Chapter 535: Heavenly Demon, The Finale Begins
The blood moon hung like a hooked scythe in the sky.
The plaque bearing the three characters “Immortal Slaying City,” carved with spiritual cinnabar, seemed poised to fall. Below the gate tower, demonic cultivators lay dead in droves. Many Foundation Establishment stage disciples of the Xuan Xing Sect, wearing gauze masks, piled them up and purified them into ashes with Fire Element talismans.
“Hurry up! Burn these demonic cultivators. Remember to throw the Gu cultivators’ corpses into the pit outside. A Core Formation stage senior is helping to deal with them, so be careful of those Gu worms that might be feigning death.”
“Yes…”
…
There’s a saying among demonic cultivators: “Immortal Slaying City in the West, Tian Bei City in the South, Spirit Prison in the North.”
A thousand years ago, when the immortal sects invaded the Eastern Domain, Tian Bei City, with only a few thousand demonic cultivators, held off the siege of Nancheng City and its tens of thousands of Imperial Sect cultivators.
As for this Immortal Slaying City, it dealt a critical blow to Yun Jian Shang Xian, who was at the peak of his power, having fought his way from the south. Nearly thirty thousand Southern Domain immortal cultivators under Yun Jian Shang Xian suffered heavy casualties, and he himself was injured in his virtual spirit by the city’s sword formation.
After the immortal sects’ defeat in the battle of Immortal Slaying City, the demonic cultivators seized the opportunity to counterattack, which almost directly led to the immortal sects being driven out of the Eastern Domain once again.
It can be said that the turning point of the last major war between the immortal sects and the demonic path was in this city.
However, this time, Lei Wanjun, along with three subordinates of the Demon Emperor and approximately ten thousand immortal cultivators, only took twenty-five days to breach the city gates and kill all the demonic cultivators within.
At present, the immortal cultivators in the city have cleared the streets and are celebrating their victory with drinks and lively conversation.
Because the demon race was also present, happy meows and roars could be heard everywhere in the alleys:
Meow~~ Meow~~
Hum~~ Hum~~
However, amidst the city’s jubilant celebration, a young girl with black and white long hair walked alone on the street with a look of desolation, out of place in the lively atmosphere.
“Alas…”
Si Xuanji, carrying a small paper umbrella, walked slowly down the center of the street, sighing every five steps and shaking her head every ten steps. She looked like a delicate young lady lamenting the passage of time.
If you were to ask why she wore such a sad expression after a victory?
“Itchy! Itchy!”
A’ying croaked.
Si Xuanji heard this and glanced at A’ying on her shoulder, saying,
“How could I be like a lovesick girl, feeling lonely just because I haven’t seen my beloved for a few months?”
“Right, right!! Right, right!!”
A’ying nodded, then tilted its head and croaked again:
“Lovesick old woman? Lovesick old… Caw! Just kidding! Just kidding!!”
“…”
Lady Si Xuanji, who bore no grudges against parrots, plucked a few feathers from it and let go. She looked up at the crescent moon, stained crimson by the killing aura of the Eastern Domain, but was suddenly drawn to a couple dressed in Xuan Xing Sect uniforms.
The two seemed to be cultivation partners. The man was at the Core Formation stage, while the woman was only at the Foundation Establishment stage.
The man held the woman’s hand, his face filled with sorrow, and said:
“A Ling, I heard from the seniors that after Immortal Slaying City, it’s the Tian Mo Sect. I don’t know if I can return alive…”
However, the woman placed a finger on his lips, frowned, and rebuked:
“Don’t jinx it. Don’t say that.”
Then she touched her belly:
“I’m two months along…”
“Huh?! What…”
“I’m pregnant. After we destroy the Tian Mo Sect, we’ll ask Elder Liu for leave and find a scenic cave dwelling in the Western Regions to recuperate for a year or two… Hehe—”
“Okay! I promise you!!”
…
Watching the young couple’s affectionate display, a hint of envy appeared in Si Xuanji’s Yin-yang eyes, and she couldn’t help but sigh again:
“Alas—”
Just as the two said, the Tian Mo Sect was next. She and Yu Yan were bound to face a fierce battle, and her opponents wouldn’t just be Yu Yan, but also that old woman, Sun Juehu.
