The sky exploded, the bright rays of the red sun were sliced by the water tides, refracting into blinding beams of light.
Ji Yutang’s eyes were deep and heavy.
Her gaze lingered on Li Jingyu for a moment before she calmly opened a light screen, blocking the torrential rain that was pouring down.
Li Jingyu let out a light chuckle, gathered the water tides, and descended from mid-air.
She walked up to Ji Yutang, raised her hand, and wiped away the glaring bloodstains seeping from her wounds.
Liansheng shrank back, putting away the merfolk silk.
She instinctively sensed something was off, her doubtful gaze darting between Li Jingyu and Ji Yutang.
After a long while, she muttered softly, “Your Highness, is she a cultivator from the Tai Shang lineage?”
A cold light flashed in Ji Yutang’s eyes.
She said in a deep voice, “Demon Sect.” As soon as she finished speaking, she grabbed Li Jingyu’s wrist and led her to her own law hall.
Li Jingyu lowered her eyelashes, glancing at the wrist being held.
She didn’t struggle, following Ji Yutang’s steps, a faint smile playing on her lips.
It seemed the Ran Family incident had greatly affected her, and she had grown significantly over the past half year.
The law hall was sparsely decorated, reflecting the simplicity of the Chaos Shadow Realm.
Li Jingyu looked around with interest until Ji Yutang’s not-so-friendly voice sounded, and she focused her gaze on the cold, oppressive eyes.
“What are you here for?” That day was a confrontation between the Demon Sect and the Immortal Sect.
She didn’t want to judge who was right or wrong, but the Ji Family, caught in the middle, was utterly destroyed.
In the Dragon Palace, she often recalled that incident, pondering over the details revealed by Li Jingyu.
Did she know about this all along? Was it her opportunity? Did she not care about dragging others into it? She saw Li Jingyu’s kindness towards her, but also understood her indifference and cruelty… Time had brewed her emotions into something extremely complex, and she didn’t know how to treat Li Jingyu—at least not like before.
Li Jingyu replied leisurely, “It seems coming to the Dragon Palace is the right path for you.”
“The right path?” Ji Yutang’s lips curled into a mocking smile.
She was just a chased, homeless dog.
Her cold gaze lingered on Li Jingyu, her thin lips tightly pressed, gradually losing patience.
“The Ran Family has fallen, and the Tianhai Demon Sect has suffered significant losses.
This is a great thing for you.”
“Yes.” Li Jingyu nodded without hesitation, meeting Ji Yutang’s gaze, and said frankly, “But it’s not enough.”
Ji Yutang didn’t speak, just frowned at Li Jingyu.
Li Jingyu chuckled, crossing her arms, and said, “It’s been a while, and it seems we’ve grown distant.”
Ji Yutang retorted, “Were we ever close?” Li Jingyu laughed, “Are you here to find answers from me? But I think you should ask yourself.”
The silence stretched on for a long time.
Ji Yutang clearly didn’t want to delve into this troubling and headache-inducing matter, so the topic circled back to the beginning: “What are you here for? To become a prisoner of my North Sea?”
“Of course not.” Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow, sensing Ji Yutang’s heightened defenses compared to before, but she stubbornly chose to take a step forward, gazing at the bloodstain on Ji Yutang’s cheek, and said, “Is it a chaos monster? Even with your strength, you bled?”
Ji Yutang fully revealed her impatience: “This has nothing to do with you.” She met Li Jingyu’s gaze defiantly and added, “If you don’t state your purpose, I’ll have to see you out.”
Li Jingyu sighed softly, “I just came to see you, is that not allowed?” Ji Yutang sneered, “Is that possible? Don’t you have other motives?” Li Jingyu’s laughter echoed in the law hall.
She shrugged and said, “Alright, I do have a purpose.” She thought for a moment, choosing her words carefully, “Chaos Shadow Realm, the laws are just forming, and now the mysterious demons are preaching here, trying to seize the opportunity.
Of course, your Beihai Demon Cultivators mostly face the unenlightened demon tribes, while only our Demon Sect and Immortal Sect spread human teachings.”
“You want to ally with my Beihai Demon Cultivators?” Ji Yutang interrupted Li Jingyu before she could finish, pointing out her intention.
Li Jingyu didn’t mind Ji Yutang’s coldness.
