Chapter 292

Chapter 292: The Legend of Xuan Ling

You You felt that though the Feng Clan remained unharmed this time, vigilance was still necessary. Long Ting had plotted for years to break the seal—he must’ve made other preparations.

She even suspected Qiu Yao’s incident and Ming Ye of the Seventh Heavenly Layer’s involvement with the demon tribes were orchestrated by Long Ting. After all, Ming Ye’s odd behavior toward Feng Rong from the start—treating him like a fellow demon—suggested he’d foreseen the Feng Clan’s fall into darkness.

To be safe, You You ordered every Feng Clan member to inspect their own bodies thoroughly, then cross-check each other for abnormalities. If Long Ting could plant a Demon Seed in the eggs of the Feng King and Phoenix Empress, and slip a fake clan order to Feng Rong, who knew what else he might’ve hidden among them?

Only after confirming no traces of demonic influence remained did You You relax slightly—until another question surfaced.

Long Ting’s final words before his original spirit vanished nagged at her. Not the threat itself, but the name he’d uttered.

"Who is Xuan Ling?" At first, she’d thought it might belong to the Feng King or Phoenix Empress. But inquiries revealed Feng Clan members always took "Feng" as their surname.

"I asked everyone in the clan. None recognize the name," Feng Rong said grimly.

"Ling Qi checked with various sects these past days—no leads," Yuan Qi added. "The Immortal Realm hasn’t responded yet, but they likely know nothing either."

You You frowned. Someone earning Long Ting’s hatred shouldn’t be obscure. "Is Xuan Ling truly unknown?"

"I know!" A bone-chilling voice hissed behind them.

You You leapt back, spotting the intruder. A vein throbbed at her temple as she suppressed the urge to strike. "Brother, I get you’re from the Nether Realm, but must you materialize without knocking?"

"Didn’t the Noble Lady summon me via Soul Beast for urgent matters?" The Messenger of the Underworld tilted his corpse-pale head, joints creaking. "Hence my… haste."

"Urgent? I sent that message three months ago!" You You’s eye twitched.

"Has it been?" The Messenger blinked woodenly. Suddenly, he shuffled to the door, rapped twice, and croaked, "Noble Lady… present?" He turned, dead eyes seeking approval.

You You: "…"

Feng Rong: "…"

Yuan Qi: "…"

Such etiquette. Truly, a denizen of the Nether Realm.

You You inhaled deeply. "Messenger. Do you know Xuan Ling?"

"Indeed." His jaw clacked with attempted cheer. "Collecting souls… expands one’s knowledge."

"Who is she?"

The Messenger’s hollow gaze swept Feng Rong and Yuan Qi. "Shouldn’t Divine Clan members know better?"

"What?" All three stared blankly.

"She purged the Divine Realm. Naturally, the Divine Clan remembers."

"Purged the—" You You’s eyes widened. "Xuan Ling’s the Saint? The one who sealed the Demon Realm?"

"Six Realms call her thus," the Messenger confirmed.

The trio exchanged stunned looks. No wonder Long Ting cursed her with his dying breath.

"Is the Saint… alive?" You You asked.

The Messenger’s grin stretched unnaturally. "Mortals live mere Hundred Years. She’s long gone."

"Wait—she wasn’t a cultivator? Just… an ordinary human?"

"Correct."

Silence.

You You’s voice rose. "How does a mortal annihilate gods?!"

The Messenger shrugged.

"Then… what caused the World-destroying Calamity?" You You pressed. "What did the Long Clan do?"

"Unknown." The Messenger tilted his head. "I’d barely begun Cultivation then. The Nether King handled it personally."

His voice dipped, oddly eager. "But Noble Lady could ask him! He knows all worldly affairs. Perhaps seek him out? Immediately? The Nether Realm’s tranquil—he’d manage effortlessly upon return. Not that I crave leisure!"

"…" You You deadpanned. "Your vacation lust is showing."

"Ridiculous." He hunched defensively.

"Pass." She shoved three shadowy tomes at him. "Take these."

"Yin volumes?!" The Messenger fumbled them. "But—"

"You said they belong to the Nether Realm. The Feng Clan’s awake—we’re done." She’d meant to return them months earlier.

He stared, then chuckled raspily. "As expected of the Noble Lady."

His eye sockets narrowed. "But I lack authority over these. Perhaps deliver them personally to the Nether King—"

"Scram."

"…"