I. A Letter from the Dragon Gate
In the rear courtyard of the Hundred Herbs Hall, the winter plum blossoms had already bloomed.Shen Qingyuan sat quietly atop a stone platform, his fingers turning over a letter from the "Sky Beyond Tower."Though the letter was thin, it emanated an indescribable, chilling aura.
"If you wish to learn the truth of your parents' fate and the ultimate mystery—wait at the Dragon Gate of the Western Sea. — Bai Jingyi."
Bai Jingyi—one of the most enigmatic figures in the martial world.Some said he was the master of the Sky Beyond Tower; others claimed he was once a high elder of the Shadow Sect.His movements were ghostlike, his presence invisible; he never set foot in the Central Plains, yet knew the secrets of every major sect. He was like a phantom in the night.
After studying the letter for a moment, Shen Qingyuan burned it in his palm.As the flames danced, a resolute gleam ignited in his eyes.
The Dragon Gate of the Western Sea—he had to go.
II. Encounter with Bai Zhou
Setting off from beyond the border, Shen Qingyuan traveled three thousand li through the western frontier to reach the coastal edge of the Western Sea.
The region sat by the sea, with boats coming and going constantly.The sea breeze carried a salty stench, and the sound of waves beat like drums.In the distance, thick sea fog veiled the horizon, as if dragons slumbered beneath the deep waters.
At a seaside inn where he rested at dusk, a young man dressed in white entered slowly.A faint smile played at his lips, a folded fan in his hand, his manner elegant and refined.
"May I ask—are you Young Master Shen Qingyuan?"
Shen Qingyuan nodded slightly. "And you are?"
"I am Bai Zhou, here under orders from my master to guide you."
"Your master is Bai Jingyi?"
"Indeed."
With a graceful flick of his fan, Bai Zhou smiled faintly. "The Dragon Gate has opened. Please, follow me."
III. The Dragon Gate Array
They boarded a boat and set out to sea.By midnight, the stars lit the sky, and the wind and waves suddenly stilled.
From within the sea fog, an island emerged—its shape like a dragon's head raised to the heavens, with a stone ridge trailing behind like a spine.It was a natural Dragon Gate.
On the island stood a massive stone gate, three zhang tall, sealed with stone locks.Two black-gold statues resembling dragons guarded it, jade beads clenched in their fangs, their eyes glowing faintly.
Bai Zhou took out a black jade seal and pressed it against the gate.
"Sky Seal—open!"
A muffled boom echoed.The gate slowly creaked open.
A powerful surge of energy struck Shen Qingyuan as though the island itself were breathing.Beyond the gate lay a land shrouded in grey mist—shadowy pavilions and palaces emerged within, like another world.
"This is the domain of the master of the Sky Beyond Tower," Bai Zhou said. "It is known as the Floating Pavilion Beyond the Seas."
Following his lead, Shen Qingyuan stepped inside—where even the air felt different.
IV. Bai Jingyi Appears
Within the pavilion, only two were seated.
Bai Jingyi wore a plain robe, his long hair falling to his shoulders.Though thin and pale, he radiated an inexplicable aura of authority.
He gazed at Shen Qingyuan and spoke slowly.
"Your mother's name was Yu Qingshuang, was it not?"
Shen Qingyuan leapt to his feet. "You… knew her?"
Bai Jingyi nodded. "I knew her well. We… were once sect brothers."
"You were from the Shadow Sect?"
"To be precise—I am a descendant of the first sect master."
Shen Qingyuan's mind reeled. So many secrets hidden in the Shadow Sect's past?
Bai Jingyi brushed his sleeve and began to recount.
Thirty years ago, the Shadow Sect was torn by infighting.The sect master perished in internal strife, and many elders betrayed the sect.
Yu Qingshuang and Ye Xiaohun were once fellow disciples, but their beliefs diverged and they turned enemies.She and Shen Ruofan, deeply in love, together wielded the Soul Severing Blade and vowed to cleanse the sect of traitors.
But Ye Xiaohun struck first, setting a trap known as the "Taiyin Formation."Yu Qingshuang was lured to the Cloud Peak and ambushed.Shen Ruofan stormed the Nine Deaths Mountain to save her, but was struck by Ye Xiaohun's "Soul Sealing Blade," falling crippled and vanishing thereafter.
Yu Qingshuang's soul was trapped in a mirror—her life or death unknown.
The Shadow Sect crumbled. Ye Xiaohun reemerged as the "Lord of Cold Nether," hiding within the Blood Shadow Tower, plotting anew.
As Bai Jingyi finished, Shen Qingyuan dropped to his knees, fists clenched, his heart churning with hatred.
"Why appear only now?"
Bai Jingyi sighed. "I tried to stop Ye Xiaohun, but was wounded and fled overseas.Now that he stirs again—I must return."
V. The Soul Blade's Stirring
That night, in a sealed chamber of the Sky Beyond Tower, Shen Qingyuan sat in meditation.The Soul Severing Blade lay across his knees.
