Volume One: Hidden in the Azure Abyss Chapter Forty-One

Gengyuan could not help but be startled. He spoke to Jinli, “Something’s wrong—his heart is being corrupted by demonic energy. Quickly!” Jinli pressed a finger to his forehead, halting the invasion of the dark aura.

The girl’s robes billowed as she began forming seals with both hands. Aran could never return, so only by using Aran’s body could she completely seal Ruixin away.

“Aran” laughed with wild arrogance. “You think a mere formation can seal me again? How utterly ridiculous!”

Suddenly, a violent wind rose, and black-red smoke twisted into a vortex. Jinli could not withstand it; she leapt into the air, wind beneath her feet. Gengyuan caught her hand. Nearby, Amo was shielded by the spell, while Ruixin slowly escaped the array, shattering the demon-confining barrier with ease.

Ruixin had grown even stronger.

When the black wind subsided, Aran within the formation gradually faded away. Amo awoke just in time to see his sister’s face, smiling gently, dissolve into the dust and wind.

“You two have interfered with my plans time and again. Today, I will not let you go,” Ruixin declared, spreading her hands. Crimson-black mist coalesced into fireballs. Jinli, alarmed, pulled Gengyuan behind her. The attack was fierce—Jinli took a blow to the back, spitting blood, and both were flung several meters away.

Gengyuan was surprised—he hadn’t expected Jinli to save him.

“Jin, Jin!” Gengyuan called her name.

Jinli panted heavily. “Stop shouting.”

She staggered to her feet, wiped the blood from her lips, and with a gesture, mist transformed into the Mysterious Hidden Sword. Amid the blue glow, she told Gengyuan, “Find Ruixin’s weakness—strike her down in one blow.”

Gengyuan nodded.

Jinli’s figure blurred like a passing shadow. In an instant, she appeared behind Ruixin—sword in her right hand, left hand inscribed with runes, thrusting toward the demoness. Immortal mist surged as she struck Ruixin’s shoulder, sending her flying far away. Then, Jinli drew another seal; blue threads wound around Ruixin’s limbs. With a sharp pull, the icy Mysterious Hidden Sword pierced the demoness’s body.

But it was only a decoy.

“Not bad—so you possess a half-divine body?” Ruixin’s sinister voice echoed by her ear, sending a chill down her spine. In that moment, Gengyuan seized her hand, and together, they dispelled the shadow behind Jinli.

Ruixin had three substitutes. Now only her true form remained.

“Look who I have here?” As the mist parted, Ruixin had broken through the immortal barrier and now held Amo by the throat, threatening them.

Gengyuan stared coldly at Ruixin, but fell victim to her soul-controlling art.

Her eerie voice resounded: “You are the Dark Bone of the Supreme One. Why have you joined the realm of immortals? You belong elsewhere.”

“Silence,” the youth replied icily.

Ruixin continued, “Since childhood, you’ve known no light, no future. The power you crave—everything you desire—was given by the Demon God. In your heart flows a drop of the Demon God’s blood, granting you endless strength. With it, you can protect those you wish to protect.”

At this, the youth hesitated. “...Those I wish to protect...”

“Yes, accept this power and you’ll always be able to protect her. She will stay by your side forever—she will never leave you again.”

“Gengyuan! Gengyuan! Wake up! Don’t let her control you!” Jinli called anxiously.

The youth blinked back to his senses, meeting the worry on Jinli’s face. She breathed a sigh of relief, and earnestly said, “Don’t listen to her. Don’t let her control you.”

He gave a low reply.

Ruixin’s lips curled in a wicked smile as she dissolved into smoke and vanished.

Gengyuan helped Amo up. Jinli clutched her chest, and the youth asked in alarm, “What’s wrong?”

Jinli shook her head, then used her fingers to channel spiritual energy and rouse Amo.

At that moment, Sangli arrived. The prince’s gentle composure wavered when he saw Jinli wounded; he quickly embraced her. “Ali, Ali.”

His fear was palpable—he dreaded Jinli might come to harm again, as she had in their youth, bleeding before him on the mountain.

Jinli smiled. “I’m all right.”

Sangli let her go and helped tend her injuries.

