Storm Brewing Over the Mountains, Part 3

[*Princess Changyong.*]

A voice, buried deep in her soul, intertwined with the one echoing in Chen Jianxue’s ears.
She finally remembered.
The end of that nightmare—

Thirty years after the Dragon City’s blood sacrifice, the last empress of the clan dynasty died atop her imperial city.

That day, her people saw only a radiant shadow bursting forth in the sky. When they looked again, a dragon bone pierced their empress’s heart. Blood seeped through her ornate robes, dripping along the stark white bone onto the ground.
Amid the city’s panicked screams, she stared wide-eyed at the empty heavens, unable to close her eyes.
Only she saw the moment the true dragon’s soul was summoned by the blood sacrifice array. Only she heard, as it pierced her heart with its bone, the curse it left in her soul as it passed:

[*Princess Changyong.*]
[*I curse you to be born with supreme talent and a flawed soul in every life. On the day I return, I will slaughter your kin, ensuring your clan perishes by my hand!*]

…
Ten thousand years later, the true dragon’s soul had fully awakened, ready to fulfill its eternal curse.

“No… I’m not her…” Chen Jianxue’s eyes burned with hatred, her heart condition wracking her with unbearable pain, yet she clung trembling to Li Wuhuan’s robe. “Even if I am… my sins have nothing to do with Qianmen!”

“Sins?” Li Wuhuan’s grip tightened on her neck, as if to crush its fragile form. “For ten thousand years, I’ve asked myself—your seduction was my sin, my death deserved. But what of Dragon City? Its countless citizens, the dragon-serving clan’s lives! What was *their* crime?”
“You ever visit Dragon City? Seen the two knee-high statues outside the palace? You held those two children—ignorant, innocent. Did they imagine *you* drove them to death?”

“…”

The true dragon clan, divinely blessed, had souls unmatched under the immortal realm.
The void left in her soul ten thousand years ago began to mend, foreign memories flooding her mind like a tide, tearing through her consciousness. Agony coursed through her limbs, her body trembling uncontrollably.

She wanted to escape, to expose Li Wuhuan’s identity, to spare Qianmen her burden.

But the altar was sealed by the true dragon’s soul. No longer disguising himself as a mid-tier rogue cultivator, Li Wuhuan was invincible to her.
What could she do?
Her gaze swept the bloodshed and slaughter across Qianmen, despair filling her eyes.

That despair, like nourishment in a desert, was savored by Li Wuhuan. He laughed hoarsely, “Yes, just like that. Without your despair and agony, how could you repay the lives lost in Dragon City’s sacrifice?”

“…Is this what you want?”
Chen Jianxue’s voice rasped as she turned to him.

“No.” He looked at her with pity and coldness, wiping blood from her lips with his thumb. “Before you die, I’ll make you taste it all…”

“Then I won’t let you have your way.”

Her words fell, and she raised her hand, a sharp, murderous glow gathering in her palm.
Li Wuhuan instinctively stepped back.

But in the instant their robes parted, his heart lurched. He looked up—

A faint smile curved Chen Jianxue’s bloodied lips, her eyes hollow and calm.
*Boom.*
The violent spiritual energy in her palm surged into her chest, threatening to obliterate her organs.

In that split second, Li Wuhuan’s eyes widened in fury. He closed the distance, the true dragon’s soul retracting from the altar’s seal, rushing into her frail body from all directions—
The explosive energy and her shattering organs were held in check, just a hair’s breadth from collapse, by his dragon soul.

“Changyong!!!”

Li Wuhuan’s voice was a sobbing roar.

Chen Jianxue smiled, frozen in a fleeting moment of near-death, straddling life and death.
She had never been so clear-headed.
“I always felt… my soul was missing something. So you hid it.”

Li Wuhuan shut his eyes, channeling spiritual energy through her meridians, sealing every rupturing vein.

Then he rose, speeding toward the distant horizon.

—Jiushi Valley, or the Phoenix Immortal Mountain.
Only those places in the Qianmen Realm could save her.

His palm pressed against her shattered chest, pouring energy ceaselessly. Nearly maddened, he rasped, “I said I’d make you suffer in despair! I won’t let you die so easily!”

Chen Jianxue slowly, arduously raised her fingers. Before his eyes, her fingertip—

*Swish.*
A sword message shot toward Mu Hanyuan’s cave peak.

“…All for this message?” Li Wuhuan’s bloodshot eyes glared, as if he wanted to tear her apart.

Yet, despite his words, their figures streaked out of the mountain.
Qianmen Mountain.

“I told you, in this life, I am me, not Changyong.”

“…”

The swift wind swept everything behind.
Too slow.

