452: Chapter 452 My Prey

The Slave Seal was never meant to be a means of controlling others; its original purpose was to restrain the greed of the Human Race and maintain peace between the humans and the Yao Race.

At this point, the images gradually began to blur, finally turning into countless golden light particles that dissipated within the room. The glow of the heavenly evolution of the ages scripture dimmed along with them, returning to a state of calm.

"So... so that's how it is..."

Xu Muchen murmured to himself, his expression dazed.

Images from the past involuntarily surfaced in his mind. Those memories he had deliberately sealed away and refused to touch surged forth like a flood breaking through a dam.

That was the year he was ten. He was born into a cultivation Family in a remote small town. Though the Xu Family was small, it was harmonious and peaceful. His father was the Clan Chief, and though his cultivation base was not high, he was an upright man. His mother was gentle and virtuous, and he had a sister three years younger than him, as delicate as carved jade and exceptionally adorable.

In a trance!

The image of his father holding a sword in one hand, his back ramrod straight as he blocked the courtyard exit, resurfaced. A strange black mark flickered continuously on his forehead, emitting a heart-palpitating aura.

"Senior Brother, are you alright?"

A crisp female voice rang out, snapping Xu Muchen out of his deep immersion in his memories.

Only then did he realize his loss of composure. His cheeks flushed slightly as he forced a faint smile at Shen Mutao beside him. "Senior Brother is fine, Junior Sister need not worr—"

Before he could finish, he suddenly realized his slip of the tongue and hastily cut himself off.

Turning toward Chen Xuan and Lu Mo not far away, he cupped his hands in a respectful salute. "Thank you, two Seniors, for allowing this Junior to resolve the doubts in my heart."

Chen Xuan waved his hand and stepped forward. His gaze fell upon the heavenly evolution of the ages scripture on the desk as he silently asked the question for the second trial: "How can one bring the dead back to life?"

This was asked on behalf of that Medicine Venerable.

Although he didn't know who this Medicine Venerable wanted to resurrect, to be willing to pay any price to ask about this matter, it seemed they were someone with a very deep obsession.

As a gentle spiritual light shot into his mind, Chen Xuan instantly knew the answer.

The reward of a god-rank pill was easily pocketed. It was a pity he hadn't taken more commissions when boarding the boat; otherwise, he really would have made a fortune this time.

...

Above the great desert, wild winds whipped the sand and gravel, howling incessantly!

A Bronze Bird was flying slowly through the wind and sand, its body continuously emitting bursts of green mist.

This mist spread out like a veil, enveloping the bird and concealing the figures on its back, isolating all presence.

This Mechanical Beast was personally and secretly crafted by the Revered Master of Tiangong Pavilion, Heavenly Venerable Mogong. Its craftsmanship was exquisite beyond compare. Even if a Demon Venerable were present, it would be extremely difficult to detect the slightest clue without a careful search.

Looking at the spatial rift close at hand, which circulated with a halo of Chaos, Dongfang Li and her group finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Once they left this Secret Realm world, they would no longer have to be so cautiously on guard against hidden dangers.

The matter entrusted by Revered Master had been successfully handed over to Peak Master Chen, so presumably, nothing would go wrong. Although the Sect's Disciples suffered significant casualties during this Secret Realm journey, compared to other powers that suffered devastating losses, they were already quite fortunate.

Fang Yusheng, who had joined them halfway, looked at the others with a sincere expression. "My thanks to you Fellow Daoists for your assistance. Had I been alone, I reckon I would have perished in this Secret Realm by now, reduced to dry bones."

Gu Yunshen waved his hand, his voice steady. "The Yao Race runs rampant, and living beings are plunged into misery. We Cultivators should help one another; there is no need for thanks."

Shen Cang echoed from the side, "Indeed, Fairy Fang. Since you are an old acquaintance of Peak Master Chen, then you have some connection with us. A friend of a friend, even if we aren't close yet, it was just a small effort. There's no need to take it to heart."

He paused and added with a smile, "If we had left you to die and Peak Master Chen found out later, he might develop a grudge against us, and we certainly couldn't afford that."

Fang Yusheng was slightly taken aback, somewhat puzzled by their attitude toward Chen Xuan.

