After these words were spoken, Liu Qingxi and Li Zhengshen suddenly understood. Liu Qingyun pondered for a moment, then nodded.
“Hey, wait—how come I’m the only one who doesn’t know?” Yuan He looked at the others.
“Can someone explain it to me?”
“Under normal circumstances, it’s a reasonable deduction.” Lu Li carefully withdrew his hand and pointed at the Celestial Fox Sacred Blood on the table, since Xiao Li was still clinging to his arm.
“Some weakened demon races are similar to humans. Furthermore, when a demon race’s sacred blood is consumed by a human, it can produce a confusing effect.”
“With these two factors combined, some demon clans can invite human cultivators to the Ten Thousand Demons Conference.”
“But this time, they invited us Foundation Establishment cultivators. Clearly, the situation is unusual.”
Lu Li finished speaking and looked at the old woman. “Madam, may I ask how to address you?”
“You may call me Xiu Popo.” The old woman nodded.
“The Holy Maiden Lu speaks very wisely—truly a refined and intelligent heart. No wonder our little Xiao Li likes you so much.”
“Ah…” Lu Li could only give an awkward smile. “And what will happen at the upcoming Ten Thousand Demons Conference?”
“Each conference’s events are different… but in the end, it’s about selecting the Supreme Chief of Ten Thousand Demons and discussing attitudes toward the human race.”
“Although our Celestial Fox Clan has sided with the humans, some of our tribesmen still reside in the Demon Country. So attending this conference is also a way to bet on both sides.”
“On one hand, we want to protect our Saintess; on the other, we want to buy time and safe passage for those tribesmen living in the Demon Country…”
As Xiu Popo spoke, her kind gaze fell on Xiao Li.
“Xiao Li is still too young. If she were to participate personally, she would have no chance of winning.”
“But if we don’t participate this time, our tribesmen will be directly labeled as traitors and killed without mercy.”
As Xiu Popo explained, Li Zhengshen quickly frowned, while the others sighed.
After a moment, Li Zhengshen spoke up.
“In other words, if one wins first place at the Ten Thousand Demons Conference—even a human disguised as a demon—they can gain a part of the demon race’s voice.”
“But would the demon race really just hand over their voice so easily?” Liu Qingxi asked doubtfully.
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“Of course it’s not that simple. The demon race periodically checks bloodlines to confirm one is truly a demon before granting such rights.” Xiu Popo bowed again.
“Fellow Daoists, seniors, please consider carefully whether you are willing to participate. I swear I will not seek any rewards from the Ten Thousand Demons Conference.”
“Hmm…” Li Zhengshen pondered for a moment, looking at everyone in the hall, and even paused for a beat on Xiao Li, who was beside Lu Li.
“You are all Foundation Establishment cultivators, and Holy Sons and Holy Daughters of your sects. I won’t interfere with your choices.”
“However… the Heavenly Deduction Sect has given me a lot of information.” Li Zhengshen shrugged, took out a jade disk from his storage bag, glanced at it, and then explained in his own words.
“Since we’re disguising ourselves as demons to participate in the Ten Thousand Demons Conference, we can use this opportunity to gradually convey human culture and knowledge. That will facilitate future exchanges.” Li Zhengshen threw one of the jade disks to Liu Qingxi.
“Try to win Blackstone City over to the human side.”
“There are also some things to investigate later…” Li Zhengshen glanced at Xiu Popo.
“We’ll discuss that once you enter the Demon Country.”
At this, Xiu Popo nodded.
“But if you do win first place at the conference, your every move will obviously affect the entire human and demon races, so act with caution.”
“Also.” Li Zhengshen tapped the table with his finger.
“Since we’re going after Blackstone City, don’t treat all demons as enemies. Negotiate with those who can be negotiated with, investigate those who can be investigated. Only act against those who harbor murderous intent or threaten your lives or the lives of the innocent.”
“Over the years, the human race has had some exchanges with the demon race, but they’ve always been at the borders, in grand halls, in those lofty places.” Li Zhengshen let out a long breath.
“Perhaps this infiltration will show you something different.”
While Li Zhengshen was speaking, Xiu Popo quietly moved to Xiao Li’s side and prepared to leave with her.
But when she tried to take Xiao Li away from Lu Li, the little girl’s eyes filled with tears, reluctant to part.
Lu Li had to coax her for a while before Xiao Li finally looked back step by step and walked toward the back hall.
“But in any case, if you’re willing to take on this mission, these four bottles of Celestial Fox Sacred Blood are yours. As for the Stabilizing Heart Pills… those are precious. I’ll have to talk with the people at the Ascending Heavenly Palace.” Li Zhengshen flicked his wrist and took back the three wooden boxes.
“What do you choose?”
“I’ll go.” Lu Li nodded first.
His practice of the Bewitch Heart technique did manifest a peculiar Celestial Fox Dharma Manifestation.
Previously, his master had speculated that there might be a trace of Celestial Fox bloodline hidden within his body.
From that perspective, Lu Li was also very curious about the fox clan. Plus, the way Xiao Li had been so close to him just now stirred a strange thought in Lu Li’s mind.
Could his mother be a fox clan member, or someone with fox blood?
In his hazy memories, his mother had died right after giving birth to him.
His father raised him until he was eight, then died again in the beast tide.
“Ah… the beast tide.” With a sigh, Lu Li raised his head, stretched out his hand first, and used his divine sense to grab the Celestial Fox Sacred Blood from the table.
“I’ll go too.” Liu Qingxi also picked up the porcelain bottle. “Foundation Establishment cultivation isn’t easy.”
“Every step is a chasm. If you always stay in safety, how can your cultivation ever improve?” Liu Qingyun said, and the porcelain bottle floated before him.
