Chapter Sixty-Five: The Gate of Life and Death (End of Volume Two)

At this moment, as the Lord Jade Void inside the Starlight Annihilation Divine Formation grew increasingly restless, Zhang Xiao’s voice rang out from within the formation. “I never imagined that after parting ways with you at the Grand Competition of the Nine Sects, we would come to such a state today,” he said. Lord Jade Void’s heart trembled, a surge of joy welling up within him.

He hurriedly shouted, “Zhang Xiao, stop the formation at once! Everything can be negotiated. Otherwise, with the Kunlun Mountain Guardian Formation activated, the space sealed, even with your Great Ascension cultivation, you will not escape being utterly annihilated.” Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiao’s lips curled into a smile. He had never intended to leave Kunlun alive anyway. Yet, his figure gradually emerged from the Starlight Annihilation Divine Formation.

Cradling Lan Fang in his arms, Zhang Xiao caught the gleam in Lord Jade Void’s eyes, who tightened his grip on the Azure Dragon Fan. But Zhang Xiao’s next words brought calm to Lord Jade Void’s mind. “Lord, though I reveal myself, if you think you can slay me now, you greatly underestimate me. The Starlight Annihilation Divine Formation is a world unto itself; carefully sense the distance between us before deciding to strike.”

Lord Jade Void was taken aback. Not being skilled in formations himself, he recalled his senior brother, Lord Jade True, once saying that Zhang Xiao’s formation had complete rule power, a law-defying technique, with all rules manipulated by Zhang Xiao. Upon hearing Zhang Xiao’s reminder, Lord Jade Void scanned his divine sense and immediately relaxed, smiling. “Ah, fellow cultivator, you misunderstand. I was merely surprised to see you manifest; there is no hostility at all.”

It turned out that although Zhang Xiao’s apparent position seemed close, in reality, it was extremely distant—any attack would never reach him.

“Since you’ve revealed yourself, could you not halt the formation first? We can discuss everything; there’s no need for fighting,” Lord Jade Void urged.

Zhang Xiao couldn’t help but chuckle, whispering to Lan Fang in his arms, “Lan Fang, do you think Lord Jade Void resembles the ‘Gray Wolf’ before the Great Change? Ha ha ha.” Lan Fang laughed too. Though she did not know what a ‘Gray Wolf’ was, the name alone suggested something unpleasant.

Despite his cultivation as a Great Ascension master, Lord Jade Void was furious at their mockery, but thinking of the rapidly draining earth qi outside, he restrained his anger and demanded, “Fellow cultivator, what is your intention? How will you stop this formation?”

“To stop it? Fine, but you must agree to one thing first,” Zhang Xiao replied.

Surprised by Zhang Xiao’s straightforwardness, Lord Jade Void quickly asked, “What is it? Rest assured, once the formation is dismantled, I will not trouble you.”

Yet, inwardly, Lord Jade Void schemed, “Hmph, once the formation is down, I’ll hand you over to my junior brother to have you thoroughly crippled and stripped.”

However, Zhang Xiao was not so naive to let him off so easily. He said, “It’s nothing difficult; I just want you to officiate our wedding.”

Lord Jade Void was stunned, then looked doubtful. “Is it really that simple?” Zhang Xiao replied, “Though I am no great figure, I keep my word.” Without hesitation, Lord Jade Void agreed.

“Lan Fang, you’re a Golden Core stage cultivator, I’m Nascent Soul stage, and yet a Great Ascension master will officiate our wedding,” Zhang Xiao said, making Lan Fang blush deeply. Indeed, a Great Ascension master’s presence was formidable. Zhang Xiao might have dominated within the Nascent Soul realm, but against an elder like Lord Jade Void, he had no right to resist.

Had it not been for the Starlight Annihilation Divine Formation, the enormous hand formed by that red-haired elder would have crushed him. To have a Great Ascension master as their wedding witness was unthinkable—but Zhang Xiao was not satisfied.

With a wave of his sleeve, the starlight trembled, and a rift tore open in the formation. It widened until those outside could clearly see inside. Outside, all the elite disciples of the nine great sects had gathered. They stared in astonishment at the breach.

