The world was dark and silent.
Fragments of golden light fell like meteors into the river suspended in mid-air, making splashing sounds.
Anything that entered the river was crushed by a mysterious force.
The nine Jewel of the Rising Tides gradually merged into one, sketching a silver-white moon above the river, its light pouring down like mercury.
It felt like a long, cold night, with mist and frost spreading in all directions.
“This is a domain…” Qin Ruoshui looked at Li Jingyu in shock.
Although the river originated from the Tai Shang sect’s mental techniques, under the cold moon, it no longer had the pure and righteous aura of Tai Shang’s methods, instead exuding a strange and ominous energy.
When they traveled together, she was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, but now she had reached the Golden Core stage! Qin Ruoshui glanced deeply at Li Jingyu and decisively withdrew, saying, “Let’s go.”
At that moment, a soft voice suddenly came.
A young cultivator in purple, riding a black snake, appeared with a twist.
He didn’t pay any attention to Qin Ruoshui and his group but instead focused on Li Jingyu, saying, “The Tianhai Demon Sect wants us from the Wangqing Sect to collect people, but why did Ji Yue kill them all?” His voice was somewhat piercing, but it brought those who were lost in thought back to their senses.
Ji Yutang’s expression changed repeatedly as she stared at Li Jingyu, and after a moment, she whispered, “Li Jingyu… you…” The words “are you okay” got stuck in her throat, her face turning red, but she couldn’t say them.
“Ji Yue is injured, huh? The scent of blood is really exciting.” The young cultivator’s eyes flashed with a strange light.
Standing on the black snake, he played with a jade flute in his hand and continued, “Oh? There are Immortal Sect cultivators here.
Leave the rest to me.”
As the flute sounded, the black snake shot forward like an arrow, its powerful tail striking the ground and creating web-like cracks.
The young male cultivator slowly approached Li Jingyu, smiling, but his eyes were as cold and venomous as a snake’s.
“Get lost!” Li Jingyu had no fondness for this Wangqing Sect cultivator and waved her sleeve to push him away.
Ji Yutang’s eyes darkened as she also turned to face the young male cultivator.
“Is this Ji Yue’s new partner? With such a strong dragon aura, he must be quite formidable—” The young cultivator drawled, teasingly.
Ji Yutang’s dragon aura suddenly erupted like a torrent, rushing towards the young cultivator and the black snake he controlled.
As the leader of scaled creatures, the dragon’s might slowed the black snake’s movements, and the young cultivator’s face turned ugly.
“Ji Yue, look at the kind of people you’re bringing out.
Are you going to help the Immortal Sect cultivators?” The young cultivator continued, and seeing no response, he laughed again, “Oh, these bald monks are really pitiful.
The Primordial Spirit realm cultivators in their sect fed the Demon God, and the disciples are scattered.
Joining our Demon Sect would be so much better, becoming a carefree and joyful Buddha.
Otherwise, it would be a waste of such a good region like the Southern Border!” Li Jingyu remained expressionless, but the Immortal Sect members felt a chill in their hearts.
It was indeed the Demon Sect’s plan! They wished to tear the Demon Sect disciples to pieces, but considering their situation, they dismissed the thought.
While fighting the black snake, they retreated backward.
Logically, they shouldn’t be a match for this Golden Core male cultivator, but with Li Jingyu’s domain still in place, under the cold moon, both Immortal Sect and Demon Sect disciples were suppressed by the lunar energy.
Seeing Qin Ruoshui and his group retreat, the young cultivator didn’t pursue them but instead crossed his arms, watching Li Jingyu with interest.
“The lunar energy on Ji Yue is getting stronger.
If it isn’t balanced, she might go to another extreme.
Is that why Ji Yue found a dragon clan pretty boy? We have many cultivators in the Demon Sect who practice yang techniques.
Haven’t you considered them? They’re dying to be Ji Yue’s close companions, but Ji Yue is so heartless.” As he finished speaking, a coiled dragon shadow flew out from the mighty river.
The black snake, which had been hissing and coiling, was instantly thrown back, crashing into the ground and sinking deep.
The young cultivator, connected to the black snake, was hit by the powerful magic, causing blood to spill from his mouth and nose.
