Chapter 68

If they could summon the Sect Master’s shadow form, they would naturally find a way out. But this strange place isolated them from the outside world—even her junior sister’s artifact had lost its effect. They could only find their own way to escape. Even if they couldn’t find the path, they had to hold out until Fu Shi and the others arrived. She had sensed Fu Shi’s aura earlier. Without the concern for Chunshan Town’s civilians, Fu Shi and her group wouldn’t lose to the Sky Nether City demon cultivators.

Still immersed in the joy of trading old for new, Yan Zhichuan glanced at Zhan Yujie’s expression. Only then did she belatedly realize their dire situation, and her face fell. She sighed in dismay and shuffled closer to Zhan Yujie, almost pressing against her body. In a hesitant murmur, she asked, “Senior Sister, what do we do now?”

Zhan Yujie pondered for a moment before saying, “Let’s look around.” The first demon creature they’d encountered had been swallowed into the chart along with them. The demonic and baleful qi here was extremely dense—who knew if there were other demon creatures, or what their cultivation levels might be? She could handle Nascent Soul Stage demon creatures for now, but if her magical power ran out without a way to replenish it, things would turn grim.

As for Yan Zhichuan—

Never mind, she decided. It would be a pleasant surprise if she could do anything at all when the time came.

Yan Zhichuan had no better ideas. She obediently murmured an “oh” and trailed closely behind Zhan Yujie like a little tail.

This strange place was lush with vegetation, distant mountains rising and falling like a slumbering dragon—much like the environment of the Nine Summers Continent. The only difference was the demonic qi that permeated everything.

After about half an hour, Zhan Yujie and Yan Zhichuan stopped at a mountain cave. They hadn’t encountered any more demon creatures along the way, but a sense of foreboding still stirred in Zhan Yujie’s heart. She glanced at Yan Zhichuan, who was yawning repeatedly, and sighed inwardly. “Let’s rest first.”

Yan Zhichuan nodded eagerly. But she couldn’t stay quiet for long before asking, “If we’re inside a painting scroll, how do we get out? Can we just tear it open?”

Zhan Yujie replied, “It’s difficult.” Spiritual treasures controlled by Cave Heaven realms differed from treasures wielded by Nascent Souls. If she advanced to Cave Heaven—no, even just Soul Transformation Realm—she could borrow the sharpness of her sword and the edge of slaughtering intent to slice open the scroll. But she lacked the strength for that now. Seeing Yan Zhichuan’s head droop, Zhan Yujie softened her tone to reassure her. “Don’t worry, Junior Sister. We’ll get out safely.”

Yan Zhichuan hadn’t even had time to fret over their plight before she broke into a grin at Zhan Yujie’s comforting words. She tugged at Zhan Yujie’s hand and swung it playfully. “Where do we sleep, then? Under the open sky?”

Zhan Yujie: “…” She knew Yan Zhichuan was guileless, but was she too carefree? She pressed her lips together but didn’t pull her hand free. With a heavy exhale, she said gravely, “Junior Sister, how’s your progress with Daoist script studies?”

Yan Zhichuan: “Huh?”

We have to study Daoist script even trapped in a demon lair? Does learning it make me stronger or something?

Zhan Yujie read Yan Zhichuan’s expression instantly and knew the answer. They needed to conserve energy in this hellish place, but they couldn’t just lie around idly. After weighing options, reviewing past battles or studying Daoist script seemed most suitable. She had plenty of Daoist script compilations on her. Pulling out a relatively simple volume, she thrust it at Yan Zhichuan. “Study!”

Yan Zhichuan’s vision went black. “Senior Sister, I think I’m suddenly allergic to the demonic qi.”

Why else would my head feel so dizzy?

Zhan Yujie said nothing, simply staring intently at Yan Zhichuan.

Yan Zhichuan looked down and mumbled softly, “If I can’t learn it, will you leave me behind?”

Zhan Yujie chuckled lightly. She could tell her good junior sister meant “I won’t study,” not “I can’t learn it.” Gazing steadily at Yan Zhichuan, she declared firmly, “I’ll teach you until you get it!” If one method didn’t work, they’d try another. Something had to stick.

The smile vanished from Yan Zhichuan’s face. She glared at Zhan Yujie with a blank expression.

