Chapter 18 Heart Demon

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Ji Ning was in excellent spirits.

The Xia Emperor nodded. "Crossing the tribulation is the greatest trial on the path of immortality; of course you must not take it lightly. And with karmic fire clinging to you, the heart demon tribulation will surely be extraordinary."

Ji Ning nodded.

Indeed.

Heart demons...

The last time, when the karmic fire descended as the triple tribulation, he had already witnessed the terror of heart demons. He just didn't know if he could withstand it this time.

"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave," Ji Ning said.

"Go ahead. Within a day or two, I will determine the location for your tribulation," the Xia Emperor said.

Ji Ning immediately departed.

This trip had been worthwhile. With the Xia Emperor's guarantee, if he could truly gain the protection of a Dao Ancestor, he would have nothing to worry about when crossing the tribulation.

...

"Trouble."

The day after Ji Ning visited the Xia Emperor, the azure-robed woman, who had been sitting cross-legged on a jade bed, changed expression. She immediately ordered, "Quickly summon the Floating Cloud True Immortal, the Withered Grass True Immortal, the Black Crow Celestial Immortal, the Poison Ugly Celestial Immortal, the Triyang God, and the Abandoned Beast God. Also invite the two leaders of the Ten Thousand Demons Cave and the Blood Cloud Tower."

"Yes." The maidservant waiting outside immediately responded.

In just a moment,

they had all gathered in the hall.

The Azure Fox God, Triyang God, and Abandoned Beast God were all from the Void Sect; the Floating Cloud True Immortal and Withered Grass True Immortal were Pure Yang True Immortals; and the Black Crow Celestial Immortal was of equal status. Only... the Poison Ugly Immortal had the lowest status among this group. After all, Gods and True Immortals were indeed major figures in the Three Realms. If they took a master, they could generally become disciples of a Dao Ancestor. Throughout the Three Realms, which God or True Immortal did not have a True God or Dao Ancestor backing them? Even if Ji Ning had a Dao Ancestor as a master, they would normally not care. What made them somewhat wary was that Ji Ning had learned the Eighty-Nine Arcane Art.

"The situation has changed." Once everyone was gathered, the azure-robed woman spoke solemnly.

"What's wrong?" Everyone looked at her.

Having summoned this group, it must be about Ji Ning. The Black Crow Celestial Immortal and Poison Ugly Immortal among them immediately changed expression; they were the most eager.

The azure-robed woman said gravely, "I've just received news that the location for Ji Ning's tribulation has been decided."

"Where?" pressed the Black Crow Celestial Immortal.

"He sought the Xia Emperor's protection. The Xia Emperor, fearing any mishap, did not use his own forces. Instead, he reported to the Redbright Dao Ancestor, requesting that Ji Ning undergo the tribulation at the Redbright Dao Ancestor's dojo. And the Redbright Dao Ancestor agreed." said the azure-robed woman.

This information was actually very secret.

The Xia Emperor hadn't even told his subordinates. Few knew of it at the Redbright Dao Ancestor's place, yet the Void Sect learned of it so quickly. Their intelligence network was unparalleled in the Three Realms, reaching a terrifying level.

But those present had no mind to think about that; they had long known of the Void Sect's formidable intelligence.

"The Redbright Dao Ancestor?"

"At a Dao Ancestor's dojo, there's nothing we can do."

"Should we ask a greater power?"

Everyone grew anxious.

Let alone avatars or clones, even if it were their true bodies, if they dared to enter a Dao Ancestor's dojo... the Redbright Dao Ancestor could probably annihilate them all in an instant.

"For Ji Ning, the higher-ups won't start a war with the Redbright Dao Ancestor," the azure-robed woman shook her head. "If we act, other Dao Ancestors and True Gods will intervene... it could trigger a massive melee among True Gods and Dao Ancestors. That cost is not something we can bear."

"Mm." Everyone nodded.

If True Gods and Dao Ancestors developed grudges and eventually caused a great uproar, that would be one thing.

But if they reported this and caused a great storm, resulting in the loss of two or three Dao Ancestors on their side, then they, as the source, would be in deep trouble.

"Then what do we do?" the Black Crow Celestial Immortal frowned and barked.

The others were silent.

