Chapter Seventy-Two: The Enchantress Who Brings Calamity to the Nation

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Mount Huo Xuan—these days, the sounds of dragons and phoenixes singing have echoed without cease, and often blue mist and golden light flicker amid the mountains.

The mortals in the surrounding villages marvel at the phenomena, and many bold souls have ventured up the mountain to investigate, only to be bewildered by an invisible force; by the time they come to their senses, they have already exited the mountain.

“We have set up forbidden wards to keep mortals away. Those from the Demon Sect shouldn’t deliberately descend to cause trouble for them,” a group of Daoist immortals are seated, meditating within the mountain.

Shaded by jade trees, festooned with suspended blossoms and colored streamers, immortal light dances everywhere. Some immortals recline upon cloud beds, others sit on prayer mats or lotus platforms, gathered in groups of three or five, discussing the matter of the Lingwei Immortal Estate.

The Taiqing Sect has sent five immortals. After achieving immortality, Jingxuan left the mountain to temper himself, and now accompanies several senior brothers.

The five from Taiqing sit atop a blue lotus flower with another young man. Jingxuan asks Fu Yutang, “Well, the customs here in the Central Lands differ from those overseas. Have you adapted?”

Fu Yutang has come seeking the Taiqing Sect, carrying a letter written by his master. The Taiqing Sect knows the origins of Fairy Yuzhi, so Jingxuan brings him along. Upon seeing Fu Yutang’s cultivation style, Jingxuan has some understanding and treats him kindly, looking after him along the journey.

“The ways of the Daoist sects are much alike. Our overseas Immortal Estates also select heirs, and then find someone to inherit them. Those who assist may claim part of the estate as reward. By the way, Senior Brother Jingxuan, does the Taiqing Sect not concern itself with the heir of this Immortal Estate?”

“Lingwei Immortal Estate is not an inheritance of the Supreme Lineage, so we do not seek an heir. But my master said, the demon-subduing artifact of Lingwei Immortal Estate was not crafted by the Lingwei Sect, but handed down from ancient times. Thus, we each rely on our own fate; whoever obtains it, it’s up to heaven.”

Soon, purple clouds swirl in the sky, a strange fragrance fills the air—the people of the Taiyuan Palace arrive.

The immortals rise to greet them. Five men in golden robes enter, bringing a young boy. Fragrant breezes and auspicious mist surround them as they take the main seat and wait.

Seeing the Taiyuan Palace's arrival, the people of Taiqing Sect show displeasure.

Zhang Yuanchu, who has somehow appeared beside Jingxuan, whispers, “Look at that—Taiyuan Palace is really showing their greed.”

Jingxuan only smiles, saying nothing.

Compared to the Demon Sect, the Daoist sects accept that the inheritance of Immortal Estates is determined by fate. For example, if the reincarnated soul of a former estate master appears, he is considered the rightful heir; if he appears, others must not vie for it. Otherwise, once word reaches the Taixiao Palace, they will immediately send someone to ensure justice and harmony among the Daoist sects.

Though there are many hypocrites within the Daoist ranks, outwardly they must have “legitimacy” and “righteous cause” before acting.

“This time, eight cave heavens and thirty blessed lands from the Daoist sects have come. I didn’t expect Taiyuan Palace to send people as well.”

“If Taiyuan Palace managed to find a reincarnated child of the old Lingwei Immortal Estate, that’s their skill,” says a certain immortal from Taiqing, casting a cold glance at the boy.

The child is only eight, the reincarnation of a former member of Lingwei Immortal Estate.

“By old custom, this child will surely be accepted under a Taiyuan Palace Earth Immortal, and Lingwei Immortal Estate will be absorbed as a branch estate under Taiyuan Palace.”

“The mysteries of reincarnation are profound. Immortals can deduce the lineage of their own kin, but to divine the past life of strangers requires at least the power of an Earth Immortal. I wonder, which Earth Immortal from Taiyuan Palace accomplished this?”

The various cave heavens have differing thoughts on Taiyuan Palace’s actions. Some sects had found traces of the Lingwei legacy and hoped to claim a share, but Taiyuan Palace’s power is overwhelming, and they cannot confront it directly.

“Fellow brothers, our Virtue Sect has no one. Taiqing Sect hasn’t prepared an heir, either?” Zhang Yuanchu grumbles about Taiyuan Palace.

The five from Taiqing all shake their heads.

