Chapter 143
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Chapter 143: Title
Di Yan glanced at him with a derisive snort. "Who bothers remembering such things? Regardless, it’s been far longer than our stay in this Mountain and Sea Realm."
Kirin lifted his gaze to the cluster of solar essence masquerading as the "sun" above. "We attained tier nine cultivation before entering this realm, yet remain trapped at this threshold after millennia."
"Even for long-lived spirit cultivators like us," he continued, "tens of thousands of years weigh heavy."
The golden crow’s wings twitched as Kirin’s calm voice cut deeper than any blade. "What portion of your lifespan remains, Di Yan?"
The question hung between them like unsheathed steel. Di Yan understood – tier nine’s apparent immortality was but an extended countdown. Millennia of existence had left both acutely aware of time’s relentless flow.
When no answer came, Kirin pressed further. "Why else would Dragon Lord shed his draconic form for human reincarnation? His years eclipse ours by millennia."
"Impossible!" Di Yan’s feathers bristled. "The dragon race shares our longevity—"
"The Mountain and Sea Realm’s dwindling Spiritual Energy can’t sustain tier ten ascension," Kirin interrupted. His obsidian hooves carved patterns in the earth as he paced. "Unless…" The unspoken implication lingered like storm clouds.
Tier ten’s attainment demanded more than vast energy reserves – it required epiphanies beyond mortal comprehension and opportunities rarer than phoenix tears. The realm itself conspired against ascension, demanding three demon lord sacrifices per breakthrough.
Kirin’s tail lashed. "Were it not for these artificial constraints, our tier nine cultivations wouldn’t merit the ‘demon lord’ title. The qilin and golden crow lineages remember truths these newborn spirit cultivators never learned."
His voice dropped to ancestral whispers. "In the Ancient Era when Spiritual Energy first waned, tier twelve cultivation marked true lordship. Challengers dueled Nine Extreme Demon Lords for their thrones. What we call glory now is but pale imitation."
A beat of wing against air as Di Yan alighted on Kirin’s crown. "The Battleground of Ten Thousand Clans offers our only exit," the qilin murmured. "Strength diminished, yes – but opportunities outweigh confinement."
Noting Di Yan’s thoughtful tilt, he pressed his advantage. "Empress Nuwa permits this. Her silence speaks volumes."
"You’ve bested me again." Di Yan’s resigned chuckle rustled through black feathers. "Pursue your path, old friend. My wings shield your back."
Perched on the qilin’s obsidian horns, the golden crow gazed westward. "The Awakening of Spiritual Energy stirs old ghosts. That cross-realm Heavenly Dao battle from antiquity… Did we ever truly win?"
In Xiao Tianji’s live stream, viewers erupted in confusion as the feed shifted to the three-legged golden crow and Mo Qilin.
[Since when do we get demon lord reaction shots?!]
[Can someone translate the feathery ASMR?]
[Why’s the camera person allergic to subtitles?]
A golden superchat blazed across screens:
[DEMONIC LINGUIST HERE – TRANSLATION INCOMING]
The chat froze as viewers leaned closer. Ancient secrets whispered through modern technology, blurring the lines between realms.
Thus, translations began appearing in the live stream. Though a few phrases were missed, the overall meaning came through clearly.
Within a hillside standalone villa’s second-floor study, two computers illuminated Xiao Tianji’s broadcast upon an expansive desk. A sixteen-year-old girl reclined on a nearby chaise lounge while behind the desk sat a 1.7-meter-tall Big White Rabbit.
The rabbit’s snowy fur glowed under the screen’s light as her crimson eyes tracked the text, fluffy paws dancing across a customized keyboard. Ruby ear-tips twitched when the face-masked girl glanced up from her phone, calling out, "Thanks, Teacher Rabbit! I’ll whip up that Vegetable Salad later."
"Gratitude is unnecessary," the rabbit replied without lifting her gaze, voice velvety as dandelion fluff. "Simply honor our agreement."
The girl’s smile wilted as her eyes drifted to the abandoned Handwritten Textbook. That translation contract truly favored Teacher Rabbit’s whims. Ah well—being community-minded had its costs.
Resuming the broadcast, she marveled at the near-instant translations deciphering the demon lords’ discussion. "Cross-realm Heavenly Dao battle?" She craned her neck. "Teacher Rabbit! What’s that about?"
"Likely connected to the ancient war that drove spirit cultivators into the Mountain and Sea Realm," mused the rabbit, paws never pausing. "Even among our kind, those events remain veiled. Only surviving elders like the demon lords might know more."
"Right!" The girl snapped her fingers. "You mentioned current Mountain and Sea residents descend from those war-era clans. Makes sense—who’d live 10,000 years anyway?"
"Awaken your latent Xuan Shui Turtle heritage," Teacher Rabbit intoned, "and even at Tier One, millennia-long lifespans become feasible."
The girl’s cheek twitched. Thousand-year tortoise, indeed! Sure, Hu Mei’s fox ears looked adorable, but turtle shells? No thank you. Fully transforming into some armored reptile? She’d rather…not.
…
"Victory’s never guaranteed." Kirin rose, unperturbed by Di Yan’s golden crow form perched on his head—their usual dynamic. "Defeat means annihilation. Yet victory hasn’t restored Spiritual Energy these past eras. Why can’t the Mountain and Sea Realm fully manifest even now?"
"Where now?" Di Yan’s flames rippled.
"To Bai Ze. His fascination with the human realm could prove useful."
"Ah!" The crow’s beak clacked approvingly. "With his omniscience, we’ll navigate that world effortlessly."
Approaching the waterfall pool where Moon-eating Celestial Dog lounged, Kirin noted two familiar auras atop the cascade. "Dragon Lord and Xuanfeng chose this exposed ledge?"
"Quieter than you’d think," the dog yawned. "Besides, Dragon Lord’s…changed."
Kirin shot him a withering glance before addressing Bai Ze. "How long?"
"Since yesterday’s moonrise." The wise beast tilted his horned head. "Their silence speaks volumes—Xuanfeng’s sound barrier still holds."
Nodding, Kirin dropped the subject. Dragon-Phoenix bonds were famously complex—clans that clashed yet protected. Rumor held Xuanfeng and Dragon Lord shared childhood history, deepening their connection beyond typical alliances.
"The Battleground initiative," Kirin pressed. "You’ll join?"
"Intriguing," Bai Ze rumbled. "Those human realm visitors in Qingqiu describe wonders worth witnessing firsthand."
"Me too!" Moon-eating Celestial Dog bounded up, scattering pebbles. "Count me in!"
Kirin inclined his head. Four demon lords already agreed. Qiongqi and Taotie’s love for chaos guaranteed their compliance. Dragon Lord’s human realm ties suggested approval. With seven consenting, even Xuanfeng and Nine-Tailed’s objections would hold no sway.
While Tier Zero and Two spirit cultivators flooded the Battleground with certificates, demon lords played a riskier game. Each departure from the Mountain and Sea Realm accelerated its fusion with the human realm—a double-edged sword none could fully assess.
