Chapter Two: Swapping Heaven and Earth

Celestial Bone of Creation...

Chu Tiange activated his cultivation technique and introspected his celestial bone, seeing streams of radiant, shimmering energy weaving through his entire skeleton; every gesture, every movement brimmed with immense power.

The strength of this bone was simply overwhelming—ten times greater than the Mortal Bone realm of his previous life. This was no exaggeration.

Throughout a millennium of history on the Azure Profound Continent, those who could inscribe the Heavenly Bone were as rare as phoenix feathers, let alone the Celestial Bone!

The Four Stages of Spirit Gathering: Lighting the Lamp, Gathering Qi, Condensing the Source, and Foundation Building. Only upon gathering spirit can one truly be called a cultivator, able to fly through the skies; to stand out in the Azure Profound Secret Realm, one must at least reach Foundation Building.

For now, he needed to light the lamp, ignite the fire within his heart, to resonate with the essence of sun and moon, swallow the power of heaven and earth, and condense his own spirit—thus forging the foundation of cultivation.

The Devouring Heaven Creation Technique: swallow the fortune of heaven and earth into oneself, with the talent of the celestial bone, seize creation in reverse, and forge the spiritual embryo!

By igniting the fire of the world and the fire within, one can begin spirit gathering, but lighting the heart’s fire requires utmost preparation—any carelessness would result in annihilation.

Yet there was cause for joy: the Pearl of Creation had accompanied him into this world.

Within his introspective world, his celestial bone stood like a tree in chaos; a wheel of light hung high in the void, its pure, lustrous glow pouring onto the celestial bone, creating a marvelous cycle.

Radiant brilliance nourished the celestial bone.

That moon-like radiance was none other than the Pearl of Creation!

Chu Tiange’s consciousness was drawn inside.

A voice rang out!

The same voice as before.

The affairs of the world are like chess; one may be a white piece, or a black piece. A single thought decides it all. When the secrets of heaven shift, when yin and yang entwine, when all things in heaven and earth are but chess pieces, only oneself remains as the throne.

“Who are you?” Chu Tiange’s pupils contracted, his mind seemed to explode.

How could another appear in his introspective world? Who was speaking?

Chu Tiange’s heart was filled with suspicion. This was no illusion.

“An ancient dream, finally awakened today.”

The voice was aged, full of deep reminiscence and longing.

Chu Tiange’s eyes opened slightly.

An ancient dream! Could it be...

His heart pounded furiously.

He controlled his emotions, forcing himself calm. “Senior, may I ask who you are?”

When forging the celestial bone, Chu Tiange had witnessed an unforgettable scene.

In the cosmic river, gods and demons fell, the immortal clan was extinguished, stars dyed with blood. Only a solitary, mighty figure remained, evolving countless laws of the world.

He had guessed—perhaps this was that deity!

Chu Tiange seemed to hear that figure sigh at him.

That sigh was deep and long, as though it had been silent for endless ages, only now emerging.

“Who am I? Merely a remnant soul hiding in the Pearl of Creation.”

Within the star chart, a shadow slowly appeared. Even as a wraith, one could sense its majesty and dominance.

“I see flaws in the laws of this world. The immortal path is broken, the human path impassable, and this heaven and earth continues to fall.”

The figure’s voice grew weary, sighing again.

“With your original talent, even if you obtained the Pearl of Creation, it would be useless. It is said you were lucky—when your soul was about to scatter, I happened to awaken, unwilling to spare the cost, borrowing the power of the Pearl to reverse the flow of time, returning you to the origin.”

To reverse heaven and earth—Chu Tiange was deeply moved, such methods were terrifying. If he possessed such power himself, what fear would he have of the coming calamity of the Netherworld?

“With the talent of your celestial bone, you too can seize creation in reverse, proving eternity.”

The shadow seemed to read his thoughts.

“My appearance is to point you toward a bright path.”

“A bright path?” Chu Tiange asked.

“The Pearl of Creation has fused completely with your soul, yet you know not its wonders. Though gravely damaged, its inner time still flows five times slower than the outside. To enter the world of the Pearl, you must activate it with spiritual power.”

“Remember: once you die and your path is extinguished, it and I will vanish alike. Though I have reversed time with a remnant soul, I cannot alter the grand pattern. Only you, by returning to the origin, can reverse the situation.”

“The calamity of the Netherworld—in my eyes, is but child’s play. The road ahead will be more arduous and difficult. Yet the secrets of heaven cannot be spoken now, lest I disturb your mind.”

“What must I do?” Chu Tiange asked.

“Become stronger! You must stand atop the heavens; only then can you defy fate. After this, I shall slumber again. The second bright path is to tell you—when you grasp that sword, you will gain unprecedented power!”

The figure stepped aside, revealing a path.

A path leading into darkness.

This path held ninety-nine steps!

A broken sword was embedded in the stone platform.

Chu Tiange watched as the figure vanished, but suddenly, in that shadow he seemed to glimpse a duplicate image—a massive black sword!

