Chapter 64 Returning to the Sect

Lu Shuli’s expression remained serious, and she said not a single word.

Lin Fei gently shook his head, a trace of helplessness in his tone: "Actually, it's really nothing much."

He pondered for a moment, then continued: "If you feel you owe me a favor, how about helping me with something once we return to the Sword Sect?"

……

Deep within the Endless Demon Domain, the white-clad Demon Emperor walked slowly along a tree-shaded path, followed by a robust figure standing about two zhang tall.

That sturdy "man" had a stern face, exceptionally long arms, and was covered entirely in golden fur. The demonic energy emanating from behind him had condensed into a tangible form, with faint black mist slowly rising and drifting toward the sky.

He suddenly turned his head and looked into the distance.

The white-clad Demon Emperor smiled and asked, "Little monkey, how do you feel after breaking through your realm?"

The robust man named Wu Qi grinned, scratched his head, and replied honestly, "Much better than before."

Demon beasts were naturally endowed with powerful physiques, but on the path of cultivation, they were ultimately still slightly inferior to humans—especially congenital spiritual monkeys like him, who suffered great suppression from heaven and earth.

Yet now, after enduring countless trials and breaking through his realm in one fell swoop, not only had his lifespan increased dramatically, but his combat power had also soared to a terrifying degree.

For a demon race that revered strength, this was undoubtedly the greatest joyful news.

However, for Wu Qi, who had already attained sainthood, looking at the boundless demon realm and the being who stood at the absolute pinnacle of all living things, a sense of indescribable insignificance and distance still welled up in his heart when facing that white-clad man.

That man seemed to be the embodiment of the Great Dao, every step he took walking ahead of time itself, making the Demon Saint feel as though thousands of mountains and rivers lay unbridgeable between them.

As his cultivation continued to rise, this sense of disparity grew even more intense, resembling a bottomless abyss that inspired awe and fear.

The white-clad man’s voice suddenly rang out, carrying an unquestionable majesty: "Pass down the order: within a thousand zhang of the abyss, no demonic entity is permitted to approach."

The peerless demon beast known as the little monkey, though filled with doubts in his heart, still instinctively nodded in compliance.

The white-clad man’s pace remained effortless and relaxed, as if strolling through his own courtyard. He suddenly asked, "Feeling perplexed?"

Wu Qi finally could not suppress the curiosity in his heart and asked, "You seem to hold that human in unusually high regard?"

The white-clad Demon Emperor answered casually, "Little Xiaoyi unintentionally made the acquaintance of a very interesting fellow, so naturally I must show him some extra care."

A strange expression appeared on Wu Qi’s face as he pursued the question, "Just as simple as that?"

"Of course."

Bai Qi fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter: "No, not just that!"

The white-clad man ignored Wu Qi’s deepening confusion. His gaze pierced through the clouds, looking toward the distant horizon, and he murmured softly to himself, "The prophecy of the Heavenly Book from a thousand years ago is about to be fulfilled; this is indeed an interesting turn of events. Those beings who boast of being the sacred lands of the mainland have oppressed my Demon Domain for far too long. Now, I finally have the chance to witness a good show."

A flicker of anticipation crossed the eyes of the white-clad Demon Emperor as he whispered, "Lin Fei, you must not disappoint me."

……

As the winter snow melted, the splendor of spring blanketed the earth.

When Lin Fei and Lu Shuli once again crossed the barrier of that abyss, they abruptly realized that the bitter winter had quietly slipped away.

The Demon Domain, a place perpetually shrouded in gloom and desolation, now seemed to them somewhat less oppressive, touched as it was by the vitality of the outside world.

Though Lin Fei maintained his usual composure, days of continuous trials had left him feeling a hint of fatigue.

As for Lu Shuli, despite her snow-white robes being stained with dust and her face bearing a trace of exhaustion, her phoenix-like eyes were all the more brilliant, and her sword intent was matchlessly sharp.

Lin Fei softly suggested, "Should we return to Yuechi Town to rest and recuperate for a while?"

