Chapter 109
The issue of the fishing village was resolved, but the fate of the Water Yasha on the island remained uncertain.
Xiao Xiao knew that the revived demon race was unacceptable to the heavens. She needed to find a way to conceal their existence, to ensure they wouldn’t harm humans. It was a daunting task.
As they returned to the island with Madam Fu, the Water Yasha, sensing their Saint’s return, crowded the docks, their anticipation palpable.
Their obedience to her was absolute. As she stepped ashore, they knelt, their cries echoing through the air.
But Madam Fu, following behind her, gasped, her voice filled with astonishment. “What… what happened to you?”
The toad-like Water Yasha, in the few days she had been gone, had shed their rough skin, their forms gradually resembling those of humans.
And they were no longer mindless creatures. They even uttered a few simple words.
Xiao Xiao, the Demon Saint, her presence, her power, had triggered their evolution, granting them a human form, a privilege usually reserved for the demon nobility.
Even Madam Fu hadn’t anticipated this.
And these newly humanized Water Yasha… they seemed to be developing human emotions.
Xiao Xiao even saw a female Yasha, adorned with a piece of colorful fabric, wrapping similar pieces around a few younger Yasha, mimicking human fashion…
It seemed her own personality, her love of beauty, was influencing them…
Madam Fu, her eyes shining, was ecstatic. Human forms, intelligence… it meant greater strength! They wouldn’t be so easily defeated by the heavens!
Xiao Xiao, exasperated by her constant focus on war, said, “Is their only purpose to fight, to kill? What separates them from insects? I doubt Wei Feng intended for her people to return, to wage war against the heavens.”
Madam Fu, her anger flaring, said, “You weren’t there. You don’t know the betrayal, the suffering, we endured.”
Xiao Xiao’s gaze, cold and sharp, silenced her. Madam Fu, realizing her transgression, fell to her knees, begging for forgiveness.
Xiao Xiao’s influence over them was undeniable. Even Madam Fu, despite her resentment, wouldn’t dare defy her.
Xiao Xiao sighed, her anger fading. She couldn’t erase centuries of hatred with a few words.
But Wei Feng’s sacrifice… it couldn’t be in vain. The ancient Flame Emperor’s daily recitations had had an effect. The Water Yasha had changed.
But their hatred, their desire for revenge wouldn’t vanish overnight. She hoped to guide them, to teach them compassion, to fulfill Wei Feng’s wish.
As long as they could let go of their hatred, learn to coexist peacefully, she believed there was a place for them in the world.
And with the demons’ return, a threat to the heavens, perhaps those complacent deities would be forced to reconsider their actions, to become less… Dongyuan-like.
They searched for a new home for the island, consulting the ancient texts in the temple. The answer, it seemed, lay in their past.
The Demon City, before the war, had been located near the Fan Mountains in the west, a location surprisingly aligned with Qilao Mountain, thousands of miles away.
According to Tang Youshu, a master of Feng Shui, if Qilao Mountain was the mouth of the underworld, then the Fan Mountains were its belly!
In ancient times, it had been a prison, a place where powerful deities had sealed away monstrous creatures, a place of immense yin energy.
And the demons… they had been tasked with guarding it, their role similar to the Wei family’s.
But they had felt betrayed, their contributions undervalued, leading to their rebellion.
That region, its land barren, its mountains shrouded in snow, its salt flats desolate… it had been their home.
Xiao Xiao, learning about their history, their connection to the heavens, had an idea – they should return to their ancestral land.
It was easily defensible, its terrain harsh. If the Dongyuan Emperor hadn’t tricked them, using peace talks to lower their guard, the celestial army wouldn’t have been able to breach their defenses, nearly wiping them out.
And more importantly, since Wei Jie’s divine power core had shattered, the underworld had become unstable, tremors shaking the earth, creatures escaping. It was unsettling.
If the Demon City possessed the ability to suppress yin energy… then wouldn’t its return restore balance?
Madam Fu, although initially hesitant, was overruled by the other demons, their faith in their Saint unwavering. The plan to relocate the island was set in motion.
