Chapter 239: Chapter 189: Destruction of the Secret Realm

The three Great Guardians started fighting.

Although they had considered this possibility, seeing them actually fight over the spoils was rather surprising for both the young and the older ones. But upon closer inspection, they found out that they were indeed fighting bare-handed.

Yes, without the Token, Forbidden Secret Technique, and weapons, even if they had a foundation in Cultivation Technique and were at the Peak Third Transition of this era, possibly having absorbed Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends, the fight was still no different from a village brawl, just a bit more intense and faster.

The first to fall was Beiyou. It wasn’t because he wasn’t strong, it was because he was too strong. Prajna excelled in long weapons, Blood Phase, although proficient in hand skills, relied on the Token to inflict damage. Only Beiyou, with just his legs, could chop mountains and split stones. How could they not gang up on him?

Then Blood Phase and Prajna faced off one-on-one. Prajna had tough skin, Blood Phase was adept at dodging. The battle was intense for a while until Blood Phase managed a death-hold leg lock on Prajna’s neck, gripping Prajna’s arm tightly, forming a perfect figure-four lock. In mortal combat, this technique was almost a sure kill.

Prajna barely held on for over ten seconds before he couldn’t maintain his defense barrier, and Blood Phase immediately let go and backed off. Even with a face swollen and bruised, his good mood was undeniable: "Last time, you were able to break free from my hold, how come you gave up so quickly this time?"

"If it wasn’t for my mistake, perhaps I could have fought more smoothly. I have no right to contend for the second spoils, you should have it," Prajna said.

"Damn it, if you can’t beat me, you just can’t. Don’t talk nonsense," Blood Phase cursed, picking up the Reward Good and Punish Evil Order next to the treasure chest. "Then I’ll take this Token; you guys can split the remaining money."

"Who says I can’t beat you? I dare you to challenge me one-on-one. I won’t even use my hands to take you down," Beiyou, lying on the ground, cursed, "Every time you guys target me first."

Blood Phase retorted, "You kicked my head until it’s buzzing, what can I say? Five times out of ten, you win. If we don’t target you, we might as well call you our daddy."

"I wouldn’t mind having another son. Just when you lost a brother, are you looking for more family?"

"Screw you!"

It turned out they just fought over the ownership of the last piece of spoils. Regardless of being Demonic Messengers, removing their defense barrier was an extremely risky thing. If anyone harbored bad intentions, they could take the opportunity to assassinate; who can guarantee they’ll respond in time?

However, judging by their tone, this kind of ’bare-knuckle fight’ is not a first-time affair for them. It seems this nearly beast-like method of resolving disagreements has been their norm over the years.

Say they trust each other, but they won’t sit down and talk things through, preferring to fight it out to decide who to listen to; Say they don’t trust each other, yet they dare to entrust their lives to the whim of the other party.

But looking at their faces, each one marked with injuries, with Blood Phase the triumphant winner, while the defeated Beiyou and Prajna showed grinning faces full of toothy grins, rather than being the three Great Guardians of Shu Dao Mountain, they seemed more like three immature youths.

They soon got up and noticed the teasing expressions on the faces of Pharmacist’s Wish and Rabbit Heroine. Prajna clasped his hands together: "Sorry for letting you see such a sight."

"Get lost already," Blood Phase said coldly, "You didn’t really plan to be the Great Guardian of Shu Dao Mountain, did you?" Although this was typically his attitude, it always made one feel he was ashamed of the earlier fight.

"I hadn’t thought of it before, but just to annoy you, this Female Knight might reluctantly stay on. Anyway, since I’m idle, why not bother you?" Rabbit Heroine said.

Blood Phase sneered, "I won’t be annoyed. If you want to become a Female Demon, go ahead. I’m not interested in seeing you around."

"Are you leaving?" Prajna asked.

Blood Phase nodded, "Since I’ve obtained Si Wuxie’s inheritance, there’s no reason to stay at Shu Dao Mountain any longer. I’ll tidy up and leave soon."

