135 - Confession (Ying Cheng)

Chapter 135: The Lecture Yan Jue and Qi Xian Qing strolled leisurely around Lu Wu's estate, unfazed by the little foxes trailing behind them. The area was filled with plum blossoms, creating a serene atmosphere. They paused at a steep staircase. It was Yan Jue's first visit to Lu Wu Estate, and everything around her was novel and intriguing. She couldn't help but momentarily freeze at the sight before her. Next to the stairs was a sand altar. It was called a sand altar because the round altar was full of dark-flowing sand. The sand slowly cascaded from the edge of the altar, resembling clear water. Qi Xian Qing commented, "Wu Immortal Sand." Yan Jue looked up at her, puzzled. Qi Xian Qing pondered aloud, "Wu Immortal Sand is an extremely precious material used by cultivators to advance their cultivation. It's rumored to have vanished from the human world, yet here it is." "The attribute of Wu Immortal Sand is yin. This sand looks exceptionally high-quality, making it very suitable for Junior Sister's cultivation." After observing for a while, Yan Jue felt a stirring interest. Qi Xian Qing turned to her, softening her gaze slightly, "The ancestor dotes on you so much. If you ask her, she will likely agree." Yan Jue pouted, "It's been so long since I've seen her. Asking for something the moment we meet doesn't feel right." "We arrived at Lu Wu in such a hurry; I haven't brought anything for her." Qi Xian Qing listened to her words, seemingly thoughtful. - A few days remained until the Second Lady's wedding within the fox clan. The Old Lady cherished her time with Yan Jue, and they spent their leisure chatting. After finishing a meal that day, Yan Jue sat with the Old Lady outside the estate, basking in the sunlight. The Old Lady squeezed Yan Jue's hand, earnestly saying, "A'Jue, your father cares deeply for you. You should return to the Ghost Palace soon to avoid worrying him." Yan Jue pondered what she would have done if she were the original person hearing this. Yan Jue replied, "I've been away for many days, and if I return to the Ghost Palace, what if Father hits me?" The Old Lady immediately frowned, "If he dares to hit you, I will not stand for it." Yan Jue bit her lip, smiling without responding. Their conversation naturally shifted to Qi Xian Qing. Old Lady: "And with Meng Hang Jun…" The Old Lady abruptly stopped midway, and Yan Jue heard her voice via sound transmission — probably to avoid Qi Xian Qing overhearing. The Old Lady hesitated, "Are you really not being coerced by Meng Hang Jun into returning to Lu Wu this time?" "Even though I am old, if everyone in the estate joins forces, we have a chance against a single cultivator. If there's anything you can't express, you can always tell me!" Yan Jue: "..." The Old Lady still didn't trust Qi Xian Qing. Yan Jue gave a wry smile. They had received word from the demon faction suggesting actions might occur on the Second Lady's wedding day. Convincing the Old Lady of this news seemed challenging. After the Old Lady returned indoors, Yan Jue stood under a tree, sweeping her surroundings with spiritual perception. Every corner of the world hosting any monsters would have a Ten Thousand Monsters Pavilion, and naturally, Lu Wu Mountain had one. Yan Jue told Qi Xian Qing about it, asking if she'd like to visit the Ten Thousand Monsters Pavilion together. Yan Jue felt a deep connection to the place, as it was where she'd had her first serendipitous encounter. Now, with Qi Xian Qing having the Concealment Pill to hide her aura, entering the pavilion shouldn't pose a problem. However, remembering the allergic reactions Qi Xian Qing had a few days earlier made Yan Jue worried. Qi Xian Qing tapped her lips, contemplating, "I also wanted to buy some things from the nearby market. Since the Ten Thousand Monsters Pavilion is close, it's all the more convenient." Yan Jue was momentarily surprised before her smile widened, "Great, then I'll trouble Senior Sister." "Trouble? Why trouble?" Qi Xian Qing chuckled, glancing at her, "I am a cultivator from the righteous sect. Accommodating me here puts your side at an inconvenience." As they chatted, they made their way to the forest outside the Ten Thousand