Luo Si and retreated from the passage, returning outside.

The fighting inside was intense. Ning Zhuo and Qing Chi were only Foundation Establishment cultivators; it was better to observe the situation first.

The Nirvana Buddha Phantom sat cross-legged. Buddhist light radiated from its body, piercing through all the turbid qi.

The Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity, taking advantage of the turbid qi's cover, charged forward with a roar, swinging its fists with all its might.

The sound of its fists was like thunder, their force like falling stars!

The Nirvana Buddha Phantom, in response, manifested countless Buddhist palm seals. They pressed down gently, using softness to overcome hardness, neutralizing the fist force and turbid qi into nothingness, returning them to stillness.

Pfft.

The Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity suddenly deflated. A crack split open on its divine body, from which gushes of Earth Lung Turbid Qi erupted, causing its divine form to tremble and its aura to wilt.

Suddenly at a disadvantage, the Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity could only retreat. From the hole on its head, it spewed endless black smoke.

The black smoke grew so thick it produced a viscous black rain, reeking of foulness and decay, enveloping the Nirvana Buddha Phantom.

Buddhist light and black rain contended against each other, but the Nirvana Buddha Phantom continued its advance.

The main body of the River of Forgetfulness Prefect wore a tense expression, anxious inwardly, his gaze subconsciously turning towards the direction of Forgetfulness Immortal City: "Has the message not arrived yet? It should be time!"

Forgetfulness Immortal City.

Zeng Jide used his theft technique to steal another Earth Lung Tuber. Suddenly, an anomaly occurred.

The giant rock before them trembled violently, emitting a majestic yellow light. For a moment, the gravity in the surrounding area doubled, nearly forcing the old and young of the Unempty Gate to their knees.

"What's happening?!" Sun Lingtong cried out in shock and uncertainty.

Zeng Jide discovered that one of the remaining Earth Lung Tubers within the giant rock suddenly disintegrated, transforming into a stream of incredibly pure and vast Earth Elemental power. It followed the formation and vanished from the spot, teleported away.

This Earth Elemental stream contained majestic Earth Elemental spiritual power, vast amounts of Earth Lung Turbid Qi, surging Earth Fiend power...

Although twenty percent was consumed by the teleportation, the remaining eighty percent were all infused into the Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity in a very short time.

"Roar—!!!"

It was as if the Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity had been injected with a powerful stimulant. It threw its head back and roared to the heavens!

All the wounds on its body rapidly closed under the infusion of the Earth Elemental stream, even reshaping. The speed was visible to the naked eye.

Its previously wilted aura surged like a volcanic eruption, climbing steadily, rapidly reaching a certain peak.

With a狂暴 momentum, it once again blocked the path of the Buddha Phantom.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Close combat ensued.

The Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity's fists pounded like they were beating the heavens, driving vast volumes of turbid flow, hammering against the Buddha Phantom! With each punch that landed, space shook violently like torn cloth, groaning under the strain!

The Nirvana Buddha Phantom's withered, wood-like body was deeply shaken. Countless Buddhist lights around it were extinguished. Its Buddha body was damaged, dented, covered with innumerable cracks.

The Nirvana Buddha Phantom's form condensed slightly. It spread its arms, deploying Buddhist palm seals, and for a time could only defend.

Forgetfulness Immortal City.

"Quick, quick, follow me!"

"The enemy is inside here!"

"Surround them, don't let them escape! The Prefect's order is to kill them! No matter who they are!!!"

A large number of cultivators surrounded the area, trapping Zeng Jide and Sun Lingtong.

Sun Lingtong inhaled sharply: "Senior, we only took a few things. Why does it feel like we've poked a hornet's nest?"

Zeng Jide showed a trace of gravity, gritting his teeth: "Interesting! This rock is quite important to the River of Forgetfulness Prefect."

As he spoke, he continued using his theft technique without pause, stealing another one out.

Pfft.

Far away in the core battlefield, the recently empowered Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity deflated again.

The Nirvana Buddha Phantom gained the upper hand.

The Earth Lung Turbid Qi barrier screen shook. Another Earth Lung Tuber disintegrated, transforming into an Earth Elemental stream that was teleported away by the grand formation.

