CFSMS -Chapter 214 This Bow, in Tribute to a Thousand Years of Perseverance

He smiled faintly and pointed toward the sky.

“After that cultivator reached the end of his lifespan, he died and his dao dissipated. Among the remaining Ghost Clan, no other exceptional talent ever appeared, and the suppression of the ghosts gradually began to loosen.”

“If left unchecked, the ghosts would once again appear in the human world.”

“Later, someone from the Ghost Clan discovered that if they absorbed ghost qi into their bodies, it could effectively reduce the birth of new ghosts.”

“From that moment on, all members of the Ghost Clan became vessels that absorbed ghost qi.”

“However, the human body has its limits.”

When too much ghost qi was absorbed into their flesh and blood, they discovered that their minds would begin to shift toward the mindless nature of ghosts.

Once the Ghost Clan completely transformed into ghosts themselves, what awaited the outside world would be a catastrophic tide of ghosts that had been suppressed for hundreds and thousands of years.

For the human world, this would be a great disaster.

To break this calamity, they would have to leave through the Ghost Gate and seek a solution from the outside world.

Unfortunately, in order to prevent the ghosts from escaping, the cultivators of the Ghost Clan had laid down countless formations and seals upon the Ghost Gate.

Perhaps from the very beginning, that cultivator had never intended for anyone to leave again.

To break the seal from the inside was as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

Generation after generation of Ghost Clan members were worn down, eventually becoming ghosts.

Whether it was the instinctual hunger of ghosts for living flesh, or the lingering obsession of the Ghost Clan to leave this place, even after turning into ghost spirits, they still relentlessly struck the Ghost Gate day and night.

After countless ages, the formation weakened. When ghost qi accumulated to a certain extent, the gate would open for a short period.

What followed was the story of how the Divine Spear Sect discovered the Ghost Gate, suppressed it, guarded it, and eventually established their sect.

With a preconceived understanding, the people of the Divine Spear Sect had never considered that those who emerged from the Ghost Gate might not only be ghosts—but also members of the Ghost Clan who had been assimilated.

This buried fragment of history filled all who heard it with reverence.

Not everyone possessed the resolve to suppress ghosts with an entire clan, nor the courage to become vessels themselves, containing ghost qi within their bodies.

“Senior, your righteousness is immense. The Ghost Clan’s righteousness is immense.”

“The Divine Spear Sect, on behalf of the Western Continent, thanks you for the protection of the Ghost Clan.”

“Disciples, follow me and pay your respects!”

Elder Jiang stood up, straightened his robes, and solemnly faced the Ghost King, placing his hands together before bowing deeply.

Behind him, everyone from the Divine Spear Sect—from the sect master down to the disciples—bowed in unison.

“We thank the Ghost Clan for their protection.”

Everything the Ghost Clan had done for the Western Continent deserved this bow—this tribute to a thousand years of steadfast perseverance.

Even Qin Zhan and the others nearby joined in.

Even though this was a story belonging to the Western Continent, the Western and Southern Continents were both part of the Qingyuan World. If the Western Continent fell to the ghosts, the Southern Continent would not be spared.

In this solemn atmosphere, the Ghost King paused mid-bite of his roasted rabbit. He quietly looked at the scene.

Behind him, countless members of the Ghost Clan regained their clarity of mind, turning into ghost spirits that slowly dissipated into the heavens and earth.

Across endless time, the Ghost Clan had finally broken free of their identity as “ghosts” and returned to reincarnation.

A thousand years of guarding and waiting had finally borne fruit.

In the Ghost King’s lowered eyes, a trace of relief finally appeared.

At the moment he regained his sanity, he had considered that if these people denied the Ghost Clan’s sacrifice, he would slaughter all those ungrateful beings.

Of course, he would leave Boss Lu alive—he still wanted more roasted rabbit.

Fortunately, time had not eroded gratitude.

The Divine Spear Sect’s attitude allowed the rising violence in his heart to settle.

A clan that used itself to suppress calamity for the sake of all mankind—its existence reduced to dust in time—of course there would be resentment.

The Ghost Clan did not seek reward, only mutual understanding.

This bow, he could accept.

“Heh.”

“Rise.”

He chuckled softly, his expression becoming calm from within.

On the other side of Lu Wu, Old Man Li raised his eyebrows with a faint smile. It seemed he would not need to step in after all.

Just as Lu Wu handed over another roasted rabbit, the Ghost King shook his head.

“No need. It’s enough.”

He rolled up his sleeve, revealing cracks spreading across his skin beneath it.

Time was up.

They had never truly been human. To be able to reclaim their humanity at the final moment and die as humans—he was satisfied.

The Ghost King placed that heart back into Lu Wu’s hand.

“Keep it safe.”

The heart, condensed from countless resentments, was a powerful weapon.

If one day Lu Wu suffered injustice from the world, this heart might bring her a pleasant surprise.

This was his repayment.

“Senior, don’t worry. I will keep it safe.”

A true heart must never be discarded.

Lu Wu carefully stored it away. When she looked up again, the Ghost King’s figure was already fading.

“After today, the Ghost Gate will be sealed again for a hundred years.”

Thanks to Lu Wu, the ghost qi within them had dissipated. Most of the ghost qi inside the Ghost Gate had originally been concentrated within the Ghost Clan—now that they were gone, the gate would stabilize and become firm again.

“I am very happy.”

The Ghost King waved at Lu Wu, and with a faint smile, his body turned into countless specks of light.

Lu Wu reached out—but grasped nothing.

The Ghost Clan was gone.

Beneath the cold pool, the Ghost Gate rumbled loudly as it slowly closed.

Heaven and earth returned to clarity and stillness.

The crackling of the fire pulled everyone back to reality.

“When I return, I will erect memorial tablets for them, and ensure the Divine Spear Sect worships them for generations, with incense never extinguished,” the sect master declared.

Compared to the Ghost Clan, their contributions were insignificant.

“Truly a tragic yet magnificent story,” Qin Zhan sighed.

“Respectable… truly respectable,” Luo Xiaotian added.

“Uh… wait, something’s burning,” Long suddenly sniffed.

Everyone turned—and panicked.

“The roasted rabbits!”

The rabbit skins had already turned black, the smell of burning meat assaulting everyone’s senses.

“No problem, just scrape off the outer layer, it’s still edible,” Jiang Yunhe concluded calmly.

Even if it caused stomach issues, he had medicine for it.

“I have a ghost story for you all,” Zhang Yue said, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Boss Lu is gone.”

At the cooking spot—empty.

The many humans and beasts still eyeing the roasted rabbits turned their gazes into sparks of confrontation.

In an instant, killing intent erupted.

A powerful beast struck first, darting forward and snatching a roasted rabbit before vanishing into the forest.

Next were Elder Jiang and Elder Dan.

As expected of their perfect coordination, they targeted the same rabbit. Each grabbed a leg, locked eyes, then tore it apart evenly and fled with their share.

Qin Zhan moved even faster, grabbing the nearest rabbit and flashing away.

The remaining disciples stared at each other.

“Let’s start the war,” the senior sister said, drawing her spear.

“Come,” the junior sister replied.

Spear light surged like dragons—battle erupted.

Elsewhere, Lu Wu, enjoying the moonlight, hummed softly.

Her stall had closed. If they wanted overtime, no chance.

Moon-watching, petting fluffy creatures—this was life.