Chapter 22: Visions from the Future

Xing Qiluo fixed his gaze intently on Chu Hanyu, while simultaneously probing him with his divine sense. Yet, all he saw was Chu Hanyu, eyes gently closed, not even a quiver of his lashes—showing no sign of waking. Xing Qiluo’s divine sense was like a stone cast into the sea, vanishing without a trace, giving him not the slightest response.

A heavy feeling settled in Xing Qiluo’s heart. Was there still no progress?

If this continued, he would have no choice but to attempt waking Chu Hanyu himself, perhaps by seeking help from that Immortal Lord surnamed Meng. Though they stood on opposite sides, it hadn’t come to blows the last time they met. In circumstances such as these, if another exalted one were to fall—be it even a Demon Lord—he feared the Azure Sky Realm might not survive this calamity.

“Wake up soon… the Azure Sky Realm needs you.”

Truthfully, if the mighty figures of the Azure Sky Realm throughout the ages could hear of their intention to resist the Black Water of Tonight on their own, they would surely be shocked. That was the utmost filth, the most profound mystery, a corruption so dire that even the gods and immortals of the upper realm had perished before it!

Yet, in reality, these exalted ones of the Azure Sky Realm truly could try to conquer it themselves! Firstly, seeking help was all but hopeless—after all, when envoys from the upper realm tried to persuade them to ascend, they had been reproached and nearly fought. Secondly, it was not certain they were any lesser than the gods and demons of the upper realm; their cultivation far surpassed the most powerful figures of the Azure Sky Realm throughout history—they were truly without equal.

Though the foundations of the Azure Sky Realm could not compare to the upper realm, not even a ten-thousandth part, from the moment they could slam their fists on the table with the upper realm’s envoys, they themselves had become the very foundation of the Azure Sky Realm!

But was it really true that Chu Hanyu had made no progress? On the contrary, his progress was nothing short of astonishing! In his battle with the Black Water of Tonight, he had managed to wear down its utmost filth and corruption, and even his cultivation had improved.

How many arts did Chu Hanyu excel in? Even what was known to the world—formations, talismans, alchemy, artifact forging—his outward display was but a fraction; in truth, he had mastered each to the point of charting new paths for the Azure Sky Realm! His most deeply hidden trump card wasn’t even any of these, but rather his comprehension of the Dao of Time, which had been drawn forth in this confrontation.

The Black Water of Tonight still retained a wisp of that unfathomable property, so mysterious that even Chu Hanyu could not describe it. Immersed in this profound and boundless contest, Chu Hanyu let the years slip by, his spirit sunk deep within.

He did not know how long had passed when, suddenly, he opened his eyes. For a fleeting moment, a deep and enigmatic light flashed within them.

At once, he lifted his hand! He had actually grasped this, one of the most elusive principles of heaven and earth, to the point where it manifested as a tangible realm of meaning!

Time stretched on, unrolling before him like a slowly unfurling scroll. The first image to emerge was, without doubt, the one most familiar to Chu Hanyu: the Grand Free Sky Demonic Sect.

Chu Hanyu wandered through the sect grounds, glimpsing shadows of the past—his master and senior brothers showering him with affection and indulgence; he and Demon Lord Xing Qiluo as children, chasing and playing together every day… His chief disciple busily overseeing construction, arguing and shouting with the elders, all locked in passionate debate.

All of it seemed to come from gentle spirits of the past, enveloping him, bringing a rare peace to his heart.

As he walked on, he suddenly turned around, realizing—if one direction was the past, might the other be glimpses of the future? Quickly, he turned about.

The scenery warmed and brightened, the entire atmosphere shifting. If Chu Hanyu had come from Bluewater Star, he would have called this a sudden change in artistic style.

The future Grand Free Sky Demonic Sect was bustling and lively, full of people; disciples chatted happily as they moved about the sect. Chu Hanyu was both surprised and delighted, letting out a soft laugh.

He wondered, which of his disciples would he see first? The second disciple, or…? Hmm?

Chu Hanyu stopped in his tracks, staring at a figure he didn’t recognize very well.

A boy of about twelve stood with his back to him, facing a black, translucent floating panel.

For some reason, the moment Chu Hanyu saw him, he found himself utterly unable to move, his martial abilities and divine powers sealed away. Was this what the Dao of Time wished him to see?

The boy spoke to the panel, “Hello everyone, I’m Zhang Ning! Welcome back to my livestream, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and send gifts! Thank you, thank you to Array Genius for the tip—so generous, as always, bringing luck right from the start! Ah—thank you, Fairy Hongling for…”

His tone was cheerful, brimming with genuine joy for what he was doing. But as Chu Hanyu watched his back, he found himself wondering just one thing: What on earth is this brat doing?

The “brat” addressed the floating translucent panel: “The reason for this sudden livestream isn’t planned at all—I just wanted to rant about how outrageous Heart-Sword Delivery is! I know the delivery guys work hard, but come on! You’re a top-tier sect!”

Chu Hanyu raised an eyebrow. What’s this? He’s in contact with disciples from another sect? Isn’t there anyone who can keep him in line?

The boy continued, “I know Heart-Sword’s whole ‘man and sword as one, mission accomplished’ thing—they really are fast! I ordered some of their special pastries today, and it arrived in half an hour! The nearest teleportation array is two cities away from my Grand Free Sky Demonic Sect. But I also got them to bring me some coconut juice… yes, those who know me know I mean Starflash fruit juice.”

“I wrote in the notes: ‘As cold as possible, the colder the better.’ They transported it for me from high altitude the whole way… the wind and frost, I can’t imagine how the delivery guy managed! But by the time it got here, the coconut juice looked like this.”

He pulled from his bag a translucent container, its contents and the container itself frozen solid into a single lump.

At this, the boy paused, staring at the translucent panel, and then suddenly began to jump and shout at it: “Why are you all so gleeful at my misfortune! I’ll have you know, today I am absolutely going to drink this coconut juice! I insist on it! I have a coconut grove specially approved by my master, but I want delivery! And I’m going to use the ‘simplest’ method to drink it!”

Chu Hanyu watched with great interest. So he was a disciple of the sect? And his master must be someone of considerable standing, to have secured a whole grove for him—at least a disciple of some elder… But who would spoil a disciple so shamelessly? That couldn’t possibly be a good thing!

The boy, clutching the container of “coconut juice,” dashed off toward a nearby building!

Before Chu Hanyu could react, he saw the boy start banging the frozen juice against one of the building’s grand, ornately carved pillars!

Chu Hanyu was stunned. This little rascal!!!!!!

Then the boy proceeded to try every hall’s pillar and every hard object in sight, even items of symbolic significance, testing each in turn. Chu Hanyu was gradually growing impatient.

But what the boy did next began to truly anger Chu Hanyu!

He brazenly barged into Chu Hanyu’s own alchemy hall—a place he never allowed others to enter lightly—and started smashing the frozen container against various precious cauldrons, some of which ranked among the Azure Sky Realm’s most wondrous treasures!

All the while, he commented on the hardness of each item he struck, chatting and laughing with the panel, which clearly was not a living being.