As the distance closed, warm breath brushed against her cheek, and a pair of eyes like autumn water gazed at her with a lively spirit.
Ji Yutang stared fixedly at Li Jingyu, noticing the blush at the corner of her eyes, and suddenly recalled the scene in the cave that day.
The dragon’s body rubbed against her disheveled clothes, its hard scales leaving red marks on her tender skin.
Her breath quickened, and she pushed Li Jingyu away, pursing her lips in silence.
She steadied her mind, focused on her spiritual platform, and followed the mysterious Dao rhythm to activate the “Daode Heavenly Book.” Streams of brilliant green light washed down, and the dragon, which had already transformed into the Moral Dragon Aspect, danced in the Mind Palace’s divine palace.
As the Dao rhythm flowed, distracting thoughts were gradually expelled, leaving only herself.
Once Li Jingyu’s figure completely disappeared, Ji Yutang emerged from her “inner observation.” She collapsed onto the meditation mat, her cheeks flushed, and her forehead covered in fine sweat.
She sat in a daze for a long time before standing up, returning to her usual state, and quickly leaving her courtyard.
She went straight to the scripture repository, searching for methods related to “dual cultivation,” trying to dispel the moon shadow rooted in her Mind Palace.
She had never known such a thing would happen and naturally avoided anything related to “dual cultivation.”
Before long, Ji Yutang found the answer among the vast sea of texts.
Dual cultivation would cause the merging of both parties’ energies, but it didn’t mean that one could leave a lasting impression in the other’s Mind Palace.
At most, it left a faint trace that could be easily expelled.
The evolution of that trace had little to do with the original person, meaning the trace of Li Jingyu’s energy in her Mind Palace was conjured by her own thoughts.
If she didn’t think of Li Jingyu, the energy couldn’t manifest! To expel this trace of energy was simple; she just needed to sever the connection related to it, as the Mind Palace was a place for storing the spirit, not allowing the presence of foreign objects.
This answer left Ji Yutang speechless for a long time, scenes from the past flashing before her eyes, and she finally sighed deeply, covering her forehead.
In the following half-year, Ji Yutang stayed home to consolidate her cultivation, honing her dragon core and Dao techniques.
When communicating with Gao Miao’s Path using the Dao words from the “Daode Heavenly Book,” her own power would be exhausted.
To eliminate this flaw, Ji Yutang had been searching for suitable dragon Dao divine abilities in the “True Dragon Transformation Scripture,” and she finally found one.
This divine ability was called “Two Elephants in Harmony,” which split her divine intent into two halves, manifesting two “selves.” One would bear the burden when the moral heavenly words descended, while the other remained the same as the original, still able to exert her own power.
However, “Two Elephants in Harmony” wasn’t something that could be easily mastered; it required finding a heavenly treasure called the “Twin Birth Pool.”
This meant Ji Yutang had to leave Tianshui to travel.
Although the Ran Family rarely appeared before her in the past six months, she could still vaguely hear rumors that they hoped she would marry Ran Guzhu and might not be willing for her to leave Tianshui, possibly even sending people to obstruct her.
Thinking of this, Ji Yutang sneered inwardly.
If that were the case, it would be a grudge against her Dao path, something she couldn’t let go of.
Just as she was preparing to leave the Ji Family for the Twin Birth Pool, a flying letter arrived.
It was an invitation from Yan Shouxia and Shen Zao, asking her to join them in investigating Zhenluo Hall.
Zhenluo Hall was located in the northwest corner of Jiuzhou, under the jurisdiction of the Tianhai Demon Sect, with no towns around, only a few scattered small villages.
The Immortal Sect knew of Zhenluo Hall’s connection with the Tianhai Demon Sect, but usually didn’t interfere.
Now, due to the continuous disappearance of mortals nearby, the Spring and Autumn Heaven Palace sent disciples to investigate.
However, the investigating disciples never returned, and the true disciples’ seals seemed to be obscured by some method.
Even under normal circumstances, Ji Yutang would be willing to help.
She didn’t care about the Ran Family or the Taiyuan Dao Palace’s attitude, only informing Ji Mingcheng and Ning Huaizhen before setting off from Tianshui.
Outside Tianshui City, Ji Yutang sensed a few strange auras, her eyes flickering, waiting for the hidden people to show themselves.
