“If Lord Aoxiao truly wants this man’s life and he does return alive, I can take action on your behalf once. That way, no one would ever suspect you,” the masked woman said, her voice suddenly turning icy.
“If he appears, there’s no need for you to intervene,” Aoxiao the Venerable replied without hesitation.
“Why is that? Has Lady Linglong learned of this man?” The masked woman, seemingly well-informed about Silvermoon’s affairs, asked in surprise.
“Originally, I kept news of this man hidden from Linglong. She has always stayed by my side, isolated from the outside world. But recently, she received a message from an old friend, which inadvertently mentioned this man’s ascension to the Spirit Realm and his cultivation as a Body Integration cultivator. That’s why she insisted on accompanying me this time. If something were to happen to Han Li so soon, even without evidence, Linglong would suspect me, and her resentment would only deepen. Of course, if he dies at the hands of the demons, that’s another matter,” Aoxiao the Venerable said slowly, his expression shifting uncertainly.
“In that case, it complicates things. But ensuring his demise at the hands of the demons doesn’t seem impossible for me,” the masked woman chuckled, her tone dripping with malice toward Han Li.
“I said no, and that’s final. The war with the demons is imminent, and every Body Integration cultivator is a valuable asset. We cannot afford internal losses. Otherwise, compared to him, I’d much rather see Tian Kui vanish from this world—yet I’ve spared him until now,” Aoxiao the Venerable commanded sternly, his tone brooking no argument.
“Since you insist, I’ll refrain from interfering. Though I must admit, I’m quite intrigued by this so-called ‘once-in-ten-millennia’ cultivation prodigy of the human race,” the masked woman chuckled softly before relenting.
“Liaoying, how many years have you served as my shadow guard?” Aoxiao the Venerable suddenly asked.
“About fifty or sixty thousand years. Why do you ask so abruptly?” The masked woman was taken aback.
“When I rescued you from the temporal stream, you swore to serve me for a hundred thousand years and signed a soul contract on the spot. Now, I intend to transfer the remaining tens of thousands of years to Linglong. What do you think?” Aoxiao the Venerable said solemnly.
“Lord Aoxiao! While I signed the soul contract out of gratitude for saving my life, the main reason was your status as a Grand Ascension cultivator—your strength earned my respect. Otherwise, I would have repaid your kindness in another way,” the masked woman frowned, displeased.
“So, the only reason you refuse is because Linglong’s cultivation is insufficient?” Aoxiao the Venerable said coolly.
“Precisely. I’ve watched Linglong grow up and have some affection for her. Other conditions might be negotiable, but her cultivation is simply too weak. She’d need to at least reach Body Integration before I’d consider it. You know the rules of our Liao Beast Clan—even I cannot easily break them,” the masked woman sighed, sounding somewhat resigned.
“If strength is your only concern, rest assured. That girl will reach Body Integration within a century, and she may even have a chance to ascend to Grand Ascension in the future,” Aoxiao the Venerable smiled.
“Lord Aoxiao, what do you mean by that?” The masked woman’s eyes flashed with curiosity.
“You don’t know yet—Linglong has awakened the Seven-Star Moon Body. With such a talent, do you think my words are exaggerated? But to prevent any mishaps, apart from Linglong and myself, no one else has been told,” Aoxiao the Venerable said gravely.
“Such a thing? If true, then forming a soul contract with her isn’t impossible. But I’ll need to verify your claim personally before agreeing,” the masked woman mused before nodding reluctantly.
“Good. With you protecting Linglong, I need not worry about her until her cultivation matures. There’s no time to waste—in a few days, I’ll arrange everything. Once I prove Linglong’s Seven-Star Moon Body, I’ll transfer the soul contract,” Aoxiao the Venerable said, visibly relieved.
“Since you insist, I’ll cooperate. But Lord Aoxiao, your urgency suggests you lack confidence in the upcoming war and are preparing an escape route for Linglong,” the masked woman nodded, then asked slyly.
“*Heh*, if I lacked confidence, why would I personally involve myself? Though I don’t know the demons’ exact plans, our alliance with other Grand Ascension cultivators gives us a solid chance of victory. I can’t reveal specifics, but these are necessary precautions. Besides, even without the demonic calamity, I wouldn’t survive the next heavenly tribulation. Arranging contingencies is only natural,” Aoxiao the Venerable replied with a proud smile.
Seeing his expression, the masked woman’s eyes flickered, but she said nothing more.
Aoxiao the Venerable then spoke firmly, “I have nothing further. Leave now. The island is likely sweeping for demon spies—don’t let anyone uncover your disguise, or you’ll lose your current cover.”
“As you command, my lord. Liaoying takes her leave.” The masked woman nodded, her figure twisting into a shadow before vanishing with a ripple of spatial fluctuation.
Aoxiao the Venerable watched her departure, his eyes narrowing briefly before he sighed and closed them again.
—
Meanwhile, over a hundred thousand miles from Sky Abyss City, a group of human cultivators clad in crimson robes hid atop a mountain peak, gazing toward a secluded valley.
The group consisted of men and women, mostly in their twenties or thirties, though a few gray-haired elders among them exuded formidable auras.
Strangely, all of them looked weary, their robes dust-covered as if they had traveled far to reach this place.
“Junior Brother Li, are you certain? Does that valley truly house a Sky Abyss City teleportation array that can take us directly inside?” asked a white-bearded elder carrying a pair of green-and-yellow swords, turning to a scar-faced elder beside him.
“Rest assured, Sect Master. This teleportation array is a secret one reserved for Sky Abyss City’s elders—very few know of it. If not for a drunken revelation from an old acquaintance guarding it, I’d never have learned of it,” the scar-faced elder replied without hesitation.
“That’s hard to say. The demons have occupied this region long enough to uncover even the most hidden places,” the sect master shook his head, deeply concerned.
“But Sky Abyss City is blockaded by demons. Charging in directly would be suicide. Junior Brother Li’s path is our only option,” an ugly old woman interjected.
“You’re right. We have no retreat left. If we continue hiding, the Fire Departure Sect will be exterminated sooner or later. Only by entering Sky Abyss City can we preserve our lineage. We must take the risk,” the sword-bearing elder gritted his teeth.
“Wise decision! Throughout history, Sky Abyss City has never fallen to demonic invasion. Once inside, our lives will be secure. I’ll send disciples to scout ahead,” the scar-faced elder said eagerly.
“No, ordinary disciples might miss a demonic trap. We’ll go ourselves. Even if ambushed, ordinary demons won’t stop us,” the sect master stroked his beard resolutely.
“Very well. Junior Brother Li and I will accompany you,” the old woman agreed after a moment’s thought.
“No. You’re the sect’s second strongest—stay here with the others. If trouble arises, flee immediately without waiting for us. Junior Brothers Li and Yang, come with me. One knows the teleportation array’s details, and the other excels in formations—both will be invaluable,” the sect master declared firmly.
The scar-faced elder and a scholarly-looking elder stepped forward.
After issuing final instructions, the sect master and his two companions soared toward the valley on streaks of light.
The remaining cultivators watched nervously as the trio vanished into the distance.
Unbeknownst to them, thousands of miles away, a faint azure streak was also racing toward the same destination.
Within the light, a young man in his twenties idly toyed with a miniature black mountain while scanning his surroundings with casual disinterest.
Perched on his shoulder was a chubby toddler, no older than three or four, clutching his robe with one hand and munching on an unknown spirit fruit with the other.
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