Original subtitles

Adapted from "The Eternal Strife" by Chendong, a writer on Qidian, a platform under Yuewen Group

Episode 4

Greetings, Master.

Ah, Shi.

I asked you to come for a reason.

Please, Master, enlighten me.

Shi, have you ever heard of

Dugu Zhantian, the Martial Saint from

a thousand years ago?

Dugu Zhantian used the "Zhantian Feat" to defeat all heroes,

proving the Dao with strength,

transcending the ordinary and becoming a Martial Saint.

However...

However, the Dugu Clan has almost disappeared from people's knowledge.

But,

if the Martial Saint left behind the Essence Stone,

that would be a different matter.

Essence Stone?

It's said to be

condensed from the entire body's power of a Saint-level expert,

extremely precious.

The one who obtains it can go beyond the ordinary

and become a saint.

But this sacrifices one's own life

to pass down power to future generations.

Throughout these millennia,

Saint-level experts are rare,

and those willing to sacrifice their power to protect their descendants

are even rarer.

Once this item appears,

it will attract people from all over to fight for it.

Therefore,

if the rumors are true and

the Dugu Clan is hiding in Changfeng Town

with the Essence Stone,

you will go there

for me.

Understood.

I will act cautiously

and avoid unnecessary trouble.

So this is the Dugu family's residence.

Grandfather Dugu,

I'm sorry.

I couldn't protect Baitian...

How could this happen?!

This oppressive feeling!

This person's power is not below Master's.

Get up!

How did the Situ family produce a coward like you?

What happened?

Just tell us!

We...

we had a fight with a group of hooligans.

I got injured and fainted.

When I woke up,

Baitian was...

You can ask this Miss Li.

She knows more details than I do.

Sir, may I have a word?

Follow me.

There might still be a chance.

Baitian's vitality hasn't completely extinguished.

Really?

You guys can go back.

I'll

handle it here.

Speak.

I dare not hide the truth.

Those who killed Dugu Baitian are the young masters of the Liu and Luo families.

They were most likely seeking revenge for some previous dispute.

Vermin!

What about you?

Why would a direct disciple of Misty Peak

appear here?

I am here on orders from Master

to visit the Dugu Clan and inquire about the Essence Stone left by the Martial Saint...

Essence Stone? Who does Ling Fei think he is?

Misty Peak's duty is to protect the martial world,

and the Essence Stone is both a treasure and a danger.

We must prevent the Essence Stone from falling into the hands of evildoers.

Quite the smooth talker.

Does Dugu's business

need others to interfere?

I am willing to sacrifice myself for Dugu Baitian,

but I urge you to hand over the Essence Stone to Misty Peak, sir.

You may be powerful,

but if those evildoers come together,

what will happen?

I have witnessed the power of the Essence Stone.

It must not fall into the hands of evildoers.

Come on, Yanzhi.

You said you'd just ask about it.

What are you doing now?

Father,

they caused Baitian's death.

Even if I kill her now and then destroy Misty Peak,

what's the harm?

Don't worry.

Baitian is not dead yet.

What?!

When you become a demon,

your body dies if the demon lives

and your body lives if the demon dies.

That's impossible.

If Baitian absorbed the power of the

Essence Stone as a saint,

he might be able to come back to life,

but Baitian had just started cultivating.

The power of the Essence Stone is enormous.

His meridians would surely burst,

causing immediate death.

Your body dies if the demon lives

and your body lives if the demon dies?

I did see Dugu Baitian absorb the power of the Essence Stone

and turn into a demon.

But...

Afterwards, he only killed those evildoers,

but didn't harm me.

He even saved his friends.

That's my good grandson.

His act of saving others

ended up saving himself.

Now he can't die,

and his demonization is not a problem.

Father,

when will Baitian wake up?

He will wake up

when the time is right.

This matter is of great importance.

To avoid leaking information,

you should stay here for now.

I...

I...

Hmm?

This is not a discussion.

Where is this?

This is the power inside the Essence Stone?

Is this necessary?

Thank you, sir...

Wait a minute...

I distinctly remember dying...

What is this place?

Sir,

I am Dugu Baitian.

May I ask where we are?

And you are...

Oh, I vaguely remember

the surname Dugu.

