Shortly after dawn, Nan Xu Yue dispatched someone to invite Xie Xuechen and Mu Xuanling, informing them that the formation had been established. Mu Xuanling had already inscribed the handband and wore it on her wrist. This formation could not conceal her appearance, but it could entirely block demonic and fiendish energies. With the absence of such energies, she seemed to lose a hint of allure but appeared more radiant and lively, dazzlingly beautiful.
“Brother Xie, Miss Mu, the formation is set and can be activated at any time,” Nan Xu Yue smiled and nodded to the two.
“Thank you for your efforts,” Xie Xuechen expressed his gratitude solemnly.
Nan Xu Yue subtly shifted sideways, avoiding Xie Xuechen’s gesture of thanks, and smiled, “I have an additional, albeit somewhat awkward request.”
Mu Xuanling raised an eyebrow and asked, “Do you intend to accompany us to Yong Xue Cheng?”
Nan Xu Yue looked towards Xie Xuechen, “I wonder if Brother Xie would welcome it?”
Xie Xuechen frowned slightly in disagreement, “There may be dangers along the way.”
“Precisely because of that, I am making this request,” Nan Xu Yue responded. “Brother Xie is concerned that there might be spies within the Celestial Alliance, and I wish to lend my strength to help uncover them.”
With Nan Xu Yue’s wisdom, he indeed had the confidence to make such a statement.
“Brother Xie might just be worried that I lack sufficient cultivation to protect myself in times of trouble,” Nan Xu Yue added with a gentle smile, his handsome face showing a trace of confidence. “If unprepared, I would not dare to volunteer. Not to boast, but even if I encounter a respected law practitioner, I can handle the formation adeptly.”
After a brief contemplation, Xie Xuechen nodded in agreement.
“In that case, you will travel with us.”
Nan Xu Yue agreed gladly, “Very well. You may enter the formation first. I will arrange for someone to activate it, and the spiritual energy will surge forth. In about twenty breaths, we will arrive at Yong Xue Cheng.”
Yong Xue Cheng was situated on the bitterly cold western continent, atop a mountain peak. Here, the sky was clear and blue, as if it could be touched. Everywhere one looked, there was pristine white snow, with houses constructed from black rocks, dotted across the snowy landscape like part of a picturesque scroll. The residents of Yong Xue Cheng appeared taller and more robust than people from other places, all clad in warm marten fur coats, exuding a fierce and imposing presence akin to wild beasts.
In such an environment, Mu Xuanling, dressed in thick fur and wearing a hood, did not appear out of place. It also served to shield her from the bright sunlight.
Due to the city’s protective barrier, Nan Xu Yue’s formation could only transport the three to the city gates. As Xie Xuechen and his companions entered the city, the guarding cultivators immediately recognized Xie Xuechen’s identity. Their expressions straightened, filled with admiration and excitement, and they trembled slightly as they loudly greeted, “Greetings, Sect Leader!”
Xie Xuechen being attacked by demons remained a closely guarded secret among only a few. His return had not caused much commotion among the ordinary people. Scanning his surroundings, Xie Xuechen saw that Yong Xue Cheng was orderly, which brought him some relief.
The guards’ loud greetings attracted considerable attention. The townsfolk stood at a distance, either fearful or in awe, saluting Xie Xuechen.
Xie Xuechen was the lord of Yong Xue Cheng and their guardian deity. Even those outside the cultivation world knew how formidable their lord was. Not only did the demons fear him, but even the five factions of the Celestial Alliance submitted to his authority. However, Xie Xuechen rarely appeared in the city, so many only learned of his appearance at this moment. They were initially dazzled by his godlike handsome visage, then intimidated by the imposing and stern aura he emanated, quickly bowing their heads as their minds replayed the image—indeed, their lord was truly formidable.
Xie Xuechen was indifferent to others’ gazes. He allowed Mu Xuanling and Nan Xu Yue to proceed slowly, deciding to return first to the Sect Leader’s residence. News traveled swiftly within the city. Upon reaching the main gate, Xie Xuechen saw the massive stone doors, several zhang wide, slowly open, and a flurry of footsteps surged out.
