Volume 1, Chapter 24 – The Shocked Demon Kings

The first pale light of dawn had only just appeared on the horizon when Gu Han returned to Yaochi Immortal Palace with the three of them.

Although the three demon kings were overlords within their respective territories and possessed no small amount of experience, they still could not hide their shock upon finding themselves inside the paradise-like Yaochi Immortal Palace.

The spiritual energy that washed over them was incomparably pure. Every breath felt as though they were swallowing a spirit pill.

The square, paved with white jade, gleamed like a mirror, reflecting the morning light and the shimmering waters of Yaochi in the distance.

Farther away, pavilions and towers stood in a picturesque arrangement, concealed within hazy spiritual mist. Dao resonance flowed naturally through the surroundings, blending seamlessly with the mountains and waters.

“The… the spiritual energy here…”

Fushan drew a deep breath, his eyes widening.

“It’s ten times richer than in my Giant Rock Valley! No, a hundred times!”

Mo Lin was shaken as well, but he kept himself more composed.

He swept his gaze across the surroundings, lingering especially on the vast, mist-veiled waters of Yaochi. A strange glimmer flashed through his eyes.

The Seven-Colored Illusory Butterfly Empress, meanwhile, was even more sensitive to the Dao resonance that permeated every corner of this place.

Her dreamlike eyes shone faintly. The environment here would provide benefits to her cultivation beyond imagination.

The Dream-Illusion Crystal that the Palace Master had casually bestowed upon her was already a supreme treasure, yet the immortal palace itself seemed even more extraordinary.

“This is Yaochi Immortal Palace.”

Gu Han’s voice pulled the three of them out of their shock. Her tone was calm, as though she were merely introducing an ordinary residence.

“From now on, you will cultivate here.”

“We shall obey the Palace Master’s command!”

The three hurriedly composed themselves and answered respectfully.

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Just then…

“Hum…”

A clear, melodious sword cry, seemingly descending from the Nine Heavens, suddenly rang out above the immortal palace without warning!

Immediately afterward, an indescribably sharp sword intent soared into the sky from Snow Moon Peak in the east!

The sword intent was lofty and transcendent, cold as ancient frost, yet pure to the utmost degree.

It had not been deliberately released. Rather, it seemed like the aura that naturally escaped from a peerless sword cultivator immersed in the Sword Dao.

Yet even the slightest trace of that naturally revealed aura made the three demon kings, who had only just entered the immortal palace, feel every hair on their bodies stand on end!

This sword intent… was terrifying!

It was absolutely not something a Mahayana cultivator could possess!

It even… surpassed the feeling an ordinary Tribulation Transcendence cultivator gave them.

Could there be another peerless immortal cultivator within the palace, only slightly weaker than the Palace Master?

Sensing their fear, Gu Han’s eyes flickered with understanding and faint amusement.

She looked toward Snow Moon Peak, where sword energy arched through the sky like a rainbow, faintly dancing with the morning glow.

“There is no need to panic.”

Gu Han’s cool voice soothed the turmoil in their hearts.

“That is Grand Elder Li Hanyi. She is practicing her swordsmanship.”

The Grand Elder? Li Hanyi?

Practicing her swordsmanship?

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A mere trace of sword intent leaking out while she practiced was enough to make the three of them, all Mahayana demon kings, feel as though they were facing a mortal enemy?

Mo Lin and the other two exchanged glances, their shock reaching an indescribable level.

They had yet to meet this Grand Elder, but an overwhelming sense of reverence for her instantly arose within them.

At the same time, they gained a clearer understanding of Yaochi Immortal Palace.

The Palace Master was unfathomable, and the Grand Elder’s mastery of the Sword Dao bordered on the divine…

Just what kind of origin did Yaochi Immortal Palace have?

“Ma… Master?”

At that moment, a pleasantly surprised voice sounded.

Liu Ruyan, dressed in red, was walking over from the bluestone path beside Yaochi.

She had evidently been alarmed by the sword intent just now and had come out to investigate, only to see Gu Han and the three unfamiliar figures behind her, each radiating an immense aura.

Her gaze quickly swept across Mo Lin and the other two.

