Chapter 294: Breaking the Deadlock
“Another demon?”
Chu Jing asked in astonishment. His gaze fell upon the Black Fiend Demon Monkey, and he suddenly felt that this Monkey Demon’s arrival was part of a conspiracy.
On the surface, it seemed to be attacking the Clear Sky Sect, but in truth, was it here to scout for intelligence?
“Can you control this strand of Demonic Energy?” Chu Jing asked.
Yun Cai did not answer. She raised her right hand and infused her own Vital Energy into the Black Fiend Demon Monkey’s body.
The Heart-Devouring Bees covering the Black Fiend Demon Monkey writhed frantically. The sight was horrifying. Enduring the excruciating pain of being gnawed away, he did not utter a single sound. The only eye he had exposed stared fixedly at Yun Cai.
Boom!
A powerful surge of Demonic Energy erupted from within the Black Fiend Demon Monkey’s body. Not only did it disperse the Heart-Devouring Bees, it also shattered Yun Cai’s Vital Energy, forcing both her and Chu Jing to retreat.
As the Heart-Devouring Bees scattered, the Black Fiend Demon Monkey revealed his Demon Body. He was drenched in blood, and in many places stark white bones protruded, making him look terrifying.
Surrounded by Demonic Energy, half of his face had been stripped to bone, and his mouth was nothing but exposed teeth. He forced out a smile and said coldly, “I didn’t expect you to discover even that much. Those eyes of yours are not simple. Before long, you will kneel on the ground and beg me to kill you. But I won’t kill you—I’ll slowly torture you…”
Before he could finish speaking, a large swarm of Heart-Devouring Bees surged forward again and engulfed him once more.
The Demonic Energy around him began to spread outward, drilling into the walls.
“This is bad! Kill him quickly!” Chu Jing said in a low voice.
Yun Cai immediately withdrew the Heart-Devouring Bees, then raised her right hand, pressing two fingers upright before her lips. She exhaled a vast surge of azure flames that swiftly engulfed the Black Fiend Demon Monkey.
Within the blazing fire, the Black Fiend Demon Monkey was still laughing—laughing with unrestrained madness.
…
Under the moonlit night, inside a dilapidated temple.
Shi Yixian, the temple master of the Asking Immortals Temple, stepped over the threshold and entered the main hall. Shadowy figures turned in unison to look at him, yet his expression did not change.
Shi Yixian walked to a Buddha statue. Following his gaze, one could see a gigantic centipede perched upon the statue’s left shoulder. Its body coiled around the statue’s neck, hideous and fearsome. Its pitch-black form looked as though it were steeped in deadly poison, inspiring dread.
“I wonder why Your Majesty summoned me?” Shi Yixian asked.
In the darkness on both sides of him, terrifying figures shifted—each with a different shape, all exuding malevolent auras.
The Centipede Demon upon the Buddha statue lifted its head and stared at Shi Yixian. “It’s time to move.”
Its voice was hoarse, like that of a middle-aged man.
Hearing this, Shi Yixian was momentarily stunned. He frowned and asked, “Has Your Majesty fully understood the situation of the Clear Sky Sect?”
“The Clear Sky Sect has no backer,” the Centipede Demon replied.
Shi Yixian narrowed his eyes upon hearing that.
A cold female voice echoed from the darkness. “Your Majesty, give the order. How shall we act?”
The Centipede Demon’s body began to shift. Slowly, it raised itself upright like a black python rising, its shadow enveloping Shi Yixian.
“First, plunge the Clear Sky Sect into panic. Let the Nine Immortals Sect make the first move. At year’s end, I will personally visit the Clear Sky Sect.”
The Centipede Demon’s voice reverberated throughout the temple. A strange light flickered in Shi Yixian’s eyes.
Rumble—
Suddenly, thunder roared outside the temple. Lightning flashed, causing Shi Yixian’s shadow to waver.
…
Winter snow drifted down, heralding the arrival of the cold season.
Within the Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Qingqiu and Wei Tianxiong were discussing the Sect-Protection Grand Formation.
“According to your requirements, to cover the Ancient Great Mountain Range, the fastest we can finish would be early next summer,” Wei Tianxiong said with a frown.
“The sooner the better,” Li Qingqiu replied.
Wei Tianxiong nodded. “That undying Monkey Demon should be connected to the Land of Demons and Devils.”
The Black Fiend Demon Monkey was still imprisoned within the Suppressing Evil Tower. Yun Cai and Chu Jing were unable to deal with him, and the matter had spread.
An unkillable demon was enough to make the disciples of the Clear Sky Sect wary. A tense atmosphere had already begun to permeate the sect. More and more disciples sensed that the sect was facing unknown trouble.
“I’ve thought the same,” Li Qingqiu said. “Those demons are hiding very deeply. For now, there’s nowhere to find them. What do you think we should do?”
“If we can’t find them, then we wait,” Wei Tianxiong replied. “They sent the Monkey Demon here, which already proves their target is the entire Clear Sky Sect. Sooner or later, they will attack Clear Sky Mountain. I have two ideas.”
“First, recall the entire sect and retreat to defend the Clear Sky Sect, concentrating our strength. But if we do that, the world will be in danger.”
“Second, send trusted disciples to guard the sect’s important strongholds and wait for those demons to show themselves. But that carries risk—they could be defeated one by one.”
Li Qingqiu nodded. Instead of following Wei Tianxiong’s line of thought, he asked, “What do you think they want? It can’t be simply to destroy us. Since they’ve become demons, they possess intelligence—and ambition.”
Wei Tianxiong frowned and pondered. “Indeed. What do they want? This land has already been abandoned by the Land of Demons and Devils. If it were merely to satisfy their hunger, they should already have begun slaughtering. There are plenty of Immortal Cultivators scattered outside, yet we haven’t heard of such incidents.”
