Chapter 1289: Seeing the Holy Rakshasa Again

The Myriad Beasts Sect disciples guarding the entrance to the Butterfly Dream Illusory Realm did not question them. They had only to bow in greeting as Xi Haitang led the group straight inside without the slightest delay.

Another world. Another fantastical landscape.

After entering, Xi Haitang casually exchanged a few words with the disciples they encountered, then led the other three toward a secluded area.

The Butterfly Dream Illusory Realm had changed since Niu Youdao's first visit. The area planted with Light-Repelling Grass had expanded considerably, gradually eating into and compressing the living space of the Butterfly Rakshasas.

When they reached the edge of a remote Light-Repelling Grass plantation, Xi Haitang found a place screened from outside view before stopping and turning around.

"How long will you need?"

"I can't say exactly." Niu Youdao thought back to how long the previous trip had taken. "We definitely won't be back within three days. Even if everything goes smoothly, it'll still be after three days."

Xi Haitang was silent for a moment. "I can't stay here guarding this place. That would draw suspicion." He looked around and pointed to a boulder. "When you return, leave a mark on this rock, then find somewhere to hide. I'll make some arrangements over the next few days. Starting three days from now, I'll come into the Illusory Realm at a fixed time each day to inspect the area. If I see the mark, I'll wait here to meet you, then take you back out."

Niu Youdao nodded. "Good. We'll do that."

Xi Haitang glanced at the other two, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

The surroundings were silent, filled with strange and brilliant colors. Zhao Xiongge gazed toward the magnificent fantastical scenery in the distance.

"You intend to go deeper inside? There are countless Butterfly Rakshasas in there. Do you have a way to get through?"

"If I didn't, why would I have come?" Niu Youdao tossed the words back at him, then turned to Yun Ji. "Do you still remember roughly where Shang Song's Traveling Palace is?"

Zhao Xiongge immediately turned his head and stared.

Yun Ji also looked back toward the entrance, compared their current position with what she remembered, then gazed deep into the fantastical world. At last, her eyes settled on one direction.

"I have an impression of it. I should still be able to find it."

"Monkey isn't here. This time, we can only rely on you."

Zhao Xiongge suddenly felt the ground beneath his feet soften. The earth sank, and when he glanced around, he realized Yun Ji had cast a spell and was bringing all three of them underground together.

Once the ground closed above them, the three were surrounded by darkness.

Yun Ji's voice came through the blackness.

"It's a long way. Moving underground is already slow, and if I use magic to carry both of you as well, it'll be even slower. I'll open the way in front. Stay close behind me. That should make us considerably faster."

"Good," Niu Youdao replied.

Yun Ji pressed one palm against the soil. The earth ahead immediately spread apart and rolled back to both sides behind her. She moved forward at high speed, while Niu Youdao and Zhao Xiongge followed closely behind.

Along the way, aside from occasionally surfacing so Yun Ji could catch her breath and restore the magic she had consumed, or so she could check the terrain and adjust their direction, the three spent nearly all their time traveling underground.

In the darkness, there was no sense of how much time had passed. It only felt like a very long time. The monotony became oppressive and stifling.

When they surfaced yet again to breathe and check their bearings, Zhao Xiongge crawled out through the hollow base of a large tree and finally could not help asking, "How much farther?"

Yun Ji walked to a gap among the exposed roots and pointed ahead.

Niu Youdao came over, looked in that direction, and said, "We're here."

Zhao Xiongge immediately joined him. Beyond the distant forest he could make out something resembling palace rooftops.

"That's Shang Song's Traveling Palace?"

Niu Youdao ignored him and turned to Yun Ji. "Rest first. Restore your magic completely."

Yun Ji nodded, turned back through the gap in the roots, and sat cross-legged inside, using the roots as cover.

They needed concealment. There were too many Butterfly Rakshasas in this area. If the creatures discovered them, it would cause a major commotion and perhaps even serious trouble.

Zhao Xiongge asked, "If we've already reached Shang Song's Traveling Palace, why not go over there before resting?"

"The Holy Rakshasa is dangerous."

Zhao Xiongge's face showed open mockery. "Didn't you say you're her master?"

"Exactly. That's why I understand her better than you do. In her current state, she certainly recognizes no kin or friends. Both Yun Ji and I have been wounded by her before. If you don't want an accident, restore your strength first so we're ready to respond."

With that, Niu Youdao went back inside as well, found cover, and sat cross-legged.

Zhao Xiongge did not know whether he was speaking truth or falsehood, but Niu Youdao did not look as though he were joking. So he too found a place and did the same.

Only after all three had fully restored their magic did Yun Ji once again lead them down through the earth.

When they rose toward the surface again, stone slabs blocked the way above them.

Niu Youdao raised a hand, signaling caution.

Yun Ji nodded slightly. She gently pushed one slab upward, held it aloft, and slowly shifted it sideways. Strange colored light seeped in from outside.

Once the opening was clear, Yun Ji listened for a while before cautiously poking her head out and surveying the area.

After confirming there was no danger, she flashed out.

Niu Youdao followed.

Zhao Xiongge climbed out last.

Looking around, they saw an ancient palace-city weathered by long years. Glowing vines had spread everywhere, covering its former grandeur.

Surprise showed on Zhao Xiongge's face. "This really is Shang Song's Traveling Palace?"

Niu Youdao raised one finger to his lips.

"Keep your voice down."

Yun Ji, still alertly watching their surroundings, also spoke softly. "When we came last time, weren't all the vines covering the place cleared away by the upheaval in the formation when you opened the seal?"

"It's been years. It's normal for them to have grown back."

Zhao Xiongge had no idea what the two were talking about. He reminded himself inwardly that Niu Youdao was crafty and full of schemes. No matter how convincingly they spoke, he could not simply believe them.

