Chen Chang'an and Da Huang exchanged glances. They had never actually seen a member of the demon race before.
Unable to resist their curiosity, the two of them took a few more looks at Xiao Yao. At first glance, she didn’t seem any different from a human.
“The Huan Hua Immortal Sect has female disciples from the demon race?” Chen Chang'an asked curiously.
“Although relations between humans and demons aren’t particularly harmonious, there isn’t any deep-seated conflict either,” came the reply.
“Of course, that excludes some extremists on either side.”
“Back then, I happened to come across Xiao Yao by chance. Seeing her all alone and pitiful, I brought her back to the sect.”
“The elder once said that there is no inherent distinction between good and evil, nor between humans and demons—they are all living beings of this world.”
“It’s simply that everyone’s understanding of morality and race differs, which leads to conflict and strife.”
“Xiao Yao may be a demon, but she is kind-hearted and pure by nature, never harboring ill intentions toward others.”
“In some ways, she’s better than certain humans.”
“Just as the elder once said, education and guidance are of utmost importance.”
Chen Chang'an found these words quite profound. This Chen Tian truly was an extraordinary figure—no wonder he had once dominated the entire Ancient Immortal Domain.
“Hehehe, Master, I’m off to play!”
Though Xiao Yao’s cultivation had already reached the Quasi-Immortal realm—even the peak of Quasi-Immortal—her mentality was still that of a child.
This wasn’t due to any deficiency in her mind, but rather because the growth cycles of humans and demons differed greatly.
“Go on,” Wan Qing said affectionately, patting Xiao Yao’s head with a smile.
Xiao Yao waved at Chen Chang'an and Da Huang before transforming into a wisp of smoke and vanishing.
“What… just happened?” Da Huang asked, bewildered.
“That girl has always been mischievous. Pay her no mind.”
“It’s just some innate racial ability of hers,” Wan Qing explained with a chuckle.
“In the Ancient Immortal Domain, aside from humans, there are also demons. But what’s the difference between demons and demonic beasts?” Chen Chang'an inquired.
“There isn’t any difference.”
“‘Demon’ refers to demonic beasts, demonic cultivators, or even plants—any living being has the potential to become a demon.”
“They awaken their spiritual intelligence, absorb the essence of heaven and earth, and grow increasingly powerful, even developing inherited talents.”
“Once their cultivation reaches a certain level, they can take human form.”
“After all, humans are the pinnacle of all living beings, the most suited for cultivation.”
“These are collectively referred to as the demon race.”
“In the Ancient Immortal Domain, the most powerful demons are the dragons, phoenixes, and qilins.”
Dragons, phoenixes, and qilins?
Hearing this, Chen Chang'an glanced at Da Huang, who was now practically bursting with pride.
The dog shot Chen Chang'an a challenging look, as if saying, See that? I’m from the most powerful demon race in the Ancient Immortal Domain.
“Wait a minute!”
“Why… why can’t I take human form yet?”
“Why?!”
Suddenly, Da Huang realized a critical issue. After breaking through to the tenth rank, he had assumed he’d be able to transform into a human—yet, in the end, it hadn’t happened.
“Da Huang, maybe you’re just too weak?” Chen Chang'an teased.
“Young Master Chen, there might be something unusual about this dog of yours.”
“Logically speaking, his current realm is equivalent to the human Emperor Venerable realm. Ordinary demonic beasts would already meet the conditions for transformation.”
“But if he can’t, it suggests that his body may contain remnants of a higher-grade bloodline.”
“The more advanced the demon race, the more difficult it is to take human form.”
“Especially for divine beasts. It’s said that divine beast-level demons must at least reach the Immortal King realm before they can transform.”
“Of course, this is just hearsay—I’ve never actually seen a true divine beast.”
Immortal King?!
Da Huang’s face instantly fell into an expression of utter despair. He had thought that after ascending to the Ancient Immortal Domain, he’d finally be able to take human form and no longer have to be dragged to brothels like a pet.
But now, he was being told he’d have to break through to Immortal King first?!
How long would that take?!
“Young Master Chen, does this dog of yours perhaps have some divine beast bloodline mixed in?”
“Is he a hyb—”
Hm?
A hyb-what?
What were you about to say?
Wan Qing didn’t finish her sentence, realizing it might come across as impolite.
But both Chen Chang'an and Da Huang understood exactly what she meant.
“Grrrrr!”
Da Huang glared furiously at Wan Qing, a low growl rumbling in his throat.
“Woof woof woof!”
“I’ll bite you to death!”
“Who are you calling names?!”
“Who were you just insulting?!”
Seeing Da Huang about to charge, Chen Chang'an quickly grabbed him and said helplessly, “She just misspoke. Calm down.”
“Ahem, my apologies. That was poor wording on my part,” Wan Qing coughed awkwardly.
“Woof woof woof!”
“I don’t care! Chen Chang'an, let me go! I’m gonna bite her to death!”
“She insulted me! How dare she?!”
“Chen Chang'an, if you’re my bro, then—”
“Go ahead.”
Seeing how insistent Da Huang was, Chen Chang'an simply let go.
“Go on. I believe in you.” Chen Chang'an’s gaze was full of encouragement.
Huh?
Da Huang looked at Chen Chang'an, then back at Wan Qing, before lowering his head and trotting back to Chen Chang'an’s side.
“Why didn’t you stop me?!” Da Huang grumbled.
“Huh? Why would I stop you?”
“Weren’t you going to bite her to death?”
“Go for it.”
Go for it?
Go for what?!
She was a Celestial Immortal, while he was, at best, an Emperor Venerable-level being. Wouldn’t she just slap him dead with one hand?
Da Huang had a very clear understanding of his own limits. He wasn’t like Chen Chang'an—thick-skinned and impervious to damage.
“You—you—you—you!”
“You’re making this really awkward for me!” Da Huang fumed.
“Then take the initiative now. It’s not too late.”
“I—”
“Ahem, well, uh… lovely weather today, isn’t it?”
“How about… you two chat? I’ll just go for a walk?”
Without waiting for Chen Chang'an or Wan Qing to respond, Da Huang turned tail and bolted, not daring to look back.
If I look back, I’m a turtle!
“Sorry about that.”
“He’s always like this,” Chen Chang'an said with a laugh after Da Huang left.
“It was my fault for speaking carelessly.”
“No harm done. It was just an honest mistake.”
“Aside from humans and demons, are there any other races in the Ancient Immortal Domain?” Chen Chang'an asked.
Hearing this, Wan Qing gave him a deep look and sighed. “Ah… Elder, it seems you truly remember nothing.”
“Back then, the Ancient Immortal Domain also had a demonic race.”
“But because they offended you… didn’t you exterminate them?”
Huh?
Exterminated?
An entire race… wiped out by him—no, by that Chen Tian?
This guy… was too ruthless.