She nodded and said, “Indeed, I want your North Sea’s help.
Not to deal with the Immortal Sect.”
Ji Yutang was surprised, “Then is it to eliminate the chaos monsters together?” Li Jingyu shook her head, speaking slowly, “To clear out the Demon Sect cultivators in the Chaos Shadow Realm.”
Like a giant bell ringing in her ears, Ji Yutang was first stunned, then found it reasonable for Li Jingyu to do such a thing.
After all, it wasn’t the first time she had taken deadly action against Demon Sect cultivators.
Taking a deep breath, she fixed her gaze on Li Jingyu, mocking, “The struggle within the Demon Sect never ceases, even at this point?”
“I’m afraid you misunderstood.” Li Jingyu’s face was calm, “Although I practice demonic cultivation, I don’t recognize those Demon Sect cultivators as my fellow cultivators.
They are destined to be destroyed.”
Ji Yutang let out a “ha” and added, “Does the Tianhai Demon Sect know that the demon seed they brought back is such a dangerous person?” The demon seed brought about the downfall and decline of the Demon Sect, so what kind of catastrophe would the Supreme Dao Ancestor bring?
Li Jingyu saw through Ji Yutang’s thoughts at a glance.
She smiled and said, “I will only be myself.” The word “demon” has countless meanings, just as the Demon Ancestor has countless forms among Demon Sect cultivators.
But ultimately, it is a pure path, with many things added by later generations.
Now that the Demon Sect’s path is collapsing, it must be reshaped to return to purity.
The Demon Ancestor is a path, and the Supreme Dao Ancestor is also a path.
The latter path is no longer viable for her, so she must start with the demonic path to truly achieve her Dao fruit.
Due to the chaos monsters, a delicate balance is maintained between the various strongholds.
But if given the chance, whether it’s the North Sea or the Immortal Sect, they would be willing to kill all the demon cultivators in the Chaos Shadow Realm.
After all, the demonic path they preach is chaotic and would only cause more chaos in the realm.
If she could join forces with Li Jingyu, there would indeed be benefits.
Ji Yutang questioned bluntly, “What if you’re deceiving us?” Li Jingyu smiled helplessly, “When have I ever lied to you about such matters? I have no intention of harming you.”
“But you’re not honest enough.
If this has always been your goal, why only admit it now?” Ji Yutang continued.
Li Jingyu didn’t respond, her gaze deep and unfathomable, like an abyss: “Because you have no way out.” She enunciated clearly, speaking very slowly.
Ji Yutang looked at Li Jingyu expressionlessly, preferring not to hear this answer.
She had no way out because the Tai Shang lineage’s intentions were fully exposed, because the Ji Family was destroyed by the mysterious demons? She hated the Demon Sect, but also harbored resentment towards the Immortal Sect?
Seeing her silence, Li Jingyu assumed she had agreed to the alliance.
She suddenly took a few steps forward, approaching Ji Yutang, and said, “Now that you know my intention, can we discuss other matters?”
Ji Yutang abruptly stepped back, putting distance between herself and Li Jingyu.
A hint of annoyance flashed in her eyes, and she said in a harsh tone, “There’s nothing to discuss between us.”
“Really? Don’t you have questions for me? Back then at the Ran Family—”
“Shut up!” Ji Yutang angrily interrupted.
Li Jingyu opened her mouth, feigning hurt.
After a long while, she spoke softly, “Whether you believe it or not, I truly wanted to take you away.”
“I believe you, but so what?” Ji Yutang bit her lip, glaring at Li Jingyu, “You took the opportunity to avenge the Ran Family and used the Tai Shang lineage cultivators to eliminate a major enemy in the Demon Sect.
You got what you wanted, but what about me? Why did my parents have to get involved in these matters?”
Li Jingyu frowned, “But isn’t that the fault of the Tai Shang plan?”
“I know.” Ji Yutang’s emotions gradually calmed down.
She looked at Li Jingyu with a serene expression and self-mockingly smiled, “But I can’t help but blame you, vent my anger on you.” She had seen Ran Jingri and the Demon Sect cultivators in action.
Ran Jingri had nothing to do with her, but the Demon Sect cultivators were related to Li Jingyu.
Whether it was a brief cooperation or something else, it was all brought by her.
