Chapter 81

When Luo Han said “nineteen,” she felt physically unwell. As she flew toward Fusang Island, she muttered, “Is this what they call an old cucumber painted green—pretending to be young?”
Ling Qingxiao glanced at her mildly but said nothing.
Fusang Island was located deep in the South Sea. Even at their speed, it took them a long time to reach it. Just as they neared the waters surrounding the island, they suddenly heard the sounds of battle.
They exchanged a look and simultaneously concealed their presence, carefully approaching the island.
After the incident on Huaiyin Island, the Heavenly Palace had sent support to Fusang Island. But the sea was harder to defend than land. The demon race had been lurking nearby for days, and today, they launched a surprise attack when defenses were weak.
Fusang Island was an archipelago, with many outer islets encircling a central main island. The main island was bathed in sunlight, covered in flowers, and its buildings were small and elegant. Now, however, Demon Lord Gong Jin was leading another raid. The island quickly raised the alarm and organized a defense. Fortunately, the island’s protective barrier had been active around the clock, and for now, the main island remained safe.
Gong Jin moved unpredictably across the water, attacking relentlessly. At first, disciples held off the assault from the surrounding islets, but they were forced to retreat to the inner island, and finally to the main island’s formation barrier.
The chief disciple, carrying his sword, ran up to a middle-aged man and said urgently, “Sect Master, the demons are too strong. We can’t hold them off—what should we do?”
The Fusang Island Sect Master looked grim. “How many did they send?”
“One Demon Lord, over ten high-ranked demon generals, more than thirty mid-ranked ones, and we didn’t even get a count of the lower-ranked.”
A Demon Lord was equivalent to a True Immortal, and high-ranked generals were equivalent to upper-tier Celestial Immortals—formidable enemies. Celestial Immortals were the backbone of any sect’s strength. Though Fusang Island had many disciples, few reached that level.
Even a single level’s difference among Celestial Immortals was deadly—let alone a whole horde. The Sect Master’s expression darkened. At that moment, a loud boom echoed from the barrier, shaking buildings on the island.
“Sect Master!” More disciples were falling. The chief disciple anxiously looked at him.
The Sect Master clenched his teeth. “Where is the Devourer Beast?”
“Still in the barrier on Fusang Island.”
“Quickly. Take a team of senior brothers and protect the Devourer Beast. Without my order, no one is to remove it. I’ve already sent a message to the Heavenly Palace. Reinforcements should be on the way. We just need to hold on until they arrive.”
The chief disciple stiffened, cupped his fists, and said solemnly, “Understood!”
The chief disciple led a team of senior brothers away, while the head of Fusang Island strode out of the main hall and saw the demons fiercely attacking the barrier overhead. Though the island's protective formation had been passed down for generations, it could not endure this level of sustained assault.
The Sect Master’s expression was grave. His cultivation had stagnated in recent years, but he had remained at the True Immortal level for a long time. Perhaps he could attempt to face Gong Jin directly.
He gathered force in his palm and struck with full strength. Gong Jin saw this and sneered with disdain.
The Demon Lord didn’t even bother to assume a proper stance—he simply flicked his hand, releasing a casual move: the Demonic Thunder Palm. Their powers collided in mid-air, holding for a few moments, then Gong Jin suddenly increased his strength. The black demonic energy surged forward, and the Sect Master was overwhelmed, spitting out blood on the spot.
“Master—!” disciples cried out in alarm, rushing forward, only to be halted by the Sect Master’s stern shout: “Support the barrier properly. Do not retreat!”
Gong Jin had lost patience for this cat-and-mouse game. He stretched out his hand, fingers curled into a claw, gathering dark demonic energy in his palm before hurling it toward the protective barrier.
The magic radiated a terrifying pressure. Fusang Island’s disciples froze helplessly as the wave of energy approached. Just as it was about to crash into the barrier, a blinding light suddenly flared above them, intercepting the demonic force. The two powers clashed for a moment before the dark energy was abruptly forced back.
This turn of events was completely unexpected. Both immortals and demons turned in shock. On the sea beyond the main island stood two white-robed figures side by side. Their narrow sleeves and fitted robes were not typical of the Tianqi era, but rather accentuated their tall statures and otherworldly presence.
Gong Jin recognized them immediately, his eyes narrowing: “You two? You're still alive?”
Ling Qingxiao couldn’t be bothered to exchange words. He drew his sword and attacked without a word. Gong Jin still vividly remembered the thunder strike from a month ago. At the time, Ling Qingxiao had only been a low-rank Celestial Immortal. That was a rare talent for someone so young, yes, but in front of a Demon Lord like Gong Jin, a mere low-rank Celestial Immortal wasn’t worth his notice.
