Xie Yun smiled subtly, a hint of mockery in his eyes. He truly hadn’t expected that Fu Yun still clung to his obsession with Qingzun.
Ten years ago, Xie Yun had sensed that his fifth senior brother harbored jealousy toward him. The reason was simple Qingsheng favored Xie Yun far too much.
After detecting Fu Yun’s ill intentions, Xie Yun hinted to Qingsheng: I don’t like Fifth Senior Brother.
Qingsheng distanced himself from Fu Yun and doted on Xie Yun even more.
Yet he still allowed Fu Yun, as a senior brother, to look after Xie Yun. It seemed Qingsheng knew everything yet cared about nothing. Whether Xie Yun wept or laughed, was injured or ill, as long as he didn’t die, Qingsheng bound Xie Yun and Fu Yun together.
Once freed from the perspective of a devoted disciple, Xie Yun realized he was nothing on Sacred Peak he couldn’t even learn Qingsheng’s name.
Xie Yun ran away, using his talent in swordsmanship to attract the Sword Venerable. Later, he was exceptionally allowed to stay on Sword Peak.
Xie Yun once asked Chu Wuchun what kind of person Qingsheng was.
The youngest Venerable in the cultivation world and the most arrogant Sword Saint of Taiyi showed neither reverence nor disgust, only stating calmly, “The Dao Saint is not human.”
Xie Yun felt a faint trace of pity for Fu Yun in his heart: To cling to the Dao without enlightenment, to seek love from a Dao Saint devoid of human sentiment isn’t that just waiting to fall into demonic deviation?
After Fu Yun stated his conditions, Xie Yun smiled without answering. He finished playing with his hair and suddenly pulled out a hair ribbon, biting it as he began tying his hair up, completely ignoring Fu Yun’s presence.
Fu Yun stared fixedly the hair ribbon was also his, originally sealed safely in a cabinet. Xie Yun had broken the protective talisman to retrieve it, and now it felt more like a provocation.
Or a warning.
Fu Yun changed his words: “This month, I only want to see Master once. After that, I’ll give you a piece of information from the Internal Affairs Division.” He also swore a Heavenly Dao oath, promising not to show anyone the recording of Xie Yun intercepting and killing him.
Xie Yun finished tying his hair, rolled off the bed, and made no promises, only saying, “I’ll do my best.”
Fu Yun’s expression darkened, while Xie Yun’s mood brightened. He observed his new pawn with interest.
Fifth Senior Brother had a face that was easily forgotten unremarkably pleasant.
Only when stained with blood did that face shed its plainness… perhaps because of his eyes. Pale irises reflecting crimson red, as if flames were burning within them.
Xie Yun suddenly said, “Next time after killing someone, remember to wash the blood from under your nails.”
That night, he hadn’t actually witnessed Fu Yun killing anyone he had only smelled the scent of blood.
His earlier comment about “even more impressive in demeanor and methods” was merely flattery. Over the years, so many had tried to harm him; how could he recall every detail?
Fu Yun realized that Xie Yun truly loved feigning intimacy. Was this the professional demeanor of a “total top”?
Fu Yun abruptly asked, “Given your status and reputation, Taiyi will undoubtedly honor you as its leader in the future. Why are you secretly planting people?”
Hearing the word “sect master,” Xie Yun laughed, his lips curling mockingly, showing neither reverence nor aspiration. “If I told you, Senior Brother would have to die with me tonight. Still want to hear?”
Even without an answer, Fu Yun could guess after all, he held the outline of the plot.
In the end, Xie Yun ascended to become a god, not an immortal. What he aimed to do was nothing less than defying the Heavenly Dao to become a true deity.
Fu Yun offered hypocritical praise: “Junior Brother’s magnanimity can sail a boat; surely your ambitions are grand. There’s no need.”
Xie Yun: “Every time you say something insincere, you love using idioms.”
Fu Yun: “Every time Junior Brother uses someone, you love acting affectionate.”