However, two streams of clear energy suddenly swept across the sky, and it was Yan Shouxia and Shen Zao who personally came to greet her.
“Is someone following you?” As soon as they landed, Shen Zao transmitted a message to Ji Yutang.
Ji Yutang pursed her lips and nodded.
“Should we investigate?” Shen Zao asked again.
Ji Yutang was naturally willing, but unfortunately, when she searched for the strange aura again, it was already gone, clearly having left early.
The disappearance of the people following her allowed Ji Yutang to breathe a sigh of relief.
Her gaze shifted between Yan Shouxia and Shen Zao, and after a while, she asked, “Why did the two senior sisters come to Tianshui?”
Yan Shouxia softly replied, “We heard about your situation at the academy and were a bit worried.”
Shen Zao glanced at Yan Shouxia, not as reserved as her, and said bluntly, “I heard you’re going to marry Junior Sister Ran? But I didn’t think you would agree, so we invited you out to find a solution to our problem.”
Ji Yutang smiled and said frankly, “I indeed don’t want to.” After a pause, she added, “Has even the Spring and Autumn Heaven Palace heard about this?” Shen Zao crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, saying, “Uncle-Master Ran may be reclusive, but he’s still a disciple of the Spring and Autumn Heaven Palace.
If the marriage contract is broken, it might not look good.
They’ll try their best to push for your marriage with Ran Guzhu.”
Yan Shouxia glared at Shen Zao and softly reprimanded, “Shen Zao!” Shen Zao’s eyes flashed with a hint of mockery, and she said, “I’m just speaking the truth.”
“I understand.” Ji Yutang intercepted the conversation before Yan Shouxia could speak, joking, “Perhaps the Taiyuan Dao Palace is also eager for the sake of face.”
Shen Zao said, “Who cares about them? We cultivate the Dao and the heart.
If we can’t have freedom, we might as well become dust early.”
“Yes.” Ji Yutang nodded in agreement, not wanting to continue on this topic.
She quickly changed the subject, asking, “What’s going on at Zhenluo Hall?” Upon hearing this, the lightness on Yan Shouxia and Shen Zao’s faces disappeared, replaced by a sense of gravity and worry.
“Zhenluo Hall is under the Tianhai Demon Sect’s territory.
If mortals are disappearing nearby, it’s likely they’re being used as human crops.” The Tianhai Demon Sect’s cultivators still have the habit of eating people.
They come from the human race, but don’t recognize themselves as such.
They secretly cultivate humans with precious herbs, calling them “human crops,” hoping for more delicious flesh.
Such things aren’t uncommon in Jiuzhou, but often, before the news reaches the Immortal Sect disciples, those mortals have already been killed by the demon cultivators.
“Those damned demonic beasts!” Ji Yutang’s eyes flashed with anger upon hearing this.
“Now it’s just the Tianhai Demon Sect’s disciples, not enough to obscure the seals.
We suspect there’s also a trace of Huoxin Palace cultivators involved.” Yan Shouxia added.
She didn’t explicitly point it out, but now the whole Jiuzhou knows that the Huoxin Palace’s Ji Yue is the saintess of the entire demon path, with authority above the true disciples of the demon path.
Whether these matters are the Tianhai Demon Sect’s orders or Huoxin Palace’s plans is hard to discern.
Ji Yutang’s expression darkened, understanding the implication in Yan Shouxia’s words.
She took a deep breath and said, “No matter what, we’ll know once we get there.”
Zhenluo Hall.
Black basalt pillars carved with ferocious and terrifying demon statues stood on both sides.
At the end of the nine steps was a snake-shaped throne, with nine lifelike snake heads seemingly ready to emerge from behind.
At this moment, Li Jingyu sat with her legs crossed on the throne, her fingers stroking the sinister skull on the armrest, her brows slightly furrowed, hiding a trace of disgust.
Standing below were two young Demon Sect disciples, one with a pale face and evasive eyes, clearly Gao Cang; the other was imposing, with eyes full of arrogance, named Wan Ji, the master of Zhenluo Hall.
He was the grand-disciple of the Tianhai Demon Sect’s sect master, a true heir of the demon path, unlike Gao Cang, a Demon Sect cultivator who could be abandoned at any time.
“This time, thanks to Ji Yue’s intervention, otherwise, if the seals were activated, it would be troublesome if those Immortal Sect cultivators came.” Wan Ji smiled, looking directly at Li Jingyu.
