Chapter 99: The Yin and Yang energies unfurl, causing the sun, the moon, and the mountains and rivers to invert.

The girl across from him was beaming, her eyes crinkling into crescents, and for a moment, Zhong Ming was utterly captivated.

After a long while, Yu Bai waved her hand in front of Zhong Ming’s face and asked with a puzzled look, "Little village official, what are you staring at so blankly? Is there a flower on my face? Why do you keep looking at me like that..."

With that, Yu Bai even ran over to the water vat to check if her face was still dirty.

Caught red-handed, Zhong Ming felt a flutter of panic. The sudden pounding in his chest left him flustered, and he nearly dropped the Yang Soul he was holding. Clearing his throat to mask his embarrassment, he chuckled awkwardly, "No, it’s just that seeing such a treasure, Miss Yu Bai, I felt a bit overwhelmed."

He hurriedly changed the subject, pretending to examine the Mountain Soul again, though his gaze kept drifting toward Yu Bai’s face. Stroking his chin, he asked with feigned seriousness, "Miss Yu Bai, how exactly should one use this Mountain Soul?"

He had spent quite a while pondering this. In the stories he had read in his past life, such rare treasures usually required a drop of blood to bind them or needed to be refined into pills.

After confirming there was no dirt on her face, Yu Bai turned back. She furrowed her delicate brows for a long time before saying, "I suppose... just eat it?"

In truth, Yu Bai had no idea how a Mountain Soul was supposed to be consumed. Generally, rare treasures were used as ingredients for medicine; while some special types could be eaten raw, it was considered a waste of their inherent spiritual energy. Having consumed countless pills at Sword Cliff, she felt that anything good could simply be eaten.

"Miss Yu Bai, are you sure about just eating it?" Zhong Ming’s eyes widened, filled with doubt. How could this girl’s words sound so unreliable?

Yu Bai picked up the Yin Soul, waved it at Zhong Ming, and said, "I’ll eat it for you to see, then." She tossed the Yin Soul into her mouth, chewed twice, and swallowed it.

Zhong Ming’s eye twitched in disbelief. Only after Yu Bai wiped her mouth did he ask, "Well? How do you feel?"

After carefully savoring the sensation, Yu Bai frowned slightly and replied, "It was a bit bitter, like some kind of medicinal herb, but the aftertaste is sweet and fragrant. It actually tastes quite good!"

Zhong Ming was instantly stunned. How could she speak of it as if it were a candy? He wasn't asking about the flavor; he wanted to know the effect. Yet, after eating the Mountain Soul, Yu Bai showed no special reaction. Even after the time it took to burn a stick of incense, absolutely nothing happened.

By now, Yu Bai was losing her patience. She muttered to herself, "That shouldn't be right. Could it be because I lack a Sword Bone that it had no effect?" Smacking her lips, she bit her lower lip and added, "It’s a pity there was only one Yin Soul. If there were two more, and I ate them, I might have had a different epiphany."

Zhong Ming was left completely speechless. From those few words alone, it was clear that her life at Sword Cliff must have been extraordinarily opulent. Rare treasures like this would cause a stir or even a bloodbath anywhere else. It was true in the mortal world, and even more brutal in the cultivation world.

He sighed, a line from his past life flashing through his mind: *Behind the vermilion gates, wine and meat go to waste; out on the road, there are bones of the frozen dead.*

Class hierarchy existed everywhere and would never vanish—it was true in his past life, true in this one, true in the mortal realm, and true in the Upper Realms. As long as people had selfish desires, such divisions would persist. Sometimes, Zhong Ming wondered if it would be better if everyone could cultivate, if they could all become immortals, their minds clear and free of desire. Perhaps a utopia like the Peach Blossom Spring could exist. But that was only a fantasy, one he could never realize.

