Chapter 60

A strange gust of wind blew through the courtyard. Luo Han pressed down her flying hair and spoke to Star Lord Tianyu: “The situation back then was probably like this. When Ling Qingxiao made his move, it was in front of everyone. I didn’t ask Star Lord to do anything, just wanted to tell you the truth. If anything spreads in the future, you’ll be prepared.”
Luo Han added no personal emotions or speculations; she simply replayed the scene as it had happened, narrating objectively and without bias. She finished her words, leaving the judgment of right or wrong to Star Lord Tianyu.
Star Lord Tianyu understood, realizing that while Ling Zhongyu acted in the shadows, Ling Qingxiao struck openly in front of everyone. If someone were to make a big deal out of it, there were many opportunities to exploit. His expression grew serious as he said, “Don’t worry, I’ll have someone investigate this thoroughly. Attacking one’s own sect in battle is a great taboo. If this is true, the Tianshu Academy will not let it slide.”
Luo Han let out a breath of relief and sincerely thanked him, “Thank you, Star Lord.”
With the matter settled, it was time for Star Lord Tianyu to leave. Luo Han saw him to the door, and as they stood there, Star Lord Tianyu instructed, “Huaiyin Island is remote, and the trip there and back will take considerable time. This was originally part of the Tianshu Academy’s responsibilities, but it falls to you two juniors now. You’ve both worked hard.”
“Star Lord is too kind,” Luo Han replied. “The Devourer Beast was originally in the Western Sea. I took it upon myself to bring it out. Since I brought it out, I should take responsibility for its actions. I’ve never been to the Southern Sea Islands. This time, being able to go with the Tianshu Academy to Huaiyin Island is thanks to your favor. Along the way, we’ll need your help to look after us.”
Luo Han’s words were very well-spoken. Star Lord Tianyu knew she was being polite, but hearing it still made him feel good. A clever and perceptive girl like her was indeed hard not to like.
Seeing this, Luo Han casually asked, “Star Lord, after we retrieve the Demon-Suppressing Stone, what will happen to the Devourer Beast?”
This question had also been discussed within the Tianshu Academy. Star Lord Tianyu pondered for a moment and quietly shared some information with Luo Han: “The Devourer Beast was originally confined in the Western Sea by Ming Wu Xianzun because of its rampant destruction in the Immortal Realm. Space arrays were set up to contain it. However, the Devourer Beast isn’t anyone’s personal property, and it’s not a prisoner. In principle, it is free to go wherever, as long as it doesn’t cause trouble or disrupt the order of the heavens. The Dao Lords will turn a blind eye to it.”
Ming Wu Xianzun was the same as Ming Wu Emperor, the one who had confined the Devourer Beast to the Western Sea. He was also the creator of the space arrays. Ming Wu Emperor was of the Dragon Clan, and having reached the Grand Supreme Immortal level, he was revered by later generations as Ming Wu Xianzun.
Luo Han understood. She could take the Devourer Beast, but she had to ensure it didn’t cause trouble or damage the Immortal Realm. It would likely need to report its whereabouts to the heavens regularly. These were not unreasonable demands, so Luo Han agreed, “Alright, I understand. I’ll take good care of the Devourer Beast and make sure it doesn’t go anywhere dangerous.”
Star Lord Tianyu nodded. Both of them silently agreed on the terms.
The Devourer Beast had always been a problem in the Immortal Realm. It was the descendant of the divine beast Taotie—too strong to kill, but impossible to subdue. The only solution had been to lock it away in the sea, stalling for time.
But time was not a solution. As the Devourer Beast grew more resentful from being imprisoned in the Western Sea, it began to destroy the surroundings with even greater intensity. Eventually, the Western Sea would no longer be able to contain it.
When it regained its freedom, it would cause irreparable damage to the heavens. The Immortal Realm had been troubled by this for a long time, and they hadn’t expected that the Devourer Beast had seemingly turned around, becoming obedient to Luo Han.
This was truly the best outcome. While the Devourer Beast still couldn’t resist gnawing on anything it could find, compared to the anticipated losses calculated by the Tianshu Academy, the damage was negligible. As long as the Devourer Beast remained in this state, it was fine for Luo Han to take it.
With the conversation finished, Luo Han bade farewell to Star Lord Tianyu. As he left, Star Lord Tianyu instructed, “Five days from now, someone will come to pick you up. This mission involves the Demon-Suppressing Stone, so it must remain confidential. We shouldn’t have too many people involved, so only you and Ling Qingxiao will go. Be careful on your journey.”
