Stealing an Immortal Back to the Demon Realm Chapter 44

When Shang Ningye heard this, she glanced nervously at Mu Qiuhan.
Now that she’s the Sovereign Lord of the Demon Realm, will she be upset at being addressed this way?
Mu Qiuhan showed no expression.
She looked up at Xuan Kong and, following his lead, asked, “A few days ago, while reading the ‘True Scripture of the Origin of Writing’, I came across a passage I didn’t quite understand. I hope Master can enlighten me.”
Xuan Kong was a little curious. “Which passage?”
But after asking, he felt something was amiss.
He paused, his tone somewhat stiff. “When did I give you this book? Have you finished reading all the cultivation methods I gave you?”
Seeing Mu Qiuhan nod, Xuan Kong finally felt a bit satisfied.
He had long known his disciple was diligent and eager to learn, and it seemed she was indeed so.
After the two discussed the contents of the ‘True Scripture of the Origin of Writing’ for a while, Xuan Kong suddenly remembered something.
He pointed southeast and said to Mu Qiuhan, “Several miles ahead, there’s a patch of sand dates. They can barely fill your stomach. Go get some before it gets dark.”
“Sand dates?”
Seeing the two people in front of him staring at him with puzzled expressions, Xuan Kong felt a bit helpless.
“What are you looking at me for? Haven’t you abstained from grains yet? This is the only edible thing here. Surely you don’t expect me, your master, to hunt a wild beast for you?”
Hearing this, Shang Ningye looked at Xuan Kong with a complicated expression, then glanced at Mu Qiuhan.
That day outside the secret realm, Xuan Kong was taken away by Wu Ling before he could even interact with us. He probably doesn’t know that Mu Qiuhan broke through the Core Formation stage long ago, much less that her current cultivation is already at the Void Refinement stage, not much weaker than his, her master.
Shang Ningye was a little surprised to see Mu Qiuhan nod in agreement.
But then Mu Qiuhan turned and asked her, “Do you want to come with me or stay here?”
Shang Ningye was stunned for a moment.
Before she could answer, Xuan Kong frowned and said, “You can go alone. Why trouble Martial Grand-Aunt?”
Shang Ningye knew that wasn’t what Mu Qiuhan meant.
After bringing me to see Xuan Kong, Mu Qiuhan seems to want to leave this place.
Shang Ningye thought for a moment, then turned to Xuan Kong and said, “I’ll go with her.”
Seeing Xuan Kong staring at her, she explained, “This place seems to affect one’s mind. When we came earlier, we saw Nightmare Demons in the fog…”
Xuan Kong was greatly shocked. “You encountered Nightmare Demons?”
Seeing Shang Ningye nod, a surprised expression appeared on Xuan Kong’s face.
He knew a bit about Shang Ningye’s aptitude; it shouldn’t have been easy for her to pass through the illusions created by Nightmare Demons.
But Mu Qiuhan, a mere Core Formation stage youngster, is her mental fortitude actually strong enough to be unaffected by Nightmare Demons?
He gave Mu Qiuhan a deep look.
Mu Qiuhan seemed to know what he was thinking. She said lightly, “Not many came, only one.”
Xuan Kong then withdrew his gaze.
The reason he wanted Mu Qiuhan to go to that area to find sand dates was, firstly, he truly believed Mu Qiuhan hadn’t abstained from grains yet and wanted her to find some food.
Secondly, it was because he had encountered a fortuitous opportunity in that area before and had overcome a heart-demon that had plagued him for many years.
Although spiritual energy couldn’t be used at all in this place, and Xuan Kong couldn’t sense any change in his cultivation, he believed that if he could return to the Immortal Sect, breaking through to the Mahayana stage in the future shouldn’t be a problem.
That fortuitous opportunity had come very suddenly, and he wanted his disciple to try her luck as well.
The reason he didn’t want Shang Ningye to go was because he felt that with Shang Ningye’s cultivation aptitude, she might encounter danger instead of a fortuitous opportunity.
But if they had already encountered Nightmare Demons before and were both unharmed, then perhaps it would be alright for them to go together now?
Xuan Kong then said, “Since that’s the case, I’ll have to trouble Martial Grand-Aunt to look after my young disciple again.”
Shang Ningye’s heart skipped a beat when she heard this.
Seeing Mu Qiuhan remain silent, she had no choice but to brace herself and agree.
Seeing that it was getting late, the two didn’t delay any longer and went straight in the direction Xuan Kong had pointed.
As they walked, the vegetation on the ground began to thin out, and the fertile land gradually turned into sandy terrain.
Only some wind-resistant and drought-tolerant plants remained on the land.
Desolate yet vast.
The place where Shang Ningye used to live had abundant water and rich vegetation.
But ever since coming to the Demon Realm, such land could be seen everywhere.
Compared to Jialuo City, this place was already quite good. Shang Ningye didn’t feel too out of place.
Just now, seeing Elder Xuan Kong safe and sound, Shang Ningye had been pleasantly surprised.
After walking for a mile or so, she hesitantly asked the person beside her, “The other elders of the sect, how are they now?”
Mu Qiuhan glanced sideways at her but didn’t speak.
I thought Shang Ningye was willing to come with me because she wanted to go back with me. I was even secretly delighted. Now it seems I might have been mistaken. She just wanted to know their whereabouts and didn’t want Xuan Kong to hear.
Mu Qiuhan closed her eyes for a moment.
After a moment, she opened them and said coldly, “Do you really want to know? You might not want to hear the answer.”
Shang Ningye’s heart clenched upon hearing this.
Although Mu Qiuhan didn’t say it outright, her cold and indifferent tone already spoke volumes.
Besides, at the banquet not long ago, she had clearly seen that person named Leng Yi had returned.
Shang Ningye couldn’t help but clutch her cuffs tightly.
“Your people killed them all?”
Mu Qiuhan didn’t deny it, only saying lightly, “They should have been dead long ago.”
Shang Ningye’s pupils trembled slightly.
Although she had been mentally prepared since treating the Sect Master and several elders, when she truly heard the news of their deaths, Shang Ningye’s mind still went blank.
Within the Taiqing Immortal Sect, there wasn’t even a single Mahayana stage cultivator left now.
She didn’t know if those elders and disciples who had fled had returned after the demon clan left.
Seeing Shang Ningye’s devastated look, Mu Qiuhan felt a momentary pang of pity.
She wanted to take Shang Ningye’s trembling hand, but Shang Ningye subconsciously pulled her hand back.
Mu Qiuhan only managed to grab her wide sleeve cuff.
The thin, cool fabric felt soft and smooth in her palm, yet it was also icy cold.
Mu Qiuhan released the sleeve and lowered her eyes.
After a moment of silence, she took a communication talisman from her storage ring and stuffed it into Shang Ningye’s arms.
“A couple of miles ahead to the right is the sand date forest Xuan Kong mentioned. Do you still want to keep going forward?”
Shang Ningye stared at the communication talisman suddenly stuffed into her arms for a while, then looked up blankly.
“Where are you going?”
Mu Qiuhan didn’t look at her, only lowered her head and said softly, “Going left will lead back to that fog from before. I, of course, am returning to the palace.”
Aren’t I going with you?
Shang Ningye opened her mouth, but the words that came out were different.
“What should I tell Elder Xuan Kong about your departure?”
Mu Qiuhan forced a smile.
“Just tell him the truth.”
Seeing Shang Ningye remain silent, she added, “Didn’t you say before that you wanted to stay here for a few days? Follow the path you came on back to Xuan Kong. As long as you don’t enter the fog, you won’t be in danger.”
Finally, she added, “When you want to leave, just send me a message with the talisman.”
A trace of joy flashed in Shang Ningye’s eyes. “What about Elder Xuan Kong?”
Mu Qiuhan seemed to suddenly lose her patience.
Before Shang Ningye could get her answer, she saw Mu Qiuhan turn her back to her and walk off to the left front.
From a distance, Shang Ningye heard her say.
“Only you.”
When Mu Qiuhan returned to the Demon Palace, she saw Su Hongyu sitting by the stone table in the courtyard, eating grapes one by one while pointing and directing a group of demon soldiers clearing the rubble.
“Why are you here?”
Su Hongyu put down the food in her hand and glanced up at Mu Qiuhan.
“Oh? Who upset you? Why the long face?”
Mu Qiuhan didn’t want to exchange pleasantries with her. “If you have something to say, say it. If not, leave.”
Su Hongyu glanced behind Mu Qiuhan. Not seeing Shang Ningye, she was very pleased.
She curled her red lips, stood up, and reached out to touch Mu Qiuhan’s chest.
“I saw the heavenly lightning over here. Were you injured?”
Mu Qiuhan turned sideways to avoid her.
“If you want to talk, just talk. Don’t get handsy. I’m fine.”
Su Hongyu didn’t get angry. She withdrew her hand and idly played with her fingers.
“So, your medicinal pill was successfully refined? Take it out and let me see.”
Mu Qiuhan turned and walked towards Shang Ningye’s room.
“Unfortunately, the spiritual pill is not with me right now.”
Su Hongyu’s eyes widened as she looked at Mu Qiuhan suspiciously.
“Isn’t that pill for you to use? How could it not be with you?”
Mu Qiuhan: “I’ve hidden it.”
Su Hongyu narrowed her eyes.
Where could it be hidden that’s safer than carrying it herself?
Thinking of the woman who had suddenly disappeared, Su Hongyu’s expression turned somewhat ferocious for a moment.
“You didn’t give the Golden Lingjiao I gave you to that little seductress, did you?”
Mu Qiuhan turned and glared at her.
“Let’s be clear. I traded ten cities, five cultivation methods, and news about the Yao Realm with you for the Golden Lingjiao. How did it become something you gave me?”
Seeing Mu Qiuhan’s unfriendly expression, Su Hongyu knew she had misspoken and felt a surge of anger.
She’s actually protecting that little seductress so much!
Su Hongyu composed herself, her expression once again all smiles.
“So you’re really in a bad mood? Shall I help you cool down?”
After speaking, she gave Mu Qiuhan a captivating look.
Mu Qiuhan stared at her for a moment, then chuckled softly.
Seeing this, Su Hongyu swayed her hips lightly as she walked up the steps, step by step, until she was in front of Mu Qiuhan.
Mu Qiuhan suddenly grabbed her by the lapel and pulled her close.
Su Hongyu was secretly overjoyed.
Her red lips parted slightly, and she moved in for a kiss.