Chapter 26: The Dazzling Entrance of Bu Le

[Page 1/3]

[8:10]
The image freezes on Furina, weeping alone upon her throne.
Nian Yun reaches out, his hands still stained with residual tears, drawing closer and closer.
"Are you like me? Have you always been all alone?"
Time stagnates. The images flicker across the screen, frame by frame. Furina, as if hearing something, extends her hand toward the front as well.
Two lonely hands inch toward one another.
"Bang."
The screen shatters in response. A rugged hand bursts through the glass, violently grabbing Nian Yun’s wrist and pulling him forward.
Elsewhere.
Furina’s reaching fingers brush against the air. Just as she is about to withdraw her hand in her moment of nothingness, a warm palm presses against hers.
"Who are you?"
"The five hundred years are over. For the time that remains, I will stay with you."
Feeling the warmth in her palm, Furina slowly closes her eyes.
Fingers interlocked.
A tear slips from the corner of Furina’s eye, falling into the lake.
....
In the space of consciousness.
The wind dries the tears and loneliness in Nian Yun’s eyes. He cradles that shimmering, blue-glowing tear—the 'Tear of the Archon Furina,' brimming with happiness—in his palms.
"A grown man, crying like this. Honestly."
He looks down at the lake surface, where another version of Nian Yun remains lost in sorrow.
Nian Yun opens his hands, and the 'Tear of the Archon Furina' falls straight down.
"Plop."
"Your Majesty, I leave this to you."
As he speaks, the radiant 'Zhongyan' slowly detaches from Nian Yun’s chest.
It descends to the spot where the tear just fell, right while the water still ripples.
"Plop—"
..
"Thump-thump—"
"Clang—"
"Are you alright?" Zhang Ping asks, looking at Nian Yun’s bloodshot eyes with concern.
"Ah, it’s nothing. I didn’t sleep well. Wait for me at the door; I’ll be ready in a moment."
Zhang Ping acknowledges and heads downstairs.
Ten minutes later.
"Uncle, let's go." With a nod, Nian Yun steps onto the carriage.
"Sit tight."
"Giddy up!"
"Clip-clop—"
At a window in the inn, Ning Rongrong watches the departing carriage with a trace of sorrow.
"You will come back, won't you?"
Dusk approaches.

[Page 2/3]

"Young man, we’ve arrived at Tiandou City."
"Whoosh."
"Uncle, do you know where the Spirit Hall branch is? Just take us straight there."
"Ah." Hearing this, the stubbled uncle freezes, then says with terror, "Young man, for the sake of how diligently I’ve served you along the way, I beg you, spare my life."
"We don't know the way, just take us there while you're at it. I’ll pay you extra."
"Oh, young man, this really isn't about the money. I’m afraid I’d have the life to take it, but not the life to spend it."
Seeing the fear on the man's face, the two are filled with doubt, but noticing the sky growing dark, they relent.
"Fine. Just point us in the right direction once we’re inside the city."
"Very well."
A short while later, they enter the city gates.
"Whoa—"
"Young man, go down that road. Take a right at the first intersection, and it’s at the very end," the uncle says, pointing the way.
"Alright, see you."
After stepping off, the two head toward their destination.
"Does Tiandou City not have nightlife?"
"Aren't you worried he’s lying to us? It’s obvious we aren't familiar with this place."
"Do you think he dares? Even if he did, he wouldn't be able to escape."
As he speaks, Nian Yun forms a wind orb in his left hand.
"Since we got off the carriage, there have been three pairs of eyes watching you, and two more upstairs." As he says this casually, Nian Yun glances at Zhang Ping beside him.
"Slap."
Just as Zhang Ping is about to act, Nian Yun holds her back. "Let them watch; there’s no need to strike. Though, one of them might be good for you to warm up with."
After walking for a while, the two part ways at the corner the uncle mentioned.
In a pitch-black alley behind them, a man with an incredibly lecherous expression grins, watching Zhang Ping head right alone. His tongue involuntarily flicks out to lick his lips.
"Tread, tread, tread."
Sensing the movement behind her drawing closer, Zhang Ping slows her pace.
"Swish."
The figure behind her instantly appears at the intersection ahead.
Seeing Zhang Ping pass, he steps out to block her path.
"Little sister, it’s so late. It’s dangerous to be alone. Would you like big brother to protect you?"
With his dark skin and lecherous face, Zhang Ping cannot help but turn her head away. "Hitting you would truly dirty my hands."
Her voice is loud enough for him to hear clearly.
"Little sister, better just come with me obediently."
Seeing the man closing in, Zhang Ping takes a step with her right foot.
"Swish—thud."
Before the man can react, Zhang Ping’s leg lashes out with a violent kick.
His face twists, and his body is sent crashing into a side alley.
"Slap, slap."
"Little sister has quite a kick. Big brother likes that even more."
"Ah—"
Slowly crawling up, the man brushes the dust off his clothes and summons his martial soul, four spirit rings rising instantly.
"He’s a Spirit Ancestor!" Seeing the four rings, Zhang Ping becomes as tense as if facing a great enemy.

[Page 3/3]

"Golden Waist Flying Swallow."
Three spirit rings rise simultaneously.
"I didn’t expect a little sister to be a Spirit Elder. In that case, big brother won't be polite."
"Whoosh—whoosh—"
Just as the man prepares to attack, a wall of wind suddenly gathers from nowhere, enclosing them both.
"It’s late at night; it’s not good to disturb others. That’s better."
The two locked in a stalemate look up simultaneously to see Nian Yun watching them with interest from a rooftop.
"Nian Yun, he’s a Spirit Ancestor!" Zhang Ping says, confused, her eyes shifting back to her opponent.
"I know, but don't worry. That man’s name is Bu Le. He has some talent, but not much. He can't even beat a Great Spirit Master. Fight him without fear."
Though confused, Zhang Ping feels her confidence surge upon looking at the lecherous Bu Le before her.
"Brat, what did you say? Can't beat a Great Spirit Master!"
Enraged, Bu Le targets Zhang Ping.
"First Spirit Skill: Luo Palm."
Two massive black hands manifest behind him, slapping toward Zhang Ping.
"First Spirit Skill: Swallow Fall."
Zhang Ping moves like a true swallow, nimbly dodging the attacks and sprinting along the surrounding walls.
In the blink of an eye, Zhang Ping’s foot comes crashing down.
"Slap."
She vanishes again, appearing behind the stumbling Bu Le.
Rotating to gather momentum, she kicks out.
Bu Le is launched like a projectile.
"Second Spirit Skill: Golden Waist Explosive Kill."
"Swish."
In mid-air, Zhang Ping appears exactly where Bu Le is flying.
"Pfft—"
Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Bu Le is kicked heavily into a trash bin.
"How boring." Zhang Ping lands, casting a look of contempt at the bin.
"Swish."
"Watch out!"
"Clang—"
Just as Zhang Ping is about to call for Nian Yun to leave, a patterned staff strikes toward her.
Hearing the sound, Zhang Ping hurriedly ducks and looks back.
Nian Yun is blocking the staff with 'Mistsplitter Reforged.' As the loud clang echoes, the wind field dissipates instantly.
"Who are you?"
The man in black grins, offering no reply, while a yellow spirit ring rises beneath his feet.
Nian Yun realizes something is wrong and dodges to the side; Zhang Ping also reacts quickly, leaping out of the way.
"Boom—"
The staff crashes down, and a crack appears in the ground, extending endlessly toward them.