Chapter 38:

When they arrived at Qiongju Island, it was just turning dusk, yet the island was bustling with voices and brightly lit, its liveliness rivaling that of daytime.

Xie Xuechen gently brushed away the strands of hair that the sea breeze had swept across Mu Xuanling’s face. His cool, calloused fingertip lightly grazed her delicate cheek, sending a faint tingling sensation through her, causing her to momentarily stiffen. Unfazed, Xie Xuechen continued, “Qiongju Island lies within the territory of the demon clans. The Eastern Sea demons have always been rebellious and fierce in nature. Try not to provoke them. We’ll collect the Everlasting Lotus and then leave.”

Mu Xuanling inwardly smirked—exactly what she intended to do.

“If you deliberately stir up trouble, you will bear the consequences,” Xie Xuechen warned coolly. “Though I will protect you, I do have my limits.”

Mu Xuanling curled her lips and scoffed, “What if I shouted ‘Master Xie’ right here? Do you think those demon kings would come swarming out to kill you?”

Xie Xuechen gave a faint smile and replied, “They won’t, they wouldn’t dare, and they can’t.”

It was an almost arrogant confidence.

Mu Xuanling was momentarily stunned but had to admit that Xie Xuechen spoke the truth. Although relations between the East Sea demon clans and the Shenzhou Immortal Alliance were far from amicable, they were not at each other’s throats either. Unless there was something to gain, demon kings would not risk their lives to kill the Alliance’s sect leader.

Xie Xuechen continued, “I conceal my aura and hide my strength not out of fear of them, but to avoid disturbing the locals. Don’t cause trouble for the East Sea demon clans.”

Suppressing her fury, Mu Xuanling clenched her teeth. Indeed, Xie Xuechen was far too formidable—exposing his identity wouldn’t trouble him in the slightest, but it would pose a grave threat to the Eastern Sea demon clan. She had intended to incite the demon clan against him, yet her scheme was shattered before it could even take shape.

Without another word, Xie Xuechen seized her hand, covering their interlaced fingers with his wide sleeve. When Mu Xuanling tried to pull away, he simply squeezed her palm.

“This place is full of dangerous individuals. You’d better stay close,” Xie Xuechen said gravely. “I have other ways to restrain you, but I doubt you’d want to experience them.”

This was the sorrow of being outmatched—helpless and at the mercy of another, with no choice but to swallow her tears.

Suddenly, Mu Xuanling understood the pain Xie Xuechen must have felt when his spiritual passages were sealed. How swiftly karma had returned in this life…

With resignation, she followed closely beside Xie Xuechen, blending into the crowd as they moved toward the city. The main city of Qiongju Island appeared scarcely different from human settlements. The demon tribes had long admired human civilization, adopting many aspects of their clothing, food, architecture, and daily customs. Yet, their beastly nature persisted, rendering concepts like morality and propriety alien to them. The air was thick with demonic energy, and most of the surrounding figures were demons who had taken human form, interspersed with a few overseas cultivators.

Most yao preferred to assume human forms because their original beast forms were often too large for convenient travel. Yet, despite taking human forms, they remained proud of their origins, often displaying traits of their original forms in their appearance. For instance, some snake yao styled their hair into countless small green snakes, some rabbit yao wore white fake ears on their heads, and some fox yao sat on stools, swaying their fluffy tails flirtatiously. Half-yao living among humans often tried to hide their yao blood, but these yao shamelessly flaunted their heritage, precisely because they were not half-yao and could freely imitate them.

Demonic beings with higher cultivation often possessed strikingly beautiful and seductive appearances. The demons walking the streets were alluring and handsome, dressed provocatively. Female demons bared their chests and thighs, while most male demons went shirtless, proudly displaying their well-defined chests and abs. Mu Xuanling stared in astonishment, unable to look away.

Xie Xuechen frowned and pulled Mu Xuanling in front of him, shielding her from her wandering gaze at the male demons. He said sternly, “Don’t look around.”

Mu Xuanling glanced at Xie Xuechen and chuckled mockingly, “Master Xie, look how open and free these demon tribes are. You’re the only one dressed so modestly. No wonder you’re attracting so much attention.”

Clad in a spotless white robe, Xie Xuechen appeared calm and collected, his noble and transcendent demeanor standing in sharp contrast to the surrounding crowd. Numerous coquettish female demons cast alluring glances his way, attempting to seduce him. They mistakenly took him for an overseas cultivator, never suspecting that he was actually the leader of the Immortal Alliance.

