Great Demon - Chapter 79 Part 1

Evil-Punisher Divine Lord looked at Changying’s hand hanging by her side, but he did not see the devil hun soul clenched in her grasp. Though he knew he should not ask too much, this matter concerned all Three Realms—he could not remain silent. His voice was hoarse as he asked, “May I ask, Your Divinity, have you recovered one of the Devil Lord’s hun souls?”

“I have not.” Changying cast him a cold glance, her eyes filled with an icy chill that made Evil-Punisher Divine Lord’s throat tighten, silencing any further questions before they could leave his lips.

Immortal Zhiying froze, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. “Was it… was it that person who took it?” As soon as she spoke, she pressed her lips shut, unease welling in her heart. A celestial who was never meant to fall into devilhood had not only become a devil but was now attempting to resurrect the Devil Lord—truly absurd.

Changying’s gaze was piercingly cold. Suddenly, she unleashed her divine pressure, and all the celestials present were instantly forced to bow, unable to keep their backs straight. It was as if… she intended to seal their lips.

Immortal Zhiying felt as if her throat were being strangled, unable to utter a single sound. Her teeth chattered as she clenched them. She knew she should not doubt, yet at this moment, the Divine Venerable seemed to be shielding Zhuyou.

“Your Divinity possess powers that reach the heavens. How could you fail to recover even one of the Devil Lord’s hun souls?” Evil-Punisher Divine Lord slowly parted his lips. As he spoke, a metallic taste rose in his throat, blood seeping through his pearly white teeth. Each word sent pain tearing through his organs.

Zhuyou had yet to regain her original form, and within the Three Realms, Changying’s cultivation was indeed unmatched. By all reasoning, she should not have failed to retrieve the hun soul. It was no surprise Evil-Punisher Divine Lord harbored doubts— even the surrounding heavenly soldiers lowered their gazes, their eyes flickering with apprehension. They feared the Divine Venerable had intentionally let Zhuyou go.

Changying spoke unhurriedly, “She seems to have escaped into the void. I have searched all Three Realms, yet I cannot find even a trace of her presence.”

Evil-Punisher Divine Lord’s pupils shrank sharply. “Could she have gone to Shangxi City?” He had been fortunate enough to receive orders to search Shangxi City, yet he found nothing. He did not know where Devil Lord Guanshang had hidden the devil army within the city, nor did he understand how the city had managed to avoid the heavenly thunder.

Among the hidden realms of the Three Realms, aside from the peculiarities within Shangxi City, all others were under the watchful eyes of the Nine Heavens. If even Changying could not locate Zhuyou, there was no choice but to suspect Shangxi City.

“Shall I lead troops into the city?” Evil-Punisher Divine Lord suddenly withdrew his halberd, pulling its sharp tip away from Mangfeng’s hand.

Mangfeng’s bloodied hand trembled uncontrollably, his flesh and blood mangled, his five fingers so weak they could barely even close into a fist.

“No need.” Changying asked, “Who is secretly watching over Shangxi City now?”

Evil-Punisher Divine Lord pondered for a moment before replying, “It is Goddess Puyan.”

“Order her to keep a close watch on Shangxi City. I will investigate it myself in a little while.” Changying’s expression was unreadable. She held the heavy mustard seed in her hand and added, “For now, take Mangfeng of the Dragon Clan back to the heavens.”

Evil-Punisher Divine Lord’s face darkened as he clasped his hands in acknowledgment. He suddenly lifted his halberd, and a fierce wind surged around its blood-stained tip, transforming into a gray eagle.

Though the eagle possessed some intelligence, it had yet to take on human form. It spread its wings, its sharp talons firmly gripping the halberd’s tip.

Evil-Punisher Divine Lord raised his hand to his lips and blew a sharp whistle. In the next instant, the eagle flapped its wings and shot into the sky, vanishing like smoke in a blink.

After sending the eagle to deliver his message, he lowered his gaze to Mangfeng once more. With a clench of his fingers, the fallen Mangfeng was immediately swept up by a fierce wind.

However, Mangfeng’s cultivation was far from weak. Though Evil-Punisher Divine Lord held a divine position, if Mangfeng were still serving as the East Sea Monarch, their ranks would have been equal.

Having just lost his beloved wife, his heart was heavy with sorrow. Now, being taken to the Heavenly Palace as though he were a criminal—how could he be willing? His expression turned cold as he flicked his sleeve, forcefully dispersing the divine energy Evil-Punisher Divine Lord had cast upon him.

The Evil-Punisher Divine Venerable let out a cold snort and flicked his halberd forward. A burst of chilling divine energy surged from its tip, kicking up dust within a hundred feet.

Seeing this, Mangfeng clenched his teeth and leaped into the air, raising both arms to form a hand seal. White waves, shaped like dragons, surged around him, yet despite the splashing water, not a single drop touched his robes.

The crashing waves rumbled, echoing with what sounded like a dragon’s low chant.

