Chapter 51 Part 2

With a puff of black mist, a graceful figure in blood-red robes appeared, her upturned eyes and bewitching allure accentuated by the mole at her brow’s end. She grinned brilliantly. “I thought the Xiao Family Head would swallow it all gritted teeth, but there’s a twist! Is it your shred of ‘conscience,’ or thanks to certain people here?”

Her crimson robes bled magic aura—it was none other than Ji Xuyun, now Demon Sect Sect Leader.

Seeing her, even the Taisu Medical Venerable’s eyes widened briefly, sensing familiarity. But she dared not speak.

Ji Xuyun zeroed in with a chuckle. “Medical Venerable, why so surprised? Don’t I look familiar? Well, of course—after a century as your prized disciple!”

“You spew blood libel!!” The Taisu Medical Venerable raged, eyes bulging, unable to fathom taking a Demonic Cultivator as direct disciple!

“Master, you’re hurting my feelings,” Ji Xuyun feigned hurt, but her fingertip gathered a orb of warm white spiritual energy—the hallmark of Medical Cultivators!

The crowd erupted in uproar.

“Oh, Taisu, I totally get where you’re coming from. After all, taking on a talented disciple like that has always been your dream!” Ji Xuyun said with a playful grin. “I let you have a nice hundred-year dream—maybe you should even thank me for it?”

Before the Taisu Medical Venerable could unleash a torrent of curses, Jiang Liuzhao had already gathered the unextinguished flames from Peach Blossom Source that she controlled, condensing them once more. The flames descended like a whirlwind onto Ji Xuyun’s head!

Ji Xuyun’s lips still curved in a smile, but with her at the center, raging winds suddenly whipped up around her, scattering the flames in all directions!

“Ji Xuyun, you’ve dragged this out too long. Make it quick.”

Amid the gusts, a streak of black mist swept by, and a tall woman in black robes appeared beside Ji Xuyun, whispering to her.

There was no doubt—this was Sheng Ye.

“I’ve got my own plans, Master. You should focus on holding off Jiang Liuzhao,” Ji Xuyun replied, her smile not reaching her eyes, like a pointed reminder.

No sooner had she spoken than the scattered flames surged back to life, transforming into falling boulders and torrential rain that tore through the gales, hurtling straight toward the two of them!

Jiang Liuzhao’s face was as still as stagnant water. Spiritual power rippled from her hand—”Lingyan” remained sheathed, but merely by drawing on the lingering fire source of Peach Blossom Source, she ruthlessly suppressed Ji Xuyun and Sheng Ye!

Yet black mist erupted from the arms of both Ji Xuyun and Sheng Ye, their demonic energy surging strong—just like 180 years ago at Taiqing Sect. Numerous Demonic Cultivators materialized directly amid the ruins of Peach Blossom Source through that black mist!

This place… was about to become a righteous-demonic battlefield once more!

Lu Mingyi’s heart pounded as she gripped “Billowing Waves” tightly, her mind racing:

The Demon Sect came to Peach Blossom Source for the Spiritual Spring—or rather, the Five-Colored Stone. So why are Ji Xuyun and Sheng Ye attacking us so directly now? Could they know the Five-Colored Stone has been taken?

And earlier underground, Sheng Ye lost an arm to Jiang Liuzhao—she should be gravely injured. Why does she look fine now?

Why hide in a black robe? Wouldn’t revealing herself as the resurrected Azure Moon Sword Venerable carry more shock value?

In that split-second of thought, several Demonic Cultivators charged over. But Shen Mingzheng wielded “Gu Li,” her sword strikes flashing as she cut them down.

Suddenly, a red gleam streaked by. Lu Mingyi’s sharp eyes caught it—Billowing Waves thrust forward, blocking the strike for Shen Mingzheng.

Shen Mingzheng’s heart leaped with joy, but before she could spot the attacker, several more red beams came hurtling. Looming before them was Ji Xuyun, holding “Yama Slayer”!

Qi Yinxue had just slain a Demonic Cultivator, blood speckling her refined features. Seeing Lu Mingyi and Shen Mingzheng clash with Ji Xuyun, she grabbed her sword to rush over and help.

But Lu Mingyi shouted at her, “Qi Yinxue, go watch Xiao Yuxie and Xie Wenxin!”

Peach Blossom Source had plunged into even greater chaos. The outer areas still held some ruined buildings, but the Demonic Cultivators’ reckless assaults shattered walls and decorations to dust.

The influx of Demonic Cultivators was massive—both Wang Ting and Ayun were tied up in their own fights. With Xiao Yuxie completely drained, relying on just Xie Wenxin in this mess was far too dangerous.

Qi Yinxue hesitated for a moment but ultimately followed Lu Mingyi’s order, hurrying to Xiao Yuxie’s side.

Over there, Ji Xuyun narrowed her eyes and laughed loudly. “You really have time to spare—sending away your backup at a moment like this?”

“Enough talk from you, demoness! The two of us are more than enough for you!” Shen Mingzheng gripped “Gu Li,” her face twisted with disgust and hatred for Ji Xuyun, yet thrilled at fighting side-by-side with Lu Mingyi once more.

Ji Xuyun paused, her expression cooling. Demonic light flared from the artifact in her palm and the depths of her eyes, her vivid lips curling in mockery. “Oh? Then let’s see how long you can hold out.”

But as she lunged toward Lu Mingyi, a blaze from the heavens crashed directly onto her!

“Pfft!” Ji Xuyun spat a mouthful of blood, tumbling to the ground. She furrowed her brows and glared skyward, snarling, “Jiang Liuzhao, you relentless haunt!”

