Qi Yelan input her Spiritual Energy, only to let out a low cry as the silver medal transformed into a ray of light and drilled into her Ancestral Acupoint. She couldn’t help but be startled, but was more delighted than frightened, thinking this was the Dharma Treasure recognizing its master. She thought to herself, "This Dharma Treasure is meant for me."
Mu Hongchen advanced several times, only to be driven back by the Devil’s Ghost Head Long Spear. The opponent stood guarding the gateway before the Demon Storage, refusing to pursue when she retreated, simply retracting his spear.
Mu Hongchen felt secretly anxious. Though the Heart Protecting Lamp above shone brightly, it was only because she had ignited the lamp oil within. The longer this dragged on, the worse for her. Initially, Zhang Yan had saved Qi Yelan once, and she didn’t want to owe any more favors. But with no other options available, after pondering a while, she could only shout, "Daoist Zhang, could you lend my sisters a hand?"
Zhang Yan had been observing for quite a while and noticed that apart from the spear and the black mist in the Devil’s hand, there was nothing particularly formidable about him. As soon as Mu Hongchen’s Xuan Guang approached, he would immediately intercept and defend, not daring to let it touch him. Having understood the situation, he loudly declared, "Since Fellow Daoist Mu has asked, I shall assist."
Just as he was about to take action, a thunderous explosion resounded overhead. Out of nowhere, a giant golden stake flew in, spinning incessantly in the air, releasing bursts of bright light. In an instant, Gold Qi burst forth while sword light tore through the sky.
Zhang Yan’s brow furrowed, he performed a sword escape and in the blink of an eye, darted out of the light’s range. Mu Hongchen was also taken aback, but fortunately, her Chenxiang Cover protected her. Despite this, the Sword Qi pushed her back repeatedly. Hu Jue, being farther away and cautious after suffering earlier, was not affected.
Qi Yelan was already unable to dodge and felt terrified. She only felt the token at her brow heating, as if her entire being’s Xuan Guang was uncontrollably rushing to the top of her head, miraculously guiding her safely out of the way.
Only the Devil standing before the Demon Storage gate refused to evade. He continuously swung the long spear attempting to fend off the attack, but could not withstand the omnipresent sword light. Struck by the cascading Gold Qi, he was torn to shreds in the blink of an eye, leaving the gateway gaping wide.
At this moment, a red light flashed astonishingly fast toward the open Demon Storage gate. Upon reaching the inside, the light dissipated to reveal a woman’s silhouette.
Mu Hongchen opened her eyes and cried out, "Master Ni?"
Ni Qianying stood there with a look of smugness, and with a mocking tone said, "Mu Hongchen, unexpected, right? You and your master have plotted for years, but the Demon Storage ultimately falls into my hands!"
With a delighted smile, she pressed a hand onto the Stele, eager to refine this Prohibition. Yet moments later, her face showed unexpected astonishment and shock. Her mouth opened slightly, attempting to speak, but the portal thunderously closed, and the Demon Storage rose into the air, soon landing on a ferry that appeared from nowhere.
On the ferry sat a middle-aged Taoist. Seeing the Demon Storage fly over, he laughed softly, extended a hand, and the object became smaller and smaller in the air, finally falling into his sleeve.
Mu Hongchen felt a mix of amazement and doubt. Where did this Taoist come from?
Qi Yelan and Hu Jue seemed to also notice something amiss, quickly moving closer to her, watching the Taoist warily.
When the Taoist neared, they could at last see his features: almond-shaped eyes, broad forehead, a slight smile, with a handsome beard on his chest. Though dignified in appearance, all three women felt this man had an immensely evil aura, not a benevolent sort.
Seeing him approach, Mu Hongchen shouted, "You Taoist, why did you steal our things?"
The Taoist chuckled and said, "I obtained this Demon Storage thirty-two years ago, earlier than your master by many years. So, even if it isn’t mine, it’s certainly not yours."
Mu Hongchen was taken aback upon hearing this, and became more cautious, probing, "Daoist, do you know my late master?"
The Taoist laughed deeply and said, "Of course I knew her. Years ago, after acquiring this Demon Storage, I planned to use it as bait to lure some individuals in to become my disciples. Unexpectedly, it attracted your master, the Red Flower Fairy, a big catch. Realizing I couldn’t handle her, and fearing she’d ruin my plans, I had to act decisively."
Upon hearing this, Mu Hongchen felt as if thunder were detonating by her ears, shaking her until she almost lost her footing. Pointing at the Taoist, she trembled, "You... did you harm my master?"
The Taoist candidly admitted, "Indeed, your master, the Red Flower Fairy, was a Hua Dan Cultivator. If I had succeeded in Solidifying Pill, I would’ve fought her openly, but she was nearing her life span while my cultivation was incomplete. Unwilling to risk my life, I used a little trick to taint her Golden Core, sending her on her way sooner."