At this point, there was no need to hide anything further. Speaking out might even help them.
Song Yao propped up one leg and said with a hint of regret, “My death in the Earth Realm back then was indeed an accident. I originally intended to perish with the Great Demon of Qianhuang, and I did beat it half to death. But then I was ambushed, which is why I died rather quickly.”
“?!”
The Third Elder suspected he had misheard, unable to hide his shock. “What did you say? What did you go to do?! You went to fight the Great Demon of Qianhuang?!”
Song Yao nodded proudly. “Yes, haven’t you noticed that fewer evil demons have infiltrated the Tianshu Realm in recent years?”
This Great Demon of Qianhuang had plagued the Tianshu Realm for many years, only to be jointly suppressed into the Earth Realm by the three major sects a thousand years ago, where it was guarded by the Thousand Souls Academy.
But even with the seal in place, this demon still refused to give up, repeatedly causing anomalies to send demons from the Earth Realm into the Tianshu Realm, seeking an opportunity to rise again.
Because the Earth Realm was perilous, and the leaders of the three major sects needed to maintain a balance of power in the Tianshu Realm, they had been powerless against the Great Demon of Qianhuang, allowing it to act wantonly.
They had originally thought the reduction in rampaging demons over the years was due to the Thousand Souls Academy’s suppression, but it turned out to be because of Song Yao.
The Third Elder was suddenly filled with mixed emotions.
They had sent this mischievous child to the Earth Realm, hoping she would suffer a little, behave better, and stop causing trouble.
There were too many voices of discontent in the Tianshu Realm regarding her. If their Nine Saints Hall didn't do something, a crowd of people would rush out to condemn her.
At that point, simply sending her to the Earth Realm wouldn't have been enough.
Unexpectedly, she ended up rushing to fight the Great Demon of Qianhuang, and in turn, earned a few years of peace for the Tianshu Realm.
And then she died in the Earth Realm...
The former Hall Master wasn't the only one filled with regret.
Every single person who had vehemently demanded her severe punishment that day still couldn't sleep soundly.
Beside her, Xie Zhou gazed at her, a dark red demonic pattern flashing in his eyes before slowly receding. His entire being seemed shrouded in shadow.
His Senior Sister was always like this.
Always fearless.
The demons others dared not kill, the tough opponents others dared not provoke, the paths others dared not take—she dared them all.
She was too unrestrained and arrogantly confident.
To the point of not valuing her own life.
Yet, he couldn't be so carefree.
Her life, to him, surpassed everything in the world.
The Third Elder processed this for a while, then pulled his attention back to the main topic. “So, this Immortal Venerable could very well be the Great Demon of Qianhuang, or the one who attacked you?”
Song Yao said, “Exactly. If it’s the Great Demon of Qianhuang, it’s easier to deal with. But if it’s the person who ambushed me… I can only say I have no idea about their cultivation level.”
The Third Elder’s expression immediately grew more solemn. “If that’s truly the case, isn’t Frost City extremely dangerous? Fifth Elder, Ninth Elder, and Twelfth Elder are all in Frost City right now.”
He quickly turned and started walking back. “I’ll go tell Twelfth Elder this news first and ask about their current situation.”
Song Yao stood up as well. “I’ll ask too.”
The Third Elder immediately stopped her. “Stay put. You don’t need to get involved.”
Song Yao asked, “Why shouldn’t I get involved? Isn’t he looking for me?”
The Third Elder replied, “Precisely because he’s looking for you, you can’t get involved. It’s too dangerous.”
“I can’t even listen to the news?”
She poked his shoulder repeatedly. “Third Elder, you’re a bit too jumpy.”
The Third Elder said, “...You, show some respect to this old man, and keep your hands to yourself.”
Xie Zhou grabbed her hand, pulled it down, his eyes dark, blocking her retreat. “You can listen to the situation, but you can’t go to Frost City.”
