After transmigrating into the body of the Jade Rat Spirit, I became Nezha's adopted sister.

Whip shadows and water arrows clashed, demonic power and dragon might collided.

This water battle was far more difficult and dangerous than dealing with the Painted Skin Demon. Bai Yeying was almost swept away by the giant waves or struck by the dragon's tail several times, only managing to survive thanks to her fierce determination and the water-repelling talismans and energy-restoring pills she had prepared in advance.

The evil dragon, unable to gain the upper hand after a long battle, grew increasingly agitated and finally unleashed its primal demonic power. The pool water suddenly turned pitch black, the temperature plummeted, and it carried a chilling cold that could freeze one's soul. The wails of countless wronged souls echoed from the bottom of the water; these were the remnants of the souls of the boys and girls it had devoured over the years!

Bai Yeying suddenly felt immense pressure, her movements slowed down, and she felt a sharp pain in her soul. She knew she couldn't delay any longer.

Fight!

She frantically poured her remaining demonic power into the Shadow Whip, no longer dodging, and charged headlong into the oncoming evil dragon!

Just as the dragon's mouth was about to close, its body twisted strangely, narrowly missing the fangs. At the same time, the whip, as if it had a life of its own, once again tightly wrapped around the wound on the dragon's neck and cut deep into it!

"Open it for me!" Bai Yeying shouted, and with all her might, she pulled hard!

"Crack!" A sickening sound of bone breaking.

"Awooo—!!!" The evil dragon let out a deafening scream, its massive body twisting wildly. The wound on its neck was torn open, and blood gushed out like a waterfall, staining the pool water red.

It finally became afraid, its eyes filled with terror. No longer caring about revenge, it broke free from the whip and, heavily wounded, fled for its life towards the deepest part of the pool without looking back, leaving a trail of blood in its wake.

Bai Yeying floated on the water, exhausted, gasping for breath, her face pale.

She failed to kill the evil dragon on the spot, but with such severe injuries, she wouldn't recover for decades, let alone be able to come ashore and harm people again. The threat of the Blackwater Pool was temporarily relieved.

She struggled to swim back to shore, collapsed on the grass, too exhausted to even move a finger. The battle had taken a heavy toll, and her injuries were severe.

She took the pill and meditated for a full hour before she could barely regain her mobility and dragged her exhausted body back to Trapped Sky Mountain.

For the next few months, Bai Yeying maintained this rhythm, selecting a suitable target to strike at regular intervals.

Sometimes it successfully eradicates the problem, and sometimes it only severely damages and drives it away.

Her combat experience grew rapidly, and she became increasingly adept at using her abilities. The Shadow Whip had almost become an extension of her body.

Lady Bai of Trapped Sky Mountain gradually became known among the spirits and monsters within a radius of hundreds of miles. Although she was not a renowned figure, no one dared to underestimate her anymore.

When Bai Yeying returned to her cave, she saw Huang Wu running towards her excitedly.

"Madam! Madam! Big news!"

"What's wrong? Did you hear about another Easy Money Club?" Bai Yeying took the wet towel that Cuiluo handed her and wiped her face.

"It's not the Yi Bao Society!" Huang Wu's eyes lit up. "It's in the northwest! Something big has happened!"

"Northwest?" Bai Yeying paused in her face-wiping motion. Wasn't that the approximate direction indicated by the Xuan Yin Sect and the jade slip?

"Yes! I heard that a few days ago, divine fire suddenly fell from the sky over Black Wind Ridge, burning the Xuan Yin Sect to the ground! It's said that even an elder with the cultivation of an Earth Immortal perished! Many of the lesser demons who were attached to them have run away!"

Huang Wu described with exaggerated gestures: "Some people also said they saw a red light descend from the sky, incredibly majestic! It must be that some immortal took a dislike to them and took action to punish them!"

Bai Yeying silently put down the towel. Divine fire descended from the sky, a crimson glow. Who else could it be but him?

So it turns out that the reason he chased after Elder Black Fiend that day was not only to save her, but also to raid her lair along the way?

That's a really thorough "on the way".

"Anything else?" she asked.

"And... oh, right!" Huang Wu lowered his voice, "The old ape spirit sent word that because of the trouble with the Xuan Yin Sect, some mines and spiritual lands in the northwest that they originally occupied have now become ownerless, and many forces are eyeing them! Even some powerful demons from more distant places have heard that they have designs on them."

"It seems like they're organizing a treasure hunt in Flowing Cloud Gorge, gathering powerful rogue cultivators and spirits to go to the Northwest and get a share of the spoils! Madam, what do you think about us...?"

A treasure hunt? Bai Yeying's heart stirred. This was indeed an opportunity. Not only could she go to the Northwest to examine the clues on the jade slips, but she might also be able to gain some practical benefits amidst the chaos, such as materials with the Geng metal attribute? These might be helpful for her whip technique cultivation.

However, the risks are also great. Although the Xuan Yin Sect has collapsed, the various forces that want to get a share of its profits are by no means benevolent.

With her limited abilities, she probably wouldn't stand a chance in that kind of situation.

To go or not to go?

She pondered, her gaze falling on the storage bag containing the jade slip and cloak in the corner of the quiet room.

Nezha's disdainful yet seemingly meaningful words flashed through his mind: "His cultivation is terrible, but his ability to cause trouble is top-notch. He might as well find a powerful patron to lean on..."

She shook her head violently. Relying on mountains will lead to their collapse, relying on people will lead to their departure. This time, she wanted to try relying on herself.

"Huang Wu, find out the time, location, rules, and known participants of the treasure hunt in detail."

Bai Yeying made a decision: "Let's go join in the fun."

"Yes, sir!" Huang Wu responded excitedly and ran off in a flash.

.................

The Heavenly Court, the Lingxiao Palace, is shrouded in auspicious clouds and filled with countless streams of lucky energy.

The assembled immortals stood solemnly, their countenances dignified and majestic.

The all-seeing and all-hearing beings bowed and reported on the situation in the lower realm: "After the destruction of the Xuan Yin Sect, the spiritual energy within a thousand miles of Black Wind Ridge in the northwest has been fluctuating abnormally. Now, demons from all directions have caught wind of this and are gathering to cause trouble, vying for spiritual veins and mineral deposits, resulting in constant small-scale conflicts. Although no major disaster has yet occurred, the gathering of demonic energy may, over time, trigger the earth's malevolent energy and breed even greater calamities."

The Jade Emperor, seated high on his throne, nodded slightly upon hearing this. His gaze swept over the celestial ranks below, and he pondered, "Too many demons gathering would certainly cause chaos. And since they are in the northwest, and connected to the old affairs of the Xuan Yin Sect..."

His gaze fell on the red figure standing straight in the front row, who exuded an air of incongruity with the solemn hall.

Nezha.

The young man stepped forward, clad in red robes and silver armor, a Qiankun ring around his neck, his posture as upright as a pine tree. He raised his eyes, his beautiful phoenix eyes looking at the throne, containing no superfluous emotions, only a calm, sharp light.

"Your previous annihilation of the Xuan Yin Sect has caused you the deepest karmic retribution there."

The Jade Emperor slowly said, "This time, you will descend to the mortal realm to investigate the areas in the northwest where demons gather. If you find any groups of people causing chaos and harming the region, you may deal with them as appropriate. If it is just ordinary fighting, a little deterrence will suffice to make them restrain themselves."

This task wasn't particularly demanding, and was even somewhat ambiguous. It allowed for discretionary action, implying considerable autonomy, consistent with Nezha's usual style: if he could act, he would never utter a word.

Nezha's lips curled up slightly, then quickly flattened, and he clasped his hands in a fist and replied, "Your subject obeys the decree."

The voice was clear, crisp, and decisive.

The Jade Emperor waved his hand: "Go."

Nezha turned around, and with a flash of his Wind Fire Wheels, he transformed into a streak of crimson light.

He did not rush to Black Wind Ridge in the Northwest. He returned to Cloud Tower Palace first, changed into a more neat casual outfit, still in red, but without the silver armor decorations, which added a touch of youthful spirit.

He casually picked up the Fire-Tipped Spear from the weapon rack, thought for a moment, then put the other spear back, only putting the Universe Ring back around his neck and the Hun Tian Ling around his arm.

There's no need to get serious when dealing with these insignificant wild demons.