Li Jingyu looked at him coldly, sneering, “Qu Huacheng, do you have a death wish?” The demon cultivator named Qu Huacheng’s expression changed.
He glared at Li Jingyu, threatening, “You need to give an explanation to the Tianhai Demon Sect for today’s events!” With that, a black smoke enveloped him, and he disappeared.
The world suddenly fell silent.
The cold moon silently illuminated the devastated Ling Mountain.
The golden halls, standing tall, collapsed under the magic, leaving only ruins.
The Buddhist cultivators who once practiced on Ling Mountain now lay silently in pools of blood, lifeless.
Li Jingyu didn’t bother with her disheveled hair as she lightly landed on the ground, her brows filled with a chilling and terrifying hostility.
Blood dripped from her fingertips, quietly merging with the blood pools on the ground, indistinguishable from friend or foe.
“The Demon Sect used the entire Ling Mountain to feed the Demon God Zhu Rong?” Ji Yutang looked at the scene before her, taking a deep breath.
Li Jingyu turned to Ji Yutang, raising an eyebrow, her eyes filled with a seductive and enchanting charm.
“It’s the Tianhai Demon Sect and Wangqing Sect, maybe even the Qingtian Sect?” She tilted her head, her slightly furrowed brows as if in thought.
Ji Yutang snorted, her gaze lingering on Li Jingyu’s fingertips for a moment, mocking, “Aren’t they all the same?”
“They’re not the same.” Li Jingyu shook her head, answering seriously.
Although the Huoxin Palace is part of the Demon Sect, how can it be equated with the entire Demon Sect? Just like the current Pure Lotus Zen doesn’t represent the entire Immortal Sect.
If the Huoxin Palace did anything, it was refusing to use its own techniques to resolve the “obsession” of the Pure Lotus Zen monks.
Perhaps someone secretly orchestrated everything, but the root cause was still “self-obsession.” Aren’t there normal people in the Pure Lotus Zen?
Ji Yutang’s face was calm.
She knew she couldn’t completely blame the Demon Sect, but as an Immortal Sect cultivator, she had her own stance.
She wiped the golden light off the Bodhi Pure Water she had retrieved and tossed it to Li Jingyu, saying solemnly, “I’m free now.”
The water surged upward, gathering the Bodhi Pure Water within.
Li Jingyu reached out to brush her disheveled hair, smiling, “So, are you leaving now?”
Ji Yutang retorted, “What else?”
Li Jingyu sighed softly, covering her heart, pretending to be hurt, “I saved you, and this is how you treat me?”
Ji Yutang couldn’t refute, her brows furrowed tightly, her restlessness evident.
Seeing this, Li Jingyu’s smile flickered briefly.
She covered her mouth, coughing lightly, as bright red blood dripped from her fingertips.
The bloodstains were like scattered cold plum blossoms, shocking to the eye.
After regaining her demonic nature, Li Jingyu’s clothes were dark, making it hard to see the bloodstains.
Ji Yutang’s eyelids twitched wildly, and seeing the sword energy erupting from Li Jingyu’s body, she finally couldn’t recognize it, stepping forward to catch her swaying body.
“It seems you still have some conscience.” Li Jingyu smiled, raising her clean hand to gently stroke the dragon horn.
Ji Yutang shivered.
No matter how many times Li Jingyu touched her, she couldn’t suppress the shivering, electric-like sensation.
Her body felt weak, barely able to stand.
She looked down at Li Jingyu, emphasizing in a deep voice, “I’ll take you back, and then we’re even.”
Li Jingyu grabbed Ji Yutang’s collar, blinking, “But my junior sister hasn’t come out yet.”
Hearing this, Ji Yutang suddenly realized something was wrong.
The opposite side of the lotus pond was empty, not only Feng Yuan but also Fozhi Ciming was missing.
She was stunned for a moment, then frowned, “Maybe they left first.”
Li Jingyu shook her head, “No, my junior sister entered the Huanchi Heaven.” Seeing Ji Yutang’s confusion, she propped herself up, leaning close to her ear to explain softly, finally blowing a breath, teasing, “Do you want to try entering?”
Ji Yutang’s expression changed dramatically, her face flushed.
She instinctively shook off Li Jingyu, but Li Jingyu, knowing she would react this way, firmly held her hands, showing no sign of her previous frailty.