Monsters Pavilion. The air was thick with demonic energy, but after staying at Lu Wu's estate, Qi Xian Qing had become accustomed to it. Yan Jue felt uneasy, "Are you going in just like this?" Though Qi Xian Qing could fully conceal herself with the Concealment Pill, Yan Jue still worried. Qi Xian Qing's lips curled, "Naturally, I'll sit on Yan Junior Sister's shoulder." Yan Jue: "?" Qi Xian Qing crushed a versatile transformation talisman, releasing a delicate stream of light. Once the glow faded, Qi Xian Qing vanished. Instead, a small grey mouse appeared on the ground. The little mouse looked up at her, its whiskers twitching slightly. It was the cleanest mouse she'd ever seen… Yan Jue couldn't help but think, could Qi Xian Qing not transform into something a bit more convincing? With a light touch, she picked up Qi Xian Qing and placed him on her shoulder. The little mouse was very light, its claws clinging tightly to her clothes. The Ten Thousand Monsters Pavilion, lively as ever, was full of creatures in bizarre costumes colliding as they moved. Used to this, Yan Jue sidestepped to avoid them. Suddenly, a burly bull demon stopped in front of Yan Jue, suspiciously drawing close, "Why does Madame have such a fragrant scent on her?" Instinctively protecting the small mouse on her shoulder, Yan Jue smiled mildly, "Human-formulated perfumes are quite effective, and I've used some." "…" The Ten Thousand Monsters Pavilion offered an abundance of products. There was a pheasant demon's pill store, a pig demon's weapon shop, and a badger's miscellany store... While passing a food store, Qi Xian Qing whispered to her, asking her to buy more ingredients. Yan Jue was puzzled, "What do we need these ingredients for? You're not planning to cook, are you?" Qi Xian Qing replied, "Grandmother dislikes me, so I'd like to curry some favor with her." Yan Jue countered, "I've told you repeatedly, you don't need to do this." Actually, Yan Jue wanted to tell Qi Xian Qing that her true home was the northern Ghost Palace, and even if she moved to the monster tribe, she wouldn't stay in Lu Wu. In Yan Jue's eyes, Qi Xian Qing deserved to be pampered as a princess. Why compromise herself? She was about to speak when Qi Xian Qing interrupted, "Even so, I couldn't bring anything for the Old Lady this trip. Since she personally cooked for me yesterday, I shouldn't remain ungrateful." Yan Jue thought it over and nodded, "You're right." "I'll cook with you today and prepare some dishes for Grandmother." Following Qi Xian Qing's suggestion, Yan Jue selected a variety of ingredients. They spent another half-hour wandering around the Ten Thousand Monsters Pavilion before finally exiting the labyrinth of streets. Just as they crossed the Pavilion's threshold, Yan Jue suddenly felt a sharp headache and her heart as if it were being scorched by flames. Perched on Yan Jue's shoulder, Qi Xian Qing immediately sensed something amiss, "What's wrong?" Yan Jue shook her head, "It's nothing." Perhaps she just needed more rest. - Back at the estate, Qi Xian Qing dove into preparations, with Yan Jue assisting. After a hectic afternoon, they finally set a table with dishes. Having experienced Qi Xian Qing's cooking before, Yan Jue wasn't too surprised. Previously, in the Ice Peach Source, Qi Xian Qing had enjoyed making things for her to try. This time, Qi Xian Qing made dumplings, and considering the Old Lady's preference for non-meat dishes, she crafted cabbage-filled dumplings. In the evening, the fox family gathered for dinner. The Old Lady looked at Qi Xian Qing, "Meng Hang Jun, did you cook these yourself?” With not a hint of arrogance, Qi Xian Qing responded, "Yes, and A'Jue helped." Having spent several days at the estate, Yan Jue had become more acquainted with her relatives. Across the table sat the original owner's cousin, the Second Lady soon to be wed from Lu Wu. Chi Hu Tang Jie, a fox with a millennia of cultivation, was simple-minded and fond of food. She happily munched on Qi Xian Qing's dumplings, "Xian Qing, your cooking is delightful." Chi Hu Tang Jie teased, "Once you marry in, the Ghost Palace will be in for a treat." Qi Xian Qing returned a gentle smile, "Cousin overpraises me." The Old Lady