Roar!

The Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity surged again. It opened its mouth and exhaled, forming a yellow-brown beam of light. The attack range was short, but it smashed half of the Buddha Phantom's shoulder to pieces.

Another Earth Lung Tuber was extracted by Zeng Jide.

Pfft.

The Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity deflated. The Nirvana Buddha Phantom slapped the top of its head, causing its entire skull to cave in. The black smoke it spewed decreased by more than half.

Roar!

Pfft.

Roar!

Pfft...

The River of Forgetfulness Prefect was so angry his eyes were bloodshot. He roared inwardly: "No matter who you are, causing trouble behind my lines! After this battle, I will mobilize the entire nation's power to hunt you down! I will definitely flay you, grind your bones, and scatter your soul to the winds!!!"

He had never hated anyone so much.

He hated and was angrier at this person than at Yin Jiuzhu or Ning Zhuo.

This was truly messing with his mind.

The Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity's strength fluctuated wildly, greatly interfering with its combat rhythm. Even fighting with all its might, it could only slow the advance of the Nirvana Buddha Phantom.

The Nirvana Buddha Phantom wasn't having an easy time either. Most of its power was used to suppress the River of Forgetfulness Prefect Seal.

The closer this national treasure got to the Prefect's main body, the more restless it became.

The Nirvana Buddha Phantom had no choice. It knew it could only win quickly!

It had waited rested, its power strong, but it was like water without a source. In contrast, the River of Forgetfulness Prefect, though his main body was heavily injured, was actively accumulating strength for a final stand. The Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity, moreover, could draw upon the Earth Phase Formation for a continuous supply of power.

Although it would still 'deflate,' the replenishment ultimately outweighed the loss.

The Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity's fists hammered against the Buddha Phantom, cracking its Buddha body and dimming its Buddhist light.

The Buddha Phantom's palm seals also branded the Divine Body of the Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity, leaving indelible marks.

The battling group艰难 advanced amidst explosive sounds. Buddhist light and earthly qi were死死 entangled, fiercely consuming each other, smashing space to pieces. Countless spatial fragments flew everywhere like shards of glass.

Finally, the battle group reached the front of the River of Forgetfulness tributary.

The Nirvana Buddha Phantom had shrunk again and again, its form now only thirty percent of its original size. Its withered Buddha body was covered in cracks; its shoulder was smashed, its chest caved in. The Buddhist light was gone, only light points leaked from its wounds, as if its essence was dissipating.

The Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity was also in tatters, staggering, missing an arm, desperately in need of replenishment. The Buddhist palm seals on its body had created several huge wounds, especially the one on its back, which nearly broke its spine, a shocking sight.

The Nirvana Buddha Phantom brought its palms together in front of its chest. Though its mouth did not open, a soul-shaking Nirvana Chant resonated throughout the area!

Invisible ripples violently expanded, not only pushing back the Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity before it but also striking the River of Forgetfulness tributary, causing huge waves, forming towering billows.

The Zen sound rampaged like an invisible heavenly blade, almost splitting the River of Forgetfulness tributary before it in two.

The River of Forgetfulness tributary that had made Ning Zhuo hesitate was, before the Nirvana Buddha Phantom, merely a matter of one move.

"Come." The main body of the River of Forgetfulness Prefect fiercely lunged out.

He had been recuperating against the clock, unable to enter deep sleep, but had still accumulated enough strength for one fight.

Instantly, the River of Forgetfulness tributary roared. Within the turbulent waves,蛟龙 took form, pouncing towards the Nirvana Buddha Phantom.

The Nirvana Buddha Phantom did not dodge or evade. It顺势 separated its palms, spread its arms, and poured almost all of its combat power into the move.

Its form grew dim, but the Nirvana Zen intent became purer and vaster than before.

Buddhist Dharma—Sorrow in Both Withering and Flourishing!

The water蛟龙 seemed to throw themselves willingly into its embrace. As they approached the Nirvana Buddha Phantom, it was as if vegetation withered; their power plummeted.

The Buddha Phantom, conversely, saw its aura soar, as if absorbing the power of the water蛟龙, its might continuously rising.

