Chapter Forty-Three: Sealing the Blood Demon Cave Once More

Tang Yi picked up the fruit on the table, eating as he praised, “This is delicious! Where did you get it?” He didn’t even glance at Lu Changsheng. Hmph, while I was risking my life inside, you lot were relaxing and enjoying yourselves!

“Taoist Tang, don’t be angry. We know we were wrong—will that not do? Pack it up, pack it up, take your things back!” Lu Changsheng, understanding what was going on, instructed the others to quickly reclaim their offerings.

“Wait, leave the fruit for me. My mouth was parched in there!” Tang Yi snatched up all the fruit at once, leaving Sang Kaitian, who had brought the fruit, feeling awkward.

“Oh? You like fruit, Taoist Tang? That’s easy. Next time you’re free, just visit Master Sang—he has every kind of fruit you could wish for, and you can have as much as you like,” Lu Changsheng suggested. Sang Kaitian shot him a glare—what sort of person gifts someone else's things to curry favor? Still, since they were in the wrong, he couldn’t say much.

“Yes, yes, next time you’re free, go up to the Golden Summit of Emei and pick and eat to your heart’s content. Now, Taoist Tang, back to business. Earlier, we all heard the sounds of fighting from within the Blood Demon Cave. In the end, who was victorious?” Li Xianyun asked.

“Who won? Let me guess, you were betting on me, weren’t you? Hmph, since that’s so, I won’t tell you,” Tang Yi immediately caught the meaning behind Li Xianyun’s words. The other sect leaders blushed in embarrassment.

“All right, let’s focus on what’s important. I’ve already made arrangements with the Blood Demon. In some time, I’ll send it out of the Milky Way. That way, we can finally be rid of this problem once and for all,” Tang Yi said, finishing a piece of fruit and storing the rest in his ring.

“Of course, during this period, we’ll need to increase the number of guards. Tomorrow, I’ll reinforce the seal to make sure nothing goes wrong. Any other questions? If not, I’ll be heading back.” Tang Yi was exhausted. The battle in the cave had drained more energy than he’d ever expended before. Even with his current cultivation, his spiritual power had dropped at an alarming rate.

“Taoist Tang, you say you’ll send the Blood Demon out of the galaxy—can you really be sure of that?” Su Xiong asked in his gruff voice.

“Well, if it isn’t Brother Xiong! I almost didn’t recognize you—it’s been a long time. What’s this, have you changed your style lately? Personally, I think your old look suited you better,” Tang Yi teased instead of answering directly.

“Hmph, you think I wanted this? I lost a bet, that’s all. In a few days, I’ll be able to go back to my usual clothes. Damn this outfit—it bothers me too! Now, answer my question,” Su Xiong grumbled. He had always dressed in the style of a martial hero, but now he looked like a Confucian scholar—utterly out of place.

“Nonsense! When have I ever tried something I wasn’t sure of? Just wait and see,” Tang Yi replied, biting into another piece of fruit.

“Also, since everyone’s here, I’ll give you all a heads-up. Next month, the Rapid Cultivation Academy officially opens. I’ll send out the registration rules and requirements via the new generation of mobile communicators—anyone who has one will receive the message. Hmm, this fruit really is top-notch. Master Sang, you can expect me at your Emei orchard for a good feast. That’s all for now; I need to go back and strengthen that shoddy seal. It really is a mess…” Tang Yi trailed off as he soared away, leaving the sect leaders exchanging bewildered looks.

The next morning, Tang Yi returned to the Blood Demon Cave.

“Senior Tang, Master Li instructed us to wait here for your orders. Please, command us as you see fit,” two disciples of the Shushan Sect greeted Tang Yi with a respectful bow.

“Ah, your Master Li is thoughtful. But you two just need to keep up your guard—there’s nothing else you can help with. Go on, get busy elsewhere; your presence here will only distract me,” Tang Yi said, waving them away.

He drew a sword from his ring, directing it to strike the stone beside the cave entrance. With a clang, the sword snapped in two. “Damn, this stone is hard! Better use my powers instead,” he muttered, forming a sword gesture with his right hand and tracing in the air toward the stone.

A series of dull thuds sounded, and at last, the stone yielded. Tang Yi carved out six square holes, each the size of a child’s palm and three inches deep, positioned on either side of the cave entrance. He then took out six square objects—the formation bases he had crafted overnight—and placed each one into a hole.

Dusting off his hands with a satisfied smile, he said, “Perfect—not too big, not too small. Time to activate it—should be no problem!” With that, he sent a wave of spiritual energy through the air, activating the formation.

This remote activation left the two Shushan disciples staring wide-eyed. They had never heard of anyone doing such a thing, let alone seen it with their own eyes.

As the six bases lit up, six beams of white light intertwined, forming a massive net that covered both sides of the cave entrance. After a moment of humming, the net faded from sight. The seal, which had seemed loose before, was now stable—and even thicker than before.

“Not bad, even better than I expected. Better go say something to the Blood Demon—he’ll have to endure a bit more loneliness,” Tang Yi mused, disappearing in a flash. The two disciples exchanged glances, both wide-eyed in astonishment. Soon after, Tang Yi reappeared before them, giving them a fright.

“You two can return and report to your Master Li that the seal on the Blood Demon Cave is now secure. They can rest at ease,” he told them.

“Yes, we’ll return and report to the Master right away,” they replied, bowing before preparing to fly back on their swords.

“Wait!” Tang Yi called out suddenly. “You’ve been sent here to take orders from me, so you probably aren’t faring well in your sects. How about joining me? You’ll find it much more rewarding than staying in Shushan.”

“Senior Tang, we must respectfully decline. It’s true we don’t stand out in the sect, but that’s only because our talents are lacking—not because our brothers treat us poorly. Please, don’t bring up such things again,” the older disciple replied.

“Very well! It seems you both have good character. Here—consider these little trinkets a token of goodwill,” Tang Yi said, tossing them each a small object before flying away.