Chapter 968: Safe Haven

Before Azhe became a demon, he knew very little about the cultivation world. The only person who usually told him about such matters was Jin Xiu, who was not a powerful cultivator herself, so Azhe couldn't clearly understand his current situation.

Nevertheless, Azhe possessed a keen intuition that allowed him to roughly comprehend his demonic cultivation, which was disliked by others and even by himself.

When he was in the Nine Peaks Grotto-Heaven, he was reborn by defying the natural order of heaven and earth. Although Azhe did not make a move, he was not at all afraid of the formations laid out by Nine Peaks Mountain. After emerging, the world felt vast and open, but the pain caused by the demonic thoughts in his heart did not lessen. However, the sensation of being a heaven-defying demon was much weaker.

Even so, Azhe knew from his intuition alone that Lian Ping'er couldn't contend with him. It wasn't entirely a confrontation of power, but rather a feeling that her mental state couldn't withstand his.

Later, when his demonic shadow encountered Lord Lu Shan and Bull Ba Tian, Azhe realized that these two demons were indeed formidable. After all, they had previously engaged in brief skirmishes with Lady Ying. Not only were their demonic arts powerful, but their keen intuition and robust mental strength were also very strong, making them seem not so easy to deal with for him.

This did not confuse Azhe; instead, he immediately understood, as if by divine intuition, that his power was divided into two types: internal and external. His external demonic magical power mostly came from the blood of the ancient demon, constantly strengthening, yet also undergoing a cultivation process that differed from that of ordinary cultivators. As for his internal power, it depended more on his opponent, specifically their mental strength and state of mind.

"Two demon spawn, yet possessing such a state of cultivation — it's truly ironic!"

Azhe whispered, then slowly closed his eyes. He truly did not wish to become a demon, nor did he acknowledge himself as one. However, by the conventional definition of the cultivation world, he was undoubtedly a demonic cultivator. Furthermore, as soon as he transformed into a demon, he reached a realm that ordinary demonic cultivators could hardly achieve, yet he required almost no time to adapt. All demonic arts seemed to be innately known to him.

This was also not something Azhe liked, but it had to be said, it was very convenient.

The sky had already darkened. Azhe simply closed his eyes gently and found that he could perceive Lian Ping'er more strongly, following the threads of karma and demonic thoughts. He even felt capable of doing something, much like certain abilities becoming more agile when the power of the sun wanes at night.

"Why be so wary? Even cultivators dream."

As Azhe whispered softly, Lian Ping'er, who had already fled hundreds of miles away, dared not relax her guard. In all her years, she had never encountered such a feeling. Although the panic, palpitations, and unease had subsided, they lingered persistently, making her believe she had fallen victim to demonic methods. Thus, after a moment of calm, she began to cast spells on her own mind to avoid further demonic attacks and find a permanent solution.

"Sister Yu'er, Sister Yu'er?"

Faint voices drifted over, seemingly from a great distance. As the voices grew louder, Lian Ping'er gradually became aware of something in her daze and instantly sat upright.

"Huh? Was I... asleep?"

A thin sheen of sweat appeared on Lian Ping'er's forehead. She looked around; it was an ordinary inn room. Beside her was the maid named Cui'er, who seemed to have fallen asleep with her head on the table, the lamp in front of her flickering slightly with her breathing.

"Sister Yu'er, you don't seem to be in good spirits?"

"Yes, I might be a little tired..."

Lian Ping'er forced a faint smile, but her heart grew more vigilant. With her cultivation level, how could she possibly fall asleep unknowingly? And were the spells she had just cast also part of a dream?

Startled, Lian Ping'er checked her own state and found that her mind had been tightly sealed by her own protective enchantments. Her expression then improved. It seemed her long years of cultivation had not been in vain.

However, Cui'er beside her did not notice Yu'er's unusual state. Seeing that she was awake, she happily told her with a smile.

"Sister Yu'er, the Young Master said he'd help us with our cultivation tonight!"

Lian Ping'er glanced at the maid. Seeing her bashful and expectant expression, she knew exactly what kind of "help with cultivation" it was. She sneered inwardly, yet a similar expression to Cui'er's appeared on her face.

"Oh, really? That's wonderful!"

"Then let's go quickly, don't keep the Young Master waiting!"

