NOVPUB“The Demon Realm Mark is reacting, which means this letter must be from a Demonic Cultivator… And such a strong reaction indicates it’s from the Demon Realm Empress herself.”
“But where did that beautiful snake send this letter from…? From Sister Ying?”
As Mu Zhi’an pondered, he opened the paper crane and read the contents:
“The Primordial Demon Emperor has been sealed by the Jade Empress for over a thousand years, and he’s now a mere flickering flame. But even a spark can ignite a wildfire. The remnants of the previous Demonic Cultivators are sworn enemies of the Western Regions, but the previous Demon Realm had cooperated with the Southern Wilderness. The Southern Wilderness won’t offer help, but if you’re to eliminate the Primordial Demon Emperor, act swiftly and decisively, avoid prolonged battles.”
“The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s strength increases with each battle. If it realizes it cannot escape, it will burn its essence and drag others down with it. Don’t engage it in close combat. You should be safe within the sect with that woman’s protection, but be wary of hidden dangers.”
“Within the sect, the remnants of the previous Demonic Cultivators wouldn’t dare to attack you, but consider external threats as well.”
Her serious tone made it seem like she genuinely wanted to teach me how to defeat the Primordial Demon Emperor…
But how could a mere Core Formation cultivator like me possibly… Despite his inner complaints, Mu Zhi’an’s eyes held a thoughtful glint.
Was the Primordial Demon Emperor truly that formidable, or was the Demon Realm Empress being overly cautious? The Primordial Demon Emperor had been sealed by the Jade Empress for so long, his Spiritual Energy nearly depleted. Yet, the Demon Realm Empress still felt the need to send a warning letter.
It seemed the Primordial Demon Emperor was more resilient than he had imagined…
It also showed how seriously the Empress viewed the threat he posed, wanting to eliminate him as soon as possible.
Mu Zhi’an continued reading:
“The recent death of Young Master Mu has shaken the Eastern Realm. Your little girlfriend seems to care deeply for you. With the protection of the Forbidden Zone and the Two Polarities Sect, you should be safe from harm.”
“However, your own strength is also important. Once bound by the Desolate Time Lock, escape is difficult. Take care.”
The last part sounded more like a tease, but Mu Zhi’an hadn’t expected the Demon Realm Empress to be so gossipy, even mentioning such a thing.
“Why is she so concerned about me, even reminding me to be careful?” Mu Zhi’an wondered after finishing the letter.
“The Demon Realm Empress is quite thorough. Despite being far away, she’s observant… If I end up with her, will she instantly catch me if I cheat? And she seems to be able to read minds. That’s a bit dangerous…”
“Besides, her charm is unparalleled… What if she uses it on me? Wouldn’t I be doomed?”
As Mu Zhi’an’s thoughts spiraled, he suddenly slapped his forehead. Why am I worrying about this now? Don’t I have enough trouble already?
If things got any more unstable, he might actually end up locked up in a dark room.
Although the girls around him were kind and cared for him, their recent reactions had been a bit alarming.
He needed to stabilize the situation before considering anything else.
…
Mu Zhi’an flew towards Two Polarities Peak on his sword. Perhaps anticipating his arrival, the peak’s formations were deactivated, allowing him entry.
He entered the familiar pavilion, where the Sect Master was already seated, leisurely sipping tea and playing Go against herself.
Mu Zhi’an didn’t interrupt. He observed the Go board.
With every move she made, a white stone would automatically appear on the board, as if someone was playing against her. It was quite fascinating.
He caught a whiff of a faint, sweet fragrance.
Shang Yanfei was dressed in a black dress embroidered with light blue flowers, exuding an air of elegance. Her long hair cascaded down her back, and her ample bosom strained against the fabric of her dress. She seemed to be wearing light makeup, looking even more beautiful than he remembered.
Could it be that she dressed up for me… Mu Zhi’an thought, amused.
As Shang Yanfei made another move, he spoke, “Sect Master.”
“Have a seat,” she said without looking up.
Mu Zhi’an sat down opposite her and said respectfully, “Thank you for saving me, Sect Master. I will repay this debt, even if it means becoming your servant.”
Shang Yanfei paused her game and looked at him, a faint smile in her eyes. “You died saving the Jade Empress. It was only right for me to help you.”
Mu Zhi’an hesitated for a moment. “Regarding this matter, there’s something I don’t understand.”
Seeing that she didn’t speak, he continued, “The Primordial Demon Emperor has been making frequent moves recently. If he realizes he can’t obtain the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit and the Rebirth Water, he will surely burn his essence. In that case, the Eastern Realm might descend into chaos.”
After much deliberation, Mu Zhi’an decided to bring this issue to the Sect Master.
The Primordial Demon Emperor was a Dao Integration cultivator. He couldn’t be dealt with through schemes alone. Even a severely injured Dao Integration cultivator was a force to be reckoned with.