Jingxuan adds, “Though we do not interfere, if someone comes seeking our help, we might intervene.” He wears the look of inscrutable wisdom; the Taiqing immortals smile, nodding.

Lingwei Sect was once a great cave heaven, with countless disciples. Taiyuan Palace has found only a single child. If the old sect master or other elders have reincarnated, wouldn’t they have even greater claim?

“Though karma is said to vanish after reincarnation, for those cultivating immortality and longevity, can it truly be denied? Lingwei Sect was destroyed, its disciples suffering calamity, but many of their friends remain alive.”

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Zhang Yuanchu is startled, suddenly understanding: “You mean—”

“No hurry, no hurry. Let’s observe for now and see what happens.”

Taiqing Sect doesn't plan to take a disciple to inherit the Immortal Estate, but if someone from Lingwei Immortal Estate seeks their help, that would be another matter. To curb Taiyuan Palace’s arrogance, Taiqing Sect would gladly oblige.

“It’s a pity Taixiao Palace has always remained aloof—they won’t interfere in such matters. As for our nominal leader…” Jingxuan sighs, for heirs of the Supreme Lineage are always elusive as dragons; who knows if they’ll appear?

...

As the Daoist sects gather, on the shadowed side of Mount Huo Xuan, the Demon Sect also congregates.

This place is desolate and barren, strewn with jagged rocks, foul energy rising from underground. Yet amid this wasteland stands a palace of jade and crystal—white jade bricks, glazed tiles, palaces carved with dragons and phoenixes, sumptuous and ornate, flaunting luxury.

Within, demons drink and revel, their boisterous voices echoing afar.

Ji Feichen follows his uncle and glances up to see the palace inscribed “Palace of Sweet Dew.”

“Palace of Sweet Dew—a familiar name indeed.”

The Palace of Sweet Dew was famed in the previous dynasty, said to have been built by the fallen king for his beloved concubine, consuming years and vast resources. Not long after its completion, the capital was stormed by the Grand Hong Dynasty, and it was destroyed in a great fire.

Noticing Ji Feichen’s thoughts, Master Heichi laughs, “That fire was no ordinary blaze—it was the Demon Concubine who sacrificed the palace with True Samadhi Fire, transforming it into her portable cave heaven. The Demon Concubine has a temper; be careful. If you wish to avoid mingling with others, sit in the back with our Yinming Sect companions.” With that, he leads Ji Feichen inside.

The Demon Concubine was the king’s bewitching favorite, a member of the Demon Sect who used the dynasty’s power to seek the Dao. She once swore three Dao-fruit vows; one was to “destroy the mortal dynasty.”

What are Dao-fruit vows? They are questions one sets for oneself on the path to immortality—clarifying the heart and seeking the Dao. Upon reaching the Immortal stage, one sets three conditions; fulfilling them means ascending to Earth Immortal.

When the dynasty fell, the Demon Concubine completed her vows and should have become a revered Earth Immortal, a great power in the Demon Sect. But Daoist Earth Immortals thwarted her, crippling her physical body; she has the Dao-fruit but not the true form. Still, her skills in divining fate are formidable, and now with the Immortal Estate emerging, she has come to try her luck.

Master Heichi goes to greet her.

Ji Feichen scans the hall—demons of all sorts gather, their appearances shaped by their cultivation methods. Some are refined and scholarly, resembling Daoist priests; others are wild and fierce, bearing four arms; some have blue faces and red hair, their features terrifying; others have white hair, dark faces, and vicious expressions.

On a golden phoenix couch sits a dazzling demoness, eternally youthful, her beauty unchanged, every gesture exuding seductive allure. A flutter of her brows sends shivers through hearts.

“She surpasses Luo Qingyi’s charm by far,” Ji Feichen sighs, even he feels his heart stirred. So he quietly employs the “White Bone Contemplation,” transforming all before him into skeletons.

“Brother Heichi, the lad you brought is quite promising.” The Demon Concubine senses Ji Feichen’s White Bone Contemplation, death qi leaking from him, and is intrigued: “When did your Black Vein produce such a talent?”

“Hmph! He is the disciple of Black Flow.” Master Heichi feigns displeasure, a trace of killing intent.

“Black Flow, that old villain?” The Demon Concubine is surprised, studying Ji Feichen further: “You Yinming Sect people cultivate the ‘Profound Fiend Dragon Sutra’—makes sense. If it were the ‘Profound Nether Canon,’ he’d never have survived.”

