Chapter 95: Words as Law? The Immortal Abode Opens
"Very well. I agree to your terms," Yuge said, her voice trembling but resolute. "However, this humble girl has one condition: for one hundred years, you must not harvest my cultivation. Since I have chosen to struggle for life, I wish to live at least a century to make this suffering worthwhile."
"Granted," the silver-haired Demon Monarch replied, his tone indifferent. "Without a hundred years of growth, your value to me would be negligible anyway. However, during this century, your lives belong to me. I will not micromanage your every move, but you must follow my general directives without question."
"Yuge, you..." Zhang Tianzhi started to protest, his face flushed with shame, but Yuge gently intercepted him.
She turned to her brother, her eyes filled with a weary determination. "Brother, my lifespan was already near its end. To trade that for a few more years of life is a bargain I am willing to make. But there is no need for you to drag yourself into this abyss with me."
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Zhang Tianzhi snapped, his fists clenched. "If you have agreed, how could I possibly stand aside? We live and die together."
He took a deep breath, turning his gaze toward the imposing figure of the Demon Monarch. "I only hope Your Excellency truly possesses the abilities you claim."
"You will see soon enough."
Xiao Yifeng—guised as the Demon Monarch—waved his hand, tossing two jade slips through the air. They hovered before the siblings, glowing with a faint, eerie light.
"For you," he said to Yuge, "an ancient version of the Ice Heart Art." He shifted his gaze to Zhang Tianzhi. "And for you, the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art."
As the siblings grasped the jade slips, Xiao Yifeng continued, his voice dropping to a gravelly, commanding bass. "These contain the first two layers of your respective cultivation methods. Cultivate them well. But know this: I am not a charity. You must prove your worth. I expect you to build a force—a blade in the shadows that obeys only me."
With a flick of his wrist, a third jade slip shot out, landing squarely in Zhang Tianzhi's hand.
"This records a technique called the Reverse Life Art," Xiao Yifeng stated grimly. "Teach it to your subordinates. They will form your foundation. Within three years, I want you to reclaim the Tianlong Kingdom. Show me that you are worth the air you breathe."
"Done!" A fire ignited in Zhang Tianzhi's eyes—a blazing, desperate thirst for power and vengeance.
"Conduct yourselves accordingly. I will return in two years. If you have proven capable, I will grant you the subsequent layers of the techniques to aid in your conquest."
Before they could respond, Xiao Yifeng’s form dissolved into a wisp of azure smoke, vanishing into the ether without a trace.
The courtyard fell into a heavy silence, leaving only the three mortals standing amidst the wreckage of their previous lives.
"Yuge... why did you agree?" Yurou asked softly, breaking the stillness. "Did you not harbor feelings for Young Master Xiao? To agree to become a furnace for this Demon Monarch..."
"Sister Yurou," Yuge shook her head, a bitter smile gracing her lips. "Although that man seems to harbor no immediate ill intent, his mercy is predicated entirely on our utility. If we possess no value, he would likely silence us to protect his secrets."
Her gaze drifted toward the horizon, her tone tinged with melancholy. "If I refused, both you and Brother would likely die today. And... I admit, I am afraid of death. Even if there is only a sliver of hope, I want to live."
"It is my fault for being useless," Zhang Tianzhi gritted his teeth, his knuckles white. "Yuge, rest assured. I will cultivate this demonic art with my life on the line. When the time comes, I would sooner die in battle than let him humiliate you."
Yuge’s expression softened, a faint, genuine smile touching her eyes. "I never thought I would have the chance to witness the world Young Master Xiao lives in. Perhaps, one day, I can be of help to him."
Even if it is just walking in the same world as you for a little longer, it is worth it, she thought silently, clutching the jade slip to her chest. If the day comes when that Demon Monarch demands my body... I will end my own life to preserve my purity for you, Young Master Xiao.
Meanwhile, miles away, Xiao Yifeng’s Sword Spirit Doppelganger was tearing through the sky, rushing back to the main body. The distance was stretching the limits of his spiritual connection, causing his form to flicker with weakness.
"Did you really just want to use them?" Immortal Slayer’s voice echoed in his mind, dripping with skepticism. "To me, it looked like you went out of your way to help them. Do not tell me you failed to notice that girl has absolutely no intention of actually serving as your furnace."
"They are merely an idle piece on the chessboard," Xiao Yifeng replied, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips as his consciousness began to merge back with his main body. "I need eyes and ears in the mortal realms. They are useful. Besides... I have left a backup plan."
In truth, the only variable he was wary of was Zhang Tianzhi. He saw through Yuge and Yurou with ease; they were sentimental and manageable.
But Zhang Tianzhi... his feelings toward the man were complex. He was a person worth befriending, yet dangerous to keep too close. The man’s thoughts were deep, his scheming profound, and his ambition vast.
I hope I can control him, Xiao Yifeng mused. Better a dangerous friend than a capable enemy.
