If not for Cheng Hong's Buddhist protection concealing his pervasive demonic aura, he might not have entered at all, even though he suffered greatly from the righteous forces during the process.
However, "Qiu Sheng," who was actually the酆都鬼修 Qi Qi, believed his foolproof plan was unknown. In reality, Cheng Hong had detected him the moment he teleported in. Although Cheng Hong sensed something, he had acted with personal bias, inadvertently helping the wrong person.
But it was the way of this underhanded faction, as they were all steeped in the same dark and insidious methods.
When the opponent's demonic energy leaked subtly, he felt a chilling presence. He mistakenly thought it was the death energy emanating from Gu Junshi, as Yin-based entities naturally avoided him. Thus, he misunderstood, believing only Gu Junshi dared to be immune, using his body as a "bridge."
He had never imagined a ghost cultivator would dare to stealthily cling to his back and cross over. If he hadn't been so cautious before, he would likely have already purified this ghost cultivator.
Qi Qi's current common face was not his true appearance. It was said that a cunning rabbit had three burrows, but this ghost cultivator possessed three bone puppets. Each refined skull puppet was obtained through great expenditure of his vital essence, all three being all he had accumulated over several hundred years.
One of them was "Sheng Qiu." Now that "Sheng Qiu" had fulfilled its mission, it was time for its curtain call. Therefore, before entering the "Dragon Island Secret Realm," he had abandoned this bone puppet, completely destroyed it, and then framed Xiao Chenmu, who had been secretly investigating the cause of death of the demonic clan.
If Xiao Chenmu didn't want him to have an easy time, he would make full use of him, even framing him in his "dying moments."
As a typical villain and scoundrel, Qi Qi's wickedness was naturally beyond compare. However, even the blackest hearts had to temper their arrogance when faced with the light of righteousness in the human world. He sensed the intensifying pure white lotus Buddha light emanating from Cheng Hong. Even as a seasoned ghost cultivator, he felt threatened.
He didn't know that Cheng Hong was a Buddha's son from the Maha Zen Monastery. He only thought he was a disciple with extraordinary talent in Buddhism, thus unaware that his innate Buddha bone naturally countered those who practiced demonic arts.
He was secretly astonished by his misjudgment of the young monk before him. It seemed the monk had deliberately suppressed his golden Buddha light earlier. Otherwise, with such strong Buddha light radiating from him now, he likely wouldn't have been able to endure the journey to the "Dragon Island Secret Realm."
Qi Qi, with his insidious and cunning mind, quickly calculated. He didn't want to waste time entangled with a Buddhist cultivator who was naturally his nemesis. Furthermore, he knew his own situation; having been injured by Cheng Hong in order to use his protection to enter the "Dragon Island Secret Realm," his demonic energy was dispersed and weakened. Engaging in combat in this state would be tantamount to seeking death.
He flicked his sleeve, and his modest stature was obscured by a mist of vanity. "Master, do you wish to act on behalf of heaven to eliminate evil for the people? However, I have no intention of fighting you. I have important matters to attend to in the Dragon Island Secret Realm. No one shall impede me!"
With that, he turned around and soared into the air on a gust of swift, rustling wind.
Cheng Hong's face, serene and pure like a Bodhisattva's, showed no excess emotion. Don't assume all Buddhist cultivators are good-natured; after all, there's a type of Buddha called the Victorious Fighting Buddha.
He took a step forward, leaping into the air. His monk's robe seemed to flow like light under the sun. He pursued like a shooting star, chasing relentlessly. The opponent, however, already had a destination and was heading directly towards the central area of the "Dragon Island Secret Realm."
The moment a sharp, piercing flapping sound echoed, amidst the luminous, verdant forest, the spiritual birds and sparrows that had been perching in the bushes were startled into flight. The swaying bushes also held the lingering cries of those who had barely escaped their fright.
This disturbance disrupted the tranquility of a large section of the forest. Yan Tianjiao was contemplating the items he lacked on his path to enlightenment. Fate would not simply present itself; one had to seek it out, and if not found, explore further. Therefore, he was already wandering in this very forest.
The sudden startled flight of the birds made him tilt his head upwards. He saw two figures in the sky, one chasing the other.
He focused his gaze, following the unfamiliar figure Cheng Hong was pursuing for a moment. He observed carefully; that person was not among the top ten on the "Newcomer Ranking," so had someone else infiltrated the "Dragon Island Secret Realm?"
After a moment of thought, his clear, serene phoenix eyes narrowed. A gust of wind lifted a corner of his deep red robe, and he, too, followed.
