Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Seal of Life and Death

Inside the stone tower.

Shi Yan’s face was alight with joy. His mind stirred, and he tried once again to channel his entire essence to strike at the Blood Vein Ring, only to find that a new barrier had formed within it. He paused, finally realizing that this Blood Vein Ring was indeed a rare treasure, layered with barriers, each concealing a new world beyond. The first time he broke through, he obtained the cultivation method for “Berserk.” Now, he had gained the “Life and Death Seal.” The Blood Vein Ring seemed like a patient mentor, setting obstacles at each crucial stage, secrets only revealed once the barrier was shattered.

The obscure ancient incantations of the Life and Death Seal were now clearly etched into the depths of his memory, just like the martial skill “Berserk.” Whenever his mind willed it, he could retrieve the ancient script and study it deeply. The ancient incantations regarding the Life and Death Seal were hard to fully comprehend at once, but from his current understanding, this martial skill could harness a mysterious martial soul.

Through the operation of the Life and Death Seal, he could mobilize the negative energies within his acupuncture points, channeling them by a unique method into his left arm to form a “Death Seal” imbued with powerful negative properties. Similarly, by a secret technique, he could gather his essence into his right hand and forge a wondrous “Life Seal.” Left hand, Death Seal; right hand, Life Seal. When these two marks fused in battle, the true Life and Death Seal would be formed.

Depending on the amount of negative energy and essence within, the Life and Death Seal could reach a maximum of forty-nine marks. Seven marks formed a level, and as his realm and martial soul advanced, the seals he could manifest would increase. Each breakthrough doubled the number and size of marks. According to the ancient incantations, when the Life and Death Seal reached the seventh level, forty-nine seals could be created in an instant, each capable of splitting mountains and shattering earth. If all forty-nine were unleashed together, they could collapse a towering peak in a moment, unstoppable.

Yet, the incantations for cultivating the Life and Death Seal were deeply obscure, not something to be mastered overnight. Without fully grasping their mysteries, Shi Yan dared not recklessly cultivate this skill. With his experience from “Berserk,” he took the martial skills from the Blood Vein Ring seriously. After some contemplation, he resolved to devote his spare time to studying the ancient incantations of the Life and Death Seal.

He stood slowly, frowning, and walked to the window, gazing out toward the Shi family’s lake. Suddenly, a graceful figure appeared in his sight. Shi Yan’s eyes gleamed with surprise, and he murmured softly, “Why would she come to the Shi family?”

By the lakeshore, Xia Xinyan, her face veiled and her form flawless, was personally escorted by Han Feng toward the Shi family’s secret rear entrance. Shi Yan was deeply impressed by this mysterious woman; a glance was enough for him to recognize her, his heart quietly startled.

Xia Xinyan, led by Han Feng, quickly slipped into the gardens beyond the lake and vanished through the hidden door. Not long after, Chi Xiao and Zuo Xu stealthily emerged and departed through the same secret exit. Some time later, Shi Jian walked out from the Rock Hall, glanced at the stone tower, and immediately strode over.

Shi Yan’s mind stirred; he quietly closed the window and sat silently on the third floor, adopting the posture of diligent cultivation.

“Boy, what was that just now?” Shi Jian appeared on the third floor moments later, fixing him with a stern gaze.

“What do you mean?” Shi Yan opened his eyes, feigning confusion.

“Half an hour ago, a strange fluctuation came from your tower. Was that your doing? Explain yourself.”

“I’m not sure. I’ve been meditating the whole time. You know I’ve just reached the Human Realm and am getting used to the flow of world energy. Perhaps I unconsciously resonated with the rules of nature, causing the energy to stir.”

Shi Yan smiled, fabricating his answer. Shi Jian frowned, studying him for a moment before snorting, “You’re hiding plenty of secrets, boy. I won’t pry, but don’t do anything reckless. Just make sure you don’t get yourself into trouble.”

As the patriarch, Shi Jian could tell Shi Yan was not being completely honest, but he did not wish to interfere too much. Seeing that Shi Yan was safe, he let him be.

After a pause, Shi Jian explained what Xia Xinyan, Zuo Xu, and Chi Xiao had discussed, then said, “This time, I plan to send you with Han Feng and Ku Long. Your task is only to help explore the location of the ‘Heaven Gate’ and understand its situation. Go along and broaden your horizons, but remember—do not take risks! Leave everything to Chi Xiao and the girl surnamed Xia. Both possess the strength of the Heaven Realm; even if they cannot subdue the Nine Heaven Serpent, they should be able to ensure your safety.”

