“So it turns out you already know about the Mother of the Silkworms. In that case, I naturally have nothing to hide.” The gaunt old man was momentarily taken aback but quickly relaxed as he replied.
“We’ve known some details about the Mother of the Silkworms for years. Our emergence this time is precisely to address this calamity. However, we’re not entirely clear about the current state of the Sacred Realm, which is why we sought information from you, the lord of this city. Now, tell us everything you know.” Han Li asked calmly.
“Yes, Venerable! The information I possess isn’t extensive, and I only came to know it in the last decade or so. What I understand is that the silkworms currently appearing in the Sacred Realm are ordinary demonic insects that mutated into these ferocious forms after being infected by traces of the Mother of the Silkworms’ aura leaking from its seal. Once transformed, these insects not only grow vastly stronger but also multiply dozens of times faster. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have become an unstoppable plague, turning into the Sacred Realm’s greatest threat.”
The old man paused briefly under Han Li’s gaze before continuing with a hint of trepidation:
“From what I’ve heard, the three Progenitors and other Venerable Ancestors were indeed supposed to be dealing with the Mother of the Silkworms in the Origin Seal Land. Initially, things seemed promising—with the help of powerful beings from other realms, the seal was steadily reinforced, and there was hope of containing it once more. But over twenty years ago, the Origin Seal Land suddenly lost contact with the outside world. No further news has emerged since. No one knows what’s happening there now.”
“Lost contact? With the Progenitors’ power and so many allies of similar strength, how is that possible? Has no one gone to investigate?” Han Li frowned and asked slowly.
“By the time anyone noticed the loss of contact, it was too late. Countless swarms of silkworms had appeared around the Origin Seal Land, completely overrunning nearby towns. Among them were highly advanced silkworms, said to rival the strength of ordinary Body Integration cultivators. Outsiders couldn’t possibly breach the sea of insects to re-enter the Origin Seal Land,” the old man replied meekly.
“Body Integration-level silkworms! Given the Mother of the Silkworms’ terrifying nature, such high-tier insects aren’t entirely surprising. But aren’t there other Venerable Ancestors outside the Origin Seal Land? Have they done nothing?” Han Li mused before posing another question.
“To answer you, Venerable, I’m unaware of the other Ancestors’ stances, but there’s been no news of any attempting to investigate the Origin Seal Land. As for the reasons, a minor city lord like me wouldn’t know,” the gaunt old man replied with a troubled expression.
“Interesting. It seems the other Venerable Ancestors must know something, or they wouldn’t have remained inactive for so long. Among those still outside, which one is closest to Black Gourd City?” Han Li gave a cold chuckle before asking.
“The nearest Venerable Ancestor to our city would be the Sacred Ancestor Xie Lian of the Ten Thousand Blossoms Mountain Range. Three years ago, she personally purged the silkworm swarms near her territory.” This time, the old man answered promptly and respectfully.
“Sacred Ancestor Xie Lian? Where is the Ten Thousand Blossoms Mountain Range? Do you have a map?” Han Li nodded, asking casually.
“Yes, I once visited the Ten Thousand Blossoms Mountain to pay respects to Sacred Ancestor Xie Lian and kept a copy of the map.” The old man smiled obsequiously, promptly retrieving a small stone slab from his person and offering it with both hands.
Han Li summoned the slab with a flick of his hand, scanning it briefly with his spiritual sense before smiling slightly.
“Your answers satisfy me. That will be all—you may attend to your duties now.”
“Yes, I shall take my leave.” The old man exhaled in relief, bowing deeply before retreating several steps and descending toward the city.
A group of high-ranking demonic cultivators who had been waiting nearby immediately approached, escorting the old man as he disappeared into the city.
“Let’s go. We’ll visit the Ten Thousand Blossoms Mountain and meet this Sacred Ancestor Xie Lian.” Han Li cast a glance at Black Gourd City below before speaking calmly.
Naturally, Silvermoon and Crab Daoist had no objections.
Han Li then summoned a dark, square-shaped demonic flying chariot. The three boarded it, transforming into a streak of black light that shot into the distance.
…
A month later, Han Li and his companions arrived above a lush mountain range that bore a striking resemblance to those of the human world.
“So this is the Ten Thousand Blossoms Mountain Range! The scenery is exceptionally beautiful. Sacred Ancestor Xie Lian certainly chose a fine location. But where exactly does she reside within these mountains?” Silvermoon, standing behind Han Li, surveyed the surroundings with a smile.
