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“Today is my final visit.”
The man in the snowy attire picked up the ancient qin and, without looking back, walked away, leaving behind a remark.
Ao Yue widened his eyes and struggled to free himself from the black iron chains. “Why is it the last time? Didn’t we agree that you would play the qin for me every day? Why? Don’t go! Don’t leave!”
“Don’t leave!!!”
Su Baiche hid in the darkness, gazing at the gradually reddening eyes of the celestial dog. “Is this stimulation effective? The black iron chains have a restriction cast by Ling Ye. If he could break free, he would have escaped long ago.”
“The descendants of ancient demonic beasts, the stronger their bloodline, the more difficult it is for them to awaken,” explained Tong Xi. “Although Ao Yue dominates the demon realm, his bloodline has not yet awakened. He admires you, and your sudden departure would push his emotions to the brink of collapse. Once it reaches a certain level, his ancient bloodline will awaken, and his power will instantly increase by several realms. Even Ling Ye would find it difficult to match him.”
Su Baiche felt uneasy. “If I truly help Ling Ye and Ao Yue doesn’t stop, what if he accidentally kills me with a single strike?”
“Wealth and danger go hand in hand!”
“Absolutely not! Life is the most precious!”
Tong Xi cursed inwardly, wishing he could kill Su Baiche and find someone else to assist him. However, he had no choice but to speak kindly, “If Ao Yue can awaken his bloodline, even if he accidentally kills you, he would use his lifetime cultivation to bring you back from the depths of the Nine Springs.”
Reluctantly compromising, Su Baiche quietly left Wuwang Valley.
Behind him, the calm sky suddenly darkened. Dark clouds rolled like giant waves, accompanied by a few strands of blood-red halo, eerie and chilling.
The roar of an ancient behemoth echoed above Qingling Sect.
The square erupted in chaos as disciples looked bewilderedly toward Wuwang Valley, their faces displaying a hint of panic.
“What’s happening? The sky suddenly turned dark.”
“It’s Ao Yue calling out. Could it be that he’s trying to break free from the chains?”
“If he escapes, the sect will inevitably suffer. What should we do?”
Several elders on the stage wore grave expressions.
“The grand competition is approaching, why did Ao Yue suddenly go mad?”
“Quickly report to the Sect Master. Ao Yue is acting strangely.”
“You all should look at the scene above Wuwang Valley,” Cheng Yitian pointed southward, his face gloomy. “I have witnessed a similar scene before, caused by a fox demon. You should have heard his name—Hua Jian.”
Silence fell upon the surroundings for a moment, and everyone’s expressions changed.
“·····The Three Demon Kings.”
Cheng Yitian nodded slightly with a heavy tone, “I suspect that Ao Yue possesses the same ability as him. If that’s the case, Qingling Sect will be in great danger.”
Wu Zhi’s forehead broke out in cold sweat, “Indeed, it’s not good. Even if the Sect Master can fight against him, the battle between powerful individuals can easily destroy Qingling Sect…”
“It’s alright, we still have Immortal Shen,” said Yan Yun, who had been silent all along. She wore a light purple gown and had a crisp and pleasant voice. “If he joins forces with the Sect Master, they can resolve the crisis.”
The surrounding elders paused for a moment, glancing at her with mixed emotions.
Yan Yun was taken aback, “Don’t you believe in Immortal Shen?”
“Elder Yan,” Cheng Yitian sighed helplessly, “you didn’t understand what I said. Even the Sect Master would find it difficult to protect Qingling Sect under Ao Yue’s control. What can Immortal… Shen do? If he confronts Ao Yue, he would be nothing more than an insignificant opponent, easily defeated in an instant.”
“Elder Cheng is right,” Wu Zhi sneered, “If Ao Yue really escapes, I can assure you that Immortal Shen, with his cultivation in the Harmonization realm, will be the fastest one running away from Qingling Sect!”
While the group discussed, they realized that the terrifying roar had ceased.
Above Wumang Valley, the dark clouds dispersed, revealing a familiar scene.
“Is that true?”
Ao Yue regained his human form and stared fiercely at the three individuals in front of him.
Among them, the man in the green robe was the one he hated the most. However, inexplicably, his gaze involuntarily shifted to the man in the purple robe beside him. He had a sense of familiarity and couldn’t help but feel restless in his heart.
“Don’t you just want to listen to Lord Su playing music for you?” Shen Liuxiang chuckled softly. “All you had to was inform us, and Lord Su, who is willing to give his all for the sect, wouldn’t hesitate, especially when it comes to entertaining a great demon like you.”
