Category: I, The Man Who’ll Conquer Both the Immortal Venerable and the Demon Empress

Chapter 185: The Great Shift in the Tides of Power

Shi Hao followed Sha Lingshan to a manor house.

As evening approached, the sky darkened.

A crystal lamp filled with Night Fragrance Grass and a burning candle illuminated the room, casting a warm, orange glow.

Shi Hao sat at the table.

Sha Lingshan sat beside him, accompanied by Plum Blossom Lady and Peach Blossom Lady.

The Emerald Beauty hovered near Shi Hao’s shoulder.

After a while, Dragon Girl entered, looking at Shi Hao hesitantly.

Sha Lingshan said, “This is the Young Master.”

Dragon Girl hadn’t seen his true face before.

He had always appeared before them disguised as “Hao Xinghua,” his true identity hidden from all but the three faction leaders.

He didn’t want too many people to know what he really looked like.

This wasn’t because he didn’t trust them. Xuan Feng Huanzhi, Yue Yaotai, and Sha Lingshan all knew about the Demon Empress and wouldn’t dare betray him.

And the demonic sects had their ways of dealing with traitors.

Under Elder Shuiyue’s arrangement, Dragon Girl was now in charge of the Evil Lotus Sect’s intelligence network.

Shi Hao guessed this was for balance. Although the three factions had reunited, their past rivalries wouldn’t disappear overnight.

With Elder Shuiyue now the sect’s Elder, if she also controlled the intelligence network, Xuan Feng Huanzhi and Yue Yaotai would be suspicious, worried she might manipulate information or even isolate the Young Master, using her position to consolidate her own faction’s power.

Having Dragon Girl, a member of the Black Lotus Realm, in charge of intelligence, reassured them that Elder Shuiyue wouldn’t be able to control the flow of information.

“Greetings, Young Master,” Dragon Girl bowed. She was short, her hair in two buns, dressed in a simple red robe… Traditionally, respectable women wore layered clothing of different colors.

A single color was usually worn by servants or low-ranking women.

Of course, Dragon Girl’s status within the Black Lotus Realm was far from that of a servant.

This was simply her disguise, the demonic sects preferring to operate in secret.

In fact, both her martial arts skills and her position within the Black Lotus Realm were higher than Snake Charmer’s.

“You may rise,” Shi Hao said, extending his hand, a gentle force lifting her up.

Although he didn’t have time for the sect’s day-to-day affairs, he still had to maintain a certain level of authority, especially with Dragon Girl, who controlled the flow of information. He had to show her that he valued her.

“Thank you, Young Master,” Dragon Girl said, standing up.

Even standing, she was barely taller than Shi Hao, who was sitting.

He asked, “Have you found out why Yuejiao and the others went to Wu Gorge?”

Dragon Girl shook her head, “Not yet, but there’s a young girl with them, about thirteen years old. She seems… special. Her skin is fair, her features delicate, and Yuejiao and the others treat her with respect.”

Shi Hao thought, A thirteen-year-old girl?

He couldn’t think of anyone Yuejiao knew who fit that description.

Even Yue Ya’er, although petite, was older than that.

Dragon Girl lowered her voice, “I observed Miss Yuejiao from a distance. Her aura seems different now, colder, more distant.”

Shi Hao said, “Yuejiao has always been aloof.”

Dragon Girl said, “I don’t know her very well, but she seems… different.”

Shi Hao asked, “Was there an old woman with them?”

Dragon Girl shook her head, “Just the four of them. No old woman.”

Shi Hao wondered, Did Madam Demonic Vine let them go? Or did Hou Bomin and Xiang Gu rescue Yuejiao?

But as long as Yuejiao was with Hou Bomin and Xiang Gu, she should be safe.

He asked, “What’s the situation in the martial world?”

Dragon Girl said, “Chaos everywhere. Sheng Menghui in western Chu was initially quite successful. The barbarian court couldn’t mobilize enough troops to that remote region, and he had gained support from many martial artists by claiming to be part of Fu Shiyuan’s rebellion.

“But after his connection to Hong Chui, the Thunderclap, was revealed, his forces scattered, many of his followers establishing their own factions. He abandoned his pretense of righteousness and resorted to brutal tactics to maintain control, even seeking recognition from the barbarian court and colluding with the Six Gates.

“It seems he’s made a deal with the barbarian court. They’ve withdrawn their troops, and he’s now suppressing the rebellion in their name. It’s a strange turn of events.”

She paused, then continued, “The Danyang Society has completely replaced the Hanyang Gang and is expanding rapidly, controlling most of the Hanyang River and its tributaries. We’re almost certain that Xiong Wanghu, the ‘Tiger Roaring Saber Hero,’ is connected to the Poisonous Sunflower Sect. But because of ‘Hidden Dragon’ Shi Chongyun’s assistance, the Nine Villages repelled the Hanyang Gang, disrupting their plan to control the entire region.”

She glanced at Shi Hao.

Shi Hao smiled, “You don’t have to be so formal. I am Shi Chongyun. But ‘Hidden Dragon’… I haven’t heard that nickname before. Who came up with it?”

Dragon Girl hurriedly bowed, “So it is you, Young Master. Please forgive my presumption. The nickname ‘Hidden Dragon’ originated in the Ba Mountains and was then spread by the Yuan Rong Merchant Guild. It’s become quite popular in the jianghu.”

Shi Hao nodded, “Continue.”

Dragon Girl said, “In Dàxīng City, the Shark Dragon Gang has been completely eliminated, their remnants crushed by the barbarian court. The Ascending Heroes Gang, after a long and costly battle, failed to conquer the Mystic Virtue Society and the White Sword Society.

“And then, the Heaven and Earth Gang, which had been biding its time, suddenly attacked, helping the Mystic Virtue Society and the White Sword Society defeat the Ascending Heroes Gang.

“Now, the Heaven and Earth Gang controls Dàxīng City. Although they’re the oldest of the three gangs, they’ve always been relatively low-key, content with being second or even third in power. Their sudden rise to dominance is unexpected.”

Sha Lingshan, waving her fan, smiled, “They were waiting for the right opportunity. In these turbulent times, those who seek power have to act decisively. Whether they’re heroes or villains, those with ambition are making their moves.”

Shi Hao said, “So the Heaven and Earth Gang has been hiding their ambition all along. But this is good. Their rise will contain the Danyang Society’s expansion. And the Danyang Society, in turn, will prevent the Heaven and Earth Gang from expanding too quickly.”

Dragon Girl continued, “Dark Thunder seems to have disbanded, but many of the rebellions across the land are still led by their former members. Guan Rong, the ‘Heroic Leopard’; Qian Dehui, the ‘Invisible Earth Shadow’; and the newly emerged Dragon and Phoenix Society… they all have connections to Dark Thunder.

“Fu Shiyuan died in battle at Mount Dingkang. His son, Fu Xiong, has taken up his mantle, leading a small band of rebels in the northeast, but their strength has dwindled. They’re constantly on the run.

“There are many uprisings along the lower reaches of the Long River, where refugees have gathered. It’s a hotbed of rebellion, but also a heavily guarded region. And in Jiangzhe, there’s a rebel group called the Yellow Heaven Army, led by Li Badao, who has already captured seven of the twenty-one prefectures of Jiangyin.”

She lowered her voice, “This Li Badao is one of ours.”

Sha Lingshan, waving her fan, said, “Even I didn’t know that.”

Dragon Girl said, “He’s an outer disciple of our Black Lotus Realm. He’s quite capable, having reached the sixth rank through the external techniques we taught him. He was sent to Jiangzhe years ago, his connection to us kept secret. We’ve been providing him with resources, and now, seizing this opportunity, he’s launched a rebellion. He’s doing quite well.”

Sha Lingshan said, “Wait a moment, Young Master,” and hurried out of the room. She returned shortly.

Shi Hao and Dragon Girl looked at her, puzzled.

Sha Lingshan, looking at Dragon Girl, smiled, “This Li Badao has an adopted daughter, adopted when she was eleven, named Li Xiu’er. She’s eighteen now, right?”

Dragon Girl, surprised, said, “Yes, he does. Why…?”

Sha Lingshan smiled, “She’s one of ours. She joined our Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion when she was very young. She’s quite clever.

“Over the years, she’s gained Li Badao’s trust and has even recruited several talented young martial artists. They’re planning to have Li Badao ‘killed’ by the barbarian army, then use his death to rally their troops and consolidate their power.

“I’ve sent a message to Jiangzhe, telling Li Xiu’er to stop.”

Dragon Girl said, “But…”

Sha Lingshan looked at her, “Is this Li Badao loyal to the Black Lotus Realm?”

Dragon Girl hesitated, “He is now, but he’s just an outer disciple, and he’s ambitious. If he becomes truly powerful, he might not need us anymore.”

Sha Lingshan waved her fan, “In that case, let Li Xiu’er stay with him, helping him while also keeping an eye on him. If he betrays us, we’ll deal with him. I’ll give you her contact information. Send someone you trust to meet with her, and she’ll follow your orders.”

Chapter 184: Forgetting the Sword to Find the Sword, The Plague Harmonia Envoy

The wind picked up, swirling the fallen leaves around them.

Huang Facai, following the trail of corpses, reached Tu Baoquan’s body, a sword protruding from his chest, and saw the blood-soaked young man standing over him, his aura radiating power and menace.

But Huang Facai was a seasoned martial artist. He knew the young man was stalling, trying to recover his strength.

He roared, unleashing a wave of demonic energy.

The black energy, like a solid wall, surged towards Shi Hao, propelled by his fist.

Shi Hao flickered, rolling to his left, grabbing a branch as he moved, and then, with a swift, fluid motion, thrust it towards Huang Facai’s ribs.

He was using the branch as a sword, its tip radiating a sharp, icy energy.

With intent as his guide, anything could become a sword.

Huang Facai dodged and counterattacked.

Shi Hao, using the Soul Chasing Locking Steps, stayed close, always to his left.

Huang Facai’s left arm had been severed by the Parting Hook.

He was a palm fighter, his forearms protected by hidden metal bracers.

