Xie Xuechen’s face darkened. He tightened his grip on Mu Xuanling’s hand and turned to leave without a word.
Proprietor She, who greatly coveted Xie Xuechen, had been unusually attentive and flattering. Unexpectedly rebuffed, anger surged in her heart. Her pupils contracted, transforming into vertical red slits. A strong demonic aura emanated from her. Simultaneously, a towering figure blocked Xie Xuechen’s path.
It was a black bear demon, with an imposing stature of eight feet tall. Its fists alone were as large as a human head, its body rippling with muscles, exuding a terrifying presence.
“My establishment isn’t a place you can come and go as you please,” Proprietor She hissed, her snake tongue flicking out, her eyes gleaming with malice. Her curly hair moved without wind, resembling writhing little snakes. “Xiong Gao beat them half to death. Bring me the Mustard Seed Pouch and the man. The half-demon is yours.”
The black bear demon, called Xiong Gao, nodded with a vicious grin. “This half-demon looks quite delicious…”
The demons in the inn watched the scene unfold with amused smiles, seemingly accustomed to such occurrences. A fox demon remarked sourly, “Proprietor She is so soft-hearted, not even willing to beat them to death.”
Another demon laughed, “With one punch from Xiong Gao, even a Golden Core cultivator would explode. It’s not easy to beat someone half to death; leaving a whole corpse would be difficult.”
Xie Xuechen remained impassive, unfazed by the threat before him. He took three steps back, pushing Mu Xuanling in front of Xiong Gao, and said calmly, “You deal with her.”
Mu Xuanling was stunned, turning her head to look at Xie Xuechen.
Xie Xuechen waved his hand, unsealing her ability to speak. Immediately, Mu Xuanling exclaimed, “Why aren’t you fighting?”
Xie Xuechen replied, “If I were to act, it would alert the Demon King. This bear demon isn’t strong. You can handle him easily.”
Mu Xuanling’s chest heaved as she suppressed her anger. “Why should I listen to you? You’ve taken me hostage, and now you want me to be your fighter?”
Xie Xuechen pondered briefly, “If you’re unwilling, I won’t force you.”
As he reached out to seal her lips again, Mu Xuanling quickly covered her mouth and stepped back, hastily saying, “I’ll do it!”
Xie Xuechen smiled slightly and nodded, “I’ll be watching you.”
Mu Xuanling, filled with anger, turned to face Xiong Gao, who was equally enraged. The two had been talking as if he wasn’t even there, completely disregarding his presence! He let out a heavy breath, his eyes flashing with killing intent. Slowly raising his right hand, he clenched it into a fist. Demonic power gathered around his fist, manifesting as black flames. A terrifying pressure enveloped the entire inn, causing the other demons to pale and retreat to the sides, assuming defensive postures.
“Xiong Gao must have encountered some fortuitous opportunity. He’s much stronger than last year. He might make quite a stir at this Martial Arts Competition,” one demon whispered.
“His technique is extremely powerful and fierce. Few demons at the same level can defeat him,” another added.
Whispers echoed from the corners as Xiong Gao grinned, his massive fist suddenly smashing toward Mu Xuanling. The wave of demonic power ruffled the strands of hair by Mu Xuanling’s temples. Her expression turned serious as she raised both hands, crossing them before her chest. Spiritual power surged from her palms, forming a shield. The punch, with its mountain-toppling force, landed on the shield but could advance no further. Mu Xuanling felt the pressure and frowned slightly. With a thought, Duan Nian suddenly appeared in the air, lashing out with devastating force toward Xiong Gao’s face, its power even more terrifying than the bear demon’s punch!
Xiong Gao withdrew his fist and raised his arm to block Duan Nian. Two streams of contrasting spiritual power collided violently. After a moment of stalemate, the black demonic flames were split in two by the purple whip. With a crack, it struck Xiong Gao’s face, leaving a deep gash that exposed bone. Blood sprayed out!
Xiong Gao fell to his knees, howling in pain. One of his eyes had been blinded, and he let out heart-wrenching screams.
