novelraw Chapter 97 : Identity Instantly Elevated — Banished Immortal and Outer Demon
Chapter 97 : Identity Instantly Elevated — Banished Immortal and Outer Demon
Chapter 97: Identity Instantly Elevated — Banished Immortal and Outer Demon
Shen Jingxiao had exceptionally sharp hearing, yet at this moment, he dared not eavesdrop on the conversation between Wei Gong and Emperor Mingde.
He only faintly sensed the Emperor’s gaze, carrying an inscrutable depth of meaning.
“It seems that I have underestimated the ability of this qilin son of mine.”
A moment later, Emperor Mingde chuckled softly.
“Is it about Zhou’er?”
Shen Jingxiao froze, an ominous feeling rising in his heart.
“To reach Dual Sixth-Rank in both the Martial Path and the Daoist Path — such talent alone is enough to be recorded in the annals of the Great Qian Dynasty’s history.”
“So what if he’s a little arrogant? The young ought to possess the vigor and pride of youth.” Emperor Mingde laughed heartily, stepping forward to pat Shen Jingxiao’s shoulder.
Wei Gong, standing to the side, also smiled and cupped his hands in congratulation. “Your Highness has raised such an exceptional prodigy for our Great Qian. It is indeed the fortune of the realm.”
The unease in Shen Jingxiao’s heart deepened. Could they be referring to Shen Yanzhou — that he had achieved Dual Sixth-Rank in Martial and Daoist cultivation?
Waves of shock crashed within him, his expression turning slightly unsightly and incredulous.
Yet before Emperor Mingde, he forcibly suppressed his emotions, showing no sign of strangeness.
So, Shen Yanzhou had hidden himself this deeply?
And now, even Emperor Mingde intended to personally cultivate and support him?
Shen Jingxiao’s heart had sunk to rock bottom.
The imperial banquet lasted until noon before finally concluding. Only then did Shen Jingxiao and Yu Chenyu depart from the palace.
On the way back to the Prince’s Mansion, Shen Jingxiao’s face was as dark as still water. He immediately ordered his subordinates to investigate what exactly Shen Yanzhou had done to draw such attention from Emperor Mingde.
Soon after, he learned what had transpired at the Dragon-Tiger Institute.
“Assaulted a fellow student — a direct heir of the Cui Clan — and even struck an elder of the Martial Academy. It caused Vice Dean Lin Qi to personally appear, intending to expel him. Yet Shen Yanzhou revealed his Sixth-Rank Core Formation Realm cultivation on the spot, shocking the entire Institute. Both vice deans of the Daoist Academy hurried over in person…”
Shen Jingxiao’s face darkened, disbelief flickering in his eyes. Shen Yanzhou’s Martial cultivation being Sixth-Rank — that, he could barely accept.
But when did he attain a Sixth-Rank realm in the Daoist Path?
“What sort of secret is this brat hiding, that even Emperor Mingde now values him so highly?”
“I’ve truly miscalculated.”
Shen Jingxiao clenched his fists tightly, for the first time feeling an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
The son he had once deemed a disgrace to the Demon Suppression King’s name — a lowborn bastard of a courtesan — had suddenly transformed into the most dazzling prodigy since the founding of the Great Qian Dynasty?
Even the once-peerless Shen Tian now paled in comparison before Shen Yanzhou.
He refused to admit he had been blind. It must be that Shen Yanzhou had stumbled upon some unfathomable stroke of fortune.
Outside the Hall of Virtuous Enlightenment.
Empress Cui Jingyi accompanied Emperor Mingde at his side. “Shen Jingxiao’s ambition is not small. Your Majesty has reminded him time and again out of old friendship, yet it seems he still shows no sign of restraint.”
Emperor Mingde gazed at the pond before him and sighed softly. “After all, he’s the brother who once followed me step by step to reach where we stand today. If he can realize his mistakes and turn back, perhaps I could still grant him a peaceful end.”
Empress Cui Jingyi’s eyes were gentle as water, yet she shifted the topic with a faint smile. “Your Majesty intends to support Shen Jingxiao’s son — the one the entire capital is calling the false heir?”
Though she had left the Water Pavilion earlier with Yu Chenyu, she already knew what had transpired between Emperor Mingde and Shen Jingxiao.
