In Eastern mythology, the qilin is a symbol of auspiciousness and the embodiment of benevolence and virtue.

It does not tread on living grass, nor step on insects or ants, adhering to a principle of non-killing, and it can distinguish between good and evil, loyalty and treachery.

Today, in this forgotten Demon World, you have seen a member of the Demon Tribe with the form of a qilin, and it truly is as described in myths and legends.

"Auspicious Cloud Descent!"

A patch of blood-colored clouds materialized beneath the qilin's feet, making its speed as swift as lightning, darting left and right, making its form difficult to discern.

"Benevolent Divine Fist!"

The qilin's arm swelled violently, like a pillar reaching the heavens, and with one punch, it drove Huo Feihuo deep into the earth's crust!

"Virtuous Stomp!"

The qilin's feet enlarged tremendously, stomping down fiercely, trampling Huo Feihuo, who was already embedded in the earth's crust, even deeper underground!

"Eyes of Good and Evil!"

The qilin's eyes erupted with divine light in red and green colors, like two lasers, shooting deep underground. Huo Feihuo's agonized screams echoed from beneath the earth.

Attacks between soul entities are essentially energy impacts of different forms. The reason it seems to turn the world upside down is simply due to the immense energy, not because it's a physical attack.

"It truly is an auspicious beast!"

You couldn't help but give a thumbs-up.

A Guardian of a realm is indeed invincibly strong!

Now, looking at the Shen Family Founding Ancestor...

Tsk tsk, he's done for.

The Shen Family Founding Ancestor is actually not the current Guardian of the human world. He was only the first one. After his natural lifespan ended, the Guardian role was held by others.

Strictly speaking, the Shen Family Founding Ancestor was done for the moment he started, immediately suffering a backlash from the possession attempt. He just had incredibly bad luck.

Huo Feihuo still put up a desperate resistance for a while.

Although the Qilin Soul could still execute its techniques, having been tormented for thirty thousand years, it was no longer as divinely powerful as it once was.

The Qilin Soul also couldn't completely eradicate Huo Feihuo. It could only thrust the dark chains previously used to suppress it into Huo Feihuo's soul.

"Let me go! You old fossil! If you have the guts, fight me fair and square! What's the point of using these Soul-Binding Chains!"

"Shut up! Fair and square? How dare you Dragon-Men talk about fair and square?!

Colluding with spies to steal our Great Dao Immortal Artifacts!

Taking advantage of our weakness to plot against this old man, ambushing the Young Master!

Every single one of your actions, what does any of it have to do with fair and square!

You just stay here, sinking into eternal damnation!"

Huo Feihuo grew frantic.

"No! Don't! I was just here to stand guard! I still need to go back and get married! Don't trap me here!"

Your mind turning quickly, you stepped forward and spoke.

"If you are willing to reveal the Dragon-Man tribe's next plan, I can let you go."

The Qilin Soul's expression turned ugly. It seemed he didn't agree with your approach.

But you gave him a reassuring look.

Don't worry, whether he talks or not, you had no intention of letting him go.

Unexpectedly, this Huo Feihuo was quite loyal, adamantly refusing to speak, asking you to propose a different condition.

You had hoped to extract some information from him, but it seemed you had to give up.

"Young human friend, you came here with the Young Master to find this old man because you wish to return to the human world, correct?"

"Exactly. Didn't you say before that you had a way to return to the human world?"

"The gaps leading to the human world that the Demon Emperor opened using the Great Dao Immortal Artifacts were all closed by this old man when the troops withdrew. However, there is one gap left for intelligence transmission, but..." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The Qilin Soul hesitated, leaving the sentence unfinished.

"But what? Do you need some resource support? Tell me, I might have some on me."

You still had some resources left from what you had gathered from the Shen Family and the Star Force Mystic Realm. Perhaps they could be of use.

"It's nothing. I suppose it shouldn't be a problem. I'll take you there, young friend."