Gong Jin curled his lip in contempt and casually slapped out a palm strike—he didn’t even bother using full strength.
So arrogant. This brat had been seriously injured by him just a month ago, and now he dared show his face again?
As that thought flashed through Gong Jin’s mind, a flicker of doubt emerged. He hadn't held back during their last encounter. Even the physically toughest dragons wouldn’t have survived unscathed. How had Ling Qingxiao recovered so quickly?
Before he could figure it out, Ling Qingxiao’s sword was already upon him. At first clash, Gong Jin immediately sensed something was wrong.
This wasn’t the strength of a low-rank Celestial Immortal at all. He looked again, and only then did he realize Ling Qingxiao was actually a solid high-rank Celestial Immortal.
Gong Jin was stunned. Impossible—how had he risen two entire tiers in just a month? Not only that, but his swordsmanship had also grown significantly. He didn’t fight like a one-thousand-year-old youth at all—he fought like a battle-hardened warrior.
Each move only deepened Gong Jin’s shock and growing unease.
After a few more exchanges, Gong Jin leapt backward, putting distance between them. His earlier dismissiveness was now completely gone. Watching Ling Qingxiao warily, Gong Jin summoned his life-bound weapon with a dark expression.
This meant he now saw Ling Qingxiao as a real threat—and was going to fight seriously.
His subordinates were all stunned. What was going on? They hadn’t been able to see the nuances of the fight, but one thing was clear: their Demon Lord was a full level above this man, and yet he had summoned his life-bound weapon. Why?
Even the disciples inside the barrier were confused. They whispered to each other in hushed tones. One younger disciple asked, “Who are they? Why did they suddenly show up?”
The Sect Master, pressing a hand to his chest, slowly shook his head. These two had descended from the sky, their appearances stunning. The Sect Master couldn’t even tell if they were friends or foes.
Though Gong Jin now treated Ling Qingxiao as an opponent, a Demon Lord was still fundamentally more powerful than a Celestial Immortal. He wasn’t overly worried. Holding his weapon, Gong Jin laughed wildly: “Looks like you gained some incredible fortune this past month. But it’s useless. You’re still just a little True Immortal. You think you’re worthy of challenging me?”
Ling Qingxiao had slain too many demons to care about pre-battle trash talk. If his opponent were a Golden Immortal, he might not stand a chance—but demons? That was another matter.
He had killed a demon god with his own hands. The difference between Demon Lord and Celestial Immortal meant nothing to him.
He had committed worse heresies already—what was one more?
Though he hadn’t done it alone—he’d had the support of the God-Slaying Formation, Heavenly Thunder, and a severely weakened demon god—the experience had refined his sword intent to a whole new level.
His sword intent was to slay demons—and slay gods.
Without a word, Ling Qingxiao raised his sword and charged forward like a streak of light. The other demons were stunned to see their Demon Lord not only fail to kill the intruder instantly, but actually being pushed back. They were shocked.
Some of them noticed the woman standing quietly in the back. They exchanged glances, then began to close in on Luo Han.
A woman, and a beautiful one at that—clearly just a decorative flower. Perfect hostage material.
Luo Han raised a brow as they slowly encircled her and kindly warned, “You really want to fight me? I suggest you don’t.”
“Get her!” a demon general snarled. “Don’t fall for her tricks. She hasn’t made a move all this time—she must be weak. Everyone, get her together!”
Luo Han sighed. “I did try to warn you.”
A sudden gust of wind swept through the sky. A faint golden rune appeared beneath Luo Han’s feet, exuding an ancient and boundless aura of law.
Several nearby demons failed to react in time and were instantly shredded into pieces by the forceful wind. The remaining demons realized something was wrong and immediately turned to flee.
“I gave you the chance to run earlier, and now it’s too late.” Luo Han didn’t move from her spot. Her hands slowly traced a pattern in the air, drawing a strand of violet lightning from her palm. She released bolts of heavenly thunder in all directions. The demons struck by the lightning screamed and turned to black smoke. In mere moments, the sea that had been swarming with enemies was reduced to a few smoldering ashes.
Easy. Luo Han casually withdrew her hands.
She realized that "devouring the dark" was indeed far more efficient than slowly cultivating on her own. No wonder predators sat atop the food chain—absorbing another’s energy was simply faster than accumulating your own.
When the demon god perished, Luo Han had been nearby and had taken the chance to absorb a bit of his divine power. Just a tiny bit—after all, there had been many others around and she couldn’t be too obvious. But even that small amount had significantly boosted her own divine energy.
