Chapter 44
Demon Abyss.
The news that the Heavenly Emperor had dispatched Ming Jian Su to guard the battlefield between gods and demons to repel the demon invasion spread quickly to every corner of the realm.
Tushan Liusu rested her chin on her hand, listening to the report of her demon general, her nine tails swaying gently. Her eyelids drooped, and she felt drowsy. After all, the entire situation was being orchestrated from behind the scenes, offering no surprises. When the unpleasant, grating voice finally stopped, she simply said, “I understand,” and dismissed the general with a wave of her hand. The demons were quite sensible. They didn’t need to be reminded. As soon as they realized they were no match for Ming Jian Su, they fled faster than rabbits.
“Things are certainly lively lately,” Tushan Liusu said, a hint of amusement in her eyes. But then she remembered some news that had arrived from Qingqiu Mountain, and her brow furrowed. A great fire had erupted in Danxue Mountain, and Chang Li hadn’t appeared. She was probably no longer in the Heavenly Court. What else could have prompted her to leave besides searching for the Phoenix Sovereign?
Asura City.
Ming Jian Su didn’t immediately deal with the demons. After all, with immortals guarding the border, the demons couldn’t simply break through the defenses, cross the Sui River, and occupy the Immortal Realm’s territory.
However, her inaction made those immortals with guilty consciences anxious. The original stalemate quickly turned into a one-sided battle. The immortals guarding the frontlines retreated in disarray, and the battlefield practically became the demons’ domain. Even Asura City was exposed to their view.
“When are we going back to Dong’e Mountain?” Feng Chiyue, who had accompanied Ming Jian Su on this “journey,” quickly grew tired of Asura City. Located near the battlefield, even the wind here was harsher, carrying a heavy scent of blood and carnage. Feng Chiyue instinctively recoiled from such an atmosphere. She lay listlessly on the bed, her face clouded with boredom. She couldn’t stand this awful place for even a moment longer, yet Ming Jian Su had insisted on staying here for a whole month. Was she that angry? Did she really hate seeing her that much? Silently revisiting past grievances, Feng Chiyue glared at Ming Jian Su, her resentment practically tangible.
Ming Jian Su, though baffled, immediately set aside her work and sat beside Feng Chiyue, her gaze filled with concern. “Soon,” she said soothingly. “Once this is settled, we’ll return to Dong’e Mountain.”
Feng Chiyue sat up and wrapped her arms around Ming Jian Su’s neck, pulling her closer. “You hate me,” she said sullenly.
Ming Jian Su: “…” This accusation came out of nowhere. She refused to accept it. “I don’t,” she said, expressing her sincerity. Feng Chiyue was the most precious person in the world to her. She could never hate her. She pulled Feng Chiyue into her embrace and gently patted her back. “Why would you say that?” Had someone been spreading rumors on the Chaos Mirror? If she found out who it was, she would rip their head off!
“You stayed in this boring Asura City for a whole month!” Feng Chiyue accused, emphasizing the word “boring.” “You didn’t want to see me! That means you hate me!”
Ming Jian Su sighed. “That’s not true. I thought about you every day,” she said. Seeing the lingering doubt in Feng Chiyue’s eyes, she added, “I checked your messages on the Chaos Mirror every day. It’s just that…”
Feng Chiyue blinked. “Just that what?”
Could she admit that she had been too angry and too embarrassed to reach out? Ming Jian Su mumbled a vague response, then quickly changed the subject. “There was some swordsmanship inheritance in the Eternal Sword. I was trapped for a while.” It had been a very short time, but it wasn’t technically a lie. Feng Chiyue snorted, the gloom finally lifting from her face. Her hand slid down, resting lightly on Ming Jian Su’s waist. Lowering her gaze, she asked, “The defenses have crumbled. Should we go?”
“Yes,” Ming Jian Su answered without hesitation. Since her junior sister wanted to return to Dong’e Mountain, she had to speed things up and deal with these troublemakers quickly.
***
Those hiding in the shadows were closely monitoring Ming Jian Su’s every move, fearing that she would stay in Asura City and do nothing. After all, their true objective wasn’t to trigger a “war between gods and demons,” but to see Ming Jian Su suffer.
