Chapter 1013: Chapter 1040: People Really Outdo Each Other! (Second Update) Chapter 1013: Chapter 1040: People Really Outdo Each Other! (Second Update) “I don’t talk to people who can’t speak,” Yang Zhen glanced at Senior Brother Botai, clearly indicating he had no desire to associate with him.

Senior Brother Botai couldn’t take it anymore. With a clang, he drew his long sword, pointed it at Yang Zhen, and roared, “Yang Tieniu, don’t push your luck!”

Yang Zhen glared back and stood his ground, hands on hips, retorting, “Come on then, if you dare, bite me. Think you’re tough with your lousy sword, huh? Go on then, stab me here!” He pointed at his chest.

Seeing Yang Zhen pointing at his own heart, a strange flash of emotion crossed Qi Yunling’s face. She signaled the fellow disciples behind her to stop Senior Brother Botai, pulling Yang Zhen aside she said, “Iron Bull, please don’t be angry. Senior Brother Botai has always been like this, but he’s a good person. Once you get to know him, you might even become friends.”

“I don’t want to be his friend!” exclaimed Yang Zhen and Senior Brother Botai in unison.

Qi Yunling fell silent, unsure of what to say next. Quickly changing the subject as she tugged Yang Zhen along, she began, “After the incident at Dust-free Summit, everyone thought that the Reincarnation Clock would appear within its major banishment zone. Numerous practitioners thought of various methods, but none succeeded. Until five days ago…”

“What happened five days ago?” Yang Zhen asked, his face full of curiosity.

A look of astonishment flashed across Qi Yunling’s face, as if the memory still left her with aftershocks. After a moment’s hesitation, she finally said, “That day, it was as if heaven and earth were being turned upside down, extraordinary celestial phenomena occurred frequently, and people throughout the Central Court heard roars seemingly coming from the Nine Nether Purgatory. Yet despite many going out to observe the phenomena, nothing was discovered.”

“Nothing was discovered?” Yang Zhen looked perplexed and asked, “Where did those roars come from then?”

Qi Yunling shook her head and said, “This is the peculiar part of the whole affair. Practitioners of Celestial Phase cultivation and above searched the skies all night long and found nothing. The roars sounded agony – yes, sheer agony.”

Sheer agony?

Yang Zhen was taken aback. For some reason, he suddenly thought of what he had seen in the endless ice mountain.

In mid-air, countless mighty figures wailed and roared in the black flames, struggling and twisting in frenzy, emitting screams that were downright horrifying to hear.

A doubtful and astonished expression played across Qi Yunling’s face. She stared at Yang Zhen and, noting his expression, tentatively asked, “Did you recall something? Those miserable roars, they sound almost identical to what you described about those who died under the Reincarnation Clock…”

Yang Zhen nearly showed an embarrassed expression and thought, Lady, what I said before was utter nonsense.

But isn’t this coincidence a bit too strange?

Whether the endless ice mountain exists in the real world is something Yang Zhen still hasn’t figured out. And yet, could the tormented howls of those tragic beings have reached the ears of everyone in the Central Court?

What in the world was going on?

A look of alarm flickered on Yang Zhen’s face. Senior Brother Botai and the others caught up, still looking somewhat sulky, but they were drawn into the conversation as well.

Senior Brother Botai, in particular, after glaring at Yang Zhen, seemed to be on the verge of saying something but restrained himself. Then, as if he couldn’t hold back any longer, he asked, “Those people you saw, are they truly dead? Did you… hear any other sounds?”

Other sounds?

Yang Zhen looked puzzled and asked, “What kind of sounds are you referring to?”

“Like, the voice of an elderly woman?” Qi Yunling asked, curiosity flashing in her eyes.

“What?”

Yang Zhen jumped in alarm, truly startled this time. His face showed an absurd expression as he looked at Qi Yunling and the others, feeling the urge to turn around and walk away.

The voice of an elderly woman, could it be that of the old woman from the endless ice mountain?

Yang Zhen swallowed hard, feeling his mouth go dry. After a long while, he slowly imitated the old woman’s tone and said, “I guard my purgatory, you believe in your deities…”

At this bizarre voice, the five people present shuddered together, especially the timid young girl who cried out in alarm, her face turning pale with fright.

“So that’s how it is, that’s how it is…” Qi Yunling’s face showed a shocked expression, muttering to herself.

Yang Zhen looked at Qi Yunling curiously and asked, “What do you mean ‘that’s how it is’? Have you guys also heard this voice recently?”

Qi Yunling nodded and said, “The cycle of heaven’s way, the Reincarnation Clock, it seems that the cycle, the phenomenon of reincarnation, really does exist…”

A trace of doubt suddenly flashed across Senior Brother Botai’s face as he stared at Yang Zhen and asked, “How do we know if what you’re saying is true or false? What if you only heard that voice three days ago too?”

Upon hearing this, everyone, including Qi Yunling, turned their gaze towards Yang Zhen.

“Believe it or not!” Yang Zhen rolled his eyes, too lazy to even explain.

Other things might be fake; no, everything else is fake, but the only thing that’s true is the old crone’s voice. Yang Zhen would never forget it in this lifetime–the hair-raising sensation is unforgettable.

Qi Yunling glared at Senior Brother Botai and said to Yang Zhen, “No, although the voice was there three days ago, none had understood it clearly. Whether your words are true or not, if Iron Bull indeed saw the Reincarnation Clock, then it’s certain that what appeared in the Central Court this time was without a doubt the Reincarnation Clock.”

Upon saying this, Qi Yunling took a deep breath and continued, “After that, there has been a constant tolling of a bell from Wuting Mountain in the Central Court, like the beat of the heavens’ drum or a chorus of celestial music. Now countless people are heading in that direction, all major powers have found their bases, waiting for the Reincarnation Clock to appear… we… are headed there.”

Yang Zhen’s eyes sparkled as he nodded and said, “Going for a look is good too. Even if I can’t obtain the Reincarnation Clock, it’s better than never laying eyes on it. Just don’t involve me when you’re fighting over the Reincarnation Clock. I’ve had enough sleep, but I’m not ready to die yet.”

Senior Brother Botai snorted coldly, while Qi Yunling just smiled noncommittally and said, “Don’t worry, Ling’er wouldn’t force anyone against their will.”

Oh my, this little lady knows her limits and when to advance or retreat; she truly is an amazing talent. And she’s about to break through to become a Half-step Great Saint–it’s not an overstatement to call her a favored daughter of heaven.

Looking back at Senior Brother Botai with his ostentatious face, it’s clear that some people just pale in comparison.

Botai’s face indeed turned ugly again because Qi Yunling actually addressed herself as Ling’er in front of Yang Zhen.

The nickname Ling’er, something Botai had coveted for tens of thousands of years, was still out of his reach… Indeed, some comparisons make one feel utterly inferior!

Envy, jealousy, and hatred!

The way Botai looked at Yang Zhen was almost like he could eat him alive.

Along the way, Yang Zhen kept probing for more details but didn’t manage to get any news of the young ladies, nor the mischievous cat that loves stirring trouble, appearing to be absent from this Reincarnation Clock event.

But Yang Zhen wasn’t in a hurry. With such an exciting event going on, he wouldn’t miss it. And that rascal, the mischievous cat, wouldn’t miss it either. In that case, there would eventually come a day when they meet.

It wasn’t until he arrived at Wuting Mountain that Yang Zhen realized he had underestimated the influence of the Reincarnation Clock on the cultivation world.

The place was swarming with people everywhere; the whole mountain was nearly filled up, and from a distance, it looked like crows perched atop the mountain, making Yang Zhen’s scalp tingle.

“So many people?” Yang Zhen said with a troubled expression, moving closer to Qi Yunling, “I… I have social anxiety.”

“What social anxiety?” Qi Yunling asked curiously.

“It means I’m a bit afraid of crowds!” Yang Zhen explained.

Qi Yunling: “…”

Senior Brother Botai: “…”

“Ah! Brother Iron Bull, I have social anxiety too,” said the timid girl Quan Quan, exclaiming suddenly.