Did this matter concern him?
No.
Was he going to intervene?
Not really.
...Actually, he wasn't sure what he was chasing, but seeing others chase, he couldn't resist joining in.
—
Before the "Dragon Island Secret Realm" was separated into an independent spatial realm by the collective might of the Void Gate experts, it was a small island. Later, it became the tomb of the Dragon God. After the Dragon God's death, his body turned to fossilized stone, and eventually, it became the "Dragon Island Secret Realm."
It was estimated that as the Dragon God neared his final moments, he coiled his body in a magnificent posture, forming an "8" shape. It was wide on the outside and narrow on the inside. The outer fringes were seemingly endless mountains, forests, lakes, and swamps, each possessing its unique beauty and boundless spiritual essence across the seasons. However, as one moved towards the center, the terrain began to constrict, and the colors and landscape became monotonous.
The bright sunlight here was swallowed by overlapping, illusionary valleys resembling sand dunes. It was as if dawn, the rising and setting sun, and even the night and stars had vanished.
It was eternally a shade of grayish-purple, with a dull and oppressive atmosphere, a darkness and stillness distinct from the world.
On the black slopes of the continuous mountains, Liu Jiang Fusheng stood alone at a high vantage point. The strange environment and unusual air made it impossible to feel wind or light from any position or angle.
He saw beyond the mountains, at the narrow passage between the canyons on both sides, the flowing red lava was dazzlingly stark. Further away, on the terraced mountain bases, red rivers cascaded down, etching countless red streaks into the black earth. He gazed into the distance and saw, floating above that "sea of red," a castle built of white crystal stone. It was majestic and grand, emanating a golden sheen, more vibrant than any blemish.
The ground was a sea of fire, while the castle above stood frozen. Cold currents rose from the ravines, swirling and coiling.
The cold mist and spiritual energy that filled the mountains and valleys mixed into a milky white expanse of gaseous swamp, so deep and dense, like flowing white magma, that it seemed capable of lifting people.
The "red" and "white" were clearly delineated, opposing yet strangely merging to create a visually impactful experience.
His gaze slowly swept across the white tower, which stretched out to become a mountain-like, magnificent structure. Behind it, the mountain stones were jagged and mutated, resembling a giant skull with its jawbone opened, attempting to bite the tower. Sharp, thick bone segments stood erect, forming a bridge with an arched "spine," allowing passage over the sea of fire directly to the entrance of the white tower.
At this moment, the treasure-hunting mouse, which had been lying lazily with its eyes closed, twitched its nose and sniffed. It suddenly opened its beady mouse eyes, its fluffy tail standing erect, its expression visibly excited.
It squeaked happily at Liu Jiang Fusheng, its tone rising and falling, conveying its meaning. Clearly, it had discovered something valuable here.
While others were greedy for money, this one was greedy for "treasure."
Liu Jiang Fusheng gently patted its head and murmured, "No rush. Since we've entered the treasure vault, we naturally won't leave empty-handed. Seeing those stone bones arranged like ribs, plus a spine in the middle, it's likely what those apes spoke of as the [Dragon's Back]. In that case... the location of the white tower is undoubtedly the [Dragon's Head]."
Wei Li had been following Liu Jiang Fusheng at a moderate distance. It knew Liu Jiang Fusheng knew it was there, and Liu Jiang Fusheng also knew it was following.
Since arriving at the "Dragon Island Secret Realm," Liu Jiang Fusheng hadn't paid much attention to this spirit fox. The sect leader's initial request was for Liu Jiang Fusheng to bring a spirit beast into the "Dragon Island Secret Realm"; he hadn't stipulated that it had to be protected or accompanied within the realm.
The moment it had acted on its own in the Cherry Blossom Forest, Liu Jiang Fusheng had guessed that this white fox, disguised as a spirit beast, was likely a demon beast from the demon realm. Therefore, when it voluntarily separated from the group, Liu Jiang Fusheng had remained indifferent and allowed it freedom.
He had no interest in speculating about the relationship between the sect leader of the Great Evolution Sect and this demon beast, nor was he interested in exploring whether its entry into the "Dragon Island Secret Realm" was merely for greedy acquisition of treasure or if it had ulterior motives.
He himself carried immense mystery and weighty responsibilities, let alone spare a sliver of his attention for others; he was even stingy with half a sliver.
"Fusheng, the true eye of the Azure Dragon You You is within the White Tower City. You must obtain it."
After a long absence, that deep, ancient voice once again echoed in Liu Jiang Fusheng's mind.
Liu Jiang Fusheng had initially thought he should be accustomed to this voice, but in reality, every time it spoke, he felt an uncomfortable sensation in his heart.
"Who exactly are you? Why have you been speaking in my mind since I was a child?"
He had naturally asked this question more than once, but each time it remained silent.
Yet, Liu Jiang Fusheng had a premonition that this time he might pry some information out of it.
As expected, having reached this point, it no longer spoke only what it wished to say, but avoided topics that were sensitive or not yet time to discuss, unlike before.
"Conversing with you is one of my thirty-six myriad divine senses, a split consciousness. You need not worry about my identity; I will not harm you but have always been helping you. And you must firmly remember that you have a destined natural enemy... therefore, you must become strong as quickly as possible to ultimately survive."
Liu Jiang Fusheng was accustomed to its cryptic, vast, and incomprehensible words. It constantly urged him to become stronger, stronger, as if his remaining time were extremely limited.
"Did you cause my amnesia?" he suddenly asked.
It replied, "You must walk your destiny. If you hadn't lost your memory, you wouldn't have walked this path so obediently."
Liu Jiang Fusheng was dismissive, "Even if I walked it, what of it? Do you want me to be admired by the world? Do you want me to be in a high position?"
That was indeed its plan.
It reminded him, "Gu Junshi is not your destined person. She is neither a suitable partner nor a variable. If you force yourself to be with her, the outcome will not be as you wish. Fusheng, the destined woman has arrived, and she is the one you should..."
If it had spoken of other matters, it would have been fine, but the mention of Gu Junshi touched Liu Jiang Fusheng's sensitive nerve. His eyes changed drastically, and a sickly smile twisted his lips. He spoke each word as if carved and fierce, "She and I... will not be separated. No person, no matter, my destined person can only be chosen by myself. Your choices are not acceptable, Heaven's choices are not acceptable, no one's choices are acceptable!"
"Fusheng, don't forget, you promised someone you would return and fulfill your promise to her," it said calmly.
Liu Jiang Fusheng replied, "Not her, them."
It watched him quietly, as if observing a child throwing a tantrum. Perhaps he didn't understand, but the more he clung to those words and refused to let go, the faster that fragile thread would eventually snap.
"Liu Jiang Fusheng, the surname Liu Jiang itself dictates that you will never be purely yourself."
Liu Jiang Fusheng listened while expressionlessly stepping onto the "Dragon's Back Spine." The white bone served as a bridge, the ground beneath trembling with hardness. Even though it had been fossilized for millennia, its residual power remained in its bones, not yet dissipated.
Liu Jiang Fusheng's steps deepened, and he finally understood why, across so many "Newcomer Rankings," the disciples who entered the "Dragon Island Secret Realm" had always only dared to linger at the fringes of the central area, never venturing into this "throat" position. It was because simply stepping onto this "Dragon Bone Spine" bridge was a life-threatening experience.
He still maintained an innocent and harmless demeanor. With a flip of his hand, his luminous and resplendent immortal sword appeared. As he looked up, his dark, frost-like, elegant eyes held a bloodthirsty gleam. Because his eyes were too pure, the faint red at the corners of his eyes reflected a natural cruelty devoid of impurities.
"Then who am I?"
He asked softly, curling his crimson lips.
"At least I should still be human, shouldn't I?"
Being human, one could not escape desires and greed.
At this moment, the bubbling lava in the sea of fire beneath the bridge suddenly erupted. The thick magma, along with scorching airflow, surged directly towards Liu Jiang Fusheng. Simultaneously, accompanied by a brilliant red light, a heat more intense than flame violently struck.
Liu Jiang Fusheng sidestepped to avoid it. The red light tore open like a thin membrane, and a majestic fire Qilin landed before him. Its body was several zhang tall, like a small tower casting a shadow over Liu Jiang Fusheng. Its beast eyes, like cut crystals, blazed with fire.
He carefully examined the fire Qilin, his gaze as focused as if he were precisely analyzing which part of it held more value. "I've heard that the entire body of a fire Qilin is a treasure. I wonder how many fire Qilins reside in this sea of fire?"
The fire Qilin was clearly an intelligent spirit beast. Upon hearing Liu Jiang Fusheng's words, the flames on its body flared even more intensely, and it let out a roar.
—
When Gu Junshi arrived at the White Tower City, several ice deer blocked her path in the sky. They stood up, transforming into humanoid demon beasts, entirely white with blue markings, their pair of sea-blue eyes staring at her.
"Ice Deer Demon."