Chapter 72

Thunder blanketed the heavens in an instant, vast and majestic, purging the demonic haze. The phantom that stepped out from behind Yan Zhichuan reached forward with a point, and a streak of purple-red lightning surged ahead, exploding with a deafening boom.

Dong Rong’s expression changed abruptly. She hadn’t expected Yan Jizhi to appear within the chart. This wasn’t her true body, yet it was even more formidable.

Yan Zhichuan blinked, her face full of astonishment. She touched the whistle hanging around her neck, thinking, Wasn’t it broken before? How did Master come out on her own now?

The boundless thunder net stretched endlessly. With a flick of Yan Jizhi’s sleeve, purple-red sword light spun into being. Earlier, her true body hadn’t been present, and the chart in the Demon Cultivator’s Cave Heaven hadn’t shown any flaws yet. But now, things were different. In the heat of battle, the inside and outside connected. Dong Rong had seized the chance to flee into the chart and conceal herself, drawing her true body to chase the trace of her aura. Unbeknownst to her, this cracked open a passage in the artifact, freeing the phantom from its restraints. It might look like just a single phantom, but its energy harmonized perfectly with her true self—it was absolutely a full manifestation of her Cave Heaven prowess.

Dong Rong gazed gravely at Yan Jizhi. The Asura Chart was a demonic world unto itself, her home turf. In a real fight, she might not lose. A glint flashed in her eyes, followed by a long whistle. Countless wisps of demonic qi surged. Refined demonic essence rushed in from all directions like a restless river, coalescing behind her into a colossal Demon Shadow. Waves of eerie demonic chants echoed, clashing with the sword qi and thunder in an instant, producing eerie tones that chilled the soul.

Zhan Yujie was at Nascent Soul realm, but her protective mana had vanished. The demonic chants washed over her, turning her face deathly pale as inner demons stirred once more. Yan Zhichuan raised her sword, barely sweeping away the tidal demonic haze. She spread her arms to shield Zhan Yujie, the Fire Lotus Mark igniting as the Name-Sealing Seal loosened again.

With the Demon Seed’s primal power stirred, it devoured the Demon Creatures within the Demon World Asura Chart whale-like, unleashing the same countermeasures she’d used against the demonic tide before.

“Junior Sister!” Zhan Yujie gripped her sword, trying to stand, but immense pressure crashed onto her shoulders, staggering her steps.

Yet she struggled back to her feet.

The fact that Junior Sister can devour demonic qi cannot be known!

Dong Rong’s cultivation technique was inextricably linked to the Demon World Asura Chart—it was practically her foundation. She’d thought the Demon Shadow incarnation could hold off Yan Jizhi’s sword, but no sooner had it manifested than the gathered demonic essence scattered intangibly. And it flowed straight toward that unassuming Golden Core junior!

Dong Rong instinctively glanced at Yan Zhichuan.

Demonic qi surged visibly, clearly being devoured by the other girl—yet not a trace of demonic aura appeared on her. Instead, pure qi shone radiantly, auspicious light gentle and serene. No, that pure qi comes from an artifact. This Golden Core junior—she’s—

“A Demon—!” Dong Rong’s words hadn’t even finished when Yan Jizhi’s assault grew fiercer, crashing down like raging tidal waves. Dong Rong hurriedly gathered her focus, but for some reason, her divine channel arts couldn’t fully manifest within this artifact she’d refined herself. At first, she withstood the waves like a reef in the sea, but soon she sensed her foundation being eroded away—the speed even outpacing Yan Jizhi’s sword!

Her cultivation drained away unnoticed, Yan Jizhi’s sword growing ever sharper. How could Dong Rong withstand such onslaught? Her protective true qi shattered in moments. Waves of aftershocks pushed forward, thunder roaring in all directions. Dong Rong hesitated no longer, pinching a hand seal to flee the Demon World Asura Chart. She’d never imagined her own artifact could become her grave!

But the outside world was no sanctuary. Zhong Zhanxi waited with sword in hand. The moment she sensed Dong Rong emerge, she unleashed her sword light, slaying toward her. The Sword of Nine Abyss activated, waves rising higher, tides crashing fiercer. Dong Rong’s energy was at its lowest ebb—she couldn’t endure it. Sword light whirled, decapitating her in an instant. Yet Zhong Zhanxi didn’t relent; her sword light spun wildly, sharp sounds ringing from all sides. After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, a wisp of unwilling nascent spirit fled, but it didn’t get far before annihilating utterly into ash.

