Chapter Forty-One: Who Dares to Brave the Nine Heavens for Love

High in the upper realms of the Ninth Heaven, above the Lingxiao Hall, a magnificent cloud burst forth in all directions, blooming like a colossal spiritual fungus. At the foot of the ascending cloud ladder that led to the First Heaven, a lone figure stood coldly and unmoved. This was none other than Kong Qiandao, the Exquisite Sword Immortal whom Haodan had once encountered in the banyan grove.

Haodan’s bearing in this moment was akin to that of a demonic lord from the Nether Abyss, emerging from hell itself. He rode the Eastern Emperor Bell and swept down to the Mysterious Treasure Hall of the First Heaven. Standing atop the bell, he gazed down with imperial disdain upon the nine heavens. Seeing this, Kong Qiandao, the Exquisite Sword Immortal, responded with utmost courtesy, bowing respectfully, "I bid welcome to Your Majesty, the Eastern Emperor, upon your arrival at the First Heaven!"

"Lead me to the Execution Platform," commanded Haodan, his soul’s eyes burning with a sinister red light that did not deign to look upon Kong Qiandao. "I have no wish to destroy everything here."

"I am but a disciple of the Sect of Severance," Kong Qiandao replied with a conciliatory smile. "I would ask Your Majesty not to trouble me unduly."

"Hmm?" Haodan had not expected such a reply, and a flash of cold menace passed through his eyes. "Do you mean to stand against me?"

"Your Majesty, forgive my presumption, but as a disciple of the Sect, it is my duty to defend it. I beg Your Majesty’s guidance!" Kong Qiandao bowed low.

"You are rather unexpected," Haodan said, closing his demonic red eyes and offering a haughty, self-assured smile.

Then, with a single step upon the Eastern Emperor Bell, countless radiant inscriptions surged forth in all directions. The power contained in the resulting ripples was like a tidal wave of spiritual might. Kong Qiandao dared not be negligent—he immediately summoned the Primordial Seven-Colored Sword to defend himself. Yet the difference in their strength was vast. Even as a Golden Immortal, Kong Qiandao was hurled away by Haodan’s single step, unable to withstand its force.

Kong Qiandao was among the thirteen Golden Immortals of the Sect of Severance, ranked thirteenth among his peers. The highest ranks were held by the four great Guardian Immortals: the Black Tiger Immortal Lord Zhao Gongming, the Kongtong Daoist Lu Tianming, the All-Knowing Rain Master, and Marshal Yan Lietian. Preceding and following them were the Three Celestial Sisters—Cloud, Jade, and Azure—and the four chief disciples personally taught by the Sect Master of Severance: the Daobao Daoist, the Turtle Spirit Holy Mother, the Boundless Holy Mother, and the Golden Spirit Holy Mother.

The last two among the thirteen were the Fairy Yan Xiu’er and Kong Qiandao himself, with Yan Xiu’er ranked twelfth.

Below them was the fourteenth, the youngest disciple, Bai Ling. Though the thirteen had not participated in the great war of the gods a millennium ago, Bai Ling’s private intervention had implicated their sect. Thereafter, the Sect Master of Severance commanded all disciples not to descend to the mortal realm nor interfere in worldly matters—upon pain of being hunted and sentenced at the Execution Platform of the Ninth Heaven.

Although the Sect of Severance was the most unconventional of the Three Great Sects, its rules were the strictest. Marshal Yan Lietian, as the enforcer of celestial law, wielded absolute authority over life and death, able to judge disciples even without the Sect Master’s leave.

A thousand years ago, Bai Ling’s betrayal—collusion with outsiders and theft of the two supreme treasures of the sect—had already crossed a forbidden line. Yet, because of her special status, even Yan Lietian could not judge her without the Sect Master’s return.

Indeed, Yan Lietian himself had no wish for this outcome. Bai Ling had once been his beloved junior sister, cherished and protected from childhood. He, Lu Tianming, Yan Xiu’er, and Bai Ling had been closest of companions. But from the day Yan Lietian was appointed a Guardian Immortal and given authority over justice, he was no longer the man he once was. Bai Ling’s resentment was natural—he had once struck mercilessly at Haodan, provoking Bai Ling’s fierce defense. Yan Lietian was enraged that his cherished sister had succumbed to forbidden feelings and lost sight of her path. Though he had brought her back in chains, he could never bring himself to harm her.