Before him, only one path remained. Only by ascending the ninety-nine steps could he draw that sword.

Even from afar, he could feel the terrifying power contained within the sword!

Chu Tiange hesitated briefly, then stepped onto the stone steps.

Boom!

The moment his foot touched the first step, a tremendous force surged forth, overwhelming Chu Tiange like a flood.

Terrifying power emanated from the steps, shaking his organs, blood, and meridians, almost stopping his breath.

Just the first step brought immense pressure, compressing his muscles, nearly bursting him apart.

As Chu Tiange continued to climb, the pressure grew more intense, almost crushing his body.

“Only the sixth step, and I can go no further.” Agonizing pain swept through him, nearly tearing him apart, his body trembling and convulsing, his face pale as death.

“I refuse! Mere steps cannot make me submit!”

Clenching his teeth, ignoring the splitting of his body, Chu Tiange strode onto the seventh step!

Blood flowed freely!

The pain was piercing, forcing him to let out a low growl.

The seventh step, even stronger pressure.

The eighth, more terrifying still!

The ninth, yet more overpowering!

By the end, the pressure exceeded the limits of physical endurance—even the celestial bone began to fracture.

Finally, Chu Tiange, blood-soaked, stood upon the tenth step.

The moment he reached the tenth step, suddenly—an anomaly erupted.

The tenth step lit up, and a vast, boundless sword intent descended, entering Chu Tiange’s mind.

His mind went blank.

Someone was demonstrating the supreme Sword Technique!

Each sword strike was vast and awe-inspiring, powerful beyond measure, stunning to witness.

This sword technique was stronger than any immortal art or divine power he had ever learned—utterly perfect!

Chu Tiange, who had never studied swordsmanship, found himself utterly entranced, seeking comprehension with every move.

At last, the sword intent shivered lightly, transforming into a profound and obscure scripture—branded upon Chu Tiange’s brow.

The “Primordial Sword Canon”—

Four grand characters, carrying infinite sword intent and vastness.

Primordial Sword Qi! Using inner spiritual power as the guide, on the night of the full moon, practice the Devouring Heaven Creation Technique; through tempering, condense forty-nine strands of sword intent, able to slice through anything.

If cultivated to perfection, it could sever all gods and demons in the heavens—a single sword to destroy the world.

The first sword style: Three Thousand Thunder Movement Sword Technique.

Chu Tiange closed his eyes, sat cross-legged, silently comprehending the essence of the Primordial Sword Canon.

The next day, Chu Tiange opened his eyes, a flash of sharpness flickered through his gaze, vanishing instantly.

“Cultivation techniques are ranked by Heaven, Earth, Mystic, and Yellow. In my previous life, I obtained a Heaven-rank Dao art, but it cannot compare to the Primordial Sword Canon. Just the first style contains countless mystical arts, worthy of being called an immortal scripture.”

“But to condense sword qi, I must first gather spirit—that can wait. For now, there is another matter to resolve.” Chu Tiange looked up at the closed door.

His spiritual sense seemed to encompass the world, able to see every corner of the Morning Sun Hall.

Suddenly, Chu Tiange sensed something, his eyes igniting with fierce fire!

“Ning Wujue! You truly court death!”

In the dead of night, a peerless maiden, like a puppet on strings, walked under the moonlight.

Her destination—Ning Wujue’s room.

Under the moonlight, the maiden’s face was exquisitely beautiful, radiant and alluring; dew from her bath dripped from her hair onto her snowy shoulders, crystal clear and utterly tempting.

Heart-Bewitching Gu!

Chu Tiange discerned the truth.

He rushed from his room, sprinting through the darkness, reached behind the maiden, and struck her unconscious with a palm.

“Ning Wujue, tonight you die.” Chu Tiange looked at the maiden in his arms, murderous intent surging.

Using the cover of night, Chu Tiange carried Zhao Yiren back to her quarters.

She was a prodigy, possessing her own abode on Jade Ruler Peak, but to see Chu Tiange more often, she requested to stay in the “Beauty Chamber” with the other disciples.

“Brother Tiange, kiss me,” Zhao Yiren murmured sweetly in her sleep, eyes closed.

“Yiren...” Chu Tiange gazed at her flawless face, his heart bitter.

In his past life, she was a prodigy, yet poured all her affection onto him, a useless waste.

A firefly could never shine with the moon; Chu Tiange chose to flee, never confessed his love, forever separated—his lifelong regret.

In this life, Chu Tiange would not choose to escape!

He leaned down and kissed her; her lips were warm and sweet, dispelling all fatigue.

“This time, even if I’m shattered! I will protect you!” Chu Tiange’s resolve to quell the Netherworld calamity grew stronger.

He turned and left.

Chu Tiange’s figure in the rainy night gradually transformed—into Zhao Yiren’s form!

Within the Devouring Heaven Creation Technique was a disguise power; though it could not mask his aura, for a low-grade cultivator like Ning Wujue, it was enough to fool his pig eyes.

Chu Tiange knocked on a door.

