Queen of Ten Thousand Demons Insists on Marrying Me - Chapter 67

Wan Xuan’er felt two warm, soft surfaces gently touch her lips, then immediately fly away like a shy butterfly. The hand around her waist loosened. She opened her eyes in a daze, only to see that the person opposite her was already standing a step away.

Another gust of wind rose, and petals drifted down between the two women.

Through the shower of fluttering petals, the deeply flushed side profile of the other woman was reflected in Wan Xuan’er’s eyes. Seeing the blush on her face, Wan Xuan’er instinctively reached up and touched her own lips.

They still seemed to carry Fuzhao’s warmth.

Suppressing the urge to take their intimacy further, Wan Xuan’er put on her usual calm and composed expression: “Speak. What exactly is going on?”

Fuzhao looked at her serene expression, a wave of disappointment washing over her, and her rapidly beating heart instantly dropped to freezing point.

She lowered her gaze: “A pillar of light emitting such powerful spiritual energy in the Lancang Demon Territory… I believe it can only be the Hao Yue Bracelet.”

“The Hao Yue Bracelet? What is that?” As the Palace Master of Yaoxia Palace, there were few divine artifacts Wan Xuan’er was unaware of. Yet, the name ‘Hao Yue Bracelet’ had never reached her ears before.

Fuzhao’s eyes looked into the distance, as if lost in distant memories.

“The Lancang Demon Territory hasn’t appeared for several centuries. According to Demon Clan legends, this territory is a cave dwelling left behind by a great demon cultivator named the Lancang Demoness, who ascended five thousand years ago. Every few hundred years, someone obtains a key, which allows many members of the Demon Clan to enter. However, the method for obtaining the key is different every time, so I do not know how Yan Gengshen managed to get his hands on it.”

“And the Hao Yue Bracelet is one of the supreme treasures the Lancang Demoness used to dominate the Three Realms thousands of years ago. According to the ancient texts of Mount Gouwu, every time the Hao Yue Bracelet appears, it manifests as a pillar of crimson light that reaches the heavens, gradually shrinking over time. The Hao Yue Bracelet has appeared many times over the millennia, but no fated person has ever managed to obtain it. A wisp of the Lancang Demoness’s divine consciousness remains within this territory. It sets up trial grounds for those who seek to obtain the Hao Yue Bracelet. These trials are fraught with peril, and few people manage to come out alive.”

Seeing Wan Xuan’er lost in thought, Fuzhao added: “The Lancang Demoness was famous for her volatile and cruel nature. She particularly disliked all the major Immortal Sects, which arrogantly call themselves the ‘Righteous Path.’ I advise Palace Master Wan, the embodiment of the Righteous Path, to forget about claiming this treasure.”

Wan Xuan’er, brought back by Fuzhao’s words, smiled: “And what about you? As one of the current pillars of the Demon Clan, will you participate in the trial to seize the Hao Yue Bracelet?”

“If such an opportunity presents itself, of course I must try. Am I supposed to simply hand it over to Yan Gengshen? Furthermore, ever since the Lancang Demoness ascended, the Demon Clan has been in gradual decline. Rumors are rampant among the Demon Clan, all claiming that whoever obtains the Hao Yue Bracelet will become the new Demon King, leading all demons back to their peak glory of a thousand years ago. There isn’t a single demon who doesn’t want the Hao Yue Bracelet.”

Wan Xuan’er’s eyes deepened, and she felt an increasing sense of unease.

There were three Mahayana-stage cultivators who entered the Lancang Demon Territory this time. If either of the other two, especially Yan Gengshen, were to obtain it, it was certain that another bloody conflict would erupt between the Human and Demon Realms.

In her heart, she could only hope that this Lancang Demon Territory event would conclude quickly, as it had in the past, without any further complications.

Fuzhao was looking down at her toes at this moment, suddenly asking: “You have a daughter? That Wan Qingyi. I… I heard Luo Mu say they call her Young Palace Master. She… she looks quite like you.”

It was a simple question, yet Fuzhao didn’t know how long she had hesitated and pondered before daring to ask it.

Wan Xuan’er covered her mouth and chuckled softly: “That’s right. It’s only natural that my child would resemble me.”

Hearing Wan Xuan’er’s reply, Fuzhao’s heart skipped a beat.

But before she could fully process it, the giant light column in the distance suddenly shrank. The people guarding the area immediately sensed danger and turned to look behind the tree.

Lu Xiaoxiao said anxiously: “Wan Qingyi, hurry up and go call Aunt Wan. Ask her if we need to rush over there now!”