“If you’re all going, I have to be included too. Otherwise, this trip to the Northern Domain would be a waste.” Yuan He reached out and grabbed one.
“Should we drink it directly?”
“It contains rich essence, so that’s not impossible. But I’d suggest finding a suitable time.” Li Zhengshen glanced at the sky.
“Return to your own courtyards. I’ll check the spirits of that little girl and Xiu Popo one more time.”
“Yes!”
Bidding farewell to the familiar group, Lu Li and Liu Qingxi left the hall, stepping onto the Light Gauze and floating above the palace.
“Lu Li, so you really are a woman.” Liu Qingxi’s face wore a victorious expression.
“See, both Holy Sons from the Southern Region recognized your female form. Not to mention that little fox girl was especially close to you.”
“I can explain this.”
“I understand. I’ve been through what you’re going through.” Liu Qingxi sat on the jade disk and gently bumped against the Light Gauze beneath Lu Li’s feet.
“Let’s not talk about that now. What stage of Refining Self are you at?”
“Hmm… I’ve condensed True Yuan into about a hundred acupoints.” Lu Li took an internal look and sighed again.
Cultivation in female form was indeed fast.
As long as she sat cross-legged in meditation, a faint spiritual energy vortex would appear in her courtyard, and the energy would eagerly rush into her acupoints.
According to Lu Li’s calculations, in about a month, she would be able to step into the Dragon Revelation Stage of Foundation Establishment.
“I’m slower. I have a Divination Spiritual Root, not a Charm Spiritual Root like you.” Liu Qingxi closed her eyes and sighed too.
“I can calculate which days are most efficient for cultivation and which aren’t.”
“That’s convenient.” When Lu Li rose to midair, she headed toward the market square.
“Hmm? Planning to buy some spirit herbs?”
“Something like that. I’ve earned some spirit stones recently by selling Flower and Grass Dew.” Lu Li felt the low-grade spirit stones clinking in her storage bracelet.
In this perpetually snowy place, few were willing to refine Flower and Grass Dew.
So one bottle of hers could sell for as high as ten spirit stones.
“I’ll see you tonight then. I’m really looking forward to the effects of the Celestial Fox Sacred Blood.” Liu Qingxi said, then sat on her disk, did a flip in midair, and flew toward her own courtyard.
“See you.” Lu Li walked into the market, considering what elixirs or talismans she would need for the trip into demon territory.
After entering the Foundation Establishment Stage, the power she controlled was indeed much stronger than during the Qi Refining Stage.
If she were in the mortal world, she would be unstoppable. Mortal weapons, city walls, schemes—all were like paper in front of a cultivator.
But in the Immortal Realm, she faced other cultivators.
If you have a stronger spear, I have a stronger shield.
With this give-and-take, the Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation seemed insufficient.
“Now I have over a hundred drops of True Yuan in my body, but that only allows me to use the Mountain-Splitting Strike a dozen times. If I can’t kill with one blow, the threat will only grow.” Thinking this, Lu Li looked at the talismans.
“Escape Talisman, Blood-Burning Talisman… all useful, but the price…”
“Hey, everyone, make way, make way!” While she was browsing, Lu Li heard shouts from afar.
Her divine sense swept over—it was a disciple with a jade disk at his belt, pushing a large cart moving slowly.
On the cart were a thick helmet, armor, and a giant sword over two meters tall.
“What is this… a Sword Golem?” Lu Li stepped back a few paces and stood side by side with the talisman vendor.
“You wouldn’t know, Fairy, but this is a Spirit Armor jointly made by the Heavenly Deduction Sect and the Giant Spirit Gate.” The vendor glanced at the bracelet on Lu Li’s left wrist, then immediately looked down at the ground.
Seeing this, Lu Li could only smile wryly.
She had been restraining her Bewitch Heart technique and Enchanting Sound as much as possible, but she had still caused quite a stir at the market last time.
It had both good and bad effects. As long as people saw the bracelet on her wrist, they knew the Yin Yang Sect’s Saintess had arrived.
And since no one dared to look at her directly, the sales of Flower and Grass Dew hadn’t involved much haggling, so she had earned some extra funds.
“Spirit Armor… I see, I have a general idea.” From her conversations with Liu Qingxi, Lu Li had learned that although the Heavenly Deduction Sect could foresee the future and had some cultivation, they really weren’t good at fighting on the battlefield.
According to inherited memories, high-level Divination Masters could use heaven, earth, mountains, rivers, sun, moon, and stars as attack methods.
But cultivators at the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages couldn’t do that.
The Giant Spirit Gate, on the other hand, was born with Dharma Aspects. Those massive Dharma Aspects could clear enemies very efficiently.
So the Heavenly Deduction Sect came up with an idea: could they learn from that and let their people wear thick Spirit Armor?
That way, they could protect themselves and also fight on the front lines.
She had only occasionally talked about it with Liu Qingxi, but had never seen a real one before.
“Hmm… Fellow Daoist ahead, could you stop for a moment?” Lu Li took a step forward, her voice clear, calling out to the disciple pushing the cart.
“It’s the Yin Yang Sect’s Holy Maiden Lu.” When the crowd glimpsed Lu Li’s bracelet, they immediately bowed.
“Are you interested in the Spirit Armor?”
“Yes, very interested.” Lu Li nodded and asked, “May I know how much this Spirit Armor costs?”
“Your Holiness, this Spirit Armor is still in testing and hasn’t been put on sale yet,” replied the leading Heavenly Deduction Sect disciple.
“There are still many aspects that need adjustment…”
“What if I participate?” Lu Li said, looking at the two-meter-long giant sword.
A vague plan was slowly taking shape in her mind.