Mingzhi Tian and Hong Lie Feng were the first to arrive at the Demonic Sect, eager to rescue the captives. They put aside concerns about the ninety thousand strong army's journey for the moment. Upon entering the Demonic Sect, the guards spotted Hong Lie Feng and their faces lit up with joy. "General! You're finally back! The Demon God..."
Hong Lie Feng waved her hand, "I know everything. Prepare yourselves; the army will arrive soon."
The guards were a little surprised but, considering it was Hong Lie Feng, didn't press further. They inferred she had regained command of the troops from the Demon God Bai Li Dong, which only deepened their admiration for her.
Hong Lie Feng asked, "Where are my brother and father?"
The guard replied, "They are both locked in the great dungeon."
Mingzhi Tian inquired, "What about Tian Nan Jie?"
The guard looked at him with confusion. Hong Lie Feng explained, "He is my friend. Where is Ku Pala?"
The guard's expression turned serious. Mingzhi Tian urged, "Take me there quickly!"
Hong Lie Feng first went to the great dungeon to rescue her father, Hong Wang Tie, the Grand Marshal, whom no one dared to touch. However, Tian Nan Jie Ku Pala was in a dire state.
Tian Nan Jie Ku Pala was tortured to the brink of death. Mingzhi Tian killed two demon soldiers who were about to continue the torture and held his frail, blood-soaked body.
Mingzhi Tian remained silent. Tian Nan Jie's blurred eyes could not discern the person before him. "Who are you?"
"I am Mingzhi Tian."
A glimmer of hope appeared on Tian Nan Jie's pained, contorted face. "Brother Zhi Tian? That's... that's wonderful... you, you've come?"
Mingzhi Tian felt guilty. "I'm sorry, I'm late."
Tian Nan Jie's body began to convulse uncontrollably. His consciousness wavered, causing him to speak incoherently, sometimes claiming to be Tian Nan Jie, and at other times, Ku Pala...
Before he died, Tian Nan Jie left a dying wish: "Have Mingzhi Tian take good care of his underage daughter, Kuke."
He added, "Promise me, you will not give her a formal status. Let her be a maid for life. This way, she can survive the schemes and intrigues."
He had overestimated Mingzhi Tian. Mingzhi Tian was not that kind of person, but Tian Nan Jie wished it so, so he agreed. However, he would never treat her like a mere maid; instead, he would regard her as a younger sister.
By the time Hong Lie Feng arrived with Hong Wang Tie and Hong Qiang Ya, Ku Pala was already dead.
After burying Tian Nan Jie, Mingzhi Tian planned to take his daughter, Kuke. He saw her swollen, red eyes, clearly still immersed in grief over her father's death. Mingzhi Tian gave her time to mourn for her father first. Once the days softened, he would come to fetch her.
Hong Lie Feng first revitalized the Demonic Sect and then returned to the Divine Sect.
Mingzhi Tian intended to return to the Divine Sect. As he passed through the Ten Wild Lands, he was intercepted by Dong Qian Yue, who had been waiting.
Mingzhi Tian asked, "Sect Master of Wan Li Sen Mu? Is there something?"
Dong Qian Yue, who usually appeared dignified before others, now seemed as shy as a young girl in front of Mingzhi Tian.
She gracefully leaped from the Phoenix of Neon, performing a light, dancing movement. "Ming... Ming Xiu Shen... may I call you that?"
Mingzhi Tian nodded. "Yes."
Dong Qian Yue pursed her lips and nodded slightly. "Actually, there is a secret that has been in my heart, and I have never told anyone."
Mingzhi Tian continued to listen. Dong Qian Yue said, "It is about a mysterious person whose body flows with golden blood."
"!"
Mingzhi Tian's interest was immediately piqued. He grabbed her arms. "You said... golden blood?"
Mingzhi Tian certainly knew what that implied. It was the same rare bloodline as his, an anomalous cultivation, an extremely rare existence. Furthermore, on one occasion, he recalled meeting a mysterious person with golden blood in Gu Hong Chang. The coincidences were too great; it had to be the same person.