“Master!” Xuan Nu, having lost her Taoist composure, was unusually agitated. With a heavy voice, she called out to Tai Yuan Yi Hou. Eventually, albeit reluctantly, she flew back to Purple Mansion Mountain.
“Dear Sister Tai Yuan, I’m feeling a bit tired today. Let’s catch up another time—we’ve got all the time in the world! Farewell!” The Princess of Ten Thousand Demons had the upper hand. After tricking the assembly of immortals, she noticed a subtle softening in her opponents’ expressions. Seizing the moment, she gracefully withdrew, leaving the immortals of Earth Sea furious and on the verge of exploding.
Inside the meditation chamber where Yuan Shi Tian Wang lay asleep, the once perpetually spring-like space now exuded a bone-piercing chill. Yuan Shi Tian Wang’s body was gradually encasing itself in ice, and the situation was growing perilously dire.
“Master, please wake up! Xuan Nu has grown up now. Open your eyes and see the little girl you rescued from the snow!”
Xuan Nu’s heartfelt plea came straight from her soul. She gazed blankly at Yuan Shi Tian Wang’s face, her eyes fixed and unblinking. Even when Tai Yuan Yu Nu entered the room, she showed no reaction whatsoever.
“Sigh! Xuan Nu, I never thought the final trial of the Su Nu Qu would come so soon!”
Tai Yuan Yu Nu noticed the strange look in her disciple’s eyes, but unlike an ordinary jealous woman, she sighed with a serene, ethereal expression: “Sigh… It seems you too will struggle to overcome the final barrier of Xuan Nu Qu. Could this all be fate?”
“Master, Xuan Nu doesn’t understand!” Having lost her calm Taoist heart equated to losing her wisdom. Xuan Nu’s confused mind could not grasp her master’s meaning.
After another soft sigh, Tai Yuan Yu Nu slowly sat down at the edge of the bed. Though the cold was dangerous, it could not extinguish the fiery, boundless love in her heart.
“Xuan Nu, those who practice the Su Nu Qu must be free of all attachments, transcending all worldly concerns. However, once Su Nu Qu reaches its highest level, a heart demon naturally arises. Only by completely overcoming this heart demon can you attain the ultimate level of Su Nu Qu!”
“Ahh! Master, you mean… Yuan Shi Master is my heart demon?” Speaking of her master’s husband in front of her, Xuan Nu, who harbored conflicting feelings, blushed and lowered her head in shame.
“Mmm!” Tai Yuan replied calmly: “It’s even worse now. Once Yuan Shi’s immortal life ends, your heart demon won’t just persist—it will become an eternal knot in your Taoist heart, forever blocking your path to becoming a Great Luo Immortal!”
“Disciple understands now!” In an instant, Tai Yuan’s words were like a sudden awakening, bringing Xuan Nu, who had nearly succumbed to demonic influence, back to clarity.
At this moment, the composed Purple Mansion Immortal Maiden looked calmly at Yuan Shi Tian Wang and said with slow but unwavering determination: “No matter what, Xuan Nu will never allow Master Yuan Shi to pass away! I beg you, Master, guide me to a way forward.”
Tai Yuan looked at her beloved disciple with satisfaction and then abruptly changed the subject: “How is Xiao You’s retreat going? Has the malevolent energy within her been dispelled?”
“Xiao You’s talent rivals mine, though her foundation is slightly weaker. After another month of retreat, she will fully transcend her ghostly form, transforming from the ethereal to the tangible and ascending the path of Spirit Immortality!”
Xuan Nu’s “calmness” finally broke through her mental shackles. With just a few exchanges of words, the sinister icy force within the room seemed to be repelled by the space itself.
After a brief pause, Tai Yuan Yu Nu said solemnly: “The Heavens and Earth Sea have lost contact. Even if we attempt to force our way through the blockade, there won’t be enough time. However, although the Xuan Huo Pill is a rare treasure, there happens to be one in the mortal world!”
As the first rays of dawn pierced through, Xuan Nu, now restored to her usual self, did not even twitch a brow. She remained as still as a clear spring, quietly awaiting Tai Yuan’s guidance.