“Master of the Sect, it is truly you who have returned!”
The first to approach was the Elder from Yong Xue Cheng, followed closely by the leaders and elders of the other four major sects.
Xie Xuechen’s gaze swept over these individuals, clearly noting each person’s expression and the gleam in their eyes.
“Everyone,” Xie Xuechen began slowly, the surrounding clamor abruptly ceasing. “Thank you all for your concern over the past few days. Please, let us discuss the matters at hand inside.”
Among the five factions of the Celestial Alliance, the highest rank was held by the Sect Leader, Xie Xuechen. Below him were the faction heads, who, in reality, often had to devote themselves to managing faction affairs and neglected their cultivation. Consequently, they were not necessarily the strongest within their sects; the most powerful were the elders. Each faction had its council of elders, and only the most formidable elders were recognized and could participate in the Celestial Alliance’s deliberations alongside their faction leader. These five elders were known as the Five Elders of the Celestial Alliance. Before entering the Wandering Immortal Array, Xie Xuechen had entrusted his plans to the Five Elders and the five faction heads. When something went awry within the formation, the Five Elders and the faction heads quickly convened in Yong Xue Cheng to discuss the matter.
“Seven days after the Sect Leader entered the formation, he did not emerge at the appointed time, indicating something was amiss. We immediately entered the formation to investigate and found traces of intense combat at the formation’s core. We suspect it was a trap set by the demons. Thus, for several days, we have dispatched trusted members of each faction to search the vicinity of the Two Realms Mountain’s Wandering Immortal Array and have even sent people to attempt infiltration into the Demon Realm.
However, the Demon Realm’s defenses are extremely stringent, and we have yet to succeed,” explained Fu Yuanting, Master of the Bixiao Palace. Fu Yuanting appeared to be in his early forties, with a refined and handsome demeanor. Though in reality over a hundred years old, his law practitioner status granted him the art of retaining a youthful appearance. Some placed importance on their looks, appearing as youthful as a sixteen-year-old despite being seven or eight centuries old, while others neglected their exterior and maintained an appearance of seventy or eighty years.
For example, the practitioners of Xuantian Temple, known as Pathseekers. These cultivators began their ascetic journey from birth, cultivating both body and mind simultaneously. Their Yuan Power was exceptionally robust and pure. However, they did not possess striking appearances, often clad in gray hemp robes with shaved heads, appearing gaunt and unremarkable.
This time, when Xie Xuechen encountered trouble, both Master Yinian of Xuantian Temple and Master Fajian of the Five Elders hastened to Yong Xue Cheng. Master Fajian, over five centuries old, looked frail but was highly respected within the Celestial Alliance. Like Xie Xuechen, he was deeply devoted to cultivation, having passed down the sect’s leadership to his disciple two centuries ago. While others discussed among themselves, he remained silent, his gaze lowered as if in meditation.
Master Yinian bore a compassionate smile and said, “It is good that Sect Leader Xie has returned safely. We are unaware of what exactly transpired within the Wandering Immortal Array that day.”
All present fixed their gazes on Xie Xuechen.
“Lord of Demons led his subordinates to lay a celestial net within the Wandering Immortal Array. I was grievously injured and captured, enduring punishment in Rongyuan for seven days before barely escaping three days ago,” Xie Xuechen stated calmly, downplaying the extreme dangers he faced.
“Rongyuan!” The attendees reacted with astonishment. “Rongyuan is known as a place of great terror, rumored to be filled with the remains of fallen deities and formidable in malevolence. Even the Demon Lord himself does not linger there long.”
That Xie Xuechen survived seven days of punishment in Rongyuan was more unbelievable than the demons ambushing him within the Wandering Immortal Array.
However, no one doubted Xie Xuechen’s words, perhaps because he had exhibited too many divine signs, making his feats seem plausible to them.
“In addition to the Demon Lord, three demon gods, and the High Priest set the ambush within the Wandering Immortal Array. Currently, they are all severely injured and are retreating to mend their wounds. The Demon Realm appears to be heavily guarded, but in reality, it is internally hollow,” Xie Xuechen continued.
