Demon Sect Council, Tensions Rise
Morning sunlight filtered through the latticed window, casting a warm glow on Wen Luqing's face. Her long lashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.
"Ah!"
The moment her eyes opened, she found Qin Changqing gazing at her with a affectionate smile. Wen Luqing flushed crimson with embarrassment, squeezing her eyes shut again before peeking open once more. "You... haven't slept?"
Qin Changqing chuckled. "I woke up early. You looked so peaceful; I didn't want to disturb you."
Wen Luqing bit her lip, her mind flashing back to yesterday's wild passion. Amid the shyness, a flicker of surprise stirred—this man's stamina was truly beyond the ordinary.
After a few more moments of tender intimacy, Qin Changqing suddenly asked, "What are your plans moving forward?"
For the women the sect had sent before, he'd always kept it strictly business: consummate, depart, no chit-chat. It was mutual exploitation, nothing more.
But Wen Luqing was different. She was the only one who knew his secret now. Caution was essential.
Wen Luqing glanced at his sharp, chiseled profile, her heart skipping a beat. "Not sure yet. The sect elders said if I don't want to stay, they'll bring me back once the pregnancy is confirmed."
Qin Changqing took her soft hand in his, his voice warm. "Since the sect isn't forcing you, why not stay a few more years? Would that be alright?"
Wen Luqing's heart pounded like a startled fawn, her cheeks burning as she whispered, "You don't want me to go?"
Qin Changqing nodded firmly. "Exactly. I don't want you to leave—and I'm worried about you."
The clashes between the righteous and demonic paths had grown fiercer these past few years, the battles escalating relentlessly.
After the demonic path's heavy losses at Taiqing Sect last time, their vindictive nature wouldn't let it slide. They couldn't win outright, so they resorted to constant ambushes on disciples from the top ten sects.
Can't beat you head-on? Then grind you down with dirty tricks.
Wen Luqing's heart warmed at his concern.
Her feelings for Qin Changqing had evolved—from initial resistance and pity to gratitude, curiosity, and admiration. Now that she'd given him her body, he'd captured most of her heart.
Once a woman falls for a man, her wits sharpen into blind spots; everything he does gets painted in the rosiest light.
Qin Changqing had bedded countless beauties, his heart forged unbreakable. There was no way he'd fall head over heels for a girl he'd barely met. His real aim was to keep Wen Luqing close, subtly shape her loyalty, ensure she never spilled his secret.
Of course, the concern was genuine too.
She was his woman now, carrying what might be his strongest child yet. He couldn't bear any harm coming to her.
"Alright, I'll do as you say. I'll request permission from the sect right away." Wen Luqing's eyes brimmed with tender affection.
He drew her into his arms, the two savoring a rare moment of tranquility.
After receiving Wen Luqing's request, the sect was mildly surprised but didn't refuse.
The cultivation world of Jing Kingdom was perilous these days. Even with the top ten sects allied, the demonic path avoided open fights but unleashed endless insidious schemes, giving the alliance endless headaches.
Taiqing Sect, however, was guarded by Soul Transformation lords from various sects—far safer.
Wen Luqing carried Bihai Sect's greatest hope and future. No risks until the child was born.
Sword Demon Tomb.
This was one of Sword Demon Sect's hidden strongholds. The alliance of the top ten sects had forced the four great demonic sects into constant flight these years, a miserable existence.
Beneath the vast sword mound, extending dozens of li deep, a great power had carved out an immense cavern, erecting a grand demonic hall within.
At this moment, inside the hall.
The upper echelons of the four demonic sects had gathered, their faces etched with grim malice.
"Those bitches from Ice Snow Palace ambushed us when our guard was down—killed dozens of our disciples, including two Nascent Soul elders!"
Six Desires Demon Sect's leader, Zhou Huan, seethed with rage, his face ashen. "This seat will slaughter every last one of them someday!"
Ghost King Sect's leader, Shen Yuantu, cackled wickedly. "This king backs you. Keep their flesh; leave the souls to Ghost King Sect. Deal?"
Zhou Huan shot him a cold glare. "Old ghost, always cutting the fattest slice for yourself."
"Enough bickering!"
Seated at the head, Sword Demon Sect's leader Yang Ziping barked, "I called you here to plot countermeasures, not squabble like children!"
Shen Yuantu rolled his eyes. "Countermeasures? What countermeasures? The top ten sects have allied to wipe us out. With our strength, all we can do is petty sabotage from the shadows."
Their position was indeed precarious. The top ten sects had launched multiple joint raids, even deploying Soul Transformation lords.
Moon Demon Sect had suffered worst—in the last great clash between righteous and demonic paths, they'd lost six Nascent Soul cultivators, their lair reduced to rubble.
Not just them; the other three demonic sects were hounded from hideout to hideout, frustration boiling over.
Zhou Huan frowned. "The top ten always posture as righteous allies, but they're rivals at heart, all vying for Jing Kingdom's top sect throne. How did they suddenly unite like this?"
"This king finds it odd too. They act all upright, but they're scheming hypocrites, itching for rivals to fall. Last time at Taiqing Sect was suspicious—they were set to turn on each other, then suddenly flipped and charged us!"
Yang Ziping's thick brows arched. "This reeks of Taiqing Sect. That Qin family on Xianyang Mountain is hiding something huge. Bet that's the real spark for the ten sects' alliance!"
"Xianyang Mountain's Qin family... A minor cultivation clan drawing ten sects to plunder? Highly suspicious. We need to dig there."
Zhou Huan narrowed his eyes. "Time to stir our sleeper agents in the ten sects. Probe deep—this could be our breakthrough."
Shen Yuantu didn't argue this time. Thick yin energy roiled around him, laced with the wails of vengeful ghosts. In a sinister rasp: "No more talk then. Everyone, get moving. This king is sick of skulking like rats!"
Zhou Huan sneered mockingly. "Old ghost, what else would suit your ghostly life?"
"Fuck your ancestress! Want a taste of my Ten Thousand Ghosts Heart Devourer?"
"Bring it, you fossil!"
……
Wind Spirit Sword Sect.
Sect Leader Shen Jun piloted his treasure down onto a peculiar peak—this was the secluded retreat of the sect's supreme elder.
"Mother!"
Shen Jun bowed respectfully.
"Come in."
With those words, the formation parted, revealing a passage wide enough to enter.