Under a crimson night sky, where the dark moon hung distantly and demonic shadows intertwined, a towering obsidian palace stood at the edge of a swirling abyss of demonic energy. The overwhelming miasma devoured all life for miles around, leaving only silence in its wake. Even the ever-present blood-red hues of the realm seemed to shy away from the palace, skirting its edges in quiet submission.
This was the Dark Court Palace—the secluded sanctuary of Demon Lord Yan Shuo.
In the demonic realm, peace and stability were foreign concepts. Once one embraced the path of demonic cultivation, they were freed from the shackles of karma, allowed to act with reckless abandon, unrestrained by morality or consequence.
Yet this lack of restraint came at a price—there was no path to ascension. All demonic cultivators were born from slaughter and would eventually dissolve back into the demonic miasma from which they came.
In this land of darkness and bloodshed, the title of Demon Emperor changed hands frequently, for the realm was never short of powerful contenders.
Until Yan Shuo arrived.
He became the one and only Demon Lord, the sole conqueror who had subdued the demonic realm, stacking the bones of five Demon Emperors to forge his throne.
In the entire cultivation world, his power was second only to Immortal Venerable Qingyan.
His might and ruthlessness inspired both fear and reverence among all demonic cultivators.
For five hundred years, none dared challenge his authority.
Thirty years ago, the revered Buddhist Sage of the cultivation world had sacrificed half his cultivation and nearly perished just to wound Yan Shuo—who was already injured at the time.
Yet even in the three decades since, as Yan Shuo secluded himself to recover, not a single soul dared test his weakened state.
For they knew—even gravely wounded, Yan Shuo could overturn the entire demonic realm.
Amidst the endless night, a slender figure clad in white robes sighed softly, her presence starkly out of place in the demonic wasteland.
"The cultivation world has been quite lively lately," she murmured.
A raspy voice, woven from the surrounding demonic energy, responded, "Indeed. A headache-inducing kind of lively."
Ye Xiao brushed a strand of hair from her temple, her gaze lingering on the Dark Court Palace with unshakable trepidation.
"The demonic energy around the palace grows stronger by the day. The Demon Lord may emerge from seclusion at any moment."
"If he learns of the news from the cultivation world… we’ll be in deep trouble."
As demonic generals, they understood Yan Shuo’s wrath better than most.
His greatest enemy—the one person in the world who had ever forced him to retreat—was none other than Immortal Venerable Qingyan, the undisputed pinnacle of the cultivation world.
And yet, who could have imagined that such an exalted figure, one whom the entire realm could only look up to in awe, would have a beloved?
Xu Wanci.
Ye Xiao’s delicate fingers traced the demonic mist beside her as she whispered the name, her voice so soft it seemed to blend into the surrounding nightmares.
"For the sake of our lives, we’ll have to invite this Lady Xu to the demonic realm as our… guest."
The demonic energy coalesced into a humanoid form—Ye Xing, another of the Seven Demon Generals. He flexed his clawed hands, the edges gleaming like blades amidst the dark miasma.
"I’ll only guarantee she stays alive," he said flatly.
As for whether she remained intact… that would depend on his mood.
At the outskirts of Luolong City, countless sects and noble clans of the cultivation world had gathered.
Regardless of their cultivation level, every disciple stood pale and trembling, their eyes filled with identical dread.
Before arriving, many had come with voyeuristic curiosity—eager to witness Taiqing Sect’s decision, and to see just how important Xu Wanci truly was to the Immortal Venerable.
No one could have anticipated that the artifact of the Immortal Venerable would possess such overwhelming power.
The entire city of Luolong was saturated with the oppressive aura of the artifact, intertwined with the faintest trace of the Immortal Venerable's spiritual energy, permeating every corner.
Even standing at the outskirts of Luolong, their spiritual power trembled uncontrollably, and their divine senses dared not extend even slightly, remaining tightly coiled within their consciousness.
Even a Tribulation Transcension expert could only wield spiritual power equivalent to that of a Nascent Soul cultivator under such pressure.
Yet, no matter how deep their fear ran, everyone maintained a facade of composure. Some even forced their spiritual energy to their cheeks, feigning a healthy flush as if entirely unaffected by the suppression.
The Supreme Elder of Pingyang Sect was no exception. With a casual flick of his sleeve, he appeared effortlessly poised as he spoke, "Sect Leader Ning, esteemed elders of the Taiqing Sect, it has been too long since our parting in Luoxi City. I’ve missed you all dearly."
Though his words were directed at Ning Menglan, his gaze lingered on Xu Wanci beside her.
