Two hours passed, and Zi Yunshu’s arms were sore, but she’d only managed to move a small portion.
Bao Gu and the demon saint joined in the “brick-moving” effort.
The two of them—one with a low cultivation level, the other weak in combat and strength—were far less robust than Zi Yunshu’s powerful flood dragon physique.
While Zi Yunshu could move ten pieces of five-element immortal stone, the two of them couldn’t even manage one.
Zi Yunshu sent out her divine sense to check the amount of five-element immortal stones and said, “This won’t do.
At this rate, it’ll take us at least ten days, maybe half a month.” She called out Feng Yi, Zi Tianjun, and even Nanshan Yijian to help, but didn’t summon any of the other first- or second-generation disciples from Xuantian Sect.
Right now, among the first and second-generation disciples of Xuantian Sect, aside from the outliers Bao Gu and Yu Mi, everyone else was at the Nascent Soul stage.
Nascent Soul cultivators couldn’t even withstand the pressure from the power leaking out of the five-element immortal stones, let alone move them—just getting close would be hard.
Besides, if word about the five-element immortal stones spread throughout Xuantian Sect, it would be impossible to keep it secret, and sooner or later, another sect-destroying disaster would befall them.
Zi Yunshu, the demon saint, Bao Gu, Zi Tianjun, Nanshan Yijian, and Feng Yi worked non-stop for four days before finally moving all the five-element immortal stones—ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine in total.
Some of the stones were damaged or incomplete, and many of the rune patterns on them had dimmed.
With the outer formation broken, the sealing power of the Heaven-Sealing Forbidden Domain was already weakening.
The domain was filled with deathly energy, heavy with the sense of an impending storm.
The gray sky glowed faintly with blood-red light, and that glow was growing stronger.
As they were about to finish moving the stones, the demon saint’s true body left the drought demon coffin and merged with her primordial spirit.
The moment her true body left the coffin, a surge of overwhelming blood-colored baleful energy shot up into the sky, instantly sweeping across the Heaven-Sealing Forbidden Domain, dyeing the entire world blood red—the sky, the air, the earth, everything was blood red.
Thick death energy mingled with the blood, and the air was filled with murderous intent.
Death seemed to descend in an instant.
Zi Tianjun, Zi Yunshu, Bao Gu, Nanshan Yijian, and Feng Yi all used their own methods to protect themselves.
After moving the last few five-element immortal stones, the demon saint hurried back as well.
Zi Tianjun and Feng Yi, being weaker in cultivation, returned directly to the Xuantian Mountains.
Nanshan Yijian and Zi Yunshu stayed behind to protect Bao Gu and the demon saint, who led them out of the Heaven-Sealing Forbidden Domain as quickly as possible.
They had just stepped out of the domain when they heard a deafening roar, like ten thousand horses galloping! At that moment, the ancient mountains were shrouded in wild winds and swirling clouds, as if something terrifying was brewing, or as if something was crumbling away bit by bit.
Zi Yunshu and the demon saint both exclaimed, “Huh?”
Zi Yunshu turned to the demon saint and asked, “A-Sheng, do you feel a powerful force calling out to you?” The moment she stepped out of the ancient mountains, she felt a force both incredibly strong and deeply familiar, calling to her from afar.
That force and consciousness clearly told her: as the demon emperor, she was summoning her demon clan subjects, disaster was coming, and she had come to take the demon clans of the ancient mountains back to their homeland—the demon domain! As this awareness surged, she could also sense a mighty demon clan power in the distance, a force that made her want to submit, and even gave her the feeling of facing her own mother.
Zi Yunshu had never had a mother—her father was a cultivator, and her birth had cost her mother’s life.
This aura, more intimate than a mother’s yet carrying the majesty of a demon emperor, made her want to rush over without hesitation.
If the demon saint weren’t here, she would have already charged ahead.
The demon saint nodded and said, “It should be Princess Xueqing.
