Seeing that even the Elders had been captured, the direct disciples' spirits immediately sank.
The Six Sects Grand Competition had turned into this, and they did not know when they would be rescued. What if the Sect Leaders couldn't think of a solution?
After Liu Yao left, the scene fell silent, and no one spoke.
“Elder, we meet again!”
Elder Liu, who had originally been lamenting, was startled by the familiar voice, causing the flesh on his old face to tremble. He turned his head and saw the troublesome girl.
Tian Ning had been hiding in the crowd since Liu Yao appeared. Many people were blocking her, so Liu Yao didn't notice that she wasn't entangled by vines.
Seeing the little girl quietly beside her, he inquired, "What exactly happened in the Secret Realm?"
"The Demonic Beast King lost control and collaborated with Demonic Cultivators."
Elder Xie of the Wanjian Sect, who was with them, said, "But you don't need to worry. The Sect Leaders are inviting the Fu Immortal Sect Ancestor to leave seclusion. By then, this mere Tree Demon will be no match for a Crossing Tribulation Stage expert!"
These words were like a reassurance, instantly rekindling hope in everyone.
Powerful Ancestors have always guarded the Six Sects' territory, but Ancestors rarely take action unless there is an emergency.
"That's what they say…" Elder Liu sighed. Other Sects might not know, but as an Elder of the Fu Immortal Sect, he knew very well: "Before the Six Sects Grand Competition began, the Ancestor went into seclusion to cultivate with the Lei Wang Talisman that Wenren Xue sent…"
This is a crucial time. Forcibly leaving seclusion could cause backlash, so Sect Leader Rong was also unsure about asking the Ancestor to leave seclusion.
Elder Xie was speechless: "Are there any other Ancestors…"
Elder Liu: "The other Ancestors are also providing protection."
Everyone: "..."
After a rollercoaster of emotions, Elder Liu realized he had spoken incorrectly and added a comforting remark: "Actually, you don't need to worry too much. If something really happens, and an anomaly occurs within the Fu Immortal Sect's territory, the Ancestors will surely sense it and come!"
Everyone: "..."
By then, it'll be too late.
“Elder, doesn't the Sect Leader really have any other solutions?!”
The direct disciples spoke up in a jumble.
This happened in a Secret Realm managed by the Fu Immortal Sect. How could there be no solution?
Elder Liu sighed repeatedly: "You are young and don't know. Liu Yao's identity is special. She has a close relationship with an ancestor of the Fu Immortal Sect who ascended a hundred years ago… She has a talisman imprint left by the ancestor protecting her, and this Secret Realm was also given to her by the ancestor."
In other words, they never imagined that Liu Yao would betray them and side with the Demonic Cultivators.
When everyone's spirits plummeted again, Tian Ning spoke: "Tell us the details."
Anyway, there's no way to escape now.
She took out some sun-dried fruit from a cloth bag and gave some to Jiang Xi. It tasted good—all-natural, handmade, and no additives. It’s just that she was in such a hurry that she forgot to bring melon seeds.
Elder Liu: "..."
"Elder, just tell us. Human strength is great. Maybe we can find her weakness and find a way out."
The speaker was Zhou Han. Before Tian Ning was dragged in, Zhou Han had argued with Zhou Mengya. Because he was bound by vines, he was later knocked unconscious by Zhou Mengya.
Zhou Mengya wasn't that cruel to her blood-related brother, Zhou Han. She said she would save him before leaving and spare his life.
"Fine."
Elder Liu patiently told them the story of the past:
Although it's called the Demonic Beast King, Liu Yao's true form is a willow tree.
Ordinary spirit beasts take hundreds of years to transform, and plants are even rarer, requiring tens of thousands of years. If she hadn't been fortunate enough to receive enlightenment from the previous life of the ascended ancestor, Liu Yao would have remained an ordinary willow tree in this world.
The ancestor in that life didn't succeed in ascending. They perished under Heavenly Thunder and underwent reincarnation.
Liu Yao remembered the benefactor's aura. She tried every means to find the reincarnated ancestor, disguising herself as an ordinary person to protect them.
Tian Ning: "..."
She felt she didn't need to listen to the rest of the story; she already knew how it would go.
Sure enough, Elder Liu recounted the love story between this person and tree. It was a tale of love blooming over time, day and night longing, inseparable—but even if cultivators live longer than ordinary humans, their lifespan is still limited if their cultivation base doesn't progress.
They couldn't grow old together. Plants have a long lifespan, and Liu Yao watched her beloved pass away...
Because of her obsession, Liu Yao once again found her lover's reincarnation, but how many wishes come true in this world?
Not every reincarnation brought them together. The ancestor was later reincarnated into a poor family in the Human Realm and sent to the palace to become a eunuch.
Everyone: "..."
Oh, Liu Yao's life was quite unlucky.
Elder Liu: "Liu Yao waited another lifetime, and later the ancestor reincarnated as a woman."
Everyone: "..."
Elder Liu: "In that life as a woman, the ancestor was incredibly unfortunate. She married a wastrel who constantly beat and scolded her. Liu Yao couldn't bear to see the ancestor suffer, so she helped! Unexpectedly, the wastrel fell for Liu Yao, and the ancestor became jealous…"
This time, not only the direct disciples, but also the outside audience fell silent.
You know, Liu Yao's life was quite exciting!
Don't look at Elder Liu's usual serious demeanor. This little old man is quite chatty. He recounted all the lives of Liu Yao and the Fu Immortal Sect ancestor, showing how much gossip he had consumed in the past!
The most dramatic story was when the ancestor was reincarnated as an insect.
Liu Yao almost broke down. Plants hate insects the most, and she endured the disgust and waited for it to die…
Time and time again, her hopes were dashed. In the end, Liu Yao didn't know what she was waiting for anymore.
Even the strongest love fades with time. Liu Yao could no longer recall her initial feelings when they fell in love. She simply clung to her obsession, constantly searching for her lover in each lifetime.
She just wanted to find the shadow of her husband in her memories.
Just as she was about to give up, the ancestor was reincarnated into the Cultivation World. This lifetime's appearance was exactly the same as when they were in love.
Liu Yao didn't rush to approach. She guarded the ancestor, who was still a child, protecting them day and night.
This lifetime's ancestor had excellent aptitude and diligently cultivated. As a young man, they enjoyed adventuring, traveling to various places and handling various matters.
Liu Yao would secretly help them but never revealed herself.
Until one time, when a Demonic Cultivator tried to use the ancestor as a cauldron for cultivation. In the critical situation, Liu Yao appeared in time and saved them from the Demonic Cultivator.
Liu Yao originally planned to lie and say that they were a Great Power passing by this place. After so many reincarnations, Liu Yao's heart was in turmoil, and she hadn't yet sorted out her feelings to face the person in front of her.
But the ancestor immediately recognized her, knowing that she was the Immortal Fairy sister who had been protecting them since childhood.
"