Noticing the spiritual energy around her, now even more vibrant than before, he frowned and averted his eyes.
After the incident with the Formless Divine Stone, though he had learned of her connection to the Immortal Venerable, he never imagined she would hold such significance to him.
Even the Immortal Venerable’s artifact and spiritual energy showed her such favor.
It seemed this journey would leave him empty-handed.
Just then, the Elder of Zhiqin Sect approached. After a brief glance at Xu Wanci, she slowly surveyed the rest of the Taiqing Sect, a faint trace of puzzlement in her eyes.
"Why haven’t we seen Sect Leader Ning’s personal disciple today?"
Ning Menglan smiled and waved dismissively.
"Qingchuan has just broken through to the Nascent Soul stage and is consolidating his cultivation, so he did not accompany us this time."
A flicker of realization passed through the Elder of Zhiqin Sect’s eyes.
So, the Taiqing Sect had made their choice the moment the artifact emerged.
Of course, Chu Qingchuan’s potential ascension was merely speculation—no one could confirm its truth.
But the karmic ties binding Xu Wanci were something everyone had witnessed firsthand.
The weight of the matter was clear.
With that thought, she raised her head and offered a polite compliment.
"To reach Nascent Soul before a hundred years of age—such talent is truly exceptional."
No sooner had she spoken than the Flame Venerable strode forward. Though his steps seemed light, the deep footprints he left behind betrayed his true state.
Accustomed to deference, he acted without restraint, bypassing the Taiqing Sect members entirely and heading straight for Xu Wanci.
His expression carried a hint of arrogance.
Even with his cultivation suppressed, he remained one of the five strongest present. Few would dare oppose him.
Besides, he merely wished to reminisce with Xu Wanci. Surely the Taiqing Sect didn’t intend to shield her as closely outside Luolong as they did within their own sect.
Yet, before he could speak, he witnessed her manipulating the surrounding spiritual energy.
With a delicate flick of her fingers, she gathered wisps of the Immortal Venerable’s energy, weaving them together until they took the form of a spiritual plant.
The same energy that oppressed everyone else obeyed her with startling docility.
The Flame Venerable’s eyes widened slightly, his lips parting before slowly closing again.
Under such oppressive spiritual pressure, not to mention manipulating spiritual energy with such precision, even engaging in large-scale battles with it required careful consideration.
Realizing that Xu Wanci might be even more formidable in Luolong City than he had imagined, Flame Venerable hesitated for a moment before turning to the Elder Grandmaster with a friendly demeanor, engaging in small talk.
After all, the emergence of the divine artifact was a once-in-a-lifetime event. If he wanted to settle his karma with Xu Wanci later, there would be plenty of time—a few days wouldn’t make a difference.
Xu Wanci paid no attention to the commotion around her. No one would dare to act against her under the watchful eyes of the Taiqing Sect and countless other sects and noble families.
As soon as she reached the outskirts of Luolong City, she felt the spiritual energy around her grow denser and more fluid.
Was it because she had obtained the Three-Leaf Lotus earlier than Chu Qingchuan?
In the original story, when Chu Qingchuan came here, he hadn’t experienced the same anomalies as others, nor had he felt as naturally at ease as she did now.
Xu Wanci didn’t dwell on it too much. Almost instinctively, she began manipulating the surrounding spiritual energy.
Since arriving in the cultivation world, her sole purpose in training had been to win.
Her spiritual power and sword techniques were straightforward and direct, aimed at defeating her opponent in a single strike.
She rarely used spiritual energy for delicate, intricate tasks.
Watching the Rain-Transforming Ephemeral Flower gradually take shape at her fingertips, Xu Wanci blinked thoughtfully.
Spiritual energy in the air was already difficult to detect. If she could condense it into threads finer than hair, it might prove unexpectedly useful in battle.
With this thought, her movements became even more meticulous. The petals of the Rain-Transforming Ephemeral Flower took clearer form, its blue hues slowly emerging.
However, this was her first attempt, and controlling the spiritual energy proved challenging. A slight pause later, the ephemeral flower at her fingertips suddenly dissipated into the air.
Xu Wanci’s expression remained unchanged as she gathered the spiritual energy once more.
She was long accustomed to the monotony of cultivation. She relished the feeling of growing stronger, bit by bit, through relentless practice.
The onlookers watched her repeat the process over and over, their initial surprise giving way to admiration.
Heaven rewards diligence. With such determination and discipline, Xu Wanci’s future was undoubtedly boundless.
After a round of "harmonious" pleasantries, everyone tacitly set up camp, quietly awaiting the emergence of the divine artifact.
