Just as Luo Wushuang’s palm was half an inch away from the Dao Bell, he suddenly stopped.

He shook his head, somewhat disappointed. “Not quite. In the end, it’s missing something.”

After speaking, he didn’t spare another glance at the Dao Bell. Instead, he walked over to the burly demonic beastman.

Slowly extending his left hand, Luo Wushuang resumed his previous refined and gentle demeanor. “Have you decided?”

The beastman gulped. “I...”

He never found the courage to voice his answer. Guess right, live. Guess wrong, die. The seemingly simple question was the ultimate test of his temperament.

Luo Wushuang offered gentle comfort instead of pressuring him. “Take your time. Matters of life and death require careful thought. I’ll give you a little more time to think it over.”

He seemed to possess boundless patience. His left hand remained extended, fist loosely closed, as he simply stared quietly at the beastman.

After some time had passed, the pressure in the beastman’s heart grew heavier and heavier until he could bear it no longer. Finally, he blurted out, “O-one!”

Luo Wushuang smiled slightly. “I see. Are you sure?”

“Y-yes!”

Without further ado, Luo Wushuang slowly opened his hand, revealing a single essence crystal shimmering with spirit light.

Although his species were physically robust, the beastmen felt his legs go weak and nearly toppled over. He guessed right so he could live. If not for his fear of Luo Wushuang, he would have roared with excitement.

Luo Wushuang chuckled softly. “Not bad. You may go.”

Despite his elation, the beastman still felt disbelief. “You’re really letting me go?”

After all, he was the one who initiated the attack, fully intending to kill. Such a great enmity, just forgiven and forgotten?

Instead of answering, Luo Wushuang tossed the essence crystal to him. “Keep this essence crystal safe.”

The beastman was confused. “Huh? What...”

“It saved your life.”

The beastman nodded eagerly, finally realizing Luo Wushuang truly intended to let him go. “Right! Right!”

Inwardly, he swore to enshrine this essence crystal like an ancestor upon his return, offering prayers three times a day, nine kowtows each time without fail!

Suddenly, Luo Wushuang looked back. “Hmm?”

The Dao Bell’s green light grew more intense.

“Interesting. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to go back to take a look.”

***

In the Northern Domain of the Eastern Wasteland, the demoness looked at the Dao Bell before her.

Her previous allure and frivolity was gone, replaced by a trace of sorrow. “One ring short. In the end, I still have no chance, do I...?”

***

The appearance of the Dao Bell stirred boundless waves.

On this day, deep within the Southern Border, red light flickered as faint roars echoed between heaven and earth.

In the heart of the demonic beast territory, a carnival erupted among the beasts, seemingly celebrating the birth of a young supreme being.

Somewhere in the Western Desert, three thousand Buddha apparitions were faintly revealed, causing all monks to devoutly bow in worship.

Meanwhile, led by a young war god, the barbarian tribes of the Northern Domain launched a frenzied assault on the borders of the Great Flame Empire.

***

In the Central Continent, someone was heard laughing and shouting madly, “Nine rings of the Dao Bell! My son Yulin has the makings of achieving the Dao!”

His voice traveled for a hundred li.

***

In the Border Wasteland, watching the green light enveloping Ah Sha, few people felt like they couldn’t keep up. It really worked? The Dao Bell rang nine times with just a glare?

Murong Yan gulped. “Senior Brother, how about I try glaring at it too?”

Shen Xuan remained silent. Truth be told, he was a little tempted as well.

However, Zuo Yang faintly grasped a bit of the underlying principle. “I never would have imagined that Ah Sha actually possesses such a heaven-defying technique. Even I felt a bit scared for a moment! No wonder she could elicit nine rings. If those old monsters knew, they’d probably be crying and begging to take her as a disciple!”

Gu Han sighed. “Senior Brother, please keep Ah Sha’s matter a secret for me.”

He knew that even if those people had never heard of the Eye of Shattered Illusions bloodline, Ah Sha’s ability was undeniable. It would undoubtedly bring endless disaster once exposed. Apart from those he trusted most, he neither dared nor wished to entrust Ah Sha’s safety to anyone else.

Zuo Yang patted his shoulder. “Understood. Rest assured. Being tight-lipped is a cook’s essential quality. I won’t blabber.”

Gu Han’s expression made him recall Ah Sha’s strange symptoms. Zuo Yang felt he had underestimated the nature of her ability. Having too powerful an ability could become a calamity.

Gu Han looked puzzled. How does being tight-lipped relate to being a cook...?

Zuo Yang glanced at Ah Sha again, sighing with emotion. “Nine rings of the Dao Bell. The gift the Great Dao gave Ah Sha is far, far greater than what it gave me.”

At this moment, Ah Sha was bathed in green light. Her cultivation had already risen to the Essence Gathering realm. Clearly, the cultivation boost was just a side effect. The vast majority of the Great Dao’s blessing had landed on her Eye of Shattered Illusions bloodline.

Looking at Gu Tian standing dazedly to the side, an idea struck Zuo Yang. “Fellow Daoist Gu, why don’t you give it a try? With your aptitude, I’m sure you could definitely elicit at least eight rings from the Dao Bell!”

Murong Yan chimed in. “Uncle, trying doesn’t cost anything. We shouldn’t let the Great Dao go to waste!”

She had just spent a good while glaring wide-eyed at the Dao Bell, but it showed no reaction at all, leaving her somewhat resentful.

Gu Han said seriously, “Exactly! She makes a good point!”

He was also very curious. Logically speaking, Gu Tian’s aptitude could only be considered decent, far from stunning. He’d be lucky to get three rings. However, after cultivating the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Scripture, his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds, soaring a thousand li a day. In just a few months, he had traversed a path that would take others decades or even a century. He was absolutely an exception among exceptions!

Gu Han really wanted to see how the Dao Bell would judge Gu Tian.

Unexpectedly, Gu Tian shook his head. “No... It cannot give me what I want...”

Gu Han seemed thoughtful. He vaguely sensed that the path Gu Tian was walking was completely different from the existing cultivation systems.

Murong Yan wasn’t ready to give up. “Uncle, we can’t let it off so easily—”

Just then, Ah Sha seemed to have finished digesting the blessing. Her eyes snapped open, flickering with profound darkness. The group felt a chill run through them as their very souls trembled faintly.

The only ones unaffected were Gu Han and his father.

“Ah Sha, you’re awake?” Gu Han asked. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Ah Sha was stunned for a moment. The dark light in her eyes gradually faded, and she reverted to her simple and somewhat muddled appearance.

Murong Yan’s face turned pale. “How did this little girl become so frightening just now?”

Zuo Yang also felt a lingering fear. “Incredible!”

For a moment there, even he had faintly sensed danger. He began to understand Gu Han’s worries. This kind of ability was truly heaven-defying!

Ah Sha excitedly ran to Gu Han’s side. “Young Master, I feel like my illness is much better! Even without eating spirit herbs, I can last a really long time now!”

Gu Han was overjoyed. “R-really?”

The alleviation of her condition meant Ah Sha’s soul drain had greatly lessened. Amid his joy, he also felt a bit of regret. If such a heaven-sent opportunity came a few more times, Ah Sha’s illness could be completely cured.

Ah Sha nodded vigorously. “Yes! Young Master, from now on, I can help you fight too. I’m super, super strong now!”

Gu Han patted her head. “Is that so? How strong?”

Ah Sha suddenly leaned in as she pointed at the space between his eyebrows.

She whispered secretly, “Young Master, I saw it. There seems to be someone living here.”