Chapter 1247: Holy Land

Jiang Fan was astonished. The box of Misty Demonic Fluid in his hand was but a drop in the ocean compared to the vast amount within the bird's nest. With so much Misty Demonic Fluid, even a Supreme Expert in the Five Stages of Heavenly Decline would struggle if trapped within it.

Suddenly, he noticed a large number of remains near the bird's nest, all bones of pigs, cattle, and sheep. Some had only recently decomposed, while others, due to the passage of time, had rotted into mud. The entire area around the bird's nest was densely covered with them. It looked rather unsettling.

Jiang Fan couldn't help but wonder, "Besides Venerable Wutong, are there bloodthirsty evil creatures in this forbidden area?"

Lin Danqing followed his gaze and chuckled, "Of course not..."

Before he could finish, Zhang Chuyun interrupted, "What do you know?" Then, she smiled and said, "Sect Master Jiang, you've misunderstood."

"These livestock are offerings from the local commoners and low-level cultivators." Seeing Jiang Fan's puzzled frown, Zhang Chuyun patiently explained in a soft voice:

"Demonic cultivators are prevalent in Dahang Prefecture, and those who practice the demonic path for a long time tend to be impetuous and extreme in character."

"Just like Xiao Heyue, whom you just met, they are unreasonable and resort to violence at the slightest disagreement." Jiang Fan nodded in agreement. That Xiao Heyue didn't even respect the Commander of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, vowing to kill him to honor his own Venerable. In Taicang Prefecture, such an act would be unimaginable. Indeed, demonic cultivators act more recklessly and are not bound by rules.

Zhang Chuyun sighed, "If demonic cultivators treat our Imperial Astronomical Bureau this way, you can imagine how they treat ordinary people."

"If commoners have nothing, demonic cultivators don't even bother with them."

"But if they find anything desirable, such as rare treasures obtained by chance or beautiful wives and daughters, they will simply seize them."

"If people comply and offer them up, it's fine. But if they don't cooperate, demonic cultivators will directly resort to murder." Jiang Fan's brows furrowed. He recalled the White Bone Alliance; that group of demonic cultivators had only been in Qingli Mountain for a month before they began to pillage, burn, and slaughter the surrounding areas. They even held a group of young, beautiful women in their dungeon for their pleasure, which was utterly outrageous.

He had thought the White Bone Alliance was an exception. Unexpectedly, this was the common behavior among demonic cultivators. One could easily imagine the suffering of ordinary people living in Dahang Prefecture. Their plight was second only to the Asura race, who were kept in captivity in the Heavenly Realm.

He couldn't help but ask with disgust, "Don't your Imperial Astronomical Bureau do anything about it?"

Zhang Chuyun shook her head, "How can we? By killing their Venerables, or sect masters, or disciples?" Jiang Fan was stunned. Demonic cultivators have such natures; simply killing them wouldn't change anything. The root cause lies in demonic cultivation techniques. As long as demonic cultivation techniques are the main practice in Dahang Prefecture, the atmosphere will not change.

Zhang Chuyun looked towards the forbidden area; although she was wary, she also felt relieved. "Venerable Wutong's presence prevents the reckless demonic powerhouses from causing trouble nearby."

"This has given the tormented commoners and low-level cultivators a chance to breathe. They have migrated here en masse, forming towns and small-to-medium forces scattered like stars."

"Even some major sects that generally avoid conflict want to relocate here to escape the ceaseless disputes."

"Out of gratitude for Venerable Wutong, the commoners and low-level cultivators nearby spontaneously offer livestock sacrifices." Jiang Fan suddenly understood. What demonic powerhouses considered a forbidden area was a sacred land in the eyes of commoners. Venerable Wutong had become their guardian deity. Whether intentionally or not, Venerable Wutong had indeed protected the local inhabitants.

With reverence in his eyes, he said, "Wait for me here."

