Chapter 54

Ling Qingxiao had pinpointed the very issue that troubled her. Her attention was drawn to his words, so much so that she didn’t even stop to wonder why he had brought it up in the first place.
Ling Qingxiao continued, "I'm now fairly certain that the people from the Western Sea were also sent by Lei Lie. The Devourer Beast has the innate ability to devour—it can absorb both demonic and spiritual energy. If they’re targeting it, then they’re likely trying to study its abilities. The Suppressing Demon Stone was just a secondary objective. If Lei Lie is willing to risk exposing himself to the heavens just to steal a Devourer Beast from the Western Sea, it means that they don’t actually have an abundant supply of Demon-Sealing Stones—at least, not enough to support his own cultivation. They need to maximize the stone’s ability to consume spiritual energy and release demonic energy, which is why they need the Devourer Beast."
Luo Han thought about it and realized it made sense. In the later parts of the original story, aside from the Zhuxian Platform, she had never seen any other structures bearing the name "Zhuxian."
And that platform had been constructed right outside the male lead’s residence. The female lead had been strung up at the city gate, forced to watch as the male lead indulged in endless revelry within his manor. Later, when Yun Menghan suffered a miscarriage, a demon general who secretly admired her couldn’t bear to watch her suffer. He loosened her restraints, allowing her a moment of reprieve. In her despair, Yun Menghan took advantage of that moment to rush up the Zhuxian Platform and throw herself off.
Thinking about it now, the Zhuxian Platform had been so close to the male lead’s manor—it was most likely built specifically for his cultivation. That meant the mines producing the Demon-Sealing Stones were extremely limited, only enough to build a single platform for the highest-ranking individual.
That was a relief. The demonic realm wasn't filled with endless cultivation artifacts—only the male lead had such privileges. If someone could suppress him, then the tide of battle could still turn.
Luo Han, whose emotions had been fluctuating wildly, finally calmed down. She let out a breath of relief. At least she still had a chance to survive.
Something occurred to her, and she asked, "What exactly does 'Demon King' mean?"
Ling Qingxiao’s gaze was icy, his eyes like jade steeped in frost as he observed the shifts in her expression. "It’s a title based on cultivation level. Compared to immortal classifications, it would be equivalent to a Golden Immortal."
Titles like Youzhi King, Lei Lie King, and Demon King were political ranks, similar to noble titles. In contrast, Demon Warrior, Demon General, Demon Lord, Demon King and Demon Emperor were titles based on cultivation levels, corresponding directly to the immortal realm’s classifications—Spirit Immortal, Celestial Immortal, True Immortal, Golden Immortal, and Grand Luo Immortal. A Demon King’s strength was already comparable to a Golden Immortal.
By the time Yun Menghan had leapt from the Zhuxian Platform, Ling Zhongyu had already ascended to Demon King status. His cultivation had progressed alarmingly fast after his fall from immortality.
Luo Han suddenly felt a deep sense of urgency. She straightened up and declared, "Starting today, we need to train seriously. We must ascend to True Immortal as soon as possible. No more slacking off."
Ling Qingxiao’s brow arched slightly. Luo Han frowned. "What’s with that look?"
"Nothing." Ling Qingxiao lowered his gaze, seemingly amused. "I just never expected to hear those words coming from you."
Luo Han was about to retort when the restriction at the courtyard gate was triggered—Zou Jibai and Ye Zinan had returned. The two of them instinctively fell silent and walked to the flower pavilion’s entrance, watching as the other two led a sheep into the courtyard.
Ye Zinan was panting heavily. As soon as he looked up and saw the two standing side by side on the wooden steps, appearing composed and at ease, he was momentarily stunned. "You're already back?"
"We’ve been back for a while," Luo Han replied, puzzled. "Where have you two been? Why are you so late?"
"We discovered a secret!" Zou Jibai strode over proudly, deliberately drawing out the suspense. "There’s good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
"The bad news."
Luo Han braced herself, expecting something serious. Instead, she heard Zou Jibai announce, "We found a demon in the gambling den."
"…." Luo Han suddenly lost all interest in the conversation. Their progress was abysmally slow. She and Ling Qingxiao had already deduced the connection between the Demon-Sealing Stone and the Devourer Beast, yet Zou Jibai's group had only just figured out that a demon was involved?
