From curiosity to theft of glances, and finally under the pretense of serving tea and water, she shamelessly sidled up to Xu Xian's side, her neck stretching out as long as it could go.
The youth frowned and asked, "What are you looking at?"
The little girl asked back with equal curiosity, "What are you looking at?"
Xu Xian generously handed it to her. "Here... see for yourself."
The little girl pursed her lips. "I can't understand it."
Xu Xian rolled his eyes. "Why bother leaning in if you can't understand it?"
The little girl bit her lip and asked, "Can you understand it?"
Speechless, Xu Xian retorted, "Nonsense. Why would I be flipping through it if I couldn't understand it? To act cool?"
The little girl was stumped, but she wasn't angry; she simply gave an "Oh."
"Want to learn?"
The little girl suddenly lifted her head, her eyes filled with longing. "I... can I?"
Xu Xian paused for a moment, then gave a polite, slight smile. "Of course... not."
The little girl was stunned and slinked away in defeat. Before she left, she didn't forget to shoot the youth a secret glare. What kind of person was he?
But could he really understand it?
The cultivation of the Nether Fire Secret Art continued, and the little girl's curiosity never faded. The spies in the shadows used every means at their disposal, and they actually managed to discover that what Xu Xian was practicing was the Nether Fire Secret Art from the Demon Dao Hall.
At that moment, the gods, kings, and lords were all shaken.
A third-class demon actually dared to practice a primordial demon art. This was simply lawless. Who had given it to him? The High Priest?
Practicing a primordial demon art was one thing, but it just had to be the Nether Fire Secret Art.
The Nether Records stated that one who could master the nether fire should be the Demon Lord.
For a time, wild speculations were inevitable.
What exactly was the High Priest trying to do?
Did she want to create a Demon Lord, or did she want to use the nether fire to control the Nether Beasts?
What were she and him plotting? Was she going to open the Nether Gate?
They grew restless. Their mindset shifted from merely watching the show to one of deep worry and dread.
They didn't know if the youth named Bai Mang could actually cultivate the Nether Fire Secret Art, but they knew what it would mean once the nether fire was unleashed upon the world.
A white-haired third-class demon, if he truly mastered the Nether Fire Secret Art and ascended to the Nether Hall to become the demon son under the support of the High Priest...
That would be an unprecedented shock for the entire heavenly demon race.
If this matter was publicized and became known to the whole world, how would the earthly demons and mortal demons react? Would they still be as willing and accepting of their status as slaves to the heavenly demons as they were before?
People at different heights see different scenery; from different perspectives, the essence of an event changes.
Hypothetically, if Bai Mang truly mastered the nether fire and ascended to the demon hall...
For the entire demon race within the Demon Abyss, it would be hope, a miracle, and the start of a new era.
But for the heavenly demons specifically, it was a challenge, a threat, a transition of power, and the collapse of the bloodline hierarchy.
Just as Jin Qing had said to Chi Ji: If the heavenly demons knew a mortal demon had learned the Nether Fire Secret Art, how would they react?
Even Chi Ji knew the answer with absolute certainty.
They would think of every possible way to suppress and hide this matter. Only two paths would await this mortal demon.
First: Yield, become a slave, be imprisoned in darkness to never see the world again, and let the heavenly demons use his nether fire.
Second: Death!
If he refused to yield, most of them would definitely kill him, no matter the cost.
Whether it was out of interest or ingrained perception, the heavenly demons would never allow a mortal demon to stand above them. It was a complete trampling of their dignity.
In the shadows.
It wasn't just some lords, dukes, and heavenly demon patriarchs gathering in private to discuss the matter.
Even the Demon Gods had spontaneously gathered in one place. Even the Azure Demon and Blue Demon, who had always been loyal to the High Priest, had come.
They discussed the matter, their arguments becoming heated.
"What on earth is the High Priest planning?"
"I just want to know who gave that lowly demon the Nether Fire Secret Art!"
The Crimson Demon sat with his eyes lowered, saying nothing.
The Yellow Demon said indignantly, "Who else could it be but the High Priest? Does she think we're blind? The noble High Priest of the demon race, the master of the Nether Hall, actually spends her days with a third-class mortal demon, even serving him tea and water like a maidservant. She has thrown away all the dignity of our heavenly demon race! This is an outrage! An utter outrage!"
The Green Demon looked at the Azure Demon and asked softly, "A-Qing, you are closest to the High Priest. Do you know anything about this? What exactly is she trying to do?"
The Azure Demon knitted his brows and shook his head heavily. "I don't know. The High Priest hasn't told me anything. I am completely in the dark about this."
The Blue Demon fiddled with her long hair and gave a cold, feminine snort. "Heh... everyone knows your divine son, Qingmu, is the High Priest's favorite. They're inseparable. Wasn't he the one who delivered the wine last time? He scoured half the city just to gather five thousand jars of God-Demon Drunk. He certainly went to a lot of trouble. Do you really not know, or are you just unwilling to say?"
The Azure Demon shot her a cold glance and sneered, "Lan Meier, you have the nerve to talk about me? Don't you know exactly how your granddaughter died? If I remember correctly, she was the one who led the team to Ze Capital. Brother Chi, are you still not planning to settle this account with her?"
The Crimson Demon remained silent, uttering not a word.
The Blue Demon wasn't angry; instead, she smiled. "Hehe, look at him. He's getting anxious and starting to lash out at anyone nearby..."
The Water Demon, who also had blue hair, stepped in as the peacemaker. "Enough, both of you stop arguing. We didn't call everyone here today to listen to you bicker. Since everyone is here, I assume our positions are aligned. This matter has dragged on long enough; it's time for a resolution. Let's talk about something useful."
The Blue Demon pursed her lips and fell silent, sulking. She could ignore others, but she still had to listen to the words of the patriarch of the Blue family.
The Azure Demon was already unwilling to argue—he hadn't even wanted to come—so he naturally took the chance to back down.
The Purple Demon spoke up weakly, "Isn't it a bit bad for us to be plotting against the High Priest like this? If she finds out, she'll be angry, right?"
But as soon as the words were spoken, someone immediately snapped back.
"Then why don't you just leave?"
Seeing that an argument was about to break out again, the Green Demon changed the subject. "Uncle Chi, you are the eldest and most senior here. Why don't you say something?"
Everyone reluctantly shut their mouths and turned their gaze toward Chi Ming.
Feeling their eyes on him, Chi Ming slowly lifted his head and gave a soft chuckle. "Heh."
The other Demon Gods looked on, confused.
Chi Ming said calmly, "Don't you all already have the answer? Why bother asking me?"
No one refuted him.
Their presence here already made their attitude clear.
No matter what the High Priest was thinking, and no matter whether that Bai Mang could truly condense the nether fire, they weren't willing to gamble or take risks. They certainly didn't want to waste any more effort on this matter.
They wanted the youth dead. He had to die.
"Then, Uncle Chi, what is your intention?"
Chi Ming said indifferently, "I have no objection."
Rate on N.U.
