Nie Chaoxi's Advancement

Jing Hui listened, his paper fists clenched tight.

Jian Huaishuang continued, "But Wan Xiu didn't expect one thing."

"Tao Tuantuan is a Wenchang."

"She can see the writer's memories through text, and she can see the images hidden within the words."

"There are many manuscripts and ancient texts left behind by the Jiao Mu Kingdom in the underground city, including a final work by Duke Wen called 《Governance of Tianchi》."

"Tao Tuantuan read it over and over, and from those words, she slowly pieced her memories back together."

"She learned the truth."

"She knew Wan Xiu was the murderer who killed Duke Wen. She knew she was a pawn being manipulated, and that everything she did was helping Wan Xiu collect sacrifices."

"But she didn't make a sound."

"She pretended to know nothing and continued to work for Wan Xiu while simultaneously beginning her own plan for revenge."

"She was waiting for an opportunity—a chance to overturn everything in one fell swoop."

"And then, she found you, my Lord."

Chen Zhou remained silent for a moment before asking, "Why does she have such intense hatred for Jing Hui as well?"

Jian Huaishuang thought for a moment and said, "It's likely because even though she regained her memories, her perception was still distorted."

"She knows the strange memories she saw in the text are real, but they contradict her long-held perceptions."

"Rationally, she trusts her destiny's ability and believes that words do not lie."

"But emotionally, it is very difficult to control one's feelings."

"So even if she knows the truth, and even if she knows the True Lord of Purity and Filth was also a victim, she still cannot restrain her hatred."

After Jian Huaishuang finished speaking, he looked at Jing Hui.

"True Lord of Purity and Filth, what I have said might not be perfectly accurate, but it should be roughly the case."

Jing Hui listened and spoke in a low voice, "She is right to hate this old man."

"Regardless of the reasons, I harmed Duke Wen, killed Duke Martial, killed Duke Wu, and killed countless others."

"I... have failed everyone."

He stood there, his paper body swaying gently in the wind like a withered leaf that could be blown away at any moment.

As his voice fell, a sudden explosion of Purity Aura erupted from the tunnel, instantly clearing the surrounding filth energy.

The grayish-black filth energy seemed to have met its natural enemy, retreating frantically, but it was too late. Struck by the Purity Aura, it simply dissipated into nothingness.

The air in the stone forest suddenly became fresh.

The Purity Aura continued to spread. Wherever it passed, the cracks in the ground stopped spewing filth, the moss on the rocks stopped rotting, and even the grayish-green clouds in the sky were punched through with a hole.

Ghastly white sunlight shone down from that opening, landing on the ground with a faint hint of warmth.

Everyone was stunned.

The little demons looked up at the long-lost blue sky, their eyes filled with utter disbelief.

"Is it... is it dawn?"

"It's so bright, my eyes hurt!"

"Is this... is this sunlight?"

"I haven't seen sunlight this bright in so, so long!"

The little demons laughed and cried simultaneously. Some knelt on the ground to kowtow, while others stared blankly at the patch of blue sky.

Jing Hui was still immersed in his sorrowful memories when the Purity Aura suddenly washed over him. His entire body stiffened, and he jerked his head up.

His eyes became filled with terror and panic, as if he were seeing something horrific.

"The Golden Buddha!"

He cried out in shock, stumbling backward and nearly falling.

"Has the Golden Buddha descended?!"

Su Xue had been supporting her orchid phantom to protect the little demons, but when she felt that Purity Aura, she was first stunned, and then her eyes lit up.

She withdrew the petals and turned toward the tunnel entrance, a look of pleasant surprise appearing on her face.

"It's Sixth Sister!"

"Sixth Sister is awake!"

With that, she lifted her skirt and ran toward the tunnel. Chen Zhou watched her back before looking at Jing Hui.

Jing Hui was still standing there, his face pale and his body trembling.

Chen Zhou walked over and patted his shoulder.

"Don't panic. It's not the Golden Buddha."

Jing Hui blinked, looking at Chen Zhou. "Not the Golden Buddha? Then... then what is it?"

Chen Zhou smiled. "You'll see in a moment."

Before long, Su Xue emerged from the tunnel.

A woman followed beside her.

The woman wore a pure white dress, her white hair cascading over her shoulders. Her face was delicate, and her pink eyes were as clear as spring water, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds as if she could see through all things in the world.

"This lady... how could she..."

Jing Hui's voice trembled slightly.

"The aura on her body..."

Chen Zhou smiled. "That's right. It is the Golden Buddha's purity ability. However, the Golden Buddha has already been processed, so it won't be addictive or corrosive like before."

Chen Zhou observed Nie Chaoxi for a moment and asked, "Have you completely fused with the Golden Buddha trait?"

Nie Chaoxi walked over, stopped in front of Chen Zhou, and nodded.

"Yes, my Lord. However, while I was in my slumber, I seemed to see some things."

"Fragments of the Golden Buddha's memories."

Chen Zhou thought for a moment and said, "Fine, I understand. We'll talk more about it after we return to the City of the Wrongfully Dead."

"How do you feel right now? Any discomfort?"

Nie Chaoxi stretched her body.

A ripple of water-ripple fluctuations spread from within her. The filth energy in the air was purified, the cracks in the ground were smoothed over, and even the moss on the rocks turned green again.

The little demons watched, dumbstruck.

"Wow!"

"So amazing!"

"That big sister is incredible!"

Nie Chaoxi was also somewhat surprised. She looked down at her hands and then stretched again.

The water-ripple fluctuations spread even further this time, reaching the edge of the stone forest and purifying the filth energy there as well.

She looked up at Chen Zhou, her eyes shimmering with a hint of excitement.

"My Lord, I feel no discomfort."

"I seem to have... advanced to the seventh-stage."

Plague Rat circled Nie Chaoxi twice, clicking his tongue in wonder.

"The seventh-stage! Lord Rat had to work himself to the bone to reach the seventh-stage, and you just reached it after a nap?"

"Comparing myself to you is just depressing."

He said this, but his face was full of smiles, clearly very happy for her.

Nie Chaoxi lowered her head bashfully. "Don't say that, Brother Rat. I was just lucky."

Chen Zhou said to Nie Chaoxi, "Get ready. I'll be relying on you to handle the underground filth energy of Tianchi Province."

Nie Chaoxi's eyes were full of drive. "Don't worry, my Lord. Leave it all to me!"