Xie Yun laughed and returned to the main topic: “If you want to see Master, I’ll arrange it. But there’s something Senior Brother should know in advance.”
“Last month, I tried to use our master-disciple bond to draw Qing Zun into the scheme and get his help, but it failed. He dealt with several of my hidden agents on Sacred Peak. This time, I introduced you to our master, so he might very well take his anger out on you.”
Xie Yun left.
Fu Yun’s gloomy, forced smile faded as he rubbed his stiff lips.
Tonight’s negotiation had only strengthened his resolve he wanted Xie Yun dead.
Translating Xie Yun’s final words, it essentially meant: “I tried to seduce our master to help me crush the Heavenly Dao, but not only did he refuse, he also killed a few of my male confidants. If he kills you, I won’t interfere.”
To say the alliance was unlikely to succeed right after proposing it was a calculated move, betting that Fu Yun wouldn’t dare to turn hostile. Xie Yun didn’t care about Fu Yun’s resentment either, because he only saw Fu Yun as a short-term pawn.
Xie Yun was confident that he could decide Fu Yun’s life or death at any time.
Fu Yun reached into his storage pouch and pulled out a straw doll, treating it as Xie Yun. He formed his hand into a blade and repeatedly practiced chopping off the doll’s head. Endure.
Xie Yun, I’ll fucking.
Endure.
Fuck.
Endure.
I’ll fucking…
“Wait, hear out Side Quest Two before you get angry,” the system cautiously interjected. “The quest is within ten years, become someone unforgettable to the protagonist.”
Fu Yun enunciated each word clearly: “System, I’ll fuck your grandpa.”
The system giggled: “I don’t have a grandpa.”
Fu Yun: “What happens if I don’t do the side quest?”
System: “Then you’ll lose the rewards. Look, the reward for Side Quest One is here. You can choose any cultivation technique any technique at all.”
Fu Yun blinked, his tone softening again: “Any technique?”
The system emphasized: “In principle, it must be related to winning over the protagonist.”
Fu Yun said he’d think about it some more.
System: “The main system also has a message for you. It says to remember ”
Fu Yun sneered inwardly. Was it going to urge him to pursue the protagonist?
System: “Focus on both cultivation and winning over the protagonist. If you want something, just say it treat me like your mom.”
Fu Yun: “…”
He could bend when needed: “Please tell the main system: Mom, I want more cultivation techniques.”
Not long after, the system returned, sounding mournful: “The main system told me to tell you: Do you want your mom to be struck dead by the Heavenly Dao? Let’s take it step by step, be good.”
“You motherfucking.”
Just as he was bantering with the system to calm his mood, the flower mark on Fu Yun’s collarbone grew warm, and faint curses echoed in his consciousness.
Fu Yun immediately drew primordial spiritual energy from his dantian and channeled it into the flower mark. In an instant, he found himself in another space.
A vast lake stretched before him, with a colossal demon beast coiled at its center. Its body resembled a python, covered in black scales, with dark golden light shimmering between the gaps. Its serpentine form coiled, blotting out the sky.
Countless chains formed of water essence extended into the heavens, shackling it.
In the Ancient Vine Secret Realm, this great demon had disguised itself as a vine to attack but was captured by Fu Yun. He had imprisoned the black serpent in this array space, using mist to suppress its cultivation from the Great Ascension Realm down to the lowest level.
“Splash”
Even with its cultivation suppressed, the great demon’s struggles churned massive waves, surging hundreds of feet into the sky. Mist spread across the lake surface as it fought with increasing ferocity, its long tail sweeping and coiling around a demonic flower on the shore, swallowing it whole.
The array’s focal points were frequently under attack no wonder the flower mark had reacted.
Fu Yun raised a finger, and the chains tightened. The great demon crashed down, dragged before Fu Yun.
Fu Yun’s tone was neither high nor low: “Wingless yet able to fly, swimming through mist you are of the Tengshe clan?”
The Tengshe were one of the ancient clans of the demon realm, what humans would call a hereditary noble lineage.