Shi Yan was surprised. He had not expected Xia Xinyan to be so magnanimous—not only had she not blamed Chi Xiao for his ambush, she had cleverly dealt with the Mo family, and in the end extended an olive branch to them, regardless of past grievances.

This woman is formidable!

Shi Yan’s eyes flickered thoughtfully. After pondering, he said, “Don’t worry, I value my life too much to throw it away lightly. I’m just making up the numbers in this exploration of the ‘Heaven Gate’—I won’t risk myself.”

“Good. Prepare yourself. Tonight at the third watch, you, Han Feng, and Ku Long will depart quietly. At the north gate of Skyfall City, you’ll rendezvous with the girl Zuo Shi. Remember, be careful! The ‘Heaven Gate’ is important, but you are even more important to the Shi family. You must return safely to me!”

“I understand.”

…

The Beiming family.

Beiming Shang sat in meditation on the seventh floor of the Ice Pavilion, cold air pouring from his body and a layer of frost covering him. At a glance, he resembled a human ice sculpture, unnervingly strange. Beiming Ce, Yin Kui, and Jiu Shan also stood on this floor, their expressions solemn. In addition, Beiming Ce’s father, Beiming Qie, was present.

Beiming Qie, possessing the cultivation of the third level in the Earth Realm, was responsible for affairs outside Skyfall City. Hearing of the city’s recent chaos, he had rushed back overnight from Bero City. After Beiming Shang’s battle with Xia Xinyan, he had retreated into the Ice Pavilion and had not emerged since. The Beiming family’s experts, concerned for his condition, guarded the Ice Pavilion day and night, wary of any mishap at this critical time.

No one knew how much time passed before the frost on Beiming Shang’s body gradually melted back into him.

“Father!”
“Grandfather!”

Beiming Qie and Beiming Ce called softly.

Beiming Shang slowly opened his eyes, exhaling a breath of white mist. “That girl’s martial soul is strange. Though she only has the cultivation of the third level of the Hundred Tribulations Realm, she can borrow the power of her previous life to enter the Heaven Realm in an instant. The Endless Sea truly deserves its reputation as the holy land of myriad warriors—only there could such terrifying martial souls be found.”

“Father, are you all right?” Beiming Qie asked with concern.

Shaking his head, Beiming Shang replied, “Has the girl been found?”

“She vanished mysteriously last night. We searched all night and found no trace of her,” Beiming Qie said, hesitating, “But early this morning, she returned to the Ethereal Pavilion. Our spies said she stayed there for a while, then left alone. We don’t know where she went.”

“Last night her injuries were worse than mine. Missing her last night means we lost the best opportunity.” Beiming Shang sighed. “Her appearance this morning means she must have recovered. We’ve missed our chance. Order no action against the Ethereal Pavilion.”

“Understood,” Beiming Qie nodded, a bit regretful. “Skyfall City is full of our spies, yet we have no idea where she hid last night. If we’d found her then, we could have killed her outright.”

“If it’s missed, it’s missed. Things never go exactly as we wish.” Beiming Shang was philosophical. After a pause, he said, “Keep a close watch on the four city gates! Release all the cloud eagles we raise. Whenever any major member of the four great families enters or leaves the city, report to me immediately!”

“Father, you mean—?”

“Ding Yan is absolutely dead! Someone must have gotten half of the remnant map, or else there wouldn’t be such urgency in rushing to the Ethereal Pavilion for the other half.”

Beiming Shang snorted coldly. “The Mo family lost badly this time. If they had a Heaven Realm expert, with Mo Tuo’s temperament he would never let it go. Wait two days—if the Mo family takes no major action, we can rule them out.”

“Who could it be?”

“Whichever family can’t hold back and leaves the city first—that’s the one.” Beiming Shang’s face darkened. “That girl from the Ethereal Pavilion left early, clearly knowing something. Perhaps the two pieces of the treasure map have already been joined. Keep an eye on the Ethereal Pavilion. For now, ignore the feud between the Mo and Shi families. Deploy all our spies. Within three days, I want immediate news if any direct member of the four great clans leaves the city!”

“Understood!”

…

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