A day and night passed, and the divine artifact’s aura grew increasingly potent. Faint golden light began to shimmer within Luolong City.
Though everyone knew they likely couldn’t wield the Immortal Venerable’s divine artifact, none could suppress the longing in their hearts.
What if?
What if they were the destined ones?
Even if they couldn’t use it, obtaining the artifact would allow them to gift it to Xu Wanci—perhaps even resolve their karmic ties...
With this thought, someone discreetly glanced in Xu Wanci’s direction.
For twelve full hours, she had never ceased manipulating spiritual energy. The spiritual plants forming at her fingertips grew increasingly vivid, gradually resembling the Rain-Transforming Ephemeral Flower.
She was utterly absorbed, completely unaware of her surroundings.
Seeing that she had no intention of searching for the divine artifact, the sect leader of Zhiqin Sect exchanged a glance with the elders before leading the way into Luolong City.
Soon, the other sects also made their decisions, their gazes resolute as they followed.
Even if some wanted to stay behind to observe Xu Wanci’s actions, the presence of the divine artifact in Luolong City grew increasingly palpable. No one wanted to miss such an obvious opportunity, and in the end, everyone moved forward:
As long as they took even a single step ahead of Xu Wanci, their chances of obtaining the divine artifact would increase.
The members of the Taiqing Sect watched the now-empty surroundings, their expressions turning solemn.
Yet, seeing Xu Wanci, who seemed to have entered a state of enlightenment, her movements growing more rhythmic and precise, they remained where they were, not disturbing her in the slightest.
The only one who could wield the Immortal Venerable’s divine artifact was likely Xu Wanci alone.
If that were the case, then whether they went early or late, the outcome would be the same.
An hour later.
The Rainmoon Blossom at Xu Wanci’s fingertips was no longer just a simple illusion.
Every vein on its petals appeared lifelike, and even the stamen carried a faint spiritual pulse unique to the Rainmoon Blossom.
A few breaths later, an exquisitely crafted Rainmoon Blossom stood quietly upon her palm.
A glimmer of quiet delight flickered in Xu Wanci’s eyes:
With the aid of the surrounding spiritual energy, she had not only refined her control to perfection but had even managed to imbue the energy with a simple disguise.
Like this Rainmoon Blossom—it not only took form but also carried a trace of spiritual essence, mimicking the aura of a true Rainmoon Blossom.
Sensing the growing intensity of the spiritual energy around her, she allowed a faint smile to grace her lips.
She lifted her gaze to the azure sky above Luolong City, slowly closing her eyes as the Rainmoon Blossom in her hand rose gently into the heavens.
Finally, it dissolved into countless specks of light, vanishing before everyone’s eyes.
Xu Wanci finally turned around, her lips curving into a smile tinged with resignation and a hint of relief as she looked at the Taiqing Sect members behind her:
"This isn’t his divine artifact."
Ning Menglan and the others were stunned:
Not the Immortal Venerable’s divine artifact?
How could that be?
Could the spiritual energy and oppressive aura around them be fake?
As if reading their doubts, Xu Wanci turned her gaze toward the heart of Luolong City, her voice laced with a sigh:
"Something is merely imitating the spiritual fluctuations he left behind three hundred years ago."
"Though it bears some resemblance, it’s not the real thing."
Ning Menglan didn’t question her words. Instead, he mused thoughtfully:
"A spiritual tool capable of mimicking a cultivator’s energy… or perhaps a spiritual treasure?"
The Elder Grandmaster frowned. "To replicate the Immortal Venerable’s spiritual pressure—this object is anything but ordinary."
Noticing their grave expressions, Xu Wanci raised her right hand, lightly tapping the surrounding spiritual energy with her fingertip:
"Shall we go take a look?"
While manipulating the spiritual energy earlier, she had detected a faint, anomalous pulse—one that could only belong to the Celestial Ginseng.
In the original records, the Celestial Ginseng was located in the wastelands east of Luolong City. Yet now, she sensed its presence to the north.
Indeed, after thirty years, even the Celestial Ginseng had shifted its location.
With this thought, Xu Wanci slowly lowered her hand.
From now on, the original text could only serve as a reference. The truth of the matter would require her to verify it herself.
Had she not fortuitously grasped the method of manipulating spiritual energy during this journey, she might never have noticed anything amiss and would have continued following the original text’s description, searching for the Celestial Ginseng in the wasteland east of Luolong City.
In that case, this trip would have been utterly fruitless.
Hearing her words, Gu Yunqi stood up, her gaze filled with astonishment:
"Wanci, you can locate the spiritual treasure?"
