Chapter 1658: Flower Tree and the Holy Ancestor

The silver-robed elder was naturally the Saint-rank Many-Eyed Demon.

On that day, in order to avenge the death of his beloved son, he did not hesitate to dispatch his right-hand men—the two high-rank demon beasts, Jiuye and Wuqi—to hunt down the murderer.

As a result, Jiuye, who had pursued alone, alarmed the cave spirit possessed by the Outer Demon Lord and was instantly slain.

Wuqi, though leading numerous demon beasts to block Han Li and his companions, was lured away and, along with two other subordinates, was deceived by the shadow puppets conjured by Han Li’s Armor Origin Talisman, meeting an unexpected demise.

As for the remaining demon beasts, under the leadership of the glazed beast, they rushed to ambush the entrance of the Demon Gold Mountain Range, preparing to strike Han Li and his group.

Thus, despite having many subordinates, the Many-Eyed Demon remained unaware of the matter concerning the Spirit Mushroom Immortal.

Now, upon hearing this, he was naturally taken aback.

As for the other two, they were none other than the Iron-Winged Demon and another Saint-rank demon beast named Blood Arm.

Seeing that the Many-Eyed Demon’s expression did not seem feigned, Blood Arm was greatly surprised.

A flash of blood-red light flickered in his eyes before he asked gravely:

“What? The Many-Eyed Brother’s son has fallen? How is it that we knew nothing of this?”

“Hmph, is the death of my child some glorious affair that I should announce to the world? Besides, you two have been preoccupied these past few days. It’s hardly strange that you remained unaware!” The Many-Eyed Demon’s expression darkened as he spoke with a hint of sarcasm.

“Ahem… It seems I have wronged you, fellow Daoist,” the blood-robed man coughed lightly, sounding somewhat embarrassed.

“Enough of this. I am now quite intrigued by the Spirit Mushroom Immortal you mentioned. Don’t the two of you have anything to say?” the Many-Eyed Demon said indifferently.

“Haha, it’s nothing much—just a minor spirit creature that wandered into the mountain range. Even if we didn’t mention it, you would have learned of it soon enough,” the Iron-Winged Demon chuckled, speaking as if it were of little consequence.

“Oh? What kind of spirit creature could simultaneously captivate both the Iron-Winged Brother and Blood Arm, to the point of sending your avatars and bloodline forces into battle? If you claim it’s insignificant, do you truly believe I cannot uncover the truth myself? Attendant!” The Many-Eyed Demon’s face darkened as he clapped his hands twice and barked an order.

A flash of black light appeared outside the hall, and a slender man clad in green armor strode in. He bowed respectfully before the silver-robed elder and said, “At your service, Master. What are your orders?”

“Investigate the origins of a spirit creature called the Spirit Mushroom Immortal and its current whereabouts immediately,” the Many-Eyed Demon commanded coldly.

“As you command, Master,” the green-armored man replied without hesitation before transforming into a streak of black light and shooting out the door.

The Iron-Winged Demon and Blood Arm watched this unfold—one silent, the other smiling—seemingly unperturbed by the Many-Eyed Demon’s actions.

The silver-robed elder glanced back at them, his expression growing even darker at their demeanor. With a cold snort, he continued, “Enough about the Spirit Mushroom Immortal. Let us discuss more pressing matters. Recently, I received word that the sealed dimensional passage we had blocked seems to be showing signs of instability. It appears the Sacred Realm has not given up and is making another move.”

“The dimensional passage? Wasn’t it destroyed by the Sacred Ancestor’s sword strike? How could they possibly act again?” The blood-robed man’s expression shifted slightly in surprise.

“What, does Blood Arm doubt my words?” the Many-Eyed Demon asked with a sidelong glance.

“The dimensional passage is of utmost importance. How could I doubt you?” the blood-robed man replied with a forced laugh.

“If there are other Sacred Ancestors in the Sacred Realm wielding Profound Heaven Treasures, it might not be impossible to reopen the passage,” the Iron-Winged Demon mused, stroking his chin.

“Impossible. Back then, the Sacred Ancestor acted only in desperation, surrounded by enemies with no way out. She sacrificed her Profound Heaven Treasure and suffered severe cultivation damage to tear open the boundary. Even if other Sacred Ancestors possess such treasures, why would they make such a sacrifice needlessly?” the blood-robed man refuted without hesitation.