As they crossed a cloud-shrouded mountain, their forms merged—

A dragon’s roar pierced the heavens, golden scales tearing through the clouds. It soared across the azure sky, clutching a frail, broken figure in its claws.

Every flower in the bouquet he gave her grew beside an array node.
Deep mountains, dense forests, waterfalls, ravines.

But the dragon could no longer recall.

When he sabotaged the array and picked those flowers, did he imagine her shy smile upon seeing them, or her despairing, hateful tears as she died in his arms?

—

Having previously stirred upheaval across Qianmen and the immortal and demonic realms, Mu Hanyuan did not attend Chen Jianxue and Li Wuhuan’s ceremony, instead retreating to his cave.

When Chen Jianxue’s sword message arrived, Mu Hanyuan had just received warnings from within the sect and was rushing out.

Her message flashed before him, a blood-red golden glow:

[*Li Wuhuan is the ancient true dragon, allied with Fuyu Palace, destroying the protection array to annihilate Qianmen. This calamity is inescapable. Urge Little Martial Uncle Ancestor to return!*]

Simultaneously, a booming proclamation echoed across Qianmen:

“I, Bixiao, Supreme Elder of Fuyu Palace, declare Qianmen disciple Mu Hanyuan a demonic spawn, born under a prophecy of world-ending calamity, bringing divine wrath and preventing ascension for a millennium. If spared, he’ll grow to cause universal devastation. As the leader of immortal sects, Fuyu Palace must eradicate this demon! Those who side with him will not be spared!”
“Today’s mission is the ‘Demon-Slaying Crusade’!”
“All Qianmen affiliates, from elders to disciples, untainted by the demon, are absolved; those who shelter him share his guilt!”
“Fuyu Palace disciples, enter Qianmen, find Mu Hanyuan, and slay the demon!!”

“—!”

Killing cries erupted across Qianmen.

Mu Hanyuan’s brow sharpened, his gaze deep.
He paused, originally heading toward the gate.

He had sent a sword message to Yun Yao, but received no reply.

Yet he wasn’t surprised—
Bixiao, a mediocre talent, reached Tribulation stage through dao-demon hybrid cultivation, unmatched in the immortal domain. But with Yun Yao now in the same realm, he couldn’t rival her.
Clearly, Li Wuhuan’s long infiltration, the Phoenix Clan’s ancient ties to the true dragon, and Yun Yao’s diversion to the East Sea were a coordinated ploy to lure her away.
Yun Yao was likely trapped at the Phoenix Immortal Mountain, but her cultivation ensured her safety.

The true calamity… was today, at Qianmen.

Until Bixiao’s proclamation, Mu Hanyuan thought Bixiao targeted Mu Jiutian first, then Yun Yao, fearing her retaliation.
But the final words revealed his mistake.

—Fuyu Palace, or Bixiao, targeted *him*.

No wonder at Tianshan’s Immortal Alliance, Bixiao shamelessly tried to detain him for punishment, only thwarted by Xiao Jiushi’s intervention.
But why was Bixiao so determined to kill him?

*Swish—*

As he pondered, sword lights flashed from the horizon.
Moments later, bloodied Qianmen elders and disciples landed, led by Chu Tianchen.

“Mu Hanyuan!” Chu Tianchen glared, furious. “Why are you standing there? Run! Do you want to drag Qianmen down with you?!”

Mu Hanyuan’s fingers paused on his jade zither pendant, meeting Chu Tianchen’s gaze. “Are you here to kill me or drive me away?”

“If I could kill you, I would’ve!”
Chu Tianchen snarled, “I’m under the Sect Leader’s orders to get you out of Qianmen! Hurry and summon your sword!”

Mu Hanyuan didn’t move. “I recall you’re close with Fuyu Palace.”

“Nonsense, everyone in the immortal domain knows that! If I wanted to trap you, would I come myself? Am I not suspicious enough?!” Chu Tianchen’s glare seemed to want to tear him apart.

Behind him, He Fengming, bloodied and disheveled, stepped forward. “Lord Hanyuan… Master is under the Sect Leader’s orders to escort you out. Three senior brothers died blocking enemies. If Master’s words offend, please don’t mind. Leave quickly with us.”

“…Alright.”

Mu Hanyuan lowered his hand, the jade zither glowing as the Dragon’s Cry Sword materialized.

They soared toward Qianmen’s gate.
He Fengming’s gaze at Mu Hanyuan was complex. “You actually trust us?”

“Not you,” Mu Hanyuan retorted instinctively, pausing before adding, “If I misjudge, let it end with me, not drag Qianmen down.”

