So that agate pillar was actually the inner elixir that Diana Carter had cultivated over many years. My spirits lifted—so it seems my existence is an anomaly.

Olivia Harris's jade-like face showed a thoughtful expression: “Diana Carter may have glimpsed some secrets of life and death. Formation, existence, decay, emptiness—life has a beginning and an end, which is the natural law of the Northern Realm. I never expected Diana Carter would break it.”

Mary Clark snorted coldly: “Diana Carter's demonic power isn’t the strongest, but she’s the most cunning demon I’ve ever seen.” With that, she shot me a glare.

I made a face at her. Charlotte Harris continued, “Between the Nine Heavens lies a perilous chasm, nearly impossible to cross. Every full moon night, the chasm disappears for an hour. During that time, people from the Mortal Heaven, Pure Void Heaven, Samsara Heaven, and Demon Slaughter Heaven can travel between realms. As for the other five heavens, it’s not so easy to come and go. For example, the Heaven of Desire—only when demons enter an evolved state can they ascend to the Heaven of Desire, but after a day, they’re sent out. Humans can’t enter the Heaven of Desire at all. The Heaven of Spiritual Treasures is similar, but it’s only open to cultivating humans; demons can hardly enter.”

Mary Clark looked wistful: “When I first mastered the Vein Armor Technique, I was lucky enough to ascend to the Heaven of Spiritual Treasures. Unfortunately, I could only stay there for a day.”

I thought to myself, I’m a half-human, half-demon—doesn’t that mean I can go to both the Heaven of Desire and the Heaven of Spiritual Treasures?

“So what about the Heaven of Freedom?”

The three beauties suddenly fell silent. Olivia Harris stopped walking and gazed ahead.

Amid the tangled grass, a rugged country path stretched forward. We had already reached the foot of the mountain.

At this moment, dawn was breaking, revealing a pale streak of light. In the pale purple sky, a bright star flickered uncertainly at the edge of the mist.

I looked at Charlotte Harris in confusion: “Why aren’t you answering? Is the Heaven of Freedom such a mysterious place?”

“No one has ever been able to find the Heaven of Freedom.” Mary Clark lifted her head, gazing at that twinkling, elusive star, and sighed.

“It’s just a legendary place. There, hope abounds, there are never any tribulations, and the cycle of formation, existence, decay, and emptiness—the laws of life and death—do not exist.” Charlotte Harris said quietly.

I grinned from ear to ear: “That’s great! I’m definitely going to find the Heaven of Freedom and live forever!”

Mary Clark gave a bitter laugh: “Stop dreaming. The former number one secret path master in the Northern Realm, Sarah Harris, spent his whole life searching for the Heaven of Freedom, and in the end, he went mad.”

“Shut up!” Olivia Harris suddenly turned around, her robe swirling, her gaze cold as ice and snow. I jumped in fright—I’d never seen Olivia Harris so agitated.

Mary Clark snorted coldly and locked eyes with Olivia Harris: “Sarah Harris is your master, so I can’t talk about him?”

“That’s right.”

“I insist on saying it.”

“Try saying it again.”

“How funny, just because you tell me to say it, I have to say it?”

The two of them were at a stalemate, while Charlotte Harris watched the drama with delight. My head was pounding from the argument, so I shouted impatiently, “Damn it, this is so annoying! All of you, shut up!”

The two beauties turned to me in surprise. My heart skipped a beat, and I said awkwardly, “Ah, the weather’s nice today. Hmm, I’ve finished all my dried fruit—who’s going to get me something to eat?”

“Find it yourself!” Mary Clark and Olivia Harris glared at me and snapped in unison.

I covered my ears and ran ahead, nodding like a pecking chick. When these two tigresses get fierce, they’re really scary.

The country road was desolate, not a soul in sight. By noon, I finally saw a small city in the distance. I immediately dashed forward—my top priority was to eat and drink my fill and appease my hungry stomach.

At the low city gate, a few people were squatting. On the battered gray gate hung a wooden plaque, missing a corner, with the words “Ruyi City” carved on it. The wind blew, making the sign sway constantly.

“What a dump—this place is nothing compared to Luoyang of the Great Tang.” I looked up and scoffed.

Charlotte Harris laughed, “Don’t underestimate Ruyi City. This is the Northern Realm’s famous underground trading market. All sorts of shady things are sold here. If you’re lucky, you might find something good, but there are plenty of fakes and scams too.”

The people at the city gate stood up with a swish, greedily eyeing us.

To be precise, they were demons, though all were dressed in clothes. One was burly, his face covered in black hair, eyes glowing green. Another had a ferocious face, with fangs protruding from his ape-like lips. The last one, though handsome and well-dressed, had a curved horn growing from his head.

It was my first time seeing demons, and I was a bit scared. But with three beautiful bodyguards by my side, my courage swelled, and I boldly sized them up.

They didn’t even glance at me. The demons stared straight at the three beauties, mouths agape, drooling, their crotches tenting high. I glanced at the demons’ equipment, then looked down at my own, and couldn’t help but feel inferior.

Truly, comparison is the thief of joy.

“Hey! Little lady, come play with me!” The horned demon suddenly shouted, reaching out to grab Charlotte Harris's butt. Of all the demons, this guy looked the most refined, but who knew he’d be the most lecherous.