From the open sky, Clara Heart slowly descended, landing on the overgrown path between the trees.
All along the way, she concealed her aura and even transformed herself into a mortal, gently parting the wild grasses as she walked. From a distance, she looked just like an ordinary herbalist.
Yet not far away, atop a cliff, Many-Eyes the Centipede was watching her from afar.
Standing beside him, Violet Web, the purple-robed spider-demoness, asked softly, "Senior Brother, I am rather curious—whose name did you use to write the letter? Why did Clara Heart rush out of Crescent Star Cave as soon as she received it?"
"Someone you know as well."
"Who?"
"Fairy Cloudnymph."
"Her?" Violet Web was momentarily stunned.
Casting a faint glance at Violet Web, Many-Eyes the Centipede raised his brow slightly and said leisurely, "Fairy Cloudnymph was originally a mountain spirit. She fell in love with Old Ninth of Crescent Star Cave, violating celestial law, and six hundred years ago was forced to take refuge at Blossom Mountain. Back then, you were all ordered by the Great Sage to look after her."
Lowering her head slightly, Violet Web mused, "After the Nine Immortal Disciples fell, she concealed her identity. I, too, have not seen her for centuries."
"You haven't met her, but I have," Many-Eyes stroked his long beard and chuckled. "Back at Blossom Mountain, she was closest to Windchime. Before her death, Windchime entrusted her farewell letter to Cloudnymph. So, Cloudnymph holds a letter from Windchime that no one else has ever seen. As fate would have it, when Cloudnymph fled Blossom Mountain, it was us who escorted her. In her eyes, we are the loyal ministers of the Great Sage. That letter, which she struggled to decide what to do with, she hesitated over again and again before finally handing it to me. Truth be told, Windchime was being overly cautious; if the formation had truly worked, everything would have vanished without a trace—how could that letter have survived?"
Violet Web gazed thoughtfully at Clara Heart as she climbed the mountain path, her brows furrowing slightly.
Many-Eyes sighed, stroking his beard and tilting his head. "The letter was signed with Fairy Cloudnymph’s name and mentioned secrets only she would know. Six hundred years have passed... After the Nine Immortal Disciples fell, Cloudnymph bore a grudge against Master Sage Subhuti and refused to return to Crescent Star Cave. That’s understandable. Now, after keeping the letter for centuries, she hears Windchime has reincarnated and wishes to meet her and hand it over personally. In every way, as Windchime’s reincarnation, Clara Heart would have no reason to refuse. Anyone else would be baffled, but Windchime’s reincarnation would understand instantly and have no doubts."
"So, should we move in and seize her now?"
Hearing this, Many-Eyes glanced at Violet Web and sighed softly, "No. I’ve already sent for Cloudnymph. Let them meet first. After that, we’ll reveal ourselves. After all, Clara Heart’s identity is far from ordinary—if we offend her too much, it’ll be difficult to speak with her in the future."
With that, Many-Eyes turned and walked down the mountain path, step by step.
A gentle wind stirred, green leaves swaying lightly. The whole mountain seemed to breathe with countless living spirits.
Soon, Clara Heart reached the summit and saw a ruined temple, where a serene woman stood quietly before its entrance.
In that instant, Clara Heart froze, gazing at the figure, suddenly overwhelmed by tears.
"Sister Cloudnymph?"
The woman slowly turned her head, looking at Clara Heart with a puzzled expression.
"Who are you?"
Only then did Clara Heart remember—she hurriedly dispelled her concealing spell and returned to her true form. But even so, Cloudnymph still looked confused.
Cloudnymph studied Clara Heart, her brows furrowing slightly.
"Sister Cloudnymph, it's me—Windchime."
Before Cloudnymph could react, Clara Heart rushed forward in three quick steps and threw herself into Cloudnymph’s arms, hugging her tightly.
The sudden embrace left Cloudnymph stunned, her hands spread awkwardly.
"Windchime?"
Clara Heart burst into tears, crying out like a little girl.
"Sister Cloudnymph, I'm Windchime. I've been reincarnated—my appearance has changed. Don't you recognize me?"
"Re... reincarnated?" Cloudnymph blinked in confusion, staring at Clara Heart.
"Yes." Clara nodded emphatically, releasing her grip, crying and laughing at once. "I’m alive again. It’s so good to see you."
Cloudnymph looked Clara Heart up and down for a long moment, then finally took her hand and smiled with heartfelt relief.
"Wonderful. Your return—surely the Great Sage will be overjoyed."
"He..." At that, Clara’s joyful expression froze.
"What’s wrong?" Fairy Cloudnymph studied Clara Heart, asking softly, "Isn’t that so?"
Clara shook her head abruptly, but said nothing more. Her manner left Fairy Cloudnymph bewildered.
After a long silence, Clara Heart suddenly frowned and asked in confusion, "Wasn’t it you who invited me here, Sister Cloudnymph? Why do you seem to know nothing about it?"
"I invited you?" Cloudnymph looked just as puzzled. "No, I didn’t..."
"It was I who invited you both." At that moment, a voice rang out.
Before the words had faded, Many-Eyes the Centipede’s figure appeared behind a massive tree not far away.
At the sight of Many-Eyes, Clara Heart startled, instinctively stepping back.
Over six hundred years ago, Windchime had lived in the Palace of Qi Tian for a long time. As a chief minister there, Many-Eyes was well known to her—and those memories surely lingered in Clara’s mind as well.
But only now did Clara Heart realize that several demons were already standing behind her. Not just behind—every corner, all around, demons appeared, even birds circling in the sky transformed into demon shapes.