cast a thoughtful gaze at Qi Xian Qing. - A few more days passed, and soon the wedding day for Lu Wu's cousin arrived. Awoken early by the sound of firecrackers, Yan Jue dressed and left the estate. A floral sedan chair had been waiting at the gate, carried by a few little demons, with others beating gongs and drums, adding to the festive ambiance. The Old Lady sat in a smaller sedan beside the carriage for the bride. Frowning, Yan Jue trailed beside her grandmother, whispering, "Ancestor, please consider what we've discussed." The Old Lady regarded her with a weary look, "A'Jue, today is your sister's wedding; don't overthink things." "Our Lu Wu has always abstained from worldly conflicts. If the demons aim to control, it'll be the Ghost Palace they'll target. Besides, the righteous sect remains the most formidable threat. You needn't worry." Having said that, she signaled the demon carrying her sedan, and they lifted it off the ground. Yan Jue: "..." The Old Lady's attitude could hardly be blamed, given the original owner's overly proud yet naive impression. The Princess Who Eloped With a Man, Leaving Lu Wu for 800 Years. And now, upon her return, she brings back a righteous celestial. It's more likely for the Old Lady to believe in ghosts than to believe her. Everywhere was a glaring shade of red. Yan Jue rode a pure white steed, her robes fluttering like wings, her back straight as she followed the bridal sedan chair over hills, arriving at a massive square deep in the mountains of Lu Wu. It was hard to imagine such a square existing in the depths of a mountain. From above, the entire square showcased a grand circular arc, with the stands already filled with monsters watching the ceremony. The red celebratory sedan slowly reached the center of the square, where the groom awaited. The atmosphere of the square buzzed with excitement. Qi Xian Qing and Yan Jue stood subtly at the spectators' stand, observing the teeming crowd. But in times like this, would the demons truly make a move? Yan Jue frowned, "Could it have been false information?" Qi Xian Qing replied, "She is bound to me by a master-servant contract; she wouldn't dare deceive me. The only possibility is a change in the Demon Lord’s plans." Yan Jue asked, "Is she here today as well?" Qi Xian Qing nodded, "Yes." Yan Jue's gaze slowly swept over the crowd like waves, until she spotted something, her eyes momentarily halting. Amid a few little demons, stood a familiar figure. The boy in all black, strikingly handsome. He walked briskly up to a tall man and whispered something to him. That boy's appearance, no matter a millennium of absence, Yan Jue would never forget! Chu Fu. Yan Jue's pupils contracted sharply. Chu Fu was here. ... Chu Fu's visit to Lu Wu Mountain was to infiltrate the monster tribe and carry out a significant mission. With the wedding about to begin, his task was nearing completion. Chu Fu's brows relaxed, an involuntary smile of relief crossing his face. Ever since falling to demonic persuasion at Five Dragon Mountain, Five Dragon Sect had issued a death order against him. Having no choice, Chu Fu fled to the Northern Territory. By a stroke of fate, he found himself under the care of the Demon Lord of Absolute Death Valley, becoming a highly valued demon envoy. Chu Fu knew that the Demon Lord lurking within Five Dragon Sect constantly pressured the monster tribe, pushing them to the brink of collapse. Yet still, a few foolish creatures among the Five Monsters resisted, refusing to ally with the demon cult. His goal this time was to force these monsters into an alliance with the demon cult. Chu Fu brimmed with confidence, his clean black clothing flapping wildly in the wind. He had intended to continue forward when suddenly, someone grabbed his collar. Chu Fu froze momentarily, an internal alarm ringing loudly! As a demon envoy, caution was a priority when traveling, and the force behind him indicated it wasn't an ally. Quickly pivoting around, Chu Fu brandished a dagger, aiming directly at the person holding him. Being under the Demon Lord’s tutelage for a while, Chu Fu had been drenched in demonic arts, rising far beyond his former junior disciple self. His cultivation had advanced to the fifth