The Demon Lord's Invitation
Chao Du was taken aback, then immediately became serious: "The Demon Lord is in the Dragon Palace?!"
"Yes, and it seems the Demon Lord's plan has succeeded. Demons have become possessed everywhere, and they're all dead, leaving only their possessed shells wandering in the sea!" Long Youlan's voice trembled, as if she had seen an extremely terrifying scene. "By the way, it's not just demons, even ordinary small fish and shrimp have become possessed. The whole sea smells of decay! The water in the entire sea has turned murky and black!"
Chao Du frowned and pressed, "Where are you now? Are you safe?"
Long Youlan repeatedly said, "I'm safe, I'm safe. As soon as I got to the beach, I realized something was wrong. I secretly swam to the Dragon Palace and saw what was going on, so I quickly escaped. Now I'm in the air above the beach. Oh, and even these birds on the beach are like this! As soon as they see me, they start pecking at me like crazy. Sigh, I just knocked down one group and another one comes... Wait, these black birds are weird, they look so strange..."
The sound of howling wind came from the jade slip.
A moment later, the wind stopped, and a woman's voice came from the communication jade slip: "Xi Su?"
"...Ling Ni".
Asakado read out the name of her old acquaintance and old rival.
Demon Lord Ling Ni.
On the other side, Ling Ni was somewhat surprised: "You recognize my voice?"
Chao Du frowned slightly: "After you've heard what I've heard in the Immortal Tower, what do you plan to do?"
“He has already told you most of my purpose.” Ling Ni’s voice was indifferent, as if turning all the sea demons into demons was nothing more than drinking a cup of tea to her. “However, there is one thing he didn’t say: I want to see you. If you come, I can spare the lives of this dragon and the other demons for the time being.”
Asawari: "...Okay, I'll go."
"Oh? You really came?" Ling Ni was surprised. "It seems Master was right, you are indeed different from those hypocritical cultivators. But I don't like waiting, I hope you come quickly. If you are slow, I will kill a thousand every day, until they are all gone."
Asawari: "...Understood."
The jade slip containing the sound transmission went dark.
Chao Du frowned and pondered for a moment, then immediately contacted You Cang: "Something has happened at the Dragon Palace and the Azure Gold Sea. Is the Immortal Alliance aware of this?"
On the other side of the jade slip, amidst the sound of turning pages, You Cang's voice rang out: "Since Long Mingyuan allied with the Demon Lord and Ghost King ten years ago to jointly attack the cultivation world, the Immortal Alliance has lost contact with them. What happened?"
Chao Du told You Zang what he had just heard. The sound of turning pages on the other side stopped. You Zang was silent for a moment before asking, "The Demon Lord and the Ghost King should already be prepared to kill you. Are you really going? For those demons?"
Chao Du said, "Yes, as long as demons haven't harmed humans, they can become our friends and fight against the Demon Lord and Ghost King together. Moreover, if we don't save these demons now, we're only strengthening the Demon Lord and Ghost King's power. How will the cultivation world deal with that? I have to go, but if I go alone, I might not come back alive." Most of her spiritual power was already sealed, and she had consumed too much of it recently. Her opponents, the Demon Lord and Ghost King, were well-prepared.
Youzang: "...I understand. Leave the Immortal Alliance to me, and I will do my best to persuade them to send someone to help you."
Asakawa breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "I knew you were reliable!"
Yuzang's voice even carried a rare hint of amusement: "You do trust me."
“Of course, we’ve known each other for so many years.” Asahi said without hesitation, “I believe that no matter which world you’re in, your essence is the same.”
There was silence on the other end of the communication jade slip. Chao Du then said, "By the way, we need to hurry. Send as many people as possible first."
Youzang: "Don't worry, I understand. The first group is expected to arrive at Bijinhai by tomorrow evening. Also, be careful of Liangyue."
Asakawa: "Have you found out his background?"
“We’ve found it,” You Cang said. “There is indeed a young man named Liang Yue who has been recuperating on Yuying Mountain for ten years. Everyone from the Miaoyao Sect on the mountain can testify to this. However, they say that Liang Yue’s illness is a congenital deficiency, similar to Ning Changkang’s illness, which is difficult to cure and requires him to take medicine continuously. Just recently, Liang Yue’s illness suddenly improved. They say that his family obtained a secret recipe for a miraculous medicine for him, but no matter how much the Miaoyao Sect people inquired and pleaded, he refused to reveal what the recipe was. Some people also think that his personality has become much more cheerful since he recovered.”
Asakawa chuckled knowingly, "So cheerful it's like a completely different person?"
You Cang: "Although his personality may have changed drastically because he recovered from a serious illness, the timing of his recovery was really coincidental, right after you said that the Immortal Hidden Sect was recruiting people."
Chao Du clicked his tongue: "It's clear that this secret recipe belongs to my Immortal Hidden Sect."
"...You still have the mind to joke?" You Cang sighed softly. "The Demon Lord and the Ghost King are probably already eyeing you."
Chao Du smiled and said, "It shows they have good taste. I'll go and thank them right away."
