Man Sen and Qing Yun were itching to start cultivating, their hands practically twitching.
Qing Yun couldn't help asking, "Xiao Jin, this secret art…"
Yun Jin was generous as ever. "The inspiration all came from Martial Uncle, so it's only right he decides how to use it."
Man Sen looked at her, his eyes full of gratitude, his lips trembling with emotion. What he'd given Yun Jin, and what she'd returned to him, weren't even on the same level. He'd handed her a small bowl, and she'd given him back a feast fit for the heavens.
"Sect Master Yun, I… I…" His pride made it hard to just accept something this precious, but the thought of refusing it made his heart ache.
This wasn't just for him. Yun Jin had opened an entirely new path for every alchemist in the world.
Sensing his hesitation, Yun Jin said casually, "Martial Uncle, it's fine. It didn't take much effort anyway."
Didn't take much effort…
That line stabbed him right in the heart again. He hesitated for a moment before asking, "I… want to make this secret art public. Would that be alright?"
Man Sen looked tense, like he was afraid she'd refuse.
Yun Jin just smiled. "Like I said, Martial Uncle can handle it however he wants."
For her, the stronger this small world became, the better. After all, when the time came to face the outer-realm demons head-on, she'd need every capable ally she could get.
Man Sen finally relaxed a little, though a bit of embarrassment lingered. When Senior Brother had told him to hand over his pill formulas to Yun Jin, he'd actually hesitated. Compared to her, his own vision was laughably narrow.
Qing Yun grinned. "Alright then, you keep feeling guilty while I record a copy for myself. I'll study it a bit when I'm back."
He took out a blank jade slip, ready to inscribe it.
Yun Jin quickly stopped him. "Master, now's not the time to cultivate. I can practice it whenever I want, it doesn't take me long. But if you two start, you'll need to go into seclusion for at least a few months, and we don't have that kind of time right now."
Qing Yun blinked. "What?"
He ground his teeth a little. How did this disciple keep making him feel proud one moment and want to smack her the next?
Taking a deep breath, he asked, "So, why exactly did you come here this time?"
Yun Jin straightened her expression. "Of course I came for serious business! Do you remember that Demon Sovereign we fought before? He's in the Xuandan Region right now."
Qing Yun's pupils contracted sharply.
Back then, the top human experts had surrounded the Demon Sovereign, but he'd managed to slip away in the chaos.
Later, he was captured by the Wushuang Sect, where he forcibly underwent Nirvana Cocoon Rebirth.
Ji Wusi destroyed the cocoon on the spot, and a demonic soul burst from Yang Yun's body, escaping once again.
After that, the Demon Sovereign vanished completely. And now Yun Jin was saying he was in the Xuandan Region?
She said solemnly, "That demonic soul inside him comes from the Outer-Realm Demon World."
Before, when her strength was still weak, she hadn't dared share such information. Even if she had, no one would've believed her. But now things were different. Every word she said carried real weight, and she no longer feared anyone questioning how she knew such secrets.
Power was the ultimate proof.
Qing Yun's expression turned grim. "Outer-realm demons? Wasn't the entrance sealed by the Wushuang Sect? Don't tell me the seal's been broken…"
Yun Jin shook her head. "Not exactly. That demonic soul entered this world through other means. The Outer-Realm Demon World isn't too far from our small world, and sometimes, by sheer coincidence, creatures from that realm end up slipping through. That demonic soul is one of them, and so is Lin Xiao, the Master of Qingxiao Pavilion."
Qing Yun's eyes went wide in disbelief.
Lin Xiao was from the Outer-Realm Demon World too?
If Yun Jin had said this before, no one would've believed her. But now, most people would take her word without question. That was the weight of reputation.
With Yun Jin's current status, only a fool would doubt her.
Qing Yun didn't even hesitate. He believed her instantly, his tone turning grave. "If that's the case, then even with the Wushuang Sect's sacrifice, the outer-realm demons' threat still isn't gone. If one or two demonic souls could slip through, then there could be ten or a hundred more! Their invasion is only a matter of time."
Yun Jin nodded. "That Demon Sovereign has already become a puppet controlled by the demonic soul. He's come to the Xuandan Region to absorb the spiritual power of top human cultivators. Once he reaches this world's peak energy limit, he'll try to tear open the barrier between the realms and summon a massive invasion from the Outer-Realm Demon World."
Qing Yun's expression shifted rapidly. "Xiao Jin, this is serious. We must inform the other three Holy Lands immediately and share the news with them!"
She nodded again. "We'll do that, but first, we have to cut off the Demon Sovereign's source of spiritual power."
Qing Yun narrowed his eyes. "Nine out of ten of the strongest cultivators in the Xuandan Region belong to my Xuandan Gate. With our sect-protecting immortal artifact, he wouldn't dare attack directly. We may not be warriors, but if we work together, we won't lose easily! Xiao Jin, do you know where he is now? We should find him first and kill him before he causes more trouble."
Usually gentle, Qing Yun's eyes now gleamed with killing intent.
Yun Jin gave him a reassuring look. "Don't worry, I've been tracking his movements the whole time. But since that demonic soul comes from the Outer-Realm Demon World and is part of the Devouring Demon God's remnant soul, we can't be sure what tricks he still has. I'm confident I can beat him, but not that I can kill him outright. Yang Yun's always been wary of me, so if I show up too soon, he might run again. That's why I need bait."
She explained patiently, "If the Demon Sovereign wants to absorb your power, he'll definitely lure you out of the sect, where it's easier to strike. I'll wait for him to make the first move. When he does, Master, you and Martial Uncle just play along. Follow his setup exactly as he expects. Once he's convinced of his victory and starts absorbing your spiritual power, I'll strike from the shadows.
When he's lost in his triumph, that's when I'll take him down for good."
Yun Jin laid out her plan calmly.
She wasn't afraid of losing to the Demon Sovereign. She was afraid of letting him escape again. Only when he was too arrogant to react would she have one clean chance to end him.
The plan was flawless, except for one thing—it put Qing Yun and Man Sen in danger. If Yun Jin failed to defeat the Demon Sovereign as planned, they'd be drained dry.
But Qing Yun didn't hesitate for even a second. "Alright, we'll do it your way."