realm, the Heart's Stirring Level! This dagger strike carried immense force, not something easily blocked by the average person. But the person behind moved seamlessly, grabbing his wrist and pulling it back. Chu Fu staggered forward two steps, before being swept off his feet by a powerful kick, almost vomiting from the force, and feeling an icy sleeve arrow pinned to his neck. Raising his eyes abruptly, he met clear, amber ones. Yan. Yan Jue. In the sunlight, the girl's face seemed like it had been carved from snow. Chu Fu's lips quivered; he hadn’t expected Yan Jue, after all this time, to appear before him. Chu Fu had endured many hardships recently. Despite Yan Jue's treatment of him at Five Dragon Mountain, just thinking of her stirred a sweetness in his heart. He remembered their youth — an outcast boy alone, despised by everyone, scrounging for leftovers, homeless. Yet Yan Jue remained by his side. Fetching water from springs when he was parched, stealing buns from stalls when there were no scraps to eat. "Ah Jue…" Chu Fu began to speak. But before he could finish, a powerful grip closed on his neck, Yan Jue's strength left him almost breathless, able to utter only vague sounds. The square grew increasingly lively, Yan Jue growled lowly, "Why are you here?" "What does the demon tribe want? Better give answers quickly." In her fury, Yan Jue emanated a strong aura of bloodlust, her amber phoenix eyes glinting with chilling light. Chu Fu, caught off guard by her shout, felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over him, the fleeting fondness from seeing her eroded instantly. She released him, and Chu Fu's head hit the ground hard. He coughed violently, "You wretch, after so long you—" He had no intention to talk; should this mission succeed, a promotion awaited him upon return to Thunder Hidden Valley. Before he could continue, he found his neck seized again, meeting Yan Jue's eyes, noticing an extremely faint red hue deep within her amber irises. The highest form of allure magic. Yan Jue, despite cultivating other techniques at Five Dragon Mountain, never abandoned the fox clan’s secret arts. Chu Fu, mesmerized as if bewitched, stared foolishly at Yan Jue, a lovesick smile curling his lips. ... Receiving a message from Yan Jue, Qi Xian Qing fell into contemplation. Her feelings for Chu Fu had always been peculiar. Perhaps due to past rumors linking Yan Jue with Chu Fu, Qi Xian Qing felt nothing but an intense dislike toward him. She hadn’t expected him at the Five Dragon Summit's individual match to succumb to demonic influence only to appear here. Beside Qi Xian Qing stood Ye Yun Ying. Involved with the demon sect's mission, Ye Yun Ying promptly found Qi Xian Qing upon her call. With Ye Yun Ying's assistance, Qi Xian Qing quickly deduced the demon tribe's intentions. With so many monsters present, the demons intended to control them swiftly and induce heart demons could only be achieved through an array formation. Standing atop a high platform, Qi Xian Qing gazed down at the scene. Indeed, among the moving monsters below, some bore black handkerchiefs at their waists. These were the demon envoys dispatched this time, the ones with black handkerchiefs. Their positioning formed the arrangement of a martial art formation. Ye Yun Ying looked up at Qi Xian Qing calmly. Perhaps the master-servant contract weighed heavily on her, Ye Yun Ying couldn't muster any dislike for the serene woman standing before her. No matter how one viewed it, she seemed far more pleasant than the Demon Lord. Men with black handkerchiefs were stationed all over, likely having completed critical tasks without further action. One moved a bit slower. Qi Xian Qing narrowed her eyes slightly, watching as the man gestured behind his back, and a subtle shadow appeared. ... Monster weddings lacked the numerous rituals of human ones. Post worship to the heavens and earth, Lu Wu's Old Lady stood up, waving a hand, prompting the onlooking monsters to commence feasting. Sealed jars of wine lined the ground, filling the air with jubilant voices. Hidden in the shadows, Qi Xian Qing intoned incantations, soon summoning countless replicas. The Immortal Technique: Clone Art. Although the clones weren't