149 - Confession (Ying Cheng)

Chapter 149: Chaos For both monsters and human cultivators alike, the most vulnerable spot is the dantian—the sea of energy. If this energy sea is shattered, it would decimate a demon's cultivation. Even a demon at the Great Ascension stage, once their energy sea is shattered, would have to start from scratch. The magical talisman, screeching like a dragon in flight, shot directly towards Yan Jue, poised to tear the girl's energy sea to shreds. A contented smile played on the Demon Lord's lips. It was undoubtedly a masterful plan, taking out Yan Jue while simultaneously removing Yun Zhen from her pedestal. Suddenly, a sharp azure sword light split the air, slicing the talisman in two. The audience gasped in astonishment. The Demon Lord's expression turned stony as he scanned the direction from which the sword light had come. There floated a woman in white. Her wide sleeves fluttered in the wind, her eyes aloof as drifting clouds. Her feet barely touched the air as she hovered there, the long azure sword Candlelight hanging naturally by her side, dangerous sparks snapping from her fingertips. Qi Xianqing? How could Qi Xianqing possibly be here? In the moment of the disciples' stunned silence, Qi Xianqing, her face cold and severe, suddenly raised her hand. Candlelight erupted in the sky with the roar of thunder and blinding flashes, the air seeming to tear around her. The sword's arc descended, forming a semicircular sword light. Dark clouds gathered in the sky, and the sound of thunder rumbled faintly within them. With lightning speed, the sword light smashed the chains on Yan Jue's wrist to pieces! As Yan Jue plummeted from the sky, Qi Xianqing flipped swiftly, catching her. Previously, the Demon Lord had trusted Qi Xianqing to obey his words. If Qi Xianqing remained loyal to him, he would find her a good position within the sect. For a disciple to ascend to Elder status within the sect, without being lifted up, was extremely difficult. Qi Xianqing was already at the sixth stage, entirely qualified to become an Elder. Any normal person in her shoes would have already been tempted. The Demon Lord was certain Qi Xianqing could not resist such temptation. Having lived so long, he understood human nature well. Wasn't the Dragon Elder of the Golden Gang sect one who had succumbed to temptation and joined his ranks? Qi Xianqing had said nothing, which the Demon Lord took as consent. This made him quite pleased for a time, so much so that he assigned her to guard the town's demon array hub today. He had told her about Yan Jue's identity, assuming that Qi Xianqing, given her hatred for demons, would detest Yan Jue. So, what was Qi Xianqing's meaning now? The Demon Lord's expression darkened slightly. He looked at Qi Xianqing with a still-benign gaze: "Xianqing, you've broken the array, releasing demons. As the chief disciple of the Five Dragons Gate, do you intend to break the sect's rules?" His words were heavy. Qi Xianqing lowered her gaze, offering no reply. Suddenly, a startled cry came from the crowd. Yan Jue, who had been standing behind Qi Xianqing, was now on the stairs leading from the Sword Dance Square to the high platform, though no one had seen when she moved. The Demon Tower still hovered over Yan Jue, its glaring golden light enveloping her, seeming to press upon her neck like a thousand-pound weight. Her steps were slowed, and she nearly stumbled on her way up the platform. Several senior disciples attempted to approach, but Qi Xianqing lifted Candlelight, and a powerful electric force spread instantly, halting their progress. "Hush—" Qi Xianqing: "We have something to say." The use of "we" prompted some intriguing looks among the crowd below, who all looked up at the stage with curious expressions. Yan Jue finally reached the platform, the immortal sword Liubing fanning out like starlight, casting an icy chill across the grand hall. Gripping the sword with both hands, Yan Jue's frosty eyebrows and nose tip were covered in frost. Everyone was taken aback. The scene of Yan Jue drawing the sword in Sword Grave Valley was recorded in an image-capturing array on the Five Dragon Square that day. Beyond the sect, disciples from other sects were well aware of the legendary sword Liubing's reputation. Even those who knew still found themselves awed by Liubing's presence. Yan Jue slowly raised Liubing, its tip pointed straight at the