Chapter Eighty-Seven: Returning to the Demon Realm Once More

After returning from the sacred realm, You Xiyue came straight to the upper world by way of the divine map.

By then, Feng Qinghe had already awakened.

Yet he had not spoken a word.

The Feng clan had suffered such grievous losses; as its chief, he was truly unworthy, too weak to bear the name.

No matter who tried to speak to him, he gave no answer.

Only when Junyang came to ask him a question would he barely manage a faint acknowledgment.

For the time being, the Feng clan was staying in temporary tents erected by the Candle Dragon clan.

Most of the Candle Dragon clan had already returned to the holy realm, leaving only a few alchemists behind to tend the wounded.

Feng Qinghe’s gaze was like a dead pool, without the slightest trace of life.

It was only when You Xiyue stepped inside that he finally turned and looked over.

“Master...”

“Mm.” In truth, You Xiyue also felt somewhat guilty; after all, this had been brought about in part because of her.

“Next time, crush the jade token sooner.”

From her pouch, she took out another jade token and placed it in Feng Qinghe’s hand.

“No matter how dangerous you think a person or matter may be, in my eyes it is not dangerous at all. So there is no need to fear causing me trouble.”

Feng Qinghe clenched the jade token and covered his eyes with one hand, forcing back his tears.

Junyang walked in from outside, looked at Feng Qinghe, and after a moment of silence sent a private message to You Xiyue: “Little Ancestor, why don’t we have the Golden Crow seed—”

You Xiyue ignored the voice in her mind and asked Feng Qinghe, “Are you still willing to enter into a master-servant contract?”

Feng Qinghe lowered his hand and looked at You Xiyue with reddened eyes.

“I... am willing.”

“Good. Once your injuries heal, we will finalize the contract.”

You Xiyue tucked the blanket around Feng Qinghe, then led Junyang out of the tent.

“The Feng clan should remain in the upper world for now. The closer one gets to the higher realms, the more disputes there are.”

You Xiyue looked up at the dim moonlight and added, “Besides, are you certain the old clan spirit of the Feng clan would be willing to absorb the Golden Crow seed?”

“I was careless,” Junyang said, only then realizing that she might truly be old indeed, to have forgotten that the Golden Crow seed would be several times more effective for the Feng clan’s spirit.

Their own clan could rise from a divine clan to a sacred clan; as for the Feng clan...

After being demoted so harshly all those years ago, how could they possibly be allowed to climb back up so easily?

“I’ll go see Ming Chenyu and Ye Linyi.”

“All right.”

Watching You Xiyue walk away, Junyang let out a soft sigh.

She always acted the coldest on the surface, yet in her heart she did not wish to owe anyone a thing.

“Old thing, what are you sighing for?”

Moonlight Sword suddenly spoke, startling Junyang.

Junyang shot it a sideways glare, disgust written all over her face. “Has the Little Ancestor forgotten to seal you again?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Moonlight Sword protested. “My master must have gone too long without hearing my voice, so she misses me a little.”

Junyang truly could not be bothered to deal with this chatterbox, so she turned and followed to Ming Chenyu and Ye Linyi’s room.

She knew Moonlight Sword would never dare talk too much in front of You Xiyue.

Just as she entered, she saw You Xiyue give Ming Chenyu and Ye Linyi a jade token each.

“If you encounter danger, crush it.”

Ming Chenyu was injured much more severely than Ye Linyi; even speaking was somewhat difficult. He gave a slight nod, his lips moving as though he were saying, “Thank you, Master.”

After seeing that the two had awakened and were no longer in danger, Yan Qingye directly returned to Star-Flower Isle. He, too, had very little time and needed to raise his cultivation to the level of an Immortal King as quickly as possible.

Only in these past few days had Junyang told him the reason she had demanded that he reach Immortal King cultivation and ascend the ladder of heavenly tribulation within two months: three months later, the immortal realm would host an alchemy gathering.

At that time, powerful alchemists would be there to take on disciples, which would greatly benefit his future path.

After staying in the upper world for five days, You Xiyue and Junyang finally received news from Green Sandalwood.

He had investigated nearly every recorded case of berserk demons from the past few years, along with all the records of their bites.

As expected, it came to nothing. The ones bitten were almost all local minor demons, and there was no way they could be Hongchen, who had only recently emerged from the Roaming Immortal Chart.

This was thoroughly bad news.

The trail had been cut off entirely, and not only that, no demonic disappearances had occurred in these recent days.

It seemed Hongchen had realized someone was investigating him and had suddenly concealed himself, hiding in deeper darkness.

Junyang looked at You Xiyue with concern. “Little Ancestor, should we return to the demon realm now?”

“Yes, it is time to go back.”

If Hongchen were allowed to continue cultivating in secret, the demon realm might truly be difficult to preserve.

You Xiyue did not want the mission to fail.

So, taking Junyang with her, she first went to Feng Qinghe’s room.

When Feng Qinghe saw You Xiyue enter, he wanted to rise and greet her, but Junyang reached out first and steadied him.

“You should just lie still. Why are you always being so polite?”

“Yes.” Feng Qinghe agreed, then obediently lay back down.

“The contract will be finalized after your injuries heal. Rest well. Junyang and I are going to the demon realm,” You Xiyue explained patiently.

“The demon realm?” Though puzzled, Feng Qinghe did not ask further. He only said, “Then Master, be careful on the road. I will wait for your return.”

Even after surviving such a calamity, Feng Qinghe still wore the same expression of someone unwilling to trouble others.

You Xiyue was truly afraid that Feng Qinghe would rather die than crush the jade token to summon her for help, which was why she had given one to Ming Chenyu and Ye Linyi each.

After giving Feng Qinghe a few instructions, You Xiyue returned to the demon realm.

It was still the same Devouring Heaven City.

When the eagle demon saw the two of them, he was remarkably sensible, politely escorting them back to his guest room and even thoughtfully acting as guard.

When Green Sandalwood received the news that You Xiyue had returned to the demon realm, he rushed over without pause.

The three of them sat in the room and discussed matters for a long time.

“Perhaps we should ease up on the search a little?” Green Sandalwood suggested. “If we do, Hongchen will definitely come out and strike again, and then it will be easier to expose his flaw.”

Junyang, however, felt that was inappropriate. “If we ease up and even more demons go missing, then he will only grow stronger, while we still won’t uncover anything. Wouldn’t that be harming your demons?”

Green Sandalwood scratched his head in distress.

“This fellow is truly devious and treacherous. It almost feels like he knows our movements, always managing to hide at the crucial moment.”

You Xiyue suddenly lifted her head and looked at Green Sandalwood. “You mean he always hides at the critical moment?”

“Yes. Every time we search the city, I feel as though we have finally found some clue, only for it to be abruptly severed again.”

“Do you have any demons near you whom you only recently brought close?” You Xiyue asked.

“Senior suspects there is a traitor among the demons around me? That’s impossible!” Green Sandalwood denied it with firm resolve. “The ones by my side are all demons I’d trust with my life.”

Moonlight Sword, hanging on the wall, suddenly could not help but complain, “You have so many demons around you. Just how many times has your life been in danger? Every single one of them trusted with your life?”

“...”

The three of them all turned toward the sword.

For a brief moment, bewilderment flickered in You Xiyue’s eyes. So she had not actually sealed this sword yet.