He hadn’t yet adjusted to fighting with one arm.

And for Shi Hao, this was a weakness to exploit.

Huang Facai, not wanting to engage in a prolonged exchange of techniques, used his Absolute Defense, his body enveloped in a swirling black aura, like a demonic flame, as he lunged towards Shi Hao.

Shi Hao, however, his branch a blur, unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one targeting a gap in Huang Facai’s defenses, his movements precise and controlled as he circled him, retreating step by step.

Having forgotten the sword, he had found it again.

Huang Facai was inwardly shocked… This young man’s swordsmanship had improved dramatically since their last encounter in the Ba Mountains.

His simple branch, wielded with such skill and precision, neutralized Huang Facai’s overwhelming power.

Despite his strength, Huang Facai was constantly on the defensive, his attacks easily deflected, like a giant trying to swat a mosquito.

With a crash, a tree shattered under his fist, and he kicked the broken trunk towards Shi Hao.

Shi Hao leaped back, narrowly avoiding it.

But even as he retreated, the branch in his hand still radiated a faint sword intent, aimed at Huang Facai’s left side, a constant, subtle pressure.

The broken tree trunk, spinning through the air, shattered two more trees before landing with a thud, the grass around it withering instantly.

Shi Hao landed gracefully, the branch in his hand whistling softly, its aura sharp and menacing.

Both Tu Baoquan and Huang Facai were stronger than him.

And they had many men with them.

But from the beginning, Shi Hao had used his knowledge of tactics and strategy to negate their advantage in numbers.

He had used the blood poison impurities to weaken Tu Baoquan, preventing him from using his full power.

And now, against Huang Facai, although enraged, he had targeted his opponent’s weakness, forcing him to constantly adjust, his powerful techniques ineffective.

“Huang Facai” wasn’t his real name. He had held a high position within the Poisonous Sunflower Sect, entrusted with this mission of infiltrating the Hanyang Gang and expanding their influence in the Ba Mountains and the Hanyang River region.

However, having failed to conquer the Ba Mountains, his status within the sect had declined.

In the demonic sects, only results mattered. He had used a significant amount of the sect’s resources without achieving his objective. He was now on the periphery.

That’s why he hadn’t been able to properly recover from his injury… In these turbulent times, any delay meant missed opportunities.

And now, having returned to the jianghu, he had encountered this young man again.

He couldn’t retreat. So many lives lost, a fifth-rank expert sacrificed, and he had nothing to show for it. Returning to the sect empty-handed would be disastrous.

He had to capture this young man and retrieve the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison.

Seeing another attack coming, the branch aimed at his left ribs, he dodged slightly and lunged towards Shi Hao.

The branch pierced his side, grazing a rib, the wound, although painful, not fatal.

As the branch shattered, he struck out with his palm, a surge of demonic energy aimed at Shi Hao.

Shi Hao, having anticipated this desperate attack, didn’t try to block it.

He leaped back, his right hand reaching out, grabbing the sword embedded in Tu Baoquan’s chest.

Huang Facai’s demonic energy surged, a wall of force pressing down on him – the Life Severance technique.

He was surrounded by the crushing force, with no escape.

At the last moment, Shi Hao raised his sword, creating a whirlwind that pulled at the demonic energy.

Then, he slashed downwards, and the world seemed to collapse inwards, the demonic energy, caught in the vortex, swirling towards his blade. He was using the Azure Sky Immortal Thunder Sword, fueled by the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art.

Huang Facai watched in disbelief as the world before him seemed to shrink, everything being drawn towards a single point.

Such a bizarre and inexplicable phenomenon, unlike anything he had ever seen.

Their figures crossed, a blur of motion.

Shi Hao stumbled, his hands on his knees, gasping for breath, then collapsed onto the grass, exhausted.

Behind him, Huang Facai, a sword protruding from his chest, swayed, his eyes wide with disbelief.

“Impressive… swordsmanship,” he murmured.

A wry smile appeared on his face… no anger, no regret, just… acceptance.

He had been outmatched.

He collapsed, his body falling to the ground.

Shi Hao sat there, breathing heavily.

He was covered in blood, his body aching, exhausted.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, stood up with some effort, his sword in hand, and then searched Huang Facai’s body, finding a bundle of silver notes but nothing else of value.

Demonic cultivators rarely carried anything that could reveal their secrets or their affiliations.

He then searched Tu Baoquan’s body and found a jade talisman.

It was cold to the touch, a faint light emanating from within. A magical weapon.

As he walked out of the forest, he examined the talisman, using his Primordial Energy and his knowledge of such artifacts to discern its function.

—The “Plague Dispelling Talisman.”

—Containing the Divine Crystal: Plague Harmonia Envoy.

—Effect: Dispels plagues and diseases caused by the four Plague Stars: Eastern Plague, Southern Plague, Western Plague, and Northern Plague.

No wonder Tu Baoquan hadn’t used it. It wasn’t a combat-oriented weapon.

Most divine crystals granted abilities that weren’t directly useful in battle.

He wondered why Tu Baoquan had been carrying it.

The four Plague Stars had been used by the barbarian army three hundred years ago.

Emperor Lie Zunyi had infused four of his warriors with these divine crystals, creating the “Four Plague Generals.”

They had caused significant damage to the Chinese forces resisting the barbarian invasion.

Of course, after three hundred years, those Four Plague Generals were likely long dead, and the four Plague Stars hadn’t reappeared since.

Or perhaps they had, but were kept hidden. After all, such weapons, capable of causing widespread death and destruction, were dangerous to use.

The Plague Harmonia Envoy’s main function was to neutralize the effects of the four Plague Stars.

And there was another divine crystal, the Persuasion Benevolence Envoy, which could prevent plagues from occurring, but couldn’t cure existing ones, while the Plague Harmonia Envoy could cure plagues but couldn’t prevent them.

Unlike most magical weapons, the Plague Dispelling Talisman could be used twice a day, and it had thirty uses remaining, each use covering a fifty-li radius.

It seemed it had never been used.

Shi Hao examined it closely. It was pristine and new, clearly recently crafted.

As he emerged from the forest, he sensed someone approaching and quickly hid behind a tree… He was too exhausted to fight, even against a low-ranking opponent.

The approaching figure, a woman, also stopped, looking around.

Shi Hao, relieved, stepped out, “Branch Leader Sha.”

“Young Master,” Sha Lingshan, the woman in the green robe, exclaimed, “You’re injured?”

Shi Hao smiled, “I had a… disagreement with the Poisonous Sunflower Sect. I’m a bit bruised, but nothing serious.”

A small figure flew from behind Sha Lingshan, “Young Master!”

It was the Emerald Beauty.

Shi Hao nodded, “Let’s leave this place.”

Escorted by Sha Lingshan and the Emerald Beauty, they left the forest.

Along the way, Shi Hao washed the blood and grime from his body in a stream.

His internal energy, circulating continuously, was slowly returning.

He asked, “Do you know where Yuejiao is?”

Sha Lingshan waved her fan, “I was just about to tell you, Young Master. According to Dragon Girl, Miss Yuejiao, along with Hou Bomin and that Xiang Gu girl, have gone to Wu Gorge.”

Shi Hao turned, surprised, “Wu Gorge?”

Chapter 183: Divine Swordsmanship

Huang Facai and Tu Baoquan were baffled by the young man’s fighting style.

He was clearly only sixth-rank. How could he be so powerful?

Shi Hao’s use of fire had been clever, the swirling flames creating a barrier between him and his two pursuers.

They tried to flank him, but he leaped over the flames, his body enveloped in a layer of ice.

One of their men, emerging from the flames, was still patting out the embers on his clothes when a flash of sword light appeared before his eyes.

He reacted quickly, retreating and unleashing a volley of poisoned darts.

Shi Hao’s sword flashed, a whirlwind of energy deflecting the darts and sending them back towards their owner.

With a series of clangs and thuds, the man, his body riddled with darts, collapsed, blood streaming from his seven orifices.

He had been killed by his own weapons.

Huang Facai and Tu Baoquan were both shocked and enraged. They hadn’t even touched him, and he had already killed five of their men.

Seeing him flee into the forest, they gave chase, the others following.

Shi Hao ran, but he couldn’t shake them off.

They were determined to kill him here and now, not just because of the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison, but also for revenge.

Logically, with Huang Facai and Tu Baoquan both being fifth-rank, and Shi Hao only sixth-rank, they should be able to catch him eventually.

But Shi Hao’s stamina seemed limitless, maintaining a steady distance, while their own men, unable to keep up, gradually fell behind.

He reached a wide river, its waters churning, the wind whipping across its surface.

He leaped onto the water and ran towards the opposite bank.

Huang Facai and Tu Baoquan also leaped onto the water, using their movement techniques to pursue him.

As they reached the middle of the river, Shi Hao suddenly turned.

With a flick of his wrist, he manipulated the water, creating a wave that surged towards them.

Huang Facai and Tu Baoquan were stunned. He controlled wind, fire, and now water?

The Three Origins Flowing Pearl Technique, a secret art of the Taisu Immortal Pavilion, normally combined the Immortal Ice, True Water, and Profound Wind Techniques. Shi Hao had already surprised them by integrating the Mysterious Charm Technique, wielding both wind and fire.

Now, he was controlling water as well. Standing on the river’s surface, they had nowhere to dodge.

Fortunately, their cultivation was high, and with two powerful strikes, they shattered the wave, sending water spraying in all directions.

But Shi Hao had already used the force of the wave to propel himself over their heads, turning and running back towards the shore he had just left.

Tu Baoquan, enraged, ran forward, his palm striking downwards, creating a geyser of water.

He then used the water column as a springboard, his fifth-rank power evident as he leaped across the river.

Huang Facai, having lost an arm in the Ba Mountains, and his movement techniques less refined than Tu Baoquan’s, had to reach the opposite bank before turning back.

As Shi Hao reached the shore, a martial artist ran towards him, trying to intercept him.

If he reached the bank first, Shi Hao would be forced back into the river.

Shi Hao, however, glared at him, and the man’s movements faltered, a momentary hesitation.