Li Qingqiu picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup.
This enemy was different from all those before—more cunning and elusive. Even after he secretly ordered investigations across the Nine Provinces Continent, no trace of the demons had been found.
As for the suspicious Nine Immortals Sect, only believers could be traced; its leader remained unknown.
The two fell into their own thoughts.
The falling snow grew heavier, as though intent on burying all things beneath heaven and earth.
At that moment, Xiao Wuqing strode into the courtyard. He approached Li Qingqiu and presented a Clear Sky Token. “Sect Master, Elder Shen Yue wishes to speak with you.”
Li Qingqiu immediately took the Clear Sky Token.
This Clear Sky Token was different from those carried by ordinary disciples. It was specifically used to receive intelligence from sect members.
At present, a single Clear Sky Token could not receive signals from all disciple tokens. Thus, the receiving tokens were centralized. If someone needed to speak with Li Qingqiu, it had to be specially delivered.
Li Qingqiu infused Vital Energy into the Clear Sky Token and said, “It’s me, Li Qingqiu.”
The token emitted a faint glow. Soon, Shen Yue’s voice came through:
“Sect Master, I’ve discovered that the Nine Immortals Sect may be related to demons. After those demons bewitch people, they cast spells and escape, which makes their tracks difficult to trace. I’m currently following a minor demon. Judging from its behavior, it seems to be going to meet some greater existence. I intend to go deeper. I’m in Southern Chu Province now. The Clear Sky Token has already transmitted my exact location back.”
His voice was calm, and the sound of wind could be heard—it was clear he was traveling.
“Recently, a demon in the Spirit Perception Realm attacked the sect. The Nine Immortals Sect may be linked to a demon clan force. If you pursue alone, you might be surrounded,” Li Qingqiu warned.
“No matter. Then I’ll eliminate that demon clan force for the sect.”
Shen Yue’s tone was casual, yet filled with absolute confidence.
Xiao Wuqing felt his blood stir at those words. When Shen Yue said such things, he believed them. Looking back at past crises, Shen Yue had always performed brilliantly, with almost no failures.
Moreover, even before reaching the Spirit Perception Realm, Shen Yue had defeated ghosts of that realm. Now that he had achieved it, he would only be stronger.
Li Qingqiu could not help but laugh softly. Still, he reminded him, “Just be careful. Don’t fall.”
“Even if I die, I’ll die in a duel with you. That’s it—I need to catch up.”
With those words, Shen Yue cut off his Vital Energy. The Clear Sky Token in Li Qingqiu’s hand ceased glowing.
Wei Tianxiong sighed. “This Shen Yue is truly impressive. He can indeed be called a genius—and an extraordinary one at that.”
Li Qingqiu handed the Clear Sky Token back to Xiao Wuqing and said, “Yes. In my eyes, he has always been a genius.”
He waved his hand, signaling Xiao Wuqing to withdraw.
Xiao Wuqing immediately saluted and turned to leave.
Wei Tianxiong smiled. “It seems there is a third option now—wait and watch. Perhaps the geniuses within the sect can break the deadlock.”
Li Qingqiu had sent out more than just Shen Yue.
Wei Tianxiong’s words aligned with his current plan. He believed Shen Yue, Zhao Zhen, and Ji Ya might become the key to breaking the stalemate.
That demon clan force was clearly wary of the Clear Sky Sect. Under such circumstances, even if the three were besieged, they would not be instantly killed.
As long as battle erupted, Li Qingqiu could arrive in a short time.
Looking at Wei Tianxiong, Li Qingqiu said, “You must also prepare for battle.”
Wei Tianxiong replied confidently, “Rest assured. If they dare to come, I’ll let them know my strength. I only lose to you. Other Spirit Perception Realm cultivators are beneath my notice.”
Wei Tianxiong was also one of Li Qingqiu’s trump cards. At present, no one knew his true cultivation level.
Over the years, while recuperating from his injuries, his strength had grown far greater than when he first broke his seal.
…
At dusk, in Zhongtian Province, within Zhenyang Imperial City.
Ji Ya accompanied Liu Jing on a stroll through the Imperial Palace. The two chatted and laughed. Liu Jing did not put on airs as the Heavenly Son; he remained true to his original heart and treated the Clear Sky Sect with respect.
“Your Majesty, you mentioned that the palace is haunted. What exactly has been happening?” Ji Ya steered the conversation to the matter at hand.
The smile faded from Liu Jing’s face. He frowned and said, “Every night when I sleep, I hear footsteps. When I wake in alarm, I can smell a strange fragrance. No one else in the palace experiences this. The Empress and the other consorts from the Clear Sky Sect have searched the entire palace and found nothing unusual. That’s why I suspect it’s a haunting. Only an Evil Entity would be unseen and untouchable.”
“Has this continued recently?” Ji Ya asked.
“Yes. And the strange fragrance has grown stronger,” Liu Jing said, a trace of fear appearing on his face.
Ji Ya thought for a moment and said, “Your Majesty, allow me to keep watch over your sleeping palace tonight.”
Liu Jing brightened. “That would be excellent.”
After agreeing, they spoke of other matters.
Liu Jing had already sent five of his children to the Clear Sky Sect for Immortal Cultivation, so he was greatly interested in affairs within the sect.
Ji Ya did not mention the Black Fiend Demon Monkey, lest Liu Jing become even more worried.
Night gradually fell.
Ji Ya stood upon the eaves of a palace hall. He took out talisman papers one by one, affixed them to the eaves, and cast a spell. His figure gradually became transparent.
After completing the spell, Ji Ya sat cross-legged and began to wait patiently.