I became the demon of the female devil

Chapter 411 Peach Blossom Tribulation! The Daoist Master and his disciples are about to clash!

The airship left southern Xinjiang and headed north.

For the past two days, Ye Zige has been cultivating alone in her room, without disturbing Chen Mo and Li Yuan's time together. It wasn't until the flying boat hovered over Jinyang Prefecture that she came out of her room and onto the deck.

The members of the Tianlin Guard had already gathered here to hear Chen Mo explain the next steps.

"I have already written the report for this trip south. You all go back to the capital to report on your duties first. I have some personal matters to attend to," Chen Mo said. "The control of the Cloud Mist Boat will be temporarily handed over to Li Baihu. The remaining spiritual essence is enough for the journey."

"Yes."

"As ordered."

Everyone responded.

Li Yuan's eyes were full of reluctance as she whispered, "My lord, please come back soon after you've finished your business. I... we'll wait for you in Kyoto."

"Okay, I understand." Chen Mo replied with a smile, then looked up and saw Ye Zi'e standing at the back of the crowd. He nodded to her, and Ye Zi'e smiled and nodded slightly in return.

Neither of them said anything, nor did they need to say anything.

Their shared experiences along the way fostered a deeper understanding and tacit agreement between them.

"gone."

Chen Mo turned around and took a step, his figure disappearing into the sea of ​​clouds.

Watching his figure disappear completely, Song Xuan and the others dispersed, leaving only Li Yuan and Ye Zi'e behind.

The flying boat continued its rapid journey towards Zhongzhou. Li Yuan leaned on the railing, gazing at the increasingly distant city below, and couldn't help but sigh softly.

"Ugh……"

Although Chen Mo said he would be back soon, based on her past experience, it probably wouldn't be that simple, and she probably wouldn't see him for quite a long time.

Ye Zi'e approached Li Yuan and asked, "Commander Li, where is Lord Chen going? He seems a bit secretive."

"It's nothing, I'm just going to see his fiancée," Li Yuan said calmly.

"fiancée?"

Ye Zige was taken aback upon hearing this.

Then he remembered the "annulment of engagement" incident that had caused such a stir in Kyoto.

The Chen and Shen families had arranged a marriage many years ago, but Chen Mo tore up the marriage contract in public in order to pursue a courtesan from a brothel.

They thought the two families would break off relations and become complete enemies, but not long after, the courtesan disappeared without a trace, and the Chen and Shen families reconciled as if nothing had happened.

"I remember that Miss Shen also had another identity, namely, she was a direct disciple of Martial Saint Mountain."

"No wonder Lord Chen didn't want us to come along. Given our status as 'lackeys of the imperial court,' it's really not appropriate for us to go to such a place."

Ye Zige shook her head, then asked casually, "By the way, are you familiar with that Miss Shen? What kind of person is she?"

"We've had a few dealings, but I wouldn't say we're familiar with each other."

Li Yuan thought for a moment and said, "In terms of appearance alone, she is a stunning beauty, and she is also very kind-hearted. Sometimes she seems a bit silly, and her reactions are always a beat slow, but other times she seems to be able to see through people's hearts..."

"Most importantly, she has a huge appetite, especially for pig's trotters; ten or eight of them are just the beginning..."

So she's just a naive, innocent girl with a huge appetite?
Ye Zi'e felt a slight stirring in her heart and secretly made a note of it.

Li Yuan glanced at her, puzzled, and asked, "Why are you suddenly asking me this?"

"It's nothing, just chatting," Ye Zige quickly waved her hand.

Li Yuan didn't think much of it and instead asked, "By the way, how's your cultivation progress? How long will it take to break through to the Grandmaster level?"

"Uh..." Ye Zi'e hesitated for a moment, then said ambiguously, "It's hard to say. You know how difficult it is to get through this. It's not something that can be done overnight. It might take half a year, or it might take a year. I can't say for sure..."

"It takes so long?"

Li Yuan frowned and said in a deep voice, "Don't forget, we agreed that your relationship with Lord Chen was just a transaction and that you couldn't have any feelings involved. Once you successfully achieve Dao, you can no longer have any connection with him."

"Of course I remember. Don't worry, I will definitely keep my word."

Ye Zi'e spoke with great conviction, but her expression seemed somewhat unnatural.

She used to yearn for the title of Grandmaster and dreamed of achieving enlightenment, but now her heart has undergone a slight change.

"If only this day could have come later..."

……

……

call--

Chen Mo was enveloped in lightning as he weaved through the clouds.

He held a bronze compass in his hand, from which beams of light pierced through, weaving together to form the phantom of a towering mountain peak in the sky. Below it was a detailed map, and to the east, a red dot was flashing continuously.

This was given to him by Shen Zhixia before she left Kyoto.

Mount Wusheng is located in the Cangyan Mountains at the border of Jinyang Prefecture and Qing Prefecture. The mountain gate is covered by an illusion array, making it impossible for outsiders to enter. Otherwise, the threshold would have been worn down by those seeking immortality and enlightenment long ago.

Only with this compass can the exact location be determined, and it also serves as proof of entry into the mountains.