“Everyone, on my wedding day, I, Zhang Xiao, welcome you to witness. Now, let Lord Jade Void officiate our wedding,” Zhang Xiao’s voice echoed from the formation.

The crowd’s expressions changed instantly. What was going on? Wasn’t this supposed to be the dual cultivation ceremony of Zhang Yifan, the Kunlun sect leader? How had it turned into Zhang Xiao’s wedding?

More bewildering still, Lord Jade Void was to be the officiant! All eyes turned to Zhang Yifan, filled with confusion. His face flushed crimson with anger, veins bulging on his forehead, eyes bloodshot. He had brought Zhang Xiao to Kunlun under the pretense of hosting a dual cultivation ceremony with Lan Fang. Now, with all eyes on them, it was Zhang Xiao’s wedding instead—and his master, Lord Jade Void, was officiating. This was a humiliating blow to Zhang Yifan’s dignity.

Inside the formation, Lord Jade Void was equally trapped, never expecting Zhang Xiao to play such a trick. Kunlun’s reputation was utterly ruined. But to make Zhang Xiao stop the accursed formation, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and stand firm.

Zhang Xiao took Lan Fang’s hand, and together they knelt to heaven and earth, proclaiming, “Heaven and earth bear witness: I, Zhang Xiao, vow to be husband and wife with Lan Fang for this life and the next, to share blessings and hardships, never to part.”

Lan Fang echoed the vow, her voice steady. Seeing Lord Jade Void still scowling, Zhang Xiao smiled and said, “Lord Jade Void, it’s your turn to preside.”

Lord Jade Void’s vision darkened; he nearly fainted from fury but forced himself to say, “First, bow to heaven and earth!” Zhang Xiao and Lan Fang bowed solemnly.

He continued, “Second, bow to your teachers…” Normally, this would be to one’s master or parents, but Zhang Xiao’s unusual situation left no one to bow to, leaving Lord Jade Void dumbfounded.

Zhang Xiao chuckled, “Then let Lan Fang’s master come forth. As for my master, my junior brother will stand in.”

At once, Lord Jade Void sent a spiritual message summoning Lan Fang’s master and Zhou Yuan into the formation. Lan Fang’s master was an elderly female elder of Kunlun, aged with white hair, wrinkles, and a jade staff, her expression gentle.

Lan Fang greeted her respectfully, “Master!”

The elder smiled wryly, “Fang’er, today should be a joyous day for your wedding, but… alas. Still, you have good taste to find a man bold enough to stir up Kunlun’s wrath. That makes me happy.”

Lord Jade Void’s expression soured, but this elder was a reclusive master of Kunlun, famed for her Celestial Divination. He dared not anger her and urged, “Hurry, or Kunlun’s foundation will be shattered.”

With everyone present, Lord Jade Void continued, “Second, bow to your teachers.”

Zhou Yuan accepted Zhang Xiao’s bow with a strange expression, torn between jealousy, resentment, and admiration.

“Now, spouses bow to each other.” Upon their mutual bow, Lord Jade Void hurriedly declared, “The ceremony is complete. Now, stop the formation.”

Zhang Xiao helped Lan Fang up. Suddenly, twelve streams of azure light shot from the surrounding formation, flowing into Zhang Xiao’s body—these were the formation plates of the Starlight Annihilation Divine Formation. This was not Zhang Xiao withdrawing them voluntarily; his crystal energy was depleted, completely exhausted. But it did not matter; he felt no regrets in life.

As the plates retracted, the starry river above ceased falling, and the earth qi beneath stopped surging. The surrounding starry sky shattered, and Kunlun, once trembling, gradually stabilized. Lord Jade Void, Lord Jade True, and Lord Azure Dragon all breathed a sigh of relief, but upon a closer look, their anger flared.

Kunlun Mountain, once towering as high as the clouds, had dropped significantly in height in a short time, and the spiritual energy had weakened considerably. The red-haired, big-nosed Lord Azure Dragon pointed at Zhang Xiao and shouted angrily, “Impudent demon spawn! Kneel and die now, or I’ll strip you of your sinews, bones, and soul!”