Emperor Mingde appeared unsurprised and replied calmly, “Since Shen Jingxiao’s blade has turned upon its master, I shall simply replace it. Shen Yanzhou seems a clever one. With his hatred for Shen Jingxiao, he will gladly serve me.”
“Though he shares no blood with Shen Jingxiao, his ties to the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion run deep. Once Shen Jingxiao withdraws from the Southern Border, Shen Yanzhou can rightfully inherit that position.”
Cui Jingyi smiled gently. “It seems Your Majesty has planned everything well. Then this concubine shall have Chongming spend more time with him. If the chance arises, I would also like to meet this Shen Yanzhou and see just what manner of peerless talent he is.”
Emperor Mingde said nothing further, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed into the distance.
The Empress, graceful and composed, then led the palace maids and eunuchs away.
“The matter concerning the Chilin Guards — I’ll leave that to you,” Emperor Mingde said, looking toward Wei Gong, who had been waiting nearby.
“Rest assured, Your Majesty. This old servant will make every effort to protect His Highness Yanzhou. But with the Empress’s keen mind, she may soon grow suspicious.” Wei Gong stepped forward hurriedly.
Emperor Mingde’s gaze deepened. “No matter. As for the Cui Clan of Hejian, I shall soon settle that account. Since they wish to make me their puppet, then I will simply retire to the Hall of Cultivated Mind.”
“Also, send men in secret to Brahma Prefecture’s Floating Sky Temple.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. This old servant shall make the arrangements at once.”
At the Dragon-Tiger Institute, before the Meditation Stele, a sea of people bustled with excitement.
“It’s indeed the Sixth-Rank Core Formation Realm! Moreover, his method of condensing the core is profoundly mysterious — completely different from the paths we know of, transcending the Three Cores of Heaven, Earth, and Man, and even surpassing them!”
“Could it be a lost art from ancient times?”
Several venerable elders from the Daoist Academy had arrived. Their robes fluttered like clouds, immortal light and Daoist rhythm intertwined about them — their bearing ethereal, their age impossible to guess.
At this moment, all surrounded Shen Yanzhou, studying him as if he were a rare treasure.
Vice Dean Lin Qi of the Martial Academy, on the other hand, was entirely ignored. They did not even greet him.
That made his already unsightly expression even darker.
Yet he dared not utter a word — for among these elders stood the two vice deans of the Daoist Academy, who had already held their positions when he was still but a Martial Academy elder.
They had long been in seclusion or wandering the world, rarely appearing in public.
He never expected even these two ancient figures to be alarmed into showing themselves.
“If your Martial Academy doesn’t want him, we of the Daoist Academy shall take him.”
“To cast aside such a flawless gem for the sake of face and pride — no wonder your Martial Academy has declined over the years.”
With the appearance of these two, even Lin Qi dared not release his aura recklessly. Though of the same Third Rank, he could only show the humility of a junior.
The other elders who had rushed from the various branches looked on in astonishment. Soon, from the murmurs of the surrounding students, they pieced together the full story — and their expressions grew strange.
“Heh, indeed — staying in the Martial Academy would have been a buried pearl.”
A refined elder, dignified and scholarly, chuckled. He wore a tall crown and flowing robes, a brush hanging at his waist, exuding pure scholarly grace.
Another middle-aged man in a purple robe embroidered with the mountains and rivers of the realm also stepped forward.
He first saluted the Daoist elders, then nodded slightly toward Lin Qi in greeting, before turning to Shen Yanzhou with a smile. “This matter has already reached the palace. Even His Majesty has praised Young Master Shen. Such youthful vigor is only natural.”
Lin Qi’s expression darkened further. Even the vice dean of the Confucian Academy had come to meddle?
And what did that remark imply — was he subtly invoking the Emperor’s words to rebuke him?
Shen Yanzhou recognized this man — the head of the Hanlin Academy, Fang Jinhan, once a renowned top scholar of humble birth who had inspired countless poor students across the Great Qian, and was greatly favored by Emperor Mingde.
In truth, Shen Yanzhou’s greatest backing in creating such a commotion today was the purple jade qilin thumb ring within his Sumeru Ring.
If that noble middle-aged man from before was indeed Emperor Mingde in disguise during his private tour,
then the Emperor would surely lend him silent support.