Yuzang also laughed, it was hard to tell whether he was amused or just speechless, but he sighed with a smile, "How could there be someone like you... I sincerely hope that you can come back alive."
Asawa: "Don't worry, it's not a big problem."
The jade slip used for transmitting sound dimmed again.
Chao Du put away the jade slip, looked up, and saw the boundless moonlight, the shimmering lake, and the gentle, lingering night breeze that seemed to silently hold her back.
Why waste such a beautiful time and place by going to a place that has nothing to do with you and where life and death are uncertain?
Chao Du smiled gently, her gaze firm: what she said about slaying evil and restoring peace was not just empty talk.
It's time to go.
However, should I tell my other self? And this matter involves the Dragon Palace, should I tell Long Mingxuan? And how should Liang Yue be wary?
After a moment's thought, Chao Du left behind a clone and then flew towards the lakeside building where Long Mingxuan lived.
There was no need to tell her other self in person. First, time was of the essence. Second, if she told her other self, she would worry and want to go with her, which was too dangerous. Third, what if she didn't come back...? She thought, her other self already had the courage to continue, and that protective pouch would always be with her.
But she had to tell Long Mingxuan about this and take him with her, because there were some secret passages in the Dragon Palace that only the Dragon Lord and his successor could open.
Although Chao Du already knew the location of these secret passages and how to open them, without Long Mingxuan's soul, these secret passages still could not be opened.
However, telling Long Mingxuan about this is a bit of a hassle. Based on Chao Du's understanding of him, he'll definitely feel guilty after hearing it, thinking that it was all because of his awakening and resurrection that he lured Long Mingyuan here, giving the Demon Lord an opportunity to harm more demons and implicate her... She should comfort him properly on the way.
Chaodu hadn't flown far when he saw Long Mingxuan leaning on the railing of the small building, basking in the moonlight, enjoying the lake breeze, and admiring the mountain scenery, looking very relaxed and carefree.
For him, there hadn't been such a peaceful moment in a century, had there?
Asakawa paused for a moment, but he had already seen her.
Chao Du composed herself and flew over, landing beside him. She braced herself and was about to speak when she noticed that he was staring blankly at her, only his eyes were bright and unblinking.
Asawari: "...?"
She coughed lightly.
Long Mingxuan suddenly snapped out of his daze, turned his head instantly, his cheeks flushed, his fingers gripping the railing tightly, but the scene in his mind was still there: his bright moon, riding the gentle breeze, came down from the sky and landed beside him, so bright and so pure that even the moon in the sky paled in comparison.
He dared not look at the moon any longer, his face flushed as he whispered, "Sect Master Xi..."
Seeing that he had come to his senses, Chao Du said directly, "Something has happened in the Dragon Palace. The Demon Lord has taken over the Dragon Palace and captured Long Youlan. She wants to turn all the demons in the entire Bijin Sea into demons and puppets."
Long Mingxuan froze, then slowly gritted his teeth: "Demon Lord..."
Asakawa continued, "I need your help. Would you like to come with me? Just a heads up, it's very dangerous, and we might not come back alive."
Long Mingxuan replied without hesitation, "I'll go. But I'm sorry, it seems I've dragged you into this again. Is it because I've awakened...?"
Asakawa had anticipated this: "Stop, we'll talk about the rest on the way."
Long Youlan hesitated for a moment, feeling a little embarrassed, but what remained was a subtle, indescribable feeling... lightness? Reassurance?
It's like someone is about to fall off a cliff and suddenly grabs him, telling him to stop and not fall any further.
How many times has she grabbed him?
Unaware of the turmoil in his heart, Chao Du summoned the white jade crane, making it larger than usual. The two flew onto the white jade crane and headed straight for the Azure Gold Sea.
On the way, Chaodu recounted in detail his conversations with Long Youlan, Lingni, and Youzang.
Long Mingxuan stared at Chao Du in shock, speechless for a long time.
Asawa said helplessly, "Is there any need to be so surprised?"
Long Mingxuan nodded slowly: "I never imagined that someone would risk their life to save the demon race."
Chao Du smiled and said, "I still value my life, but there are some paths that, even if you know they lead to a dead end, you still have to try and find a way out. Besides, I've made a lot of preparations, so it won't be so easy for the Demon Lord to kill me. After this matter is over, the Dragon Palace may be able to become friends with the Immortal Alliance and fight against the Demon Lord and the Ghost King together."
Long Mingxuan stared at her for a long time without her realizing it. Chao Du felt his gaze and felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. She changed the subject and said, "Anyway, you don't need to feel guilty about this. Blame the Demon Lord and Ghost King for their black hearts and ruthless methods. How can you be blamed?"
Long Mingxuan chuckled softly as he listened to her speak: "Alright."
Asakawa: I don't know why, but I feel even more awkward... Why does the white jade crane, which is already a size bigger than usual, still feel so small?
In the afternoon, at Bijinhai.
Chao Du sat on the white jade crane, concealing his and Long Mingxuan's auras, and sent a message to You Cang. Then he looked down at the dark demonic sea.
