43: Chapter 43 Two Beautiful Princesses! Returning Home with Senior Brother Duan to Fight the Demon!

Duan Gujin suppressed his designs on the pair of sisters, straightened his appearance, and walked toward the Danxia Great Hall.

Stepping into the hall, he immediately saw Shang Ruoni sitting in the primary seat.

Today, she wore a set of silken robes the color of pink clouds, which complemented her snow-white skin and cloud-like black hair.

Her exquisitely beautiful face was free of makeup, and her eyes held a hint of worldly innocence, making her look like a young girl who had just stepped into the mortal realm.

But he knew she was insatiable.

He stepped forward and bowed: "Disciple Duan Gujin pays respects to Revered Master."

Shang Ruoni looked at him and smiled slightly. "You've come? Your complexion is much better than when you left. It seems you've recovered well?"

Duan Gujin immediately said, "Thank you for your concern, Revered Master. While discussing the Pill Formula last night, I benefited greatly, though it was indeed quite draining. Fortunately, thanks to Revered Master's guidance, I am fine after some meditation."

He immediately produced a glowing Pill Furnace and presented it respectfully. "Revered Master, I recently obtained a True Treasure Pill Furnace. It may be more suitable than the one you are currently using. Please accept it!"

Shang Ruoni looked at the furnace, a flash of greed appearing in her eyes.

She stroked the furnace and smiled with satisfaction. "This furnace indeed possesses extraordinary spiritual charm! You are very thoughtful, my Disciple."

"Rest assured, I will do my best to satisfy you with the reward you deserve!"

Her words carried a double meaning.

[Triggered 200x Return!]

[Congratulations to the Host! You have obtained the Chaos Spirit-Nurturing Furnace (Nascent Soul Grade)! The reward has been sent to the System space!]

Chaos Spirit-Nurturing Furnace (Nascent Soul Grade): Contains a trace of Chaos Qi within. It can nurture the spirituality of Medicinal Pills, increasing their grade, and has a very small chance of bestowing a special Dao Charm upon the pills. It can draw in heaven and earth Origin Qi during Alchemy.

"Revered Master is too kind!" Duan Gujin smiled faintly.

Shang Ruoni tossed him a Jade Slip. "Take a look."

Duan Gujin caught the Jade Slip and checked it.

Urgent Report from Chongguang Kingdom:

Border villages have been attacked by Devilish Qi; livestock have turned into monsters, and villagers are missing. Traces of demons have recently appeared near the Royal Capital, and it is suspected that powerful members of the Demon Race are lurking. The royal family's strength is insufficient; we implore the Hehuan Sect to assist!

"Demon Race?" Duan Gujin frowned.

He immediately said, "Revered Master, I am willing to go to Chongguang Kingdom to investigate the demonic threat and clear the danger."

Shang Ruoni nodded. "It is good that you have the heart. However, there may be complications on this trip; one person might not be enough. The sisters Li Zhiyi and Li Jieju are princesses of Chongguang Kingdom, so it is fitting they go with you. They are familiar with the situation and can officially return to help their father."

Duan Gujin replied, "It will be even better with the help of my two Junior Sisters. I will ensure their safety, investigate the demon traces, and resolve the crisis in Chongguang."

"Go then, and return quickly." Shang Ruoni waved her hand, her attention returning to the Pill Furnace.

Duan Gujin bowed and withdrew, then used a communication jade talisman to contact Li Zhiyi and Li Jieju.

Soon, two stunning girls in palace attire with different temperaments appeared.

"There is no time to lose, let's go!" Li Zhiyi said urgently.

"Senior Brother Duan, we'll be in your care." Li Jieju bowed.

Duan Gujin nodded. "Depart!"

He summoned the Sect's flying boat.

The three boarded the vessel, turning into a streak of light as they flew toward Chongguang Kingdom.

The flying boat pierced through the clouds.

Inside the cabin, Li Jieju sat quietly in meditation.

Li Zhiyi was restless.

"Junior Sister Zhiyi, there's no need to worry too much. I will do my best to help you!" Duan Gujin comforted her.

Li Zhiyi took a deep breath. "Thank you, Senior Brother. It's just that the appearance of the demons is too strange. Chongguang Kingdom is remote and its Spiritual Qi is weak; the Demon Race shouldn't be interested. This is abnormal."

"It is indeed abnormal," Duan Gujin agreed. "The Jade Slip said Devilish Qi attacked villages, livestock mutated, and villagers disappeared. Their methods are brutal. We should meet the King at the Royal Capital as soon as possible to learn the details before taking action."

In less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the border of Chongguang was in sight.

The scene below made their hearts sink: the fields and villages were deathly silent and gray, with charred marks and a lingering cold aura in the air.

"It's residual Devilish Qi!" Li Zhiyi frowned, her voice solemn.

The flying boat landed on an empty space at the edge of a ruined city.

The air was filled with the smell of burning and thick, inescapable Devilish Qi.

The streets were silent, and doors and windows were tightly shut.

Just as Duan Gujin and the others landed, they heard terrified cries and beast-like roars coming from deep within the alleys.

"Help! The monsters are coming!"

"Run! They're biting people!"

Accompanied by chaotic shrieks, a group of distorted monsters rushed out from a corner.

There was a monstrous horse with blood-red eyes, black drool, and black scales.

Several black-misted rats as large as cats with protruding fangs.

And a ferocious cat with claws flashing coldly and a tail burning with green fire.

"Demonized Beasts!" Li Jieju exclaimed.

Li Zhiyi's brows shot up as she shouted angrily, "How dare you run wild in Chongguang!"

A crimson spiritual sword instantly appeared in her hand, emitting a scorching aura.

But these monsters were extremely fast, scattering to pounce on the paralyzed civilians, looking as if they were about to strike!

"Get back!" Duan Gujin reacted instantly.

Saving people was the priority, so he unhesitatingly summoned the 'Primal Chaos Zhou Heaven God-Slaying Profound Gang' Formation Plate.

"Formation, rise!" he shouted softly, injecting magic power into the Formation Plate.

The Formation Plate erupted with light, and countless dazzling golden rays shot out like lightning, precisely covering an area of dozens of yards ahead, enveloping all the Demonized Beasts and their paths of attack.

A terrifying, murderous aura spread out; the Demonized Beasts' movements instantly stiffened, and fear appeared in their eyes.

"Exterminate!" Duan Gujin called out softly.

The golden light in the formation suddenly became intense, like the descent of the True Solar Fire!

The Demonized Beasts enveloped by the golden light—whether the thick-scaled horse or the agile rats and cat—saw their bodies rapidly melt and disintegrate like snow meeting the sun. They let out ear-piercing hissing sounds and short wails, and in an instant, they turned into wisps of black smoke and ash, scattering into the air!

In just a single breath, all the roaring stopped.

Total silence.

The terrified civilians stared at all this, dumbfounded.

A young Cultivator had used just a single Formation Plate to instantly wipe out all those terrifying monsters!

Duan Gujin's expression was calm as he retracted the Formation Plate.

He looked at the crowd and asked in a deep voice, "Who can tell me what happened here? Where did the Demonized Beasts come from? What is the situation in the Royal Capital?"

A brave old man knelt on the ground: "Exalted Immortal! Thank you for saving our lives! These monsters suddenly swarmed out from the northern mountain forests a day ago! They bite whoever they see, and those bitten also turn into monsters! The City Lord led the soldiers to resist, but casualties were heavy!"

"The northern mountain forests?" Duan Gujin and the others exchanged grave looks.

The northern mountain forest was a Forbidden Ground. If Devilish Qi was coming from there, the situation was grim.

Duan Gujin gave a decisive order. "The situation at the Royal Capital is unknown, but we must go there immediately. Junior Sisters, we will depart for the Royal Capital at once! If we encounter demonized creatures on the way, we will eliminate them!"

"Yes, Senior Brother!" Li Zhiyi and Li Jieju agreed immediately, their faces filled with anxiety.

Their homeland was suffering; they were more anxious than anyone.

The three delayed no longer, and Duan Gujin released the flying boat.

The flying boat ascended rapidly, rushing toward the Royal Capital of Chongguang Kingdom at maximum speed.

The flying boat was extremely fast, and the Royal Capital soon appeared in their field of vision.

But the sight before them made their hearts turn cold.

The once prosperous Royal Capital was now deathly silent.

The city walls were damaged and charred in many places.

Thick smoke billowed from the city, which was still on fire, and the air was filled with a thick, pungent Devilish Qi mixed with the smell of blood.

"How did it become like this?!" Li Zhiyi cried out, her body trembling.

This was not at all the capital city in her memory.

Li Jieju bit her lip tightly, her eyes filled with shock and grief. "The demonic disaster has actually reached the heart of the Royal Capital... Father..."