His actions toward Haodan had stemmed from his feelings toward Bai Ling, and from that moment, Bai Ling had hated him to the bone, refusing even to speak with him. Yet she could not understand his true intentions.

At this moment, the disparity in strength was too great; Haodan, possessed by the soul of Tianhun, had not even exerted his full power.

"Do you wish to continue?" Tianhun’s demonic red eyes regarded Kong Qiandao with a hint of admiration.

"Of course I wish to fight!" Kong Qiandao replied, unflinching, transforming himself into a sword.

"Ten thousand swords return not to their sect, but become one immortal blade!"

A golden greatsword, inscribed with countless mystical sigils, hovered in the air—this was Kong Qiandao’s ultimate technique, fusing his body with his sword as a disciple of the sword sect.

"What a pity, such a peerless blade!" Tianhun gazed at the Primordial Seven-Colored Sword with a look of regret.

"Ten thousand-fold cleaving!" Without transforming the Eastern Emperor Bell into its bladed form, Tianhun merely waved his hand, unleashing a torrent of slashing power to meet the Primordial Seven-Colored Sword.

A vast, slanting sun cut through the clouds, meeting the great seven-colored sword head-on. When the two forces collided, a mighty shockwave erupted; space itself froze, clouds solidified, and only spiritual force stirred, poised to burst forth.

Boom!

Twin beams of golden light and rainbow sword-gleam clashed, shattering in a wave of force. A figure was blasted from the explosion—Kong Qiandao, disheveled, his wide azure robe torn to shreds. Though his body was diamond-hard and impervious to harm, he was covered in wounds and barely able to remain standing, recalling his sword to steady himself.

Upon the blade of his supreme treasure, the Primordial Seven-Colored Sword, a jagged, shocking crack had appeared.

"You can fight no more. Lead me to the Execution Platform," Tianhun’s red eyes regarded Kong Qiandao with respect for the first time. For such a swordsman—undaunted before overwhelming odds, his will unshaken, his path unique, daring adversity—Tianhun felt true admiration. Given time, this one might yet become a peerless immortal.

"If I lead Your Majesty to the Execution Platform, my fellow disciples will deem me a traitor. I am defeated; what you do with me is yours to decide!" Kong Qiandao knelt on one knee before Haodan, battered and humbled.

To make a Golden Immortal of the Sect of Severance kneel—such a gesture was the highest in all the heavens, a mark of reverence. The proud immortals of this sect had never knelt to any outsider, not even the Jade Emperor of the Celestial Court.

At that moment, another figure descended—Lu Tianming, the Kongtong Daoist, master of talismans and formations.

"Your Majesty, do not trouble my fellow disciple. Each of the Nine Heavens has its guardian. If you wish to pass, simply ascend the clouds and defeat each guardian in turn; you will then reach the Execution Platform," said Lu Tianming, resplendent in golden robes adorned with moving patterns of yin and yang and the five elements.

"And who are you?" Haodan asked, his demonic gaze curious. Unlike those he had met before, Lu Tianming radiated an indescribable charisma. His appearance was indistinct, his golden hair and robes dazzling, a shroud of mystery about him.

"I am Lu Tianming, one of the four Guardian Immortals of the Sect of Severance," the Kongtong Daoist replied respectfully.

"I shall remember you," Haodan said, and, ignoring them both, launched himself upward, riding the Eastern Emperor Bell at unfathomable speed.

Lu Tianming watched Haodan depart, only after a long while turning to Kong Qiandao. "After this battle, you must pass through the gate of life and death. If you overcome your heart’s demons, the way of the Sword Saint will soon be within your grasp." With that, he turned and departed on a breeze toward the Seventh Heaven.

At this time, the Second Heaven was unguarded, as were the Fourth and Fifth—domains of the Three Celestial Sisters. But the sisters were in their Azure Palace, studying the Ninefold Yellow River Array. By mortal reckoning, they had been in seclusion for over two centuries.

Soaring through the Third Heaven, Haodan came upon the Hall of Celestial Music, low-key yet luxurious amid the clouds. Unlike the splendid and ornate halls of the lower heavens, this place was modest, though elegant.