Zhong Zhanxi raised her hand to claim the Demon World Asura Chart. With a swipe of sword light, how could the now-masterless artifact hold? Amid a series of crisp cracking sounds, Zhan Yujie and Yan Zhichuan tumbled out from within. The chart, along with the Small Demon Aperture in Sea Treasure Grotto, shattered under the sword intent.

“Sect Master, Master.” Supported by Yan Zhichuan, Zhan Yujie bowed to Zhong Zhanxi and the others. Her face was pale and distraught, her mind heavy with worries—she hadn’t noticed the brief exchange between Yan Jizhi’s phantom and Dong Rong. Should I tell Master and them about Junior Sister’s anomaly? With Nine Abyss Sect’s ruthless efficiency in slaying Demon Cultivators, what fate would await her?

Yan Zhichuan’s eyes darted about. Seeing Yan Jizhi with drooping brows and a weary expression, she let out a “Wow!” She placed Zhan Yujie on Cloudy, tugged at the little whistle, and asked, “Master, why does it work sometimes and not others? Make a new one?”

Yan Jizhi closed her eyes, pretending not to hear.

Does she think it’s a toy?

Zhong Zhanxi supported Yan Jizhi, amused.

The Word Spirit was indeed troublesome, but there were no better options. She glanced at the endless sea. Fortunately, Sea Treasure Grotto was underwater, and Dong Rong’s power had been devoured by the Demon Seed—no risk of shattering heaven and earth.

“Let’s head back,” Zhong Zhanxi said.

Slaying a demonic Cave Heaven and destroying a Small Demon Aperture counted as a solid gain.

“Huh?” Yan Zhichuan tilted her head. She still had no idea what had happened. Her lips parted to speak, but Zhong Zhanxi wrapped her in mana and whisked her away.

Zhong Zhanxi gave Yan Zhichuan no chance to chatter on.

In Nine Abyss Sect.

Miao Tianyin breathed a sigh of relief upon learning Zhong Zhanxi and Yan Jizhi had returned safely.

Yingzhou Island, Li Jing, Spring Mountain Festival, Sea Treasure Grotto… This chain of events finally had some resolution.

Zhan Yujie was an invalid.

No sooner had they returned to the sect than she was sent to Medicine Peak for recovery.

Yan Zhichuan remained lively and bouncing, though she’d wanted to join in treating Zhan Yujie at Medicine Peak. Instead, her master confined her to Nine Abyss Peak, forcing her to lie low for several days before allowing her to move about.

“What’s the deal?” Yan Zhichuan didn’t get it.

The Heavenly Dao System snarked internally: It’s because you’re a Demon Seed. They need to confirm no demonic qi leaks out.

For things she couldn’t figure out, Yan Zhichuan usually shoved them aside.

She pulled a storybook from her Qiankun Pouch, flipped through a few pages, found it tasteless for some reason, and tossed it away soon after.

Da-da-da footsteps echoed in her cave abode. Yan Zhichuan paced circles before slapping her forehead and riding a cloud straight to Medicine Peak—the place she’d once avoided like the plague.

Having barely overcome her gluttonous urges to arrive at Medicine Peak, Yan Zhichuan was spotted by sharp-eyed Wu Jiang: “Sneaking around, what are you up to?” She smacked Yan Zhichuan on the head, shoving her out from the corner.

“Where’s Senior Sister Zhan? Is she okay?” Yan Zhichuan asked.

“Just a few broken bones, mana exhaustion—no damage to her foundation. She’ll recover with rest,” Wu Jiang said. Seeing Yan Zhichuan’s “Oh,” she asked, “Here to refine pills?”

Yan Zhichuan shrank back: “Another day. I’m here to visit Senior Sister Zhan.”

Wu Jiang lifted an eyebrow: “Wrong place, then.”

Yan Zhichuan froze: “Not at Medicine Peak?”

Wu Jiang sighed: “Probably at Pure Prison Peak.” Sword Cultivators or blade cultivators—they were all the same. Barely recovered and already stirring trouble. Good thing Fuyu Sha wasn’t in the sect, or she’d be twice as furious.

Yan Zhichuan’s eyelids twitched.

Her urge to visit the patient ebbed like a receding tide.

