DEMON REALM
Lin Xuanji (Mo Tianzun) and Yun Huayin had arrived in the Demon Realm—the former domain of Mo Tianzun himself. But now, it was desolate. No people, no animals, no sign of life.
A sharp ache pierced Xuanji's heart as he looked around at the land he once ruled.
"After your death, Liu Shengjie stole the Soulbind Ring—the one that could control any being," Huayin said softly, walking toward the entrance of the Demon Castle. "He used it to enslave all who lived here... and then buried it deep beneath the demon lands, where no one could find it."
"That traitor..." Lin Xuanji muttered through gritted teeth, but Huayin heard him clearly.
"I was still in disbelief when you told me the truth. Was Deity Shengjie truly your most trusted right hand?" Huayin asked quietly.
Xuanji nodded, his jaw clenched. "Yes. That bastard was the one I trusted above all. I wish I never had. All this time, he wore a mask—hiding his intentions behind a disgusting façade."
With a furious roar, Lin Xuanji punched a massive wall. The force of his strike sent the entire structure flying across the ruined courtyard. Even Huayin, a nine-tailed fox spirit, was stunned.
'How could a human—no, a reincarnated deity—have such terrifying power?' Huayin spoke on his mind but shrugged his head to stop thinking
Huayin composed himself and approached the sealed gate of the Demon Castle, beginning to unlock it using his Qi. But suddenly, Xuanji grabbed his wrist.
Startled, Huayin looked up. "Is something wrong, Xuanji?"
"We're not going in there," Xuanji said. "We're heading to my vault."
"Your vault?" Huayin echoed, confused, as he followed Xuanji as he soared across the land.
"My Vault of a Thousand Curses."
ENTRANCE TO THE VAULT
Far from the Demon Castle, they landed in a surreal oasis—a land filled with green meadows, butterflies, blooming flowers, and crystal-clear waters. It looked nothing like the cracked, lava-filled terrain of the Demon Realm.
"This place... doesn't belong here," Huayin murmured.
Lin Xuanji took out a strange card, but instead of black ink, it was inscribed with blood.
"What is that?" Huayin finally asked.
"A key," Xuanji replied. "An Alas Card, written with my own blood."
He inserted the card into a square stone hidden beneath a tree branch. The earth beneath them began to shift—like an elevator descending into the deep earth.
Huayin gasped as the Vault revealed itself.
Mountains of gold, pearls, jade, spirit stones, rare treasures, and magical artifacts glittered in every direction. Yet Xuanji didn't spare them a glance—he walked straight ahead.
They arrived before a powerful waterfall that concealed a cave behind it.
"We're going through there," Xuanji said, preparing to fly.
But Huayin suddenly grabbed his wrist. "That waterfall's force is immense. We'll be crushed."
Xuanji gave a half-smile. "I built this place myself. As long as you hold onto me, the water won't touch you."
Trusting him, Huayin held tightly to Xuanji's wrist. As they flew through the waterfall, Huayin braced himself—but to his surprise, he felt no water at all.
He opened his eyes and saw that the water curved to the sides, like a parting curtain.
On the other side lay a breathtaking chamber.
Thousands of floating magical weapons—swords, spears, halberds, and arrows—filled the air. Forbidden tomes lined shelves along the walls, and mysterious glowing potions rested in glass containers below.
Huayin was awestruck. "I thought... this was it?"
Xuanji laughed maniacally. "Who said that was all I had?"
"You have more!?" Huayin cried out, stunned.
Grinning with pride, Xuanji pointed at a distant cave across the chamber. "See that cave? Beyond it lies another world."
"WHAT!?" Huayin shouted again, overwhelmed.
Xuanji's eyes gleamed. "This vault only holds the Thousand Curses. But beyond that cave is a sealed realm—one where the most magical creatures, divine herbs, and ancient relics live."
"And…" He paused dramatically.
"That is where the Nirvana Ghost Poison lies."
Huayin, unable to take in any more, fainted in shock.