“Elder Ye Ji has fallen unconscious again.”

At dawn, Hong Ying stood at the cliff’s edge on the southern side of the valley, his amber vertical pupils gazing down at the distant mountains. He possessed exceptional night vision—even without moonlight, he could spot targets within the dense forest from high above.

Elder Ye Ji had encountered Asura at the Southern Dharma Temple. There was no guarantee the enemy wouldn’t follow the trail here. Maintaining vigilance was essential.

The thunder-mouthed white ape stood beneath a tree, its clear blue eyes glancing at him before saying:

“Your heart tells me…”

“Stop, stop, stop!”

Hong Ying quickly interrupted, putting on a friendly smile: “Peering into others’ thoughts is quite impolite.”

He forcefully contained his thoughts, preventing himself from cursing internally.

The white ape spoke slowly:

“You’re becoming more like those human bureaucrats, trying to please everyone and offend no one. Have you forgotten that you’re from the proud Crimson Bird clan, rulers of the sky?”

Hong Ying readily agreed: “You’re right, it’s my flaw. I’ll change.”

The white ape looked at him: “But your heart tells me: ‘Human bureaucratic methods can quickly accumulate spiritual connections and build relationships for benefits. Even without gains, there are no losses. Stupid monkeys can only play a king in the mountains, how crude!'”

Hong Ying’s mouth twitched violently.

He disliked Guardian Yuan precisely because this stinking monkey could see through people’s hearts.

Fortunately, Hong Ying wasn’t thin-skinned. With his rich experience in demon life, he smoothly changed the subject:

“Guardian Qing Mu said Elder Ye Ji has only two days to live.”

“I wonder who the Lord meant when speaking of help.”

The white ape pondered briefly before replying:

“Twenty years ago, during the Shanhai Pass Battle, our Ten Thousand Demons Nation allied with the Shamanic Divine Cult, Northern Demon Clans, Barbarian Tribes, and Poison Tribes. The Northern Demon Clans, though from different branches, are still demons like us—they’re highly possible.”

“The masters from the Shamanic Divine Cult and Poison Tribes are also possibilities. Hmm, since the Lord said this person could save Elder Ye Ji, a Shamanic Divine Cult master seems most likely. A shaman’s Blood Spirit technique might be able to neutralize the power of the Killer Achievement.”

The relationship between Elder Ye Ji and Xu Qi An, as well as the Nine-tailed Fox’s schemes, were beyond their rank to know.

They didn’t even know much about this Great Zhou’s Lieutenant Xu—South Border’s Ten Thousand Mountains were far from Great Zhou, with little contact and limited news.

Suddenly, Hong Ying’s voice deepened: “Someone’s approaching!”

He stared intently at the distant night sky.

After several seconds, he suddenly exclaimed: “Elder Bai Ji?”

The white ape, whose aura had been steadily rising, suddenly halted and turned to look at him in confusion.

Hong Ying explained: “Elder Bai Ji has returned with a man.”

“A man?”

“Yes, he doesn’t seem to be a shaman, but rather a martial artist…” Hong Ying gazed into the distance.

“A martial artist?!” The white ape grew more confused.

Hong Ying didn’t respond further, as the person’s wind-riding speed was extremely fast, now less than a hundred zhang from their mountaintop—close enough for the white ape to see clearly.

With a light tap, Xu Qi An landed on the mountaintop, sweeping a glance at the two demons before him without speaking.

“Guardian Hong Ying, Guardian Yuan.”

Bai Ji, perched on Xu Qi An’s head, happily waved her front paws, calling out in a soft childish voice.

“Elder Bai Ji, why are you here?”

Guardian Hong Ying asked in surprise.

“I was sent by the Lady to help Sister Ye Ji,” Bai Ji said sweetly.

“And this is…?”

Hong Ying and the white ape simultaneously looked at Xu Qi An. Anyone with sense would know that the Lord’s mentioned reinforcement couldn’t be Elder Bai Ji.

She was still just a fox cub.

