SQLJBFDTW Chapter 97

Chapter 97: The Eve of Arrangement

Continuing south from Nan Island, beyond the boundaries of human cultivators, lies a vast expanse of sand sea, near the entrance to the demon realm. Fumo Pass is located a thousand miles further south.

The desolate sandy land was dry and lifeless, devoid of any greenery. After flying above it for so long, Chao Jianxue almost forgot how long he had been flying and even felt the illusion that he would never escape this desert.

He knew Fumo Pass was ahead, and he wanted to check the situation.

Demonic energy had been turbulent for a long time, and various immortal sects had dispatched high-level cultivators to suppress the restless demonic energy near Fumo Pass.

Dizzy, lightheaded, and thirsty, he felt like he had been flying for decades before finally spotting signs of human cultivator activity.

The true appearance of Fumo Pass also came into view.

It was a massive pass formed by the long-term collision of demonic energy and spiritual energy, a sliver of sky in a cave. The yellow sand and Gobi Desert rose high on both sides, with a deep pass in the middle. Black and red demonic energy was visibly and continuously spreading outward, as if a great demon’s shadow might emerge at any moment.

Immortal sects had set up countless formations of all sizes at the pass, with the illusory images of dozens of giant swords inserted within the formations, jointly forming a powerful barrier to prevent the outflow of demonic energy.

However, this barrier was not enough, and many people were supporting it from below, supplying spiritual energy.

Fearing discovery, Chao Jianxue landed before getting too close. Stepping on the sand, he found it scorching hot and quickly used spiritual energy to float himself up again.

He hid behind nearby sand and rocks, searching but failing to find Lord Qishan’s figure.

Lord Qishan had been suppressing Fumo Pass for a long time and had his own cave dwelling at the pass. Chao Jianxue noticed the spiritual power and divine might emanating from the pass, indicating that Lord Qishan must be there.

He had only heard rumors of the turbulent demonic energy as an ethereal thing, but now that he was actually there, he realized the situation was indeed grim.

Human cultivators could currently hold it back, but given time, the great demons inside would gain more and more nourishment and demonic energy, inevitably breaking through the barrier.

At that time, even if the Xuanzhen Realm could survive, it would be like being washed in blood, no different from being destroyed.

Demonic energy had been accumulating for thousands of years and would eventually erupt. They just happened to be the ones facing it!

Seeing the ashen faces and worried expressions of the cultivators guarding the barrier, Chao Jianxue knew that there was hope for the meeting and negotiation between the human and demon races, and a great hope at that.

Even if the immortal sects did not want to cooperate with the demon realm, they had reached a point where they had to, only lacking a catalyst.

Chao Jianxue was willing to be this catalyst, but the other demon lords of the demon realm might not be willing to listen to him, which didn’t matter.

He and Yu Wei had already found an excellent endorsement candidate for them.

That was the deer demon who had just ascended from the human realm.

Forgive him, forgive him, he should now respectfully call him “True Immortal Qilin.”

Now that Qilin had ascended, he could freely travel between the human realm and the Xuanzhen Realm. The demons of the demon realm had already revered Qilin as an idol. With him coming forward to help Chao Jianxue as a lobbyist, those demon lords would surely agree.

When invited to One Leaf Boat, Qilin transformed into human form in a low-key manner. His human form had grown into that of a young man. When he didn’t speak, his silver hair and golden eyes were quite intimidating, but he would give himself away as soon as he opened his mouth.

“You are Master’s descendant!” he exclaimed in delight.

Chao Jianxue already knew the twists and turns of the story, but Yu Wei was unclear and looked at him in confusion. After Chao Jianxue briefly explained, Yu Wei was also quite surprised, saying, “So there’s such a story.”

Ying Xuange had unintentionally achieved a small demon in the human realm, and now he had also fulfilled Chao Jianxue’s wish.