The current campaign against the demonic cultivators in the Eastern Domain was a setup orchestrated by Sun Juehu for her.
Even a fool could see that if the immortal sects truly managed to destroy the Tian Mo Sect and Yu Yan, as Ye Anping had told her, Sun Juehu would immediately turn her guns on her to avenge her father’s death.
If it were in the past, she wouldn’t have bothered and certainly wouldn’t have walked into this trap.
But Ye Anping said it would be alright.
So, she left the Western Regions and came to this godforsaken place.
Si Xuanji withdrew her gaze from the couple and lowered her eyes, continuing to walk down the street. As she looked ahead, she felt an inexplicable sense of fear.
In the Western Regions, she could know everything within them through her Star Observation Technique.
But here, the killing aura of the Eastern Domain blocked her Star Observation Divine Ability, rendering her effectively deaf and blind.
Her accustomed “known” had become “unknown.”
Jingle…
Jingle…
The ankle bells jingled with her steps.
Si Xuanji looked down at her embroidered shoes, murmuring her steps.
“One… two… three…”
When she reached 1,200 steps, two familiar voices came from ahead, causing Si Xuanji to look up again.
She saw Ye Ao and Kong Yulan, dressed in the sect uniforms of the Hundred Lotus Sect, pacing anxiously outside the gate of the former city lord’s mansion of Immortal Slaying City. Their faces showed a mixture of worry and impatience.
Kong Yulan paced back and forth and asked:
“Why hasn’t anyone come out yet? We’ve been waiting for almost an hour.”
“Elder Lei is extremely busy. He must be occupied right now, he doesn’t have time to entertain us?”
“But… Ping’er is engaged to Xiao Girl. We are, after all, their…”
“Alas! Yulan, romantic matters are secondary. The war between immortals and demons is paramount… Let’s just wait a bit. Elder Lei will surely let us in once he’s finished.”
…
Hearing their conversation, Si Xuanji was a little surprised.
She remembered that when she set out from the Xuan Xing Sect, she had asked Qiu Shui Rou to send a jade slip to the Hundred Lotus Sect, informing them not to follow the various immortal sects of the Western Regions to the Eastern Domain.
After all, casualties were inevitable in war.
Although the Hundred Lotus Sect had grown steadily in recent years, recruiting many disciples and expanding its territory, apart from those sent by the Xing Tian Division, the sect mainly consisted of young cultivators at the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining stages, with only a few Core Formation elders.
Cultivators of such a level would not only be unable to fight against demonic cultivators in the Eastern Domain but might not even withstand the killing aura of the Eastern Domain.
Furthermore, and most importantly, she was effectively deaf and blind here in the Eastern Domain and couldn’t open her Heavenly Eyes.
What if Ye Ao and Kong Yulan encountered a powerful demonic cultivator and met with an accident? How would she face Ye Anping afterward?
Si Xuanji pouted and walked over slowly, tilting the small umbrella on her shoulder upwards, pretending to be a young lady, and spoke up:
“Sect Master Ye, Madam Kong, why have you come here?”
The sudden, cold, loli-like voice from behind startled Ye Ao and Kong Yulan, causing them to turn around with frightened expressions.
After staring at Si Xuanji’s Yin-yang eyes for a moment, Ye Ao remembered that several years ago, when he and Kong Yulan went to the Xuan Xing Sect to find Ye Anping, who had just joined the sect, this girl had guided them.
“Hmm? Are you… Miss Xuanji? You’ve already reached the Core Formation stage…”
“Sect Master Ye still remembers this humble girl, I am greatly honored.” Si Xuanji smiled, nodded in greeting, and asked, “Um… I remember that the Xuan Xing Sect sent a jade slip to the Hundred Lotus Sect previously, stating that the Hundred Lotus Sect did not need to come to the Eastern Domain for this demonic suppression campaign… Sect Master Ye, you are…”
“Ah…” Ye Ao scratched the back of his head and smiled awkwardly, “Well, it’s a bit embarrassing. If we don’t participate in this demonic suppression and immortal-sealing matter, people will definitely say we’re afraid of death and that we got special treatment because of Ping’er. It wouldn’t look good.”
“I see…”
“So, as the Sect Master, I had to come along too.” Ye Ao stroked his beard and said, “When attacking Immortal Slaying City, my wife and I killed six Core Formation stage demonic cultivators… Hahaha—”
Hearing this, Si Xuanji felt a pang of fear.
