Queen of Ten Thousand Demons Insists on Marrying Me - Chapter 58

After the group returned to the inn.

“One thousand five hundred top-grade spirit stones! Sister Xiaoxiao, are you the God of Gamblers?” Mo Siliu exclaimed in surprise, looking at the top-grade spirit stones spread across the bed.

Lu Xiaoxiao sat at the table, gracefully picked up a cup of tea, and tasted it, saying: “It’s alright, just a little bit amazing.”

Lu Wanbai was equally incredulous: “How did you do that, Xiaoxiao? That Lin Yizhi seemed obscure and quite young. How were you so certain that she would win?”

Of course, it was because she saw that all her attribute values were superior to that Zhu Zigang.

She had originally thought this ability was completely useless—after all, you didn’t need to check when you could win, and checking only added to the despair when you couldn’t. She never expected it could be used for betting on matches today. It truly was a case of the winding path leading to a new village.

“This… the secrets of the heavens cannot be revealed. You should ask Chu Jiawen. She knows Lin Yizhi better.”

Mo Siliu said: “Sister Chu followed Lin Yizhi as soon as she left the platform and hasn’t returned yet.”

“Then wait until she returns to ask her. Let’s hurry up and find Wan Qingyi to return the spirit stones. Auntie Wan arrived in Dongchang City a while ago, and we still haven’t gone to see her,” Lu Xiaoxiao said, changing the subject.

“That’s a good idea!”

Lu Wanbai took out her storage bag, went to the bed, and packed one thousand top-grade spirit stones into it.

This was because the two of them unanimously agreed that Wan Xuan’er’s kindness to them was too great, and if they were to repay it, they should do so with double gratitude.

With two-thirds of the spirit stones instantly gone from the bed, Lu Xiaoxiao stood by the bedside, gently pulling Tantai Jing’s hand, and said: “Can you wait for me here? I’m afraid they’ll make things difficult for you if you come with us.”

Tantai Jing’s dark eyes were full of confusion: “Aren’t you going to let me go with you to admit my mistake? After all, the cause of the problem was me.”

“Of course not! Even if you apologize, they won’t forgive you. I don’t want you to go and be wronged. You weren’t wrong to save your relative; it’s my fault for falling for you and protecting you. And my Senior Sister is my only relative, so letting her go and get scolded is fine. You just stay here and look after the spirit stones for us.”

Lu Xiaoxiao pressed her back onto the bed, grabbed a book Tantai Jing liked, and tucked it into her hand: “We’ll be back soon. You and Siliu wait for us patiently.”

Tantai Jing’s heart warmed, seeing her thinking of herself at every turn. She softly answered with an “Mm,” and watched them leave.

It was the first time the two senior and junior sisters were carrying such a massive sum of money, and they felt nervous and fearful walking on the street, afraid that a group of bandits would suddenly jump out and rob them.

Fortunately, the inn where Wan Xuan’er was staying was not far from theirs. They turned left out of the door and went into an elixir shop run by the Demon Race. By the time they emerged, they were at the entrance of the inn in less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea.

As luck would have it, just as they were hesitating at the inn entrance about how to apologize to Wan Xuan’er, her voice came from behind them.

“What are you two doing? You’re going to flatten the threshold.”

The sudden, familiar voice startled both of them.

“Auntie Wan…”

Watching Wan Xuan’er and Wan Qingyi walk past them and enter the inn, the two no longer hesitated. They exchanged a guilty glance and followed them, stopping only when they reached Wan Xuan’er’s room.

“Auntie Wan, I’m here to apologize to you. I owe you a lot for your care back at the Jade Aura Palace, and I was ungrateful and didn’t know what was good for me. I heard that several elders in the Jade Aura Palace were seriously injured and dropped a major realm because of me. Xiaoxiao knows her sin is profound and has brought some elixirs and spirit stones as compensation. Please accept them.”

After Lu Xiaoxiao finished speaking, she took off the storage ring in her hand and placed it on a nearby table. She then returned to her original spot, standing properly with her hands resting by her sides.

Wan Xuan’er’s face was slightly pale, likely still due to the damage sustained by her natal magic treasure, the Demon-Locking Pagoda. Lu Xiaoxiao felt even more distressed.

Wan Qingyi walked to the table, picked up the storage ring that had not been claimed by an owner, and took out all the items, placing them on the table.