With her temperament, she wouldn’t just watch the demon clans of the ancient mountains perish.
She’s the only one capable of summoning the demon clan on the cultivator’s territory.
Let’s go, follow the pull of that force!”
Bao Gu looked at the demon saint and Zi Yunshu in surprise and asked, “My master’s wife is here? Why can’t I feel the summoning force?”
The demon saint replied, “You’re human.” With that, she followed the feeling in her heart and rushed out at top speed.
Zi Yunshu moved as soon as the demon saint did, running even faster.
Bao Gu and Nanshan Yijian exchanged a glance and hurried after Zi Yunshu and the demon saint.
Bao Gu noticed that this path didn’t follow the life gate of the ancient mountains’ formation, nor did it follow any beast trail.
Every step felt like she was treading on air, yet the surroundings were still forested mountains.
Even riding the wind, Bao Gu couldn’t keep up with Zi Yunshu and the demon saint.
She summoned her flying sword, but still fell behind.
Seeing herself getting farther and farther away, she shouted in panic, “Little Martial Aunt, wait for me!”
Hearing Bao Gu’s voice, Zi Yunshu transformed into a flood dragon, swooped back to Bao Gu, and tossed her onto her back, carrying her forward.
Bao Gu clung to Zi Yunshu’s neck, focusing on her surroundings.
She vaguely saw that they were running along a road carved out by an invisible force, a path between the great world and the void, connected to the world yet seemingly its own realm.
It was very similar to a spatial formation, but subtly different.
She couldn’t quite say how.
Her cultivation was too low, and her understanding of the Dao and formations wasn’t yet at the level where she could freely manipulate spatial power.
This spatial force was stronger than any formation Bao Gu had ever seen.
With each step, they seemed to leap from one mountaintop to another, almost like teleportation—far superior to her own earth-shrinking technique.
When she’d come from the ancient mountains to the Heaven-Sealing Forbidden Domain, even at top speed it had taken her nearly a day, but now—watching the scenery change rapidly around her—Bao Gu was sure they’d be out of the mountains in less than half a stick of incense.
Suddenly, Bao Gu saw a giant cauldron floating in the air.
The cauldron was surrounded by the cries of dragons and phoenixes, radiating auspicious light and immortal energy.
Inside was a vast, beautiful world, like a fairyland.
The sky was a pure, flawless blue, like the world’s most perfect sapphire.
Countless rare birds and beasts soared freely within the cauldron.
There were towering hills, broad lakes, green forests, winding rivers, and bright sunlight—a scene so beautiful it seemed like a dream.
Bao Gu was entranced.
This was the kind of world she’d always dreamed the cultivation world could be.
It was so beautiful it seemed unreal, but everything she saw and felt told her this was a real world, a world contained within the cauldron—and that cauldron was her master’s wife’s Myriad Spirits Cauldron! The very cauldron she’d used to temper her body, now revealing the world within.
This world was peaceful and harmonious.
Bao Gu saw herself getting closer and closer to that world, and couldn’t help but think: if she could stay here with her senior sister forever, who cared about the immortal realm?
Just as Bao Gu was about to reach the mouth of the cauldron, the scene before her changed, and a familiar figure appeared.
It was a stunningly beautiful woman, dressed in a luxurious, pure white fox fur, standing in the wind.
Her beauty was so soft and enchanting it made everything else pale in comparison, and her noble aura was so overwhelming that no one dared look directly at her.
Her presence was gentle and serene, yet inspired fear and submission from the heart—no one could act rashly in front of her.
Bao Gu quickly slid off Zi Yunshu’s back and respectfully cupped her fists in greeting.
“Greetings, Master’s wife.”
Zi Yunshu was about to charge into the world inside the cauldron when she saw the scene change.
She was about to attack, but when she saw it was Xueqing, she quickly turned back into human form and bowed obediently.
