The silver-haired woman with an icy expression also entered the grand hall, ignoring the surprised gazes of others, and slowly took her place behind Patriarch Ao Xiao.
“This fellow Daoist is…” The white-haired elder swept his divine sense over her and immediately discerned that she was a demonic cultivator with peak late-stage Void Refinement cultivation. He couldn’t help but ask with some confusion.
“This is my granddaughter, Linglong. Though none of you have met her before, you must have heard of her.” Patriarch Ao Xiao replied casually.
“What? So this is Fairy Linglong! My apologies for not recognizing you earlier.” The white-haired elder’s face flickered with surprise, but he spoke with utmost courtesy.
This woman was none other than Silvermoon, whom Han Li had parted with in the human realm a thousand years ago.
Of course, the current “Silvermoon” was different from the one of the past—she had now merged with her fragmented soul, possessing a truly complete primordial spirit.
Upon learning the silver-haired woman’s identity, the others in the hall also revealed expressions of astonishment.
As the Sacred Island held a special position between humans and demons, it naturally kept close watch on all matters concerning the seven great demon kings who ruled the demon race.
Fairy Linglong, the consort of the Heavenly Wolf King, had been sealed in the human realm for many years. Moreover, rumors suggested that after returning to the Spirit Realm, she had become estranged from the Heavenly Wolf King. These Sacred Island elders had all heard bits and pieces of such gossip.
Now that they were suddenly face-to-face with this legendary consort of the wolf king, many couldn’t help but wear peculiar expressions.
Silvermoon paid no attention to any of this. She simply stood behind Patriarch Ao Xiao, slightly lowering her head in silence.
“Senior Ao Xiao, why have you suddenly graced Sacred Island with your presence? Has the vitality you lost during your tribulation already been restored?” The feathered man bowed respectfully as he addressed Patriarch Ao Xiao.
“Though I did suffer some vitality loss during my tribulation, after all these years of recuperation, I’ve fully recovered. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have shown myself. As for why I’ve come to Sacred Island, it was at Fellow Daoist Mo’s invitation,” Patriarch Ao Xiao replied with a faint smile.
“You’ve already met Senior Mo? That’s wonderful! After he left Sacred Island, he, like you, vanished without a trace. We were deeply concerned,” the fair-skinned man exclaimed with great joy.
“Heh, he’s younger than me—what’s there to worry about? Enough idle talk. I’ve come to Sacred Island at Fellow Daoist Mo’s request for two reasons: first, to relay a few words on his behalf, and second, to oversee matters here for a time,” Patriarch Ao Xiao chuckled.
“We await your instructions, Seniors! What matters do you need us to attend to?” The fair-skinned man straightened, his tone reverent.
“Fellow Daoist Mo recently received intelligence that the location of Sacred Island may have been discovered by the demon race. Though the demons currently lack the strength to seize the island, we must remain vigilant. Given Sacred Island’s prestige among our two races, any mishap would deal a devastating blow to morale,” Patriarch Ao Xiao said, his refined face turning grave.
“The island’s location has been leaked again? Impossible! Not long ago, Sacred Island underwent a teleportation to change its hiding spot. We cannot relocate again so soon!” Many paled, and someone blurted out in shock.
“With me here, what is there to fear? If the demons learned our location so quickly, it suggests spies have infiltrated Sacred Island. But this shouldn’t be hard to uncover—just focus on those who’ve recently entered or left the island. The traitor will be found,” Patriarch Ao Xiao’s expression darkened, his voice turning icy.
“Understood! This junior will immediately dispatch personnel to investigate all recent visitors,” the white-haired elder hastily replied, bowing.
The others also tensed at the revelation.
“The second matter Fellow Daoist Mo asked me to convey is that some of our planned countermeasures against the demons need adjustment,” Patriarch Ao Xiao added after a brief pause, stunning the assembly.