Qisui stood dazed behind them, gazing at Jinli but not daring to take a step forward, not even to ask if she was still in pain.

“Qisui.”

He looked up, and Jinli smiled. “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

Her reassurance brought a smile to his lips as well.

Meanwhile, Ruan Tu watched Gengyuan, a dangerous and satisfied look flickering in his eyes.

Gengyuan silently observed the two—both born favored by the heavens: one the celestial prince, one the goddess of the divine clan.

And what was he? From beginning to end, he was only the adopted son eking out a meager existence in the Hall of No Boat.

He clenched the demonic energy in his hand and quietly left.

By the time Jinli turned around, Gengyuan was gone. She looked around, and Sangli asked, “Who are you looking for?”

“Gengyuan—didn’t you see him?”

Ruan Tu interjected, “He’s gone.”

“Gone?” But what of his wounds?

“We must return to the Ninth Heaven and consult with the immortals. Ali, will you come?”

Jinli shook her head, worry clouding her face. “I have to find Gengyuan. He… he’s not himself. I’m worried…”

“All right. Be careful.” Sangli didn’t question further, but led the group back.

They returned to the Ninth Heaven and began discussing affairs of the immortal mountains.

The Heavenly Lord spoke, “The Demon God’s seal is nearly broken. If he escapes, he may shatter the final barrier. Does the Crown Prince have any strategies?”

“The Demon God’s power is weaker at the bottom of the Weak Waters. We must enter the depths and begin the sealing there.”

Sangli added, “These days, Ruixin has repeatedly disturbed the immortal realm. Now her whereabouts are unknown, and the scattered demon seeds across the Six Realms remain missing.”

The Heavenly Lord’s face grew grave. “The demon seeds have great bearing on the Demon God’s descent. Once, he forged six Demon Lords—now, with Ruixin’s return, the balance tilts against us.”

At this, a celestial official spoke, “The line of goddesses has long had an agreement with the celestial clan. On the day the Demon God descends, if the Crown Prince and the goddess unite in marriage, their shared blood can forge the Demon-Sealing Guide. I believe this is the best course. With both the prince and the goddess forging the Demon-Sealing Guide, the demons will surely retreat.”

“I concur.”

“We all concur…”

Snow whirled in the Northern Lanes, where a solitary youth wandered through the storm, his figure swaying like drifting snowflakes, as if he might collapse at any moment.

He wiped blood from his lips and stared at the demonic energy in his palm. Unease bloomed in his heart.

Could he be the Demon God’s son? Was it possible? If so, would Jinli kill him?

She had always despised evil—surely she would.

He lay down in the snow and closed his eyes.

When he woke again, the world was no longer cold but warm and gentle. The cloak around his shoulders carried a faint, familiar fragrance.

It was the scent of lotus.

He heard the snapping of firewood. When he slowly opened his eyes, he saw a girl in a pale mauve dress, like a breath of spring.

His heart leapt with mingled joy and surprise.

“Jin?”

Jinli tossed aside a branch and turned to him, her expression calm. “You’re awake?”

He sat up, wincing at the pain in his hand. His arm was wrapped with the girl’s sash, stained with his blood.

It was Jinli who had dressed his wound—she had saved him.

“Ji… Jin…”

She heard his faltering voice, reached out, and gently lifted his chin, examining him. “You seem fine—why are you speaking like that?”

Emotion surged in the youth’s heart; he did not answer her, only gazed at her in silence, love and tenderness slowly welling in his eyes.

“Say something, don’t scare me.”

He smiled softly, the corners of his eyes curving. “I’m all right now.”

Only then did she relax.

They were still in the Northern Lanes. Gengyuan was injured again—if the demonic energy in him wasn’t purged, Ruixin would surely return.

Perhaps if she stayed at his side, watching over him, there might yet be hope.

She had seen, with her own eyes, Gengyuan’s longing for power and strength. Surely he already knew of the Demon God.

If he was within her sight, perhaps she still had a way.

Each nursed their own thoughts.

The firelight flickered, painting the girl’s gentle features with even more compassion.

The youth spoke, voice trembling, tears glimmering in his eyes—part disbelief, part hope. “…You came back. Didn’t you?”