Xu Qi An stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm—neither cold nor eager—projecting an air of casual mastery to demonstrate his expertise.

Bai Ji introduced him sweetly: “This is Lieutenant Xu, Great Zhou’s Lieutenant Xu. Have you heard of him?”

Hong Ying and the white ape exchanged glances, with the former realizing:

“So you’re the Great Zhou’s rising star from the Imperial Examination year, known as the miraculous case-solver with iron-clad judgments?”

The white ape added:

“The Lieutenant Xu who solved cases while imprisoned, and single-handedly held off tens of thousands of rebel troops in Yun Province?”

…Xu Qi’an thought to himself, these are ancient history—are you two just getting connected to the village network?

Bai Ji lay by his ear, whispering:

“The two Guardians only handle South Border affairs and never leave the Ten Thousand Mountains. They don’t pay attention to Great Zhou matters.”

At this moment, the thunder-mouthed white ape frowned:

“Lieutenant Xu’s case-solving and holding off rebel troops in Yun Province happened at the end of last year—hardly ancient history. Also, what’s this about village networks?”

Xu Qi An was startled: “You can see through my thoughts.”

The white ape nodded: “Reading hearts is my clan’s innate divine ability. Additionally, when I served as a demon slave at the Two Chan Temple in my youth, I secretly learned the Buddhist Mind-Reading Technique.”

Buddhist Mind-Reading plus an innate talent for knowing hearts? Xu Qi An studied the white ape, quietly containing his thoughts.

The fact that Lieutenant Xu was a lewd sage had to be kept secret.

With his Three-Realm level spiritual power, he could contain his thoughts from others’ prying.

“Where’s Sister Ye Ji?” the little white fox asked.

Hong Ying’s face filled with worry:

“Elder Ye Ji secretly investigated the Southern Dharma Temple the night before last and was wounded by Asura, the Asura King’s youngest son. Asura has achieved the Killer Achievement, and his power is extremely tyrannical—impossible to remove. Elder Ye Ji now has only one day left to live.”

“The Lady said a master would come to help these days…” He glanced at Xu Qi An, saying reverently: “Could it be Lieutenant Xu?”

The white ape beside him said flatly:

“Hong Ying’s heart tells me: ‘It can’t be this youngster, right? At best he’s Fourth Realm—forget about saving Elder Ye Ji, he wouldn’t even be enough to fill Asura’s tooth gap.'”

Hong Ying’s expression changed slightly, showing an awkward but polite smile:

“Guardian Yuan is good in every way, except he spent too many years in the Buddhist temple and picked up the habit of being too straightforward.”

A bird demon skilled in social interaction, and a monkey who could see through people’s hearts but was excessively straightforward… Xu Qi An mentally labeled the two Guardians.

“I am an old friend of Elder Ye Ji. Take me to see her. Also, my attendant is still behind—please trouble Guardian Hong Ying to receive him. His name is Miao You Fang.”

With Bai Ji’s endorsement, the two Guardians believed him. The white ape led Xu Qi An into the valley, while Hong Ying transformed into a giant crimson bird and flew away.

The two Guardians believed that the helper mentioned by their Lord was related to this Great Zhou Lieutenant, perhaps someone backing him.

He was just an advance scout for that master.

Man and demon landed lightly in the valley. The white ape led him into the cave, through a not-too-deep passage, arriving at the stone chamber entrance.

Xu Qi An surveyed the chamber’s layout and was stunned—the arrangement here was identical to the bedroom in the Ying Mei Small Pavilion of the Imperial Entertainment Bureau.

For a moment, he felt as if he had returned to the capital’s Entertainment Bureau.

Those were his most comfortable and happiest days.

So a part of my time remained here with Fu Xiang…

“Sister Ye Ji!”

Bai Ji leaped from Xu Qi An’s head, running to the bedside on all fours. With a powerful jump, her little belly predictably hit the bed edge, and after several kicks with her hind legs, she finally made it onto the bed.

She seemed to sense danger and didn’t rashly touch the beauty on the bed.