Demon Lord. Liubing burst into a radiant glow, humming clearly in the air, trembling violently. Liubing seemed excited, restless. The Demon Lord's pupils constricted sharply. Qi Xianqing's cold voice then rang out: "Ladies and gentlemen." Regarding internal strength, Qi Xianqing surpassed everyone. Even with the Sword Dance Square packed, everyone could hear her. Qi Xianqing: "Thousands of years ago, Liubing once slew the Demon Lord atop Mount White Chalk. Its reputation as a righteous sword is known by all." The audience below fell silent. Yan Jue raspingly spoke, her voice like coughing up blood: "Having been with Liubing for a long while, I realized that perhaps due to its nature, whenever Liubing encounters someone tainted with blood, it trembles violently." Her words gave those present pause for thought. Liubing was a sword of justice. How could it let her wield it if Yan Jue were a demon plagued by blood debts? As if validating her claim, Liubing shook ever more intensely in Yan Jue's hand, nearly flying free from her grasp. Yan Jue: "What kind of sect leader provokes such a reaction from Liubing?" Swords with spirits possess their own nature to some degree. Aside from Yan Jue, who truly wielded Liubing, not even the Demon Lord knew that Liubing could discern those laden with blood. Everyone was shocked, silent on the Sword Dance Square. While the disciples of the Five Dragon Gate were largely shocked, those from other sects were more spectators than participants. Just as Yan Jue was about to continue, a golden palm suddenly struck down! The golden palm crashed onto the Demon Tower hovering over Yan Jue, causing it to plummet. Fearful perspiration beaded on Yan Jue's forehead as a suffocating force crushed her chest. The Demon Tower descended, and before everyone's eyes, Yan Jue's body was smashed to pieces. The Demon Tower ground over Yan Jue's corpse, obliterating it from sight, leaving only a small red-furred fox behind. Dragon Elder leisurely flew over, offering a slight smile to the crowd: "She is undoubtedly a demon, as evidenced by her own admission—" But he was cut off by a clear voice from the side: "Some days ago, I and my senior sister executed a top-tier mission." Yan Jue's body had inexplicably appeared on the other side of the Sword Dance Square. Blood trailed down her arm, and Yan Jue breathed heavily. After departing from Lu Wu, the old matriarch had gifted her a small fox puppet. The puppet served as a decoy, sparing her life at critical moments. The Demon Tower naturally negated demonic creatures. Without this puppet, she would have had no chance against the Tower. Suddenly, someone at the square's entrance raced inside. Everyone turned, stunned. Wearing the red Taoist robe of the Zhenhuo sect, Xie Ziqin hurried to the grand hall's center, holding a wooden box. She opened it quickly. Xie Ziqin had been working late in the alchemy hall, missing all that had unfolded in the Sword Dance Square. All she knew was that her senior sister had tasked her with crafting something. Inside were vivid red elixirs, flecked with inky black impurities. Yan Jue gestured, and a faded yellow paper gently rose. The paper's light flared, and words appeared against the twilight, clear for all to see. Yan Jue explained: "These were the materials the sect leader secretly instructed us to find." Yan Jue leapt to Xie Ziqin's side, perhaps owing to her being recognized as a fox demon, the crowd parted widely to make way for her: "After combining the materials, can anyone guess what it is?" "This is a magic pill that enhances one's cultivation," Yan Jue explained. "As the scriptures once recorded, it was a gift of the Demon Lord's." "Combining Phoenix Embryo and Folk Essence Grass can control one's mind entirely for his use." "To understand its full potential, let's have the elders of the Alchemy Hall assess it." The Demon Lord's face darkened as his hand clenched tightly by his side: "Silence that demon!" Dragon Elder leapt up, bringing forth two shining golden dragons. The dragons spiraled fiercely, shrieking as they charged towards Yan Jue. Suddenly, a tiny spark intercepted them, shattering the dragons mid-flight. Cloudy garments trailing behind, Yun Zhen landed serenely next to the Demon Lord, her bewitching eyes lifted slightly: "Sect leader, perhaps you should hear what the little demon has to say. Is that not possible?" The Demon Lord's whiskers quivered with