"Mhm."

Watching Cui'er's excited expression, Lian Ping'er smiled and replied, then got up and went with Cui'er to the Young Master's room. However, from that point on, she was merely an observer, sitting at a table in the room, watching the young master and Cui'er engage in dual cultivation, as if watching a play. The young master and Cui'er seemed to have forgotten about Yu'er as they began their practice.

What surprised her slightly was that the scene wasn't as lewd as she had imagined. Although there was an intertwining of Yin and Yang, there was also a complementary flow of Yin and Yang vital energy throughout, drawing in spiritual energy and magical power. Some moments of exchanging energy through palms, besides being unclothed, were even more formal than meditative cultivation.

Lian Ping'er found herself yawning repeatedly. She hadn't expected that watching dual cultivation would make her feel drowsy.

Meanwhile, Azhe's mind was raging with rampant demonic thoughts and deep malevolence. He hadn't expected Lian Ping'er's mental defenses to be so strong. His recent spell had inadvertently given her an opportunity; she had actually sealed off her consciousness in a nearly unconscious state within the dream. While this meant she would lose some of her own sensitivities, it also meant her perception of Azhe was similarly affected.

'This wretch indeed has some tricks up her sleeve!'

Azhe at this moment was like a paradox, calm and cold on the outside, but with demonic flames raging within.

In the sky outside the city, Lord Lu Shan and Bull Ba Tian had also arrived, but their speed had slowed down. Old Bull glanced at Lord Lu Shan.

"Old Lu, this guy isn't playing games with us, is he? In all these years, this kind of thing is rare!"

Lord Lu Shan took a long breath, and a deep, chilling glint appeared in his eyes.

"Not exactly. Guess what I smelled?"

Old Bull pretended to ponder for a long time, then slapped his palm with a loud "pop."

"It couldn't be that strange smell of Lian Ping'er, neither demon nor human, could it?"

Old Bull looked at Lord Lu Shan's expression and showed a guileless smile.

"Ha, it seems I, Old Bull, got lucky and guessed correctly!"

As he spoke, Old Bull's smile faded, and he said softly.

"Actually, it's not hard to guess. After that Azhe fellow became a demon, he either deeply hates Lian Ping'er, or he was swayed by her sweet words and teamed up with her. The chances of encountering her aren't low. Drawing us here means he either wants to use us to eliminate her, or he wants to deal with us. By the way, Old Lu, which do you think Azhe is?"

Lord Lu Shan's lips curled into a grin as he replied.

"I think he hates Lian Ping'er."

Old Bull nodded.

"Then I'll choose the latter. How about we make a bet?"

"Hmph, as you wish."

After saying this, Lord Lu Shan opened his mouth and exhaled a wisp of energy, which transformed into two chang gui (revengeful ghosts) before him and Old Bull: Xia Pinming and Liu Xi.

When the two chang gui appeared, Old Bull stood in the night sky, casually commenting on them to himself.

"I must say, Old Lu, you are truly the most formidable tiger demon I've ever seen. Even immortal cultivators turn into chang gui if you devour them. Once swallowed by you, they can never escape eternal torment. If someone as arrogant as Lian Ping'er were also turned into a chang gui by you, the despair of being unable to control oneself or even end one's own life would be a torment far worse than purgatory."

"Hmph, Lian Ping'er is full of schemes and unpredictable. How easy would it be to devour her?"

"Just try it, try it, hahaha..."

Old Bull laughed and flew with Lord Lu Shan in one direction, while the two chang gui, having received Lord Lu Shan's spiritual message, bowed to him and flew off in another direction.

This feigned conversation between the two was clearly intended for Azhe's ears, as that subtle, lingering feeling was always present. As for whether the other party would offer help, it remained unclear.

In the inn, Lian Ping'er, feeling bored, suddenly sensed a familiar aura. She immediately rushed out the door, not even bothering to close the door for the two cultivators engaged in dual cultivation.

On the rooftop, Lian Ping'er looked up at the sky. Two streaks of immortal light were flying from afar, heading east across the horizon.

'It's them!'

Lian Ping'er's heart leaped with joy; she immediately thought of a way out of her predicament. She had previously seen Lu Min being taken from Ruanshan Crossing to the Nine Peaks Grotto-Heaven by cultivators from Nine Peaks Mountain. Those two cultivators, whom she had scorned as useless in her mind, now felt like a godsend.

"Fellow Daoist Xia, Fellow Daoist Liu!"

Lian Ping'er sent a spiritual message, her form rising from the rooftop on a wisp of clear breeze into the sky. She was casting spells very carefully now, fearing a reaction from Azhe, so she flew slowly. However, the two cultivators from Jingxuan Sea Pavilion, having heard her spiritual message, stopped. Soon after, they noticed Lian Ping'er approaching on a clear breeze, emanating almost no aura.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Lian!" "Fellow Daoist Lian is here too?"

"It's shameful to admit, but Lu Min escaped into Nine Peaks Mountain, making it inconvenient to eliminate him now!"

Seeing their somewhat awkward expressions, Lian Ping'er, however, acted very magnanimously.

"Lu Min's fate is no longer important. You two have arrived just in time. I am currently somewhat inconvenienced in casting spells and would appreciate it if you could take me along and leave this place as quickly as possible."

"Have you encountered a formidable enemy?" "We can help Fellow Daoist Lian repel them!"

"There is indeed some trouble, but while your cultivation is high, there's no need to clash directly with them. Just take me away."

The two cultivators exchanged glances. Lian Ping'er had truly failed to see through their identity as chang gui.

"Very well. When shall we depart, and where shall we go?"

"Immediately. To Thousand Reef Island."

"Alright!"

Xia Pinming immediately flicked his sleeve, releasing a small boat. It landed at their feet and grew against the wind, stopping only when it reached three zhang in length.

"Both of you, hold on tight, and behold my escape art!"

No sooner had he spoken than the small boat transformed into a streak of light, flying towards the coastline.

After the flying boat had rapidly escaped for a dozen breaths, the lingering sense of unease in her heart quickly faded. Only then did Lian Ping'er feel greatly relieved. She had finally shaken off her pursuer. The next step was to find a way to sever the karmic connection.

"Fellow Daoist Lian, something seems amiss!"

"What's wrong?"

Lian Ping'er's heart jumped. She hadn't felt anything wrong, but considering her current heavy self-sealing, she didn't dare to be overconfident.

Liu Xi also squinted and spoke.

"I also feel something, but I can't quite describe it. It seems a demonic cultivator in the distance is casting a spell that tugs at one's heartstrings, causing a slight irritation."

"Hmph, mere parlor tricks. Watch my methods!"

As Xia Pinming spoke, he steered the flying boat towards lower altitudes. As they approached the large mountain below, he continuously formed hand seals and cast spells, subtly influencing the surrounding mountain terrain and merging with it.

"If we merge with the mountain's aura, how will you tug at heartstrings to find our location?"

Meanwhile, Liu Xi continuously cast spells to apply restrictions to the small boat, steadily suppressing their own auras.

Lian Ping'er found these two unexpectedly reliable and remained silent, offering no guidance. The large mountain, shrouded in night, appeared somewhat dim. In the distance, a gently sloping peak, shaped like an arched spine, had a seemingly deep cave at one end.

"Junior Brother, Fellow Daoist Lian, that peak should be the densest area of this mountain range, capable of suppressing our auras. Let's take refuge there first!"

Liu Xi nodded in agreement, his hands continuously casting spells, as the flying boat drew closer and closer to the dark mountain cave.

For some reason, as Lian Ping'er watched the mountain cave approach, a subtle unease again stirred within her.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, this mountain also seems a bit off."

"Hmm, there must be a mountain spirit occupying this mountain, seeking to cultivate into a mountain god. It's nothing serious; in fact, it can help us hide even better."

As they spoke, the flying boat darted into the cave like lightning.

Xia Pinming and Liu Xi both smiled at that moment.

"Done!" "Yes, Senior Brother, we're safe now!"

At this moment, Lian Ping'er's heart was pounding. What "safe now"? How could they be "safe now"? She distinctly felt that something terrible was about to happen; a sense of suffocation even arose, making her breath tremble uncontrollably.

"Fellow Daoists, do not let down your guard! This is not a safe place, this is absolutely..."

Lian Ping'er's words caught in her throat mid-sentence. Xia Pinming and Liu Xi's expressions at that moment were extremely bizarre, their faces adorned with eerie smiles.