Outside, every kind of baby beast from heaven and earth frolicked—adorable, lively, mischievous and endearing. Birds soared, beasts ran, fish swam, and creatures crept or burrowed; the scene was more wondrous than any mortal zoo. Even Haodan, proud and aloof as he was, could not help but smile at the sight, wishing to scoop up the cuddly little ones.

Haodan disliked ostentation—perhaps a result of his cultivation in the Illusory Void, he preferred the tranquil, carefree simplicity of Daoist Luya. This taste was ingrained in his soul, beyond even the influence of Tianhun, who had unconsciously absorbed it.

"Yan Xiu’er greets Your Majesty the Eastern Emperor," came a gentle voice as the fairy Yan Xiu’er emerged gracefully, bowing in welcome.

"Do you intend to block my way as well?" Haodan’s red eyes glinted with amusement.

"I dare not. I have come to greet Your Majesty for a reason," Yan Xiu’er replied with a soft smile.

"Oh?" Haodan’s eyes showed some surprise.

"A thousand years ago, in the war of gods and demons, Your Majesty fell into the Six Paths of Reincarnation. Do you recall the cause of that battle, or why our junior sister Bai Ling lost her memory?" Yan Xiu’er asked solemnly.

"I remember nothing of those days. I am here only to rescue Bai Ling from the Ninth Heaven. The rest is no concern of mine," Haodan replied at once. Lacking the fusion of the human soul, he had no memories of his past life.

"So Your Majesty remembers nothing. I, too, hope you can save Bai Ling. Our master is soon to return, so I wish you success." Yan Xiu’er gestured invitingly toward the heavens above.

"You are the most discerning among the immortals of your sect," Haodan said with a rare, appreciative smile, nodding before ascending further.

As she watched him depart, Yan Xiu’er’s face shone with respect and relief, as if her worries for Bai Ling had been eased.

Haodan encountered no further obstacles and soon reached the Fifth Heaven. Before the Azure Palace stood three little girls, each with a train of fairy attendants. They looked about three or four years old, their hair in twin buns, their faces charming and cherubic.

Stepping from the Eastern Emperor Bell, Haodan asked, "Do you know where the Execution Platform of the Ninth Heaven lies?"

The three girls turned, unsurprised. One smiled and replied, "We did not expect Your Majesty’s arrival. Pray forgive us for not welcoming you sooner."

Their speech was articulate, lacking the childish lisp of mortal children.

"Are you three disciples of the Sect of Severance?" Haodan seemed almost split in spirit, the two souls—his own and Tianhun’s—vying for control, their conflict hidden beneath a calm exterior.

"We are all disciples of the sect," said the tallest girl. "I am Azure, this is Jade, and our youngest sister is Cloud."

"Do you three intend to block my path? I have no wish to harm children," Haodan said, Tianhun once more in control.

"Hehe, we will not stop you. The Ninth Heaven is not as difficult to ascend as you might think. If someone means to stop you, they will appear; if not, they are not your enemy. Besides, who could truly stand against Your Majesty?" Azure replied, her childish appearance at odds with her grown-up manner.

"Your sect is indeed amusing," Haodan laughed, soaring upward.

Below, the Three Sisters returned to their palace to continue their studies.

At the Hall of Violet Flute in the Sixth Heaven, where the All-Knowing Rain Master resided, Haodan did not expect to be challenged, and pressed on. The Seventh Heaven, guarded by Lu Tianming, was shrouded in talismans and hidden beasts, but Lu Tianming had not returned and did not appear to obstruct him.

With a faint smile, Haodan wasted no time and raced toward the Eighth Heaven, domain of Marshal Yan Lietian. The patrol hall was a vision of majesty, wreathed in clouds.

"So, you have finally come," a voice of authority echoed through the Eighth Heaven.

"Of all the immortals, only you dare confront me thus. Today, I shall slay you here!" Haodan, possessed by Tianhun, radiated a murderous aura that swept forth like a storm.

In answer, Yan Lietian’s form materialized, tall and imposing. Haodan met his gaze in midair—since ancient times, only Yan Lietian had dared look Eastern Emperor Taiyi in the eye. For that alone, he had already touched the emperor’s wrath.

This battle would be the most earth-shaking the Ninth Heaven had ever seen—a powder keg ready to explode!

What will happen next? Stay tuned for the next installment!