At this moment, the Bijinhai Sea should be a place of gentle blue waves, golden spray, birdsong in the breeze, and fish dancing on the surface.
Now, all that remains are the dark, churning, and roaring waves, in which strange-looking demonic fish swim. The sea breeze is filled with a nauseating stench of decay, and flocks of black demonic birds circle around, emitting piercing, sharp cries.
Judging from Long Youlan's experience, these demonic birds have been controlled by the Demon Lord, but they have not yet discovered the two hidden guests.
She could evacuate safely now, but that wasn't on her radar.
Chao Du was pondering a single question: How exactly did the Demon Lord manage to corrupt the entire Azure Gold Sea to this state in such a short time? How did he manage to turn so many demons into demonic beings and empty puppets?
How many demonic cultivators did she bring to accomplish this? Or perhaps, it wasn't about the number of demonic cultivators, but some other method?
For example, was a certain formation or magic weapon used?
Chao Du lowered his eyes to examine the dark waves: the seawater had been completely polluted by demonic energy and could not resonate with it. Once he entered the sea, it would be difficult to hide completely, and he might be discovered by the Demon Lord.
If we're only talking about fighting the enemy, she might have some advantages at sea and in the air, at least enough to escape unscathed.
But she came here not to fight the Demon Lord, but to rescue the demons who had not yet become demons and to solve the pollution problem in this sea.
She must go into the sea, find Long Youlan and the other demons, and find a way for the Demon Lord to pollute this sea.
Chao Du's gaze swept quickly across the sea, finding the direction where the demonic energy was most concentrated, and asked Long Mingxuan, "Is that the direction of the Dragon Palace?"
Long Mingxuan's gaze was solemn: "Exactly."
Chao Du nodded: "Let's go take a look."
The white jade crane descended onto the sea without disturbing a single demon bird.
Just as it was about to touch the surface of the sea, Bai Yuhe transformed into an orca, flicked its tail, and silently disappeared into the sea.
As Chao Du and Long Mingxuan rode on the back of the orca, passing groups of frenzied demonic fish, they saw the Dragon Palace in the distance: the once magnificent Dragon Palace, shining brightly among the corals, was now shrouded in a thick fog of demonic energy, dim and without luster, like a pearl covered in dust.
At the entrance to the Dragon Palace, the former demon soldiers and dragon generals were nowhere to be seen; instead, several demon generals exuding malevolent aura guarded the gate.
Around the Dragon Palace, a group of demons, their bodies radiating demonic energy, wandered around like puppets. Their chests were empty, as if they had been ripped out, leaving only shells.
Chao Du immediately recognized that this was the work of demonic cultivators; only they were so keen on "opening one's heart and lungs."
Long Mingxuan looked sadly at the Dragon Palace and the demons around him who had become puppets. He coughed lightly at Du and asked, "It's a bit troublesome to directly break into the Dragon Palace. Is there any way to sneak in?"
Long Mingxuan replied without hesitation, "Yes! Go to the coral forest in the southwest. There is a secret passage there that leads directly into the Dragon Palace."
Chao Du nodded: This is the same location of the secret passage that Long Mingxuan told her in the original world. Even Long Mingyuan didn't know about this secret passage, so the Demon Lord and the others probably didn't know about it either, making it relatively safe.
Chao Du directed the orca towards the coral forest. On the way, Long Mingxuan gazed at the approaching coral forest and said softly, "This coral forest is also the cemetery of the dragon race. Although dragons can live for ten thousand years, for many reasons, many dragons... have long since fallen into slumber here. Moreover, the dragon horns, scales, and bones are made of special materials, coveted by many demons and humans. Many dragons cannot even leave behind a complete body. What is buried here in the end may just be their toy from when they were young."
This was the second time Chao Du had heard the story of the Coral Forest. The last time she came here, Long Mingxuan, who was still a sword spirit, had told her the same thing.
She sighed softly, and as she got closer to the coral forest, she suddenly noticed that there were many signs of disturbance in the coral forest.
"Those demonic cultivators won't even let this place go!" Chao Du gritted his teeth, while Long Mingxuan was even more heartbroken, clenching his hands tightly, his face pale with anger and hatred.
Chao Du's gaze quickly swept over an inconspicuous white coral at the edge of the coral forest: that was the entrance to the secret passage. There was no tombstone, and it didn't seem to have been disturbed by any demonic cultivators, so it shouldn't have been exposed.
She stopped the orca near the white coral, but when she turned around, she met Long Mingxuan's surprised and uncertain gaze.
Asakawa: "..." In my excitement, I forgot that I "shouldn't" know about the entrance to the secret passage.
"How did you know?" Long Mingxuan looked at her in confusion. "Could it be... could it be that I even told you this in my dream?"
Asawari: "...Hmm."
Long Mingxuan astutely pointed out: "But you just asked me if I had a way to secretly infiltrate the Dragon Palace."
Asakawa: "...Hmm." He's so hard to fool.
Long Mingxuan stared intently at her: "What are you trying to hide from me? How did you find out about the entrance to the secret passage?"
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