Xu Wanci gave a faint, helpless smile. "It’s just too obvious."
She wasn’t lying, nor was she exaggerating. Compared to the simulated Immortal Venerable’s spiritual energy around them, the faint fluctuation of the Celestial Ginseng’s energy stood out glaringly in her perception.
Elder Second Master swallowed all his questions and said softly,
"If that’s the case, let us proceed to where the spiritual treasure lies."
Without hesitation, the group followed the direction Xu Wanci indicated.
Though they now knew this wasn’t the true Immortal Venerable’s spiritual energy, the faces of the Taiqing Sect disciples remained as pale as before.
The awe the Immortal Venerable inspired in all cultivators was such that even a mere imitation of his energy was enough to make the most elite cultivators of the immortal realm tremble.
Amidst the chaos, Xiao Yuyan stood silently.
Every blade of grass, every movement of the cultivators in the immortal realm, passed through his eyes like fleeting dust.
From beginning to end, his expression remained utterly unchanged.
He simply watched as the spiritual energy-formed Rainflower Ephemera dissipated into countless specks of light in the air.
An eternity was but a snap of his fingers to him.
What significance did a single Rainflower Ephemera hold?
Meanwhile, Xu Wanci drew closer and closer to the Celestial Ginseng.
For some reason, she suddenly felt a faint pressure from the surrounding spiritual energy, as if it were urging her to stop and go no further.
Was it because the Celestial Ginseng didn’t wish to be found?
A thought flickered in Xu Wanci’s mind, and she cautiously probed her surroundings with her divine sense.
At that moment, she realized with a start that she was now completely alone.
The Taiqing Sect members had somehow become separated from her without her noticing.
Was it the Celestial Ginseng… or had someone else interfered?
She scanned her surroundings but still found nothing unusual.
The Celestial Ginseng’s spiritual energy still lingered in the air, and she was now no more than a few dozen meters away from it.
Xu Wanci lowered her gaze slightly.
Ahead, beyond the Celestial Ginseng, likely lay great danger.
Whatever had silently separated her from several Tribulation Transcension elders was no trivial threat.
But having come this far, she couldn’t possibly retreat now.
Without a trace of movement, she transferred some of the ingestible spiritual treasures from her storage pouch to her dantian, nurturing them with her energy.
Gathering her spiritual energy around her, she advanced cautiously.
A few steps later, the Celestial Ginseng—seemingly absorbing all the surrounding spiritual energy—lay quietly on the ground, waiting for its destined claimant.
Xu Wanci examined the energy around the Celestial Ginseng, her eyes chilling imperceptibly.
The Celestial Ginseng was real.
But why would a treasure known for its flawless concealment choose such an obvious hiding place?
This felt more like a trap.
Was it meant for her? For Chu Qingchuan? Or for anyone seeking the Celestial Ginseng?
If it were merely the array described in the original text, it would pose no threat to her.
But if it were something else…
Yet the area around the Celestial Ginseng was impervious to all spiritual treasures, allowing only the faintest trace of spiritual energy to seep through.
Xu Wanci paused for a moment before calmly stepping forward.
She was adorned with countless defensive artifacts and teleportation talismans—even if a Transcendent Realm cultivator were present, she had more than enough means to escape.
Moreover, the spiritual energy emanating from the Immortal Venerable nearby acted as an oppressive deterrent to everyone except her. Even if she claimed the Celestial Ginseng, the residual energy would take several breaths to dissipate—ample time for her to crush any opposition.
If this was an illusionary array targeting the soul, even better.
No matter what, she would not relinquish the Celestial Ginseng.
Her gaze flickered to the three-petaled lotus at her waist as she took step after deliberate step toward the Celestial Ginseng.
The surroundings remained eerily still.
The moment she plucked the ginseng, the lotus emitted a barely perceptible glow.
Xu Wanci swiftly stored the Celestial Ginseng within her dantian before turning around—yet everything appeared unchanged.
The three-petaled lotus had never been wrong.
Which meant she was already trapped within the illusion.
Her expression remained serene, as though she noticed nothing amiss, and she continued forward with practiced ease.
Then, a rustling sound emerged from the nearby shrubs.
Following the lotus’s subtle guidance, Xu Wanci took a quiet step toward the disturbance.
Amidst the foliage knelt a figure of unearthly grace, his form so pristine it seemed untouched by dust.
A sword wound marred his chest, staining his white robes crimson as blood dripped steadily from the fingers he pressed against the injury.
Though wracked with pain, he sensed her presence and, with a voice gentler than one would expect from such agony, managed a warning:
"Miss, don’t come any closer."
"It’s dangerous here."
