Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 207 Demon Realm Seal

According to the book, the Pure Land sect was originally founded by Jingchen with the aim of helping people get rid of suffering.

However, after Jingchen was sealed away, the Blissful Sect was infiltrated by the forces of the Demon Realm and gradually deteriorated.

The current Blissful Sect, on the surface, are followers of the Wine and Meat Bodhisattva, but in reality, they are serving the True Emperor of the Demon Realm.

"The True Emperor of the Demon Realm?"

Zhou Ning frowned.

"A-Shu's master?"

Yan Chixia nodded.

"Ashu said he had changed his mind and no longer wanted to aid and abet evil."

But we can't completely trust him.

You need to observe him carefully, and if he does anything unusual, tell me immediately.

Zhou Ning said, "Disciple understands. Master, how long do you think the seal on the True Emperor of the Demon Realm can last?"

Yan Chixia shook his head.

"I don't know. But it certainly won't be long. The Blissful Cult has been operating in secret, trying to find a way to break the seal."

The appearance of Ashu may not be accidental.

Zhou Ning felt a chill run down his spine.

Just then, Ashu came in carrying a bowl of hot soup.

"Young Master Zhou, have some soup. You haven't eaten all day."

Zhou Ning took the soup bowl and took a sip.

The soup was very delicious; it was made by Ashu using spices from the Western Regions, and it had a unique aroma.

"A-Shu, how much do you know about the True Emperor of the Demon Realm?"

Ashu put down his soup bowl, remained silent for a moment, and said, "Before the True Emperor was sealed away, he summoned us servants and gave each of us a task."

My mission is to find someone who can break the seal.

I've observed you for a long time and discovered that your righteous spirit has a natural restraining effect on the seal. That's why I approached you.

Zhou Ning smiled and asked, "Do you still want to help him break the seal?"

Ashu hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

"I don't want to think about it anymore. I don't want to be an accomplice to evil anymore. If the True Emperor is born, I fear the Three Realms will be stained with blood. That's not what I want to see."

Yan Chixia looked at him with piercing eyes.

Are you sure?

Ashu nodded.

"I'm sure."

Yan Chixia was silent for a moment, then said, "Alright. I'll believe you for now. But if you dare to lie to us, I won't hold back."

Ashu quickly replied, "Immortal Master Yan, rest assured, I would never lie to you."

Zhou Ning put down the soup bowl and said, "A-Shu, go and rest. Tomorrow, we'll go to the North to check on the seal."

Ashu nodded and left the main hall.

As Zhou Ning watched his retreating figure, a complex mix of emotions welled up within her.

The next morning, before dawn, Zhou Ning left Lanruo Temple.

Ashu followed behind him, remaining silent.

Yan Chixia stood at the mountain gate, watching them leave with a calm expression, but a hint of worry in his eyes.

The morning mist permeated the mountains, shrouding the pine forests and temples in a hazy veil.

A mountain breeze caressed his face, carrying the fresh scent of pine resin and the delicate fragrance of distant wildflowers, but Zhou Ning's heart remained restless.

Although Yu Zhenzi has fallen from power, the shadow of the Blissful Sect still looms over the Three Realms.

Jingchen's warning was like a thorn stuck in his heart.

"Their influence has permeated every corner of the Three Realms, and may even be right next to you."

Who are the spies of the Bliss Cult?

Ashu?

Or is it someone from the Righteous Alliance?

"Young Master Zhou, what are you thinking about?"

Ashu's voice came from behind.

Zhou Ning shook his head: "It's nothing. I just feel that we might run into trouble this time we go to the North."

Ashu said, "With you here, I'm not afraid of any trouble."

Zhou Ning smiled but didn't reply.

From Qingyun Mountain to the northern lands, it's a distance of thousands of miles.

The two arrived in Qingfeng City in the afternoon.

Han Wei was patrolling at the city gate when he saw Zhou Ning and quickly went to greet him.

"Young Master Zhou, you've arrived. The seal in the North has been calm lately, but things are a bit strange in the Demon Realm."