Ao Yue snorted, and the red mark on his forehead disappeared, “You all know how to be sensible. If not, I wouldn’t be able to control myself.”
He left Wumang Valley.
Ling Hua reached out and grabbed Shen Liuxiang’s neck, praising him without end, “You did great. You managed to calm Ao Yue with just a few words.”
When the celestial dog became agitated earlier, Ling Ye immediately brought the two of them here, intending to kill Ao Yue while he was still not fully awakened. However, Shen Liuxiang’s arrival effortlessly pacified the enraged celestial dog.
“You almost choked me to death,” Shen Liuxiang brushed away Ling Hua’s hand and coughed lightly. “Although Ao Yue is a monster, he’s not completely heartless. There must be a reason behind his sudden rage. It would be unfair to kill him without understanding the situation.”
Ling Hua was taken aback.
Was he suggesting that the Sect Master’s actions were inappropriate?
His expression changed slightly, “The Sect Master is concerned about the safety of the sect. How can you…”
“No worries, Junior Brother’s words do make sense,” Ling Ye said calmly, his hands behind his back, his gaze falling on Shen Liuxiang. “But remember, the cultivation world and the demon world are irreconcilable. The barrier between the two realms is as solid as mountains and as bloody as a sea of corpses. Therefore, in the future, you must not show mercy to any member of the demon race.”
Shen Liuxiang was momentarily stunned but nodded in understanding.
After the commotion caused by Ao Yue was settled, the grand competition within the sect began in full swing. With the presence of the Sect Master and the Immortal Shen among the spectators, the disciples of Qingling Sect displayed their utmost strength and engaged in thrilling battles in the arena.
However, there were also matches that lacked excitement due to a significant difference in strength.
One move and it was over.
Zhou Xuanlan stepped down from the stage, and discussions broke out among the spectators.
“The difference is evident when it comes to the personal disciples of the Immortal Shen. Brother Zhao is quite formidable, but he couldn’t even withstand a single move from him.”
“That’s true. The other two personal disciples are no different.”
“Well, it’s expected. After all, they have a Master. Who would have believed that Shen Liuxiang spent the entire night practicing spells with him?”
The afternoon passed quickly, and Zhou Xuanlan emerged as the victor in all ten battles, ending the preliminary selection ahead of schedule.
He scanned the crowd, searching for his Master’s figure. After a while, unable to find him, his dark eyes dimmed. At that moment, his waist pendant gently trembled, tilting toward the direction of the woods behind the square.
Shen Liuxiang hid behind an ancient tree and beckoned him. “Come quickly, don’t let anyone notice.”
Zhou Xuanlan’s eyes brightened, and he hurried over.
Shen Liuxiang held his shoulder, crouched down mysteriously, and took something out of his pocket. “I just sneaked into town to buy this. It’s still warm.”
He unfolded the oil paper, and Zhou Xuanlan stared at the three golden chicken legs in silence.
Shen Liuxiang fluttered his dark lashes, picked up one of the warm chicken legs, took a bite, and the delicious juices satisfied his taste buds in an instant. He looked content and said, “That was pretty good. How about you?”
Zhou Xuanlan was slightly taken aback, but after a moment, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “If Master feels it  is good, then the disciple feels it is good too.”
He gazed at Shen Liuxiang, observing his serene enjoyment of the chicken leg, and felt a slight itch in his heart. He had never seen such a Master before—like a mischievous little demon cub who had sheathed its claws, lying on its back, revealing a soft and innocent belly.
“Aren’t you going to eat?”
Shen Liuxiang finished one, ready to extend his claws for another, but noticed that Zhou Xuanlan hadn’t moved.
He looked up and emphasized, “It’s very delicious.”
Zhou Xuanlan snapped back to reality and noticed that there was a bit of oil on the corner of Shen Liuxiang’s lips. Subconsciously, he reached out his hand.
His fingertip brushed against the tender skin.
Following the graceful contour of the lips, he gently wiped it away.
Both of them froze in place.
With a “clatter,” the chicken leg that Shen Liuxiang had just picked up fell to the ground.
Zhou Xuanlan snapped out of his daze and quickly withdrew his hand, while Shen Liuxiang blinked his eyes. He picked up the chicken leg, which was now covered in dust, and wrapped it together with the remaining one in the oil paper. “This master suddenly remembered that there’s something else to attend to. I’ll go ahead, and you can continue with the competition.”
After saying that, before Zhou Xuanlan could react, Shen Liuxiang disappeared from the spot.
Leaving the forest, Shen Liuxiang aimlessly wandered around in a circle, changed his direction with a turn, and headed towards the direction of Wuwang Valley.
