Chapter 1818: Qingfei

The Mortal Realm

The woman crushed a wisp of light, pondered for a moment, and her radiant appearance immediately diminished, making her look as if she had just recovered from a serious illness.

She rose gracefully and pushed open the door. Outside, verdant green mountains rose, and a winding river flowed, creating a magnificent vista.

In front of the cave dwelling, a small path paved with bluestone wound its way down the mountain.

She didn’t fly on a cloud but walked slowly, appearing even more fragile, as if she could not withstand the mountain wind. Her every glance evoked pity, and any ordinary person who saw her would feel compelled to take her into their arms and comfort her.

Just as she reached halfway up the mountain, a person suddenly emerged from the woods.

This person was burly, dressed in black armor, with a golden-yellow tiger tail attached to his back, clearly indicating he was a transformed tiger demon.

“Where does Consort Qing wish to go?” The tiger demon stood in front of the woman, bowed, and asked, neither humble nor overbearing. “Your subordinate will immediately send word to the Marquis’s residence and request the Marquis’s personal retinue to accompany you. The Marquis has commanded that etiquette must not be discarded, and the Marquis’s prestige must not be diminished.”

The woman, known as Consort Qing, shifted her gaze, her features exuding a captivating charm and allure.

Unfortunately, her alluring gaze was lost on him.

The tiger demon, however, kept his gaze straight, completely unmoved, and firmly blocked Consort Qing’s path.

Helpless, Consort Qing gave a light cough and said softly, “I wish to visit the Marquis at his residence. Why all this trouble? Lead the way quickly!”

The tiger demon paused slightly, asked no further questions, and immediately clasped his fists in a bow, saying, “Your subordinate obeys!”

With that, the tiger demon waved his right arm, and immediately a line of demon soldiers rushed out from the woods, carrying a delicate red silk sedan chair.

Consort Qing swayed her lithe, seemingly boneless waist and entered the sedan chair.

Led by the tiger demon, the demon soldiers immediately rose into the clouds on demonic winds and traveled along the river.

The Marquis’s residence was not far from this location. Before Consort Qing took up residence there, this mountain was also known as the Marquis’s secondary residence.

Soon, this team of demon soldiers descended from the sky, heading straight for a unique peak on the riverbank that stood out conspicuously.

Before they even got close, surging demonic energy rose from the peak and flew towards them.

Within the demonic energy was a formidable team of demon soldiers, clad in armor whose style differed somewhat from that of the tiger demon and his group.

The leader, a chief with a hooked nose and a pair of wings on his back, was about to reprimand them when he suddenly recognized the tiger demon and the red silk sedan chair. His expression immediately softened into a smile, and he ordered his subordinates to move aside. As the spiritual sedan chair approached, he bowed deeply in respectful salutation: “Your subordinate greets Consort Qing! The Marquis is currently cultivating in his residence. The Marquis once commanded that Consort Qing may enter the central compound directly, without announcement.”

The tiger demon nodded at them, then led the team into the mountain until they arrived in front of the Marquis’s residence, above which were inscribed the three characters ‘Xiahou Residence’.

Once inside the Marquis’s residence, the demons indeed proceeded without hindrance, going directly to the central compound.

Although it was a demon cultivator’s residence, the layout and furnishings of the Marquis’s residence were exceedingly elegant, even more opulent than some human sects.

In contrast, Daoist masters generally did not value luxury, with some finding three or two thatched huts perfectly sufficient for shelter.

For this reason, some mocked demon cultivators, saying they failed to draw a tiger and instead drew a dog, not understanding the true essence of the Great Dao.

The central compound was the Demon Marquis’s private quarters. Without the Demon Marquis’s command, the tiger demon dared not proceed further, so Consort Qing entered alone. Her figure swayed like willow branches in the wind, and even her back view carried a strange allure.

The demon soldiers carrying the sedan chair stared, dumbfounded, and were sharply slapped twice by the tiger demon. They immediately lowered their heads, daring not to look again.

Consort Qing stepped into a courtyard with a rockery and a lotus pond. Immediately, a deep voice boomed, and the door to a room opened, revealing a man dressed in a brocade robe who walked out. “Fellow Daoist is finally willing to see this Marquis,” the man said. “Have you perhaps thought it over and agreed to become this Marquis’s demon consort?”