A wave of pressure surged in from every direction. Clearly, this was a trap.
Even Fairy Cloudnymph seemed flustered by the scene. She stared wide-eyed at Many-Eyes, uncertain: "Lord Many-Eyes, what is the meaning of this...?"
"Forgive me for using your name without permission to summon Clara Heart," Many-Eyes said, glancing at Cloudnymph. He shook out his sleeves, then bowed deeply to Clara from afar. "Your minister welcomes Miss Windchime back to the palace."
Instantly, all the surrounding demons shouted in unison: "We welcome Miss Windchime back to the palace!"
Large beads of sweat slid slowly down Clara’s forehead.
Clara Heart unconsciously gripped her sword, nerves taut. She forced a smile, but kept a fierce eye on Many-Eyes, all while tracking every movement around her.
Her other hand had already found the hidden magical artifact at her waist.
"In your past life, you were Miss Windchime. And Windchime’s previous life was the demon queen chosen by the Great Sage." Many-Eyes raised his head slightly, eyeing Clara’s hand at her waist, and smiled. "As a minister under the Great Sage, you, as his queen, are naturally my mistress. It’s only right that I call myself your servant."
Clara Heart, scanning the demons around her with a sidelong glance, moved to gain a better position and replied nonchalantly, "If you’re truly a loyal subject, why bring so many here to trick me? What’s your real intention?"
Many-Eyes laughed, "Miss Windchime, you’re overthinking this. How could it be a trick? The Great Sage yearns for you day and night, and I truly wish to avoid conflict with Crescent Star Cave. So I resorted to this last measure. Please forgive me."
"The Great Sage? I heard you’ve already pledged yourself to the Six-Eared Macaque."
"Six-Eared Macaque? I truly don’t understand." Many-Eyes replied softly, "That’s the soul split off during the tribulation. If Lionback’s ruler is the Six-Eared Macaque, then what is the other one? Heh. To me, whoever can revive the demon race is the true Great Sage."
"What you believe is your business, not mine." Clara Heart turned slightly away.
At that moment, Many-Eyes raised his hand and the surrounding demons moved closer.
Clara Heart froze, her gaze instinctively flicking toward Cloudnymph at her side.
Many-Eyes caught the moment perfectly. He bowed his head, voice drawn out in a sigh: "Back then, the Great Sage stormed Tusita Palace for your sake—everyone in the Three Realms knows this. No matter whom I serve now, I would never dare lay a hand on Miss Windchime. That would be rebellion, a crime I cannot bear. If you wish to leave, I would never stop you. However..."
He paused, then continued, "If that’s the case, then I’m afraid Fairy Cloudnymph will have to accompany me to see the Great Sage as a witness. Otherwise, I’ll be accused of failing my duty—a charge I cannot bear either."
"A witness?" Cloudnymph was stunned.
Clara Heart cried out, "You can’t go! The one in Lionback Kingdom—he kills without mercy!"
Many-Eyes looked up and smiled at Clara. "If Fairy Cloudnymph cannot go, then Miss Windchime will have to make the trip to Lionback Kingdom herself."
"And if I refuse?" Clara’s hand at her waist tensed.
Many-Eyes jumped, waving his hands frantically. "No! Please, Miss Windchime, don’t! I know you have a rescue talisman to call your two masters..."
"You know and you still dare set a trap for me?" Clara’s voice shot up in anger.
"I told you, this isn’t a trap." Many-Eyes pleaded earnestly, "Since you have the talisman, this trip is even safer. If you break it now, your masters will arrive quickly—but not instantly. I wouldn’t dare harm you, but in the chaos, Fairy Cloudnymph’s safety can’t be guaranteed."
"You dare threaten me!" Clara Heart exploded with fury.
Her outburst stunned all the demons around her, Many-Eyes included.
Clara’s temperament was nothing like Windchime’s had been. Six hundred years ago, Windchime’s word would have been law. But now, Many-Eyes hadn’t expected his reasoning to make Clara angry instead.
At a loss, Many-Eyes could only offer a strained smile. "Miss Windchime, you’re making things difficult for me. It’s just a short trip—I promise, if you don’t like it, I’ll send you straight back to Crescent Star Cave. That way, everyone’s satisfied. What do you say?"
Eyes wide, brows furrowed, Many-Eyes waited helplessly. Clara’s gaze darted between him and Cloudnymph.
The two sides stood locked in a stalemate.
A faint anxiety stirred in Clara’s heart.
She truly didn’t want to meet the Six-Eared Macaque now. But if things turned ugly, even if Many-Eyes wouldn’t dare kill Cloudnymph, suffering was inevitable.
Just as she hesitated, Many-Eyes discreetly signaled to the side. Two barely visible silver threads shot toward Clara Heart.
Before Clara could react, the threads latched onto her wrists!
"You!" Clara realized what was happening and tried to crush the talisman at her waist—but it was already too late.
They were spider silk. Before Clara could reach the talisman, two strands yanked her arms apart. Then, countless webs surged from all directions, wrapping her up like a butterfly caught in a web, suspended in midair!
"What are you doing? How dare you treat me this way!" Clara struggled, shouting in fury. "Many-Eyes, release me at once, or you’ll regret it!"
But the demons all around acted as if they hadn’t heard, heads bowed.
Violet Web stepped out from the demon crowd, bowed, and quietly took the talisman from Clara’s waist, then retreated behind Many-Eyes.
Once again bowing deeply to Clara Heart, Many-Eyes declared loudly, "I resorted to this only out of desperation. Please forgive me, Miss Windchime."