Song Wanníng was traveling toward the Artifact and Talisman Sect, with Qi Xiezi in tow. To give him the opportunity to make his move, she intentionally used a flying carpet during the day and found a resting spot at night, letting him sleep nearby.
At first, Qi Xiezi remained cautious. After all, Song Wanníng was at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, just like him.
Even though someone had told him her combat strength was hollow and unimpressive, he knew better than to underestimate her. His own cultivation, after all, was largely propped up by heretical dual cultivation methods. His true combat power relied heavily on his Soul-Banner.
So he dared not act rashly. First, he had to fully win her trust, then strike with a decisive blow.
Ten days passed like this. After half a month of carefully laying the groundwork, Qi Xiezi finally believed it was time.
That evening, as usual, they stopped in a quiet, hidden place to rest. To accommodate him—someone who had supposedly not begun cultivating—Song Wanníng made it a habit to roast meat for their meals.
"Senior, I'll handle the cooking today. You should rest."
Qi Xiezi took the wild rabbit meat with practiced ease, all the while calculating how best to draw her attention away.
Just as he was weighing his options, Song Wanníng suddenly said, "I'm heading into the forest for a bit. Don't leave this spot."
Without waiting for a reply, she placed a formation plate down and quickly vanished into the trees.
Qi Xiezi's lips twitched into a sly smile. His spiritual sense carefully confirmed that she had truly gone deep into the woods. Once sure, he hurried to coat the rabbit meat with a powerful drug.
To ensure she wouldn't get suspicious, he first took an antidote himself.
Thinking of the blissful scene soon to unfold, Qi Xiezi couldn't help but hum a tune while expertly turning the spit.
Not long after, Song Wanníng returned, dragging the carcass of a demon beast behind her. The beast's body was soaked in blood, its eyes wide with terror even in death.
She tossed the beast to the ground and said lightly, "Consider this a welcome gift. Once you start cultivating, it'll come in handy."
"Really? Senior, you're too kind!" Qi Xiezi beamed, speeding up the roasting with enthusiasm.
Song Wanníng didn't reply. She sat beneath a tree and entered meditation, looking as calm as ever.
Eventually, the rabbit meat was done.
Qi Xiezi split it in half, handing one portion to her while biting directly into the rest.
"This is delicious, Senior. You've got to try it!"
He devoured it greedily, sneaking glances at Song Wanníng from the corner of his eye.
"Is that so?"
She raised the plate, expression unreadable.
After entertaining this little performance for so long, it was time to tighten the net. Feigning ignorance, she took a small bite of the meat. Then, as if satisfied, she slowly ate more.
Qi Xiezi's pupils contracted. He forced himself to hide the rising glee inside as he chomped on his portion. The moment she finished the drugged meat… everything would fall into place.
Within moments, he had wolfed down his half. No longer needing to keep up the act, a twisted grin stretched across his face as he waited to enjoy the show.
Sure enough, her cheeks flushed faintly, her eyes turned glassy, and sweat began to form on her brow. Classic symptoms of the aphrodisiac.
But this wasn't just any aphrodisiac. This was an ancient forbidden drug from the era of heretical cultivators, one he'd found along with the rest of his dark inheritance.
Its effects were violent and absolute. Anyone who ingested it—be they Unity or Divine Transformation level—would fall helplessly into delirium.
And the side effects were just as fierce. If the victim didn't find a partner to consummate with… their body would burst from the inside out.
Qi Xiezi's lustful gaze traced every inch of Song Wanníng's graceful figure. In his mind, he could already feel her silky skin under his hands.
"Tch, what a slut."
He licked his lips, swallowing thickly.
This woman was flawless—her beauty, her body, and even more importantly, her peak Nascent Soul cultivation. If he dual cultivated with her, he could ascend straight to Divine Transformation!
His heart pounded wildly.
At last, her eyes turned dazed, her breathing shallow. Her face burned red like a sunset.
"Slut, Daddy's coming!"
"I'll show you what a real man is tonight!"
He could no longer hold back. With a lecherous grin, he lunged at her.
A beauty like this… he planned to make it a night to remember.
But just as he threw himself forward, his body suddenly turned heavy. With a loud thud, he crashed face-first to the ground—right at Song Wanníng's feet.
Qi Xiezi's face contorted in rage and panic. He struggled to get up.
Then a cool voice echoed above his head.
"Slut?"
That voice was too familiar.
Yet something about it felt foreign.
He looked up in horror and saw Song Wanníng gazing down at him coldly—completely lucid. There wasn't even a trace of being drugged.
"You—!"
"You were playing me?!!!!"
Qi Xiezi finally understood. He let out a furious roar as wicked qi exploded from his body, enveloping his small form like a stormcloud.
His black-and-white pupils turned muddy and monstrous. His whole presence warped into something demonic.
But Song Wanníng pressed down with sudden force, pinning him firmly in place.
"Did I say you could get up?"
Qi Xiezi let out a breathless laugh.
"Heh—"
"You sly wench… you saw through my disguise?"
"But so what? Now that you've crossed paths with Qi Xiezi, you're as good as dead!"
He sneered and forced his wicked qi to surge. His body trembled as he began to rise.
This woman had powerful soul pressure. Despite being at the same cultivation stage, she was suppressing him with ease…
Perfect fodder for his Soul-Banner.
His eyes gleamed blood-red. This woman—he would take her soul no matter what.
But just as he lifted himself slightly, a boot slammed down on the back of his head.
Song Wanníng's expression was calm and sweet, her voice gentle as ever.
Then she pressed down.
Qi Xiezi's entire face was smashed into the dirt. The sting on his skin was sharp and burning.
But what burned even more was the humiliation.
His mind blanked. He couldn't even process what was happening.
Since reaching the Nascent Soul stage, everyone who saw him avoided him in fear. When had he ever been treated like this?
This woman was courting death!
Fury exploded inside him. He immediately summoned the Soul-Banner, pouring out waves of demonic energy in an effort to grind her to dust and squeeze every last drop of value from her.
The banner unfurled, releasing countless spirits. They howled and thrashed as they emerged, puppets with no self-awareness.
"Soul-Banner—go!"
Qi Xiezi activated it, eyes glinting with ruthless intent.
But something went wrong.
He suddenly coughed up a mouthful of black blood, his body convulsing uncontrollably.
"AAAH—!"
He screamed in shock.
"Where's my demonic qi?!"