Liu Changdie put away the scroll in his hand, told Li Quewan to withdraw, and hurried to the formation. Indeed, he saw someone standing on the surging sea, pupils white and red, clad in white-bone armor, wrapped in blood-red silk, a pair of golden wings folded behind his back, silent.
Seeing his aura listless, Liu Changdie felt pained and quickly opened the grand array, calling him in. The demon king put his hands behind his back, stepped in dispiritedly, and shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Damn... I nearly lost my life!"
Liu Changdie sighed, inviting him in while drawing a spirit elixir from his sleeve. "Are you feeling any better?"
Fuxun took the jade bottle and tapped it; the spirit elixir rolled into his big mouth like a candy bean under Liu Changdie's pained gaze. The demon creature seemed to taste nothing, smacking his lips, red-eyed:
"What are you pained about? Following that great pill master, could I lack elixirs?"
Li Ximing had indeed refined and left him elixirs when he came for the arts back then, but Liu Changdie was frugal. He shook his head and sighed:
"These times are not normal. He has many spiritual objects and resources. Even in previous years, not even the Taiyang lineage was so lavish. Moreover... how could I take his things for nothing!"
Others might not know, but every Under-Neck Feather had passed through Liu Changdie's hands. Even Bichen Water could not be collected early in the East Sea, to the point of halted production. Liu Changdie knew how lavishly Li Ximing cultivated—even with great wealth, he felt inferior.
Fuxun sat down in his place, looked around the blue-gold mysterious cave dwelling, nodded secretly, poured himself tea, and cursed:
"Damn Shengbai Dao! Damn Zaxi Cewang! The day I attain the Dao and become this great demon king, I'll bore three holes in Shengbai Dao's holy hall!"
Liu Changdie frowned. Seeing the demon lift his clothes, on his jade-white Dharma Body were three great holes. Inside were no bones or flesh, but like a wealthy man's cellar: golden sand like a waterfall, golden tables and chairs overturned, decorated with fingernail-sized jade-red stones. One or two richly dressed, thumb-sized little demons knelt in the golden sand weeping.
Liu Changdie was stunned. "The Great Xipu State is lost? Into whose hands did it fall!"
Fuxun said sorrowfully: "It certainly is lost! Divided among those bitches. Fortunately, I took the Wangjing Xuandan Pill early, refined the Wangjing Auspicious Body, gathered these subordinates and left, or today I'd be a lonely man!"
Fuxun's Wangjing Auspicious Body was infinitely marvelous, somewhat similar to the Murong family's capacious belly, but fundamentally different. Essentially it was his true body, an immensely achieved corporeal divine ability, allowing myriad demons to cling to it; the Wangjing Auspicious Body would then transform this body along with the myriad demons into form, hidden beneath skin and flesh.
Liu Changdie was speechless. He did not believe Fuxun treated those subordinates well—first they ran errands and served him, helping cultivate the Dharma Body; second they might be side dishes when his injuries were unstable. He knew this clearly in his heart, but asked aloud:
"Senior Qingyan..."
Fuxun was grief-stricken, dispirited, and said hatefully: "He was captured by them!"
"What?!"
Liu Changdie had thought the two demons would face this calamity, but not that it would be so serious. For a moment he was horrified: "Senior Qingyan, how could they scheme against him again! Doesn't he have marvelous arts? Situ Huo ambushed for ten years and couldn't catch him... How..."
He suddenly realized Situ Huo could not compare with Shengbai Dao. He suddenly fell silent. Fuxun only hated:
"Shengbai Dao is no longer what it was. That Excellency must show signs of revival, even the ability to act. Only with his marvelous arts could Qingyan be so easily schemed against by them!"
Mentioning that demon on Great Xiyuan, a flash of terror crossed Fuxun's eyes; he seemed flustered:
"He and I were ambushed by Shengbai Dao, fundamentally not their opponents. Fortunately Qingyan still had that Fufa Qing Scroll, exchanging heavy injuries for time, thus escaping the Shengbai Dao Lord. But that person carries a Xuan Banner. As long as the injury isn't healed, they will catch up no matter what!"
"We two fled in terror, casting spells to seek your rescue, but hope was gone. You said that marvelous art might suffice to fool Situ Huo, but how could it hide from the Shengbai Dao Lord? This person carries a Fengma Xuan Banner. Even if Qingyan's marvelous art fled over a thousand li, it couldn't withstand this banner's shaking. If I hadn't escaped quickly, it would have taken me too!"
Liu Changdie suddenly felt both guilty and uneasy, lowering his brows: "It's not that this junior didn't rescue. That night here there was lightning and thunder. A True Person ambushed nearby, waiting for me for a long time. If I went out, I couldn't even protect myself."
