The past Mingming River and the present Mingming River were no different at all.
The youth standing before the Mingming River did not have the same frenzied evil aura as later. At this moment, Gui Yansheng looked at the black river before him, his tone filled with unabashed amazement.
Gu Baiying walked over to Zanxing and raised an eyebrow upon seeing the scene. “Is this the moat of your Heishi City?”
“He can’t cross the river,” Zanxing frowned.
“What?”
“Without the Black Dragon Fish, he can’t cross the river,” Zanxing explained.
Before Heishi City, the Mingming River did not allow even feathers to float. Cultivators were unable to cross this river, and most demon cultivators chose to use the Black Dragon Fish to ferry across. The Black Dragon Fish lurked at the river’s bottom, and to cross the river, one had to feed it with a magic essence pill. At present, Gui Yansheng was merely a youth who had not even awakened the Demon King’s power, so where would he find such pills?
Gui Yansheng obviously knew this as well. Xiao Chun moved closer and cautiously looked at the surging black river, whispering, “The cultivators on the road said that only demon people can cross the Mingming River. But just now, while we were hiding in the woods, we saw those demons throwing something into the water, and a big fish came up and carried them across.”
“That thing must be what allows one to cross the river,” Xiao Chun concluded.
“But we don’t have it,” Gui Yansheng hesitated for a moment. “Should I go ask them to lend us some?”
Xiaochun grabbed him. “Didn’t you hear what they said? That thing for feeding the fish is only possessed by demon people. Heishi City doesn’t allow outsiders in. If you’re discovered to be an outsider…”
Before finding his biological father and confirming his identity, exposing himself rashly was not a good plan. Moreover, whether he was truly a demon or not, Gui Yansheng himself was uncertain, as up until now, he had no distinguishing traits from ordinary people. If he were not a demon but merely had different eye colors and was discovered by the demons in Heishi City, the outcome would be predictably tragic.
“What should we do then?” Gui Yansheng looked at the river before him, a hint of frustration flashing between his brows. Having braved the journey here with nothing but passion, he had thought that finding Heishi City and his biological father would turn things around. Now, he realized that he had underestimated the situation.
Xiao Chun pondered for a moment, then suddenly grinned mischievously. “I have a plan.”
She turned around and asked with a hint of confusion, “What plan?”
“Wait for me here,” she said, pulling Gui Yansheng to sit under a nearby tree. The dense grass and forest made the spot hard to spot. “I’ll be back soon.”
“What are you going to do?”
Xiao Chun ran off with a cheerful smile. “Just wait for me!”
Her voice was light and full of confidence, but Zanxing felt a twinge of unease. Before long, the girl returned, her face flushed as if she had just sprinted with all her might, her breath a bit uneven. She stuffed a soft bag into his hand. “Here!”
Gui Yansheng stared blankly. “What is this?”
“The thing for feeding the fish.” Xiao Chun’s eyes sparkled as she pushed him towards the riverbank. “Don’t dawdle, cross the river quickly.”
“Wait, where did this come from? Aren’t you coming with me?” Gui Yansheng turned back.
Xiao Chun opened the bag for him and took out a few pitch-black pills, tossing them into the water. “Of course, I can’t go. I’m a mortal. If someone detects a mortal’s presence, it would implicate you too. Besides, I’m timid. If I were to encounter a terrifying demon and scream in fright, we’d be exposed.”
In the middle of the black torrent, a massive whirlpool gradually appeared, from which a fish’s back, resembling a small mountain, slowly emerged. Xiao Chun gave Gui Yansheng a push forward. “Don’t worry about that. Find your father quickly and don’t forget our promise,” she said with a bright smile, waving energetically from the shore. “When you’re successful, don’t forget this friend who shared hardships with you!”
The giant black fish gradually disappeared into the vast ocean, carrying the youth away. Zanxing turned back to look at the girl on the shore. Xiao Chun’s smile faded, and a trace of worry flashed in her eyes.
Gui Yansheng was very nervous.
Perhaps due to the first time riding such a gigantic dragon fish, he clung tightly to its sharp, spiked back throughout the journey. After an unknown amount of time, a massive city appeared before him.
The city sat on the dark stone mountain in the distance, and as the sky darkened, colorful lights faintly shimmered from the mountain. The view was of bright, splendid lights and a sea of glowing homes.
It seemed lively and bustling.
He stepped onto the shore, and the black dragon fish flicked its tail and disappeared into the cold waves.
Gui Yansheng entered Heishi City.
He walked cautiously. Everyone here dressed strangely, so the white cloth strips tied around his eyes drew no attention, as if it were the most natural thing. He relaxed a bit, observing his surroundings. For a moment, he hesitated. After all, even though he had found the place, he had no idea what his father’s name was or what he looked like. Moreover, with his current identity, who should he seek for verification?
As he walked along the street, observing his surroundings, Gui Yansheng accidentally bumped into someone. When he steadied himself, he found a remarkably beautiful young woman standing before him. Among the bizarrely shaped demons, she stood out with her ethereal presence. Dressed in a light green long gown with flowing hair like a waterfall, she had moon-like brows and starry eyes, and a gentle, delicate demeanor. She didn’t seem like a demon, rather, she resembled a fairy.
The woman, with a gentle touch, helped him up and smiled. “Are you alright?” However, as soon as her fingertips touched Gui Yansheng’s hand, she paused for a moment. She calmly held the young man’s wrist, as if confirming something, and stared at him for a while. Then, she suddenly smiled softly and said, “A mere mortal, daring to mix into the demon clan. You have quite a bit of courage.”
Gui Yansheng stiffened.
“I’m not a mortal,” Gui Yansheng forced himself to stay calm. “I’m a demon.” With that, he removed the cloth strips binding his eyes, revealing his golden pupils.
The woman seemed surprised by his action and was momentarily taken aback. However, after a moment, her smile became even gentler. “I haven’t seen a demon with golden eyes in Heishi City. Are you from outside? What brings you to Heishi City?”
Perhaps because of the woman’s genuinely gentle attitude, or perhaps because her appearance and demeanor resembled that of a fairy, Gui Yansheng felt a slight sense of trust. He said, “I’m here to find someone—my father.”
“Oh? Where is your father? What is his name?”
Gui Yansheng shook his head, his tone becoming dejected. “I don’t know.”
The woman stood in place, looking at him with some difficulty for a while, before finally saying, “Alright, it’s too dangerous for you here. If the demons find out you’re a mere mortal, it could be troublesome. Come with me.” She smiled. “I have a way to help you find your father.”
Gui Yansheng stared at her, seemingly contemplating whether her words were genuine.
The woman didn’t rush him, simply smiling as she waited for his response.
The lights on the mountain flickered on and off, with every cave entrance adorned with dazzling gemstones, casting a misty, magnificent glow over Heishi City.
Standing amidst this layered halo of light, Gui Yansheng slowly nodded. “Okay.”