Standing before Yilan Peak, Xiao Hei did his best to suppress the surging emotions in his chest, forcing a calm expression onto his face. This was the place where Boss Xiao had lived—ever since they parted ten years ago, he had stayed here. Xiao Hei had never imagined that in his lifetime he would be able to step openly into Yuan Tian Sect, let alone come all the way here. Watching the message talisman drift leisurely into the restriction barrier, he almost wished he could turn into one himself and fly in alongside it.
The Haotian Peak disciple assigned to guide him stole a few glances at Xiao Hei’s poorly concealed excitement, muttering inwardly. He had never heard that his junior brother had any dealings with the Immortal Hall of the Demon Sect, so why was this demon sect disciple so thrilled? Thinking of how their senior brother’s expression had darkened the moment he heard this man was heading to Yilan Peak—and the sharp aura that had flared from that great demon, Ying Jiuhua—the disciple’s curiosity burned even brighter.
The two of them waited outside Yilan Peak, each lost in their own thoughts. Before long, Xiao Lingyu appeared, looking surprised.
“Boss Xiao!”
“Xiao Hei!”
Xiao Lingyu had thought that given Ying Jiuhua’s status, Xiao Hei would most likely come to Yuan Tian Sect this time—but he had never expected them to reunite so soon after the secret realm. Still slightly stunned, he welcomed Xiao Hei inside. The guiding disciple took the opportunity to excuse himself; there was plenty waiting for him back at Haotian Peak. Yet before leaving, he couldn’t help but notice how familiar Xiao Lingyu seemed with the demon sect disciple, and his curiosity about their relationship only grew stronger.
Inside Xiao Lingyu’s small courtyard, Xiao Hei looked around with a cheerful smile, clearly feeling that a long-cherished wish had finally been fulfilled. The two exchanged brief accounts of their experiences since parting. Xiao Hei was astonished that Xiao Lingyu had gone to the Illusory Demon Realm, while Xiao Lingyu was equally shocked by the upheaval within the Demon Sect.
“So you took so long to come not because of internal disagreements over the lower realm’s collapse, but because something happened within your sect?”
Xiao Hei nodded. “Boss Xiao, do you remember I mentioned in the secret realm that there were undercurrents within the sect? Most of our disciples went to the secret realm this time, and the ones left behind took advantage of the weakened defenses to seize power. When we got back, it was complete chaos before things were finally stabilized. Since we had already received news on the way about the lower realm collapsing, there was no time to deal with the traitors—we had to rush here instead.”
He paused before continuing, “My master said that among those traitors, there were traces of ancient demons. Strictly speaking, they don’t consider it betrayal—they claim they’re returning to their roots, hoping the sect will submit to Yuanxi Nation.”
Xiao Lingyu was completely puzzled. Seeing his confusion, Xiao Hei realized he didn’t know the situation and explained.
It was said that ancient demons had appeared in Yuanxi Nation, carrying a sacred artifact and declaring their intent to revive the demon race and dominate the cultivation world. Since most demon sects inherited something from the ancient demons, and had long been suppressed by the orthodox sects, many disciples—either seeking power or dissatisfied with their current situation—had defected to Yuanxi Nation. Only after this upheaval did they discover that many spies had already infiltrated their sect. Without them, the rest would not have been so easily swayed.
It wasn’t just the Immortal Hall—major sects like Lianyou Sect and Ghost Spirit Gate were also affected. Some smaller sects had even defected entirely.
After hearing this, Xiao Lingyu immediately thought of Leng Qin and Leng Hanyuan, who had escaped the forbidden grounds years ago, and couldn’t help feeling speechless. If those people knew the lower realm could collapse at any moment, wiping out both demons and humans alike, would they still be so obsessed with reviving anything?
That thought led him to his previous life. No matter what Leng Hanyuan had achieved back then, everything must have been reduced to nothing once the lower realm collapsed.
While Xiao Lingyu and Xiao Hei chatted, the immortal and demon factions—who had opposed each other for countless years—sat together for the first time in Haotian Hall.
Unlike their easy conversation, the hall was utterly silent.
Lingxiaozi glanced at everyone present and exchanged a look with Chu Mingwei, patiently waiting for them to process what they had just heard. He knew his revelations were overwhelming—confirmation of the lower realm’s impending collapse, the truth behind the ancient catastrophe, and the prophecy from the Illusory Demon Realm that the only hope lay in restoring the Heavenly Mechanism Disk and evolving the Spirit Insight Pig.
