PID Chapter 61

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o( ˶^▾^˶ )o

 

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Demon Lord Fenxiu, one of the eight cornerstone characters, acts on whims and kills just as capriciously. No one can understand his thought process, not even fellow madmen, because when people go mad, each has their own unique brand of insanity.

 

The peaceful coexistence between demons and human cultivators for generations was broken by Fenxiu. He seemed intent on reshuffling the cultivation world’s structure, aiming to unify it under demon rule.

 

Reasonably speaking, fighting and competing for resources is common in the cultivation world, but without rules, there can be no square. For everyone to live in the world, there must be some order; if everyone ran amok, no one would live comfortably.

 

The demon realm is generally smaller than human cultivator territories, but it’s not all barren mountains and treacherous waters. Like human habitats, it has both blessed lands and dangerous places.

 

The demon realm exists only in the middle and upper realms. The middle realm area is smaller than the upper, but there are direct connecting passages between the upper and middle demon realms. Demons can travel between the two without passing through gates controlled by human cultivator forces, which is a significant advantage for them.

 

Because the spiritual energy in the demon realm is naturally more suitable for demons to absorb, most demons choose to develop there. But some do come out to occupy other territories. To the victor go the spoils; if you have the strength to take it, others have to acknowledge it.

 

Some demon sects have been neighbors with human cultivators for thousands of years, maintaining good relations. The new Demon Lord’s sudden whim has put them in a very awkward position.

 

Although everyone knows some demons oppose the Demon Lord, if relations between the two races deteriorate further, hatred will spread to entire groups, making life even harder for demons living outside their realm.

 

Now, the Demon Lord has openly appeared at the Cloud Platform Grand Competition, known only to Xiao Mo.

 

Fenxiu stared at that little Foundation Establishment cultivator for a while, unable to draw any conclusions. But the fact that someone with such an intriguing aura was just at Foundation Establishment was itself very interesting.

 

Fenxiu grinned, casually tossing his registration token up and down. From his position, he could only see most of the little Foundation Establishment cultivator’s back and a bit of his side. His scrutinizing gaze was unrestrained, but given the distance and the crowd, someone at Foundation Establishment level shouldn’t be able to accurately detect him…

 

Hm?

 

The little Foundation Establishment cultivator seemed unaware, but the person beside him suddenly turned his head, locking eyes directly with Fenxiu through the crowd.

 

That person’s eyes were as frosty as frost, like sharp swords. Like a vigilant beast king guarding its territory, not allowing any intrusion, he coldly looked at Fenxiu.

 

While everyone was focused on the spectacle, this sword cultivator could still notice the slightest movement towards his companion.

 

Fenxiu narrowed his eyes, then flashed a provocative smile at him.

 

The little Foundation Establishment cultivator seemed puzzled by his companion’s movement and followed his gaze outward. Only then did Fenxiu notice that the two had somewhat similar facial features.

 

Brothers?

 

They both look quite handsome.

 

Fenxiu carelessly withdrew his gaze, catching the registration token that had been tossed high and was falling back down.

 

If he hadn’t suppressed his cultivation to early Nascent Soul stage, he wouldn’t have been so easily discovered.

 

As a top-tier demon, his racial talent allowed him to change his body and cultivation level. Of course, he could only lower his cultivation, not raise it. Fenxiu was originally at Great Perfection stage, but now he had truly suppressed himself to early Nascent Soul. To recover his power, he’d need some time. For example, to recover to Divided Spirit stage would take about half a cup of tea’s time.

 

Another talent of demons is the ability to identify all demon race types.

 

But after Xiao Mo the inner demon appeared in the world, this statement needs a qualifier, refined to: can identify all demon races with physical bodies.

 

If an inner demon had successfully possessed a body and refined a demon body, Fenxiu could recognize it at a glance. But Xiao Mo’s unique spiritual body was impenetrable even to him. At most, he felt the aura was somewhat peculiar, but his perception still registered a human cultivator.

 

Few people could catch Fenxiu’s eye for long, so this Foundation Establishment cultivator had temporarily caught his interest.

 

Xiao Mo just wanted him to withdraw his gaze.

 

Seeing Fenxiu look away, Chu Jinglan didn’t relax his vigilance. He sent a mental message to Xiao Mo: “He was looking at you just now.”

 

“I just noticed,” Xiao Mo replied mentally. “Though I don’t know why, I’ll be extra careful.”

 

Xiao Mo added: “His demonic qi is very unusual. You be careful too.”

 

Xiao Mo planned to at least wait until today’s matches ended before investigating further, then decide whether to tell Chu Jinglan this person was actually the Demon Lord. Mainly because he didn’t know what Fenxiu intended to do. Letting Chu Jinglan discover this important figure prematurely might not be good, as it could draw Fenxiu’s attention to them instead.

