Its flying speed was not fast, and it was clear that the injuries it sustained had not fully recovered.
The figure behind was wearing a white dress, with long jet black hair, a cold and indifferent demeanor, and was surrounded by a faint white aura. He was none other than Demon Emperor Qingqiu.
Dark Blade’s pupils narrowed slightly. “They’re here.”
Lingyue quickly gasped, took out a warm and smooth communication jade slip from her chest, and checked it with her divine sense.
The jade scroll was filled with countless small runes. He calmed down and quickly wrote: “Guild Leader, Gui Yuanzi has brought Demon Emperor Qingqiu back to the Chaos Secret Realm. The two of them seem to be in a rush, as if they have prepared themselves. Please give instructions.”
A moment later, Wu Heng responded with just two words: “Keep watching.”
Lingyue kept the jade scroll and continued to watch the two figures disappear into the stone gate of the secret realm.
Qingqiu and Guiyuanzi passed through the stone gate and entered the Secret Realm of Chaos.
A whitish-gray mist swirled all around, so thick it was almost palpable.
The mist contained tiny fragments of chaotic laws, sharp as blades, which constantly eroded the spiritual energy shield of the intruders.
Faint white spiritual light shone around Qingqiu, the original power of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, gentle yet tough, restraining the mist from approaching.
Gui Yuanzi walked at the front, his cyan long sword always unsheathed, the blade gleaming with a faint spiritual light, wary of everything around him.
“This is it,” Gui Yuanzi said in a low voice, his voice echoing in the empty space, carrying a hint of hidden awe.
“The last time we got here, we were stopped by a guard. That guard was in the main hall. His cultivation was immeasurable. He injured me badly with a single palm blow. If he wasn’t merciful, I would probably have died there.”
Qingqiu nodded without saying anything and continued walking forward.
The pale golden light gate still stood there quietly, emitting a gentle light.
The light radiating from the gate rippled gently like water, bringing with it an indescribable warmth and tranquility.
Qingqiu stood in front of the portal, closed his eyes, and felt the energy within.
A moment later, he opened his eyes, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes.
“This is the spirit of Taoism, gentle and inclusive, without the slightest hostility. The person who founded this light gate has a very high state of mind. Come in, nothing will happen.”
He was the first to step in.
Behind the door is a large hall.
The main hall was enormous, stretching hundreds of feet in circumference, with countless glowing crystals embedded in its dome, illuminating the entire hall.
Dozens of stone pillars stood on both sides of the main hall, their surfaces filled with chaotic runes.
At the end of the main hall there is a high stage.
Above the high platform, there is a jade pool. The jade pool was not big, only three feet square, and contained a milky white liquid that radiated a warm light.
Beside the jade pond stood an old man in white.
He held an egg beater in his hand, his white hair flowing, his aged face exuding a detached and otherworldly calm.
His eyes were shining brightly, as bright as the stars in the sky, or like a bottomless abyss, making it impossible to see the contents of his thoughts.
A faint and ethereal light radiated from his white robe, like a light mist, making him blend perfectly with the surrounding environment.
He looked at Qingqiu, a faint smile crooked on his lips.
“Demon race? Interesting. I have guarded this place for tens of thousands of years, and this is the first time I have seen a demon set foot here. You are the first.”
Qingqiu stopped, put his hands together in a salute, his posture appearing humble and dignified. “Young Qingqiu, the Demon Emperor of the Ten Thousand Demon Hills. This is Guiyuanzi, the Leader of the Guiyuan Sect, whom you should have met, Senior.”
The old man in white glanced at Gui Yuanzi and nodded slightly. “I remember you. When you came last time, you desperately protected the divine soul in your arms, refusing to give up. You were stronger than your master.”
Your master is too calm, too cautious; he had never done anything deviant in his entire life. But you, you dare to fight, dare to take risks, dare to fight me as an outsider.
He paused, then added, “In this respect, you are better than many others.”
Gui Yuanzi’s eyes reddened slightly, but he didn’t say anything.
The white-robed elder looked at Qingqiu again, his gaze scanning her from head to toe. “Why did the Demon Emperor come in person? Could it be to take revenge for this brat?”
Qingqiu didn’t beat around the bush. “Senior, I junior want to know, why did you become the guardian of this Chaos Secret Realm? Shouldn’t you have achieved immortality 38,000 years ago?”
The smile of the old man in white froze for a moment.
He was silent for a long time, as if lost in memories of the past.
His gaze deepened, and it was as if time itself flowed through his pupils, crossing 38,000 years and returning to that distant era.
The surrounding mist seemed to sense his emotional fluctuations, slowly rotating and emitting a low hum.
FAQ Novel
Q: What are Dark Blade and Lingyue doing on the Vast Mountain Range?
A: Dark Blade and Lingyue are conducting a prolonged, covert stakeout atop the Vast Mountain Range, meticulously monitoring the entrance to the Chaos Realm for any activity or the return of specific individuals like Guiyuanzi.
Q: What challenges do the characters face during their surveillance?
A: They endure extreme conditions including severe cold, howling winds, and pitch darkness at night. They also face the mental strain of boredom and the critical need to maintain vigilance while limiting their divine sense to avoid detection.
What do you think the arrival of the two figures means for Dark Blade and Lingyue’s mission?