Wasting is disgraceful.
“Your plan has failed,” in a hidden corner, Su Baiche’s face was filled with anger. “Not only was Ao Yue easily appeased, but now I have to play the Qin for him every day!”
“According to the plan, during the extermination by Ling Ye and others, he would fully awaken his bloodline and then be the first to attack Ling Ye. Who knew…” Tongxi also felt frustrated. “They unexpectedly used kind words to calm down the anger of the Heavenly Dog. It’s not what I expected!”
Su Baiche massaged her temples and gritted her teeth, saying, “From now on, I won’t listen to your instructions. It’s all nonsense.”
“No!” Tong Xi anxiously said, “We are on the same path, and I must help you achieve… Wait a minute, the Heavenly Dog’s mood is off. His anger is skyrocketing, several times stronger than in the morning!”
At first, Ao Yue couldn’t believe his own eyes.
It wasn’t until another chicken leg was thrown toward him, this time covered in mud.
The man in the purple robe he had seen in the morning faced him, crouched down, and continuously curled and stretched his fingers, as if playing with something in the palm of his hand, making a “tsk tsk tsk” sound.
Playing with a dog, just like in the mortal world.
“Tsk tsk tsk, can you bark once? Isn’t that nice?” Shen Liuxiang couldn’t help but tease the towering figure of the Heavenly Dog, who looked like a big idiot, staring at him blankly.
“If you’re happy, wag your tail. If you’re unhappy, bark a couple of times. Otherwise, I won’t give you any more chicken legs next time.”
Was that chicken leg supposed to threaten him?
Was he, a dignified Heavenly Dog, bowing down for a chicken leg like a petty demon?
What a humiliation?!
Ao Yue’s mind exploded, his vision turned crimson, and his whole body trembled violently.
Suddenly, the voice transmission device rang, and Ling Hua’s voice came through: “Where have you been? Today’s competition is over. Come to the square quickly, we’re waiting for you.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Liuxiang stood up and left.
There was a moment of silence in Wuwang Valley, followed by a blood-curdling scream that shook the heavens: “You villain, you won’t escape!!!”
Shen Liuxiang appeared in the square and took his place. He stood by the side of the Sect Master, just as he was walking towards Ling Ye, when the sky roared with thunder. The Qingling Sect was instantly engulfed by rolling dark clouds, plunging into darkness.
Accompanied by the sound of shattered black iron, the furious roar of the Heavenly Dog resounded through the air, reaching their ears.
“This is bad!”
“Ao, Ao Yue has escaped!”
“Run!”
In the blink of an eye, a pair of crimson eyes emerged from the dark clouds and descended upon the square.
“You shameless brat, die!”
With overwhelming pressure, Ao Yue flew out of the clouds and attacked Ling Ye. A single palm was enough to shatter mountains and rivers, carrying a power that tore through space.
“Sect Master!!!”
Countless people exclaimed in shock, but they were frozen in place by fear.
Only one slender figure, Lord Su, suddenly appeared in front of Ling Ye, embracing him firmly with a resolute posture.
“Sect Master…”
It was Lord Su!
The whole venue shook, and the hearts of everyone in the Qingling Sect trembled.
This person was being too foolish!
But… this was Lord Su, the kindest and most gentle elder of the Qingling Sect!
“Do not harm him!”
All the disciples cried out in their hearts, but they could only watch helplessly as the Heavenly Dog approached Lord Su with boundless killing intent.
At that moment, an untimely young voice resounded throughout the heavens and earth, filled with unprecedented panic.
“Master -!”
The crowd paused upon hearing the sound and realized that Ao Yue was not attacking the Sect Master but Immortal Shen, who was not far from him.
Boom!
The fatal blow from the Heavenly Dog struck Shen Liuxiang.
The entire Qingling Sect shook violently, and when everything settled down, all that remained in the place where Shen Liuxiang stood was a pile of ashes.
“Shen… Immortal Shen…”
A full-force strike from the Heavenly Dog was enough to crush a person, and everyone already knew the outcome. Their expressions instantly became different.
At that moment, something massive fell from the sky.
Bang!
Ao Yue crashed heavily onto the ground.
Two blood-stained canine teeth were spat out from its bloody mouth and rolled on the ground.
The dust dispersed.
A slender figure stood above him, lips lightly curved, an incomparably handsome face revealing an arrogant smile.
Dazzling like the stars.
“My life is not so easily taken!”
The entire venue fell into silence.
T/N: Immortal Shen cannot help himself LMAO. Why is he trying to have beef with a dog.