Within the ancient Demon City, I sense but two other cultivators besides myself. One possesses a nascent soul, its power insufficient to aid me. Only Wang Lin… he withstood the Seven Shattering Fists of a Demon General, his strength is considerable. Alas, his heart is as cold as glacial ice. Without a reward of great import, he will scarcely lend his hand.

Yao Xixue pondered for a moment, then with a casual wave of her hand, her previously bare form was…

…veiled in white robes, shrouded in a shimmering aurora.

Time flowed like a river. Within the Black Armor Legion camp, Wang Lin’s meditation continued, unwavering. Having absorbed the demonic energy of five hundred soldiers and Sun Tong’s squadron, the demon crystal within his core had, through fusion, reached nearly a thousand scales in power.

With a demon crystal of nearly a thousand scales, his rate of absorbing and exhaling the local demonic energy naturally surpassed his previous speed several fold.

He cared naught for the affairs of the legion camp, seizing every moment to draw in demonic power, preparing to ascend to the late stage of the nascent soul.

One day, as Wang Lin sat in meditation, his eyes snapped open, a flicker of awareness crossing his face.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, on Mount Gu, a thousand leagues from the camp, at the third watch… Yao Xixue!”

Yao Xixue’s voice, like ethereal smoke, echoed within Wang Lin’s primordial spirit.

Wang Lin’s gaze turned pensive. After a moment, he closed his eyes once more, resuming his meditation.

At the third watch, on Mount Gu, a thousand leagues from the legion camp, Yao Xixue, clad in white, stood atop the summit, patiently waiting. Time slipped by, until the first rays of dawn pierced the horizon, yet Wang Lin remained absent.

A mask of frost settled upon Yao Xixue’s face. With a cold snort, her form transformed into a streak of white light, hurtling towards Wang Lin’s camp. Soon, she arrived at its perimeter, and with a flicker, she instantly teleported inside. The legion’s protective array held no sway over her, for she was a commander herself.

Entering the camp, she found the assembled demon soldiers practicing formations under the guidance of their squad leaders upon the vast plaza. Yao Xixue’s sudden appearance immediately drew the attention of all.

She moved with extreme speed, heading directly towards the pavilion where Wang Lin resided.

Outside the pavilion, Thirteen’s eyes snapped open. He rose to his feet, his gaze cold as he regarded the rapidly approaching Yao Xixue.

“Halt, interloper!” Thirteen barked.

Yao Xixue’s face was a study in icy disdain. She did not pause, but rather increased her speed, drawing ever closer to the pavilion.

Upon the plaza, the squad leaders reacted without hesitation, moving like lightning towards the pavilion. Behind them, the demon soldiers unleashed their demonic energy, each striving to keep pace.

As Yao Xixue drew near, Thirteen roared, taking a step forward and unleashing a powerful punch.

Yao Xixue did not so much as glance at Thirteen. With a flick of her finger, a ray of crimson light erupted, enveloping Thirteen entirely, as if draping him in a coat of blood. Thirteen froze, becoming as still as a statue.

Yao Xixue moved to ascend the steps of the pavilion, but now, the nine thousand demon soldiers surged forward like a thundering stampede. One of the squad leaders cried out, “Commander Yao, stop!”

Yao Xixue’s expression darkened, and she swept her hand behind her. A dazzling crimson light erupted, engulfing an area of a hundred paces. Those soldiers who rushed forward were held at bay, unable to penetrate the crimson barrier.

“I have private matters to discuss with your Commander Wang,” Yao Xixue said, her voice chilling. “Do not interfere.” With that, she strode towards the pavilion.

As she stepped into the pavilion, a gust of pure wind emanated from within, washing over Yao Xixue. Her expression shifted, and the crimson light around her flickered violently before gradually dissipating. Thirteen, too, was touched by the wind. He shuddered, regaining his mobility. In his ears, he heard Wang Lin’s whispered command. Without looking at Yao Xixue, Thirteen settled into a cross-legged position, falling silent.

“Fellow Daoist Yao, what fiery temper you possess!” Wang Lin’s voice drifted from within the pavilion, betraying neither joy nor anger.

The frost remained upon Yao Xixue’s face. “My temper,” she replied, “cannot compare to the airs put on by Fellow Daoist Wang.” With that, she took three steps forward, pushed open the door, and entered.

The pavilion’s windows were sealed, plunging it into darkness. As the door swung open, a ray of bright sunlight pierced through, casting a shadow upon the floor.

Wang Lin sat in meditation in the far corner, shrouded in shadow, his expression obscured.

“If you have nothing to stir my interest, do not expect me to show you any leniency,” Wang Lin said, his voice utterly devoid of warmth.

He was at a critical juncture in his cultivation, intending to seclude himself for months to refine the demonic energy within his core and ascend to the late stage of the nascent soul. Being disturbed so carelessly in his sanctum did not incline him towards hospitality.

“I summoned you to Mount Gu at the third watch,” Yao Xixue said coldly. “Why did you not appear?”

