718: Chapter 718 Lu Xueqi and Biyao (97)

"The chaos green lotus, born from Chaos, blooms once every ten thousand years and bears fruit once every ten thousand years. Ancient records state it once appeared in the Eastern Wasteland's forbidden land, the 'God-Burying Abyss.' However, the God-Burying Abyss is a Forbidden Zone of Life; those who enter face certain death. Proceed with extreme caution."

The record ended there.

Fairy Yuehua withdrew her Divine Thought and fell into deep thought.

The chaos green lotus, the God-Burying Abyss. She had heard of both names. The chaos green lotus was a legendary divine object; it was said that its lotus seeds possessed the power to seize the creation of heaven and earth, and consuming them could lead to immediate Immortal Ascension—this was an exaggeration, of course, but the effects of reconstructing one's Foundation and reversing one's Physique should be real. As for the God-Burying Abyss..."

That was the number one forbidden land of the Eastern Region, located deep within the Eastern Wasteland and shrouded in gray mist year-round. Ancient texts recorded that during the ancient era, a Soul Transformation powerhouse had ventured inside and never returned. In the thousands of years since, Nascent Soul Cultivators occasionally risked going deep inside, but most perished within; the few survivors remained tight-lipped about the place.

"God-Burying Abyss..." Fairy Yuehua looked at Su Han inside the light cocoon, a struggle flashing in her eyes.

With her Nascent Soul Great Perfection cultivation, entering the God-Burying Abyss was also a near-death venture. Moreover, if she left, who would watch over Su Han? Although the Nine Heavens Bright Moon Array was powerful, without her presiding over it, it might not be able to suppress the counterattack of the chaos demon seed.

But if she didn't take the risk, Su Han would eventually be completely swallowed by the demon seed. At that time, he would either become a Devil Head who only knew how to slaughter or suffer a Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering during the demon seed's outbreak.

"Junior Brother, what should I do..." Fairy Yuehua murmured softly.

Just then, a respectful voice came from outside the stone hall: "Junior Martial Uncle Yuehua, Sect Master Yun Lan requests an audience."

Fairy Yuehua put away the Jade Slip and regained her cold expression: "Enter."

The stone hall doors opened, and Immortal Master Yun Lan walked in slowly, bowing in salute: "Junior Martial Uncle."

"What is it?"

Immortal Master Yun Lan glanced at the light cocoon on the jade platform and said in a low voice: "Two things. First, Su Han's matter has been handled according to your instructions, Junior Martial Uncle; it has been announced to the outside that he has been executed. However, many Disciples in the Sect have doubts, especially Lin Xuan of Tianxuan Peak. He insists that Su Han is not dead and has been making inquiries these past few days."

Fairy Yuehua said indifferently: "Lin Xuan is on good terms with Su Han, so it is normal for him to have such suspicions. Tell him that Su Han is indeed not dead, but has fallen into the Demonic Path and is suppressed here by me. Tell him he need not ask or think about it further, and should just focus on his cultivation."

"Yes." Immortal Master Yun Lan paused, "The second thing... the Xuantian Sect, Lingyun Sword Sect, Zixiao Sect, and three others have jointly sent an invitation, inviting you, Junior Martial Uncle, to participate in the 'Demon Slaying Assembly' in three months."

"Demon Slaying Assembly?" Fairy Yuehua's delicate brows rose slightly.

"Yes. It is said that remnants of the Demonic Path have been active in the Northern Region recently, suspected to be searching for the Seal location of the ancient Demon Venerable 'Xue Sha.' The six Sects proposed holding the Demon Slaying Assembly to discuss countermeasures and to reinforce the Seal."

Fairy Yuehua was silent for a moment: "Tell them I am in secluded meditation, attempting to break through to Soul Transformation, and cannot attend."

Immortal Master Yun Lan hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

"Is there anything else?"

"Junior Martial Uncle," Immortal Master Yun Lan weighed his words, "all the Sects know that Su Han is your Junior Brother. Now that he has suddenly fallen into the Demonic Path, although you have placed justice above family, it is inevitable that some will use this to attack you. If you do not attend the Demon Slaying Assembly, I fear..."

"I fear someone will say I am shielding the Demonic Path, or that my Qingyun Sect is involved with the Demonic Path?" Fairy Yuehua's tone turned cold.

