"Will you take the Heart-devouring Pill and obey me for life, or will you stab yourself three times, exchanging pain for survival? Choose."
In the black forest where even moonlight couldnât reach, surrounded by over a dozen blazing fires, lay the ashes of fellow brothers and sisters.
Fang Xue lifted her head to face a visage hidden beneath a red veil.
Though obscured, the breathtaking beauty of that face was palpable.
Especially those eyes, shaped like peach blossoms, that should have been alluring yet were cold and indifferent, possessing an entrancing power.
Confronted by the ownerâs question, Fang Xue cried uncontrollably, staring at her blankly, murmuring:
"I donât want to die, I want to become stronger, I..."
In the next moment, she tightly gripped the short dagger, viciously thrusting it into her shoulder, pulling it out, blood spurting out!
Fang Xue did not pause, stabbing it into her chest, pulling it out, and then plunging into her abdomen.
The red-haired demoness put away the Heart-devouring Pill, indifferently turning to leave.
"Wait!"
Fang Xue screamed hoarsely, and the red-haired demoness turned back, finding Fang Xue crawling before her, bowing heavily three times:
"Senior, please accept me as your disciple!"
The red-haired demoness paused, seemingly surprised, "I killed your companions, yet you want to apprentice under me?"
Fang Xueâs forehead touched the ground, "Senior, they died because their cultivation was too low; I donât want to one day be like them."
"Heh..."
The red-haired woman chuckled, crouched down, and lifted Fang Xueâs chin, looking at her blood-stained face:
"Do you know who I am?"
"Youâre with the Demon Sect!" Fang Xue answered without hesitation.
The red-haired woman laughed again, her voice ethereal and clear, like an orchid in a secluded valley, making one think she was a Fairy descended from the Moon Palace if not for the surrounding ashes.
"Knowing Iâm with the Demon Sect, you still want to become my disciple? Arenât you afraid the Zhenyang Sect will kill you? Arenât you afraid all cultivators under heaven will want to kill you?"
Besides the blood stains, Fang Xueâs face was smudged with dirt, but her eyes seemed to glow:
"If not for you saving me, I would have already been killed by the Zhenyang Sect."
The red-haired woman chuckled softly: "Youâre with the Zhenyang Sect with such a mindset?"
Fang Xue clutched her chest, blood slowly seeping from between her fingers, yet her tone grew more resolute:
"Senior, I wish to seek the grand way within a century, so my parents and I can achieve immortality together. The Zhenyang Sectâs techniques arenât fast enough; if you can help me, Iâm willing to take the Heart-devouring Pill and be your slave!"
That day at Uncle Qinâs house, Sister Qiuâs words planted a seed in her heart.
Back then, Fang Xue thought that as long as she could grow stronger quickly, perceive the Heavenly Dao, change fate, and grant her parents eternal life, any sectâs techniques would do.
At that time, her vision was limited to the Zhenyang Sectâs techniques.
And she believed that cultivating diligently at Zhenyang Mountain was her lifeâs sole pursuit.
But now, witnessing Luo Zhenfeng of the Foundation Establishment Realm powerless against the Seventh-Layer Qi Cultivation red-haired female cultivator, it was clear which techniques were superior.
At least, the speed of mastering Demon Sect techniques far surpassed the Zhenyang Sectâs methods several times.
Her parents were old and frail; she couldnât afford to wait.
Nor did she want to spend decades in arduous cultivation only to be killed by someone far weaker.
Thus, it might be better to switch sides early.
As long as she could grow stronger quickly, which sect she joined didnât matter.
"Heh, such a mindset is fit for my Cyan Lotus Sect."
Upon hearing the red-haired womanâs words, Fang Xueâs eyes widened:
"Senior, are you truly from the Cyan Lotus Sect?!"
The red-haired woman stood up, her voice indifferent: "If you wish to be my disciple, you must join the Cyan Lotus Sect. From now on, everyone in the world will be your enemy. If anyone discovers your identity, youâll die without a burial place! Are you ready?"
Fang Xue bowed again: "Master above, I, Fang Xue, am willing to join the Cyan Lotus Sect, never to regret it!"
The red-haired woman tossed out a black crystal: "This is the Cyan Lotus Sectâs Tanglian Technique; cultivate it on your own. If you reach the First-Layer, I will teach you."
"Yes, Master!"
Fang Xueâs body trembled, carefully storing the black crystal in her bosom.
The reputation of the Cyan Lotus Sectâs Tanglian Technique was formidable, she had naturally heard of it.
The Cyan Lotus Sectâs Senior Sister Chun Hongtang, precisely practiced the Tanglian Technique; her cultivation was supreme, none of the elders from the Three Great Sects could rival her alone.
Only when three elders from the Thunder Sword Sect set a trap and ambushed her did they manage to kill her.
Even then, all three Thunder Sword Sect elders were severely wounded.
Such unparalleled techniques, if I could master them...
Fang Xue trembled all over when a pile of Sound Transmission Talismans appeared before her, and the red-haired woman spoke:
"Return to the Zhenyang Sect and gather intel. If thereâs any unusual activity, inform me immediately."
...
"Ah!" Fang Xue opened her eyes, her forehead drenched in cold sweat.
She sat up in bed with difficulty, gradually extending her hand from which a black Spirit Crystal emerged.
After the master gave her the Spirit Crystal storing the Tanglian Technique that day, she discovered it could merge into her body, thus preventing others from discovering it.
The moment, there was noise outside, and the black Spirit Crystal quickly burrowed into Fang Xueâs hand. A male cultivator entered with medicine, hurriedly approaching upon seeing her sit up:
"Junior Sister, youâre gravely injured; lie down quickly and rest!"
Fang Xue grasped his hand, her eyes turning red: "Senior Brother, I want to avenge Senior Brother Luo! Will the Senior Sister personally take action?"
The male cultivator looked at Fang Xueâs pale, delicate face, a trace of pity in his eyes, softly replying:
"Junior Sister Fang, rest assured, Senior Sister has already summoned Senior Sister Si Minglan. Once youâre healed, youâll accompany Senior Sister Si Minglan to hunt down the killers."
"Senior Sister Si Minglan?"
Fang Xue hesitated, whispering: "The one who practices the Charm Technique..."
A look of embarrassment appeared on the male discipleâs face, nodding:
"Thatâs her, Junior Sister Fang, donât worry. Senior Sister Si Minglanâs cultivation ranks in the top five on Xiyue Peak. Her Charm Technique is exceptional, sure to find those three murderers!"
After speaking, his expression grew more awkward, advising Fang Xue to rest well before leaving quickly.
Clearly, there was much about Senior Sister Si Minglanâs Charm Technique that couldnât be openly discussed.
After the male disciple left, Fang Xueâs gentle smile vanished, and after a moment of silence, she took out a Sound Transmission Talisman, traced her fingers, and wrote:
"Si Minglan, expert in Charm Technique."
Yunling Town.
Narrow Rain Lane.
In the kitchen, Qiu Zhihe was rhythmically chopping meat.
She suddenly stopped, set down the knife, and pulled out a Sound Transmission Talisman from her bosom, glanced at it, and a cold smile appeared on her face.
Clang, clang, clang, the deafening sound of chopping meat resounded once more in the kitchen.
"Charm Technique..."