as powerful as those painstakingly cultivated with materials and time, they had vast numbers on their side. These illusions quickly blended into the crowd, while Qi Xian Qing had already found a secluded spot to sit cross-legged, controlling them. Though a high-level formation, it wasn't difficult to dismantle. However, managing eight illusionary clones simultaneously drained Qi Xian Qing. Before long, beads of sweat dotted her forehead. At positions the black-handkerchiefed men had occupied, clones meticulously began dismantling the formation. The once-stable array's effect waned gradually. Qi Xian Qing exhaled in relief. At least, the demon cult’s plans for this event wouldn't succeed. Meanwhile, Yan Jue had tied Chu Fu up. Yan Jue, perched at the pinnacle of the fifth realm, hadn't broken through yet but had surpassed most of her peers. Even though Chu Fu had become demonic, his foundation was unstable, rendering him no match for her. Confronting a black-handkerchiefed man, Yan Jue hauled him by his collar pulling him closer, seduction magic already in play. In a place teeming with monsters, she dared not harm the man outright, only entrancing him to follow her. Thankfully, no one noticed her actions. Yan Jue swiftly subdued three men. Close to the bride's table stood the last man. Yan Jue approached, securing his neck and casting a deadly glance. Perfumed air lingered at her nose, the man stared blankly, entranced. Yan Jue breathed out in relief, whispering, "Follow me." The man trailed behind her, mesmerized. The Old Lady, watching from afar, caught sight of this. Old Lady: "..." This granddaughter of mine... she's great in many ways, except for her tendency to quickly switch affections. Meng Hang Jun loves her dearly, yet how has she already fancied this robust fellow? The Old Lady sighed, shaking her head slightly as she observed the stalwart men trailing behind Yan Jue. The banquet continued as usual. These little demons, who usually lived deep in the woods, had never had the chance to eat so freely and heartily. Everyone was in high spirits, laughter echoing through the square. "Everyone, please pause for a moment!" A voice suddenly rang out. The Old Lady stood up, saying, "I have an announcement to make." The Red Fox Old Lady, with her full head of silver hair and dressed in a green robe, held a blackwood staff adorned with a massive beast's head carving. Despite being an elderly woman, she naturally exuded an air of commanding authority that demanded submission. Her internal strength was formidable, her voice not loud yet carried far. The Red Fox carried immense prestige in the Lu Wu Mountain area, otherwise, so many creatures wouldn't have attended the wedding of Lu Wu's second lady. As soon as the Old Lady called out, the creatures ceased their activities and looked over. She was about to speak when suddenly a red light burst forth in the sky, accompanied by a thunderous roar. The red light spread like blood, rapidly saturating the area until visibility was nearly impossible, oppressively heavy. Some timid creatures stared at the blood-red sky, letting out tiny screams. Qi Xian Qing suddenly opened her eyes, slowly knitting her brow. Something was amiss. The array had been activated. But that was impossible; she had just dismantled the array within the square. Why would it activate? Her gaze flickered, tracing the red light back, when she heard Ye Yun Ying exclaim, "Master, it seems there's an array outside the square as well!" Realization dawned on Qi Xian Qing. It's a double-layered array. Her eyes swiftly scanned the blood-red halo above. In the surrounding forest, thin mist-like lights flared, differing completely from the array she had just dismantled inside. This was a common overlapping array technique, and the outer array had likely been set up long ago! The inner array had been neutralized by her, diminishing its power. Yet scheming creatures could still fall under its control. The red halo continued spreading. Sounds of shattering cups echoed from the square, and the screams grew louder and louder. Several creatures reverted to their original forms, attempting to flee quickly but were blocked by an enchantment. Panic ensued, enveloping the entire