Tao Qian's mind was preoccupied with his own wild fantasies.

Suddenly, two beams of light flashed by his side, revealing the "Heavenly Punishment Demon-Slaying Sword" and "Spirit Treasure Rejuvenation Mirror" leaping out again.

And from the aura they emitted, it seemed that these celestial weapons, including the Taixuan Ruyi Circle, were all somewhat tense.

Just as Tao Qian was puzzled, Zhong Doudou seemed to guess something, and suddenly leaned forward over the clouds to look down, then exclaimed, "It's the Demon City!"

After saying this, the girl turned her head to look at the two celestial weapons, and directly asked, "Grandpa Tianxing, when we came here, you said the territory of the Demon City was quite dangerous. Although this path is the quickest, if it's really too perilous, why don't we take a detour? The safety of the Young Master is of the utmost importance."

She had barely finished speaking when she heard the three celestial weapons respond in turn.

"Do not detour."

This short and undoubted reply came from the Demon-slaying Sword.

Next was the Taixuan Ruyi Circle, the vigorous and glittering circle quivered slightly, turning into Golden Light that cut through the sky—clearly indicating its stance.

The Spirit Treasure Rejuvenation Mirror quickly responded too, and took the opportunity to clarify for Tao Qian,

"The reason why this territory is called the Demon City is that many years ago, a demonic catastrophe broke out here. An Outer Realm Demon Lord, owing to some accident, descended upon this realm. After indulging in the prosperity of the mortal world, this demon actually became reluctant to return and even planned to summon many of his subordinates to join in the fun of playing Emperor."

"Such actions, naturally, were not permitted by the Cultivation World, hence a great war erupted."

"Although that Demon Lord was eventually expelled back to his own realm, the place of his body seizing and birth was heavily tainted by demonic qi and became a favored destination for many of the Evil Demons in the Cultivation World. Even the likes of Evil Sect, Secret Demon Sect, and Demon Buddha Buddhist Temple, as well as some Outer Realm Demon Lords, have set up branches and offices there."

"Over time, it gained the name 'Demon City'."

"Now, nobody knows exactly how many demons are hidden within its bounds, but one thing is for sure: one of True Monarch's arch-enemies resides within the Demon City all year round."

"Passersby might not encounter anything."

"But we three have followed the True Monarch for too long, that demon will surely recognize us, and if he has the intention, he might take action."

"Nevertheless, even so, we cannot take a detour. We also have you, Little Peach, and you too represent the face of True Monarch. To detour out of fear of that demon is to needlessly diminish our own prestige."

"Be assured, even if that demon really takes action, we three can handle it."

"As if Brother Heavenly Punishment is a vegetarian, humph."

"Besides, since we are so close to the Penglai Sea, if that Old Demon really makes a move, it will certainly provoke True Monarch. Then he will suffer a great loss again. Let me tell you secretly, the Old Demon has challenged the True Monarch more than a dozen times without a single victory. He really fights and loses time and again, not seeming to tire of it."

After hearing these secrets, Tao Qian suddenly felt there was an advantage to the chattering nature of the Returning Immortal Mirror.

Thinking it over, Tao Qian felt there was something unreasonable about what he had heard and asked subconsciously, "Ancestor God Forbidden Technique, Longevity Barrier, with such a great incident as a demonic catastrophe, wouldn't it be erased by the Forbidden Law Barrier?"

Upon hearing this question and its key terms, the Spirit Treasure Rejuvenation Mirror trembled and then replied, "The Ancestor God Forbidden Technique was indeed strict when it was first established. But as years went by, along with the influence of those beings in the background... after a thousand years, some loopholes began to appear. Those Little Demons would never find them, but the Major Sects and Great Demons had long been aware."

"Now it has completely shattered, which perhaps is the work of fate."

"Laws of the world have always been so, never lasting."

PS: The first chapter of the new volume, laying some groundwork for the world view.