Chapter Ninety-Four: Passing Each Other By

Amidst the vast and indistinct world, Jade Fragment cared for nothing. She only knew that Misty Dust had pulled her along, and she followed closely as they ran. Relying on the Wind-Stabilizing Pearl, their return was safe and smooth, and they were nearly at the bridgehead when a towering wall of gray suddenly blocked their way.

Misty Dust realized the fire servant must have reported to his master before dying; if they did not escape in time, they would be trapped, helpless prey. She urged Jade Fragment to retreat several yards, drew her bowstring, and summoned a mighty wave, the tide surging on both banks.

The sonic onslaught was truly terrifying, bearing the power to rend heaven and earth. Yet, as soon as it entered the gray wall, it vanished without a sound. Frowning deeply, Misty Dust unleashed several more attacks, all futile.

Jade Fragment watched, astonished. “How can this be?” she exclaimed, drawing her twin swords and calling out, “Mist sister, let me help you.”

In that instant, their spectral forms appeared again. Two streams of dragon and tiger energies converged, sweeping straight toward the gray wall.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the bridge, Locust Lord received Jade Fragment’s wooden bird and hurried to consult with Pure Crane, casting aside all concerns about the matter of Quiet Man. The most urgent task now was to rescue the two trapped within.

They had long anticipated risks, considered countless possibilities, but never imagined the final barrier would hinder their return. Pure Crane handed the message back to Locust Lord, gazing at the gray wall with a grave expression. “This place is strange. Let us combine our strength for a swift resolution.”

“Agreed.” Locust Lord nodded, summoning the Silver Wolf. Determination filled his eyes.

As long as the two could be rescued, everything else would be negotiable.

Immediately, the pair launched combined attacks, their thunderous assault matching Misty Dust and Jade Fragment’s efforts. Yet, even with the combined power of four, the scene before them merely wavered; not a single crack appeared.

This result astonished not only Misty Dust and Jade Fragment but also Pure Crane and Locust Lord, who were left speechless, calling it unbelievable.

“How can this be?” Locust Lord stared at the Silver Wolf, doubting his own eyes. He had clearly sensed the power of Misty Dust and Jade Fragment during the exchange. Why, then, was the outcome so dire?

“Let’s try again,” he insisted, refusing to give up. Pure Crane was equally perplexed. They tried again and again, but nothing changed.

Just then, Quiet Man arrived. “It’s useless. I’ve heard that ordinary folk need two treasures to enter and leave this place. One is your Wind-Stabilizing Pearl; the other is said to be a wooden hairpin that can transform into a sword, specifically meant to break this wall.”

“Why didn’t you say so earlier? What’s the point of telling us now?” Everyone was already inside—wasn’t it all in vain?

Quiet Man glanced at Locust Lord. “I just remembered, and it’s only a rumor—who knows if it’s true? If you don’t believe me, wouldn’t I seem like someone with ulterior motives?”

“You—”

“That’s enough,” Pure Crane interjected, scolding them both. With furrowed brows, he said, “This is my fault. I once saw that woman use the wooden hairpin sword, but in my haste to rejoin you on Emperor’s Island, I only took the Wind-Stabilizing Pearl and neglected the hairpin, thus missing the sword. Who would have thought we’d need it today? Alas…”

He was clearly filled with regret.

Locust Lord grew anxious. If so, what would become of the Tower Master? What of Jade Fragment?

Unable to help himself, he turned to Quiet Man, disregarding any previous reservations. “What should we do?”

“Don’t look at me. I have no solution.”

…

Elsewhere, Scarlet Adornment was enjoying herself in the waterside pavilion when she suddenly saw the sky ablaze with vibrant colors. Flowers bloomed everywhere, and she sensed trouble.

She quickly summoned Green Coin to the pavilion and herself darted out from the cave. She collided headlong with Green Coin, who hurried inside and bowed, asking, “Demon Lord?”

Scarlet Adornment paced, then stopped before Green Coin, speaking solemnly, “Take your men to Yin Mountain Lake immediately. Whoever emerges from within—kill without mercy.”

“What has happened?” Even the Demon Lord, who always concealed her emotions, now showed rare panic.

“That is not your concern. Do as I say, and quickly—understood?” Scarlet Adornment repeated her instructions, urging Green Coin to depart at once.

Though Green Coin was confused, she assembled her troops and sent them to Yin Mountain Lake via the secret passage.

Scarlet Adornment knew well: if she could not suppress matters this time, the truth of the Goddess Hall would soon be exposed.

At this critical moment, she could not allow any mistake.

Green Coin moved swiftly, while Pure Crane, after repeated attempts, still found the gray wall unyielding, and Jade Fragment within grew increasingly frantic.

At that moment, a dark tide of demon soldiers pressed closer from the sky. The three declared their predicament, but faced with imminent doom, they had no solution.

Just as all were desperate and at a loss, someone suddenly tore through the void and arrived.

Pure Crane struck first, his sword flashing cold and swift.

The newcomer blocked the sword with a crimson blade and said, “Wait—do not attack. I am not your enemy.”

“Who are you?” Pure Crane withdrew his sword, sensing the absence of murderous intent.

“This can be explained later. Let me break this barrier.”

“You have a method?”

The newcomer did not answer, only bowing to Pure Crane. “Please step back, all of you. I am about to act.”

“Very well, Brother Yun, please proceed.”

Pure Crane, Locust Lord, and Quiet Man retreated ten miles, only to see Green Coin arriving with her army.

Green Coin’s eyes were cold. With a wave, she commanded, “Move in.”

In an instant, demon soldiers surged forward in waves, encircling the three.