Now, with even the head of the Hanlin Academy personally appearing at the Dragon-Tiger Institute, it confirmed his suspicion. The news had reached the palace swiftly — a sure sign that the Emperor was watching him closely.
“As expected, holding onto that man’s thigh was the right choice,” Shen Yanzhou thought, his heart settling.
“Not bad, not bad. With a destined immortal seed and such talent in cultivation, why waste time on martial arts?”
One of the Daoist vice deans, having examined Shen Yanzhou’s body, patted his shoulder with genuine regret.
In his eyes, for one so young to have attained Sixth-Rank in the Daoist Path, Shen Yanzhou’s potential clearly surpassed his peers through the ages.
Continuing to study martial arts would only waste his time.
If he devoted all his effort to the Daoist Path, he might have already advanced even further.
Shen Yanzhou replied calmly, “Senior, I haven’t spent much time on martial arts — no more than two hours of cultivation each day.”
The elder paused, then nodded in faint satisfaction.
The faces of the Martial Academy’s students and elders all turned ugly.
When Shen Yanzhou had first entered the Dragon-Tiger Institute, he had made a similar claim — and no one believed him then, thinking he was merely boasting for attention.
But now, it seemed to be true. He had likely devoted nearly all his time to cultivating the Daoist Path.
Did that not mean that their twenty painstaking years of martial training amounted to less than his two hours a day?
In an instant, a torrent of resentment and negative emotions surged toward Shen Yanzhou from every direction.
Shen Yanzhou accepted it gladly.
Yes, this was exactly how it should be — he wanted to become everyone’s Great Demon King.
“Your foundation is deep, but the flow of spiritual energy through your meridians is quite ordinary. There is nothing unique in its circulation. It seems you began this cultivation halfway through life, without the guidance of a master. You don’t even know the most widespread breathing method of the Three Pure Immortal Sects.”
The vice dean who had spoken earlier once again grasped Shen Yanzhou’s wrist to examine him, his tone growing increasingly astonished.
To reach such a level as a late starter was nearly inconceivable.
Shen Yanzhou nodded. “Senior is correct. I had little contact with any orthodox Daoist cultivation before this. Everything I’ve achieved, I figured out on my own. Senior likely doesn’t know my past — I rarely had the chance to touch martial or Daoist texts, and even learning to read was something I did secretly.”
The old man couldn’t help but pause in surprise.
The surrounding crowd, upon hearing this, exchanged complex expressions. Didn’t this imply that the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion had intentionally suppressed Shen Yanzhou?
Spoken from his own mouth, the meaning behind those words was quite intriguing.
Yet, to grow to such a level under such circumstances — that was no ordinary willpower.
“With your talent, ordinary elders are unqualified to take you as a disciple. The two of us haven’t taken students for many years, though we are quite tempted. But since the Dean has yet to return, if we take you first, he’ll surely be displeased when he comes back.”
“How about the two of us take him together as a disciple?”
The two vice deans of the Daoist Academy both had ruddy faces and white hair, their wide sleeves fluttering lightly. If they walked among common folk, they would surely be mistaken for living immortals.
One was named Pu Chengjun, and the other Fang Wendao.
After examining Shen Yanzhou’s condition, both were deeply moved, eager to take him as a personal student.
The elders and students of the Daoist Academy were filled with envy at the sight. To have both vice deans personally vying to take him as a disciple — such a scene was exceedingly rare.
Shen Yanzhou, however, remained indifferent. Entering the Daoist Academy and gaining exposure to Daoist arts would indeed help him fill certain gaps in his current cultivation.
“You are not qualified.”
“Even Feng Shuding is unqualified.”
Just as Pu Chengjun and Fang Wendao were discussing, a cold, clear voice suddenly rang out.
Both men froze and turned toward the speaker — it was the young Daoist nun Shen Yanzhou had spoken to earlier.
She wasn’t tall, only reaching to about his chest, needing to lift her chin slightly to meet his gaze.
Shen Yanzhou looked down at the young Daoist nun before him and smiled faintly. He truly hadn’t expected her to hold such a special status.
In the original story, there had never been mention of such a character.
When did she appear?
“Martial Aunt Ancestor Qiushui…”
Even though Pu Chengjun and Fang Wendao were vice deans of the Daoist Academy, they were extremely respectful toward this young Daoist nun. They did not rely on age or cultivation to assert seniority — instead, both bowed in salute.