“They’ve left the city,” Peng Ning, the Daoist, reported from his position on a high hill, his whisk in hand, sitting cross-legged. Opposite him sat the Daoist in yellow robes.
The Daoist in yellow nodded, a slight smile on his face. “Our fellow Daoists have also set out.” He couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease, but since they had already come this far, he could only try to calm his mind. He raised his hand, summoning a magic sword, and patiently waited for the demon cultivators to lure Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue into their trap.
***
The demons surged forward like a black tide.
However, when Ming Jian Su appeared, sword in hand, the tide was split in two by her sharp blade. Despite their vigilance, some weaker demons lost limbs to her flashing sword light. The leading demon general had fought Ming Jian Su before and had barely escaped with his life. He had arranged his forces based on his understanding of her cultivation level, but upon facing her sword, his eyes widened in shock. He had miscalculated! Ming Jian Su’s cultivation had increased! He couldn’t understand how she had improved so quickly. But he had no time to ponder this. He could only hastily proceed with their plan.
“There are too many flaws,” another powerful demon muttered, his eyes reflecting the star-like brilliance of Ming Jian Su’s sword light, fear lurking in their depths. Even now, Ming Jian Su was following their plan, step by step, walking into the trap they had prepared. Was this something to celebrate? No! Ming Jian Su wasn’t foolish. She wouldn’t have come here without absolute confidence in her ability to win! Once she unleashed her full power, it was unclear who would be the first to fall.
“They’re not completely relying on us. We’re not responsible for the outcome,” the general replied, clearly ready to retreat at any moment.
The demons retreated quickly, with Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue pursuing them at a leisurely pace. The other immortals who had been fighting alongside them were left behind for various reasons. The two women seemed to be simply driving back the demons, but when they reached a valley surrounded by mountains, the demon formation shifted, forming an encirclement, trapping Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue, who had ventured deep into enemy territory.
A low, mournful horn sounded through the mountains, like the howling of wolves.
Almost as soon as the sound reached their ears, two beams of light shot across the sky.
The demon general tossed aside the horn, not intending to engage Ming Jian Su directly. He turned to flee.
Ming Jian Su chuckled softly. “Since you’re here, don’t even think about leaving.” She raised her hand, summoning two swords. Their high-pitched hum echoed through the air, and their powerful sword intent surged forward like a raging torrent! A deafening roar shook the heavens and earth, as if the mountains were crumbling and the seas were roaring! The storm of sword energy swept across the valley, instantly collapsing the mountain walls. Even the vast expanse of clouds was sliced apart by the violent sword intent. The spiritual energy of the entire battlefield went haywire.
The Heavenly Dao issued its command, and all magic was suppressed! The magic power surging within the demon general was only briefly disrupted, but it was enough to cost him his advantage! Struck by the sword wind, he was flung away like a rag doll, coughing up blood. Those with weaker cultivation had their protective auras shattered by the dazzling sword light. The blades moved too swiftly for the eye to follow, leaving behind only afterimages. In an instant, most of the demons were beheaded by “Heaven’s Edge Unbound.” The general, his heart filled with terror, watched as the sword light danced among the remaining demons. He didn’t even entertain the thought of helping them. He turned and transformed into a wisp of smoke, attempting to escape. But just as the smoke began to rise, a blade of light appeared before him, piercing his chest and pinning him to the crumbling cliff face.
Ming Jian Su’s eyes gleamed with excitement. Before ascending, she had been unrestrained, but after gaining a position in the Immortal Realm, her Undefeated rarely left its sheath, except for her initial battles on the battlefield between gods and demons. Whether it was an evenly matched fight or a one-sided slaughter, she felt a sense of exhilaration! She didn’t care who had sent these demons. Since they had appeared before her, it meant they intended to kill her. Wasn’t it perfectly normal for them to be killed because they were weaker?
Seeing Ming Jian Su effortlessly decimate the demons, Peng Ning and the Daoist in yellow robes felt a surge of fear. Peng Ning had been confident of victory, but the scene before him made his scalp tingle. He couldn’t help but recall a painful memory from his past. The urge to retreat overwhelmed him, washing over him like a tidal wave. He exchanged glances with the Daoist in yellow, about to speak, when a blinding sword light flashed in his eyes! Instinctively, he raised his magic sword to block it.
