Beyond Mount Changqiu is a landscape that is reminiscent of a Grounded City.
All buildings present are pale white and left in a tattered state, while being covered in a dense layer of snow—unlike the streets and buildings of the ancient city.
Throughout the streets of this modern city, fully Apotheosized weapon spirits roamed the area.
The appearance of these weapon spirits is a mix of what the Ling Yuan family's practitioners are currently accustomed to, while containing ghostly traits—that are similar to the ones seen back in the ancient city.
*Thud!* falling from the skies like a small meteor—is the weapon spirit that Long Hua had kicked away.
Crashing directly into a thick blanket of snow, the weapon spirit blinks its red eyes, as it looks back at the battle that it had recently experienced.
"…"
As a feeling of fear manifests in its heart, the weapon spirit's expression turns somewhat odd—not knowing how to express this foreign emotion.
Dying from a single attack, to the weapon spirit, it sounds like a mercy—compared to having its body devoured away a single bite at a time.
Unknowingly, a droplet of mercurous liquid is stuck onto the weapon spirit's skin, and without it realizing it, this droplet of liquid melts, and merges with it.
As soon as this happens, the weapon spirit's black hair lightens in color—turning into a shade of whitish silver, while their red eyes turn azure.
*Grrrooo…* raising a low growl, the weapon spirit that has been taken over by the White Serpent King collapses their current form, and transforms itself into a twin-headed white snake with azure-colored eyes.
Slithering through the snow quickly, the White Serpent King begins to hunt for prey.
...…
Within a building—that is situated an hour's walk away from the black tree, the members of Nine Lives gather.
Portions of the building's walls are covered in overgrown vegetation; and what stands out the most is the building's rear, which is punctured through by the root of a tree, that is growing just outside.
"That Immortal… For some reason, I feel like our plans isn't going to go as well as we would hope."
"…"
Towards Zhu Xu's remark, Hui Sang frowns in agreement—knowing just how sinister Long Hua is.
Much like everyone else, both Hui Sang and Jing Yao are confused—as to why there are currently two Long Huas in this ruin.
"That Immortal was able to use sword Qi. He's probably considered extraordinary even by Immortal standards."
Simultaneously, all eyes turned towards the 40-year-old figure who had made that remark.
The name of this individual is Sū Wěi, commonly called Elder Su by others—due to him being one of the oldest figures in their group.
"Elder Su, what is sword Qi?"
Turning to Chang Ye, who had asked this, Su Wei replies—
"The records aren't very clear as to what it really is, but apparently Immortals that have gained enlightened on specific arts—are able to gain something called an "intent." By possessing this intent, they are able to demonstrate a special form of Qi related to it."
"I see."
Just as Chang Ye replies with a nod—
"Oh? Close enough to a textbook definition."
"…!"
"Who's there?"
Raising their heads in alarm, all members of Nine Lives turned to the doorway—to see five figures dressed in winter coats coming in.
The faces of these individuals aren't very clear. One moment they seemed to be focused, but the next instance, one would have a difficult time trying to recall their exact appearance.
What makes it even stranger is the fact that it didn't feel unnatural—as if it's just the way it's supposed to be, and this feeling would only strengthen the moment one's eyes are turned away from them.
"Immortals?"
Following Gui Lian's mutter, everyone draws their Relics, to which, Tian Cheng summons her combat bodies to aim their Spirit Armaments forward.
"This is a bit…?"
"Dammit…"
Tilting his chin upwards slightly, Long Hua says—
"I can turn all of you into beehives, or slice off your limbs faster than you can blink. Although you're all capable of Partial-Apotheosis, this ability isn't without its flaws. So, what's it going to be?"
"…"
"…"
Eventually, it is the weapon spirits that have chosen to lower their arms first.
Stepping forward, Hui Sang asks—
"What's the meaning of this, you venomous snake?"
Taking out a comfortable armchair, Long Hua falls onto it, and replies—
"You ask me—what's the meaning of this? Well, let me ask you this then, why wasn't I informed of your abilities to manipulate spirit Qi? If you're capable of that yourself, why bother to make a deal with me?"
"…?"
As Hui Sang tilts her head in confusion, Long Hua rests his head against a hand, and crosses his legs.
Glancing at the tiny shoulder-mounted camera that is situated on one of the Nine Lives' members, Long Hua says—
"Surnamed Jiu, surnamed Xu, come out and meet this lord."
*Siii…* momentarily, a dark rift appears, and from within this rift, Jiu Sheng and Xu Tian Kun emerge.
Staring at the two with a snake-like smile, Long Hua asks—
"You've already heard what I said before, correct?"
"Uh…"
"Right…"
"And your explanations for this?"
Exchanging a look between themselves, both Jiu Sheng and Xu Tian Kun can't help but sweat. Originally, they wanted to drain Long Hua of his spirit Qi—via Hope City's mechanics; but now, that doesn't seem possible—with the person himself possessing an excuse to go back on his end of the bargain, while also adding onto the fact that he actually has other practitioners to aid him.
Ignoring whatever it is that the two are currently feeling, Long Hua says—
"From the very beginning, I knew that you two had plans to launch a surprise attack on me—after I activate the city's mechanics. That's why you sent these people here, right? I bet when I agreed to this deal, you two were thinking something along the lines of "you think we'll let you have a treasure like that so easily," or "this will be payback for before, you venomous snake." Honestly, only an idiot would accept a deal like that—without asking more questions. After all, we do have a grudge against each other, right, surnamed Xu?"