Chapter Twenty-Five: The Diagram of Nine Formations of Yin and Yang

After the ancient sword fused with the mystical character, it had lain flat atop the blood diagram, seemingly exhausted. Yet, the instant that character appeared, the sword was as if irresistibly drawn—standing upright with a resonant hum! The once shadowy "Transformation" character slowly took form; each stroke differed entirely from the familiar script, unlike any writing style or variant throughout history. Having studied calligraphy, I was certain I had never seen such a script.

Every stroke seemed imbued with profound mystery. At last, the "Transformation" character dissolved into bands of light that streamed wholly into the long sword. In that moment, the ancient sword, whose glow had dimmed, erupted with dazzling brilliance. Instantly, countless sword lights filled the entire space, their energies crisscrossing, slicing the realm into utter disarray.

I stood stunned by the spectacle before me, for such scenes could never be resolved by reality—only in the most fantastical dramas, and even they lacked this vividness. The colossal, misshapen Azure Dragon, wrapped within the Yin-Yang blood diagram, roared ceaselessly but could not escape its fate of being pierced and slain. The whole barrier was shattered, and the phantom hand grew increasingly blurred.

"Ah, I refuse to accept this! I refuse!" it roared. "Transformation Sword, Transformation Sword! Wait for the day the Azure Dragon breaks free once more—I will refine each of you into my essence, ah…"

As the malformed dragon cursed, its body was enveloped in a silvery-white radiance, then transformed into a tiny silver bead, which flew directly into the blood diagram. Once it entered, the diagram quivered violently, and in a flash the space returned to its original state, save for the village before me—once bustling, with paths, livestock, and villagers, now forever vanished. Ling Spring Village would disappear from history.

The ancient sword, once suspended in midair, now transformed into a streak of silvery light and flew straight into Xi Yue's prone body. In the blink of an eye, Xi Yue slowly stood, surrounded by rings of light, her beauty multiplied severalfold. The disheveled hair was gone, replaced by an ethereal presence, like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal world.

Within a minute, everything was restored.

Xi Yue reached out her hand toward the blood diagram suspended in the void. The diagram gently floated down into her grasp. The phantom hand in the sky was already gone, and Xi Yue turned to walk toward me, step by step.

As she turned, I froze, my whole body trembling.

"Ying'er…"

Page 1/3

The figure approaching me now was identical to Su Ying, as I remembered her. Yet I kept reminding myself that this was not Su Ying, but an ancient corpse named Xi Yue, who had slept for countless years.

That exquisite face instantly pulled me back to memories from years ago.

Back then, Su Ying walked toward me just like this. As we passed each other, I noticed her at first glance. I never understood what drew me to her, but in that moment, I knew I had fallen deeply in love. That was what people call love at first sight.

"Let us go," a gentle, familiar voice called me back to reality.

Xi Yue stood before me, then handed me the ancient scroll in her hand.

"Drop a bit of your blood onto this scroll."

I trembled slightly, but complied. Biting open my already wounded finger, I let a drop of essence blood fall onto the crimson treasure map.

Suddenly, my mind buzzed. With my eyes barely closed, I could sense the map; I saw within it a landscape awash in red, teeming with countless shadows and flickering lights.

"You are now the master of the Blood Slaughter Formation Diagram. From now on, it is yours to command at will," Xi Yue said.

As she spoke, I suddenly heard a childish, milky voice, as if a child had just awakened.

"I'm finally awake! Truly, the blood of ancient mysterious races is extraordinary—a single drop has surpassed centuries of my cultivation!"

The sound startled me.

"Who is it? Who is speaking?"

Page 2/3

I looked around warily.

Xi Yue smiled sweetly at my confusion.

"Don't worry. Did you hear that voice just now?"

"Yes, a child's voice. Xi Yue, didn't you hear it?"

She covered her mouth, then said, "Come out now, or you'll frighten your master!"

With a wave of her hand, a lazy little child flew out from the blood-colored formation diagram where my blood had just dripped. The child was wrapped in layers of crimson light, unclothed, with jade-like skin so delicate one couldn't help but feel protective.

"Greetings, Master! Greetings, Lady Master!" the little one cried as soon as he saw us.

For some reason, his greeting sent a tremor through my heart.

"Allow me to introduce myself: I am the spirit of the Blood Slaughter Formation Diagram..."

The little child went on to explain much about himself, and as I listened, my heart stirred with tumult. According to his account, the Blood Slaughter Formation Diagram was but one of nine diagrams shattered during a primordial catastrophe when the Ancestor of Yin-Yang used his life-bound artifact, the Yin-Yang Nine Formation Diagram. The immense power broke it apart, scattering the nine diagrams.

The Blood Slaughter Formation Diagram was just one piece, and it had not fully recovered—its power was but one percent of its peak. The little spirit went on to say that after being gravely wounded, he had slept for ages, and much of his cultivation and memory had vanished. He needed to cultivate anew, requiring many rare treasures to restore his essence; ideally, a few supreme Yin-Yang treasures to refine and absorb, which would hasten his recovery and restore his abilities.

Hearing this, I was speechless. The little one seemed to imply that since I had awakened him, I was now responsible for his care. I could only shake my head in silent resignation.

Page 3/3