Zhang Xiao, unperturbed, pulled Lan Fang behind him and stepped forward boldly. “Hahaha! Since the Great Change, I, Zhang Xiao, have braved storms and waves, broken through the Demon Sect’s branch, passed their three trials, crushed the nine great sects’ disciples in the Grand Competition, defied Heaven’s punishment countless times, and lived to this day. Do you have the right to demand I kneel and die? Hmph!”

Azure Dragon’s face turned livid with rage, and he surged forward to strike Zhang Xiao down. But at that moment, Lord Jade True stepped in, grabbing Azure Dragon and shaking his head. “Brother, hold on.”

Azure Dragon hesitated, puzzled.

Lord Jade True stepped forward and said, “Heh, young friend, you are indeed a hero. But the outcome is decided. I admire your spirit. Here’s my offer: surrender the formation and its control and forging methods, and I will ensure your safe departure.”

As a master of formations, Lord Jade True coveted Zhang Xiao’s formation far more than others, hence his demand. Killing Zhang Xiao would only yield the formation plates, not the knowledge to wield or craft the formation.

Hearing this, Zhang Xiao refused without hesitation. “No need to say more. Strike.”

It wasn’t that Zhang Xiao sought death; if there were hope, he would fight for life. But he knew that revealing the formation’s secrets meant certain death. Keeping its secrets ensured only Kunlun would possess this knowledge. Perhaps one day, Qin Shi Huang himself might avenge him by destroying the nine great sects.

Seeing Zhang Xiao’s resolute expression, Lord Jade True lost patience and sneered, “You refuse the path to heaven and choose hell instead. Die!”

With that, he threw a jade ruyi scepter, radiating terrifying shockwaves aimed at Zhang Xiao. One strike would be fatal.

“Through this life and the next, through reincarnation and cycles, together in life and death…” At that moment, Lan Fang behind Zhang Xiao clasped her hands and softly chanted a song. All Kunlun disciples present froze, eyes wide with shock. “The Gate of Life and Death!”

Lord Jade Void glared fiercely at Lan Fang’s master and demanded, “The Gate of Life and Death! How could you teach such a secret? Don’t you know Zhang Xiao is Kunlun’s enemy?”

The elder’s face darkened. “Hmph, I am old, with only this one disciple. What I teach is my business, not yours.”

She turned and strode away, tears silently streaming down her wrinkled face. Hearing the chant behind her, she thought, “This is your choice, my disciple. I cannot fathom that man. Perhaps one day, you will meet again.”

As Lan Fang’s song filled the air, Zhang Xiao sensed something was wrong but could not stop it. Lord Jade True’s jade ruyi accelerated towards Zhang Xiao, its destructive aura leaving him no time to move. Yet, it could not silence Lan Fang’s voice.

At the very moment the jade ruyi was about to strike, a burst of intense golden light erupted from Lan Fang. Time froze wherever the light passed. Within the golden glow, Lan Fang quietly approached Zhang Xiao.

“Live well, even if it is for me,” she whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.

Zhang Xiao’s eyes widened, staring fiercely at her face, silently begging her to stop. But then, Lan Fang’s figure dissolved into countless points of light, which surged and enveloped Zhang Xiao, tearing open space and vanishing with him from Kunlun.

“Boom!”

With Lan Fang’s golden light gone, time resumed. The jade ruyi slammed into the mountain peak, leaving a massive crater but no sign of Zhang Xiao or Lan Fang. Lord Jade True could only retract the jade ruyi and vanish like a rainbow.

Looking toward where Zhang Xiao disappeared, many Kunlun disciples were at a loss for words. Someone quietly whispered the essence of the Gate of Life and Death: “Between life and death lies but a thought. One lives, one dies, and between them stands a gate… Across countless lifetimes, reunion is but a dream.”

The second volume came to a close. This volume took a month and a day to write, completing one-third of the entire work. Thanks to all who supported me. Rest assured, the third volume will be even more thrilling. I welcome all readers to continue following the story. Thank you!