 

Wait, considering this, the early Nascent Soul group directly gathered Chu Jinglan, Mu Jian, and Fenxiu!

 

What kind of death group was this? The competition in the early Nascent Soul track would be incredibly fierce, truly hell-level!

 

Realizing this, Xiao Mo took a light breath.

 

Fenxiu casually swept his gaze towards Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan a couple more times. This time his gaze didn’t linger long, only noticing there were no spiritual energy fluctuations of mental communication between them before looking away.

 

So quiet, he had thought the two would surely exchange some mental messages.

 

He didn’t know that Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan, being inner demon and host, didn’t need traditional methods to communicate mentally. A simple thought in their sea of consciousness was enough.

 

On this trip out, even in the demon realm, no one knew where Fenxiu had gone. He was out looking for fun, anyone’s fun would do.

 

Having someone bring a demonic cultivator was also his arrangement. Seeing the human cultivators’ expressions change abruptly made him feel good. Originally, he had planned to cause bloodshed today, making it impossible for the Cloud Platform Grand Competition to continue. But now he had changed his mind.

 

He wanted to see if the small amusement he had just discovered might turn into a big one.

 

On the high platform, among the Cloud Peak Six Sects, Changdaozi[mfn]the Yingyue Sect representative[/mfn] of the Yingyue Sect was the first to challenge, coldly addressing the leading demon: “What is your intention in bringing a demonic cultivator here?”

 

The leading demon was a feather demon, light and agile. He lightly leapt down from the sedan chair, seemingly oblivious to everyone’s hostility, and even managed to smile: “Demonic cultivators are also people. You can’t accommodate them, so we kindly take in these poor souls, bringing them back to their homeland. Why is everyone so on guard?”

 

“Poor souls?” Changdaozi couldn’t stand his distortion of facts. “The evil qi mixed with resentment in this person indicates he practices a vile technique that devours human souls. It couldn’t be achieved without hundreds of lives. He’s pitiful? Aren’t those he killed even more innocent!”

 

The feather demon’s expression remained unchanged: “Of all the esteemed guests on this high platform, who dares claim their hands are completely clean of bloodshed? If he is evil, by what standard do you call yourselves righteous?”

 

In just a few words, he had shifted the conflict to the human cultivators’ own concepts of right and wrong.

 

At this point, a young master seated in the main position of the Jinxiu Pavilion spoke up. Although his cultivation hadn’t reached Divided Spirit, only at peak Nascent Soul, when he spoke, even the Divided Spirit cultivators of the Jinxiu Pavilion wouldn’t interrupt.

 

This person was the young master of the upper realm’s Jinxiu Pavilion, Wang Yichen.

 

Wang Yichen’s fan-holding posture was even more graceful than Wang Ludian’s. He was elegant, like a wealthy idler, but he was the one who had just cleaned up the Jinxiu Pavilion with thunderous methods. Young Master Yichen was widely connected, and wouldn’t blink an eye when seeing blood.

 

He tapped his folded fan in his palm: “In the cultivation world, battles and grudges may lead to killing, but not indiscriminate slaughter. Even beasts only hunt when hungry to survive. Demonic cultivators are worse than animals. What, do you want to be the same as them?”

 

The feather demon’s face instantly darkened: if he continued to speak for the demonic cultivator, wouldn’t he become worse than pigs and dogs in Wang Yichen’s words?

 

Xiao Mo listened with amusement below. Wang Yichen’s response was clever. In such occasions, people weren’t really there to reason with you sincerely. Whether it was sophistry or quibbling, whoever could choke the other side to death with words would be considered successful.

 

When someone’s kicked you in the face, who would still seriously discuss right and wrong with them?

 

Xiao Mo had the system scan and confirm Wang Yichen’s identity. This meant that, including the uninvited Demon Lord, six cornerstone characters had gathered for this competition.

 

Indeed, from any perspective, it was quite lively.

 

The dean of Lin’an Academy in the middle realm, Feng Qiexing, was already set to return to the upper realm. He also stood in Lin’an Academy’s team on the high platform. Although he wasn’t the leader this time, he could still speak up. He addressed the demons: “You speak of life so casually. By your logic, if we killed him today, would it just be deserts?”

 

Feather demon: “If this is how you treat guests, I’ve certainly learned something new.”

 

At this moment, a disciple from the Sunlight Sect of the Six Sects suddenly spoke: “What kind of guest is he? An acquaintance of mine died by his hand. Since the demonic cultivator dares to come, let him pay with his life today. Blood debt must be paid in blood.”

 

The feather demon frowned as he looked over, but saw that the disciple was neither angry nor sad. This wasn’t the reaction of someone facing an enemy; it was clearly made up on the spot.

