Chapter 1276: The Children of Heaven

Several days passed in the blink of an eye, and the items He Mu had purchased one after another arrived smoothly at Kunlun Mountain via Yuxi Express.

In this era, one could gather many materials without ever leaving home. All it took was opening the All-Knowing Talisman, logging into the marketplace, selecting what was needed, comparing options, making a decision, and waiting for the package to arrive.

After inspecting the items, He Mu nodded in satisfaction and stored them all in his mustard seed ring. Then he left his residence and headed to the gatehouse, where he saw Da Qing Gen gazing up at the sky, absorbing and refining the essence of the morning’s purple qi—the moment when yin gives birth to yang. The old root looked as if it had been cultivating for ten thousand years without a care in the world.

“Senior, you have quite the refined taste,” He Mu said with a smile, leaning against the doorframe. Unconsciously emulating his master’s effortless ease, he spoke at the precise moment Da Qing Gen completed his cultivation—not a second too early or too late.

Da Qing Gen was thoroughly pleased by the title “senior.” Stroking his green tendrils, he chuckled and said, “Young Mu, you seem quite at leisure yourself. Weren’t you planning to travel to the demon race’s star domain? Why don’t I see you making preparations?”

“Most of the preparations have already been completed through the All-Knowing Heaven and Earth. There’s just one thing I’m still unsatisfied with, and I was hoping you could lend me a small favor,” He Mu replied with a grin. Like a swordsman striking at the heart of an opponent’s defense, he seized the moment when Da Qing Gen was off guard and went straight to the point.

Flattered by the title “senior,” Da Qing Gen first nodded with an air of dignity before suddenly realizing what was happening and flusteredly said, “A favor? What could a lowly gatekeeper like me possibly help you with?”

*He’s not after my savings, is he?*

Thanks to certain unspeakable reasons and selling off some unwanted items at a discount, he had barely managed to avoid another financial crisis. Now, he planned to invest his remaining Yuanhuang Coins in improving his own strength.

He Mu didn’t step inside but remained standing where he was, smiling as he said, “The most troublesome part of traveling to the demon race’s star domain is concealing my aura. Otherwise, a human brimming with vitality would stand out like a star in the night sky. So, I thought of gathering materials and asking my master to forge a magical artifact for me—one based on the principle of the Eight-Nine Arcana, capable of altering my aura to mimic that of a demon.”

“The most crucial ingredient for such an artifact is, of course, the aura of a powerful demon.”

Da Qing Gen suddenly understood. “You want to borrow my aura?”

“Not quite. I was hoping to borrow some soil that Brother Howling Heaven Dog watered you with—soil that carries his aura,” He Mu said, revealing his true intention with a beaming smile.

Da Qing Gen’s branches flailed wildly as he hastily replied, “No, no! Why would I collect something so filthy?”

“A while ago, someone anonymously auctioned something similar on the All-Knowing Marketplace. I wonder if you know who it was?” He Mu sighed dramatically. “Unfortunately, I was a step too slow at the time, and the Yuanhuang Coins I prepared went unspent.”

Da Qing Gen’s expression shifted, his eyes darting around. Finally, he lowered his voice and said, “Since we’re both disciples of the Yuxi lineage, if you’re sincere, I’ll swallow my pride and ask Howling Heaven Dog for you…”

“Don’t worry, the Yuanhuang Coins won’t be short!” He Mu didn’t expose him but answered firmly.

Da Qing Gen pretended to take a stroll outside and returned shortly after, handing He Mu a lump of black mud about the size of a bowl lid. Though faint, the demonic aura it emitted carried an overwhelming presence.

He Mu understood implicitly and transferred the market-rate amount of Yuanhuang Coins to Da Qing Gen, adding, “Rest assured, senior, I dug this up myself nearby.”

Da Qing Gen let out a long sigh of relief. If this got out, how could he ever face his fellow disciples as the Yuxi gatekeeper again?

