Bai Guo’er and Hai Dashao were both at the early Nascent Soul stage, while Qilingzi’s cultivation surpassed theirs, having already reached the mid-Nascent Soul stage.
“By the way, Junior Sister, speaking of Master—after he returned from the wilderness two hundred years ago, he went into seclusion again. Could it be that he truly intends to attempt breaking through to the late Body Integration stage?” Hai Dashao suddenly asked with a solemn expression.
“I’m not entirely sure either. Right now, Master’s seclusion chamber is enveloped in layers of restrictions, and even Aunt Ice Phoenix can’t get close. It seems that even if he isn’t aiming for the late stage, he must be cultivating some extraordinary grand technique and doesn’t want to be disturbed,” Bai Guo’er replied after a moment of thought.
“Back when Master advanced from the early to mid-Body Integration stage, it only took him three to four hundred years. If he were to advance to the late stage in such a short time, even knowing that he is far beyond ordinary cultivators of his rank, it would still be utterly astonishing!” Hai Dashao grinned, as if recalling something.
“If Master truly succeeds in advancing to the late stage this time, it would be an immense blessing for all three of us, as well as for the entire human race. However, I think it’s still unlikely. After all, progressing from mid to late Body Integration requires an enormous amount of spiritual power, which normally takes one to two thousand years of arduous cultivation. A mere few hundred years is simply not enough to refine sufficient spiritual power,” Qilingzi stroked his chin and shook his head in disagreement.
“Hmph, Senior Brother, you know Master isn’t an ordinary person. Why measure his progress by the standards of common cultivators? If you ask me, Master must have some degree of confidence before entering such deep seclusion. Moreover, during this time, Tianyuan City, the Three Sovereigns, and other factions have frequently sent envoys to visit him. Yet, despite relaying their messages, we’ve received no response. This shows that Master is wholly focused on his cultivation and unwilling to be disturbed by anything,” Bai Guo’er said with certainty, a glint of determination in her beautiful eyes.
“It seems Junior Sister Bai has the most faith in Master among the three of us. But we’ve discussed this matter countless times without reaching any conclusion. Besides, who knows how long Master’s seclusion will last this time? The Devil Calamity is at most a few decades away. Even if Master is confident, he’ll likely have to emerge to face it once the calamity arrives,” Qilingzi waved his hand dismissively.
“That’s true. If only the Devil Calamity could come later, Master might not break through to the late stage, but he could certainly make significant progress in his cultivation,” Hai Dashao said with a regretful expression.
“Enough. How Master cultivates is not something we disciples should casually speculate about. All we can do now is ensure our own survival during the Devil Calamity. By the way, Junior Sister, why don’t you join Tianyuan City? Once the calamity arrives, it will be the safest place for the human race. With Master’s reputation, the elders there would surely treat you with special regard,” Qilingzi said seriously to Bai Guo’er.
“Senior Brother Qilingzi is absolutely right. Senior Brother and I have already decided to move all our disciples into Tianyuan City once the Devil Calamity erupts. Even if they can only serve as low-ranking guards, with our protection, they won’t be used as cannon fodder. It would be even better if you joined us,” Hai Dashao added with a smile.
“Tianyuan City?” Bai Guo’er frowned slightly, lost in thought.
“What’s the matter, Junior Sister? Are you unwilling, or do you have other plans? It’s best to decide soon. Before Master went into seclusion, he told us that once the Devil Calamity erupts, he would have other important matters to attend to and wouldn’t be able to keep us by his side,” Qilingzi asked with concern.
“To be honest with both of you, I recently received a letter from my father. The faction under my grandmother has already relocated to the Xuanwu Imperial City. My father wants me to join them. I only have a few relatives left, and I don’t want us to be separated during the Devil Calamity, worrying about each other,” Bai Guo’er said after a long pause.
“I see. With family ties involved, it’s indeed difficult to be apart. Fortunately, the Xuanwu Imperial City is also a safe and reliable place. If Junior Sister goes there, she should be secure,” Hai Dashao said with understanding.
“If Junior Sister Bai is going to the Xuanwu Imperial City, why not take Liu Feng and Fu Yun with you? They are at least Core Formation cultivators and could be of some use,” Qilingzi suddenly suggested.