Shi Hao reached the shore, passing the man, who, recovering from his daze, attacked with his saber.

Shi Hao’s sword flashed, and after a few swift exchanges, the man, a sword through his forehead, collapsed.

Tu Baoquan, still on the river, watched in disbelief and frustration.

He couldn’t understand why his man hadn’t reached the bank in time… He should have been faster.

He had been gathering his energy, ready to strike the moment Shi Hao was intercepted, sending him into the river.

But his man’s inexplicable hesitation had ruined everything.

Shi Hao ran, having reversed his direction on the river, creating a strange situation.

Although still seemingly pursued from both sides, Tu Baoquan was now behind him, and Huang Facai was behind Tu Baoquan.

And although there were several men ahead of him, their varying speeds had spread them out.

And with the dense forest, those further behind didn’t even know he was coming.

One of them, seeing him suddenly appear, was caught off guard. Although he attacked with his full strength, Shi Hao seemed to anticipate his every move, his sword intercepting his weapon at the last moment, disrupting his attack.

Before he could recover, Shi Hao’s sword pierced his throat.

He stumbled and fell.

Shi Hao continued forward, cutting down those who had fallen behind, their energy depleted, their movements sluggish.

He killed them all, his relentless pursuit enraging Tu Baoquan, who was closing in.

Although he had eliminated those pursuing him from the front, Tu Baoquan was now right behind him.

Tu Baoquan roared, unleashing a wave of poisonous energy.

The grass withered, the leaves on the trees shriveled, and the bark turned black.

Shi Hao, however, his aura intensifying with every kill, felt a surge of power.

He had been absorbing the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison, and although most of it had been integrated into his cultivation, the burning heat within him hadn’t completely subsided.

Now, with the exertion of battle, the heat dissipated further, leaving behind a residue of impurities swirling within him.

He shifted his footwork, his body spinning, his movements like a hunting cheetah, as he slashed at Tu Baoquan.

His sword, channeling a strange vortex of energy, seemed to draw the impurities from his body, unleashing them towards Tu Baoquan.

With a crash, their energies collided, and Shi Hao was thrown backwards… Despite his increased strength, he was still a rank lower than Tu Baoquan.

Tu Baoquan, however, felt a sharp, stinging sensation in his chest, as if pricked by needles.

Shi Hao crashed into a tree, which snapped, and he rolled on the ground before quickly jumping back to his feet.

They had exchanged energies, and both should have been poisoned.

Normally, even if the poison wasn’t immediately debilitating, it would still require significant effort to suppress.

But Shi Hao, having absorbed the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison, the essence of the Black Blood Crimson Serpent, nurtured by immortal ingredients, although not immune to poison, had a high resistance. Tu Baoquan’s poison had little effect on him.

The impurities from the Blood Poison, however, expelled from his body and carried by his sword energy, now coursing through Tu Baoquan’s meridians, were causing him considerable discomfort.

These were impurities even his dual cultivation couldn’t absorb, and although Tu Baoquan was stronger, he still had to expend energy to suppress them.

Given enough time, he could purge them from his body.

But Shi Hao wouldn’t give him that time. His sword flashed, and he charged forward, his attack relentless.

Three strikes, each a distinct technique, yet flowing seamlessly, a dazzling display of skill.

Tu Baoquan, struggling to suppress the impurities, was inwardly impressed… His swordsmanship is divine!

His intent guided his movements, his sword an extension of his will.

Tu Baoquan roared, unleashing his full power, his poisonous energy surging, trying to overpower him with brute force.

A resounding crash, and Shi Hao, coughing up blood, was thrown backwards.

But Tu Baoquan was also injured, a sword wound in his abdomen.

Shi Hao, kicking off a tree trunk, ignoring his own injuries, pressed his attack, his swordsmanship fierce and determined, a desperate gamble.

Tu Baoquan, realizing his opponent was willing to trade injuries, gritted his teeth and fought back.

The blood poison impurities within him surged towards his heart, disrupting his energy flow.

Several more clashes, and Shi Hao, coughing up more blood, rolled on the ground.

Tu Baoquan, his vision blurring, felt a sharp pain in his chest as Shi Hao’s sword pierced his heart.

He staggered, then collapsed with a gasp.

Huang Facai arrived, his face pale, “Brother Tu?!”

He hadn’t expected Shi Chongyun to kill Tu Baoquan so quickly.

He looked at Shi Chongyun, who, covered in blood, was struggling to his feet.

Since being surrounded by the Poisonous Sunflower Sect, Shi Hao had used his knowledge of strategy and tactics, combined with his unorthodox techniques, to fight and escape.

His initial retreat, creating distance between him and his pursuers, then his sudden reversal at the river, turning their exhaustion against them, had been a brilliant tactical maneuver.

And against Tu Baoquan, he had used the blood poison impurities to weaken him, preventing him from using his full power, then, in a desperate gamble, trading injuries, ultimately defeating him just before Huang Facai arrived.

But he was also severely injured now.

Looking at Huang Facai, his face contorted in rage, his killing intent palpable, Shi Hao smiled faintly, “Run now, and I won’t chase you.”

Chapter 182: Heaven and Earth Have Righteous Qi

Shi Hao, carrying the iron sword, walked through the cold, desolate mountain forest.

Although autumn had arrived, many trees still clung to their green leaves, a mix of green and yellow foliage creating a vibrant tapestry against the clear blue sky. A strong wind blew, scattering the fallen leaves, revealing the remaining green even more vividly.

As he walked, he sang, “Heaven and earth possess a righteous qi, pervading all forms, high and low, in diverse array. Below, it shapes the mountains and rivers, above, the sun, moon, and stars in their cosmic endeavor. Within humans, it manifests as the Boundless Spirit of Integrity, filling the vast expanse of existence, immeasurable. The imperial path should be pure and serene, radiating harmony, illuminating the court, a beacon keen. In times of hardship, true character is revealed, each act a testament, history’s pages sealed.”

His voice, clear and strong, echoed through the mountains.

Emerging from the forest, crossing a river, he looked towards Changbai Mountain, its peak and the surrounding mountains shrouded in white mist.

He suddenly stopped and smiled, “No need to hide. I’ve seen you.”

A cold snort, a surge of killing intent, and two figures emerged from behind the trees: a burly, one-armed man and a tall, thin man.

At the same time, shadowy figures surrounded Shi Hao.

Shi Hao looked at the one-armed man and smiled, “Huang Facai?”

He had mistaken this powerful, imposing figure for the fat, jovial Huang Facai, the former leader of the Hanyang Gang?

The one-armed man glared at him, his killing intent intensifying.

He had lost his left arm in their battle in the Ba Mountains, severed by Xiang Gu’s Parting Hook.

Shi Hao then looked at the tall, thin man, his face gaunt, his forehead high and prominent, his expression cold and impassive.

“And you are…?” Shi Hao asked.

The tall, thin man said slowly, “Tu Baoquan.” A malevolent aura radiated from him, withering the grass beneath his feet.

Shi Hao sighed, “So you’re from the Poisonous Sunflower Sect.”

Tu Baoquan stared at him, “The Poisonous Sunflower Sect isn’t a well-known sect, even among the demonic sects. You’ve heard of us?”

Shi Hao smiled, “Someone warned me about you. Although the Ghost Extreme Sect is large and powerful, that’s just because they have so many members. Sects like yours, hidden in the shadows, are the truly dangerous ones, your poison withering everything it touches, your evil deeds unknown to the world.”

Tu Baoquan said, “It’s a pity. Although you’ve made an enemy of our Poisonous Sunflower Sect, the Hanyang Gang was just a tool, easily discarded. We’re not usually so… vengeful. But you possess the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison. We can’t let you go.”

Shi Hao tilted his head, “So, Madam Demonic Vine was also from the Poisonous Sunflower Sect?”

He sighed, “That explains it. I asked her why the barbarian army and the Ghost Extreme Sect knew about the Sui Marquis Pearl, and she wouldn’t tell me. It was an internal matter of your sect, a secret you didn’t want outsiders to know.”

“You lured the barbarian army there because you couldn’t defeat the Black Blood Crimson Serpent yourselves. Your poison techniques are useless against it, so you used outsiders to weaken it, hoping to take advantage of the situation.”

He shook his head, “I’m not interested in this Demonic Qilin Blood Poison, but since it’s in my body now, I can’t let you capture me.”

Huang Facai’s eyes narrowed, “You don’t have a choice.” For him, this was personal.

He had lost his arm in the Ba Mountains, a humiliation he wouldn’t forget.

And if it weren’t for this young man’s interference, they would have controlled the Ba Mountains by now.

Although they now controlled the upper Hanyang River region through the Danyang Society, their position was precarious.

Shi Hao smiled, “Is that so?” His figure flickered.

As they spoke, the Poisonous Sunflower Sect martial artists who had been hiding in the surrounding area closed in.

With Huang Facai and Tu Baoquan, both fifth-rank experts, and over a dozen other men, Shi Chongyun seemed to have no escape.

After all, Huang Facai had fought him before and knew he was only sixth-rank.

He had easily overpowered him in the Ba Mountains. It was only thanks to that strange woman, Xiang Gu, killing Zhao Xuanding that the situation had turned in their favor.

He could defeat Shi Chongyun alone, let alone with Tu Baoquan and so many others.

He was confident in his victory, eager to capture this young man and make him suffer.

But Shi Hao suddenly moved, his speed incredible, as if pulled away by an invisible force.

Huang Facai hadn’t seen him use this technique in the Ba Mountains.

Two of the men on the side saw the young man approaching them with lightning speed, as if they themselves were being drawn towards him.

They shouted, one drawing his saber, the other his staff.

Shi Hao’s sword flashed.

His strike, carrying an overwhelming aura, was like the legendary Pangu separating heaven and earth.

Although just a single sword strike, it seemed like a thousand exploding stars, and the two men felt their lives threatened, certain they would die if they didn’t dodge.

They leaped aside, each assuming the other would intercept the attack… such a powerful strike couldn’t be a feint.

As Shi Hao passed between them, they glared at each other… Why didn’t you block him?