Still, out of consideration for her teammates, Luo Han played along. "Alright, and the good news?"
Zou Jibai, disappointed by her lack of enthusiasm, complained, "Why aren’t you surprised?"
"Fine, I'm surprised," Luo Han said flatly. "So what’s the rest of it?"
Zou Jibai puffed up proudly and said, "The good news is, after discovering the demon, we followed him carefully. Now we know where he's staying."
Luo Han asked, "The same one who caused trouble at the gambling den?"
"That's right," Ye Zinan chimed in. "Later, someone came to fetch him, and the den let him go. We tailed them and watched him enter his residence before returning here."
That was an unexpected gain. Knowing the demon’s location meant they could trace his connections, possibly uncovering more about Lei Lie King’s plans. Luo Han mulled over this for a moment before saying casually, "I also have two pieces of news for you. One good, one bad. Which do you want first?"
Zou Jibai was astonished. “You two actually did something serious?”
Luo Han didn’t appreciate the remark. “What else would we be doing?”
“I thought you were too busy flirting…”
Luo Han’s eyebrow twitched, dangerously close to snapping. Ye Zinan quickly stepped in to mediate. “We’re all on the same side, no need to argue, no need to argue. Luo Han, what’s the good news?”
“The good news is, we already know why the demon you followed came to Da Ming City.”
Zou Jibai and Ye Zinan were equally shocked. Were Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao really this capable? Flirting while also carrying the team to victory?
Ye Zinan hesitated before asking cautiously, “What’s the reason?”
Ling Qingxiao took out the Demon-Sealing Stone from his storage pouch and briefly explained its properties. By the time he finished, both Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai looked as if their heads might fall off in shock. “What? It can absorb celestial energy and convert it into demonic energy?”
“That’s just its most basic function. Under these conditions, I can’t test its full capabilities. We’ll need specialized formation tools to determine the specifics.”
Just the thought alone sent chills down Zou Jibai’s spine. But when he looked at Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao—who had intercepted the demon at first sight, uncovered its secrets in less than a day, and were now casually sipping tea in the courtyard—he wasn’t sure whether the demons were more terrifying...or if his teammates were.
For something this alarming to still count as “good news,” Zou Jibai silently huddled closer to Ye Zinan and whispered, “So what’s the bad news?”
“The bad news is, Ling Qingxiao just reported this to Star Lord Gu Xing, and he took it very seriously. Now, stopping the demons has officially become our mission.”
Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai fell silent for a long time. Eventually, Ye Zinan furrowed his brows and said, “But there’s only four of us. We have no artifacts, no reinforcements, no intelligence network...we even have to earn our own demon coins…”
“It’s very dangerous,” Ling Qingxiao acknowledged. “And we’re also carrying the Devourer Beast. If they’re after it, then it’s directly tied to the Demon-Sealing Stone. That means we must stop the demons’ plans without exposing ourselves or the beast.”
Ye Zinan’s expression twisted into a bitter grimace. He was just a carefree noble brat with no ambitions, perfectly content to coast through life. His greatest dream was simply to live long enough to die of old age. Why did he keep getting dragged into life-threatening missions? He wasn’t cut out for this.
Especially now that he realized he had brought the Devourer Beast into enemy territory just today. Looking back, he had been much closer to death than he ever knew.
Sensing the team’s low morale, Ling Qingxiao reassured them, “It’s not as impossible as it seems. Right now, they’re in the open while we’re in the shadows. As long as we plan carefully, we have a chance.”
Luo Han added, “Exactly. At this point, it’s no longer a question of whether we want to take risks. The demons already have their knives at our throats. If we let them go unchecked and they reach an alliance with the demon and monster realms, the celestial realm’s position will only grow more precarious.
“Right now, they don’t know about us. If we can act before they’re aware, intercept their scheme, and sabotage their plans, we’ll be doing a great service to the Six Realms. But if we fail, and the demon and monster realms launch a full-scale assault on the heavens, then neither we nor our families and friends will escape the consequences.”
Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai’s expressions grew solemn. Taking risks was one thing, but dragging their loved ones into danger was another. If not for themselves, then for their clans, they had to stop the demons.