Four months of grinding hardship had made even him feel weary in both body and mind.

However, Lu Shuli appeared full of vigor and gently shook her head: "I think the grand assembly is approaching. We had best return to the Sword Sect as soon as possible."

Lin Fei nodded slightly in understanding.

Deep within the Demon Domain, Lu Shuli had once mentioned this matter to him.

Once the Academy's Hidden Dragon Rankings opened, the major sacred lands would select their strongest disciples and send them to the Great Tang Academy to receive the baptism of grand and righteous Qi within the renowned Misty Rain Pavilion.

Those disciples fortunate enough to obtain the legacy would undergo a complete metamorphosis, pulling away an unbridgeable distance from their peers.

This was not only a rare opportunity but also a turning point of destiny.

Already the favored children of heaven, if they could advance further at this juncture, they would undoubtedly become the most dazzling existences on the Tianji Mainland in the future.

Naturally, the opportunities bestowed by the Academy also came with heavy responsibilities.

Those disciples fortunate enough to receive the legacy of the Academy's sages were required to travel to the Primeval Wilderness and, upon that ancient land, swear by their own blood to guard the seal.

Should they ever violate this oath, their path of cultivation would be ruthlessly severed.

This was not merely a transaction, but a tacit understanding between the Academy's sages and all the sacred lands of the world, jointly protecting the peace of this continent.

For thousands of years, this ritual had been strictly observed, and the significance it bore was both heavy and magnificent.

Lin Fei softly said, "This is a rare opportunity; you must give it your all."

Lu Shuli was slightly startled, then asked, "Do you not intend to participate?"

"Why would you assume a disciple in the Muddy Pill Realm is qualified to take part in such a grand assembly?"

Lu Shuli’s expression stiffened for a moment before she seemed to snap back to her senses.

The talent and strength Lin Fei had demonstrated since joining the Sword Sect had made her unconsciously view him as an opponent of her own realm.

Yet, in reality, Lin Fei's cultivation was still stuck in the Muddy Pill Realm.

Realizing this, Lu Shuli felt an even deeper sense of Lin Fei’s potential and terrifying nature.

She said earnestly, "If you had begun cultivating earlier, this quota to represent the Sword Sect at the Academy would undoubtedly have been yours."

Lin Fei did not answer, merely gazing quietly into the distance.

Two figures transformed into long rainbows, piercing the sky and flying swiftly in the direction of the Sword Sect.

Unlike the leisurely pace of their journey out, their flight speed now was extremely fast, as if even time were chasing close behind them.

At the dawn of the next day, the two finally returned before the mountain gates of the Sword Sect.

Before the gates, snow piled high like mountains, and several young disciples were busy clearing it away.

Catching sight of the two figures descending from the sky, astonishment appeared on the disciples' faces.

Pressed for time, Lu Shuli needed to head to Nanmi Mountain as quickly as possible—not only to report the unusual movements of the demon race, but also because she longed to wash away the dust and tidy her appearance.

Before hurrying away, she seemed to have something she wanted to say, but in the end, she only spoke softly: "This matter is likely to be rather troublesome."

Lin Fei understood what she was referring to.

Out in the outside world, Lu Shuli had not brought up the matter of the Lin family's estate.

Yet she knew that this matter could ultimately not be concealed from the Sword Sect.

Once the truth came to light, she could not predict what kind of predicament Lin Fei would face.

However, Lin Fei seemed entirely unconcerned, merely waving his hand casually.

The interior of the Sword Sect was silent, the air imbued with an unusual atmosphere.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Lin Fei walked leisurely toward Dongming Mountain, his stride light and carefree, as if strolling through natural scenery.

Reaching the edge of a small lake, he abruptly halted his footsteps. This was precisely the spot where he had once tested his sword heart.

Lin Fei gazed fixedly ahead.

Feng Qian was leading several disciples from Xiling Mountain. They stood before the pavilion, gripping their swords tightly—the swords already drawn, flashing with a chilling light.