“What, do you also have Star Boundary Disks or Boundary-Breaking Pearls among your artifacts?” Han Li asked, his thoughts swiftly turning.
“Merely relying on Star Boundary Disks and such items is insufficient to accomplish this. Once we’ve contacted that old monster, I will naturally prepare everything for your next visit. However, that item is exceptionally precious even to Guangyuan Zhai and comes with strict usage limits. Even if you obtain it, Brother Han, traveling between our Demon Realm and your Spirit Realm will still be extremely difficult. Unless absolutely necessary, you must use it with great caution,” the flaxen-robed girl added with another reminder, as if still uneasy.
“Rest assured. If it truly is a consumable artifact, I will use it carefully and not waste it needlessly.”
Upon hearing that he could indeed acquire a treasure capable of traversing between the two realms, Han Li was naturally overjoyed and readily agreed.
Seeing the sincerity in Han Li’s expression, Lan Ying nodded in satisfaction.
“By the way, there’s one more matter I’ve been puzzled about. I wonder if the Fairy would be willing to enlighten me,” Han Li suddenly recalled another question and, after a brief hesitation, decided to ask.
“Another question? Brother Han, feel free to ask. There’s no need to stand on ceremony,” the flaxen-robed girl replied, slightly taken aback but quickly smiling in response.
“I’d like to know why this invasion of the Spirit Realm by the Demon Realm is so different from previous ones. It seems as though you intend to occupy it permanently. Yet, during my time in the Demon Realm, I noticed that ordinary demons are unaware of this. Those invading the Spirit Realm appear to be solely the direct forces of the Sacred Ancestors and some controlled low-to-mid-tier demonic beasts.” Han Li stared intently at the flaxen-robed girl, his expression grave.
At these words, not only the flaxen-robed girl but also Zi Ling and “Aunt Zhu” beside her all changed expressions.
“Although I am aware of this matter, due to our establishment’s prohibition against interfering in inter-realm conflicts, I cannot disclose the truth,” Lan Ying hesitated for a long while before finally speaking with some apology.
“If this matter troubles Fairy Lan, then consider it as never having been asked,” Han Li said, nodding slightly in understanding, seeing her reluctance.
“Brother Han, if you wish to inquire about this, there’s no need to trouble Sister Lan. As a disciple of Six Extreme, I do know some relevant details,” Zi Ling said after several shifts in expression, finally sighing.
“Oh? Are you at liberty to speak? If it’s inconvenient, then never mind. I can investigate on my own with some time,” Han Li initially brightened but then reconsidered, asking cautiously.
“Don’t worry. Although this was originally known only to those of Sacred Ancestor rank, after so many years of war between our realm and the Spirit Realm, the news can’t be concealed much longer. Now, even disciples like us are aware of some details. Soon, the entire upper echelon of the Demon Realm will know about the impending calamity. There’s no need for secrecy anymore,” Zi Ling replied with a bitter smile.
“Demon Realm calamity? Then I must listen carefully,” Han Li said, his heart tightening as he paid close attention.
“Very well. Sister Lan Ying and Aunt Zhu already know of this, so discussing it here is fine. If I miss anything, I hope Sister Lan Ying can correct me,” Zi Ling said seriously after a moment’s thought.
“To be honest, our establishment doesn’t know much more about the Demon Realm calamity than Sister Zi does. We only know that if mishandled, the Demon Realm may face true catastrophe. The three Demon Realm Progenitors and their Sacred Ancestors have devoted most of their efforts to this. The invasion of the Spirit Realm seems merely one of their contingency plans,” the flaxen-robed girl added with a bitter smile, offering vague hints without specifics.
Hearing this, Han Li felt a slight tremor in his heart.