“Why is that? Those contingencies were devised by Senior Mo himself after over a century of deliberation. They should be flawless!” the elderly woman murmured in disbelief.
“Fellow Daoist Mo likely revised his stance after meeting with peers from the Spirit Race and others. Perhaps he identified shortcomings in our original plans during discussions with those foreign Grand Ascendants. But rest assured—not everything needs reworking. Only two or three strategies require refinement. I’ll elaborate in due time. Coincidentally, one of them no longer requires the Dreamstone Spirit. Fellow Daoist Mo has decided to replace it with another heaven-earth spiritual material. The substitute I’ve brought is even more potent.” With that, Patriarch Ao Xiao flicked his wrist, producing a jade box, which he tossed to the white-haired elder.
“This is…”
The elder opened the box, and his expression shifted dramatically upon seeing its contents.
“Good. Now that you know, keep it secure. The fewer aware of this, the better,” Patriarch Ao Xiao cut him off with a wave, silencing further questions.
Though burning with curiosity, the other elders refrained from pressing the matter.
The white-haired elder carefully stowed the box in his sleeve.
“Senior, regarding the possible descent of the three Demon Ancestors into the Spirit Realm—have you heard anything?” the elderly woman ventured hesitantly.
“I am aware, thanks to Fellow Daoist Mo’s personal visit,” Patriarch Ao Xiao replied calmly.
His composure eased the tension in the hall.
“Does that mean the two of you have devised a countermeasure?” the elderly woman pressed eagerly.
“Heh, even ordinary Sacred Ancestors expend tremendous effort to manifest in the Spirit Realm, let alone the three Demon Ancestors. Their descent is no trivial matter. It’s premature to discuss this now. Focus first on repelling the current demonic forces,” Patriarch Ao Xiao deflected with a dismissive wave.
The assembled Body Integration cultivators exchanged bewildered glances at the demonic Grand Ascendant’s nonchalance.
“Senior must have your own considerations,” the white-haired elder coughed, signaling the feathered man with a glance.
“Indeed, discussing the three Demon Ancestors is premature. Instead, let me brief Senior Ao Xiao on Sacred Island’s current preparations. Some unresolved issues may require your guidance,” the feathered man smoothly redirected the conversation.
“Very well. I’d like to assess your progress,” Patriarch Ao Xiao nodded approvingly.
“First, to counter the low-tier demonic beasts, our specially bred spirit beast army is nearly ready. Short-lived disposable dire insects are also being mass-cultivated. They’ll be battle-ready by the time we engage the demons in a few years.”
“Additionally, to forge those Profound Heaven Holy Artifacts, we’ve summoned all human master artificers to the island. Production will commence in six months. The only hurdle is transporting a few remaining materials through demon-controlled zones. We must carefully select envoys for this task. My suggestion…” The feathered man, evidently overseeing daily operations, methodically outlined their progress.
Patriarch Ao Xiao listened quietly, his gaze occasionally sharpening.
After the feathered man concluded, others stepped forward to report on their respective duties.
Over an hour later, the assembly had finished.
“Well done. But these matters are within your capabilities—no need for my meddling. It’s late, and I’m weary from my journey. I’ll take my leave to rest.” To everyone’s surprise, Patriarch Ao Xiao rose without comment and prepared to depart.
“Allow me to escort you to your quarters,” the feathered man quickly offered, stepping forward to guide him.
Patriarch Ao Xiao gave a slight nod and strode out leisurely, Silvermoon following silently behind.
“We bid you farewell, Senior!” The hall erupted in bows and salutations.
“Ah, you two—come to my quarters later. I have further instructions,” Patriarch Ao Xiao paused at the door, pointing at the white-haired elder and a gaunt, taciturn man before exiting.
The two exchanged startled glances but promptly assented.
“Fellow Daoist Xu, have you met Senior Ao Xiao before?” A middle-aged woman near the gaunt man couldn’t resist asking once the patriarch had left.
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