I never expected a prestigious family like yours

to produce such a waste that can't even recognize his divine consciousness.

I am sorry, sir,

but

if this is my divine consciousness...

then why are you here?

You fool!

Can it be that

you don't even remember depleting the essence

in my Essence Stone?

Sir, please wait!

You just said that the Essence Stone was yours.

Does that mean you are an ancestor of my Dugu family?

I don't remember...

Regardless of who I once was,

now I am nothing more than a lingering soul.

Besides overwhelming battle intent,

I have no clear memories.

I can't help you.

You are on your own.

But I vaguely saw images

of you fighting against thousands.

Can't you help me get out

with your unimaginable power?

I am a mere lingering soul,

unable to assist you.

If you could glean a bit of power

from my memories you see,

it should be

sufficient for you.

But sir,

I'm in a hurry.

How about you guide me a bit?

After I leave, I can help you regain your memories.

How about that?

Your internal essence is chaotic.

You can't wake up like this.

You need to subdue this essence yourself

and restore your meridians.

If I recall correctly,

with your stage of cultivation,

absorbing three clusters of essence

should show initial results.

Father,

it's been seven days,

but Baitian...

Oh...

Baitian is a child of our Dugu family.

Whether he becomes a saint or falls into devilry,

he must overcome this hurdle.

But how could he, at such a young age,

suddenly reach the threshold of sainthood?

Could it be because of this Essence Stone left by Ancestor Zhantian?

Are you saying that

Baitian has Ancestor Zhantian's essence inside him?

Yes...

But if that's the case,

it might not be a good thing for Baitian.

Sir,

what should I do now?

Continue.

Wasn't it supposed to be three clusters?

If you have the strength,

absorbing more would be even better.

Are you sure you're not mistaken?

That just shows your cultivation is too shallow,

and you haven't grasped the essence of it.

Sir,

I've been here for a long time,

practicing endlessly like this

is not going to end well.

We agreed on absorbing three clusters, and I've done that.

Please help me go back.

Oh, fine,

I'll send you back.

Thank you, Sir!

Hey.

Don't forget our deal.

I'll find your memories.

I won't forget that.

You talk too much!

Father,

if what you said about the truth behind Zhantian's disappearance is true,

Baitian might

not be able to escape the same fate.

Since he can't escape it,

he should face it head-on.

We, the Dugu family,

shouldn't be afraid of such things.

But the immediate concern is that

we can't let the news of Baitian's demonization leak out.

Otherwise,

it will inevitably attract more trouble.

That girl, Li Shi, from the Misty Peak,

already knows Baitian's secret...

Yes.

That's pretty troublesome.

Looks like

there are only two options:

either

slap her to death

or let her

stay in the Dugu family

and become my

granddaughter-in-law.

Absolutely not!

Grandpa, no!

You can't kill innocent people,

and you can't recklessly let her marry me!

Baitian, you are awake!

You brat!

Your father and I took care of you for days,

you showed no sign of waking up,

but when I talked about that girl,

you woke up immediately.

I was just worried that you might make mistakes.

Don't worry.

I have my way.

Baitian!

My son!

My son!

I was so worried about you!

Mother,

don't cry.

Look, I'm awake now.

You don't know how worried I was.

Three days later

You're a strange person.

One moment, you're bouncing around,

and the next, you're so calm.

I'm thinking,

what is a person

and what is a demon?

Isn't a demon just some person with stronger attachments?

So,

should I still follow my heart?

Thanks for your guidance.

I've gained a lot from our conversation.

You are the strange one.

I didn't say anything.

Earlier,

your grandpa gave me the Essence Stone

and let me take it back.

There's no more essence power in that stone.

It won't do you any good.

That's just perfect.

If the power were still there,

I'd be worried about bringing trouble to the Misty Peak.

As an exchange,

I'll keep your secret.

But

if you turn into a demon and start killing innocents,

I'll slay you with my sword!

You're scaring me.

You're too fierce, woman.

Stop being glib!

But if you break the agreement,

I'll announce to the world with this

that Li Shi is my accomplice!

You better pray you don't turn into a demon,

or I'll

chop you into pieces

to prove my innocence.

Don't worry,

you won't have that chance.

Well then,

until we meet again.

Yeah,

until we meet again!