Book 08 Chapter 050: Capturing Lifespan Beiming
The Heavenly Demon Holy Land, the nether realm:
The Mosquito Daoist was quite familiar with everything about the Heavenly Demon Holy Land. At the consummation of the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm, his control over his mosquito clones had become more adept. He had discovered Lifespan Beiming’s general location long ago.
However, due to the stringent security within the Heavenly Demon Holy Land, the Mosquito Daoist hesitated to act recklessly and decided to wait for Shangguan Hen.
Shangguan Hen moved swiftly. After succeeding in the land of the living, he headed straight to the nether realm without delay.
“Mosquito Daoist, did you find him?” Shangguan Hen inquired as he approached the Mosquito Daoist.
“Yes, I’ve found his approximate location. Once we get closer, we can search around. However, we shouldn’t linger. If the Unrestrained Heavenly Demon notices us, neither of us can escape,” replied the Mosquito Daoist in a solemn tone.
Shangguan Hen nodded in agreement.
------
Two hours later:
Numerous guards surrounded a secluded hall.
The Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon arrived in haste.
“Salutations, Fourth Peak Master!” the guards said respectfully.
“Is Lifespan Beiming in the residence?” the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon asked.
“Yes, Third Peak Master also just entered,” the guards responded.
“Number Three?” The expression of the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon darkened.
Two figures emerged from the distant hall: the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon and Lifespan Beiming, a young boy in white robes.
They seemed to be in deep conversation as they left the hall.
“Number Three?” The Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon greeted the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon with a slight smile.
Turning to Lifespan Beiming, the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon inquired, “Where are you two headed?”
Lifespan Beiming laughed, “Fourth Peak Master, the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon invited me to his residence for some advice. He’s curious about which parts of human girls taste the most delicious. He’s prepared three hundred young girls, all cleaned up. Would you like to try some? I promise the taste is addictive!”
“To Number Three’s residence?” The face of the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon sank.
“What’s wrong?” Lifespan Beiming asked, puzzled.
“Why are you behaving oddly today, Number Four?” the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon asked, likewise confused.
Taking a deep breath, the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon replied, “If you truly are Number Three, I apologize in advance for my suspicions, so please don’t take offense.”
“Oh? What’s going on?” the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon asked in confusion.
“I’ve received news from Xuanyuan City that Shangguan Hen transformed into Cangjie and captured Lifespan Nangong. According to the information from Xuanyuan City, he might come for Lifespan Beiming,” the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon explained.
“What? They captured Lifespan Nangong and now want me? Why? The Unborn Man has already captured Lifespan Dongfang and Lifespan Chunshen. Oh no! This isn’t good! He wants me dead!” Lifespan Beiming’s face changed drastically.
“You believe Shangguan Hen will disguise himself as one of us and sneak in? Based on your tone, you were suspecting me just now?” the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon said coldly, radiating an aura of killing intent.
Lifespan Beiming’s expression changed. He immediately realized the potential danger and quickly sidestepped the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon.
“Lifespan Beiming, why are you avoiding me? Do you think I’m Shangguan Hen in disguise?” The Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon’s voice grew colder.
Desperate to stay safe, Lifespan Beiming moved closer to the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon and pleaded, “Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon, please forgive me. Right now, things are uncertain. I have to consider my safety. Sorry. I just need to ensure my safety until we find Shangguan Hen. I’ll make up for it after that.”
“Number Three, if you truly are Number Three, I apologize. However, given the circ.u.mstances, anything is possible now. Please be patient. Let’s visit our lord; he will help us find out who the mole is,” suggested the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon reasonably.
Lifespan Beiming’s suspicion of the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon deepened at the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon’s words. Swiftly, he moved closer to the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon, positioning himself behind him.
“Yes, yes, Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon, how about we confront this at the Unrestrained Heavenly Demon’s place? Don’t worry. I’m not doubting you; it’s just…,” Lifespan Beiming trailed off, his voice heavy with anxiety.
Shangguan Hen was at the consummation of the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm. If Shangguan Hen caught him, there would be no escape, so he needed to find reliable support.
Upon hearing the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon’s suspicion, the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon was filled with murderous intent. Perhaps he was Shangguan Hen. Staying near the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon seemed the safest bet.
Nearby, the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon’s face turned sullen, looking like he might erupt in anger at any moment. His sinister gaze made Lifespan Beiming s.h.i.+ver.
Whoos.h.!.+
Suddenly, another figure shot down from the sky behind the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon, seemingly focused only on the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon, perhaps because the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon faced that person.
As the figure approached, laughter resounded. “Number Three, what’s with that murderous look on your face?”
The new arrival shocked everyone into looking up, showing surprised expressions.
The new arrival was none other than another Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon.
Another Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon?
How could there be another one?
The surrounding guards were taken aback. Both the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon and, especially, Lifespan Beiming were in shock.
Lifespan Beiming sensed that things were not good.
However, he was already standing beside the first Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon.
Then the first Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon grabbed Lifespan Beiming’s neck.
“It’s you!” Lifespan Beiming roared in despair.
However, Lifespan Beiming’s cultivation had already been sealed, and the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon before him attacked him.
It turned out the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon was real, and this Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon was the imposter.
You fraud! You liar!
Lifespan Beiming wanted to cry but could not.
At that moment, the second Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon saw the first.
“Shangguan Hen! I didn’t even get a chance to notify everyone, and you already masqueraded as me?!” exclaimed the second Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon.
Boom!
Without hesitation, the first Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon seized Lifespan Beiming and soared skywards, transforming into Shangguan Hen’s figure in mid-flight.
Looking at Shangguan Hen, who held him by the neck, Lifespan Beiming felt the weight of despair. Previously, he had been standing safely beside the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon but then moved to hide behind Shangguan Hen.
“Help!” Lifespan Beiming shouted in desperation.
“Where are you going?!” The distant Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon approached, coursing the sky, and thrust his palm forward.
Shangguan Hen turned his head and glared as he threw a punch.
Boom!
Palm and fist collided, resulting in a large golden disk of light shattering s.p.a.ce.
That immense force propelled Shangguan Hen even farther.
“Hmph, trying to flee?” The angry Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon resumed pursuit with fervor.
Both individuals were at the consummation of the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm, displaying incomparable speed.
In a mere moment, they had exchanged hundreds of blows and traveled an enormous distance from the Heavenly Demon Holy Land. Shangguan Hen looked rather disheveled, overpowered by the sheer strength of the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon.
Boom!
Their fists clashed once more, shattering s.p.a.ce, and could not separate for a while.
“Number Three, I’ll help you!” Suddenly, another voice rang out.
It was the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon, preparing to strike Shangguan Hen from behind with his palm.
“Shangguan Hen, causing trouble in Xuanyuan City was one thing, but daring to enter the Heavenly Demon Holy Land and impersonate me is courting death!” He swung his venomous hand, intent on severely injuring Shangguan Hen from behind.
Lifespan Beiming rejoiced in antic.i.p.ation of rescue. Shangguan Hen alone could not take him away.
However, he suddenly noticed a black mosquito clinging to Shangguan Hen’s nape.
Just as the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon’s strike was about to land, the black mosquito suddenly multiplied exponentially.
A surging cloud of black mosquitoes erupted, rus.h.i.+ng towards the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon’s palm.
Boom!
Countless black mosquitoes exploded. Another hand appeared and blocked the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon’s venomous palm. The Mosquito Daoist had strangely appeared and blocked the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon’s palm strike.
Furthermore, the surging cloud of mosquitoes stuck their proboscises into the back of the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon’s hand, continuously draining the venom.
“The Mosquito Daoist? You’re not alone!” exclaimed the surprised Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon.
“Of course not. There’s also me!” Coo! Kong Xuan’s voice abruptly rang out.
Kong Xuan opened his mouth, and a gust of black wind swept towards the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon. Kong Xuan intended to devour the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon.
Boom!
The Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon and the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon chose not to linger, exerting force to shatter s.p.a.ce and disengage from Shangguan Hen and the Mosquito Daoist.
“Retreat!” yelled Shangguan Hen.
Whoos.h.!.+
The trio did not try to keep the two heavenly demons, instead retreating swiftly to the vicinity of Myriad Bone Sinister Mountain.
This time, the two heavenly demons did not dare to pursue, their faces flickering with mixed emotions.
Myriad Bone Sinister Mountain was a forbidden area for them, being directly connected to Borderless Heavenly Capital. Long Zhanguo might be there.
Frustrated, they had no choice but to return to the Heavenly Demon Holy Land to report.
------
Xuanyuan City:
Ao Ying, Xiong You, Fengbo, Limu, and Mister Starless cooperated with Ji Dihong, tirelessly aiding Cangjie in healing his wounds.
Half a day later, Cangjie finally took a breath of relief, showing signs of recovery.
“Thank you, Your Holy Eminence! This official has troubled you greatly,” said a bitter Cangjie.
“You needn’t blame yourself, sir. The Xuanyuan Sword isn’t so easily digested. It is a dragon vein, a manifestation of the nation’s situation, akin to a golden blessings dragon. Even after consumption, it cannot be digested. Gu Hai cannot contend with it,” Ji Dihong consoled.
“Yes.” Cangjie nodded.
“I have a report!”
An official hurriedly entered the grand hall.
“Reporting to Your Holy Eminence, the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon sent a message through the lifespan pearl that he arrived a step too late. Lifespan Beiming has been captured by Shangguan Hen!” the official reported.
“Lifespan Beiming has also been captured? Doesn’t this mean that the Unborn Man can now open an entrance to the Hungry Ghost Path Secret Realm?” Fengbo said, his face sinking.
Ji Dihong narrowed his eyes.
However, Cangjie shook his head. “No, that’s not right.”
“What’s wrong?” asked a confused Ji Dihong.
“This official has studied the eight lines of lifespan cultivation inheritance. Four lines cultivate life and the other four cultivate death. To open an entrance to the Hungry Ghost Path Secret Realm, you just need two lifespan cultivators—one life and one death. Although it’s a substantial and time-consuming process, a day is enough to open the entrance to the hungry ghost path of reincarnation. Three days ago, the Unborn Man could have opened it with just Lifespan Dongfang and Lifespan Chunshen. No, even by himself, he could have opened it, as he cultivates both life and death simultaneously. So, why did he capture Lifespan Nangong and Lifespan Beiming?” Cangjie said with a puzzled expression.
Ji Dihong responded in a deep tone, “Did the Unborn Man seize Gu Hai’s crisis to use Gu Hai to apprehend Lifespan Nangong and Lifespan Beiming? Haha! The Han Imperial Dynasty isn’t united as we thought!”
Nodding, Cangjie added, “Your Holy Eminence, even if they open an entrance to the Hungry Ghost Path Secret Realm, it won’t help. The people from Borderless Heavenly Capital who enter it would essentially be starting from scratch. They can not contribute much, maybe just enabling Gu Hai’s true body to escape, at most.”
“Since Borderless Heavenly Capital’s blessings are still intact, Gu Hai’s true body remains alive. Half a day has pa.s.sed here, equating to about six months inside. Mister Cangjie, we should enter soon to take down Gu Hai!” Ji Dihong declared gravely.
“His Holy Eminence’s personal partic.i.p.ation will ensure Gu Hai’s demise without a doubt. However, I believe Prime Ao Ying should accompany us,” Cangjie said, looking at Ao Ying.
“Me?” Ao Ying was slightly stunned.
“Yes, Prime Ao possesses the ancestor dragon’s corpse. The physical body of the ancestor dragon dominated the world in the past, rivaling the five hungry ghost kings,” Cangjie stated solemnly.
“Alright,” Ao Ying agreed, nodding.
Cangjie nodded and waved. “Let’s go, then. It’s time to go back.”
Buzz!
s.p.a.ce trembled, and ripples appeared.
Stepping forward, Ji Dihong, Cangjie, and Ao Ying vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving the crowd behind.