“Fellow Daoist, are you colluding with the demons?” Ming Jian Su asked, feigning surprise.
Peng Ning: “…” They were indeed involved with the demons, but he couldn’t admit it. He touched his face and chuckled awkwardly. “What do you mean, East Abode Master? We simply saw a commotion here and came to investigate. Why are you attacking us indiscriminately?” He sounded aggrieved and wronged, as if they hadn’t responded to the demon horn.
Ming Jian Su scoffed. “Is that Star Monarch over there just passing by as well?”
Peng Ning turned to look, but there was no sign of a Star Monarch. Was his cultivation insufficient to sense him? Danxue Mountain had promised that a Star Monarch would come. His gaze darkened. He discreetly signaled to the Daoist in yellow with his left hand, then, at the same time, attacked Feng Chiyue! They knew that Ming Jian Su cherished her junior sister above all else. If they could capture Feng Chiyue, they would have leverage.
Feng Chiyue, who had been following Ming Jian Su the entire time, hadn’t made a move, her expression bored, as if she were on a dull sightseeing trip. But the moment the killing intent surged towards her, she sensed it. She glanced at the two Daoists and smiled. Her beauty was breathtaking, and her smile was like a field of blooming flowers, eclipsing the brilliance of the heavens and earth. The attack, before it could even reach her, was completely dispelled by the “Great Monad Fiery Light.”
Peng Ning pursed his lips and sent a message to the Daoist in yellow. “Why aren’t our fellow Daoists here yet?”
The Daoist in yellow frowned and shook his head. How was he supposed to know what was going on?
Hundreds of miles away.
The earth-shattering roar reached the ears of the immortals and wandering immortals on the battlefield, carried by the wind like a raging storm.
Among them were some wandering immortals who had been summoned by the Daoist in yellow to help. However, their luck was terrible. They had barely set out when they encountered Chu Yi, the Emperor’s daughter. How could they dare show themselves? Acting in secret was one thing, but being exposed meant that the Celestial Pivot Department wouldn’t stand idly by. Faced with this choice, they naturally opted to obediently follow the Emperor’s daughter to stop the demons. As for Peng Ning and the other Daoist, they could only offer a silent apology.
Back in the valley.
Peng Ning and the Daoist in yellow were no match for Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue.
However, Ming Jian Su wanted to “fish” for more enemies, so she didn’t kill them immediately.
A quarter of an hour passed. The wandering immortals who were supposed to be working for Cinnabar Jade didn’t arrive, but they did encounter an unexpected guest—a Daoist with white hair and a youthful face. He appeared silently amidst the ruins of the mountain.
Dark clouds gathered in the sky, lightning flashing and thunder rumbling ominously. In an instant, torrential rain poured down. However, those present were all immortals, and the rain didn’t touch them.
“Star Monarch…” Seeing the Daoist, Peng Ning felt as if he had grasped a lifeline. His dry throat squeezed out a desperate plea. But before he could finish his sentence, his limbs and head flew off in different directions, spraying blood into the air. Before the blood could even reach the ground, it was swept away by the wind like dust.
Ming Jian Su calmly retrieved the fallen Qiankun bag, cleansed it with a spell, and put it away.
The Daoist in yellow robes was terrified. He retreated towards the other Daoist, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably. He had no idea how Ming Jian Su had done it. A living person had simply vanished before his eyes.
“You’re quite capable, East Abode Master,” the white-haired Daoist said calmly. He raised his hand, and a white light enveloped the Daoist in yellow, shielding him from the surging sword intent.
Ming Jian Su smiled faintly. “You flatter me.” She didn’t recognize this Star Monarch. His original form was probably a Golden Pheasant.
Feng Chiyue lowered her gaze and summoned “Heaven in a Pot.” An otherworldly aura instantly isolated the area from the outside world.
Ming Jian Su took out the Celestial Feather Career Book and found the Golden Pheasant’s name—Yuan Yao.