“The map marks her dwelling as a place called Heavenward Peak, located at the heart of this range,” Han Li replied with a chuckle.
“Oh, in that case, finding her shouldn’t be difficult. But we came in haste and haven’t had time to learn about this Sacred Ancestor Xie Lian—her temperament, her abilities. Could she be exceptionally cruel?” Silvermoon’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she spoke.
“Even the most ruthless individuals must answer our questions about the Origin Seal Land. Only then can we determine our next steps. Of course, it would be even better if we could learn the whereabouts of Senior Mo Jianli and Senior Ao Xiao,” Han Li said composedly, exuding confidence.
At the mention of her grandfather’s name, a flicker of worry crossed Silvermoon’s face, but she nodded silently.
“Let’s go. The Ten Thousand Blossoms Mountain Range isn’t vast. It won’t take long to reach Heavenward Peak.”
Without further ado, Han Li flicked his sleeve and transformed into a streak of azure light, soaring into the distance. Silvermoon and Crab Daoist followed closely behind.
Several hours later, as the mountain peaks parted, a towering white summit suddenly loomed before the trio, piercing the clouds.
The peak soared tens of thousands of feet high. From its midsection upward, it was blanketed in snow and ice, while the lower half was shrouded in layers of black mist, where fierce winds howled and eerie wails echoed faintly.
“So this is Heavenward Peak. It does have an ominous air about it.”
The trio halted their flight about ten miles from the peak. Silvermoon was visibly startled by its eerie appearance.
“Just a simple illusion. Effective against ordinary demons, but hardly enough to deceive Brother Crab or me.” Han Li’s eyes flashed with blue light as he studied the peak, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Illusion?” Silvermoon widened her eyes, scrutinizing the distant peak repeatedly but failing to detect anything amiss.
Han Li chuckled softly. Suddenly, he formed a hand seal, and a wisp of black energy coalesced between his brows, revealing a third vertical eye. With a low shout, a thumb-thick beam of crystalline light shot forth, vanishing into the distant void.
A thunderous boom echoed as a powerful ripple surged outward.
Several miles away, the void rippled like water, the scenery blurring before abruptly transforming. The colossal peak vanished, replaced by a vast basin spanning hundreds of miles. At its center stood a graceful mountain several thousand feet tall.
Unlike the previous peak, this one was adorned with exotic flowers and herbs, enveloped in a halo of multicolored light, radiating breathtaking beauty.
Han Li’s gaze, however, was drawn to a palace atop the summit. The structure, no larger than a few acres, was an emerald-green marvel, seemingly constructed entirely from fresh timber.
“So this is the real Heavenward Peak!” Silvermoon murmured in disbelief after a long pause.
Han Li smiled faintly, about to respond, when a cold female voice suddenly rang out from the distant peak: “Which esteemed guests have graced my Heavenward Peak? Xie Lian regrets not being able to welcome you personally. Pray forgive my oversight.”
As the words faded, a streak of emerald light shot skyward from the green palace, circling once before streaking toward Han Li’s group. In a few flashes, it materialized into a stern-faced woman in green palace robes, standing just a dozen paces away.
Han Li’s expression shifted dramatically upon seeing her face. “Bao Hua? No—you’re not her!”
The woman bore an uncanny resemblance to Bao Hua, but her icy demeanor was utterly distinct.
“You three aren’t from the Sacred Realm, are you? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have mistaken me for ‘Bao Hua,’” the green-robed woman said coldly, her gaze sharpening before softening slightly as she studied Han Li and Crab Daoist.
Silvermoon’s expression tightened at the woman’s words.
Han Li, however, quickly regained his composure. After scrutinizing the woman, he asked coolly, “Since we’ve come directly to you, we never intended to conceal our origins. But Sacred Ancestor Xie Lian, you’ve given me quite a surprise. What is your relation to Bao Hua?”
“Bao Hua is my twin sister. Among those of our realm, only outsiders like yourselves wouldn’t know this,” the woman replied, her expression darkening once more.
“I see. No wonder you resemble her so closely. But you must have some idea of our purpose here,” Han Li said, nodding as expected before adding with a faint smile.
“You’re also here about the Origin Seal Land, aren’t you?” After a long pause, the green-robed woman spoke slowly, her tone peculiar.
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