Song Yao waved her hand. “Of course, what would I do going to Frost City for no reason? Isn’t that just asking for death? I’m definitely not going.”
Since Xie Zhou had said so, the Third Elder could only say, “Alright, come in together. I wonder if we can still contact them now.”
Not long after the transmission incense burned, the Twelfth Elder’s figure appeared in the smoke.
The Third Elder hurriedly asked, “How are things on your side? Have you seen Old Nine? And Fifth Elder, is she safe?”
The Twelfth Elder’s expression was extremely grim. Without speaking, she stepped back half a pace, revealing a bloody figure on the bed behind her.
The figure was disfigured beyond recognition, its exact appearance unclear. Only by its clothes and extremely sturdy build could it barely be identified as the Fifth Elder.
The Third Elder was horrified, his eyes turning red. “Old Five?! What happened to Old Five? How did she end up like this?!”
“The disciples stationed outside Frost City said that not long after Ninth Elder found the demon realm entrance and went in, Fifth Elder was thrown out, already in this miserable state.”
The Twelfth Elder’s face was pale, her slender brows furrowed. “I investigated carefully, and she seems to have been poisoned by some kind of demon toxin and is severely injured. I’ve already sent out requests to the nearest sects and Mingdan Pavilion, hoping to invite some medical cultivators to help, but I haven’t received a response yet.”
The Third Elder pondered for a moment. “First, find a medical cultivator to stabilize Old Five’s condition. I’ll bring a spirit vessel to take Old Five back to the sect. Returning to the sect will be safer than staying there.”
“Also, you and the other disciples should not act rashly and approach the demon realm.”
The Twelfth Elder replied, “Alright.”
Snuffing out the transmission incense, the Third Elder immediately ordered, “Xie Zhou and I will go to Frost City. You return to the Nine Saints Hall.”
Song Yao crossed her arms. “Does no one need to stay at the Beiyao Sect? Are we not going to Taiqing Pavilion?”
The compensation matters with the Beiyao Sect wouldn’t be settled completely so quickly. Before leaving, they still needed to confirm Feng Qing’s situation, lest she cause trouble again.
The matters concerning the captive and Wen Tang at Taiqing Pavilion were equally urgent.
Furthermore, the Third Elder was an artifact cultivator. Strictly speaking, he wouldn't be much help in the demon realm.
The Third Elder said, “...Then I’ll go to Frost City to deliver the spirit vessel, Xie Zhou will go to Taiqing Pavilion, and you return to the Nine Saints Hall.”
Fine.
Returning to the Nine Saints Hall was non-negotiable.
Song Yao thought for a moment. “You stay at the Beiyao Sect, Xie Zhou goes to Taiqing Pavilion, and I’ll pick up Fifth Elder on my way back to the Nine Saints Hall, wouldn’t that work?”
The Third Elder rejected the idea without hesitation.
Although this method was the most suitable, it made him completely uneasy when it came to Song Yao.
If she went to pick up someone, could she resist taking a look at the demon realm?
Could she resist giving that demon two slashes with her sword?
If she found out others were trapped in the demon realm, could she resist showing off?
Clearly, she couldn't.
Yet, Xie Zhou lowered his gaze, thought for a moment, and said, “It’s fine, let Senior Sister go.”
The Third Elder was startled and quickly pulled him aside.
After a hushed conversation, he returned and conceded, “Alright, I’ll send a few disciples to escort you on a spirit vessel back to the sect, and you can pick up Fifth Elder along the way.”
These two must be up to no good.
Sure enough, after boarding the spirit vessel, Song Yao looked at the formation barrier in the center of the vessel, which restricted entry and exit, and the several paper figures standing outside the door. She was silent for a moment.
Fine.
She really hadn't been very reliable before, so their concern was perfectly normal.
The Third Elder reassured her, “As long as you don’t wander off, this formation will automatically deactivate once you reach the Nine Saints Hall.”
Rate on N.U.