The demon king wailed at the table, tears like crystal falling to the ground. The Xuankui Golden-Winged Bat is an innate aberrant species; wherever tears passed, fragrance scattered, exotic aroma assailing the nose. He cried a while, shook his head:
"How could I not trust you! I long understood. Since they must capture Qingyan back, guarding every aspect, how could they let you come rescue!"
He collapsed in extreme grief: "What a tragedy!"
Liu Changdie was not as familiar with Qingyan as with Fuxun, but had some friendship with him. His heart was extremely complex; a surge of grief rose. He sighed:
"Even if I rescued him, what could it be? The Shengbai Dao Lord personally arrives. Before him, how many exchanges could I survive?"
But just as the demon before him lowered his head, the jade-white cheeks suddenly twisted, as if something underneath was violently struggling to emerge, tearing out a fist-sized, hideous and terrifying face. Two eyes had sunken into hollows, staring fixedly at Liu Changdie.
Liu Changdie was startled, stepped back, and shouted: "What demon fiend is this!"
This shout carried divine ability and power, but only made the fist-sized face pause momentarily. The hollow eye sockets moved, as if surveying the surroundings. Fuxun's reaction was faster; both hands suddenly raised, ruthlessly pinching this face!
That fist-sized, tumor-like face was instantly crushed to pieces. Pale golden blood burst from between his fingers, releasing waves of exotic fragrance. Fuxun wiped away the blood, eyes sinister, coughing violently.
Liu Changdie watched with furrowed brows, silent for a long time. Fuxun coughed for a while, knowing the other waited for explanation, and smiled apologetically:
"I was struck by the Shengbai Dao Lord's Lesser Yang Technique. My Dharma Body probably has many Yang Worms, looking forward to reporting to him."
Seeing the other so tense, Fuxun realized and hurriedly shook his head:
"Rest assured... rest assured. I came hurrying during the gap when the Yang Worms were summoned by the Scripture Banner. Entering the grand array, isolating the Great Void, I'm already much better. No news can be transmitted out. Rest assured... cough cough..."
Liu Changdie then felt somewhat relieved, but both pained and uneasy, lowering his voice:
"It's not that this junior has any scheming. This Lulai Island is Ximing's territory. Supplying my cultivation is already rare. If something happens and brings calamity, how could I explain to him!"
The two looked at each other in silence. Liu Changdie sighed:
"I remember this injury. Taiyang spirit objects are hard to find. I'll think of other methods, contact some high cultivators skilled in healing for you. Senior, just stay here and heal your injuries."
Fuxun lowered his head, wanting to say thanks, but didn't speak for a while, only raising his cup. After who knows how long, he sighed:
"After this battle, Great Xiyuan controls Poloruo from above. I cannot return. All demons in Poloruo have reason to weep. I am also at the end of my road!"
"My whole household of attendants—their food, clothing, and needs are so enormous. I myself seek the Dao; I definitely can't go to the outer seas. West Sea, North Sea—where would there be a place for me?"
Liu Changdie silently shook his head: "Where can you go now? I see you don't even dare leave the array!"
He said it, but still thought of a retreat for the demon king, asking: "The Dragon clan—how about it?"
Fuxun had a tempted look, hesitantly shook his head, gritted his teeth:
"My bloodline is unique. I truly fear some Dragon King would eat me! Coming here, I specially found connections to ask. Otherwise how would I dare strut here?"
"Even ten thousand steps back—even if not eaten—the future is uncertain. We demons are not like you humans. They have no use for me. How could I dare casually take refuge!"
Liu Changdie sensed he had words in his heart, so asked: "It seems Senior has a plan."
Fuxun sighed: "To be honest, I am now in utter despair. Shengbai Dao fundamentally cannot tolerate me. But in the past I was obedient, jumping around outside their sight."
"They have always sought vengeance for the slightest grudge. Years ago, my father's friend merely reached out to save someone, and later likewise died miserably by their hands. It's only because you didn't come to rescue that I can still hide here for a while."
He said somewhat embarrassedly: "That... that Bailin... has friendship with the Dragon clan. I was thinking of going through him... to find a backer."
Liu Changdie then understood, silent for a long time. 'Dragon clan... what good thing is a dragon? Li Zhouwei is called Bailin, seemingly close with dragons, but who doesn't know what this group of Chi lineage is plotting!'
Liu Changdie knew nothing of the Excellencies' schemes, but he could pat his chest and guarantee the Dragon clan absolutely harbored ulterior motives. Unless absolutely necessary, he really didn't want to trouble Li Ximing. 'Just hope it doesn't bring great trouble...'
Fuxun's matter was equally important; palm and back of hand are both flesh. Liu Changdie remained silent for a long time, answered: "I'll ask for Senior. Success or failure, I can't make the decision."
He chose a cave dwelling for Fuxun to enter seclusion. This demon king, after that tossing about, seemed in worse condition, walking unsteadily. Worse, his mind was somewhat hazy. Obviously his foundation was shaken.