Then, realizing the other had also been paralyzed by the young man’s aura, they were filled with dread.

What kind of swordsmanship was that?

Huang Facai and Tu Baoquan, realizing the young man had escaped their encirclement, lunged after him.

They hadn’t expected him to break through so easily.

They pursued him relentlessly, the others following closely behind, trees blurring past them, birds taking flight.

Suddenly, Shi Hao’s body curled inwards as he crashed into a tree, then, flipping in mid-air, he kicked off the trunk, changing direction.

Huang Facai and Tu Baoquan also changed direction, trying to intercept him.

Shi Hao kicked off the tree trunk again, his speed increasing, evading them, and charged towards one of their men.

Huang Facai and Tu Baoquan, airborne and off balance, couldn’t match his speed.

Tu Baoquan, watching the young man’s almost ghostly movement towards their companion, his mind racing, remembered a similar technique used by the Evil Lotus Sect.

But the young man’s energy didn’t feel like demonic energy.

Shi Hao was now circulating both his Daoist and demonic energies simultaneously, merging them into a new, unique force.

Normally, he couldn’t achieve this, but the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison, although pushing his body to its limits, had also, due to his amnesia-induced state of mental clarity and detachment, inadvertently pushed him to a higher level of cultivation, a state of perfect harmony with the Dao.

In this state, the Blood Poison, instead of destroying him, had become a catalyst, fusing his Daoist and demonic energies.

Tu Baoquan had never encountered such a strange energy. It was powerful and vast, yet unlike any demonic energy he knew.

Although the young man’s movement technique resembled that of the Evil Lotus Sect, he wasn’t convinced he was a demonic cultivator.

“Look out!” he shouted to the man Shi Hao was approaching.

The man raised his saber, but before he could even strike, Shi Hao’s sword flashed, a line of light across his throat.

It was the “Ephemeral Sword Radiance” of the Six Immortal Lightning Strikes!

Using the demonic Soul Chasing Locking Steps while simultaneously unleashing a Daoist sword technique was something Shi Hao hadn’t been able to do before.

When he had captured Zhuo Mulan, although he had used both demonic and Daoist techniques, there had been a distinct shift between them. It was only because no one had expected him to be a dual cultivator that he had been able to catch her off guard.

Huang Facai and Tu Baoquan, recovering their balance, attacked him again.

Using the Soul Chasing Locking Steps, Shi Hao evaded them, flickering to the side and unleashing the first three strikes of the Azure Sky Immortal Thunder, combined with the Profound Wind Technique.

A whirlwind of leaves, pulled from the forest floor, swirled around him.

The martial artists, undeterred, charged through the swirling leaves.

Shi Hao retreated, then changed his technique again. With a roar, his sword flashed.

This time, he combined the Three Origins Flowing Pearl Technique and the Mysterious Charm Technique, unleashing the “Ice Crystal Phantom Sword” of the Six Immortal Lightning Strikes.

The Ice Crystal Phantom Sword, normally creating a flurry of ice shards to disorient the opponent, now unleashed a torrent of demonic fire, fueled by the Three Origins Flowing Pearl Technique.

The swirling leaves instantly ignited, a sea of flames erupting around him.

Even the Holy Jade Immortal and Su Mei, witnessing this, would have been stunned.

He had combined two seemingly incompatible techniques, not just circulating them simultaneously within his body, a feat in itself, but seamlessly integrating them into a single, powerful attack.

At least three of the attackers were engulfed in flames, their screams echoing through the forest.

The others, their faces blackened by smoke, retreated from the inferno.

Shi Hao’s encirclement had broken.

The screams of the burning men, echoing through the forest, created a chilling symphony of chaos and despair.

Chapter 181: Those Who Live by the Sword

The old man nodded, “Thank you.” Then he looked at the middle-aged man on the boat.

The man with the short, thick hair stood proudly and said, “Although this is a duel of swords, you were injured by Lie Zunyi eight years ago, and I doubt you’ve fully recovered. If we fight now, with your lingering injuries, I would have an unfair advantage.”

The old man asked, “What do you propose?”

The man replied, “A contest of sword intent.”

The old man exhaled slowly and, remaining seated, said, “Thank you.”

A gust of wind rippled the water’s surface.

The old man and the man on the boat faced each other, both motionless.

The old man, as still as a mountain, his eyes closed, his head bowed slightly, as if in meditation, the only sound the faint hum of the sword at his waist.

The middle-aged man stood on the boat, his hands clasped behind him, his body rising and falling with the gentle sway of the boat.

Birds took flight, and animals, startled, looked towards them before fleeing into the forest.

The air around them seemed to distort, and the old man’s body, as if influenced by the water’s movement, began to sway gently.

Then, a powerful sword intent pressed down, and the water’s surface became smooth and still, like a mirror.

Shi Hao, also sitting cross-legged, seemingly lost in thought, watched their duel.

Detached from form and consciousness, united with the Great Dao, this was the state of “sitting and forgetting.”

In this state, the distinction between self and other dissolved, merging with the Dao.

He was an observer, a silent witness.

He saw their invisible sword intents clashing, warping space, like fireworks exploding in the vastness of the universe, their movements transcending the physical realm, leaving no trace in the mortal world.

His previous self, still bound by his physical senses, his ego, wouldn’t have been able to perceive this ethereal battle of pure intent.

But now, his mind free, his spirit unbound, he watched as a detached observer, a silent witness.

He didn’t know their ranks, their identities, their stories.

And because of this detachment, he could truly appreciate their skill, their mastery.

The old man’s sword intent was vast and encompassing, radiating a boundless compassion, a desire to save all beings.

It was the sword of a savior, simple yet profound, unwavering in its purpose.

The other’s sword intent, however, was sharp and domineering, its power absolute, an unyielding force that would crush any who opposed it.

Countless techniques, each unique and unrepeatable, flashed through his mind, a dazzling display of skill.

Shi Hao, his mind clear and still, watched their silent duel, their swords undrawn, yet their sword intents clashing, their energies filling the air.

The world around them faded, only the invisible dance of their swords remaining, their light illuminating the void.

It was a battle that would have stunned the world, yet it existed beyond the realm of the physical.

A thousand swords clashed, the world trembled, their sword intents manifesting as countless techniques, a breathtaking display of power and skill.

Finally, the old man’s sword intent converged into a single, powerful thrust.

The other’s sword intent, like a thunderbolt, descended, its power overwhelming.

As their energies collided, a flash of light, and then silence, the world returning to normal.

The old man remained seated, while the middle-aged man stood on his boat, the gentle sway of the water now rocking him gently.

The old man sighed softly, “I have lost.”

The middle-aged man’s face was expressionless, “Last time, you won by a single strike. This time, I win. You’ve been preoccupied with worldly affairs. Although your sword intent is filled with compassion, your skill has stagnated.”

The old man shook his head, “Although they call me the Sword King, thirty years ago, at your age, I was no match for you, neither in strength nor in skill. You will surpass me.”

The middle-aged man didn’t reply, but looked at the young man beside the old man, “Who are you?”

The young man tilted his head, as if struggling to remember, then said, “Shi Hao. My name is Shi Hao.”

“So you’re Shi Hao,” the middle-aged man said slowly, “You have a powerful enemy waiting for you. He stands on the path ahead.”

He turned, and the boat, as if guided by his will, turned upstream, against the current.

The river wound through the mountains, and soon, the boat disappeared around a bend.

Shi Hao turned to the old man beside him.

The old man looked across the river at the distant mountain, its peak bare, autumn leaves falling from the trees, carried by the wind, swirling across the water’s surface.

He sighed, “I’m old… truly old.”

Shi Hao, after a moment of silence, asked, “Where should I take you?”

The old man smiled, “Nowhere. I’m at the end of my journey. I’ve made my arrangements. I chose this place for our duel, hoping to die in an unknown, forgotten place.

“But I’m glad you were here to witness it. If you don’t mind, bury me in the forest. A simple, unmarked grave will do.”

Shi Hao nodded, then said, “Although your grave will be unmarked, your name will live on in our hearts, remembered for generations to come.”

The old man smiled, a look of contentment on his face, “I don’t need to be remembered. I only wish for our land to be free from the barbarians’ tyranny, for our people to live in peace and prosperity. That has been my only goal, my lifelong pursuit. If that day ever comes, please visit my grave and tell me.”

The wind picked up, swirling the fallen leaves around them. Shi Hao looked at the churning river and said solemnly, “That day is not far off.”

He sat there in silence, looking at the water, his gaze seemingly penetrating its surface, seeing the fish hiding in the depths, seeking shelter from the cold.

He was watching the fish, and they seemed to be watching him.

He smiled faintly, “Don’t look at me like that. Although I seek the Dao, I’m still just… me.”

He sighed, gently lifted the old man’s body, and carried him into the forest.

He drew the old man’s sword… It was just an ordinary sword, the kind you could buy in any village with a blacksmith for a few taels of silver.

He dug a grave, placed the body inside, and covered it with earth.

He went to a nearby rock, his sword flashing, carving a simple, unmarked stone.

He placed the stone at the head of the grave.

He felt a sudden urge to carve the old man’s name on it.

But he didn’t. He simply turned and walked away, his sword in hand.

Names on tombstones were for remembrance, but he knew he wouldn’t forget this man’s name, and neither would the world.

A hero in life, his name would live on in legend.

Zhao Gucheng, the Sword King.

Chapter 180: The Great Dao Follows Nature

Sha Lingshan and Zhu Fei turned around in surprise. The young man who had been eating and drinking beside them was gone.

Zhu Fei was even more surprised. He had been sitting right next to her. When had he left?

Sha Lingshan was also puzzled. Even with her fourth-rank cultivation, she hadn’t noticed him leaving.

Having no time to waste on Li Ximing and Ghost Howl, she floated out the window and searched the area, but he was gone.

Li Ximing and Ghost Howl exchanged glances, relieved.

Li Ximing said, “Let’s get out of here.” Although the Sui Marquis Pearl was important, confronting Sha Lingshan here would be disastrous.

They quickly left, afraid she might return.