"Hey, hey, Shu Dao Mountain is the territory we fought for, and you’re planning to leave just like that?" Beiyou said in an exaggerated manner, "I thought we would be the three Great Guardians for life. When we get old, we could mimic Si Wuxie and leave three inheritances in the Secret Realm and name it... how about the Three Kings’ Legacy?"

"I’ve stayed at Shu Dao Mountain for too long," Blood Phase said slowly, "If they hadn’t come, I would have left within two years, looking for other Foundation Establishment opportunities...you guys should make plans too, whether walking the righteous or demon paths, you have to step out to go further. Hiding in this cesspool to claim power will only make you the stepping stones for the young, just like the four previous Guardians, three killed by Prajna, one killed by me."

It turns out there were other Guardians before them...the young ones barely realized this fact.

"Seems you are truly determined, even the dog-mouth spoke ivory," Beiyou laughed, "We hit it off from the start. Why not have me send you off, meet your niece?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"You’ll die from your blabbering someday," Blood Phase said, "But Beiyou, you must have planned well. I’ve never quite seen through you...Even if you die, you’ll die according to your plan. But Prajna, after I’m gone, be careful not to let Beiyou toy you to death."

"I might leave in a few days," Prajna said, "After thirteen years of seclusion on the mountain, it’s time to go back. I just didn’t expect that our last Guardian battle was just now. It’s somewhat wistful."

"At least Beiyou, that beast, lost this last one."

"True, I have no regrets now."

"Parting like this is too dull. How about we have a real battle with weapons? I’m ready, and it will end when only one is left standing."

Yan Qing rubbed his eyes; if it weren’t for the big red names above their heads, he would almost feel these were three university students about to graduate and embark on their separate journeys. Even suspecting Blood Phase and Prajna eager to leave to secure their gains, their words still carried an undeniable touch of melancholy.

Thinking carefully, they have been together at Shu Dao Mountain for at least seven years. In these seven years, they sat lonely amidst the lively stronghold, surrounded by Demonic Messengers whom they couldn’t trust, while those they could trust might also be accidentally killed by them...Though filled with conflict, dislike, and dread among them, the ones they could communicate, argue, fight, and cooperate with were only each other, leaving no option but to spend their time on each other. Others couldn’t bear their love and hate.

How many seven years does life have? In these seven years, they accompanied each other, even as scoundrels, time offers no discounts just because they are scoundrels.

Perhaps they were never friends in the conventional sense, but within the chaotic mess that is Shu Dao Mountain, they could only have this disorderly kind of relationship.

Three villains twisting into a brawl within a cesspool, unable to do anything to each other. Although one might think of this period as a foul and vile time, looking back, there’s a bit of gratitude for not being alone in the cesspool.

Perhaps being influenced by their parting, Pharmacist’s Wish suddenly grabbed Rabbit Heroine’s hand. Even as Rabbit Heroine tried to shake off, she wouldn’t let go, as if she feared Rabbit Heroine might suddenly disappear.

"I won’t accompany you for seven years," Rabbit Heroine whispered, "Seven years is enough for me to prove my path, reach Golden Core, and ascend to immortality."

"How about three years?"

"Not even three."

"One year, surely?"

"One year..."

Everyone made their way past the Central Courtyard into the entrance of the Secret Realm. Before leaving the Secret Realm, everyone had a vague sense of premonition, or perhaps they had anticipated it long ago but hadn’t acknowledged it.

As the last, Prajna stepped out of the Secret Realm. They heard a distant sound of collapse. As they turned, they saw through the pale green vortex that the Juxian Manor within the Secret Realm was ablaze, houses collapsed as flames spread along fallen leaves and trees, consuming the pale green vortex.

The Crossbow Messenger on the fortress stood dumbfounded, with only the five who had just emerged showing no surprise.

The Corpse Bone Forest Secret Realm, having existed for untold eons and used by Si Wuxie for roughly a hundred years as a place for inheritance, had completely vanished without a trace, turning to ashes.

"Natural disaster," murmured Pharmacist’s Wish, as the smoke and fire reflected in her eyes completely extinguished.