Queen of Ten Thousand Demons Insists on Marrying Me - Chapter 78

The entire massive spirit boat instantly appeared above Dōngchāng City, blotting out the sky and the sun, like a suspended mountain range. The hull of the spirit boat was already severely damaged, and the broken keels and shattered runic arrays inside were faintly visible.

With a deafening roar, the spirit boat plummeted rapidly from the high altitude, smashing into the ground with unstoppable momentum.

The heavy impact instantly shattered the surrounding buildings, sending dust flying and broken stones scattering. The spirit boat’s hull carved an unfathomably deep gash into the ground, as if the earth had been ripped open by a hideous wound.

Lu Xiaoxiao dazedly got to her feet from the dust. She summoned the Cháoyuán Sword, intending to go back and find Tantai Jing, but after only two steps, she felt a sharp pain in the back of her neck and fainted.

Wan Xuānr, holding a weak white fox in her arms, looked at Lu Xiaoxiao, who was lying unconscious in Lu Wǎnbái’s embrace, her feelings incredibly complex. Yan Gengshen had broken through to the Integration Stage. Of their side’s three Dàchéng Stage cultivators, one was injured, one was captured, and she herself was severely wounded. All this was the result of Fú Zhāo sacrificing four of her lives to protect them desperately.

Looking at the shattered spirit boat and the fleeing crowd, Wan Xuānr’s voice was slightly hoarse: “Return to the palace immediately. There must be no delay.”

After returning to the Yáoxiá Palace.

Fú Zhāo remained severely wounded and did not wake for a long time. Although Wan Xuānr herself was badly hurt, she consistently managed the Yáoxiá Palace, arranged for the activation of the Great Palace Protection Array, and simultaneously cared for Fú Zhāo without resting.

During this period, Lu Xiaoxiao also woke up. Knowing that going to Black Wind Cliff now would only be seeking death, she locked herself alone in the room Tantai Jing had once occupied.

Lu Wǎnbái paced back and forth outside the courtyard, constantly peering into the situation inside, terrified that Lu Xiaoxiao might do something rash.

Suddenly, a sound of footsteps approached. She looked up and saw that it was Wan Qīngyī. Meeting Wan Qīngyī’s anxious gaze, Lu Wǎnbái quickly spoke: “The Yáoxiá Palace is so busy right now. I’m watching over Xiaoxiao here, so you don’t have to keep coming over. How are Palace Master Wan and Fú Zhāo?”

“The situation is not good. The Nine-Tailed Fox’s nine tails represent nine lives. Now that she’s lost four, her vitality is severely damaged. Although Mother appears unharmed, she is forcing herself to stay strong so the morale of the Yáoxiá Palace doesn’t collapse. Three days ago, as soon as we returned, she sent invitations to the major immortal sects, requesting a joint attack on Black Wind Cliff,” Wan Qīngyī said, shaking her head. “But upon hearing that Yan Gengshen has reached the Integration Stage, that the Yáoxiá Palace suffered significant losses against him, and that it’s all for the sake of saving a demon, the replies are delayed. I’m afraid… alas~”

Lu Wǎnbái glanced into the courtyard, then lowered her eyes, saying, “I always held hostility toward the demon race, always believing that humans and demons should remain separate. Now that I’ve seen Fú Zhāo and Tantai Jing risk their lives to save humans, I realize I was wrong all along.”

Wan Qīngyī saw the dark circles under her eyes and that she was now consumed by guilt. She couldn’t help but say, “Oh, don’t think like that. They might not have risked their lives to save humans. They might have only been trying to save Lu Xiaoxiao and my… my mother.”

Although she was adopted by Wan Xuānr, seeing the current situation, she felt she might soon gain another ‘mother.’ Wan Qīngyī was also completely uncomfortable with this situation.

As the two were talking, Lu Xiaoxiao rushed out of the courtyard in a frenzy. She grabbed Wan Qīngyī’s arms and urgently asked, “How is it? Is there any news? Are other sects willing to help?”