Zhang Chuyun gently said, "Sect Master Jiang, it's not safe for you to go alone. I'll accompany you."

Jiang Fan waved his hand, "No need. If there's real danger, it's more convenient for me to be alone." Helpless, Zhang Chuyun could only watch as Jiang Fan soared into the distance.

A sarcastic mimicking voice then reached her ears. "Oh, Sect Master Jiang, I'll go with you," Lin Danqing said, rolling his eyes.

"Zhang Chuyun, you really surprise me!" Normally, Zhang Chuyun was an absolute strong-willed woman. She was stern and cold towards everyone, rarely smiling. Lin Danqing was often treated this way and had long grown accustomed to it. But today, he realized that Zhang Chuyun also had a side where she tried to curry favor with men. It was just that he wasn't worthy of it.

Zhang Chuyun's phoenix-like eyes slanted. "If you want to die, I'll grant your wish!"

The West Sea Crown Prince, standing nearby, slowly moved away from the murderous Zhang Chuyun. He muttered to himself, "As expected of my godfather! He can handle any difficult woman!"

"These fierce women should be left to godfather."

"I'll just wait for my cute and lively heavenly fairy wife."

In front of the bird's nest, Jiang Fan looked at the crisscrossing Misty Demonic Fluid and took a deep breath. He was about to face a Supreme Expert in the Five Stages of Heavenly Decline. Moreover, she had sealed herself within the forbidden area for a millennium. Whether she was benevolent or malevolent, tolerant or harsh, was an unknown. To say he wasn't nervous at all would be a lie.

"I have a life-preserving law bestowed by the Sage of Heavenly Eyes, and a mysterious permanent Sage imprint he left within my body."

"Even if there's danger, I should be able to withstand it." With that thought, he cautiously entered the bird's nest. Between the intricate, strip-like Misty Demonic Fluid, there was ample space for him to easily enter.

Just as he stepped inside, a strip of Misty Demonic Fluid suddenly surged towards him without warning, attempting to force him out. Jiang Fan's figure flickered, dodging in time, and he called out loudly: "Junior Jiang Fan of Taicang Prefecture, I have come specifically to meet Venerable Wutong by order of Senior Lu Jiulin!"

Since the Misty Demonic Fluid attacked him, his entry must have drawn the attention of the forbidden area's master. He just didn't know if his words would be effective. If not, it would be better to withdraw from the bird's nest first.

The moment his voice fell silent, all the Misty Demonic Fluid within the entire bird's nest began to move, shooting across in a crisscrossing pattern, creating streaks of afterimages. Several afterimages narrowly missed Jiang Fan. Just as he felt a hint of unease and prepared to retreat, the strip-like Misty Demonic Fluid in front of him suddenly merged together. The strips solidified into a path, two zhang wide, extending deep into the bird's nest.

Jiang Fan became surprised and puzzled. Was this an invitation for him to enter? If so, did Venerable Wutong still remember Lu Jiulin? But why didn't Venerable Wutong appear or speak?

After a brief thought, he cautiously followed the path deeper inside. The bird's nest was unexpectedly large. Jiang Fan walked for the equivalent of a quarter of an hour yet still couldn't reach the center of the bird's nest. Moreover, the path in front of him constantly changed direction. Sometimes it led north, then shifted northeast, and sometimes even took a large detour. Jiang Fan was already disoriented, unable to distinguish directions. Furthermore, with the intricate, strip-like Misty Demonic Fluid all around him, he couldn't tell where he was at all.

He now understood why High Priest Dajiu and the others were trapped in the bird's nest. It wasn't necessarily that they were stuck; they had most likely gotten lost within the nest. Fortunately, he had a small path leading the way, guiding him directly towards Venerable Wutong.

But at this moment, a surprised and questioning voice reached him: "Who are you to Venerable Wutong?" Jiang Fan jumped in surprise. Someone was nearby, yet he hadn't noticed at all!