Chapter Eight: The Collapse of the Cloud Realm

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There is nothing that I, Fang Thirteen, cannot accomplish; even if I have to dig three feet into the ground, I will find Lei Xiaodian. Fang Thirteen entered the Purple Cloud Hall with a face full of guilt and bowed respectfully to his master. “Master, your disciple is incompetent and failed to capture that boy. He is simply too cunning—surpassing even his father in craftiness!”

The master pondered for a moment before saying, “It matters little; this cannot be entirely blamed on you. Yet, the situation is urgent. We must devise a way to apprehend him swiftly. Here’s what you’ll do: travel to the Northern Realm and seek out your Uncle Gui. Ask for his help. With his skills, success is assured.”

Upon receiving the order, Fang Thirteen immediately performed a teleportation spell. Closing his eyes and pressing his hands together, he chanted softly. Suddenly, the space around him seemed to tear open, and in an instant, he vanished from sight.

The next moment, he arrived before an ancient temple deep within the Northern Realm, surrounded by tranquil and serene scenery. Standing at the temple gate, just as he prepared to enter, a low, resonant voice drifted from within.

Listening closely, he realized it was Uncle Gui reading from a Daoist scripture. Fang Thirteen gently pushed the door open and stepped inside. Uncle Gui sat beneath a deity statue, engrossed in the book, seemingly unaware of his arrival.

Fang Thirteen approached quietly and whispered, “Uncle Gui...” He heard Uncle Gui muttering, “After death, a person becomes a ghost; after a ghost dies, it transforms into the Jiàn; the Jiàn dies and becomes the Xi, then the Yi, then the Void; from nothing arises the Dao. The Dao produces the primal chaos energy, which divides into Yin and Yang; their union births a third energy—the harmonizing force of Chong and He—which then generates all things in the universe.

“All things emanate the Supreme Ultimate; the Supreme Ultimate differentiates into the two modes of Yin and Yang; these two modes give birth to the four symbols: the Azure Dragon of the East, the White Tiger of the West, the Vermilion Bird of the South, and the Black Tortoise of the North. These four symbols give rise to the five elements—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Their interactions create the six directions: up, down, east, west, south, and north.

“Within these six directions emerge the seven stars: Tian Shu, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji, Tian Quan, Yu Heng, Kai Yang, and Yao Guang. Their arrangements form the Eight Trigrams, which establish the order of Heaven and Earth.”

Fang Thirteen chuckled silently, “Uncle Gui is truly cultivating the Daoist arts.”

He then respectfully greeted Uncle Gui and lamented, “How could you have allowed so many in the Cloud Realm to be annihilated? It is hateful, utterly hateful!”

Fang Thirteen bowed deeply and, with resolve, said, “Uncle Gui, forgive my disrespect, but the truth stands: if they refuse to hand over the Sacred Flame of the Cloud Realm, this world will continue to operate as it does. The strong prey on the weak; survival of the fittest is the natural law. If we are not firm, how can we grow stronger?

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“If this continues, I fear it will not be long before our Southern Realm suffers the same fate as the Cloud Realm—utter destruction and being trampled beneath others’ feet!” His gaze revealed determination and courage, as if prepared to face all hardships.

Uncle Gui chuckled darkly, his voice low, “At this point, there is no other way.”

Fang Thirteen slowly approached and sat at the table, sipping a cup of wine as he conversed cheerfully with Uncle Gui.

With a kindly expression, Uncle Gui said, “You, Fang Thirteen, are indeed the most outstanding and gifted in our Southern Realm.”

Fang Thirteen hastily waved his hand, replying modestly, “You flatter me. The Southern Realm is filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers; there are many more talented than I. How could it be my place?”

They exchanged smiles, and Uncle Gui continued, “Haha, no need for false modesty! This wine is called Spirit Nourishing Wine, brewed from rare herbs and precious ingredients. It replenishes both body and mind, strengthening the spleen and heart.

“Don’t worry about that troublesome boy; sooner or later, he will fall into the law’s net. For now, set aside your troubles and enjoy the present joy.”

Fang Thirteen smiled slightly in agreement. “Thank you for your guidance, Master Uncle.”

The master then taught him a Daoist technique: “The sky is regarded as the symbol of Qian trigram, and from the trigrams emerges the primal chaos energy. This energy splits into two attributes—Yin and Yang. Their interplay produces four symbols: the Azure Dragon of the East, White Tiger of the West, Vermilion Bird of the South, and Black Tortoise of the North.

“After the four symbols come the five elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. The operation of these five elements gradually fuses into the six directions—up, down, east, west, south, and north.

“Within these six directions arise the seven stars, representing Tian Shu, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji, Tian Quan, Yu Heng, Kai Yang, and Yao Guang.

“The seven stars evolve further, culminating in the more complex Eight Trigrams system.

“Through various combinations and transformations of the Eight Trigrams, the development and changes of all things in the world can be predicted.

“The stable pattern established by the Eight Trigrams forms the foundation of the universe, Heaven and Earth.

“In this vast and boundless cosmos, all things follow natural laws and operate in order.”

After a moment, Fang Thirteen stood and bowed. “Thank you, Master Uncle, for your guidance.”

Uncle Gui, having been through much, shared his experience: “Back in my days in the Human Realm, I was like you young ones—arrogant and dismissive. I took the Human Realm lightly and acted at will.

“Like you, I was lofty in ambition but ignorant of the heavens and earth. In the end, I could only retreat in shame.”

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Fang Thirteen smiled, “Master Uncle, is there anyone under heaven who could defeat you?”

Uncle Gui laughed heartily, “Haha...”

He was unquestionably the foremost Sword Sovereign of the Human Realm. His swordsmanship was divine and unfathomable, ever-changing. He could condense sword aura onto the blade and infuse sword intent into the hilt. When he unleashed a strike, it seemed as if thousands of treasured swords materialized, each carrying a unique aura, making it impossible to distinguish real from illusion.

Each sword crackled with violet lightning, as if harnessing the power of heaven and earth into a single blade.

He is the very reason I now harbor fear towards the Human Realm, though I know not where he dwells today.

At this moment, a strong yearning surged within me—to witness the prowess of the strongest swordsman in the mortal world.

Uncle Gui laughed heartily upon hearing this. “All things in the world may be viewed as pieces on a chessboard. The brilliance lies in the intent and endless variations within the game.

“To seek breakthroughs amid challenges and change—this is the true joy!”

Beside him, Fang Thirteen, full of curiosity, asked, “What is his name?”

A soft voice replied, “Sword Xuan...” Though he never possessed the powerful soul body after physical foundation cultivation, his swordsmanship reached the pinnacle, wielding his long sword with the overwhelming might of a roaring ocean.

Uncle Gui frowned and asked, “What are we to do about Lei Xiaodian and the others?” He quickly inquired about their current whereabouts.

Fang Yu sighed and responded, “They are near a mysterious temple, surrounded by a desolate and ancient aura.”

Uncle Gui’s expression turned grave as he slowly said, “They have likely arrived at that place, a perilous land known as the ‘Valley of the Dead.’

“In the past, a celestial emperor once appeared there, a strength so vast it nearly obliterated the righteous path.

“Fortunately, our ancestors and other masters exerted all their might to seal him within the Valley of the Dead, securing the peace we enjoy today.”

Uncle Gui lifted a circular disc in his hands, closed his eyes tightly, and the space around them instantly tore open a rift.

Fang Thirteen said firmly, “Master, do not worry; I will help with this matter.”