Chapter Thirty-Six: The Thief Cries "Stop, Thief!"

Midnight—when the forces of yin and yang converge—is the prime hour for cultivators to refine their qi in meditation. Yet Ji Feichen pushed open the door and stepped outside.

At that moment, the Demon Suppression Tower was so cold it pierced the bones. Thick white fog spilled from the Pillars of Water and Fire, seeping into every floor. Within the mist, blue crystalline lights flickered, and icy streams flowed endlessly, coating the corridors in layers of frost. Ji Feichen shivered. “It’s below freezing in here.” He carried a lantern; the flame inside cast a shield of scarlet light around him, providing a faint warmth.

From the second floor upward, the Demon Suppression Tower served as the prison for demonic cultivators. Ji Feichen ascended via the Pillars of Water and Fire. The chill within the pillars surpassed even the outer air. Gazing at the pale, corpse-like face of a woman at the pillar’s base, he felt an added sense of eerie mystery.

Ji Feichen’s face was stiff with cold, and he hurried out of the pillar’s path. Turning his head, he saw that the Pillars of Water and Fire had transformed into pillars of deep blue crystal, interwoven with countless threads connecting floors two through six. Like a spider’s web, the white threads and icy columns enveloped each level, creating a surreal, dazzling beauty.

“The eighth white thread to your left—follow it. Walk three hundred steps left. There you’ll find the Cold Ice Profound Qi I’ve stored for you.” The drought demoness, unable to wield her full power, could only disperse her qi through her hair across the Demon Suppression Tower for Ji Feichen to collect, aiding his cultivation.

Ji Feichen followed the thread, spotting a prisoner of the Nether Sect trapped within. White threads wrapped around him, and the cold had frozen him solid. Yet a Heart-Piercing Lock emitted a yellow light, sustaining his life.

“This is the punishment within the Demon Suppression Tower. My hair simulates an icy purgatory, while the Heart-Piercing Lock preserves a breath of life. None dare unlock it for fear my cold will kill them.”

Without unlocking the Heart-Piercing Lock, the chains tethered to the iron pillars make escape impossible. If they undo it without fleeing swiftly, the demoness’s qi will freeze them to death.

“By day, when my poisonous fire burns, the iron rings on their wrists and ankles release cold to protect them, lest they perish from the fire.”

Ji Feichen reached out to touch the white hair extending from the Pillars of Water and Fire into each cell. As he did, a stream of cold surged through him.

He clenched his teeth, endured the sensation, and maintained a composed expression. Eventually, the cold condensed into an ice pearl in his dantian.

“Quick—act curious!” the demoness urged suddenly.

Ji Feichen cried out, snatching his hand back. “It’s freezing!” He shook his hand and muttered, “This Demon Suppression Tower is leagues beyond our Immortal Lock Tower. What are these threads? They’re not ice silkworm silk, yet their chill is so intense…”

He shot a peculiar glance at the Nether Sect prisoner. “The cold entered them—no wonder no one escapes. Seems I won’t have to worry much these days. Work hard for a couple of days, then return to my room to cultivate. Midnight is the best time for practice. If I weren’t here, I’d be studying the art of thunder ascension.”

Ji Feichen did his best to mimic Chen Luo’s reaction—a curious newcomer, accidentally touching the white threads. Noticing the tower’s strict defenses, he decided to slack off, merely going through the motions.

He stepped away from the threads, not daring to approach again.

“Well done. Those immortals noticed nothing.” After a while, the drought demoness spoke. “A few immortals were watching you with their divine sense.”

“I figured as much,” Ji Feichen replied, regaining his composure. The Demon Suppression Tower was a vital stronghold; guards were always vigilant. Unless an earth immortal appeared, he had nothing to fear.

The power of the All-Heaven Talisman was formidable—it could conceal him from any immortal’s scrutiny.

Ji Feichen toured the second floor again, but found no further opportunity to gather qi.

As he ascended to the third floor, a flicker of firelight flashed in a distant corner—distinct amidst the crystalline blue glow.

Ji Feichen squinted. The demoness spoke first: “That’s Ma Shixin. Avoid him. Wait… what are you doing—” Ji Feichen hurried forward, shouting loudly, “Who’s there!” As he spoke, the Divine Water Thunder slowly gathered.

“It’s me.” Senior Brother Ma revealed himself, blocking Ji Feichen’s attack.

Ji Feichen eyed him suspiciously. “What are you doing here, brother?”

“Routine patrol. And you?”

“First day here, so I’m checking things out for peace of mind.” Ji Feichen turned the suspicion back, making Ma relax his doubts.

After all, would someone sneaking into the Demon Suppression Tower boldly confront others and shout? Only a patroller, unafraid and clean-hearted, would do so.

The two joined up, their lanterns shining more brightly together.

“You’re clever,” the demoness contacted Ji Feichen again. He ignored her, focusing on distracting Ma Shixin and building trust. “Have you seen Zhao Shaoming around?”

“Why, do you suspect him?”

“He seems off.” Ji Feichen, thinking from the perspective of a Tai Xiao Palace disciple, said worriedly, “He’s an outsider, a rogue cultivator, not of one mind with us. I just feel uneasy. You should keep an eye out.”

Suddenly, a faint sound came from afar. Ji Feichen’s expression changed and he rushed over. “Show yourself!”

The candlelight revealed Zhao Shaoming before a cell.

Ma Shixin frowned, while Ji Feichen questioned coldly, “What are you doing here?”

“Couldn’t sleep, saw the cold in the tower, so I wandered around, also patrolling.”

“Patrolling?” Ji Feichen’s tone was icy. “Patrolling the Demon Suppression Tower is our Tai Xiao Palace disciples’ duty. Rogue cultivators are only to supervise prisoners during outdoor labor.”

He signaled Ma Shixin, and together they flanked Zhao Shaoming, escorting him downstairs.

“He’s decent. A bit slippery, but still responsible,” the immortals observing secretly discussed. “The Immortal Lock Tower sent a good one.”

“Yes, and he’s highly skilled.”

Ji Feichen relaxed a little. Their suspicions were eased for now; he should be safe for the next few days.

“Wait, the qi you gathered isn’t enough to refine Divine Thunder. I’ll find another way to send you more.” The demoness calculated and continued, “Still the second floor, far right cell. I’ll send out a thread of Nether Profound Qi—you must retrieve it.”

“Go again?” Ji Feichen glanced at his companions; it wasn’t convenient to separate from them, lest he raise suspicion.

He quickly devised a plan.

“Senior, have those immortals left now?”

“Yes, midnight cultivation—they won’t miss it. No one’s guarding the tower, but your two companions are tricky. Best leave and return later?”

“No need. If you cooperate, I can get the qi directly.” Ji Feichen shared his plan with the demoness. When the three returned from the third to the second floor, Ji Feichen suddenly pointed his lantern into the distance. “Look—what is that?”

Ma Shixin and Zhao Shaoming squinted. Through the haze, they saw a shadow standing at a cell door, drifting, half-hidden.

“Someone’s breaking prisoners out?” Ji Feichen feigned anxiety, rushing over to investigate, signaling Ma Shixin as he left.

Ma Shixin wanted to follow, but decided to stay focused on Zhao Shaoming, pulling him along to prevent any tricks.

Their pace was slower. Ji Feichen darted into the corner, and thunderous roars sounded. When the two arrived, they found Ji Feichen sprawled on the ground, dozens of white threads snapped beneath him.

“Brother!” Ma Shixin hurried to help, discovering surges of cold flooding Ji Feichen’s body, leaving him shivering and unable to move.

“Brother… it was the Nether Sect—a demon cultivator…” Ji Feichen stammered, then fainted.

“He’s frozen. Quickly, use the Heart Guard Lantern to dispel the cold.” At that moment, an immortal appeared at the cell door.

Looking inside, he saw a Nether Sect disciple frozen solid, unconscious. Scattered on the ground were shards of ice, traces of Divine Water Thunder, and lingering demonic energy.

“This boy drove off the demon with his thunder? How did the demon get in?” The immortal scooped up the demonic energy. “Black demonic qi—Nether Sect black vein techniques. There was indeed a demon here.”

Zhao Shaoming tried to leave with Ma Shixin, but was stopped by the immortal. “Wait, you patrol with me.” Zhao Shaoming’s expression flickered, but he obeyed respectfully.

Ma Shixin carried Ji Feichen away. Halfway, Ji Feichen recovered his senses.

“You’re ruthless,” the demoness observed, impressed. Ji Feichen had deliberately used thunder and demonic energy to injure himself, then collapsed onto the white threads to absorb their qi—a perfectly legitimate way to acquire the cold, beyond suspicion.

“But if anyone realizes you orchestrated all this, you’d be finished.”

“That’s why I’m relying on Zhao Shaoming,” Ji Feichen responded privately. “He’s a demon cultivator—I can’t be fooled. If he slips up even slightly, suspicion will fall on him. But my tricks won’t fool an earth immortal. If that one…”

“Don’t worry. He won’t be distracted—he has important business. The Tai Xiao Palace immortals won’t report every detail. Together, they decide matters; neither the Immortal Lock Tower nor the Demon Refining Tower will be notified. This is just one demon, not a full invasion.”

If trouble broke out above the fourth floor, Tai Xiao Palace might pay attention. But for now, the disturbance on the second floor was negligible.

“That’s good.” Ji Feichen relaxed a little, feigning weakness as he returned to his room.

Ma Shixin, assured of his safety, left to meet with his instructor.