Chapter 574: Heavenly Demon... is Crippled

Mei Wenhua, the Tianmo who had ventured deeply into Honghuang, had been captured.

As the most favored child of her mother, from the perspective of Honghuang, she was equivalent to a princess among the Tianmo clan, the most satisfactory attendant to the Shengzhe.

Yet, during the process of preparing to invade the Daoxin of Honghuang cultivators, she had been seized by hand.

Mei Wenhua admitted that she had acted impulsively at the time, having discovered an exceptional host body and feeling certain of victory, so she hadn't carefully sensed the situation before rushing in while the opponent's Daoxin was fluctuating.

But Mei Wenhua truly hadn't expected that any being could casually grasp her true form and pull her out from the void shadows.

This exceeded her understanding of herself and of Honghuang's creatures.

Suddenly...

"Thank you for your assistance this time."

Who was exchanging words beside her, allowing her to overhear such a conversation?

A female cultivator's voice said:

"Is this a domain-external Tianmo? Even in human form, it's quite attractive."

Another male voice responded:

"Based on my knowledge of Tianmo, this should be a variant, and one of a high rank at that. This appearance is merely shaped by someone...

Could I ask you to try and stir the sealed seven emotions within her?

I want to conduct some in-depth research."

"Oh, no need to be so polite with us, Lord Xingjun!

Although you left us here and didn't bother with us anymore, we can't blame you for that.

After all, it's thanks to you that we can wander around freely outside."

"Heavenly Court affairs are busy, Heavenly Court affairs are busy—don't mind, don't mind..."

'Is this the Honghuang creature that captured me?'

Such a thought arose in Mei Wenhua's mind as her perceptual abilities had partially recovered, and she began to fully sense her surroundings.

There was a repulsive Tian Dao force flowing around her;

She seemed to be sealed, and according to her mother's restrictions, her body would automatically transform into the innate Dao body state that Honghuang creatures pursued.

Of course, Mei Wenhua's true form didn't look like this;

Her most comfortable state was a hazy gray mist, allowing her body to extend freely in the Chaos Sea, like spreading a net and letting fragments of Dao principles brush against every wisp of her mist, producing an indescribable pleasure.

This wouldn't do.

Such a vulgar pursuit, like self-indulgence, shouldn't appear in her.

She was the attendant chosen by the Shengzhe, originally without any superfluous name or the seven emotions and six desires of Honghuang creatures.

She only followed orders, only obeyed her mother's will, and after being sealed by her mother, she followed the Shengzhe.

But to facilitate entry into Honghuang, the Shengzhe granted her a name.

Mei Wenhua, a very beautiful name.

After countless moments of distraction, Mei Wenhua and her three companions were summoned by their Shengzhe and received their mission.

As expected, it was related to Honghuang creatures.

This time, the Shengzhe ordered them to sneak into the Honghuang world, possess some exceptionally beautiful female cultivators, attempt to approach Taibai Jinxing of the Heavenly Court, become his close associates, and then await further commands.

Mei Wenhua's progress was much smoother than her companions'; after possessing a female cultivator's Daoxin, she directly arrived in the Five Parts Continents of Honghuang.

To evade Tian Dao's search, Mei Wenhua began constantly changing her host.

While most Tianmo took pride in infiltrating the Daoxin of powerful cultivators, Mei Wenhua wasn't picky;

As long as a creature had some spiritual essence, she could choose to possess it.

Honghuang had informants from the Tianmo clan, though some had been eliminated by that detestable divine beast Diting, remnants were still operating.

Mei Wenhua received news that in this gathering place of mortals, Heavenly Court immortals were likely to appear today.

Sure enough, having arrived and lain in wait a few days earlier, she sensed the aura of a group of Heavenly Court fairies.

Everything seemed incredibly smooth, and it appeared Tian Dao hadn't detected her traces.

Heh, the Honghuang Tian Dao was nothing special.

Just as Mei Wenhua was trying to find a suitable fairy's Daoxin to possess and hide, she struggled because the Tian Dao force around those fairies was too dense for her to make a move...

Suddenly, Mei Wenhua sensed a significant fluctuation in the Daoxin of a nearby Tianxian-level cultivator.

According to the nature of her clan, such an opportunity couldn't be missed.

Infiltrating the Daoxin of Honghuang cultivators, slowly eroding their will, and finally devouring their Yuan Shen as a delicacy...

Nothing was more beloved by Tianmo.

Oh, except for unfolding their true form in the Chaos Sea and letting Dao principle fragments scrape against them, which was a behavior that led to demonic corruption.

Arrays without Tian Dao reinforcement posed no threat to Mei Wenhua, and soon she located her target.