Each of Xie Xuechen’s statements struck like thunderclaps, leaving everyone stunned and somewhat numb.
One person with a single sword could almost obliterate the Demon Realm, yet they emerged unscathed—did the Demon Lord truly intend to ambush Xie Xuechen, or was it merely to help him hone his swordsmanship?
Su Ning Zhen, the valley master of Jinghua Valley, pressed her lips into a slightly harsh, cold smile. “Well done, Sect Leader!”
Everyone could hear the biting resentment in Su Ning Zhen’s words. Su Ning Zhen was delicate and elegant, seeming to be around thirty years old. However, many disciples in the valley harbored great fear of her. She had an extreme personality, being capricious and unpredictable, harboring an unusual hatred for demons, especially half-demons. Her sharp brows and lean cheeks made her seem even more harsh and ruthless, especially as her stern demeanor left little room for a smile.
Su Ning Zhen bowed slightly to Xie Xuechen and saluted, “I have something to report to the Sect Leader. This matter may be related to disturbances in the Demon Realm. Yesterday, I received a transmission from a disciple in the sect, stating that outside Xiao City, they encountered a female demon of high skill and enigmatic cultivation. She must hold a significant position within the demon ranks. Since the Sect Leader has previously ventured into the Demon Realm, have you ever engaged in combat with this person?”
Xie Xuechen immediately realized that what Su Ning Zhen was referring to was Mu Xuanling, and the messenger was naturally Gao Qiumin.
He responded calmly, “I have not.”
A voice burst into loud laughter, turning everyone’s heads toward a disheveled cultivator clad in a tattered green robe, sitting awkwardly on a chair, lazily carrying a wine gourd. “With the mediocre skills of a Jinghua Valley disciple, how can anyone not be powerful? Treating a mere cat as a tiger.”
“How dare you envy me!” Su Ning Zhen erupted in fury, rising swiftly as she waved her duster toward the cultivator. The seemingly delicate silver threads in her hand instantly transformed into sharp and fierce steel needles, attacking He Xianwo’s face with the force of a thunderstorm.
He Xianwo sneered coldly, spitting the fine wine forward. His overwhelming Yuan Power formed an invisible wall, with two streams of spiritual energy colliding in mid-air. The emanating aura blew over tea cups and vases.
“The Great Dao is merciful!” A voice resounded like a mighty bell, suppressing the two clashing streams of spiritual energy.
Su Ning Zhen was startled, withdrawing her attack and nodding toward the speaker, “Master of Law Practice, He Xianwo has insulted my Jinghua Valley, and I had no choice but to act.”
As another law practitioner, Master Fajian possessed a cultivation level several centuries higher than He Xianwo’s. Moreover, He Xianwo was a person of great virtue in the present world, so He Xianwo had to show him some respect. He put down the wine gourd and smiled, “Since Master Fajian has spoken, I shall not say much.”
Su Ning Zhen did not engage further, but the veins bulging on her hand betrayed her anger.
He Xianwo was the Lord of Lingju Island. Lingju Island and Jinghua Valley were originally unrelated sects, as Lingju Island was located far beyond the Eastern Sea. However, unlike other sects, Lingju Island specialized in raising spirit beasts, with humans and demons living in peace on the island. As a result, many humans and demons formed unions and bore half-demons. Su Ning Zhen believed this went against the natural order and the regulations of the Demon Investigation Department. She repeatedly advised the Celestial Alliance, urging Lingju Island to change its customs.
He Xianwo, the Lord of Lingju Island, was an unruly and carefree cultivator. Despite his handsome and charming appearance, he often appeared half-drunk and unrestrained, not fitting the image of a sect leader. Su Ning Zhen despised his way of dealing with people. After several Celestial Alliance discussions, she treated him with cold disdain and hostility. He Xianwo, typically a lazy and even-tempered person, reacted for the first time by getting angry and fighting with Su Ning Zhen. Su Ning Zhen, unable to prevail, retreated to Jinghua Valley, while He Xianwo burned ten acres of medicinal fields in Jinghua Valley. Since then, the two sects harbored a deep-seated enmity, becoming mortal enemies.