But moving an entire island was a monumental task, beyond their capabilities. Even with Xiao Xiao, Wei Jie, and the demons’ combined power, it wasn’t enough.
Xiao Xiao, focusing her energy, drawing upon the temple’s power, could only lift the island, not move it.
They needed more power.
While she pondered a solution, Tang Youshu, ever the teacher, established a school on the island, teaching the newly humanized Yasha demons to read and write.
He had always enjoyed teaching, believing that knowledge, understanding, could dispel even the darkest of influences.
The island echoed with the sounds of their lessons, their voices a chorus of stumbling attempts at pronunciation.
But teaching these unrefined creatures was challenging.
He often thought of Yu Ling’er, her quick wit, her eagerness to learn, her intelligence… compared to them, she had been a model student.
He wondered how she was doing, whether she was getting along with the five phoenixes. His thoughts drifted, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, his heart longing for her.
The Yasha demons, mimicking him, their faces thoughtful, their gazes fixed on the endless sea, sighed, their voices a chorus of longing.
Where did their hearts belong?
Wei Jie wasn’t on the island. He had left, claiming to have business to attend to, when Xiao Xiao realized she couldn’t move the island on her own.
She spent her days in the temple, studying the ancient texts, their pages filled with demonic scriptures. Her understanding, however, seemed instinctive. A few lines, and she grasped their meaning.
She lounged on cushions, sipping sweet coconut water, brought to her by the Water Yasha, her mind absorbed in those tales of ancient times, of deities and demons, of battles and betrayals.
There was even a story about the current Heavenly Emperor, his journey from mortal to immortal.
His ascension wasn’t unique. Even in ancient times, achieving immortality required sacrifice, the renunciation of desires, a path of hardship and dedication.
And his union with the Queen Mother was a celestial legend, a tale of love and devotion.
Xiao Xiao, however, wasn’t interested in fairy tales. She closed the book, taking another sip of coconut water.
She wondered if the Water Yasha, once they returned to their ancestral land, would adapt to the harsh climate.
A commotion erupted on the docks. Several ships had arrived.
As she and Tang Youshu hurried to greet them, they saw Wei Jie, accompanied by the Wei family, and the elders of the three remaining Great Sects.
Over a hundred individuals… it was an impressive sight.
They were here to help them move the island.
The Wei family’s presence was understandable. But the other sects… how had he convinced them?
Wei Jie shrugged. “I learned from the best, didn’t I? Diplomacy… it’s an essential skill. The Great Sects… they’re struggling, their influence weakened by the emperor’s restrictions. I offered them a deal. If they helped us, the Crown Prince would lift those restrictions, allowing them to rebuild, to recruit new disciples. They’re not known for their altruism. Why refuse such an offer?”
All three sects, except the Soaring Cloud Pavilion, whose leader and heir had vanished, were present.
Some were apprehensive, suspecting the island harbored demonic entities.
But Xiao Xiao’s presence, her Saint’s aura, had accelerated the Water Yasha’s transformation.
They no longer resembled toads. They looked human.
Although fabric was scarce, forcing them to wear garments made from woven palm leaves, and their understanding of the scriptures was rudimentary, they greeted the newcomers with bows and smiles, their voices echoing Tang Youshu’s teachings. “Welcome, friends, from afar! Your presence brings us joy!”
They seemed like a newly discovered tribe, their behavior innocent, their manners polite.
Xiao Xiao, her skills honed, her voice filled with emotion, spun a tale of a displaced people, exiled to this island, their suffering a testament to their resilience. The Water Yasha, captivated by her story, wept, their cries echoing through the air.
The ancient war between the demons and the celestial army hadn’t involved many mortals. And those who knew the truth were either dead or ascended.
How could they possibly know about this island, a secret even the heavens were unaware of? The Wei family, sensing the truth, remained silent, their loyalty to their ancestors, their respect for the ancient Flame Emperor’s legacy, preventing them from revealing it.
And the other sects, with the Crown Prince’s endorsement, didn’t question the origins of these… savages. They agreed to help.
Their motives varied, but their goal was the same.
They gathered before the temple’s altar, their legs crossed, their breaths synchronized, their minds focused.