Following the compass's guidance, Chen Mo flew past the state city without stopping and went directly into the depths of the Qingyang Mountains.

The population below gradually thinned out, and the continuous mountain peaks were covered with lush green vegetation. The faint sounds of animal roars and birdsong and insect chirps echoed through the air. Unlike the desolate southern border, this place was brimming with vitality.

Only when the red dot and the phantom of the mountain peak overlapped did Chen Mo stop and slowly descend.

Before them lay a low hill, shrouded in white mist. It looked unremarkable and did not resemble a sect at all.

Until he infused his true essence into the compass, activating the formation—

thump—

Accompanied by the resounding sound of bells and drums, the mist was drawn back like a curtain, and the hills in front of us suddenly rose up, revealing their magnificent appearance!
The entire mountain is a deep dark gray color, with rock layers that are steep as if carved by a knife and axe, sheer cliffs, sharp edges and corners, like a long ladder that stretches straight into the sky.

Hundreds of pavilions are built against the mountain, layer upon layer, stretching as far as the eye can see. The upturned eaves cut through the clouds, and the dragon-like creatures, which appear and disappear in the mist, add to the magnificent atmosphere!
In the very center is a huge mountain gate built of white stone, with the character "武" (martial) carved on the lintel, which is several tens of feet high.

The strokes are as sharp as silver hooks and as powerful as iron, penetrating three inches into the stone.

Even with Chen Mo's current cultivation level, his eyes felt a bit stinging after staring at it for a long time.

whoosh-

With a whooshing sound, a man dressed in a blue martial arts robe leaped into the air.

He landed in front of Chen Mo, looked him up and down, and cupped his hands, saying, "I am Chai Haochuan, an inner sect deacon of Martial Saint Mountain. May I ask what brings you here?"

The fact that they were able to open the mountain gate is enough to show that the other party is of extraordinary status.

Moreover, although the person in front of him looked young, his aura was restrained, and his background was impossible to discern, making people dare not underestimate him in the slightest.

"My name is Chen Mo, and I'm here to find someone..." Chen Mo returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

"Find someone?"

Upon seeing the bronze compass in his hand, Chai Haochuan's pupils contracted slightly.

This is a token that only the sect leader can personally bestow!
Could it be that the sect leader is so pleased with the talent that he's started taking on disciples indiscriminately outside?
"So it's Senior Brother Chen." Chai Haochuan's expression became even more respectful, and he extended his hand, saying, "Please come with me."

"Thank you for your trouble." Chen Mo nodded slightly. He thought to himself that this person kept calling him "senior brother" and was quite polite. It seemed that not everyone in Martial Saint Mountain was a pretentious show-off like Zi Lianji.

As the two entered the mountain gate, mist spread out, obscuring the interior and making the entire mountain appear ordinary again.

About half an hour later.

Above the clouds, the void trembled, and two figures suddenly appeared.

A person was dressed in a bright red Taoist robe with golden cloud patterns embroidered on the hem. His black hair was casually tied up with a silk ribbon. His face was fair and translucent, and his slightly upturned willow-leaf eyes had a cool and aloof look, yet also a touch of bewitching charm.

The woman beside her wore a moon-white Taoist robe with a cross-collar and right-fastening front, neat and tidy, held in place by a mutton-fat jade hairpin. Her every move exuded an ethereal and otherworldly aura, like a fairy who did not partake in worldly affairs.

"Master, why did you bring me all the way from the capital to here?" Ling Ningzhi asked, her face full of doubt.

"Recently, strange phenomena have been occurring frequently in Qingzhou, likely indicating that a secret realm is about to open, and it's probably quite large," Ji Hongxiu said languidly. "I've done some calculations, and the opportunity to extend Ling Yishan's life may very well lie within it..."

"Really?!" Ling Ningzhi's eyes lit up.

Before Chen Mo went to the Southern Frontier, he also told her that a Daoist scripture would appear in Qingzhou in a few days, and that she should prepare in advance...

It seems to be almost certain now!
"However, opportunities often come with risks. There are too many forces involved this time, and it's hard to say what the situation will be like. It would be best to find an ally beforehand."

"It just so happens that Huo Wuyai sent word yesterday that he also wanted to talk to me about this matter, so I decided to bring you along."

At this point, Ji Hongxiu paused slightly, her eyes flashing, and asked, "Are you sure Chen Mo will come looking for you then?"

“That’s right, it’s all arranged.” Ling Ningzhi nodded and said, “Once Lord Chen finishes his official duties, he will send a message to me, and we will meet in Qingzhou.”

"Well, I've thought about it, and I'm really worried. I'll go to Qingzhou with you then," Ji Hongxiu said seriously.

"Thank you, Master. You are so kind to your disciple~" Ling Ningzhi said with a smile, linking her arm with hers.

"It was nothing more than a small favor; it's what I should do as your teacher..."

Ji Hongxiu's eyes darted around, and she laughed awkwardly, feeling guilty.

Ever since Chen Mo entered the Daoist path, she has been hesitant to face her beloved disciple.

