THIP Chapter 33 V1

On the day of Mingli’s Divine Ascension Ceremony, not only did the younger generation of elite disciples from the Eight Great Sects arrive, but even the sect leaders themselves showed up.

Of course, it wasn’t because of Mingli. The real reason was that Ye Fengjue, the master of the Astrologer’s Tower, had previously revealed there was a matter of great importance that required all nine sects to discuss together. If not for that, even if Mingli was the Taiyan Sect Master’s sole disciple, the other sect leaders would never have come in person.

Perhaps under the influence of Mu Liuyin, Mingli also favored wearing white. Her long, jet-black hair was simply brushed, and her pale skin outshone fresh snow. A red cinnabar mark sat between her brows—not seductive, but enhancing her cool, aloof beauty. She looked elegant beyond compare.

At a glance, she was utterly stunning.

A gentle breeze swept past, lifting her white robes like a celestial being descending from the heavens.

The cultivation world wasn’t lacking in beautiful men and women. Even those born unattractive could reshape their bodies after reaching the Nascent Soul stage. But even with that, few could surpass Mingli in beauty.

Upon learning of her talent and seeing her in person, nearly everyone would echo the same sentiment:

“She was born to ascend to immortality.”

If not for the prophecy of the Heavenly Book… if not for the blood-red Other Shore Flower mark she was born with… she truly would have been a child of destiny.

After the ceremony, the disciples were dismissed, and the sect leaders and elders gathered in the Taiyan Sect’s main hall.

Once everyone was seated, Mu Liuyin spoke coolly, “Tower Master Ye, please begin.”

Everyone was used to her icy demeanor, and Ye Fengjue wasn’t bothered. Instead of answering right away, he simply raised his hand and cast a soundproofing array around the hall.

Ye Fengjue glanced at Mu Liuyin’s frosty expression and smiled faintly. “It’s been a thousand years since all nine major sects gathered like this. I’m sure many of you already suspect the reason.”

“The prophecy of the Heavenly Book?” asked the Sword Sect’s leader in a low voice.

The moment those four words were spoken, Mu Liuyin’s face didn’t change, but her heart skipped a beat.

“Three days ago, the Heavenly Book stirred. It prophesied: In a hundred years, the seal on the Demon Clan will be broken. A great calamity will befall the world.” Ye Fengjue didn’t bother with suspense. The smile faded from his face. “The Lord of the Demon Realm has been reincarnated into the cultivation world, bearing the mark of the blood-red Other Shore Flower.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Liuyin’s anxious heart suddenly calmed. Somehow, it all made sense—exactly as she’d feared.

“So, according to Tower Master Ye, if we can find the reincarnated Lord of the Demon Realm within a hundred years, we can prevent the catastrophe?” the leader of Medicine Valley asked thoughtfully.

Ye Fengjue didn’t respond. Instead, an elder from the Astrologer’s Tower who had accompanied him said grimly, “Finding them is only the first step. We must also eliminate the demon.”

His words were laced with killing intent.

Mu Liuyin was so enraged that she nearly attacked him on the spot.

Ye Fengjue smiled and turned to her. “Interestingly enough, the night the prophecy appeared just so happened to be the same night your sect’s lead disciple broke through to the Divine Ascension stage.”

Mu Liuyin met his gaze, her eyes cold and unwavering.

Ye Fengjue’s lips curved slightly, his voice low and smooth. “With your disciple’s talent, one could say she was born for the path of immortality.”

The Sword Sect’s master spoke again, “Since it’s a prophecy from the Heavenly Book, it’s best to inform the entire cultivation world as soon as possible. We must begin the search for the reincarnated Lord of the Demon Realm bearing the Other Shore Flower mark.”

Mu Liuyin’s eyes remained icy. “Very well.”

And so, the matter was settled. Aside from happening earlier than expected, it followed the original plot almost exactly.

As the grand hall quieted again, Yan Hui asked, “Senior Brother, should I inform our disciples now?”

Mu Liuyin’s expression remained cool. After a moment of silence, she finally said, “Yes.”

Yan Hui passed the message throughout Taiyan Sect: they were to begin searching for anyone bearing the mark of the Other Shore Flower. However, he deliberately omitted two key details—the timing of the prophecy and the identity of the reincarnated Lord of the Demon Realm.

Naturally, Mingli found out soon after.

She ran her finger across her collarbone. Her skin was smooth and pale, and that blood-red mark had only ever surfaced once—back at Fengxue Ridge. Thanks to her master’s seal, it hadn’t appeared again since.

Her master’s warning from that day echoed in her mind. Mingli muttered quietly, “Why?”

Whatever the reason, it was surely nothing good.

She didn’t ask Mu Liuyin. Instead, she simply continued cultivating, as if the mark had no bearing on her.

Still, now that she’d entered the Divine Ascension stage, her cultivation pace had naturally slowed, though only compared to her previous, monstrous speed.

And since seclusion wasn’t always the most effective path toa  breakthrough, a month later, Mingli approached Mu Liuyin and said, “Master, I wish to go out and gain experience.”

Her features had grown even more refined, her presence more frosty. Mu Liuyin didn’t want to let her go. That blood-red mark was like a ticking time bomb—one slip and everything could be exposed. But if Mingli wanted to ascend swiftly, real-world experience was essential.

Mu Liuyin reinforced the seal again, then spoke gently, “Mingli, avoid rifts that leak demonic energy. Avoid unnecessary killing. And follow your heart.”

Mingli’s lips curved faintly. She nodded. “I understand.”

She turned around and left.

Mu Liuyin lowered her gaze, still unable to set her worries aside.

Since Yan Hui wasn’t in the sect, she prepared a letter, stamped it with the jade seal of the Taiyan Sect Leader, and handed it to Qin Yu.

“Senior Sister?” Qin Yu blinked his peach blossom-shaped eyes and asked, “Where are you going?”

Mu Liuyin said calmly, “My cultivation has hit a bottleneck. I’m heading out for a bit of training. While I’m gone, Yan Hui will act as the sect leader.”

Her expression remained placid. Qin Yu couldn’t detect anything out of the ordinary. He mumbled, “Senior Brother Yan Hui’s been handling the sect’s affairs for decades now. What’s the point of leaving behind a letter and the sect leader’s jade seal?”

“Perhaps… they’ll be needed one day,” Mu Liuyin’s cool voice brushed past his ears like a sigh. When Qin Yu looked up, she was already gone.