He earnestly said to Qilin, “I need you to go to the demon realm and do something for me, something that concerns the safety of the Xuanzhen Realm.”

Qilin nodded innocently, “Tell me what to do, and I’ll help you.”

Chao Jianxue was overjoyed but then felt something was wrong. How could Qilin still be so gullible even after becoming an immortal?

His eyes were too innocent when he spoke, innocent to the point of being adorable.

He “uh”ed. Qilin then said, “Because it’s you, that’s why I’m helping you.” He had actually seen through Chao Jianxue’s slander.

Chao Jianxue said “okay” with emotion, and then, thinking again, he said seriously, “I will have Qing Tuliu accompany you then. Don’t speak easily, just nod or shake your head.”

Qilin tilted his head, “Why?”

Because as soon as you speak, you completely lose the majesty of a true immortal. I’m afraid the demons will be disillusioned.

After all, in the hearts of the demons, True Immortal Qilin was simply a demon of great grit who had fought his way out of a place as spiritually barren as the human realm. How could he be a soft-spoken, cute little deer?

In any case, Qilin received this important task and also learned about the great calamity facing the Xuanzhen Realm. He went with a great sense of justice.

And Yu Wei was to persuade the immortal sects.

The various sects held routine meetings, once every ten days since the demonic energy turbulence, to report on the latest developments at Fumo Pass.

Originally, the seat of Dongyuan was always vacant, but today someone had come.

Ying Feishang, who had just accepted everyone’s congratulations, brightened her eyes and shouted, drawing everyone’s attention to the person who had come: “Boat Master Yu is here too!”

Yu Wei nodded slightly. Many of those present were seeing him for the first time. After looking him over, they said, “The younger generation surpasses the older,” “An unparalleled genius,” and so on. Seeing that Yu Wei’s expression remained unchanged, such composure was even more admirable.

The main meeting was hosted by the various sects in rotation, and this time it was the turn of the Seven Skill Sect.

After reporting on the recent situation at Fumo Pass and the joint efforts of the various sects to strengthen the barrier, everyone expressed their intention to send more manpower, which could last for a long time.

Everyone had participated in such meetings many times, and they were just a routine, after all, according to the divination and the situation, there were no signs that Fumo Pass would be breached for the time being.

The host of the Seven Skill Sect finally breathed a sigh of relief and asked everyone if they had any other insights.

There was silence in the seats.

The host smoothly continued, “In that case, everyone…”

“Wait a moment.”

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Yu Wei standing up from his seat. He was tall and handsome, standing out conspicuously among a group of white-haired old men.

He walked down from his seat in the midst of a silent crowd, his calm demeanor making people hold their breath.

Yu Wei said, “I believe that in the face of the Fumo Pass crisis, the immortal sects should join hands with the demon realm to resist the demons.”

With a “Wow” sound, the scene erupted.

A single sentence stirred up a thousand waves. Several old men immediately waved their hands: “Absolutely not! Those not of our race must have different intentions! Who knows if the demon race will betray the immortal sects!”

Someone next to them said: “Our relationship with the demon realm is already strained. Although it has eased in recent years, there have been many incidents of demon cultivators injuring human cultivators on the border!”

Another said: “I don’t believe that demon cultivators can cooperate with us peacefully!”

Everyone chattered, looking at each other.

“Demonic energy is trapped within the barrier, and the immortal sects can still support it, but what about later?” Yu Wei’s eyes were cold, “Although the demon realm is at odds with the immortal sects, they ultimately belong to the Xuanzhen Realm. They would never do something that harms others and benefits themselves. The most urgent task is to jointly deploy defenses. It will be too late to discuss this when Fumo Pass is breached.”

These words silenced the crowd.

Suddenly, a female voice said, “I agree with Boat Master Yu’s proposal.”

It was Ying Feishang, also of the Dongyuan clan.

