The Demon King gazed at the image of the cold beauty with long, cascading hair. The beauty wore a purple, waist-cinching long dress. The gossamer hem fluttered like a dancing butterfly, and her phoenix eyes were like cold stars, exuding a mysterious nobility. The Demon King suddenly felt an impulse to lift that long hair.
“Good disciple, where did this outfit come from?”
Lin Qing used an illusion to make subtle adjustments to his facial features. Looking at the cold, mature woman in the mirror, he was very satisfied. No one would be able to recognize him like this. Even if someone ran into him, they would likely assume they were caught in an illusion.
“Master, this dress was exchanged from the System Mall.”
Lin Qing proceeded to set up a formation and explained the concept of the System Mall to the Demon King. Before long, several big fish were caught in his net. A few teams that were originally besieging Yun Fan fell into the formation during the chase, including Yun Fan himself. Soon, Lin Qing heard the familiar chimes of the System.
[Ding! Detected: Zhenyuan Sect cultivator’s Passion Level increased by 20.]
[Ding! Detected: Yuanyang Sect cultivator’s Passion Level increased by 50.]
[Ding! Detected: Yun Fan’s Passion Level increased by 100.]
By relying on the formation, Lin Qing quickly harvested 1,000 Passion Points. Over the next few days, he repeated the process. Just as the seventh day arrived, which was the day he was supposed to follow the plot, things took an unexpected turn as if the heavens were unwilling to let him off so easily.
Lin Qing’s transmission jade tablet rang. It was the Third Elder. “Sword Venerable Green Lotus, where are you? Something has happened to the disciples in the secret realm.”
Lin Qing connected the call and learned the details. Since his first day in the secret realm, disciples had begun disappearing. At first, the overseers at the Ethereal Sect did not pay much attention. They assumed those disciples had used aura-concealing artifacts and were hiding to win through stealth. However, as the days went by, more disciples vanished.
“It has only been five days, and out of the 1,200 participating disciples, 113 have disappeared. The number is still increasing.”
“Do not worry, Elder. Give me the locations where those disciples were last seen. I will investigate the realm immediately.”
Lin Qing no longer needed his disguise. He changed out of his dress and flew his sword toward the southwest. The Ethereal Sect had already sent people to investigate, but since disciples from the Heavenly Sect were also missing, the Third Elder was anxious. Since the Elder was unable to leave his post, he contacted Lin Qing for help.
The southwest of the secret realm was a dense forest. As Lin Qing arrived at the edge, a cold wind brushed against his face and made him shudder. The light inside the forest was dim, and vague outlines looked like countless eyes peering at him from the darkness. Every step he took made a small sound that seemed to overlap with his own heartbeat.
“Master, I feel like this place is quite eerie. Is it haunted?”
The Demon King replied, “Be careful, disciple. People have died here. Many people.”
Lin Qing immediately grew alert. He wondered if the Ghost King had appeared early, or perhaps the Demon King and Demon Lord. In the original plot, those two were busy enjoying themselves with the protagonist at this time and had not caused any trouble. But now, since their plan to harm him had failed and he had outplayed them, it was possible they were making moves in the shadows.
Lin Qing used his sword qi to sweep away the fallen leaves at his feet. A hard object he had stepped on was revealed. It was a skull.
Thick vines suddenly lashed out from the trees. Lin Qing reacted quickly and parried with his sword. The Demon King identified the threat at a glance. “Be careful. This vine spirit has turned demonic by consuming the flesh and blood of cultivators.”
Countless vines interlaced in the air and wove into a net that dropped from above. By the time Lin Qing noticed, he was already trapped. Just as he was about to cut through it, the Demon King spoke. “Wait, disciple. Let the one in the shadows reveal himself first.”
Clad in white, Lin Qing was instantly enveloped by the dark green vine net. Movement came from the deep jungle again. A person with the same skin color as the vines appeared in Lin Qing’s vision. His face had human features, but his skin had the distinct patterns of green leaves.
“Where did you put those cultivators?” Lin Qing asked. He doubted this vine could have eaten over a hundred people in just a few days.
The vine creature approached Lin Qing and extended tentacles that were not quite human. Its voice was eerie and ancient. “You, delicious. I want to eat.”
Lin Qing realized he could not exert any strength because the vine net seemed to absorb spiritual energy.
“Monster, let him go!”
Someone leaped down from a tree behind the vine spirit. His palm transformed into sharp claws and slashed toward the creature’s head. When Lin Qing saw the person’s face, he felt no joy. It was Long Rixi. Lin Qing wondered where this guy had come from.
The vine spirit was clearly no match for Long Rixi. The dragon severed the vines with every swipe. He seemed unable to feel pain as the vines lashing against him left only faint red marks. Seeing that it was outmatched, the vine spirit quickly vanished.
Long Rixi’s attention shifted completely away from the creature. He immediately checked on the bound human. Seeing that cold, handsome face up close, he was even more satisfied. “Fellow Daoist, are you alright?” This beauty hit every one of his preferences. Just looking at that cold face made him want to do something.
[Ding! Detected: Dragon Young Master Long Rixi’s Passion Level increased by 50.]
Long Rixi tilted Lin Qing’s chin up through the vines. “Daoist, I saved you. Should you not repay me?”
“Are you a mute?” Long Rixi frowned. “Can you scream? I still prefer it when you are in bed.”
“Screw you,” Lin Qing was about to curse when he was interrupted.
“Hey, you dragon over there. There should be a first-come, first-served rule for claiming people. He is the prey we have our eyes on.”
Two more people jumped down from the tree. Lin Qing looked at the towering ancient tree and noted it was certainly good at hiding people.
Long Rixi looked at the newcomers with disdain. “Two cowards who only dare to hide in the shadows to commit crimes. You think you are worthy of fighting me for him?”
The Demon Lord was instantly enraged. “Even if you are a dragon, I will beat you just the same.”
Dragon scales erupted on Long Rixi’s arm. “With just you?”
Lin Qing hoped they would all kill each other.
“Do not be impulsive,” the Demon King intervened. He stood between the two and said, “Gentlemen, we all want him. We can certainly share. Why spoil the harmony?”
Long Rixi scoffed. “With you? Lowly demons are not worthy of sharing a partner with the Dragon Clan. He belongs to me alone.”
The Demon King’s tone turned cold. “In that case, we have nothing to discuss.”
The Demon Lord added, “Why waste words with him? Beat him into submission.”
Lin Qing watched as another person appeared. “Shh, Master, I am here to save you.”
Lin Qing turned to look at Yun Fan, who was helping him undo the vines. The trouble was all here and there was one extra person.
“Hey, what are you doing? Do not touch my beauty!” Long Rixi stepped forward, intending to kick Yun Fan away.
Yun Fan dodged and his aura did not weaken. “With just you? You think you are worthy of touching my Master?”
Long Rixi’s fist stopped in mid-air. “He is your Master?”
The Demon King spoke sarcastically. “Do not waste your energy. This is the Green Lotus Sword Venerable of the Heavenly Sect, the number one sword cultivator in the world. He is extremely cold and proud. How could a mere dragon ever catch his eye?”
Long Rixi looked at Lin Qing in surprise. “Beauty, is what he said true? You are a sword cultivator?”
Lin Qing spoke expressionlessly. “The elders of the Ethereal and Heavenly Sects are on their way here. I advise you all to leave as soon as possible.”