Chapter 654: Lonely Swan Carrying the Candle

The light goose struggled slightly in Luo Si's hand. Much of the sealing power had been consumed, causing the light goose to periodically leak the aura of a magic treasure.

This aura felt familiar to Ning Zhuo. He immediately thought of a treasured ruler he had seen earlier on the battlefield of White Paper Immortal City.

This ruler had clearly been thrown by the White Paper Immortal City Lord, possessing incredible power and sweeping all before it on the battlefield!

However, later, the Buddhist Healer Meng Yaoyin took Ning Zhuo directly into the winding path to the underworld, so they did not participate in the subsequent defense battle.

Consequently, Ning Zhuo was unaware that the City Lord's avatar had taken this treasured ruler out of the city to pursue the enemy, transforming it into a light goose to attack Luo Si's forces, resulting in the painful loss of the relic. Therefore, when Ning Zhuo saw the light goose, it looked unfamiliar, but its aura was distinctively familiar.

He looked at Luo Si and began, "Is this..." Before he could finish, Luo Si nodded, informing Ning Zhuo that the light goose was indeed the transformed treasured ruler. He had captured and sealed it on the battlefield and had kept it with him ever since.

Ning Zhuo's eyes immediately gleamed with intensity as he stared intently at the light goose.

His mind was stirred, as the goose's form involuntarily reminded him of a crucial piece of information: the prophetic poem!

"Ghost tides surge, White Paper in peril; a lone swan holds a candle, breaking the sky. A guest star should illuminate the pivot of writing, myriad lamps bright, the calamity self-destructs." The City Lord's paper avatar had directly told Ning Zhuo this poem, believing him to be the savior of White Paper Immortal City during its great calamity. Ning Zhuo had always felt the same way.

"This prophetic poem was divined by the Dirge Weaver." "It was a prediction made to resolve the disaster in White Paper Immortal City." "Don't forget, the Prefect of Oblivion suffered heavenly retribution from the mortal realm, so the mortal realm's destiny likely covertly assisted the Dirge Weaver." "This prophetic poem she created was very possibly prepared for me!" "Perhaps this is the correct way for me to defeat the Prefect of Oblivion and disrupt his century-long sinister plot?"

Although Ning Zhuo's literary accomplishments were not as profound as those of a Confucian cultivator like Wen Ruanyu, his foundational knowledge was very solid. He had spent years immersed in the library in Fiery Persimmon Immortal City, reading countless books. Therefore, he knew that "lone swan" (孤鴻) often referred to a goose separated from its flock, an image commonly found in poetry. Many poets often used the sorrowful cry and solitary figure of a lone swan to express feelings of loneliness, wandering, or career setbacks. Didn't this light goose perfectly match the "lone swan" in the prophetic poem?

After making this natural association, Ning Zhuo told Luo Si, "Loosen the seal a little." Luo Si looked puzzled. A mere simple guess was too superficial to warrant such a command from Ning Zhuo. The key was that after seeing the light goose, a feeling had spontaneously arisen within him: he felt he could control it! It was miraculous; this feeling was very natural, like the inherent confidence one has in controlling one's own hands and feet.

Luo Si's expression became slightly serious. After some thought, he decided to do as Ning Zhuo instructed. Although he didn't understand and felt it was risky, he considered that as a recent recruit, he indeed needed to show greater obedience to orders. He also recalled Old Man Greybone.

Luo Si carefully exerted his power, loosening the seal slightly. With the reduction of its restraints, the light goose immediately became more active. It began to struggle. The remaining seal was rapidly being consumed by its power! Luo Si's face quickly flushed red as he forcefully channeled his magic, assisting the seal to suppress the light goose. The light goose's struggles grew increasingly violent, to the point that Luo Si couldn't hold it steady, his entire upper body swaying along with it.

Everyone in the Qingjiao Army had participated in the defense of White Paper Immortal City and had personally witnessed the divine might of the Grand Purity Dispersing Ruler. Just now, they had learned the light goose's identity from Luo Si and Ning Zhuo's conversation. Seeing the light goose struggle, they instinctively took large steps back.

Ning Zhuo, however, was incredibly bold. He stepped forward and extended his hand towards the light goose. "Little Ma!" Qing Chi exclaimed, her voice filled with deep concern. Ning Zhuo knew that if he didn't reassure Qing Chi, her personality would surely lead her to rush over and hug him. So he turned and smiled at her, "Don't worry, I am favored by destiny, the savior of White Paper Immortal City." Qing Chi was momentarily lost in Ning Zhuo's confident smile, her expression hesitant, "But—" Her shoulder was gently pressed by Qing Yan. Ning Zhuo turned his head, gazing at the light goose, and slowly extended his hand, steadily closing the distance between them.

Sensing Ning Zhuo's aura, the light goose immediately reacted, miraculously ceasing its struggle. Instead, it raised its head and looked back at Ning Zhuo. This strange phenomenon caused everyone present to gasp in unison. Luo Si's pupils subtly constricted, and greater anticipation for Ning Zhuo arose within him.