A black-clad man emerged, eyes gleaming with wicked intent as he looked at the delicate maiden before him.

“I told you, you’d come to me tonight.” Ning Wujue greedily stroked her soft hair.

He had endured for so long—no one knew the inhuman torment he suffered in Ghost God Abyss.

There, he encountered despairing lechers, was ravaged to the extreme, his body ruined—yet it saved his life.

He had been a woman long enough; tonight, he would reclaim his manhood, and the peerless maiden before him would be his for the taking!

Ning Wujue watched Zhao Yiren’s frightened eyes, her struggle futile as she entered the room, his grin growing ever wider.

The door closed. As expected, a man and woman alone—passion would soon overwhelm all.

“Take off your clothes,” Ning Wujue commanded from the bed.

The maiden stripped off her outer garments, exposing her pale neck. Smiling, she said, “Alright, but you take yours off too.”

“Hahaha, of course! Tell me, if he knew you were bewitched, mistaking me for him, would he go mad?” Ning Wujue laughed, immediately undoing his belt, stripping naked.

After the torment of God Burial Abyss, his mind was twisted; he wanted to enact all the suffering he endured onto this maiden, hoping to erase his own pain.

Looking at the beauty, Ning Wujue felt he would explode, his blood boiling.

This struggle would be in vain—once Zhao Yiren lost herself, Ning Wujue would show no mercy, pressing her onto the bed and ravishing her.

He would have his wish!

His body grew hotter and hotter, his mind consumed only by desire.

Boom!

Suddenly, thunder crashed outside! The wind slammed the door open!

The candlelight died, and in the darkness, the maiden’s hand gripped his wrist.

“Hahaha, tonight you are mine!” Ning Wujue laughed savagely, reaching to tear off her last garment, intent on a night of wild entanglement.

Yet the next moment brought agonizing pain.

“Ah!!!”

Ning Wujue screamed, his cries drowned by thunder.

Next, no one would know what happened inside.

Ning Wujue was seized by the crotch and lifted, then slammed onto the bed.

Boom!

The bed collapsed! Yet Ning Wujue was still not released.

“Who are you?! You’re not Zhao Yiren!”

“It’s broken! Broken! Let go! Ah ah!!!”

The excruciating pain nearly made Ning Wujue faint.

The hand in the darkness did not release, but lifted him again, and slammed—again and again!

Until a cracking sound was heard, and the thing in Ning Wujue’s crotch was completely snapped; a thunderclap followed.

The window burst open, and Ning Wujue’s body was thrown outside.

Outside, rain poured in torrents.

A tall, imposing figure stood at the doorway, blocking the storm, radiating a cold, domineering aura.

“It’s... you!!!” Ning Wujue was in so much pain he could barely rise, cold sweat mingling with the rain.

He was utterly ruined—a sense that he could never be a man again.

He saw clearly the one who had ambushed him.

Chu Tiange!

“Impossible! A useless trash—how could you enter my room unnoticed!” Ning Wujue roared, wishing to tear Chu Tiange apart.

He had been crippled by a waste!

Ning Wujue wanted to curse more, but saw Chu Tiange’s eyes glittering with icy, frosty coldness.

Chu Tiange’s figure appeared before Ning Wujue again.

Now, Ning Wujue was powerless, drenched in sweat, like a lamb for slaughter, unable to use his cultivation.

“Don’t come any closer! Ah! Ah!” Crack!

Ning Wujue was kicked out, blood gushing from his mouth.

“This kick is for Yiren.”

“This kick is for the countless souls who died in the Azure Profound Secret Realm.”

Before Ning Wujue could hit the ground, a gale swept by, and a figure appeared behind him, kicking straight into his chest.

Bang—

Ning Wujue’s body was sent flying, even his clothes torn apart, crashing against the wall and then to the floor, vomiting blood, barely alive.

“This kick is for the hundreds of billions of lives in the Azure Profound Continent!”

The rage of his past life transformed into power, pouring into this kick; in a haze, the force of the stars and heavens seemed to form a Dao diagram, converging under his foot, radiating power beyond the Mortal Bone realm.

As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Tiange stomped on Ning Wujue’s lower body, flesh exploding!

Pig-like screams echoed through the entire Morning Immortal Gate.

“And the last kick—to send you to the afterlife.” Chu Tiange pressed his foot on Ning Wujue’s throat; no matter how desperately Ning Wujue struggled, he could not break free.

“Who is making noise at night!”

Ning Wujue’s screams were so tragic, they alerted the patrolling disciples, who hurried toward the scene.

Chu Tiange had no time to think, immediately withdrawing his foot.

The chief prohibition of the Morning Immortal Gate was that disciples must not kill each other—at best expelled, at worst crippled.

In the darkness, torches appeared; footsteps quickened as the patrol team arrived.

They saw a scene impossible to believe, unforgettable!

Rain washed over a naked body, battered and barely breathing, his lower half a bloody ruin, blood mixing with the water at everyone’s feet.

They also saw—in the rain, a man standing before Ning Wujue, turning his head, like a god of slaughter.