Chapter 544

"Another one of those Supreme Elders?"

When Lu Qing saw the expression on the City Lord of Canglan, he immediately understood that this so-called Supreme Elder of Delight was no ordinary cultivator.

"Supreme Elder of Delight is a Grand Elder of the top-tier sect in the Upper Realm, the Hehuan Sect. He is a formidable cultivator at the Nascent Soul Fourth Tribulation stage," Mo Hongyun said slowly.

"Fourth Tribulation of the Nascent Soul..." Lu Qing's heart trembled.

With each tribulation that a Nascent Soul cultivator overcomes, their strength undergoes a complete metamorphosis. A cultivator who has endured four Nascent Soul tribulations—just a breath from them might be more than Lu Qing could withstand at this moment.

"Being a Fourth Tribulation Nascent Soul cultivator is bad enough. But this Supreme Elder of Delight is infamous for his lasciviousness. He’s particularly fond of collecting women with special physiques to take as his dual cultivation partners," the City Lord of Canglan said, face darkening.

"Hongyun, what happened afterward? I've heard that this Supreme Elder of Delight cultivates the Hehuan Sect’s supreme technique, the [Joyful Delight Meditation]. That technique is extraordinarily sinister and hard to deal with. Any woman he sets his eyes on rarely escapes his grasp."

"What else could have happened?" Mo Hongyun said flatly. "I'm just a mere Golden Core Realm cultivator. Once someone like that sets his eyes on me, what choice do I have but to resign myself to fate?

"Even our Mo Clan's Ancestor is only at the Fourth Tribulation of the Nascent Soul. How could he ever stand against a behemoth like the Hehuan Sect?

"At that birthday banquet, I didn’t even realize I had already been marked by him.

"It wasn’t until I returned to the clan that I noticed something on my body."

As she spoke, Mo Hongyun channeled her spiritual power and drew a line across her chest.

Fragments of fabric fluttered down, revealing a snow-white expanse at her chest—but neither Lu Qing nor the City Lord of Canglan paid it any mind.

Their gazes were locked on a strange mark over her heart.

It was a thumb-sized, eerie red curse mark composed of red threads. It seemed to squirm faintly, as if it were alive, sending a chill down their spines.

"It really is the [Heart-Corroding Joy Curse]!" the City Lord of Canglan exclaimed, his expression changing drastically.

"That’s one of the Supreme Elder of Delight’s signature Daoist techniques—strange and terrifying.

"Anyone cursed with it will not only find their mind slowly corroded, becoming utterly obedient and devoted to him, but the curse mark is also fully under the caster’s control.

"No matter where the victim tries to flee, they’ll be sensed—there’s no escape.

"Hongyun, why didn’t you tell me you were cursed with the [Heart-Corroding Joy Curse]?"

The City Lord’s face darkened further. He never imagined that Mo Hongyun had been carrying such a heavy burden all this time.

"And if I had told you earlier, what difference would it make? Could you have removed the [Heart-Corroding Joy Curse] for me?

"Or would your Nangong Clan’s Ancestors have been willing to act to save a bastard like me?" Mo Hongyun asked coldly.

The City Lord of Canglan fell silent.

The [Heart-Corroding Joy Curse] was cast by the Supreme Elder of Delight—far beyond his ability to break. The Ancestors of his clan were certainly stronger, but asking them to risk themselves for Mo Hongyun... even he couldn’t be sure they would agree.

"Right? Your noble Nangong Clan has long wished for this bastard to die.

"Why would you ever reach out your exalted hands to save a wretched life like mine?

"And when my parents visited your Nangong Clan, they died under mysterious circumstances without so much as an explanation.

"From that day on, I swore that even if I fell into the deepest hell, I would never beg the Nangong Clan for help!"

Seeing the hatred on Mo Hongyun’s face, the City Lord fell deeper into silence.

He realized that the resentment she bore toward the Nangong Clan might never be resolved. If he hadn’t risked his life to save her this time, she likely wouldn’t have even acknowledged him as her uncle.

Still, he worried for his niece’s safety.

"Did you try asking your Mo Clan’s Ancestor for help? He’s also a Fourth Tribulation Nascent Soul cultivator—he might have a way.

"You’ve awakened a Fate-Divining Divine Ability and have nearly guaranteed future advancement to the Nascent Soul Realm. Once the Mo Clan’s Ancestor knows, he wouldn’t sit idly by."

"You think I haven’t considered that?" Mo Hongyun sneered. "But not long after I was cursed with the [Heart-Corroding Joy Curse], the Hehuan Sect sent a wedding invitation.