This rapid succession of three questions made Wan Qīngyī dizzy. Although she saw Lu Xiaoxiao was running out barefoot, her face undeniably haggard, she didn’t want to deceive her and gently shook her head.

Seeing her shake her head, Lu Xiaoxiao stumbled back two steps, nearly falling to the ground. She finally propped herself up on the doorframe and suddenly burst out in a stream of abuse: “I shouldn’t have saved those people! Every single one of them returned to their sect and not one spoke up for Tantai Jing, who risked her life to save them! If it weren’t for saving us, she had that transmission key in her hand and could have escaped at any time!”

“Now look! She’s been captured by Yan Gengshen to be married in some Ghost Marriage to his dead sister! Even her Godmother is severely injured and unconscious, and only those people who once treated her as an enemy are alive and well. Doesn’t Wan Xuānr, as the Palace Master of the Yáoxiá Palace, have any solution?!”

With a loud “smack,”

Lu Xiaoxiao was struck by a slap, staggering against the wall. Her right cheek instantly stung fiercely. She looked at Lu Wǎnbái with disbelief.

Seeing Lu Xiaoxiao becoming increasingly angry and starting to curse and call out Palace Master Wan’s name directly, Lu Wǎnbái, in a fit of rage and anxiety, slapped Lu Xiaoxiao across the face.

“Lu Xiaoxiao, watch your words! Palace Master Wan is also severely injured and has done no less work concerning Tantai Jing’s matter!”

Lu Xiaoxiao’s body slowly slid down the wall, as if all her strength had been drained at that moment. She finally crouched on the ground, wrapping her arms around the back of her head, and softly whimpered.

A muffled voice entered Lu Wǎnbái’s ears: “Sister, what should I do?!”

Lu Wǎnbái looked at the hand she had used to hit Lu Xiaoxiao, her heart filled with complex emotions. She slowly squatted down, hugged Lu Xiaoxiao’s shoulder, and whispered, “I’m sorry, I was also too extreme… Regardless of others, your Sister will definitely accompany you.”

Cháoyuán floated nearby. Seeing her distress, it also felt uncomfortable: “If only you were in the Dàchéng Stage, alas…”

Hearing the Cháoyuán Sword speak, Lu Xiaoxiao instantly regained a sliver of hope. She pulled out the Integration Pill Tantai Jing had left her from her bosom. Staring at the Cháoyuán Sword with red-rimmed eyes, she asked, “If I eat this, can I fight Yan Gengshen and rescue Tantai Jing?”

“Nonsense! You’ve just entered the Tribulation Stage! This is a pill meant only for Dàchéng Stage cultivators! If you eat it now, the only outcome is your body exploding; there is no second path to survival. As far as I can see, this pill was left by Tantai Jing for Fú Zhāo,” the Cháoyuán Sword was so angry that it fluttered up and down erratically.

Lu Xiaoxiao sat on the ground with her arms wrapped around her knees: “I guessed that too, but Fú Zhāo is severely injured right now. Her realm has fallen drastically, and she hasn’t woken up yet. I’m afraid she won’t be able to use this Integration Pill either.”

“Then can my mother use it? Her injury is lighter,” Wan Qīngyī asked after hearing this.

Cháoyuán: “No. This can only be used by the demon race.”

Lu Xiaoxiao, who had just lifted her head, lowered it again. There were only five days left until the first day of next month. No matter how much she racked her brain, she could not think of a way to save Tantai Jing.

After the three of them and one sword were silent for a long time, Lu Xiaoxiao spoke again: “How much power does your Floating Clouds Severing Peaks have?”

“At the early Tribulation Stage, it can injure the middle stage. At the middle stage, it can injure the late stage. At the late stage, if used by surprise, it can wound an Integration Stage cultivator, but there is no precedent for completely defeating one,” the Cháoyuán Sword said in a low voice.

“Then your cultivation method isn’t all that great.”

A slightly unfamiliar voice sounded from behind them. Lu Xiaoxiao looked up and saw that it was Luo Mu, the Snow Demon from Mount Gouwu.