rage: "What good are the words of a demon?" Yun Zhen replied: "Since my disciple entered the Five Dragons Gate, she has never harmed anyone." Yun Zhen turned back toward the crowd and asked softly, "Has anyone ever heard of her harming someone?" The audience remained silent. Yun Zhen sighed. "Sometimes, you cannot view demons with such a decayed perspective. Are our elder brothers' views too outdated?" Yan Jue then held something up for all to see. "Everyone, look at what this is." The object in Yan Jue's hand was a pitch-black leaf, soon recognized by the more knowledgeable disciples. "A Bodhi Leaf!" "It's a special leaf used to store souls!" The dark leaf unfurled slowly, revealing an increasingly distinct figure. Though night had not fully descended, everyone quickly recognized what Yan Jue held—it was a soul. It was the soul of Five Dragons Sect's leader. ?!! If Yan Jue held the soul of the leader, who was Mu Zhong Zi standing there now? Panting heavily, Yan Jue asked, "Why must humans and demons be enemies?" Qi Xianqing abruptly turned back, sensing that something was wrong with Yan Jue. The Demon Tower of Five Dragons Gate, one of the ancient divine artifacts, inherently oppressed demonic creatures. Though Yan Jue had avoided the first strike, the tower's presence still weighed heavily on her, making it hard for her to breathe. Everything around her blurred, and only a sliver of willpower kept her standing. The true soul of Five Dragons Sect's leader, Mu Zhong Zi, erupted from the Bodhi Leaf in Yan Jue's hand, shouting fiercely, "Demon Lord! You seized my body while I was vulnerable during my tribulation and now refuse to return it!" Having been nurtured day and night by Qi Xianqing, his body had mostly recovered. His voice was powerful, clearly audible to everyone present. The Demon Lord cast a glance at Mu Zhong Zi, then laughed coldly. "A stray soul conjured from god-knows-where to spread lies and deceit?" Mu Zhong Zi: "You!" The Demon Lord suddenly threw his head back, letting out a piercing scream that echoed across the land, turning everyone’s vision red with its intensity. The soul of Mu Zhong Zi, being a mere spirit, suffered greatly from the shriek, on the brink of shattering completely. Yun Zhen’s gaze turned icy as she made a swift motion with one hand, erecting a barrier that isolated the sound from the crowd. ... When deities clash, mortals suffer. What had been a relatively peaceful Sword Dance Square instantly turned chaotic with Yun Zhen's intervention. Flashes of fire descended from the sky, clouds moved with ominous energy, and scores of disciples rushed outside, leaving Yan Jue unnoticed. Standing amidst the crowd, Yan Jue still bore the burdensome weight of the Demon Tower. She looked up at the two figures clashing in the sky, her brow furrowed. The Demon Lord swung his hands, releasing a legion of small demon soldiers from his palms. These bone-like beings, cloaked in thick black mist, appeared to be puppets controlled by divine will, armed with sharp weapons aimed at the Five Dragons Sect disciples. Each strike was fatal. The disciples, having grown complacent, were initially taken by surprise. They scattered momentarily in panic until someone shouted, "Protect the Five Dragons Gate!" spurring them back into battle, summoning their artifacts to join the fray. However, Five Dragons Sect's disciples, accustomed to righteousness, struggled against the demon soldiers. Signs of faltering soon appeared. Suddenly, a deep purple rift opened in the sky, and a group of small fox demons brimming with demonic energy leaped into the crowd. Each was feral, armored, and armed with spears, diving into the fray. The scene plunged into chaos. Despite being at the eighth stage, Yun Zhen was still slightly less powerful than the Demon Lord. Though she fought bravely, Yan Jue knew that if her master continued to clash with the Demon Lord, she could be overpowered. The sky took on a bloody hue. Yan Jue seized the opportunity, knowing the Demon Lord's focus was entirely on Yun Zhen, to rise against the pressure, concealed by the Breath Concealing Pill. Yun Zhen’s movements were fluid, beautifully executing her spells. Scorching flames radiated from her, setting even the surrounding clouds ablaze. Yan Jue circled around, arriving precisely behind the Demon Lord, and forcefully raised the sword Liubing. Long suppressed, the sword exploded forth with brilliant