Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) gently patted the head of Dandan, an egg that was circling her wrist and clamoring for spiritual energy, then turned back to answer them. "To put it plainly, isn't it all for spiritual energy resources!"
"But it's always been like this. The Vast Expanse is ours, and the Starry Expanse belongs to the gods of the Upper Realm!" Mao Peilan murmured.
"Since when has it always been like this? In the earliest times, all races lived together, where did the concept of territorial seals come from?" Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) led the way back, almost driven mad by the voice of Dandan in her mind.
The Golden Wolf and the others followed, talking as they walked. "I know this. Back then, it was the Immortals and Gods who, together with humans and demons, sealed the Demons and Underworlders in the Chaotic Expanse, where spiritual energy is least abundant and survival conditions are the harshest." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"But wasn't it because the Demons and Underworlders indiscriminately killed the innocent and were ferocious and terrifying, that they were attacked by everyone? Is that all a lie?" Bai Ruzhen began to doubt the teachings passed down by the elders through the ages.
"It's not entirely false. But every race has good and bad people. Now, all the Demons and Underworlders are sealed! Besides, our human and demon races also contributed back then, so why can't we go to the Starry Expanse? Have you never wondered about this question in your heart?" Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) said persuasively.
Everyone fell silent. In fact, the powerful cultivators of their human and demon races had been unable to ascend for years. They had always thought it was a problem of insufficient spiritual energy and inadequate cultivation. It was only after this great battle, when several reclusive powerful cultivators appeared, that they realized that no new cultivators had successfully ascended for hundreds of thousands of years.
Therefore, more and more people began to not expect help from the gods of the Upper Realm. Both the human and demon races had contributed back then, so why was the Starry Expanse, which was promised to allow ascension upon enlightenment, now closed off to them?
"Then, for the Demons and Underworlders, who now think the same as us, wanting to go to the spiritually abundant Vast Expanse and Starry Expanse, what is wrong with that?"
"Qiushui, do you mean to say... these Demons and Underworlders still want to attack the Starry Expanse? That's talking nonsense!" The Golden Wolf exclaimed in disbelief.
"Everyone should have the right to dream! Besides, how would we know if we don't try? Even if the Demons and Underworlders are not strong enough on their own, aren't our demon and human races still here?" Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) left with a meaningful smile and walked into the house. "Alright, everyone, seize the time to cultivate! Perhaps a battle of epic proportions will occur soon!"
Regardless of how the other parts of the Vast Expanse were engulfed in fierce battles, with factions forming and breaking apart, reorganizing with great excitement, the city guarded by Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) and the other three demons remained surprisingly peaceful.
Perhaps the people of the Chaotic Expanse had forgotten them, or perhaps they had received some command, but they never came to this city. Even those who were heading to other cities would choose to take a detour if they found out they would pass by their territory.
As time went by, more and more native inhabitants of the Vast Expanse, who had heard rumors, flocked here. However, for the sake of harmony within the city, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) and the others did not accept everyone. They selectively accepted a few people periodically. After all, the city was not large, resources were limited, and once the population became saturated, conflicts over resources would arise.
Regardless, the reputation of them, as demon cultivators, spread. Some said these demon cultivators were powerful, and that the demon cultivator surnamed Bai even had a divine beast, the Yinglong, making them invincible in battle and feared by the demonic creatures of the Chaotic Expanse. Others said they had an old connection with the current leader of the demons, and thus the demon king had issued an order not to harass them. There were even rumors that they had connections with the gods of the Starry Expanse, and that it was due to the protection of the gods that they were able to be undefeated.
Although the rumors grew more and more intense, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) herself did not care. Originally, Bai Ruzhen, the Golden Wolf, and Mao Peilan were somewhat anxious, but seeing her calm cultivation every day, they gradually settled down and focused on their own cultivation.
It was in this tranquil haven amidst the chaos that Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang)'s "Gui Yuan" reached its third stage, "Ten Thousand Things Return to Origin," finally achieved.
After mastering this stage, she felt a significant difference. In her usual cultivation, although spiritual energy would actively seek her out, the essence she could absorb was still only spiritual energy.
But now it was different. When she cultivated, she could absorb all the qi in the air, and her body would automatically convert it into spiritual energy. Not only could her own body use this spiritual energy, but she could also output it for Dandan, the divine beast egg, to absorb.
This meant that after Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) had fully mastered "Gui Yuan," she could truly convert all things into spiritual energy, and her body became a spiritual energy converter.
However, besides herself, only Dandan, with whom she had signed a master-servant contract, knew about this, as it was truly too extraordinary. Although Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) was powerful, she couldn't withstand the harassment and covetousness of everyone.
At Mao Shi that day, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) leaned against the pear tree in the courtyard, enjoying the flowers and the cool breeze. The clusters of snow-white pear blossoms, like masses of white clouds, unfurled and drifted lightly. The wind carried the fragrance of the pear blossoms, gently swaying at the tips of the branches beside the tree. She took a deep breath and seemed to become slightly tipsy.
When Feng Qinghuai arrived, he saw her reposed and intoxicated under the pear tree, her eyes closed. He approached quietly, hesitating whether to disturb her. Then he heard her lips gently part, and her familiar voice, as gentle as ever, said, "You're here!"
There were no extra words, nor any accusations about what he had been doing during this period. It was as if they were still as they were before. Although they had had a small argument, it had subsided with time, and they had returned to their former selves. Feng Qinghuai cherished this feeling of familiarity and intimacy, the long-lost trust and peace that only he could feel by Bai Bai's side.
That day, Feng Qinghuai and Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) talked for a long time in the room. Later in the evening, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) called the other three demons into the room for a discussion.
What was discussed specifically was unknown to outsiders, but it was known that not long after that day, the Chaotic Expanse and the Vast Expanse ceased their hostilities.
After half a year of recuperation, led by Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) and Feng Qinghuai respectively, the powerful cultivators from both expanses joined forces to break open a large portion of the barrier of the Starry Expanse, leading them to attack the spiritually abundant Upper Realm occupied by the gods and immortals.
This war lasted for half a year before it concluded. The gods of the Starry Expanse were indeed powerful, but they could not withstand the combined assault of the cultivators from the other two expanses. Moreover, for hundreds of thousands of years, the Starry Expanse had prevented cultivators from the Vast Expanse from ascending, resulting in a smaller population. Naturally, they would lose in a group fight.
However, all wars were for the acquisition of spiritual energy resources. In the end, the three parties sat down and discussed a new policy.