Chapter 112: The Prophecy Witch

Gongyang Yan fixed his gaze on Jiang Dongliu.

"How do you know so many secrets?" Gongyang Yan asked in a deep voice.

"Do you really think the Guliang royal family would pin their hopes on you? That forbidden existence—no matter the Guliang royal house or even the Daoist patriarch of the Taiyi Sect—would be prepared with utmost vigilance," Jiang Dongliu replied calmly.

As a disciple of the Yin-Yang Heavenly Sect, Jiang Dongliu held a high position within the sect, naturally granting him access to the most concealed secrets of the order. Though the Guliang royal family was powerful, under the watchful eyes of the sect, they harbored no true secrets. The sect relished the thought of the Guliang family's decline, yet they foresaw a far more terrifying future approaching.

The Great Yuan Empire was the Celestial Empire, its influence towering over even the divine abodes of the Celestial Court. If the empire merely lost its divine artifacts, it would be of little consequence to them. But if barbarian lands were to supplant it, with evil gods invading the central plains, occupying their sacred mountains and holy places, and eradicating their Daoist traditions—that would be a catastrophe beyond measure.

They did not wish to see the Great Yuan Empire fall. Nor would they become accomplices to the barbarians' conquest of the central lands. Instead, they waited—for the empire’s decline, for the sect’s rightful return to the imperial court, to be summoned back with honor and respect by the Guliang royal family. The promises broken by the great ancestor, the dignity lost by the grand progenitor’s missteps on the rivers and lakes—all were to be reclaimed at once.

"Jiang Dongliu, it seems you know quite a lot," Gongyang Yan said, unable to hide his urge to act. Yet he understood that without unleashing his full power, he was no match for Jiang Dongliu. This formidable figure, ranked second on the Hidden Dragon List, wielded immensely powerful divine abilities.

"Young Master Yu also knows much. He hopes you will marry a prince of the Guliang royal family, become a princess, and evade this calamity," Jiang Dongliu mentioned Yu Gongzi with a hint of solemnity. Yu Gongzi was a difficult man to contend with.

"I don’t want to hear such nonsense," Gongyang Yan said irritably.

"Baili Feihong must not be touched. If the Kun Demon truly carries the bloodline of the Kunpeng, the Celestial Guardian of the Chu family would have taken it long ago; how could it have survived until now?" Jiang Dongliu whispered.

"A true demon with unique divine demon blood roaming the waters near Dongbin City—that must be the secret suppressed by the Demon Suppression Tower," he continued.

Gongyang Yan said nothing, then vanished from sight.

"So fast—he must have mastered the mystical ‘Carefree Journey’ technique," Jiang Dongliu murmured, turning his attention to Mount Dali.

Since the appearance of the Eastern Marquis army commander, Jiang Dongliu had never left Dali Town. He guarded this place. This was his opportunity. Even if the Underworld had operated here for a long time, they could not wrest it from him. While others feared the Underworld, Jiang Dongliu did not. Did he think the Yin-Yang Heavenly Sect was a mere vegetarian?

Gongyang Yan, with a grave expression, pondered.

"Feihong is on Feiyuan Island, and now Jiang Yuer of the Yin-Yang Heavenly Sect has taken action. But it’s definitely not alone," he thought.

"The Demon Suppression Department’s rule is that demon suppression seeds must respond to all dangers," he reflected.

"This concerns the overall control of the Demon Suppression Department."

"The dead have no qualifications."

"This path was one I guided him onto."

"He must still be reminded."

The three-year pact—Gongyang Yan knew it might not hold.

The birth of Han Su, the ancient ice maiden, had already drawn much attention. But Jiang Dongliu’s guard over Mount Dali silently told many powers that the Gate of the Yellow Springs truly existed.

Gongyang Yan understood Jiang Dongliu's intentions: to seize the Gate of the Yellow Springs. If it were simply a matter of taking the gate, Gongyang Yan would have entered Mount Dali long ago. His layout here was to nurture momentum—a force of invincible divine powers. This was a killing trap.

And the opponent seemed to have learned the secret of prophecy.

The Dragon Gazer nurtured this invincible momentum to become an unrivaled magic master. He exchanged a hawk, who delivered a letter to the spirit beast trained by the Demon Suppression Department, to be brought to Baili Feihong.

"Once you leave Dongbin City, everything rests on your own shoulders," Gongyang Yan said wearily.

Baili Feihong had witnessed a martial miracle, and she had a part in its creation. She did not wish for Baili Feihong to perish.

...