square in fear. A few creatures fell to the ground, writhing in agony as dense black air emitted from their chests, their eyes turning crimson, attacking anyone in sight. The Old Lady leapt out, "Everyone, calm down!" In the chaos, the Old Lady recalled Yan Jue's morning warning. But how could it be possible? Even if the demon tribe targeted the monster tribe, they should've gone for the northern Ghost Palace instead! By now, several creatures had succumbed to the array, beginning to act erratically. And after a brief rampage, those berserk creatures all ran in the same direction. "Old Lady, what do we do?" A maid, as pretty as a flower, kneeled beside the Old Lady. After the rampaging creatures dispersed, the square was much quieter. The Old Lady frowned slightly, waving her hand, "Follow them and see where they're going." The maid moved like the wind, swiftly following the creatures out. Beyond the square, in the forest. Qi Xian Qing moved through the red glow. This outer array was exceptionally hidden. If not for Qi Xian Qing’s years of field practice, developing acute sensitivity to arrays, she might not have found a way to break it so quickly. It seemed the Demon Lord placed immense importance on this operation, not sharing the entire plan with Ye Yun Ying, only disseminating snippets of it to select individuals. This was why Ye Yun Ying was unaware of the outer array! When Yan Jue arrived, she intended to assist, but Qi Xian Qing communicated, "Block the square entrance, stop any creature trying to escape." "I'll handle breaking the array." Yan Jue nodded solemnly, "Understood." The square's situation spiraled out of control, the array still active, more creatures succumbing to inner demons, descending into madness. The way to the square was via a small suspension bridge. The crazed creatures could only escape via this bridge. Yan Jue stood on the narrow suspension bridge, drawing her celestial sword, Liu Bing. Liu Bing unleashed a fierce ice-blue sword light upon the escaping creatures, forcing them back. With her standing guard, no creature dared pass. The Old Lady's senior maid soon returned, crossing the suspension bridge to Yan Jue's side. Yan Jue was momentarily surprised, stepping aside to let her pass. Though usually delicate, the maid demonstrated remarkable agility in this situation. She flipped through the air, landing directly before the Old Lady. The maid reported, "Old Lady, those rampaging creatures have a singular destination." The Old Lady frowned, "Where are they headed?" In a grave tone, the maid answered, "The Lujia Mountain’s Xiang An Palace." Her words fell like thunder crashing. With the righteous sect's oppression on the monster tribe already merciless, they might have recently slackened, likely due to not finding an excuse to act, cowardly unable to proceed without one. But if the creatures caused chaos at Xiang An Palace... Chills ran down the Old Lady's spine. Xiang An Palace, established by the Six Great Immortal Sects, functioned as an earthly palace. If the creatures rioted there, it would give the sects ample reason to accuse the monsters of rebellion, leading to even harsher crackdowns! The Old Lady, "You’ve dealt with them..." The maid urgently interjected, "I’ve already addressed all of the crazed creatures!" The Old Lady was contemplating when suddenly she noticed the maid’s pupils contract sharply, "Old Lady!" The Old Lady spun around, swiftly vibrating her purple sandalwood cane. An all-red cat demon, unbeknownst to her, had crept up behind, claws glinting viciously as they aimed for her most vulnerable neck. The Old Lady attempted to raise her cane to block, but it was too late! Just as the cat demon's claws were about to tear the old fox's throat, a green light flashed by. A surge of chilling electricity spread, and Qi Xian Qing’s silhouette morphed into a ghostly trail, her sword Zhu Ying unsheathed in a blinding azure glow, impossible to keep eyes open against its sparkle. Sword Technique: A Single Thought. In the next instant, the cat demon's head separated from its body, flopping lifelessly to the ground. Qi Xian Qing turned to the Old Lady, respectfully bowing, "Grandmother, Xian Qing has arrived late." The Old Lady: "..." The