Only Xie Xuechen and Master Fajian could keep their tempers in check.
Master Fajian did not look towards the two clashing individuals but instead directed his gaze to Xie Xuechen seated on the raised platform, speaking slowly, “Has the Sect Leader’s Divine Aperture been damaged?”
Everyone was shocked, turning their attention to Xie Xuechen.
Master Fajian continued, “I did not intend to intrude upon the Sect Leader, but earlier I used a loud voice to reprimand the two faction leaders. The spiritual energy surged, naturally activating the divine protection of the Divine Aperture. However, there was no fluctuation of Yuan Power on the Sect Leader’s side.”
Everyone held their breath, watching Xie Xuechen, who sat upright, his face calm and indifferent. A dot of crimson on his brow added a touch of divinity to his handsome visage. His phoenix eyes took in everyone’s expressions and thoughts before he spoke in a steady and unruffled tone, “I used a unique cultivation technique to restore my strength and leave Rongyuan. The cost was that within ten days, my Divine Aperture would be sealed.”
Sacrificing future powers for temporary gains is not uncommon; hence, everyone immediately accepted this explanation, finding it more reasonable.
Indeed, even Xie Xuechen would not be able to leave the Demon Realm unscathed.
“How long until the Sect Leader’s Divine Aperture is restored?” Master Fajian asked.
Xie Xuechen replied, “Seven days. Within these seven days, I request that you all continue staying in Yong Xue Cheng.”
Everyone exchanged puzzled glances. Although Xie Xuechen had temporarily lost his Yuan Power, there was no need for the other four factions to protect him further, or so it seemed.
Seeing the doubts among the crowd, Xie Xuechen calmly said, “Within seven days, I request all of you to uncover the demon spies hidden among your ranks.”
Another thunderclap struck unexpectedly.
Xie Xuechen did not pay heed to how many waves this stone had caused, listening to everyone’s heartbeats without missing any irregularities.
As a law practitioner, he could sense others’ inspections. If he did not speak openly, no one would dare to probe his aura, nor would anyone know that his Divine Aperture was sealed, leading to a loss of magical power. However, when He Xianwo enraged Su Ning Zhen, both clashed and with Master Fajian suppressing them, the spiritual energy spread throughout the hall. At such a moment, Xie Xuechen’s anomaly could be detected by others.
Was it He Xianwo, who intentionally started the conflict, Su Ning Zhen, initiated the attack, or was Master Fajian intimidating the entire assembly?
Mu Xuanling and Nan Xu Yue walked side by side along the main street of Yong Xue Cheng. One was a stunningly beautiful young lady, and the other was a handsome and elegant gentleman. Both stood out distinctly from the rest of Yong Xue Cheng’s people, attracting frequent glances from passersby.
The street’s snow was swept daily, not impeding pedestrian movement. After a few steps, Mu Xuanling turned back to wait for Nan Xu Yue. Nan Xu Yue smiled slightly, moving unhurriedly, exuding an air of leisurely grace.
“Miss Mu need not wait for me. Just follow this road straight to the Sect Leader’s residence,” Nan Xu Yue said.
“I’m not in a hurry. I just wanted to see if you were in a rush,” Mu Xuanling replied with some malice in her eyes.
Nan Xu Yue couldn’t help but chuckle softly, “If Miss Mu is not in a hurry, why am I? Moreover, even if I were in a hurry, I still couldn’t walk faster. I have to rely on your kindness to accommodate me, the lame.”
Seeing Nan Xu Yue remarking thus, Mu Xuanling felt somewhat embarrassed, as if she had wronged him. She laughed, “Although you don’t walk fast, your mind works quicker than others. Why don’t you accommodate those of us less sharp?”
Nan Xu Yue laughed, “It’s unreasonable for Miss Mu to make comforting words so logically arbitrary.”
“I’m not comforting you. As the lord of Yunsui Manor, the most intelligent person in the world—I’m still not qualified to comfort you,” Mu Xuanling teased, “Moreover, you don’t need such cheap consolation and sympathy. They only seek to gain a sense of superiority and their self-righteous kindness from this gesture.”
