I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon

Chapter 1123 416: Daoist Venerable: So This Is What Betrayal Feels Like? Besties, One Quilt! (Part 2)

At this moment, standing together was like two snow lotuses blooming on the pinnacle of Heavenly Mountain, which could only be admired from afar and not desecrated.

"Daoist Venerable, Daoist Qingxuan, you both are up as well? How did you sleep last night?" Shen Zhixia waved and greeted with a smile.

"Uh, it was alright..."

After being desecrated all night, the two of them found it difficult not to feel guilty upon seeing the main character now.

One looked at the sky with hands behind his back, while the other looked at the ground, not daring to meet her eyes.

Ling Ningzhi was quite alright since she didn't know that the woman who joined midway was actually her master, and she had previously had a duo cultivation experience with Shen Zhixia, but not as blatant.

Ji Hongxiu was different.

Usually, in front of Ling Ningzhi, she always upheld the image of a strict master, yet ended up being intertwined with Chen Mo, completely breaking the moral bottom line she had as a master!

What's even harder for her to accept is—

Deep down in her heart, she wasn't as repulsed by this feeling as she should be, aside from guilt, there's even a trace of imperceptible excitement and anticipation?

"Clearly, I've already severed the Three Corpses, in theory, I shouldn't have such thoughts..."

"What is exactly going on?"

Ji Hongxiu was utterly bewildered.

But what is certain is that, as of now, there's no turning back for her.

"Zhixia, I came without invitation yesterday, are you really not upset?" Ling Ningzhi asked cautiously.

Shen Zhixia looked puzzled and said, "Why should I be mad? I'm really glad you came this time, Daoist, after all, we're lifelong friends!"

Unexpectedly, the other was so magnanimous, Ling Ningzhi breathed a sigh of relief and nodded hard, saying, "That's right, good friends, forever!"

"..."

Looking at the cross-server chatting between the two, Chen Mo's mouth twitched a little and he spoke, "It's getting late, Master Huo is still waiting, we should head over."

"Hmm."

"Alright."

They nodded in agreement and followed Chai Haochuan towards Qionghua Palace.

Along the way, Martial Saint Mountain disciples gave curious glances towards Chen Mo, as the incident at Qiyun Peak had spread within the sect—they were all curious about this young man who had defeated the Purple Peak Master.

They entered the main hall, passed through the corridor, and arrived in the dining hall.

A round table was set up inside the hall, full of delicacies on jade plates, steaming hot.

Several figures sat around the table, apart from Huo Wuya and Zi Wenzhong father and son, there was also a man and a woman.

The man was burly, with rugged features, though his beard and hair were slightly grizzled, he appeared vigorous, as if in his prime.

The woman was the youngest among them, wearing a blue martial robe, with fair skin, a well-proportioned figure, and a heroic spirit between her brows.

Upon seeing them enter, they all stood up, except for Huo Wuya, the others bowed to Ji Hongxiu respectfully.

"Junior greets Daoist Venerable!"

This was the Sect Leader of Tianshu Pavilion, one of the strongest across Jiu Zhou!

Regarding age, Ji Hongxiu might be younger than them, but in terms of seniority and strength, few could match her across the world!

Ji Hongxiu nodded slightly, speaking with an indifferent tone, "You're too formal."

Only then did they rise.

"Ahem."

Huo Wuya cleared his throat and said, "It's rare for the Daoist Venerable and Chen Mo to visit, it was too rushed yesterday to properly welcome you. A modest feast has been prepared this morning to give you all a warm welcome."

"Junior is overwhelmed." Chen Mo cupped his hands, saying, "I did not send a greeting in advance, hastily visiting, I hope Master doesn't mind."

"You are Zhixia's fiancé, which makes you half a son-in-law of Martial Saint Mountain, we're all family, no need for such courtesy." Huo Wuya waved his hand, then introduced, "You already know Zi Wenzhong, these two are Peak Master Tan Han of Split Sky Peak and Peak Master Jiang Zhiyun of Luoxing Peak, both are Martial Arts First-Grade Grandmasters."

"Regards, seniors." Chen Mo nodded in greeting.

"I was out handling matters yesterday, missed quite a spectacle."

"You are the first to defeat the Old Man Zi like that—truly heroism in youth shines!"

Tan Han laughed pleasantly, seemingly enjoying seeing Zi Wenzhong in a bind.

Jiang Zhiyun did not speak, her eyes quietly observed Chen Mo with curiosity.

