This Is Not the Female Demon Lord I Remembered

The Sword Intent lingering in the void was the best proof left behind by the battle. Even though much of it seemed to be incomplete due to the restoration of the Secret Realm, Chen Hua was still able to infer a great deal about what had happened from these traces.

"Although we did successfully slay the White Tiger Envoy, there was indeed a significant element of luck involved."

Eyes downcast, Liang Yi sighed. Even now, recalling the recent battle sent shivers down his spine; had there been any missteps, the consequences would have been catastrophic.

They had planned to restrain the White Tiger Envoy's Law Domain as much as possible, to ensure that even if grievously injured, he would not choose to flee with his domain. However, the damage to the White Tiger Envoy's domain was not as disabling as they had anticipated, which even allowed him to block the decisive strike from his junior fellow sister!

They had also planned for Uncle Ju to lay in ambush and restrict the White Tiger Envoy's movements at a crucial moment, ensuring Liang Yi and Su Youyi's sword strikes wouldn't be dodged.

But the truth was, even with the White Tiger Envoy's body restrained, he was still able to parry their combined attack. Even Uncle Ju had risked a great deal by entering the attack range of Liang Yi and Su Youyi, willing to sustain severe injuries rather than allowing the White Tiger Envoy to move even an inch.

"Luck is also a part of strength. Surviving is a testament to one's power, and no one can live this long without a bit of luck."

Chen Hua shook his head composedly, correcting Liang Yi's words, for even he couldn't deny the critical importance of luck sometimes.

However, Fang Zhi often mentioned to him that Liang Yi's fortune was like a vast, unfathomable rainbow, so it was no surprise that his life was a bit tougher than others'.

"Killing the White Tiger Envoy is a testament to your ability. Even when I was at your Realm, I wouldn't have deliberately sought trouble from a cultivator of the Eighth Realm."

Chen Hua patted Liang Yi's shoulder approvingly.

"It's the result of everyone's collective effort. Without any one person, success would have surely been impossible."

Liang Yi was somewhat embarrassed by Chen Hua's praise.

Yet, he knew that everyone involved in this operation, whether it was Wan Tinggui who formulated the plan, Uncle Ju who firmly held down the White Tiger Envoy, Yue Bai who operated the arrays to face the enemy, or his junior fellow sister who delivered the killing blow, were all much more competent than he was.

"Is this little fellow the new White Tiger?"

Chen Hua's gaze fell on the trembling little white tiger in Yue Bai's hands, sensing a unique power from him—a power that must be from one of the legendary Four Divine Beasts.

"Mmm, after the White Tiger Envoy died, I'm not clear where this little guy sprang from, but he clung to me."

Liang Yi nodded. The presence of the White Tiger was too obvious, and there was nothing to hide.

"If it clings to you, then take it with you. It will be a great help as it grows."

Chen Hua took a brief look and didn't perceive any aura of the White Tiger Envoy from this young White Tiger, which presumably was a true Divine Beast by birth.

Su Youyi and Uncle Ju only then noticed there was a little creature in Yue Bai's hands.

"So cute..."

Gazing at the frightened yet adorably endearing little white tiger, Su Youyi's eyes lit up.

Seeing this White Tiger reminded her of Yue Bai.

Yue Bai was born half-human, half-fox, and with his increasingly rich bloodline, he could potentially take on the appearance of a nine-tailed fox from Qingqiu, probably just as cute.

As for Uncle Ju, maybe the Grand Saint of Nine Spirits race was too unique, thereby unable to transform into a human form like other members of the Demon Clan.

"This little guy looks kind of unique."

Uncle Ju was bubbling with interest, floating next to the little White Tiger and playfully teasing it.

Watching Uncle Ju continually teasing the little White Tiger, Liang Yi suddenly thought, "In some sense, could Uncle Ju be considered both the father and mother of the White Tiger?"

"Haha, got a kid before even having a partner."

Liang Yi mused with inward amusement.

"Let's head back first. Youyi's injuries cannot be suppressed for long and need to be tended to promptly."

Chen Hua no longer focused on the White Tiger Envoy; instead, he re-investigated the Secret Realm, ensuring the complete dispersion of the White Tiger Envoy's Divine Soul before speaking to Liang Yi and the others.

"Wan friend, will you return with us?"

Su Youyi turned to look at Wan Tinggui, asking curiously.

"No, I still have matters to attend to. The death of the White Tiger Envoy presents a perfect opportunity to infiltrate the Abyss. We can't give the Devouring Spirit Sect time to react."

Wan Tinggui shook her head with a serious expression. She was indeed telling the truth; now that the White Tiger Envoy was dead there was plenty she needed to do.

"The Cultivation Technique I promised you has been almost fully refined, with only the last few details to perfect. Let me know when you have time to come over, and I'll have Liang Yi pass it to you."

Chen Hua remembered the promise he made to Wan Tinggui and the reward he owed her.

"No hurry, I trust in the virtues of the Banished Immortal senior. Once I've finished what I need to handle, I'll come over."

Wan Tinggui smiled, her expression restrained yet polite as she waved her hand.

"You needn't worry about the crack in the sky. After I leave, it will naturally restore itself in a while and won't cause any impact on the mystical wonders of the Treasure Vault."

Chen Hua wasn't unscrupulous enough to split someone's treasure in two and then act as if nothing had happened.