“Alright,” Ling Qingxiao said once they reached an agreement. “Now let’s discuss our plan. A team of four is too conspicuous. It’s best if we split up. One team will track the demon from the gambling house, while the other follows their leader. As for the Devourer Beast, we should keep it inside a spirit beast pouch from now on.”
The Devourer Beast was too recognizable. Taking it along while tailing someone would be far too eye-catching. Western Sea was a forbidden zone of the celestial realm, and the Devourer Beast hadn’t been seen outside for tens of thousands of years. Very few people in the Six Realms had ever encountered one.
But “few” didn’t mean “none.” If the demons in Da Ming City happened to know what a Devourer Beast looked like, then they were all in danger.
Before, when they had no idea of the enemy’s presence, taking the beast outside hadn’t seemed like an issue. But now that they knew demons were lurking in the city, they couldn’t afford to take the risk.
Spirit beast pouches were specifically designed for carrying spirit beasts. Regular storage pouches couldn’t hold living creatures—any living thing placed inside would instantly suffocate. However, as the celestial realm’s spirit beast trend grew, it became inconvenient to always keep pets outside. Thus, the spirit beast pouch was invented. It looked similar to a storage pouch but solved the issue by providing a space where spirit beasts could safely stay.
Although convenient for cultivators, spirit beast pouches weren’t ideal for the beasts themselves. They were cramped, stuffy, and restrictive—no creature enjoyed being locked inside, least of all a Devourer Beast that had grown used to freedom.
Naturally, the beast resisted. Luo Han patted its head and coaxed, “This is for your own good. Just bear with it for a while.”
But the Devourer Beast refused. Seeing that persuasion wasn’t working, Luo Han took a deep breath, smiled, and asked, “Are you going in on your own, or do I have to make you?”
In the end, the beast begrudgingly complied. Luo Han issued a strict warning, making it swear to behave and not damage the pouch.
With that settled, the rest of the plan was simple.
Ling Qingxiao said, “Now let’s divide into teams. I’ll go with Luo Han. Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai, you two will be the second team. Any objections?”
Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai exchanged looks, both wearing expressions of reluctance.
Internally, they were both thinking the same thing: Do we really have to team up?
Ye Zinan, in particular, felt a sense of doom. One was weak, the other was slow—together, they were weak and slow. But there were only four of them. Ling Qingxiao and Luo Han were inseparable, so like it or not, he and Zou Jibai were stuck together.
Forcing a stiff smile, Ye Zinan gritted his teeth and said, “No problem. I have no objections.”
Even though he really did.
“Good. The demon king’s strength is unknown, so Luo Han and I will track him. You two will tail the one from the gambling house. How does that sound?”
They had all seen the gambling house demon before. He was strong, but not overwhelmingly so. Even in the worst-case scenario—if he discovered them—Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai together should be able to hold their own.
Compared to that, the demon clan’s king was far more troublesome. Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai had nothing more to say. Ling Qingxiao and Luo Han were undoubtedly the stronger team, but the mission they were shouldering was also far heavier. The two had no complaints.
For the next three days, Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai followed Ling Qingxiao’s plan meticulously, spending their time anxiously stationed at a teahouse opposite the demon clan’s estate, drinking tea for three days straight.
Zou Jibai was starting to question his existence. “Has he seriously not left the house? Did we lose him?”
“That can’t be…” Ye Zinan replied, though his own voice carried doubt. “That demon got severely punished when he returned for losing the Demon-Sealing Stone. Maybe he’s been recovering from his injuries these past few days?”
“Really?” Zou Jibai found it hard to believe. “Then what are we supposed to do? Just sit here and wait?”
“We keep an eye on that demon while also watching for any visitors to the estate. We need to see if anyone from the beast clan shows up.”
It sounded impressive, but in reality, it all boiled down to one word—waiting.
Zou Jibai was so bored that he was practically willing a flower to bloom on the estate walls with his gaze. “This is torture. I wonder what Ling Qingxiao and Luo Han are doing right now.”
The so-called “light of the celestial realm” and “hope of the team” were currently standing in the middle of a bustling street, staring silently at a pleasure house across the way.
Luo Han hesitated. “They went in. Are we...going in too?”
