240 - Elasia Saga

In order to rapidly enhance her skills and ascend to immortality before the great sect ceremony thirty years later, Fu Yan had been practicing diligently in the Xu You Jade Seal while awaiting Lu Xiao Wen's appearance in the Southern Domain. The unique quality of time passing differently within the Jade Seal provided Fu Yan a great advantage, effectively tripling her cultivation time compared to others. After spending two to three months within the seal, Fu Yan finally emerged. The winds and snow of the Southern Domain remained unchanged outside. Yuan He, noticing her presence, approached her. Fu Yan said little, instructing Yuan He and Yi Tu to continue their watch. With swift movements, she departed from the area. In a small town at the foot of the snowy mountains, a seemingly ordinary figure approached. She wore simple grey cotton clothes and bore unremarkable features, noticeable for her slightly tanned skin. This person was none other than a disguised Fu Yan. She leisurely turned a street corner, entering a quiet alleyway. To her right stood an unassuming inn. Glancing up indifferently, she sauntered inside. Almost immediately, someone greeted her with a courteous bow, asking if she needed a room. Fu Yan nodded and requested an upscale guest room. The innkeeper, smiling broadly, promptly led her inside. Unconcerned, Fu Yan quietly followed. They passed through an arched doorway into a guest room with a small courtyard. The innkeeper hurried ahead and opened the door for her, advising her to call if she needed anything. Fu Yan gave a soft acknowledgment and entered the room. With the door gently closed behind her, the room was dimly lit, but for a cultivator like her, it was of no consequence. Pausing briefly, Fu Yan moved toward a bookshelf. She shifted a few volumes, causing the shelf to slide aside, revealing a hidden passageway leading downwards. Without any hesitation, Fu Yan stepped into the passage, descending to an underground chamber. Inside stood a solitary figure. With a smile, Fu Yan greeted, "Senior Sister." Bai Yue Li turned at the sound, her usually icy eyes softening into a gentle gaze. She nodded, inviting Fu Yan to come closer. As Fu Yan approached, she noticed a ripple of energy from a teleportation array beside Bai Yue Li, slightly startled by its subtle complexity. She realized that without her fourth-level spirit sense, she might have missed it entirely. Bai Yue Li smiled knowingly, explaining, "Yes, there's a concealed teleportation array here." It was crafted by the ghostly fires of Youhuo Sanlao upon Bai Yue Li's special request upon her return from the Demon Realm. Fully stabilized days ago, this array was designed for Bai Yue Li's exclusive use, impervious to activation by others. Understanding the arrangement was meant for their meeting, a warm feeling welled up within Fu Yan. "This town often sees passing cultivators. Could this pose a risk?" she cautioned, knowing the proximity to Frost Blossom Palace might attract unintended attention. Reassured by Bai Yue Li’s calm demeanor, Fu Yan’s worries dissipated hearing, "Even if discovered, they would assume it's just a rare teleportation array unrelated to the Demon Realm." "Let's go back to the Demon Realm," Bai Yue Li suggested, stepping forward to clasp Fu Yan's right hand. Trustingly, Fu Yan offered no resistance. While unsure of Bai Yue Li’s reasons for this trip, she had complete faith in her, harboring no reservations. Moments later, Bai Yue Li led her to the center of the array. With a wave of her hand, her power activated the formation. A faint light enveloped them, swiftly transporting Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li to the distant Demon Realm. Bai Yue Li, having prepared for this, ensured their arrival drew no attention, as the expansive Demon Palace garden lay empty with no demonic cultivators in sight. After stabilizing their presence, Bai Yue Li cast her demonic aura over Fu Yan, completely enveloping her in her essence. Fu Yan sensed the intent to cloak her presence from powerful demonic cultivators who might discern a cultivator's entrance into their domain. Relishing the presence surrounding her, Fu Yan teased, "Are you declaring me as yours to the entire Demon Realm, Senior Sister?" "Stop it," Bai Yue Li chided briefly, a pink hue sneaking beneath her cascading hair at the playful accusation. Fu Yan grasped her hand firmly, gently pledging, "I truly am yours, Senior Sister. Don’t… lose me." Although Fu Yan anticipated a bashful withdrawal, Bai Yue Li surprised her by maintaining their hold, averting her gaze with a soft, "Mm." Fu Yan, mesmerized by the moment, felt her throat dry as her gaze lingered on Bai Yue Li's lips. But before she could act, Bai Yue Li whisked her away from the rear garden of the palace. Fu Yan softly thumbed Bai Yue Li’s hand, not questioning their next destination. Riding Bai Yue Li’s formidable demonic aura, each time they felt a demonic cultivator approach, the aura would retract their presence, ensuring the duo passed unchallenged. They soared over the Demon Realm, staying their course toward a specific locale. Meanwhile, deep within an unseen bag, a black wisp inside a spirit orb stirred, sensing the pervasive demonic energy. Stirred into excitement, it began absorbing the ambient energy, causing the contaminated orb to gently pulse and draw in more of the demonic aura. On the peak above the Demon Pool, Bai Yue Li finally came to a halt, descending gently beside Fu Yan. Gazing into the depths of the Demon Pool, Fu Yan remained puzzled by Bai Yue Li’s intentions. Tentatively, she asked, "Senior Sister, is this…?" "The Demon Pool, a sacred training ground within the Demon Realm," Bai Yue Li succinctly replied. Indeed, the Demon Peak is known as the most mysterious sacred site in the Demon Realm, accessible solely to the realm's top talents with the demon lord’s express permission. Such strict regulation was necessary to prevent unworthy cultivators from potentially harming their foundations due to the pool’s extraordinary energy. Upon realizing her purpose here, Fu Yan felt a mix of astonishment and understanding: her unique spirit sea, capable of absorbing demonic energy, hadn’t been hidden from Bai Yue Li, who seemingly arranged this opportunity for her cultivation. "Rest assured, no one will disturb us here," Bai Yue Li reassured, mistaking Fu Yan’s contemplation for concern over intrusions. Faith unwavering, Fu Yan offered a light smile. Without hesitation, she plunged into the Demon Pool, ready to train in earnest, confidant in Bai Yue Li's intentions. Once submerged, Fu Yan began channeling her power, opening her spirit sea to immerse in the Demon Pool's energies, steadily cultivating within the profound environment. Hours passed as Fu Yan experienced seamless cultivation, feeling as if she was in an invaluable land abounding with spiritual essence. With a splash, the figure in the demon pool returned to Bai Yue Li's side. "Everything okay?" Bai Yue Li asked, unable to shake her concern. She had been watchful since the beginning, ready to intervene at the first sign of trouble. Fu Yan shook her head, reassuringly, "No worries, I can indeed cultivate here." The Demon Pool’s apex truly lived up to its reputation as the Demon Realm’s sacred training ground. In just a few hours, Fu Yan felt its wondrous effects, making her cultivation far more efficient. Hearing this, Bai Yue Li finally breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly, Fu Yan reached out and caught Bai Yue Li by the shoulder, pulling her downwards with her. With a splash, Bai Yue Li was drawn into the demon pool as well. Their figures slowly descended, and as Bai Yue Li looked up, her eyes met Fu Yan’s, as her words resonated telepathically in Bai Yue Li’s mind. "Senior Sister, let's try cultivating together," Fu Yan suggested. With that, she tilted her head upward, pressing her lips against Bai Yue Li's, holding her tightly in her embrace. Simultaneously, Fu Yan began channeling a dual cultivation technique. Bai Yue Li, momentarily surprised, soon responded by activating the same technique. A gentle light enveloped their entwined forms within the demon pool.