"Ancestor Xu, to see you..."
Elder Zui Yue's remaining words were cut off by Xu Yi raising her hand.
It wouldn't be that simple.
Xu Yi closed her eyes and after a moment of thought, quickly discovered something amiss within her.
A power, both strange and familiar, had appeared within her.
When Xu Yi activated it, an urge to dance with a sword immediately arose in her heart.
Xu Yi suddenly understood.
This was the great gift bestowed upon her by True Lord Ba Tian.
As long as she could fully absorb this power, her cultivation could surge to the peak of the Integration Late Stage in one go.
Xu Yi bowed towards the sea, silently saying, "Thank you, Senior Ba Tian, for your generous gift. Xu Yi is deeply grateful."
After straightening up, she removed the solemnity from her face and greeted Elder Zui Yue with a smile.
Elder Zui Yue suppressed her question, "Ancestor Xu, did you see..."
Although Elder Zui Yue did not speak the name, both she and Xu Yi knew exactly who she was referring to.
Xu Yi smiled and nodded, "Yes, I did. They should appear before long."
"That's wonderful."
A heavy stone was finally lifted from Elder Zui Yue's heart.
She quickly cupped her hands in thanks, "Thank you, Ancestor Xu, for your assistance."
Xu Yi waved her hand, "Someone has already thanked me."
After all, she had received a generous gift.
Although Elder Zui Yue was somewhat puzzled, she did not press for details. "Ancestor Xu, what should we do next? Should we continue to guard here?"
"No, I am leaving."
Xu Yi did not know how many sword dao true revelations True Lord Ba Tian had imparted to True Person Cang Hai and Bei Xing Han, but based on her estimations, the two would not be able to leave the space in a short period.
Given the urgent situation, she did not have time to wait here indefinitely.
Although Elder Zui Yue wished to remain in the area, she accompanied Xu Yi in her departure out of respect for Xu Yi's status.
She needed to return to the Xuan Qing Sect with Xu Yi to report.
Upon seeing Xu Yi, the Sect Master of Qing Lian's old face broke into a smile as wide as a chrysanthemum.
Xu Yi felt a chill creep up her spine at his smile, suspecting that this old Daoist had discovered she had taken advantage of the Xuan Qing Sect.
But she couldn't be blamed for that, after all, it was because she and True Lord Ba Tian were kindred spirits.
Xu Yi thought so, and so she said.
The Sect Master of Qing Lian's upturned lips fell when he heard that True Person Cang Hai and Bei Xing Han were still receiving inherited memories, because of Xu Yi's words.
The Sect Master of Qing Lian was heartbroken.
He knew why he had felt an ominous premonition at the sect; it was because of this matter.
Why did all the good things fall to Xu Yi? Even the ancestors of the sect favored Xu Yi. What was this all about?
What was even more infuriating was that the Sect Master of Qing Lian not only couldn't vent his anger but also had to send another generous gift, making him want to vomit blood.
Xu Yi was finally seen out of the Xuan Qing Sect by the Sect Master of Qing Lian, who cajoled and tricked her. As she left, Xu Yi still felt a sense of reluctance.
After all, opportunities to benefit from taking and receiving were truly rare.
The Sect Master of Qing Lian was truly a great person.
Xu Yi no longer felt the Sect Master of Qing Lian was a bother at all, and even wished he would ask her for help a few more times.
After leaving the Xuan Qing Sect, Xu Yi returned to the Xuan Ji Gate first.
A year had passed since she left, and not much had changed in the Xuan Ji Gate. The biggest change was the absence of the previously loose atmosphere among the disciples. Now, the disciples walked with purpose, their eyes resolute, as if prepared to fight the demon race.
Xu Yi was very pleased.
Besides the disciples, something else had changed.
"Ji Bu Wang! Ji Bu Wang!"
Xu Yi fled while calling Ji Bu Wang's name, with a golden shadow relentlessly pursuing her.
"Vile beast."
Ji Bu Wang materialized from the void, grasping the golden shadow in his hand, his expression cold.
Xu Yi paused and turned around, her face filled with helplessness and curiosity.
"What happened during this time? Why does the Golden-Winged Great Peng treat me like an enemy?"
Xu Yi had left the lotus platform and the Golden-Winged Great Peng together at the Xuan Ji Gate when she went to the Xuan Qing Sect some time ago, fearing accidents.
But upon her return, the Golden-Winged Great Peng no longer showed its usual affection towards her; instead, it displayed hostility, leaving Xu Yi perplexed.
Ji Bu Wang was also confused.
He had been busy contacting various sects and establishing the Nine Provinces Alliance, leaving him no time to attend to this remnant spirit of the demon king.
He gripped the Golden-Winged Great Peng's neck and pulled it before him, examining it closely. Surprise flickered in his eyes, and he said softly, "Xu Yi, look at its eyes."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yi stood beside Ji Bu Wang and looked closely, her eyes widening slightly, "Its eyes..."
In the eyes of the Golden-Winged Great Peng, Xu Yi saw untamed defiance and a cold sheen.
The Golden-Winged Great Peng was different now.
In this state, it possessed more of the aura of a demon king.
Xu Yi quickly extended her spiritual sense to probe, discovering that it was still a wisp of remnant soul, not yet complete.
But it had indeed changed.
"It's that lotus platform."
Xu Yi and Ji Bu Wang exchanged a glance and said in unison.
That lotus platform had caused the Golden-Winged Great Peng to change.
Liβ
As Xu Yi and Ji Bu Wang were speaking, the Golden-Winged Great Peng suddenly let out a long cry towards the sky, then forcefully broke free from Ji Bu Wang's restraint.
Ji Bu Wang, caught off guard, released his grip. Just as he was about to recapture it, the Golden-Winged Great Peng circled above and landed back on Xu Yi's shoulder, affectionately rubbing its beak against Xu Yi's face.
Xu Yi was slightly taken aback.
Had the Golden-Winged Great Peng recovered?
Xu Yi reached out to touch it. It did not resist; instead, it nudged her palm with its head, displaying affection.
Xu Yi was amused and exasperated.
However, due to the Golden-Winged Great Peng's previous behavior, Xu Yi had a premonition.
The Golden-Winged Great Peng would soon revert to its former hostile demeanor towards her.
This meant that it would briefly regain the spirit of its demon king days.
However, this period would not be long.
Xu Yi thought, perhaps next time this moment arrived, she would be able to seize the opportunity.
She no longer paid attention to the Golden-Winged Great Peng on her shoulder but turned to Ji Bu Wang, "Bei Xing Han is alright now."
Ji Bu Wang nodded slightly.
He stood under the shade of a tree, wearing the plain white sect leader's robe, dignified and composed.
Xu Yi tilted her head and looked at him, "You don't seem surprised."
Ji Bu Wang said, "Because you have returned, I knew Bei Xing Han must be safe."
Xu Yi was stunned, then smiled.
Ji Bu Wang truly understood her.
She would not have returned if Bei Xing Han's safety had not been confirmed.
"How is the progress of the Nine Provinces Alliance?"
"Everything is proceeding as we anticipated. In another ten years, the Nine Provinces Continent will become a unified entity."
"That's good. Then I can leave with peace of mind."
Xu Yi knew that as long as the demon race was not eradicated, she would never be able to settle in one place with peace of mind.
And this time, her destination was Shenzhou.
Accompanying her were the Golden-Winged Great Peng, whose soul was incomplete, and an unremarkable lotus platform.