This man was tall and slender, his eyes shining like bright stars. He had a beard beneath his jaw, three inches long, half black and half white. His long hair was likewise divided, with a clear demarcation, making him exceptionally peculiar.

He was Xiahou. Unlike the demon soldiers, there was no trace of demonic characteristics visible on him; he had completely transformed into human form. If he were to conceal his demonic aura, no one would suspect his true origin.

Consort Qing walked onto the stone bridge over the lotus pond and stopped at the octagonal pavilion in the middle of the bridge. She looked at Xiahou from a distance and sneered, “What if I don’t agree? What exactly are you trying to achieve by having your subordinates constantly call me Consort Qing?!”

Xiahou laughed heartily, then with powerful, imposing steps, he entered the pavilion. “It simply means that this Marquis’s intentions are well-known to all!” he said. “My subordinates are ignorant of etiquette and speak without restraint, having offended fellow Daoist. This Marquis will certainly punish them.”

Not dwelling on the matter, Consort Qing looked at the fully bloomed lotus flower in the pond and said gravely, “My injuries have healed.”

“Oh?” Xiahou understood her implied meaning and looked Consort Qing up and down. “You wish to go now? Wouldn’t that be too hasty?”

Consort Qing snorted. “Hasty? Are we to wait for you to cause another huge commotion in the Healing Altar, completely disrupt it, cause the divine illusionary realms to drastically change, and everything to be unrecognizable before we act?”

Xiahou pondered for a moment, then nodded lightly. “Fellow Daoist’s concerns are not unfounded,” he said. “It seems Fellow Daoist has also seen it. We and the Daoist Court will certainly have a battle in the Jushan Healing Altar. According to the King’s tone, this battle is extremely important, concerning the very foundation of our Ghostfang Nation, and it truly might disrupt the Healing Altar. Furthermore, demon gods are gradually expanding into the Daoist Court’s territory, and the Daoist Court will eventually lose its patience. At that time, this Marquis will receive the King’s command, making it difficult to disengage from the battlefield. Now is indeed the best time to act.”

Hearing this, Consort Qing’s expression changed several times. Although Xiahou did not reveal the true secrets, from this information alone, it was clear how deeply the Ghostfang Nation had planned.

After pondering, Xiahou noticed Consort Qing remained silent, staring at him. He suddenly understood and smiled slightly. “Fellow Daoist, rest assured,” he said. “This Marquis will immediately ask the Great King for fox blood. It is said that this fox blood is the spiritual blood of the legendary Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox clan, extremely precious. If this Marquis were not utterly loyal to the Great King, even risking life and limb would not be enough to exchange for a single bottle. Fellow Daoist, do not disappoint this Marquis.”

Consort Qing’s only concern was when she would obtain the spiritual blood.

“As per our previous agreement,” Xiahou said, “once this Marquis obtains that Acquired Spirit Treasure, I will immediately hand over the fox blood to Fellow Daoist. How does that sound?”

Consort Qing shook her head. “I will lead you to the Spirit Treasure, then you give me the fox blood. Whether you can retrieve the Spirit Treasure depends on your own ability.”

Xiahou, however, insisted on not agreeing. “Fellow Daoist, do not forget,” he said, “you once said that the treasure might only possess a spirit, and may not necessarily be an Acquired Spirit Treasure. Although this Marquis greatly admires Fellow Daoist, I cannot treat this matter as child’s play.”

Consort Qing’s brows furrowed tightly, and she coldly rebuked, “This treasure possesses a spirit, without a doubt! I told you the truth out of gratitude for your healing grace and to show you my sincerity. Are you perhaps trying to go back on your word?!”

Xiahou was unmoved, his expression unchanged. “Fellow Daoist is overthinking it,” he said. “Regardless of what circumstances led this treasure to give birth to a true spirit, even if it doesn’t reach the grade of an Acquired Spirit Treasure, it will be more than enough to exchange for the fox blood. This Marquis will certainly not be stingy, but I must personally confirm it.”

Seeing Xiahou not give way even a single step, Consort Qing, though displeased, was unable to force him and could only reluctantly agree.

“There’s no time to lose,” Xiahou said. “We shall depart today.”

Xiahou was decisive and swift.

Consort Qing hadn’t expected this and asked in surprise, “Aren’t you inviting any helpers?”

