THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS

Chapter Thirty-Nine — Shock

By dawn, Hidden Dragon Pavilion had returned victorious.

Long Kui and Long Jie led several hundred Pavilion guards back through the branch gates, exhaustion visible beneath their armor. But beneath that fatigue, pride burned clearly in their eyes.

They had fought Nether Valley.

And won.

Not only won—

Won beautifully.

Long Jiu, the Third Elder, and the Fifth Elder were already waiting at the entrance. When they saw that the returning force had suffered only minor losses, all three nodded in satisfaction.

“Third Uncle. Fifth Uncle. Ninth Uncle.”

Long Kui and Long Jie stepped forward together and bowed respectfully.

A faint smile appeared beneath the Third Elder’s golden beard.

“Little Kui. Ah Jie.” He looked over the guards behind them. “How was last night’s battle?”

Long Kui’s brows lifted with barely concealed pride.

“As the three uncles predicted, after you pursued Nether Valley’s elders, their remaining forces launched a surprise attack against us.”

Her smile sharpened.

“But we were waiting.”

Long Jie continued calmly, “Aside from a few Bone Tempering experts who escaped, every attacker was eliminated.”

“Good!”

Long Jiu laughed loudly, the sound shaking the gatehouse.

“Very good. You two have grown.” His single eye gleamed with satisfaction. “To command our guards and almost completely wipe out Nether Valley’s assault force — that deserves real merit.”

He turned toward the Third Elder.

“Third Brother, when you return to headquarters, make sure to report this properly to the Pavilion Master. These two deserve recognition.”

The Third Elder nodded with a smile.

Long Kui and Long Jie exchanged a glance. For the first time in their lives, they had truly rendered service to Hidden Dragon Pavilion.

That pride was different from talent.

Different from bloodline.

It was earned.

Then the Third Elder’s expression shifted slightly.

“One more thing.”

He looked at both of them.

“What caused that enormous explosion last night?”

Long Kui and Long Jie froze.

They looked at each other, equally confused.

“Wasn’t that from your battle with Nether Valley’s elders?” Long Kui asked carefully.

The three elders looked at one another.

Then shook their heads.

The answer turned the explosion into a mystery.

Everyone had heard it.

Everyone had felt it.

But no one knew who had caused it.

“Right,” Long Jiu said suddenly, frowning. “The Luo family was hiding in the courtyard the whole time. We should ask them whether they saw anything.”

The Third Elder nodded and began walking toward the guest courtyard.

The others followed.

Long Kui curled her lip slightly.

“With fighting that intense last night, those little clan people were probably too scared to open the door. They might have heard the sound, but I doubt they saw anything.”

No one answered.

Long Jie shook his head helplessly.

Clearly, most of them agreed with her.

They were only asking to avoid missing a clue.

Soon, the group arrived at the courtyard and headed toward the Luo family’s rooms.

But when they reached Zhuo Fan’s door, they found everyone gathered outside.

Luo Yunchang.

Luo Yunhai.

Commander Pang.

Lei Yuting.

Xiao Cui.

And an old man whose aura had already entered the Profound Heaven Realm.

Long Jiu’s expression changed slightly.

The three elders immediately stepped forward and cupped their hands.

“May I ask who this brother is?” Long Jiu asked.

Since when had the Luo family gained a Profound Heaven expert?

The old man returned the courtesy immediately.

“Black Wind Mountain, Lei Yuntian,” he said. “I have long heard of Hidden Dragon Pavilion’s name. Meeting three Pavilion elders today is my honor.”

Long Jiu’s eyes flickered with understanding.

He had been stationed in Windforest City long enough to know the local powers.

Before the Sun family arrived, this region had three first-rate local factions: the Luo family, the Cai family, and Black Wind Mountain’s Lei family.

Of course, that standard only applied to Windforest City.

Compared with the Seven Houses, they were not worth mentioning.

But now Lei Yuntian had entered the Profound Heaven Realm.

That changed everything.

The difference between Bone Tempering and Profound Heaven was only one realm on paper.

In reality, it was the difference between a local clan and a force that could finally be considered second-rate on the continent.