Zhou Ning asked, "What's unusual?"

Han Wei said, "A few days ago, a patrol of soldiers heard a strange sound on the edge of the demon realm. It sounded like someone was talking, or like the wind."

Upon closer inspection, they discovered a small crack in the seal, from which black mist was seeping out continuously.

They dared not approach and hurried back to report.

Zhou Ning felt a chill run down his spine.

"Take me to see it."

Han Wei led him to the location of the demon realm's seal.

The Demon Realm is sealed in the deepest part of the northern lands, a desolate Gobi Desert.

The Gobi Desert is barren, the land is cracked, and black rocks are exposed on the surface, like scars on the earth.

At the core of the seal is a huge stone tablet, covered with intricate runes and emitting a faint golden light.

But at this moment, a small crack appeared on the surface of the stone tablet, from which black mist seeped out continuously, the mist carrying a bone-chilling cold.

Zhou Ning walked to the stone tablet and placed his hand on the crack.

He could sense a powerful demonic aura surging deep within the crack, different from the aura of the Heavenly Demon, more ancient and more profound.

The demonic aura seemed to be calling to him, its voice low and hoarse, as if it came from the depths of the netherworld.

"Zhou Ning..."

Zhou Ning abruptly withdrew his hand and took a step back. A-Shu looked at him anxiously: "Young Master Zhou, what's wrong?"

Zhou Ning shook his head: "It's nothing. I just heard a voice."

Ashu's expression changed.

"It is the true emperor; he is calling you."

Zhou Ning asked, "Why did he call out to me?"

Ashu said, "Because your righteous energy has a natural restraining effect on the seal, he sensed your aura and wants you to help him break the seal."

Zhou Ning was silent for a moment, then said, "I won't help him."

He walked to the stone tablet again and poured the power of Dao into the crack.

A purple-gold light enveloped the crack, and the black mist began to dissipate.

The crack began to heal slowly, but very slowly, as if some force was stopping it.

Just then, that deep voice rang in his mind again.

"Zhou Ning, do you think you can seal me away?"

Zhou Ning said coldly, "I won't let you come out and harm people."

The voice laughed, a laugh full of mockery.

"Harm people? What do you know? I have been sealed away for thousands of years and have never harmed a single person."

Those so-called "righteous people" sealed me away in order to seize the treasures of the demon realm. They are the thieves; I am the victim.

Zhou Ning said, "Your servant Ashu said that if you are born, the Three Realms will be filled with blood."

The voice paused for a moment, then said, "Ashu is a good boy, but he is too young and doesn't know any better."

I was born not to harm people, but to reclaim what belongs to the demon realm.

Those treasures were left behind by the ancestors of the Demon Realm, belonging to the people of the Demon Realm. They were stolen, and I will take them back.

Zhou Ning said, "Then you can negotiate with the Righteous Alliance instead of resorting to violence."

The voice laughed: "Negotiation? Are they willing to negotiate? They only know how to suppress with force."

This was true a thousand years ago, and it will be true a thousand years from now.

Zhou Ning, I've heard Ashu talk about you. You're an upright person, and I don't want to be your enemy.

But don't let those so-called "righteous people" blind you.

Zhou Ning remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "I will find out the truth. If what you say is true, I will help you. But if you are lying to me, I will not show any mercy."

The voice said, "Alright. I'll wait for your answer."

The black mist in the crack gradually dissipated, and the cracks on the stone tablet stopped widening.

Zhou Ning withdrew his hand and exhaled a long breath.

Han Wei asked, "Young Master Zhou, how is it?"

Zhou Ning said, "Things are stable for now. But this is not a long-term solution. I need time to find out the truth from a thousand years ago."

Han Wei nodded: "Is there anything you need me to do?"

Zhou Ning said, "Help me find out who sealed the True Emperor of the Demon Realm a thousand years ago, and why."

Han Wei said, "Okay. I'll take care of it right away."

Zhou Ning took A-Shu and left the Demon Realm seal.