Ling Qingxiao observed the scantily clad, bold and flirtatious demon women and had no desire to step inside. The beast clan was naturally open-minded, and this was, after all, the most infamous pleasure house in Da Ming City. The women had no qualms about displaying their tails and ears, dressed in the bare minimum as they openly beckoned pedestrians. Even from outside, the air was filled with the sultry sound of music and laughter.
The very embodiment of debauchery.
Ling Qingxiao was genuinely at a loss.
Luo Han glanced at his rigid profile and barely suppressed a laugh. “If you’re uncomfortable, you can wait outside. I’ll go in and keep an eye on things.”
“No need.” Ling Qingxiao finally made up his mind. “We’ll go together.”
There was no way he’d let Luo Han enter a place like this alone. He had to keep watch.
Luo Han sighed dramatically. “I never thought the day would come when I’d step into a pleasure house with you. Should I change into men’s clothing?”
“No need.” Ling Qingxiao hesitated, then reluctantly explained, “Pleasure houses here...aren’t exclusive to men. Anyone can enter.”
Luo Han was stunned. She scrutinized the guests coming and going, realizing that, indeed, there were both men and women. She exhaled in mild disbelief. “Huh. Impressive. I guess I was being narrow-minded.”
To avoid being recognized, they had been changing outfits frequently these past few days. Fortunately, Lord Gu had been generous, telling them that all expenses would be reimbursed as long as they completed the mission. Ling Qingxiao had won a considerable sum at the gambling house, but Luo Han had been too focused on acquiring the Demon-Sealing Stone to collect any winnings. Instead, Ye Zinan had discreetly pocketed quite a bit before they left.
Luo Han considered Ye Zinan her true partner-in-crime. When it came to managing finances, it was clearly up to the two of them.
With money to spare, Luo Han had indulged herself, purchasing multiple outfits in Da Ming City so that she could rotate them. The last thing she wanted was for the demon clan to recognize her based on her clothing.
Today, she wore a flowing lilac dress, while Ling Qingxiao was dressed in deep violet. The two of them walked toward the pleasure house together. The moment they approached, the welcoming demon women widened their eyes in surprise.
“Are the two of you here to enjoy the establishment?”
Wearing a mask inside would only make them stand out more, so Ling Qingxiao and Luo Han had simply disguised themselves with minimal alterations. Their striking appearances, however, made them instant head-turners.
Excited, the demon women swarmed toward them. Even from the upper floors, handkerchiefs fluttered as people called out:
“Honored guests, I am skilled in music! I await you on the second floor!”
“Don’t be deceived! I am the best singer and dancer here!”
Standing in this environment, Ling Qingxiao was visibly uncomfortable. He instantly created a thin layer of ice around himself, forming a barrier to ward off the hands reaching for him from all directions. His voice was concise and firm.
“A private room. We’ll watch the performances from the main hall. No additional services.”
The demon woman who had spoken earlier pouted in disappointment. She batted her lashes at Ling Qingxiao, her voice dripping with honey.
“Are you sure you don’t want to request a few beauties to accompany you? We have demon beauties, celestial beauties, and even mortal ones. If you wish, you may even choose me.”
“No need.” Ling Qingxiao’s tone remained indifferent, his face as cold as ever.
He turned to look at Luo Han—only to find her completely enthralled by a group of demon women, happily reaching out to touch their ears and tails.
Luo Han had finally gotten the chance to touch a real, moving beast’s ear. When they had rented their courtyard, she had been dying to pet the fox-woman’s tail, but she hadn’t known her well enough to make such a request.
Now, she was surrounded by a dazzling array of beautiful demon ladies, and she couldn’t resist. She timidly asked if she could touch their ears, and the demon women immediately agreed.
One of them, a nine-tailed fox, even transformed her lush, pristine tails and draped them in front of Luo Han.
Luo Han was practically floating with joy. She reached out and gently stroked the tail—it was soft and fluffy, and it twitched slightly beneath her touch.
The fox demon giggled, covering her mouth as she said, “Miss, you can be bolder. You may use more force if you wish.”
…That sounded oddly suggestive.
Luo Han murmured something about being too embarrassed, but her hands betrayed her as she reached out again.