“That may not be certain. If there are two or more Sacred Ancestors taking turns to attack the passage with Profound Heaven Treasures, they might indeed reopen it without suffering losses,” the Many-Eyed Demon said gravely after a moment of contemplation.

Hearing this, Blood Arm and the Iron-Winged Demon were first stunned, then their expressions turned grim.

“Enough. The anomaly in the passage is still minor. Even if it can be reopened, it will take years. Whether we fight or flee, let the Sacred Ancestor decide. She may awaken at any moment,” the Iron-Winged Demon sighed deeply, forcing a bitter smile.

“Indeed. Our powers are insufficient to stop the dimensional passage’s changes. But perhaps the Sacred Ancestor has a way,” the blood-robed man said, perking up.

The Many-Eyed Demon nodded, stroking his beard as if about to speak further.

But at that moment, the towering ten-zhang-tall black stone gate before them suddenly erupted with light, countless pink runes flickering brightly across its surface.

“The Sacred Ancestor has awakened!”

At the sight of the gate’s transformation, the blood-robed man exclaimed in shock.

The three Saint-rank demon beasts immediately displayed a mix of awe and joy, standing solemnly before the gate.

The gate’s radiance persisted for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before finally dimming. Simultaneously, the glowing runes faded and vanished without a trace.

The three demons stared unblinkingly at the gate, showing no impatience.

For a long while, the massive gate remained silent and still.

Then, after nearly two hours, a creaking sound echoed as the gate slowly swung open on its own.

The three demons tensed with anticipation.

“Oh, all three of you are here? How diligent. Come in,” a woman’s voice, melodious and soft, drifted from beyond the gate, carrying an indescribable allure that made one yearn to glimpse its owner.

Behind the half-open gate, shifting pink light shimmered eerily.

“Congratulations on your awakening, Sacred Ancestor. We shall now pay our respects,” the Many-Eyed Demon said on behalf of the others, bowing deeply.

Suppressing their excitement, the three demons strode side by side toward the gate.

But as they stepped through, a flash of pink light engulfed them, transporting them to an unfamiliar realm.

The sky was cloudless and blue, the earth an endless expanse of green stretching to the horizon. The world seemed boundless.

In the far distance stood a colossal tree, a hundred zhang tall, its pale purple trunk adorned with enormous pink blossoms resembling giant lotuses, each as large as a bowl.

Beneath the tree stood a graceful figure in white, her back turned to them. Though the tree seemed distant and the woman faced away, her silhouette alone was enough to captivate most men in the world.

The three demons immediately bowed from afar.

“Since you’re here, come closer,” the woman chuckled softly, plucking a nearby pink blossom with an elegant motion and tossing it carelessly behind her.

With a muffled pop, the flower burst into a swirl of pink mist.

Another flash of pink light, and the scenery blurred. The next moment, the three demons found themselves mere ten zhang from the giant tree.

Startled yet overjoyed, they hastily bowed again.

“Rise. You’ve followed me long enough to know I dislike excessive ceremony,” the woman said gently, her voice inspiring reverence.

“Thank you, Sacred Ancestor. Congratulations on your recovery!” The three demons bowed once more before standing.

“Recovery is far from complete. I retain only a fraction of my former power. The rest cannot be restored through mere meditation—I require external aid,” the woman sighed, sounding resigned.

“External aid?” The silver-robed elder and the others exchanged glances.

“Indeed, and not just any aid. But this Spirit Realm is no lesser than our Sacred Realm. There may yet be hope,” the woman murmured, gazing at the blossoms above as if uncertain.

“Name it, Sacred Ancestor. Whatever it is, if it exists in this realm, we will find it,” the Iron-Winged Demon declared firmly, clasping his fists.

The other two echoed his fervent loyalty.

“Your devotion is noted. But this is not our realm. Though you are Saint-rank, weaker beings may not see through you. Yet against equals, your true nature may be exposed. How then could you serve me? I must go myself,” the woman decided after a pause.

“You would venture out personally?”

“Absolutely not! If you encounter a peer before recovering—”

“Reconsider, Sacred Ancestor!”

The three demons protested urgently, their loyalty evident.

“Worry not. The chance of meeting my equal here is negligible. Beings of our level seldom leave their seclusion, busy preparing for heavenly tribulations. Even with diminished power, I may not defeat a peer, but escape is assured. Those on the verge of transcendence are not so easily slain,” the woman said serenely.