After carefully surveying the area and finding nothing unusual, he reminded the other two, "There don't seem to be any Butterfly Rakshasas here. Aren't you being overly cautious?"

Yun Ji replied, "The fact that there aren't any other Butterfly Rakshasas is exactly what makes this dangerous. It means the others don't dare trespass here."

Niu Youdao understood her meaning. He smiled, nodded, and visibly relaxed.

"Looks like my judgment was right. This is her royal palace—her lair. She's still guarding this place."

What he had feared most was that the Holy Rakshasa might have gone somewhere else. If that had happened, they would have been in real trouble. How could they search this vast Butterfly Dream Illusory Realm and find her?

Zhao Xiongge understood and asked Yun Ji, "Haven't you already reached the Nascent Soul Realm? Even you worry you may not be a match for the Holy Rakshasa?"

Yun Ji glanced at him and could not be bothered answering.

Nothing unusual appeared anywhere around them. Niu Youdao pointed in one direction.

"Come. Let's go to the place where she was sealed back then and take a look."

This was not his first visit, so he still had a rough impression of the palace-city's passages. He took the lead toward the rear palace complex, though all three remained alert as they moved.

There was no helping it. As he had said, the Holy Rakshasa in her current state recognized no family or friends. With strength like hers, a single surprise attack would be difficult to endure.

The entire way remained silent. They saw no other movement.

Niu Youdao muttered, "Could she have gone out?"

Before long, the three arrived outside the cylindrical metal hall where the Holy Rakshasa had once been sealed.

But just as they reached the entrance and were about to step onto the metal stairs, all three froze almost simultaneously.

Something had suddenly appeared behind them with a rush of air.

The speed was terrifying.

All three stared at the steps ahead.

Three shadows had suddenly appeared there.

A brilliant light blossomed behind them, bathing the area before the hall in a wash of silver radiance.

She's here.

The corner of Niu Youdao's mouth twitched into a bitter smile.

Zhao Xiongge started to turn around.

Niu Youdao raised one hand slightly, signaling him not to move rashly.

For a moment, all three stood rigid and dared not make the slightest careless movement.

Niu Youdao said, "Yun Ji, if anything changes, hold her off first."

Yun Ji drew a deep breath and suddenly turned.

Her pupils contracted sharply.

"It's her."

Only then did the two men slowly turn as well.

The moment he saw the figure behind them, Niu Youdao smiled bitterly again.

Zhao Xiongge's eyes, however, were filled with startled uncertainty.

The other two had seen her before and were no longer surprised.

This was Zhao Xiongge's first time seeing the legendary Holy Rakshasa.

The creature before them had mercury-silver hair drifting without wind, floating in chaotic, dreamlike strands.

Her waist was slender. Her limbs were lean and taut. Silver armor-like bone clung tightly to the surface of her body, forming an elegant figure.

Silver armored bone covered parts of her alluring, pointed oval face. Her eyes were cold. She had fangs and sharp claws.

Behind her spread a pair of enormous butterfly wings radiating a soft silver glow.

Her entire form possessed a terrible beauty.

Although Zhao Xiongge had never seen her before, he had no doubt.

She was utterly unlike every other Butterfly Rakshasa.

This had to be the legendary Holy Rakshasa.

Then he heard her speak in a clear, melodious voice that seemed to come from the void itself.

"Why have you intruded into my city?"

Niu Youdao forced a smile.

"Yin'er."

"Yin'er..." Confusion briefly appeared in the Holy Rakshasa's eyes. "I seem to have heard that name before."

But the coldness quickly returned.

"Why have you intruded into my city?"

"Yin'er, it's me. Do you remember?"

Niu Youdao raised a hand and tore the false face from his own.

The Holy Rakshasa stared at his features.

Confusion appeared in her eyes once more, but slowly faded back into coldness.

Then two words suddenly came from her mouth.

"Alien kind!"

At the same instant, her claws shot forward with lightning speed.

Yun Ji, already on extreme alert, attacked at once.

She swept one hand upward.

Clang!

A violent impact rang out, and astral winds burst in every direction.

Niu Youdao shoved Zhao Xiongge by the shoulder.

The two immediately dodged away to opposite sides.

"HRAH!"

The obstructed Holy Rakshasa released a savage shriek.

Her figure instantly blurred into a ghostlike shadow.

Yun Ji flashed as well.

In the space of a heartbeat, the two crashed into furious combat.

The force of their exchange was terrifying.

As the two figures streaked back and forth, the ground cracked apart. Stone slabs were torn up like sheets of paper, some shattered directly into dust.

Very quickly, the battle rose from the ground into the sky.

One figure and one streak of radiant light twisted and crossed repeatedly above the palace-city.

Merely from the momentum and sound of their clash, and from the speed of their attacks, Zhao Xiongge realized as he looked upward that he did not even possess the qualifications to interfere.

It also confirmed something for him.

Yun Ji truly had reached the Nascent Soul Realm.

A streak of silver light was knocked away in the sky, then stabbed back like lightning across the night.

Clang!

The impact sounded like thunder.

A human figure crashed down like a meteor and blasted a crater into the ground.

The figure immediately shot back out and landed.

It was Yun Ji.

She stared grimly upward, blood hanging from the corner of her mouth.

Then she looked toward her upper chest near one shoulder.

Five bloody holes had already been torn into her flesh.

Above, the Holy Rakshasa hovered in the air, gently beating wings glowing with silver-gray radiance as she looked down upon them with cold indifference.

Yun Ji gritted her teeth and shouted, "Niu Youdao, you damned bastard! Didn't you say you had a way to stop her?"

"I can't hold her!"

"If this keeps going, I'm going to die at her hands."

"If you don't act now, don't blame me for abandoning the two of you and running first!"

[End of Chapter 1289]