When Lei Wanjun broke through Immortal Slaying City, although there was internal strife in Immortal Slaying City, which was like divine assistance, the twenty-five-day assault still resulted in significant casualties among immortal cultivators and demons.
She had been completely unaware that the two of them were…
If Ye Ao and Kong Yulan had died in Immortal Slaying City, they might not even be able to find their remains…
Si Xuanji carefully chose her words and advised:
“Next is the Tian Mo Sect, which will undoubtedly involve fierce battles. Sect Master Ye and Madam Kong should not stay here. It’s best to retreat to Dong Huang City as soon as possible and return to the Western Regions. Anping is the fiancé of the Young Master of Xuan Xing Sect. If something happens to you two…”
Ye Ao chuckled dismissively and waved his hand:
“It’s fine, it’s fine… Ping’er and Pei’er are both in the Eastern Domain. It wouldn’t be proper for us elders to hide behind.”
Ye Ao didn’t notice, but Kong Yulan’s eyes lit up. She immediately pushed Ye Ao aside, grabbed Si Xuanji’s hand, and leaned her face closer.
??
Si Xuanji shrunk back slightly in confusion:
“Madam Kong…”
“Miss Xuanji just called Ping’er, did she call him ‘Anping’? Hmm?~~”
“… …”
Si Xuanji blinked, stunned, while Kong Yulan’s smile grew even wider.
Ye Ao, standing beside them, was sweating on his forehead and interrupted:
“Yulan… you…”
“You shut up, I’m asking…” Kong Yulan glared at him and asked, “Could it be that Miss Xuanji has also taken a liking to my Ping’er?”
“Yulan, this is…”
“Oh… what’s the big deal. Elder Wang once said that Ping’er had too much yang energy. Besides, Miss Xuanji’s sister, Young Master Xiao, is already engaged to Ping’er. If Miss Xuanji also marries into the family, it would be double happiness~”
Si Xuanji’s face showed embarrassment, and she averted her gaze:
“Madam Kong, this…”
But her words were snatched by Kong Yulan, who continued:
“It’s alright, Miss Xuanji, as long as you like Ping’er. If you’re worried that Anping won’t agree, you don’t need to. I, as his mother, will talk to him, and I guarantee he’ll agree.”
Si Xuanji hesitated for a moment, then thought it was rather amusing. Her face flushed slightly as she lowered her head:
“Then… this humble girl thanks Madam Kong in advance.”
Ye Ao, who had been left aside, and A’ying, who had remained silent throughout, had almost identical expressions on their faces now, a mixture of emotions difficult to describe.
Ye Ao looked at Si Xuanji, feeling that his son had too many romantic entanglements, and each one was more dazzling than the last, all daughters of prominent families…
However, he wasn’t here to find more daughters-in-law for his son.
“Cough cough—”
Ye Ao coughed twice, interrupting them, and asked:
“Miss Xuanji, we actually came to ask about Ping’er… He hasn’t been heard from for months, and we, as his parents, are naturally worried… May I ask Miss Xuanji…”
“Oh, it’s about that.” Si Xuanji smiled and replied, “Anping was ordered by my Master to infiltrate the Tian Mo Sect as a hidden soldier. Sect Master Ye need not worry, he is fine.”
“Is that so… Then I can rest assured. After all, the Eastern Domain is full of demonic cultivators. While that boy Anping is powerful, this… Alas~ Thank you for the information, Miss Xuanji.”
“You’re welcome~” Si Xuanji nodded and said, “Then, after the matter in the Eastern Domain is concluded, I will personally visit the Hundred Lotus Sect. Sect Master Ye and Madam, you should return to Dong Huang City first and wait safely for good news… I will not accompany you further, as I have important matters to report to Elder Lei.”
Ye Ao didn’t say much more. He cupped his hands in greeting and watched Si Xuanji walk into the city lord’s mansion holding her umbrella. Then, after a brief exchange with Kong Yulan, they left together.
Si Xuanji, walking into the mansion alone, revealed a sly smile after sensing that the couple had left:
“Hehe…”
“Xi Xi. Xi Xi.”