The black-clad young man’s aura was deep and steady like an abyss, carrying a faint trace of draconic might.

The burly man possessed astonishingly vigorous blood and vitality, as though he could move mountains with his bare hands.

As for the woman in multicolored robes… a dreamlike halo flowed around her body… making even Liu Ruyan feel faintly dizzy.

Each of these three placed her under pressure far greater than that of any Spirit Transformation or even Body Integration cultivator she had encountered in her previous two lives!

They might even… be stronger than that!

Where had Master brought these people back from? Could they be newly appointed elders?

“Ruyan.”

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Gu Han looked at her second disciple and beckoned her over.

“You came at the right time. These three are newly appointed elders.”

“Elder Mo Lin, formerly the lord of Black Dragon Pool in the Wanjue Mountain Range. His true form is a black-scaled jiao, and he excels in water and lightning arts.”

“Elder Fushan, formerly the lord of Giant Rock Valley. His true form is a Mountain-Covering Ape, and he possesses boundless strength.”

“Elder Diewu, formerly the ruler of the Illusory Flower Sea. Her true form is the Seven-Colored Illusory Butterfly Empress, and she specializes in illusions and the spiritual arts.”

As Gu Han continued her introductions, the expression on Liu Ruyan’s face shifted from surprise, to astonishment, to utter stupefaction, before finally going completely blank.

The Wanjue Mountain Range… Black Dragon Pool… Giant Rock Valley… the Illusory Flower Sea…

A black-scaled jiao? A Mountain-Covering Ape? The Seven-Colored Illusory Butterfly Empress?

Weren’t these the legendary three demon kings entrenched deep within the Tianjue Mountain Range, whose names struck terror into countless cultivators?!

In the span of a single night, Master had…

brought back these three infamous demon kings, each an overlord of their own territory… to serve as elders?!

Liu Ruyan felt as though her brain was being deprived of air.

Having lived three lives, she had seen her fair share of great upheavals, but the scene before her still completely overturned her understanding of the world.

These were three Mahayana demon kings! They were not some random nobodies!

Master’s methods… were simply heaven-defying!

“This is Liu Ruyan, my second disciple.”

Gu Han introduced her to the three demon kings.

Mo Lin and the other two did not dare show the slightest neglect. Although Liu Ruyan’s cultivation was still shallow, her status as the Palace Master’s direct disciple was extraordinary, and her future prospects were limitless.

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They restrained their auras and greeted her politely.

Liu Ruyan came back to her senses and hurriedly suppressed the raging waves in her heart before respectfully returning their greetings.

“Ruyan greets Elder Mo Lin, Elder Fushan, and Elder Diewu.”

“Where is A-Yao?” Gu Han asked.

“Master, Eldest Senior Sister is still resting. She stayed up a little late playing last night,” Liu Ruyan replied, an unconscious smile appearing at the corners of her lips.

She sincerely adored that innocent, lively, and lovable Eldest Senior Sister of hers.

Gu Han shook her head helplessly. That little rascal.

“Ruyan, take the three elders around and familiarize them with the immortal palace. Afterward, arrange suitable cave residences for them.”

“Yes, Master!” Liu Ruyan accepted the order.

Watching Liu Ruyan lead away the three demon kings, who still could not conceal their shock, the corners of Gu Han’s lips curved upward slightly.

The basic framework of Yaochi Immortal Palace had finally begun to take shape.

Li Hanyi guarded its core, the three demon kings would each perform their own duties, Liu Ruyan would manage the internal affairs, and there was also A-Yao, whose future potential was immense…

At last, the sect had gained some vitality.

Gu Han raised her eyes and once again looked toward Snow Moon Peak. That world-shaking sword intent had gradually receded, and calm had returned.

“Hanyi’s Sword Dao seems to have improved again…”

Gu Han murmured, a trace of anticipation flashing through her eyes.

Just as Yaochi Immortal Palace welcomed its new members and gradually settled into order, the disturbance caused by someone at the ninth heaven of Tribulation Transcendence practicing her swordsmanship was, to certain keenly perceptive beings nearby, no less than a bolt from the blue!