Xu Qi An’s gaze followed her, then fell on an entirely green elderly man by the bed. He held a vine-wrapped staff pressed against the young woman’s forehead, emerald light flowing in like water.

Seeing outsiders enter, the green-haired, green-browed, green-bearded elder withdrew his staff and looked over with gentle eyes.

The white ape introduced:

“This is the Constable from Great Zhou, Lieutenant Xu.”

Then he introduced Qing Mu Guardian:

“Guardian Qing Mu is our demon clan’s elderly star of longevity, having lived for thousands of years. They say he watched our previous Lord grow up. Even our current Lord must call him grandfather.”

Not particularly powerful, but with terrifyingly high seniority, not his true form but a law body condensed from wood spirits… Xu Qi An made his assessment internally, bowing: “Greetings, Guardian Qing Mu.”

Guardian Qing Mu waved his hands repeatedly, deeply humbled:

“I wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare. Sir is a transcendent martial artist—just call me Qing Mu.”

Transcendent martial artist? So he is the helper our Lord found, not an advanced scout for someone behind him… The white ape instantly widened his azure eyes, looking at Xu Qi An in disbelief.

If the intelligence wasn’t wrong, Xu Qi An did indeed rise during the Imperial Examination year, but reports said he was a miraculous case-solver, not a cultivation prodigy.

No, regardless of how much of a prodigy one might be, it would be impossible to rise from nobody to transcendent in just over a year.

The white ape’s mind stirred with a guess:

The person before him wasn’t Lieutenant Xu, but someone using his name.

With my current mastery over qi mechanisms, ordinary people can’t detect my true realm—these demon clan members are all talented… Xu Qi An nodded slightly, neither confirming nor denying.

“This old one is merely extremely sensitive to the life force. Sir’s blood qi is like an ocean—only the transcendent realm possesses such magnificent vitality.” Guardian Qing Mu was extremely humble.

Xu Qi An nodded, not continuing the idle chat: “Let me see her.”

Guardian Qing Mu immediately stepped back, making way.

Xu Qi An sat down by the bed, examining the unconscious beauty, amazement in his eyes.

Compared to the refined beauty of her scholarly elegance at the Ying Mei Pavilion, the Fu Xiang before him was an entirely different person. The curves of her cheeks met at her jaw, outlining an alluring oval face.

Her small red lips were full and plump—naturally seductive. Her nose was delicate, her eyelashes like fans, with long straight eyebrows and a touch of crimson at the corners of her eyes.

Among all the beauties in Xu Qi An’s collection, none was more alluring than her.

“A bewitching woman is truly bewitching…”

Xu Qi An chuckled internally, his gaze moving downward, sweeping over the chest that lifted her thin blanket, before taking her wrist.

Pop~~

Golden ripples reactively surged, crashing against Xu Qi An’s chest like waves against a reef, unable to move him even slightly.

Seeing this, Guardian Yuan fully believed that this “Lieutenant Xu” was undoubtedly of the Third Realm.

The power of the Killer Achievement wasn’t something a Fourth Realm cultivator could withstand.

“How is it?” Guardian Qing Mu asked beside him.

Before Xu Qi An could answer, Guardian Yuan said:

“His heart tells me: ‘This body satisfies me, I’ll consummate the marriage tonight.'”

After speaking, Guardian Yuan’s face showed shock, and he stood together with Guardian Qing Mu, watching Xu Qi An warily.

Damn it… Xu Qi An quickly contained his thoughts, coughing once:

“I can remove the Killer force within her. You should step back first.”

Guardian Qing Mu and Guardian Yuan silently watched him, their faces clearly saying “Don’t even think about it.”

Very well… Xu Qi An brought out the Pagoda of Buddha. The palm-sized dark golden pagoda floated above the bed.

“The Pagoda of Buddha?!”

Guardian Qing Mu’s voice suddenly became sharp.

The white ape didn’t recognize this treasure, but he could sense the Buddhist power it contained.

Their gazes at Xu Qi An grew more vigilant, and they began to doubt whether he was truly the helper their Lord had mentioned.