“Then may we ask, who is qualified?”
They inquired.
Feng Shuding — that was the current Dean of the Daoist Academy’s name — yet even he had to bow as a junior before this Martial Aunt Ancestor.
“Me.”
Luo Qiushui slightly lifted her chin, her eyes as clear as autumn water as she looked at Shen Yanzhou. Her tone remained cool. “I will take him as my disciple on behalf of my master.”
Her words left Pu Chengjun and Fang Wendao dumbfounded.
The other elders of the Daoist Academy were also stunned, their faces changing drastically.
Others might not recognize this young Daoist nun, but none of them were unaware of who she truly was.
Among all the Daoist sects of the world, the lineage of the Three Pure Ones stood supreme — and Luo Qiushui was the true direct disciple of the Grandmaster of the Taiqing lineage, the oldest surviving ancestor of that branch, famed across the land for her fierce protectiveness of her disciples.
It was said that at the founding of the Great Qian Dynasty, even the Ancestral Dragon Emperor had once sought that Grandmaster’s aid.
That Grandmaster had already been active three thousand years ago, having outlived countless peers.
Over a decade ago, she had suddenly emerged from seclusion, holding a Mirror of Seeking Immortals, declaring she would find the reincarnated banished immortal — and she eventually brought back this very young Daoist nun, making her the Taiqing Immortal Sect’s youngest disciple, yet one of the highest in seniority.
Even the head of the Taiqing Immortal Sect had to respectfully address her as “Martial Aunt Ancestor Luo.”
At the ceremony where she formally became a disciple, all the heads of the major Daoist sects had attended, a gathering of unprecedented grandeur — even Emperor Mingde had climbed the mountain personally to offer congratulations.
“Will the Grandmaster agree to this?”
Pu Chengjun and Fang Wendao both asked instinctively. If that were true, wouldn’t Shen Yanzhou now become a little Grandmaster of the Daoist Path?
“She will.”
“Because he is the banished immortal.”
Luo Qiushui’s clear eyes stayed fixed on Shen Yanzhou, her tone as calm and cold as before.
“What do you mean?”
Shen Yanzhou blinked, puzzled. He hadn’t heard of any such thing before. If she said he was an outer demon, he could accept that.
But a banished immortal? What nonsense was that?
In the original story, there had been no such mention at all.
“Master sent me into the mortal world to enter the capital. She foresaw that the banished immortal would appear, and that I would meet him.”
Luo Qiushui spoke, her words brief and to the point, as though every word were precious.
“You mean, Young Master Shen is the banished immortal our Grandmaster foresaw?”
Pu Chengjun and Fang Wendao were once again stunned. In truth, even they did not know what “banished immortal” meant.
The Grandmaster had never explained it. When she had descended the mountain carrying that Mirror of Seeking Immortals, she had merely said she sought the banished immortal — and nothing more.
No one knew what she truly meant. Could it be that a true immortal, one who had transcended the mortal realm, had fallen back to earth?
All around, the crowd erupted into heated whispers.
The elders and students from the other branches of the Dragon-Tiger Institute had not expected that Shen Yanzhou would suddenly be bestowed such a title — “Banished Immortal.”
Lin Qi frowned deeply. Today was truly a disaster. After this, the Martial Academy would become a laughingstock, and as its vice dean, he could hardly escape responsibility.
Some of the female students, however, looked at Shen Yanzhou with shining eyes — his bearing at this moment was indeed transcendent, with a touch of immortal grace.
Zhao Qingchan took several deep breaths, her mind reeling from everything she had witnessed today.
“Since Martial Aunt Ancestor Qiushui has decided to take him on behalf of her master, then we must not overstep.”
Though Pu Chengjun and Fang Wendao were regretful, they said no more.
To be accepted by that Grandmaster as a disciple was surely an honor Shen Yanzhou himself would not refuse.
Luo Qiushui gave a soft hum and nodded lightly. “I will burn incense and report this to Master.”
As she spoke, a piece of sandalwood suddenly appeared between her slender, fair fingers. No one saw how she lit it — but a wisp of faint fragrance slowly spread through the air.
As light mist rose, the vice deans and elders of the surrounding academies all grew solemn, signaling their students to keep silent.
