As these thoughts crossed Xuan Qingzi’s mind, he coughed dryly a few times, intending to say something to placate the two before him. However, a cold voice suddenly echoed from afar.
“So, just because our Heavenly Demon Sect and the Taiyi Sect forbid entry, you all plan to force your way in?”
At these words, the elderly man surnamed Luo’s expression shifted slightly. A streak of black light shot over from the distance, arriving before the group in the blink of an eye.
As the light dissipated, a middle-aged scholar clad in black robes with a hooked nose materialized.
The moment he appeared, his gaze swept over the elderly Luo and the cultivator shrouded in green mist, his brow furrowed with a sinister aura.
“Seven Wonders True Immortal!” Luo immediately recognized the scholar and couldn’t help but inhale sharply.
This wasn’t because Seven Wonders’ divine abilities far surpassed Xuan Qingzi’s, but because the scholar, as the Heavenly Demon Sect’s law enforcement elder, was infamous for his ruthless and cruel methods. He was a notorious demonic overlord of the Great Jin Dynasty. Even a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator like Luo had no desire to provoke him.
“Brother Seven Wonders, you jest. Since your sect and the Taiyi Sect are taking this so seriously, it seems the current spatial rift is indeed perilous. This old man doesn’t mind waiting a few more days.” Luo forced a laugh and retreated into the crowd.
The cultivator in the green mist also turned and left without a word.
However, the surrounding cultivators grew restless upon seeing the top righteous and demonic sects seemingly joining forces.
Even the most foolish among them now realized that whatever lay beyond the seal was extraordinary—otherwise, the two sects wouldn’t have taken such a hardline stance.
Yet, under the overwhelming pressure of their combined might, rogue cultivators and those from minor sects could only seethe in silence. Even those from slightly larger sects hesitated to act rashly.
At that moment, seven or eight more Heavenly Demon Sect cultivators arrived from afar—all Nascent Soul-stage demonic cultivators.
Without a word, they immediately took out formation disks and magic banners, swiftly setting up a restrictive formation that conjured thick white mist to completely obscure the rift’s entrance. Xuan Qingzi, Seven Wonders, and the others then turned and entered the formation, vanishing from sight.
This left the nearby cultivators, who had still harbored hopes of seizing an opportunity, exchanging bewildered glances.
—
Inside the formation, Xuan Qingzi exhaled lightly and paused before turning to Seven Wonders with a faint smile.
“Brother Seven Wonders, you arrived much faster than I anticipated. But thanks to that, I was able to suppress those fellow cultivators. Only someone of your fearsome reputation could inspire such awe.”
“Are you implying that my reputation is one of cruelty?” The middle-aged scholar replied with a hollow smile.
“Haha, I wouldn’t dare think that,” Xuan Qingzi chuckled dryly.
“Enough idle talk. We’re both here under orders, and we had no choice. From what I overheard earlier, the Yin Luo Sect has already entered. Who exactly went in? Could it be that old fiend Qian? Otherwise, why would you let them pass?” The scholar frowned.
“By the time I arrived, Old Fiend Qian and a few rogue cultivators had already entered the seal. Later, members of the Yin Luo Sect and some from the Tianlan Grasslands followed, including one of their Great Immortal Masters. At the time, I didn’t realize the gravity of the seal, so I didn’t stop them firmly.” Xuan Qingzi’s expression turned solemn, though whether by oversight or intent, he made no mention of the two women from the Hua Xian Sect.
“Hmph. Who would’ve thought the Ye Family would use a feint—flaunting a replica of a Heaven-reaching Spiritual Treasure to divert our attention while secretly attempting to seize the real one? If not for the spy we planted long ago, we’d still be in the dark.” Seven Wonders sneered coldly.
“Unfortunately, the Ye Family acted with extreme secrecy. Our informant knew of their plans but couldn’t relay the message in time. He only managed to sabotage part of their formation before escaping in the chaos. Had we known earlier, we’d never have given them the chance to break the seal. A Heaven-reaching Spiritual Treasure is rare, but releasing that Ancient Demon Saint’s avatar would be a disaster. Old Fiend Qian has been inside for so long—he may have already found the seal’s location.” Xuan Qingzi sighed.
“Old Fiend Qian isn’t foolish enough to act against his own interests. But I’m less confident about those Tianlan Grasslands cultivators. They’re not from the Great Jin and have fewer scruples.” Seven Wonders shook his head.