Proprietor She, who had been smiling moments ago, suddenly changed expression. Her breathing became heavy as she narrowed her vertical pupils. The demonic aura around her intensified, and her long legs transformed into a snake’s tail, covered in red scales with gold patterns, thick and powerful. Her true form was a golden-threaded red snake, extremely venomous and with a penchant for lust and killing. With seven to eight hundred years of cultivation, her strength surpassed Xiong Gao’s and was approaching the Demon King realm. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to run a black market inn in this chaotic place.
Xie Xuechen, on his first visit to Qiongju Island, was unaware of the local situation. Proprietor She had assumed he was just an ordinary Golden Core wandering cultivator. Feeling slighted by his indifference, she had harbored ill intentions and ordered Xiong Gao to attack, planning to rob them of both virtue and wealth. However, she hadn’t expected that before he could act, the half-demon he was holding captive would display such shocking strength.
Something was amiss!
Proprietor She was startled as she suddenly realized that Mu Xuanling had been using spiritual power. How could a half-demon possess spiritual power? Could she be a human cultivator?
Her strength was above Xiong Gao’s, so wouldn’t the cultivator who had captured her be even more powerful?
She stared intently at Xie Xuechen. This white-robed cultivator’s outward aura appeared to be just a slightly stronger Golden Core, but if he was concealing his true cultivation level, and she couldn’t see through his disguise, there was only one possibility – his strength surpassed hers…
Cold sweat broke out on Proprietor She’s brow. Above her level, could he be a human Fashen…
While there were Fashen among wandering cultivators, they were all long-established figures. She couldn’t think of any wandering Fashen cultivator that matched the appearance of the handsome man before her. She still clung to a glimmer of hope – if he wasn’t a Fashen, she might still be able to stop him by inciting the other demons present.
Proprietor She’s eyes flickered towards Mu Xuanling – she could at least deal with her. With this thought, her thick snake tail swept towards Mu Xuanling. However, Xie Xuechen had long anticipated her intentions. He lightly waved his sleeve, and a fierce gale like countless sharp blades slashed at the snake’s tail. The scales of the golden-threaded red snake were known for their hardness, but this gale struck the tail with such force that it peeled off several red scales. Blood sprayed out, and the Proprietor She screamed in pain, looking at the man before her in disbelief.
This man was a Fashen realm cultivator. She had been careless to provoke such a figure!
Proprietor She’s a heart filled with regret, but Fashen cultivators were known for their pride. She had offended him deeply, and begging for mercy now would be useless. Her only option was to do everything in her power to kill him!
“This is demon territory. Human cultivators have no right to run wild here!” Proprietor She shouted. “Attack together! Kill this human cultivator, and I’ll reward you with my red snake essence blood!”
Her red snake essence blood contained powerful demonic energy, highly beneficial for demon cultivation. Upon hearing this, the crowd of demons’ eyes lit up with greed. They could only sense Xie Xuechen’s Golden Core aura, and the half-demon seemed even less of a threat. Incited by Proprietor She, they excitedly pounced towards Xie Xuechen.
Just as Xie Xuechen was about to summon his Jun Tian Sword, the inn’s main door was forcefully pushed open by a strong gust of wind. A tall, slender man slowly walked in. He wore a long black robe and had stern features, with a fierce scar running from his temple to his jaw on the left side of his face, making him an intimidating sight. The demons immediately noticed the red phoenix totem on his chest and their expressions changed.
“It’s someone from Spirit Luan Island, a Crimson Phoenix cultivator with a facial scar… It’s Jiang Li,” a demon whispered.
All disciples of Spirit Luan Island wore phoenix totems on their chests, but the colors differed, representing their strength and power within the sect. From highest to lowest, the colors were red, purple, blue, and black. A Crimson Phoenix cultivator, if not a Fashen, was at least half-step to Fashen. Within the sect, they were second only to He Xianwo, either as elders or honored guests.
“There are traces of a fight here,” the black-robed Crimson Phoenix cultivator coldly surveyed the surroundings, looking at Xie Xuechen. “The Island Master has decreed that during the Martial Arts Competition, peace shall be maintained. Demons are forbidden from harming human cultivators.”
