When Little White Tiger was at the Ascension passage, it intended to travel to Han Xuanji's realm through the spirit beast contract.
Unexpectedly, a sudden change occurred within the Ascension passage.
A colossal azure light gate, inscribed with countless profound runes, appeared out of thin air. From within the gate, an ancient and vast Qi emanated, generating an irresistible, immense suction force, like an invisible hand, instantly seizing Little White Tiger.
"Roar!"
Little White Tiger was furious and alarmed, its body erupting with Geng Metal Divine Light, attempting to break free from the restraint.
What was acting upon it at this moment was precisely the "Myriad Demons Heavenly Gate," specifically designed to receive Yao Race Ascended Immortals!
Its power originated from the Primordial Covenant and the Laws of Heaven and Earth, something it could not possibly contend with at its current level.
"What's going on? Wasn't I supposed to go to Master?"
Confusion and a hint of panic surged within Little White Tiger. It struggled fiercely but was still dragged little by little into the gate by the azure light.
It could feel that the aura emanating from behind the gate was of the same origin as its own, yet it was incredibly unfamiliar and vast, definitely not the Human Race Immortal Domain where Han Xuanji resided.
"Yao Race Ascended Immortals, no matter which realm they come from, naturally belong in my Myriad Demons Heavenly Domain."
This was a cold and emotionless voice, as if coming from above the Nine Heavens.
"No!"
Little White Tiger only felt a blur before its eyes, and before losing consciousness, it could only let out a mournful wail.
The next moment, a powerful spatial force completely enveloped it...
Inside the Myriad Phenomena Garden, Han Xuanji was sitting in meditation, comprehending the Dao, when he suddenly felt something.
He sensed that several individuals from the Lower Realm had already Ascended, and after a moment of contemplation, he decided to look after them.
Although the path of cultivation relied on individual Opportunity, since this Karma existed, it was appropriate to provide some assistance.
When one person achieves the Dao, even their chickens and dogs Ascend to Heaven.
Although Han Xuanji had not yet achieved the Dao, these few were no longer mere chickens and dogs. Those who could Ascend after several hundred years in the Lower Realm were considered to have good Aptitude in the Upper Realm. After adapting, they could barely reach the threshold of Lingxu Heavenly Palace.
"Taiqing."
Han Xuanji called softly.
Li Taiqing arrived upon hearing the call, bowing in Rei:
"Master, what are your instructions?"
"Go to the Reception Hall and bring Lu Fan, Nangong Wenjian, and Lin Potian to Lingxu Heavenly Palace."
"That's wonderful! Brother Lu, Brother Nangong, and Brother Lin have always looked forward to seeing you in the Upper Realm."
Upon hearing this news, Li Taiqing couldn't help but smile.
Unbeknownst to him, he had already Ascended for over a hundred years, and his cultivation was far beyond that of his former companions. At this moment, a sense of anticipation for "showing off" arose within him.
Thinking of this, Li Taiqing followed the coordinates Han Xuanji had given him and hurried away.
After Li Taiqing had left, Han Xuanji frowned.
"Why did that fellow go so far away?"
As the realm governed by Lingxu Heavenly Palace, the Taixu Spirit Realm's normal Ascension would lead to the Lingxu Immortal Domain, regardless of race.
Han Xuanji then performed a deduction and only then understood the reason.
"It's the Demon Court's doing, interfering with the Human Race's Ascension matters."
Han Xuanji shook his head, his impression of the Demon Court dropping a few points.
However, he couldn't just ignore Little White Tiger.
"It's a good chance to try the Transformation of Myriad Ages method."
It would be somewhat dangerous to venture deep into the Demon Clan Immortal Domain, but he could use the newly learned Divine Ability...
In the Lingxu Immortal Domain, a reception hall once again lit up with dazzling Ascension light.
Three figures appeared in the grand hall almost simultaneously.
They were Lu Fan, Lin Potian, and Nangong Wenjian, who had just Ascended.
Lu Fan's gaze swept over the surrounding Ascended Immortals; all were Cultivators of the Ascension Realm. Most of them had slightly weaker auras than theirs, with only one being stronger.
Feeling the incredibly dense immortal Qi and the exceptionally clear Laws of Heaven and Earth around them, their eyes could not hide their shock.
Lin Potian took a deep breath, feeling the vastly more active and powerful Heaven and Earth energy compared to the Lower Realm, and at the same time, feeling a sense of pressure.