Time flowed like water.
Over a year later, the high heavens above the borderlands witnessed two streaks of light tearing through the clouds.
Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing were flying at top speed, journeying from the Ten Thousand Buddha Kingdom back toward the Tianyue Kingdom, their ultimate destination being the Qiongxiao Kingdom—home of the Inquiry Heaven Sect.
With less than three months remaining until the True Martial Ranking, they were in a race against time. They planned a brief stopover in the Tianyue Kingdom to check on Zhang Tianzhi and the others before returning to the sect.
In the past year, the duo had traversed over a dozen nations. The continent was vast beyond comprehension, a patchwork of countless empires and kingdoms. Despite their constant travel, they had barely explored a corner of the world.
Great nations like the Qiongxiao Kingdom and the Ten Thousand Buddha Kingdom were colossal, stretching endlessly across the horizon. Crossing a single one of these behemoths required nearly a month of continuous flight.
Under Xiao Yifeng’s meticulous guidance—fueled by his memories of the future—their intelligence gathering had been flawless. Everywhere they went, fortune followed.
To Su Miaoqing, it felt surreal. Every mountain they climbed held a hidden cave; every ruin they explored contained an ancient legacy. It was as if the world was practically throwing treasures into their laps.
Her gaze toward Xiao Yifeng had grown increasingly strange over the months. She began to suspect that her Junior Brother might be a legendary Child of Destiny, the kind of protagonist whom the Heavens scrambled to spoon-feed opportunities.
Thanks to this absurd luck, they never lacked for heavenly treasures or rare cultivation materials.
Xiao Yifeng himself had lost count of how many "fated opportunities" he had intercepted from others. Many treasures he knew of from his previous life—originally destined for other famous cultivators—were now safely tucked into their storage rings.
Of course, it wasn't all smooth sailing. Their most harrowing encounter involved provoking a Golden Core realm Demon Beast, which had hunted them relentlessly for half a month. They had barely escaped with their lives.
But the rewards were worth the risk. After consuming a mountain of spiritual herbs and pills, Su Miaoqing had reached the fifth level of Foundation Establishment. Her speed was terrifying, especially considering she was deliberately suppressing her breakthrough to ensure a flawless foundation.
Xiao Yifeng, however, was even more monstrous.
He had come from behind to surpass her, reaching the sixth level of Foundation Establishment.
This anomaly left Su Miaoqing dumbfounded. She had scrutinized him repeatedly, worried that he was rushing his progress and destabilizing his base, but his Qi was as solid as a mountain.
She could already picture the shock on her parents' and Senior Brothers' faces. They expected Xiao Yifeng to perhaps break into the Foundation Establishment realm if he was lucky. Who would imagine the kid would return as a sixth-level powerhouse?
"Hehe, Little Feng," Su Miaoqing called out over the rushing wind, her voice bright. "Do you think we'll make a big splash at the True Martial Ranking this time?"
Xiao Yifeng turned his head, his eyes sweeping over her.
A year of travel had changed her. Su Miaoqing stood atop her flying artifact, her light blue gauze dress fluttering violently in the wind, plastering the fabric against her form. Her face retained its youthful beauty, but her body had fully bloomed. Curves rose and fell in a soul-captivating rhythm, her silhouette against the clouds resembling a descended celestial maiden.
Her dark hair danced loosely around her shoulders, wild and untamed. Without a trace of makeup, she exuded a natural, devastating charm—a blend of innocent purity and unconscious allure that made it difficult for any man to look away.
"Senior Sister need not worry," Xiao Yifeng laughed heartily, averting his gaze before he stared too long. "I will simply crush all obstacles in my path."
Su Miaoqing, sharp as ever, had caught that fleeting glance. Her cheeks flushed a delightful shade of pink. She rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. "If anyone is doing the crushing, it will be me, your Senior Sister. It’s not your turn yet, brat."
She paused, looking down at the object in her hand. "By the way, what do you think these paired jade pendants are for? We’ve had them for over a year and still haven't figured out their use."
In her palm lay two identical jade pendants, distinguished only by the numbers carved into their surface: 'Eleven' and 'Twenty-Nine.' One was the sword pendant obtained from Yugé; the other was one Xiao Yifeng had 'accidentally' guided her to find months ago.
"Who knows?" Xiao Yifeng shrugged, feigning ignorance. "Perhaps the time isn't right. When fate aligns, they might just open on their own."
He smiled internally. He knew perfectly well that these were keys to the Immortal Abode, and the great gate was not scheduled to open for another fifty years. He was just teasing her.
"Eh?" Su Miaoqing suddenly gasped, holding the jade up. "Little Feng, look! You really are a prophet! The pendant... it's glowing!"
"What?"
Xiao Yifeng froze mid-air, his smile vanishing. He stared at the pulsing light in her hand, his mind racing.
Impossible. It’s fifty years too early. Why now?
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