Chapter 18: The Seal

"Wow, this is absolutely astonishing! This wooden cabin actually contains a powerful force of the natural Dao, perfectly harmonized with the world itself." The Blood Demon Ancestor stared at the cabin in utter shock, then burst into a delighted laugh. "There must be some reclusive master living inside. If I ambush this master, this place will belong to me!"

But before he'd finished speaking, a tremendous power surged forth and blasted the Blood Demon Ancestor apart.

"What is ambushing me?" He reformed himself, though noticeably more faded than before, and glared furiously around, determined to find the culprit. Was this a joke? Did they not know he was the Blood Demon Ancestor? To dare ambush him—what audacity!

His gaze finally settled on a broom, trembling violently and radiating a terrifying aura. "Damn it, I, the Blood Demon Ancestor, was grievously wounded by a broom! Am I seeing things?" No longer angry, he gazed feverishly at the broom. "Its attack is terrifying—this must be a top-tier immortal artifact. I'll come back later and collect you!"

He continued toward the cabin. Compared to Tu Wuchang, he was vastly more powerful, barely able to withstand the burning true flames lingering in the air. But after only a few steps, a dazzling light struck him, shattering him once again.

"What is ambushing me now?" He reformed, even more faded, nearly exploding with rage. He warily scanned his surroundings, finally spotting a mirror above the cabin door. "Could it be the legendary Demon-Reflecting Mirror? That artifact was a supreme treasure in the Immortal-Demon Era, yet someone hangs it here so casually. What a waste—may lightning strike them!"

Greedily eyeing the mirror, he pressed on. "I am the Blood Demon Ancestor! No power in this world can defeat me. I roam the heavens without fear!"

"Sealing power?" After only two steps, he trembled violently, sensing an incomparable force rapidly sealing him. It was a discarded scrap of paper, swept toward him by the wind.

"Ah! Spare me!" He cried out in terror, instantly forgetting his previous bravado.

In desperation, he transformed into a wisp of black smoke and darted into a small wooden puppet to hide. The scrap of paper followed, its dreadful sealing power penetrating the puppet in an instant.

"Spare me, great hero..." came a terrified cry from within the puppet. Then, silence.

...

Inside the cabin.

Chen Changsheng rose, rubbing his slightly sore waist. "Finally done! Now all that's left is a pendant. Once I buy one and attach it, the project will be complete."

"Father, the chain you made is beautiful—far prettier than the one that Sister Huangfu has." Chen Die'er held the finished chain in her hands, eyes sparkling, even swallowing slightly.

"Of course. You're forgetting who your father is." Chen Changsheng extinguished the fire in the forge and took her hand. "Come on, let's go to Qingshui Town and buy you a little pig pendant."

The pair left the cabin. Chen Die'er immediately spotted a small wooden puppet on the ground, picked it up, and said, "Father, this little puppet is quite nice. The carving is rather exquisite."

"A puppet?" Chen Changsheng took it and examined it, frowning in confusion. "I don't recall carving such a puppet. Where did it come from? Has someone been here?"

"No idea," Chen Die'er replied blankly.

"It's very strange. Someone came, didn't come in, and left only a puppet. What could that mean?" Chen Changsheng looked around, seeing no one. "Well, the carving's decent enough. Die'er, let's not go to Qingshui Town for a pig pendant. We'll use this puppet as your necklace pendant instead. What do you think?"

"Good idea! This puppet is very pretty too." Chen Die'er nodded obediently.

Inside the puppet, the Blood Demon Ancestor screamed, "No! I am the mighty Blood Demon Ancestor!" But he was tightly sealed by a terrifying force, his voice unable to escape no matter how he shouted. The dignified Blood Demon Ancestor, reduced to a necklace pendant—he was nearly vomiting blood.

...

At the foot of the mountain.

Mu Wanqing still stood there, her face full of self-reproach.

Before long, Bai Li Song, the Sect Leader of Cloud Heaven Sect, descended from the sky, glanced up the mountain, and addressed Mu Wanqing cautiously: "Wanqing, is the reclusive master who wrote you those characters residing on this mountain?"

Mu Wanqing was no longer the junior disciple she once was; having defeated Tu Wuchang, she was now a formidable figure. Bai Li Song, though Sect Leader, treated her with utmost respect.

"Sect Leader, there's no need for this. I'm still just a disciple of Cloud Heaven Sect." Mu Wanqing was evidently uncomfortable with Bai Li Song's deference and waved her hand dismissively.

"Wanqing, you're now one of the top experts in the region, having glimpsed the true essence of swordsmanship. There are few in the world who can match you," Bai Li Song replied respectfully. "Moreover, today you preserved the thousand-year foundation of our sect and saved countless lives."

Mu Wanqing shrugged helplessly, letting Bai Li Song say what he wished. After all, she was already a dying person; if he wanted to show respect, so be it. Turning her gaze to the mountaintop, she nodded. "Yes, the reclusive master who gifted me the 'sword' character resides here."

Bai Li Song asked in confusion, "Then why don't you go up?"

Mu Wanqing sighed softly. "Three days ago, the master granted me immense fortune. Now, I have brought a great demon to sully his immortal abode. How could I face him? I've already decided: when the time comes, I will atone for my crime with my life."

Bai Li Song was shocked and shook his head urgently. "Wanqing, you must not! Having just become a top expert, how could you do such a thing?"

"But Sect Leader, I am truly guilty. I have disappointed the master, who treated me so well, and I repaid him with betrayal." Mu Wanqing shook her head. "Apart from paying with my life, I see no other way to atone."