Ning Zhuo slowly extended his hand. As the distance closed, the light goose became increasingly calm, no longer struggling, and completely devoid of its previous agitation. Luo Si's expression, however, grew more serious. Although he had more confidence in Ning Zhuo, as a commanding general, he naturally considered all possibilities. He feared that the light goose's tranquility was merely a facade, and that it might actually be preparing to strike, so he secretly accumulated his own power, guarding against any potential crisis.

Ning Zhuo's palm drew closer and closer to the light goose. Without a doubt, this was a risk! Ning Zhuo felt his mouth go dry. He had personally witnessed the Grand Purity Dispersing Ruler instantly dismantle the Dirge Weaver. This treasured ruler was incredibly powerful; even Golden Core cultivators could barely withstand a single blow. Ning Zhuo himself was only at the Foundation Establishment cultivation level. Yet, no matter how anxious he felt internally, Ning Zhuo maintained a calm and composed demeanor on the surface. "The Mechanism Ring is also quiet, which means I'm not in danger!" Ning Zhuo continued to extend his palm towards the light goose.

The light goose actively raised its head, nuzzled Ning Zhuo's palm, and let out a quacking sound. The sound was resonant, stirring a ripple of white light that spread rapidly outwards like a sound wave. Ning Zhuo was swiftly enveloped by the light wave but remained unharmed. Not only him, but the nearby cultivators also escaped any injury. Ning Zhuo's heart swelled with joy. Although he didn't know the reason, the smile on his face became more certain and confident as he slightly raised his voice, "Just as I expected!"

Jiao Ma's father's lips trembled with excitement. He shouted in his heart, "The magic treasure has recognized a master! Such a powerful magic treasure actually chose to follow Jiao Ma. Technically, doesn't that mean it now belongs to my Jiao family? This is fantastic! Absolutely fantastic!"

Qing Chi also excitedly clasped her fists, "Little Ma, you're amazing!" Her eyes gleamed, filled with adoration for Ning Zhuo. Qing Yan frowned, "But what exactly is going on?" He didn't know about the prophetic poem, which Ning Zhuo did. Ning Zhuo thought to himself, "How would I know the reason?" Just as he was hesitating whether to reveal the poem to facilitate brainstorming, Luo Si had already figured it out. "So that's it." Ning Zhuo was secretly surprised, but the curve of his lips widened as he adopted an assessing posture and looked at Luo Si, "Tell me."

Luo Si instinctively seized this opportunity to impress. "Scholar Xuansu created White Paper Immortal City, and the current City Lord's paper avatar is his relic. This treasured ruler was likely also left behind by him. My lord, since you are the savior of White Paper Immortal City, chosen by the destiny of the mortal realm, Scholar Xuansu probably anticipated this calamity long ago and made many arrangements to facilitate its future resolution."

Hearing this, Qing Chi couldn't help but gasp, "I know Scholar Xuansu, but he's been dead for so long, can he really calculate so far ahead? And so precisely?" Luo Si glanced at Qing Chi, confirming in his heart once again that this ghost clan girl was a bit naive. Didn't she see that no one else was asking such questions? Luo Si's answer was partly to respond to Ning Zhuo and provide an explanation, and partly to publicly offer a conjecture, creating room for imagination and boosting morale and military spirit. Therefore, even if one had doubts about this conjecture, they should keep them to themselves.

Qing Yan cleared his throat and loudly declared, "Exactly! Lord Luo Si's conjecture must be the truth!" As Qing Chi's father and an experienced Golden Core cultivator, he immediately spoke up to compensate for his beloved daughter's blunder.

Jiao Ma's biological father was so excited that not only his lips trembled, but his whole body shook. He plunged back into reverie: "My Jiao Ma is the great savior, causing Scholar Xuansu's relic to actively come to him. So, by that logic, White Paper Immortal City was also left by Scholar Xuansu, also his relic." "My Jiao Ma should also control White Paper Immortal City; at the very least, he definitely has the qualification!" "If one day, Jiao Ma becomes the City Lord of White Paper Immortal City, wouldn't our Jiao family be—" Jiao Ma's biological father's scalp tingled from the thought. "So much profit, so much profit!"

Hearing this conversation among the high-ranking members, the entire Qingjiao Army grew boisterous, discussions erupting everywhere. As Luo Si had anticipated, the Qingjiao Army's morale was incredibly stable, their spirits soared, and the military power they could provide consequently skyrocketed.

Ning Zhuo's eyes flickered. Luo Si's answer filled in the missing key information for him, and he instantly understood the true reason. "I was granted the position of Vice City Lord by the White Paper City Lord." "Although it was almost an honorary title in White Paper Immortal City before, with little actual power, it was a genuine appointment, not a false one." "Now it seems that the Grand Purity Dispersing Ruler, as a relic, can also be controlled by me due to my position as Vice City Lord." Ning Zhuo then thought of the White Paper City Lord's paper avatar. "That, too, is very likely Scholar Xuansu's relic, simply obtained by the City Lord."