With the materials gathered, He Mu passed through courtyards and halls until he reached the quiet chamber where Meng Qi was in seclusion. Before he could even request an audience, his master’s voice, as if descending from beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, resonated:

“I already know your purpose. Leave the materials at the door.”

*Master’s divine abilities have grown even more unfathomable since attaining Creation…* He Mu suppressed his smile and solemnly laid out the materials one by one, neatly arranging them before the chamber’s entrance.

Suddenly, the lump of black mud leaped up on its own, bursting with green-purple flames from within. The other materials flew into the fire one after another, melting into a swirling mass of multicolored liquid suspended in midair.

*Crack!*

A bolt of purple lightning struck the liquid, and countless runic patterns formed naturally, emitting a faint, clear light.

As the light receded, a simple yet elegant jade pendant appeared in its place, adorned with a dragon on one side and a phoenix on the other.

At the same time, Meng Qi’s voice descended once more:

“Wear this treasure, and it will transform your human aura into that of a demon for six months. Even a Legendary being may be deceived if they are not careful.”

*Master can casually craft such artifacts now… A Great Divine Ability user is truly a Great Divine Ability user.* He Mu marveled inwardly, bowing respectfully in thanks before accepting the jade-like treasure.

After refining it briefly, he was fully prepared. He left Kunlun Mountain, ventured deep into the grasslands, and then summoned a swirling five-colored sword aura—red, cyan, yellow, white, and black—from the Li Xian Sword to envelop himself before shooting into the sky like a beam of light.

Passing through layers of fierce winds, He Mu’s vision suddenly darkened as he entered the boundless void of outer space. Stars like great suns hung in the distance, emitting piercing white light, while curses and poisonous miasma raged around him. Were it not for the protective sword light of his divine weapon, he doubted he could have endured for long.

The view from space was entirely different from gazing up from the earth. He Mu spent a short while deducing celestial patterns before determining his direction. His sword light streaked across the heavens like a meteor, heading toward the demon race’s star domain.

Ten full days later, his vision suddenly widened as a bizarre star came into view—not spherical, but more like a vast ocean spread across the darkness, its waters emerald green and bubbling, resembling a toxic swamp spanning billions of miles.

Due to its presence and that of nearby stars, the surrounding void was warped and distorted. What appeared to be open darkness was fraught with danger, as if veiled by layer upon layer of curtains.

He Mu knew that stars like this might house Legendary-level demon saints—their personal domains. Thus, he suppressed his aura, intending to blend in inconspicuously.

Just then, the layers of void-formed curtains ahead of him parted one by one, revealing an imposing tower ship as massive as a mountain. Waves of demonic aura billowed from it, forming a mist that enveloped the vessel.

He Mu was about to avoid it when a magnetic, melodious female voice called out from the ship:

“Which clan’s fellow traveler approaches?”

He Mu’s expression remained unchanged as he transmitted his reply: “The Devouring Sun Clan.”

“Ah, a friend from the Heavenly Hound Clan! I am Jiu Li of the Fantasy Sky Phoenix Clan. Meeting by chance like this must be fate. Why not come aboard for a chat?” The woman’s voice carried an air of undeniable authority.

He Mu hesitated briefly before deciding that, as a newcomer, it was best to observe first. He nodded slightly and said, “I would be honored.”

His sword light descended, piercing through the mist and layers of defensive formations before landing on the ship’s deck, where He Mu materialized.

His gaze swept over the scene—humanoid figures with beastly heads, demonic warriors, and graceful maidservants adorned with subtle demonic traits like fox tails, bird wings, or cat ears. They surrounded a young woman in deep crimson robes, whose noble and elegant bearing seemed innate. Her beauty far surpassed that of the others.

Beside her stood two men and another woman, clearly distinguished from the other demons by their attendants and formidable auras. Yet, they all orbited the crimson-robed woman as their center.

“You bear a divine weapon. Which Heavenly Hound Clan demon saint’s descendant might you be?” the crimson-robed woman asked with dignified grace.

*So it was the divine weapon’s aura that drew attention. At least they can’t tell it’s Celestial Immortal-grade…* He Mu wasn’t surprised and answered frankly, “I came across this divine weapon by chance. I’m no descendant of any demon saint.”

