"Well now, Old Guntong, when did you become so ostentatious and flamboyant, daring to parade a Grand Carriage through our territory like this?"
Gu Qingfeng and his party of four were seated in the Fire-Cloud Grand Carriage, following Guntong as they traversed the swamp. Suddenly, a seductive and playful voice drifted over.
Immediately after, a figure appeared in response.
It was a woman.
A woman dressed in flamboyant attire. Her upper body was clad only in a belly-wrap that bound her chest, her fragrant shoulders and back clearly visible. Her lower body wore a slit, cyan skirt. Her enchanting features exuded an alluring charm.
Whether it was Gu Qingfeng, Zijin, Ziqing, or even Horse King, they could all tell this woman was not human. She was also a Demon. Moreover, observing the demonic aura around her, it was elusive and ever-changing. Each transformation resonated with the communion of Yin and Yang; each manifestation delved into the subtleties of the Five Elements.
The fluctuation of her aura—transforming to commune with Yin and Yang, manifesting to penetrate the subtleties of the Five Elements—this was the hallmark of a Communion-Subtlety Great Desolate Spirit Demon.
What shocked Zijin and Ziqing was that this woman, like Guntong, was also a Communion-Subtlety Great Desolate Spirit Demon.
"Well now," the alluring woman said, eyeing Horse King and the others on the Grand Carriage with a laugh. "I didn't expect there to be four Immortals seated inside this Grand Carriage. Hmm? Wait, that's not right. Why is there a mere Human among them?"
When the woman's gaze fell upon Gu Qingfeng, her strange, demonic eyes gleamed with a sharp light, as if trying to see right through him.
Yet, the more she looked, the more shocked she became inwardly; the more she observed, the more puzzled she grew. As she continued to watch, the smile on her face gradually faded, as if she found Gu Qingfeng's existence both curious and intimidating.
"It seems you're not as simple as a mere Human," the woman remarked, then turned to Guntong and asked, "Old Guntong, are they your friends?"
"This humble one is but a lowly little demon. How could I possibly have the honor of being friends with the Worthy One, the Great Lord?" Guntong deliberately emphasized the words 'Worthy One,' as if reminding the woman.
"Worthy One? Great Lord?" The woman's expression shifted slightly, her thoughts racing like lightning. She then gave a slight bow and saluted, saying, "This humble maiden, Bai Yanyan, pays her respects to the Worthy One, the Great Lord."
"Bai Yanyan?" Sitting in the chair of the Grand Carriage, Gu Qingfeng crossed his legs, stroked his chin, squinted his eyes, and looked the woman named Bai Yanyan up and down. He asked with a smile, "Little sister, are you a snake demon?"
Discovering that Gu Qingfeng had discerned her true form and original self at a glance, Bai Yanyan's heart was filled with even greater astonishment. She dared not show the slightest neglect and immediately replied, "This humble maiden is indeed."
"Also surnamed Bai? And named Yanyan? This name suddenly reminds this lord of another person," Gu Qingfeng said. "Do you know Bai Susu?"
Upon hearing the name Bai Susu, Guntong's expression stiffened, while Bai Yanyan was even more astounded. She raised her head and looked at Gu Qingfeng with disbelief, asking warily, "Might I ask why the Worthy One mentions Bai Susu? Do you know her?"
"Of course. We could even be considered friends."
Hearing they were friends, Bai Yanyan's wariness subsided. She responded, "Reporting to the Worthy One, Bai Susu is my elder sister."
"Bai Susu is your elder sister? No wonder. One 'Su,' one 'Yan.' You two truly live up to your names. However... a perfectly fine pair of sisters—how did one cultivate into a Monster Immortal, and the other into a demonic spirit?"