 

This mission was given to him by the Demon Lord. If he messed it up, the feather demon wouldn’t survive. He sneered, about to counter, when suddenly a mental message entered his ear.

 

“Kill him. No need to conflict with the human cultivators. This demonic cultivator is useless now.”

 

The feather demon immediately tensed up: It’s the Lord!

 

The Demon Lord actually came to the Cloud Platform Grand Competition in person!

 

While inwardly shocked, the feather demon swiftly acted. To everyone’s astonishment, he shattered the demonic cultivator’s skull with one palm.

 

The demonic cultivator hadn’t even reacted before his body crashed to the ground, eyes fixed in confusion and surprise, dying with unresolved grievances.

 

Even those on the high platform hadn’t expected the feather demon to suddenly change his stance, flipping faster than turning a page. He smiled at everyone: “If that’s the case, he indeed should die.”

 

Many disciples below were stunned: Wait, they didn’t even verify if the grudge was real or fake, is it this casual?

 

The storm that was expected to arise ended in a bizarre way, leaving everyone a bit slow to react. The four human cultivation forces exchanged glances, knowing the feather demon couldn’t have truly killed for this reason.

 

Even the Sunlight Sect disciple who spoke up was dumbfounded, hurriedly telling others from his sect: “I have no connection to them, I didn’t know he’d kill so readily!”

 

Regardless of why the feather demon suddenly became agreeable, since conflict couldn’t be stirred up, they had to let it go for now. The representatives of the five major powers on the high platform finally settled down. After some formalities, they announced the official start of the Cloud Platform Grand Competition.

 

The human cultivators were all secretly speculating about the feather demon’s intentions, unaware that he was sitting on pins and needles on the high platform, his hands cold and sweaty beneath his calm expression.

 

He was bound by a blood contract to the Demon Lord, his life in the Demon Lord’s hands. Every audience felt like walking through death’s door, grateful to have passed safely without being killed by Fenxiu.

 

Fenxiu actually came in person. How was his performance just now? If Fenxiu wasn’t satisfied, could he still return alive?

 

Celestial music and phoenix dances began. After a passionate musical interlude, the music cultivators and beasts retreated, and the competing disciples could officially ascend the stages to battle.

 

In the first round, each group would have five arenas conducting battles simultaneously. This meant that for early, mid, and peak stages of both Golden Core and Nascent Soul, thirty arenas would be fighting at once. The celestial valley was vast, allowing safe distances between each arena. The protective barriers were stable, so there were no safety concerns.

 

The spiritual senses of those in the main seats on the high platform were sufficient to scan all arenas. They would choose the arenas worth paying attention to and focus more on those.

 

Everyone’s cultivation level would be tested again before ascending the stage, but age wouldn’t be checked. After the fights began, the crowded masses spread out a bit. Some went to sit in the audience stands, while others stayed near the arenas they were interested in watching. Only in the final few rounds, when one arena would be used at a time, would everyone be required to go to the audience stands.

 

Xiao Mo stood beside Chu Jinglan, accompanying him as he waited. Because there were too many people, the first round of matches was quite brutal, with one fight deciding the outcome. Some people faced very strong opponents in their first match; they could only blame their bad luck. In the cultivation world, luck was also part of one’s strength.

 

As long as he didn’t lose, Chu Jinglan had five matches to fight today. Soon, a name was called: “Arena A2, Chu Jinglan versus Guan Feng!”

 

Because of possible name duplications, after names were called, registration tokens had to be checked. There was only one Chu Jinglan, but three Guan Fengs showed up. After matching tokens, one remained.

 

Xiao Mo: “I’ll be watching from below.”

 

Chu Jinglan: “Mm.”

 

When Chu Jinglan’s name was called, Dai Zisheng and Su Baimo turned their attention towards him. As they saw Chu Jinglan actually step onto the arena, Dai Zisheng was so excited he almost called out, while Su Baimo tightly gripped his own hand, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on the person he had once looked up to for so long.

 

Chu Jinglan had truly recovered his cultivation; he was back!

 

The two remaining people from the Chu family in the Huanjian Sect, implicated by the Chu Jiao incident, were now in a difficult situation within the sect. They were confined within the sect for this middle realm competition, not even allowed to come watch.

 

Otherwise, they would surely have been the ones shouting the loudest now.

 

On the high platform, on the academy’s side, Feng Qiexing’s spiritual sense also paused there, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: It’s him, he succeeded.

 

Wang Yichen, prompted by his brother Wang Ludian, also looked over: “Elder Brother, it’s him, Chu Jinglan. My goodness, he’s already at early Nascent Soul stage!”

 

At this moment, someone on the high platform suddenly stood up. Changdaozi of the Yingyue Sect, disregarding his own loss of composure, involuntarily stepped forward:

 

The sword in Chu Jinglan’s hand was the heaven-grade spirit sword, Daybreak!

