In the near-sea waters, there are dozens of factions, large and small. At every stop, one must present a pass talisman and hoist a banner, or face all sorts of trouble.
Fortunately, the Yin Family has significant influence. After the ship sailed for over ten days, more than twenty banners were already hoisted on both sides of the ship, and no one deliberately made things difficult.
"Madam, Manager Jing says that Poison Demon Reef is just ahead," Xiu’er lifted her skirt hem and sprinted into the inner chamber.
Miss Shan’s phoenix eyes flickered slightly as she lowered her gaze. Before her sat the Qifeng Zither, which she gently stroked with her hand. Suddenly, she looked up and said, "Xiu’er, go light the incense sticks."
The area around Poison Demon Reef was riddled with hidden reefs and lacked the control of major factions. If the Jiu Kui Demon King intended to make a move, this would likely be the place.
Upon hearing this, Xiu’er’s face lit up with excitement, her cheeks flushed, and her voice grew noticeably bright and resolute as she replied, "Understood!"
Shortly after, the top floor of the pavilion was set up with an offering table, and three large incense sticks were lit.
Miss Shan gracefully knelt down, bowing three times before the incense table while silently reciting, "Disciple Shan Huizhen bows before you, Ancestor Master. I beg you to open the gates of the Heavenly Palace and aid your disciple in slaying demons and eradicating evil."
The Yuanpeng Sect was unlike other sects. During the Ancestor Master’s exploration of the void, he came across a Mystical Artifact whose True Spirit had been extinguished. This treasure, named "Jingchen Heavenly Palace," consisted of ten layers of halls, each harboring a Gang Evil force more powerful than the last.
The Ancestor Master had a moment of inspiration and integrated part of his Divine Soul with the artifact, temporarily acting as its True Spirit.
After refining the treasure into a Ruyi artifact, he cast it back into the void and passed down a sect’s secret spell. As long as disciples of the Yuanpeng Sect burned incense and prayed while reciting the spell, they could communicate with the Heavenly Palace in the unseen realm and harness its power to destroy formidable enemies.
However, Miss Shan’s Daoist cultivation had not yet reached the required level. To injure enemies using the Heavenly Palace’s power, she would need the assistance of the melodic sound from the Qifeng Zither in her possession.
Xiu’er anxiously scanned the surroundings and said, "Madam, why have Chen and Wang, our senior brothers, still not arrived?"
In preparation for confronting the Jiu Kui Demon King, Miss Shan had made extensive arrangements. Fearing she might not be able to handle him alone, she had invited several allies to come to her aid. Among them, Chen and Wang were the most enthusiastic participants.
Upon hearing Xiu’er’s words, Miss Shan’s gaze became contemplative, and she replied, "If they haven’t arrived by now, it’s likely the Demon King has taken notice and is intercepting them."
Xiu’er’s expression shifted drastically as she exclaimed, "Madam, doesn’t this mean you’re in danger?"
Miss Shan gently shook her head. Although she intentionally made herself bait, the Jiu Kui Demon King was a well-known figure and would not likely fall for such a ruse so easily.
This was merely an open scheme. If she were to retreat to the Yuanpeng Sect’s Mountain Gate, the Jiu Kui Demon King could do her no harm. Only by venturing out alone would he seize the opportunity to strike. Hence, knowing this was a trap, the Demon King was bound to show up for a duel.
She had already made thorough preparations for this encounter, so even if her allies failed to arrive, it would make no difference.
At this moment, Miss Shan seemed to sense something. Her beautiful eyes narrowed, and her tone suddenly lowered as she ordered, "Xiu’er, leave the room for now. No matter what commotion you hear, you must not come out recklessly."
Xiu’er nodded earnestly, replying, "Madam, rest assured. Xiu’er will not cause trouble."
Miss Shan took a deep breath, stepped out of the pavilion, and leapt onto the ship’s rooftop, where she stood firm. Her gaze fixed ahead, and she called out loudly, "Since Demon King Qiao is already here, why not show yourself?"
As soon as her words fell, boisterous laughter echoed from all around, shaking the air. In an instant, wild winds stirred as angry waves surged across the sea several miles away. A towering figure donning a golden crown strode across the waves. Standing over a full ten feet tall, he wore a Purple Gold Dragon Robe, black Jiao Head Boots, and gripped a long rope in his hand, dragging behind him the blood-soaked corpse of an elder.
Upon seeing Miss Shan, his eyes burned with intensity as he boomed, "Are you Miss Shan? I am Qiao Ao, and I’ve come today to claim your Yuan Yin."
His thunderous voice reverberated, causing the sea waves to surge. Although what he intended to do was utterly reprehensible, he spoke as if it was entirely justified.
Miss Shan’s gaze fell on the corpse being dragged, and her jade-like complexion shifted slightly as she exclaimed, "Elder Teng?"
The Jiu Kui Demon King erupted in laughter, declaring, "Miss Shan, I am well aware you’ve summoned many allies for assistance. But there’s no need to wait for them any longer. Let me inform you—they are currently being dealt with by someone on my behalf."
Miss Shan shook her head gently and said, "Demon King Qiao, you’ve truly gone to great lengths to deal with me."
Her voice, though soft, carried a clear and sweet tone, imbued with a natural elegance and rhythm.