Chapter 14:

Gao Qiumin returned to her quarters with a frosty expression, suppressing the raging fury burning in her chest. Being in Yōngxuě City, she had neither the freedom nor the courage to vent her anger.

“Qiumin!” A familiar stern voice made Gao Qiumin stiffen. She halted her steps and hesitantly turned her gaze toward Suzheng Zhen, who was sitting nearby.

Suzheng Zhen had raised Gao Qiumin for many years and understood her temperament thoroughly. She immediately noticed something was wrong with Qiumin. Sternly, she said, “Didn’t I tell you before that cultivators must avoid impatience and emotional outbursts?”

Qiumin bit her lip, lowering her eyes to hide her resentment, and murmured, “Your disciple knows her mistake.”

Suzheng Zhen naturally knew Qiumin’s apology was insincere. Feeling frustrated and disappointed, she scrutinized Qiumin with a furrowed brow.

“You were born with nine spiritual openings. Although your talent doesn’t match Xie Zongzhu’s, it’s still far beyond ordinary people’s. Why, after years of cultivation, have you only recently broken through to the Golden Core stage? Have you ever reflected on this? You carry the heavy responsibility of reviving the Mingyue Villa. How can you be so unmotivated and lax?”

Qiumin’s face turned pale, too afraid to argue.

Seeing the cold sweat on Qiumin’s forehead, Suzheng Zhen realized she had spoken too harshly. Looking at Qiumin reminded her of her deceased twin sister, making her heart soften. Barely perceptibly sighing, her tone softened as she asked, “You stormed in here angrily just now. Did something happen?”

After hesitating briefly, Qiumin replied, “Earlier, while I was in the garden, I sensed a fleeting demonic aura. When I wanted to investigate, I saw the niece of Master Nan wandering alone in the garden.”

Suzheng Zhen furrowed her brow, the unforgettable beauty flashing in her mind.

“Your disciple, fearing a demon might ambush her, asked her to hand over her spatial pouch for inspection. But unexpectedly, she accused your disciple of attacking her in front of Master Xie!” Qiumin said indignantly.

Suzheng Zhen glanced at Qiumin with a calm expression, intentionally not exposing her jealousy.

“Last night, after dark, you left your quarters. I suppose you went to see Master Xie too.”

Upon hearing this, Qiumin blushed slightly and nodded slowly, saying, “Your disciple did go, but since Master Nan and Miss Ling were there, your disciple came back.”

A flicker of doubt passed through Suzheng Zhen’s mind—Master Xie was not a man easily swayed by beauty, yet he seemed to treat Miss Ling differently.

“Master, it’s not that your disciple harbors jealousy, but… your disciple always feels something strange about Miss Ling,” Qiumin hesitated, “I always feel… she seems familiar somehow.”

At first, she thought it was because of their similar appearances, but after careful consideration, she realized it wasn’t quite that.

“Qiumin, she’s just an ordinary woman. You don’t need to dwell on her too much,” Suzheng Zhen said indifferently. “Those who cannot cultivate are like ants. Even if she possesses breathtaking beauty, even if Master Xie has feelings for her, an ordinary person’s lifespan is no more than eighty years. A beauty’s prime is even shorter. How long can she enjoy her glory? It’s merely a fleeting pleasure. You should focus on your cultivation, enter the Nascent Soul stage as soon as possible, and achieve immortality for a thousand years. Besides, Master Xie has already reached the peak of cultivation at such a young age, towering above all. How could he be a man who indulges in romance? The woman he needs as a cultivation partner must have equal cultivation ability and vision.”

At Suzheng Zhen’s words, the resentment and frustration in Qiumin’s heart largely dissipated. Indeed, the path of cultivation was not about rushing forward but about continuous flow. She and Master Xie belonged to the same world, while ordinary lives were merely fleeting like the bloom of an epiphyllum.

Seeing Qiumin’s eyes brighten, Suzheng Zhen continued, “However, you must also understand one thing—cultivators must not be ensnared by love, hate, or emotions. Otherwise, even a Nascent Soul cultivator could fall to demons.”

Qiumin couldn’t help muttering, “Master, aren’t you also filled with hatred for demons…”

“That’s because I have an irreconcilable feud with them!” Suzheng Zhen suddenly raised her voice, startling Qiumin. She stared at the bloodshot eyes and the pulsing vein on Suzheng Zhen’s temple, instinctively taking a step back in shock.

“Master…”

Suzheng Zhen took a deep breath to suppress her heart demons. After a moment, she coldly said, “Among the demon race, there are three demon gods whose strength rivals Nascent Soul cultivators. Their methods are even more sinister and elusive. They excel at manipulating people’s minds and stirring heart demons. If you harbor any greed, anger, or ignorance, you may become their puppet.”