 

With the appearance of a heaven-grade spiritual weapon, everyone’s attention was immediately drawn. Among those from the upper realm, many recognized Daybreak. After their shock, their gazes couldn’t help but fly towards the Yingyue Sect.

 

The Yingyue Sect disciples were also in an uproar. Changdaozi’s disciple hurriedly said: “Master, that’s—”

 

“Daybreak, it’s Daybreak. After so many years…” Changdaozi’s voice trembled with nostalgia and sorrow broken open by time. “Once his match ends, I’ll go ask.”

 

The disciple hesitated for a moment: “You’re going personally?”

 

“Of course,” Changdaozi didn’t hesitate. “That’s the Moon Lord’s sword.”

 

As Chu Jinglan’s sword appeared, his opponent could only smile bitterly: “It seems I can’t win against you.”

 

The opponent only had a profound-grade magical weapon, inevitably showing an envious expression.

 

In fact, even without using Daybreak, Chu Jinglan could win. But he never underestimated his opponents. Chu Jinglan performed the pre-match courtesy: “Please guide me.”

 

This battle was simple. Although both were at early Nascent Soul stage, Chu Jinglan’s spiritual energy was more abundant, surpassing his opponent in every aspect. His victory was without doubt.

 

But as Xiao Mo watched his every move from below, waves seemed to crash in his chest, beating against his heart.

 

Chu Jinglan had finally stepped out of the quagmire, his past blood and pain forging a path to the heavens. He once again stood before the world, his sword intent soaring, radiating brilliance.

 

Xiao Mo heard the surging tide. His heart was intensely filled with emotions. For a moment, he unconsciously raised his hand, wiping the corner of his eye.

 

Only when he felt the dryness did Xiao Mo come to his senses, amused by himself: Inner demons have no tears, what was he doing?

 

But the smile on Xiao Mo’s face didn’t stop.

 

Not for himself, but for Chu Jinglan.

 

He loved seeing Chu Jinglan astonish everyone.

 

Many people’s gazes were drawn to Chu Jinglan, including Fenxiu. He stroked his chin, the smile on his face diminishing. After Chu Jinglan’s victory, he remained unmoved by honor or disgrace: “Thank you for your guidance.”

 

Although the opponent knew he would lose, he was still disappointed and upset. He roughly cupped his hands and immediately turned to leave the stage. Before Chu Jinglan could descend, Changdaozi appeared before him in the blink of an eye: “Young friend, please wait.”

 

Without checking his age, he didn’t know Chu Jinglan’s true age, but calling someone with lower cultivation “young friend” was appropriate, a generally accepted form of address.

 

Chu Jinglan stopped, not surprised by Changdaozi’s appearance, and instead went straight to the point: “Senior, you’ve come for this sword?”

 

Seeing Daybreak up close again, Changdaozi’s breath lightened. He tried to control his expression, not wanting to lose composure again: “…Yes.”

 

“I was fortunate to receive the Moon Lord’s legacy, this sword is part of it.”

 

Changdaozi wanted to raise his hand several times to touch the sword within reach, but ultimately resisted. The wind blew past his reddened eyes, carrying his whisper: “So he managed to leave a legacy in time. Then, in the end, he must have followed his heart…”

 

Changdaozi closed his eyes briefly, suppressing the bitterness. When he spoke again, he was like a true elder, saying gently: “Young friend, after your matches today, would you be willing to have a talk with me?”

 

With these words, countless envious gazes from disciples waiting for the competition below were cast their way: Someone had already gained the favor of a Yingyue Sect elder!

 

Chu Jinglan, neither humble nor arrogant: “Of course.”

 

Changdaozi smiled: “After your matches, I’ll personally lead you to the Yingyue Sect’s lodgings.”

 

Others were even more envious: The elder was personally guiding him!

 

Having made the arrangement, Changdaozi returned to the high platform for now. Chu Jinglan descended from the arena and walked straight to Xiao Mo’s side.

 

Xiao Mo was smiling at him.

 

Among all the gazes around them, whether of amazement, envy, or admiration, none compared to this person’s gentle smile.

 

The sharp sword intent on Chu Jinglan, before Xiao Mo, turned into a clear light in his eyes.

 

“I won.”

 

“Mm, I was watching the whole time.”

 

Xiao Mo’s clothes were bright, his smile even more radiant: “You will keep winning, on and on.”

 

Chu Jinglan’s lips also curved into a spring-touched smile, infected by him: “Then you must keep watching, on and on.”

 

He was already fearless of the path ahead, but a journey accompanied by flute music was always better than a lonely long street.

 

With sword and melody together, the heart can bloom.

 

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1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter