Into The Sea

The scorching flames of black fire spread rapidly, engulfing every inch of the tree trunk and illuminating the night sky as bright as day. Suddenly, a powerful figure burst from the burning vines and plummeted toward the ground.

A streak of golden light followed closely behind, tearing through the sky with a piercing, whistling sword cry.

Yuan Changning, seemingly caught off guard by her resolve, flinched, his bloodied face a mask of surprise and fear. “You madwoman!”

He had once heard that among humans, the fewer spiritual roots one had, the purer their spiritual energy, making it easier for them to reach the pinnacle of power. In contrast, those with five spiritual roots had chaotic energy within them, requiring several times—or even dozens of times—more effort to achieve results comparable to those with a single spiritual root. As a result, while five-rooted cultivators weren’t rare, they were rarely able to rival their peers, let alone become the leaders of major sects.

And because of this assumption, people had overlooked one crucial fact.

Once a five-rooted cultivator reached mastery, they could become far more terrifying than a single-rooted cultivator.

The moisture in the air condensed into a flurry of icy needles, slicing into Yuan Changning’s body and leaving thin, sharp wounds. The pungent scent of blood spread through the air. As soon as he hit the ground, his scalp tingled with alarm. He rolled backward just in time.

With a sudden crack, a dozen earthen spikes shot up from the ground where he had just landed. Yuan Changning broke out in a cold sweat and turned to flee towards his demon horde. However, the sharp sword aura locked onto him, refusing to let go no matter how he tried to shake it.

The lion demon gritted his teeth, glancing around to see that his subordinates were all injured to varying degrees, with many demons burned by the black fire lying on the ground, unable to move.

This woman hadn’t come to trade one life for three; she had come to deliver a brutal slap to their faces. Seeing her determination to kill him, Yuan Changning clenched his fists and roared, “You’re courting death!”

Ye Qingjun, covered in blood, shook her head and smiled. “If I kill you, it’s worth it.”

She was getting further away from the barrier, and without the protection of the vines, she wouldn’t last long. Yet, she understood the principle of striking the head of the snake. Killing Yuan Changning would shock the demon horde.

Ye Qingjun’s lips tightened. Her dark pupils reflected the tide of demons rushing towards her. She stepped forward, ready to meet them head-on, when a frantic fox howl echoed in her ears. Then, a red blur slammed into her from the side, knocking her to the ground.

Caught off guard, Ye Qingjun looked up, surprised. “Yao Zhu?”

Yao Zhu rolled to her feet, grabbing Ye Qingjun’s clothes with her teeth and dragging her back. “Run!”

She pulled with all her might, her claws scrabbling at the ground, but the woman didn’t budge. Yao Zhu glared, her eyes wide. “Do you want to die?!”

Ye Qingjun frowned. “I have to kill that Demon Lord.”

“If you kill him, you won’t be able to escape!”

The fox spun in circles, then lowered her body, nudging the woman onto her back. The path back was swarming with endless demons. She leaped and dodged, panting, and dimly heard the woman on her back ask, “I already threw both of you over. Why did you come back?”

“What do you think?” Yao Zhu barked, running against the wind. “I don’t want to owe you anything! You killed me in my past life, and now you’re saving me in this one. I don’t want to be tangled up with you forever!”

Ye Qingjun was silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh.

After what felt like an eternity, the fox slowed. She coughed a few times, then said, “There’s… there’s no way out…”

All around them, demonic faces pressed in, their shadows blotting out any hope of escape.

Was she really going to die here with Ye Qingjun?

That would be too tragic!

Just then, Ye Qingjun said softly, “There is a way.”

Yao Zhu, forced back a step, looked around. “Where?”

The woman raised a hand, the last of her azure spiritual energy flowing out. Under her control, a thick green vine shot out of the ground, reaching for the sky. “This is the way.”

Yao Zhu understood and quickly leaped onto the vine, following it towards the barrier.

On the other side of the barrier, someone shouted, “They’re back! Sect Leader Ye is back!”

Ji Lingyue was no longer alone guarding the barrier. Cultivators were battling the demons attempting to break through. The ground was piled high with demon corpses, almost completely blocking the entrance.

A vine suddenly pierced the ground. Ji Lingyue realized what was happening and rushed forward, slamming her palm to scatter the corpses outside. In the next moment, the red fox leaped to the ground, stumbling in and collapsing, exhausted.

“Seal the barrier! Seal it now!”

Countless streams of spiritual energy rose, pouring into the thin barrier, attempting to close the gap. As if sensing their last chance, the demon horde surged forward, releasing a torrent of demonic energy onto the barrier. A crackling sound echoed as several hairline fractures spread outwards from the opening.

Everyone’s hearts clenched.

At that moment, faint flickers of light appeared in the distant desert.

Yuan Changning glanced back and burst into laughter. “Excellent, they’re finally here!” His voice, filled with a sense of impending victory, reached the ears of the cultivators. “The other Demon Lords are almost here! How long can you pitiful worms hold out? Stop struggling, it’s pointless!”

The thundering footsteps grew closer, shaking the ground. Many cultivators exchanged glances, despair creeping into their eyes. Some even withdrew their spiritual energy and fled in panic.

Qi Yueyao, horrified, watched the fleeing figures, “Come back! All of you, come back! Don’t run!”

More people remained, desperately pouring spiritual energy into the barrier, their faces pale.

Danbai, holding the barely conscious Ye Qingjun, looked towards the desert in fear. Demons were everywhere, blotting out the moon and stars, like a vast army on the march.

She bit her lip, turning to Ji Lingyue, who stood motionless, “Ah Yue.”

Ji Lingyue glanced at her, then said softly, “She will come.”

Danbai was stunned. “Who?”

The woman didn’t answer. She turned and stared at the approaching demon horde, her hands clenching into fists.

Amid the thick scent of blood, Yuan Changning continued to laugh maniacally. The thrill of battle and the excitement of crushing the humans filled his mind. He spread his arms, screaming hysterically, “Kill! Kill! Kill them all!”

His manic cry was carried away by the wind. Suddenly, a cold female voice echoed from behind him, “What are you laughing at?”

Yuan Changning froze, his mouth still open but his voice caught in his throat. His golden beast-like eyes widened in terror as a cold aura crept up his back. The lion demon felt a weight on his shoulder and turned in panic, only to see a pale hand.

The woman sighed. “I thought you could follow orders.”

“What a pity.”

Yuan Changning’s hair stood on end. He instinctively said, “My Queen! I—”

Snap. Lan Yueyao snapped his neck.

The massive body crashed to the ground. Lan Yueyao lifted her head, looking at the demons who had yet to notice her arrival. “Stop.”

Her soft voice reached the ears of every demon and human, and after a brief moment of stunned silence, countless eyes turned towards her.

The silver-haired mermaid stood in the evening breeze, her flawless face still devoid of emotion, as if indifferent to everything.

She placed her hand on the severely injured lion demon’s head and said calmly, “Did you forget what I said?”

In the dead silence, no one answered.

She continued, “Before the peace talks, you are not allowed to engage in any conflict with the humans.” As soon as she finished speaking, the lion demon vomited blood, his pupils dilating. In front of all the demons, Lan Yueyao opened her palm, revealing a blood-stained spiritual demon core. “This is the consequence of defying orders.”