Even these cultivators who called themselves immortals were no different. From just half a year of contact, Zhong Ming understood that whether it was Yutu, Feng Ning, Fairy Echan, or even Yu Bai, they all had one clear goal: *The success of one general is built upon ten thousand withered bones.*

They simply had different personalities. There were rogue, unpredictable cultivators like Yutu, and those who followed the rules and were reasonable, like Feng Ning. As for Yu Bai, Zhong Ming had always felt she wasn't a "qualified" cultivator—at least not yet. She was simple-hearted, despite always trying to act cold, and she still held the heart of a chivalrous knight. She was no different from sheltered young ladies in noble boudoirs, except that she was kind-hearted and, fortunately, hadn't been spoiled rotten by her Great Sword Immortal parents.

Zhong Ming drifted into a daze again, only snapping back to reality when Yu Bai waved her fingers in front of him. She frowned, observing him with a strange look. "Why are you so distracted today? Is something on your mind?"

Zhong Ming gave an awkward smile, thinking to himself: *It’s because you came back.* Of course, he couldn't say that. He laughed, "Nothing on my mind, but there’s someone in my heart who is always causing trouble..."

He spoke cryptically, and Yu Bai naturally didn't understand. She said, "Don't keep thinking about Li Jianye. He is just a mortal prince, and you are just a little village official. What’s the point of worrying about him?"

Zhong Ming smiled slightly and stayed silent, secretly letting out a breath of relief. It was good that she hadn't understood. Yet, he didn't want to admit to the tiny trace of disappointment in his heart.

Yu Bai urged him again, "Zhong Ming, hurry up and eat. Let me see if this thing is actually useful."

As he brought the Yang Soul to his lips, Zhong Ming hesitated. "Miss Yu Bai, are you sure I should just eat it?"

Without answering, Yu Bai grabbed his hand and shoved the Yang Soul into his mouth.

*Crunch!*

Nervous, Zhong Ming chewed a few times and swallowed. The Yang Soul seemed to contain some kind of nectar; once broken, a fresh fragrance filled his mouth. It felt like eating a fruit just dug out of the earth.

Crispy and crunchy! It was somewhat addictive. Zhong Ming closed his eyes and praised, "It has the fragrance of soil and the taste of the sea. It’s sweet, as if I’ve just consumed a piece of heaven and earth."

"Hmm... this must be something that only exists in the heavens!"

Yu Bai clicked her tongue, muttering, "Then why did the Yin Soul I ate taste so bitter? Could it be that the Yin Soul wasn't fully ripe?"

Zhong Ming let out a burp, feeling very satisfied. "I’d like to have another one."

With the Yang Soul in his system, Zhong Ming still felt nothing unusual—no heat in his belly, no surging power. The two stared at each other, wide-eyed.

Zhong Ming shrugged. "I don't feel any effect. It’s not even as good as the Millennium Wood Spirit Liu Chengyin left for me."

Yu Bai spread her hands, imitating him. "It’s my first time seeing this too. I don't know what it’s supposed to do..."

"Maybe..."

Before Yu Bai could finish her sentence, she suddenly shuddered, her body trembling uncontrollably. Seeing this, Zhong Ming hurried forward, but as he took a step, a wave of dizziness washed over him. Suddenly, whispers echoed in his ears—the sounds grew louder and louder, as if something were speaking to him.

Simultaneously, a burst of radiance erupted from both of them! A soft white light emanated from Zhong Ming, while a black light surged from Yu Bai. Both beams of light shot straight into the sky!

The two pillars of light spiraled and intertwined, crashing through the roof. Tiles shattered, and dust billowed! The wind and clouds changed; the clear blue sky vanished, replaced by swirling, dark, turbulent clouds. Colorful rays of light rose from the horizon, converging from all directions toward this small village.

The villagers were thrown into a panic, everyone dropping their work to stare toward Zhong Ming’s courtyard. Liang Yu, just woken and still bleary-eyed, scrambled over the wall, shouting, "Brother Ming! Brother Ming! What’s happening?"

But the powerful energy of the light pillars blasted Liang Yu away. He tumbled several times and landed hard on his backside, far from the courtyard. The light grew more intense, and within moments, it had engulfed the entire compound.