There was no fundamental difference between a Monster Immortal and a demonic spirit. A demon was always a demon; no matter how they cultivated, they could not become true Immortals. Those so-called Monster Immortals of the Great Desolate were only nominally such. Most, after gaining sentience, would join an Immortal sect to cultivate, adopting an Immortal title. As long as they didn't commit evil deeds, no one would say anything. With good fortune, they could even be like Bai Susu, receiving a title from the Nine Heavens, blessed by the Great Radiance, and become a lofty Immortal being.
"Ever since my elder sister gained sentience, she has long yearned for the Immortal Dao. Thus, she joined an Immortal sect early on and became a Monster Immortal."
"Your elder sister is no longer just a simple Monster Immortal now. In the Dual-Pole Celestial Domain, she's quite a prominent figure. I believe she holds some Immortal title, right?" Gu Qingfeng looked toward Horse King.
Horse King quickly chimed in, "Bai Susu is a Luo-Shang Immortal appointed by the Nine Heavens, a position of great honor."
"That's right, a Luo-Shang Immortal."
"For my elder sister to receive a title from the Nine Heavens is both her good fortune and her honor. As her sister, I am also very happy for her."
After saying this, Bai Yanyan added, "Since the Worthy One is a friend of my elder sister, you are also a friend of mine, Bai Yanyan. Now that the Worthy One has come to our Liúshā Small Secret Realm, if you do not find it beneath you, I hope you will visit my humble abode as a guest, allowing this humble maiden to fulfill her duties as a host."
"Little sister, this lord has some matters to attend to right now. How about I come visit you for a sit-down after I'm done with my business?"
"Might I ask what brings the Worthy One to our Liúshā Small Secret Realm? If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to command. This humble maiden will certainly do her utmost."
"It's nothing major. I just want to visit an ancient ruin. The thing is, I don't know the way, so I asked Senior Guntong here to guide me."
Hearing Gu Qingfeng refer to him as 'Senior,' Guntong did not feel flattered; instead, he was quite fearful. He hurriedly said, "Worthy One, please do not jest. This humble one could never bear the title of 'Senior.'"
Bai Yanyan asked again, "The Worthy One wishes to visit an ancient ruin? Which ruin?"
"What's it called again? Some forbidden zone..."
"Could it be the One-Slice-of-Heaven Forbidden Zone?"
"That's right, the One-Slice-of-Heaven Forbidden Zone."
Upon hearing 'One-Slice-of-Heaven Forbidden Zone,' Bai Yanyan's enchanting face changed expression repeatedly. She exclaimed in shock, "Worthy One, why are you going to the One-Slice-of-Heaven Forbidden Zone?"
"Helping out a friend, going in to rescue someone."
"But that One-Slice-of-Heaven Forbidden Zone is extremely perilous. Since ancient times, countless senior experts have ventured inside hoping to explore it, but few have ever emerged."
"That's precisely why I'm going to take a look."
Gu Qingfeng waved his hand. "Alright, you go about your business. I'll definitely come for a couple of drinks at your place once I'm done."
With that, he instructed Guntong to continue leading the way, and Horse King to keep driving the Fire-Cloud Grand Carriage forward. However, they hadn't gone far when shouts came from behind.
"Worthy One! Worthy One!"
Bai Yanyan caught up again and said, "This humble maiden has no other matters at hand. If the Worthy One agrees, I would also like to follow you to the One-Slice-of-Heaven Forbidden Zone to see. Although my cultivation is shallow, I wish to contribute my modest efforts."
"Is that so? That would be splendid. Then come along."
Gu Qingfeng beckoned, signaling Bai Yanyan to come in and sit. "Have a couple of drinks, let's chat."
"This humble maiden dares not."
"It's just a couple of drinks. What's there to dare or not dare? Don't stand on ceremony."
"Well... alright."
After a moment's hesitation, Bai Yanyan boarded the Fire-Cloud Grand Carriage. Gu Qingfeng originally invited Guntong to join them as well, but this old demon was too cautious. He declined Gu Qingfeng's invitation, saying he absolutely dared not board the Grand Carriage.