Guardian Qing Mu silently gripped his vine-wrapped staff tighter.

White fur began growing on Guardian Yuan’s cheeks.

The female demons in the cave were also on high alert.

Bai Ji stood by the bed, raising one front paw and waving it forcefully, saying sweetly:

“Don’t be afraid, the Pagoda of Buddha is our demon—no, our treasure.”

The gathered demons’ expressions softened slightly, suppressing their confusion and curiosity without asking more questions.

By this time, Xu Qi An had already communicated with the pagoda spirit, asking it to manifest the Medicine Buddha’s power to help remove the Killer force.

The miniature Pagoda of Buddha slowly rotated, sprinkling down gentle golden light.

Bathed in the golden light, Ye Ji’s bewitching appearance gained a touch of divinity, creating a strange blend of allure.

“Medicine Buddha’s manifestation…”

Guardian Qing Mu said softly. He wasn’t surprised by this—as a long-lived tree spirit, he had a deep understanding of the Pagoda of Buddha.

Ye Ji’s complexion visibly improved, her breathing became steady, and the Killer force that had been tormenting her melted away like spring snow.

After all, she hadn’t been directly attacked by Asura, at most suffering some residual effects. With the Pagoda of Buddha’s status, removing it wasn’t difficult.

“It’s done.”

Xu Qi An put away the Pagoda of Buddha.

Guardian Yuan immediately looked at Guardian Qing Mu, who nodded slightly in confirmation.

They no longer had any doubts—The transcendent realm, healed Elder Ye Ji, and with Elder Bai Ji’s endorsement, this person was indeed the helper their Lord had mentioned.

Guardian Yuan’s clear blue eyes stared at Xu Qi An for a while, unable to “hear” his inner thoughts, and felt somewhat disappointed.

“Mmm…”

At this moment, Ye Ji moaned softly, her brows slightly furrowed, her eyelashes fluttered, and then her eyes opened.

The first thing she saw was a blurry figure, which upon closer inspection appeared to be a man.

Remembering what the Lady had said yesterday, her heart tightened, spontaneously generating emotions of anxiety, vigilance, and rejection.

“Awake?” the figure smiled.

In that instant, Ye Ji seemed struck by lightning, her body stiffening momentarily. She stared at the man sitting beside her bed, tears welling up in her autumn-water eyes.

“Young Master Xu…”

She murmured.

Her tone was dreamlike—the person she’d been thinking of day and night had appeared before her so easily.

It made her doubt whether what she was seeing was just a grand dream.

“Is it you?”

Seemingly confirming this wasn’t a dream, Ye Ji sat up in bed, excitedly grabbing Xu Qi An’s hand.

Radiantly alive, she called out repeatedly: “Young Master Xu, Young Master Xu…”

“Of course it’s me. The measurements haven’t changed—want to check?”

Xu Qi An responded in a way more fitting his previous persona.

In their past playful moments in the Ying Mei Pavilion bedroom, they often exchanged ribald jokes and teased each other.

Ye Ji’s fair cheeks flushed pink as she spat lightly at him.

She propped up her slightly weakened body, half-leaning into Xu Qi An’s embrace, her tone carrying both the joy of reunion after a long separation and a belly full of confusion:

“How did Young Master come here? How did you find this place?”

In Ye Ji’s understanding, Xu Qi An was still that Fifth Realm Energy Condensation martial artist, caught in a massive conspiracy with an uncertain future.

After her “death” and return to the Lady’s command, thousands of mountains and rivers separated them, with no foreseeable reunion in sight.

Guardian Yuan opened and closed his mouth, his mind slightly confused.

This Great Zhou Lieutenant was Elder Ye Ji’s man?!

Elder Ye Ji, who served at the Ten Thousand Demons Lord’s side, had taken a human man.

If this news spread, countless male demons would be outraged.

He knew this was true because Elder Ye Ji’s heart told him: She was getting aroused!

Guardian Qing Mu shook his head with a smile.