But the horned man sitting quietly to the side smiled: "I have an idea."

"Oh?" Everyone immediately looked at him.

The Poison Ugly Immortal smiled: "Honored immortals, you should know that when Ji Ning fought with my Shaoyin clan, he was afflicted with karmic fire."

"Yes."

"Right."

Everyone's eyes began to light up; they understood at once, vaguely guessing what the Poison Ugly Immortal was about to say.

"With karmic fire clinging to him, the power of the wind, fire, and thunder tribulations during his tribulation will greatly increase. Actually, that's a minor matter. The most important is his heart demon tribulation—its power will increase the most dramatically," the Poison Ugly Immortal smiled. "And I've thoroughly investigated Ji Ning's nature. This man values loyalty and affection greatly. For family and loved ones, he would risk life and death. For brotherhood, he would act without hesitation."

"Right."

The man in fiery red robes nodded. "Ji Ning once, to save his junior apprentice-brother, went on a killing spree at one of our Ten Thousand Demons Cave's outposts, showing no fear of offending us."

"Those who value loyalty and affection are certainly admirable. Though I, Poison Ugly, cannot do it, I still admire them," the Poison Ugly Immortal said with a grin. "Because the greatest strength of such people is that their emotions can make their Dao-heart incredibly formidable. But likewise, emotions can become their weakness. Once their emotions collapse, their Dao-heart collapses."

"Of course, making Ji Ning's emotions collapse after he withstood karmic fire is unlikely. But filling his heart with boundless rage is possible!"

"Kill all his most important people."

"His 'Uncle Bai,' who is like a parent to him! His obedient spirit beast, the Azure Serpent!"

"That Qiuye, who is like family to him."

"His Dao-companion, Yu Wei."

"His junior apprentice-brother, Mu Zishuo."

"Kill them all! Ji Ning will surely be filled with rage and will definitely fall into demonic madness!" The Poison Ugly Immortal smiled even more brightly. "Though madness sometimes increases power, during the heart demon tribulation, falling into demonic madness is most taboo. Very few who are mad and demonic can survive the tribulation. Unless they have a truly clear Dao-heart and are genuine demons. But Ji Ning's nature is not that of a demon; he cannot achieve a clear Dao-heart while being a demon."

"Good," the azure-robed woman nodded. "But we don't need to kill Yu Wei."

"Not kill Yu Wei?" The Poison Ugly Immortal hesitated. "Though killing the others will still enrage him greatly, Yu Wei is his Dao-companion. Killing her would have a huge impact on Ji Ning."

"No, Yu Wei is Lü Dongbin's disciple. Our target this time is Ji Ning; I don't want to involve Lü Dongbin," the azure-robed woman swept her gaze across the room. "Everyone knows that once Lü Dongbin is involved, even our sect of the Void Sect might not withstand it."

Everyone immediately became solemn.

Under the God King, there were three hundred Void Sects. Though their sect was powerful, Lü Dongbin himself was extremely strong and had friends everywhere. The True God and Dao Ancestor friends he had made likely numbered over ten, and one who treated him like a son was a top leader of the Daoist school in the Three Realms. Once Lü Dongbin got involved... it would indeed be a great storm. He could casually call on friends like the Eight Immortals of the Upper Cave and wipe out their entire sect.

"Alright, we won't touch Yu Wei."

"Don't touch her."

Everyone quickly agreed.

The Poison Ugly Immortal sneered inwardly. These fellows were picking on the weak. It seemed that on the Void Sect's side... only truly top figures dared to trouble Lü Dongbin. At least these Gods and True Immortals present lacked the courage to face Lü Dongbin.

"Haha, killing the others is enough. That Uncle Bai and Qiuye are like family to Ji Ning," the Poison Ugly Immortal laughed. "Sect Leader, when do we act?"

"There's no time to lose. We'll make some preparations and strike directly at Wingsnake Lake tomorrow morning," the azure-robed woman said. "If Ji Ning happens to be at Wingsnake Lake and we have a chance to kill him, that will achieve our goal. If we can't kill Ji Ning, killing the other targets will also serve our purpose."

"Mm."

Everyone nodded.

Time passed...

Soon a day went by, and the next day arrived.

...