The woman’s refined speech set her apart from the crude manners of most demons, clearly indicating an extraordinary background…

Before she could respond, a tall, slender man in golden robes with greenish hair spoke coldly: “Jiu Li, this is just some nobody who stumbled upon a divine weapon. Judging by his aura, he hasn’t even awakened his innate divine abilities. Why bother being so polite? There’s no need to invite him to join the expedition.”

*Expedition?* He Mu’s interest piqued, but he feigned confusion as he looked at Jiu Li of the Phoenix Clan.

She hadn’t yet condensed her demonic body, placing her at roughly the same level as himself.

Jiu Li maintained her elegant smile. “Divine weapons are treasures of heaven and earth, bestowed upon the virtuous and fortunate. For this friend to obtain one by chance proves he is blessed with great fortune. He will surely be of great help in our expedition.”

Without waiting for the other three to interject, she pointed at the green-haired man in golden robes and said, “This is Ao Qin of the True Dragon Clan, a descendant of the Arctic Minor Saint. Though not yet fully grown, his strength surpasses most demon lords of other races.”

Since their return, the demon race had refined their hierarchy and titles in comparison to humans. Post-Flawless Body, they were categorized as Demon Kings (equivalent to Human Immortals), Great Demons (Earth Immortals), Demon Saints (Celestial Immortals), and Great Saints (Great Divine Ability users). Legendary-level demonic powers were called Minor Saints, reflecting the race’s straightforward nature.

The Arctic Minor Saint was an Arctic True Dragon who had achieved enlightenment. When it retreated into the depths of space to slumber, it took the Arctic Divine Mountain with it to form a star. Ao Qin was a descendant of its hybrid offspring, one of the less favored branches.

Ao Qin seemed unwilling to disrespect Jiu Li. With a sullen expression, he gave a slight nod in greeting.

*A descendant of a Legendary being, no wonder he puts on such airs…* He Mu returned the greeting with understanding.

“This is Gu Yue of the Red Bone Tiger Mountain, a descendant of the Withered Bone Fire God,” Jiu Li introduced, gesturing to a red-haired man with a “king” character mark on his forehead.

*Withered Bone Fire God… Never heard of him. Probably not Legendary or above…* He Mu had only heard his master mention the demon race’s Great Divine Ability users. Among the countless other powerful demons, only a few were renowned. This “Withered Bone” seemed to be merely a Demon Saint.

Gu Yue glanced at He Mu with a condescending air, barely acknowledging him.

“And this is Golden Scale Fairy of the Immortal Moon Lake, daughter of the Dragonfish Emperor,” Jiu Li continued.

The fair maiden, wearing a floral crown with hints of gold shimmering through her white dress, stood close to Jiu Li, suggesting a close friendship. She nodded with a faint smile, equally dismissive of He Mu.

Finally, Jiu Li said, “I am Jiu Li of the Fantasy Sky Phoenix Clan. May I ask your name, friend?”

At this point, Golden Scale Fairy interjected, “Jiu Li is the direct daughter of Minor Saint Radiant Glory, a pureblood of the Five Virtues lineage.”

Pride radiated from her eyes.

*No wonder even the Arctic Minor Saint’s descendant dares not offend her. Such an extraordinary background… Minor Saint Radiant Glory? Could she be the supreme demon saint Master once dealt with? Did she quietly attain Legendary status, hiding the commotion within the Demon Emperor’s Hall?* Amidst his swirling thoughts, He Mu replied calmly, “So you are descendants of Minor Saints and Demon Saints. I am unworthy of such company. You may call me Moonfall.”

Jiu Li nodded. “We are on our way to an ancient ruin. Based on my research, I suspect it was left behind by the Nine-Headed Great Saint, who perished at Mount Numinous. It was accidentally brought into space by a Minor Saint and drifted into the cosmos’ depths after his demise. Only with the advent of the Final Calamity and the pull of fate has it returned to this vicinity.”