Upon hearing the woman’s soliloquy, the three demons found it difficult to persuade her further and could only ask her to reconsider carefully.
“There’s nothing to reconsider. If I don’t leave, my injuries will never fully heal. If those great enemies from the Sacred Realm break through the void and pursue me, I’ll truly be defenseless. Besides, I have other tasks for you here, which won’t be easy either.” The woman shook her head, her resolve clearly firm.
“Great Sacred Ancestor, please instruct us as you will,” the Many-Eyed Demon hastily asked with reverence.
The other two demons also tensed.
“During my slumber, has the dimensional passage to the Sacred Realm reopened?” the woman suddenly inquired.
“For years, there was no activity. But recently, faint fluctuations emerged from the passage. Though subtle, it seems the Sacred Realm has taken action again,” the Many-Eyed Demon answered honestly.
The Iron-Winged Demon and Blood-Arm exchanged grim looks.
“Hmm, by my reckoning, they should have fully recovered by now and begun their moves. I will leave you the method to construct a grand formation that can temporarily double the dimensional force of the passage. Even if someone attempts to breach it, they won’t succeed easily. However, this formation demands immense resources and labor. The three of you must oversee its completion separately. While I’m away, focus solely on this task,” the woman said calmly.
“Yes, we obey the Sacred Ancestor’s decree!” the three demons chorused in delight.
“By the way, were there any other significant events during my slumber? Report them to me as well,” the woman added indifferently.
“Over the years, minor incidents occurred in the mountain range, all handled by us. But two matters were too grave to ignore,” the Iron-Winged Demon spoke hesitantly after exchanging glances with the others.
“Oh? Speak,” the white-robed woman replied casually.
“First, the fragment of the ruined Profound Heaven Ruyi Blade entrusted to us before your slumber was stolen by a Sacred-rank demonic ape, which fled the mountains. Its current whereabouts are unknown,” the Iron-Winged Demon confessed reluctantly.
“A fragment of the Ruyi Blade was stolen? What is the origin of this ape, and how did it infiltrate the mountains?” The woman’s voice carried a faint tremor.
“It must have been one of the pursuers accidentally dragged in when you breached the dimensional passage. Concealing its Sacred-rank cultivation, it evaded our notice for years. It struck during my absence, stealing the fragment from the vault. I deserve punishment for this failure,” the Iron-Winged Demon bowed, seeking penance.
“*Heh*, after the Ruyi Blade was destroyed, most of its power was already lost. Divided into three, even I couldn’t restore it. Such a ruined fragment is beyond repair—losing it matters little. What’s the other matter?” The woman chuckled dismissively after a brief silence.
“Thank you for your mercy, Sacred Ancestor. The second matter concerns the Black Abyss Alligator, the mount of Lord Ming Luo. It has recently advanced to Sacred-rank. Given its new status, we wondered how to handle it,” the Iron-Winged Demon continued, visibly relieved.
“Oh? That little fiend has reached Sacred-rank? A pleasant surprise. Since I lack an attendant, it shall accompany me,” the woman replied with a radiant smile, her laughter enchanting as celestial music.
The three demons voiced no objections, nodding in agreement.
“Great Sacred Ancestor, what of the Ruyi Blade fragments in our possession?” the Blood-Robed Demon ventured cautiously.
“They’re of little use to me. Keep them for self-defense,” the woman waved dismissively.
“Gratitude for your generosity!” The Blood-Robed and Many-Eyed Demons bowed in elation.
With such Profound Heaven treasure fragments, their powers would surge significantly.
The Iron-Winged Demon, envious, suddenly remembered something and bowed again. “Sacred Ancestor, a Spirit Mushroom Immortal has been discovered in the mountains, akin to a shapeshifting demonic ghoul. Might you be interested?”
“A Spirit Mushroom Immortal? Such a thing exists here? It’s ideal for crafting external avatars or housing souls, but refining it demands immense effort. Given my condition, I’ve no energy to spare. Capture it yourselves,” the woman replied, mildly surprised but indifferent.
The silver-robed elder’s eyes gleamed with delight, while the Iron-Winged Demon and Blood-Arm exchanged hesitant glances but remained silent.
“Enough. Having just awakened, I’ll meditate for a month before departing. Attend to affairs in the mountains as usual—no further reports needed.” With a flick of her sleeve, pink light surged, and the three demons found themselves abruptly outside the stone gate, back in the grand hall as if never having moved.
“The Sacred Ancestor’s power remains unfathomable despite her injuries. With such abilities, her journey poses no risk,” the Iron-Winged Demon exhaled in relief.
“Indeed. Since her will is set, we can only obey,” Blood-Arm mused.
The silver-robed elder narrowed his eyes, then smirked. “So the Spirit Mushroom Immortal rivals a shapeshifting ghoul—no wonder you two were so eager. Now that the Sacred Ancestor has granted it to us, let’s see who claims it!”
Before the others could react, he summoned a dark whirlwind and vanished from the hall.
“That old fool is too hasty,” the Iron-Winged Demon sneered.
“*Heh*, Brother Many-Eyes fears falling behind. But that Spirit Mushroom Immortal likely eludes us both—else we’d have heard. Given your avatar’s destruction, an outsider may have seized it. These intruders seem unusual,” Blood-Arm remarked, eyes glinting crimson.
“Whether they took it or not, Brother Many-Eyes acts too late. Outsiders linger only a month—most must be near the exit now. Even if we pursued, we’d never catch them. Had I known, I’d have dispatched more forces,” the Iron-Winged Demon lamented.
“*Haha*, or perhaps you feared alerting us by mobilizing too many,” Blood-Arm chuckled.
“Think what you will. I’ll await news elsewhere.” With a faint smile, the Iron-Winged Demon vanished in two flashes.
Blood-Arm stared coldly at the hall entrance before dissolving into a pool of blood, seeping into the ground. Soon, the hall stood empty.
—
Han Li, concealed within an ordinary black cloud as a near-invisible shadow, gazed at the mountain range’s exit dozens of miles away, his azure-glinting eyes thoughtful.
The “exit” was merely a stretch of empty void spanning a few miles—the sole passage where external formations could retrieve those leaving.
Yet, under Han Li’s Brightsight Spirit Eyes, hundreds of gray shadows and black vapors lurked on either side, lying in ambush.
After a moment’s consideration, Han Li produced a pale violet talisman and affixed it to himself. Purple mist erupted, swirling with silver runes as his form vanished entirely.
Confident no Sacred-rank beings lurked nearby, he floated forward boldly.
The hidden beasts detected nothing—until a small creature suddenly radiated dazzling light, enveloping everything within a thousand yards.
Heat washed over Han Li as his invisibility shattered, the Taiyi Vanquishing Talisman’s effect nullified.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage