At this time, rumors about the demonic calamity began to spread among low- and mid-level cultivators. Some related whispers even reached the ears of certain mortals with special statuses.
However, since the demonic calamity was still hundreds of years away, and the lifespans of low-level cultivators and mortals rarely exceeded two or three centuries, while they took the matter seriously, they were not thrown into panic.
Nevertheless, many small and medium-sized clans and mortal factions began making preparations for the calamity.
Over the next two centuries, mortals in smaller cities gradually migrated toward major factions.
Of course, the demonic calamity was never openly mentioned to ordinary people—various other excuses were used instead. As the years passed, the atmosphere in human territories grew increasingly tense. Cultivators, who had rarely appeared before mortals, now began to gather in large cities in groups.
Some openly set up defensive formations for the cities, while others directly organized mortal martial artists to train in combat techniques specifically designed to counter demons.
Though most of these trained martial artists would likely die of old age before the calamity even began, the training had to be promoted early among mortals so that, after three or four generations, a substantial force could be formed to assist the major factions when the calamity struck.
Given the vast population of mortals, the number of martial artists was nearly a hundred times that of cultivators. Even though the highest-tier martial artists were only comparable to Nascent Soul cultivators, their sheer numbers made them a formidable force against the demonic calamity.
Past demonic calamities had proven that well-equipped martial artists were highly effective against low- and mid-tier ancient demons.
Various “spirit tools” previously stored in secret vaults of major factions were now being distributed in batches to their subordinate mortal forces.
Meanwhile, even more powerful spirit tools were being mass-produced by the factions’ artifact refiners.
At the same time, low- and mid-tier magical artifacts, as well as elixirs tailored for low- and mid-level cultivators, were being refined at great cost.
As a result, the stockpiled refining materials of these factions were being consumed at an alarming rate.
Prices for materials in major markets skyrocketed, often increasing several times over.
Even so, shortages were common, creating a situation where demand far outstripped supply.
The situation in the Seven Demon Lands of the demon race was largely similar.
Of course, these changes in both races unfolded gradually over a century, without causing outright chaos in their territories.
However, for one individual, none of this seemed to have any impact, and for a hundred years, almost no news about him had surfaced.
On this day, above the towering walls of Sky Abyss City—now twice as tall as before—a streak of white light flashed past. Within the radiance was a slender figure that vanished from the sight of the armored guards stationed on the wall after a few flickers.
“Who was that? How bold! A mere Core Formation cultivator dares to fly past us without even using the city gates?” A burly man in black armor was stunned for a moment before erupting in anger, black light flickering around him as if he intended to give chase.
“Brother Hu, wait! That Lady Bai doesn’t need to be inspected—she has permission to enter Sky Abyss City directly,” another guard quickly grabbed his arm.
“What? How? She’s just a Core Formation cultivator. How could she have such privileges?” the burly man exclaimed in shock.
“Her master is a Body Integration cultivator—one who advanced from Deity Transformation to Body Integration in just a few centuries. He might even reach the late-stage of Body Integration in the future. As for Lady Bai, she reached mid-stage Core Formation in just over a hundred years. Her talent is equally astonishing. You’ve only recently joined Sky Abyss City, so you wouldn’t recognize her,” the guard explained.
“Advancing from Deity Transformation to Body Integration in a few centuries… Are you talking about Senior Han, the one who once fought against the Long Family’s ancestor?” The burly man’s expression changed drastically.
“So you’ve heard of Senior Han. Though he’s rarely heard from these days, his reputation is well-known. That’s why the council of elders specifically exempted his nominal disciple from inspections when she visits Sky Abyss City,” another guard chuckled.
“So she’s Senior Han’s nominal disciple. No wonder she has such privileges. But from what you’re saying, does Lady Bai come here often?” the burly man asked curiously.
“Not too often. Sometimes once every year or two, other times once every seven or eight years. But I’ve heard she always visits the market to trade materials. Given the current shortages everywhere, Sky Abyss City is one of the few places still able to supply them,” the guard replied without hesitation.
“I see. But if Senior Han’s disciple is near Sky Abyss City, does that mean he himself resides nearby?” the burly man mused.
“That, we don’t know. No one would dare track Lady Bai. Anyway, it’s best not to speculate about Body Integration seniors. Brother Hu, why don’t you tell us about that piece of purple gold iron you found in the market last time?” someone quickly changed the subject.
“Ah, that! I really got lucky that day—made a small fortune. I was passing by a small shop when…” The burly man perked up and began recounting his tale.
The others soon forgot their earlier discussion, engrossed in his story.
Meanwhile, the white streak of light had long since disappeared, heading straight for Sky Abyss City’s market.
A few hours later, it landed in front of the grand hall where human and demon races conducted trade.
The light dissipated, revealing a young woman in a silver brocade robe. She appeared to be sixteen or seventeen, with a round face, dark eyes, and fair, rosy skin—her features sweet and charming.
Without a word, she handed over some spirit stones to the guards at the entrance, received a concealment artifact, and entered the hall enveloped in a shimmering glow.
Moments later, she appeared in the main hall, where over a hundred similarly concealed cultivators bustled about—some setting up stalls, others negotiating trades.
The silver-robed girl’s dark eyes swept the room before brightening as she strode toward a corner.
There, a demonic cultivator shrouded in black mist stood silently.
As the girl approached, the mist churned, revealing a pale hand holding a broken half of a jade pendant.
The girl’s expression shifted slightly as she produced the matching fragment from her own sleeve.
When the two pieces were pressed together, they formed a complete pendant.
“You are…?” the girl relaxed slightly but still spoke cautiously.
“Ah, it’s you again, little girl. Is your master still in seclusion?” Before she could finish, a melodious female voice emerged from the mist, as if recognizing her.
“Ah! Senior Qin, you came personally? Master hasn’t emerged yet!” the girl exclaimed in surprise.
“The materials your master requested last time were extremely valuable. I couldn’t trust anyone else to deliver them, so I had to come myself. Your master’s abilities are truly extraordinary—to help you break through Foundation Establishment, form a Golden Core, and even reach mid-stage Core Formation in just a century,” the woman in the mist sighed.
“It’s all thanks to Master’s generous gifts of spiritual medicines and his efforts to cleanse my marrow and refine my meridians. With my innate aptitude, I could never have formed a Golden Core so easily,” the girl replied gratefully.
She was none other than Han Li’s nominal disciple, Bai Guo’er.
Two hundred years had passed since she was last seen—no longer a child but a graceful young woman and a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator.
The woman in the mist was Qin Su’er of the Heavenly Fox race, with whom Han Li had arranged a series of trades.
Over the years, Bai Guo’er had periodically visited this place to fulfill those agreements.
“Regardless, I must admire Senior Han’s methods. At this rate, you might even reach Deity Transformation or Void Refinement in the future. Now, shall we proceed with the trade as agreed?” Qin Su’er praised before producing a purple wooden box and handing it over.
“Of course,” Bai Guo’er smiled sweetly, retrieving a blue ring from her sleeve.
An hour later, she exited the hall, retreated to a secluded spot, and soared into the sky, retracing her path without hesitation.
Two months later, she arrived above a mountain range brimming with dense spiritual energy. Her light streaked across the peaks before descending onto a towering summit deep within the range.
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