424 - Senior Sister Is on Top

"So, you mean to say that, Shijie has actually been eavesdropping on my inner thoughts all along, while using a magical artifact to block off her own feelings?" Tang Muxi's face was stern. Jiang Yin had initially thought he would reprimand her for her past dealings with demons, but instead, his first question took her by surprise. "Well... you could say that." "What do you mean, 'could'?!" Tang Muxi's brows furrowed as he grew agitated. "Despicable, cunning, and deceitful! And to think I blamed myself for not trusting you enough when sometimes I could hear you and other times I couldn't. Turns out it was your doing all along! This cannot be easily forgiven. Shijie must be punished for her misdeeds! Three punishments, to ensure you remember!" Jiang Yin was at a loss for words and could only resign herself to the inevitable punishment. "Now... do you still wish for me to be your Daoist companion?" she asked hesitantly, noticing that Shimei had not brought up the matter. She couldn't contain herself anymore and decided to inquire directly. As she spoke, she didn't even dare to lift her head. She felt despicable for such audacity. If someone else had played such tricks on her and misled her, while also being linked to her mortal enemy, not to mention a Daoist companion, she would find it hard to even continue a friendship. She had already braced herself for rejection, thinking of ways to shamelessly cling to Shimei's side no matter what. Who knew that after waiting for what seemed an eternity, she would be enveloped in a warm embrace instead. "You fool, I already told you I wouldn't blame you, why ask again?" Tang Muxi pulled her into an embrace. "Shijie might have hidden things from me, but as long as your heart remains true, I will always forgive you.” Jiang Yin was stunned, tears unexpectedly welling up in her eyes. Fearing she might really burst into tears, making a fool of herself and causing worry, she held back for a long time until the urge subsided. "Is that so? With you being like this, how could I ever want to give up?" Once tasted, how could she ever let go? Chapter 242 The appearance of the "demon" left Tang Muxi unable to remain at peace any longer. The barrier protecting the demon territory had its power greatly diminished. The two divine forms of the Azure Dragon and White Tiger, which were the main targets of the Nether Flame's attack, had managed to protect the demon territory but lost their divine powers completely. Tang Muxi tried various methods to restore their power, but no matter how precious the materials were, only blood seemed to offer any help, and even that was little more than a drop in the ocean. To actually fully restore the divine forms, she would have to sacrifice at least half of her blood. Her blood was too precious; extracting half would likely render even her into a useless person. Naturally, Tang Muxi wouldn't be so foolish, so she had no choice but to give up on the restoration and instead used the Eight Trigrams to modify the barrier, drawing power only from the Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise. With the power of two divine forms missing, the barrier nearly faded away, its light shield becoming almost transparent and clearly showing signs of decline. People in the demon territory quickly noticed the anomaly, word spread, and soon, panic and chaos ensued. Tang Muxi was powerless to comfort the people. After roughly handling the barrier, she and Shijie retreated to Changhe Palace to cultivate in seclusion. The “demon” had appeared, the Raving Chaos Seal had been intercepted, and restoring the balance of yin and yang had become a joke. Their situation had worsened to the extreme. It wouldn't be long before the ambitious ones from the ghost and demon realms launched their attacks. Tang Muxi wasn't sure if the Ghost Emperor and Demon Emperor were part of the "demon's" plot, but either way, they'd eventually have to face them, and that "eventually" was likely not far off. By her side were the likes of Wen Dai, Si Jun, Yin Qing, and Xun Yi, powerful in their own right and not fearful of the Demon Emperor or Ghost Emperor. Even in a direct battle, their odds of winning were at least fifty-fifty. But throw the "demon" into the mix, and the situation was completely reversed. Divine beast bloodlines held supreme prestige ordinarily, but in the eyes of the "demon," they were but attempts to overcome a formidable foe with slight strength. Tang Muxi needed to break through quickly, if not returning to peak strength, at least ascending to the Tribulation Stage to truly wield the power of a Divine Emperor. During this period, while Tang Muxi and Jiang Yin were in seclusion, the remaining ghost threats in the demon territory grew increasingly agitated, frequently invading cities and villages, causing harm. Xun Yi and Wen Dai each governed the eastern and western regions, mobilizing cultivators to quell the ghost threats. Due to insufficient manpower, even Jingyuelou from the new island came to assist. They believed the Ghost Emperor intended to attack, prompting ghost spirits to strike and wear down the demon territory's strength. But in truth, it was all part of the "demon’s" scheme. “This is the last one.” In the dead of night, Wen Cai Bai avoided patrols and quietly arrived at the capital of the western region, burying the final talisman underground. The talisman was inscribed with intricate and profound spells condensed from demonic energy, so obscure that even he, accustomed to ancient texts, couldn't decipher them. Actually, it wasn't his fault; the talisman was crafted by the "demon" herself, even the Demon Emperor, a descendant of the Heavenly Demon, found it hard to recognize. Half a year ago, bypassing the heavenly path, the "demon" descended upon Sinluo Mountain's peak, seizing the fully repaired Raving Chaos Seal from Xi Emperor's hands and summoning a sky filled with ghost flames and countless thunder tribulations, massively damaging the demon territory's barrier. But those were mere diversions; the "demon" never regarded the weakened barrier as an obstacle. Her real goal was the demon territory. The ghost flames and ink thunder contained her inscribed spells, infiltrating the demon territory amidst the widespread assault. Originally, if she had the Infernal Demon Blade, she could activate the spells and completely destroy the demon territory by merely summoning the blade. But now that the Infernal Demon Blade had turned against her, she had no choice but to entrust the talismans to the Demon Emperor, deceiving him into using the Heavenly Demon Halberd to trigger the spells. The heavenly path sacrifices the body to return to heaven and earth, becoming an unparalleled entity, but also making return to the human world impossible. The demon did not go to such extremes, leaving herself a fallback plan. As long as she one day gathers all the "sacrifices," she can dominate the power of heaven and earth in human form. Yet, she couldn't let go of that person. After killing Xi Emperor, she would completely usurp the heavenly seat with the power of the Nine Treasures. And this demon territory... or rather, the ancient territory, would become that person's rebirth cocoon. Losing power, becoming mere dust. The demon was eager to see what expression Xi Emperor would have after falling from the pantheon. The Demon Emperor and his cohorts were oblivious to her plans, all indulging in the dream of eternal life. After burying the talisman, Wen Cai Bai covered it with soil and cast a spell to erase all traces. Only then did he conceal himself, ready to leave. But even the wisest sometimes overlook details, no matter how cautious, flaws inevitably occur.