The great demon did not open its mouth, its voice seeming to come from another space, mingling with the misty water, falling with a sinister and ethereal tone: “Since you know the might of my clan, a mere Golden Core ant, why not kneel and send me off.”
Waves surged to the heavens, crashing directly toward the great demon, forcing it to bow its head.
Fu Yun pointed toward the serpent’s head, intending to search its soul. As soon as his spiritual power entered its consciousness, it was swallowed up like mud and stones sinking into the sea, completely devoured, and the backlash shook Fu Yun’s fingers this demon’s soul was unusual.
Its identity was unknown, its words and actions sinister and unrestrained. Keeping it imprisoned in this space could lead to future trouble.
Fu Yun’s gaze was indifferent as he prepared to slay the demon and retrieve its core. The spiritual blade had already cut half a foot deep, and as the demon’s blood gushed forth
Thunder rumbled in the sky, a blinding flash of lightning streaked across from above, followed by the majestic might of heaven pressing down upon Fu Yun.
Those who bear great fortune can invoke the protection of heaven’s might when near death. What is the origin of this serpent demon?
Soon, Fu Yun’s confusion was answered by the system “Host, wait, this is the third male lead, the young prince of the Demon King!”
“We are not yet capable of opposing the will of heaven. It will spare no cost to protect the male leads and correct the plotline.”
Meaning it cannot be killed.
The serpent demon’s massive vertical pupils narrowed into slits, meeting Fu Yun’s gaze through the damp, cold mist.
If it cannot be killed or eaten, then there is only one option.
Fu Yun cut his palm, and his blood fell directly into the center of the serpent’s contracting pupils, spreading into a crimson expanse.
Forcing it to acknowledge him as its master.
The great demon discerned Fu Yun’s intent, struggling weakly. “My master is the child of heaven! You steal the secrets of heaven, forcibly altering fate, and will surely die a wretched death.”
Fu Yun paid no heed.
The master-slave contract was formed. If the master dies, the demon slave follows in death.
The great demon let out a furious roar, its massive serpent body churning the lake and sea, cursing Fu Yun to die by heavenly punishment and then, slap!
Water gathered into a palm, slapping the serpent’s head askew.
Fu Yun said, “Take human form.”
Bound by the power of the contract, the demon slave hissed and cursed but had no choice but to transform into human form.
It appeared as a youth, with brown-black skin, more white than black in its eyes. Though its features were delicate, they carried an air of wickedness, especially those vertical pupils, remnants of its serpent nature.
It had even conjured clothing for itself, now closing its legs, not speaking, only piercing Fu Yun with its cold, penetrating eyes.
Fu Yun asked, “Is your primordial yang still intact?”
The great demon’s pupils narrowed: “What do you want, you wretch?!”
“Afraid of what? I’m not killing you,” Fu Yun crooked a finger, and vines from the space coiled around the great demon, bringing it before him. He used his foot to pry open the demon slave’s tightly closed legs.
Fu Yun actually made no preparations, intending to engage in cultivation through dual cultivation right then and there.
Forced into human form, the demon slave staggered, retreating on its knees. but there was no escape.
The cold, youthful face finally cracked. “You clearly like that swordsman!” It had been trapped in the storage bag earlier, vaguely hearing this person whispering intimately to a companion.
Fu Yun’s tone was flat. “What does whether I like him have to do with whether I sleep with you?”
The system had no head, but now it actually understood the feeling of “scalp tingling.” “Aren’t you going to prepare at all, just going straight in Maybe cultivate some feelings first, so this guy doesn’t end up hating you?”
Fu Yun was puzzled. “Since he and the protagonist are destined by fate, what use is there in me trying to please him?”
The system stammered, “But, but snakes have two. Are you prepared for that, Who’s sleeping with whom? Can you even get a reaction from a male demon.”
Fu Yun looked down.
He encountered a dense forest, with two serpents lying in wait, each as thick as an arm.