"The Supreme Elder of Delight intended to take me as his concubine. If we refused, they would see to it that the Mo Clan could no longer survive in the Upper Realm.

"The Hehuan Sect’s power is on par with your so-called Thirty-Six Noble Clans.

"Just the Supreme Elder alone might be more than the Mo Clan can handle—let alone the other even more terrifying Grand Elders.

"Do you really think the Mo Clan would offend such a behemoth for a lowly Golden Core cultivator like me, whose parents are already dead and who has no backers?

"Forget asking for help—I didn’t even dare reveal that I had awakened a Fate-Divining Ability or possessed the Profound Yin Jade Body.

"If the Mo Clan learned of it, to protect the secrecy of their divine abilities...

"Their first thought wouldn’t be to save me—it would be to eliminate me."

The City Lord fell silent once more.

Lu Qing, too, felt a chill run through him.

According to Mo Hongyun’s previous explanation, certain dual cultivation techniques could strip away the powers and abilities of the Profound Yin Jade Body while taking its virginity.

If the Mo Clan discovered that Mo Hongyun had both the Profound Yin Jade Body and the Fate-Divining Ability...

They might very well resort to killing her to protect their secrets.

"I do have a question," Lu Qing finally said. "If the [Heart-Corroding Joy Curse] is that powerful, how have you been able to remain here in Canglan City?

"Wouldn’t the Supreme Elder of Delight have stopped you?"

This was something that had puzzled Lu Qing for some time.

From what he knew, Mo Hongyun had run the Treasure Pavilion in Canglan City for decades.

Given how domineering that Supreme Elder was, why had he allowed her to stay here so long?

More importantly—why hadn’t her mind been corroded after all these years?

"That old bastard certainly didn’t want me coming down to the Xiao Cang Realm," Mo Hongyun said, her face filled with hatred. "I bargained with my life to come here!"

"That old bastard wanted me as a concubine because he coveted my Profound Yin Jade Body and my bloodline’s Fate-Divining Ability.

"But he’s a Fourth Tribulation Nascent Soul cultivator, and I was only at the Golden Core Realm.

"My cultivation was weak, and due to years of hiding it, my Fate-Divining Ability hadn’t been cultivated to any high degree.

"Even if he forcibly took my Red Pill, the benefits would be minimal.

"His original plan was to bring me to the Hehuan Sect and wait until I reached the Nascent Soul Realm and perfected my divine ability—then take everything from me.

"But how could I possibly let him get his way?

"I sacrificed a hundred years of my lifespan to divine the one chance I had to escape fate’s shackles—and that chance lay here in Canglan City.

"I immediately threatened him with my life, demanding fifty years of freedom.

"If he didn’t agree, I would self-detonate my Golden Core right then and there—and leave him with nothing.

"And if he agreed, I would spend those fifty years cultivating and comprehending my divine ability."

“After the time is up, I will offer him everything of mine.”

The old bastard had weighed the pros and cons and ultimately agreed to her terms, allowing her to descend to the lower realm.

After all, with the [Heart-Corroding Joy Curse] in place, he didn’t fear her running away. The moment she left the Xiao Cang Realm, he would immediately sense it. And with his vast divine abilities, dragging her back would be a trivial matter.

“So that’s how it is...” Lu Qing murmured, a flicker of pity appearing in his eyes.

He had never imagined that the Master of the Treasure Pavilion, who stood radiant and admired by countless cultivators in Canglan City, was in truth burdened by such a tragic fate.

As for the City Lord of Canglan, he was even more shaken.

All this time, he had never known that his own niece bore such immense pressure. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no words would come out.

“Tower Master, by what you’re saying… do you believe that I am the one who can help you escape all this?” Lu Qing asked.

“That’s right. Back then, I spent a hundred years of my lifespan to activate my bloodline’s divine ability.

“The fortune it revealed was that the opportunity to escape the shackles of fate lay in Canglan City.

“I founded the Treasure Pavilion precisely so I’d have a reason to stay in Canglan City and interact with as many people as possible.

“Yet over all these years, I’ve encountered countless cultivators.

“Not a single one triggered a reaction from my fate-divining ability.

“That is, until the day I met you, Fellow Daoist Lu.”

Mo Hongyun paused before continuing, “After I came into contact with you, my divine ability began to stir, giving me a premonition.

“From that moment on, I knew—the key to breaking my shackles of fate lies with you.”

“Tower Master, aren’t you overestimating me?” Lu Qing shook his head. “I’m just a humble cultivator at the Golden Core Realm. How could I possibly resist the divine techniques of a Nascent Soul Fourth Tribulation powerhouse?

