Chapter 209: The Sky-Demons Scatter in Shock, How Can a Man Let a Woman Shield Him

Now that Yu Xian was certain everything was real, he no longer second-guessed himself.

Calmly, he stepped forward—entering within three zhang of Hong Shao.

A cool, refreshing, and mind-clearing aura instantly swept over him, wrapping his entire body. He had now fully entered the range of Hong Shao’s incantation.

Iceheart Purification Mantra.

Su Xiaoduo took two steps back, making room for Yu Xian.

The real Su Xiaoduo was always good at keeping her distance from Yu Xian, because she knew—he disliked people standing too close.

Under the Iceheart Purification Mantra, Yu Xian’s eyes gradually grew clearer. At this moment, he was finally certain—he had returned to reality.

This feeling was mysterious and indescribable—only those who had personally experienced illusions would understand.

Above in the sky, Zhou Qingyuan’s body trembled more violently and began to fall, bit by bit.

Yu Xian’s expression tightened.

Su Xiaoduo said anxiously, “Master, that senior up there—he looks like he can’t hold on anymore. What should we do?”

Hong Shao remained unchanged and spoke softly, “Observe quietly. Do not act rashly. If you act, your mind stirs. If your mind stirs, illusion takes root. That demon general… is formidable.”

It was clear that Hong Shao wasn’t simply observing—she was using her full power to resist the illusion cast by the Demon General. She was also fighting.

Yu Xian and Su Xiaoduo both grew solemn upon hearing this and dared not move.

At this moment, outside the three-zhang range of Hong Shao, everything was covered in illusion. The moment they stepped out—they would fall victim to it, unknowingly.

But just waiting passively like this—wasn’t that dangerous? If Zhou Qingyuan were to be defeated and possessed by the Greater Demon, then with two Greater Demons plus one Demon General… how could three of them possibly escape, let alone win?

Yu Xian frowned deeply, thinking hard. But the situation wasn’t one a mere mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator could control.

If even Hong Shao had chosen not to act, what could he possibly do?

Everything he could think of—this several-hundred-year-old woman had surely already considered.

If she remained unmoved, then he, too, would remain unmoved.

Zhou Qingyuan slowly descended. The five-colored flames surrounding him gradually dimmed. His aura was plummeting—he looked like he might die at any moment!

“Break!”

Suddenly, a thunderous shout erupted from Zhou Qingyuan’s mouth!

Boom!

Flames surged out from his body, instantly flooding the skies!

Fire serpent, fire fox, fire mouse, fire tortoise, fire raven—all five beasts seemed to be resurrected! They roared to life, blazing brilliantly, burning hot, and howling to the heavens!

Zhou Qingyuan had won!

In the spiritual battle within his sea of consciousness, he had slain and absorbed two Greater Demons, perfecting his own spirit in the process!

“What!?”

A voice full of disbelief suddenly echoed through the air as Zhou Qingyuan, who had seemed on the verge of defeat, turned the tide in an instant.

Yu Xian’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the skies to find the voice’s source—but he saw nothing.

But just because Yu Xian couldn’t see it didn’t mean others couldn’t.

Hong Shao’s gaze fixed sharply on a point in the sky—her calm expression suddenly showing a piercing edge!

“You’ve exposed yourself.”

Her voice rang out, clear and cold as frost. She pointed straight at the sky!

“Ah!?”

A furious cry burst forth. Where Hong Shao pointed, space distorted, and a spiritual figure appeared—brilliant and dazzling. Just one glance brought searing pain to the mind!

It was the Demon General!

Boom!

The demon general howled, “Little grass, get out of the way!”

Even though Su Xiaoduo was trembling all over, her mind nearly blank, the moment she heard her master’s voice, she instinctively took a step back.

The next instant, Hong Shao charged forward. Her slender finger pressed directly against Yu Xian’s brow.

“All illusions are false—only the self is true! All illusions are false—only the self is true! Yu Xian! Yu Xian! Wake up! Wake up!!”