Black Wind Mountain had risen.

“Master Lei,” Long Jiu said, glancing toward Zhuo Fan’s closed door, “what happened here?”

Lei Yuntian sighed.

“Steward Zhuo was badly injured last night. His condition is still uncertain.”

“What?”

The Third Elder’s face changed.

“This place was attacked too?”

He had thought Nether Valley’s people were all intercepted by Long Kui and Long Jie.

He had not expected another force to strike the courtyard directly.

“Did they prepare two separate attack groups?”

A soft, disdainful snort came from the crowd.

Long Kui crossed her arms.

“Wasn’t Zhuo Fan always arrogant?” she muttered. “Didn’t he claim he would make the Luo family surpass the Seven Houses in ten years? A few thieves show up, everyone else is fine, and only he gets hurt.”

Her voice was not loud.

But everyone heard it.

Instantly, the Luo family and Lei family all glared at her.

Long Kui only rolled her eyes.

“Little Kui,” Long Jiu snapped. “Enough.”

Only then did she fall silent, unwillingly.

Long Jiu turned back to Lei Yuntian.

“Apologies. The girl doesn’t know when to hold her tongue.”

Then his eyes sharpened.

“Who attacked last night? You are already in Profound Heaven. How did Zhuo Fan end up injured under your protection?”

Under my protection?

Lei Yuntian’s face twitched.

Then he smiled bitterly.

“To my shame, I had only just broken through last night. I did not have the ability to protect Steward Zhuo.”

He paused.

“But the attacker was also a Profound Heaven expert. Someone called him Elder Yun.”

“Cloud-Turning Hand, You Yunqing?”

The Third Elder and Long Jiu both stiffened.

“So he came too…”

Lei Yuntian’s expression remained complicated.

The Third Elder looked at him with admiration.

“Master Lei, you are remarkable. You Yunqing is one of Nether Valley’s Twelve Elders. He entered Profound Heaven decades ago.”

He studied Lei Yuntian carefully.

“You had only just broken through, yet you held him off for an entire night?”

The other elders also looked impressed.

Lei Yuntian’s face reddened slightly.

He coughed awkwardly.

“You overpraise me. In truth…”

He gave a helpless smile.

“I could not even withstand one strike from him.”

Long Jiu froze.

“Then how did all of you survive?”

Lei Yuntian glanced toward Zhuo Fan’s room.

“That was entirely thanks to Steward Zhuo.”

Silence.

Everyone froze.

Even Long Kui’s expression shifted.

“You mean…” Long Jiu said slowly, “the one who held off You Yunqing was Zhuo Fan?”

Lei Yuntian nodded.

“But…” Long Jiu’s voice became almost hoarse. “He is only at Qi Gathering.”

Lei Yuntian shrugged.

“I know.”

He looked oddly calm.

“But so what?”

That one sentence nearly choked Long Jiu.

So what?

Since when was a Qi Gathering cultivator fighting a Profound Heaven elder through the night something that could be dismissed with “so what”?

The Third Elder stepped forward, fists tightening.

“Then what happened?” he demanded. “Did Zhuo Fan force You Yunqing to retreat?”

“Retreat?”

Lei Yuntian looked startled.

Then his expression turned strange, as if he had recalled something impossible.

“You underestimate that boy too much.”

The three elders stiffened.

Underestimate?

How was that underestimating him?

Across the entire continent, when had anyone ever heard of a Qi Gathering cultivator forcing back a Profound Heaven expert?

Even imagining that much was already absurd.

Lei Yuntian took a slow breath.

“That old man never had time to retreat.”

His voice dropped.

“Zhuo Fan killed him in one strike.”

“Nothing remained.”

The three elders cried out together.

Even Long Kui and Long Jie stood frozen.

A Profound Heaven elder—

Killed by a Qi Gathering cultivator?

In one strike?

Impossible.

Ancient legends had no story that ridiculous.

Long Jiu swallowed hard.

His hand trembled without him noticing.

“So… that explosion last night…” His single eye widened. “That was Zhuo Fan?”

Lei Yuntian nodded first.

