Volume One Hidden in the Azure Abyss Chapter Thirty-Eight

Su Su hurriedly shook her head. "No, it's not that. It's just that His Majesty is unwell, and the first person to appear at his side was you. Last time in the Celestial Palace, His Majesty's feelings toward the Lady... If the Divine Realm were to know, or misunderstand, it would not be good for either of you."

Jin Li caught the implication in her words and rose to her feet. "Whatever my relationship with him may be, it's none of your concern, fairy. Last night, I observed the stars and sensed a dense demonic aura. I followed it here and happened to find the Sea Lord unconscious. Out of courtesy, I saved him."

With that, Jin Li stood to leave. "I hope you will not overstep again, Fairy Su Su."

As she spoke those words, Jin Li felt as if her heart were wrapped and pierced by sharp thorns, an unbearable pain.

She could not recall exactly when she returned to Lotus River, but upon arrival, despite her exhaustion, she was met by Qi Sui, whose face was grave.

Qi Sui looked up and saw Jin Li. "Lady."

Jin Li concealed her fatigue. "Qi Sui, are your wounds troubling you?"

"No trouble." Qi Sui produced a scroll. "Lady, this records strange occurrences witnessed by the Butterfly Clan in the Demon and Ghost Realms. Please have a look."

Taking it, Jin Li saw that the barrier between the Demon Realm and the Heavenly Realm had become unstable, and disciples of the Immortal Gate had vanished for no reason, apparently linked to a breach in the barrier.

The scroll detailed that the Demon Realm was invading the Ghost Realm, and now all four territories of the Ghost Realm belonged to the Demon Realm. During the Empress’s birthday, the Demon Realm sent only a paltry gift through a minor ghost of the lower world—a clear provocation or perhaps evidence of long-laid schemes.

If this was true, then a century ago, when she visited the Demon and Ghost Realms, they must have merely been putting on a show.

Jin Li and Qi Sui went together to the barrier, where the corpses of Immortal Gate disciples lay scattered. Jin Li clenched her fists. "Such a grave matter—how could the Celestial Tribe be so unresponsive?"

"I do not know."

"The Celestial Lord cannot possibly be ignorant of what has happened here, unless..."

"Unless he knew all along and chose to conceal it."

Jin Li and Qi Sui were always of one mind, and in this, their thoughts aligned perfectly.

"Qi Sui, keep this matter quiet for now. Go to the Nine Heavens and find the Lord of Sangli."

"Yes."

At that moment, Jin Li seemed to recall something, extending her hand to calculate. Her unease grew.

Jin Li rolled up the scroll. "Qi Sui, once you find the Lord of Sangli, tell all the clans in the valley not to act rashly. Do you understand?"

Qi Sui nodded obediently and left. As soon as Qi Sui departed, Ruan Tu arrived. "Who was that?"

"Qi Sui."

She answered and was about to leave when Ruan Tu asked, "Where are you going?"

"The missing immortal disciples have not been located. I must go to the Immortal Realm myself."

She dissolved into mist, and shortly after, arrived at the Immortal Mountains.

The place was blessed and radiant, shrouded in celestial mist, with distant lights flickering deep within the clouds.

But as soon as she crossed the mountain gate, she sensed an overwhelming demonic energy—the same as that of the demon fetus encountered in the mortal world.

How could there be demonic energy on Immortal Mountain?

She transformed into her battle attire and began to peel away layers of illusion. The usually bustling Immortal Mountain now lay silent, shielded by layer upon layer of immortal barriers, utterly deserted, filling her with anxiety.

Vigilant, she surveyed her surroundings. Suddenly, a rope of celestial light shot toward her; she evaded by turning to mist.

Yet, upon inspection, not a soul was to be seen—no trace of anyone at all.

What kind of demon lurked here?

Amidst the thick illusions, Jin Li felt her powers being constrained. If she could not break through, she risked being killed without even realizing it.

She pressed her fingers together to form a talisman. "Phantom, reveal yourself! Illusion, break!" Blue runes shot skyward, but to no avail—the talisman was spent in vain.

Just then, the wind whispered at her ear. Before she could react, a stabbing pain pierced her arm, and blood stained her robe red.

From within the illusion came laughter, wild and gloating.

Her celestial arts were gradually sealed. Now, her powers were less than those of a high immortal.

Then a shadow swept by, and agony forced her to her knees, her knee gashed and bleeding profusely.

As she knelt, another chain of celestial light lashed toward her. Jin Li raised her head, grabbed the chain, and yanked hard. Blue flames in her hand transformed into the Xuan Yin Sword, which she drove straight through the phantom's body.

The phantom screamed and vanished, and a layer of the illusion dissipated.

Blood dripped from her fingertips. She pressed her fingers together, swiftly forming seals, and finally drew a sharp line on the ground with her slender fingers, using blood as the guide, celestial law as the array, and her soul as the seal. The wailing grew ever more desperate, and at last the mist faded; she turned and was startled.

Before her stood countless disciples of the Immortal Gate, heads bowed, black demonic patterns crawling up their necks, some spreading onto their faces.

A woman in a crimson and black dress stood, arms outstretched like a puppeteer, a wicked smile on her lips as she stared at Jin Li. The demonic mark on her forehead had fully formed—a sign that the Demon Lord had succeeded.

"Come now, continue your array. I wonder, will your talisman vanish first or will these disciples disappear first?"

Her words carried a threat, while Jin Li, her robes soaked in blood, appeared utterly battered.

The array had already drained her soul's strength; to truly suppress this woman now would be impossible for her alone.

"Who are you?" she asked, intending to stall for time until Sangli arrived.

The woman laughed coquettishly. "Since you're about to die, I suppose there's no harm in telling you. I am Rui Xin, one of the Six Demons."

Rui Xin—controller of minds, devourer of souls—the Demon God's proudest subordinate. It was she, single-handedly, who once toppled the Holy Domain of Heaven; had the Emperor of Nine Mysteries not arrived in time, the Holy Domain would have been lost.

Rui Xin fluttered her lashes, her red lips parting. "Who are you? Why have I never seen you before?"

Jin Li smiled lightly, calm and composed. "I am but a minor cultivator. My name is not worth mentioning."

Rui Xin narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her. "But you look familiar. That face—I feel as if I've seen it somewhere before."

Jin Li's heart sank. What would she do?

Rui Xin toyed with the threads in her hand, gazing at Jin Li. "You're just stalling for time, aren't you? It’s dreadfully dull waiting. How about we play a little game together?"