I understand now—you Southern Border folks aren’t connected to the network at all… Xu Qi An said:

“You know nothing of Great Zhou’s affairs?”

Thinking about it, his slaying of Emperor Yuan Jing was barely two months ago, not to mention his recent exploits while traveling the jianghu, such as acquiring the Pagoda of Buddha and killing the two Golden Warriors, Du Fan, and Du Nan.

These events had just happened in the past few days—without an extensive intelligence network, it would be impossible to know about them.

Ye Ji shook her head:

“The demons of the Ten Thousand Demons Nation each have their areas of responsibility. After returning to the Lady’s side, I was sent to govern the demons of the Southern Border. I monitor South Nation’s every move for her and investigate the sealed locations of Shen Shu’s dismembered parts.”

“The Central Plains aren’t under my jurisdiction, so news doesn’t reach here. Even when I wanted to gather intelligence about Young Master, I had neither the personnel nor the channels.”

The division of labor is very clear—this both provides efficiency and serves as the Nine-tailed Heavenly Fox’s means of controlling the various regional demons… Xu Qi An nodded and answered her question:

“I’m now a Third Realm Transcendent with an immortal body.”

Ye Ji was stunned, staring at him with a blank expression.

Xu Qi An smiled without speaking.

After a long while, Ye Ji sighed out a breath, “I always knew Young Master wasn’t meant for obscurity, but I never imagined your cultivation would progress so terrifyingly fast. I can imagine how prominent you must be now.”

Bai Ji seized the opportunity to climb up along Ye Ji’s body: “Sister Ye Ji, hug me, hug me.”

Hearing this, Ye Ji smiled and picked up the little white fox, holding it to her chest, saying:

“Bai Ji has been with you?”

Xu Qi An nodded: “She’s been traveling with me for some time.”

Bai Ji rested her head on Ye Ji’s chest, fidgeting uncomfortably a few times, seeming somewhat ill at ease. She looked back at Ye Ji’s chest with an unsatisfied expression.

“What’s wrong?” Ye Ji asked.

“Not comfortable…” Bai Ji said quietly.

Ye Ji looked confused: “You used to love it when sister held you like this.”

She’s found a better pillow… Xu Qi’an thought to himself.

Ye Ji rubbed the little white fox’s head and continued:

“So Young Master is the reinforcement the Lady requested? And you’re the one who healed me?”

Though she asked this, she was already quite certain in her heart. No wonder the Lady had instructed her to serve him well—if it was Xu Qi An, everything made sense.

Young Master Xu was someone the Lady valued highly; she wouldn’t easily offend him.

“Tell me about the situation with Shen Shu’s dismembered parts. My story can wait for later,” Xu Qi An skipped the small talk and went straight to the point.

“We used many demon slaves controlled by the Buddhist sect and bribed some merchants traveling between the Southern Border and Western Regions. After spending considerable time, we discovered the specific location where Shen Shu’s dismembered parts are sealed.”

Ye Ji expanded on the topic, explaining “demon slaves”:

“The Buddhist sect likes to tame our demon kind, using them as mounts and laborers. Those of high cultivation, regularly hear sutras and undergo brainwashing. Those of lower cultivation, no one wants to waste energy converting them, usually relying on force for intimidation.”

“The latter are those we can secretly contact and turn.”

Xu Qi An listened attentively without interrupting.

“Shen Shu is sealed in the ancient pagoda in the western courtyard of the Southern Dharma Temple. The pagoda itself isn’t particularly special, but inside, sixty-eight chan masters constantly meditate and chant sutras, using Buddhist methods to suppress Shen Shu’s demonic nature and reinforce the seal.”

“Moreover, the Glass Bodhisattva personally inscribed a name on the Buddhist pagoda—’ Eternal Suppression!'”

“Thus, this pagoda has condensed the fortune of the Ten Thousand Mountains.”

Xu Qi An clicked his tongue: “A meditation formation formed by sixty-eight chan masters can only be broken by a Transcendent.”