Then shook his head.

Long Jiu nearly went mad.

“What does that mean?”

Lei Yuntian sighed.

“I told you not to underestimate him.” He looked toward Zhuo Fan’s room. “He did kill You Yunqing. But not at the cost of injury.”

The elders stared at him blankly.

“He merely exhausted his Yuan Qi and collapsed from depletion.”

Long Jiu’s mouth opened slightly.

No words came.

A Qi Gathering cultivator killed a Profound Heaven elder without being wounded?

Then how had he been injured?

BOOM.

The door suddenly opened.

Zhuo Fan stepped out with a pale face and cold eyes.

“If you people keep shouting outside my room,” he said irritably, “how exactly am I supposed to heal?”

Everyone turned at once.

“Zhuo Fan!”

Shock.

Relief.

Concern.

Doubt.

Every emotion mixed together in the voices around him.

Luo Yunchang immediately hurried forward.

“Are your injuries healed?”

“Healed my ass.”

Zhuo Fan snorted and swept his cold gaze across everyone present.

“I’m trying to recover, and you’re all out here chattering like market hens.”

Everyone lowered their heads awkwardly.

Only the three Hidden Dragon Pavilion elders continued staring at him with complicated, uncertain eyes.

Zhuo Fan looked toward Long Jiu.

“You wanted to know how I got injured, Brother Ninth?”

His voice turned flat.

“It was because of him.”

He waved his hand.

White light flashed.

A cold corpse appeared before everyone.

The moment the three elders saw it, their expressions changed violently.

“Bald Eagle Jian Fan!”

[End of Chapter Thirty-Nine]

Chapter Forty — The Secret of the Violet Lightning Golden Eyes

Jian Fan’s corpse had already gone stiff.

But the terror frozen deep inside his eyes still sent chills through everyone who looked at him.

What kind of monster…

Could make an old demon who had roamed the continent for decades die wearing that expression?

“H-How is this possible?” Long Jiu stammered, staring at the corpse in disbelief. “Bald Eagle Jian Fan actually died here? Who… who killed him?”

Zhuo Fan snorted lightly.

“I took the body out myself.” He shrugged lazily. “Who else could it be?”

The courtyard fell silent.

Even though everyone had already guessed the answer—

No one wanted to believe it.

Jian Fan was someone who had escaped alive while being hunted jointly by Hidden Dragon Pavilion’s three elders.

And now they were supposed to believe a Qi Gathering brat had killed him?

Long Jiu stared at the corpse with trembling eyes.

Then suddenly, his breathing grew heavy.

Rage.

Hatred.

Relief.

All of it erupted at once.

“That old bastard…” His voice became hoarse. “He destroyed my divine eye. He ruined my reputation for half my life.”

Veins bulged on his neck.

“I wanted to drink his blood. Tear apart his corpse. Dig up his ancestors’ graves.”

Then he looked at Zhuo Fan seriously.

“Brother.”

He cupped his fists deeply.

“From today onward, I, Long Jiu, treat you as my blood brother. If you ever need me for anything, just say the word.”

Zhuo Fan waved a hand casually.

“Brother Ninth, you’re too polite.”

Then his wound suddenly pulled.

Pain shot through his chest, and he grimaced instantly.

Long Jiu immediately stepped forward in alarm.

“Don’t move!”

He hurriedly took out several small medicine bottles.

“These are third-grade healing pills. Take them. Your injuries will recover completely within three days.”

Zhuo Fan did not stand on ceremony.

He accepted every bottle directly.

Watching Long Jiu fuss over Zhuo Fan with visible concern, the Third Elder and Fifth Elder exchanged strange looks.

Shock still lingered in their eyes.

Long Kui, meanwhile, nearly bit through her own teeth.

Originally, she and Long Jie had returned triumphantly after wiping out Nether Valley’s forces.

The elders had praised them endlessly.

But now?

Compared to Zhuo Fan casually slaughtering two Profound Heaven elders overnight, their achievements looked pathetic.

The difference was like comparing fireflies to the moon.

“Hmph.”

Long Kui crossed her arms bitterly.