Instinctively, Tai Yuan Yu Nu raised her gaze toward the void, her voice flowing with infinite emotion: “In the East Victorious Divine Continent, in the nation of Ao Lai, there lies a national treasure—the other Xuan Huo Pill! Xuan Nu, your master and the other sect leaders cannot leave, but your departure will not draw attention. Be extremely cautious on this journey to the mortal world!”
“Master, disciple is off!” Practicing the Su Nu Qu, the Purple Mansion Immortal Maiden merged silently into the night. Like a gentle breeze of nature, Xuan Nu drifted quietly toward the distant horizon.
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In the mortal realm, a rascal was deep in frustration.
It had been several days since he dealt with Magistrate Wang, but Qiao San still couldn’t decide whether to head to the capital. The capital was no place for jokes—aside from the countless armies, there were countless cultivator experts serving the imperial court. Not to mention the national preceptor, who was rumored to collude with the prime minister. With Qiao San’s limited abilities, wouldn’t going there be like a moth flying into a flame?
“Master San, a letter has arrived from the post station. Could it be from your eldest brother in the capital?” A voice with an unusual tone came from outside the door. Since their previous awkward moment, the little fox spirit had become visibly uneasy, treating Qiao San with alternating warmth and coldness, making her behavior utterly unpredictable.
“A letter from my elder brother?!” Qiao San was taken aback, suddenly recalling that it had already been two or three months since his elder brother left home. The bond of brotherhood made the usually carefree Qiao San momentarily forget his worries, as he eagerly urged, “Twelve, bring it in quickly!”
“Master San, here you go!” The shy girl entered with her head lowered, her usual liveliness seemingly vanished.
The seductive fox spirit was gone, and the ever-changing Xuan Fu woman had retreated into the shadows. Before Qiao San now stood a beautiful young girl—less alluring, but more genuine and alive.
“Huh? Something’s wrong. This isn’t my brother’s handwriting! Who would send me a letter from Zunlong City?!” Suspicion and an ominous premonition simultaneously entered Qiao San’s mind, prompting him to speed up his actions.
“Ah! My brother is in trouble! Damn it—”
A surge of fury, like a collapsing mountain or a raging sea, instantly turned the high-quality rice paper into shreds. Qiao San, like a waking beast, charged out the door, brimming with killing intent.
“Twelve, we’re heading to the capital immediately!”
“Master San, what’s going on?” It wasn’t until they soared into the clouds, flying at top speed toward the capital of Ao Lai, that Twelve still had no idea what was happening.
The cold wind finally cooled Qiao San’s raging anger slightly, allowing him to explain: “My elder brother has been framed—he’s accused of bribing the examiners and cheating in the imperial examination. He’s now imprisoned in the imperial jail. I’m going to settle accounts with that damned emperor!”
“Master San, who sent the letter? Do you have any friends in the capital?” Her tangled emotions momentarily at rest, Twelve’s previous shyness vanished into thin air. The clever little fox spirit asked suspiciously: “Master San, could this be a trap?”
“A trap—or not—I still have to jump!” Qiao San’s ghostly cloud beneath his feet sped up instead of slowing. His usually cheerful face now looked stern and resolute, his clenched jaw as firm as rock. “Whoever dares harm my loved ones, Qiao San will make them regret ever being born!”
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“Haha… My beloved consort, Brother Gui, come, let’s drink! Within three days, Tai Yuan Yu Nu will surely hand over the sacred sutra!”
Positioned between the Earth Sea and the Heavenly Realm, tens of thousands of demon troops stood ready. Even if the Heavens received news and arrived early, Peng Mo Wang would not give Purple Mansion Mountain any chance.
“Indeed, Your Majesty is the greatest expert in the Earth Sea. Without you, old turtle would be unable to withstand Tai Yuan’s sutra power!”