“Zi Yunshu greets Ancestor Grandmother.” She didn’t even dare lift her head.
The demon saint bowed respectfully.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
Xueqing said, “This is a calamity for the cultivation world, a calamity for humanity, an inescapable disaster.
Do your best.” With a wave of her hand, the world inside the floating Myriad Spirits Cauldron vanished.
The cauldron flew to Xueqing, shrank to palm size, landed in her hand, and disappeared.
Seeing Xueqing about to leave, Bao Gu quickly called out, “Master’s wife!”
Xueqing paused, turned to look at Bao Gu, and said, “If the disciples of Xuantian Sect are always under your protection, they’ll never truly grow.
The world is vast—where can’t you cultivate, where can’t you call home? The path of a cultivator is walked step by step, not by sitting in the sect’s territory enjoying others’ protection.
Your master came from the Battle King clan, and their line has always grown through battle and life-or-death trials.
This is a catastrophe for the cultivation world, but it’s also Xuantian Sect’s chance to truly rise.
It’s time for Xuantian Sect’s disciples to get out and see the world!” She paused, then said, “I know you’re worried about Xuantian Sect being wiped out, worried the sect’s legacy will end with you.
But you must understand—even if you die, even if everyone in Xuantian Sect dies now, the legacy won’t end.
Don’t worry—use your sword to carve out a bright future.
The descendants of the Battle King clan are born for battle, never afraid to fight.
They fight to the death, never live in cowardice.
Just remember one thing: know what you’re fighting for!”
Bao Gu froze, staring blankly at Xueqing.
She thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Bao Gu understands.” Then she changed the subject.
“Master’s wife, I found what you asked me to look for.” She took the giant storage bag off her arm and handed it to Xueqing.
Xueqing looked at Bao Gu suspiciously, took the bag, and sent her divine sense inside.
Her expression changed.
She stared at Bao Gu in disbelief.
She’d known that with the Nine Dragons Ascension formation in the ancient mountains, there was a good chance of finding five-element immortal stones.
She’d come herself for the demon clans and the stones, but she hadn’t expected Bao Gu to find so many!
Bao Gu said, “The demon saint found most of these.”
Xueqing took a small portion of the five-element immortal stones and said, “I’ll take what I need—the rest, keep for yourself, they’ll be useful in the future.” Nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine pieces—enough to finish her incomplete domain gate.
She returned the storage bag to Bao Gu and said, “Yue’er and Ling’er are the last direct bloodline of the demon emperor.
They’ll inherit the demon emperor’s legacy, so I left them in the demon domain.
If you have time, you can visit them there.”
Bao Gu nodded in agreement.
Xueqing looked at the demon saint and said, “Xiao Lian, medicine can’t save the dead, and Buddha only saves those with fate.” With that, she gazed deeply at the ancient mountains, sighed, and vanished.
As soon as Xueqing left, the once-empty sky became bustling.
Banners fluttered, and a vast army stretched as far as the eye could see.
The Empress of Yue’s carriage was less than a hundred yards from Bao Gu and the others, with the mighty Yue army behind her.
In the distance, the ancient mountains rumbled, treasures shone into the sky, and the whole range was bathed in the glow of sacred artifacts.
Countless cultivators moved through the forests and hills.
With the Yue army stationed here, no other forces dared approach, but in the distance, there were many cultivators, and some had even clashed with Yue patrols.
The ancient mountains were in chaos—fighting everywhere, people snatching sacred artifacts, rare treasures, even high-level demon beast remains!
The sudden “bustle” startled Bao Gu, and she realized her master’s wife must have used great power to isolate them from the outside world.
Bao Gu felt someone looking at her.
She looked up and saw the Empress of Yue, Si Ruo, approaching from her carriage, eyes full of disbelief.
Zi Yunshu glanced around and sighed, “Impressive!”
Bao Gu put the storage bag back on her arm and looked at Si Ruo, who hurried over, eyes wide with disbelief.
