Ye Qiu and the Long-Browed Real Person followed Elder Sheep, heading deeper into the mountain range.
The two looked left and right, full of curiosity.
Along the way, they saw many people… or more accurately, demons.
Some had taken human form. Others were half-human, half-demon in appearance. Large and small groups gathered together, chatting, chasing, and playing, in harmonious joy.
Seeing this scene, Ye Qiu and the Long-Browed Real Person unconsciously relaxed.
This feeling was like someone long in the city suddenly arriving in a peaceful mountain village, where even the air tasted sweet.
“The demon race is truly a good place, like a paradise beyond the world.” The Long-Browed Real Person sighed.
Elder Sheep’s heart stirred. He said, “If the Daoist likes it, you can stay here forever.”
The Long-Browed Real Person sighed. “Alas, worldly affairs bind me. I fear I cannot stay.”
Elder Sheep smiled faintly and said no more.
On the road, many demon race citizens saw Ye Qiu and the Long-Browed Real Person. Each grew curious, pointing and whispering about the two.
Ye Qiu and the Long-Browed Real Person were like celebrities walking the red carpet, drawing all attention.
Elder Sheep explained, “The demon race citizens have not left the Southern Ridge for a long time. The young little demons have never seen humans, so they find humans novel. If there is any offence, please do not take it to heart.”
“No matter. This poor Daoist is used to it. I do not mind.” The Long-Browed Real Person not only did not mind but enjoyed it.
Previously, whenever he was with Ye Qiu, others’ attention always fell on Ye Qiu. He was like air.
But now, he felt like the protagonist.
“No wonder the little brat always likes showing off. Being the centre of attention feels damn good.”
Gazed upon by countless eyes, the Long-Browed Real Person grew excited and somewhat thrilled. He then assumed an immortal, detached manner, striding proudly.
Elder Sheep glanced secretly at the Long-Browed Real Person, a mysterious smile at his lips.
Ye Qiu remained very calm. After all, he had seen such scenes often.
A glint flashed in Elder Sheep’s eyes. He thought, “Young in age, yet not easily influenced by the outside. This boy’s dao heart is steady.”
As they walked.
A group of little demons gathered around, surrounding the Long-Browed Real Person and Ye Qiu, full of curiosity.
“Hi, hello there!” The Long-Browed Real Person waved, smiling as he greeted the little demons.
The little demons ignored him, whispering among themselves.
“What demons are these two? Never seen them before.”
“From what I see, with such small bodies, they must come from some weak race.”
“Especially that one in the long robe. Really ugly…”
The Long-Browed Real Person nearly spat blood. He could not help asking, “Elder Sheep, are you not demons? How do you all speak human language?”
Elder Sheep replied, “The demon race once had its own languages. Even each race had its own. But many years ago, a human sage came to the demon race.”
Mentioning that sage, Elder Sheep’s face filled with reverence. He continued, “That sage spread human civilisation here, teaching demon citizens to read, write, and discern right from wrong. Under his influence, the demon race gradually began speaking human language.”
“Over time, the demon race languages were forgotten instead.”
“That human sage can be called a benefactor of the demon race. Besides spreading civilisation, his greatest contribution was enabling the demon race to produce a…”
At this point, Elder Sheep suddenly stopped.
“Why stop? Continue!” the Long-Browed Real Person urged.
“Those are very ancient matters. No need to mention them.” Elder Sheep said, “Humans have a saying: children’s words carry no harm. Please, Daoist, do not stoop to their level.”
“You said children’s words carry no harm. How could this poor Daoist stoop to their level?” After speaking, the Long-Browed Real Person suddenly put on a fierce expression, baring teeth at the little demons.
However, the little demons were very bold. Not one was scared.
Instead, the Long-Browed Real Person, failing to get the desired effect, felt extremely awkward.
Soon, they arrived before a mountain peak.
This peak towered majestically, vast and immense, with ancient trees reaching the sky, lush and verdant.
A stone stairway led upwards to the heavens.
At the summit stood vast palaces, magnificent and splendid, shrouded in clouds and mist, like a celestial palace.
Along the stone stairway stood many demon guards. Seeing Elder Sheep, they all saluted.
At the same time, those guards curiously glanced at Ye Qiu and the Long-Browed Real Person. But seeing them with Elder Sheep, none dared ask.
It was clear Elder Sheep held high status in the demon race. These guards feared him greatly.
Ye Qiu and the Long-Browed Real Person followed Elder Sheep up the stone stairway.
Along the stairway grew various exotic flowers and plants, fragrant and intoxicating, with numerous ten-thousand-year spiritual medicines.
The closer to the palaces, the older the spiritual medicines along the stairway, even hundred-thousand-year or several-hundred-thousand-year ones.
Finishing the stairs led to a huge plaza.
On the plaza patrolled many guards, each with powerful auras. Ye Qiu sensed great pressure from them. He guessed most guards were at the peak of Yuanying or even Tongshen realm experts.
“Elder Sheep.”
The patrolling guards saluted Elder Sheep upon seeing him.
“Yes.” Elder Sheep acknowledged, pointing to the most resplendent palace at the highest point. “That is the Lord’s sleeping palace.”
“You two, please follow me.”
Then, Elder Sheep led Ye Qiu and the Long-Browed Real Person to a palace.
Above the palace gates hung a wooden plaque with three characters.
Palace of Ultimate Bliss!
“Elder Sheep, why have you brought two humans to my Xiaoyao Palace?”
Suddenly, a graceful and charming mature woman emerged from the palace. She looked unkindly at Ye Qiu and the Long-Browed Real Person. “Humans slaughter our demon race. Our enmity with humans is irreconcilable.”
“Elder Sheep, bringing two humans here, does the Lord know?”
The Long-Browed Real Person glanced and found the mature woman exceptionally attractive, with well-maintained skin and a superb figure, more charming than Nangong Jingyun. However, her two ears were white and long.
“Could she be a rabbit?”
The Long-Browed Real Person glanced again at her front, inwardly shocked. “So fierce!”
Elder Sheep smiled. “Elder Rabbit, these two honoured guests are friends of the Lord.”
“The Lord instructed me to entertain them well.”
“If you have objections, feel free to tell the Lord.”
In an instant, the fierce light in Elder Rabbit’s eyes vanished, replaced by an enthusiastic smile. She curtsied to Ye Qiu and the Long-Browed Real Person, saying apologetically, “Honoured guests, I am sorry. I did not know you were friends of the Lord. Please forgive any offence.”
“No matter.” Ye Qiu smiled.
“Elder Sheep, since they are friends of the Lord, you must entertain them well. If there is anything needed, come to me.” Elder Rabbit said.
Elder Sheep replied, “Elder Rabbit, I do need your help. The Lord instructed to use special hospitality for the two honoured guests.”
Elder Rabbit smiled ambiguously. “I understand.”
“Elder Sheep, take them in first. I will arrange it right away.”
“Rest assured. I guarantee the two honoured guests will be satisfied~”