Feiyuan Island.

The northern island was vast. Finding the ruins was difficult. Moreover, Baili Feihong had no knowledge of the so-called ruins.

"I swept through a thousand miles of Feiyuan Island with my blood energy, but the slumbering forbidden demons did not awaken. This is rather strange," Baili Feihong muttered.

She had encountered a true demon—strange, not invincible to her, but its form had changed, and it could evolve further. This demon was cunning; it fled to the Devil’s Sea at once. Next time they met, it would be a formidable foe.

"My Return to Origin Cauldron is fully formed," she said.

"But my cultivation of primordial energy at the Yuan Embryo stage still lags."

The air’s sinister aura had been cleared. The northern island’s vitality was abundant, especially around the northern island prison, where the energy surpassed other regions.

"If Feiyuan Island has three great treasures, one is the Lone Dragon Mountain, the second the Northern Island Prison, and the third the Dragon Tail of the Western Island," she explained.

Feiyuan Island’s ley lines formed the shape of a coiled dragon. Viewed from above, it was a true dragon lurking in the sea. The northern island prison was at the dragon’s vital spot, where myriad energies converged.

"The garrison mansion at Zhen Nan City was left in ruins. This place is excellent. I will establish my manor atop the mountain by the northern island prison to suit my cultivation needs," she decided.

Her acupoints and Return to Origin Cauldron required absorption of the world’s energy. Her internal vitality had not yet reached its limit.

Feiyuan Island’s coiled dragon formation could gather the Southern Sea’s energies here, aiding Baili Feihong’s further refinement of her Yuan Embryo.

In her eyes, there were no peaks or limits—only repeated refinement to elevate her power’s tier. Only when breaking realms could one reap greater rewards.

What others deemed impossible was simple to her.

After confirming the northern island was cleared of demons, she said, "The turbid energy is cleansed; pure energy shall come."

The cleansed Feiyuan Island would soon brim with even richer vitality. Her martial cultivation would enter a golden era.

Stepping off the northern island, Qin Tiesheng hurried to Baili Feihong’s side.

"The prosthetic limb crafted by the city’s alchemist is clever," Baili Feihong noted, glancing at the silver metal leg hidden beneath her trousers. The mystical patterns etched onto it allowed blood energy to flow in, making the leg more agile than a normal one.

"Sir, this alchemist offended the Holy Knights of the Fara Empire and was pursued by one of their knights. Forced to flee, he escaped Fara and arrived here with a merchant ship, opening an alchemy shop in Zhen Nan City," Qin Tiesheng explained quietly.

"Do you want me to recruit him to the Demon Suppression Department?" Baili Feihong inferred Qin Tiesheng’s meaning.

"Yes, sir. Though you are strong, you cannot handle everything. If this alchemist joins, creating alchemical items and training demon suppression apprentices, he could independently carry out demon suppression missions," Qin Tiesheng said shrewdly.

Few could earn his approval; this alchemist was a rare figure on Feiyuan Island.

"Very well. If he wishes to join, he is welcome. But since you recruit him, you must verify his loyalty," Baili Feihong said.

She recalled Zuo Fenghan, the former prison commander she had slain—a powerful man but morally corrupt. Whether he died at the hands of Nangong Zhen was unknown. Once dead, all mysteries died with him.

"Rest assured, sir. This man pursues the path of truth and cares not for power, politics, or wealth," Qin Tiesheng said excitedly.

Baili Feihong studied him deeply. Such people were the most dangerous to leaders—no weaknesses, only caution.

Suddenly, she thought of her garrison manor. If entrusted to this alchemist, could he build the cultivation paradise she envisioned?

She could not live in the Demon Suppression Tower forever. The tower was empty now, but if the large-scale recruitment succeeded, it would become crowded, leaving no privacy. Valuable items could not be kept there—too many spies.

Feiyuan Island was a place where dragons and serpents mingled. Outwardly, the people seemed kind, but behind closed doors, who was human or ghost, even her divine eye could not discern.

"Sir, the prefect has gone mad," Hu Zuo said hurriedly, seizing the moment to report.

"It was the act of an outer elder from the Primordial Demon Sect. Do not interfere; I will handle it," Baili Feihong said sternly.

Nangong Zhen was a difficult adversary, especially with his mastery of the Primordial Demon Heart Talisman that could turn even veteran soldiers into puppets. Such a technique was nearly impossible to defend against. Even someone as formidable as Zuo Fenghan failed to realize he was controlled.

"Primordial Demon Sect?" Baili Feihong’s eight demon suppression officers exchanged grim looks, even fear flashing in their eyes. The terror of the Primordial Demon Sect was evident.

"The situation on Feiyuan Island is more complex than I imagined. The demon outbreak at the northern island prison is resolved, but too many were slain. Death leaves marks; I fear a resurgence of the deathly embers. Therefore, I intend to build a garrison manor on the prison ruins," Baili Feihong whispered while the demon suppression team was gathered.

"No," several voices opposed.

"Indeed, sir, the mountain forests of the northern island are rife with demons and ghosts," one said.

"And so many died there—it’s too ominous," another agreed.

"The old garrison manor was fine," a third added.

"What of the garrison manor in Zhen Nan City if a new one is built?" they asked.

Baili Feihong stood firm.

"The old manor will serve as a temporary residence for Demon Suppression Department officials visiting. If they come, they can rest there," she said.

The officers found no grounds to argue. They had their own interests: if something happened in Zhen Nan City, they could summon the garrison commander immediately. Building a manor on the northern island meant it was too far from the Demon Suppression Tower. Even if the commander could fly, emergencies would be difficult to reach quickly. Moreover, Baili Feihong residing in Zhen Nan City was a threat to many powers.

"I build the new manor for cultivation convenience. Zhen Nan City is too crowded; my training creates disturbances that affect others," Baili Feihong explained her concerns.

"You truly love your people like your own children," one officer said.

"Rest assured, if anyone dares to harm you, they will first test if my blade is sharp," Baili Feihong said coldly.

After these recent killings, no one dared cause trouble in front of the Demon Suppression Department. The Zhen Nan Navy had better curb their arrogance. As for those lurking in the shadows, their actions suited her perfectly.

"Sir, I’ll arrange it immediately," Hu Zuo said respectfully.

"Also, if we recruit that alchemist to help construct it, I want my palace—no, my manor—built within a month," Baili Feihong ordered with narrowed eyes.

Hu Zuo looked troubled; the timeframe was too short.

"Have the Feiyuan Merchants’ Guild cooperate," Baili Feihong commanded.

"With their involvement, this will be much easier," Hu Zuo smiled.

The northern island remained a restricted zone—no one was allowed entry. Yet soon, news spread: the garrison commander intended to build a manor on the northern island prison ruins to suppress its lingering resentment and clear the demon energies. The day the northern island lifted its ban would be the day development began.

Some worried, others rejoiced.

Those anxious were Qian Yuchen of the Zhen Nan Navy and his associates.

Those rejoicing were the city’s great merchants. If the demons were cleared and the beast attacks ceased, this land rich with hidden treasures would be unlocked for development, promising vast wealth.

Even though the Feiyuan Merchants’ Guild was controlled by the Zhen Nan Navy, many of its leaders were delighted, no longer disheartened by the guild’s building destruction. If the northern island were truly developed and a new city built, the guild’s wealth would grow exponentially.

Governor Yan remained calm and composed.

"Governor, are you truly allowing Baili Feihong to build her manor on the northern island prison ruins?" Zhong Ziling asked.

Yan replied, "The northern and western islands have long been forbidden zones, covering most of Feiyuan Island. If fully developed, Feiyuan Island’s prosperity is imaginable. For years, it was the land and resources that limited development."

"But if the northern island is developed, won’t our investments there be lost?" Zhong Ziling was anxious.

"Not at all. What belongs to the Zhen Nan Navy cannot be taken by others. Even if the Demon Suppression Department gifts land to local powers, would they dare to accept?" Yan sneered.

"The Demon Suppression Department’s momentum is set, but island development remains a matter for the Zhen Nan Navy and the prefecture government. Do not forget—the governor’s office holds the rights to manage any land on Feiyuan Island, except for the Demon Suppression Department."

Though the governor’s office was not superior to the prefecture government, the court granted the navy many privileges to aid its development, as Feiyuan Island was originally a military base for the navy.

"Then the prefecture government becomes very important," Yan said, tapping the table.

Zhong Ziling fell silent.

Qian Yuchen’s control of the prefecture government would be a major obstacle to the navy’s plans on the northern island. If Qian Yuchen allied with the Demon Suppression Department, the navy would have no access.

"Vice Governor Qian is lucky," Zhong Ziling sighed.

"No, he’s not," Yan smiled knowingly.

"Does the governor have a backup plan?"

"Not me. Fati saw certain visions. I’m a few steps ahead of them," Yan laughed heartily.

"You sent this noble witch with prophetic powers; she has truly been a great help to me."