Having understood the reason, Ning Zhuo turned to face the Qingjiao Army and shouted, "That's right!" "I am the savior of White Paper Immortal City—no, of the entire Gloomy Tide Black Mire! I am the favored son of the mortal heavens, and the greatest human tribulation for the Prefect of Oblivion!" "What if the Prefect of Oblivion is the monarch of the underworld?" "He acts perversely, bringing misery to all living beings, his century-long scheme solely for his own selfish gain!" "Such an evil person is destined for a miserable defeat." "Our righteous army will undoubtedly triumph!" Ning Zhuo seized the opportunity to boost morale. The entire army cheered! At this moment, Ning Zhuo's prestige within the Qingjiao Army surged.

Everyone was incredibly excited, reaching a consensus: this was bound to be a legendary battle, to be widely recounted and remembered for at least a hundred years. And they, this group of people, were not merely witnesses but active participants. What an honorable feat! Luo Si let out a turbid breath, his confidence also greatly boosted. If he had needed to reinforce the seal, he would have had to expend immense effort. He had just slain Venerable Hanyan and was not in his best condition. Saving this effort gave him more confidence for the crucial battle ahead.

The light goose completely broke free from the seal, circling and dancing around Ning Zhuo. Ning Zhuo tried sending his divine sense and easily controlled it. "Go." He pointed his finger towards the swirling, turbid miasma before him. The light goose was very obedient. Flapping its wings, it plunged into the vast turbid miasma. Wherever it went, the continuously swirling miasma was separated.

However, even though the turbid miasma was analyzed and separated, it remained turbid miasma. The light goose flew a circle and returned to Ning Zhuo's side. The miasma had only been slightly thinned by its analysis, then rapidly intensified again, continuously swirling and reverting to its original state. The peak of hope that had risen in everyone's hearts was dashed, and sighs of disappointment arose from all sides. Ning Zhuo, with his back to the Qingjiao Army, felt immense pressure at this moment! His brows were tightly furrowed as he stared at the light goose, examining it.

He saw that the light goose's form had dimmed considerably; its originally solid, lifelike exterior had become thin and transparent, vaguely revealing the shape of the treasured ruler within. "According to Luo Si, the light goose's current form is a spell condensed by the City Lord's avatar, expending his magic power." "Even if the City Lord's avatar invested a large amount of magic power in one go, it would still be finite." "After flying around once, the remaining magic power is probably only enough for one more activation." Ning Zhuo keenly realized the situation and sighed inwardly, "My cultivation is still too weak!" He was only at the Foundation Establishment level. Relying on military strength, the Five Viscera Divine Spirit Art, and other excellent leverages, as well as the profound foundation of his body and soul, he could exert Nascent Soul-level combat power. This was quite exaggerated and rare, but it was still hampered by his cultivation level. There was truly no other way. It was Ning Zhuo's youth and insufficient time cultivating that were to blame. It was also due to the Three Sects' superior cultivation methods, which, by cultivating three dantians simultaneously, significantly slowed his progress. Sweat dripped from Ning Zhuo's forehead. Only one last chance remained, and he had to seize it!

Fortunately, he wasn't completely without clues. He recalled the prophetic poem once more: "Ghost tides surge, White Paper in peril; a lone swan holds a candle, breaking the sky. A guest star should illuminate the pivot of writing, myriad lamps bright, the calamity self-destructs." "A lone swan holds a candle, breaking the sky..." "A lone swan, I know, is the light goose. And this 'sky'—isn't it the vast turbid miasma right before me?" "A lone swan can only break the sky by holding a candle, this—" "Holding a candle?" "A candle from where?" "Where would I get a candle flame?" "Wait!" "I think I do." At this thought, a flash of inspiration ignited in Ning Zhuo's spiritual sea, and his heart pounded several times, accelerating its beat.

He himself didn't possess one, but the Dirge Weaver had once used the Returning Silence Winding Path Candle! In the previous defense battle of White Paper Immortal City, the Dirge Weaver had opened the south gate and then used the Returning Silence Winding Path Candle to pierce through space, creating a winding path that transported many powerful combatants inside. This had posed a huge threat to the defenders, putting White Paper Immortal City in grave danger. Iron Bones Zheng, Ning Zhuo, the Qingjiao Army, Wen Ruanyu, and others had to exert their full strength to stabilize the situation. Ultimately, the White Paper Immortal City Lord's main body personally intervened, releasing the Grand Purity Dispersing Ruler, which scattered the Dirge Weaver and other external enemies. The Returning Silence Winding Path Candle, which had burned down to only a small stub, was also separated—the wax and wick detached, and the flame extinguished. The next moment, under everyone's gaze, Ning Zhuo reached into his storage bag and pulled out the small, coreless stub of the candle body. The body of the Returning Silence Winding Path Candle was square, resembling a miniature coffin. Its full length was about nine inches, but now only four inches remained. The lid and body of the coffin were perfectly sealed. All four surfaces of the candle body were intricately engraved with images of a hundred ghosts carrying a coffin.