This time, it was because her Dao pattern was about to flare up, and after waiting and waiting, Chen Mo still hadn't come to find her. She couldn't hold back any longer, so she secretly slipped into the capital.

However, they learned that Chen Mo had gone to the southern border to handle a case and it was unknown when he would return.

If she stayed in Kyoto to wait for him, she might be arrested by Yu Youhan, but she didn't want to miss the opportunity to meet Chen Mo, so she found an excuse to bring Ling Ningzhi out...

"The last time we met was long ago. The cooldown period for opening the gate has long passed. Is the situation in the Southern Frontier so busy that he doesn't even have time to send a message? Could he have forgotten about me?"

"When we see this guy, we're going to give him a good beating!"

Ji Hongxiu muttered to herself.

"Master, Master?"

Ling Ningzhi called out twice, puzzled, "What are you thinking about, so engrossed?"

"N-nothing." Ji Hongxiu came back to her senses, cleared her throat, and said, "Ahem, let's go."

"Okay," Ling Ningzhi replied.

The two jumped downwards.

……

……

Chen Mo and Chai Haochuan climbed the stone steps, with sect disciples carrying swords passing by from time to time.

The mountain road is lined with all sorts of exotic flowers and rare herbs, each one a rare and precious plant.

Not far away, there was an open space enclosed by a fence, where various strange beasts were kept, including a fierce horse with a single horn on its head and a monkey with wings on its ribs... They all looked quite mystical.

Noticing Chen Mo's curious gaze, Chai Haochuan took the initiative to speak, "The Qingyang Mountains are rich in spiritual energy, especially near Lingxiao Peak. These wild beasts are influenced by the Daoist principles and breathe day and night, making them prone to mutation."

"I see."

Chen Mo said knowingly, "So they're kept in cages to prevent them from hurting people?"

"No," Chai Haochuan shook his head and said, "It's to prevent anyone from harming them."

"Huh?" Chen Mo was a little puzzled.

Chai Haochuan explained, "Senior Brother Chen, you may not know this, but our Martial Saint Sect has a disciple of the sect leader who has an insatiable appetite. His appetite is frighteningly large. The sect's food supply is not enough, so he goes to the forest to catch them himself. Before long, he has almost eaten all the exotic beasts on the mountain to extinction."

"The sect leader had no choice but to send her down the mountain for training and to visit her family at the same time."

"They returned some time ago, so the sect leader had someone build a fence overnight and protect it with an array to prevent these strange beasts from being harmed again... Look, there's a sign hanging there that says 'Do Not Eat'."

"..."

Martial arts fanatics, don't eat this...

So that's how she got her nickname "martial arts fanatic"?
Chen Mo's lips twitched slightly. "You mean this person's surname is Shen?"

Chai Haochuan was taken aback upon hearing this, "Senior Brother Chen also knows Senior Sister Shen?"

"Yes, I came here specifically to see her," Chen Mo nodded.

"I see." Chai Haochuan said in realization, "No wonder Senior Sister Shen has been lingering around the mountain gate lately and keeps asking me if anyone has come to see her recently."

Chen Mo was speechless for a moment.

He had promised Zhixia that he would come to see her whenever he had time.

But so many things happened during that time that it was delayed for several months...

These stone steps must have been reinforced by an array, making them easy to walk on without needing to use their true energy. Each step lightly covered several feet, and before long, the two arrived at the mountain peak.

In the vast sea of ​​clouds, three peaks appeared and disappeared, connected by a bridge spanning the sky.

“Mount Wusheng has four main peaks: Lingxiao, Qiyun, Lieqiong, and Luoxing,” Chai Haochuan said. “At this hour, Senior Sister Shen should be listening to a lecture on Qiyun Peak. Let’s go and take a look.”

The two stepped onto the bridge.

The rainbow bridge is made of jade, and it is surrounded by a colorful halo when the sunlight shines on it.

As soon as he stepped onto the bridge, Chen Mo felt the compass in his hand become hot and emitted bursts of light, which complemented the rainbow bridge.

Immediately afterwards, my vision suddenly blurred, and when I opened my eyes again, I was on another mountain peak.

Before them lay a wide plaza paved with white stones, bustling with people, all young men and women dressed in martial arts robes. The prayer mats on the ground were already full, and others simply sat on the ground, listening attentively to the old man's lecture on the high platform.

The old man had a full head of silver hair, a thin and frail appearance, and a voice that, though not loud, could be clearly heard by everyone.

"Both heels tremble three inches, the earth's evil energy surges into the spring, thunderous sounds emanate from the chest, and the soldier's spirit opens its orifices..."

Chai Haochuan explained in a low voice, "Every month, the peak masters of the four major peaks take turns giving lectures. As long as you are a disciple of the sect, you can come and listen to the lectures, but how much you can ultimately comprehend depends on your individual fortune..."

Chen Mo scanned the crowd and sure enough, he spotted a familiar figure.

While everyone else was listening attentively to the lesson, Shen Zhixia hid at the very back, munching on a piece of osmanthus cake, and was engrossed in writing something.

Seeing this, he quietly moved closer...

(End of this chapter)