In the valley, within the Six Desires Heavenly Demon Realm, a layer of flames still formed the phoenix heavenly curtain.
The flames burned fiercely. Sparks burst on the surface. No one could see inside.
“Ancestor, it has been a day and a night already. Can that little insect last so long?” One demonic creature stared at the phoenix heavenly curtain, its tone somewhat envious.
“Nonsense! Stabilise the Six Desires Heavenly Demon Realm!” The voice of the Heartless True Desire Demon Ancestor rang out. “Be careful in case Si Lingxi becomes desperate. She still has a chance!”
“Yes!”
Yet just as they spoke, the phoenix heavenly curtain composed of flames suddenly vanished, revealing five figures within the array.
“Hm?”
The four demonic creatures were somewhat bewildered, unsure why there was suddenly one extra person.
A phoenix giving birth to a daughter, does it take only one day?
Only the Heartless True Desire Demon Ancestor felt shock in his heart, because he could no longer sense the demonic desire divine blood he had planted in Si Lingxi’s body.
Within the array, holding Lu Zheng’s hand, Lin Wan, dressed in an ancient-style skirt, curiously looked around. Upon seeing the four grotesquely shaped demonic creatures outside the array, she could not help exclaiming.
“So disgusting!”
“Si Lingxi! You…”
The Heartless True Desire Demon Ancestor had not finished speaking when Si Lingxi waved her hand, scattering boundless divine fire, fierce and overbearing, rushing in all directions.
This was no longer the Si Lingxi restrained by the demonic desire divine blood, but one whose injuries had fully healed and whose cultivation had advanced a step further.
Amid the vast phoenix divine fire, faint phoenix cries echoed, as if cheering joyfully, eagerly assaulting the Six Desires Heavenly Demon Array.
The four demonic creatures hurriedly waved their banners, fully drawing demonic power from the valley domain to counter the phoenix divine fire.
In mere moments, the Six Desires Heavenly Demon Realm teetered under the impact of the phoenix divine fire.
“Ancestor! Si Lingxi has gone mad!”
One demonic creature shouted loudly. “The Six Desires Heavenly Demon Realm cannot hold much longer!”
They still hoped the Heartless True Desire Demon Ancestor would act again to steady it for them.
However…
The Heartless True Desire Demon Ancestor made no response at all.
Si Lingxi sneered. “That old demon flees quickly. He has already run away.”
“Nonsense!”
“In your dreams!”
Boom!
A tremendous explosion sounded. The Six Desires Heavenly Demon Realm shattered under the phoenix divine fire. The overwhelming flames swept past, enveloping the four demonic creatures.
“Aaah!!!”
“Ancestor, save us!”
To their credit, the four demonic creatures had strong cultivation and could still cry out in pain.
But that was all. They tried to flee, yet before leaving the valley, they all turned to flying ashes.
Hum!
Strands of luck light surged into the jade seal in his mind. Clearly, this was the reward from the death of those four demonic creatures.
With the Six Desires Heavenly Demon Array broken, the valley demonic domain fell apart, revealing a clear sunny sky. Only faint demonic qi drifted away, proving demonic creatures had recently been present.
“The Heartless True Desire Demon Ancestor has fled?” Lu Zheng looked around and asked.
“He has fled.” Si Lingxi nodded, her eyes narrowing. “The moment he realised the demonic desire divine blood in my body had vanished, he ran.”
The next instant, Lu Zheng froze, because even more strands of luck light than before flooded into the jade seal in his mind, even restoring what he had previously spent.
Lu Zheng turned to Si Lingxi, grinned, and added, “So decisive!”
Cold light flashed in Si Lingxi’s phoenix eyes. She drew a deep breath. “This matter is far from settled. I want to see how long he can hide!”
The Heartless True Desire Demon Ancestor lacked skill in other areas, but his hiding and escaping abilities were first-rate. Otherwise, he would not have survived those two battles in the southern border and Great Jing long ago.
However…
Phoenix divine fire was one of the rare supreme flames that could burn even intangible desires completely clean.
This was one reason he had plotted against Si Lingxi.
If he ever dared let her know his location, Si Lingxi would surely rush there at once for a thorough “discussion”.
“Let us go. Return to Phoenix Mountain first.” Si Lingxi shook her head, then turned and took Lu Zheng’s other arm.
Lu Zheng felt a surge of accomplishment!
The five rose into the air, heading back to Phoenix Mountain.
Lin Wan leaned out to gaze down at the boundless hundred thousand mountains.
There were peaks piercing the clouds, giant trees a hundred zhang tall, cascading waterfalls, lakes shining like pearls, roaring great rivers, colourful mists.
Mysterious lights and pressures drifted over peaks, through valleys, along gorges, showing this land had owners.
“So vast!” Lin Wan exclaimed in awe.
She knew priorities. Even among just five people, she avoided words that might reveal she was not from this world, lest she slip up later in other situations.
Si Lingxi’s flight speed far exceeded Lu Zheng’s. The thirty thousand li journey took only a brief time.
Si Lingxi descended from the clouds. A forest of red-leaved phoenix trees appeared. Phoenix Mountain had arrived.
Knowing Lin Wan’s strong curiosity, Si Lingxi avoided the rear courtyard and landed directly at the main hall entrance.
“Welcome back, Palace Master!”
Hong Lu, Bai Yuan, Bi Hu, and Xuan Yao stepped forward together, then immediately spotted Si Lingxi holding Lu Zheng’s arm.
The four women: !!!
They froze in shock!
When had they ever seen Si Lingxi so intimate with a man?
Holding arms, that was something only husband and wife did!
They had gone only to rescue a phoenix bloodline bearer. Less than two days had passed. What on earth had happened?
At that moment, they spared no attention for Lin Wan, this supposed “phoenix bloodline”.
Si Lingxi said calmly, “From now on, address Lu Lang as Young Master. Seeing him is the same as seeing me.”
“Yes!”
Though the four burned with curiosity, this was no time to question. They curtsied together. “Greetings, Young Master!”
Lin Wan, holding Lu Zheng’s hand, looked at the four women, also filled with surprise. Were all women in this world this beautiful?
Only then did the four turn to Lin Wan, but upon looking, they grew even more puzzled.
Though merely Si Lingxi’s maids, each had a thousand years of cultivation. How could they miss Lin Wan’s true nature?
She was plainly an ordinary human with just decades of cultivation, not the phoenix bloodline Yun Yi and the others had mentioned.
Hong Lu spoke first. “Palace Master, the guest rooms are ready. This young lady is…”
“This young lady’s surname is Lin.” Si Lingxi shook her head. “But she is not of phoenix bloodline.”
After a pause, Si Lingxi continued, “There was no phoenix bloodline. It was a trap set by the Heartless True Desire Demon Ancestor. Yun Yi and the other three are dead.”
“What!?”
The four gasped in shock and quickly asked with concern, “Palace Master, you are unharmed?”
A fleeting unease crossed Si Lingxi’s face, but she replied calmly, “No. A mere old demon descended via divine sense, what power does he have to harm me?”
Lu Zheng and the three women nodded in unison, confirming Si Lingxi spoke true.
“Enough. Withdraw for now.” Si Lingxi waved her hand.
Once the four left, Si Lingxi led the group into the main hall.
“It so happens that Lu Lang, younger sister Qingyan, and younger sister Ying arrived only the day before yesterday and have not toured Phoenix Mountain yet. Now younger sister Wan has just come, so let us all go together.” Si Lingxi smiled.