“Why should I?” Wang Lin countered, his brow furrowing. He had met this woman only twice before; this was their third encounter.

Yao Xixue faltered. Her anger had driven her to seek him out directly, but now, Wang Lin’s simple question left her speechless. After a moment, she inclined her head slightly. “My actions were rash, Fellow Daoist Wang. Forgive me. I have need of your assistance, and thus took the liberty of intruding.”

“What matter?” Wang Lin replied curtly. He wished to avoid prolonged conversation, as he was at a critical stage of his cultivation.

Yao Xixue extended her hand behind her, and the pavilion door slammed shut, a crimson light swirling around the entire structure.

“The matter is highly sensitive, thus I must take precautions. I trust Fellow Daoist Wang will not take offense,” Yao Xixue said, her pride now tempered by need.

“As you wish,” Wang Lin replied flatly.

“There is a forbidden formation that I have been attempting to break alone, but my strength is insufficient,” Yao Xixue said after a pause. “I seek your aid. Once the formation is breached, I will reward you handsomely.”

Wang Lin considered for a moment. “I am occupied with pressing matters, and cannot assist in breaking the formation. I trust you will understand, Fellow Daoist Yao.”
Lord Wang Lin remained shrouded in shadow. Even had the threads of time not been taut against his loom, he would not have readily agreed. No bond existed between him and this supplicant, and if her own cultivation proved insufficient to unravel this arcane binding, what hope had he, merely by joining his strength to hers?

More critically, her words rang hollow, truths obscured by unspoken burdens. Such deceit was a shroud he would not pierce, and no obligation compelled him to try.

Yao Xixue, anticipating his reluctance, showed no dismay. “Daoist Wang,” she began, her voice measured, “your ascent to the Infant Soul Late Stage demands a king’s ransom in Immortal Jade. Should you then seek the Ascendant Void, the quantity required would beggar imagination. And that is but the start, for within this Demon Spirit Land, you must maintain a reserve, lest your essence be depleted. Immortal Jade, I wager, is a treasure close to your heart. Tell me, Daoist, does your hoard suffice? Or might I…supplement it?”

From the depths of his shadowed alcove, Wang Lin’s eyes flickered open, twin stars burning with ancient light. He fixed Yao Xixue with his gaze, and spoke, his voice a low rumble: “How much can you provide?”

Yao Xixue smiled, a blossoming of confidence. She feared not his exorbitant demands, but his apathy. Now that she had piqued his interest, she was confident in meeting his price.

“I can furnish you with all the Immortal Jade needed for your cultivation to the Ascendant Void Initial Stage!” She declared, her voice calm and assured.

Wang Lin’s gaze sharpened. Her words, indeed, struck a chord. Were it not for his current scarcity of jade, he would have long ago reached the Infant Soul Late Stage, forgoing the tedious absorption of demon essence.

As she said, his current stock, though nearly enough for the immediate advance, would leave him vulnerable. Trapped here for five centuries, any injury, any lapse of vital essence, would leave him helpless without jade to replenish his strength.

He had foreseen this predicament. It was why he hoarded the immortal energy within the jade, drawing instead upon the gathered power of demons, a painstaking process of integration and transformation. The jade was his final reserve.

Indeed, he had already plotted a course: once he reached the Infant Soul Great Perfection, he would unleash his demon legions upon the land, plundering any cultivator who crossed his path!

“Well, Daoist Wang?” Yao Xixue pressed. “If you agree, I can provide the jade for your immediate advancement to the Infant Soul Late Stage. The remainder I shall deliver upon our return!”

Wang Lin considered, his silence heavy with calculation. “Tell me of this formation, this binding,” he finally said.

“The formation’s name eludes me,” Yao Xixue replied, “but upon activation, it invokes a turning wheel of fate, guarded by eighteen seals of binding. I have broken but eleven. With your aid, I believe we can shatter them all!”

Much of what she said was true, but one vital fact she omitted: the formation’s true name… remained unknown to her. Yet, she knew that its unraveling was a gateway to life or death; triumph brought salvation, failure, annihilation.

Four times she had failed, and four times she had died, each demise fueled by a Blood Soul Pill, one of thirteen such draughts, bought at the brink of death, from her father. Most, now, remained in her grasp.

Wang Lin remained lost in thought before finally speaking, his gaze hardened. “Where lies this formation?”

Yao Xixue hesitated. “Until Daoist Wang commits to my cause, I cannot reveal its location. Suffice it to say, the formation demands a unique artifact for entry. Within this Demon Spirit Land, I believe none but myself possess the means to reach it.”

*”She hides much,”* Wang Lin mused, *”But Immortal Jade is a treasure beyond price. With sufficient quantities, I can surely reach the Infant Soul Late Stage in short order. Though the Ascendant Void requires enlightenment beyond mere jade, its acquisition would alleviate all material concerns! But I must not yield too easily. I must test her resolve.”* Aloud, he shook his head. “This matter requires contemplation. In four months, I shall offer you my answer.”