Nan Xu Yue looked closely at Mu Xuanling, smiling, “Although Miss Mu is a half-demon, your perception is very insightful. I have a presumptuous question to ask you.”
Mu Xuanling replied, “Go ahead, there’s no harm in speaking.”
“What is your true intention for getting close to Brother Xie?” Nan Xu Yue’s bright and wise eyes fixed tightly on Mu Xuanling, not missing any flicker within her gaze.
Mu Xuanling responded without hesitation, “Of course, it’s because I like him.”
“Oh?” Nan Xu Yue replied with significance, “Are you aware that Brother Xie has a verbal betrothal with Gao Qiumin of Jinghua Valley?”
Whether due to her background in Mingyue Manor or Gao Qiumin’s status as the top disciple of Jinghua Valley, Gao Qiumin was highly compatible with Xie Xuechen. Besides, Gao Qiumin had exceptional talent, with natural nine apertures, making him extraordinary. Seven years ago, Xie Xuechen risked his life to save Gao Qiumin, and Gao Qiumin held a deep affection for him ever since. Xie Xuechen was so young yet already a respected law practitioner, with a lifespan of a thousand years. Very few cultivators could live alone through a thousand springs; eventually, he had to seek one or several dao partners.
Mu Xuanling, however, was indifferent, waving her hand and saying, “Xie Xuechen doesn’t even like her.”
Nan Xu Yue smiled, “You’re very confident. Does Brother Xie like you?”
Mu Xuanling thought for a moment, then seriously replied, “If it’s troublesome, he doesn’t have to like me. If he wishes to protect the mortals, I will guard him instead.”
Mu Xuanling’s words caused Nan Xu Yue to momentarily lose focus, as he felt she spoke sincerely.
Unrequited selfless dedication?
A fan concealing the gentleman’s thoughts, no one could guess what he was thinking.
Suddenly, a piercing screech shattered the quiet of the street, and a ray of golden light fell before the Sect Leader’s residence.
Mu Xuanling and Nan Xu Yue looked at the figure in front of the gate. Just by looking at their attire, they knew it was a female cultivator from Jinghua Valley.
“I am Gao Qiumin of Jinghua Valley, here to see my master urgently!” Gao Qiumin’s eager voice echoed.
Mu Xuanling and Nan Xu Yue exchanged a glance, then silently approached.
“The Sect Leader is holding a Celestial Alliance meeting. Unrelated persons are not allowed inside!” The guarding cultivator sternly announced.
Gao Qiumin’s face brightened, “The Sect Leader has returned?”
This time, she had brought three junior disciples to Two Realms Mountain, ostensibly to search for demon beasts. In reality, she was following Master Su Ning Zhen’s orders to locate Xie Xuechen. An encounter with a treasure-sniffing rat was an accident, and later, being attacked by a half-demon sorceress made her suspect a connection to Xie Xuechen’s disappearance. She immediately informed the master via a transmission formation and proceeded ahead on a sword to meet her master in Yong Xue Cheng.
She did not expect Xie Xuechen would return!
“Lord of Yunsui Manor, Nan Xu Yue, requests an audience with Sect Leader Xie,” a warm voice reverberated from behind her, snapping Gao Qiumin back to reality. She turned to see the two people standing behind her—a gentleman with unmatched handsome features, and a stunningly beautiful young lady.
However, Gao Qiumin’s gaze did not linger on the gentleman. She looked straight at Mu Xuanling, her pupils showing shock and astonishment.
Mu Xuanling also stared straight at Gao Qiumin. Today, Gao Qiumin’s face was uncovered, with no veil of thin silk, allowing her to see her complexion.
A face of unparalleled beauty, a rare flower-like beauty in the world, but… she looked a bit too much alike.
Mu Xuanling and Gao Qiumin’s faces bore about fifty percent resemblance.
Mu Xuanling suddenly recalled that Nan Xu Yue had mentioned she resembled an old acquaintance. Could that old acquaintance be Gao Qiumin?