“Understood,” Luo Han replied with a smile, “Thank you, Star Lord. Safe travels.”
After Luo Han saw off Star Lord Tianyu, she had just returned to sit down when Ling Qingxiao walked in.
Luo Han was surprised, “Why are you back? I thought you’d be a while longer.”
“Just some questioning, it didn’t take that long.” Ling Qingxiao noticed the tea on the table and asked, “Did Star Lord Tianyu just leave?”
The tea was still steaming, so it was clear that Star Lord Tianyu had not been gone long. Luo Han hadn’t expected Ling Qingxiao to deduce so many details from such a brief moment. She nodded, “Yes, I just saw him off. I guess you two weren’t heading in the same direction, so you must have missed each other.”
Ling Qingxiao looked at the remaining tea, likely able to deduce how long Luo Han had spoken with Star Lord Tianyu. She had deliberately avoided speaking to him about Star Lord Tianyu, most likely because of the matters concerning him and Ling Zhongyu.
Luo Han didn’t notice what Ling Qingxiao was thinking. She casually asked, "What about you? What did you talk about with the Celestial Emperor? What’s the Jade Qing Palace like?"
"The Celestial Emperor asked about the Demon-Sealing Stone," Ling Qingxiao replied as he poured himself a cup of tea. When he set it down, a few drops of water accidentally fell. Luo Han was about to find something to wipe it up with, but before she could, Ling Qingxiao’s fingertip quickly traced the character "Jue" in the air with the water droplets.
"Abyss? What does that mean?" Luo Han suddenly realized. Could it be that Ling Qingxiao was referring to the Abyss of Absolute Spirits?
A sudden light flashed in her mind, and she quickly understood. Aside from asking about the Demon-Sealing Stone, the Celestial Emperor must have also discovered that Ling Qingxiao had been to the Divine Realm. That made sense—Ling Qingxiao’s dragon core was incomplete, something that ordinary people couldn’t detect, but the Celestial Emperor, having reached the pinnacle of cultivation, would certainly notice.
Does this mean that the Celestial Emperor can sense the presence of the gods? Luo Han’s heart skipped a beat, and she grew nervous. It was wise that she hadn’t gone with them today. Although she knew that the Celestial Dao and the Celestial Emperor had a cooperative relationship, she wasn’t bold enough to take risks when the power disparity was so great.
Ling Qingxiao quickly wiped the water droplets dry as he wrote the character, and in an instant, the wet mark was gone. Luo Han understood that they were in the Sanqing Heaven, and some things were not convenient to say, especially when it involved the Celestial Emperor. She nodded and said, "That’s good. These matters are dangerous, so we should be careful in the future."
Her words were somewhat vague, hinting at something else. Ling Qingxiao saw that she understood and reassured her, "It’s fine, no need to worry. His Majesty is benevolent and broad-minded; he will handle this well."
Ling Qingxiao’s intention was simply to remind Luo Han. After all, the Celestial Emperor knew about the lingering remnants, and it was possible that he could also figure out Luo Han’s identity. Luo Han didn’t want her true nature exposed, so Ling Qingxiao had given her a heads-up. But as for whether the Celestial Emperor would act against her, it wasn’t likely.
As the supreme being of the Celestial Realm, the Celestial Emperor had passed numerous trials of the heart and undergone heavenly tribulation to attain his position. He would certainly not be lacking in tolerance or foresight.
With Ling Qingxiao’s words, Luo Han felt somewhat relieved. If the Celestial Emperor had wanted to investigate, he could have easily done so the moment she entered the Sanqing Heaven. But since the Celestial Emperor had made no move, it seemed he didn’t want to dig any deeper.
Luo Han suddenly grew curious about the Celestial Realm’s system of succession. The Immortal Realm followed an imperial system, and unlike the Demon Realm, the emperor there held real power. Since it was a feudal monarchy, why didn’t the throne pass down in a hereditary manner like it did among mortals, but instead followed a system of abdication?
She asked, and Ling Qingxiao replied, "Isn’t this better? Select the virtuous and capable, without being restricted by tradition. The throne should go to the most qualified."
Ling Qingxiao’s reasoning was very much in line with the dragon race's way of thinking. Luo Han looked at him, his expression one of unquestioned certainty, and she felt like she was beginning to understand.
Yes, the capable should take the throne. The dragon race was the most ruthless with its own offspring, so in the end, only those from the dragon race could compete. They enjoyed the reputation of abdication, but with the benefits of hereditary succession, profiting both inside and out. Wasn’t that a good deal?