Ji Yutang first looked at her restrained hands, then at Li Jingyu’s smiling face, exclaiming, “You’re fine?!”
Li Jingyu brushed her bangs, smiling brightly, “Of course I’m fine.
Do you think Qin Ruoshui and the others can hurt me?” Her voice rose slightly, ending with a hint of mockery and ridicule.
Ji Yutang looked at her expression, her heart sinking, followed by annoyance and anger! She glared fiercely at Li Jingyu, her hands flashing with dragon scales, suddenly raising a gust of wind.
She didn’t intend to hurt anyone, just wanted to break free from Li Jingyu’s grip with “Heavenly Dragon Split,” not expecting her to take a hit rather than let go.
“What do you want?” Ji Yutang glared at Li Jingyu, both angry and anxious.
Li Jingyu chuckled, gazing at Ji Yutang, speaking slowly, “I want to know too.” Immortal Sect cultivators emphasize self-cultivation and restraint, but why should a Demon Sect cultivator care about such principles? Naturally, she acted on her whims.
Ji Yutang’s heart felt like it was on fire, her gaze deep, her eyes, which looked no different from a human’s, now glowed with a faint golden light, her pupils almost vertical.
She recalled Qu Huacheng’s words, thinking she had figured out something, she took a deep breath, slowing her tone, enunciating clearly, “Do you want to resolve the excessive lunar energy on you?” Before Li Jingyu could respond, she continued, “Do you have to dual cultivate with me?”
Li Jingyu’s face finally showed a hint of surprise at Ji Yutang’s “initiative,” but this genuine emotion was fleeting, disappearing instantly.
She smiled brightly, pretending to be generous, “Yes.”
“Even if I’m your sister’s ‘fiancée,’ even if by relationship, I should call you sister?” Ji Yutang’s expression was calm, not showing any signs of anger, only revealing a hint of abnormality in her words, “What about your Huanchi Heaven?”
Li Jingyu: “…” She hadn’t practiced those techniques, where would she get a Huanchi Heaven?
Outside Ling Mountain.
Qin Ruoshui and his group fled a hundred miles away before stopping to rest in the forest.
“No wonder Immortal Sect disciples don’t enter Demon Sect territory, it’s so dangerous.
We underestimated them before.” Lin Heng smiled bitterly, never having been so embarrassed.
“After all, it’s their home ground.” Yan Shouxia continued.
After a pause, she added, “What about Ling Mountain? Do they have any disciples outside?”
“Unlikely.” Qin Ruoshui frowned, thinking for a moment, “Pure Lotus Zen cultivators mostly move in the Southern Border, unlike the Path of Killing.”
Ran Guzhu, who had been silent, suddenly raised her voice, turning to Qin Ruoshui, her eyes full of surprise, “There’s a response.” She had contacted the Ran Family, but Wang Shenyu was from the Taiyuan Dao Palace, indicating that the Dao Palace was aware of the situation.
Seeing everyone’s eyes on her, she said, “The Dao Palace wants us to ignore Ling Mountain and focus on bringing Ji… Ji Yutang back.” Ran Guzhu was puzzled, not knowing why the Taiyuan Dao Palace was also concerned about Ji Yutang.
“Just one sentence about Ling Mountain? No plans to seek justice from the Demon Sect?” Lin Heng exclaimed, and as soon as he finished, the communication talisman in his arms activated, revealing Zhou Keyin’s face.
Lin Heng straightened his expression, hurriedly bowing, “Disciple greets Master.”
Zhou Keyin waved his hand, “I’ve heard about Ling Mountain.
This matter is beyond your capabilities, so don’t get involved.
Many Immortal Sect cultivators have fallen into the Demon Sect’s hands.
If possible, bring them back.
If not, return on your own, and ensure your safety.”
Lin Heng immediately replied, “Yes.” After a pause, he couldn’t help but ask, “Master, why did Ling Mountain fall? Why were we unaware before?”
Zhou Keyin’s face was stern, “That’s not for you to ask.” Without waiting for Lin Heng’s response, he dissolved his image.
In Langhuan Fairyland.
Zhou Keyin stood in the corridor, hands behind his back, squinting, hiding the contemplation in his eyes.