The tangled, complex emotions were like thorny vines, wrapping around her heart tightly while also piercing it, leaving it bleeding.
She couldn’t help but think of past events.
Back then, when the Yan Family interacted with demon cultivators, did Li Jingyu know about it too?
“Alright then.” Li Jingyu understood the barrier Ji Yutang had developed at this moment.
She didn’t deny her indifference.
Seeing Ji Yutang’s resistance, she no longer brought up “personal matters” and instead turned to the plan to deal with “demon cultivators.”
When discussing this common goal, Ji Yutang’s mood gradually relaxed.
But when she faced Li Jingyu, the overwhelming thoughts would always engulf her, inevitably reminding her of certain people and events.
“Let Liansheng discuss it with you then.” Ji Yutang pretended to be lighthearted.
“Liansheng? The merfolk accompanying you?” A glint of interest flashed in Li Jingyu’s eyes.
Ji Yutang nodded, unexpectedly, Li Jingyu didn’t ask further and simply replied, “Alright.” It seemed her visit was truly to discuss dealing with demon cultivators, and who sat before her was completely unimportant.
A few days later, the North Sea stronghold welcomed a new visitor.
Ji Yutang found it difficult to show a good face to the Tai Shang lineage cultivators.
But thinking of the day Qin Ruoshui and Senior Sister Yan stood in front of Ran Jingri, she forced a smile, albeit a bit strained, to receive the visitor.
“Daoist Friend Ji, Qin apologizes for the intrusion.” Qin Ruoshui raised his sleeve, offering Ji Yutang an apologetic smile.
He had learned about the “Supreme Dao Ancestor” from his elders, even knowing more than others.
After the return of Tai Shang, as the Dao body of the Dao Ancestor, it would naturally exhaust its vitality and dissipate into Primordial Qi.
The Tai Shang lineage awaited the Dao Ancestor’s guidance, placing their hopes on the Dao Ancestor, believing it would save countless people.
In comparison, the sacrifices of Ji Yutang and Ran Guzhu were entirely justified.
They even believed Ji Yutang should embody the spirit of “sacrificing oneself for righteousness.” But this was just a surface excuse.
After one lie, who knew if there would be more? Were they truly just trying to bring back the Dao Ancestor to restore the Immortal Sect’s glory?
“Daoist Friend Qin, are you here for Li Jingyu?” Ji Yutang asked coldly.
Qin Ruoshui’s intention wasn’t hard to guess, given he arrived shortly after Li Jingyu.
In the past, Tai Yuan Dao Palace disciples would go directly to Fan City to seek the Dao seed, not “visit” her.
Qin Ruoshui straightened up and said, “Indeed.” His gaze was sharp, “Is the Demon Sect allying with the North Sea?”
Ji Yutang glanced at Qin Ruoshui, indifferent, “Why would Daoist Friend Qin ask that?”
Qin Ruoshui pondered for a moment before explaining, “If it were other demon cultivators, no, but that Ji Yue from the Demon Sect—she is different towards Daoist Friend Ji.”
Ji Yutang denied without hesitation, “Daoist Friend Qin is mistaken.
My North Sea only focuses on handling our own affairs and will not ally with other forces.
It has nothing to do with the Demon Sect, and even less with your Tai Shang Palace.”
Qin Ruoshui felt ashamed upon hearing this, but thinking of Li Jingyu, he raised his head again, his gaze sweeping over Ji Yutang’s face.
He couldn’t question Ji Yutang’s words directly, so after a moment of thought, he said, “Is she still at the North Sea stronghold?”
Ji Yutang didn’t hide this point.
She nodded, “Yes.” After a pause, she asked, “Does Daoist Friend Qin want to see her?”
Qin Ruoshui’s expression was heavy.
He nodded, “Yes.” Seeing the coldness in Ji Yutang’s eyes, he added, “Not for the Supreme Dao Ancestor, but for something related to myself.”
“Is that so? It depends on whether she’s willing.” Ji Yutang forced a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
She didn’t trust the Three Supreme Palaces, and her suspicion extended to Qin Ruoshui.
With Ran Guzhu and Ran Jingri both in trouble, the “Tai Shang plan” had returned to the hands of Tai Yuan Dao Palace.
Were they targeting Li Jingyu? After all, she and Ran Guzhu were twins.
Qin Ruoshui noticed Ji Yutang’s sarcasm.