“Why so many spirit stones, and Qi Condensing Pills?” Wan Qingyi looked at the four hundred top-grade spirit stones and thirteen Qi Condensing Pills on the table.

She was somewhat shocked by Lu Xiaoxiao’s lavishness. The Qi Condensing Pill was a rare elixir that could be used to break through realms. It was extremely valuable and difficult to acquire, as the total reward for this Sun and Moon Grand Competition was only fifty-five pills.

The two of them were able to obtain these thirteen Qi Condensing Pills only through Tantai Jing’s connections. However, less trouble was better than more, and even if they knew, they probably wouldn’t appreciate it.

Lu Xiaoxiao merely stood aside, offering a nervous smile: “I don’t know how Auntie Wan is recovering now?”

Wan Xuan’er gently lifted her eyelids, leisurely glancing at Lu Xiaoxiao, and finally spoke: “How are things now between you and Tantai Jing?”

Lu Xiaoxiao hadn’t expected her to ask this question and was momentarily at a loss, unsure whether to answer honestly or with the answer she wanted to hear.

Seeing her hesitate, Wan Xuan’er understood everything. Moreover, the two of them were very conspicuous in the competition grounds, making it hard for Wan Xuan’er not to notice them.

“You know she is from the Demon Race. Why do you still stay with her?”

Lu Xiaoxiao’s thoughts were a bit scattered. She didn’t know why Wan Xuan’er hadn’t asked about what happened the day the Demon-Locking Pagoda was destroyed.

She answered truthfully: “Why can’t I be with her just because she’s from the Demon Race?”

Seeing Wan Xuan’er momentarily stunned, Lu Xiaoxiao continued: “Although she infiltrated the Jade Aura Palace with the intention of breaking the Demon-Locking Pagoda, she was also trying to save her relative. On the day Yan Gengshen used the teleportation array to attack the pagoda, she rang the Jade Aura Palace’s warning bell in advance. She never intended to harm anyone else.”

“While I know these things don’t negate the wrong she committed, I believe she is sincere toward me. So, regardless of whether she is a demon or a devil, I still love her. After all, nobody is perfect, are they, Auntie Wan?”

Wan Qingyi angrily slammed the table: “Sophistry! The fact that she colluded with Yan Gengshen to attack the Jade Aura Palace cannot be changed. I think you and Lu Wanbai have been blinded, constantly mixing with her!” After saying this, she glared fiercely at Lu Wanbai.

Seeing Wan Qingyi getting riled up, while Wan Xuan’er seemed to be deep in thought, Lu Xiaoxiao contemplated for a moment and then said: “Auntie Wan, Xiaoxiao has a question, but I don’t know if I should ask it.”

Wan Qingyi retorted without yielding: “If you don’t know whether you should ask, then don’t!”

Lu Xiaoxiao awkwardly scratched her head at this retort.

Wan Xuan’er came back to her senses: “Qingyi, take Wanbai out for a moment.”

Wan Qingyi stamped her foot in frustration, but ultimately could not defy Wan Xuan’er and left the room with Lu Wanbai.

“I know what you want to ask. It’s inevitably about why I imprisoned Fu Zhao in the Demon-Locking Pagoda back then, right?”

Wan Xuan’er’s eyes gradually lost focus, and she was plunged into a vortex of memories, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings. After a long while, she suddenly seemed to awaken from a long dream, her eyes refocusing and regaining their usual clarity.

She gently shook her head, trying to push away the chaotic thoughts: “It’s only because she is of the Demon Race. Non-kind is sure to be treacherous.”

Lu Xiaoxiao: “Then the rumours circulating outside…”

Wan Xuan’er: “I didn’t know she was of the Demon Race at the time, or I wouldn’t have been deceived by her. She was imprisoned in the Demon-Locking Pagoda for a hundred years. Her sins have long been atoned for. It’s good that she is out now.”

“Let the matter of Tantai Jing rest here. Even if she hadn’t colluded with Yan Gengshen, he would eventually have gone to rescue Yan Sihong. I will accept the compensation you brought for the elders on their behalf.”

Lu Xiaoxiao bowed deeply to Wan Xuan’er: “Thank you, Auntie Wan. Xiaoxiao is deeply grateful.”

Wan Xuan’er did not decline her gesture this time, accepting all the courtesy: “If you are truly grateful, just help me look out for Qingyi more in the future.”