Their current trip was to enter the deep parts of the Healing Altar, where dangers lurked everywhere. Although Xiahou had a cultivation at the late stage of the Cavernous Profound realm, he still needed to be cautious.

Xiahou snorted coldly. “Invite what helpers?” he said. “Do you want this to reach the ears of that white-haired monkey?”

Consort Qing’s face showed understanding.

She knew that Xiahou had not previously been under this demon king but had, for some unknown reason, offended his previous master and only recently sought refuge here.

The Ghostfang Nation was ostensibly a single nation, but in reality, the demon kings each possessed their own territories, governing independently, with their grievances and enmities intertwined in an unclear manner.

The supreme ruler of the demon nation was called the Great Sage, an incredibly mysterious and elusive figure who did not interfere in worldly affairs, appearing only during major battles with the Daoist Court.

Only then would the demon kings unite as one; at other times, there was no lack of open and covert struggles.

If the Daoist Court ceased to exist, it would not be strange for the Ghostfang Nation to fall apart the very next day.

When Xiahou sought refuge here, his old friends quickly distanced themselves from him.

Although he was valued by the demon king and known as the second demon marquis under the demon king, unfortunately, his foundation was too shallow. He was targeted and ostracized by the first demon marquis, making him the one who most hoped for war between the Ghostfang Nation and the Daoist Court, eager to gain merit and change the situation.

Other demon marquises dared not participate in the conflict between the two powerful figures, fearing they couldn’t avoid it quickly enough. Even if some demon marquises approached him, Xiahou dared not fully trust them.

As for the demon soldiers and demon commanders under him, entering the Jushan Healing Altar was no different from going to their deaths.

Xiahou did not hesitate; he quickly returned to his room to arrange matters.

If he could obtain the Acquired Spirit Treasure, whether offered to the demon king or used by himself, it would be of immense benefit. How could Xiahou not be tempted?

Watching Xiahou’s retreating back, a flicker of unnoticeable peculiar light flashed in Consort Qing’s beautiful eyes, which she concealed very well.

Several hours later.

Using the excuse of a cultivation retreat, Xiahou sealed off the central compound.

Given that Consort Qing had voluntarily entered the residence, his subordinates simply assumed the Marquis was enjoying himself and had no doubts.

Without alarming any demon soldiers, Xiahou and Consort Qing quietly left the residence, concealing their tracks along the way, and headed directly for the Jushan Healing Altar.

At the same time, Mo Xingdao and Hong Yuzi were also on their way.

In front of the Jushan Healing Altar.

Two figures quietly appeared.

Hong Yuzi looked left and right, gestured to Mo Xingdao, and then vanished into the auspicious cloud.

Mo Xingdao also looked left and right. Having reached this point and seeing no other figures, he wondered, “Could it be that Hong Yuzi hasn’t invited any helpers?”

Passing through the auspicious clouds, then the golden hall, and disappearing into the Nine-Bend Star River, they returned to the path they had taken last time.

This time, with no demons causing trouble and no need to worry about anomalies in the Healing Altar, the two moved very quickly.

Reaching the end of the cloud path and about to begin consecutively breaking through the divine illusionary realms, Mo Xingdao said, “Let me lead the way ahead.”

Hong Yuzi’s figure paused slightly. He looked at Mo Xingdao and smiled, “If Fellow Daoist Mo is willing to help, this humble Daoist would naturally be delighted.”

Mo Xingdao shook his head and said, “In the deepest parts, I’m afraid I can only barely protect myself and can hardly help Fellow Daoist with anything. I can only exert some effort here to ease Fellow Daoist’s worries.”

With that, Mo Xingdao flashed forward, being the first to enter the illusionary realm.

Hong Yuzi withdrew his divine ability and followed behind.

One illusionary realm after another was successively breached by them. With their previous experience, Mo Xingdao didn’t find it too strenuous.

Splash!

Large waves surged.

At this moment, the two appeared above a stretch of seawater. The sea wind blew towards them, carrying a salty, fishy smell.

To the five senses, this place was indistinguishable from a real ocean. Were it not for being able to clearly see the boundaries of the seawater, an ordinary person would find it hard to imagine it was an illusionary realm created by divine abilities.

This sea was like a section cut out from a vast ocean.

Mo Xingdao leapt into the seawater without hesitation, immediately feeling countless undercurrents pressing in.