Zhu Fei, after a moment of hesitation, also left, paying for their meal.

After everyone was gone, a figure slid down from the rafters above.

He had been hiding there, undetected.

He sat back down at the table, finished his meal, and then left.

---

Shi Hao wandered aimlessly through the city.

As night fell, he walked through the streets and alleys, a silent observer.

He passed a group of gang members fighting, ignoring them.

He spent the latter half of the night in a small Earth God temple, leaving the city at daybreak.

The surrounding area was known for its scenic beauty and historical sites, a popular destination for scholars and travelers, but with the recent unrest in the Qinling Mountains and the barbarian court’s tightened control, few dared to travel now.

Shi Hao entered a maple forest, its leaves a fiery red, his movements light and agile, occasionally leaping through the air, as if riding the wind.

He felt the burning sensation within him subside slightly.

Ever since the Holy Jade Immortal and Su Mei had established his foundation in the Primordial Grotto Heaven, although his cultivation had progressed rapidly, it had also been unstable.

His ninth and eighth-rank foundations had been bestowed upon him.

And after advancing to the seventh rank, he had been infused with a massive amount of True Dragon energy due to the Emerald Beauty’s machinations.

This energy had forcibly propelled his cultivation forward, and it was only thanks to his timely return to the Primordial Grotto Heaven during the full moon, and the intervention of the Holy Jade Immortal and Su Mei, that his foundation had stabilized, allowing him to advance further without incident.

But his sixth-rank foundation remained unstable, like a castle built on sand, its appearance grand, but its structure weak, threatening to collapse at any moment.

And after his breakthrough, preoccupied with the situation in the Ba Mountains, his mind constantly racing, his cultivation had stagnated, relying solely on the passive circulation of his Daoist and demonic energies.

Then, the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison had entered his body, a potent, yang-oriented energy.

It wasn’t a poison but a powerful tonic, and his body couldn’t handle it.

His first instinct had been to escape, knowing that staying there with Du Yuejiao would endanger them both.

By leaving, he had ensured the old woman wouldn’t harm her.

And his subsequent flight through the wilderness, his mind clouded, had been a subconscious attempt at self-preservation.

Like a fever, a seemingly harmful symptom, it was actually the body’s defense mechanism.

By running, by exhausting himself, he had dispersed the excess energy.

Even his “amnesia” had been a form of self-preservation.

A confused mind led to erratic emotions, which disrupted his energy flow.

Now, his mind clear, his thoughts free, wandering aimlessly, he had inadvertently achieved a state of natural harmony, of effortless cultivation.

His Daoist and demonic energies, previously distinct and separate, now absorbed the potent energy of the Blood Poison, which had initially threatened to destroy him. And in this state of mental clarity and physical exertion, they began to merge, intertwining and flowing together seamlessly.

What was Dao? What was demon?

He no longer cared.

Like the yin and yang of the taiji symbol, the two energies within him began to fuse.

He couldn’t have achieved this in his normal state. As long as he differentiated between Dao and demon, they would remain separate, their interaction a constant struggle, even if mutually beneficial.

But now, his mind clear, his actions guided by instinct, the distinction between Dao and demon gone, he had achieved a state of pure, natural harmony.

The two opposing energies slowly merged.

Shi Hao strolled through the maple forest, its leaves a fiery red, white clouds drifting lazily above, occasionally leaping onto a high vantage point, gazing at the vast landscape, a sense of peace and contentment washing over him.

Leaving the forest, he reached a river, a steep cliff on the opposite bank, a dense forest behind him.

He picked up a branch, fashioned a fishing line from its bark, tied it to the end, sat down by the riverbank, and cast the line into the water.

And then, something strange happened. The line, thin and light, like a willow branch in the wind, instead of drifting with the current, stretched taut, its end sinking into the water, as if defying gravity, as if this were the natural order of things.

He hummed a tune as he fished.

The fish below, seeing the line, without hook or bait, were amused.

And he, watching them, was also amused.

He wasn’t fishing for fish, and the fish weren’t interested in him.

He was there, and they were there.

Was he fishing, or were they fishing for him?

The sun climbed higher, its warmth dispelling the morning chill, the water shimmering, the fish leaping and flashing in the sunlight.

An old man, his back hunched, emerged from the forest behind him.

He wore simple brown clothes, a common iron sword at his waist.

He coughed, then looked up at the young man fishing by the river.

He felt a strange sensation, as if the young man and his fishing rod were one with the surrounding landscape, as if he had always been there, a timeless presence.

The old man approached and sat down beside him, looking at the line in the water, “No hook?”

“No hook,” the young man replied.

“And no bait?”

“No bait.”

The old man chuckled, “No hook, no bait… you’re not fishing. What are you doing?”

The young man said, “Cultivating truth.”

The old man thought for a moment, “I’ve heard of cultivating the Dao, cultivating demonic arts… What is this ‘cultivating truth’?”

The young man smiled and recited a poem: “Pity all beings bound by empty names, for only through understanding can one escape life’s games; wisdom shines like the moon in the night, while earthly passions, like ice, cold and bright. Turn back the gate, let the senses cease, and see the void, find inner peace; for flawed actions and incomplete merit are but illusions, and through alchemy’s fire, true enlightenment is not inherit.”

The old man asked, “If ‘flawed actions and incomplete merit are but illusions, and through alchemy’s fire, true enlightenment is not inherit,’ then what is true?”

The young man replied, “Nine cycles complete, yet no elixir found, for spells and charms hold no power profound; without flowing pearls, no lead can be seen, the Great Dao follows nature, serene.”

The old man pondered his words, then nodded, “I understand.”

He sat cross-legged on the grass, watching the young man fish.

The wind died down, the midday sun warming the air.

The young man asked, “Why have you come here, old man?”

The old man looked up at the drifting clouds, “For a fight.”

The young man looked at him, then sighed, “It seems you’ve come here… to die.”

The old man chuckled, “Perhaps. I’ve lived a long life, done what I needed to do. I’m old and frail. It’s time for the younger generation to take over.

“It’s a pity I won’t live to see China restored, our people free. But I believe that day will come.”

The young man looked at him and nodded, “You’re a good man.” His mind clear, his spirit free, he spoke his thoughts without hesitation.

A small boat appeared upstream, drifting towards them.

A middle-aged man stood on the boat, wearing a straw raincoat, his hair short and thick, his eyes sharp and bright, a sword at his waist.

The boat reached them, and the man, turning it with a subtle movement of his feet, faced the old man.

The boat remained motionless in the flowing river, as if anchored by an invisible chain.

The middle-aged man looked at the old man and said, his voice deep and resonant, “You’re early.”

The old man’s voice was frail, “I’ve taken care of everything. It’s a rare day of leisure.”

The middle-aged man looked at the young man fishing, “And who is this?”

The old man said, “A young man cultivating truth. He was already here when I arrived.”

The middle-aged man said, “I’ve heard of cultivating the Dao, cultivating demonic arts… What is this ‘cultivating truth’?”

The old man recited the young man’s words, “Nine cycles complete, yet no elixir found, for spells and charms hold no power profound; without flowing pearls, no lead can be seen, the Great Dao follows nature, serene.”

The middle-aged man pondered these words, then said, his voice low, “He has a point.” He paused, then asked, “Since he was here first, shall we move elsewhere?”

The young man by the river put down his fishing rod, wrapping the bark fishing line around it and placing it across his lap. He smiled, “It’s alright. Although I was here first, I don’t own this place. Do what you need to do. I’ll just watch. I won’t interfere.”

Chapter 179: Freedom Roams: Luo Shan!

Zhu Fei felt a growing sense of unease.

The young man in brocade was likely from one of the four great barbarian families, and Li Ximing and Ghost Howl were both formidable figures in the demonic sects.

And now, they were all focused on the mysterious young man beside her.

She wanted to leave, to distance herself from him and avoid any trouble.

But she was also curious… who was he?

The dishes and wine arrived.

Silence fell over the room.

Zhu Fei, looking at the young man beside her, eating and drinking heartily, worried… he seemed oblivious to the danger, to the fact that both groups were here for him.

He didn’t even remember his own name.

Neither side made a move, each wary of the other, not wanting to create an opening for their rival.

The setting sun cast long shadows across the windowsill, and lanterns were being lit in the street outside.

Soft footsteps echoed from the stairs.

Zhu Fei looked towards the staircase… Barbarian soldiers guarded the entrance below, although the young man in brocade, likely from one of the four great families, had ordered them not to obstruct anyone.

But seeing the soldiers, ordinary people wouldn’t dare enter.

Everyone in the room, except for the oblivious young man, looked towards the stairs.

A young woman, in her early twenties, ascended gracefully, her green, wide-sleeved robe and gold-embroidered skirt flowing around her slender figure, her hair styled in an elaborate bun, a delicate fan in her hand.

Her features were delicate, her eyes gentle, her movements graceful and refined.

She waved her fan, a playful smile on her face, “My, what a lively gathering.”

Everyone had been silent, the only sound the young man’s boisterous eating and drinking, making her comment seem strangely out of place.

The young man in brocade was Chi Mu Juncheng.

Having noticed Zhu Fei’s beauty when he first arrived, he was now even more captivated by this elegant woman with the fan.

He said softly, “Miss, this place has become… complicated. It’s best you leave.” A flicker of protectiveness, unusual for him, appeared in his eyes.

The woman in green smiled, “Thank you for your concern, sir, but I’m here looking for someone.” She walked towards the young man who was eating and drinking, sat down gracefully beside him, and looked at him intently.

The young man, taking a large gulp of wine, looked at her, puzzled, “Me?”

The woman in green covered her face with her sleeve, her voice soft and mournful, “Have you forgotten me already?”

The young man scratched his head, embarrassed, “I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened, but I’ve been feeling… strange lately. My body is hot, my power has increased, my swordsmanship has become… divine. I feel invincible, but I can’t remember who I am.”

Chi Mu Juncheng frowned, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes.

The woman in green sighed sadly, “You don’t remember me, you don’t even remember yourself… but do you remember the child I bore for you?”

The young man’s eyes widened, “Are you the Holy Jade Immortal?”

The woman in green shook her head, “Of course not.”

“Then are you the Enchanting Fire Witch, the Demon Empress?”

The woman in green, her fan fluttering, said in surprise, “Certainly not.”

The young man chuckled, “You’re teasing me. You’re not the Holy Jade Immortal or the Enchanting Fire Witch. How could you have borne my child?” He couldn’t remember anything else, but he vaguely recalled having two wives: the Holy Jade Immortal and the Enchanting Fire Witch.

Zhu Fei thought, This guy is definitely not right in the head.

Ghost Howl, from the other table, chuckled, his voice sarcastic, “Such arrogance.”

The woman in green stood up and gracefully walked towards Chi Mu Juncheng and Qiyan Bao.

Chi Mu Juncheng gripped his spear, his gaze fixed on her… Although she was beautiful, her aura was now powerful and imposing, a clear indication that she was no ordinary woman.

Li Ximing and Ghost Howl also watched her intently.

A loud crash echoed as Qiyan Bao suddenly attacked… He shifted his weight, his left arm swinging, channeling his energy into his right fist, which, large and powerful, slammed towards the woman.

His punch seemed to distort the air around him, his imposing figure, like a mountain, bearing down on her.

The woman in green, however, simply raised her fan and, with a flick of her wrist, deflected his attack. Another crash echoed.

Qiyan Bao crashed through the wall and flew out of the restaurant.

Li Ximing and Ghost Howl’s expressions changed. Chi Mu Juncheng, his spear gripped tightly, his face pale, stood frozen.

Having fought Qiyan Bao in the Demonic Qilin’s Lair, both Li Ximing and Ghost Howl knew his strength.

Qiyan Bao, having attacked with his full power, confident in his superior strength as an external martial arts expert, had intended to overwhelm her with brute force.

But she had effortlessly deflected his attack with her own internal energy.

Such a vast difference in power between opponents of the same rank was impossible. And her slender figure and graceful movements didn’t suggest external martial arts training. Someone like Qiyan Bao, an expert in external techniques, shouldn’t be at a disadvantage in terms of strength.

This meant she was at least fourth-rank.

Zhu Fei’s heart stirred… she had a suspicion about this woman’s identity.

The woman in green, her fan fluttering gently, looked at Chi Mu Juncheng and said softly, “Although I don’t know your purpose here, you won’t achieve it. Why humiliate yourself further?”

Chi Mu Juncheng’s face flushed red, then white. He snorted, turned, and stomped down the stairs, his spear in hand, shouting as he reached the street, “Let’s go!”

He led his men away.

The woman in green, after he left, looked around, waving her fan, and smiled, “Now that he’s gone, we’re all demonic cultivators here. We can… discuss things more openly, can’t we?”

Zhu Fei’s expression remained unchanged, but she was inwardly alarmed… She’s seen through my disguise.

Li Ximing sneered, “Congratulations, Pavilion Lord Sha, on your breakthrough.”

If it had been Xuan Feng Huanzhi or Yue Yaotai, they would have recognized them immediately.

But the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion, although one of the three Evil Lotus factions, was secretive and rarely involved in the demonic sects’ affairs.

Neither Li Ximing nor Ghost Howl had met Sha Lingshan before, but they had heard of her, a young but talented demonic cultivator, her strength rivaling that of Xuan Feng Huanzhi and Yue Yaotai.

Now, seeing that she had reached the fourth rank, they were stunned.

The Evil Lotus Sect, two or three hundred years ago, had been the most powerful demonic sect, its status in the demonic path comparable to the Taisu Immortal Pavilion in the Daoist sects.

But after the sect’s division, even their most talented disciples couldn’t advance beyond the peak of the fifth rank.

Sha Lingshan’s breakthrough to the fourth rank… what did it mean?

They couldn’t help but wonder.

Sha Lingshan smiled, her fan fluttering, “You flatter me. I’m just a humble Branch Leader of the Evil Lotus Sect, rarely involved in the affairs of the jianghu. It’s an honor to meet two such renowned figures of the demonic sects.”

She was indeed much younger than them.

But it was the words “Evil Lotus Sect” that truly shocked them.

Sha Lingshan, who should be a Pavilion Lord, was now just a Branch Leader?

Did this mean the three Evil Lotus factions had reunited?

With the Ghost Extreme Sect weakened, the resurgence of the Evil Lotus Sect was a worrying development.

Even Zhu Fei thought she should report this to her sect immediately.

And there was another question, even more intriguing:

If Sha Lingshan was just a Branch Leader, who was their Sect Leader?

Xuan Feng Huanzhi, Yue Yaotai, and Sha Lingshan were of similar strength. None could have forced the others to submit. And none of the three factions were powerful enough to absorb the others.

Who had united them, bringing the Evil Lotus Sect back to the martial world?

And what impact would this reunited sect have on this era of chaos?

As they pondered these questions, Sha Lingshan smiled, her voice melodious, “The Ghost Extreme Sect has just suffered a major loss, your former leader’s body still warm, and you’re already fighting amongst yourselves for power. It would be a shame if something… unfortunate were to happen to you two here.”

Ghost Howl’s voice was sharp, “You’ve been hiding in the shadows, girl, unknown to us. Now that you’ve reached the fourth rank, you think you’re invincible? If we fight seriously, the outcome is uncertain.”

Sha Lingshan, her movements graceful, her fan fluttering, chuckled, “Is that so? I would be delighted to experience your skills firsthand.”

Li Ximing and Ghost Howl took a step back, wary… Two fifth-rank experts against a single fourth-rank wasn’t an impossible fight.

But the difference in their cultivation levels meant they needed a significant advantage in skill and technique to win. And if the Evil Lotus Sect had truly reunited, it meant the complete Night Charm Demonic scriptures had been restored.

Facing the complete scriptures, their confidence wavered.

And as Sha Lingshan had said, with the internal strife within the Ghost Extreme Sect, they couldn’t afford to be injured.

Li Ximing glanced at the young man who had been eating earlier, wondering about his connection to the Evil Lotus Sect.

Then, he said, surprised, “Where’s that kid?”

Chapter 178: Freedom Roams: Forget the Sword!

Faced with Chen Hong’s enthusiastic attention, Zhu Fei responded with a mix of demure smiles and playful banter, leading the young master of the Humble Treasures Pavilion to believe she was interested in him.

“It’s getting late,” he said, “Do you have a place to stay, Miss Zhu? My Humble Treasures Pavilion has a manor nearby. Perhaps you would honor me with your presence tonight?”

Zhu Fei glanced at the young man who sat beside her, eating and drinking, and hesitated, “Well…”

Chen Hong, as if only just noticing him, looked over, “And this is…?”

Zhu Fei lowered her head, her voice soft and mournful, “Thank you for your kindness, Master Chen, but I… I can’t. I have… some personal matters to attend to.” She dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve.

Seeing her distress, Chen Hong glared at the young man, assuming he was coercing her.

He looked at the young man, his voice sharp, “I am Chen Hong of the Humble Treasures Pavilion. May I ask your name?”

The young man looked at him, “Huh? Are you talking to me?”

He meant, Even if you ask, I don’t know.

Chen Hong, however, mistook his confusion for arrogance, as if he was saying, “You’re not worthy of knowing my name.”

Enraged, he attacked, his finger thrusting forward, splitting into nine blurry afterimages, aimed at the young man’s vital points.

Chen Hong, having trained under a renowned master since childhood, was now an eighth-rank martial artist. His Nine Blossom Plum Technique, its movements fluid and unpredictable, was a powerful attack.

But the young man simply raised his hand and caught his wrist, pushing it down, “What are you doing?”

Chen Hong was stunned. Zhu Fei, watching the young man’s hand, her eyes flickering, couldn’t discern his technique. She continued her act, her voice soft and pleading, “Please leave, Master Chen. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Zhu Fei was a member of the Flower Butterfly Sect, a demonic sect known for its beautiful and seductive members. Their disciples weren’t allowed to leave the sect until they reached the mid-ranks.

They were a secretive faction, their members often posing as righteous martial artists or disciples of renowned sects, seducing and manipulating their targets before discarding them.

Intrigued by this young man, wanting to learn his background, she had provoked Chen Hong into attacking.

She hadn’t expected Chen Hong to use a high-level technique, and she was surprised by the young man’s effortless defense, catching his wrist with a simple movement.

The young man’s casual defense revealed nothing about his skills or his background. So, she continued her act.

Chen Hong, seeing the beautiful woman’s distress, her pleas for him to leave, her concern for his safety, his anger intensified.

He drew his sword, leaped into the air, and unleashed a flurry of sword strikes, thirty-six flashes of light, targeting the young man’s vital points.

Zhu Fei, pretending to weep, watched from the corner of her eye, inwardly impressed. This young master of the Humble Treasures Pavilion was indeed skilled.

His Life Stealing Flower Rain technique, clearly taught by a master, was a powerful attack, each of the thirty-six sword flowers a potential fatal blow.

Chen Hong himself was also pleased with his performance, having never executed the technique so flawlessly. Driven by his desire to protect the beautiful woman, he had surpassed his usual level of skill, unleashing his full power.

Zhu Fei thought, Against such a powerful attack, he’ll either use his mid-rank cultivation to project his energy outwards, revealing his sect’s techniques, or he’ll use an equally powerful sword technique, revealing his background.

But the young man simply raised his chopsticks and, with a single, casual tap, disrupted Chen Hong’s attack, the thirty-six sword flowers dissipating as Chen Hong was thrown backwards, crashing against a wall.

Zhu Fei’s eyes widened… She still couldn’t discern his style.

She had seen him use chopsticks as a sword, a simple, unassuming movement that had somehow neutralized Chen Hong’s intricate and powerful technique.

It was as if he had struck the trunk of a tree, its branches and leaves withering instantly.

Chen Hong’s near-perfect Life Stealing Flower Rain had been effortlessly defeated.

Shi Hao, although having spent a “year” learning swordsmanship in the Celestial Realm, mastering countless techniques, still hadn’t grasped the concept of “sword intent,” as the Holy Jade Immortal had pointed out.

What was sword intent? He had pondered this question during his travels, but he still didn’t understand.

Everyone’s sword intent was unique. What was his sword intent?

He possessed undeniable talent. His rapid progress in both Daoist and demonic cultivation, under the tutelage of the Holy Jade Immortal and Su Mei, had astonished them both.

However, the greater his talent for learning, the more difficult it was for him to grasp these abstract concepts.

But now, fueled by the Blood Poison, his mind clouded, he had forgotten all the techniques he had learned.

He didn’t know what to do, didn’t even remember the techniques he knew.

But those countless sword techniques, ingrained in his memory, resurfaced instinctively.

Facing Chen Hong’s attack, he had forgotten the sword, yet also found it, transcending his limitations, his intent guiding his movements, his body and sword becoming one.

His simple, unassuming strike, a distillation of countless techniques, a culmination of his training, was undeniably a display of mastery.

Chen Hong, slumped against the wall, stared at the young man holding the chopsticks, his face filled with shock and disbelief.

He had lost, but he didn’t understand how.

How had such a simple move defeated his most powerful technique?

A chill ran down his spine… What kind of swordsmanship was that?

Zhu Fei was also stunned. If the young man had used his superior cultivation, that would have been one thing.

But he hadn’t. The power behind his strike had been minimal, far less than Chen Hong’s.

Yet, it had effortlessly neutralized his attack.

This young man, barely twenty, younger than even her, possessed an incredible level of skill.

The young man, having defeated Chen Hong with a single “sword strike,” picked up another pair of chopsticks and resumed eating, as if nothing had happened.

Chen Hong’s face, however, flushed red, then white, his humiliation evident.

His most powerful technique, executed flawlessly, had been effortlessly defeated. He knew he was no match for this young man.

But the beautiful woman was in distress; he couldn’t just abandon her.

“You’ll pay for this!” he shouted, pointing at the young man, “Just you wait!”

He turned and ran down the stairs, then suddenly grunted.

Zhu Fei saw him fly back up the stairs, crashing against the wall with a thud.

This time, he coughed up blood and collapsed, unconscious.

She looked towards the staircase and saw a young man in a brocade robe ascending.

He had a narrow forehead, thick eyebrows, a pointed chin, and muscular arms.

A barbarian general in full armor followed him. And downstairs, the restaurant was surrounded by barbarian soldiers, Chen Hong’s servants pushed aside.

Zhu Fei’s mind raced. She recognized the general. It was Qiyan Bao, a fifth-rank expert in the barbarian army.

A fifth-rank general held a high position in the military. The fact that he was following this young man suggested the young man’s status was even higher.

And Chen Hong had clearly run into him on the stairs, his hasty retreat colliding with the young man’s ascent. He had been thrown back by a single blow, a display of powerful external martial arts.

This meant the young man was also a mid-rank expert.

Zhu Fei saw the young man glance at her, his gaze, however, not lingering.

He snorted, then looked at her again, a flicker of… admiration in his eyes, then turned and walked to another table.

“Shopkeeper, menu!” Qiyan Bao shouted down the stairs.

“Coming, sir, coming!” The shopkeeper, not daring to offend them, hurried up the stairs and presented the menu to the young man in the brocade robe.

The young man took the menu and ordered several dishes and wine.

As the shopkeeper turned to leave, shouts and the sounds of fighting came from downstairs.

Qiyan Bao, annoyed, started to descend the stairs, but the young man said calmly, “This is their establishment. We’re just guests. Tell them to stop blocking the entrance. They won’t be able to stop them anyway.”

Qiyan Bao shouted, “Let them in.”

Two men ascended the stairs, one large and burly, the other, although clearly a man, with an effeminate demeanor.

Zhu Fei’s heart sank. As a demonic cultivator herself, she recognized them.

They were Li Ximing, the Three Extremes Ghost Butcher, and Ghost Howl, the Yin Yang Ghostly Specter, both from the Ghost Extreme Sect.

The Ghost Extreme Sect was the most powerful demonic sect. Although they had suffered heavy losses in Dàxīng City, even losing their leader, they were still a formidable force, and these two alone were dangerous opponents.

And as they reached the upper floor, they both glanced at the young man beside her before finding seats.

This made Zhu Fei even more curious about his identity.

Who was he?

Chapter 177: Freedom Roams: Flower Butterfly!

Hou Bomin and Xiang Gu watched as Du Yuejiao, after screaming, clutched her chest and gasped for breath. After a long moment, she slowly stood up.

Her eyes were now sharp and focused. She grabbed her sword with her left hand and reached into the old woman’s limp grasp, retrieving the glowing Sui Marquis Pearl.

She quickly jumped up, ran to the waterfall, and with a single sword strike, parted the cascading water.

Hou Bomin and Xiang Gu exchanged glances… Projected sword energy?

Du Yuejiao, holding the pearl, stood beneath the waterfall, the water flowing around her, a shimmering curtain.

After a moment, she turned, leaped out of the waterfall, landed beside them, and said, her voice cold and determined, “Let’s go!” She ran towards the ravine exit.

Hou Bomin and Xiang Gu followed. “Where are we going?” Hou Bomin asked.

Du Yuejiao’s eyes gleamed, “To find Brother Shi!”

---

Shi Hao was surrounded by barbarian soldiers.

Although the fighting in the Changbai Mountains had subsided, the barbarian court still maintained a heavy presence in the area, checkpoints everywhere, to prevent the rebels from regrouping.

Without a word, Shi Hao attacked, cutting down several soldiers.

The soldiers, startled, attacked him with their swords and spears.

But Shi Hao, fueled by the burning energy within him, fought with increasing ferocity, the exertion easing his discomfort.

A barbarian commander, an eighth-rank expert, leading a small group of elite soldiers, six of them ranked, the others also well-trained, arrived.

Shi Hao, however, cut through them like a whirlwind, scattering the ordinary soldiers and killing the elite guards.

He struck the commander in the chest, shattering his ribs, sending him flying into a boulder, which exploded, crushing him.

As more soldiers approached, Shi Hao, with a roar, escaped.

Consumed by the burning energy of the Blood Poison, his mind clouded, his actions driven by instinct, he wandered aimlessly. Sometimes, he would stop in a deserted village, sitting in silence, lost in thought, as if trying to remember who he was, what he was doing.

Sometimes, he would wander through a town, staring at the people around him, their gazes returning his blank stare.

He had emerged from the earth, covered in mud, in the Demonic Qilin’s Lair, then washed himself in Heavenly White Pond, only to be covered in mud again.

Now, he wandered aimlessly, having traveled for two days without rest.

His hair was disheveled, his clothes caked in mud, his appearance like a beggar’s.

People looked at him with pity or simply sighed and turned away.

A woman, tearing a steamed bun in half, gave him a piece, then hurried away with her child.

They had seen too much suffering in these times.

Looking at him, they saw themselves, their own children’s potential futures. They could only sigh, their sympathy useless.

Shi Hao slowly ate the bun, then continued walking, leaving the town.

Several barbarian soldiers at the gate saw him but didn’t stop him.

He continued walking, his destination unknown.

The Qinling Mountains were the largest watershed in China, a vast and rugged terrain of mountains, forests, and rivers.

Reaching a river, his throat parched, he knelt down and drank deeply from the cool, flowing water.

He looked at his reflection, his face unrecognizable beneath the dirt and grime.

He thought, Is that me? Then who am I?

Unable to see his own face, he undressed and jumped into the river, washing himself.

The Mid-Autumn Festival was just a few days away. Autumn had arrived in the north, the river water cold.

The chilling water soothed his burning skin, his mind clearing slightly.

He submerged himself completely, letting the current wash away the dirt and grime.

He waded to the shallows, stood up, and looked up, the water streaming down his face and chest.

A giggle came from the riverbank.

He wiped the water from his eyes and looked over. A young woman stood there.

She was in her early twenties, dressed in a beautiful green and red robe, a light purple bodice embroidered with golden orchids peeking out from the neckline, the form-fitting robe accentuating her slender waist and curves. A sword was strapped to her back, its tassel and her hair swaying gently in the mountain breeze.

Her attire, clearly that of a martial artist, combined with her beauty, made her stand out.

Carrying a sword on one’s back, although seemingly elegant and stylish, wasn’t very practical. It was more of a fashion statement than a combat tactic.

After all, drawing a sword from one’s back was much slower than from one’s waist.

And few had reached the level of mastery where they could summon their sword with a mere gesture.

The young woman walked to the riverbank, sat down on a large rock, and looked at him, not with shyness or modesty, but with open amusement, giggling softly.

Shi Hao, standing in the shallows, the water barely reaching his thighs, ignored her and continued bathing.

After washing himself, he stepped out of the river and walked across the water’s surface.

The young woman gasped softly, “Oh?”

Shi Hao had practiced the Flowing Pearl Seven Star Steps with the Holy Jade Immortal in the Primordial Grotto Heaven, allowing him to walk on water.

However, walking on a calm lake was different from walking on a flowing river.

But he was still under the influence of the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison, his mind clouded, his body fueled by its energy, his actions instinctive.

Stepping onto the water’s surface felt completely natural.

The young woman, watching him, her eyes wide with surprise, thought, To bathe so casually in such cold water… he’s clearly a martial artist.

But she hadn’t expected him to be so skilled.

He was at least mid-rank.

She quickly searched her memory, trying to match his face to anyone she knew in the martial world, but she couldn’t place him.

Shi Hao reached the riverbank, picked up his clothes, which were tattered and muddy, frowned, and discarded them… They were beyond repair.

The young woman, her expression curious, approached him and, seemingly unfazed by his nakedness, bowed and asked, “May I ask your name, sir?”

Shi Hao looked at her and shook his head.

She wasn’t offended but smiled, “You don’t wish to tell me?”

The young man continued shaking his head, a look of confusion on his face, “Who am I? What am I doing here?”

The young woman, her eyes widening slightly, extended her hand, “May I take your pulse, sir?”

The young man extended his arm, not resisting.

She placed two fingers on his wrist, then, after a moment, murmured, “Strange. Your blood is burning, like a fever, but not a fever. And there are two distinct energies within you, suppressing this heat.”

She had never encountered such a strange condition. She was puzzled.

She looked at his face, thinking, He clearly has a mid-rank foundation and an air of… refinement, yet he doesn’t know who he is. And those two energies within him, one Daoist, one demonic, seemingly merging under the influence of this… blood fever… it’s bizarre.

Her curiosity piqued, she took a blanket from her pack, wrapped it around his waist, and took his hand, “Come with me.”

She led him to the nearest town and asked around. Someone recognized him as a beggar who had been wandering the area recently.

A mid-rank martial artist, reduced to begging… she found it both amusing and concerning.

She took him to a clothing store and had the shopkeeper make him some clothes.

After he was dressed, she looked at him again. He was handsome and refined, his demeanor elegant. She thought, He doesn’t seem to practice external martial arts, yet he can walk on water. He must be either a Daoist or demonic cultivator.

Intrigued, she decided to take him with her, hoping to jog his memory.

In the evening, they reached a small town. She took him to a restaurant, ordered some food, and asked for wine.

She tried to question him again, hoping to learn something about his background, but he remained unresponsive.

A young man, accompanied by several servants, entered the restaurant. He left his servants downstairs and climbed the stairs.

Seeing the young woman in the green and red robe, his eyes lit up, and he approached her, bowing, “Miss Zhu! You’ve arrived! Why didn’t you inform me? I would have been honored to welcome you.”

The young woman smiled, “You’re too kind, Master Chen. I’m just passing through. I didn’t want to trouble you.”

The young man said quickly, “It’s no trouble at all! If you would honor me with your presence, I would be delighted to host you. It would bring great fortune to my Humble Treasures Pavilion.”

Seeing she had only ordered two dishes, he went downstairs and shouted, “Shopkeeper, bring our finest food and wine to the young lady upstairs. Charge it to my account, Chen Hong of the Humble Treasures Pavilion.”

The shopkeeper, recognizing him as the young master of the Humble Treasures Pavilion, a wealthy and influential family, didn’t dare refuse, “Right away, sir!”

Chen Hong, his face beaming, returned upstairs and began showering the young woman with attention.

Chapter 176: The Yin Qilin Borrows a Body: Transference!

Madam Demonic Vine reached into her robe and pulled out four small flags.

The triangular flags were black, embroidered with strange symbols.

She tossed the flags into the air, and a black mist enveloped them, surrounding both her and Du Yuejiao.

Then, within the mist, four points of ghostly, flickering flames appeared, like candles in the wind, yet unyielding.

Madam Demonic Vine’s voice was cold and menacing, “Don’t blame me, girl. You walked right into this. But don’t worry, after you’re gone, I’ll take your place, your identity. I’ll make sure your name is remembered.”

She sat down, grabbed Du Yuejiao, and began chanting.

A strong wind blew, black sand swirled around them, and a thick demonic aura filled the air.

She was preparing to perform the Yin Qilin Possession.

But the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison was now within that young man, who was running wild, driven mad by its power.

Madam Demonic Vine had been a member of the Poisonous Sunflower Sect, but for some reason, she had fallen out with them. They, coveting the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison she had painstakingly cultivated within the Black Blood Crimson Serpent, had used the Sui Marquis Pearl to lure the Ghost Extreme Sect and the barbarian soldiers here.

Now, with the Poisonous Sunflower Sect pursuing the young man, she knew she couldn’t retrieve the Blood Poison herself. She was too old, too frail, her crippled body barely sustained by the demonic energy of this place.

And leaving the Demonic Qilin’s Lair, she knew she wouldn’t survive for long.

She had to transfer her soul into a new body, and quickly.

She had originally intended to use the Blood Poison to “freeze” the girl’s body, making it a suitable vessel.

But now, without the Blood Poison, she was both angry and frustrated. Decades of careful cultivation, wasted.

However, discovering that this girl was a dual cultivator, a rare and unique phenomenon, gave her a new idea.

She herself had been a Daoist cultivator, practicing internal alchemy.

Later, after a traumatic experience, consumed by rage and despair, she had performed a demonic ritual, sacrificing her Daoist internal elixir in exchange for demonic essence.

Although it was possible to sacrifice one’s own internal elixir for demonic power, there was no ritual for sacrificing someone else’s for personal gain.

However, she knew of a ritual that used the sacrifice of a Daoist internal elixir for “soul transference,” a way to temporarily possess another’s body. After killing someone, by sacrificing another Daoist’s internal elixir, she could transfer her soul into the corpse, controlling it like a puppet.

This possession was temporary, useful only in specific situations.

But now, desperate, Madam Demonic Vine decided to combine this “soul transference” with the “Yin Qilin Possession.”

She would infuse the girl with demonic energy, using it to sustain her life force, then sacrifice her Daoist internal elixir.

By sacrificing the elixir, she would transfer her soul into the girl’s body, completing the possession.

Combining two different demonic rituals was dangerous… altering rituals was risky, often leading to demonic affliction, the soul corrupted by Yin Demons.

But she had no other choice. Even if it meant being corrupted, she had to survive.

Madam Demonic Vine, having been an elder of the Poisonous Sunflower Sect, her energy carried a poisonous aura. Du Yuejiao felt a chilling cold spreading through her, followed by a burning heat.

The world around her spun, the only light coming from the four flickering flames, the wind howling, ghostly figures swirling in the mist.

Madam Demonic Vine knew she was unprepared, the ritual already being disrupted by stray Yin Demons, drawn by its power.

But even demonic affliction was better than death.

She didn’t hesitate, continuing her chant.

Du Yuejiao felt herself sinking into darkness, falling into an abyss.

She saw the old woman’s face, grotesque and massive, filling the sky.

She tried to struggle, to scream, but she couldn’t move, couldn’t speak.

Her thoughts slowed, her mind freezing.

The old woman’s face, trailing streaks of blood-red light, approached her eyes.

She tried to close her eyes, but her eyelids wouldn’t move.

The face drew closer and closer, then split apart, its two halves merging with her eyes.

Although unable to scream, her soul cried out in agony.

Her internal elixir, ripped from her middle dantian, left a gaping void.

She felt as if her insides had been torn out, her vision turning red.

Madam Demonic Vine’s soul, carrying her demonic essence, surged into the girl’s body.

Although the transference was successful, the girl’s own soul remained, and she felt a cold, menacing presence approaching – a formless Yin Demon.

Every demonic ritual opened a passage between the mortal world and the Demonic Realm. If unprepared, Yin Demons would seize the opportunity to invade, seeking bodies to possess.

For demonic cultivators, every advancement ritual was a gamble.

Careful preparation and flawless execution were essential.

Madam Demonic Vine, however, was far from prepared. She had even combined two different rituals, a desperate and dangerous improvisation.

Knowing her own soul was vulnerable, she lunged at the girl’s soul, tearing at it, trying to devour it.

If she could destroy the girl’s soul, she could claim her body completely. But her own soul, exposed to the Yin Demon’s influence, would also be damaged, losing a portion of its essence.

She had to complete the possession quickly. The faster the ritual ended, the less damage she would suffer.

She ripped the girl’s soul apart, a portion of it dissipating into nothingness.

Just as the girl’s soul was about to be completely destroyed, leaving her body an empty vessel, something changed.

One of the four black flags at the corners of the ritual circle was pulled from the ground.

These flags, meticulously prepared by Madam Demonic Vine, soaked in the blood of countless victims, infused with their souls, and inscribed with powerful runes, had taken her almost ten years to create.

She should have chosen a more secure location for the ritual, but the Demonic Qilin’s Lair, having been discovered, was no longer safe, and she had nowhere else to go.

So she had tricked Du Yuejiao into coming here, performing the ritual in this hidden cavern.

She hadn’t expected to be interrupted.

The removal of the flag disrupted the ritual.

Soul transference wasn’t easy. Madam Demonic Vine had relied on the surge of demonic energy generated by the ritual to enter Du Yuejiao’s body and attack her soul.

Now, with the ritual disrupted, the demonic energy dissipated, and she was vulnerable.

Du Yuejiao, her stubborn will reasserting itself, her soul, freed from the ritual’s suppression, fought back.

Now it was Madam Demonic Vine who screamed, her soul in agony.

The one who had removed the flag, interrupting the ritual, was Xiang Gu.

The Ghost Extreme Sect and Chi Mu Juncheng, pursuing the Sui Marquis Pearl, had left the Demonic Qilin’s Lair.

Xiang Gu and Hou Bomin, however, had remained, searching the cavern.

They found the tunnel and the remains of the Black Blood Crimson Serpent.

Following the serpent’s mangled body, they reached the cavern where the ritual was taking place.

They were horrified by the sight of the serpent’s skeleton, its flesh and skin discarded, its skull a ghastly white.

Xiang Gu found the Azure Sky Vermilion Fruit, the Soul Severing Dew, and several other rare ingredients.

Then they left, sensing the cavern’s instability.

They emerged from the collapsing Demonic Qilin’s Lair and reached Lifting Heaven Peak.

They descended the mountain, passing Heavenly White Pond.

And from above, they had seen Du Yuejiao, carrying the old woman on her back, hurrying through the forest.

Unsure of what was happening, they had followed, losing sight of them near the chasm.

They continued searching and, entering the chasm, reached the waterfall. They saw several small flags planted in the ground, the air around them swirling with dust and mist, a dark, ominous aura emanating from them, and the faint sound of screams… Du Yuejiao’s screams.

Xiang Gu approached cautiously. Not daring to touch the flags directly, she used her Parting Hook to pull one of them from the ground.

The swirling dust and mist dissipated instantly.

Du Yuejiao, lying on the ground, sat up abruptly, clutching her head, screaming.

At the same time, an old woman’s scream echoed from within her.

Beside her, Madam Demonic Vine’s body, still in the lotus position, its flesh dissolving like mud… a side effect of the failed Yin Qilin Possession.

In her attempt to transfer her soul, she had destroyed her own physical body.

“What’s wrong?” Xiang Gu asked, looking at the screaming girl.