The moment she saw the one with the fluctuating Daoxin, even a heartless Tianmo like Mei Wenhua was deeply shaken.

Was this the fortune of Honghuang creatures?!

Mei Wenhua could be considered a 'Honghuang expert,' having received countless pieces of information about Honghuang shared by her mother, the Tianmo Zunzhe.

She understood the general principles of Honghuang, but why was it like this...

Decided—it would be her!

This would be the Dao body she used for the final plan, to seduce Taibai Jinxing!

No one could resist her initiative!

At that time, Mei Wenhua was incredibly excited.

Mei Wenhua didn't know why, but despite being supposed to have no emotions, she inexplicably felt excited, charging forward recklessly and eagerly wanting to enter this female cultivator's Daoxin.

—Shadow Crossing Demon, this was a common method for Tianmo possession.

Almost... almost successful.

In the instant her joy was infinitely amplified and she became blindly optimistic, a small hand reached out from the side and grabbed her...

Why was she directly captured?

Why, at that time, did she experience emotional fluctuations that Tianmo shouldn't have?

Why...

"Are you awake?"

A gentle voice came, and Mei Wenhua felt the seals around her loosening slightly, restoring her ability to perceive.

Immediately after, Mei Wenhua made a judgment, imitating the 'body' of Honghuang creatures, deliberately showing some weakness, and slowly 'opened her eyes.'

Tianmo observed their surroundings through perceptual abilities;

But to survive and continue the mission assigned by the Shengzhe, Mei Wenhua would stop at nothing, utilizing all her advantages!

'Before her' was a white-browed, white-haired elder.

He wore a plain white Dao robe and sat behind a low table, holding a brush as if writing something.

Wait...

This aura!

This Dao rhythm!?

It was identical to the aura and Dao rhythm imprinted by the Shengzhe!

Was this the Taibai Jinxing she was seeking?

The surroundings were filled with dense Tian Dao force forming an array, making Mei Wenhua feel like she was trapped in a cage set by Tian Dao.

It was indeed Taibai Jinxing...

The elder spoke without lifting his head, "A subordinate of Kunpeng?"

Mei Wenhua was a bit stunned and forgot to respond for a moment.

The elder, who was likely her target, murmured, "Such a Tianmo that resembles a Honghuang creature is truly rare. It's a specimen with some collectible value."

"You... are you Taibai Jinxing?"

Mei Wenhua asked softly, her voice unexpectedly gentle.

Paired with her current appearance, it was enough to make most cultivators' hearts stir...

But Li Changshou frowned deeply, already pondering a profound question.

Kunpeng...

Was he an old lecher?

Because of this preference, did he end up with Lang Qianqiu?

Otherwise, why would Kunpeng cultivate a Tianmo with such a... such enchanting form?

This domain-external Tianmo was currently in human form, with no hint of danger about her, and her body seemed entirely physical. Li Changshou had even poked her arm earlier, and the sensation was vivid.

Her high-bridged nose, slightly narrow phoenix eyes, sapphire-like pupils, and exquisite features combined into a natural charm, even with a touch of sanctity.

It was completely different from the pitch-black true forms of previous Tianmo.

The only flaw was that her skin was truly snow-white, so white it was almost glaring, lacking a bit of luster.

A combination of 'heart demon' type Tianmo and 'creature-like' type Tianmo?

Especially, she was only wearing a thin skirt...

Kunpeng and Lang Qianqiu wouldn't even spare domain-external Tianmo, would they?

That was too...

Naturally, facing such an external demon, Li Changshou's Daoxin remained unmoved, and he even felt an urge to dissect and study her.

He had to interrogate this Tianmo to extract the causes and consequences; the situation was extremely serious.

A domain-external Tianmo had targeted his Shishu, and Kunpeng's intelligence network might have penetrated the Lin Tian Hall, which he had kept hidden.

Domain-external Tianmo could erode Daoxin, and Kunpeng indeed had the ability to do that.

Thus, Li Changshou appeared calm on the surface, but his mind was racing, thinking about how to pry open this Tianmo's mouth.

This was rare for him; he felt suppressed in 'intelligence work.'

His chances of winning against Kunpeng had dropped sharply as a result.

"What is your name?"

Li Changshou asked warmly, adding, "Don't be afraid; I suspect you are originally a Honghuang creature, but your Daoxin was eroded by heart demons and your memories altered by great divine powers.

I am Taibai Jinxing of the Heavenly Court; you must know that by now."

Second step: Lay a trap and attack both body and mind.

This beautiful Tianmo was clearly stunned.