light, unable to contain its excitement, shooting from her hand. The icy blue immortal sword whistled through the air, colliding with another sword mid-flight. Candlelight, Qi Xianqing's sword, somehow already free from her hand, floated through the sky like a roaming dragon, intersecting with Candlelight. The clash of the immortal swords resounded across the land. One clash seemed insufficient, as the azure and blue swords clashed again, their immense spiritual power swelling and surging toward the Demon Lord with formidable sword energy. This strike drained Yan Jue's true energy completely. Despite countless practices with Qi Xianqing, the fusion of their swords always demanded immense spiritual energy. Yan Jue wavered, finally unable to withstand the Demon Tower's pressure, plummeting from the sky. Mu Zhong Zi, no, the chest of the Demon Lord, was unexpectedly pierced straight through by the sword’s righteous energy. Yet, being at the eighth stage, and with sharp senses, the Demon Lord had summoned a gold body to protect himself as the swords flew toward him. Even with this protection, the combined swords inflicted heavy injuries. The Demon Lord, unwilling to abandon the sect he had so painstakingly acquired, fought on without enthusiasm but with relentless focus on Yun Zhen. He eyed Yan Jue with icy fierceness. "Boom—" Yun Zhen's artifact, Sun Moon Shuttle, embodied both fire and ice. The blazing flames forced the Demon Lord to retreat two steps, his severe chest injury making him stagger. Yun Zhen watched him, her expression calm and serene. With a flick of her right hand, the Sun Moon Shuttle split into two, the fiery side crashing into Dragon Elder, who attempted a sneak attack, while the other side emitted intense cold, freezing the blood pouring from the Demon Lord's chest. Yun Zhen's voice was dripping with disdain: "Careful in battle." In her descent, Qi Xianqing caught Yan Jue, guiding her gently to the ground. The Demon Tower's suppression had not lifted, leaving Yan Jue trembling in agony. Running a cool fingertip along Yan Jue's eyes to offer some solace, Qi Xianqing seethed within. The Demon Tower loomed ominously over Yan Jue, unmoved, while Qi Xianqing's eyes glinted with frosty intent, Candlelight crackling ominously in the air. Qi Xianqing slashed through the air. Given that Liubing was the stronger sword, it unleashed greater power in their dual-sword fusion, requiring more true energy. Post-fusion, Yan Jue’s energy depletion was always more severe than Qi Xianqing’s. Having barely recovered, Qi Xianqing’s arm surged with energy, lightning raged within her dantian, and the mighty sword energy cleaved toward the Demon Tower. "Crack—" a terrifying fissure split open on the Demon Tower. The twelve-layered Demon Tower’s glow dimmed significantly, subdued by the sword light. Forming a seal with both hands, Qi Xianqing unleashed a torrent of true energy from her golden core, enveloping her in a mist-like aura that forcefully clung to the Demon Tower. Yan Jue felt a chill, realizing Qi Xianqing intended to seize the artifact outright! In the righteous sect, such brazen acts akin to the demonic arts were unprecedented. The Demon Tower quaked, shrank, and soon became a small, exquisite pagoda on the ground. An approaching silhouette caught Yan Jue's peripheral vision. Dragon Elder was closing in on her. Yan Jue, nestled in Qi Xianqing’s arms, gripped her robe tightly, her heart sinking. Dragon Elder was currently battling Yun Zhen in the clouds. The figure approaching must be merely a clone. Even so, in her weakened state, a clone of Dragon Elder posed a grave threat. In a dazzling flash, Qi Xianqing—an exceptional Golden Core of the sixth human realm—demonstrated her astonishing recovery by intercepting Dragon Elder. Dragon Elder, forming seals with his hands, erupted into a towering figure, three-headed and six-armed! His eyes were blood-red and lifeless, devoid of normal intelligence. He had consumed too many of the Demon Lord’s pills, which boosted his cultivation while corroding his mind, turning him into a puppet. Dragon Elder drove both hands forward, sending Qi Xianqing flying several meters. Gritting her teeth, Yan Jue stood, forcefully energizing her demon core, aiming the immortal sword Liubing at Dragon Elder. Each of Dragon Elder's three heads swiveled around to look at Yan Jue, as though gazing at prey. Yan Jue tried to raise her sword, but her arm was too weak, unable to lift the weapon at all. Qi Xianqing's back crashed into a hall pillar, causing her to cough up blood—yet she remained cold and steady. Gripping Candlelight firmly, she rebounded with a surge of azure sword light. Upon closing the gap, Qi Xianqing swiftly retracted Candlelight and formed a seal with both hands. At that crucial moment, when Dragon Elder's six arms were about to grab Yan Jue's throat, he abruptly reeled backward, as if time itself had reversed, retreating two steps away. Immortal Art: Instant Blossom. A brief reversal of time. Qi Xianqing's snow-white figure wove through the six arms, appearing suddenly before him. She lowered her waist, palms operating with ferocity and precision, filled with potent inner force. Clasping his collar, Qi Xianqing, more skilled in close combat despite being a swordswoman, hoisted Dragon Elder mercilessly, slamming his three heads to the ground. Yan Jue's internal injuries were severe and she coughed up blood. Then, someone suddenly appeared in front of her. Du Ming, holding the Outflow pipe, shouted at her, "Yan Jue, hurry and run!" It wasn’t just Du Ming; Duan Luxi, Huang Yi, and Song Jia also held the Outflow pipe. The Outflow pipe required a group formation to activate, needing at least five people. Their team just happened to have five members. However, under current conditions, Yan Jue couldn't join the formation, and Duan Luxi and the others couldn't perform splitting techniques like Qi Xianqing's immortal arts. Yan Jue looked up, seeing Yun Rang on the edge of the group, forming seals with his hands. Yun Rang met her gaze and nodded gently. The five stood in position, activating the formation. The runes on the Outflow pipe began to emit a faint glow. In an instant, billowing clouds began to emerge from the pipe's top, engulfing the entire Five Dragons Plaza just like before. Clouds thickened around, obscuring all sight. With vision lost, the other senses heightened. Yan Jue could hear the clash of battle and smell the scent of blood. Her celestial body emitted a sweet fragrance, mingling with the sharpness of plum blossoms moving subtly past her nose. Qi Xianqing was still engaged with Dragon Elder! Qi Xianqing was barely at the sixth stage and nearing a breakthrough, yet she was fighting the eighth-stage Dragon Elder. Yan Jue knew that rushing in blindly would only trouble Qi Xianqing further. She needed to meditate and regulate her breath. Yet the Demon Tower's suppression lingered, and her mind was entwined with Qi Xianqing's plight. Try as she might, Yan Jue couldn't focus energy in her dantian. Qi Xianqing... Qi Xianqing... Desperate, Yan Jue began forming seals again to run her techniques, when suddenly something encircled her waist. Instinctively, she elbowed backward. The person held her tight. A familiar voice whispered in her ear: "Princess, it’s time to go." San Niang. Yan Jue asked, "Go?" Turning back, she found herself looking at Lu Yanshuang’s eyes. Lu Yanshuang glanced upward, seeing the swirling clouds and only hearing the clash of weapons, unable to see the figures. Lu Yanshuang and Yun Zhen had numerous disagreements in the past. She resented Yun Zhen's participation in sectarian slaughters of demons and other matters. Yet this was the first time in years Lu Yanshuang cooperated with Yun Zhen again. "Go back to the Ghost Pavilion, then," Yan Jue muttered, biting her lip. It was something she should do. "But I haven't spoken to her." "She will know," Lu Yanshuang's voice was gentle. "Yun Zhen will tell her." A sharp pain stabbed at Yan Jue's dantian as something pressed hard upon it. Sword Dance Square was no place to stay—Demon Lord had activated the mountain-guarding enchantment, filled with restrictions against demons. Leaning on Lu Yanshuang’s shoulder, Yan Jue frowned, gazing into the misty fog ahead. The foggy expanse stretched on, San Niang's swift steps leaving no trace of Qi Xianqing. Yun Zhen was still battling the Demon Lord, and all Yan Jue could hear was Mu Zhong Zi’s constant nagging from behind: "Junior Sister, don't harm him! That body is mine." "I cultivated it to the eighth stage with great difficulty!" Yun Zhen was on the verge of a headache; if not for the surrounding inferno, she might have flung Mu Zhong Zi away long ago. The last scene Yan Jue saw before losing consciousness was torrents of fire pouring from Sun Moon Shuttle like raindrops.