“This Zhuo Fan probably just relied on some dirty trick or absurd luck.” Her voice carried obvious resentment. “How could a Qi Gathering cultivator possibly kill Profound Heaven experts?”

Everyone heard her clearly.

The Third Elder immediately frowned and shot her a warning glance.

But Zhuo Fan only grinned.

Then he suddenly spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.

“She’s right.”

Everyone blinked.

Zhuo Fan sighed dramatically.

“I really was unlucky.”

He looked completely irritated.

“After killing one Profound Heaven expert, my Yuan Qi was already completely exhausted. Otherwise, how could that one-armed old bastard have injured me?”

He shook his head helplessly.

“If I’d been at full strength, killing him would’ve been effortless.”

Then his eyes slid lazily toward Long Kui.

“Unlike some people…”

His voice turned thoughtful.

“Leading hundreds of guards into battle. Whether they’re lucky or not doesn’t really matter. Safety’s guaranteed anyway.”

Long Kui’s face instantly turned bright red.

“You—!”

Lei Yuting could not hold it anymore.

She burst out laughing.

No one present understood the truth better than her.

Zhuo Fan really was terrifying.

His calculations were monstrous.

But he was not actually strong enough to casually kill Profound Heaven experts face-to-face.

Everything last night had depended on traps, planning, manipulation, and risking his own life repeatedly.

Now he was clearly just humiliating Long Kui on purpose.

The meaning was obvious.

I’m stronger than you.

More useful than you.

My achievements are greater than yours.

And I did it alone.

What are you going to do about it?

Even the three elders understood it.

They could not help smiling helplessly.

Regardless of the methods used, Zhuo Fan had still killed two Profound Heaven experts in one night.

That alone was enough to terrify them.

Finally, the Third Elder turned toward Long Jiu.

“Old Ninth.”

His expression grew serious again.

“You stay behind and watch over Brother Zhuo’s injuries. Leave several hundred guards protecting this courtyard.”

He glanced toward the Fifth Elder.

“We’ll return to headquarters first and report this matter to the Pavilion Master.”

This situation was already too important to hide.

Long Jiu nodded immediately.

But Long Kui and Long Jie both froze.

Even the Third Elder had started calling Zhuo Fan “Brother”?

Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan instantly adapted shamelessly.

“Third Brother. Fifth Brother.”

He smiled brightly.

“Travel safely.”

The two elders nearly stumbled.

They exchanged helpless looks.

Long Jiu really had not exaggerated.

This brat’s greatest talent was climbing relationships faster than anyone alive.

Soon, the Third Elder and Fifth Elder departed.

Long Jiu personally helped Zhuo Fan back into the room while the others followed behind.

Outside, Long Kui and Long Jie began organizing guards throughout the courtyard.

Once seated on the bed, Zhuo Fan finally released a long breath.

Then his face suddenly became serious.

“All of you leave.”

His gaze swept across the room.

“I need to discuss something privately with Brother Ninth.”

Everyone glanced at each other before quietly leaving.

Only Long Jiu remained confused.

“What is it?”

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly.

“I have a gift for you.”

“A gift?”

Long Jiu raised a brow.

Then he suddenly laughed.

“Brother, it’s not that I look down on you, but with the Luo family’s current situation, what valuable thing could you possibly have?”

His single eye suddenly lit up.

“Unless…”

He leaned closer eagerly.

“You still have another ancient formation diagram?”

Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes.

“You wish.”

“At minimum, I’d sell those for ten million spirit stones.”

Then he took out the black pouch.

“But this gift…” His smile deepened slightly. “You’ll definitely like.”

Long Jiu frowned and opened the pouch.

Instantly—

CAW!

A black crow shot out and landed directly on his shoulder.

Long Jiu froze.

His breathing stopped.

“That’s…”

His remaining eye widened violently.

“Jian Fan’s Soul-Devouring Crow?”

“Correct.”

Zhuo Fan nodded.

“After that old bastard died, this demonic creature became ownerless.”

He looked calmly at Long Jiu.

“Raise it properly. Before long, it’ll become your spirit companion.”