“Xian’er? Going to gather herbs? So early?”

In a small mountain village, a seven- or eight-year-old Yu Xian walked quickly forward. Suddenly hearing someone speak, he turned his head with a smile, “Ah, Grandpa San! I’m going herb-picking. The early bird catches the worm!”

“Hahaha, it’s not easy gathering herbs, you know. Can you handle it, little Xian?”

“I can! I’ve done it plenty of times!”

Young Yu Xian smiled brightly and replied, as if both answering and encouraging himself.

Talking as he walked, he soon jogged out of the village and into the mountain’s backwoods.

The forest was vast and shrouded in mist.

He had walked for over an hour.

The path had disappeared—signaling the end of where villagers dared to tread. Beyond this point, it was all instinct—whatever direction one chose, one would have to rely on oneself.

Get lost, and you die. No one could save you.

But Yu Xian only inhaled deeply and took a determined step forward—into the thick forest.

His mother needed one herb: a hundred-year-old wild ginseng.

Only that could ease her coughing and bleeding. Only that… could save her.

So he had to find it.

His feet blistered. His body bled. He fell off a slope—possibly even broke his leg—but he kept going.

“Mother… I’ll definitely find it…”

He shouted with joy when he saw the herb—a trap!

In that instant, two fragments of the Demon General’s soul shot into his mind.

His eyes shut. His body trembled. He was drenched in sweat, frozen, as if caught in torment and madness.

Everyone has a weakness.

Some choose to hide it.

Some try to kill it.

Some treasure it.

But only the rarest of people… confront it head-on.

Yu Xian was one of those rare few.

Zhou Qingyuan, however, had chosen to kill his weakness.

So when it reappeared in front of him, the shock, the pain, the regret—it overwhelmed him.

Tears poured from his eyes as he screamed:

“Mother! Father! Sister—I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have killed you! I’m a beast! A beast!!”

He rolled on the ground, bleeding and breaking apart.

Hong Shao scoffed and turned to charge toward Yu Xian and Su Xiaoduo.

Two more fragments of the Demon General’s spirit came flying toward them!

Despite Hong Shao’s speed, she couldn’t stop them both!

One went for Su Xiaoduo—

And at the critical moment—

“Demon! Come for me instead!! Don’t hurt Senior Brother Yu!!”

Su Xiaoduo threw herself in front of Yu Xian!

He was stunned.

Then—

His mother’s voice echoed in his memory:

“Xian’er, you’re a man—you can’t hide behind a woman.”

I’m a man!

Without hesitation, Yu Xian grabbed Su Xiaoduo, pushed her aside, and roared:

“You damn girl! What are you doing!? Get out of the way!!”

He stepped forward—

And took both soul fragments himself.

He froze. Still as stone.

“Yu Xian!? Yu-ge! Yu Xian!!!”

Su Xiaoduo clung to him, crying and screaming. He didn’t respond.

Red mist surged. Hong Shao roared and chased after the Demon General.

“You didn’t fall into my illusion!? You were pretending!? That’s impossible!!” the Demon General screeched.

Hong Shao didn’t answer. Her speed surpassed the demon’s.

“You smelly woman! You shouldn’t be faster than me—you still have a physical body!!”

“I’ll make you wish for death!” she growled, summoning her magical artifact—Hong Lan, a powerful upper-tier treasure!

The demon panicked. “Upper-tier treasure!?”

It tried to flee—but it was too late.

With a shriek, it exploded—splitting into four mini-spirits!

Two raced toward Zhou Qingyuan.

Two veered toward Yu Xian and Su Xiaoduo!

“Zhou Dao-brother! Wake up!!” Hong Shao shouted like thunder.

Zhou Qingyuan opened his eyes.

Though spiritually exhausted, he had also grown stronger.

When he saw the demon fragments coming—

“Another two Greater Demons!? Do you think I fear you!? DIE! DIE! DIE!!” he bellowed.

The battle had resumed. The storm had not yet passed.