"You only have this much courage?"
"You're running away just like that?"
The more Da Xianshi spoke, the faster the sword wings on Yang Ji's back vibrated.
It was a joke. With a Heavenly Demon comparable to a Red Dust Immortal here, Yang Ji did not fancy entangling himself in great karma. Fleeing was the most sensible decision.
"This kid actually plunged straight into the Death Mist. It seems he really has a way out. I can't let him escape."
Da Xianshi narrowed his eyes, revealing a smile that suggested everything was under his control, and shot a white beam of light towards Yang Ji, which bound him tightly.
With a whoosh, Yang Ji was abruptly pulled back.
"You sure run fast kid. I thought you were somebody substantial, even considered going out with you, but it turns out you're just a coward."
Da Xianshi suddenly transformed into an old man dressed in white, with an air of grace and authority, hand on his back, pointing at Yang Ji and giving him a long-winded scolding, his eyes full of disdain.
"I'm not ready to die yet, senior. Please show mercy and let me go," Yang Ji said helplessly.
"Hmph, death is but another form of destiny. I've always despised those who are afraid of death. Since you fear it so much, I'll feed you to the Heavenly Demon later."
Da Xianshi glared, and threatened with a huff.
"Senior, by doing this, by feeding me to the Heavenly Demon, wouldn't that be increasing its demonic power?" Yang Ji glanced at the white beam of light binding him and said with a forced smile, "Senior, why don't we sit down and talk this over properly?"
"Hmph! You're a sly one, kid; I can tell you're no good." Da Xianshi glanced at him, his eyes flashing, intimidation and placation materializing above his head, but in the flick of a finger, he still retracted the light beam.
Seeing this, Yang Ji temporarily gave up on the idea of escaping and instead asked aloud, "Senior, what exactly is this place, and how come such a terrifying Heavenly Demon is suppressed here?"
"This is the remnant Inner World of the Great Sage Mu Yuan," Da Xianshi said.
"Mu Yuan, Great Sage? Where have I heard this name before?" Yang Ji suddenly fell into deep thought, the information recorded in books rolling over in his mind, and he exclaimed, "Mu Yuan, Great Sage? Is it the Sect Master of the Taiyuan Dao Sect from two hundred thousand years ago?"
"Indeed, you're rather knowledgeable, kid," Da Xianshi said, looking at him in surprise.
"It was rumored that the Taiyuan Dao Sect, a colossal Dao lineage from the outer realms of the starry sky, vanished overnight, becoming an eternal enigma. To think I would encounter the remnant world of Senior Mu Yuan here," Yang Ji exclaimed.
"What eternal enigma! It's just that those old fogeys at the top didn't wish to share the tale with you juniors. Back then, the Taiyuan Dao Sect suffered an onslaught from Outer Realm Demons. The losses were horrendous, depleting its foundation, nearly leading to its extinction...
Ah, it was almost an extinction; a million disciples were all killed, leaving only myself and Lord Mu Yuan of the Sect remaining," Da Xianshi lamented, sounding like a man in the twilight of his years.
"An attack by Outer Realm Demons? Lord Mu Yuan? Are you saying that the Mu Yuan, Great Sage from two hundred thousand years ago, is still alive?" Yang Ji said in astonishment.
"There's nothing so surprising about it. A Nine Tribulations Immortal can live ninety thousand years. Since the Master accidentally broke through to become a Red Dust Immortal, living a mere two hundred thousand years is naturally nothing extraordinary," Da Xianshi said, shaking his head.
"A Red Dust Immortal? Then the one suppressing that Heavenly Demon comparable to a Red Dust Immortal is..." Yang Ji suddenly looked towards the unknown depths.
"Indeed, it's the Master using his own body to suppress the demon," Da Xianshi said with sorrow, "If the Master and that Heavenly Demon perish together, then the Taiyuan Dao Sect will truly be eradicated for good. The once infinitely glorious Dao Sect will be completely obliterated in the river of time."
"I never thought that even a powerful Dao lineage with a Red Dust Immortal could meet its demise," Yang Ji said, shaking his head as he felt Da Xianshi's sorrow.
"No Dao lineage lasts forever; all are but fish leaping in the river of time. Through the ages, countless Dao lineages have turned into bygones. Only their legacies stubbornly shine, continuing to mark their existence.
Sadly, when some Dao lineages are destroyed without leaving behind their legacy, they are completely forgotten by the world, unable to continue their glorious legacy," Da Xianshi said with a sigh.
"Senior, isn't the Taiyuan Dao Sect still here with you? You could still pass on and magnify the Dao lineage," Yang Ji suggested.
"Me?" Da Xianshi shook his head, "I am but a mere Dao Device, my learning is limited, I never reached the core Immortal Techniques of the Sect. How could I expand the lineage or continue its splendor?"
"Senior, isn't Mu Yuan, Great Sage, still here? You could..." Yang Ji hinted subtly, glancing towards the depths. Sёarᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Da Xianshi shook his head, "I know what you want to suggest, but beings of that level, when engaged in a battle of life and death, must concentrate their thoughts completely. Any distraction could lead to their downfall, the consequences of which are unimaginable."
"Asking the Master to pass on his techniques to me would be harming him as well as the entire Dao lineage. If the Master wins, there is still a glimmer of hope, but if he loses because of me, it would be beyond redemption."
Yang Ji pondered for a moment, then said, "Since Mu Yuan, Great Sage, and the Heavenly Demon are at a stalemate, why don't I take you out to search for reinforcements? Everyone despises Heavenly Demons, and I believe many in the Taichu World would be willing to help you eliminate this demon menace."
"It's not that simple. Deep within, there's an Isolation Array of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths which conceals the aura of the Master and that Heavenly Demon. To interfere in their battle, one would have to break through the Isolation Array of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths to enter.
However, if even a trace of this demon's essence were to leak, it could alert the Outer Realm Demons who might come to rescue this Heavenly Demon. The consequences would be unthinkable, and no one would be willing to risk the annihilation of their Sect in order to aid the Master in demon slaying," Da Xianshi said, shaking his head, dismissing the idea.