Spirit Luan Island held considerable prestige in the Eastern Sea, with even the Demon Kings treating He Xianwo with courtesy and respect. The Martial Arts Competition was a grand event for demonkind, but given the nature of demons, maintaining order during the competition was no easy task, let alone ensuring the safety of some wandering cultivators. Spirit Luan Island had an agreement with the Demon Kings: they would assist in organizing the competition, but strictly prohibited demons from harming human cultivators. With the Five Sects of the Immortal Alliance as their backing and the Demon Kings’ approval to maintain order, neither humans nor demons dared to offend the cultivators of Spirit Luan Island.
Moreover, the one who had arrived was a Crimson Phoenix cultivator.
Proprietor She, enduring the pain, retracted her snake tail. Her legs were bleeding, but she forced a smile on her face. “Daoist Jiang, it’s all a misunderstanding. This cultivator wanted to stay at the inn, and I was more than happy to welcome him.”
Jiang Li ignored her, keeping his gaze fixed on Xie Xuechen.
Xie Xuechen nodded slightly, “Indeed.”
Hearing his response, Proprietor She immediately breathed a sigh of relief, realizing he had no intention of pursuing the matter further. Whether it was fighting this enigmatic wandering cultivator or being held accountable by Jiang Li, either would have been a life-threatening situation.
“I’ll arrange the rooms right away,” Proprietor She said with a forced smile.
At this point, she’d be happy to give away not just a room, but the entire inn if necessary.
Jiang Li glanced at Xiong Gao, who was slumped to the side with blood streaming down his face, and made an educated guess about the human cultivator’s strength—perhaps his intervention wasn’t needed after all.
Jiang Li addressed Xie Xuechen, “I am Jiang Li, a cultivator from Spirit Luan Island. If you encounter any difficulties on the island, you can find me at Coral Residence.”
Xie Xuechen nodded slightly, “Thank you.”
He didn’t introduce himself, and Jiang Li, recognizing his intention to conceal his identity, didn’t press further. He left the inn without another word.
Mu Xuanling’s gaze lingered on Jiang Li’s retreating figure before turning to Xie Xuechen with a teasing tone, “Daoist Xie, you’re quite the gentleman, sparing that snake demon and even planning to stay at this inn?”
Proprietor She, hearing her name mentioned, stiffened her shoulders and hastily replied, “It was my mistake for offending you both. I’ll arrange an upper room for you two right away!”
Mu Xuanling turned to Proprietor She and said, “Two rooms!”
Proprietor She hesitated, looking towards Xie Xuechen.
Xie Xuechen said, “One room.”
Mu Xuanling knew Xie Xuechen was guarding against any tricks she might attempt, but the thought of sharing a room with him made her uncomfortable.
“It’ll be too cramped with two people!” Mu Xuanling protested.
Proprietor She quickly interjected, “Not at all! My upper rooms are very spacious. Two people won’t be crowded at all. It’s more lively with more people.”
Mu Xuanling: “…”
Xie Xuechen: “Your heart rate suddenly increased.”
To hell with ‘more lively with more people’!
Mu Xuanling was filled with complaints but dared not voice them. She knew that if she said anything disagreeable, the cold-hearted Immortal Alliance Sect Leader would seal her ability to speak again.
Entering the upper room, she looked around. The room was indeed large, possibly designed with demons who prefer to sleep in their original forms in mind. The bed was several times larger than those used by humans. It could easily accommodate four or five people without fear of falling off.
But no matter how large, she still didn’t want to share a bed with Xie Xuechen.
She sat down on a chair with a cold expression, saying nothing.
Xie Xuechen, aware of her discomfort, said, “You can sleep on the bed. I’ll meditate.”
Mu Xuanling replied sarcastically, “I’m just a prisoner. How could I deserve to sleep on the bed? I should be grateful for even having a chair.”
Xie Xuechen nodded, his tone serious, “Since you know you’re a prisoner, you should obey.”
Mu Xuanling glared at him fiercely, her eyes reddening again, grinding her back teeth audibly.
“You’re deliberately getting back at me, aren’t you?” Mu Xuanling sneered. “Because I teased you earlier when your divine apertures were sealed, you’re retaliating even more severely. I didn’t expect the Immortal Alliance Sect Leader to be so petty and vindictive.”
Xie Xuechen slowly walked up to her, seemingly realizing something. “So that’s how you see me…”
Mu Xuanling snorted coldly, her face full of disdain and mockery. “What else? Am I wrong?”
Xie Xuechen suddenly leaned in slightly, gently cupping her chin. His voice was cool, like thin ice, but with a hint of huskiness. “Then do you remember what you did before?”
Forced to look up and meet his gaze, Mu Xuanling found herself lost in his deep phoenix eyes.
What had she done…
She had merely forcefully kissed him, stripped off his clothes, and rolled around with him on a bed.
Mu Xuanling couldn’t speak, but her expression was very unpleasant.
Xie Xuechen chuckled softly, “It seems you remember everything. Do you want me to ‘retaliate even more severely’ and be ‘petty and vindictive’?” His calloused fingertip gently caressed the soft skin of her cheek, pressing against the corner of her lips. “Didn’t you say… since I’m a sword cultivator, I don’t need to preserve my Yang essence?”
Mu Xuanling’s heart raced, whether from fear or something else, she didn’t know. She remained rigid, not daring to move, her entire body tense.
Xie Xuechen’s eyes darkened. They were too close, close enough for him to count her thick eyelashes and see the panic in her eyes.
He lowered his gaze and smiled bitterly, suppressing the desire in his heart. Under the control of the Heart-Enlightening Water, she couldn’t develop feelings for him. His closeness only brought her fear and unease.
Xie Xuechen reluctantly let go and turned away, sensing the person behind him secretly sighing in relief. He closed his eyes in disappointment.
“Will you obey, or do you want me to retaliate?” he asked.
In the next moment, Mu Xuanling had already flashed onto the bed, kicked off her shoes, and wrapped herself in the blanket, lying on the innermost side of the large bed.
Her heart was still pounding. The Xie Xuechen just now seemed very unfamiliar to her… He had always been cold and aloof, emotionless. Now, although still cold and emotionless, he seemed to have lost that sense of otherworldly detachment, replaced by an indescribable aura.
This change seemed to have occurred after the Greed Prison incident. What exactly had happened in the Greed Prison that she couldn’t remember at all?
But she couldn’t ask. If she did, Xie Xuechen would know she had lost her memory, and he might not tell the truth anyway. If she couldn’t trust his answer, there was no point in asking, as it would only add to her worries.
Mu Xuanling curled up entirely under the blanket, then secretly pulled it down a bit to peek at Xie Xuechen.
As a Fashen cultivator, he could easily substitute meditation for sleep. He was now sitting cross-legged on the soft couch, eyes closed, his handsome face calm and solemn. As he circulated his divine technique, light flowed around his body, making him appear as untouchable as a deity.
—It was as if the scene from moments ago had been just her imagination.
Mu Xuanling lowered her gaze suspiciously. Being a person with many thoughts, the more she pondered, the more complex it became. She had thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep sharing a room with Xie Xuechen, but unexpectedly, she drifted off into dreamland.
In her dream, she didn’t know where she was. The sound of howling wind seemed to be in her ears. She wanted to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Suddenly, the wind quieted down, and she heard a man’s restrained breathing and a husky call—
“Ling’er…”
She abruptly opened her eyes and saw a pair of black phoenix eyes tinged with desire.
And so she awoke from her dream with a start.
Outside the window, dawn was just breaking. Xie Xuechen was still in the same position as last night, meditating in the distance. Hearing movement from the bed, he slightly opened his eyes and looked towards her.
“Did you have a nightmare?” Xie Xuechen asked seriously.
Mu Xuanling’s chest heaved violently, her face still showing traces of shock. Anyone who saw her would think the same.
Was that a nightmare?
Yes, it was a nightmare. Being intimate with Xie Xuechen was a nightmare for her!
Mu Xuanling pursed her lips. The warm sensation was too intense, lingering, and even slightly painful. Although she had forcefully kissed Xie Xuechen a few times before, he had always been cold and resistant. However, the Xie Xuechen in last night’s dream was very different…
Could snowflakes also be scorching hot?
Mu Xuanling rubbed her face vigorously—it was all because of that Proprietor She saying “more lively with more people”! And Xie Xuechen talking about being “petty and vindictive”! It caused her to have such an outrageous dream!