Black Flow’s reputation among demon cultivators is poor.

The Demon Concubine and Black Flow, the outstanding scion of Yinming Sect, have deep grievances. She waves him off, uninterested.

Ji Feichen sits among the Yinming Sect disciples. Familiar faces are present—Lingfeng and Zheng Qiong, though all are male cultivators, no women.

Ji Feichen asks Lingfeng, “Why is it, this lively gathering, Senior Sister Qingyi isn’t here?”

“Sweet Dew Lady dislikes female cultivators, so the women of our sect don’t bother attending.”

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Looking closely, representatives from Northern Toad Palace and Southern Radiant Demon Sect are present, as are those from Black Saint Sect and Six-Armed Demon God Sect, but there are no disciples from White Lotus Pure Sect.

Ji Feichen glances upward—the Demon Concubine is already entangled with a fierce Six-Armed Demon God Sect member, the two shamelessly indulging in carnal acts before all.

Amidst the lascivious music, Ji Feichen closes his eyes to rest, seeking peace, when suddenly someone transmits a message: “Hey, Ji—heard Lingwei Immortal Estate has emerged. Are you going?”

When Ji Feichen left Mount Jiuhe, Tushan gave him a Celestial Talisman, allowing them to converse at will.

“I’m at Lingwei Immortal Estate now. What about you, coming as well?” Ji Feichen opens his eyes, sipping his wine.

“I’ll pass—the demon-subduing artifact emerging there is of no loss to me. But the contest between immortals and demons is worth watching. By the way, do you know what that artifact is?”

Detecting the amusement in Tushan’s words, Ji Feichen counters, “So you know?”

“Of course—I heard my mother speak of it as a child. That treasure was forged by the Daoist sects to counter the Four Demon Sects of the past, a set of nine-faced banners.”

“Banners? A set of nine?” Ji Feichen’s heart jolts; the Nine Heavens Black Gold Dragon God Tower in his brow suddenly quivers.

Ji Feichen muses, “My Dragon God Tower is immensely powerful—just the first Nine Cloud Black Crystal Disk greatly enhances my divination. If I could forge another magic treasure…”

Magic treasures should not be numerous, for their refinement and upkeep is troublesome. But formation diagrams are different; carrying treasures of varied attributes prepares one for any contingency. The Nine Heavens Black Gold Dragon God Tower contains nine treasures. If Ji Feichen completes this set of nine, he can face all disasters. By his plan, he truly intends to refine only two treasures:

One is the Twenty-Four Jade Tide Pearls, corresponding to the cycles of the heavens, his principle of Dao.

The other is the Nine Heavens Black Gold Dragon God Tower.

Compared to the Jade Tide Pearls, which require merit, the Dragon God Tower’s requirements are extreme. The diagram for the second layer is not yet condensed, and as a vessel, it still needs a set of nine treasures.

“Among magic treasures, combination sets are the rarest. A set of nine is rarer still—this opportunity cannot be missed.”

Tushan continues, “This set is called the Nine Heavens Azure Cloud Mingwei Demon-Subduing Banner. Combined, it rivals a celestial artifact; separately, each is a top-tier treasure.”

The grades of magic items are divided into magic instruments and treasures. Instruments are mere shells, but treasures have awakened spiritual essence and contain the true nature of the Dao.

“This set can form a celestial killing array. In the past, when the Four Demon Sects split, this artifact played a crucial role. Presumably, there are members of the Four Demon Sects here?”

“Yes. Radiant Demon Sect and Northern Toad Palace have sent people. The eastern and western branches haven’t appeared, but they surely will soon.”

Not long after, the Demon Concubine finishes her tryst, and more people take turns indulging. Finally, Master Heichi loses patience: “Lady, let’s discuss business.”

Radiant Demon Sect is represented by members of the Seven Transformations Division. The leader, a young man whose cultivation matches Ji Feichen’s, also grows restless and says to the Demon Concubine: “Lady, let’s get to business. This time, are we seizing the Immortal Estate by force, or will everyone use their own means?”

The Demon Concubine pushes aside the burly man, laughing, “Little Sect Master, you’re too eager. Since I’m presiding, why fight? Let’s learn from the Daoists and select an heir for the Immortal Estate—wouldn’t that be best?” She claps her hands; several maids bring forth a beautiful young woman.

“What do you think of my disciple?”

The crowd is instantly enlightened. The Demon Concubine’s disciple is none other than the direct heir of Lingwei Sect.