Nangong Wenjian silently gripped his sword hilt, his sharp gaze vigilantly scrutinizing his surroundings.
"Finally... we've arrived."
Lu Fan let out a sigh of relief, then looked at Lin Potian and Nangong Wenjian, asking in confusion:
"Where's that Little White Tiger fellow?"
"Uh... I don't know."
Lin Potian and Nangong Wenjian exchanged glances, unaware of Little White Tiger's whereabouts.
"He's a Yao Race member, so could he have been guided to another place?"
"Very likely."
"Then what should we do?"
The few frowned. They had agreed to Ascend together, and it would be awkward to explain to Han Xuanji later.
"In any case, let's first gather information and see if we can find out about Brother Li's situation."
"Perhaps he has already found Sword Immortal Han..."
Nangong Wenjian calmed down and immediately made a plan.
At this moment, several powerful Cultivators arrived in the reception hall...
Meanwhile, in the Myriad Demons Heavenly Domain, several regions away from the Lingxu Immortal Domain.
This was a realm entirely ruled by the Demon Court, with three demon moons hanging high in the sky, casting an eerie purplish-red glow.
Mountains lay like ferocious beasts, and from time to time, heart-pounding savage roars echoed.
Little White Tiger manifested its true form, stumbled to the ground, shook its dizzy head, and vigilantly surveyed its surroundings.
It was on a massive circular stone platform, ancient and carved with various old Yao Race totems.
The air was filled with a rich immortal Qi; even a single breath made its demonic power surge with excitement.
Looking around, the sky was an eerie purplish-red, with three demon moons of varying sizes hanging high.
In the distance, mountains undulated, appearing ferocious, and from time to time, heart-pounding savage roars echoed.
The architecture here was also distinctly different from Human Race style, mostly constructed from massive stones, crude and primitive, exuding a wild sense of power.
"Is this... the Demon Clan Immortal Domain?"
Little White Tiger's heart sank.
Before Ascension, it had done a lot of research and knew how vast an Immortal Domain was. Trying to get from here to the Human Race Immortal Domain where Han Xuanji was would be incredibly difficult.
Just then, a powerful Divine Sense swept over, carrying a scrutinizing intent.
Immediately after, a Demon General, clad in black armor, with a single horn on his head and a fierce aura, appeared before the Ascension platform with a squad of Demon Heavenly Soldiers.
"Oh? A newly Ascended little fellow?"
The Demon General scrutinized Little White Tiger, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Its Bloodline seems extraordinary. It could join my army."
"Join the army?"
Little White Tiger suppressed the anxiety in its heart, maintaining vigilance, and asked:
"Join what army?"
"Naturally, the Demon Court's grand army. I am the Third Vanguard Army under Demon Lord Huntian."
The Demon General's tone carried an undeniable authority:
"Come with me to register. From now on, you will be a member of my Demon Court, you must abide by the Demon Court's Laws, and fight for the glory of my Yao Race!"
Upon hearing this, Little White Tiger was immediately stunned.
He did not want to join this Demon Race army, and as for fighting for the glory of the Yao Race, although he was a Yao Race member, having lived with Han Xuanji since childhood, he had long stopped considering himself a part of the Yao Race.
"No! I want to find my Master!"
Little White Tiger subconsciously took a step back, its demonic power involuntarily circulating, showing its resistance.
"Master?"
The Demon General's eyes instantly sharpened, and a powerful demonic might pressed down on Little White Tiger, instantly discerning the contract on its body.
"You actually acknowledge a Human Race member as your Master? You are truly a disgrace to my Yao Race! It seems you need some good 'guidance' to understand what Yao Race pride is!"
...At the same time, atop a majestic mountain peak.
Demon Lord Huntian sat at the peak, his black scales gleaming coldly under the demon moons, his long black hair dancing in the wind.
"It is said that the Prodigy of the Donghua Sect killed one of my Demon Court's people, so naturally, we must retaliate..."
He silently pondered the news he had recently received. Using this excuse to invade the Linghua Immortal Domain should be a good idea.
Just then, he keenly sensed a starlight tearing through space. Someone was forcibly descending upon this area with a teleportation Divine Ability.
The aura was not like that of the Yao Race; it must be an intruder from another race.
"Interesting."
Demon Lord Huntian slowly stood up, his gaze directed into the distance,
"It seems an uninvited guest has arrived."
He wanted to see who dared to be so bold as to trespass on his, Demon Lord Huntian's, territory.
As he stood up, the entire mountain peak trembled.