“Brother Ran, how much do you know about Daoist Qing Xun’s plan back then?” Zhou Keyin asked solemnly.
Ran Jingri slowly walked out, sighing, “I don’t know.” After a moment, his face showed a hint of confusion and guilt, “It’s my fault for not anticipating her setting up the ‘Heaven and Earth Chessboard’ over Jiuzhou.
Now we’re all pieces on the board, unable to accurately predict the heavenly secrets, not even knowing the Demon Sect’s Twelve Demon God Stakes plan.”
“This isn’t your fault.
Who could have guessed Daoist Qing Xun would be so… ambitious?” Zhou Keyin’s tone was vague.
He turned to Ran Jingri, “But it’s not just targeting our Immortal Sect; even the Demon Sect doesn’t know our plan.
The priority is to bring people back from the Demon Sect.
With the Twelve Demon God Stakes revealed, the Demon Ancestor will surely return, and we must prepare to welcome Tai Shang.”
Ran Jingri nodded, “Of course.”
Zhou Keyin thought for a moment, “Brother Ran, can you determine which of the twins it is?”
Ran Jingri replied solemnly, “The heavenly path is unpredictable.
Let them reunite.”
Zhou Keyin didn’t respond immediately, but after a long pause, he gave Ran Jingri a deep look.
In Ling Mountain.
Li Jingyu and Ji Yutang waited for half a month before Feng Yuan, pale-faced, emerged from Huanchi Heaven.
Seeing Li Jingyu sitting cross-legged, she was startled, then awkwardly smiled, “Senior sister, you haven’t left yet?”
“With you like this, can I leave?” Li Jingyu glanced at Feng Yuan, smiling faintly, “I didn’t know cultivating in Huanchi Heaven would take so long.”
Feng Yuan’s eyes were evasive, covering her mouth with a light cough, “Has no one else come to Ling Mountain?”
Li Jingyu replied nonchalantly, “The Tianhai Demon Sect and Wangqing Sect sent people, but I sent them away.” They had already taken the Demon God Zhu Rong back, and as for Ling Mountain’s ownership, wasn’t it a matter of the capable taking it? However, this time the Tianhai Demon Sect surprised her by not pursuing the matter further, unlike their usual habit of entangling for three to five years.
Perhaps they had more important things to do? Thinking of this, Li Jingyu’s eyes turned deep again.
“Since you’re out, let’s return to Huoxin Palace.” Li Jingyu didn’t ask about the Buddhist disciple, and Feng Yuan, relieved yet guilty, didn’t want to disobey Li Jingyu, nodding quickly, “Okay.”
“Since you have a fellow disciple with you, I won’t accompany you.” Ji Yutang’s tone was stiff.
After mentioning “dual cultivation” that day, Li Jingyu hadn’t responded, and no one brought it up, but a knot had formed in her heart, impossible to untangle.
Looking at Li Jingyu, she felt everything was wrong, both blaming Li Jingyu and resenting her own loss of control.
“Don’t worry, I’ll send you out of the Southern Border when the time comes,” Li Jingyu said, glancing at Ji Yutang, whose expression was cold and somber.
She snorted, “You don’t think you can leave the Demon Sect’s territory unscathed with your cultivation, do you?” Ji Yutang thought for a moment and responded quietly.
There was still Dragon Vein Essence in the Dragon Pool that hadn’t been refined.
Leaving the Demon Sect like this seemed like a loss.
Li Jingyu squinted her eyes, very satisfied with Ji Yutang’s “obedience.” Before leaving Ling Mountain, she had set up a formation around it.
Although the ethereal Ling Mountain had mostly collapsed due to its fall, it was still a blessed land.
They, as demon cultivators, couldn’t handle it, but there were plenty in the Immortal Sect willing to take it.
Besides, that Buddha child was still in Feng Yuan’s Huanchi Heaven.
As soon as she returned to Huoxin Palace, Li Jingyu received a decree from her master.
She settled Ji Yutang in Ji Yue’s cave heaven and hurried to the law hall.
This time, the radiant figure did not appear on the goddess statue but stood right in front of her.
However, due to the vast difference between a Golden Core and a celestial realm cultivator, Li Jingyu still felt the distance between them was like a galaxy.
“You’ve formed your core,” Huai Wanxiu said softly.
Li Jingyu nodded.
