"Senior Han is quite right about that. Whoever assumes the position of Spirit Emperor this time will likely face grave peril — the risk of perishing during the Demon Tribulation is extremely high. Aunt Liu should also know that my grandmother was once an In-Name Disciple under Senior Mo Jianli's tutelage. Even after she became the head of the Ye Clan, she still treated Senior Mo with the respect due a master. And just a few years ago, Senior Mo suddenly arrived at the Ye estate bearing injuries, conversed with my grandmother through an entire day and night in private, then departed quietly." Ye Ying abruptly revealed something that made Liu Qing draw in a sharp breath.
"You're saying — Senior Mo Jianli was injured? That's impossible! With Senior Mo's heaven-defying abilities, how could he be wounded in this realm? Could it be that..." Liu Qing immediately seemed to recall something.
As for Han Li, he had naturally heard a thing or two about this Human Race Mahayana cultivator, and his expression shifted slightly as well.
"It seems Aunt Liu has guessed part of it. A few years ago, Senior Mo used the Star Disk to force open a passage between realms and entered the Demon Realm, hoping to investigate the demons' movements before the Demon Tribulation descended. Unexpectedly, he was spotted by two Ancient Demon Holy Ancestors deep in the Demon Realm and had no choice but to fight his way out. Fortunately, Senior Mo had been prudent — before departing, he had borrowed a life-saving supreme treasure from the Beast Race's ancestor to protect himself. That was the only reason he escaped back to the Spirit Realm having merely suffered some damage to his vital essence rather than his life. In truth, that was nothing short of a blessing in disguise!" the young woman explained.
"Senior Mo went to the Demon Realm? I've been in closed cultivation these past few years and truly had no knowledge of this. Why would Senior Mo take such an extreme risk? If I recall correctly, the last time the Demon Tribulation descended, he did nothing of the sort." Liu Qing's delicate brows knitted together tightly.
"The Ye Clan doesn't have many details either, but it seems Senior Mo received a warning from powerful beings of his own race — that the coming Demon Tribulation would be far more ferocious than any in previous epochs. If even the slightest thing went wrong, both the Human and Beast Races could be truly annihilated. That was why Senior Mo chose to risk himself. And though he didn't manage to stay long in the Demon Realm, he did uncover some extremely alarming signs. So the moment he returned to the Human World, he sought out our Ye Clan and borrowed some of the True Blood of the Heavenly Phoenix to refine a supremely powerful artifact capable of countering this Demon Tribulation. Otherwise, even our Ye Clan would have had no idea just how dangerous this tribulation truly is. Even a Mahayana cultivator like Senior Mo is deeply troubled!" The young woman's face carried a helpless look.
Han Li and Liu Qing both felt their hearts tighten upon hearing this.
"What exactly did Senior Mo see in the Demon Realm? Did he not mention anything?" Han Li suddenly asked.
"That much, this junior does not know. My grandmother only spoke of it with a few members of the clan. Perhaps my mother knows more, but she didn't tell me. This time, my mother sent me out specifically to warn Aunt Liu and several other senior cultivators who are on good terms with the Ye Clan — under no circumstances should you vie for the position of Spirit Emperor a century from now. It seems the first channels through which the Demon Realm and Spirit Realm will converge this time are near the Sky-Sustaining Spirit Tree in the Heavenly Spirit Domain. This Spirit Emperor's Holy City will almost certainly become the demons' primary target. And once the Demon Tribulation erupts, the Three Emperors will absolutely not permit anyone to abandon the three great holy cities and retreat. Beyond that reason, Senior Mo Jianli and the forces of the Holy Island also intend for the Heavenly Spirit City to serve as a massive lure to draw in the demons. They plan to leverage the miraculous power of the Sky-Sustaining Spirit Tree and the city's many restrictions to whittle down the demon armies as much as possible, relieving pressure on the other Human Race factions. Therefore, the newly appointed Spirit Emperor must stand on the front lines of resistance against the Ancient Demon Race, holding the Heavenly Spirit City to the very last without yielding a single step. I trust I need not elaborate further on how dangerous that will be," the young woman finished with a bitter smile.
Liu Qing and Han Li exchanged stunned glances.
"So that's how it is. This must be one of the pieces of intelligence Senior Mo uncovered in the Demon Realm. Knowing this in advance, our Human Race can at least make thorough preparations and avoid being caught off guard. I take back what I said before — his infiltration of the Demon Realm this time was an act of immeasurable merit. Ying'er, do thank your mother for the warning as well. Had I actually won the position of Spirit Emperor, I would most likely have had to live or die alongside the Heavenly Spirit City." The woman's expression shifted between several emotions for a long moment before she finally let out a long breath.
Han Li, standing to the side, silently thanked his luck as well.
After all, he had his own interest in the Spirit Emperor's throne.
It was clear the Ye Clan members had never imagined that a cultivator who had only recently advanced to the Deity Transformation stage would covet the position. So everything they had just said had been directed entirely at the Thousand Spirit Fairy.
The young woman hadn't concealed anything from him, most likely because of the favor he had done the Wood Race years ago — and also to grant him a small debt of gratitude.
Even though he hadn't learned everything, at the very least he now knew that the coming Demon Tribulation was approaching with tremendous ferocity and posed extraordinary danger.
That alone was enough to send a chill through his heart.
His original plan to cultivate slowly and methodically would now need to be adjusted.
"This junior has now said everything that needed saying. Next, there is another matter I must address. Ying'er is here representing my mother to extend an invitation to Aunt Liu and Senior Han — she would like the two of you to become Supreme Guest Elders of our Ye Clan." Just as Han Li and Liu Qing had barely begun to digest the startling news, the young woman flashed them a radiant smile.
"Supreme Guest Elders! Ying'er, did your mother not tell you that I joined the previous Spirit Emperor's service only because he had shown me great kindness on several occasions and I could not repay him otherwise? Now that I've finally regained my freedom, I have absolutely no desire to place myself under anyone's yoke again. Otherwise, I wouldn't be aiming for the Spirit Emperor's throne with merely mid-stage Deity Transformation cultivation." Liu Qing shook her head in immediate refusal, barely pausing to think.
"My mother is well aware of that, but she asked me to convey a few words to you, Aunt Liu. If you're still unwilling after hearing them, she will never press the matter in the slightest." Ye Ying blinked and replied with a bright smile.
"A few words! Heh, after so many years, your mother is still as eccentric and sharp-tongued as ever. Very well, I'll hear her out." Liu Qing started briefly, then smiled despite herself.
Ye Ying relaxed upon hearing this, then moved her lips slightly and transmitted a message via voice secret art.