Locust Lord quickly pressed his back to Pure Crane. “What now?”

He referred not to the demon soldiers, but to the Bridge of Solitude.

Pure Crane thought fast. Knowing he must give Misty Dust and her companions time, he called out loudly, “Break through—leave this place!”

“Good.”

Quiet Man remained silent, knowing he was far inferior to Locust Lord. Speaking less was the best way to stay alive—especially after learning Locust Lord’s secret.

Thus, seeing him again, Quiet Man chose to avoid confrontation, not seeking to outshine him.

Pure Crane seized the opportunity and whispered, “Now!”

The three plunged into the demon soldiers, charging desperately for survival.

The ensuing battle was fierce, but Green Coin, standing above the clouds, remained unmoved, her eyes devoid of warmth as she watched the combat unfold.

Her gaze swept toward the Bridge of Solitude, uncertain. Yet, seeing Pure Crane and the others fighting to the death, her doubts dissipated.

No matter what, Bai Li Pure Crane was on the Demon Lord’s kill list. He came from that direction, so she could not let him escape.

Eliminating him would relieve the Demon Lord of a major concern.

Pure Crane observed everything, exchanged glances with Locust Lord and Quiet Man, and fought all the harder.

It seemed they were desperate to break free.

But the three were masters, and the demon soldiers were fierce, making the struggle both difficult and perilous.

Just so, Green Coin resolved to eliminate Pure Crane first, inadvertently buying Misty Dust valuable time.

Yet Green Coin, as the Demon Lord’s attendant, soon realized the delay was problematic. She urged her cloud to speed forward, bypassing the others in an instant.

Seeing her about to reach the forest, Pure Crane swung his sword, slaying countless foes and leaping forward to block her path.

Green Coin sneered. “So there was deception after all.”

She raised her jade palms and advanced swiftly on Pure Crane. Her moves were graceful, her palms soft as willow, but swift and fierce, each capable of shattering mountains.

A single blow from her would cripple, if not kill.

Pure Crane knew her prowess. He countered with sword and palm, the interplay adding endless intrigue.

In a flash, they exchanged dozens of blows. Green Coin, anxious to reach the Bridge of Solitude, attacked ever faster, several times grazing Pure Crane’s vital points.

“Bai Li Pure Crane, do you know what happens if you offend me?”

“My experience is shallow—I do not. But if you wish to pass, I cannot allow it.” Pure Crane raised his sword, which swept like spring wind, shifting forms and suddenly thrusting at Green Coin’s face.

She sensed danger, but the sword was too quick. She barely dodged, yet a lock of her hair was sliced off.

Before she could recover, Pure Crane pressed forward, sword against jade palm, rings of metal clashing. Green Coin wrapped his sword in her palms, spun, flipped beneath it, and struck for Pure Crane’s abdomen.

At the moment of contact, Pure Crane unleashed a fierce wind.

Sensing something amiss, Green Coin withdrew instantly.

The wind was formidable, sinking the earth three feet, its aftershock darkening her face.

“You are indeed someone the Demon Lord values. You have proven your worth,” she said, her aura shifting unpredictably, demonic power shaking the land.

Her feet left the ground as she floated upward, looking down arrogantly. “You are qualified.”

With that, her hands intertwined, gathering black energy in her palms. A solitary, majestic wolf howled, then charged like lightning at Pure Crane.

Pure Crane’s expression changed. He quickly raised his sword to block, his body pushed back several feet. He stomped, used the mountain-moving technique to halt his retreat, gripping his sword to withstand Green Coin’s terrifying strike.

He felt a chill. Was this the true power of the demon realm? And the Demon Lord—how much greater must her strength be?

“Bai Li Pure Crane, you cannot withstand my Black Ink Qi; you cannot save those behind you. Why not die quickly?”

“…Even ants cling to life—how much more so people? The world is bitter, but beauty remains. To yield so easily would disgrace this life.”

“Just struggling.”

“Not so. You are admirable, but to exchange your power for my life? I fear even my sword would object.”

With that, Pure Crane rallied, forcefully repelling the black wolf, which dissolved into black mist around Green Coin.

Her eyes narrowed. She raised her hand, palm enveloping the air.

Pure Crane stood his ground, sword straight, its resonance echoing. A strike: Boundless heavens, power reaching everywhere. Brilliant light and pure energy overwhelmed Green Coin’s fierce palm.

The heavens collapsed, the earth sank—Yin Mountain Lake was diminished. The center vanished from their attacks, like a seven-tiered pagoda missing its middle level. Yet the tower was not destroyed, nor the mountain toppled. Both held back, Pure Crane mindful of Misty Dust and the others.

Green Coin, too, worried about the Three Devils—this place was once their home. They were absent now, but who knew if they might return? If things went too far, it could harm the Demon Lord.

Furthermore, Hu Xihe was entangled at Hundred Marvel Peak; to offend the Three Devils now was unnecessary. Though Hundred Marvel Peak was under attack, it was actually a trap. As the Demon Lord said, bad intentions were true, but the mistake had ironically benefited the demon realm. Otherwise, they would have no grounds for formal enmity.

Thus, Hu Xihe was fate.

Suddenly, the world shook violently. Green Coin muttered, “This is bad.”

She abandoned Pure Crane and rushed toward the Bridge of Solitude.

But Pure Crane would not let her succeed. Without hesitation, he intercepted her once more.

Then Misty Dust’s voice rang out: “Pure Crane, go!”

Immediately, Pure Crane feinted, forced Green Coin back, and vanished in a leap.

Locust Lord and Quiet Man also retreated, disappearing in an instant.

Green Coin hovered in the void for a long moment before issuing a cold command.

“Withdraw.”