The River of Forgetfulness Prefect's body radiated冲天 Netherlight. Behind him, the phantom of the River of Forgetfulness roared as it flowed. He was going all out, his face full of gravity and solemnity, staring fixedly at the great enemy before him.

The combat strength he had painstakingly accumulated also plummeted like these successive water蛟龙, draining away like a floodgate had opened.

But the next moment, the Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity pounced from behind.

It roared explosively, its Divine Body suddenly collapsing, compressed to the limit, transforming into a giant meteor.

Boom...

The meteor shot forth, burning with dark yellow flames, trailing a long tail of black smoke.

This was a suicidal strike!

The meteor crashed towards the Buddha's back. It was resisted by the flourishing Buddhist light, its speed slowing but still approaching.

The Nirvana Buddha Phantom was attacked from both front and back, caught in a pincer.

Its Sorrow in Both Withering and Flourishing could suppress enemies and strengthen itself, but such an onslaught had exceeded its conversion limit.

The Buddha body swayed, like a candle's flame in a strong wind.

A flash of joy appeared in the River of Forgetfulness Prefect's eyes; in this life-and-death struggle, he finally saw a chance at victory!

Forgetfulness Immortal City.

Zeng Jide shouted loudly and once again summoned his life-bound treasure.

The Three-Handed Monkey Buddha Statue suddenly glowed. Buddhist light condensed, forming a monkey's claw that directly grabbed the entire giant rock.

In the next moment, Sun Lingtong heard the monkey head screech. The monkey claw retracted, pulling the entire giant rock back!

The giant rock was massive, but during the retrieval process, it grew smaller and smaller.

Finally, Zeng Jide retrieved his life-bound Buddha statue. In his hand was a miniature sculpture of the giant rock, reduced several times in size.

Zeng Jide grunted, his aura plummeting. With one hand holding the miniature rock sculpture, he grabbed Sun Lingtong's arm with the other.

"Let's go!"

Sun Lingtong felt her vision blur, as if she had fallen into a kaleidoscopic world of colorful flowers.

Almost in the next breath, the group of cultivators from the City Lord's residence burst in.

"Don't let any of them... Where are they?!"

The cultivators' expressions changed drastically.

Altar Battlefield.

The Earth Fiend Meteor suddenly shook. The fiercely burning dark yellow flames drastically dimmed, becoming mere flickers.

The meteor body, compressed to the extreme, rapidly disintegrated. Countless fragments broke apart; large amounts of turbid qi, no longer restrained, scattered chaotically.

The pressure on the Nirvana Buddha Phantom abruptly decreased, and it regained its majestic bearing!

It strode forward, arms spread wide as if to embrace, walking towards the River of Forgetfulness Prefect.

Water蛟龙 and giant waves continuously battered its face. The Buddha Phantom grew increasingly dim, the number of cracks on its surface exploding, crisscrossing everywhere.

The River of Forgetfulness Prefect continuously retreated, his face deathly pale, even carrying a trace of misery.

His gaze remained sharp, filled with rage, along with unwillingness and resentment, but soon, it turned to hesitation and fear.

He knew the battle situation well; he absolutely could not hold on.

If he didn't retreat now, he would be embraced by the Nirvana Buddha Phantom, resulting in death and the dissipation of his Dao! A堂堂 Prefect would have lost his life in this act of defying the heavens.

"Fine, Silent Ghost Monk, I never thought you would be the final victor."

"The grudge of blocking my Dao is irreconcilable. I will remember this!"

The next moment, the River of Forgetfulness Prefect spat out a mouthful of his origin essence, activating the Heavenly Phase Formation to teleport himself away, vanishing from the spot.

Without his support, the turbulent waves recoiled. The water蛟龙 all exploded.

The frontal pressure on the Nirvana Buddha Phantom plummeted. It turned around and attacked the Earth Fiend Turbid Filth Deity.

Its five fingers spread open. The Buddha's hand grew larger and larger, as if to encompass heaven and earth!

The Buddha's hand descended, directly covering the meteor-like Divine Body, and clenched hard.

BOOM—!!!!!!

(End of )