Chapter 687: Great Demon 50

The smile in Bai Ze’s eyes deepened. ’Now *this* is the real Tan You,’ he thought. Her earlier words had been so righteous and awe-inspiring, even he had been a little stunned.

Peacock clapped Tan You heartily on the shoulder. "Jin Huan, you’re really willing to part with it."

Tan You clutched her chest. "I truly am reluctant, but that fortune belongs to the Demon Clan, not to me alone. I have no reason to keep it all for myself."

The Golden Ring Snake Emperor smiled. "Then if this fortune were placed in your hands right now, what would you do?"

Tan You answered without hesitation. "It should return to where it came from. Since it’s the Demon Clan’s fortune, it belongs to the entire Demon Clan. If possible, it would be best to favor the Flora Clan slightly. It’s already difficult for them to awaken their spiritual intelligence."

"Unlike the beast, bird, or scaled clans, they don’t possess great combat strength. They are frail and already struggle to survive. If they receive the blessing of this fortune, the Flora Clan can grow strong and numerous much faster."

The Cold Dragon objected, "We have a hard time with our tribulations too, Jin Huan. The Flora Clan might have it tough, but it’s not like things are easy for the rest of us."

Tan You said, "We should protect the weak. But there has to be a time limit. Once the Flora Clan has grown strong, the fortune should be shared equally among all our clans. It’s just that right now, they are weak and need more care."

The Cold Dragon was grudgingly satisfied. Suddenly, the Golden Ring Snake Emperor spoke up. "Little Jinzi, look up."

Tan You looked up, and all the Cultivators and Great Demons raised their heads as well. Before everyone’s watchful eyes, a rift tore open in the sky. A small, seven-colored object resembling a Spirit Stone fell from the rift, landing right in front of Tan You.

Tan You held out her hand. "This... is the fortune?"

"Mhm. This is the fortune the Human Clan stole from the Demon Clan nearly twenty thousand years ago. Little Jinzi, it is now in your hands to do with as you please."

The Golden Ring Snake Emperor’s tone once again held a hint of temptation. "Now that you’re actually holding it, are you truly not tempted at all?"

"Don’t you try to tempt me," Tan You said, rolling her eyes. "Of course I’m tempted, but I’m not the type to go back on my word."

Taking a deep breath, her voice rang out, clear and resonant, echoing through almost the entire Cultivation World. "Today, I, Jin Huan of the Golden Ring Snake Clan, hereby make a vow to heaven and earth! The four portions of the Demon Clan’s fortune once stolen by the Human Clan are now returned to their rightful owners."

"As the Flora Clan has grown weak, three of these portions shall favor them. Once the Flora Clan is strong enough to stand on its own, this fortune will be shared among all clans of the Demon Clan."

The moment Tan You’s vow was complete, an intricate pattern materialized beneath her feet. The oath had clearly taken effect.

And as the heavenly vow took effect, the fortune in Tan You’s hand dispersed into wisps of azure smoke. Some of them entered the bodies of the Great Demons present, while others flew off toward the distant Ten Directions Great Mountains.

Watching the fortune disperse, every Human Clan Cultivator was green with envy. But what could they do? The Golden Ring Snake Emperor was watching from above. Besides, this was the Demon Clan’s fortune that the Human Clan had stolen in the first place. Anyone with a shred of decency wouldn’t dare reach for it at a time like this.

Of course, Tan You also saw the tiny wisp of fortune that entered her own head. Compared to the vast population of the Demon Clan, this sliver of fortune was as thin as a single hair, almost negligible.

’Speaking of which, was this fortune meant for me, or for this body’s original owner?’ In any case, Tan You didn’t feel any different after the fortune entered her. She was still the same weak, pitiful, and helpless tenth-rank little Golden Ring Snake.

Watching the fortune return to the Demon Clan, Jing Yue was so furious his eyes could have bled. As a high-ranking member of the Buddhist Sect, he was naturally aware of some of its secrets. But he had never imagined the Demon Clan would discover this, let alone choose the very day of his ascension to lay the matter bare.

’When I return to the Ninth Heaven, will the sect blame me for this disaster? After all, that Golden Ring Snake has been involved in every single incident from the very beginning. How is she mixed up in everything?’

At this thought, Jing Yue delayed no longer. He activated a Secret Technique, and the soul of the monk in wide robes and long sleeves immediately disintegrated, vanishing completely.

Tan You pouted. "He sure ran off fast."

Peacock, ever the instigator, asked, "What about your God Trapping Array? Why didn’t you use it?"

Tan You rolled her eyes. "That only works on physical bodies. He was just a soul, how was I supposed to trap him? Well, he’ll definitely remember us now. Our lives won’t be so peaceful anymore."

Peacock immediately hopped away from Tan You. "*You’re* the one he’ll remember. This has nothing to do with me. Jin Huan, I’m not involved in this."

Tan You sighed wearily. "So much for solidarity. Weren’t we supposed to be in this together?"

Peacock retorted self-righteously, "You’re blessed by heaven and earth. How can we compare to you? Besides, your ancestor dotes on you so much! My ancestor hasn’t even shown his face. If I cause trouble, there’s no one to back me up."

Tan You raised an eyebrow. "True, isn’t it? It’s nice having a powerful backer. I guess we can’t accomplish our goal today. Forget about the Reincarnation Cultivation Technique. We’ve well and truly pissed off the Buddhist Sect this time."

Qinglian, who had been keeping quiet as a mouse ever since the Golden Ring Snake Emperor appeared, spoke up timidly. "The Reincarnation Cultivation Technique? I know about it."

"You know about it?" Cang Long, who had been looking dejected, immediately snatched up Qinglian’s soul upon hearing this. "You really know? You’re not just fooling me?"

Qinglian nodded vigorously. "I do! I was in the Buddhist Sect for so many years, so I know quite a few of their secret scriptures."

Tan You couldn’t help but smile. ’What’s that saying? Lose in the east, gain in the west? Maybe that’s not quite right.’ But who cared? As long as they got what they came for in the end, it was a good result.

Tan You, Peacock, Bai Ze, and the other Great Demons started to head down, but Qing Ming paused. He looked at Shi Miao, who was sitting dazedly on her high seat, his expression complex.

Seeing this, Bai Ze clapped him on the shoulder. "If you want to settle your karma, now is the time. Her Sword Dao is shattered. Even though she’s at the Body Integration Realm, you’re not without a fighting chance."

Qing Ming nodded. Shi Miao, who had been sitting in stunned silence, slowly raised her head. She couldn’t help but recall the divination Qian Ji had performed for her all those years ago. ’A great calamity. Certain death, with no chance of survival.’ And then there were the visions she herself had foreseen...

But despite it all, Shi Miao was fierce by nature. In a flash, she was standing atop the high platform.

"Jing Yue is gone. As his son, killing you is the same! I can use you to christen my sword!" Before the words even faded, she drew the Bloodthirsty Sword that was strapped to her back.

The Bloodthirsty Sword was covered in cracks, looking as if it might shatter at any moment.

Tan You just clicked her tongue. "Let’s head down. Qing Ming can handle this."

The Cold Dragon teased, "He’s one of our Demon Market’s own, you know. Are you really that confident in him?"

Tan You replied, "What’s there to worry about? He’s in his prime, while Shi Miao is a sun setting in the west. What’s more, her path of the Dao is shattered. She’s just clinging to life. Qing Ming’s victory is inevitable."