“…”

In the void, Mu Hanyuan heard a long-forgotten demonic sneer, as if from his own body.

Chu Tianchen, flying ahead, glanced back, his gaze cold and complex. “I’ve always disliked you. Others call you saintly, devoid of emotions, compassionate to all. But to me, you’re cold, indifferent, treating all as ants, never caring for anyone.”

He Fengming, embarrassed, transmitted, “Master, if you keep talking, Lord Hanyuan won’t trust you.”

“What Lord Hanyuan?! Why do I need his trust?!” Chu Tianchen roared, glaring at Mu Hanyuan. “I admit, your earlier words make me think I misjudged you. But I won’t forgive you—if you’d left Qianmen as I urged, would we face this disaster?!”

Mu Hanyuan’s expression wavered. He met Chu Tianchen’s gaze. “Do you know why Fuyu Palace targets me?”

“You don’t?” Chu Tianchen gritted his teeth, turning away. “An innocent man’s guilt stems from his treasure!”

“Treasure?” Mu Hanyuan instinctively raised his Dragon’s Cry Sword, then dismissed the idea.

Even a divine sword like Dragon’s Cry was merely a weapon. Cultivation relied on the self, not tools.
Unless…

His dark hair flowed like clouds, the golden lotus hairpin shimmering faintly.

Chu Tianchen continued, “At Tianshan, I learned Fuyu Palace seeks the hidden treasure on you. If your death ensures Qianmen’s peace for centuries, I’d bear any infamy!”

Mu Hanyuan’s eyes sharpened. “If so, why not deliver me to Fuyu Palace?”

“Are you daft?!”
Chu Tianchen pointed ahead, livid. “Look at today! Fuyu Palace is desperate, relentless! They speak nobly, but once they get what they want, they’ll slaughter Qianmen to silence all!!”

“…”

Mu Hanyuan looked forward.

Closer to Qianmen’s gate, the scene grew clearer.
Most disciples were gathered, fighting in arrays or with swords. Blood stained the green peaks, bodies in Qianmen robes scattered across the fields, their fates unknown.

…Today, Qianmen’s people died for him.

His mind and spirit trembled, bloodlust rising, only to be brutally suppressed.

“Land!”
Chu Tianchen, witnessing the disciples’ deaths, roared hoarsely.

“Sect Leader!”
“Elder Wan!”
“…Senior Brother!”

Chu Tianchen and his disciples joined the fray, swords clashing in blood. Chen Qingmu, wounded, transmitted, “Hanyuan, come! Behind me, into the array node!”

Mu Hanyuan’s cold gaze locked onto Bixiao in the sky.
A sharp wind struck from behind, followed by a piercing clash of swords.

Turning, he saw a Qianmen disciple block the strike, face bloodied. Mu Hanyuan vaguely recalled him—a new disciple from his recent teaching at Fengtian Peak, shy and stammering then, now blood-soaked with a gaping wound across his chest.

“Brother Hanyuan,” the disciple rasped, “…run!”

“—”

The trembling Dragon’s Cry Sword, raging, was stilled by Mu Hanyuan’s hand.

Qianmen staked their lives on his survival; he couldn’t act recklessly.

He flashed behind Chen Qingmu as ordered.

A golden array, fueled by blood, shimmered beneath the fallen disciples.

“Mountain-Moving Array!”
In the sky, sensing the surging energy, Bixiao roared, unleashing unmatched spiritual force onto the array’s base.

*Boom—!!*

The tidal spiritual energy scattered the Sect Leader and elders upholding the array.
Yet its light, though faint, held.

—
As an elder fell, disciples rushed forward, pouring their energy into the node.

Bixiao’s face twisted.

The ancient Mountain-Moving Array, once complete, was unstoppable. With its energy nearly full, even one surviving disciple could teleport Mu Hanyuan to safety.
Bixiao hadn’t time to kill all Qianmen disciples.

“Lord Hanyuan!” Bixiao transmitted, “Leave, and Qianmen harbors a world-ending demon. Today, I swear to raze Qianmen, sparing none!”

“…”
In the array’s node, Mu Hanyuan’s eyes glinted with menace.

Before him, Chen Qingmu slew a Fuyu Palace disciple with one strike, wiping blood from his mouth, laughing bitterly—

“Mu Hanyuan, ignore Bixiao’s nonsense! If you stay, he’ll destroy Qianmen once he succeeds! You must live, tell the world, let your Master avenge Qianmen—skin this dog alive, send him to hell, where Qianmen’s disciples will boil him in fire!!”

“…”

Mu Hanyuan closed his eyes.