“It was faster than I expected.
You could actually slow down,” Huai Wanxiu added.
Li Jingyu shook her head, “I don’t want to wait any longer.”
Seeing this, Huai Wanxiu didn’t persuade her further.
She sighed softly and after a long pause, said, “In another year, the Demonic Dao Assembly will begin.
The Tianhai Demon Sect will gradually reclaim the Demon Gods placed in Jiuzhou and nurture them in the Ancestral Source Demon Sea.
This is an opportunity.
The forcibly reclaimed Demon Gods are not strong, far from the Demon God bodies.
This time, the Demonic Dao Assembly will select ten people to enter the Ancestral Source Demon Sea, under the guise of receiving the Demon Ancestor’s empowerment.
Ha—” Huai Wanxiu let out a short laugh, her expression full of mockery.
Li Jingyu listened seriously, “I understand, Master.”
Huai Wanxiu acknowledged her response and continued, “Your mother didn’t say much back then, fearing it would disturb the heavenly secrets.
But from her choices, you should stay away from the disciples of the Three Supreme Veins.
The Demon Sect hopes for the Demon Ancestor’s revival, and the Immortal Sect will surely have corresponding plans.”
Li Jingyu asked sharply, “Is it related to the Heart of the Great Dao?” Huai Wanxiu replied, “I don’t know.
The grand trend of heavenly secrets is hard to deduce now.
Where does the Dao lie?” Her voice became ethereal.
Li Jingyu felt a bit dazed.
Before Huai Wanxiu’s figure dissipated, she vaguely heard, “If there’s another chance, you can visit the North Sea.” North Sea Dragon Palace? Li Jingyu’s mind stirred, recalling the Dragon Lord’s attitude in Dragon Palace City, and she vaguely felt it had a significant connection to her mother.
– Ji Yue’s cave heaven.
Returning here, Ji Yutang no longer felt the initial discomfort.
Li Jingyu generally kept her promise and would send her out of the Southern Border when the time came.
Once she left, no matter what, she wouldn’t enter this ghostly place again.
Ji Yutang’s thoughts drifted as she looked around the empty cave mansion.
Perhaps due to the Dragon Transformation Technique, she had acquired some dragon traits.
For instance, at this moment, she felt the cave mansion was too quiet, like something was missing.
However, she had nothing to adorn the cave mansion with.
After wandering around, she transformed into a silver dragon and submerged into the Dragon Pool, operating her technique to refine the Dragon Vein Essence.
Last time, she almost went astray, so this time Ji Yutang was extremely cautious.
While refining the Dragon Vein, she kept a part of her mind focused on the Daode Heavenly Book, maintaining the purity of her own Dao.
When Li Jingyu returned, Ji Yutang was already immersed in her cultivation.
She noticed the movement but only slightly lifted her eyelids without looking closely.
Li Jingyu, on the other hand, was deep in thought about Huai Wanxiu’s words.
The revival of the Demon Ancestor, the opportunity lying in the Twelve Demon God Stakes and the host body, then how would Tai Shang return? Her mother, as the heir of Taishi Palace, must have known about Tai Shang, and she should have supported it, but in the end, she fell into the demonic path.
Was it because she resisted that matter? Could it be related to her or Ran Guzhu? Perhaps it had more to do with her, otherwise, why would her mother plant the Taiyin Fiend in her? This was a path that conflicted with Tai Shang’s “health.”
Li Jingyu couldn’t figure it out, so she temporarily suppressed her thoughts and focused on the Demonic Dao Assembly.
The Tianhai Demon Sect, as the true direct lineage of the Demon Ancestor, had the Ancestral Source Demon Sea, which would only open after the Demonic Dao Assembly.
The demon cultivators entering the Ancestral Source Demon Sea would receive a trace of the Demon Ancestor’s empowerment, and even a pig could cultivate to the primordial spirit realm.
Of course, those who could win in the Demonic Dao Assembly wouldn’t be ordinary.
To win the top spot in the Demonic Dao Assembly, she needed to perfect the Primordial Abyssal Divine Water.
With a thought, the Bodhi Pure Water wrapped in water tides was pushed out.
Li Jingyu let out a light breath, focused her mind, and began to operate her technique to refine the Bodhi Pure Water.
