Chapter Twenty-Six: Departure

Early the next morning, Demon Night arrived outside Liu Qing's courtyard, gently knocking on the door and saying, "Master, I've come!"

"Come in, I have a few words for you," Liu Qing opened the courtyard gate. Once inside the house, Liu Qing spoke to Demon Night with concern, "How are you? Have you recovered?"

Demon Night cupped his hands respectfully, replying, "Master, I am well now! My vitality has recovered to eighty percent."

Liu Qing lowered his head in thought for a moment before saying, "Demon Night, I called you here because there has been a change in the mission I previously assigned you and the others to investigate the Myriad Demon Cave. Rumor has it that a treasure has emerged there, so I want you and your four senior and junior siblings, along with Dean Tang Ze, to participate in this mission. Throughout, your priority must be to protect yourself, for you are the master of the Creation Cauldron. Every time the Creation Cauldron appears, it heralds the onset of chaos and war. The future of this continent depends on you, so you must grow quickly."

As he spoke, Liu Qing drew a jade pendant from his robe and handed it to Demon Night. "Keep this jade pendant with you. When you are in danger, crush it, and it will unleash seventy percent of my power in attack. The pendant can only be used once, so remember this well!"

Demon Night accepted the jade pendant. "Master! I will take care to protect myself, please rest assured."

Liu Qing turned to look at the rooftop, saying, "The demon clans at the border are stirring restlessly. I must go to defend the frontier. I have a premonition that this journey to the Myriad Demon Cave will be fraught with peril. Do not be careless. Not only will humans participate, but demons will as well. The demon clans do not wish to see humanity grow stronger; they will do everything they can to slaughter human geniuses. But the ones you need to be most wary of are not the demons, but humans themselves. Though on the surface humanity seems united, beneath it all there is treachery and double-dealing. Never trust others blindly; always discuss everything thoroughly with your senior and junior siblings."

"Yes, Master, I will consult with everyone in all matters," Demon Night bowed deeply to Liu Qing.

Liu Qing turned and walked toward the door. "Come, Tang Ze and the others are already waiting at the training grounds."

Demon Night and Liu Qing walked slowly toward the training grounds. As soon as they arrived, Tang Ze and the group hurried over. Demon Night bowed to them in greeting.

"Dean, everyone is here. Is it time to set out?" Tang Ze asked anxiously.

Liu Qing nodded. "If we're ready, let's go." After bidding Liu Qing farewell, the group unfolded wings of spiritual energy and soared into the sky. Watching them depart, Liu Qing murmured, "Demon Night, this is an essential trial for you. I hope you grow swiftly." Then Liu Qing too shot into the sky, flying in the opposite direction.

The group traveled in silence; the mood was heavy, even the usually mischievous Xiao Xiao had quieted down. "Let's stop and rest here for a while," Tang Ze said, descending first to the ground. The others landed as well. Except for Demon Night, all the senior and junior siblings looked pale and immediately sat cross-legged to recover.

"Hmm! Demon Night, are you not going to recover? There's still a long journey ahead," Tang Ze reminded him.

Demon Night cupped his hands in reply, "There is no need, Vice Dean. Because of the unique cultivation technique I practice, I have not expended much energy."

Seeing Demon Night’s calm demeanor, Tang Ze did not press further. Demon Night wandered to an open space and gazed into the distance, lost in thought. He watched the breeze stirring the leaves, making them ripple like waves upon the sea, each wave following the next. In that moment, something became clear in his heart.

"Elder Cauldron, initiate the evolution mode, lock onto the scene of ocean waves," Demon Night's consciousness entered the evolutionary world of the Creation Cauldron. He saw the surging waves before him, each fiercer than the last, each more urgent, and he instinctively began to practice the Sky Mark technique.

From afar, Tang Ze and the others were captivated by this sight. Tang Ze quickly stopped them from approaching. "Don’t go over there. Demon Night seems to be experiencing something profound. I hadn’t noticed just now, but he has already entered the Spiritual Communication realm. Truly a prodigy!"

The senior and junior siblings awakened, watching Demon Night with envy and delight.

At this moment, Demon Night was fully immersed in his cultivation, oblivious to the outside world. As his attacks grew sharper and his moves more fluid, everyone could not help but nod in approval.