“But Master Xie alone could severely wound the three demon gods and the Demon Sovereign,” Qiumin couldn’t help but show admiration.

“That’s because they were ambushed in the Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation. The formation itself greatly suppresses the demon race. Their actual strength was less than half,” Suzheng Zhen explained. “However, there’s another important reason why Master Xie could overpower the Demon Sovereign and the three demon gods—he has no heart demons, no greed, anger, or ignorance. Qiumin, this is the aspect you need to cultivate.”

Qiumin respectfully replied, “Yes, your disciple understands.”

Suzheng Zhen shifted her gaze from Qiumin, pondering who among the five great sects might be the traitor. Could someone have been influenced by heart demons and controlled by the demon race?

“Demons are very difficult to kill,” said an elderly man with white hair and beard but a rosy complexion. He wore gray hemp robes and had a kind, approachable smile. “They are born from people’s evil thoughts. When these thoughts gather in one place, they take physical form. But they have no blood or flesh, no weaknesses. Even if you scatter them into nothingness, they will eventually return to the Void Sea, only to reform after some time.”

“One-Nian Zunzhe, by your words, demons can never be completely eradicated?” Nan Xuyue couldn’t help frowning.

“Thousands of years ago, cultivators realized this and set up the Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation to seal the Demon Realm. This formation specifically suppresses demons—the stronger the demonic energy, the greater the suppression. Therefore, high-level demons find it hard to escape, while some low-intelligence demon soldiers can slip through. Our Xuantian Temple cultivators travel the world, eliminating demons and safeguarding the Dao. Our task is to clean up these demon soldiers. Although demons can never be completely eradicated, when they return to the Void, it takes years or even centuries to reform. This is the peace we bring to the human world. As long as we act, there will be benefits.”

Nan Xuyue respectfully bowed to One-Nian Zunzhe. “Your noble deeds are admirable.”

One-Nian Zunzhe smiled and returned the bow. “Everyone contributes according to their ability. In the past, Master Nan’s father killed countless demons and brought blessings to the people. Now, Master Nan also governs well, upholding his father’s reputation.”

“I’ve heard that the Immortal Alliance intends to attack the Demon Realm. If there’s anything the Yunxiu Villa can assist with, please speak directly. We will not hesitate,” Nan Xuyue said.

“One-Nian Zunzhe nodded. “It’s rare for Master Nan to have such determination. However, attacking the Demon Realm is no easy task. After passing through the Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation, there are 300 defensive formations set by the Demon Realm, arranged like silver shuttles, crisscrossing with deadly traps. This formation, known as the Suoluo Demon Array, strongly suppresses the human race.”

Nan Xuyue pondered for a moment and remarked, “The Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation specifically suppresses demons, while the Suoluo Demon Array specifically suppresses humans. In that case, wouldn’t the demonic races be able to move about freely?”

One-Nian Zunzhe nodded. “Indeed, these two formations impose the least suppression on the demonic races. The demonic races can traverse between the two realms at minimal cost. This is precisely why both humans and demons are vying to form alliances with them. Currently, the Immortal Alliance hosts numerous guest experts from the demonic races, while the Demon Inspection Bureau has registered over ten thousand benevolent demonic beings. For the demonic races, the human realm serves as their ideal habitat. However, half-demons cannot absorb spiritual energy for cultivation—they can only harness demonic energy. Consequently, most half-demons ultimately choose to enter the Demon Realm, joining the demon race under the leadership of High Priest Sangqi. Though demons possess low intelligence, with the assistance of half-demons, they become even more formidable, posing an even greater threat to humanity.”

One-Nian Zunzhe sighed, “Seven years ago, Mingyue Villa was completely annihilated by Sangqi leading an army of demons. Low-level demons are not truly fearsome, as their lack of intelligence makes them easy to handle. But once they are guided by a central mind, they transform into unpredictable and perilous weapons.”

“I’ve heard that High Priest Sangqi is a cunning demon, full of endless schemes. The ambush in the Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation was his doing,” Nan Xuyue inquired. “Have you ever fought against Sangqi, Venerable One?”

One-Nian Zunzhe shook his head. “Sangqi rarely appears, staying behind the scenes. Few know his true strength. However, Master Xie recently fought him in the Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation and should have some understanding of him.”

Mu Xuanling lazily lay on the couch, propped up on her elbows, gazing at Xie Xuechen in front of her.

Xie Xuechen had just completed his daily sword practice, his breathing still calm and steady. Though his spiritual apertures had not yet fully recovered, his injuries were healing quickly, leaving only faint scars. Full recovery was undoubtedly imminent.