What happened in the Ancestral Source Demon Sea was unknown even to the sect master, originally thinking the Tianhai Demon Sect’s cultivators would take the lead, but who knew she would seize the opportunity.
However, this also had its benefits; she carried the ancestral demon nature, a seed of the Demon Ancestor.
If he could dual cultivate with her, his cultivation might advance by leaps and bounds.
Wan Ji’s gaze was brazen, not hiding his greed and lust, staring fixedly at Li Jingyu, and said, “Does Ji Yue want to try Zhenluo Hall’s specialty? Once this batch of human crops is ready, no one can act before Ji Yue.”
“Are you done?” Li Jingyu spoke impatiently, suddenly standing up, her cold gaze sweeping over Wan Ji, and said indifferently, “Although I came here, I’m not the master of Zhenluo Hall.
Everything here is under the hall master’s control, no need to tell me more.” The Tianhai Demon Sect clearly hadn’t noticed the changes in the Ancestral Source Demon Sea, treating her as the “future Demon Ancestor,” even not hiding the sect’s affairs.
But they didn’t need to say much; after devouring those Demon God statues, she understood the Tianhai Demon Sect’s need for blood food.
Their cultivation method was flawed, believing humans were the spirit of all things, favored by the Dao, thus needing blood food to complete that missing link.
Is this still the demon path? It’s clearly the evil path of heaven and earth! Supreme Dao Ancestor is the embodiment of the Dao, and the Demon Ancestor, born with it, is also the embodiment of the Dao.
They can be right or wrong, yin or yang, long or short, moving or still… but they cannot be good or evil.
As the embodiment of the great Dao, they inherently have no distinction between good and evil.
However, after spreading the Dao in Jiuzhou, human thoughts change endlessly, and Dao techniques also change unpredictably.
“Demon Ancestor descends, Tai Shang returns,” this prophecy indicates not the “Dao” Dao Ancestor and Demon Ancestor, but the aberrations born from a single obsession in human hearts.
After giving Wan Ji a cold glance, Li Jingyu left with a flick of her sleeve.
Wan Ji watched her back intently, pulling the corners of his mouth and said, “Junior Brother Gao, what do you think of Ji Yue?” Gao Cang, with a pale face, didn’t answer.
Previously, he suffered a loss at Huoxin Palace due to the Earth Mother incident.
He had thought of revenge, but now seeing Ji Yue, he only felt deep fear.
He regretted not killing her when the Shebi Corpse manifested in Yu Family Village.
A shadow crossed his eyes, and he lowered his head, respectfully saying, “Ji Yue is the saintess of the Demon Sect, not someone I can casually comment on.”
“Ha!” Wan Ji laughed shortly, patting Gao Cang’s shoulder, and said, “You’re right, you’re not worthy.
She’s now the ancestor of all demons.”
Dense tall trees blocked out the sky, casting large shadows.
Dim sunlight filtered through the tree gaps, adding a few pale whites to the heavy shadows.
Ji Yutang and her two companions walked cautiously through the forest, their spiritual light swirling around them, dispersing the miasma and poisonous insects in the mountains.
Yan Shouxia frowned and said, “According to the information compiled by the Immortal Sect, Zhenluo Hall, a place targeting only mortals, is guarded by only one Golden Core cultivator.”
“But our fellow disciples wouldn’t disappear for no reason; it must be the Demon Sect’s doing.
Once they’re alerted, there might be more than one Golden Core cultivator.” Ji Yutang continued.
“The only Golden Core disciple from the Spring and Autumn Heaven Palace who went was Junior Sister Tu.
After many encounters between the Immortal and Demon paths, a pattern has formed.
Reviewing past records, it’s found that when discovered by the Immortal Sect, the Demon Sect sends at most three additional disciples.
If they exceed this number, they’d rather abandon that station.” Yan Shouxia paused for a moment, then added, “Golden Core cultivators have already obtained the Dao fruit, with hopes of ascending to higher levels.
The upper echelons of the Demon Sect won’t pity the lower ones, but the lower cultivators fear death.”
Ji Yutang raised an eyebrow and said, “So we can explore with our strength?”
“Yes.” Yan Shouxia nodded solemnly, then added, “But there’s a difficulty in finding the true entrance to Zhenluo Hall.” After the seals were obscured, their last bit of connection with their fellow disciples disappeared.