At the same time, deep within the Suiyun Mountain Range, birds and beasts howled toward the sky. A leopard, mid-hunt, suddenly looked up with reverence toward the pillar of light, roaring before falling to its knees on all four paws. In front of the leopard, a small deer stood trembling, yet it did not run; it knelt toward the light, uttering soft, mournful cries.

*The old mountains have souls, gathering the qi of heaven and earth.*
*All things have spirits, casting aside hatred, kneeling to the heaven and earth!*

The pillar of light pierced the heavens, creating a shockwave that rippled like water, pushing away the clouds and covering the entire world. The spiritual energy that had been sealed within this land for ten thousand years surged out like a broken levee. One could even see, with the naked eye, clusters of spiritual energy forming, emitting a faint white glow.

...

In Wangxian City, at the Baiyujing base, Yutu suddenly opened his eyes and rose into the air. He smashed through the roof and flew into the sky, a purple phantom flickering behind him. His eyes were filled with shock. After a long time, he muttered in a daze, "The Yin and Yang energies have opened; the sun, moon, and mountains are overturned."

"This mortal world... will never be the same again!"

Then, he laughed wildly, tears streaming down his face. "The key to the Upper Realms has finally been found! The Heavenly Dao has a spirit! After traversing five worlds, my Baiyujing has finally found it—found this 'pseudo-upper realm' overflowing with spiritual energy!"

In the courtyard, Tian Xingjian, Zeng Li, Yi Chongtian, and the other Baiyujing disciples were all stunned.

...

In the Suiyun Mountain Range, in a hidden mansion nestled within a forest of ancient trees, a swarm of cultivators took flight. They were a bizarre sight—some with lion heads and human bodies, others with human faces and snake bodies—a chaotic dance of demons. Leading them was a youth with a hint of malice.

The youth gazed at the pillar of light, his eyes flickering. After a long while, he said, "Bring me Yaya!"

As soon as he spoke, a scholar as handsome as a woman stepped into the air. With every step, golden characters bloomed beneath his feet. Surrounded by these golden words, his face bore a nine-part resemblance to Zhong Xiuniang. Yaya’s eyes were profound as he chanted, "Since ancient times, the sea of clouds is vast, where can the Dao Mountain and Crimson Palace be found? In the mortal world, there is the Recluse of Chicheng, rising like a dragon and phoenix."

"Master, someone on the frontier has broken the shackles of this world!"

After sighing, Yaya’s expression suddenly changed. He exclaimed, "That direction—little Zhong Ming is still there!"

Disregarding etiquette, Yaya didn't bow to his master but immediately rode the wind, flying toward the pillar of light.

...

In Luoyang City, New Tang, a golden nine-clawed divine dragon appeared in the sky above the imperial palace, rising upward and bowing its head toward the frontier. Within the palace, chaos reigned. Emperor Tang Zhen, Li Yuan, ran out of the palace with his dragon robe half-draped, gazing toward the horizon. Even from Luoyang, that towering black-and-white pillar of light was visible.

At the same time, the Qilin Son, various ministers, and the Second Prince, Li Shicheng, all rushed to high vantage points. Their expressions were mixed, but all were filled with worry. Only Li Jianye, holding a bowl of congee, remained calm. He smiled, "If someone on the frontier can shake heaven and earth, it can only be Master Zhong."

Li Guangling, standing behind his father, nodded. "Even if it isn't Master Zhong, it must be someone Master Zhong has guided."

It seemed that in the eyes of this royal father and son, only a person like Zhong Ming could emerge from the frontier.

...

Beyond the ten-thousand-foot cliffs, where birds struggle to fly and old apes cannot climb, a distinguished-looking middle-aged man emerged from a ten-thousand-year-old cavern. His gaze was deep, and he remained silent for a long time. Finally, he spoke, "Pass my order: all Great Sword Immortals of Sword Cliff, follow me to the frontier!"

Soon after, hundreds of brilliant rays of light flew out from the cavern. The sky was filled with sword qi, blotting out the sun. A woman of peerless beauty emerged, shouting in a panic, "Yu Li, why aren't you going yet! If anything happens to our daughter, I will snap your sword in two!"