"Then we'll wait for you at the place we agreed upon earlier," Liang Yi told Wan Tinggui with a nod.

"I have some matters I want to discuss with you when the time comes."

Regarding the people who defected from the Devouring Spirit Sect, Liang Yi still had some thoughts that needed to be confirmed with Wan Tinggui. Now was not the right time to talk, so they would have to wait until next time.

"Okay!"

Although curious, Wan Tinggui promptly agreed.

"Let's go then."

Chen Hua nodded at Wan Tinggui as a signal, and in the surge of Sword Qi, he enveloped Liang Yi and the others, vanishing like a wisp of smoke in the next instant.

"Sigh... it's finally over."

Wan Tinggui silently watched Liang Yi and the rest leave, letting out a long sigh of relief.

Not long after Chen Hua's departure, the Black Tortoise Envoy, dressed in a humble earthen-gray robe like a village farmer, and a mysterious woman in black gauze appeared together, tearing through space to arrive.

"Saintess!"

As soon as they appeared, they looked at Wan Tinggui with worried eyes, wanting to check for any signs of injury on the Saintess.

"Senior Ling, Aunt Wen, I'm fine."

Faced with their concerned gaze, Wan Tinggui couldn't help but shake her head with a smile, indicating that she was unharmed.

The Black Tortoise Envoy Ling Dongsheng and Aunt Wen Mengxia, who had once served her mother, were both close confidants who followed her. They were the reason why Wan Tinggui could safely defect from the Devouring Spirit Sect without harm.

Aunt Wen had been her mother's maid and the one who had taken care of her since childhood.

Ling Dongsheng, on the other hand, had gradually found more and more conflict with the ideology led by Tian Anyu of the Devouring Spirit Sect. Originally just a village farmer who disliked killing, after repaying the debt for leading him into the Cultivation World, he had secretly pledged allegiance to Wan Tinggui.

He hoped that one day the Saintess would allow him to return to a quiet and peaceful life.

"Saintess, this action was really too dangerous. Please don't do something like this again, ok?"

Wen Mengxia looked at the girl she had watched grow up with a heart full of concern, sincerely hoping that Wan Tinggui wouldn't have to bear such pressures and carry such hatred, that she could just be happy.

"Aunt Wen, look, I'm fine, right? With the help of Senior Banished Immortal, the hidden danger of the Devouring Spirit Scripture has been removed, and from now on, we will no longer have those shackles on us."

Wan Tinggui said calmly, a smile on her face as she took Wen Mengxia's still somewhat wrinkled hands.

Since the day her mother was killed by that man, Aunt Wen had been serving her in secret, growing up in the shadows.

Bearing all the humiliation within the Devouring Spirit Sect, besides seeking revenge for her mother, she had only one desire: to raise her to adulthood.

Wan Tinggui couldn't imagine how she would have managed those dark days of her childhood without Aunt Wen by her side.

Therefore, for Wan Tinggui, there was no one more important than Aunt Wen in this world now, and there were many dangerous things she was unwilling to let Aunt Wen do.

"It won't happen again."

Wen Mengxia's brow furrowed slightly; she spoke with a hint of reprimand in her voice.

"Alright, alright, next time I will definitely listen to you, Aunt Wen."

A splendid smile that had never been shown in front of others appeared on Wan Tinggui's face, ephemeral as a night-blooming cereus.

Liang Yi would be utterly astonished if he were here.

Wan Tinggui had indeed smiled in their presence before, but it was always very faint, maintaining a deliberate distance.

Her looks were no less beautiful than Su Youyi, yet to the average person's eye, she seemed more mysterious than strikingly beautiful.

"Saintess, everyone is waiting for your next instructions."

Ling Dongsheng timely reminded her at this moment.

In their eyes, besides the Saintess's exceptional talent, her strategic mind was the most convincing aspect for them; often they did not need to think for themselves, just following the Saintess's instructions was enough to achieve their goals.

"Yes, let's first take this Secret Realm back with us, call back those who are lurking in the Abyss, and after mastering the improved Devouring Spirit Scripture from Senior Banished Immortal, we can then take further actions."

Wan Tinggui nodded and ordered Ling Dongsheng and Wen Mengxia to start preparing.

Neither Ling Dongsheng nor Wen Mengxia had any objections to cultivating the Banished Immortal's improved version of the Devouring Spirit Scripture. In fact, Ling Dongsheng's talent was not on par with Bai Sheng's, or, to put it another way, none of the Four Spirits Envoys could compare to Bai Sheng.

Bai Sheng had been able to create a unique Cultivation Technique for himself, which others did not have the ability to do.

Currently, Zhou Yuqing, after separating from the Devouring Spirit Sect, had already abandoned the Devouring Spirit Scripture and turned to seclusion to practice other First-grade Cultivation Techniques.

Meanwhile, the Black Tortoise Envoy and Aunt Wen Mngxia were still practicing the Devouring Spirit Scripture.

Since Wan Tinggui completely trusted the Banished Immortal, they naturally would not disagree.

Furthermore, the Banished Immortal's character was well-known across the Mystical Mechanism Continent, let alone to them who had once stood as opponents.

Though somewhat eccentric, the Banished Immortal had led a life that could be called upright and forthright; even when approaching others' Mountain Gates, he always carved his path with the sword in hand.

So, for requesting the Banished Immortal's help in modifying the Devouring Spirit Scripture, they felt very reassured.