Zhan Yujie curved her lips upward. That usually cool and composed face suddenly bloomed like spring flowers, radiant and glowing.

Yan Zhichuan blanked out for a moment before quickly ducking her head.

Fine, Zhan Yujie is beautiful. But I’m still holding a grudge!

Outside Chunshan Town.

Luo Guanyin and Dong Rong were desperate to flee, but with Li Tianshu present, she always predicted their escape routes a step ahead. The White Jade Capital Daoist blocked their path in time. But they were Cave Heaven experts after all—killing them wasn’t so easy. When a massive commotion erupted from White Jade Capital’s Town Prison, Luo Guanyin seized the White Jade Capital Daoist’s momentary lapse and tore open an escape route, fleeing in utter disarray.

Once they were gone, no one could catch up. With Chunshan Town and White Jade Capital needing attention, the White Jade Capital Daoist had no choice but to give up the chase.

“How is it?” Li Tianshu asked.

The White Jade Capital Cave Heaven replied calmly, “The Town Prison was breached by those Daoists turned into demon cultivator book puppets. Li Jing is nowhere to be found.”

After a brief silence, Miao Tianyin chuckled. “Good.”

They had never intended to hand Li Jing over to the demon cultivators. Beyond handling things on Chunshan Town’s side, they had a backup plan. The Demon Disguise Pills had been successfully refined, combined with disguise techniques. The “Li Jing” in the Town Prison was no longer the original. They hadn’t wanted the demon cultivators to raid the prison—entering Sky Nether City was extremely dangerous, and being stuck in that position limited free action. There was also the risk of total corruption during the infiltration. But if there were no other choice, they would still act without hesitation, using “Li Jing’s” identity to infiltrate Sky Nether City.

Yet Miao Tianyin’s smile faded as they entered Chunshan Town. An unwelcome variable had arisen again.

Sui Heng and her group were all there, but Zhan Yujie and Yan Zhichuan were missing—swallowed by a surge of demonic qi.

Miao Tianyin’s expression darkened abruptly. From her clash with Dong Rong, she knew the newly appeared Demon Sect Cave Heaven wielded the Demon World Asura Chart. Its demonic and baleful qi was overwhelmingly heavy; anyone swallowed inside would soon be assimilated, reduced to a wisp of heavy baleful energy, leaving only a shadow form for Dong Rong to command.

But with Yan Zhichuan there, that wasn’t a concern.

The problem was if the Demon Sect discovered her whereabouts.

Thankfully, she’d given her the Buddha Demon Thousand Phases beforehand. Still, what if?

Miao Tianyin’s thoughts churned. Yan Zhichuan’s existence was a closely guarded secret, and her own concerns couldn’t be shared with the White Jade Capital Daoist. She needed to consult the Sect Master. Smoothing her hair, she excused herself from the White Jade Capital Daoist and departed swiftly.

Meanwhile, Luo Guanyin and Dong Rong breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing no pursuers.

After all this upheaval, both were injured to some degree. Once the prison-raiding book puppets dragged out the barely breathing Li Jing, Luo Guanyin immediately asked, “Back to Sky Nether City?”

Dong Rong said, “No. Let’s go to the Sea Treasure Grotto first.”

The Sea Treasure Grotto was Sky Nether City’s secret outpost at sea, with minimal contact with mortals, so it had evaded detection by the Xuanmen orthodox sects. Beneath it lay a Small Demon Aperture, where surging demonic qi birthed countless demon creatures. But Sky Nether City kept them contained in the grotto for Dong Rong’s cultivation.

Seeing Luo Guanyin frown, Dong Rong pointed at Li Jing. “Her injuries are severe.”

A flash of hatred crossed Luo Guanyin’s eyes. She spat angrily, “Those White Jade Capital people are brutally ruthless.” Placing her hand on Li Jing’s wrist and channeling magical power, Luo Guanyin added, “She’s already turned to the demonic path. Xuanmen spirit pills have no effect on her anymore. As for demon pills—” Sky Nether City still lacked proper alchemists and could only rely on her own methods to nurture them.

Dong Rong: “The Xuanmen won’t let us off. They’ll surely set up ambushes on our way back to Sky Nether City.”

