HBWnovel Chapter 665: Mystical Mountains and Rivers
Chapter 665: Mystical Mountains and Rivers
Chapter 665: Mystical Mountains and Rivers
The river before them was vast and boundless, stretching so far that its opposite bank was lost to sight. Suspended at its center within the purple qi was a woman, her features indistinct but bearing an undeniable resemblance to Yangyang.
The young couple exchanged bewildered glances, each scratching their heads.
Since this was a karmic trace—a vision of the past—the figure in the mist was unaware of their presence. Seeing no harm, they moved closer to get a better look.
The woman floated cross-legged above the river, her eyes closed as though in deep meditation. Her resemblance to Yangyang was indeed uncanny. The difference lay in the overwhelming aura she radiated, an immense presence that suggested she could effortlessly defeat a hundred Yangyangs.
Could she be a reincarnation?
A vision such as this one was not the kind to provide unnecessary details, and soon, a streak of light shot toward the scene.
The newcomer was a familiar figure. It was none other than the ancient Azure Dragon. Zhao Changhe had encountered his image at the bottom of the Ancient Sword Lake and later confirmed his death when he lay within the coffin in Beimang. Yet, his presence in historical events loomed large, as befitting someone known as the Human Emperor.
Azure Dragon approached the woman, frowning. “Piaomiao, you seem unusually carefree.”
The woman called Piaomiao opened her eyes. “Why should I be uneasy?”
“The world is changing. Can’t you sense it?”
“You are the human emperor. Protecting the mountains and rivers is your responsibility.”
“...You are the spirit of the mountains and rivers. If the world collapses, it will mean your end as well. How is that not your concern?”
“If it’s not your concern, then why are you here and so worried?”
Azure Dragon was rendered momentarily speechless.
Piaomiao smiled faintly. “Be direct. Why have you come? What do you want from me?”
“I intend to relocate Beimang, make it a secret realm of its own, merging the dragon veins of the mountains and rivers. Even if the world collapses and all life perishes, as long as Beimang remains, I will have a chance to return. And with my revival, so will you. I need your help to achieve this.”
“You...” Piaomiao hesitated, then continued slowly, “While contemplating this plan, did you ever think about Shuanghua, who’s waiting for you at Sword Lake?”
Azure Dragon replied, “I’ll bring her along.”
“No, you will not. You have no intention of taking her. The actions you plan will destabilize the world’s qi veins, something you’ll certainly conceal from the Night Emperor. Shuanghua is his trusted guardian. You do not dare to let her know.”
Azure Dragon said, “Once my work is complete, not even the Night Emperor can interfere.”
This single strike drained the river almost entirely. It also left Piaomiao’s form faint and blurred, as though her very existence had begun to wane.
She gazed at her handiwork and murmured softly, “To entrust the future of humanity to a human emperor may have been a mistake—perhaps one day that will inevitably change. I shall divide myself into four swords, embodying the will of the mountains and rivers, to be wielded by future heroes. These swords shall protect the land while also keeping the power of future emperors in check. This sword, embodying boundless righteousness, purging all darkness and evil, shall be named Qinghe.”
The man impaled by the divine sword looked down at it, his expression one of utter disbelief. Shaking his head, he spoke, “Killing me accomplishes nothing. I am merely the manifestation of the flame of oblivion. Even if you destroy me, this world is doomed to perish.”
Despite being across a divide between realms, his voice still reached Piaomiao’s ears. She responded in a low voice, “I’m helping someone. Together, we will protect the mortal realm.”
“You won’t succeed...” the man sneered. “The death of the Heavenly Dao wasn’t meant to lead to the collapse of the world. This state of ruin came because, in its dying moments, even the Heavenly Dao deemed this world unworthy. You’ll soon realize how laughable it is to protect this world.”
Piaomiao’s response was calm, “Perhaps.”
As if to confirm the man’s words, not long after their exchange had ended and Piaomiao had split her essence to forge the four divine swords of the mountains and rivers, a spectral demonic hand descended from the heavens, striking her with terrifying force.
Piaomiao’s eyes widened in disbelief. “It’s you...”
The woman had always maintained an air of serenity, yet now, in her final moments, she displayed a flicker of venomous resentment. “You won’t be able to consume my spirit. A fragment of my true spirit will reincarnate into the mortal realm. As long as humanity endures, someday my great vengeance will be carried out... even if by then... I am no longer myself.”
The vision ended.
Zhao Changhe frowned deeply, his thoughts racing.
Cui Yuanyang, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, looked utterly stunned.
The vision had not revealed the identity of the attacker. Whether it was interference or simply left ambiguous, the spectral hand gave no clues about its origin. All they could discern was that Piaomiao had recognized the attacker and had been shocked by them killing her.
There had long been speculation about whether Zhao Changhe might be the reincarnation of the Night Emperor, confirming that reincarnation existed as a concept. However, no one had ever encountered a clear instance—until now. It seemed likely that Yangyang was in fact the reincarnation of Piaomiao, the spirit of the qi veins of humanity and the mountains and rivers.
The similarities were striking, from her physical appearance to her connection with Qinghe. The reason she was not exactly identical in appearance was likely that she was born naturally to human parents, inheriting most of her features from them. It was enough to suggest her lineage but not a perfect replication.
Piaomiao’s final words also hinted that her reincarnation would not involve the overwriting of personalities or memories. At most, it might lead to the awakening of past memories, but it would not turn Yangyang into a completely different person. Still, the implications were staggering. Even if Yangyang chose to ignore this legacy and live a simple life, the weight of this karma would inevitably find her.
And what would happen if the one who had struck Piaomiao down was still alive and encountered Yangyang?
The resemblance alone might spark recognition, and with Yangyang inheriting the intent of the Qinghe Sword, could she truly avoid such karma?
Moreover, Piaomiao’s final moments and her cryptic final words hinted at a vast conspiracy behind the collapse of the era. It was not simply due to the death of the Heavenly Dao, as many believed. Unraveling this thread seemed to hinge on Yangyang, whether she liked it or not.
As their consciousness withdrew from the Qinghe Sword, Cui Yuanyang stared at Zhao Changhe, dazed and overwhelmed. Her wide eyes swirled in confusion as she stammered, “I... I just came to observe the sword’s intent. How did it turn into this?”