The island, surrounded by Transportation Talismans, their power amplified by nearly a hundred cultivators, responded to Xiao Xiao’s command.
She had spent several days on the island, her connection to the temple strengthening.
It was a strange sensation, but she could now channel their combined power, and the island, as before, rose into the air.
Golden light emanated from her body, forming threads, pulling the island upwards.
And then, in a blinding flash, the island vanished, reappearing in a desolate wasteland.
The Demon City’s foundation, a vast crater, remained, a scar upon the land. And the island, perfectly aligned, settled within it.
The Demon City, lost for centuries, had returned.
The cultivators, witnessing this feat, the sudden shift in their surroundings, were stunned.
They had agreed to help, but they hadn’t truly believed it was possible.
They had come to appease the Crown Prince, not because they thought they could actually move an island.
They exchanged glances, a silent acknowledgment – the Lingshan Talisman Sect, despite its obscurity, possessed unimaginable power. They were the true leaders of the cultivation world.
This displacement was felt even in the celestial realm.
The news of the Demon City’s reappearance, no longer hidden on a remote island, reached the heavens, delivered by the local earth deity.
The Heavenly Emperor was in seclusion, the Queen Mother ruling in his stead. Hearing the report, her expression remained impassive. “The demons, in their arrogance, sought to overthrow the heavens, causing chaos and suffering,” she said, her voice cold and steady. “The celestial army, in their righteousness, eradicated them. But someone… someone has interfered, preserving their lifeline, allowing them to return. This… disruption… it cannot be tolerated. We must eliminate those responsible, to restore order. Do any of you object?”
The deities, accustomed to her authority, remained silent, their agreement a foregone conclusion.
But a voice, ancient and powerful, echoed through the hall. “When heaven and earth were separated, the demons earned their city, their place in the world, by vanquishing the creatures of the underworld. They might be ruthless, their hearts devoid of mercy, but they were essential to maintaining balance. Since their demise, the yin energy of the underworld has grown unchecked, creatures escaping, wreaking havoc in the mortal realm. The ancient Flame Emperor kept them at bay. But now… with him gone, the underworld is vulnerable, guarded only by mortals. This… it will lead to chaos. The demons’ return… it restores balance. Why interfere?”
Rong Yao turned, her gaze fixed on the speaker – Wise Ancestor, an ancient deity.
He was as old as the heavens, his power rivaling even the Heavenly Emperor’s. Even she had to show him respect.
But his words, his defense of the demons… it was foolish.
“You are wise, Ancestor,” she said, her voice smooth, her smile unwavering. “You know the demons’ history. They might have been necessary once, but they betrayed our trust, becoming a threat. If we don’t eliminate them, they will bring suffering upon the world.”
Wise Ancestor stroked his beard, his voice filled with a weary sadness. “The demons’ leader… he was once the Heavenly Emperor’s brother, fighting alongside him. But their paths diverged, one ascending to the heavens, the other ruling the underworld. But even the Heavenly Emperor, in his mercy, sought peace with them. It was the Wei Feng Divine Lady, ignoring his orders, who led the attack, slaughtering them. She was punished, her actions a violation of the treaty. The massacre… it wasn’t the Heavenly Emperor’s will. Why not… correct this mistake? Give the demons a chance? Honor the Heavenly Emperor’s original intention?”
Rong Yao smiled. “Your compassion is admirable, Ancestor. Even those bloodthirsty demons… you offer them kindness. You are a true role model. But they were slaughtered. Their hearts are filled with hatred. They won’t accept our kindness.”
Wise Ancestor, his gaze steady, his voice filled with meaning, said, “Kindness… it’s a gift, freely given. It doesn’t require acceptance.”
Her smile faltered. “Since you insist, Ancestor,” she said, her voice carefully neutral, “we will follow your advice. I will send an envoy to negotiate with them, as the Heavenly Emperor intended. Whether it leads to peace or war… it’s up to fate.”
Wise Ancestor, saying nothing more, hummed a tune, a melody from the mortal realm, his steps slow and measured, as he left the hall.
Rong Yao watched him go, her eyes cold.
He might be a recluse, but his influence was vast. His disciples, those he had guided, were among the most powerful deities. She couldn’t ignore him.
But listening… didn’t mean obeying. Those deities, those carefree immortals… they hadn’t faced the demons.
They didn’t understand the danger, the futility of showing them mercy.
Wei Feng… she had been his disciple. They shared the same naive idealism. If she hadn’t interfered, if she had followed orders… none of this would have happened.
And her actions had corrupted Dongyuan, his heart twisted by her betrayal, his path darkened. That… she couldn’t forgive.
She returned to her palace, to her pond, the fish swarming, their hunger for those Golden Cores insatiable.
Meanwhile, the Demon City, relocated, stood upon its ancient foundation.
Xiao Xiao, her duty fulfilled, prepared a feast to thank those who had helped them.
But the Wei family couldn’t stay away from Qilao Mountain for long. The underworld was becoming increasingly unstable, and the Book of Life and Death… it had been stolen.
A single page had caused them so much trouble. And now… the entire book was gone. But Grandmother Wei, surprisingly, was calm.
The thief, it seemed, wasn’t one of their own. The precision, the skill… it suggested a celestial hand.
She could fight against traitors, against demons. But against a deity…
The Wei family had served faithfully for generations. If the heavens punished them, they would accept their fate. But to have helped Cui Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie… it was enough.
She gave them a few instructions, her voice laced with concern, describing the escalating chaos in the underworld, then, with a final farewell, led her people back to Qilao Mountain.
The other three sects, their task complete, returned to their own territories, awaiting the emperor’s decree, the lifting of the restrictions.
The wasteland, harsh and unforgiving, was still their ancestral land. The demons adapted quickly, using the clay to build walls, to construct shelters. The Demon City, its walls rising from the sand, was slowly taking shape.
And strangely, as the city was rebuilt, news arrived from Qilao Mountain – the tremors, the unrest in the underworld… it had subsided.
Xiao Xiao’s theory had been correct. The Demon City… it was a stabilizing force, suppressing the yin energy, maintaining balance.
Its removal had inadvertently weakened the barrier, allowing those creatures to escape.
The chaos that would unfold two hundred years later… it wasn’t just because of the demons’ return. It was also because of the creatures unleashed from the underworld.
She wanted to confirm whether their actions had affected that future, that inevitable conflict.
But the Feng Shui mirror, the old monk’s gift, refused to reveal anything.
Tang Youshu, examining the mirror, his brow furrowed, suddenly exclaimed, “These gold beads… could they represent… celestial alignments? Perhaps… it only works on certain nights, when the stars are aligned, reflecting the future?”
His theory made sense. They studied the arrangement of the beads, then, under the full moon, atop the newly built city wall, they raised the mirror.
As Tang Youshu had predicted, as the moonlight touched its surface, the mirror flickered, an image appearing – the main hall of the Lingshan Talisman Sect.
Ji Wuqi and Jiang Nanmu were standing before it…
But Ji Wuqi, his gaze fixed on Cui Xiao Xiao’s reflection, his expression bewildered, exchanged a quick glance with his junior sister.
“Senior Brother, it’s me!” Xiao Xiao said, her voice eager. “Tell me, are there still… refugees?”
Ji Wuqi, his beard neatly trimmed, bowed politely. “May I ask your name, miss?”
Xiao Xiao was taken aback by his impeccable manners. The Ji Wuqi she knew was a gruff, impatient man of few words.
He had never addressed her so formally. She suspected he was teasing her. “It’s me! Xiao Xiao! Your Junior Sister! Don’t you recognize me?”
The two disciples, exchanging a confused glance, said in unison, “We don’t have a Junior Sister.”
Xiao Xiao’s heart clenched, a wave of unease washing over her. “Senior Brother, Second Senior Sister, stop joking! It’s me, Cui Xiao Xiao, Master Tang Youshu’s last disciple! How can you not know me?”
This time, hearing her name, their expressions shifted, their eyes widening. “You said… your name is Cui Xiao Xiao?” Ji Wuqi asked, his voice hesitant.
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