He opened his mouth to explain, but didn’t know how to articulate it.
The Tai Shang plan was now laid bare, with some trying to “move with emotion and reason,” while others wanted to suppress with cultivation… In any case, they needed to bring back the two key figures, and the delay was only due to the lack of a suitable opportunity.
Li Jingyu soon learned of Qin Ruoshui’s request to meet her, and she didn’t refuse this small “personal request.” Twirling a strand of hair around her finger, Li Jingyu leaned lazily against the dragon pillar, her demeanor relaxed and languid.
“Is Daoist Friend Qin here to persuade me?” Li Jingyu asked slowly.
Qin Ruoshui’s gaze swept over Li Jingyu’s face.
He steadied himself and said, “Qin doesn’t want to get involved in the Tai Shang plan.” Seeing Li Jingyu’s silent smile, he continued, “Qin wants to know something.”
Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow, “Please, Daoist Friend Qin.”
Qin Ruoshui met Li Jingyu’s gaze and said only three words, “Junior Sister Ran.”
“Shouldn’t you ask Ran Jingri about this? Or your sect leader, since he personally refined the artifact.” Li Jingyu feigned confusion.
Qin Ruoshui ignored the subtle sarcasm in Li Jingyu’s tone and said, “The artifact destroyed the self-awareness, but what about the primordial spirit?” After the Ran Family incident, Wang Shenyu brought back Ran Guzhu’s body and sealed it in the underground palace.
He secretly went to see it and found the body “devoid of any spirit.”
Li Jingyu asked, “Who said it only destroyed the self-awareness?”
“I guessed.” Qin Ruoshui frowned, “If not, why would they bring Junior Sister Ran’s body back?”
“Qin Ruoshui, should I mock your naivety?” Li Jingyu straightened up, a mocking smile on her lips, “Isn’t the Tai Shang bloodline in that body enough? The body and flesh remain intact, what else is important? Of course, they might think a ‘Supreme Dao Ancestor’ born from a corpse is too shabby, so they first target the living.”
Qin Ruoshui’s face turned deathly pale.
He trembled, his lips quivering, and after a long time, he said in a shaky voice, “You’re lying!”
Li Jingyu glanced at Qin Ruoshui, exuding cold arrogance, “Whether it’s a lie, you’ll see in time.”
Qin Ruoshui’s expression grew even more desolate.
In the past, he wouldn’t have doubted Tai Yuan Dao Palace, but the events he experienced caused his steadfast Dao to crumble, shaking his once unwavering heart.
If it was merely a Demon Sect scheme, it would only prove the Demon Sect’s success, but perhaps it also indicated one thing—the Tai Yuan Dao Palace had indeed changed.
Li Jingyu watched with interest as Qin Ruoshui’s faith collapsed.
She squinted her eyes, in a good mood, and said, “Any other questions? I can satisfy you.”
Qin Ruoshui shook his head, lost and dejected.
Shortly after Qin Ruoshui left, Liansheng walked nervously up to Li Jingyu.
Although the other person always smiled and didn’t show any demonic aura, she was still afraid, worried that the other person might act out at any moment.
“Qin Zhenren asked about your cooperation with Beihai.
His Highness sent me to ask you if we should tell Qin Zhenren about this,” Liansheng cautiously spoke.
Li Jingyu smiled faintly and said, “They should know, shouldn’t they?” After a pause, she added, “What is your Highness doing? Out hunting chaotic creatures?”
Liansheng didn’t hide anything and replied honestly, “Preaching in Fan City.”
Li Jingyu nodded and stopped paying attention to Liansheng, transforming into a beam of light and heading towards Fan City.
The people here lived in peace and prosperity, a stark contrast to the cities under demonic control.
The filthy, dirty, and evil things hadn’t taken root in the hearts of the common people along with the Daoist thoughts.
They were like a blank sheet of paper, still maintaining their original purity.
In the center of the city was a ritual altar, bearing traces of Tai Shang, likely built by past Tai Shang cultivators searching for Dao seeds.
It had now become Ji Yutang’s place for preaching.
Li Jingyu watched Ji Yutang silently until she stood up and the people around the altar dispersed, then revealed herself.
Ji Yutang had long noticed the intense gaze.
She met Li Jingyu’s eyes, her gaze involuntarily shrinking.