“Someone like the Supreme Elder of Delight could turn me to dust with a mere breath.”

Hearing his words, Mo Hongyun froze.

After a while, she finally spoke with difficulty, “Fellow Daoist Lu… is there truly no way to help me?”

“I honestly don’t have the ability to resist someone like the Supreme Elder of Delight,” Lu Qing said sincerely. “Let alone someone at the Fourth Tribulation, even a newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator would be far beyond my match.”

“How could this be…”

Mo Hongyun’s face was filled with despair.

She had believed—finally—she could break free of the crushing shadow that had haunted her for so long.

Especially after witnessing Lu Qing effortlessly crush Gongshu Yu with overwhelming strength, she had felt real hope blooming before her.

But now Lu Qing claimed he was powerless—and that despair returned, stronger than ever.

Even the sliver of hope she had uncovered by burning through a hundred years of her lifespan now seemed shattered.

“Fellow Daoist Lu… is there truly nothing you can do? No matter the price, I’m willing to pay it!” the City Lord of Canglan said anxiously.

Seeing the light fading from Mo Hongyun’s eyes, Lu Qing couldn’t help but feel a trace of sympathy.

He truly wanted to help—but right now, he simply lacked the strength to contend with a Nascent Soul Fourth Tribulation powerhouse.

Especially when that opponent stood backed by a terrifyingly powerful sect.

So he could only shake his head again. “I’m sorry, Tower Master. I’m afraid I really can’t help you. Maybe… you should try escaping from the Xiao Cang Realm?”

“Escape? And go where?” Mo Hongyun gave a bitter smile. “With this [Heart-Corroding Joy Curse] upon me, the moment I leave the Xiao Cang Realm, that old dog will instantly sense it.

“And with his divine powers, he wouldn’t even need to appear in person.

“He could simply activate the curse mark from afar and make my life a living hell.”

Her despair was so deep that she no longer even attempted to show respect when speaking of the Supreme Elder—she simply called him "old dog."

The City Lord of Canglan, seeing this, was filled with anguish. He hated himself for lacking the strength to help his late sister’s only child.

But Lu Qing’s expression shifted slightly when he heard what Mo Hongyun said.

“So Tower Master… your greatest trouble right now is actually this [Heart-Corroding Joy Curse] on your chest?” he asked.

“What did you say?”

Mo Hongyun blinked in confusion, not immediately understanding his meaning.

But Lu Qing had already caught onto something faint.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “If that’s the case… then I might be able to give it a try. Tower Master, forgive my boldness, but may I carefully examine the curse mark on your chest?”

Mo Hongyun finally snapped out of her daze. “Fellow Daoist Lu… have you thought of something?”

“I just have a few ideas, nothing certain yet. Please, don’t get your hopes too high,” Lu Qing said, preparing her mentally.

He didn’t want her to sink deeper into despair if he ultimately failed.

Even so, a flicker of hope was once again kindled in Mo Hongyun’s heart.

She said frankly, “What could be worse than now? Fellow Daoist Lu, please examine it freely. For cultivators like us, flesh is just a vessel—appearance means nothing.”

“Then I shall be impolite.”

Lu Qing immediately activated his ability and focused on the curse mark over Mo Hongyun’s heart.

True to its name, the [Heart-Corroding Joy Curse] was indeed the work of a Nascent Soul Fourth Tribulation powerhouse.

With Lu Qing’s current power, activating his ability would usually reveal the nature of even high-level spiritual artifacts within ten breaths.

But this time, it took dozens of breaths before the curse mark emitted a dense violet glow, and several lines of information began to float in the air.

[Heart-Corroding Joy Curse Mark: A curse personally cast by the Supreme Elder of Delight.]

[This curse corrodes and manipulates the mind—its malice is extreme.]

[Those afflicted live as if trapped in a nightmare, their lives no longer their own. No matter how far they flee, they cannot escape the caster’s control.]

[The caster, Supreme Elder of Delight, is a Grand Elder of the Hehuan Sect, a Nascent Soul Fourth Tribulation cultivator with immense cultivation and powerful Daoist techniques.]

[Inheritance discovered. Would you like to download and simulate it?]

...

Lu Qing carefully read the floating lines of information.

The earlier ones didn’t surprise him—they matched what Mo Hongyun had already said.

But it was the final message that made a smile appear in his eyes.

This was the one he had been waiting for.

Without hesitation, Lu Qing selected:

Download and Simulate

.