With one person taking a stand, several others also expressed their support, but some still had concerns, saying, “The demon cultivators are cunning and unpredictable. What if they take the opportunity to turn against the immortal sects? If there is internal strife before Fumo Pass is breached, can we afford the cost?”

Yu Wei’s voice was like shattered ice, “Have the seniors personally been to Fumo Pass? Have you seen the dangerous situation there? The cost you speak of is just conjecture. Are you really willing to cut off the future of the Xuanzhen Realm for this kind of unfounded conjecture?”

That person then fell silent.

One Leaf Boat was peaceful. Two dragonflies flew past the courtyard gate and stayed in the courtyard for a moment. Seeing no water or flowers, they flew away.

A pebble was thrown up from below, grazing the dragonfly’s wings and missing its target.

“Tch.”

Missing the first shot, Mo Zezhi yawned boredly, seeing Chao Jianxue practicing his sword slowly in the courtyard, and said, “Are you so confident that the immortal sects will agree to negotiate?”

Chao Jianxue slowly spun a few steps, the tip of his sword twirling like a flower. “Otherwise?”

“Tch, from my understanding of those old geezers, they all hate demons like enemies and consider themselves superior. Even if the demon hordes are at their doorstep, they won’t say a single ‘peace’ to the demons.”

Chao Jianxue’s sword movements paused, but he quickly continued. If it were before, when he had just fallen from the Wuwu Sect, he would have had the same thoughts as Mo Zezhi, but now he wasn’t worried at all.

There might be some in the immortal sects who hated demons like enemies, but there were also those who could look at each other with peaceful eyes. The prejudices of one generation were difficult to remove, but later generations would always see clearly.

There was no need to think of humans and demons as so bad.

When Yu Wei returned, Chao Jianxue had just finished his sword practice. He raised a smile and asked, “When is it?”

Yu Wei said, “This time, the Tianyao Sect will come forward. The Tianyao Sect leader will write a letter to the demon realm. If the demon realm agrees, it will be set at noon tomorrow.”

As expected, there was no suspense. Chao Jianxue nodded, “Qing Tuliu has also sent me a message, the other demon lords have all agreed to the meeting.”

The matter should be done sooner rather than later. In addition to the Fumo Pass issue, there was also the goal of publicly exposing the evil deeds of Mo Tanzhou. Chao Jianxue was instead worried: “Will you help us tomorrow?”

Mo Zezhi’s face turned cold, and he suddenly sneered: “Do I have another choice? I can’t wait to see him disgraced.”

Chao Jianxue thought for a while and said to him, “If you are willing, we will take you to Yi Yun Valley after tomorrow.”

Mo Zezhi glared at him: “You really are kind. Alright.”

Chao Jianxue was used to his obnoxious, sideways glances. If one day Mo Zezhi was polite and respectful to him, thanking him with a very sincere tone, he would find it strange instead.

As soon as night fell, Chao Jianxue returned to the demon realm.

Qing Tuliu vividly described the daytime scene to him, laughing and chattering, while Qilin sat there still looking adorable.

“You didn’t see it, those demon lords almost wanted to kneel down when they saw Qilin. We didn’t need to say anything, not even a polite word, just stated our intentions, and they all agreed!”

“Oh, a long time ago, when I went to their territory alone, I didn’t even dare to glance at them. With Qilin here, I finally got to show off! Wahahaha!”

He pushed Chao Jianxue into the room, beaming, “Look at what I’ve prepared!”

“What?”

Chao Jianxue was still confused when he saw a black and gold robe hanging on the clothes rack, so extravagant that it made his eyes widen.

“This is Lord Qi Wu’s former ceremonial robe. The elder specifically instructed to have it altered to fit your figure, for you to wear when you attend the meeting tomorrow. He wants to use this to announce to the demon realm that Lord Qi Wu’s bloodline has not been cut off!”

Looking at this outfit, Chao Jianxue thought that tomorrow, people would indeed rely on clothing, making a grand appearance!