Chapter 218: Nine Death Cliff

Chapter 218: Nine Death Cliff

Nine Death Cliff.

The Demon Sect Headquarters, a gathering place for demons and the most perilous location in the entire world. For other Martial Artists, this place is forbidden territory.

On Nine Death Cliff, there are five towering peaks that pierce the clouds. Among them, the central peak is the tallest, most peculiar, and most treacherous, known as "Xiaoyao Peak."

Ning Xiaochuan was recuperating on Xiaoyao Peak, residing in the Ling Qi Pavilion halfway up the mountain.

Ling Qi Pavilion was Duanmu Linger’s dwelling, located deep within Nine Death Cliff. To reach it, one had to pass through thirteen checkpoints. Of course, if someone tried to escape from Ling Qi Pavilion, they would also have to navigate those same thirteen checkpoints.

Given Ning Xiaochuan’s current cultivation level, even if he were a Martial Venerable, being trapped in Nine Death Cliff would mean a slim chance of survival. The odds of escaping were practically zero.

That day, after parting ways with Ugly Granny, Ning Xiaochuan was forcibly taken back to Nine Death Cliff by Duanmu Linye.

Duanmu Linye did not immediately bring Ning Xiaochuan to see the Demon Emperor. Instead, he placed Ning Xiaochuan in Duanmu Linger’s residence, entrusting her with his care. Meanwhile, Duanmu Linye headed to the summit’s Ling Shen Hall to report to the Demon Emperor.

At the same time, he intended to gauge the Demon Emperor’s mood before deciding whether to bring Ning Xiaochuan before him.

Ning Xiaochuan’s mother, Duanmu Ning, had once been the Demon Emperor’s favorite. At the tender age of twelve, she was named the Saintess. However, she later severed ties with the Demon Emperor, renouncing their father-daughter relationship and defecting from the Demon Sect. Though twenty years had passed since that incident, Duanmu Linye could still vividly recall the Demon Emperor’s fury at the time.

"I think you should take Ning Xiaochuan directly to see the Demon Emperor. So many years have passed—no matter how angry the Demon Emperor might be, he wouldn’t harm a child," said the Fox Immortal Dao Leader, her enchanting demeanor capable of captivating hearts.

Duanmu Linye clasped his hands behind his back, his gaze cold. "You think the Demon Emperor hates his daughter? You’re wrong. He never hated her. If he hated Duanmu Ning, he wouldn’t have led Demon Sect experts into the Imperial City himself eleven years ago. What he truly despises is the Jian Pavilion Marquis House—and the entire imperial court. Now that His Majesty has emerged from seclusion, it’s likely the Jian Pavilion Marquis House will be reduced to ashes. Ning Xiaochuan is a member of that house. What do you think would happen if I brought him before the Demon Emperor now?"

"What do you think would happen?" The Fox Immortal Dao Leader seemed intrigued.

Duanmu Linye shook his head. "I don’t know. If the Demon Emperor were so easily predictable, he wouldn’t be the Demon Emperor."

The Fox Immortal Dao Leader, her cheeks rosy and eyes bright, smiled. "What’s so hard to guess? The Demon Emperor only had two children—you and Duanmu Ning. Duanmu Ning is gone, leaving behind a son and a daughter. You, on the other hand, have three daughters but no sons. That means, among the Demon Emperor’s grandchildren, Ning Xiaochuan is the only male heir—his sole grandson. If you think the Demon Emperor would kill him, you’re gravely mistaken."

Duanmu Linye shook his head again. "If the Demon Emperor had met Ning Xiaochuan eleven years ago, he might have been overjoyed. But after this decade of seclusion, the Demon Emperor has changed drastically. Sometimes, even standing before him, I can feel a bone-chilling cold."

"Could it be because of cultivating the Blood Devouring Demon Art…?" The Fox Immortal Dao Leader barely uttered these words before immediately sealing her lips.

Duanmu Linye said, "I don’t know. But I suspect it’s related to the bloody incident from eleven years ago. That incident must have planted inner demons in the Demon Emperor’s heart. These eleven years of seclusion weren’t just about breaking through to the Heavenly Human Realm—it was also about him severing those inner demons."

"Has the Demon Emperor reached the Heavenly Human Realm?" the Fox Immortal Dao Leader asked.

"Why are you asking this?"

The Fox Immortal Dao Leader replied, "If the Demon Emperor has reached the Heavenly Human Realm, how could our conversation just now escape his Heavenly Hearing and Six Senses?"

Duanmu Linye’s expression darkened, and he fell silent. "Let’s go to Ling Shen Hall."

The Fox Immortal Dao Leader and Duanmu Linye transformed into two beams of light, soaring into the sky. The next moment, they stood outside Ling Shen Hall atop the mountain peak.

Ling Shen Hall resembled an immortal palace built halfway into the heavens.

Outside the hall stood two enormous Demonic Dragon Stone Statues, their claws bared and imposing. Standing beneath them, a person’s body seemed as small as an ant.

"Blood Devouring Dao Leader, Duanmu Linye."

"Fox Immortal Dao Leader, Ziyun Lan, pays respects to the Demon Emperor."

A majestic aura emanated from Ling Shen Hall, weighing down the very air of the world. A Blood Cloud hovered in the sky, scattering droplets of crimson light.

A distant voice spoke, "You didn’t bring Shang Pojun back, did you?"

"Shang Pojun’s corpse underwent a sinister transformation, becoming even more powerful than when he was alive. Even with the combined strength of myself and the Fox Immortal Dao Leader, we couldn’t suppress it," Duanmu Linye replied respectfully.