Yun Yao’s silhouette before leaving Qianmen lingered in his mind.
Standing against the light, she cautioned before departing: [*Fuyu Palace seems fixated on you. If you face a strong enemy, don’t fight—head to the East Sea.*]

[*Yes, Master.*]

“Lord Hanyuan! I swear on my name!” Bixiao, in the void, stared at Mu Hanyuan’s golden lotus hairpin, his voice slow and venomous. “Offer your head, and I’ll harm no one else. But if you leave, I’ll butcher Qianmen!”

As Bixiao spoke, a furious roar shook the heavens:
“Bullshit! Die, old dog!!”

“Elder Chu!!”
“Master—!!”

Cries of alarm rang out.

Mu Hanyuan’s eyes snapped open.

Chu Tianchen, using a secret technique to forcibly reach peak Unity stage, unleashed a sword strike with mountain-shattering force.
But it fell short. Bixiao lost half a sleeve, flesh scraped away.
Recalling the humiliation of Yun Yao’s sword at Tianshan, Bixiao’s eyes blazed red. “Fine, you seek death—!”

*Crack.*

Bixiao seized Chu Tianchen’s neck, weakened from his forced boost, veins bulging, face blood-red, on the verge of bursting. Smirking like a bloodthirsty demon, Bixiao’s demonic aura surged—
“I’ll send your sect to die without corpses.”

“Master!!!”

By the array, He Fengming roared, refusing to leave the node, squeezing every drop of energy from his depleted meridians into the array.

“…Enough.”
Mu Hanyuan spoke.

Above, Bixiao’s red eyes paused, looking down at the nearly complete Mountain-Moving Array.

“Let him go. Tell everyone to stop.”

“Mu Hanyuan!!” Chen Qingmu turned, furious. “You dare?!”

Bixiao, stunned, laughed maniacally, releasing the unconscious Chu Tianchen.
“Good, good, Lord Hanyuan’s made his choice.”

“Even if you die, he’ll slaughter Qianmen!!” Chen Qingmu nearly charged into the array.

“I know.”

Mu Hanyuan raised his hand, his blood-stained white robe brushing his jade zither.
Its sound resonated, reversing the array, channeling energy back into Qianmen’s elders and disciples.

“Lord Hanyuan!!!”
“Brother, no—!”
“…Run!”

The sect’s cries and soul voices flooded his ears, as if the heavens were beneath his feet.

Above, Bixiao’s face changed. “No—!”

*Boom!!*

A terrifying thunderclap tore the sky, shaking the Qianmen Realm and both immortal and demonic domains.

East Sea, Phoenix Immortal Mountain.
Deep in the clan’s forbidden grounds, Yun Yao, channeling energy into the ancient array, opened her eyes, face paling.
“…No.”

Southern Border, Jiushi Valley.
Xiao Jiushi broke from seclusion, speeding outward. “Qianmen’s in trouble! Follow me to aid them!”

Western Region, Fantian Temple.
In the back mountain’s bamboo grove, a monk paused, teacup in hand, sighing. “It’s come to this.”
A golden glow flashed at his brow.

Central Immortal Domain, Qianmen Mountain.

Heavenly thunder, like divine punishment, crashed down.
Qianmen’s people, propelled by the array’s reversed energy, were scattered, spared from the apocalyptic tribulation.

Bloodied elders and disciples stared at the sky.

Thunderclouds swallowed the heavens.
Even the sun was shattered by violet-black lightning, vanishing.
The immortal domain plunged into darkness.

“Crossing Tribulation just like that… this master and disciple are freaks…”
“When Little Martial Uncle Ancestor crossed Tribulation, it wasn’t like this, was it?”
“This feels like true divine punishment…”
“Is Brother Hanyuan really a demon?”
“Nonsense!” A disciple slapped another. “Lord Hanyuan’s breaking through to protect us!”

“…”

Amid endless thunder, Mu Hanyuan closed his eyes.

Only he heard, in the roaring thunder, a demonic laugh, hoarse and frenzied.
[*Enter Tribulation, and your soul will be mine. You knew—knew!!*]
[*For them, you’d sacrifice yourself?*]
[*How foolish!?*]
[*How are you worthy to be the same as me?!*]

“…”
The thunder faded.

His soul peeled from his body, senses fading, as if an endless inky sea covered his robes, neck, eyes, drowning him in darkness.

Yet Mu Hanyuan’s heart was calm.

In his mind, he whispered:

[*No, we’re different.*]
[*You fell to demons for selfish desire; I break through for Qianmen’s beings.*]
[*In our past life, who she died by—you and I both know.*]

*Crack—*

The last thunder dissipated.

In the sky, “Mu Hanyuan” slowly opened pitch-black eyes.