It was true—devouring others was a shortcut to power.
Luo Han had just finished when, moments later, Ling Qingxiao drove his sword through Gong Jin the Demon Lord. Gong Jin stared at Ling Qingxiao in disbelief, as if he couldn’t accept that he had died at the hands of the very man he had easily defeated a month ago.
But no amount of unwillingness could change the result. Gong Jin’s form exploded into particles and vanished. Inside the protective formation, the onlookers were all dumbfounded. They watched these two descend like divine saviors, cutting down enemies like wheat, fighting ten to one, even killing above their level.
Not even storytellers would dare exaggerate like this. If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, they’d have assumed it was pure fantasy.
The sect master, followed by his personal disciples, emerged from the island’s protective formation. When Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao saw him approach, they both put away their weapons. The two landed before the sect master. Ling Qingxiao, standing at a courteous yet firm distance, cupped his hands and greeted him. “You must be the master of Fusang Island? I am Ling Qingxiao. We’ve come to retrieve the Devourer Beast.”
Devourer Beast...The sect master’s expression grew wary. “We are under orders from the Celestial Palace to protect the Devourer Beast. May I ask where the two of you come from, and whether you have any credentials from the Celestial Palace?”
“We do,” Luo Han quickly replied, bowing her head to search through her storage ring. Thank heavens, she could finally use her magical tools again. But it had been so long since she used her ring, she couldn’t remember where she’d put anything.
Before she could find it, Ling Qingxiao had already produced a white jade token and calmly held it up in front of the sect master. “This is a Celestial Palace token. If you doubt it, you are free to confirm it with the Celestial Bureau. It won’t take more than a question.”
Luo Han, still rummaging unsuccessfully, could only nod in agreement. “Yes, that’s the one.”
Strange. How had Ling Qingxiao produced his token so easily while hers had vanished? He had lived five hundred years longer than she had!
The sect master took the token to verify it. Luo Han leaned toward Ling Qingxiao and whispered, “Have you seen my token? I can’t find it anywhere.”
Ling Qingxiao sighed. “I told you to organize your storage space. That token has always been in your possession. I haven’t touched it.”
“I did organize it,” Luo Han said, aggrieved. “But come on, it’s been so many years—who could remember what they put where?”
Ling Qingxiao clearly could. He sighed again and said, “Don’t move. When we get back, I’ll help you sort it out.”
“Okay!” Luo Han agreed instantly. Then, recalling something, she asked, “Do you feel ready to advance?”
Back in the ancient era, Ling Qingxiao’s cultivation had been suppressed, and he’d been unable to ascend. But now that they were back in Tianqi, the heavenly thunder could respond again. Theoretically, he should be able to undergo his ascension tribulation.
“No,” Ling Qingxiao shook his head. “The time hasn’t come. I still need to accumulate more.”
Luo Han hummed in acknowledgment and comforted him. “No worries. Just wait a few more years, and you’ll be ascending in no time.”
The sect master returned after confirming the token’s authenticity. Just as he approached, he overheard this exchange. He froze on the spot, momentarily questioning everything he knew.
Ascension to True Immortal...was not cabbage on the roadside! Could they please not speak of such terrifying matters so casually?
Seeing the sect master arrive, Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao immediately quieted. The sect master recovered from his shock, walked over, and bowed respectfully. “So it’s Second Young Master Ling and Miss Luo. The Devourer Beast is safe and sound. Please, follow me.”
They both returned the gesture and replied, “Master, you’re too kind. Thank you for your protection.”
Following the sect master, they made their way into Fusang Island and toward the island at the center of the lake. The buildings on Fusang were quaint and refined, brightly colored, exuding a unique coastal charm. Luo Han hadn’t quite felt it during the fight on the water, but now, walking through the beautiful structures, she finally felt it—
They were really back in the Tianqi era.
The heart of the island was shaded by an enormous tree. The sect master performed a spell, and the dense branches parted, revealing a path. Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao walked beneath its canopy and stepped onto the central island.
Luo Han glanced up at the massive tree, guessing that this must be the divine tree of Fusang that the legends spoke of. No wonder the sect master had hidden the Devourer Beast here—with the divine tree’s protection, even demons wouldn’t easily breach it.
Then she remembered the Devourer Beast’s habit of chewing everything in sight and was immediately filled with dread.
This tree looked like the island’s most sacred treasure. If that beast had so much as nibbled on it, she’d never be able to repay the damage.