Suddenly, the blade shuddered.Golden light leaked from where the three segments joined—an overwhelming force surged, as if to rend space itself.
He snapped open his eyes—within the blade, a figure appeared.Shen Ruofan!
Bloodstained, face obscured, his father's image whispered faintly:
"Qingyuan… beware… Bai Jingyi…"
Then it vanished.
Shen Qingyuan gasped. Was that a remnant of his father's soul?A warning—about Bai Jingyi?
At that moment, the stone wall rotated silently.From a hidden door, a black-clad woman entered quietly.
"Who are you?"
She bowed. "A former Shadow Sect member—Night Butterfly."
"What do you want?"
"To tell you… everyone around you could be Ye Xiaohun's pawn."
She handed him a tattered Shadow Sect manual and pointed to a page.
"The name Bai Jingyi was once one of Ye Xiaohun's early aliases."
A thunderbolt struck Shen Qingyuan's heart.
Could the one he trusted most… be the greatest deception?
VI. The Flame Hall
The next day, Bai Zhou led Shen Qingyuan deeper into the Floating Pavilion.They reached a hidden valley where twisted cliffs rose and vines hung like threads.At the center stood a stone hall like a tomb, its gate engraved with nine serpents coiling around flames.The air turned scorching, like the entrance to hell.
"This is the Flame Hall—an old Shadow Sect site," Bai Zhou said softly."One lost soul segment of your blade is sealed within."
Shen Qingyuan took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
Inside, ghostly fire swirled. The walls were inscribed with ancient spells.On a central stone platform floated a blood-red fireball, inside which a blade fragment trembled, resonating with his sword.
He stepped forward and drew the blade.The fireball exploded. The fragments fused into the blade with a sharp click.
The fourth segment—the Soul Devourer—was restored!
The blade glowed darkly. Its aura was chilling.
Bai Jingyi appeared, murmuring, "This segment was once forbidden.It devours the soul—it's a forbidden art."
"Why didn't my mother tell me?"
"She believed it destroyed."
Shen Qingyuan fell silent, then slowly sheathed the blade.
VII. Blood Heart Attacks
That night, a sudden disturbance struck the pavilion's summit.
A blood-red figure descended from the sky with a child's laugh.
"Shen Qingyuan? You're easier to find than I thought."
The figure wore blood robes, his hair flaming red, face young but eyes cruel—Blood Heart Child, leader of the Thirteen Ghost Children of the Blood Shadow Tower!
Bai Zhou leapt to block him, but Blood Heart's palm flung out a blood wave, hurling Bai Zhou back.
"I'm here to take your soul. They say the Soul Severing Blade is delicious—today I'll find out."
Shen Qingyuan faced him, blade drawn.The Soul segment pulsed, a chill climbing up his spine.
Their clash shook the entire pavilion.
Bai Jingyi stood atop a high platform. With a wave, invisible force descended, freezing Blood Heart midair.
"You've come—why leave so soon?"
Blood Heart's expression twisted. "You… You activated the Soul Lock Barrier?!"
With a turn of his palm, Bai Jingyi summoned a storm of symbols—binding Blood Heart's soul inch by inch.
Screams echoed.
When it was over, only a scorched bloodstain remained.
"Why didn't you stop him earlier?" Bai Zhou asked, shaken.
Bai Jingyi smirked coldly. "He came to die. Why not let Qingyuan train his blade?"
VIII. Old Ties Reunited
After the battle, Bai Zhou stood alone atop the pavilion, his gaze troubled.
A figure approached—Night Butterfly.
They exchanged glances, said nothing, and bowed to each other.
At last, Bai Zhou whispered, "You're still with the Night Sect?"
"And you never left the Sky Beyond."
They had once been disciples of the same generation in the Shadow Sect.
Shen Qingyuan, overhearing, was shaken—so nothing was as it seemed.
Was the Sky Beyond Tower already infiltrated by Ye Xiaohun?
IX. A Dream of the Soul Realm
Late at night, Shen Qingyuan sat in meditation, trying to feel the lost soul segment through the blade.
Suddenly, he was pulled into a void.
The world turned grey. Light vanished.
A white shadow approached—a woman, robes like snow.Her face was blurry, but she radiated gentle familiarity.
"Mother… is that you?"
She nodded, but could not speak.She lifted her hand and wrote five words in the air:
"Two… Nine… Seven… Soul… Key."
The dream shattered. He awoke in a cold sweat.
But those five words—burned into his mind.
What was the Soul Key 297?
X. Murderous Shadows
At dawn, Bai Zhou arrived, face grave.
"There's a visitor asking for you."
"Who?"
"He calls himself… Soul Slave."
Shen Qingyuan's heart clenched.
Among the ancient arts of the Shadow Sect, a "Soul Slave" was second only to the sect master in power.
If such a one appeared—danger loomed indeed!
End of Chapter Seven