Chapter 131: The Mightiest Demonic Clan

Qin Xuanxi had spent the better part of the last half-month attending to the affairs of the Fanyuan Sect. After all, she had been absent for three years, during which time the sect had replaced its leader once again. Naturally, upon her return, a thorough reorganization was required. Nevertheless, she had instructed Qi Xinyue to have people keep a close watch on the situation in Yan City. Her stated reason to Qi Xinyue was that the Flute Immortal had once appeared in Yan City and might reappear there one day. Qi Xinyue, suspecting nothing, obeyed her master’s orders.

By now, almost everyone on the Xuanying Continent knew that Qin Xuanxi held a deep grudge against the Flute Immortal, though few knew how such intense animosity had been forged. A few days ago, an item was delivered to Mount Xuyu and placed into Qin Xuanxi’s hands: a white, circular stone. On one side, the character "Ji" was engraved, surrounded by a series of strange symbols. At the time, Qin Xuanxi suspected the stone was a "Mystic World Stone" of the Hongyang Ji Clan.

The Hongyang Ji Clan had been the most powerful demonic lineage during the Fifth Immortal-Demon War. Yet, in the three thousand years since that war concluded, no one on the Xuanying Continent had caught even a glimpse of a member of the Hongyang Ji Clan. It seemed the entire clan had perished on the battlefields of that final war. The person who brought the stone to Mount Xuyu was a blind man nearing the end of his days. He had told Qin Xuanxi, "The person who gave me this stone told me to deliver a message, but it can only be spoken to you alone."

Qin Xuanxi dismissed everyone from the main hall. Only then did the blind man speak: "He said that the last time he saw the Wine Immortal alive, the Wine Immortal entrusted this stone to him." Upon hearing that the stone was linked to her master, Qin Xuanxi immediately demanded, "Who was that person?"

Instantly, the blind man dissolved into a pool of blood. Clearly, he had been under a secret curse; he likely never imagined that once his task was complete, he would meet his end. However, Qin Xuanxi had already begun to suspect the culprit: Zhong Lei, the "Flute Immortal." The Flute Immortal had been her master's close friend; it was not strange that her master might have entrusted something important to him. Furthermore, the Flute Immortal must have known she had returned alive. He likely feared her relentless pursuit and surrendered the stone in hopes that she would shift her focus to the mysteries of the Hongyang Ji Clan rather than continuing to lay shameless traps to capture him. Three years ago, the Flute Immortal had nearly fallen into her hands, and he was understandably terrified. Had she not been suddenly transported into the Primordial Profound Wilderness, he would never have escaped. His surrender of the stone was, therefore, logical.

Still, Qin Xuanxi could not fathom what connection the Wine Immortal had with the Hongyang Ji Clan's stone, or if his death was tied to it. Of course, the Flute Immortal might simply be playing tricks to distract her. To discover the truth, she would have to enter the stone herself. Yet, this seemingly ordinary object was a relic passed down for tens of thousands of years by the most powerful demonic clan. Such stones contained small, pocket dimensions accessible only to members of the Hongyang Ji Clan. Any outsider who forced their way in risked being lost forever in the void within. Qin Xuanxi would have to use her formidable spiritual sense to slowly map the internal world and its complex arrays—a process that could take years, perhaps even over a decade.

This meant that for the next five or six years, much of her time would be consumed by this stone. Of course, she would continue to search for the Flute Immortal—a two-pronged approach. Yet, the Fanyuan Sect required her personal attention as well. Consequently, she would have to neglect that mortal to whom she was betrothed, though he was, in truth, quite insignificant.

Despite her resolve to distance herself, she found herself unable to resist visiting Yan City that day. By coincidence, she overheard the "two happy events" mentioned by Zhao Zhigao. Zhao was telling Song Ye, "Brother Song, go back to the magistrate’s office first thing tomorrow and formally annul your engagement to the princess. I’ve already found you a match—a girl from the same village as my wife. She may not be as breathtakingly beautiful as the princess, but don’t hold that against her. She can bear you children and carry on the Song family line. I know you’re a sentimental fool, Brother Song, but pining after that princess is useless. Surely you don’t expect a dead woman to give you children?"

Hidden nearby, Qin Xuanxi felt a sharp pang in her heart. She could not understand why words from a mortal ant would bother her so much. Should she simply crush this ant?

Zhao Zhigao continued, his words ringing with conviction, "Brother Song, I’m only telling you this because you aren't young anymore. Continuing your lineage is the most important thing. Tomorrow is your day off; go to the office in the morning to file for the annulment, and in the afternoon, I’ll take you to Peach Blossom Village to meet the girl. If you take a liking to her, we can settle the betrothal on the spot."

After listening to this long tirade, Song Ye laughed, "Brother Zhao, don't go to such trouble. I won't be going to Peach Blossom Village." He couldn't go, of course. "As for the engagement to the princess, I see no need to annul it, for I have never considered marrying anyone else." Given his current strength, he dared not unilaterally announce the annulment to that female demon. Besides, trapped as he was within the two wards of the city, he had nowhere to run if she returned to settle scores with a faithless lover.

Hiding in the shadows, Qin Xuanxi heard these words, and a soft, dormant part of her heart stirred. A faint smile curled the corner of her lips. A loyal, steadfast little husband indeed; he had not disappointed her. Yet, people changed, and she knew this well. In the life of a mortal, nothing was more important than continuing the family line. One day, her little husband might change his mind, go to the magistrate's office, and officially end the engagement. Although no one knew the "princess" was actually her, the Xuanyuan Demon Lord, she had used her own true face for the disguise. She could not allow a mortal to reject her.

A sense of crisis inexplicably took root in her heart. She realized that, quite inadvertently, she had developed a strong possessiveness toward this mortal, Song Ye. But she had too much to do; she had no time to continue masquerading as Su Qingyu and return to his side. Besides, if she appeared before him as Su Qingyu again, he would surely demand they marry and have children immediately, tying her down to domestic life when she had an empire to build. Although, if he truly wanted children, there were many technical hurdles to overcome.

She needed to find a way to ensure Song Ye could not annul the engagement. A triumphant smile bloomed on her face; she had just thought of a brilliant plan.