Chaotic World Book

Everyone watched Xia Longyuan, who was sitting motionless on the high platform, each silent.

The man once so powerful that people thought he would never be defeated, the shadow that people hated but could only swallow their anger, had now fallen silent... His death seemed almost unreal, for he had not suffered grievous injuries before he violently destroyed the Sword Spirit.

Perhaps the injury caused by Bo'e's curved saber was tricky to heal, maybe because the magic within the Imperial Realm's saber was complex? But it likely wouldn't have been fatal. Once the "returning light" had faded, he could have simply become an old man burdened by age, still possessing some Secret Treasure cultivation, living out a few more years.

But everyone present could understand Xia Longyuan's feelings at that moment.

Having repressed the world for decades, to end up frail and perhaps unable to defeat those around him... Then to live out his remaining years under the protection of a well-connected and respected son-in-law?

The focus of a thousand accusations, living in constant fear, taking refuge under someone else's protection.

It was not just because a proud man like Xia Longyuan would be unwilling, even for the likes of Li Shentong, Ying Wu, or Vermilion Bird Venerable to imagine themselves in his shoes, they would be unwilling too.

If he were to die, then so be it. Having struggled in the Worldly Society all his life, which one of them didn't view death lightly?

Better to go out with a bang, completing his unfinished business, leaving an indelible mark on the world.

Even if it meant killing Wang Daoning and annihilating nine clans, as long as the Sea Suppressing Sword still existed, there was potential for another family to rise in the future. Without Langya Wang, there could be a Langya Zhang. But once the four swords were destroyed, that possibility disappeared forever.

You organize a hit on me, I destroy your foundation. Including himself in the destruction, both harms removed, how exhilarating would that be?

No one knew quite how to feel, it was complicated for everyone.

Even those who hated him and cursed him, like Li Shentong and Vermilion Bird Venerable, had to admit that he still possessed a charismatic appeal, at least enough to say he was a real man.

For people like Zhao Changhe, who had always opposed his methods, on a personal level, the relationship was akin to fellow villagers and in-laws. He had held a high regard for Zhao Changhe, had even sent him fruits before and didn't obstruct his children's affairs, generously suggesting, "If you want to kill me, do it yourself," regarding Zhao Changhe's opposition. For an unfamiliar "fellow villager," this was quite a gesture.

So, although Zhao Changhe felt it was normal for others to act against Xia Longyuan, he truly could not bring himself to do the deed. He had even repeatedly tried to indirectly persuade Chichi to reconcile with her father. This time, at heart, he was on Xia's side, influenced by their affection no matter the broader considerations.

But Zhao Changhe had long sensed that to Old Xia, there were only demons and gods and no care for common people. If calamity befell him, it was likely due to the backlash from his own misdeeds, with no need for any gods or demons to act. Zhao Changhe had advised him, not just once, risking angering him to the point of being killed, but Xia was stubborn and self-willed, who could change his mind?

Now, as the situation stood, Zhao Changhe felt really conflicted.

Zhao Changhe looked up at Xia Chichi, who showed no particular reaction, just quietly observing, her gaze seemingly unfocused.

A faint light from above, the Chaotic World Book did not flash.

Other than the obscured areas, there were two reasons why the Chaotic World Book might not flash: one is that he was not dead yet, and the second is that it considered the battle not over yet, as it usually only made summaries after an event had concluded.

With the area opened up by the force of space, operated by Ying Wu, unobstructed and bustling, which reason could it be?

All eyes then fell on Wang Daoning.

Wang Daoning stepped back slightly, contemplating a breakout.

He was still the only one in the Imperial Realm here, if he resolved to leave, he likely had the chance to make a clean break. Moreover, Li Shentong and Ying Wu probably had no real reason to attack him since it was Li Gongsi who had colluded with the barbarians, not him; he hadn't even known about this before, it was more correct to say he'd been set up. If not for this mess, this dragon-slaying mission could have been more successful. Why would others attack him, to avenge Xia Longyuan? Whether Zhao Changhe and Xia Chichi would hold anyone accountable was also debatable.

He just needed to break out from Zhao Changhe's family, which shouldn't be too difficult.

As he thought this, he saw Li Shentong and Ying Wu both giving him a glance, their eyes filled with a disdainful sarcasm, then they each soared away. As they passed by Xia Chichi, they slightly bowed their hands, their intentions unclear.

Xia Chichi returned a cupped fist salute, particularly nodding more to Li Shentong, yet said nothing.

Not many knew before that Xia Chichi was Xia Longyuan's daughter; there were guesses, but no solid proofs. Most people still believed Zhao Changhe was the rightful successor... But the conversation between Xia Longyuan and Zhao Changhe just now had made it clear, Xia Chichi was the true successor, and Zhao Changhe was the son-in-law he approved.

The implication silently conveyed by the two from the Heavenly List was somewhat "You can blame us for your father's death and seek revenge if you wish," but saying this outright would be odd since Xia Chichi herself sought revenge for her mother, with Vermilion Bird being one of her allies this time. So, a salute was the gesture of choice to see Xia Chichi's stance.

The meaning from Xia Chichi's end was that there were no personal grudges, and they could even be considered allies.

Among them, Ying Wu was a guest in the Worldly Society, not involved in the battle for supremacy, while Li Shentong was now a leader. With Xia Longyuan gone, the world was already fractured into factions. Regardless of whether Xia Chichi would take up the position of Xia Emperor or not, the Four Symbols Sect was the hidden master behind the Cao Gang of Jianghuai, and opposing Li Shentong in the future was likely. Thus, an additional gesture indicated that if they were enemies in the future, it would have nothing to do with personal grudges.

Both understood and slightly nodded, then drifted away.

Wang Daoning stamped his foot and was about to leave too, seeing that the others had left and thinking that nobody present had the right to stop him.

"Clang!" Bing Po was unsheathed, and the Sword Qi was like frost.

Xia Chichi held her sword across the entrance of the Secret Realm and said coldly, "The battle at sea had its reasons, and that was forgivable. But this time, you teamed up with the Venerable to slay the dragon, and secretly killed my major general first. Shouldn't there be an explanation?"

Wang Daoning did not take her blockage seriously, flippantly brushing away Bing Po, he laughed, "The little girl just wants to find an excuse to vent about her father's death, but sadly, you cannot stop Wang."

However, as he brushed it aside, he was shocked to discover that the Sword Qi contained strange Water Element Power, resonating with some Qi within his body, causing momentary stiffness; unexpectedly, he couldn't break free immediately!

Surprisingly, this time, the expected attackers, that pair of men and women, didn't come to surround him. Instead, Vermilion Bird's indifferent voice came, "Will you fight or shall I?"

Xia Chichi stepped back several feet, bit her lower lip, and hesitated for a while, "I can't beat him. I'll just cut off any retreat. Venerable, please do me the honor."

Wang Daoning was stunned. What did these people mean?

Were they choosing who would fight him one-on-one? They even considered letting Xia Chichi fight?

His gaze instinctively turned to Zhao Changhe, who was hovering not far beside Xia Chichi, ready to cut off any retreat, showing no intention of attacking.

Vermilion Bird indifferently said, "From the earlier skirmish, we have already grasped... Your mastery of the Imperial Realm is superficial, just like your Spirit Sword, using the Sea Race's energy to enhance your strength but lacking personal insights. Your Wang family claims to suppress the sea, yet you replenish your soul with the sea's essence—is this your path in the Imperial Realm? It's as absurd as Li Gongsi letting the foreigners invade the pass."

Wang Daoning coldly said, "What do you mean, Venerable?"

"Why need an assault to kill you? I alone am sufficient!" Flames flickered in Vermilion Bird's hand, illuminating the lower half of his face, with traces of blood still fresh on his lips, looking both sinister and beautiful.

Wang Daoning, now having no thoughts of leaving, scoffed, "So, Venerable Vermilion Bird, you mean to say that during the attack you were hindered by your man, and that's why you got injured?"

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Vermilion Bird: "?"

Wang Daoning's hand emitted a misty Qi, "Then let this lord see for himself what is so special about Venerable Vermilion Bird's Third Layer Secret Treasure!"

————

PS: Sorry for the delay. I've caught a cold again in the past few days, with a stuffy nose and throat inflammation. Strangely, I hadn't had a cold for the last four years, but I've had two or three in the past couple of months...

Well, still the same words, my updates are not quick, and so is the plot development. I hope everyone will not be too quick to judge. Like before, some criticized the Spirit Sword as not worthy of the mountain and river spirit, then it turned out to be a reversal—suddenly it turned into accusations that I changed the outline after being criticized... Not recognizing the Family Head was built up over nearly 70 chapters until now. Do I travel back a year to change the outline? Let's be reasonable. If you criticized wrong, just admit it—I can't remember who's ID anyway, why bother...