“I see many strange occurrences in this Sun and Moon Grand Competition held in Dongchang City. You should leave soon, lest you get caught up in this vortex. Founding a sect cannot be achieved in a single day; do not be too persistent.”

Lu Xiaoxiao felt that the words Wan Xuan’er spoke to her this time had the sense of making final arrangements, which made her feel inexplicably distressed.

“Xiaoxiao will respectfully heed your teachings, but Senior Sister is too determined regarding this matter, so we may not be able to leave Dongchang City just yet.”

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, but Lu Xiaoxiao, knowing Tantai Jing was waiting for her at the inn, and sensing an impending storm from her conversation with Wan Xuan’er, bid her farewell and returned early.

Back at the inn, Lu Xiaoxiao lay on Tantai Jing’s lap that night, feeling a constant sense of dread and unease.

“Sister Jing, do you think there’s really something wrong with this Sun and Moon Grand Competition? Would Yan Gengshen be so kind-hearted?” Lu Xiaoxiao rolled over and looked up at Tantai Jing, asking her.

Tantai Jing stopped flipping the book, and one hand slowly stroked Lu Xiaoxiao’s face: “It should be fine. Both the Demon Race and Human Race are participating in this competition, and so far, there hasn’t been any sign of deception. Perhaps he really is aiming for peaceful co-existence between the two races.”

Lu Xiaoxiao felt comfortable with her touch, but her heart was still anxious: “But when Auntie Wan was talking to me today, I had a feeling that something big was about to happen. She even told my Senior Sister and me to look out for Wan Qingyi later.”

Upon saying this, Lu Xiaoxiao sat straight up, her eyes full of worry as she looked at Tantai Jing: “Auntie Wan has a Great Ascension stage cultivation. Doesn’t it seem strange that she would ask the two of us to look after Wan Qingyi?”

Tantai Jing put down her book and cupped Lu Xiaoxiao’s face: “Stop worrying needlessly. She naturally has prejudices against the Demon Race. Besides, with my Godmother and me here supervising, even if something happens, we are here.”

Hearing her say this, Lu Xiaoxiao finally felt a little relieved. At the very least, if Yan Gengshen were planning something, Tantai Jing and Fu Zhao were not on his side.

As the two spoke, they were completely unaware that the five hundred top-grade spirit stones on the table had quietly turned into a gentle stream of lingqi, which flowed directly towards the Primordial Sword, resting quietly nearby and emanating a faint cold light.

In the end, only a single spirit stone was left lying alone on the table.

It was only when she was getting ready for bed that Lu Xiaoxiao saw this sole spirit stone. She quietly collected it, thinking to herself: When did Tantai Jing take them? But her interest rate is too brutal! A tenfold return, leaving me only one piece for food, clothing, and travel. I must never borrow money from her again.

The Sun and Moon Grand Competition was still in full swing.

With the Profound Heaven Sword Art and the Primordial Sword in hand, Lu Xiaoxiao was virtually unbeatable among those at the Nascent Soul stage. As expected, a few days later, one million middle-grade spirit stones and ten Qi Condensing Pills fell into her hands.

Lu Wanbai, likewise, won first place at the Elite Core stage, also obtaining one million middle-grade spirit stones and ten Qi Condensing Pills.

The two stood high on the platform, unable to contain their joy, waiting to take the one million middle-grade spirit stones and Qi Condensing Pills back to establish a small sect and slowly develop it.

Clutching their bounty, Lu Xiaoxiao now thought Yan Gengshen was the best person imaginable. The disparity in strength between the Human Race and the Demon Race was huge; the Human Race accounted for seventy out of the top one hundred. Didn’t this mean the Demon Race was simply delivering money to the Human Race?

Yan Gengshen, who had not appeared for a long time, unexpectedly showed up at the high platform, looking radiant, and slowly walked onto the stage.

However, as he took step after step onto the high platform, the originally calm arena suddenly became turbulent. Wild winds raged, and even the space was twisted and distorted.

Dark clouds rapidly gathered, blotting out the sky and the sun, completely devouring the previously bright horizon until not a single ray of light could penetrate.

In this chaos, at the very top of the sky, a massive vortex quietly appeared. It rotated so rapidly that the surrounding air was pulled by its powerful suction, emitting a sharp, whistling sound.

Even more astonishingly, as the vortex gradually stabilized, it revealed the scene of another world—lush green mountains, clear waters, and mist-shrouded clouds. It was clearly a completely different minor realm.

“Is this the trial ground of some great power?” Confusion spread through the crowd, and gradually, people began to ask questions.

Lu Xiaoxiao’s heart pounded. The seemingly serene minor realm gave her a strange feeling, and an inexplicable sense of unease lingered in her mind.

She nervously looked around, trying to find a clue in the expressions and actions of those around her, but everyone was immersed in the shock of the mysterious minor realm’s appearance. No one noticed her anomaly.

Only Yan Gengshen continued to walk onto the high platform, seemingly unaware of anything amiss.

“Senior Sister, go find Mo Siliu quickly! We’ll meet at the main gate!” Lu Xiaoxiao urgently told her Senior Sister beside her, but the moment the words left her mouth, she felt it was inappropriate.

“No! Let’s meet back at the inn!”

With that, she didn’t wait for her Senior Sister’s response, nor did she spare a thought for the spirit stones yet to be awarded. She urgently pushed through the crowd, struggling to squeeze her way toward Tantai Jing’s location.

The sudden appearance of this minor realm was truly bizarre and completely different from the norm.

Usually, a minor realm would only leave an opening, quietly waiting for cultivators whose destiny was ripe to enter.

But today, this minor realm was rushing towards the arena overwhelmingly, as if it had its own will, eagerly wanting cultivators to enter and seize that unknown opportunity.

Lu Xiaoxiao struggled to push forward while looking up at the vortex that was getting closer and closer. She noticed that the scene of green mountains, clear waters, and mist-shrouded clouds radiating from the vortex was constantly shifting and changing.

On the other side, Tantai Jing also sensed that something was wrong. She turned to Fu Zhao, who was also present today, and asked: “Godmother, what is happening?”

Fu Zhao’s expression was equally solemn. Her brows were tightly furrowed, and she gazed deeply at the rapidly approaching vortex, saying in a low voice: “I’m not sure what trick this Yan Gengshen is playing. Let’s leave this place first. The situation here is wrong.”

With that, without waiting for Tantai Jing to react, she reached out to grab her hand, attempting to use a Teleportation spell to take her away from the dangerous high platform.

Tantai Jing’s heart skipped a beat. She turned her head and saw Lu Xiaoxiao running towards them: “Wait, Godmother, Lu Xiaoxiao is coming!”

Fu Zhao: “We don’t have time to worry about that!”

To Fu Zhao’s surprise, her spiritual power seemed to be bound by an invisible force, and the Teleportation spell was completely unresponsive.

“Damn it! Yan Gengshen has already set up a formation in advance. Teleportation is impossible here.”

Fu Zhao’s face changed. She unhesitatingly pulled Tantai Jing and, relying on her own powerful spiritual energy, flew rapidly toward the edge of the arena.

However, the arena was now in complete chaos.

Tens of thousands of people were crowded together. Some had greedy gleams in their eyes and flew impatiently toward the minor realm vortex in the sky, afraid of missing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Others appeared panicked and helpless, anxiously searching for their family and friends in the densely packed crowd.

Still others, like Tantai Jing and Fu Zhao, sensed that something was amiss. They scrambled to fly out of the arena, trying to escape the dangerous place.

Instantly, the entire arena became clamorous and overcrowded, both above and below the ground. Everywhere Fu Zhao passed, both Human and Demon cultivators were repelled by her powerful spiritual energy, sent flying backward and spitting blood, creating a scene of utter wreckage.

From afar, Lu Xiaoxiao saw the figures of Fu Zhao leading Tantai Jing flying away through the crowd. Her heart immediately calmed down a little, knowing that at least Tantai Jing was safe for the time being. Thus, she followed closely behind Fu Zhao and Tantai Jing, pushing hard through the crowd and flying toward the outside of the arena.

However, moving faster than them was the minor realm above. It was advancing rapidly with an irresistible force.

The scene of green mountains, clear waters, and mist-shrouded clouds was no longer an alluring celestial land in the eyes of the crowd, but had turned into a terrifying vortex that would devour everything.

In less than five breaths, the entire arena was completely swallowed by the minor realm. The previously clamorous site, buzzing with the noise of the crowd, instantly became silent.