That Grandmaster of the Taiqing Immortal Sect was infamous for her fierce temper and partiality. Many said she was narrow-minded and cared nothing for appearances, loving to bully her juniors — someone who must never be offended lightly.
In an instant, the once-bustling surroundings fell silent, not a sound remaining.
Even Shen Yanzhou glanced over in mild surprise. The way things were unfolding had truly exceeded his expectations.
“Little Qiushui, what is it?”
Moments later, from within the drifting sandalwood mist, came the soft voice of a woman — faintly weary, yet gentle, soothing away all worldly restlessness.
“Master, I’ve found the banished immortal,” Luo Qiushui said coolly.
“Oh? Really? Don’t fool your master.”
“It’s true.”
“Hiss—”
Everyone present heard the sharp sound of someone drawing in a deep breath.
“…” Luo Qiushui’s expression remained unchanged, clearly used to her master’s temperament.
“Where?”
Everyone could sense the shift in tone from within the sandalwood mist.
“In the Imperial Capital of Great Qian, at the Dragon-Tiger Institute,” Luo Qiushui replied.
“…”
The voice from beyond fell silent for a long moment, then finally spoke again. “But I cannot go there now.”
“I wish to take him as a disciple on your behalf,” Luo Qiushui said.
“Very well. Three months from now, I shall come personally.”
As her words fell, the drifting sandalwood mist quietly dispersed.
Pu Chengjun and Fang Wendao’s expressions shifted repeatedly, and when they looked at Shen Yanzhou again, their gazes were completely different from before.
Judging from the situation, that Grandmaster had truly agreed.
Didn’t that mean that from now on, Shen Yanzhou’s status had instantly elevated — he was now their Martial Uncle Ancestor?
——
Compared to the Martial Academy, the Daoist Academy’s environment was much more tranquil. Even its courtyards were divided by individual cultivation caves.
In the Imperial Capital, where every inch of land was precious, mountain ranges were concealed amidst the landscape — not towering, yet still retaining their primordial terrain. Purple clouds wound around the slopes, spiritual herbs and orchids sprouted between rocks, mist drifted in thin veils — it was a scene that could only be described as an immortal’s paradise.
Shen Yanzhou followed behind Luo Qiushui as she led him into the Daoist Academy. Along the way, many disciples stopped to look at him, their expressions complex and conflicted.
Even the elders of the Daoist Academy, upon seeing him now, had to twitch the corners of their mouths and greet him as “Martial Uncle Ancestor Shen.”
The drastic shift in seniority was so immense that even though Shen Yanzhou had mentally prepared himself, it still took him quite some time to adjust and accept it.
At first, he had only intended to stir up some trouble — he had never imagined he would end up as a Martial Uncle Ancestor of the Daoist Academy.
Still, this incident earned him another wave of negative emotions.
Today’s harvest alone was over three hundred points; adding to his previous accumulation, he now had more than six hundred — which meant he had gathered a total of six base attribute points.
“If I were decisive, I could pour all six points into The True Explanation of Primordial Unity. My cultivation realm could break through another major stage.”
“But there’s no need for that yet. Sixth Rank is already shocking enough.”
“Even though Emperor Mingde currently shields me openly, there’s no guarantee others won’t start coveting me later.”
As Shen Yanzhou pondered, he realized he was now closer than ever to his goal of reaching First Rank.
He planned to spend some time in the Daoist Academy to make up for his shortcomings. Once he achieved balance in both internal and external cultivation, he would become a truly well-rounded warrior.
“This is your cave dwelling.”
As his thoughts wandered, a cool, clear voice reached him.
He looked ahead to see a meditation chamber carved directly into a steep cliff wall, following the mountain’s natural contours. Outside was a small courtyard with a pond.
Green bamboo grew around it, lotus leaves floated on the water, and the surroundings were serene. The murmur of flowing water mingled with the chirping of spirit sparrows hopping on branches — the spiritual energy here was noticeably denser.
Compared to the Martial Academy’s courtyard, this was an immense improvement.
“Luo…” Shen Yanzhou began, looking down at Luo Qiushui, who only reached his chest.
“Call me Senior Sister.”
Luo Qiushui’s tone was as ever — cool, detached, and devoid of emotion.
“Yes, Senior Sister Luo.”
Shen Yanzhou hadn’t yet had time to inquire about this Senior Sister’s background, though judging from how the two vice deans — Pu Chengjun and Fang Wendao — addressed her, he could make some guesses.
