156: The calm before the storm

An eight-year-old child, upon hearing the words 'Demon Domain', looked up and asked in a childish voice, 'Grandpa, what is the Demon Domain?'

The old man standing beside the child patted the child's head.

'The Demon Domain is another world, independent from our own.'

'In ancient times, Immortals and Demons coexisted, plunging this world into chaos. Later, after an epic-level great war, the Human Race, Yao Race, and Demon Race reached an agreement!'

'Saints reside high in the Thirty-Third Heaven, overlooking all living beings, yet they do not participate in worldly conflicts.'

'Immortal Emperors are in the Immortal Realm, Yao Race powerhouses of the Immortal Emperor level are in the Demon Domain, and Demon Race powerhouses of the Immortal Emperor level are in the Demon Domain!'

'These three forces keep each other in check and also watch over each other. If one carelessly slips into our world, it would be a disaster for us.'

'And if any one of the three becomes restless and interferes with our world, it would likely trigger a massive conflict among all three.'

As the old man spoke these words, he voiced the thoughts of many.

What he said was indeed true.

The moment everyone learned that the great yao in the Shanhai Secret Realm came from the Demon Domain,

they understood the profound implications behind it.

This was simply a sign that a storm was coming.

If a great yao slipped out from the Demon Domain, it would be at least at the Immortal Emperor level.

In that case, how could the Demon Realm stand idly by? And what would those Immortal Emperors in the Immortal Realm, who are devotedly cultivating in their attempts to break through to the Saint realm, do?

All of this seemed to be an unknown variable.

As for Wang Heng and the others, upon learning that it was a great yao that had escaped from the Demon Domain inside,

they all made way.

This time, even if Master Cidu personally invited them, they dared not get involved.

The outcome of a battle between a Quasi-Saint Realm and an Immortal Emperor Realm was still unknown.

But it was definitely not something that Mahayana Stage Cultivators like them could participate in.

Even taking a distant glance could easily lead to being crushed to dust.

Seeing everyone make way,

Master Cidu stood before the entrance.

'Amitabha, this old monk shall enter now!'

'Master Cidu, please be extremely careful!'

Master Cidu smiled and pressed his palms together.

'If I do not enter Hell, who will?'

Having said that, he stepped forward into the Shanhai Secret Realm.

The moment his figure disappeared,

the invisible pressure gradually dissipated.

At the same time,

beneath the Light Screens of the Five Great Continents,

the five Quasi-Saints each had different thoughts.

Especially Li Zhen, seated high upon the dragon throne, watching the court officials below offering their advice.

'Your Majesty, Master Cidu has entered first. No matter how perilous the Shanhai Secret Realm is, a Quasi-Saint will surely traverse it as if walking on flat ground!'

'Shouldn't we make a statement?'

'Your Majesty, this old minister implores you to personally lead an expedition, capture the great yao that slipped into the Shanhai Secret Realm, to enhance the imperial dragon's majesty and bolster the prestige of our great Da Gan Dynasty!'

'Silence! That great yao is at the Immortal Emperor level. Senior Minister Zhang, are you trying to push His Majesty onto a path of certain death?!'

'Are we to just sit back and do nothing?'

As these people were about to come to blows,

Li Zhen coughed once and said coldly, 'Quiet!'

'If I were to go, while it might boost the Da Gan Dynasty's momentum, it would likely cause even greater panic.'

'In the past hundred years, have any of my esteemed ministers witnessed two Quasi-Saints meeting?'

Everyone shook their heads.

'Although I would not fight with Master Cidu, my appearance would make the current situation even more critical!'

'For now, we can only watch and wait. Let's see how Master Cidu handles it.'

'Everyone, continue watching. Remain calm and patient!'

Once these words were spoken,

everyone fell silent.

With the emperor having the final say, who among them dared to say more?

Of course, a similar scene unfolded before the Quasi-Saints of the other four continents as well.

They also did not take action.

Firstly, it was indeed as Li Zhen said: if Quasi-Saints were to act, it would definitely create a more tense situation.

A great chaos seemed imminent, ready to erupt at a touch.

Secondly, a great yao of the Immortal Emperor level had escaped from the Demon Domain.

How powerful was it exactly, and how did it get here?

No one had a clear idea in their hearts.

This kind of matter was best left for Master Cidu, that good-natured old man, to go in and investigate.

However, no matter what,

this scene cast a shadow over their hearts.

Inside Wind Shelter Valley,

everyone had been meditating for several hours.

'To be able to sit and recover so peacefully in this dangerous Shanhai Secret Realm seems rather incredible now that I think about it.'

'If it weren't for Chen Xian, we'd probably still be outside facing unknown monsters.'

Those now following Chen Xian were well aware in their hearts:

if not for Chen Xian's Shanhai Map,

they wouldn't have been able to find such a safe place.

But just at that moment,

Chen Xian, who had been keeping his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

'They're here!'

'Who's here?'

Zi Yun, beside him, asked nervously.

'They are here!'

As soon as Chen Xian finished speaking,

his gaze fell upon the entrance of Wind Shelter Valley.

A group of fully armed people stood there.

When Pei Ning and the Embroidered Uniform Guard members saw them, their pupils constricted.

'It's the Tian Zi Squad of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.'

'Their strength is almost all at the Golden Core Stage. Some are even stronger.'

'If they form a battle formation, even a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator would be helpless.'

At that moment, the man standing at the forefront of the Tian Zi Squad looked mockingly at Pei Ning.

'Pei Ning, we meet again.'

Pei Ning's face darkened.

'Qin Feng!'

'What are you doing here?'

Qin Feng sneered, 'Naturally, because your Embroidered Uniform Guard has failed in its duties, His Majesty sent us out.'

He looked sinisterly at Pei Ning and the ten Embroidered Uniform Guards behind her.

Then he glanced at Chen Xian.

'His Majesty is still waiting for you to escort Chen Xian to the Capital. Is this how you handle His Majesty's affairs?'

'We...'

'No excuses. By His Majesty's secret decree!'

Qin Feng said with a ferocious smile, 'Pei Ning, leading the Embroidered Uniform Guard, has failed in her duties. Execute them immediately, show no mercy!'

Upon hearing this,

Pei Ning and the ten Embroidered Uniform Guards before him turned pale.

When they saw the Tian Zi Squad, they had thought that perhaps there was still room for negotiation if they explained.

But they never expected that Qin Feng, leading the Tian Zi Squad here,

would not first seek to kill Chen Xian.

Instead, his first order was to kill them.

It would be strange if their hearts didn't turn cold.

Pointing at Pei Ning, Qin Feng said indifferently, 'However, Pei Ning, I can spare your life. As long as you become my woman, I can ensure you return unharmed. How about it?'

Hearing this, Pei Ning let out a cold laugh.

'Do you think I'm the kind of person who would compromise and endure humiliation just to survive?'

Qin Feng's expression stiffened.

Indeed.

Otherwise, despite all his pursuit of her in the Capital, she would not have remained unresponsive.

The atmosphere between them became awkward and strange.

But when Chen Xian saw this scene, his face showed unusual delight.

These guys would fall apart without him needing to sow discord among them.

Especially the Tian Zi Squad; they were practically delivering opponents to them personally.