After handing matters over to Liansheng, she had been avoiding meeting Li Jingyu, both openly and secretly.
Since Li Jingyu hadn’t asked, she was happy to remain carefree, hoping to continue this way until she returned to the Demon Sect’s base.
But now, Li Jingyu had appeared in front of her.
“How many days are you going to avoid me?” Li Jingyu asked.
Ji Yutang denied it outright, “That’s not true.”
“Really?” Li Jingyu’s tone rose, clearly not believing Ji Yutang.
She followed Ji Yutang until they entered the ritual hall in the base before stopping.
Ji Yutang suddenly spoke, “I heard from Liansheng that the matter is settled, only the oath remains.”
Li Jingyu sneered, “You heard from her, why not hear from me?”
Ji Yutang looked at her silently for a while before saying, “Then you tell me.”
Li Jingyu’s gaze darkened, “Qin Ruoshui came to inquire, didn’t he?”
Ji Yutang neither confirmed nor denied, only saying, “If you don’t want to, I naturally won’t tell him.”
Li Jingyu smiled, “Why wouldn’t I want to? After all, no one wants to eliminate the Demon Sect more than the Immortal Sect cultivators.
Tell him, let him bring the Three Supreme Palaces to the Demon Sect’s base.”
Ji Yutang said, “You’re making me doubt your intentions.” Li Jingyu’s fight against the Demon Sect cultivators was to seize the Demon Sect’s Dao lineage, while her grudge against the Three Supreme Palaces was deeply rooted in her heart.
Li Jingyu’s expression showed a hint of helplessness, “Why don’t you trust me one more time?”
Ji Yutang looked away, avoiding Li Jingyu’s gaze, afraid of being deceived by the false emotions in her eyes.
She lowered her head, speaking calmly, “I understand.
Now, if you have nothing else, you can leave.”
Li Jingyu looked up at Ji Yutang, “I still have something.”
Ji Yutang scoffed, “That has nothing to do with me.”
“How could it not?” Li Jingyu chuckled softly, her tone suddenly becoming tender, like a lover’s whisper, “Why don’t you want to see me? Is it because you don’t want to see this face?”
“Yes.” Ji Yutang answered frankly.
That was indeed one reason, but not the fundamental one.
After all, appearance was just “external.”
“I see.” Li Jingyu understood, her tone drawn out, the helplessness and melancholy pouring out like a volcanic eruption.
“Can you leave now?” Ji Yutang hardened her heart, issuing an eviction order.
“No.” Li Jingyu shook her head, smiling at Ji Yutang, “My confusion hasn’t been resolved.
What if I no longer have this face?”
Ji Yutang sneered, “Can you peel off your skin?”
“If you want, it’s not impossible.” Li Jingyu sighed, flipping her wrist to produce a dagger gleaming with cold light.
She gripped it backward and slashed it across her cheek as if she wasn’t cutting her own skin.
Ji Yutang was startled by Li Jingyu’s action, casting a spell at her wrist, angrily saying, “What are you doing?!”
“As you wish.” Li Jingyu laughed freely, her wrist red from the spell, but the dagger didn’t fall, leaving another intersecting bloodstain on her cheek.
Blood flowed down her cheek, dripping to her lips.
She licked it, her dark and deep eyes filled with a hint of madness and insanity.
Ji Yutang was furious with Li Jingyu.
She took a deep breath, transforming into her dragon form, and struck Li Jingyu with her tail.
The dagger fell to the ground with a crisp sound, and the powerless Li Jingyu was sent flying, crashing into a pillar.
Ji Yutang stared at her, eyes burning with anger, a hint of rage brewing within.
Seeing Li Jingyu reaching for the dagger, she flew forward, wrapping around Li Jingyu, binding her tightly to the pillar.
Li Jingyu faced the White Dragon’s golden eyes.
She tilted her head, sighing, “Too tight.”
The White Dragon didn’t move.
Li Jingyu leaned forward slightly, her cheek brushing against the White Dragon’s cold, gleaming scales.
“Ji Yutang, it hurts a bit.” Li Jingyu softened her tone, her words clear, her eyes seemingly covered with a layer of mist.
The White Dragon glared at her, exasperated, “You’re sick!”
Li Jingyu squinted, happily admitting, “Yes.”
