Lu Ziqian had already learned of this matter through the sound transmission talisman Yao Ranran had sent.
Feigning surprise, he asked, "Does the Demon Sovereign know of this yet?"
"As soon as it happened, this sect master discussed countermeasures with the Demon Sovereign. At this very moment, his Right General is already on the way."
A flash of cruelty crossed Hao Yinqin's eyes. "Useless trash like the Mingxia Sect isn't worth keeping. Sect Master Xiao of Piao Miao Sect has already contacted me. Mingxia Sect can be abandoned!"
Though Hao Yinqin's words dripped with ruthlessness, Lu Ziqian's expression did not shift in the slightest. "Sect master, what should we do next?"
Hao Yinqin brushed aside the shards scattered across the floor and cast a harsh, unblinking gaze toward the east. "They dared to strike at Mingxia Sect. Then it is time we take down the clans and sects that serve under them!"
Lu Ziqian nodded in silence.
As one of the six great powers in the Eastern Wilderness, both Yun Gu Sect and Suohong Tower had countless affiliated clans and sects under their banner.
After Piao Miao Sect's betrayal and the long-prepared strike of the three great demon sects, defections had already spread across those forces before war had even begun.
The small sects and minor clans that remained were only clinging on by force.
If Hao Yinqin and the Demon Sovereign intended to move against them, then as a Demon General, Lu Ziqian could not escape the order to lead troops into battle.
But what was he supposed to do this time?
Leaving the grand hall of Youyan Sect, Lu Ziqian slipped into the shadows and sent out a sound transmission talisman.
Gu Ling Mountain.
"Go! No one else is suited for this task but you!"
Receiving Lu Ziqian's message, Yao Ranran was overjoyed.
Born a prodigy among demon cultivators—such words were no exaggeration!
So young, yet already a Demon General. And now, chosen to lead the vanguard against the righteous sects. This disciple was a perfect choice. She had never erred in taking him in.
While Lu Ziqian fretted that he might become a merciless butcher, Yao Ranran was already envisioning the entire demon army under his command meeting total destruction.
"That's right! Only you. Only you can lead them against those sects and clans!"
Her talisman streaked across the sky and fell into Lu Ziqian's hands.
His fists clenched tightly, his face twisted in pain.
"Is this the only way… the only way to win the Demon Sovereign's trust?"
He was terrified—terrified that disciples of Yun Gu Sect and Suohong Tower would die beneath his hand. He did not want to march demon cultivators across righteous soil, nor could he bear the thought of their triumphant laughter afterward.
Yet if he refused, someone else would be sent in his place…
The hesitation in his eyes hardened into resolve.
When he had given his word to his master, he had never once thought of turning back.
-
Central Continent.
"The one you're looking for—I heard news of her in the Eastern Wilderness."
A pair of thin lips spoke coldly beneath the shroud of a black robe.
Bai Qingwu ended her meditation and frowned. "You mean she has already reached the Eastern Wilderness?"
"Yes."
Bai Qingwu rose abruptly. "Impossible. She left Central Continent less than a month ago. How could she be there already?"
"Heh. You don't even understand your enemy. No wonder you lost so miserably."
The black-robed figure sneered, mocking without mercy.
A spark of fury crossed Bai Qingwu's face. "That day, I was simply unprepared. I rushed to devour Shen Yuefu's fate and left myself open to her sneak attack!"
"Forget Shen Yuefu's fate. You're unworthy of it."
"You…!" Bai Qingwu's anger surged, her eyes gradually reddening.
The black-robed figure sneered again, utterly indifferent. "I prepared countless means for you back then, yet you still failed to swallow Shen Yuefu's fate. And you're still deluding yourself?"
Laid bare by his merciless words, Bai Qingwu bit her tongue until blood welled, her fists trembling with rage.
"Hmph. Look at you now. Where is the majesty of the so-called Holy Maiden? No wonder those useless fools from the Holy Palace saw through you at a glance."
He continued to mock her, voice cold as ice.
Bai Qingwu lowered her head, letting blood drip from her lips.
"As a woman, even if your words are coarse, you don't have to chain yourself to Shen Yuefu. To love and fail is pitiful enough. But revenge does not only mean killing him."
Bai Qingwu lifted her head, puzzled.
Thinking he had struck true, the black-robed man laughed with satisfaction. "My superiors have chosen your next target. So long as you obey us, Shen Yuefu will be yours, completely."
Bai Qingwu's gaze darkened.
Damn it. The original body's reputation as a simpering bootlicker clung to her like rot. No matter what she did, she couldn't shake it off.
Who the hell wanted Shen Yuefu's heart anyway?!
-
Yiyu Hall.
Crash!
A jade bowl shattered, spilling medicine across the floor.
Pei Xianqiao stared at the empty hall in a daze. "Brother Fu… did Brother Fu go out for a walk?"
"Don't be foolish. You know he's already gone!"
A wisp of white mist drifted from her ring, forming the stern face of Elder Shang.
Pei Xianqiao slumped weakly to the ground. "Is Brother Fu still angry with Fairy Yao?"
"Whether he is or isn't, what has that to do with you? Shouldn't you be the one most furious? That woman stole your Phoenix!"
Elder Shang's beard bristled with rage.
Pei Xianqiao blinked, stunned. "Did she feed the Phoenix a mind-bewitching pill? Why else would it follow her?"
"Because you're worthless! You've eyes and heart only for Shen Yuefu. How could the Phoenix not grow disappointed and leave you for another?"
Elder Shang had never imagined that a short slumber would see Pei Xianqiao's affairs fall into such disarray. The divine beast Phoenix, first tricked away by Bai Qingwu, had now been swindled a second time by Yao Ranran.
This foolish girl—if not for the threads of luck protecting her, she'd have been made a laughingstock by all around her. How could she be so naïve?
Pei Xianqiao gathered up the shards in her hands, dazed, listening to his rebuke.
"You're right, Elder Shang. The Phoenix belongs to me. She loves the pills I feed her most of all!"
Elder Shang's face softened. "Silly girl. Since you understand, then hurry and reclaim her. Don't waste another moment here. Do you not still have a family's blood debt to avenge?"
Family blood debt?
Pei Xianqiao's slender frame trembled.
Yes. Not just her family's blood debt, but her entire clan's annihilation!
She had never told Elder Shang the full truth, but his words struck like thunder.
Placing the broken jade aside, Pei Xianqiao stood.
"Don't worry, Elder Shang. The Phoenix loves my Chishuang Pills most. As long as I take one out, she'll return to my side."
Elder Shang's stern face finally eased into a smile. His chosen girl was back at last.
At the foot of Gu Ling Mountain, violent waves of evil qi surged like a storm.
Thick black mist churned in the air, roaring like a dragon.
The people of Longyin Village and Bishui Village stopped in their tracks, gazing solemnly at the mountain.
"It's time to pay our respects at the Ranxian Shrine!"
"Is Fairy Ran cultivating immortal arts again?"
"The Ranxian Shrine? I'll go too, to worship the statue of Fairy Ranran!"
Halfway up Longyin Mountain stood a brand-new building, its sign bearing three gilded characters written in bold, soaring calligraphy:
冉仙祠-Ranxian Shrine