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

Chapter 175: The Yin Qilin Borrows a Body: Heartlessness!

“Brother Shi!” Du Yuejiao, carrying Madam Demonic Vine on her back, also jumped through the chasm.

Emerging on the other side, she saw white clouds drifting lazily across the sky, the sun rising in the east.

Madam Demonic Vine, turning her head, unleashed a powerful palm strike.

The white-haired old man and Li Ximing, who had been pursuing them, wary of each other and hindered by the narrow opening, quickly retreated, not daring to face her attack.

Du Yuejiao continued down the mountain. She saw Shi Hao, his figure a blur, a trail of fire in his wake, heading towards Heavenly White Pond, a loud crash echoing from below.

She leaped after him. Changbai Mountain was the highest peak in the Qinling mountain range, its terrain treacherous.

Ascending had been relatively easy, their martial arts and light-foot techniques allowing them to navigate the difficult terrain.

But descending was more challenging. The wind whistled past her ears, her footing uncertain on the steep slopes, each jump a gamble, the landing points often slippery and treacherous.

She felt like she was constantly on the verge of falling.

But her concern for Shi Hao drove her forward, her leaps growing more desperate, the mountain winds buffeting her, forcing her to adjust her trajectory mid-air, each movement a risk.

She finally reached Heavenly White Pond, but Shi Hao had already left… He had apparently fallen into the pond, then climbed out and stumbled down the mountain.

Her heart pounding with anxiety, she leaped into the pond, her feet touching the water’s surface, channeling her energy, and then, carrying the old woman on her back, she leaped again, her movements like a dragonfly skimming the water, towards the opposite shore.

“Oh?” the old woman exclaimed in surprise.

Du Yuejiao, desperate to catch up to Shi Hao, had used both her Daoist and demonic energies simultaneously.

Since leaving the Chongxian Sect, she had mostly been using the Illusory Moon Demonic Flame Technique and its corresponding movement and sword techniques.

But now, having exhausted her demonic energy during her descent, she instinctively switched to her Daoist cultivation, using it to propel herself across the water.

She had never tried this before, but she was too desperate to care.

The old woman, although aware of her connection to the demonic sects, hadn’t paid much attention to it.

Seeing her leap, she had even snorted, thinking, Foolish girl, with her meager skills, how can she cross Heavenly White Pond?

She hadn’t expected her to switch to Daoist true energy.

Dual cultivation? Madam Demonic Vine, having never encountered such a thing, was surprised and intrigued.

Du Yuejiao, realizing it worked, continued, her speed increasing as she chased after Shi Hao, the distance between them closing.

“Interesting… very interesting,” Madam Demonic Vine muttered, her eyes gleaming.

After reaching the foot of the mountain, however, Shi Hao, who had been getting closer, began to pull away again.

Madam Demonic Vine realized that although the girl was trying her best, she couldn’t catch him.

Firstly, he was a sixth-rank martial artist, while she was only seventh-rank. The difference in their cultivation levels, especially between low-rank and mid-rank, was significant.

And secondly, Shi Hao, fueled by the potent energy of the serpent’s blood, his power surging, was like a wild beast, while the girl, although a dual cultivator, her energy depleted after running non-stop, was tiring.

Her speed decreased, and although she struggled to maintain her pace, it was beyond her limits.

She stumbled, her legs trembling under the old woman’s weight, but she continued forward, step by step.

Madam Demonic Vine suddenly said, “Stop, girl.”

The girl looked up, “But Brother Shi…”

Madam Demonic Vine snorted, “You can’t catch him. And we have company.”

Du Yuejiao, startled, stopped.

Shadowy figures were approaching from all sides.

The old woman on her back chuckled, “You want to fight here? Although I’m crippled, I’m not afraid of you.”

A voice, its tone shifting between high and low, making it impossible to tell if it was male or female, clearly disguised, laughed from behind a nearby tree, “Don’t worry, Madam. We’re all… friends. There’s no need for conflict.”

Madam Demonic Vine sneered, “Friends? You deliberately leaked the information about the Sui Marquis Pearl, leading those outsiders to the Demonic Qilin’s Lair. You call that friendly?”

The voice from behind the tree said, “You know what we want.”

Madam Demonic Vine chuckled, “Of course, you’re after the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison I’ve been cultivating. Unfortunately for you, you’re too late. Did you see that young man who just ran past here?”

The voice hesitated, “That young man, his yang energy erratic, his bloodlust evident, practically insane…”

Madam Demonic Vine’s voice was laced with a sinister amusement, “That’s right. He has the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison within him now. His blood is the poison.”

The voice behind the tree exclaimed in surprise, then shouted, “After him!”

A whoosh of wind, followed by several more, as figures emerged from the shadows, pursuing Shi Hao.

Du Yuejiao, hearing the sounds of pursuit, said angrily, “What are you doing?!”

Madam Demonic Vine said coldly, “Saving our lives. They’re after the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison. Now that they’re chasing him, they won’t bother with us. Otherwise, even I wouldn’t be able to defeat so many.”

Du Yuejiao snorted, “They’re after you, not me.”

Madam Demonic Vine chuckled, “Foolish girl, you clearly have connections to the demonic sects. How can you be so naive? They’re all demonic cultivators. Even if you weren’t with me, they would still kill you to silence you.

“And now that you’re with me, do you think they’ll believe you’re innocent?”

Du Yuejiao stumbled forward, worried, “Brother Shi…”

Madam Demonic Vine’s voice was sharp and mocking, “Such devotion, such a lovesick girl. It’s a pity men are so fickle. You care so much about him, but he might not feel the same. Even if he does now, men are easily swayed by novelty. He might be whispering sweet nothings to you now, and then, the next moment, he’ll be chasing after some younger, prettier girl.

“Men are all the same. The more you give them, the more they’ll hurt you. You’ll be heartbroken, your life ruined, yearning for his return, while he’ll be enjoying himself with other women, forgetting all about you.”

Her voice was filled with bitterness and resentment, her words like venom, making Du Yuejiao wonder what she had experienced in the past.

Du Yuejiao said, “Brother Shi is not like that.”

Madam Demonic Vine chuckled, “Isn’t he? How can you be so sure? Even if he isn’t now, he will be. Perhaps he’s already like that, and you’re just deluding yourself.”

She pressed her hand on Du Yuejiao’s shoulder, “Go into that forest over there,” pointing in a different direction.

Du Yuejiao said, “I have to go after him…”

Madam Demonic Vine sneered, “I said you’re foolish. Those men just left, and more are coming. Do you want to be caught between them? It’s better to hide.

“Once we’re gone, those pursuing us will clash with those chasing him, and then we can take advantage of the chaos.”

Du Yuejiao, realizing she had a point, gathered her remaining strength and ran towards the forest.

They hid there for a while and saw the barbarian soldiers descending the mountain, pursuing Shi Hao.

Madam Demonic Vine said, “Let’s go deeper into the mountains. We don’t want to be discovered.”

The Qinling Mountains were vast, with numerous canyons and hidden valleys. They deliberately chose the most treacherous paths, making pursuit difficult.

Reaching a deep ravine, Madam Demonic Vine said, “Let’s rest here. You’re tired. You need to recover your energy. Otherwise, you won’t be able to find him, and even if you do, you won’t be able to help him.”

Du Yuejiao helped her down onto a rock by the stream and then bent down, splashing the cool water on her face.

The ravine was deep, surrounded by sheer cliffs. A waterfall cascaded down from the east, its rumbling echoing through the canyon.

The setting sun was hidden behind the cliffs, and the ravine was filled with shadows and mist.

Madam Demonic Vine looked at Du Yuejiao and suddenly asked, “Girl, why do you possess both Daoist and demonic energy?”

Du Yuejiao, her temper flaring, retorted, “What’s it to you?”

Madam Demonic Vine sneered, grabbed her shoulder, and with a powerful yank, pulled her close, her fingers digging into her flesh like claws.

“Tell me,” she hissed.

Du Yuejiao was stubborn. Even when Shi Hao had captured and tortured her for days, she hadn’t revealed anything. Now, despite the searing pain in her shoulder, she gritted her teeth, refusing to speak.

Madam Demonic Vine, unable to break her, chuckled, “You’re a tough one, aren’t you?” She suddenly struck Du Yuejiao’s back.

Du Yuejiao gasped, a wave of chilling energy coursing through her, her body freezing, unable to move.

Madam Demonic Vine grabbed her sword, embedded it in the ground, and, using it as a support, dragged the paralyzed girl towards the waterfall.

Reaching the waterfall, she threw Du Yuejiao to the ground, a sinister smile on her face. Du Yuejiao’s eyes widened in terror as the chilling energy spread through her body.

“What… what are you doing…?” she stammered, her voice trembling.

Chapter 174: Yin Qilin Possession: Bloodlust!

Shi Hao ran with all his might.

The Black Blood Crimson Serpent’s inner core, having exploded, had transformed into a dark red mist that now surged through his veins, a burning heat spreading throughout his body.

He knew this was bad. He circulated both his Daoist and demonic energies, trying to suppress it.

The heat intensified, his body like a furnace, about to explode.

He didn’t know that this energy was called the “Demonic Qilin Blood Poison,” a rare and valuable ingredient for demonic rituals.

Madam Demonic Vine, crippled decades ago when she stumbled upon this place, although possessing formidable power, was now old and frail.

There was a sinister demonic technique called the “Yin Qilin Possession,” which allowed one to transfer their soul into another’s body, discarding their own aging form.

But the host’s body had to be prepared, transformed by the Demonic Qilin Blood Poison.

Du Yuejiao, young and beautiful, was the perfect vessel.

Madam Demonic Vine’s plan had been to use the Blood Poison to transform Du Yuejiao’s body into a suitable vessel for her own soul.

That’s why she had been so enraged when Shi Hao absorbed the Blood Poison and escaped.

This Demonic Qilin Blood Poison was no ordinary substance. It was the essence of the Black Blood Crimson Serpent, which she had nurtured for decades with rare immortal ingredients, their combined power concentrated within its inner core.

But her claim that it was a deadly poison that would cause a slow and agonizing death… was a lie.

Although the Black Blood Crimson Serpent itself was highly venomous, its inner core, like the gallbladder of a snake, contained the antidote.

However, it also contained a potent energy, amplified by the immortal ingredients the serpent had consumed.

If absorbed by a woman, this energy, combining with her yin essence, would transform into a chilling force, freezing her body, transforming it into a suitable vessel for the Yin Qilin Possession.

But if absorbed by a man, the effect was completely different. The energy, combining with his yang essence, created a burning inferno within his body.

Shi Hao felt his mind clouding, his body burning, as if about to explode.

The Sui Marquis Pearl couldn’t neutralize this. It wasn’t a poison but an overwhelming surge of energy.

He roared, a guttural, animalistic sound, and leaped into the air, bursting from the ground.

Several pairs of eyes immediately locked onto him.

Chi Mu Juncheng, the white-haired old man, the barbarian general, Li Ximing, Ghost Howl…

Although enemies, the disappearance of the Sui Marquis Pearl and the sudden tremors and collapsing earth had momentarily united them, their shared desire to find the pearl overriding their mutual animosity.

And then they saw the young man who had taken the pearl emerge from the ground, his roar like a beast’s.

The barbarian general, closest to him, lunged forward, his palm striking Shi Hao’s chest.

He was a fifth-rank expert, a skilled warrior trained by the Chi Mu family and placed within the army.

All four great barbarian families had their people within the military.

With a thud, Shi Hao was thrown backwards, crashing into a boulder, which shattered.

The general, although pleased with his successful strike, was surprised. It had felt like hitting steel. Although he had sent the young man flying, he hadn’t caused any visible injury.

And a powerful counter-force had jolted his hand, his arm numb.

He was stunned.

Shi Hao jumped to his feet, seemingly unharmed.

The white-haired old man and Li Ximing attacked simultaneously.

Shi Hao, his eyes wild, his movements frenzied, drew his sword, its light flashing.

The three clashed, a whirlwind of motion, their skills seemingly equal.

The white-haired old man was surprised. Where did this ferocious young man come from?

Li Ximing was even more shocked. He knew this young man was only sixth-rank. He shouldn’t be this powerful.

Although wary of each other, the white-haired old man and Li Ximing were both fifth-rank experts, facing a single sixth-rank opponent.

Yet, the young man’s every strike unleashed a surge of burning energy, his power immense, forcing them to retreat.

Shi Hao, however, was losing control.

But the “year” he had spent practicing swordsmanship in the Celestial Realm had ingrained countless techniques into his muscle memory, allowing him to fight instinctively, even in his current state.

His swordsmanship, simple and direct, yet precise and powerful, combined with his surging energy, forced even the two fifth-rank experts to be cautious.

Suddenly, his sword, unable to contain the power he was channeling, shattered, the fragments scattering like exploding stars, forcing the white-haired old man and Li Ximing to roll aside.

Shi Hao turned and fled, roaring like a wild beast.

The white-haired old man and Li Ximing, enraged, gave chase.

Chi Mu Juncheng was about to follow when he saw another section of the ground collapse, a young woman emerging, carrying a frail, withered old woman on her back.

It was the girl who had been with the young man earlier.

Chi Mu Juncheng’s eyes flickered… The Sui Marquis Pearl might be with them.

And even if it wasn’t, capturing them would force the young man to hand it over.

He activated his supernatural ability, his body transforming into a galloping horse, flames erupting around him.

Like a fiery steed, he charged towards them, his spear aimed at their shoulders, intending to impale them both.

The old woman, however, said, “Go after him. Leave them to me.”

The girl, using the Illusory Moon Movement Technique, pursued Shi Hao.

The old woman on her back, turning slightly, struck out with her palm, and with a loud thud, Chi Mu Juncheng, his spear deflected, was thrown backwards, landing ten zhang away, blood spurting from his mouth as he stumbled.

The barbarian general, shocked, rushed to his side, “Young Master!”

Chi Mu Juncheng hissed, “Stop them!” The Sui Marquis Pearl was too important. He couldn’t let them escape.

The general roared and led the other barbarian soldiers in pursuit.

Ghost Howl and his Ghost Extreme Sect disciples, also realizing the pearl might be with them, joined the chase.

The old woman, however, unleashed a series of palm strikes, holding them back.

A figure leaped down from above, landing with a crash that sent dust and debris flying.

It was the metal-winged ape.

It charged towards them.

The frail, withered old woman snorted and struck out with her palm, a wall of force erupting outwards.

The ape, as if hitting an invisible wall of steel, was stopped in its tracks.

But it blocked their path, and Du Yuejiao didn’t know what to do.

The old woman chuckled, “In that case… no more games!”

She let out a sharp, piercing shriek, like a banshee’s wail, a mixture of rage and sorrow, echoing through the cavern.

The ground trembled, cracks appearing on its surface.

The barbarian soldiers screamed as invisible hands reached out from the earth, dragging them down.

They slashed and stabbed at the grasping hands, but more and more appeared, pulling them into the ground.

The ape, before the girl and the old woman, roared and struggled, its massive form entangled in the unseen hands, being pulled downwards.

They heard rustling sounds from below, growing louder and louder, turning into screams, cries, and curses… the sounds of hell itself.

“Go!” Madam Demonic Vine shouted.

As the ape sank halfway into the ground, Du Yuejiao, using the Illusory Moon Movement Technique, leaped over it and escaped.

The ape reached out, but they were gone.

As ghostly hands grabbed at Du Yuejiao’s feet, Madam Demonic Vine held out the Sui Marquis Pearl, its light scattering them.

Chi Mu Juncheng watched as the girl and the old woman, carrying the Sui Marquis Pearl, fled.

He gritted his teeth, ignoring the struggling soldiers, and activated his supernatural ability, his body transforming into a ball of fire, streaking across the sky towards them.

The barbarian general, Ghost Howl, and the other experts, breaking free from the ghostly hands, also gave chase.

High above, two figures watched in stunned silence.

Hou Bomin and Xiang Gu.

Hou Bomin frowned, “What was that? What happened to Shi Chongyun? And who is that old woman?”

Xiang Gu also stared, her eyes wide, completely bewildered.

---

Shi Hao, his body burning, ran blindly. The swirling purple clouds above began to dissipate.

And as the rumbling sounds continued from below, the ground cracked open, and he felt a strange sensation of… rising.

Sparks of light flickered around him, like breaking chains.

A rift opened before him, and he, his mind clouded, leaped through it, emerging into the open air—

Chapter 173: Demonic Qilin Blood Poison: The Crimson Serpent Elixir!

Shi Hao asked, “How did the Ghost Extreme Sect and those barbarian soldiers find this place? They even knew about the Sui Marquis Pearl.”

He paused, then added, “And those soldiers clearly knew about the Black Blood Crimson Serpent. That’s why they brought that metal-winged ape, a creature specifically designed to counter it.”

Madam Demonic Vine shook her head and sighed, “It’s a long story, and we don’t have time for that now.”

Shi Hao thought, She was quite talkative before, but now she’s being evasive. There must be something she’s hiding.

This old woman, a former Daoist turned demonic cultivator, who also knew how to cultivate the Black Blood Crimson Serpent, might have connections to the Ghost Extreme Sect.

Madam Demonic Vine looked at them, “You have the Sui Marquis Pearl. Those people outside won’t let you leave. Only I can help you escape. Let’s make a deal.”

“I assume you came here for immortal ingredients. What do you need?”

Shi Hao said, “We need an Azure Sky Vermilion Fruit and a Soul Severing Dew.”

Madam Demonic Vine chuckled, “That’s easy! Although the ingredients in the upper levels were destroyed, I still have some Vermilion Fruit and Soul Severing Dew here.”

She waved her hand, and a stone drawer slid out from the wall, “Here’s the Vermilion Fruit.”

She waved her hand again, and another drawer opened, “And the Soul Severing Dew.”

Shi Hao, instead of looking at the ingredients, looked at her intently, “What do you want in return?”

Madam Demonic Vine said, “I’ll collapse the passage above and summon the Black Blood Crimson Serpent. Then, I need you to…” she lowered her voice.

As Du Yuejiao leaned closer to listen, Shi Hao suddenly grabbed her waist and leaped back, pulling her with him.

He flew towards the back of the cavern.

Madam Demonic Vine sneered, “Clever boy, but too late!” She struck out with her palm.

Shi Hao felt an invisible wall appear before them.

And from the ground beneath them, a thin, dark tendril snaked upwards, coiling around their legs.

The cavern was dark, the only light coming from the Sui Marquis Pearl.

Shi Hao tucked the pearl into his robe, struck out with his palm, and with a loud crash, he and Du Yuejiao were thrown backwards.

Du Yuejiao, caught off guard, didn’t understand why he had suddenly grabbed her, flown backwards, and then attacked the seemingly empty air.

The impact, the force of the unseen barrier pushing against them, startled her.

Madam Demonic Vine’s power was far greater than Huang Facai’s.

She was a fourth-rank expert!

As they were thrown back, the dark tendril wrapped around their legs.

Shi Hao quickly took out the Sui Marquis Pearl and shone its light downwards, revealing a shadowy, snake-like form.

The tendril recoiled from the pearl’s light.

Madam Demonic Vine, however, reached out, and an invisible force pulled Shi Hao towards her, into her grasp.

“Brother Shi!” Du Yuejiao cried out.

Madam Demonic Vine, still seated cross-legged, had seized Shi Hao’s acupoints, a sinister smile on her face, “I told you, it’s too late.”

Du Yuejiao, gripping her sword, said angrily, “What do you want?”

Madam Demonic Vine snatched the Sui Marquis Pearl from Shi Hao’s hand and chuckled, “Don’t worry, you’re both still useful. Obey me, and I’ll let you go.” She touched the wall beside her, and a rumbling sound echoed from above.

The cavern shook, and Du Yuejiao stumbled, losing her balance.

Madam Demonic Vine listened intently, then let out a sharp whistle.

Du Yuejiao, afraid for Shi Hao’s safety, didn’t dare to attack. A section of the wall suddenly collapsed, and two glowing orbs, the size of lanterns, appeared, approaching rapidly.

Du Yuejiao’s eyes widened as she saw the gaping maw of the Black Blood Crimson Serpent.

Its massive head loomed before her, its fangs bared, ready to strike. Terror filled her, and she almost screamed.

Madam Demonic Vine began chanting, her voice a strange, guttural sound.

The Black Blood Crimson Serpent thrashed and writhed, dust and debris raining down on Du Yuejiao.

She watched in horror as the serpent’s skin tore open, its skull emerging from the bloody mess.

Although snakes shed their skin, this wasn’t a normal molting. It was as if the serpent was discarding its entire body, its skeleton emerging from within.

The gruesome sight was like something from a nightmare.

The serpent, clearly in agony, couldn’t stop.

As Madam Demonic Vine continued her chanting, the serpent’s skull fully emerged, its jaws wide open, revealing rows of sharp teeth.

Madam Demonic Vine chuckled, “Girl, go inside.”

Du Yuejiao looked back, her voice trembling, “What?”

Madam Demonic Vine said, “Go inside. There’s a pearl inside. Take it.” Her voice turned cold, “If you don’t obey, I’ll kill him.”

Du Yuejiao’s scalp tingled with fear, but seeing Shi Hao in the old woman’s grasp, she had no choice.

She gripped her sword and cautiously approached the serpent’s gaping maw.

The serpent’s skull, a ghastly white, stained with blood and bits of flesh, was a repulsive sight.

Du Yuejiao, a pampered young lady, forced herself to step into the bloody maw, her heart pounding, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Hurry!” Madam Demonic Vine barked, “Or I’ll kill him now!”

Du Yuejiao continued forward. At the back of the serpent’s throat, she saw a pulsating, green orb, more like a lump of flesh than a pearl, its appearance grotesque and terrifying.

“Take it,” Madam Demonic Vine said, her eyes gleaming, her gaze fixed on Du Yuejiao’s back.

As Du Yuejiao reached for the orb, a crash echoed from behind her, followed by Madam Demonic Vine’s angry shout, “You brat!”

She turned and saw Shi Hao rushing towards her.

He had been motionless since Madam Demonic Vine seized his acupoints.

But he had been secretly circulating both his Daoist and demonic energies, preparing.

As Du Yuejiao entered the serpent’s mouth, he watched Madam Demonic Vine, noticing the greedy look in her eyes.

She wasn’t looking at the green orb in the serpent’s throat, but at Du Yuejiao.

She wanted more than just the Black Blood Crimson Serpent’s inner core. She wanted Du Yuejiao as well.

He acted decisively, his body contorting, his acupoints slipping from her grasp… the bone-shrinking technique from the Nine Yin Demonic Transformations.

He lunged forward, and Madam Demonic Vine, alert, struck his back with her palm.

His sudden movement, however, had shifted his vital points away from her grasp.

And since her goal was to capture Du Yuejiao, not kill him, she had held back, her palm strike, although powerful, not a fatal blow.

With her fourth-rank cultivation, even with his combined Daoist and demonic energies protecting him, he wouldn’t have survived a full-powered attack.

The impact threw him forward, but his dual cultivation allowed him to withstand the blow, although his internal organs were jolted.

Even Madam Demonic Vine was surprised… Although she had held back, her strike had been equivalent to a fifth-rank attack.

How had this boy survived?

Shi Hao reached Du Yuejiao and grabbed her.

A shriek echoed from behind them, and the green orb in the serpent’s throat exploded, spraying blood.

He quickly turned, shielding Du Yuejiao, but the blood splattered on him, seeping into his skin.

This surprised him.

If Madam Demonic Vine could make the orb explode, why had she sent Du Yuejiao to retrieve it?

She had simply needed her to be in that specific location?

He instantly pushed Du Yuejiao away.

“Brother Shi?” Du Yuejiao cried out, reaching for him.

“You brat!” Madam Demonic Vine shouted, grabbing Du Yuejiao, pulling her away from Shi Hao.

Du Yuejiao, her body flung backwards, landed beside Madam Demonic Vine, who gripped her shoulder.

Holding the girl captive, Madam Demonic Vine shouted at Shi Hao, “Come back here, or I’ll…”

Shi Hao, ignoring her, jumped through the serpent’s skeletal remains and escaped through the tunnel.

Madam Demonic Vine, stunned that he had abandoned his lover and fled, cursed, “Damn it!”

Du Yuejiao was also shocked. He had left her?

“Well, girl, aren’t you going to carry me?” Madam Demonic Vine said.

Du Yuejiao’s anger flared, “Carry yourself!”

“Think carefully, girl,” Madam Demonic Vine snorted, “He’s been poisoned by the serpent’s blood. Only the Sui Marquis Pearl can save him. If you don’t come with me, he’ll die a slow and painful death.”

Du Yuejiao’s concern for Shi Hao resurfaced. She said, turning to the old woman, “Carry you? Can’t you walk yourself?”

Madam Demonic Vine said, exasperated, “Are you stupid? If I could walk, would I be asking you to carry me?” It turned out she was crippled.

Du Yuejiao sighed. She was trapped. She couldn’t defeat this old woman, and she needed the Sui Marquis Pearl to save Shi Hao.

She reluctantly bent down and let the old woman climb onto her back, then set off in pursuit. As she ran, she thought, He had to escape. If we both stayed, she would have killed us both. And now that he’s gone, she needs me to catch him, and she also needs me as a hostage.

This realization eased her resentment, replaced by a growing worry for his safety.

Chapter 172: Demonic Qilin Blood Poison: Madam Demonic Vine!

Shi Hao and Du Yuejiao fell through the chasm.

As they disappeared, the Black Blood Crimson Serpent above renewed its attack, its roars echoing through the cavern, mingled with the screams of the metal-winged ape and the panicked shouts of the barbarian soldiers.

Invisible hands reached out from the darkness, grasping at them, pulling them down.

Shi Hao held out the Sui Marquis Pearl, which radiated a brilliant white light, repelling the unseen hands.

They landed softly on the ground and looked up. The chasm above was closing, the rumbling sounds fading.

They were plunged into darkness, the only light coming from the Sui Marquis Pearl.

The ground beneath their feet was scorched black, as if burned by fire.

Rustling sounds came from the depths, as if countless creatures were crawling beneath the surface.

Occasionally, something would tug at their feet, then quickly retreat from the pearl’s light.

Du Yuejiao clung to Shi Hao, her arms around his neck. Although a martial artist, this dark, sinister place filled her with dread.

Shi Hao, holding her close, led her through the darkness.

A low, raspy chuckle, like an old woman’s, echoed through the cavern, making Du Yuejiao’s hair stand on end.

Shi Hao shone the pearl’s light towards the sound and saw a withered old woman sitting in a pit.

She was incredibly thin, her wrinkled skin stretched taut over her bones, her body like a stick of kindling.

“Who are you?” Du Yuejiao asked, her voice trembling.

The old woman snorted, “You trespass on my property, and you ask me who I am?”

Shi Hao and Du Yuejiao suddenly remembered Xiang Gu mentioning an old woman living here.

The old woman’s gaze shifted to Shi Hao, her eyes, deep-set and sunken, like dark holes in her skull, seemed to bore into him, “Boy, what’s your connection to the Taisu Immortal Pavilion?”

Du Yuejiao looked at Shi Hao, surprised… She hadn’t known he had any connection to the Taisu Immortal Pavilion.

Shi Hao, however, said, without missing a beat, “Taisu Immortal Pavilion? I’m a man. What would I have to do with them?” He lied without a flicker of hesitation.

His denial made the old woman hesitate. She muttered, “If you have no connection to them, why did the Sui Marquis Pearl, sealed by the Holy Jade Immortal herself, fly to you? It only responds to the Taisu Immortal Pavilion’s secret techniques.”

Shi Hao realized it was because he had used the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique.

Although this old woman was small, frail, and wizened, like a dried corpse, she was still human.

Du Yuejiao, slightly relieved, asked, “Are you alone here?”

The old woman chuckled, a creepy, unsettling sound, “Oh, I’m not alone. There are many, many others here. Listen… can you hear them?”

The rustling sounds from below, like the movement of countless insects, returned, making Du Yuejiao’s skin crawl.

Shi Hao bowed to the old woman, “May I ask what this place is, Madam? And why is it like this?”

The old woman chuckled again, “You trespass on my property and ask me questions?”

Shi Hao said, “We didn’t know this place existed. We were visiting Lifting Heaven Peak with a friend, and then we were… brought here.”

The old woman snorted, “Such a blatant lie, young man. That girl with the Gu insects has been here before, trying to steal my immortal ingredients. You’re clearly working with her.”

Shi Hao said, surprised, “She’s been here before? Did she bring us here for some other reason?”

The old woman snorted again, staring at him, “Long ago, this place was called the Immortal Qilin’s Blessed Land, a place where Daoist cultivators grew immortal ingredients. Legend says that in ancient times, an immortal of the Taisu Immortal Pavilion brought a Qilin spirit from the Celestial Realm, imbuing this place with a unique energy, hence the name.

“Because of this unique energy, rare ingredients like the Azure Sky Vermilion Fruit, which requires celestial energy to grow, flourished here.”

“The people who lived here, the ‘immortal folk,’ because of this unique environment, lived for centuries.

“Ordinary people couldn’t enter this Blessed Land. Only skilled Daoist cultivators could reach it through a hidden ‘heavenly staircase.’ Although the demonic sects knew of its existence, they didn’t know its location. Then, three hundred years ago, the Demon Empress, having united the demonic sects, changed everything.”

Shi Hao lowered his voice, “What did she do?”

The old woman said, “At that time, the demonic sects, including the Ghost Extreme Sect and the Poisonous Sunflower Sect, were under her control, but the Daoist sects were unaware.

“The Daoist sects were at their peak then. Having helped the Li family establish the Sheng Dynasty, Daoism became the state religion, and the demonic sects were forced into hiding, becoming insignificant in the eyes of the Daoists. No one expected such a powerful figure to emerge from the demonic sects, uniting them under her rule.”

Shi Hao thought, Su Mei truly was remarkable.

The old woman continued, “Under the Demon Empress’s command, the Ghost Extreme Sect and the Poisonous Sunflower Sect sent their experts to attack the Immortal Qilin’s Blessed Land, destroying the heavenly staircase. The Daoist sects, unable to access it, assumed it was some natural disaster, unaware that it had fallen into the hands of the demonic sects.

“They slaughtered the immortal folk, and the Ghost Extreme Sect, using their secret techniques, transformed the bodies into corpse soldiers, binding their souls within, then further refining them with the Poisonous Sunflower Sect’s poisonous concoctions. These corpse soldiers, if unleashed, would spread like a plague.”

“And the Poisonous Sunflower Sect used the unique energy here and the immortal ingredients to cultivate the Black Blood Crimson Serpent, a terrifying creature, a weapon against the Daoist sects.

“Although the Daoist sects have historically held the upper hand, that’s mainly because of the demonic sects’ constant infighting. A united demonic path is a powerful force.”

Shi Hao said, “But the Holy Jade Immortal slew the Black Blood Crimson Serpent.” He remembered the stone tablet outside.

The old woman said, “Indeed. At that time, the Holy Jade Immortal hadn’t even made her debut in the martial world, her name unknown, but the demonic sects’ destruction of the heavenly staircase had alerted the Taisu Immortal Pavilion.

“So, she came to Lifting Heaven Peak. She was a remarkable woman. Even without the heavenly staircase, she was able to reach this place, her swordsmanship defying all limitations. The demonic cultivators here, believing this place to be inaccessible to outsiders, were caught off guard by the legendary descendant of the Taisu Immortal Pavilion, who effortlessly entered their domain.”

Du Yuejiao said, her voice filled with admiration, “The Holy Jade Immortal truly is powerful.”

The old woman continued, “When she arrived, this place, corrupted by the Ghost Extreme Sect and the Poisonous Sunflower Sect, was filled with demonic energy, no longer a blessed land. The demonic cultivators had renamed it the Demonic Qilin’s Lair.

“She fought the demonic cultivators here, and they unleashed their carefully cultivated Black Blood Crimson Serpent, but it was no match for her.

“She slew both the demonic cultivators and the serpent, and destroyed the corpse soldiers. But the energy here had been corrupted, and the spirits of the immortal folk, now vengeful ghosts, couldn’t be dispelled.

“So, she took the Sui Marquis Pearl and, using it as the focal point, created a barrier, sealing the demonic energy here. If left undisturbed, the demonic energy would dissipate naturally within a few decades, and the spirits of the immortal folk would finally find peace.”

Shi Hao said, “But it seems the demonic energy hasn’t completely dissipated.”

The old woman chuckled, “That’s because, after she left, the Demon Empress came here, investigated, and created another barrier beneath the first, leaving behind a Black Blood Crimson Serpent egg. Yes, that serpent you saw earlier was placed here by the Demon Empress.”

“The demonic sects destroyed the heavenly staircase, and the Holy Jade Immortal created a barrier. But the Demon Empress was unaffected. However, no other demonic cultivator could enter, and she, busy unifying the dark path, didn’t have time to stay here. So she made some… arrangements, hoping they might be useful in the future, and then left.”

Du Yuejiao asked, “If that’s true, besides the Holy Jade Immortal and the Demon Empress, no one else should be able to enter. Then how did you get here?”

The old woman chuckled, “Even the most powerful barriers weaken over time. And with the Holy Jade Immortal and the Demon Empress supposedly dead, no one maintained the barrier. Eventually, the energy here, both Daoist and demonic, became unstable and began to leak out, creating a new, hidden passage.”

“I, Madam Demonic Vine, was originally a Daoist cultivator. I sacrificed my Daoist body in a… mishap and turned to the demonic path. Later, I fled to Changbai Mountain and stumbled upon this place.

“The Holy Jade Immortal’s barrier, using the Sui Marquis Pearl as its focal point, was that white qilin. And the Demon Empress’s formation below continued gathering demonic energy. The two forces, Daoist and demonic, locked in a stalemate, preventing the energy here from dissipating.

“And the serpent egg, suppressed by the barrier, couldn’t hatch. So, I cultivated immortal ingredients in the upper levels, while nurturing the Black Blood Crimson Serpent below. And occasionally, some unsuspecting fools stumbled upon this place, most of whom I killed.”

“That disheveled girl with the messy hair who was with you earlier… she was probably looking for Daoist ingredients for her advancement. She must have read about this place in some ancient text and came here.

“She’s quite resourceful and managed to infiltrate. I tried to kill her, but she escaped.”

Chapter 171: Black Blood Crimson Serpent: Demonic Qilin Blood Poison!

The pearl, radiating a brilliant white light, fell from the sky like a star.

With the white qilin gone, the swirling purple clouds pressed down, their oppressive presence suffocating.

The giant ape’s screams echoed as the Black Blood Crimson Serpent attacked.

The Sui Marquis Pearl! Everyone stared at the descending pearl.

They had been searching for it, and it had been right above them all along.

The young man in brocade, Ghost Howl, the white-haired old man, Li Ximing, the barbarian general, and the others all rushed towards the falling pearl.

A figure in grey suddenly shot out from the shadows.

He flew through the air with incredible speed, passing the others, his hand reaching for the pearl.

Shi Hao recognized him. It was the Ghost Extreme Sect member with the Heavenly Speed Star supernatural ability, the one who had tried to steal the God-Sealing Stone at Civilian Martial Ridge.

Li Ximing, Ghost Howl, and the others were elated. If he obtained the Sui Marquis Pearl, they could escape.

With the Heavenly Speed Star, the barbarian army couldn’t catch them.

But then, something strange happened.

The falling pearl suddenly changed direction, flying towards a rocky outcrop.

The man in grey, his hand closing on empty air, turned and watched in disbelief as the pearl landed in the hand of a young man in a blue Daoist robe.

The young man stared at the pearl, his face a mask of surprise.

Beside him, a beautiful young woman also stared, her eyes wide.

And now, everyone was looking at them, their presence on the outcrop no longer hidden.

In the distance, Hou Bomin and Xiang Gu, who had returned stealthily, also stared in disbelief… The Sui Marquis Pearl had flown to Shi Chongyun?

The Sui Marquis Pearl was a legendary treasure.

For it to choose him, to fly into his hand… he seemed like a figure of destiny, the center of the world.

Shi Hao, however, thought, This is bad!

The Sui Marquis Pearl hadn’t chosen him.

Like the others, his attention had been drawn to the falling pearl.

—The He Clan Jade Disc and the Sui Marquis Pearl, these are the true treasures of lords!

He couldn’t deny the temptation.

But he didn’t intend to fight for it. They were outnumbered and outmatched, facing both the barbarian army and the Ghost Extreme Sect.

And Li Ximing alone was a formidable opponent.

He wasn’t going to risk his life for a pearl.

But he had still used the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique, extending his Primordial Energy, reaching out towards the pearl.

And then, as if drawn by his energy, the pearl had flown into his hand.

Now, holding the Sui Marquis Pearl under everyone’s gaze, he was stunned.

The pearl truly was a wondrous treasure.

A cooling energy emanated from it, washing over him, a refreshing sensation in this oppressive, sinister place.

Even the swirling purple clouds above seemed to recoil, their menacing forms twisting and writhing, but not daring to approach.

However, the young man in brocade, the white-haired old man, Li Ximing, Ghost Howl, and the other experts were now converging on him, intent on seizing the pearl.

The young man in brocade was Chi Mu Juncheng, a nephew of Chi Mu Yan, the leader of the Chi Mu family.

Born into such a powerful family, wealth and comfort were guaranteed. But to achieve true power and influence, he needed something more, something to distinguish himself.

As the nephew of the clan leader, he held a high position, but he was also just a nephew. Although he would inherit a considerable fortune, true power was beyond his reach. At best, he would hold a meaningless position in the court, a figurehead.

Unless he achieved something extraordinary, something undeniable.

Obtaining the Sui Marquis Pearl and presenting it to the Emperor and the Supreme Emperor would be a great achievement, securing his position and influence.

He couldn’t let it fall into the hands of others.

Chi Mu Juncheng was a sixth-rank expert and a supernatural ability user.

His ability was the Star Day Steed.

With a leap, he transformed into a galloping horse, flames erupting around him as he charged towards Shi Hao, his spear thrusting forward.

The flames were from his supernatural ability, while the spear technique was the “Voidwalker Crimson Rainbow Spear,” a secret art of the Chi Mu family.

His attack, a crimson streak of light, like a bloody rainbow, seemed to trap Shi Hao, leaving him no escape.

Although a young master from a wealthy family, Chi Mu Juncheng was ambitious and had trained diligently since childhood, honing his skills.

His spear technique, combined with his supernatural ability, although only sixth-rank, was far more powerful than that of an ordinary sixth-rank martial artist.

Facing this deadly attack, Shi Hao didn’t dare underestimate him. He drew his sword, a whirlwind of sword energy erupting around him, the first three strikes of the Azure Sky Immortal Thunder.

Then, the sword energy converged, and with a single, powerful thrust, his sword pierced through the crimson light, striking the spear’s tip.

A clang echoed as Chi Mu Juncheng, his spear deflected, was thrown backwards.

Shi Hao’s hand tingled… His opponent’s spear technique was more powerful than he had anticipated.

In that brief moment, the man in grey, the white-haired old man, the barbarian general, Li Ximing, Ghost Howl, and the other experts all arrived.

Du Yuejiao’s face paled… How could they escape this?

“Jump!” Shi Hao grabbed her waist, channeled the Three Origins Flowing Pearl Technique, and leaped downwards.

Combining the Three Origins Flowing Pearl Technique with the Profound Wind Technique, he transformed his energy into wind.

He and Du Yuejiao, enveloped in a whirlwind, descended rapidly.

The white-haired old man, the barbarian general, Li Ximing, and Ghost Howl, although fifth-rank experts, couldn’t react in time.

The man in grey, with his Heavenly Speed Star ability, could have caught them, but he was a step too slow… Although his speed was unmatched, his seventh-rank cultivation was a limitation. And he was too close to the white-haired old man. A sudden burst of speed would leave him vulnerable to a counterattack.

They could only watch as the young man and the girl jumped, not daring to follow immediately.

Because they had jumped into the battle between the metal-winged ape and the Black Blood Crimson Serpent.

Who would be so reckless?

Even Du Yuejiao’s face paled as the massive creatures approached.

A woman’s fear of snakes was instinctual, especially a snake this size.

The Black Blood Crimson Serpent, sensing their presence, lunged at them, its jaws wide open.

Shi Hao held out the Sui Marquis Pearl.

The serpent recoiled, its head snapping back.

As he suspected, the pearl had a suppressing effect on it.

The serpent’s massive coils surrounded them, and although its head had retreated, Shi Hao and Du Yuejiao had landed within its reach.

The others didn’t dare follow.

But the metal-winged ape belonged to the barbarian army.

The white-haired old man whistled, and the ape, spreading its metal wings, swooped down towards them, its massive form like a descending mountain.

Suddenly, a gust of wind, and the Black Blood Crimson Serpent lunged at the ape… It didn’t dare approach those holding the Sui Marquis Pearl, but it wouldn’t let the ape, which had injured it earlier, escape.

The serpent and ape clashed again, their battle a whirlwind of motion, and Shi Hao and Du Yuejiao, caught between them, found themselves in the most dangerous yet also the safest place.

But this safety was fleeting.

The Black Blood Crimson Serpent, its scales torn and bleeding, was losing.

The Sui Marquis Pearl was suppressing its power.

While the white qilin had been present, the serpent had been no match for the metal-winged ape.

But after the qilin’s destruction and the appearance of the Sui Marquis Pearl, its power had surged, its regenerative abilities enhanced, and the ape had been forced onto the defensive.

Now, with Shi Hao holding the pearl, its power waned again.

The serpent, its wounds numerous, its massive tail thrashing wildly, sending debris flying, was clearly losing.

Shi Hao and Du Yuejiao faced a dilemma. If they left, they would be surrounded by the barbarian soldiers and the Ghost Extreme Sect members.

If they stayed, the serpent, weakened by the pearl, would eventually be killed by the ape, leaving them vulnerable.

Throwing away the pearl and letting the others fight over it seemed like a good idea.

But without the pearl, the serpent would devour them.

“What do we do?” Du Yuejiao asked urgently.

Shi Hao said, “Wait.”

Du Yuejiao looked at him, puzzled, Wait for what?

The ground beneath them cracked open with a deafening roar, and they fell.

Shi Hao wasn’t surprised. He knew the Black Blood Crimson Serpent’s master had to save them… If they remained there, the serpent, weakened by the pearl, would die.

The one who had destroyed the white qilin was clearly the serpent’s master. He had allowed the Sui Marquis Pearl to be discovered to break the seal and unleash the serpent’s full power.

Clearly, the serpent was more valuable to him than the pearl.

They fell through the chasm…

Chapter 170: Demonic Qilin’s Lair: The Sui Marquis Pearl!

The Sui Marquis Pearl, also known as the Spirit Snake Pearl or the Bright Night Pearl, was legendary for its ability to neutralize all poisons.

Shi Hao and the others had initially wondered if the Ghost Extreme Sect and the Chi Mu clan were also after immortal ingredients like the Azure Sky Vermilion Fruit and the Soul Severing Dew.

But the Ghost Extreme Sect was a demonic sect, and the Chi Mu clan wouldn’t cultivate Daoist techniques. What use would they have for such ingredients?

Now, realizing they were after the Sui Marquis Pearl, everything made sense.

“Where is the Sui Marquis Pearl?” Li Ximing demanded, taking a step forward, his aura pressing down on them like a tidal wave.

Du Yuejiao said, “How would we know?”

Li Ximing snorted and unleashed a flurry of palm strikes, targeting Shi Hao and Hou Bomin… He intended to kill the men first, then capture the women and interrogate them.

As a fifth-rank expert, his attack was overwhelming, a blur of motion, like a descending mountain.

Shi Hao drew his sword, its light flashing as he executed the Six Immortal Lightning Strikes.

But these weren’t the same six strikes as before. Empowered by the Three Origins Flowing Pearl Technique, his sword energy shifted and flowed, sometimes like ice, sometimes like water, accompanied by swirling gusts of wind.

Li Ximing’s expression changed slightly. Although this young man’s cultivation was only sixth-rank, his swordsmanship was impressive.

With Shi Hao’s intervention, the pressure on Xiang Gu eased. She rolled on the ground, her hook flashing towards Li Ximing’s leg.

The Parting Hook, like a living thing, darted towards its target.

Du Yuejiao, seizing the opportunity, thrust her sword towards Li Ximing’s chest… He had only intended to capture her, not kill her, so his attack on her had been less forceful.

With Shi Hao and Xiang Gu engaging him, she joined the fight.

Hou Bomin, however, retreated, his hand reaching into his sleeve, his back hunched.

Li Ximing, wary of Xiang Gu’s hook, stomped his left foot, unleashing a burst of energy that deflected the attack.

As a fifth-rank expert, he could project his energy at will.

Xiang Gu, however, nimble and agile, rolled to the side, evading his attack.

With a flick of his finger, Li Ximing deflected Du Yuejiao’s sword thrust and then, taking two steps back, avoided Xiang Gu’s hook.

As he retreated, Shi Hao leaped into the air, his sword raised above his head, a surge of energy swirling around it, then converging into a single, thunderous strike.

The Azure Sky Immortal Thunder!

Li Ximing’s expression changed again.

He crossed his palms, his energy sinking downwards, then, with a twist and a shout, a wave of force, like a roaring tiger, erupted upwards, meeting Shi Hao’s attack head-on.

A loud boom, an explosion of energy, and Shi Hao was thrown backwards, while Li Ximing also stumbled back three steps.

He, a fifth-rank expert, had been forced back by a sixth-rank.

Hou Bomin flicked his wrist.

Li Ximing roared, unleashing another wave of energy that deflected the incoming chain.

Although Hou Bomin’s Constraining Rope had been effective against Yu He, a sixth-rank expert, Li Ximing was fifth-rank, their difference in strength significant.

“Let’s go!” Shi Hao grabbed Du Yuejiao and retreated.

Li Ximing was too powerful. Even with their combined strength, they couldn’t defeat him, and there were other enemies nearby.

Hou Bomin and Xiang Gu, understanding the situation, also fled.

Li Ximing was about to pursue them when the sounds of explosions echoed from the distance.

Knowing Ghost Howl was facing the barbarian experts, he didn’t dare hesitate and turned towards the sound.

Shi Hao and Du Yuejiao ran, glancing back to see that Li Ximing wasn’t following them.

“He must be after Old Hou or Xiang Gu,” Shi Hao frowned.

Du Yuejiao muttered, “Those two are slippery. He won’t catch them easily.”

Shi Hao wasn’t too worried. Although Li Ximing was powerful, catching the elusive Monkey Thief and the unpredictable Xiang Gu in this terrain wouldn’t be easy.

“This is bad,” Shi Hao looked up at the swirling purple clouds, “How do we get out of here?”

Du Yuejiao snorted, “We shouldn’t have listened to Xiang Gu in the first place.”

Shi Hao, knowing her dislike for Xiang Gu, didn’t comment.

He continued looking up at the sky, muttering, “The Sui Marquis Pearl? Why are they looking for that?”

Du Yuejiao said, “I heard it’s a priceless treasure, like the He Clan Jade Disc, and it can neutralize any poison. It’s not surprising they want it.”

Shi Hao looked down.

The ground trembled beneath their feet, the sounds of fighting echoing through the mountains.

A beast’s roar, followed by another, made their scalps tingle.

Shi Hao said, “Let’s be careful. Li Ximing isn’t the only one here from the Ghost Extreme Sect.” He took Du Yuejiao’s hand and led her through the mist.

Du Yuejiao asked, “Li Ximing?”

Shi Hao said, “Yes, that was Li Ximing, the ‘Three Extremes Ghost Butcher,’ a powerful expert of the Ghost Extreme Sect. After their defeat in Dàxīng City, I heard their leader was killed by his own men during their retreat. I don’t know if Li Ximing was involved.

“If he’s here, Ghost Howl might be here as well. Although a man, he’s… effeminate, and his power is said to rival Li Ximing’s.”

Du Yuejiao muttered, “The demonic sects are truly strange.”

Shi Hao, using his Primordial Energy, carefully scanned their surroundings.

The sounds of fighting continued from the other side. The battle between the Ghost Extreme Sect and the barbarians wasn’t over.

“Brother Shi, look! A stone tablet!” Du Yuejiao suddenly exclaimed.

They approached the tablet. In the faint purple light, they saw an inscription: “Here, the Holy Jade Immortal slew the Black Blood Crimson Serpent.”

Du Yuejiao gasped, “The Holy Jade Immortal? I heard she was a celestial being, a legendary genius of the Taisu Immortal Pavilion three hundred years ago. She was here?”

Shi Hao was also surprised. Why was this place connected to one of his wives from the Primordial Grotto Heaven?

Du Yuejiao said, her voice filled with awe, “The Holy Jade Immortal… a legend in the Daoist sects. Even our Chongxian Sect, despite claiming to be the orthodox leader for three hundred years, can’t erase her legacy.”

Shi Hao looked at her, thinking, You might get to meet her one day.

They walked around the tablet, and Du Yuejiao looked back, “There’s something on the other side… a painting.”

Shi Hao looked. On the back of the tablet was a painting of a beautiful woman with a flying celestial bun, her face, however, contorted in a playful grimace. And beside it, an inscription: “Enchanting Fire Witch.”

Shi Hao: “…” What’s going on here?

Du Yuejiao gasped, “Enchanting Fire Witch? Is that the legendary Demon Empress? The one who united the dark path? The one whose name alone terrified the… the barbarian Supreme Emperor, preventing him from entering the Central Plains? The one whose name could even stop a baby’s cries? The one everyone feared?”

Shi Hao looked at her… Was she really that terrifying?

Although Su Mei was indeed powerful, her playful demeanor also strangely menacing, she was still a beautiful woman. He couldn’t imagine her being so universally feared.

But his two “wives” from the Primordial Grotto Heaven had both been here, three hundred years ago?

He was starting to think this “Immortal Qilin’s Blessed Land” was a very unusual place.

They climbed onto a rocky outcrop and looked down into the valley.

A giant ape with metal wings was fighting a massive serpent.

The serpent, its body as thick as an ox, its scales black and red, like flowing blood, must have been dozens of zhang long.

“Is that the Black Blood Crimson Serpent?” Du Yuejiao asked, her voice filled with awe.

Shi Hao nodded. Although he had never seen one before, this massive serpent certainly lived up to the name.

And the ape… it wasn’t an ordinary ape.

Its wings were made of metal, its body like steel, and although it had the shape of an ape, its beak was like an eagle’s.

The metal-winged ape seemed to have an advantage against the Black Blood Crimson Serpent, its sharp wings tearing through the serpent’s scales, despite being constricted by its massive coils.

The ape flew into the air, then swooped down, its beak tearing chunks of flesh from the serpent’s body.

And with every bite, its size increased.

Barbarian soldiers watched from a distance, along with a young man in a brocade robe, his forehead narrow, his chin pointed, his hands clasped behind him.

Shi Hao and Du Yuejiao noticed that the valley, which had once been filled with various plants, was now a ravaged battlefield.

Shi Hao felt a pang of regret… It seemed the Azure Sky Vermilion Fruit had been destroyed in the fight.

The two creatures battled, the earth trembling beneath their feet. Although the metal-winged ape seemed to have the upper hand, the Black Blood Crimson Serpent, its wounds seemingly healing instantly, refused to yield.

However, it was constantly on the defensive, while the ape continued to grow larger.

At this rate, the serpent would eventually be defeated.

A sharp shriek suddenly echoed from deep within the mountain.

It was an old woman’s shriek, piercing and chilling.

The ground trembled, and with a cracking sound, a chasm opened.

A beam of light shot upwards, towards the swirling purple clouds above.

The white qilin, still soaring through the clouds, its movements mysterious and unpredictable.

The beam of light struck the qilin, its head exploding, a white spark falling from the sky.

The young man in the brocade robe, Ghost Howl, the white-haired old man he was fighting, Li Ximing, the barbarian general facing him, and the numerous barbarian soldiers and Ghost Extreme Sect experts all looked up at the falling spark.

As the spark fell, the white qilin vanished, and the swirling purple clouds, like a living entity, pressed down on them, their presence oppressive.

The Black Blood Crimson Serpent, as if freed from some restraint, its power surging, turned and bit the giant ape, which screamed in pain.

But no one paid attention to the battling creatures.

Their gazes were fixed on the falling… pearl.

Chapter 169: Demonic Qilin’s Lair: Lifting Heaven Peak!

Although Yuejiao was covering his eyes, Shi Hao could still sense Xiang Gu’s movements.

She undressed, stepped into the water, and looked around, the mist swirling around her.

She glanced back at them, seemingly reassured by their presence by the fire, then submerged herself in the water and began to bathe.

Yuejiao, however, was not reassured.

She muttered, “That woman…” She waited until Xiang Gu was submerged before removing her hand from Shi Hao’s eyes.

They stayed by the fire while Xiang Gu bathed and hummed… Her singing was quite terrible.

After a while, she emerged from the water.

Shi Hao only caught a glimpse of her upper body before Yuejiao covered his eyes again.

Resigned, he used his Primordial Energy to sense her movements.

Du Yuejiao felt her dislike for this woman intensifying.

The lake water, high in the mountains at night, was cold.

Xiang Gu, however, didn’t seem to mind. She dressed, picked up her sack and bundle, and hopped around a bit to warm herself.

Then she joined them by the fire.

Du Yuejiao removed her hand from Shi Hao’s eyes, resisting the urge to kick her.

As dawn broke, they continued their ascent, the mist thick around them.

Although the sun had risen, obscured by the mist, it was just a pale disc in the eastern sky.

The world was a hazy white, and the sounds of fighting echoed from above.

They stopped. Hou Bomin, his back hunched, frowned, “Someone’s up there.”

Shi Hao and Du Yuejiao looked at Xiang Gu.

Xiang Gu’s eyes widened, and she shook her head, “I don’t know.”

Du Yuejiao whispered, “Could it be… ghosts?”

Xiang Gu said hesitantly, “They shouldn’t be out yet…”

Shi Hao said, “Let’s go and see.”

They cautiously approached the summit, hiding behind a large rock, and looked towards Lifting Heaven Peak.

Lifting Heaven Peak, according to legend, was where Jiang Taigong, the Grand Duke of Qi, had bestowed titles upon deities and appointed his generals.

Now, it was occupied by a large number of barbarian soldiers.

They stood in a circle, the sounds of fighting coming from within.

Shi Hao tried using his Primordial Energy to sense what they were doing.

But a strange aura blocked his senses, even his Primordial Energy unable to penetrate it.

He had never encountered anything like this before.

Suddenly, Hou Bomin slipped away, disappearing into the mist.

Shi Hao and Du Yuejiao, unsure of his intentions, watched him go.

After a while, he returned, whispering, “There’s another group up there, also watching the soldiers. They seem to have just arrived.”

Another group? Shi Hao and Du Yuejiao looked at Xiang Gu.

Xiang Gu whispered, “I don’t know anything about it.”

Du Yuejiao muttered, “What do you know?”

Shi Hao frowned, “Perhaps we should leave. This doesn’t concern us…”

Xiang Gu said, “It’s too late.”

A loud boom echoed, and a black light erupted from Lifting Heaven Peak.

They looked up and saw a white, serpentine creature rising into the air.

It circled above, then exploded.

The ground shook, and they felt themselves falling.

Xiang Gu murmured, “The White Moon Divine Qilin has appeared.”

“What is that thing?” Du Yuejiao exclaimed, “What’s going on?”

Suddenly, they found themselves in a strange place.

Lifting Heaven Peak was still there, but they weren’t on the summit of Changbai Mountain anymore.

The sky above was a swirling vortex of purple light, no sun or moon visible.

And the white qilin, which had exploded earlier, now soared through the purple clouds, its movements graceful and ethereal.

“We’re inside!” Xiang Gu jumped up and down, her eyes shining with excitement, “Let’s go!”

Shi Hao and Du Yuejiao asked, “Go where?”

Xiang Gu said, “We’re in the Immortal Qilin’s Blessed Land now. The Azure Sky Vermilion Fruit and Soul Severing Dew are both here. But be careful. Don’t let that old woman catch you.”

Du Yuejiao couldn’t help but ask, “What old woman?”

A voice boomed from the other side, “Who’s there?”

Just as they thought they had been discovered, a cold voice sneered, “Barbarians from the Chi Mu clan!”

The sounds of clashing weapons and explosions of energy echoed, the force of the impacts making their eardrums throb.

Shi Hao and the others, watching the swirling energies, realized these were clearly fifth-rank experts, or even higher.

Du Yuejiao murmured, “Chi Mu? The Chi Mu clan, one of the four great barbarian families?” Having grown up in the Chongxian Sect, she still wasn’t used to referring to the “royal families” as barbarians.

The four great barbarian families – Zong Hai, Chi Mu, Han He, and Yue Ke Tai – each had their own unique martial arts traditions, and all had received guidance from Lie Zunyi, the Supreme Emperor, pillars of the Jin clan’s power.

For one of these powerful families to be here… this wasn’t a force to be trifled with.

Shi Hao, although surprised by the Chi Mu clan’s presence, felt he had heard the other voice, the one who had sneered at the “barbarians,” before.

Although he couldn’t quite place it, it definitely wasn’t an ally.

“Let’s go!” Seizing the opportunity while the barbarians were occupied, he turned and ran, leading them down the mountain.

But strangely, they couldn’t find Heavenly White Pond.

They had ascended from the pond, but now, descending the same path, it was gone.

“You call this the Immortal Qilin’s Blessed Land?” Du Yuejiao complained, “This place? It’s more like a demonic lair.”

Xiang Gu huddled, shivering, “It’s also called… the Demonic Qilin’s Lair.”

Shi Hao, Du Yuejiao, and Hou Bomin: “…”

Which is it, a blessed land or a demonic lair? Make up your mind.

“Aaah!” Du Yuejiao suddenly screamed, her body stumbling forward as if pulled by an unseen force.

Shi Hao, Hou Bomin, and Xiang Gu turned around. She was dragging one leg, trying to pull it free.

“Yuejiao, what’s wrong?” Shi Hao asked.

“Something’s grabbing my foot!” she cried, her voice filled with fear.

Shi Hao rushed back to her side, his sword flashing.

He saw nothing, just slashed at the air around her foot.

Du Yuejiao pulled her foot free, took a few steps, and looked back, her face pale.

“What was that?” Hou Bomin frowned.

Shi Hao examined his sword. There was no blood, no trace of anything.

Just a faint, chilling aura emanating from the blade.

He felt like he had cut something, and yet… nothing.

“Let’s go,” he said, a chill running down his spine.

He was starting to regret this… Perhaps gathering a hundred jin of Vermilion Fruit would have been a better idea.

As they ran, Xiang Gu suddenly screamed.

They turned and saw her hair being pulled backwards, as if by an invisible hand, her head tilting unnaturally.

Shi Hao slashed with his sword, but he hit nothing.

Xiang Gu’s hair fell back down.

“Run!” Shi Hao shouted.

As they ran, they were constantly being pulled and tugged by unseen forces, relying on each other for support.

But they couldn’t see what was attacking them.

And they heard distant screams, the barbarian soldiers clearly experiencing the same thing.

“There’s a crevice here!” Du Yuejiao shouted.

“That’s it!” Xiang Gu exclaimed, “What we’re looking for is in there!”

They looked and saw a narrow opening in the rock face, a faint light emanating from within.

The light was strange, a blinding white that also seemed to be filled with a dark, sinister mist, a disorienting, dreamlike sensation.

A booming sound echoed, the ground shaking, a powerful shockwave throwing them backwards.

They couldn’t withstand the force and were sent sprawling.

Du Yuejiao sat up, rubbing her temples, “What was that?”

They listened intently. The sounds of collapsing rock and a beast’s roar came from within the crevice, a roar similar to the one they had heard last night.

It seemed some creature was battling something inside, the force of their conflict shaking the earth.

A figure suddenly leaped down from the cliff above, landing before them, his eyes wide, “Who are you?”

Shi Hao’s face paled. He recognized the man.

It was Li Ximing, the “Three Extremes Ghost Butcher.”

Shi Hao had encountered him twice before, once at Civilian Martial Ridge, pursuing the carriage with the God-Sealing Stones, and once at the Leopard Palace, where he and Xu Xiaoyan had overheard his conversation with Jiao Han.

He hadn’t expected to find him here, after the Ghost Extreme Sect’s defeat in Dàxīng City.

At Civilian Martial Ridge, they had been far apart, and Shi Hao had been disguised. And at the Leopard Palace, he had been hidden.

Li Ximing didn’t recognize him.

Clearly not expecting anyone else to be here, Li Ximing, his voice filled with menace, demanded, “Where is the Sui Marquis Pearl?!” He assumed they were locals.

Hou Bomin, however, repeated the name in surprise, “Sui Marquis Pearl?”

Even Shi Hao and Du Yuejiao were stunned… He was asking about the Sui Marquis Pearl?

The Sui Marquis Pearl and the He Clan Jade Disc were two of the most legendary treasures in Chinese history.

The Mozi said: “The He Clan Jade Disc and the Sui Marquis Pearl, these are the true treasures of lords!”

He was asking about the Sui Marquis Pearl, a treasure said to be worth a king’s ransom?

Chapter 168: The Demonic Qilin’s Lair: Heavenly White Pond

The closer they got to Changbai Mountain, the more evident the barbarian army’s brutality became.

Many villages had been razed, their inhabitants slaughtered, often not even rebels but innocent civilians, victims of the barbarian soldiers’ desire for “meritorious service.”

Some villages were burned to the ground, corpses hidden beneath the ashes. Others were deserted, ghost towns, their inhabitants’ bodies dumped in mass graves.

Mass graves were everywhere, one for every village.

Long ago, Changbai Mountain had been called Mount Taiyi, named after the Daoist immortal Taiyi Zhenren, who was said to have cultivated here.

Although the rebellion had been crushed, and Fu Shiyuan had escaped with his remaining forces, the barbarian army still maintained a heavy presence in the surrounding towns and villages, checkpoints everywhere.

However, Shi Hao, Du Yuejiao, Hou Bomin, and Xiang Gu, being sixth and seventh-rank martial artists, could easily travel through the mountains, avoiding the checkpoints.

Although this region had been the center of Fu Shiyuan’s rebellion, the main fighting had occurred around Mount Wugong and the nearby towns, not the main peak of Changbai Mountain itself.

They reached the foot of Changbai Mountain and looked up at the towering peak, its summit piercing the clouds, its grandeur and imposing presence evident even from below.

“Is there really an Azure Sky Vermilion Fruit here?” Du Yuejiao asked skeptically.

Changbai Mountain was a well-known and frequently visited location. If such a valuable ingredient existed here, it would have been discovered long ago.

Her skepticism was understandable.

Xiang Gu nodded emphatically, “Yes! It’s there!”

Shi Hao asked, “What do we need to prepare?”

Xiang Gu tilted her head, thinking, then whispered, “Something to… ward off ghosts?”

Shi Hao, Du Yuejiao, and Hou Bomin stared at her.

Du Yuejiao shivered, “Are you serious?” Xiang Gu nodded, her expression serious.

Shi Hao looked up at the mountain, “Perhaps… we should reconsider.” He thought gathering a hundred jin of Vermilion Fruit sounded safer.

Du Yuejiao whispered, “Yes,” agreeing with him.

As they turned to leave, Xiang Gu suddenly lunged forward and hugged Shi Hao’s leg, “No! Don’t go!”

Shi Hao dragged her along for a few steps, then stopped, exasperated, “What’s up there, Miss Xiang Gu?”

Xiang Gu whispered, “Nothing much… just… ghosts.”

Just ghosts? That’s “nothing much”?

Du Yuejiao, seeing her clinging to Shi Hao’s leg, frowned.

She had never liked Xiang Gu, finding her dirty and unkempt.

And now, she was hugging Brother Shi’s leg.

She couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you so insistent on us going with you?”

Xiang Gu, her voice small and pleading, said, “There’s Soul Severing Dew there… I need it for my next breakthrough.”

Du Yuejiao, puzzled, asked, “Is there such a thing? I’ve never heard of it.” She looked at Hou Bomin.

Hou Bomin chuckled, “The world is vast and full of wonders. Some unorthodox sects use strange ingredients. It’s not that unusual.”

Shi Hao sighed, “Fine, let’s go.” After all, Xiang Gu had helped them greatly in the Ba Mountains.

If not for her timely intervention, killing Zhao Xuanding, they wouldn’t have won so easily.

Xiang Gu continued clinging to his leg, “Yes, yes.”

Du Yuejiao bit her lip… Are you still hugging him?

Having made their decision, they began ascending the mountain.

On the other side of Changbai Mountain, halfway up the slope, barbarian soldiers were unloading corpses from several carts.

Over a hundred bodies, neatly arranged, lay on the ground.

They were all civilians from the surrounding villages, no elderly people among them, but several children.

Most had been killed by swords or spears, their faces frozen in expressions of terror. A woman clutched a child in her arms, her body covered in wounds.

Even in death, they couldn’t be separated.

A spear pierced both mother and child.

The men from the surrounding villages had either been killed or conscripted, leaving mostly women and children.

A young man in his twenties, dressed in a brocade robe, stood nearby.

His forehead was narrow, his chin pointed, his eyebrows thick, his features clearly not Han Chinese.

His build was muscular, his arms thick, suggesting he practiced some form of external martial arts.

An old man with long white hair, tied back in a ponytail, stood beside him.

The soldiers, after unloading the bodies, retreated.

The young man in the brocade robe waved his hand, and four burly men carried a large cauldron and placed it among the corpses.

Although only about as tall as a man, the cauldron was incredibly wide. The four men, clearly also practitioners of external martial arts, struggled under its weight.

They set the cauldron down. Eight rivets secured the lid.

They carefully removed the rivets and then quickly backed away.

The lid flew off with a bang, propelled by a powerful force, flipping over in mid-air before crashing to the ground.

The young man, the old man, and the soldiers, having retreated to a safe distance, stared at the cauldron’s opening.

The young man and the old man remained calm, but the soldiers, despite their experience in battle, looked uneasy, even afraid.

Something emerged from within the cauldron.

A deafening roar echoed through the mountains, birds taking flight, animals fleeing in terror.

“What was that?” Du Yuejiao asked, her voice trembling.

Hou Bomin, listening intently, said, “It sounded like… a human scream, and also like a beast’s roar.”

The sound seemed to come from the other side of the mountain, the earth itself trembling.

They paused, and then the sound faded away.

Shi Hao said, “Perhaps it was just an animal, its roar echoing through the mountains. Or maybe the wind blowing through a cave.” He couldn’t be certain.

He added, “Let’s be careful.”

Changbai Mountain was tall, and they didn’t reach Heavenly White Pond, halfway up the mountain, until evening.

“Tomorrow… let’s continue tomorrow,” Xiang Gu whispered, “It’s… better during the day.”

Du Yuejiao couldn’t help but ask, “What do you mean, ‘better’?”

Xiang Gu nodded emphatically, as if trying to reassure herself, “Just… better.”

Du Yuejiao muttered, “That’s not very helpful.”

Shi Hao smiled, “We’ll continue tomorrow. Be careful when we reach the summit.”

Hou Bomin, holding his pipe, chuckled, “Of course we’ll be careful. The question is, what should we be careful of?”

No one answered.

Not knowing what to expect was the most unsettling part.

The moon, a thin crescent, hung in the sky.

Although they had traveled day and night since leaving the Ba Mountains, it had still taken them four days to reach Changbai Mountain.

It was now the fifth day of the eighth month, ten days until the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The faint moonlight cast a dim glow over Heavenly White Pond, its usually reflective surface now dull and grey.

Clouds obscured the stars. Even from their vantage point on the mountainside, they could barely see them.

They built a fire, ate some dried rations, and then took turns keeping watch.

During the first half of the night, while Hou Bomin kept watch, Shi Hao and Du Yuejiao slept, huddled together in a small, sheltered space formed by several large rocks.

Shi Hao examined his cultivation. Since reaching the sixth rank, his Three Origins Flowing Pearl Technique and Nine Yin Demonic Primordial Technique had both improved.

At this rate, he would reach the peak of the sixth rank in just over a month.

For ordinary cultivators, this was incredibly fast.

Even Yuejiao and Xiaoyan’s cultivation speed had increased significantly.

The night wind howled through the mountains, but the rocks sheltered them from its bite, their bodies close together, sharing warmth.

Shi Hao held Yuejiao close, her waist slender, her skin smooth as silk.

She lay nestled between his legs, her arms around his neck, her head resting on his chest.

In this small, enclosed space, her sweet fragrance filled the air, a subtle, intoxicating scent.

In the latter half of the night, Shi Hao carefully moved away from Yuejiao, about to get up.

Despite his gentle movements, she woke up, rubbing her eyes, “What is it?”

Shi Hao whispered, “It’s my turn to keep watch.”

Du Yuejiao sat up, “I’ll come with you.”

They went outside. The bonfire crackled by the lake, its flames dancing in the wind. Shi Hao relieved Hou Bomin, and he and Du Yuejiao sat by the fire.

The mist had thickened, obscuring the lake. The crescent moon, its light faint and cold, was reflected in the still water, creating a beautiful, ethereal image.

They chatted quietly by the fire. After a while, a rustling sound came from behind a nearby rock.

They turned and saw Xiang Gu emerging from her makeshift shelter.

Despite having slept for half the night, she still looked tired, her eyes half-closed, as she stumbled towards the lake, carrying her bag of bottles and jars.

She took out a blue bottle, opened it, and a small insect with golden wings emerged, buzzing.

The moonlight seemed to be drawn towards it, its body glowing faintly.

After a while, Xiang Gu whistled, and the insect flew back into the bottle.

She put away her bottles and jars and then began to undress.

Shi Hao’s eyes widened, but Du Yuejiao, quicker to react, covered his eyes with her hand the moment Xiang Gu’s skirt slipped down.

Chapter 167: A Hidden Dragon Ascends

“You know?” Shi Hao looked at Xiang Gu in surprise.

He hadn’t expected anyone to know where to find this ingredient.

Even the Holy Jade Immortal had only been able to offer an alternative method, suggesting it had already become rare three hundred years ago.

Although refining a hundred jin of Vermilion Fruit was an option, obtaining that much Vermilion Fruit was also a daunting task.

Such a quantity wasn’t readily available; he would practically have to raid the Chongxian Sect’s main headquarters to get that much.

“Yes,” Xiang Gu rubbed her hands together, “I know where to find it. I can take you there.”

Du Yuejiao couldn’t help but ask, “Where?”

Xiang Gu said, “Mount Lifting Heaven.”

“Mount Lifting Heaven?” Shi Hao repeated.

Hou Bomin chuckled, “That’s the highest peak in the Qinling-Changbai mountain range. Although difficult to reach, people do go there occasionally. I’ve never heard of any immortal ingredients growing there.”

Xiang Gu looked at Shi Hao intently, her voice firm, “It’s there.”

Shi Hao nodded, “Then we’ll leave for the Changbai Mountains tomorrow.”

“Yes!” Xiang Gu nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with excitement.

“Are you sure?” Shi Hao couldn’t help but ask again.

Xiang Gu, flustered, shook her head vehemently, “Yes! Yes!”

Shi Hao and the others exchanged glances. We’re not entirely convinced.

Just then, someone called from outside, “Master Shi, someone from the Yuan Rong Merchant Guild is here to see you.”

Shi Hao went to the reception hall and saw Deng Liang, whom he hadn’t seen in a while.

“Brother Hao, it really is you!” Deng Liang rushed over, smiling, “Everyone’s talking about Shi Chongyun of the Ba Mountains. I thought it might be you, and I was right!”

Shi Hao smiled, “What brings you here?”

Deng Liang said, “The Hanyang Gang’s blockade of the Hanyang River severely impacted our business. Now that they’re gone, and the Danyang Society has reopened the trade routes, I came to see if there are any new opportunities with the Nine Villages.”

He continued, his voice filled with admiration, “I always knew you were capable, Brother Hao, but I didn’t expect you to be this capable. I heard you’ve reached the sixth rank? You were only eighth-rank when we last met in Jin Prefecture. That was just a few months ago!”

Shi Hao said modestly, “Just lucky, I guess.”

They sat down, and Shi Hao said, “You’ve come at the right time. Wu Village is planning to start producing silk and brocade. We’ll need your help with distribution.”

Deng Liang said, “Of course! Prices are fluctuating everywhere, and the court, to fund their wars, has been debasing the currency. And that ‘Zhizheng Treasure Note’ they introduced, supposedly equal to gold and silver, but not redeemable… it’s causing chaos in the markets.

“Many people don’t even have copper coins anymore, just those worthless notes. Bartering has become common in some areas. Silk is a valuable commodity. We’ll buy as much as they can produce.”

Shi Hao shook his head, “It’s just another way to exploit the people. The government uses those notes to buy goods, and the people have no choice but to accept them. And they can’t even use them to pay taxes; they still need silver and copper.”

Deng Liang sighed, “Tell me about it. Not just the common people, even us merchants are struggling. Everyone says this dynasty is doomed. And even the ‘royalty,’ except for those profiting from those worthless notes, are complaining.”

“Even their lives are becoming difficult. And that’s just in West Shu. Other regions are far worse.”

He leaned closer to Shi Hao and lowered his voice, “Are you planning to stay in the Ba Mountains, Brother Hao? I told my father that if you’re staying, our guild will support you fully, with money, supplies, even weapons. We don’t deal in weapons directly, but we have connections.”

Shi Hao smiled, “I appreciate your support, but I’m leaving tomorrow.”

Deng Liang’s face fell, “You helped them defend their homes, and now you’re leaving? Why?”

Shi Hao said, “Reputation.”

Deng Liang looked puzzled, “Reputation?”

Shi Hao said, “The Ba Mountains and the Hanyang River are interconnected, but now, with the Ba Mountains forming their own militia, and the Danyang Society controlling the river, neither side can truly prosper.”

Deng Liang thought about it and nodded, “That’s true. But Xiong Wanghu’s reputation is growing. Even in West Shu, many are joining him. My father and I suspected Shi Chongyun might be you, so we came here. You’re one of us. If you’re staying, we’ll support you.

“But if you’re leaving the Ba Mountains, we’ll have to approach Xiong Wanghu.”

Shi Hao lowered his voice, “You can contact him, but don’t invest too much. And keep this to yourselves for now. Xiong Wanghu, like Huang Facai, is connected to Hong Chui, the Thunderclap, and he’s likely a demonic cultivator.”

Deng Liang’s face paled, “Are you sure, Brother Hao?”

Shi Hao said, “We’re friends, aren’t we? Why would I lie to you? This is a common tactic of the demonic sects. Huang Facai’s brutality created many enemies. Then, Xiong Wanghu appeared, a righteous hero leading the opposition, overthrowing him and gaining the support of all those who opposed the Hanyang Gang. Huang Facai eliminated potential threats for him, paving the way for his rise.”

“As you can see, before this, the various factions along the Hanyang River were disorganized. Huang Facai’s brutal methods, although effective in seizing territory, created resentment. Now, Xiong Wanghu has both the territory and the people’s support. If not for the Nine Villages holding back the Hanyang Gang, he would control the entire region.”

Deng Liang was stunned. He had never encountered such a scheme before.

He smiled wryly, “If Xiong Wanghu is truly a demonic cultivator, we can’t trust him. It’s a good thing you defended the Ba Mountains. Otherwise, West Shu would be in danger. Are you sure you’re not reconsidering, Brother Hao? We only trust you.”

Shi Hao shook his head, “I’ve considered it, but the division between the Ba Mountains and the Hanyang River is a reality now. And this battle has shown me… my own weaknesses.”

“Frankly, I lack both the strength and the reputation. A sixth-rank cultivation is enough to lead a small gang, but for greater ambitions, it’s not enough.

“And reputation… Xiong Wanghu’s success is due to his carefully cultivated image of righteousness. By the way, I need your help with that. Spread the word about my… deeds.”

Deng Liang patted his chest, “Don’t worry, Brother Hao. I’ll make sure everyone knows about your heroism, your incredible strength, your unmatched skill…”

Shi Hao said, “No, no, no! Don’t exaggerate my martial arts skills. I don’t want to attract unwanted attention from powerful enemies. Focus on my… righteousness, how I couldn’t stand for the Hanyang Gang’s tyranny, how I helped the Nine Villages, and then, my task complete, I left, seeking neither fame nor fortune.”

Deng Liang said, “I understand, I understand. I’ll make sure everyone knows about your noble deeds, your selfless sacrifice.”

Shi Hao then brought Deng Liang to meet with Gong Muhong, Daoist Chuan, He Guangtao, Yan Zhuxia, and the others.

Knowing he was the young guild master of the Yuan Rong Merchant Guild, they treated him with respect.

And Deng Liang assured them of his continued support, not only in trade but also in providing resources for their militia.

“Rest assured,” Deng Liang said, “Brother Shi Chongyun is a true hero. His cause is our cause.”

Shi Hao thought, This kid is quite clever.

---

After Deng Liang left, Gong Muhong and the others tried to persuade Shi Hao to stay.

For them, without Shi Chongyun, there would be no Nine Villages alliance. They were deeply grateful and wanted him to stay and lead them.

And the more he insisted on leaving, the more they admired his selflessness and his refusal to seek power.

But Shi Hao wouldn’t be swayed.

So they held a banquet in his honor, toasting him and expressing their gratitude.

They saw him as a brilliant strategist who had helped them defeat the Hanyang Gang and save their homes, yet now, his task complete, he sought neither reward nor recognition, his actions truly selfless.

Even those who had been suspicious of his motives were now ashamed, offering him toasts and apologies.

Shi Hao stayed for the night.

Since leaving the Primordial Grotto Heaven, he had spent a few days at the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion’s manor, then attended the Red Hill Gathering, and then come to the Ba Mountains, uniting the Nine Villages against the Hanyang Gang.

Over ten days had passed, and tonight was the first day of the eighth month. The next full moon was half a month away.

The first day of the eighth month was the Daoist Wind Festival and also the folk Medicine God Festival.

According to legend, it was on this day that the Yellow Emperor sought medical advice from Qi Bo and compiled the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon.

“Qi Huang,” referring to Qi Bo and the Yellow Emperor, was synonymous with traditional Chinese medicine.

That morning, a thick mist covered the Ba Mountains. At the foot of Mount Nangong, a large crowd had gathered.

Countless people from the Nine Villages, having heard of Shi Chongyun’s departure, had come to see him off.

Many had arrived in the middle of the night, afraid of missing him.

Faced with their pleas for him to stay, Shi Hao waved his hand and, with Du Yuejiao, Hou Bomin, and Xiang Gu, left Mount Nangong.

Gong Muhong, watching him leave, sighed, “A hidden dragon ascends. Whether he soars or falls, remains to be seen.”

And the name “Shi Chongyun, the Hidden Dragon,” began to spread throughout the jianghu.

Chapter 166: When Will We Trim the Wick of the West Window Together?

Xu Xiaoyan sighed, “I have to go find her, no matter what.”

Hou Bomin said, “Think about it. Those people are clearly not ordinary. And the East Sea is vast. Where will you even begin your search?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “I’ll start by finding Grandpa Zhong.”

Hou Bomin shook his head, “That’s useless. According to him, there were no islands nearby. Those people just appeared out of nowhere. And that mist… it came out of nowhere. Those people were walking on water in the mist.

“He wasn’t even sure if they were human.

“Even if you find him, he won’t be able to help you find them.”

Xu Xiaoyan gazed at the rising crescent moon, “I have to go, no matter what.”

Hou Bomin sighed, “Very well. But…” he gestured subtly towards the manor, “Have you considered asking him to go with you?”

Xu Xiaoyan shook her head, “The East Sea is far. And this is my own personal matter. I don’t want to burden him.”

Hou Bomin said, “If you ask, I’m sure he’ll go with you. Why not consider it?”

Xu Xiaoyan hesitated, then shook her head resolutely.

---

Shi Hao walked through the garden under the moonlight.

Although Gong Muhong and Daoist Chuan had urged him to stay, he had decided to leave the Ba Mountains the day after tomorrow.

He reached the back garden and saw Yue Ya’er and Du Yuejiao chatting and laughing.

He approached them and smiled at Yue Ya’er, “Thank you for your help. We wouldn’t have won so easily last night without you.”

Yue Ya’er waved her hand dismissively, “It was nothing.”

She released Du Yuejiao’s arm, “I’m glad we could help. I should be going now.”

Shi Hao asked, surprised, “So soon?”

Yue Ya’er smiled, “I have to take these men back. Someone told me to leave as soon as possible. Staying too long would arouse suspicion.”

Shi Hao nodded inwardly… That was a valid concern.

Du Yuejiao, hearing Yue Ya’er was leaving, was relieved, yet she also linked her arm through Yue Ya’er’s, trying to persuade her to stay.

Yue Ya’er felt a sudden urge to stay, just to see Du Yuejiao’s reaction.

Shi Hao and Du Yuejiao escorted her out of the manor.

Her men were waiting for her, their formation neat and orderly.

“I’m leaving. Don’t miss me too much,” Yue Ya’er said, mounting an Yingzhao beast and then, with a flick of her wrist, she soared into the sky, her men following closely behind.

“I didn’t expect her to leave so soon,” Du Yuejiao said, her voice filled with disappointment, “I wanted to chat with her more.”

Shi Hao smiled, “Really?”

He had been busy these past few days, the battle last night particularly intense. Now, finally, he could relax.

They strolled through the garden for a while, then returned to their quarters, where Shi Hao, lifting Du Yuejiao into his arms, carried her to his room.

They spent the night together. The next morning, as they lay sleeping, a knock came at the door.

Du Yuejiao, rubbing her eyes, sleepily climbed off Shi Hao’s chest, “Who is it, so early in the morning?”

The person outside, hearing her complaint, chuckled, “It’s me!” Du Yuejiao muttered, “What does she want, so early in the morning?”

Xu Xiaoyan’s voice came from outside, “I’m here to say goodbye.”

Goodbye? Shi Hao looked towards the door, surprised.

He quickly got dressed, opened the door, and saw Xu Xiaoyan standing there, wearing a simple dress with a flower pattern.

She was much shorter than him. She looked up at him and grinned, “I’m leaving.”

Shi Hao couldn’t help but ask, “Where are you going?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Jiangzhe.”

Shi Hao looked at her, puzzled, “Why so suddenly?”

Xu Xiaoyan waved her hand dismissively, “It’s not sudden. I’ve been wanting to leave for a while, but I couldn’t just abandon you. So I stayed.

“Now that things have settled down, I don’t want to stay here any longer. I’m the Night Lily of Jiangzhe, not some… mountain bandit. And it’s getting too cold here. I’m not used to it.”

Shi Hao said, “I’m also planning to leave tomorrow. Why don’t we travel together?”

Du Yuejiao, who had just entered the room, adjusted her robe and sash, and said softly, “That’s a good idea. We can leave together tomorrow.”

Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “I have some… personal matters to attend to. I can’t stay.”

Shi Hao, looking at the small bundle she carried, knew her mind was made up.

He said, “Then I’ll see you off.”

Du Yuejiao said, “Yes, we’ll see you off.”

They escorted her down the mountain.

Reaching the foothills, Xu Xiaoyan drew the Plain Sword from her sash and handed it to Shi Hao, “Here’s your sword back.”

Shi Hao shook his head, “It suits you better. Keep it.”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “No, it’s yours. Take it,” and tried to place it in his hand.

Shi Hao smiled, took her hand, placed the sword back in her palm, and said, “Although it was mine, it’s yours now. A gift.”

“Oh,” Xu Xiaoyan, no longer refusing, tucked the sword back into her sash.

She turned and said, “I’m leaving.” She walked away.

Shi Hao watched her silently, his heart heavy.

Du Yuejiao, noticing his silence, looked at him.

Xu Xiaoyan’s departure brought her a sense of relief.

Although she and Shi Hao were now… intimate, she knew he had initially approached her for the information about the God-Sealing Stones.

Many things had happened since then, bringing them closer.

But deep down, she felt he cared more about Xu Xiaoyan.

Even Yue Ya’er hadn’t made her feel so insecure.

Xu Xiaoyan’s departure eased her worries. Even in peaceful times, people from different parts of the world rarely stayed together for long.

And in these chaotic times, this parting might be their last.

Although relieved, she wisely remained silent, simply staying by his side.

Shi Hao called for Hou Bomin, Xiang Gu, and He Guangtao.

He had brought them here initially.

He glanced at Hou Bomin, wanting to ask him if he knew why Xu Xiaoyan had left so suddenly.

He suspected there was a reason.

Hou Bomin might know.

But he didn’t ask. Since Xiaoyan hadn’t told him herself, it wasn’t his place to pry.

He told them he was leaving.

And he spoke from the heart, “Although Xiong Wanghu has taken over the Hanyang Gang’s territory and power, making our efforts seem… pointless, we still achieved our main objective.

“The Ba Mountains are easily defensible. Xiong Wanghu’s expansion will be limited. And his plan to join forces with Sheng Menghui in the south has been disrupted.

“Whether he expands north or east, the Danyang Society will face strong opposition. And without control of the Ba Mountains, they can’t isolate West Shu.

“But for the same reason, there’s not much we can achieve here either. I had hoped to use the Ba Mountains as a base for further expansion along the Hanyang River after defeating the Hanyang Gang. But now, we have no reason to oppose the Danyang Society. Attacking them would be seen as an act of aggression, and even the Nine Villages wouldn’t support it.”

“We’ve completed our mission here, but we can’t go any further. It can’t be helped.”

He paused, then continued, “But this has taught me the importance of reputation. I spent so much effort uniting the Nine Villages. But Xiong Wanghu, with just his nickname, the ‘Tiger Roaring Saber Hero,’ has attracted countless followers.

“Strength and reputation are essential for achieving greatness in these times. Although our efforts in the Ba Mountains weren’t entirely successful, we’ve gained recognition. At least, everyone in the Ba Mountains and the Hanyang River region now knows the name Shi Chongyun.”

He looked at them and asked, “Will you continue to follow me?”

Hou Bomin chuckled, “This old man has nowhere else to go.”

Xiang Gu nodded silently.

He Guangtao said resolutely, “If it weren’t for you, Master Shi, the Nine Villages wouldn’t have achieved peace so quickly. I will follow you wherever you go.”

Shi Hao said, “Thank you.”

He looked at He Guangtao, “I want you to stay in the Ba Mountains. This region is strategically important. Although difficult to develop, it controls access to West Shu, the Central Plains, and the Xiang River.

“In these turbulent times, having someone here, influencing the Nine Villages, could be invaluable.”

He Guangtao nodded, “I understand.”

Shi Hao turned to Hou Bomin and Xiang Gu, “As for you two, focus on your own cultivation for now. Sometimes, personal strength is more important than anything else. I’m going to search for the ingredients I need for my next breakthrough.”

Hou Bomin nodded, “Reaching the fifth rank will certainly enhance your reputation. What ingredients do you need? Perhaps I can help. I have some connections in the unorthodox circles.”

Shi Hao said, his head aching slightly, “The Illusory Sea Lingzhi shouldn’t be a problem. I still need three Dream Grasses and an Azure Sky Vermilion Fruit. The Vermilion Fruit is the most troublesome. I have no idea where to find it.”

“I know!” Xiang Gu, who had been quiet, suddenly said, rubbing her hands together, a spark of excitement in her eyes, “I know where to find it!”