Though the water monster Gui Wang was notoriously greedy, he wasn’t particularly cunning, earnestly adding: “Ever since the Heavenly Realm’s Three Treasures Sutra was scattered, their powers have indeed weakened. Now, once we destroy the ‘Heavenly Law Sutra,’ we can rest easy in the Earth Realm! Gagaga…”
“Report—” At that moment, a magically transformed bird flew in. Upon entering the demon tent, it transformed into a sealed letter, floating into the hands of Princess Jade Fan.
“My beloved, what does the letter say?” Seeing Jade Fan’s expression darken, Peng Mo Wang curiously leaned over, his long bird-like nose almost touching her delicate, petite nose—an amusing contrast.
“Hehe…” Jade Fan lightly waved her hand, destroying the letter before addressing the two physically strong but mentally simple demons: “The letter came from the Earth Sea, but it wasn’t a surrender note from Tai Yuan! It was a secret message from our allies!”
Pausing briefly, the Princess of Ten Thousand Demons proudly added: “Even immortals can be bribed, especially those in the scattered immortals’ realm of Earth Sea. Hehehe…”
“My beloved truly is brilliant, no wonder you can come and go freely from Purple Mansion Mountain!” Peng Mo Wang had already fallen completely under his consort’s spell. The entire demon clan had been conquered by a single woman—truly, the power of femininity was limitless!
Before the demons could ask further, Jade Fan wiped the smile from her face and spoke seriously: “The Purple Mansion Immortal Maiden has left the Earth Sea, heading toward the mortal world’s Ao Lai Kingdom. Her exact purpose remains unknown.”
“Who cares? What trouble can a little fairy stir up? Maybe she’s just running away out of fear!” Peng Mo Wang waved dismissively, arrogantly declaring: “We’ll keep pressuring them. If necessary, we’ll flatten the Three Mountains and Ten Isles and see if Tai Yuan dares not hand over the sutra? Gagaga…”
“My lord speaks truly! With you leading, we are invincible…” Jade Fan’s charm over the demon king lay not only in her beauty but also in her skillful words. After lavishing him with praise, she subtly shifted tone: “However, we must not be careless! I shall go to the mortal world myself. I entrust everything here to you, my lord, and Brother Gui Wang!”
“Master!” The usually composed Mystic Maiden, having lost her Dao heart, was unusually agitated. After calling out heavily to Taiyuan Yi, she reluctantly flew back to the Purple Mansion Mountain.
“Elder Sister Taiyuan, I’m a bit tired today. Let’s chat another day; we have plenty of time! Farewell!” The Princess of Ten Thousand Demons, having gained the upper hand, cunningly teased the immortals. Seeing her opponents show signs of weakness, she strategically retreated, turning and leaving gracefully, further enraging the immortals of the Earth Sea.
Within the tranquil chamber where the Primordial Heavenly King slept, a space that was once eternally spring-like now exuded a bone-chilling cold. The body of the Primordial Heavenly King was gradually being encased in ice, and the situation was becoming perilous.
“Master, wake up! The Mystic Maiden has grown up. Open your eyes and see the little girl you saved from the snow and ice!”
The heartfelt call came from the depths of the Mystic Maiden’s soul. Lost in thought, she gazed at the face of the Primordial Heavenly King for a long time, not even noticing when Taiyuan the Jade Maiden entered the room.
“Alas! Mystic Maiden, I didn’t expect the final trial of the Pure Maiden’s Art to come so quickly!”
Taiyuan the Jade Maiden noticed the unusual look in her disciple’s eyes, but unlike a mortal woman, she did not feel jealousy or anger. With a sigh, her ethereal beauty flowing with emotion, she said, “It seems you too will find it difficult to overcome the final barrier of the Mystic Maiden’s Art. Is this all destined by heaven?”
“Master, I don’t understand!” Losing her calm Dao heart was akin to losing her wisdom. The Mystic Maiden’s confused mind couldn’t grasp what Taiyuan the Jade Maiden meant.
After another soft sigh, Taiyuan the Jade Maiden slowly sat by the bedside. Though the cold was dangerous, it couldn’t extinguish the fiery, ocean-deep affection in her heart.
“Mystic Maiden, those who cultivate the Pure Maiden’s Art must be free of attachments, ethereal and untainted. But when the Pure Maiden’s Art reaches its highest level, a demon of the heart naturally arises. Only by completely overcoming this demon can you reach the pinnacle of the Pure Maiden’s Art.”
“Ah! Master, are you saying… that the Primordial Heavenly King is my… demon of the heart?” Speaking of her master’s husband in front of her, the Mystic Maiden, with her impure thoughts, couldn’t help but lower her head in shame.
“Yes,” Taiyuan replied calmly. “Now it’s worse. Once the Primordial Heavenly King’s lifespan ends, your demon of the heart will not only remain but will become a permanent knot in your Dao heart, making it nearly impossible for you to ascend to the Great Luo Immortal Path in this lifetime.”
“Disciple understands!” In that moment, Taiyuan’s words were like a wake-up call, bringing the nearly deranged Mystic Maiden back to her senses.
At this moment, the calm Saintess of the Purple Mansion glanced at the Primordial Heavenly King with determination and said firmly, “No matter what, I will not let the Primordial Heavenly King pass away! Please, Master, show me the way.”
Taiyuan smiled with relief at her beloved disciple, then abruptly changed the subject. “How is Little You’s seclusion going? How is the malevolent energy within her being transformed?”
“Little You’s talent is not inferior to mine, though her foundation is slightly weaker. After another month of seclusion, she will be able to fully shed her ghostly form, solidify her being, and ascend to the path of the spirit immortals.”
The Mystic Maiden’s “calm” finally broke through the shackles of her heart. In just a few exchanges, the icy malevolent force in the room seemed to be repelled by the space itself.
After a moment of contemplation, Taiyuan the Jade Maiden said solemnly, “The Heavenly Realm and the Earth Sea have lost contact. Even if we force our way through the blockade, there won’t be enough time. However, the Mystic Fire Pill, though a rare treasure, happens to exist in the mortal world.”
The first light of dawn appeared, but the Mystic Maiden, now back to her normal self, remained as serene as a clear spring, quietly waiting for Taiyuan’s guidance.
Taiyuan the Jade Maiden instinctively looked up into the void, her jade lips softly murmuring with infinite emotion, “In the Eastern Victory Divine Continent, in the kingdom of Aolai, there is a national treasure—another Mystic Fire Pill! Mystic Maiden, neither I nor the other sect leaders can leave without drawing attention. Only you can go unnoticed. Be careful on this journey to the mortal world.”
“Master, I will go!” The Pure Maiden’s Art allowed the Saintess of the Purple Mansion to merge silently with the night. The Mystic Maiden, like a natural breeze, “quietly” drifted into the distance.
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In the mortal world, a certain rogue was in distress.
It had been several days since he dealt with Squire Wang, but Qiao San still couldn’t decide whether to go to the capital. The capital was no joke. Not to mention the tens of thousands of troops, there were countless cultivation experts employed by the court, and there was even a Grand Preceptor who was said to be in cahoots with the Left Minister. With Qiao San’s half-baked skills, wouldn’t he be like a moth to a flame?
“Third Young Master, the post station has delivered a letter. Is it from the Eldest Young Master in the capital?” A voice with a hint of strangeness came from outside the door. Since the last ambiguous encounter, the little fox demon had become increasingly uncomfortable, her attitude towards Qiao San fluctuating, making her even more unpredictable.
“A letter from Big Brother?” Qiao San was startled, only then remembering that it had been two or three months since his brother left home. The bond of brotherhood made the rogue forget his worries, and he urged cheerfully, “Twelve, bring it in quickly!”
“Third Young Master, here!” The shy girl entered with her head lowered, her usual liveliness seemingly gone.
The enchanting little fox demon had disappeared, and the ever-changing Mystic Fox Maiden had retreated into the shadows. At this moment, what appeared before Qiao San was a beautiful girl who, though not as alluring, was more flesh and blood.
“Huh, this isn’t Big Brother’s handwriting! Who would write to me from Zunlong City?” Doubt and a sense of foreboding simultaneously entered Qiao San’s mind, and he quickly opened the letter.