Liu Changdie silently shook his head and went out. After a step, he noticed Li Quewan hurrying through the great hall, her complexion somewhat pale.
Liu Changdie hurriedly called her to stop, sighed: "Senior came suddenly. I will write a letter to Ximing. You need not worry."
"I will prepare what he needs for healing. But he has many subordinates with him. I'll trouble you to call some people to prepare spirit rice and food for him daily."
Li Quewan slightly lowered her brows; her expression quickly composed. Respectfully: "Yes."
Liu Changdie silently sighed: 'For no reason a demon king has been added... Afraid it won't be easy to explain to Ximing...'
...
In the white jade hall, snow was piled like jade. Sun and moon radiance shone together. Between bright white jade stones was inserted a pale green sword. A cup of clear tea weighed on the sword hilt; no matter how the long sword trembled, it could not jump up.
'Fuxun...'
On the table lay a green scroll, pale golden mysterious patterns appearing and disappearing. The man beside the table did not stare at the long sword, but gazed distantly toward the outside of the boundary, silent.
After Wuling Tian fell, Lu Jiangxian, while dividing attention to guard the situation, had to write a Gold-Seeking Method for Chi Buzi. On the other hand, she had to suppress the Sword Dao inheritance within Li Jiangchun's body. She was busy running in circles.
Among these, the most mind-wasting was this Gold-Seeking Method. After all, Gold-Seeking Methods are inherently difficult. Chi Buzi's was unique. The method indeed had feasibility, but purely theoretical discussion and truly writing out the Gold-Seeking Method were worlds apart—the depth of marvels and height of difficulty, compared to the Nine Dao Secret Arts of the past which had Gold Nature as reference, were child's play.
Actually Li Zhouwei's Gold-Seeking Method was equally important, still not started. Lu Jiangxian had confidence in his cultivation progress; there was still time. But Chi Buzi was a rare idle pawn, with a flighty mind, entangled with various forces. His future direction, under the indirect influence of all Dao arrangements, was actually somewhat hard to calculate.
Therefore Lu Jiangxian immediately first started his Gold-Seeking Method, to prevent sudden changes. When Chi Buzi regained memories and stood at the tide of the era, his head would be empty, staring blankly at Du Qing.
Precisely because she was too distracted, Lu Jiangxian's perception of the East Sea was not strong. Fortunately Li Quewan was sensitive and careful. Seeing a demon king fall into the array, she naturally used the immortal mirror to scan. This scan immediately startled Lu Jiangxian.
'Not right...'
Under the divine sense's illumination, above Fuxun's head hung a bright golden thread like a hair, tied toward an invisible, boundless place. Behind his head vaguely emerged another face: sharp teeth, golden lips, low nasal bridge, pure white pupils, five features twisted and changing, wandering unsettled on the back of his head.
Lu Jiangxian knew at first glance this wasn't Violet Palace level. Her heart shook. Looking again, she detected some Gold Nature flavor. Recalling carefully, she suddenly remembered that True Qi strange bird from years ago!
'Liu Changdie, Liu Changdie, you've invited an ancestor in!'
Gold Nature Demon Fiend! A monster rare in the current world, capable of destroying heaven and earth!
Thinking carefully, this Demon Fiend clearly cultivated marvelous arts, hidden extremely covertly, almost cut off from all outside news. Even observing the outside world relied on the appearance of injury relapse—showing how high his methods were! But Demon Fiends are naturally cunning; this cannot reduce its danger!
Fuxun thought he was injured with Yang Worms left by the Shengbai Dao Lord not yet expelled. Actually it was just this Demon Fiend occasionally moving a thought, wanting to use his body to observe the world!
'Li Quewan being scared pale is too normal. Even because the ignorant are fearless, she only looks terrified. If she truly knew what this thing was, not to mention her—Chi Buzi standing here would be covered in cold sweat. This is a Demon Fiend... involving Golden Core existence...'
If this Demon Fiend went mad, forget whether the Violet Palace Grand Array could trap it. The entire island would become a human-world deadland. Jun Fire, Xiang Fire, Xi Fire... various spirit fires would appear with Lesser Yang light. In the next moment, the North Sea Dragon Lord's true body would come crashing down!
Lu Jiangxian frowned and watched for a while. Seeing Fuxun's expression normal, she didn't dare look away, watching him crush the Yang Worm on his face. Her heart was alarmed. She muttered:
'Where is the Netherworld? The two Dragon Lords are in the East Sea... Is there really not the slightest reaction?'
Main characters of this chapter:
—
Liu Changdie [Violet Palace Early Stage]
Li Quewan 'Awaiting the Divine Marvel' [Foundation Establishment Peak]
Fuxun [Violet Palace Middle Stage]
Chapter 1046