He belonged to the Danxue Mountain faction but had been in secluded cultivation in the Realm Beyond Heaven since the end of the war between gods and demons. Danxue Mountain must have been desperate to call him out of seclusion.
“Heaven in a Pot?” Yuan Yao Star Monarch’s expression turned cold. He recognized this artifact, originally from Danxue Mountain. His gaze, sharp as a blade, pierced Ming Jian Su. “Did you really kill all those juniors from my Danxue Mountain?!” he asked, his voice icy.
The Daoist in yellow robes trembled. This was an unsolved case in the Heavenly Court. The Celestial Pivot Department had hastily closed the investigation, but Danxue Mountain had been adamant in blaming Dong’e Mountain. Those who discussed the matter on the Chaos Mirror hadn’t believed them, since it wasn’t just one person who had died, but a whole group. Now, this Star Monarch’s words confirmed that Danxue Mountain hadn’t been lying! He should have trusted his instincts and stayed out of this! Filled with regret, he could only pin his hopes on Yuan Yao Star Monarch’s profound cultivation.
Ming Jian Su said calmly, “Doesn’t Danxue Mountain already have an answer?” So what if she had killed a few disobedient juniors? She would eventually wipe out the entire Danxue Mountain!
Yuan Yao Star Monarch’s anger flared. He laughed coldly and said, “Very well!” He shook his shoulders, and a golden Golden Pheasant dharma image appeared. The image was majestic and imposing, accompanied by wind and thunder. With a flap of its wings, it stirred up a boundless storm, pressing down on Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue! Spiritual energy surged, and the ground sank beneath the pressure of the wind and thunder. The air was compressed, blasting outwards in all directions.
Facing this overwhelming power, Ming Jian Su stood her ground. She pointed with both hands, and Undefeated and Eternal transformed into two beams of light, as swift as lightning, leaving two deep, unhealable gashes in the flashing thunder! The sword energy pierced the sky, carrying an unstoppable momentum, charging upwards! In the blink of an eye, two blades of light tore through the void, followed by a deafening explosion. Not only was the Golden Pheasant dharma image shattered, but even the cloud-covered sky was split open!
A shrill scream echoed through the air as the golden dharma image reformed. The Daoist, standing in midair, cursed angrily.
Ming Jian Su loathed those from Danxue Mountain. Seeing Yuan Yao only deepened her hatred! This Golden Pheasant, who had witnessed the Fall of the Phoenix after the war between gods and demons, was a traitor! How dare he live so arrogantly?! Spiritual energy swirled like a whirlpool, and the wind howled. The powerful magic that had been protecting the Daoist in yellow robes dissipated. His body, swept by the torrent of energy, was torn apart, revealing bare bones. Seeing Ming Jian Su clashing with Yuan Yao, he attempted to retreat, but as he took a step, his body froze. He looked down and saw a ball of fire burning at his feet, consuming his soul.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Feng Chiyue asked, tilting her head. The tinkling of bells, faint but clear, almost drowned out by the thunder, reached his ears. The Daoist in yellow robes clung to that sound, and gradually, it amplified in his mind, like the summons of the King of Hell. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground. Feng Chiyue scoffed, crossed her arms, and watched with amusement as the Daoist was burned to ashes. She frowned, finding it rather boring. She flicked her sleeve, dispersing the smoke and dust, and looked up at Ming Jian Su, who was locked in a fierce battle with Yuan Yao, forced to reveal his true Golden Pheasant form.
This Golden Pheasant looked familiar.
Feng Chiyue rubbed her forehead, feeling a sharp pain.
Her curiosity instantly vanished. She decided not to dwell on it.
Seeing that Ming Jian Su had gained the upper hand against Yuan Yao, she didn’t intervene. She simply watched quietly. Only when Yuan Yao’s wings were completely severed and he was slammed to the ground by Ming Jian Su’s sword did she finally move. She dusted off her clothes and walked towards Ming Jian Su with a light step. Taking her arm, she said, “Elder Sister, my head hurts.”
Ming Jian Su pursed her lips, ignoring Yuan Yao Star Monarch, who was pinned to the ground by her sword. She placed her hand on Feng Chiyue’s forehead, channeling spiritual energy to investigate. Feng Chiyue allowed her to do so. Her gaze lingered on Ming Jian Su for a moment before shifting to Yuan Yao Star Monarch. “Have I met him before?” she murmured.
Feng Chiyue hadn’t met him, but the Phoenix Sovereign definitely had.
Was her headache caused by memories of the past? Ming Jian Su considered this possibility, a chill running down her spine. She glared at Yuan Yao Star Monarch, her killing intent unmistakable.
Turning to Feng Chiyue, she said gently, “Yuan Yao Star Monarch has been in secluded cultivation in the Realm Beyond Heaven. He rarely appears in the Immortal Realm. Perhaps you’re mistaken.”
Feng Chiyue blinked. “Really?”
Ming Jian Su nodded earnestly. “Ugly people all look alike.” She flicked her sleeve, and her magic power transformed into a giant hand that slapped Yuan Yao Star Monarch across the face, leaving him bruised and swollen. She smoothed down her sleeve and said, “Look, Junior Sister. Doesn’t he resemble the Vermilion Bird Elder?”
Feng Chiyue: “…” Her Elder Sister was talking nonsense. But this Golden Pheasant wasn’t important. If her Elder Sister said he looked like someone, then he did. She nodded and asked, “What should we do with him?”
“Kill him!” Ming Jian Su said without hesitation.
Yuan Yao Star Monarch’s face was grotesquely swollen, his body riddled with sword energy, his magic power completely sealed. He glared at Ming Jian Su, his voice filled with rage. “How dare you offend Danxue Mountain?!”
Ming Jian Su laughed. She pressed down with her sword energy and said nonchalantly, “If I hadn’t offended Danxue Mountain, would you have come to kill me?” Had these arrogant victors lost their minds after enjoying all the benefits? She took out a few jade slips, quickly listing Danxue Mountain’s crimes, and forcefully imprinted Yuan Yao Star Monarch’s name seal on them as evidence. Fearing she might have missed something, she also searched his soul. However, the scene from a thousand years ago that she glimpsed in his soul disgusted her, deepening her hatred. But she showed no sign of it in front of Feng Chiyue, a faint smile still lingering on her lips.
Traitors deserved to be torn to pieces!
Knowing that Feng Chiyue disliked such bloody scenes, she turned her away and covered her eyes with her hand.
Feng Chiyue’s eyelashes brushed against her palm, like feathers tickling her heart. But Ming Jian Su had no romantic thoughts. She simply wondered why her junior sister had to suffer so much. Was there something wrong with the Heavenly Dao?
Only after Yuan Yao Star Monarch’s soul was completely obliterated did Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue emerge from Heaven in a Pot.
They were met by Chu Yi and her entourage.
Ming Jian Su looked surprised. She glanced at the group and noticed several wandering immortals with panicked expressions. She understood. She tossed the jade slip containing the copied records to Chu Yi and said solemnly, “The chaos originated from within.”
Chu Yi was taken aback. She channeled her consciousness into the jade slip, and her expression changed drastically. She turned to look at the immortals following her, her gaze contemplative. After a moment, her expression returned to normal. “Where did you find this, East Abode Master?” she asked.
Ming Jian Su lowered her gaze and said casually, “Heaven in a Pot.” This artifact had been snatched from that little scoundrel from Danxue Mountain. She might as well make its origin official now.
Chu Yi understood and didn’t ask any further questions. She smiled and said, “You’ve all worked hard. Let’s return to Asura City.”
The official stationed there breathed a sigh of relief, but the wandering immortals with guilty consciences looked as if they had seen a ghost. They didn’t dare to travel with Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue and quickly made excuses to return to their secluded caves.
Ming Jian Su chuckled. “What’s the rush? Not everyone’s here yet, are they? Don’t tell me you’re planning to leave your fellow Daoists behind?”
The wandering immortals panicked even more. Would Peng Ning and the other Daoist ever return? A reunion? Were they being invited to join them on the road to the Yellow Springs?
No, they hadn’t done anything yet. They still had a chance to switch sides!
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