Ling Qingxiao was both a victim and a practitioner of this extreme form of natural selection. His hardships in the first half of his life, and the legend he would later become, were inseparable from these few words.
To the victor goes the spoils; the winner becomes king.
Luo Han felt a mix of emotions. The dragon race’s harsh educational philosophy was difficult to categorize as either good or bad. Just like Ling Qingxiao’s personality, she found it hard to define. Was it the fate of the strong, or was it a complete tragedy?
After broaching this topic, Luo Han noticeably became more somber. Ling Qingxiao, without showing any outward reaction, asked, "What’s wrong? You don’t approve of the Celestial Realm’s selection system?"
"It’s not that I don’t approve," Luo Han shook her head. "Any system that has lasted for generations must have its irreplaceable advantages. As an outsider, it’s too rash of me to pass judgment. I’m just reflecting on personal fate...but in the end, personal destiny is inseparable from the collective. Everyone has their own aspirations."
Luo Han changed the topic and asked, "I’ve heard of Yi Huaxuan in the Abyss, what is the relationship between Yi Huaxuan and the current Celestial Emperor?"
Luo Han seemed to have many thoughts but kept interrupting herself, as if she was hesitating. Was she concerned about something? Ling Qingxiao smoothly followed her lead and changed the subject, saying, "The Celestial Emperor’s surname is Yi, and he and Yi Huaxuan are from the same family. Yi Huaxuan’s great-grandfather and His Majesty share the same ancestry, making his family the closest in bloodline to His Majesty. That’s why Kunshan has always been ruled by their branch. Yi Huaxuan is the young master of Kunshan, and from the moment he was born, he became famous and attracted much attention."
It wasn’t convenient to say more in the Celestial Palace, but it was easy to infer that Ling Qingxiao was referring to Yi Huaxuan’s popularity as the unspoken heir to the throne. After all, the Celestial Emperor had no sons or daughters, and all his brothers had perished. Yi Huaxuan’s line was the closest bloodline to the Celestial Emperor, and of course, they received much attention.
Luo Han, after hearing this, suddenly said, "You’re also under a lot of attention. You caused a cosmic phenomenon when you were born, and you’re also a genius under the spotlight."
Ling Qingxiao didn’t expect Luo Han to say this. He froze for a moment before laughing softly, "That’s not the same."
"How is it not the same?" Luo Han said. "You were just replaced by someone else in identity. In reality, you’ve always been the genius, the son that Su Yifang flaunts and takes pride in. That’s always been you."
Ling Qingxiao was momentarily stunned and didn’t respond. Luo Han gently covered his hand and squeezed it tightly. "You are no worse than anyone else. You are the pride of many people, and to me, you are the best."
Just as Ye Zinan stepped out, he heard these words. His skin crawled, and he silently turned to close the door. But then, he heard Luo Han’s next words.
"You see, not long ago, we were still in Da Ming City, and now we’re sitting in the Sanqing Heaven. Life’s twists and turns are truly amazing. Star Lord Gu Xing has imparted all his knowledge to you, Star Lord Tianyu praised you endlessly, Ye Zinan sees you as the light of the Celestial Realm, and Zou Jibai even considers you his life’s goal. This is just the beginning. In the future, you will have many friends, companions, and even a partner...It’s best not to have too many partners, one is enough. The world that once rejected you, if you’re willing to try again, you’ll find that many people actually like you."
Ye Zinan was stunned. The garden was quiet, and after Luo Han finished speaking, Ling Qingxiao also fell into silence.
Luo Han remembered the first time she saw Ling Qingxiao. At that time, spells and arrows were flying everywhere, and he stood high above, cold and distant, striking fear into others. Luo Han felt that this person was heartless, desireless, with no cares or concerns. A person like that wouldn't care about anyone's opinions.
So, he was determined to start a war, determined to do what he believed was right. Luo Han thought that perhaps Ling Qingxiao was born with a heart of stone, but after traveling here, she saw with her own eyes the thousand-year-old him, injured and falling off a cliff, and how he would risk everything for the smallest kindness from others. He had nearly driven himself to the edge to gain his family's recognition, only to find that the more he struggled, the more despair he encountered, and in the end, he was abandoned.
If the Ling Qingxiao of later years was a cold iron with no weaknesses or emotions, then the Ling Qingxiao of now was a crystal, clear and fragile, appearing cold and powerful, but actually quite delicate.
He had never received the recognition of his parents, so Luo Han would tell him now: he had done well.
He would have new family and friends, loyal followers, supreme glory, and power. He deserved to never envy anyone in this world.