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Xie Xuechen was typically indifferent to the stares of others, but he could not bear the way the demons leered at Mu Xuanling. Deliberately positioning her on his inner side, he shielded her from their intrusive gazes, though he couldn’t prevent her from peeking around furtively. He started to question Xuanxin’s words—wasn’t the Enlightenment Water supposed to sever all emotions? Yet Mu Xuanling appeared to have only severed her feelings for him.

Yet the existence of the Tears of Mortals was undeniable…

Suppressing his irritation, Xie Xuechen said coolly, “The demon race may have learned human forms, but they lack humanity. They understand nothing of human morals and propriety.”

Mu Xuanling retorted, “What’s so noble about humanity? It’s merely a hypocritical veneer covering vile hearts. Otherwise, where would all these inner demons come from? I think the nature of demons is better—they’re honest. They reveal themselves openly, so I can gaze freely. It’s far preferable to those hypocritical gentlemen who secretly desire to look yet pretend otherwise.”

Xie Xuechen’s breath caught—she was right. He was being hypocritical, even having to restrain himself from looking at her.

Noticing the change in his expression, as if she had hit a sore spot, Mu Xuanling became even more pleased with herself. “So you do want to take a look! Which one? That delicate rabbit demon or that alluring fox demon? I noticed they were quite taken with you too. You’re a sword cultivator, not a monk—there’s no need to guard your purity so strictly. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a bit of fun…”

Before she could finish, her mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out—her mouth had been sealed!

Xie Xuechen’s fingertip pressed against her lips, emitting a faint glow. Unable to resist, he gently rubbed the small wound on her lips and said gravely, “If you can’t speak properly, then don’t speak at all.”

Stunned and furious, Mu Xuanling’s eyes reddened. Instinctively, she bit down on Xie Xuechen’s fingertip. He was too slow to pull away and felt her teeth sink into his index finger, a warm, moist sensation enveloping it. He was momentarily stunned, his heart pounding.

His Dharmic body was indestructible—how could she possibly harm him? Yet, fearing his protective spiritual energy might damage her teeth, he softened his aura, allowing her to leave faint bite marks on his knuckle.

Mu Xuanling, her jaw aching, let go and glared at Xie Xuechen with puffed cheeks and tearful eyes.

Xie Xuechen placed his hand behind his back, rubbing the tingling sensation on his finger joint. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he murmured, “You look like that rabbit demon when your eyes turn red.”

Mu Xuanling was taken aback. Her mouth opened and closed, and Xie Xuechen understood her meaning.

—So you were really staring at that rabbit demon!

Xie Xuechen’s handsome face darkened—he hadn’t.

Weren’t all rabbits the same?

Xie Xuechen led Mu Xuanling into the first inn they saw after entering the city. He murmured, “Wushe Mountain becomes even more dangerous at night. We’ll rest here tonight and leave early tomorrow.”

Still fuming, Mu Xuanling could say nothing.

The inn was noisy. The demon clan paid no heed to etiquette, speaking and behaving rudely. In the main hall, a dozen demons created a ruckus loud enough for hundreds.

A bewitching female demon spotted the two entering, her eyes gleaming with delight. Swaying her hips seductively, she sauntered closer. Her slightly curled hair bore reddish tips, her ample bosom barely concealed, and her waist was as slender as a serpent’s. A ruby glistened at her navel, impossible to ignore. After casting a provocative glance at the pair, she blew a fragrant breath toward Xie Xuechen and purred, “Brother Cultivator, are you from Lingju Island?”

The disciples of Lingju Island wore robes adorned with a phoenix embroidery on the chest. Not spotting such an emblem on Xie Xuechen’s robe, yet seeing him accompanied by a half-demon, she surmised that only a male disciple from Lingju Island would not scorn a half-demon.

Xie Xuechen replied indifferently, “No.”

The demoness smiled, her eyes becoming even more captivating. She leaned against the counter with effortless grace, her voluptuous figure utterly mesmerizing. The slender curve of her waist and her alluring silhouette irresistibly drew every gaze.

“Brother Cultivator is a wandering cultivator then…” she purred. “Are you two here to stay the night?”

Xie Xuechen’s brows slightly furrowed.

The enchantress seductively tossed her slightly curled locks, letting the ends graze her lips as she whispered alluringly, “But there are no vacancies tonight…”

The surrounding demons started to mock, and a sharp voice cried out, “Shelady has her eyes on a human cultivator again! What’s wrong with our fox demons?”

The demoness named Shelady shot a sideways glance at the speaker, flicked her tongue out snake-like, and smiled sweetly, “I simply prefer the dignity of human cultivators. Unlike you fox demons, who flirt at every opportunity.”