Ji Yutang thought for a moment and said, “What if we use ourselves as bait?” Although they didn’t know the exact location, it was nearby.
Since the Demon Sect cultivators were looking for human crops as blood food, they wouldn’t let go of a “mortal” with good aptitude.
“Shen Zao and I were thinking the same.” Yan Shouxia smiled, then said, “I’ll disguise myself as a mortal.”
“No.” Ji Yutang shook her head, seriously saying, “I’ll do it.” Seeing Yan Shouxia and Shen Zao both looking at her, she smiled and explained, “I don’t cultivate mana, so there’s no mana fluctuation on me, not afraid of them seeing through.
What if they have a treasure to identify us? Besides, I stayed at Huoxin Palace for a while, so if it’s Huoxin Palace’s method, I might find a solution.”
“But—” Yan Shouxia looked at Ji Yutang with concern, her brows hiding a bit of worry.
Shen Zao’s eyes moved, stopping Yan Shouxia, and smiled, “Let’s trust Junior Sister Ji.” With her eyesight, she couldn’t discern Ji Yutang’s cultivation level, only roughly estimating her to be at the Golden Core level from past cooperation.
Seeing the two senior sisters nod, Ji Yutang smiled and said, “Let’s find a village and make some disguises.”
This area was full of forests and miasma, with sparse villages, and stilted wooden houses scattered around, mostly empty, long devoid of their owners’ traces.
Ji Yutang chose a relatively tidy house, changing into the villagers’ attire.
Though dressed in simple clothes, her ethereal temperament and good looks were still hard to conceal.
To disguise as a village woman, her actions couldn’t be flawed either.
The nearly barren field in front needed to be cultivated and planted, and the water jar had to be filled with clean water, showing signs of habitation.
To attract the Demon Sect cultivators’ attention, Ji Yutang even deliberately took a detour to fetch water from a clear stream several miles away.
But the Demon Sect seemed to have lost interest in mortals, with no movement for half a month.
Just as Ji Yutang was about to contact Yan Shouxia and Shen Zao for further discussion, a male cultivator suddenly appeared in this secluded place.
He was tall and handsome, with eyes bright as lightning under the rocks, wearing a gray Dao robe, and carrying a radiant treasure sword on his back, clearly an Immortal Sect cultivator.
Ji Yutang didn’t know his background, only silently observing.
The male cultivator, however, took the initiative to step forward, inquiring about the situation in the forest.
Ji Yutang feigned sorrow, recounting the Demon Sect’s abduction of villagers.
Upon hearing this, the male cultivator was furious, repeatedly assuring that he would resolve this scourge.
Ji Yutang learned from the conversation that the male cultivator’s name was Shen Liaozhi, a true disciple of the Palace of Supreme Mystery.
He didn’t explicitly state his purpose for being there, but Ji Yutang had a vague suspicion.
The Palace of Supreme Mystery had issued a kill order for Li Jingyu, prompting disciples to enter the world to search for her.
Could it be that there really were traces of Li Jingyu in Zhenluo Hall? What role was she playing in all this? Previously, Li Jingyu would never have done such a thing, but what if she had been tainted by the demonic nature of the Tianhai Demon Sect?
The cultivators of the Palace of Supreme Mystery were not known for disguises or retreat, boldly wandering around the area.
Ji Yutang initially thought that the Demon Sect disciples wouldn’t appear, as they had already provoked the Spring and Autumn Heaven Palace, and adding the Palace of Supreme Mystery would be too much to handle.
However, the demonic cultivators she had been waiting for half a month finally showed up, shrouded in black mist, under Shen Liaozhi’s “provocation.”
Shen Liaozhi, being a true disciple of the Palace of Supreme Mystery, had reached the Golden Core stage and naturally possessed certain skills.
The Palace of Supreme Mystery was known for wielding punishment, and most of its members practiced the Five Thunders Righteous Method, Shen Liaozhi included.
His cultivation method was called “Four Symbols Heavenly Thunder,” and he cast heavenly thunder with hand seals, its power terrifying.
Under such momentum, Yan Shouxia and Shen Zao couldn’t help but reveal themselves.
Ji Yutang thought, “…” The possibility of being “captured” into Zhenluo Hall smoothly had sharply decreased, leaving only the option of capturing a Demon Sect disciple to interrogate about Zhenluo Hall’s whereabouts.