Since returning to Yongxue City, he had not rested for even a moment—not during meditation and cultivation, nor while strategizing the assault on the Demon Realm. Just moments ago, upon returning to his quarters, he received multiple urgent reports of unusual movements near the Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation at Liangjieshan.

Mu Xuanling’s dark, bright eyes scanned Xie Xuechen from head to toe, her intense gaze as if peeling him inside out, finally lingering on his thin lips.

She seemed to do nothing, yet she had done everything.

“Xie Xuechen, what do you think of my master’s strength?” Mu Xuanling forced herself to shift her attention, trying not to become a slave to her desires.

Xie Xuechen secretly exhaled in relief and replied seriously, “That day in the formation, Sangqi didn’t unleash his full strength.”

Mu Xuanling’s eyes flickered slightly as she pondered, “So he did hold back…”

“Indeed?” Xie Xuechen noticed the unusual tone in her words and asked, “Did you sense something too?”

Mu Xuanling covered her face with her hands, frowning with distress. “I have no feelings for the demon race and can betray them without hesitation. But Master…”

Xie Xuechen turned his gaze away and said, “I understand your dilemma. If you don’t want to speak, I won’t force you.”

After all, Sangqi was her master, a much closer relationship. There was a bond of master and disciple between them.

Mu Xuanling didn’t notice the unusual emotion in Xie Xuechen. She recalled Sangqi’s cold silver eyes, a shiver of fear running through her heart. Even after years of companionship and careful guidance, she still understood that between them was only the name of master and disciple, not the affection.

Xie Xuechen’s indifference was impartial love for all, while Sangqi’s indifference was complete detachment from the world, filled with hatred.

“I don’t understand my master. Except for teaching me, he never says much to me,” Mu Xuanling’s eyes flickered slightly. “He secluded himself to recover after returning from the Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation, but I sensed his injuries weren’t serious.”

Xie Xuechen nodded. “The Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation didn’t suppress him much. The Demon Sovereign and the three demon gods gave their all, while he was only assisting in the formation.”

Xie Xuechen had a vague feeling—if Sangqi used his full strength, he might not survive.

“No one can guess what my master is thinking,” Mu Xuanling frowned. “But I always feel things aren’t that simple. You still need two days to recover your powers. Be extra cautious during this time.”

“In Yōngxuě City, it’s not easy to harm me,” Xie Xuechen said calmly.

Mu Xuanling said, “The traitor hasn’t acted yet.”

Xie Xuechen glanced at the sky. “Soon.”

What was Sangqi plotting? Perhaps soon, the truth would be revealed.

In the vast Zhushen Palace, eerie green flames failed to illuminate every corner of the cold, expansive hall. On the icy, wide throne sat a tall man draped in a black robe, silently seated.

“Hail the High Priest!” Two demon gods bowed with hands pressed to their chests.

Sangqi’s icy silver eyes swept over the two demon gods below, his voice calm. “Where is Lust Demon?”

“Lust Demon’s projection was destroyed. He was severely injured and is still in seclusion,” Battle Demon said. With a green face, sharp fangs, golden horns, and red eyes, he resembled a terrifying ghost. Standing nine feet tall, he was fearsome to behold.

“Reckless,” Sangqi closed his eyes briefly. “Xie Xuechen is the greatest swordsman among humans. Even injured, he’s not someone a mere projection can handle. Upon discovering his whereabouts, he should have reported immediately instead of recklessly seeking glory.”

“Lust Demon is the weakest and the most foolish, yet he refuses to admit it,” Obsession Demon chuckled. Compared to Battle Demon’s massive size, Obsession Demon looked like a dwarf, only the size of a seven or eight-year-old child. His round face had childish features mixed with wrinkles, and a topknot adorned his head, making him look absurd.

“Until the Demon Sovereign emerges from seclusion, you both obey my commands,” Sangqi said.

Both demons bowed simultaneously. “Understood.”

“The pawn in the Immortal Alliance has found the passage through the Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation, but this passage will close after ten breaths. After you exit, regardless of success or failure, there’s no need to return to the Demon Realm.”

The two demons were stunned and asked, “Then where shall we go?”

Sangqi slightly lifted the corners of his mouth, his smile icy and cruel. “Shall we bring some fun to the human world? Won’t that be delightful?”

Unlike that fool Lust Demon, they were here in their true forms. In their true forms, ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators couldn’t kill them!

“Hahahahaha!” Battle Demon roared with laughter, shaking the entire palace. “I can’t wait!”

“However, before that, you must follow my instructions precisely,” Sangqi gently raised his hand, and two sound-transmitting conch shells flew toward the two demons. “These conch shells have sound-transmitting arrays. I will guide you step by step.”

Obsession Demon asked, “High Priest, won’t you come with us?”

Sangqi chuckled softly, his silver eyes flashing with an unusual light. “I have other arrangements.”