Demonic Insanity

Wang Xuanzhi, accompanied by several Elders of the Fourth Layer of Qi Refinement, passed through the gates of the Raging River Sect. Their flying swords gleamed coldly under the sun as they sliced through the sky at breakneck speed.

Whoosh...

The wind billowed through Wang Xuanzhi's long robes, but his thoughts were far more turbulent than the gusts around him. From this height, the vast plains below stretched out like an ancient scroll, yet he paid them no mind. His focus was elsewhere—on the unsettling reality that, with him and the Elders attending the Three-Sect Summit, the Raging River Sect was effectively defenseless.

'If the Blood Fiend attacks now...'

His lips pressed into a thin line. Such a scenario would be an irreparable disaster, but what choice did they have? The Raging River Sect alone could not withstand that monster. From what they had witnessed of its power—the way it had effortlessly claimed the lives of three disciples—it was beyond doubt that the creature had surpassed the Third Layer of Qi Refinement.

'Qi Refinement—the lowest stage of cultivation… Yet, even at this level, one could wield enough strength to be a harbinger of death in the Eastern Continent.'

His eyes narrowed slightly. "But, what if it has reached the Foundation Establishment realm? Or worse… the Golden Core?"

'If that were the case, even if all three sects combined their forces, we might still stand no chance.'

A deep crease formed between his brows. 'But why would it target small sects like ours?'

Unbeknownst to Wang Xuanzhi, the Eastern Great Wall had already fallen, the Ling Clan had been eradicated, and the Feng Clan was on the brink of collapse. As the wandering demons from the Eastern Wastes crept further inland, the exiled ones, too, were moving in the shadows. A storm was brewing—one that would consume everything in its wake.

---

Far from Wang Xuanzhi, Ling Yun strode leisurely toward a weathered wooden hut, a faint smile playing on his lips. As he arrived, he found Jing standing in the courtyard, dressed in fresh robes, her expression solemn with anticipation.

The young girl bowed respectfully the moment she saw him. "Elder, it's time for me to return to the Raging River Sect."

Ling Yun stroked his graying beard, his tone unhurried. "Hmm… In that case, perhaps I'll come with you. There are a few things I need to procure. Besides, I recently came across some spirit herbs—I'll need to trade them for a few spirit stones."

Jing's eyes lit up. She had fond memories of visiting the riverside town, though she usually went with Old Zhou.

Ling Yun caught the flicker of excitement in her gaze and chuckled. "Jing, you're my brother's daughter—it's only natural that I look after you. Don't worry, I may be an old man on borrowed time, but I'm not entirely useless yet!"

Then, from the wide sleeve of his robe, he pulled out a small wooden token and handed it to her.

"Listen well, Jing. This is a technique of my own creation. It's not yet perfected, but if you practice diligently, it will aid your cultivation."

Jing froze for a moment. Then, as if her excitement had suddenly erupted, she leaped forward and threw her arms around Ling Yun.

She understood all too well that in the world of cultivation, no one simply handed over their techniques. What Ling Yun had given her was more than a mere gift—it was an unbreakable bond between master and disciple.

Without hesitation, she knelt before him, her voice trembling with emotion. "Elder Ling! I swear on my life—I will devote myself completely to mastering and perfecting this technique!"

Ling Yun nodded slowly. "My child, mortal or immortal… everyone who is born must one day leave this world. But do you know what true immortality is?"

Jing hesitated, pondering for a moment before replying uncertainly, "Elder… Do you mean achieving longevity? Gaining power on par with the Lords of the Central Continent?"

Ling Yun chuckled softly, yet there was something unreadable in his gaze—something Jing was not yet able to comprehend.

He stroked his chin, shaking his head gently.

"You're not wrong, Jing. Power is important… but what is more important than power?"

Jing remained silent, her brows furrowing as she searched for an answer.

Ling Yun's voice deepened, his tone carrying the weight of a truth few could grasp.

"Immortality is when your path continues, even after your death. That is true eternity. Power? It vanishes with the grave. But the path you walk—if it influences even a single soul—it will never fade."

A gentle breeze stirred the courtyard, rustling the hem of his robes. His gaze lifted toward the sky, as if he saw something in its depths that others could not.

"And for someone like me, who is only a few breaths away from death… I understand this truth better than anyone."

He paused, then murmured with a bitter smile,

"You know… sometimes, enlightenment comes so late that you almost wish you had never found it at all."

Life had never been kind. Jing had known that since childhood—since the day she was told she had no star in the heavens. And later, when she learned that this very lack of a star was why she had been cast out of her home.

Her crime was simple: she was born starless.

That truth alone had changed the course of her life forever. But was that change necessarily a bad thing? No one could say. If it had never happened, she might never have met Old Zhou. Perhaps Old Zhou, who had stood at the edge of despair back then, would never have been saved. Perhaps her father's cruel decision to cast her out had only seemed merciless on the surface, while in reality, it had set her on another path—one that led her to the world of cultivation, to life in the mountains, and ultimately… to the Heavenly Demon.

But did understanding this intricate web of fate change anything? Did knowing the reasons behind it all ease the ache in her heart?

Ling Yun said nothing. He cast a brief glance at Jing, then turned and stepped into the hut. After changing into a fresh set of robes, he emerged once more, and together, the two of them disappeared along the winding mountain path.

After days of isolation, Ling Yun was ready to set foot in a new city once again.

But this time, he would not enter as a captive prince.

This time, he was merely Old Ling.

Yet the real question remained—what did the Heavenly Demon seek from this city?

Was disaster looming? Would a formidable foe stand in his way? Or would everything unfold just as planned?

---

At the Three-Sect Summit, the three great leaders sat around a table, as tradition dictated.

The chamber was dim, the only light filtering in through a small window. But unlike past gatherings, this time, there were not just three people in attendance.

A fourth figure sat slightly farther back, cloaked in shadow.

With deliberate ease, he raised a folding fan, waving it lightly before his face. Then, in a voice both calm and commanding, he spoke:

"We must prepare for battle immediately. The demons have breached the Eastern Great Wall—they're already on their way here."

A heavy silence settled over the room.

He continued, his voice steady.

"Before long, reinforcements from the Central Continent, the Northern Plains, and the Eastern Council will converge here. We need to be ready for war... as much as possible."

A faint smile touched his lips. After a brief pause, he murmured even softer than before:

"As for the Blood Fiend… it seems our timing may have been miscalculated."

His eyes narrowed.

"If one of the Blood Demons—the exiled ones cast into the Lost Eastern Lands long ago—has made its way back here… then the demon army may not be far behind."

The air grew dense, oppressive.

No one spoke.

Yet within the silence, an unspoken truth loomed—one they all understood but wished to avoid saying aloud.