“The Temple does not consent.”
These four indifferent words left Bai Shuo's heart feeling as cold as ice. Her little disciple had not disappeared, but she would never see him again.
The City of Boundless Pleasure had no master, yet it lay at the very end of the Demon Realm. Who, apart from a demigod, could arrive there in an instant? Illusionary bloodthirsty demon butterflies, if they held no fear, would have never let her go. Purple Moon Lake was a mythical relic of the demon gods, only mentioned in legends over the past millennium. The notion that a little rabbit demon would know its location was truly laughable.
She had always known he was Fan Yue, not Mumu, but what if…? A-Zhao had already become a Supreme Lord, destined to enter the Celestial Palace of the Nine Heavens. The immortal path that lay ahead would stretch for millions of years, and she could accompany him only this far. A half-immortal like Bai Shuo could only live a hundred years. What if her Mumu were willing to spend a few decades with her as carefree master and disciple in South Sea City? She had journeyed alone, far across the land to reach Phoenix Island, boldly giving it her all, only to lose the bet. When she chose to awaken the Lord of Hao Yue Hall within the stone temple of the foreign city, she should have known her little disciple would never return.
Bai Shuo looked up blankly, meeting a pair of eyes filled with restrained anger. “To save Chong Zhao, you tricked this temple into signing a soul contract with you, only to appease me and have me act as a spirit beast to be at others’ mercy.” “No, I didn’t…” Bai Shuo hurried to explain. “Master? South Sea City?” Fan Yue sneered, flicking his sleeve. The flower bundle and water from the Jade Pool in Bai Shuo’s hands fell to the ground, and her expression shifted. Fan Yue stepped down hard, his icy hand gripping her chin. “A mere half-immortal, daring to deceive this temple—Bai Shuo, who do you think you are?” The Lord of Hao Yue Hall’s fury was intense, yet his eyes remained detached. Bai Shuo felt words clog in her throat but could not utter a single one, nor was she allowed to. In a flash of light, her vision blurred as Fan Yue took her away from Purple Moon Lake.
A wave of lively noise filled her ears. When Bai Shuo regained her senses, she was standing on unfamiliar steps. Luminous lamps filled the hall, and jade paved the ground. The grandeur and extravagance left her wide-eyed, when suddenly, a raucous laughter rose from below. Looking down, Bai Shuo saw it—a group of rugged demon lords sitting on the first floor, staring lasciviously at the center where young girls danced gracefully, each one chosen and embraced with laughter. Bu Ji City? That pagoda tower? Why would this great demon bring her here? “Do you remember what you made this temple do in South Sea City?” The icy voice sounded near her ear. Bai Shuo was stunned, recalling her little disciple, frowning as women surrounded him at the fortune-telling stall while she smiled, collecting spirit pearls—the scenes oddly overlapped. Could it be…? Bai Shuo felt an unsettling suspicion. Could this great demon really intend…? “N-no, I don’t remember,” Bai Shuo stammered, her tongue tied in knots. “Don’t remember? Then should this temple help you recall?” “N-no need…” Bai Shuo’s scalp prickled as she turned to flee, only to be blocked on the stone steps by the figure behind her. “Do you know why this place is called Bu Ji City?” The strange, wicked voice brushed her neck, with a chill that made Bai Shuo lose focus for a moment. “Why?” “Because here, lawlessness reigns; everything is free for the taking. That’s what makes it Bu Ji.” Before Bai Shuo could understand, she was suddenly lifted and thrown downward.
“Aaaah!” A gust of wind swept by, and with a crash, a figure landed on the mirror. The dancing girls screamed, scurrying to the sides, but as they saw what had landed in the center, their fear turned into curiosity. The hall quieted, and the gathered demons stared at the little creature on the mirror, speaking in amazement. “A fox!” Dazed, Bai Shuo opened her eyes, only to find herself looking up at everyone from a low vantage point, with pairs of greedy eyes watching her. “What’s going on?” Bai Shuo tried to speak, but all that came out was a soft “chirp-chirp.” Bai Shuo stared dumbfounded at her reflection in the mirror: a fluffy little white fox, with a jade flute hanging heavily around her neck. When Bai Shuo tried to reach out, the little fox extended a paw instead, slipping on the smooth mirror and falling onto her back. As she looked up, she saw the Lord of Hao Yue Hall, now dressed in red, lazily seated on a ruby recliner at the far end of the second floor.
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