“My cave dwelling is not far from yours. If you encounter any confusion, you may come to me anytime.”
“The teachings passed down by my master are profound, but they point directly to the essence of the Great Dao. Since you are the Banished Immortal, you should be able to comprehend them easily.”
As she spoke, a scroll appeared in Luo Qiushui’s slender, pale hand.
She handed it directly to Shen Yanzhou.
Shen Yanzhou thought to himself that he didn’t really need another cultivation technique. What he wanted to learn were Daoist spells and divine arts — things like Heavenly Law Manifestation, Scattering Beans to Form Soldiers, Summoning Wind and Rain, or Turning Heaven and Earth. Even lesser arts like Commanding Spirits and Summoning Generals or Worlds Within the Sleeve would do.
What Daoist scripture could possibly compare to his True Explanation of Primordial Unity?
“Yes, Senior Sister.”
Nonetheless, he accepted the ancient scroll and examined it through his panel.
【An uninscribed heavenly scripture with no recorded techniques.】
The corner of Shen Yanzhou’s mouth twitched.
He looked toward Luo Qiushui — the young Daoist nun’s expression remained calm and serious. Her delicate white face still carried a trace of baby fat, her lips red and teeth white, lashes thick like feathers — she looked more like an innocent girl next door than a reclusive cultivator.
Surely, she wasn’t fooling him?
Was this truly the cultivation scripture passed down by that Grandmaster of the Taiqing Immortal Sect?
“What is it?”
Seeing Shen Yanzhou staring at her, Luo Qiushui’s fine brows furrowed slightly as she asked in mild puzzlement.
Shen Yanzhou took a deep breath before replying with a faint, elegant smile. “It’s nothing. Senior Sister, did you truly gain insight from this scripture?”
Luo Qiushui nodded. “At first glance, it is blank. Look again — still blank. And the last time, still blank.”
“But with every reading, one comprehends a different truth, sensing the existence of Heaven and Earth’s spiritual energy, and naturally grasping the art of breathing and circulation.”
“…”
Shen Yanzhou felt he could already imagine what sort of temperament that unseen Grandmaster of the Taiqing Immortal Sect must possess.
Still, one thing was certain — this Senior Sister was truly a genius. A rare, undisputed genius.
——
“Not good… that old man’s prophecy — it seems it’s really coming true.”
At the same time, on a remote island millions of li away from the Imperial Capital of Great Qian, waves surged violently and the sea wind howled. An elderly man with snow-white hair, dressed in a white feathered robe, sat by the shore fishing.
His brows drooped, dust and sea salt caked his body, and seaweed and moss clung to the rocks beside him — they had nearly grown onto him, as if he had sat there for countless years.
Suddenly, a slightly impatient woman’s voice came from the void beside him, making the white-robed elder’s eyelids twitch as if he were about to wake.
“Senior Brother, stop sleeping.”
“The fish has taken the bait.”
The next instant, a snow-white fist struck the top of his head, jolting him awake as his eyelids flew open.
From the void before him stepped a Daoist nun. She wore a cyan Daoist robe, her long black hair loosely tied with a simple wooden pin, slightly disheveled — as though she had just risen from a nap. Her exquisite face carried a trace of anxiety.
The white-robed elder still seemed dazed, his gaze fixed on his fishing rod.
“Senior Brother…”
The woman’s voice sounded again, louder now, with more force.
“Oh, oh, it’s Xiaoxuan…”
“What brings you to see your Senior Brother today?”
The white-robed elder finally opened his eyes fully, smiling amiably at the beautiful Daoist nun before him.
“Senior Brother, are you deaf again?” the nun frowned.
“I may have slept too long… has it been a hundred years?” The elder rubbed his head and brushed off some seaweed.
“Ten years.”
The Daoist nun’s expression cooled. She truly wondered if her Senior Brother was becoming senile — was old age slowing his mind?
“Only ten years? Then it’s still early for the fish to bite…” the elder muttered.
The Daoist nun bit her lip. “Senior Brother, are you truly deaf? The prophecy left by our Master has come true — the Banished Immortal has encountered the Outer Demon!”
“What?”
The white-robed elder froze — and when he understood, his gaze deepened instantly. His entire demeanor transformed. Behind him, the raging waves of the sea suddenly stilled.