Ling Qingxiao seemed moved, and for a long while, there was no sound, only the wind blowing. In this quiet moment, a sudden sneeze broke the solemn atmosphere.
Ye Zinan, a little embarrassed, rubbed his nose and said, "The wind is a bit strong."
Since he had already been discovered, Ye Zinan casually walked over. With a bold face, he went to the jade table and poured himself a cup of tea. "I heard some noise outside while I was sleeping. Has someone arrived?"
The conversation had been interrupted, so Luo Han couldn't continue and had to change the subject. "Star Lord Tianyu has arrived. We are going to the South Sea in five days. After that, the courtyard will only have you two. Be careful."
Ye Zinan clicked his tongue in distaste. "I'm still sitting here, and you're already dividing us into 'you' and 'them.' What's this? Only Ling Qingxiao gets to be in your inner circle?"
"Stop with the nonsense." Luo Han shot him a glare and warned, "I'm serious with you."
"Alright, alright." Ye Zinan nodded helplessly, "I got it."
Ye Zinan really didn't care. In fact, he rather enjoyed it. Living comfortably in the Celestial Palace, why go running around? Isn't it more fun to win while lying down?
But this time, the "lying down victory" came too quickly. Ye Zinan had searched for three days in the Western Sea without finding any leads. Then, out of the blue, he received news that the task was completed, and he could prepare to leave. When he got to Da Ming City, Ye Zinan had squatted in a teahouse for three days, then went to the black market to stake out, but never saw any demonic tribe members. Somehow, the task was completed.
It was a total win without effort, and Ye Zinan felt a little guilty about it. Now that Ling Qingxiao and Luo Han were out on a mission, Ye Zinan stayed in the Celestial Palace waiting for results. Why would he refuse such a good thing?
Ye Zinan agreed cheerfully, and Ling Qingxiao, seeing this, reminded him, "The matter of the Demon-Sealing Stone must be kept secret. The Emperor has already ordered a strict investigation. We cannot let anything leak before the results are found in Yuling Palace."
"Understood." Ye Zinan quickly responded, then suddenly thought of something, "How do you know that the Emperor has already ordered a strict investigation?"
Luo Han replied softly, "Because the Emperor told him."
"..." Ye Zinan’s expression clearly went blank, and Luo Han lazily added, "While you were sleeping, the Emperor summoned him to Yuling Palace for a talk. He just returned. Oh, didn’t you know?"
Luo Han's last question was too dismissive, not even bothering to pretend. Ye Zinan was struck hard, and Ling Qingxiao, helpless, glanced at Luo Han and explained, "It's not as mysterious as it sounds. He just casually asked about it."
Ye Zinan felt even more struck inside. An invisible stab was the most fatal, and Ling Qingxiao thought he was clarifying, but for Ye Zinan, what those words implied was even more terrifying.
The Emperor casually spoke with Ling Qingxiao...Ye Zinan couldn’t help but think, had he unintentionally latched onto a very powerful person?
No, he had to maintain a good relationship with Ling Qingxiao. And everyone knew that if you pleased Luo Han, you pleased Ling Qingxiao.
Ye Zinan immediately grabbed Luo Han's hand, his eyes wide and pleading, "Luo Han, are we friends?"
Before Ye Zinan's hand could even touch Luo Han, it was struck by a burst of spiritual energy. He winced in pain and clutched his hand, only to see Ling Qingxiao sitting by, coldly watching him. "Speak properly, no need for any funny business."
"..." Ye Zinan nodded, clutching his hand. "Alright, I understand."
At that moment, another courtyard door opened, and Zou Jibai walked out yawning. "Why are you all here? I just heard you talking about something. What’s going on?"
Ye Zinan laughed awkwardly, standing up with a friendly smile. "Nothing, just a small matter. Come over, I'll tell you all about it."
If one person is in pain, it’s better for everyone to suffer together, right? The harm had to be passed on.
In the days that followed in the Sanqing Heaven, everyone could feel that Ling Qingxiao was different. At first, it was only a few officials from the Tianshuo Courtyard who noticed, but when news of the Emperor summoning Ling Qingxiao spread, even the attendants began to treat him differently.
A dragon hidden in the abyss will eventually soar to great heights.
Soon, the day of departure arrived. Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao packed their things and went together to accompany the Devourer Beast to Huaiyin Island. Luo Han inexplicably felt like a parent accompanying a child to an exam. When they reached Huaiyin Island, she and Ling Qingxiao stood outside the array, watching the Devourer Beast enter. The feeling of sending a child off to an exam grew even stronger.