demon world always reacted with dread at the mention of Meng Hang Jun. Representing Five Dragon Sect for years, Qi Xian Qing's name became synonymous with the righteous immigrant sect. Now, here stood Zhu Ying, the celestial sword that swept away evils, on their side. The red dark light in the sky had vanished unknowingly. Creatures controlled by inner demons writhed on the ground before slowly gaining clarity. "What's going on..." "I was just drinking peacefully, who laid this array?" "This array seems malicious! My husband... he was fine a second ago, then suddenly went mad!" a woman sobbed, covering her face. Uproar enveloped the square, monsters conversing rapidly. The Old Lady shook her head, her gaze sweeping over the surrounding chaos. The overturned tables, shattered jars, and torn-to-shreds lanterns littered the grounds. Monsters scattered across the square. What had been a joyous wedding feast had degraded to this state. The Old Lady was about to speak when a sharp voice echoed out: "Everyone, look here! This is the demon way’s conspiracy!" The girl's voice was crisp and clear, resonating throughout the square, ensuring every creature heard her. The Old Lady's pupils contracted in surprise, looking up. Yan Jue, garbed in pale purple silk, stood tall with an elegant demeanor. Perched on high ground, her black hair fluttered wildly in the gale, sunlight casting soft shadows over her chiseled features, lending an air of nobility. Possibly due to her potent internal strength, her voice carried far from such a vantage. Ah Jue, what are you planning? The Old Lady was startled. Yan Jue stood with her hands behind her back, loudly declaring, "While everyone was here enjoying the wedding feast, the demon cult laid an array outside the square. Did everyone witness this? How many of our brethren fell under that array's control?" Before Yan Jue could finish, the monster crowd erupted in discussions. "Yes... The one beside me was just drinking moments ago and went berserk all of a sudden." "What kind of array is this? Can it truly control one's actions?" "Although the demon cult was formidable a thousand years ago, ever since the great war between the immortals and demons, they have waned. Despite some tricks, they're still no match for the righteous immortal sect." Yan Jue raised her hand, gesturing slightly in front of her chest, "The array is tied to each of your inner demons. As long as there's any hint of evil intent in your hearts, you can't escape the array's control." The crowd fell silent. Though she had a human form, Yan Jue possessed demon blood and did not purposely hide her monster aura. Everyone knew she was one of them, so her words carried considerable weight. Suddenly, Yan Jue kicked fiercely, sending several tightly bound creatures off the high platform. "These are the brothers and sisters controlled by inner demons," she declared. "In the confusion, they only ran in one direction. Can anyone guess where that is?" The crowd descended into silence once more. "Xiang An Palace!" "What is Xiang An Palace? Xiang An Palace is the earthly palace of the Six Great Immortal Sects. If these creatures, being monsters, cause chaos in the palace, it will undoubtedly lead to a new wave of extermination by the sects. Where will we retreat to then?" If the creatures were only causing chaos within the square, it could be seen as an issue with the sects targeting them. However, the specific direction all the creatures ran towards made the situation suspicious. The righteous sects wouldn't allow such creatures to cause chaos at their palaces, as it offered no benefit. Yet, if viewed as the demon cult wanting allegiance from the monsters, everything became clear. A creature suddenly grasped the situation, "We would side with the demon tribe!" "Yes, hasn't the Demon Lord been actively recruiting the Five Monsters? All small monsters are welcome to join the demon cult, and my husband was just considering it recently." "But such a spell to awaken inner demons, it's something unheard of." Seeing her opportunity, Yan Jue called out loudly, interrupting the crowd's chatter. "With such treachery from the demon path to the fox clan, do any of you still wish to join the demon tribe?"