While Peak Master Chen indeed had many extraordinary qualities, high strength, and a meticulous mind, wasn't this a bit much?

Why would the grand Tiangong Pavilion go to such lengths?

She gently shook her head, suppressing her doubts, and her expression became solemn again. "The matter of the two Demon Venerables in the Secret Realm is of great importance. This intelligence must be reported to the Sect as soon as possible to make preparations. Once this matter is settled, I will certainly visit with generous gifts to thank you all in person."

Dongfang Li nodded in agreement. "Fairy Fang is absolutely right. Passing on the intelligence is a matter of urgency."

After the pleasantries, their figures stepped into the rift one after another.

As soon as they passed through the rift, the surrounding wind and sand vanished, replaced by a bloody stench so thick it was nauseating, hitting their nostrils directly.

When they saw the scene outside, the pupils of the five individuals suddenly constricted. Their composure was instantly replaced by extreme horror; it felt as if their blood had frozen in that moment, and even their breathing hitched.

This was no Heavenly Tribulation Continent sea region; it was clearly a desperate land shrouded in demonic aura!

The boundless Demon Race Army was densely packed, extending from beneath their feet into the distance. Scales shimmered and beasts roared; that primitive and violent aura converged to form a black haze visible to the naked eye.

Even more hair-raising was that in the air around them, over twenty human heads were being held up by an invisible force, slowly floating and rotating.

Only then did everyone understand the source of that thick, bloody stench.

"This... this is..."

Shen Cang's voice trembled. Even though he had seen countless dangerous scenes, he was still intimidated by this sight.

Dongfang Li swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on a distant mountain peak, her heart pounding wildly. The two figures atop that peak were exceptionally prominent, allowing one to recognize their identities at a glance.

However, it was precisely because she recognized them that she felt even more horrified!

"How is this possible... how could we have appeared here at Heavenly Demon Mountain?"

Fang Yusheng's face was as pale as paper. She also recognized those two figures, and especially upon seeing the Little Girl with pigtails, her body couldn't help but tremble slightly.

"White Bone Demon Venerable... Nightmare Demon Venerable..."

Both of these were among the nine great Demon Venerables. Even if only one appeared, escape would be impossible, yet now, two Demon Venerables had joined forces here to lay an inescapable net!

And after her gaze fell upon those twenty-odd floating heads, her heart felt even more suffocated.

Fortunately, among those ten heads, she did not see her Senior Sister Yu Chan.

But unfortunately, two of her good friends were among them.

Yun Xuanxuan was also stunned into silence by this scene. It took a long time for her to recover and slowly turn her head to glance at the spatial rift behind them.

Atop the mountain peak, White Bone Demon Venerable's gaze swept over Dongfang Li and the other three, making a clicking sound. "Four Mahayana Realm Cultivators with quite pure auras. I wonder which power it is this time that managed to come out of the Secret Realm alive."

Nightmare Demon Venerable sat on a jade chair, swinging her pigtails. She glanced at Dongfang Li's group, specifically noting the faint outline of the Bronze Bird appearing behind them, and her eyes lit up slightly.

"A Mechanical Beast? The aura is somewhat familiar."

She tilted her small head and thought for a moment, then realized. "Oh, I remember now. It's the work of Tiangong Pavilion. Perfect. I had some grievances with that Heavenly Venerable Mogong in the past. I wonder if she'll jump in anger if I bring these people's heads to her?"

As her voice fell, Nightmare Demon Venerable waved her small hand casually. "Take them! Remember to wash the heads clean for me, lest that Heavenly Venerable Mogong fails to recognize them."

Following her command, eight figures immediately rushed out from the Demon Race Army.

These eight Great Demons were all of the Mahayana Realm, with powerful auras and surging Demonic Power. They turned into afterimages, pouncing toward Dongfang Li and the others.

The next moment!

Just as those eight Great Demons were about to reach them, a Dragon's roar that shook the heavens and earth suddenly rang out, the sound waves sweeping in all directions.

Yun Xuanxuan suddenly stepped forward, blocking everyone's path. Her originally clear eyes instantly became golden and radiant, like two golden suns, emitting a majesty that looked down upon the world.

She looked around at the pouncing demons, her voice bone-chillingly cold:

"Who dares to snatch the prey my Dragon Clan has set its sights on?"