“Oh? I heard your sect had some dealings with the Tianlan Holy Hall. I’m surprised you’re so wary of them.” Xuan Qingzi chuckled lightly.
“Dealings? Just exchanges of convenience, nothing more.” Seven Wonders waved dismissively.
“An ancient cultivator’s seal isn’t so easily broken. As long as they haven’t undone the demonic restrictions, our combined forces should be enough to stop them. If they’ve already released the Ancient Demon’s avatar, it’ll be severely weakened after centuries of suppression. With the five Demon-Suppressing Rings I brought, we can subdue it again.” Seven Wonders spoke slowly.
“Demon-Suppressing Rings? Those ancient artifacts from the Spirit Realm, specifically designed to restrain demons?” Xuan Qingzi’s eyes lit up.
“Exactly. These were brought by Spirit Realm cultivators during the Ancient Demon Realm’s invasion to counter high-ranking demons. Even if the sealed entity is an Ancient Demon Saint’s avatar, five rings will render it helpless.” Seven Wonders smirked.
“That’s a relief. I was worried this mission carried risks, but with such preparations, even ancient treasures at hand, I needn’t fear.” Xuan Qingzi relaxed visibly.
“I don’t possess such treasures myself. The five rings were sent by our sect’s elder along with the orders. Didn’t yours provide any artifacts?” The scholar eyed the Taoist skeptically.
“I departed in haste and had no time to prepare. But I did bring the Tian’e Divine Sword. It should prove useful against demons.” Xuan Qingzi smiled wryly.
“The Tian’e Divine Sword? Perfect for slaying demons.” The scholar nodded in approval.
“Still, I don’t understand. The orders I received instructed us to avoid killing the Ancient Demon unless absolutely necessary—preferably resealing it. Why not eliminate it outright and end the threat for good?” Xuan Qingzi suddenly asked.
“Who knows? My orders said the same. But consider this: even the ancient cultivators didn’t destroy it. There must be a reason. We’d best follow instructions.” Seven Wonders replied gravely after a moment’s thought.
“Wise words. Best not invite unnecessary trouble. Brother Seven Wonders, did you bring the Spirit Tortoise Chariot? Let’s hurry inside.” Xuan Qingzi nodded thoughtfully, then glanced toward the rift’s entrance.
The scholar chuckled darkly and flicked his sleeve, releasing a black streak that resolved into a flat, disc-shaped object.
It hovered before them, rapidly expanding into a massive chariot resembling a giant tortoise shell.
Xuan Qingzi smiled faintly at the sight.
After brief instructions to their subordinates, the two boarded the chariot, which transformed into a black streak and shot into the rift.
—
Zhenhuan Mountain was one of the Great Jin’s four great spiritual veins, home to the Taiyi Sect, the foremost righteous sect.
The Taiyi Sect’s influence was unmatched, rivaled only by the Heavenly Demon Sect and the Ten Thousand Demons Valley. Thus, the vast Zhenhuan Mountain Range, spanning hundreds of peaks, lay entirely under their control.
Among these peaks lay the unremarkable Ice Soul Valley.
Unlike the lush, spring-like spiritual mountains elsewhere, this valley was barren of spiritual energy, perpetually shrouded in biting winds and thick ice.
Yet this seemingly inhospitable place was one of the Taiyi Sect’s most secretive forbidden grounds.
Most disciples had never even heard of it, let alone visited.
Despite its secrecy, the valley had no overt restrictions or guards—only an illusionary formation at its entrance.
In truth, no one had dared enter for centuries. Even high-ranking elders would only speak respectfully outside, never stepping foot within.
But on this day, as Seven Wonders and Xuan Qingzi ventured into the rift, a sickly-looking elder in gray robes materialized at the valley’s mouth like a ghost.
Glancing at the illusionary formation, his eyes flashed with disdain. After a light cough, he transformed into a streak of green light, piercing through the formation as if it weren’t there.
Moments later, the light halted at the valley’s end, revealing the elder’s form.
Staring coldly at a massive ice wall, his expression darkened.
“Old Ghost Bai, since you know I’m here, why hide in your coffin like a corpse?”
His voice was soft, yet moments later, the entire valley echoed with his words, reverberating like thunder.
The ice wall trembled violently, as if on the verge of collapse.
Yet the gray-robed elder paid no heed, standing motionless with narrowed eyes.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage