Chapter 29:

Female cultivators have always been treated poorly by the human race, and Xuechen Xie was well aware of this. The Five Great Sects of the Immortal Alliance, and other cultivation sects alike, would capture half-demons and enslave them. Half-demons, neither fully human nor demon, were feared by ordinary people for their strength, while the demon race looked down upon them for their inability to cultivate. The Demon-Identifying Bureau refused to register them, leaving all sects to capture and manage them as slaves.

Even in Yongsnow City, half-demons were kept as slaves. Looking down upon the world, Xuechen Xie knew he couldn’t protect every dark corner of this world. There were too many half-demons like Xuanning Mu who died silently in bondage. What had he ever done for them?

Xuanning Mu’s accusation left him speechless.

“Master Xie, as the leader of a human sect, naturally has no reason to care about the lives of half-demons,” Xuanning Mu said, her eyes cold and filled with mockery. “I suppose you’ve forgotten that I was once a lowly demon slave at Brightmoon Villa. If it hadn’t been for Master taking me as a disciple, I would have died long ago.”

Seven years ago, when Qixie Sang slaughtered Brightmoon Villa, some demon slaves perished, but others survived and were recruited by Qixie Sang to become part of the demonic realm. Yet only Xuanning Mu had been granted a name by Qixie Sang and taken as his personal disciple.

Xie had only just learned of Xuanning Mu’s past at this moment. Previously, seeing the scar from the Soul-Locking Ring on her ankle, he had known she had once been a demon slave, but he hadn’t known she came from Brightmoon Villa. Now, her hostility and targeting of Qioumin Gao made sense. Thinking of how she might have been abused by Gao as a child, a slight pain stirred in his chest, and he instinctively took a step forward.

“Xuanning…”

His movement triggered Xuanning Mu’s alertness, and she instinctively assumed a defensive stance. Seeing this, Xie stopped in his tracks.

“Why pretend to care now, Master Xie?” Xuanning Mu sneered. “Didn’t you once think I was infatuated with you and were troubled about it, even trying to push me toward Xuyue Nan? Now that I’ve gotten what I wanted, I’m too tired to keep playing this charade with you. You don’t need to worry about it anymore. Although you might not want to hear this, tomorrow the Immortal Alliance will gather, and I won’t have a good end. I might as well speak my mind now while I still can.”

“You’ve already dispelled your demonic cultivation and are no longer part of the demonic realm. I won’t let the Immortal Alliance harm you,” Xie declared solemnly.

“But I’ve already injured those outside,” Xuanning Mu said coldly, “how will you explain that to them?”

Xie remained silent, lips pressed tightly.

“You can’t do it,” Xuanning Mu said indifferently. “If you really want to save me, let me go now.”

“I can’t let you go,” Xie said gravely. “Sang Qixie has ill intentions toward you.”

“Then what about your intentions toward me?” Xuanning Mu’s lips curved slightly, and suddenly her eyes gleamed with seduction. She stepped closer, her voice alluring. “Could it be that you’ve finally fallen for me? Are you keeping me here because you want to cultivate together with me?”

Xie was slightly taken aback. Before he could react, Xuanning Mu stepped forward, her fragrant scent filling his arms. Her left index finger hooked onto his waistband, gently tugging, while her right hand reached around his neck. Her crimson lips nearly brushed against his clean jawline as she whispered seductively, “The spiritual energy surging within me now is from your very essence. We could cultivate together, you know. If you really like me, I wouldn’t mind giving myself to you. After all, you’ve set up a barrier, no one else will find out.”

Xie quickly grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back slightly. His voice carried a hint of barely noticeable tension: “You’re mistaken.”

Previously, she had also touched him playfully, but to him, those were all jests. Only that gentle kiss on his lips during a snowy night had made him truly feel her nearly devout, cautious affection.

But now, her deliberate seduction made him feel her cold, emotionless calculation. She wasn’t moved in the slightest; she was just a seductive demoness, calmly waiting for her enemy to fall into her trap.

Yes, she was only seducing him because she saw him as an enemy.

But he couldn’t bring himself to treat her as an enemy.

“Xuanning, rest here properly,” Xie said, extricating himself from her grasp and walking toward the exit.

Watching his back disappear behind the curtain, Xuanning Mu’s eyes gradually turned cold. Indeed, only by this method could she drive him away.

She took out a yellow talisman folded into a triangle from her robe and lightly squeezed it. The talisman burned into ashes.

Within Xie’s barrier, she couldn’t send messages outside. This was the only way.

—Master, I’ve encountered an insurmountable predicament.

The next morning, as soon as dawn broke, several sect leaders who had received the news flew to the Two Worlds Mountain to convene for a meeting.

“There’s an unusual shift in the celestial signs, and a major change has occurred in the demonic realm. Unusual energy surges have appeared in the Void Sea,” Xie said solemnly. “Such phenomena in the past have usually coincided with two occurrences: the arrival or death of a Demon Sovereign.”

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, their hearts filled with shock.

“Could it be that a new Demon Sovereign has emerged in the demonic realm?” Furrowed brows from Yuanzhi Fu, “Master Xie previously fought against the Demon Sovereign. How badly was he injured?”

“Although the Demon Sovereign suffered grave injuries, they weren’t fatal,” Xie replied. “A month of retreat would be sufficient for him to recover.”

“If the Demon Sovereign isn’t dead, could it be that a new Demon Sovereign has been born?” Suzhen Su couldn’t believe it. “I’ve never heard of two Demon Sovereigns existing simultaneously in the demonic realm.”

“All demons are born from the Void Sea, yet their strength varies. It is said that Demon Sovereigns are particularly unique, possessing innate higher intelligence and often retaining memories from past lives,” pondered Xianwo He. “Could it be that the fall of the Dharmakaya Venerable One led to the birth of a new Demon Sovereign within the Void Sea?”

At these words, everyone couldn’t help but think of the Venerable One-Thought. His inner demons were far too intense—could they have spawned a new Demon Sovereign? Throughout history, demons have always sought to tempt high-level cultivators onto the demonic path, for the stronger the cultivator who falls, the more potent the demonic energy in the Void Sea grows, birthing even mightier Demon Sovereigns.

“We can’t confirm it yet, but this anomaly is likely harmful rather than beneficial to the human race,” Xie said. “However, the Demon Sovereign is currently trapped by the Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation and cannot descend into the human realm, so he is not an immediate threat. What truly worries me is Qixie Sang. Although he is a half-demon who cultivates demonic techniques, the Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation has little effect on him. He can freely travel between the two realms. This man is cunning, deceitful, and his power is unfathomable. I have come here specifically to eliminate Qixie Sang first and then reinforce the formation.”

Others had not personally witnessed Qixie Sang’s strength, but they generally felt that a mere half-demon couldn’t be that formidable, so they were somewhat dismissive.

Suzhen Su sneered, “Master, there’s no need to overestimate this villain. His power is mediocre, and he’s missing an arm. It was only because you were injured previously that he managed to escape.”

Xie’s phoenix eyes flickered slightly as he looked at Suzhen, “Have you, Sect Leader Su, ever fought against Qixie Sang? Do you know he lost an arm?”

Suzhen hesitated for a moment before nodding, “About twenty years ago, I fought him. He was an enemy of Mirrorblossom Valley and had his right arm severed.”

Everyone looked at Suzhen in surprise. They only knew that Suzhen harbored deep hatred for half-demons, but they hadn’t expected that she had fought Qixie Sang before, and there seemed to be more to the story. However, Suzhen clearly had no intention of elaborating further.

Xie lowered his gaze in deep thought and said, “Then Sect Leader Su probably doesn’t know that Qixie Sang has reforged his demonic arm and is now far stronger than before. Even the demonic dragon he has tamed surpasses ordinary Dharmakaya cultivators in strength.”

What made Xie wary wasn’t just that. He had an ominous premonition that this disturbance in the demonic realm might be caused by Qixie Sang.

Since the day Qixie Sang abducted Xuanning Mu, he had remained silent for a month without any movement, only sending his subordinates to harass the human realm, which hadn’t drawn the attention of various sects. His inactivity must mean he had a greater scheme.

Yuanzhi Fu said, “Now that two of the three demonic deities in the demonic realm are gone and the Demon Sovereign is in retreat, Qixie Sang hasn’t appeared either. He only sends low-level demonic soldiers to cause trouble. No one knows what he’s planning… I heard that last night another demonic attack occurred, but the attacker didn’t reveal himself. His strength far exceeded that of ordinary demonic troops. Master Xie, have you discovered the identity of the opponent? Could it be that the demonic realm has a new demonic deity?”

Xie slightly clenched his fist and said gravely, “That person was probably just testing us. Although some cultivators in the camp were injured, no one died.”

Xianwo He keenly noticed that Xie’s response was somewhat off, but he didn’t have time to analyze it because a sudden commotion made everyone freeze in place.

A vast, surging force, like a tsunami, rushed forth, instantly engulfing the entire area. Although it was still daylight, everything darkened as if the sun had been covered by a black veil, losing its light and warmth. Suddenly, a hurricane swept across the wilderness, bending the towering trees and flattening the tall grass. All cultivators of low cultivation levels in the camp were forced to their knees, overwhelmed by this terrifying presence, their hearts filled with panic and fear.

Xie and the other three sect leaders simultaneously rushed outside, deploying protective barriers to cover the entire camp and protect their disciples. Their expressions were solemn and vigilant as they looked toward the direction of the Two Worlds Mountain—how could this force be so immense, making one feel as if facing the boundless universe, filled with fear, trembling, suffocation, and awe.

A familiar black figure slowly emerged in the sky, his jet-black robe embroidered with golden threads. The fluttering hem seemed to have a golden dragon moving within. His silver hair flew in the wind, wild and unrestrained. Slowly lifting his head, his upturned eyes were slightly red, his sharp eyebrows fierce, his thin lips as red as if stained with blood, making his pale skin seem almost inhuman.

It was the half-demon Qixie Sang, yet not quite the same Qixie Sang. He let his power surge forth unrestrainedly, a mighty spiritual force mixed with demonic and beastly energy that shook the earth.

Everyone was stunned, except for Xuanning Mu, who was confined within the tent. She lifted her head joyfully, her eyes bright: “Master has emerged from retreat!”

“Qixie Sang…” Suzhen Su’s hand holding the World-Scourging Brush trembled slightly, her eyes blazing with hatred so intense it even overshadowed her fear of his power.

Xie stood ready, his Heaven-Piercing Sword forming a sword formation aimed at Qixie Sang. The Qixie Sang of today was even more unfathomable than during the night raid, his aura immense. How could a mere half-demon cultivate such terrifying power?

A strange gleam flickered in Qixie Sang’s silver eyes. He extended his left hand toward Xie, and an oppressive force like a mountain collapsing descended upon him. Xie’s expression hardened, his spiritual senses opened wide, his black hair swirling as he unleashed a mighty spiritual force to resist. At the moment Xie was preoccupied, Qixie Sang smiled slightly and raised his right hand. Instantly, a tent shattered, and a purple figure flew out, gracefully drifting to Qixie Sang’s side like a purple butterfly.

Xuanning Mu knelt respectfully beside Qixie Sang, saying with reverence, “Congratulations, Master, on obtaining supreme power!”

Seeing Xuanning Mu appear in the camp and then be taken away by Qixie Sang, everyone looked astonished, their gazes shifting to Xie’s back.

“It seems the Immortal Alliance doesn’t know why the demonic realm’s Holy Maiden is here,” Qixie Sang’s silver eyes gazed mockingly at Xie. “Didn’t you tell them, Master Xie?”

“Master Xie, what’s going on?” Suzhen Su demanded angrily. “Wasn’t it said that Xuanning Mu had been abducted by Qixie Sang when she was in Yongsnow City?”

Xie remained silent, his gaze coldly fixed on Qixie Sang. Qixie Sang burst into laughter and said, “Since Master Xie is unwilling to speak, I’ll answer for him. Naturally, it’s because last night my dear disciple attacked the camp in secret and was captured by him. Master Xie, unable to forget his old feelings, wanted to keep her. As her master, I had no choice but to come personally to retrieve her.”

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Xie with strange expressions.

Xie didn’t deny it, so what Qixie Sang said was probably true. They had personally witnessed how much Xie valued Xuanning Mu before; it was clearly some sort of affection, though the extent was unclear.

Xianwo He finally understood why Xie’s previous answer had felt strange. When Yuanzhi Fu asked Xie if he had discovered the opponent’s identity, Xie hadn’t directly answered, and his words even seemed to contain explanations and defenses.

“Master Xie, is what this half-demon saying true?” Su Suzhen frowned deeply as she questioned Xie. “If we had known the demoness was in our grasp, we should have restrained her and used her to threaten Qixie Sang! Why didn’t you speak up sooner?”

Yuanzhi Fu sighed lightly and said, “Master Xie, this was indeed your mistake.”

Qixie Sang grinned, his smile filled with malice: “I should really thank Master Xie. It’s rare for a human to be so affectionate and righteous. Don’t you agree, Xuanning?”

After Qixie Sang spoke, Xuanning Mu understood his meaning. She turned her head to look at Xie, her lips curving into a smile, her eyes icy cold: “As Master said, I should also thank Master Xie for transmitting the Yuque Divine Skill to me! Without that, how could I have reached my current cultivation level?”

After speaking, Xuanning Mu raised her hand to her forehead, fully opening her spiritual senses. A surge of energy, carrying the same aura as Xie’s Frostbite Tempest, erupted forth. The onlookers were all high-level Dharmakaya venerables, and they instantly recognized that Xuanning Mu’s spiritual energy was almost identical to Xie’s, her strength nearly rivaling the Dharmakaya realm!

“Master Xie…” Xianwo He and Yuanzhi Fu were both stunned, unable to recover for a long time. It felt like they were dreaming. It was too absurd, too ridiculous. The leader of the Immortal Alliance had actually transmitted the supreme divine skill to the demonic realm’s Holy Maiden? Even more shocking was that a half-demon could open spiritual senses?

For a moment, no one knew which news was more shocking.

Xie looked up, gazing at the cold, emotionless girl beside Qixie Sang. Her lips curved slightly, coldly pushing him into the abyss with one move.

“There’s another thing Master Xie probably doesn’t know,” Qixie Sang narrowed his silver eyes, a cruel smile appearing at the corner of his eyes. “Xuanning passed the Yuque Divine Skill to me. My current power also owes much to Master Xie’s generosity and affection. Hahahahaha…”

The successive shocks left everyone numb—Master Xie transmitted the Yuque Divine Skill to Xuanning Mu, and Qixie Sang obtained the skill from her?

If Venerable Yi Nian were accused of colluding with the enemy, how would Master Xie’s actions be judged?

“Master Xie, you owe us an explanation!” Suzhen Su’s face turned pale, her eyes bloodshot with hatred as she glared at Xie.

Qixie Sang laughed and said, “Master Xie, they’re waiting for your explanation. It seems you’re about to be abandoned by everyone. If the Immortal Alliance has no place for you, why not join the demonic realm? We won’t mind that you’re a human.”

Xuanning Mu said, “Master, the Duan Nian that belonged to me was taken by Master Xie.”

Qixie Sang frowned slightly and said to Xie, “Master Xie, Xuanning doesn’t like you touching her things. Please return it to her.”

As Qixie Sang spoke, his black robe fluttered slightly, unleashing a formidable spiritual force that surged toward Xie. The Heaven-Piercing Sword gleamed with golden radiance, intercepting Qixie Sang’s assault. Narrowing his silver eyes, Qixie Sang’s aura abruptly intensified, doubling the pressure on Xie. Concentrating all his strength to resist, the two remained locked in a fierce deadlock. The violent clash of their spiritual energies unleashed a devastating shockwave, its impact even unsettling the onlookers. The other Dharmakaya venerables swiftly erected protective barriers to shield themselves from the overwhelming force.

To their horror, the spiritual force laced with black demonic energy seemed to be gaining the upper hand. Could it be that Qixie Sang was actually stronger than Xie? But Xie was already the strongest swordsman among humans! Among all cultivators, sword cultivators were the most formidable. Xie’s Yuque Tianpo was invincible, yet Qixie Sang wasn’t afraid at all…

He even had room to spare. Extending his right hand, etched with demonic runes, he formed a claw and grabbed into the void. Xie’s pouch shattered, and a purple whip flew out toward Xuanning Mu.

Xuanning Mu caught Duan Nian and smiled.

“Thank you, Master! Master, now that you’ve absorbed the Demon Sovereign’s demonic energy and opened your spiritual senses, you can absorb the world’s spiritual energy. Xie Xuechen isn’t your match anymore,” Xuanning Mu said cheerfully.

Upon hearing Xuanning Mu’s words, Xie suddenly understood the secret behind Qixie Sang’s sudden strength.

“Hmph, Master Xie seems to have finally figured it out,” Qixie Sang smiled smugly. Leisurely applying pressure on Xie, he savored the endless, mighty power surging within him. “You’ve all been puzzled, haven’t you? Why did I have the Judgment Demon Vine specifically crafted for Xuanning to suppress demons? Naturally, it’s because the one I’ve always intended to fight isn’t just the human race.”

“Cultivating demonic techniques, feeding on demonic energy,” Xie said coldly. “You set up the Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation, concealing your strength, luring the Demon Sovereign and me into a deadly battle, so you could reap the benefits.”

“My cultivation had reached a bottleneck. Ordinary demonic energy could no longer enhance my power. The only way to advance was to refine and consume the Demon Sovereign. In this world, the only sword capable of defeating the Demon Sovereign is Master Xie’s Heaven-Piercing Sword,” Qixie Sang chuckled. “Demonic energy is easy to come by, but divine techniques are rare. Who would have thought that Master Xie, who would rather die than submit, would ultimately fall for a honey trap set by the demon realm’s Holy Maiden, passing the Yuque Divine Skill to a half-demon?”

Qixie Sang looked at Xie mockingly: “I’d like to see, the revered Master Xie, his lifelong honor destroyed, condemned by thousands, opposed by the world, whether his Dao heart will shatter, his cultivation dissipate, and he will fall into the demonic realm. Hahahaha… If that truly happens, our demonic realm will gain a powerful general!”

Xie tightly gripped the Heaven-Piercing Sword, his brows furrowed.

Qixie Sang’s pleasure had never been in killing; his favorite pastime was manipulating people’s minds, watching those lofty and invincible individuals lose face and fall into the demonic realm.

Xuanning Mu didn’t understand Qixie Sang’s pleasure, but to her, whether Xie lived or died, whether he remained human or turned demonic, was of no concern to her. She coldly swept her gaze over the Immortal Alliance members, not sparing even a glance for Xie.

Qixie Sang looked at Xuanning Mu with a smile—Xuanning, you should thank your Master. Without love, you’ll never feel pain again.