Wu Jiang eyed her: “Come refine pills, then. How many kinds have you learned? Memorized the formulas? What’s your Dao Pill success rate?”

Yan Zhichuan: “…” She backed away swiftly, waving at Wu Jiang. “Senior Sister Zhan’s waiting for me!”

Without giving Wu Jiang time to react, she hopped onto Cloudy and fled at top speed.

Atop Pure Prison Peak.

Thunder rumbled continuously, unceasing.

Dark clouds blanketed the sky, as if a downpour could unleash on the peak at any moment.

Since Forbidden Law Peak’s establishment, few visited Pure Prison Peak—no more scenes of people leaping off like dumplings. Yan Zhichuan drifted leisurely through a cluster of resentful qi from broken swords, arriving at the cliffside where Zhan Yujie sat cross-legged in meditation.

Old wounds barely healed, new ones added.

Rich, fresh blood qi wafted on the wind, but no demonic qi—Senior Sister definitely wouldn’t let her touch it.

“Junior Sister Yan.” Seeing the cloud drifting lazily over, Zhan Yujie’s brows furrowed tightly. Facing Yan Zhichuan’s carefree expression, her mood grew heavier.

“How are you, Senior Sister?” Yan Zhichuan sprawled on the cloud, peering at Zhan Yujie. She rummaged in her Qiankun Pouch but came up empty, her brows furrowing suddenly.

Zhan Yujie knew what she was thinking from her expression. She stood, pulled out some dried meat, and fed it to Yan Zhichuan, who obligingly opened her mouth. “No problems,” she said flatly, pausing before asking, “And you, Junior Sister?”

Yan Zhichuan’s cheeks bulged as she mumbled incoherently.

But the meaning was clear: body and mood both great.

Zhan Yujie’s brows knit tighter. Her finger tapped Yan Zhichuan’s forehead.

In the Demon World Asura Chart, I clearly saw the burning red lotus. Could it have been an illusion?

Yan Zhichuan blinked, not understanding why Zhan Yujie stopped feeding her—she wasn’t full yet. She rubbed her forehead against Zhan Yujie’s finger and let out an urging “Ah?”

Zhan Yujie: “…” Starving her to death, is that it? All she knows is eating?

Zhan Yujie fed her another piece and asked, “Really no discomfort?”

Yan Zhichuan ate without responding, thinking, Why is Senior Sister suddenly so nagging?

Fearing more lectures, she changed the subject: “I heard from Master that the people of Chunshan Town were rescued, but Town Prison got breached. Those who treated Tenfold Spring Charm as their faith turned into her book puppets, stirring up massive chaos while the True Persons fought the demonic path. Former Miracle Hand Sect’s Li Jing True Person got abducted. By their pace, they’ve reached Sky Nether City by now.”

Yan Zhichuan sighed ruefully.

If this was the outcome, better to have traded directly with Luo Guanyin.

But given Demon Cultivators’ habit of breaking promises, Chunshan Town might’ve been doomed either way.

“Li Jing Daoist is a genius alchemist— not as good as me, but she’s eaten a few hundred more years of meals. Now that she’s fallen to the demonic path, what if she refines Demon Pills for the Demon Clan?” Yan Zhichuan added.

But Zhan Yujie didn’t take the bait. She said coolly, “Medicine Peak’s Fu Shi has entered secluded death cultivation.”

Town Prison wouldn’t fall that easily—it must’ve been White Jade Capital and Nine Abyss’s scheme.

“Huh?” Yan Zhichuan perked up, stunned at first, then beaming with joy. “That’s great!”

No one to force me to refine pills anymore.

Zhan Yujie: “……”

Her gaze swept over Yan Zhichuan’s face, her eyes flickering subtly.

What exactly am I hoping from Junior Sister?

She stuffed the last strip of dried meat into Yan Zhichuan’s mouth, only for the delighted girl to suck in her finger too.

A wet, hot tongue swirled around the fingertip. Zhan Yujie jolted like she’d been shocked, yanking her hand back.

But Yan Zhichuan was oblivious. She clambered up from Cloudy, hands on hips, declaring a grand proclamation: “Medicine Peak is mine!”

Zhan Yujie curled her fingers, mercilessly shattering the dream: “Senior Sister Wu is still there.” Watching Yan Zhichuan deflate, a faint smile tugged at Zhan Yujie’s lips.