Ever since Mo Xian had learned Ling Rong’s true identity, while he did not oppose the idea of Ling Rong reuniting with their Master, he remained deeply worried, fearing that Ling Rong’s identity might be accidentally exposed. After all, Ling Rong had already become a target of public criticism within the sect, and his situation was extremely precarious. If his identity were truly laid bare, would the elders of the immortal sect easily allow him to remain? Even if he were fortunate enough to stay, he would inevitably be subjected to the whispers and criticisms of other disciples behind his back.
At this moment, Mo Xian watched helplessly as his Master prepared to take action, but it was already too late to intervene.
“Go, Demon-Slaying Sword,” Wen Pinglan said, his expression grave and his gaze as deep as an abyss.
The moment the words left his lips, the Demon-Slaying Sword shot out like an arrow from a bow. It traced a sharp, cold arc through the air, hovering momentarily above Ling Rong and Jiang Ruansheng. The waves of pressure radiating from the sword made the surrounding air tremble. Mo Xian subconsciously swallowed hard, his heart leaping into his throat. He stared fixedly at the sword.
The next second, as if the sword had sensed some immense power, it began to shake violently, emitting a low, buzzing hum. Mo Xian mentally cried out that things were going poorly, an ominous premonition instantly surging in his heart.
However, events did not unfold in the worst way he had feared. The Demon-Slaying Sword suddenly banked, plunging straight into the crowd. The disciples who had been diligently practicing were caught off guard, terrified by this sudden turn of events, their faces went pale, and they nearly lost their grip on their own swords.
“This Demon-Slaying Sword, has it malfunctioned?” Wen Pinglan frowned, watching the out-of-control weapon in bewilderment.
“Ah!” one disciple shrieked in terror. That scream seemed to be a signal, instantly igniting the fear in everyone’s hearts. The disciples scattered in panic, and the entire training ground descended into utter chaos.
Only after the disciples had fled did Wen Pinglan see what had caused the commotion, where the sword had come to a halt, it was circling a mass of eerie black energy. That black energy rolled and surged like a tangible entity, emitting a chilling, bone-deep aura.
There are demons on this training ground!
Wen Pinglan was shocked. Without a moment’s thought, he tapped his toes against the ground and soared upward like a streak of golden light, arriving instantly beside the Demon-Slaying Sword. Without hesitation, he gripped the hilt and lunged toward the black fog.
Unexpectedly, the moment the sword was about to touch the energy, the black fog dissipated as if it had never existed at all. Ling Rong and Jiang Ruansheng stood there in a daze, stunned by the sudden turn of events. Their minds went completely blank.
“What, what just happened?” Jiang Ruansheng stammered, his eyes wide.
“I, I do not know,” Ling Rong echoed, equally bewildered, his eyes wide as copper bells, his speech halting.
“That was incredibly strange,” Jiang Ruansheng managed to squeeze out after a moment.
Just then, the black energy that had vanished reappeared like a phantom directly in front of Jiang Ruansheng and Ling Rong.
“No!” Mo Xian shouted internally, realizing the impending danger. He kicked off the ground and sprinted toward Ling Rong without a second thought.
But the black fog gave them no time to react. In the blink of an eye, it coalesced into a human form, a man in black robes with a cold, stern face. He raised a hand and swiftly set up a black barrier, tightly enclosing Ling Rong and Jiang Ruansheng within it.
When Wen Pinglan saw who it was, his expression darkened instantly. “So, it is you.”
The man was none other than the Demon General, Bai Xiao.
Bai Xiao sneered, his eyes filled with resentment and hatred. “Immortal Lord Wangshu, a hundred years ago, you led the cultivators of the immortal sect to attack my Demon Realm, cruelly killing the Demon Lord and leaving my realm leaderless, plunged into endless chaos and strife. Back then, my strength was insufficient to contend with you, I could only watch as the Demon Realm was driven to the brink of destruction. Now, a hundred years have passed, it is time to settle the old debts.”
Ling Rong finally realized that he had been taken hostage!
Wen Pinglan watched as Jiang Ruansheng was held captive by Bai Xiao, his expression turning dim and indecipherable. He narrowed his eyes and said, word by word, “If you dare to harm my disciples, I will ensure your Demon Realm flows with blood, leaving not a single living soul!”
Seeing Wen Pinglan’s intense reaction, Bai Xiao was secretly startled, but a cunning smile crept across his lips. He keenly sensed that these two captives were of extraordinary importance to Wen Pinglan. A bold thought flashed through his mind. He grew increasingly curious which of the two disciples held a more significant place in Wen Pinglan’s heart.
Bai Xiao curled his lip leisurely and said, “Flows with blood? Immortal Lord Wangshu, your words are quite arrogant! Why do you not take a guess, will it be our Demon Realm that flows with blood first, or your seemingly impregnable world of cultivation?”
“You!” Wen Pinglan trembled with rage, his eyes growing sharper. He roared, “How dare you! If you dare to act rashly, today will be the day you are buried here!”
“How dare I not?” Bai Xiao scoffed, his eyes glinting with malice. “Immortal Lord Wangshu, I admit that your current strength is indeed formidable. Hmph, after all, the spiritual power flowing through your veins belongs entirely to our Lord! What right do you have to flaunt your power here?”
Hearing this, the surrounding disciples erupted into a frenzy of whispers.
“What does that mean? Is there a secret behind the power in the Master’s body?” one young disciple asked in confusion.
“Could it be that the Master’s power is entirely from the Demon Lord? That is impossible!” another disciple exclaimed, wide-eyed with disbelief.
“No wonder, back then when they said the Master had returned to the immortal sect, his immortal meridians were completely destroyed. Everyone thought he could never use magic again, but it turned out he could still unleash powerful spells! So it was the Demon Lord who transferred power to him,” an older disciple realized.
“Why would the Demon Lord do that? Could he still not let go of the master-disciple bond between them? But were they not on opposite sides?” another disciple frowned, voicing his doubts.
These words fell on Ling Rong’s ears, leaving him utterly bewildered. He was completely lost. What Demon Lord? What spiritual power? What are these people talking about?
Wen Pinglan said, “Bai Xiao, you had better think clearly. You cannot bear the consequences of opposing me.”
Bai Xiao grinned, revealing sharp teeth, and channeled his power. Chains formed of demonic energy instantly coiled around the necks of Ling Rong and Jiang Ruansheng.
“Think clearly?” Bai Xiao scoffed. “I would rather have Immortal Lord Wangshu think clearly, these two disciples of yours are delicate and tender, I wonder what they will look like once demonic energy enters their bodies?”
Wen Pinglan’s eyes grew sinister. “Back then I could break through the South Gate of the Demon Realm, today, I can wipe your demon race from the Three Realms!”
“Wipe us out?” Bai Xiao laughed, looking more cunning than ever. “Then I would like to see if Immortal Lord Wangshu values peace in the Three Realms more, or the lives of these two little disciples?”
Bai Xiao licked his lips. “I hear the Immortal Lord is most protective of those under his wing, why do you not make a choice, how about you use the Demon Lord’s power within you to trade for these two lives?”