A Honghuang creature, Daoxin eroded by heart demons, and memories altered by great divine powers?

Mei Wenhua almost laughed out loud.

She was constructed from her mother's original power, born specifically for this day—there was no doubt about that!

But Mei Wenhua said with a trembling voice, "Is that true? But why would Mother deceive me? The Shengzhe wouldn't deceive me either."

Li Changshou: ...

Impressive acting.

"You see," Li Changshou condensed a dagger from immortal power with his fingers, gently waving it and cutting across the Tianmo's arm, a trace of crimson quietly emerging.

This time, the Tianmo was truly stunned.

Mei Wenhua looked at the wound on her arm, the drops of seeping blood, and the slight stinging pain...

How could she have these?

Li Changshou continued writing and drawing on the scroll before him, sighing inwardly. Before the Tianmo could examine it closely, he raised his hand again, restoring the wound on her arm.

"You shouldn't be a Tianmo."

Li Changshou's voice carried a hint of uncertainty. "I can tell you plainly, I stand opposed to Kunpeng, or the Shengzhe as you call him. You have no chance of escape in my hands.

But I'm very interested in your current state and want to conduct some research on the essence of creatures.

I won't make you reveal any information about your plans; that holds no meaning for me.

I can probably guess it anyway—it's just Kunpeng sending you into the Honghuang world to try and approach me, right?"

The Tianmo's eyes were vacant, but Li Changshou could feel she was 'gazing at him' with complex emotions.

This second step was steadily taken.

The Tianmo's tacit acknowledgment of the 'you' implied there were other accomplices.

Third step: Make reasonable guesses and confuse perceptions.

"Go on."

Li Changshou put down his brush. "Tell me about matters related to yourself; maybe I can help you find some clues.

If you were originally a victimized Honghuang creature, I might spare your life and just seal you."

The Tianmo: ...

In this cage-like array, Li Changshou began a special interrogation.

As he had said, he didn't probe into anything related to Kunpeng, nor did he ask about their purpose or plans.

All topics revolved around the Tianmo herself. Whenever she began to affirm that she was a domain-external Tianmo, Li Changshou would provide new hints.

For example, a cut on the arm would bleed and cause pain;

Or, she was supposed to have no emotions, yet now she felt a sense of sorrow.

Even more, she actually experienced a joy from being understood and a satisfaction from being noticed...

These were traits she should have used against Honghuang creatures, but they were manifesting in her step by step.

Why was this happening?

It was simple, really.

If the perspective gradually pulled back, beyond the cage where 'Li Changshou' and the 'beautiful Tianmo' were, it would enter a patch of darkness;

Pulling back further, it would fly out of the chest of this 'Tianmo's' current innate Dao body form.

On that mountaintop, in the great array previously set up by Kong Xuan, Li Changshou sat cross-legged, his left palm holding a treasure pearl and his right hand formed into a sword finger, pointed at the sealed Tianmo 'maiden' before him.

The treasure pearl sealed a wisp of 'origin mirage gas' that Li Changshou had collected in the Asura Ancient City.

Beside Li Changshou and Mei Wenhua, the seven emotions stood quietly, cooperating with Li Changshou's transmissions and occasionally changing an emotion.

This was the first step in deceiving this Tianmo:

The seven emotions illusion, planting demons in the heart!

Even the initial conversation deliberately let the Tianmo overhear was a carefully designed setup with extensive preparation.

Outside the array where Li Changshou, the seven emotions maiden, and the Tianmo 'Mei Wenhua' were:

Dozens of heavenly soldiers used immortal power to form a barrier, hiding the anomalies on this mountaintop. The Jade Emperor's incarnation, Quan Tong, was hidden in the air without showing himself, while Ao Yi, Bian Zhuang, and Longji Princess guarded the outer edge of the illusion array.

At that moment, Jiujiu stood with her hands behind her back in a corner of the outer array.

She wasn't familiar with these Heavenly Court figures and had received Li Changshou's transmission, absolutely not to reveal her identity as the Lin Tian Hall Holy Maiden, so she stood there as a friend of the seven emotions maiden and an immortal from Du Xian Men.

She felt panicked, very panicked.

When she first heard Xiao Shoushou's transmission, Jiujiu felt her Daoxin buzz like an exploded pot, leaving her dizzy and disoriented.

Fortunately, his incarnation arrived quickly and busied himself with dealing with the domain-external Tianmo.

Speaking of which...

Her Daoxin was unstable enough to attract a domain-external Tianmo; it was truly a bit, a bit...

Jiujiu raised her hand to her forehead, gritted her teeth, and stamped her foot!

