Chapter 510: Burning Heaven and Tu Shan Yue
The monk was not Monk Burning Karma, yet he was stronger than Monk Burning Karma.
Stronger by more than just one level.
The monk finally stopped before Chen Huaian, placing his palms together in greeting.
"Amitabha. Are you perhaps a demon cultivator, esteemed one?"
Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes at the monk. "Master jests. How could this venerable one possibly be a demon cultivator? Can you sense even a trace of demonic energy from me?"
The monk stared at Chen Huaian for a moment before smiling.
"Indeed, I cannot sense any demonic energy. However... you have already reached the Great Ascension Stage. If one were to cultivate a demonic technique to its peak, concealing one's identity would be quite simple.
The monk was surprisingly reasonable.
Chen Huaian nodded inwardly but still didn't admit anything.
"If Master thinks this way, then why bother asking?"
"Because demon cultivators are unstable elements." The monk took another step forward until they were barely an arm's length apart. "Righteous cultivators, no matter what they encounter, will at worst see their cultivation stagnate or regress. Even if they encounter inner demons, they rarely lose control. But demon cultivators are different—they don't cultivate their minds and follow their desires freely, making them highly prone to losing control. Once that happens, a demon cultivator becomes a disaster!"
"I see. This venerable one finds Master's words quite reasonable." Chen Huaian nodded and continued recovering from his injuries.
This old monk was named Burning Heaven, at the peak of the third tribulation of the Great Ascension Stage—one could almost call him a demi-immortal. Just from his name, it was clear he was connected to the Burning Purity Holy Land.
At first, Chen Huaian thought the old monk had come to settle scores.
But according to the map, Burning Heaven was marked as a yellow neutral unit.
If he had come for revenge, he would be marked red by now.
Yellow meant he bore no hostile intent.
"If the benefactor agrees with this humble monk's words, then please accompany me for a while," Burning Heaven said with a smile.
"In a radius of a thousand miles, only you underwent tribulation. There isn't a trace of demonic cultivator aura anywhere else.
Thus, even though you bear no demonic energy, this humble monk must suspect you of concealing it.
Once I confirm you are not a demon cultivator, I will naturally release you."
The old monk's words were logical and reasonable—his suspicion was justified, leaving no room for complaint.
But how could Chen Huaian possibly go with him?
Who knew what twisted methods the monk might use to test whether he was a demon cultivator?
Besides, he still had sweet moments to share with Li Qingran. Why would he want to spend time with some stinking monk?
"Apologies, Master. This venerable one is not a demon cultivator but the ancestor of the Moon Shadow Sect, a pure sword cultivator. I have urgent matters to attend to upon returning to my sect and no time to go anywhere." He even summoned a wisp of sword qi to show Burning Heaven. "Master, see how sword- venerable one's sword qi is?"
"Very sword." Burning Heaven nodded in acknowledgment but remained unmoved.
"Even if you are a pure sword cultivator, you could still be concealing a demonic identity. Thus, you must come with me."
Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. "And if this venerable one refuses?"
Burning Heaven smiled. "Whether you come or not is not for you to decide, because—"
He reached out to grab Chen Huaian, his fingers like hooks, his palm wind howling.
Just then, a faint fragrance suddenly wafted through the air. Before the palm wind could reach its target, it was dissolved by a soft yet resilient force.
A white figure flashed into view, now standing protectively before Chen Huaian.
The newcomer wore plain white robes tied with a crimson silk sash. Her silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, and though she wore no makeup, her beauty was peerless.
Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes cold stars, her lips as red as cinnabar. As she turned, her sleeves billowed, and every movement carried an indescribable charm.
"Old monk Burning Heaven, it's been a while."
Tu Shan Yue raised an eyebrow slightly, her fingertips lifting as crimson light swirled in her palm, ready to strike.
Behind her, nine faint tail silhouettes appeared—pale as snow, glowing faintly, swaying gently with her breath as if they had a life of their own.
"Tu Shan Yue." The smile vanished from Burning Heaven's face, though he remained calm.
"Why have you left the Void Abyss? Have you given up on immortality and decided to wreak havoc one last time before being scattered by heavenly tribulation?"
Chen Huaian's heart pounded even harder at the sight of Tu Shan Yue.
What the hell is going on today?
Another yellow-marked Great Ascension third tribulation peak expert?
He could also sense five demon race sovereigns hiding nearby. Unlike Tu Shan Yue, these five were marked bright red, harboring absolute hostility toward him.
This made things even more confusing.
Tu Shan Yue's strength far surpassed that of the five demon sovereigns.
In the demon race's strictly hierarchical society, Tu Shan Yue had to be their direct superior. Yet now, it seemed their leader and her five subordinates didn't see eye to eye...
So who was really behind the attack on the Moon Shadow Sect?
Chen Huaian felt his brain was overheating.
But he knew what he needed to do now.
—While Tu Shan Yue and Burning Heaven were facing off, he would focus on recovering.
Tu Shan Yue wasn't angered by Burning Heaven's taunt. She toyed with her fingers and said lazily, "Old monk Burning Heaven, normally I wouldn't fight you for this, but this sword cultivator is my prey. I can't let you have him."
"How could a righteous cultivator be handed over to the demon race?"
Burning Heaven's face tightened, refusing to yield.
"Then shall we fight?" A flash of madness and killing intent passed through Tu Shan Yue's enchanting eyes as she giggled. "Both of us are already marked by the Heavenly Dao's rules. Why not see whose heavenly tribulation arrives first?"
Burning Heaven fell silent, his face turning ashen.
He glanced at Chen Huaian and, seeing his meditative posture, knew the man would never come willingly.
At the same time, he doubted Tu Shan Yue's motives.
After all, demons and demonic cultivators were close kin.
He couldn't let a righteous cultivator fall into demon hands.
But if Chen Huaian was a demonic cultivator, he might actually be allied with Tu Shan Yue. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs ⓝovelFire.net
This was getting complicated.
Chen Huaian watched the two old-timers deadlock.
He couldn't help but feel pleased.
Best if they fought and attracted a heavenly tribulation to smite them both.
Tu Shan Yue's eyes glinted mischievously as she smiled.
"I'll compromise, and so will you. Humans have three ethereal souls and seven corporeal souls. I'll take the three, you take the seven, and we'll leave his body here. That way, neither of us has to fight. What do you say?"
Burning Heaven pondered this and actually seemed tempted.
Taking the seven corporeal souls wasn't bad—he could verify whether this sword cultivator was a demonic practitioner.
If no, he could always find a way to reclaim the three ethereal souls later.
This was still better than fighting here.
Standing in this lightning crater, he could already faintly feel the Heavenly Dao's rules locking onto him.
This was no place to linger.
After careful consideration and finding no better solution, Burning Heaven nodded. "Agreed."
Tu Shan Yue laughed and turned to Chen Huaian, her eyes seductive.
"Wait, you two just decided this?!"
Chen Huaian rolled his eyes in frustration. "Did either of you ask for my opinion?"