Sure enough, as they approached, she saw the Devourer Beast gleefully gnawing on various plants. Over a dozen disciples were guarding it, eyes glued to its every move, terrified it would bite into the divine tree’s roots the moment they looked away.
Luo Han’s eye twitched. She immediately shouted, “Devourer Beast!”
The beast, chomping happily, suddenly froze upon hearing a familiar voice. Its entire aura deflated. It slowly turned around with obvious reluctance and let out a soft bleat at Luo Han.
“Baa—”
The disciples: “?”
Wait. The Devourer Beast...makes that sound?
Luo Han’s face darkened. So much for all those years she’d spent missing this thing. Clearly, it hadn’t missed her at all.
Under Luo Han’s death-glare-like gaze, the Devourer Beast da-da-da trotted over to her side, its movements bashful and extremely reluctant. The sect master, seeing such a docile Devourer Beast for the first time, was stunned: “The Devourer Beast...actually listens to Miss Luo?”
“It’s greedy and playful, but its temperament is fairly obedient,” Luo Han said with an awkward smile. “Thank you for taking care of it all this time.”
Obedient? Everyone present, aside from Ling Qingxiao, showed a look of utter confusion. Had their definition of obedient been wrong all along…?
The sect master expressed his gratitude to Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao for saving them earlier and warmly invited them to stay on Fusang Island for a few more days, so they could properly fulfill their role as hosts. Ling Qingxiao, however, had no intention of lingering, and politely declined: “Thank you, Sect Master, for your kindness. But there are many matters awaiting us at the Celestial Palace. We must return to Sanqing Heaven as soon as possible to report back. Forgive us for declining your hospitality.”
The sect master sighed in regret, though he wasn’t disappointed. He had lived a long life, and this was the first time he had ever seen someone who could counter-kill a Demon Lord while still only a Celestial Immortal. These two were clearly top-tier elites of the Celestial Palace—how could they possibly care for this remote corner of the world?
“I have lived quietly in seclusion for many years and have not had the honor of seeing His Majesty. May Second Young Master Ling kindly convey my regards to His Majesty and the other True Lords.”
While Ling Qingxiao was exchanging formalities with the sect master, Luo Han had taken her eyes off the Devourer Beast—and it had already started munching again. Luo Han’s eyes widened, and she quietly slipped over, trying to pry open the beast’s mouth. “What did you eat? Spit it out—”
The commotion naturally drew the attention of everyone nearby. Luo Han suddenly realized that things had gone quiet. When she turned her head, she found everyone was staring at her.
Awkwardly, she hugged the Devourer Beast and said, “It’s...rather playful. I think it accidentally ate a root from the Fusang Divine Tree. I’ll have it spit it out right away…”
The girl was dressed in white, startlingly beautiful. Her eyes were wide, and her expression matched the Devourer Beast beside her almost exactly.
Ling Qingxiao suddenly found it funny and chuckled. With a faint smile, he said to the sect master, “Thank you for watching over the Devourer Beast these past days. Please prepare a ledger of all expenses during its stay here. I’ll cover the cost.”
“There’s no need,” the sect master waved it off. “You’re too courteous, Second Young Master Ling. The Celestial Palace already compensated us earlier. I wouldn’t dare accept anything more. Besides, the divine tree’s roots need regular pruning anyway. If the Devourer Beast nibbled one or two, it’s not a big deal.”
Luo Han quietly sighed in relief. Thank goodness—it wasn’t a disaster. As she gently patted the beast’s head, the Devourer Beast immediately froze in place. Taking advantage of the moment, Luo Han discreetly cast a rejuvenation spell on the divine tree’s roots when no one was looking.
Although the tree was carefully tended by experts, it was quite old and had accumulated many parasites. Her spell not only restored vitality but helped clear out those pests as well.
Just as Ling Qingxiao and the sect master wrapped up their conversation, reinforcements from the Celestial Palace arrived. Star Lord Tianyu had already learned of Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao’s return on the way there and was still a little surprised when he finally saw them in person.
Since they were in the presence of Fusang Sect, Tianyu didn’t say much. After exchanging a few formalities with the sect master, he promptly gathered everyone onto the ship to return to the Celestial Palace.
Over the past month, the Celestial Palace had been trying everything to relocate the Devourer Beast. Unfortunately, the creature had a terrible temper—it could flip personalities in an instant and refused to recognize anyone. With no other option, the Celestial Palace provided subsidies to Fusang Island to temporarily house the beast while they sought other solutions. They never expected that before a resolution could be reached, Star Lord Tianyu would find two familiar faces on the island.
With Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao back, the Devourer Beast instantly changed demeanor and obediently followed them home. Aboard the flying vessel, Star Lord Tianyu watched the once-unruly creature now behaving like a docile lamb and resisted the urge to bring up past grievances. Instead, he asked, “Where have you two been for the past month?”
They had already agreed on their explanation during the journey. They couldn’t publicly speak about traveling to the ancient past, so they had to come up with something plausible. Luo Han vaguely replied, “That day, we were struck by heavenly lightning and ended up in a strange place—completely different from the outside world. We searched for a long time before finding a way out. But by the time we did, a month had already passed.”
She hadn’t lied—just omitted the truth. Star Lord Tianyu naturally interpreted her “strange place” as a secret realm. The South Sea had once been an ancient battleground, and fragments of mysterious realms weren’t unusual. It was perfectly reasonable to assume they had stumbled into one.
Secret realms were considered private opportunities—nobody, not even close elders, would probe too deeply. Tianyu left it at that and nodded. “As long as you’re back safe, that’s what matters.”
He turned to Ling Qingxiao and offered a subtle smile. “Congratulations on your advancement.”
Ling Qingxiao nodded slightly. “Thank you, Star Lord.”
No one brought up the matter again. Tianyu didn’t press, and neither Luo Han nor Ling Qingxiao volunteered more information. It was as if Qingxiao’s sudden two-level jump and Luo Han’s changed aura were just side effects of a chance encounter in a secret realm.
Their return trip required no stops, and the flying vessel traveled fast. In the blink of an eye, half a month passed, and they arrived at Sanqing Heaven.
As they approached again, Luo Han looked up at the majestic South Heaven Gate and felt a deep surge of emotion.
To her, this place had still been a desolate wasteland not long ago. In the blink of an eye, it had transformed completely.
Star Lord Tianyu was eager to report to the Emperor. He asked, “His Majesty has already inquired several times. Now that the Devourer Beast is finally back, which of you will come with me to deliver the report?”
Luo Han immediately took a step back. Without needing to say anything, Tianyu pointed, “Perfect. Ling Qingxiao, you come with me.”
He walked a few paces before realizing Ling Qingxiao hadn’t followed. Turning back, he saw the two still standing in the misty clouds, gazing at each other.
Ling Qingxiao had always refused any situation that required him to leave Luo Han alone. She gave him a look, subtly signaling, “This is the South Heaven Gate—what could possibly happen? Go on. It wouldn’t be good to keep the Emperor waiting.”
She might as well have sworn an oath to the heavens. Only then did Ling Qingxiao reluctantly agree. Star Lord Tianyu gave them a curious glance but didn’t press further. The Emperor’s summons could not be delayed, so Tianyu quickly led Ling Qingxiao away.
Luo Han stood alone before the South Heaven Gate, glancing around. She couldn’t help but admit the stark contrast between a prosperous era and a time of chaos. Her mood gradually lightened, and she strolled casually, intending to take a look around the Celestial Palace.
It was as if through the towering buildings, she could see distant old friends and wonder what they’d been up to over the years.
As she wandered leisurely, Luo Han didn’t notice that many people were secretly observing her—after all, she had grown used to being watched during the ancient times. She took only a few steps when a shocked voice suddenly rang out beside her.
“Miss Luo?”
Luo Han turned around. Yi Huaxuan stared at her in stunned silence, completely at a loss for words: “You…”
What about her? Luo Han touched her own face and belatedly realized—she wasn’t wearing a veil.
This was the first time she appeared in the Tianqi era with her true face.
Yi Huaxuan had known Luo Han since the time at the Western Sea and was well aware of her incredible spiritual control. But he had never imagined that, aside from her skills, her appearance would be equally astonishing.
Luo Han hadn’t expected to run into an acquaintance so soon. They had briefly cooperated during the events at Western Sea—enough to be called casual acquaintances. Out of politeness, she asked, “Young Master Yi? What brings you here?”
“Lord Gu Xing returned to the Celestial Palace to report in, and I thought I’d take the opportunity to pay respects to His Majesty, so I came along.”
Luo Han nodded in understanding. Yi Huaxuan shared a surname and clan with the Celestial Emperor and seemed to enjoy his trust. That kind of relationship was certainly no trivial matter—coming to the palace was probably no different from returning home for him.
Luo Han prepared to take her leave and said politely, “I see. You likely have more pressing matters, then. In that case—”
Before she could finish, another voice, even more shocked, rang out from behind: “Luo Han?!”
She turned her head to see Zou Jibai, who, upon seeing her face, nearly had a heart attack on the spot. “Heavens, I must still be dreaming.”