After exchanging pleasantries, they sat down one after another, with Huo Wuya and Ji Hongxiu seated in the main seats, while Chen Mo and Ling Ningzhi sat left and right in secondary seats.

"Feel free, no need to be formal." Huo Wuya said, "These are all alien beasts reared on the mountain, unsure if they suit your tastes."

Shen Zhixia, sitting close to Chen Mo, looked at the steaming dishes, couldn't help but swallow her saliva.

Normally, her master guarded her closely, never allowing her to touch these spiritual beasts, now having the chance, her eyes almost glowed green.

But with several elders present, she restrained herself, only picking the dishes before her, eating elegantly and slowly.

Chen Mo saw this and quietly placed two chicken drumsticks in her bowl.

At that moment, Zi Wenzhong holding a wine cup approached Chen Mo, slightly embarrassed, saying, "About yesterday, it was indeed my lack of consideration, here to apologize to Mr. Chen and hope Mr. Chen doesn't mind..."

Having said that, he raised his head and drank the cup of wine in one go.

With Zi Wenzhong's temperament, it's impossible for him to bow easily, most likely forced by Huo Wuya.

Though Chen Mo didn't have a good impression of this person, he hadn't suffered any loss, and the other also paid the necessary price, being overly calculative would seem petty.

He raised his wine glass, took a sip, and said lightly, "Purple Peak Master speaks heavily, as they say, 'fighting leads to acquaintance,' and my relationship with your son isn't as sour as you think."

Zi Wenzhong only learned last night that in the past, in the Capital City, Chen Mo helped sect disciples stand up against Prince Yu Mansion, tearing face with those court hounds, showing an inherently different alignment.

After all, someone who says something like 'The greatest chivalry is for the country and the people,' how bad could he truly be?

Hearing this, his old face flushed, speaking softly, "It's my narrow-mindedness, rest assured Mr. Chen, such things won't happen again."

Huo Wuya glanced at Ji Hongxiu, seeing no change in her expression, then said, "It's a good thing to gain acquaintance through clash, though Wenzhong can be impulsive, he's straightforward without ill intentions... luckily Chen is safe and sound, otherwise, I wouldn't know where to save face with my old face."

Chen Mo shook his head, saying, "It's a small matter, Master needn't worry."

With the matter cleared, the atmosphere also relaxed somewhat.

Huo Wuya fiddling with a porcelain cup, asked, "I see young friend practicing Daoist and Martial Dual Cultivation, with deep background, may I ask who do you learn from?"

Chen Mo pondered for a moment and replied, "Strictly speaking, I haven't formally apprenticed."

The cultivation techniques he mastered were quite diverse, except for the earliest version of the 'Mixed Element Body Refining Technique' taught by He Yuzhi, others were either system rewards or gifts from the Empress, and upgrading entirely depended on points without a true master to guide his cultivation.

As for Daoist Venerable and Qi Chengze, though both imparted teachings, they could only be considered private disciples not formally under their tutelage.

"No master?"

Huo Wuya was stunned upon hearing this, then a surge of joy rose in his heart.

Unexpectedly, such a top-tier Heavenly Pride was actually a Loose Cultivator?!

Which means, as long as he's taken under his wing, he would be the sole mentor for him!

Truly a heavenly opportunity, no matter what, he couldn't let him slip away!

Suppressing his excitement, he didn't immediately show his hand, instead, he shifted the conversation, saying, "Since you're here, why not stay a few more days; Zhiyun, later you take young friend to visit Asking Sword Pond, let him experience the 'scenery' of Martial Saint Mountain."

"Asking Sword Pond?"

Jiang Zhiyun raised her brows in surprise upon hearing, eyes glinting with understanding of Huo Wuya's intentions, she nodded without saying more.

"By the way, you seem quite knowledgeable about the Qingzhou Secret Realm, Master Huo?" Chen Mo asked casually.

Huo Wuya stroked his beard with his finger, saying, "Once you visited the Cangyun Mountain Secret Realm, you should know how secret realms operate... besides the cave abodes refined by Great Power Cultivators, other secret realms are largely unowned, existing in chaos, only opening when aligning with this world."

"Correct." Chen Mo nodded.

Huo Wuya continued, "From the aura this time from Qing Province's direction, it corresponds to a certain secret realm recorded by the sect, likely opened hundreds of years ago."

He took out a jade scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Chen Mo, "Young friend will know upon seeing it."

Chen Mo received it, immersing his mind into it, lines of text appeared in his Sea of Consciousness, his eyes flashed instantly.

"Treasure Secret Vault?"