“What do you think should be done?” Shang Yanfei set down her Go piece, narrowed her eyes, and looked at him intently.
Mu Zhi’an hesitated for a moment. “If the Primordial Demon Emperor burns his essence, it will depend on whether the other powerful beings can suppress him. If not, there might be massive casualties.”
“Besides, the remnants of the previous Demonic Cultivators might also make their move soon.”
As he spoke, Mu Zhi’an observed the Sect Master’s expression. She remained calm, her eyes flickering as if pondering his words. Then, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
“The peak masters and elders are currently at the Enforcement Hall, discussing plans to capture the remnants of the previous Demonic Cultivators. If you have any ideas, you can go there later,” Shang Yanfei said with a smile.
Mu Zhi’an shook his head. “I’m just a lowly disciple. My petty tricks might not be useful in such a grand plan.”
“Don’t be so modest. You were able to navigate between the sect and the Demon Realm in the past. You must have some skills,” Shang Yanfei said with a chuckle.
She really knows everything, but she never reveals anything… Mu Zhi’an thought, feeling a chill down his spine.
“You don’t need to worry about the Primordial Demon Emperor. If possible, just focus on helping the sect eliminate the remnants of the previous Demonic Cultivators,” Shang Yanfei said.
Then, she changed the subject. “The Southern Wilderness and the Western Regions will both send participants to the Ascension Ceremony. Are you confident?”
Mu Zhi’an shook his head. “As a mere third-grade Core Formation cultivator, I can’t say I’m confident.”
He paused, then continued, “However… I have faith in the talented disciples within our sect.”
The powerful beings from the Southern Wilderness and the Western Regions wouldn’t have proposed the wager if they weren’t confident.
The Western Regions and the Southern Wilderness might not be as prosperous as the Eastern Realm, but that didn’t mean their geniuses were inferior.
After all, the ‘evil deities’ of the Southern Wilderness were physically stronger than human cultivators. This difference only narrowed after reaching the Nascent Soul Realm.
But Shang Yanfei wouldn’t have accepted the challenge if she wasn’t confident.
No one would have guessed that the key to this competition wasn’t the sect’s talented disciples, but an unassuming figure on the sidelines.
Mu Zhi’an’s Innate Celestial Furnace would be the deciding factor in the Ascension Ceremony.
They chatted for a long time. Shang Yanfei seemed to care for the young cultivator, probably because he was a disciple of the sect.
Seeing that it was getting late, Mu Zhi’an excused himself.
He had been hearing terrifying thunderclaps since he arrived, indicating that the Jade Empress’s Primordial Spirit Tribulation was reaching its peak.
Once she overcame it, the Eastern Realm would have another Dao Integration cultivator!
As Mu Zhi’an left Two Polarities Peak, Shang Yanfei resumed her game of Go.
Not long after, Lan Mulian, dressed in a white dress, her aura as cold as snow, arrived at the pavilion and greeted the Sect Master.
“Master, was someone here just now?” Lan Mulian asked hesitantly.
“You already know, don’t you?” Shang Yanfei glanced at her disciple with a faint smile. “If you go after him now, you might still catch him.”
“I have nothing to say to him.” Lan Mulian paused, then looked at her stunning master. “Should we prepare the sect’s formations in advance?”
The Two Polarities Sect had a powerful formation. Each of the nine main peaks served as a formation node, and the peak masters could activate the formation together.
Lan Mulian bringing this up now clearly indicated she knew about the Primordial Demon Emperor.
“I’ve already instructed them to prepare,” Shang Yanfei said, picking up a Go piece with a smile.
“He won’t be able to cause much trouble.”
“Is that also the result of divination?” Lan Mulian asked.
“There’s no need for divination,” Shang Yanfei replied calmly.
Then, she added softly, “If you don’t know the future, it won’t change.”
“But once you divine the future and become aware of it, the outcome might be altered.”
“If the outcome can be changed, even I might be powerless to stop it.”
“Therefore, it’s better not to divine the future.”
Lan Mulian hesitated. “Are there things even Master can’t do?”
In the eyes of the Two Polarities Sect disciples and even elders from other Primordial Clans, the Sect Master was incredibly mysterious and powerful. As long as she was around, the Eastern Realm wouldn’t fall.
Even Mu Zhi’an still held a certain awe towards her. 𝓃𝓸𝓿𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝓬ℴ𝓶
Shang Yanfei rested her chin on her hand, her clear eyes like a deep pool, looking at her disciple.
“Of course.”
“I’m not invincible.” She smiled.
Lan Mulian fell silent, her gaze lingering on the white-gold chain hanging from her master’s wrist, hidden beneath her sleeve.
Shang Yanfei had always worn this chain.
And it was a chain that bound her.
—