Just as the two seemed about to fight, Changying merely waved a hand, instantly shattering the swirling white waves around Mangfeng. The water splashed to the ground, no longer carrying even a hint of a dragon’s form. As it seeped into the earth, it was swallowed entirely.

Mangfeng’s tricks were utterly insignificant before her.

Watching the shattered waves fall, Mangfeng lowered his gaze in despair. His heartache grew more unbearable. He gritted his teeth and spat, “I have not violated any heavenly law. Evil-Punisher, how dare you treat me this way?”

Evil-Punisher Divine Lord was never one for sentiment. His voice was cold as he said, “You intended to take Jingyi’s body away. Is that not a crime?” He shifted his grip, and with a sharp sound, the long halberd swung horizontally before Mangfeng.

Changying frowned. With a light flick of her finger, the halberd’s sharp tip was deflected. Her voice was icy as she addressed Mangfeng: “Return to the heavens. Do not delay.”

Mangfeng’s expression was somber as he withdrew his power. Enduring the anguish in his heart, he slowly turned his head to look at Changying’s hand. He watched as Jingyi’s skeletal remains were sealed into the mustard seed. Though they were still so close, he and Jingyi were now separated by life and death.

Evil-Punisher Divine Lord gave a slight nod before barking at Mangfeng, “Go!” With just a glance, he commanded the gathered heavenly soldiers to move at once, rising into the clouds alongside him.

Mangfeng transformed into his dragon form and followed closely behind.

Back in the sand city, the once-standing inn had been reduced to ruins, the ground littered with charred remnants. Several mortals lay on the ground, frozen in place like corpses, yet their breathing remained—fortunately, they had not burned to ashes along with the wood.

The city remained eerily silent, its restrictions still in place. Even Goddess Luoyou, the guardian of this land, could not step inside.

Changying turned back, her pale fingertips brushing against the charred window lattice. She thought to herself that this day had always been inevitable—it was only a matter of sooner or later.

She could not keep the truth from Zhuyou forever. Even if she wished to hide it, the moment Zhuyou regained her original form, she would know everything.

She would hold resentment. She would feel sorrow. And what awaited after that was the heavenly tribulation she was destined to face upon reaching the Ultimate stage and the inescapable heavenly thunder from beyond the realms.

Now, she could not find Zhuyou’s whereabouts. She did not know if the heavenly thunder and earthly fire had already begun seeking her out. If the tribulation descended upon her, Zhuyou… would struggle to survive.

A deep sense of urgency welled up in Changying’s heart. She slowly raised her hand to press against her chest, but no surge of blood or emotion followed. This bond had truly been severed completely.

“Your Divinity, should we clean up this place?” Immortal Zhiying had not left with Evil-Punisher Divine Lord.

“Do not harm innocent mortals,” Changying responded coolly, nodding slightly.

Immortal Zhiying swiftly shook the silk sash in her hand, sending radiant light cascading in all directions, as brilliant as rosy clouds reflecting on jade.

Where the light passed, the overturned tables and chairs were restored to their original positions. The wood that had been reduced to ashes slowly reformed, and the broken beams and pillars stacked themselves back together, silently raising the once-collapsed inn upon the yellow sands.

Immortal Zhiying bowed slightly and said, “Your Divinity, this place has been restored to its former state.”

Changying turned around, scanning the area while gently releasing her spiritual power. The mortals who had collapsed on the ground were lifted back to their original places. The scratches and bruises on their bodies vanished as a soft breeze brushed over them. Looking closely at the inn, not a trace of the fire remained on any beam or pillar.

Retracting her spiritual power, Changying said, “Though everything here is frozen in place, the sundial of the mortal world continues to turn. Leave quickly—do not let the mortals grow suspicious.”

“Yes,” Immortal Zhiying responded hastily. Only after seeing the Divine Venerable transform into the Obsidian Dragon and soar into the sky did she follow suit, shifting into her jade form and trailing behind.

As the restriction over the sand city shattered, the mortals—who had been frozen in time—resumed their daily activities.

In a nearby residence, a woman holding a plump tabby cat laughed as the soft fur brushed against her cheek. She tickled the cat’s chin and frowned, saying, “Didn’t I just feed you? Why are you hungry again?” Raising her head, she glanced at the sky and remarked in surprise, “Ah, the sun is already setting. What time is it?”

A maidservant behind her promptly replied, “Madam, it is just past noon.”

Shaking her head, the woman muttered, “This doesn’t look like noon… Could I be mistaken? Or perhaps you’re the one who got it wrong.”

Above the city, the thick clouds pressing down dispersed like surging rivers, scattering in all directions. As the sky cleared, the setting sun in the west became visible, casting its golden light over the land.

The mortals only felt that the day had passed unusually quickly. None of them realized they had just been caught between water and fire, narrowly escaping death.