Luo Han herself found the feeling strange—what kind of odd associations were these? Yet, the beast seemed nervous. After taking two steps, it suddenly stopped at the edge and refused to go any further. Luo Han had no choice but to squat down and pat its head, comforting it, "Don't be nervous. It'll be over soon, and nothing will happen."
The sense of deja vu became even more intense.
Although there was a small hiccup with the Devourer Beast, the array proceeded smoothly. Under the array's influence, the Demon-Sealing Stone began to vibrate. In the end, the beast could no longer hold back and opened its mouth to spit out a stone.
It was the Demon-Sealing Stone. When everyone saw it, they all breathed a sigh of relief. The Star Lord who controlled the main formation had been expending a lot of spiritual energy to maintain such a large array. The others, busy with controlling the formation, weren’t any better off. Now that the goal was nearly achieved, everyone relaxed. The Star Lord of the formation said, “We’re at the final stage, everyone focus and prepare to close the array.”
The Devourer Beast had been trapped in the formation for quite some time. Previously, it had been suppressed by the spatial array and instinctively hated the feeling of being bound. After spitting out the Demon-Sealing Stone, it began pawing at the ground, clearly growing impatient.
Luo Han could only comfort it, "Just a little longer, it’ll be over soon..."
Before Luo Han could finish speaking, the formation suddenly rumbled with a loud crash, drowning out her voice.
Ling Qingxiao drew his sword with a sharp "ching" sound, supporting Luo Han with one hand and using the other to block the shockwave from the formation. His expression turned sharp. "An ambush."
The others in the group shouted in alarm, "Demon race ambush, demon race ambush!" But it was already too late. Thick demonic energy suddenly shot up from the ground, coalescing into human forms in the air, attacking the formation recklessly.
The Star Lord in charge of the formation realized they had been ambushed, but he was trapped by the formation and couldn’t free himself in time. He could only use all his strength to stabilize the array and shouted, "Fools, how despicable!"
Inside the formation, the Devourer Beast could feel the fluctuations and was becoming visibly agitated. Luo Han, fearing the beast would panic and go wild, rushed to calm it down. But the demon race’s attacks grew more intense, each one aimed directly at the formation, clearly targeting the beast and the Demon-Sealing Stone inside.
Cracks soon appeared in the formation’s barrier, and Luo Han knew it wouldn’t hold much longer. She barely had time to think before the formation shook violently, and the light suddenly went out.
The Devourer Beast and the Demon-Sealing Stone were exposed to the open air. In an instant, black smoke shot toward the Demon-Sealing Stone. Luo Han instinctively wrapped her arms around the beast, while the others blocked the demons. The demons' steps were momentarily halted, and in that brief moment, Luo Han managed to grab the Demon-Sealing Stone.
Now that both the beast and the Demon-Sealing Stone were in her hands, Luo Han immediately became the focus of enemy fire. Ling Qingxiao swung his sword to block many attacks and warned, "Be careful."
"I know," Luo Han replied swiftly, summoning her spiritual energy to shield herself, retaliating against the demons with calm precision. "You be careful too."
Though the demons outnumbered them by far, Huaiyin Island was still under the control of the immortal race. They had already issued a warning, and reinforcements from other islands were likely on their way. They just needed to hold out a little longer until help arrived.
Just as Luo Han was about to strike, an overwhelming sense of pressure descended on her. She almost immediately clutched her chest, feeling her blood surge violently within.
Luo Han looked up in disbelief. A dark figure was speeding toward them across the sea. The surrounding demonic energy clearly indicated it was a Demon Lord.
The demon race had sent a Demon Lord? Demon Lords were on par with the True Immortals of the Immortal Realm—an absolute power gap. Luo Han’s body was weighed down by the pressure. Just as she was about to take out her protective treasure, the weight suddenly lightened.
"Ling Qingxiao?"
Ling Qingxiao spread his hands, creating a protective barrier, but the person who had arrived was a Demon Lord, one whose cultivation far surpassed his own. Under such overwhelming pressure, even Ling Qingxiao couldn’t hold out for long. "Run."
If it had been a Demon Warrior or Demon General, they could still fight, but a Demon Lord was a different matter entirely. In the face of such power, fighting was futile. Their only chance was to escape and survive until reinforcements arrived.
Luo Han wasted no time. She grabbed the Devourer Beast and immediately tore up the Earth Escape Talisman. They were in the Immortal Realm, and there was no need to face the Demon Lord head-on. As long as they could survive and wait for reinforcements, they would win.
However, just as the talisman ignited, demonic mist rose from the ground, snuffing out the fire on the talisman.
There was no time to escape. The Demon Lord had already arrived.