“Liu Feng and Fu Yun are Senior Brother’s most prized disciples. How could I take them as attendants? Don’t worry, I have a few personal maids with me. They’ve been by my side for some time now. Though they haven’t reached Core Formation, they are at the Foundation Establishment stage and can still be useful,” Bai Guo’er said with a faint smile, her eyes shimmering.
“Haha, if Junior Sister says so, then Hai and I—” Qilingzi chuckled, about to say more.
But at that moment, a thunderous boom erupted from the sky, shaking the entire world. The mountain beneath their feet trembled violently.
As Nascent Soul cultivators, Bai Guo’er and the others remained steady, but their expressions changed drastically as they all looked up at the sky.
The previously cloudless blue expanse was now marred by a massive gray patch, rapidly expanding. A powerful spatial fluctuation emanated from it, spreading in all directions.
Within moments, the gray patch had grown three to four times larger, casting a dim shadow over the world as if something was eroding the sky itself.
“Devil Mark! It must be the Devil Mark before the Devil Calamity arrives!” Hai Dashao shouted, his face pale.
Bai Guo’er and Qilingzi stared at the gray patch, their expressions equally grim.
“It does seem to be the Devil Mark. I didn’t expect the Devil Calamity to arrive earlier than predicted,” Bai Guo’er murmured.
“It might not necessarily be the Devil Mark. It could be some other similar celestial phenomenon. We’ll need confirmation from Tianyuan City to be sure,” Qilingzi said, exhaling deeply, his expression slightly easing.
“Hmph, what’s there to confirm? If it’s truly the Devil Mark, it won’t be the only one in this region,” Hai Dashao shook his head.
“True. If it is, everyone across the three realms will soon know,” Qilingzi replied quietly.
“Senior Brothers, there’s no need to worry too much. The appearance of the Devil Mark only signifies the beginning of the demonic invasion. The process is extremely slow. According to records, it will take at least half a year before the barrier weakens enough for the demons to invade the Spirit Realm. With this time to prepare, our human race won’t be caught off guard,” Bai Guo’er said, her eyes gleaming.
“That may be so, but the demons will also have time to gather their forces at the Devil Mark. Their initial attacks will be ferocious, and who knows how many cities will survive the first waves?” Qilingzi said bitterly.
Hearing this, Bai Guo’er and Hai Dashao’s expressions darkened further.
Just then, a golden flying ship streaked across the distant horizon.
The ten-zhang-long vessel was filled with over a dozen armored guards in black and cyan battle attire, their faces grave.
As the ship halted beneath the massive gray patch, the guards soared into the air, arriving right beneath it in a flash. Some threw down formation flags and disks, while others activated strange-looking magical tools.
In moments, the sky was ablaze with dazzling spiritual light.
Even further away, more streaks of light appeared, as if countless cultivators were converging on the location.
“Let’s go. Tianyuan City’s patrol guards are here. We should return to our cave abode and inform Master immediately,” Qilingzi said solemnly.
Bai Guo’er and Hai Dashao nodded in agreement, and the three swiftly flew toward a distant mountain peak.
In a dimly lit chamber, a towering green cauldron stood silently at the center.
Surrounding it sat three identical “Han Li” figures, each seated cross-legged on a cushion, their eyes closed and unmoving.
One Han Li was golden, with wisps of black energy coiling around him. Another had pale green skin, wreathed in billowing purple mist. The last sat with his hands resting on his knees, a golden halo pulsing behind him, within which countless golden runes flickered.
At the halo’s center, seventy-two emerald-green small swords chased each other in an endless dance.
Suddenly, all three Han Li opened their eyes and raised their hands, lightly tapping the cauldron.
With a resounding boom, the cauldron’s lid shot into the air, and countless white threads erupted from within, hissing as they spread outward.
“Activate!” The three Han Li pointed at the cauldron simultaneously.
The white threads, as if striking an invisible barrier, froze in midair, forcibly restrained.
Then, a buzzing roar erupted from the cauldron as over a dozen golden beetles, each the size of a fist, burst forth. Their carapaces shimmered gold with violet patterns, while their abdomens were translucent like amber.
The beetles were ferocious, immediately baring their fangs and lunging at one another, as if intent on devouring their kin.
In moments, the cauldron’s mouth was filled with shrieks and a terrifying aura of slaughter.
The three Han Li shouted in unison, their fingers glowing as they unleashed a barrage of spells toward the insects.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage