Chapter 62: Remnants of the Demon Empress, the Emerald Beauty
Xu Xiaoyan continued, “Although it’s said that ‘When the Dao rises one foot, the Demon rises ten feet,’ that only refers to the demonic sects’ resourcefulness and cunning. In reality, in the martial world, the Daoist sects usually have the upper hand.
“After all, the Daoist sects are relatively united, while the demonic sects are prone to infighting. Demonic cultivators are mostly selfish and ambitious, making unity difficult.”
“So, in terms of techniques, martial arts, and even the number of experts, the demonic sects are not inferior to the Daoist sects. But often, the Daoist sects are still more powerful.
“The Taisu Immortal Pavilion, for example, holds a supreme position in the martial world. When they act, the entire righteous path follows. But the demonic sects have to subdue the various factions of the dark path before they can achieve unity.”
Shi Hao nodded, “Indeed.”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “But this Demon Empress achieved the impossible, uniting the demonic sects and leading the dark path. Unfortunately, I heard their final battle ended in mutual destruction. The Demon Empress and the Holy Jade Immortal of the Taisu Immortal Pavilion perished together. Soon after, the Evil Lotus Sect, the most powerful demonic sect at the time, splintered.”
“The three resulting factions each possess an incomplete version of the Night Charm Demonic scriptures, weakening them significantly. Although they’ve been fighting amongst themselves, trying to surpass each other and restore the complete scriptures, none have succeeded.”
Shi Hao asked, puzzled, “But what does this have to do with the Emerald Beauty?”
Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “I haven’t finished yet! The Emerald Beauty is a legend among the demonic sects. When the Demon Empress united the demonic sects and ruled the dark path, all the factions paid tribute to her, amassing a vast fortune.”
“It’s said that this fortune is hidden in a secret treasure vault, filled with countless gold, silver, jewels, and incredible martial arts manuals. And the Emerald Beauty is the key to finding and opening this vault. Of course, that’s just a rumor. I’ve never seen the Emerald Beauty myself.”
“There’s also another rumor that the Demon Empress’s treasure vault contains secrets related to the Demonic Realm, and whoever finds it can unite the demonic sects once more. And the Emerald Beauty itself is a powerful artifact that can greatly enhance one’s cultivation.”
“Now, the legends surrounding the Emerald Beauty have become remnants of the Demon Empress’s legacy, and many believe that whoever obtains it will become the next Demon Lord.”
Shi Hao said, “When a legend reaches that point, the truth no longer matters. The legend itself holds power.”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “Exactly! The Emerald Beauty has become a sort of ‘Mandate of Heaven’ for the demonic sects. But it’s just a legend. No one has ever actually found it.”
Shi Hao asked, “Why do they think we have the Emerald Beauty?”
Xu Xiaoyan giggled, “They’re probably delusional.”
Shi Hao analyzed the situation, “We passed through the battlefield, and the Emerald Beauty disappeared. They found our abandoned carriage and followed us here. Hmm…”
He lowered his voice, “Could that doll be…?”
Xu Xiaoyan, understanding his thoughts, also whispered, “But according to the legend, the Emerald Beauty is a statue of a beautiful woman carved from jade, the most perfect jade in the world. I’ve never heard of it being a doll.
“If it’s a doll, why call it the ‘Emerald Beauty’? Shouldn’t it be the ‘Beautiful Doll’?”
They were both puzzled but knew they were in serious trouble.
They picked up the crate and quickly left the forest.
After crossing two mountains, they found a dilapidated old temple.
They hid inside, resting for a while.
Shi Hao searched the temple thoroughly. Not finding the doll, he finally relaxed.
Xu Xiaoyan waved her hand, and a gentle yet powerful force swept through the air, clearing the dust from a stone bench. She sat down.
Shi Hao noticed that her true energy flowed like water, as if she had actually washed the bench.
Such a unique technique was unusual.
But Shi Hao wasn’t familiar with the various martial arts sects. He could only tell it was Daoist true energy, but he couldn’t identify its origin.
“Where to now?” he asked.
Xu Xiaoyan sighed, “Don’t ask me. I’m not sure. I know the main roads and some smuggling routes, but I’m lost in this wilderness.
“And now we don’t even have a carriage. Carrying this crate is exhausting.”
Shi Hao chuckled, “I thought you… hmm.” He quickly glanced at the entrance, “It seems we’ve been found again.”
Xu Xiaoyan sighed, “Demonic sects have countless tracking methods. It’s not easy to shake them off.”
The sound of rushing wind came from outside. Using the Soul Chasing Locking Steps, Shi Hao sensed that the temple was surrounded.
They looked out and saw a woman in her thirties, her hair styled in a “spirit snake bun,” a snake-headed soft sword coiled around her waist.
Xu Xiaoyan whispered, “That’s ‘Snake Charmer’ from the Black Lotus Realm. A sixth-rank expert. Escaping her won’t be easy.”
Shi Hao’s mind raced, “Let’s face them.” He stepped out of the temple, his hands clasped behind his back.
He knew escaping this time would be even more difficult.
And the Black Lotus Realm clearly had ways of tracking them. Running through the forest was pointless.
He quickly circulated the Mysterious Charm Technique and the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique simultaneously.
The Snake Charmer looked at the young man emerging from the temple. His features were sharp and menacing, his aura radiating a fiery dominance.
The Mysterious Charm Technique was an eighth-rank demonic technique, not particularly impressive in the eyes of a sixth-rank expert like the Snake Charmer.
But the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique, taught by the Holy Jade Immortal, was a powerful tool for “building momentum.”
Now, combined with the demonic technique, the burning aura of the Mysterious Charm Technique, amplified by the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique, radiated outwards invisibly.
To the Snake Charmer, the young man’s aura was overwhelming, his presence mysterious and unpredictable, the air around him growing unnaturally hot.
She narrowed her eyes, recognizing the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique.
But the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique was a secret of the Moon Lotus Pavilion. Why would a man know it? She was puzzled.
She gripped her soft sword and demanded, “Who are you?”
Shi Hao said calmly, “My name is Hao. Hao Xinghua.”
The Snake Charmer, not recognizing the name, snorted, “You’re a demonic cultivator. Which sect do you belong to?”
Shi Hao sneered, his hands behind his back, “Do you really want to know? Do you dare to know? Are you not afraid to know?”
He took a step forward with each question.
The Snake Charmer’s face first showed anger, then a flicker of surprise, followed by a chill that made her involuntarily step back.
With each step the young man took, his aura intensified, his imposing figure looming over her like a mountain.
She sensed a demonic energy similar to the eighth-rank Mysterious Charm Technique, but the terrifying aura, like a tidal wave of fire, was far more powerful, clearly a far more advanced demonic art!
As he took three steps forward, she felt that if she didn’t retreat, he would attack.
Her confidence wavered. She felt that if he attacked, she wouldn’t stand a chance… She instinctively took a step back, trying to avoid a confrontation.
This retreat weakened her aura even further. The martial artists surrounding the temple also involuntarily stepped back, their hesitation evident.
Although she had retreated, the Snake Charmer was still defiant, “Why shouldn’t I know?”
The young man with the hooked nose said coldly, “You can… guess.”
In a flash, he appeared behind her, his sword slashing down.
The Snake Charmer, startled by his impossible speed, as if she herself had pulled him there, leaped back, narrowly avoiding the blow.
Although the sword hadn’t touched her, she felt a powerful force pulling her towards it, as if trying to make her impale herself on the blade.
She landed several feet away, her face pale, “Soul Chasing Locking Steps, Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art, Violet Vortex Blade Technique… how… how is this possible? The Soul Chasing Locking Steps belong to the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion, the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art to the Moon Lotus Pavilion, and the Violet Vortex Blade Technique to my Black Lotus Realm. You… how can you know techniques from all three factions? And you’re…”
…a man!
Of the three Evil Lotus factions, only the Black Lotus Realm had male members, but they were all outer disciples, not allowed to learn the techniques from the Night Charm Demonic scriptures.
And the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion and the Moon Lotus Pavilion, following the ancient traditions of the Evil Lotus Sect, didn’t accept male disciples at all.
A man possessing techniques from all three factions’ scriptures… How was that possible?
The young man with the hooked nose slowly sheathed his sword, “You want to know? Heh!”
He sneered, his hands behind his back, “You’re not worthy! Perhaps your sect leader is.”
The Snake Charmer stared at him, a mixture of shock and confusion in her eyes.
What she had just witnessed was too much for her to process.
The surrounding martial artists also exchanged glances, bewildered.
Just then, Xu Xiaoyan gracefully emerged from the temple, bowed to the young man with the hooked nose, and whispered, “Young Master, revealing techniques from all three factions… if Madam finds out, she’ll be angry. And if she’s angry, although she might only punish you out of affection, no one here will survive, not even the entire Black Lotus Realm…”
Her face was filled with feigned terror, her voice low, “Young Master, these people were just being rude. They don’t deserve to die!”
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