The fox demon was not offended and shouted back, “Isn’t that perfect for you!”

Uninterested in further quarrel, Shelady turned back to Xie Xuechen, her eyes brimming with affection. Xie Xuechen, however, remained indifferent. Without sparing her a glance, he said to Mu Xuanling, “Then we’ll go elsewhere.”

He wrapped an arm around Mu Xuanling and turned to leave, but Shelady lazily called out, “There’s not a single room left on Qiongju Island. The Demon Clan martial arts competition will be held in two days, and many powerful demons have gathered here. Don’t say I didn’t warn you—if you provoke the wrong Demon King, you’ll die.”

A demon clan martial arts competition?

Mu Xuanling stopped, feeling puzzled, and turned back to look at Shelady. Beside her, Xie Xuechen asked, “The demon clan martial arts competition is supposed to take place in half a year.”

Shelady looked surprised, “You didn’t come for the competition? Originally, it was scheduled for half a year later, but no one knows why it was moved up. The island isn’t ready, so everything is in chaos.”

Every thirty years, the East Sea demon clans would hold a martial arts competition. Any adult demon could participate. Many demons hoped to gain fame, join a Demon King’s faction, or even carve out their own territory. Although renowned demons typically did not take part, each competition saw unknown demons rise to prominence and become new Demon Kings.

The East Sea Islands were home to many reclusive cultivators, and numerous individuals had achieved fame after centuries of dedicated practice. Such an event naturally drew large numbers of demons and human cultivators, inevitably leading to conflicts.

Lingju Island wielded significant influence over the East Sea Islands, and both demons and humans held its disciples in high regard. These disciples often played a role in maintaining order and ensuring fairness during the competition.

Earlier, Shelady had assumed Xie Xuechen was from Lingju Island and intended to treat him with courtesy. Upon discovering he was a wandering cultivator, she felt free to flirt openly. Clad in snow-white robes, Xie Xuechen resembled an immortal, his refined demeanor exuding an irresistible charm. Though he concealed his aura, preventing others from discerning his true cultivation level, they presumed him to be merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, hence their lack of reverence. He sought to remain inconspicuous, yet his striking appearance and innate presence made him stand out effortlessly. To lustful demons, he was nothing short of a tantalizing delicacy. However, Shelady found herself unable to ascertain Mu Xuanling’s identity. While she detected demonic energy emanating from her, the exact nature of her origins remained elusive.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Shelady smiled, “these days are chaotic on the island. It’s dangerous outside. My inn is safe.”

Both Xie Xuechen and Mu Xuanling realized that Shelady’s cultivation was not weak—likely exceeding five hundred years, otherwise she wouldn’t have been able to operate an inn in such a lawless place as Qiongju Island. Many demons eyed the beautiful snake demon with greed, yet none dared to provoke her.

“Are you and this brother cultivator lovers?” Shelady inquired, not asking whether they were Dao companions, as Dao companions must be fellow cultivators capable of dual cultivation. Humans and half-demons could not practice dual cultivation together, though some humans did fall for half-demons and become partners.

Mu Xuanling sneered, crossing her arms, unable to speak.

But Xie Xuechen could. He said, “Yes.”

Mu Xuanling was stunned, staring at Xie Xuechen in silence: No!

Shelady raised an eyebrow in surprise, studying the two, unable to determine their relationship. They looked as if the half-demon had been kidnapped…

But that wasn’t her concern.

Shelady smiled again, her voice soft and seductive, “No problem. The little sister can join too. My bed is big, and more people make it more fun.” She winked, her ample chest exposed, drawing heated gazes from the surrounding demons.

Mu Xuanling’s face stiffened, her expression doubtful.

Was she thinking what Shelady meant?

Her ears turned red with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. It was her own ignorance—she had never learned about the customs of the Donghai demon clans, and now she had been flirted with by a snake demon.

Sangqi had also spent time in the East Sea. Though he was well aware of the nature of the East Sea demon clans, he never bothered to teach Mu Xuanling such trivial knowledge. The demon clans were renowned for their indulgence and freedom, particularly snakes and foxes, who were infamous for their lasciviousness. To demons, mating and reproduction were natural and honorable—why conceal it? If you fancied someone, you could simply spend the night together. Whether one had a Dao companion or a spouse was hardly a concern, and the more participants, the merrier the affair.

This was the situation with this snake demon.

Mu Xuanling realized that as a demon clan’s holy maiden, she had been far too reserved. It turned out that real demons were so brazenly uninhibited!