“Since Sister Lan cannot elaborate, I’ll explain the calamity. It’s a long story, tracing back to the early days of the Demon Realm. Back then, many now-extinct races thrived across the realms. True Immortals and True Demons from higher realms could occasionally communicate with their kin in lower realms. But during that time, an insignificant branch of an ancient insect race in one realm suddenly gave birth to a Mother Devourer, whose power surpassed even ordinary True Immortals. This Mother Devourer possessed an innate Dark Elemental Body, could devour all forms of energy, and, most terrifyingly, had an astonishing reproductive rate, with offspring inheriting the same devouring abilities. It’s said that infamous insects like the Gold Devouring Beetles may carry traces of this Mother Devourer’s bloodline, granting them similar abilities,” Zi Ling paused here, casting a meaningful glance at Han Li.
Han Li’s expression remained unchanged, but his eyes narrowed slightly.
Zi Ling continued, “In just over a thousand years, this Mother Devourer and its billions of offspring exterminated all other life in their realm. Within ten thousand years, the realm’s energy was completely drained, leading to its collapse. Just before the realm’s destruction, the Mother Devourer used immense power to transport itself and its offspring to a neighboring realm. Within tens of thousands of years, that realm met the same fate. Over the next hundred thousand years, the Mother Devourer destroyed several realms, eventually drawing the attention of higher beings. Two True Immortals descended, luring the Mother Devourer and its offspring to the Demon Realm for a final battle. The battle was cataclysmic, shaping many of the Demon Realm’s current perilous regions. In the end, all the offspring were annihilated, and the severely wounded Mother Devourer was sealed in what is now the Primordial Seal Land, condemned to eternal slumber.”
“If they captured the Mother Devourer, why didn’t the True Immortals kill it outright? Is the current Demon Realm calamity its awakening?” Han Li frowned slightly as he asked.
“The reasons are lost to time. Perhaps the Mother Devourer had means to evade death, or the True Immortals were too injured to finish it. Regardless, Brother Han guessed correctly—the Mother Devourer began awakening ten thousand years ago, reproducing and assaulting its seal. The Three Progenitors have reinforced the seal and dispatched forces to eliminate escaped offspring, but this only delays the inevitable. Once the Mother Devourer breaks free, the Demon Realm’s fate is sealed. It leaves no survivors, devouring all—this is the true Demon Realm calamity,” Zi Ling concluded with visible concern.
“If the Mother Devourer destroys the Demon Realm, wouldn’t it next target the Spirit Realm?” Han Li’s expression darkened as he asked.
“The Demon Realm borders several realms, not just the Spirit Realm. But if the Demon Realm falls, the Spirit Realm may well be next. Even if not immediately, once neighboring realms are consumed, the Spirit Realm will inevitably face the same fate,” the flaxen-robed girl interjected.
“I see. So, eliminating the Mother Devourer would not only end the Demon Realm’s invasion but also avert a future catastrophe for the Spirit Realm,” Han Li mused after a long silence.
“The Mother Devourer isn’t so easily dealt with. If you could achieve this, not only would the current war end, but the Demon Realm might even cease its raids on the Spirit Realm. But unless a True Immortal descends, such hopes are futile,” Zi Ling said softly.
“Indeed, this is beyond my current capabilities. From what you say, the seal should hold for some time. We’ll address it later,” Han Li shook his head, setting the matter aside for now.
Such realm-spanning crises were best left to the Spirit Realm’s Mahayana cultivators. As a mere Body Integration cultivator, he bore no such responsibility.
At most, he’d inform the Mo Jianli of his clan upon returning.
Having settled his thoughts, Han Li steered the conversation to his experiences in the Demon Realm, eventually bidding farewell alongside Zi Ling.
Exiting the forest path, they encountered eight armored demon guards flanking an extravagant beast-drawn carriage.
“Brother Han, since you’re returning to the city, let me escort you. There are matters I’d like to discuss further on the way,” Zi Ling paused, turning to Han Li with a gentle smile.
“Very well. There are matters I’d like to discuss with you as well,” Han Li nodded, accepting without hesitation.
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