Over the past few days, even if Wan Qingyi hadn’t wanted to know about the past relationship between Wan Xuan’er and Fuzhao, the pervasive rumors would have made it impossible. Gossip was everywhere, and even the Yaoxia Palace disciples were privately speculating about Fuzhao’s intentions toward Wan Xuan’er, which Wan Qingyi had overheard numerous times.

She gave Lu Xiaoxiao an unwilling glance: “Why don’t you go call her?”

Lu Xiaoxiao, you have the nerve to say that. What kind of daughter interrupts her own mother when she’s trying to have a private romantic moment?

Just as Lu Xiaoxiao was about to retort, she saw Xie Hu of Yaoxia Palace running towards the tree, shouting: “Palace Master, there is an anomaly with the light column in the distance!”

Fuzhao and Wan Xuan’er instantly appeared before the crowd, both wearing serious expressions.

Fuzhao frowned tightly, looking at the flickering light column: “The Hao Yue Bracelet is about to begin selecting people for the trial, I fear.”

Wan Xuan’er nodded to Fuzhao, then rallied her people and began flying toward the distant light column on their swords.

Looking at Wan Xuan’er’s retreating back, Fuzhao felt a pang of sadness: It’s only been a century. How did she move on and have a child? What was I even doing just now?

However, the current situation did not allow her to dwell on such romantic feelings. She immediately pulled Tantai Jing and Luo Mu along and flew after the others.

The trio followed the Yaoxia Palace group for a long distance. Wan Qingyi’s figure remained etched in Fuzhao’s mind, casting a shadow of melancholy over her eyes. Finally, unable to hold back, she asked Tantai Jing in a low voice:

“Is that beautiful young woman in the front, the Young Palace Master of Yaoxia Palace, Wan Xuan’er’s daughter, Wan Qingyi?”

Tantai Jing was momentarily confused by the question but then suddenly realized the source of Fuzhao’s melancholy throughout the journey.

“Yes, Foster Mother. However, Wan Qingyi was adopted by Palace Master Wan. You didn’t know that, did you? For the past century, Palace Master Wan was either in secluded cultivation or slaying demons and upholding justice. She only gradually became active among the Yaoxia Palace disciples after breaking through to the Mahayana stage fifty years ago.”

Upon hearing Tantai Jing’s explanation, Fuzhao didn’t even leave a word for her. Her face instantly lit up with joy, and she quickly shot forward to catch up, her heart blossoming.

Tantai Jing and Luo Mu exchanged glances, both shaking their heads, then also sped up their flight.

After half a day had passed, the group was finally about to reach the base of the mysterious light column.

Looking around, they saw that thousands of demon and human figures had already gathered within a radius of several li (Chinese unit of distance). They were either in small groups or alone, each gathered for their own distinct purpose.

A subtle yet tense atmosphere permeated the air. Some human cultivators and demons, whose grudges had apparently long festered, immediately began fighting without hesitation, showing no mercy. The clash of blades added more corpses to the ground.

Lu Xiaoxiao frowned, watching the people around her who seemed unfazed by the fighting. Of the human cultivators who entered this Demon Territory, there were at least four thousand; now, fewer than two thousand were gathered here, showing how perilous the Lancang Demon Territory was.

While the six thousand demons who entered the territory had also diminished in number, a rough estimate showed at least four thousand present, and most of them were at the Nascent Soul stage.

The only group that remained motionless was a specific group of demons at the very bottom of the light column. A closer look showed that they were a contingent of Tribulation Crossing-stage demons led by Yan Gengshen and Yan Sihong.

Upon seeing Wan Xuan’er, the human cultivators all converged toward her. The remaining demons, meanwhile, split, with half moving toward Yan Gengshen and the other half toward where Fuzhao was standing, subtly creating three distinct forces in the entire area.

Lu Xiaoxiao looked at Tantai Jing, who was looking back at her from not far away, and felt a headache coming on, fearing that the human and demon forces would soon erupt into a fight.

Fortunately, a figure suddenly stepped out from the massive mirror, which was embedded in the center of the area and emitted a faint, ethereal light.

The person was wearing a bright, fiery red dress, the skirt gently swaying with her steps, like a blooming flame flower. In her hand, she held an exquisite circular fan adorned with intricate and delicate orchid patterns, lending her an air of refinement. Her walking was languid and casual, yet she possessed an indescribable charm and grace, as if every step she took followed an invisible rhythm.

She slowly raised her bright eyes, which seemed capable of discerning people’s innermost thoughts, and surveyed the thousands of people below, who were surprised, doubtful, and murmuring among themselves. A gaze of amusement and scrutiny flickered in her eyes.

Finally, her gaze swept past the calm Fuzhao and the conflicted Tantai Jing, settling on Yan Gengshen, who was standing at the front of the crowd.

Upon seeing this, Yan Gengshen was internally shocked but maintained a composed exterior. He quickly regulated his breathing, took two steps forward, and bowed to the woman in red with the reverence due to a senior. His voice carried a hint of awe and excitement:

“Might I ask if you are the legendary Lancang Demoness? I am Yan Gengshen of Black Wind Cliff. I have long heard of your esteemed name, which thunders in my ears. To meet you today, you are indeed peerlessly graceful and extraordinary, commanding heartfelt admiration.”

As he spoke, Yan Gengshen’s eyes were filled with respect and reverence.

Upon hearing the four words “Lancang Demoness,” the surrounding crowd was instantly filled with shock and curiosity. The noise of their discussions rose and fell, and the entire scene was filled with the sounds of people whispering to one another.

The Lancang Demoness fanned herself with the folding fan, still holding her head high. She lowered her gaze, looking down at the respectful Yan Gengshen.

Yan Gengshen felt unnerved under her scrutiny before he heard her say languidly: “Although this elder is but a residual wisp of divine consciousness, your words, little one, are pleasing to hear. It has been hundreds of years since I last saw anyone. It seems there was also a junior from Black Wind Cliff the last time.”

“However, flattery is useless. To obtain this Hao Yue Bracelet, you must rely on your own strength. Although that’s not quite right. Even if you possess the strength, if the Hao Yue Bracelet is not fated to be yours, it will still be in vain. While there are a couple of good seedlings here, the Demon Clan is indeed growing weaker and weaker. I truly hope the Hao Yue Bracelet can leave with one of you this time, so I can finally rest.”

Having heard Wan Xuan’er’s warning on the way, Lu Xiaoxiao knew that the Lancang Demoness’s Hao Yue Bracelet was a magical treasure comparable to the Chaoyuan Sword. Now, seeing the glamorous senior demon, she couldn’t help but peek at her a few times, curious about what made her so exceptional.

However, after only a couple of glances, she felt an icy chill wash over her. Lu Xiaoxiao vaguely sensed that it was coming from Tantai Jing, and she couldn’t help but shrink her neck, immediately closing her eyes and adopting a proper stance of peaceful meditation.

The Lancang Demoness continued: “Don’t blame me for speaking bluntly. Although the Hao Yue Bracelet is currently ownerless, not everyone can enter the trial. The humans can forget it. Furthermore, those below the Tribulation Crossing stage shouldn’t enter to court death. Although, if you insist on dying, this elder won’t stop you.”

Having said this, she turned her body and returned to the mirror, leaving the remaining crowd to stare at each other in bewilderment.

The crowd watched as the Lancang Demoness entered the mirror, and Yan Gengshen’s group followed immediately after.

Seeing that Tantai Jing and Fuzhao were also inclined to enter, Lu Xiaoxiao hastily took off on her sword, flying to catch up in front of everyone’s eyes.

“Is that person a human or a demon?”

“How can Lu Xiaoxiao be so clueless at a time like this!”

“With so many exceptional talents in our Demon Clan, Demon Venerable Tantai must have long lost interest in her, yet she’s still shamelessly following.”

Lu Xiaoxiao’s action caused a great commotion among both the human and demon forces, though the two main figures were completely unconcerned.

Tantai Jing stopped, looking at her with concern: “This trip might be dangerous. Perhaps you should stay outside and wait for me to return.”

“No. It’s precisely because it’s dangerous that I can’t be at ease letting you go in alone,” Lu Xiaoxiao said, frowning tightly.

Luo Mu stood to the side and said sarcastically: “Of course, no one is here, but Aunty Zhao and I—a Tribulation Crossing-stage demon and a Mahayana-stage demon—are definitely stronger than you.”

Lu Xiaoxiao ignored Luo Mu’s words, holding Tantai Jing’s hand and insisting: “I have the Chaoyuan Sword with me. I definitely won’t be a burden to you; I might even be able to help.”

Tantai Jing looked hesitant, unsure what to do with Lu Xiaoxiao. After a long standoff, she finally relented under the influence of Lu Xiaoxiao’s two watery eyes.

“Then… alright. But once inside, you must not act recklessly, and you must listen to everything I say.”

Lu Xiaoxiao’s previously downcast eyes instantly lit up: “I promise to listen to you. When have I ever not listened to you?”

At some point, Wan Xuan’er had also approached. She spoke earnestly to Fuzhao: “Take care of yourself, and you are not allowed to target Xiaoxiao anymore.”

Even though the words were simple, coming from Wan Xuan’er, Fuzhao felt a sense of warmth in her heart. She even found Lu Xiaoxiao a little more agreeable now.

“Okay! Wait for me to return.”