“Ah! Big Brother is in trouble! Damn it—”
An aura of rage like a mountain collapsing and a sea surging erupted. The fine rice paper instantly turned to shreds. Qiao San, like a awakened beast, charged out the door with endless killing intent.
“Twelve, we’re heading to the capital immediately!”
“Third Young Master, what’s going on?” Even as they soared into the clouds, flying at top speed towards the capital of Aolai, Twelve was still in the dark.
The cold wind finally slightly quelled the fire in Qiao San’s heart, and he was in the mood to explain. “Big Brother has been falsely accused of bribing the examiners and cheating in the imperial exams. He’s now imprisoned in the heavenly prison. I’m going to settle accounts with that damned emperor!”
“Third Young Master, who sent the letter? Do you have friends in the capital?” The tangled threads of affection temporarily “rested,” and Twelve’s coyness flew to the far reaches of the clouds. The cunning little fox demon asked suspiciously, “Third Young Master, could this be a trap?”
“A trap—I’ll still jump into it!” Qiao San’s ghostly cloud didn’t slow down; instead, it sped up. His usually smiling face was now stern and resolute, his jaw as firm as rock. “No matter who it is, if they harm my loved ones, I, Qiao San, will make them—regret being born!”
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“Ha, ha… My love, Brother Turtle, come, let’s have a drink. In no more than three days, Taiyuan the Jade Maiden will surely hand over the true scriptures!”
Between the Earth Sea and the Heavenly Realm, where the celestial ladder stood, tens of thousands of demon soldiers were on high alert. Even if the Heavenly Realm received the news and arrived early, the Roc Demon King would not give the Purple Mansion Mountain any chance.
“The Demon King is indeed the strongest in our realm. Without you, old turtle, I wouldn’t be able to withstand Taiyuan’s true scripture power!”
Though the Water Monster Turtle King was notoriously greedy, he was not deep-minded and spoke earnestly, “Since the three true scriptures of the Heavenly Realm were lost, their power has indeed waned. Now, as long as we destroy the ‘Heavenly Law True Scripture,’ our realm can rest easy! Ha, ha…”
“Report—” At that moment, a bird conjured by magic flew in. Upon entering the demon tent, it transformed into a secret letter, landing in the hands of the Jade Fan Princess.
“My love, what does the letter say?” The Roc Demon King, seeing the Jade Fan Princess’s expression gradually grow serious, curiously leaned over. His long bird beak almost touched her delicate nose, creating a comical contrast.
“Heh, heh…” The Jade Fan Princess lightly waved her hand, destroying the secret letter, then spoke to the two physically strong demons, “The letter is from the Earth Sea, but it’s not Taiyuan’s surrender! It’s a secret letter from our allies!”
She paused, then added with pride, “Even immortals can be bought, let alone the Earth Sea, which is just a scattered immortal realm. Heh, heh…”
“My love, you are truly clever. No wonder you can come and go freely in the Purple Mansion Mountain!” The Roc Demon King had long been convinced by his consort. The entire demon race had been conquered by a single Jade Fan. The power of a woman is truly limitless!
Before the other demons could ask, the Jade Fan Princess had already put away her smile and said solemnly, “The Saintess of the Purple Mansion has left the Earth Sea, heading to the mortal world of Aolai. Her purpose is still unclear.”
“Who cares? A little fairy, what trouble can she cause? Maybe she’s just running away in fear of death!” The Roc Demon King waved his hand dismissively, arrogantly declaring, “We’ll continue to apply pressure. If necessary, we’ll flatten the three mountains and ten islands, and see if Taiyuan hands over the true scriptures! Ha, ha…”
“My husband is right! With you here, we are invincible…” The Jade Fan Princess not only captivated the Demon King with her beauty but also with her skillful words. After a round of flattery, she shifted the topic, “However, we must not let our guard down! I’ll go to the mortal world myself. I leave everything here to you and the Turtle King.”
A dark cloud rose into the sky as the demoness followed closely behind the fairy, heading towards the mortal world.
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