Si Xuanji happily rubbed A’ying’s head and rewarded it with a few spiritual rice grains. However, she quickly composed herself, took out the Sect Master’s immortal robe and sash from her storage bag, draped them over her shoulders, and strode towards the main hall of the city lord’s mansion.
Inside the grand hall, all the elders of the Xuan Xing Sect were gathered around a sand table, discussing the route for the upcoming assault on the Tian Mo Sect.
Upon hearing the jingling of bells at the entrance, Lei Wanjun, Mr. Qi, and everyone else immediately closed their mouths and bowed deeply:
“Disciples pay respects to the Sect Master.”
“Rise.”
Si Xuanji replied calmly, walked to the sand table, found it a bit too high, and stood on her tiptoes. Then, she glared at Lei Wanjun and simply used her flight spell to levitate. She took out a sword-shaped token from her storage bag and stuck it into the spot representing the Tian Mo Sect Main Peak on the sand table.
“Send a message to all sects in the Western Regions. Seven days from now, we will attack the Heavenly Demon.”
“Yes.”
… …
——-
At the same time, a thousand li away.
Seven Immortal Ships, arranged in a three-four formation, concealed their figures amidst the dark clouds in the sky, slowly cruising at an altitude of a thousand feet.
The cabins were silent, and the curtained rooms were filled with the fragrance of women.
Ye Anping lay flat on the bed, his handsome face a little paler than three days ago. He gazed at the bed ceiling carved with stars and the moon, already worrying about his future life.
He glanced at his left and right shoulders.
Junior Sister and Yunluo were resting their heads on his shoulders, sleeping with satisfied smiles.
“Finally… I can rest… *Phew*…”
Ye Anping let out a long sigh and gradually cleared his mind, wanting to get a good night’s sleep.
However, his body felt sticky, and Junior Sister and Yunluo were burning hot, holding him. He couldn’t sleep at all.
After opening and closing his eyes several times, Ye Anping finally held his breath, opened his eyes, and decided to go out for some fresh air.
So, he carefully moved his numb arm from behind their necks, tiptoed out of the room with his clothes.
After changing into a spare set of clothes in the corridor, Ye Anping leaned wearily against the wall and made his way along the ship’s corridor towards the deck.
However, as he passed Feng Yu Die’s room…
“Young Master Ye… Young Master Ye…”
?
Could it be!!!
The two soft moans from inside instantly jolted Ye Anping’s groggy mind awake.
He had already walked past the cabin door, but upon hearing those soft calls, he took a deep breath, retreated, narrowed his eyes, and cautiously pushed the door open a crack to peek inside.
As it turned out, he had misunderstood.
Feng Yu Die was lying on her side on the bed, curled up like a baby, sucking on her own thumbs, probably dreaming.
Ye Anping was inexplicably relieved. After closing the door, he continued towards the deck.
The cold wind at a thousand feet cleared the lascivious thoughts from his mind. Ye Anping walked to the bow of the ship and gazed out at the dark clouds and sea of clouds. Before long, a flying sword descended from the adjacent Immortal Ship.
Liang Zhu, holding a jade tablet, looked around. Seeing his sixth brother standing on the bow of the ship, he was taken aback for a moment, but then he sneered and walked over directly.
“Heh… Sixth Brother.”
“Mm…”
Liang Zhu didn’t say much. He directly threw the jade slip in his hand to him and said:
“Xuan Xing Sect has issued a sect command: attack the Heavenly Demon Sect in seven days.”
“Seven days…” Ye Anping patted his face, took the jade slip, and looked at it, then frowned slightly. “It’s a little faster than I expected.”
“Is there a problem?”
“Not a big one.”
Ye Anping turned to look back at the cabin. He had originally planned to scold Xiao Yunluo later, but it seemed he would have to wait until the matter was settled. He said:
“Brother Liang, when my Junior Sister and Yunluo wake up, please inform them. I will go to the Tian Mo Sect ahead of time with Feng Yu Die and Gu Mingxin. Have them return to Lady Dan Yue’s side and act with the Xuan Xing Sect disciples. Don’t try to find me specifically.”
Liang Zhu rolled his eyes: “Tell them yourself.”
“Alright… Then I’ll leave a letter, Brother Liang, you can help me pass it on. I’ll rest for an hour, take a bath, and then leave…”
… …