Hmph, at worst, she could say she returned due to a lack of wine, regroup, and fight again next time!

Then, Jiujiu looked at Longji, who was dressed up for the occasion, knowing that Longji was Li Changshou's disciple and wanting to get close, but feeling a bit embarrassed.

What should she say?

She couldn't just say she was Longevity's Shishu and demand to be called Shishu Ancestor, could she?

Forget it; she'd prepare thoroughly next time.

At least, she should wear her own pretty clothes to have some leverage over her nephew.

Jiujiu was drawn by the movement nearby and looked up;

It was Ao Yi, whom she had met a few times, hooking his arm around another Heavenly Court general's neck and slamming him to the ground...

What was going on?

Were the generals fighting?

At that moment, Ao Yi was transmitting a scolding: "Who dares to look too much! This is the Teach Lord brother's little Shishu!"

Bian Zhuang slapped the ground repeatedly in surrender: "Understood, understood! I have no improper thoughts; it's just surprise, just surprise!"

"Hmph!"

Ao Yi stood up with an unfriendly expression, while Bian Zhuang sighed 幽幽, got up with tears he couldn't shed, but didn't dare let his immortal sense scan toward Jiujiu at all.

Longji frowned slightly and said softly, "You two generals, though we are in the array, please maintain the dignity of the Heavenly Court."

"Yes!"

Ao Yi and Bian Zhuang saluted and immediately quieted down.

Just then, the light wall of the array before them slowly dissolved, and Li Changshou and the seven emotions maiden stepped out together.

Longji quickly addressed him as Master, while Ao Yi and Bian Zhuang called out Xingjun.

The seven emotions maiden pouted and sighed 幽幽, "That really tired me out."

Li Changshou glanced back at the Tianmo still immersed in the illusion, maintaining her innate Dao body form, with a slight hesitation in his eyes.

He had probably pushed the deception too hard, and the seven emotions power was overly dense...

It shouldn't be a problem; after all, this was a domain-external Tianmo, a life form closer to true spirits and Dao principles than Honghuang creatures.

He would observe for a while; results should come soon.

Li Changshou smiled and nodded at the group, then walked straight toward Jiujiu;

Jiujiu felt inexplicably nervous, standing up straight and showing a bit of her Shishu's authority.

No matter what, she was still his Shishu!

"How did you..."

"Xingjun, how did it go?"

A call came from above, and Li Changshou looked up to see the Jade Emperor's incarnation, Quan Tong, arriving on a cloud.

Li Changshou smiled and said, "I've figured it out; it's Kunpeng's scheme. He wanted to use this Tianmo to lure me into the Chaos Sea, thinking I'm some kind of lecher.

Truly, I feel a bit underestimated.

This Tianmo's name is quite interesting; it was given by Kunpeng—Mei Wenhua."

"Mei Wenhua? What's wrong with that name?"

"Uh, nothing."

Quan Tong frowned, landed on the mountaintop, leaned close to Li Changshou, and transmitted, "What about this fairy? What's the situation?"

Li Changshou quickly transmitted back, "Your Majesty, she's the Lin Tian Hall Holy Maiden, my little Shishu from Du Xian Men. She's made great contributions to the rapid development of Lin Tian Hall."

"Oh?"

Quan Tong transmitted with a laugh, "I thought you had so many romantic entanglements... General Youqin is quite good, but having too many Dao companions isn't proper, is it?"

Li Changshou: ...

He felt like the Jade Emperor was making an insinuation.

As he was about to introduce Jiujiu, unusual fluctuations suddenly appeared in the illusion array behind him.

Waves of pure spiritual power rippled out, and pure white light burst through the inner array, surging outward.

Holy, pure, without any impurities, several Great Dao representing goodness and truth resonated with this light!

Everyone looked toward the array and saw the Tianmo maiden, still sealed, with her fingers interlocked and her graceful figure floating up;

A white light bloomed from her forehead, and black gas surged around her body, only to be instantly purified by the white light.

As her long hair danced, it was as if white flames ignited on her, burning in an instant and replacing her clothes with a clean white skirt. Her originally pale, bloodless skin now emitted a soft glow...

A beam of light descended from the sky, carrying dense Tian Dao force, illuminating her and stabilizing her form.

Tears traced from the corners of her narrow eyes, and a ring of soft white light appeared behind her.

Forming an immortal spirit body?

She murmured:

"I have to go save them; I can't let them be deceived anymore..."

Li Changshou was completely baffled.

When a Tianmo developed a heart demon, could there be such a surprise?

Beside him, several gazes slowly shifted to his face, and the entire mountaintop fell silent, with the immortals turning to stone, only the holy light shining...