Chi Ji's Warning

That day.

It was high noon when a woman dressed in a black robe stepped into that dilapidated alleyway.

After winding through the path under the gaze of countless eyes, she arrived at the gate of Xu Xian's small courtyard.

She knocked on the gate.

Knock!

Knock, knock!

Inside the courtyard, Xu Xian was currently driving his demon qi and operating his heart cultivation method. He was contemplating the mysteries of the Nether Fire Secret Art, gradually entering a trance-like state of self-forgetfulness.

Naturally, he could not hear even the slightest sound from the outside world.

It was only when the little book spirit called out to him through his divine sense that he retracted his focus and hurriedly woke up.

"Master, that girl is here again."

The white-haired youth slowly opened his eyes and looked toward the gate through the air. Under the gloomy sky, the moss in the courtyard shimmered with five-colored radiance. His brow furrowed deeply as he thought to himself, 'Why is she here?'

Knock!

Knock, knock!

The knocking continued, gradually becoming more urgent. Xu Xian did not stand up; he simply spoke a single word across the distance.

"Enter."

The knocking outside stopped. A moment later, the gate was pushed open from the outside, and a figure entered.

She poked her head back out the gate to look left and right, then gently closed the wooden gate, even going as far as to slide the decaying bolt shut—a completely redundant gesture.

Xu Xian witnessed the whole process, quietly watching her without saying a word.

She ran over and stepped into the hall, her black robe masking her face. "Is it convenient to talk?"

Xu Xian's nose twitched slightly as he said with a hint of helplessness, "What do you think?"

She pulled out a black formation stone and tossed it into the air. Murmuring an incantation, she laid down a small demonic isolation formation.

As the incantation ceased, the light of the formation rose. She reached up, preparing to remove her hood and reveal her true face.

Xu Xian sat cross-legged on the ground, propping his chin with one hand. He continued to watch her calmly and said tonelessly, "Do you really think this formation of yours can block someone's divine sense from probing?"

Her movements stiffened as she was about to pull off the hood.

Xu Xian added lazily, "And do you think that if you don't take it off, people won't know who you are?"

She froze. After a long silence, she said with some resentment, "Then should I take it off or not?"

Xu Xian rolled his eyes. "Take it off if you want, or don't. I don't care."

She took it off anyway, revealing her true face, though her small face was crumpled in a look of self-annoyance. "This is so irritating."

Xu Xian sighed softly and communicated with her through his divine sense: 'You shouldn't have come.'

Chi Ji suddenly realized and reacted. Right, if she was afraid of being overheard, wasn't divine sense communication enough?

Heart-to-mind divine sense communication couldn't possibly be intercepted by others, could it?

Unless a demon god was personally present.

She looked at Xu Xian and, without asking for his reasons, complained first, "Didn't I tell you to leave? Why didn't you go? Why stay here?"

Xu Xian shrugged. "I wanted to, but could I actually get away?"

Chi Ji suppressed the agitation and unease in her heart, sitting cross-legged in front of him. She asked via divine sense: 'You've already been targeted by the Crimson Demon Palace and those heavenly demon race people. Did you know?'

Xu Xian nodded.

'The High Priest has also targeted you. Did you know?'

Xu Xian nodded again.

Chi Ji lowered her gaze and whispered, "I wanted to come find you as early as half a month ago, but I was afraid of bringing you trouble, so I didn't. Also, they didn't act before because they were wary of the High Priest, but things are different now. They've somehow found out that you're practicing the Nether Fire Secret Art. They've already reached an agreement—once night falls, the Demon Court's enforcement squad will move. If you resist, they'll execute you on the spot."

Xu Xian was somewhat surprised, yet it was within expectations.

After all, while Chi Ji might be a bit simple, she wasn't stupid. She didn't come earlier or later, but chose this specific moment; she must have something important to tell him.

That was why she took the risk.

'Is the news reliable?'

"You still don't trust me?"

Xu Xian rubbed his chin, pondering for a moment before he couldn't help but ask, "Where did you hear this from?"

Chi Ji didn't hide it and told him directly, "I eavesdropped. I heard it personally from my father and the Small Priest."

Xu Xian scrutinized Chi Ji with a meaningful look.

Chi Ji stared back with wide eyes. "Why are you looking at me like that? Do you not believe me?"

"No, it's just..." Xu Xian trailed off.

Chi Ji was confused, finding him quite mysterious.

"Just what? Say it!"

Xu Xian brushed it off. "It's nothing."

In his mind, however, he was calculating. For a mere sixth-rank demon general to eavesdrop on a conversation between two demon gods... that sounded utterly absurd.

The only explanation was that it was intentional.

The Crimson Demon had intentionally let Chi Ji hear those words, then let her deliver the intelligence to his ears.

What was the motive?

To save him.

He couldn't quite figure it out, but one thing was certain: the Crimson Demon wasn't afraid of his daughter getting into trouble.

In other words, even if Chi Ji came and told him the news, her father could ensure her safety.

To some extent, this eased Xu Xian's worries.

It saved him from having to worry about this silly girl—about her being able to enter easily but find it hard to leave.

If he had to bring this dead weight along later, that would be a problem.

After all, they were somewhat familiar now. If he just discarded her like he did before, Xu Xian would feel a psychological burden.

However, he still couldn't quite grasp what Chi Ji's old man was thinking.

The old geezers in the Demon Abyss were all ancient monsters who had lived long enough to become cunning spirits. They were incredibly devious and impossible to read.

One young girl insisted on following him, enduring unnecessary hardships and pushing herself into the eye of the storm.

One Crimson Demon had been monitoring him all along, yet allowed his daughter to deliver a message to him.

And those guys outside didn't stop her either, just letting her deliver the warning like that. They weren't afraid of him running away at all; their confidence was terrifying.

Still, Chi Ji was the best—no schemes, easy to fool, easy to coax, easy to hoodw—no, she was just so cute!

Xu Xian looked at Chi Ji and said with mock deep affection, "Sigh, if only they were all as kind as you."

Chi Ji's cheeks flushed for no reason. Xu Xian was praising her.

Kind, righteous, loyal—it must be that. She felt that her risk in bringing the message hadn't been in vain.

"It's good that you know. Not everyone is as kind-hearted as I am. Those people outside all want your life."

Xu Xian furrowed his brows. Hmm... she seemed to have misunderstood.

But he really hadn't said anything wrong. He didn't even need to speak; she had fooled herself.

The youth took a deep breath and said softly, "Alright, I understand. You should head back."

The girl was dazed and asked her lingering doubt, "Why do you seem not worried at all?"

Xu Xian retorted, "I'm panicked! I'm panicking to death!"

So fake!

Chi Ji asked seriously, "What do you plan to do?"

"What else can I do? I'll run."

"Can you escape?"

Xu Xian narrowed his eyes and smiled. "If I can't, what then? Are you going to protect me?"

Chi Ji became timid, her eyes darting away. "I want to, but I can't."

Xu Xian chuckled. Remembering something, he asked casually, "By the way, you mentioned before that you were kidnapped because of something regarding the Nether Gate. What else do you know? Tell me in detail."

Chi Ji was bewildered. "Why ask this all of a sudden?"

"Don't ask why; it's useful to me."

"I don't know much."

"Tell me whatever you do know."

Chi Ji didn't press further and nodded obediently. "Alright!"