Long Jiu stared at the crow’s single violet-gold eye.

Then his own empty eye socket.

Understanding struck instantly.

The Divine-Eyed Long Jiu had lost his title after his divine eye was stolen.

But now—

He finally had something to replace it.

His lips trembled slightly.

Even his voice became hoarse.

“Brother…”

He lowered his head briefly.

“Thank you.”

Watching him, Zhuo Fan nodded faintly.

Then his eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

“Brother Ninth,” he asked casually, “if you successfully cultivated one Violet Lightning Golden Eye before… why not cultivate another?”

Long Jiu froze.

Then sighed deeply.

“You don’t understand.”

He shook his head bitterly.

“That eye wasn’t something Hidden Dragon Pavilion taught me.”

His gaze drifted into memory.

“It was a chance encounter.”

For the first time, Long Jiu revealed the secret buried in his heart for decades.

“Brother,” he said quietly, “have you heard of the continent’s Three Great Forbidden Lands?”

Zhuo Fan shook his head.

Long Jiu’s expression became extremely serious.

“Remember this carefully.”

“Anywhere on this continent may be entered.”

“But there are three places you must never approach. No matter how strong you become.”

He slowly listed them.

“Thunder Gorge.”

“Ice Jade Valley.”

“And Thousand Flame Cave.”

Zhuo Fan nodded outwardly.

Inside, however, he remained calm.

Long Jiu continued.

“Though even if you wanted to enter them, you probably couldn’t find them.”

“Why?”

“Because those three forbidden lands never stay in one place.”

Long Jiu’s voice lowered.

“They appear randomly across the continent. One day in the east. The next day in the west.”

“And whenever they appear…”

His expression darkened.

“A massive tornado follows.”

“Anyone caught inside never returns.”

Zhuo Fan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

A moving spatial formation.

Definitely the work of a top expert.

“How did you survive?” he asked immediately.

Long Jiu glanced at him strangely.

Then nodded.

“You really are clever.”

He sighed softly.

“When I was young, I accidentally encountered Thunder Gorge.”

“The tornado dragged me inside. Endless lightning filled the sky.”

His face paled slightly at the memory.

“Everyone around me was instantly reduced to ash the moment the lightning touched them.”

“Even now, thinking about it still gives me chills.”

“But strangely…”

He touched his empty eye socket slowly.

“When the lightning struck my eye, I didn’t die.”

“It only burned unbearably.”

Zhuo Fan nodded silently.

Of course.

According to the Nine Serenities Secret Records, the Violet Lightning Golden Eyes were cultivated through the pupils themselves.

The lightning could destroy everything—

Except the eyes that absorbed it.

“At the time,” Long Jiu continued, “I think survival instinct took over.”

“I attacked wildly in every direction while resisting the lightning.”

“Then suddenly…”

His voice lowered.

“I heard a man’s voice.”

“He was reciting a cultivation art.”

“I subconsciously followed the chant.”

“And gradually…”

Lightning formed within my eye.”

Zhuo Fan’s expression remained calm.

But inwardly—

His heart was already exploding with excitement.

A Great Emperor inheritance.

Thunder Gorge was absolutely a Great Emperor ruin.

There had to be a complete Emperor-level cultivation method hidden there.

Long Jiu kept speaking.

“Afterward, the lightning no longer attacked me.”

“When the tornado disappeared, I was the only survivor.”

“And that was how I obtained the Violet Lightning Golden Eye.”

His face darkened again.

“But after my eye was stolen, I could never recreate it.”

“I forgot the opening portion of the cultivation art during the chaos.”

Zhuo Fan nodded slowly.

Now he understood everything.

Thunder Gorge definitely contained an Emperor inheritance.

And if he obtained it—

Combined with the Nine Serenities Secret Records of the Nine Serenities Demon Emperor—

He would possess two Great Emperor inheritances simultaneously.

The thought alone nearly made him laugh out loud.

Who could possibly imagine that Emperor-level ruins would appear in a mortal realm continent?

This reincarnation…

Had truly not been a loss.

Not even close.

[End of Chapter Forty]