Though Luo Guanyin had fallen to the demonic path, she disliked the bleak, demonic atmosphere of the Sea Treasure Grotto. Still, Dong Rong’s words made sense. She nodded. “Very well.”

But soon after, the words “Sea Treasure Grotto” appeared on a document on Yan Jizhi’s desk at Nine Abyss Sect.

–

Inside the Demon World Asura Chart.

Zhan Yujie was teaching Yan Zhichuan Daoist script.

She had taken Yan Zhichuan’s Qiankun Pouch. If Yan Zhichuan couldn’t learn it, no more snacks for her.

Yan Zhichuan’s mind was a mushy blur. She eyed Zhan Yujie hungrily like a wolf several times, but Zhan Yujie merely gripped her sword—still sheathed—and slammed it into the ground with a bang. A hole instantly cratered the floor.

Yan Zhichuan: “…” I love studying the most.

They studied relentlessly day and night for several days when a sudden roar shook the earth, sending rocks tumbling down. Zhan Yujie’s expression changed drastically. She grabbed Yan Zhichuan and bolted from the cave. Looking up, she saw thick, inky fog roiling ahead. From the formless haze emerged grotesque, hideous demon creatures, their eyes gleaming unnaturally as they bared fangs and claws, lunging at Zhan Yujie and Yan Zhichuan.

“Watch out!” Zhan Yujie shouted, drawing her sword with a sharp clang. Though numerous, these demon creatures were mediocre in cultivation, not even reaching Golden Core. Knowing the strangeness of this place, Zhan Yujie relied purely on swordsmanship to slaughter the bizarre, malevolent horde.

The vast swarm of horrifying monsters was a shocking sight. Yan Zhichuan pressed her lips together, disgust filling her eyes. With only the two of them here, she didn’t slack off. She swung the Medicine God Cauldron wide, smashing at the encroaching demon creatures. Unlike Zhan Yujie’s restraint, her Cauldron Formula was bold and sweeping. Her magical power surged, and the cauldron flames erupted like a storm, lighting up the surroundings brilliantly.

In no time, the horde was reduced to ashes in the cauldron fire. Yan Zhichuan wiped sweat from her brow and took two steps toward Zhan Yujie.

Zhan Yujie frowned slightly and turned to gaze at her.

She cautioned, “Junior Sister, this place is full of demonic qi, and we have no Dan Sand reserves. Don’t waste magical power on these minor demon creatures.”

Yan Zhichuan uttered an “oh.” Having reached Golden Core, her breathing techniques constantly circulated her cultivation, drawing in ambient qi for refinement. Cultivation doesn’t seem hard at all.

Yan Zhichuan scratched her head. But if Senior Sister said so, it had to be right.

“Huh? Senior Sister, you’re hurt?” Yan Zhichuan’s sharp eyes spotted the blood trickling from Zhan Yujie’s arm.

With so many demon creatures swarming, even Zhan Yujie wasn’t made of iron. In the chaos, a sharp claw had torn a gash, but she seemed oblivious to the pain. She glanced lightly at the wound and said breezily, “It’s nothing.”

“How can it be nothing!” Yan Zhichuan panicked, grabbing Zhan Yujie’s hand. The sight made her stomach churn—phantom pain! Worse, demonic qi was breeding in the wound—

“What if the Clear Heart Subdue Demon Pill doesn’t work?” Yan Zhichuan looked up at Zhan Yujie, a sudden thought striking her.

The Three Ways River had once been Zhan Yujie’s fated site of demonic fall, yet crises still lurked. What about this demonic qi-saturated place? Deviating from her original fate path didn’t mean the new one couldn’t lead to the demonic path.

Zhan Yujie replied unhurriedly, “Junior Sister, you don’t have to speak.”

Yan Zhichuan huffed lightly and prompted the Heavenly Dao System to scan Zhan Yujie’s status.

Zhan Yujie paid little mind to Yan Zhichuan’s spirit pet before, but now, watching Little Fat Chirp flap its wings freely, she mused thoughtfully, “Your ‘spirit pet’ is quite extraordinary, Junior Sister. It moves about freely even in this demonic qi-heavy place.”

Heavenly Dao System: “…”