Si Ruo said in surprise, “How did you suddenly appear here without warning? What’s going on in the ancient mountains? The cultivation world’s factions have gone mad!”
Bao Gu glanced at the army and said, “You brought so many people—why not stop them?”
Si Ruo gave a bitter smile.
“I’d like to!” She took out a golden book and jade scroll from her storage treasure and handed them to Bao Gu.
“This is just a small part—sent by the other nine of the top ten cultivation factions! For once, the cultivation world is united.
If Yue tries to stop them, the whole world will turn on us! Bao Gu, demon saint, you two know the most about the drought demon.
I want your advice.
If it really threatens the nation, Yue…”
The demon saint said, “The seal has been disturbed.
It’s too late.
Your Majesty, withdraw! Leave the ancient mountains as fast as possible.
This is a disaster for the cultivation world, not just Yue.”
Si Ruo looked at Bao Gu.
Bao Gu flipped through several documents.
They all said the same thing: this is Xuantian Sect’s territory, Yue has no right to interfere, and the threats were obvious.
Si Ruo thought for a moment and said, “You arranged to meet the various factions’ cultivators—they sent people to the gang’s branch, but you didn’t show, so they left.
But they made it clear, and I’m sure Wang Ding has told you.”
Bao Gu said, “I just came out of the Heaven-Sealing Forbidden Domain, haven’t contacted Wang Ding yet.
What did they say?”
Si Ruo replied, “Ask him yourself.” She paused.
“The factions have decided to join forces and use their strongest power to destroy it—hundreds or thousands of sacred artifacts driven by formations to wipe out the drought demon.” Others might not know, but she’d been to the Heaven-Sealing Forbidden Domain.
The drought demon was still sealed in the coffin, and even ten sacred artifacts and immortal weapons couldn’t hold it.
Once unsealed, could sacred artifacts really deal with it? Si Ruo doubted it.
But she couldn’t convince the factions—neither words nor force could stop them.
Si Ruo took a deep breath.
“I have a favor to ask.”
Bao Gu said nothing.
The demon saint also stayed silent.
Si Ruo said, “If Yue faces destruction, I beg you both to help as much as you can.
I can’t stop them from breaking the formation and taking the sacred artifacts, but I’ll use all of Yue’s power to protect you from harm.”
Bao Gu thought for a moment and said quietly, “My master’s wife was just here.
She took all the demon clans from the ancient mountains away in her cauldron.”
Si Ruo gasped, her face draining of color.
What did that mean? It meant that even the demon emperor’s princess from the upper realm, wielding such a powerful treasure, might not be able to handle the drought demon.
Once the seal broke, all life in the ancient mountains would be wiped out, even great demons like Rong Ruyu would die.
That’s why the princess came with the cauldron to take them away! A catastrophe was coming—a disaster of the cultivation world’s own making! Si Ruo snapped back to her senses and shouted, “Go, we leave now.
I’ll escort you out.”
Bao Gu said, “Huh? We need an escort?” Was there something she didn’t know?
Si Ruo took a deep breath and said, “Bao Gu, the ancient mountains are a Nine Dragons Ascension feng shui formation, right? The factions are waiting for you to build the Ascension Road after destroying the drought demon! They’ll dig up Xuantian Sect’s base and have you build the road here—how do you think they’ll ‘invite’ you? Did you think I brought five hundred thousand troops here just to watch?” She’d seen the demon saint suppress the drought demon coffin! In the whole cultivation world, no one knew more about the drought demon than the demon saint.
If it got out, Yue would be the first to suffer.
To survive, they had to rely on the demon saint.
Protecting Bao Gu and the demon saint was saving Yue.
Bao Gu glanced at Si Ruo, then looked around.
She saw a dozen cultivators ahead of the army, all at the late Void Tearing stage.
One of them said, “If Your Majesty insists, Yue is doomed!”
Si Ruo snorted coldly.