"I’ve already glimpsed some of the mysteries behind Shang Pojun’s death. A great calamity is about to befall the Yulan Empire, and the world will soon descend into chaos. You need not concern yourselves with this matter any longer. Focus entirely on preparing for the Demon Sect Conference on the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month. Our Demon Sect must be ready in advance. You may withdraw."

Duanmu Linye’s lips twitched. "Father, there’s something I wish to ask you. Eleven years ago, why did you order the Demonic Martial Artists to stay out of the Imperial City?"

"That matter is none of your concern."

The Demon Emperor’s voice turned cold and sharp. "Now that the ten-year period has passed, after the Demon Sect Conference, it will be time for the Demon Sect to re-enter the Imperial City. This time, we’ll have a proper discussion with the Jade Emperor."

Duanmu Linye and the Fox Immortal Dao Leader exchanged glances, their expressions shifting slightly.

Though just a single sentence, once these words spread, they would surely shock the world.

The Demon Sect was about to re-enter the Imperial City—this meant a direct confrontation with the imperial court.

Duanmu Linye had originally intended to bring up Ning Xiaochuan, but after hearing the Demon Emperor’s words, he swallowed his words back down.

Midway up the mountain, Ling Qi Pavilion.

Ning Xiaochuan sat cross-legged on an Ice Bed, Dragon-Tiger Profound Qi surging from his body and swirling around him, emitting low, resonant cries.

The injuries within Ning Xiaochuan’s body were healing rapidly.

After three full days and nights, Ning Xiaochuan finally managed to suppress his injuries completely. Though not fully recovered, he was no longer in serious danger.

"Though Nine Death Cliff is the Demon Sect Headquarters, the Heaven and Earth Profound Qi here is exceptionally rich—truly a cultivation holy land."

Ning Xiaochuan withdrew the Profound Qi back into his body and stepped off the Ice Bed. He pushed open the window, letting in a chilly breeze carrying snowflakes that drifted into the room.

This place didn’t resemble a demonic stronghold at all—instead, the scenery was serene and beautiful.

Before him stood rows of vermilion palaces, with gardens filled with mystic medicines and rare flowers. Servants continuously tread through the snow-covered flower beds, their footsteps leaving trails in the frost.

Ning Xiaochuan raised his head and peered through a crack in the window, catching sight of an exquisite figure. She stood atop a distant pavilion with upturned eaves, slightly opening a window. Her face was concealed behind a golden mask as she gazed downward. The moment Ning Xiaochuan looked her way, she immediately turned and left with a flick of her sleeve.

Bang!

The window shut.

Ning Xiaochuan lightly stroked his chin, pondering to himself, "The Demon Sect Saintess—why is she here?"

Tap, tap. Footsteps approached.

Duanmu Linger appeared, carrying a bronze tray with a small blue-and-white porcelain medicine bottle. Spotting Ning Xiaochuan standing in the snow, her eyes flashed with irritation.

"Ning Xiaochuan, your injuries haven’t fully healed yet. What are you doing out here?"

"My wounds are no longer serious," Ning Xiaochuan replied.

"Enough nonsense. Take this Healing Mystic Pill first." Duanmu Linger tossed the porcelain bottle to him.

She had been quite attentive to Ning Xiaochuan, personally delivering a Healing Mystic Pill to him every day. His rapid recovery was largely due to these pills.

Ning Xiaochuan caught the bottle, poured out a red Intermediate Elixir, and brought it to his lips. Suddenly, he asked, "Why is the Saintess staying in Ling Qi Pavilion too?"

Duanmu Linger glared at him. "Why do you care?"

"Just curious." He placed the Intermediate Elixir in his mouth, where it dissolved into Pill Qi, merging with his body, blood, and bones to swiftly mend his injuries.

Returning to his room, Ning Xiaochuan sat cross-legged on the Ice Bed and began refining the elixir’s medicinal properties.

Duanmu Linger followed him inside. "The Saintess was severely injured in a battle with Shang Pojun’s corpse. She’s recuperating in Ling Qi Pavilion now."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Wait—don’t tell me you’re scheming something about the Saintess? Let me warn you, you’re already on her blacklist. If not for my father’s sake, she would’ve torn you to pieces long ago."

"Why? I’ve never wronged her," Ning Xiaochuan said.

"You know what you did," Duanmu Linger retorted, rolling her eyes.

Her dismissive expression irked him. "I have a question. I heard from Zhui’er that you were once a contender for the Saintess position. Why did you lose to her? Her background must be extraordinary, right?"

"The Demon Sect Saintess holds power second only to the Demon Emperor. Naturally, the position goes to the most talented. I wasn’t as gifted as her, so I wasn’t qualified. As for her background… Why are you asking? Oh, I get it—you’re a spy for the imperial court, trying to dig up the Demon Sect’s secrets to report back, aren’t you?"

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head.

"Then you must have ill intentions toward the Saintess," Duanmu Linger accused.

Again, Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "I’m just curious."

Duanmu Linger eyed Ning Xiaochuan with a mix of skepticism and suspicion, letting out a cold snort before speaking. "Fine, I might as well tell you. The Saintess is the daughter of the Dark Heavenly King, and her status within the Demon Sect has always been high. Eleven years ago, the Dark Heavenly King performed a great service for the Demon Sect. To compensate him, the Demon Emperor intended to abdicate his position and let him take over the sect. However, the Dark Heavenly King firmly refused. Thus, the Demon Emperor appointed his daughter as the new Saintess instead."

Ning Xiaochuan frowned slightly. "Eleven years ago, the Dark Heavenly King performed a great service for the Demon Sect... Why did the Demon Emperor need to compensate him? Could it be because he lost something?"

Instinctively, Ning Xiaochuan felt that the Dark Heavenly King might be connected to the bloody incident from eleven years ago.