Ye Ji nodded: “Yes, originally we planned to invite the Bear King to emerge and seize the opportunity while the Buddhist defenses were too weak to break the formation in one go, but unexpectedly, Asura has returned to his position.”

“Asura?”

The words “returned to his position” made Xu Qi An’s heart sink, because this phrase was usually used to describe the awakening of reincarnated arhats.

“Asura is the Asura King’s youngest son—both an arhat who has achieved the Killer Achievement and a Third Realm warrior with a Vajra physique.”

Ye Ji looked at him gravely, not daring to say that Asura’s strength far exceeded that of a typical Third Realm warrior.

Even having returned to her true form, she still instinctively acted submissive in his presence, like an easily bullied concubine.

Two plus three… Xu Qi’an grimaced

Whether it was the Killer Achievement or a warrior with a Vajra physique, both were renowned for their offensive prowess.

“Who is the Bear King?”

Xu Qi An changed the subject.

Ye Ji spoke without reservation: “The Bear King is currently our demon clan’s only Transcendent Demon King besides the Lady.”

She went on to explain the demon clan’s hierarchy:

“The highest leader of the Ten Thousand Demons Nation is our Fox Clan’s leader, the Nine-tailed Heavenly Fox, who is also the Southern Demons’ Overlord. The Lord always has at least nine elders, and at our peak, there were fourteen elders, including three Transcendents. Below the elders are the guardians.”

“When elders are abroad, they are the messengers of the Lord’s will. Elders are usually selected from the Fox Clan.”

“Beyond the Fox Clan, there are twelve Demon Kings. At its peak, the Ten Thousand Demons Nation had twenty Demon Kings, though of course, not every Demon King was a Transcendent.”

“The Bear King is the only Demon King who survived the Buddhist-Demon War five hundred years ago. When the great battle erupted, he was sleeping underground, thus avoiding catastrophe.”

“Sleeping?” Xu Qi An doubted his ears.

Ye Ji explained helplessly: “The Bear King is just too lazy. He often won’t move for several years at a time, sleeping for decades or even centuries.”

“Can’t wake him up?”

“Every time he sleeps, he pulls all living beings within several li into slumber with him—it’s his innate divine ability.”

What kind of ridiculous innate ability is that… Xu Qi An was speechless.

He finally understood why the Nine-tailed Heavenly Fox had sought his help.

That Demon King was sleeping even when his nation fell—let alone for mere Shen Shu!

“What’s Lieutenant Xu’s plan of action?”

Guardian Yuan asked from the side.

“No rush, let me scout for intelligence first.”

Speaking thus, he reached into his robes, lightly tapped the back of the Earth Book fragment, and pulled out a bronze mirror with intricately carved patterns, its surface missing half.

“You bastard, why’d you take me out? Put me back quickly.”

The Universal Heaven Mirror cursed.

“Time to work, or why else would I keep you?” Xu Qi An said irritably.

“Why am I always the one working? You never use that broken sword of yours—just who is your true spiritual weapon?”

The Universal Heaven Mirror raged.

“This, this…”

Guardian Qing Mu stared at the mirror, studying it for a long while before suddenly exclaiming with tears streaming down his face: “Is this our Lord’s Universal Heaven Mirror from back then?!”

The Universal Heaven Mirror stopped cursing, fell silent for a moment, then said:

“Oh, it’s you, old tree spirit.”

“Five hundred years have passed, and you still haven’t made any progress. When will you reach Transcendent?”

Guardian Qing Mu trembled as he knelt, weeping: “Greetings, Lord Mirror. This old one never imagined I would live to see the Mirror return to the light of day.”

Guardian Yuan’s clear blue eyes gazed at the Universal Heaven Mirror, intensely curious about its identity.

Even more curious was why this bronze mirror, which held such an exalted position among the demon clan, was in the hands of a Great Zhou lieutenant.

Ye Ji’s eyelashes trembled as she lowered her voice:

“Is this the mirror that used to sit on our Lord’s dressing table—the treasure of Universal Heaven?”