The Obsidian Dragon and jade figure pierced through the clouds, transforming mid-air into two tall and slender women.

In a cold voice, Changying said, “I will go to Shangxi City for a look. There is no need to follow closely.”

Immortal Zhiying hurriedly nodded, clenching her fingers as if wanting to speak. Seeing the Divine Venerable preparing to leave, she couldn’t hold back and called out, “Your Divinity!”

Changying turned her head to look at her.

“If… If you encounter that person… please…” Immortal Zhiying’s voice faltered, and a wave of sorrow rose to her eyes.

Changying remained silent for a moment before responding quietly, “A hundred years ago, on Shenhua Mountain, you could not bring yourself to harm her. I am the same now.”

Immortal Zhiying trembled from head to toe. She did not understand how the Divine Venerable could know about that event. Her thoughts raced, replaying the memories, until she suddenly recalled the small black-scaled serpent entwined around Zhuyou at that time. Shock flooded her—could it be that the Divine Venerable was that very serpent?

No wonder. No wonder the celestials had found the Divine Venerable in the devil’s domain—there was such a profound connection between them.

Changying turned and left, arriving at the gates of Shangxi City in a blink.

Goddess Puyan, concealed in the shadows, did not reveal herself and thus did not greet her.

Changying did not enter the city directly. Instead, she sent her divine consciousness sweeping through it, yet she found no trace of Zhuyou. She stood still for a moment before turning back toward the heavens.

At the Heavenly Gate, rows of heavenly soldiers knelt on one knee. Not long before, they had seen the Evil-Punisher Divine Lord return with a contingent of soldiers, his expression icy and grim. They had no idea what had happened. Now, at the sight of the Divine Venerable’s return, their unease grew even stronger.

Inside the main hall, Heavenly Emperor Xuanqing had been waiting for some time. Before him knelt Mangfeng of the Dragon Clan, while East Sea Monarch stood to the side, his expression cold and unwilling to even glance at his wayward son.

When Changying entered the hall, East Sea Monarch’s face darkened further. He lowered his eyes in shame and anger.

“Your Divinity.” Xuanqing raised his hand, motioning for Changying to take a seat.

Changying shook her head slightly, the golden ornament on her forehead swaying softly. In a calm tone, she said, “I was unable to retrieve the Devil Lord Guanshang’s hun soul.”

As she spoke, she channeled her spiritual power into the mustard seed and drew out a skeletal corpse.

The remains, now reduced to a foul-smelling skeleton, landed in the center of the hall. It emitted no trace of life.

Mangfeng jerked his head to the side, his eyes bloodshot.

Xuanqing’s expression shifted sharply, his fingertips trembling slightly. But his composure quickly returned as he asked, “If the Devil Lord returns, the hidden devil army will likely reemerge in the Mortal Realm. Does Your Divinity have any plans?”

“We will act as circumstances dictate,” Changying replied, her golden eyes half-lowered.

Finding no other solution, Xuanqing deliberated carefully before saying, “If the mysteries of Shangxi City remain impenetrable to us, then the Devil Lord is even less likely to leave it easily. In that case, the city will undoubtedly become a devil stronghold.” He paused, observing Changying’s expression, then added, “It is said that in ancient times, a corner of the heavens was cleaved apart. If we could similarly sever Shangxi City from the Mortal Realm, that would be ideal.”

Changying’s tone remained cool. “Do you know where that ‘corner’ is now?”

Xuanqing could not answer.

“It is the Heart-Questioning Rock in the devil’s domain,” Changying said, her fingers loosening as the mustard seed spun between them. She continued, “It was cleaved away thousands of years ago by an ancient god.”

The celestials present were stunned into silence.

Changying’s voice softened into something almost indifferent. “Heavenly Emperor, can you guess which ancient god it was?”

Xuanqing shook his head, puzzled. “Could it have been Your Divinity?”

“No,” Changying answered calmly. “It was Zhuyou.”

The revelation struck the assembled celestials like a thunderbolt. Their heads spun as if they had been bludgeoned.

Xuanqing froze in place. Though he remained in the Nine Heavens and had never descended to the Mortal Realm, he had witnessed fragments of the Turbid Mirror’s visions through the Evil-Punisher Divine Lord’s spiritual thread. For a long moment, he was speechless, his heart filled with dread. Only after some time did he finally ask, “Is everything shown in the Turbid Mirror true?”

“I dragged Jingyi into the Turbid Mirror, allowing it to invade her sea of consciousness and seal her divine intelligence. This prevented the Turbid Mirror from being disturbed by human greed, anger, and ignorance—the three unwholesome roots. Since it traces back two hundred years, everything it reveals is true.” Changying did not sit but stood in the center of the main hall, appearing particularly solitary.

Upon hearing this, Xuanqing’s headache intensified, and he raised his hand to press against his temple.

Seated nearby, Kunyi finally understood why Changying had once told her—”The Nine Heavens are unjust.”