But just as Ji Yutang was about to act, a tide of water accompanied by thunderous sounds descended from the sky.
Ji Yutang caught sight of the swirling Jewel of the Rising Tides, but the once clear and bright river had now turned into a sinister river of the underworld.
There was no trace of the Taishi Lineage’s divine water aura, had it truly fallen into the demonic path? Ji Yutang was startled, her movements slowed, and at that moment, several strands of black water wrapped around her like chains, making it difficult to break free.
“Witch—” Shen Liaozhi gathered his energy, forming heavenly thunder seals, and stared intently at Li Jingyu, who was stepping on the water, ignoring the Demon Sect cultivators on the side.
Li Jingyu smirked, a mocking smile crossing her face.
With a flick of her finger, poisonous miasma rose from the black river.
After devouring the Demon God’s body, she could wield any divine power related to “yin.”
“Poisonous miasma!” Shen Liaozhi’s expression changed, and several bolts of lightning exploded in front, dispersing some of the miasma.
He frowned, and a brilliant talisman floated out from his sleeve, a demon-subduing talisman given by his master before departure.
But just as he was about to act, he saw the “village woman” being pulled by the black water to Li Jingyu’s side, and he was shocked, angrily shouting, “Let go!”
Li Jingyu lazily glanced at the hesitant Shen Liaozhi, reached out to grab Ji Yutang, and with a wave of the water tide, swept away the few embarrassed demonic cultivators, taking them along.
Shen Liaozhi chased a few steps but couldn’t catch up with Li Jingyu’s escape speed.
He returned, frowning at Yan Shouxia and Shen Zao, questioning, “Why didn’t you two pursue?”
Yan Shouxia sighed, “Don’t worry, fellow Daoist, my junior sister has the ability to protect herself.”
Shen Liaozhi looked suspicious, “Junior sister?”
Yan Shouxia didn’t want to explain much, nodding, “Indeed, she was just in disguise before.” Seeing Shen Liaozhi in a daze, she suddenly changed the subject, “I noticed your heavenly thunder technique is very righteous, are you from the Palace of Supreme Mystery?”
Shen Liaozhi nodded, introducing himself.
After exchanging glances, Yan Shouxia and Shen Zao also revealed their backgrounds and purposes.
Although not entirely the same, their goals were all directed at Zhenluo Hall.
— Inside Zhenluo Hall.
Wan Ji looked at Ji Yutang, speaking slowly, “Ji Yue found someone with excellent potential this time.
If they were infused with great medicine, they might become a top-quality delicacy.”
Li Jingyu frowned, waved her hand, and the water light turned into boundless mist, enveloping Ji Yutang.
Seeing only the vast mist before him, Wan Ji took a step back, smiling ambiguously, “This is Ji Yue’s achievement, we won’t compete with her.
Speaking of which, those Immortal Sect cultivators keep coming, are they afraid we don’t have enough blood food?”
Li Jingyu replied indifferently, “The people from the Palace of Supreme Mystery have appeared.”
Wan Ji raised an eyebrow at this, his frivolous demeanor vanishing, his eyes shifting, “This is a good opportunity.” The kill order from the Palace of Supreme Mystery had been issued, and after discovering Ji Yue’s whereabouts, other rogue cultivators might not come, but the disciples of the Palace of Supreme Mystery would definitely come.
If they could intercept and kill the Palace of Supreme Mystery disciples at this time, it would reduce the burden on them.
Although he was the grand-disciple of the sect master, his authority was limited, making it difficult to mobilize Demon Sect disciples.
However, when it came to Ji Yue’s safety, it was different.
If handled well, this could become a confrontation between the mystical and demonic, solidifying his position in the sect.
“I understand.” Wan Ji squinted, then retreated from the hall.
Compared to his own power and position, other matters were no longer important.
The “human seed” Ji Yue captured was even less significant.
The mist drifted like morning fog on an autumn river, obscuring Ji Yutang from those outside, and she couldn’t see them either.
She could only hear vague voices, seemingly related to “mystical and demonic confrontation.” Glancing at the black water wrapped around her wrist, she asked in a deep voice, “Is Zhenluo Hall related to you?”
Sitting at the head, Li Jingyu didn’t answer, she merely raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Leaving in such a hurry that day, you didn’t even want to leave a word of farewell?”
