Chapter 1990: Chapter 1985: Return to Simplicity (Part 2) The Ape Ancestor remained expressionless, while Mi Su slightly frowned but said nothing. “So it is the two of the Monster Ancestors, a pleasure to meet you. I am the Black Lotus, humbly serving as the Rooster Venerable of the Demon Clan. Currently, the Immortal Clan in the Three Realms is weakening, the Human Race is in constant turmoil, like scattered sand. Only our Demon Clan is as radiant as the midday sun, and Master Chiyou is about to resurrect. At this moment, it is wise for the two of you Daoist friends to forsake darkness for light.” The old Daoist in the black robe laughed heartily. “Daoist friend Black Lotus, you flatter us.” The Ape Ancestor and Mi Su returned a bow. Black Lotus Daoist then briefly introduced the Six-eared Macaque and Ma Xiuxiu. Mi Su had specially investigated Shen Luo and knew much about his past, knowing that Ma Xiuxiu was once a friend of Shen Luo, and glanced at her more than once. Ma Xiuxiu seemed to sense this and looked back. Mi Su gave her a charming smile, then shifted his gaze. Ma Xiuxiu furrowed her dark eyebrows slightly, pondering. “Did you get it?” After a round of pleasantries, Black Lotus Daoist asked Kong Xuan. Kong Xuan nodded and retrieved the blood-colored mask. “Good, good, good, when Rooster Venerable takes action, it never disappoints!” Black Lotus Daoist took the mask and said with a hearty laugh. “Rooster Venerable is indeed impressive. Master Chiyou has been waiting for this Asura Mask and will certainly give you great rewards.” The Six-eared Macaque also said with a laugh. A flash of jealousy crossed Demon Wind’s eyes but was immediately hidden. “I, Kong, have let you all down. The Asura Mask was cracked by Shen Luo, and Master Chiyou not punishing me is already a great mercy. How would I dare ask for rewards?” Kong Xuan said with a bitter smile. “Although the Asura Mask is slightly damaged, it is not fundamentally harmed and does not affect its use. Rooster Venerable need not worry about it. Oh, why is the Rat Venerable not present?” Black Lotus Daoist consoled Kong Xuan, suddenly recalling something, and looked around at the few others before asking. “Rat Venerable sacrificed himself for the clan and died in the Eastern Sea Abyss.” Kong Xuan said flatly. “Rat Venerable’s cultivation was very high, and his Heart Demon Method had reached great completion. Who could have possibly killed him?” Black Lotus Daoist was taken aback. “It was Shen Luo’s doing.” Kong Xuan said. “Shen Luo! Him again!” Black Lotus Daoist’s face sank. “This child has repeatedly thwarted our major plans. We cannot tolerate it any longer. I suggest sending several Demon Venerates to ambush and kill this villain!” The Six-eared Macaque, who also had a significant grudge against Shen Luo, said after a quick thought. Upon hearing this, everyone’s expressions shifted slightly. “Shen Luo is closely connected with various major sects. Killing him rashly might provoke a strong reaction from them. Moreover, this is not something we can decide. Let us seek guidance from Master Chiyou later.” Black Lotus Daoist said after a moment of silence. With that, he led Kong Xuan, Ape Ancestor, Mi Su, and others into the Blood Red Altar. Most of the altar’s interior was a surface of blood-colored water that surged slowly, with only a giant round open ground floating in the center, upon which were placed many enormous bones, mostly intact. Mi Su counted carefully and found as many as eighty-one of them. These bones were mostly humanoid but dozens of times larger than ordinary human beings, exuding terrifying demonic Qi as they encircled one another. As Black Lotus Daoist and his group approached, a sudden yin wind rose around these colossal bones. The heads of a dozen or so of these enormous bones turned, making a grating sound that set one’s teeth on edge, and looked at Black Lotus Daoist and his group. The expressions of the Ape Ancestor and Mi Su shifted slightly. Even with their cultivation level, their hearts couldn’t help but turn cold, as if they were being stared at by countless Hongmeng Beasts. “Honored Saint Ancestors, these people are permitted by Master Chiyou to have an audience.” Black Lotus Daoist bowed to these bones and stated. The massive bones fixedly stared at the Ape Ancestor and Mi Su for a moment, then the yin wind on them gradually dissipated, returning to its original state. Seeing this, Black Lotus Daoist led the Ape Ancestor and Mi Su through these enormous bones to the center of the round open ground. The ground here was engraved with a giant blood-colored array, rotating slowly. Twelve black stone pillars stood inside the array, with each inscribed with the names of the Twelve Demons, such as the Rat, Ugly Bull, Yin Tiger, Mao Rabbit, Chen Long, Si Snake, Wu Horse, Wei Sheep, Shen Monkey, You Chicken, Xu Dog, and Hai Pig. Most of the twelve stone pillars were empty, with only five, those of the Ugly Bull, Yin Tiger, Mao Rabbit, Wei Sheep, and Xu Dog, each having a person seated upon them. On the Ugly Bull pillar was a tall burly man, cloaked in black with a hooded hat. On the Yin Tiger pillar was a young woman in splendid attire, and if Shen Luo were present, he would undoubtedly recognize her as the Wansheng Princess with just one glance. Next to the Yin Tiger on the Mao Rabbit pillar was also a woman in a light yellow dress, her hair flowing like clouds, her beauty capable of toppling kingdoms, having one look would captivate one’s heart, a second look would make one fall, yet she was Lin Xinyue, a disciple of Pansi Cave. Facing the three were the formidable forms of the Wei Sheep and Xu Dog pillars, draped in bone armor, exuding an awe-inspiring aura that clearly reached the Heavenly Venerate Realm. The last person was a lady in white palace dress, her skin fine and delicate, her features exquisitely refined, resembling a beauty from a painting. However, her brows were filled with coldness, as if she wore a mask, exuding a sense of unapproachable distance. “Bai Linglong! Why are you here?” Ape Ancestor’s gaze swept over the five people on the stone pillars, suddenly stopping on the last woman in white, he exclaimed. Mi Su also showed a look of surprise. The woman in white palace dress flashed her eyes coldly in response, ignoring them. “Daoist friend Ape Ancestor, do not misunderstand. Xu Dog Venerable is not Bai Linglong from Daughter Village. She is Bai Jingjing, Bai Linglong’s sister, thus the similarity in appearance.” Black Lotus Daoist explained.