"Then thank you very much!"

You entered the Nine Provinces Cauldron and followed the Qilin Soul, flying towards the gap between the two worlds.

Behind you, Huo Feihuo's roars echoed from within the Ancient City Ruins.

"Let me out—"

During the journey.

"Young human friend, since you are human, do you not harbor resentment towards our Demon Tribe? Aren't you worried that I might be deceiving you, that I might harm you instead?"

You smiled.

"What purpose would harming me serve when the Demon Tribe is in such a state? As for the hatred from thirty thousand years ago, that's probably not something I need to dwell on right now.

What I'm more curious about is why the Demon Emperor insisted on launching a war between worlds. Could it really be, as General Hu said, that defeating all Void Realms would allow the entire race to ascend?"

"The Demon Emperor did not explain everything to me back then. I trusted in his foresight and wisdom, supporting him unconditionally.

Time veils history in a layer of mist. If you wish to uncover the truth, you must pierce through this mist, but I'm afraid that will be very difficult..."

As a Guardian of the Demon Tribe, this great demon with qilin bloodline knew quite a lot.

You conversed with him along the way, learning much information.

For example.

"What? This thing really died?!"

"For a Great Dao Immortal Artifact, one shouldn't use 'died'. It's 'destroyed', body ruined, spirit extinguished."

You looked at the Qiankun Mirror, which originally had only half its mirror surface, was now covered in cracks, and had been smoking for several years.

"I am seriously fed up! This thing is too crazy! I just asked you to help me escape the Starry Domains! Was it necessary to teleport this far?! You managed to get yourself killed!"

After hearing your account of the experience in the Starry Domains, the Qilin Beast thought for a moment and said.

"Your Water-element Immortal Artifact was already unstable due to damage. It probably didn't intend to come to the Demon World either; it likely lost control during the spellcasting process.

Even if it were in perfect, undamaged condition, you shouldn't let it cast spells to cross world barriers by itself. Too many accidents can happen.

Even the Demon Emperor had to gather all five Great Dao Immortal Artifacts and personally control them to travel freely."

Each Void Realm has five Great Dao Immortal Artifacts representing the five elements.

The Demon World is accustomed to calling them by their element, like 'Water-element Immortal Artifact'.

"Senior, there's another matter I'd like to ask about..."

You explained Da Chun's situation.

Hearing this, the Qilin Beast couldn't help but show an expression of admiration.

"It seems the Artifact Spirit of this Wood-element Immortal Artifact has taken that step..."

"What step?"

"Great Dao Immortal Artifacts are still artifacts. Ultimately, they need to cooperate with a user to unleash their full power. Artifact Spirits may seem to have self-awareness, but they actually possess an instinct of 'following'.

To put it bluntly, they lack strong independent judgment.

The so-called 'that step' refers to the Artifact Spirit giving birth to a genuine self-will. It gains the ability to decide its own path in life."

Why does this sound so familiar?

You turned to look at the Ten Thousand Souls Banner.

"Kid, why are you looking at your grandpa?"

You punched the Ten Thousand Souls Banner.

The Qilin laughed.

"Correct. The Artifact Spirit of your Ten Thousand Souls Banner has also reached this step. It is not a Great Dao Immortal Artifact, and among Immortal Artifacts, its time of birth isn't particularly long. Yet, it has achieved such enlightenment, which is truly rare."

The Ten Thousand Souls Banner used its banner surface to strike a pose as if putting its hands on its hips.

"Kid! I told you long ago!

I, the Ten Thousand Souls Banner! Am the greatest, the strongest, the most courageous Immortal Artifact in history!

What Great Dao Immortal Artifacts? They're nothing but roadside trash!

Just wait until I outlive you, regain my freedom, I'll..."

You kicked it to the side.

"Senior, does the incompleteness of the Nine Provinces Cauldron's Artifact Spirit have anything to do with it possessing true self-will?"