The Cháoyuán Sword had never endured such mockery: “What do you know? The further one cultivates, the greater the difference in power. The difference between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core might be like one cup of water versus two cups of water, but the difference between Dàchéng and Integration is the difference between a river and the ocean.”

“This item I obtained in the Lan Cang Demonic Realm can temporarily boost one’s cultivation for the duration of an incense stick. It contains three pills: one is crystal clear with a rich medicinal fragrance, which may be more effective. The other two are more ordinary,” Luo Mu walked past them and stood in front of Lu Xiaoxiao, taking out a small gourd. “However, taking it will cause immense damage to the body. Take it if you need it.”

Lu Xiaoxiao supported herself against the wall and stood up. She profusely thanked Luo Mu. Luo Mu, however, gave a cold snort in reply: “If you hadn’t stumbled upon the Cháoyuán Sword, I definitely wouldn’t give it to you. It’s only because it can maximize its power in your hands.”

She then turned to look at the Cháoyuán Sword. She looked up and down, unsure where to address it, and finally spoke while looking at the hilt: “Is Lu Xiaoxiao’s cultivation method really that miraculous?”

“Of course it is! I’m tens of thousands of years old. Do you think I would lie to you?” the Cháoyuán Sword said as it floated up to be level with Luo Mu’s eyes.

Luo Mu: “In that case, call me when you set off.” With that, she turned and walked away.

Cháoyuán: “Open it and let me see those pills.”

Lu Xiaoxiao pulled out the stopper and poured the pills out of the bottle.

“This pill is called the Nì Shāng Pill (Reverse Injury Pill). It can indeed temporarily boost cultivation, but it also heavily damages the body. Many who use it will never have the chance to advance their cultivation again in this lifetime. It is quite useless and should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Lu Xiaoxiao, you must think this through carefully.”

Cultivators highly value cultivation advancement. Lu Xiaoxiao’s talent was exceptional, and Cháoyuán did not want her to be permanently halted at the Tribulation Stage.

Lu Xiaoxiao looked at the pill in her hand and murmured, “Now is the time of absolute necessity. What is there to consider? If I don’t have Tantai Jing, even if I reach the Integration Stage, I would not wish to survive alone in this world.”

The Cháoyuán Sword sighed: “Fine, fine. The two of you quickly go find some high-grade spirit stones and compensate me for my losses. I have crossed swords with that Hàoyue Bracelet many times before and never once lost. I refuse to believe I will lose to a broken bracelet this time.”

“So you are that powerful! In that case, wouldn’t defeating Yan Gengshen be effortless with you?” Wan Qīngyī asked in astonishment.

Cháoyuán Sword: “Uh… that is true, but no matter how good a divine artifact is, it depends on its master. My previous masters were all Integration Stage figures, at the very least Dàchéng Stage.”

“In that case, I will trouble you, Qīngyī,” Lu Wǎnbái clasped her hands and bowed to Wan Qīngyī.

Wan Qīngyī quickly raised Lu Wǎnbái with her hand: “Say no more. I will immediately instruct people to send more top-grade spirit stones and cultivation pills to you.”

With that, she hastily departed. Before long, many top-grade spirit stones were delivered. Combined with the spirit stones mined by the Xuantiān Sword Sect in the Lan Cang Demonic Realm, the entire room was quickly filled. Lu Xiaoxiao also found a secluded place in the Yáoxiá Palace and began cultivating the Floating Clouds Severing Peaks day and night, quietly awaiting the first day of next month.

At the same time, Fú Zhāo, who had been unconscious for many days, finally woke up. Leaning against the bed with her cultivation greatly diminished, she learned the news that Tantai Jing had been captured by Yan Gengshen. She immediately became restless, throwing off her blankets and preparing to leave to settle the score with Yan Gengshen.

Wan Xuānr pushed her back onto the bed and scolded her: “What time is it? Can you please not cause more trouble? In your current state, who can you save?”

“She is my Goddaughter. I raised her from childhood; she is no different from my own flesh and blood. Regardless of anything, I must go. Don’t try to dissuade me.” She struggled to get up again.

Wan Xuānr flicked her sleeve. A ribbon flew out and tightly bound Fú Zhāo. She covered her chest and lightly coughed twice as she sat by the bed before saying, “Why are both of you like this? Lu Xiaoxiao just settled down, and you start the moment you wake up. I never said I wouldn’t save her! Why are you in such a hurry?”

Fú Zhāo, lying on the bed, stopped twisting her body and asked incredulously, “You… you will help me save little Jing’er? Why?”

“Why? Why? Because I regard her as my own daughter, too, alright?” Wan Xuānr rolled her eyes.

Seeing Fú Zhāo lying on the bed with wide, disbelieving eyes, Wan Xuānr knew that her actions over the years had made her completely unable to comprehend her true feelings. She couldn’t help but gently stroke the top of her head, her gaze tender: “Actually, my parents went there aiming for peace between the human and demon races. They and your parents were ultimately killed in the Dead Spirit Abyss because an ancient demon dragon existed within the Dead Spirit Abyss. That demon dragon, confined there for ten thousand years, used a secret technique to bewitch them.”

“I also investigated this matter thoroughly a long time ago. However, that evil dragon is an ancient fallen dragon. Unless I ascend, I will never be able to avenge them in this lifetime,” Fú Zhāo sniffed and said gloomily. “I should have known. When they found out about us, they didn’t seem too angry, yet those rumors eventually spread.”

Changing the subject, Fú Zhāo asked again, “Then why did you still lock me in the Demon Locking Tower, making me believe you were an ungrateful person?”

Wan Xuānr’s expression became unnatural: “I had just taken control of the Yáoxiá Palace at the time. The elders in the palace were all old-fashioned and disagreed with the idea of coexisting with the demon race. Otherwise, Mom and Dad wouldn’t have gone to an uninhabited place like the Dead Spirit Abyss to meet your parents.”

She continued: “The main reason was that I had just gained power. I looked glorious on the outside, but two of the four protectors were Dàchéng Stage elders, and I had no real say. You were also spreading reckless rumors in the demon world that reached their ears. They insisted on blaming the deaths of Mom and Dad on you. I was forced to lock you in the Demon Locking Tower first. I simply couldn’t think of another way to ensure your safety.”

Fú Zhāo propped herself up and sat, somewhat unable to believe her ears.

Over the past hundred years, she had shed countless tears of regret in the Demon Locking Tower and made countless venomous vows. But no matter how many times she mentally sliced the person before her into a thousand pieces, when night fell, Wan Xuānr’s every smile and frown would unconsciously float before her eyes…

Indeed, she hadn’t misjudged the person…

She looked intently at Wan Xuānr, her clear eyes shimmering with deep affection: “Is… is that true? Then why didn’t you ever come to see me in the hundred years?”

Wan Xuānr gave her a sidelong glance: “Little Jing’er’s matter is an emergency that is about to boil over, and you’re still thinking about these things.”

Fú Zhāo gave an embarrassed smile: “Since I know you’re so calm, you must have a foolproof plan. Just tell me already.”

“It is anything but foolproof; it is extremely dangerous. Otherwise, I wouldn’t want to tell you these things now,” a rare blush stained Wan Xuānr’s face. She added, “You spent all your days indulging in pleasure, singing, and dancing in the demon world, doing all sorts of scandalous things. Why would I want to see you again? If it weren’t for those two children, Lu Xiaoxiao and Tantai Jing, letting you out, I would have kept you locked up for another four hundred years.”

Fú Zhāo felt a wave of fear upon hearing this, and her impression of Lu Xiaoxiao immediately shifted slightly.

“Ha… haha, those were all rumors I spread back then to deliberately anger you. Let’s not talk about the past. Quickly tell me what solution you’ve thought of to save little Jing’er.” Fú Zhāo chuckled awkwardly.