However, just as her fingers were about to make contact, an icy barrier abruptly formed between her and the fox tail.
Luo Han turned back—Ling Qingxiao stood there, his face impassive, neither pleased nor angry. He simply watched her in silence.
The pleasure house’s dim, ambiguous lighting cast his pale features in an even starker contrast. His dark eyes, sharp as ice and clear as jade, bore into her.
He hadn’t said a word, but Luo Han could feel it—he was furious.
Reluctantly, she withdrew her hand, giving the demon women a wistful farewell.
One of them, noticing this shift, flashed a knowing smile and said, “Miss, our pleasure house welcomes all guests, regardless of gender. Some of our finest ladies enjoy entertaining female patrons the most. Of course, if you prefer male attendants, we have those as well. Would you like to request a few to keep you company?”
Luo Han’s eyes lit up. “We can order them?”
“No,” Ling Qingxiao interrupted coldly, cutting off the hostess mid-sentence. He grabbed Luo Han’s wrist and led her inside. “It’s getting late. Let’s not waste time.”
Luo Han was caught off guard as she was pulled away. The ladies behind her called out sweetly, waving, “Little sister, come play with us later!”
What kind of paradise was this? Sitting in the private room, Luo Han sighed deeply, full of regret.
Ling Qingxiao had been holding back since they stepped through the door. Now, seeing Luo Han still gazing longingly at the entrance, completely lost in thought, he didn’t know whether to be angry or exasperated. He finally coughed lightly, forcefully reminding her of his presence.
Luo Han snapped back to reality and saw Ling Qingxiao sitting upright, his posture impeccable. Even in foreign attire, he still carried the refined air of an immortal, as if he were giving a lecture at a celestial sect’s grand assembly.
He looked good—really good. But his personal life was so dull.
With a sigh, Luo Han reluctantly looked away. “What’s wrong?”
“This is...a place of indulgence. You should keep your distance from others and remain vigilant. Otherwise, if someone sees, it could damage your reputation.”
Luo Han thought, We’re already sitting in a brothel—what reputation is there to protect? But out of consideration for Ling Qingxiao, this ancient relic of a man, she nodded solemnly. “You’re right. Absolutely right.”
Resigned, Luo Han leaned against the table and watched the performance through the beaded curtain. The private rooms here were designed much like those at auction houses: from inside, they had a clear view of the main floor, but those outside couldn’t see in.
Fortunately, the demons they were tailing weren’t picky. For convenience, they had seated themselves in the main hall. From her vantage point, Luo Han could observe their every move.
That was the difference between auction houses and brothels. The former valued safety—the higher the floor, the higher the status—while brothels sold beauty, making the seats closest to the stage the most expensive.
On stage, a group of white-winged feather demons danced gracefully. Their figures were slender, their wings pristine, their appearances as ethereal as celestial beings—yet their expressions carried an irresistible allure. No wonder their performances were the most sought after in such places.
Luo Han couldn’t help but applaud. “Beautiful. Truly stunning.”
Ling Qingxiao, however, remained indifferent. No matter what Luo Han said, he never so much as glanced at the stage. He simply drank his tea, unmoved.
If not for the mission, Ling Qingxiao would never have brought Luo Han to a place like this. The decadent music, the extravagant pleasures—this was no place for a fledgling to witness.
The feather demons’ performance concluded, and as they gracefully exited the stage, the music suddenly changed. A new troupe stepped up, their dance even bolder and more provocative.
This time, both men and women performed—each one seductive, their every movement laced with invitation. More alarmingly, they undressed as they danced.
Luo Han hesitated, torn between curiosity and embarrassment. “Uh...isn’t this a bit much?”
She hadn’t even finished speaking when a pair of hands suddenly covered her eyes.
Just as she was getting into it, a bucket of cold water was dumped over her enthusiasm. Luo Han furiously pried at the hands blocking her sight. “Let go! I paid for this—why can’t I watch?”
Ling Qingxiao, sitting across the table, had reached out to cover her eyes. As Luo Han struggled to push his hand away, she suddenly felt something cool brush against her lips.
She froze.
Ling Qingxiao’s fingertip was pressed lightly against her lips, signaling her to stay quiet. “Don’t make a sound. They’re on the move.”