Chapter 1336: Informing

Venerable Heart-Demon glanced at him and recognized him as Venerable True Word's disciple.

His expression was indifferent. "If there's anything important," he said, "have your master come and speak to me." If he were to entertain just any junior who came along, his status as a Venerable would be too low.

Dust Mirror, neither humble nor arrogant, said, "Senior, it's something very important."

Venerable Heart-Demon paused for a moment and said, "Speak."

Dust Mirror subtly glanced at Jiang Fan out of the corner of his eye and said calmly, "I wish to report to you privately."

Venerable Heart-Demon caught his subtle glance at Jiang Fan, and his gaze paused slightly. After a brief contemplation, he waved his hand, and a stream of pitch-black energy enveloped both him and Dust Mirror. Jiang Fan alone was excluded.

"What you're about to report had better truly be important," Venerable Heart-Demon said, his face showing displeasure.

Dust Mirror remained calm and composed. "Senior," he said, "what I'm about to tell you is the true identity of the Void-Flow Thunderforce practitioner."

Venerable Heart-Demon, who had already given up hope, suddenly had his old eyes gleam brightly. "You know who it is?" he asked.

Dust Mirror said, "Yes, I can guarantee it with my head; there's absolutely no mistake."

Venerable Heart-Demon was overjoyed and said excitedly, "Quickly, tell me! Who is he?"

How much suffering had this person caused him? He was even on the verge of being killed by the Young Emperor! He wished he could skin this person alive, tear out their tendons, and torture them to death!

However, Dust Mirror created suspense and said, "I can tell you, but I'd like to request something."

Venerable Heart-Demon suppressed his eagerness. "What do you want?" he asked.

Dust Mirror said, "I want a Heart-Demon Domain from you, Senior."

Venerable Heart-Demon was slightly surprised and looked Dust Mirror over. After a moment, he scoffed: "So, you're coveting your master's beauty. You want to use my domain to disrupt her state of mind, kid? You're truly cunning."

Dust Mirror showed no surprise. "Your Heart-Demon Domain, Senior, is indeed unparalleled in the world," he said. "It can clearly reflect what's in a person's heart. However, I don't think I'm asking for too much. If there are flowers to be plucked, pluck them straight away; don't wait until there are no flowers and only empty branches to break. I just don't want to have any regrets."

Venerable Heart-Demon's domain was capable of sensing the darkness in people's hearts. Therefore, what Dust Mirror was thinking did not escape Venerable Heart-Demon.

"To speak so boldly about defiling your master, Venerable True Word truly misjudged you." Venerable Heart-Demon chuckled, took out a jade slip, and pressed it against the divine ring behind him. A wisp of dark domain energy was infused into it. "A word of caution," he said, "your master is also a Venerable. Her domain will counteract mine, so it might not work."

Dust Mirror took the jade slip with both hands and said meaningfully, "Don't worry, my master won't be able to resist it. Her domain has already been broken."

Venerable Heart-Demon was startled. "Wasn't it fine just now?" he asked.

Dust Mirror put away the jade slip, looked towards Jiang Fan, and a cold glint appeared in his eyes: "That's because my master lied to you."

What?

A sharp glint flashed in Venerable Heart-Demon's eyes. He had only asked Venerable True Word one question. That was, if she had seen where the ashes went. Venerable True Word had merely replied with two words, light as a feather: "No!"

She lied! She saw where the ashes went, and she didn't hesitate to damage her own domain just to lie! Who was she protecting?

A roar echoed in his mind. He suddenly turned around, and his old eyes fixed intently on Jiang Fan! "Is it my disciple?"

His soul was profoundly shaken, filled with unbelievable shock and a sudden realization! If it was Jiang Fan, then too many things could be explained.

For instance, why did the Bodhisattva interfere at that crucial moment? That was because the Void-Flow Thunderforce practitioner was standing right beside him! For instance, Old Man Heavenly Secret's divination said the person was "far away yet close at hand," and he knew them! That was because this person was his nominal disciple at the time! For instance, after Wang Chongxiao was hooked and taken away by a fishing hook, Jiang Fan only arrived late. That was because Jiang Fan was the one who took Wang Chongxiao. Furthermore, he delayed mobilizing the Great Yin Sect to search for Wang Chongxiao, impersonated Wang Chongxiao in the Heavenly Realm, and so on!

Countless past events now linked together. All clearly pointed to one person! Jiang Fan! His former nominal disciple. Now his true disciple! The Void-Flow Thunderforce practitioner he had searched for across Taicang Dazhou and spent over half a year looking for! It was Jiang Fan!!!

"Heh heh!"

"Heheheh!"

"Heheheheheh!"

Venerable Heart-Demon began to laugh, his body trembling uncontrollably. This was a laugh of rage. Laughter born of extreme fury!

"So, my initial sensing on the Ancient Road to Heaven was not wrong after all! He is the Void-Flow Thunderforce practitioner I've been looking for! No wonder he refused to become my disciple at all costs; the truth is, he was afraid that staying by my side would expose him! And I actually believed him! Not only did I take him as a nominal disciple, but now I've even taken him as a true disciple. I even guided him in his Spirit Transformation and planned to pass on all my life's profound techniques to him! Hahahaha! I, Heart-Demon, considered myself exceptionally brilliant, breaking through to the Spirit Transformation path with my own power and becoming a Venerable revered by all. Who would have thought that in the end, I would be played like a fiddle by a junior! Jiang Fan, you deserve to die! You deserve death a thousand times over!!!"

Looking at Venerable Heart-Demon, whose face was contorted with fury and whose killing intent surged to the heavens, Dust Mirror's lips curled into a smirk. He sneered inwardly, "Oh, Jiang Fan, you're doomed to a miserable end! Don't blame me for being heartless; blame it on the fact that you tried to steal my master!"

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, silently exited the barrier, and flew away. Before leaving, he cast a half-smile glance at Jiang Fan. He could already imagine what a tragic fate awaited Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan noticed Dust Mirror's subtle expression, his heart skipped a beat, and his mind raced instantly. "What did Dust Mirror tell Venerable Heart-Demon? Since he wanted to avoid me, it must be related to me. Could it be that Dust Mirror knows I'm the Void-Flow Thunderforce practitioner and wants to inform Venerable Heart-Demon? But how would he know?"

Amidst his unease, the barrier before him slowly dissipated. Jiang Fan immediately tensed up, watching Venerable Heart-Demon, who now appeared, and observing his expression. If the situation turned bad, he would strike first.

However, to his surprise, Venerable Heart-Demon was extremely calm, with no joy or sorrow on his face and no discernible emotion.

Jiang Fan cautiously probed, "Master, what are your plans now?"

Venerable Heart-Demon calmly replied, "Didn't I just say? I don't have much life left; I'm just waiting to die."

Jiang Fan secretly speculated, "Had he overthought things? Was Dust Mirror not reporting on the Void-Flow Thunderforce after all?"

Venerable Heart-Demon looked at Jiang Fan and smiled faintly: "You just said you wanted to guide the Asura tribe from the Heavenly Realm, right? Let me help you with that."

Jiang Fan waved his hand and said, "Master, you don't need to trouble yourself with this. This matter shouldn't be difficult."

Venerable Heart-Demon stepped forward, gently patted his shoulder, and chuckled: "You are my good disciple. I'll help you one last time."