These undercurrents carried astonishing, chaotic power, growing stronger the deeper one went, strong enough to crush Nascent Soul cultivators into a pulp.

Mo Xingdao deployed a series of divine abilities and magical treasures, opening a waterway directly to the seabed.

Reaching the deepest part of the seabed, a sea eye suddenly appeared ahead, like a closed circular water gate.

Mo Xingdao’s figure shot forward rapidly, breaking through layers of waves and forcefully rushing to the water gate. He vibrated his arms, which suddenly swelled into a pair of giant hands, gripping the edge of the sea eye and forcefully tearing open a crevice.

“Quick!”

Mo Xingdao’s arms trembled as he endured the terrifying backlash force, urgently transmitting his voice.

Hong Yuzi, following behind, easily passed Mo Xingdao, went through the crevice, and disappeared into the sea eye. Mo Xingdao immediately squeezed out of the crevice, and the sea eye instantly closed, returning to its original state.

But at the last moment before the sea eye closed, a point of light, almost the same color as the water, silently floated out of the sea eye, carried by the turbulent currents, drifting everywhere in the sea.

As it drifted with the currents, it endured the scouring of the undercurrents, and the light of its restrictions flickered on and off.

After an unknown amount of time, a hand suddenly grabbed this point of light and surfaced.

The person who emerged was Qin Sang. He opened his palm, revealing a light blue spherical pearl.

Crack!

The surface of the spherical pearl cracked, and astonishingly, a kingfisher the size of a bee or butterfly flew out from it.

The kingfisher was completely clear and verdant green, as if carved from the finest jade. It spread its wings and flew up, circling around Qin Sang as if it were a living creature.

“You are... Fellow Daoist Qin?”

This was a puppet meticulously refined by Mo Xingdao for this occasion, with Mo Xingdao’s spiritual will remaining within its body.

No wonder Mo Xingdao hesitated; Qin Sang’s appearance had greatly changed at this moment, his body covered in green fur, his aura very strange, and his entire being shrouded in poisonous smoke.

Qin Sang had deliberately not refined away the residual poison within his body.

Since he had decided to deal with the Daoist Court immortal officials, Qin Sang had to consider the possibility of failure and offending the Daoist Court. His true identity absolutely could not be revealed.

The residual poison served as the best deceptive trick, saving him from needing other disguises. Combined with some secret arts, no one would be able to connect him with Daoist Qingfeng.

Of course, when taking action, he still needed to be cautious when displaying divine abilities and magical treasures.

“It’s me,” Qin Sang affirmed.

Mo Xingdao spoke quickly: “The divine illusionary realms deep within the Healing Altar will affect the connection between me and the puppet. Next, it will fall into a slumber. When I sense it again, it means we are approaching.”

Qin Sang nodded. “Fellow Daoist, rest assured, I have already made preparations and am just waiting for Fellow Daoist to lead Hong Yuzi into the trap.”

The kingfisher nodded its head, flew around Qin Sang once more, landed on his shoulder, and fell silent.

Qin Sang glanced sideways, then turned and flew out of the seawater, moving quickly within the Healing Altar. Before long, he returned to the poison domain.

Passing through the poison domain, he arrived at the night illusionary realm he had seen before.

Qin Sang entered without hesitation. He had already thoroughly explored it and knew that the lightning in the dark night was not actual thunder but rather streaks of power resembling sword qi, yet also somewhat similar to spatial cracks, making them very peculiar.

He deliberately avoided those flashes of lightning, traveling through the darkness and reaching the end without major incident.

In this manner, after successively passing through several illusionary realms, Qin Sang finally stopped at one.

This place also had Wood Spirit Qi, but it was very thin, incomparable to the jungle illusionary realm, and unable to sustain a spiritual wood body for long.

However, this was the most suitable ambush location Qin Sang had found after careful selection, and he had already informed Mo Xingdao of its location.

Mo Xingdao would try to draw Hong Yuzi closer to this place. Since Hong Yuzi needed to help Mo Xingdao search for the scenes in his memories, he could only trust Mo Xingdao’s judgment.

Besides this, Qin Sang had also made other arrangements elsewhere so that if Hong Yuzi brought helpers, he could find a way to separate them.

However, since Hong Yuzi had come alone, those arrangements turned out to be unnecessary.