“Xuantian Sect is Yue’s personally appointed sect, and the ancient mountains are Yue’s granted territory.
Now you’re openly digging here—” She was cut off.
“Si Ruo, I’ll ask you once: are you staking Yue’s fate on protecting them? If you take Bao Gu away today, the armies on Yue’s borders will attack, and Yue will not just fall from the top ten—it’ll be destroyed! Can you bear that?”
Si Ruo sneered.
“I’ll wait for your attack!” As she spoke, the sword sealed with a dragon soul left its sheath, pointing at the cultivator.
“Sons of Yue, someone is threatening your empress on Yue’s land, saying they’ll destroy our nation—will you allow it?”
Half a million soldiers roared in unison, “No!”
Si Ruo’s voice dropped.
“Kill him!” At her command, the vanguard charged at the dozen Void Tearing cultivators like thunder.
Half a million troops!
Those dozen cultivators didn’t dare fight and fled into the ancient mountains.
Si Ruo ordered, “Deploy the chariots, form up!”
Yue’s army moved again!
The demon saint sighed.
“Still fighting among ourselves at a time like this? Your Majesty, let them go.”
Bao Gu looked back at Si Ruo and said, “The ancient mountains are vast and complex.
Even with half a million troops, it’ll be hard to do anything quickly.
The seal is about to break—if you don’t leave now, your army won’t get out.”
Si Ruo asked in surprise, “So soon? There’s no sign of anything yet!”
Bao Gu said, “The Heaven-Sealing Forbidden Domain is already a sea of blood.
The seal isn’t broken yet, so nothing shows outside.
Once you see signs, it’ll be too late to run.”
Si Ruo nodded.
She didn’t want internal and external troubles at once.
The drought demon was enough of a headache—if all Yue’s borders were attacked by the factions, it would be a disaster.
Right now, many important figures from the factions were inside.
Since they wanted to fight, then…
Si Ruo sent a divine message, ordering formations set up outside the mountains to delay the cultivators’ escape—not to seal the mountains, just to slow them down.
After giving the order, she invited Bao Gu, the demon saint, Zi Yunshu, and Nanshan Yijian to her carriage.
Nanshan Yijian, feeling awkward among the women, asked Bao Gu to take him back to the Xuantian Mountains.
Zi Yunshu, the demon saint, and Bao Gu boarded Si Ruo’s carriage, escorted by Yue’s army to Cangdu City.
The demon saint looked out the window and said weakly, “Bao Gu, this drought demon scares me.
How about we go back to the Snow Domain and wait a thousand or so years before coming out again?”
Si Ruo’s head snapped up in shock.
Cowardly flower, are you planning to run and hide?
The demon saint looked at Si Ruo.
“Don’t look at me like that.
I really can’t help.
I’m a demon—this is the cultivators’ mess.
How can you expect a little flower demon like me to fix it?”
Si Ruo thought, “Little flower demon? You taught Bao Gu, dared to root yourself on the drought demon coffin, and call yourself ‘demon saint’ at the Void Tearing stage, and you have the nerve to say you’re just a little flower demon? And you say it so righteously! Do you even hear yourself?”
The demon saint looked at Si Ruo calmly, not the least bit embarrassed.
She was just stating facts.
She was about to ask Bao Gu to take her back to the Xuantian Mountains when she suddenly sensed a shattering boom in the distance, followed by a world-ending aura spreading out.
The demon saint was shocked and was about to send out her divine sense when the sky suddenly darkened, as if stained with blood.
From the direction of the ancient mountains came endless screams and wails—
Si Ruo’s expression changed.
She rushed out of the carriage and saw a world of blood—blood energy rolling, death energy spreading everywhere.
The Yue soldiers around her looked panicked, turning to look toward Yue’s heartland.
Si Ruo shouted, “Full retreat! Open the domain gate, go through the domain gate, now! This is blood fiend death energy!”