All attention now centered on collecting the fragments of the Heavenly Mechanism Disk.
Lingxiaozi had originally called everyone together to pool their strength against the crisis. But before the sects could fully assemble, the Illusory Demon Realm had already delivered a divination result, and Qingming had confirmed that hope rested on the Spirit Insight Pig. Even so, finding the fragments still required the cooperation of all sects.
In ancient times, both humans and demons suffered devastating losses, with only a few survivors escaping to the lower realm. In truth, all cultivation sects—whether orthodox or demonic—descended from that era. Though no records remained, each sect retained fragments of its legacy.
Over millions of years, the fragments had been lost. The only way to find them now was to search through these inherited secrets.
Lingxiaozi lowered his gaze. It was entirely possible that someone present already held a fragment.
He was not wrong.
Those who survived the ancient catastrophe would never forget it. Just as the demon race had fought to secure a chance of survival, others must have preserved fragments rather than letting them vanish.
But as generations passed, knowledge was lost. What had once been priceless relics became unrecognized curiosities—locked away or kept close without understanding.
Now, hearing Lingxiaozi’s words, everyone began to wonder—did their sect have such an item? Should they hand it over?
Lingxiaozi did not press them.
Yet just as everyone focused on the fragments, an elder from Ghost Spirit Gate suddenly requested to see the Spirit Insight Pig.
Chu Mingwei frowned, but Bai Mi spoke first with a cold laugh. “What, my demon kin have no status? You think you can see them whenever you wish?”
The sect master of Ghost Spirit Gate, a frail old man, smiled faintly. “This concerns the fate of the lower realm. We only wish to verify the truth.”
“Believe it or not,” Bai Mi replied coldly, “but seeing it requires the Demon Emperor’s approval.”
That ended the matter. No one dared provoke the Demon Emperor.
Chu Mingwei and Bai Mi exchanged a knowing glance. Ying Jiuhua, watching silently, confirmed his suspicion about the little white pig beside Xiao Lingyu—but he didn’t care. As long as the lower realm didn’t collapse and he could stay with Xiao Hei, nothing else mattered.
The discussion soon returned to the fragments.
Xiao Lingyu never learned what agreement was reached that day. But in the days that followed, as fragments were gradually delivered, he felt no joy.
Watching the nearly restored disk floating before him, unease grew stronger.
“Little monster, you’ve been staring forever. When can the pig eat?”
Xiao Lingyu glanced at Zhu Yurong, who was drooling, and felt exhausted. As more fragments were restored, Zhu Yurong often complained of heat and discomfort—but still swallowed each fragment without hesitation.
Before Xiao Lingyu could react, Zhu Yurong suddenly grabbed the disk and stuffed it into his mouth. Patting his belly contentedly, he grinned apologetically.
Just then, the restriction outside Yilan Peak stirred.
Xiao Lingyu immediately appeared at the barrier.
It opened like water, revealing a figure.
The Demon Emperor.
His expression was complicated. “Young friend, won’t you invite me in?”
Xiao Lingyu led him inside, silently guessing his purpose. When they saw Zhu Yurong in the distance, the Demon Emperor stopped.
With a wave of his hand, four jade boxes appeared.
“These are four fragments from the Illusory Demon Realm. Give them to the pig. I won’t go further.”
Xiao Lingyu found this strange. “Don’t you want to see him?”
The Demon Emperor shook his head, staring at Zhu Yurong. After a long pause, he said calmly, “I’m going to die.”
Xiao Lingyu was stunned.
“I am of the ancient Black Tortoise clan. My lifespan is long—but not that long. Haven’t you found it strange?”
Something clicked in Xiao Lingyu’s mind.
The Demon Emperor continued, “The previous emperor sealed a fragment inside his body and passed it to me. He endured for a hundred years to protect the clan… and I have failed him. The Spirit Insight lineage ends with me.”
Silence fell.
Finally, he sighed. “I thought the pig had escaped this fate… but it’s the same in the end. Don’t worry—I will protect him.”
Xiao Lingyu barely heard the rest.
The same in the end.
Everything made sense—his senior brother’s recent behavior, his indulgence toward Zhu Yurong.
His face turned pale.
“You didn’t know?” the Demon Emperor asked.
Xiao Lingyu shook his head.
Understanding dawned. Chu Mingwei had hidden the truth.
The Demon Emperor tried to explain, but Xiao Lingyu stopped him.
Then he left.
Watching his departing figure, Xiao Lingyu sent out a message talisman.
He wanted Chu Mingwei to tell him the truth himself.