“I happened to acquire this object and made a deal with your Lord—when she returns from her sea voyage, I’ll return the mirror to the Ten Thousand Demons Nation, and she’ll help me remove two Demon-Sealing Nails.”

Xu Qi An explained while instructing:

“Universal Heaven, can you locate Ten Thousand Demons Mountain?”

Demon-Sealing Nails? What does that mean, what does he mean by removing Demon-Sealing Nails… These questions arose in the minds of Ye Ji, Guardian Qing Mu, and Guardian Yuan.

The bronze mirror’s surface rippled like water, and then shortly after, the image solidified, reflecting an ancient temple.

Xu Qi An narrowed his eyes, seeing a tall pagoda in the temple’s western courtyard, with a figure faintly visible standing at its top.

“West, focus on that pagoda.”

As his words fell, the image stretched westward and magnified, clearly revealing the figure standing atop the pagoda.

He was about nine chi tall, with an iron-cast physique, wearing only a kasaya robe that exposed large swaths of muscular flesh, his skin a dark golden color.

His hands were clasped in prayer, head slightly bowed, his features unclear.

Behind his head was a ring of intense fire, and at its core, needle-like golden rays radiated outward.

The fire ring behind the head was one characteristic of the Vajra manifestation, a trait also presents in Third Realm Vajra warriors who practiced the Vajra Divine Art.

The halo of light, however, was a symbol of arhats.

The figure in the image possessed both a fire ring and a halo, indicating he was both Vajra and Arhat.

This matched what Ye Ji had said.

At this moment, the figure in the image slowly raised his head. His features, though ugly, carried an ineffable martial dignity.

His eyebrow area was bare, with high protruding brow ridges, beneath which his eyes were exceptionally sharp.

His cheeks were gaunt, facial contours hard and cold but well-proportioned, yet his features were peculiarly ugly—the combination created a very strange effect.

Just as Xu Qi An was marveling at how someone could be both so ugly and impressive, the image suddenly collapsed, and the Universal Heaven Mirror screamed:

“I’m blind! I’m blind! I’m blind…”

After crying out for a while, it calmed down and quickly said:

“Alright, let me go back now, I’m exhausted.”

The degree of blindness was lighter than when peeking at Little Aunt, which means Asura’s cultivation is far below hers… Hmm, but still much stronger than ordinary Second Realm cultivators… Xu Qi An satisfied the Universal Heaven Mirror’s request.

“After five hundred years, the Mirror’s personality has changed…”

Guardian Qing Mu found it difficult to adjust to the current Mirror.

“After it was cut in half by Bodhisattva Guang Xian, its spirit was also damaged, making it somewhat erratic. It’s only recently returned to normal, though its personality has changed more or less.”

Xu Qi An explained.

“I understand, I understand…”

Guardian Qing Mu nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of vicissitudes becoming momentarily distant as he sighed:

“Five hundred years have passed in a flash, yet the glory of the Ten Thousand Demons Nation seems like yesterday. That battle was too brutal—many Transcendent masters died.”

“Both the Buddhist sect and demon clan fought with bloodshot eyes, blood dyed the entire mountain red, and our clansmen’s corpses filled the valleys.”

“We had twenty Demon Kings, fourteen elders, and hundreds of thousands of demon masses. At that time, the forces in the Nine Provinces that could rival us Southern Demons could be counted on one hand.”

“But the Buddha was too powerful…”

Xu Qi An, with an interest in exploring history, followed up:

“How terrifying was the Supreme Realm? Even the Nine-tailed Heavenly Fox, a Half-Step Martial God, was defeated by the Buddha.”

Ye Ji, Guardian Yuan, and the little white fox all looked at Guardian Qing Mu.

Guardian Qing Mu rarely spoke of the war that destroyed their nation. If not for seeing the Universal Heaven Mirror today, they would never have had the chance to hear this half-buried history.

Guardian Qing Mu started, then looked at him with a strange expression.

After several seconds of silence, the elder slowly shook his head:

“Our Lord is not a Half-Step Martial God.”

Xu Qi An was shocked: “What do you mean?”