Yu Li, the leader of the hundred Great Sword Immortals at Sword Cliff, looked embarrassed. He tried to comfort her, "Qing Zhi, do not worry. Yu Bai is clever; she won't make a mistake. Besides..."

"Go find our daughter now!"

Before he could finish, a light sword flew from behind Qing Zhi, pointing directly at Yu Li. He dared not speak further and immediately summoned his flying sword, shooting into the sky like a meteor. Over a hundred rays of light streaked toward the frontier, their sword qi covering a hundred miles.

...

In the Far North, amidst the snow, a mountain resembling a fairyland stood out among the peaks. Hundreds of rays of light flew from the mountain, heading toward the frontier in a grand procession. As they passed the ice fortress at the foot of the mountain, a dragon’s roar echoed, and a figure in a dragon robe, riding a black, raging dragon, followed closely behind. An old eunuch ran out of the palace, shouting, "Your Majesty, that is the New Tang! You cannot risk yourself!"

Emperor Ji Long laughed, "I am traveling with several seniors from Kunlun; you need not worry! Once I have seen the key, I shall return!"

...

In the Penglai Mansion of South Han, Feng Ning suddenly summoned his jade *pipa*. Sitting before a flower garden, he played a melody of "Invincibility." Feng Mufei dragged Li Wangye over in a rush. Mufei’s small face was full of excitement, while Li Wangye looked confused, having just woken up.

Feng Mufei shouted, "Father, the Yin and Yang energies have opened in this mortal world! Let’s go see which senior has obtained this profound energy of heaven and earth!"

Feng Ning remained composed, simply plucking his *pipa*. After a long while, he smiled, "No need to go. Let the brothers from Penglai Palace go have a look. I have already calculated it."

*Zheng—*

The strings vibrated softly. Feng Ning whispered, "Master Zhong! Great talent, great fortune!"

...

Meanwhile, in the entire Xuanbei Zhong Province, people from eight different mansions were all rushing toward that small frontier city in New Tang. Within half a day, Wangxian City would be filled with immortals and buddhas.

...

In the martial arts world, while the warriors didn't know what had happened, they too received a stroke of fortune. The chief disciple of the Nanhua Sect was practicing his sword when, for no apparent reason, he broke through thirty-three layers of qi within the time it took to burn an incense stick. His internal energy reached ninety strands, advancing from the Earthly Fiend to the Heavenly Gang.

Qin Wudi in Bianliang City seemed to sense it, gazing toward the frontier. The peak of martial arts he had searched for in vain for years seemed to flicker with inspiration, as he found a trace of "Extreme Martial" aura.

"I, Qin Xiong! Should be above the Heavenly Gang!"

Roaring at the sky, Qin Wudi walked out of his gentle little courtyard and stepped into the air. Behind him, a woman with a gentle gaze smiled, whispering to herself, "He is still the same as he was back then. Obsessed with martial arts, even more than he loves me."

From this point on, a new realm appeared in the martial world, one that hadn't been reached for hundreds of years. It was called: *Return to One.*

Above the Heavenly Gang, beyond myths, all laws return to one. Qin Xiong stepped on the Yin and Yang energies and soared into the sky. From then on, a mortal killing an immortal was no longer a fairy tale.

Similar events seemed to be happening everywhere in this martial world. The Old Sword God, Su Tingyou, hadn't touched a sword in thirty years, supposedly practicing the "Heart Sword." When he was world-renowned, he had once said, "If there is a sword in the heart, everything can be a blade."

But today, the Old Sword God suddenly shouted, "Only when there is a sword in the hand, can there truly be a sword in the heart!"

A cold glint flashed. His bladeless sword suddenly flew from his hand. From nothing to something, from something to nothing—a return to simplicity and truth. That day, at the Su Family Sword Manor, sword qi pierced the sky. The hundreds of miles of sword qi were enough to make even the Great Sword Immortals of Sword Cliff gasp in awe.

Immortals had suppressed this martial world for three years. Today, the world finally changed. And it all started with a young man and a girl who had eaten something that tasted like a candy.