Chapter 122: The Demonic Breath Suddenly Splits

When Gu Qiu mentioned the northwest direction, Ji Yao’s first thought was the Forbidden Demon Land. Her intuition told her that this so-called "Demon-Devourer" likely originated from there.

Now that Gu Qiu had sealed a wisp of it, the entity must have been injured, which would explain why it fled toward the northwest. If Gu Qiu followed this direction and it truly led to the Forbidden Demon Land, should she go or stay?

If she stayed, she would have to remain at the Xuanji Sect waiting for Gu Qiu’s return. If she went, she would have a legitimate excuse to follow. However, Ji Yao dared not gamble on whether Gu Qiu’s sharp mind would discern her true motives for wanting to visit the Forbidden Demon Land.

Regardless, she would take things one step at a time. She had to travel northwest, not only because of the task at hand but also to solve the lingering mystery surrounding her own origins.

As for He Xiuyuan, she had initially thought it best to leave him to the Nine Buddha Temple; after all, it made no difference if they took in one or two. Having He Xiuyuan as a companion for Jue Chen would make the "Pure Yang Physique" seem less rare. Furthermore, He Xiuyuan himself was well-acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of such a constitution; having entered the monastic life from the secular world, he hardly needed further tempering.

The Nine Buddha Temple had spent a drop of Nine-Heart Lotus Dew and half a Bodhi seed, and in just one day, He Xiuyuan had fully recovered. Seeing him for the first time after his restoration, Ji Yao could not help but admire his handsome appearance. He truly was a dapper figure, more than capable of capturing the hearts of many women.

Looking at He Xiuyuan’s actual features and then at Jue Chen, a thought echoed in Ji Yao’s mind: the difference between having hair and being shaven is indeed significant; a bald head is the ultimate litmus test for a man’s true looks. However, she finally understood why Gu Qiu had spoken to her the way he did upon meeting their group. Men with a Pure Yang Physique seemed to possess an innate, special charisma that made it difficult for ordinary people not to focus their attention on them.

Regardless of their looks, it had nothing to do with her anymore. Since He Xiuyuan had accepted the favor of the Nine Buddha Temple, he had to fulfill his original promise. Soon, he would be addressing Jue Chen as a fellow disciple. He had been assigned to Master Wushi, receiving the dharma name "Jue Yuan"—a name Ji Yao found amusing, as it sounded like the word for "insulation," as if the temple were explicitly telling him he would never leave its gates.

There had been a small incident regarding this. For some unknown reason, ever since meeting Gu Qiu again, He Xiuyuan had become his number-one fan. Before his tonsure, he had the whimsical idea to ask Gu Qiu to teach him swordsmanship. Ji Yao and Ling Ru had giggled about this for quite a while, until Gu Qiu’s face darkened, and he unceremoniously picked up He Xiuyuan and tossed him back to Jue Chen.

When the day came for their departure, Jue Chen had intended to accompany them, but as soon as his new junior brother, Jue Yuan, appeared, Gu Qiu flatly refused to let Jue Chen join.

"Second Senior Brother, you have no grace at all!"

The three of them did not travel by flying boat this time. Gu Qiu explained that they needed to monitor the movements of the demonic aura to ensure everyone’s safety, so they were all to travel by sword. Ji Yao immediately voiced her opposition, suspecting Gu Qiu of settling a personal score.

"Save that talk for when we encounter danger, Junior Sister," Gu Qiu replied calmly, without his usual banter.

The ice crystal in Gu Qiu’s hand had appeared once more, and the wisp of demonic aura within it could be seen pulsing as if it were alive. His expression turned solemn as he halted their advance, keeping a close watch on the surroundings.

The atmosphere suddenly stagnated. Clusters of black, silk-like gas emerged from the ground, slowly converging to seal Gu Qiu and his two companions in the center.