Immortal Master Yun Lan lowered his head: "This Disciple does not dare to make wild guesses, but the hearts of men are unpredictable..."

Fairy Yuehua stood up and walked to the window of the stone hall. Outside, the bright moon hung high, its clear light covering the peaks.

"Sect Master Yun Lan, I watched you grow up, and now you are the Sect Master of a Sect," Fairy Yuehua said slowly. "I ask you, if one day someone close to you fell into the Demonic Path, what would you do?"

Immortal Master Yun Lan was stunned and only after a long while said: "This Disciple... does not know."

"Indeed, you do not know." Fairy Yuehua sighed lightly. "The Righteous Path and the Demonic Path are irreconcilable. This is an iron rule, a bottom line. But what if that person who fell into the Demonic Path is the Junior Brother you watched grow up and treated as your own? The Junior Brother you taught swordplay to by hand, watched grow step by step, and who once vowed before you to protect the Righteous Path?"

Immortal Master Yun Lan was silent.

"I will give him a chance." Fairy Yuehua turned around, looking at Immortal Master Yun Lan. "A chance to repent and return to the Righteous Path. If he remains obstinate, I will personally end him. But before that, I will use every means possible to save him."

"This Disciple understands." Immortal Master Yun Lan bowed. "Then the Demon Slaying Assembly..."

"I will participate," Fairy Yuehua said. "But not as the Grand Elder of the Qingyun Sect, but in my personal capacity. Announce to the outside that I am in seclusion to break through to Soul Transformation and must not be disturbed. I will go secretly to see what those people are planning."

"Yes."

"In addition," Fairy Yuehua added, "during my absence, you will personally stay at Bright Moon Peak to guard Su Han. I have reinforced the Nine Heavens Bright Moon Array; as long as the demon seed does not break out, it should be safe. But just in case, you must pay attention at all times."

Immortal Master Yun Lan said solemnly: "This Disciple obeys your command."

After Immortal Master Yun Lan left, Fairy Yuehua sat back down on the prayer mat but did not immediately enter meditation.

She took out a communication jade talisman from her storage ring, hesitated for a moment, and then injected spiritual energy into it.

The jade talisman lit up, and after a moment, a lazy male voice came from the other side: "Oh, a rare guest. Fairy Yuehua would actually contact me of her own accord? Has the sun risen from the west?"

"Ye Lingxiao, I have something to ask you," Fairy Yuehua said directly.

The person on the other side was indeed the Sword Seed of the Lingyun Sword Sect, Ye Lingxiao. After losing to Su Han in the Great Competition, he had returned to his Sect for secluded meditation. It was said he had gained some insights, and his sword Dao had improved further.

"About Su Han?" Ye Lingxiao's tone became more serious.

"You know?"

"Just a guess. Who else could make Fairy Yuehua take the initiative to find me besides your precious Junior Brother?" Ye Lingxiao paused. "How is he?"

"The chaos demon seed. I have suppressed it with the Nine Heavens Bright Moon Array, but it treats the symptoms, not the cause." Fairy Yuehua briefly explained the situation and then asked, "You fought him in the Great Competition; did you notice anything unusual?"

Ye Lingxiao was silent for a while: "His sword Dao is very special. That 'Return to Origin' strike contained the true intent of Chaos. Although it was rudimentary, it indeed touched the edge of Chaos. My admission of defeat at the time was partly because I didn't want to take advantage of someone in peril, and partly... because I felt his path might be the right one."

"What do you mean?"

"The immortal path is vast; what we Cultivators seek is nothing more than transcendence. But over millions of years, how many have achieved Ascension?" Ye Lingxiao's voice carried a certain profound meaning. "If the orthodox immortal path doesn't work, perhaps one should try another way. The path of Chaos, though dangerous, might not be a dead end."

Fairy Yuehua frowned: "Are you saying his fall into the Demonic Path was inevitable?"

"No, I'm saying his choice was inevitable," Ye Lingxiao said. "Su Han has a streak of stubbornness in his bones. The Star Seal of Demon Suppression couldn't save him, so he found a way out himself. Chaos is a dead end, but it is also a path. If you make it through, the world is wide open; if you don't, you're doomed. It's that simple."

"Do you know of a way to completely purify the chaos demon seed?" (End of Chapter)