In the instant Jiang Liuzhao was distracted intercepting Ji Xuyun, Sheng Ye’s sword blade wreathed in demonic energy sliced across her shoulder, carving a long gash on her right arm. Fresh blood instantly stained her white robes crimson.

“Junior Sister, looks like you’ve fallen more than just to the Cavern Void Realm,” Sheng Ye said with a sinister chuckle. “In your prime, we probably would’ve turned to ash with a mere wave of your hand, huh?”

Though struck by the sword, Jiang Liuzhao didn’t even twitch a brow. She replied coldly while swinging her blade: “You won’t succeed.”

“Oh? Why so certain? I’ll get my hands on the second Child of Prophecy no matter what!” Though at a disadvantage, Sheng Ye dragged things out just like underground, buying time while sending a transmission to Ji Xuyun: “Ji Xuyun! What the hell are you stalling for?!”

Underground, the injured Ji Xuyun spat out congealed blood, wiped the corner of her mouth, and slowly rose.

Ignoring Shen Mingzheng, she stared straight at Lu Mingyi and sighed. “The Ink Wave Stone—you’ve already got it, haven’t you?”

Lu Mingyi’s heart skipped. Her brows furrowed as she said, “What are you talking about?”

“No need to hide it. I can sense the Five-Colored Stone on you.” Ji Xuyun raised her right arm. “Hand over the Ink Wave Stone, and I’ll let you all go.”

So, that Five-Colored Stone was called the Ink Wave Stone—apparently, each had its own name.

Lu Mingyi’s mind raced through the info, but her expression stayed unchanged. “Don’t you think you’re talking nonsense?”

“Sigh, I figured as much.” Ji Xuyun shook her head, a flicker of nostalgia in her usually frivolous eyes. “After all, that’s always been you…”

Shen Mingzheng watched their exchange, her fine brows knitting. She shouted, “Demoness, what are you bluffing about?!”

“Hmph, Shen Young Mistress, don’t worry—I haven’t forgotten you.”

Ji Xuyun snorted lightly, excitement suddenly coloring her face. A ripple of spiritual power surged beside her, and a golden fox gradually took shape at her feet.

The moment Lu Mingyi saw the fox, her pupils shrank. A strong sense of foreboding enveloped her.

The Golden-Haired Fox shrank down and leaped onto Ji Xuyun’s shoulder. She stroked its head, her sly eyes mirroring its own perfectly. “Well? Doesn’t it look familiar?”

“It’s really you!”

Lu Mingyi tightened her grip on Billowing Waves, determined not to drag this out with Ji Xuyun. She charged forward.

But Ji Xuyun remained unhurried, her red lips parting: “Lu Mingyi, you already suspected this fox spread the Spirit-Devouring Gu. So, haven’t you wondered where the one in your body went?”

“Don’t worry—I’ll show you soon enough.”

With Ji Xuyun’s soft, seductive words trailing off, Lu Mingyi suddenly heard a stifled cry of pain from behind.

Shen Mingzheng clutched her abdomen and dropped heavily to her knees. The once-proud heir of the Shen Family lost all composure as blood gushed from her mouth, soaking her flamboyant young master’s robes a deeper shade.

In that instant, Lu Mingyi finally understood.

Back at the inn in Jiangxia, she’d sensed an intruder in her room, and her wrist had ached inexplicably.

That ache on her wrist—it had been sliced open to draw out the gu insect. And she hadn’t noticed afterward because someone had applied premium salve to erase the wound.

“Cough… cough cough!”

Shen Mingzheng felt excruciating pain drilling from her Dantian. Blood filled her mouth and nose, and to her despair, she plummeted from Nascent Soul Stage to Golden Core in moments!

“How pitiful,” Ji Xuyun said with a light laugh, shaking her head. “That Spirit-Devouring Gu is useless in your body. But in someone else’s… I just need to activate it.”

Lu Mingyi stood frozen, staring at the woman kneeling on the ground. She blinked, half-convinced she was dreaming.

But Ji Xuyun’s ghostly voice echoed in her ears: “Lu Mingyi, how about it? Give me the Ink Wave Stone, and I’ll order all the Demonic Cultivators to withdraw right now—no more casualties for you. But if you refuse…”

Lu Mingyi’s long lashes trembled. Even before Ji Xuyun finished, she knew—the woman was threatening Shen Mingzheng’s life to force her to hand over the Ink Wave Stone.

She glanced up, seeing the collapsed ruins of Peach Blossom Source behind them, and the churning waters surging from underground.

“If you refuse, I can’t guarantee…”

Ji Xuyun drawled on, leaving plenty of time.

But suddenly, she felt a violent impact throw her off balance—she crashed to the ground!

Lu Mingyi had unleashed speed and power far beyond her cultivation!

Ji Xuyun, caught off-guard, was hurled several meters. As she recovered and tried to fling Lu Mingyi off, she felt a sensation of weightlessness.

Lu Mingyi had tackled her straight toward the collapsed pit mouths!

“You won’t threaten me—” Lu Mingyi glared at the face inches away, growling through gritted teeth.

In that burst from the underground moment, she’d tossed her Storage Ring right to Shen Mingzheng.

Ji Xuyun’s eyes widened. Overwhelming excitement mixed with a needle-like stab of pain surged through her heart. She laughed wildly: “Good! Good! Good!”

“Lu Mingyi, let’s settle this one-on-one!” As she spoke, Ji Xuyun grabbed tightly onto Lu Mingyi’s robes in turn.

The two plummeted together into the deep pit roiling with turbulent waters!